The CDC has concluded that mpox cases are on the rise in the United States, increasing to almost double what they were at the same time last year, according to ABC News. There is a national year-to-date estimate of 511 cases as of mid-March, compared to 287 cases during the same period in 2023. While historically found in central and west Africa, cases began popping up in the U.S. in May 2022. The Jynneos vaccine is recommended for those at high risk of infection, including those who have been exposed to someone with mpox.
The TRANSform the Vote rally was held on the National Mall on March 31 for the International Transgender Day of Visibility, The Washington Blade reported. Event organizers included the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE), Trans USA National Pageantry and the Queer Equity Institute; speakers included Minneapolis City Council President Andrea Jenkins and actress Angelica Ross. In addition, an evening gala took place at Hook Hall. "Blossom: International Trans Day of Visibility Gala in Washington" was presented by NCTE and featured speakers, a panel discussion and an all-trans drag showcase.
Ahead of the Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) raised the Transgender Pride Flag outside its headquarters for the third consecutive year, per a press release. In addition, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said, ""Today I am thinking about our country's great transgender, non-binary, and two-spirit leaders and trailblazers who epitomize resilience, progress and joy. [The] Transgender Day of Visibility is an opportunity to both celebrate their accomplishments and double down on our commitment to push the tides of progress forward. … Gender-affirming care saves lives. When trans Americans go to the doctor, they deserve the same treatment as any other patient. Stand up against discrimination, especially when it comes to transgender kids. … Our decisions to speak up or not in the face of injustice sends a message. It's on all of us to teach the next generations love, not hate."
National Black Justice Coalition CEO and Executive Director Dr. David J. Johns also noted the International Transgender Day of Visibility. In a press release, he said, in part, "Today, we celebrate the extraordinary contributions of transgender and gender-expensive members of our community. We celebrate their many and diverse contributions to politics and industry, culture, and our collective fight for equity and justice. … However, as we celebrate, we cannot ignore the harsh reality of the continued assaults on transgender and LGBTQ+ rights. These reprehensible actions, which include restricting and eliminating access to life-saving healthcare, access to social activities like sports, censoring books and education materials, and so much more, weaponize gender and sexual orientation in a political battle over a manufactured culture war."
Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR)—an organization founded by Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera during the Queer & Trans Liberation Movement of the '60s/'70s—has been restarted in response to anti-trans/ queer/ non-binary sentiment growing across the country, according to a press release. Minneapolis organizer Sam Martinez announced the re-founding on the eve of the 2024 International Transgender Day of Visibility (March 31). According to the release, "STAR is to be founded as a Trans/Non-Binary/Queer, working-class, multi-National AKA BIPOC, (Black Indigenous People of Color) organization which will water the roots of the past with the spirit of the present to re-found and rejuvenate the U.S. trans/queer liberation movement. Currently, the national organization shall handle larger matters." To find out more, people can contact STAR National via https://forms.gle/YBaMQ59SctjixgnT7.
Lesbian tennis legend Martina Navratilova criticized conservative trans personality's Caitlyn Jenner's remarks about Joe Biden celebrating trans lives, PinkNews noted. Jenner was among those who lashed out at the president after he reiterated his administration's support for trans rights on the International Transgender Day of Visibility, because it coincided with Easter this year. After Jenner continued her rant on Fox News, claiming that Democrats were trying to "destroy the family structure, destroy religion," Navratilova—who has also lashed out at the trans community in the past—wrote, "So says a divorcee…. six children with three different wives and it's the left that is destroying the family? Got it… what a pathetic hypocrite." Jenner angrily responded by saying: "Last time I checked, I raised one of the most successful families in the world, with the most amazing women—their mothers—by my side. You're the hypocrite." Navratilova then said that she "didn't come for [Jenner's] family" and that her original post was "all about" the trans Republican herself.
Nashville agreed to update its civil-service policies so that being HIV-positive will no longer automatically disqualify someone from serving as a police officer or first responder, per a WAND item. A former Memphis officer of the year sued Nashville last year. He claimed Nashville police discriminated against him in 2020 when they rescinded a job offer upon learning that he had HIV—despite a note from his doctor saying he posed no danger to others because he suppressed the virus with medication. In the settlement, Nashville agreed to pay John Doe $145,000 and to rewrite its civil service medical examiner's policies.
