Transgender rights

Vatican characterizes gender-affirming surgery, surrogacy as violations of human dignity

By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press

Advocates for LGBTQ+ Catholics immediately criticized the document as outdated, harmful and contrary to the stated goal of recognizing the “infinite dignity” of all of God's children.

Conservatives clash with White House over Biden's recognition of Transgender Day of Visibility

By Josh Boak, Associated Press

President Joe Biden is facing criticism from Donald Trump's campaign and religious conservatives for proclaiming March 31 — which corresponds with Easter Sunday this year — as “Transgender Day of Visibility.”…

Maryland Senate approves legal protections for gender-affirming care

By Brian Witte, Associated Press

The Democrat-controlled Senate voted 33-13 on Tuesday for the measure that would provide the same legal protection offered by the state for abortions.

Federal court rules Indiana ban on gender-affirming care for minors can take effect

By Isabella Volmert, Associated Press

The ruling marks the latest decision in a legal challenge the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana filed against the ban, enacted last spring amid a national push by GOP-led legislatures to curb LGBTQ+ rights.

Some states seek to deny transgender and nonbinary people's rights by legally defining sex

By Andrew DeMillo, John Hanna, Associated Press

At least 13 states have proposed bills this year that seek to narrowly define sex or gender as binary.

Man found guilty of killing trans woman in 1st federal hate crime trial over gender identity

By James Pollard, Associated Press

A South Carolina man was found guilty Friday of killing a Black transgender woman in the nation’s first federal trial over a hate crime based on gender identity.

Funeral for transgender activist at St. Patrick's Cathedral drew over 1,000 mourners — and church leaders' scorn

By Brian P. D. Hannon, Associated Press

The funeral of a renowned transgender activist in a New York cathedral elicited a denunciation of the event by a senior church official, who called the Mass a scandal within one of the preeminent houses of worship in U.S. Catholicism.

Transgender rights leaders play 'a defense game' against a wave of hostile legislation

By David Crary, Associated Press

For decades, the plotline for LGBTQ+ activism in the U.S. was one of advances — often slow but moving forward. Faced with unprecedented legislative attacks, transgender rights leaders are now playing defense.

10 GOP state senators who staged long walkout can't run for reelection, Oregon high court says

By Claire Rush, Associated Press

The 2023 walkout paralyzed the Legislature for weeks and only ended after Republicans forced concessions from Democrats on a sweeping bill related to expanding access to abortion and transgender health care and another measure regarding the manufacture and transfer of…

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.