Bellco Credit Union sued for alleged mortgage loan discrimination against women on maternity leave
Bellco Credit Union sued for alleged mortgage loan discrimination against women on maternity leave
DENVER – Greenwood Village-based home loan lender Bellco Credit Union faces accusations it broke federal fair housing laws by not giving mortgage loans to women while they were on or about to go on maternity leave.
Bellco Credit Union was sued by the Denver Metro Fair Housing Center in March in U.S. District Court of Colorado for allegedly discriminating against people based on their sex and familial status, the suit says. It was assigned earlier this month to a judge, and a scheduling conference in the case is set for May 26.
According to the suit, Bellco has continued to deny mortgage loans to women who are either on or facing impending maternity leave until the women return to work for at least 30 days, which DMFHC says is a direct violation of both state and federal fair housing laws, as well as underlying rules for loans issued by Fannie Mae.
Bellco has more than 20 branches across Colorado.
Over a period of several months last year, DMFHC used five women to test Bellco’s rules by applying for mortgage loans either while they were already on maternity leave, or by saying they were about to go on it.
The women were all white in order to control the test, the suit says, and all had credit scores in the mid-700s, household incomes with two earners and money in their savings. Two of the women were not on our about to go on maternity leave so as to control the test, the suit says. The women were all white in order to control the test, the suit says, and all had credit scores in the mid-700s, household incomes with two earners and money in their savings. Two of the women were not on our about to go on maternity leave so as to control the test, the suit says.
Chicago Jews to Use Rituals of Passover Seder to Protest Trump’s Anti-Immigrant, Anti-Muslim, and Anti-Refugee Policies
Chicago Jews will be gathering for a Passover Solidarity Action against the Trump Administration’s Anti-Immigrant, Anti-Muslim, and Anti-Refugee policies. The gathering will take place at 525 West Van Buren Street in Chicago. In protest, Chicago Jews and their allies will use the symbols and rituals of the Passover Seder to demonstrate our common bond as refugees and immigrants. With the Seder as our framework and while standing in front of the Immigration Court building, we will demand that: the government change its policies towards refugees and immigrants; stop inciting anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, racism, and hatred against women and the LGBTQ community. We will renew our commitment to support organizations pursuing social justice.
Instead of reclining around a table celebrating our freedom, we will stand up against the government’s xenophobia and incitement of hate. Instead of having a full- course meal, we will bring food for the hungry. We will participate as a community in a program that recognizes that we were all refugees fleeing from tyranny; we are all immigrants in a strange land.
Chicago Jews will be gathering for a Passover Solidarity Action against the Trump Administration’s Anti-Immigrant, Anti-Muslim, and Anti-Refugee policies. The gathering will take place at 525 West Van Buren Street in Chicago. In protest, Chicago Jews and their allies will use the symbols and rituals of the Passover Seder to demonstrate our common bond as refugees and immigrants. With the Seder as our framework and while standing in front of the Immigration Court building, we will demand that: the government change its policies towards refugees and immigrants; stop inciting anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, racism, and hatred against women and the LGBTQ community. We will renew our commitment to support organizations pursuing social justice.
The Department of Labor Accuses Google of Gender Pay Discrimination
On Friday, The Guardian reported that during a hearing at the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Administrative Law Judges, the U.S. government accused Google of violating federal employment laws by allowing pay discrepancies between men and women in the company. According to the publication, Janette Wipper, the DOL’s regional director for the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, claims that Google’s labor practices include “systemic compensation disparities against women pretty much across the entire workforce.”
The Department of Labor initially filed a lawsuit against Google back in January, over the release of records related to the company’s compliance with the equal opportunity laws required of federal contractors. Google was selected randomly for an audit, and the lawsuit alleges that Google refused to hand over the requested data.
This news comes just days after Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai announced that Google has closed its gender pay-gap globally—a problem for companies throughout Silicon Valley—in tweet celebrating Equal Pay Day
Airbnb Bans Host Who Dumped Guest Because She’s Asian
This ski trip went downhill and took a racist turn fast.
Airbnb says it has permanently banned a host from the platform after she canceled a guest’s reservation minutes before her arrival because the guest was Asian. And we know that was the host’s reason, because she said so.
“One word says it all,” the host wrote in a text message to the would-be guest. “Asian.”
Airbnb told The Huffington Post the incident happened in February near Big Bear, California. It has gained traction now after a video taken of the tearful guest the night of the racist exchange has gone viral. Airbnb declined to identify either the guest or the host to HuffPost, citing company privacy policy.
“The four of us made a reservation on Airbnb about a month ago,” the denied guest says in the video as snow falls around her, “and I asked the woman who is the host if two more friends would be OK … she said that’s fine, we just have to pay more money.
Airbnb says it has permanently banned a host from the platform after she canceled a guest’s reservation minutes before her arrival because the guest was Asian. And we know that was the host’s reason, because she said so.
