The Senate of Puerto Rico passed an LGBT anti-discrimination bill on Thursday on a vote of 15-11. The bill (PS-238) would amend Puerto Rico’s existing anti-discrimination laws, adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the classes already protected against discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations and government services. “The bill’s passage comes three days after [...]

A bill (SB 5927) filed late last week by Washington state Sen. Sharon Brown (R-Kennewick) and nearly half of the state legislature’s Republican caucus seeks to roll back part of the state’s anti-discrimination law to allow businesses to deny services to customers “if providing those goods or services would be contrary to the individual’s or [...]

Religious beliefs may not be used to justify a refusal of services to same-sex couples the European Court of Human Rights ruled today in a test of British laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The European Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBT Rights reports: In the first case, Lillian Ladele was a civil registrar in [...]

Despite overwhelming public support, the Massachusetts Legislature has yet to pass the Transgender Equal Rights bill.  Action is needed.  It’s well past time. The following is a guest post by a member of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition.  It was first published in Bay Windows. By Michelle Tannen My name is Michelle Tannen, and I’d [...]

One Kalamazoo press release courtesy Bilerico    Kalamazoo residents approve nondiscrimination ordinance    ”Our campaign started with a very basic idea, and today voters confirmed that we are One Kalamazoo,” said Campaign Manager, Jon Hoadley.    With only absentee ballots outstanding, 65 percent of Kalamazoo voters have approved Ordinance 1856 by a vote of 6,463 [...]

Blend reader Alexander tells us that ONE Kalamazoo is airing its first television ad.  Quite exciting!  He says Kalamazoo is a small city, and ONE Kalamazoo has an even smaller budget, but the ad is remarkably well done, and I think everyone should see it.  I love the coverage you folks do on the Maine [...]