LGBTQ
Right-wing think tank with Louisiana ties is a church in eyes of IRS
The Family Research Council’s multimillion-dollar headquarters sit on G Street in Washington, D.C., just steps from the U.S. Capitol and the White House, a spot ideally situated for its work as a right-wing policy think tank and political pressure group. From its perch at the heart of the nation’s capital, the FRC has pushed for […]
LGBTQ community in Louisiana wants more support than they had growing up
For Steven Knight, growing up Black, queer and Christian in Shreveport meant facing resistance toward who he was from conflicting parts of his community. His church told him gay people are going to go to hell. Black culture told him “being gay is a white thing,” he said. The media’s representation of masculinity in his […]
After Supreme Court overturned Roe, LGBTQ advocates worry about what’s next
SALEM, Oregon – The U.S. Supreme Court’s Friday ruling overturning Roe v. Wade doesn’t immediately affect access to reproductive health care in Oregon, but LGBTQ rights advocates fear other rights may now be in jeopardy. Abortion is protected as a right under the state Constitution, and codified in state law. The same goes for access to […]
LGBTQ community concerned with Louisiana Legislature’s focus on restrictions
Attendees and participants at the New Orleans Pride Parade expressed concerns that restrictions on the LGBTQ community are a growing focus of the Louisiana Legislature
Louisiana governor opts not to veto transgender athlete ban
Gov. John Bel Edwards chose not to block a new law banning transgender athletes from participating in women and girls sports competitions in Louisiana, although he successfully vetoed a similar measure last year. “That bill was going to become law regardless of what I did,” Edwards said Monday at a press conference. “Acknowledging that reality […]
Author kills Louisiana’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill
For now, Louisiana teachers will still be allowed to discuss sexual orientation and gender identity in K-12 classrooms. Rep. Dodie Horton, R-Haughton, author of what’s been labeled Louisiana’s “Don’t Say Gay” legislation, told the Illuminator she has voluntarily shelved her bill for this legislative session. Her bill would have made it illegal for schools to […]
Leaked Supreme Court abortion draft raises fears for future of gay marriage, LGBTQ rights
Standing at the top of Clingmans Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains, Mario Oranday waited until his partner, Andrew Baumgarten, surveyed the endless tree-lined hills before kneeling down and reaching for the ring he had been carefully carrying. He had asked a nearby couple to film his proposal, and Baumgarten’s resounding “Yes” was forever captured […]
Texas resumes investigating parents of transgender children, families’ lawyers confirm
Texas’ child welfare agency has resumed at least some of its investigations into parents who provide gender-affirming care to their transgender children. Last week, the state Supreme Court overturned an injunction blocking the state from investigating these parents for child abuse. On Thursday, nearly a week after the ruling, investigators with the Texas Department of […]
Transgender athlete ban approved in Louisiana House
The Louisiana House of Representatives passed a bill Tuesday that would prohibit transgender athletes from competing according to their gender identity. Senate Bill 44, sponsored by Sen. Beth Mizell, R-Franklinton, is titled the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act.” It would require athletes from the elementary through college level to compete based on their sex at […]
House Republicans block proposal to protect LGBTQ workers
Louisiana House Republicans blocked a proposal Thursday that would protect LGBTQ workers by making it illegal under state law for employers to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. House Bill 439, sponsored by Rep. Delisha Boyd, D-Algiers, failed on a party-line vote of 2-7 in the House Committee on Labor and […]
Louisiana House rejects LGBTQ housing discrimination protections
For the foreseeable future, Louisiana’s anti-housing discrimination laws, which don’t protect against discrimination against LGBTQ residents, will remain out of sync with federal requirements. House Bill 303, authored by Rep. Aimee Freeman, D-New Orleans, would have made it illegal in Louisiana to refuse to sell or rent housing to someone because of their sexual orientation […]
Edwards declines to share personal views on leaked draft of Supreme Court abortion opinion
Gov. John Bel Edwards declined Wednesday to share his personal views on a leaked draft of a U.S. Supreme Court opinion that indicates the court is leaning toward overturning Roe vs. Wade – the landmark court decision that guarantees access to abortion across the country. When asked about the draft opinion, written by Justice Samuel […]