As the world continues to learn more about coronavirus and its spread, it's vital to stay up-to-date on the latest developments. However, it's also important to make sure that the information being distributed is from credible sources. To that end, Between The Lines has compiled, [...]
Supreme Court Makes Anti-LGBTQ Discrimination Easier at Religious Schools
In a decision that undermines LGBTQ teachers at religious schools, the U.S. Supreme Court has affirmed for Catholic schools an expansive ministerial exemption in hiring practices under civil rights law. In the 7-2 decision issued [...]
HUD Appears to Defy Bostock Ruling with Anti-Trans Rule for Homeless Shelters
In apparent defiance of the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling against anti-LGBTQ discrimination, the Trump administration has announced plans to change Obama-era regulations to allow homeless shelters to refuse to house transgender people consistent with [...]
Trump Admin Sued for Refusing to Back Down on Anti-Trans Health Care Rule
With the Trump administration refusing to take back its rule permitting anti-transgender discrimination in health care following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on LGBTQ rights effectively countermanding it, LGBTQ legal advocates are returning to the [...]
Supreme Court Ruling may Force Trump Retreat on Anti-LGBTQ Policies
The U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling this week in terms of the immediate protections it granted LGBTQ people in the workplace, but the decision may soon provide more victories by forcing President Trump [...]
HISTORIC: Supreme Court Rules Firing Workers for Being LGBTQ is Illegal
In a historic development, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Monday federal law bars discrimination against workers for being LGBTQ, affirming long-sought federal protections for LGBTQ people in the workplace. The 6-3 decision, written by [...]
Trump Admin Makes Final Rule Allowing Anti-Trans Discrimination in Health Care
Disregarding pleas from transgender advocates, the Trump administration made final on Friday a rule enabling health care providers to refuse care to transgender people, including gender reassignment surgery. The rule change at the Department of [...]
LGBTQ Athletes Urge NCAA to Nix Events in Idaho Over Anti-Trans Sports Law
Lesbian athletes Billie Jean King and Megan Rapinoe are calling on the National Collegiate Athletics Association to move a major basketball competition from Idaho in the wake of the state enacting a law barring transgender [...]
Anger Over Racism, Police Brutality Directed at Trump in White House Protests
Protesters gathered outside the White House on Saturday to direct their anger at President Trump after days of demonstrations over police brutality against Black individuals, including George Floyd. The portion of 16th Street leading up [...]
‘It Means Giving Up Some Privilege’: Black Leaders on how LGBTQs Should Fight Racism
As anger over the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis continues to rage — with protests, #BlackOut posts on social media and even violence — some are asking what action is needed from the LGBTQ [...]
Anti-LGBTQ Steve King Loses GOP Primary to Anti-LGBTQ Challenger
Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), who long before his remarks embracing white nationalism was known for his draconian anti-LGBTQ views, lost his primary race in Iowa, but to a challenger who also has an anti-LGBTQ record. [...]
LGBTQ Groups Call to Bring Into Movement Anti-Racism, End to White Supremacy
Amid the national horror following the police killing of George Floyd in Minnesota, LGBTQ and civil rights groups have issued a joint statement declaring anti-racism and an end to white supremacy must be “integral to [...]
Trump Administration: Transgender Inclusion in School Sports violates Law
In a determination sending a nationwide message against transgender inclusion in sports, the Department of Education under Secretary Betsy DeVos has concluded the participation of two transgender athletes in the girls’ school track league in [...]
LGBT Lawmakers Lead Effort To Push Mail, Absentee Voting
Amid concerns the coronavirus pandemic could endanger voters seeking to cast their ballots in the 2020 election, LGBT members of Congress have launched an initiative with the Human Rights Campaign to call on states to [...]
Larry Kramer, Gay Rights Pioneer During AIDS Crisis, Dies at 84
Larry Kramer, a gay rights pioneer who led the way as an activist and author during the AIDS crisis, has died at age 84, according to a report in the New York Times. David Webster, [...]
Supreme Court Refuses to Block Transgender Surgery for Idaho Inmate
In a surprise order on Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to grant the state of Idaho’s request to block gender reassignment surgery for a transgender inmate, which lower courts affirmed is her right to [...]
CDC Now has Data on HIV Infections for Trans People — and They’re Going Up
For the first time, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention is including data on transgender people in its reports on HIV infections — and the results show a gradual increase in new cases of [...]
