GLBTQ Issues / Public News Service

A bill before the New Mexico Legislature would add gender to the list of protected classes in the state Human Rights Act enacted in 1969. (Dmitry/AdobeStock)

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

NM Legislation Would Boost Protections for LGBTQ Students, Others

Legislation to close a loophole that potentially allows discrimination against LGBTQ New Mexicans will be debated by the State Legislature this sessio…

According to a University of Minnesota study, transgender women, trans-feminine and visibly gender-nonconforming riders report higher incidences of discrimination and violence when using public transportation. (Adobe Stock)

Groups Partner for 'Safer, More Inclusive' Ride-Share Option

An Arizona LGBTQ+ group has established a partnership with Waymo, the autonomous-driving tech company, to provide what it said will be a safer …

One of Sen. Anthony Kern's bills also sets more specific zoning requirements where drag shows can take place. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Senators Aim to Restrict Drag Shows with New Bills

Two Republican Arizona state senators have kicked off the new legislative session wanting to limit and restrict drag shows. State Sen. Anthony Kern…

New Mexico has provided benefits to same-sex partners of state employees since 2003. (LeonardoBorges/AdobeStock)

Equality NM Celebrates 30 Years of Transformation for LGBTQ+ Community

Equality New Mexico will advocate for new LGBTQ protections during this year's legislative session as it celebrates 30 years as a leading advocacy org…

Shannon Mingalone, left, and Eve Mingalone are seen in their hoop house at their business Ramshackle Farm in Harvard, Illinois, on Oct. 19, 2022. (Photo courtesy of Coburn Dukehart/Wisconsin Watch)

Despite Obstacles, LGBTQ Farmers Find Fertile Ground in Midwest

By Bennet Goldstein for Wisconsin Watch.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Wisconsin News Connection reporting for the Wisconsin Watch-Public News Ser…

The 2021 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey found the number of Maine high school students who identify as transgender <a href=

more than doubled from 2019 to 2021. (Adobe Stock)">

Intergenerational Groups Strengthen Maine’s LGBTQ Community

Intergenerational connections can be powerful tools to help improve overall quality of life for both young and old. It can be especially true in the …

Last March, Wyoming lawmakers passed a law that would ban abortions in most cases if the U.S. Supreme Court decided to overturn Roe v. Wade, which the high court did in June. (Adobe Stock)

Wyoming Supreme Court Sends Suit Over Abortion Ban Back to District

The Wyoming Supreme Court has decided it will not weigh in on a lawsuit that has temporarily halted a ban on abortions in the state. Citing a state …

Generalized Anxiety Disorder affects 6.8 million adults or 3.1% of the U.S. population, yet only 43.2% are receiving treatment. (Adobe Stock)

Depression High Among IA's LGBTQ Population

The Census Bureau has released a report that shows LGBTQ people suffered higher rates of depression, anxiety and other mental hurdles than did the …

Senate Bill 1277 in the Pennsylvania General Assembly would require parental notification of content and materials that expose students to sexually explicit content in schools. (Drazen/Adobe Stock)

Group Advocates for Inclusive Schools in Keystone State

A Pennsylvania group has responded to what it says are "discriminatory policy proposals in the state education system" by launching the "Inclusive Sch…

Book bans occurred in 138 school districts in 32 states between 2021 and the middle of 2022. These districts represent 5,049 schools with a combined enrollment of nearly 4 million students, according to PEN America. (Adobe Stock)

Librarians Lament Censorship in MO

In what the American Library Association has called an unprecedented year of censorship, libraries in Missouri are fighting a rule proposed by the …

A bill approved by Congress repeals the federal Defense of Marriage Act. That law, passed in 1996, prohibited the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages. (Adobe Stock)

WI Attorney: Bill Underscores Legal Needs of Same-Sex Marriages

Congress has signed off on a bill that preserves federal protections for same-sex and interracial marriages. A legal expert in Wisconsin says it …

