“When news broke that 15-year-old Maryland high school student Jack Andraka had developed a new and improved diagnostic test for detecting pancreatic, ovarian, and lung cancers that was both 90 percent accurate and inexpensive, the world welcomed a new science prodigy...but his decision to be open about the fact that he also happens to be a gay teen gave the LGBT community something else: a new inspiration.” Read more in The Advocate … [Read more...]
LGBT News: San Francisco Police Dept. Welcomes New Transgender Officer
“This Friday, Mikayla Connell became the first transgender person to enter and graduate from the San Francisco Police Academy, reports KTVU. Connell was the elected President of her class and took home two awards for academic achievement.” Watch and read more in The Advocate … [Read more...]
LGBT News: National Museum of American History collects LGBT history
“As part of its mission to document the full breadth of the American experience, the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History will add a significant number of objects and archival materials related to LGBT history, including Renee Richard's tennis racquet, the original transgender pride flag, materials from the NBC television series “Will & Grace” and more” … [Read more...]
Know Your Rights! A Guide for LGBT Youth
Lambda Legal School is starting! If you have any questions about what rights you have regarding proms, dances, dating, bullying, speech, Gay Straight Alliances (GSA’s), and much more visit lambdalegal.org/know-your-rights/youth GSA Network Want to start your own Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) this year?! The GSA Network has lots of resources to help you organize and build one! This resource includes: 10 steps to starting a GSA, public speaking tips, transitions in GSA leadership, getting more members for your GSA, decision making, how to … [Read more...]
LGBT News: Kyle Kingsbury, UFC Fighter, Makes Pro-Gay Statement With Underwear
“In an incredible display of solidarity with the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, Ultimate Fighter Kyle Kingsbury revealed a pair of pink "Legalize Gay" underwear during his weigh-in over the weekend.” Read more in The Huffington Post … [Read more...]
LGBT News: How Punk Music Empowered a Queer Youth (VIDEO)
“Rudy Garcia of East L.A. says that when he was young, he never quite felt like the "normal" kid. Although his migrant parents pressured the youngest of their eight children to be the embodiment of the American dream, Rudy was more interested in punk-rock music, feminism, and 'zine culture. “ Read more in The Huffington Post … [Read more...]
LGBT News: Washington School District Apologizes for Firing Gay Teacher in 1972
“Forty-two years after being fired for being gay, a Washington teacher finally received a formal apology from his former school district.” Read more in The HRC Blog … [Read more...]
LGBT News: Unearthing The Surprising Religious History Of American Gay Rights Activism
“Today, although Americans for and against gay rights cite their religious beliefs, those who oppose same-sex marriage and other civil rights for LGBT individuals have been especially vocal in declaring that God is on their side. That's not always been the expectation about the faithful. In the mid-1960s, LGBT activists often looked to men of the cloth as allies in their fight for justice and human rights, according to historians.” Read more in The Huffington Post … [Read more...]
LGBT News: Which States Have Passed Gay Marriage Laws in the Past Year?
“On Wednesday, Indiana joined the 18 other states where gay marriage is legal by striking down its state ban. All told, seven states have successfully legalized same-sex marriage in the past year: New Jersey, Hawaii, Illinois, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and now Indiana.” To read more about the marriage equality victories visit National Journal To see an interactive map with states that have legalized, not legalized, or have pending legislation Click Here … [Read more...]
LGBT News: Gay Historical Sites, Past And Present – A Look At LGBT Relevant Places Across America
“June 28 marks the 45th anniversary of the Stonewall riots -- a moment that has often been deemed "the genesis" of the contemporary lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights movement...Still, other historical sites across the country where landmark LGBT rights moments have taken place are in abundance, and many of them go largely unnoticed.” Read more in The Huffington Post … [Read more...]