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Pelosi backs ENDA despite concerns over broad religious exemptions
WASHINGTON — House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi says she still supports a Senate-passed bill to outlaw workplace discrimination against gay and transgender people. A number of national LGBT rights groups have withdrawn their support because it has a broad religious exemption. The California Democrat says she understands the…
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Obama faces pressure over religious exemption in anti-bias order
In the intensifying debate over religious liberty, President Barack Obama faces pressure from opposite flanks as he prepares to issue an executive order barring federal contractors from discriminating against gay and transgender people in hiring. Many religious leaders and conservative groups want him to exempt religious organizations from the order…
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Six national LGBT rights groups drop ENDA support over religious exemptions
WASHINGTON — The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force announced Tuesday that it is withdrawing its support for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), fearing that broad religious exemptions included in the current bill could compel private companies to cite objections similar to those that prevailed in last week’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling in a case brought by Hobby Lobby.
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Opponents of Houston equal rights law submit signatures for public vote
HOUSTON — Opponents of Houston’s new LGBT-inclusive equal rights ordinance on Thursday delivered what they say are thousands of voters’ signatures requesting that it be repealed. The group, consisting of pastors and faith-based organizations, said they had collected more than 50,000 signatures calling for a ballot referendum aimed at repealing…
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Recount confirms Pocatello voters approved non-discrimination ordinance
POCATELLO, Idaho — A recount has confirmed a May vote by Pocatello residents retaining an ordinance banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The recount on Friday was done at the request of a group opposed to the city ordinance approved by the Pocatello City Council in June 2013 and backed by voters on May 20.
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N.C. excludes LGBT protections in governor’s employment executive order
RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory passed over protections for LGBT workers in signing a new executive order today barring employment discrimination for state workers. Statewide LGBT advocates are condemning the exclusion and are insisting the governor revisit the new order. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the governor continues…
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Baton Rouge council to consider LGBT-inclusive fairness ordinance
BATON ROUGE, La. — The Baton Rouge Metro Council is again contemplating an anti-discrimination measure supported by the gay community, but it’s unclear how the proposal will fare when council members cast their votes.
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Without fanfare, Obama Administration advances transgender rights
SAN FRANCISCO — President Barack Obama, who established his bona fides as a gay and lesbian rights champion when he endorsed same-sex marriage, has steadily extended his administration’s advocacy to the smallest and least accepted band of the LGBT rainbow: transgender Americans. With little of the fanfare or criticism that marked his evolution…
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Idaho town faces recount on LGBT non-discrimination ordinance
POCATELLO, Idaho — A recount has been ordered of last month’s vote by Pocatello residents retaining an ordinance banning discrimination against a person because of sexual orientation or gender identity. The recount is set for June 27 and comes at the request of a group opposed to the city ordinance approved by the Pocatello City Council in June 2013 and backed by voters on May 20.
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First lesbian leader of California Assembly opens up on LGBT rights
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins, the first lesbian to lead a house of the California Legislature, said Tuesday that more work needs to be done to promote tolerance of gays and lesbians, especially in rural America. Atkins says the “most profound” way of advancing equality is coming out and taking small actions that validate being gay.