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Is Affirmative Action No Longer Needed? |
Just recently the US Supreme Court heard arguments in a case brought by a White student in Texas who claims that considering race in college admissions is unconstitutional.
She says that Texas' law, allowing the state's public university to consider race when deciding whom to admit, led to her being refused admission to the university while other, less qualified students of color, were admitted.
So, should the Supreme Court ban affirmative action entirely?
To read a discussion of this question, click here.
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Covering Sex Reassignment Won't Bankrupt Insurance Companies |
 In 2005 the California legislature approved AB1586 which bans discrimination by health insurance companies, or health care services plans, which is based on a person's gender identity, or gender related appearance or behavior whether or not stereotypically associated with a person's assigned sex at birth. In plain English, the law says insurance companies and health care services plans cannot discriminate against transgender people. The California Department of Insurance is responsible for carrying out this law. As part of doing so, they created a set of regulations aimed at doing just that. Those regulations got final approval in September of this year. They are now in force. To read more about this law, click here. Boyce Hinman
California Communities United Institute
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Feds Protect Bi-National Same-Sex Couples |
For the first time in our nations history our government has issued an immigration policy statement protecting bi-national same-sex couples where one of them is a US citizen, and the other is not. This policy may even help couples in states, like California, which do not recognize same sex marriages.
To see how this may help California same-sex couples, click here.
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State Prepares To Approve New Needle Exchange Programs |
 Soon the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) will issue proposed regulations regarding needle exchange programs and inviting public comment on the regulations. To read more about the new regulations, and to find out how you may comment on them, click here. ________ |
Can The State Ban Sexual Orientation Change Therapy On Children? |
 The opponents of SB 1172 have challenged this new law in the US District Court, Eastern District of California.
SB 1172 prohibits medical professionals from engaging in sexual orientation change therapy on any child under the age of 18, even if a doctor suggests it be done, even if the therapy is requested by the parents or guardians of the child, and even if requested by the child.
SB 1172 was enacted by the legislature, and signed by the Governor, earlier this year. It is due to become effective on January 1, 2013. The opponents of the law (the plaintiffs) have asked the court to issue an injunction, prohibiting it from taking effect until the courts make a final decision as to whether or not it is constitutional.
To read more about this court case, click here.
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Farm Workers Sue State of California |
The United Farm Workers Union recently sued the state of California and its Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal-OSHA) for its failure to enforce heat regulations in California laws. These regulations are meant to protect the safety and health of California's workers. The union notes that if filed a similar suit in 2009 and alleges that the failures cited in that earlier case have not been remedied. To read more about this court challenge, click here. ________ |
