News from the National LGBTQ, bear, leather and kink communities.
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WASHINGTON — The Trump Administration and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is now creating a Division of Conscience and Religious Freedom, according to multiple reports. NPR reported that the division is to protect doctors, nurses and other health care workers who refuse to take part in procedures like abortion, or treat certain…
BALTIMORE — The National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF) announced Monday that they are looking for new board members for the upcoming year. From their email announcement: The NCSF needs you! The NCSF is run by a Board of Directors consisting of 13 Board Members. Nine of the Board Members are elected at our annual…
WASHINGTON — The Renslow Charitable Foundation and International Mr. Leather have announced the judges for the 2018 contest at Mid Atlantic Leather Weekend. The judges for IML 2018 are: Ralph Bruneau, Los Angeles, Calif. – International Mr. Leather 2017 Q Darkqwolf, New York, N.Y. – Community Fundraiser/Activist, Mr. Eagle NYC 2016 Werner Hall, Munich, Bavaria, Germany…
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear a challenge to a Mississippi law that would let businesses and government workers refuse service to LGBTQ people if they had a religious objection. Bloomberg reported that the court turned away two appeals by state residents and organizations that contended the measure violates the Constitution. A…
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has fired the entire Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA) – via a letter sent through FedEx. The Washington Blade reported Friday that the remaining 16 members of the council were fired on Wednesday. Six had left the council in June. Chicago-based advocate and Lambda Legal lawyer Scott Schoettes told…
CHICAGO — Lambda Legal, a national legal advocacy organization for the LGBTQ community, published an analysis on judicial threats against the community from the Trump administration. Lambda Legal said in a blog post that the record speed with which President Trump is reshaping the courts, along with the number of judges with anti-LGBT records whom he…
LEXINGTON — North American Bear Weekend, one of the largest bear events in the country, has announced Brian “Bolt” Donner as their emcee for 2018, Brian “Bolt” Donner.
WASHINGTON — The Department of Defense has released the details on how transgender people can enlist in the military, NBC OUT reported Wednesday. From NBC OUT: A Department of Defense memo dated December 8, 2017, explains that if an applicant’s preferred gender is different than their birth sex, they may present a birth certificate, court…
SAN FRANCISCO — Porn producer Kink.com has been told that it has to defend itself against lawsuits from actors who say they contracted HIV on set. Courthouse News reported that Atain Specialty Insurance Company sued Peter Acworth, CEO Kink.com, and his companies in November 2015. Atain claimed has no duty to cover litigation costs related to a rash…
WASHINGTON — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Sunday that seven words weren’t actually banned at the agency. On Friday evening, the Washington Post reported that the words are “vulnerable,” “entitlement,” “diversity,” “transgender,” “fetus,” “evidence-based” and “science-based” could no longer be used on official documents for the 2018 budget. CDC Director Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald said…
