| |
WORLD Thai marriage law, French bill, Miss Universe, IKEA, activist dies
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said that the cabinet approved a draft law on marriage equality and that it would be brought to parliament during a session starting in December, Reuters reported. If the draft law ...
|
| |
| |
NATIONAL Trevor Project, anti-trans crimes, priest sentenced, hate-crimes unit
The Trevor Project announced the extension of its partnership with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, reaffirming its commitment to providing specialized assistance to LGBTQ+ people who call 9-8-8, The Advocate reported. Interim Senior Vice President ...
|
|
| |
| |
Scotland announces five-year plan to help nonbinary people
Scotland's government has announced a five-year action plan to improve the lives of non-binary people, Yahoo! News reported. Among other things, the first-of-its-kind plan in the UK (and, quite possibly, in the world) includes actions to ...
|
| |
| |
PASSAGES: Mexico's first out nonbinary magistrate Jesus Ociel Baena Saucedo
On Nov. 13, Mexico's first out nonbinary magistrate and LGBTQ+ activist Jesus Ociel Baena Saucedo was found dead in their state of Aguascalientes home alongside their partner Dorian Herrera. They were 38. According to state prosecutor ...
|
| |
| |
Victory Fund celebrates Midwest LGBTQ+ activists and officials
On Nov. 15, the Victory Fund Midwest Chapter held its annual fundraiser and gala, "Victory in the Midwest," at Venue West. 221 N. Paulina St. The event honored Jim Bennett (formerly Lambda Legal's Chicago office manager ...
|
| |
| |
SCOTUS Hamburger Mary's decision: small victory, big concerns
In a surprise move, a 6-3 majority of the U.S. Supreme Court did something good for LGBTQ+ people: It rejected Florida's request for a stay against a lower court decision—a stay that would have enabled the ...
|
| |
| |
NATIONAL Bishop removed, business news, Jezebel shutting down, MAP head
Pope Francis removed the bishop of Tyler, Texas—a conservative prelate active on social media who has been a fierce critic of the pontiff, PBS reported. A one-line statement from the Vatican said the pope had "relieved" ...
|
| |
| |
Equality Illinois mourns the death of Magistrate Dr. Jesus Ociel Baena Saucedo
--From a press release
Statement by Mony Ruiz-Velasco, Deputy Director at Equality Illinois, the state's civil rights organization for LGBTQ+ people, regarding the death of Dr Jesus Ociel Baena Saucedo: "I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of ...
|
| |
| |
Illinois attorney general part of effort against Oklahoma anti-trans youth law
--From a press release
Chicago — Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is opposing a state law in Oklahoma that severely limits the ability of transgender youth to access critical, lifesaving gender-affirming care. Raoul, along with a coalition of attorneys general, ...
|
| |
| |
Santos not seeking re-election after wrongdoing evidence is revealed
On Nov. 16, the House Ethics Committee found "substantial evidence" that U.S. Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) violated federal law, setting the stage for another push to expel the embattled gay first-term Congressman and prompting him to ...
|
|
| |
| |
HRC's 2023 survey of cities, towns shows record support for LGBTQ+ residents; Chicago scores 100
--From a press release
WASHINGTON—Te Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC), in partnership with the Equality Federation, an advocacy accelerator rooted in social justice that builds power in a network of state-based LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations ...
|
| |
| |
Rainbow Wave: 238 LGBTQ+ candidates win public office in 2023, all time high for an odd year election
--From a press release
Washington, DC — 238 out LGBTQ+ candidates have won elections in 2023, as of 3 p.m. ET, surpassing the record 185 who won in 2021 — the last odd-year election. LGBTQ+ Victory Fund is awaiting final ...
|
| |
| |
Mayor Johnson names new CPDH commissioner
Mayor Brandon Johnson announced the appointment of esteemed public health leader Dr. Olusimbo "Simbo" Ige, MD, MS, MPH to serve as commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH). The announcement took place days after ...
|
| |
| |
Anti-LGBTQ+ GOP presidential candidate Tim Scott leaves race
In a Nov. 12 announcement that surprised his own staff, Republican U.S. Sen. Tim Scott decided to suspend his presidential campaign, Politico reported. ...
|
| |
| |
UN committee criticizes United States' LGBTQ+ record
Reviewing the United States' record on civil and political rights, the United Nations Human Rights Committee (HRC) condemned the country's record on LGBTQ+ rights, according to Human Rights Watch. In 1992, the United States ratified the ...
