Advocacy groups condemn South Dakota’s anti-transgender legislation

Today, the South Dakota Senate passed legislation that attacks the rights of transgender children in public schools, and prevents them from using restrooms and other facilities consistent with their gender identity. After repeatedly calling on lawmakers to stop the legislation, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and the ACLU of South Dakota, condemned the vote and called on…

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Anti-LGBT legislation voted down in Tennessee House Subcommittee

The Tennessee House Civil Justice Subcommittee has voted down an extreme measure being pushed by anti-LGBT activists which sought to eliminate marriage equality in the state and require the state to defend marriage as “between one man and one woman.” The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and Tennessee Equality Project (TEP) strongly condemned the legislation Tuesday ahead of…

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Ukraine passes legal protections for nation’s LGBT citizens

Today, the Ukrainian Parliament passed nondiscrimination legislation that will provide needed workplace protections for LGBT citizens and others throughout the country. The bill, which introduces a new clause to Ukraine’s Labor Code, aims to protect a wide range of people seeking to work free from discrimination and abuse in the country. The legislation was part…

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In wake of SCOTUS ruling, HRC releases map showing how many states still lack clear non-discrimination protections

WASHINGTON – Following the Supreme Court’s ruling in Obergefell v Hodges, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) today released a new map explaining the need for non-discrimination laws protecting LGBT people at the federal level. The map shows that the Supreme Court’s ruling has brought marriage equality to a number of states that still lack clear,…

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Kyrgyzstan passes draft anti-LGBT ‘Propaganda’ Bill that’s worse than Russia’s law

Today, the Kyrgyzstan National Assembly voted to pass new and discriminatory anti-LGBT legislation during its second reading. The legislation passed through an initial reading in October, but had been stalled until today’s vote. Another parliamentary vote is required before the legislation is submitted to Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev, whose signature is necessary for the legislation…

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American sanctions hit Uganda’s ‘most vulnerable’ hardest

Uganda warned on Monday that U.S. sanctions slapped on the country over its tough anti-gay laws would harm the “most vulnerable” in the country. Washington last week froze some aid programs, as well as cancelling military air exercises and barring entry to the U.S. for specific Ugandan officials involved in “human rights abuses”, including against the gay…

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Luxembourg passes marriage equality legislation

The government of Luxembourg has passed legislation that will make it the 19th nation to grant full marriage rights to all of its citizens. Luxembourg’s national parliament, the Chamber of Deputies, approved the bill by a vote of 56 to 4.  In addition to granting full marriage rights to Luxembourg’s LGBT citizens–previously only civil unions…

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‘Open for Business Coalition’ begins new effort to block anti-gay laws

WASHNGTON, D.C.—The Open for Business Coalition, comprised of some of the nation’s leading business associations, has formed to actively oppose the so-called “Religious Freedom Bills” that are really anti-gay bills and are currently before several state legislatures. The coalition formalized its efforts as Miss. Gov. Phil Byrant signed his state’s version of the bill. Many…

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