Children of the new Northern Ireland
They tackle important social issues like abortion. Northern Ireland is so whitewashed. It’s really quite conservative. If we had a referendum on gay marriage or abortion I don’t think it would go through. It’s the older generation who vote …

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Anglican leader hopes meeting can avoid homosexuality split
The rifts blew wide open in 2003 when the Episcopal Church, the Anglican body in the United States, consecrated the first openly gay bishop, Gene Robinson, in New Hampshire. The most vocal outrage over Robinson’s election came from Africa, home to some of …

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2016 Legislative Preview: 14 Legislatures in Session, 19 More Convene This Week

With the 2016 legislative session underway, 14 state legislatures are already in session.

While the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of nationwide marriage equality in 2015, battles remain at the state and local level. There are no clear state laws protecting residents and visitors from anti-LGBT discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations in a majority of states across the country.

More than 115 anti-LGBT bills were introduced in 2015, many of which have been held over to 2016. At least 27 states have a high likelihood of anti-LGBT legislation in 2016.

The types of legislation vary from targeting the rights of transgender people, to eliminating local non-discrimination protections, to explicitly authorizing anti-LGBT discrimination by individuals, businesses and even taxpayer-funded agencies.

Here’s a snapshot of what legislation to expect from the 33 state legislatures in session this week:

Arizona  

HRC is a proud member of Competitive Arizona, a campaign to amend Arizona’s existing state anti-discrimination laws to protect against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. It is expected that anti-LGBT legislation, including religious refusal bills, will be introduced in 2016.

California

In December, supporters of a proposed anti-transgender ballot initiative announced that they failed to submit the signatures necessary to qualify it for the November 2016 ballot. The so-called “Personal Privacy Protection Act” would have prohibited many transgender people from using facilities in government buildings and required the government to monitor bathroom use. However, there is also a so-called “Student Freedom of Association Act” that could still be considered that would explicitly allow student groups to exclude some students–including those who are LGBT–without losing university recognition or funds for doing so.

Colorado

Anti-LGBT lawmakers in 2015 introduced religious refusal and anti-transgender bills. It is expected that similar destructive legislation, including another religious refusal bill, will be introduced in 2016.

Florida

Florida lawmakers in 2015 introduced both pro- and anti-equality bills, including a bill that would have allowed adoption and foster care agencies to discriminate against LGBT prospective parents. Anti-equality lawmakers have pre-filed for 2016 a broad religious refusal bill and a so-called “Pastor Protection Act.” HRC is part of Florida Competes, the coalition supporting the Florida Competitive Workforce Act, which would protect residents and visitors against anti-LGBT discrimination in employment, housing and public services.

Georgia

Religious refusal bills introduced in 2015 in Georgia’s legislature are still pending in 2016, as is a pro-equality bill to codify protections against anti-LGBT discrimination in state employment. HRC is part of Georgia Unites Against Discrimination, the coalition working to pass the pro-equality bill while defeating the anti-LGBT legislation.

Idaho

Currently, there is a campaign to amend Idaho’s existing state anti-discrimination laws to protect against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. It is expected that anti-LGBT legislation, including religious refusal bills, will be introduced in 2016.

Indiana

Indiana’s legislative session has just begun, and already six anti-LGBT bills have been introduced. Senate Bill 35, introduced by Senator Jim Tomes, would require transgender Hoosiers to use restrooms and locker rooms designated for the gender they were assigned at birth. For adults, a violation could be punishable with up to one year in jail and $5,000 in fines. Another proposal filed by Senators Michael Young, Phil Boots and Jim Banks is SB 66, a “super-RFRA” that would replace the “Religious Freedom Restoration” Act that legislators passed in 2015 with a state constitutional amendment, after stripping out the exemption for non-discrimination protections.

Last November, Republican lawmakers pre-filed legislation that purports to address discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, but the proposal includes religious carve-outs that would allow some for-profit businesses to refuse LGBT people service, among other problems.

We’re on the ground working with local partners to fight back against anti-LGBT legislation and secure nondiscrimination protections for LGBT Hoosiers and visitors in state law. HRC, along with the ACLU of Indiana and Lambda Legal, is a founding member of Freedom Indiana.

