HRC Blog

Students across DC suffer every day from bullying and harassment, which can lead to increased violence in schools, suicide attempts, mental health issues, and disciplinary measures that disrupt classrooms. To fight bullying in DC Public Schools, HRC has joined DC’s Safe Schools Coalition. This Thursday, April 21 at noon, District of Columbia youth, teachers, families, and activists will gather with lawmakers at the Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, to celebrate the introduction and urge movement of the Bullying and Prevention Act of 2011 (B19-11). The Bullying and Intimidation Prevention Act is a critical anti-bullying measure which will protect students by requiring DC Public Schools and other District agencies that work with youth to pass comprehensive anti-bullying policies.

This post comes from Steven Amend, HRC Board of Governor and Las Vegas Steering Committee member. Yesterday, the Nevada State Assembly passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) which expands employment protections to the transgender community. The vote passed by a 29-13 margin with Republican Assemblymen Goedhart, Hambrick and Kite voting in favor of the bill. Now the bill will go to the Nevada Senate where the fight to pass the bill will face more challenges. What’s next for us? HRC isn’t skipping a beat – we’ll be contacting HRC members of key senate committee members, and asking them to leave voicemails for their Senators asking them to support this bill to expand employment protections to the transgender community. Once out of committee, we’ll be asking all HRC members to contact their senators in order to get the 11 votes needed to pass the full senate. In the meantime, you can email your Senator asking for their support.

Yesterday, by a 45-4 vote, the Hawaii House concurred with the Senate on a HB 546 SD1, a bill codifying prohibitions against discrimination in employment on the basis of gender identity. The bill now heads to Governor Abercrombie, who has said he will sign it into law. Upon Governor’s signature, Hawaii will join 12 states and the District of Columbia in banning discrimination on the basis of gender identity in employment, housing and public accommodations.

Last month, the Nevada state senate Judiciary committee voted in favor of equality and passed SB180, legislation that would add gender identity and expression to the state’s hate crimes law and SB368, a bill that would prohibit discrimination in housing on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.

The following post is by Steven Amend, HRC Board of Governors and Las Vegas Steering Committee member: This week, the Assembly Committee on Commerce and Labor of the Nevada State Legislature voted in favor of AB211, legislation that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression in employment. On a voice vote, the bill passed with all Democrats and two Republicans voting in favor. Assemblymen Kelly Kite (R-Douglas and Washoe County) and Ed Goedhart (R- Amargosa Valley) voted with all Democrats on the committee in favor of equality for all Nevadans.