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People dressed in military regalia and civilian clothes standing with flags, including the american flag and rainbow LGBTQ flat
* Photo courtesy of Charles Edward Miller via CC 2.0 License

LGBTQ Veterans Still Feeling Harms from Don’t Ask Don’t Tell

November 14, 2022

Veterans’ Day, November 11, is a time for us to reflect on the service of our nation’s veterans.  One group of veterans often overlooked are LGBTQ veterans who were discharged because of the government’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy and previous policies that excluded people from service based on their sexual orientation.  While the formal … Continue reading “LGBTQ Veterans Still Feeling Harms from Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”

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Recent Improvements in California Family and Medical Leave Laws

November 3, 2022

Katherine Wutchiett

In the last few years, California has passed several laws improving families’ access to time off and pay to address serious health conditions or bond with a new child.  These laws have expanded who can take leave, how much they will get paid while on leave, what reasons they can take leave for, and which … Continue reading “Recent Improvements in California Family and Medical Leave Laws”

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Forbes Highlights the story of LAAW’s Client Laura Zuniga on the 5th Anniversary of #MeToo

Forbes - November 1, 2022
Ms. Zuniga filed a lawsuit after her co-driver sexually assaulted her. “I feel like I need to speak up for myself, and for my daughters, and show them we have to fight so this doesn’t keep happening to other women.”
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Davis Youth Softball Association and Civil Rights Nonprofit Organizations Reach Agreement with City of Davis Regarding Gender-Based Equity in Community Sports

Agreement to Foster a Level Playing Field for Girls in the City of Davis

- October 27, 2022

Davis, CA — As part of a settlement with Davis Youth Softball Association (DYSA), the City of Davis (City) has agreed to address allegations of noncompliance with California State Law, specifically Assembly Bill 2404 (AB 2404 or the “Fair Play in Community Sports Act”) requiring gender equity in youth athletic programs. This resolution is a … Continue reading “Davis Youth Softball Association and Civil Rights Nonprofit Organizations Reach Agreement with City of Davis Regarding Gender-Based Equity in Community Sports”

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The New York Times Features LAAW’s Case Against Campbell HS Seeking Gender Equity for Student Athletes in Hawai’i

New York Times - October 22, 2022
The Article, which features quotes from LAAW’s Elizabeth Kristen, discusses how these girls had to “had to practice in the ocean, battling fickle winds and choppy waves because their high school had failed to provide them a pool.”
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Katherine Wutchiett Shares How to Take Family Leave and What to Do When You Come Back to Work

LAist - October 19, 2022
"Employers don't always have it 100% right," said Katherine Wutchiett. Katherine also notes, "Once you want to make use of those protections you need to tell your employer so that you can trigger their obligation to provide those to you."
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Impact Fund Highlights Case Where Hawaiian High School Female Athletes Won Title IX Claims Against the Hawaii State DOE and the Oahu Interscholastic Association

Impact Fund - October 19, 2022
In the article, Impact Fund highlights a recent case won by Legal Aid at Work's Elizabeth Kristen and Emma Steiner, where female athletes from James Campbell High School in Hawai'i were retaliated against by the Hawai'i Department of Education (DOE) for flagging concerns on gender discrimination. The female athletes were able to win class certification to pursue Title IX claims against both the Hawai'i Department of Education and the Oahu Interscholastic Association (“OIA”).
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Katherine Wutchiett Speaks CalMatters About How SB 951 Makes Paid Family Leave More Accessible to Workers with Low Incomes

CalMatters - October 5, 2022
Katherine Wutchiett said, "Until now, workers who couldn’t afford a 40% pay cut were being forced to keep working against their doctor’s orders, to work up until the day they go into labor, to leave ill family members without adequate care, and to return to work right after having a child. SB 951 finally ends this inhumane status quo.”
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Governor Newsom Signs New Law That Will Increase Paid Family Leave Benefits

The Sacramento Bee - October 5, 2022
Twenty years after California became the first state to offer paid family leave, Governor Newsom signed SB 951 into law to increase benefits, covering families that need to take time off work to bond with a new child or care for a sick family member.
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