Tomorrow, Governor Pence will be delivering his 2016 State of the State address. We’ll be watching closely to see what direction he intends to take the state and whether or not he’ll show the leadership needed to pass real non-discrimination protections for LGBT Hoosiers.

Iowa

Pro-equality legislation introduced in 2015, including a bill to protect youth from so-called “conversion therapy,” is still pending in 2016.

Kansas

Religious refusal bills introduced in 2015 are still pending.

Kentucky

In 2015, the Kentucky legislature introduced a bill targeting the rights of transgender students, as well as LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination proposals. Four bills related to marriage restrictions were introduced in 2015, and while these bills are still up for consideration this year, an additional three bills have been pre-filed. It is very likely that even more anti-LGBT legislation will be considered during the state’s upcoming session.

Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, lawmakers will continue to work to pass legislation that would add gender identity protections to existing state public accommodation law that already include protections against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. HRC is part of the Freedom Massachusetts campaign working to pass this critically important legislation.  Additionally, a bill to protect LGBTQ youth from so-called “conversion therapy” is still pending.

Michigan

Michigan lawmakers in 2015 passed a series of bills that authorize anti-LGBT discrimination in adoption services. Anti-equality bills introduced last year — including a broad religious refusal bill as well as a proposal to eliminate local anti-discrimination protections — are still pending in 2016.  Currently, Freedom Michigan is working to amend Michigan’s existing state anti-discrimination laws to protect against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Mississippi

In 2015, lawmakers in Mississippi proposed allowing adoption and foster care agencies to discriminate against LGBT prospective parents. In 2016, HRC expects to see more anti-LGBT legislation, including the introduction of religious refusal and municipal preemption bills in the state’s legislature.

Missouri

Missouri lawmakers introduced nine pieces of anti-LGBT legislation in 2015. In 2016, HRC expects to see more anti-LGBT legislation, such as religious refusal and anti-transgender bills, introduced. Also pending will be the Missouri Non-Discrimination Act (MoNA), which would protect Missouri residents and visitors from anti-LGBT discrimination in employment, housing and business services.

Nebraska

Currently, there is a campaign to amend Nebraska’s existing state anti-discrimination laws to protect against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. It is expected that anti-LGBT legislation, including religious refusal bills, will be introduced in 2016.

New York

In 2015, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s executive action extended vitally important non-discrimination protections to transgender New Yorkers and visitors in the areas of employment, housing, and public accommodations. While passing the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) remains important to assure the protections extended by the governor are written into permanent law, the bill faces an uphill battle to advance this year.  An anti-conversion therapy bill remains pending.  

Ohio

HRC is part of the Ohio Competes campaign advocating for the Fairness Act, a bill introduced in 2015 adding sexual orientation and gender identity to Ohio’s non-discrimination laws. A religious refusal bill was introduced in 2015 and is still pending in the legislature..

Pennsylvania

HRC is part of the Pennsylvania Competes campaign, a bipartisan campaign working to pass the Pennsylvania Fairness Act. The bill would update the state’s non-discrimination laws to explicitly protect LGBT people from discrimination at work, in housing, and in business services.  

Rhode Island

A bill introduced in 2015 to protect LGBTQ youth from so-called “conversion therapy” is still pending in 2016.

South Carolina

Anti-LGBT bills introduced in 2015 are still pending in 2016, including seven bills related to marriage, a student RFRA, and one piece of legislation specifically targeting the transgender community.

South Dakota

It is expected that anti-LGBT legislation, including religious refusal and anti-transgender bills, will be introduced in 2016.

Tennessee

It is expected that Tennessee lawmakers may consider several pieces of anti-LGBT legislation in 2016, including a so-called “Natural Marriage Defense Act” that would require the state to defend in court any local or state official who refuses to comply with the U.S. Supreme Court’s marriage equality ruling.  Also pending this year is a bill that would allow public college and university students to cite religious belief as a legal reason to opt out of providing counseling, social work, or psychology program services.

Virginia

Virginia lawmakers have announced plans to introduce both pro-equality and anti-LGBT legislation in 2016.  Pro-equality efforts will center on a bill to add to state law protections against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.  Anti-LGBT lawmakers have pre-filed several bills related to marriage, an anti-transgender bill, and a bill that would further restrict the ability of municipalities to protect their LGBT residents and visitors.

