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Trans U.S. Army doctor, wife charged with helping Russia in war against Ukraine
A U.S. Army major doctor and their physician wife were arrested for an alleged criminal plot to give Russia confidential medical information about people connected to the U.S. military and government, CNBC reported. Federal prosecutors claim ...
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Newsom signs bill making California a sanctuary state for trans youths
On Sept. 29, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law that aims to protect transgender youths and their families from bans against gender-affirming care, the Los Angeles Times reported. Senate Bill 107, by state ...
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AIDS Foundation Chicago holding Women's Connection Summit of Hope on Oct. 6
-- From a press release
AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) is hosting a Women Connection Summit of Hope in partnership with the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) to address the needs of cis and transgender women who have been recently released from ...
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Andersonville Arts Weekend to take place Sept. 30 - Oct. 2
-- From a press release
CHICAGO—The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce (ACC), in partnership with The Bramble Arts Loft and Connect Gallery, is welcoming back its 18th annual Andersonville Arts Weekend, with the neighborhood transformed into ...
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WORLD Malta PM, Kenya official, Kharkiv Pride, sex-education campaign
Malta Prime Minister Robert Abela has promised reforms for the country's LGBTQ+ community, including free gender-affirming surgery for trans people, according to PinkNews. In an interview with ONE Radio, he said, "I believe that social reform ...
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Elle Lett keynotes 'Transgender Health Equity in Troubled Times' at symposium
Statistician, epidemiologist, physician-in-training and Boston Children's Hospital post-doctoral fellow Elle Lett kicked off the eighth annual Midwest LGBTQ+ Health Symposium with a keynote, "Transgender Health Equity in Troubled Times," on ...
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Texas district court issues third directive benefiting trans youths
On Sept. 16, the Travis County District Court issued a third injunction blocking Texas from implementing a directive targeting trans youth and their families across the state. The directive ordered the Department of Family and Protective ...
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Montana judge strikes down anti-trans birth-certificate rule
A Montana state judge blocked a 2021 state law that would have banned transgender people from changing the gender listed on their birth certificates unless they have undergone gender-affirming surgery, Axios reported. District Court Judge Michael ...
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WORLD Death in Bali, Chile constitution, Wales items, Israel petition
Video below
Bowing to pressure from activists, prosecutors in Peru launched an investigation into the suspicious death of a transgender man from Peru who died in custody in Bali after he was arrested for alleged cannabis possession, Gay ...
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Broadway musical Chicago to open Sept. 12 with Angelica Ross as Roxie Hart
-- From a press release
The Broadway company of the Tony Award-winning, record-breaking hit musical Chicago will welcome actress and human rights advocate Angelica Ross ("Pose," "American Horror Story") making her Broadway debut in the ...
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Oklahoma being sued over anti-trans restroom law
Three Oklahoma students are suing the state over its law that bars transgender students from using the bathroom corresponding with their gender identity, KOSU reported. The 42-page suit challenges that Senate Bill 615 is unconstitutional. A ...
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Report: Trans activist Brady-Davis expected to run for aldermanic seat
Politico Illinois Playbook reported that Precious Brady-Davis—a longtime trans-rights activist who currently is the associate regional communications director at the environmental organization Sierra Club—is expected to run to represent the ...
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THEATER Theo Ubique to launch 25th-anniversary season with 'Refuge'
Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre will open its 25th-anniversary season with the Midwest premiere of Refuge, a new play with music and puppetry from creators Satya Jnani Chavez and Andrew Rosendorf, with translations by Mari Meza-Burgos. Refuge ...
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NATIONAL Convicted killer, school groups, Gloria Casarez, 'Gay Days'
A Philadelphia jury convicted Abdullah El-Amin of third-degree murder for taking the life of trans woman Mia Green, per The Philadelphia Gay News. He faces a lengthy prison term when sentenced in November. Green, 27, was ...
