K. Leighty

Imane Khelif, an Algerian boxer, has been making headlines at the Paris Olympics after her dominant performance has brought on accusations that she is actually a trans woman, but she seems to be staying strong despite the accusations. Imane Khelif’s Olympic Journey Imane Khelif began her journey towards becoming an Olympic medal-winning boxer with humble … Read more

An Ohio law from 1995 that requires political candidates to disclose their original name, if they have changed it in the last five years has often been used by conservatives to stop transgender candidates but is now stopping a Republican from getting on the ballot. Name Change Law  Whereas the 1995 name change law typically … Read more

A new study published by JAMA Pediatrics found that transgender students were more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, and bullying but would rather talk about their problems with teachers at school than with their parents at home. Research Conducted by Top Universities The study in question was conducted by researchers at the University of … Read more

Imane Khelif, an Algerian boxer, has been making headlines at the Paris Olympics after her dominant performance has brought on false accusations that she is actually a trans woman, but she seems to be staying strong. Imane Khelif’s Olympic Journey Imane Khelif began her journey towards becoming an Olympic medal-winning boxer with humble beginnings, selling … Read more

This year’s Democratic National Convention (DNC) marked a historic moment for the LGBTQ+ community, with more representation in its delegates and speakers than any year prior. However, the convention failed to address some of the most pressing issues, receiving significant pushback. DNC: A Century-Old Political Institution The Democratic National Convention (DNC) has been a major … Read more

A recent federal court ruling has just overturned a “discriminatory” Pentagon policy that barred asymptomatic HIV-positive people from enlisting in the U.S. military. Judge Brinkema Ends HIV Enlistment Ban The ruling to end the Pentagon’s policy barring people with HIV from enlisting in the military has just been overturned by U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema. … Read more

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has just dealt a massive blow to the transgender Texas community after announcing that the state will no longer allow people to update their genders on their driver’s licenses. Challenges For Transgender Texans As difficult as it must be to be a transgender person in the state of … Read more

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has updated its General Handbook to address issues they have been having with transgender members and the church’s policies on biological sex. Handbook Update for Local Leaders The General Handbook updates are the church’s attempt at providing local church leaders with more guidance in ministering to their … Read more

A new report from “Safe Havens II” has revealed the critical need for more transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse (TNGD) youth support within out-of-home systems like foster care, juvenile justice, and homelessness services thanks to recent anti-LGBTQ+ laws and policy changes. A Follow-Up Report The new report titled Safe Havens II: We Must Affirm and Support … Read more

The LGBTQ+ community in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, is standing up against prejudice by hosting the largest Pride event the small town has ever seen after a local man threatened to commit a mass shooting during a drag performance. Gun Violence Mass shootings are a constant and unwavering problem in the United States that has no … Read more

A new report from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has revealed that public support for the LGBTQ+ community receiving equal rights within the United States has actually gone down in 2024, coinciding with the increasing LGBTQ+ legislation spreading throughout the United States. Annual GLAAD Report Every year, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance … Read more

Parents of kids at Newport High School in Southern California are looking for answers and raising concerns after the school was directing students to resources for gender transitioning without asking for parental consent. Liberal School Policies Newport High School is in a wealthy school district in Orange County, California, where some of the most liberal … Read more

Now that Kamala Harris is the new Democratic Presidential nominee, we know she has been a long-time supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, but just how much does her choice for Vice President, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, align with these values? Biden Out, Harris In Now that sitting President Joe Biden has stepped down from his re-election … Read more

Despite the massive transgender controversy surrounding Imane Khelif, the controversial Algerian boxer fighting in the Olympics, she has successfully fought past top-tier boxers and baseless online harassment to take home an Olympic Gold Medal, and her haters aren’t happy. Who Is Khalif? Imane Khalif is a 25 year old boxer who has been representing Algeria … Read more

Despite the public celebration of hundreds of celebrities and organizations, including the NFL itself, one NFL team has notably refrained from publicly celebrating Pride Month. Kansas City Chiefs and Pride Month Where team after team of various sports organizations have jumped at the opportunity to celebrate Pride Month with posts declaring their unity with the … Read more

A Franklin County judge has allowed Ohio’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors to take effect, as laws restricting access to puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgeries for transgender minors continue to divide the country. Impact on Transgender Youth Franklin County, Ohio’s Judge Michael Holbrook has made a ruling that means that transgender minors in … Read more

