Thousands of students across Catholic high schools in Washington State protest an anti-LGBT firing

WASHINGTON – The future victory of LGBT equality has long been visible in demographic data. Public polling reveals that support for LGBT equality among so-called “Millennials” is currently between 70 and 80 percent and continues to grow. This broad support is mirrored across demographic groups, but it’s especially stark among American Catholics of all ages…

Read More

Bay Area education leaders support the School Success and Opportunity Act

Local school boards and communities this week continued their progress towards implementing the School Success and Opportunity Act, which Governor Brown signed earlier this year.  The new law, AB1266, restates existing anti-discrimination law to ensure that all students, including transgender students, have the opportunity to fully participate and succeed in schools. Kane Tajnai, a student…

Read More

San Diego Unified names Kevin Beiser new board president

SAN DIEGO —  Tuesday, San Diego Unified School Board of Trustees elected Kevin Beiser its new president and fellow Trustee Marne Foster as vice president. “I look forward to working together to continue improving public education with quality schools in every neighborhood,” Beiser said shortly after the meeting. Beiser was elected to the Board of Trustees in…

Read More

SDSU adds grad certificate in LGBT studies

SAN DIEGO — San Diego State University today announced the addition of a graduate-level certificate in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Studies, one of only a handful of like programs in the nation. “Diversity is a cornerstone of a well-rounded education and this program provides an opportunity for graduate students to gain a deeper understanding…

Read More

Morgan State fraternity on probation until 2015 after gay student rejected

In a stinging rebuke, officials at Morgan State University, a historically black college in Baltimore, Md., have placed its Kappa Alpha Psi chapter on probation until fall of 2015 after a student complained that he was rejected because he is gay. Brian Stewart, 20, a former White House intern, filed the complaint in late October after…

Read More

‘Queer in Aztlán: Chicano Male Recollections of Consciousness and Coming Out’

Queer in Aztlán A reading was held at Centro Cultural de la Raza to commemorate the release of the anthology Queer in Aztlán featuring the book contributors. The book explores issues of queer youth identity, sexuality, masculinity, homophobia, sexism and violence in Mexican and American culture, presenting a complex view of queer Chicanos/Mexicanos, and contests…

Read More

Gov. Brown signs historic Transgender Students Bill into law

SACRAMENTO—Today, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed the historic School Success and Opportunity Act into law, ensuring transgender youth have the opportunity to fully participate and succeed in schools across the state. Assembly Bill 1266—which goes into effect  Jan. 1, 2014—was authored by Assemblymember Tom Ammiano and passed the California State Senate and Assembly earlier this…

Read More

Settlement reached with Arcadia Unified School District in transgender student discrimination case

WASHINGTON – The United States entered into a settlement agreement with the Arcadia Unified School District in Arcadia, Calif., to resolve an investigation into allegations of discrimination against a transgender student based on the student’s sex.  Under the agreement, approved by the district’s school board unanimously last night, the school district will take a number…

Read More

Old Globe to offer encore presentation of ‘Thinking Shakespeare Live!’ Aug. 10

SAN DIEGO – Following a sold-out showing in June, The Old Globe will offer an encore presentation of Thinking Shakespeare Live!, a 90-minute exploration of the language of Shakespeare, Saturday, Aug. 10 at 11 a.m.  Led by Old Globe Artistic Director Barry Edelstein and assisted by three professional classical actors, this special program based on…

Read More

Colorado transgender girl wins equal access to girls’ bathrooms at school

NEW YORK – GLAAD,  today announced along with the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) that the Colorado Civil Rights Division has ruled in favor of six-year-old Coy Mathis, whose school had barred her from using the girls’ bathroom at her elementary school because she is transgender. This is the first ruling in the nation…

Read More