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Pritzker signs bill decriminalizing HIV transmission, other pro-LGBTQ measures
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed a legislative package on July 27 at Center on Halsted that, effective immediately ends the decades-long law criminalizing HIV transmission in Illinois. Illinois is now the second such state to repeal ...
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LGBTQ advocates celebrate two Illinois marriage certificate modernization bills
--From a press release
Trans and non-binary people who were married in Illinois will now be able to obtain marriage certificates that reflect their authentic selves thanks to legislation signed today by Governor JB Pritzker, according to Equality Illinois and ...
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WORLD Marriage in Chile, Polish website, Toronto news, 'Reclaim Pride' march
On July 21, Chile's Senate approved an equal-marriage bill, DW.com reported. The regulations were presented during the second government of the socialist Michelle Bachelet (2014-2018) and last June 1, during ...
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NATIONAL California cases, trans woman killed, Pride staircase, sports law
Proponents of Proposition 8 have to file a brief on or before Aug. 16 to show they have standing to appeal a district court decision to release tapes of the landmark Perry v. Schwarzenegger trial that ...
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Chicago arcade bar hosting LGBTQ+ event July 29
Emporium Arcade Bar-Wicker Park, 1366 N. Milwaukee Ave.—in partnership with the Puerto Rican Cultural Center's (PRCC) Trans Empowerment Program—is inviting members of the LGBTQIA+ community to hang out Thursday, July ...
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Federal judge blocks Arkansas anti-trans healthcare law
Judge James M. Moody Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas temporarily blocked an Arkansas law that would have banned physicians in the state from providing transition-related healthcare—e.g., hormones and puberty ...
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Col. Jennifer Pritzker donating to ACLU to help fight anti-trans laws
Chicago philanthropist and business owner Col. Jennifer Pritzker plans to donate $101,000 and additional six-figure future support to the ACLU from her TAWANI Foundation to fight Tennessee's anti-transgender laws in court, a press release announced. T ...
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AMA Foundation begins fellowship program to address LGBTQ+ health disparities
--From a press release
CHICAGO — The American Medical Association Foundation (AMA Foundation) today announced the University of Wisconsin—Madison as the inaugural institution of its National LGBTQ+ Fellowship Program to begin transforming the health ...
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Trans model makes history with SI Swimsuit cover
On July 19, Sports Illustrated (SI) Swimsuit announced this year's cover models: rapper Megan Thee Stallion, tennis player Naomi Osaka and model/actress Leyna Bloom—each making history in her own way. A press release sent to Windy ...
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NATIONAL Amazon, condo collapse, T-shirt controversy, GLSEN
At least two Amazon employees have resigned in recent weeks to protest the company's decision to continue to sell a book they say frames young people who identify as transgender as mentally ill, NBC News reported. ...
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GLAAD Studio Responsibility Index shows more LGBTQ character screen time, not so for trans
--From a press release
Los Angeles, CA - Thursday, July 15, 2021 - GLAAD, the world's largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, today released its ninth annual Studio Responsibility Index (SRI), a study that maps the quantity, quality, and diversity of ...
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National Black Justice Coalition commemorates International Non-Binary People's Day
--From a press release
Statement from David J. Johns, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition, issued the following statement in commemoration of International non-binary people's Day: "Non-binary people have existed throughout human ...
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'Pose' makes history with Emmy nominations
On July 13, the Emmy-winning father-daughter duo Ron Cephas Jones (This Is Us) and Jasmine Cephas Jones (#FreeRayshawn) unveiled the nominations for the 73rd Emmy Awards—and the FX show Pose made history. Not only is Pose ...
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NATIONAL Spa incident, N.J. items, AIDS gala, Tenn. lawsuits
Tensions rose between protesters and counterprotesters in Los Angeles over a spa incident involving a transgender woman, The Hill reported. Recently, a cisgender woman complained to staff at Wi Spa in Koreatown after a transgender woman ...
