Reform Movement leaders speak out against state-level anti-LGBT legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to numerous anti-LGBT laws being introduced, and in many cases passed, at the state-level, the leadership of the Union for Reform Judaism, the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and the North American Federation of Temple Youth issued the following statement: “As leaders in…

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Dept. of Education publishes list of institutions receiving right to discriminate against LGBT students

WASHINGTON –  The U.S. Department of Education has published a list of educational institutions who have received an exemption from federal civil rights law in order to discriminate against LGBT students. The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) first called on the Department of Education in December to take action in light of this growing and disturbing trend by some…

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FDA launches public education campaign to prevent and reduce tobacco use among LGBT young adults

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced the launch of a historic public education campaign aimed at preventing and reducing tobacco use among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) young adults ages 18-24. Of the more than 2 million LGBT young adults in the U.S., more than 800,000 smoke occasionally. The “This Free Life”…

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Congresswoman Suzan DelBene calls for judiciary hearing on Equality Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) Thursday joined more than 100 colleagues in calling on House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (VA-06) to hold a hearing on the Equality Act (H.R. 3185), a comprehensive bill that aims to end discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans. “In too many states, people who…

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HRC and advocates across nation host readings of ‘I Am Jazz’ to support transgender youth

WASHINGTON — Thursday, parents, teachers and youth advocates across the nation stood up to efforts targeting transgender people, including a law recently passed in North Carolina, by holding more than 50 readings of “I Am Jazz,” a book by transgender teen and Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation Youth  Ambassador Jazz Jennings. The nationwide action involving…

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ACA condemns passage of Tennessee’s Hate Bill 1840

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Thursday, Gov. Bill Haslam of Tennessee followed in the footsteps of North Carolina’s Governor Pat McCrory and Mississippi’s Governor Phil Bryant to become the latest to sign into law discriminatory “religious freedom” legislation targeting the LGBTQ community. Tennessee’s HB 1840/SB 1556 permits counselors to deny services and refer clients based on the provider’s “strongly held beliefs”…

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House Armed Services Committee votes to strip away LGBT non-discrimination protections

WASHINGTON – Today the House Armed Services Committee approved an amendment during the markup of the FY 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Sponsored by anti-LGBT Representative Steve Russell (R-OK), the amendment would dismantle President Obama’s executive order prohibiting discrimination in federal contracting based on sexual orientation or gender identity, under the guise of religious liberty….

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Oxford, Ala. City Council unanimously approves anti-transgender ordinance

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Today, the Oxford, Ala. City Council unanimously approved an anti-transgender ordinance that prevents transgender residents and visitors from using public restrooms and other facilities consistent with their gender identity, and imposes a $500 fine or six months in jail on violators. This anti-transgender law is unprecedented in its establishment of criminal penalties…

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