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Brittany Devon meets a 'Platonic Girlfriend'
Queer, genderfluid actor Brittany Devon has created a brand new project to explore with Platonic Girlfriend. It is the story of a relationship between straight woman Alice and a queer, nonbinary person named Dev. Devon stars ...
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Gov. Pritzker signs transformative energy legislation for Illinois
--From a press release
CHICAGO — Delivering on principles previously laid out, Governor JB Pritzker signed landmark legislation into law that puts the state on a path toward 100% clean energy, invests in training a diverse workforce for the jobs ...
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AstonRep Theatre Company announces 2021-22 season:
--From a press release
CHICAGO (Sept. 13, 2021) — AstonRep Theatre Company is pleased to welcome back live audiences this fall, kicking off with a revival of Yasmina Reza's frenetic dark comedy God of Carnage, translated by Christopher Hampton and ...
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NATIONAL Teachers, GLAAD talks HRC, 9/11 items, Dr. Rachel Levine
In North Carolina, a former teacher won a lawsuit against Charlotte Catholic High School and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte after he lost his job following an announcement on Facebook that he planned to marry ...
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WORLD False report, Indian activist dies, fashion exhibit, LGBT Awards
In Spain, a man who claimed eight hooded men carved an anti-gay slur on his butt using a knife in a horrific hate crime later said the act was consensual, according to out.com. According to police ...
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Dutch study: Transgender people face twice the odds for early deaths
A long-term Dutch study revealed that transgender people have double the odds of dying early compared to folks whose identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth (cisgender), according to the U.S. News & World ...
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SHOWBIZ 'Idol' alums, Zendaya, Gaga, 'Queer As Folk,' women rappers
American Idol alum David Archuleta said that God urged him to come out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, NBC News noted. The Nashville resident told Today.com he wasn't sure if the community would embrace ...
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WORLD Anti-TGNC vote, #VeryGayRaptor, Brazilian governor, Scottish poll
In Australia, the government voted down workplace protections for transgender, non-binary and intersex people, OutInPerth.com reported. The senate was considering the Sex Discrimination and Fair Work (Respect at Work) Amendment ...
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MUSIC Laura Jane Grace gives good advice to future trans and queer artists
For one hour and 48 minutes, Laura Jane Grace will take listeners on a journey with the new Audible project Black Me Out. This transgender musician covers a great deal of territory in the session, from ...
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Get Out! LGBTQ travelers show how to travel safely this fall
By Ed Salvato, courtesy of the National LGBT Media Association
Just when we thought it was safe to hit the road, we were walloped by the Delta variant, the latest plot twist in the 18-month-and-counting pandemic story. The surprising data that fully vaccinated people could transmit ...
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Gender-affirming care associated with lower suicide risk for transgender people
--From a Williams Institute press release
A summary of current data on suicide risk and prevention among transgender people in recognition of Suicide Prevention Month Transgender people who need and receive gender-affirming medical care have a lower prevalence of suicide thoughts and ...
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NATIONAL Marsha P. Johnson, Utah, five-year study, Pride fests cancelled
In New York City, visitors to Christopher Park have been greeted by the bust of the late trans activist Marsha P. Johnson, ActionNewsNow.com reported. The bust was erected on what would have been Jonhson's 76th birthday—and ...
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Virginia school district settles with Gavin Grimm
A Virginia school district that discriminated against a transgender individual by making him go to the bathroom in a converted supply closet will have to pay $1.3 million in attorney's fees and other costs accrued over ...
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Report features eight Illinois child-welfare agencies working with HRC Foundation
--From a press release
WASHINGTON — Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the educational arm of the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, released a new report ...
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Trans woman and cancer survivor makes her debut at SEA BLUE Prostate Cancer Walk & Run
Among all the men, Iris Farley—a prostate cancer survivor and trans woman—will be running in Us TOO's SEA Blue Prostate Cancer Walk & Run on Sept. 26 in Lincoln Park. Farley, a Chicago resident, is the ...
