SACRAMENTO – Equality California (EQCA) is sponsoring two bills authored by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley) that would prohibit the use of state funds to support entities that allow discrimination by creating exemptions based on religious beliefs. “I’m proud to be a voice for the LGBT community throughout the state and across the country,” Low said….
SAN FRANCISCO – Equality California announced Friday that it is sponsoring legislation, authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), that would establish the nation’s most progressive restroom access law. AB 1732, the Equal Restroom Access Act, would require single-occupancy restrooms in California businesses, government buildings, and public spaces to be identified as “all gender.” “Restrooms…
LOS ANGELES – In response to last week’s vote in favor of HR 4038, the so-called American Security against Foreign Enemies Act, by members of California’s congressional delegation and openly LGBT congressmembers, Equality California Executive Director Rick Zbur issued the following statement: “Last week’s vote was a victory for ignorance and fear. We are deeply…
Assembly Joint Resolution (AJR) 16, authored by Assemblymembers Richard Bloom, Eduardo Garcia and Evan Low and sponsored by Equality California, has been introduced in the State Assembly in response to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) new blood donor guidelines that continue to discriminate against gay and bisexual men. The new proposed FDA guidelines would…
It’s fine to be “Ready for Hillary.” “Already Closed to Others” is a different matter, which is why I’m mystified by Equality California’s (EQCA) endorsement of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for president in 2016. Media outlets announced the endorsement Monday, March 16, an odd date for two reasons. First, the organization’s Web site…
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), Equality California (EQCA), and Transgender Law Center applaud the introduction of a California bill that prohibits state agencies from doing business with companies that discriminate against their employees based on gender identity, including by denying transgender workers the same benefits and health care coverage they offer…
LOS ANGELES — Equality California, the largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocacy organization in California, announced today that its executive director, John O’Connor, will step down in July following a successful, 18-month tenure leading EQCA through a period of extensive organizational transition. EQCA also announced that board member Rick Zbur, a senior partner…
Equality California today announced that Rep. Mark Takano has been named the Leadership Award honoree for the Palm Springs Equality Awards scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 12. Takano is the first openly gay person of color elected to the House of Representatives, representing California’s 41st District, and since his election, has been a strong voice in…
It was a different Carl DeMaio who announced his candidacy for the 52nd Congressional District seat recently. His life-partner Johnathan Hale was up front and by his side and he called upon the Republican Party to be “more positive and inclusive,” and that they should stay out of social issues which he said, “… are…
SACRAMENTO — The Youth Equality Act (SB 323), designed to bring youth group tax exemptions in line with California’s existing non-discrimination laws, has passed the Senate with a vote of 27-9 making this the first LGBT rights bill to pass with a two-thirds majority in California history. The bill, authored by Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Long…
