Category: LGBTQIA

She asked students for their pronouns, and locals labeled her a “groomer.” Now, she’s filing a lawsuit

This blog originally appeared at LGBTQNATIONS.

She was placed on leave for her safety after local conservatives escalated their violent rhetoric against her.

A South Carolina middle school teacher has filed a defamation and libel lawsuit against five individuals — including a state representative — after being publicly accused of “grooming” children. The accusations followed her decision to distribute a questionnaire asking students for their personal pronouns. The defendants claimed her so-called “secret sex survey” violated state laws and school policies, asserting that her teaching license should be revoked.

Mardy A. Burleson, a computer science teacher at Hilton Head Island Middle School (HHIMS), is at the center of this controversy. HHIMS is located in a predominantly white, Christian coastal community of 38,069 people, most of whom are over 45. Burleson, who has a transgender son, was personally affected by the death of her son’s friend, who died by suicide after struggling to come out to their family. Motivated by this experience, Burleson introduced a beginning-of-term survey for her students titled, “Who is behind those eyes?” aiming to create a supportive environment for her students.

She had conducted the survey for several years without receiving any complaints. The survey included questions about students’ families, preferred learning styles, favorite media, hobbies, and accomplishments. It also asked for their “preferred pronouns” and included the question, “Do you want me to use your pronouns in class and in messages home, or is it private between you and me?”

“I promise to keep these just between you and me,” Burleson wrote at the top of the survey. Parents could access blank copies of the survey through their children’s Google Classroom accounts.

Around January 9, 2023, an HHIMS student showed the survey to her father, David Cook, a local “Dad-vocate” who had supported recent efforts to ban “pornographic” books from school libraries.

The following day, Cook lodged a complaint with the HHIMS principal. In response, Burleson removed the pronoun-related questions to avoid further conflict, according to court documents. Cook also requested a meeting with Burleson and school officials, but he claimed the school had “hidden” them from him.

Cook allegedly shared the survey with Corey Allen Whittington, the author of the right-wing blog The Overton Report. In a post, Whittington accused Burleson of “grooming pre-teen students into an overtly sexualized lifestyle” and criticized her for having “transed her own kid,” referring to her transgender son.

“[Burleson] spent years transitioning her own daughter into a ‘son’ and has made no secret of expressing her full support for the controversial ideas behind gender ideology,” Whittington wrote.

For Burleson, Whittington’s post crossed a personal line by mentioning her transgender son, who she said had been bullied more at school as a result.

On his podcast and social media, Whittington continued to accuse Burleson of being a “predatory” teacher, claiming she was “indoctrinating 8th graders” with “secret surveys about sex” and telling students to “keep [it a] secret from administrators and parents.”

“Is there any other way to define somebody who encourages that type of thing in children?” Whittington asked on his podcast. “Is there any other way to define them than a groomer? What are you doing if not grooming them to accept kink and fetish at a young age?”

Whittington posted a link to his blog post on Facebook around January 25, 2023. Cook responded by sharing a screenshot of an article from the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) titled, “Grooming: Know the Warning Signs,” with the caption, “I’ll just leave this right here for you, Corey Allen.” The article defined grooming as “manipulative behaviors that the abuser uses to gain access to a potential victim, coerce them to agree to the abuse, and reduce the risk of being caught.”

In later public comments, Cook accused Burleson of violating school district policies and her employment contract by administering a secret survey to students without parental consent.

Another local conservative activist, Elizabeth Szalai—who had previously submitted a list of books to the district superintendent for removal due to “adult” content—called Burleson a “groomer.” On her Facebook page, she vowed to make school personnel “pay” if they ever kept a secret from her about her child, promising to “exhaust every effort to have their license revoked and ensure that they never have access to children again.”

Michael Covert, a former Beaufort County Council member who supported Szalai’s book-banning efforts, reportedly called Burleson a “grooming” “pervert” who was “unfit” to teach during an appearance on his broadcast, Beaufort House of Cards. State Representative Thomas Beach (R), a current member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, also joined in the attacks, labeling Burleson a “groomer” on Facebook.

Of Burleson’s five primary harassers, only Cook has a student in the local schools, while two of the others don’t even live in Beaufort County.

Burleson explained the intent behind her survey and its pronoun question in an interview with The Packet. She said that teachers are trained to be trusted adults that students can confide in, noting, “A trusted adult is not always the family.” She also added that if a parent asked her about a student’s pronouns and it appeared to be an unsafe situation, she would consult district administrators and professionals first.