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SHOWBIZ RuPaul, GALECA toast, Elliot Page, 'Chippendales,' bi model
RuPaul revealed a new wax figure at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas, a press release noted. The all-new Rainbow Runway experience invites guests to "meet" and take cues from the most commercially successful drag queen of all ...
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WORLD Trapped in Afghanistan, lesbian pioneer, anti-gay crimes, Valencia's bid
Among the Americans trapped in the suburban areas of Kabul, Afghanistan, under Taliban control was Josie Thomas, 32, a transgender government contractor for the U.S. State Department and former U.S. Air Force Sergeant, The Washington Blade ...
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Appellate Court of Illinois vindicates transgender woman in fight against Hobby Lobby
--From a Lambda Legal press release
CHICAGO — The Second District Appellate Court of Illinois Friday found that Hobby Lobby violated the Illinois Human Rights Act when it barred Meggan Sommerville, a transgender woman and employee of more than 20 years, from ...
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NATIONAL DC attack, NC law, conversion therapy, trans woman shot
A gay Asian man and his parents were beaten in Washington D.C. near Vice President Kamala Harris' home by a man shouting slurs, LGBTQ Nation reported. Patrick Joseph Miller Trebat was arrested at the scene on ...
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Report details healthcare disparities for North Carolina LGBTQs, especially Black, transgender
--From a press release
ASHEVILLE, NC — The Campaign for Southern Equality (CSE) and Western North Carolina Community Health Services (WNCCHS) released a new report about LGBTQ health in North Carolina, as a supplement to The Report of the 2019 ...
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Illinois Appellate Court upholds trans bias ruling against Hobby Lobby
--From a press release
CHICAGO — In a case of first impression, the Illinois Second District Appellate Court of Illinois issued an opinion on Aug. 13 upholding the decision of the Illinois Human Rights Commission (IHRC) decision under the Illinois ...
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GLAAD highlights how Olympians used Tokyo Games to call for LGBTQ acceptance
--From a press release
(August 11, 2021) GLAAD, the world's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, is highlighting how this year's historic number of out LGBTQ athletes repeatedly stood ...
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Canadian becomes first out trans athlete to win Olympic medal
Canadian soccer star Quinn became the first openly transgender athlete to ever win an Olympic medal following their team's gold medal-winning win over Sweden on Aug. 6, NBC News reported. Canada's 3-2 win in penalty kicks ...
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Angelica Ross gets 'Fierce' for Market Days
Born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Angelica Ross was destined for great things in the future. After struggling with jobs for many years herself, Ross created TransTech Social Enterprises as an incubator for finding transgender talent in the ...
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THEATER TimeLine announces leadership changes, new venue
TimeLine Theatre Company announced that Managing Director Elizabeth K. Auman will be transitioning her responsibilities away from day-to-day management of the company in order to focus exclusively on the project ...
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Wis. man attacks trans couple but won't be charged with a hate crime
In Wisconsin, a La Crosse official said incomplete state laws prevented them from charging a man with a hate crime after he attacked a transgender couple in a public park, according to Wisconsin Public Radio. La ...
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Olympics: Transgender weightlifter exits competition early
New Zealand transgender weightlifter Laurel Hubbard was knocked out of the women's 87+-kilogram competition early after failing on all three of her attempts, according to Yahoo! Sports. Hubbard was the only one of the 13 ...
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NATIONAL Trans women's updates, Virginia case, Lambda Legal, GLAAD, gay men's chorus
The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office (DAO) announced updates on the murders of trans women Michelle "Tameka" Washington and Dominique "Rem'mie" Fells at a press conference, Philadelphia Troy Bailey, who was ...
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Pritzker signs bill decriminalizing HIV transmission, other pro-LGBTQ measures
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed a legislative package on July 27 at Center on Halsted that, effective immediately ends the decades-long law criminalizing HIV transmission in Illinois. Illinois is now the second such state to repeal ...
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LGBTQ advocates celebrate two Illinois marriage certificate modernization bills
--From a press release
Trans and non-binary people who were married in Illinois will now be able to obtain marriage certificates that reflect their authentic selves thanks to legislation signed today by Governor JB Pritzker, according to Equality Illinois and ...
