Civil Rights
Anti-trans laws fueled a spike in suicide attempts among trans and nonbinary youth
The number of suicide attempts among transgender and nonbinary youth in states that passed anti-transgender laws increased by as much as 72% over five years, according to a study released on Thursday. “It’s hard to digest,” said Dr. Ronita Nath, vice president of research at The Trevor Project, the LGBTQ+ suicide prevention organization that conducted […]
Harris pitches an ‘opportunity economy’ in debut one-on-one TV interview
The Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, laid out more of her economic vision Wednesday during her first one-on-one cable TV interview. Harris and former President Donald Trump, the GOP presidential nominee, are laying out dueling economic agendas this week as the two vie for the Oval Office in an extremely close race. “I […]
Despite federal protections, LGBTQ+ people are being mistreated at work
In 2020, the Supreme Court found that gay and transgender workers are protected from workplace discrimination in the landmark case Bostock v. Clayton County. Despite those federal protections, LGBTQ+ people across the country — especially transgender and nonbinary people — continue to face rampant discrimination at work and don’t feel safe being out, according to research […]
Springfield’s Haitian community ready for attention to move elsewhere
Resources are flowing into Springfield, Ohio, after weeks of negative attention fueled by Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and right-wing social media influencers. Ohio state troopers are posted at schools, state health officials are opening clinics to assist over-stretched local providers, and civic organizations are raising money. Springfield’s Haitian community, the subject of repeated smears, is […]
Groups release ‘Black Values Survey’ with in-depth look at African-Americans in swing states
Three nonprofits earlier this month released findings of a study that analyzes segments or values clusters within the Black community in three swing states that goes deeper than typical demographics. The research in Michigan, Georgia and Pennsylvania was not conducted in support of any candidate. Results of a national, four-year project to study the Black […]
In Trump and Vance comments, Haitians in New Orleans see old stereotypes repeated
New Orleans’ Haitian community is grappling with racist remarks made by former President Donald Trump during the Sept. 10 presidential debate, when he cited an unfounded rumor that accused migrants of stealing and eating pets in Springfield, Ohio. In the days after the debate, Trump’s running mate and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance repeated the rumors […]
Harris blasts Trump deportation pledge as poll shows a majority of voters support it
WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris warned Wednesday of her GOP rival’s plans to enact mass deportations. Former President Donald Trump has made immigration a core campaign topic and has often demonized immigrants such as in Aurora, Colorado, and in Springfield, Ohio. Trump has pledged to conduct mass deportations of immigrants in […]
States, hospital systems try less punitive drug testing of pregnant women and newborns
Some states and hospital systems have updated their policies on drug testing for pregnant women and newborns, aiming to better support patients’ treatment and recovery from substance use disorder and combat racial disparities in testing and reporting. Under federal law, medical professionals must notify child protective agencies when an infant has been affected by the […]
‘Voting feels like a battle’: A group of Black women reimagines voter turnout
SOUTHAVEN, Miss. — The training in northwest Mississippi that Cassandra Welchlin led was focused on get-out-the-vote efforts, but the longtime community organizer wanted to make space to sing. Ain’t gonna let nobody turn me around, turn me around … “Come on, y’all!” Welchlin told the crowd of nearly 100, who joined in on the next […]
How immigrants navigate their digital footprints in a charged political climate
For more than a decade, San-Francisco-based Miguel has been successfully filing renewals for his Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status every two years, at least until 2024. For some reason, this year, it took more than five months to get approval, during which his enrollment in the program lapsed, leaving him in a legal […]
Congressional Democrats, civil rights leaders call for changes in the Senate filibuster
WASHINGTON — Democratic lawmakers and a coalition of civil rights leaders Tuesday urged Congress to reform the filibuster in order to pass voting rights legislation. “Voting rights, succinctly put, are preservative of all other rights,” U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, a Georgia Democrat, said at a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol. Warnock was joined by […]
Walz underlines Democrats’ support of LGBTQ rights, slams Vance on school shootings
WASHINGTON — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz Saturday night touted his and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris’ advocacy for LGBTQ rights in a keynote address he delivered at the Human Rights Campaign’s annual gala — and also criticized comments by his GOP opponent Sen. J.D. Vance that school shootings are a “fact of life.” “It’s a […]