Kyrgyz LGBT center victim of arson attack

By John Mack Freeman The headquarters of LGBT group Labrys was attacked with explosives in Kyrgyzstan on April 10, 2015. The attack comes amid a climate that is rapidly becoming more hostile towards LGBT people. Kyrgyzstan is considering a “gay propaganda” law similar to the one on the books in Russia. The attacked organization has […]

Florida state house approves discrimination against LGBT in adoption

By John Mack Freeman The state house of Florida is of two-minds about LGBT adoption in the state. Two weeks ago, it voted to allow same sex couples the right to adopt. However, this week it voted to allow adoption agencies to discriminate against same sex couples with no repercussions based on the agencies religious […]

Vatican ‘rejects’ French diplomat over sexual orientation

By John Mack Freeman Vatican City has stalled on accepting the newest ambassador from France because he is an out gay man. Laurent Stefanini, a close advisor to French President Hollande and a chief of protocol for the French diplomatic corps, was named to the post in early January. However, Stefanini’s appointment has not been […]

From the Chair: It takes business AND individuals

By Ann K. Symons (Chair, GLBTRT) This morning, I was listening to an interesting NPR piece when I was struck by the opening remark made by host Linda Wertheimer. “Wal-Mart, Apple, Angie’s List, NASCAR — some of the biggest names in business this week pushed back against “religious freedom” laws in Indiana and Arkansas. They […]

June is GLBT Book Month!

Via press release CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) has designated June 2015 as GLBT Book Month™, a nationwide celebration of the authors and writings that reflect the lives and experiences of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. GLBT Book Month™ is an initiative of the American Library Association and is coordinated through its Office for Diversity, Literacy, […]

Oklahoma university sued by Justice Department for trans discrimination

By John Mack Freeman A federal lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice this week alleges that a TA professor at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant was denied promotion because she was transgender. Via LGBTQ Nation: Rachel Tudor, an assistant professor of English at the university, didn’t receive a promotion despite a recommendation from […]

South Korean educators banned from discussing GLBT issues in sex education

By John Mack Freeman A new set of sex education standards put forth by the South Korean government forbids teachers from discussing GLBT people or issues at all. It also bans several words from being used in sex education and removes all references to homosexuality or a teacher’s personal views about sexual matters. Via PinkNews: […]

Ireland legislature approves same-sex adoption

By John Mack Freeman The Seanad Eireann (Ireland’s upper legislative body) approved the Children and Family Relationship Bill this week by a margin of 20-2. The bill had been the subject of day’s of discussion and over 120 amendments. This bill allows for adoption of children by same-sex couples. Via PinkNews: The bill – which […]

Legal Teams Announce Advocates Who Will Argue in Supreme Court Marriage Equality Cases

Via press release WASHINGTON – Counsel for plaintiffs from the Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee marriage lawsuits today announced that Mary L. Bonauto and Doug Hallward-Driemeier will represent the plaintiffs at the cases’ scheduled April 28 arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court. Bonauto will present arguments for question 1: “Does the Fourteenth Amendment require a […]