| In observance of the holidays, PFLAG National’s offices will be closed on December 24th and 25th, and January 1st. This will be the last issue of Policy Matters in 2024. We’ll see you in 2025 with a new issue of Policy Matters on January 10th. |
| | Ohioans: House Bill 8, also coined the “Unsafe Students Act,” passed the Senate and awaits Governor DeWine’s signature. If signed into law, the bill would restrict how so-called “sexuality content” can be taught in schools and would potentially put students’ safety at serious risk, particularly LGBTQ+ students. Tell Governor DeWine to VETO HB 8 today! Have you signed up to receive Action Alerts from PFLAG National? In the immediate future, more and more work will be done in rapid-response mode, and we hope to have every one of our members and supporters engaged. |
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| |  | | Senate approves defense spending bill including anti-trans healthcare ban. The $895 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed the Senate 85-14. A provision banning gender-affirming care for trans and nonbinary dependents of servicemembers was included in the final bill, despite an attempt by Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and others to have that provision amended out. The bill now heads to the President’s desk for his signature; PFLAG National has urged President Biden to veto the NDAA. Equality Caucus co-chair votes in favor of defense spending bill with anti-trans provision. Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-1), who is openly gay, was the only openly LGBTQ+ lawmaker to support the NDAA. Rep. Pappas defended his vote by saying that, though he opposes the provision banning gender-affirming care for trans and non-binary dependents of servicemembers, he supported the military pay raise and other investments included in the bill. Government funding deal falls apart, raising risk of a shutdown. After President-elect Trump and Elon Musk announced opposition to a bipartisan deal to fund the government through March 14th, the deal fell apart. Absent a funding bill, the government will shut down on December 21st. NCAA President says there are fewer than 10 openly trans athletes in college sports. During a Senate hearing concerning the regulation of sports gambling, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) asked NCAA President Charlie Baker how many college athletes, and how many trans athletes, competed in the NCAA. Baker answered that there were 510,000 NCAA athletes overall, and fewer than 10 of those athletes (less than 0.002%) are openly trans. Trump Defense Secretary pick Pete Hegseth claims “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal part of a “Marxist” agenda. In Hegseth’s book released this year, The War on Warriors, and in media interviews, Hegseth described both the original “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy and its repeal in 2011 as a “gateway” and a “camouflage” for “social engineering” that he claims have undermined military cohesion and effectiveness. President Biden establishes national monument honoring Frances Perkins. Perkins, who served as Labor Secretary under FDR, was the first woman to serve in a cabinet position. |
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| | | Ghana - Supreme Court dismisses challenges to anti-LGBTQ+ law. With both cases challenging the law dismissed, the President is free to sign the bill into law. Parliament unanimously approved the bill, which imposes a prison sentence of up to five years for the “willful promotion, sponsorship, or support of LGBTQ+ activities,” in February. Lithuania - Supreme Court declares anti-LGBTQ+ censorship law unconstitutional. The Court ruled that the law prohibiting minors from receiving information about same-sex relationships violates Article 25 of the Lithuanian Constitution, which guarantees the right to hold and freely express one’s own convictions and to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas. Nepal - Two openly trans candidates run for office in historic first. Honey Maharjan and Mouni Maharjan, two openly trans members of the People’s Socialist Party-Nepal, ran in local elections, marking the first time that openly trans people ran for office in Nepal. United Kingdom - Gay veterans dismissed from the military eligible for up to £70,000 in compensation. The Ministry of Defence announced that veterans who were dismissed from the military because of their sexual orientation can apply to have their rank restored and discharge reason amended, as well as being compensated for the discharge. Defence Secretary John Healey apologized for the discharges, calling them a “moral stain on our nation” in a speech to the House of Commons. |
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| | | Disney pulls trans storyline from upcoming series. Win or Lose, an animated series set to debut in February, was set to have a young trans character. While the character will still appear, references to their gender identity were removed. Chanel Stewart, an 18-year-old trans actor who voiced the trans character, said she was “disheartened” by the decision to cut the storyline. African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church upholds stance opposing same-sex marriage. The AME church, the world’s largest independent Black Protestant denomination, held its General Conference in Ohio in August and debated its stance on same-sex marriage, but ultimately did not remove its opposition to it. The New York Historical showcases work of Fred McDarrah in new exhibit. “Fred W. McDarrah: Pride and Protest,” focuses on McDarrah’s photography work documenting LGBTQ life, advocacy, and icons in New York City. |
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