Dec 27 Watch 5:09 Why thousands of congregations are leaving the United Methodist Church By Amna Nawaz, Adam Kemp, Dorothy Hastings One of the dominant Christian denominations in the U.S., the United Methodist Church, is experiencing a major split. Since 2019, more than 7,000 congregations have received approval to leave the church. The factions have disagreements in theology, namely how the… Continue watching
Dec 22 New FDA rules allow gay blood center employee to donate after years of denial By Manuel Valdes, Claire Rush, Associated Press The new U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines are the latest step in a yearslong effort to reverse restrictions that were designed to protect the blood supply from HIV, but which were increasingly criticized as discriminatory following scientific advances that… Continue reading
Dec 15 A quarter of United Methodist churches in U.S. have left during split By Peter Smith, Associated Press United Methodist churches had a five-year window to leave the denomination over disputes involving its bans on same-sex marriage and ordaining LGBTQ persons. Continue reading
Dec 14 After a year of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, a lifeline for trans and nonbinary people faces cuts By Hannah Grabenstein The lifeline is facing a $2.5 million shortfall at the end of 2023, and has also paused its microgrants program. Continue reading
Dec 02 Police raid gay venues in Moscow after Supreme Court labels LGBTQ+ movement ‘extremist’ By Associated Press Russian security forces raided gay clubs and bars across Moscow Friday night, less than 48 hours after the country’s top court banned what it called the “global LGBTQ+ movement” as an extremist organization. Continue reading
Nov 30 Russia’s Supreme Court effectively outlaws LGBTQ+ activism, citing ‘extremist’ movement By Dasha Litvinova, Associated Press The court ruled to declare the LGBTQ+ "movement" as extremist and ban it in Russia. Continue reading
Nov 14 Mexican government sends conflicting messages over death of LGBTQ+ magistrate By Megan Janetsky, Associated Press Baena and their partner had already received death threats and hateful messages and had protection from state security, prompting many across the country Monday to call their death a hate crime. Continue reading
Nov 14 After a Mexican LGBTQ+ magistrate was found dead, thousands in Mexico City marched for justice By Megan Janetsky, Associated Press Jesús Ociel Baena was the first openly nonbinary person to assume a judicial post in Mexico, becoming a magistrate in state electoral court, and broke through other barriers in a country where LGBTQ+ people are often targeted with violence. Continue reading
Oct 25 Japan’s Supreme Court says required sterilization surgery to officially change gender is unconstitutional By Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press The ruling applies to the sterilization portion of the law only, and does not address the constitutionality of requiring sex-reassignment surgery in general. Continue reading
Oct 03 Colorado Supreme Court to hear case against Christian baker who refused to make LGBTQ-themed cake By Colleen Slevin, Jesse Bedayn, Associated Press The decision announced Tuesday comes after a U.S. Supreme Court victory this summer for a graphic artist who didn't want to design wedding websites for same-sex couples. Continue reading