discrimination
Open sectarianism in Saudi Arabia frightens Shiites
By Reuters — October 27, 2015
QATIF, Saudi Arabia (Reuters) The fate of Saudi Arabia's 2 million or so Shiites is closely watched because of the country's intimate involvement in the region's sectarian conflict through its rivalry with Iran and the teachings of its influential clergy that Shiism is heretical.
Kim Davis, Kentucky clerk in gay marriage dispute, switches to Republican Party
By Reuters — September 26, 2015
(Reuters) "We came to the conclusion that the Democratic Party left us a long time ago, so why were we hanging on?" she said.
Keep faith-based hiring discrimination, religious leaders tell Obama
By Adelle M. Banks — September 11, 2015
(RNS) The request comes less than a month after a coalition of religious and secular organizations sent Obama a letter saying the current policy will tarnish his legacy of fair and equal treatment for all Americans.
Despite Pakistan’s ‘third gender’ recognition, discrimination is widespread
By Yasir Habib Khan — June 8, 2015
LAHORE, Pakistan (RNS) Pakistan added a "third gender" option to national identity cards in 2009, but official recognition has not stopped discrimination against "khawaja saras," those who choose not to be identified as either male or female.
Where did Indiana law come from? A brief history of religious freedom (ANALYSIS)
By Jay Michaelson — March 31, 2015
(RNS) Until the last few years, RFRA cases were victimless. That all changed in the 2000s, as conservative activists began using RFRA in a new way: as a sword, rather than a shield.
Indiana officials embattled over law allowing a religious right to refuse service to gays
By Reuters — March 31, 2015
While lawmakers debate changes in the law, The Indianapolis Star published a page one editorial in huge type, headlined "FIX THIS NOW."
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence: ‘Not going to change’ religious freedom law
By Richard Wolf — March 30, 2015
Facing a rising tide of criticism and business boycotts against his state, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence said he would consider a second law that "amplifies and clarifies" the first one but added, "We're not going to change the law."
In major move, Mormon apostles call for statewide LGBT protections
By Peggy Fletcher Stack — January 27, 2015
SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) The move, one LGBT advocates have been pushing for years, provides a major boost for the prospects of of a state nondiscrimination statute.
Houston subpoenas pastors’ sermons in gay rights ordinance case
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — October 14, 2014
(RNS) The ordinance bans discrimination among businesses that serve the public, private employers, in housing and in city employment and city contracting.
Atheist coalition wants you to know they are ‘Openly Secular’
By Kimberly Winston — September 24, 2014
DECATUR, Ga. (RNS) A coalition of nearly 30 atheists, humanists and other nonreligious groups is taking a page from the gay rights movement to encourage people to admit they are “openly secular.”
COMMENTARY: Why a religious exemption would not open the floodgates
By Kirsten Powers — July 9, 2014
(RNS) Religious exemption opponents claim it would relegate gays to second-class citizens. But religious institutions in the U.S. already enjoy exemptions to discriminate in hiring, including refusing to hire women in senior leadership.
European court upholds France’s ban on face veils
By Elizabeth Bryant — July 1, 2014
PARIS (RNS) Besides France, Belgium has also adopted the veil ban, as have parts of Switzerland, Spain and Italy.
Seeking greater equality, Indian women turn to unexpected source: Shariah courts
By Heather McIlvaine — May 6, 2014
MUMBAI, India (RNS) A group of Muslim women in India thinks the path to gender equality lies in the very thing that has been used to oppress them: Shariah. It’s not as much of a paradox as it seems.
New ‘Openly Secular’ group seeks to combat anti-atheist discrimination
By Kimberly Winston — May 2, 2014
(RNS) A new coalition is gathering stories of discrimination from nonbelievers in an attempt to make that kind of bias unacceptable.
New Jersey lawsuit seeks to ban Pledge of Allegiance
By Kimberly Winston — April 21, 2014
(RNS) The suit against the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in New Jersey schools continues a new legal strategy.