Due to the escalating harassment, Burleson was placed on leave in February for her own safety. She and another teacher, Kathleen Harper—HHIMS’s literary coach and a teacher with 25 years of experience—said the mounting negative online attention made them and their families feel unsafe both at home and in public.

Cook escalated his harassment campaign in April 2023. In a Facebook post on April 9, he wrote that schools “teach kids that the only safe people are teachers and admin. Everyone else in their lives are a danger to them, [including] parents and extended family.”

He accused Kathleen Harper, a fellow teacher, of being “sexually abusive” because one of her district-sourced texts on modern-day slavery mentioned teenage female genital mutilation.

Cook began showing up on campus, according to The Island Packet. Near the end of the school term, he handed Harper a handwritten note accusing her of indoctrinating students.

During the final week of school, Cook posted on Facebook, “If you’re in support of giving sexually explicit material to children, it’s important to remember… Dead Pedophiles Don’t Re-Offend.”

Other teachers warned Harper about Cook’s presence on campus, and escorts were assigned to accompany her to her car. School officials compiled Cook’s harassing social media posts and filed a harassment report with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.

“[School officials] told me to watch my back in public,” Harper told The Packet. “They told me he is dangerous and they’re concerned for me. They encouraged me to file a police report, which I did that day.”

At a school board meeting, Cook claimed his daughter and other students were “victims” who had been subjected to “lewd and vulgar materials” by Burleson. He also accused the school and Burleson of “hiding” from a meeting with him.

At a June 2023 school board meeting, Cook made a spectacle of himself by throwing four bags of chicken feed at board members, protesting the re-shelving of books that had previously been removed for their alleged “pornographic” content.

“There’s your chicken feed,” Cook said. “I give you this gift as a way to demonstrate mine and many others’ opinion of your lack of action. Chicken. Too afraid. Matter of fact, your behavior gives chicken a bad name.”

After the meeting, the sheriff’s office issued a no-trespass order against Cook for all district campuses, though he was still permitted to attend board meetings and pick up his daughter from school.

Burleson is now suing the five individuals mentioned earlier for maliciously making false, defamatory, and harmful statements accusing her of a crime. These false accusations damaged her professional reputation and caused significant emotional distress.

Burleson is represented by Meg Phelan of the Equality Legal Action Fund, a pro-bono group that focuses on protecting members of the LGBTQ+ community, educators, and allied officials from defamation and harassment. Burleson is seeking actual and special damages, as well as punitive damages, according to The Island Packet. However, Phelan said Burleson and the organization are not focused on financial compensation.

“We’re dedicated to fighting this and trying to not only educate the public, but showing the public that no American deserves to be the target of disinformation, defamation, harassment, and intimidation,” Phelan told LGBTQ Nation.

Phelan added that the goal is to demonstrate to conservatives and extremists that their words have consequences and that not all speech is protected under the First Amendment. She noted that the defendants used the term “groomer” in a way that specifically accused Burleson of coercing children into sexual abuse, rather than simply using it as an anti-LGBTQ+ slur.

While not all states have legal definitions for grooming, South Carolina law allows lawsuits for defamation and libel if a false and malicious accusation of a crime is made.

The Equality Legal Action Fund is a nationwide network of pro-bono lawyers aiming to protect LGBTQ+ individuals, allies, teachers, and community leaders from anti-LGBTQ+ harassment. If this lawsuit succeeds, it could be one of the first court cases where anti-LGBTQ+ activists face legal consequences for using the “groomer” slur. It could also provide some peace of mind to Burleson and other teachers facing similar harassment across the country.

“We want these inspiring teachers to continue to create these safe, inclusive spaces for all of their students, particularly in these very conservative and sometimes closed-minded communities,” Phelan added. “So we don’t want them to spend all of their time and money defending both their personal and professional reputations.”

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GOP Congressman claims U.S. isn’t worth defending due to presence of trans music teacher in 9/11 address

This blog originally appeared at LGBTQ Nation.

What exactly are we defending? What remains of the United States worth protecting?

Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) gave an extended speech on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks, during which he stated that the U.S. is no longer worth defending, citing a friend’s child’s transgender music teacher as a reason. He began his remarks by recognizing the significance of September 11 before transitioning to criticisms of immigrants.

