GLAAD calls out Ed Gillespie’s anti-LGBTQ record in race for Virginia governor

NEW YORK – As the the race for the governor’s mansion in Virginia goes down to the wire, GLAAD today called out Republican candidate Ed Gillespie’s anti-LGBTQ record leading into next Tuesday’s election. GLAAD states that Gillespie’s actions during the 2017 gubernatorial race so far have proven that he is no “moderate” as he was…

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Canada takes action to increase equity, diversity in research

OTTAWA – Science is strongest when all people—regardless of their gender, race or heritage—are encouraged to ask questions, share their ideas and shape how we understand the world around us. The Government of Canada understands this and is committed to fostering greater equity, diversity and inclusion in the sciences so that all Canadians have the…

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Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund endorses Luis Lopez for Calif. State Assembly

Today the campaign of Luis Lopez for Assembly announces the endorsement of The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund works to change the face and voice of America’s politics and achieve equality for LGBT Americans by increasing the number of openly LGBT elected officials at all levels of government. The endorsement…

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Trump’s anti-LGBTQ nominee for USDA post, Sam Clovis, withdraws nomination

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump’s nomination for chief scientist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Sam Clovis, has withdrawn himself from consideration. Clovis is among the worst in a long line of anti-LGBTQ extremists nominated by Donald Trump and Mike Pence. Clovis has a disturbing history of anti-LGBTQ extremism, as reported by CNN. Clovis, who has…

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Treasurer John Chiang urges CalSTRS to divest in sellers of banned assault weapons and ‘bump stocks’

SACRAMENTO – State Treasurer John Chiang today urged CalSTRS board members to divest the pension fund’s holdings in wholesale or retail sellers of military-style assault weapons, ammunition and other devices such as “bump stocks” that are banned in California. Below is a transcript of the Treasurer’s speech: “Chairman Keiley and Investment Committee members… “Exactly one month…

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U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney lead congressional Amicus Brief in Masterpiece Cakeshop case

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY) announced today the filing of an Amicus Brief in support of equal rights for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community and other marginalized groups in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. A ruling for Masterpiece Cakeshop could…

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U.S. Congress unanimously condemns anti-LGBTQ violence in Chechnya

WASHINGTON, D.C.— The U.S. Senate has passed a resolution condemning the violence and persecution against LGBTQ people in Chechnya. Last night, the Senate adopted the resolution by voice vote. The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a nearly identical bipartisan resolution in June. To date, neither President Trump nor U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson…

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Civil rights organizations led by Lawyers’ Committee file amicus brief in cakeshop SCOTUS case

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A broad coalition of civil rights organizations led by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law filed an amicus curiae or “friend of the court” brief Monday for the upcoming U.S. Supreme Court case, Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, in which the justices will decide whether discrimination by businesses is…

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Russia and Egypt attack sexual orientation protections in Olympic Truce at the UN

Over the next two weeks, a decision will be made at the United Nations (UN) on whether governments globally will accept discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation at the 2018 Olympics in South Korea.  While the UN General Assembly cannot remove the ban on discrimination from Principle 6 of the Olympic Charter itself, Egypt…

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Federal Court halts President Trump’s trans military ban

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A federal court in Washington today blocked the Trump administration from implementing the president’s directive banning transgender service members from continuing to serve in the military. This preliminary injunction will prevent the ban from going into effect during the time it takes to hear and decide the case Doe V. Trump, a…

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