There will be no Policy Matters email next week. From all of us at PFLAG National, we are grateful for your time and commitment to our shared mission and vision. Happy holidays and a safe and healthy new year to you and yours.

Court Matters

Federal Judge states that Gov. DeSantis spread false information while pushing for state’s gender-affirming care ban. Judge Robert Hinkle, hearing a challenge to Florida’s gender-affirming care ban, noted in court on December 21st that the Governor repeatedly spread false information about gender-affirming care practices. Judge Hinkle said that the Governor’s misinformation calls into question the State’s motivation for adopting the law.

Justice Clarence Thomas suggested Supreme Court salaries were inadequate before accepting gifts from GOP donors. The Supreme Court Justice reportedly told a former Congressman in 2000 that justices should get pay raises or “one or more” would resign. Since then, Justice Thomas has accepted gifts from wealthy donors like Harlan Crow, and failed to disclose the gifts.

Federal Matters

President Biden issues pardons for cannabis possession. The President released a proclamation on December 22nd which pardoned U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents who committed or were convicted of simple possession, attempted simple possession, or use of cannabis — regardless of whether the offender had been charged or prosecuted yet.

As 2023 winds down, federal appropriations tug-of-war involving medically necessary transgender care continues. PFLAGers have weighed in with legislators about the pediatrician shortage addressed in the Children’s Hospitals Graduate Medical Education program in the fiscal 2024 Labor-Health and Human Services-Education funding bill. Stay tuned to PFLAG media channels if action is needed during the holidays.

Former Maryland Governor and Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley sworn in as Social Security Administration Commissioner. The December 18th Senate confirmation vote was 50-11, and on December 20th, Commissioner O’Malley was sworn in by Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD).

Efforts underway to encourage new study to help FDA approve medically necessary hormone therapy as treatment for dysphoria. Currently, trans patients receive hormone therapies “off-label,” meaning the hormones they are prescribed were studied and approved for other uses. The Research Institute for Gender Therapeutics (RIGT) is proposing a study which it hopes will help get FDA approval for hormone therapy to treat gender dysphoria. With FDA approval, RIGT hopes to strengthen the case against gender-affirming care bans in states and to get more insurers to cover the treatment.

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.

Florida - Flag ban bill pre-filed ahead of January legislative session. HB901 would prevent local governments, schools, and colleges from flying flags that represent “a political viewpoint,” including flags related to “sexual orientation and gender” or race. This would essentially ban local governments and schools from flying Pride flags. 

Missouri - Kansas City LGBTQ Commission chair works to protect LGBTQ+ rights across the region. Chairman Justice Horn, a black queer man, has led numerous efforts to protect LGBTQ+ rights, including writing a resolution designating Kansas City a “sanctuary city” for gender-affirming care. Horn is also working to pass a hate crimes ordinance in the city. 

Montana - Attorney General Knudsen joins multi-state comment letter opposing proposed Biden Administration foster care rule. The Department of Health and Human Services proposed a rule in September requiring all state child welfare agencies to ensure LGBTQ+ children in the foster system are placed in homes that would protect them from discrimination. PFLAG National submitted a joint public comment supporting the rule, offering several suggestions. AG Knudsen joins 16 other state attorneys general in opposing this rule.  

North Carolina - LGBTQ+ groups file complaint with Buncombe County Board of Education over implementation of “Don’t Say Gay” law. The Campaign for Southern Equality, Youth OUTright, and PFLAG Asheville filed the complaint on December 12th, which alleges that the Board of Education is violating Title IX by implementing SB49, North Carolina’s “Don’t Say Gay” law. The law bans “instruction on gender identity, sexual activity, or sexuality” until fifth grade and also includes a forced outing provision. 

Ohio - Governor DeWine “taking a hard, hard look” at HB68. The bill would ban gender-affirming care for trans youth and also ban trans youth from sports teams which conform to their gender identity. The governor has not decided whether to sign or veto the bill. Ohioans, we can’t let trans kids get banned for the holidays. Contact the governor TODAY and tell him to VETO HB68! 

Virginia - Fairfax County School Board Chair sworn in with banned books. Karl Frisch became the first openly gay person elected to Fairfax County’s school board in 2019. On this December 13th, he was sworn in as chair of the board, using a stack of the five frequently challenged LGBTQ+-themed books for the swearing in ceremony. 

Washington - Seattle Children’s Hospital sues to protect trans patients’ medical records. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton requested documents related to gender-affirming care policies and any such care being provided to Texas children at Seattle Children’s Hospital. The hospital is suing the Texas Attorney General’s Office to prevent the release of these records, arguing that Paxton’s office lacks jurisdiction to demand the records and Washington’s “Shield Law” protects the hospital from requests made by states that “restrict or criminalize reproductive and gender-affirming care.”

Global Matters

Kenya - Church welcomes LGBTQ+ worshippers. The affirming church welcomes LGBTQ+ Christians who were often ostracized from other churches. The church operates discreetly, holding services in a nondescript building and vetting new members before inviting them, to protect its worshippers. 

Vatican City - Pope Francis says priests can give blessings for same-sex couples. The Pope made the announcement on December 18th, representing a historic change for the Catholic Church. Many LGBTQ+ Catholics celebrated the change, hoping this would create a more welcoming space for them within the Church.

Media Matters

University of Washington rescinds athletic scholarship for trans high school student after anti-trans activist Riley Gaines outed the student on social media. The 17-year-old student had accepted a volleyball scholarship from the University of Washington, but the public university reportedly rescinded the scholarship after Riley Gaines, a former swimmer turned anti-trans activist, outed the student online as a trans girl and accused the University of “stealing” opportunity for women. 

Cate Blanchett establishes fund to uplift films by women, trans, and non-binary people. Blanchett partnered with the University of Southern California to launch the Proof of Concept Accelerator Program. The actress decided to create the fund after being the only woman on the set of a film she was cast in. 

Dylan Mulvaney releases cover of “Blue Christmas.” The influencer released a music video of the classic Christmas song on December 15th. 

Artist Gilbert Lewis dies at 78. The Philadelphia native was celebrated for his art portraying the gay experience. 

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

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