Equality California’s 2017 legislative wrap-up: Seven sponsored bills signed by governor

SACRAMENTO, Calif.— With his signature on Sunday of Senate Bill (SB) 179, authored by Sen. Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) and Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), and SB 310 (Atkins), California Governor Jerry Brown has signed seven Equality California-sponsored bills, ending the 2017 legislative session and bringing the total number of resolutions and bills successfully sponsored…

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GLAD and NCLR join as co-counsel in Equality California lawsuit against President Trump’s transgender military ban

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Equality California announced today that the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), the LGBT legal organizations leading the fight against the Trump Administration’s transgender military ban, have joined as co-counsel in its lawsuit challenging the ban, Stockman v. Trump. Equality California is a plaintiff in the suit together with seven…

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EQCA’s2017 legislative wrap-up: Two resolutions pass, seven bills to governor’s desk

SACRAMENTO, Calif.— The California Legislature has sent seven Equality California-sponsored bills to Governor Jerry Brown for his signature. In addition, lawmakers approved two resolutions sponsored by Equality California. If the bills are signed into law, it will bring to 127 the number of pieces of legislation advanced by Equality California to advance the health and…

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EQCA: Anti-LGBTQ statements by Fresno School Board President ‘ill informed’

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Equality California have responded to statements made last week by Fresno Unified School Board of Trustees President Brook Ashjian in which he suggested that a law requiring schools to include information about LGBTQ people in middle and high school health classes might “sway” students to become LGBTQ themselves. Aug. 4, the…

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Equality California launches new logo, tagline and mission statement

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Equality California today announced the launch of a new logo and visual identity for the organization as well as the adoption of a refined mission statement and tagline. “Our new logo, mission statement and tagline embrace California’s leadership as a beacon of hope for LGBTQ people and the role Equality California…

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Poll finds one in eight California voters identifies as LGBT

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Equality California has announced that a poll conducted by Tulchin Research in January 2017 has found that 12 percent of California voters identify as being members of the LGBT community. The online survey of 600 registered voters asked “are you a member of the LGBT community.” The answers showed notable divisions by age,…

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Equality California announces 2017 Legislative Package

SACRAMENTO — Equality California (EQCA) today announced the initial 10 sponsored bills of its 2017 legislative package. Rick Zbur, EQCA executive director introduced The package saying, “The LGBT community faces significant challenges in Washington and across the country with attempts to roll back LGBT civil rights along with programs that LGBT people depend on, such…

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EQCA endorses two LGBT candidates for West Hollywood City Council

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Equality California (EQCA) today announced the endorsement of two LGBT candidates for re-election to the West Hollywood city council. The candidates are as follows: John Duran (West Hollywood City Council) – John Duran helped found Equality California in 1999, served on its board from 2001 to 2008, and was board president from 2004…

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Atkins, Wiener announce bill to create new gender marker and ease process for gender change in court orders and on state documents

SACRAMENTO—With help from Equality California and the Transgender Law Center, Senators Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) today announced the introduction of legislation, SB 179 – The Gender Recognition Act of 2017, that will enable more transgender, intersex and nonbinary people to obtain state-issued identity documents that accurately reflect their gender….

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EQCA calls on the LGBT community and allies to support Planned Parenthood

LOS ANGELES — In response to Thursday’s announcement by House Speaker Paul Ryan that he intends to target Planned Parenthood funding in his attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Equality California (EQCA) Executive Director Rick Zbur issued the following statement: “Equality California is calling on all members of the LGBT community and our allies to…

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