News :: National

LGBTQ Agenda: Gallup poll shows uptick in people identifying as LGBT

LGBTQ Agenda: Gallup poll shows uptick in people identifying as LGBT

  • by Eric Burkett
  • Mar 8, 2022

When Gallup recently released a poll showing that more Americans now self-identify as LGBT acronym, people took notice.

Biden, HHS condemn Texas order against transition-related care for trans youth

Biden, HHS condemn Texas order against transition-related care for trans youth

  • by Chris Johnson, Washington Blade
  • Mar 3, 2022

Amid consternation over an order from the Texas governor designating transition-related care for transgender youth as child abuse, President Joe Biden and Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra issued a pair of statements Wednesday night.

Biden renews call to pass LGBTQ Equality Act in State of the Union speech

Biden renews call to pass LGBTQ Equality Act in State of the Union speech

  • by Chris Johnson, Washington Blade
  • Mar 2, 2022

In a State of the Union address front-loaded with calls to challenge Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, President Joe Biden on Tuesday renewed his call for passage of the Equality Act to advance LGBTQ rights.

Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' bill clears final hurdle before vote

Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' bill clears final hurdle before vote

  • by Eric Burkett
  • Mar 1, 2022

A hotly contested bill making its way through the Florida Legislature has cleared its final hurdle before being sent to the floor of the state Senate.

LGBTQ Agenda: Fallout from Abbott, Paxton letters sows confusion for trans people in Texas

LGBTQ Agenda: Fallout from Abbott, Paxton letters sows confusion for trans people in Texas

  • by Eric Burkett
  • Mar 1, 2022

Agencies in Texas that serve trans children and youth say that they will keep providing services in spite of a letter from Governor Greg Abbott ordering state agencies to investigate gender-affirming care on minors as child abuse.

Biden nominates Jackson for US Supreme Court

Biden nominates Jackson for US Supreme Court

  • by Chris Johnson, Washington Blade
  • Feb 25, 2022

In a historic move, President Biden said February 25 that he is nominating Ketanji Brown Jackson, currently a judge on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, as his choice for the U.S. Supreme Court.

Texas Gov. Abbott: Investigate gender-affirming care as child abuse

Texas Gov. Abbott: Investigate gender-affirming care as child abuse

  • by Zachary Jarrell, Washington Blade
  • Feb 24, 2022

Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott ordered state agencies February 22 to investigate reports of gender-affirming care on minors, following an official opinion from state Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) that called the treatment a form of "child abuse."

Man sentenced to life in prison for 1992 murder of gay sailor recommended for parole

Man sentenced to life in prison for 1992 murder of gay sailor recommended for parole

  • by Lou Chibbaro Jr., Washington Blade
  • Feb 22, 2022

A former U.S. Navy sailor sentenced to life in prison for the 1992 anti-gay murder of fellow U.S. Navy sailor Allen Schindler while the two were stationed in Japan received a recommendation for parole at a February 17 hearing.

Early gay rights activist Arnie Kantrowitz dies

Early gay rights activist Arnie Kantrowitz dies

  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Feb 11, 2022

Arnie Kantrowitz, the early New York-based gay rights activist who wrote a classic queer memoir, taught one of the earliest gay studies college courses in the nation, and was a founding member of GLAAD, died January 21 from complications of COVID-19.

HRC's ex-president sues over termination, alleges racial discrimination

HRC's ex-president sues over termination, alleges racial discrimination

  • by Chris Johnson, Washington Blade
  • Feb 3, 2022

Alphonso David, the former president of the Human Rights Campaign terminated by the board after he was ensnared in the Governor Andrew Cuomo scandal, sued the nation's leading LGBTQ group February 3.

LGBTQ Agenda: Counterfeiting ring sold fake Biktarvy, Descovy, Gilead says

LGBTQ Agenda: Counterfeiting ring sold fake Biktarvy, Descovy, Gilead says

  • by John Ferrannini
  • Feb 1, 2022

Gilead Sciences Inc. published a checklist so that folks can ensure that they are taking actual pills of Biktarvy or Descovy.

Breyer announces retirement, opens up new battle over Supreme Court

Breyer announces retirement, opens up new battle over Supreme Court

  • by Cynthia Laird
  • Jan 26, 2022

U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Stephen Breyer, who had joined landmark decisions from the court in support of LGBTQ rights, announced January 26 that he'd retire, opening up a chance for President Joe Biden to make a pick.

CA insurance chief asks feds to lift gay and bi blood ban

CA insurance chief asks feds to lift gay and bi blood ban

  • by John Ferrannini
  • Jan 26, 2022

After Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara's letter, four LGBTQ advocacy groups expressed appreciation and reiterated their support for ending the blood ban.

LGBTQ Agenda: State orgs push for bipartisan LGBTQ civil rights legislation

LGBTQ Agenda: State orgs push for bipartisan LGBTQ civil rights legislation

  • by John Ferrannini
  • Jan 25, 2022

Nine state LGBTQ rights organizations announced a new coalition aimed at getting civil rights protections enshrined in federal law in a bipartisan fashion before the midterm elections.