LGBTQ+ News Weekly Update

Week of March 29 - April 4

Tuesday, March 31 - “Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed into law a bill that criminalizes transgender people using bathrooms that align with their gender identity, including in private businesses.” 

Tuesday, March 31 - “The decision by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, to give assent to the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, which denies transgender and gender diverse people the right to self-identify, is a serious setback for human rights in India,” said Amnesty International.”

Tuesday, March 31 - “The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled against a law banning "conversion therapy" for LGBTQ+ kids in Colorado, one of about two dozen states that ban the discredited practice.”

Tuesday, March 31 - “Last year, James accused York of telling her to compile lists of people who checked out books with LGBTQ+ themes, including their names, addresses and household information. York has denied any wrongdoing. The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee publicly supported James’ refusal to adhere to this directive, warning that this type of censorship would have ripple effects across the state.”

Wednesday, April 1 - “Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has signed a new law doubling to 10 years the maximum prison term for sexual acts by same-sex couples.”

Wednesday, April 1 - “On April 2, 1986, the New York City gay rights bill was signed into law after a 15-year battle with the New York City Council. While New York was the first jurisdiction anywhere in the world to take up adding “sexual orientation” to its human rights law in 1971, it was one of the last big cities to pass such legislation.”

Wednesday, April 1 - “The Dutch capital marked the 25th anniversary of the world’s first gay marriages with three same-sex couples tying the knot at City Hall early Wednesday.”

Wednesday, April 1 - “Nine protestors who opposed anti-trans bills were arrested Wednesday in the Idaho governor’s office at the Capitol in Boise after refusing to leave after the office closed, according to Idaho State Police.”

Thursday, April 2 - “A man facing deportation has told a court he fears he will be killed if returned to Egypt ‘because I am gay.’”

Thursday, April 2 - “NYU Langone Health remains silent three weeks after the New York attorney general’s deadline for the medical center to restore gender-affirming care for minors.”

Thursday, April 2 - “A Republican proposal to ban transgender people from teaching in Kentucky has failed, after the measure’s main sponsor broke state legislative rules in a failed last-minute gambit.”

Friday, April 3 - “Georgia Equality is celebrating the defeat of more than a dozen anti-LGBTQ+ bills as state lawmakers wrapped their legislative session in the early hours of April 3.”

Saturday, April 4 - “Demonstrators gathered at Federal Plaza in Chicago on Saturday to mark International Transgender Day of Visibility, calling for the protection of transgender rights amid growing legal and political challenges nationwide.”

Final Thoughts:

This week is a great reminder that even in the face of increased anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, there is hope, and there are people who are bravely standing up for what’s right. On Thursday this week, a proposed ban on transgender teachers failed, and on Friday, more than a dozen anti-LGBTQ+ bills failed to pass in Georgia. Then on Saturday, demonstrators gathered to call for protection for transgender people. The hate and the legislation are still heavy, but this week, a reminder that there is always hope too.