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Protest organizer now eyeing Arlington Heights after Pride flag rejection
The individual who organized a June 30 protest in Elk Grove Village against what many perceived to be an anti-trans+ law as well as the lack of a Pride flag flying there is now looking at what is happening in a ...
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Quigley again calls for end to detention of trans migrants
--From a press release
CHICAGO, IL — Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), Vice Chair of the LGBT Equality Caucus and a founding Member of the Transgender Equality Task Force, led thirty House Democrats in calling for an end to ...
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WORLD Historic ruling, Pope Francis, photo contest, Methodist Church
In a first-of-its-kind decision in Latin America, The Inter-American Court of Human Rights found the Honduran state guilty of the extrajudicial execution of transgender activist Vicky Hernandez, which occurred June 28-29, 2009, according to The Washington ...
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NATIONAL Panic defense, subway attack, N.J. items, Pride rallies
A bill that bans the so-called LGBTQ panic defense in Virginia took effect July 1, according to The Washington Blade. Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam on March 31 signed the measure that transgender state Del. Danica Roem ...
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Cook County commissioner discusses transgender-affirming ordinance
The Gender Inclusive Documents and Forms Ordinance—a new regulation that, in many instances, eliminates requirements that Cook County residents identify their sex assigned at birth on county forms—unanimously passed a ...
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Pritzker administration awards nearly $95M to equity-focused healthcare
--From a press release
SPRINGFIELD — Governor JB Pritzker today announced $94.3 million will be awarded in the state's inaugural round of Healthcare Transformation Collaboratives funding. The Department of Healthcare and Family Services will ...
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Lake View marchers address inequities with pride
About 200 marchers gathered in Lake View on June 27 for the 2021 Pride Without Prejudice—an event highlighting systemic issues concerning many LGBTQ community members. Among the issues the gathering addressed were racism, transgender rights, policing ...
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Op-Ed: Elevating 'T' in LGBTQ: State government, transgender equity in 21st century
By Illinois state Sen. Sara Feigenholtz
In recent decades, our laws, pop culture and morality have shifted dramatically for same-sex couples. Our LGBTQ+ neighbors are interwoven into the fabric of our communities now more than ever. We celebrate this recognition and indeed ...
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U.S. Supreme Court sides with trans student in restroom case
On June 28, the U.S. Supreme Court left in place a decision that allowed a transgender student to use the bathroom that corresponded to his gender identity—a victory for the LGBTQ community that had wondered if ...
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Brave Space Alliance unveils mural
On June 25, Brave Space Alliance (BSA) unveiled a mural honoring influential community members who have championed advocacy for Chicago's trans community. The mural, by Saul Palos Rodriguez, features the late Lois L. Bates, Sky Cubacub, ...
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SHOWBIZ Wanda Sykes on TV, trans jazz musician, book award, 'Red Table Talk'
Wanda Sykes has been tapped for a recurring role in the upcoming fifth season of Robert and Michelle King's legal drama The Good Fight, on Paramount+, Deadline noted. She will play Allegra Durado—a brilliant, strategic attorney ...
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NATIONAL Pulse, Philly Pride, Mormons, Victory Fund, anti-trans bills
President Joe Biden (D) signed H.R. 49, the bill designating the site of the 2016 Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida as a national monument, into law, according to LGBTQ Nation. Afterward, Biden commemorated Pride Month ...
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Baker McKenzie panel examines transgender and non-binary workplace inclusivity
The law firm Baker McKenzie recently hosted a Pride Month panel discussion titled "Workplace Inclusivity for our Trans/Non-Binary Community." As a part of the event, transgender and non-binary participants from the LGBTQ community shared their workplace ...
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Cook County Board unanimously passes Gender Inclusive Documents and Forms Ordinance
--From a press release
SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — June 24, 2021 — Today, the Cook County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed the Gender Inclusive Documents and Forms Ordinance, which will allow all residents to identify as their authentic selves when they ...