Valentina Gomez, a Republican candidate for Missouri Secretary of State, has received some serious backlash in the News after posting slur-filled videos on social media targeting the LGBTQ+ community and transgender athletes. Campaign and Background Valentina Gomez is a 25-year-old real estate investor from Colombia running for the position of Missouri Secretary of State.  Drawing … Read more

The Paris 2024 Olympics has set a historic precedent with a record-breaking 195 openly LGBTQ+ athletes competing, showcasing significant strides in visibility and acceptance within the global sports community.  Breaking Record and Setting an Example The 195 openly LGBTQ+ This number surpasses the previous record of 186 athletes set at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, which … Read more

A new Gallup poll has revealed that people within the LGBTQ+ community are coming out nearly a decade earlier than previous generations, which may highlight a shift toward greater societal acceptance. Early Coming Out Age A new Gallup poll on young LGBTQ+ Americans says they are coming out nearly a decade earlier than LGBTQ+ seniors, … Read more

Imane Khelif, an Algerian boxer, has been making headlines at the Paris Olympics after her dominant performance has brought on accusations that she is actually a trans woman, but she seems to be staying strong despite the accusations. Imane Khelif’s Olympic Journey Imane Khelif began her journey towards becoming an Olympic medal-winning boxer with humble … Read more

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and one of the richest men in the world, said that he was tricked into giving his child puberty blockers, and his child was eventually taken from Musk by “the woke mind virus.” An Interview With Peterson After an interview with Jordan Peterson, a well-known Canadian psychologist and … Read more

Caitlin Clark, a rising star in the WNBA, has brought significant attention to the league, but her rapid ascent has ignited debates about the influence of her race and sexuality on her success. Caitlin Clark’s Background Caitlin Clark is a standout basketball player from the University of Iowa who quickly made her mark in the … Read more

Cindy Ngamba, a refugee from Cameroon, a talented boxer, and a lesbian woman, has just made history by winning an Olympic medal for the Refugee Olympic Team.  Early Life and Challenges Born in Cameroon, Cindy Ngamba fled to the UK at age 11 for fear of persecution because homosexuality is criminalized in her home country, … Read more

Sarah Kate Ellis, CEO of the nonprofit LGBTQ advocacy group GLAAD, is facing serious scrutiny over her lavish spending of nonprofit funds on first-class flights, luxury accommodations, and extensive home renovations.  Historical Background and Mission GLAAD, originally founded in 1985 as the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, aims to combat defamatory and sensationalist media … Read more

Italian boxer Angela Carini’s Olympic dream was shattered in a controversial boxing match against Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who had previously failed chromosome sex tests but was still allowed to compete. Background and Achievements Angela Carini is a 25-year-old boxer from Naples, Italy, who has had an overall successful career, representing Italy at the Tokyo … Read more

JD Vance, the Republican vice-presidential candidate and running mate with former President Donald Trump, has taken a strong conservative stance by supporting Trump’s less supportive LGBTQ stance. VP J.D. Vance At this year’s Republican National Convention (RNC), former President Donald Trump officially selected Ohio Senator J.D. Vance as his running mate for the upcoming presidential … Read more

The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0) aim to protect minors from online harm but have sparked concerns from people worried about their unintentional impact on LGBTQ+ youth.  COPPA 2.0  The Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0) seeks to extend privacy protections … Read more

The Broward County School Board is struggling with the future of a school employee whose transgender daughter played on the school’s girls’ volleyball team, allegedly violating Florida’s Fairness in Women’s Sports Act.  School Board Deliberation The Broward County School Board, based in a politically liberal area known for its significant LGBTQ+ community, is debating whether … Read more

Ryan Garcia, a prominent and controversial boxing figure, has just gone on an anti-LGBTQ tirade in response to the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony, where he expressed his disdain towards LGBTQ+ performers alongside religious representations. Who Is Ryan Garcia Ryan Garcia, often referred to as “KingRy,” fighting style is characterized by explosive speed and precise … Read more

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony is facing some serious backlash for a segment featuring drag queens that resembled Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” leading some to accuse the games of mocking Christianity.  Introduction to the Incident Nicky Doll, a prominent drag queen, participated as a torchbearer and performer at the Paris Olympics’ … Read more

