TAKE ACTION

Let's pass the Equality Act!

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to protect LGBTQ+ people from workplace discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, but our work is not done. Our LGBTQ+ loved ones still are not protected from discrimination in housing, education, health care, banking, voting, access to public spaces, adoption, jury service, and federally funded programs.

Whether you have lots of time to take action--or just a quick moment to make a difference--here are the steps you can take to move equality forward:

Have a little time? Register now for the July 14th Virtual Lobby Day. On July 14th, next Tuesday, call your Senators and ask for action on The Equality Act. Here’s your PFLAG message:

As your constituent and a member of PFLAG, I am asking you to bring the Equality Act for a vote and to vote YES.
All people, including LGBTQ+ people, deserve equal treatment under the law, and 70% of America agrees that LGBTQ+ discrimination should have no home in our country.
I have LGBTQ+ loved ones, and it's time to take action to protect them.

Have a little more time? Share your story about why you are supporting the Equality Act. Our personal stories have power - and now we can use them to make a huge difference for our LGBTQ+ loved ones.
Willing to spend extra time? Sign up for the Equality Act Phone Bank. You’ll call your Senators, and then you’ll join this phone bank to call others and invite them to do the same. You’ll receive a quick OnDemand video training, an easy to use web dialing tool, and live support. You can make these calls from anywhere at any time that’s convenient for you during the 12-hour window.

Whether you have only a moment--or lots of time to spare--you can make a difference. Together, let’s pass the Equality Act and ensure fairness, safety, and security for our LGBTQ+ loved ones.

COURT MATTERS

8th Circuit Court of Appeals revives gay man's lawsuit on employment discrimination. The court reversed a lower court decision regarding Missouri resident Mark Horton who alleged that a job offer was withdrawn after his would-be employer discovered he is gay. This would be among the first rulings after the June 15 Supreme Court decision that LGBTQ+ Americans are protected from employment discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Supreme Court rules that electors must vote for the presidential candidate who won the popular vote in that state. This promise that voices will be heard and reflected by the Electoral College and all the more reason to vote on November 3rd.

Indigenous sovereignty upheld by Supreme Court in McGurt v. Oklahoma. The majority opinion upholds treaties made by the U.S. government with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. The decision held that crimes committed on Indian reservations must be tried in federal court, as state courts do not have jurisdiction over Native Nations.

FEDERAL MATTERS

Reps. Tlaib and Pressley introduce The BREATHE Act of 2020 on July 7th, backed by Black Lives Matter Movement. The bill calls for a sweeping transformation to the policing and criminal justice system in the U.S. and includes requests for funding and resources to realize the bill’s aims, easily viewable in this bill summary.

HUD Secretary Ben Carson introduces rule to permit discriminating against transgender people, denying shelter access. In apparent defiance of the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling against anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced plans to allow homeless shelters to refuse to house transgender people consistent with their gender identity. The plan to update the Equal Access Rule came in a statement that alleges fair treatment of all individuals.

STATE MATTERS

California - Black trans man brutally attacked in Bakersfield. Kristian Rouse, an 18-year-old recent graduate from Highland High School, is recovering from the near-death incident while police continue to search for who attacked him on May 13th.

State legislature postpones session indefinitely due to five COVID-19 positive tests, including one legislator. On July 6th, the Assembly announced that it will remain in recess.

Oklahoma - Gay realtor beaten unconscious by assailant who made anti-gay slurs before and during the attack. The crime report, however, did not represent the assault as a hate crime, which the victim of the crime is working to amend.

Virginia - Legislature passes sweeping anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. Virginia is the first Southern state to pass comprehensive protection at the state level, joining 21 other states with similar policies.

Washington - Trial for the murder of transgender teen Nikki Kuhnhausen begian on July 6th. Her alleged killer, David Bogdanov, denies the allegations. His legal team will not be able to use the LGBTQ+ panic defense. Kuhnhausen’s family lobbied for the passage of “Nikki’s Law,” which made Washington the 10th state to outlaw the LGBTQ+ panic defense.

Seattle School Board passes resolution to support queer youth identity. The resolution included the creation of a new LGBTQ+ culture and identity curriculum, the introduction of LGBTQ+ sensitivity training, and the requirement that one school be renamed for an LGBTQ+ person.

GLOBAL MATTERS

Bolivia - Nation’s first transgender news anchor centers LGBTQ+ issues. Leonie Dorado, 26, blazes a trail as the first trans news anchor of the traditionally conservative nation, giving viewers insight into her life as a trans woman.