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WORLD Marriage in Chile, Polish website, Toronto news, 'Reclaim Pride' march
On July 21, Chile's Senate approved an equal-marriage bill, DW.com reported. The regulations were presented during the second government of the socialist Michelle Bachelet (2014-2018) and last June 1, during ...
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NATIONAL California cases, trans woman killed, Pride staircase, sports law
Proponents of Proposition 8 have to file a brief on or before Aug. 16 to show they have standing to appeal a district court decision to release tapes of the landmark Perry v. Schwarzenegger trial that ...
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Chicago arcade bar hosting LGBTQ+ event July 29
Emporium Arcade Bar-Wicker Park, 1366 N. Milwaukee Ave.—in partnership with the Puerto Rican Cultural Center's (PRCC) Trans Empowerment Program—is inviting members of the LGBTQIA+ community to hang out Thursday, July ...
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Federal judge blocks Arkansas anti-trans healthcare law
Judge James M. Moody Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas temporarily blocked an Arkansas law that would have banned physicians in the state from providing transition-related healthcare—e.g., hormones and puberty ...
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Col. Jennifer Pritzker donating to ACLU to help fight anti-trans laws
Chicago philanthropist and business owner Col. Jennifer Pritzker plans to donate $101,000 and additional six-figure future support to the ACLU from her TAWANI Foundation to fight Tennessee's anti-transgender laws in court, a press release announced. T ...
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AMA Foundation begins fellowship program to address LGBTQ+ health disparities
--From a press release
CHICAGO — The American Medical Association Foundation (AMA Foundation) today announced the University of Wisconsin—Madison as the inaugural institution of its National LGBTQ+ Fellowship Program to begin transforming the health ...
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Trans model makes history with SI Swimsuit cover
On July 19, Sports Illustrated (SI) Swimsuit announced this year's cover models: rapper Megan Thee Stallion, tennis player Naomi Osaka and model/actress Leyna Bloom—each making history in her own way. A press release sent to Windy ...
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NATIONAL Amazon, condo collapse, T-shirt controversy, GLSEN
At least two Amazon employees have resigned in recent weeks to protest the company's decision to continue to sell a book they say frames young people who identify as transgender as mentally ill, NBC News reported. ...
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GLAAD Studio Responsibility Index shows more LGBTQ character screen time, not so for trans
--From a press release
Los Angeles, CA - Thursday, July 15, 2021 - GLAAD, the world's largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, today released its ninth annual Studio Responsibility Index (SRI), a study that maps the quantity, quality, and diversity of ...
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National Black Justice Coalition commemorates International Non-Binary People's Day
--From a press release
Statement from David J. Johns, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition, issued the following statement in commemoration of International non-binary people's Day: "Non-binary people have existed throughout human ...
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'Pose' makes history with Emmy nominations
On July 13, the Emmy-winning father-daughter duo Ron Cephas Jones (This Is Us) and Jasmine Cephas Jones (#FreeRayshawn) unveiled the nominations for the 73rd Emmy Awards—and the FX show Pose made history. Not only is Pose ...
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NATIONAL Spa incident, N.J. items, AIDS gala, Tenn. lawsuits
Tensions rose between protesters and counterprotesters in Los Angeles over a spa incident involving a transgender woman, The Hill reported. Recently, a cisgender woman complained to staff at Wi Spa in Koreatown after a transgender woman ...
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Protest organizer now eyeing Arlington Heights after Pride flag rejection
The individual who organized a June 30 protest in Elk Grove Village against what many perceived to be an anti-trans+ law as well as the lack of a Pride flag flying there is now looking at what is happening in a ...
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Quigley again calls for end to detention of trans migrants
--From a press release
CHICAGO, IL — Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), Vice Chair of the LGBT Equality Caucus and a founding Member of the Transgender Equality Task Force, led thirty House Democrats in calling for an end to ...
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WORLD Historic ruling, Pope Francis, photo contest, Methodist Church
In a first-of-its-kind decision in Latin America, The Inter-American Court of Human Rights found the Honduran state guilty of the extrajudicial execution of transgender activist Vicky Hernandez, which occurred June 28-29, 2009, according to The Washington ...