|
| |
| |
WORLD Macron, Senegal incident, drag queen, King's Speech, lesbian artist
French President Emmanuel Macron voiced his support for a bill banning gender-inclusive language on official state documents, according to PinkNews. During the inauguration of the space known as the Cite ...
|
| |
| |
Former CDPH head accepts position with the CDC
Former Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) commissioner Dr. Alison Arwady is now with The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, according to Axios. The CDC announced on Nov. 9 that Arwady will ...
|
| |
| |
Out ex-Gov. Jim McGreevey running for Jersey City mayor
Former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey formally re-entered politics on Nov. 9, as he announced he aims to become mayor of Jersey City—two decades after he resigned as governor, Politico reported. His announcement video, titled "Second ...
|
| |
| |
NATIONAL Election results, campus items, Puerto Rican icons, healthcare suit
Historic developments took place during the Nov. 7 elections that happened in some states. LGBTQ+ Victory Fund candidate Rue Landau won an at-large seat on the Philadelphia City Council—making her the first out LGBTQ+ candidate to ...
|
| |
| |
Angelica Ross talks politics, Hollywood, Buddhism and more
Angelica Ross had already made her imprint on society in various ways. She is the founder of TransTech Social Enterprises, which helps transgender and gender-nonconforming people become part of the tech industry; an activist who hosted ...
|
|
| |
| |
Rainbow wave: Historic number of LGBTQ+ Candidates elected in 2023
--From a press release
Washington, DC — Over 200 out LGBTQ+ candidates won their elections in 2023 — including 148 tonight — more than in any other odd-numbered election year in U.S. history. The number of victories is expected to ...
|
| |
| |
Mississippi makes history with first LGBTQ+ state lawmaker, county supervisor
On Nov. 7 Fabian Nelson—backed by the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund—won the general election to represent District 66 in the Mississippi State House, making history as the first out LGBTQ+ candidate to win election to the state ...
|
| |
| |
HRC Chicago hosts 2023 celebration
Photos by Kat Fitzgerald/MysticImagesPhotgraphy.com
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Chicago held its annual fundraising dinner and auction the evening of Nov. 4 on at the Fairmont Chicago, 200 N. Columbus Dr. HRC Chicago's Community Leadership Award was presented to Jared ...
|
| |
| |
UPDATE: Ramirez-Rosa apologizes, steps down from roles on Chicago City Council
On Nov. 4, the Chicago Aldermanic Black Caucus called for Northwest Side Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th Ward)—Mayor Brandon Johnson's City Council floor leader—to step down from his roles as floor leader and chair of the City's ...
|
| |
| |
Col. Jennifer Pritzker talks about philanthropy, Republican ties
Col. Jennifer Pritzker is someone who firmly believes in giving. There's the transgender activist who has been supportive of many LGBTQ+-related causes. And, of course, there's the Jennifer Pritzker who spent almost three decades in the ...
|
| |
| |
NATIONAL Trans deaths, endorsements, Sakia Gunn, museum news, Maddow
A man was arrested in connection with the murder of a transgender woman in northwest Miami-Dade, Florida, NBC Miami reported. Anthony Quinn Peyton II, 25, was charged with second-degree murder in the Oct. 23 killing of ...
|
| |
| |
Report: More than 500 LGBTQ+ candidates ran for office in 2023
--From a press release
Washington, DC — Today LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, the only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ+ leaders to public office, released its 2023 Out on the Trail report, the only annual report on the number and diversity ...
|
| |
| |
George Santos survives U.S. House expulsion vote
Despite facing multiple charges, George Santos—the embattled gay Republican who admitted to lying about his background—easily survived a bipartisan effort to expel him from the House of Representatives on Nov. ...
|
| |
| |
Kwame Raoul backs Maryland school board's efforts for LGBTQ+ safety, inclusion
--From a press release
Chicago — Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 19 attorneys general, supported a Maryland board of education's efforts to create a safe and supportive environment for LGBTQ+ children and students. The ...
|
| |
| |
State Sen. Mike Simmons receives awards
Openly gay Illinois state Sen. Mike Simmons has received the 2023 U.S. Senator Paul Simon Public Service Award from the Illinois Hunger Coalition. Simmons was honored at high school alma mater, St. Ignatius College Prep, according ...
