Equality California, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, announced endorsements of seventeen pro-equality candidates Friday, including eight openly LGBTQ+ candidates for local office and nine pro-equality allies running for the California Legislature and U.S. House of Representatives.
“Just 67 days out from California’s June 7 primary election, we are proud to endorse these 17 pro-equality champions, including eight openly LGBTQ+ leaders,” said Equality California Executive Director Tony Hoang. “Equality California is committed to building the bench of out LGBTQ+ officials across our state and electing pro-equality allies who will fight alongside our community in Sacramento and Washington, DC. We are confident that each of these candidates will be champions in the fight for full, lived LGBTQ+ equality.”
The full list of endorsements can be found below:
U.S. House of Representatives:
Congressional District 3: Dr. Kermit Jones
California Senate:
Senate District 28: Lola Smallwood-Cuevas
California Assembly:
Assembly District 10: Eric Guerra
Assembly District 12: Sara Aminzadeh
Assembly District 27: Esmeralda Soria
Assembly District 30: Dawn Addis
Assembly District 35: Leticia Perez
Assembly District 39: Andrea Rosenthal
Assembly District 69: Josh Lowenthal
Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder:
Devin Murphy
San Diego City Council:
District 2: Dr. Jen Campbell
Pasadena City Council:
District 7: Jason Lyon
Sacramento City Council:
District 1: Nate Pelczar
San Jose City Council:
District 3: Omar Torres
Monterey Park City Council:
District 1: Thomas Wong
Monrovia City Council:
Sashary Zaroyan
Pasadena Community College Board of Trustees:
District 7: Alton Wang
Bold names indicate openly LGBTQ+ candidates.
For a complete list of Equality California’s 2022 endorsements, visit eqca.org/elections.
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Equality California is the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization. We bring the voices of LGBTQ people and allies to institutions of power in California and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ people. We advance civil rights and social justice by inspiring, advocating and mobilizing through an inclusive movement that works tirelessly on behalf of those we serve. www.eqca.org
The majority of US voters oppose using the slur “groomer” to describe LGBT-inclusive teachers and parents, a new poll has revealed.
The Data for Progress poll surveyed 1,155 likely voters and asked them about the spread of anti-LGBT+ legislation across the US.
While the dangerous and ignorant conflation of homosexuality and LGBT+ identities with paedophilia goes back decades, there has been a recent surge in Republicans and religious conservatives using “grooming” language to describe LGBT-inclusive education, or just queer folk in general.
The Data for Progress poll noted: “Some groups have been describing teachers and parents who oppose banning discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in schools as ‘groomers’ – a term used to describe someone who gets close to and builds trust with a child or young person with the intent of sexually abusing them.”
Respondents were asked whether they agreed that “teachers and parents that support discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in school” were “groomers”, and a majority of 55 per cent said they did not.
However, there was a stark political divide.
While just 15 per cent of likely Democrat voters supported anti-LGBT+ “groomer” language, this figure jumped to 45 per cent for likely Republican voters.
The poll also revealed some serious cognitive dissonance among likely Republican voters.
Asked whether the US government should “have a say in personal matters like a person’s sexual preference or gender identity”, the overwhelming opinion across the political spectrum was that it should not (88 per cent of Democrats and 86 per cent of Republicans).
However, when asked about the hundreds of bills across the country which aim to limit the discussion of LGBT+ topics in classrooms, as well as “limit transgender people’s ability to play sports, use bathrooms that correspond with their gender identity, and receive gender-affirming health care”, 63 per cent of Republicans said they supported such legislation, compared with just 15 per cent of Democrats.
The same trend appeared in a question about gender-affirming healthcare for transgender children, with 59 per cent of Republicans saying the government should deny them this care, compared to 15 per cent of Democrats.
Transgender medical treatment for children and teens is increasingly under attack in many states, labeled child abuse and subject to criminalizing bans. But it has been available in the United States for more than a decade and is endorsed by major medical associations.
Many clinics use treatment plans pioneered in Amsterdam 30 years ago, according to a recent review in the British Psych Bulletin. Since 2005, the number of youth referred to gender clinics has increased as much as tenfold in the U.S., U.K, Canada and Finland, the review said.
