A federal appeals court is considering cases out of North Carolina and West Virginia that could have significant implications on whether individual states are required to cover health care for transgender people with government-sponsored insurance.
The facility provides a welcoming space for individuals in the queer community. Board of Directors Chair Cindia Gonzalez says the center receives visitors from Winston, surrounding counties, and even rural areas.
The country's Global Affairs department did not specify which states, but is advising Canadian travelers to check the local laws for their destination before traveling.
Across the country, books and lessons that represent different families and identities are increasingly the target of conservative pushback — even when they're for the youngest of learners. Educators and free-speech advocates say the books and lessons caught up in these bans often simply acknowledge the existence of different identities. That's crucial, experts say, to help young children develop empathy and an understanding of themselves — especially for children whose families include people of color or LGBTQ+ relatives. Of the bans targeting picture books, about three-quarters are books that address LGBTQ+ themes and roughly half mention race, PEN America says.
Sheriff's deputies said the suspect was later killed in "a lethal force encounter" with authorities. Tributes continue to pour in honoring the victim, Lauri Carleton.
The largest mainline Protestant denomination in the U.S. is shrinking due to disputes over LGBTQ+ clergy and same-sex marriage. About 20% of United Methodist congregations have left in recent years.
Cells of white males have formed in at least 30 states, united around racism and an interest in mixed martial arts. Extremism researchers say they're neo-Nazis looking to mainstream their ideas.
by Hannah Shoenbaum, Associated Press/Report for America
North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed Wednesday a trio of bills aimed at LGBTQ+ youth that would ban gender-affirming health care for minors, restrict transgender participation in school sports and limit classroom instruction about gender identity and sexuality.
Legislation targeting LGBTQ youth and public education has left some teachers in North Carolina with hard decisions to make. Educators across the state are questioning whether or not to come out in their schools or even stay in the teaching profession.
