Greece Bans LGBTQ ‘Conversion Therapy’ for Minors. Greece has passed a bill banning “conversion therapy” for minors but allowing the practice for adults who give their consent. Read more here.
Illinois ‘Pride Fest Kiddie Korner’ Includes ‘Affirming Books’ and Drag Kids Dress-Up. An upcoming “Pride Fest” in Lake County, Illinois will feature a number of activities for children, from “affirming books” to a Drag Queen Story Time and Drag Kids Dress-up. Read more here.
Child Abuse Prevention Center Hires Professor OK With Adult Sexual Attraction to Minors. A Johns Hopkins University center dedicated to preventing child sexual abuse hired a professor who said adult sexual attraction to minors is OK as long as it’s not acted upon. Read more here.
Taco Bell Offers Drag Queen Show for Customers. Taco Bell has announced a new “Drag Brunch” campaign inviting customers at Taco Bell Cantinas in select cities to watch drag performances while they eat. Read more here.
Northern Ireland Excluded From ‘Conversion Therapy’ Ban. The London government’s planned ban on so-called “conversion therapy” will reportedly exclude Northern Ireland. Read more here.
Disney Star Says ‘There’s Further to Go’ After Character Comes Out as Bisexual. Tom Hiddleston hopes his Marvel character Loki “coming out as bisexual was meaningful” and says “there’s further to go” to represent the character’s sexuality. Read more here.
U.S. Lawmakers Call on TV Ratings Board to Alert Parents About SOGI Content. Republican lawmakers have called on the TV Parental Guidelines Monitoring Board to alert parents about children’s shows with sexual orientation and gender identity content. Read more here.
Report Details U.S. Pressure on LGBT Issues Overseas. The U.S. State Department has released a detailed report on the pressure placed by the U.S. government on foreign governments and their citizens in order to promote LGBT issues. Read more here.
Discovery+ Show Claims Abraham Lincoln Was ‘Queer,’ Joan of Arc ‘Non-Binary.’ A new Discovery+ show claims to tell “the story of multiple historic and groundbreaking queer individuals throughout history.” Read more here.
PA School District Apologizes for Drag Show. A Pennsylvania school district has apologized for a local high school’s after school drag show which reportedly included a highly sexualized dance routine. Read more here.
Peanuts Mother’s Day Special Declares Some Kids Have Two Moms. An upcoming Apple TV special featuring the characters from the Peanuts comic strip will promote same-sex families. Read more here.
School Invites Students to Observe LGBTQ Day Without Parents’ Knowledge. The advocacy group GLSEN invited schools across the U.S. to hold a demonstration showing support for LGBTQ students and their allies. Read more here.
Disney+ to Feature Queer Teen Romantic Drama to Celebrate ‘Pride Month.’ Disney has announced that all three seasons of the queer teen drama “Love, Victor” will be available on both Hulu and Disney+. Read more here.
Wales Considers Independent ‘Conversion Therapy’ Ban. The Welsh government announced it will look into bringing a ban on so-called “conversion therapy” unilaterally, citing its ambition to become “the friendliest LGBTQ+ nation in Europe.” Read more here.
Discovery+ Preps Show Exploring Teenage Drag Queens. Discovery+ is preparing to launch a show that will follow five teens and their journey into the world of drag. Read more here.
Texas State Library Association to Host Drag Queens at Annual Conference. The Texas Library Association’s annual conference will include drag queens as “featured speakers,” according to the conference program. Read more here.
School Board Members Claim Some Teachers Felt Bullied Into Displaying ‘Pride’ Flag. Members of a Maryland public school board claimed some teachers felt “bullied” into displaying rainbow “pride” flags in their classrooms after an LGBTQ group donated them. Read more here.
WA Middle School Wins $2K for Setting Up Drag Show. A Washington school district has announced Whatcom Middle School’s Gender Sexuality Alliance Club as the winner of its Think BIG competition for pitching a student drag show. Read more here.
UK Govt Urged to Pause ‘Conversion Therapy’ Ban Over Risks to Children. More than 80 campaigners and politicians have called on Westminster not to rush through its proposed “conversion therapy” ban. Read more here.
OSU Hosts Drag Queen Story Hour for Young Children. Oklahoma State University hosted a Drag Queen Story Hour for kids aged 2-8 as part of their “Pride 2022” event. Read more here.
German Interior Ministry OKs Raising Rainbow Flag on Govt Buildings. Germany’s Interior Ministry has authorized raising the rainbow “pride” flag at federal government buildings on certain occasions. Read more here.
Texas Health School Hosts ‘All Ages’ Drag Queen Show. The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center’s Office of Global Health is presenting a free “Spring Queening” showcase, with profits going to an organization that promotes “gender-affirming” care for minors. Read more here.
WI Teacher Performs as Drag Queen for ‘Fine Arts Week.’ A teacher at Middleton High School in Wisconsin performed dressed in drag for students during “Fine Arts Week.” Read more here.
Disney Exec Celebrates ‘Targeting Gen Z and Millennials’ With ‘LGBTQIA2S+’ Content. Leaked video shows Disney corporate president Karey Burke saying that the company has been “targeting Gen Z and millennials” with “LGBTQIA2S+” content. Read more here.
LGBTQ References Stripped From Proposed Revisions to CO Early Elementary Standards. The committee revising Colorado’s social studies standards has reversed plans to add the experiences of LGBTQ people to its recommended curriculum for students below the fourth grade. Read more here.
Seattle Museum Plans ‘Drag-Tastic Summer Camp’ for Kids. A Seattle museum is hosting a week-long summer camp for teens where students who enroll will “investigate drag history” and find their own “drag personas.” Read more here.
Leftists Boycott Hungarian LGBT Child Protection Referendum, Invalidating Vote. Leftists opposed to the Hungarian government’s socially conservative stance were able to successfully invalidate a referendum meant to gather public opinion on LGBT issues. Read more here.
GLAAD CEO Demands More LGBT Stories From Hollywood. Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation CEO Sarah Kate Ellis is advocating for more LGBT representation in the media, specifically in programming targeted at young audiences. Read more here.
UK ‘Conversion Therapy’ Ban Will Move Forward in Part. The UK government now says it will ban so-called “conversion therapy” for homosexual or bisexual people in England and Wales but not for transgender-identifying people. Read more here.
Texas Teacher Claims 20 of 32 Students Have Come Out as LGBTQIA+. An Austin, Texas fourth-grade teacher is claiming that 20 of the 32 students she currently teaches have come out to her as LGBTQIA+. Read more here.
Video Shows Disney Officials Pushing LGBT Agenda. Videos posted on Twitter by an investigative journalist show multiple Disney officials pushing a progressive LGBT agenda on employees. Read more here.
Biden Admin Promises to ‘Fight’ for ‘LGBTQI+ Youth.’ President Joe Biden’s administration reacted to news that Florida had banned sexual orientation and gender identity conversations for young school children by promising to fight for LGBTQ youth. Read more here.
UN Committee Rules Laws Against Female Same-Sex Sexual Activity Violate Human Rights. A UN committee has ruled that criminalizing female same-sex sexual activity is a fundamental breach of human rights. Read more here.
European Commission Withholding Relief Funds Over LGBT Issue. Poland and Hungary have asked the EU Commission to intervene on their behalf in order to receive nearly $45 billion in assistance currently being withheld because the two states do not hold liberal views on homosexuality and transgenderism. Read more here.
Disney Launching Task Force to Make More LGBTQ+ Content for Children. Disney CEO Bob Chapek announced plans to form a task force to “develop action plans to make more LGBT-aware content for children and family.” Read more here.
Israel Tells Top Court It Supports Adoption by Same-Sex Couples. Israel told the High Court of Justice that it supports allowing same-sex couples to adopt children but noted that this should be done through a legislative amendment by the Knesset. Read more here.
U.S. Diplomats Ramp Up LGBT Advocacy at UN Negotiation. The U.S. government and the European Union are pressing UN Member States to add homosexuality and transgenderism in a draft UN agreement about the impact of climate change on women. Read more here.
Pixar’s ‘Lightyear’ Restores Same-Sex Kiss to Children’s Movie. Pixar’s forthcoming “Toy Story” prequel has put a same-sex kiss back in following an internal backlash to Disney’s handling of Florida’s legislation prohibiting sexuality instruction in grades K-3. Read more here.
U.S. Ed Secretary Initiates Phone Call With LGBT Students, Parents in Florida. U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona spoke with LGBT students and parents in Florida in response to state legislation which prohibits sexuality instruction in grades K-3. Read more here.
New Hampshire Bill Would Roll Back Blanket Ban on ‘Conversion Therapy’ for Minors. A New Hampshire bill is seeking to reverse a state law banning so-called “conversion therapy” for minors. Read more here.
California City Excludes Heterosexual People From Guaranteed Income Program. A guaranteed cash payment pilot program in West Hollywood, California will only consider applicants who “identify as LGBTQIA.” Read more here.
Minnesota Students, Teachers Oppose School Board Hearing ‘Other Side’ of LGBT Presentation. Minnesota students and teachers have voiced opposition to the Becker School District’s decision to hear presentations by both sides of the LGBT debate in schools. Read more here.
Sixty-Five Businesses Call on Texas Gov to Abandon ‘Anti-LGBTQ+’ Initiatives. Sixty-five global businesses called on Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to abandon what they deem to be “anti-LGBTQ+” initiatives in the state. Read more here.
UK NHS Trusts Spend Tens of Thousands on LGBT ‘Rainbow’ Crossings. NHS trusts spent over £45,000 on installing and maintaining pedestrian crossings with the colors of the LGBT flag during the pandemic, a Freedom of Information request has uncovered. Read more here.
South African Court Rules Both Same-Sex Partners Have Full Parental Rights. A high court in Pretoria, South Africa has ruled that both members of a same-sex couple will be recognized as parents without one needing to legally adopt their child. Read more here.
Same-Sex Couple Scores Partial Victory on Namibia Residency in Top Court. A same-sex couple scored a partial victory in Namibia’s Supreme Court after it ruled the government had discriminated against them when it did not recognize their marriage and rejected the residency application of one partner. Read more here.
Opponents of Nebraska City’s LGBT Ordinance Gather Enough Signatures to Force Referendum. An ordinance in Lincoln, Nebraska that extends discrimination protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity could be put on the ballot this November or rescinded after referendum petitions garnered four times the needed signatures. Read more here.
U.S. Threatens to Deny Visas to Dominican Republic Lawmakers If They Don’t Change LGBT, Abortion Laws. Legislators in the Dominican Republic have reportedly been told they will be denied U.S. visas if they don’t legalize abortion and write LGBT protections into law. Read more here.
Major U.S. Christian Denomination to Split Over ‘Divisive Debates’ on LGBT Issues. The United Methodist Church will officially undergo a division in the coming months, ending a years-long internal disagreement over LGBT issues. Read more here.
India’s National Medical Commission Bans ‘Conversion Therapy.’ India’s National Medical Commission announced that any doctor who practices so-called “conversion therapy” is liable to be prosecuted for professional misconduct. Read more here.
Same-Sex Couples Push for Adoption Rights in Taiwan. An LGBT advocacy group in Taiwan is promoting a non-biological adoption bill to allow same-sex couples to adopt children. Read more here.
UK NHS Spent Tens of Thousands on LGBT Rainbow Crossings at Height of Pandemic. Since 2019 more than 20 National Health Service trusts have spent £46,000 of taxpayer money on LGBT rainbow crosswalks. Read more here.
UN Commission Rejects LGBT Agenda. The UN Commission for Social Development rejected new language on LGBT issues in their final report. Read more here.
Dutch MPs Propose Bill to Outlaw ‘Conversion Therapy’ in Netherlands. People who offer so-called “conversion therapy” for homosexual and transgender-identifying people would face up to a year in prison under a bill being put before the Dutch parliament. Read more here.
Israeli Health Ministry Formally Bans LGBT ‘Conversion Therapy.’ The Health Ministry issued an order banning medical professionals in Israel from providing so-called “conversion therapy.” Read more here.
New Zealand Passes Law Banning LGBT ‘Conversion Therapy.’ A bill was passed almost unanimously in New Zealand to ban practices aimed at changing a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Read more here.
Filipino Legislator Confirms LGBT Individuals Are Qualified to Adopt Children. Rep. Michael Defensor has stated that LGBT Filipinos are qualified to adopt children, clarifying a public misperception that only a husband and wife are eligible to adopt. Read more here.
U.S. House Passes Bill to Punish Foreign Opponents of LGBT Agenda. The House of Representatives passed the Global Respect Act which would impose visa sanctions on foreigners who oppose the homosexual/transgender agenda. Read more here.
AZ Lawmakers Introduce LGBT Anti-Discrimination Bill. Arizona lawmakers are introducing legislation which would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in workplaces, housing, and places of public accommodation. Read more here.
German Minister Wants Equal Parenting Rights for Married Lesbian Couples. Justice Minister Marco Bushman said he wants to see Germany recognize both partners in a lesbian married couple as mothers. Read more here.
Cambridge Takes Down ‘Progress Pride’ Flag. Cambridge University has removed an LGBT+ flag after the council voted that only the university flag will be flown on campus to preserve political neutrality. Read more here.
U.S. House Prepares to Penalize Foreign Opponents of LGBT Agenda. The House Rules Committee held a hearing on the Global Respect Act which imposes penalties for violations of human rights committed against individuals who identify as homosexual or transgender. Read more here.
Mississippi Activists Push for SOGI Hate Crimes Law. Some clergy members and a group that advocates for LGBTQ rights are calling on Mississippi legislators to expand the state’s hate crimes law to cover offenses committed because of a victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Read more here.
U.S. NIH Spends Millions on Study That ‘Recruited’ Minors to Report Homosexual Activity Without Parental Consent. The National Institutes of Health spent $8 million on a Columbia University research study that asked minors to submit information about their homosexual activities, including whether they participate in “condomless anal sex.” Read more here.
German Catholic Bishops Welcome Initiative Seeking Change in Church Teaching on Sexuality. German Catholic bishops welcomed an initiative that is calling for the revision of what it described as “defamatory and outdated” expressions of Catholic doctrine related to sexuality and gender identity. Read more here.
France Bans ‘Conversion Therapy’ With New Law. France has a new law that bans so-called “conversion therapies” and authorizes jail time and fines for practitioners who attempt to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Read more here.
Council of Europe Condemns ‘Attacks on LGBT Rights’ in Some Countries. The Council of Europe has approved a report condemning alleged attacks on LGBT “rights” that singles out the UK, Hungary and Poland for criticism. Read more here.
Irish Govt to Look for Evidence Related to ‘Conversion Therapy’ Before Legislating. An Irish government minister has said there is a need to investigate whether “there is an issue” with so-called “conversion therapy” in the Republic of Ireland before bringing in a ban. Read more here.
Denmark Considers Petition Asking for Co-Father Rights. A public petition has called on the Danish parliament to consider allowing two men to be legal guardians of a child. Read more here.
High School Lesson Plans Tell CA Students They’re Inherently Privileged If Cisgender, Heterosexual. A school district in La Quinta, California said it is taking “corrective” action over ideological lecture materials that tell high school students they are inherently privileged if they are cisgender, heterosexual, or Christian. Read more here.
Stonewall Gets £2M in Handouts From UK Public Purse. LGBT activist group Stonewall received nearly £2 million in grants from UK taxpayers between September 2019 and March 2021, according to its most recent financial statement. Read more here.
NASCAR Partners With LGBT Advocacy Group. NASCAR announced a partnership with the Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce as its “Diversity, Equity & Inclusion partner for the 2022 term.” Read more here.
Germany Appoints First ‘Commissioner for Queer Affairs.’ For the first time in the country’s history, Germany has appointed a commissioner for the acceptance of sexual and gender diversity who will oversee a national LGBTQ+ action plan. Read more here.
New U.S. Fund Launched to Push LGBT Advocacy Internationally. The Biden administration launched a new $2.5 million international fund to promote acceptance of homosexuality and transgenderism and label opponents of the LGBT agenda as “anti-democratic.” Read more here.
Korean Same-Sex Couple Loses Suit Against Health Insurer Over Spousal Coverage. A Seoul court ruled against a same-sex couple demanding the same spousal health insurance coverage as heterosexual couples, saying matrimony in South Korea is still considered a union between a man and a woman. Read more here.
Israel Ends Ban on Surrogacy for Same-Sex Couples. Six months after a Supreme Court decision on the issue, Israel has opened surrogacy to every citizen, including same-sex couples, single men and transgender-identifying people. Read more here.
Same-Sex Couple Becomes First in Taiwan to Legally Adopt Child. A Taiwanese court recently ruled in favor of allowing a same-sex couple to adopt a little girl, marking the first time a same-sex couple has legally adopted an unrelated child in the country. Read more here.
Pastor Holds ‘Drag Queen Story Hour’ for Children During Worship Service. A newly ordained, openly homosexual Lutheran pastor dressed up to lead a drag queen story hour-style message for children during worship. Read more here.
UN General Assembly Passes Resolution With Promotion of Homosexuality and Transgenderism. For the first time, the UN General Assembly has unanimously adopted a resolution that includes the term “sexual orientation and gender identity.” Read more here.
Czech Senate Rules Against Adoption of Children Abroad by Same-Sex Couples. The Czech Senate has ruled against the proposal of the Regional Court to amend current legislation that prevents same-sex partners who are registered abroad to adopt Czech children. Read more here.
UN Human Rights Office to Litigate LGBT Issues and Abortion in Latin America. The UN human rights office has launched a new initiative to promote judicial activism on gender issues in Central and South America, including abortion and the LGBT agenda. Read more here.
Court Rules Same-Sex Parents and Their Children Must Be Recognized as a Family Across EU. The European Court of Justice ruled that same-sex parents and their children must be recognized as a family in all member states. Read more here.
L.A. Schools Host LGBT Club for 4-Year-Olds. The Los Angeles Unified School District’s Office of Human Relations, Equity and Diversity hosted a 10-week online club for LGBT elementary schoolers as young as four years old. Read more here.
French Parliament Bans ‘Conversion Therapy.’ France’s parliament voted to ban so-called “conversion therapy,” joining a handful of countries that have taken steps to outlaw practices that seek to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Read more here.
