MORE THAN 40 MAJOR EMPLOYERS OPPOSE STATE-BASED LEGISLATION TARGETING TRANS YOUTH, LGBTQ COMMUNITY: The employers released an open letter calling for lawmakers in states across the country to oppose dozens of bills that target LGBTQ people, and transgender children in particular. The signers -- which include AT&T, Capital One, Dow Inc., Google, Hilton, Microsoft, Salesforce, and others -- note: “We are deeply concerned by the bills being introduced in state houses across the country that single out LGBTQ individuals - many specifically targeting transgender youth - for exclusion or differential treatment.” More from HRC, 9to5 Mac and Metro Weekly.

“Business growth and innovation rely on states being open and welcoming to everyone including the LGBTQ community,” said Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid) President of the Human Rights Campaign. “Harmful legislation such as the torrent of anti-LGBTQ bills introduced across the country deeply affect businesses’ ability to recruit and provide opportunities to their customers and employees. The letter underscores the widespread corporate and public opposition to anti-LGBTQ legislation and clearly warns states that LGBTQ discrimination will harm states’ economic competitiveness.”

MORE THAN 100 ORGANIZATIONS SIGN LETTER HIGHLIGHTING IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON LGBTQ COMMUNITIES: The letter reads: “As LGBTQ+ community and health leadership, the undersigned organizations offer to stand shoulder to shoulder with the mainstream health leadership to make sure we learn from history and do not allow any population to be disproportionately impacted or further stigmatized by a virus.” Read the full letter here.

LGBTQ VOTERS CONTINUE HIGH TURNOUT RATES ON MINI TUESDAY: NBC yesterday released new exit polling highlighting historic, high turnout for LGBTQ voters in the Democratic primary. Across the Super Tuesday states overall, 9% of the electorate identified as LGBTQ, double the LGBTQ population of 4.4% across these states. For more information LGBTQ and Equality Voters in March States, go to HRC’s March State Voter Snapshot. More from Metro Weekly.

THANKFUL THURSDAY -- HRC HONORS ACTOR CAITLIN KINNUNEEN WITH HRC VISIBILITY AWARD:

ADVOCACY GROUPS SUE STATE DEPARTMENT OVER COMMISSION ON UNALIENABLE RIGHTS: The commission, chaired by notoriously anti-LGBTQ Mary Ann Glendon, stresses “natural law and natural rights” often used as a code for opposing advancements in LGBTQ human rights. More from Washington Blade.

AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION UPDATES POLICIES TO BE MORE INCLUSIVE OF TRANS AND NON-BINARY COMMUNITY: More from The Advocate.

IN THE STATES 

NEW POLLING OUT OF ARIZONA ON LGBTQ EQUALITY: The polling results show Arizonians’ broad opposition to anti-LGBTQ legislation. More from HRC. 

• Less than 1% of all voters, including less than 1% of Republicans, say that “regulating transgender rights” is among the most important issues for Arizona’s state government to address. 
• 79% of voters support non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people and a more inclusive view on society.
• 55% of voters, including 58% of independents, believe bills like HB2706 “further stigmatiz[e] already vulnerable children to push their political agenda and further divide us.”
• 55% of voters, including a majority of independents, disapprove of the job Republicans in the legislature are doing on LGBTQ issues. Only 34% believe that these lawmakers are performing well at respecting the rights of LGBT people.

INSIGHT INTO THE WORK TO PASS LGBTQ-INCLUSIVE NON-DISCRIMINATION PROTECTIONS IN OHIO: More from LGBTQ Nation.

LGBTQ Ohioans continue to live under a patchwork of protections that leaves them vulnerable to discrimination. #OHFairnessAct is the next step in ensuring Ohio's laws are reflective of our fundamental values of fairness and equality. https://t.co/G2i38PrF5O

— HRC in Ohio (@HRC_OH) March 11, 2020

GET CULTURED - Entertainment, arts and sports news!

JANELLE MONÁE (@JanelleMonae) TO HEADLINE 2020 NYC PRIDE ISLAND FESTIVAL: More from BET.

SWISS WRESTLER CURDIN ORLIK COMES OUT AS GAY in an interview with The Magazine. More from Pink News.

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

SOUTH AFRICA OPENS FIRST LGBTQ WELLNESS CENTER: More from Openly.

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