LGBTQ DiscriminationDemonstrators carry anti-homophobia signs during a vigil in memory of the victims of Orlando's gay nightclub attack in London, U.K. on June 13, 2016.

According to an article in The Advocate, bills seeking to restrict access to gender-affirming care have been introduced in 21 states this year. The 59 bills introduced so far against trans health care are part of a rash of anti-LGBTQ legislation, 185 bills in all, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. “These bills represented a coordinated effort to deny transgender people our freedom, our safety, and our dignity,” Chase Strangio, deputy director for transgender justice at the ACLU’s LGBTQ & HIV Project, said.

North Carolina has two anti-LGBTQ bills pending, one in the Senate, and one in the House. The one in the Senate is modeled on legislation in Florida and is heading on a fast track. The GOP claims they could override a Governor’s veto.

The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to introduce a slate of new anti-LGBTQ bills, but the session is just getting started after a lengthy debate in naming a new speaker. With a slim GOP majority, their top priority is going after the Jan. 6th committee, which already has been disbanded. Attacking Hunter Biden probably is second priority, so we may come down the list.

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President Biden Signs Respect for Marriage Act on December 13, 2022President Biden Signs Respect for Marriage Act on December 13, 2022

The prospects for gay, lesbian, and transgender folks are better than last year, but they still are limited. The Respect for Marriage Act was signed by the President in December. It strikes down the Defense of Marriage Act of 1996, even though that was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. Basically, the law says that states must reciprocate in recognizing the laws of other states. If a same-sex marriage in legal in one state, then another state must recognize that. It does not have to recognize same-sex marriages within that state if no law has been passed in that state. It recognizes religious organizations the right to refuse services or programs to same-sex couples if that is against the religious beliefs of that organization.

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Pride Eagle 2014

The pandemic almost shut down most LGBTQ+ groups except for Zoom meetings. Things are opening up again. There are several groups on Meet-up, but not all of them have web sites for further information.

The LGBT Center of Raleigh has two locations: an office on Hargett St., and a meeting space on N. Blount St. It sponsors numerous programs, events, resources, and groups. If you get on their mailing list, you will receive a monthly calendar of events.

There is a similar facility in Durham: the LGBTQ Center of Durham. It has a directory of LGBT businesses and allies. It is located in downtown Durham. Among the various programs, are the annual Pride Parade and Festival each September. For a listing of events, see the online calendar on their web site.

Although it has no facilities, it is perhaps the largest and most active group: Triangle LGBTQ Group. It has connected circles on Meet-up, Outreach through support groups, workshops, and more; and Volunteer Services. Join on MeetUp where you will find a list of events and activities. Sometimes you will need to register for a specific event in addition to RVSP on Meet-up.

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