HRC: VP debate puts LGBTQ equality front and center

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ahead of tonight’s vice presidential debate, the Human Rights Campaign is spotlighting the particularly stark contrast on LGBTQ equality between Tim Kaine and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence — who earned wide criticism last year for signing a discriminatory anti-LGBTQ law in Indiana that harmed Hoosiers and cost his state millions. But Pence’s “license…

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LGBTQ advocates respond to Donald Trump’s 1995 federal income taxes

Records obtained by The New York Times show Donald Trump declared a $916 million loss on his 1995 income tax returns, a tax deduction so substantial it could have allowed him to legally avoid paying any federal income taxes for up to 18 years. Reacting to these reports, Russell Roybal, deputy executive director, National LGBTQ…

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US Supreme Court denies rehearing petition in the United States v. Texas immigration case

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Earlier today, the U.S. Supreme Court denied a rehearing petition in the United States v. Texas immigration case around Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents, or DAPA, and expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA+. Advocacy groups have been quick to criticize the decision. Tom Jawetz, vice…

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Governor signs bill to protect LGBT students against discrimination at private universities

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California Gov. Jerry Brown Friday signed Senate Bill (SB) 1146, authored by Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) and sponsored by Equality California. The bill requires private universities receiving public funds to publicly disclose if they discriminate against students with respect to gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. Senate Bill 1146 requires…

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Advocacy groups launch #FairDrugPricesNow campaign (VIDEO)

WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation has joined with the Treatment Action Group (TAG) and the Fair Pricing Coalition (FPC) in launching #FairDrugPricesNow, a public education and outreach campaign to mobilize LGBTQ people and their allies to address the alarming rise of prescription drug prices in the United States. The campaign launches as…

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Coalition of faith leaders and faith-based organizations urges faith communities to support LGBTI communities under attack

NEW YORK – In response to hateful anti-LGBTI attacks by American “faith leaders” at the recent World Congress of Families in Kenya, American Jewish World Service (AJWS), 250+ faith leaders and dozens of faith-based organizations have condemned American extremists who export hatred of LGBTI people to developing countries. To punish LGBTI people for who they are and…

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Governor signs standards, protections for medical cannabis manufacturers

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Thursday, Gov. Jerry Brown signed AB 2679, which will establish key standards for medical cannabis manufacturers, help implement the landmark Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MCRSA), and end misguided raids on manufacturers. “Last year, California took a historic step by regulating medical cannabis to protect patients, businesses, our communities, and the…

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Governor signs California ‘All-Gender’ Restroom Bill

SACRAMENTO—California Gov. Jerry Brown Thursday signed Assembly Bill (AB) 1732, authored by Asm. Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) and sponsored by Equality California, the Transgender Law Center and California National Organization of Women (NOW).  AB 1732 establishes the nation’s most progressive restroom access law, requiring that single-occupancy restrooms in California businesses, government buildings, and places of…

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