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
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
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
Discrimination Doesn’t Win In North Carolina
A Reflection on Atlantic Live’s LGBTQ Summit: Why Religious Liberty And LGBTQ Rights Are Not At Odds
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
The First Transgender-Rights Case Reaches The Supreme Court
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).