Tony Merevick
Therapy Attempting To Turn Gay Youth Straight Is Still Legal In 48 States
Only two states — California and New Jersey — have laws banning therapists from attempting to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of minors, called conversion therapy. But where will such bans appear next?
Tony Merevick
Philadelphia High School Fires Coach For Alleged Connection To Anti-Gay Attack
Philadelphia Police, however, would not confirm if the man, an assistant basketball coach, was identified as a person of interest in a recent attack that left a gay couple with multiple injuries. Update: The Archdiocese of Philadelphia clarified its original statement and said the man resigned when confronted.
Tony Merevick
Despite Meeting With LGBT Activists, Facebook Won't Budge On Name Change Issue
The social media giant agreed to reinstate hundreds of accounts deleted due to its policy requiring users to display their legal names, but only temporarily.
Tony Merevick
Nobody In Custody After Twitter Users Help Identify Suspects In Philly Anti-Gay Attack
Cops thanked a Twitter user who tracked down a group of people thought to be responsible for an assault on two gay men in the city's Center City neighborhood. Update: Police said they have interviewed "several" people in connection to the case, but as of Thursday morning, no arrests have been made.
Tony Merevick
LGBT Activists Challenge Facebook On Policy Requiring Legal Names
The company is requiring many users to use their legal names, which activists say could harm transgender people, drag queens, and other users who may use pseudonyms on the social network for various reasons.
Tony Merevick
New Study Shows Suppressing Puberty Helps Transgender Teens Become Happier Young Adults
A Dutch study shows that transgender people who explored treatment in their youth ended up transitioning more easily and became happy, healthy young adults on par with their peers.
Tony Merevick
Minnesota Police Capture Fugitive Man Accused Of Killing Ex-Boyfriend, Business Partner
The arrest ends an intense monthlong manhunt across the Minneapolis area.
Tony Merevick
Wisconsin Judges Are Granting Adoption Rights To Same-Sex Couples
Though same-sex couples cannot legally marry there, some Wisconsin judges believe that adoption, in the meantime, shouldn’t be a hurdle for LGBT families.
Tony Merevick
Federal Appeals Court Upholds New Jersey's Ban On Gay Conversion Therapy For Minors
"We agree with the District Court that [the law] does not violate Plaintiffs' right to free exercise of religion, as it is a neutral and generally applicable law that is rationally related to a legitimate government interest." Update: An attorney for those challenging the ban said he plans to ask the Supreme Court to hear an appeal of the case.
Tony Merevick
Life In The Only State Where Gay Couples Can Get Married One Day, Fired The Next
Pennsylvania is the only state in the nation that has marriage equality for same-sex couples, but lacks basic LGBT nondiscrimination protections in housing, employment, and public accommodations. And advocates say that likely won't change any time soon.
Tony Merevick
Out LGBT Candidates Advance Closer To Making History In Massachusetts
Two out LGBT candidates, Maura Healey and Steve Kerrigan, prevailed in the sates's primary elections for attorney general and lieutenant governor, respectively. If they win in November, they'll be the first out LGBT people to hold those offices in the United States.
Tony Merevick
Utah Lawmakers Tell Justices That Same-Sex Marriage Ruling Will Lead To Polygamy, Incest
Marriage equality for same-sex couples ultimately will lead to ending all prohibitions of "polygamous and incestuous marriages," 80 of 104 state lawmakers tell the Supreme Court.
Tony Merevick
Three Irish LGBT Groups To Apply For Inclusion In New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade
The parade's organizers tell BuzzFeed News the groups won't be able to march in 2015, but are welcome to apply in 2016.
Tony Merevick
Supporters Rally Around Gay Teacher Fired From Catholic School For Being Pregnant
Upon learning of Barbara Webb's "nontraditional" pregnancy, the school left her with two choices: Resign and be silent, or be fired.
Tony Merevick
Human Rights Campaign President "Formally Apologizes" To Transgender Community
"I am sorry for the times when we stood apart when we should have been standing together."
Tony Merevick
Justice Department Promotes Out Gay Attorney Who Argued Against DOMA To No. 3 Spot
Stuart Delery, who argued on behalf of the Obama administration that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional was promoted to Acting Associate Attorney General.
Tony Merevick
Florida Officials Appeal Ruling That Declared Same-Sex Marriage Ban Unconstitutional
Marriage equality proponents urged state officials to leave the ruling unchallenged in hopes that same-sex couples would be able to marry as soon as this month.
Tony Merevick
D.C. Archdiocese Removes Blog Post Calling For End to "Disgraceful" St. Patrick's Day Parades
"In New York City in particular, the 'parade' is devolving into a farcical and hateful ridicule of the faith that St. Patrick preached," Monsignor Charles Pope said in a blog post.
Tony Merevick
New York LGBT Activists Aren't That Happy About The St. Patrick's Day Parade's Step Toward Inclusion
The move "strikes us as disappointing and self-serving," New York's statewide LGBT rights group, Empire State Pride Agenda, said in a statement.
Tony Merevick
Teen Suing South Carolina DMV After Being Told To Remove His Makeup For License Photo
The teen wants the court to allow him to retake the photo showing his everyday appearance.
Tony Merevick