The World Professional Association for Transgender Health, a professional and educational organization, and the Endocrine Society, which represents specialists who treat hormone conditions, both have guidelines for such treatment. Here’s a look at what’s typically involved.
Puberty Blockers
Children who persistently question the sex they were designated at birth are often referred to specialty clinics providing gender-confirming care. Such care typically begins with a psychological evaluation to determine whether the children have “gender dysphoria,″ or distress caused when gender identity doesn’t match a person’s assigned sex.
Children who meet clinical guidelines are first offered medication that temporarily blocks puberty. This treatment is designed for youngsters diagnosed with gender dysphoria who have been counseled with their families and are mature enough to understand what the regimen entails.
The medication isn’t started until youngsters show early signs of puberty — enlargement of breasts or testicles. This typically occurs around age 8 to 13 for girls and a year or two later for boys.
The drugs, known as GnRH agonists, block the brain from releasing key hormones involved in sexual maturation. They have been used for decades to treat precocious puberty, an uncommon medical condition that causes puberty to begin abnormally early.
The drugs can be given as injections every few months or as arm implants lasting up to year or two. Their effects are reversible — puberty and sexual development resume as soon as the drugs are stopped.
Some kids stay on them for several years. One possible side effect: They may cause a decrease in bone density that reverses when the drugs are stopped.
Hormones
After puberty blockers, kids can either go through puberty while still identifying as the opposite sex or begin treatment to make their bodies more closely match their gender identity.
For those choosing the second option, guidelines say the next step is taking manufactured versions of estrogen or testosterone — hormones that prompt sexual development in puberty. Estrogen comes in skin patches and pills. Testosterone treatment usually involves weekly injections.
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Guidelines recommend starting these when kids are mature enough to make informed medical decisions. That is typically around age 16, and parents’ consent is typically required, said Dr. Gina Sequiera, co-director of Seattle Children’s Hospital’s Gender Clinic.
Many transgender patients take the hormones for life, though some changes persist if medication is stopped.
In girls transitioning to boys, testosterone generally leads to permanent voice-lowering, facial hair and protrusion of the Adam’s apple, said Dr. Stephanie Roberts, a specialist at Boston Children’s Hospital’s Gender Management Service. For boys transitioning to girls, estrogen-induced breast development is typically permanent, Roberts said.
Research on long-term hormone use in transgender adults has found potential health risks including blood clots and cholesterol changes.
Surgery
Gender-altering surgery in teens is less common than hormone treatment, but many centers hesitate to give exact numbers.
Guidelines say such surgery generally should be reserved for those aged 18 and older. The World Professional Association for Transgender Health says breast removal surgery is OK for those under 18 who have been on testosterone for at least a year. The Endocrine Society says there isn’t enough evidence to recommend a specific age limit for that operation.
Outcomes
Studies have found some children and teens resort to self-mutilation to try to change their anatomy. And research has shown that transgender youth and adults are prone to stress, depression and suicidal behavior when forced to live as the sex they were assigned at birth.
Opponents of youth transgender medical treatment say there’s no solid proof of purported benefits and cite widely discredited research claiming that most untreated kids outgrow their transgender identities by their teen years or later. One study often mentioned by opponents included many kids who were mistakenly identified as having gender dysphoria and lacked outcome data for many others.
Doctors say accurately diagnosed kids whose transgender identity persists into puberty typically don’t outgrow it. And guidelines say treatment shouldn’t start before puberty begins.
Many studies show the treatment can improve kids’ well-being, including reducing depression and suicidal behavior. The most robust kind of study — a trial in which some distressed kids would be given treatment and others not — cannot be done ethically. Longer term studies on treatment outcomes are underway.
Thursday, May 5th, 2022 @ 7PM, Friends, Sonomans, and the culturally curious! Occidental Center for the Arts’ Literary Series is thrilled to present An Evening with Andrei Codrescu, star of page, screen, and NPR who will talk, read, and generally hold forth. Tickets $25 GA/ $20 for OCA Members. Ticketholders will receive a poem by Andrei Codrescu in a limited handset letterpress broadside edition of 100, designed and printed by Pat Nolan and Eric Johnson at North Bay Letterpress Arts Limited tickets available – get yours today! Refreshments for sale. OCA: 3850 Doris Murphy Way, Occidental, CA. OCA’s facilities are accessible to people with disabilities. For more info: occidentalcenterforthearts.org or 707-874-9392. Thank you for your continuing support of OCA by posting our listings.
