LGBTQ students wrestle with tensions at Christian colleges
December 5, 2022 GMTCOLLEGEVILLE, Minn. (AP) — As monks chanted evening prayers in the dimly lit Saint John’s University church, members of the student LGBTQ organization, QPLUS, were meeting in a dedicated, Pride flag-lined lounge at the institution’s sister Benedictine college, a few miles away across Minnesota farmland.
Review: Adeem the Artist’s album is engaging, topical, funny
December 2, 2022 GMT“White Trash Revelry,” Adeem the Artist (Four Quarters/Thirty Tigers)
“Going to Hell,” a banjo-driven romp on the new album “White Trash Revelry,” explains in jest the cause of Adeem the Artist's unspecified musical limitations.
Hockey Canada: 900-plus cases of on-ice discrimination
December 2, 2022 GMTMore than 900 documented or alleged incidents of on-ice discrimination like verbal taunts, insults and intimidation happened in Hockey Canada across all levels and age groups during the 2021-22 season.
In California, 10% of Legislature now identifies as LGBTQ
November 22, 2022 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — While LGBTQ candidates and their supporters celebrated several milestone victories around the nation in this year's midterm elections, California quietly reached its own: At least 10% of its state lawmakers identify publicly as LGBTQ, believed to be a first for any U.S.
EXPLAINER: The history behind ‘parents’ rights’ in schools
November 14, 2022 GMTThe movement for “parents' rights” saw many of its candidates come up short in this year's midterm elections.
Nevada passes sweeping version of Equal Rights Amendment
November 10, 2022 GMTRENO, Nev. (AP) — Nevada voters have adopted what is widely considered the most comprehensive state version of the Equal Rights Amendment in the nation, a sweeping update that puts protections in the state Constitution for people who have historically been marginalized.
Voters to decide Nevada version of Equal Rights Amendment
November 9, 2022 GMTRENO, Nev. (AP) — Nevada voters on Tuesday will decide to adopt or reject what is widely considered the most comprehensive state version of the Equal Rights Amendment, a sweeping update that would put protections in place for people who have historically been marginalized in the state Constitution.
Judge tosses challenge to Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill
October 21, 2022 GMTORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — For the second time in about a month, a lawsuit challenging Florida's so-called “don't say gay" legislation restricting teaching on gender identity and sexual orientation in schools has been dismissed by a federal judge.
Nevada voters weigh state version of Equal Rights Amendment
October 20, 2022 GMTRENO, Nev. (AP) — Nevada voters are deciding whether to adopt an Equal Rights Amendment in their state constitution, a sweeping update that would guarantee equal rights to people who have historically been marginalized.
Social Security now allows individuals to self-select gender
October 19, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Individuals will be allowed to make sure that their records with the Social Security Administration align with their gender identity under a plan announced Wednesday.
The action, which is part of the agency’s “Equity Action Plan,” follows through on a March announcement to do so by the agency's acting commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi.
Court rejects request to rehear gender dysphoria case
October 7, 2022 GMTRICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A federal appeals court on Friday denied a request to rehear a case that found that gender dysphoria is a condition covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
In August, a three-judge panel of the Richmond-based 4th U.S.
Transgender woman assaulted, cops seek help finding suspects
October 6, 2022 GMTEUGENE, Ore. (AP) — A transgender woman was assaulted on Monday in Eugene, Oregon, by a man and three others who allegedly used transgender slurs, police said.
The incident is under investigation as a possible bias crime, The Register-Guard reported.
Oklahoma governor urges action on anti-transgender medicine
October 4, 2022 GMTOKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a bill Tuesday targeting medical treatments for transgender youth and called on the GOP-controlled Legislature to impose a statewide ban when it returns in February.
New law aims to make California haven for transgender youth
September 30, 2022 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A new law aims to stop other states from punishing children who come to California for transgender surgeries and other gender-affirming care, a move that will intensify conflicts between Democratic Gov.
OU Health ceasing some gender care after funds threatened
September 28, 2022 GMTOKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The University of Oklahoma Medical Center confirmed Wednesday it is planning to stop offering some gender-affirming medical treatments after state lawmakers threatened to withhold millions of dollars in federal funding earmarked for the University Hospitals Authority.