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NATIONAL Panic defense, subway attack, N.J. items, Pride rallies
A bill that bans the so-called LGBTQ panic defense in Virginia took effect July 1, according to The Washington Blade. Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam on March 31 signed the measure that transgender state Del. Danica Roem ...
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Cook County commissioner discusses transgender-affirming ordinance
The Gender Inclusive Documents and Forms Ordinance—a new regulation that, in many instances, eliminates requirements that Cook County residents identify their sex assigned at birth on county forms—unanimously passed a ...
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Pritzker administration awards nearly $95M to equity-focused healthcare
--From a press release
SPRINGFIELD — Governor JB Pritzker today announced $94.3 million will be awarded in the state's inaugural round of Healthcare Transformation Collaboratives funding. The Department of Healthcare and Family Services will ...
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Lake View marchers address inequities with pride
About 200 marchers gathered in Lake View on June 27 for the 2021 Pride Without Prejudice—an event highlighting systemic issues concerning many LGBTQ community members. Among the issues the gathering addressed were racism, transgender rights, policing ...
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Op-Ed: Elevating 'T' in LGBTQ: State government, transgender equity in 21st century
By Illinois state Sen. Sara Feigenholtz
In recent decades, our laws, pop culture and morality have shifted dramatically for same-sex couples. Our LGBTQ+ neighbors are interwoven into the fabric of our communities now more than ever. We celebrate this recognition and indeed ...
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U.S. Supreme Court sides with trans student in restroom case
On June 28, the U.S. Supreme Court left in place a decision that allowed a transgender student to use the bathroom that corresponded to his gender identity—a victory for the LGBTQ community that had wondered if ...
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Brave Space Alliance unveils mural
On June 25, Brave Space Alliance (BSA) unveiled a mural honoring influential community members who have championed advocacy for Chicago's trans community. The mural, by Saul Palos Rodriguez, features the late Lois L. Bates, Sky Cubacub, ...
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SHOWBIZ Wanda Sykes on TV, trans jazz musician, book award, 'Red Table Talk'
Wanda Sykes has been tapped for a recurring role in the upcoming fifth season of Robert and Michelle King's legal drama The Good Fight, on Paramount+, Deadline noted. She will play Allegra Durado—a brilliant, strategic attorney ...
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NATIONAL Pulse, Philly Pride, Mormons, Victory Fund, anti-trans bills
President Joe Biden (D) signed H.R. 49, the bill designating the site of the 2016 Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida as a national monument, into law, according to LGBTQ Nation. Afterward, Biden commemorated Pride Month ...
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Baker McKenzie panel examines transgender and non-binary workplace inclusivity
The law firm Baker McKenzie recently hosted a Pride Month panel discussion titled "Workplace Inclusivity for our Trans/Non-Binary Community." As a part of the event, transgender and non-binary participants from the LGBTQ community shared their workplace ...
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Cook County Board unanimously passes Gender Inclusive Documents and Forms Ordinance
--From a press release
SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — June 24, 2021 — Today, the Cook County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed the Gender Inclusive Documents and Forms Ordinance, which will allow all residents to identify as their authentic selves when they ...
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VIEWPOINT Pride at work
Pride Month is a chance for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people to be proud and visible in a world that tells us not to be. Pride Month is a chance to celebrate and ...
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NATIONAL Fairness Act, trans murder, Caitlyn Jenner, controversial baker
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and Democratic state lawmakers joined members of the LGBTQ community to reintroduce the Fairness Act, which is meant to extend non-discrimination provisions in the commonwealth, WFMZ.com reported. "It's going to be good ...
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VA to offer surgery to transgender vets for the first time
U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Denis McDonough announced that officials, for the first time, will offer surgeries for transgender veterans seeking to transition, Military Times reported. The move follows ...
