LGBTQ rights

Minnesota governor signs executive order protecting rights to gender affirming care

By Steve Karnowski, Associated Press

Gov. Tim Walz has signed an executive order protecting the rights of LGBTQ people from Minnesota and other states to seek and receive gender affirming health care.

Mississippi enacts ban on gender-affirming care for children

By Emily Wagster Pettus, Associated Press

Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves has signed a bill to ban gender-affirming care in the state for anyone younger than 18.

West Virginia transgender athlete ban halted during federal appeal

By John Raby, Associated Press

A federal appeals panel has ruled that West Virginia transgender athletes can compete in female school sports while an appeal is heard on a state law banning their participation.

Mississippi Senate passes limit on gender-affirming health care

By Emily Wagster Pettus, Associated Press, Michael Goldberg, Associated Press/Report for America

The Republican-controlled Mississippi Senate has given final approval to a bill that would ban gender-affirming care for anyone younger than 18.

Spain parliament approves menstrual leave, teen abortion and transgender protections

By Jennifer O'Mahony, Ciarán Giles, Associated Press

Spain's parliament has approved laws expanding abortion and trans rights for teenagers, while making Spain the first country in Europe entitling workers to paid menstrual leave.

Kansas push to define sex decried as erasing transgender people

By John Hanna, Associated Press

A bill in Kansas and similar legislation in at least seven other states have LGBTQ-rights advocates worrying about a sweeping Republican-led effort to erase the legal existence of transgender men and women.

New Florida bill could spell end of Disney’s control over resort

By Mike Schneider, Associated Press

Some see it as punishment for Disney's opposition to the so-called "Don't Say Gay" law championed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican-controlled Legislature.

Hong Kong transgender men win appeal over ID status change

By Zen Soo, Kanis Leung, Associated Press

Hong Kong's top court has ruled that full sex reassignment surgery should not be a prerequisite for transgender people to have their gender changed on their official identity cards.

How Utah’s new ban on gender-affirming care for minors is affecting trans teens in the state

By Orion Rummler, The 19th

The law’s passage has also dealt a blow to trans teens’ faith in Gov. Spencer Cox, who invoked the importance of acceptance while vetoing the state’s anti-trans sports bill last year.

Scotland vows to challenge UK in court over gender recognition law veto

By Jill Lawless, Associated Press

Scotland's leader says she will take the British government to court over its decision to block a law that makes it easier for people in Scotland to change their gender on official documents.