New York City sees Pink Triangle exhibition

Nazis used pink triangles to mark homosexuals.

The exhibit at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City covers Nazi persecution of homosexuals during World War II.

Under Hitler, more than 100,000 gay men were arrested for violating Nazi Germany’s ban on homosexuality. Gay prisoners were marked with pink triangles.

Today, pink triangles are often displayed upside down to honor those victims and symbolize the LGBT equality movement. Read more at The Advocate.

Marriage equality a challenge in some Texas counties

Struggle for marriage equality continues in some Texas counties.

A gay couple is suing a rural Texas county clerk for delaying their marriage license by “at least three weeks.”

Katie Lang, Hood County clerk, claims the county must reprint paperwork to be gender-neutral. However, she also says she won’t personally issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples because it goes against her religious views.

Hood County has begun to issue same-sex marriage licenses since the lawsuit has been filed. The case is Cato v Lang, 4:15-491, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas (Fort Worth). Read more at Bloomberg.

Obama’s executive order aims to prevent anti-gay discrimination among federal contractors

President Obama

President Barack Obama signed an executive order yesterday preventing federal contractors from discriminating against LGBT workers. Faith-based organizations will not be exempt. The order comes five decades after President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Obama acknowledged the history of executive actions and legislation to ban discrimination in the workplace, saying our country should “make sure we the people applies to all the people.” Read more at CNN.

Will Hobby Lobby enable workplace discrimination?

Are LGBTQ employees the next target?

I’m afraid the United States Supreme Court’s decision in the Hobby Lobby contraception case will open the floodgates for conservative businesses top use religion to their favor for other issues, including discrimination against LGBTQ employees. Time and again, the majority of its justices have favored the interests of companies over individuals. I'm ready for a correction.

Buger King sees rainbows

BK pride

According to Business Insider, a single San Francisco Burger King’s support for LGBT Pride is causing quite a stir. It has been selling Whoppers wrapped in rainbow-colored paper that sports the phrase, "We are all the same inside."

Of course, now bigots want to boycott Burger King. I say bring it! I’m not a big fast food person, but BK makes a terrific veggie burger. If we’re going to grab a fast food chain restaurant burger, please let it be from Burger King.

Capehart: Supreme Court must act on gay marriage

Jonathan Capehart

Jonathan Capehart makes his case for why the Supreme Court needs to act on gay marriage due to the patchwork mess of Social Security benefits from state to state. Check it out in "The Washington Post."

Obama to sign executive order preventing LGBT discrimination among federal contractors

President Obama

According to the White House, President Barack Obama will sign an executive order today to prohibit federal contractors from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, reports McClatchy News.

“This is a major step forward in the struggle for freedom and justice for LGBTQ workers and their families,” said Rea Carey, executive director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF). “Now millions of people will have the economic security they need to provide for their families.”

ExxonMobile, the largest company without LGBT workplace protections, will now be required change its policies. The company draws hundreds of millions annually from federal contracts. It has consistently resisted such change. Earlier this month, ExxonMobil’s shareholders voted for the 17th time to reject a policy that would prohibit discrimination against its LGBT employees.

“This order will bring much-needed relief to ExxonMobil’s LGBT employees,” said Chad Griffin, president, Human Rights Campaign (HRC). Each year HRC rates companies’ attitudes toward LGBT employees. “Year after year, ExxonMobil has held the lowest spot in HRC’s Corporate Equality Index -- the first and only company to receive a negative score.”

The administration said no current federal law adequately prevents workplace discrimination against LGBT employees. It is building upon existing protections that prohibit federal contractors and subcontractors from discriminating in employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin and is “consistent with the president’s views that all Americans, LGBT or not, should be treated with dignity and respect.” Obama will headline the annual Democratic National Committee LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) Leadership Council’s fundraiser in New York on Tuesday. 

“Through his actions, the President has demonstrated again his commitment to ending discrimination,” said Carey. “Now we must redouble our efforts for the urgent passage of state employment protections and strong federal legislation.”