Pope Francis suggests blessings for same-sex couples

Pope Francis has suggested there might be ways to bless same-sex unions. The Vatican on Monday published a letter Francis wrote to five cardinals on July 11 after receiving a list of five questions, or “dubia,” from them a day earlier.

Florida school district orders removal of all books with gay characters before slightly backing off

Top officials at a Florida school district ordered the removal of all books and material containing LBGTQ+ characters and themes from classrooms and campus libraries, saying that was needed to conform to a state law backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis that critics have dubbed “Don’t Say Gay."

Federal judge refuses to block Florida transgender treatment law

A federal judge on Friday refused to block a new Florida law making it more difficult for transgender adults to access hormone therapy and surgeries.

Canada issues travel advisory for LGBTQ visitors to US

Canadian officials cited laws banning drag shows, restricting gender-affirming care and blocking participation in sporting events as reasons for the updated guidance.

Two murals in Downtown Orlando vandalized with anti-LGBTQ messages

Two murals, one belonging to The Center Orlando and the other to Zebra Youth, were vandalized early Saturday morning, according to The Center.

Ban on gender-affirming health care for minors takes effect in North Carolina

The law bans medical professionals from providing hormone therapy, puberty-blocking drugs and surgical gender-transition procedures to most under 18.

States protecting transgender health care try to absorb demand

Waiting lists for gender-affirming health care are growing in states that declared themselves refuges for transgender people as bans for such care for minors take effect nationwide.

Anheuser-Busch layoffs: Bud Light sales slump leads to hundreds of lost jobs

Anheuser-Busch, the maker of Bud Light, is laying off hundreds of positions across its U.S. corporate staff, the company confirmed this week.

A look at how many transgender, intersex people live in the US amid new anti-LGBTQ+ laws

New laws targeting LGBTQ+ people are proliferating in GOP-led states, but the conversations often lack a clear understanding of how many people will be directly affected.

Transgender adults seek to block Florida law limiting access to hormone-replacement therapy, surgery

Citing a “crisis of availability” of care, transgender people are asking a federal judge to block a new state law making it more difficult for trans adults to access hormone-replacement therapy and surgery.

Injunction blocking Florida law targeting drag shows applies to all venues, judge says

A federal judge said Wednesday that his order blocking a Florida law targeting drag shows doesn’t just apply to the restaurant that brought the lawsuit challenging it but to other venues in the state, reiterating that the legislation championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis is likely unconstitutional.

48-hour 'drag-a-thon' breaks world record, raises $300K for LGBTQ charity

Not only did the drag-a-thon make history, but supporters raised $285,000 for The Trevor Project, a nonprofit that works to prevent suicide among LGBTQ youth.

Families with transgender kids forced to travel out of state for care they need

With at least 20 states moving to ban or restrict such care for minors, some kids feel they are receiving the message that they cannot be themselves.

Supreme Court backs designer who objects to making gay couples’ wedding websites

In a defeat for gay rights, the court ruled 6-3 for designer Lorie Smith despite a Colorado law that bars discrimination based on sexual orientation, race, gender and other characteristics.

Supreme Court makes big decisions with more to come: Here's what to know

The Supreme Court is expected to announce major decisions Friday on Biden's student loan forgiveness program and a case that impacts gay rights.

Joe Biden reveals LGBTQ+ initiatives but postpones White House Pride Month event due to poor air quality

The Pride Month event will be held Saturday and will show support for LGBTQ+ people at a time when the community feels under attack and the White House has little recourse to challenge state-level legislation against them.

Speakers argue over high school yearbook in rowdy Seminole County School Board meeting

The debate over Lyman High School’s yearbook seemed settled. A small group of parents protested two pages in the book that discussed LBGTQ life and vocabulary. In response, the Seminole County School Board offered to refund those parents or give them versions of the yearbook reprinted to not include those two pages.

Human Rights Campaign declares state of emergency warning for LGBTQ+ people

The civil rights group warns of what it calls an “unprecedented and dangerous" rise in discriminatory laws in some states, saying more than 70 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been signed into law so far this year.

Pride becomes minefield for big US companies, but many continue their support

Dozens of big companies are sponsoring LGBTQ+ Pride events and displaying racks of Pride-themed merchandise. But this year, the rainbow has lost some shine.