HRC calls on Olympic sponsors to condemn anti-LGBT law in Russia, advocate for equality worldwide

WASHINGTON –  Human Rights Campaign (HRC) President Chad Griffin has sent a letter to the heads of the top sponsors of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) expressing concern over the anti-LGBT Russian law criminalizing “homosexual propaganda.”  In addition to raising awareness about the law that has led to multiple human rights abuses, particularly hate-based violence…

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Pennsylvania General Counsel Schultz responds to ‘issuing same-sex marriage licenses’ case

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania General Counsel James D. Schultz issued the following statement today surrounding the same-sex marriage case as reported earlier on LGBTweekly.com. “We are deeply disturbed and disappointed by recent coverage of the same-sex marriage case which misrepresents the commonwealth’s position in this matter. “This case is a clear matter of law: Does a public official…

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North Carolina mother attempts to ‘beat the gay’ out of her teenage son

A report filed with the Whiteville, N.C. Police Department indicates that Mary Gowans, 41, attempted to have her younger son repeatedly strike her older son in an attempt to ‘beat the gay’ out of him. The report states that when the officer arrived, screaming and yelling could be heard by several subjects inside the home….

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Pennsylvania Department of Health files suit to halt issuance of same-sex marriage licenses

In what was seen as a widely expected move, Philly.com is reporting that the Pennsylvania Department of Health has issued an injunction against the Montgomery County Register of Wills, D. Bruce Hanes. Hanes, who to date has issued 154 same-sex marriage licenses, began issuing them in late July. “”I decided to come down on the…

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All legal same-sex marriages will be recognized for federal tax purposes

WASHINGTON – Today the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced a ruling that will ensure all legally-married same-sex couples, regardless of where they live, will be recognized for federal tax purposes.  Recently the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a key provision of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which…

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Leno resolution condemning Russian anti-gay laws clears committee

SACRAMENTO – A resolution introduced by Sen. Mark Leno that urges the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) and California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) not to invest future resources from their pension plans in Russia passed the Senate Public Employment and Retirement Committee today with a 4-1 bipartisan vote. Senate Resolution 18 was introduced in…

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Register today for ‘Gay Games 9’ and save

Could you use an extra $30? Save $30 when you register for the 2014 Gay Games by Sunday, 1 Sept. Early-bird general registration is $165. General registration rises to $195 after the early-bird price expires. General registration allows you to participate in the Gay Games from 9-16 Aug. 2014, march in opening ceremony,rock out closing ceremony, receive the…

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James Pritzker comes out as transgender

Col. James Pritzker, the  heir to the Pritzker fortune, has come out in the open about his personal life. Crain’s Chicago Business reported that the retired Army lieutenant colonel and wealth management CEO stated a memo to employees at the Pritzker Military Library and Tawani Enterprises, that he is now living as a woman named Jennifer Natalya Pritzker. The…

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HRC: Pvt. Chelsea E. Manning ‘deserves respectful treatment by media and officials’

WASHINGTON – Pvt. Chelsea E. Manning announced today that she is female and wishes to begin hormone treatment therapy. In a statement read on NBC’s Today show, Thursday, Manning said,  “As I transition into this next phase of my life, I want everyone to know the real me,” Manning said in the statement. “I am…

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