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VIEWPOINT Pride at work
Pride Month is a chance for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people to be proud and visible in a world that tells us not to be. Pride Month is a chance to celebrate and ...
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NATIONAL Fairness Act, trans murder, Caitlyn Jenner, controversial baker
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and Democratic state lawmakers joined members of the LGBTQ community to reintroduce the Fairness Act, which is meant to extend non-discrimination provisions in the commonwealth, WFMZ.com reported. "It's going to be good ...
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VA to offer surgery to transgender vets for the first time
U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Denis McDonough announced that officials, for the first time, will offer surgeries for transgender veterans seeking to transition, Military Times reported. The move follows ...
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BOOKS Precious Brady-Davis has arrived
Recently honored by Mayor Lightfoot and the LGBTQ Advisory Council as a community leader who has "helped build the foundation for a more welcoming, equitable and inclusive Chicago," Precious Brady-Davis wants to do it all. She ...
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AMA reinforces opposition to restrictions on transgender medical care
--From a press release
CHICAGO - The American Medical Association (AMA) today strengthened its established position opposing the governmental intrusion into the practice of medicine that is detrimental to the health of transgender and ...
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Dept. of Education: Title IX also protects LGBTQ students
The Department of Education will interpret Title IX—a federal law that protects students from sex-based discrimination in federally funded schools—to protect LGBTQ students from discrimination, according to a federal notice ...
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476,000 transgender adults in the U.S. have no IDs with the correct gender marker
--From a press release
An estimated 476,000 transgender adults in the U.S. are without any form of identification with the correct gender marker, according to a new report by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law. Michigan has the ...
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Billy Masters
"Now, therefore, I, Joseph R. Biden Jr., President of the United States of America … do hereby proclaim June 2021 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Pride Month. I call upon the people of the ...
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WORLD India court, trans death, Guatemalan LGBTQs, Gay Games
A court in India ordered state and federal officials to draw up plans for sweeping reforms to respect LGBTQ rights, in a ruling that went far beyond the terms of a case brought by a lesbian couple who said they had ...
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Wade to receive Field Foundation leadership grant
Activist LaSaia Wade, who founded the LGBTQ-centered advocacy Brave Space Alliance (BSA), and is currently its executive director, has been named one of Chicago-based Field Foundation's 2021 Leaders for a New Chicago cohort. The distinction, f ...
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Pritzker Military Museum to hold panel on Department of Defense and transgender employees
--From a press release
CHICAGO, June 8, 2021 — The Pritzker Military Museum & Library is proud to present a panel discussion, "Exploring the Intersection of the U.S. Military and the LGBTQ Community," on Wednesday, June 23rd at Noon CDT ...
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HAVE A NICE THEY: Nevo Zisin is taking the mystery out of terminology so you don't have to
While a simple "they/them" seems to mystify some and has been used as a cudgel by others, for those who want to better understand the importance of pronouns when it comes to gender expression, or for ...
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HIV at 40: Erie Family Health Center, focused on helping at-risk communities
HIV/AIDS disproportionately affects Black communities—with Black gay and bisexual Black men and Black trans women being the most affected population than any other group in the country. More specifically, one in two Black MSM (men who ...
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Pritzker Military Museum hosting June 23 Pride panel
Chicago's Pritzker Military Museum & Library is presenting a panel discussion, "Exploring the Intersection of the U.S. Military and the LGBTQ Community," on Wed., June 23, at noon CT in celebration of Pride Month. The virtual ...
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TransTech Social and Linux Foundation offering tech-training scholarships
TransTech Social Enterprises—the co-working, co-learning community dedicated to empowering LGBTQ+ people and allies with practical, career-ready skills founded by actress/activist Angelica Ross—is teaming with Linux Foundation ...
