Court Matters

Federal judge rules suit challenging Alabama’s ban on medically necessary care for trans youth may proceed. On December 26th, U.S. District Judge Liles Burke denied a request from the Department of Justice to put the Alabama case on hold until appellate courts decide to hear related cases. In the Alabama case, families with transgender children have asked the full 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to review a decision that would allow the ban on medically necessary care to take effect.  

Federal judge blocks Idaho’s ban on medically necessary care for trans youth. HB 71, which was scheduled to take effect on January 1st, is enjoined from being enforced after Federal Judge B. Lynn Winmill granted a request for an injunction from families of two transgender teens receiving gender-affirming care. Had HB 71 gone into effect, it would have punished Idaho doctors who prescribe puberty blockers, hormones, and other treatments to transgender youth with up to 10 years in prison.

Federal Matters

Congressman praises Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ+ law. Rep. Tim Walberg (MI-5) traveled to Uganda in October where he gave a speech at Uganda's National Prayer Breakfast supporting the country’s anti-LGBTQ+ law, which includes the possibility of the death penalty for individuals found guilty of "aggravated homosexuality.” PFLAG National is on record opposing this law.

State Matters

Self-care note: While some of the following stories celebrate and affirm LGBTQ+ people, many cover legislation targeting the LGBTQ+ community, particularly trans and nonbinary youth. Please be kind to yourself and use your discretion while reading this section. 

Advisory: State news is representative but not exhaustive due to space constraints; feel free to forward news about your state to advocacy@pflag.org to consider for inclusion.

Bomb threats force evacuations in 18 state capitols. The threats were received on January 3rd in Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, and 13 other states.

California - Slate of LGBTQ+-related laws go into effect. Several new laws affecting the LGBTQ+ community went into effect in California on January 1st, including AB 223, which requires courts to seal any petition for a change of gender or sex identifier filed by a minor to protect their privacy; SB 407 which requires foster care officials to ensure LGBTQ+ children in the system are placed with supportive families; SB 760, which requires that all K-12 public schools in California provide at least one easily accessible all-gender restroom for students; and several more. 

Florida - Monarch High School appeals to reduce fine for allegedly allowing a transgender student to play on the girls' volleyball team. In December, the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) fined Monarch High School $16,500 and put it on administrative probation until November 2024, citing alleged violations of  Florida's anti-trans athlete ban. The school is appealing the decision. 

Kentucky - Kim Davis ordered to pay $360,000 to same-sex couple for whom she refused to perform a marriage. The former Rowan County Clerk refused to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples in 2015 despite the Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges earlier that same year granting same-sex couples marriage rights nationwide. 

Ohio - Gov. Mike DeWine vetoes HB 68. The Governor vetoed the bill, which would have banned gender-affirming care and banned trans athletes from participating in school sports, on December 29th. State House leadership has announced their intention to override the Governor’s veto. Take action: tell them to protect trans kids and UPHOLD the Governor’s veto TODAY! 

Governor DeWine signs executive order banning gender-affirming surgery for trans minors. The Governor also announced proposed rules concerning gender-affirming care, including a requirement that all trans children and adults have a “comprehensive care plan” that ensures they see an endocrinologist, psychiatrist and bioethicist. Maria Bruno, public policy director for Equality Ohio, said DeWine's executive order banning gender-affirming surgery for trans minors is unnecessary because Ohio clinics do not perform gender transition surgery on minors. Equality Ohio is waiting to review the other measures before staking out a position.

Openly trans candidate for State House disqualified for not including dead name in her candidacy petition. Vanessa Joy submitted paperwork to run for State House District 50 in Stark County, but the county rejected her candidacy, citing an obscure law requiring candidates disclose any prior names from the last five years in their petitions. This rule was not included in the Secretary of State’s candidate guide and Vanessa’s paperwork was filed with her legal name - Vanessa Joy. PFLAG National is monitoring this matter. 

New York - Long Island community supports openly gay teacher fired from Catholic school. Michael Califano, a third grade teacher at Maria Regina School in Seaford, was fired on December 27th after two years at the school. Over 100 parents and children protested Mr. Califano’s firing, holding signs saying “God loves Mr. Califano and so do we.” 

South Carolina - Anti-LGBTQ+ bills filed ahead of legislative session. The state legislature reconvenes on January 9th, and legislators will consider at least nine anti-LGBTQ+ measures, including H 4624, which would ban medically necessary care for trans youth under 18 and ban Medicaid funding for such care for youth under 26. H 4624 will be heard in committee on January 9th - contact your legislator TODAY and tell them to VOTE NO on this harmful bill!

Global Matters

Burundi - President Ndayishimiye says countries concerned about Burundi’s anti-LGBTQ+ policies should keep their aid. The President was asked at a press conference about alleged pressure from Western countries to respect LGBTQ+ rights and he responded that “[If] we find these people in Burundi they should be taken to stadiums and be stoned…"     

Estonia - Same-sex marriage legalized. Same-sex marriages can be performed in the country as of New Years’ Day. Estonia is the first former Soviet Republic to legalize same-sex marriage.

Israel - Supreme Court rules same-sex couples can adopt children. The unanimous ruling released on December 28th struck down the adoption law which stated that only “a man and his wife together” could adopt children. 

Uganda - LGBTQ+ rights activist stabbed. Steven Kabuye remains in critical condition after being attacked on January 3rd.

Media Matters

 

Washington Blade publishes Year in Review for 2023. This collection of the top 10 national news stories from 2023 include the Pride Celebration at the White House, and the scandals surrounding former Congressman George Santos.

Trace Lysette interviewed about her leading role in “Monica.” Lysette was able to score a leading role in the film, a rare opportunity for an openly trans woman. The film tells the story of a trans woman going to her hometown to visit her ailing, estranged mother, played by Patricia Clarkson. Lysette and Clarkson appeared on the Kelly Clarkson show with PFLAG’s own Jeff and Harleigh Walker to discuss trans issues. 

Dolly Parton honors Texas-based drag queen. Brigitte Bandit, a plaintiff in a federal lawsuit challenging Texas’ drag ban, received a signed custom-made guitar from Dolly Parton after Bandit was photographed holding a copy of a children’s book about Parton.

USA Boxing adopts strict rules regarding trans athlete participation. Under the new rules, dated 2022 and shared in 2024’s handbook, athletes under 18 must “compete as their birth gender.” Trans adults over 18 can only compete with athletes of their same gender-identity after undergoing gender-confirmation surgery and must submit quarterly hormone tests to ensure their levels of testosterone or estrogen are within certain boundaries. 

International Cricket Council bans trans athletes from women’s cricket. No athlete who has gone through male puberty may compete in a women’s cricket match governed by the International Cricket Council (ICC), according to its new guidelines.

Dave Chappelle continues to mock trans people and disabled people in new comedy special. In Chappelle’s new special, “The Dreamer,” Chapelle mocks trans people numerous times.

 

PFLAG National
(202) 467-8180 | love@pflag.org

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