News

From bad to worse: As anti-trans legislation skyrockets and elections loom, what lies ahead?

Friday, July 14th, 2023

via al.com (Alabama)

Judging by the far right's record-breaking momentum of anti-LGBTQ bills introduced in 2023's legislative session, it's important to know that it will continue to escalate.

LGBTQ+

What Iowans Want: Iowa education shift concerns new teacher

Friday, July 14th, 2023

via Quad City Times (Iowa)

Teaching has been on the mind of Alleena Blackwell since she was young, and she's never been closer to that dream than she is now.

LGBTQ+, Book Bans

F.D.A. approves over-the-counter birth control pill, Arkansans worry about access

Thursday, July 13th, 2023

via Arkansas Times (Arkansas)

This marks the first time that a daily oral contraceptive will be sold over the counter in U.S. history. An Arkansas reproductive rights advocate says the goal is to make birth control accessible and…

LGBTQ+

‘Welcoming people exist here’: Traverse City reacts to anti-trans salon policy ⋆ Michigan Advance

Thursday, July 13th, 2023

via Michigan Advance (Michigan)

A small hair salon situated in an unassuming strip mall across from a Planned Parenthood clinic in Traverse City became the center of a national debate on LGBTQ+ rights this week when owner Christine…

LGBTQ+

How many trans people are in the US — and why Americans often overestimate

Thursday, July 13th, 2023

via Tampa Bay Times (Florida)

PolitiFact | Surveys show that people overestimate what percentage of the population is transgender.

LGBTQ+

Why Republican lawmakers are going after Target

Thursday, July 13th, 2023

via WRAL (North Carolina)

New York (CNN) — Republicans are escalating their legal threats against Target, pressuring the company to remove merchandise for transgender customers and backtrack on its initiatives to hire minorities and diversify vendors.

LGBTQ+

The lesser-known history of birth control

Thursday, July 13th, 2023

via The Washington Post (Maryland)

On the 100th anniversary of the first conference on birth control, here's a look at the legacy of contraception.

LGBTQ+

Top House Armed Services Democrat says ‘more likely than not’ that defense bill won’t pass

Thursday, July 13th, 2023

via The Kansas City Star (Kansas)

Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) said on Wednesday that he believes the annual defense bill is 'more likely than not' to not pass. In an interview with CNN's Manu Raju, Smith, the top Democrat on the House Committee on Armed Services, criticized far-right Republicans for their attempts to include provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act...

LGBTQ+

I spent 16 hours at the world’s longest drag show; here’s what I learned

Thursday, July 13th, 2023

via OregonLive.com (Oregon)

Darcelle XV's Showplace joined WILDFANG in attempting to break a world record for the longest drag show. The club hosted more than 60 queens and kings as well as 60+ emcees, all while raising more…

LGBTQ+

Planned Parenthood opens new clinic in Washington Terrace replacing Ogden location

Thursday, July 13th, 2023

via Standard-Examiner (Utah)

OGDEN – Supporters filled the waiting room at the new Planned Parenthood clinic in Washington Terrace on Wednesday to hail the organization's long-term efforts to preserve access to reproductive…

LGBTQ+

Nixa school board to vote again on removal of “Unpregnant” book

Wednesday, July 12th, 2023

via News-Leader (Missouri)

Three board members voted for removal, which is more votes than the other options received. But three votes on a seven-member board is not a majority.

LGBTQ+, School Board – General

Arizona schools chief defends state law on transgender athletes

Wednesday, July 12th, 2023

via Ktar (Arizona)

Tom Horne says he'll go to the U.S. Supreme Court, if needed, to defend an Arizona law that bans trans girls from playing school sports.

LGBTQ+

Winning Powerball Double Play ticket worth $50,000 sold in Portage

Wednesday, July 12th, 2023

via NWI Times (Indiana)

Someone who purchased a Powerball Double Play lottery ticket for Monday's drawing at a Northwest Indiana gas station likely has a big smile on their face.

LGBTQ+, Book Bans, School Board – General

Abortion already practically unavailable in Indiana even before new restrictions take effect

Wednesday, July 12th, 2023

via NWI Times (Indiana)

"Our health centers are overbooked for abortion appointments and our patients are overwhelmed trying to get care," said Rebecca Gibron, Indiana Planned Parenthood CEO.

LGBTQ+, Book Bans, School Board – General

Old Lyme library to keep 2 challenged sex education books for teens

Wednesday, July 12th, 2023

via New Haven Register (Connecticut)

LGBTQ+

From a midcareer switch to a top leadership position in Franklin County education

Wednesday, July 12th, 2023

via Richmond.com (Virginia)

Bernice Cobbs stepped down as superintendent of Franklin County Public Schools on June 30. She is retiring after a 25 years in education, a second career that started in her mid-30s when she made the decision to become a teacher. Cobbs was the first woman and the first Black educator to lead the rural school division.

Social Emotional Learning, Parent Involvement, LGBTQ+, School Board – General, Racism

An Intimacy Choreographer Helps Teen Actors Navigate ‘Spring Awakening’

Wednesday, July 12th, 2023

via Seven Days (Vermont)

Maybe life should imitate art. When Hanschen leans forward to kiss Ernst in Full Circle Theater Collaborative's production of teen rock musical Spring Awakening, the...

LGBTQ+

Old Lyme library refuses to remove two controversial books from its shelves

Wednesday, July 12th, 2023

via The Day (Connecticut)

Old Lyme ― The Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library Board of Trustees on Tuesday weighed in on a controversy that has raised questions about the definition of censorship in the small, shoreline town…

Parent Involvement, LGBTQ+, Book Bans

TV Talk: Pittsburgh native has fun but doesn’t win ‘Jeopardy!’

Wednesday, July 12th, 2023

via TribLIVE (Pennsylvania)

Pittsburgh native Erin Sheedy competed Tuesday on the episode of 'Jeopardy!' and though she didn't win, she clearly had fun, especially with the hometown shout-out in her Final Jeopardy! response.…

LGBTQ+