Take Action

#LetKidsPlay - File a federal comment by May 15th 

You have only three more days--May 15th--to tell the US Department of Education to #LetKidsPlay. Now is the time to take action in support of trans student athletes. In fewer than five minutes, you can support trans, nonbinary and intersex student athletes by filing a federal comment with the Department of Education. 

Together we can ensure that non-discrimination protections based on sex are fully inclusive of our transgender, nonbinary and intersex loved ones and neighbors. Say you are with PFLAG and add a personal sentence of why federal trans inclusion in sports matters to you, your family and neighbors.

Submit your comment today in support of hard-won Title IX protections in sport and #LetKidsPlay!

Reminder - Editorial Note:

The phrase “gender-affirming care" is a term that has generally referred to medically necessary care related to gender. The better and more accurate term is “medically necessary care” and that is the language PFLAG National will use. That said, because active legislation and litigation often use the term “gender-affirming care,” PFLAG National will use this term when referencing documents related to such legislation and litigation; we will use the term “medically necessary care” in our own descriptions and definitions.

Court Matters

Trans woman not guilty in public indecency charge for using locker room. The woman had previously used the YMCA women’s locker room in Xenia, Ohio in 2022, prompting patrons to file reports with police. The YMCA had authorized her to use the women’s locker room facilities before the complaints.

Federal Matters

FDA removes restrictions on blood donations by men who have sex with men, fails to fully greenlight users of PrEP. The agency will recommend a series of "individual risk-based questions" that will be the same for every prospective blood donor, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or sex. Those who have had anal sex with a new sexual partner, or more than one sexual partner, within the last three months would be asked to wait to donate blood. PFLAG encourages continued research by the FDA to clarify steps for users of PrEP. 

Senator Dianne Feinstein returns to Senate. The 89-year-old California Senator had been absent for three months while recovering from shingles. Her return on May 10^th reestablishes the Democrats 51-49 Senate majority.

State Matters

Warning: While some of the following stories describe legislative actions to celebrate and affirm LGBTQ+ people, many cover legislation targeting the LGBTQ+ community, particularly trans and non-binary 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 constraint; feel free to forward news about your state to advocacy@pflag.org to consider for inclusion.

Illinois - Bills to protect LGBTQ+ rights sent to Governor. The legislation changes the language in state child-care law to be more inclusive, mandates tracking non-binary and gender non-conforming employees in state agencies to improve employee diversity, and makes it easier for LGBTQ+ couples from other states to marry in Illinois. All three bills now await Governor Pritzker’s signature.

Indiana - Forced outing legislation approved. Signed by Governor Eric Holcomb on May 4^th, House Bill 1608 mandates schools to inform a student’s parents if they request a name or pronoun change. The bill also prohibits sex education from pre-k through third grade. 

Louisiana - Committee blocks LGBTQ+ employment discrimination bill. In a 7-5 vote the House Labor and Industrial relations Committee voted down the legislation that would bar businesses from discriminating against LGBTQ+ people in the hiring and employment process. 

Missouri - House votes to ban gender-affirming care for minors, trans participation in school sports. SB39 prohibits youth under 18 from receiving medically necessary care including puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapy. SB49 blocks trans youth from playing on school sports teams that correspond with their gender identity at the K-12 and college levels as well as at private and charter schools. Both bills await Governor Mike Parson’s signature.

Kansas City moves toward sanctuary city status. In response to anti-trans legislation on the state level, The City Council approved a resolution on May 10th to declare the city a refuge for those looking for or administering medically necessary gender-affirming care. The resolution states that the city will not prosecute or fine any person or organization that seeks, provides, receives, or helps someone receive medically necessary care for trans and non-binary youth.

School board member resigns and vows to leave Missouri over anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. Katherine Sasser was a school board member for two years in Columbia, Missouri and said on May 8^th that she and her family will move out of the state. According to Sasser the state “is no longer a safe place” for her family, especially her transgender daughter. Sasser resigned effective May 9^th. 

North Carolina - House approves gender-affirming care ban for minors. House bill 808 would ban medically necessary care for those under the age of 18, including puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapy. The legislation would also ban state funds from being used for any gender affirming care, including for adults.

Oklahoma - Gov. vetoes PBS funding citing LGBTQ+ content. The bill, HB2820, renews funds for the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority and requires 2/3rds of each legislative chamber to override Governor Stitt’s veto.

Texas - AG to investigate gender-affirming care at Austin hospital. Dell Children’s Medical Center denies Attorney General Ken Paxton’s allegations that the hospital may have been administering hormone replacement therapy and providing surgeries for youth.

Global Matters

Eswatini - LGBTQ+ group optimistic after Supreme Court hears case. The group, Eswatini Sexual and Gender Minorities is suing to force the Registrar of Companies to allow it to register after first being denied registration in 2019. The court is considering the case after hearing closing arguments on May 5.

South Korea - Country’s biggest pride celebration blocked from venue. The Seoul Queer Culture Festival was turned down from their usual meeting place at the Seoul Plaza. A civic committee decided to grant the venue instead to a Christian youth concert which had applied to use the plaza at the same time.

Spain - Court to consider challenge to new LGBTQ+ rights law. The far-right Vox party filed against the law, which allows any Spanish citizen over 16 years old to change their legal gender without a medical diagnosis. The Constitutional Court confirmed that it will review the brief sent by the Vox Party.

Sri Lanka - Supreme Court rules in favor of legislation to decriminalize homosexuality. The court determined that the prospective law was constitutional, allowing parliament to move forward with the bill, though it is unclear if it has the votes to pass.

Media Matters

Trump liable for sexual abuse. On May 9^th, a jury awarded $5 million in damages to E. Jean Carroll, finding former President Donald Trump responsible for sexually abusing her in 1996 and defaming her to cover up the allegations. 

West Virginia University basketball coach apologizes for homophobic slur. Coach Bob Huggins made the comments in a radio interview on Cincinnati radio station WLW discussing the possibility of getting a transfer player from Xavier University. On May 8th Huggins issued a statement saying there is “no excuse” for his behavior.

TikTok LGBTQ+ content viewers put on list. Users who viewed LGBTQ+ related content on the app were placed by TikTok into a list to help the company ’understand trends.’ 

Council approves designation of Swann Street, N.W. to honor William Dorsey Swann. Swann was a former enslaved gay Black man who lived in D.C. in the late 1800s. He was known for organizing queer parties with other formerly enslaved gay men, including drag balls where attendees would cross dress and dance. 

F1 driver wears rainbow helmet in support of LGBTQ+ community. This weekend, Lewis Hamilton donned the helmet as he competed in Miami in protest of anti-LGBTQ legislation recently passed in Florida.

Proud boys attacking LGBTQ+ events across the country. Over the last year, the extremist group known as the Proud Boys have attempted to disrupt drag events all over the country, including in Rhode Island, North Carolina, and Idaho. 

Telethon raises over $500,000 for LGBTQ+ organizations. The “Drag Isn’t Dangerous” telethon was hosted by Alaska 5000, Peppermint, Adam Shankman, and Justin Martindale on May 7^th. In addition to drag performances, the program featured statements by LGBTQ+ celebrities and allies including Charlize Theron, Melissa McCarthy, Adam Lambert, and Margaret Cho.

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

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