A New York City subway station would be renamed to commemorate the Stonewall riots that galvanized the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, under legislation approved by state lawmakers as they wrapped up their session this month.
The state Legislature approved a bill Wednesday directing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to change the name of the Christopher Street-Sheridan Square subway station in Greenwich Village to the Christopher Street-Stonewall National Monument Station.
“This change will memorialize the history of the modern LGBTQ civil rights movement and inspire NY to demand justice and equality for all,” state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, a Manhattan Democrat who sponsored the proposal, wrote on the social platform X following the Senate’s passage of the measure.
The bill now heads to Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul for her approval. Her office said late Sunday it will review the legislation.
The Stonewall Inn was raided by police June 28, 1969, sparking a riot and several days of protests that marked a groundbreaking moment in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in the country.
At the time, showing same-sex affection or dressing in a way deemed gender-inappropriate could get people arrested and led to bars that served them losing liquor licenses.
Today, Stonewall Inn is a National Historic Landmark, with patrons flocking to the site each June, when New York and many other cities hold LGBTQ+ pride celebrations.
The Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center is also planned to open next door as the National Park Service’s first such center focused on LGBTQ+ history.
A school district in Massachusetts was within its rights to ban a student’s “There Are Only Two Genders” T-shirt, as protecting LGBTQ+ students from harassment overrides free speech considerations, a federal appeals court has ruled.
“In following the lead of other courts that have grappled with similar cases, we emphasize that in many realms of public life one must bear the risk of being subjected to messages that are demeaning of race, sex, religion, or sexual orientation, even when those messages are highly disparaging of those characteristics,” Chief Judge David J. Barron wrote for a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. The ruling was issued Sunday and upholds one from a federal district court.
“But, like these other courts, we do not understand Tinker [a 1969 Supreme Court ruling on student speech], in holding that schools must allow for robust discussion and debate over even the most contentious and controversial topics, to have held that our public schools must be a similarly unregulated place,” he continued.
The student, identified in the lawsuit as L.M. and in media reports as Liam Morrison, was a seventh-grader at John T. Nichols Middle School in Middleborough when he wore the shirt to school on March 21, 2023. He was called into a meeting with the school’s interim principal and other administrators, who told him that some students had complained about the shirt and that he must remove it if he wanted to return to class. The shirt violated the dress code’s prohibition on hate speech, the administrators said. Morrison refused and left school for the day. He was not disciplined.
He wore the shirt to school again on May 5, 2023, with the word “Censored” taped over the words “Only Two.” Administrators told him he could not wear that shirt either, and he agreed to take it off and return to class. A few days later, two other students wore shirts with the original message and were also told they were in violation of the dress code. One agreed to remove the shirt and go back to class, while the other refused and went home. Neither of them was disciplined either.
Soon afterward, Morrison and his parents filed suit in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, alleging violation of his First Amendment rights to free speech. The district court ruled that the school district was within its rights to enforce the dress code to protect vulnerable students. The shirt’s message “may communicate that only two gender identities — male and female —are valid, and any others are invalid or nonexistent,” the court ruled, adding that “students who identify differently … have a right to attend school without being confronted by messages attacking their identities.” Morrison and his parents appealed to the First Circuit, resulting in the Sunday ruling.
Administrators knew that Nichols Middle School had some students who were transgender or gender-nonconforming, the appellate ruling noted, and that these students often felt unwelcome or bullied at school. They were likely to react badly to Morrison’s shirt, and administrators were right to conclude that the shirt would disrupt the learning environment, Judge Barron explained.
“The question here is not whether the t-shirts should have been barred,” he wrote. “The question is who should decide whether to bar them — educators or federal judges. We cannot say that in this instance the Constitution assigns the sensitive (and potentially consequential) judgment about what would make ‘an environment conducive to learning at NMS to us rather than to the educators closest to the scene.” He added that while “the shirt’s message is not at the farthest end of demeaning,” it goes beyond “‘tepidly negative.’”
Morrison is represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom, which handles many anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-abortion clients. The ADF is “reviewing all legal options including appealing this decision,” Senior Counsel David Cortman said in a statement to Bloomberg Law.It could appeal to the full First Circuit or the U.S. Supreme Court.