May 6, 7, 8,14, 15. Occidental Community Choir Spring Concerts 2022. Born around a bonfire in Occidental in the winter of 1978, OCC is thrilled to emerge from the recent darkness to present an exciting Spring 2020 concert series titled Common Ground . Under the inspired direction of Gage Purdy, we offer a unique blend of original compositions and contemporary and classical songs from outside composers, plus some poetry and theatrics, to highlight themes that unite us all. They include caring for an aging parent, social and political injustice, environmental warriors, personal responsibility, airport security announcements, the diaspora of refugees… even raccoons! And you won’t want to miss our rendition of Smash Mouth’s ‘All Star’ as an English madrigal! All concerts will be held at Occidental Center for the Arts, following current Sonoma County public health guidelines for masking and capacity. Friday, May 6 @ 7pm – Community First Night $10,Saturday, May 7 @ 7 pm, Sunday May 8 @ 3 pm, Saturday, May 14 @ 7 pm, Sunday May 15 @ 3 pm . Tickets are $25 . Kids 12 and under FREE. Available @ OccidentalChoir.org/tickets after March 21. Get your tickets early! Occidental Center for the Arts, 3850 Doris Murphy Ct. Occidental, CA. 95465. Accessible to persons with disabilities.
Looking for fun, free things to do over Spring Break? We’ve got you covered, with everything from video games to Regional Parks Discovery Packs—all free, all the time. There’s something for everyone at the Sonoma County Library, and springtime is a great time to try new things or reconnect to what you love. Visit a branch near you and get inspired, or check out our roundup of free online events and library resources below to get started right now!
Free Online Resources Learn a new language. Choose from over 70 languages like Spanish, Japanese, or Italian with Mango Languages! This cutting edge language-learning tool is free for all library card-holders and can be accessed anywhere with an Internet connection.Explore new ideas. The Great Courses Library Collection includes 250+ video courses led by the world’s top experts, covering a broad range of subjects, from science, mathematics, philosophy, and history, to literature, fine arts, music, and travel! Become a film buff. Stream and enjoy more than 30,000 of the world’s best films with Kanopy! This streaming service includes award-winning documentaries, rare and hard-to-find titles, film festival favorites, and world cinema, available to view for free!
Discover new stories. MakeMake is a digital library with 200 Spanish language eBooks for children and resources for parents and educators to help develop Spanish language literacy in children from birth through elementary school.Want more? Check out all of the library’s eResources here.
Events for the Whole FamilyAges 5-11. Join us for our new book club, Reading Justice: A Family Book Club, on Friday, March 25, at 4:30 pm! Reading Justice is a program designed to give families an opportunity to talk about potentially challenging topics. Each month features a new book topic and access to a video of children’s librarian Ms. Adriel reading a book and discussing it. Tweens & Teens. Get your code on with SoCo CoderDojo! Young people ages 12-17 are invited to join us on Tuesday, March 22, at 6:00 pm to learn how to code or brush up on your coding skills! Classes take place every Tuesday.Teens. Start your Spring Break off right with a yoga class! Join other teens and yoga teacher Ozlem on Monday, March 21, at 4:30 pm for mindful movement and beginner-friendly breathwork.Looking for more? Explore the full calendar here! Spring Into Your LibraryThank you for being a member of the Sonoma County Library community. Visit us online or in person at one of our branches. Be sure to check out open jobs at Sonoma County Library here.
Pruebe algo nuevo esta primavera ¿Busca cosas divertidas y gratuitas para hacer durante las vacaciones de primavera? Te tenemos cubierto, con todo, desde videojuegoshasta Paquetes de descubrimiento de Parques Regionales, todo gratis, todo el tiempo. Hay algo para todos en la Biblioteca del Condado de Sonoma, y la primavera es un buen momento para probar cosas nuevas o volver a conectarse con lo que amas. ¡Visite una biblioteca cerca de usted e inspírese, o consulte nuestro eventos en línea gratuitos y recursos de la biblioteca a continuación para comenzar ahora mismo!
