We will continue to fight for our neighbors— LGBTQ people, women, religious minorities, non-theists and anyone who faces discrimination based on someone else’s religious beliefs. But we need your help too. You need to contact the White House and tell the President to reject any executive order that sanctions discrimination in the name of religion.
Trump’s High Court Nominee Neil Gorsuch: Another Scalia On Church-State Issues
Will The LGBTQ Community Be Trump’s Next Target?
Colorado’s Dangerous “Religious Freedom” Bill Dies
On Wednesday, a Colorado House committee voted to kill HB 1013, a state Religious Freedom Restoration Bill (RFRA) that was aimed at permitting businesses to use religion as an excuse to discriminate against people, particularly LGBTQ individuals and families.
State Bills Threaten To Undermine LGBTQ Healthcare, Student Life, And Family Rights
State RFRAs Threaten Our LGBTQ Neighbors And Others
The Price Is Wrong: HHS Secretary Nominee’s Views On Religious Freedom Are Dangerous
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions wrapped up its hearing on Betsy DeVos, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of education at 8:45 last night, and will be back at 10 this morning to hold another confirmation hearing. Up today: Trump’s pick for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Rep. Tom Price (R-GA).
Anti-LGBTQ State First Amendment Defense Acts Are Back In 2017
As state legislators return to work this month, we’re monitoring newly introduced “religious freedom” bills around the country that could harm our neighbors. As a refresher, we thought we would review the different types of “religious freedom” legislation we expect to see. First up, First Amendment Defense Acts.
Sanderson Farms And Other Companies Are Opposing Harmful Mississippi Law In Court
Federal Judge Says Key Protections Against Discrimination in the ACA Will Violate RFRA
On New Year’s Eve, a federal judge sided with states and stopped the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services from implementing the protections barring sex discrimination in the provision of healthcare services. As a result, individuals who are transgender and who’ve had abortions are at risk.
PTN Looks Back On The Five Biggest Religious Freedom Stories Of 2016
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.
Alabama's Suspended Chief Justice Roy Moore Could Be Heading To The U.S. Senate
Thought you had heard the last of Alabama's suspended Chief Justice Roy Moore? Think again. When we last left the embattled judge, the Alabama Court of the Judiciary found him guilty of ethics violations after he issued an order to probate judges implying that they could ignore the Supreme Court's 2015 marriage equality decision. Now Roy Moore could be in a position of power again— this time in the U.S. Senate.
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.