Bogus Defense: U.S. House Holds Hearing On Bill That Would Violate First Amendment and Harm LGBT Persons
Tuesday was the one-month anniversary of the shooting at an LGBT nightclub in Orlando that killed 49 people. This has been a difficult month for the LGBT community, yet on the anniversary, House Republicans held a hearing on a bill aimed at allowing discrimination against same-sex couples and their families in the name of “religious freedom.”
Not One, But Three: All Versions Of FADA Sanction Discrimination In The Name Of "Religious Liberty"
Congress Should Learn From FADA Backlash In The States
The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform announced that it will hold a hearing on HR 2802, the deceptively named First Amendment Defense Act (FADA), on July 12. The Committee’s decision to hold this hearing is surprising given the backlash that states have faced when trying to pass and enact their own FADA legislation.
Federal FADA Hearing Set for July 12
It's official: Representative Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), the Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, announced that he has scheduled a hearing on this harmful legislation for July 12, 2016 at 10:00 AM.
Keeping Secrets?: Kim Davis Accused Of Violating Ky. Open-Records Law
Federal Judge: Obergefell Will Be Enforced In Mississippi
Yesterday, U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves blocked a key provision of Mississippi’s HB 1523 that was scheduled to take effect this Friday. The new law—which Americans United has opposed since its introduction in February—would create sweeping religious exemptions for those who object to marriage equality, including county clerks who refuse to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Amazing Anniversary: Marriage Equality Decision Celebrates First Year
This Sunday will mark the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which brought marriage equality to the states in 2015.
Federal Court Refuses To Halt Enforcement of Mississippi's "Religious Liberty" Bill
A federal court in Mississippi has refused to halt enforcement of HB 1523, the Mississippi law passed in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s upholding marriage equality last year. The bill is apparently the brainchild of a Religious Right organization that has litigated denial-of-service cases across the country.
Kim Davis Wants To Have Her Own Appeal Dismissed—And Claim Victory
Kim Davis—the Rowan County, KY, clerk who stopped issuing all marriage licenses so that she would not have to issue them to same-sex couples—filed a motion today with the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, arguing that her own case is moot and should be dismissed. But that’s not all: she also argues that the court should throw out the preliminary injunction issued by the trial court last year, which prohibits Davis from refusing marriage licenses altogether.
The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly Of The 2016 State Sessions, Part 2: The Bad And The Ugly
In part 1, we recapped the good— the harmful bills that were stopped. In today’s post, we cover the bad and the ugly of the 2016 state legislative sessions.
The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly Of The 2016 State Sessions, Part 1: The Good
Americans United and Allies Secure Victory in Alabama for Marriage Equality
Federal Court Was Right To Issue Permanent Injunction On Ala. Marriage-Equality Ban, Says Americans United
No Moore, Please: Ala. Chief Justice May Be Removed From The Bench
Trials And Tribulations: Controversial Ala. Judge Says He Should Stay On The Bench
Last Week In Review: April 18–22
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.
Ninety-Five Mississippi Writers Sign Letter Opposing HB 1523
On Monday, 95 Mississippi writers co-signed a letter in response to HB 1523, a bill signed into law last week which could allow a range of individuals, corporations, healthcare providers, and nonprofit organizations—including those that receive taxpayer funding to perform social services—to refuse to provide goods and services to same sex couples, single mothers, divorcees, and anyone who has had sex outside of marriage and their families.