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SHOWBIZ Lady Gaga, VMAs, Emmys, daytime soap, anti-trans comments
Lady Gaga might perform a virtual concert on the popular online video game Fortnite sometime soon, according to Out Magazine, citing Kotaku. In a previous press release by Fortnite developer Epic Games, the studio announced that ...
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MUSIC KOKUMO talks about moving to New York City, other endeavors
The multifaceted artist KOKUMO, The Queen of Queer Soul has recently released a new album, Wildflowa': Da' Prelude Ta' Freedom Mixtape, featuring 16 tracks focusing on traumatology, Afro-Elysium and other ...
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Chicago Fire offer free transportation options for Columbus, Cincinnati
-- From a press release
CHICAGO (Aug/ 29, 2022) — Chicago Fire FC announced transportation options for season ticket holders and fans to attend two upcoming Fire away matches. Free round-trip bus rides will be available for the Fire's road match ...
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WORLD Trans activist killed, abduction, BlueCity, OutRight, trans golfer
Video below
The murder of a prominent transgender activist in Argentina has sparked outrage across the country, The Washington Blade reported. Clarín, an Argentine newspaper, reported Alejandra Ironici, 45, was found dead in her home in Santa Fe. ...
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Center on Halsted's South Side location holds open house
On Aug. 25, the new Center on Halsted's South Side site, at 6323 S. Cottage Grove Ave., opened its doors for an open house to welcome community members and potential partners. The hub, which is in ...
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Court upholds injunction blocking Ark. ban on healthcare for trans youth
On Aug. 25, a federal appeals court has said that Arkansas cannot enact Act 626, its law banning gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth because the law relies on sex discrimination, LGBTQ Nation reported. The three-judge panel ...
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Pro-LGBTQ+ organization You Can Play hit with allegations of transphobia, abuse
The pro-LGBTQ+ sports organization You Can Play—with aims "to challenge the culture of locker rooms and spectator areas by developing a culture of respect, in every player, coach and fan," per its website—has been accused of ...
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Florida school to refer to students by 'biological sex' and ask LGBTQ+ students to leave
A religious school in Florida said it will only refer to students by their sex assigned at birth, while pupils who are LGBTQ+ "will be asked to leave the school immediately," NBC News reported. A June ...
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SHOWBIZ Ariana DeBose, trans child model, 'Take Me Out,' 'Feud'
Video below
Prime Video and Blumhouse Television announced the upcoming psychological thriller House of Spoils, starring queer Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose, per a press release. The film (directed by Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy from their ...
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NATIONAL Hospital attacked, trans murder, Alaska candidates, awards program
Anti-LGBTQ far right extremists have targeted Boston Children's Hospital, threatening its employees and medical staff after lies and misinformation spread online recently about the healthcare facility's treatment of trans+ youth ...
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WORLD Trans activist, COVID surveys, Michael Sam, Saudi Arabian sisters
Some people in London, Ontario, Canada's LGBTQ+ community reacted strongly to how a popular trans activist was treated by London Police Services earlier this month, CBC reported. Clara Sorrenti, 28, known as Keffals on the online ...
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Utah judge halts law banning trans girls from playing on girls' sports teams
In Utah, transgender kids will not be subjected to sports-participation limits at the start of the upcoming school year after Judge Keith Kelly delayed the implementation of a statewide ban passed earlier this year, WGEM reported. ...
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Report: U.S. has record number of LGBTQ+ elected officials
-- From a press release
Washington, DC — LGBTQ Victory Institute released its 2022 Out for America Report, the only national census of out LGBTQ elected officials in the United States. With at least 1,043 out LGBTQ elected officials currently serving, ...
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In a first, gold-medal Olympian comes out as transgender
During the Aug. 16 opening address of the international LGBTQ+ rugby competition The Bingham Cup, taking place in the Canadian capital of Ottawa through Aug. 21, Ellia Green came out as trans—and is the first Olympian ...
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Chicago Digital Equity Fund and Tech Desk launched
GET Cities—an initiative focused on accelerating the leadership and influence of women, trans and non-binary people in tech—has partnered with Gumbo Media and DePaul University's Women in Entrepreneurship Institute to ...