Wisconsin

It is expected that anti-LGBT legislation, including anti-transgender bills, will be introduced in 2016. Lawmakers have already held a committee hearing for the 2016 session on AB 469, a bill that would eliminate local school board control and prevent transgender students from using appropriate bathrooms and locker rooms in schools.

Legislative sessions also began in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Washington, D.C., and will soon begin in Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey and Washington. To learn more about what lays ahead for equality in your backyard, visit HRC’s newest resource, “Preview 2016: Pro-Equality and Anti-LGBT State and Local Legislation.”    

www.hrc.org/blog/2016-legislative-preview-14-legislatures-in-session-19-more-convene-this-we?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Reading paedophile guilty of online sex chats
A paedophile has been found guilty of online sex chats with young girls and making indecent images of children. Daniel Fisher, 35, of Merchants Place, Reading was caught when police obtained a warrant to search his home. A jury at Reading Crown Court found …

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Online chat for Kent’s potential foster carers next Thursday
The people of Kent are being encouraged to kick off their new year with a new career in fostering. Kent County Council is hosting an online chat at 7pm on Thursday January 21, where four members of staff from the fostering team will be available to answer …

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Peacemaker George Mitchell to lead St. Patrick’s parade in New York
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Former U.S. senator and Northern Ireland peace negotiator George Mitchell has agreed to lead New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the world’s biggest, signaling progress in a dispute over gay rights. Mitchell, 82, who served in …

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#AM_Equality Tip Sheet: January 11, 2016

RICK SANTORUM’S LATEST TORTURED ANALOGY: Right Wing Watch catches Rick Santorum test driving a new anti-LGBT line on the campaign trail. Santorum told Iowa radio host Simon Conway that allowing states to expand marriage to same-sex couples is like saying “the states have the right to redefine the chemical equation for water, it can be H3O instead of H2O.” Santorum went on to say, “nature dictates what water is, nature dictates what marriage is, and the states don’t have the right to violate what nature has dictated.” Santorum’s remarks serve as a reminder that he is more extreme than traditional opponents of marriage equality who couch their anti-LGBT rhetoric as “states rights.” More here: bit.ly/1PSh1FB

WAPO WARNS OF ONSLAUGHT OF ANTI-LGBT LEGISLATION: Jonathan Capehart of the Washington Post takes an in-depth look at the upcoming state battles ahead for LGBT equality, as lawmakers have introduced or pre-filed dozens of harmful anti-equality bills in state legislatures around the country. Last week, HRC released a preview of upcoming state and local legislative battles in 2016. More than two dozen state legislatures are expected to consider anti-equality measures in the coming year, but many will also have the opportunity to advance LGBT equality. More here: wapo.st/1VTsIOH

IF YOU READ ONE STORY ON TRANSGENDER EMPLOYEES: Make it this one, by Chicago Tribune reporter Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz. Telling the real workplace challenges of people including social worker Josie Lynne Paul and Hobby Lobby frame shop manager Meggan Sommerville, Elejalde-Ruiz lays out a powerful story of employees facing isolation and discrimination even in states like Illinois, where laws protect against discrimination on the basis of gender identity. HRC President Chad Griffin tweeted that the story is a “great read” on the challenges trans employees face, and how employers can help. The story provides advice from Deena Fidas, who heads the HRC Foundation’s workplace equality program. “One of the biggest but well-intentioned mistakes is to be overly reliant on the one employee for education and guidance,” Fidas said. As the author notes, some transgender employees may want to take an active role in educating their colleagues, while others may prefer to transition out of the spotlight. More here (paywall): trib.in/1PSi2xr

GOLDEN GLOBES RECAP: It’s been a historic year for LGBT visibility and storytelling in Hollywood and the 73rd annual Golden Globes gave the LGBT and allied communities many reasons to celebrate. LGBT-centric TV shows and movies including Carol, The Danish Girl, Transparent, and Grace and Frankie were honored in several categories, while openly LGBT actors Lily Tomlin and Alan Cummings were nominated, along with allies Mark Ruffalo, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Bryan Cranston, for their film and television roles. Congratulations to Lady Gaga and Sam Smith on their first wins!

