Dreamers Need You: When the Administration rescinded DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) in September of 2017, roughly 800,000 young people – including nearly 40,000 LGBTQ youth – became subject to deportation. By the end of January, 18,000 young people will have lost their status. This number will escalate into thousands per day starting in March. A battle between Republicans and Democrats regarding DACA and CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) resulted in a three-day government shutdown. A continuing resolution was agreed upon on Monday January 22nd. If Republican leadership keeps their promise, a debate on legislation for a DACA fix will be taking place on or leading up to the new February 8th deadline.  Both sides must recommit to ensuring that Congress completes its unfinished business. Here’s how you can help: 

1. Dial 1-888-778-6856 and wait for the “welcome” message. 

2. Enter your zip code. 

3. Wait for your call to be connected to your Member of Congress.  Urge them to support a permanent bipartisan resolution for our Dreamers. Remind them real lives are at stake and that we will not rest until our youth are protected!

Religious Exemption: Last week the Administration announced they will be overhauling the Health and Human Services (HHS) Civil Rights Office as part of a plan that will allow health workers to refuse treatment to a patient based on religious or moral objections. Existing refusal laws already allow health care providers to put their religious beliefs before patient care. The proposed rule would expand those laws in harmful new ways.   The LGBTQ community as well as people of color, interracial couples, women, minority faiths, people with disabilities, and others are now at great risk. According to a recent Center for American Progress survey, LGBTQ people face disturbing rates of health care discrimination, including harassment and denials of care; and often avoid doctor’s offices out of fear of discrimination. Use the hashtags #RXForDiscrimination and #LicenseToDiscriminate on social media. Tell people the freedom to practice religion is a mainstay of our Constitution, but it should not be used to deny medical care to anyone or as justification for intolerance.

Being LGBTQ in Public Spaces: The Movement Advancement Project (MAP) produced this public service announcement to highlight how the LGBT community faces discrimination on a daily basis. MAP recently released a new report: LGBT Policy Spotlight: Public Accommodations Nondiscrimination Laws. It provides a comprehensive overview of the patchwork of federal, state, and local protections against discrimination in public spaces. The report makes it clear how discrimination can disrupt daily behavior others take for granted and leave the LGBT community feeling unsafe and unwelcome. USA Today ran an article that featured MAP’s work along with some powerful and incredible stories of discrimination and resilience: “Not Just About A Cake Shop: LGBT people battle bias in everyday routines”.

A Crisis Of Hate:  Violence against the LGBTQ community has risen in the past year, with a total of 52 reported anti-LGBTQ homicides in 2017. The Anti-Violence Project has released their report: A Crisis Of Hate during a time when LGBTQ communities are witnessing civil rights protections and policies being rolled back and discrimination being instituted more than ever.  For too long, legislators have not taken meaningful or effective steps to address the increase of hate violence in this country. The Anti-Violence Project asks that people contact their representatives and ask them what they will do to address hate violence and ensure that their communities are safe and affirming for LGBTQ people.

Second Annual Women's March: Hundreds of thousands of marches took place all across America last weekend as people marched for the empowerment of women and against the Administration’s views on issues like abortion and immigration. Billed widely as the “Women’s March To The Polls,” organizers brought out prominent politicians and celebrities to speak and many participants carried signs with messages like “elect more women” and “the future is female.” The marches took place in cities large and small. Did you march? Send CAN your photos and you could be featured in one of our upcoming website stories.