Recursos en línea gratuitosAprender un nuevo idioma. Elija entre más de 70 idiomas como inglés, japonés o italiano con Mango Languages. Esta herramienta de aprendizaje de idiomas es gratuita para todos los titulares de tarjetas de la biblioteca y se puede acceder a ella desde cualquier lugar con una conexión a Internet.
Explora nuevas ideas. La Colección de la Biblioteca de Grandes Cursos(Great Courses Library Collection)incluye 250 cursos de video dirigidos por los mejores expertos del mundo, que abarcan una amplia gama de materias, desde ciencias, matemáticas, filosofía e historia, ¡a la literatura, a las bellas artes, a la música y a los viajes! Conviértete en un aficionado a la película. Transmite y disfruta de más de 30.000 de las mejores películas del mundo con Kanopy! Este servicio de streaming incluye documentales galardonados, títulos raros y difíciles de encontrar, los favoritos de los festivales de cine y el cine mundial, disponibles para su visualización gratuita.
Descubra nuevos cuentos. MakeMakees una biblioteca digital con 200 libros electrónicos en español para niños y recursos para padres y educadores para ayudar a desarrollar la alfabetización en español en niños desde el nacimiento hasta la escuela primaria.¿Quieres más? Revisa todos los eRecursos de la biblioteca aquí.Eventos para toda la familiaDe 5 a 11 años. ¡Únase a nosotros para nuestro nuevo club de lectura, Reading Justice: A Family Book Club,
Now is the time for the larger progressive movement to connect the struggles for LGBTQ and reproductive rights more deeply, especially for those who are transgender, gender non-conforming and non-binary.
Trans people get pregnant. Trans people need abortions. Trans people deserve access to culturally competent medical care. Trans people must have the freedom to live, something that is currently under unprecedented direct attack through hundreds of pieces of legislation across the country. Despite all of this, trans people have been marginalized in the mainstream fight over body autonomy. That must end. The reasons why are right in front of us.
Take Idaho as a recent and obvious example. Headlines there within two days of each other make the point: “Idaho House passes Texas-style abortion ban” and “An Idaho bill would criminalize medical treatments for trans youths. It echoes abortion bans.” These links are undeniable.
As is often the case, the forces opposed to body autonomy for cisgender women also oppose it for trans people. It is clear that this is one fight, but for decades, there has been an over-emphasis on cisgender women in the reproductive rights movement and transgender people have been left out and left behind. Restricting a women’s right to choose, curtailing sexual freedom, homophobia and transphobia are all inextricably linked with common roots.
The right wing mainstays of the anti-abortion movement, including The Heritage Foundation, the Family Research Council, Focus on the Family, the Alliance Defending Freedom, and the Liberty Council are at the forefront of the anti-trans movement, especially the ability for trans people–including children–to have equal access to health care.
TransLash’s investigative series last year, the Anti-Trans Hate Machine: A Plot Against Equality discussed how these very organizations, many of whom have been designated as hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center, are targeting the trans community as the next wave in the war over who gets to control our bodies.https://www.youtube.com/embed/Gh3rPqhWLXo?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1
For these organizations, the fight against abortion and the fight against trans rights are increasingly one and the same. And as was detailed in a recent Time Magazine piece, anti-trans forces are borrowing tactics from the anti-abortion movement in targeting doctors who provide gender-affirming healthcare.
By missing these obvious connections and denying a broader civil and human rights frame, the mainstream reproductive rights movement is playing into the hands of the right wing.
At the December 1, 2021 protests outside the Supreme Court hearing on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the Task Force witnessed hundreds of protesters but the ones hoping to see Roe v. Wade overturned were not just holding anti-choice signs, but also anti-LGBTQ placards. They clearly get the connection.
Each of us who wishes to decide what we do with our body is in the crosshairs. As individuals, we know that our humanity is larger than the physical forms we are born into. A coalition of people with this understanding, in addition to a deep commitment to racial, disability and economic justice, would create a powerful force for human rights grounded in body autonomy. And that force is needed now to preserve and extend hard fought gains made over the past fifty years.https://www.youtube.com/embed/2oDMaQ0Wwqg?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1
But there is a solution. Visibility. Conversation. Education. Advocacy. The need for us to end this erasure is why Translash created the “Trans Bodies, Trans Choices” short-film series. Putting transgender people and their stories at the center of the discussion is essential if we are going to create the understanding necessary to bring people together both cis and trans. This is about transgender people rather than “transgender issues”.
