K. Leighty

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

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

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

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

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

In May, Pope Francis of the Catholic Church was accused of using a homophobic slur during a private meeting with bishops about how the church would handle the inclusion of gay men in the priesthood and issued a rare apology from the papacy, but less than a month later the Pope has been accused of … Read more

Did a Massachusetts middle school violate a student’s right to free speech by telling him he could not wear a T-shirt that said, “There are only two genders”? Taken to Court Despite the student bringing his claim all the way to a federal appeals court, his efforts seem to be in vain because the court … 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 group of gay furry hackers known as SiegedSec breached a conservative think tank’s data, exposing their information and leading to a heated exchange between SiegedSec and the Executive Director of the Heritage Oversight Project. The Conservative Think Tanks The Heritage Foundation is a conservative think tank known for its influence on Republican policies and … Read more

The chair of Colorado’s Republican party, Dave Williams, is under fire for an email he sent out that criticized Pride month and advocated for people to start burning Pride flags. “God Hates Pride” The subject line of William’s email read, “God Hates Pride,” and accused LGBTQ+ members of being “godless groomers” who are conspiring to … Read more

Just before the Massachusetts Pride event, an anti-LGBTQ+ rally made a daring statement. Now, similar hate crimes across the United States continue to rise. Stolen Flags Between the last Sunday and Monday of May in Carlisle, Massachusetts, over 200 pride flags were stolen from a central display just before the city’s local pride event and … Read more

Project 2025 is a detailed plan created by the Heritage Foundation for Donald Trump that hopes to radically reshape civil liberties, particularly affecting LGBTQ rights, education, healthcare, and military policies.  Overview of Project 2025 Project 2025 is a 900-page blueprint developed by the Heritage Foundation and other conservative allies for Donald Trump if he wins … Read more

After Florida directed state-owned bridges to be lit in red, white, and blue for “Freedom Summer” and avoid the usual Pride bridge lighting, seventy people gathered to light up the Main Street Bridge in Jacksonville, Florida, with the pride flag colors. Celebrating Pride The night before Pride Month began in downtown Jacksonville, Florida, seventy people … Read more

Just before Pride month, Minnesota lawmakers gave schools funding with new provisions to end the constant back-and-forth between banning books in schools by creating legislation that bans banning books. A Lack of Funding Despite their attempts and pleas to receive more state funding, Minnesota school districts are only getting minimal new funding after the state’s … Read more

President Biden’s judicial nominee, Sarah Netburn, has been facing intense scrutiny after putting forth her recommendation for a transgender inmate to be moved to an all-female prison. Difficult Questions Nominated for the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, Netburn is more than familiar with drama, but after her recommendation, she found … Read more

Actor Richard Dreyfuss, famous for his role as marine biologist Matt Hooper in Jaws, is making headlines after speaking at a Massachusetts celebration for the 1975 blockbuster Jaws and making demeaning comments about women, LGBTQ+ people, and diversity during his speech. Speaking With a Fan During the Jaws celebration, a fan yelled, “We love you!” … Read more

A ban has been proposed for teenagers under 16 from using social media, but now LGBTQ+ advocates are arguing that this ban may actually cause more harm than good. Proposed Ban The Australian government has proposed new regulations that will require teens under the age of 16 to obtain parental consent to use social media … Read more

A Kansas judge has blocked the Biden administration’s expanded Title IX protections for LGBTQ+ students in four states, increasing tension in a legal battle over the scope of anti-discrimination rules in education.  Context of the Ruling A federal judge in Kansas has just blocked the Biden administration’s Title IX rule that attempted to expand protections … Read more

Hoping to introduce young children to diverse gender identities and experiences, gender identity education is spreading throughout teacher’s lesson plans, and some conservatives are calling it indoctrination.  Controversial Inclusion Lessons A primary school teacher has been accused of “trans indoctrination” after a video surfaced from her classroom and highlighted her lesson on transgender individuals. Sparking … Read more

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman proposed a ban that would stop female transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports in county parks, but it was struck down by a New York judge with an executive order . Less Than 1.5% At this point in America’s long and difficult relationship with its transgender citizens, these individuals … Read more

Three former St. Tammany Library Board of Control members, Bill McHugh, Anthony Parr, and Rebecca Taylor, have filed a federal lawsuit against the St. Tammany Parish Council after they were removed for trying to protect LGBTQ+ books. Book Ban Controversy The lawsuit follows a year-long effort by the far-right St. Tammany Library Accountability Project to … Read more

