As part of their ‘Southern strategy,’ the Human Rights Campaign will launch a television spot tonight in the Jackson, Mississippi market that takes aim squarely at one of the most conservative, and homophobic, regions of the country, reports Jay Reeves for the Associated Press. The goal is part of a larger strategy to address huge…
WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), today responded to the fact that only three Federal Employee Health Benefit (FEHB) providers will begin offering transition related health care coverage in 2015 for transgender federal employees: AETNA, Kaiser Permanente, and the Foreign Service Benefit Plan. Kaiser Permanente’s plan will significantly limit the scope of coverage. “Transgender…
PHILADELPHIA — With Independence Hall as the backdrop, plans were unveiled at a press conference for the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the LGBT civil rights movement at Independence Hall July 4, 2015. The 50th Anniversary festivities from Thursday, July 2 to Sunday, July 5 include panels, LGBT history exhibits, parties, a festival and special events…
NEW YORK — The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) announced nearly $1.5 million in new grants today, including a new program aimed at addressing the rampant stigma against HIV-positive people and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) community. With this round of grant-making, EJAF is awarding seven new and six renewal grants that…
Today the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit overturned lower court rulings that struck down Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee bans on marriage equality. Until today, no state marriage ban had survived a federal circuit court ruling. What’s more, the Supreme Court of the United States issued an order last month allowing the…
http://youtu.be/YVgtirUBKr4 NEW YORK, – The Empire State Pride Agenda, New York’s statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, today announced the launch of its second annual Transgender Awareness Month to celebrate the diverse lives and experiences of transgender and gender non-conforming New Yorkers. This year’s theme, “True To You” speaks to the…
SAN FRANCISCO — Today Freedom to Marry and Out & Equal Workplace Advocates released a new report estimating that the remaining patchwork of marriage laws for same-sex couples across the United States costs businesses in the private sector $1.3 billion every year. Over the next five years, the private sector is expected to spend $6.6…
After a historic wave election that brought Republican control of the Senate and the largest GOP House majority since 1930, President Barack Obama pledged to work with Republican leaders Wednesday. Speaking to reporters from the East Room, Obama said, “Obviously, Republicans had a good night, and deserve credit for running good campaigns.” Obama continued, “What…
SACRAMENTO – Following yesterday’s 2014 midterm elections, Speaker Toni G. Atkins spoke with reporters about striking the right balance in the Assembly. “Despite a strong Republican headwind, a record low turnout and a historically high number of seats to defend, the Assembly still retains a huge voting majority,” said Speaker Atkins (D-San Diego). “California remains…
Yesterday, voters in Dallas approved nondiscrimination protections for LGBT city employees to the City Charter. The city charter amendment, which includes sexual orientation and gender identity, was passed by 77 percent of voters, according to Lone Star Q. Dallas received 81 on HRC’s 2013 Municipality Equality Index (MEI). The MEI examines the laws, policies and…
