The Department of Justice has launched an investigation into incidents of violence inVirginia against bothtransgender and Latino students at Norview High School in Norfolk. The investigation follows reports of harassment and physical assaults that school officials allegedly failed to address adequately.
Norfolk public radio station WHROreports that the DOJ contacted one mother, Melissa Corrigan, regarding her transgender son, Matt, who faced severe harassment and violence due to his gender identity. According to Corrigan, her son was subjected to escalating harassment that included a sexual assault in a school bathroom and a physical attack during class. Despite Matt reporting these incidents to the school administration, she said no effective action was taken, and school officials did not inform Corrigan. Feeling unsafe, Matt eventually left Norfolk Public Schools and is now struggling with his education outside the traditional school environment.
In addition to the violence against transgender students, the DOJ is also investigating attacks on Latino students. WHROreported earlier this year that Latino students at Norview High School were allegedly targeted and assaulted based on their race. One incident involved Martin Martinez-Bautista, a first-year student who was attacked by a group of 15 middle school students, leaving him injured. The attackers reportedly told him they were targeting him because he was Hispanic, the station reported. Some families of Latino students have expressed frustration over the school officials’ inadequate response to these attacks, with some fearing retaliation due to their immigration status.
Before Matt left the school, Corrigan emailed the DOJ in the spring of 2023, hoping to get help. She initially had a brief conversation with someone from the agency but assumed it was a dead end after receiving no follow-up. However, nearly a year later, an attorney contacted Corrigan in March and met with her and her son for two hours. The attorney informed her that the U.S. Attorney’s Office was investigating whether Norfolk Public Schools adhered to protocols for handling student violence. He indicated that the DOJ had found sufficient evidence of non-compliance by the district to warrant a thorough investigation.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia is investigating whether Norfolk Public Schools followed appropriate protocols in dealing with student violence.
Norfolk Public Schools Superintendent Sharon Byrdsong declined to comment on the investigation. The district’s spokesperson, Madeline Curott, stated that the district “is not aware of any Department of Justice investigations regarding concerns from the Hispanic community,” without addressing the transgender-specific allegations.
The Eastern Virginia District of the U.S. Attorney’s Office did not confirm the investigation’s existence but acknowledged the seriousness of such allegations in an email to WHRO.
As the DOJ continues its investigation, the spotlight remains on Norfolk Public Schools to ensure the safety and well-being of all students, regardless of their race or gender identity.
The landscape on health care access for transgender Americans seemingly shifts by the day. Here’s a summary of the most recent movement in state legislatures and the courts:
On Tuesday, May 21, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster signed into law one of the most extreme anti-transgender laws in the nation. H. 4624 bans health care for transgender youth under 18. Alarmingly, it also imposes severe restrictions on access to health care for transgender adults under major insurance plans and health care providers who receive public funds.
“Anti-transgender extremists claimed that their surge of attacks against basic access to health care were in the interest of protecting children,” said GLAAD President and CEO, Sarah Kate Ellis. “With South Carolina’s discriminatory expansion of restrictions into transgender adults’ personal health care, it’s clearer than ever that the goal is to eradicate the ability of transgender people to live and thrive in any aspect of their lives.” https://www.instagram.com/p/C7SbS5NxdNG/embed/captioned/?cr=1&v=14&wp=1080&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fglaad.org&rp=%2Fthe-status-of-health-care-for-transgender-people-successful-legal-challenges-and-a-dangerous-expansion%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A770%2C%22ls%22%3A223%2C%22le%22%3A763%7D
South Carolina’s new law also goes against this so-called “protect children” motivation, with additional threats to the safety of transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming students. The law encourages school officials to disclose authentic names or pronouns to parents without the students’ permission, which could endanger students from unaffirming homes. At least 40% of homeless youth are LGBTQ, many forced out of their homes when they came out or were outed.
The law goes into effect immediately, making South Carolina exactly the 25th state to pass a ban on health care for transgender Americans since the legislative attacks first began in 2021. Health care for transgender people and youth is supported by every major medical association and leading world health authority. Statements from 30+ organizations, here.
Chase Glenn (he/him), a leader in the SC United for Justice & Equality coalition and the Executive Director of Alliance for Full Acceptance, said, “Across the state, from the Lowcountry to the Upstate, South Carolinians are mourning the passage of H.4624, which will make it immeasurably harder for transgender youth and many adults to access the life-saving healthcare that they need and deserve. But let me be clear: This loss does not crumble a movement. Our movement supporting transgender people in South Carolina is louder and stronger than it’s ever been. We’ve marched at the State House, we’ve told our stories, and we’ve made sure our lawmakers heard from us. Now, we will do everything in our power to support our community through this crisis.”
This past week in Ohio, the doubly discriminatory HB 68, which bans transgender youth from medically-necessary health care and from school sports, remains on hold. The Supreme Court of Ohio rejected a request by the state to narrow a temporary restraining order against Ohio’s health care ban for trans youth. The legal challenge moves ahead and a trial is set for July 15th. The ACLU of Ohio filed the challenge, noting the bill violates four sections of the Ohio Constitution, including the “single-subject rule” requiring that bills not encompass more than one area of restrictions.
“The state’s request was egregious,” ACLU of Ohio’s legal director, Freda Levenson, told Ohio Capital Journal. “The scope of the temporary restraining order was necessary and appropriate to prevent the constitutional violations and other irreparable harm that would immediately occur if HB 68 were permitted to take effect. Our legal battle will continue until this cruel restriction is permanently overturned.”
Multiple federal courts have struck down health care bans as unconstitutional or barred them from enforcement as legal proceedings take place. At least seven rulings have blocked bans from Arkansas to Florida to Ohio and Montana; and include rulings by three Trump-nominated justices.
At the end of April, a ruling by the full 4th Circuit Court of Appeals — which covers Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Maryland — noted multiple areas of discrimination:
bans on health care for transgender people under Medicaid and state-based plans are unconstitutional;
transgender people are a protected class;
categorical exclusions constitute discrimination based on sex.
The ruling dealt a blow to state bans that had passed in West Virginia and North Carolina.
