Transparent Trickery: Claims Of ‘Persecution’ In Idaho Fail To Sway Court

Another stunt by the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) has collapsed after a federal court said that an Idaho wedding venue, which refused to perform same-sex weddings, is not being persecuted because it is already exempt from anti-discrimination laws.

Say You (Don’t) Want A Revolution?: Perkins Proves To Be No Prophet

Almost exactly three years ago, Family Research Council President Tony Perkins appeared on a far-right radio program and predicted that the country was on the verge of revolution. You might have noticed that did not happen. 

Georgia Governor Vetoes "Religious Liberty" Bill

In a brief press conference today, Governor Nathan Deal vetoed HB 757, a bill that would have sanctioned discrimination in the name of "religious liberty". 

Americans United Hails Georgia Governor’s Veto Of HB 757, A So-Called ‘Religious Freedom Bill’

Church-State Watchdog Group Says Deal Was Right To Reject Measure Designed To Foster Discrimination Against LGBT Residents

Somehow We're Still Arguing Over Birth Control In The Supreme Court

Burdens, compelling interest, and the word "hijack"–  these are just some of the concepts AU Senior Litigation Counsel Greg Lipper explores in this analysis of Wednesday's Zubik v. Burwell oral arguments.

Bill That Allows For Discrimination Moves To Mississippi Senate Floor

On Wednesday, a Mississippi Senate Committee approved HB 1523, the misleadingly named “Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act.” The state House has already passed the bill and the Senate will likely vote on it very soon.  The goal of HB 1523 is to allow discrimination against LGBT couples. But its reach goes much further.

Faith-Based College Groups Can Now Discriminate In Kansas

According to The Kansas City Star, Kansas Governor Sam Brownback has signed into law SB 175, a bill that would allow faith-based groups at universities to restrict membership to only like-minded people. This means that school tuition dollars could go to groups that deny membership to minority students, such as those in the LGBT community.

A Sign Speaks: The Message Behind ‘The PILL KILLS’

Communications Director Rob Boston explores the deeper, more insidious message behind the "The PILL KILLS" sign seen at the Zubik v. Burwell rally in front of the Supreme Court yesterday.

 

North Carolina Rushes Anti-LGBT Bill Through Legislature

North Carolina lawmakers are so dead set on passing a bill that would ban all cities in the state from enacting anti-discrimination ordinances that they convened a special session today that is costing $42,000 in taxpayer funds. And, in an effort to get their dollar's worth, legislators look ready to pass HB 2 through both chambers before the end of the day.

The Mouse Has Spoken: Disney Threatens To Boycott Georgia If HB 757 Passes

Disney fired a warning shot across Georgia's bow today, vowing that neither it nor its Marvel Studios unit would film in the state should HB 757 pass.

Birth Control Battle: U.S. Supreme Court Weighs Limits Of ‘Religious Freedom’

People of faith who live in the United States sometimes have to make compromises between their personal beliefs and following the law. As far as U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy is concerned, there is no obvious way to distinguish when violating one’s faith is acceptable and when it isn’t.

Americans United Law Clerk Explains Why Zubik Is Vital For Students

In an interview with NPR about the Zubik v. Burwell Supreme Court case, Georgetown University student and Americans United law clerk Allison Tanner explained why it was necessary for students of religiously affiliated universities to receive contraception coverage from their schools.

Zubik v. Burwell, Part 6: The Accommodation is the Least-Restrictive Option

Zubik v. Burwell, Part 6: The Accommodation is the Least-Restrictive Option

In his sixth and final post of Zubik v. Burwell, Senior Litigation Counsel Greg Lipper outlines why the current contraception insurance accommodation is the least-restrictive option for providing women coverage.

Zubik v. Burwell, Part 5: These Exceptions are Unexceptional

In his fifth post on Zubik v. Burwell, Senior Litigation Counsel Greg Lipper debunks the ACA challengers' argument that exceptions to the law undermine the importance of contraception. 

MPAA Is "Confident" That Georgia's Governor Will Not Sign Discriminatory Bill

Georgia's HB 757, a bill that sanctions discrimination based on religion, is getting poor reviews in Hollywood. Yesterday, entertainment industry paper Variety reported that a Motion Picture Association of America official is very sure that Governor Nathan Deal will not sign the bill into law. Georgia's film and television industry is booming, leading activists to call upon production companies to use their heft to protest HB 757.

Zubik v. Burwell, Part 4: The Compelling Interest in Contraceptive Coverage

Senior Litigation Counsel Greg Lipper outlines the compelling interest in contraception coverage in the fourth part of his series on Zubik v. Burwell.

Last Week In Review: March 14–19

Last week, we saw bill movement in Georgia, Colorado, Alabama, and Tennessee. Find out more about these movements and what to expect this week in Last Week in Review.

 

Zubik v. Burwell, Part 3: Birth Control Is Not Abortion

In the third part of his blog series on Zubik v. Burwell, Senior Litigation Counsel Greg Lipper debunks the myth of “abortifacients" and other erroneous labeling of standard birth control methods.