May 24 Here is a look at the laws DeSantis has passed as Florida governor, from abortion to guns By Anthony Izaguirre, Associated Press With the help of GOP supermajorities in the statehouse, the Republican has been able to push through an aggressive agenda that forms the base of his White House run. Continue reading
May 24 GOP lawmakers pass new standards to ban books from Texas schools By Associated Press Critics say the standards set in the Texas bill are too vague, will snag books that are not inappropriate, and that materials dealing with LGBTQ+ subject matter are more likely to be targeted for bans. Continue reading
May 23 Montana bans people dressed in drag from reading to children in schools, libraries By Amy Beth Hanson, Associated Press The bill specifically bans people dressed in drag from reading to children in public schools or libraries. Under the law, such events can be banned even if there is no sexual component. Continue reading
May 20 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… Continue reading
May 19 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. Continue reading
May 18 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. Continue reading
May 16 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. Continue reading
May 15 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. Continue reading
May 12 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. Continue reading
May 11 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. Continue reading