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Chicago trans rapper Lila Star releases new song
Video below
Chicago trans rapper Lila Star (most known for her guest vocals on Shea Coulee's 2017 single "Cocky") has released the music video for her latest single, "Sex Appeal," which may strike some as a tribute to ...
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WORLD Vietnam's pro-LGBTQ+ move, Grindr kidnappings, Taiwan event
Video below
Vietnam took a major step forward in the recognition of LGBTQ+ rights with the country's Ministry of Health stating that being gay, bisexual or transgender is not a disease and urging medical practitioners to end discrimination ...
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NATIONAL: Conn. candidate, trans study, D.C. attacks, Palm Springs Pride
LGBTQ Victory Fund-endorsed candidate Erick Russell won the Democratic primary election for Connecticut state treasurer, according to an organizational press release. With this victory, he is on track to become the first out Black LGBTQ+ person ...
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Five Worth Finding: Movie short, 'Kaepernick,' ice cream and more
—Fraud: Non-binary director Zen Zadih Pace's debut narrative short, Fraud—starring trans actress Dana Aliya Levinson (STARZ's American Gods) and Babak Tafti (Showtime's Super Pumped)—was selected for ...
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NATIONAL Okla. schools, Tenn. lawsuit, political items, Mich. library
Video below
Oklahoma public schools have started requiring students from kindergarten to college to complete "biological sex affidavits" if they want to compete in school sports, in accordance with a state law that took effect earlier this year, ...
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Angelica Ross to be first trans lead in Broadway's 'Chicago'
Trans actors have made all sorts of impressions on Broadway, but former Chicagoan Angelica Ross has set a precedent. Next month, the leading role of fame-hungry murderess Roxie Hart will be played by Angelica Ross. Ross ...
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Judge: W. Va.'s Medicaid program must cover transgender care
In West Virginia, U.S. District Judge Chuck Chambers ruled that the state's Medicaid program must provide coverage for gender-confirming care for transgender residents, ABC News reported. Chambers made the ruling on Aug. 2 in a lawsuit ...
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Attorneys general file brief in Indiana trans case
A coalition of 22 attorneys general, including Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and New York counterpart Letitia James, filed an amicus brief in the case of A.C. v. Metropolitan School District of Martinsville opposing the school ...
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HRC commends White House Monkeypox (MPV) Coordinator appointments; calls for greater federal response
-- From a press release
WASHINGTON - Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, commended the Biden Administration for appointing Robert Fenton and ...
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Brave Space Alliance plans to raise salaries, urges partner agencies to follow suit
-- From a press release
CHICAGO — Aug.1, 2022 — Brave Space Alliance, the South Side LGBTQ+ Center, announced a sweeping new plan to increase the organization's base salary to $43,000 for entry-level staff, equivalent to an hourly wage of $20.67/hr. ...
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Vallas speaks at event of group known for anti-LGBTQ+ views [UPDATE]
Former Chicago Public Schools CEO and current mayoral candidate Paul Vallas spoke at a fundraiser for Awake Illinois—a group that has been criticized for its transphobic and homophobic rhetoric, The Chicago Reader reported. The group hosted ...
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WORLD Cuban referendum, Gay Games, Berlin attacks, Indian trans men
Cuba's parliament announced that the country will hold a referendum on the legalization of same-sex marriage and surrogate parenthood, Deutsche Welle reported. The referendum on the new family law is scheduled to be held Sunday, Sept. ...
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Show about trans+ women models to debut Aug. 5 on Here TV
The Here TV docuseries Road to the Runway—which focuses on trans+ women models—will debut Friday, Aug. 5. The series profiles the 20 hopefuls competing in this year's annual Slay Model search. Cameras follow the women to ...
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Trans artist to showcase woodworking on Aug. 13
Trans artist J. Emmett (he/they), of J. Emmett Studios, will open his private studio for the first time to show his custom woodworking, along with works from local ceramicist Krista Tyner (she/her), of TynerWorks. The "A ...
