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Pride celebration with Lightfoot, tennis legend King on June 24
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and tennis legend Billie Jean King will co-host a virtual Pride celebration Thursday, June 24, 6-7 p.m. Howard Brown Health's Dr. Magda Houlberg, Chicago House's Avi Rudnick and Brave Space Alliance's LaSaia ...
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Pritzker announces $10M vaccination lottery
As Illinois continues to lead the Midwest in vaccinating our residents, Gov. JB Pritzker announced a new $10 million "All In for the Win" promotion that will reward vaccinated Illinoisans by automatically entering them into a ...
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Gov. Pritzker signs FY22 state budget into law
--From a press release
SPRINGFIELD — After speaking to the investments made possible by the FY22 state budget this morning, Governor JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 2017, the FY22 Budget Implementation Act, as well as the certification of the General ...
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Elected school-board bill passes Illinois House
In a move seen as a bitter defeat for Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, the Illinois House sent to Gov. J.B. Pritzker legislation that would shift control of Chicago Public Schools from the mayor to an elected ...
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Senate hearings for Gina Ortiz Jones, Shawn Skelly; historic if confirmed
--From a press release
Washington, DC — The Senate Armed Services Committee will hold confirmation hearings for two LGBTQ presidential nominees this Wednesday and both will make history if confirmed. Gina Ortiz Jones, nominated for Under Secretary of the Air ...
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Gov. Pritzker signs legislation making Juneteenth an official state holiday
--From a press release
SPRINGFIELD — On June 16, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation declaring June 19, Juneteenth, an official state holiday. To commemorate the abolition of slavery throughout the United States and its territories in 1865, Juneteenth will ...
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NATIONAL Panic defense, VP Kamala Harris, Black LGBTQ app, crime items
Four states and the nation's capital have taken action to ban the so-called LGBTQ "panic defense," which is a legal strategy used by defendants to cite a victim's sexual orientation or gender identity as an excuse ...
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Congress makes Pulse Nightclub a national memorial
The U.S. Senate unanimously passed legislation designating the site of the Pulse Nightclub a national memorial, NBC News reported. The House passed its version of the bill May 12. The measure now goes to President Joe ...
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Chicago has moved to Phase 5
--From a press release
CHICAGO — Today, Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, along with CDPH Commissioner Allison Arwady, M.D. BACP Commissioner Rosa Escareño, city and community leaders, announced Chicago has moved to Phase 5, fully reopening the city as of June ...
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ON THE MOVE How Chicago's 'gayborhoods' have shifted since 1965
Chicago's gayborhoods (LGBTQ+ neighborhoods) and safe spaces have been important to the city's LGBTQ+ rights movement—and saving them post-COVID may be crucial. New research at Georgetown University highlights the importance ...
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Lightfoot marks Pride Month at Legacy Project event
Mayor Lori Lightfoot was among the speakers at a June 7 Legacy Project event marking Chicago's 2021 Pride Month observance. Other speakers at the event, which was moved indoors to Center on Halsted due to inclement ...
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WORLD: Domestic violence, activist dies, Jerusalem Pride, Olympics
On May 28, the LGBTQ Domestic Violence Foundation launched its #SeenAndBelieved campaign to shine a light on the prevalence of DFV (domestic and family violence) in LGBTQ communities, aiming to break down the barriers to victims ...
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NATIONAL Election news, AsylumConnect, Pride business items, 'Bears'
In Pennsylvania, in a race between contenders in the Democratic primary for Erie County executive, Tyler Titus—a trans person who currently serves as Erie School Board president—was declared the winner, according to The Washington Blade. Titus ...
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First gay Black man elected to office in Texas
On June 5, Jalen McKee-Rodriguez was elected to represent District 2 for the San Antonio City Council—making him the first openly gay Black man elected to any office in Texas history, KEN5.com reported. McKee-Rodriguez, 26, defeated ...
