LGBTQ
Same-sex marriage protected under bill passed by U.S. Senate with GOP support
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate approved legislation Tuesday that would enshrine protections for same-sex and interracial marriages, codifying many of the rights that would disappear if the U.S. Supreme Court were to overturn those landmark decisions the way it overturned the nationwide right to an abortion this summer. The 61-36 bipartisan vote sends the bill […]
Colorado legislators reflect on red flag laws after Club Q shooting
DENVER – Following Saturday’s deadly Club Q shooting in Colorado Springs, reports of the suspected shooter’s past history with law enforcement prompted questions about Colorado’s red flag laws and whether their application could have prevented the tragedy. Red flag laws allow authorities to temporarily seize firearms from, and block the sale of firearms to, individuals […]
Gay bar owners seek to increase security in the wake of shooting of a gay nightclub in Colorado
Over the past year, Wendy McCown-Williams has noted how heated political discussions about the transgender community had affected her business. McCown-Williams, a transgender woman, has owned a gay bar in rural Tennessee for six years and welcomed everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or political leanings. Drag shows have been a common occurrence at her bar, […]
‘Sickening and devastating’: Colorado leaders react to Club Q shooting
As details of the mass shooting at Club Q emerged on Sunday, Colorado officials expressed shock and grief, with some directly acknowledging the shooting’s impact on the LGBTQ community while others stuck to the rhetoric of “thoughts and prayers.” The shooting, which took place at an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs late Saturday night, left […]
Colorado-based group that targets trans athletes in women’s sports seeks national influence
A federal political action committee that targets the inclusion of transgender women in women’s sports donated the highest allowed monetary amount to three Republican candidates running to represent Colorado in the U.S. House of Representatives. Nine PAC, formed in Colorado Springs, earned its name from Title IX — the federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination […]
U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson introduces ‘don’t say gay’ bill
U.S. Rep Mike Johnson of Louisiana has introduced a bill that critics are calling a federal “don’t say gay” bill that prohibits federal funding for any “sexually-oriented” event or material for children under the age of 10. The bill, dubbed the “Stop the Sexualization of Children Act of 2022” was co-sponsored by 32 other Republicans, […]
ACLU: ‘Day of Hope’ event for East Baton Rouge students violated civil rights laws
The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana sent a letter Monday to officials with East Baton Rouge Public Schools, warning them that a controversial off-campus event for high school seniors last month likely violated multiple federal laws. The Sept. 20 event, dubbed a “Day of Hope,” was billed as a college and career fair with […]
Court dismisses defamation case surrounding book censorship effort in Louisiana
A Louisiana judge dismissed a defamation lawsuit after hearing arguments Wednesday in a case surrounding book censorship efforts at the Livingston Parish Library. Livingston Parish resident Ryan Thames, who runs the Facebook page Bayou State of Mind, appeared in court Wednesday afternoon before 21st Judicial District Judge Erika Sledge to seek dismissal of a defamation […]
LGBTQ book restrictions get dog-eared in Livingston Parish
LIVINGSTON — A proposal to censor certain books with LGBTQ+ content at the Livingston Parish Library stalled Tuesday night after the library’s board members rejected the move. They deemed the effort an attempt to circumvent their policies and procedures, though the matter could continue indefinitely as conservative activists become familiar with the system. Livingston Parish […]
Marjorie Taylor Greene leads GOP drive to criminalize gender-affirming care for transgender youth
WASHINGTON — Conservative Republicans gathered outside the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday to commit to bringing legislation to the floor that would make it a felony to perform gender-affirming care on transgender youth, should the GOP take control of the U.S. House following the November midterm elections. “How on earth can this be happening in America? […]
An ‘unprecedented flood’ of book bans engulfs U.S. school districts, PEN report says
WASHINGTON — More than 1,600 book titles across 32 states were banned from public schools during the 2021-2022 school year, with the bulk of the ban requests coming from a handful of right-wing groups pushing for censorship of books that feature LGBTQ+ characters and characters of color, a new report issued Monday said. “What I […]
Families sue Florida for threatening health care for their transgender children
Jade Ladue spent last weekend celebrating her son’s 13th birthday with him. And despite the stereotype of his age, when children are said to turn into unruly teenagers — he’s actually thriving, she says. “He has so many hobbies. He loves sports, hanging out with friends, fishing, even going to school,” she said. But she […]