Press Release

The U.S. Senate has passed a resolution condemning the violence and persecution against LGBTQ people in Chechnya. Last night, the Senate adopted the resolution by voice vote. The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a nearly identical bipartisan resolution in June. To date, neither President Trump nor U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson have publicly condemned the atrocities. “With unanimous passage of this resolution, the U.S. Senate just sent a powerful message. Despite the deafening silence from the White House, the people of the United States strongly condemn these anti-LGBTQ attacks in Chechnya,” said Ty Cobb, director of HRC Global. “Members of […]

Thursday, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) sent a letter to senators on the Foreign Relations Committee urging them to oppose Donald Trump’s nomination for the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, staunch anti-LGBTQ politician Sam Brownback. “Given Gov. Brownback’s anti-LGBTQ record, it is deeply worrying that he could use this position to promote the harmful idea that individuals holding certain religious views should somehow be permitted be discriminate against LGBTQ people or other minorities,” said HRC Government Affairs Director David Stacy. “This is particularly concerning because LGBTQ people often face persecution in the same countries where religious minorities face persecution. Gov. Brownback […]

People For the American Way, a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and defend constitutional values, has called out Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s decision to file cloture on four nominees to U.S. Courts of Appeals—Amy Coney Barrett, Joan Larsen, Stephanos Bibas, and Allison Eid. “This move is obviously the outcome of two developments: Donald Trump has discovered that his unconstitutional and illegal actions are running aground in the courts under scrutiny from judges who are committed to upholding the law and the Constitution; and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has found himself under pressure from his far-right […]

The Pennsylvania State Senate has voted to advance a discriminatory anti-transgender amendment to the re-authorization of the state Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Introduced by State Senator Don White, the amendment would cut transition-related surgical services for transgender youth out of the program. HB1338 passed the Senate by a 37-13 vote and now heads to the House Rules committee for final amendments. “It is completely inappropriate to use state funds to pay for sex change operations for children. I believe that is a position that is strongly endorsed by a vast majority of Pennsylvanians,” said Senator White. “I strongly support […]

The Pulse Nightclub Memorial site will soon undergo temporary design improvements to create a more inviting and comfortable venue to reflect and remember the tragedy that occurred there on Sunday, June 12, 2016. After a detailed presentation about the design plans from club owner and onePULSE Foundation Executive Director Barbara Poma, Orlando’s city council on Monday approved the interim plans. Poma explained that the renovation is the first step in a community-driven initiative to create a permanent national memorial and museum. “This is an important step toward creating a permanent destination for remembering what happened here, but in a more […]