top of page
In the News
Georgia Senate sends gender-affirming health care ban for transgender minors to governor
The Georgia Senate gave final approval to legislation Tuesday that would ban most forms of gender-affirming health care for transgender minors, sending the amended bill to Gov. Brian Kemp's desk.
The state Senate voted 31-21 in favor of the measure. The bill would prevent hospitals and related facilities from providing gender reassignment surgery, any surgical procedures designed to alter primary or secondary sexual characteristics, and hormone replacement therapy to people younger than 18 years old in treating gender dysphoria — feelings that biological sex and gender identity are mismatched.
West Texas A&M University president cancels student drag show, saying it degrades women
West Texas A&M University 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.” Students and First Amendment lawyers reject those assertions, calling his comments a mischaracterization of the art form. They also argue that the cancellation violates student’s constitutional rights and a state law that broadly protects free speech on college campuses, potentially setting the university up for a lawsuit.
Jonathan Van Ness Is Hopeful About the Fight Against Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation
From bills to ban gender-affirming care to efforts to stifle students even talking about gender identity or sexual orientation, there is a flood of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation being proposed in state Houses across the country. According to a new report by the Movement Advancement Project, anti-LGBTQ forces are attacking the queer community through “fast, furious, and coordinated attacks that are astonishing in their breadth, cruelty, and flagrant disregard for personal freedoms.” In Texas, Equality Texas is tracking the cascade of bills and they’ve counted 140 “bad bills,” or bills that are anti-LGBTQ+ in nature, introduced in just the 2023 session – though they’ve also counted 142 “good bills” or bills that are pro-LGBTQ+ in nature.
Nevada Legislature bill would require prisoners be treated according to gender identity
A bill proposed in the Nevada Legislature would require jails and detention facilities to treat those in custody according to their gender identity or expression, among other revisions. AB292, which was referred to the Committee on Judiciary and introduced March 14, would set certain rights of offenders in custody and would create appropriate policies to fulfill requirements. The bill would also require the designation of an ombudsman, someone to investigate complaints, if applicable at certain locations, and to set standards for interactions, like searches or while the prisoner is in the bathroom, for staff and those in the custody of a different gender identity or expression than the staff member.
Wyoming governor allows trans athlete ban to become law despite calling it "discriminatory"
Wyoming Republican Gov. Mark Gordon allowed a bill that bans trans women and girls from competing on sports teams concurrent with their gender identities to become law on Friday — despite calling the legislation "draconian" and "discriminatory," and ultimately refusing to sign it. The law will take effect on July 1.
PG Teachers rep still baffled over philosophical divide on sexual orientation, gender education
Prince George District Teachers’ Association President Daryl Beauregard is one of 700 delegates attending the BC Teachers Federation Annual General Meeting in Vancouver. In an interview with Vista Radio, Beauregard said one of the highlights was the creation of a dedicated provincial executive space for a member of the LGBTQ2s+ community – a motion that received 90% support yesterday (Sunday)
No one can be denied a marriage license
Delran was one of 28 municipalities issued a notice for violating a state law against discrimination by allegedly publishing marriage license application forms on municipal websites that excluded some LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual) individuals, according to U.S. Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division on Civil Rights.
What is gender dysphoria and what does transgender youth care consist of?
Across the country, Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation that restricts transgender health care for minors. At least eight states have passed laws or policies restricting this care, and 23 more state legislatures are considering similar legislation of their own. Medical experts say that understanding transgender identities, gender dysphoria and how gender-affirming treatments work is key to understanding the impact these bans may have on patients.
Opinion: As a Christian pastor, I believe gender and sexuality are assigned by God. Here’s why.
A recent controversy at the Cameron Family YMCA in Santee has once again given an opportunity to assert the positive case for heteronormativity. Rebecca Phillips, a 17-year-old girl, was in the women’s locker room showering after a workout. Christynne Wood, a 66-year-old transgender woman, was also in the locker room changing after a water aerobics class. Rebecca was shocked and alarmed to find Christynne in a private space reserved for women. When Rebecca brought her concerns to the YMCA staff, she was told that, indeed, the YMCA’s policy, per state law, is that trans people are allowed to use the locker rooms of their gender identity, and thus a controversy was kicked off, one that has become increasingly common.
Opinion: Research shows the harms of not affirming LGBTQ+ identity
As licensed psychologists and psychologists in training, we are writing to share our concerns regarding the slate of anti-LGBTQ+ bills Iowa legislators have advanced. The proposed legislation would significantly harm all Iowans. We oppose these bills and urge that they do not move further forward.
Legislature passes last-minute omnibus bill on gender identity, transition
In a surreptitious move, Kentucky Republicans revived and combined two bills concerning gender identity Thursday, the final day of session to pass controversial bills that could be vetoed by the governor. In a committee substitute approved at a hastily-called House Education Committee meeting midday Thursday, Senate Bill 150 added language from House Bill 470, which had been stalling in the Senate due to Republican disagreements on whether or not it went "too far."
‘God loves trans kids’: Billboard sparks conversation about religion and gender identity
A new billboard along an interstate in South Carolina is sparking a conversation about the relationship between religion and people who identify as transgender. The Alliance for Full Acceptance organization, or AFFA, recently announced its newest venture, the “God Loves LGBTQ+ People” campaign. Part of the campaign includes a new billboard along Interstate 385 in Laurens County, South Carolina, that reads, “God loves trans kids.”
bottom of page