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NATIONAL Election news, AsylumConnect, Pride business items, 'Bears'
In Pennsylvania, in a race between contenders in the Democratic primary for Erie County executive, Tyler Titus—a trans person who currently serves as Erie School Board president—was declared the winner, according to The Washington Blade. Titus ...
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NBC Out releases annual #Pride30 list
--From a press release
NBC Out, part of NBCNews.com, has released its annual #Pride30 list, recognizing members of the LGBTQ community around the world who are making a difference. This year's list honors 30 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer ...
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Trans-affirming election legislation passed by Illinois General Assembly, Equality Illinois responds
--From a press release
Statement from Brian C. Johnson, CEO of Equality Illinois, on passage of Senate Bill 825, the trans-affirming election omnibus legislation passed by the Illinois General Assembly on Monday, May 31, 2021: "During Pride Month and at ...
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DeSantis signs bill barring trans females from
competing on girls' sports teams
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that bans transgender girls and women from playing on girls' public-school teams, WESH.com reported. "[Florida sports provide] our young girls with opportunities that last a lifetime," DeSantis said. "We ...
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Brave Space Alliance announces major research project
--From press releases
CHICAGO, IL — On the first day of Pride in 2021, South Side LGBTQ Center Brave Space Alliance announced the beginning of a groundbreaking, community-centered research project, slated for mid-2022, and done in collaboration with Northwestern ...
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Wisconsin Governor blocks use of federal money for conversion therapy for minors
--From a press release
MADISON, WI — Today, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers signed an Executive Order directing the Department of Health Services (DHS), the Department of Children and Families (DCF), and the Department of ...
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GLAAD at Pride: Protect the most vulnerable among us
--From a press release
New York, NY - Tuesday, June 1, 2021 - GLAAD, the world's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, today released a statement to honor the start of Pride Month, highlighting the ...
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Becoming Johanna to air on WTTW
--From a press release
Chicago, IL: Becoming Johanna, a compelling story that follows the struggles transgender teens face every day, airs Friday, June 25th at 8:30pm on WTTW (11.1 channel). The film follows Johanna, a 16-year-old transgender Latina, as she ...
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WORLD Twitch, AIDS activist dies, Europe and LGBTQ laws, India hearing
COMPILED BY WCT STAFF The world's largest game streaming service, Twitch, said that players will be able to add a transgender label to their videos—a move the company said would aid inclusion among its 30 million ...
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Thompson Coburn LLP hosts virtual tea with history-making Judge Jill Rose Quinn
Thompson Coburn LLP hosted a Citywide Pride virtual tea event May 26 that featured Cook County Circuit Court Judge Jill Rose Quinn. Quinn made history last November when she became Illinois' first transgender elected official. She ...
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Villa Park police fatally shoot transgender man
On May 24, Villa Park police shot and killed Haven A. Bailey, a 25-year-old Lombard resident, after calling 911 to report that someone was walking around outside with a gun, The Daily Herald noted. According to ...
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ACLU sues Arkansas over ban on health care for transgender youth
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The American Civil Liberties Union today filed a lawsuit on behalf of four transgender youth and their families as well as two doctors challenging an Arkansas law that prohibits health care professionals ...
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HRC, leading policy, health organizations call for LGBTQ-inclusive sexual education
--From a press release
WASHINGTON — 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, in partnership with leading ...
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WORLD Myanmar activist, Cyprus official, brutal crimes, UK youth
In Myanmar, Equality Myanmar Executive Director Aung Myo Min broke another barrier, becoming the first LGBTQ person to become sworn in as a member of cabinet after being appointed by the National Unity Government as its ...
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PASSAGES Social-justice activist, dominatrix Mistress Velvet dies
PASSAGES Social-justice activist, dominatrix Mistress Velvet dies By Carrie Maxwell Social-justice activist and dominatrix Mistress Velvet (who used they/them pronouns) died by suicide May 9 in Chicago. They were 33. ...
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Trans candidate Tyler Titus wins PA primary, would be first trans County Exec in U.S.