“Students don’t lose their free speech rights the moment they walk into a school building,” Cortman added. “The government cannot silence any speaker just because it disapproves of what they say.”
A flock of unique and vibrant birds has arrived in Sonoma! Lacy Atkins, a Sonoma County resident and acclaimed artist, has crafted the Kinky Birds ceramic sculptures. Inspired by the play and film, Kinky Boots, these birds embrace individuality and self-expression with their quirky style and signature red boots. Celebrate your true self with the eccentric and charming Kinky Birds, the weirder, the better! Kinky Birds celebrate being your authentic self – no matter how quirky, twisted, or unexpected.
Join artist Lacy Atkins and friends for the Kinky Birds opening reception on June 15th from 4 to 6. This art exhibit celebration is free and open to the public. Featured will be nine Kinky Birds made from clay and unique materials found around Sonoma, like the feathers of chickens, peacocks, and other various birds. Each Kinky Bird has a life of its own. Find the right one for you – and let your freak bird fly!
Lacy is part of a Pulitzer Prize-winning team for coverage of the L.A. riots for the Los Angeles Times. She’s also a two-time finalist with over 30 years of experience as a visual storyteller. She lives in Petaluma and contracts with non-profits such as the Innocence Project and Teach For America. She has been on staff at the San Francisco Chronicle, Associated Press, Los Angeles Times, and part of the USA TODAY Network, the Tennessean. Her work has been featured in various magazines such as Time, Newsweek, and Sports Illustrated, as well as being featured on display at the Newseum in Washington D.C., and exhibited at the Visa pour L’Image in Perpignan, France.
Interview with Lacy Atkins:
What was your inspiration for putting red boots on bird sculptures?
I’ve always liked stilettos. Especially red stilettos, they’re sexy and well, they’re over the top.
How many are in the series?
The series continues to grow, currently, there are 12.
What were you doing before becoming an artist with clay?
I was a photojournalist for the San Francisco Chronicle, the Los Angeles Times, and the Associated Press. I was part of the Los Angeles Times team that won the Pulitzer Prize for our coverage of the riots in LA. and a Pulitzer Prize finalist twice for my individual work.
Where do you live in Sonoma?
Petaluma
So each kinky bird has a dating profile?
Yes, and they vary from she, he, them, they, it. Dating profiles are written by Sonoma-based author, Cameron Tuttle.
Mitch M., for example, wears long ladies’ lingerie under his suit. He hopes to bend your rules and Supreme Court you.
If I get your vote, he hopes to retire and fly off into the sunset together.
Stella is a drag queen in training. She goes by Steve at work, and Stella at play. She wants to make a play date.
Her personal motto in life with the right partner is…Life is never a drag.
Scarlett is looking for a sugar mama. Feeling a little lonely, she is an optimist, though. She’s excited to meet someone, after all, tomorrow is another day.
Tiny Dancer always flies first class. This lovebird was born a little different from the flock and that makes her special.
She can spread her wings but she cannot fly and that’s how she learned how to be such an amazing dancer. She hopes to dance right into each other’s hearts.
#BlessedLovebird #GratitudeWithAttitude
Lizzie Is a fierce and fabulous single mom. If you put family at the top of your list, let’s talk. She goes everywhere with her twins and her two beautiful children.
If you want to love me you’ve got to love my chicks. I’m fiercely loyal, wildly passionate, and ready to feather your nest. I mate for life.
Amelia flies both ways. If you’re a high-flying world traveler, I’d love to be an aviatrix for you. Nor afraid of heights, looking for a thrill seeker to share life’s daily adventures. Extra points if you can read the map, jump into my cockpit, and let’s make history.
Community Supply is a general store that features products and creations from small makers, artists, and entrepreneurs. The shop sources products from Sonoma Valley, the great state of California, across the United States, and international cooperatives with an eye on supporting women and the environment.