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Noriega named chair of the state's Human Rights Commission
Among the appointments Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker named to various state boards and commissions on June 4 was Mona Noriega as chair of the Human Rights Commission. ...
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Harold J. Phillips appointed director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy
--From a press release
Statement from Jeffrey S. Crowley, distinguished scholar and director of the Infectious Disease Initiatives at the O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University Law Center: I applaud President Biden's appointment of ...
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Trans-affirming election legislation passed by Illinois General Assembly, Equality Illinois responds
--From a press release
Statement from Brian C. Johnson, CEO of Equality Illinois, on passage of Senate Bill 825, the trans-affirming election omnibus legislation passed by the Illinois General Assembly on Monday, May 31, 2021: "During Pride Month and at ...
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Cook County commissioners mark Pride Month
On June 1, Cook County commissioners held a flag-raising event at Daley Plaza to celebrate Pride Month. Among those who spoke were openly gay Commissioner Kevin Morrison. In part, he said, "By raising the rainbow flag, ...
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Mayra Hidalgo Salazar named National LGBTQ Task Force Deputy ED
--From a press release
Washington, D.C. — The National LGBTQ Task Force has named Mayra Hidalgo Salazar (she/her/ella) as its new Deputy Executive Director, effective today. Hidalgo Salazar will join recently appointed Executive Director ...
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Mayor Lightfoot helps break ground at AIDS Garden Chicago
On June 2, various local officials, including Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, helped break ground at the AIDS Garden Chicago—the city's first public park to memorialize the early days of Chicago's HIV epidemic, and to honor those ...
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LGBTQ Victory Fund endorses Malcolm Kenyatta who would be first out gay man elected to U.S. Senate
--From a press release
Washington, DC — Today LGBTQ Victory Fund, the only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ leaders to public office, joined Pennsylvania state Representative Malcolm Kenyatta at Freedom Corner in Pittsburgh ...
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Gov. Pritzker unveils newest budget
--From a press release
SPRINGFIELD — As the 2021 legislative session comes to a close, Governor JB Pritzker discussed progress for Illinois families: particularly a historic and fiscally responsible state budget that pays down ...
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POLITICS Kina Collins to challenge U.S. Rep. Danny Davis again
Kina Collins—a 30-year-old community organizer and activist as well as a nationally recognized gun-violence prevention advocate—has launched another campaign to challenge longtime U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (D-Chicago) in Illinois' 7th ...
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NATIONAL Press secretary, LGBTQ passings, poll results, Pride items
Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre made history as the first gay woman to lead a White House press briefing in the James S. Brady Briefing Room, and the second Black woman to do so, LGBTQ Nation ...
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Thompson Coburn LLP hosts virtual tea with history-making Judge Jill Rose Quinn
Thompson Coburn LLP hosted a Citywide Pride virtual tea event May 26 that featured Cook County Circuit Court Judge Jill Rose Quinn. Quinn made history last November when she became Illinois' first transgender elected official. She ...
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Lightfoot announces May 28 reopening of 22 Chicago beaches
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Chicago Park District announced 22 beaches will open this Friday, May 28, for the 2021 season. The city released a video (at https://youtu.be/FMpaaHD4IkQ) that shows Lightfoot knocking over a cardboard ...
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Secretary of state forum on June 5
To kick off the 2022 midterm elections, the Cook County Democratic Party is hosting the party's first Secretary of State Forum on Saturday, June 5, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Chair Toni Preckwinkle will moderate the event on ...
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Senate approves Peters' HIV decriminalization proposal
--From a press release
SPRINGFIELD — Illinoisans living with human immunodeficiency virus will soon be free from fear of criminal prosecution after a measure sponsored by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) cleared its final ...
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Equality Illinois names Ruiz-Velasco as deputy director
Mony Ruiz-Velasco will join Equality Illinois as its inaugural Deputy Director beginning July 15. Ruiz-Velasco has represented and counseled hundreds of LGBTQ families and asylum seekers who were seeking protection from persecution; also, she has worked ...
