CHICAGO – Despite efforts by the school district to justify their behavior, the United States Department of Education Monday issued a landmark ruling recognizing that Palatine High School District 211 is discriminating against a female student on the basis of her sex. The Department issued its findings after a lengthy investigation concluding that the District…
The Commonwealth Massachusetts, under the leadership of Gov. Charlie Baker, has become the first state in the nation to issue an executive order including certified LGBT Business Enterprises (LGBTBEs) in contracting and procurement opportunities alongside women and minority owned businesses. For LGBT citizens in Massachusetts, this policy provides fair and equal access to business contracting…
WASHINGTON, DC, — President Obama plans to issue a new executive order that would help reduce employment discrimination against formerly incarcerated people applying for federal government jobs. Earlier this year, the National LGBTQ Task Force sent a letter along with a dozen organizations urging the president to eliminate the requirement from job applicants to check off a…
Today, faith leaders across denominations gathered outside of Grace Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas, in demonstration of the broad religious support for the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO), writes Maureen McCarty on the HRC Blog. Tomorrow, Houstonians head to the ballot box to vote “yes” on Proposition 1 to defend HERO, which protects Houston residents and visitors…
Fear of “special rights” for LGBT Americans to sexualize workplaces, schools, and churches set back the cause of equal rights decades. Those who opposed “special rights” did so more effectively than those who supported equality. Pope Francis, just before departing the U.S., bestowed special rites on Kentucky clerk Kim Davis, whom some liken to Montgomery…
WASHINGTON, D.C. — To mark Transgender Awareness Month this November, the National LGBTQ Task Force’s Executive Director Rea Carey has issued the following statement: “As we mark Transgender Awareness Month, there is much to celebrate in terms of awareness for the transgender community but there are urgent issues that must be addressed that directly affect…
New legislation to be introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) would remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act and allow it to be regulated similarly to alcohol. That approach would allow states that choose a legal, regulated approach to marijuana to move forward without federal interference and allow banking access and fair taxation to state-compliant…
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Leading experts in transgender legal concerns, Professors Erin E. Buzuvis and Jennifer L. Levi of Western New England University School of Law Center for Gender & Sexuality Studies filed briefs in support of Virginia high school student Gavin Grimm who sued his school for excluding him from using the boys’ restroom facility…
https://youtu.be/Uxv6NpHP8X0 During this week’s Republican Presidential debate Ben Carson once again demonstrated he is no friend of the LGBT community by refusing to take sides on the issue of Turing Pharmaceuticals’ massive price hike of an HIV drug. CNBC host Jim Cramer asked Carson, “In recent weeks, another pharmaceutical company has been accused of profiteering,…
https://youtu.be/R9IvvbsdAjs Houston’s Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO) is one of the biggest votes facing the LGBT community this election day. The ordinance will protect the city’s residents and visitors from discrimination in housing, employment and business services based on sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion and 11 other characteristics. YouTube LGBT content creator Raymond Braun recently…