The U.S. Supreme Court weighed in on the question of transgender health care for the first time only last month when it granted a temporary partial stay on Idaho’s ban on medically necessary health care for transgender youth. The Court’s order didn’t address the constitutionality of such bans, but it may have the opportunity to do so soon.
In addition to movement in the 4th Circuit, attorneys working for LGBTQ rights in the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals — covering Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, and Tennessee — are asking the high court to take up the question of whether Tennessee’s ban on transgender health care is unconstitutional.
On a closely related topic, the 4th Circuit issued yet another ruling earlier this year in favor of transgender Americans, stating that a West Virginia policy preventing transgender youth from participating on school sports teams is a violation of Title IX, which ensures equal opportunity in education. This marks the first time a federal court has struck down a ban on transgender sports participation, setting a positive precedent for other states with sports bans. As the appeal process continues, the Supreme Court may opt to hear this case as well.
Of more than 500 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced this session, more than 200 have been defeated, while approximately two dozen have been signed into law. Current Gallup polling indicates record-high support for nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people (84%). More than 7% of U.S. adults are out as LGBTQ, including 20% of Gen Z, the most out generation in history. A projected 14% of voters will be out as LGBTQ by 2030.
For many Americans, one of the happiest days of their lives is proclaiming their love for their spouse in front of family and friends. But then there are those of us who had to wait until marriage equality was the law of the land to obtain a marriage license and the benefits that derive from being married in the eyes of the state and federal government.
There was so much to celebrate when the Supreme Court decided in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015 the right to marriage equality under the Constitution. But there was also our duty to right the wrongs of pre-Obergefell America, particularly in the tax and finance arena.
Nearly two decades before Obergefell, theDefense of Marriage Act (DOMA) became federal law in 1996, denying same-sex couples the rights and benefits afforded to different-sex couples. The benefit denials didn’t just impact their finances but were an affront to their dignity. When Edie Windsor’s wife, Thea Spyer, died in 2009 and left her estate, Edie was denied the marital exemption from the federal estate tax because of DOMA. The federal government refused to recognize her as a “surviving spouse,” so Edie had to pay $363,053.
This wasn’t just a financial burden, as Edieexplained: “In the midst of my grief at the loss of the love of my life, I had to deal with my own government saying that we weren’t a family.”
Edie sued. In theUnited States v. Windsorcase of 2013, the Supreme Court struck down the part of DOMA that prohibited the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages. So, for couples in states where marriage equality was the law of the land, every married couple could finally receive the federal benefits their marriage entitled them to. Then, Obergefell came down, expanding marriage equality nationwide.
Despite the progress made in those cases, countless same-sex couples are still denied tax benefits and refunds they should have received before Windsor. Although some same-sex couples were able to amend three years’ worth of their tax returns after Windsor, couples who had been married for longer were unable to claim refunds for any of the years beyond that three-year window.
Depriving same-sex couples of the same financial security and stability afforded to different-sex couples is blatantly wrong. In fact, it amounts to a tax on same-sex marriages. That’s why we introduced thePromoting Respect for Individuals’ Dignity and Equality (PRIDE) Act.
Our legislation has two main objectives: rectifying existing inequity in the tax code. First, it would enable same-sex couples who married before the Windsordecision to amend their tax filings and claim the refunds they should have been entitled to—even though the deadline had passed. Secondly, it would embrace inclusivity by eliminating gendered language in the tax code, including substituting terms like “husband” or “wife” with “spouse.” Even though these terms are currently interpreted to be gender-neutral, it is essential to make sure all couples, regardless of sexual or gender identity, are represented and explicitly acknowledged within the tax code.
The PRIDE Act would have concrete positive implications for LGBTQI+ Americans by enabling same-sex couples to retroactively receive the money they are entitled to. Additionally, our bill reaffirms the validity of same-sex marriage under the laws of the United States. It acknowledges the worth and validity of all married couples. By righting the wrongs of the past and ensuring equal treatment for all Americans under the law moving forward, the PRIDE Act also sends a powerful message of inclusivity and acceptance of the LGBTQI+ community.
We’re incredibly proud the PRIDE Act has over 100 cosponsors and is endorsed by the Equality Caucus, the largest caucus in Congress with 196 Members dedicated to advancing LGBTQI+ equality. Despite Republicans’ attempts to scapegoat the LGBTQI+ community and turn Americans against its members, achieving full equality and justice for LGBTQI+ Americans and their families will always be a priority for Congressional Democrats.
We never imagined full marriage equality would happen in our lifetimes. It’s important to celebrate the strides the LGBTQI+ community has made, including in the Winsor and Obergefell decisions. But there is still so much work to do to achieve full equality. The PRIDE Act promotes economic justice and social equality by addressing disparities within the tax code and providing retroactive relief for same-sex couples. Most importantly, it affirms the dignity and worth of all married couples.
The fight for equal rights is basic respect, freedom, and human dignity. That’s what this work is all about and why we’ll always be in it.
Representatives Judy Chu and Becca Balint.
Voices is dedicated to featuring a wide range of inspiring personal stories and impactful opinions from the LGBTQ+ and Allied community. Visit Advocate.com/submit to learn more about submission guidelines. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on any of our stories. Email us at voices@equalpride.com. Views expressed in Voices stories are those of the guest writers, columnists and editors, and do not directly represent the views of The Advocate or our parent company, equalpride.
President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign is launching an effort at the start of National Pride Month to try to shore up support from LGBTQ voters.
The campaign plans to have a presence this month at more than 200 Pride events in 23 states, including all of the battleground states, and to launch a paid media blitz aimed at mobilizing LGBTQ voters, two campaign officials said in details first shared with NBC News. The campaign will cap the month of outreach with a fundraiser in New York City on June 28.
Some of Biden’s allies worry about waning support among LGBTQ voters.
Over the weekend, Vice President Kamala Harris kicked off Pride Month by greeting more than 150 LGBTQ leaders and allies in Los Angeles, and first lady Jill Biden made an unannounced stop at the Pittsburgh Pride festival.
