ACLU and Lambda Legal Condemn ‘Fake’ Repeal of HB 2

Some are calling this bathroom bill compromise the transgender "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." I can't believe that we're still going through this in 2017, even when we hold all the financial cards thanks to sports organizations who have chosen to be on the right side of history.

From the ACLU:

The North Carolina General Assembly today passed a bill that does not repeal the discriminatory HB 2 law. Instead, it keeps in place the most harmful parts of the law.

The American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina is delivering a letter to Gov. Roy Cooper urging him to veto the measure — although Cooper has voiced his support for the proposal and is expected to sign it into law.

The new bill bars any protections for transgender people using restrooms or other facilities in schools or other state or local government buildings. This means schools, court houses, city halls, government agencies, and more cannot allow transgender people to use the right restroom.

It also prevents cities from passing any protections for employment discrimination or discrimination by places of public accommodation — for LGBT people or anyone — until 2020.

“This is not a repeal of HB 2. Instead, they’re reinforcing the worst aspects of the law,” said James Esseks, director of the ACLU LGBT Project. “North Carolina lawmakers should be ashamed of this backroom deal that continues to play politics with the lives of LGBT North Carolinians.”

The ACLU, ACLU of North Carolina, and Lambda Legal have worked on a challenge to HB 2 in federal court over the last year on behalf of four LGBT North Carolinians and members of the ACLU of North Carolina. The law, which was introduced and signed into law in just 12 hours and without public input and has faced widespread opposition from the general public, banned many transgender people from restrooms and other public facilities matching their gender and prohibits local municipalities from extending nondiscrimination protections to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.

“Lawmakers replaced a bad bill with another bad bill. This fake repeal is an attempt to silence LGBT people,” said Simone Bell, southern regional director at Lambda Legal. “It is shameful to stamp a start date on equality. We demand a full, clean repeal, and that includes comprehensive non-discrimination protections. Do not leave our community unprotected in the name of ‘compromise.’ We urge the governor to veto this bill and we encourage the NCAA to stay on the right side on history.”

Sarah Gillooly, policy director of the ACLU of North Carolina, said, “The governor and General Assembly may be turning their backs on LGBT North Carolinians today, but we are not. We will continue to fight in court for transgender people to access the restrooms that correspond to their gender identity and for equal protection for the entire LGBT community in North Carolina.”

'We Stand for Love' to Benefit ACLU of Southern California

Focus Features, in its ongoing support of the ACLU on behalf of the Golden Globe-nominated film "Loving," has kicked off the new year with the “We Stand for Love” online auction, with proceeds benefiting the ACLU of Southern California. Hosted by Charitybuzz, the auction features donations from cast, filmmakers and supporters of the critically acclaimed film. The fundraising initiative is a rolling auction that runs through February to encompass both Valentine’s Day and Black History Month. New items will be added throughout the auction run period. 

Check it out now HERE.

11 (Embarrassing) States Sue Obama Administration Over Transgender Guidance

Bashing and demonizing transgenders really is the new anti-gay agenda. The American Civil Liberties Union has this legal ploy figured out precisely, calling it a "political stunt."

James Esseks, director of the ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and HIV Project had the following reaction:

“This lawsuit is an attack from eleven states on transgender Americans, plain and simple. While the Obama administration is being sued, the real targets here are vulnerable young people and adults who simply seek to live their lives free from discrimination when they go to school, work or the restroom.” 

“There have been no disruptions, increases in public safety incidents, nor invasions of privacy related to protections for transgender people. The federal agencies named in this lawsuit have not changed existing obligations under the law. Our civil rights laws, including Title VII and Title IX of the Civil Rights Act, have long prohibited discrimination on the basis of sex, and federal courts and agencies have long recognized that this includes protections for transgender people.” 

“The Supreme Court has made clear that one cannot sue an agency just because they disagree with the agency’s guidance. If these attorneys general disagree with the agency’s interpretation of what the federal ban on sex discrimination means, they can make that argument to the court when it arises in a real case. This lawsuit is a political stunt.”

U.S. Department of Education Stands With Transgender High School Student in Chicago

More reaffirming news for the T community.

The American Civil Liberties Union reports:

The U.S. Department of Education issued a ruling for the first time ever today to hold a suburban Chicago school in violation of federal law for denying a trans student access to gender-appropriate locker room facilities, simply because of her gender identity.

The Department issued its findings after a lengthy investigation and made it clear today that the school is engaging in harmful discrimination. The case was brought by the ACLU of Illinois against Township High School Dist. 211 in December 2013.

Today’s landmark ruling follows the Department of Education filing a brief last week supporting a trans high school student in Virginia who is challenging a discriminatory restroom policy at Gloucester High School that forces trans students to use separate facilities.

Now if only those idiots in Houston could get it straight.