Martha-Ann Alito, wife of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, is incensed about seeing rainbow Pride flags during Pride Month, according to a new recording obtained by Rolling Stone. If it were up to her, she would be flying a Sacred Heart of Jesus flag in response. Or she might design her own flag, one sporting the Italian word for “shame.” “You know what I want?” Mrs. Alito says. “I want a Sacred Heart of Jesus flag, because I have to look across the lagoon at the Pride flag for the next month.”
Referencing her husband, Mrs. Alito says, “He’s like, ‘Oh, please don’t put up a flag.’ I said, ‘I won’t do it because I am deferring to you. But when you are free of this nonsense, I’m putting it up and I’m gonna send them a message every day, maybe every week, I’ll be changing the flags.’ They’ll be all kinds. I made a flag in my head. This is how I satisfy myself. I made a flag. It’s white and has yellow and orange flames around it. And in the middle is the word ‘vergogna.’ ‘Vergogna’ in Italian means shame — vergogna. V-E-R-G-O-G-N-A. Vergogna.”
Join Positive Images LGBTQIA+ Center and North Bay LGBTQI Families for a Social Saturday: Intergenerational Gathering on June 15th from 12pm-3pm at Spring Lake Regional Park!
All LGBTQIA+ youth, families, adults, and elders are welcomed at Social Saturdays, which are a recurring series of monthly events taking place throughout Sonoma County where we are seeking to bring community across generations, particularly gender expansive youth, teens, and adults.
At our June gathering we are invited by Sonoma County Regional Parks for a queer social at Spring Lake lagoon! We will have some wristbands set aside for those that want to play on the water park structure.
Please bring with you a packed lunch, sunscreen, and some water to hydrate yourself. We will also provide some snacks and beverages.
We are excited to gather with you all!
[Image Description: An image with a background of colors including red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple colors displaying information for “Social Saturday”. On the bottom left of the graphic there is water with a flotation device. There is also sand with yellow flowers and sunglasses. The logos of the sponsoring organizations appear at the top left of the graphic. Image 1 is in English, Image 2 is in Spanish.]
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Acompañe a Positive Images LGBTQIA + Center y North Bay LGBTQI Families para un sábado social intergeneracional el 15 de junio de 12pm a 3pm en Spring Lake Regional Park.
Todes les jóvenes, familias, adultes y ancianes LGBTQIA + son bienvenides en esta reunión, que es parte de una serie recurrente de eventos mensuales que se llevan a cabo en todo el condado de Sonoma, donde buscamos reunir a nuestra comunidad a través de generaciones, particularmente jóvenes, adolescentes y adultes con género expansivo.
En nuestre reunión de junio, los Parques Regionales del Condado de Sonoma nos invitan a una reunión social para la comunidad queer en la laguna de “Spring Lake.” Tendremos algunas pulseras reservadas para les que quieran jugar en la estructura del parque acuático!
Por favor, trae contigo un almuerzo empaquetado, protector solar y agua para hidratarte. También proporcionaremos algunos bocadillos y bebidas para compartir.
Estamos emocionades de verles ahí!
[Descripción de la imagen: Imagen con información de “Sábado Social” con colores del arcoiris. En la esquina derecha del grafico hay agua enseñando un flotador en el agua. Tambien hay arena con florecitas amarillas y lentes solar. Los logotipos de las organizaciones patrocinadoras aparecen en la parte izquierda superior del gráfico. [La imagen 1 está en inglés, la imagen 2 está en español.]
A new Washington state parental rights law derided by critics as a “forced outing” measure will be allowed to take effect this week after a court commissioner on Tuesday declined to issue an emergency order temporarily blocking it.
The civil liberties groups, school district, youth services organizations and others who are challenging the law did not show that it would create the kind of imminent harm necessary to warrant blocking it until a trial court judge can consider the matter, King County Superior Court Commissioner Mark Hillman said. A hearing before the judge is scheduled for June 21.
The law, known as Initiative 2081, underscores, and in some cases expands, the rights already granted to parents under state and federal law. It requires schools to notify parents in advance of medical services offered to their child, except in emergencies, and of medical treatment arranged by the school resulting in follow-up care beyond normal hours. It grants parents the right to review their child’s medical and counseling records and expands cases where parents can opt their child out of sex education.
