Take Action

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday will be celebrated on January 17th. And, as Senator Warnock of Georgia said, “...You cannot remember Dr. King's life & dismember his legacy at the same time. The Senate must act now to protect the sacred right to vote.” The Freedom to Vote Act resulted from bipartisan and bicameral negotiations, prioritizing fair voting access by enacting federal guideposts that prohibit gerrymandering and manipulation. The bill includes many of the important provisions that were also in the For the People Act and, together with the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, would be the most comprehensive democracy reform law enacted in decades. Learn more about these issues at pflag.org/CommunityJustice. 

Contact your Senators--don’t forget to say you’re a constituent by giving them your address and tell them PFLAG sent you--and ask them to vote in favor of this important bill to protect our democracy.

Court Matters

Supreme Court hears cases over President Biden’s vaccine mandate. This morning the court is hearing arguments in two separate cases by challengers who wish to block the COVID-19 vaccine requirements for large businesses and healthcare workers, arguing the Administration does not have the authority to mandate vaccinations. A decision is expected to follow shortly after oral arguments.

GSA at Indiana high school wins federal court injunction to allow them to raise money and promote meetings. The Pendleton Heights Gay-Straight Alliance at Pendleton Heights High School was banned from publicizing meetings by school administrators, but the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit on the group’s behalf in September, arguing that its free speech rights were being violated along with other laws. Federal Judge James Sweeney II granted a preliminary injunction on December 22nd in favor of the GSA.

Federal Matters

Sen. Manchin pledges a “No” vote on current Build Back Better framework. Senator Manchin (D-WV) announced his position after months of negotiations. However, plans to pass a major social spending bill continue to evolve and Sen. Manchin has signaled openness to supporting a different bill. 

Majority Leader Schumer promises Senate vote on voting rights legislation, change to filibuster rules if bill is blocked. The Senate Majority Leader (D-NY) wrote in a Dear Colleague letter on January 3rd that "The Senate must evolve, like it has many times before…Senate Rules 'must be changed to reflect changed circumstances'." Majority Leader Schumer set a deadline of January 17th, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, to pass the voting rights legislation before a rule change on the filibuster would be considered. 

President Biden marks anniversary of Capitol insurrection. In a powerful speech, the President denounced his predecessor for waging an “undemocratic” and “un-American” attack on the legitimacy of the election system, saying he and his allies placed “a dagger at the throat of American democracy.”

Administration proposes rule prohibiting health insurers from discriminating against LGBTQ+ people. The proposed rule would add gender identity and sexual orientation back to a list of anti-discrimination protections under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act after the previous administration removed those protections. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said that prohibiting discrimination based on sexuality and gender identity “would increase access to health care, decrease health disparities,” and align with the Biden administration’s desire that people receive “equal treatment under the law.”

FDA permanently allows patients to recieve abortion pills in the mail. The FDA’s decision will make abortion care more available to pregnant people in areas where abortion providers are rare. The new rule will also allow patients to have a telemedicine appointment with a provider who can prescribe abortion pills and send them to the patient by mail.

State Matters

Arizona - State Senator proposes anti-trans bills. Wendy Rodgers (R-SD6) has proposed SB1045, a trans youth healthcare ban, and SB1046, a trans athlete ban. State Representative Daniel Hernandez, (D-HD2), a member of the Arizona Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, responded to the bills by saying “State Senator Rogers is using her power to target the most vulnerable children in our communities.” 

Kentucky - Union to become first city in Boone County to enact protections for LGBTQ+ people. The city is now set to become the 10th city in northern Kentucky to adopt such an ordinance. 

Massachusetts - Church group opens permanent home for LGBTQ+ asylum seekers. The LGBT Asylum Task Force, a ministry of Hadwen Park Congregational Church in Worcester, raised more than $500,000 to purchase and renovate a dilapidated, three-story former group home to help house LGBTQ+ immigrants. 

Michigan - Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan expresses support for trans and non-binary community. In a statement, the Diocese said “We assert that our fellow children of God who identify as Trans, Transgender, and Non-Binary are whole and fully dignified: worthy of love, respect, support, and inclusion. We assert and affirm that no one needs to explain themselves: their bodies, their pronouns, and who they love–or meet any other requirement—to be God’s beloved.”

Global Matters

Israel - Israel to allow surrogacy for LGBTQ+ couples. The announcement comes roughly six months after the Israeli Supreme Court struck down Israel's restrictions barring gay couples and single men from surrogacy within the country. The high court gave the government six months to act.

Senegal - Parliament rejects bill to make punishments against LGBTQ+ people more severe. Being LGBTQ+ is already punishable by up to five years in prison, and arrests and prosecutions for same-sex relations have risen sharply. On Jan. 4th, a parliamentary committee declined to vote on the proposed bill.

Taiwan - Court approves first adoption of an unrelated child to a same-sex couple. Same-sex marriage became legal in Taiwan in May 2019, but a married same-sex couple still cannot jointly adopt an unrelated child. However, a Taiwanese court ruled in favor of a gay couple to allow both men to adopt their daughter. The ruling does not set a new precedent, however; LGBTQ+ rights groups in Taiwan are urging the government to change adoption laws to be inclusive of LGBTQ+ couples. 

United Kingdom - Past convictions for “homosexual activity” to be wiped from records. Any conviction that was imposed on someone purely due to consensual same-sex activity under now-abolished laws will be included in an attempt at “righting the wrongs of the past”, the UK home secretary is set to announce.

Media Matters

US LGBTQ+ adult population estimated to hit 20 million. HRC Foundation’s analysis of government data yields an estimate of 20 million LGBTQ+ adults in the US, which is nearly twice the number of the last estimate and represents nearly 8% of the total US adult population. Bisexual adults comprise the largest contingent of LGBTQ+ people in the U.S., representing 4% of the LGBTQ+ population, while gay and lesbian adults represent 3% of the population. 

April Ashley, the first out trans model to appear in an issue of Vogue, has died at 86. Ashley was one of the first British patients to undergo gender confirmation surgery before she was photographed by David Bailey in 1960 for British Vogue. She was not publicly disclosed as trans at the time, but did come out later and then reported that the Vogue photographers knew and accepted her. 

Mormon billionaire leaves church over its harmful stance on social issues, including LGBTQ+ people. Jeff Green, the CEO and chairman of The Trade Desk, wrote in a letter to the church’s president, Russell Nelson, that "I believe the Mormon church has hindered global progress in women’s rights, civil rights and racial equality, and LGBTQ+ rights." 

Quidditch leagues to change sport’s name, citing J.K. Rowling's anti-trans public statements. US Quidditch and Major League Quidditch, inspired by the magical game in Harry Potter, announced in a joint news release Wednesday that they will conduct surveys over the next few months to decide on a new name for the sport.

Washington Blade gets designated seat in White House Briefing Room. The Washington Blade is the nation’s oldest LGBT newspaper. This marks the first time an LGBT publication has been afforded the honor. 

Amy Schneider makes Jeopardy! history after 26th straight victory. The champion has scored her 26th consecutive victory, making her the top-winning woman in the show’s history. The Oakland, California, resident is (so far) the fourth-best all time winner, with $950,000 in earnings. She also says she is okay, after having been robbed at gunpoint and subsequently falling ill.

The PFLAG National Advocacy, Policy, and Partnerships Team is always here to support you with your work, so please don't ever hesitate to reach out to us for assistance.

Yours in PFLAG power,

Having trouble viewing this email? View it in your web browser