|
|
| |
| |
NATIONAL Queer senator, HRC dinner, LGBTQIA+ deaths, vandalism, Florida
Laphonza Butler—the first Black LGBTQ+ U.S. senator, who was appointed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom—won't run for election next year, The Advocate reported. "Butler said that she intended to be 'the loudest, proudest champion of Calif ...
|
| |
| |
HRC: New U.S. House speaker is extremely anti-LGBTQ+
On Oct. 25, U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson was elected speaker of the U.S. House—a choice that the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) decried. In a press release, HRC "condemned his selection by the anti-equality majority and pointed ...
|
| |
| |
Community marks 10th anniversary of marriage-equality march
Community members, activists and politicians gathered at Sidetrack Video Bar to mark the 10th anniversary of the 2013 March on Springfield for Marriage Equality Oct. 22. Celebrants also marked the passage of the marriage-equality bill (SB10), ...
|
| |
| |
Indivisible Illinois hosts online discussion about rise in hate crimes in Illinois
Advocates, elected officials and researchers shared ways people can prevent and respond to hate crimes during a Oct. 19 online meeting hosted by Indivisible Illinois, a grassroots coalition of Illinoisans who organize around "urgent and long-term ...
|
| |
| |
MWRD Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis honors former Illinois House Majority Leader Greg Harris at breakfast reception
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) of Greater Chicago Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis honored former Democratic Illinois House Majority Leader Rep. Greg Harris at a breakfast reception and bi-monthly board meeting Oct. ...
|
| |
| |
Georgia to cover gender-affirming healthcare for state employees
As part of a settlement, Georgia's health-insurance plan will now cover state employees after the state agreed to a $365,000 court settlement with three employees, according to several media outlets, including The Georgia Reporter. Co-plaintiff Benjam ...
|
| |
| |
NATIONAL Trans prison reform, DeSantis, Wisconsin items, late OUT100 honorees
The Washington State Department of Corrections (DoC) started steps to refine the treatment of transgender inmates across its facilities, The Advocate noted, citing KIRO. The move followed a complaint and a settlement agreement submitted in federal ...
|
| |
| |
State Treasurer Michael Frerichs honors LGBTQ+ leaders
--From a press release
Gay Men's Chorus, Bar Association president, DePaul art professor honored during LGBTQ+ History Month celebration CHICAGO — Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today hosted a celebration to commemorate LGBTQ+ History ...
|
| |
| |
Attorney General Kwame Raoul highlights resources to address hate crimes
--From a press release
Chicago — Attorney General Kwame Raoul released the following statement strongly condemning the heinous acts committed in Plainfield this past weekend and reminding residents to report hate crimes in Illinois, including to his office's Civil Rig ...
|
| |
| |
First Lady Jill Biden to open PFLAG National Convention
--From a press release
WASHINGTON—This Friday, First Lady Jill Biden will address hundreds of LGBTQ+ people, parents, families, and allies attending Learning with Love: The 2023 PFLAG National Convention on the opening day. A stalwart advocate for education, Dr. Biden' ...
|
| |
| |
BOOKS Rachel Maddow talks 'Prequel,' fascism and gay vampire fiction
In Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism, New York Times best-selling author and MSNBC host Rachel Maddow traces the fight to preserve U.S. democracy to the early days of World War II, when a clandestine network ...
|
| |
| |
NATIONAL White House, school news, LGBTQ+ deaths, Navy petty officer honored
The White House condemned conservative social-media activist Chaya Raichik for ridiculing openly gay Interior Department official Tyler Cherry on the site X (formerly Twitter), describing her posts as "cruel and unacceptable" ...
|
| |
| |
Statement from President Joe Biden on 25th anniversary of Matthew Shepard's death
--From a press release
BRIEFING ROOM STATEMENTS AND RELEASES Twenty-five years ago today, Matthew Shepard lost his life to a brutal act of hate and violence that shocked our nation and the world. The week prior, Matthew had been viciously ...
|
| |
| |
U.S. Rep. George Santos faces more allegations
It has not been a good week for embattled gay Republican U.S. Rep. George Santos. Santos—who has refused calls to step down, even from fellow GOP members in his home district in New York—was hit with ...
|
| |
| |
LGBTQ+ Victory Fund welcomes Lori Lightfoot to its board of directors
--From a press release
Washington, DC — Today, LGBTQ+ Victory Fund welcomed former Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot to its Board of Directors. Lightfoot was Chicago's first out mayor, serving from May 2019 to May 2023. LGBTQ+ Victory Fund is ...