“It serves as a reminder of the consequences of leaving your country vulnerable to attacks,” he stated before providing examples of immigrants involved in criminal activities. Roy expressed his support for mass deportations in response to these crimes, despite data indicating that immigrants are less likely to commit offenses than those born in the U.S.

In the midst of his speech, Roy launched into a tirade about what he considered wasteful government spending, labeling defense expenditures as unnecessary because, in his view, the U.S. isn’t worth defending anymore.

“In this town, we can’t effectively advocate for you, the American people, to ensure a secure border, safe communities, and an economy that isn’t devastated by reckless government spending,” Roy exclaimed. “And you want to know why? In the name of defense, they tell me every year that if I don’t support these inflated spending bills, we won’t get a new submarine or carrier.”

“What exactly are we trying to defend? What is left of the United States to protect? A school where I can’t send my child to pray without paying $20,000 a year on top of my taxes?” he questioned, referring to the private school he chooses for his child, despite the fact that students are permitted to pray in public schools, according to the Department of Education.

“A school where my friend’s sixth grader has a transgender music teacher asking students to participate in a dance class? Yes, that’s a true story,” he emphasized, as if it were shocking that sixth graders would be dancing in music class. “Is that what we’re defending with carriers, missiles, and endless wars?”

This isn’t the first instance in which Roy has claimed that the U.S. shouldn’t be defended due to LGBTQ+ individuals. Last year, he pointed to a Pride event at a U.S. Air Force Base in Georgia as a rationale for opposing military funding.

“What’s next, rainbow uniforms during Pride Month?” Roy questioned at the time. “The Air Force and Defense Department endorse this absurd use of taxpayer dollars and then expect members of Congress—who represent Americans outraged by this—to approve an $800 billion-plus budget for the Department of Defense (DOD). If the DOD doesn’t put an end to these divisive and frankly embarrassing events, Republicans should withdraw their support for this year’s National Defense Authorization Act.”

https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2024/09/gop-congressman-says-us-isnt-worth-defending-because-of-a-trans-music-teacher-in-9-11-speech/?utm_id=top_story&utm_term=headline&utm_content=politics&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2024912%20LGBTQ%20Nation%20Daily%20Brief&utm_content=2024912%20LGBTQ%20Nation%20Daily%20Brief+CID_8effed1877914822206ec0f2f8d37748&utm_source=LGBTQ%20Nation%20Subscribers&utm_term=GOP%20congressman%20says%20US%20isnt%20worth%20defending%20because%20of%20a%20trans%20music%20teacher%20in%20911%20speech

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Pizzeria Employee Hospitalized After Homophobic Mob Attacks Restaurant Over Pride Flag Display

This blog originally appeared at LGBTQ NATION

Police in Roseville, California, are searching for three suspects in connection with a hate crime at a Blaze Pizza restaurant, where workers were assaulted after one suspect tore down a Pride flag on display. The assault was captured on a smartphone video.

The incident took place at 10:50 p.m. on a Thursday when a food delivery driver entered the restaurant, noticed the Pride flag near the register, and threw it to the ground. When the store manager and employees confronted him, the man allegedly used a homophobic slur before leaving. He later returned with two other men, who then attacked the restaurant staff.

Related:

Republicans terrorized a gay couple’s home. What happened next surprised the couple.

Haters yelled obscenties, sent a threatening letter, and vandalized their Pride flag and political signs. But the reaction has emboldened the targeted men.

A witness named Chance Chacon told KCRA that the manager and employee had defended the flag’s display, but then, when the three assailants returned, “It was like a mob. They were just kind of swinging at him.”

A video captured inside the restaurant shows one worker repeatedly shouting at the assailants, “Get the f**k out of here!” while another employee urges a co-worker to “Call the cops.”

The three men fled the scene before police arrived, but an ambulance later transported one employee on a stretcher. This worker was taken to the hospital, where he was briefly treated for a concussion and head trauma but has since been released.

A still image from the footage shows a shoeless, light-skinned suspect wearing a torn dark-colored t-shirt and hand wraps commonly used in mixed martial arts.

Police have asked for the public’s help in identifying the assailants involved in the September 20 incident. Anyone with information can submit an anonymous tip online or contact their non-emergency line at 916-774-5000.