“Trans Bodies Trans Choices” tells powerful stories of trans people whose lives were changed forever because they had access not only to abortion but also reproductive services and trans-affirming medical care. These are stories that tens of millions of people can relate to, and they bind us all together in a common cause.
Telling our truths and leveraging our collective power is how we will create the change required for us all to live whole and with dignity. Storytelling is the first step in creating a common bond but there are so many other steps that must follow.
The only way we will make progress is if we are in it together.
Imara Jones is an Emmy and Peabody award-winning journalist, intersectional-news producer, and creator of TransLash. Kierra Johnson is the Executive Director of the National LGBGTQ Task Force.
If you’ve ever felt like monogamy wasn’t for you, know that you’re not alone. In a study by the Kinsey Institute, 81 percent of respondents said they fantasized about open relationships at least once in their lives. And at least one in five Americans have entered some kind of consensual non-monogamous relationship.
Polyamory – or the practice of dating multiple partners at once – has, for the most part, been on the fringes of what most people consider as “normal” dating behavior. After all, the concept of monogamy has been reinforced for time immemorial by religion, government, films, TV shows, and music. So much so that most people do assume it to be the default, normal way to have romantic relationships.
But, in recent years, more and more people have begun to recognize non-monogamy as an option that’s just as real and valid as its counterpart. Even big celebrities like Willow Smith, Nico Tortorella, and Bella Thorne have opened up about their experiences with non-monogamy and how it’s worked out for them.
But how do you actually know if polyamory is right for you? How do you answer the question “Am I polyamorous?” without even having experienced it? Here, you’ll find four important questions to ask yourself before you begin testing the waters that will, hopefully, help you gain a better understanding of the practice and whether it’s something that could work for you.
The word “polyamory” comes from the Greek term “poly”, which means “many”, and the Latin word “amor”, which means “love.” So, a polyamorous person could be described as someone who is capable of falling in love and maintaining romantic relationships with more than one person at a time.
Polyamory is just one type of ethical non-monogamy – an umbrella term for dating practices and relationship structures where people date or have sex with multiple people with the consent of their partners. Essentially, ethically non-monogamous relationships are diametrically opposed to monogamous relationships, which emphasize that partners stay faithful to one and only one partner at a time.
One of the biggest misconceptions about ENM is that it’s an excuse for cheating. However, there is a key distinction between the two. Cheating involves one partner entering a romantic or sexual relationship with another person without their partner’s consent. In an ethically non-monogamous relationship, however, everyone involved needs to enthusiastically consent to the dynamic – hence, the term “ethical”. It’s a dynamic that gives partners the freedom to be involved with more than one person in a way that’s mutually satisfying and enjoyable.
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Am I Polyamorous Test: 4 Questions To Ask Yourself
So how do you know if polyamory is right for you? Based on what experts have said about the practice, these are some of the questions you should be asking yourself.
Take note: This isn’t exactly your typical “Am I polyamorous” quiz because there won’t be a grade or score by the end. What these questions are meant to do is help you recognize some of the signs that may be difficult to catch because of how much society normalizes monogamy. Some of these questions are also meant to prepare you for some of the more challenging realities of being in a polyamorous relationship.
1. Have you ever wrestled with commitment issues?
A lot of polyamorous people can tend to feel “trapped” in monogamous relationships, feeling like they’re being robbed of their chances to explore potential relationships with other people. So, they can end up resenting their partners and cheating.
Unfortunately, compulsory monogamy – or the idea that monogamy is the only option or the “endgame” in terms of romantic relationships – reinforces the idea that commitment issues are just something to get over, rather than a sign that perhaps monogamy isn’t the right fit for some people.
2. Have you experienced falling in love with or having crushes on multiple people at the same time?
This is perhaps the most obvious sign that you’re polyamorous. “Polyamorous people believe you can love multiple people”, says sex and relationship therapist Renee Divine. “They’re open to additional people in that way, and they want that emotional attachment. Plural love is the main focus.”
