Dr. Deborah Birx sworn-in as new U.S. global AIDS coordinator

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Dr. Deborah Birx was sworn in today as the new Ambassador at Large and U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator to lead all U.S. Government international HIV/AIDS efforts. Ambassador Birx now oversees implementation of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the largest commitment by any nation to combat a single disease in history,…

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‘Open for Business Coalition’ begins new effort to block anti-gay laws

WASHNGTON, D.C.—The Open for Business Coalition, comprised of some of the nation’s leading business associations, has formed to actively oppose the so-called “Religious Freedom Bills” that are really anti-gay bills and are currently before several state legislatures. The coalition formalized its efforts as Miss. Gov. Phil Byrant signed his state’s version of the bill. Many…

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HRC calls on CPCC to take action after transgender student harassed by school security

WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign is calling on leaders at Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) in Charlotte, N.C., to implement an action plan after a disturbing incident of harassment and discrimination against Andraya Williams, a transgender student.  CPCC suspended Williams after a campus safety officer allegedly detained, questioned and harassed her as she was…

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DCCC launches ‘Battleground: Middle Class’ ad against Carl DeMaio’s Republican budget (VIDEO)

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has launched the first phase of a sweeping nationwide paid effort – “Battleground: Middle Class” – to communicate with voters in California’s 52nd district that Carl DeMaio’s new Republican budget is selling out the middle class in favor of  special interests and the ultra-wealthy. The Battleground: Middle Class‎ project will…

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Wash. Times Editor Emily Miller: transgender equality ‘Endangers every single female’

Media Matters for America latest post reveals how Washington Times senior opinion editor Emily Miller launched a baseless attack on a Maryland bill that protects transgender people from discrimination, repeating the debunked myth that sexual predators will exploit non-discrimination protections and sneak into women’s restrooms. March 27, the Maryland House of Delegates approved the Fairness…

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HHS announces important Medicare information for people in same-sex marriages

Today, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that the Social Security Administration (SSA) is now able to process requests for Medicare Part A and Part B Special Enrollment Periods, and reductions in Part B and premium Part A late enrollment penalties for certain eligible people in same-sex marriages. This is another step…

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Mississippi’s ‘Religious Freedom’ Bill passes state legislature

After differing versions of Mississippi’s so-called “Religious Freedom Restoration Act” passed the House and Senate, yesterday a conference committee reported out a final bill that fails to prohibit discrimination against customers based on business owners’ personal religious beliefs.  Tonight the final bill passed both houses of the Mississippi legislature and now heads to the desk of Gov….

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Illinois real estate firm becomes first in US to offer LGBT division

CHICAGO — Until now, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) couples in Illinois — (as in most U.S. States) — faced a number of historically significant challenges and hurdles, especially when it came to the sale or purchase of a home. Generally, members of the LGBT community had to rely upon a number of complicated legal instruments…

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