‘Conversion Therapy’ Ban Becomes Law in Canada. The bill banning so-called “conversion therapy” in Canada received royal assent, making it the law of the land. Read more here.
UK Govt Extends ‘Conversion Therapy’ Ban Consultation. The UK Government Equalities Office has confirmed that it is extending the consultation on a proposed “conversion therapy” ban to February 4, 2022. Read more here.
Canadian Senate Passes Bill Banning ‘Conversion Therapy.’ After minimal debate, Canadian senators agreed to fast-track legislation banning so-called “conversion therapy” through all stages of the legislative process and deem it passed. Read more here.
Canadian House Passes Bill Banning ‘Conversion Therapy.’ Canada’s House of Commons unanimously adopted a motion to fast track the passage of a government bill banning so-called “conversion therapy.” Read more here.
Botswana Court Upholds Ruling Decriminalizing Same-Sex Relationships. The Botswana Court of Appeal unanimously ruled that criminalizing same-sex relationships was a violation of the constitutional rights of LGBTQ+ individuals. Read more here.
Norwegian Postal Company Ad Features Homosexual Santa. A new ad for the postal service in Norway portrays the story of a man falling in love with Santa over the years and ends with them kissing to celebrate the decriminalization of homosexuality in Norway. Read more here.
Ninety Countries Back ‘Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity’ at the United Nations. For the first time, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution that includes the terms “sexual orientation and gender identity,” though not without objections. Read more here.
Stonewall Ambassador Heads Up New Diversity Training Program for BBC. INvolve UK, a pro-Stonewall organization, has been appointed to “cultivate an LGBT-friendly environment” at the BBC. Read more here.
Ireland Recognizes Two Women as ‘Birth’ Parents. Two women have become the first same-sex couple in the Republic of Ireland to be named as legal parents on a birth certificate. Read more here.
Hungarian Media Defy Ban on Publishing LGBT+ Content for Children. Several media organizations in Hungary have defied a ban on publishing LGBT+ content geared towards children. Read more here.
‘The Simpsons’ Features First Same-Sex Love Story for Smithers Character. A recent episode of “The Simpsons” featured a same-sex love story for fan favorite character and Mr. Burns’ personal assistant, Waylon Smithers. Read more here.
Report: California Teachers Urge Recruiting Kids Into LGBT Clubs. A new report reveals that the California Teachers Association has been encouraging teachers to recruit students into LGBT clubs, urging them to “create a safe environment that fosters bravery to explore sexual orientation.” Read more here.
Canadian Govt to Introduce Tougher Version of Bill Banning ‘Conversion Therapy.’ The Canadian government is set to introduce a tougher version of its earlier bill to ban “conversion therapy,” which failed to pass before parliament was dissolved for the election. Read more here.
U.S. National Book Award Touts Author Who ‘Queers’ Romance for Teens. The National Book Awards selected as its young people’s literature winner a novel aimed at “queering” teens. Read more here.
U.S. Academics Speak Out for Professor Put on Leave After Defending Pedophiles. Professors from around the country are defending a fellow professor who was put on leave after claiming that he wants to destigmatize pedophiles by referring to them as “minor-attracted persons.” Read more here.
Thai Court Calls for Expanded LGBTQ Rights. A court in Thailand has ruled that the government and parliament “should draft laws that guarantee … rights for gender diverse people.” Read more here.
School Places Professor on Leave Who Defended ‘Minor-Attracted Persons.’ Old Dominion University announced it has put a professor on leave following comments attempting to normalize the phrase “minor-attracted persons.” Read more here.
Irish Academics Propose Changing Birth Certificate Terms to Be LGBT-Inclusive. Two Irish academics have proposed that birth certificates should be changed to reference “Parent 1” and “Parent 2” instead of “Mother” and “Father,” with the option of adding additional parents. Read more here.
U.S. Professor Claims It’s Okay for Adults to Be Sexually Attracted to Minors. An assistant professor at Old Dominion University claims that “minor-attracted people” — those who are sexually attracted to people under the age of 18 — shouldn’t be stigmatized for their attractions and that such feelings are okay as long as they’re not acted upon. Read more here.
Supporters and Opponents Face Off Over Ghana’s LGBT Law. Supporters and opponents of Ghana’s new LGBT bill faced off in parliament in the bill’s first public hearing. Read more here.
Ghana’s Parliament to Begin Considering Petitions on LGBTQ Bill. Ghana’s parliament will begin considering memoranda it has received from the public on the Proper Human Sexuality and Ghanaian Family Values Bill. Read more here.
Mexican Tribunal Rules Political Party’s Ads Against Same-Sex Adoption Were Discriminatory. Mexico’s Electoral Tribunal ruled that political ads against adoption by same-sex couples from the Solidarity Encounter Party “exceed the limits of freedom of speech because they include discriminatory content.” Read more here.
U.S. Political Org Announces First ‘Pride Coalition.’ The Republican National Committee announced its first “RNC Pride Coalition” in a partnership with the Log Cabin Republicans, a group that promotes LGBT inclusivity in the party. Read more here.
UK Parents Accuse GirlGuiding of ‘Sexualizing’ Children After Group Tweets About Asexuality. Parents have accused Girlguiding of sexualizing children after the UK youth group announced it was “raising awareness and understanding” of asexuality. Read more here.
U.S. Study: Nearly One-Third of Millennials Identify as LGBT. According to a new study from Arizona Christian University, nearly one-third of millennials identify as LGBT. Read more here.
Spanish Govt Grants Free IVF to LGBT Persons, Single Women. Spain’s health minister signed an order granting single women, homosexual women, and bisexual- and transgender-identifying people access to medically assisted reproduction in the public health system where it is performed free of charge. Read more here.
Polish Lawmakers Vote to Continue Working on ‘Stop LGBT’ Legislation. Poland’s lawmakers voted to continue work on legislation dubbed “Stop LGBT,” which would ban “pride parades” and other public gatherings or actions deemed to “promote” same-sex relationships. Read more here.
VA Scholar Refuses to Cave to Pressure Over Tweet Criticizing Bisexual Superman. A scholar at a Virginia university is not backing down as students and faculty seek to get her fired for a tweet she posted criticizing DC Comics’ new bisexual Superman character. Read more here.
Ghana Churches Push Law to Combat Promotion of Homosexuality. The majority of Christian churches in Ghana is backing a proposed law that could send homosexual, bisexual, and transgender people to prison for five years and send those who advocate for their rights to prison for 10 years. Read more here.
Irish Same-Sex Couple Both Recognized as Parents of Children After Lengthy Campaign. Two Irish women have become one of the first same-sex couples in Ireland to have both partners recognized as parents of their children after a five-year campaign. Read more here.
Ghana President Calls for Tolerance as Parliament Considers LGBT Law. Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo called for civil debate and tolerance as parliament works toward a vote on a controversial bill that would make it a crime to be homosexual, bisexual or transgender. Read more here.
MTV Says Award Show in Hungary Will Protest Nation’s LGBT Laws. The MTV Europe Music Awards to be held in Budapest, Hungary will be used as an opportunity to “stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community in Hungary,” according to the network’s CEO. Read more here.
Vermont Students and Teachers Dress in Drag for High School Football Halftime. Burlington High School in Vermont held a faculty and student drag show during halftime of a high school homecoming football game. Read more here.
Same-Sex Couple Sues Nebraska to Be Recognized as Legal Parents. Two Omaha women and their teenage sons have sued Nebraska’s health department for rejecting their request that both women be listed as legal parents on their sons’ birth certificates. Read more here.
Schools in Multiple U.S. States Ban LGBTQ ‘Pride’ Flags. An increasing number of schools across the United States are banning LGBTQ “pride” and Black Lives Matter flags, calling them too political and divisive. Read more here.
Dutch LGBT Organizations Say Next Govt Must Enshrine ‘Rights’ in Coalition Deal. Gender equality organizations will be urging the next government of the Netherlands to “honour the promises on LGBTI rights which have been set down in [the] Rainbow Accord.” Read more here.
Botswana Top Court Hears Homosexuality Appeal. Botswana’s government is seeking to overturn a 2019 court decision striking down prison sentences for same-sex relationships. Read more here.
NC Lt. Gov Under Fire Over LGBT Views. North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson is defending language he used in a church message describing homosexuality and transgenderism as “filth” to which children should not be exposed. Read more here.
Comic Writer Says Superman Is Now Bisexual. DC comic writer Tom Taylor revealed that Superman is coming out as bisexual, saying that creating “another straight white savior” would be a “real opportunity missed.” Read more here.
Biden Celebrates ‘National Coming Out Day.’ President Joe Biden released a statement celebrating “National Coming Out Day,” using it to emphasize his administration’s commitment to the LGBTQ+ community. Read more here.
U.S. LGBT Farmers Given Taxpayer-Funded Wellness Grants. The University of Delaware is promoting a “Northeast Queer Farmer Wellness Microgrant” program to support “queer and trans farmers” through taxpayer-funded grants. Read more here.
France Moves Closer to Banning ‘Conversion Therapy.’ France’s parliament has unanimously backed proposed legislation that would ban any attempt to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Read more here.
NASA Declines to Rename Telescope After Namesake Accused of LGBT Persecution. NASA has declined to rename the James Webb Space Telescope, finding accusations that the telescope’s namesake had a history of persecuting LGBT individuals to be without merit. Read more here.
Russia Proposes ‘Extremist’ Label for LGBT Groups. The chairman of an influential Russian government commission has said that Russia’s LGBT groups should be recognized as “extremist.” Read more here.
Polish Court Again Delays Ruling on Primacy of EU Law When Deciding LGBT Issues. Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal delayed for a fourth time a ruling on whether the country’s constitution or European Union treaties take precedence when deciding disputes over LGBT issues. Read more here.
More Polish Regions Revoke LGBT Declarations Over EU Funds Withdrawal. Three more Polish regions have revoked declarations opposing LGBT ideology over the threat of losing funds from the European Union. Read more here.
Hungary’s Foreign Minister Alleges ‘Blackmail’ by EU Over LGBT Promotion Law. Hungary’s foreign minister pushed back against the European Union’s decision to impose financial penalties over a controversial LGBT law, calling it “blackmail” and “a purely political decision.” Read more here.
MSPs Told ‘Conversion Therapy’ Ban Would Be ‘Great Statement of Freedom.’ Dr. Igi Moon testified before Members of Scottish Parliament that banning so-called “conversion therapy” “is one of the greatest statements of freedom” that could be made. Read more here.
Hungarian PM Accuses EU of Blocking Recovery Plan Over LGBT Dispute. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has accused the European Commission of blocking funds for coronavirus relief over the country’s LGBT policies. Read more here.
Thousands March for LGBTQ+ ‘Rights’ in Ukraine. Organizers said approximately 7,000 participants attended the Equality March in Ukraine this year, compared to 8,000 in 2019. Read more here.
Hungary Publishes Media Guidelines Regarding LGBT Promotion in Films. Hungary’s media regulator published guidelines for broadcasters to comply with a new law banning the “display and promotion of homosexuality” among minors. Read more here.
LEGO Introduces ‘Queer Eye’ Toy Set Inspired by Netflix Show. Toy company LEGO is introducing a new children’s set inspired by the Netflix reality show “Queer Eye,” a series featuring five homosexual men who give makeovers to heterosexual men. Read more here.
Record Number of Submissions Received on Proposed ‘Conversion Therapy’ Ban in NZ. Over 100,000 submissions were received by the New Zealand Parliament’s Justice Committee supporting a proposed law to ban so-called “conversion therapy.” Read more here.
‘Power Rangers’ Premiers First Lesbian Superhero. “Power Rangers: Dino Fury” is featuring the series’ first lesbian superhero. Read more here.
Missouri Teacher Resigns After Being Told to Remove ‘Pride’ Flag. A Missouri teacher has resigned from his position after being told to remove an LGBT “pride” flag from his classroom and refrain from discussing sexuality with students. Read more here.
Council of Europe Releases New Factsheet on Judgments Related to LGBTI Rights. The Department for the Execution of Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights issued a new factsheet focusing on the execution of ECHR judgments concerning the rights of LGBTI persons. Read more here.
EU Threatens to Withhold Aid From Poland Over LGBTQ Stance. The European Union is threatening to withhold $150 million in aid from Polish provinces over their stance on LGBTQ issues. Read more here.
Teacher Who Suggested Students Pledge Allegiance to ‘Pride’ Flag Removed From Classroom. A California teacher who suggested that her students should say the Pledge of Allegiance to a rainbow “Pride” flag has been removed from her classroom. Read more here.
Court Upholds Washington Law Banning ‘Conversion Therapy.’ U.S. District Judge Robert J. Bryan issued a ruling against family therapist Brian Tingley who sued Washington State over its ban on therapy practices to help those with unwanted same-sex attraction. Read more here.
Lithuanian President Against Demands to Let Homosexuals Adopt Children. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said he is against demands to let homosexuals adopt children or to teach LGBT history in schools, both of which have been put forward by organizers of the Kaunas “Pride” march. Read more here.
CA Teacher Has Students Pledge Allegiance to ‘Pride’ Flag. A California school district is investigating a teacher after she posted a video admitting that she encouraged her students to pledge allegiance to a “gay pride” flag after she removed the American flag from her classroom. Read more here.
‘Dancing With the Stars’ to Feature First Same-Sex Pairing. YouTuber JoJo Siwa will join U.S. television’s upcoming season of “Dancing With the Stars” as part of the first same-sex couple on the show. Read more here.
Colonial Williamsburg Begins ‘Reenactments’ About ‘LGBT History in the Colonies.’ The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation has created a “Gender Diversity Committee” to create “programs and reenactments geared toward educating the public on LGBTQ history in the colonies.” Read more here.
Jamaicans Demand Removal of ‘Pride’ Flag From U.S. Embassy. Concerned Jamaicans protested and demanded that the U.S. Embassy in Kingston remove the LGBTQ ‘Pride’ flag hoisted on its grounds. Read more here.
‘Conversion Therapy’ Ban Initiative Heads to Parliament in Finland. A citizens’ initiative to ban sexual orientation and gender identity “conversion therapy” in Finland reached the required 50,000 signatures and will now be referred to Parliament for consideration. Read more here.
Two LGBT Marches Held in Poland Under Heavy Police Security. Parades for “LGBT rights” took place under heavy police presence in the Polish cities of Czestochowa and Gdansk. Read more here.
LGBT Czechs Urge Reform to Allow Adoption. Same-sex couples in the Czech Republic are lobbying for the right to get married and adopt children. Read more here.
LGBT Activists Pressure Donors to End Therapy for Same-Sex Attraction in Foreign Assistance. International LGBT activists are targeting NGOs and countries, including the U.S., insisting they forbid so-called “conversion therapy” in international development. Read more here.
New Mexico to Ask About Sexual Orientation in Public Surveys. New Mexico will begin routinely collecting demographic data about sexual orientation and gender identity during government surveys in order to address “inequities in access to public resources.” Read more here.
Disney Star ‘Proud and Happy’ to Come Out as Pansexual. Actress Mae Whitman, star of Disney’s ‘The Owl House,’ came out as pansexual and praised the show’s “queer representation.” Read more here.
Mexican MP Acquitted of Homophobia Charges. Elsa Méndez, Member of Parliament for the state of Querétaro, Mexico, was acquitted of all charges of homophobia after being accused of “traumatizing” members of the LGBT community with her pro-family statements. Read more here.
Photo of Child Surrounded by Men in ‘Fetish Sex Gear’ Wins LGBT Award in Holland. A photo of a young girl in Holland surrounded by grown men in “bondage and sexual fetish gear” has won an award from LGBT organizers for apparently showcasing what “pride” is all about and “celebrating diversity.” Read more here.
Saskatchewan City Passes Municipal Ban on ‘Conversion Therapy.’ The city of Regina, Saskatchewan passed a municipal ban making it illegal for people to counsel others with the intent of changing their sexual orientation or gender identity. Read more here.
North Carolina City Approves LGBT Protections. The city council of Charlotte, North Carolina unanimously approved an ordinance which includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression as protected classes. Read more here.
Batman Sidekick Comes Out as Bisexual Teen in New Comic. The latest teenage iteration of Batman’s sidekick, Robin, has been revealed as bisexual in the newest “Batman: Urban Legends” installment. Read more here.
Czech Deputies Vote Down Proposal to Allow Joint Foster Care Rights to Same-Sex Couples. The Czech Chamber of Deputies did not approve a proposal to allow joint foster care rights to two people who are not spouses. Read more here.
Colonial Williamsburg Aims to Tell the ‘Queer History’ of America’s Founding. Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia has reportedly spent the last two years poring through archives to uncover the nation’s so-called “queer history” in order to produce programming that tells the “complete” story of the time period. Read more here.
Hungary Orders Booksellers to Cover Up Children’s Books With LGBT Themes. A new government order in Hungary says booksellers must keep children’s books depicting homosexuality in “closed packaging.” Read more here.
Harvard Law School Promotes Legal Rights for Polyamory. Harvard Law Today published an article wherein they highlight a group promoting legal rights for polyamorous people who “experience a lot of discrimination.” Read more here.
Biden Nominates First LGBT Federal Appeals Court Nominee. President Joe Biden’s nominee to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit will be the first openly LGBT woman to serve on any federal circuit court. Read more here.
SEC Greenlights Stock Exchange’s LGBTQ+ Diversity Mandate for Corporate Boards. Under a new diversity mandate, companies listed on Nasdaq’s stock exchange must have at least two diverse directors, including one who self-identifies as female and one who self-identifies as either an underrepresented minority or “LGBTQ+.” Read more here.
UK Govt Accused of ‘Burying’ Conversion Therapy Report. Research into people’s experiences of so-called “conversion therapy” in the UK has been “buried,” campaigners say. Read more here.
Illinois Gov Signs Four Bills to Expand ‘LGBT Rights.’ Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law a legislation package that aims to advance “LGBT rights” by, among other provisions, expanding infertility coverage for same-sex couples and allowing those getting married to choose gender-neutral certificates. Read more here.
UK LGBT Activists Claim NHS Guilty of ‘Cultural Appropriation’ for Adopting Rainbow. The widespread use of the rainbow as a “thank you” to NHS workers during the pandemic has upset LGBT activists in the UK, a Freedom of Information request has revealed. Read more here.
