HRC HONORS INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA, TRANSPHOBIA AND BIPHOBIA BY RELEASING GLOBAL GRANTS PROGRAM OUTCOMES: “International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia reminds us that we are connected to our LGBTQ siblings across the world—in our community’s resilience and bravery in overcoming discrimination and indifference,” said HRC President Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid, he/him). “Everyone has a responsibility to fight for what is right, and that is exactly what our community of global advocates is doing each and every day. These champions for equality are on the front-lines seeking justice, and their initiatives are changing hearts and minds around the world.” More from HRC.

TONIGHT -- HRC AND NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TO HOST SCREENING OF ‘IMPACT WITH GAL GADOT’ DOCUMENTARY: In an event presented by HRC and National Geographic (@natgeodocs), you are invited to join us for a conversation about extraordinary women like Kayla Gore (@mysistahhouse), who is dedicated to combating homelessness for trans women of color. More from HRC.

THE WAR ON TRANS KIDS IS TOTALLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL: The bad policy behind laws that aim to prohibit physicians from providing gender affirming care is not only horrifying but unconstitutional according to Ronald J. Krotoszynski, Jr. who is the John S. Stone Chair at the University of Alabama School of Law. More from The Atlantic.

COULD QUEER-INCLUSIVE SEX ED HALT TRANS HOMICIDES? SOME ADVOCATES SAY YES: “If our children were taught to think about these things earlier, they wouldn’t be at a disadvantage,” said Victoria Kirby York (@VKirbyYork), deputy executive director of the LGBTQ+ advocacy organization National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC). “There’s this perception that you are now othered because of your attraction, that you are less than because of who you are sexually attracted to or not attracted to, and that’s a really bad and troubling message for our kids.” More from 19th News.

A FATHER KICKED HIS SON OUT WHEN HE CAME OUT. TWO DADS ADOPTED THE TEEN & NOW HE’S SPEAKING OUT: Last week, Weston Charles-Gallo testified before the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Worker and Family Support to support the Every Child Deserves a Family Act (ECDFA). This Act would ban federally-funded adoption and foster agencies from discriminating against parents on the basis of religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, or marital status, and ban anti-LGBTQ discrimination against foster youth. More from LGBTQ Nation.

THE JOYS AND FEARS OF TRANSITIONING DURING A PANDEMIC: One individual that transitioned during the pandemic described the experience as “I feel like, so often, transition is about how the outside world sees you, but when you're not seeing the outside world, it's like, ‘okay, I'm doing this for myself.’” More from them.

HRC MOURNS JOEY TRIANA, ADVOCATE: HRC had the pleasure of working with Joseph ("Joey") Ibarra Traina during his time as an organizer. HRC staff and supporters had an opportunity to work with Joey on electoral campaigns across the south, midwest to New Hampshire in support of LGBTQ equality. More from Facebook.

📍 IN THE STATES

TENNESSEE GOVERNOR LEE SIGNS ANTI-TRANSGENDER STUDENT BATHROOM BILL 2.0 INTO LAW: “Transgender children are children. They deserve to feel safe and accepted at school, just like all children. But Gov. Lee and the Tennessee state legislature have chosen once again to sign an inherently discriminatory and harmful bill in HB 1233 (SB 1367),” said Human Rights Campaign Associate Regional Campaign Director Melodía Gutiérrez (@mell0wdia, she/her). “Why are Tennessee's elected leaders so focused on discriminating against transgender students instead of addressing real issues facing Tennesseans? They have no regard for the damaging impact these bills have on the mental health of transgender students — who have been begging state leaders to leave them alone.” More from HRC.

'I FINALLY FEEL RIGHT IN MY BODY': HOUSTON KIDS CONFRONT ANTI-TRANS LEGISLATION THAT TARGETS THEM: More from Houston Chronicle.

OREGON LAWMAKERS PASS LAW BANNING LGBTQ PANIC DEFENSE: Oregon Lawmakers in the state House of Representatives voted with unanimous support during a House vote on Thursday passed Senate Bill 704, a measure that bans the “gay panic” or “trans panic” defense in criminal court proceedings. More from Los Angeles Blade.

📺 GET CULTURED

🎧 QUEER LATINO PODCAST ‘DE PUEBLO, CATÓLICO Y GAY’ AIMS TO FIGHT LGBTQ STIGMA: The Spanish-language podcast De Pueblo, Católico y Gay explores the intersection of LGBTQ, Latino and Catholic identities, with uncomfortable conversations that promote understanding, unity and healing. More from USA Today.

🐧 GAY PENGUINS FORM COUPLES AT LONDON AQUARIUM AHEAD OF MATING SEASON: Sea Life London Aquarium announced that four female penguins have formed two same-sex couples -- Marmalade and Chickpea, and Marama and Rocky. More from Metro Weekly.

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