Gayety

Tag: Anti-LGBT

  • Trans Teen Speaks on 18th Birthday Against Iowa Bill Repealing Civil Rights Protections for LGBTQ+ Community

    Trans Teen Speaks on 18th Birthday Against Iowa Bill Repealing Civil Rights Protections for LGBTQ+ Community

    A transgender teen in Iowa made an emotional plea on his 18th birthday at the state Capitol, urging lawmakers not to strip away the rights of transgender individuals. Kayde Martin, a high school senior, addressed lawmakers with tears in his eyes, sharing his deep concerns about the future of transgender rights in Iowa.

    “I deeply trouble me that after 18 years of living here with my family, attending school, working, this is the focus of our state,” Martin said, his voice breaking as he spoke against the bill that seeks to repeal civil rights protections for transgender people. His words were a call for empathy, understanding, and fairness.

    Martin’s speech was part of a larger effort to stop a law that ultimately passed, making Iowa the first state in the nation to repeal anti-discrimination protections specifically for transgender people. This new law has garnered national attention, as it underscores the ongoing struggle for civil rights within the LGBTQ+ community.

    “Good morning, my name is Kayde Martin, and today I speak not just for myself, but for many other transgender youths in Iowa,” Martin began. “I was born on February 27, 2007. Today is my 18th birthday. I stand before you fighting for the same basic civil rights that every Iowan deserves by humanely asking you to vote against this bill.”

    Martin, who plans to attend the University of Northern Iowa in the fall, shared his desire to live independently without fear of discrimination. He expressed frustration that some people, particularly those who defend women’s rights, seem to do so selectively, particularly when it comes to transgender individuals.

    “I’ve heard some people talk about women’s rights… Why do women’s rights only seem to be defended when it is used to be against the transgender community? Where’s the same outcry when it comes to women’s choices in their own bodily autonomy?” Martin questioned.

    Raised in a Christian household, Martin used his faith as a foundation for his call for respect and love for all people, regardless of their gender identity. “A good Christian knows that only the Lord is one to judge,” Martin said, advocating for kindness and understanding over judgment. “Nobody knows the heavenly father’s plan.”

    He concluded his emotional speech with a heartfelt plea to the lawmakers: “I want to be able to be the person I was meant to be, and as the person that God knows me to be. Please, don’t take my rights away simply because you disagree with who I am. Being trans is not a choice; it is a reality that you come to when you learn to understand yourself and love yourself.”

    Martin called for a civil discourse that would allow for respectful disagreements rather than divisiveness. He expressed hope that Iowans could come together, despite their differences, to avoid further dividing the state.

    His plea echoed the sentiments of thousands of people who protested the bill alongside him. Despite widespread opposition, the state’s Republican-dominated legislature fast-tracked the bill, with most Republicans supporting the law along party lines. The bill, which has been widely criticized by Democrats and LGBTQ+ advocates, includes provisions that will allow discrimination against transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals in housing, employment, and credit.

    Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds (R) signed the bill into law, defending it as “common sense” legislation. “It is common sense to acknowledge the obvious biological differences between men and women,” Reynolds said during a signing ceremony. “But unfortunately, these commonsense protections were at risk because… the Civil Rights Code blurred the biological line between the sexes.”

    However, many argue that the law is not really about protecting women and children, as Republicans claim. Studies have shown that cisgender men—rather than transgender women—are responsible for most of the harm done to women in sports, citing factors like a lack of funding and support for women’s athletic programs. Critics argue that the bill does little to protect women and children but instead targets the transgender community.

    Democratic lawmakers in Iowa, including Rep. Aime Wichtendahl, the state’s only trans legislator, condemned the bill. Wichtendahl said that the purpose of the legislation was to “erase us from public life and to stigmatize our existence, to make our existence illegal, to force us back into the closet.” Wichtendahl added, “The authors of these bills wish us every harm,” emphasizing the broader impact this legislation could have on transgender individuals’ lives.

    As Martin and other LGBTQ+ advocates continue to push for equality and protection from discrimination, the fight for transgender rights in Iowa and across the country is far from over. The outcome of this legislation in Iowa may set a dangerous precedent for other states considering similar laws, underscoring the need for continued activism and awareness.

    Martin’s brave stand at the Capitol reflects the struggles many transgender youth face as they navigate a world that is often hostile to their identity. His message serves as a reminder that the fight for equal rights for all, regardless of gender identity, is ongoing and requires the collective effort of individuals, communities, and lawmakers alike.

  • Ghana Lawmakers Reintroduce Controversial Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill

    Ghana Lawmakers Reintroduce Controversial Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill

    Lawmakers in Ghana have reintroduced a controversial anti-LGBTQ+ bill that was passed by parliament last year but not enacted, a sponsor confirmed to The Associated Press on Monday.

    The bill, which criminalizes the promotion of LGBTQ+ activities, was passed by Ghana’s parliament in 2021 but was not signed into law by former President Nana Akufo-Addo before his term ended. Akufo-Addo stated he was waiting for a ruling from the Supreme Court on a legal challenge to the bill. In December 2023, the court dismissed the challenge, clearing the way for the bill’s potential enactment. Akufo-Addo left office shortly thereafter, having lost his bid for another term.

