As we remember the civil rights pioneer Julian Bond a few days after his passing at age 75, we find that it is incredibly difficult to sum up his legacy in a single blog post. As co-founder and communications director of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, he led young people in the fight for true equality in America. As co-founder, president and board member of the Southern Poverty Law Center, one of our many allies, he fought hate and bigotry and sought justice for those most vulnerable in our community. As chairman of the NAACP, he worked to educate Americans on the civil right movement and the battles fought by African-Americans across the country. He was a legislator, a teacher, and hero to many.
Exciting New Regulations: Yes, It’s True
The government has a longstanding practice of giving taxpayer money to faith-based organizations to provide social services. Last week, nine federal agencies proposed changes to the rules that currently govern those partnerships. These rule changes will implement several important religious liberty protections, including some that are aimed specifically at protecting our neighbors.
Kentucky Clerk Defies Injunction and Again Refuses to Issue Marriage Licenses
If you're having trouble keeping up with the ongoing saga of Kim Davis, the Rowan County clerk doggedly refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, you're not alone. Davis' discriminatory antics are coming fast and furious, and with today's latest outrage against decency and the rule of law, it's getting difficult to keep track.
Try, Try Again: Louisiana Rep. Plans To Float Discriminatory Bill A Second Time
Perhaps unable to sense the prevailing mood of the country and its courts, Rep. Mike Johnson plans on taking another crack at presenting a RFRA bill to the Louisiana legislature in 2016.
Big Bill: S.C. Ordered To Pay $135,000 In Legal Fees After Losing Marriage Equality Case
Now that marriage equality is officially on the books in the United States, the bills racked up by state officials who decided to listen to the Religious Right in defense of a lost cause are coming due. One of those debts is apparently pretty large, as a federal judge just ordered South Carolina to pay $135,000 in fees.
Texas AG Throws In Support With Religious Non-Profits Looking To Block Contraception Coverage
Embattled Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is in the news again, this time filing a friend-of-the-court brief in support of East Texas Baptist University's never-ending quest to avoid providing contraception to its employees.
Appeals Court Rules Against Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York in Contraception Case
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled today that the Affordable Healthcare Act's contraception regulations and accommodations for religious non-profits do not adversely affect the rights of Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, the Diocese of Rockville Centre and others to practice their religion.
Texas Judge Takes Down Roadblocks to Marriage Equality in Denton County
In July, Americans United issued a warning letter to Judge James R. DePiazza of Texas regarding his violation of the Fourteenth Amendment in erected roadblocks to marriage equality. We're pleased to announce that Judge DePiazza has removed the requirement that all couples married by him sign a written acknowledgement that he "'prefers to not conduct same-sex marriages' and must agree to refrain from mentioning the topic of marriage for same-sex couples 'before, during or after the ceremony.'" The new Denton County Wedding Letter and Receipt form no longer carries the discriminating language.
Paying The Piper: Texas Attorney General Faces Contempt Charge For Marriage Equality Non-Cooperation
From AU's Wall of Separation blog:
Some Religious Right operatives have said they would rather go to jail than accept marriage equality in the states. Although Texas’ attorney general has not yet made so bold a statement, he may nonetheless spend some time behind bars for his refusal to cooperate with the U.S. Supreme Court’s marriage decision.
Kentucky Clerk Strikes Again, This Time With A Lawsuit Against the Governor
Not A Sweet Home For All: Alabama Senate Committee and Judges Looking Undermine Marriage Equality
No Persecution Here: IRS Commissioner Says Tax Agency Has No Plans To Punish Christian Colleges That Reject Marriage Equality
From the Wall of Separation blog:
The far right makes no secret of its hatred for the Internal Revenue Service, but recent comments by IRS Commissioner John Koskinen should earn the agency a few brownie points with fundamentalists who fear that Christian colleges will be forced to extend benefits to married same-sex couples or risk their tax exemptions.
Clergy Know Their Rights. In This Letter, They Prove It
The First Amendment Defense Act was introduced last month by Sen. Lee (R-UT) and Rep. Labrador (R-ID) in response to the Supreme Court decision guaranteeing marriage equality. The bill would create a sweeping religious exemption that would allow government employees, contractors, and grantees to discriminate against same-sex couples, unmarried couples, and single parents. For example, it could allow a homeless shelter or food bank that receives federal grants to refuse to serve a same-sex couple in need.
Texas Marriage Equality Opponents Warn Against "Queering" Of Country
Two days after the Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution requires states to license and recognize the marriages of same-sex couples, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a confusing memo suggesting that in some circumstances, county clerks or their employees with religious objections to marriage equality could withhold marriage licenses from same-sex couples.
Kentucky Legislators Prepare To Defy Supreme Court
Just days after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of marriage equality in Obergefell v. Hodges, Kentucky made national news when its county clerks defied the decision by refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. And less than a month after the decision, Kentucky lawmakers have made the news again by pre-filing legislation (BR 101, BR 102) for the 2016 session that would allow government officials to refuse to issue or record marriage licenses and refuse to solemnize marriages of same-sex couples
Tennessee Lawmaker Sends Letter To 95 County Clerks Urging Them To Refuse Marriage Licenses To Same-Sex Couples
Just weeks after posting a rant on his Facebook page calling for the impeachment of Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, Rep. Rick Womick is back in the news again, this time for sending a letter to all 95 Tennessee county clerks urging them to refuse to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Kentucky Minister Threatens Legal Action After Being Prevented From Preaching Anti-Gay Speech to Jailed LGBT Youths
A Kentucky minister is threatening legal action against the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) after the department revoked his status as a volunteer with LGBTQI youth at the Warren County Regional Juvenile Detention Center. David Wells of the Pleasant View Baptist Church in McQuady, KY, refused to comply with a DJJ policy that requires that those who identify as LGBTQI be treated with respect for their individual identities.
Canned Clerk: Indiana County Employee Fired For Refusing To Process Same-Sex Couples’ Marriage Applications Files Lawsuit
From Americans United's Wall of Separation blog:
An employee at a county clerk’s office in Indiana who was fired because she refused to process marriage licenses for same-sex couples claims her “religious freedom” rights have been violated. So now she’s suing.
Good News in Alabama: Two Counties Now Giving Marriage Licenses to All Couples
Faith Of The Fathers: Missouri State Sen. Attempts To Block Birth Control Coverage For His Daughters
A Missouri state representative who wants to stop his daughters from accessing birth control recently won a victory in his ongoing suit against the Affordable Care Act’s contraception regulations when the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed to hear arguments in his challenge to the regulations, thus reversing a lower court ruling that threw the case out on standing.