Lawmakers in Ghana Seek to Outlaw Advocacy for Homosexual Rights. Lawmakers in Ghana have proposed a bill that would punish same-sex displays of affection and advocacy for LGBTQ rights with up to a decade in prison. Read more here.
Czech Court Rules Against Same-Sex Couples in Ongoing Adoption Battle. The Czech Constitutional Court rejected the proposal of the District Court for Prague 5 which would have led to the ability of an individual to adopt the child of their registered partner. Read more here.
Thousands Join Budapest ‘Pride’ March. Thousands of Hungarians joined the annual Budapest ‘Pride’ march to support LGBTQ people and protest against a law that limits teaching about homosexuality and transgender issues in schools. Read more here.
Judge Rejects Challenge to Virginia’s LGBT Anti-Discrimination Law. A judge has ruled against a group of churches, schools and a pro-life pregnancy center challenging a Virginia law that adds sexual orientation and gender identity to state anti-discrimination law. Read more here.
Hungarian PM to Hold Referendum on LGBT Law. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced that his government will be holding a referendum on a controversial LGBT law which prohibits depicting homosexuality and transgender issues in schools and on TV shows aimed at minors. Read more here.
Former Georgia UMC Churches Announce Merger Following Denominational Split Over LGBT Stance. Two congregations in Georgia have left the United Methodist Church and merged into one church over the denomination’s opposition to homosexuality. Read more here.
Dozens of Embassies, Cultural Orgs in Hungary Express Support of LGBT Community as ‘Pride’ Parade Nears. As the Budapest ‘Pride’ parade nears, 30 embassies and 12 cultural institutes have expressed their support of the LGBTQI+ community and “their rights to equality and non-discrimination…” Read more here.
PA Soccer Team Stops Selling Chick-Fil-A so That Fans Can ‘Feel Welcome.’ A Pittsburgh professional soccer team has ended a promotion with Chick-fil-A following complaints from fans upset at the restaurant chain’s promotion of traditional marriage. Read more here.
Polish LGBTQ Activists Being Sued for Slander. Up to six lawsuits will be filed in Poland accusing LGBTQ activists of slander for falsely accusing municipalities of LGBTQ discrimination over their Family Rights Charters. Read more here.
Disney Debuts First-Ever LGBTQ Love Song. Disney is featuring its first-ever LGBTQ love song on “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.” Read more here.
Minnesota Gov Restricts ‘Conversion Therapy’ for Minors. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed an executive order aimed at banning so-called “conversion therapy” and called on the legislature to make the ban permanent. Read more here.
Despite Vatican Protest, Non-Discrimination Bill Survives Hurdles in Italian Senate. A controversial LGBT non-discrimination bill has survived two significant hurdles in the Italian senate and may soon be voted into law. Read more here.
Wichita Delays Vote on Anti-Discrimination Ordinance. The Wichita City Council put off a decision on a proposed anti-discrimination ordinance related to sexual orientation and gender identity, saying it needed more community input. Read more here.
‘Rainbow Dildo Butt Monkey’ Library Performance for Kids Sparks Outrage in UK. A Labour council leader and a London library are apologizing for a children’s performance by a male actor dressed in a costume dubbed the “rainbow dildo butt monkey” which included a fake penis, nipples, and exposed bottom. Read more here.
NY Lawmakers Move to Ban Chick-Fil-A From Rest Stops Over LGBT Views. Legislators in New York are opposing plans to open Chick-fil-A restaurants at rest stops in the state, citing the fast-food chain’s past donations to groups accused of opposing same-sex marriage. Read more here.
UK Mother Takes School to Court Over ‘Pride’ Parade. A mother who says her 4-year-old son was forced to take part in a “gay pride” parade against her religious beliefs will have her case heard in court. Read more here.
Notre Dame Students, Faculty, Alumni Complain About Plans to Put Chick-Fil-A on Campus. A group of students, faculty, and alumni at Notre Dame University sent a letter asking the campus dining leadership to ban Chick-fil-A from the school’s retail dining master plan, accusing the chain of donating millions to ‘queerphobic groups.’ Read more here.
Israel’s High Court Clears Way for Same-Sex Couples to Have Children Via Surrogacy. Restrictions on surrogacy for same-sex couples and single fathers in Israel must be lifted within six months, the high court has ruled. Read more here.
Boston Pride Committee Disbands Over QTBIPOC Criticism. The Boston Pride organization is disbanding over concerns from members of the Queer, Trans, Black, and Indigenous People of Color community that they are not diverse enough to represent the entire LGBTQIA+ spectrum. Read more here.
EU Votes for Action Over Hungary’s LGBT Law. The European Parliament has voted in favor of urgent legal action over Hungary’s new law banning pro-LGBT materials in schools. Read more here.
Hungary’s Clash With EU Over LGBT Propaganda Deepens. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban vowed he would not give in to EU pressure to repeal a new law banning schools from using pro-LGBT materials as the bloc’s lawmakers called for penalties over the legislation. Read more here.
CA Homosexual Men’s Choir Sings ‘We’re Coming for Your Children.’ The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus has released a new original song in which they declare they are “coming for your children.” Read more here.
Federal LGBT Employment Guidance ‘An Outrageous Overreach,’ Lawyer Says. Recent federal LGBT nondiscrimination guidance for employers goes far beyond the law, one legal and religious freedom expert has warned. Read more here.
Hungary Levies Fine Over Sale of Book About ‘Rainbow Families.’ Hungary has fined the distributor of a children’s book about same-sex “rainbow families” under a law that bans unfair trade practices. Read more here.
Whistleblower: VW Pushed Gender and Sexuality Training on Employees. Volkswagen pushed a detailed manual about gender and sexuality on employees, according to a whistleblower at the German car manufacturer. Read more here.
Report Shows How ‘Queer Creators’ Spent Years Pushing the LGBTQ Agenda in Children’s TV Programs. An extensive report by Entertainment Insider highlights the increase of LGBTQ messaging in children’s programming and explains that LGBTQ activists behind the scenes have made it happen. Read more here.
LEGO Takes Flack From Activists Upset That Its ‘Progressive Pride’ Toy Set Is Rated 18+. LEGO has received negative press from gaming activists upset that a new “Pride”-based toy set is rated 18+ despite its low difficulty level. Read more here.
Slovenian PM Backs Hungary Over Law Banning LGBT Content in Schools. Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša backed his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban after the latter faced heavy criticism from fellow EU leaders regarding a law that bans LGBT promotion in school education material and TV content for people under 18. Read more here.
Canadian Senator Proposes Plan to Get ‘Conversion Therapy’ Bill Passed This Summer. A senator is pitching a plan to reconvene the Senate in order to adopt legislation that would ban the practice of “conversion therapy” in Canada. Read more here.
Museum Dedicated to LGBTQ+ History to Be Built in NYC. A museum dedicated to LGBTQ+ history and culture will soon have a permanent home as part of a massive expansion of the New York Historical Society. Read more here.
Homosexual Men Not Qualified for Ministry, PCA Votes. The Presbyterian Church in America has voted to disqualify all homosexual men from serving in its ministry. Read more here.
Biden Signs Executive Order to Advance ‘Workplace Equity’ for LGBTQ+ Individuals. President Joe Biden signed an Executive Order to advance “equity in the workplace for LGBTQ+ public servants,” in part by “expanding access to comprehensive gender-affirming health care.” Read more here.
UAE Citizens Furious at U.S. Embassy for Flying ‘Pride’ Flag. The American embassy in the United Arab Emirates drew criticism from residents of the Middle East for flying a rainbow “Pride” flag. Read more here.
CA Bans State Travel to Five More States Over LGBT Laws. California has banned state employee travel to five additional states because of laws that purportedly discriminate against LGBTQ Americans, the state attorney general announced. Read more here.
Polish Minister Encourages Country to Copy Hungarian LGBT Law. Poland should copy a Hungarian law that bans schools from using materials seen as promoting homosexuality, the Polish education minister said. Read more here.
Disney+ Hosts ‘Pride’ Event Featuring Kermit the Frog. Disney+ hosted a virtual concert for “Pride” month that featured Kermit the Frog and appeared to be geared toward children. Read more here.
French MPs Legalize IVF for Lesbians. France’s lower house of parliament overwhelmingly backed a law that will allow single women and lesbians access to medically assisted reproduction for the first time. Read more here.
NFL Releases ‘Pride Month’ Video. The National Football League has released a new video for “Pride Month” exclaiming that football is “accepting” and is “for everyone,” including the LGBTQ community. Read more here.
Tens of Thousands Attend ‘Pride’ Parade in Tel Aviv. Tens of thousands of people attended a “Pride” parade in Tel Aviv in one of the largest public gatherings in Israel since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Read more here.
BBC ‘Pride’ Group Wants to Vet Program on Transgender Issues. LGBT activists at the BBC are seeking to be involved in the editorial process for Radio 4’s Today program on transgender issues after they accused the station of “poor reporting” in a previous gender identity-related segment. Read more here.
VA Library Invites ‘Preschoolers,’ ‘Babies’ for ‘Drag StoryBook Hour.’ A library in Fairfax, Virginia is targeting “school age children,” “preschoolers,” and “babies and toddlers” as the audience for their “Drag StoryBook Hour.” Read more here.
U.S. House Passes Bill Pushing LGBT Loans. House Democrats passed the LGBTQ Business Equal Credit Enforcement and Investment Act which gives LGBTQ-owned businesses favoritism in lending. Read more here.
PM Defends Italy From Vatican Objections to LGBT Law. Premier Mario Draghi defended the independence of Italy’s parliament in the face of formal objections by the Vatican to a proposed law that would extend additional discrimination protections to the LGBT community. Read more here.
Loki Comes Out as Bisexual in Disney+ Series. The third episode of the Disney+ series Loki has confirmed that actor Tom Hiddleston’s Norse God is the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first bisexual lead character. Read more here.
Biden Names Special Envoy for ‘LGBTQ+ Rights.’ President Joe Biden named Jessica Stern as the U.S. Special Envoy to Advance the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons. Read more here.
Brady Bunch to Recreate Episode With Drag Race Cast for ‘Pride’ Month Special. The classic Brady Bunch television show is being revamped for a special episode involving television personalities from RuPaul’s Drag Race as a celebration of “Pride” month. Read more here.
Canadian Lawmakers Pass Bill Criminalizing LGBT ‘Conversion Therapy.’ Canada’s House of Commons passed a bill criminalizing LGBT “conversion therapy” by a vote of 263 to 63. Read more here.
U.S. Will Fly ‘Progress Flag’ to Mark ‘Pride Month.’ The U.S. State Department will fly the “progress flag” for three days beginning on June 26, the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s 2015 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges that legalized same-sex marriage. Read more here.
U.S. Bill Would Ban Discrimination Against LGBTQ Jurors. Discrimination would be prohibited against jurors in federal courts on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity under a bill reintroduced by two senators. Read more here.
Biden Praises ‘Courage’ of Homosexual and Transgender-Identifying Athletes. President Joe Biden praised two athletes for “coming out” to reveal a new gender identity and sexual preference. Read more here.
White People Charged ‘Reparations Fee’ to Attend Seattle ‘Pride’ Event Intended for ‘Black and Brown’ LGBT Community. White people will be charged a “reparations fee” to participate in a Seattle “pride” event since it’s focused on “black and brown” members of the “trans and queer” community. Read more here.
Seattle ‘Pride’ Organizers Apologize After Raising Issue With Event Charging White People ‘Reparations’ Fee. Two “Pride Month” organizers in Seattle are apologizing to the local community after writing a letter to the city taking issue with a separate event’s plans to charge a “$10 to $50 reparations fee” for white people, calling it “reverse discrimination.” Read more here.
EU Members Condemn Hungary Law That Bans Showing LGBT Content to Minors. Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, France and Ireland are among European Union countries condemning Hungary’s new law banning the “display and promotion of homosexuality” among minors. Read more here.
UEFA Declines Munich Application for Rainbow-Colored Stadium. UEFA, the governing body of European soccer, has denied the Munich city council’s application to have its stadium illuminated in rainbow colors for the European Championship. Read more here.
Vatican Accused of ‘Meddling’ in Italy’s LGBT Bill. Reports that the Vatican has formally opposed an Italian bill expanding anti-discrimination protections to the LGBT community have sparked protests by politicians and activists. Read more here.
Hulu Show for Teens Contains Sexually Explicit Homosexual Material. The second season of Hulu’s teen drama Love, Victor is filled with explicit scenes of underage boys engaging in sexual acts and visiting a gay strip club. Read more here.
‘Straight Pride’ Posters Branded ‘Homophobic Hate’ in Ireland. “Straight Pride” posters and fliers that have been posted around Waterford City, Ireland have been branded “homophobic hate.” Read more here.
Nellis AFB Hosts First-Ever Drag Queen Show. The Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada recently hosted its first-ever drag queen show at one of its on-base dining and entertainment clubs, according a base spokesperson. Read more here.
UK Charity Alarmed by Push to Criminalize Prayer for LGBT People. A Christian charity in the United Kingdom is raising the alarm regarding a proposal to add even “gentle, non-coercive prayer” for LGBT people to the country’s ban on “conversion therapy.” Read more here.
Disney+ Hosting LGBTQ ‘Pride’ Concert Starring Drag Queen. Disney+ will host an LGBTQ “Pride” concert aimed at kids with performances of popular Disney songs that will reportedly be re-imagined with LGBTQ themes. Read more here.
EU Considers Sanctions Over Hungary’s New LGBT Law. The European Union has criticized a Hungarian law outlawing the dissemination in schools of content deemed to “promote homosexuality and gender change,” with Equality Commissioner Helena Dalli raising the possibility of sanctions. Read more here.
House Republicans Prevent Passage of Pro-LGBT Bill. Congressional Republicans and conservative activists are celebrating a “stunning” victory after GOP lawmakers successfully derailed an LGBT-related bill in the U.S. House of Representatives. Read more here.
Sesame Street Episode Stars Same-Sex Couple and Daughter. In an apparent celebration of “Pride Month,” the children’s series Sesame Street released an episode titled “Family Day” which featured a same-sex couple and their daughter. Read more here.
SC City Passes Ban on ‘Conversion Therapy’ for Minors. The city of Columbia, South Carolina has passed an ordinance that prohibits licensed, professional therapists from offering “conversion therapy” that attempts to change the sexual orientation of minors who identify as LGBTQ. Read more here.
Amazon Studios Demands Productions Include Underrepresented LGBTQ Population. Amazon Studios has released a new policy which includes a requirement that creative teams and characters meet certain diversity requirements and that characters are played by actors whose identity aligns. Read more here.
MPs in Hungary Back Ban on Sharing LGBT Content With Children. Hungarian MPs adopted a law banning any content portraying or “promoting” homosexuality or “sex reassignment” to anyone under 18. Read more here.
Michigan Gov Bans Funding of ‘Conversion Therapy’ for Youth. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed an executive directive banning state and federal funding of “sexual orientation therapy” for youth who identify as LGBT. Read more here.
France Gives All Women Access to IVF. French women in same-sex partnerships will be able to access IVF and other fertility treatments under new legislation. Read more here.
Canadian Parents Protest ‘Pride’ Flag at Catholic Schools. Dozens of cars took part in a peaceful car rally organized to protest the flying of “Pride” flags at Thunder Bay Catholic schools and Board Office in Ontario, Canada. Read more here.
U.S. Interior Dept Celebrates Flag Day by Raising ‘Progress Pride’ Flag. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland celebrated Flag Day by hoisting the “Progress Pride” flag above the Interior building in Washington, D.C. Read more here.
LGBTQ Writers Demand More Hollywood Jobs. LGBTQ writers in Hollywood are claiming widespread discrimination in the entertainment industry and are demanding executives take decisive steps to hire more queer, homosexual, and transgender-identifying writers. Read more here.
Nickelodeon Ratings Crash Amid LGBTQ Push. A popular entertainment site reports that the Nickelodeon network has seen a major decline in viewers since it began overtly pushing the LGBTQ agenda to its young viewers. Read more here.
Mayor Fully Opens Up D.C. in Time for ‘Pride’ Crowd. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser opened up the city after months of coronavirus restrictions just in time for the LGBT annual “Pride” event at which she pledged to “make sure that D.C. is a leader in LGBTQ issues.” Read more here.
Teacher Berates ‘Straight Jerk’ Student Over Apparent LGBTQ Objection. A Missouri middle school teacher is no longer employed by Springfield Public Schools after a video surfaced showing her berating a male student as a “straight jerk” after his apparent objection to unicorn cupcakes. Read more here.
Shows Aimed at Children See 222% Increase in LGBTQ Characters and Stories. Children’s TV shows have seen a 222 percent increase in LGBTQ characters and stories in just two years. Read more here.
Canada Declares ‘Pride Season’ Lasting All Summer. The Justin Trudeau-led government of Canada has announced that festivities for the celebration of LGBT “pride” will be extended to cover the whole summer season because one month is not sufficient. Read more here.
Nickelodeon Again Taps Drag Queen to Teach Kids About ‘Pride Flag.’ Nickelodeon debuted a video over the weekend featuring drag queen Nina West explaining the colors of the LGBTQ “Pride flag,” the latest in a series of materials aimed at explaining “Pride month” to children. Read more here.
Biden Ed Dept Announces Blueprint to Make ‘Equity’ Focus of Schools. The Biden Department of Education outlined how it will spend the “American Rescue Plan’s historic funding for schools” in order to advance educational “equity” for LGBTQ+ students and students of color. Read more here.
Notre Dame Website Celebrates ‘Pride Month.’ The website of the University of Notre Dame has a feature post celebrating LGBTQ+ ‘Pride’ on its diversity and inclusion page. Read more here.
Pentagon to Keep Ban on ‘Pride’ Flags From Being Flown on Military Installations. The Pentagon will not grant an exception to fly LGBT flags on U.S. military installations during “Pride Month,” the Defense Department’s top spokesman said. Read more here.
Burger King Donates to HRC for ‘Pride Month.’ Burger King announce that it would donate 40 cents to the Human Rights Campaign for every Ch’King chicken sandwich sold in June. Read more here.
Wisconsin Gov Signs Order Banning State Funding of ‘Conversion Therapy’ for Minors. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has signed an executive order preventing state and federal funds from going to so-called “conversion therapy” for minors with unwanted same-sex attraction. Read more here.