    Ghana, which has generally been viewed as more human rights-conscious than many other African countries, faced significant international backlash after the bill passed last year. The United Nations condemned the bill, calling it “profoundly disturbing,” and it drew criticism from rights groups around the world for its potential to further harm LGBTQ+ individuals.

    Under current Ghanaian law, same-sex relations are illegal and carry a prison sentence of up to three years. If enacted, the new bill would increase penalties, imposing up to five years in prison for those found guilty of “willful promotion, sponsorship, or support of LGBTQ+ activities.”

    New President John Dramani Mahama, who took office in January 2025, has expressed support for the bill. However, he has stated that it should be reintroduced by the government, rather than through individual members of parliament.

    Opposition lawmaker John Ntim Fordjour, a sponsor of the bill, criticized Mahama’s position. “He must be reminded that parliament is an independent institution and that the executive cannot dictate to parliament what it must do,” Fordjour told the AP.

    Fordjour, along with nine other lawmakers, reintroduced the bill last week, continuing to push for its passage. The bill’s sponsors have argued that it is necessary to protect children and vulnerable individuals from exploitation and abuse related to LGBTQ+ activities.

    The bill has raised concerns about its potential economic impact. Ghana’s Ministry of Finance warned last year that the legislation could jeopardize $3.8 billion in funding from the World Bank, and might also derail the $3 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout program agreed to in 2023. Ghana is currently in the process of recovering from one of its worst economic recessions in decades.

    The international community has expressed concern over the bill’s implications for both human rights and Ghana’s economic stability. Last year, the World Bank indicated it would reconsider new funding for Uganda after the country passed its own anti-LGBTQ+ law.

    As Ghana’s economy continues its recovery, the reintroduction of the anti-LGBTQ+ bill could complicate relations with international donors and financial institutions. The growing controversy over the bill highlights the tension between the country’s social policies and its need for external financial support.

    Despite the challenges, Ghana’s lawmakers, including the bill’s sponsors, remain committed to its passage, arguing that it is crucial to protect Ghanaian society from what they describe as the dangers of LGBTQ+ activism.

    The situation is being closely monitored by both local and international human rights organizations, who are calling for increased protection of LGBTQ+ rights in the country and urging the government to reconsider its stance on the bill.

  • Transgender Rights Protesters Rally at U.S. Capitol Against Trump Administration’s Policies

    Transgender Rights Protesters Rally at U.S. Capitol Against Trump Administration’s Policies

    Hundreds of transgender individuals and their allies gathered at the U.S. Capitol on Saturday for a powerful protest against what they see as a widening assault on the transgender community under the Trump administration.

    Hope Giselle-Godsey, the director of communications for the GSA Network, which supports trans and queer youth, spoke passionately about the ongoing fight for transgender rights. “Too many of us have come here today in an effort to protest for things that we should not have to beg for: our civil rights, our children, our medical care, access and resources, and the ability to fight for a country that doesn’t give a damn about us,” she said, according to The Washington Blade.

    Giselle-Godsey’s comments were met with cheers from the crowd, as she emphasized that transgender people would continue to fight for their rights. “We have been here, we will always be here,” she declared. “And there is no legislation, there is no piece of paper, document, or thing that ‘that Orange’ can sign that is going to make us disappear.”

    The rally was in response to a series of controversial actions taken by the Trump administration in recent weeks. Among the most notable were executive orders aimed at banning healthcare for transgender youth, barring transgender athletes from competing in school sports, and blocking changes to gender markers on U.S. passports. The administration also moved to expel transgender service members from the military and shut down critical programs like USAID, which provides life-saving medications to vulnerable communities globally.

    The Transgender Unity Rally, organized by the Transgender Unity Coalition, began at the Capitol and proceeded with a march to the Ellipse, a large park located at the southern end of the White House. Participants, holding handmade signs and waving trans and rainbow Pride flags, chanted, “Out of the closets and into the streets!” as they made their way along Constitution Avenue.

    One of the rally’s speakers, Georgetown University professor Chloe Schwenke, who previously served as an Obama appointee to USAID, condemned the administration’s actions, particularly the closure of USAID, which provides critical aid to LGBTQIA communities worldwide. “USAID has been destroyed, and with it, the aid that goes out to LGBTQIA people around the world,” Schwenke said. “Some of that aid is literally there to keep them alive—the women, the children, the men who have AIDS—they will not get their medication. They will die. And this administration is okay with that policy.”

    Schwenke also expressed concern over Trump’s State Department policies, saying, “They are now deciding how to deny visas to people who want to come to World Pride here in Washington, D.C.” She added that the administration is working to prevent transgender people from participating in future international events, including the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

    D.C. resident Emmett Livingstone spoke to the crowd with an impassioned call for resistance. “As individuals in our various communities and workplaces, I encourage you all to be as irritating and hard to remove as a pebble in their shoe, a grain of sand in their eye, or even better — be glitter,” Livingstone said. “Everyone, let’s race to support each other and grind their efforts to deny us to a halt. Do not go quietly. Correct misinformation when you hear it. Even a simple, ‘Hey man, that’s not okay.’”

