ACLU acts to block court order that permits discrimination against women, transgender people seeking health care

FORT WORTH, Texas — The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Monday filed a motion to stay a nationwide court order preventing the federal government from enforcing an Affordable Care Act regulation that protects transgender people and women from discrimination in health care. The ACLU also asked the court to issue a formal ruling on its…

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San Diego LGBT newspaper

Secretary Kerry apologizes for anti-LGBTQ witch hunt in State Department during 1950s and 1960s

Outgoing U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry for has apologized to LGBTQ employees and their families who were targeted, harassed, and fired as part of the infamous “Lavender Scare” witch hunt in the 1950s and 1960s. In his statement Kerry said, “In the past – as far back as the 1940s, but continuing for decades –…

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HRC calls on senators to oppose Sessions’ nomination

WASHINGTON — Ahead of this week’s confirmation of President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for United States Attorney General, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC),  released a report detailing Jeff Sessions’ alarming record on LGBTQ equality. The report was delivered to Members of Congress with an attached letter from Chad Griffin, President of the Human Rights Campaign, calling…

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ACLU legal director to testify at Sessions’ confirmation hearing

WASHINGTON — The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) announced today that its new national legal director, David Cole, will testify at Sen. Jeff Sessions’ confirmation hearing for attorney general Jan. 11. The ACLU is nonpartisan, and as a matter of longstanding policy does not support or oppose nominees for federal office. As a result, the…

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NYT creates weekly compilation of bias-motivated incidents in wake of Trump presidency

Since November, The New York Times’ Editorial Board has been chronicling the disturbing incidents of hate crimes and harassment around the country. In its most recent weekly installment, the Times relates the details of a violent attack on a black transgender man on a Manhattan subway, and several troubling anti-Semitic and racist incidents. The following…

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HRC partners with Prevention Access campaign to correct misinformation about HIV

HRC has announced a partnership with the Prevention Access Campaign (PAC) to correct misinformation about HIV in the news media through a new joint initiative called the Accuracy Watchdog. PAC is one of a growing number of organizations, including HRC, to champion the fact that people living with HIV cannot transmit the virus to a…

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Fla. lawmakers unveil gun safety legislation that targets assault-style weapons

ORLANDO, Fla. – Proposed legislation to ban assault-style weapons in Florida were unveiled Thursday at a news conference held by the Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence. Sen. Linda Stewart and Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith will introduce the bills, which also include banning large ammunition feeding devices. “Assault weapons are the gold standard for mass murder. They…

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Covered California’s enrollment deadline nears for 2017 coverage

Affordable and invaluable health care is available for uninsured Californians in 2017. But the deadline to enroll is drawing near: Covered California’s open enrollment ends on Jan. 31. Those who enroll by Jan. 15 will have their coverage begin on Feb. 1. Those signing up between Jan. 16 and Jan. 31 will have coverage starting…

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EQCA calls on the LGBT community and allies to support Planned Parenthood

LOS ANGELES — In response to Thursday’s announcement by House Speaker Paul Ryan that he intends to target Planned Parenthood funding in his attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Equality California (EQCA) Executive Director Rick Zbur issued the following statement: “Equality California is calling on all members of the LGBT community and our allies to…

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New chemsex study examines the prevalence of drug-fueled sex

https://youtu.be/JeWMTUIq3X8 TORONTO – Popular gay hookup site Squirt.org has found chemsex, also known as Party and Play (PNP) or drug-fueled sex, is prevalent with 30% of survey respondents admitting that they have engaged in the activity. The study, which surveyed 22,248 Squirt.org members, also showed that despite widespread usage of illicit drugs during sex, only about…

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