Germany - The Ministry of Defense plans to compensate members of the military who suffered anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination. Scheduled to be unveiled in September, the draft bill seeks to address previous incidences of discrimination which may have incited firings or prevented promotions.

Montenegro - The nation formally legalized same-sex civil partnerships. Montenegro, with a population of 620,000, becomes the 32nd member nation to recognize same-sex civil partnerships and the first European nation outside the EU to do so.

Poland - President Andrzej Duda proposes constitution change that would ban adoptions by LGBTQ+ couples. Poland was this year ranked the worst country in the European Union for LGBTQ+ rights in a poll by Brussels-based ILGA-Europe.

Russia - At least 38 people detained at a protest in support of LGBTQ+ activist Yulia Tsvetkova. Moscow’s police detained several people who protested on June 27th the arrest of LGBTQ+ rights activist and artist Tsvetkova, who faces up to six years in prison if convicted.

Spain - Villanueva de Algaidas locals fly rainbow flags in protest of the flag’s removal from the town hall. After the rainbow flag was taken down from the town hall due to complaints, residents flew many throughout the town to show solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.

Thailand - The Thai Cabinet approved a bill to legalize same-sex unions. The bill still requires passage by the Thai Parliament to become law. While stopping short of full marriage, the bill would provide numerous rights to same-sex couples, including the ability to adopt children and manage assets jointly.

Tunisia - A Tunisian court sentences two men to two years in prison for consensual same-sex activity. Although calls from the UN and internal lawmakers have challenged the anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, the country continues to prosecute individuals for consensual same-sex activity.

United Kingdom - Gay Liberation Front activists march London’s Pride route. Though London’s Pride was cancelled due to concerns from COVID-19, twelve activists from the Gay Liberation Front marched London’s Pride route to celebrate the GLF’s 50th anniversary.

Derbyshire residents defy order and fly rainbow flags. Because the Ocbrook and Borrowash Parish Council announced that pride flags would not be flown, several Derbyshire residents flew them in protest to show support for the LGBTQ+ community.

Black Trans Lives Matter march takes place in London. Thousands of activists marched from Hyde Park Corner to Downing Street to both honor Black trans people who have been killed in the past month as well as to demand change from the government.

Scotland to become first country in the world to add LGBTQ+ history to school curriculum. In an effort to educate children on issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community, Scottish public schools have plans to implement these inclusive lessons in 2021.

MEDIA MATTERS

Laverne Cox speaks out about her Netflix documentary, Disclosure. She discusses the trials of dating and more. PFLAG National is proud to partner on this great new documentary from Netflix.

CW series Batwoman casts Black, bisexual actress to play new lead. Javicia Leslie will play the superhero in the show’s second season, making her the first Black actor to play the iconic character.

Halle Berry pulls out of playing role of a transgender man. After announcing she was considering playing a trans man (although in language that consistently misgendered the character) in a new film, Berry faced backlash online. After sometime of reflection and education, she apologized saying, "The transgender community should undeniably have the opportunity to tell their own stories."

Missing Black trans woman is found, safe. 21-year-old Dawn Manson’s family had been searching for her in California, Florida, and Pennsylvania.

Lead singer of Walk the Moon comes out as bisexual. Noting both his privilege as straight passing and giving a heartfelt message to his fans, Nick Petricca made the announcement via Instagram on the last day of Pride Month.

Artist and activist Tourmaline speaks out about the importance of freedom dreaming in a harsh reality. She discussed that much of the public knowledge of Marsha P. Johnson is the product of her labor, according to an Instagram post on July 8.

DEAR POLICY MATTERS

Dear Policy Matters:

It’s election season, and I’m being asked by some people running for office whether our chapter or I can endorse them. Can I do that? Does it matter if it happens in writing or orally? Does it matter whether they are opposed? Can you help me?

Signed,
Excited about Voting

Dear EaV:

Regarding endorsements for candidates, PFLAG’s IRS designation as a 501c3 prohibits the organization, chapters, or members--acting in their capacity as PFLAG representatives--from endorsing a candidate or a political party. As individuals, however, we encourage people to be active in their communities, and that includes endorsements.

If you are doing an endorsement in your personal capacity in writing, you can list your affiliation with PFLAG as long as you clearly state that you are not speaking as a representative for that organization, and are only including it for identification purposes.

If you’re doing an oral presentation, you should state the same in both any produced invitation or event materials as well as from the dais (or on screen in virtual event).

You can review the IRS 501c3 rules, and you can always reach out to Diego Sanchez, Director of Advocacy, Policy, and Partnerships, at [email protected] with any questions.