It seems that whenever a civil rights movement has fought in the United States, the battles have included public restrooms. From the segregated restrooms of the Jim Crow south, to the “unisex bathroom” arguments used in the fight against the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), to even the repeal legislation for Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT),…
This is part three of my series on The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. Today, we’re going to talk about the second agreement: Don’t Take Anything Personally. Let’s remember the first agreement: Be Impeccable with Your Word. These agreements are powerful – they’re as powerful as we let them be – and they’re even…
In the immediate wake of yesterday’s Department of Justice announcement regarding the cessation of defense for Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, Ted Olsen announced that the California lawyers working against Proposition 8 in the Perry v. Schwarzenegger case asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit to immediately allow same-sex…
Members of Equality Hawaii and the Human Rights Campaign gathered to congratulate Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie for Hawaii’s decision last week to enact civil unions into law. The new law will take effect on January 1, 2012, and will make Hawaii the 15th US jurisdiction to provide equal rights under law to same-sex couples. Alan…
The Williams Institute, a national think tank dedicated to advances in sexual orientation law and public policy, offered comments today in response to the Department of Justices’ recent decision concerning the Defense of Marriage Act. Attorney General Eric Holder announced yesterday that the Department of Justice will no longer defend the constitutionality of Section 3…
The third-annual Presidential Dining Experience, Opposites Attract, is a fundraising dinner organized by the Board of Directors for Mama’s Kitchen. The evening is fashioned with a formal five-course dinner, chef demonstrations, beverage pairing, and more. This event will direct proceeds to support the mission of Mama’s Kitchen to provide nourishment to the men, women, and…
The Department of Justice announced today that it believes courts should apply heightened scrutiny to laws that classify people on sexual orientation such as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender statuses. In light of the heightened awareness, the Defense of Marriage Act is now in the spotlight. In wake of the news, Attorney General Eric Holder…
In a series of video interviews published earlier this month, gay journalist Anthony Gioffre speaks with mixed martial arts star and anti-bullying activist Daniel Puder about a new self esteem and goal-setting program to help eradicate discriminatory violence among students. Gioffre explains in his introduction to the series that Puder drew inspiration for his program…
A statement was issued today by U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein following Attorney General Eric Holder’s decision on lawsuits that challenge the Defense of Marriage Act. The law defines marriage between a man and woman for federal purposes, but denies any federal benefits to legally married same-sex couples. In her statement, Feinstein intends to introduce legislation…
The Human Rights Campaign joined forces with Soulforce, a civil rights group seeking freedom from religious and political oppression for the LGBT community, and held a vigil on Sunday to protest fundamentalist pastor Lou Engle’s anti-gay rhetoric and the resultant persecution of LGBT Ugandans. Activists gathered outside the pastor’s International House of Prayer in Kansas…
