#AM_Equality Tipsheet: January 24, 2019
HRC RESPONDS TO HHS WAIVER ALLOWING TAXPAYER-FUNDED DISCRIMINATION: “The federal government has a compelling interest in ensuring federal contractors are providing quality care, and in ensuring that taxpayers aren’t footing the bill for taxpayer-funded discrimination,” said Cathryn Oakley, HRC State Legislative Director & Senior Counsel. “This waiver is unconscionable, in no small part because it prioritizes federal contractors over kids in need of families.” It allows federal funds to go to a child welfare agency that refused to place children with Jewish families. This opens the door to federally-funded discrimination justified by religious belief against prospective parents — from single parents, LGBTQ individuals and same-sex couples, to parents who may previously have been divorced, interfaith couples, and people of deep faith who happen to be of another religion. More from HRC.
- Media advisory: HRC, ACLU, Americans United, FEC, ADL, Lambda Legal, religious leaders and representatives of the foster community to hold press call on HHS waiver requesting exemption for foster care groups to discriminate against foster families. Please contact Charlotte Clymer at 202-255-6305 to RSVP.
Truly unconscionable. By granting this waiver to discriminate against Jewish families, HHS opens the door to federally-funded discrimination against LGBTQ & other families too while hurting children in need. t.co/J7vKv9Vv5p
— Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin) January 24, 2019
WITH EQUALITY ACT ON HORIZON, POLLS SHOW GROWING MAJORITY OF AMERICANS SUPPORT LGBTQ EQUALITY: “Equality is a winning issue. In poll after poll, we see that more and more Americans are calling for their family, friends and neighbors to be treated with respect and dignity, and increasingly rejecting lawmakers who attack the LGBTQ community,” said HRC President Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin). “With a majority of the American people already supporting these common-sense protections, it’s time for Congress to catch up and finally pass the Equality Act.” More from HRC.
- “For the Civil Rights Act to do its job, Congress must pass the Equality Act”: Read the piece by David J. Jones, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition (@NBJContheMove), in The Hill.
SUPPORT FOR LGBTQ NONDISCRIMINATION PROTECTIONS GATHERS MOMENTUM IN VA LEGISLATURE: “This is a trend we’re seeing across the country. Voters simply have no appetite for discrimination and want to be sure that their friends and neighbors are protected the same way they are,” said HRC Senior Vice President for Policy and Political Affairs JoDee Winterhof. More from James Wellemeyer (@jay_wellemeyer) in the Washington Blade.
NEA VICE PRESIDENT BECKY PRINGLE JOINED HRC ON TWITTER TO HIGHLIGHT HRC FOUNDATION’S UPCOMING TIME TO THRIVE CONFERENCE:
THANKFUL THURSDAY — MLK DAY OF SERVICE 2019: HRC celebrates the incredible work of hundreds of our volunteers, members and supporters in cities across the country, who united in service to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. last weekend. More from HRC.
A GLOBAL REVIEW OF WHAT MAKES A CITY LGBTQ FRIENDLY: In his deep dive into LGBTQ inclusivity worldwide, Guardian reporter Steven Grattan (@sjgrattan) talks to HRC Senior Legislative Counsel Xavier Persad, who said: “When cities enact LGBTQ-inclusive protections, they send a clear message that they value and welcome everyone, attracting the country’s top talent and spurring economic growth.” More from The Guardian.
NEW STUDY NOTES BISEXUAL VETERANS ARE AT HIGHER RISK OF PTSD AND DEPRESSION: More from Pink News.
GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS
WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM LAUNCHES PARTNERSHIP TO ADVANCE GLOBAL LGBTQ EQUALITY AND INCLUSION: More from the World Economic Forum.
.@HRC applauds the @WEF for launching the Partnership for Global LGBTI Equality atits annual meeting in Davos. The Partnership is comprised of companies that are committed to advancing global LGBTQ equality and inclusion around the globe. #WEF19 t.co/iC4UZE2bbH
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) January 23, 2019
HRC TO CO-SPONSOR WORKSHOP IN ALBANIA TO HELP BUSINESSES SUPPORT LGBTQ EQUALITY: “It’s a great opportunity to bring to a part of the world a group of LGBTI activists to share ideas and to network and to devise strategies to help them engage businesses,” said HRC Global Director of Partnerships Jean Freedberg. More about next week’s event from Michael Lavers (@mklavers81) in the Washington Blade.
VICTORY — ANGOLA DECRIMINALIZES SAME-SEX RELATIONS: With this victory, only 69 countries now criminalize same-sex relations. More from Human Rights Watch.
READING RAINBOW – Bookmark now to read on your lunch break!
Mother Jones highlights a safe haven where LGBTQ immigrants are able to feel at home; NBC News and Metro Weekly note that more than half of the Best Picture nominees include LGBTQ characters or storylines
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