Trump-Pence Admin Allows Medical Providers to Deny Lifesaving Care to LGBTQ People
Here’s the Trump-Pence administration’s latest attempt to undermine the rights and welfare of LGBTQ people and their families. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a final version of a regulation that would allow medical providers to cite their personal beliefs in refusing to provide a broad spectrum…
LGBTQ Equality Act Advances With All Republicans Voting Against It
The House Judiciary Committee today approved the Equality Act, a wide-ranging bill banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, moving it to the full House, where a vote is expected to be scheduled soon. The historic 22-10 committee vote, marking the first time the measure has advanced, went…
Out Rep. Brian Sims Goes Public On His PrEP Use To Fight ‘Stigma’
Out Pennsylvania Representative Brian Sims, has come out publicly about his own use of PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), a daily pill that has proven highly effective in preventing HIV transmission. “Starting this day off smart, proactive, and in control!” Sims wrote in the Instagram post alongside a photo of his Truvada…
Nevada Could Become the Fourth US State to Ban the Gay and Trans ‘Panic’ Defence
Only two representatives voted against the bill. Neveda could become the fourth US state to ban the use of the gay and trans ‘panic’ defence in criminal cases, after a bill passed the State’s Senate. The bill will now go onto the State’s Assembly, where Democrats outnumber Republicans with 29-13.…
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker Signs Law Banning Gay Cure Therapy
Massachusetts has become the 16th state to enact a ban on gay conversion therapy, as Republican governor Charlie Baker signed a bill into law. On Monday (April 8), Baker signed a bill that outlaws “sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts [for] patients less than 18 years of age.” The…
Puerto Rico Bans Conversion Therapy
The House refused to vote on a bill banning the dangerous practice, so the governor got it done with an executive order. Puerto Rico has banned so-called “conversion therapy” on minors. Gov. Ricardo Rosselló signed an executive order on Wednesday banning the dangerous and discredited practice that claims to be…
Texas Lawmakers Approve Bill Allowing Professionals To Discriminate Against LGBTQs
Republican lawmakers in Texas approved a bill on Monday that would allow state-licensed professionals to discriminate against LGBTQ people, or anyone they want to refuse services, based on their religious beliefs. The Austin Statesman reports that Senate Bill 17 would give professionals who are licensed by the state – like lawyers, physicians, barbers…
Donald Trump Pledges to End HIV/Aids Epidemic in America in States of Union Speech
Since his election, the president has dissolved the Office of National Aids Policy and dismissed the whole Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/Aids Donald Trump has made a pledge to end the HIV/Aids epidemic in America during the State of the Union speech. During his first two years in office, the…
Meet Pete Buttigieg: A Gay Mayor, Afghan War Vet and Millennial Who’s Running for President
Pete Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, became the first openly gay candidate in the 2020 presidential race Wednesday, joining an already crowded field of Democratic hopefuls. Buttigieg, whose name is pronounced “BOOT-edge-edge,” is better known as “Mayor Pete” in South Bend, where he was elected in 2011. He’s…
Florida Politicians Introduce Bills for LGBTI Non-Discrimination Protections
Many states still don’t offer these at all Two Florida politicians introduced new bills protecting LGBTI people in the state from employment, housing, and public accommodation discrimination on Tuesday (22 January). Senator Darryl Rouson and Representative Jennifer Webb, both Democrats, introduced the legislation in their respective chambers. House Bill 485 and Senate Bill 430 seek to amend the Florida Civil…
Denver Lawmakers Unanimously Pass Ban on Gay Cure Therapy
Denver City Council has unanimously passed a ban on gay cure therapy. The city-wide ban in Denver, Colorado, is the latest in a wave of bills across the US seeking to tackle the discredited practice of attempting to “change” sexual orientation or gender identity. Denver City Council members unanimously voted for a…
Arizona Republicans’ New Law Would Fire Teachers Who Discuss ‘Controversial’ Things, Like Politics
Arizona Republicans have introduced a bill (House Bill 2002) that would fire teachers for discussing “controversial” political, racial and religious messages, but it doesn’t say who gets to decide what’s “controversial.” Specifically, the text of the bill says, “Education in a democracy is best served by teaching students how to think, not…