LGBTQ

Accounts of book bannings and threats to librarians soared in 2021, says study

By Hillel Italie, Associated Press

Accounts of book bannings and attempted book bannings, along with threats against librarians, have soared over the past year.

WATCH: Governor Ron DeSantis gives remarks as he signs into law Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill

By Anthony Izaguirre, Associated Press

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill that forbids instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade.

LGBTQ+ parents fear their children will have to hide their families at school under Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill

By Sara Luterman, The 19th

Vague language in the bill leaves LGBTQ+ parents worried their children will be stifled.

As political dominance wavers, Arizona Republicans fight culture war battles against abortion and LGBTQ rights

By Jonathan J. Cooper, Associated Press

Arizona has long been fertile ground for a social conservative agenda, with some of the nation's toughest laws against abortion and a history of restricting LGBTQ rights.

Arizona lawmakers vote to restrict transgender athletes, surgeries

By Jonathan J. Cooper, Associated Press

The bill already passed in the state Senate and with Thursday's vote, Arizona appears poised to join a growing list of Republican-controlled states trying to restrict transgender rights.

Florida passes ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill despite protests

By Anthony Izaguirre, Associated Press

Florida lawmakers have passed a bill to forbid instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade.

Book bans have reached levels not seen in decades — but nationwide activism to oppose them is growing, too

By Heather Hollingsworth, Hillel Italie, Associated Press

The wave of book bannings around the country has reached a level not seen for decades. So has the level of the response.

More LGBTQ characters on TV thanks to boost from streaming platforms, study finds

By Lynn Elber, Associated Press

A new study says that LGBTQ representation on TV series has grown along with the footprint of streaming services. The study by the advocacy group GLAAD found that Netflix topped the streaming field in LGBTQ inclusivity with 155 LGBTQ characters…

Mississippi mayor withholds library funds over LGBTQ books

By Associated Press

The director of a Mississippi library system says a mayor is withholding $110,000 from his city’s library because LGBTQ books are on the shelves.

French National Assembly unanimously approves law banning conversion therapy

By Associated Press

France has a new law that bans so-called conversion therapies and authorizes jail time and fines for practitioners who use the scientifically discredited practice to attempt to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of LGBTQ people.