Yosemite National Park fired park ranger Shannon “SJ” Joslin in August for participating in a display of a transgender pride flag on El Capitan in May. Park leadership cited Joslin’s “failure to demonstrate acceptable conduct” by participating in the flag display, which the park considers a demonstration. The National Park Service is pursuing administrative action against multiple employees and possible criminal charges against visitors involved, though specific regulations allegedly violated were not disclosed. Joslin, who had previously worked for the park as a wildlife biologist and has now stated their intention to seek legal counsel and fight the termination.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reposted a video featuring Doug Wilson, a leader in the Christian evangelical movement he follows, advocating for the criminalization of gay sex and a return to earlier societal norms. The video also included commentary suggesting women should focus on child-rearing, supported by a female member who “submits” to her husband, and a call to repeal the Nineteenth Amendment. Hegseth’s past comments and actions, including stricter standards for women in the military and the removal of female leaders, have sparked controversy. Hegseth’s actions, including a Pentagon prayer circle led by his personal pastor who praised Donald Trump as divinely appointed, have raised concerns regarding the influence of his personal beliefs within the Defense Department.
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Following a parent’s accusation, a Florida teacher reached a settlement with the state, allowing her to retain her teaching certificate. The settlement, which included a fine and ethics course, stemmed from the teacher using a student’s preferred nickname, a practice that allegedly violated the state’s “don’t say gay” law. While the state upheld the settlement, Brevard Public Schools will not rehire the teacher, citing the probationary period. Despite the controversy and the Education Commissioner’s initial opposition, the local teachers’ union celebrated the decision, advocating for the teacher’s return to the classroom.
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Life in the City church in south Austin was vandalized on Friday, with someone spray-painting hateful messages and tearing down a Pride flag. According to the church, this is not the first incident of its kind, and it comes amid a backdrop of rising violence targeting LGBTQIA+ individuals and other marginalized communities. The church, a United Methodist congregation known for its progressive and inclusive stance, hosted a community event on Saturday to address the vandalism. Authorities have been contacted for more information regarding the incident.
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In a significant development for LGBTQ+ rights, a Saint Lucia court has invalidated laws criminalizing homosexuality. The High Court found that the colonial-era laws, which prohibited “gross indecency” and “buggery,” were unconstitutional, violating fundamental human rights. This ruling makes Saint Lucia the fifth country in the Eastern Caribbean to decriminalize same-sex activity. This milestone underscores the critical role of courts in safeguarding human rights, offering a victory for LGBTQ+ activists and the community in the Caribbean and globally.
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A Hong Kong court has ruled that transgender women have the right to use women’s bathrooms, striking down provisions that criminalized the practice. Judge Russell Coleman suspended the ruling for a year, allowing the government time to address the contravention. This legal challenge originated from a trans man seeking to amend regulations and permit individuals undergoing Real Life Experience (RLE) treatment to use gender-affirming public facilities. The ruling aligns with recent policy changes in Hong Kong that no longer mandate full gender-affirming surgery for ID changes, although some medical requirements remain.
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Derek Huffman, an American father who relocated his family to Russia to escape LGBTQ+ influences, is reportedly being deployed to the front lines in Ukraine after being promised a non-combat role. His wife, DeAnna, shared that Huffman, lacking military experience and with limited training in Russian, feels unprepared and misled by the recruiters. Huffman had hoped to gain Russian citizenship and earn the respect of his new countrymen through military service, however, he hasn’t received any payment after a month of service. The couple moved to Russia to escape “liberal gender norms” and have shown a clear admiration for Russia.
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The GOP’s recent decision to erase all mentions of bisexual individuals from the Stonewall National Monument webpages is, frankly, not a surprise. It’s a stark example of what many of us, particularly within the transgender community, have been warning about for quite some time. The removal of bisexual representation, coming on the heels of the erasure of transgender people, is a clear indication that these attacks are part of a broader strategy. The goal, as has been repeatedly stated, is to shrink the scope of who is considered worthy of belonging, visibility, and remembrance.
The initial removal of transgender people from the monument’s historical narrative was a warning sign.… Continue reading
Federal funding cuts have led to the elimination of LGBTQ+-specific services on the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, resulting in layoffs for crisis workers in New York and New Jersey. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) ceased funding the 988 option, which routed callers to LGBTQ+ affirming counselors, citing a $33 million cost despite over a million people utilizing the service since its 2022 launch. The Trevor Project, a national nonprofit, was given short notice and notified its unionized staff of impending layoffs. This decision comes amid a broader rollback of federal support for LGBTQ+ programs and concerns that it will exacerbate existing strains on New York’s mental health infrastructure, potentially leading to increased suicide rates within the community.
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Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández confirmed that Pope Leo XIV will uphold the previous declaration regarding same-sex blessings. The declaration, which was approved by his predecessor, maintains that such blessings are distinct from marriage. While Pope Leo XIV has expressed views on social issues, his stance on the LGBTQ+ community has been less positive, as evidenced by his past criticisms of the “homosexual lifestyle.” Despite some internal criticism, Pope Leo XIV’s position remains consistent with the distinction between blessing individuals and endorsing same-sex unions.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood