LGBTQ rights

Ohio county board stands by disqualification of transgender candidate, despite others being allowed to run

By Samantha Hendrickson, Associated Press/Report For America

The Stark County Board of Elections disqualified Vanessa Joy of Massillon because she omitted her former name, also known as a "deadname," from circulating petitions.

Ohio is poised to become 2nd state to restrict transgender health care for adults

By Geoff Mulvihill, Associated Press

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced proposals this month that transgender advocates say could block access to gender-affirming care provided by independent clinics and general practitioners, leaving thousands of adults scrambling for treatment and facing health risks.

Rising malpractice premiums push small clinics away from gender-affirming care for minors

By Cecilia Nowell, KFF Health News

Even in states where laws protect minors’ access to gender-affirming care, malpractice insurance premiums are keeping small and independent clinics from treating patients.

Transgender candidate facing disqualification in Ohio now cleared to run despite omitting deadname

By Samantha Hendrickson, Associated Press/Report For America

A transgender candidate vying for a seat in the Republican-majority Ohio House is now cleared to run after her certification was called into question for omitting her former name on circulating petitions.

Transgender health restrictions up for debate in South Carolina as Missouri sees similar bills

By James Pollard, Summer Ballentine, Associated Press

The measures' consideration in the two GOP strongholds highlights the continued interest among conservative lawmakers in targeting issues impacting LGBTQ+ residents after last year's wave of high-profile bills.

Efforts to restrict transgender health care endure in 2024, with more adults targeted

By Andrew DeMillo, Hannah Schoenbaum, Associated Press

Advocates for transgender rights say most of the states inclined to pass gender-affirming care bans have done so. They now expect those states to build upon those restrictions and expand them to adults.

LGBTQ+ advocates’ lawsuit says Louisiana transgender care ban violates the state constitution

By Kevin McGill, Associated Press

The lawsuit was prepared by Lamda Legal and other advocates on behalf of five Louisiana minors and their parents, identified in the lawsuit by pseudonyms.

Judge blocks most of an Iowa law banning some school library books and discussion of LGBTQ+ issues

By Associated Press

The judge said the ban on books is "incredibly broad" and has resulted in the removal of history volumes, classics, award-winning novels and "even books designed to help students avoid being victimized by sexual assault."…

Judge says DeSantis spread false information while pushing trans health care restrictions

By Brendan Farrington, Associated Press

Judge Robert Hinkle said during the last day of the trial that DeSantis repeated his comments even though there’s been no such documented cases of doctors castrating or mutilating children's genitals.

Pope formally allows priests to bless same-sex couples

By Associated Press

The Vatican issued a new document explaining a radical change in Vatican policy by insisting that people seeking God’s love and mercy shouldn’t be subject to “an exhaustive moral analysis” to receive it.