SEE YOU IN COURT -- LAWSUIT AGAINST STARKVILLE, MISS., FOR DENYING PERMIT FOR LGBTQ PRIDE PARADE: It asserts that action by the city’s Board of Aldermen violated citizens’ constitutional rights to free expression and equal protection. “Everyone deserves to feel protected and celebrated in their community, and we applaud Roberta Kaplan and Bailey McDaniel for being brave enough to challenge the unfair and wrong decision from the Starkville Board of Aldermen,” said Rob Hill, HRC Mississippi state director. “HRC encourages the Board to reconsider its vote instead of wasting time and money to defend its discriminatory actions in court.” More from The Associated Press.

Thanks @kaplanrobbie for fighting for all Mississippians! We have your back and will be right there with you. ��️‍���� https://t.co/0OcVt3jtvJ

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) February 27, 2018

BILL PROTECTING TRANS PEOPLE FROM DISCRIMINATION ADVANCES IN NEW HAMPSHIRE: The crucially important legislation would prohibit discrimination based on gender identity in employment, housing, and public accommodations. Said HRC National Field Director Marty Rouse: “No person should be fired, evicted, or denied service just because of who they are, and it is far beyond time that these important protections include transgender people in the Granite State.” More from HRC.

WHAT WE’RE READING WEDNESDAY -- TRUMP-PENCE FAILING TO PRIORITIZE ACHIEVING AN HIV-FREE GENERATION: “I think there is a lack of commitment and awareness at the highest level of the office, including the president,” said HRC Government Affairs Director David Stacy (@david_stacy). More from The Hill.

#StopTheHate -- GUNMAN TARGETED LAS VEGAS BAR THAT WELCOMES TRANS COMMUNITY: Last weekend’s shooting injured at least two people, including Callie Lou-Bee Haywood, a black transgender woman. More from Into.

Horrific report of a gunman attacking a trans bar in Las Vegas. The rising tide of hate violence against LGBTQ people deserves the full attention of the nation. Hoping for a full recovery and justice for those injured. https://t.co/7trIkq8M30

— Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin) February 27, 2018

HRC ENDORSES AARON FORD FOR NEVADA ATTORNEY GENERAL: “Aaron Ford’s lifelong commitment to equality and public service makes him the ideal candidate for Nevada Attorney General,” said HRC Nevada State Manager Briana Escamilla (@escamillabriana). “As AG, he will stand up for the rights of all Nevadans, ensuring that the Silver State remains an inclusive and welcoming state for all.” More from HRC.

NEW JERSEY SENATE PASSES PRO-TRANSGENDER EQUALITY BILLS: One would update existing law to remove the surgical requirement for a person to update the gender marker on their birth certificate. Another would require that death certificates reflect a person’s gender identity. More from NJ.com.

HRC MOURNS PHYLICIA MITCHELL, A TRANS WOMAN SHOT IN CLEVELAND: Mitchell, 45, was shot outside her home on February 23. Longtime partner Shane Mitchell told Cleveland.com that he met Mitchell some 30 years ago. More from HRC and Cleveland.com.

• Morning must read from a high schooler in The Los Angeles Times, “Trans Rights are Human Rights”

“Everyone loved her. My nieces and nephews opened up to her so much. She was just so funny and kind.” Phylicia Mitchell is the fifth reported murder of a transgender woman this year. #SayHerName https://t.co/kVz1jzAYQE

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) February 28, 2018

REFLECTING ON MARRIAGE EQUALITY IN ALABAMA: Says HRC Alabama State Director Eva Kendrick (@ewkendrick): “Alabama's been one of the toughest states when it comes to access to marriage equality because of our marriage code and because the way it's written for judges to choose to issue licenses or not.” While some bigger cities are granting marriage licenses, couples in some rural areas are forced to travel to places including Birmingham or Montgomery to get a license. More from NPR.

MANASSAS PARK (VA.) CITY SCHOOL BOARD ADDS SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY TO NONDISCRIM POLICY: Openly transgender Virginia State Delegate Danica Roem, who represents the district, spoke in support of the protections. More from The Washington Blade.

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

KENYAN HIGH COURT BEGINS HEARING CASE THAT COULD OVERTURN BAN ON SAME-SEX RELATIONSHIPS: Kenya is one of at least 72 countries that criminalize same-sex relationships. More from CNN.

TRANS ADVOCATE IN BARBADOS ATTACKED, HARASSED BY POLICE: More from The Washington Blade.

GAY RUSSIAN MAN FLEES TO BELARUS AFTER BEING OUTED AT WORK: More from Pink News.

READING RAINBOW - Bookmark now to read on your lunch break!

Vox shares a message to young people advocating for gun safety reform from Iowa Senate candidate Zach Wahls, who was an activist for LGBTQ Boy Scouts; BuzzFeed shares a plan for a groundbreaking museum on LGBTQ history in London; The New York Times shares the history of LGBTQ theater