Blog of Rights
Ian S.
Thompson

Ian Thompson is a Legislative Representative in the ACLU’s Washington Legislative Office. In this capacity, Thompson works to advance the organization’s civil liberties and civil rights agenda in Congress and the executive branch by focusing on LGBT rights, HIV/AIDS and sex education. Prior to joining the ACLU in January 2006, Thompson interned in the Washington, D.C., office of Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio). A 2005 graduate of Penn State University, Thompson holds a degree in International Politics.

12/08/2011

Historic Advance for LGBT International Human Rights

By Ian S. Thompson, ACLU Washington Legislative Office at 9:49am

Tuesday marked a historic commitment by the United States to the cause of LGBT international human rights. First, President Obama issued a memorandum directing all federal agencies engaged abroad to ensure that U.S. diplomacy and foreign assistance promote and protect the human rights of LGBT persons. The memorandum represents the first-ever U.S. government strategy dedicated to combating human rights abuses against LGBT persons abroad.

Read More»
11/30/2011
LGBT Bullying

Making It Better in the Big Leagues

By Ian S. Thompson, ACLU Washington Legislative Office at 12:35pm

Many people may have been too preoccupied with holiday travel and tasty food to notice, but last week Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Players’ Association reached a new, five-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which ensures that America’s pastime will continue uninterrupted through the 2016 season. So what, you ask? What has this got to do with civil liberties? Well, included in the new CBA are important sexual orientation nondiscrimination protections.

Read More»
11/15/2011
Respect for Marriage Act

"Repeal DOMA" Prominent Governors and Mayors Urge Congress

By Ian S. Thompson, ACLU Washington Legislative Office at 6:09pm

This week, a group of prominent state governors and big city mayors from across the country urged Congress to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.

Read More»
11/10/2011
Respect for Marriage Act

DOMA Repeal Vote Represents a Critical Shift

By Ian S. Thompson, ACLU Washington Legislative Office at 4:36pm

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 10-8 in support legislation that would fully repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

Read More»
11/10/2011
Respect for Marriage Act

VICTORY! Senate Committee Votes to Repeal DOMA

By Ian S. Thompson, ACLU Washington Legislative Office at 11:46am

Senate Judiciary Committee passed the Respect for Marriage Act by a vote of 10-8!

Read More»
11/09/2011
Respect for Marriage Act

Historic Committee Vote Set on DOMA Repeal - Tomorrow

By Ian S. Thompson, ACLU Washington Legislative Office at 4:30pm

Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on legislation that would fully repeal the discriminatory and unconstitutional so-called Defense of Marriage Act.

Read More»
10/31/2011
Prison Rape Elimination Act

Trauma Compounded: The Plight of LGBT Immigration Detainees

By Ian S. Thompson, ACLU Washington Legislative Office at 3:00pm

While it is true that physical and sexual abuse is one of the most serious problems for LGBT detainees, it is by no means the only concern facing them.

Read More»
10/05/2011
DADT

New Federal Rule Underscores Importance of DOMA Repeal

By Ian S. Thompson, ACLU Washington Legislative Office at 5:23pm

On Friday, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) published a final rule in the Federal Register to provide eligible federal employees up to 12 workweeks of unpaid leave for "qualifying exigency purposes." Just what are qualifying exigencies, you ask yourself? Well, under the rule, qualifying exigencies arise when the spouse, son, daughter or parent of an employee is on active duty in the Armed Forces, or has been notified of an impending call or order to active duty status.

Read More»
09/30/2011
DADT

Pentagon to Allow Chaplains to Officiate Weddings for Gay and Lesbian Service Members

By Ian S. Thompson, ACLU Washington Legislative Office at 3:18pm

Last week, after nearly 18 years and 14,000 dismissals, the demise of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" became official. Earlier today, the Pentagon made clear that military chaplains will be permitted to officiate at wedding ceremonies for gay and lesbian service members in those states where such marriages are legally recognized. In addition, the Pentagon made clear that these marriages can be performed on military bases, as well as other Defense Department facilities.

Read More»
09/29/2011
SNDA

ACLU Writes to UNESCO on Homophobia in U.S. Schools

By Ian S. Thompson, ACLU Washington Legislative Office at 12:27pm
Statistics image