Bill Introduced to Ban Discrimination against GLBT Jurors

Lawmakers in the U.S. House and Senate recently introduced bills banning discrimination against prospective jurors based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Last year, an American Independent investigation revealed numerous instances of likely discrimination against LGBT jurors in both state and federal courts.

Citing Discriminatory Policies, Merck Drops Boy Scout Funding

The Merck Company Foundation, the charitable arm of pharmaceutical manufacturer Merck and Company, announced last week it was halting all contributions to the Boy Scouts of America until that organization ceases discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation.

Churches in Boulder and around the country called out for political messaging near polling places

In South Saint Paul, Minn., on Election Day, residents showed up at St. John Vianney Catholic Church to vote and were greeted with a banner outside the polling place entrance that read, “Strengthen Marriage, Don’t Redefine It.”

Minnesota was voting on a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage, and the Catholic Church had been the most vocal proponent of the ballot measure.

UPS announces non-discrimination policy: will no longer fund some scout troops

The corporate foundation of United Parcel Service has added a nondiscrimination policy to its grantmaking process, a move that could end the shipping giant’s funding for the Boy Scouts of America.

Senate bill introduced to bar jury discrimination

A bill introduced in the U.S. Senate would bar discrimination on federal juries on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Intel clarifies nondiscrimination policy

Intel has revealed new details about its plan to exclude organizations that discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation from its corporate giving, a move that could cost some Boy Scout troops thousands of dollars in donations.

Boy Scouts get big money from foundations with nondiscrimination policies

Corporate foundations have given millions to the Boy Scouts of America and its subdivisions in recent years despite that organization’s policy of excluding gays and lesbians. Many of those same foundations have policies against giving to organizations that discriminate based on sexual orientation.

Study funded by social conservatives claims that heterosexual parents are best

A dozen groups fighting against marriage equality are touting a controversial study about gay and lesbian parenting that was funded by two conservative organizations.

Bill to ban discrimination against LGBT jurors will likely die without a vote

The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee doesn’t plan to give a hearing to a bill that would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in federal jury service, his spokesperson said this week.

Bill would outlaw discrimination against LGBT jurors

A New Jersey congressman has introduced a bill that would ban attorneys in federal trials from removing potential jurors on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

The bill, introduced May 18 by Democrat Steve Rothman, follows an American Independent investigation documenting numerous state and federal cases in which LGBT individuals may have been removed from juries based on their sexual orientation or gender identity — a practice that federal courts have repeatedly declined to prohibit.