Critics say the measure could harm students who go to school clinics seeking access to birth control, referrals for reproductive services, counseling related to their gender identity or sexual orientation, or treatment or support for sexual assault or domestic violence. In many of those cases, the students do not want their parents to know, they note.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington and other groups challenging the measure say it violates the state Constitution, which requires that new laws not revise or revoke old laws without explicitly saying so.
For example, state law ensures the privacy of medical records for young people authorized to receive care, including abortions, without parental consent. The law would give parents the right to be notified before their child receives care and the ability to review school medical records, the plaintiffs said, but it does not specifically say that it amends the existing privacy law.
The initiative was backed by Brian Heywood, a conservative megadonor who has said the measure was not designed to give parents veto power over their child’s decision to access counseling or medical treatment. “It’s just saying they have a right to know,” he said.
The Democratic-led Legislature overwhelmingly approved it in March, with progressive lawmakers wanting to keep it off the fall ballot and calculating that courts would likely block it.
Hillman said during the hearing that he was sympathetic to the concerns of the groups challenging the measure, but the harms they had alleged were only speculative.
William McGinty, an attorney for the state, argued that the law is constitutional and the plaintiffs had not demonstrated that they were entitled to a temporary restraining order.
The first out gay Lord Mayor of Belfast, Micky Murray, has been sworn into office in a historic first for Northern Ireland’s capital city.
Murray was installed at the annual general meeting of council at Belfast City Hall on Monday (3 June).
The Alliance councillor, who represents the Balmoral area, wrote on X/Twitter post, that he felt “honoured to have been given this opportunity to represent our great city”.
He went on to say: “As the city’s first openly gay Lord Mayor, I want Belfast to be a place where everyone feels welcomed and included. A more inclusive, diverse and kinder city makes it better for everyone.
“I’m looking forward to meeting with groups and organisations city-wide who are working to achieve these goals and to using my time as Lord Mayor to highlight their work and showcase all that is good within our city.”
‘I promise to represent Belfast to the best of my ability’
Among his priorities is helping those affected by long-term homelessness because he is “passionate about helping those with addiction and other challenges to break the cycle”.
He added: “I promise to represent Belfast to the best of my ability, with passion, enthusiasm and commitment and represent everyone right across the community.”
Murray’s appointment comes shortly after two three-year-old twin girls were involved in a suspected “transphobic-motivated hate crime” that was directed at their transgender father in Northern Ireland’s capital.
For many Americans, one of the happiest days of their lives is proclaiming their love for their spouse in front of family and friends. But then there are those of us who had to wait until marriage equality was the law of the land to obtain a marriage license and the benefits that derive from being married in the eyes of the state and federal government.
There was so much to celebrate when the Supreme Court decided in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015 the right to marriage equality under the Constitution. But there was also our duty to right the wrongs of pre-Obergefell America, particularly in the tax and finance arena.
Nearly two decades before Obergefell, theDefense of Marriage Act (DOMA) became federal law in 1996, denying same-sex couples the rights and benefits afforded to different-sex couples. The benefit denials didn’t just impact their finances but were an affront to their dignity. When Edie Windsor’s wife, Thea Spyer, died in 2009 and left her estate, Edie was denied the marital exemption from the federal estate tax because of DOMA. The federal government refused to recognize her as a “surviving spouse,” so Edie had to pay $363,053.
This wasn’t just a financial burden, as Edieexplained: “In the midst of my grief at the loss of the love of my life, I had to deal with my own government saying that we weren’t a family.”
Edie sued. In theUnited States v. Windsorcase of 2013, the Supreme Court struck down the part of DOMA that prohibited the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages. So, for couples in states where marriage equality was the law of the land, every married couple could finally receive the federal benefits their marriage entitled them to. Then, Obergefell came down, expanding marriage equality nationwide.
Despite the progress made in those cases, countless same-sex couples are still denied tax benefits and refunds they should have received before Windsor. Although some same-sex couples were able to amend three years’ worth of their tax returns after Windsor, couples who had been married for longer were unable to claim refunds for any of the years beyond that three-year window.
