According to the RBC News Agency, the Russian Duma’s Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Building has rejected a bill which would have made coming out to young people and same-sex couples kissing in public punishable with jail sentences. The bill, introduced by Ivan Nikitchuk, a Communist party MP, would have punished people with a 5,000 ruble…
Rep. Bob Dold (IL-10), today became the first Republican member of Congress to co-sponsor the Equality Act – landmark federal legislation that would guarantee explicit, permanent protections for LGBT people from discrimination in many of the most important aspects of their lives. In statement released today Dold said, “Illinois has a long and proud history…
British actor Alan Rickman has died at the age of 69 after a battle with cancer. Rickman was known for playing a variety of roles on stage and screen, often as a complex antagonist. Rickman was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company performing in both modern and classical theater productions. His first major television…
In his final, historic State of the Union address, President Obama reflected on some of the gains the LGBT community has made as well as some of the challenges we continue to face. Here the Human Rights Campaign’s Hayley Miller outlines five highlights from his address: 1. White House Guest List Included Members of LGBT Community…
Tonight, President Obama will deliver his eighth and final State of the Union address. From a record number of appointments of LGBT judges and ambassadors, to the institution of far-reaching administrative and regulatory policy changes, President Barack Obama has been a stalwart champion of the LGBT community. President Obama has signed the only signature pieces…
Legendary British singer David Bowie died Jan. 10 at the age of 69. The iconic artist died after a battle with cancer, his rep confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter. “David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18 month battle with cancer. While many of you will share in this loss, we…
Today, House Republicans defeated a motion in the U.S. House of Representatives to safeguard President Obama’s executive order protecting LGBT employees of federal contractors from discrimination. During consideration of a bill to require federal agencies to cut costs by eliminating existing regulations, Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) offered a procedural motion to exempt regulations implementing the…
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – The first large, controlled study of health disparities between clinically diagnosed transgender and non-transgender patients—based on the medical records of more than 5,000 patients treated in the Veterans Health Administration—showed that transgender veterans had a significantly greater prevalence of numerous psychiatric and medical conditions. The specific disorders examined and the implications…
Transgender U.S. military sergeant and bodybuilder Shane Ortega has joined Athlete Ally as a Professional Ambassador. Ortega joins MMA Fighters Jessica Aguilar and Nicole Upshaw, National Women’s Soccer League Forward Zakiya Bywaters, Great Britain’s No. 1 male blind ski racer John Dickinson-Lilley and Canadian National Soccer Team Defender Carmelina Moscato who were also welcomed today…
After racking up more than 50 accusations from women of sexual assault or unwanted advances, Bill Cosby will finally face criminal charges in Pennsylvania. Montgomery County District Attorney-elect Kevin Steele announced today that Cosby will face charges of aggravated indecent assault which is a felony of the first degree. The Huffington Post reported that the…
