GinaMaria Opalescent’s Post

🌈Here’s a few things to feel proud about this Pride season🏳️🌈: -Nearly 90% of all anti-LGBTQ+ bills tracked were stopped, but every bill considered that debates the existence and rights of LGBTQ+ people is harmful, especially for young LGBTQ+ people. -A record-breaking number of 14 pro-LGBTQ+ bills also passed in 2023, many specific to protecting transgender medical care and other LGBTQ+ youth protections. Michigan Democrats ban ‘destructive’ practice of conversion therapy for LGBTQ youth -On Wednesday, June 14, a bill banning the dangerous practice of conversion therapy passed the Michigan House of Representatives and is set to become law after moving through the Senate and governor’s office. -US judge blocks Florida ban on trans minor care in narrow ruling, says “gender identity is real” -A federal judge temporarily blocked sections of a Florida law that bans trans young people from receiving puberty blockers -Gov. Whitmer establishes Michigan’s first LGBTQ+ Commission with executive order -The commission will represent the LGBTQ+ community within Michigan’s state government, providing policy recommendations to the administration and the legislature -Both Colorado and Washington passed bills strengthening their anti-harassment school policies Washington State now explicitly requires schools to develop policies and complaint procedures for transgender young people. Out of the 650 anti-LGBTQ+ bills that were considered this year, The Trevor Project assisted in blocking over 300 of them! 💪🌈 #pride2024 #strongertogether #lgbtqpride #🏳️🌈

Under Trump's administration, LGBTQ rights were significantly eroded through various policies and actions: Military Ban: Trump reinstated a ban on transgender individuals serving in the military, reversing the Obama-era policy allowing them to serve openly. Healthcare: The Trump administration rolled back protections under the Affordable Care Act, removing explicit non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ individuals in healthcare settings. Education: The Department of Education rescinded guidelines that allowed transgender students to use bathrooms corresponding with their gender identity, impacting their safety and rights in schools. Adoption and Foster Care: The administration supported policies allowing federally funded adoption and foster care agencies to refuse services to LGBTQ people based on religious beliefs. Workplace Discrimination: The Department of Justice argued before the Supreme Court that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits sex discrimination, did not extend to sexual orientation or gender identity. Such actions embolden discrimination and threaten the safety and equality of LGBTQ individuals. To safeguard human rights, we must actively counter these regressive policies and ensure that progress towards equality is not just preserved but advanced. Protecting LGBTQ rights is protecting humanity. Please listen to this clip featuring GLAAD CEO Sarah Kate Ellis discussing the critical importance of this work. She emphasizes that the LGBTQ community will vote for Kamala Harris, whose administration has opposed the aforementioned injustices and actively fought for LGBTQ rights during their tenure. These are fundamental #humanrights. We must not regress. Let's move forward together, fostering understanding and kindness towards one another. Embrace the simple truth: differences do not make someone scary or evil; they enrich our world with beauty, diversity, and intrigue. As Louis Armstrong sang, in "What a Wonderful World" : The colors of the rainbow So pretty in the sky Are also on the faces Of people going by I see friends shaking hands, saying, "How do you do?" They're really saying, "I love you" #GLAAD #LGBTQ #voteHarris #inclusion #equality #advocate #ally #lovewins #equalityforall #iamanally

Today, June 26, marks the anniversary of marriage equality in the United States! This milestone represents a significant step forward in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, but our journey is far from over. Despite the progress we've made, challenges like voter suppression, discrimination, and lack of representation continue to impact our community. Ensuring equal access to voting rights and addressing barriers to participation is crucial. LGBTQ+ voters have the power to shape the direction of our democracy and improve our lived experiences by exercising our voting rights as a collective force. Recent research from RAND and The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law highlights the profound effects of marriage equality, but it also underscores the ongoing need for advocacy and action. Let's continue to stand up, speak out, and vote for the changes we want to see. For more insights, check out the latest research from RAND and the Williams Institute: 🔎 https://lnkd.in/gPBjeN44 🔎 https://lnkd.in/ehax85bH #MarriageEquality #LGBTQRights #VoterRights #EqualityForAll #Research #Advocacy #Vote

