SACRAMENTO – State senators Tuesday approved a bill by State Sen. Marty Block (D-San Diego) that would ban smoking or disposal of tobacco products at a state owned or operated beach or park. The measure, SB 1333, will now head to the governor. Block said his bill is an overdue step in protecting California’s natural…
NEW YORK— In a landmark ruling, the New York Court of Appeals has revised the legal definition of “parent” under New York’s Domestic Relations Law, changing the laws regarding parental custody and visitation, especially as it relates to same-sex couples. The new criteria no longer relies on 25 year old precedent which defined “parent” exclusively as…
SACRAMENTO – Human trafficking legislation by California State Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) that would create minimum penalties for those attempting to purchase sex was approved by the Assembly Tuesday on a unanimous 63-0 vote. It will now be submitted to the Governor. Under Assembly Bill 1708, California would, for the first time, treat the purchasing and selling…
SACRAMENTO –The California Assembly late yesterday approved a bill that would require the adoption of comprehensive suicide prevention plans by local California school districts for students attending grades 7-12. Assembly Bill (AB) 2246 was previously approved by the Senate and now goes to Governor Jerry Brown for his signature. The bill was authored by Assemblymember…
WASHINGTON, D.C. – SPARTA, one of the leading advocates for transgender military service, today announced Blake Dremann as the new board chair and president of SPARTA, and the addition of three new board members: Jennifer Peace, Laila Ireland and Danyiel Brustmeyer. Well-known advocates Allyson Robinson and Sue Fulton are stepping down from leadership, Robinson leaving…
WASHINGTON — The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the business voice of the LGBT community, has announced its unprecedented endorsement of Hillary Clinton for President of the United States. NGLCC’s Board of Directors, comprised of LGBT and allied business leaders with experience in the public and private sectors, recently voted to endorse…
Comedic icon Gene Wilder died Monday at his home in Stamford, Conn., reports Variety. The star of The Producers, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and Stir Crazy died of complications from Alzheimer’s disease his nephew Jordan Walker-Pearlman said. In a statement Walker-Pearlman said, “We understand for all the emotional and…
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Campus Pride today releases its 2016 “Shame List,” highlighting for the first time a national list of “The Absolute Worst Campuses for LGBTQ Youth.” The national listing includes 102 campuses that openly discriminate against LGBTQ youth in policies, programs and practices as documented on the site listing. Find the detailed list online…
Controversial Georgia pastor, Ken Adkins, who publicly stated that the victims of the Orlando shooting “(got) what they deserve” has been charged with child molestation. Adkins, 56, turned himself over to Glynn County authorities Friday morning on charges of aggravated child molestation and child molestation stemming from allegations made by a young male former member…
https://youtu.be/gfGPx4xJHvM The Department Justice’s (DOJ) Community Relations Service (CRS) have released a new training video for law enforcement which provides information, tools and techniques to help ensure that interactions with members of the transgender community are respectful, professional and safe for all involved. The training uses three non-emergency and non-crisis situations to discuss ways for…
