A 29-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder after a trans teenager’s remains were discovered in Pennsylvania.
14-year-old Pauly Likens’ dismembered body was found near the Golden Run Wildlife Area, next to the Shenango River Reservoir in Sharpsville.
They were last seen on 22 June after leaving a friend’s home at 9.30pm, according to police. Surveillance footage the following day shows Likens getting into a vehicle driven by a man alleged to be DaShawn Watkins.
Police say Watkins then made several trips from his home on 24 June, carrying duffel and rubbish bags.
Likens was reported missing the following day, and their remains were found less than 24 hours later.
The Mercer County coroner identified the remains and gave the cause of death as sharp force trauma to the head.
Watkins has also been charged with aggravated assault, abuse of a corpse and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.
A memorial fund for Likens was launched on Go Fund Me.
“Pauly was taken from us far too soon,” it reads. “They were a bright and loving individual, cherished by all who knew them.
“Their life was filled with promise and potential and their untimely passing has left a void that can never be filled.”
Malawi’s Constitutional Court on June 28 rejected a legal challenge to the penal code that makes same-sex conduct a criminal offense. The decision contradicts fundamental rights, including the rights to equality and nondiscrimination of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people, protected under international human rights law.
The three-member judicial panel dismissed an application from Jan Willen Akster, a Dutch citizen, and Jana Gonani, a trans woman and sex worker, challenging the constitutionality of Penal Code sections 153, 154, and 156. These sections criminalize anyone who has “carnal knowledge” of any person “against the order of nature,” attempts to commit an “unnatural offence” or undertakes “indecent practices.” These provisions are vague and overly broad, facilitating anti-LGBT discrimination, and can result in sentences of up to 14 years’ imprisonment.
Both applicants face criminal prosecutions before lower courts: Akster was accused of abusing children, and Gonani was charged with “false pretense” for presenting herself as a woman. Gonani received an eight-year sentence at a men’s prison in December 2021, while proceedings against Akster continue. They each filed appeals with the High Court in 2022 and 2023 to challenge the constitutionality of the prohibitions against same-sex sexual conduct, which the chief justice combined into one case.
Many faith-based groups filed legal briefs and organized demonstrations against LGBT rights during the hearings. The case also sparked a national debate on same-sex marriage. Religious leaders led protests contending that the court proceedings aimed to legalize same-sex marriage in Malawi.
The court dismissed all the arguments that were raised, maintaining that it was parliament’s responsibility to review and amend laws.
“It was a dark day for the whole community,” an LGBT rights activist told Human Rights Watch. “We are afraid more than ever.”
The court’s decision exacerbates risks of arbitrary arrests and prosecutions, physical violence, and discrimination against LGBT people in Malawi, as Human Rights Watch has long documented. There is further risk that LGBT people will be excluded from access to health care, justice, and security.
With the case’s dismissal, the power to guarantee LGBT rights now lies with parliament. Parliament should uphold Malawi’s international human rights obligations by urgently reviewing and amending the Penal Code to end anti-LGBT discrimination and protect everyone’s right to safety, privacy and dignity.
Everybody should have the freedom to live a life of limitless opportunity.
Yet, disabled LGBTQ+ adults are more likely to face higher unemployment, discrimination in hiring, lower wages, and insufficient access to employment benefits. Higher rates of poverty and less opportunity translate to LGBTQ+ adults with disabilities experiencing higher rates of mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. Meanwhile, nearly two in three LGBTQ+ adolescents with disabilities report feeling discriminated against because of their disability. They’re also more likely to be bullied and drop out of school.
Disabled LGBTQ+ people live at the intersection of two frequently marginalized communities. Considering the increased amounts of discrimination, bias, and reverberating consequences, the world needs to be more welcoming and accessible for all.
Disability Pride Month is celebrated in July because it marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), enacted into law in 1990. Similar to LGBTQ+ Pride Month, Disability Pride Month started as a protest. The passage of the ADA changed how people with disabilities access the world, becoming the global model that other countries use to increase accessibility and mitigate discrimination.
There’s much to celebrate this July. We can also honor Disability Pride by advancing protections against discrimination across all aspects of life. We all have a role to play in making our society more equitable, inclusive, and just for LGBTQ+ disabled people.