|
| |
| |
LGBTQ+ advocacy groups endorse Biden, Harris for reelection
--From a press release
The following is a statement from Biden-Harris Campaign Manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez on today's announcement of the historic joint endorsement by Human Rights Campaign PAC (HRC PAC), Equality PAC, and the National Center for Transgender Equa ...
|
| |
| |
NATIONAL Montana court, gay bishop, EEOC, Equality Forum, banned operas
A Montana court blocked enforcement of the state's ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth—leading trans state Rep. Zooey Zephyr to express her gratitude, The Advocate reported. Missoula County District Court Judge Jason Marks issued a ...
|
| |
| |
Mich. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to keynote Personal PAC's Oct. 17 luncheon
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will be the keynote speaker at the 30th Annual Awards Luncheon for the abortion-rights group Personal PAC. The event will take place Tuesday, Oct. 17, at noon at the Chicago Hilton International ...
|
| |
| |
Chicago Ald. Ray Lopez running for Chuy Garcia's Congressional seat
Openly gay Chicago Ald. Ray Lopez (15th Ward) declared his candidacy for Congress against progressive leader and incumbent U.S. Rep. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia—setting up a March 2024 Democratic primary showdown ...
|
| |
| |
Former Illinois GOP chair joins Personal PAC board
Former Illinois Republican Party chair Pat Brady has joined the board of Personal PAC, a pro-choice organization, Politico Illinois Playbook reported. The move is considered controversial within the Republican Party ...
|
| |
| |
Gavin Newsom chooses Black queer activist to fill Feinstein's Senate seat
California Gov. Gavin Newsom—fulfilling a promise to appoint a Black woman to the seat—tapped queer Democratic strategist Laphonza Butler to fill the Senate post held by the trailblazing Dianne Feinstein, who died on Sept. 29, The ...
|
| |
| |
Groundbreaking U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein passes away at 90
Dianne Feinstein—the oldest member of the U.S. Senate and the longest-serving senator from California—has passed away at age 90. Feinstein had planned to retire at the end of her 2024 term, according to CNBC. Shecast her ...
|
| |
| |
GLAAD: GOP primary debate includes question on anti-LGBTQ+ violence, candidates duck
--From a press release
GLAAD: "Instead of addressing the critical issue of the safety and rights of all Americans, GOP primary candidates ignored the rise in violence and hateful rhetoric aimed at the LGBTQ community and our allies. Several chose ...
|
| |
| |
WORLD African efforts, HIV in Amsterdam, Donatella Versace, 'The Queen in Me'
A new attempt to prevent the recognition of and equal rights for LGBTQ+ people in Kenya through a constitutional amendment has been introduced in Parliament, The Washington Blade reported. The move was in response to this ...
|
| |
| |
NATIONAL Bisexual politicians, DADT, NBJC awards, crimes, Buttigieg
For Bi Visibility Day (Sept. 23), The Advocate ran a piece titled "35 Bisexual Politicians You Should Know." Just a few on the list include trans Montana state Rep. Zooey Zephyr, Nevada Assemblymember Cecelia Gonzalez, U.S. ...
|
| |
| |
New report: Attacks on LGBTI rights strongly associated with democratic backsliding globally
--From a press release
A new report from the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law finds that countries that are highly accepting of LGBTI people tend to have high levels of liberal democracy, such as free and fair elections ...
|
| |
| |
Texas anti-drag law declared unconstitutional
On Sept. 26, U.S. District Judge David Hittner struck down a Texas law that pro-LGBTQ+ advocates feared would ban drag shows in the state and jail performers, NBC News reported. Senate Bill 12, which Republican Gov ...
|
| |
| |
Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoes some LGBTQ+ measures and approves others
For California's LGBTQ+ community, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has made things interesting over the last few days. Late last week, Newsom vetoed three progressive measures—including an unexpected rejection of a ...
|
| |
| |
Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoes some LGBTQ+ measures and approves others
For California's LGBTQ+ community, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has made things interesting over the last few days. Late last week, Newsom vetoed three progressive measures—including an unexpected rejection of a ...
|
| |
| |
Arrests, fights punctuate battles across Canada over gender diversity in schools
Arrests were reported in the Canadian cities of Ottawa, Halifax, Vancouver and Victoria, among others, on Sept. 20 as opposing groups clashed on how schools address issues of gender identity and how teachers refer to transgender ...
