LGBTQ representation in government has made leaps and bounds over the past year, but there’s still a long way to go before equitable representation is achieved, according to numbers released Thursday by the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute. The number of openly lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people elected to public office between June 2022 and…
Author: Brooke Migdon
Most Americans say lessons about sexual orientation, gender belong in the classroom, survey finds
A majority of Americans believe lessons about sexual orientation and gender identity should be taught in public schools, according to a survey released Thursday by the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), although an increasing share of adults also believe that there are only two genders. Few American adults — 34 percent — believe it is…
Schiff denounces brawl at California school over Pride Month resolution: ‘We will not go back’
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) on Wednesday condemned a protest that turned violent outside a school board meeting in Glendale, Calif., an area in the district he represents. Schiff denounced the protests — just the latest in a number of recent attacks against the LGBTQ community over Pride Month celebrations — as “horrific.” “These continued acts…
Garcia honors ‘American phenomenon’ RuPaul on House floor
Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) paid homage to RuPaul Charles, the superstar drag queen and host of the reality series “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” on the House floor Wednesday, praising the barrier-breaking performer and Emmy Award winner for his commitment to uplifting the LGBTQ community. “I rise to commemorate the start of Pride Month by honoring the…
Families challenging Florida gender-affirming care restrictions may receive care, judge rules
A Florida judge on Tuesday blocked the enforcement of new state restrictions on gender-affirming health care for three transgender children whose families have challenged them in federal court, ruling that the state has prohibited the administration of treatments “even when medically appropriate.” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who launched his bid for the White House…
Human Rights Campaign declares national state of emergency for LGBTQ people
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) on Tuesday officially declared a state of emergency for LGBTQ people in the U.S., citing the passage of more than 75 laws in over a dozen states that explicitly target the community. At least 525 anti-LGBTQ bills were introduced this year in 41 states, the group said in its warning,…
Transgender teens, families sue Idaho over felony ban on gender-affirming care
The families of two transgender teenagers are challenging an Idaho law that criminalizes gender-affirming health care for minors in federal court. Their lawsuit argues that the state’s House Bill 71, set to take effect in January, represents an “unprecedented intrusion” into the fundamental autonomy of families and constitutes an unconstitutional ban on care considered medically…
Pride Month feels different as threats, fear of violence grows
For the residents of St. Cloud, Fla., a small city on the outskirts of Orlando, Pride Month feels different this year — and it looks different, too. There will be no procession of rainbow Pride flags, or drag entertainers or street vendors this June. In fact, there won’t be an official Pride Month celebration in…
Louisiana Senate kills bill that would have banned gender-affirming care for trans minors
A Louisiana Senate committee on Wednesday killed a bill that would have banned gender-affirming health care for transgender minors, dealing a rare victory to LGBTQ people in the largely GOP-controlled South. Louisiana’s House Bill 648 failed Wednesday during a final vote in the state Senate Health and Welfare Committee, where Republicans have a one-seat majority. State Sen….
Human Rights Campaign issues Florida travel advisory
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest LGBTQ rights group, is warning against travel to Florida, citing the passage of several new state laws that target LGBTQ people. In an announcement on Tuesday, HRC said it had partnered with the Florida LGBTQ advocacy group Equality Florida to issue an updated travel advisory to the state. Equality…