Campus Pride—along with 36 other national/regional organizations such as GLSEN, PFLAG National and TransAthlete.com—requested that the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) incorporate non-binary students into all categories of the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), per a press release. A letter from Campus Pride on behalf of the signatories was sent to the U.S. Department of Education Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE), who has oversight of NCES. A separate request for comment was also filed with the DOE online in the public request for comments. The letter is at https://www.campuspride.org/wp-content/uploads/NCES_IPEDS_Nonbinary_Request-Google-Docs.pdf.
U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema issued a permanent injunction enjoining the military from "categorically barring the worldwide deployment of asymptomatic HIV-positive service members with undetectable viral loads based on their HIV status," Gay City News noted. As part of the order, the military must abandon its policy of denying commissions to officers or discharging personnel based on the contention that their asymptomatic, undetectable HIV infection, makes them undeployable. Brinkema's opinion was heavily influenced by a ruling by the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, based in Richmond, Virginia, which upheld the judge's grant of a preliminary injunction barring the discharge of two HIV-positive service members.
A gay couple is suing the City of New York after they said they faced discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation when their city-based health insurance plan rejected their bid to have a child through in vitro fertilization (IVF), Gay City News reported. Corey Briskin and Nicholas Maggipinto—who met in law school more than a decade ago and were married in 2016—sought IVF services through Briskin's city-based health insurance when he was working for the Manhattan district attorney's office. When they attempted to receive IVF services, however, they learned that the coverage was not applied evenly to gay men. Briskin and Maggipinto repeatedly encountered roadblocks in their attempts to resolve the issue, prompting them to file a class-action discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Former U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) president and former pro player Katrina Adams and trailblazing lesbian tennis legend Billie Jean King joined a U.S. State Department webinar to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the signing of Title IX, the federal civil-rights law that prohibited sex-based discrimination in educational programs that receive federal financial assistance, the USTA noted. "A Conversation on Gender Equity in Sport" is at https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&external=true&v=5213316415392228.
A bouncer wanted for the murder of a D.C. man outside a gay bar in Philadelphia has turned himself in, WUSA 9 noted, citing CBS Philadelphia. A warrant for the arrest of Kenneth Frye was issued; he is accused of punching and killing 41-year-old Eric Pope, an employee of the Monetary Affairs Division with the Federal Reserve Board, outside the Tabu Bar & Lounge on April 16 after he was escorted out for being intoxicated. Pope fell to the ground unconscious after the impact.
Log Cabin Republicans President Charles Moran, in an opinion piece for Fox News Friday, denounced progressive LGBTQ+ efforts to mitigate the damage inflicted during this year's legislative session by Republican-dominated state houses across the nation, the Los Angeles Blade reported. "We can't be bullied into silence. Simply put, LGBT conservatives don't buy into the Woke Left's radical notion that sex and gender are meaningless," Moran wrote, in part.
Several organizations and people observed GLSEN's "Day of Silence" (April 22), which calls attention to the silencing effect of anti-LGBTQ+ harassment and bullying. According to The Teal Mango, actress Jennifer Beals (The L Word; Flashdance) recorded a silent video in solidarity. In addition, educator/National Black Justice Coalition Executive Director Dr. David Johns said, "We are proud to join GLSEN in a Day of Silence to protest the harassment and discrimination that impacts our kids in schools—and has a disproportionate impact on Black LGBTQ+/SGL youth who often face intersecting biases that make their lives even more difficult."
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) released a new video featuring male swimmer and the first openly transgender NCAA Division I athlete, Schulyer Bailar, per a press release. In the video, Bailar breaks down several myths about transgender athletes, specifically transgender female athletes, that have gained widespread traction amid the surge in anti-trans sports bans in state legislatures. See https://youtu.be/AvQNS7mACGY.
GLAAD announced that it will honor award-winning actor, producer and activist Wilson Cruz with the Vito Russo Award during the 33rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards at the Hilton Midtown in New York on Friday, May 6, per a media release. GLAAD previously announced that Academy Award-winning actress Ariana DeBose will present Judith Light with GLAAD's Excellence in Media Award.