Ruby Shields, a lesbian who owns a restaurant in the nearby town of Granite Bay, told The Sacramento Bee that she doesn’t consider the area LGBTQ+ friendly. She has been too scared to display a rainbow flag at her own restaurant, and is often mistaken as the wife of her male business partner, even though she has a wife.

“We’ve been looked at with respect, but it’s always on the back of your mind, you know, ‘Should I be saying this?’” Shields said of not knowing whether to come out to restaurant patrons. “It’s not even something that I really even want to put out there because you never know. I mean, it’s horrible that it’s so close to home. Roseville is right down the street from where we’re at.”

This wouldn’t be the first time that an anti-LGBTQ+ person has committed violence in California after tearing down a Pride flag. Last August, Travis Ikeguchi — a 27-year-old man who posted anti-LGBTQ+, antisemitic, anti-vaccination Christian Nationalist content online — murdered Laura Ann Carleton, a 66-year-old LGBTQ+ ally and mother of nine, complained about the Pride flag hanging in front of her Cedar Glen, California business.

Police killed Ikeguchi shortly afterward.

Paul Feig — the director of Bridesmaids, Ghostbusters (2016), and other films — wrote, “We are all devastated for her husband Bort and her family and the LGBTQ+ community, for whom Lauri was such a true ally…. This intolerance has to end. Anyone using hateful language against the LGBTQ+ community has to realize their words matter, that their words can inspire violence against innocent loving people. Let’s all keep moving forward with tolerance and love. Let’s not let Lauri’s tragic death be in vain.”

Carleton’s friend, director Paul Feig, wrote of the incident, “Lauri Carleton was my friend. She was a wonderful person who did so much for the LGBTQ+ community as well as the community at large. What happened to her is an absolute tragedy. If people don’t think anti-gay & trans rhetoric isn’t dangerous, think again.”

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Russia enlisted anti-LGBTQ+ right-wing groups to spread propaganda targeting U.S. audiences

This blog originally appeared at LGBT Nation.

The Department of Justice disclosed that Tenet Media was primarily funded by Russian state media and frequently gives a platform to anti-LGBTQ+ broadcasters. N

According to a Department of Justice (DOJ) indictment, several anti-LGBTQ+ right-wing broadcasters, including Tim Pool and Dave Rubin (who is gay), have unknowingly worked for a Russian government-funded media company designed to spread propaganda and disinformation to U.S. audiences. While there is no evidence suggesting the broadcasters were aware of the company’s Russian ties, unsealed court documents revealed that Russia supports former President Donald Trump in the 2024 election, as reported by The Hill.

The FBI is now investigating the case, drawing parallels to Russian “troll farms” that spread anti-Democratic content during the 2016 and 2020 elections. In response, the Biden administration confirmed ongoing Russian efforts to influence the 2024 election, and the DOJ seized 32 web domains used by Russia to propagate its messaging in the U.S.

The DOJ indictment claims that two employees of RT (formerly Russia Today), a Russian state-controlled media outlet, secretly funneled nearly $10 million over the past year to fund and manage Tenet Media, a Tennessee-based online content creation company. This company, which platforms the aforementioned broadcasters, has produced over 2,000 videos in the past 10 months on TikTok, Instagram, X, and YouTube. These videos have garnered more than 20 million views collectively, according to the DOJ.

Although the indictment doesn’t explicitly name Tenet Media, referring to it only as “U.S. Company 1,” it does describe the company as a “network of heterodox commentators that focus on Western political and cultural issues.” This description aligns with the one Tenet Media uses on its YouTube channel, as noted by New York Times reporter Aric Toler.

The RT employees, Kostiantyn Kalashnikov and Elena Afanasyeva, operated under the aliases Helena Shudra and Victoria Pesti, managing the funding, hiring, and content editing for the company.

Tenet Media’s YouTube channel features several anti-LGBTQ+ videos, including titles like “Fellas, Is It Gay To Date A Trans Woman?”, “The TRUTH About Gender Ideology,” videos claiming Pride parades expose children to nudity, and another falsely accusing the drag queen segment of the Olympic Opening Ceremonies of “mocking Christianity.” The segment’s artistic director clarified it depicted a Dionysian feast.

In alignment with this rhetoric, Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused the U.S. of imposing gender “perversions” on Russian schoolchildren, using this as a pretext for anti-LGBTQ+ policies and his continued invasion of Ukraine. Tenet Media has also published videos criticizing Ukraine, claiming it spreads violence and unrest in Russia.

