Take Action

We are exactly 29 days away from Election Day. Do you know what's on your ballot this year? Check out PFLAG.org/Vote/Education for voter resources to help prepare you to cast your ballot- and make sure you can make an educated vote all the way down the ballot! The upcoming election is critical, and your vote matters to your LGBTQ+ loved ones.

Court Matters

SCOTUS top cases for new term, new Justice Jackson. On October 3rd, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) entered a new term with Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to serve as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice, joining the court. SCOTUS is scheduled to review cases related to LGBTQ+ rights, environmental regulations, and affirmative action in the college admissions process.

SCOTUS debates Alabama’s refusal of second Black voting district. The court is reviewing a case questioning the legality of Alabama’s congressional redistricting map that was adopted in 2020. Plaintiffs are challenging the map, arguing that Black voters are overly concentrated into one district rather than separating voters into two districts. 

Florida judge rejects challenge to so-called "Don't Say Gay" law. Judge Allen Winsor recently dismissed the lawsuit challenging the “Don’t Say Gay” law that passed earlier this year. The judge’s reasoning for rejecting the case was attributed to standing, not merit, ruling that “most of plaintiffs' alleged harm is not plausibly tied to the law's enforcement so much as the law's very existence.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom nominates state’s first lesbian as a presiding appellate court justice. Justice Therese Stewart is the first lesbian to be nominated to sit on the California appellate court. This would be the second LGBTQ+ woman Gov. Newsom has nominated to the California Courts this year. Stewart's confirmation hearing is scheduled for November 10th.

Federal Matters

Biden, DeSantis meet in Florida, pledging bipartisanship on Hurricane Ian relief. President Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden surveyed destruction after Hurricane Ian, after which bipartisan recovery efforts were assured. 

Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus asks HHS to bolster protections for transgender healthcare. The Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus co-chairs expressed to HHS their support for the proposed rule of the ACA’s Section 1557, joining many including PFLAGers who submitted public comments.

State Matters

In the last year, we’ve seen a marked rise in anti-LGBTQ+ action in state and local governments. Many states are introducing legislation targeting trans youth, and local schools and libraries are being pressured into censoring LGBTQ+ history and stories. Visit pflag.org/protecttranskids to take action against anti-trans bills in your state today. Visit pflag.org/fightingcensorship to take action in support of accurate, honest, and inclusive education and reading.

Want to take action and not sure where to start? Please contact Patrick Cochran, Advocacy and Policy Engagement Senior Coordinator.

Colorado - Colorado legislators and community press state Board of Education to add back in LGBTQ+, POC experiences in social studies classes. State lawmakers and community members are strongly urging the seven-member school board to vote against revisions that exclude LGBTQ+ and diverse race experiences in K-12 social studies courses. 

Georgia - Atlanta Eagle flies again and opens on Oct. 7th, in time for Atlanta Pride. Closed since November 2020 due to COVID-19, the decades-long home of gay (mostly) men’s culture in Atlanta returns, now in Ansley Square. 

Ohio - State School Board delays vote on resolution opposing Title IX changes against LGBTQ+ children. On Oct. 12th, following a hearing that included a PFLAGers as witness, the resolution to strip Title IX protections for LGBTQ+ students failed to be brought for a vote and was referred back to committee.

Cleveland City Council bans conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ youth. On Oct. 10th, the unanimous vote followed a hearing that included PFLAGers as witnesses, and many others submitted written testimony.

Global Matters

Brazil - Brazilian election brings wins for two trans and Indigenous candidates. Erika Hilton and Duda Salabert won their congressional seats in Brazil, making them the country’s first openly trans candidates elected to Congress. 

Russia - Russian court fines TikTok for not deleting LGBTQ+ content. TikTok is facing fines up to $50,000 by a Russian Court for violating the country’s anti LGBTQ+ laws. The Russian government has been cracking down on other platforms such as WhatsApp and Snapchat to gain control over user access.

Slovenia - Slovenia legalizes same-sex marriage & adoptions. In a 48-29 vote, Slovenia is the first Eastern European country to legalize same-sex marriage and adoption. 

United Kingdom - LGBTQ+ charities urge Liz Truss to ‘keep her word’ and ban conversion therapy for all. LGBTQ+ organizations are calling on Prime Minister Liz Truss to ban conversion therapy. Truss has previously vocalized the dangers of conversion therapy but has yet to take action to outlaw it.

Media Matters

Film director Billy Eichner Says “Bros” didn’t do well at the box office because “Straight people just didn’t show up.” The movie’s opening weekend totaled $4.8 million dollars during the first weekend, despite its positive critical reception and expected earnings. 

After Decades of Hints, Scooby-Doo’s Velma is depicted as a lesbian in new movie. Previous iterations of the transmedia series had intended for her to be gay, but had received pushback by producers.

One activist is using the World Cup to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ rights in Qatar. Nasser Mohammed is outspoken about Qatar’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws leading up to the country hosting the World Cup, warning about the country’s “intrusive surveillance” and persecution if caught signaling support for LGBTQ+ rights.

ICYMI

Judy and Dennis Shepard join PFLAG National for a live conversation on Something to Talk About Live! Matthew Shepard's parents--and founders of The Matthew Shepard Foundation--Judy and Dennis Shepard spent a half hour with PFLAG National Director of Learning and Inclusion, Jean-Marie Navetta, on the October 13th episode of this weekly live show.

LGBTQ+ luminaries discuss coming out and today’s landscape. Openly gay Black author and CNN commentator Keith Boykin and openly transgender Newton, MA City Councilor and parent Holly V. Ryan were part of Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government’s hosted panel of LGBTQ+ activists, authors, journalists, students, and politicians to share their experiences in a celebration of National Coming Out Day at the John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum.

HRC releases its 117th Congressional Scorecard. Check your federal Representative and Senators to see how they scored, measured on their actions supporting their LGBTQ+ people and their families. 

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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