Depriving same-sex couples of the same financial security and stability afforded to different-sex couples is blatantly wrong. In fact, it amounts to a tax on same-sex marriages. That’s why we introduced thePromoting Respect for Individuals’ Dignity and Equality (PRIDE) Act.
Our legislation has two main objectives: rectifying existing inequity in the tax code. First, it would enable same-sex couples who married before the Windsordecision to amend their tax filings and claim the refunds they should have been entitled to—even though the deadline had passed. Secondly, it would embrace inclusivity by eliminating gendered language in the tax code, including substituting terms like “husband” or “wife” with “spouse.” Even though these terms are currently interpreted to be gender-neutral, it is essential to make sure all couples, regardless of sexual or gender identity, are represented and explicitly acknowledged within the tax code.
The PRIDE Act would have concrete positive implications for LGBTQI+ Americans by enabling same-sex couples to retroactively receive the money they are entitled to. Additionally, our bill reaffirms the validity of same-sex marriage under the laws of the United States. It acknowledges the worth and validity of all married couples. By righting the wrongs of the past and ensuring equal treatment for all Americans under the law moving forward, the PRIDE Act also sends a powerful message of inclusivity and acceptance of the LGBTQI+ community.
We’re incredibly proud the PRIDE Act has over 100 cosponsors and is endorsed by the Equality Caucus, the largest caucus in Congress with 196 Members dedicated to advancing LGBTQI+ equality. Despite Republicans’ attempts to scapegoat the LGBTQI+ community and turn Americans against its members, achieving full equality and justice for LGBTQI+ Americans and their families will always be a priority for Congressional Democrats.
We never imagined full marriage equality would happen in our lifetimes. It’s important to celebrate the strides the LGBTQI+ community has made, including in the Winsor and Obergefell decisions. But there is still so much work to do to achieve full equality. The PRIDE Act promotes economic justice and social equality by addressing disparities within the tax code and providing retroactive relief for same-sex couples. Most importantly, it affirms the dignity and worth of all married couples.
The fight for equal rights is basic respect, freedom, and human dignity. That’s what this work is all about and why we’ll always be in it.
Representatives Judy Chu and Becca Balint.
Voices is dedicated to featuring a wide range of inspiring personal stories and impactful opinions from the LGBTQ+ and Allied community. Visit Advocate.com/submit to learn more about submission guidelines. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on any of our stories. Email us at voices@equalpride.com. Views expressed in Voices stories are those of the guest writers, columnists and editors, and do not directly represent the views of The Advocate or our parent company, equalpride.
President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign is launching an effort at the start of National Pride Month to try to shore up support from LGBTQ voters.
The campaign plans to have a presence this month at more than 200 Pride events in 23 states, including all of the battleground states, and to launch a paid media blitz aimed at mobilizing LGBTQ voters, two campaign officials said in details first shared with NBC News. The campaign will cap the month of outreach with a fundraiser in New York City on June 28.
Some of Biden’s allies worry about waning support among LGBTQ voters.
Over the weekend, Vice President Kamala Harris kicked off Pride Month by greeting more than 150 LGBTQ leaders and allies in Los Angeles, and first lady Jill Biden made an unannounced stop at the Pittsburgh Pride festival.
“This community is under attack,” the first lady told the crowd, referring to state laws that she said target the LGBTQ community.
“Donald Trump is a bully to the LGBTQ community, to our families, to our country,” she continued. “We cannot let him win.”
A poll conducted in January by the LGBTQ media advocacy group GLAAD found Joe Biden has overwhelming support from LGBTQ registered voters overall and in battleground states, 68% and 72%, compared to 15% for Trump in both categories.
Yet the largest LGBTQ rights group in the country, the Human Rights Campaign, recently committed to spend $15 million in six battleground states to help Biden win in November, citing concerns about waning support from LGBTQ voters. HRC estimates that this year one-third of the 75 million “equality voters” — who vote based on support for LGBTQ rights — might not be guaranteed Biden voters.
