Today is the 13th annual International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT). IDAHOT celebrates the anniversary of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) resolution to declassify same-sex attraction as a mental disorder. The move followed a similar decision by the American Psychiatric Association in 1973. The WHO’s monumental change created a shift in how many…
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The New York Times reported Tuesday that President Trump asked the F.B.I. director, James B. Comey, to shut down the federal investigation into Mr. Trump’s former national security adviser, Michael T. Flynn, in an Oval Office meeting in February. As is customary Capitol Hill reporters approached members of Congress for quotes about…
Monday, OutRight Action International honored Caleb Orozco, the man who successfully challenged Belize’s sodomy law and won, with the Felipa De Sousa Award at the organization’s annual gala, a Celebration of Courage. OutRight’s award ceremony held in the United Nations exclusive Delegates Dining room, was attended by more than 300 activists, human rights defenders, diplomats…
NEW YORK— Monday, Joshua Vallum was sentenced to 49 years in prison for the murder of his girlfriend, Mercedes Williamson, who was transgender. His sentencing marked the first application of the federal hate crimes law for the murder of a transgender person and, following the news, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions cited the tragedy in…
WASHINGTON — Individuals and institutions from across the country today filed friend-of-court briefs in support of Gavin Grimm, an 18-year-old Virginia high school student who is challenging his school board’s refusal to allow him access to the boys’ restroom because he is transgender. The briefs in the case, which is currently being considered by the…
The Trump administration has massively expanded the so-called “Global Gag Rule” (GGR), which stops any U.S. aid to foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that provide abortion information, referrals or services — even when they provide those services with their own, non-U.S. funding. The Trump administration’s announcement comes at the beginning of National Women’s Health Week, a…
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new poll released on Monday by Gallup reveals 64 percent of U.S. adults say same-sex marriages should be recognized by the law as valid. This is up 3 points from the 61% last year and is the highest percentage to date and continues the generally steady rise since Gallup’s trend began…
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the American Military Partner Association (AMPA), the nation’s largest non-profit organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) military spouses and their families, announced the launch of the AMPA Military Spouse Scholarship — a new program aimed to help military spouses pursue their higher education goals. AMPA also announced that Hilton will be the presenting sponsor of the new military spouse…
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new report out today from the Center for Data Innovation—a data-policy think tank—outlines 10 concrete steps Congress can take to optimize the way data is collected, shared, and used in the United States, including addressing the LGBT data gap. According to the think tank, government-sponsored data collection often omits demographic information…
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) announced that award-winning broadcast journalist Robin Roberts of ABC News’ “Good Morning America” will be honored with the HRC Visibility Award at the 2017 HRC Louisiana Gala Dinner on Saturday, June 17, 2017, in New Orleans. “As one of the most trusted and beloved broadcast journalists…