The DOJ stated, “While the views expressed in the videos are not uniform, most are aligned with the publicly stated goals of the Government of Russia and RT — to deepen domestic divisions within the United States.”

Tenet Media’s website lists prominent figures like Tim Pool, Dave Rubin, Tayler Hansen, and Turning Point USA’s chief creative officer Benny Johnson — all of whom have expressed anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments on social media. The platform has also hosted discussions between former Fox News host Tucker Carlson and conservative gay commentator Glenn Greenwald.

On Wednesday, the Biden administration revealed that Russian government agents had been operating websites, social media platforms, and creating fake social media personas to push propaganda that supports Russian interests. According to The Verge, the DOJ announced it had already seized 32 web domains connected to this Russian scheme and indicated that more seizures are likely as the investigation continues.

Numerous media studies have demonstrated that Russian government-funded “troll farms” spread state propaganda aimed at deepening political divisions in the U.S. during the 2016 and 2020 elections. The exposure of Tenet Media represents the latest version of this tactic, with Russian agents seemingly using anti-LGBTQ+ media figures as part of their broader anti-American disinformation campaign.

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Thailand Becomes First Southeast Asian Country to Legalize Marriage Equality

This blog originally appeared at Kxan In-Depth Investigative.

In a major win for LGBTQ+ rights, Thailand has become the first Southeast Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage.

The bill, passed by Parliament earlier this year, was signed into law by King Maha Vajiralongkorn on Tuesday through Royal Assent. The law will take effect in 120 days, with the first same-sex weddings anticipated in January.

Siritata Ninlapruek, an LGBTQ+ activist, expressed, “We are all delighted and excited. We’ve been fighting for our rights for over ten years, and now it’s finally happening.”

With this historic change, marriage laws in Thailand will no longer use gendered terms like “husband” and “wife,” replacing them with inclusive, gender-neutral terms like “partner.” Same-sex couples now enjoy the same legal rights as their heterosexual counterparts, including adoption and inheritance rights.

Waaddao Chumaporn, another LGBTQ+ rights advocate, told AFP, “The law is a monumental step towards equal rights in Thailand.”

Chumaporn is planning a mass wedding for over a thousand LGBTQ+ couples in Bangkok on January 22, the first day same-sex couples can legally marry.

Though Thailand is known for being more accepting of LGBTQ+ individuals compared to neighboring countries, the legalization of same-sex marriage comes after years of political challenges. LGBTQ+ advocates like Apiwat Apiwatsayree have been waiting for this moment for over a decade.

“We’ve been waiting for a long time,” said Apiwat, who plans to marry his partner of 17 years.

Human rights and LGBTQ+ organizations worldwide celebrated this achievement. Amnesty International’s Thailand Researcher, Chanatip Tatiyakaroonwong, remarked, “Thailand has taken a historic step towards becoming the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize marriage for LGBTI couples. This landmark moment is a reward for the tireless work of activists, civil society organizations, and lawmakers who have fought for this victory.”

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin made marriage equality a key issue during his tenure, driving the law forward.

Srettha shared on X, “Another important step for Thailand. The same-sex marriage law passes. Equality is concrete here in Thailand.”

For more updates on LGBTQ+ issues worldwide, subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter to stay informed about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities globally.

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Transgender prisoners in Idaho regain access to hormone therapy following a significant victory in federal court

This blog originally appeared at LGBTQ NATION.

A judge has overturned a state law that prohibited gender-affirming care in prisons and other settings.

On Tuesday, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction halting an Idaho bill that banned gender-affirming care in state prisons. This decision allows incarcerated transgender individuals in Idaho to access hormone therapy once again.

In the ruling for Robinson v. Labrador, Judge David Nye of the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho wrote, “Plaintiffs’ Motion for Temporary Restraining Order, Provisional Class Certification, and Preliminary Injunction is hereby GRANTED. The court certifies the protected class of all incarcerated persons in custody of the [Idaho Department of Corrections] who are, or will be diagnosed with Gender Dysphoria, and are receiving, or would receive hormone therapy. The Court enjoins enforcement of [H.B. 668]’s prohibition on the use of state funds for purposes of providing hormone therapy as against the class while this lawsuit is pending.”