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Mayor Lightfoot, Dept of Housing announce $79.8 M rental assistance
--From a press release
MAYOR LIGHTFOOT AND CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING ANNOUNCE $79.8 MILLION IN HOUSING RENTAL ASSISTANCE The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) will provide up to 15 months of rental assistance for renters and landlords impacted by COVID-19 ...
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WORLD Myanmar activist, Cyprus official, brutal crimes, UK youth
In Myanmar, Equality Myanmar Executive Director Aung Myo Min broke another barrier, becoming the first LGBTQ person to become sworn in as a member of cabinet after being appointed by the National Unity Government as its ...
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LGBT-inclusive marriage-certificate act passes state General Assembly
--From a press release
May 21. 2021 - In an effort to modernize marriage certificates in Illinois, state Sen. Sara Feigenholtz and state Rep. Ann Williams helped pass The Marriage Certificate Modernization Act through the Illinois General Assembly. The legislation ...
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President Biden signs historic hate crimes bill into law
WASHINGTON — Wade Henderson, interim president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, released the following statement after President Biden signed into law the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, which included the Khalid ...
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LGBTQ-Inclusive Corporate Board Leadership Bill passes Illinois General Assembly
--From a press release
Equality Illinois and the LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois celebrated final passage by the Illinois General Assembly of a legislative measure to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion on corporate boards of directors. State law already ...
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POLITICS Morita to run for Cook County commissioner seat
Josina Morita, a commissioner with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD), is entering the race for Cook County commissioner of the 13th District now held by Commissioner Larry Suffredin, who ...
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Lightfoot only giving one-on-one talks to journalists of color
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has told the city's media outlets that she would grant one-on-one interviews to mark the halfway point of her term, but with one condition: She will only speak with journalists of color, ...
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Trans candidate Tyler Titus wins PA primary, would be first trans County Exec in U.S.
--From a press release
Washington, DC — Erie School Board President Tyler Titus (they/them) has won the Democratic primary for county executive in Erie County, Pennsylvania — declaring victory today at 4pm ET after a close election with three opponents. ...
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President Biden releases statement on Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, Biphobia
--From a press release
Statement by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. on International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, May 17, 2021: Jill and I are proud to recognize the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia — the anniversary ...
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AG Letitia James leads support of HHS effort to undo Trump era health care rule
--From a press release
NEW YORK — New York Attorney General Letitia James today continued her fight to protect the health care and reproductive rights of patients across New York and the rest of the nation. Attorney General James today ...
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NATIONAL Conversion therapy, AIDS event, COVID measure, gay Republican, UNO
In Kentucky, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council voted unanimously to ban conversion therapy for LGBTQ minors, LEX18.com reported. The vote made Lexington the third city in Kentucky, along with Louisville and Covington, to ban the controversial ...
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WORLD: Toronto schools, shocking death, trans women sentenced, Elton John
The Toronto Catholic District School Board plans to celebrate Pride Month every June, starting this year, CBC.ca reported. The board's trustees voted in favor of flying rainbow flags outside its office and all of its schools ...
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Tennessee governor signs anti-trans 'bathroom bill'
On May 14, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed House Bill 1233 (Senate Bill 1367)—an anti-transgender "bathroom bill"—into law, The Advocate reported. The statute will deny trans students and staff in ...
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U.S. House GOPs select Stefanik to succeed Cheney
On May 14, House Republicans voted to elevate Rep. Elise Stefanik to the number-three leadership position of conference chair, CNN.com reported. The development happened after the party, on May 12, ousted U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney from ...
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Quigley advocates for trans immigrants during ICE hearing
--From a press release
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), Vice-Chair of the LGBT Equality Caucus and a founding member of the Transgender Equality Task Force, questioned Acting Director of Immigration ...
