Take Action

Demand Human Rights for LGBTQ+ People Everywhere with the Global Respect Act (HR 3485). Introduced by Congressional LGBTQ Equality Caucus Chair Rep. David Cicilline (RI-1), this bill passed the House last week and would impose sanctions on foreign persons who are responsible for violations of internationally recognized human rights against LGBTQI individuals. The bill would also require the President to periodically report and update the names of such individuals. Ask your Senator to cosponsor the Global Respect Act (HR 3485) if they have not, and urge them to vote YES on this important bill. PFLAGers have always advocated for human dignity, safety, and equality for LGBTQ+ people around the world. Passing this bill would demonstrate our government’s commitment to protect community members in all nations and hold accountable those who violate human rights. Reach your elected officials here.

Court Matters

Supreme Court allows Alabama to keep district map. A lower court ruled that the Congressional district map in Alabama likely discriminates against Black voters. The Supreme Court granted an emergency request from the Alabama Secretary of State to put the lower court’s order to redraw the map on hold.

Federal Matters

Three-month deferral period for blood donation again called into question. Currently, men who have sex with men are required to abstain from sexual activity for three months prior to donating blood. Health experts and LGBTQ+ advocates say this is not based on the current science on HIV detection, which can be done in as little as 10 days. PFLAG National continues its leadership policy work on this important public health issue.

Chantale Wong becomes first out lesbian at the ambassador level. PFLAG National-endorsed Wong was confirmed as the director of the Asian Development Bank, which promotes development in the Asia-Pacific region. She is the first LGBTQ+ woman of color to join the ambassadorial corps. 

US House approves bill to protect global LGBTQ+ human rights. The House approved the “Global Respect Act,” which commits the U.S. to combat LGBTQ+ human rights violations overseas. The bipartisan passage sends the bill to the Senate. Ask your Senator to cosponsor the Global Respect Act (HR 3485) if they have not, and urge them to vote YES on this important LGBTQ+ bill.

US Department of Education dismisses investigation over LGBTQ+ dating ban at BYU. A complaint was brought against Brigham Young University after it announced that it would continue to enforce the same-sex dating ban although it was removed from their honor code. The Department of Education says that it does not have the authority over a private religious school to pursue the civil rights investigation.

State Matters

Arizona - Church of Latter-Day Saints supports pro-LGBTQ+ bill in Arizona. The LDS church supports the bill protecting religious freedoms and members of the LGBTQ+ community. The bill would provide housing and employment protections for members of the LGBTQ+ community and would ban so-called conversion therapy in the state.

Arizona Senate committee rejects trans healthcare ban. The proposal, intended to ban gender-affirming care for children, was rejected in committee by a bipartisan vote. 

California - LA County Board of Supervisors calls to end restrictions on blood donations. The Board argues that the restrictions on gay and bisexual men donating blood are discriminatory, and donated blood is already tested for blood-borne pathogens. With a blood shortage in medical facilities in many areas, the current need for donations is high. 

Florida - Leon County creates LGBTQ+ advisory committee. This school board committee will provide guidance on laws and regulations that support LGBTQ+ students and faculty members in local schools. 

Indiana - Activists protest anti-trans bill in Indiana. The bill, HB1041, would prohibit trans youth from participating in school sports teams that align with their gender identity. The bill passed the House and is now in the Senate. Contact your legislators here and tell them to vote NO on this harmful bill.

Kansas - Legislators add LGBTQ+ rights to anti-discrimination bill. The Kansas Act Against Discrimination provides housing, employment, and public accommodation anti-discrimination protection to Kansans. The proposed bill adds gender identity or expression and sexual orientation to the current anti-discrimination legislation. 

Oregon - Court of Appeals overturns decision against legal gender affirmation for prisoners. The Oregon Court of Appeals overturned the decision of a lower court to deny the request of a trans woman in prison to legally change her name and her sex. 

Pennsylvania - Pittsburgh Mayor appoints out trans latina press secretary. Mayor Ed Gainey named Maria Montaño as his new press secretary on February 14. Montaño will be the first openly trans woman to serve as the City’s press secretary and one of the highest-ranking Latinas in Pittsburgh government.

South Dakota - SD becomes first state to sign anti-trans sports law in 2022. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem signed the law banning trans women from participating in women’s sports. The law goes into effect on July 1, 2022. 

Tennessee - Bill proposes ban on teaching LGBTQ+ issues in schools. The proposed bill would restrict schools from using instructional materials that “promote, normalize, support, or address lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, or transgender issues or lifestyles.”

Global Matters

Australia - $6.5 million Pride in Our Future LGBTIQ+ strategy revealed in Victoria. The strategy aims to provide equal rights and equitable services for members of Victoria’s LGBTQ+ community.

India - Politicians in India push to change “GAY” airport designation. Members of India’s Parliament want to change the airport code for the city Gaya so that it is no longer is the word “GAY.” 

Israel - Israel’s Health Ministry bans so-called conversion therapy. The Health Ministry has discouraged so-called conversion therapy for years, but this is the first time a formal prohibition has been put in place.

Media Matters

Disney+ greenlights queer YA adaptation for television show. A television adaptation of The Temperature of Me and You has been approved by Disney+ and is in the beginning stages of production. The developers, Foster Driver and Zoe Kent, are committed to providing inclusive representation and content. 

Record number of LGBTQ+ athletes compete in the Olympics. The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics has the highest number of openly LGBTQ+ athletes ever to compete in the Winter Olympic Games, including the first openly nonbinary Winter Olympian.

GLAAD co-founder Arnie Kantrowitz dies from COVID-19 complications. Arnie Kantrowitz, GLAAD co-founder, and long-time LGBTQ+ activist died on January 21, 2022 from COVID-19 complications. Kantrowitz, who has been actively advocating for the LGBTQ+ community since the 1960s, is an acclaimed author, advocate, and leader. 

Tiktok enacts policies that ban deadnaming and misgendering. The social media platform has updated its rules to prohibit using a trans person’s pre-transition name and using incorrect pronouns to identify someone, as well as content that “supports or promotes” so-called conversion therapy. 

China censors LGBTQ+ storylines in ‘Friends’ re-release. The hit ‘90s sitcom has a huge following in China. After it was released on China’s major streaming services, many fans were upset at the editing and removal of scenes and storylines that involve sex or LGBTQ+-inclusive topics. 

Sims expansion will not be released in Russia due to inclusion of same-sex marriage. The new Sims 4 expansion allows characters to marry each other, including LGBTQ+ characters. It will not be released in Russia due to the country’s “gay propaganda law.”

In Case You Missed It. . . 

Parents: Claim ALL of Your Child Tax Credit and Use Free Tax Filing Resources

The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the White House just re-launched an appealing, easy-to-use website: ChildTaxCredit.gov. Several new features help you file taxes and access the remainder of the expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC) or the full amount of the CTC as tax filing season begins and runs through April 18th. 

Get help filing your tax return for the Child Tax Credit using free filing tools

This website helps you:

• Find out if you are eligible to receive the Child Tax Credit.
• Get the Child Tax Credit.
• Understand how the 2021 Child Tax Credit works as you file in 2022.
• Understand that the credit does not affect your federal benefits.

On February 8, the White House and Treasury will host a Child Tax Credit/Earned Income Tax Credit (CTC/EITC) Day of Action, so watch PFLAG National media channels for updates and reminders. Support materials are available in both Spanish and English.

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,

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