{"id":53291,"date":"2017-05-22T12:10:31","date_gmt":"2017-05-22T16:10:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/am_equality-tipsheet-may-22-2017\/"},"modified":"2017-05-22T12:10:31","modified_gmt":"2017-05-22T16:10:31","slug":"am_equality-tipsheet-may-22-2017","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/am_equality-tipsheet-may-22-2017\/","title":{"rendered":"#AM_Equality Tipsheet: May 22, 2017"},"content":{"rendered":"

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: May 22, 2017<\/b>
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DISCRIMINATION APPROVED BY TX SENATE — ANTI-LGBTQ HB 3859 ADVANCES: <\/strong>Last night, HRC called out the Texas Senate for approving the discriminatory HB 3859, a bill that would allow child welfare organizations — including adoption and foster care agencies — to turn away qualified Texans seeking to care for a child in need, including LGBTQ couples<\/a>, interfaith couples<\/a>, single parents, married couples<\/a> in which one prospective parent has previously been divorced, or other parents to whom the agency has a religious objection. It also could harm children in care; HB 3859 would forbid the state from canceling a state contract with an agency that subjected children in their care to dangerous practices such as so-called \u201cconversion therapy.\u201d \u201cHB 3859 is a dangerous, discriminatory bill that shows the type of overarching anti-LGBTQ animus that is coloring so much of the Texas legislature this session,\u201d said Marty Rouse, national field director for the Human Rights Campaign and a foster and adoptive parent<\/strong>. \u201cThis \u2018Slate of Hate\u2019 that the Texas legislature has made a priority harms LGBTQ Texans. It is unconscionable that a bill would prioritize discrimination over the best interest of kids in the child welfare system, but Texas lawmakers have done just that. As HB 3859 heads to Governor Abbott\u2019s desk, we hope he does not buy into a hateful agenda over the best interest of some of his most vulnerable constituents — Texas\u2019 children looking for loving, stable homes.\u201d The bill how heads to the governor\u2019s desk. More from HRC<\/a>.<\/p>\n

ALSO, DISCRIMINATORY ANTI-TRANSGENDER AMENDMENT PASSES TEXAS HOUSE: <\/strong>HRC called on the Texas Senate to stop a measure that could further ostracize and harm transgender students. House lawmakers today added the discriminatory amendment to an otherwise unrelated education bill. Policies such as this one, which make classifications on the basis of \u201cbiological sex<\/a>,\u201d are designed to alienate transgender students from their peers. \u201cThis shameful amendment is yet another example of Texas lawmakers\u2019 anti-LGBTQ agenda,\u201d said JoDee Winterhof, senior vice president for policy and political affairs<\/strong>. \u201cTransgender youth deserve the same dignity and respect as their peers, and this craven attempt to use children as a pawn for cheap political points is disturbing and unconscionable.\u201d More from HRC<\/a>.<\/p>\n

ALARMING — ANTI-LGBTQ SHERIFF CLARKE POSSIBLE DHS APPOINTEE: <\/strong>Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr., one of America\u2019s most controversial and anti-LGBTQ law enforcement officials, could soon be tapped by President Trump to fill a prominent role at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) — raising alarms with civil rights groups across the country. The Milwaukee Journal <\/em>Sentinel reports<\/a> that Clarke is claiming he will accept a position at DHS\u2019s Office of Partnership and Engagement as a liaison with state, local and tribal law enforcement and governments. Although DHS has yet to confirm Clarke\u2019s claim, HRC and other civil rights organizations, including GLAAD and the Anti-Defamation League have expressed grave concerns<\/a>. Clarke\u2019s tenure as sheriff was challenged following the deaths of four people — including a baby<\/a> — under his supervision; his abhorrent \u201cleadership\u201d also includes a long and expansive anti-LGBTQ record. More from HRC<\/a>.<\/p>\n