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Marijuana Backers Eye Proposed Federal Regulatory Change as an Aid to Legalizing Pot in More States
As the U.S. government moves toward reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug, there may be little immediate impact in the dozen states that have not already legalized cannabis.
United Methodists Remove Anti-gay Language from Their Official Teachings on Societal Issues
United Methodist delegates on Thursday removed a 52-year-old declaration from their official social teachings that deemed "the practice of homosexuality ... incompatible with Christian teaching".
Transgender Louisianans Lost their Ally in the Governor's Seat. Now they're Girding for a Fight
As trans people in Louisiana watched surrounding states in the conservative South pass a slew of laws targeting nearly every facet of their lives in recent years, they counted on their ally in the governor's office to keep their home a relative oasis.
Which States Could Have Abortion on the Ballot in 2024?
A movement to put abortion rights questions to voters since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade is playing out on ballots across the land.
Ex-minor League Umpire Sues MLB, Says He was Harassed, Fired for Being Bisexual
A fired minor league umpire sued Major League Baseball on Wednesday, claiming he was sexually harassed by a female umpire and discriminated against because he is male and bisexual.
United Methodist Delegates Repeal Their Church's Ban on Its Clergy Celebrating Same-sex Marriages
United Methodist delegates on Friday repealed their church's longstanding ban on the celebrations of same-sex marriages or unions by its clergy and in its churches.
Arkansas Governor Says State Won't Comply with New Federal Rules on Treatment of Trans Students
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared that the state won't comply with a federal regulation that seeks to protect the rights of transgender students in the nation's schools, joining other Republican-led states that are defying the new rules.
Texas School Board Accepts Separation Agreement with Superintendent over Trans Student Banned from Musical
A school board in Texas has accepted a voluntary separation agreement with its superintendent who was suspended after removing a transgender student from a role in the musical "Oklahoma!"
Transgender Tennesseans Want State's Refusal to Amend Birth Certificates Declared Unconstitutional
A federal appeals court heard arguments on Thursday over a decades-old Tennessee policy that does not allow transgender people to change the sex designation on their birth certificates.
Rollout of Transgender Bathroom Law Sows Confusion Among Utah Public School Families
Utah public schools have been rushing to prepare students and teachers as the state starts cracking down Wednesday on any school found not enforcing new bathroom restrictions for transgender people.
United Methodists Repeal Longstanding Ban on LGBTQ+ Clergy
United Methodist delegates repealed their church's longstanding ban on LGBTQ clergy with no debate on Wednesday, removing a rule forbidding "self-avowed practicing homosexuals" from being ordained or appointed as ministers.
More Republican States Challenge New Title IX Rules Protecting LGBTQ+ Students
Another six Republican states are piling on to challenge the Biden administration's newly expanded campus sexual assault rules, saying they overstep the president's authority and undermine the Title IX anti-discrimination law.
United Methodists Begin to Reverse Longstanding Anti-LGBTQ Policies
United Methodist delegates began making historic changes in their policies on sexuality on Tuesday — voting without debate to reverse a series of anti-LGBTQ policies.
Mississippi Lawmakers Quietly Kill Bills to Restrict Legal Recognition of Transgender People
Mississippi's Republican-led Legislature will not take final votes on two bills that attempted to restrict legal recognition of transgender people.
Arkansas' Elimination of 'X' for Sex on Driver's Licenses Spurs Lawsuit
Several transgender, intersex and nonbinary Arkansas residents sued the state of Arkansas on Tuesday over its decision to no longer allow "X" instead of male or female on state-issued driver's licenses or identification cards.
Andrea Doria Dos Passos Killing Underscores Need for LGBTQ Shelter, Advocates Say
Passos, 37, was killed outside of the Miami City Ballet in Miami, Florida on April 23.
Study: Almost All Trans Youth Live in States Where Their Rights are Subjected to Legislative Action
Whether it's restrictions on restrooms and pronouns, school sports bans and the criminalization of care, or measures designed to protect them from quack "conversion" therapies, 93% of America's trans youth are seeing their lives and rights subjected to st
Alabama Lawmakers Advance Bill that Could Lead to Prosecution of Librarians
Alabama lawmakers on Thursday advanced legislation that could see librarians prosecuted, the latest in a wave of bills in Republican-led states targeting library content.
Tennessee Lawmakers OK Bill Penalizing Adults who Help Minors Receive Gender-affirming Care
Tennessee's GOP-controlled Statehouse on Thursday gave their final approval to legislation penalizing adults who help minors receive gender-affirming care without parental consent.
United Methodists Endorse Change that Could Give Regions More Say on LGBTQ+, Other Issues
United Methodist delegates have overwhelmingly endorsed a constitutional amendment seen by advocates as a way of defusing debates over the role of LGBTQ people in the church.