Employers can greatly reduce bias and create an inclusive employee culture, from recruitment to retention. HR departments can prioritize inclusion throughout every stage of the hiring process, regularly evaluating their methodologies and how workplace culture contributes to belonging. Such focus can result in hiring more qualified people with marginalized identities, enriching an organization across all levels.
This practice can also help employers build a stronger workforce by engaging talent that might otherwise be excluded, undervalued, or disrespected. Additionally, reviewing benefits packages, onboarding practices, and office policies—all guided by inclusivity—can ensure employees feel safe and supported, positively impacting employers’ retention rates.
Schools are another essential space to ensure safety and inclusivity for disabled LGBTQ+ youth. Educators, counselors, and school administrators can take concrete steps to help build this space among their parent/guardian and student communities. This means reviewing a school’s policies to ensure comprehensive bullying and harassment policies, specifically protecting children who are gender-expansive and/or disabled. Addressing cyberbullying is also critically important today and requires schools to understand and clearly define prohibited activities. Creating a safe and inclusive school environment will help build the conditions for all students to find out who they are, speak their minds, identify their passions and skills, and achieve what they set out to do.
Collaboration is vital for advocates and allies in disability and LGBTQ+ rights spaces. It goes beyond acknowledging the existence of an identity and explores perspectives that impact the disabled and LGBTQ+ communities. The strides made and stories told at the intersection of these identities continue to motivate me to do more during Disability Pride Month and beyond.
Together, we can help build a world that’s more welcoming and accessible for disabled LGBTQ+ people.
Kendra Davenport is the President and CEO of Easterseals, the nation’s leading advocacy group and provider of life-changing disability and community services. Equalpride is proud to be a Community Partner with Easterseals.
Voices is dedicated to featuring a wide range of inspiring personal stories and impactful opinions from the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Visit Advocate.com/submit to learn more about submission guidelines and email us at voices@equalpride.com. Views expressed in Voices stories are those of the guest writers, columnists, and editors, and do not necessarily represent the views of The Advocate or our parent company, equalpride.
Former President Donald Trump announced Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, as his vice presidential running mate Monday, sparking near-immediate backlash from some of the country’s largest LGBTQ advocacy groups, who called attention to his support for policies and rhetoric targeting the community.
Both the Human Rights Campaign, the country’s largest LGBTQ rights organization, and GLAAD, a national LGBTQ media advocacy group, released lists of comments Vance had made and policies he had supported relevant to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community.
HRC and GLAAD noted that Vance introduced a bill last year called the Protect Children’s Innocence Act, which would have banned transition-related medical care, including puberty blockers, hormone therapy and operations, for minors nationally. The bill, which was never taken up in committee, would have charged health care providers who violated it with a class C felony, which is punishable by up to 15 years in prison, and also would have banned institutions of higher education and accrediting entities from providing instruction about gender-affirming care.
“The last thing the State Department should be doing is wasting its time and your tax dollars pushing far-left gender ideology,” Vance said in a statement at the time. “There are only two genders — passports issued by the United States government should recognize that simple fact. I am proud to introduce this bill to restore some sanity in our federal bureaucracy.”
During his Senate campaign in July 2022, Vance told Mission America, a right-wing Christian organization based in Ohio, that he would oppose the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill to ensure federal marriage protections for same-sex and interracial marriages. Congress passed the legislation in fall 2022, and President Joe Biden signed it in December, before Vance was sworn in in January 2023.
Vance has also echoed false tropes increasingly used by conservatives to describe LGBTQ people and those who support them as “groomers.”
“I’ll stop calling people ‘groomers’ when they stop freaking out about bills that prevent the sexualization of my children,” Vance said on social media in April 2022.
GLAAD wrote in its post about Vance’s record: “There is no evidence that discussing LGBTQ people, history or families in schools ‘sexualizes’ anyone. Experts in child sexual abuse say false rhetoric about grooming diminishes understanding about actual abuse and endangers all children.”
Vance also spoke about bills that would censor discussions of LGBTQ issues on Fox News’ “Tucker Carlson Tonight” in April 2022, arguing that teachers were also hiding their efforts to teach children about sexual orientation or gender identity.
“So, one of the things we’re learning, Tucker, is that this is being forced by some of these really radical teachers, and they’re hiding it from the parents,” he said. “‘That’s maybe the most pernicious part.”
Vance did not immediately respond to a request for comment about his stance on LGBTQ issues.
Some gay conservatives voiced support for Vance. Log Cabin Republicans, the country’s largest organization representing LGBTQ conservatives and straight allies, praised him as an “incredible pick” on social media.