“This community is under attack,” the first lady told the crowd, referring to state laws that she said target the LGBTQ community.
“Donald Trump is a bully to the LGBTQ community, to our families, to our country,” she continued. “We cannot let him win.”
A poll conducted in January by the LGBTQ media advocacy group GLAAD found Joe Biden has overwhelming support from LGBTQ registered voters overall and in battleground states, 68% and 72%, compared to 15% for Trump in both categories.
Yet the largest LGBTQ rights group in the country, the Human Rights Campaign, recently committed to spend $15 million in six battleground states to help Biden win in November, citing concerns about waning support from LGBTQ voters. HRC estimates that this year one-third of the 75 million “equality voters” — who vote based on support for LGBTQ rights — might not be guaranteed Biden voters.
“Our primary task with those voters is to help underscore the stakes of the election,” said Brandon Wolf, HRC’s national press secretary. “The contrast between the two candidates could not be clearer, and that’s especially true when we’re talking about issues of equality.”
The Biden campaign is aware of the statistic and is set to pour money into a digital and print media campaign nationally and in battleground states pitching Biden as “the most pro-equality president in American history” while painting Trump as determined to curb equality for LGBTQ communities.
“Winning campaigns invest early and often into its coalition of support,” said Sam Alleman, the Biden-Harris campaign’s national LGBTQ+ engagement director. “This Pride month is a reflection of real action to mobilize and activate LGBTQ+ voters well ahead of November.”
Any softening of support among LGBTQ voters is a source of frustration for Biden allies who argue he has delivered on their priorities, including backing same-sex marriage as vice president in 2012 ahead of President Barack Obama’s plans to publicly endorse the issue. As president, Biden has signed legislation protecting marriage rights for same-sex couples, ended a ban on transgender Americans’ serving in the military and issued executive orders to protect LGBTQ people’s civil rights.
On Friday, he issued a proclamation declaring June National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex Pride Month, saying that “advancing equality for the LGBTQI+ community is a top priority for my Administration.”
The Biden campaign argues that Trump would take away LGBTQ rights if voters elect him to a second term. As president, Trump banned transgender people from serving in the military, and as a candidate, he has said he’s against gender-affirming care for kids.
Yet former first lady Melania Trump recently headlined a fundraiser for the Log Cabin Republicans, a group that advocates for LGBTQ inclusion in the GOP. The former president’s allies also have recently tried to ensure that the position on same-sex marriage outlined in the official Republican National Committee platform this election cycle isn’t too far right.
The efforts appear aimed at not alienating voters in a tight general election who aren’t as conservative on LGBTQ rights as the GOP base.
Wolf contended that Biden has a better record and vision to offer equality voters than Trump, citing passage of the Respect for Marriage Act in 2022 and the creation of rules to protect members of the community in schools and health care settings.
“The Biden-Harris administration has appointed over 200 openly LGBTQ people to serve in all sorts of roles. That really matters,” Wolf said.
Still, even as Wolf fully embraces the Biden-Harris strategy, he acknowledges Biden has work to do in the queer community and will need to continue showing up.
“The Biden-Harris campaign has an incredible opportunity to get out into communities and talk about not just the things they’ve been able to accomplish,” he said, “but also their vision of what’s possible if we send them back to the White House.”
71% of Americans say they have never met a transgender person. Well, here they are.
GLAAD, in collaboration with GROUND Media, an award-winning strategic storytelling studio, launched Here We Are, a campaign that aims to combat misinformation about the transgender community.
The campaign features transgender people from Ohio and Florida alongside supportive family members. This is especially important in a time when anti-transgender rhetoric from politicians and some in the media continues to rise.
Here We Areincludes 6 one minute long videos that feature transgender adults living in the U.S. with their unconditionally supportive loved ones.
Their stories will premiere online at www.herewearenow.com and will also air nationally through paid ad buys and donated ad space from major networks including Comcast NBCUniversal, with focus on states where anti-LGBTQ bills heavily target transgender people and healthcare.
“At a time when anti-transgender rhetoric and legislation are growing at alarming and dangerous rates, it is crucial that Americans hear from transgender people about their lives and how the current political and cultural climate can be harmful to them,” said GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “Most Americans are exposed to trans issues through media-biased narratives. GLAAD and GROUND Media’s new campaign dispels these misconceptions to introduce Americans to transgender people and their supportive families who showcase that trans identity is real and that everyone deserves to be who they are and live safely.”
The first story being told is Nadya‘s. Nadya is a 19-year-old college student studying performing arts and fashion design, and she is passionate about creative expression. Watch her story here:
“When Nadya came out in her transition, I was very unfamiliar with the whole process. I knew that for me to keep her in my life I needed to be able to change. I needed to be able to learn.” her father shares.
“What’s at stake right now are people’s lives,” Nadya says. “I want to be happy, I want to be healthy. I want to have people by my side that will always be there for me.”
“There’s so much to say about Nadya. She has an amazing heart. She brings us so much joy,” Nadya’s mother says. “We want her to be able to succeed, to be her authentic self,” her father continues.
“We all have the right to be ourselves with out fear, help us share our story,” Nadya concludes.
Next, audiences are introduced to Gio. He is a 38-year-old U.S. Air Force veteran and community advocate. He’s a brother, athlete and an avid sneaker geek. Watch his story here:
“As transgender people, we sometimes forget the journey is not just ours,” Gio explains. “My family, no matter what, we always loved each other.”
“It wasn’t hard for me to accept my brother,” Gio’s sister Chantille says. “We can all live freely if we respect and honor one another.”
“Trans people are just people, we’re joyful and we just want to live and thrive and be.” Gio states.
Lastly, meet Ashton. Ashton is a 32-year-old LGBTQ advocate, speaker and consultant who loves to hike and kayak with his dad, play guitar and cook. Watch his story here:
“People can be incredibly mean, and I’ve faced harsh judgment just for being myself,” Ashton says. “I’ve lost friends, have worried about losing family, and about being able to pursue my dreams.”
He continues, “But I know that there is more love in this world than hate and I just want to be able to live my life free from fear to simply be who I am.”