H.B. 668, the bill in question, prohibited the use of public funds for any gender-affirming procedures, including hormone therapy and surgeries. Sponsored by Republican lawmakers in the House State Affairs Committee, the bill was signed into law in March of this year by Governor Brad Little (R).

The injunction applies only to the use of public funds for gender-affirming care in prisons and does not extend to non-incarcerated transgender individuals or gender-affirming surgeries.

In his ruling, Judge Nye supported the injunction by highlighting the plaintiffs’ strong arguments regarding the importance of gender-affirming care, the societal impact of such restrictions, and the consequences for transgender people across the state. Although he acknowledged areas where the plaintiffs’ case was lacking, he ultimately determined that the evidence justified the injunction.

Initially, Nye had denied the request to make the lawsuit a class action. However, after receiving data showing that 54 incarcerated individuals were receiving gender-affirming care and 70 had been diagnosed with gender dysphoria, he changed his stance.

The lawsuit involves two transgender women in prison, Katie Heredia and Rose Mills, both diagnosed with gender dysphoria and undergoing hormone replacement therapy. Their care was put at risk due to H.B. 668. The case was expanded into a class action lawsuit representing all known transgender prisoners in Idaho, with the ACLU of Idaho arguing that the ban constituted an Eighth Amendment violation.

The defendants in the case include Attorney General Raul Labrador, Governor Brad Little, Idaho Department of Corrections (IDOC) director Josh Tewalt, IDOC Chief of Staff Bree Derrick, and Centurion Health of Idaho.

Paul Carlos Southwick, legal director for the ACLU of Idaho, stated, “We are grateful that this class action lawsuit will protect the rights of both our plaintiffs and all incarcerated people diagnosed with gender dysphoria. People who are serving time have a right to access health care, adequate food, and housing conditions while in the state’s care, and we are grateful those rights were upheld today.”

LGBTQ Nation reached out to both the ACLU of Idaho and the Attorney General’s office for comment but had not received a response by the time of publication. This article will be updated as necessary.

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Detroit is taking steps to create an LGBTQ+ business district. Here’s a look at their approach

This blog originally appeared at LGBT NATION.

The Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce is leading the charge in what may be a decade-long initiative.

Detroit is working to establish an LGBTQ+ business district.

Back in the 1970s and ’80s, the city had around four dozen LGBTQ+ bars, but today, there are only eight queer spaces left, according to Kevin Heard, founder of the Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce. As reported by Bridge Detroit, the city doesn’t have a distinct “gayborhood” like the ones in New York or Chicago.

Heard aims to change that. Earlier this year, the Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce teamed up with the City of Detroit, LGBTQ+ research firm Community Marketing and Insights, and other organizations to create and distribute a survey. The goal is to identify which areas in the greater Detroit region are seen as the most LGBTQ+ friendly, where people want an LGBTQ+ business district, and what they envision it looking and feeling like.

“It’s a survey with multiple goals,” Heard explained. “The chamber will use it to prioritize resources in areas where many respondents live. Additionally, it will guide us toward phase two—focus groups—and phase three, which will involve selecting a site for the district.”

The survey, which launched in June, has already been completed by over 1,000 people, including 850 members of the Detroit metro LGBTQ+ community. It will close by Labor Day, after which the project will move into its next phase. Once focus groups are conducted, the chamber plans to hire a market analysis company to assist with site selection.

“They’ll assess open parcels or buildings and use survey data to guide the site choice,” Heard told Bridge Detroit. “When we narrow it down to the top three areas, we’ll launch a capital campaign to acquire property and lease it to new or existing LGBTQ-owned businesses or any business with a sustainable model that supports the LGBTQ+ community.”

Heard estimates the process of building the district could take up to a decade, but hopes the chamber can purchase its first piece of land by 2026.

He believes an LGBTQ+ business district would significantly boost Detroit’s economy. “A designated area where people know it’s safe for them, their families, and visitors will generate foot traffic and help sustain the neighborhood,” he said.

Beyond economic growth, Heard hopes the district will prevent people from leaving Detroit for more LGBTQ+ inclusive cities. “People want to be seen, heard, and valued, and they seek out those spaces. So why not create multiple spaces within Detroit?” he said. “We have one of the largest LGBTQ legislative caucuses in the country—it’s time we make this happen.”

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Federal Bill Advancing to Require Schools to Disclose Trans Students’ Identities Passes Key Committee Vote

This blog originally appeared at LGBTQ NATION.

