As it becomes increasingly clear to Americans that the Trump administration has every intention of erasing trans people, references to transgender and non-binary people have literally been erased from the Stonewall National Monument’s official National Park Service page. The site, which commemorates the Stonewall Inn riots led by trans women in 1969, after police violently raided a gay bar in Greenwich Village, only briefly mentions Marsha P. Johnson. A spokesperson from The Stonewall Inn said they were “outraged and appalled” about the info scrubbing. “This blatant act of erasure not only distorts the truth of our history, but it also…
Author: Lauren Mulvey
As the Trump administration pushes forward on a federal funding freeze for essential organizations and institutions nationwide, two federal judges have moved to check his power but they have been unsuccessful so far. In the early days of Trump’s second term, he directed Matthew Vaeth – director of Trump’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) – to order all federal agencies and departments to “temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all federal financial assistance.” According to LGBTQ Nation, Trump issued the freeze to stop funding initiatives that “advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social…
A recent study from Stonewall Scotland, has found that nearly 40% of LGBTQ+ citizens of the U.K. are still closeted in the workplace. The Findings indicate that two in five (39%) of LGBTQ+ employees still feel the need to hide their sexuality at work, and around 36% have heard discriminatory comments about a queer-identifying colleague, while 26% have themselves experienced negative comments or conduct from customers or clients. Some employees even reported that they believed they were fired or dismissed because of their identity. Around 31% reported they could not be themselves at work, and of these 53% have already…
While the U.S.’s basic human rights topple down with the reentry of the Trump Administration in the White House, across the Atlantic in France, public schools are rolling out new “essential” gender equality and consent curriculum. France’s Education Minister Elisabeth Borne is said to be launching a new plan to elevate sex education in schools across the country to combat sexual violence against women and girls. This good news follows a similar trend in other European countries like the U.K. which has launched new government plans to treat the worst cases of misogyny as extremism, according to reports from Pink News. …
While some conservative states are toughening restrictions on the LGBTQ+ community, and American companies are eliminating DEI programs, Michigan is expanding its hate crime law to include LGBTQ+ identities. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) signed the bill adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the state law in late January alongside a companion bill amending sentencing guidelines for hate crimes, according to LGBTQ Nation. The original hate crime bill was passed in 1988, and has been known as the ethnic intimidation law. The law originally applied to religion, ethnicity, and race, but the new law will extend to LGBTQ+ identities, sex,…
In recent remarks made to a delegation of bishops in Ghana, new president John Mahama announced that a bill targeting LGBTQ+ citizens was “effectively dead.” A bill entitled “The Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill” was introduced by Ghana’s parliament in 2021. In effect, the bill would require a prison sentence of up to to three years for LGBTQ+ identifying Ghanaians, and five years for those who organized and/or funded LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, according to LGBTQ Nation. Mahama won Ghana’s most recent presidential election in a landslide victory, and officially took office on Jan. 7.…
Based on his campaign promises, the LGBTQ+ community was not shocked to learn that one of Trump’s first actions when he took office was to issue executive orders to essentially erase trans identities. One order, entitled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government,” was among more than 200 executive orders Trump issued on his first day back, according to reports from Them. Other orders including the pardoning of 1,500 people convicted of attempted insurrection on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021; withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord and World Health Organization; freezing…
Seeing Bishop Mariann Budde standing up to Donald Trump and his cronies at a church service held in his honor was a much needed reprieve from all the conservative malarky since the presidential inauguration. Bishop Mariann Budde made headlines and went viral all over the internet last week after giving a critical and necessary inaugural sermon addressing Donald Trump’s bigotry head on. During her sermon, Budde said “Let me make one final plea, Mr. President. I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now. There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in Democratic,…
In response to Trump winning a second term as president, women are swearing off men, expanding the ‘4B’ movement which originated in South Korea. In his previous term as president, Trump appointed the three conservative Supreme Court judges who made it possible to overturn the landmark pro-choice case Roe vs. Wade. In his campaign rhetoric and during his first term, Trump often insulted female politicians, not to mention the famous “grab her by the p****” comment that went viral during his first presidential run (and didn’t lose him the election). During his 2024 campaign, Trump often referred to his Democratic…
A “romantic” getaway is different for every couple. Some might want to visit an exciting city with lots of art and culture, while others may prefer to visit a tropical location and enjoy sun, sand, and sea. Whatever your preference, here are five destination that are perfect for you and your lover this Valentine’s Day. Lyon, France Paris is famed for its romantic flair, but for a Valentine’s getaway with the same French mystique head to Lyon, France. Here you’ll discover beautiful medieval and Renaissance architecture, including the famous Notre-Dame de Fourvière, a famous basilica with hilltop views. You can…
