Windy City Media Group Frontpage News

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

home search facebook twitter join
Gay News Sponsor Windy City Times 2023-12-13
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Donate

Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor

  WINDY CITY TIMES

NATIONAL Gun measure, Buttigieg, NBJC's criticism, anti-trans bills
by Windy City Times staff
2023-02-05

This article shared 1930 times since Sun Feb 5, 2023
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email


Equality Florida condemned the filing of a bill, announced by Republican Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, that would eliminate training and permitting requirements for the concealed carrying of firearms. In a press statement, Equality Florida Press Secretary and Pulse Nightclub shooting survivor Brandon Wolf said, "LGBTQ Floridians know all too well that this country's obsession with easy access to deadly weapons can take discrimination and bigotry and make it lethal. Gun violence is not abstract or hypothetical—it is stealing our loved ones. Instead of stripping away common sense safety precautions like background checks and proficiency training, the legislature should be focused on ways to keep Floridians safe. If passed, permitless carry will cost lives."

In a New Hampshire presidential poll, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg edged current President Joe Biden, The Advocate noted. The University of New Hampshire Survey Center asked likely Democratic primary voters. Twenty-three percent said Buttigieg, who sought the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination; 18 percent said Biden, tying him with U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, another 2020 presidential aspirant. U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders came in at 15 percent.

The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), an LGBTQ+ organization, criticized The College Board for paring down its official curriculum for its Advanced Placement course in African-American studies after Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis criticized it. In a press release, NBJC noted that the College Board specifically "removed topics of critical race theory, Black Lives Matter, Black feminism, and the Black LGBTQ+/Same-Gender Loving (LGBTQ+/SGL) experience from the curricula." NBJC Executive Director Dr. David A. Johns said, in part, "To wake up on the first day of Black History Month to news of white men in positions of privilege horse trading essential and inextricably linked parts of Black History, which is American history, is infuriating. The assault on my existence feels like gaslighting."

Transgender students and their parents gave emotional speeches, begging lawmakers not to advance several bills that restrict what Iowa schools can teach about gender identity or how they can accommodate trans kids—but it was all in vain as the measures advanced, The Des Moines Register reported. Sen. Jeff Taylor, R-Sioux Center, argued that science about gender dysphoria has been "politicized" as the bills are a step closer to Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds signing them into law. LGBTQ+ families and advocates argue the measures will make schools even more hostile for the most vulnerable students.

On Jan. 28, Republican Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed a measure that would ban gender-affirming health care and hormone therapy for transgender children. The move follows similar legislation enacted in other GOP-led states amid a larger wave of anti-trans bills, many of which target youth, Axios noted. SB16, introduced by family doctor and state Sen. Michael Kennedy (R-Alpine), would prohibit gender-reassignment surgeries and puberty blockers for trans minors.

With the Indiana 2023 legislative session underway, state lawmakers have introduced several House bills and Senate bills that target transgender youth, the Indiana Daily Student (IDS) reported. These bills would ban or restrict gender-affirming care for minors in healthcare and the education system. "Bills that aim to ban essential medical care for transgender youth are part of a coordinated, hate-driven campaign to push trans people out of public life," ACLU of Indiana Advocacy Strategist Kit Malone stated.

Embattled Republican U.S. Rep. George Santos of New York is dealing with yet another law-enforcement probe, per The Washington Blade. This time, it's over allegations the congressman ran a GoFundMe scam in 2016 by crowdsourcing for a U.S. Navy veteran and his cancer-stricken service dog before disappearing with the money. Politico reported that the veteran, Richard Osthoff, provided text messages to the FBI, which is reportedly conducting a parallel investigation into Santos' campaign finances. The news came a day after Santos resigned from his two committee assignments following a meeting with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-California).

Following in Florida's footsteps, Wyoming has its own "Don't Say Gay" bill in its GOP-heavy House of Representatives, South Florida Gay News noted. The bill has been supported by local chapters of Moms for Liberty, just as it did in Florida. The Wyoming House consists of 57 Republicans and five Democrats. The contents of the bill closely resemble Florida's, including a ban on the discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation in kindergarten through third grade, or at any grade level in a way that's deemed "not age-appropriate."

