Anti-LGBT Tennessee lawmaker pushes to defy the U.S. Supreme Court on marriage equality

Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), and the Tennessee Equality Project (TEP), strongly condemned legislation gaining traction in Tennessee that attempts to defy the Supreme Court of the United States on marriage equality. Being pushed by Rep. Mark Pody (R-46), the so-called Tennessee Natural Marriage Defense Act attempts to eliminate marriage equality in the state…

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Drought and poverty in California, gun violence, LGBT rights among local highlights at ABA meeting Feb. 3-8 in San Diego

WASHINGTON — Implications of the California drought, anti-poverty best practices for San Diego, President Obama’s executive action on curbing gun violence and the conflict between religious freedoms and LGBT rights are chief among local legal issues that will be explored at the 2016 American Bar Association (ABA) Midyear Meeting Feb. 3-8 in San Diego. Local…

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Human Rights Campaign endorses Hillary Clinton for president

WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign, (HRC)  today announced its endorsement of Hillary Clinton for President. HRC’s Board of Directors, comprised of 32 community leaders from across the nation, unanimously voted to endorse Secretary Clinton — an endorsement she will accept next Sunday, January 24 at an event in Des Moines, Iowa with HRC President…

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Montana Gov. Steve Bullock signs executive order protecting LGBT state employees

Today,  Montana Gov. Steve Bullock signed an executive order that will prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity for state employees, as well state contractors and subcontractors. In a press conference earlier today Gov. Bullock celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day by noting that it is time to “recommit to King’s…

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Russia rejects bill that would have criminalized coming out

According to the RBC News Agency, the Russian Duma’s Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Building has rejected a bill which would have made coming out to young people and same-sex couples kissing in public punishable with jail sentences. The bill, introduced by Ivan Nikitchuk, a Communist party MP, would have punished people with a 5,000 ruble…

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National AIDS Memorial Grove announces recipients of 2015 Pedro Zamora Young Leaders Scholarship

SAN FRANCISCO — The National AIDS Memorial Grove has awarded six outstanding undergraduate students each with a Pedro Zamora Young Leaders Scholarship for their commitment to active roles of public service and leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The Pedro Zamora Young Leaders Scholarship, named in honor of AIDS educator, activist and reality television pioneer…

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