    Livingstone urged the protesters to continue fighting back against discrimination, asserting, “Trump is not a king, Elon is not our president. I call on all of you to resist in any way you can, big or small. Be the glitter they cannot get rid of and never let anyone dull your shine.”

    “We’re here, we’re queer. They will get used to it,” Livingstone added, emphasizing that the transgender community will not be silenced.

    In a positive development prior to the march, a federal judge in Seattle issued a preliminary injunction late Friday blocking the Trump administration’s effort to withhold federal funds from hospitals in four states that offer gender-related healthcare for transgender youth. Judge Lauren J. King ruled that the administration’s order likely violated the separation of powers between the executive branch and Congress, as well as the Fifth Amendment’s equal protection guarantees for youth seeking gender-affirming care.

    The ruling was seen as a significant victory for transgender advocates, as it prevents the administration from immediately enforcing policies that could restrict access to necessary healthcare for transgender individuals.

    The rally at the U.S. Capitol underscored the growing resistance against the Trump administration’s policies targeting the transgender community. Despite the challenges they face, protesters sent a clear message: they will continue to fight for their rights, and they are determined to ensure that transgender individuals are treated with dignity and respect in the U.S. and beyond.

  • Lil Nas X Trolls Anti-Gay Protesters With Pizza

    Lil Nas X Trolls Anti-Gay Protesters With Pizza

    Lil Nas X is a blessing in this world. His talent, humor, sense of style, and personality have had far-reaching effects on LGBTQ+ youths today. Lil Nas X has reshaped the media’s understanding of what the music industry can look like, and in turn, made it better. He’s also incredibly busy right now. In true Lil Nas X style, the rapper has been getting a lot of attention recently. Most recently Lil Nas X had a run-in with anti-gay protesters.

    Related | Lil Nas X Tweets His Most Scandalous Request Yet

    The 23-year-old is currently on his Long Live Montero tour and documenting it all along the way. Meanwhile, Riot Games recently came forward to name him president of the League of Legends multiplayer battle game. “I’ve left my mark on pop culture in so many ways,” said Lil Nas X. “Now it’s time to take on the world of gaming.” Hilariously, the Grammy-winner’s first “decree” as president was to announce that “bottoms are no longer allowed to play” League of Legends.

    Let Them Eat Pizza

    But making headlines just once in a week is not Lil Nas X’s style and, for him, every challenge is an opportunity. Most recently he decided to take advantage of a group of anti-gay protesters outside his Sunday night concert in Boston. The rapper reposted a video of the protesters on Twitter with the caption, “Just told my team to send them pizza, this is really good promo!”

    Sure enough, Lil Nas X later shared a video of his team offering free pizza to the hate group. Unfortunately for them, they declined, but something even more unexpected happened. Lil Nas X wasn’t ready to fall in love with an anti-gay protester outside his concert, but as you know the heart wants what it wants. The video captures a protester wearing a shirt that reads, “Christ’s Forgiveness Ministries,” over which Lil Nas X played Sufjan Stevens’ Mystery of Love. “Sadly one of the homophobes was really hot,” read the text on the screen.

    @lilnasx♬ star walkin out now – lil nas x

    Honestly, every day it becomes clearer. Lil Nas X is the blueprint. The answer to at least some small part of the mess that is homophobia. Next time you’re confronted with a homophobe, let them eat it.

  • Trump Calls LGBTQ People “Sickos” in Transphobic Speech

    Trump Calls LGBTQ People “Sickos” in Transphobic Speech

    He also signaled his intentions to run for president in 2024.

    (more…)

  • Is Neil Young Homophobic?

    Is Neil Young Homophobic?

    What did Neil Young say that was homophobic?

    (more…)

  • Here are the 71 Countries Where Being Gay Is Illegal

    Here are the 71 Countries Where Being Gay Is Illegal

    There are still countries where being gay is illegal. Unfortunately, yes.

    (more…)

  • Raven-Symoné Calls For ‘Don’t Say Straight’ Bill to Combat Inequality

    Raven-Symoné Calls For ‘Don’t Say Straight’ Bill to Combat Inequality

    Disney star Raven-Symoné won’t back down while bashing the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

    (more…)

  • Did Disney Remove More LGBTQ+ Storylines From Its Films?

    Did Disney Remove More LGBTQ+ Storylines From Its Films?

    Queer Disney fans are outraged over reports that the “inclusive” company routinely removes LGBTQ  storylines and interactions. (more…)

  • Does Eminem Support The LGBTQ Community? Or Is He Still Homophobic?

    Does Eminem Support The LGBTQ Community? Or Is He Still Homophobic?

    Is Legendary Rapper Eminem Homophobic To This Day?

    (more…)