How Did The Cherokee Nation Vote On Marriage Equality?
The Eastern Band of Cherokee will not recognize same-sex marriages at the Qualla Boundary in North Carolina. The tribe’s decision has disappointed many people who want them to join other tribes and states that legalized marriage equality.
President Biden Nominates Two Lesbian Women To Federal Courts
President Joe Biden’s latest judicial appointments are historic for LGBTQ+ people because they include two women from our community. It is a major milestone in progress towards equality and justice.
Loudoun County School Board Passes Major Inclusive Policy
The Loudoun County School Board passed a major policy in August that will go into effect for the upcoming school year, impacting all Loudoun County Public Schools. It means schools will protect LGBTQ+ students from discrimination and harassment.
Charlotte Passes LGBTQ Nondiscrimination Ordinance
The nondiscrimination ordinance passed unanimously by the Charlotte City Council two weeks ago is a major victory for LGBTQ rights and an important step in Charlotte’s continuing effort to make all citizens feel welcome, included, and protected.
Louisiana’s Republican-led Effort To Override Governor’s Veto Of A Transgender Sports Ban Fails
In the latest round of state-level battles over transgender rights, a Louisiana Republican-led effort to override Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards’ veto of a sports ban for trans people failed in the House.
The State Department Allows 3rd Gender Option On U.S Passports
The U.S. Department of State announced that U.S passports will now offer a third gender option.
Will Voters Get To Vote On LGBTQ Rights In Michigan This November?
Michigan’s LGBTQ residents are in limbo. The Michigan board of canvassers has yet to certify a petition for the November ballot that would expand the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include LGBTQ protections.
California To Expand State-Funded Travel Ban To Five New States
California will ban taxpayer-funded travel to five more states that have recently passed measures seen as discriminatory against LGBTQ Americans, Assemblyman Evan Low announced.
Supreme Court Says No To Florist Who Will Not Serve Same-Sex Couples
The Supreme Court of the United States announced it will not hear an appeal from a Washington state florist who refused to provide flowers for same-sex weddings. The decision means the case is closed.
Chantale Wong Will Be The First Lesbian To Serve As A U.S. Ambassador
President Biden appoints the first LGBTQ person of color in history to serve as a U.S. ambassador, and she is also the first lesbian ever nominated for that position!
Supreme Court’s Decision On Gavin Grimm’s Case Is An Important Victory For Trans Rights
On Monday, trans student Gavin Grimm won his fight against discrimination again after the Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal that challenged his case. This decision is an important victory for trans rights as over 30 states have introduced anti-trans bills.
President Biden Designated The Pulse LGBTQ Nightclub A National Memorial
The Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida is where 49 LGBTQ people were killed by a lone terrorist in 2016. As the nation celebrated Pride month, President Biden ordered that the nightclub be turned into a national memorial.
3 Bills Aiming To Boost LGBTQ Rights In Kentucky
In response to recent anti-LGBTQ legislation across the country, Kentucky State Rep. Lisa Willner has introduced a trio of bills aimed at boosting the rights of LGBTQ people.
President Joe Biden Appointed Jessica Stern as the U.S. Special Envoy to Advance the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons
President Joe Biden has announced Jessica Stern as the U.S. Special Envoy to Advance the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons. Stern has dedicated her life to human rights activism, both internationally and domestically, so she’ll have plenty of experience working within this new position.
Marriage Equality: American Support Rises To 70%!
The marriage equality movement in the United States has been gaining momentum for years and support for same-sex marriage has grown steadily.
A new poll shows that support is higher than it’s ever been before. It also reveals that even those who are against marriage equality have grown more accepting towards the idea over time, which is good news!
Cherokee Council Did Not Take Marriage Equality Seriously
The Cherokee Council did not take same-sex marriage seriously, and it shows. The Council had a meeting last week to discuss the idea of legalizing marriage equality on the Qualla Boundary. One LGBTQ member of the Cherokee Nation, Tamara Thompson, wanted to see this happen but when Chairman Adam Wachacha reminded Council they had not deemed Thompson’s ordinance read and tabled, he was met with silence from all other members.
Columbia, SC Banned “Conversion Therapy” For LGBTQ Minors
How an ordinance was passed banning "conversion therapy" for LGBTQ minors living in Columbia, South Carolina.
North Dakota Approves New Rule Banning “Conversion Therapies”
It took Bianca Bell, a social worker who chairs the North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners, more than a year to craft a bill banning social workers from performing “conversion therapy” on LGBTQ people or anyone else who questions their sexual orientation or gender identity.
And despite a very close vote, 8 for and 7 against, members of the North Dakota Administrative Rules Committee, which licenses social workers in the state, approved the bill.
Pride Month: U.S. Flies LGBTQ Flag On Embassies In The Vatican And Around The World
The U.S. Embassy in the Vatican is putting the spotlight on LGBTQ rights as human rights and is celebrating LGBTQ Pride Month with a rainbow flag.
Napa Valley College Awards Its First Ever LGBTQ Studies Degrees!
Napa Valley College’s first two LGBTQ Studies graduate students have been announced.
President Biden Restores Protection Against LGBTQ Discrimination In Healthcare
Well, hardly a week goes by without a pro-LGBTQ announcement from the White House! So this week, on the agenda, President Biden flipped the ban that prevented protection for LGBTQ people in healthcare.
North Carolina: Buncombe County Adopts Nondiscrimination Ordinance
You’ll be pleased to know that a new North Carolina county has just brought protections to LGBTQ people with a nondiscrimination ordinance.
U.S. Supreme Court Leaves Texas on California’s Discrimination List
After passing a measure that discriminates against LGBTQ people, Texas found itself on California’s list of states to avoid.
Texas attempted legal action to prevent this, but it didn’t go as planned.
Missouri Won’t Remove Language Banning Marriage Equality
Well, the language banning marriage equality in Missouri won’t be removed after all.
President Biden Appoints Two LGBTQ Women To Defense Department
It looks like President Biden has pulled off another surprise. Two LGBTQ women have just been appointed to important positions in the Pentagon.
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Kean University Now Hosts Lavender Graduations To Honor LGBTQ Students
It was the first time this year that Kean University in New Jersey held a Lavender Graduation on campus to honor LGBTQ students who have graduated.
41 Major Corporations Affirm Opposition to 4 Anti-LGBTQ Bills Introduced in Texas
Just like in other American states I talked about in the last few weeks, Arkansas and North Carolina, for example, Texas legislators are considering a whole group of anti-LGBTQ bills. Except that in Texas, 41 companies including Amazon, American Airlines, Apple, Dell Technologies, Facebook, IBM, Levi Strauss, Marriott International, Microsoft, and Silicon Labs, who are either based in the state or do business there, have just teamed up to ask lawmakers to cut the crap.
Tennessee Approves Bill That Will Allow Parents To Remove Their Children From LGBTQ Curriculum
After approving a measure in March that prevented trans children from playing sports on teams that reflect their true gender, Tennessee lawmakers have once again approved an anti-LGBTQ bill.
Thirty-Three LGBTQ Students Launch Battle Against Religious Exemption That Allows Schools To Discriminate Against Them
Thirty-three American LGBTQ students, or former students, are suing the Department of Education.
Comprehensive Set Of Anti-LGBTQ Laws Introduced In Arkansas
As you already know, there is a wave of hatred against transgender people that has spread across the American states with anti-trans laws.