Nikki Hiltz, a transgender and nonbinary athlete from Santa Cruz, California, is competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics, representing both Team USA and the LGBTQ+ community, despite the current political climate surrounding non-gender conforming individuals in the U.S. Nikki Hiltz’s Olympic Journey Nikki Hiltz is a distinguished middle-distance runner who primarily competes in the 1500 … Read more

Russia is increasing its crackdown on LGBTQ activism and literature as part of a broader anti-LGBTQ+ agenda that is rapidly spreading throughout the country. Banning Activism The increased efforts to suppress the LGBTQ+ community is part of a full ban on “LGBT Activism” enacted in 2022 that was built on pre-existing discriminatory laws and prejudices. … Read more

Now that Joe Biden has stepped down from his re-election campaign, Kamala Harris has emerged as the Democratic presidential nominee and has garnered substantial support from over 1,100 LGBTQ leaders, celebrities, and lawmakers, who signed an endorsement letter highlighting her commitment to LGBTQ rights.  From VP to LGBTQ+ Nominee Now that Joe Biden’s Vice President … Read more

In May, Pope Francis of the Catholic Church was accused of using a homophobic slur during a private meeting with bishops, but less than a month later, the Pope was accused of using the slur again, and now a student has gone to the Pope directly to ask him to stop with this hateful speech. … Read more

After President Joe Biden stepped down from his re-election campaign, Kamala Harris has stepped up as the Democratic presidential nominee, and we’re taking a deep dive into her stance on Democratic issues like LGBTQ+ rights and abortion access. Early Life and Background Born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California, Harris grew up in a … Read more

Two Ohio grandparents are making headlines after choosing to leave the Republican Party due to their love and support for their transgender grandchild. Personal Departure A pair of Ohio grandparents, Mike and Melissa, have decided to leave the Republican Party due to its stance on LGBTQ+ issues, particularly concerning transgender rights.  A Deeply Personal Decision … Read more

A parent from North Carolina is furious after their children’s school leaked information that revealed the 6-year-old twins are being raised in a gender-nonconforming home, leading to an online campaign of hate against the “satanic” family. Gender-Nonconforming Mortellus, a trans nonbinary parent, is raising twins in a gender-nonconforming household without the traditional binary restrictions commonly … Read more

A federal judge in Missouri has just issued a preliminary injunction against the Biden administration’s revised Title IX rule, which redefined “sex” to include “gender identity” in order to protect trans and non-binary students from discrimination. Context of the Ruling A federal judge in Missouri has just blocked the Biden administration’s Title IX rule that … Read more

While marriage equality for the LGBTQ+ community in the United States has always been controversial, Justice Sonia Sotomayor is warning the American people that the Supreme Court’s recent decisions could soon non-heterosexual couple’s right to marriage.  Sotomayor’s Warning Justice Sonia Sotomayor has issued a dire warning about the future of marriage equality and expressed a … Read more

Since President Biden announced that he would end his presidential re-election campaign, reactions of sympathy and support have begun pouring out from LGBTQ+ activists, Democratic leaders, and international figures.  Boosting Trump An assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump earlier this month significantly boosted his popularity among his supporters and strengthened his position as the … Read more

A local bar in Eagle, Idaho, called the Old State Saloon, recently made headlines by declaring June “Heterosexual Awareness Month” and offering discounts for heterosexual customers. Fitzpatrick’s Inspiration The idea for “Heterosexual Awareness Month” bar owner Mark Fitzpatrick said he was inspired to create the event in order to celebrate a counter to LGBTQ Pride … Read more

A federal judge has just denied Moms for Liberty’s request to block federal protections for LGBTQ students in over 800 counties after the conservative group attempted to expand an injunction that blocked a new Title IX rule protecting LGBTQ students. Context of the Ruling Earlier this month, a federal judge in Kansas blocked the Biden … Read more

California’s recent legislation banning “forced outings” of transgender and non-binary students has sparked a legal battle with the Chino Valley Unified School District, which previously required teachers to contact the parents about transgender and non-binary kids.  Legislation Overview This week Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1955, the SAFETY Act, which prohibits California schools from … Read more

New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu has signed several bills impacting the LGBTQ+ community, which include bans for transgender girls from participating in school sports and prohibiting gender-affirming care for minors.  Who Is Sununu? Chris Sununu has been the Governor of New Hampshire since 2017 and is known for balancing his conservative policies with occasionally moderate … Read more