In Georgia, the City of South Fulton Police Department has chosen an officer to serve as its first-ever LGBTQ+ law enforcement liaison, WSB-TV reported. Officer Kevin Turner was chosen to serve as the liaison with a mission of being "a bridge between the LGBTQ+ community and the police department," according to police. Turner will work to build trust and understanding, increase communication and ensure fair and respectful treatment for all between the police department and the LGBTQ+ community in the City of South Fulton, the department noted.
An SEC filing showed that Best Buy offered to screen pro-LGBTQ+ donations from its employee resource groups following pressure from a conservative think tank that holds shares in the company, per NBC News. The SEC filing contains a months-long email exchange between the National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR) and Best Buy. The previously unreported dialogue showed how the center said it would make "a splash" unless the consumer electronics giant moved in favor of its demands. One of the causes the NCPPR cited involved transgender care for minors, which the group falsely described as an attempt to "mutilate the reproductive organs of children."
Two men in New York have been charged with distributing fentanyl-laced heroin that allegedly caused the death of trans activist Cecilia Gentili in February, CNN noted. Michael Kuilan and Antonio Venti, face three felony charges related to the distribution and possession of fentanyl and heroin; Kuilan is also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Gentili, who died on Feb. 6 at 52, was a pillar of New York's trans community and a staunch advocate for sex workers and people with HIV/AIDS. Her funeral at New York's revered St. Patrick's Cathedral drew more than 1,000 attendees wearing sequins, feathered dresses and veils. Afterward, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York criticized the service.
A new survey from the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) says that people are leaving and switching faith traditions in large numbers because of anti-LGBTQ+ teachings and sexual abuse, per Houston Public Media. As for why people leave their religions, PRRI found that about two-thirds (67%) of people who leave a faith tradition say they did so because they simply stopped believing in that religion's teachings—and nearly half (47%) of respondents who left cited negative teaching about the treatment of LGBTQ+ people. Interestingly, it also found that 31% of respondents agreed with the statement "God always rewards those who have good faith with good health, financial success and fulfilling personal relationships." In addition, the Catholic Church is losing more members than it's gaining, though the numbers are slightly better for retention among Hispanic Catholics.
In North Carolina, The Sylva Pride celebration will look a little different this year after the Sylva town board denied the group's road-closure application for its fourth annual Pride Parade—even though much of the downtown business community backed the event, per The Smoky Mountain News. Commissioners considered the impact on local businesses and churches, especially those on Main Street and how they might be affected by the road closure; however, downtown business owner Leigh Anne Young presented a letter in support of the Pride Parade signed by more than 25 other local businesses. In the end, though, the board voted against the road closure. While the march was planned for 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 15, Sylva Pride has organized events to take place over that weekend in a concerted effort to improve the economic impact on local businesses.
In Michigan, the Rev. Tom Held, pastor of St. Joseph the Worker Parish of Beal City, is facing backlash after publicly apologizing for a gay author being allowed to read to a preschool class, per MLive.com . While Held noted that author Dominic Thrasher's book was appropriate for the pupils, he vowed to better "vet" guests' sexual orientations in the future. After Held apologized on social media, the post received 177 comments, 54 shares and 144 reactions—the overwhelming majority of which were in support of Thrasher. Many attacked perceived hypocrisy, mentioned long-running Catholic sex abuse scandals and criticized the lack of inclusivity.
Protestors in Idaho dropped almost 50,000 paper hearts across the state capitol's floor in protest at the legislators' anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, PinkNews noted. Idaho's branch of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU Idaho) reportedly started the campaign in early March, urging activists to "send us your hearts" to protest the state's anti-LGBTQ+ stances. The group said that, in just 12 days, it had received more than 48,000 hearts from 20 different cities in Idaho, including Coeur d'Alene, Pocatello and Blackfoot.
In Hawaii, a Pride flag at a Makakilo residence was stolen and burned—marking the fourth time this has happened with one of Michael Goldjuch's banners, KITV reported. Golojuch—who's been living at the place with his family for 42 years—said it should be considered a hate crime. Eight years ago he decided to put up his Pride flags; only in the last six months have his flags been vandalized, stolen and burned.
