Truthout
LGBTQ Rights
![Paula Scanlan, former University of Pennsylvania swimmer, testifies during the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government hearing titled the "The Dangers and Due Process Violations of 'Gender-Affirming Care' for Children," on July 27, 2023, in Washington, D.C.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2023/07/GettyImages-1557504075-400x300.jpg)
House Hearing Used Misinformation to Continue Pushing Anti-Trans Agenda
The hearing relied on misrepresenting studies and many blatantly false claims by representatives.
![Lorie Smith, the owner of 303 Creative, a website design company in Colorado, arrives to speak to reporters outside of the U.S. Supreme Court Building on December 5, 2022, in Washington, D.C.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2023/07/2023_0725-lorie-smith-303-creative-400x300.jpg)
New Evidence Surfaces That 303 Creative Owner Misled SCOTUS
Conservative justices sided with 303 Creative, ruling that businesses had a First Amendment right to discriminate.
![Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia speaks at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library on May 1, 2023, in Simi Valley, California.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2023/07/2023_0725-glenn-youngkin-400x300.jpg)
Arlington Public Schools Refuse to Comply With Virginia’s Anti-Trans Policies
More than 4,000 transgender students in the state will be affected by the anti-trans policies.
![Salem Sanderson wears a cape that reads Drag is Not a Crime as she performs during the Miss Gay Days Pageant at the DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld on June 3, 2023, in Orlando, Florida.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2023/07/2023_0720-drag-florida-400x300.jpg)
Federal Judge Extends Statewide His Previous Order Blocking Florida’s Drag Ban
“The statute is facially unconstitutional,” and “must extend to protect all Floridians,” the judge ruled.
![A screenshot from a TV ad from Protect Women Ohio, a group opposed to abortion rights, shows a clip of what appears to be a drag queen story hour.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2023/07/2023_0718-drag-ad-400x300.jpg)
TV Ad in Ohio Tries to Scare Voters With Drag Queens to Thwart Abortion Rights
“Transphobia is a threat to democracy,” says communications strategist at the ACLU.
![A protester holds up a sign reading "NO HATE IN MY STATE" while participating in an outdoor protest](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2023/07/2023_0717-texas-trans-400x300.jpg)
Texas Ban on Gender-Affirming Care Is Driving Physicians to Leave the State
In recent months, many patients -- including adults -- have lost access to care as providers leave Texas.
![Demonstrators gather at a rally to protest the passing of SB 150 on March 29, 2023, at the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort, Kentucky.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2023/07/2023_0717-trans-rights-kentucky-400x300.jpg)
Kentucky Ban on Gender-Affirming Care Takes Effect as Injunction Is Lifted
It is “an extremely difficult moment for Kentucky's trans youth,” said Ban Conversion Therapy Kentucky staffers.
![Russian Sate Emblem is seen on the facade of the Russian State Duma, lower house of Russia's Parliament, in central Moscow on July 14, 2023.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2023/07/2023_0714-russia-400x300.jpg)
Trans Russians Prepare for “Fascist Law” That Would Strip Away Their Rights
“The way how these people see their future is collapsing,” said the leader of a Russian trans support organization.
![People protest bills HB 1686 and SB 14 during a rally at the Texas State Capitol on March 27, 2023, in Austin, Texas.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2023/07/2023_0713-trans-rights-400x300.jpg)
Families and Health Care Workers Are Suing Texas Over Gender-Affirming Care Ban
The lawsuit led by ACLU and other national groups seeks to block the ban from taking effect at the start of September.
![Then-Secretary of State Kris Kobach responds to questions on stage during the Gubernatorial debate at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson, Kansas, on September 8, 2018.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2023/07/2023_0712-kris-kobach-400x300.jpg)
ACLU Intervenes in Kansas AG’s Attempt to Block Gender Changes on Licenses
Transgender Kansans "deserve to live their lives free of harassment, discrimination, and violence,” the ACLU said.