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LETTERS The Church should practice love and constructive dialogue, not hate
Another U.S. diocese has issued new restrictive policies regarding LGBTQ issues in Catholic schools, and its new directives compare being openly transgender with sexual abuse. The Roman Catholic Church is having an internal dialogue on how ...
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HRC commends World Health Organization for declaring Monkeypox a global health emergency
-- From a press release
WASHINGTON—Today, The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, commended the World Health Organization (WHO) for taking the step to ...
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WORLD Women's rugby, EU vs. Hungary, S. Korea festival, Berlin Pride
Trans women could be barred from playing women's rugby in England under new recommendations from the Rugby Football Union (RFU) that will be voted on soon, PinkNews reported. The move is a U-turn from the governing ...
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Victory Fund: Historic number of LGBTQ people running for office this year
-- From a press release
Washington, DC — Today LGBTQ Victory Fund, the only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ leaders to public office, released exclusive data about out LGBTQ people running for office in 2022. With at least 1,008 out ...
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Quidditch organizations cite Rowling's anti-trans statements in acquiring new name
Major League Quidditch, the real-life semi-pro league inspired by the magical contests played by wizards in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter novels and their film adaptations, now has a new name. ...
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Green Bay diocese requires pronouns, restrooms align with biological sex
In Wisconsin, the Diocese of Green Bay is implementing a new gender identity policy in which people must abide to their biological sex throughout its schools, including pronouns, in bathrooms, locker rooms and athletics, NBC 26 ...
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Chappelle show canceled after social-media pushback
On July 20, Dave Chappelle's stand-up show at a Minneapolis club was canceled just hours before the controversial comedian was set to perform, Variety reported. First Avenue—the iconic venue that provided the setting for Prince's Purple ...
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WORLD Argentina report, Gay Games, conversion therapy, Ukraine petition
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC), in partnership with Instituto de Políticas Publicas LGBT, released its first-ever, Argentina-focused HRC Equidad AR: Global Workplace Equality Program report, a press release noted. ...
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Judge blocks Dept. of Education's pro-trans Title IX guidance
On July 15, Eastern District of Tennessee Judge Charles Atchley Jr. temporarily blocked the Education Department's Title IX guidance, which prohibits discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation, Politico ...
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GLAAD releases 2022 Social Media Safety Index
GLAAD has released its 2022 Social Media Safety Index (SMSI). The SMSI provides recommendations for the industry at large and reports on LGBTQ user safety across the five major social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube ...
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Reports: Chicago trans woman murdered in West Englewood neighborhood
A Chicago trans woman was attacked and died the late evening of July 11/early morning of July 12, according to reports. An individual was found with multiple stab wounds after Chicago Police Department (CPD) answered a ...
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SHOWBIZ Queen + Adam Lambert, Spider-Man, 'Victoria's Secret,' 'Friends'
Queen + Adam Lambert announced details of "Rhapsody Over London"—an exclusive concert spectacular filmed live at London's O2 Arena during their current sold-out European tour that will premiere live on July 24 via Kiswe's global streaming ...
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NATIONAL California ban, HBCUs, silent disco, defaced banner
California is banning state-funded travel to four states that passed laws this year prohibiting transgender women and girls from competing in school sports according to their gender identities, The Sacramento Bee reported. State agencies will no ...
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Texas court stops state from investigating trans youth, families
The Travis County District Court entered a second injunction against the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and Commissioner Masters, barring them from implementing the agency's rule expanding ...
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Wis. Supreme Court allows pro-TGNC+ student policy to remain in effect
-- From a press release
MADISON — The Supreme Court of Wisconsin allowed a school policy, which protects the right of students to use different names or pronouns at school without being forcibly outed by school faculty, to stay in effect ...
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HRC calls for equitable rollout of Monkeypox (MPV) vaccine
-- From a press release
WASHINGTON - The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, has been closely monitoring the monkeypox (MPV) outbreak in the ...
