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Leading LGBTQ Rights Orgs Call on DOJ to Enforce SCOTUS’ Bostock Decision

July 22, 2020 Viet Tran Human Rights Campaign, Social & Civil Issues

Post also submitted by Tom Warnke, Lambda Legal, and Gillian Branstette, National Women’s Law Center

Today, several leading national advocacy organizations dedicated to achieving LGBTQ equality and ending sex discrimination sent a letter to the Department of Justice in regards to the Supreme Court’s recent ruling in the consolidated cases Bostock v. Clayton County, Altitude Express v. Zarda and R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes v. EEOC and urge the full implementation of this decision, including by instructing its departments and other federal agencies to withdraw any guidance or instruction that is inconsistent with the Court’s holding that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, and transgender status is unlawful sex discrimination.

Signers include:
American Civil Liberties Union
Human Rights Campaign
Lambda Legal
National Women’s Law Center
Center for American Progress
Family Equality
Freedom for All Americans
GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders (GLAD)
National Center for Lesbian Rights
National Center for Transgender Equality
National LGBTQ Task Force
PFLAG National
SAGE: Advocacy and Services for LGBT Elders
Transgender Law Center

The full letter and list of signatories can be found here.

“The Department of Justice is not only appropriately positioned to coordinate implementation of the Bostock decision across the federal government, but has historically undertaken this role,” reads the letter. “It is imperative that the Department accept this responsibility and ensure that enforcement of this decision, as to the definition of sex discrimination through federal civil rights laws and regulations, is uniform across the federal government.”

On June 15, in a landmark ruling in the consolidated cases of Bostock v. Clayton County, Altitude Express v. Zarda and R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes v. EEOC, the Supreme Court of the United States affirmed that based on the text of our federal civil rights statutes, sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination are prohibited sex discrimination.

Human Rights Campaign Endorses State Rep. Jon Hoadley for U.S. Congress

September 30, 2019 Viet Tran Human Rights Campaign, Social & Civil Issues

HRC announced its endorsement of State Rep. Jon Hoadley in his bid to represent Michigan’s sixth congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Jon Hoadley is a champion for equality who will fight tirelessly for Michiganders in Congress,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “In 2018, voters elected more LGBTQ officials than ever before and rejected politics motivated by bigotry and fear. In a state where fewer than 11,000 votes decided the last presidential election, it is deeply important that the LGBTQ community be heard and represented by our elected officials. The Human Rights Campaign is proud to endorse Jon Hoadley in this pivotal and historic race.”

“The Human Rights Campaign is dedicated to providing full and equal protection under the law to the LGBTQ community,” said State Rep. Jon Hoadley. “This endorsement is close to my heart, having spent much of my organizing career working to protect people from discrimination and promoting full equality. I am extremely proud to accept their endorsement and will continue to advocate for full equality for all people when I serve in Congress.”

“Jon Hoadley is an experienced leader and committed change maker who has fought fiercely to advance progress and equality in our state,” said HRC Michigan State Director Amritha Venkataraman. “HRC is excited to endorse Jon Hoadley’s historic candidacy, and we look forward to working with him in the United States Congress.”

As a member of Michigan’s House of Representatives, Hoadley has been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ rights, access to affordable health care, voting rights, clean water and education funding. Over the next year, HRC will be devoting significant resources to turning out the 1.1 million Equality Voters across the state of Michigan to ensure pro-equality leaders like Rep. Jon Hoadley are elected. In 2018, HRC’s efforts led to historic victories across the state re-electing Senator Debbie Stabenow and electing Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, Attorney General Dana Nessel, Congresswomen Haley Stevens and Elissa Slotkin and many other pro-equality leaders up and down the ballot.

Ahead of the 2018 midterms, HRC hired five staff on the ground across Michigan as a part of HRC Rising, the largest grassroots expansion in the organization’s 39-year history. In Michigan alone, HRC members and supporters completed 736 volunteer shifts. In the final four days of GOTV, HRC staff and volunteers knocked on over 2,600 doors. Member and supporter volunteers sent nearly 6,000 text messages in the final weeks. Since launching, we’ve helped register thousands of Michiganders to vote by mail, online, and in person. HRC also hosted seven Equality Action Academy trainings to give HRC members and supporters and local pro-equality activists the tools they need to take action locally in legislative advocacy and in support of pro-equality candidates.

Paid for by HRC PAC (www.hrc.org). Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.