Gay and lesbian rights

STATEMENT OF THOMAS E. PEREZ ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR AND PENSIONS, UNITED STATES SENATE “EMPLOYMENT NON-DISCRIMINATION ACT: ENSURING OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL AMERICANS” PRESENTED NOVEMBER 5, 2009 Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Enzi and members of the HELP Committee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. It is a privilege to represent the Obama Administration and the Department of Justice at this hearing to consider the Employment Non- Discrimination Act (ENDA), and to voice the Administration’s strong support for fully-inclusive legislation that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The ... Read Full Story

A GREAT big thank you to everyone who attended the Inaugural GLAAD Media Awards in Advertising presented by Ogilvy and Southwest Airlines in New York City on October 27, 2009! Over 350 professionals from the advertising industry attended the event that recognize and honor outstanding images of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community in advertising. The evening began with a reception at New World Stages where guests bid on silent auction items with proceeds benefiting GLAAD’s media advocacy and anti-defamation work. Inside the event, the live auction was conducted by the first female fine art auctioneer in America, Lorna Kelly, and actor Bryan ... Read Full Story

Today the U.S. Senate will hold its first hearing ever on a fully-inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). The measure — in front of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee this morning at 10:00 am – would prohibit workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. In 29 states it is still perfectly legal to fire someone based on his or her sexual orientation, and in 38 states it is still legal to fire someone for being transgender. Watch the hearing webcast beginning at 10:00 a.m. Witnesses include: Hon. Thomas Perez, Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice Helen Norton, ... Read Full Story

Pastor Joel Osteen is one of the most popular preachers in the country, and the author of several best-selling books that help people achieve "their best life now" and teach people how to practice a Christianity rooted in making money. He's long been seen as a friendlier version of televangelist, an upgrade from the fire and brimstone preachers from a few decades past. But what Pastor Joel Osteen doesn't really divulge is that for the most part, his interpretation of religious scripture is a candy-coated pill that leaves a sour taste of homophobia at its core. To his credit, and perhaps it's to benefit ... Read Full Story

After last night’s defeat in Maine, I’m sure many in the LGBT community are angry and heartbroken. But don’t let last night’s upset keep you from moving forward in the battle for full equality in all 50 states for all people. On Thursday, November 5, a Senate Committee will hold a hearing on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (S. 1584). Key witnesses will testify about how vital this legislation is for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) workers and their families. Get involved by contacting your Senators and Representatives. Calls and emails do make a difference, so do one of the following to help get ... Read Full Story

Ed. Note: The following guest post “The End of the Beginning: How the Passage of the Matthew Shepard Act Transforms Us” is from Stephen V. Sprinkle, Ph.D. of the Brite Divinity School. Researching LGBT hate crimes for four years has changed my life. Now that the passage of the Matthew Shepard Act is imminent, I feel another sort of change coming: to my work, to the LGBTQ community, and to my country. For decades, families, loved ones, law enforcement officers, and social justice advocates have prayed for, labored for, and agitated for a federal law extending protection to queer folk victimized by anti-LGBT violence. ... Read Full Story

As the Out Front team has stated , the LGBT community celebrated some huge milestones in October. The last week in October was no exception as President Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act , extending the definition of federal hate crimes to include attacks motivated by sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability. If you haven’t gotten a chance to read it, please take a few moments to look at Michael Murphy’s last blog posting discussing his thoughts about the bill, and his personal experiences dealing with the aftermath of both events. While the Matthew Shepard and ... Read Full Story