Michael Lavers
Trump Declares National Emergency to Fund Border Wall
President Trump on Friday declared a national emergency in order to secure funding for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. He made the announcement in the White House Rose Garden before he signed a spending bill that will keep the federal [...]
ICE confirms 45 transgender women being held at Texas detention center
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement this week confirmed to the Washington Blade that it is currently housing 45 transgender women at a privately-run detention center in Texas. Danielle Bennett on Tuesday said the trans women are being held at [...]
Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers Introduce Bills to Protect Transgender Servicemembers
A group of bipartisan lawmakers on Thursday introduced bills that would allow openly transgender people to enlist in the military and protect trans servicemembers who are already serving. U.S. Reps. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.), Joseph Kennedy [...]
Top 10 International LGBT Stories of 2018
No. 10: Kim Davis-backed Romania marriage referendum fails A referendum on whether to define marriage as between a man and a woman in the Romanian constitution's definition of family failed in October because of insufficient voter [...]
Bermuda Government Appeals Ruling Against Marriage Repeal Law
The government of Bermuda has asked a British territories appellate court to overturn a ruling against a law that rescinded marriage rights for same-sex couples. The appeal was filed in the Privy Council in London on Dec. 13, less than a month after [...]
Taiwan Voters Reject Same-Sex Marriage in Referendum
A referendum on whether same-sex couples should receive marriage rights in Taiwan failed on Saturday. Voters by a 67-33 percent margin rejected a question on whether same-sex couples should receive marriage rights through Taiwan's civil code. Voters [...]
US 'Troubled' by Anti-LGBTI Crackdown in Tanzania
State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert on Nov. 9 said the U.S. is "troubled" by the Tanzanian government's anti-LGBTI crackdown. "The United States government is deeply concerned over escalating attacks and legislative actions by the [...]
Transgender Colo. House Candidate Declares Victory
A transgender woman on Saturday declared victory in her race for the Colorado House of Representatives. Media reports indicate Brianna Titone has nearly 400 more votes than her Republican opponent, Vicki Pyne, in the race to represent the [...]
LGBT Groups Sharply Criticize Trump Asylum Executive Order
LGBT advocacy groups have sharply criticized President Trump over his executive order that prevents migrants from seeking asylum in the U.S. if they enter the country illegally from Mexico. National Center for Lesbian Rights Policy Counsel Tyrone [...]
Doctor who Treated HIV/AIDS Patients among Synagogue Massacre Victims
One of the victims of the Tree of Life Synagogue massacre in Pittsburgh was a well-respected doctor who was known for his compassionate treatment of his patients with HIV/AIDS. NBC News and other media outlets reported Jerry Rabinowitz, 66, began to [...]
New Migrant Caravan Hopes to Reach U.S.
Thousands of migrants who are trying to reach the U.S. left Honduras on Oct. 14. Reports indicate the migrant caravan, which left from the Honduran city of San Pedro Sula, reached the Guatemala-Mexico border on Oct. 19. Activists in San Pedro Sula [...]
Hurricane Michael Devastates Fla. Panhandle's LGBT Community
Members of the Florida Panhandle's LGBT community are trying to pick up the pieces from Hurricane Michael that devastated the region earlier this month. The LGBTQ Center of Bay County, which board secretary Cherie Crim described to the Washington [...]