Pink News

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LGBTQ+ activists sue Florida over ‘relentless’ trans bathroom ban

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A group of trans and non-binary activists have filed legal claims against Florida’s bathroom ban in an effort to brand it “unconstitutional.” The Center for Constitutional Rights announced on Friday (29 September) that Six activists and a feminist group had, with help from legal counsel, filed a motion for a temporary restraining order against Florida’s bathroom ban. If passed, the restraining order would allow plaintiffs and other members of the community to use the bathroom while protesting against transphobia at the National March to Protect Trans Youth in Orlando on 7 October. Trans woman and member of the organisation Women […]

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Gov. Newson Appointment Laphonza Butler becomes first Black lesbian to serve in Congress

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Laphonza Butler, the woman chosen by governor Gavin Newsom to replace late senator Dianne Feinstein, will make history as the first Black lesbian to serve openly in Congress.  Butler, a Democratic strategist and advisor to vice president Kamala Harris’ 2020 presidential campaign, will be the only Black female senator to currently serve in Congress and only the third in US history.  She will also be the first openly LGBTQ+ person to represent California in the chamber.  Newsom described Butler as a staunch leader who will represent the state “proudly” in Senate and “carry the baton left” by Feinstein in fighting for “all […]

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Vivek Ramaswamy describes being transgender as a ‘mental health disorder’

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US presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has caused uproar among the public after describing being transgender as a “mental health disorder.” The comment, which came during Wednesday night’s (27 September) second GOP debate, completely disregards official guidance from all major medical and mental health associations. As transphobic rhetoric continues to sweep across the United States, it was likely that the topic of LGBTQ+ rights was going to crop up at some point during the presidential election run, but those tuned into the debate were disgusted to hear the Republican candidate’s views. Candidates were asked their opinions on the contentious parental rights debate, which has seen a […]

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Tennessee & Kentucky bans on gender-affirming care for minors upheld by appeals court

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Both Tennessee and Kentucky have been given the go-ahead by a federal appeals court to outlaw gender-affirming care for minors. Earlier in 2023, both states passed legislation to restrict a number of rights for transgender youth, including access to gender-affirming care. Both were challenged in court by the families of transgender children in each state and the American Civil Liberties Union, who had argued that bans on gender-affirming care discriminated on the basis of sex. Trial court judges initially blocked both the Tennessee and Kentucky ban, but the 6th Circuit court ruled in July that Tennessee’s ban would be permitted to take effect while it considered […]

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Chick-fil-A plans UK return after LGBTQ+ backlash ended first attempt

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Controversial US fast-food chain Chick-fil-A is planning a second attempt to launch in the UK, four years after closing its first restaurant following a backlash by LGBTQ+ rights campaigners. The Atlanta-based chain, whose founders have notoriously anti-LGBTQ+ views, is reportedly set to launch a new UK outlet in early 2025 and hopes to expand to five sites within two years. The project could cost the company around $100 million (£80.5 million) within the next decade, as part of the new attempt to capitalise on the UK’s customer base. It first tried to establish a branch in Reading, in Berkshire, in 2019, […]

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Kamala Harris tour to inspire ‘critical generation’ of young people in fight for LGBTQ+ rights

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US vice president Kamala Harris is embarking on a university tour to encourage young people to fight for their “fundamental rights and freedoms”. The White House announced on Thursday (7 September) that Harris will be touring universities in an effort to mobilise students on key issues such as LGBTQ+ rights, as well as encouraging students to register to vote. The Fight for Our Freedoms College Tour will take President Joe Biden’s VP through key swing states including Georgia, North Carolina and Nevada – states which could prove critical for the Democrats in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. According to the White House, the […]

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Bulgaria ordered to recognise same-sex partnerships in historic ruling

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Bulgaria has been ordered by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to establish a legal framework acknowledging same-sex relationships.  On Tuesday (5 September), the ECHR in Strasbourg ruled in favour of same-sex couple Darina Koilova and Lilia Babulkova, whose marriage in the UK was not recognised in Bulgaria, Balkan Insight reported.  Although the ruling does not mean Bulgaria must legalise same-sex marriage, the country is obligated to create a legal framework that recognises and protects same-sex couples.  “What is essential in this ruling is that, even though there is no specific deadline to implement the framework, the state is required to […]

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Gay club owner faces backlash over nearly $10,000 in Republican Party donations

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The new owner of two historically pro-LGBTQ+ bars has come under fire for making a number of donations to the Republican Party, totalling nearly $10,000.  A former employee of The Union Cafe and Axis Nightclub, two LGBTQ-friendly establishments in Columbus, Ohio, called out new owner Michael Purdum for contributing thousands of dollars to Republican Party officials. Nicholas Elkovitch detailed the accusations in a Facebook message on 25 August, following his dismissal after nearly nine years of working in various roles at both establishments, including as restaurant manager, promotions director and entertainment booker. He said that several other senior members had also been dismissed […]

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Queer Irish people and allies form human chain to protect library from anti-LGBTQ book protest

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A crowd of counter-protestors formed a human shield around a city centre library in Ireland, enabling it to remain open despite a right-wing rally taking place on the street outside.  Cork City Library has been the focus of right-wing anger ire for months, with people harassing library staff in an attempt to get LGBTQ+ books removed from its shelves.  On Saturday (2 September), about 300 people turned out in support of the library and its staff, and in opposition to the Ireland Says No rally, which was organised by conservative groups.  The city council was previously forced to shut the […]

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Florida LGBTQ+ ‘safe places’ program under threat from Republican lawmakers

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A number of Republican lawmakers in central Florida have warned against the state’s LGBTQ+ Safe Place Initiative and said they are considering “all legislative, legal and executive options available” to prevent it from going ahead. The city-sponsored program, which is in operation in the town of Mount Dora, gives local business owners the option to display rainbow decals in their windows to inform members of the LGBTQ+ community who feel threatened that they are a ‘safe place’. “The mission of the Safe Place Initiative is to provide the community with easily accessible safety information and safe places throughout the city they can […]

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