LITTLE ROCK – This week, Apple Inc., the world’s second largest information technology company, issued the following statement condemning the anti-LGBT bill in Arkansas, HB 1228 – a bill that could allow any person to undermine state laws by citing their personal religious belief as an excuse to discriminate against others: “At Apple inclusion inspires…
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.— Today, HRC Arkansas has called on Gov. Asa Hutchinson to exercise his executive powers and veto Senate Bill 202 (SB202), which would prohibit municipalities from enacting nondiscrimination ordinances that protect LGBT people. Anti-LGBT Arkansas State Senator Bart Hester is sponsor of SB202, the “Intrastate Commerce Improvement Act”. If SB202 takes effect, Arkansas cities…
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Voters in Fayetteville, Ark. Tuesday passed a measure to repeal Ordinance 119, an anti-discrimination city policy, reports Ozarksfirst.com. The now-repealed Civil Rights Administration ordinance was to protect against specific types of discrimination because of sexual orientation, gender identity and several other criteria. It would have also created a municipal civil rights administrator…
The GOP started the 2014 cycle with high hopes and a clear path to the Senate majority. Despite Democratic gains in 2012, Republicans needed only 6 of the 7 Democratic controlled seats in states won by Mitt Romney: Alaska, Arkansas, Montana, South Dakota, West Virginia, Louisiana and North Carolina. Naturally, things have not remained so…
WASHINGTON – Today the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and Freedom to Marry, on behalf of the Respect for Marriage Coalition, sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder asking that the Department of Justice act to ensure federal respect for the marriages of same-sex couples in Arkansas, Indiana, and Wisconsin, consistent with the approach taken…
WASHINGTON—Today, the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) Project One America released key findings from a recent survey chronicling the daunting challenges faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Arkansans. The results show LGBT people are contributing members at home, the workplace, in school and within their faith communities. However, LGBT Arkansans enjoy no legal protections…
WASHINGTON – Last week saw historic movement forward on the issue of marriage equality in America. Over the last seven days, a state circuit judge in Arkansas struck down that state’s ban on same-sex marriages, prompting hundreds of couples across the Natural State to wed; a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for…
Today, the Human Rights Campaign released a video showcasing the experiences of Southern lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people and their families. The video essay is one component of the organization’s Project One America program. “People love their Southern roots, their families and they don’t want to leave their homes. So they are choosing…
WASHINGTON – Friday, Pulaski County Circuit Judge Chris Piazza ruled in Wright v. Arkansas, striking down Arkansas’ ban on same-sex marriages. Following Judge Piazza’s ruling, Human Rights Campaign president and Arkansas native Chad Griffin issued the following statement: “I want to congratulate the plaintiffs in this case, as well as lead attorney Cheryl Maples and co-counsel…
WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has announced Project One America (POA), a comprehensive campaign to dramatically expand LGBT equality in the South through permanent campaigns in Mississippi, Alabama and Arkansas. This substantial and lasting initiative — with a three year budget of $8.5 million and a dedicated staff of 20 — is the…
