National

National news and events that affect Illinois.

LGBTQ, HIV orgs call for Facebook to remove PrEP lawsuit ads

By Tom Wray, Publisher/blogger | December 10, 2019

NEW YORK — A coalition of LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS organizations has called on Facebook to take down ads claiming inaccurate side effects of Truvada for PrEP.

A statement from the organizations said the ads were run by law firms, claiming problems like kidney disease and low bone density.

Last month, GLAAD contacted Facebook Advertising Policy about the misleading PrEP ads and was directed to third party fact checking agencies used by Facebook as arbiters of accuracy in ads. Facebook confirmed the ads would not be removed while new ads, and new profiles behind the ads, continue to appear.

GOP unveils their version of LGBTQ rights bill

Lambda Legal joins Supreme Court brief supporting abortion access

National Center for Lesbian Rights files amicus brief in support of Gavin Grimm

HHS announces expansion of PrEP access

National

American Medical Association to fight ‘conversion therapy’, take other pro-equality actions

By Tom Wray, Publisher/blogger | November 20, 2019

SAN DIEGO — The AMA has voted to fight “conversion therapy” and take other pro-equality actions during its Interim Meeting this week.

hate crime

HRC releases report on anti-transgender violence

By Tom Wray, Publisher/blogger | November 19, 2019

WASHINGTON — The Human Rights Campaign Foundation released a report on anti-transgender violence on Monday. Among the findings is that of 22 trans people killed in 2019, all but one were black.

healthcare

Analysis: 152,000 trans adults are on Medicaid

By Tom Wray, Publisher/blogger | November 15, 2019

LOS ANGELES — A new analysis has shown that 152,000 transgender Americans are on Medicaid, but less than half are in states where Medicaid pays for gender-affirming care.

courts

U.S. files lawsuit against Gilead for Truvada, Descovy patents

By Tom Wray, Publisher/blogger | November 7, 2019

WASHINGTON — The U.S. government and Department of Health and Human Services filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Gilead Sciences on Wednesday.

civil rights

Federal judge stops rule that protects health providers’ ‘religious objections’

By Tom Wray, Publisher/blogger | November 6, 2019

NEW YORK — A federal judge has blocked a rule that would have made it easier for health providers to refuse service for religious reasons.

death penalty

Lambda Legal reacts to execution of South Dakota gay man

By Tom Wray, Publisher/blogger | November 5, 2019

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — LGBTQ legal organization Lambda Legal reacted Tuesday to the execution of Charles Rhines in South Dakota.

civil rights

HHS to stop enforcing LGBTQ medical care protections

By Tom Wray, Publisher/blogger | November 1, 2019

WASHINGTON — In a move that will put LGBTQ protections at risk, the U.S. Health and Human Services Department has said it would no longer enforce Obama-era rules requiring providers who receive grants to serve all patients.

National

Report says one-fifth of LGBTQ voters aren’t registered for 2020

By Tom Wray, Publisher/blogger | October 28, 2019

LOS ANGELES — The Williams Institute released a poll this month showing 9 million LGBTQ voters are registered to vote, leaving one-fifth of LGBTQ adult still unregistered.

Dallas

Texas judge rules father can have say in child’s gender transition that he opposes

By Tom Wray, Publisher/blogger | October 25, 2019

DALLAS — A Texas judge ruled on Tuesday that a father who opposed his child’s gender transition can have a say in the process.