Dear PFLAG Advocates,

In this challenging time, please know that we at PFLAG National are here for and with you, to support you as we all work to keep our communities and families safe, no matter what. We’re with you whether advocacy is something you currently do, or want to start doing while teleworking or not in an office for other reasons.

You can continue to rely on receiving Policy Matters every other Friday, and we invite you to reach out to us for support any time. We also would love to hear about your own victories so we can share them across the PFLAG universe.

Together, we will continue our work in support of the LGBTQ+ community and our families.

Be well and stay safe.

Diego Miguel Sanchez, APR
Director of Advocacy, Policy & Partnerships
PFLAG National

COURT MATTERS

Complaint filed against Yeshiva University. Members of a proposed LGBTQ+ rights group, YU Alliance, filed a report with the New York Human Rights Commission following Yeshiva University’s history of “refusing to allow an LGBTQ+ club and suppressing LGBTQ-themed events,” including the administration delaying official approval for the YU Alliance itself.

Denying Alaskan trans woman insurance coverage ruled to be discrimination. After Jennifer Fletcher was denied coverage for gender-affirming surgery, she was forced to pay out of pocket for “medically necessary transition-related care.” She sued the state in 2018. A federal judge ruled in her favor, citing the fact that “Fletcher was treated differently in terms of health coverage because of her sex.”

Lesbian officers sue Michigan corrections department over discrimination. The couple said that they had faced years of discrimination and retaliation by the Michigan Department of Corrections over their sexuality. They hope their case will help push for fully inclusive nondiscrimination protections in Michigan.

HIV+ Airmen win victory in court. A Fourth Circuit Appeals panel of judges ruled on the side of HIV-positive Air Force personnel, determining that people living with HIV can serve safely in the Air Force due to the effects of antiretroviral medicine. This decision upholds an injunction filed in response to the Air Force’s discharge of HIV-positive service members.

Trans woman wins $50K after being discriminated against by real estate broker. A trans woman in New York was denied an apartment because of her gender identity, after being told by the real estate agent that she shouldn’t live “around people and children” because she was trans. She was awarded $25,000 which was later doubled by the New York Commission on Human Rights.

U.S. Naval Officer sues over military transgender ban. The officer is facing an involuntary discharge due to seeking a transition while in the Navy. The officer has filed a federal lawsuit to allow her to continue serving. This case is the first legal challenge to the transgender military ban that went into effect in April 2019, filed by the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and Boston-based GLBT Advocates & Defenders (GLAD).

Lawsuit targets U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) over alleged cut of LGBTQ+ discrimination protections. The Department of Health and Human Services is being sued for a proposed rule to stop enforcing nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ Americans. The proposal, issued by the Trump administration, would reverse a rule prohibiting discrimination by religious organizations and HHS-funded grant programs.

FEDERAL MATTERS

Advocates urge release of transgender woman held in male immigration detention facility. Alejandra Alor Reyes, a Mexican transgender woman seeking asylum in the US, has been detained for nine months in Arizona while waiting for an asylum decision. She has been detained in an ICE facility for men, where she has been sexually assaulted and harassed. Many organizations are calling for her to be released on humanitarian grounds.

STATE MATTERS

Numerous states are considering legislation hurtful and harmful to our LGBTQ+ loved ones. We encourage you to visit the ACLU's State Legislative Tracker to see the states with bills in alphabetical order. Freedom For All Americans also keeps tabs and lists bills in order of when committee hearings and votes are scheduled. Be on the lookout for Action Alerts targeted for state actions during the coming weeks and months.

Alabama - Bill banning gender affirming surgery and hormone therapy for trans youth. SB219 would ban doctors from prescribing hormone blockers and performing gender-affirming surgery on minors. The bill passed both the House and Senate committees and will now be considered by full chambers.

Arizona - Bill banning female trans athletes from participating in school sports. The “Save Women’s Sports Act” (HB2706) prohibts transgender students from participating in sports teams that align with their gender identity. The bill has passed the House and is moving to the Senate.