Richard Grenell, the acting director of national intelligence during the Trump administration, described Vance, whose bestselling memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy,” recounted his experience growing up poor in an Ohio Rust Belt town, as “the living example of the American dream.”
He added, “His story gives everyone hope that this is the land of opportunity.”
Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, described Trump and Vance as “anything but a unity ticket.”
“Donald Trump has been a bully for years — and his pick of MAGA clone JD Vance is a reminder that nothing has changed,” Robinson said in a statement. “We are not simply choosing between two campaigns. We are choosing between two fundamentally different visions of America. One, with Trump and MAGA ‘yes man’ JD Vance at the helm, where our rights and freedoms are under siege. And the other, with Joe Biden and Kamala Harris leading the way, where we are advancing toward freedom and equality for all. Everything is at stake and the contrast could not be clearer.”
Dara Adkison, executive director of TransOhio, a state trans rights organization, said Vance’s federal bill to restrict transition-related care for minors goes further “in cruelty, scope and enforcement” than Ohio’s similar law, which a judge blocked in April. Oral arguments in the case began this week.
“Vance is a hateful, cruel man who would love to hurt trans kids,” Adkison said. “He places himself as an authority between doctors, parents and the trans youth. We need legislators with enthusiasm to help their constituents, not venom to harm children.”
LGBTQ rights are mentioned only a few times in the GOP’s 2024 platform, which the Republican National Convention will vote on this week. The platform says Republicans want to “keep men out of women’s sports,” which refers to bans on trans women participating in women’s sports, and “cut federal funding for any school pushing critical race theory, radical gender ideology, and other inappropriate racial, sexual or political content on our children,” referring to bills that would restrict the discussion or instruction of LGBTQ issues in classrooms.
The platform also says Republicans would “promote a Culture that values the Sanctity of Marriage, the blessings of childhood, the foundational role of families, and supports working parents,” using a phrase that is often used to promote only heterosexual marriage.
California became the first state to bar school districts from requiring staff to notify parents of their child’s gender identification change under a law signed Monday by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
The law bans school rules requiring teachers and other staff to disclose a student’s gender identity or sexual orientation to any other person without the child’s permission. Proponents of the legislation say it will help protect LGBTQ students who live in unwelcoming households. But opponents say it will hinder schools’ ability to be more transparent with parents.
The legislation comes amid a nationwide debate over local school districts and the rights of parents and LGBTQ students.
“This law helps keep children safe while protecting the critical role of parents,” Brandon Richards, a spokesperson for Newsom, said in a statement. “It protects the child-parent relationship by preventing politicians and school staff from inappropriately intervening in family matters and attempting to control if, when, and how families have deeply personal conversations.”
The new law comes after several school districts in California passed policies requiring that parents be notified if a child requests to change their gender identification. That led to pushback by Democratic state officials, who say students have a right to privacy.
But Jonathan Zachreson, an advocate in California who supports the so-called parental notification policies, opposes the law and said telling parents about a student’s request to change their gender identification is “critical to the well-being of children and for maintaining that trust between schools and parents.”
The California law led to heated debate in the state Legislature. LGBTQ lawmakers have shared stories about how it was difficult for them to decide when to come out to their families, arguing that transgender students should be able to share that part of their identity on their own terms. State Assemblymember Bill Essayli, a Republican representing part of Riverside County, is an outspoken opponent of the law. He has criticized Democratic leaders for preventing a bill he introduced last year — that would have required parents to be told of their child’s gender identification change — from receiving a hearing.
In Northern California, the Anderson Union High School District board approved a parental notification policy last year. But the teachers union recommended that teachers not enforce the rule while the union is involved in a labor dispute with the district over the policy, said Shaye Stephens, an English teacher and president of the teachers association at the district.
The notification policies put teachers in an unfair position, Stephens said.
“It’s kind of a lose-lose situation for teachers and administrators or anybody that’s being asked to do this. I don’t think it’s safe for students,” she said. “I do not think that we are the right people to be having those conversations with a parent or a guardian.”
South Korea’s top court ruled Thursday that same-sex couples are eligible to receive the same health insurance benefits as heterosexual couples, a landmark verdict hailed by human rights groups.
The Supreme Court said it ruled that the state health insurance agency’s refusal to provide spousal insurance coverage for gay couples was an act of discrimination that violates the constitutional principle of equality.