Uganda’s sexual minorities face escalating human rights violations, with over 1000 cases recorded in the last nine months involving arrests, torture and house evictions among others, according to a report by an advocacy group.
Members of Uganda’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community have faced increasing rights violations since early last year when Uganda’s parliament started considering an anti-homosexuality law.
The legislation, called the Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA) was eventually enacted in May last year.
Under the law among other tough penalties same-sex intercourse is punishable by life in prison, while so-called aggravated homosexuality may lead to a death sentence.
In a report marking one year since AHA was passed, the Convening for Equality (CFE), a sexual minorities advocacy group, said at least 1,253 human rights violation were recorded between September and May.
That represents an increase from 306 violations that were recorded between January and August last year.
Violations were committed by both state and non-state actors and included torture, family rejections, physical assaults, evictions, arbitrary arrests, sexual assaults and extortion.
“Known and/or perceived LGBTQ+ persons were arrested, tortured, beaten, exposed, including evictions and banishment, blackmail, loss of employment, and health service disruptions,” the report said.
“This was sustained by frequent fake and false news shared on different platforms and a sustained campaign to paint LGBTQ+ persons … as persons who are out there to recruit children into homosexuality.”
A Reuters call to a police spokesperson for comment went unanswered.
AHA drew widespread condemnation from the West and has triggered sanctions against Uganda and individual leaders.
The World Bank halted all new lending while the U.S. ejected Uganda from a preferential trade deal and has also imposed sanctions against unnamed individuals for violating rights of minorities.
In an April ruling on a case challenging the law, Uganda’s constitutional court refused to annul the law although it voided a few sections that it said violated rights to health and property.
At the bottom of the first page of the program for Spelman College’s Baccalaureate Service held on May 18, 2024, at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, a southwest suburb of Atlanta, is the last sentence in baccalaureate speaker Bishop Yvette A. Flunder’s bio, and perhaps for some the most jarring. It reads: “Bishop Flunder is a proud mother and grandmother and recently celebrated 40 years of commitment and marriage to her partner in ministry and life—Ms. Shirley A. Miller, a renowned Gospel music artist.” It is not unusual for queer people to exist in conservative Black religious spaces, whether parishioners or clergy. However, it is rare to encounter a faith leader like Flunder who has repeatedly chosen to tell the truth about her sexual orientation when, at the bare minimum, Black church politics can often demand adherence to a ‘don’t ask, don’t tell policy.’
A San Francisco native and third-generation preacher, Flunder is ordained in the United Church of Christ and the Metropolitan Community Church. Flunder founded the City of Refuge United Church of Christ in 1991 and is also the Presiding Bishop of The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries, a multi-denominational fellowship of 110 primarily African American Christian leaders and laity representing 56 churches and faith-based organizations from all parts of the United States, Mexico, and Africa.
“You have to understand that when I come, I bring my whole self,” Flunder said as she settled into her seat across from me in the large conference room inside the Convention Center following her baccalaureate address.
Bishop Yvette A. Flunder enters the Georgia International Convention Center for Spelman College’s Baccalaureate Service on May 18, 2024. (Image: Darian Aaron)
The selection of Flunder by Spelman College to preach during a religious ceremony traditionally held the day before commencement, for some, is a radical choice in conservative Historically Black College and University (HBCU) culture. Spelman has a organized presence of queer students on campus including its LGBTQIA organization Afrekete! and various sexual orientations and gender identities were represented in the 2024 graduating class. But Spelman’s invitation to Flunder is not just a reflection of Spelman campus diversity, it is also about elevating the experience of LGBTQ students at Spelman and other HBCUs. Flunder spoke directly to the queer Spelman woman who will face the triple discrimination of racism, sexism, and homophobia.
“Embrace yourself—your understanding of your importance and the fact that you were born with this incredible gift that only a percentage of people in the world have is itself, in my thinking, a gift,” Flunder told me. “This community is overrepresented with gifts and skills— music, art, food, decoration—the ones who dress the pastor’s wife and beautify the churches,” she added.
A renowned gospel singer as well, Flunder provides lead vocals on Walter Hawkins and the Family and the Love Center Choir’s 1990 classic, “Thank You.” She sang with the Spelman College Glee Club before delivering her baccalaureate address. Flunder tells GLAAD that Gospel music wouldn’t exist without LGBTQ people.
Bishop Yvette A. Flunder sings Walter Hawkins classic “Thank You” with Spelman College Glee Club during Baccalaureate Service. (Image: Screenshot via YouTube)
“Half of the tenors, a quarter of the altos—Gospel music wouldn’t exist—absolutely would not exist without the contributions [of LGBTQ people],” she said. “And I think that it begins with our thanking God, thanking our understanding of the divine to have been chosen because not everybody can handle this.”
A home for ourselves
Flunder is clear that God has appointed and anointed her to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And while the Black church still wrestles internally with sexism, misogyny, patriarchy, and homophobia, other religious denominations have formally embraced LGBTQ members and clergy within its community. The United Methodist Church recently voted to repeal its decades-long ban on LGBTQ clergy and same-sex weddings. Flunder, who co-created the Fellowship of Affirming Ministries 22 years ago, tells GLAAD the same is possible for the Black church.
“We have to have the courage to create something of our own,” she said. “One of the first things we did was create a home for ourselves. We all went to seminary and theological school, so we would know what we’re talking about.”
In the early years, Flunder also tells GLAAD that the Fellowship of Affirming Ministries simultaneously connected to affirming organizations, like the United Church of Christ. However, they were predominantly heterosexual, and the worship experience was far from her Pentecostal roots.
“I thank the Lord for them, but they clap on the one and the three, and I clap on the two and the four, and I just can’t,” Flunder said jokingly. “And I like good gospel music that sounds like jazz but with church lyrics.”
Using a more serious tone, Flunder discusses why she encourages people to attend affirming churches.
“Spend some time around theological education. It’s too many books out there now that are written by people who are either gay-affirming or gay,” she said.
