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. Arizona - Judge throws out suit challenging trans-inclusive policies at Mesa Public Schools. A Mesa Public Schools (MPS) board member filed the lawsuit in November, seeking to overturn the trans-inclusive policies. The judge dismissed the suit, saying the plaintiff did not identify any law MPS was violating by implementing the policies. Florida - State denies requests to update gender markers on official documents. Under Florida law, trans Floridians can get their birth certificates updated to reflect their gender identity if they provide documentation from a doctor showing that they have received gender-affirming care. However, since last year, trans youth and adults have received letters from Florida’s Bureau of Vital Statistics denying their requests to update their birth certificates. Michigan - Governor Whitmer signs bill banning “LGBTQ+ panic” defense. Michigan is the 20th state to outlaw using a victim’s actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression to “demonstrate reasonable provocation” in a criminal trial. New Hampshire - Governor Sununu signs anti-trans bills into law. HB 619 bans trans minors from receiving gender-affirming surgery and and HB 1205 bans trans athletes from competing on teams aligned with their gender identity. The Governor did veto another bill which would have banned trans people from using facilities aligned with their gender identity. Pennsylvania - New LGBTQ+ Center opens in Harrisburg. GLO Harrisburg will provide educational, behavioral, mental health and medical services, especially for LGBTQ+ men of color and trans women of color. Texas - Lubbock City Council cuts funding for First Friday Art Trail over LGBTQ+ programming. The City Council cut a $30,000 grant for the First Friday Art Trail out of its budget over planned drag performances and LGBTQ+ focused workshops. | 