As Trump and his administration wreak havoc on the rights and freedoms of Americans, three Unitarian churches in upstate New York came together just ahead of inauguration day to host a “Big Gay Wedding” event for LGBTQ+ couples hoping to get married quickly. In Rochester, New York LGBTQ+ couples were invited to participate in the wedding ceremony by First Universalist Church of Rochester, First Unitarian Church of Rochester, and Unitarian Universalist Church of Canandaigua. Those in attendance enjoyed donated cakes and flowers from local vendors and even had their photos taken for free. Minister of the First Universalist Church of…
Poland has a new museum dedicated to the history of the country’s LGBTQ+ community. QueerMuzeum will be operated by Lambda Warsaw Association, Poland’s oldest operating LGBTQ+ organization, according to the Washington Blade. The museum hosts many important artifacts, some of which date back as far as the 16th century. QueerMuzeum challenges Poland’s post-communist conservatism, which has seen extremist anti-LGBTQ activity such as LGBTQ free zones in sections of Poland where older populations have opted to completely eliminate queer culture from their towns and communities. Lambda president, Milosz Przepiórkowski said of the launch “This sends a message to politicians: ‘Look we are…
The Vatican has announced new guidelines for gay men hoping to become priests, a switch from previously held beliefs expressed by Pope Francis that gay men were not fit for priesthood. In a press release from the Italian Bishops Conference, the Vatican made it clear that it’s fine for those studying for priesthood – or seminarians – to be gay so long as they don’t act gay, engage in sexual relations, or support the “gay lifestyle.” The document emphasizes the importance of celibacy. “The objective of the training for priesthood in the emotional-sexual sphere is the ability [to] welcome chastity…
With the arrival of a new year also came the commencement of a new session of Congress, this one with a Republican majority. So what will the next two years entail for trans people while conservatives are in charge? In recent years, a slough of anti-trans legislation has been introduced at a federal level and across the nation in conservative states. Though some state level bills have been passed, federal bills have run into more trouble getting passed during the Biden-Harris Administration. But now, the usual roadblocks are limited and at the center of the conservative agendas are trans rights.…
Social technology company Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp and more, has been priming for a new era of anti-LGBTQ+ policies and messaging, according to recent activity across its platforms. Meta, which is owned and overseen by Mark Zuckerberg, has slowly been withdrawing its associations with LGBTQ+ pride and identities. Just this month, Pink News reports that Meta removed Pride and LGBTQ+ themes from Facebook Messenger. This follows a recent loosening of hate speech rules on the platform which includes giving users permission to refer to queer people as “mentally ill.” New guidelines state “We do allow allegations of mental…
The Vatican is organizing an inaugural pilgrimage for LGBTQ+ Chrisitians along with their relatives and allies. The pilgrimage will occur during the Vatican’s 2025 celebration of Jubilee, a Holy Year that only occurs every 25 years, according to LGBTQ+ Nation. The pilgrimage, which is being referred to as “Church: Home for All, LGBT+ Christians and Other Existential Frontiers,” will take place on Sept. 6 of 2025. The journey will include a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, a prayer vigil for members of the LGBTQ+ community and their families held in the city’s Il Gesù church, and a…
As the nation awaits Donald Trump’s second presidential inauguration day, House Republicans have released a new rules package, which indicates the party plans to fast-track anti-trans rights Just as the new year arrived, GOP representatives released a new package which lists anti-trans provisions as one of several bills that will be considered during the current House session which commenced on Jan. 3. According to LGBTQ Nation, no bill number is provided but a description of the bill reads: “The bill to amend the Education Amendments of 1972 to provide that for purposes of determining compliance with Title IX of such…
Liechtenstein’s new law legalizing same-sex marriage allows LGBTQ couples across the small nation to finally tie the knot. The European nation’s lawmakers approved the bill in May of last year, after years of lagging behind its neighboring EU member states, Switzerland and Austria, where same-sex unions have been legal for years. The new law went into effect on January 1, 2025. One of the smallest nations in Europe, Liechtenstein is home to just around 40,000 people and offered its same-sex citizens registered partnerships starting in 2011. With the new law, couples who registered their partnerships under the prior designation can…
President Joe Biden has used some of his remaining time as president to honor two LGBTQ+ activists with Presidential Citizens Medals. Biden honored two marriage equality activists Evan Wolfson and Mary Bonauto with the medal, the second highest honor that can be awarded to civilians. The Presidential Citizens Medal dates back to President Richard Nixon’s era. In 1969, Nixon created the honor to award to U.S. citizens who had “performed exemplary deeds or services for his or her country or fellow citizens,” according to LGBTQ Nation. Both Bonauto and Wolfson made great contributions to LGBTQ+ activism. Bonauto acts as senior…
In a historic win for the LGBTQ+ community, the Montana Supreme Court has upheld a temporary injunction against the state’s ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth. The case was brought on by several trans teens and their families along with two medical providers, following a ban on gender-affirming care access for trans teens, but not cisgender teens, meaning those who were already transitioning were blocked from access to treatments necessary to continue care. However, the win was not without a fight. LGBTQ Nation reports that Republican lawmakers voted to ban Rep. Zooey Zephyr, the state’s first trans lawmaker, from…
