News :: Legal

Appeal court revives Dignity Health bias suit

Appeal court revives Dignity Health bias suit

  • by Rae Raucci
  • Sep 25, 2019

A trans man who sued Catholic-affiliated Dignity Health over claims it was discriminatory in deciding not to perform his surgery has won an appeal that has revived his lawsuit.

Advocates say Gilead broke antitrust laws

Advocates say Gilead broke antitrust laws

  • by Liz Highleyman
  • Sep 18, 2019

A group of advocates has filed a federal class action lawsuit against Gilead Sciences Inc. and its partner companies, alleging that they violated antitrust laws.

Arizona decision on religious exemption seen as narrow but 'dangerous'

Arizona decision on religious exemption seen as narrow but 'dangerous'

  • by Lisa Keen
  • Sep 18, 2019

The Arizona Supreme Court September 16 ruled that a business can — under certain circumstances — cite the business owner's religious beliefs to claim an exemption from a city human rights ordinance.

Herrera wins delay on Trump trans health rule

Herrera wins delay on Trump trans health rule

  • by Cynthia Laird
  • Jun 28, 2019

On the eve of San Francisco's Pride weekend, City Attorney Dennis Herrera on Friday forced the Trump administration to delay implementation of a rule that would allow health care staff to refuse to provide medical treatment to people, even in emergencies.

Judge rules against trans barista in Starbucks suit

Judge rules against trans barista in Starbucks suit

  • by Meg Elison
  • Jun 12, 2019

A Fresno County Superior Court judge Tuesday issued a tentative ruling against a trans barista in her lawsuit against Starbucks.

High court could get anti-gay florist's case

High court could get anti-gay florist's case

  • by Lisa Keen
  • Jun 12, 2019

The U.S. Supreme Court may soon get another chance to consider whether businesses can claim religious motivations for refusing service to LGBT people.

Lawyer looking for 'blue discharge' recipients

Lawyer looking for 'blue discharge' recipients

  • by Meg Elison
  • Jun 12, 2019

Lawyer Elizabeth Kristen is looking for some of America's long-lost gay soldiers.

High court declines to hear appeal in trans case

High court declines to hear appeal in trans case

  • by Lisa Keen
  • May 29, 2019

The U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday declined to accept an appeal from a group of students challenging a public school's policy of allowing transgender students to use high school restrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity.

County, civil rights groups file suit over HHS rule

County, civil rights groups file suit over HHS rule

  • by Meg Elison
  • May 29, 2019

Santa Clara County has joined Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund in filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' newly unveiled protections for religious and conscience-based objections to providing care.

Appeals court rules for gay man in pension case

Appeals court rules for gay man in pension case

  • by Meg Elison
  • May 22, 2019

In a reversal of a lower court decision, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals awarded spousal survivor benefits to a gay widower whose spouse worked for years at a San Francisco television station.

Gay Pittsburg man sues city for seizing property

Gay Pittsburg man sues city for seizing property

  • by Meg Elison
  • May 8, 2019

Pittsburg resident Larry R. Reasoner is suing the East Bay city and several officials over a recent incident in which he alleges he was involuntarily committed while his home and belongings were confiscated and — in many cases — destroyed.

Palo Alto resident alleges harassment, assault by cops

Palo Alto resident alleges harassment, assault by cops

  • by Meg Elison
  • May 8, 2019

Gustavo Alvarez had had enough, according to his lawsuit filed last month in federal court, following a pattern of what Alvarez described as ongoing harassment from the Palo Alto Police Department because he is a gay Latinx man.

Herrera sues Trump administration over HHS rule

Herrera sues Trump administration over HHS rule

  • by Cynthia Laird
  • May 2, 2019

City Attorney Dennis Herrera files suit against Trump administration over new HHS rule that would allow health care staff to refuse to provide medical treatment to people, even in emergencies.

Supreme Court will hear 3 LGBT cases

Supreme Court will hear 3 LGBT cases

  • by Lisa Keen
  • Apr 22, 2019

In what one legal expert called an "aggressive move," the U.S. Supreme Court announced Monday that it will take up the issue of whether existing federal law prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in the workplace.