Transgender Rights

Trump Administration Set To Withdraw Federal Guidance On Civil Rights Protections For Transgender Students

Last year, the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Justice issued guidance reminding schools that Title IX prohibits discrimination against transgender students, including denying them access to the restrooms consistent with their gender identity. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos are expected to rescind this guidance. 

Americans United Joins The Fight In Court Against Mississippi's "Religious Freedom" Law

On Friday, we joined an amicus brief opposing HB 1523 because it uses religion as an excuse to sanction discrimination. Religious freedom is a fundamental American value— it guarantees us the freedom to believe or not as we see fit. What it does not do, though, is grant anyone a right to harm others.

Most Small Business Owners In Colorado Oppose Laws That Use Religion To Trump LGBTQ Nondiscrimination Protections, New Poll Shows

In this tense political climate, bad news sometimes overshadows the good news, and today’s news is good. 

Federal First Amendment Defense Act Poised To Make A Comeback In 2017

This week, U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) announced that next year he plans to reintroduce the so-called First Amendment Defense Act (FADA), a bill that would allow individuals and corporations to use religion as an excuse to discriminate against, well, almost everyone. 

 

Another Day, Another Unnecessary Anti-LGBTQ Lawsuit

This week, Telescope Media Group, a Minnesota media-production company, filed a lawsuit claiming that the state’s nondiscrimination law violates their religious freedom. They are seeking a court order that would exempt them from the nondiscrimination provisions that otherwise apply to all businesses open to the public. Why? They want to turn away same-sex couples who might purchase the company’s wedding-video-production services. 

Congress Rejected Russell: Let’s Celebrate, But There Are More Fights Ahead

Today, the Senate voted to adopt a final negotiated version of the National Defense Authorization Act. This is a clear win for fairness, equality, and the freedom of religion and belief, but there are still fights ahead

The Numbers Are In: NC's Gov. McCrory Primarily Ousted Over HB 2

Last week, Americans United's Samantha Sokol wrote that discrimination doesn't win in North Carolina. Now, after Governor Pat McCrory's defeat in the state's gubernatorial race and the release of a report by Human Rights Campaign and Equality North Carolina regarding voters' views on HB 2, this verdict is proven by the numbers.

 

Metro Atlanta Chamber Announces Intent To Oppose All Georgia's Harmful "Religious Freedom" Bills In 2017

The Metro Atlanta Chamber promised to fight any harmful "religious freedom" bills introduced in the Georgia legislature, saying: “We are not supportive of any bill that in any way would discriminate against any person.”

Americans United And Allies Deliver Over 342,000 Signatures Opposing Russell Amendment To Congress

Yesterday, Americans United joined a dozen of our allies to deliver a petition with more than 340,000 signatures to Congress calling for lawmakers to strike the Russell Amendment from the defense bill. Our organizations, with millions of members and supporters from across the country, are raising our voices to oppose taxpayer-funded discrimination sanctioned by this provision.

In Congress, The Fight Against Discrimination Is Now

We joined with a dozen national organizations to deliver over 340,000 petition signatures to Congress in opposition to the Russell Amendment, a provision that would require that all federal agencies allow religiously affiliated contractors and grantees to discriminate in hiring with taxpayer funds.

The First Transgender-Rights Case Reaches The Supreme Court

After the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which recognized same-sex couples’ right to marry, the fight to attain equal treatment for all has advanced to a new and much-needed area of the law: protecting the rights of transgender persons.

Still More Trouble For North Carolina As Another Athletic Association Pulls Championships From The State

It's been less than a month since the NCAA and ACC moved their championships out of North Carolina due to HB2, a law that sanctions discrimination against transgender people, and the state is taking another hit.

NCAA And ACC Pull Championships From North Carolina Over Anti-LGBT Law

Yesterday the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) became the second major college sporting body to pull its championships from North Carolina this week due to the state's HB2, a law that sanctions discrimination against transgender people. Their decision follows NCAA's Monday announcement that it would relocate seven championship events from the Tar Heel State. 

Yet Another Lawsuit Filed Against The Federal Government Over Guidance On Transgender Students' Rights

The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) has filed yet another a lawsuit  claiming that the federal government's guidance to public schools on the rights of transgender students violates the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA).

ACA Non-Discrimination Regulations Under Attack By Providers Seeking Religious Exemption

Jessica Mason Pieklo of Rewire details the assault on Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, a non-discrimination provision that protects against denial of healthcare services based on sex.