Texas law banning gender-affirming care for trans youth harms children, families and trans adults CAROLINE SAVOIE | Contributing Writer CaroSavoWrites@gmail.com Tina Biffle started P.L.A.C., the Parker County LGBTQ+ Awareness Community, in Weatherford in 2019. In 2023, Republican lawmakers passed Senate Bill 14 restricting doctors in Texas from giving minors puberty blockers and hormone therapy to treat gender dysphoria, the dissonance some people feel between their sex assigned at birth and their gender identity. nder the law, doctors who provide puberty blockers or hormone therapy to minors ..read more

LUCA’s Carlos Turcios An anti-transgender event scheduled to be held Saturday, April 20, at Fort Worth’ Victory Forest Community Center has been cancelled over concerns that it would violate the city’s nondiscrimination policy, according to the Fort Worth Report. But Carlos Turcious, director of Texas  Latinos United for Conservative Action told FWR cancellation was “unacceptable and inappropriate … . That is a violation of the First Amendment. The city of Fort Worth … cannot dictate what opinions are allowed. The event was titled “The Danger of Transgenderism.” Lynette Sharp, a member of ..read more

Prepare your glitter, grab your heels, and get ready to sashay the night away because Dublin’s favourite drag talent show, The Devine Apprentice, is back for its sixth round of fierce competition. Returning to The George on May 2, The Devine Apprentice will grace the stage bi-weekly as part of the beloved Thirsty Thursdays lineup ..read more

Supreme Court decision finding that the Civil Rights Act protects LGBTQ workers from workplace discrimination, and that instances of anti-LGBTQ discrimination are inherently a form of sex-based discrimination.The revised Title IX rules also restore some protections for students who make sexual assault allegations against other students, offering them alternatives to Trump-era policies that required live hearings in which students could cross-examine each other when an accusation was contested.Democrats, including some LGBTQ advocates, had long criticized the Trump-era policies, arguing they we ..read more

We’ll say this right away – Machinal is not an easy watch. In fact, it’s one of the most unnerving plays we’ve seen. Ever. This is largely due to the subject matter: it’s loosely based on the trial of Ruth Snyder, who murdered her husband and was sentenced to death. A photo of her in the electric chair was published on front pages across the USA the morning after her execution, making her a household name at the time. Playwright Sophie Treadwell attended the trial in 1927 although did not report on it; instead she wrote Machinal as a response, positioning Ruth as having been pushed to breaking ..read more

Need to hire an arborist? Just be sure — about everything TARA Mccain | Urban Forestry Coordinator With spring now upon us, property owners can find themselves in need of tree maintenance. But many are unsure how to accomplish this. Sometimes trees may be dying, or maybe they look a little different from before. Texas Trees Foundation recommends several steps for property owners before selecting an arborist and has released a set of commonly asked questions to help with this process. First, what is the Texas Trees Foundation? This organization has served as a catalyst in creating a reimagined ..read more

ramped up its vilification of sex changes and other activities, under the guise of "family values."This is nothing new in Georgia. Last year, I was arrested in Tbilisi for protesting the government while holding a blank white paper. I can confidently attest to the cowardice of the authoritarian regime—it is afraid of a blank page.To the West, I wish to convey the voice of a humble yet determined human rights advocate from a distant nation, deeply rooted in a profound love for freedom. I urge you to stand in solidarity with the youthful generation in Georgia as they courageously battle against ..read more

Meet Toot, a gentle soul with a heart as big as his paws. At 72 pounds and 2 years old, Toot is a mixed breed who is shy at first but, with patience and kindness, will soon become your loyal companion. Toot is currently undergoing treatment for heartworms, but that doesn’t dampen his spirit. In fact, it’s a testament to his resilience and strength. As he continues his journey to full health, Toot is seeking a calm and loving home where he can thrive. One of Toot’s endearing qualities is his treat motivation. Whether it’s a tasty snack or a gentle word of encouragement, Toot responds eagerly, m ..read more

Gardaí were called to the home of Minister Roderic O’Gorman on Thursday, April 18, after a group of masked men covered the politician’s home with anti-immigration propaganda banners. Videos posted on social media show large banners posted in front of the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth’s home in a Blanchardstown housing estate ..read more

9 LGBTQ-inclusive kids’ books for National Poetry Month April is National Poetry Month, and these recent books in verse for young readers prove that LGBTQ-inclusive titles can be as beautiful and powerful as any today. The first three are picture books; the rest are middle grade and up. Queer and Fearless: Poems Celebrating the Lives of LGBTQ+ Heroes, by Rob Sanders, illustrated by Harry Woodgate (Penguin), offers biographical portraits of 17 historical and contemporary LGBTQ political and social activists. Sanders carefully matches various poetic forms with his subjects, for example, deployin ..read more