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…
Author: Brooke Migdon
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…
Illinois GOP legislator threatens violence if state passes all-gender bathroom bill
Illinois state senators last week were told to expect violence if they voted to pass legislation that would allow businesses to install multiple-occupancy restrooms that are open to all genders. Speaking on the Illinois Senate floor on Thursday, state Sen. Neil Anderson, a Republican, said he would be driven to physical violence if “a guy”…
Nebraska passes abortion, gender-affirming care ban
Nebraska lawmakers on Friday gave final approval to legislation that bans gender-affirming health care for transgender minors and prohibits abortion after 12 weeks of pregnancy, sending the measure to Republican Gov. Jim Pillen. Pillen is expected to sign the bill — which state lawmakers passed by a 33-15 party-line vote — into law on an…
Chicago City Council now leads US in LGBTQ members
With the swearing in of nine openly LGBTQ council members on Monday, Chicago’s new city council is the most LGBTQ-representative in the city’s — and the nation’s — history. Lesbian, gay and bisexual alderpeople now account for close to a fifth of the 50-member city council, a historic high, according to the LGBTQ Victory Fund, an organization committed to…
Garcia introduces ‘Honoring All Families’ resolution after Marjorie Taylor Greene comments on motherhood
Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) introduced a resolution Friday that would formally recognize and celebrate diverse family units across the nation. The introduction of the resolution, which Garcia’s office said is a “direct response” to comments made during a House hearing last month by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) that suggested non-biological mothers are not actual…
Zooey Zephyr poses with ‘Squad’ during Capitol Hill visit
Montana state Rep. Zooey Zephyr (D), the state’s first openly transgender lawmaker who was censured last month by Republicans in the state House, posed for a photo with members of “The Squad” during a visit to Capitol Hill on Thursday. Zephyr was officially censured by the Montana House, in which Republicans have a supermajority, late last…
Vermont governor signs bills protecting access to abortion, gender-affirming care
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott, a Republican, on Wednesday signed into law legislation hailed by LGBTQ rights groups as one of the nation’s most comprehensive transgender and reproductive health care packages. Together, Vermont’s House Bill 89 and Senate Bill 37, both of which were signed into law Wednesday by Scott, establish a slate of protections for both providers and seekers of…