Tag: LGBTQ

McEnany claims Trump has ‘great record’ on LGBTQ issues

AlterNet logoTrump has made 153 attacks against the LGBTQ community so far during his presidency.

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said on Monday that Donald Trump has a “great record when it comes to the LGBTQ community.”

Chris Johnson, chief political and White House reporter for the Washington Blade, asked McEnany if Trump would reconsider the ban on transgender people in the military after 116 Democratic House lawmakers sent a letter last week to Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Attorney General William Barr calling for the Pentagon to end the policy.

McEnany responded, “I haven’t talked to him about that specific policy, but this president is proud that, in 2019, we launched a global initiative to end the criminalization of homosexuality throughout the world. He has a great record when it comes to the LGBT community. The Trump administration eased a ban on blood donations from gay and bisexual men and he launched a plan to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. So we’re very proud of our achievements.” Continue reading.

Nondiscrimination against LGBT individuals isn’t just the law – it helps organizations succeed

The Supreme Court ruled on June 15 that an employer who fires an individual for being gay or transgender violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In other words, discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals is now forbidden under federal law.

As someone who supports LGBT rights, I believe it’s a big step forward, one that I hope compels companies that continue to discriminate to change their ways.

But, as research by myself and others shows, there was already a powerful reason to do so: More inclusive workplaces tend to perform better than those that aren’t. Continue reading.

Trump’s ‘natural law’ human rights panel readies for launch

The State Department initiative is seen as a potential counterweight to an expansive liberal view of human rights.

The Trump administration plans to officially launch a new panel on human rights as early as Monday — one already under scrutiny from Democrats who fear its stated focus on “natural law and natural rights” could undercut protections for women and LGBTQ people around the world.

State Department officials are briefing officials in Washington this week on the unveiling of the “Commission on Unalienable Rights,” a body with as many as 15 appointees who will offer advice on human rights policy to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. At least 10 of the people have been chosen so far, and their names are expected to be revealed at the launch, according to people familiar with the issue, who noted that the launch plans could still change.

The panel was conceived with almost no input from the State Department’s human rights bureau, people familiar with the matter say, effectively sidelining career government experts who have focused on human rights policy and history across numerous administrations.

View the complete July 3 article by Nahal Toosi on the Politico website here.

BREAKING: Trump Administration Pushes to Advance Wardlow’s Discrimination Case to U.S. Supreme Court

The Trump Administration is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold a case Doug Wardlow originally argued, to allow LGBTQ people to be fired for who they are

MINNESOTA – Yesterday, the Trump Administration asked the United States Supreme Court to take up a case and rule that businesses can discriminate against workers based on their gender identity without violating federal law. The case the Trump Administration is asking the Court to consider was originally argued by Doug Wardlow on behalf of the Alliance Defending Freedom, an anti-LGBTQ hate group, to uphold the discriminatory firing of a funeral home employee in Michigan.

The following is a statement from Sam Fettig, Communications Director for Keith Ellison for Attorney General: Continue reading “BREAKING: Trump Administration Pushes to Advance Wardlow’s Discrimination Case to U.S. Supreme Court”

FACT CHECK: Wardlow Cannot Hide from His “Proud” Work with Hate Group

Wardlow has proudly worked for an anti-LGBTQ hate group which opposes the ACA, marriage equality, and a woman’s right to choose

Minnesota – During tonight’s Attorney General debate between Congressman Keith Ellison and Doug Wardlow on KSTP, Congressman Keith Ellison reiterated his commitment to defending the rights of all Minnesotans, regardless of race, religion, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. While Republican Doug Wardlow attempted to paper over his past, he cannot hide from his record of “proud” work with an anti-LGBTQ hate group that has filedat least 23 lawsuits against the Affordable Care Act, wants to criminalize people for who they love, and is working to overturn Roe v. Wade.

During a recent appearance on FOX 9, Wardlow proudly stood by his work as a lawyer for this extreme organization: “The Alliance Defending Freedom – I’m proud of the work I did there… I stand by the beliefs of the arguments that I made while I was at the Alliance Defending Freedom – absolutely.”

Wardlow’s record working with the Alliance Defending Freedom is the subject of an advertisement from Ellison’s campaign, which is currently airing on Minnesota television stations. In addition to the points advertisement notes that Wardlow’s hate group the group has been involved with 23 lawsuits against the Affordable Care Act, sued to undermine public schools, and fought to defend harassment at women’s clinics.

Doug Wardlow would be a disaster for civil rights, weaponizing the Attorney General’s office to limit the rights and freedoms of Minnesotans. As Attorney General, Congressman Ellison will enforce our civil rights laws to protect the freedoms of all Minnesotans.

Trump administration to strengthen religious liberty rules on borth control, LGBTQ discrimination

The Trump administration is planning to double down on “religious liberty” protections that could affect birth control access and allow for LGBTQ employment discrimination.

Planned rules would strengthen or expand existing religious liberty protections for employers to deny health care access or make hiring decisions based on their religious beliefs and “moral convictions.”

The potential regulations continue the Trump administration’s push for “religious liberty,” which President Donald Trump has emphasized through multiple executive orders protecting religious liberty. Other executive branch agencies have also made their own moves to protect religious freedom, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Justice.

View the complete October 19 article by Aison Durkee on the Mic.com website here.

Trump Fires HIV/AIDS Council In Its Entirety

The following article by Callum Paton with Newsweek was posted on the National Memo website December 30, 2017:

President Donald Trump fired the remaining members of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA) Wednesday, reportedly informing them without explanation with a letter delivered by FedEx.

The mass dismissal of the advisors marked another nadir in the administration’s dealing with the council. In June six members resigned from PACHA writing in an open letter, published in Newsweek, saying the Trump White House was pushing for legislation that would harm people living with HIV. Continue reading “Trump Fires HIV/AIDS Council In Its Entirety”