HELENA, Mont. - March 24, 2023 - Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the American Civil Liberties Union of Montana are reassuring the transgender youth of Montana that they will take any necessary legal action against a proposed ban on their health care currently being considered by the state.

We are so grateful Governor Andy Beshear chose to stand with Kentucky kids and their families today by vetoing Senate Bill 150. He has once again solidified his legacy as Kentucky's most pro-equality governor. Labeled the "worst anti-trans bill in the nation," SB150 allows the government to overrule parental rights at every turn. It denies parents the right to provide medically-supported healthcare for their kids. It allows teachers and school administrators to disrespect students by ignoring their names and pronouns, despite a parent's wishes. It bans the discussion of LGBTQ topics in the classroom and forces transgender kids into unsafe restrooms at school. SB150 will only lead to disaster and despair for transgender Kentucky kids and their families. That's why thousands of Kentuckians sent messages opposing SB150 and countless Kentucky doctors showed up in Frankfort to testify against it. We urge state lawmakers to read the governor's veto message, listen to medical professionals, and sustain Governor Beshear's veto

March 23, 2023 - A report released today by the Movement Advancement Project (MAP) outlines how a series of coordinated political attacks is designed to erase LGBTQ people from schools and public life. The report is the second in a new MAP series, Under Fire: The War on LGBTQ People in America.

ATLANTA - March 23, 2023 - The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) - the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization - denounced Gov. Brian Kemp's decision to sign into law Senate Bill 140, legislation that will deny gender-affirming care to transgender and nonbinary youth in flagrant defiance of the best practices recommended by every major medical association.

New York, NY - March 23, 2023 - Today, Assembly Member Danny O'Donnell sent a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul requesting that New York State ban all non-essential travel to six states that have recently passed anti-LGBTQ bills.

Included in this update: State policy updates, Local level policy updates, Two new Equality Maps, MAP's LGBTQ Equality Bill Tracker

WASHINGTON - March 22, 2023 -- Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the educational arm of the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, released new data detailing how LGBTQ+ community members believe ending the blood donation ban should be priority for the Biden-Harris Administration. The data reveal that nearly three-quarters of the LGBTQ+ community find the current blood donation policy, which prevents gay, bisexual, queer, and same-gender loving (GBQ/SGL+) men from donating blood if they had reported sexual conduct with a man in the prior 90 days, unacceptable. Over half (57.9%) of LGBTQ+ respondents agree or strongly agree that the proposed FDA changes to the blood donation policies, which would drop specific deferral guidelines for GBQ/SGL+ men, are a step forward; however, almost three quarters (72.3%) believe the proposed policy is still discriminatory, as a significant number of individuals would still be ineligible to donate. Nearly 90% believe the federal government needs to prioritize investing in more technologies and research to expand eligibility.

New York, New York - March 23, 2023 - Outright International has noted with regret the passage by Uganda's parliament on March 22 of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill. It's now up to President Yoweri Museveni to sign the bill into law. This next step would further entrench state-sanctioned discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the East African nation, who already face up to life in prison under the Penal Code currently in effect. The bill, which seeks to build on the original 2014 Anti-Homosexuality Act-later ruled invalid on procedural grounds-steamrolls over the right to freedom of expression, freedom of association, privacy, and non-discrimination The renewed effort to criminalize same-sex relationships and support for LGBTQ people's human rights feels like a loaded gun aimed at the lives and livelihoods of Ugandan LGBTQ people.

Washington, D.C. - March 22, 2023 - Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, released data indicating that more than half (50.4%) of transgender youth (ages 13-17) have lost or are at risk of losing access to age appropriate, medically necessary gender-affirming care in their state - care which is, in many cases, life-saving. This alarming finding, as bans on gender affirming care are on the verge of going into effect in more than 10 states, is highlighted in a newly launched map developed by HRC that tracks legislative and administrative attacks on gender affirming care. Gender affirming care, when made in consultation between a provider, their patient, and the patient's parents, is backed by decades of research and is supported by every major medical association, representing over 1.3 million doctors nationwide.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 20, 2023 - Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the ACLU of West Virginia urged the United States Supreme Court to reject an effort by West Virginia's Attorney General to block a 12-year-old transgender girl from continuing to participate in school sports with her peers.

Transgender Youth - Ban on gender-affirming care for transgender care for youth. The law also requires those under 18 now receiving gender-affirming care to detransition. Tennessee became the first U.S. state to pass a law restricting drag performances.

Far right speakers at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) spent a lot of time mocking, attacking, and lying about transgender and non-binary persons. CPAC is a gathering of rightwing extremists and Republicans. This year's turnout was much lower than previous years.

LGBTQ+ Michiganders won permanent protections for sexual orientation and gender identity in the state's civil rights act, forbidding housing and public accommodations discrimination.

Boise, Idaho - March 18, 2023 - The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) - the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization - slammed today's vote in the Idaho House to pass S. 1100, legislation that prohibits transgender public school students from using bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity.

Cheyenne, Wyoming - March 18, 2023 - Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) - the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization - is condemning Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon's decision to allow SF133, legislation that bans transgender students from playing sports consistent with their gender identity, to become law. In a statement, Gordon called said legislation is "overly draconian, is discriminatory without attention to individual circumstances or mitigating factors, and pays little attention to the fundamental principles of equality."