“Nobody has an excuse now not to read and understand what is in the text. Just like the Bible says, ’slaves obey your masters.’ You don’t bit more believe that than the man on the moon. And the Black preacher who told you you’re going to hell for being gay, well, you’re going to hell ’cause you’re not a slave. Because the Bible says, ’slaves obey your masters.’ How come you can leapfrog over that? But you can condemn me? How is that conceivably possible? Obviously, some things have to do with a certain time and culture. They shift and change. Take the girdle off the Bible,” she said. “You don’t take everything literally. Just the stuff that you want.”
Some so-called Christians may believe that by elevating the perceived “sins” or shortcomings of others, in this case, LGBTQ people, their sins will be overlooked. It’s a harmful practice rooted in toxic theology that encourages bondage instead of freedom through Christ—a pill prescribed to Flunder that was too bitter for her to swallow.
“When they realized that I was gay in the church, one of the missionaries came to me, she said, ‘Now baby, we see you. We know who you are.’ She said, ‘You just need to get you a little husband,’” Flunder recalls. “She’s trying to tell me if I’m going to move [up] in the church, I need to find a pliable, reasonably obedient man. Not only do I not want to do that to myself. I don’t want to do that to him. I don’t want to pick a man and say, all I need you for is window dressing,” she said. “I’m in love with my partner. The air she breathes. And that’s the truth. You don’t stay with somebody for 40 years if you don’t mean it. That’s the kind of love I want. I don’t want to play house or church. And I told her, hell no, I’m not doing that.”
Bishop Yvette A. Flunder pictured with her wife of 40 years, Mother Shirley A. Miller. (Image: Instagram)
Mother [Shirley A. Miller], often travels with Flunder but did not accompany her to Atlanta for Spelman’s baccalaureate service due to mobility issues.
“We are the othered ones, but the spirit has called the othered ones,” Flunder told the graduates towards the end of her baccalaureate address. “Change the direction of religion. It’s not supposed to be a private social club. It’s time for the disinherited, the demeaned, the excluded, the diminished to stand up, speak up, and move up to the table—it’s time.”
In April, Dominica became the latest country to decriminalize consensual same-sex conduct. A local court ruled that provisions banning “buggery” and “serious indecency,” understood to criminalize gay sex, were unconstitutional. The ruling is historic for Dominica because it finally cast off a colonial legal relic that had been an obstacle to full equality for sexual and gender minorities. But beyond this Eastern Caribbean nation, the ruling has important implications.
The Dominica ruling adds to a growing body of jurisprudence from the “Global South” that challenges the notion that decriminalization of same-sex conduct is “foreign,” “Western,” or “against national values.” This idea, sometimes used by authorities in the 64 countries that still make such relations a criminal offense, often ignores the demands of many local activists and stakeholders. It is also often used to scapegoat sexual and gender minorities. But today such rhetoric flies in the face of well-reasoned, human rights-based decriminalization rulings arising from Latin America and Caribbean, Africa, and Asia and Oceania that firmly establish that the decriminalization of same-sex conduct is a universal human rights imperative.
Some of the very early cases on decriminalization were indeed from the “Global North.” The European Court of Human Rights ordered the decriminalization of same-sex intimacy in cases arising from the United Kingdom (1981), Ireland (1988), and Cyprus (1993). The United Nations Human Rights Committee ordered the same for Australia (1994). Yet, the bulk of national-level jurisprudence decriminalizing same-sex conduct has come from countries outside of these regions.
In Latin America, the Constitutional Court of Ecuador’s Case No. 111-97 TC (1997) was an early example of national jurisprudence ordering the decriminalization of same-sex conduct. There, the court found that “homosexuals are, above all, holders of all the rights of the human person and therefore have the right to exercise them in conditions of full equality.” In recent years, five other Caribbean nations have decriminalized in landmark rulings: Belize (2016), Trinidad and Tobago(2018), Antigua and Barbuda (2022), Saint Kitts and Nevis (2022), and Barbados (2023).
The case of National Coalition for Gay & Lesbian Equality & Others v. Ministry of Justice & Others(1998) in South Africa was the first to decriminalize same-sex relations on the African continent. A concurring opinion in the case affirmed that the case occurs “in the context of evolving human rights concepts throughout the world” and “should be seen as part of a growing acceptance of difference in an increasingly open and pluralistic South Africa.” Recent decisions in Botswana (2019) and Mauritius(2023) further solidified this trend.
Meanwhile, courts in Asia and Oceania, including Fiji (2005), Nepal (2007), Hong Kong (2007), and India (2018), have also affirmed that the criminalization of same-sex conduct violates fundamental human rights. In the Indian ruling, which came after a protracted legal fight, justices held that the “role of the Courts gains more importance when the rights which are affected belong to a class of persons or a minority group who have been deprived of even their basic rights since time immemorial.”
The contributions made by courts in these varied parts of the world confirm that the continued criminalization of gay sex is not a niche issue that is the domain of “the West.” The rulings are context-specific and highlight how criminalization infringes upon the rights of sexual and gender minorities and their communities, including the rights to non-discrimination, life and security, family, housing, health, work, and education, and freedoms of expression and assembly. While rulings are multifaceted, these diverse courts have generally found that criminalization is draconian and erodes the rule of law for everyone.
There have been some legal setbacks, such as Uganda’s Constitutional Court upholding the Anti-Homosexuality Act in April and the dismissal of a constitutional challenge to “buggery” and “gross indecency” laws in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in February. But rulings upholding criminalization remain outliers, in part because of the strength and diversity of the decriminalization rulings. Findings such as that of the Uganda Constitutional Court, that legislators “know the sentiments of the people that they represent on the subject,” now appear painfully biased and myopic.
While courts play a crucial role, governments should not punt their legislative duties to the judiciary, especially since court cases can take years to litigate. Many governments around the world have passed legislation to decriminalize same-sex conduct, either explicitly to protect sexual minorities, or indirectly by implementing broader criminal law reforms. This has led to real progress. But what the rulings in a wide variety of countries make clear is that arguments about decriminalization being “Western imposed” are disingenuous and shield authorities from having to address substantive underlying human rights issues.
