National leaders, groups file briefs at Fourth Circuit supporting Gavin Grimm and transgender rights

WASHINGTON — Individuals and institutions from across the country today filed friend-of-court briefs in support of Gavin Grimm, an 18-year-old Virginia high school student who is challenging his school board’s refusal to allow him access to the boys’ restroom because he is transgender. The briefs in the case, which is currently being considered by the…

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Trump expands Global Gag Rule putting millions at risk worldwide

The Trump administration has massively expanded the so-called “Global Gag Rule” (GGR), which stops any U.S. aid to foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that provide abortion information, referrals or services — even when they provide those services with their own, non-U.S. funding. The Trump administration’s announcement comes at the beginning of National Women’s Health Week, a…

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San Diego beach trash data reveals 80 percent of shoreline litter contains plastic

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Today, San Diego Coastkeeper and Surfrider Foundation San Diego County Chapter released data about trash collected by more than 6,500 volunteers at San Diego County beach cleanups in 2016. 80 percent of all trash removed contained plastic, with cigarettes containing plastic foam filters remaining one of the most common types of…

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AMPA announces new scholarship program to help military spouses through higher education

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the American Military Partner Association (AMPA), the nation’s largest non-profit organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) military spouses and their families, announced the launch of the AMPA Military Spouse Scholarship — a new program aimed to help military spouses pursue their higher education goals. AMPA also announced that Hilton will be the presenting sponsor of the new military spouse…

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Think tank urges Congress to address the LGBT data gap

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new report out today from the Center for Data Innovation—a data-policy think tank—outlines 10 concrete steps Congress can take to optimize the way data is collected, shared, and used in the United States, including addressing the LGBT data gap. According to the think tank, government-sponsored data collection often omits demographic information…

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HRC to honor ABC News’ Robin Roberts with Visibility Award at the 2017 HRC Louisiana Gala Dinner

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) announced that award-winning broadcast journalist Robin Roberts of ABC News’ “Good Morning America” will be honored with the HRC Visibility Award at the 2017 HRC Louisiana Gala Dinner on Saturday, June 17, 2017, in New Orleans. “As one of the most trusted and beloved broadcast journalists…

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Sessions’ new ‘war on drugs’ is ‘war on people’ says National LGBTQ Task Force

WASHINGTON, D.C., —In a backward move and a major turnabout from the policies of Obama administration Attorneys General Eric Holder and Loretta Lynch, Trump Attorney General Jeff Sessions has directed federal prosecutors to pursue the harshest criminal penalties for those who have been charged with drug crimes. The move is being described by the National LGBTQ…

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The Amazon Trail: A lesbian elder’s warning

A friend of many decades, who currently depends on federal assistance for affordable housing, sent me her concerns about the current direction of our government. As a lesbian, a feminist, a woman, a senior with disabilities, and a progressive activist, she feels especially vulnerable right now.  She needed anonymity, but gave me permission to share…

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