Tuesday, October 9, 2018 – 12:25pmGuantanamo Bay Military Commissions: A Twilight Zone Susan NahviAt the end of September, I traveled down to Guantanamo Bay to observe the military commissions proceedings for the first time.
Read moreCategory: Social & Civil Issues
U.S. Government Should Take Action on Jamal Khashoggi
New York City—In response to the disappearance and reported killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Human Rights First’s Senior Vice President for Policy Rob Berschinski issued the following statement:
Read moreNew Efforts to Separate and Detain Families Would Double Down on Cruelty
Washington, D.C.—In response to reports that the Trump Administration is considering new efforts to separate and detain families at the U.S. southern border, Human Rights First’s Eleanor Acer issued the following statement:
Read moreSenate Confirms Trump-Pence Opponents of Equality to Key Positions
Yesterday, the Senate confirmed anti-equality Mark Norris to be the U.S. District Judge for the Western D…
Read moreRacine Common Council Expands Non-Discrimination Protections to Include Gender Identity
HRC hailed the Racine Common Council for passing an ordinance expanding city-wide non-discrimination prot…
Read moreHRC Responds to Trump-Pence Attack on LGBTQ Foreign Diplomats
Today, HRC responded to a new policy by the Trump-Pence administration that denies visas to same-sex part…
Read moreSessions Decision Could Eliminate Bond for Arriving Refugee Families
New York City—Human Rights First today condemned Attorney General Jeff Session’s decision to refer to himself a Board of Immigration Appeals decision in Matter of M-G-G-, a move that will likely lead to thousands of refugee families languishing indefin…
Read moreHRC Responds to Defeat of Anti-LGBTQ Child Welfare Amendment
HRC responded to the defeat of the Aderholt Amendment, which the House Appropriations Committee added to …
Read moreWilfred Labiosa: One Year After Irma and Maria, Puerto Rico’s Struggles Continue
For Wilfred Labiosa of Puerto Rico, the recovery efforts to help his community continue to challenge LGBT…
Read moreHRC Announces Historic Slate of Pro-Equality Endorsements in Arizona State Legislature
HRC announced its endorsement of a record 39 pro-equality candidates in the Arizona State Legislature.
“While anti-equality politicians from the State House to the White House are hell-bent on dragging Arizona backwards, HRC’s endorsed candidates are fighting to ensure every Arizonan has a fair shot,” said HRC Arizona State Director Justin Unga. “Being LGBTQ should never be an impediment to success, and a pro-equality majority in our State Capitol means LGBTQ Arizonans can finally stop battling policies that harm us and start working toward reforms that help us. That’s why HRC is working harder than ever to turn out the vote for Arizona candidates who will champion equality.”
In the Arizona State Senate, HRC has endorsed Jo Craycraft for Senate District 1; Andrea Dalessandro for re-election to Senate District 2; Sally Ann Gonzales for re-election to Senate District 3; Lisa Otondo for re-election to Senate District 4; Wade Carlisle for Senate District 6; Jamescita Peshlakai for re-election to Senate District 7; Victoria Steele for Senate District 9; Steve Weichert for Senate District 17; Sean Bowie for re-election to Senate District 18; Lupe Contreras for re-election to Senate District 19; Douglas Ervin for Senate District 20; Daria Lohman for Senate District 23; Lela Alston for Senate District 24; Juan Mendez for re-election to Senate District 26; Rebecca Rios for Senate District 27; Martin Quezada for re-election Senate District 29; and Tony Navarrete for Senate District 30.
In the Arizona State House, HRC has endorsed Rosanna Gabaldon and Daniel Hernandez for re-election to House District 2; Andres Cano and Alma Hernandez for House District 3; Charlene Fernandez and Geraldine Peten for re-election to House District 4; Randall Friese and Pamela Powers Hannley for re-election to House District 9; Hollace Lyon for House District 11; Mitzi Epstein for re-election to House District 18; Jennifer Jermaine for House District 18; Diego Espinoza for re-election to House District 19; Hazel Chandler and Chris Gilfillan for House District 20; Athena Salman and Isela Blanc for re-election to House District 26; Reginald Bolding for re-election to House District 27; Kelli Butler for re-election to House District 28; Aaron Lieberman for House District 28; Cesar Chavez and Richard Andrade for re-election to House District 29; and Robert Meza for House District 30.
Arizona is one of 30 states in the country that lacks explicit state-level protections for all LGBTQ people. Both chambers have so far failed to show the leadership needed to pass non-discrimination protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Last year, four lawmakers — Rep. Daniel Hernandez, (D-Tucson), Rep. César Chávez (D-Phoenix), Rep. Otoniel “Tony” Navarrete (D-Phoenix), and Sen. Robert Meza (D-Phoenix) — created the state’s first-ever LGBTQ caucus at the State Capitol, vowing to harness the collective power of the LGBTQ community and work to move equality forward.
In Arizona, HRC has identified more than 800,000 voters as likely “Equality Voters,” meaning they are strong supporters of progressive LGBTQ policies including marriage equality, equitable family law, and laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. HRC has prioritized investments and organizing in Arizona in the 2018 cycle, and has staff and resources on the ground in the state as part of the largest grassroots expansion in the organization’s 38-year history.
| Paid for by Human Rights Campaign PAC (www.hrc.org). Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s agent or committee. |