TAKE ACTION

Call your Senators and tell them: No confirmation before inauguration! While Judge Barrett’s committee hearing has ended, there’s more action ahead over the next couple of weeks, and we need your help to reach your 2 Senators. We’re in the COVID-19 pandemic with no Senate action yet; elections are underway, and two huge cases are coming before the court that could significantly negatively impact our LGBTQ+ loved ones. This is NOT the time to rush through a candidate for the U.S. Supreme Court. And don’t let the Senate’s action next week on a stripped-down COVID-19 less-than-relief bill fool you. Your calls so far have helped, and keeping up the drumbeat can make the difference to protect our LGBTQ+ families and their well-being, including covering pre-existing conditions under the Affordable Care Act.

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COURT MATTERS

Federal judge orders Administration to turn over concealed documents on transgender military ban. U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman in Washington State ruled against the Administration in litigation challenging the transgender military ban, ordering the Defense Department to turn over documents on the policy previously withheld. The judge's ruling ordered that the documents be turned over by October 5th.

FEDERAL MATTERS

Judge Amy Coney Barrett downplays anti-LGBTQ+ law firm ties and diverts same-sex marriage questions. Amy Coney Barrett, President Trump’s pick for the now vacant seat on the U.S. Supreme Court, fended off questions Tuesday during her confirmation hearing on whether she’d undo same-sex marriage, declining to disavow dissents to historic rulings for marriage equality from her mentor Antonin Scalia.

STATE MATTERS

Michigan - LGBTQ+ anti-discrimination proposal moves forward in Michigan. After receiving over 483,000 signatures in support, if the sufficient number is verfied, the initiative would move to the Republican-led legislature, where if passed, will revise a 1976 state law to bar discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, housing and public accommodations.

Puerto Rico - Government Medicaid now covers transition-related healthcare. The new policy to cover medications and hormones that transgender people are prescribed in connection with their transition took effect on July 1, which is the beginning of Puerto Rico’s fiscal year although the announcement was delayed until now to allow pharmacies to stock needed supplies, according to the governor’s Advisory Council on LGBTT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and transgender) Issues.

Texas - New Texas rule lets social workers turn away clients who are LGBTQ or have a disability. The Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners voted unanimously Monday to change a section of its code of conduct that establishes when a social worker may refuse to serve someone. The code will no longer prohibit social workers from turning away clients on the basis of disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Utah - National debate emerging from Pride flags being flown in Heber City. Following controversy over rainbow flags being flown during Pride month, the small town has voted in new banner regulations, causing LGBTQ+ advocates to fear the discontinuation of the colorful and representative displays.

Virginia - Transgender man alleges he was "outed" in open space as female-born by blood donation center worker. The man, whose identity is being kept confidential, says he went to an Inova Health System facility in Sterling, Va., on September 22nd for a scheduled appointment and was told he must identify by his birth-sex to donate blood. PFLAG offered guidance and support to this individual.

Washington - Seattle Seahawks radio announcer suspended indefinitely following transphobic tweet. Dori Monson, who hosts the pregame and postgame radio shows on the Seahawks’ flagship station, posted a transphobic tweet mocking transgender people’s ability to change their gender marker.

GLOBAL MATTERS

Belgium - Country appoints first transgender Deputy Prime Minister. Sworn into office on October 1st, Petra De Sutter has become one of seven deputy prime ministers, making her the highest-ranking trans politician in all of Europe.

Japan - Tokyo opens LGBTQ+ information center in preparation for Olympics and Paralympics. The center has been created in efforts to raise awareness of prejudice faced by the LGBTQ+ community, as it includes a space to read books on LGBT issues and a room for counseling.

New Zealand - Labour Party makes promises to ban conversion therapy. The existing Labour-led government announced its vow to overturn and end the practice, with mention to its harmful and traumatizing effects.

MEDIA MATTERS

Monica Roberts, 58, trailblazing Black transgender national leader and activist dies of natural causes. Roberts was the founding editor of TransGriot, a blog that highlighted trans-specific issues, for decades told the stories of trans and gender non-binary people’s lives and condemned violence against and unanswered murders of trans people of color, especially Black transgender women. PFLAG National contributed to the special fund created to support events leading to and including her burial as well as the opportunity for trans and nonbinary youth of color to travel to attend remembrance events in Houston. Read her obituary in The New York Times.

Campus Pride announces most LGBTQ+-friendly colleges and universities for 2020. PFLAG National’s partner Campus Pride released its annual list of the 40 most LGBTQ+ friendly American college and university campuses. To qualify, schools must score highly on the Campus Pride Index and feature inclusive policies, programs and practices. The full list is free and publicly available.

National Football League (NFL) releases National Coming Out Day PSA. In recognition of National Coming Out Day, October 11th, the NFL released a video featuring former out gay and bisexual athletes Wade Davis, R.K. Russell, Jeff Rohrer, and Ryan O’Callaghan who encourage current athletes to live freely and speak their truth. They collectively say, “To all current players who are thinking of coming out, when you are ready, so are we.”