How the UK 'eroded' human rights in 2023, according to damning new report
The UK government is facing criticism for its erosion of human rights protections and failure to take meaningful action on pledges.
The report highlights failures in criminalizing protests, demonizing asylum seekers, inaction on conversion therapy, and failure to compensate Black Britons affected by the Windrush scandal. [ more ]
Supreme Court denies conservative challenge to California ban on conversion therapy
The Supreme Court declines to hear a challenge to bans on conversion therapy for LGBTQ children, leaving laws in California, Washington, and 20 other states intact.
The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a Christian conservative legal advocacy group, represented Brian Tingley in the challenge and argued that prohibiting conversion therapy is a violation of the First Amendment. [ more ]
Supreme Court Rejects Appeal In LGBTQ Conversion Therapy Case
The Supreme Court has refused to take up a case about banning conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ children, leaving in place an appellate panel's decision that such bans are unconstitutional restrictions on counselors' speech.
Justices Alito and Thomas dissented and argued that the Supreme Court should have taken up the case because licensed counselors cannot express anything other than the state-approved opinion on minors with gender dysphoria.
About half the states in the US prohibit conversion therapy, which tries to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity through counseling. [ more ]
Michigan Legislature Advances Bills to Ban Conversion Therapy in the State
The incredibly dangerous practice is currently banned in just 21 states and Washington, D.C. LeoPatrizi / E+ / Getty Images The Michigan state legislature advanced two bills on Wednesday that would prohibit mental health professionals from subjecting LGBTQ minors to anti-LGBTQ "conversion therapy."
Spain passed a law on Thursday to allow those over the age of 16 to legally change their gender without medical supervision or a judge's approval.It removes the previous requirements that applicants provide a doctor's diagnosis of gender dysphoria and additional proof that they have lived as their gender identity and undergone hormone treatment for the past two years.
Marjorie Taylor Greene tried to talk to trans kids. She failed miserably.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) is now trying to speak directly to trans kids and talk them out of transitioning.It's not going well."If you're under 18 and people are telling you to cut off your breast or have a surgery that turns your penis inside out to make a 'vagina' you're a victim of child abuse," Greene tweeted.
Conservatives freak out as Disney's "Baymax!" shows discussion of period products & trans flag
Conservatives are freaking out because a clip from a streamed Disney show includes a transgender flag and people discussing menstruation products, and they're getting brutally mocked online.
The American Medical Association's first out gay president pledges to fight trans healthcare bans
Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld is a U.S. Navy combat veteran who will be inaugurated as the American Medical Association's (AMA) first out gay president on June 13 - and he says the organization "simply will not stand" for legislation targeting abortion and gender-affirming care.He has pledged to use "every avenue available" to oppose such laws.
Britain Vows New Law To Ban Conversion Therapy For LGBT People - Towleroad Gay News
By Sachin Ravikumar LONDON (Reuters) -Britain will seek to ban conversion therapy targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, cracking down on so-called treatments that claim to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.Culture minister Michelle Donelan said on Tuesday the government would publish draft legislation soon, setting out proposals to ban conversion practices in England and Wales.
Britain vows new law to ban conversion therapy for LGBT people
Britain will seek to ban conversion therapy targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, cracking down on so-called treatments that claim to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.Culture minister Michelle Donelan said on Tuesday the government would publish draft legislation soon, setting out proposals to ban conversion practices in England and Wales.
JK Rowling wears T-shirt calling woman who supports trans rights a "destroyer of women's rights"
J.K. Rowling posted a photo of herself wearing a T-shirt calling the First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, a "destroyer of women's rights" for supporting a bill that would help trans people.
Dear Prudence, Slate's ultra-popular advice column, is back in your earbuds, helping listeners with questions about relationships, sex, work, family, and life.Premiering Friday, the show is hosted by Slate's resident Prudie, Jenée Desmond-Harris, who is answering questions and offering insights into listeners' problems, along with the help of a rotating guest.
All we know about Kate Forbes' Free Church of Scotland and its beliefs
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Scottish National Party (SNP) MSP Kate Forbes has been engulfed in controversy after saying she would have voted against gay marriage.The Scottish finance secretary was among the favourites to replace Nicola Sturgeon as party leader after she announced she would be stepping down last week.