Effort to rescind revised sex education in WI district fails
September 28, 2022 GMTWAUWATOSA, Wis. (AP) — An effort to rescind a revised sex education curriculum in a suburban Milwaukee school district that includes instruction to students as young as kindergarteners has failed.
Walmart to cover fertility treatments under insurance plan
September 27, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Walmart is teaming up with a fertility startup to offer benefits under its insurance plan that will help its workers expand their families.
The nation’s largest retailer and private employer said Tuesday it’s partnering with New York-based Kindbody to offer benefits such as in vitro fertilization as well as fertility testing regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status.
Qatari ambassador faces LGBT-rights appeal before World Cup
September 20, 2022 GMTBERLIN (AP) — Qatar’s ambassador to Germany was urged Monday to abolish his country’s penalties for homosexuality at a human rights congress hosted by the German soccer federation two months before the Middle East country stages the World Cup.
Parents sue Eau Claire schools for transgender policy
September 7, 2022 GMTMADISON, Wis. (AP) — A group of parents is suing the Eau Claire school district for guidance to staff members on supporting transgender students.
Parents Protecting Our Children, a group of parents with children in the Eau Claire school system, argued in a complaint filed in federal court Wednesday that the school's policies for supporting transgender students violate constitutional protections for parental rights and religious freedom.
LGBTQ activists in Peru demand autopsy for death in Bali
September 1, 2022 GMTLIMA, Peru (AP) — LGBTQ rights activists rallied outside the prosecutor’s office Wednesday to demand an autopsy be performed on a Peruvian transgender man who died earlier this month after being detained on the Indonesian tourist island of Bali.
School board has final say on transgender bathroom requests
August 31, 2022 GMTASHLAND, Va. (AP) — A county school board in Virginia has voted to require transgender students seeking to use bathrooms that align with their gender identity to present written requests to school officials — and possibly their disciplinary or criminal records.
UN expert: US progress on LGBT rights but equality lacking
August 31, 2022 GMTUNITED NATIONS (AP) — Enormous progress has been achieved in the last 50 years for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the United States but unfortunately “equality is not yet within reach and in many cases not within sight” for LGBT communities, the independent U.N.
Nebraska school officials close newspaper after LGBTQ issue
August 25, 2022 GMTGRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — Administrators at a Nebraska school shuttered the school’s award-winning student newspaper just days after its last edition that included articles and editorials on LGBTQ issues, leading press freedom advocates to call the move an act of censorship.
Gender dysphoria covered by disability law, court rules
August 24, 2022 GMTRICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A federal ruling that gender dysphoria is covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act could help block conservative political efforts to restrict access to gender-affirming care, advocates and experts say.
‘Don’t Say Gay’ law confuses some Florida schools
August 15, 2022 GMTTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Some Florida schools have moved library books and debated changing textbooks in response to a law critics call “Don’t Say Gay” — and some teachers have worried that family pictures on their desks could get them in trouble.
Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law fuels anti-LGBTQ hate online
August 10, 2022 GMTResearch that analyzed social media posts finds that hateful references to gays, lesbians and other LGBTQ people surged online after Florida passed a law that bars instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade.
WVU researchers collecting data on gender-diverse identities
August 9, 2022 GMTMORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — The number of teenagers living in Appalachia who identify as transgender, nonbinary or other diverse gender identities may be higher than previously thought, according to a survey conducted by West Virginia University researchers.
Court sets fall arguments on trans youth treatment ban
August 6, 2022 GMTMONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A federal appeals court will hear arguments in November over Alabama’s efforts to outlaw the use of gender-affirming medications to treat transgender minors.
Alabama is asking a federal appeals court to lift an injunction and let it enforce a law that would make it a felony to give puberty blockers or hormones to transgender minors to help affirm their gender identity.
New Yorkers can apply online for IDs with “X” option
August 4, 2022 GMTALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New Yorkers who want a driver's license with an “X” gender identity marker can now apply online and skip the line at the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said Thursday that New Yorkers can go to the state DMV website to change their gender marker to “X.”
Florida to schools: Don’t follow federal LGBTQ protections
July 29, 2022 GMTTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida advised school districts to ignore protections for LGBTQ students that President Joe Biden's administration is trying to implement, saying the anti-discrimination language is not binding law and following the guidance could result in breaking state law.
