LGBTQ rights

AP report: Many bills restricting trans health care came from handful of far-right groups

By Jeff McMillan, Kimberlee Kruesi, Associated Press, Kavish Harjai, Associated Press/Report for America

At least 17 states have enacted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming care for transgender minors. An Associated Press analysis found that often those bills sprang not from grassroots or constituent demand, but from the pens of a handful of conservative…

Nebraska lawmakers pass 12-week abortion ban, restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors

By Margery A. Beck, Associated Press

An emergency clause attached allows the measures to take effect as soon as that happens. The bill's passage was a blow to opponents, who strongly objected to both bans.

Why youth activists in Louisiana say they’ll ‘no longer stay quiet’

By Roby Chavez

As Republican state lawmakers in Louisiana have pushed a barrage of bills targeting LGBTQ+ rights, a new wave of youth activism has been awakened.

Beijing LGBTQ Center shuttered amid crackdown in China

By Huizhong Wu, Associated Press

An advocacy group that served as a safe space for the LGBTQ community in Beijing has been shut down as part of a government pressure campaign against gay rights groups.

Why Nebraska conservatives might combine abortion, trans health care bans

By Margery A. Beck, Associated Press

Conservative Nebraska lawmakers are taking what could be an all-or-nothing bet by proposing to merge two of the legislative session's most contentious proposals — one to restrict abortion access and another that would ban gender-affirming care for minors.

Wave of anti-transgender bills in Republican-led states divides U.S. faith leaders

By David Crary, Associated Press

Some view the legislation as reflecting God's will; others voice outrage that Christianity is being invoked to justify laws they view as cruel and hateful.

FDA relaxes blood donation guidelines for men who have sex with men

By Matthew Perrone, Associated Press

The new approach does away with a requirement that men who have sex with men abstain from sex for three months to prior to giving blood.

Missouri lawmakers ban transgender care for minors, restrict coverage for adults

By Summer Ballentine, Associated Press

Transgender minors won't have access to puberty blockers, hormones or surgery under legislation passed in Missouri.

After removing trans lawmaker, Montana becomes latest state to ban gender-affirming care for minors

By Amy Beth Hanson, Associated Press

Rep. Zooey Zephyr's criticism of the bill led the transgender lawmaker to be silenced on the House floor and then removed after she encouraged protesters on Monday.

Washington, Minnesota become transgender and abortion sanctuaries

By Lisa Baumann, Steve Karnowski, Associated Press

Democratic governors in Washington state and Minnesota on Thursday enacted legal protections for people who travel to those states seeking reproductive and gender-affirming procedures and treatment.