LGBTQ

Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Law Settlement Brings Clarity and Protection for LGBTQ+ Students

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MIAMI, FL – A settlement has been reached in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Florida’s Parental Rights in Education law, also known as the “Don’t Say Gay” law. The plaintiffs argued that the law aimed to silence conversations about the LGBTQ+ community in schools. Governor Ron DeSantis signed the law in March 2022, which initially restricted classroom instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation in kindergarten through third grade, and later expanded the prohibition through high schools. The supporters of the law, including DeSantis, maintained that their goal was to eliminate what they called … Read more

Texas Judge Temporarily Blocks AG’s Request for Information on Transgender Children in Landmark LGBTQ+ Case

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Austin, Texas – A Texas judge has temporarily blocked state Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, from requiring an LGBTQ+ advocacy group to disclose information about transgender children receiving gender transition treatment. The ruling came in response to a legal challenge brought by PFLAG National, which sought to prevent Paxton’s office from collecting the information. Travis County District Court Judge Maria Cantú Hexsel determined that forcing PFLAG to provide the information would violate their rights of free speech, association, and protection from unreasonable searches. She described it as a “gross invasion” of privacy. The judge’s … Read more

Michigan Passes Groundbreaking Laws in 2023: From Gun Safety to LGBTQ+ Rights, Here’s What You Need to Know

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LANSING, Mich. – Michigan residents will need to familiarize themselves with the new laws and amendments that were passed in 2023 and recently went into effect. Taking advantage of the first combined Democratic majority in the state House, Senate, and governor’s seat in decades, lawmakers approved a range of bills related to various issues including gun safety, minimum wage, LGBTQ+ protections, and the “right-to-work” policy. The laws relating to gun safety were enacted following the tragic mass shootings at Michigan State University and Oxford High School in previous years. The legislation includes the establishment of … Read more

Washington and Idaho Tackle LGBTQ+ Hate Crimes and Gender-Affirming Care with New Legislation

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Spokane, Washington and Boise, Idaho have taken vastly different approaches when it comes to addressing issues impacting LGBTQ+ communities. The divergent paths taken by lawmakers in these neighboring states highlight the ongoing battles over LGBTQ+ rights and discrimination. Idaho made headlines in its recent legislative session when it passed House Bill 71, a controversial measure that restricts transgender minors from obtaining gender-affirming care. The law, slated to go into effect on January 1, has faced legal challenges over its constitutionality, effectively delaying its enforcement for now. Meanwhile, across the border in Washington, state legislators have … Read more