U.S. Nat’l Park Service Celebrates ‘Pride Month.’ The National Park Service commemorated “Pride Month” by posting photographs of rainbows adorning national park landscapes and highlighting the “LGBTQ heritage” of NPS. Read more here.
Walt Disney Co. Facing Sexual Orientation Discrimination Lawsuit. The Walt Disney Company has been hit with a sexual orientation discrimination lawsuit from a longtime executive who claims he was denied promotions because higher-ups at the company knew he was homosexual. Read more here.
Israeli Coalition Deal Includes Push for ‘LGBT Rights.’ Israel’s Meretz chair MK Nitzan Horowitz said that his progressive party’s coalition agreement with Lapid’s Yesh Atid includes a commitment to advance “LGBT rights,” while the leader of the Islamist Ra’am party vowed to oppose any such legislation. Read more here.
Welsh Govt Backs ‘Conversion Therapy’ Ban. The Welsh government has thrown its weight behind activists seeking a ban on so-called “conversion therapy” in all its forms. Read more here.
SF Giants Will Wear Rainbow ‘Pride’ Patterns on Their Uniforms. The San Francisco Giants will wear rainbow-colored patterns on their baseball caps and a rainbow-colored patch on the sleeves of their uniforms to join in celebrations of “Pride Month.” Read more here.
New Foundation Seeks to Help ‘LGBT Rights’ Movement in Poland. The Equaversity Foundation has been launched with plans to seek international donations to fund organizations working for “LGBT rights” on the ground in Poland. Read more here.
UK LGBT Groups Appeal Decision to Make LGB Alliance a Charity. A group of LGBT charities have launched an appeal against the Charity Commission over its decision to make a controversial lesbian, gay and bisexual group a charity. Read more here.
Thousands March in Jerusalem ‘Pride’ Parade. Over 7,000 people marched in Jerusalem’s annual pride parade while 3,000 police officers secured the event. Read more here.
Catholic Teacher Nominated for Canadian Atheist Award for Classroom LGBT Activism. The “Canadian Atheist” website nominated a Catholic teacher from the Toronto Catholic board for its 2021 “person of the year” award for “standing up for LGBTQ2S+ students in the Catholic school system.” Read more here.
Ottawa Archbishop: Some Parents Say Flying ‘Pride’ Flag ‘Hijacks’ Catholic Schools. With multiple Catholic school systems in the Canadian province of Ontario deciding to fly the rainbow LGBT ‘Pride’ flag in June, one Ontario archbishop says that the movement contradicts Catholic teaching. Read more here.
Blue’s Clues ‘Pride Sing-Along’ Teaches Kids About Pansexuality, Bisexuality. Children’s show Blue’s Clues & You released an LGBTQ-themed video on YouTube which teaches children about being homosexual, bisexual, pansexual, “ace,” transgender and non-binary. Read more here.
Biden Touts Equality Act in Proclamation for Pride Month. President Joe Biden issued a proclamation on Tuesday to mark the beginning of “Pride Month,” including a directive to Congress to pass the Equality Act. Read more here.
Scottish Teachers’ Union Promotes ‘Transsexual Jesus’ Play. The Education Institute of Scotland has promoted a controversial play that portrays Jesus as a “transsexual.” Read more here.
U.S. Embassy to the Vatican Flies ‘Pride’ Flag for Month of June. The United States Embassy to the Vatican announced it is flying a “pride” flag that will remain up for the month of June to support the LGBT community. Read more here.
SCOTUS Will Soon Release a Potentially Pivotal Decision for ‘LGBT Rights.’ The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to soon release a decision that could provide the first glimpses of how its 6-3 conservative majority will shape the future of “LGBT rights.” Read more here.
Russian Official warns Disney Channel Over Film With Homosexual Protagonist. After the release of an animated short film with a homosexual protagonist, a Russian official wrote to the Disney Channel to explain that Russian law states that any film “negating family values and propagating untraditional sexual relations among children is prohibited.” Read more here.
‘Rugrats’ Mom Will Be Openly Homosexual in Paramount+ Series. Phil and Lil’s mom Betty in “Rugrats” will be an openly homosexual woman in the upcoming Paramount+ reboot of the beloved cartoon. Read more here.
More Britons Than Ever Before Identify as Homosexual or Bisexual. More Britons than ever before identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB), meaning the nation’s “gay and bi community” grew by more than 15% in a year to reach 1.4 million people, the latest government figures show. Read more here.
U of Arkansas Spends Over $10K on Virtual Drag Show for Students. The University of Arkansas shelled out $11,050 for a 60-minute “virtual drag show” that only 38 students attended. Read more here.
Publisher Releases Its First LGBT-Produced “Two Dads” Children’s Book. Publishers Puffin is releasing its first picture book about two homosexual dads with both an LGBT author and illustrator. Read more here.
Arizona City Approves LGBTQ ‘Non-Discrimination’ Ordinance. The Phoenix suburb of Glendale has enacted an ordinance which prohibits residents from being subjected to discrimination in housing, employment and places of public accommodations based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Read more here.
Publishers Weekly Releases List of Upcoming LGBTQ Books for Children and Youth. Publishers Weekly has released a list of upcoming books for children and young adults through which they can “dive into budding queer romances,” “discover the importance of one’s pronouns,” and much more. Read more here.
Oregon School Board May Require Classrooms to Fly ‘Pride’ Flags. An Oregon school board updated a policy to mandate that each classroom in the school district display a “pride” flag. Read more here.
UK Govt Will Consult on ‘Conversion Therapy’ in September. The UK Minister for Women and Equalities has informed Parliament that the consultation on a so-called “conversion therapy” ban will be launched this fall. Read more here.
ACT Govt to Look at Reforms to Discrimination Act to ‘Protect’ Transgender, Intersex Canberrans. Lawmakers in the Australian Capital Territory will look to reform the areas of discrimination in law that still exist, particularly in relation to Canberrans who identify as transgender or “gender diverse.” Read more here.
Ontario Catholic Teachers Org Defends Its Support for LGBT ‘Pride’ Movement. The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association has published an article defending and advocating for the flying of the LGBT “pride” flag by Catholic organizations. Read more here.
Lego Unveils LGBT ‘Pride’ Set With Transgender and Drag Queen Minifigures. The LEGO toy company has announced the release of its “Everyone is Awesome” set for kids, featuring 11 single-colored, non-gendered figurines that form a rainbow. Read more here.
PBS Kids’ Show Features Drag Queen Reading to Children. A children’s show on PBS featured drag queen and author “Lil Miss Hot Mess” singing, dancing, and reading a book about drag queens to an intended audience of 3- to 8-year-olds. Read more here.
Upcoming ‘Cinderella’ Features Genderless Fairy Godmother. The classic story of “Cinderella” is getting a “modern makeover” as a musical complete with the LGBTQ injection of a genderless fairy godmother. Read more here.
‘LGBT Hate Crime’ Bill Polarizes Italy. Some feminists and lesbian associations have joined the Catholic church and the political right in opposing a bill in Italy that would add homosexual and transgender people to the categories protected by a law punishing hate crimes. Read more here.
Women’s Shelter Will Host ‘Family-Friendly’ Drag Queen Show. A women’s shelter in Arkansas will host a “family-friendly” drag show featuring drag queen headliner “Crystal Methyd” and at least 16 other drag queens as part of an LGBT event open to all ages. Read more here.
NYC Pride Bans Police From Events Until 2025. NYC Pride, the group in charge of New York City’s annual “Pride March,” announced that it has moved to ban police from events until at least 2025 as part of an effort to make LGBT individuals feel “safer.” Read more here.
Singapore MFA Reminds U.S. Not to Interfere With Domestic LGBT Matters. Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reminded the United States embassy in Singapore that foreign missions there “are not to interfere” with domestic social matters after the embassy co-hosted a seminar with a local LGBT group. Read more here.
Japan’s LDP Puts Off LGBT Bill Approval. Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party postponed approving a draft bill for promoting understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people after a revision to include the phrase “discrimination will not be tolerated” made some members grow cautious. Read more here.
Therapist Sues Washington State Over Law Banning ‘Conversion Therapy.’ A licensed therapist is suing Washington state over its ban on sexual orientation counseling for minors. Read more here.
Baylor U Opens Door for Recognizing LGBT Student Group. Baylor University, one of the world’s largest Baptist universities, has opened the door to possibly providing official campus recognition to an LGBT student group but maintains that its stance on marriage and sexual ethics continues to be unchanged. Read more here.
Maltese Same-Sex Couples May Now Adopt Children From Colombia. Colombia has opened its doors to adoption by Maltese same-sex couples, giving them a second option to adopt internationally. Read more here.
FRC Clarifies ‘No Compromise’ on Equality Act. Family Research Council President Tony Perkins said Fox News’ story suggesting faith groups met with staff members of several senators in order to craft a “compromise” on the Equality Act is misleading. Read more here.
LGBT Activists Call for Ban on ‘Hate Prayer’ for ‘Conversion Therapy.’ LGBT activists in the UK are calling for a ban on “hate prayer,” meaning asking God to help individuals overcome same-sex attraction, even when they themselves have requested it. Read more here.
Disney Rolling Out Children’s Cartoon Featuring Interracial Homosexual Dads. Disney is revamping cartoon sitcom “The Proud Family” and will be featuring a cast that includes two interracial homosexual dads whose adopted daughter is a teenage racial activist. Read more here.
German Govt Makes ‘Hate-Motivated’ Insults a Crime. The German government passed a new law making “hate-motivated” insults a criminal offense, including those based on sexual orientation. Read more here.
Campaigners Demand No Loophole for Religious Groups in UK ‘Conversion Therapy’ Ban. Campaigners have urged the government to bring forward a full ban on conversion therapy over fears of a loophole for religious groups. Read more here.
UK ‘Conversion Therapy’ Ban Delayed for Consultation. A “conversion therapy” ban for England and Wales was announced in the Queen’s Speech but will be preceded by a consultation to consider religious freedoms and how to protect accredited professionals. Read more here.
USAF Creates Team to Address LGBTQ Issues. The U.S. Air Force has announced the creation of a team to address issues affecting service members of the LGBTQ community. Read more here.
Ugandan Parliament Passes Bill Outlawing Same-Sex Relationships. The Ugandan Parliament passed the Sexual Offenses Bill, which contains a clause to criminalize same-sex relationships. Read more here.
Lesbian Mothers Flood German Courts With Demands for Parenting Rights. More than a dozen lesbian couples have gone to court seeking to reform Germany’s civil code which does not recognize lesbian parents, forcing the second woman to apply to adopt her child. Read more here.
Court Ruling Paves Way for Same-Sex Couples to Adopt Children in Croatia. A court ruling in Croatia has paved the way for same-sex couples to adopt children under the same conditions as heterosexual married couples. Read more here.
Puerto Rico Bill Seeks to Ban ‘Conversion Therapy’ for Minors. The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is considering legislation that would ban the controversial practice of sexual orientation “conversion therapy” for minors. Read more here.
Disney Targets Kids as ‘Pride’ Month Approaches. In addition to offering rainbow-emblazoned apparel and sundries to adults, Disney is now promoting toys and clothing for kids awash in rainbow colors and messaging. Read more here.
Catholic University Commits to Promoting LGBT Ideology on Campus. The president of St. John’s University in New York City has committed the school to furthering LGBT ideology, stating that “much work needs to be done to transform St. John’s into a place that is equitable and inclusive for LGBTQ+ people.” Read more here.
Students Sue Yeshiva University Over LGBTQ Student Club. A group of Yeshiva University students and alumni filed a lawsuit in New York County Supreme Court after the school refused to recognize their LGBTQ student club for the third time in two years. Read more here.
B.C. Judge Orders Second Mother Declared a Third Parent to Child of Polyamorous Trio. A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has ordered that all three members of a polyamorous “triad” should be registered as parents of the two-and-a-half-year-old boy they are raising together. Read more here.
Ontario Catholic School Board to ‘Raise Awareness’ of ‘Pride’ Month. A Catholic school board in Ontario voted 7-3 that all school staff must undergo “mandatory training” about LGBT students, schools must “raise awareness around Pride month,” and schools must post pro-LGBT signage “to ensure that students in the 2SLGBT community are supported throughout the entire school year.” Read more here.
Disney Among 400 U.S. Companies Backing Equality Act. Disney, Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Apple are among more than 400 U.S. companies that have joined a coalition supporting the Equality Act, a bill that Christian leaders say would have a devastating impact on religious liberty. Read more here.
UMC Faces Potential Schism Over Homosexuality. The United Methodist Church, the third-largest Christian denomination in the United States, faces the possibility of division after conservative Methodists are taking measures to break off over the issue of homosexuality. Read more here.
New England Catholic University ‘Affirms Support’ for LGBT Persons. Sacred Heart University held a rally celebrating LGBT students after the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith said the Church hasn’t the power to bless same-sex unions. Read more here.
U.S. State Dept Will Allow Embassies to Fly ‘Pride’ Flag on Same Pole as U.S. Flag. American embassies and consulates around the world are now authorized to fly the rainbow flag on the same pole as the U.S. flag, according to reports. Read more here.
Illinois Could Expand Infertility Care Definition to Include LGBTQ Parents. Illinois lawmakers are considering a proposal which would change the definition of infertility and require insurance providers to provide some form of coverage for in vitro fertilization and other treatments for LGBTQ individuals. Read more here.
State Rep, Former Teacher: ‘There Are Six’ Sexes. Former public school teacher and current Texas state Rep. James Talarico said that “modern science” recognizes there are “six” sexes. Read more here.
Decision to Grant Charitable Status to LGB Alliance Sparks Backlash. The UK’s Charity Commission is facing a backlash after confirming that the controversial LGB Alliance will have charitable status. Read more here.
Christian University Faculty Issues Vote of ‘No Confidence’ After Board Upholds Biblical Hiring Policy. Faculty at a private Christian university in Washington cast a vote of “no confidence” after its board of trustees announced it would continue a hiring policy that prohibits hiring full-time faculty members who are homosexual. Read more here.
Namibian Court Rules Against Same-Sex Couple Seeking to Take Newborn Daughters Home. Namibia’s High Court ruled against a same-sex couple battling to obtain travel documents for their twin daughters, born to a surrogate in South Africa, after authorities refused to do so on the basis the infants were not citizens. Read more here.
New Irish Hate Crime Laws to Cover Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. For the first time in the history of Ireland, it will become a specific criminal offense to commit a hate crime based on a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Read more here.
EU Court Says Bulgaria Should Issue ID Papers to Child With Two Mothers. The top European Union court’s advocate general said Bulgaria should issue identity papers for a child with two mothers in a same-sex marriage. Read more here.
Lower Age of Consent Declaration Has Support of LGBT Groups. A global LGBT group has thrown its support behind a statement calling for ages of consent to be lowered around the world to allow adolescents to engage in sexual activity freely and without “stigma.” Read more here.
UK Govt’s LGBT Advisory Panel Disbanded. The UK government’s LGBT advisory panel has been disbanded after three members quit last month. Read more here.
Johnson Issues Statement on Prayer and ‘Conversion Therapy’ Ban. Boris Johnson has stated that churches in Britain will still be allowed to pray for those who are questioning their sexuality, despite a plan to ban “conversion therapy.” Read more here.
Japanese Committee to Seek Early LGBT Law Passage. A Japanese ruling party committee said that it will aim to enact a law to promote understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Read more here.
‘Fundamentally Flawed’ Report Being Used in UK Push to Ban ‘Conversion Therapy.’ A new report being used by LGBT lobby groups to put pressure on the UK government to ban so-called “conversion therapy” has been dismissed as “fundamentally flawed.” Read more here.
Croatian Minister Addresses Same-Sex Adoption and Fostering. Croatia’s Minister of Family and Social Policy said that the issue of adoption of children by same-sex couples would be “put to public consultation.” Read more here.
Majority of Canadians Back Right to Seek Counseling on Gender and Sexuality. Nine in ten Canadians believe adults should be able to receive counseling if they experience confusion over unwanted sexual feelings or their gender identity, a poll has revealed. Read more here.
Same-Sex Couples in Taiwan Go to Court to Push for Equal Adoption Rights. Three same-sex couples and rights groups pledged to take their cases to court in order to seek a change in existing laws which forbid same-sex couples from adopting children. Read more here.
First Irish Couple Legally Recognized as Co-Parents of Children From Birth. Niamh O’Sullivan and Geraldine Rea are the first same-sex couple in Ireland to have both their names registered on the official birth certificates of their twin baby girls. Read more here.
Pantene Runs Ad Featuring Transgender Child With Lesbian Parents. Pantene has released a two-minute commercial featuring Sawyer, a biological boy who identifies as a girl, and the child’s two moms discussing the importance of one’s hair when “transitioning.” Read more here.
Same-Sex Spouse Fights U.S. Govt Denial of Death Benefits. Patricia Rolfingsmeyer is challenging the federal government’s denial of employee death benefits after her partner died before same-sex marriage became legal in their home state. Read more here.
Massachusetts City Becomes Second to Legally Recognize Polyamorous Relationships. The city of Cambridge, Massachusetts has officially recognized polyamory by amending the city’s existing statute so that domestic partnerships are not limited to only two people. Read more here.
U.S. Senators Spar Over ‘Equality Act.’ During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, lawmakers clashed over the Equality Act which would expand the 1964 Civil Rights Act to include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes. Read more here.
ONS Abandons Attempt to Water Down ‘Legal Sex’ in Census. The UK’s Office for National Statistics has abandoned its appeal against a High Court ruling ordering it to correct its guidance on what constitutes biological sex in the upcoming census. Read more here.
Marvel Introduces New Gay Superhero. Marvel Comics will release a new limited series that will include a homosexual Captain America to mark “Pride Month.” Read more here.
Evangelical Christians Urge Johnson Not to Ban ‘Conversion Therapy.’ The Evangelical Alliance, which represents 3,500 evangelical churches in the UK, has written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson urging him not to ban so-called “conversion therapy.” Read more here.
Columbia to Offer LGBTQIA+ Graduation. Columbia University is set to offer a “Lavender Graduation” specifically for LGBTQIA+ students. Read more here.
Court Rules Texas Human Rights Act Bars LGBT Discrimination. A Texas state appellate court held that the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act should be read to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Read more here.
