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New Transgender Sports Ban Challenged

GLAD Law & ACLU of NH have asked the court to expand the existing New Hampshire case to include a legal challenge to Trump’s executive orders banning transgender girls from participating in school sports. Trump’s February 5th executive order banning transgender girls & women from athletics is the latest in a series of executive orders & related policy changes deliberately aimed at broadly restricting the rights of trans Americans in public life. Since taking office January 20th his administration has worked to roll back access to non-discrimination protections, health care, equal educational opportunities, military service & vital identity documents for trans US citizens. Henry Klementowicz, Deputy Legal Director at ACLU of NH stated, “We’re expanding our lawsuit to challenge President Trump’s executive orders because, like the state law, it excludes, singles out & discriminates against transgender students & insinuates that they are not deserving of the same educational opportunities as all other students. Every child in New Hampshire & across the country has a right to equal opportunities at school & all students do better when they have access to resources that improve their mental, emotional & physical health.” GLAD Law & the ACLU of NH filed the motion in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire in the case Tirrell & Turmelle v. Edelblut a federal lawsuit challenging HB 1205 a 2024 state law banning all transgender girls in grades 5-12 from participating in school sports in New Hampshire public schools. Last fall the court ordered that students Parker Tirrell & Iris Turmelle be allowed to play sports during the litigation. 

Lincoln Diversity Equality & Inclusion

With the current administration announcement to end minting Lincoln pennies we thought that on Abraham Lincoln’s real birthday we’d share a story about the 16th POTUS who served from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. He led the nation through the last American Civil War which succeeded in preserving the Union, abolishing slavery, bolstering the federal government & modernizing the U.S. economy. Let’s celebrate Lincoln’s birthday as we re-revisit the interesting theory that Abraham Lincoln might have been our first LGBTQ president referencing Carl Sandburg who alluded to the early relationship of Lincoln & his friend Joshua Fry Speed as having "a streak of lavender & spots soft as May violets" in his 1926 biography. "Streak of lavender" was a term back then that implied homosexuality. The late legendary activist & playwright Larry Kramer back in 1999 claim that he had uncovered previously unknown documents while conducting research for his work-in-progress The American People: A History claiming to be found hidden in the floorboards of the old store once shared by Lincoln & Joshua Speed. In these beyond challenging times just think how that would affect our current administration with its anti-LGBTQ agenda. A while back I talked with author Lee Wind in this exclusive audio interview about his novel “Queer as a Five-Dollar Bill” that actually centers around Wyatt a 15 year old dealing with his sexuality in a homophobic small town who discovers this theory about Abraham Lincoln's relationship with Joshua Fry Speed a Springfield, Illinois merchant who met Lincoln in 1837. Wyatt can't help feel that if the world knew about this relationship perhaps they would treat our LGBTQ community differently. LISTEN

Parents Teachers Leaders Rally For Kids

Parents, educators, community leaders & elected officials will gather outside the U.S. Capitol In DC on Wednesday February 12th to take a stand for students & public schools ahead of Trump’s Secretary of Education nominee Linda McMahon’s confirmation hearing. If confirmed McMahon will implement Trump’s agenda that includes eliminating the U.S. Department of Education which would dramatically increase class sizes, take resources from our most vulnerable students, enable the passage of voucher schemes across the country, remove vital services away from students with disabilities, cut job-training programs, make higher education more expensive & gut hard-won civil rights protections. During the last few weeks we’ve already experienced Trump’s executive orders that have stripped marginal students’ civil rights protections especially for our LGBTQ kids. McMahon a business executive resigned from her position as World Wrestling Entertainment CEO (WWE) in 2009 to run as a Republican for a seat in the United States Senate from Connecticut which she lost to Senator Blumenthal. Actually most of the appointees joining the new administration have lost their bids for public office. The rally on Wednesday February 12th will begin at 4:15P on the Capitol Grounds at the corner of Independence Avenue SE & First Street SE & across from the Cannon Office Building. Speakers will include parents, educators & elected officials scheduled are Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott, Education & Workforce Committee Ranking Member Rep. Alma Adams, Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, Rep. Marc Takano as well as National Education Association President Becky Pringle & American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten with additional speakers TBA. McMahon's confirmation hearing is scheduled for February 13th. 

