| |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Florida - Hate Crimes Law Expansion Passes in Senate Criminal Justice Committee. The proposed legislation expands the hate crimes statute to close loopholes of limited definition of “disability and exclusion of gender and gender identity to match federal law.” Bill that would restrict medical treatments for transgender youth lies dormant. After lively and emotional debate, a bill that would make it a felony for doctors to provide gender-affirming medical treatments, including hormone therapy, will likely not see its first hearing; the bill’s maximum penalty would be a $10,000 fine or 15 years in prison. Kentucky- Priests from the Diocese of Lexington sign a pledge supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Almost half of the Diocese of Lexington's priests, representing churches in 50 Kentucky counties, signed the pledge, which states "LGBT people should be treated with respect, compassion, and sensitivity." Maryland - House passes legal name change bill. HB 39 would require judges to waive the publication requirement for transgender people, domestic violence survivors, and anyone else who seeks to legally change their name passed by a vote of 131-4. Montana - State Rep. re-introduces trans youth healthcare ban. The sponsor, Rep. John Fuller (R-Whitefish), introduced a nearly identical bill, HB113, which was defeated last month in the Montana House. This new bill, HB427, would ban “gender transition” surgical procedures for those under 18. PFLAG National opposes this intrusion into family healthcare decisions. Tennessee - State Senate leader signals lack of enthusiasm for proposed trans athlete ban. A day after the Governor said transgender athletes would “destroy women’s sports,” the Senate GOP leader Randy McNally said “I think we need to adequately review the issue in committee and if it’s not occurring in Tennessee (we should) probably not address it,” adding that the bill should not be a top priority. Utah - Gov. Cox threatens veto of anti-trans youth bills and gets emotional at his Feb. 18th press conference. He expressed compassion and understanding about the struggles of transgender youth the day after the House passed HB 302, the trans athlete ban. A trans health ban goes to Committee this Friday, and the UT Senate will address both next week. Virginia - Senate committee approves bill to ban LGBTQ panic defense. The Senate Judiciary Committee passed a bill that would ban the so-called LGBTQ+ panic defense, which was introduced in the House as HB 2132 by openly transgender Delegate Danica Roem (D-Manassas). The General Assembly passed a bill to change the State constitution’s definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman. The bill must pass both houses again next year and if passed, then win a public referendum vote for the change. | | | | Europe - Advocacy group says hate speech on the rise among European politicians. The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association warned about a backlash against the rights ofLGBTQ+ people across Europe, finding that politicians in 17 countries in Europe and Central Asia have verbally attacked LGBTQ+ people over the past year. Iran - UN special report expresses concern over treatment of LGBTQ+ youth in Iran. The report alleged violations of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, including “electric shocks and the administration of hormones and strong psychoactive medications,” as well as “‘reparative’ therapies or sex reassignment surgeries, to ‘cure’ them.” Jamaica - The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights called on Jamaica to repeal laws prohibiting consensual same-sex conduct. The commission’s concluded in Gareth Henry and Simone Carline Edwards v. Jamaica that the American Convention on Human Rights prohibits “any regulation, act or practice considered discriminatory based on a person’s sexual orientation,” and that sexual orientation is an aspect of private life that cannot be subject to state interference. Russia - Two gay Chechen men arrested in Russia and returned to Chechnya. The Russian LGBT Network said Salekh Magamadov and Ismail Isayev are in "mortal danger." The group helped the pair escape to Russia last year to avoid arrest by Chechen police. UK - Gay and bisexual British veterans previously stripped of their medals allowed to reclaim them. The UK government prevented gay and bisexual people from serving openly until 2000, and those troops often saw their honors removed before they were discharged. They can now apply to have them reinstated. | | | | COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affects LGBTQ+ people of color. The Williams Institute at UCLA’s study's main finding is that the impact of the pandemic on LGBTQ+ communities cannot be fully understood without considering race and ethnicity as well as sexual orientation and gender identity. State anti-transgender bills represent coordinated attack. Bills in at least 20 states are targeting the transgender community—especially trans youth regarding sports and health—in an organized assault by conservative groups with Idaho being the only state to have such a law. Openly gay Chinese American activist Hoover Lee, 83, dies on February 11th. Lee was a founding member of the Association of Lesbian and Gay Asians, original organizers of the Gay Asian Pacific Alliance; and coordinator and community organizer for many causes. RuPaul, Other Stars Mourn Pioneering Gay Musician Ari Gold. Champion of LGBTQ+ freedom and sexual freedom, openly gay dance music artist, friend and collaborator of RuPaul, Ari Gold, 47, also known by the moniker Sir Ari, succumbed to his long battle with cancer. "Mandalorian" star Pedro Pascal celebrates his sister, actress Lux, after she comes out as a trans woman. He shared the latest cover of Chile’s Ya magazine, which spotlights his younger sister’s journey and her opening up to Pascal about her transition. PFLAG National corporate partner Hallmark addresses continued inclusion journey, including film Mixup in the Mediterranean, premiering this week. The film stars Jeremy Jordan as twins--one gay, one straight--with the gay couple featured prominently in lead roles in the film’s storyline. Mixup... premieres tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 20th, on the Hallmark Channel. | | | | PFLAG National
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