Trials And Tribulations: Controversial Ala. Judge Says He Should Stay On The Bench
NDAA's Government-Funded Discrimination Amendment Passes House Armed Services Committee
If you were to guess that one of the most controversial provisions found in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) would be about national defense, you’d be wrong. During the House Armed Services Committee’s marathon mark-up of the NDAA on Wednesday, Rep. Steve Russell (R-OK) successfully offered a sweeping amendment that would sanction taxpayer-funded hiring discrimination.
Tennessee Governor Signs Bill That Could Harm LGBT Individuals Seeking Mental Healthcare
On Wednesday, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam (R) signed HB 1840/SB 1556, a bill that allows a therapist or counselor to refuse to treat clients whose "goals, outcomes, or behaviors... conflict with a sincerely held principle" of that mental health professional. The bill—now law—will endanger some of the most vulnerable Tennesseans: those in need of mental healthcare and treatment.
Graphics Gaffe: Company Refuses To Make Rainbow Logo For N.D. Church
The latest victim of a religion-based refusal is none other than a church.
Oregon Bakers Who Discriminated Against Same-Sex Couple Challenge $135,000 Fine
On the same day that the Colorado Supreme Court announced it would not hear the case of a baker who refused to bake a wedding cake for a same-sex couple, another bakery returned to court seeking a right to discriminate.
Last Week In Review: April 18–22
Colo. Supreme Court Correct To Refuse To Hear Baker’s Lawsuit
United Methodist Church Ministers Condemn Mississippi's Anti-LGBT Law
Over 30 ministers of the United Methodist Church's Mississippi Annual Conference released a statement on Monday condemning Mississippi's HB 1523 and legislation that legalizes discrimination in the name of religion.
President Obama Condemns Discriminatory Bills
This Baptist Minister Opposes Discrimination. Read To Find Out Why.
Dr. Brian Kaylor submitted the following testimony to the Missouri House Emerging Issues Committee in opposition to SJR 39 on April 12.
Missouri Legislature Pushes Back Vote On Anti-LGBT Constitutional Amendment
Expecting that the House Emerging Issues Committee would be holding a vote on the resolution on Wednesday evening, opponents of Missouri's problematic SJR 39 were let-down when the committee postponed what was predicted to be a close vote until next week.
U.S. Commission On Civil Rights Condemns "Religious Liberty" Bills
The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has weighed in on the bills we’ve been working on at PTN. In a statement released on Monday, the agency condemned state laws and pending legislation that sanction discrimination, especially against LGBT Americans, under the guise of religious liberty.
UK Foreign Office Issues Warnings To British Travelers About Anti-LGBT State Laws
It's no secret that anti-LGBT "religious liberty" laws have been the talk of the nation for the past month. Bills in Georgia, Mississippi, and Missouri that allow individuals to use religion to discriminate have ignited a firestorm of criticism, including official travel bans, boycotts by entertainers, and protests by the business community. Now there's criticism coming from abroad.
No-Fly Zone: Muslim Kicked Off Flight For Speaking Arabic Is Another Example Of Real Religious Persecution
Last Week in Review: April 11-15
SNL Rips Religious Refusals Laws
This past weekend, Saturday Night Live parodied the anti-LGBT legislation we cover daily on PTN. In a satirical trailer starring Vanessa Bayer, SNL also sends up the 'Christian persecution' film genre, specifically the widely-panned God Is Not Dead 2.
Missouri Lawmaker Signals Which Way House Committee May Vote On SJR 39
After a four and a half hour hearing on Tuesday night, the first inklings of how the House Emerging Issues Committee will vote on Missouri's SJR 39 are emerging.
Georgia's Governor Does Not Regret Decision To Veto "Religious Liberty" Bill
In his first interview since vetoing Georgia's HB 757 in March, Governor Nathan Deal said he does not regret his decision, and that the uproar over recent bills in North Carolina and Mississippi should give legislators seeking to pass "religious liberty" bills second thoughts. Had it been signed, HB 757, the Georgia “religious liberty” bill, would have permitted discrimination like the bills in these other states.