Russia bans trans, asexual, and others from driving

By John Mack Freeman Russia has once again upped the ante on its discrimination against LGBT people. On December 29th, the Russian Ministry of Health adopted an updated list of “diseases” (sarcastic quotes) that are contraindicated to driving. These include, according to Human Rights First, “being transgender, bigender, asexual, and cross dressing.” The press release went […]

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Good same sex marriage news in Idaho, Georgia, Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas

By John Mack Freeman After a few weeks of not much happening from the courts due to the holidays, this week had three major developments in the ongoing judicial struggle for full same sex marriage recognition. This past Monday, Florida started celebrating same sex unions across the state after state Attorney General Pam Bondi lost […]

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Watch: Illinois ACA ad features same sex couple

By John Mack Freeman Get Covered Illinois has released a 30-second spot that focuses on a same-sex couple that are eligible for joint coverage due to the Affordable Care Act. The ad is part of a campaign to make sure that all families in Illinois know about the coverage that is available to them. Watch […]

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From the Editor: An anniversary of change

By John Mack Freeman I can hardly believe it. The GLBT News reformat has gone on for a whole year. Here’s a bit of a look back at what we accomplished in the last year: Over 540 posts, including: 30 pieces of original content (and the new regular column “Queer Quest” by Ashley R. Lierman) 36 profiles compiled, […]

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Meet Julie Ann Winkelstein!: An RT Member Profile

By Tess Goldwasser Julie is the co-chair of the GLBTRT Advocacy Committee and was recently appointed to be one of the GLBTRT representatives on the Diversity Council. She was a public librarian for 20 years, serving as a librarian in jails and prisons, as well as in family literacy, and then in a branch as […]

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Outpouring of grief and anger after suicide of Leelah Alcorn

By John Mack Freeman Earlier this week, 17-year-old Leelah Alcorn left her suburban Cincinnati home and committed suicide. A few hours later, her Tumblr account automatically posted her suicide note. In the note, Alcorn discusses coming out to her mother, having her concerns ignored, being shoved into religious-based counseling, and a spiral of depression that […]

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Rhode Island court rejects firefighters gay pride lawsuit

By John Mack Freeman Sometimes, a court battle can take forever, but a win is nonetheless gratifying. In 2004, two Rhode Island firefighters, Theodore Fabrizio and Stephen Dennino, drove a firetruck in the Providence Pride Parade as part of their official duties working for the Providence Fire Department. The two sued the department, stating that […]

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