News :: National

Biden nominates lesbian to ambassador-level post

Biden nominates lesbian to ambassador-level post

  • by Cynthia Laird
  • Jul 2, 2021

President Joe Biden on July 2 nominated Chantale Wong to be the United States director to the Asian Development Bank, a post with the rank of ambassador.

US Supreme Court declines review of florist who discriminated against gay couple

US Supreme Court declines review of florist who discriminated against gay couple

  • by Lisa Keen
  • Jul 2, 2021

On the last day of the 2020-21 session, the U.S. Supreme issued relief and worry for the LGBTQ community.

US Supreme Court says CA donor law violates 1st Amendment

US Supreme Court says CA donor law violates 1st Amendment

  • by Lisa Keen
  • Jul 1, 2021

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled July 1 that California's law requiring disclosure of major donors to tax-exempt organizations violates the First Amendment rights of association for donors.

State Department to issue gender-neutral passports

State Department to issue gender-neutral passports

  • by Michael K. Lavers, Washington Blade
  • Jun 30, 2021

The State Department has announced it will begin to issue gender-neutral passports and documents for American citizens who were born overseas.

LGBTQ Agenda: Giving circles draw attention to Give OUT Day as Pride Month ends

LGBTQ Agenda: Giving circles draw attention to Give OUT Day as Pride Month ends

  • by John Ferrannini
  • Jun 29, 2021

As Pride Month comes to a close June 30, LGBTQ giving circles are among those groups drawing attention to Give OUT Day, a time for charitable giving to queer causes.

US Supreme Court declines to hear trans bathroom case

US Supreme Court declines to hear trans bathroom case

  • by Lisa Keen
  • Jun 28, 2021

In a limited but important victory for transgender access, the U.S. Supreme Court announced June 28 that it would not review a lower court decision that favored a transgender student's restroom access at a public high school.

Biden names OutRight's Stern as US special envoy for LGBTQI rights

Biden names OutRight's Stern as US special envoy for LGBTQI rights

  • by Cynthia Laird
  • Jun 25, 2021

President Joe Biden on Friday announced that he will appoint Jessica Stern, the longtime executive director of OutRight Action International, as the U.S. special envoy for international LGBTQ rights.

Queer Reading: Book makes the case for LGBTQ reparations

Queer Reading: Book makes the case for LGBTQ reparations

  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Jun 23, 2021

For Omar G. Encarnación, Ph.D., it started with a New York Times op-ed he wrote two years ago, making the case for a "robust embrace of gay reparations in the United States, along the lines of Spain, Britain, and Germany."

US Supreme Court sides with teen in free speech case

US Supreme Court sides with teen in free speech case

  • by Lisa Keen
  • Jun 23, 2021

In an 8-1 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled June 23 that a public high school violated a student's First Amendment right to free speech when it suspended the student for posting an angry post on social media after school and off campus.

LGBTQ Agenda: New names will be added to Stonewall's LGBTQ Wall of Honor this week

LGBTQ Agenda: New names will be added to Stonewall's LGBTQ Wall of Honor this week

  • by John Ferrannini
  • Jun 22, 2021

Ten names of late queer heroes will be added June 24 to the National LGBTQ Wall of Honor at the Stonewall Inn in New York City, kicking off Pride weekend celebrations.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Nassib comes out as gay

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Nassib comes out as gay

  • by Roger Brigham
  • Jun 21, 2021

The moment David Kopay waited 46 years for finally came this week, when Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib announced Monday, June 21, that he was gay, becoming the first NFL player to come out of the closet while still active on a team roster.

Analysis: Understanding Fulton: The decision dodged a bullet

Analysis: Understanding Fulton: The decision dodged a bullet

  • by Lisa Keen
  • Jun 21, 2021

Some legal observers viewed the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Fulton v. City of Philadelphia as a "significant" victory for LGBTQs while others saw it as another sign of "death by a thousand cuts" for queer equal rights.

Political Notes: Campaign seeks to add plethora of Pride flag emoji

Political Notes: Campaign seeks to add plethora of Pride flag emoji

  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jun 18, 2021

A new campaign aims to bring a plethora of Pride flag emoji to the keyboards of smartphones and other devices.

US Supreme Court rules Philly violated 1st Amendment in Fulton case

US Supreme Court rules Philly violated 1st Amendment in Fulton case

  • by Lisa Keen
  • Jun 17, 2021

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday that a city cannot discriminate against a contractor when they claim a religious belief.