Instead of presenting straw-man arguments, authorities should stop using such rhetoric, heed the findings of courts around the word, and urgently recognize that the decriminalization of same-sex intimacy is essential for the equal advancement of human rights.
It’s June, and that means it’s time to celebrate Pride Month! Sonoma County Library honors Pride through our collections, events, and programs—celebrate this June and beyond with all the library has to offer! Join us for upcoming Pride Month events and learn more here.
Events for All
Crafting with Creativebug: Rainbow Painting(For Teens & Adults)Create bold images and celebrate Pride with Creativebug! Follow along with an art demo while learning about the history of Pride. Advance registration encouraged. At three libraries: Central Santa Rosa, Northwest Santa Rosa, and Cloverdale.
Queer Book Club(For Adults)Join us virtually to discuss this month’s read, Gideon the Ninth. Queer Book Club meets online on the second Wednesday of the month; registering for this event will sign you up for all 12 book club meetings!
Listening to Trans Youth(For Teens & Adults)Join us at the Sebastopol Library on Tuesday, June 18, at 6:00 pm for a community discussion on gender identity and understanding the transgender experience. This program will support, educate, and inspire anyone who attends.
Pronoun Keychain Kits(For Teens)Visit your library in June to pick up a free Pronoun Keychain Kit. Each kit includes letter beads, a charm, and a key ring. Kits are available on a first come, first served basis, while supplies last. Limit one per patron.
Family is a Rainbow with Maya Gonzalez(For Kids & Families)Join us for a celebration of inclusion and creativity with Maya Gonzalez and their empowering book, The Gender and Infinity Book for Kids. For grades K-5.Maya Gonzalez is an award-winning children’s book artist, author, activist, publisher, and educator. Learn more here.
But wait, there’s more! Check out the full list of Pride Month events, resources, and more here.
All library branches will be closed Wednesday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth. We look forward to seeing you when we reopen on Thursday, June 20!
Thank 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. Questions? Please call your local library or click here to send us a message. Mes del Orgullo en tu Biblioteca ¡Es junio y eso significa que es hora de celebrar el Mes del Orgullo! ¡La Biblioteca del Condado de Sonoma honra el Orgullo a través de nuestra colección, eventos, y programas—celebra este junio y más allá con todo lo que la biblioteca tiene para ofrecer! Acompáñanos para los próximos eventos del mes y obtén más información aquí.
Eventos para Todos
Manualidades con Creativebug: Pintando el Arcoíris(Para Jóvenes y Adultos)¡Crea imágenes llamativas y celebra el Orgullo con Creativebug! Sigue paso a paso una demostración de arte mientras aprendes sobre la historia del Orgullo. Se recomienda inscripción. En tres bibliotecas: central de Santa Rosa, Northwest y Cloverdale.
Club de Lectura Queer (Para Adultos)Acompáñanos virtualmente para discutir el libro de este mes, Gideon the Ninth. El club de lectura Queer se reúne en línea cada segundo miércoles del mes; ¡al registrarte para este evento te inscribirás para las 12 reuniones del club!
Escuchando a la Juventud Trans(Para Jóvenes y Adultos)Acompáñanos en la Biblioteca de Sebastopol el martes,18 de junio, a las 6:00 pm para una discusión comunitaria sobre la identidad de género y el entendimiento de la experiencia transgénero. Este programa servirá como apoyo, educación e inspiración para quien asista.
Kits de Llavero de Pronombres(Para Jóvenes)Visita tu biblioteca en junio para recoger un kit de llavero de pronombres gratuito. Cada kit incluye cuentas de letras, un dije, y un broche para llavero. Los kits se proporcionarán por orden de llegada, hasta agotar existencias. Límite de un kit por persona.
La Familia es un Arcoíris con Maya Gonzalez(Para infantes y familias)Acompáñanos para una celebración de inclusión y creatividad con Maya Gonzalez y su libro empoderador, The Gender and Infinity Book for Kids. Para los grados K-5. Maya Gonzalez es una artista galardonada de libros inf
Despite years of progress toward inclusion and equality for LGBTQ+ Americans, a sense of safety at home remains elusive for many. By the end of last year, 75 of the 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced across the country in 2023 had become law, and in 2022, hate crimes against LGBTQ+ Americans reached a five-year high.
With hate crimes rising and more anti-LGBTQ+ bills under consideration, it’s essential to monitor the state of safety across the nation regularly. That’s why we’ve created this ranking for the third year. To grade all 50 states and Washington D.C. based on how safe they are for LGBTQ+ people, SafeHome.org’s new scoring system includes both legislative analysis and hate crime data from the FBI. Here are a few of the key takeaways from our study:
Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Delaware all received A+ grades for LGBTQ+ safety based on their comprehensive pro-equality laws and low rates of hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people.
South Dakota, Florida, and Wyoming were the worst states for LGBTQ+ safety in the nation, earning F grades due to their high number of discriminatory laws and hate crime reporting rates. Florida’s ranking changed dramatically since last year when it had the 15th-lowest safety score.
Nearly 50% of states passed new anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in 2023.
Hate crimes targeting LGBTQ+ people rose 10 percent between 2021 and 2022, and hate crimes against transgender people, in particular, surged 40 percent.
59% of LGBTQ+ people say their state’s laws help them feel safer, but 89% say federal action is needed to enshrine protections fully.
LGBTQ+ Safety Grades by State
SafeHome.org’s state ranking is unique from others. We based our grading system on the opinions of 1,000 American LGBTQ+ individuals. Based on their insights, we calculated how heavily different laws would weigh upon each state’s safety score: parenting freedoms, criminal justice rights, non-discrimination rights, youth protections, and health laws. Then, using information from the Human Rights Campaign, we tallied how many laws each state had in the above categories and weighted them based on their perceived impact on LGBTQ+ Americans.
This year, SafeHome.org researchers added a new factor to the safety “report card”: we determined the frequency of hate crimes committed against LGBTQ people in each state according to the latest FBI data.
https://flo.uri.sh/visualisation/18042878/embed
Based on this new grading method, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Delaware ranked highest for LGBTQ+ safety according to our methodology, while South Dakota, Florida, and Wyoming scored lowest.
