All Things LGBTQ+

[Farb]

Didn't really see a place for this so I thought I would start a thread about all things LGBTQ since this is a pretty hot topic in our culture right now

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/17/sup...y-that-refuses-to-work-with-lgbt-couples.html

• The Supreme Court on Thursday delivered a unanimous defeat to LGBT couples in a high-profile case over whether Philadelphia could refuse to contract with a Roman Catholic adoption agency that says its religious beliefs prevent it from working with same-sex foster parents.
• Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in an opinion for a majority of the court that Philadelphia violated the First Amendment by refusing to contract with Catholic Social Services once it learned that the organization would not certify same-sex couples for adoption.

I will admit, I was hopeful for this decision by the SCOTUS but I was surprised by the unanimous decision.

While I don't think there is anything wrong, per se, with same sex couples adopting and raising children (I actually think it is a good thing as it not an abortion) but I also did not want to see the state force a religious institution to bend to a societal norm.

 

[Optimus Prime]

Guess this can go here
=================

CNN) — In one of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s first moves as secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services, the agency released guidance Wednesday for the US government, external partners and the public that offers a narrower definition of sex than the ones used by many scientists and that aligns with a January executive order signed by President Donald Trump.

The department also launched a website promoting these definitions and created a video defending a ban on transgender women participating in women’s sports.

HHS says the action was prompted by Trump’s January 20 executive order titled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government,” which required the agency to provide “clear guidance expanding on the sex-based definitions set forth in the order” within 30 days.

Wednesday’s publication furthers the Trump administration’s efforts to deny the existence of people who identify as transgender, nonbinary or intersex, a sharp departure from the Biden administration’s attempts to create more inclusive health policy and research.

The executive order and the new HHS document provide similar narrow definitions of words like “sex,” “female,” “woman,” “girl,” male,” “man” and “boy.” HHS adds definitions like the term “father,” described as a male parent, and “mother,” a female parent.

There were slight variations in the definition of “male” and “female.” Trump’s executive order, for instance, said a male is a “person belonging, at conception, to the sex that produces the small reproductive cell.” HHS’s definition explains that a male “is a person of the sex characterized by a reproductive system with the biological function of producing sperm.”………..

HHS issues new definitions of terms like ‘sex,’ ‘man’ and ‘woman’ that critics say ignore science | CNN

In one of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s first moves as secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services, the agency released guidance Wednesday for the US government, external partners and the public that offers a narrower definition of sex than the ones used by many scientists and that...

www.cnn.com

 

[Optimus Prime]

About 10 percent of adults now identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or something other than heterosexual in 2024, an increase that has almost doubled since 2020 from 5.6 percent, according to a Gallup poll released Thursday.

The uptick is mostly brought on by young adults part of Generation Z with more than one in five adults born between 1997 and 2006 identifying as LGBTQ+. Older generations, including Millenials, have lower rates of identification.

Identification rates among young adults have increased from 18 percent in 2020 to 22 percent in the last two years. Older generations are experiencing identification rate increases but not at the same levels, the polling found.

Millennials had a two-point increase from 10.3 percent to 12.0 percent during the same period and Generation X increased from 3.8 percent to 4.8 percent.……

Nearly one in 10 adults now identify as LGBTQ+ — a significant rise since 2020

The number of people identifying as LGBTQ+ has nearly tripled in 12 years

www.independent.co.uk

 

[Optimus Prime]

RFK Jr. targets transgender protections, calling sex ‘unchangeable’ in new guidance

‘Sex’ is defined under the new guidance as an ‘immutable biological classification as either male or female’

www.independent.co.uk

 

[fooferdoggie]

RFK Jr. targets transgender protections, calling sex ‘unchangeable’ in new guidance

‘Sex’ is defined under the new guidance as an ‘immutable biological classification as either male or female’

www.independent.co.uk

mn them brainworms have really been snacking.

 

[superchuck500]

I guess I'll put this here - this is crazy. The president fully threatening a governor that the state will receive no more federal funding whatsoever if the state doesn't follow the president's executive order about trans in sports.