“One word says it all,” the host wrote in a text message to the would-be guest. “Asian.” Airbnb told The Huffington Post the incident happened in February near Big Bear, California. It has gained traction now after a video taken of the tearful guest the night of the racist exchange has gone viral. Airbnb declined to identify either the guest or the host to HuffPost, citing company privacy policy. Airbnb declined to identify either the guest or the host to HuffPost, citing company privacy policy.
Court rules Civil Rights Act protects LGBT employees from discrimination
A federal appeals court in Chicago ruled Tuesday that the 1964 Civil Rights Act protects lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees from discrimination in the workplace.
It’s the first such ruling from a federal appellate court, likely setting up a battle before the Supreme Court, The Associated Press reported. The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling comes three weeks after a three-judge panel in Atlanta had an opposite ruling.
The case involved Indiana teacher Kimberly Hively, who filed a lawsuit where she alleged she wasn’t hired full-time by the Ivy Tech Community College in South Bend because she was a lesbian.
Judge Richard Posner had questioned John Maley, the attorney for the community college, in November about who would be hurt if “gays and lesbians have a little more job protection,” according to reports at the time.At the time, Maley reportedly could not name anyone who would be hurt if the protections were extended.
In response, the judge said: “So, what’s the big deal?”
Gregory Nevins, the lawyer representing the teacher, said you “can’t discriminate against a woman because she rides a Harley, had Bears tickets or has tattoos.”
The case involved Indiana teacher Kimberly Hively, who filed a lawsuit where she alleged she wasn’t hired full-time by the Ivy Tech Community College in South Bend because she was a lesbian. Judge Richard Posner had questioned John Maley, the attorney for the community college, in November about who would be hurt if “gays and lesbians have a little more job protection,” according to reports at the time.At the time, Maley reportedly could not name anyone who would be hurt if the protections were extended. In response, the judge said: “So, what’s the big deal?” Gregory Nevins, the lawyer representing the teacher, said you “can’t discriminate against a woman because she rides a Harley, had Bears tickets or has tattoos.”
NAACP president testifies at fresh hearing for employment discrimination bill
For the second time in 2017, a House committee tasked with civil court reforms heard a proposal to change the standard needed to prove employment discrimination under the Missouri Human Rights Act on Monday.
The contentiousness of the first hearing remained, but nobody got their mic cut off this time around.
Senate Bill 43, sponsored by Sen. Gary Romine, R-Farmington, would deem conduct discriminatory if a person’s status as a member of a protected class (such as gender or race) motivated adverse treatment they received. Currently, cases can proceed if a person’s status is determined to have contributed to discriminatory actions.
Like the version of the bill sponsored by Rep. Kevin Austin, R-Springfield, SB 43 would also change the law such that employees’ co-workers who are not direct employers could not be sued for discrimination. Supporters say this is meant to keep employers accountable, though opponents say it opens the door for discrimination without recourse by supervisors or managers.
For the second time in 2017, a House committee tasked with civil court reforms heard a proposal to change the standard needed to prove employment discrimination under the Missouri Human Rights Act on Monday.
The contentiousness of the first hearing remained, but nobody got their mic cut off this time around.
Senate Bill 43, sponsored by Sen. Gary Romine, R-Farmington, would deem conduct discriminatory if a person’s status as a member of a protected class (such as gender or race) motivated adverse treatment they received. Currently, cases can proceed if a person’s status is determined to have contributed to discriminatory actions.
Like the version of the bill sponsored by Rep. Kevin Austin, R-Springfield, SB 43 would also change the law such that employees’ co-workers who are not direct employers could not be sued for discrimination. Supporters say this is meant to keep employers accountable, though opponents say it opens the door for discrimination without recourse by supervisors or managers.
What Trump’s Supreme Court Pick Said About Women In The Workplace Will Make You Sick
A female former-law student of Neil Gorsuch has revealed that in class Gorsuch endorsed illegal discrimination against women in the workplace. Gorsuch is now President Donald Trump’s nominee to the Supreme Court and the vote for his confirmation is expected this week.
Attorney Jennifer Sisk sent a letter to Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) accusing Gorsuch of promoting discrimination in the class she took with him at University of Colorado’s law school.
A female former-law student of Neil Gorsuch has revealed that in class Gorsuch endorsed illegal discrimination against women in the workplace. Gorsuch is now President Donald Trump’s nominee to the Supreme Court and the vote for his confirmation is expected this week. Attorney Jennifer Sisk sent a letter to Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) accusing Gorsuch of promoting discrimination in the class she took with him at University of Colorado’s law school. A female former-law student of Neil Gorsuch has revealed that in class Gorsuch endorsed illegal discrimination against women in the workplace. Gorsuch is now President Donald Trump’s nominee to the Supreme Court and the vote for his confirmation is expected this week. Attorney Jennifer Sisk sent a letter to Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) accusing Gorsuch of promoting discrimination in the class she took with him at University of Colorado’s law school. A female former-law student of Neil Gorsuch has revealed that in class Gorsuch endorsed illegal discrimination against women in the workplace. Gorsuch is now President Donald Trump’s nominee to the Supreme Court and the vote for his confirmation is expected this week. Attorney Jennifer Sisk sent a letter to Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) accusing Gorsuch of promoting discrimination in the class she took with him at University of Colorado’s law school.