Idaho - Legislation banning transgender birth certificate changes headed to governor’s desk. The legislation, which would ban transgender individuals from changing the sex listed on their birth certificate was approved by both the Senate and the House, despite being ruled unconstitutional by a federal court. PFLAG chapters in Idaho are in the coalition reaching the Governor to urge a veto.

Idaho Senate passes bill regarding prohibitions on transgender athletes. HB 500 would prohibit transgender girls from playing on school teams that match their gender identity. The bill also passed in the House and is on the governor’s desk for veto or signature. If he does not veto, the bill becomes law shortly. PFLAG chapters in Idaho are in the coalition reaching the Governor to urge a veto, and PFLAG National signed on to the national organization letter with the same demand.

Iowa - LGBTQ+ students kicked out of Iowa capitol for using the restroom that aligns with their gender identity. LGBTQ+ students lobbying in Iowa’s capitol building were forcibly removed by State Troopers for using the restroom that matched their gender identity. The students were met outside by several Democratic lawmakers to reassure them that they belonged and were welcome in the capitol just like everyone else.

Michigan - Man convicted in murder of transgender woman and two gay men. Devon Robinson was convicted for the 2019 triple murder in Detroit. Police believe that the murder was motivated by the victims’ sexual orientation and gender identity. Robinson faces life in prison without parole.

New York - A 14-year-old boy influences NY to let trans youth update their legal gender. Minors in New York can now legally change the gender marker on their birth certificate. Previous policy only allowed individuals over the age of 18 to make this change.

South Carolina - Judge rules that banning LGBTQ+ sex ed is unconstitutional. A decades-old state law banning discussion of LGBTQ+ sex education in public schools was overturned by a U.S. District Court. The decision was prompted by a lawsuit filed by students who were members of a Gender and Sexuality Alliance in Charleston County.

Virginia - Governor signs ban on conversion therapy for minors. Virginia Governor Ralph Northam signed a bill into law which bans the practice of so-called conversion therapy on children under 18 in the state of Virginia. The law will go into effect July 1st. PFLAG Metro DC was strongly active on this and all legislative victories in the Commonwealth this session.

GLOBAL MATTERS

Argentina- Argentine TV to have first its first openly transgender news anchor. Diana Zurco debuted this week as the co-anchor of Public Television’s prime-time evening news program, becoming the country’s first openly transgender newscaster.

Canada - Nationwide ban on conversion therapy proposed. Bill S-206 would ban so-called conversion therapy throughout Canada. This bill is being hailed as the “most progressive and comprehensive [conversion therapy legislation] in the world,” as it extends protections against forced conversion therapy to all persons, not only to minors, and forbids profiting from offering the discredited and harmful practice.

El Salvador - Three police officers face trials for the murder of a trans woman. Camila Diaz, a transgender woman who was deported from the US, was kidnapped, beaten, and murdered by three Salvadorian police officers. The three men remain unnamed but will face trial.

Mexico - Over 140 LGBTQ+ couples marry during a mass wedding in Mexico City. The mass wedding was organized by Rainbow Caravan, a Mexico City government campaign aimed at reducing discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals. Concurrent with the 140 marriages that occurred, 30 individuals legally changed the gender markers on their government IDs.

Thailand - Miss Tiffany’s Universe celebrates transgender beauty. Twenty-one contestants represented their countries in Thailand, many of whom reported that they were excited to advocate for equality and acceptance. Valentina Fluchaire of Mexico took home the grand prize.

MEDIA MATTERS

Cambridge PhD alum queers history. Dr. Eric Cervini shares insights into often hidden LGBTQ+ aspects of history, adapting to various mediums. He is set to release a book in June, and has published Instagram posts informing about historical LGBTQ+ moments from a “Magic Closet” as well as longer-form podcasts focusing on LGBTQ+ political and cultural histories.