{"id":49283,"date":"2017-01-17T10:10:50","date_gmt":"2017-01-17T15:10:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/am_equality-tipsheet-january-17-2017\/"},"modified":"2017-01-17T10:10:50","modified_gmt":"2017-01-17T15:10:50","slug":"am_equality-tipsheet-january-17-2017","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/am_equality-tipsheet-january-17-2017\/","title":{"rendered":"#AM_Equality Tipsheet: January 17, 2017"},"content":{"rendered":"

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: January 17, 2017<\/b>
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HEARINGS BEGIN FOR TRUMP\u2019S SEC. OF EDUCATION PICK: <\/strong>Betsy DeVos, Trump\u2019s pick to lead the Department of Education, will begin her confirmation hearings today. Earlier this month, Politico<\/em><\/a> reported that DeVoz has had several conversations with a Senator who wants her to gut critical protections for young LGBTQ people. \u201c(DeVos) has had several phone conversations with Republican Sen. James Lankford<\/a> about reining in the Education Department\u2019s Office for Civil Rights,\u201d Politico<\/em> reported. \u201cLankford stressed to DeVos that there are areas that he sees as federal overreach — like the Education Department\u2019s position<\/a> that Title IX offers explicit protections for transgender students.\u201d Last May, the U.S. Department of Education offered guidance to schools<\/a> clarifying that transgender students have the right to be free from discrimination in schools, including the ability to use gender-separated facilities (such as restrooms and locker rooms) that match their gender identity. This guidance follows similar policies<\/a> in states and school districts across the country, including many that have been treating transgender students with dignity and respect for more than a decade. DeVos’ family foundation, The Douglas and Maria DeVos Foundation, as well as her own foundation, The Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation, have funded major anti-LGBTQ organizations and campaigns<\/a>. Senators must ask her about how she will ensure LGBTQ students are safe and treated with respect in our nation\u2019s schools. Advocates — including HRC — will also be watching to see if she makes clear whether she shares her family\u2019s support for conversation therapy programs that harm LGBTQ youth.<\/p>\n

SEVEN REASONS THE ACA MATTERS TO THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY: <\/strong>Congress has voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) — landmark legislation that provides access to healthcare for 22 million Americans, including millions of LGBTQ people. In the past, President Obama has blocked such attempts, but when President-elect Donald Trump assumes office on Friday, all bets to protect the ACA are off. There is much at stake for the LGBTQ community. State marketplaces, health plans and their employees are prohibited from discriminating against LGBTQ people. Without the protections guaranteed by the ACA, many could lose coverage for lifesaving treatment for HIV and AIDS. The ACA makes it easier for people living with HIV and AIDS to get coverage through the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plans. The ACA has expanded transition-related healthcare coverage, even to people who are not in ACA marketplace plans. Insurers cannot limit or deny coverage for services used for gender transition when those services would normally be covered when treating a non-transition related health condition. More from HRC<\/a>.<\/p>\n

MORNING\u00a0MUST WATCH: <\/strong>HRC Equidad MX<\/a>, a program seeking to expand workplace equality and inclusion in Mexico, launched last year. Deena Fidas, Director of HRC\u2019s Workplace Equality Program,<\/strong> recently spoke with Genaro Lozano on <\/a>Televisa<\/em><\/a> about the project\u2019s origins and progress. Check out a short clip here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

VA LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINS — ANTI-LGBTQ BILLS ALREADY FILED: <\/strong>The Virginia’s legislative session opens this week, and 2017 is shaping up to be a critical year for the state\u2019s LGBTQ community. Early this month, Gov. Terry McAuliffe signed an executive order<\/a> extending protections that exist on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity for state employees to contractors and in the delivery of state services. In contrast, Delegate Bob Marshall pre-filed several bills targeting the rights of LGBTQ Virginians. HRC is calling on members and supporters to oppose this discriminatory legislation, and is partnering with Equality Virginia to defeat any attack on the rights of LGBTQ Virginians and their families. More from HRC<\/a>.<\/p>\n

AND IN GEORGIA, LEGISLATIVE SESSION OPENS WITH CALL FOR STATEWIDE LGBTQ NON-DISCRIMINATION PROTECTIONS: <\/strong>This week also marks the start of Georgia\u2019s 2017 legislative session. In anticipation of attacks from anti-equality legislators, Georgia Unites Against Discrimination, a coalition project of HRC and Georgia Equality, released \u201cLiberty and Justice in Georgia<\/em><\/a>,\u201d a report calling for statewide non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ Georgians and demonstrating the need for comprehensive civil rights protections for a more welcoming and prosperous state. During the session, HRC and its coalition partners at Georgia Unites will continue efforts to defeat any attacks on the rights of LGBTQ Georgians and their families. More from HRC<\/a> and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n

HRC HONORS MLK DAY WITH DAY OF SERVICE FOR LGBTQ HOMELESS YOUTH: <\/strong>In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day, HRC members and supporters across the country gathered Monday for the annual MLK Day of Service<\/a>. This year, HRC dedicated the Day of Service to ensuring the safety and well-being of homeless and at-risk LGBTQ youth. More from HRC<\/a>.<\/p>\n