A Federal Court Just Dealt a Huge Blow to Mike Pence’s War on Women
In response to a lawsuit against Indiana’s Department of Health by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on behalf of Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky, U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt has issued an injunction against a state law that required women to have an ultrasound at least 18 hours before having an abortion.
The ultrasound mandate is part of a larger anti-choice law, signed last March by Vice President Mike Pence when he was Indiana’s governor, which Salon called “Mike Pence’s sadistic abortion law… geared towards humiliating and bankrupting women who have abortions.”
Judge Pratt’s 53-page ruling addressed the financial burden directly, stating that “For women faced with the already high costs of an abortion and a lack of means to afford them, the additional expenses of lengthy travel, lost wages, and child care created by the new ultrasound law create a significant burden.”
In response to a lawsuit against Indiana’s Department of Health by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on behalf of Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky, U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt has issued an injunction against a state law that required women to have an ultrasound at least 18 hours before having an abortion.
The ultrasound mandate is part of a larger anti-choice law, signed last March by Vice President Mike Pence when he was Indiana’s governor, which Salon called “Mike Pence’s sadistic abortion law… geared towards humiliating and bankrupting women who have abortions.”
Judge Pratt’s 53-page ruling addressed the financial burden directly, stating that “For women faced with the already high costs of an abortion and a lack of means to afford them, the additional expenses of lengthy travel, lost wages, and child care created by the new ultrasound law create a significant burden.”
Former Fox News boss Ailes hit with another sexual discrimination lawsuit
Former Fox News chairman Roger Ailes was hit with another sexual discrimination lawsuit Monday, less than a year after being ousted from the network over similar accusations by other female employees.
Julie Roginsky, a current Fox News contributor, alleges that Ailes encouraged her to seek out the company of “older, married, conservative men” because “they may stray but they always come back because they’re loyal,” according to the 17-page complaint filed in New York State Supreme Court.
The lawsuit, which names Ailes, Fox News and current Fox co-president Bill Shine, also contends that, after Roginsky rebuffed Ailes’ advances, she was denied promotions that included a permanent hosting position on Fox News’ The Five.
Ailes attorney Susan Estrich blasted the suit as “total hogwash” and merely a “copycat complaint” from someone “who wants to pile-on in a massive character assassination in order to achieve what she did not accomplish on the merits.”
Former Fox News chairman Roger Ailes was hit with another sexual discrimination lawsuit Monday, less than a year after being ousted from the network over similar accusations by other female employees. Julie Roginsky, a current Fox News contributor, alleges that Ailes encouraged her to seek out the company of “older, married, conservative men” because “they may stray but they always come back because they’re loyal,” according to the 17-page complaint filed in New York State Supreme Court. Former Fox News chairman Roger Ailes was hit with another sexual discrimination lawsuit Monday, less than a year after being ousted from the network over similar accusations by other female employees. Julie Roginsky, a current Fox News contributor, alleges that Ailes encouraged her to seek out the company of “older, married, conservative men” because “they may stray but they always come back because they’re loyal,” according to the 17-page complaint filed in New York State Supreme Court.
Stop discrimination in adoption and foster care
By Fran Hutchins, who was born in Birmingham, graduated from University of Montevallo, and is deputy director of Equality Federation, the national partner to LGBT advocacy groups like Equality Alabama
On March 10, South Dakota passed a law to allow discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) families in foster care and adoption placement. Now the Alabama legislature is considering HB 24, a similar proposed law. HB 24 is of 75 bills Equality Federation is tracking across the U.S. that would have a negative impact on the LGBT community, and one of three that would negatively affect children waiting for placement in a loving home.
Right now there are more than 400,000 children in the foster care system in the U.S., and more than 100,000 waiting to be adopted. When I write that phrase “waiting to be adopted,” my heart breaks. I was once one of those children, and so was my birth mother.
who was born in Birmingham, graduated from University of Montevallo, and is deputy director of Equality Federation, the national partner to LGBT advocacy groups like Equality Alabama
On March 10, South Dakota passed a law to allow discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) families in foster care and adoption placement. Now the Alabama legislature is considering HB 24, a similar proposed law. HB 24 is of 75 bills Equality Federation is tracking across the U.S. that would have a negative impact on the LGBT community, and one of three that would negatively affect children waiting for placement in a loving home.
Right now there are more than 400,000 children in the foster care system in the U.S., and more than 100,000 waiting to be adopted. When I write that phrase “waiting to be adopted,” my heart breaks. I was once one of those children, and so was my birth mother.