“Our primary task with those voters is to help underscore the stakes of the election,” said Brandon Wolf, HRC’s national press secretary. “The contrast between the two candidates could not be clearer, and that’s especially true when we’re talking about issues of equality.”
The Biden campaign is aware of the statistic and is set to pour money into a digital and print media campaign nationally and in battleground states pitching Biden as “the most pro-equality president in American history” while painting Trump as determined to curb equality for LGBTQ communities.
“Winning campaigns invest early and often into its coalition of support,” said Sam Alleman, the Biden-Harris campaign’s national LGBTQ+ engagement director. “This Pride month is a reflection of real action to mobilize and activate LGBTQ+ voters well ahead of November.”
Any softening of support among LGBTQ voters is a source of frustration for Biden allies who argue he has delivered on their priorities, including backing same-sex marriage as vice president in 2012 ahead of President Barack Obama’s plans to publicly endorse the issue. As president, Biden has signed legislation protecting marriage rights for same-sex couples, ended a ban on transgender Americans’ serving in the military and issued executive orders to protect LGBTQ people’s civil rights.
On Friday, he issued a proclamation declaring June National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex Pride Month, saying that “advancing equality for the LGBTQI+ community is a top priority for my Administration.”
The Biden campaign argues that Trump would take away LGBTQ rights if voters elect him to a second term. As president, Trump banned transgender people from serving in the military, and as a candidate, he has said he’s against gender-affirming care for kids.
Yet former first lady Melania Trump recently headlined a fundraiser for the Log Cabin Republicans, a group that advocates for LGBTQ inclusion in the GOP. The former president’s allies also have recently tried to ensure that the position on same-sex marriage outlined in the official Republican National Committee platform this election cycle isn’t too far right.
The efforts appear aimed at not alienating voters in a tight general election who aren’t as conservative on LGBTQ rights as the GOP base.
Wolf contended that Biden has a better record and vision to offer equality voters than Trump, citing passage of the Respect for Marriage Act in 2022 and the creation of rules to protect members of the community in schools and health care settings.
“The Biden-Harris administration has appointed over 200 openly LGBTQ people to serve in all sorts of roles. That really matters,” Wolf said.
Still, even as Wolf fully embraces the Biden-Harris strategy, he acknowledges Biden has work to do in the queer community and will need to continue showing up.
“The Biden-Harris campaign has an incredible opportunity to get out into communities and talk about not just the things they’ve been able to accomplish,” he said, “but also their vision of what’s possible if we send them back to the White House.”
Uganda’s sexual minorities face escalating human rights violations, with over 1000 cases recorded in the last nine months involving arrests, torture and house evictions among others, according to a report by an advocacy group.
Members of Uganda’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community have faced increasing rights violations since early last year when Uganda’s parliament started considering an anti-homosexuality law.
The legislation, called the Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA) was eventually enacted in May last year.
Under the law among other tough penalties same-sex intercourse is punishable by life in prison, while so-called aggravated homosexuality may lead to a death sentence.
In a report marking one year since AHA was passed, the Convening for Equality (CFE), a sexual minorities advocacy group, said at least 1,253 human rights violation were recorded between September and May.
That represents an increase from 306 violations that were recorded between January and August last year.
Violations were committed by both state and non-state actors and included torture, family rejections, physical assaults, evictions, arbitrary arrests, sexual assaults and extortion.
“Known and/or perceived LGBTQ+ persons were arrested, tortured, beaten, exposed, including evictions and banishment, blackmail, loss of employment, and health service disruptions,” the report said.
“This was sustained by frequent fake and false news shared on different platforms and a sustained campaign to paint LGBTQ+ persons … as persons who are out there to recruit children into homosexuality.”
A Reuters call to a police spokesperson for comment went unanswered.
AHA drew widespread condemnation from the West and has triggered sanctions against Uganda and individual leaders.
The World Bank halted all new lending while the U.S. ejected Uganda from a preferential trade deal and has also imposed sanctions against unnamed individuals for violating rights of minorities.
In an April ruling on a case challenging the law, Uganda’s constitutional court refused to annul the law although it voided a few sections that it said violated rights to health and property.