The Respect for Marriage Act will not force states to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, but they would be required to recognize marriages performed in other states that issue valid licenses. (Mario/Adobe Stock)

NM's LGBTQ Advocates Await Final Passage of Respect for Marriage Act

New Mexico's LGBTQ community is celebrating passage of the "Respect for Marriage Act" by the U.S. Senate - but also surprised it came about so …

Same-sex marriage became legal in Nevada in October 2014. (Ronstik/Adobe Stock)

Nevada LGBTQ+ Groups Hopeful after Senate Vote on Same-Sex Marriage

Nevada marriage-equality groups say the U.S. Senate's passage of the Respect for Marriage Act is a huge step forward for people who identify as LGBTQ+…

In New Hampshire, firearm deaths have climbed by 5.8% from 2015 to 2020, the 47th largest increase among states. According to the CDC, a total of 128 people died from firearm injuries in the state in 2020, up from 121 in 2015. (Adobe Stock)

Anti-LGBTQ+ Activity Surges; NH Groups Blame Political Rhetoric

Human-rights activists in New Hampshire say the growing number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills at the Statehouse is encouraging right-wing extremists to intimida…

South Dakota's LGBTQ population is roughly 25,000 people, but advocates say harmful rhetoric in the current political climate prevents some community members from being open about their gender or sexual identity. (Adobe Stock)

SD LGBTQ Voices on Colorado Shooting: 'It's a Thin Line'

The LGBTQ community continues to mourn those killed at a shooting at a Colorado nightclub over the weekend. In South Dakota, advocates said such …

At least 32 transgender and gender non-conforming people have been killed in 2022, although actual numbers are likely much higher due to under-reporting. (Adobe Stock)

Communities Mourn Mass Shooting at LGBTQ Club in Colorado Springs

Communities across Colorado continue to mourn the deaths of at least five people, after a 22-year-old gunman allegedly opened fire inside an LGBTQ …

Displaying flags associated with the LGBTQ community is a protected action under the Fair Housing Act. (Michael/Adobe Stock)

Fed Housing Protections Against LGBTQ Discrimination Could Change

The Biden administration banned housing discrimination based on a person's sexual orientation and gender identity, but the gain in protections for …

North Dakota has one of the lowest LGBTQ populations in the U.S., but advocates worry not enough people in the state are following up on expanded protections for housing discrimination. (Adobe Stock)

ND Housing Protections to Prevent Gender Discrimination Take Shape

As winter approaches and renters seek home repairs or apply for new housing, North Dakota assistance groups are reminding people about expanded …

Colorado is the first state in the nation to require comprehensive gender-affirming health care as part of minimum, or

Report Finds Colorado a Leader in Access to Gender-Affirming Health Care

The rate of individuals receiving gender-affirming care - care received by a person whose assigned sex at birth doesn't match their gender identity - …

More than 80% of LGBTQ students said they felt unsafe at school last year, according to last week's annual report from the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network. (needjustice.org)

Many Fear LGBTQ+ Rights Are On the Midterm Ballot

In the past few years, the LGBTQ community has watched hard-won rights erode, and many fear the worst is yet to come, based on the outcome of the …

According to The Pew Research Center, 46% of Americans say they would favor or strongly favor making it illegal for healthcare professionals to provide gender-affirming care to people under 18. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Anti-Transgender Laws Face Possible Legal Challenges

Arizona saw a record number of anti-transgender bills in the state legislature this year, aimed largely at youth, and those successfully passed are …

'Don't Say Gay' Proves Challenging for FL Students, Teachers

Despite being aimed at children in kindergarten through third grade, Florida teachers say what's often referred to as the "Don't Say Gay" law has …

From July 2021 to June 2022 across the nation, there were 2,532 instances of individual books being banned, affecting 1,648 unique book titles, according to Pen America. (prettysleepyart/Pixabay)

