U.S. HOUSE PASSES GEORGE FLOYD JUSTICE IN POLICING ACT: Congress must take action to stop the police brutality, misconduct and harassment Black people face every day. The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act is a critical step. More from HRC.

SOUTH DAKOTA SENDS RELIGIOUS REFUSAL BILL TO GOV. NOEM, FIRST MAJOR RFRA THREAT IN SIX YEARS: “South Dakota’s passage of Senate Bill 124 threatens protections for LGBTQ people, women and people of faith,” said HRC President Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid). “South Dakotans believe in religious liberty and LGBTQ equality -- those two values are not mutually exclusive. South Dakota potentially risks the loss of business opportunities and the revenue that comes with it, significant legal fees and damage to the state’s reputation. We strongly urge Governor Kristi Noem to reject this dangerous and controversial legislation that would invite a world of problems for South Dakota amidst already difficult circumstances for the state and this country.” More from HRC.

FIRST ANTI-TRANS BILL OF 2021 HEADS TO MISSISSIPPI GOVERNOR’S DESK: This bill marks the first piece of specifically anti-transgender legislation this year to be sent to a governor’s desk. “As thousands die each day of COVID-19 and millions of Americans are out of work, some state legislatures have chosen to attack, demean and dehumanize their constituents rather than focus on delivering relief and assistance. These dangerous bills are designed to make the lives of transgender kids more difficult while they try to navigate their adolescence,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “Mississippi is so determined to be on the wrong side of history that it is defying the evidence in favor of discrimination. There is simply no justification for banning transgender girls and women from participating in athletics other than discrimination.” More from HRC.

ALABAMA LEGISLATURE PASSES DISCRIMINATORY ANTI-TRANSGENDER BILL: “Denying medical services to transgender people is wildly unpopular across all political persuasions,” said HRC Alabama State Director Carmarion D. Anderson-Harvey (@cander01). “Rather than acting to roll back rights for transgender individuals and deny them the care they need, Alabama legislators should commit to policies that include transgender people. More acutely, they should focus on the problems Alabamians face in the midst of a global pandemic and its economic repercussions.”

TUNE-IN THURSDAY -- HRC HOSTS COMMUNITY VOICES EVENT THIS EVENING AT 7 PM E.T.: The conversation will focus on the acute impact of COVID-19, HIV and substance use on Black gay and bi+ men and the overall mental health of the community. More from HRC.

EVANGELICAL ADOPTION AGENCY BETHANY CHRISTIAN SERVICES WILL NOW SERVE LGBTQ CLIENTS: “It is the right thing to do and aligns with the Christian value of protecting children. Every child should have the opportunity to be a part of a loving family unit,” said HRC President Alphonso David. More from HRC.

MORE THAN HALF OF U.S. STATE LEGISLATURES ARE CONSIDERING ANTI-TRANSGENDER BILLS: More from The Hill.

BEING YOUNG AND LGBTQ IN 2021: Q&A WITH HRC YOUTH AMBASSADOR JOSEPH REED: “I think acceptance and awareness are two of the most pressing issues for LGBTQ youth,” said Reed. “We’re all trying to live our lives, make a living, be happy -- these are things we all share. The trans equality and justice movement is a great example of how our community is seen in the public eye and the need for people to see us as just like them. People need to look past our differences and allow others to live their lives authentically, especially since it doesn’t affect their own rights or lives.” Read the full interview from HRC.

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

NEW DOCUMENTARY TO HIGHLIGHT OUT BISEXUAL BOXER NICOLA ADAMS (@NicolaAdamsOBE): More from Outsports.

🌍 GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

POLISH COURT ACQUITS ACTIVISTS WHO PUT LGBTQ RAINBOW ON IMAGES OF CATHOLIC ICON: The court determined that the activists were not intending to disrespect religious beliefs. More from Associated Press.

LGBTQ RETIREMENT COMMUNITY TO OPEN IN LONDON: This is the first of its kind in the United Kingdom. More from BBC.

GHANA’S LGBTQ COMMUNITY IS UNDER ASSAULT, HARASSMENT: More from Out Magazine.

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