LGBT News

Law & Crime reports: The president of West Texas A&M University faces a federal lawsuit calling his cancellation of a student group’s drag show to benefit LGBTQ+ suicide prevention “textbook viewpoint discrimination” that violates the First Amendment. Student group Spectrum WT, which scheduled a show titled “A Fool’s Drag Race” for March 31, seeks an injunction forcing the university to …

Florida Politics reports: Four families challenging Florida’s prohibition against puberty-blocking hormones and gender-affirming surgeries for minors filed a federal lawsuit Thursday against state health officials. The lawsuit filed in Tallahassee federal court against Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo and the state boards of medicine and osteopathic medicine claims the ban violates the equal protection clause of the Constitution by singling …

Courthouse News reports: The White House is warning that a proposed Ugandan bill that would outlaw identifying as LGBTQ+ could threaten U.S. aid to the African country. John Kirby, coordinator of strategic communications for the National Security Council, said Wednesday that if the law passes, the Biden administration would consider potential “repercussions, perhaps in an economic way.” “That would be …

The Associated Press reports: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration is moving to forbid classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in all grades, expanding the controversial law critics call “Don’t Say Gay” as the Republican governor continues a focus on cultural issues ahead of his expected presidential run. The proposal, which would not require legislative approval, is scheduled for …

The Miami Herald reports: The Walt Disney Company will host a major conference promoting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights in the workplace in Central Florida this September, gathering executives and professionals from the world’s largest companies in a defiant display of the limits of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ campaign against diversity training. Michael Chamberlain, chief marketing officer for Out …

Australia’s News Corp affiliate reports: Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has revealed his government will fly the transgender flag outside its offices in response to rallies against members of the LGBTQIA+ community. An anti-transgender rally held in Melbourne on the weekend has sparked fierce criticism after members of neo-Nazi group performed the Nazi salute. Counter protesters clashed with the demonstrators who …

Reuters reports: Uganda’s parliament on Tuesday passed a law that criminalises identifying as LGBTQ, handing authorities broad powers to target Ugandans who already face legal discrimination and mob violence. More than 30 African countries, including Uganda, already ban same-sex relations. The new law appears to be the first to outlaw merely identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ), …

The Texas Tribune reports: West Texas A&M President Walter Wendler is drawing ire for canceling a student drag show, arguing that such performances degrade women and are “derisive, divisive and demoralizing misogyny.” Wendler said drag shows “stereotype women in cartoon-like extremes for the amusement of others and discriminate against womanhood” in a Monday letter. Wendler said the drag show was …

Michael Knowles, the viciously anti-LGBTQ host of a show on Ben Shapiro’s Daily Wire, last week earned a rebuke from the White House press secretary for his call for “eradicating transgenderism” during a speech at CPAC. Knowles attacks LGBTQ rights on almost every show, claiming, for example, that “there’s no such thing as gay marriage” and that transgender people are …

Lansing’s NBC affiliate reports: People within Michigan’s LGBTQ community will now be better protected against discrimination. Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act which expands basic protections for the LGBTQ community. It prohibits discrimination at places such as schools, offices, and housing, based on a person’s sexual orientation and gender identity. Read the full article. Whitmer just …

From the editorial board of the Miami Herald: They carried signs saying “Protect our children” and “Don’t legislate immorality.” Their leader said she spoke as a mother and a Christian, her “Save our children” campaign proclaiming to save Florida’s youth from the influence of gay people. It was 1977, and singer Anita Bryant, known for her Florida orange juice commercials, …

Newsweek reports: A Republican lawmaker in Florida has said he filed “in error” an amendment that would allow the flying of the Confederate flag. State Senator Jay Collins shared a statement to Twitter which strongly denied that the retired U.S. Army Green Beret was a “confederate sympathizer.” Collins had filed in the state senate an amendment, SB 668, that provided …

The Buffalo News reports: A federal appellate court Monday rejected the appeal of a fired account clerk who lost his job in 2018 for refusing to attend a mandatory workplace LGBTQ training session that he said conflicted with his religious beliefs. Raymond Zdunski sued seeking reinstatement, back pay and $10 million in damages, but a district court dismissed his lawsuit …

The Hill reports: The New Mexico legislature has passed legislation to modernize the state’s anti-discrimination law by adding explicit protections for LGBTQ people. The bill, officially titled the Human Rights Modernization Act, now heads to the governor’s desk for final approval. The proposed law, which New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) is expected to sign, establishes a broader slate …

The Insider reports: The DeSantis administration is revoking the Hyatt Regency Miami’s alcohol license after one of its facilities hosted “A Drag Queen Christmas” with minors present in the audience. The Department of Business Regulation filed a 17-page complaint Tuesday against the show’s venue, the James L. Knight Center, which is affiliated with Hyatt. The show required people under 18 …

Reuters reports: The ideological parent of India’s ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has backed the government position against recognising same-sex marriage, months after raising hopes with supportive comments on gay rights. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP government has opposed recognising same-sex marriage and urged the Supreme Court to reject challenges to the current legal framework lodged by LGBT …

Bridge Michigan reports: Lapeer County Prosecutor John Miller says he may file criminal charges against employees or officials of the Lapeer District Library if an LGBTQ-themed graphic novel isn’t removed from the shelves. Miller told Bridge Michigan on Monday the illustrations in the book “Gender Queer: A Memoir” could rise to the level of accosting, enticing or soliciting a child …

Via press release: Today, Councilmember Robert White reintroduced the Pride Plates Amendment Act of 2023 which creates a special purpose fund to support the work of the Office of LGBTQ Affairs (OLGBTQA) and directs the DC Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to offer a new line of Pride license plates, with fees from the new plates supporting the OLGBTQA fund. …

The Advocate reports: A Texas Republican lawmaker proposed a bill allowing everyday people to sue anybody who hosts or performs in drag where any child is in attendance. Critics say the measure will create a bounty-hunting culture that targets drag queens and transgender people. Houston-area state Rep. Steve Toth filed HB 4378 on Thursday. He seeks to define “a cause …

Orlando’s Fox affiliate reports: Identical Florida House and Senate bills, entitled “Protection of Children,” go after hotels and restaurants that allow children to attend what the bills call “an adult live performance.” While drag isn’t mentioned by name, the bills define the performances as depicting or simulating nudity, sexual conduct or excitement, or “the lewd exposure of prosthetic or imitation …