Released on June 16, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Friday, the four-year anniversary of the 2016 PULSE nightclub shooting and during Pride month, the Trump administration announced its final rule – a slap in the face erasing health care protections for transgender Americans. During a global pandemic when health disparities are revealing deep inequities in our system, this rule perpetuates continued discrimination, structural racism, transphobia, and homophobia.  

This action makes it easier for doctors, hospitals, and insurance companies to deny transgender people health coverage by reversing an Obama administration rule that protected against discrimination on the basis of gender identity as well as sex. The rule also removes language that protected women and trans people seeking abortions, birth control, and other reproductive care.  

Not only is this rule based in hateful ideology that must be eradicated from our nation, it also endangers the lives of transgender Americans. Twenty-two percent of transgender adults and thirty-two percent of transgender adults of color have no health coverage, which already significantly limits their access to healthcare. Trump’s rule shows complete disregard for the trans community and trans people of color, who also face an enormous threat of violence and hate.  

NOW encourages all activists to come together and help dismantle the barriers keeping people from getting the health care they need, both culturally and legislatively. With the Supreme Court decision yesterday, we will work to get this rule reversed through lawsuits and the passing of the Equality Act in the Senate. We must also elect officials who pledge support to the transgender community and who seek to make our nation a safe place for all people. Together, we can ensure that marginalized communities have equal access to a health care system that does not discriminate.

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NOW Foundation is an amici on this case and for many years has been asserting that Title VII covers LGBTQIA+ persons.  Here is a link to the actual Syllabus: https://www.scotusblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/17-1618_hfci.pdf

Contact: Press Team, press@now.org,

Released on June 15, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Supreme Court took a stand for freedom, justice, and equality today when it ruled that federal anti-discrimination laws protect gay and transgender employees.  NOW Foundation was an amici in this case, which defended the rights of two employees who were fired for being gay, and another who came out as transgender. 

The 6-3 ruling was joined by Justice Neil Gorsuch and Chief Justice John Roberts, who said that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination “because of sex” clearly includes LGBTQIA+ employees.  Today’s ruling is a stunning victory for LGBTQIA+ persons and the NOW community of activists.   

But even with today’s decision, Black LGBTQIA+ people still face disproportionate discrimination, violence, and hate. We must dismantle structural racism with legislation that helps remedy centuries of inequality and also addresses cultural barriers to progress.   

We have taken a step forward and we celebrate this victory but we have much more work left to do, including urging our Senators to pass the Equality Act, so we can secure comprehensive nondiscrimination protections for everyone in the LGBTQIA+ community. 

Contact: Press Team, press@now.org,

Released on June 4, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, NOW recognizes Mom’s Equal Pay Day and acknowledges the enormous wage disparities between mothers and fathers in our nation. Especially in the present moment, sex-based pay discrimination prevents mothers from receiving equal pay for equal work and makes the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic even more devastating.  

We know that in 2019, on average, mothers were paid 70 cents to every dollar fathers were paid. This gap is even larger for Black, Latina, and Native American mothers when compared to White, non-Hispanic fathers, as seen by these nation-wide averages. For every one-dollar white fathers are paid: 

• Asian American and Pacific Islander mothers are paid 89 cents.
• White mothers are paid 69 cents. 
• Black mothers are paid 50 cents. 
• Native American mothers are paid 47 cents. 
• Latina mothers are paid 45 cents.  

These disparities are wide-spread and are even greater in some states and occupations. For mothers of all races working as cashiers or retail salespeople in grocery stores, they are paid on average 28 cents less than fathers in those same occupations.  

NOW is a fierce supporter of the Paycheck Fairness Act, and other policies like paid leave, affordable childcare and healthcare, and family leave. On Mom’s Equal Pay Day, we reaffirm our commitment to advocating for these initiatives which would ease the financial burdens on mothers and women in this country. 

Contact: Press Team, press@now.org,