Call for standing committee volunteers deadline April 1st

Via Peter Coyl If you are interested in serving an a GLBTRT standing  committee, we are still accepting applicants for the following committees: Advocacy Committee [Newly formed, no webpage yet] Bylaws Committee Fund Raising Committee Membership Promotion Committee News Committee Program Planning Committee Resources Committee Reviews Committee Web Committee These committees meet virtually and do a lot […]

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GLBTRT Resources Committee publishes two new resources

By John Mack Freeman Two new pamphlets are available from the GLBTRT Resources Committee. Here are two blurbs from the pamphlets by Jane Sandberg: Some library practices result in the exclusion of transgender patrons. However, librarians often a lack of literature and guidance in implementing more inclusive practices.  The GLBT Round Table’s Resource Committee recently […]

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Court ruling finds Affordable Care Act protects trans patients

By John Mack Freeman A largely ignored portion of the Affordable Care Act (commonly referred to as “Obamacare”) allows for patients to address civil rights concerns related to healthcare to the Department of Health and Human Services. This week, a federal judge ruled in a case that these protections extend to trans patients, saying that patients […]

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GLBT classic “Heather Has Two Mommies” revised and updated

By John Mack Freeman Classic children’s book Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman has been updated with new illustrations to make the book more contemporary and accessible to a new generation of young readers. Via the Associated Press: A playful picture book about a little girl named Heather and her two happy mommies was a cultural […]

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From the states (and territories): Indiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico

By John Mack Freeman Indiana is one vote away from approving a “religious freedom” bill that would allow businesses to refuse service to GLBT individuals. In response, a coalition of businesses has begun a grassroots campaign to show that they will not discriminate against anyone. Open For Service provides stickers and a listing for Indiana businesses […]

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Facebook strengthens reporting of hate speech in new community guidelines

By John Mack Freeman The world’s largest social media platform has begun to crack down more on hate speech on the site. Facebook released new community guidelines that continue to explicitly forbid hate speech while making it easier to report violations. Hate speech can now be flagged directly from the reporting bar instead of being […]

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Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) approves same sex marriage in church constitution

By John Mack Freeman The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has approved same sex marriage in the church’s constitution. The organization has approximately 1.8 million members in 10,000 congregations, making it the largest Christian Protestant denomination to officially support same sex marriage. Though the organization had approved same sex marriage at its legislative assembly last year, it […]

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HRC map highlights wave of anti-LGBT bills under consideration

By John Mack Freeman A new map published by the HRC highlights the wave of anti-LGBT bills that are under consideration in state houses across the country. 85 separate bills have been filed in 26 states. Texas currently leads the pack with 8 under consideration. You can view the full report here.

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New GLBTRT Resource: GSA Guide

By GLBTRT Resources Committee This Gay-Straight Alliance resource guide is intended for middle and high school students, parents, or Gay-Straight Alliance leaders. It contains links concerning starting a GSA in a school or community environment and resources that will help students maintain their GSA attendance. Resources include links such as a free printable GSA jump-start […]

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Applications open for 2015 FTRF Conable Conference Scholarship

Via press release CHICAGO — Applications are now open for the 2015 Gordon M. Conable Conference Scholarship, sponsored by the Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF). The Conable Conference Scholarship provides funding for an LIS student or recent graduate to attend the American Library Association’s Annual Conference. The 2015 ALA Annual Conference will be held June 25-30 […]

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