THAT'S NOT HOW IT WORKS YOU forkING butt crevasse. Executive orders do not control states. Presidents cannot unilaterally withhold congressionally appropriated federal funding for a state's failure to abide an executive order.

 

[DJ1BigTymer]

I guess I'll put this here - this is crazy. The president fully threatening a governor that the state will receive no more federal funding whatsoever if the state doesn't follow the president's executive order about trans in sports.

THAT'S NOT HOW IT WORKS YOU forkING butt crevasse. Executive orders do not control states. Presidents cannot unilaterally withhold congressionally appropriated federal funding for a state's failure to abide an executive order.

I'd lose my shirt if that was directed at me! He has NO understanding of what it means to be president of any constitutional republic.

 

[Optimus Prime]

A transgender police officer in South Florida claims department brass deliberately misgendered him, refused to use his preferred name and pronouns, then allegedly forced him off the job after a “Christian counselor” working for the city issued a bogus report declaring him unfit for duty.

Eli Schanley joined the Sarasota Police Department in 2015, earning numerous commendations, including a medal for a lifesaving rescue that “showed courage and resolve,” according to a 61-page civil rights lawsuit obtained by The Independent.

However, after Schanley began his gender transition in 2021, becoming the department’s sole trans officer, his complaint says he was wrongly deemed “a danger to herself [sic] and the public,” and invited to instead apply for a job as a janitor.

There was “no factual basis” for the department’s findings, Schanley’s complaint asserts, noting his “eight-year tenure and track record as a decorated patrol officer.” Rather, it goes on, the decision to push him out was “based on his transgender status,” not on any legitimate performance concerns.

“This is more than just a single case,” the lawsuit contends, “but sets precedent for other members of the transgendered community who wish to have a career in law enforcement.”………

Trans cop says he was deemed a ‘danger to the public’ over gender identity

Exclusive: Officer Eli Schanley claims he was wrongly declared unfit for duty and invited to instead apply for a janitorial position

www.independent.co.uk

 

[Optimus Prime]

The U.S. Department of Education has launched an investigation into whether protections for transgender students inside Northern Virginia school districts discriminated against cisgender students.

Alexandria City, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William were the five school districts named in a Feb. 4 complaint filed by America First Legal Foundation, a right-wing nonprofit founded by President Trump's Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.

The complaint accused the Virginia school districts of, "provid(ing) greater rights to students whose 'gender identity' does not match their biological sex than it does to students whose 'gender identity' matches their biological sex."

The investigation will be handled by the Office of Civil Rights in the Department of Education, which will look into whether the anti-discrimination laws violate Title IX.

"As recipients of federal financial assistance from the Department of Education, the (school districts) must comply with this law," The Department of Education on Friday.

According to The Washington Post, spokespeople for the Arlington and Fairfax public school districts have defended their protections for transgender youth ahead of the investigations.

"We firmly stand behind our nondiscrimination policies and provide ourselves on providing safe, welcoming schools for all students," Arlington Public Schools spokesman Frank Bellavia said Friday. "We follow all federal laws with respect to Title IX."

The investigation by the Department of Education follows a series of actions by the Trump administration targeting transgender Americans since taking office in January. On his first day in office, the president signed an executive order that categorized all males as "men" and all females as "women.".............

Dept. of Ed. to investigate Northern Virginia schools over transgender protections​

 

[Optimus Prime]

Good read
===========


On 5 February 2025 – coinciding with Women and Girls in Sports Day – Donald Trump signed an executive order barring trans athletes from competing in women’s sports.

The move marked yet another aggressive shift of his legislative agenda, as he doubled down on anti-trans rhetoric, in which he has vowed to eliminate what he calls “transgender insanity”.

The next day college sports’ main governing body, the NCAA, said only women assigned female at birth would be able to participate under its umbrella.

The organization oversees more than 500,000 athletes. Last year the NCAA’s president, Charlie Baker, said he knew of only 10 transgender athletes competing in the organization.

For many transgender athletes who aspire to turn professional or qualify for events such as the Olympics, Trump’s executive order, and the NCAA’s ruling, pose a considerable obstacle, halting their ability to pursue their careers and participate in sports. We spoke to athletes who have competed in the NCAA about how the ban has affected them.

