This decision coincides with recent polling from the HRC Foundation confirming that a super-majority of Americans favor marriage equality protections

WASHINGTON, DC— Today, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to grant certiorari in Davis v. Ermold, where former Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis hoped the Court would rehear a lower court’s decision awarding damages to a same-sex couple to whom she refused to issue a marriage license, despite a court ordering her to do so, in 2015. As part of her request Davis asked the Court to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges, the landmark case that affirmed Constitutional marriage protections for same-sex couples. As a result, the lower court ruling stands, leaving Davis liable for refusing to abide by existing law and signaling that the Court is, for now, unwilling to revisit or reverse precedent that establishes marriage equality for the LGBTQ+ community. This ruling also underscores that public officials cannot evade accountability under the law by invoking anti-LGBTQ+ beliefs.

Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson released the following statement:

“Today, love won again. When public officials take an oath to serve their communities, that promise extends to everyone — including LGBTQ+ people. The Supreme Court made clear today that refusing to respect the constitutional rights of others does not come without consequences.

Thanks to the hard work of HRC and so many, marriage equality remains the law of the land through Obergefell v. Hodges and the Respect for Marriage Act. Even so, we must remain vigilant.

It’s no secret that there are many in power right now working to undermine our freedoms — including marriage equality — and attack the dignity of our community any chance they get. Last week, voters rejected the politics of fear, division, and hate, and chose leaders who believe in fairness, freedom, and the future. In race after race, the American people rejected anti-transgender attacks and made history electing pro-equality candidates up and down the ballot.

And from California to Virginia to New Jersey to New York City, LGBTQ+ voters and Equality Voters made the winning difference. We will never relent and will not stop fighting until all of us are free.”

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people, with 3.6 million members and supporters. The HRC Foundation (a 501(c)(3)) works to ensure LGBTQ+ people are safe, seen and supported where it matters most: at school, at work and in every community across the country. From the courtroom to the classroom, from Congress to corporate America, HRC and the HRC Foundation build power through partnerships, storytelling, and action—working to create a future rooted in equity, freedom and belonging for all LGBTQ+ people.

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As Federal Government and Many States Continue Legislative and Administrative Onslaught Against LGBTQ+ People, Violent Crimes Against Members of Community Remain Elevated

WASHINGTON — The latest annual crime report from the FBI highlights once again that while overall violent crime in the U.S. continues to decline, hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community remain alarmingly high.

In 2024, according to FBI data submitted by local jurisdictions, attacks based on a victim’s sexual orientation made up 17.2% of all hate crimes, and 4 percent were based on gender identity.

“The FBI’s 2024 hate crime data has revealed a national emergency hiding in plain sight. Everyone deserves to be safe in this country and have the chance to thrive. But anti-equality politicians continue to spread lies about LGBTQ+ people, trying to push us out of more and more corners of society,” said Kelley Robinson, Human Rights Campaign President. “Those smears come with a cost. The FBI has exposed a chilling reality: our community remains a target of violence — and that is unacceptable. LGBTQ+ people, just like everyone else, should be free to live our lives, pursue our careers and education, build our homes and pursue our American Dreams, without the threat of violence hanging over our heads. This FBI data is clear: we need more support from our political leaders, not animosity and attacks that seek to demonize us.”

The FBI’s report noted that there were 1,950 recorded incidents relating to an alleged victim’s sexual orientation in 2024 and 463 relating to an alleged victim’s gender identity. Race/ethnicity motivated hate crimes remained the largest category, making up 51.8% of all hate crimes. Hate crimes based on religion were second, just ahead of sexual orientation.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ+ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

Denver, CO, January, 2025 – Combining laughter and purpose, the nation-wide “Here to Pee” Tour, organized by trans activists and comedians, will kick off in Denver, Colorado. This first of its kind tour will stop in all 50 states highlighting trans performers and local LGBTQ+ organizations doing life saving work in their communities. In different cities across the country each show on the tour will feature and amplify trans voices as performers tackle both the challenges and joys of gender diversity through stand-up comedy that is as insightful as it is hilarious.

“We’re bringing trans visibility to every corner of the country. Although this tour is founded in potty humor, it sheds light on the very real, very menacing issue of barring trans people from accessing public spaces,” said organizer and trans activist Ren Q. Dawe. “but we are going to have the last laugh.”

Ren Q. Dawe, lead organizer of the “Here to Pee” Tour, saw firsthand the need for this groundbreaking tour after visiting 40 cities in 16 states and performing in front of over 10,000 people in 2024. In each city, members of the local trans community shared their own experiences and the ways that the current political climate has impacted their lives.

The increase of organized attacks on LGBTQ+ people, particularly trans people, have left LGBTQ+ community and advocacy groups scrambling for the necessary resources to support and protect their communities.

The organizers and performers on the tour are committed to helping local communities by donating a percentage of ticket proceeds to local nonprofits that serve the LGBTQ+ community and provide direct service to trans individuals.

A film crew led by award-winning documentarian Jeff Stonic will follow the tour, capturing not only the on-stage performances but also the heart of the project—each city’s unique activism efforts, the lives of those impacted by anti-trans legislation, and the communities rallying behind them. The film aims to shine a national spotlight on the importance of grassroots LGBTQ+ organizations, sharing their stories with audiences everywhere.

Tour Details and Communications
For tickets and more information on tour dates, cities, featured comedians and community partner organizations, follow @RenQComedy and @HereToPee on social media or visit www.heretopee.com.

Background Information

• Info

• “Here to Pee” Tour Website 
• “Here to Pee” Quotes from Associated Partners
• Graphics for West Coast Leg of the Tour
• Headshots and Bios for of Performers
• Documentarian: jeff stonic shot it 

• Press on the Here to Pee Tour

• Trans comedians have advice for Dave Chappelle | Out Magazine 
• Dear trans youth: messages from icons to trans youth | Out Magazine
• Trans Comedians Embark on 50-State Protest Tour | NYCTastemakers
• The Here to Pee Tour Champions Trans Visibility | Artist Weekly

Trans Bathrooms / Trans Rights Resources

• Mapping Attacks on LGBTQ Rights in U.S. State Legislatures | ACLU
• Bans on Transgender People Using Public Bathrooms and Facilities | MAP
• Mapping Attacks on LGBTQ Rights in U.S. State Legislatures | ACLU
• Bans on Transgender People Using Public Bathrooms and Facilities | MAP
• 4 Big Problems With Anti-Trans Bathroom Bills – and How You Can Help | GLSEN
• Transgender bathroom bills are back | NPR 

Tour Information

WEST COAST

• Saturday, March 1, 2025 | Boulder, CO @ Junkyard Social Club
• Tuesday, March 4, 2025 | Casper, WY @ Racca’s
• Wednesday, March 5, 2025 | Missoula, MT @ Western Montana LGBTQ+ Center
• Thursday, March 6, 2025 | Boise, ID @ The Lounge
• Friday, March 7, 2025 | Seattle, WA @ The Rendezvous (Jewelbox Theatre)
• Monday, March 10, 2025 | Portland, OR @ The Siren Theatre
• Wednesday, March 12, 2025 | Los Angeles, CA @ The Print Shop LA
• Saturday, March 15, 2025 | Reno, NV @ Carl’s Saloon
• Sunday, March 16, 2025 | Phoenix, AZ @ Boycott Bar
• Thursday, March 20, 2025 | Albuquerque, NM @ Sidewinders​