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PASSAGES Local trans leader Maritxa Vidal
Maritxa Vidal, a leader in the Chicago trans community, has died at age 64. She passed away June 9. As a child, Vidal immigrated from Cuba with her family hoping to find a better life. Vidal is a longtime advocate for ...
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Bette Midler, Macy Gray caught in anti-trans controversies
Bette Midler explained her controversial tweet about what women are being called and insisted there was nothing "transphobic" about comments she initially made, according to Newsweek. Midler initially caused a huge reaction online when she suggested ...
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WORLD KyivPride, Romanian bill, marriage items, Cynthia Erivo
Ukraine's largest LGBTQ+-rights event, KyivPride, went ahead as a peace march—in Warsaw, Poland, CNBC reported. It joined Warsaw's yearly Equality Parade, the largest such event in central Europe, using it as a platform to keep international ...
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Attorneys discuss anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, other legal threats
On June 29 at a Citywide Pride event, Elizabeth Myers and Jennifer Ecklund—partners in the Dallas office of law firm Thompson Coburn—shared insight about the unprecedented amount of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation passed this year and how it relates ...
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ACLU files case against Indiana's anti-trans law
On July 1, a law banning transgender girls from playing on girls' sports teams in schools went into effect. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has asked for an injunction on the law, WTHR reported. On ...
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Survey: Americans hold complex views on gender identity and trans+ Issues
-- From a press release
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 28, 2022) — As the United States addresses issues of transgender rights and the broader landscape around gender identity continues to shift, the American public holds a complex set of views around these ...
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CTA launches celebration to mark 75 years of service to Chicago
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) turns 75 this year. In the coming months, as the CTA moves closer to its historic destination—a Diamond Jubilee Celebration in Daley Plaza, on Oct. 1—the public can participate in various ...
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HRC on how the end of Roe v. Wade impacts the LGBTQ+ community
-- From a press release. Video below.
WASHINGTON — The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, in light of the dangerous Supreme Court decision in Dobbs ...
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SHOWBIZ Elliot Page, NPH, Madonna, Chita Rivera, Jennifer Lopez
Elliot Page talked with talk-show host Seth Meyers about how her Netflix show The Umbrella Academy incorporated the actor's own personal transition into season three of the series, Deadline noted. "With Steve Blackman, the showrunner of ...
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Rugby league bans trans women from international competition
Rugby has banned transgender players from women's international competition until further notice, following global swimming's decision to restrict trans athletes' participation at the elite level, Reuters reported. The International Rugby ...
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North Carolina to issue accurate birth certificates for transgender people without requiring surgery
-- From a press release
(Greensboro, NC — June 23, 2022) — Transgender people born in North Carolina will now be able to correct the gender marker on their birth certificates without the need for surgery under a consent judgment issued ...
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Human Rights Campaign celebrates 50-year Anniversary of Title IX
-- From a press release
WASHINGTON — The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) issued a press release recognizing the 50-year anniversary of Title IX. HRC Interim President Joni Madison said in a statement: "Title IX has had a transformative impact on our ...
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HRC report: Wage for LGBTQ+ women is 79 cents to the average man's dollar
-- 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, released new data outlining ...
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Gloria Allen screening/gathering to take place June 23
A film screening/community gathering to honor the late trans icon Gloria Allen (also known as Mama Gloria) will take place Thursday, June 23, 6-8 p.m., at the South Side Community Art Center, 3831 S. Michigan Ave. ...
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Clela Rorex, first County Clerk to issue same-sex marriage licences, has died
-- From a press release
BOULDER, CO - Out Boulder County and the family of Clela Rorex are saddened to announce the death of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer pioneering ally, Clela Rorex. On March 27,1975 Clela issued the first ...
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Governing body restricts trans swimmers; HRC responds
On June 19, swimming's world governing body, FINA, voted to restrict the participation of transgender athletes in women's events and will look into creating an "open competition" category, Yahoo! News reported. FINA members voted 71.5% in ...
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