The House Early Childhood/Innovation subcommittee in the Virginia House of Representatives unanimously voted to reject a bill targeting trans students, LGBTQ Nation noted. H.B. 1434, introduced by Republican state Del. Jason Ballard, would have required trans students to obtain a court order to update their names on any school records. In response to the subcommittee's decision, the ACLU of Virginia tweeted, "Trans & non-binary students should be able to go to school and be called by their chosen names, without fear of being outed."

The AIDS Activities Coordinating Office (AACO) of the Philadelphia Department of Health has changed its name and is now known as the Division of HIV Health (DHH), a press release announced. Then-Mayor W. Wilson Goode established the AACO in 1987 to manage the growing HIV epidemic in Philadelphia. The release stated, in part, "Today, according to Dr. Kathleen Brady, Director of the Division of HIV Health, most people with HIV will never develop AIDS. Therefore, the term AIDS is no longer reflective of the work of the Division. Its focus is now on health. Thanks to the advances in HIV treatment, a person with HIV can expect to live an essentially normal life span and healthier lives."

Three men who visited the New York City gay leather spot The Eagle NYC were robbed of thousands of dollars using facial recognition access on their phones, NBC News reported. The three men—who were in their late 30s and 40s and who visited the bar on separate nights in October and November—were each robbed of $1,000 to $5,000. Police believe the criminals used facial recognition to access the victims' phones and funds once they were incapacitated.

In NYC, former Hunter College professor Jeffrey T. Parsons-Hietikko and the university agreed to reimburse the federal government for longtime improper billing to the National Institutes of Health for scuba-diving trips, international flights and improper bonuses, Law360 reported. Parsons-Hietikko and Hunter College reached separate False Claims Act settlements with the federal government, with Parsons agreeing to repay $375,000 and the college agreeing to a repayment of $200,000. As part of Parsons-Hietikko's settlement, he admitted to seeking reimbursement for scuba-diving trips to the Cayman Islands, Bonaire, Cuba, Costa Rica, Fiji, Cozumel and Belize while claiming the trips were related to CHEST (Center for HIV Educational Studies & Training) research, which involves HIV/AIDS prevention. According to his LinkedIn resume, Parsons-Hietikko taught at Hunter during 2000-19.

In California, the debate over whether trans woman Christynne Wood should have been allowed to use a women's locker room at the local YMCA continued at a Santee City Council meeting, Fox 5 San Diego reported. Wood felt it was time to speak out for herself in the same place 17-year-old Rebecca Phillips first brought attention to this story, which has since received national attention. Although Wood had supporters, there were also critics, including former Miss California and San Diego native Carrie Prejean, who said, "This is war. This is a war on women, children and the truth." In 2021, Wood settled with an El Cajon gym to resolve allegations that she was not allowed to use the women's locker room and restroom in violation of state law, CBS8 reported.

In Michigan, newly elected Republican commissioners affiliated with the activist group Ottawa Impact dissolved Ottawa County's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion office and fired its staff, Bridge Michigan reported. Commissioners also named John Gibbs—a former President Donald Trump-endorsed congressional candidate who his electoral race in November 2022—as the new county administrator. Ottawa County includes such cities as Grand Haven and Holland.


This article shared 1930 times since Sun Feb 5, 2023
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email

Out and Aging
Presented By

  ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gay News

Lambda Legal Launches "Speak OUT" awareness campaign uplifting trans, nonbinary voices
2024-03-28
--From a press release. VIDEO BELOW - (NEW YORK, NY — March 28, 2024) In advance of Transgender Day of Visibility, Lambda Legal, the nation's oldest and largest legal nonprofit working to achieve full equal rights for LGBTQ people and everyone living with ...


Gay News

Nex Benedict's autopsy report released
2024-03-27
The full autopsy report for Nex Benedict (he/they)—a 16-year-old transgender and Indigenous student from Oklahoma's Owasso High School who died in February a day after a school fight—has been released. The Oklahoma Office of the Chie ...


Gay News

Thailand parliament passes landmark marriage bill
2024-03-27
On March 27, Thailand's parliament approved a marriage-equality bill by an overwhelmingly large margin—a landmark step that moves one of Asia's most liberal countries closer to legalizing same-sex unions, media ...


