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Queer Afghans cry for help under Taliban rule, citing private prisons, torture & death

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An LGBTQ+ rights group in Afghanistan is calling the international community’s acceptance of Taliban rule a “betrayal of humanity” and is demanding justice for queer people from the United Nations, human rights organizations, and countries that “claim to support human rights.” Rainbow Afghanistan details a litany of abuses against the queer community by the Taliban, which returned to power two years ago as American forces withdrew from the country 20 years after the 9/11/2001 attacks. “For homosexuals,” a Taliban judge said at the time, “there can only be two punishments: either stoning, or he must stand behind a wall that will fall […]

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More Than 100K Transgender Youth Live in States Impacted by Restrictive Laws: Study

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About 100,000 trans youth in America live in a state that took a basic quality of life element away this year. Some lost the ability to stay on a youth sports team while others lost access to essential health care, or countless teens lost the ability simply to use the restroom of their choice. A new study by UCLA’s Williams Institute found roughly a third of transgenderteenagers in the U.S. between ages 13 to 17 had access to one or more of these rights compromised as a wave of anti-LGBTQ+ laws kicked into effect across numerous states. “A record number of laws impacting transgender youth […]

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Georgia agrees to pay for gender-affirming care for public employees, settling a lawsuit

The state of Georgia will start paying for gender-affirming health care for state employees, public school teachers and former employees covered by a state health insurance plan, settling another in a string of lawsuits against Georgia agencies aiming to force them to pay for gender-confirmation surgery and other procedures. The plaintiffs moved to dismiss their case Thursday in Atlanta federal court, announcing they had reached a settlement with the State Health Benefit Plan. The December lawsuit argued the insurance plan illegally discriminated by refusing to pay for gender-affirming care. “There’s no justification, morally, medically, legally or in any other way for […]

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Oregon Man Charged With Plotting Mass Shooting At “All Gender Identifications” Rock Climbing Fest 

NBC News reports: A Portland man was arrested for allegedly planning a shooting at a rock climbing festival over the weekend in Oregon, authorities said. Samson Zebturiah Garner, 39, was arrested Thursday after “evidence of a planned attack,” including a rifle and two handguns, were found in his vehicle. Garner was allegedly planning to attack a three day climbing festival taking place from Oct. 20-22 at the Smith Rock State Park. He was arrested on charges of attempted murder, attempted assault of the first and second degree, and unlawful use of a weapon, the sheriff’s office said. The event, known as […]

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Texas Supreme Court Set To Hear Suit From Christian Judge Who Refuses To Officiate Same-Sex Marriages

The Dallas Morning News reports: Dianne Hensley felt guilty. sitting behind her desk at the county courthouse in Waco, she could hear someone crying outside her office door. The young woman wanted to get married, Hensley recalled, but she couldn’t find anyone to do the ceremony. It was 2016, the year after the U.S. Supreme Court toppled bans on same-sex marriage in Texas and other states across the country. Told they now must marry all couples or none, the justices of the peace at the courthouse in McLennan County, including Hensley, chose the latter. The crying woman helped Hensley make a decision. […]

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Florida Seeks To Ban “Social Activism” At Universities

The Tampa Bay Times reports: A proposed regulation aimed at restricting diversity programs and social activism at Florida’s public universities has stirred confusion, with some saying its broadly worded passages could limit free speech. A draft version being circulated for feedback says in part that universities may not spend public money on activities that “advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion” or “promote or engage in political or social activism.” Social issues are defined as “topics that polarize or divide society among political, ideological, moral, or religious beliefs, positions, or norms.” The document is “absolutely horrific” and goes beyond what the legislation required, […]

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Call To Action: Urge Your Representatives to Make Schools Safe for :LGBTQI+ Students

Our nation’s schools face longstanding challenges in preventing and effectively responding to instances of bullying and harassment. AAUW’s research has shown alarming rates of harassment, bullying and assault in schools and on campuses. Research also shows that LGTBQ+ young people experience higher rates of bullying than their non-LGBTQ+ peers. Bullying and harassment interfere with a student’s ability to achieve high standards and have a significant impact on GPAs, school attendance, dropout rates, and likelihood of completing college.  Simply put, students can’t learn if they do not feel safe. Ask your representative to support the Safe Schools Improvement Act!  The Safe Schools […]

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These Men Say Their Utah Therapist Touched Them Inappropriately During Sessions Paid for by the LDS Church

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This article was produced for ProPublica’s Local Reporting Network in partnership with The Salt Lake Tribune. Sign up for Dispatches to get stories like this one as soon as they are published. This story discusses sexual assault. Three additional men have come forward to say a therapist recommended and paid for by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints touched them inappropriately during counseling sessions related to struggles with their sexuality. The men’s statements follow allegations by three others, previously reported by The Salt Lake Tribune and ProPublica, that clinical mental health counselor Scott Owen touched them sexually during therapy. The three who most […]

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Leading homophobic nations bid for 2036 Olympics

I am writing this shortly after being released from “house arrest” in Mumbai, India. I came here, where the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is meeting, to lobby them against awarding the 2036 Olympics to a homophobic regime. Some of the world’s leading anti-LGBTQIA tyrannies are bidding to stage the games, including Qatar, China, Turkey, Indonesia, Egypt and Hungary. Giving any of them the Olympics would not be consistent with an event the IOC claims will “celebrate humanity.” I thought India was a democracy but I was wrong. The day after I arrived in Mumbai, six police officers turned up at […]

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LGBTQIA+ and progressive communities have a Palestine problem; supporting Israel is not the answer

For 11 excruciating days now, I have been in tears and terrified for the safety of my blind mother, paralyzed father and two siblings in the Gaza Strip.  For 11 days, I have been watching horrific Israeli violence defying humanity while being fully supported by the U.S. — liberals and conservatives alike — with the stated intent of destroying the lives of more than two million people, including my family and loved ones. This intent and the magnitude of the destruction and loss of life make a textbook example of genocide, defined as:  Any of the following acts committed with […]

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