Also, GLSEN announced that Nickelodeon, the entertainment brand for kids, will be honored at the 2022 GLSEN Respect Awards New York presented by Hollister on Monday, May 16, at Gotham Hall. Nickelodeon is being celebrated for its leadership and consistent support of GLSEN's work and for LGBTQ+ students. Nickelodeon is not only known for its family-friendly entertainment properties, but for inclusive programs such as Nick News, Danger Force, Power Rangers: Dino Fury and The Loud House.
The Laurel Foundation will host its inaugural international online art auction, "The Art of _," on May 2-13, a press release noted. By merging some of the world's most iconic artists, such as David Hockney and Andy Warhol, along with gallery favorites Debora Medici-Guetta, Frank Ockenfels, Luc Bernard, William J. O'Brien, Don Flood and Salomon Khammi; transgender/gender-diverse artists Danielle Paris, Ayin Es and Rhys T Hansen; nationally recognized HIV+ artist Patrick Brown; and up-and-coming artists Berit Mondale, Sam Culp and Kylie Ames, "The Art of _" auction will support The Laurel Foundation's mission of helping TGNC children affected by HIV/AIDS. Jamie Lee Curtis and Carson Kressley are on the celebrity host committee for the May 12 viewing party. See laurel-foundation.org/theartof/ .
The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) hosted its inaugural LGBTQ+ Health Equity Summit, according to the school. The two-day virtual summit came about as MUSC sought to increase its health care providers, students and staff members' understanding of the challenges facing the LGBTQ community. The conference began with a keynote by Assistant Health Secretary Rachel L. Levine, M.D.—the first openly transgender person to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
Organizations are reacting to a billboard now up throughout Florida that targets the "Don't Say Gay" bill, JNews.uk noted. Driving through Tampa and other parts of Florida, one may see a sign (put up by the Human Rights Campaign, or HRC) saying "Governor Ron DeSantis welcomes you to Florida"… and instead of "The Sunshine State" it says "The Don't Say Gay or Trans State." The HRC's Justin Unga said the goal of the sign is to emphasize that the policy discriminates against the LGBTQ+ community.
Republican Michigan state Sen. Tom Barrett used text messages aimed at inspiring transphobic rage to raise funds for his run at the U.S. House of Representatives, The Advocate noted. Barrett sent fictitious text messages to supporters, copies of which were obtained by Michigan Advance. Through multiple iterations, the messages claim the "Gender Reassignment Surgery" for the recipient's child has been scheduled. For those with issues to the "operation," the site directs them to links to oppose "Biden's National Transgender Strategy" and otherwise donate to Barrett's campaign.
In New Jersey, Democratic Congressman Donald Norcross was joined by Congressman Mark Pocan (D-Wisconsin) of the Congressional Equality Caucus and others to present a check for $175,000 in funding to Garden State Equality (GSE), Out in Jersey noted. The GSE project will educate and empower South Jersey residents to address adverse childhood experiences through a self-healing community model focused on education, social support, stress-reduction strategies and resilience, thereby improving mental health outcomes for community youth. On a related note, GSE will hold its Equality Ball on Friday, June 3, in Asbury Park; visit https://secure.everyaction.com/shcHEvFDn02PpI9Sz5TOJw2.
At Utah's Brigham Young University (BYU), graduating senior Jillian Orr—who is bisexual—sent a message at the conservative school when she opened her graduation gown to reveal a rainbow flag underneath, NBC News noted. BYU, which is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, restricts LGBTQ students from dating or showing signs of affection while enrolled at the university; students who do so can be reported to school officials and are at risk of being expelled.
Pride on the Block is excited to launch a special celebration of and for LGBTQIA+ youth at its third annual block party, which will take place June 4 in West Palm Beach, Florida, a media release noted. In light of recent political attacks targeting LGBTQIA+ youth, event organizers saw a need to provide the young LGBTQIA+ community with a space to be themselves, meet other kids like them and celebrate their identities. There will be a Drag Story Hour with DQSH Miami as well as art workshops with the Norton Museum; cooking classes by Project Flourish; family yoga with Hamsa Power Yoga; a teen dance party with teen DJs; arts and crafts; and much more.
