A federal judge in North Carolina has approved a consent decree that enshrines the right of transgender individuals to use bathrooms that match their gender identities in North Carolina public buildings. The agreement was reached between senior state officials and the plaintiffs, led by a transgender man named Joaquin Carcaño. …
When she was 5 years old, Michelle Sherman learned exactly what her mother thought of gay men. “I remember seeing two guys holding hands, and then my mom’s like, ‘Oh, that’s disgusting,’ and so I was like, ‘OK, maybe it is disgusting,’ ” Sherman says. But then she realized she …
The U.S. Census Bureau has never asked Americans about sexual orientation and gender identity. Last year, though, requests for that data came from more than 75 members of Congress and multiple federal agencies. Still, the Census Bureau concluded “there was no federal data need” to collect this information, the bureau’s …
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Census Bureau said Wednesday that it mistakenly proposed counting LGBTQ Americans and has since “corrected” the proposal to remove the gender and sexuality category. Gay rights groups quickly declared that it was another sign that President Donald Trump was reneging on a campaign promise to …
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Despite Republican assurances that North Carolina’s “bathroom bill” isn’t hurting the economy, the law limiting LGBT protections will cost the state more than $3.76 billion in lost business over a dozen years, according to an Associated Press analysis. Over the past year, North Carolina has suffered …
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The city hosting this year’s NBA All-Star game has long enjoyed a reputation as a welcoming place for the gay and lesbian community. New Orleans is home to one of the country’s oldest gay bars, the gay celebration Southern Decadence draws nearly 200,000 people yearly, and …
PATTAYA, Thailand (AP) — Theerayut Charoenpakdee was terrified when police stopped her outside a mall in Pattaya, a Thai resort famous for its sordid nightlife. A urine test on the spot revealed meth coursing through her veins. “I thought I was going to be thrown in prison with all the …
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Sean Henry, the president of Tennessee’s NHL team, is stunned he even has to explain why he hopes state legislators will snub bills similar to North Carolina’s transgender bathroom law, which has consumed that state for months and scared off businesses and sporting events. The Nashville …
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Tens of thousands of people have celebrated at Rio de Janeiro’s annual gay pride parade at Copacabana beach. Under a blazing sun, revelers wearing feathery costumes and wigs held up rainbow flags and danced along the promenade Sunday as music blasted from a half dozen …
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Supporters of gay rights won a victory at the United Nations Monday when an African attempt to suspend the first U.N. independent expert charged with investigating violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity failed. African nations had urged the General Assembly’s human rights …
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — African nations are seeking to initially suspend and then get rid of the first U.N. independent expert charged with investigating violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Botswana’s U.N. Ambassador Charles Ntwaagae said Friday that African nations want the General Assembly to delay …
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Gay rights activists are joining with refugees, ethnic minorities and other groups to beat back forces that are exploiting a climate of fear created by terror concerns, an official with an international gay rights advocacy group said Thursday. Joyce Hamilton, Europe co-chairwoman of the International Lesbian, …