IN DEFENSE OF TRANS YOUTH: An offensive Wall Street Journal op-ed by Debra W. Soh created backlash over her attempt to discredit efforts used by medical professionals to support transgender children. In a letter to the editor today in the WSJ, HRC Foundation’s Jay Brown calls out the author’s flawed research and analysis, and explains the difference between being transgender and expressing gender diversely, writing, “What’s really happening here is that doctors and parents are finally supporting our lives, even the youngest among us. To do otherwise dangerously denies transgender children their very humanity—and their safety and well-being.” Read his response here (paywall): on.wsj.com/1OmoKJo

BIRMINGHAM NEWS BLASTS ROY MOORE:  In a scathing editorial appropriately entitled, “Roy Moore is Delusional About Roy Moore,” the Birmingham News took Alabama’s Chief Justice to task for his clear lack of understanding of how the American legal system works. The board captures what we’re all thinking with one simple sentence: “It is time Roy Moore realized that he is wrong.” Despite the order, the majority of  Alabama counties are upholding the rule of law and issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Moore doesn’t have a leg to stand on, and if he continues to refuse to follow the law, he should be removed from office. Read the editorial here: bit.ly/1VZDAKW

MEMPHIS BAPTIST CHURCH AFFIRMS MARRIAGE EQUALITY SUPPORT: The historic First Baptist Church of Memphis continued its journey toward full LGBT inclusion when its congregation voted Sunday to allow LGBT people to marry and be ordained in the church. The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal reports that the church in 2001 baptized an openly-gay man, and two years ago voted overwhelmingly to ordain its first LGBT deacons. The 175-year-old congregation was among the first historically Southern Baptist churches “to welcome African Americans in the 1970s,” the newspaper reports. Said David Richardson, deacon board president and fourth generation church member: “This isn’t a vote about the kind of church we want to be in the future, it’s a vote about who we are now.” More here: bit.ly/1OdRM05

STATE SNAPSHOT

GOV. PENCE OFF THE FENCE?: Indiana Governor Mike Pence hinted to reporters last week that he could finally announce his stance on anti-discrimination protections for the LGBT community during Tuesday’s State of the State address. You may remember when Governor Pence sparked national backlash after signing Indiana’s discriminatory Religious Freedom Restoration Act last year. So far in this legislative session, Indiana lawmakers have introduced a sexual orientation-only non-discrimination bill that fails to protect transgender Hoosiers, and has extensive and harmful religious exemptions. Another Republican bill proposes to override local LGBT-rights ordinances. And yet another bill considers abolishing all marriage licenses in the state in a weak attempt to undermine the U.S. Supreme Court. Local efforts supporting full protections are strong, as 150 Indiana businesses have called for LGBT equality legislation. More here: bit.ly/1P3lphZ

ANTI-LGBT BILLS INTRODUCED IN VIRGINIA: According to the Washington Blade, state lawmakers in Virginia have introduced three harmful bills that would limit the rights of LGBT Virginians. Delegate Dave LaRock’s (R-Loudoun County) bill would make it practically impossible for transgender people to change the listed sex on their birth certificates, while Delegate Bob Marshall (R-Prince William County) has introduced two bills, one of which directly challenges rulings by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on sex discrimination. Marshall’s legislation seeks to prevent local municipalities from enacting their own non-discrimination ordinances to protect LGBT residents and citizens, and prohibit the state from considering sexual orientation discrimination as sex discrimination. Last year, the EEOC released a decision clarifying that workers are protected under Title VII from employment discrimination based on sexual orientation, and just last week, the commission filed an amicus brief in a case arguing that sexual orientation discrimination is a form of sex discrimination, which is in violation of Title VII. More here: bit.ly/22Vm2EH and bit.ly/1mQkJFP