This is an important distinction to make between other types of non-monogamy because some people only seek out other partners for sexual variety. These types of people tend to have high sex drives and enjoy having different kinds of sexual relationships.
But polyamory is more than just sex – it involves emotional intimacy as well. If you don’t think you can be romantically involved with more than one person, then perhaps you’re better suited to consensual non-monogamy (like open relationships or swinger-type relationships) than polyamorous relationships.
Polyamorous people also tend to believe that one person cannot fulfill all of their needs. It’s not just about being attracted to multiple people, it’s also about acknowledging that you may have varied needs that you can’t necessarily get from just one partner – and that is okay.
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3. Are you okay with the idea of your partner seeing other people?
Depending on the kind of polyamorous relationship you enter – and there are many different types – you may have to share your partner with other people. Will this feel like a betrayal to you, or do you think it’s something that you can be comfortable with?
For polyamorous people (at least those who aren’t solo poly), it’s necessary to be able to get to a place where you can be okay with or even be happy for your partner when they date other people. That feeling has a name, and it’s called “compersion”. It can be described as “the happiness in knowing your partner is happy”. For some, seeing their partners date other people can even be a turn-on.
Of course, jealousy does still happen in polyamorous relationships. Polyamorous people just learn to communicate their feelings and find the root causes of their jealousy – otherwise, it could jeopardize their relationships.
“Jealousy can be broken down to determine what your real concerns are,” says social worker Stephanie M. Sullivan. And in many instances, jealousy has less to do with your partner’s feelings and behaviors and more to do with your own insecurities. According to researchers, jealousy can stem from factors like low self-esteem, feelings of insecurity in your relationship and possessiveness, and an anxious attachment style.
4. Are you comfortable communicating your fears, insecurities, boundaries, and limitations?
While you can be drawn to polyamory even if you’re not exactly the best communicator or the best at setting boundaries, there are some important aspects for maintaining healthy and successful polyamorous relationships:
Having the ability to be open and honest about your feelings
Being emotionally available
Knowing how to set, reinforce, and respect boundaries
Knowing how to regulate your emotions
“Whatever your personal buttons are, polyamory will almost certainly push them”, Ginny Brown writes for Everyday Feminism. Because of this, it’s good to start working on your personal issues before you try polyamory.
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Am I Ready For Polyamory?
Polyamory is not easy. Poly people face a lot of judgment and confusion because most of us have been raised to believe that monogamy is the one and only way to have romantic relationships. Maintaining poly relationships can also be time-consuming and emotionally taxing, considering all the variables you have to deal with.
Despite that, for some people, polyamory is the only option for a decent shot at being happy. And that shouldn’t be something to be ashamed of!
A new queer festival, LGBT+ Music Festival, is launching in Porto, Portugal this summer.
The three-day music event will take place between 1-3 July across four stages in the city.
Porto will host 35,000 festival goers, with music, DJs, drag and more on the lineup of the inclusive festival.
The lineup features Iggy Azalea, Bebe Rexha, Melanie C, Drag Race UK’sBimini Bon Boulash and Jodie Harsh to name a few.
The festival has also teamed up with local clubs, bars, restaurants and hotels in Porto to create a “unique and inclusive experience”.
As well as live music there’s also afterparties, boat parties that dock at the main stage venue, pool parties and helicopter rides over the ocean.
“This will be a festival that remembers the past, celebrates the present and prepares for the future. Bringing people from all over the world together, it will create a truly safe space for everyone who knows and understands that music is an act of liberation,” says Diogo Vieria da Silva, executive director of Variações for Portugal’s LGBTI Commerce and Tourism Association.
“Combining inclusion with fun, the festival will help the city of Porto and local organizations to raise their support for LGBT+ people and will be the epicentre of the celebration of equality values. It will give a stage to LGBT+ artists and their allies, whilst elevating national artists to new heights,” they add.
You can find out the full lineup, ticket info and more below for LGBT+ Music Festival.
This article contains affiliate links, PinkNews may earn revenue if you click through and purchase products through the links.
Festival tickets are now available to buy from festicket.com.
There’s a number of different passes you can buy for LGBT+ Music Festival and we’ve broke them down below.