The New York City Gay Men's Chorus (NYCGMC) will hold its spring concert, "Beginnings," on May 7-8 at the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, a press release announced. "Beginnings" is NYCGMC's first in-person concert since 2019, with the group performing music from Beyonce, Tracy Chapman, Barry Manilow, Stephen Sondheim, Marc Anthony and more. Tickets are available at www.nycgmc.org or 212-998-4941.
The National LGBTQ Task Force announced the addition of several new staff members, including Rev. Nicole Garcia as faith work director, Jaqueline "Jacky" Goh as chief development officer, Wayne Rocque as civic engagement manager and Court Betro as Creating Change 365 field organizer, a press release noted. Task Force Executive Director Kierra Johnson said, "As we continue to grow as an organization, confronting the relentless and escalating attacks on queer people at the state level and organizing to Queer the Vote in this critical election year, I am thrilled to have these amazing individuals bring their skills and experiences to the Task Force family."
A man was arrested and charged with making threats against Merriam-Webster, Inc. over the definitions of words such as "female," The Advocate noted. California-based Jeremy David Hanson, was charged in federal court in Springfield, Mass. after allegedly threatening to bomb the offices. Hanson was slated to appear in court on April 29.
A South Dakota German teacher was widely criticized after sending four high school students a note (along with candy and a DVD) to explain why he couldn't support and respect their transgender friends, LGBTQ Nation noted. The instructor, Calvin Hillesland, compared trans students to rattlesnakes and deadly fire. Watertown School District officials rushed to put out a statement distancing themselves from the teacher after Hillesland letter went viral on Twitter—but they won't pull the teacher out of the classroom.
Stonewalled in their calls for a renewed investigation into the killing of Emmett Till, relatives and activists are advocating another possible path toward accountability in Mississippi: a kidnapping prosecution against the woman who set off the lynching by accusing the Black Chicago teen of improper advances in 1955, CBS News reported. Carolyn Bryant Donham was named nearly 67 years ago in a warrant that accused her of having a part in Till's abduction, even before his mangled body was found in a river. Now in her late 80s and most recently living in Raleigh, North Carolina, Donham has not commented publicly on calls for her prosecution.
The nonprofit New Jersey organization Out Montclair announced the first special guests and entertainers for the main stage at its inaugural Montclair Pride on June 11, per a press release. Emmy-winning comedian and Essex County native Judy Gold will emcee the festivities from the main stage; performers will include the recent Broadway cast of Jagged Little Pill, Dyllon Burnside (from Pose), RuPaul's Drag Race alum Miss Peppermint and Village People original member Felipe Rose. Congressman Donald Payne Jr., State Senator Nia Gill, Montclair Council Member Peter Yacobellis (also Out Montclair's President) and the Mayor of Montclair Sean Spiller are also slated to attend.
A New York court arbitrator ordered President Donald Trump's presidential campaign to pay nearly $1.3 million in legal fees to former White House aide Omarosa Manigault Newman, Yahoo! News noted. The award came after Trump filed a complaint against Manigault Newman over her 2018 book, Unhinged: An Insider's Account of the Trump White House, in which she called Trump a racist and suggested that he was in "real and serious" mental decline.
Two pictures of Republican Congressman Madison Cawthorn (N.C.) shared with Politico show the embattled congressman at what appears to be a party in women's lingerie, The Hill noted. Cawthorn is a controversial figure in the Republican Party. According to Politico, Cawthorn has staked his political persona on arch-traditional Christian principles and the insistence of the importance of a kind of hypermasculinity. However, people such as Charlotte Clymer tweeted, "I don't care that Madison Cawthorn likes to wear lingerie in his free time. It doesn't bother me, and it doesn't affect me. If he wants to be playful with gender expression, it's his life. … I do care that Madison Cawthorn attacks trans people and shames us for living our lives."
