New report: Legal protections for LGBTQ+ people increase worldwide
Despite the backlash currently threatening LGBTQ+ people in the United States, a new report from the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law indicates significant progress in the number of countries with...
GLAD announces Ricardo Martinez as incoming executive director
The Boston-based GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) last week announced Ricardo Martinez (he/him), current Chief Executive Officer of Equality Texas, as the organization’s incoming Executive Director beginning September 4, 2024.
GLAD: The Growing Need to Protect Access to Health Care
Doctors who care for transgender youth follow well-established standards developed through decades of clinical study. It is developmentally appropriate treatment requiring informed consent of parents, informed assent...
Rhode Island advances HIV prevention with ‘game-changing’ PrEP access law
In June the Rhode Island legislature passed, and Governor McKee signed, a law that will mean fewer people will get HIV. “An Act Relating To Insurance – Accident And Sickness Insurance Policies –...
President Biden pardons thousands of former US military service members discharged for being gay
President Joe Biden yesterday pardoned thousands of members of the US military who had received dishonorable discharges for being gay. The pardon will allow them "to apply to receive proof that their...
Varla Jean Merman to be honored at GLAD’s 43rd annual summer party
LGBTQ+ community champion and activist Varla Jean Merman, aka Jeffery Roberson, will be honored for her/his "creative and enduring role of drag in the LGBTQ+ community, organizing, and culture" by GLBTQ Legal...
RI legislature passes bill to safeguard access to trans, repro heath care
Health care providers and advocates for health care access, reproductive health, and LGBTQ+ equality praised the RI Legislature’s final passage of the “Health Care Provider Shield Act,” (S2262 Sub B, HB757 Sub...
Federal court finds NH classroom censorship law unconstitutional
A federal court ruled last week that New Hampshire’s classroom censorship law is unconstitutional. A broad coalition of educators and advocacy groups brought the challenge to the law, which actively discouraged public school teachers...
Maine Gov. Mills signs gender-affirming health care shield bill into law
Maine Governor Janet Mills yesterday signed into law a bill to protect out-of-state patients seeking gender-affirming care, and also abortions, from states where such health care is illegal, even if received in...
RI House, Senate pass trans-inclusive bills to simplify name change process
This just in from GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders:
night the Rhode Island House passed “An Act Relating to Probate Practice and Procedure—Practice in Probate Courts” (H. 8155)...