Cornell Students Focus on Abolishing Police Through ‘Queer Framework.’ Cornell University’s LGBTQ+ student union co-hosted an event which explored abolishing the police through a “queer framework” by examining “queerness and its relation to policing.” Read more here.
UK Equalities Adviser Quits Over ‘Hostile Environment.’ Jayne Ozanne, a key member of the UK government’s LGBT+ Advisory Panel, resigned from her role in protest, stating that the government has created a “hostile environment” for LGBT people. Read more here.
Ban on Same-Sex Union Blessings Upsets Homosexual Catholics in Asia. The Vatican’s decree that same-sex unions cannot be blessed because they are sinful was met with criticism by homosexual Catholics in parts of the Asia-Pacific region as being out of step with contemporary community standards. Read more here.
UK’s Johnson Says Govt Vows to Ban ‘Conversion Therapy.’ UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that although conversion therapy is a “technically complex” problem, he was committed to making it illegal. Read more here.
Poland Objects to EU Declaring Itself ‘LGBT Freedom Zone.’ The European Union has declared itself an “LGBT freedom zone,” prompting objections from the Polish government which says it has a right to maintain traditional views on marriage and family. Read more here.
U.S. Consumer Bureau Bans LGBT Lending Discrimination. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has announced plans to enforce discrimination protections for LGBT individuals. Read more here.
ACLU Gets $15M LGBT Grant From Billionaire Activist. The American Civil Liberties Union has received a $15 million grant to be used for LGBT advocacy from a donor known for promoting limits on religious liberty. Read more here.
Scottish Govt Hate Crime Bill Becomes Law. Members of Scottish Parliament voted 82-32 to pass the Scottish government’s controversial hate crime bill which includes a new offense of stirring up hatred on the grounds of religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, and transgender identity. Read more here.
EU Lawmakers Seek to Declare Bloc an LGBT ‘Freedom Zone.’ During a recent debate, lawmakers in the European Parliament overwhelmingly spoke out in favor of a resolution that would declare the entire 27-member European Union a “freedom zone” for LGBT people. Read more here.
Scotland’s Hate Crime Bill Faces Final Vote. A final vote is expected soon on Scotland’s Hate Crime Bill which creates a new offense of “stirring up hatred” on the grounds of religion, sexual orientation, age, disability and transgender identity. Read more here.
Italian Court Urges More Rights for Children of Same-Sex Couples. Italy’s Constitutional Court said the country urgently needs a law on the rights of children of same-sex couples which the court feels are not sufficiently protected. Read more here.
WA Supreme Court Opens Door to Forcing Religious Orgs to Hire LGBT Individuals. The Washington state Supreme Court reversed a lower court’s decision regarding legal exemptions for religious employers, a move that could open the door to forcing religious organizations to hire LGBT employees. Read more here.
Chinese Court Rules Homosexuality Can Be Called a Mental Disorder. A Chinese court has ruled that homosexuality may be considered “a psychological disorder” in the eyes of Chinese law. Read more here.
UK MPs to Debate ‘Conversion Therapy’ Ban. UK members of Parliament are set to debate a petition which calls on the government to ban conversion therapy. Read more here.
Christian Leaders React to Bethany Allowing LGBT Couples to Foster, Adopt. Christian leaders have expressed disappointment after Bethany Christian Services, the largest Protestant adoption and foster agency in the United States, announced it will now be offering its services to LGBT couples. Read more here.
Polish Activists Found Not Guilty of Offending Religious Feelings. A Polish judge found three activists who distributed images depicting Poland’s Black Madonna icon with a rainbow halo not guilty of offending religious feelings, a crime punishable by up to two years in prison. Read more here.
Christian Adoption Agency to Help LGBTQ Families Adopt Children. Bethany Christian Services, one of the country’s largest adoption and foster care agencies, announced a “nationwide policy of inclusivity in order to serve all families across Bethany’s core service lines.” Read more here.
U.S. House Passes Equality Act. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Equality Act which amends the 1964 Civil Rights Act to prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Read more here.
Southern Baptists Oust Two Churches Over LGBTQ Issues. The Southern Baptist Convention’s executive committee voted to oust two of its churches over policies deemed to be inappropriate regarding LGBTQ people. Read more here.
UMC Pushes Back General Conference, Will Tackle Homosexual Debate in 2022. The United Methodist Church has again decided to postpone its next General Conference, which is expected to center on the debate over the denomination’s stance on homosexuality, to 2022. Read more here.
Poll: Nearly 16 Percent of Gen Z Identify as LGBT. Generation Z now sees one in six people identifying as LGBT, according to a new Gallup survey. Read more here.
Campground for Homosexual Men Draws Accusations of Transphobia. The owner of a private campground for homosexual men in Michigan is drawing the ire of some in the transgender community for barring people without male genitalia from his establishment. Read more here.
Thousands Urge Cadbury to Drop Ad Featuring Same-Sex Kiss. As Easter approaches, more than 30,000 people have signed a petition asking Cadbury Crème Eggs to remove an advertisement featuring a same-sex kiss. Read more here.
Akufo-Addo Orders Police to Shut Down LGBTQ Office. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has ordered the shutdown of an LGBTQ group’s office in Accra, Ghana. Read more here.
Children’s Rights Activist Blasts Judge’s Decision Allowing ‘Throuple’ to Be Named as Legal Parents. A children’s rights activist decried a California judge’s ruling allowing three men to be listed as the legal parents of two children born to surrogate mothers. Read more here.
Equality Act Expected to Advance in Congress This Week. The Equality Act, a controversial bill designed to overhaul the nation’s civil rights laws to include LGBT Americans, is expected to advance in the U.S. Congress this week. Read more here.
School District Comments on Email Urging Staff, Students to Lobby for Pro-LGBT Proposal. An Ohio school district has acknowledged that an assistant principal’s email directing teachers to encourage students to write letters to city council members in support of a local pro-LGBT non-discrimination proposal was “not appropriate.” Read more here.
Angola Decriminalizes Same-Sex Relationships. Angola has become the latest African country to decriminalize same-sex relationships. Read more here.
U.S. House to Vote on Equality Act Next Week. The U.S. House of Representatives is set to soon vote on the Equality Act which would amend existing Civil Rights Act provisions barring discrimination based on race and sex to also add specific protections for sexual orientation and gender identity. Read more here.
Canadian Govt Announces $15M in Grants for LGBT Organizations. The Canadian government has announced it is awarding $15 million worth of grants to 76 community groups to be spent on various LGBT interests in the name of “equality.” Read more here.
Serbia Closer to Legalizing Same-Sex Partnerships. Serbian Minister of Human Rights and Social Dialogue Gordana Comic says that a bill legalizing same-sex partnerships should be in the Assembly by the end of the spring session. Read more here.
CDC: LGBs Have Higher Rates of Health Conditions Associated With Serious COVID Illness. In a study designed to gather more data about how “sexual minorities” are affected by COVID, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that homosexual and bisexual persons have higher rates of health conditions associated with severe COVID illness than heterosexual persons. Read more here.
LGBT Group Opens Administrative Office in Ghana. LGBTQI+ Rights Ghana has opened an administrative office in Accra to promote “respect for human rights.” Read more here.
Children’s Charity Erases ‘Mother of the Year’ Award for Not Being Diverse. Australian children’s charity Barnardo’s has pulled its Mother of the Year award after 25 years because it does not celebrate other caregivers like same-sex parents and grandparents. Read more here.
Nickelodeon’s ‘Blues Clues’ Brings LGBTQ Message to Alphabet. Blues Clues & You on the Nickelodeon cable network is pushing LGBTQ pride with an alphabet video that proclaims “P is full of Pride” while showing flags representing the homosexual, transgender, asexual, pansexual, intersex, and gender-fluid communities. Read more here.
Hallmark Channel Promises More LGBT Characters: ‘This is Who We Are.’ The head of the Hallmark Channel’s parent company said this week the network remains committed to including LGBT characters in storylines and that fans will see “more of that” in the future. Read more here.
Victorian Bill Banning ‘Conversion Therapy’ Passes Upper House. A bill banning LGBT “conversion therapy” has passed Victoria’s Upper House and will become law, despite concerns from some religious leaders that the law could have unintended consequences. Read more here.
Biden Funds Program to Block Foreign Religious Leaders Who Oppose LGBT Agenda. President Biden signed an executive order that will promote homosexuality and transgenderism as a centerpiece of U.S. foreign policy. Read more here.
UK MP Lists Prayer as ‘Conversion Therapy’ Action That Should Be Banned. UK Member of Parliament Alicia Kearns listed prayer alongside grotesque acts such as ‘corrective rape’ as she called on the government to ban “conversion therapy.” Read more here.
NBC Host to Star in Animated LGBTQ Film for Children’s Network. NBC host and YouTube star Lilly Singh is set to star as a princess who discovers “pride in her identity” in a forthcoming animated musical short film for the digital children’s content network Pocket.watch. Read more here.
Documentary Depicts ‘LGBT Jesus.’ An upcoming documentary aims to revise Catholic iconography for those who identify as LGBT and will depict Jesus Christ as “a member or ally of the LGBTQ+ community.” Read more here.
Parents Object to LGBT Content in Latest ‘American Girl’ Kids’ Book. Numerous reviewers of a new American Girl storyline explained their distress after they and their children were caught off-guard by references to a same-sex relationship. Read more here.
Turkish President: ‘There’s No Such Thing’ as LGBT. Turkish President Erdoğan said “there is no such thing” as LGBT during a speech denouncing a recent anti-government protest movement. Read more here.
Outcry, Arrests in Turkey Over Mecca Poster With LGBT Flags. Two students have been arrested in Turkey on charges of inciting hatred and insulting religious values for a poster depicting Islam’s most sacred site with LGBT flags. Read more here.
American Girl Releases First Doll With LGBT Storyline. American Girl’s 2021 “Girl of the Year,” Kira, includes a storyline with two lesbian aunts who married “after the law was changed to allow it.” Read more here.
NI Education Adviser Targeted for Post Supporting Biblical View of Sexuality. LGBT activists are calling on the Northern Ireland Education Authority to remove a board member after he shared an article of a gay man’s Christian conversion on his social media account. Read more here.
University Professor Says Heterosexuality Causes Societal Problems. A professor at the University of California-Riverside says that heterosexuality is a “tragic” concept that perpetuates misogyny, funnels men into supporting toxic masculinity, and breaks up relationships. Read more here.
Biden Official Withdraws Last-Minute Trump LGBT Memo. President Biden’s administration revoked a last-minute memo issued by former President Trump’s Justice Department that sought to limit the scope of a landmark Supreme Court decision on workplace discrimination against the LGBTQ community. Read more here.
U.S. Secretary of State Nominee Says He Will Fill LGBT Position at Agency. President Joe Biden’s nominee for Secretary of State pledged to appoint an LGBTI envoy at the agency and says he will permit embassies to fly the “pride” flag, if confirmed. Read more here.
MN Ed Standards Call for LGBTQ Awareness. New standards proposed by the Minnesota Department of Education include a call for an “awareness” of “the LGBTQ+ community.” Read more here.
Three LGBT Activists on Trial in Poland for Alleged Desecration. Three “LGBT rights” activists went on trial in Poland for alleged desecration and offending religious sentiment by adding the movement’s rainbow symbol to posters of a revered Roman Catholic icon and publicly displaying the altered image. Read more here.
NYT Promotes a Pro-LGBT Handel’s ‘Messiah.’ The New York Times posted a complimentary story of a rendition of Handel’s Messiah, called Messiah: Complex, which shows an LGBT “pride” flag, an LGBT “pride” crosswalk, and other LGBT imagery. Read more here.
Rights Groups Condemn Hungarian Laws on the Family. Human rights groups condemned a new Hungarian law that effectively bans adoption for same-sex couples and applies a Christian conservative viewpoint to the legal definition of a family. Read more here.
Hundreds of Religious Leaders Call for Ban on ‘Conversion Therapy.’ More than 370 religious leaders from around the world are calling for a ban on “conversion therapy,” while other religious figures said a ban could risk criminalizing pastors. Read more here.
Multifaith Group Attacks Biblical Sexual Ethics, Biological Sex. LGBT activist and General Synod member Jayne Ozanne has joined forces with members of other faiths in a campaign to challenge biblical teachings on sexual ethics and biological sex. Read more here.
Marvel Confirms Star-Lord is Bisexual. According to Marvel Comics, the popular “Guardians of the Galaxy” character Peter Quill (a.k.a. Star-Lord) is a polyamorous bisexual. Read more here.
LGBT Activists Issue List of Demands From Biden. Thirty prominent groups have banded together and issued a 51-page list of demands to insist that the Biden administration put the LGBT agenda at the center of its foreign policy. Read more here.
Victoria’s Conversion Therapy Bill a ‘Dramatic Overreach of the State.’ A bill seeking to ban so-called conversion therapy for sexual orientation or gender identity in the Australian state of Victoria dangerously oversteps the bounds of protecting people from coercive practices, the Archbishop of Melbourne said. Read more here.
Boca Raton, Palm Beach Attempt to Revive FL Counseling Ban. The City of Boca Raton and Palm Beach County are seeking a rehearing from the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals which struck down laws that ban counselors from providing minor clients with help to reduce or eliminate unwanted same-sex attractions, behaviors, or gender confusion. Read more here.
Concerns Raised About Study Claiming ‘Nearly Half’ of LGBT Americans Are Religious. Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Al Mohler has questioned the validity of a study claiming that “nearly half” of LGBT-identified Americans are religious. Read more here.
Appeal Claims Board Illegally Retried Catholic Trustee to Appease LGBTQ Activists. Embattled trustee Michael Del Grande has appealed the Toronto Catholic District School Board’s decision to retry him on the code of conduct complaints he was cleared of in the summer. Read more here.
Canadians Protest Bill to Ban ‘Conversion Therapy.’ Campaign Life Coalition held a rally in front of the Canadian parliament to stop radical new anti-family legislation seeking to ban “conversion therapy.” Read more here.
New Progressive Methodist Denomination Formed Before Possible UMC Schism Over LGBT Issues. A group of theologically progressive United Methodists and others have formed a new denomination in advance of an expected division within the United Methodist Church over LGBT issues. Read more here.
Victoria to Ban ‘Conversion Therapy.’ The Victorian government will introduce legislation to outlaw “conversion therapy,” with fines of close to $10,000 or up to 10 years in jail. Read more here.
Nasdaq Wants to Require Sexual Identity Diversity Quotas for Corporate Boards. Nasdaq, the second-largest U.S. stock exchange, filed a proposal with the Securities and Exchange Commission that would mandate listed companies to have a minimum of two “diverse directors,” including one who “self-identifies as female and one who self-identifies as either an underrepresented minority or LGBTQ+.” Read more here.
EU Commissars to Crack Down on ‘Homophobia.’ The European Commission announced that it wants to make “hate speech” and “hate crimes” EU crimes by 2021 and to impose mutual recognition of “rainbow families” across the European Union by 2022. Read more here.
SCOTUS Could Review Indiana Case on ‘Parenthood’ of Homosexual Couples. The U.S. Supreme Court might be positioning itself to hear the Indiana case of eight lesbian couples who used sperm donors to have children and are fighting the state to have both partners be recognized as “parents” on birth certificates. Read more here.
Hallmark Channel Releases First LGBTQ Holiday Movie. The Hallmark Channel released The Christmas House, its first holiday film featuring a same-sex couple as its main characters. Read more here.
Drag Queen Promotes LGBT Agenda to Kids on CBBC. A drag queen has promoted the LGBT agenda to kids while presenting on a CBBC program which provides lessons for children who may have missed school due to COVID-19. Read more here.
Perth Establishes LGBTQ Advisory Group. Perth councilors have voted to establish an LGBTQ advisory group to provide insight and direction to the City of Perth but declined a staff suggestion to expand the body to include other diverse communities such as migrants, youth and seniors. Read more here.
Appeals Court Strikes Down Florida Counseling Ban. A three-judge panel of the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals struck down laws that ban counselors from providing minor clients with help to reduce or eliminate unwanted same-sex attractions, behaviors, or gender confusion. Read more here.
Trudeau Govt Introduces Bill to Force Online Media Companies to Push ‘Diverse’ Content. Justin Trudeau’s government has introduced a bill which, if it becomes law, will require broadcasters to include content from Canadians of different “sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and ages.” Read more here.
EU Unveils First Plan to Address LGBT ‘Rights.’ The European Union’s executive arm, the European Commission, unveiled a plan to extend the list of crimes in Europe to cover “homophobic hate speech” and propose new laws to guarantee that same-sex parenthood will be recognized across the 27 member nations. Read more here.
Toronto Catholic School Trustee Fights Back Against LGBTQ Lobby. Toronto Catholic school trustee Michael Del Grande is launching an appeal after eight Toronto Catholic District School Board trustees voted to revisit code of conduct complaints of which he was cleared in August. Read more here.
Top Dictionary Changes Definitions for ‘Man’ and ‘Woman.’ Publishers of the Oxford English Dictionary have modified the definition of dozens of words after a gender diversity review, including “woman” and “man.” Read more here.
Christian Councilor Cleared After Refusing to Back Pride Event. A Christian councilor has been cleared of any wrongdoing for opposing the use of public money to promote LGBT ideology. Read more here.
Bible’s Teaching on Sexual Ethics ‘Homophobic,’ Says LGBT Activist. LGBT activist Jayne Ozanne has accused the Oxford Inter-Collegiate Christian Union of homophobia for affirming the Bible’s teaching on sexual morality. Read more here.
Christian Ministry to Sue Bank Over Dropping Account. Core Issues Trust plans to file legal action against Barclays Bank for its decision to close the ministry’s account because they offer therapy to individuals with unwanted same-sex attraction. Read more here.
Survey Shows Americans Broadly Supportive of ‘LGBTQ Rights.’ Research done by the Public Religion Research Institute shows that the vast majority of Americans approve of same-sex marriage and LGBTQ non-discrimination laws. Read more here.
New Documentary Explores Promise of ‘Conversion Therapy.’ Titled “Censored,” a newly released documentary explores the many aspects of what is popularly called “conversion therapy,” which aims to resolve youth traumas that are often at the root of same-sex attraction. Read more here.