Nat’l Center for Transgender Equality Action Fund Endorses Biden
Joseph Biden has obtained the official support from a leading transgender rights group, which has endorsed him in his bid to unseat President Trump from the White House. The National Center for Transgender Equality Action [...]
HRC Rolls Out Support for Biden on Anniversary of Marriage Endorsement
The nation’s leading LGBTQ group has officially thrown its support behind Joseph Biden in the presidential election, drawing on the anniversary of his famous words in support of same-sex marriage on “Meet the Press” to [...]
State AGs to FDA: Drop Gay Blood Ban and Use Risk-Based Policy
In the aftermath of the Food & Drug Administration easing the ban on blood donations from gay and bisexual men, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is leading a group of 19 states in calling for [...]
Fewer Americans Oppose Religious-Based Refusal of Service to LGBTQ People: Poll
A new study on LGBTQ issues made public Tuesday has found a modest — but noticeable and sustained — drop over time in opposition to business owners being allowed to refuse services to LGBTQ people. The study, [...]
Fauci: Gay People Lifted Stigma With ‘Incredible Courage’ in HIV/AIDS Epidemic
Dr. Anthony Fauci said Tuesday the visibility LGBTQ people brought to themselves during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic helped change the tide for public perception. Fauci made the remarks during the daily White House [...]
Idaho Governor Quietly Signs Anti-Trans Bills Amid Coronavirus Crisis
As the nation’s focus has become fixated on the coronavirus, Idaho Gov. Brad Little has signed into law Monday, on the eve of the Transgender Day of Visibility, two pieces of anti-transgender legislation. One measure, [...]
PrEP Manufacturer to Test Drug Against COVID-19 — Has Low Expectations
Gilead Sciences, the manufacturer of Truvada, is set to test components of the HIV prevention drug against COVID-19 as the pandemic continues to rage across the globe — but has low expectations for the results, [...]
Senators Renew Call to Lift Ban on Gay Blood Donations Amid Coronavirus Crisis
A cadre of 17 senators — including six former presidential hopefuls and one current candidate — are calling on the Food & Drug Administration to take another look at the ban prohibiting gay and bisexual [...]
Despite Call to Donate Blood Amid Coronavirus Crisis, FDA Firm on Gay Ban
Despite calls for increased blood donations amid the coronavirus crisis, the Food & Drug Administration is staying firm on its ban prohibiting gay men from donating blood. “At this time, FDA’s recommendations regarding blood donor [...]
Risks to LGBTQ People in Coronavirus Crisis Cited in New Lawsuit Against HHS
LGBTQ legal advocates highlighted the dangers of the coronavirus people in a lawsuit Thursday challenging the Trump administration’s refusal to enforce an Obama-era rule barring federal grantees from discriminating against LGBTQ people. Because medical practitioners [...]
Idaho Legislature Sends Anti-Trans Bills to Governor’s Desk
As the nation continues to reel from the coronavirus, the Idaho legislature has sent a pair of anti-trans bills to the desk of its governor, one aimed barring transgender youth from participating in sports, the [...]
Biden Unveils Extensive LGBTQ Plan, Drawing on Obama-era Achievements
Democratic presidential candidate Joseph Biden unveiled on Thursday a comprehensive plan to advance LGBTQ rights, pledging to support policies and legislation against anti-LGBTQ discrimination and to protect LGBTQ human rights advances across the globe. “As [...]
Buttigieg Drops Presidential Campaign
Former South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg, who had considerable success and made history as a gay presidential candidate, dropped on Sunday night his bid for the White House. “Tonight, I am making the difficult to [...]
Pete’s Predicament: Winning Over Black Voters on Super Tuesday
With Super Tuesday just a few days away, Pete Buttigieg will be required to make wins among Black and Brown voters to stay in the game as a viable presidential candidate — a Herculean effort [...]
Tenn. Governor Signs Anti-LGBTQ Adoption Bill Into Law
Gov. Bill Lee (R-Tenn.) has signed into law an anti-LGBTQ adoption bill. (Photo by Lynn Freeny via Flickr) Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has signed legislation into law that would enable taxpayer-funded adoption agencies to [...]
2020 Kicks Off with Slew of Anti-LGBTQ Bills in State Legislatures
The start of the new year means the start of state legislative sessions around the country — and the annual emergence of anti-LGBTQ legislation is right on cue. Just two weeks into 2020, a slew [...]
Tenn. Clerks Told Not to Marry Gay Couples in Letter From Anti-LGBTQ Lawyer
Clerks in Tennessee have been operating under the assumption — one widely held by just about every legal authority — that they’re bound by the U.S. Supreme Court to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples, [...]
