Sen. Sanders displays transgender pride flag at office
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is showing his support for transgender Americans by displaying the new transgender pride flag placed outside his Burlington office, The Burlington Free Press reported.
The independent senator said in a social-media post that discrimination has no place in society and he was displaying the flag as a show of support for transgender people across the United States.
Sanders’ staff in Washington also noted the flag was put up ahead of transgender visibility day on March 31.
The senator’s staff said the flag will remain in place for one week, as requested by the National Center for Transgender Equality.
The transgender pride flag was designed by Monica Helms and was first flown at a 2000 LGBTQ pride celebration in Phoenix.
Lawsuit seeks to strike down Arizona ‘no promo homo’ law
LGBT groups are suing Arizona over a state law that restricts discussions about homosexuality in HIV and AIDS curriculum, The Washington Post reported.
The lawsuit filed March 28 on behalf of Equality Arizona asks a federal judge to strike down an Arizona law known as “no promo homo.”
The 1991 law prohibits HIV and AIDS instruction that “promotes a homosexual lifestyle, portrays homosexuality as a positive alternative lifestyle or suggests that some methods of sex are safe methods of homosexual sex.”
The lawsuit says the law stigmatizes lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students and creates a state-sanctioned climate of discrimination.
Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman and the state Board of Education are named as defendants. Hoffman, a Democrat, has previously called on lawmakers to repeal the law.
Jay-Z, Beyonce dedicate GLAAD award to her uncle
Jay-Z and Beyonce have dedicated their GLAAD award to Beyonce’s uncle, who died of HIV-related complications, The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported.
The musical power couple received the LGBTQ advocacy group’s Vanguard Award March 28 during its 30th annual media awards ceremony in Beverly Hills, California. The group says the award honors “allies who have made a significant difference in promoting acceptance of LGBTQ people.”
Jay-Z honored his mother, Gloria Carter, a lesbian whose story was featured last year in his song and video “Smile.”
Beyonce told the audience one of her most beautiful memories about respect was on her tour “looking out from the stage every night and seeing the hardest gangsta trappin’ right next to the most fabulous queen.”
She said witnessing the battle of her uncle Johnny was a painful experience.
Indiana shelves bill on requirements for ID gender change
Indiana lawmakers have shelved a bill that would’ve made it more difficult for residents to change their gender on driver’s licenses or state identification cards, The Chicago Tribune reported.
The bill was removed from the Indiana House’s calendar March 26. It would’ve required an amended birth certificate to complete a gender identity change on credentials issued by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The bureau currently accepts certified doctor’s notes when processing gender changes.
The bill came after the BMV announced it was offering the third gender identifier “X” for transgender residents or nonbinary residents who don’t identify as male or female.
House Speaker Brian Bosma says lawmakers decided to hold off following concerns about birth certificate inconsistencies. He says a special task force or study committee may need to study the issue.
— compiled by Larry Nichols