UK Public Bodies Paying Thousands to Join Stonewall’s Pro-LGBT Movement. Approximately 250 public bodies, including government departments, police forces and local councils, have joined Stonewall’s ‘Diversity Champions’ program which rewards employers who promote LGBT ideology. Read more here.
Parents’ Challenge to School’s LGBT Non-Discrimination Rules Dismissed for Lack of Standing. In Reynolds v. Talberg, a Michigan federal district court dismissed, primarily for lack of standing, the parents’ challenge to a school district’s policies that prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Read more here.
Biden Pledges Passage and ‘Full Enforcement’ of LGBT Equality Act in His First 100 Days. U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden told the Philadelphia Gay News that he wants to see the Equality Act passed and signed into law during his first 100 days in office and that he will direct his cabinet to “ensure immediate and full enforcement of the Equality Act across all federal departments and agencies.” Read more here.
BBC ‘No Bias’ Rules Prevent Staff Joining LGBT Pride Marches. BBC journalists have been told that new rules on impartiality mean they may no longer be able to go on LGBT pride marches, even in a personal capacity, in case their presence is taken as a sign of political bias. Read more here.
Maryland Counseling Ban in Appeals Court. Liberty Counsel will present oral argument to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals asking it to reverse the district judge’s decision to dismiss the lawsuit seeking a preliminary and permanent injunction against Maryland’s harmful counseling ban. Read more here.
U.S. Senator Says LGBTQ Rights Are at Risk With Barrett Confirmation. Sen. Mazie Hirono gave a speech on the Senate floor saying that confirming Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court would put the “rights” of LGBTQ Americans at risk. Read more here.
UK Census to Ask About Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. Data on the proportion of the population that is lesbian, gay, bi-sexual or transgender will be gathered for the first time in the UK during next year’s census, with members of the public asked to provide information about their sexual orientation and gender identity. Read more here.
First-Ever Survey of Sexuality and Gender Identity of Episcopal Clergy Underway. The Episcopal Church’s Church Pension Group is encouraging all active and retired clergy to log on to the profiles and add their race, ethnicity, gender identity and sexual orientation. Read more here.
Bill Offering LGBT Protections in Italy Spurs Rallies on Both Sides. Protesters turned out for rival demonstrations on a bill that would make violence against LGBT-identified persons a hate crime carrying harsher penalties than under current law. Read more here.
Biden Again Pledges to Sign Equality Act. U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden pledged again to sign the Equality Act, which would make “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” protected characteristics under federal anti-discrimination law. Read more here.
LGBT Groups in Japan Launch Petition Seeking Equality Law. Human rights activists launched a petition calling for an LGBT equality law in Japan in hopes that it can be enacted next year when the country is to host the Olympics and will be the focus of international attention. Read more here.
Belize Equal Opportunities Bill Withdrawn. A bill purporting to secure equality and anti-discrimination in Belize was withdrawn after Catholic leaders raised objections to the bill’s treatment of sexual orientation and gender identity. Read more here.
MEPs Call for Ban on ‘Conversion Therapy.’ More than sixty Members of the European Parliament have signed a letter to three European Commissioners, demanding a Europe-wide ban on so-called “conversion therapy” practices. Read more here.
Effort to Bar LGBTQ Discrimination Moves Ahead in Michigan. A ballot drive has turned in more than 483,000 signatures for an initiative to prohibit discrimination against LGBTQ people in Michigan by amending the state’s civil rights law. Read more here.
Senator Scolds U.S Supreme Court Nominee for Using ‘Anti-LGBT’ Term ‘Sexual Preference.’ Sen. Mazie Hirono chastised Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett for using the term “sexual preference,” claiming that the words are “offensive.” Read more here.
Merriam-Webster Changes Definition of ‘Sexual Preference.’ The Merriam-Webster dictionary changed its definition of “sexual preference” to include the word “offensive” when used to describe sexual orientation as Democrats slammed Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett for using the term. Read more here.
Record Number of LGBT+ Candidates Set to Run in U.S. Election. The LGBTQ Victory Fund reports that at least 574 openly LGBT+ candidates will appear on the ballot for the November 3 election. Read more here.
Oreo Releases Rainbow Cookie Celebrating LGBTQ+ Allyship. Oreo has released the first-of-its-kind Limited Edition Oreo Rainbow Cookies “in celebration of LGBTQ+ History Month.” Read more here.
Hungarian Govt Calls Children’s Book ‘Homosexual Propaganda.’ Hungary’s nationalist government condemned a book of modern fairy tales for children published by a lesbian group as “homosexual propaganda” and said it should be banned. Read more here.
Facebook Removes Page for Those Struggling with Unwanted Homosexuality. Facebook recently shut down the entire page of Restored Hope Network, a coalition of ministries, therapists and pastors who offer Christian help and support for those struggling with unwanted homosexual and transgender desires, actions and identities. Read more here.
California Rolls Out Diversity Quotas for Corporate Boards. Hundreds of California-based corporations must have directors from racial or sexual minorities on their boards under a first-in-the-nation bill signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Read more here.
Trudeau Govt Reintroduces Bill Criminalizing Help for Unwanted LGBT Inclinations. Justin Trudeau’s government reintroduced a bill making it a crime punishable by five years in jail to help minors overcome same-sex attraction or gender confusion, or to remove them from Canada to seek such help. Read more here.
Poland Rejects Int’l Criticism Over LGBT Rights. Polish leaders rejected suggestions that LGBT people are deprived of any of their rights in the country, after an open letter from 50 ambassadors and international representatives cited a need to work for “non-discrimination, tolerance and mutual acceptance.” Read more here.
Chicago Renames LGBTQ Neighborhood Over Concerns Name Was Not Inclusive of Non-Binary. Following an “inclusivity survey,” Chicago’s historic LGBTQ neighborhood, “Boystown,” will rebrand as “Northalsted” and market itself as “America’s Proudest Neighborhood” over concerns “Boystown” referenced only one gender. Read more here.
Icelandic Church Apologizes for Ad Featuring Jesus With Breasts, Wearing Makeup. An Icelandic church recently received backlash after attempting to “emphasize diversity” by running a cartoon ad featuring a bearded Jesus with breasts and makeup dancing under a rainbow. Read more here.
Poland Criticized in EU Parliament Over LGBT Rights. Poland’s government came under criticism in the European Parliament, where some lawmakers called for it to lose European Union funding over its rule of law record and its “stigmatization” of LGBT people. Read more here.
Korean Bishops Concerned About Anti-Discrimination Law. The Bioethics Committee of the Catholic Church of Korea expressed concerns about a bill that aims to end all forms of discrimination, including those against LGBTI people. Read more here.
Lifetime Will Feature First LGBT-Themed Movie Starring Real Married Same-Sex Couple. Lifetime announced its “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime” holiday movie slate, chief among them being “The Christmas Setup” starring actors Ben Lewis and Blake Lee, who are married in real life. Read more here.
Burger King Ad Features Homosexual Kiss Between Mascots. To celebrate Helsinki “Pride Week,” Burger King Finland launched an ad campaign featuring the chain’s male mascot embracing and kissing Ronald McDonald. Read more here.
UK Survey on LGBT Teaching in Schools Shows Concern Over Inappropriate Instruction. The survey conducted by Kantar found that 56% of those who practice a religious faith disagreed with teaching a six-year-old that it is acceptable to be homosexual; 30% of people described as ‘not religious’ also disagreed. Read more here.
Malta Police Add LGBT Rainbow to Coat of Arms. The police force of the predominantly Catholic country of Malta added the pro-homosexual rainbow to its coat of arms this September to mark “Pride” month. Read more here.
PA City Enacts Non-Discrimination Law. Shippensburg is the 59th municipality in Pennsylvania to enact protections for LGBT people with regards to employment, housing and public accommodations. Read more here.
Manchester to Give Old People’s Homes LGBT Makeover. Manchester is working with artists to “improve LGBT visibility” in elderly people’s homes to encourage residents to “come out” as homosexual or transgender. Read more here.
Polish Bishops Clarify Call for Counseling Centers in LGBT Document. A Polish bishop has dismissed suggestions that the country’s bishops want to force people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender to undergo therapy and instead clarified that counseling services offered would be only for those who voluntarily seek them. Read more here.
Yeshiva University Nixes LGBTQ Club. Yeshiva University rejected the formation of a campus group for LGBTQ students but said it was putting in place new policies to help them feel safe. Read more here.
CA Legislature Passes Bill to Soften Criminal Penalty for Sex with Underage Teens. The California General Assembly has advanced legislation that seeks to prevent homosexual adults who sodomize or perform oral sex with underage teenagers from being automatically assigned to California’s sex offender registry. Read more here.
German Diocese Releases Videos of Employees Demanding Church Accept Homosexuality. The German Diocese of Essen launched an attack on Catholic teaching, releasing videos featuring employees and volunteers of the diocese demanding to change what the Church has taught since the time of Jesus Christ, including traditional marriage. Read more here.
LGBT+ Candidates Celebrate ‘Rainbow Wave’ in U.S. Election. This year, more than 880 openly LGBT+ candidates have appeared or will appear on ballots across the country, nearly double that of 2018, according to the LGBTQ Victory Institute. Read more here.
Canberra ‘Conversion Therapy’ Bill Passes With Amendments. A bill banning “conversion therapy” for individuals dealing with sexual orientation or gender identity issues has become law in the Australian Capital Territory, with amendments added to protect parents who seek to address sexuality issues with their children. Read more here.
Coalition Issues Statement on the Right of Polish Citizens to Protect the Family. Civil Society for the Family, a coalition of over 200 organizations, has issued a statement supporting the right of polish citizens to protect marriage, the family, and children by taking a stand against “LGBT propaganda” without interference from international organizations. Read more here.
Over 300 LGBT Leaders Endorse Biden for U.S. President. More than 300 LGBT leaders voiced their support for Democratic nominee Joe Biden for president, stating that the former vice president and his running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris, together make “the most pro-equality ticket in American history.” Read more here.
Polish Bishops Weigh in on Country’s LGBT Debate. Catholics have a duty to respect people who identify as LGBT+ but are not obliged to accept their views uncritically, Poland’s bishops said. Read more here.
Kentucky Lawmakers Resume Push to Curb ‘Conversion Therapy.’ Bipartisan opponents of “conversion therapy” in the Kentucky legislature have introduced a proposal to prohibit licensed mental health professionals from engaging in “conversion therapy” with people under 18. Read more here.
Amazon Bans Book Outlining ‘Health Hazards of Homosexuality.’ Retail giant Amazon has removed a book outlining the medical and psychological dangers associated with same-sex sexual acts from its website. Some say it is further evidence of a larger censorship trend. Read more here.
Arkansas Governor, Lawmakers Unveil Hate Crimes Proposal. Arkansas’ governor, attorney general and a bipartisan group of lawmakers unveiled legislation that would impose harsher penalties for crimes motivated by the victim’s race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Read more here.
L.A. to Close Hollywood Blvd for Installation of LGBT-Themed Mural. The Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services will close part of the Hollywood Boulevard next week in order to install a permanent street mural with the slogan “All Black Lives Matter” written in the colors of the LGBT rainbow, a move they say is a memorial to transgender people of color. Read more here.
Germany Plans Equal Rights for ‘Lesbian Co-Mothers.’ A baby born into a lesbian family will have two mothers, and neither will be required to apply to adopt the child, according to a proposed reform. Read more here.
Polish Nationalists and LGBT Activists Face Off in Warsaw. Hundreds of Polish nationalists and defenders of LGBT rights faced off against each other on opposite sides of a street in central Warsaw, separated by a line of several police vans and dozens of policemen. Read more here.
U.S. Political Convention Features ‘Transgender Non-Binary Gender Transcendent Mermaid Queen-King.’ A “Black-Vietnamese, transgender non-binary/gender-transcendent mermaid Queen-King currently living out their ever-evolving truths in Winston-Salem” spoke at the Democratic National Convention during a daytime session. Read more here.
Polish ‘LGBT-Free’ Town Gets State Financing After EU Funds Cut. A Polish town that lost European Union funding after it set up a zone free of “LGBT ideology” will receive government financial support, Poland’s justice minister said. Read more here.
CA State Senator Fights for Bill That Could Alter Sex Offender Registration for Homosexual Sex With Minors. A California state senator is seeking to salvage a bill that could decriminalize homosexual sex between young adults and minors in some cases, arguing that present state laws governing the sex offender registry unfairly discriminate against the LGBTQ community. Read more here.
Queensland Becomes First Australian State to Outlaw ‘Conversion’ Therapy. Under the new law, healthcare professionals could face up to 18 months in jail for attempting to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Read more here.
Disney’s ‘The Owl House’ Features First Bisexual Lead Character. The Disney Channel’s animated series The Owl House features what is believed to be Disney’s first bisexual lead character. Read more here.
Mennonite Regional Body Considering Cutting Ties Over LGBT Issues. A regional body of Mennonite Church USA has entered into a period of discernment over possibly leaving the denomination, in part over LGBT issues. Read more here.
Upcoming Hallmark Movie to Feature First Same-Sex Wedding. An upcoming Hallmark Channel movie will feature a same-sex wedding as a secondary part of the plot, a move many see as the first step in their commitment to prioritize “diversity and inclusion.” Read more here.
Lifetime Christmas Movie to Feature Same-Sex Romance for First Time. Lifetime cable network has announced that one of its upcoming Christmas movies will be its first to feature a same-sex romance as the lead story. Read more here.
First Lesbian Woman to be Appointed to Tel Aviv’s Religious Council. Abigail Sperber, 47, a mother of two and founder of the LGBT religious women’s organization Bat Kol, is expected to be appointed next week to Tel Aviv’s religious council. Read more here.
Three Poles Charged for Hanging Rainbow Flags Off Statues. Three people accused of hanging LGBT rainbow flags off statues in Warsaw have been arrested and charged with desecrating monuments and offending religious feelings. Read more here.
Russian Foreign Ministry Sends Notes of Protest to Western States’ Embassies Over LGBT Flags on Buildings. The United Kingdom embassy in Moscow has received a note of protest from the Russian Foreign Ministry over the appearance of an LGBT flag on the embassy building in late June. Read more here.
Democrats Demand Military Flag Policy Allow LGBT ‘Pride’ Flag While Banning Others. More than two dozen Democrats are demanding Defense Secretary Mark Esper allow service members to fly the LGBT “Pride” flag, which was banned when Esper issued a broad flag policy. Read more here.
Barclays Closes Bank Account of Christian Counseling Org. A UK Christian charity that helps people deal with unwanted same-sex attraction has been notified by their bank that their account will be closed. Read more here.
Facebook Censors Christian Ministry for Allegedly Promoting ‘Conversion Therapy.’ Facebook is starting to censor a Christian ministry for allegedly promoting “conversion therapy,” removing posts of men and women who were once LGBT-identified.. Read more here.
BBC Airs Teen Same-Sex Kiss in Show for Kids as Young as Six. The BBC, the publicly funded British TV and radio institution, has aired a kiss between two teenage girls in a program aimed at young children. Read more here.
Facebook Says Ban on ‘Conversion Therapy’ to Strike ‘Right Balance’ on Speech, Safety. In response to activists, Instagram and parent company Facebook plan to ban information about “conversion therapy” but haven’t fully defined the term. Read more here.
Ukraine Proposes Fine for Promoting Homosexuality. Two Ukrainian MPs are proposing a fine for the promotion of homosexuality and transgenderism. Read more here.
Knesset Bill Banning ‘Conversion Therapy’ Passes Initial Vote. A bill outlawing controversial same-sex “conversion therapy” passed a preliminary vote in the Knesset, drawing cheers from LGBT rights advocates and angering Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political allies. Read more here.
UK Prime Minister Promises to Ban ‘Conversion Therapy.’ UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that the government will move to ban same-sex “conversion therapy,” while failing to define how this might impact those seeking help with unwanted same-sex attraction. Read more here.
Italian Priest Performs Same-Sex Civil Union Ceremony. A priest has resigned as a parish pastor after he performed a same-sex civil union ceremony in the town hall of the Italian town of Sant’Oreste. Read more here.
NYC Pays $100K for Censoring Therapist’s Conversations on Same-Sex Attraction. The city of New York agreed to pay $100,000 in attorneys’ fees and nominal damages this week after the city council backtracked and repealed an ordinance that unconstitutionally censored private conversations between counseling professionals and their patients. Read more here.
Hallmark Movies Soon to Include ‘LGBTQ Storylines.’ Upcoming Hallmark movies will include “LGBTQ storylines, characters, and actors” as part of a company-wide strategy to promote diversity, an official from the parent company of Hallmark Channel says. Read more here.
UK Police Forces Spend Thousands on LGBT Causes and Training. Police forces around the UK have been criticized for spending tens of thousands of pounds on Stonewall subscriptions and other “LGBT expenditures.” Read more here.
Polish ‘LGBT-Free’ Town Weighs Risk of Losing EU Funds. Like about a hundred other municipalities across rural Poland, the local council has declared Konskowola to be free of “LGBT ideology.” Read more here.
Facebook Bans Content Related to Change From Homosexuality. Facebook announced that both Facebook and Instagram would be updating “hate speech” policies to ban any content that promotes so-called “conversion therapy.” Read more here.
‘Scooby-Doo’ Producer Confirms Character Velma is Lesbian. Velma Dinkley, the brainy square-glasses-wearing fictional character from the American animated franchise “Scooby-Doo” is lesbian, said a producer and former screenwriter for the franchise. Read more here.
Top Human Rights QC Blasts Northern Ireland Hate Crime Proposals. In a detailed legal opinion, Ivan Hare Queen’s Counsel attacked the proposals which could see “hate crime” laws extended to those who express disagreement on issues like same-sex marriage or transgenderism. Read more here.
Arab Israelis Call for Tahini Boycott Over LGBTQ Support. There are calls for a boycott after Al-Arz, an Arab Israeli company which produces locally popular tahini, announced last week that it would start funding a hotline for LGBTQ Arab Israeli youth. Read more here.
Polish President Proposes Constitutional Ban on LGBTQ Adoption. Ahead of a tight run-off race, the president of Poland has announced plans to change the country’s constitution to ban adoption of children by same-sex couples. Read more here.
