Category: LGBT Issues

Controversial “Religious Liberty” Bill Gets Four Debates

The “Religious Liberty” bill is looming over the upcoming legislative session to the pleasure or the dismay of many. Political watchers might recall the legislation’s various forms over past sessions ranging from the Pastor Protection Act to the First Amendment Defense Act. With legislators and policy wonks searching for the right answer somewhere in between the

Citing Need for Inclusion and Student Well-Being, NCAA Pulls Tournaments from North Carolina

The impact of religious liberty legislation in North Carolina became more visible on Monday, as the NCAA announced that seven college tournaments scheduled to be played in the Tarheel State during the 2016-2017 academic year will be moved to alternate locations. The action was taken because of the state’s House Bill 2, which requires transgender

Sabato’s Crystal Ball As A Cautionary Tale For 2018

North Carolina voters are looking to choose between two men for governor: reelecting their Republican Governor Pat McCrory or electing Democrat Attorney General Roy Cooper.  Generally, incumbents have an easier time with being reelected.  Unfortunately for Governor McCrory, his reelection bid is a bit murky largely due to HB 2 (also known as “The Bathroom

Sam Olens and the Transgender Injunction

A Texas court has granted a temporary injunction in a case brought by a 13-state coalition and two schools districts. At issue is a “Dear Colleague” letter from the Department of Education that purports to require schools to offer restroom facilities consistent with the self-expressed gender of the students, rather than the gender assigned to

New NCAA Non-Discrimination Policy Could Threaten Georgia Venues

The National Collegiate Athletic Association today announced that sites wanting to host NCAA events, from Men’s basketball to Women’s Gymnastics and more, must certify that their facilities do not discriminate with respect to sexual orientation or gender identity. The new policy not only affects the physical site of the event, but locations such as hotels,

Rep Karla Drenner To Host GA Capitol Concert Honoring Orlando Victims

State Representative Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates) will honor the victims of the Orlando shooting at the LGBTQ friendly nightclub Pulse with a concert at Georgia’s capitol next week. The concert will be held Monday, June 20th, in the Capitol Rotunda. The concert will feature performances by the Atlanta Women’s Chorus, the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus,

LGBTQ Georgia Reps Speak Out on Shootings at Orlando Gay Nightclub

State Representatives Park Cannon (D-Atlanta), Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates) and Keisha Waites (D-Atlanta) issued statements today following Sunday’s mass shootings at the Pulse night club in Orlando that caters to the LGBT community. Cannon and Drenner are lesbians, while Cannon identifies as queer. From a press release: “Make no mistake, the LGBTQ community is under

Georgia Joins Lawsuit Against Federal Transgender Directives

The State of Georgia has joined a lawsuit initiated by the state of Texas asking for relief from the threats to withhold federal funds if schools do not comply with policies outlined in a Dear Colleague letter released earlier this month that directs schools to allow transgender students to use restrooms, locker rooms, and other