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Media Releases

President Obama Uses Executive Order to Protect LGBT Workers, But the Fight Is Far From Over
July 21, 2014 04:27 PM


Washington, DC—July 21, 2014 – Today, President Obama signed an Executive Order to ban federal contractors from discriminating in the workplace based on their employee’s sexual orientation or gender identity. This Executive Order is the single largest expansion of LGBT workplace protections in the nation’s history, protecting one-fifth of the entire U.S. labor force. According to the Williams Institute at UCLA Law School, President Obama’s action is estimated to extend protections to about 14 million workers whose employers or states currently do not have such nondiscrimination policies.

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Senate Confirms Attorney Staci Yandle & Judge Darrin Gayles to the Federal Bench
June 17, 2014 11:37 AM


Washington, DC -- June 17, 2014 – Today, the Senate confirmed Attorney Staci Yandle and Judge Darrin Gayles to become federal judges on the U.S. District Courts in Illinois and Florida, respectively. Ms. Yandle, a practicing attorney for over 20 years, will be the second Black, openly lesbian judge confirmed to the federal bench. Judge Gayles will become the nation’s first Black, openly gay male to serve on the federal bench. Both nominees received overwhelming support from the Senate during their confirmation votes: Ms. Yandle was confirmed by a vote of 52 to 44, and Judge Gayles was confirmed by a vote of 98 to 0.

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NBJC Applauds President Obama’s Executive Order to Protect LGBT Workers
June 16, 2014 01:51 PM


Washington, DC—June 16, 2014 – Today, the White House announced President Obama’s intention to sign an executive order that could protect as many as 16 million workers, or one-fifth of the entire U.S. labor force, by prohibiting all companies who contract with the federal government from discriminating on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation. The signing of this executive order is the single largest expansion of LGBT workplace protections in the nation’s history. 

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NBJC Honors the Life and Legacy of Dr. Maya Angelou
May 28, 2014 09:06 PM


The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) honors the life and legacy of Dr. Maya Angelou, who passed away this morning at her home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina at the age of 86. She was a teacher, dancer, artist, poet, activist, and most importantly, a phenomenal woman who taught the world how to live their authentic truth by embracing both tragedies and triumphs in life. 

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NBJC Responds to CNN’s Donald Sterling Interview
May 13, 2014 11:17 AM

Washington, DC – Yesterday, Donald Sterling, the embattled owner of the LA Clippers, sat down for an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper to attempt damage control after a recording of racist rants by him were leaked to the media two weeks ago. In the interview with CNN, Sterling went back and forth, sporadic at times, denying that he is a racist. But the most egregious part of the interview came when Sterling blasted NBA Hall of Famer and businessman, Earvin “Magic” Johnson. 

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2014 National Black Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day Statement
April 10, 2014 12:33 PM


Washington, DC - April 10, 2014 - Today, The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), America's leading Black LGBT civil rights organization focused on federal public policy, recognizes the second annual "National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day" (NYHAAD).NYHAAD is a day to educate the public about the impact of HIV and AIDS on young people as well as highlight the amazing work young people are doing across the country to fight the HIV and AIDS epidemic. 

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OAKLAND/BAY AREA REGISTER TODAY!
April 10, 2014 11:49 AM

The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the nation’s leading Black LGBT civil rights organization, is proud to partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration for the Oakland/Bay Area stop of an economic empowerment tour for LGBT communities of color: Many Faces. One Dream. (MFOD). MFOD will be held on April 21-22, 2014 at the Oakland Marriott City Center.

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NBJC Calls on the U.S. Government to Support Our LGBT Brothers and Sisters in Uganda
February 26, 2014 06:52 PM

Washington, D.C.-- The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the nation’s leading Black LGBT civil rights organization, strongly condemns the so-called “Anti-Homosexuality Bill” signed into law by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. Under this anti-gay law, anyone found guilty of repeated same-sex sexual acts in Uganda will be sentenced to life in prison. The bill also proposes years in prison for anyone who counsels or reaches out to gay and lesbian Ugandans, a provision that would dangerously complicate humanitarian work and implicate those providing services to Uganda’s LGBT community.

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Historic Partnership to Defeat Discrimination: Diverse Business Groups Say NO to AZ SB 1062
February 26, 2014 01:56 PM

On the evening of Wednesday, February 26, 2014, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer heard us all loud and clear and vetoed Senate Bill 1062! On Monday the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce join forces with fellow organizations from the National Business Inclusion Consortium (NBIC), including the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the National Black Justice Coalition, and United States Business Leadership Network: Disability at Work, in sending a strong letter to the Governor demanding the veto and calling on our collective affiliates, corporate partners, and small businesses to follow suit. We asked, you listened and our collective voice was heard!

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National Black Justice Coalition Joins Campaign to Support Michael Sam with Brendon Ayanbadejo
February 12, 2014 07:58 AM

NEW YORK, NY(February 12, 2014) – With the announcement that Michael Sam, the University of Missouri’s star defensive end, has made history by publicly coming out as the first high profile openly gay NFL prospect, Athlete Ally launched an online campaign to mobilize support for Sam. The campaign, launched yesterday by Brendon Ayanbadejo as a reaction to backlash against Sam, is now joined by the National Black Justice Coalition, a civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. 

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