Author Archives: Lisa Keen

Supreme Court declines B&B’s appeal for religious exemption

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to accept an appeal from a Honolulu bed-and-breakfast which sought the right to refuse to accommodate a same-sex couple by citing religious beliefs. Still another such public accommodation appeal is pending before the high court,

Courts splitting over Fair Housing protection

With the increasing number of seniors, more courts are weighing in on --and disagreeing-- whether the federal Fair Housing Act provides protection to LGBT people seeking admission to senior communities.

Trump dumps one gay nominee, downgrades another

President Trump has not resubmitted the nomination of an openly lesbian judge to serve on the federal district court in Illinois and has dropped a gay male attorney's nomination from the Ninth Circuit appeals to the district court in San

Baldwin votes no, Sinema yes, on AG Barr confirmation

The U.S. Senate's two openly LGBT members voted differently on the confirmation of William Barr to become the next U.S. Attorney General. LGBT groups opposed the confirmation.

Whitaker to Congress: ‘You can change the law’

Acting U.S. Attorney General defended DOJ's argument that Title VII does not protect LGBT people from discrimination.

Trump’s state of the union address: ‘dangerous rhetoric’

While some LGBT activists applauded President Trump's State of the Union address for stating a commitment to eradicating AIDS by 2030, others dismissed it as a "lie" and said Trump offered no details that suggested a real "plan" is in

Gay mayor enters 2020 race for president

South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg announced this month that he has formed a committee to explore running for president in 2020.

Trump moves to undermine non-discrim regs in foster care

The Trump administration this month approved a request from South Carolina to funnel federal funds for foster care into agencies that discriminate on the basis of religion. The move is expected to jeopardize regulations barring sexual orientation and gender identity

Supreme Court hands Trump temporary win on trans ban

The U.S. Supreme Court said Tuesday that the Trump administration could begin implementing its ban on transgender people in the military but said it would look at the constitutionality of the policy after the lower courts have ruled.

Senator Lee forces Feldblum off EEOC

The first and only LGBT member of the EEOC has been denied a third term by Senator Mike Lee of Utah who says she harbors "radical" views and is trying to stamp out religious liberty.