Topeka, KS - Mach 18, 2023 - Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, commended Kansas Governor Laura Kelly for vetoing HB 2238, a bill banning the participation of transgender student-athletes in school sports. This is the third discriminatory sports ban Kelly has vetoed during her tenure as governor. Despite there only being three transgender students competing in school-related sports in Kansas, and the fact that today's veto has been expected, lawmakers continued to push this bill and promote misinformation and fear surrounding transgender people.

Lansing, MICHIGAN - March 16, 2023 - Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) - the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization - commends Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer for signing into law a bipartisan amendment to the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) that explicitly includes protections for sexual orientation and gender identity. This is the first statewide law in Michigan to prohibit discrimination against LGBTQ+ people, and is a repudiation against extremist lawmakers waging an anti-LGBTQ+ culture war across the country.

Albany, New York - New York State Assembly Member Danny O'Donnel recently introduced legislation to update the Dignity for All Students Act, the landmark legislation to prevent and address bullying in schools. The updates reflect Assembly Member O'Donnell's extreme concern for the state of suicide prevention efforts in schools, and incorporates broad updates to oversight, teacher trainings, digital citizenship, and more

ATLANTA - March 16, 2023 - Ignoring the warnings of parents, medical providers, and transgender youth themselves, Georgia's House of Representatives advanced a bill today that would ban gender-affirming health care for anyone under 18. Next, the bill goes back to the state senate to vote on an addition that subjects physicians to harsh penalties if they provide this care for transgender and nonbinary youth. A vote could happen as soon as Monday and the bill could then be sent to the desk of Gov. Brian Kemp.

"The California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus is united in ensuring that our children are protected and safe. But legislation that aims to 'out' transgender and non-binary students against their will does not protect them - it puts them in potentially life threatening danger, subjecting them to trauma and violence. Additionally, the Trevor Project cites family conflict around youths 'LGBTQ identities as a driving factor contributing to LGBTQ youth homelessness.

New York, New York - March 16, 2023 - Outright International and its partners are pleased to announce the launch of the Alliance for Global Equality, a five-year program to strengthen the resilience of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ) global movements. The program is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Oak Foundation, Dreilinden, and private sector partners.

TALLAHASSEE - March 16, 2023 - A new rule banning well-established, effective medical treatments for transgender youth with gender dysphoria takes effect in Florida today. As healthcare providers and researchers express alarm about the ban's disregard for science and medicine, a group of Florida parents committed to protecting the health and wellbeing of their children, and who are deeply concerned about the ban's impact, are preparing to challenge the rule in federal court.

Charleston, W.Va. - March 9, 2023 - Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union, and ACLU-WV issued the following statement in response to the latest attack on transgender youth in the state, the West Virginia Attorney General's announcement that the state will ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review the recent U.S. Court of Appeals ruling allowing Becky Pepper-Jackson to participate in team sports pending her appeal.

Lansing, MICHIGAN - March 8, 2023 - The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) - the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization - commends the Michigan House for passing an amendment to the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) that explicitly includes protections for sexual orientation and gender identity. The bill passed with a bipartisan vote of 64-45 in favor, and now heads to Governor Whitmer's desk for her signature.

ORLANDO, FL - March 7, 2023 -Registration is now open for the Seventh Annual CommUNITY Rainbow Run & CommUNITY Festival benefiting onePULSE Foundation. Scheduled for Saturday, June 3 at 8 a.m., the 4.9K run honors the 49 people killed in the Pulse nightclub tragedy, survivors and first responders, and is presented by Orlando Health and Hard Rock International in partnership with the UCF DeVos Sport Business Management Program.

(Richmond, VA, March 7, 2023) -- Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit heard oral argument in an appeal brought by West Virginia seeking to reverse a district court decision requiring the State's Medicaid program to treat transgender people's healthcare needs equally.

Nashville, Tennessee - March 10, 2023 - On the heels of Gov. Bill Lee enacting a pair of discriminatory bills targeting transgender youth and LGBTQ+ spaces and culture, last night the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) hosted the Slay Hate: Fight Back Tennessee rally at Nashville's local LGBTQ+ Tribe bar. Tennesseans maxed out the venue's capacity in support of the rally, sending a clear message to Governor Lee that he cannot silence us.

WASHINGTON - March 9, 2023 - Tonight at 9:00 pm ET, ahead of an expected announcement of a 2024 presidential run, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin will host a CNN town hall with Jake Tapper. Youngkin has opposed marriage equality, rolled back protections for transgender students, jeopardizing their educational opportunities and dignity, and campaigned using transphobic and anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric.

The Pennsylvania Equality Project is launching the Crawford County Chess Club beginning Saturday, March 11 at the Meadville Public Library, 848 North Main Street, from 12 Noon to 3 PM. Whether you are a novice, an expert, or somewhere in between, all players are welcome. Some chess sets will be provided, but please feel free to bring your own. Although donations to the organization are always welcome, the Chess Club does not have dues, nor does it charge for admission to its events. Also, Meadville FreeShop on March 31 & April !