Prominent school psychologist uninvited from Portland Public Schools over anti-gay views

Dr. Umar A. Johnson, a certified school psychologist and recognized authority on the connection between learning disabilities among black youth and educational achievement, was uninvited by the Portland Public School Authority (PPSA) after his views on homosexuality were discovered in a series of disturbing YouTube videos.  The PPSA District chief equity and diversity officer, Lolenzo Poe admits…

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Deep South city affirms comprehensive LGBT protection

SHREVEPORT, La. — The Shreveport City Council has beaten back an attempt to undo a month-old Fairness Ordinance that prohibits discrimination in the public and private sector against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in jobs, housing and public accommodations. PACE (People Acting for Change and Equality) of Shreveport and Forum for Equality, a…

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Federal judge rules Oklahoma ban on marriage equality unconstitutional

Today U.S. District Judge Terence Kern ruled that Oklahoma’s ban on marriage equality is unconstitutional.  His ruling is stayed pending appeal, meaning marriages will not occur immediately in the state. Two plaintiff couples, Mary Bishop and Sharon Baldwin and Gay Phillips and Susan Barton, filed their case, Bishop v. Oklahoma, in the U.S. District Court for…

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Thousands expected to attend the 26th National Conference on LGBT Equality, Jan. 29 – Feb. 2 (VIDEO)

Four thousand lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights advocates from across the country are expected to attend the 26th National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change Jan. 29 –Feb. 2 at the Hilton Americas–Houston, 1600 Lamar Street in  Houston. The Creating Change Conference is powered by hundreds of skills-building workshops, 23 Day Long Institutes, receptions, caucuses, film…

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Attorney General Eric Holder: ‘For purposes of federal law Utah same-sex marriages will be recognized as lawful’

WASHINGTON— Attorney General Eric Holder issued the following statement today on the status of same-sex marriages performed in the state of Utah: “Last June, the Supreme Court issued a landmark decision – in United States v. Windsor – holding that Americans in same-sex marriages are entitled to equal protection and equal treatment under the law. …

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Lady Gaga enables social media followers to embrace their differences while deepening the perceived relationship, MU study finds

COLUMBIA, Mo. – According to recent statistics, more than 175 million tweets are sent daily, and 11 accounts are created every second on Twitter. One celebrity who boasts the highest amount of global subscribers is singer Lady Gaga who enjoys more than 40 million Twitter followers. Now, University of Missouri communication researchers have found that…

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NHL becomes first with all-team support for gay athletes and fans through ‘You Can Play’ (VIDEO)

DENVER,  — Colorado Avalanche team captain Gabriel Landeskog today became the latest professional athlete to speak on behalf of the You Can Play Project,  and in doing so, the National Hockey League has become the first professional sports league in North America to have each of its member teams represented by players voicing support for LGBT (lesbian,…

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The right-wing media’s obsession with objectifying transgender bodies

Media Matters for America latest post covers the media coverage of transgender people, particularly as it relates to transgender actress Laverne Cox’s recent appearance on Katie Couric’s talk show: Transgender actress Laverne Cox made waves with a recent appearance on Katie Couric’s syndicated talk show, where she pushed back against Couric’s fixation on the genitalia of…

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Students and families optimistic that School Success and Opportunity Act (AB1266) will remain law

Transgender students, and their parents, educators and friends today are both relieved and concerned that that while the California School Success and Opportunity Act (AB 1266), which helps schools better understand how to provide a fair opportunity for transgender students to participate and succeed, failed to qualify for a referendum based on a random count…

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