LGBTQ advocates are turning their focus to encouraging words for young people who are gay, following passage of Florida s "Parental Rights in Education" bill. Dubbed the "Don t Say Gay" bill by critics, it would limit what is taught about sexual orientation and gender identity in classrooms, and ban it "in Kindergarten through Grade 3, or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards." State Sen. Shevrin Jones, D-Miami, who is openly gay, has shared emotional testimony against the bill. .
A Texas judge has temporarily ruled the state may not continue investigations of parents seeking gender-affirming health care for their child. Several groups sought the injunction after Gov. Greg Abbott directed the state s Department of Family and Protective Services to investigate the parents. .
Depression and thoughts of suicide are higher among transgender youth. But studies show that gender-affirming care improves their mental health. Comments from Diana Tordoff, epidemiologist, University of Washington. .
Efforts to move children s and young adult books with LGBTQ content to the adult section of a Northeast Arkansas public library have some local residents concerned about censorship. At the Jonesboro Public Library, the latest book in a monthslong battle over children s books mentioning sexuality and other themes is "All Boys Aren t Blue," a young adult memoir by George M. Johnson which follows his journey growing up gay and Black. .