CHICAGO, IL, December 7, 2015—Today, Cook County State Attorney Anita Alvarez announced that no charges would be filed against Chicago police officer George Hernandez, who shot and killed Ronald Johnson III in October 2014. The news comes just hours after U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced a federal probe of the Chicago Police Department. “We…
Read MoreCongress Forms New Transgender Equality Task Force
Washington, D.C., November 17, 2015–The Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus has announced the creation of the new Transgender Equality Task Force, to be chaired by Rep. Mike Honda (D-Silicon Valley). “To this day, transgender people face formidable barriers in employment, housing, health, education, and other areas. And to end the ongoing violence and discrimination transgender people…
Read MoreUtah Judge’s Foster Child Opinion “Heartbreaking” and “Outrageous”
Washington, DC, November 12, 2015–The National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund is condemning the controversial decision by Utah District Court Juvenile Judge Scott Johansen to take a foster daughter from her parents, married couple Beckie Pierce and April Hoagland. “This ruling is heartbreaking for this family—and illustrates even with marriage equality that we are a…
Read MoreObama Endorses Federal LGBTQ Civil Rights Law
Washington, DC, November 10, 2015—Today, the White House announced its official endorsement of the Equality Act. If passed, this bill would extend clear federal nondiscrimination protections in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, public funding, credit access and jury service to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people. “We are thrilled to hear that the…
Read MoreRunaway and Homeless Youth Act
Protecting LGBTQ Youth Experiencing HomelessnessRunaway and Homeless Youth Act | H.R. 1779 | S. 262 An estimated 1.68 million youth experience homelessness each year. Up to 40% of youth experiencing homelessness identify as LGBTQ, which means there are somewhere around 840,000 LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness. That is why the LGBTQ Task Force is calling for…
Read MoreLGBTQ Advocates Welcome Maine’s New Campaign Finance Law
Washington, DC, November 4, 2015—Yesterday, Maine voters approved a ballot measure that will increase penalties for candidates who violate the state’s campaign finance laws. The measure, which updates the 1996 Maine Clean Election Act, will also increase the amount of public funds disbursed to candidates running for state legislator or governor who agree to forgo…
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