August 2023
USAID Releases First-Ever LGBTQI+ Inclusive Development Policy — "The Policy outlines overarching USAID principles and objectives for LGBTQI+ inclusive development programs and activities as part of a coordinated Agency priority, and advances USAID’s commitment to supporting protection, inclusion, and human rights for all so that LGBTQI+ individuals are able to live with dignity and free from all forms of violence, discrimination, stigma, and criminalization." Read more.
As Anti-Trans Bills Target Prisoners, Some Warn of A 'Canary In The Coal Mine' — "Legislation targeting transgender people behind bars is part of a much broader campaign against LGBTQ rights. Advocates say the measures could preview future attacks by the anti-trans movement." Read more.
U.S. appeals court blocks Idaho’s transgender student athlete ban — "A federal appeals court on Thursday refused to allow Idaho to enforce a first-in-the-nation ban on transgender women and girls from participating in female sports leagues, saying the measure likely was unconstitutional . . . The Idaho measure, which Republican Gov. Brad Little signed into law in March 2020, bars transgender women and girls of all ages from participating in female sports teams at public schools in the state, from primary school through college." Read more.
This new Oklahoma executive order narrowly defines ‘woman’ — "The narrow definitions in the so-called “Women’s Bill of Rights” exclude trans and nonbinary people or anyone whose gender does not fit into the binary categories of woman or man. The order’s language does not make room for those with chromosomal variations, like intersex people." Read more.
North Carolina lawmakers override veto on bill limiting LGBTQ instruction in early grades — "North Carolina’s Senate and House voted minutes apart Wednesday to override Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of a bill limiting LGBTQ+ instruction in the early grades, immediately making it law. The law, which is expected to face a legal challenge, requires public school teachers in most circumstances to alert parents before they call a student by a different name or pronoun. It also bans instruction about gender identity and sexuality in K-4 classrooms, which critics have previously likened to a Florida law opponents call 'Don’t Say Gay.'" Read more.
Senate Democrats introduce legislation to help trans people get accurate credit scores — "The Name Accuracy in Credit Reporting Act would require credit reporting agencies to stop using consumers’ deadnames.'" Read more.
Massachusetts Senate clears “X” gender choice for driver’s licenses — "The Senate moved Thursday to give people the option to select a nonbinary “X” identification on their drivers’ licenses and birth certificates, a choice LGBTQ allies have been advocating for years. The Massachusetts Senate unanimously voted to pass a bill, S. 2429, titled 'an Act relative to gender identity on Massachusetts identification,' which was filed by Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton." Read more.
Protesters oppose Texas Gov. Abbott's signing of 'Save Women's Sports Act' — "Amid chants of 'protect trans lives,' dozens of people—including members of the LGBTQ community—stood outside Texas Woman's University with a message for Governor Greg Abbott about the new state law requiring athletes at public colleges and universities to compete on teams the same as their biological sex." Read more.