Caitlin Clark, a rising star in the WNBA, has brought significant attention to the league, but her rapid ascent has ignited debates about the influence of her race and sexuality on her success. Caitlin Clark’s Background Caitlin Clark is a standout basketball player from the University of Iowa who quickly made her mark in the … Read more

A Kansas judge has blocked the Biden administration’s expanded Title IX protections for LGBTQ+ students in four states and is now expanding the decisions to hundreds of schools and colleges across the U.S. Context of the Ruling Earlier this month, a federal judge in Kansas blocked the Biden administration’s Title IX rule that attempted to … Read more

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed a lawsuit against a Tennessee law banning drag performances, overturning a lower court’s decision to block the law. Court Ruling and Standing The federal appeals court has ruled that Friends of George’s, a Memphis-based LGBTQ+ theater company, did not have the legal right to sue over the … Read more

Gov. Gavin Newsom has just signed a groundbreaking bill that makes California the first U.S. state to ban schools from outing transgender students to their parents. Legislation Overview Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1955, the SAFETY Act, which prohibits California schools from outing transgender students to their parents without students’ consent.  The Dignity of … Read more

A recent Gallup poll has revealed that more than six in ten U.S. adults oppose laws that ban gender-affirming care for minors, but the majority also think changing genders is “morally wrong.” Growing Resistance This poll on support for gender-affirming care for minors indicates that there could be growing resistance to far-right efforts to limit … Read more

The ACLU has filed a lawsuit against the town of Loogootee, Indiana, because it believes that the town violated people’s First Amendment rights by rescinding their approval for a Pride festival. Reversing Decisions Organized by a local LGBTQ+ advocacy group called Tri-State Alliance, the town initially granted permission for the festival before the decision was … Read more

A federal judge in Louisiana has blocked the Biden administration’s Title IX rules that were meant to create protections for LGBTQ students because these rules overstepped the bounds of federal authority and interfered with state laws. Impacting Gender Identity The ruling specifically impacts policies related to gender identity, such as who is allowed to participate … Read more

This year’s Republican National Convention (RNC) saw a strong focus on anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, with several high-profile speakers targeting transgender and non-gender-conforming individuals. Trump’s Return to RNC What may have been the most memorable moment from the RNC was Trump’s entrance, accompanied by Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.,” and marked with his official acceptance as … Read more

Former President Donald Trump has chosen Senator J.D. Vance as his vice-presidential running mate for the upcoming election, but many are questioning this decision due to Vance’s past criticisms of Trump and his stance on LGBTQ+ issues. VP J.D. Vance At this year’s Republican National Convention (RNC), former President Donald Trump officially selected Ohio Senator … Read more

Churches worldwide are struggling with internal conflicts over whether or not they should introduce blessings for same-sex couples, leading to significant dissent and threats of full-blown schisms.  Background and Decision Many churches, especially within the Church of England, are holding controversial votes regarding the introduction of blessings for same-sex couples, leading to significant internal conflict.  … Read more

This year, at least 27 small towns across the U.S. hosted their first-ever Pride events, marking a significant step forward for LGBTQ+ visibility and acceptance in America.  Growing Visibility In 2024, 27 small towns across the U.S. held their first Pride events, showcasing the growth of LGBTQ+ acceptance beyond major cities and slowing spreading across … Read more

The state of Texas has officially countered the Biden administration’s new rule that would protect people’s access to gender transition care.  Providing Care The contested rule from the Biden administration mandates that health providers and insurance companies provide gender-affirming care without discrimination. Background on the Rule The rule, issued by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission … Read more

The small town of Pine City, Minnesota, has just elected its first openly gay mayor, Kent Bombard, highlighting the state’s growing progressive values and its commitment to LGBTQ+ representation across the United States.  Historic Election Pine City, Minnesota, has made history by electing its first openly gay mayor, Kent Bombard, and marking a significant step … Read more

Singer-songwriter and proud LGBTQ+ advocate Chappell Roan says they received an invitation from President Joe Biden’s White House to perform at an LGBTQ+ Pride event but refused it because not enough has been done for the LGBTQ+ community. Who Is Chappell Chappell Roan is from Willard, Missouri, and is an American singer-songwriter known for her … Read more