Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed three anti-LGBTQ+ bills passed by the state's Republican-majority legislature. The bills targeted LGBTQ+ youth and included measures such as forbidding school employees from using transgender students' preferred names or pronouns without parental approval, prohibiting discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation in public schools, and banning gender-affirming healthcare for trans youth. Edwards called the bills discriminatory, harmful, and extremist, and expressed concerns about the impact on vulnerable children. The governor's vetoes put him at odds with the Republican-dominated legislature, which has the power to override the vetoes.
Madison, a transgender teenager in North Carolina, is seeking allies as anti-LGBTQ bills, including those targeting transgender youth, advance in the state. Despite facing challenges, Madison is determined to be herself and pursue her dreams. Her mother, a practicing attorney, advocates for trans rights at the North Carolina General Assembly. The American Civil Liberties Union reports that there are currently 491 bills limiting LGBTQ+ rights across the country, with 12 in the North Carolina General Assembly. Madison finds support from her family and friends, but acknowledges the difficulties she faces.
Thousands of people gathered at Crockett Park in San Antonio to celebrate Pride, with the goal of celebrating unity and embracing diversity. Pride San Antonio president, Phillip Barcena, said the event is fighting for the right of the LGBTQ community to exist, especially with the legislation happening in Texas and other states. The event is also calling for action and awareness of the anti-LGBTQ bills in the US, including 53 in Texas.
Thousands of transgender people and their allies marched across San Francisco for the annual Trans March, rallying against the rising tide of LGBTQ hate, largely directed at transgender people, that has washed over the country in recent years. An unprecedented number of anti-LGBTQ bills, most of them specifically targeting trans rights, have been introduced in state legislatures this year. The San Francisco Trans March is organized entirely by transgender volunteers and is independent from other Pride festivities.
President Joe Biden criticized efforts to roll back LGBTQ+ protections, calling proponents of the restrictions "hysterical" and "prejudiced." He announced new actions to protect the LGBTQ+ community, including the appointment of a federal coordinator to address book bans. The American Civil Liberties Union is tracking 491 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced across the US since the beginning of the 2023 legislative session. The Human Rights Campaign has declared a national state of emergency for members of the LGBTQ community.
The Human Rights Campaign has declared a state of emergency for the LGBTQ+ community as state legislatures have introduced over 400 anti-LGBTQ+ bills in the first quarter of 2023, a new record and higher than all of 2022. The organization is releasing a guide of state laws and resources to support residents and visitors in "hostile" states.
The Human Rights Campaign has declared a "state of emergency" for LGBTQ+ Americans due to an "unprecedented and dangerous spike in anti-LGBTQ+ legislative assaults sweeping state houses this year." The organization has issued a guidebook to help ensure safety for LGBTQ+ residents and travelers alike, including health and safety information, summaries of state-specific laws targeting LGBTQ+ Americans, "know your rights" information, and additional resources. This comes as LGBTQ+ Americans across the country begin to celebrate Pride Month.
The Human Rights Campaign has declared a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ Americans in response to the surge in discriminatory legislation sweeping state houses this year. The organization has released a guidebook pointing to laws it deems discriminatory in each state, along with “know your rights” information and resources to help people relocate to states with stronger LGBTQ+ protections. The HRC is calling for action from people in power at every level of government and the business community to fight for LGBTQ+ rights with the same fervor as they’ve fought for abortion rights.
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has declared a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ people in the United States for the first time in its history, following a surge in anti-LGBTQ+ legislative assaults sweeping state houses this year. HRC has issued a national warning and downloadable guidebook for the LGBTQ+ community, including health and safety resources, a summary of state-by-state laws, “know your rights” information, and resources designed to support LGBTQ+ travelers as well as those already living in hostile states. The guidebook will arm LGBTQ+ people with resources and information to help ensure safety in all 50 states.
LGBTQ+ activists are calling for new strategies to promote equality after Target removed products and relocated Pride displays to the back of certain stores in the South. Nearly 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in state legislatures around the country this year, prompting some groups to hire security consultants to advise them on activities planned for Pride Month. While some people remain concerned about the impact of Target’s Pride displays on children, others see the hostility toward Target and other retailers as just the latest obstacle in a decades-long struggle for equality.
Non-binary SNL cast member Molly Kearney gave a passionate speech about trans rights and slammed efforts to restrict gender-affirming healthcare for trans kids amid a wave of anti-LGBTQ+ bills being debated in the US. Kearney directed part of their speech towards scared trans kids, telling them they should focus on being a kid and that their job is to protect them. The Human Rights Campaign has tracked and opposed more than 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in state legislatures across the US, with over 210 of those measures specifically attacking trans rights.
North Dakota's Legislature passed 10 bills on Tuesday that target the state's LGBTQ community, setting a single-day record for such legislation, according to the Human Rights Campaign. Eight of the bills are headed to Gov. Doug Burgum for either a signature or a veto. The bills include a broad measure that would ban "adult-oriented performances" on public property or in front of minors, which could restrict many forms of drag. Some of the bills passed with veto-proof majorities, including one that would restrict gender-affirming medical care for minors and another that would ban transgender students in public and private K-12 schools and colleges from playing sports on school teams that align with their gender identities.
Musicians in Tennessee are using their voices and songs to raise awareness and money, as well as encourage music fans to get out and vote against anti-LGBTQ bills. Love Rising, a concert held in Nashville, featured Grammy-winning artists alongside drag performers and trans and queer singer-songwriters. The money raised at the concerts was directed to LGBTQ support organizations. The bill that passed this year changes the definition of adult cabaret as “harmful to minors” and says that “male or female impersonators” now fall under adult cabaret, along with topless dancers and strippers.
