New study shows dramatic decline in complaints by imprisoned transgender patients after staff LGBT training

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — A new study of the quality of healthcare provided to transgender patients in the New York City correctional system revealed significant areas for improvement and reported a greater than 50% decrease in patient complaints after the healthcare staff at 12 jail clinics received LGBT training. Within six months of implementing a…

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First hearing on Florida’s LGBT non-discrimination act set for Tuesday

TALLAHASSEE – Tuesday, Jan. 26, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hear The Florida Competitive Workforce Act (SB 120) which would prohibit discrimination against LGBT people in employment, housing and public accommodations. This is the first time the legislation will be heard by legislators. “This is a huge breakthrough not only for Florida but for the South…

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Anti-equality lawmakers in South Dakota target transgender students

Discriminatory legislation targeting transgender students is gaining traction in South Dakota. Scheduled for a hearing on Monday in the House State Affairs committee, HB 1008 seeks to prevent transgender students in public schools from using restrooms or locker rooms that are consistent with their gender identity and requires taxpayers to assume the costly financial consequences…

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2017 ANOC World Beach Games, San Diego launches logo design competition

SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Exploratory Foundation (SDEF) announced today the launch of a logo design and brand/style guide competition for the inaugural ANOC (Association of National Olympic Committees) World Beach Games, taking place in San Diego, in 2017. The deadline to submit is January 29 and the winning logo will be announced Feb….

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Speaker Atkins leads effort to put nearly $600 million back in the hands of hard-working San Diegans

SAN DIEGO, Calif.  – State Assembly Speaker Toni G. Atkins, Assembly member Shirley Weber and nearly 100 community representatives from diverse sectors joined the CalEITC4Me Campaign in celebration of California’s EITC Day Friday at the Jacobs Center in San Diego to mark the availability of the new state Earned Income Tax Credit.  Speaker Atkins played…

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Finest City Improv to host third annual San Diego Improv Festival Feb. 11-14

SAN DIEGO — Amy Lisewski stirred up San Diego’s improv scene when she launched the first-ever San Diego Improv Festival. Three years later, the festival returns, attracting improv enthusiasts from around the country for the four-day comedy binge. From February 11-14, at Finest City Improv’s North Park theater, the festival will offer professional workshops, performances…

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Michaela Mendelsohn becomes the first transgender board member of The Trevor Project

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Already known as the first transgender contestant in the Ms. Senior California Pageant and a consultant to Jenji Kohan in the development of Laverne Cox’s character on Netflix’s Hit drama series Orange is the New Black, Michaela Mendelsohn is now adding another new groundbreaking title to her resume. She has just been named the first transgender…

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Equality Federation launches new tools to combat tide of anti-LGBTQ legislation washing across the U.S.

Thursday, Equality Federation launched the Legislative Action Center (LAC). The LAC will empower state-based LGBTQ organizations to hold their ground during turbulent state legislative sessions while also winning nondiscrimination protections and other important policy advances for LGBTQ people and their families. With these new tools, Equality Federation can anticipate committee hearings, floor votes, and other…

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Department of Education to publish database on anti-LGBT religious exemption requests by educational institutions

The U.S. Department of Education has decided to publish a searchable database in the coming months of educational institutions who have sought and/or received an exemption from federal civil rights law in order to discriminate against LGBT students. To help increase transparency and accountability, HRC called on the Department of Education in December to take…

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