Miami school board reverses itself, approves sex ed textbook
July 29, 2022 GMTMIAMI (AP) — The board for Florida’s largest school district rescinded a decision made last week that rejected new sex education textbooks for middle and high school students.
Republican AGs sue US agency over LGBTQ school guidance
July 26, 2022 GMTNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — More than 20 Republican attorneys general filed a lawsuit Tuesday against President Joe Biden's administration over a Department of Agriculture school meal program that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Hate crime charge in fatal LA shooting of homeless person
July 21, 2022 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — A man suspected in the fatal shooting of a homeless person in Los Angeles has been charged with a hate crime, prosecutors said Thursday.
Ryan Bush, 48, was shot in the early morning hours of July 5 in the Sylmar neighborhood.
US agencies temporarily barred from enforcing LGBTQ guidance
July 16, 2022 GMTA judge in Tennessee has temporarily barred two federal agencies from enforcing directives issued by President Joe Biden's administration that extended protections for LGBTQ people in schools and workplaces.
Wolf vetoes bills on poll watchers, transgender athletes
July 9, 2022 GMTHARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf on Friday rejected three bills passed by the Republican majority Legislature, vetoing measures regarding transgender athletes in school sports and poll watchers.
Wisconsin court says parents suing school can’t be anonymous
July 8, 2022 GMTMADISON, Wis. (AP) — A divided Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled Friday that parents suing the Madison School District over its gender identity policies must disclose their names to opposing attorneys, but they don't have to be revealed to the district or be made public.
Some new Florida laws will boost DeSantis’ conservative base
June 30, 2022 GMTTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — About 150 bills will become laws in Florida on Friday — several of which Gov. Ron DeSantis is using to motivate his conservative base as he seeks reelection and a possible 2024 bid for president.
Ohio school district sued over ‘anti-racism’ teaching ban
June 30, 2022 GMTCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio school district's ban on “anti-racism” instruction is itself racist and an unconstitutional free speech prohibition, according to a federal lawsuit seeking to have the ban overturned.
Bills limiting LGBTQ instruction, trans athletes pass Senate
June 29, 2022 GMTHARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania's GOP-controlled Senate approved legislation Wednesday that Republicans say will restrict sexually explicit content and classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools, mirroring partisan fights playing out in statehouses around the country.
At LGBTQ Pride, celebration but also worry over civil rights
June 25, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — LGBTQ Pride commemorations that sometimes have felt like victory parties for civil rights gains are now grappling with an environment of ramped-up legislative and rhetorical battles over sexual orientation and gender identity, and fears that a Supreme Court ruling on abortion opens the door to rights being taken away.
Elon Musk’s daughter granted legal name, gender change
June 23, 2022 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — A California judge has approved a request by Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s adult daughter to change her name and gender on her birth certificate.
Vivian Jenna Wilson filed the petition in Los Angeles County Superior Court the day after turning 18 in April.
Chelsea Manning memoir to be published in October
June 23, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — A memoir by Chelsea Manning will come out this fall. The book is titled “README.txt,” and it's scheduled for release on Oct. 18.
Manning's book was first announced in 2019 but did not have a title or release date.
Proposal seeks Alaska library funds cut over drag story time
June 20, 2022 GMTKETCHIKAN, Alaska (AP) — The leaders of a southeast Alaska borough plan to hear a proposal that would cut library funding over the library's story time event hosted by a drag queen.
Hawaii’s governor signs 3 bills supporting LGBTQ community
June 16, 2022 GMTHONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii Gov. David Ige on Thursday signed three bills supporting Hawaii's LGBTQ community.
The legislation "will help us identify and address social and community issues more effectively and ensure that we can work to prevent discrimination in many areas of our society,” Ige said at a signing ceremony.
Biden seeks to counter ‘legislative attacks’ on LGBTQ rights
June 15, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden issued an executive order Wednesday to stymie what what his administration calls discriminatory legislative attacks on the LGBTQ community by Republican-controlled states, declaring before a signing ceremony packed with activists, “pride is back at the White House.”
NC speaker: Parents’ bill with LGBTQ limits might be shelved
June 15, 2022 GMTRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina “Parents' Bill of Rights” measure pushed by Senate Republicans but condemned by LGBTQ activists and Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper may not get a final vote in the House before this year's session ends soon, Speaker Tim Moore said on Wednesday.