A Yahoo! News article profiled Thurst Lounge, which was "created as 'a love letter' to Washington D.C.'s Black gay community and highlights decades of Black queer spaces." In December, Thurst opened its doors with co-owners Shaun Mykals and Brandon Burke; the duo built their reputation on "Thursday Bliss," an open-mic night originally hosted at the legendary jazz venue Bohemian Caverns. In detailing the local history, the article noted that D.C., used to have several Black gay and lesbian clubs in the 1960s and '70s; however, none were Black-owned (although Thurst is). The full article is at www.yahoo.com/news/nightclub-continues-long-legacy-washington-155638626.html .
The Transgender Pride flag was raised over Connecticut's capitol in Hartford ahead of International Transgender Day of Visibility, WTNH noted. "By raising this flag, the governor and I want everyone in our state to know we see you, we respect you and we will keep fighting for you," Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said. "It's such an honor for us to represent you every day in this beautiful state capitol." It's the second time the flag has flown over the state capitol building.
A Baltimore agency managing pandemic relief money has recommended terminating a $500,000 grant to Maryland's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to providing resources to the LGBTQ+ community, Pride Center of Maryland, per The Baltimore Banner. The grant, part of the city's $651 million American Rescue Plan Act allocation, comes with many strings attached, including rigorous compliance and reporting requirements—which the organization reportedly failed to meet. Executive Director Cleo Manago said he has already taken corrective actions to address "bad data" that should not have ever been submitted to the city. A city spending board was scheduled to vote on whether to end the contract.
Out University of Nebraska gymnast Sam Phillips placed first, second and third in various disciplines during a dual meet against The Ohio State University on what was an event recognizing inclusion for LGBTQ+ athletes and allies on campus, per Outsports. Phillips, who now identifies as gay, set a career high score in winning the high bar event in the Cornhuskers' win over the Buckeyes; he also set a personal high score in the floor exercise and finished second, and was third in the rings. The Ohio State team used the event to recognize the groups Buckeye Inclusion and Buckeye Spectrum—an organization "creating safe athletic spaces through visibility and representation of LGBTQIA+ athletes of all racial and gender identities."
TJ House—one of only a few out gay former professional baseball pitchers, and who came out in 2022—married Ryan Neitzel in New Orleans, per PinkNews. House shared images of his wedding on social media; including their matching black-and-white suits and bowties, floral arrangements and rustic venue. The former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher made history in December 2022, when he became the third ex-MLB player to publicly come out as gay, joining Glenn Burke and Billy Bean; he made the statement on Facebook along with the announcement of his engagement to Neitzel.
Christian pastor Joshua Broome is disavowing his former career—as a gay adult-film actor, per Queerty. Broome, who performed under the name Rocco Reed, quit the adult film industry in 2013. He's currently promoting his new book, 7 Lies That Will Ruin Your Life, which covers his journey from the porn industry to religion. "What's unique about [porn], is that when an act of intimacy that is meant to be done in private is done in public, there's this disassociation from reality," he said during a podcast interview, as transcribed by the Daily Star. At his peak, he was filming up to 25 scenes per month, and earned more than $1 million.
On April 12, the Jones Center for Race, Gender and Social Justice at the University of Cincinnati College of Law will host a day of panel discussions and conversation addressing important issues facing the LGBTQ+ community, according to the school. The event, "LGBTQ Plus the Law (Policy, Healthcare and Family Law)"—the 2024 Morelli Colloquium—will be held in Room 170A of the College of Law. The panels will be "This is Where We Are," "Healthcare Access" and "Expanding the Family."
U.S. House Republicans introduced a measure to rename D.C.'s Washington Dulles International Airport after former President Trump, Axios reported. The airport is currently named for John Foster Dulles—a former secretary of state under President Dwight Eisenhower who fought against communism during part of the Cold War. "Donald Trump is facing 91 felony charges. If Republicans want to name something after him, I'd suggest they find a federal prison," said Rep. Gerry Connolly, a Democrat who represents part of Dulles.
Ghanaian pastor/musician Sonnie Badu—the lead minister of Atlanta's Rockhill Church—recently warned his followers against consuming mainstream media (including children's cartoons and gospel music) because they further the LGBTQ+ "agenda," per The Advocate. On Accra FM, Badu also claimed, without evidence, that "78 percent" of gospel musicians and pastors are gay or "involved in LGBT activities." Ghana recently passed an LGBTQ+-criminalization bill imposing sentences of up to three years in prison for people who identify as LGBTQ+ and up to five years for individuals forming or funding LGBTQ+ groups. President Nana Akufo-Addo has delayed signing the bill pending a decision from the country's Supreme Court.