Methodist Church Announces Plan to Split Over Division on LGBTQ Acceptance
The United Methodist Church, which has struggled for years with LGBTQ acceptance, has announced a plan for a split in which parishes that oppose same-sex marriage will leave the denomination, but pave the way for LGBTQ inclusion [...]
Supreme Court Could Deliver Bad News for LGBTQ Teachers at Religious Schools
Cases the Supreme Court has recently agreed to take up on the right for religious non-profits to hire and fire employees consistent with their faith could have major implications for LGBTQ workers at those institutions, [...]
Chicago Activist Named New Head of National Center for Lesbian Rights
The new head of the National Center for Lesbian Rights will be a Chicago-based activist who has served as a voice in the LGBTQ movement for black women, the organization announced Tuesday. Imani Rupert-Gordon, who [...]
Senate Confirms Fifth Openly Gay Ambassador Under Trump
Just before adjourning for the holidays, the U.S. Senate confirmed Robert Gilchrist as the next the U.S. ambassador to Lithuania, making him at least the fifth openly gay person to serve in an ambassadorial role [...]
Fairness for All Act Seeks Middle Ground on LGBTQ Rights
Newly introduced legislation in the U.S. House backed by the Mormon Church seeks to strike a middle ground on LGBT rights and religious freedom in federal civil rights law, although major proponents of each refuse [...]
22 Transgender Murders of 2019 Documented in New HRC Report
Days before the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, the nation’s leading LGBTQ group has issued a report detailing the murders of each of the 22 transgender and gender non-conforming people killed this year. The report, [...]
Parker Slams Media for Reporting Black Voters Won’t Back LGBTQ Candidates
The head of the LGBTQ Victory Institute took the media to task Friday amid a flurry of media reports Pete Buttigieg isn’t faring well in the South because black voters are reluctant to support a [...]
22 transgender murders of 2019 documented in new HRC report
Days before the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, the nation’s leading LGBTQ group has issued a report detailing the murders of each of the 22 transgender and gender non-conforming people killed this year. [...]
Buttigieg calls latest Trump move enabling anti-LGBT bias a ‘huge step backward’
DECORAH, Iowa — In the aftermath of the Trump administration unveiling a proposed rule change enabling taxpayer-funded adoption agencies to deny placement in LGBT families, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg has denounced the move as [...]
Trump Admin to Allow Adoption Agencies to Refuse Placement in LGBTQ Homes
The Trump administration is moving forward with a proposed regulation that will allow taxpayer-funded adoption agencies to refuse placement to LGBT families over religious objections.
Data at Forefront of Congressional Hearing on Anti-LGBT Bias in Housing, Credit
As LGBT rights advocates continue to press the Equality Act to ban anti-LGBT discrimination, data was at the forefront of a congressional hearing Tuesday as evidence that anti-LGBT discrimination in housing and credit continues to exist.
Buttigieg Wants Another Justice Kennedy on Supreme Court
South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg said his vision for Supreme Court appointments upon election as president would be in the mold of moderates like former U.S. Anthony Kennedy — although his campaign denies that characterization of his remarks.
High Stakes for LGBTQ Americans at Supreme Court Today
The U.S. Supreme Court is set Tuesday to hear a trio of cases that will determine not just whether firing workers for being LGBT is legal under federal law, but will also have ramifications for [...]
Trump Brings up Global Initiative to Decriminalize Homosexuality at UN
In a surprise move, President Trump included in his speech before the United Nations on Tuesday his administration’s global initiative to decriminalize homosexuality in the more than 70 countries where it remains illegal. “My administration [...]
2020 Hopefuls Gather for LGBT Forum, but Biden has Tense Moment
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Democratic presidential hopefuls came together Friday night at an LGBT candidate forum to lay out their vision for LGBT rights, but the evening yielded to a tense moment when Joseph Biden [...]
Exclusive: Log Cabin Executive Director Resigns Over Trump Endorsement
The executive director of the Log Cabin Republicans has resigned following a controversial decision by the organization’s board to endorse President Trump, the Washington Blade has learned exclusively. Jerri Ann Henry, who was the first [...]
Trump Admin to Supreme Court: It’s OK to Fire Workers for Being Gay
With the U.S. Supreme Court poised to issue a major ruling on whether firing workers for being gay, lesbian and bisexual is legal under federal civil rights law, the Trump administration has weighed in with [...]