bisexual

Jan 4 2013

Fashion designer Tory Burch

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—A Black, bisexual woman who worked at fashion designer Tory Burch’s flagship store today sued her former employer, alleging she was discriminated against because of her race and sexual orientation, which she says included being called the “N” word.

Jessica Jones filed her suit in Los Angeles Superior Court against Tory Burch LLC and a former co-worker, Ann Oliver. She is seeking unspecified damages.

Jul 21 2011

Gov. Jerry Brown signs SB 48

With Senate Bill 48 signed into law, the state’s schoolchildren are the ones getting their bells rung.

The Protect Kids Foundation, which opposed the new law, said it “would change the teaching of core academic subjects into a ‘celebration’ of gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual lifestyles. This profound change in the basic education of children would be mandatory, without involvement or opt-out rights of parents.”

Jul 7 2011

Suicide too often becomes an option

Dissolved R&B group Xscape’s famous song contemplatively asks, “Who can I run to, when I need love?”

Thousands, if not millions, of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) youth in this country are asking themselves that very question, and are being met with the antithesis of love: hate.

The loss of one child due to suicide is senseless, but the loss of nine young people to suicide, because of bullying they experienced as a result of, or being perceived as gay—what sense could it make?

Jun 27 2011

Free HIV testing

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Free, confidential HIV testing will be available at a variety of locations in Los Angeles County today as part of National HIV Testing Day.

Just more the half of the new HIV infections in Los Angeles County are spread by people who do not know they have the virus, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

Experts consider HIV testing important because it identifies those who are infected, leads to their getting treatment, changing their behaviors and preventing further transmission of HIV.

May 12 2011

Would benefit public health, especially African Americans

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Food and Drug Administration continues to weigh a potential menthol cigarette ban. The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association, Center for American Progress and Legacy® called for menthol cigarettes to be taken off the market, citing key findings published in the American Journal of Public Health (AJPH).

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.
 

Alabama
Freeman A. Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, will address the annual African American Business Council luncheon on June 28. Hrabowski, who is chairman of President Barack Obama’s Advisory Commission on Education Excellence for African Americans, has a national reputation for his work studying the performance of minority students in math and science. Hrabowski, named one of the 10 best college presidents in the country by Time magazine, was a child leader in the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham in the 1960s.
 

Arkansas
The Liberty Counsel filed a motion and a brief in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas seeking to intervene on behalf of a Concepts of Life crisis pregnancy center to defend against a suit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Reproductive Rights. The groups seek to impose a permanent injunction before the Human Heartbeat Protection Act goes into effect July 18. Liberty Counsel also filed a brief opposing the ACLU’s request for an injunction. The “Heartbeat” bill states that when a woman seeks an abortion at or after the 12th week, doctors must test for a fetal heartbeat before an abortion is performed and inform the pregnant mother that the child in her womb has a heartbeat. If a heartbeat is detected, a woman cannot have an abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, and if a mother’s life is in danger. “As we promised when the legislation was introduced, Liberty Counsel will defend this law without reservation for the people of Arkansas, born and pre-born,” said Matt Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel. “No right is more foundational than the right to life. Without life, all other rights are irrelevant,” concluded Staver.