President Barack Obama last week named Megan Smith, former Google Vice President and out lesbian, to the highest ranking tech job in the White House.
Federal Judge Upholds Louisiana Same-Sex Marriage Ban
A federal judge ruled that Louisiana has the right to ban same-sex marriage in the state and to refuse to recognize legal same-sex marriages performed elsewhere.
Supreme Court Blocks Marriage Equality in Virginia
The US Supreme Court granted a request Wednesday that delays a decision that would have allowed same-sex couples to start getting married this week in Virginia.
Ugandan President Signs Law Making HIV Transmission Illegal
Provisions of the law include possible imprisonment of HIV-positive individuals, a ten-year prison sentence and fine for the “intentional transmission of HIV,” a five-year prison sentence for “attempted transmission of HIV,” and compulsory testing in some situations.
Low-Income Transgender Residents in Oregon to Gain Access to Government-Funded Care
As of 2015, low-income transgender residents of Oregon will have access to gender reassignment surgery and hormone therapy if they want it.
Tennessee Judge Upholds Ban on Recognizing Legal Same-Sex Marriages
A Tennessee state court last week broke away from a tide of court rulings in favor of marriage equality by upholding the state’s ban on recognizing same-sex marriages legally performed elsewhere.
Federal Appeals Court Upholds Marriage Equality in Virginia
In a 2-1 decision, a panel of the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit on Monday upheld a lower court decision overturning Virginia’s ban on same-sex marriage.
Executive Order Banning LGBT Discrimination in the Workplace Makes No Religious Exemptions
The President yesterday signed a long-awaited executive order barring workplace discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation.
Department of Education Grants University Religious Exemption From Title IX
The US Department of Education recently granted George Fox University a religious exemption from Title IX to, effectively granting the institution permission to discriminate against transgender student Jayce M.
LGBT Rights Groups Withdraw Support for ENDA Following Hobby Lobby Decision
Several LGBT rights groups have withdrawn their support for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), citing increased concerns about the religious exemption included in the bill.
Supreme Court Upholds California’s ‘Gay Conversion Therapy’ Ban
The US Supreme Court ruled Monday that “gay conversion therapy,” which aims to change the sexual orientation of children under the age of 18, is within a state’s right to regulate and can therefore be banned.
President Obama Pledges to Sign Executive Order Protecting Transgender Federal Employees
At the White House annual LGBT Pride Month reception Monday night, President Obama reiterated his commitment to sign an executive order protecting transgender federal employees from discrimination.
Obama to Issue Executive Order Banning Discrimination Against LGBT Employees
The Obama administration announced yesterday that the President will issue an executive order prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
Medicare Ban on Transition-Related Transgender Health Coverage Lifted
The United States Department of Health and Human Services Departmental Appeals Board ruled on Friday that transgender people can no longer be automatically denied Medicare coverage for surgery as part of their transition-related health care.
Obama Proclaims June 2014 LGBT Pride Month
“During Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, we celebrate victories that have affirmed freedom and fairness, and we recommit ourselves to completing the work that remains.”
Oregon Same-Sex Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
A federal court yesterday struck down Oregon’s state constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, finding that the ban violated the Equal Protection Clause of the US Constitution. Minutes later, officials in Oregon began issuing marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples who had been eagerly awaiting the decision, some having camped out in front of a Portland […]
Arkansas Same-Sex Marriage Ban Struck Down
An Arkansas state judge struck down an Arkansas law and state constitutional amendment defining marriage as only between a man and a woman.
Beverly Hills City Council Condemns Taliban-Like Brunei Penal Code
“The City of Beverly Hills strongly condemns the government of Brunei as well as other governments which engage in similar policies for adopting laws that impose extreme and inhumane penalties including execution by stoning, flogging and severing of limbs.”
US Department of Education: Title IX Protects Transgender Students
The United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights issued guidelines this week that Title IX prohibits discrimination against transgender students.
TAKE ACTION: Protest Brunei’s Kill-A-Gay and Flog-A-Woman Penal Code Online and in Beverly Hills!
Please immediately reach out to the Sultan, the Brunei Embassy, the US Ambassador to Brunei, and the United Nations Secretary-General demanding that this new horrific Brunei penal code be rescinded.