Gay News

An interstate trans healthcare crisis: Illinois prepares for influx of people seeking gender-affirming care
2024-03-26
With hard-won rights, such as access to hormone replacement therapy or permission to use one's chosen pronouns in school, breaking down in states across the country, trans residents of all ages are left with a choice: ...


Gay News

Kara Swisher talks truth, power in tech at Chicago Humanities event
2024-03-25
Lesbian author, award-winning journalist and podcast host Kara Swisher spoke about truth and power in the tech industry through the lens of her most recent book, Burn Book: A Tech Love Story, March 21 at First ...


Gay News

Wyoming is latest state to ban gender-affirming care for minors
2024-03-24
On March 22, Wyoming became the latest state to prohibit gender-affirming care for minors, The Hill noted. In doing so, it joined 23 other states that passed laws restricting or banning the treatment. Legislators in both ...


Gay News

Chicago alder proposes renaming street after Obama
2024-03-22
Openly gay Black Chicago Ald. Lamont Robinson has proposed renaming Columbus Drive after former U.S. President and city resident Barack Obama, media outlets noted. The street stretches through the Loop from East Grand Avenue to DuSable ...


Gay News

No charges filed in Nex Benedict fight; campaigns call for Walters' removal
2024-03-22
In Oklahoma, Tulsa County District Attorney Stephen Kunzweiler announced that no charges will be filed in connection with the fight that happened the day before transgender, nonbinary high school student Nex Benedict died by suicide, NBC ...


Gay News

Congressional Equality Caucus on FY24 bills passing the house
2024-03-22
--From a press release - WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), released the following statement after the House successfully passed the final funding bills for Fiscal Year ...


Gay News

JP Karliak morphs into non-binary character for Disney+'s X-Men '97
2024-03-22
series X-Men '97, a revival of the popular X-men: The Animated Series that's both continuing the ongoing mutant storyline and breaking new ground along the way. The character of Morph now looks more like the comic ...


Gay News

WORLD Uganda items, HIV report, Mandela, Liechtenstein, foreign minister weds
2024-03-21
It turned out that U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Senior LGBTQI+ Coordinator Jay Gilliam traveled to Uganda on Feb. 19-27, per The Washington Blade. He visited the capital of Kampala and the nearby city of ...


Gay News

NATIONAL Va. marriage bill, AARP, online counseling, Idaho items, late activist
2024-03-21
Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed bills protecting same-sex marriages at a state level, surprising some, WRIC reported. The bills—passed out of both chambers along mostly party lines—will require clerks ...


Gay News

LGBTQ+ candidates Marcelino Garcia, Precious Brady Davis win primary elections to keep MWRD seats
2024-03-21
Marcelino Garcia and Precious Brady-Davis, the two openly LGBTQ+ incumbents in the race to keep their seats on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD), won their primary elections and will move on to the general this ...


Gay News

Small LGBTQ+ candidate pool nevertheless scores some important victories March 19
2024-03-20
Relatively few openly LGBTQ+ candidates were running in the March 19 Illinois Primary Election. But there were some significant contests in play at the local, state and federal levels. Openly gay Ald. Ray Lopez (15th Ward) ...


Gay News

Gay Irish prime minister to step down
2024-03-20
In a surprise move, openly gay Irish Prime Minister (or Taoiseach) Leo Varadkar has announced his resignation, citing "personal and political, but mainly political reasons," according to CNN. Varadkar said he felt he was no longer ...


 


Copyright © 2024 Windy City Media Group. All rights reserved.
Reprint by permission only. PDFs for back issues are downloadable from
our online archives.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.

All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.

 
 

TRENDINGBREAKINGPHOTOS







Sponsor


 



Donate


About WCMG      Contact Us      Online Front  Page      Windy City  Times      Nightspots
Identity      BLACKlines      En La Vida      Archives      Advanced Search     
Windy City Queercast      Queercast Archives     
Press  Releases      Join WCMG  Email List      Email Blast      Blogs     
Upcoming Events      Todays Events      Ongoing Events      Bar Guide      Community Groups      In Memoriam     
Privacy Policy     

Windy City Media Group publishes Windy City Times,
The Bi-Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community.
5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640-2113 • PH (773) 871-7610 • FAX (773) 871-7609.