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BOOKS Precious Brady-Davis has arrived
Recently honored by Mayor Lightfoot and the LGBTQ Advisory Council as a community leader who has "helped build the foundation for a more welcoming, equitable and inclusive Chicago," Precious Brady-Davis wants to do it all. She ...
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AMA reinforces opposition to restrictions on transgender medical care
--From a press release
CHICAGO - The American Medical Association (AMA) today strengthened its established position opposing the governmental intrusion into the practice of medicine that is detrimental to the health of transgender and ...
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Dept. of Education: Title IX also protects LGBTQ students
The Department of Education will interpret Title IX—a federal law that protects students from sex-based discrimination in federally funded schools—to protect LGBTQ students from discrimination, according to a federal notice ...
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476,000 transgender adults in the U.S. have no IDs with the correct gender marker
--From a press release
An estimated 476,000 transgender adults in the U.S. are without any form of identification with the correct gender marker, according to a new report by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law. Michigan has the ...
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Billy Masters
"Now, therefore, I, Joseph R. Biden Jr., President of the United States of America … do hereby proclaim June 2021 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Pride Month. I call upon the people of the ...
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WORLD India court, trans death, Guatemalan LGBTQs, Gay Games
A court in India ordered state and federal officials to draw up plans for sweeping reforms to respect LGBTQ rights, in a ruling that went far beyond the terms of a case brought by a lesbian couple who said they had ...
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Wade to receive Field Foundation leadership grant
Activist LaSaia Wade, who founded the LGBTQ-centered advocacy Brave Space Alliance (BSA), and is currently its executive director, has been named one of Chicago-based Field Foundation's 2021 Leaders for a New Chicago cohort. The distinction, f ...
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Pritzker Military Museum to hold panel on Department of Defense and transgender employees
--From a press release
CHICAGO, June 8, 2021 — The Pritzker Military Museum & Library is proud to present a panel discussion, "Exploring the Intersection of the U.S. Military and the LGBTQ Community," on Wednesday, June 23rd at Noon CDT ...
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HAVE A NICE THEY: Nevo Zisin is taking the mystery out of terminology so you don't have to
While a simple "they/them" seems to mystify some and has been used as a cudgel by others, for those who want to better understand the importance of pronouns when it comes to gender expression, or for ...
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HIV at 40: Erie Family Health Center, focused on helping at-risk communities
HIV/AIDS disproportionately affects Black communities—with Black gay and bisexual Black men and Black trans women being the most affected population than any other group in the country. More specifically, one in two Black MSM (men who ...
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Pritzker Military Museum hosting June 23 Pride panel
Chicago's Pritzker Military Museum & Library is presenting a panel discussion, "Exploring the Intersection of the U.S. Military and the LGBTQ Community," on Wed., June 23, at noon CT in celebration of Pride Month. The virtual ...
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TransTech Social and Linux Foundation offering tech-training scholarships
TransTech Social Enterprises—the co-working, co-learning community dedicated to empowering LGBTQ+ people and allies with practical, career-ready skills founded by actress/activist Angelica Ross—is teaming with Linux Foundation ...
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NATIONAL Election news, AsylumConnect, Pride business items, 'Bears'
In Pennsylvania, in a race between contenders in the Democratic primary for Erie County executive, Tyler Titus—a trans person who currently serves as Erie School Board president—was declared the winner, according to The Washington Blade. Titus ...
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NBC Out releases annual #Pride30 list
--From a press release
NBC Out, part of NBCNews.com, has released its annual #Pride30 list, recognizing members of the LGBTQ community around the world who are making a difference. This year's list honors 30 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer ...
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Trans-affirming election legislation passed by Illinois General Assembly, Equality Illinois responds
--From a press release
Statement from Brian C. Johnson, CEO of Equality Illinois, on passage of Senate Bill 825, the trans-affirming election omnibus legislation passed by the Illinois General Assembly on Monday, May 31, 2021: "During Pride Month and at ...
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DeSantis signs bill barring trans females from
competing on girls' sports teams
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that bans transgender girls and women from playing on girls' public-school teams, WESH.com reported. "[Florida sports provide] our young girls with opportunities that last a lifetime," DeSantis said. "We ...
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