Legislation to Dump DOMA Introduced in Congress
Legislation to repeal the so-called "Defense of Marriage Act" (DOMA) was introduced in the House of Representatives today by Congressman Jerrold Nadler of New York. Read More
Legislation to repeal the so-called "Defense of Marriage Act" (DOMA) was introduced in the House of Representatives today by Congressman Jerrold Nadler of New York. Read More
Both the House and Senate have now introducted inclusive versions of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which would prohibit employers from discriminating based on employees' sexual orientation, gender or gender identity Read More
Michael B. Keegan, who has served as interim president since April and has been a board member for over 15 years, will become PFAW's new president. Read More
Not that this comes as a surprise to anyone, but Bishop Harry Jackson and other opponents of same-sex marriage have filed a lawsuit here in DC hoping to get a referendum on the ballot on whether to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions. The civil suit… Read More
Among the attacks launched by right-wing leaders against potential nominees for the Supreme Court have been suggestions that an openly gay Supreme Court Justice would be unacceptable. People For the American Way President Michael B. Keegan responded with the following statement: "Let’s be clear. Opposing a Supreme Court nominee because of his or her sexual orientation is inappropriate and unacceptable." Read More
Bishop Harry Jackson, who has emerged as the leading African American voice of the Religious Right political movement, is waging a campaign in the District of Columbia against marriage equality. This report follows Jackson's years on the national political scene since he announced that God told him to campaign for George W. Bush's reelection in 2004. Read More
As we hope you’ve already heard, champagne corks are popping in Vermont where both houses of the state legislature successfully overrode the Governor’s veto of same-sex marriage legislation. And for those of us in DC, marriage equality is a step closer now that the District’s City Council enacted… Read More
Repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) is a prime issue for LGBT lobbyists and activists nationwide–including here at People For. Freedom from discrimination is a basic right that all Americans should enjoy. Repealing DADT is necessary for our nation to restore its core values, especially the principle of equality for… Read More
A new report released by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force this week analyzing the Prop 8 vote paints a stark picture of the work that must be done by the gay rights community to change hearts… Read More
I think one of the most exciting things about the recent presidential election is the amazing number of Americans who have been inspired to get involved — to work phone banks, join neighbors in door-to-door canvasses, talk to friends about why they were working so hard to achieve change. And… Read More
People For the American Way and People For the American Way Foundation, affiliated national social justice advocacy organizations with headquarters in Washington, have named Sharon J. Lettman as Executive Vice President of Leadership Programs and External Affairs and Linnea Hegarty as Senior Director of Development. Lettman and Hegarty will play… Read More
The Connecticut Supreme Court today ruled that the State Constitution requires the state to allow same sex couples to obtain civil marriage licenses. “This is a proud day for the people of Connecticut, and a good day for the principle of equality,” said Kathryn Kolbert, president of People For the… Read More
People For the American Way issued this statement in response to the removal of the Matthew Shepard Act from the Department of Defense authorization bill: The cause to prevent gay and lesbian Americans from being targeted for intimidation and violence suffered a stunning blow yesterday when the Matthew Shepard Act… Read More
Experts Available To Rebut False Charges That Legislation Limits Free Speech This week, the United States Senate is expected to vote on LGBT inclusive hate crimes legislation with bipartisan support. The bill would allow federal law enforcement to assist in the prosecution of violent hate crimes when local officials cannot… Read More
Experts Available To Rebut False Charges That Law Would Silence Pastors’ Preaching The House of Representatives is expected to vote today on LGBT inclusive hate crimes legislation with bipartisan support. The bill would allow federal law enforcement to assist in the prosecution of violent hate crimes when local officials cannot… Read More
Members of Congress Stand Up for LGBT Americans Despite Anti-Gay Smear Campaign The House of Representatives today passed legislation creating federal hate crimes protections for LGBT Americans. The bill, which passed by a vote of 237 to180 would make violent crimes prosecutable as hate crimes when the victim is targeted… Read More
PFAW: It’s Time for Law to Catch Up With Public Opposition to Discrimination on the Job The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which would protect LGBT Americans from workplace discrimination, was introduced in the House of Representatives today. The legislation was introduced by a bipartisan group of congressional members, including Representatives… Read More
Judith E. Schaeffer, a constitutional and civil rights attorney with particularly extensive experience in religious liberty and LGBT equality issues, has been named Legal Director of People For the American Way and People For the American Way Foundation. Schaeffer has been a member of PFAW and PFAWF’s Legal Departments since… Read More
Ralph G. Neas, President, People For the American Way With the midterm elections just days away and rock-bottom approval ratings for Congress and the Bush Administration, activists on the radical religious right are desperate to re-energize their base. In an eleventh-hour attempt to change the subject from the Iraq war… Read More
Joins Civil Rights Organizations, LGBT Groups in Filing Amicus Brief in Rumsfeld v. FAIR, Being Argued Before the Supreme Court Today WASHINGTON—People For the American Way Foundation called on the Supreme Court today to allow colleges and universities to continue to be able to exercise their free speech right to… Read More