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Mayor Lightfoot expands vaccine exemption with Bridge Phase May 14
--From a press release
CHICAGO — Today, Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot along with CDPH Commissioner Allison Arwady, M.D., and BACP Commissioner Rosa Escareño announced a full expansion of the Vaccine Exemption when Chicago enters the Bridge Phase of reopening tomorrow, ...
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Gov. Pritzker confirms Illinois will enter Bridge Phase of reopening May 14
--From a press release
CHICAGO —Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) confirmed today the entire state will move into the Bridge Phase of the Restore Illinois reopening plan tomorrow, Friday, May 14. The Bridge ...
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Biden to nominate Lhamon to lead the DoE's Office for Civil Rights
President Joe Biden plans to nominate Catherine Lhamon to lead the Department of Education's (DoE's) Office for Civil Rights, NBC News reported. If confirmed, Lhamon would have a highly visible role in determining how the federal ...
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GOP ousts Liz Cheney from leadership role
On May 12, U.S. House Republicans voted quickly to remove U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney as their number-three leader over her repeated criticism of Donald Trump—a massive shakeup that ties the party tighter to Trump and threatens ...
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Gov. Pritzker announces $1B in Rebuild Illinois grants for Local infrastructure projects
--From a press release
CHAMPAIGN — As summer construction season ramps up, Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) today announced the fourth round of $250 million in Rebuild Illinois funded grants is available to advance municipal, ...
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Unprecedented 18 anti-LGBTQ bills enacted in 2021
--From a Human Rights Campaign press release
WASHINGTON, D.C. — With an unprecedented number of anti-LGBTQ measures sweeping through state legislatures across the country, 2021 has officially surpassed 2015 as the worst year for anti-LGBTQ legislation in ...
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NATIONAL Military bill, LGBTQ teen, trans deaths, Pride items, children's book
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill that directs the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs in the Garden State to assist former Armed Forces service members who were denied an honorable discharge due to ...
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POLITICS
U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos to step down
U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Illinois) announced she would retire from Congress after this term, Politico reported. Bustos had stepped down from leading the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee after shepherding the ...
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WORLD Caribbean group, hate crime, 'Queen of the Pacific,' volcano wedding
A Caribbean advocacy group launched a fund to help LGBTQ people who have been impacted by the eruption of a volcano on the island of St. Vincent, The Washington Blade reported. The Eastern Caribbean Alliance for ...
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NATIONAL Black trans candidate, travel case, trans death, CEO fired
RuPaul's Drag Race alum Honey Mahogany—who currently holds a vice-chair seat in her local County Central Committee—announced that she will be seeking the role of chair of the San Francisco Democratic Party when current Party Chair ...
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Coalition of aldermen announces Chicago City Council's Democratic Socialist Caucus
Chicago, Illinois (May 1, 2021) — Today, five aldermen announced the formal creation of the Democratic Socialist Caucus of the Chicago City Council. The founding members of the caucus - Aldermen Daniel La Spata (1), Jeanette ...
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Victory Institute launches LGBTQ political history website
--From a press release
Washington, DC — Today LGBTQ Victory Institute — the only organization dedicated to identifying and supporting LGBTQ public leaders — released its new website "Pride & Progress: A history of LGBTQ political power in the United ...
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Former, current Chicago aldermen facing multiple charges
On April 29, former 22nd Ward Ald. Ricardo Munoz was indicted on federal charges alleging he spent cash from a political fund he controlled on sports tickets, travel, meals and other personal expenses, The Chicago Tribune ...
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LGBTQ appointments in 100 days of Biden/Harris administration off to a historic start
--From a press release
Washington, DC — One-hundred days into his presidency, President Joe Biden has appointed at least 200 known LGBTQ appointees to his administration, exponentially more than any other president at this point in their administration. Among them ...
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Mayor Lightfoot announces launch of Open Chicago
--From a press release
CHICAGO — Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot today announced the launch of Open Chicago, the latest initiative to safely and fully reopen the city. Open Chicago's initial programming will feature activated, re-imagined, and pop-up spaces for Chicago ...
