News :: National

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Nassib comes out as gay

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Nassib comes out as gay

  • by Roger Brigham
  • Jun 21, 2021

The moment David Kopay waited 46 years for finally came this week, when Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib announced Monday, June 21, that he was gay, becoming the first NFL player to come out of the closet while still active on a team roster.

Analysis: Understanding Fulton: The decision dodged a bullet

Analysis: Understanding Fulton: The decision dodged a bullet

  • by Lisa Keen
  • Jun 21, 2021

Some legal observers viewed the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Fulton v. City of Philadelphia as a "significant" victory for LGBTQs while others saw it as another sign of "death by a thousand cuts" for queer equal rights.

Political Notes: Campaign seeks to add plethora of Pride flag emoji

Political Notes: Campaign seeks to add plethora of Pride flag emoji

  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jun 18, 2021

A new campaign aims to bring a plethora of Pride flag emoji to the keyboards of smartphones and other devices.

US Supreme Court rules Philly violated 1st Amendment in Fulton case

US Supreme Court rules Philly violated 1st Amendment in Fulton case

  • by Lisa Keen
  • Jun 17, 2021

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday that a city cannot discriminate against a contractor when they claim a religious belief.

Advocates applaud US education department's application of Title IX to LGBTQ community

Advocates applaud US education department's application of Title IX to LGBTQ community

  • by John Ferrannini
  • Jun 16, 2021

LGBTQ groups are applauding the U.S. Department of Education's decision to interpret the Civil Rights Act's Title IX to protect students from discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

LGBTQ Agenda: Montana anti-trans legislation fueled by ignorance, activist says

LGBTQ Agenda: Montana anti-trans legislation fueled by ignorance, activist says

  • by John Ferrannini
  • Jun 15, 2021

With 2021 proving to be a record year for anti-transgender legislation in statehouses across the country, activists in Montana are trying to change perceptions on the ground in the wake of three of those bills becoming law.

Centers to study COVID-19's impact on queer Americans

Centers to study COVID-19's impact on queer Americans

  • by John Ferrannini
  • Jun 9, 2021

Six organizations are launching a national study on how COVID-19 impacted the LGBTQ community.

LGBTQ Agenda: Lavender Book app seeks to help Black LGBTQs find friendly spaces

LGBTQ Agenda: Lavender Book app seeks to help Black LGBTQs find friendly spaces

  • by John Ferrannini
  • Jun 8, 2021

A new web-based app will make it easier for Black LGBTQ people to find safer spaces.

LGBTQ Agenda: GLAAD finds major social media sites 'unsafe' for LGBTQ users

LGBTQ Agenda: GLAAD finds major social media sites 'unsafe' for LGBTQ users

  • by John Ferrannini
  • May 25, 2021

GLAAD recently announced the findings of its first-ever index of LGBTQ user safety on social media, determining that Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are "effectively unsafe" due to harassment and misinformation of the queer community.

LGBTQ Agenda: Amicus briefs urge circuit court to reconsider anti-trans classroom ruling

LGBTQ Agenda: Amicus briefs urge circuit court to reconsider anti-trans classroom ruling

  • by John Ferrannini
  • May 18, 2021

Medical professionals and others are urging the entire 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider a panel's decision that a university professor can misgender trans students.

LGBTQ Agenda: Activists impressed with Biden's first 100 days, but say real challenges lie ahead

LGBTQ Agenda: Activists impressed with Biden's first 100 days, but say real challenges lie ahead

  • by John Ferrannini
  • May 3, 2021

While President Joe Biden's campaign seemed to some like a throwback to a bygone era, his first 100 days in office have shown that he aspires to be a transformational leader — and can be, if he is pushed enough.

Biden calls for passage of Equality Act in speech to Congress

Biden calls for passage of Equality Act in speech to Congress

  • by Chris Johnson, Washington Blade
  • Apr 29, 2021

President Joe Biden urged Congress to pass the Equality Act and told transgender youth that he has their back during his first speech before a joint session of Congress.

With adoption of female trans athlete ban, West Virginia to expand California travel ban list

With adoption of female trans athlete ban, West Virginia to expand California travel ban list

  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Apr 28, 2021

As more Republican-controlled statehouses across the U.S. adopt anti-LGBTQ laws, the number of states California bans taxpayer-funded travel to should continue to increase

HUD withdraws proposed Trump-era rule allowing anti-trans discrimination

HUD withdraws proposed Trump-era rule allowing anti-trans discrimination

  • by Chris Johnson, Washington Blade
  • Apr 22, 2021

The Biden administration announced on Thursday that it has formally withdrawn a rule proposed in the Trump era by the Department of Housing & Urban Development that would have allowed taxpayer-funded homeless shelters to turn away transgender people.