Maiden Mother Crone: A Duet Of Plays

Maiden Mother Crone is 2 solo plays encompassing “The Longer My Mother Is Dead The More I Like Her” by writer/performer Deborah Unger & “Sugarcoated” by writer/performer Jen Ponton for an unforgettable evening of theater at Off-Broadway’s The Pete at The Flea 20 Thomas Street in NYC from February 12th to February 23rd. In “The Longer My Mother Is Dead The More I Like Her” Deborah invites audiences into the lifelong battle & posthumous reconciliation with her mother by blending humor & heartbreak. Unger’s journey explores the unspoken dynamics of mother-daughter relationships as Mom gets to speak her peace as well–albeit from the grave–the play transforms into a moving meditation on love, understanding & letting go. In “Sugarcoated” Jen takes audiences on a visceral journey through the polished facade women are often forced to wear with biting humor & profound vulnerability as “Sugarcoated” strips away societal expectations revealing raw truths about trauma, survival & self-empowerment. This compelling double bill is an ode to resilience, self-discovery & the intricate threads of human connection. Whether you’re drawn to tales of empowerment, familial complexities or raw emotional truths “Maiden Mother Crone” promises an evening of theater you won’t forget. “The Longer My Mother Is Dead The More I Like Her” is directed by Dominick LaRuffa Jr. & “Sugarcoated” is directed by Tessa Hope Slovis with lighting design by Hayley Garcia Parnell & stage manager Chelsea Rodriguez. Maiden Mother Crone: A Duet of Solo Plays runs 2 hours & 15 mins with an intermission & tickets are $40 & can be purchased in person at the theater a 1/2 hour before performances or online. 

Another Week That Was In America

There was a TV show “That Was The Week That Was” on the BBC hosted by David Frost in the early 1960’s that totally broke comedy ground by lampooning political figures. Then in America during the Nixon administration we had “The Great American Dream Machine” a weekly PBS satirical variety 
TV series in the early 1970’s that disappeared because it was too brutally honest to last with the people in power. SNL has been fabulous but we’ll have to wait & see until after their 50th Anniversary Special airing on February 16th. With our country under siege by the new administration the only consistent antidotes we really have is to push back every way we can, question & challenge all the illegal executive orders in the courts & watch Rachael Maddow’s brilliant "First 100 Days" on MSNBC for daily updates. This is obviously not a time to go complacent. Stay informed & don’t settle for less than freedom. When this administration took hold the 1st time in 2017 massive protests took place resulting in everyone realizing how vulnerable our government was to going backwards instead of forward. After COVID & January 6th we thought we were moving in the right direction but after Roe ended the playing field radically changed. Now it’s all about power with no exceptions. This week we watched the demise of USAID into something unrecognizable, then the illegal occupation of the Department of The Treasury, personnel cuts at the FBI & the Department of Education, CIA, Department of Budget & Management all headed for the chopping block with the Kennedy Center & the arts in their crosshairs. This is how the week ended as we head into celebrating the newly politicalized Super Bowl LIX. So enjoy your Super Bowl weekend & recharge for the next week of living in America.