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HRC celebrates advancements in LGBTQ rights over Pres. Biden's first 100 days
--From a press release
WASHINGTON, DC — Today marks the 100th day of President Joseph R. Biden's presidency. In response, Alphonso David, President of the Human Rights Campaign, released the following statement celebrating the many steps the Biden Administration has ...
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National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund reacts to joint address by President Biden
Statement from Kierra Johnson, ED, National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund: "Tonight, the President laid out a broad agenda that would improve the lives of diverse LGBTQ people in this country in so many ways, from ...
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Yet another governor signs anti-trans bill
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice signed a bill that bans transgender athletes from competing in female sports in middle and high schools and colleges, The Seattle Times noted. Bills seeking to ban transgender girls from competing ...
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Hate mail threatening Obamas, Biden, Harris sent to DuSable
The Secret Service is investigating six threatening letters sent to the DuSable Museum of African American History that mention President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and the Obama family, among others, The Chicago Tribune reported. ...
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More than 400 major U.S. corporations register unprecedented support for Equality Act
--From a press release
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Business Coalition for the Equality Act (https://www.hrc.org/resources/business-coalition-for-equality) announced it has grown to include more than 400 major U.S. corporations (including dozens ...
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New Center for Applied Transgender Studies responds to trans misinformation
Combatting bad information and promoting accurate education on transgender issues are the focuses at the Center for Applied Transgender Studies, which officially opened March 31. The independent, nonprofit, research organization ...
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AMA to states: Stop interfering in health care of transgender children
--From a press release
CHICAGO — On April 26, the American Medical Association (AMA) urged governors to oppose state legislation that would prohibit medically necessary gender transition-related care minor patients, calling such efforts "a ...
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WORLD Namibia ruling, U.S. embassies, Kenya refugee camp, trans teen
Namibia's High Court ruled against a gay couple battling to obtain travel documents for their twin daughters, born to a surrogate in South Africa, after authorities refused to do so on the basis the infants were ...
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Dozens of companies sign HRC's 'Business Statement on
Anti-LGBTQ State Legislation'
As of April 25, more than 85 companies have signed the Human Rights Campaign's (HRC's) Business Statement Opposing Anti-LGBTQ State Legislation, stating their clear opposition to harmful legislation aimed at restricting the access of LGBTQ ...
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Alabama governor signs anti-trans measure
Continuing the thread of anti-transgender measures that almost two dozen states have considered or are considering, Republican Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill into law April 23 that requires all Alabama athletes in K-12 public ...
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Caitlyn Jenner declares gubernatorial run
Former Olympic champion, reality-TV star and transgender activist Caitlyn Jenner is running to be governor of California, as a recall of the sitting Democratic Gov. Gavin Newson moves forward. In a press release posted to Twitter, ...
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Trump-era LGBTQ housing discrimination reversed, Quigley praises HUD action
--From a press release
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) , a Vice-Chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus and a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and ...
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Senate passes COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, NMAC responds
--From a press release
April 22, 2021 - Following is a statement from NMAC Executive Director Paul Kawata on Senate passage of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act. "NMAC applauds the Senate passage of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act in an ...
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HUD removes anti-trans Trump-era policy
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is withdrawing a Trump-era policy that would have allowed taxpayer-funded homeless shelters to deny access to transgender people, a Minneapolis Star-Tribune ...
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Quigley, HUD Secretary talk importance of LGBTQ nondiscrimination protections
--From a press release
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), a Vice-Chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, questioned Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia L. Fudge during a hearing held ...
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Cook County State's Attorney to present panel on transgender women of color, safety
The Cook County State's Attorney office will present a Transgender Women of Color Panel, a discussion about safety issues for transgender women of color, on April 27, 2021, at 5:30 p.m. central time. Panel members will ...
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