LGBT News

Via press release from Labor Secretary Alex Acosta: This June, we recognize Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) Pride Month at the Department of Labor. The department honors the impactful contributions of all Americans, no matter their ethnic background, gender, religious affiliation, or sexual orientation. Pride at DOL, the Department’s Affinity Group for LGBTQ Employees and Allies, helps educate …

Via press release from Secretary of State Rex Tillerson: In recognition of LGBTI Month, the Department of State affirms its solidarity with the human rights defenders and civil society organizations working around the world to uphold the fundamental freedoms of LGBTI persons to live with dignity and freedom. We also recognize that LGBTI persons continue to face the threat of …

Via press release: To kick-off Pride Month, the de Blasio Administration today published and distributed New York City’s first-ever LGBTQ Health Care Bill of Rights, which details health care protections on local, state and federal levels to empower LGBTQ New Yorkers to get the health care they deserve. It also reiterates that medical providers and their support staff are legally …

Anti-LGBT activist Scott Lively today won dismissal in the “crimes against humanity” lawsuit brought against him in Massachusetts by a group of Ugandan human rights activists. Lively was accused of collaborating with Ugandan officials to institute the death penalty for homosexuality. Following international outrage, the punishment was amended to only life in prison. The Ugandan Constitutional Court later invalidated the …

Gothamist reports: Thomas Shim said he and his collaborators were inspired to pepper the subway with guerrilla Pride Month posters when President Donald Trump declined to formally acknowledge the month’s significance on June 1st. “It hit us hard the day of pride month, and President Trump not acknowledging it,” Shim told Gothamist on Monday. “Pride month is not something that …

Deutsche Welle reports: The 17th annual ‘Equality Parade’ took place as Poland’s conservative government continues to oppose civil unions for same-sex couples. Organizers put the number at 50,000, while the police said 13,000 attended the parade, with 40 foreign embassies, including those of France and the US, expressing their support. The parade was intended to “draw attention to the rights …

The Associated Press reports: The Michigan appeals court has ruled in favor of a Midland health club in a lawsuit filed by a woman who said her rights were violated when she encountered a transgender person in the locker room. The court found no evidence of sexual harassment, noting that Yvette Cormier and a transgender woman were both wearing clothes …

Paging Tony Perkins. Via the Washington Blade: A State Department spokesperson on Friday said embassies and consulates have received guidance that allows them to recognize Pride month. “Advancing the human rights of vulnerable groups including LGBTI persons is a core component of U.S. foreign policy,” the spokesperson told the Washington Blade. “All people should be protected from discrimination and violence, …

The BBC reports: The Malaysian government is encouraging young people to make videos about “preventing” homosexuality by offering cash prizes. A competition launched on the health ministry’s website offers up to $1,000 (£780) for the best videos tackling “gender confusion”. The entries should explore prevention and control; issues and consequences; and how to get help, said the site. It is …

Via press release: The Defense Department is observing June as LGBT Pride Month to recognize DoD’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender service members and civilians. DoD Pride, an employee resource group, is hosting its annual celebration June 12 at the Pentagon. Tolerance and Justice “The struggles, sacrifices and successes among the LGBT community continue to shape our history and remind …

Slate reports: On Wednesday, the Illinois House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill prohibiting the “gay panic” defense, which allows alleged murderers to defend their actions in court by arguing that their victim’s sexual orientation “triggered” their crime. The bill also bars the “trans panic” defense, which alleged murderers may use to justify the killing of a trans person on …

History!!! The Independent reports: Leo Varadkar is the new leader of Fine Gael and on course to become Ireland’s first gay Taoiseach. The Social Protection Minister got the support of 51 TDs, senators and MEP to get over the line despite losing the popular vote. Massive cheers greeted Mr Varadkar as he arrived at the count centre in the Mansion …

In last night’s post about Ivanka Trump’s nod to LGBT Pride Month, I noted that during the Obama era we got proclamations from a myriad of federal agencies in addition to Obama’s annual message, but that those days are behind us. Well, shut my mouth. Via press release from the US Navy: The Navy joins the nation in recognizing Lesbian, …

Stand by for the usual ranting sadz. Via press release from the NBA: In celebration of LGBTQ Pride Month, we’re excited to announce a collaboration between the NBA & WNBA, GLSEN, and our retail partner, Fanatics, where fans can choose from an exclusive line of Pride T-shirts featuring any NBA or WNBA team logo, with a portion of the proceeds …

One year ago today President Obama issued his final LGBT Pride Month proclamation, a tradition Donald Trump, as well as all other federal agencies, evidently chose to discontinue. Tonight, however, Ivanka issued a pair of tweets in which she declares that she is “proud to celebrate and honor the LGBTQ community” and support her “LGBTQ friends and the LGBTQ Americans …

“The first time I ever sang for a paying audience was at a gay club, The Lion, in Greenwich Village. I was 18 years old and had never been in a nightclub before. The gay community supported me from the start, and I will always be grateful. Decades later, I remember sitting in a theater and watching Larry Kramer’s play, …

One year ago today President Obama issued his final LGBT Pride Month proclamation. We’re not holding our breath for any recognition from the current White House, but the Democrats have come through. From DNC chairman Tom Perez:   “From Stonewall to the Supreme Court, our nation has made great strides in LGBTQ rights. LGBTQ Pride Month is an opportunity to …

This morning the Australian press published an open letter from Martina Navratilova to the arena named for fellow tennis legend and raging homophobe Margaret Court. From the Sydney Morning Herald: Dear Margaret Court Arena, Sporting venues named for athletes, or any place, really, named for whoever, are so named for one reason. That reason is their whole body of work. …

France’s The Local reports: The partner of a gay policeman gunned down by a jihadist on Paris’s Champs-Elysees avenue in April has married him posthumously, according to reports on Wednesday. Former president Francois Hollande and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo attended the wedding on Tuesday of the late Xavier Jugele and Etienne Cardiles. Jugele, 37, was shot dead on April 20 …

Vox reports: A single student’s case has turned into a massive legal decision for all transgender Americans. On Tuesday, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Kenosha Unified School District in Wisconsin violated the rights of a trans student, Ash Whitaker [photo, with his mother], when it refused to let him use the boys’ bathroom. According to the …