A House committee has advanced a controversial bill, H.R. 736, known as the “PROTECT Kids Act,” which would require schools to disclose transgender students’ identities to their parents if the students request to use different pronouns, a new name, or facilities aligned with their gender identity. The bill, introduced by Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), would enforce this policy on all elementary and middle schools that receive federal funding, threatening to withhold funds from any school that does not comply.

Rep. Walberg, who has a history of supporting Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws, stated that parents should be informed of all decisions affecting their children. He argues that the bill would “safeguard parental rights by requiring parental consent and will help mitigate under-the-radar activism in our schools.” However, critics, including Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI), chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, have condemned the bill as an attack on transgender students, warning that it could put vulnerable kids at risk, particularly those without supportive families.

The bill passed the House Committee on Education and the Workforce with a 22-12 vote and will now proceed to the House floor for consideration. While it may pass the Republican-controlled House, it faces significant opposition in the Democratic Senate, and President Joe Biden is unlikely to sign it into law, as it contradicts his administration’s policies on LGBTQ+ rights.

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Republicans Targeted a Gay Couple’s Home—What Happened Next Was Unexpected

This blog originally appeared at LGBTQ NATION.

Christopher Cole and his husband, longtime residents of the predominantly Republican and predominantly white town of Watertown, Connecticut, received a racist and homophobic letter last Friday afternoon. The letter, referencing their Democratic yard signs and the rainbow flag displayed in their front yard, was typed and anonymous. Later that same night, a group of men trespassed onto their property, stealing both the signs and the flag.

Although police say the perpetrators may never be caught, Cole—a vocal community activist—told LGBTQ Nation that he refuses to be intimidated. He and his husband have already replaced the stolen items and have been met with overwhelming support from the community, local news outlets, and even their congresswoman.

The letter, signed by someone identifying as “Americans that care,” specifically targeted the yard signs supporting the Democratic presidential ticket, Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, as well as Black Congressional candidate Jahana Hayes. The entire hateful incident was caught on camera.

Related:

Vandals cowardly defaced a queer family’s Pride flag by urinating on it before fleeing the scene. The entire disturbing act was captured on camera.

The letter sent to Christopher Cole and his husband, signed by someone calling themselves “Americans that care,” specifically mentioned the Democratic yard signs they had displayed in support of Vice President Kamala Harris, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, and Black Congressional candidate Jahana Hayes.

“If you knew how goddamn foolish your rah-rah for Karmonkey and Tennessee Waltz look on your house, you’d take it down along with your Nobodywana Hayes sign and especially the Prideless flag on your front door you could use for toilet paper,” the letter said. “All I can think of you is you must be a Dumbocrat. So I feel sorry for you.”

Around 10:38 p.m., roughly seven hours after receiving a hateful letter, Christopher Cole’s security camera captured footage of a white individual wearing a dark hoodie and facemask vandalizing the rainbow flag that had flown from his home for the past 14 years. The person tore the flag down and fled, while the camera’s audio picked up the sound of him and other men shouting indistinctly.

Cole and his husband were awake in their home at the time but didn’t realize what had occurred until the following morning when Cole’s husband let their dog outside and discovered the missing flag and signs.

Cole shared images of the letter and video footage of the vandal on his Facebook page. By the next evening, he had replaced the stolen signs and flag, posting images of the new ones alongside a Bible verse from Matthew 5:39: “But I say to you: Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also.”

“Even though we’re in Connecticut, this is a very red town, and there are Trump signs everywhere,” Cole told LGBTQ Nation. He noted that the flag had been flying for 14 years, though it had often attracted hostile reactions. People driving by would shout, “Are you f**king kidding me?” or “What the hell is wrong with you?” On one occasion, a truck driver revved its engine and spun its wheels near their yard, filling it with smoke, and during that incident, someone stole three of their signs.

Despite such incidents, Cole had dismissed these individuals as “immature, crazy people.” However, he found the racist, homophobic, and misogynistic language in the letter “really concerning.”

“It’s one thing to yell obscenities from the street, but to come onto someone’s property, rip down something that represents them, and steal their political signs is crossing a line. We felt violated, unsafe, and intimidated, so we called the police.”

Cole provided the authorities with the letter and security footage, but officers informed him that without further evidence, identifying the perpetrator would be difficult. Watertown Police Chief Joshua Bernegger told local news station WTNH that, “There’s no indication within the letter that it was motivated by hate or against any protected class of individual,” despite the clear threats.