Pope Francis has been accused of using a homophobic slur during a private meeting with bishops about how the church would handle the inclusion of gay men in the priesthood. The Word in Question Though I will not copy the word that was used in this article, the slur allegedly used by the Pope is … Read more

A 39-year-old Catholic hermit from Kentucky, Brother Christian Matson, has made headlines after coming out as transgender with the public support of local church leader Bishop John Stowe of the Diocese of Lexington. Finding Catholicism Originally, Matson was raised Presbyterian, but he converted to Catholicism in 2010, finding his new religious identity four years after … Read more

By a 28-7 vote with support from all Republicans and two Democrats, Louisiana State Senators passed House Bill 122, which will effectively ban discussions of LGBTQ+ issues in schools.  Going to the Governor The bill has been compared to similar “Don’t Say Gay” bills in other states. After being passed by the Senate, it will … Read more

Over the past few years, the NFL has increased its public support of the LGBTQ+ community, as seen by initiatives led by Commissioner Roger Goodell and organizations like the Buffalo Bills, but does the organization’s support really match the beliefs of its coaches and players? Roger Goodell’s Commitment to LGBTQ+ Inclusion In a recent speech, … Read more

On Monday, the Supreme Court finally announced they will be addressing state laws that ban gender-affirming care for minors and determine whether these laws violate the Equal Protection Clause and the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment.  Scope of the Laws Right now, state laws, such as those in Idaho and Missouri, impose severe … Read more

Ashley Brundage, a transgender woman from Tampa, has qualified to run for the Florida State House representing District 65 and could potentially become the first transgender person elected to public office in Florida. Ashley Brundage’s Historic Run Ashley Brundage has made history by qualifying to run for the Florida State House and hopes to become … Read more

A parent from North Carolina is furious after their kid’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 New York City Gay Couple has filed a class-action lawsuit against New York City officials for the city’s health plan discriminating against gay men by excluding them from in vitro fertilization (IVF) coverage. Action Against NY Officials Former New York County Assistant District Attorney Corey Briskin and his husband, Nicholas Maggipinto, have filed a … Read more

The expansion of Christian nationalist private schools, which are primarily funded by taxpayer dollars through state voucher programs, is raising concerns about the separation of church and state as they continue to promote conservative ideologies and religious teachings. Expansion of Christian Nationalist Schools Around the country, Christian nationalist groups are opening private schools supported by … 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

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

Mark Pocan, a gay democrat congressman, is in the headlines this week for criticizing Marjorie Taylor Greene and the GOP for attempting to create a ban against drag shows on military bases.  Defense Authorization Debate A proposed amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) seeks to ban drag performances on military bases and sparked … Read more

The co-owner of Miss Universe, Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip, has caused significant controversy and debate within the pageant community when discussing transgender competitors’ chances at winning Miss Universe. From Video Store to CEO Anne Jakrajutatip began working at her family’s video rental business before expanding into media and eventually becoming the CEO of JKN Global Media, … Read more

A new study has revealed that the majority of LGBTQ+ employees in the American workforce report feeling marginalized, lonely, misunderstood, or excluded at work.  The Report From EduBirdie The initial report was made by EduBirdie, an online academic platform that offers writing assistance, including essay writing services, research paper help, and other academic support. Lonely … 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

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

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

The Biden administration has made groundbreaking revisions to Title IX rules so that they now include protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in education. Republican Reactions As a reaction to these new Title IX protections for the transgender community, Republicans have responded with a series of lawsuits against the Biden administration. … Read more

The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, has issued a landmark ruling that will require state-run health insurance plans to cover gender-affirming surgeries for transgender people, a first in U.S. history for such a federal appellate court mandate. The decision centered on employee health plans in North Carolina and West Virginia, two … Read more

To honor the historic Stonewall Riots, New York officials are renaming the closest subway station to the Christopher Street-Stonewall National Monument station, and the National Park Service plans to open the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center in 2024.  Stonewall Uprising and Its Significance The Stonewall Riots, also known as the Stonewall Uprising, began on June … Read more

The state of Texas has officially initiated legal action against the Biden administration for a 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 … Read more

In May, Pope Francis of the Catholic Church was accused of using a homophobic slur during a private meeting with bishops about how the church would handle the inclusion of gay men in the priesthood and issued a rare apology from the papacy, but less than a month later the Pope has been accused of … Read more

