It’s PRIDE month, a month that is dedicated to LGBTQ+ people across America to celebrate the diversity and inclusivity that is a cornerstone for the community. But this year, PRIDE month looks different. The Human Rights Campaign group declared a National State of Emergency for the LGBTQ+ community after more than 75 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were signed into law this year alone, pushing discrimination to an all time high. In 2023, PRIDE month is more about protesting ones rights than celebrating history. But where does homophobia stem from? In this article we dig deeper into the data and ask, is homophobia […]
The Food and Drug Administration is finally reversing its policy on when and how gay and bisexual men can donate blood. Men who have sex with men (MSM) have long faced discrimination when trying to donate. Since the AIDS epidemic, MSM were asked to abstain from sexual activity before donating blood. The abstention period has periodically shortened over time, but now the FDA says it will conduct an individual risk assessment for each donor instead using time-based deferrals. The previous policy required MSM to abstain from sexual activity for three months before donating. But under the proposed change, any gay […]
Doctors and facilities that provide gender-affirming care to transgender, nonbinary, and question youth have come under attack over the last few months. These medical services help transgender and nonbinary youth feel more comfortable in their own skin, which can reduce rates of depression, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide. These treatments are completely reversible without inhibiting the child’s development. A new report from the Human Rights Campaign shows that online harassment campaigns targeted 24 medical facilities and providers over the last few months. The threats took place between August and November of this year across 21 states. They were targeted at […]
On Monday, the White House made moves to restore protections for LGBTQ+ Americans seeking healthcare services that were struck down during the Trump Administration. The proposed rule would also cover pregnant women seeking an abortion. Under the rule, decisions regarding “pregnancy termination” are included under protections that prevent discrimination on the basis of sex. The administration already warned pharmacists that denying patients medications that are used for abortions would violate federal civil rights law. Many states have moved to restrict access to gender-affirming healthcare for tansgender patients and reproductive health services. The new rule would help safeguard access to essential […]
It’s been 10 years since the FDA approved the medication known as PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, a once-a-day oral medication that prevents the transmission of HIV. It is sold under the brand names Descovy and Truvada and reduces the chances of infection during sex by up to 99% when taken as directed. The drug has dramatically reduced the number of new infections among gay and bisexual men since it first came on the market, but a new lawsuit filed by attorney Jonathan Mitchell argues insurance companies have the right to refuse to cover the cost of the medication. Taking Truvada […]
In what has become an unfathomable setting in Florida, Republican Rep. Joe Harding has introduced a bill that would threaten the life of every LGBTQ+ child in the State. Florida House Republicans are considering his bill that would forbid teachers and students from discussing sexual orientation or gender identity in the classroom. The bill seems to be inspired by the recent debate over critical race theory, which looks at U.S. history through the lens of slavery and the accomplishment of African Americans. Proponents of the bill argue that it’s inappropriate to discuss homosexuality in the classroom, but advocates for the […]