--From a press release
Washington, DC — Erie School Board President Tyler Titus (they/them) has won the Democratic primary for county executive in Erie County, Pennsylvania — declaring victory today at 4pm ET after a close election with three opponents. ...
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International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia observed May 17
--From May17.org
LGBTQI+ networks, individuals and allies from around the world took part in the 2021 International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia again this year on May 17. The theme for this year's events was "Together: Resisting, ...
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Trevor Project releases 2021 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health
--From a press release
WASHINGTON, DC — May 19, 2021 — The Trevor Project, the world's largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people ...
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President Biden releases statement on Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, Biphobia
--From a press release
Statement by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. on International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, May 17, 2021: Jill and I are proud to recognize the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia — the anniversary ...
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WORLD: Toronto schools, shocking death, trans women sentenced, Elton John
The Toronto Catholic District School Board plans to celebrate Pride Month every June, starting this year, CBC.ca reported. The board's trustees voted in favor of flying rainbow flags outside its office and all of its schools ...
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Tennessee governor signs anti-trans 'bathroom bill'
On May 14, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed House Bill 1233 (Senate Bill 1367)—an anti-transgender "bathroom bill"—into law, The Advocate reported. The statute will deny trans students and staff in ...
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Quigley advocates for trans immigrants during ICE hearing
--From a press release
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), Vice-Chair of the LGBT Equality Caucus and a founding member of the Transgender Equality Task Force, questioned Acting Director of Immigration ...
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Federal judge hears incarcerated trans woman's motion
On May 12, a federal judge heard an emergency motion in a case charging the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) with violating the constitutional rights of Ashley Diamond—a Black transgender woman currently incarcerated in a men's ...
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International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, Biphobia to take place May 17
--From a press release
LGBTQI+ networks, individuals and allies from around the world will be celebrating the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia again this year on Monday, May 17. The theme for this year's events, known also as ...
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Gov. Pritzker announces $1B in Rebuild Illinois grants for Local infrastructure projects
--From a press release
CHAMPAIGN — As summer construction season ramps up, Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) today announced the fourth round of $250 million in Rebuild Illinois funded grants is available to advance municipal, ...
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Stephanie Battaglino, New York Life's first transgender officer, releases memoir
--From a press release
May 11, 2021… Educator and motivational speaker Stephanie Battaglino today officially released her memoir, Reflections from Both Sides of the Glass Ceiling: Finding My True Self in Corporate America, from L'Oste Vineyard Press. After many years ...
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TELEVISION Jasmine Davis returns to 'The Chi'
Actress Jasmine Davis has a past history with Chicago, Illinois that continues into the future. Growing up in the Windy City has certainly paid off for the transgender performer throughout her career. After attending Kenwood High ...
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Evangelical Lutherans select first transgender bishop
The Evangelical Lutheran Church elected its first openly transgender bishop on May 8, The Hill reported. The Rev. Megan Rohrer, who uses the pronouns they/them, was elected bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Sierra ...
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GLAAD issues inaugural Social Media Safety Index
--From a press release
New York, NY - May 10, 2021 - GLAAD, the world's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, today announced the findings of its inaugural Social Media Safety Index (SMSI), a 50-page ...
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WORLD Parenting news, Tonga activist, pension fight, drag personality
A Croatian court has ruled that same-sex partners can now adopt children, backing a same-sex couple in their five-year fight for the right to family life, Openly News reported. On April 21, Zagreb's Administrative Court ruled ...
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NATIONAL Military bill, LGBTQ teen, trans deaths, Pride items, children's book
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill that directs the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs in the Garden State to assist former Armed Forces service members who were denied an honorable discharge due to ...
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Refugee Coalition of East Africa calls for attention to anti-queer violence
--From a press release
On May 17, the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia will be observed worldwide, followed by many celebrations of Pride in the month of June. We at the Refugee Coalition of East Africa will raise ...
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