Yelp Darling Nini's Deli, Which Closed After 2020 BLM Protests, Closes Again
Nini's Deli, the restaurant whose owners' homophobic and anti-Black stances drew protesters outside their Noble Square block two years ago, has closed.
Allegri confirms Paul Pogba will undergo knee surgery
When Paul Pogba injured his knee the day after Juventus ' first friendly of their United States tour, there was a sinking feeling about what could happen down the road.
West Virginia Conservatives Want to Legally Define Trans People as "Obscene"
West Virginia State Sen. Michael Azinger (R) introduced a series of anti-transgender bills, including one banning gender-affirming care for transgender youth and one sanctioning conversion therapy.
The bills would subject providers of gender-affirming care to fines and potential revocation of their medical license, and would prohibit mental health professionals from providing gender-affirming therapy or counseling. [ more ]
GOP lawmakers are trying to force all therapists to practice conversion therapy on trans people
West Virginia lawmakers have filed a bill that bans gender-affirming care for young trans adults and requires conversion therapy for transgender people.
The bill would also ban gender-affirming care for trans adults under the age of 21, restricting healthcare access for them. [ more ]
Maryland passes bill protecting gender-affirming care access for trans people on Medicaid
Maryland just passed a bill requiring the state's Medicaid program to pay for gender-affirming care in a "nondiscriminatory" manner "consistent with current clinical standards."Gov. Wes Moore (D) signed S.B. 460 Wednesday, one of over 100 measures signed at the same ceremony that dealt with wide-ranging issues, including reproductive health care, mental health, and cannabis.
Trans activist injects testosterone in front of board at hearing to protest trans health care ban
A trans activist has gone viral for injecting his weekly hormone shot in front of the Florida Board of Medicine and the Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine while testifying against a ban on gender-affirming care for youth.Twenty-five-year-old Lindsey Spero told the board that for months trans people have "stood before you, put their hearts on full display, and vulnerably pleaded with you to listen to our stories and perspectives."
Gay couple's civil partnership ceremony themed around transphobia
Gay conservative U.K. anti-transgender activist Alex Bramham recently entered a civil union with his partner.They used the ceremony to highlight their transphobic views and oppose government restrictions on religious views in civil ceremonies.Bramham has become notorious in the U.K. LGBTQ+ community for opposing the legal recognition of transgender people's gender identities.
LGBT+ History Month 2024: When is it, how did it start and what events are there in London?
LGBT+ History Month is a month-long observance of LGBTQ+ history that raises awareness about the issues faced by the community.
This year's theme for LGBT+ History Month is 'Medicine Under the Scope,' focusing on the contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals to the field of medicine and healthcare. [ more ]
LGBTQ+ groups are stopping conversion therapy content online
Social media platforms are updating their policies to ban conversion therapy-related content, protecting LGBTQ+ users online.
Platforms like Discord, TikTok, Pinterest, and NextDoor have implemented guidelines to prevent misgendering, deadnaming, and support for conversion therapy.
YouTube and X (formerly Twitter) still do not have comprehensive policies addressing this issue. [ more ]
Historian to become UK's first permanently endowed professor in LGBTQ+ History
Historian Matt Cook will become the UK's first permanently endowed professor in LGBTQ+ History.Professor Cook will take up his post as the Jonathan Cooper chairman of the history of sexualities at Mansfield College at Oxford University in October.The role has been named in memory of Jonathan Cooper, a human rights lawyer, advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and commentator on issues, such as trans rights and conversion therapy, who died in 2021.
NHS under threat' from covert privatisation', says Stephen Fry
Stephen Fry has said the NHS is under threat from covert privatisation and is concerned the health service will use private companies to deliver care.The comedian and presenter, 65, added his voice to public ownership campaign group We Own It, who have criticised outsourcing in the healthcare service.
Conservative MP raises ban on conversion therapy with equalities minister
A Conservative MP has asked the equalities minister whether she understands the anxiety the LGBT community feels when it comes to the ban on conversion therapy.Peter Gibson, the MP for Darlington, told the Commons we are still to see any draft legislation, despite the ban appearing in multiple Queen's speeches.
Indiana Governor Signs Bill Requiring Teachers to Out Trans Students to Their Parents
The law will create potentially harmful living situations for transgender youth in the state, critics contend.A protester holds a placard that says, "The blood of trans youth is on your hands" inside the Indiana Statehouse as the Indiana Senate's Health and Provider Services Committee in February considers legislation banning gender-affirming care for minors in Indiana.
