All articles tagged with #lgbtq advocacy
Originally Published 2 months ago — by Vogue
Amber Valletta honored Donatella Versace with the Positive Change Award at the 2025 CFDA Awards and wore an iconic Versace gown on the red carpet, celebrating the designer's LGBTQ+ advocacy and support for young talent.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Seattle Times
The transgender community in Washington state and across the U.S. is bracing for potential challenges under Donald Trump's presidency, as he has vowed to roll back transgender rights, including access to gender-affirming care. Despite existing protections in Washington, advocates fear these could be undermined by a conservative Supreme Court and Republican Congress. The community is preparing for increased hostility, potential funding cuts, and legal battles, while also criticizing the Democratic response during the election. Many trans individuals are considering relocating to safer areas, and advocacy groups are mobilizing to support those affected.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by CBS Boston
Rep. Seth Moulton is defending his controversial comments on transgender athletes, suggesting that Democrats are out of touch with the majority of Americans on this issue. Despite backlash and protests, Moulton claims he has received significant support and argues that Democrats need to engage in open debates rather than avoiding offense. His remarks have been criticized by LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, with MassEquality calling them harmful and factually inaccurate. Meanwhile, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley expressed solidarity with the transgender community, emphasizing their dignity and humanity.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by BBC.com
Sarah McBride has become the first transgender person elected to the US Congress, winning Delaware's sole House seat. A state senator and LGBTQ advocate, McBride has focused on issues like affordable healthcare and anti-discrimination legislation. Her election comes amid heightened political focus on transgender issues, with many states enacting restrictive measures. McBride aims to prioritize policy changes over the historic nature of her candidacy.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Star Tribune
Students and LGBTQ activists rallied outside Hopkins High School after a transgender student was allegedly assaulted, suffering serious injuries. The incident is being investigated as a possible hate crime. Activists criticized the school's response, and the victim's family hopes to raise awareness and accountability.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by NPR
Janel Diaz, a Black transgender woman, founded Capital Tea in Tallahassee to provide services and a safe house for transgender individuals in the face of restrictive laws passed by the Florida legislature. Despite anti-trans rhetoric and legislation, Diaz remains determined to fight for her community and herself. She hopes to expand Capital Tea's reach and create a lasting legacy of support for transgender individuals in North Florida and beyond.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by USA TODAY
Pope Francis has approved blessings for same-sex couples, allowing priests to perform them as long as they do not resemble marriage rituals. While the Vatican maintains its opposition to same-sex marriage, this move is seen as historic by LGBTQ+ advocates. The document emphasizes that blessings offer a means to increase trust in God and should not be hindered. The decision has been praised as a positive contribution to the church's pastoral response to complex situations. While it does not indicate acceptance of same-sex marriage, it may lead to a greater discussion and questioning of the church's stance in the future.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The Associated Press
Florida's state athletic board has fined Monarch High School and placed it on probation for allowing a transgender student to play on the girls volleyball team, in violation of a law enacted by Governor Ron DeSantis and the Legislature. The school was fined $16,500, and the principal and athletic director were ordered to attend rules seminars. The student, a 10th grader, was removed from the team after an anonymous tip. The ruling has sparked protests and criticism from LGBTQ+ rights organizations, who argue that the law is rooted in anti-transgender bias. The school district has 10 days to appeal the ruling.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by KABC-TV
Protests erupted across Mexico after the death of Jesús Ociel Baena, the country's first openly nonbinary magistrate. Baena was found dead in their apartment alongside their partner, and the cause of death is still under investigation. Advocates are calling for a thorough investigation and challenging the premature suggestion that it was a "crime of passion." Baena had been a prominent LGBTQ+ advocate and had reported receiving death threats. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about violence against the LGBTQ+ community in Mexico.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by KCRA Sacramento
The Dry Creek Joint Elementary School District in Roseville, California, has approved a policy that requires parental notification if a student requests to be identified as a gender other than their biological sex. The policy was passed unanimously by the Board of Trustees and aims to promote a safe and inclusive school environment. While some parents support the change, others argue that teachers should not keep secrets from parents regarding their children's mental and health matters. California Attorney General Rob Bonta and LGBTQ+ advocates have criticized similar policies in other school districts, stating that they can force children to disclose their gender identity before they are ready or feel safe. A judge has temporarily halted a parental notification policy in another district, and other districts are considering similar measures.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by MPR News
The Carver County Library Board in Minnesota has voted to keep the memoir "Gender Queer: A Memoir" on its shelves after a request was made to remove it. The book, written and illustrated by Maia Kobabe, describes their experience growing up in California and coming out as gender queer. Despite being at the top of the American Library Association's most challenged books list, dozens of supporters testified during a public hearing in favor of keeping the book available. The board emphasized that it is up to parents to decide what their children read, and banning the book could lead to further requests for censorship.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by KABC-TV
A judge has issued a temporary restraining order on the Chino Valley Unified School District's transgender notification policy, which requires schools to notify parents if their children change their gender identification or pronouns. The policy has been met with opposition from LGBTQ+ advocates who argue that it invades students' privacy and threatens their well-being. California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit against the policy, stating that it forcibly outs transgender students. The temporary restraining order blocks the policy from being in effect during the lawsuit. The battle between school districts and the state over LGBTQ+ policies has been intensifying, with conservative school board members pushing back against the state's stance.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Reuters
A federal judge has ruled that Tennessee's law restricting drag performances in public or where children were present was unconstitutional, striking a blow to efforts in U.S. states to regulate LGBTQ conduct. The law was "both unconstitutionally vague and substantially overbroad," said U.S. District Judge Thomas Parker. Republican lawmakers across the country have introduced more than 500 bills this year regulating the conduct of gay and transgender people, ranging from what can be taught in schools to bathroom use and medical care.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The Washington Post
Several LGBTQ+ groups, including the Los Angeles LGBT Center and LA Pride, will not participate in the Los Angeles Dodgers' annual Pride Night after the team announced it would no longer honor the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence with a community service award due to pressure from the Catholic League and Sen. Marco Rubio. The group, which advocates for LGBTQ+ rights and fundraises for queer causes, often dresses in brightly colored habits and cloaks and includes straight, gay, and nonbinary members. The Dodgers have a history of being welcoming to gay fans, but their decision has sparked backlash and disappointment from the LGBTQ+ community.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by NBC News
Actor Marcia Gay Harden revealed that her children, who are all queer, inspire her LGBTQ advocacy work. During the "Drag Isn't Dangerous" telethon, she slammed the anti-LGBTQ legislation and said that it is fear-based and spreading hatred. The telethon raised more than $500,000 for LGBTQ charities. Charlize Theron, who adopted a transgender daughter, also spoke in support of the drag community and urged people to use the right pronouns for her daughter.