Did a Massachusetts middle school violate a student’s right to free speech by telling him he could not wear a T-shirt that said, “There are only two genders?” Taken to Court Despite the student bringing his claim all the way to a federal appeals court, his efforts seem to be in vain because the court … Read more

Despite the public celebration of hundreds of celebrities and organizations, including the NFL itself, the Kansas City Chiefs have 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 … 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

A new poll has come out in Australia and revealed that more than half of Australian citizens oppose laws that allow faith-based schools to legally dismiss or refuse to hire teachers based on their sexuality and gender identity. Mounting Opposition Due to this less than shocking revelation, an opposition to these discriminatory laws has quickly … Read more

Pride month has finally arrived, but what does that mean, and where did it come from? This month, there are parades and parties to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community’s achievements, but let’s find out why. A Celebration and Protest Pride Month is both a celebration and a protest, honoring the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer … Read more

The chair of Colorado’s Republican party, Dave Williams, is under fire for an email he sent out that criticized Pride month and advocated for people to start burning Pride flags. “God Hates Pride” The subject line of William’s email read, “God Hates Pride,” and accused LGBTQ+ members of being “godless groomers” who are conspiring to … Read more

Georgia’s ruling party has introduced draft legislation that targets LGBT rights, with new bans on same-sex relationships in films, television, and advertising. Outlawing Marriage and Adoptions Georgia’s new ban will not only bad the depiction of same-sex couples in media but also aim to outlaw same-sex marriage registration and adoption by non-heterosexual couples. The Speaker … Read more

On April 26, President Joe Biden announced that he is making significant amendments to Title IX regulations that hope to build further protections for survivors of abuse, LGBTQ+ students, and student parents. Reinstating Protections At the same time, the Biden administration has reinstated protections under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for LGBTQ+ people that the … Read more

The United Kingdom’s Conservative party has pledged to amend the Equality Act so that a person’s sex is defined by their “biological sex” if they win the upcoming general election. Addressing Confusion This amendment to the Equality Act is meant to address the “confusion” that surrounds the United Kingdom’s female-only spaces and businesses. Impact on … Read more

Over 200 pride flags were stolen in Carlisle, Massachusetts, just before the town’s Pride event, but this is just the tip of the iceberg as anti-LGBTQ+ incidents across the United States continue to rise. Stolen Flags Between the last Sunday and Monday of May in Carlisle, Massachusetts, over 200 pride flags were stolen from a … Read more

Rebel Wilson, famous for her comedic roles in movies like Bridesmaids and Pitch Perfect, has been in the headlines this week for saying actors needing to play roles that align with her sexual orientation is “total nonsense.” Aligning With the Character In an interview with the Guardian, Rebel Wilson was asked about the existing guidelines … Read more

Actor Richard Dreyfuss, famous for his role as marine biologist Matt Hooper in Jaws, is making headlines after speaking at a Massachusetts celebration for the 1975 blockbuster Jaws and making demeaning comments about women, LGBTQ+ people, and diversity during his speech. Speaking With a Fan During the Jaws celebration, a fan yelled, “We love you!” … Read more

The Iraq Parliament has passed a new law that creates severe punishments for LGBTQ+ individuals and could potentially put gay people in prison for up to 15 years. A New Law The Iraqi Parliament has passed a new law titled “Law on Combating Prostitution and Homosexuality” which will have serious consequences for members of the … Read more

Disgraced former talk show host and lesbian icon Ellen DeGeneres is back in the news thanks to a new show called “Ellen’s Last Stand…Up Tour” beginning this month in Los Angeles, California. Back in the Spotlight After a two-year-long break, Ellen returns to the spotlight at the Coronet Theater in West Hollywood with her first … Read more

After Florida directed state-owned bridges to be lit in red, white, and blue for “Freedom Summer” and avoid the usual Pride bridge lighting, seventy people gathered to light up the Main Street Bridge in Jacksonville, Florida, with the pride flag colors. Celebrating Pride The night before Pride Month began in downtown Jacksonville, Florida, seventy people … Read more

Just before Pride month, Minnesota lawmakers gave schools funding with new provisions to end the constant back-and-forth between banning books in schools by creating legislation that bans banning books. A Lack of Funding Despite their attempts and pleas to receive more state funding, Minnesota school districts are only getting minimal new funding after the state’s … Read more

Last week, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster announced that he would sign a law that would ban gender-affirming care for transgender minors in the state, and advocacy groups are scrambling to fight it. The 25th State After the ceremonial bill signing, South Carolina will become the 25th state to ban gender-affirming care in the United … Read more