Family Equality New CEO Darra Gordon

 

Family Equality the national nonprofit dedicated to advancing equality for LGBTQ families has named Darra Gordon as its new Chief Executive Officer bringing more than 2 decades of experience in LGBTQ nonprofit leadership. Gordon stated, “Stepping in to lead Family Equality wasn’t a choice for me. It’s a calling. I’ve dedicated my career to protecting & preserving our community’s right to be celebrated, respected & connected. Together with our dedicated team, families & allies, I am excited & eager to continue this work on behalf of LGBTQ+ families around the country. As a parent myself, I know firsthand that family is a powerful force for good & a right that is fundamental to who we are as humans. By building Family Equality’s impact & becoming stronger & more sustainable, I know we can build a world where everyone can experience the unconditional love, safety & belonging that only family can provide.” Darra who will assume her new role on March 3rd most recently served as Deputy President & Chief Operating Officer at GLAAD & joins Family Equality at a moment of both opportunity & urgency with LGBTQ families continuing to face legislative & social challenges across the country. Under her leadership Family Equality is committed to addressing these challenges head-on while expanding its reach & resources to better serve families & advance equality. Family Equality is creating a world where everyone can experience the love, safety & belonging of family. As the leading national org for current & future LGBTQ families they work to ensure that everyone has the freedom to find, form & sustain their families by advancing LGBTQ equality through advocacy, support, storytelling & education. 

Joe Sangirardi Joins Equality California

Joe Sangirardi will serve as Equality California’s new Development Director based in San Francisco, CA. He replaces the outgoing Sarah Morrow Chwe who joined the org in 2021. Sangirardi is an experienced nonprofit fundraiser who has worked for large national LGBTQ organizations & statewide advocacy organizations & currently sits on the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee. Tony Hoang Equality California Executive Director stated, “We are thrilled to welcome Joe to our leadership team as we continue our mission to achieve full, lived LGBTQ+ equality in California & beyond. He will help ensure that we have the resources we need to defend our community amidst unprecedented attacks on the civil rights of LGBTQ+ people nationwide. We’ve had the pleasure of working with Joe in multiple capacities & we look forward to the wealth of knowledge & experience he will bring to our organization. Equality California is immensely grateful to Sarah Morrow Chwe for her unwavering dedication & years of service to our mission & organization. Her leadership has been instrumental in expanding our base of support & securing critical resources to fuel the fight for full, lived equality for all LGBTQ+ people." Sangirardi served as Director of Development at California YIMBY & previously served in various development leadership roles at both the Human Rights Campaign & the LGBTQ Victory Fund to help raise millions of dollars in the fight for full, lived equality. Equality California is the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights org. They advance civil rights & social justice by inspiring, advocating & mobilizing through an inclusive movement that works tirelessly on behalf of those they serve. 

Modern Military & Executive Orders

Modern Military committed to ensuring that LGBTQ service members & veterans continue to receive the support & recognition they deserve is closely monitoring the 1st wave of executive orders effecting our trans community. Rachel Branaman, Executive Director of Modern Military stated, “Trans people have served in every conflict since the Revolutionary war & have been serving openly for almost a decade with honor & integrity in every theater across the globe. The trans ban was wrong in 2019, it’s wrong now & so has every other attempt to discriminate against minority populations who serve & protect our country. Modern Military will work tirelessly to mitigate the devastating impact this will have on thousands of servicemembers & their families.” The discriminatory transphobic executive order entitled “Prioritizing Military Excellence & Readiness” directs the Secretary of Defense to update medical standards to result in the disqualification of transgender individuals from military service, prohibits the use of pronouns that do not match an individual’s sex assigned at birth, bans individuals from using facilities (sleeping, changing, bathing) that do not correspond to their sex assigned at birth, rescinds previous policies that allowed transgender individuals to serve openly & access transition-related medical care. Though the order does not immediately discharge currently serving transgender troops it does set the stage for potential future removals. Branaman concluded, “The overwhelming pace & vagueness of these orders are meant to disempower us, but we must remain vigilant.” As we reported last week legal challenges are already in motion & advocacy efforts are ramping up to counteract these harmful policies. It’s crucial for service members, veterans & allies to stay informed, report discrimination & connect with LGBTQ community resources. 

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New Transgender Sports Ban Challenged

GLAD Law & ACLU of NH have asked the court to expand the existing New Hampshire case to include a legal challenge to Trump’s executive o...

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