Chinese court blocks same-sex marriage in first case of its kind

By John Mack Freeman Sue Wenlin sued the civil affairs bureau in the city of Changsha for the right to marry his partner. A few hours into the case, a district judge dismissed the case. So why does this matter? Activists say that this is the first time to their knowledge that a court has […]

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North Carolina continues to suffer backlash due to anti-GLBT law

By John Mack Freeman It has not been a good month to be North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory. Last month, he signed into law HB 2 that, among other things, stripped cities of their rights to develop protections for GLBT people and that also blocked trans people from using public restrooms that align with their gender […]

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Louisiana governor to rescind anti-GLBT executive order of predecessor

By John Mack Freeman Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards (D) announced his intentions this week to rescind an executive order put in place by his predecessor Bobby Jindal (R) that allowed anti-GLBT discrimination on religious grounds. Via the Washington Blade: As reported by Deadline Hollywood, Edwards, a Democrat, intends to undo the executive order signed […]

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Georgia governor vetoes religious freedom bill

By John Mack Freeman Georgia Governor Nathan Deal has vetoed HB-757, a religious freedom bill that many believed would allow anti-GLBT discrimination to take place in the state. Via the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Gov. Nathan Deal on Monday vetoed the “religious liberty” bill that triggered a wave of criticism from gay rights groups and business leaders […]

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North Carolina Attorney General refuses to defend religious freedom law

By John Mack Freeman North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper (D) has refused this week to defend the state’s new religious freedom law in court because he opposes the law and wishes to see it repealed. Although Cooper will not be defending the law, he is still named as a defendant in current and future […]

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Virginia governor vetoes religious freedom bill

By John Mack Freeman Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe has vetoed a religious freedom bill in that state that would have allowed for anti-GLBT discrimination. The bill, SB-41, was introduced by State Senator Charles Carrico. Via the Washington Blade: McAuliffe said in a statement that Senate Bill 41 is “nothing more than an attempt to stigmatize.” […]

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Watch: Seth Meyers Takes Aim at Discriminatory “Religious Freedom” Laws

By Ashley R. Lierman Recently on Late Night with Seth Meyers, the eponymous host took “A Closer Look” at recent anti-LGBTQ “religious freedom” bills in North Carolina and Georgia. In the clip, Meyers blasts the ridiculous anti-trans “bathroom bills” proposed in multiple states, and especially the recent House Bill 2 in North Carolina. Watch the […]

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Georgia legislature passes religious freedom bill, business community urges veto

By John Mack Freeman A large number of high-profile companies have come out against Georgia’s HB 757. A large number of film and television companies and workers have come out against the law. Georgia has a growing film industry due to a sweetheart tax deal that makes it incredibly cheap to film in the state. […]

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North Carolina bans cities and counties from passing anti-discrimination laws

By John Mack Freeman The North Carolina legislature passed a law in a special session this week that bars cities and counties from enacting their own anti-discrimination laws. Governor Pat McCrory signed the law the same day. Via Associated Press: The Republican-controlled General Assembly took action after Charlotte leaders last month approved a broad anti-discrimination measure. […]

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Georgia legislature passes religious freedom bill

By John Mack Freeman This week, the Georgia legislature sent House Bill 757 to Governor Nathan Deal for his signature. The bill would allow any faith-based organization to deny services to any individual based on that organizations sincerely held religious beliefs. The law is modeled on the federal “First Amendment Defense Act,” and it is […]

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