Eve Hartley

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Merriam-Webster Dictionary adds Three New Transgender Words

Three new words related to trans issues are being added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. The dictionary’s website said that 640 words are being added this month, including “gender nonconforming,” “top surgery” and “bottom surgery.” Gender nonconforming is defined as “exhibiting behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits that do not correspond with the traits typically associated with one’s sex: having a gender expression that does not conform to gender norms.” The entry says that the first known use of the term was in 1991 and quotes a 2015 Boston Globe article to show the word in context. The three new trans words in the dictionary Gender nonconforming: exhibiting behavioral, cultural, […]

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Homeless Shelter for Trans Youths Opens in San Francisco

America’s ‘first’ homeless shelter for trans young people has opened in San Francisco. The three-bedroom house has room for six people between the ages of 18 to 24. It opened quietly nearly two months ago, according to reports from the San Francisco Chronicle. Five trans young people currently live in the refuge, which will allow its residents to stay for two years, offering them a safe haven from transphobia and abuse. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the shelter is the nation’s first long-term transitional living program specifically for homeless trans young people.  Christopher Rodriguez, a manager at the house, explained that trans youth have more complex […]

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Caster Semenya Loses Case Challenging Testosterone Levels

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has ruled against gold medallist Caster Semenya, who challenged the implementation of rules which would limit the testosterone levels of female athletes. The landmark ruling on May 1, brought forward by the South African three-time world champion, comes after a long and bitter dispute over proposed rules by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) last year. Under the regulations, the IAAF rule that female athletes with a so-called difference of sexual development (DSD), will have to undergo testosterone restrictions. The UN condemned such treatment as an “unnecessary, humiliating and harmful medical procedure.” In reaction to the […]

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India Opens Health Clinic Run Entirely for and by LGBT People

India has opened the doors to its first health clinic run entirely for and by LGBT+ people. The healthcare centre, located in Mumbai, employs LGBT+ receptionists, pharmacists, and counsellors to provide the most comfortable experience for its patients. Vivek Anand, CEO of the Humsafar Trust, who opened the clinic in February spoke about its importance to The Guardian. “Over the years, 30-40 percent of the individuals who tested HIV-positive at our clinic disappeared at some point during their [ARV] treatment at government hospitals,” Anand told the Guardian. “Half of them never even showed up. More than discrimination, self-stigmatisation keeps the community away from accessing treatment,” Anand […]

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Indya Moore, Ryan Murphy Lead TIME 100’s Influential LGBT People

TIME magazine has released its annual list of the 100 most influential people in 2019. The collection includes a number of LGBT icons, including trans actress Indya Mooreand the lawyers who helped decriminalise homosexuality in India. The list also includes homophobic Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro. The Latin American leader is described by TIME as a “poster boy for toxic masculinity… intent on waging a culture war and perhaps reversing Brazil’s progress on tackling climate change.” Other notable names include LGBT+ allies Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, as well as actor Rami Malek who won an Oscar for his portrayal of queer icon Freddie Mercury. Indya Moore celebrated by TIME 100 Janet Mock, the first trans […]

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Russian LGBT Activists Arrested in St.Petersburg Day of Silence Protest

A group of Russian LGBT+ activists have been arrested in St. Petersburg during an annual “Day of Silence” protest for sex and gender equality. Some 11 people were detained by police on April 17, including Daniel Maksimenko, who spoke to reporters at local news site OVD-Info. “The police are going to detain everyone who walked with their mouths sealed. I heard what they said,” said Maksimenko. The activists were walking in the direction of the Church of the Saviour and covered their mouths with red tape when the police began making arrests. According to the organisers around 40-50 people attended the protest. The “Day […]

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Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Prisoners Put in “Alternative Lifestyle” Isolation Tank

A group of gay, bisexual and transgender prisoners who were put in an “Alternative Lifestyle” isolation tank, in some cases for 23 hours a day, have reached a proposed settlement in court. The group were systematically discriminated against and mistreated for their sexuality and gender identity while incarcerated at a Southern California jail. Dan McKibben, a former sheriff’s officer, said he identified himself as gay during his processing at the West Valley Detention Center.After entering the jail McKibben says he was immediately sent to the so-called “Alternative Lifestyle Tank,” a two block 16-cell housing section, where he was kept in […]

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Russian Teenager Persecuted Under Anti-gay Propaganda Law for ‘Posting Pictures’

A teenager has been found guilty and fined 50,000 rubes (£600) under Russia’s anti-gay propaganda law. 16-year-old Maxim Neverov, was charged with “propaganda of homosexuality among minors”, for publishing pictures on a Russian social network. The Russian LGBT Network, who provided a lawyer for Neverov, published the story on its website on August 8. According to the report of the offence, Neverov,who is from the town of Biysk, published “some pictures of young men whose appearance (partly nude body parts) had the characteristics of propaganda of homosexual relations.” The Russian LGBT Network claimed the teen was not allowed to consult […]

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Number of LGBT Candidates Standing for US Office Breaks Record

A record number of over 400 LGBT+ candidates are standing in elections for public office in the United states, according to the Victory Institute. The nonprofit group supports leadership campaigns within the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Sean Meloy, the political director of the Institute, told Reuters: “It’s a really exciting time… We believe that representation is power and when someone is in the room and helping to make decisions, they will automaticaly bring an LGBTQ perspective.”Amongst the candidates is a Democrat transgender woman, Alexandra Chandler, who is a former military intelligence officer running for Congress in Massachusetts. The […]

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HRW Healthcare Report Reveals Significant Barriers for LGBT People

A new report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) has revealed the state of accessing healthcare for LGBT people in the United States. The research indicates that queer and trans populations encounter significant barriers, including facing discrimination from insurers or providers and long waiting lists for specialist services. Additionally, the report found that LGBT people have restricted options when facing prejudice as there isn’t federal legislation which prohibits healthcare discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.The majority of the 81 interviewees told HRW that they had little or no access to LGBT-friendly healthcare providers in their area. The head of one […]

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