Thursday’s ruling is final and cannot be appealed.
“Today’s ruling is a historic victory for equality and human rights in South Korea,” Amnesty International said in a statement. “The court has taken a significant step towards dismantling systemic discrimination and ensuring inclusivity for all.”
A legal battle between a gay couple, So Seong-wook and Kim Yong-min, and the National Health Insurance Service began after the insurance agency revoked So’s registration as a dependent of Kim, prompting So to file an administrative suit.
In 2022, the Seoul Administrative Court ruled in favor of the insurance agency. But in February 2023, the Seoul High Court overturned the earlier verdict, saying that denying So’s spousal coverage rights without reasonable grounds was discriminatory because such benefits are given to heterosexual spouses.
Public views on gender issues in South Korea have gradually changed in recent years, but critics say the Asian country still has a long way to go compared with other developed countries. South Korea doesn’t legally recognize same-sex marriages.
“While this decision is a major milestone, the case itself is a sobering reminder of the lengthy judicial processes that same-sex couples must endure to secure basic rights that should be universally guaranteed,” Amnesty International said.
So and Kim welcomed the ruling.
“When I listened to the verdict, I was so moved that I couldn’t hold back my tears,” So told reporters outside the court. He said he hopes the ruling will lead to South Korea legally accepting same-sex marriages.
Kim said he is “very happy” because he thinks the court recognized his love for So.
It’s no secret that living in the UK as a trans person right now sucks.
Whether it’s politicians not letting up on their attacks against trans people or the Cass Report spelling uncertainty for the future, the transgender community in Britain has had it tough over the past decade.
But never fear, it turns out that there are other countries in the world – many of which are doing far better on trans rights than the land some have colourfully called “TERF Island.”
Several countries have passed Britain when it comes to trans equality, with many offering self-ID laws, a conversion therapy ban and medical waiting times for hormone therapy that don’t range from years to decades.
Here are just a few of the countries way better than the UK.
Spain
Spain’s “trans law” makes it a great place to live. (Getty)
Spain is quite possibly one of the most popular and famously great places for trans people to live. Not only does the country have self-ID laws and anti-discrimination policies, but it has also become a popular destination for private surgery services.
In late 2022, legislative body the Congress of Deputies of Spain passed a “trans law” which, among other details, allows unrestricted gender self-determination of minors from the age of 16. Those aged 14 and 15 are able to change sex on documents against the will of their parents if they win a legal case, with the support of a legal defender provided by the authorities. Children aged 12 and 13 can do the same change if a judge permits it.
Medical transition is also easily accessible through healthcare services.
The law also bans conversion therapies even when the person has asked for them, with anyone continuing the practices facing large fines.
And Spain’s citizens are overwhelmingly accepting of trans people, with 71 per cent of people saying they support gender-affirming care access for everyone, including teenagers.
Iceland
The Icelandic capital Reykjavik holds Pride celebrations in August. (Getty)
Iceland’s acceptance of transgender people has increased greatly over the past few years, making it one of the best countries in Europe – arguably the world – to transition.
Not only does the public overwhelmingly support LGBTQ+ individuals, including trans people, but a set of policies enacted since 2019 has made it one of the safest places for transgender men and women to live.
Equaldex, a community-driven equality index for LGBTQ+ rights, ranks the Nordic country as the best place to live as a queer person.
Transgender Europe, a not-for-profit organisation, which focuses on trans rights in the continent, has listed it as one of the best places to transition, with 30 of 32 indicators met – including non-discrimination laws, healthcare and legal gender recognition.
Canada
Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau joined Pride in Toronto. (Getty)
Canada’s reputation as an inclusive country for trans people has become all-the-more-welcome given the rise of transphobia in the neighbouring US.
The country is widely known as a refuge for trans Americans seeking to escape the volatility of politics in their homeland.
It’s reputation is more than justified, with protective laws and recognition of trans people spanning across legislation, including the recognition of non-binary people, housing discrimination prevention laws, and no restrictions on changing gender.
If that’s not enough, 78 per cent of Canadians support protecting trans people, while 58 per cent back trans healthcare for everyone, including those under the age of 18.
Chile
Queer Chileans have protections and support that people in the UK can only dream about. (Getty)
Chile’s long list of pro-trans and pro-LGBTQ+ laws speaks for itself. Not only has the South American country implemented self-ID, it also offers easily accessible trans healthcare, and even officially recognised non-binary people’s right to change gender two years ago.
