WASHINGTON — Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Jared Polis (D-CO), and Don Young (R-AK) have formed the Congressional Cannabis Caucus to develop and promote sensible cannabis policy reform and work to ease the tension between federal and state cannabis laws. They represent constituents in four of the eight states that have enacted laws…
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California State Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D- San Diego) and State Controller Betty Yee announced Thursday their effort to allow victims of human trafficking to be compensated by the state crime victims fund for the income they lost and for other damages that resulted while they were enslaved. “Whether they are forced to…
WASHINGTON, D.C., — Thursday, the National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund joined lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) advocates and immigrant rights activists taking part in “A Day Without Immigrants” actions taking place all across the country. In Washington, D.C., advocates marched to the White House to call on the Trump Administration to stop…
NEW MEXICO — Thursday, the New Mexico Senate passed SB 121, legislation that would protect LGBTQ youth in the state from the practice of “conversion therapy.” “Conversion therapy,” sometimes referred to as “sexual orientation change efforts” or “reparative therapy,” encompasses a range of practices that seek to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity…
OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington Supreme Court today ruled that a florist in Richland violated the state’s anti-discrimination law when she denied service to a same-sex couple for their wedding. Curt Freed and Robert Ingersoll were refused service by Arlene’s Flowers because they are gay. The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Washington…
WASHINGTON, D.C., — In a comprehensive report released today, Alliance for Justice reviews the career and rulings of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Neil Gorsuch and concludes that “on the merits, Judge Gorsuch is not qualified to serve on the Supreme Court.” The report relies on an extensive review of Judge Gorsuch’s record both before…
Andrew Puzder withdrew from consideration for Labor Secretary today. LGBT rights goups, alongside labor groups, women’s groups, and others, had been raising concerns about Puzder’s deeply troubling record of undermining the dignity of his employees and his refusal to answer questions about his commitment to nondiscrimination protections. Pudzer is the first of President Donald Trump’s…
WASHINGTON, D.C., — Rep. Takano (D-Calif.) joined leaders of Pride at Work, Equality Federation, and Wyoming Equality today to hold a press conference opposing Andrew Puzder for Labor Secretary. Puzder faces a broad and growing opposition, including prominent Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine), as his anti-worker, anti-LGBTQ record comes to light….
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Yesterday, after years of hard work and courageous advocacy from the local LGBTQ residents, businesses owners, faith voices and community leaders, the Jacksonville City Council voted to ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression by a 12 to 6 vote. This update modernizes the existing city ordinance…
WASHINGTON – Today, in response to the U.S. Department of Justice’s announcement that it will no longer challenge a nationwide hold on protections for transgender students, nearly 800 parents of transgender children sent a letter to President Donald Trump condemning the decision and calling on his administration to fully enforce federal civil rights laws. The…