TX ACLU Promotes 'Students' Rights Hub' During Banned Books Week

Ahead of Banned Books Week, the ACLU of Texas published what it calls a Students' Rights Hub. Kate Huddleston, attorney for the ACLU of Texas…

In the decade preceding the pandemic, Colorado's child poverty rate fell by nearly 30%, one of the largest declines in the nation. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado Ranks High in Child Well-Being as Kids Face Mental-Health Crisis

Colorado ranks 16th in the nation for promoting children's overall well-being, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation's latest report on child …

According to a 2021 report by the Trevor Project, LGBTQ youths in rural areas were more likely to experience symptoms of depression than their urban and suburban counterparts. (Adobe Stock)

Program Aims to Support Rural LGBTQ Virginians

New research out of the University of Minnesota reveals rural LGBTQ folks face unique, and often unmet, mental- and physical-health needs. The …

More than a quarter of LGBTQ students were bullied in school because of an actual or perceived disability, according to the National LGBTQ Task Force. (mbolina/Adobe Stock)

MO Advocate: Connect With Disability Issues During Pride Month

As Pride Month comes to a close and Disability Pride Month begins, advocates are raising awareness about the intersection of being LGBTQ+ and having …

Rainbow flags have become ubiquitous among major brands in recent years during Pride Month. (xiao/Adobe Stock)

Organizations Call for Meaningful Corporate Support During Pride Month

June is Pride Month, and businesses are showing their support for the LGBTQ community in a number of ways. But some corporations are being called out …

Members of the LGBTQ community are far less likely to own a home than those who are not. (teksomolika/Adobe Stock)

Pride Month: LGBTQ Housing Discrimination Lingers in MT

Pride Month during June highlights the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities, which have long faced discrimination…

Research has shown that gender-affirming health care can improve the mental health and overall well-being of gender-diverse children and young people. (Adobe Stock)

Arkansas Back in Court to Block Gender-Affirming Care for Trans Youth

Oral arguments were held this week on an appeal blocking an Arkansas law from going into effect. The law would prevent young people from getting …

Members of the white supremacist group arrested in Coeur d'Alene over the weekend included people from around the country. (Feng Yu/Adobe Stock)

Thwarted Attack on ID Pride Tip of Ramped-Up Extremist Activity

The arrests of 31 white supremacists outside of a Pride festival in North Idaho shook the country over the weekend. It's only part of a larger uptick …

Law experts say this weekend's prevention of a riot at an Idaho Pride event coincides with more online anti-LGBTQ comments posted by extremist groups. (Adobe Stock)

IA Group: Planned Riot Will Not Intimidate LGBTQ Community

A leading LGBTQ organization in Iowa said community members won't back down after authorities in Idaho blocked a planned riot at a Pride event there…

In the 2020 election, nearly nine million LGBTQ adults in the U.S. were registered to vote. (Adobe Stock)

Pride Month in MN Includes Voter Outreach

One in five LGBTQ adults in the U.S. are not registered to vote. During Pride Month, a Minnesota organization is ramping up efforts to help improve …

Utah school officials say almost 30,000 girls competed in high school sports in 2021. (spark/Adobe Stock)

Utah Families Sue State Over Law Excluding Transgender Girls from Sports

Two families are suing the State of Utah over a controversial law that allows schools to exclude transgender students from competing in girls' sports…

Seven states, including New Mexico, hold primary elections on June 7, 2022. (AngelaYurikoSmith/Pixabay)

LGBTQ+ Advocates Endorse NM Primary Candidates

While lawmakers in many states have introduced legislation to roll back LGBTQ+ rights within their borders, New Mexico is not one of them, and …

According to the Human Rights Campaign, from January through early May 2021, lawmakers across the country introduced more than 250 anti-LGBTQ bills. (Adobe Stock)

IN Poised to Pass Transgender-Student Sports Ban

Earlier this spring, Gov. Eric Holcomb vetoed a GOP-authored bill banning transgender girls from school sports. Now, Holcomb's own party is poised to …

