Atkins introduces bill to ease name- and gender-change process for transgender prisoners

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —Sen. Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) announced today that she has introduced SB 310, legislation that establishes the right of people incarcerated in state prisons and county jails to access the court to obtain a name or gender change. Currently, people incarcerated in state prisons seeking a court order for a name change…

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NC governor announces new proposal to repeal HB 2

Today, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper announced a new proposal that would fully repeal the state’s deeply discriminatory HB2 law and introduce additional legislation. After the North Carolina General Assembly failed to follow through on their end of a bargain the Governor brokered in December, this new proposal would fully repeal HB2 while requiring a…

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The Southern REACH initiative awards $1.4 million in funding to 23 organizations in the Deep South

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Through the generous support of the Ford Foundation, 23 organizations in nine Deep South states heavily impacted by HIV/AIDS will receive critical support to fight the HIV epidemic by addressing the disparities and social injustices that fuel the epidemic. By adopting an intersectional approach, Southern REACH grantees will advance the rights, health…

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Rep. Susan Davis re-introduces legislation to expand access to voting and to protect the integrity of elections

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) has re-introduced two of her signature election reform bills to restore integrity to federal elections and end constraints placed on voters who want to vote by mail, known as absentee. The Universal Right to Vote by Mail Act would end restrictions many states impose on a person’s ability…

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HRC: Confirmation of Tom Price as HHS secretary jeopardizes health and well-being of LGBTQ people

WASHINGTON — Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) said Tom Price’s confirmation as Secretary of Health and Human Services puts the health and well-being of LGBTQ people in jeopardy. Price has a long, disturbing record of opposing basic civil rights for LGBTQ people and will be serving in a position of unique importance to the LGBTQ…

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Appeals court declines to re-instate Trump immigrant ban

A federal appeals court on Thursday declined the Trump administration’s urgent request to restore the controversial executive order restricting refugees and travel by immigrants from a number of Muslim-majority countries. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit determined unanimously that “the judiciary has a proper role in safeguarding people’s rights,” and rejected arguments that…

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Donald Trump signs police enforcement executive orders

WASHINGTON, D.C.—President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he had signed three executive orders that stand  to significantly increase the criminalization and incarceration of some of the nation’s most vulnerable populations by broadening law enforcement agencies’ powers. “Trump’s executive orders that expand the discretionary power of police enforcement are a clear attack on freedom, justice and…

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North Carolina legislators introduce comprehensive HB2 repeal and replace legislation

RALEIGH, N.C. — Today, North Carolina legislators introduced companion bills in the North Carolina House and Senate to repeal HB2 and replace it with statewide, LGBTQ-inclusive, non-discrimination protections — the same commonsense protections that exist in 19 states and more than 100 cities across the country. The comprehensive legislation was introduced by Representatives Pricey Harrison,…

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California State Assemblymembers introduce ‘California Welcomes Refugees’ Legislative Package

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California State Assemblymembers Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-San Diego) and Adrin Nazarian (D-Sherman Oaks) have introduced a legislative package that builds upon California’s efforts to welcome and successfully integrate refugees from around the world. This legislative package will help refugees access educational and employment resources necessary to become integrated and…

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