Michelangelo Signorile Vs HRC

"It's not really a reversal [to reinstate Phil Robertson]. We think it's actually a positive outcome, and we want to thank A&E for their attentiveness and collaboration over the course of the last few weeks. We've received assurances also that the Robertson family is now open to working with African-American and (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people to address the real harm that such anti-gay and racist comments can cause. That's been our 'ask' since Phil's comments ran in GQ, and while it's a positive step, it certainly cannot and should not be the last one." - HRC vice president Fred Sainz, speaking to CNN.

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Posted in: Duck Dynasty,homophobes,HRC,Michelangelo Signorile,Phil Robertson,reality shows,religion,television

HRC Vs Utah

Via press release from the Human Rights Campaign:

This afternoon, we learned via a statement from the AG's office that Utahns may soon be on the hook for millions in legal fees to defend discrimination. According to the statement, an appeal to the Supreme Court will be delayed so that the office can hire and consult with outside counsel, all at the expense of taxpayers. No other details -- the counsel, the contracted dollar amount -- were provided. Defending discrimination is indefensible. Defending discrimination while expending millions of taxpayer dollars to do so is beyond explanation. It should be an affront to all Utahns that their hard-earned tax dollars -- dollars that should be going into schools, roads or health programs -- will instead be used to be on the wrong side of history.

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Posted in: HRC,marriage equality,SCOTUS,Utah

HRC Denounces Uganda's Anti-Gay Bill

"Representatives of the Ugandan government have launched a shameful sneak attack on their own people.  If this bill becomes law, countless LGBT Ugandans will be condemned to violence or prison. The United States government has a moral obligation to use every tool at its disposal to put a stop to this legislation. Perhaps most disgusting is the fact that American extremists have worked tirelessly in the name of Christianity to see this bill passed. True people of faith know that calling for the imprisonment of an entire community is not in line with Christian values. American Christian faith leaders with ties to Uganda must speak out and call on their colleagues in Uganda to oppose this bill from becoming law." - Chad Griffin, head of the Human Rights Campaign, in a press release that blames (in part) American evangelical Scott Lively for the passage of today's bill.

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Posted in: Africa,Chad Griffin,hate groups,homosexuality,HRC,LGBT rights,religion,Scott Lively,Uganda

HRC Gives $100K For Russian LGBT Rights

From the Human Rights Campaign:

Just 50 days from the start of the Sochi Winter Olympic Games, HRC announced today our first contribution to the Russia Freedom Fund in the amount of $100,000. The donation was made possible because individuals from around the world have joined HRC's "Love Conquers Hate" campaign, which is raising awareness about the Russian government outlawing even modest support for LGBT equality.

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Posted in: activism,HRC,LGBT rights,Russia

HRC's Chad Griffin: A&E Should Denounce Duck Dynasty Star Phil Robertson

"Phil Robertson’s remarks are not consistent with the values of our faith communities or the scientific findings of leading medical organizations. We know that being gay is not a choice someone makes, and that to suggest otherwise can be incredibly harmful. We also know that Americans of faith follow the Golden Rule – treating others with the respect and dignity you’d wish to be treated with. As a role model on a show that attracts millions of viewers, Phil Robertson has a responsibility to set a positive example for young Americans – not shame and ridicule them because of who they are. The actions of Phil Robertson unquestionably reflect on A&E. The network should take immediate action to condemn Phil Robertson’s remarks and make clear they don’t support his views." - Human Right Campaign head Chad Griffin, via press release.

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Posted in: Chad Griffin,Duck Dynasty,homophobia,HRC,Phil Robertson,reality shows,religion

Think Tank Report: Major LGBT Rights Groups Had $186M In 2012 Revenues

The Movement Advancement Project has issued its annual report on the finances of 32 major LGBT rights groups in the United States. Included in their 2012 recap is data from the Human Rights Campaign, the ACLU LGBT Project, Lambda Legal, GLAAD, Freedom To Marry, and several state organizations such as Equality California.

Hit the link for the full 24-page report.

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Posted in: ACLU,activism,Equality California,freedom to marry,GLAAD,GLSEN,HRC,Lambda Legal,LGBT rights,PFLAG

HRC Slams Sochi Protest Zones

"Given the Russian government’s history of strong-arm authoritarian tactics, the existence of a protest zone is ironically rich. Olympic athletes should be free to speak their minds about the heinous nature of these laws. You don’t stop being human when you become an Olympian. It tells you a lot about President Bach and the IOC’s commitment to human rights that they believe this issue should be easily compartmentalized into a protest zone. The fact that these laws exist is an outrage. The fact that the IOC believes they should be the subject of a protest zone is an even bigger outrage." - Human Rights Campaign vice president Fred Sainz, speaking to Chris Geidner at Buzzfeed.

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Posted in: HRC,IOC,Russia,Sochi Olympics