On Jan. 6, 2021, pro-Trump protestors tried to maintain control by attacking the rule of law, separation of powers and fair elections. (Wikimedia Commons)

Experts Sound Alarm on Rise of Authoritarianism in U.S., Globally

By Zoe Marks and Eric Chenoweth for Ms. MagazineBroadcast version by Lily Böhlke for Commonwealth News Service/Public News Service U.S…

The Journal of the American Medical Association says trans youths with access to gender-affirming care are 60% less likely to have moderate to severe depression and are 73% less suicidal. (MaryBettiniBlank/Pixabay)

States Form Coalition to Counter Anti-LGBTQ Bills

New Mexico and 18 other states have announced plans to introduce legislation they say will be needed to protect transgender kids from civil and crimin…

Clinics in neighboring states saw an almost 800% increase in patients after Texas in 2021 banned almost all abortions after six weeks, according to Planned Parenthood. (FerencVarga/Pixabay)

Roe v. Wade: What Happens Next in Texas?

Texas took the lead among Republican states last September in making abortion illegal once a fetal heartbeat can be detected. Now, some fear the …

A bill before the New Hampshire General Court would require parental notification if students see a school counselor. (Adobe Stock)

NH Groups: "Parental Bill of Rights" Undermines Privacy, Harms Students

The New Hampshire Senate is holding a floor vote today on a bill they are calling the "parental bill of rights" but which advocates for LGBTQ+ young p…

The American Federation of Teachers launched its

Book Bans, Censorship Met with 1M Free Books for Students, Families

As the state of Florida combs through textbooks to ban content with diverse views, a national campaign pledges to deliver a million free books with …

Resources will be available at Equality Michigan fairs this week, including peer-support opportunities. (ASDF/Adobe Stock)

Groups Spotlight Services for LGBTQ+ Victims of Crime in MI

It's National Crime Victims' Rights Week, a time to raise awareness of victims' rights and services. Equality Michigan is holding three community …

Anti-trans bills have been introduced in all but three states since 2018. (Scott Griessel/Adobe Stock)

On National Day of Silence, MO Groups Push Back Against Anti-Trans Bills

Silence? Yes. Inaction? No. Today marks the annual Day of Silence, led by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, to raise awareness about …

LGBTQ+ giving circles raise money to support people they say often are

'Giving Circles' Fight LGBTQ+ Oppression with Generosity

In Texas, the latest state law targeting trans people directs the Department of Family and Protective Services to investigate any surgical treatment …

Montana and other states have protected abortion access under constitutional provisions that recognize a person's right to privacy. (trac1/Adobe Stock)

Added Protection for Abortion Access in MT Could be Overturned

Montana is part of a national trend of increasing challenges to abortion access. An injunction was placed on three abortion restriction bills passed …

This year, South Dakota became the latest state to adopt a law that bans transgender girls from playing in sports that align with their gender identity. It follows other policy moves deemed hostile toward the LGBTQ+ community. (Adobe Stock)

Building Support Network for SD Transgender Youth, Families

For years, members of the LGBTQ community in South Dakota have fought state policies they describe as discriminatory, and people who are transgender …

According to the American Civil Liberties Union,

Utah Lawmakers Ban Transgender Girls from Women’s Sports

Utah's Legislature has overridden Republican Gov. Spencer Cox's veto of House Bill 11, which now mandates young transgender athletes can play only …

LGBTQ Advocates Plan Legal Challenge to FL 'Don't Say Gay' Bill

Public schoolteachers in Florida are now prohibited from giving classroom instruction about sexual orientation or gender identity after Gov. Ron …

In addition to substandard training facilities, last year's NCAA college basketball tournament further exposed other resource gaps for women's teams, including meals and 'swag bags' players receive. (Adobe Stock)

Women's Sports Advocates: Wedge Issues Aren't What We Need

This weekend, the University of South Dakota's women's basketball team continues its magical run in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (…

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