UK Award-Winning Authors Call for Peer to be Reinstated as Honorary VP of Booker Prize. Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne was removed from her position following accusations of “transphobia” and “homophobia” after she voted against same-sex marriage in 2013 and “misgendered” a model who claims to be a woman. Read more here.
Knesset Says No to Surrogacy for Homosexual Men, But Minister Vows It Will Happen. Israeli Justice Minister Avi Nisseknorn said that he intends to advance a bill that would enable homosexual men to use the surrogacy procedure that is currently only available for heterosexual couples or single women who are unable to have a child. Read more here.
LGBT Flags on Moscow Embassy Buildings Seen as Attempt to Influence Voting. A Russian official feels that the flying of rainbow flags on the U.S. and UK embassies in Moscow was politically motivated. Read more here.
German Pastor Charged With Incitement for Anti-Homosexual Comment. Prosecutors in the northern German city of Bremen have charged a Protestant pastor with incitement for comments he made about homosexuality. Read more here.
LGBTQ Groups March Through Paris Demanding Political Action. Grassroots LGBTQ groups marched through Paris demanding more political actions on behalf of migrants, sex workers and other “marginalized” members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community. Read more here.
Drag Queens Dance in Calgary Park to Drum Up Stampede Spirit. According to one participant, the event — with five drag performers and some rodeo clowns — was created to spark joy and keep the spirit alive for the annual Calgary Stampede rodeo and exhibition, despite its cancellation due to COVID-19. Read more here.
Petition Signed by 275,000 Blasts Movie Portraying Jesus as a ‘Lesbian Woman’. The daughter of late pop singer Michael Jackson stars in a new movie in which she portrays Jesus Christ as “a lesbian woman,” according to a petition opposing the film. Read more here.
Netflix Orders ‘Queer-Friendly’ Animated Children’s Series. Netflix is ordering so-called “queer-friendly” animated children’s series DeadEndia, a horror-comedy series known for its tales of adolescence and inclusion of LGBTQ story lines. Read more here.
French Court Acquits Young People of ‘Homophobia’ Charges. A French Court of Appeal has found 12 college students who joined a spontaneous action against an “LGBT rights” stand in France not guilty of homophobic insults and obstruction to a legal public demonstration. Read more here.
Drag Queen Event for Toddlers Cancelled Following Backlash. UK Parents have successfully persuaded a library to cancel a Drag Queen Story Hour event aimed at children as young as two. Read more here.
Unsanctioned ‘Pride’ Parade Draws Thousands in Chicago. The city’s parade was canceled because of fears of the spread of the coronavirus, but activists gathered anyway at the “Reclaim Pride March,” which partnered the causes of “LGBT Pride” and the Black Lives Matter movement. Read more here.
First ‘Transqueer Lesbian’ Stars in Calvin Klein Billboard for ‘Pride Month’. American fashion brand Calvin Klein launched a nine-part video series featuring “rising stars” in the LGBTQ community, including self-described “transqueer lesbian” Jari Jones who is a biological male. Read more here.
Canadian Museum for Human Rights CEO Resigns After LGBT Censorship. The president and CEO of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights has resigned following reports that the museum forced staff at times to censor and block LGBT content for certain guests including religious school groups. Read more here.
Catholic Catechesis Directory Addresses Gender, Biological Sex. Bioethics, gender identity, and biological sex are new subjects covered in the Vatican’s latest Directory for Catechesis. Read more here.
U.S. Speaker of the House Calls Again for Senate Vote on Equality Act. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a statement commemorating the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, in which she called upon Senate leadership to bring up the Equality Act for a vote. Read more here.
Tel Aviv Announces Recognition of Same-Sex Couples During ‘Pride Week’. Tel Aviv-Jaffa Mayor Ron Huldai announced that same-sex couples will enjoy similar municipal benefits to those enjoyed by married couples. Read more here.
LGBTQ Advocates Sue Over Rollback of Non-Discrimination Protections. The Trump administration doesn’t have the authority to allow health providers to discriminate against LGBTQ patients, according to a lawsuit filed by advocacy groups seeking to block a new rule from taking effect. Read more here.
Catholic Activists to LGBT Members: ‘We’re Transforming the Church From the Bottom Up’. Outreach 2020, an “LGBTQ Catholic ministry gathering,” was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Speakers put out a video message instead. Read more here.
Canadian Human Rights Museum Under Fire for Allowing Touring Religious Schools to Bypass LGBT Displays. The Canadian Museum for Human Rights is under fire from LGBT activists for having previously accommodated the request from religious schools for tours that bypass exhibits dedicated to LGBT “rights.” Read more here.
U.S. Senate Republicans Block Vote on Equality Act. The bill passed the House of Representatives last year and would extend protections for LGBTQ individuals, superseding the rights of religious groups. Read more here.
UK LGBT Group Complains About Rainbow Artwork Inspired by Lockdown. A London-based LGBT group claimed that “the rainbow is ours” and told the group who decorated a bridge that they cannot use it for a different meaning “without taking it away from us.” Read more here.
Global ‘Pride’ Event Scheduled After Canceled Parades. After the cancellation of “Pride” parades due to the COVID-19 pandemic, national “Pride” networks have set up a new digital “Global Pride Day” which will include a 24-hour stream of music, performances and speeches. Read more here.
UN Calls for End to ‘Cruel’ ‘Conversion Therapy’. The United Nations is urging nations around the world to ban what opponents call “conversion therapy,” which involves therapy for those struggling with unwanted same-sex attraction and gender confusion. Read more here.
Polish President Calls LGBT ‘Ideology’ Worse Than Communism. Earlier in the week, Polish President Andrzej Duda signed a declaration with a ban on “propagating LGBT ideology in public institutions.” Read more here.
U.S. Supreme Court Extends Anti-Discrimination Protections to Transgender, Homosexual Employees. The Supreme Court ruled that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act protects workers from discrimination on the basis on sexual orientation and gender identity. Read more here.
Polish Archbishop Urges Protection of ‘Family Values’ Ahead of Vote. Archbishop Marek Jedrazszewski spoke out against ideologies that undermine the institution of marriage and the family. Read more here.
Nickelodeon Suggests SpongeBob is Homosexual in ‘Pride Month’ Tweet. Although the tweet doesn’t explicitly say the animated cartoon character SpongeBob is homosexual, the two other “rainbow” character treatments, released alongside SpongeBob, are of known queer characters. Read more here.
Polish President Makes Re-Election Promise to Protect Kids From LGBT Propaganda. President Andrzej Duda’s re-election campaign includes a focus on his pro-life policies, one of which is “Protection of children from LGBT ideology.” Read more here.
World Economic Forum: LGBT Inclusion Will Determine Cities’ ‘Post-Pandemic Success.’ An article published by the World Economic Forum argued that better inclusion of transgender and homosexual people “is the secret to cities’ post-pandemic success.” Read more here.
Over One-Third of Ontario’s English Catholic School Boards Give Nod to ‘Pride Month.’ The Catholic boards acknowledged “Pride Month” in the context of assurances that Catholic schools are inclusive and welcoming to all. Read more here.
Austrian Priest: Church Must Recognize ‘Sacramental Character’ of Same-Sex Partnerships. The editor of a book commissioned by the Austrian bishops that argues for the blessing of homosexual relationships has indicated that the ultimate goal is to have the Church “recognize” the “sacramental character” of homosexual partnerships. Read more here.
UN Report Condemns Talk Therapy for Homosexuality. The report encourages governments to outlaw doctors from offering, and patients from seeking, this particular method of dealing with unwanted feelings of same-sex attraction. Read more here.
No ‘Pride Month’ Proclamation for June From President Trump. President Donald Trump has not officially recognized June as “LGBT Pride Month” by issuing a proclamation about it, nor has he done so during the prior three years of his administration. Read more here.
Canadian Catholic University Raises ‘Pride’ Flag on Campus. St. Jerome’s University, a publicly funded Catholic institution federated with the University of Waterloo, explained in a press release that it was doing so to be welcoming to all. Read more here.
Courage Director Responds to Call for Same-Sex Church Blessings. Blessings of homosexual couples in the Catholic Church would only obscure knowledge of what is important and good about persons with same-sex attraction, according to the director of Courage International. Read more here.
German Bishop Quits Synodal Forum Endorsing ‘Polyvalent Sexuality.’ No general debate of the presented paper had been provided for, Bishop Dominikus Schaderlapp said, which led to his decision to renounce his membership in the forum. Read more here.
U.S. Speaker of the House Issues Statement in Honor of LGBTQ Pride Month.hHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a statement in honor of LGBTQ Pride Month in which she said that “LGBTQ leaders, activists and allies have advanced the cause of freedom for all Americans.” Read more here.
IKEA Manager Charged for Firing Pole Over Anti-Homosexual Remarks. A Polish prosecutor has charged an IKEA manager with violating the religious rights of an employee terminated for voicing strong objections, within the company, to a corporate event supporting LGBT people. Read more here.
Rainbow Flags Over Baghdad Fan Debate. In what both progressive and conservative critics considered a tone-deaf step to support Iraq’s LGBTQ community, several Western embassies’ raising of the rainbow flag did not have its intended effects. Read more here.
Malaysian Federal Court to Hear Challenge of Law Criminalizing Unnatural Sex. The Federal Court recently decided that it will proceed to hear a man’s constitutional challenge over a Selangor state law that makes it a Shariah offense to have unnatural sex. Read more here.
Canadian City Bans Help to Overcome Unwanted Same-Sex Attraction. The bylaw comes with fines of up to $10,000 or a year-long prison term for those found to violate the law. Read more here.
Marvel Film ‘Eternals’ Includes Openly Homosexual Married Superheroes. One Million Moms, a division of the American Family Association, is warning parents that the upcoming Marvel Studios film “Eternals” features an openly homosexual male superhero and his “spouse,” who kiss on screen. Read more here.
Austrian Bishops Commission Book Calling Same-Sex Relationships ‘Image of God’s Goodness.’ A new book commissioned by the Austrian bishops calls upon the Church to change its teaching against homosexuality and to bless homosexual relationships. Read more here.
Pixar Short ‘Out’ Features Studio’s First Homosexual Lead Character. Disney Plus debuted a Pixar short film that breaks new ground for the animation studio by featuring an openly homosexual character who is shown kissing his partner. Read more here.
Catholic GOP Committeewoman Fired From Healthcare Job After Cheering Cancellation of LGBT Pride Parade. Not only did the employer fire the home caregiver, but LGBT activists have harassed her and her family. Read more here.
SNP Veteran: ‘Beware Scotland’s Hate Crime Bill’. The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill seeks to extend the law on ‘hate crime’ against particular groups, namely age, race, disability, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity and variations in sexual characteristics. Read more here.
Albanian Psychologists Ban Conversion Therapy. Gay rights organizations welcomed a decision by the governing body of psychologists in Albania to prohibit the so-called conversion therapy, which attempts to change a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expressions. Read more here.
PBS Celebrates ‘Pride Month’ With Series on LGBTQ+ Identity in the South. The Public Broadcasting Service, which is funded in part by U.S. taxpayers, is introducing a series in June to celebrate “Pride Month” that will examine LGBTQ+ life in the southern United States. Read more here.
Pennsylvania Focusing on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Collection of Coronavirus Data. Governor Tom Wolf’s office announced that the state’s health department, under transgender Health Secretary Rachel Levine, is focusing on gender identity and sexual orientation or expression in the state’s collection of coronavirus data. Read more here.
Latest Coronavirus Relief Bill to Address LGBT Youth Suicide. The latest economic recovery bill making its way through the U.S. Congress calls for providing assistance to help develop strategies and plans to prevent suicides among “lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer” (LGBTQ) youth. Read more here.
Scottish Hate Crime Bill Could Be ‘Weaponized to Suppress Free Speech’. The Hate Crime and Public Order Bill in Scotland seeks to extend the law on ‘hate crime’ against particular groups, listed as age, race, disability, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity and variations in sexual characteristics. Read more here.
LGBT Activists Complain at Rainbow Being Used to Thank the NHS. LGBT activists in the U.K. are complaining that the rainbow is being appropriated by others to be used as a sign of support for the NHS during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more here.
Turkish President Backs Cleric Who Claims Homosexuality Brings Disease. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday threw his weight behind Turkey’s top Muslim cleric, who caused a storm by claiming homosexuality “brings disease and causes this generation to decay.” Read more here.
Finland’s First Same-Sex Adoptions Confirmed. The adoptions come three years after reform of the Marriage Act which allowed marriage equality and same-sex couples to adopt. Read more here.
German Bishops’ Head Calls for Changing Church Teaching on Homosexuality. Bishop Baetzing claims the Church’s teaching is something many no longer want or understand. Read more here.
Bosnia Takes First Step to Regulate Same-Sex Partnerships. Despite widespread resistance to LGBT rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina, civil society groups believe the political will is now there to regulate same-sex partnerships in one of the country’s two entities. Read more here.
Disney Producer Says ‘Relevant LGBTQ+ Narratives’ Are in the Works. Disney’s kids’ cartoon “DuckTales” has introduced a gay couple — two dads — as the parents of Violet, and the co-producer says upcoming themes will continue to address LGBTQ narratives. Read more here.
San Francisco 50th Anniversary LGBT Pride Parade Canceled. Carolyn Wysinger, the organization’s board president, said that alternative methods to celebrate LGBT Pride will be explored. Read more here.
Former Homosexual Begs Canadian Politicians to Not Ban Therapy That ‘Freed’ Him From LGBT Lifestyle. A man who formerly lived a life of homosexuality, drugs, and prostitution for 35 years is calling on Canadian politicians to vote against legislation that would ban “conversion therapy” designed to help LGBT people overcome unwanted same-sex attraction. Read more here.
Singapore Court Rejects Attempt to Overturn Ban on Gay Sex. Singapore’s High Court rejected an attempt by three pro-LGBT activists to overturn the city-state’s law against homosexual relations, thereby reaffirming its prohibition of gay sex as constitutional. Read more here.
UK School Threatened With Deregistration for Refusing LGBT Instruction. A strictly Orthodox secondary school has been threatened with removal from the register by the Department for Education because it will not teach openly about LGBT people. Read more here.
South Africa Opens Continent’s First Queer Wellness Center. The founders of the center in Johannesburg, the country’s biggest city, said it would provide clients with “stigma-free” sexual and mental health services, as well as treatments that focused specifically on LGBT+ people’s needs. Read more here.
Trudeau Government Introduces Bill to Criminalize Therapy for Those With Unwanted LGBT Identity. The bill will make it a crime not only to give Canadians of minor age help to overcome same-sex attraction or gender confusion but to “remove a minor from Canada” to seek such help. Read more here.
Middle School Hangs LGBT Flag in Cafeteria, Bans Flag of Traditional Family. Marshall Middle School in Marshall, Minnesota allowed the rainbow flag to be displayed. A student-circulated petition opposing the LGBT flag and requests to display other flags offered by the school population were not approved by the administration. Read more here.
UK National Health Service Will Refuse to Treat Patients Who Are “Intolerant of Sexuality.” The NHS will refuse treatment to patients who are deemed “homophobic” beginning in April unless the case is an emergency. Read more here.
Switzerland Votes to Criminalize ‘Homophobia.’ In a public referendum, 63.1 percent of the voters agreed that “discrimination,” “hate speech” and other forms of public “insults” aimed at homosexuals because of their “sexual orientation” will be punishable by a fine and up to three years’ imprisonment. Read more here.
Croatia’s Top Court Rules Same-Sex Couples Can be Foster Parents. A ruling by the Croatian Constitutional Court obliges courts and relevant authorities to give all competent appliers to foster equal opportunities, including same-sex couples. Read more here.
Nepal’s Next Census to Count LGBT+ People for the First Time. The census will be held in June 2021, and it is believed that the move could help sexual minorities gain better access to education and health schemes. Read more here.
Oklahoma Bans State Travel to California in Tit-for-Tat over LGBT Laws. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed an executive order banning nonessential state-funded travel to California, in response to California’s own ban on travel to Oklahoma. Read more here.
Tennessee Senate Passes Bill so Adoption Agencies Won’t Be Forced to Place Kids With Same-Sex Couples. On a vote of 20-6 the senate passed the bill that will ensure that licensed adoption agencies cannot be forced to make child placement decisions that “violate the agency’s written religious or moral convictions or policies.” Read more here.
Criminalization of Same-Sex Relations in Belize Ruled Unconstitutional. The Court of Appeal of Belize ruled that the Criminal Code that prohibited same-sex sexual relations is a violation of the Belize Constitution, which guarantees free expression and freedom from discrimination on the basis of sex. Read more here.
Calls for Improved Rights for LGBT Families Using Surrogacy to be Examined in Ireland. The Irish Government has tasked its special rapporteur on child protection to examine calls for improved parental rights for LGBT families using surrogacy and other forms of assisted human reproduction. Read more here.
Croatia Court Rules Same-Sex Couple can Foster Children. The Zagreb Administrative Court ruled that a same-sex couple has the right to become foster parents. Read more here.
Trump Administration Rule Again Allows Religious Adoption Agencies to Serve in Face of LGBT Demands. The federal rule change once again allows faith-based adoption agencies to receive federal funding without being required to place children with same-sex couples. Read more here.
Pro-LGBT Governments and U.S. Clash on Campaign to Decriminalize Homosexuality. U.S. ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell pitched a U.S. campaign to decriminalize homosexual conduct to members of the UN LGBT Core Group that promotes LGBT rights but they were not on board with the plan. Read more here.
Cambodia to Teach LGBT Issues to Students. From grade seven, around age 13, modules covering sexual orientation and gender identity will be part of sex education in schools. Officials believe the training will combat bullying and discrimination. Read more here.
Experts’ Group Says Governments Must Respect ‘Freedom … Right’ Of Homosexuals Wanting to Overcome Same-Sex Attraction. The International Federation for Therapeutic and Counselling Choice released its 2019 Declaration stating that “everyone should have the freedom and right to walk away from sexual experiences and practices they find unfulfilling, and have support to do so.” Read more here.
American Medical Association Announces Support for U.S. Ban on “Conversion” Therapy. Despite scientific evidence showing that sexual orientation change effort therapy can help individuals overcome unwanted same-sex attraction, and that counseling can help individuals overcome gender confusion, the AMA announced it would begin supporting a ban on so-called “conversion” therapy. Read more here.