The Safest States for LGBTQ+ Americans
1. Rhode Island – Safety Grade: A+ (100)
Rhode Island had the highest safety grade in the nation due to its numerous laws protecting LGBTQ+ rights and its low incidence of hate crimes. It was notably one of only six states where every law enforcement agency reported crime data, and one of seven states that earned an A+, A, or A- in our safety analysis. The Ocean State has some of the most comprehensive laws in the country regarding LGBTQ+ health, safety, and family planning, including:
Foster care non-discrimination laws, which protect LGBTQ+ people wishing to participate in the foster care system as parents
Mandatory reporting of hate crime statistics
Anti-bullying youth laws, with explicit protections for LGBTQ+ youth
Laws that include transgender healthcare in state Medicaid programs
Rhode Island is home to the 12th-highest percentage of same-sex couples and was among the first 15 states to legalize gay marriage, which it did in 2013. Notably, in March 2024, the U.S. Senate appointed Rhode Island’s first openly LGTBQ+ judge to the federal court system.
2. New Hampshire – Safety Grade A+ (98.3)
New Hampshire boasts a wide variety of equality protections in its state laws and has one of the country’s lowest rates of reported hate crimes against LGBTQ+ individuals. New Hampshire scored a bit lower than Rhode Island partly because its laws do not explicitly protect people from discrimination on credit applications based on sexual orientation, and the state does not have a law requiring mandatory reporting of hate crime statistics.
Lawmakers in New Hampshire legalized same-sex marriage in 2010, making it the sixth state in the country to do so. In 2023, New Hampshire passed a bill that explicitly outlawed the use of someone’s sexual identity as a defense in a homicide case. Since 2013, 18 other states have adopted similar resolutions.
3. Delaware – Safety Grade A+ (98.1)
Delaware was one of the earliest states to legalize same-sex marriage in 2013, with the sixth-highest number of same-sex couples (per 1,000 households). The “First State” offers a comprehensive set of LGBTQ-friendly legal protections, including:
Laws that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity surrounding the use of surrogate mothers
Laws that protect people from conversion therapy
Bans on insurance exclusions for transgender healthcare
These protections, along with Delaware’s extremely low incidence of hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people, make it one of the safest states in 2024.
4. Alaska – Safety Grade A (93.5)
Alaskans elected their state’s first three openly LGBTQ+ legislators in 2022. Although they did not all campaign on LGBTQ+ issues, their presence aligns with their state’s general direction, as indicated by this year’s rankings. All three of these new legislators are sponsors of a bill currently under consideration that would add protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
While Alaska does not have quite as many legal protections for its LGBTQ+ residents as the states ranking above it and has a law that allows for transgender exclusion in sports, it does provide a relatively equal and safe environment. Alaska is also home to the country’s third-highest percentage of same-sex couples who are raising a child.
5. Hawaii – Safety Grade A (92.5)
Hawaii rounds out the top five safest states for LGBTQ+ Americans, thanks to its strong legal protections and low rates of reported hate crimes. Hawaii has a long legacy of being relatively LGBTQ+-friendly; in 1973, it became the sixth state to legalize same-sex sexual activity, and in 1993, it became the first state to formally consider legalizing same-sex marriage.
Hawaii’s LGBTQ+ legal protections include the presumption of a parental relationship for both parents with regard to any children born of that marriage and LGBTQ+ inclusive juvenile justice policies. It is also one of the 26 states that allow name and gender marker updates on both driver’s licenses and birth certificates and one of 19 states that have eliminated the “bias rage or panic defense for criminal acts,” a tactic used to achieve lighter sentencing when an assailant is motivated to violence by learning the victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
The Worst States for LGBTQ+ Safety
1. South Dakota – Safety Grade F (46.8)
South Dakota has the unfortunate distinction of having the lowest LGBTQ+ safety grade out of all the states. Its legal landscape is more prone to anti-equality than pro-equality, and has a relatively high rate of reported hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people. The few protections South Dakota offers to LGBTQ+ folks include non-discrimination laws regarding admission to colleges and universities, anti-cyberbullying protections, and laws prohibiting discrimination in surrogate parenting.
Anti-equality laws on South Dakota’s books far outweigh their equality-protecting counterparts. The list of such laws includes:
HIV and AIDS criminalization laws
Laws permitting discrimination in adoption and foster placement
Laws restricting transgender people from using gendered facilities in public schools
Bans on gender-affirming care for transgender youth
Likely due to its unsafe atmosphere, the state is home to the second-fewest same-sex couples per capita, ranking in front of only its neighbor, North Dakota. In our previous ranking, South Dakota took the 45th spot on the list of safest states.
Despite the challenging circumstances, LGBTQ+ advocates are making progress in South Dakota. In early 2024, a transgender advocacy group successfully sued the state of South Dakota for discrimination, receiving a $300,000 reward and forcing the state’s governor to issue an apology letter.
2. Florida – Safety Grade F (47.5)
In the second-worst spot for LGBTQ+ safety comes Florida, which has one of the worst legal environments and ranked dead last in participation rates for law enforcement agency crime reporting. Last year, Florida was the 15th worst state in our ranking, but newer and harsher legislation contributed to its plummeting safety score.
In recent years, Florida’s so-called Don’t Say Gay law has received significant media attention, with much scrutiny surrounding its attempts to prevent students and teachers from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity. A settlement reached in early 2024 clarified some of the specifics around the law that was passed in 2022 and remains in place today.
Additional anti-equality legislation on Florida’s books includes sodomy laws and laws that allow or require intentional misgendering of public school students. In 2023, Governor Ron Desantis signed a bill into law that limited drag shows in the state, which a Florida federal judge later blocked.
3. Wyoming – Safety Grade F (53.5)
Wyoming has few pro-equality laws on its books, a relatively high rate of reported hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people, and an overall low rate of crime reporting. All of these factors contribute to its low grade for LGBTQ+ safety, which is significantly worse this year. Last year, Wyoming was the 19th-worst state in the country.