Ban on conversion therapy stands in La Crosse
June 15, 2022 GMTLA CROSSE, Wis. (AP) — The mayor of La Crosse has refused to veto the city's ban on conversion therapy, despite pressure from a coalition group.
The coalition includes people from local churches, led by former City Council members Tom Sweeney and Lorraine Decker.
Democrats, GOP take contrasting views on LGBTQ survey bill
June 14, 2022 GMTAn effort to be more inclusive or the federal government being too nosy? Democrats and Republicans took starkly contrasting views Tuesday of proposed legislation that would put voluntary questions about sexual orientation and gender identity on federal demographic surveys.
Nebraska’s capital city rescinds LGBTQ fairness ordinance
June 14, 2022 GMTLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The City Council in Nebraska’s capital city has rescinded an anti-discrimination measure that extended protections to sexual orientation and gender identity, just four months after unanimously approving it.
Examples of sexual orientation, gender ID survey questions
June 11, 2022 GMTThe U.S. Census Bureau is requesting $10 million to study the best way to ask about sexual orientation and gender identity, aiming to gather better data on the nation’s LGBTQ population. Here are some of the questions about sexual orientation and gender identity that other federal agencies ask in surveys:
Census wants to know how to ask about sexuality and gender
June 11, 2022 GMTORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The 2020 census questionnaire drove Scout crazy. With no direct questions about sexual orientation and gender identity, it made him feel left out of the U.S. head count.
Among LGBTQ people, the census only asked about same-sex couples living together, and Scout didn’t live with his partner.
To some surprise, Youngkin hosts series of Pride events
June 10, 2022 GMTRICHMOND, Va. (AP) — When Republican Glenn Youngkin was running to be Virginia's governor, he defended a teacher suspended over an objection to using students' preferred pronouns.
Transgender woman sues to be transferred to women’s prison
June 10, 2022 GMTMOOSE LAKE, Minn. (AP) — A Minnesota transgender woman who's serving prison time on a drug charge says she should not have been assigned to a men's facility and has been sexually and verbally abused because of her gender identity.
Noem threatens suit over Biden’s LGBTQ discrimination policy
June 2, 2022 GMTSIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem on Thursday threatened to sue the Biden administration over a Department of Agriculture school meal program that defines discrimination as based on sexual orientation and gender identity, while the department said it is working to get voluntary compliance before referring violations to the Department of Justice.
NC parents’ bill blocking K-3 LGBTQ curriculum clears Senate
June 1, 2022 GMTRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina “Parents' Bill of Rights" legislation that in part would prohibit instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in K-3 public school curriculum was approved Wednesday by the state Senate.
NC parents’ bill with LGBTQ limits going to Senate floor
May 31, 2022 GMTRALEIGH. N.C. (AP) — Republican legislation that supporters argue would give North Carolina parents more say over their children's public schooling and health, but critics say would intimidate and harm LGBTQ youth, is heading to the Senate floor after another affirmative committee vote Tuesday.
New York offers driver’s licenses with “X” gender marker
May 27, 2022 GMTALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York state is now offering driver’s licenses with an “X” gender identity marker, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Friday.
The “X” option for licenses, learner's permits and non-driver identification cards is being implemented in conjunction with a state law approved last June.
NC parents’ rights bill includes LGBTQ curriculum ban in K-3
May 24, 2022 GMTRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Senate Republicans on Tuesday unveiled a wide-ranging proposal they say would help parents stay informed about what their children are being taught and how they're being treated by doctors.
Justices debate Wisconsin school’s gender change policy
May 24, 2022 GMTMADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Supreme Court wrestled Tuesday with whether to block a Madison school district policy that prohibits staff from informing parents that their children have changed genders, with opponents arguing the policy amounts to a secret experiment on children and supporters countering that the guidance protects student privacy.
Florida school yearbook on hold over student protest photos
May 10, 2022 GMTLONGWOOD, Fla. (AP) — Yearbooks at a central Florida high school won't be distributed until images of students holding rainbow flags and a “love is love” sign while protesting the state's so-called “Don't Say Gay” law can be covered up.