Christopher Wiggins

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Germany’s transgender community confronts surge in far-right disinformation

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The transgender community in Germany faces an escalation in disinformation, primarily fueled by far-right groups amid attempts to pass the country’s Self-Determination Act. This legislative proposal, designed to ease the legal process of gender change on official documents, was initially lauded as a progressive step by Germany’s majority Social Democrat (SPD), Green, and neoliberal Free Democrat (FDP) coalition. However, Deutsche Welle reports that it has now become a flashpoint for intense political debates. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has been particularly active in exploiting this issue, using it to stir divisive political rhetoric much like the American Republican Party has been doing.  “There’s no […]

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Yet another passenger dies on world’s biggest gay cruise

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In a tragic development during the “world’s biggest gay festival at sea,” a passenger aboard the Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas, chartered by Atlantis Events, unexpectedly died last week. Atlantis Events specializes in cruise vacations targeted at gay men. The death occurred during the Oasis Caribbean Cruise from January 21 to 28. The cruise originated and concluded in Miami. A spokesperson for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines confirmed the death in a statement to The Advocate. “I can confirm that we had a death onboard and that it was unexpected and not suspicious,” the spokesperson said.The details of the passenger’s death have not […]

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It Gets Better Project changes name amid challenging landscape for LGBTQ+ youth 

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Amid a challenging climate of increasing anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, a leading organization in LGBTQ+ youth empowerment has announced a rebranding with a name change and a redesigned website to support queer youth. On Thursday, what was once the It Gets Better Project became It Gets Better. The organization’s new website, www.ItGetsBetter.org, looks to provide accessible digital resources for LGBTQ+ youth. The evolution of It Gets Better, from a viral video in 2010 to a global movement, has shifted with the need of the moment. “With a national wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation threatening the well-being of younger generations, it is critically important for youth to […]

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GLAAD demands Mark Zuckerberg public statement on Facebook’s anti-trans content moderation failure

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GLAAD is urging Meta to take immediate action following the company’s independent Oversight Board’s decision to overturn Facebook’s original stance on a post that targeted transgender people with violent language. The case has highlighted the insidious methods used to attack LGBTQ+ individuals on social media, such as coded language and indirect messaging. The Oversight Board’s ruling overruled Meta’s original decision to leave up a contentious post that targeted transgender individuals with violent and harmful language. The post, originating from a user in Poland, displayed a curtain in the transgender Pride flag’s colors, coupled with text in Polish implying that transgender people should die by suicide — a clear […]

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West Virginia Republicans want to ban transgender people from public spaces, call them ‘obscene’

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Republicans in West Virginia have upped the hostility among those on the right toward transgender people. There, the LGBTQ+ community is currently grappling with significant legislative challenges that have the potential to impact the rights and lives of transgender individuals drastically.  Multiple draconian bills were introduced in the state’s legislature this week, with advocates drawing attention to their severe implications. One forces mental health professionals to “cure” transgender people from their gender identity, and another categorizes transgender people as “obscene material,” essentially making transgender individuals’ existence in many public spaces illegal, independent journalist Erin Reed, who specializes in transgender-related legal coverage, reports. Yet another criminalizes their presence near schools. […]

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Campus Pride board chair on what’s next for the group after CEO ousted for mishandling finances

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An LGBTQ+ advocacy group that focuses on higher education is dealing with a scandal that involves allegations of financial impropriety and the departure of the organization’s CEO.  In a conversation with The Advocate on Tuesday, Candis Cox, the board chairperson for North Carolina-based Campus Pride, opened up about the organization’s response to a financial misappropriation scandal involving its former CEO, Shane Windmeyer. The interview follows developments first reported byQnotesCarolinas, revealing Windmeyer’s alleged misuse of funds and subsequent termination. Campus Pride, a national nonprofit organization based in Charlotte, has a mission to assist and uplift LGBTQ+ and allied student leaders and campus groups by offering leadership development and advocating for […]

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Malcolm Kenyatta on breaking barriers and making Pennsylvania Black queer history

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Pennsylvania state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, the recently endorsed Democraticcandidate for auditor general in the state, is set in his vision and goals for the office. As the first openly gay Black man endorsed by a political party for a statewide office in Pennsylvania, Kenyatta’s candidacy has made state history. During the interview, Kenyatta emphasized the role of the auditor general. “The auditor general’s office, I think, can best be explained as really being the public advocate for the state,” he said. According to the state’s website, the auditor general leads an office that “is responsible for using audits to ensure that all state […]

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Advocacy Groups Warn White House of Risks to LGBTQ+ Refugee in Potential Asylum Policy Overhaul

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A coalition of key LGBTQ+ and immigrants’ rights groups has come forward with a strong condemnation of potential revisions to the United States asylum system. In a letter addressed to President Joe Biden, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, and members of Congress, organizations including Immigration Equality, the Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD, and Lambda Legalhave outlined severe concerns regarding the implications of these changes for LGBTQ+ asylum seekers. It comes at a critical juncture, just days after the Biden administration indicated its willingness to consider significant changes to the U.S. asylum and immigration system. Last Tuesday, reports emerged that the administration, in discussions with Congress, was […]

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24 New Year’s Resolutions for 2024 to Support Your LGBTQ+ Loved Ones & Friends

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months ahead. In a world where the fight for equality and acceptance continues, one crucial area that demands our attention is the rights and well-being of the LGBTQ+ community. With more than 71 percent support for marriage equalityand more than 7.2 percent of American adults identifying as LGBTQ+, according to Gallup, the journey towards a more inclusive society is ongoing, and each of us holds the power to contribute to this crucial cause. New Year’s resolutions often focus on personal growth and improvement, but they can also be a powerful tool for social change, especially in championing LGBTQ+ rights. This community, diverse in its nature, […]

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60+ Groups Are Spreading Anti-LGBTQ+ Pseudoscience Across the Country: Report

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The Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate and extremist groups, has unveiled a new report exposing the intricate network of far-right entities propagating anti-LGBTQ+ pseudoscience.  The comprehensive study, “Combating Anti-LGBTQ+ Pseudoscience Through Accessible Informative Narratives,” or Project CAPTAIN, revealed during a press conference on Tuesday, details the concerted efforts of these groups to undermine LGBTQ+ rights through the manipulation of scientific realities, particularly when it comes to gender-affirming care and the health care needs for transgender people. R.G. Cravens, lead editor and author of the report, highlighted the alarming trend of using pseudoscience to target these groups. “The gender-affirming care model… represents a global medical consensus. […]

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