BILLS THAT WILL ALLOW ALASKANS TO OPT-OUT OF PROVIDING MARRIAGE SERVICES PRE-FILED IN BOTH CHAMBERS: In addition to Virginia, it looks like state officials in Alaska also have their eye on attacking LGBT rights this legislative session. Senator Peter Micciche (R-Soldotna) and Representative Dave Talerico (R-Healy) have each introduced bills that will give Alaskans the right to deny couples who apply for marriage licenses “services, accommodations, facilities, goods, or privileges” related to the celebration of their marriage. According to Alaska Commons, this opt-out would also be applied to cases of age, disability, national origin and race. Alaska is one of 31 states that lack explicit and inclusive non-discrimination protections for LGBT people at the state level. Opponents have been trying to overturn a non-discrimination ordinance that was passed in Anchorage last September, but there is currently a dispute over the ballot language that has been proposed. More here: bit.ly/1S9Jr1g

ARGUS LEADER CALLS FOR STRONGER LGBT PROTECTION IN SIOUX FALLS: The Argus Leader has written an editorial calling for Sioux Falls, South Dakota to adopt more LGBT-friendly laws and policies following its 28 rating on HRC’s 2015 Municipal Equality Index (MEI). The MEI is an annual report that examines municipalities’ laws, policies, and services and rates them on the basis of their inclusivity of LGBT people who live and work there. The board writes, “The city of Sioux Falls should address the policy deficiencies pointed out by the Human Rights Campaign. Specifically, the mayor and City Council should consider non-discrimination laws for private employment, housing and public accommodations. We should provide protections for transgender city employees and open communication between city departments and the LGBT community.” Read the editorial here: argusne.ws/1IYLX7C

AROUND THE WORLD

CATHOLIC OFFICIALS ATTACK U.S. AMBASSADOR FOR BEING GAY: A letter published in a Dominican Republic newspaper this week attacked U.S. Ambassador James “Wally” Brewster because he is gay. The letter, as reported in the Washington Blade, is signed by high ranking members of the Catholic Church and a number of well-known private citizens, and insults the Ambassador by calling on the Dominican government to declare the U.S. diplomat “persona non-grata.” The U.S. State Department has criticized the letter, saying, “We disagree in the strongest of terms with these characterizations of Ambassador Brewster and our foreign policy.” This latest attack is part of a long-running campaign by high-ranking Catholic clergy against the appointment of Ambassador Brewster, and comes on the heels of two recent blasts from Cardinal López. In response to those attacks, HRC President Chad Griffin called on Pope Francis to condemn Cardinal López’s anti-LGBT slurs and demonstrate that the Catholic Church does not tolerate such hate and bigotry. U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) has also called on Pope Francis to intervene and to speak out against Cardinal López’s statements, saying they are out of step with the Church’s teachings. To date there has been no response from the Vatican, and HRC continues to call on its more than 1.5 million members and supporters to condemn this anti-LGBT bigotry. More here: bit.ly/1TPwes3

POPE FRANCIS EXPANDS ON GAY PRIESTS COMMENT: Pope Francis triggered hope for a more LGBT-inclusive Catholic Church back in 2013 when he said about gay priests: “Who am I to judge if they’re seeking the Lord in good faith?” Now, in a new book by an Italian journalist, the pontiff repeats his remark, and says that he’s simply “paraphrasing the catechism of the Catholic Church. where it says the these people should be treated with delicacy and not be marginalized.” People, he says in The Name of God is Mercy, “should not be defined only by their sexual tendencies; let us not forget that God loves all his creatures and we are destined to receive his infinite love.” While the Pope’s comments may constitute a shift in tone from his predecessors, the Catholic Church maintains its anti-LGBT language, as do many of its leaders, including U.S. Catholic bishops, despite HRC polling showing that an overwhelming majority of Catholic voters support LGBT inclusion – from marriage equality, to non-discrimination measures.

READING RAINBOW

ThinkProgress interviews two survivors and plaintiffs of the lawsuit that shut down the Jewish “conversion therapy” program JONAH… The Columbus Dispatch describes a history of Ohioan hate crimes and what legislators are and aren’t doing to address it… Aljazeera explores the traditional Hawaiian gender role called mahu… The Twin Cities Pioneer Press shares a local story of a five-year-old gender nonconforming child in public schools… and The Olympian interviews the mother of an LGBT servicemember who created a support group for military families.

Have news? Send us your news and tips at [email protected]. Click here to subscribe to A.M. Equality, and follow @HRC for all latest news and updates. Thanks for reading!

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