Students at McGill University in Montreal Protest Anti-Trans Speaker
The speaker, Robert Wintemute, is a member of the anti-trans hate group LGB Alliance.The McGill university campus in Montreal, Canada, on November 20, 2022.Daniel Slim / AFP via Getty Images Students and student-run organizations at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, are protesting the institution's decision to invite a noted anti-trans activist to speak on campus on Tuesday.
Minnesota governor signs bills further enshrining abortion, gender-affirming care into law
Minnesota's Democratic Gov. Tim Walz signed legislation Thursday that further enshrines the right to abortion and gender-affirming care into law and another that bans so-called conversion therapy.The new legislation enhances existing state law that makes access to abortion and gender-affirming care legal and opposes conversion therapy.
Out 'Power Rangers' star returns to the franchise in this kitschy reboot
Out actor David Yost is returning to the Power Rangers franchise over a decade after revealing that he left the 1990s kids' series due to rampant homophobic abuse on set.The beloved Saturday morning series, which originated as a Japanese TV show, has seen countless reboots and reinventions over the years, including a big-budget 2017 film version.
Christian school shuts down instead of closing conversion therapy program
A Christian school in New Zealand will close its doors rather than give up a conversion therapy program.Kaitaia Abundant Life School says a new law passed last year banning the practice means they can no longer operate according to their Christian faith."Experiencing unwanted feelings towards the same sex" is not usual, a spokesperson for the school, Ivy Tan, told 1News in New Zealand.
Youngkin's Rhetoric of 'Parental Rights' Abandons Students Like Us
Throughout his campaign for Virginia governor, Glenn Youngkin embraced the rhetoric of "parental rights," allowing it to guide his campaign's position on key issues, including mask mandates and diversity efforts in our K-12 system.To be clear, there is a dire need to ensure that parents have a voice in our education.
Republican Gov. Vows to Veto Bill That Would Force Outing of Students
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu has pledged to veto a so-called Parental Bill of Rights that would force school personnel to out LGBTQ+ students to their parents.
Charles Silverstein, a psychologist who helped destigmatize homosexuality, dies at 87
Charles Silverstein (left) and his partner of 20 years, William Bory, smile at the camera in the 1970s.Silverstein dedicated his work to helping LGBTQ people live without shame.Rutgers Oral History Archives Charles Silverstein, a psychologist and therapist who played a key role in getting homosexuality declassified as a mental illness, died Jan. 30 at 87.
Minnesota gov. signs sweeping executive order protecting trans people in his state
On Wednesday, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) signed an executive order protecting trans youth and adults seeking gender-affirming care in the state.He called it urgent work as a wave of legislation in neighboring states and around the country rolls back LGBTQ+ rights."We want every Minnesotan to grow up feeling safe, valued, protected, celebrated, and free to exist as their authentic versions of themselves," Walz said.
Spain passes law allowing anyone over 16 to change registered gender
Spain's parliament has approved new legislation that will allow anyone over 16 to change their legally registered gender, ease abortion limits for those aged 16 and 17, and make the country the first in Europe in Europe to introduce paid menstrual leave.The new transgender law which was passed despite protests from feminist groups, warnings from opposition parties, and amid tensions between different wings of the Socialist-led coalition government means that anyone aged over 16 will be able to change their gender on official documents without medical supervision.
Spain's parliament passes bill allowing trans children to legally change their gender
Spain's parliament recently passed a bill that makes it easier for people to change their legal gender.The bill allows people older than 16 to legally change their gender without medical supervision or a judge's approval.It removes the previous requirements that applicants provide a doctor's diagnosis of gender dysphoria and additional proof that they have lived as their gender identity and undergone hormone treatment for the past two years.
Google is now distributing Truth Social, Trump's Twitter alternative
Google announced late Wednesday that it would permit the Trump-backed social media site Truth Social to be downloaded through its app store, making the service available to millions of new users.
London Pride in the name of love: record crowd expected at parade since lockdown
R ecord-breaking crowds and an incredible amount of excitement are predicted at Saturday's Pride parade as it returns in full for the first time since the pandemic.
Jacinda Ardern wows Harvard with New Zealand's lesson on gun control and democracy
Jacinda Ardern has spoken out against the online "scourge of disinformation" in an address at Harvard University, in which she also won standing ovations for her government's gun control laws, diversity and decriminalisation of abortion.