The state has only a few pro-equality laws or policies, such as those guaranteeing equal opportunity in adoption and foster care—but this only applies to sexual orientation and not gender identity. Wyoming also has transgender exclusions in its state Medicaid coverage. Overall, while Wyoming does not have as many anti-equality laws as some of the other states toward the bottom of the safety ranking, its dearth of pro-equality laws contributes to its laggard position.
4. Ohio – Safety Grade F (53.7)
Having passed a bill in 2023 modeled after Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law, drawing condemnation from civil rights groups, it might not be surprising to see Ohio toward the bottom of the LGBTQ+ safety ranking.
The state has one of the highest rates of reported hate crimes against LGBTQ+ individuals in the nation. Like Wyoming, Ohio has very few pro-equality laws on its books, though not so many anti-equality rules. However, the state’s laws include transgender exclusions in Medicaid coverage as well as HIV/AIDS criminalization laws. Since these types of laws regarding healthcare access were among the most important to LGBTQ+ people we surveyed, Ohio’s safety score was deficient.
5. Alabama – Safety Grade F (55.8)
At the fifth-worst spot for LGBTQ+ safety is Alabama, whose especially poor legal environment caused its dismal ranking. In 2024, Alabama considered expanding its own “Don’t Say Gay” law, which prohibits teacher-led discussions on sexual orientation and gender identity in elementary schools, but proposals to widen the scope to older students ultimately did not pass.
Other anti-equality laws on Alabama’s books include:
Bans on gender-affirming care for transgender youth
Religious exemptions for professional training or practice
Laws permitting discrimination in adoption or foster placement
Are More Legal Changes for LGBTQ+ Americans on the Horizon?
So far in 2024, in addition to Florida’s affirmation of its “Don’t Say Gay” policy, a handful of states have restricted or affirmed limitations on listing one’s sex on driver’s licenses using a non-gendered category like “X” rather than “F” or “M.” Gender-affirming care for minors has also been under legislative scrutiny in several states. As of the end of April 2024, however, 20 anti-LGBTQ+ bills had passed at the state level, which would put the pace of enacting such bills below last year’s.
Looking ahead to November’s election, polling from progressive think tank Data for Progress indicates LGBTQ+ Americans prefer Joe Biden and the Democrats over the Republicans and their presumptive nominee, Donald Trump. When he was in office from 2016-2020, Trump ushered in several changes considered to be attacks against LGBTQ+ rights, including rescinding the protection of transgender students, permitting discrimination against LGBTQ+ couples related to adoption, and banning trans military members from actively serving. He reportedly said he would ask Congress to pass a bill establishing that the United States recognizes “only two genders.”
Everyone deserves to feel safe at home, and laws can help ensure personal security for all members of our communities. Substantial progress has been made across the grand arc of history for LGBTQ+ Americans, but as our rankings indicate, there is still far from a consensus view across the United States as to key questions and decisions related to equality under the law. For those who have a choice of where to live, these rankings offer a reference point for finding the safest location.
What is the LGBTQ+ State Safety Ranking?: Our Methodology
The Safety Ranking is based on a composite safety score comprising a law score and a hate crime score.
A “law score” was calculated based on pro- and anti-equality laws in each state. The Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) 2023 State Equality Index State Scorecards show a breakdown of each U.S. state’s pro and anti-equality legislation. We surveyed one thousand people who identified themselves as LGBTQ+ to determine how to weigh each of the legislative categories—parenting laws, hate crimes & criminal justice laws, non-discrimination laws, religious refusal & relationship recognition, youth laws, and health & safety laws. We calculated their law scores by adding up the legislation in each state and weighing them according to our survey. This survey was conducted in 2023.
Though we based the scores on more detailed questions in each category, we asked LGBTQ+ Americans generally about laws that promote equality and ones that damage it:
Which type of laws promoting equality are most important for your safety?
Percent of respondents
Non-Discrimination laws that forbid discrimination in employment, housing, etc.
49%
Health & Safety laws that uphold the rights of LGBTQ+ people to receive healthcare, insurance, etc
22%
Youth Laws that protect LGBTQ children through anti-bullying measures, bans on conversion therapy, and sex education
13%
Criminal Justice laws that require mandatory reporting of hate crimes, eliminate bias rage or panic defense for criminal acts, prevent police profiling
10%
Parenting laws that legally recognize same-sex marriage and parenthood in various scenarios
3%
Which type of anti-equality laws are most damaging to your safety?
Percent of respondents
Health & Safety laws allowing discrimination in healthcare
40%
Youth laws that restrict the rights of LGBTQ+ youth
21%
Criminal Justice laws that criminalize HIV/AIDS nondisclosure, consensual sexual activity, etc)
17%
Limits on Non-Discrimination laws
14%
Parenting laws limiting the ability of LGBTQ+ people in adoption, fostering, etc
3%
Religious Refusal laws that permit the denial of services or employment to LGBTQ+ people based on religious belief
3%
A “hate crime score” was also calculated based on an analysis of the incidence of hate crimes against any group falling within the LGBTQ+ umbrella. The 2022 FBI Uniform Crime Report’s Hate Crime Statistics Collection was used to count the number of relevant incidents in each state and divide them based on whether they happened in a rural or urban area. Note that the reported incidence of hate crimes versus the actual incidence rate may vary by relevant agency and, therefore, may not be a perfect representation of the actual hate crime landscape. Not every law enforcement agency in each state reported hate crime incidents to the FBI, which also factored into each state’s score.
We then calculated the number of rural incidents per 100k rural population and the number of urban incidents per 100k urban population. We then weighed those incident rates based on the percentage of the state’s populations that lived in rural and urban areas (e.g., urban incidents will be weighted higher in states with a higher proportion of their population living in urban areas), as well as the percentage of law enforcement agencies reporting data to the FBI in each state.
The hate crime score was normalized to the same scale as the law score, then multiplied by the percent of agencies in the state that contributed data to the FBI, penalizing states with low participation. The final LGBTQ+ safety score for each state is the average of these law and hate crime scores, and we assigned letter grades on a logarithmic scale to facilitate understanding of how well each state scored.
