May 26 GOP conservatives sink spending bill over LGBT rights By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press The sweeping 305-112 vote to kill an energy spending measure imperils efforts by GOP leaders to pass any more of the 12 annual spending bills for the upcoming budget year. Continue reading
May 26 House reverses course, supports LGBT rights measure By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press More than 40 Republicans helped Democrats power the gay rights measure through late Wednesday, despite the opposition of GOP conservatives who dominate the House. Continue reading
May 20 Watch Meet bicycle diplomat Ted Osius, America’s modern ambassador to Vietnam By PBS News Hour Ted Osius’ path to becoming U.S. ambassador to Vietnam began with bicycle diplomacy, soon after relations with Hanoi were restored in 1995. As a consular officer, he pedaled the countryside and endeared himself to the Vietnamese. Osius is gay and… Continue watching
May 19 Watch 6:36 News Wrap: Democrats shout ‘shame!’ as LGBT worker protections lose by one vote By PBS News Hour In our news wrap Thursday, the fight for gay rights hit the House and failed by one vote. A scuttled amendment would have protected LGBT employees from discrimination by federal contractors. Democrats cried “shame!” and accused Republican leaders of delaying… Continue watching
May 14 Schools offer lessons on accommodating transgender students By Lisa Leff, Associated Press Many U.S. public schools already are balancing the civil rights of transgender students with any concerns that classmates, parents and community members might have. Continue reading
May 13 Watch 5:20 Transgender bathroom battle goes national with Obama school directive By PBS News Hour Amid the national furor over North Carolina’s bathroom bill, the Departments of Justice and Education on Friday issued a joint directive to all public schools to allow transgender students the use of restrooms that match their gender identity. Although noncompliance… Continue watching
May 13 Watch 10:42 The lines are drawn in national debate over transgender bathroom access By PBS News Hour The Obama administration’s new directive that all public schools should allow transgender students access to restrooms that correspond with their gender has intensified a nationwide fight over the issue. For more on the reaction to the order and its possible… Continue watching
May 12 Obama directs public schools to accommodate transgender students By Eric Tucker, Associated Press U.S. to give directive to schools on transgender bathroom access. Continue reading
May 05 NC’s federal funds for public colleges in crosshairs of LGBT law By Gary D. Robertson, Emery P. Dalesio, Associated Press If the U.S. Justice Department follows through on its enforcement threat, tens of thousands of students could lose around $800 million in federally backed loans. Continue reading
May 04 Justice Department says North Carolina’s anti-LGBT law is a Civil Rights Act violation By Joshua Barajas The Justice Department warns North Carolina not to implement a law that has been considered the most anti-LGBT law in the United States. Continue reading