Taylor Rey Narvasa, former NCAA volleyball player at the University of Washington, and current member of the North American Gay Volleyball Association

I was devastated. We all knew it was coming – it wasn’t necessarily a surprise – but there’s a difference between anticipatory grief and present grief. It made me feel awful, knowing my identity and existence are being debated every single day, with the rhetoric only intensifying.

I’ve always been a strong advocate, openly documenting my transition on social media. I understand why many people would want to step away, but for me, it pushes me to be even more visible.

I wore my trans pride sweater to my [NAGVA] tournament in rural Washington yesterday because I refuse to be silent or make myself smaller. The goal of these attacks is to make trans people shrink themselves.

That’s why I believe in taking up more space when I have the capacity. But I will say, my capacity has diminished – it wears on me. I have to be more intentional about where I invest my emotional energy, but at the end of the day, we’re just doing our best.

I consider myself a strong person, but even for me, this is incredibly difficult. I can’t imagine what it’s like for kids today – children in elementary and middle school who just want to play their sport.

I grew up in a conservative, predominantly white community, always searching for belonging, and sports gave me that. To strip that away from people is devastating.

And the fact that this only targeted trans women – not trans men – was a red flag. The NCAA had governing bodies with rules in place, like requiring hormone treatment for a set period. Those regulations were working.

But by banning trans athletes while also cutting off access to healthcare, the goal is clearly to erase trans people from every angle. People dismiss it by saying, “It’s just sports.” But for so many, it’s their livelihood, their escape, their mental health. Being on a court with teammates who affirm you is life-saving for some.

For me, volleyball saved my life. I wouldn’t be here without the chosen family I found in the sport, without having that space to exist without the weight of the outside world.

But now, they’re stripping away access to both healthcare and sports. And no one is actually addressing the real threats to women’s sports: lack of funding, lack of access, predatory coaches. This was never about protecting women…….

Trans athletes on Trump’s executive order: ‘Stripping us of sports is devastating’

The NCAA has ruled only women assigned female at birth can compete in college sports. We spoke to some of those affected by the ban

www.theguardian.com

 

[UncleTrvlingJim]

The U.S. Department of Education has launched an investigation into whether protections for transgender students inside Northern Virginia school districts discriminated against cisgender students.

Alexandria City, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William were the five school districts named in a Feb. 4 complaint filed by America First Legal Foundation, a right-wing nonprofit founded by President Trump's Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.

The complaint accused the Virginia school districts of, "provid(ing) greater rights to students whose 'gender identity' does not match their biological sex than it does to students whose 'gender identity' matches their biological sex."

The investigation will be handled by the Office of Civil Rights in the Department of Education, which will look into whether the anti-discrimination laws violate Title IX.

"As recipients of federal financial assistance from the Department of Education, the (school districts) must comply with this law," The Department of Education on Friday.

According to The Washington Post, spokespeople for the Arlington and Fairfax public school districts have defended their protections for transgender youth ahead of the investigations.

"We firmly stand behind our nondiscrimination policies and provide ourselves on providing safe, welcoming schools for all students," Arlington Public Schools spokesman Frank Bellavia said Friday. "We follow all federal laws with respect to Title IX."

The investigation by the Department of Education follows a series of actions by the Trump administration targeting transgender Americans since taking office in January. On his first day in office, the president signed an executive order that categorized all males as "men" and all females as "women.".............

Dept. of Ed. to investigate Northern Virginia schools over transgender protections​

Awesome, my trans kid goes to a Fairfax county public school.

 

[Optimus Prime]

 

[Optimus Prime]

The Philadelphia school district will reportedly ignore a rule directing schools to ban transgender athletes from participating in sports that match their gender identities, according to reporting from the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The school district “strives to ensure safety, equity and justice for all students regardless of gender identity or gender expression so that they can imagine and realize any future they desire”, a spokesperson, Christina Clark, said in a statement on Tuesday to the Inquirer.

