#AM_Equality Tipsheet: February 6, 2018

by Allison Turner

LGBTQ workers lack adequate paid family and medical leave policies; WI state bill would block cities from protecting citizens

ONLY 45 PERCENT OF RESPONDENTS IN NEW HRC SURVEY REPORT THEIR EMPLOYERS OFFER LGBTQ-INCLUSIVE PAID FAMILY LEAVE POLICIES: Compared to the overall U.S. population, LGBTQ respondents also reported heightened concerns about accessing leave, citing potential loss of income and adverse workplace outcomes from having to disclose their LGBTQ identities through leave requests. NewNowNext took a deep dive into how non-inclusive leave policies affect same-sex male couples. More from NewNowNext.

MISGUIDED WISCONSIN LEGISLATORS TRY TO BAR CITIES FROM PROTECTING THEIR OWN CITIZENS: Proposed legislation would ban local ordinances that extend more inclusive protections than state law. This would nullify parts of Madison’s LGBTQ-inclusive city nondiscrimination ordinance, and prevent cities in the Badger State from raising the minimum wage or regulating other labor practices. Read the full bill text here.

TUESDAY TWEET: More from The New York Times.

NEW STUDY -- TEENS IDENTIFYING AS TRANSGENDER AT HIGHER RATES: The University of Minnesota found that nearly three percent of 81,000 Minnesota students surveyed in ninth and 11th grade identify as transgender or gender nonconforming. Experts cite increased visibility as a reason teens are more likely to live openly. More from The Associated Press.

MORNING MUST READ FROM ANNISE PARKER -- “BIG STRIDES FOR TRANSGENDER CANDIDATES”: The former Houston mayor and new president and chief executive of the Victory Fund (@AnniseParker) writes, “The unprecedented number of trans candidates and trans victories is forming a virtuous cycle, with trans leaders inspired by last year’s wins now considering runs for office in 2018 and beyond.” More from Newsday.

AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION ADOPTS PRO-EQUALITY RESOLUTIONS: They include supporting nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ jurors; urging employers in the legal profession not to discriminate against employees based on gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation; and adopting an interpretation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that prohibits sex discrimination in employment to include discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. More from ABA Journal.

CALL YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS - State bills to keep on your radar!

  • South Dakota SB 160 would prohibit teachers from instructing students about gender identity. More from the Argus Leader.
  • Tennessee HB 54 would grant businesses a license to discriminate, and, ironically, is scheduled for hearing on Valentine’s Day. Read the bill text here.

READ FIRSTHAND ACCOUNTS OF PUBLIX REFUSING TO COVER HIV PREVENTION MEDICATION THROUGH EMPLOYEE INSURANCE PLANS: More from Miami New Times.

TRANSGENDER CALIFORNIA STUDENT ASSAULTED IN COLLEGE PARKING LOT: Local police are investigating the assault as a hate crime. More from ABC 7.

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

DANGEROUS -- INDONESIA’S MINISTRY OF HEALTH DECLARES HOMOSEXUALITY A “MENTAL DISORDER”: More from Gay Star News.

HORRIFYING -- WHITE SUPREMACIST FOUND GUILTY FOR PLANNING ATTACK ON BRITISH LGBTQ PRIDE EVENT: More from Pink News.

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

The Daily Trojan announces a new initative on LGBTQ mental health at the University of Southern California; On Top Magazine reports that pro wrestler Anthony Bowens (@Bowens_Official) has come out as bisexual; USA Today interviews openly gay Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy (@guskenworthy); Refinery29 asks bisexual, queer and pansexual people about how they define their sexual orientation 

Topics:
A.M. Equality