Interestingly, Chile’s acceptance of LGBTQ+ rights as a whole seems to have lagged behind its protections for trans people, with the country electing its first transgender politician even before same-sex marriage was legalised.
Nonetheless, the overwhelming support for both trans and queer people is abundantly clear, with 80 per cent of people backing trans discrimination protection legislation.
Australia
Laws vary from Australian state to state but there’s always Sydney Mardi Gras. (Getty)
While Australia’s treatment of trans people and LGBTQ+ people at large varies from region to region, overall rights are far more widespread than in the UK.
Although things such as changing legal gender and anti-discrimination laws vary widely depending on which part of the huge county you’re in – some states require a year-long wait for gender recognition – on a federal level, Oz is widely supportive, with gender-affirming care access and discrimination protections.
Australia showed its feelings for trans people during the infamous visit of anti-trans pundit Posie Parker, with politicians and the majority of the public telling her to “get in the bin“.
Norway
Despite some negatives, Norway has laws that are beneficial to LGBTQ+ people. (Getty)
With its representation, anti-discrimination and right to healthcare laws, Norway is one of the best European countries to be in if you’re looking to transition.
While the country is still behind on things such as recognising non-binary people and gender-affirming care for under-18s, it offers housing discrimination bans, no censorship laws, adoption rights and self-ID.
Unfortunately, the country has begun restricting gender-affirming care for minors, citing an “uncertainty” and “lack of comprehensible research”, despite the overwhelming view of the public that it should be accessible.
Uruguay
Pride in Montevideo is a riot of colour. (Getty)
If you are looking for a place to live in South America as a trans person, look no further than Uruguay. The country is widely considered one of the safest places in the continent to be transgender and its laws play a large part in that.
Like many other countries, it is behind on recognising non-binary people on legal documents, but its laws on self-ID, discrimination protections and gender-affirming care access are among some of the best.
Uruguay lifted its requirement for surgery to recognise a trans person’s gender identity in 2018 and has implemented other pro-trans legislation since then.
Malta
Malta is widely considered a safe haven for LGBTQ+ people. (Getty)
Widely considered to be one of the best places to live not just as a trans person, but as an LGBTQ+ person in general, Malta is a safe haven for transgender people looking to live their life in peace, free from harmful rhetoric.
The small island, located in the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, features trans rights legislation that is, by the measure of several organisations, considered to be some of the best.
Non-binary gender recognition, housing discrimination protections, self-ID, gender-affirming care and censorship laws are just some of the policies implemented in a country where the public is incredibly tolerant to boot.
LGBTQ+ people have a significantly lower rate of homeownership than their straight and cisgender peers, and U.S. lawmakers are demanding to know why.
Several members of the House of Representatives have sent a letter, exclusively shared with The Advocate, to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau inquiring about the “disparities” in homeownership and the lack of data surrounding LGBTQ+ households. The group asked Director Rohit Chopra to create a Data Action Plan involving sexual orientation and gender identity minorities and to investigate queer consumers’ complaints about home-buying services.
The lawmakers also called for the CFPB to “do so in alignment with best practices and rigorous research about how to responsibly collect these data in ways that safeguard privacy, security, and civil rights.”
The letter cited a recent report by the Urban Institute, which found a 5-percentage-point gap in homeownership between LGBTQ+ households and their straight and cisgender counterparts, even after accounting for financial and demographic characteristics. The disparities were most prevalent among LGBTQ+ households of color, as only 35 percent of Black and queer households are homeowners, compared to 51 percent of Black non-LGBTQ+ households and 77 percent of white non-LGBTQ+ households.
“Further data analysis to better understand these trends and provide evidence-based policy recommendations is limited by a lack of publicly available data,” the letter reads. “Responsible data collection on sexual orientation, gender identity, and variations in sex characteristics is critical to support intersectional research to better understand the credit experiences of LGBTQI+ homebuyers with respect to mortgage rates, loan terms, loan amounts, and denial rates for mortgage credit.”
“Such data and research are essential to support evidence-based policymaking to improve the economic security and housing stability of the LGBTQI+ constituents that we serve,” it continues.
The letter was signed by 20 members of the House of Representatives, led by Democrats Ritchie Torres and Raja Krishnamoorthi. The group requested that Chopra give a response by no later than July 31.
