PRESIDENT BIDEN AND SECRETARY BLINKEN RELEASE COMPREHENSIVE MEMORANDUM ON PROTECTING RIGHTS OF LGBTQ PEOPLE ABROAD: This action is the latest in a series of numerous early actions by the Biden administration, including implementing Bostock and rescinding the ban on transgender people serving in our nation’s military, aimed at bolstering LGBTQ rights domestically and abroad. “With today’s presidential memorandum, President Biden and Secretary Blinken recommit the United States to a foreign policy that protects and supports the human rights of LGBTQ people abroad,” said HRC President Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid). “We applaud the Biden administration and Secretary Blinken for making it clear that the United States is a nation that values LGBTQ people at home and abroad, and is willing to fight to ensure every person is able to live free and equal.” More from HRC.

CDC RELEASES REPORT CONFIRMING LESBIAN, GAY AND BISEXUAL PEOPLE AT GREATER RISK OF COVID-19 ILLNESS, CALLS FOR MORE DATA COLLECTION: HRC’s own analysis of the same datasets show similar risks among transgender people. “This report affirms what LGBTQ advocates and organizations have known all along: that our community is at greater risk and disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 health crisis. It is critical that health disparities in marginalized communities are fully captured by government data collection so they can be swiftly addressed,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “The Trump administration failed to acknowledge the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on LGBTQ people; it is most welcome that the Biden administration is not politicizing our community's health and instead is addressing the realities we are facing.” More from HRC, McClatchy D.C. and The Hill.

HRC REMEMBERS ROSA PARKS:

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPHELD DEMOCRACY AND VOTED TO REMOVE GREENE FROM HER COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS: “The House of Representatives stood up for democracy and voted to hold Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene accountable for her shocking and undemocratic behavior. While Democratic leadership in the House acted urgently to condemn Greene’s disturbing endorsement of political violence and reject her politics of hate and division, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and House Republicans failed their responsibility to our democracy and our nation,” said HRC President Alphonso David. More from HRC.

SEN. MARKEY, REP. LOWENTHAL REINTRODUCE BILL REQUIRING U.S. TO PROMOTE LGBTQ RIGHTS ABROAD: “The International Human Rights Defense Act will ensure that the rights of all LGBTQ people -- from every background -- continues to be a top priority in America’s foreign policy,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “This legislation would strengthen the ability of the Biden administration and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to promote and protect the human rights of LGBTQI people at home and abroad. Thank you to Senator Ed Markey and Representative Alan Lowenthal for their leadership as human rights champions in Congress.” More from the Washington Blade.

🇺🇸 IN THE STATES

A NEW WAVE OF ANTI-TRANS BILLS ARE HITTING STATEHOUSES: “These bills are politically motivated and allow elected officials to basically perpetuate bias, with a very small but very vocal minority,” said HRC President Alphonso David. More from 19th News.

• Kansas and Minnesota are among the states who have proposed bills that discriminate against trans and non-binary people so far this legislative season.
• On Tuesday, the Mississippi Senate Accountability, Efficiency, and Transparency Committee passed an anti-transgender bill, SB 2536, aimed at banning transgender women and girls from participating in sports. More from HRC.

ICYMI -- FLORIDA IMPLEMENTS BOSTOCK: On Wednesday, Florida’s Commission on Human Relations announced its intention to fully implement the Bostock v. Clayton County decision on the state level. More from HRC.

📺 GET CULTURED -- entertainment, arts and sports news!

🏳️‍🌈 COUNTRY MUSIC SINGER T.J. OSBORNE COMES OUT AS GAY: More from CBS News.

🌏 GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

HRC ON PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATIONS IN TURKEY: More from HRC.

AUSTRALIA RELAXES BLOOD DONATION RESTRICTIONS FOR GAY AND BISEXUAL MEN: More from Marie Claire.

TOKYO OLYMPICS PUT A SPOTLIGHT ON JAPAN’S LGBTQ RIGHTS: More from The Japan Times.

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