In Memoriam: Aimee Stephens, Transgender Hero and Parent
Aimee Stephens, whose civil rights lawsuit was the first case involving transgender civil rights to be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court, died yesterday from kidney disease.
Politics and Law
HHS Eliminates Data Collection on Sexual Orientation of Foster Youth and Foster Parents
The Trump Administration has a cruel sense of timing. This month, National Foster Care Month, they have stopped collecting data on the sexual orientation of youth in foster care and of foster and adoptive parents. The data is needed to make the right decisions and track outcomes for youth in care, advocates say. This comes after the administration issued a new rule on the first day of National Adoption Month last November, which allows taxpayer-funded foster care and adoption agencies to discriminate against LGBTQ people and others.
In Memoriam: Phyllis Lyon, LGBTQ Civil Rights Pioneer
LGBTQ civil rights icon Phyllis Lyon died yesterday from natural causes at her home in San Francisco. She was 95. She and her spouse Del Martin were the first same-sex couple to marry legally in San Francisco in 2008—but her contribution to LGBTQ equality goes far beyond that.
New York Approves Gestational Surrogacy and Simplifies Legal Recognition for Nonbiological Parents
After a long effort by LGBTQ parents, prospective parents, and other advocates, the State of New York will finally legalize gestational surrogacy—and simplify and strengthen the laws around recognizing nonbiological parents and single parents in all families formed through reproductive technologies.
Not All Queer Families May Fit the Census, But I’m Completing It Anyway
It’s Census time here in the U.S. and we’ll all be getting Census mailings over the next few weeks. While the questions have expanded since 2010 to be more inclusive of same-sex couples, though, they still don’t fully reflect LGBTQ identities or families. I’m forcing myself to complete it to the best of my ability, however. Here’s why you should do the same.
Federal Court Says South Carolina Anti-LGBTQ Curriculum Law Is Unconstitutional
A South Carolina law banning any discussion of same-sex relationships in public school health classes (except in the context of sexually transmitted diseases) is unconstitutional, a federal court said yesterday.
Watch: Reps. Angie Craig and Jackie Speier Read Kids’ Books on Gender Identity — from the U.S. House Floor
Yesterday was the annual Jazz & Friends National Day of School and Community Readings, organized by HRC’s Welcoming Schools program. Watch Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN), the first lesbian mom elected to Congress, and Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA), a strong LGBTQ ally, read two great children’s books on gender identity on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives!
U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Case on Allowing Foster Care Agencies to Discriminate Against Same-Sex Parents
The U.S. Supreme Court today said that it will hear a case on whether taxpayer-funded foster care agencies may discriminate against same-sex couples, thus reducing the number of homes available to children in foster care.
In Memoriam: Deborah Batts, First Out Gay Federal Judge
Deborah Batts, the first out LGBTQ federal judge–and also a mom—died this past Monday at the age of 72, after complications from knee replacement surgery.
South Dakota House Passes Bill to Take Medical Decisions from Trans Youth and Their Parents; Criminalize Doctors Who Help
The South Dakota House yesterday passed a bill that would ban transgender youth and their parents from making decisions regarding their medical care. Doctors who prescribe treatment related to gender affirmation could face jail time.