ANTI-LGBTQ ROY MOORE WINS REPUBLICAN PRIMARY IN ALA. SENATE RACE: HRC expressed grave concern over Roy Moore’s victory in the Alabama Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by now-Attorney General Jeff Sessions. In this election, Alabama Republican primary voters were given no viable choice when it comes to a politician who will treat all Alabamians with respect. “Roy Moore keeps getting fired from jobs yet he continues to ask the people of Alabama for a promotion. Despite being removed from office twice for ethical violations, Roy Moore has succeeded in becoming the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate,” said Eva Kendrick, HRC Alabama state director. “Given Roy Moore’s track record of flouting laws and attacking the civil rights of LGBTQ people across our state, we already know he won’t stand up for all Alabamians when it matters most. In the run up to December 12, we urge every fair-minded person across Alabama to say #NoMoore and reject the politics of bigotry and hate.” The general election in this race will be held on December 12. More from HRC and Advocate.

BIRMINGHAM BECOMES FIRST ALABAMA CITY TO PASS LGBTQ-INCLUSIVE NDO: Yesterday, the Birmingham City Council passed city-wide non-discrimination protections that include sexual orientation and gender identity in housing, public accommodations and employment. “Today, the City of Birmingham made history in Alabama by taking a crucial step toward ensuring LGBTQ residents are protected from discrimination,” said HRC President Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin). “In doing so, Birmingham joins Jackson and Magnolia, Mississippi in setting an example for cities across the South to follow. Now, it is time for all southern cities to guarantee the right of LGBTQ people to live their lives free from discrimination.” This ordinance is the culmination of more than ten years of work from local LGBTQ grassroots organizers and a pro-equality coalition including Equality Alabama and HRC. More from HRC, Metro Weekly, AL.com and Alabama Political Reporter.

BREAKING: Birmingham just became the first city in Alabama to pass #LGBTQ-inclusive non-discrimination ordinance. https://t.co/pPxY8DU7SJ pic.twitter.com/DqlCeivPK0

— HumanRightsCampaign (@HRC) September 26, 2017

TOP MILITARY OFFICIAL SAYS QUALIFIED TRANSGENDER AMERICANS SHOULD BE ABLE TO SERVE: Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford told the Senate Armed Services Committee he believes “that any individual who meets the physical and mental standards… should be afforded the opportunity to continue to serve.” He also said that he had made the Trump-Pence White House aware of that fact in private -- despite Trump’s insistence that he consulted with “generals and military experts” before tweeting to ban thousands of brave transgender troops from serving honorably in the nation’s armed forces “in any capacity.” More from Military Times.

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AGRUES AGAINST PROTECTING LGBTQ WORKERS: Yesterday, the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments in Zarda v. Altitude Express. The Department of Justice filed an amicus brief in the case -- a blatant effort to undermine the growing legal consensus that LGBTQ people are protected from discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It reverses former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder’s guidance that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is prohibited under Title VII. Separately, Lambda Legal this month asked the Supreme Court of the United States to review the employment discrimination case of Jameka Evans, who was harassed in the workplace and fired because of her sexual orientation. Lambda Legal is seeking a nationwide ruling affirming that sexual orientation discrimination violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. More from CNN.

WHAT WE’RE LISTENING TO WEDNESDAY: NPR’s Ailsa Chang (@AilsaChang) explores the sometimes-difficult process of second-parent adoption for same-sex parents. Meredith and Martha Holley-Miers are a couple in Washington, D.C. who underwent a complicated, expensive process so both parents could have parental rights with their daughter. Now, they are going through the process again for their son -- with added fear during the Trump Administration. “I was afraid that he wouldn't be at all committed to continuing protections for our family,” said Martha. Listen to the full piece from NPR.

They’re married; both on the birth certificate. But one mom has to adopt her kids to ensure her parental rights. https://t.co/e2daUNGxJp pic.twitter.com/Np9dvlunX9

— Selena S-D (@selenasd) September 22, 2017

DEPT. OF ED.’S ACTIONS ON TITLE IX ARE PART OF A BROADER ATTACK ON LGBTQ STUDENTS: On Friday, the Department of Education released a new Q&A on Campus Sexual Misconduct, which replaced the 2014 Obama-era Q&A on Title IX and sexual violence that was rescinded. Unlike the Obama-era Q&A, which explicitly mentioned LGBTQ students and that the “actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity of the parties [involved in an incident of sexual misconduct] does not change a school’s obligations,” the new Q&A erases all mentions of LGBTQ students and schools’ obligations to students of all sexual orientations and gender identities. More from HRC.

#BeInTheKnow -- TODAY IS NATIONAL GAY MEN’S HIV & AIDS AWARENESS DAY: Today marks National Gay Men’s HIV & AIDS Awareness Day, an opportunity to focus our attention on the impact of HIV and AIDS on gay and bisexual men. Learn more about HRC’s work to achieve an HIV-free generation here.

DAUGHTER OF TONY ABBOTT SUPPORTS MARRIAGE EQUALITY IN NEW VIDEO: In a new video from Australian Marriage Equality, Frances Abbott, whose father is a notorious former Australian Prime Minister opposed to marriage equality, encourages people to vote ‘Yes’ for marriage equality in the postal survey. More from The Guardian.

• Australian actor Hugh Jackman announced his support for Australian marriage equality on Twitter.

EGYPTIAN AUTHORITIES ARREST SEVEN FOR RAISING PRIDE FLAG AT CONCERT IN CAIRO: They were charged with “inciting immorality,” a common charge against the LGBTQ community. In Egypt, same-sex relationships are not illegal, but the community is frequently targeted by authorities. More from The Associated Press.

READING RAINBOW

HRC reports that Michael Johnson was sentenced to 10 years in prison for violating a discriminatory Missouri HIV transmission and exposure statute; Rolling Stone interviews Transparent’s Alexandra Billings about transgender representation in the media; NBC explores the unique challenges of LGBTQ immigrants; Bustle shares new data on LGBTQ people and eating disorders;  Advocate explains the need for LGBTQ representation in history; HuffPost speaks to Rory Philbrick, a trans advocate in North Carolina.
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