Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Battlelines over LGBTQ+ Rights Just Drawn By Congress, White House

Battlelines over LGBTQ+ Rights Just Drawn By Congress, White House

As Donald Trump's second hundred days get underway, a battle over LGBT rights has unexpectedly broken out between Congress and the White House.

On Tuesday, 241 members of Congress, led by Rep. David Cicilline in the House, and Senators Jeff Merkley, Tammy Baldwin, and Cory Booker in the Senate, re-introduced the Equality Act to amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.


Currently, 30 states lack state laws that would protect LGBT citizens against discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, credit, jury service, and public education.  The Equality Act would prohibit such discrimination nationwide.

On the same day as the Equality Act was introduced, the Trump administration announced that President Trump would sign a "religious liberty" executive order on Thursday that opponents say would amount to a license to discriminate against LGBT Americans.

While administration officials insist the order has not been finalized, a draft order leaked in February would have exempted anyone claiming religious freedom from anti-discrimination laws, giving them broad protections to discriminate against the LGBT community.

The ACLU wasted no time in condemning such an executive order, saying in a statement: “The ACLU fights every day to defend religious freedom, but religious freedom does not mean the right to discriminate against or harm others. If President Trump signs an executive order that attempts to provide a license to discriminate against women or LGBT people, we will see him in court.”

This latest executive order is seen as a victory for Vice President Mike Pence, whose effort to push through such an order earlier this year was scuttled. The signing ceremony will be attended by faith leaders who will be at the White House that day to celebrate the National Day of Prayer.

While the Equality Act is led by Democratic members of Congress, the bill is technically bipartisan, boasting one lone Republican co-sponsor, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida. Rep. Ros-Lehtinen made news herself this week when she announced she'll be retiring from Congress at the end of this term.

More from News

Teachers Share The Questions Students Asked In Class That Broke Their Hearts

Being a teacher is a calling.

It is not for the meek or weak of heart.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Emily Compagno
Fox News

Fox Host Slams Dem For Dropping An F-Bomb After Praising Trump For The Same Thing Just Minutes Earlier

Fox News host Emily Compagno was criticized after she praised Donald Trump's use of the "f-bomb" earlier this week before condemning Texas Democratic Representative Jasmine Crockett's use of the same word—on the same episode of her show, no less.

Trump made headlines this week after admonishing Israel and Iran for violating a ceasefire agreement he'd announced on Truth Social. Although he claimed the ceasefire had been "agreed upon," Iran fired at least six missile barrages at Israel after it was supposed to take effect.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ken Jennings; Emily Croke
@Jeopardy/Instagram

Champ's Wild Final Jeopardy Connection

In a dramatic conclusion on last Monday’s Jeopardy!, a contestant revealed a surprising relationship to the final clue's answer. Hailing from Denver, Emily Croke made it to the final write-in portion of the game show with $12,200 in earnings.

In the category of “Collections,” host Ken Jennings read the clue:

Keep ReadingShow less
State Department logo illustration
Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

State Department Slammed After Requiring Visa Applicants To Make All Social Media Posts Public For Vetting

The State Department is facing harsh criticism after it announced that anyone applying for an F, M, or J nonimmigrant visa will need to disclose all social media profiles from the last five years, requiring that all applicants set their posts to public so they can be properly vetted by its agents.

The agency said the new rules are part of a new screening process aimed at identifying individuals who may pose a threat to U.S. national security. According to the department, failure to comply could result in a denial, and consular officers have been instructed to flag signs of “hostility” toward the U.S.—though the criteria for such determinations remain vague.

Keep ReadingShow less
The Tiny Chef Show being canceled
@thetinychefshow/TikTok

Heartbreaking Animated Video Announcing Emmy-Winning Show's Cancellation Has The Internet Sobbing

Whether or not you've heard of the show, Nickelodeon's The Tiny Chef Show has been turning heads. Not only is it a show that children love, but it's an Emmy Award winner.

Despite all of this adorable, pea-sized chef's success, and a Minion-like voice to boot, the show appears to be canceled.

Keep ReadingShow less