Steve Lee, Editor

Scholarships available for LGBTQ students

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) students enrolling in undergraduate or graduate programs for the 2018-2019 academic year are encouraged to apply online for a Point Foundation Scholarship. Point Foundation is the nation’s largest scholarship-granting organization for LGBTQ students of merit and currently is providing financial assistance and programmatic support…

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Prop. 8 plaintiffs talk marriage with n/naka chefs (VIDEO)

This LGBT History Month, marriage equality champions Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo, the plaintiffs in the Supreme Court Case that struck down Prop. 8 in California, sat down with newlyweds Niki and Carole Nakayama, owners of n/naka and known for Chef’s Table, to discuss their relationship and how Paul and Jeff’s story paved the way…

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Civil and Human Rights Coalition raises serious concerns about Attorney General Sessions’ job performance on eve of oversight hearing

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tuesday, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee on the eve of the oversight hearing of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, raising serious concerns about the Justice Department’s record on issues that are critically important to the civil and human rights community. The hearing marks…

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Joe Biden endorses historic trans candidate Danica Roem in Virginia House of Delegates race

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Former Vice President Joe Biden has endorsed Danica Roem in her run for the Virginia House of Delegates, a new milestone in her historic effort to oust anti-LGBTQ incumbent “Bigot Bob” Marshall. Danica’s race has garnered national attention for its symbolism – a trans woman running against the self-described “chief homophobe” of…

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NYC expands paid leave policy to include ‘Safe Time’ and ‘Chosen Family’

NEW YORK, N.Y. — Tuesday, the New York City Council passed a law that expands the protections of their paid sick days law to include safe time.  The law means workers who face domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking can take paid time off to care for themselves and loved ones. Additionally, under…

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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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HRC: ‘Disturbing and sickening’ that Trump ‘jokes’ about Pence wanting to kill LGBTQ people

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), has responded to a report that Donald Trump “joked” about Mike Pence wanting to hang LGBTQ people. HRC President Chad Griffin said of the New Yorker anecdote, “It’s disturbing and sickening that Donald Trump would ‘joke’ about Mike Pence wanting to ‘hang them all’ in reference to…

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SAGE honors friends and supporters of LGBT elders at annual gala

NEW YORK, N.Y. — Monday, SAGE, the nation’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBT elders, held its 22nd Annual Awards & Gala, which celebrated SAGE’s national achievements and honored three leaders. SAGE also offered a moving tribute to beloved hero and pioneer Edie Windsor and announced the renaming of SAGE…

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In new court filing, GLAD and NCLR refute Trump administration’s claims that no harms have resulted from the transgender military ban

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Monday, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) hit back at the Trump administration’s defense of its transgender service ban in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. NCLR and GLAD filed a brief refuting last week’s Trump Administration claims that no harms have resulted…

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