Wyoming Judge Under Investigation For Stating That She Would Not Marry Same-Sex Couples
Pinedale municipal judge and circuit court magistrate Ruth Neely is under investigation after being quoted in a newspaper story in October 2014 saying that she would not marry same-sex couples. This comment came less than three months after U.S. District Judge Scott W. Skavdahl of Casper struck down the state's ban on marriage for Wyoming LGBT residents.
Down With Discrimination: Broad Coalition Of 130 Organizations Asks President Obama To End Taxpayer-Funded Discrimination
President Barack Obama’s White House website stresses that he is a civil rights president who is “leading the fight to protect everyone – no matter who you are, where you’re from, what you look like, or who you love.” Yet, the president continues to enforce a policy that allows taxpayer-funded religious discrimination. This troubling policy allows faith-based organizations to take government funds to perform social services for the public and ignore laws that prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of religion.
Texas County Clerk's Refusal To Issue Marriage Licenses To Same-Sex Couple Costs County Almost $44K
Ted Cruz's "Rally for Religious Liberty" To Feature "Special Guests Victimized By Government Persecution"
Judge Grants Kentucky County Clerk Kim Davis More Time For Her Appeal
"I Refuse To Give Into Fear": Julian Bond's Inspiring Fight to End Religious Discrimination
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.
Oklahoma Gun Store Manager Declares Shop a "Muslim Free Establishment"
Oklahoma gun store manager Chad Neal decided to take his anti-Muslim zeal public by officially declaring Save Yourself Survival and Tactical Gear a "Muslim free establishment" [sic]. The policy was apparently in response to the July Chattanooga, Tennessee shootings at two military installations by Mohammad Youssuf Abdulazeez.
Colorado Court Correct To Uphold Anti-Discrimination Statute
Businesses Do Not Have A Constitutional Right to Discriminate, Church-State Watchdog Says
The Colorado Court of Appeals has protected the constitutional rights of same-sex couples and ruled against a baker seeking a “religious freedom” right to discriminate, Americans United for Separation of Church and State says. Americans United had filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the case.
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.