In a statement, the Watertown Police Department emphasized, “We take this crime very seriously. No citizen should be subject to fear and intimidation tactics based on their political affiliation.”

Cole shared that, for the most part, the rainbow flag has inspired positive responses, including a crayon drawing from a six-year-old depicting Cole and his husband with the flag, and an eight-page letter from a 15-year-old high school student who wrote that seeing the flag every day gave her the courage to come out. Over the years, he has seen other rainbow flags appear in his neighborhood, inspired by his own.

In the wake of the vandalism, Cole and his husband were moved by the support from their community. Neighbors brought over replacement signs and banners, and their next-door neighbor even put up a larger Pride flag than the one that was torn down. Four news stations covered the incident, and Cole and his husband replaced the stolen signs with even bigger ones.

On Sunday morning, as news of the vandalism spread, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes, whose campaign sign had been in Cole’s yard, called him directly at 8:45 a.m. She expressed her support for Cole and his husband and apologized that their backing of her campaign had resulted in their home being targeted.

She joined Cole and his husband at their local church that morning, offering her admiration for their courage and refusal to be intimidated. Cole is active in the United Church of Christ, a progressive Christian church, where he has helped make the congregation more inclusive of LGBTQ+ people. The process was contentious, with some members leaving and others posting hateful comments on social media.

Cole also serves as the executive director of APNH (A Place to Nourish Your Health), an LGBTQ+-inclusive community health center in nearby New Haven that supports people affected by HIV, substance use, and mental health conditions. Having experienced severe bullying as a child, Cole refuses to back down now in the face of harassment.

“Especially in a very conservative town, I am committed to being an activist and speaking out. It makes a bigger impact here than in places like West Hollywood or the Upper West Side of Manhattan, where there are thousands of Pride flags. It’s a different story when you’re the only one flying a flag in a place like this, and the only church that does that.”

“I’m committed to not being silenced, to standing strong and shining light where there is darkness. In this political climate, where some think it’s okay to intimidate and spread hate, I won’t shrink back—and no one else should either.”

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Former GOP party chair affiliated with MAGA movement insults gay lawmaker with homophobic slur on social media

This blog originally appeared at LGBTQ NATION.

In 2022, before her indictment, she referred to Pete Buttigieg as a “weak little girl.”

A former high-ranking state Republican official, indicted in an alleged conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election, used an anti-gay slur to insult a Democratic lawmaker. Meshawn Maddock, who led the Michigan Republican Party until her recent indictment for trying to shift Michigan’s electoral votes to Donald Trump instead of President Joe Biden, is now making offensive remarks on social media.

Maddock’s slur was in response to a post on X from Michigan state Rep. Jason Morgan (D), an openly gay lawmaker and vice chair of the state’s Democratic Party. Morgan had shared a picture of the Michigan congressional delegation at the DNC last Friday, where they were smiling and holding American flags.

Morgan responded by publicly calling her out in a thread.

“As a proud gay man who loves his husband, these hateful taunts don’t undermine my Pride, but to countless LGBTQ young people across the USA, hateful rhetoric can lead to depression and suicide,” he wrote. He followed up by sharing a photo from his wedding.

Maddock has a history of using homophobic slurs to attack LGBTQ+ politicians. In 2022, while still serving as chair of the Michigan Republican Party, she called Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg a “weak little girl” after learning that he and his husband, Chasten, were purchasing property in Michigan.

“If she wants to talk about little girls, Chasten and I are raising a little girl and a little boy. And we are raising them to have better values than the chairwoman,” Buttigieg responded when asked about her remarks. “The rest is politics.”

Maddock was indicted last year, alongside 15 other Trump supporters, for their role in a plot to help Trump secure the presidency. The plan involved falsifying a certificate claiming Trump had won Michigan and sending it to Congress in hopes of securing the state’s electoral votes for him.

The fake certificate falsely claimed that the 16 electoral voters had met in the Michigan Capitol on December 14, 2020, when in fact, the building was closed, and Biden’s electors had actually convened there.

Allegedly, phone records show Maddock communicating with coconspirators about the plot and how to keep it secret. She faced eight felony counts in the indictment. Maddock pled not guilty and opted not to seek another term as state party chair in February 2023.

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