Features

/ /

Microsoft ‘lays off entire DEI team’ as diversity and inclusion is ‘no longer business-critical’

,

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is “no longer business-critical” at Microsoft, a leaked email claims. The email was sent by a team leader following Microsoft’s decision to make all their colleagues redundant. Sent to thousands of people on 1 July, the email, seen by Business Insider, said the entire team was let go because of “changing business needs”. The number of employees affected is unclear. “True systems-change work associated with DEI programmes everywhere are no longer business-critical or smart as they were in 2020,” the unidentified team leader wrote. Jeff Jones, a spokesman for the multi-national tech giant, said: “Our D&I […]

/ /

Life-saving HIV clinic unexpectedly closes its doors with little explanation

,

Last Thursday, a long-running HIV clinic, Rainbow Health in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul Twin Cities area of Minnesota, abruptly closed its doors, laying off 85 employees and ending thousands of people’s access to LGBTQ+ focused HIV care. The union representing the employees, Service Employees International Union, said in a statement, “We are shocked, saddened and angered by this news, both as staff dedicated to Rainbow Health’s mission and even more so for our clients and community. We are left with many huge questions: How could this massive decision come with no warning? What happened to the funding that the organization has been receiving? […]

/

A 7th person with HIV is probably cured after stem cell transplant for leukemia, scientists say

A German man has probably been cured of HIV, a medical milestone achieved by only six other people in the more than 40 years since the AIDS epidemic began.  The German man, who prefers to remain anonymous, was treated for acute myeloid leukemia, or AML, with a stem cell transplant in October 2015. He stopped taking his antiretroviral drugs in September 2018 and remains in viral remission with no rebound. Multiple ultra-sensitive tests have detected no viable HIV in his body. In a statement, the man said of his remission: “A healthy person has many wishes, a sick person only […]

/ /

N.H. governor signs bills restricting trans health care and sports participation

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu signed two anti-trans measures into law Friday that will limit transition-related care for transgender minors and bar some trans students from competing on school sports teams that match their gender identities. The health care measure, H.B. 619, will prevent trans minors from receiving transition-related surgeries and bar physicians from referring patients for out-of-state procedures. It does not ban other forms of gender-affirming care, such as puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapy. The law takes effect at the start of next year.  The sports measure, H.B. 1205, will require the state’s students in grades 5-12 to compete on […]

/ / / /

These are the world’s most progressive countries for trans people

,

It’s no secret that living in the UK as a trans person right now sucks. Whether it’s politicians not letting up on their attacks against trans people or the Cass Report spelling uncertainty for the future, the transgender community in Britain has had it tough over the past decade. But never fear, it turns out that there are other countries in the world – many of which are doing far better on trans rights than the land some have colourfully called “TERF Island.” Several countries have passed Britain when it comes to trans equality, with many offering self-ID laws, a conversion therapy ban and […]

/ /

LGBTQ+ representation increases but inclusion remains a challenge for UK retailers

Despite relative progress in diversity, a new report highlights that the many British retailers still have mainly white boardroom members and inclusion is still a tough “nut to crack”. Published by the British Retail Consortium, the 2024 Diversity and Inclusion in UK Retail Report revealed that despite dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), 35 per cent of British retailers still have an all-white boardroom and more than half lack any ethnic diversity on executive committees. However, the report does paint a picture of progress, not least for queer members of staff: 67 per cent of retailers now have at […]

/ / /

2024 Report Reveals Top LGBTQ+ Party Destinations

Emisil.com conducted research to find out the best LGBTQ+ party destinations for 2024. The study analyzed data such as safety scores, LGBTQ+ friendliness, average drink price, average closing time, and the number of gay clubs and bars in each city. Data was sourced from Numbeo, Equaldex.com, TripAdvisor, and Yelp. These metrics were then integrated into a composite score to highlight the best cities where the LGBTQ+ community can enjoy the night out. Findings summed up: City Country Safety Index Safety Level World Equality Index (LGBTQ+ friendliness) Average drink price Number of Gay Bars and Clubs Listed on Yelp Average Closing Time Composite Score Madrid Spain 72.87 High […]

/ / / /

No LGB Without the T

It is frustrating, alarming, sad, and more than a little scary that this still needs to be said in 2024, but here we go, once again, for the record: Trans. Rights. Are. Human. Rights. Some so-called “leaders” throughout the country have decided that the trans community—including gender non-conforming, non-binary and intersex folks—make an easy target as political pawns in their hate-filled culture wars. Which is why it is more important than ever for the entire LGBTQ+ community and our allies to stand up boldly on behalf of the entire trans family. Simply stated, there is no LGB without the T. Do […]

/ / / /

Strengthen mental health support for LGBTQ+ youth through public-private partnerships

,

As we continue to march toward visibility, tolerance, and true equality, there’s still a tremendous amount of work ahead for the LGBTQ+ community, particularly for young people.  Young people today are faced with an alarming volume of stress and anxiety about everything. It’s a trying time to be young today between the political fearmongering of their identity, the heaviness of global unrest and injustice, and the uncertainty of one’s personal future or fulfillment. We all seem to agree the state of youth mental health is in an unprecedented crisis. Whether social media is to blame or the long-lasting impacts of isolation following a global pandemic, […]

/ /

2024 had more anti-trans bills in legislation than any year before. But fewer passed into law.

,

Transgender legislation trackers have universally noted that 2024 has seen the most radical increase in the total number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills. However, this year has also seen fewer anti-LGBTQ+ bills actually pass into law. The Trans Legislation Tracker reports that 617 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been in consideration this year across 43 states, with 225 having failed and 348 active. However, only 44 total bills are reported to have been enacted into law. The American Civil Liberties Union reports similar data—they say that 517 bills have been introduced, 340 defeated, and 39 passed into law. Journalist Erin Reed’s legislation tracker reports 760 total bills in consideration, with […]

«‹ 62 63 64 65›»