|
| |
| |
WORLD French fund, mausoleum, Abrazo Grupal, Biden, Billie Jean King
French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna announced a fund to help promote the rights of LGBTQ+ people, French24 reported. She made the announcement at the 15th anniversary of an LGBTQ+ group at the United Nations at the ...
|
| |
| |
NATIONAL Sarah McBride, TIME100 lists, Kentucky clerk, suspects arrested
A poll showed that Delaware Democrat Sarah McBride—who is bidding to become the nation's first openly transgender member of Congress—leads her primary opponents by a wide margin, The Hill reported. In a survey of likely Democratic ...
|
| |
| |
Pritzker and Brady-Davis honored at Planned Parenthood gala
On the evening of Sept. 14, Planned Parenthood Illinois Action (PPIA) and Planned Parenthood Illinois Action PAC (PPIA PAC) organizations presented their annual Fighting Forward Gala fundraiser. The event shone ...
|
| |
| |
NATIONAL Lesbian politician, Nancy Pelosi, bomb threat, politician dies, Lyft
Kathy Kozachenko—the first out politician elected to public office in the country—will be honored with a statue on the 50th anniversary of her historic election, per The Advocate. The city of Ann Arbor, Michigan, will honor ...
|
| |
| |
Olivia Hill becomes first trans person elected in Tennessee
Olivia Hill is the first openly transgender person ever elected to Nashville's Metro Council, per The Tennessean. And according to LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, Hill, 57, is the first transgender woman elected in Tennessee. Hill secured one ...
|
| |
| |
Newsom ends California's travel ban against anti-LGBTQ+ states
On Sept. 13, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that he signed SB 447 by Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), which ends the state's restriction on taxpayer-funded travel by state agencies and departments ...
|
| |
| |
In D.C., Black LGBTQ+ lawmakers protest Nigerian wedding arrests
On Sept. 12, Black LGBTQ+ lawmakers—led by Maryland state Del. Gabriel Acevero and D.C. Councilmember Zachary Parker, and alongside the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) and other advocacy groups—protested outside ...
|
| |
| |
Prime minister of Andorra comes out as gay
Xavier Espot Zamora, the head of the government of the tiny European country of Andorra, has come out as gay—although he added that he never hid his sexual orientation, according to a translated article from The ...
|
| |
| |
'Merchant of Death' talks about exchange with Brittney Griner
Russian Viktor Bout—the so-called "merchant of death" involved in a prisoner exchange for out WNBA star Brittney Griner late last year—told ESPN that, among other things, he followed Griner's case closely from federal prison in Illinois. ...
|
| |
| |
Protest action to be held at site of Sept. 9 Jason Aldean concert in Tinley Park
The Revolution Club Chicago has announced a protest action against 46- year-old country music star and Nashville resident Jason Aldean outside of his Highway Desperado Tour appearance Sept. 9 at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre. The protest ...
|
| |
| |
NATIONAL Historic political win, Columbus situation, trans coach, Gold + Williams
Fabian Nelson won a Democratic primary runoff in Mississippi's 66th state House district—and he's now the state's first openly gay legislator, The Guardian noted. (Republicans are not running a candidate for the general election sched ...
|
| |
| |
WORLD Couple's win, attack in Beirut, German military, gay ski week
In Strasbourg, France, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Bulgaria violated the rights of a same-sex couple (Darina Koilova and Lili Babulkova) by not recognizing their marriage abroad, RFE/RL reported. Rights groups lauded the ...
|
| |
| |
Fundraiser held for MWRD Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis
Fundraiser held for MWRD Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis By Carrie Maxwell A fundraiser was held Aug. 31 at Sidetrack for newly sworn-in Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRC) Commissioner ...
|
| |
| |
NATIONAL Sorority suit, trans woman's win, school policy, activist honored
U.S. District Judge Alan B. Johnson dismissed a civil lawsuit against Kappa Kappa Gamma and Artemis Langford—the first openly trans woman to join a sorority at the University of Wyoming, according to Oil City News. Johnson ...
|
| |
| |
Ugandan man charged with 'aggravated homosexuality'
In Uganda, a 20-year-old man is facing the death penalty after being charged with "aggravated homosexuality," the BBC reported. His lawyer, Justine Balya, told Reuters that the man—accused of unlawful ...
|
| |