“The district will continue to align its practices to support its LGBTQ+ students in accordance with Board Policy 252 for transgender and gender non-conforming students,” the statement said……

Philadelphia schools to allow trans children to participate in sports – report

School district will ignore Trump executive order banning trans athletes from competing in women’s sports

www.theguardian.com

 

[Optimus Prime]

Michigan Rep. Josh Schriver to introduce resolution calling on U.S. Supreme Court to overturn same-sex marriage

Michigan state Rep. Josh Schriver, R-Oxford, says he plans to introduce a resolution urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling, which protects same-sex marriages.

www.cbsnews.com

 

[coldseat]

Michigan Rep. Josh Schriver to introduce resolution calling on U.S. Supreme Court to overturn same-sex marriage

Michigan state Rep. Josh Schriver, R-Oxford, says he plans to introduce a resolution urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling, which protects same-sex marriages.

www.cbsnews.com

The sad part is that I think many Americans would shrug, maybe the majority. The hate of LGBTQ+ people is very extreme is many places in this country.

I thought we had turned a corner as a country after Obergefell, but I was very much wrong.

 

[Optimus Prime]

The sad part is that I think many Americans would shrug, maybe the majority. The hate of LGBTQ+ people is very extreme is many places in this country.

I thought we had turned a corner as a country after Obergefell, but I was very much wrong.

It certainly felt like we had turned a corner (much like the racial reckoning after George Floyd - definitely felt more real than usual lip service)

The right had always said that gay marriage would rip the fabric of American society to shreds

Narrator: It didn't

The problem is what would the reasoning be to reverse it?

The horrible thing we said would definitely happen didn't happen but we're undoing it anyway because.......?

 

[coldseat]

It certainly felt like we had turned a corner (much like the racial reckoning after George Floyd - definitely felt more real than usual lip service)

The right had always said that gay marriage would rip the fabric of American society to shreds

Narrator: It didn't

The problem is what would the reasoning be to reverse it?

The horrible thing we said would definitely happen didn't happen but we're undoing it anyway because.......?

IDK, in truth it did kind of rip society apart. Not immediately and not in the way they said it would, but because the right wing in this country can't accept any progress and decided it was better to tear everything down than to accept expanding rights for discriminated minority groups. As a result, many people in the middle of this country have grown in disdain towards minority groups because of the lies and conspiracies of the right wing. Some on the left have even joined them.

It really has been a backtracking of society and rights for minorities that I know has happened in American history before, but which I have never seen in my lifetime. We are in an era of darkness in this country currently.

 

[Optimus Prime]

IDK, in truth it did kind of rip society apart. Not immediately and not in the way they said it would, but because the right wing in this country can't accept any progress and decided it was better to tear everything down than to accept expanding rights for discriminated minority groups. As a result, many people in the middle of this country have grown in disdain towards minority groups because of the lies and conspiracies of the right wing. Some on the left have even joined them.

It really has been a backtracking of society and rights for minorities that I know has happened in American history before, but which I have never seen in my lifetime. We are in an era of darkness in this country currently.

Valid point

I guess it counts if you’re the one to rip up society because you’re furious that society at large didn’t rip itself apart over gays getting married

 

[Optimus Prime]

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa became the first U.S. state to remove gender identity protections from its civil rights code on Friday when Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law a bill that opponents say will expose transgender people and other Iowans to discrimination in all aspects of daily life.

The new law, which goes into effect July 1, follows several years of action from Reynolds and Iowa Republicans to restrict transgender students’ use of such spaces as bathrooms and locker rooms, and their participation on sports teams, in an effort to protect people assigned female at birth. Republicans say those policies cannot co-exist with a civil rights code that includes gender identity protections.

The law passed quickly after first being introduced last week. It also creates explicit legal definitions of female and male based on their reproductive organs at birth, rejecting the idea that a person can transition to another gender. Reynolds proposed a similar bill last year, but it didn’t make it to a vote of the full House or Senate……

Iowa's governor signs a bill removing gender identity protections from the state’s civil rights code

Iowa has became the first U.S. state to remove gender identity protections from its civil rights code. Republican Gov.

apnews.com