LGBTQ+ News Weekly Update

Week of March 15-21

The Stories: 

Monday, March 16 -  “Senegalese proponents of a tougher anti-LGBT law discussed campaign strategy and mobilization tactics with a U.S.-based ‘pro-family’ group that ​calls homosexuality a public health threat, activists in both countries told Reuters.”

Monday, March 16 - “A gay Venezuelan asylum seeker who the U.S. ‘forcibly disappeared’ to El Salvador has filed a claim against the federal government.”

Monday, March 16 - “The Idaho House on Monday widely passed a bill to criminalize ‘willfully’ entering public and government bathrooms and changing rooms designated for another sex.”

Tuesday, March 17 - “The New York Post published an eyebrow-raising report this week that President Donald Trump recently received a surprising intelligence briefing about the possible sexuality of Iran’s new so-called “supreme leader.” According to the newspaper’s sources, the president was “stunned to learn last week that U.S. intelligence indicates new Iranian supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei may be gay — and that his father, the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, feared his suitability to rule the Islamic Republic for that reason.” It’s unclear whether this briefing occurred at all, or if its alleged contents are accurate.”

Tuesday, March 17 - “Colorado voters will be asked in November whether the state should prohibit transgender kids from participating in gendered sports that do not align with their biological sex and whether to outlaw surgery on children for the purpose of altering their sex characteristics.”

Tuesday, March 17 - “The Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows announced Tuesday that the citizen initiative petition effort for a bill that would restrict transgender student-athletes from playing on sports teams that align with their gender identity has enough valid signatures to move forward.”

Tuesday, March 17 - “For 113 days, Allan Marrero has been in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, while his husband, Matthew Marrero, has been using every available avenue to secure his release.”

Wednesday, March 18 - “For much of the last decade, corporate America told a tidy story about progress: Pride logos, employee resource groups, executives marching in parades. The implication was that the workplace closet—the quiet calculation LGBTQ+ employees make about how much of themselves to reveal at work—was slowly disappearing. Talk to enough queer professionals today, though, and a different picture emerges.”

Wednesday, March 18 - “NASCAR on Tuesday indefinitely suspended Daniel Dye — a second major penalty against the young driver — after he used what he called a "gay voice" to mock another racer during a livestream.”

Wednesday, March 18 - “Drag artists and performers testified alongside other Ohioans against Ohio House Bill (HB) 249 Wednesday afternoon before members of the House Judiciary Committee.”

Wednesday, March 18 - “A state Supreme Court justice repeatedly rejected requests to seal the records of name changes for transgender people in Saratoga County.”

Thursday, March 19 - “The recent decision by authorities in Hungary to ban a demonstration marking the International Day of Trans Visibility reflects a broader pattern of restricting freedom of assembly and suppressing dissent. The ban is rooted in recent legislation that enables officials to prohibit events associated with LGBT communities under loosely defined justifications, including concerns related to child protection.”

Thursday, March 19 - “Sitting at an upscale hotel in Senegal ‘s capital, the young man seemed nervous, rarely making eye contact and keeping his back against a wall, facing the entrance. He said he had been in hiding for being gay after being disowned by his family, and after police took in a friend for questioning.”

Thursday, March 19 - “Four San Diego-area families allege that Rady Children’s Health violated the civil rights of their transgender children by deciding to discontinue gender-affirming care, according to a class action lawsuit filed Thursday.”

Friday, March 20 - “Rhashanna Grant is ready to be a martyr for transgender Kansans by refusing to give up her invalidated driver’s license or comply with a new state law regulating bathroom use.”

Saturday, March 21 - “The Senate on Saturday blocked an amendment that would ban transgender athletes from playing in women's sports, rejecting one of President Trump's priorities as he pressures Congress to act on a broad voting bill.”

Final Thoughts: 

This week sees the continued push for anti-trans legislation, LGBTQ+ corporate workers going back into the closet, as well as ICE putting LGBTQ+ people's lives in danger. It's not just the United States that is seeing a rise in anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments; Senegal and Hungary are two other countries currently targeting LGBTQ+ folks. While the news is overwhelmingly negative, it's important not to miss the positive things, like the brave Drag artists and performers who testified alongside other Ohioans against Ohio House Bill (HB) 249. And yesterday, the Senate blocked an amendment that would ban transgender athletes from playing in women's sports.