EQUALITY IN THE COURTS: The Voting Rights Act
June 24, 2009
The Supreme Court on Monday, in an 8-1 decision (Justice Clarence Thomas, concurring in part, dissenting in part), avoided deciding the constitutionality of a major section of the historic Voting Rights Act of 1965 brought by a utility district in Austin, Texas.
Continue Reading ►ENDA Introduction Tomorrow; Corporations Agree Fairness is Good Business
June 23, 2009
As we reported last week, tomorrow the Employment Non-Discrimination Act will be introduced in the U.S. House by a bipartisan group of Representatives. At the press conference will be Rep. Barney Frank, joined by Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Rep. George Miller, Rep. John Conyers, Rep. Tammy Baldwin, Rep. Jared Polis, Rep. Rob Andrews, Rep. Mike Castle, Rep. Todd Platts, Rep. Leonard Lance, and others.
Continue Reading ►Federal Commission Recognizes Victimization of LGBT Prisoners in Report
June 23, 2009
In 2003, Congress unanimously enacted the Prison Rape Elimination Act, showing a strong commitment to protecting incarcerated individuals from sexual abuse. The act established a National Prison Rape Elimination Commission, tasked with the duty of studying the causes and consequences of such abuse and providing solutions for prevention.
Continue Reading ►Maryland’s Attorney General Considering Whether Out-of-State Marriages Can Be Recognized
June 23, 2009
Maryland has seen some important incremental progress on equal rights in the last couple of years. Last year, laws were enacted providing limited rights for domestic partners—including important protections like the right to make medical decisions for an incapacitated partner and exemption from property transfer taxes.
Continue Reading ►CA Religious Organizing: Lessons Learned
June 23, 2009
“The Pro-LGBTQQIA movement has a ‘religion problem,’” declares Rev. Rebecca Voelkel in a critique of the No on 8 campaign’s woeful engagement of California’s God-fearing electorate. Read “A Time to Build Up,” the product of a two-day Proposition 8 debrief among religious leaders advocating for LGBT equality.
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