News :: National

Trump announces posthumous pardon of Susan B. Anthony

Trump announces posthumous pardon of Susan B. Anthony

  • by Lisa Keen
  • Aug 18, 2020

In the midst of a controversy over President Donald Trump's attempts to interfere with the right of citizens to vote by mail, he made a surprise announcement Tuesday morning that he will sign a posthumous presidential pardon for Susan B. Anthony.

Bernie Sanders, Michelle Obama wow at virtual Dem convention

Bernie Sanders, Michelle Obama wow at virtual Dem convention

  • by John Ferrannini
  • Aug 17, 2020

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders delivered a powerful speech at Monday's opening of the virtual Democratic National Convention, laying out the reasons why voters should reject another four years of President Donald Trump.

Delegates and others begin virtual Democratic convention

Delegates and others begin virtual Democratic convention

  • by Lisa Keen
  • Aug 17, 2020

There will be a lot of history made at this week's Democratic National Convention. Some will be highly visible — like primetime closing night speeches by two high-profile LGBTQ leaders.

Political Notes: Among major West Coast cities, SF and LA lag on census response

Political Notes: Among major West Coast cities, SF and LA lag on census response

  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Aug 14, 2020

Among major West Coast cities, only Los Angeles has a worse response rate on the 2020 census than San Francisco.

Biden campaign holds 'Out for LGBTQ+ Women' meeting

Biden campaign holds 'Out for LGBTQ+ Women' meeting

  • by Cynthia Laird
  • Aug 14, 2020

Joe Biden's campaign held a wide-ranging virtual national conversation for LGBTQ+ women August 13, as participants praised his selection of Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate and expressed hope for a future under a new administration.

Longtime lesbian activist Jean-Pierre named Harris' chief of staff

Longtime lesbian activist Jean-Pierre named Harris' chief of staff

  • by Sari Staver
  • Aug 12, 2020

Longtime organizer Karine Jean-Pierre has been named chief of staff for Democratic presumptive vice presidential nominee Senator Kamala Harris (D-California).

Biden announces Harris as Democrats' VP nominee

Biden announces Harris as Democrats' VP nominee

  • by John Ferrannini
  • Aug 11, 2020

California Senator Kamala Harris was selected by presumptive Democratic Party presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden Jr. Tuesday to be his running mate on the party's 2020 ticket.

Biden says he can beat HIV by 2025 — but activists are skeptical

Biden says he can beat HIV by 2025 — but activists are skeptical

  • by Chris Johnson, Washington Blade
  • Aug 6, 2020

Joe Biden is seeking to one-up President Trump on the fight against HIV by pledging to end the epidemic by 2025 — an ambitious goal that would beat the current administration's goal by five years, although some HIV advocates are skeptical the presidential

Federal judge unlikely to stop HHS rule before it takes effect

Federal judge unlikely to stop HHS rule before it takes effect

  • by Lisa Keen
  • Aug 3, 2020

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., indicated Monday he is not likely to grant an injunction to stop a Trump administration change in rules that will eliminate non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people.

Bugs Bunny US stamps first to depict images of drag

Bugs Bunny US stamps first to depict images of drag

  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jul 30, 2020

In issuing a new series of stamps honoring Bugs Bunny that includes two depicting the cartoon rabbit in women's clothing, the U.S. Postal Service has for the first time featured images of drag on the country's postage.

LGBTQ rights supporters remember civil rights icon John Lewis

LGBTQ rights supporters remember civil rights icon John Lewis

  • by Chris Johnson, Washington Blade
  • Jul 18, 2020

LGBTQ rights supporters are mourning the less of Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), a civil rights icon who worked with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and died late Friday after a battle with pancreatic cancer at age 80.

New military ban on Confederate flags also bans LGBTQ Pride flags

New military ban on Confederate flags also bans LGBTQ Pride flags

  • by Chris Johnson, Washington Blade
  • Jul 18, 2020

New guidance from Defense Secretary Mark Esper on flag displays at military installations is being hailed for prohibiting the display of Confederate flags — but the memo also bans the display of LGBTQ Pride flags, the Washington Blade has learned.

Supreme Court makes anti-LGBTQ discrimination easier at religious schools

Supreme Court makes anti-LGBTQ discrimination easier at religious schools

  • by Chris Johnson, Washington Blade
  • Jul 8, 2020

In a decision that undermines LGBTQ teachers at religious schools, the U.S. Supreme Court has affirmed for Catholic schools an expansive ministerial exemption in hiring practices under civil rights law.

SF, East Coast cities announce commissions on systemic racism in justice system

SF, East Coast cities announce commissions on systemic racism in justice system

  • by John Ferrannini
  • Jul 1, 2020

San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin joined the top prosecutors in Philadelphia and Boston, along with two civil rights advocates, to announce the formation of truth, justice, and reconciliation commissions in all three cities in a Zoom call.