Wednesday, Judge Todd Hernandez of the 19th Judicial District Court struck down Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards’ executive order protecting LGBTQ state workers and contractors from discrimination. Judge Hernandez delivered the ruling as the result of a dispute between Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, a Republican, and the Democratic governor, reported The Washington Blade. “The court…
NEW YORK – U.S. middle and high schools remain hostile environments for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) students, according to GLSEN’s National School Climate Survey. However, the report, which documents school climate, its effects on student outcomes and the availability and benefits of school-based supports for LGBTQ students, also shows significant signs…
Following a week of testimony in the civil suit of Will Walters v. City of San Diego et al, the jury rejected the claim that five San Diego police officers discriminated against Walters for wearing a short kilt-like costume at the LGBT Pride festival in 2011. The eight-member jury in the U.S. District Court for…
WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation in partnership with the Equality Federation, today released its third annual national report assessing the status of state legislation affecting LGBTQ equality across America, including in California. HRC’s State Equality Index reveals that in many states opponents of equality are ramping up efforts to sanction discrimination against…
SAN DIEGO—Closing arguments will be heard today in the civil suit of Will Walters v. City of San Diego et al, following a week of testimony that included more than a dozen witnesses and the presentation of evidence including photos of women wearing more revealing swimsuits than the kilt for which the plaintiff, Will Walters,…
Today, the President issued a video message thanking Federal employees for their service, and recognizing the enormous difference they make in the lives of Americans. To celebrate the accomplishments of the Federal workforce, today the Administration is releasing a list of examples demonstrating the impact Federal employees have had in making Government work better for…
Fourth District Councilmember Myrtle Cole made history Monday as she became the first African American woman to become city council president. Cole was elected in a 6-3 vote edging out Eighth District Councilmember David Alvarez. The vote came after numerous speakers sought to persuade councilmembers to vote for Cole or Alvarez, who are both Democrats….
WASHINGTON — A new grassroots group, 50 Bills 50 States, launched this week seeking to protect LGBT youth from the practice of conversion therapy. The discredited therapy seeks to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity using what many consider torturous techniques. Samuel Brinton, a survivor of conversion therapy and one of the group’s…
SAN FRANCISCO — Queer Arab-American public interest attorney and musician Nyla Moujaes is no stranger to the courtroom. But today (Dec. 12), she will pursue social justice in a new role – as a plaintiff in a civil rights and police misconduct trial in U.S. District Court, Northern District of California – Oakland Division. A lawyer…
JACKSON, Miss. – Saturday, LGBTQ advocates and opponents of House Bill 1523 (HB 1523) – the so-called “Religious Freedom” bill that gives special rights to opponents of marriage equality and encourages discrimination against the LGBTQ community – rallied to raise their voices for equality and acceptance. Although HB 1523 was blocked by a federal court,…
