The state Senate’s Democratic Caucus announced today that state Sen. Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) will become Senate president pro tem in 2018, becoming the first woman to lead the chamber. State Senate leader Kevin de León said in a statement, “Four years ago, our Caucus elected the first Latino leader in over a century to…
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Civil Liberties Union appeared before the Supreme Court today in oral arguments for Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, a case that will have widespread impact on the future of anti-discrimination protection in the United States. The case centers on Charlie Craig and David Mullins, a gay couple who…
Today, Victor Madrigal-Borloz was appointed the new United Nations Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (IE SOGI). The Human Rights Council formally confirmed his position as the IE SOGI in a plenary. Victor Madrigal-Borloz follows Thai human rights expert Vitit Muntarbhorn in the position, as Professor…
OTTAWA/GENEVA—Today, World AIDS Day, UNAIDS has released a new report showing that men are less likely to take an HIV test, less likely to access antiretroviral therapy and more likely to die of AIDS-related illnesses than women. The Blind spot shows that globally less than half of men living with HIV are on treatment, compared…
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights released “Working for Inclusion: Time for Congress to Enact Federal Legislation to Address Workplace Discrimination against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Americans.” The report, based on testimony and written materials submitted to the Commission, along with extensive social science research and surveys, reflects the reality…
Two San Diegans have been arrested in Thailand for allegedly posing for pictures showing their naked buttocks at the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun). The Bangkok Post reported that the pair, later identified as Travis and Joseph DaSilva, were arrested at Don Mueang airport Tuesday night as they tried to leave the country. Pol Col…
LOS ANGELES – International human rights experts today released a supplement to the groundbreaking Yogyakarta Principles, a universal guide to human rights related to sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics which applies to all United Nations member states. The original Yogyakarta Principles were drafted by human rights experts in 2006 in Yogyakarta,…
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The University of California San Diego has been named the nation’s 10th best public university for LGBTQ students, according to BestColleges.com. The new rankings measure academic institutions that create environments and policies which meet the needs of students with a wide range of gender and sexual identities, along with additional academic and…
CAPE TOWN/GENEVA—Remarkable progress is being made on HIV treatment. Ahead of World AIDS Day, UNAIDS has launched a new report showing that access to treatment has risen significantly. In 2000, just 685 000 people living with HIV had access to antiretroviral therapy. By June 2017, around 20.9 million people had access to the life-saving medicines. Such…
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Community leader, Ben Dillingham passed away from pancreatic cancer at his home in San Diego Thursday, Nov. 16. Ben was noted for his iron integrity, generosity of spirit, and dedication to the city of San Diego and the LGBT community. His loss will be felt by many, and he will be…
