President Joe Biden acknowledged the 25th anniversary of Matthew Shepard's death, a tragic hate crime that has fueled the LGBTQ+ rights movement since 1998. The Shepard family and activists have worked tirelessly to ensure that Matthew's death was not in vain, and Biden condemned the recent uptick in anti-LGBTQ threats and acts of violence. Progress has been made since 1998, such as the scrapping of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy and the striking down of a Texas law criminalizing consensual gay sex.
Posts tagged as “anti-LGBTQ”
Laphonza Butler Sworn In as 12th Black Senator in U.S. History, Third Black Woman to Serve in Senate
Laphonza Butler Sworn In as 12th Black Senator in U.S. History, Third Black Woman to Serve in Senate
Vice President Kamala Harris swore in Laphonza Butler as the newest U.S. Senator from California, making her the first Black, openly LGBTQ+ woman to serve in either chamber of Congress. Butler was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to finish out the late Senator Dianne Feinstein's term, and her swearing-in ceremony was met with applause. Her appointment marks a historic moment for the U.S. Senate and a testament to the progress made in the fight for equality and representation.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed Laphonza Butler, the president of EMILY's List, to fill the late Senator Dianne Feinstein's seat. Butler will be the first openly LGBTQ person to represent California in the Senate and the third Black woman to ever serve in the chamber. She is expected to be sworn-in to the seat on Wednesday by Vice President Kamala Harris and will serve until the next senator is elected in the November 2024 election.
A federal judge has ruled that a Texas law that would have restricted drag performances is unconstitutional, in violation of the First Amendment. The law, signed by Governor Greg Abbott, did not specifically cite drag performances, but LGBTQ advocates feared it was intended to criminalize the art form. The ruling has been celebrated by LGBTQ advocates, who argued that the law would have had a chilling effect on drag performances and other forms of expression. Judge Hittner concluded that the law would have wrapped up a large amount of constitutionally protected conduct in its enforcement.
Texas Supreme Court has allowed a new state law banning gender-affirming care for minors to take effect on Friday, making Texas the most populous state with such restrictions. The law will prevent transgender minors from accessing hormone therapies, puberty blockers and transition surgeries. LGBTQ rights advocates have criticized the ruling and vowed to continue to fight the law in court.
Fabian Nelson, a 38-year-old realtor from Byram, Mississippi, has won the Democratic primary election runoff, making him the first openly gay state legislator in Mississippi. He will face Republican candidate Robert Foster in the November general election, and if elected, he will be the first openly gay black man to serve in any state legislature in the United States. Nelson has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights and has said he has wanted to be a state legislator since he visited the state capitol as a high school student.
The School Board of Lake County and Florida education officials have reversed their decision to restrict access to the popular children's book "And Tango Makes Three" due to the "Don't Say Gay" law. The law, which was challenged by the ACLU and other advocacy groups, has been found to violate students' First Amendment rights. The book is now available to students in Lake County schools, and its message of acceptance and inclusion is one that should be shared with all children.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed legislation banning conversion therapy for minors, making Michigan the 22nd state to outlaw the practice. The legislation is supported by a number of organizations, and is seen as a major victory for the LGBTQ+ community in Michigan, as it protects minors from a practice that has been widely discredited by the scientific community. Whitmer said the legislation was necessary to make Michigan a place “where you can be who you are and love who you love.”