#AM_Equality Tipsheet: February 27, 2020
VIRGINIA VALUES ACT RECEIVES FINAL APPROVAL, HEADS TO GOVERNOR’S DESK FOR SIGNATURE: The bill will grant non-discrimination protections to Virginians on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and several other characteristics. Virginia will be the first state in the South to have non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people, the first state in over a decade to add sexual orientation and gender identity to existing non-discrimination law and the first state since 1993 to add a prohibition on discrimination in public accommodations (protecting all Virginians) where none existed before. More from HRC, the Washington Blade, the Associated Press and Metro Weekly.
- The Virginia House of Delegates also passed a bill to offer an additional “X” gender marker option on driver’s licences earlier this week. The bill now goes to the Governor’s desk. More from the Washington Blade.
��️�� BREAKING: Yet another historic moment in Virginia as the Virginia Values Act now heads to the governor’s desk to be signed into law! t.co/CyCekXToOx pic.twitter.com/Hs9dW2PHkk
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) February 26, 2020
TODAY — HRC LEGAL DIRECTOR SARAH WARBELOW (@SarahWarbelow) TESTIFYING BEFORE THE HOUSE OVERSIGHT AND REFORM COMMITTEE ON TRUMP ADMIN’S ASSAULT ON LGBTQ RIGHTS: The Committee will hear how the Trump administration has undermined LGBTQ rights, including by permitting discrimination on the basis of religion. More here.
- Media interested in a statement or comment, please contact Viet Tran at viet.tran@hrc.org.
PENCE’S RECORD IN INDIANA CASTS REAL DOUBT ON ABILITY TO BE CORONAVIRUS CZAR: While serving as Governor of Indiana, Pence exacerbated an HIV crisis by slow-walking possible solutions, flexing his far-right zeal for defunding health care providers like Planned Parenthood seeking to resolve the problem and ignoring the growing problem. With more than 20 new cases diagnosed every week at the time, Pence failed Hoosiers who needed swift and strong action to combat the health crisis. Based on his record in Indiana, there should be real doubts on his ability to combat the growing Coronavirus. For more on Pence’s LGBTQ record, check out HRC’s Real Mike Pence Report.
THANKFUL THURSDAY — JAZZ AND FRIENDS NATIONAL DAY OF SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY READINGS TAKES PLACE TODAY! Thousands of parents, educators, elected officials and allies will join in this day of readings to help to support trans and gender-expansive youth. The day helps foster safe and welcoming schools and communities for youth who still rarely hear affirming stories of LGBTQ people. In addition to I Am Jazz, a children’s book by transgender teen trailblazer Jazz Jennings (@JazzJennings__), participants have the option of reading from additional books about transgender and gender-expansive youth of color, including Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love and They, She, He Easy as ABC by Maya and Matthew Smith Gonzalez (@MayaGonzalezArt). Learn more from HRC.
- Reps. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) (@RepAngieCraig) and Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) (@RepSpeier) will lead Members of Congress in reading I Am Jazz and Julián Is a Mermaid on the House floor this morning. Rep. Craig is a Co-Chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, and Rep. Speier is a Member of the Caucus.
TEACHER IN MANSFIELD, TEXAS REACHES SETTLEMENT IN SEXUAL ORIENTATION DISCRIMINATION LAWSUIT AGAINST THE SCHOOL DISTRICT: Elementary school teacher Stacy Bailey filed suit against the school district after she was suspended for speaking with students about her sexual orientation, and after she asked for protections for LGBTQ staff and students. Said HRC President Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid): “The Human Rights Campaign was proud to stand with Ms. Bailey as she faced and then challenged discrimination head on. Justice has been served in this case, and a talented teacher has won the right to be herself in the classroom and in her workplace. No one should face retribution simply for being themselves.” More from CBS DFW.
HRC MOURNS THE LOSS OF WILTON MANORS, FLA. MAYOR JUSTIN FLIPPEN: More from HRC.
Tonight we mourn the tragic loss of Wilton Manors Mayor Justin Flippen, a longstanding and beloved member of the @HRC community. pic.twitter.com/879HnShBBR
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) February 26, 2020
HRC REMEMBERS VIN MCCARTHY, HRC FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER WHO PASSED AWAY EARLIER THIS MONTH: More from The Boston Globe.
ONE YEAR AGO TODAY, THE U.S. HOUSE PASSED THE BIPARTISAN BACKGROUND CHECKS ACT OF 2019.
GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS
LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES ACROSS POLAND ARE ADOPTING ANTI-LGBTQ RESOLUTIONS: More from Balkan Insight, and learn more about the ongoing attacks on the LGBTQ community in Poland from HRC.
NEARLY 3,000 SAME-SEX WEDDINGS HAVE TAKEN PLACE SINCE MARRIAGE EQUALITY WAS LEGALIZED IN TAIWAN: More from PinkNews, and learn more about the state of marriage equality around the world from HRC.
READING RAINBOW – Bookmark now to read on your lunch break!
them. interviews LGBTQ advocate and founder of online event Queer Black Christmas Tanya Compas (@TanyaCompas)
Have news? Send us your news and tips at AMEquality@hrc.org. Click here to subscribe to #AM_Equality and follow @HRC for all the latest news. Thanks for reading!
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