UK is going into a General Election in six weeks, as a LGBTQ+ community we need to stay strong and united. Unfortunately, we know that some parties will focus on the LGBTQ community to divide voters. Electioneering will take place through Pride month, and the vile rhetoric will only be increased. We must vote for equality and inclusion, for safety, human rights, and dignity. Remember, we vote for our local MP, not the party leader. If you don’t like the leader, that can be changed once they are in. Let's stand together and vote for change. #voteforchange #voteforequality&inclusion #generalElection #UKpolitics #LGBTQ+

You know what to do. Register, make a voting plan, and encourage new and lapsed voters in your network to do the same. The right to vote is a right for which we must continue to vote. #voteoften

Where do Harris and Trump stand? As we approach the 2024 election, LGBTQ rights are at the forefront of many voters' minds. With 68% of voters considering LGBTQ rights when choosing between Trump and Harris, it's clear this issue is pivotal. The Republican platform includes cutting federal funding for gender-affirming care, while the Democratic platform aims to outlaw discrimination against LGBTQ individuals. #LGBTQRights #Election2024

Trans Americans already face countless barriers to accessing live-saving treatment. Many, if not most of us, can experience delays that last years in some instances. Most insurers, employers and even certain doctors impose stringent, vague and ignorant requirements before granting access to minimal care. Even then, incremental changes require further vetting to confirm you didn’t change your mind. These are not choice anyone should be making for us, especially not politicians. This election will have a profound effect on Trans Americans irrespective of the outcome. It’s a poignant example of the need to think of mitigating harm in a way that many failed to recognize in 2016. The choices may not be ideal for some, but abstaning is an inherent use of privilege in such a way that ignores trans and other at risk individuals. Vote in solidarity with those who can’t risk for this to go the wrong way.

🗳️ Ready for Election Day? Let's talk #LGBTQ+ races! I am in the business of #LGBTQ+ representation, and tomorrow is a pivotal moment for representation in Congress. Besides the races we hear most about, like Sarah McBride (the first trans person in Congress) in Delaware and Will Rollins (an overdue defeat for Calvert) in California, we have six races to follow. Will Rollins' race is tight, with polls showing a dead heat, and we may only know the result for a few days. Evan Low is in a close race against another Democrat in Silicon Valley, while Mondaire Jones faces a tough challenge in New York. With nine LGBTQ+ incumbents currently serving, and assuming Tammy Baldwin stays, victories tomorrow could bring that number to a historic high of 14—potentially adding Julie Johnson, Sarah McBride, and Emily Randall (who identifies as queer) to the mix. Imagine moving from 9 seats to 12 or more—that's a 33% gain in LGBTQ+ representation, a significant step for visibility and advocacy at the national level. 📊 Getting to 15 seats would mean LGBTQ+ members make up 3% of Congress—a notable benchmark (way above representation in the Boardroom), though still far from parity. Are you curious about how it all turns out? I’ll dive into the results and what they mean on my Substack this Wednesday at noon: https://lnkd.in/gm5fU3Zm #LGBTQRepresentation #Election2024 #VisibilityMatters

"Three in five LGBTQ+ Jamaicans are registered to vote with 68% of them indicating that they did not vote in the 2020 General Election. The majority (67%) of LGBTQ+ were not interested in running for political office. This is a 16% increase since the last study." LGBTQ+ Jamaicans have reported not seeing the necessity of supporting a party manifesto or government that does not recognize or address their unique needs. What are you thoughts? The full survey report is available in the resources section of our website - equalityjamaica.org #IDAHOT #IDAHOTWeek2024 #EqualityForAll #EFAF25

DEI is not just checkboxes but foundational elements for innovative and thriving workplaces. As we observe Pride Month, it's clear that DEI transcends traditional boundaries, including but not limited to championing LGBTQ+ rights—it's about embracing all forms of diversity. With recent shifts in legal parameters and evolving societal norms, the stakes are high for businesses to integrate impactful yet legally sound DEI strategies. So how does an organisation rise to the challenge of integrating DEI while navigating the changing legal landscape? 👉 Curious about innovative strategies for integrating DEI effectively? We share actionable insights and successful approaches in our latest article: https://lnkd.in/ezbQndPz #DEI #PrideMonth #LHHPride