Boston-based Fenway Health has joined 12 other of the nation’s leading LGBTQ+, HIV and health organizations to raise the alarm about the Trump administration’s planned actions to defund critical HIV prevention efforts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The anticipated actions will severely impede the nation’s ability to prevent new HIV infections ..read more

With a grand opening for next month on the calendar, Rutland, Vermont is getting its first LGBTQ+ public space in decades once the finishing touches are put on the new Bailey’s Place bar. Reports CBS WCAX-TV 3 of Rutland: A new bar in Rutland is set to become the city’s first LGBTQ+ space in decades ..read more

U.S. District Court Judge Ana Reyes today issued a nationwide preliminary injunction in Talbott v. Trump, the legal challenge to President Trump’s transgender military ban executive order brought by LGBTQ+ legal groups GLAD Law and [the National Centers for Lesbian Rights (NCLR)]. Judge Reyes heard arguments on the motion for preliminary injunction in Washington, DC last Wednesday, March 12.  In [the ..read more

After their research that addressed LGBTQ+ health concerns was removed from a US government-run website, two Harvard Medical School doctors have filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration for “unlawful and dangerous suppression of doctors’ speech about how to better diagnose patients,” according to Boston.com. Reports Boston.com: Filed [last] Wednesday in federal District Court ..read more

Congressman William Keating of Massachusetts refused to accept US Rep. Keith Self of Texas’s misgendering of Delaware Congresswoman Sarah McBride at a House Congressional panel hearing last week. The result? National news praising Keating’s support for McBride, for basic civility and for McBride’s strength of character in the face of unabashed bigotry. Reports the Boston ..read more

In a 12-1 vote, Boston’s city council passed a resolution declaring Boston a sanctuary city for LGBTQ+ people. The resolution was filed by Councilors Julia Mejia and Liz Breadon, Boston’s first openly LGBT women elected to the council, with only Councilor Ed Flynn withholding a vote for it until he learns “more about how the ..read more

It may be the smallest state, but Rhode Island is bringing giant guffaws to this corner of the country with the Lil Rhody Laugh Riot, a new four-day comedy festival taking over Providence from Thursday, March 27 through Sunday, March 31. The lineup of performers includes big names in comedy: Aziz Ansari, Leslie Jones and ..read more

The Theater Offensive in Boston and Rhode Island Latino Arts are among four arts organizations suing the National Endowment for the Arts over President Trump’s executive orders blocking federal funds for “anything that promotes ‘gender ideology,'” according to LGBTQ Nation. Reports LGBTQ+ Nation: The lawsuit, filed by lawyers from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU ..read more

A coalition of nonprofit support and advocacy groups issued the following joint statement last week: AUGUSTA, ME – Last week, an elected official used her online social media to share a photo of a child that she identified as transgender, resulting in statewide and national harassment of a non-consenting minor. Our organizations stand united in declaring ..read more

Last week, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders issued the following statement from GLAD Law Senior Staff Attorney Chris Erchull about a New Hampshire House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs Committee hearing testimony on HB 377, a bill to prohibit medical care for transgender adolescents: “The bill that was heard by the Health, Human Services ..read more