Day ticket – £56.84
Weekend ticket – £122.07
Day ticket plus pass – £64.30
Weekend ticket plus pass – £154.70
VIP day ticket – £101.58
VIP weekend ticket – £246.02
Platinum day ticket – £179.86
Platinum weekend ticket – £432.40
Plus a payment scheme is also available for each ticket type, so you can spread the cost of your ticket across a number of months.
Where is LGBT+ Music Festival?
The official website says the festival’s main site is located at the Douro river bank in Porto, Portual in the Alfândega do Porto.
“The other venues will mostly be at walking distance,” they add.
Where to stay in Porto
Whether it’s a hotel, apartment or hostel you’re after, there’s plenty of spots to stay in Porto. We’ve put together a handful of hotels you can book for the LGBT+ Music Festival.
In a first, the Federal Bureau of Prisons has been ordered to secure gender-affirming surgery for a transgender prisoner.
A federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois ordered the bureau on Monday to undergo a nationwide search for a qualified surgeon to perform the surgery for the inmate, Cristina Nichole Iglesias.
The directive will bring Iglesias — who has been imprisoned since 1994 for threatening to use a weapon of mass destruction — a step closer to receiving the procedure, which she has been fighting to get for six years, the last three in the courts.
“I am hopeful that I will finally get the care I need to live my life fully as the woman I am,” Iglesias said in a statement provided to NBC News by her legal representative, the American Civil Liberties Union. “BOP has denied me gender-affirming surgery for years — and keeps raising new excuses and putting new obstacles in my way. I am grateful that the court recognized the urgency of my case and ordered BOP to act.”
Monday’s court order could pave the way for othertransgender prisoners to receive gender-affirming surgeries as well. LGBTQ advocates have called these procedures “life-saving,” and Monday’s decision could bolster the Biden administration’s goal of improving the lives of incarcerated transgender people.
A 2015 report by the Justice Department estimated that 35 percent of trans prisoners surveyed had reported being sexually assaulted behind bars within the last year. Under the Trump administration, the Bureau of Prisons was required to “use biological sex as the initial determination” for housing trans prisoners.
A 2020 NBC News investigation that tracked 45 states and Washington, D.C., found that out of 4,890 transgender inmates in state prisons, only 15 were confirmed to being housed according to their lived gender.
In January, the Biden administration restored Obama-era guidelines for federal prisons to house transgender inmates by their gender identity “when appropriate.” The guidelines also require prison staff to refer to trans inmates by their lived name and pronouns.
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The ACLU estimates that the Federal Bureau of Prisons has more than 1,200 transgender people currently in its custody.
Iglesias has been in federal prison for roughly 28 years and currently lives in a bureau-run residential re-entry center in Florida, according to the ACLU.
Although she identified herself as a woman upon her incarceration, she has been housed in men’s facilities for over two decades, and during that time has experienced physical and sexual violence, the ACLU said. In May, her lawsuit to seek gender-affirming surgery resulted in her being one of the few transgender federal prisoners moved to a facility that corresponds with her gender identity.
Iglesias then became the first transgender prisoner to be evaluated for gender-affirming surgery, which the Bureau of Prisons recommended in January. However, the ACLU said in a statement that the bureau had “sought to postpone any referral to a surgeon for months.”
In Monday’s ruling, Judge Nancy Rosenstengel slammed the prison bureau’s handling of Iglesias’ case and compared its “tactics” to a game of “whack-a-mole.” Rosenstengel also ordered the bureau to provide the court with weekly updates and a detailed plan to ensure that Iglesias gets the surgery before her release in December.
The Bureau of Prisons told NBC News in a statement that it does not comment on “pending litigation or matters subject to legal proceedings,” nor on “the conditions of confinement for any individual or group of inmates.”
“For years, Cristina has fought to receive the health care the Constitution requires,” Joshua Blecher-Cohen, an ACLU of Illinois staff attorney who represents Ms. Iglesias, said in a statement.
“The court’s order makes clear that she needs gender-affirming surgery now and that BOP cannot justify its failure to provide this medically necessary care,” he said. “We hope this landmark decision will help secure long-overdue health care for Cristina — and for the many other transgender people in federal custody who have been denied gender-affirming care.”