Singapore Court to Hear Legal Challenges on Homosexual Sex Ban. Singapore has retained an old law that criminalizes homosexual behavior. Three Singaporean activists have launched separate bids to decriminalize homosexual sex. Previous legal challenges to overturn the ban have failed. Read more here.
Homosexual Pressure Group Demands 1 of 5 Prime-Time TV Characters be LGBT by 2025. In its annual report on the state of LGBT representation in television, the pro-LGBT pressure group GLAAD found a rise in prime-time depictions of homosexual and transgender characters but is demanding that a fifth of regular primetime characters are LGBT five years from now. Read more here.
UK Politician Deselected for Backing Parents Over LGBT Teaching in Schools. Roger Godsiff, an MP of 27 years, was formally reprimanded by the Labour Party after he sympathized with parents who complained that LGBT issues were being taught to their children without consultation. Read more here.
Order Signed in Ireland to Let Same-Sex Couples Register Both Names on Birth Certificate. Minister for Health, Simon Harris, signed commencement orders and regulations for parts of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015, which will come into effect on May 5. Previously, some same-sex couples could only register the child’s birth mother, meaning the other person in the relationship had no legal parental rights to the child they were raising. Read more here.
German Health Minister Submits Law Banning “Conversion” Therapy. Germany’s health minister, Jens Spahn, submitted a draft law to ban so-called conversion therapy for minors that would prohibit them from undergoing therapy for unwanted same-sex attraction or gender confusion. Read more here.
Kentucky Supreme Court Tosses Suit Against Designer Who Declined to Print “Gay Pride” Shirts. The court ruled that the plaintiff, Lexington’s Gay and Lesbian Services Organization, lacked standing in the case since the city’s homosexual rights law is meant to protect individuals rather than activist groups. Read more here.
Former LGBT Individuals Gather in Washington D.C. to lobby against LGBTQ-Rights Bills. The group is lobbying against H.R. 5, better known as the Equality Act, and H.R. 3570, or the Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act. Both bills have been supported by the country’s major LGBTQ advocacy organizations. Read more here.
Trump Administration Announces that Adoption Agencies Won’t be Forced to Give Kids to Same-Sex Couples. The announcement said that the administration will not be enforcing Obama-era rules forcing faith-based adoption and foster agencies to place children in same-sex households and proposed new rules specifically recognizing the religious and conscience rights of such organizations. Read more here.
Tens of Thousands Take Part in First “Gay Pride” Parade in Taiwan Since Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage. An estimated 200,000 people took part in the event in central Taipei near the Presidential Palace. Taiwan was the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage. Read more here.
Scottish Citizens Face ‘Baffling’ List of 21 Sexualities to Choose From in 2021 Census. National Records of Scotland revealed a plan to expand the four basic sexualities— straight or heterosexual, gay or lesbian, bisexual and other—to include 21 additional sexualities including bicurious, gynephilic and skoliosexual. Read more here.
Kellogg Announces Special Pro-Homosexual Breakfast Cereal to Raise Money for ‘LGBTQ Advocacy Work.’ All Together cereal is a limited-edition variety pack of Corn Flakes, Froot Loops, Frosted Flakes, Frosted Mini Wheats, Raisin Bran, and Rice Krispies. It was created in recognition of GLAAD’s Spirit Day 2019, which the organization bills as a “means of speaking out against LGBTQ bullying and standing with LGBTQ youth.” Read more here.
UK LGBT Teaching Row: School Exclusion Zone Decision Put Off. The decision on whether to keep a protest exclusion zone around a school at the center of a debate over LGBT equality teaching has been put off until a later date. The school has been at the focus of a campaign against teaching about LGBT relationships, led by some parents and activists who say it is in conflict with their religious beliefs and family values. Read more here.
LGBT Protesters Succeed in Shutting Down First Chick-Fil-A in the United Kingdom. LGBT advocacy groups in England have succeeded in convincing a shopping center in the UK not to renew Chick-fil-A’s lease, leading the company to announce that it will permanently close the location. Countless protests and boycotts have been organized by LGBT activists because the owners of Chick-fil-A hold a religious belief that marriage is between a man and a woman. Read more here.
UK Christian School Administrator Suspended After Questioning LGBT Agenda. The woman who held the position of governor (similar to a school board member) objected to the introduction of a pride month and the addition of LGBT books to the school library. Shortly after voicing her objections, she was suspended for “breaching the Governors Code of Conduct.” Read more here.
Tampa, Florida Counseling Ban for Minors with Unwanted Same-Sex Attraction Struck Down. Federal Judge William F. Jung struck down the city ordinance that prohibited licensed counselors from providing talk therapy to minors seeking help to reduce or eliminate unwanted same-sex attraction or gender confusion. Read more here.
Disney Confirms ‘Gay Couple’ in Star Wars Resistance Kids’ Show. Two producers of the Disney show said they were “proud” the two characters, Orka and Flix, in the animated show for children are a “gay couple.” Read more here.
Iowa City Rejects Federal Request to Remove Rainbow Crosswalks. The U.S. Federal Highway Administration requested that Ames, Iowa remove the crosswalks because they don’t comply with federal traffic control standards, which require crosswalk to use only white paint. Read more here.
France’s Medical Ethics Committee Expresses “Reservations” Over IVF for Lesbians and Single Women. In a debate about a bill that would legalize medically assisted pregnancies, the committee warned that children without fathers pose a developmental risk. Under current French law, only heterosexual couples have the right to use medically assisted procreation methods such as in vitro fertilization. Read more here.
Chick-Fil-A Sales Have Doubled Since LGBT Boycotts Began In 2012. Protests began following the CEO’s public support for marriage between a man and a woman. The fast-food chain has become the third largest restaurant in the U.S. Read more here.
Judge Tosses Lawsuit Challenging Maryland Therapy Ban for Unwanted Same-Sex Attraction. U.S. District Judge Deborah Chasanow’s ruling makes Maryland the 11th state to ban therapy for same-sex attracted minors. The lawsuit was initiated by therapist Christopher Doyle who believes his First Amendment rights to free speech and religious freedom were violated by the ban. Read more here.
New York City to Repeal Ban on Counseling for Same-Sex, Gender Dysphoria. The New York City Council is backing down from the ban on counseling for individuals with unwanted same-sex attraction and gender confusion for fear the U.S. Supreme Court would strike it down along with other similar bans throughout the country. Read more here.
Homosexual “Chemsex” Parties Are Fueling Urban HIV Epidemics, AIDS Experts Warn. Parties where people spend days using drugs and engaging in sexual behavior with dozens of partners is causing an increase in HIV among homosexual men in Europe. Read more here.
Brazilian President Moves to Protect Schoolkids from LGBT Gender Ideology. President Jair Bolsonaro has announced that his administration is preparing legislation to prohibit the spreading of gender ideology in Brazil’s public primary schools. Read more here.
Spanish Region Gives Parents the Right to Take Children Out of Talks Led by LGBT Groups. The government of Murcia will allow parents of elementary students to decide if their children will attend classes led by external organizations on a range of issues including sex education. Read more here.
“Veggie Tales” Creator Says it is “Inevitable” That Christian Filmmakers Will Be Forced to Address LGBT Issues. Phil Vischer said the issue has become a growing presence in children’s media, but he will not cave to pressure from Hollywood to promote such things as same-sex marriage to children. Read more here.
More States Pledge to Include LGBT History in School Curriculums. Illinois has joined California, New Jersey, and Colorado in mandating the teaching of LGBT History. Maryland is also planning to include LGBT individuals who are viewed as historically underrepresented in lesson plans. Read more here.
Illinois Governor Mandates LGBT History Curriculum for Public Schools. Gov. J. B. Pritzker signed the bill that will require schools to incorporate “a study of the roles and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people” as part of the American history curriculum. Read more here.
U.S. Uses UN Mechanism to Pressure Countries on Homosexuality. The U.S. State Department is using a little-known UN mechanism, the Universal Periodic Review, to pressure governments to change their laws on sexual practices related to “sexual orientation and gender identity.” Read more here.
Maryland Therapist Fights for Free Speech and Religious Liberty Against “Conversion Therapy” Ban. Christopher Doyle, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor filed a lawsuit against a Maryland law banning therapy for minors with unwanted homosexual or transgender issues. Read more here.
White House Confirms Global Campaign to Protect Homosexual Behavior. The White House confirmed the launch of a global U.S. campaign to decriminalize homosexuality in a tweet from Richard Grenell, the openly homosexual U.S. Ambassador to Germany. Read more here.
U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity Case in October. On October 8 the court will begin hearing oral arguments on whether longstanding anti-discrimination laws should be reinterpreted to include homosexuality and gender identity. Read more here.
California Lawmakers Suggest Religious Are to Blame for LGBT Suicides. ACR-99 is a resolution passed by the California Assembly that declares that “being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender” are “part of natural variations that occur in sexual orientation and gender identity.” The resolution condemns counseling services that help people resolve unwanted gender confusion or same-sex attraction. Read more here.
Oregon Mandates K–12 LGBT Identity Curricula in Civics, Economics, Geography, Government and History. House Bill 2023 was signed by Gov. Kate Brown and will go into effect in January 2020. By September 2026, all textbooks and instructional materials will have to include perspectives of LGBT individuals. Read more here.
Study Finds LGBTQ Americans Could Be at Higher Risk for Dementia. Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco found that compared with non-LGBTQ people LGBTQ individuals were 29 percent more likely to report memory loss and confusion—two early signs of dementia. Read more here.
Former Homosexuals Petition Amazon to Stop Banning Books That Help With Unwanted Same-Sex Attraction. Amazon recently removed several books in response to a Change.org petition that mislabeled all materials dealing with leaving the practice of active homosexuality as destructive “conversion therapy.” Read more here.
Botswana to Appeal Ruling Decriminalizing Homosexuality. Attorney General Abraham Keetshabe said the court made a mistake, and the government will appeal the ruling by the High Court. Read more here.
Poll Finds UK is Less Tolerant of Same-Sex Relations. According to the British Social Attitudes Survey, one-third of the population is opposed in some way to homosexual behavior for the first time since the AIDS crisis. Read more here.
UK Prime Minister Defies Parents to Back Compulsory LGBT Lessons. Prime Minister Theresa May has commended compulsory Relationships Education for primary school children despite parents’ opposition. The program, which will be compulsory in all primary schools in the UK from 2020, is “heavily biased towards LGBTQ” as it covers topics such as gender, gender reassignment and sexual orientation. Read more here.
Over 200 Companies Urge U.S. Supreme Court to Make “Sexual Orientation” and “Gender Protected” Classes. The 206 corporations including Amazon, Google, Nike, and General Motors have signed an amicus brief urging the court to interpret the meaning of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964’s prohibition against “sex” discrimination to include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity.” Read more here.
French Politician Excluded From Party For Opposing Law Allowing Lesbians to Artificially Procreate. Agnès Thill, a member of the French National Assembly, was excluded from the presidential “République En Marche” (LREM) party for opposing access to artificial procreation for single women and lesbian couples. Read more here.
10-Year-Old Girl Suspended for Asking to be Exempted From LGBT School Lesson. The student from the Heavers Farmer Primary School in South London was suspended from school for a week for making the request. Read more here.
UK Education Secretary Says School Children Must Learn About Same-Sex Relationships. Damian Hinds said, “Our new guidance is clear that children should leave school having learnt about LGBT relationships.” The government issued final guidance this week ahead of compulsory Relationships Education lessons that will be introduced next year. Read more here.
Poll Finds Americans Greatly Overestimate the Size of the LGBT Population. U.S. adults estimate that nearly one in four Americans (23.6 percent) are homosexual or lesbian, more than five times Gallup’s more encompassing 2017 estimate that 4.5 percent of Americans are LGBT, based on respondents’ self-identification as being lesbian, homosexual, bisexual or transgender. Read more here.
Survey Shows Young Americans are Increasingly “Uncomfortable” With LGBTQ Community. The survey of nearly 1,800 American adults by GLAAD, formerly known as the “Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation,” found the percentage of those surveyed who were “very or somewhat comfortable” in all the scenario prompts dropped by eight points on average, from 53 to 45 percent. Read more here.
LGBT “Pride” Parade Advocates Say Children Like to See “Nakedness” and “Kink.” A sex therapist in Canada claims she cannot imagine “a safer place for families to bring children” than an LGBTQ “pride” celebration. “Pride” parades often feature public nudity and sex acts. Read more here.
Active Homosexuals Deliberately Break UK Blood Donor Waiting Period. A regulation that bans men who actively engage in homosexual behavior from giving blood if they’ve had sexual contact in the previous three months is being intentionally violated to protest the ban and “fight the system.” Read more here.
Top U.S. Library Group Colludes With Local Librarians to “Sneak” LGBT Content to Kids. The American Library Association (ALA) website features an article by a Maryland librarian that describes ways children’s librarians can sneak LGBT content and activities into libraries located in conservative rural areas. Read more here.
Cartoon Network Promotes LGBTQ Lifestyle to Kids. The network viewed by millions of children is encouraging support of “pride month” in one of its shows and is using cartoon characters to promote an LGBTQ lifestyle in social media campaigns. Read more here.
Scotland 2021 Census to Include New Questions on Transgender Identities and Sexuality. The Scottish Parliament unanimously approved the new questions but stressed that answering them would be voluntary with no penalties for those who choose not to respond. Read more here.
France to End IVF Ban for Lesbian Couples and Single Women. Prime Minister Édouard Philippe announced that the ban on single women and lesbian couples accessing medically-assisted procreation will be lifted. Currently only heterosexual couples who have been married or living together for more than two years can access procedures such as artificial insemination, IVF or sperm donation. Read more here.
“My Little Pony” Cartoon Introduces Lesbian Pony Couple. The cartoon based on the popular toy figurines aired an episode which featured the same-sex pony couple. The episode was approved by Hasbro, the company that produces the toys. Read more here.
“Gay Pride” Flag Raised at California State Capitol for the First Time. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office wrote that the flying of the flag over the capitol was a celebration and support of the LGBT community. Read more here.
Homosexual Rights Activists Want Police Out of “Pride” Events. Some activists claim police officers inspire fear and threaten the safety of participants. “Cops out of Pride” protests are set to take place in opposition to the policing of “pride” parades. Read more here.
Botswana Decriminalizes Homosexual Behavior. Three judges on Botswana’s High Court unanimously ruled that laws that impose up to seven years in prison are unconstitutional. The law banning homosexual behavior was enacted in 1965. Read more here.
U.S. VP Pence Defends State Department Decision to Disallow “Gay Pride” Flag on American Embassy Flagpoles. When asked about the policy, Vice President Pence said, “one flag should fly, and that’s the American flag – and I support that.” Read more here.
Trump Administration Bans Rainbow Flags Above U.S. Embassies. Requests from embassies across the world to fly the rainbow flag in recognition of LGBT “pride month” are being denied by the Trump administration. Flags can still be displayed elsewhere including on embassy walls and inside buildings. Read more here.
Boston Group Plans “Straight Pride” Parade. A group of Massachusetts conservatives is planning to hold the event in late summer to “spread awareness of issues impacting straights in Greater Boston and beyond.” Read more here.
San Marino Bans Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation. Citizens of the country voted on the ban in a referendum. The motion passed with 71.46 percent of the votes. Read more here.
Trump Supports “Pride Month” and Pledges to Overturn Laws Criminalizing Homosexuality Worldwide. President Donald Trump has asked the world to “stand with” same-sex attracted people in countries where homosexual conduct is illegal. Read more here.
Brazil’s Supreme Court Votes to Make “Homophobia” and “Transphobia” Crimes. Six of the 11 judges voted in favor of the measure and ruled that “homophobia” should be framed within the racism law until the country’s congress approves legislation specifically covering LGBT discrimination. Read more here.
Kenya High Court Upholds Law Criminalizing Homosexual Sex. The three judges rejected claims that the law violated the new constitution, which guarantees equality, dignity and privacy. Many African countries still enforce strict laws governing homosexuality. Read more here.
Target Stores Donate $100,000 To LGBT Nonprofit That Promotes Inclusive K-12 Schools. Target is donating the money to GLSEN, a pro-homosexual organization. The department store also offers clothing and accessories celebrating the homosexual lifestyle marketed to adults and children. Read more here.
U.S. House Passes LGBT Equality Act. The legislation, passed by a vote of 236 – 173, would extend civil rights protections to LGBT people by prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Read more here.
Federal Court Rules Christian Adoption Agency Can’t Reject Same-Sex Couples. A federal court says New York officials weren’t infringing on a Christian adoption agency’s religious freedom by requiring it to serve same-sex couples. An appeal is likely. Read more here.
White House Criticizes Equality Act but Stops Short of Veto Threat. The proposed legislation would add sexual orientation and gender identity protections to federal civil rights law. A Trump administration official said “this bill in its current form is filled with poison pills that threaten to undermine parental and conscience rights.” Read more here.
PBS Kids’ Cartoon Features Homosexual Wedding. The season premiere of “Arthur,” the longest-running animated series for children in the U.S., depicted the marriage of Arthur the Aardvark’s teacher to another male. Read more here.
U.S. Supreme Court to Decide Whether Non-Discrimination Law Covers Homosexual and Transgender Workers. The Supreme Court announced that it would decide whether the Civil Rights Act of 1964 guarantees protections from workplace discrimination to homosexual and transgender people. The court will take up the cases of three individuals who claim they were fired for their sexual orientation or gender identity. Read more here.
UK Teachers’ Union Calls for Compulsory Same-Sex Relationships Education in Schools. The National Education Union conference in Liverpool made the demand after protests over an “equality” program. Protesters said the program, “No Outsiders,” violates religious beliefs. Read more here.
Arizona Repeals Law Preventing Teachers from Discussing LGBTQ Issues in Health Classes. The law on the books since 1991 regulated HIV/AIDS instruction and prevented teachers from portraying homosexuality as a positive lifestyle. Read more here.
United Methodists in Conflict Over LGBT Policies. There have been disagreements in America’s largest mainline Protestant denomination for years over differences on same-sex marriage and ordination of LGBT pastors. Many believe a vote that took place in February in favor of the “Tradition Plan” that strengthened bans on LGBT-inclusive practices may prompt liberal congregations to split off. Read more here.