Enjoy some of the world’s most beautiful mountain slopes during Switzerland’s Arosa Gay Ski Week January 18-25, 2025. Certainly one of the highlights for LGBTQ+ skiers during winter in Switzerland is the annual Arosa Gay Ski Week that is happening from January 18 – 25, 2025. Some of last year’s signature events included a Break The Ice Welcome Party, the Fabulous Downhill Skiing Arosa Drag Race Competition, the Splash Pool Party, and a variety of other entertaining events. Friendship Dinners throughout Arosa Gay Ski Week consisted of a Fire & Flame Dinner Show, Night Sledging & Cheese Fondue, a Frostok…
The U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that people living with HIV will be now allowed to receive kidney and liver transplants from other people living with HIV. The new rule will take effect immediately. Life-saving organ transplants for people with HIV were prohibited for years up until this point for fears of transmission. The decision follows a recent study from “The New England Journal of Medicine,” which discovered that kidney transplants between people with HIV had “similar high rates of overall survival and low rates of organ rejection,” as transplants between HIV-negative people, according to the Associated Press. …
Though same-sex marriage has been legal across the nation since the Supreme’s Courts landmark ruling with Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015, LGBTQ+ people still fear a potential overturn of the ruling, especially following the overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022, which made it legal for states to ban abortion, and limit reproductive rights. What’s more, Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito have signaled that they would be open to reversing the same-sex marriage ruling. Mary Bonauto, who defended same-sex couples during the Obergefell case and now serves as civil rights project director at GLBTQ Legal Advocates &…
It’s gift giving season and frequent fliers, backpackers, and luxury travelers alike are in need of gifts that elevate their travel adventures. Whether you’re settling in at home, preparing to spend the holidays with your chosen family, or packing to kick back on a beach for the next few weeks, we’ve got a gift for you and your travel savvy loved ones. HANDY DANDY Gloves are a travel item we tend to overlook, but Arc’teryx Venta Gloves answer the call for perfect on-the-go hand wear that feel essential to any cool-weather trip. Thanks to versatile high-performance design, these gloves provide…
Walmart has decided to give up on its $100 million Center for Racial Equity along with other initiatives that promoted company diversity and minority support. The corporation, the largest retailer in the world, joins a growing list of organizations and companies rolling back diversity efforts and commitments. Walmart plans to curb racial equity training for employees and stop giving priority treatment to suppliers based on race and gender. Up until this point, these diversity boosting efforts helped businesses run by people of color and women thrive, and prevented racial discrimination in the workplace. These changes will also include discontinuing some LGBTQ+…
For the first time in decades, the top three STIs have decreased by 2% over the past year according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). However, over two million sexually transmitted infections were diagnosed within the last year, an all time record high. The New York Times reports these numbers are about a million more than the same figure two decades ago. And in 2023, nearly 4000 babies were diagnosed with congenital syphilis. The Times says doctors are “cautiously optimistic” about the recent downturn. Some public health measures and medical interventions have proven to be effective…
Conservative Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) has introduced a bill that would legally erase transgender people if passed. Officially titled the “Defining Male and Female Act of 2024,” Marshall’s bill will apparently put an end to what he considered the Biden administration’s attempt to “replace biological sex with dangerous radical gender ideology,” according to LGBTQ Nation. The draconian law includes a long list of definitions for terms like “male,” “female,” “father” and “girl.” Marshall’s hope is that these definitions would bar transgender people from interacting with society in ways that align with their gender identities. This includes participation in school sports,…
The Cincinnati City Council passed a motion last week allocating $500,000 to healthcare for transgender youth, according to reports from the Cincinnati Enquirer. The funding is a small fraction of the Cincinnati Health Department’s $22.1 million budget. Passed with a 9-0 vote, the motion now awaits an additional vote that will confirm the ordinance. “Increased risk of suicide is a very concerning thing in this population,” said the city’s Health Commissioner Grant Mussman during a Budget and Finance Committee meeting. “For children, especially young children, having that mental health support is very important.” Over the next two years, the fund will…
In the wake of the 2024 presidential election results, a scramble to proactively protect reproductive rights has begun with vasectomy appointments alone seeing a 1200 percent rise after Nov. 5. Ahead of Trump’s inauguration in January, Americans are speculating Trump’s early targets in office will include reproductive rights. However, it’s unclear whether or not a nationwide ban on abortions or other reproductive resources and practices is at the top of Trump’s agenda, though it remains a hot topic amongst federal and state lawmakers. Trump has in the past taken credit for the overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022, which forced…
Recent reports claim that Donald Trump plans to discharge transgender members of the U.S. military from their posts when he takes office in January of 2025. The New York Times reports, Trump could implement the executive order on his first day in office, which will dismiss thousands of service personnel on a “medical discharge,” that would deem them unfit to serve. In addition, any transgender person would also be barred from joining the military. The Telegraph reports there are approximately 15,000 active service personnel who are trans. The dismissal of transgender service personnel will only worsen the U.S. armed forces difficulties…