| |
HRC releases HEI; 16 Illinois hospitals cited as leaders
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation ( HRC ) released its 12th annual Healthcare Equality Index ( HEI ), which scores healthcare facilities on policies and practices dedicated to the equitable treatment and inclusion of their LGBTQ ...
|
| |
NATIONAL Trans death, ACA, 1957 gay wedding, serial killer
Several bridges and the city hall building in Houston were lit in transgender flag colors to honor the memory of Tracy Single, 22—a Black transgender woman who was found dead in a possible homicide in July, ...
|
| |
CBGMC launching Caucus Corps Aug. 29
The Chicago Black Gay Men's Caucus ( CBGMC ) is officially launching its new membership program, the Caucus Corps, on Thursday, Aug. 29, 6-9 p.m., at Little Black Pearl, 1060 E. 47th St. The mission of ...
|
| |
SAGE endorses aid-in-dying laws
Patient-rights organization Compassion & Choices issued a press release praising SAGE, dedicated to improving the lives of LGBT elders, for endorsing medical aid-in-dying laws. Medical aid-in-dying laws give mentally capable, terminally ill adults the option to ...
|
| |
Study finds older transgender men who are pregnant risk depression, lack of care
Older transgender men who become pregnant need better mental health care than female counterparts Transgender men who become pregnant are at increased risk for depression and difficulty getting medical care due to a lack of knowledge ...
|
| |
Proposed rule change would reduce ACA nondiscrimination protections
( Washington, D.C., August 14, 2019 ) — Yesterday, Lambda Legal submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services objecting to a proposed rule change that seeks to roll back the protections under ...
|
| |
Chicago Meal Pack of 9/11 Day
The first-ever Chicago Meal Pack of 9/11 Day—co-hosted by Serve Illinois and the Greater Chicago Food Depository—will take place Wed., Sept. 11, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at Union Station, 225 S. Canal St. More than 1,000 volunteers ...
|
| |
Workshop on LGBTQ elders Aug. 19
Howard Brown Health will host a Nurses Health Education About LGBTQ Elders ( HEALE ) full-day workshop on Monday, Aug. 19, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., at 6500 N. Clark St. The cultural competency continuing education ( CE ...
|
| |
1.7% of sexual minority adults identify as asexual
An estimated 1.7% of sexual minority adults identify as asexual, according to a recent study by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law. The study also found that asexuals are more likely to be women ...
|
| |
'TGNC Access to Surgical Services' Sept. 13
Howard Brown Health's Center for Education, Research and Advocacy ( ERA ) will host the 2019-2020 gender-affirming learning series "Holistic Care for TGNC People: Updates on Social, Medical, and Trauma-informed Care Continuum." The series includes "Transgender ...
|
| |
Barrington residents discuss local LGBT issues
Organizers said they were heartened by the turnout—about 80 or 90 people—for a July 23 meeting to discuss how Barrington can be supportive of its LGBT residents. "We received a great deal of support from the ...
|
| |
Incoming Chicago House CEO, board chair speak about the future
Both Michael Herman, the incoming CEO of Chicago House, and Ryan Garrison, that organization's new board chair, say that Chicago House that "has their heart." Herman is taking Chicago House's reins over from Scott Ammarell, who ...
|
| |
Chicagoan helps put AIDS Survivors Syndrome in the spotlight
Among the many effects of the AIDS crisis are the constellation of residual mental-health issues that can face individuals who cared for or lived with someone facing AIDS, or otherwise experienced the crisis on its proverbial ...
|
| |
Disability parade highlights representation, social justice
The 16th annual Disability Pride Parade was held July 20 in the Loop. The heat did not stop the celebration, and the parade took off on the corner of Plymouth Court and Van Buren Street. Floats ...
|
| |
Workshop on LGBTQ elders Aug. 19
Howard Brown Health will host a Nurses Health Education About LGBTQ Elders ( HEALE ) full-day workshop on Monday, Aug. 19, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., at 6500 N. Clark St. The cultural competency continuing education ( CE ...
|
| |
HIV/AIDS program head resigned after violating sexual-harassment policy
A report has stated that Eduardo Alvarado—the head of the Illinois Department of Public Health's HIV/AIDS program—resigned in May after it was recommended he be fired for violating the agency's sexual-harassment policy and verbally abusing staff, ...
|
| |
Tips to deal with the extreme heat
According to the National Weather Service, heat will build to dangerous levels Thursday through Saturday ( July 18-20 ). Temperatures will reach into the high 90s on all three of those days and the heat index—the ...
|
| |
'TGNC Access to Surgical Services' Sept. 13
Howard Brown Health's Center for Education, Research and Advocacy ( ERA ) will host the 2019-2020 gender-affirming learning series "Holistic Care for TGNC People: Updates on Social, Medical, and Trauma-informed Care Continuum." The series includes "Transgender ...
|
| |
Planned Parenthood suddenly announces new leadership
On July 16, the Planned Parenthood Federation of America ( PPFA ) and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund ( PPAF ) boards of directors announced that Dr. Leana Wen is departing her role as president and ...
|
| |
Bisexual health summit takes place in Chicago
More than 100 people gathered July 9 to discuss bisexual health and community building at an event that was Chicago Bisexual Health Task Force's ( CBHTF's ) largest event to date. The Bisexual Health Summit featured ...
|
| |
Chicago Trans couple Precious and Myles Brady Davis expecting a baby
Chicago trans couple Myles and Precious Brady Davis have publicly announced they are expecting a baby this coming winter. Myles, 37—who identifies as a trans masculine, two spirit person of faith—is carrying their child with the ...
|
| |
CDPH hosts '50 Years Since Stonewall'
Publisher, producer and LGBTQ activist Tracy Baim gave the keynote address at the Chicago Department of Public Health's ( CDPH ) LGBTQ Health & Outreach Program's Pride Health reception, "50 Years Since Stonewall: Collaborating to Achieve ...
|
| |
Moments in the Public Health Response to AIDS, CDPH LGBTQ Outreach Keynote June 28
Chicago Department of Public Health LGBTQ Outreach Keynote Speech, given by Tracy Baim, June 28, 2019, Chicago Cultural Center The following keynote speech was given in an abbreviated form at the Chicago Department of Public Health ...
|
| |
Pritzker signs 'most equity-centric' marijuana legalization bill in nation
by Jerry Nowicki, Capitol New Illinois
SPRINGFIELD—Recreational marijuana use and possession will be legal in Illinois beginning Jan. 1, 2020, after Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker on June 25 in Chicago signed a bill supporters said is the "most equity-centric" legalization effort in ...
|
| |
Mayor Lightfoot promotes National HIV Testing Day, gets tested
Video below
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot joined representatives from Beyond Care and Walgreens to highlight the importance of HIV testing in observance of National HIV Testing Day ( NHTD ) Thursday, June 27. Mayor Lightfoot received an HIV ...
|
| |
BOOKS
Assisted-reproduction book's author hopes to help LGBTQ parents
Kim Bergman has helped bring more than 1,700 babies into the world throughout her 30 years working in the assisted-reproduction field. She and her wife Natalie, who celebrate their 36th anniversary this October, also have two ...
|
| |
The American Psychoanalytic Association apologizes to LGBTQs
The American Psychoanalytic Association ( APsaA ) has issued a statement apologizing for its past views that pathologized homosexuality and transgender identities. The statement read, in part, "In 1969, homosexuality was considered a mental illness and ...
|
| |
Addict learns to overcome obstacles, thanks to foundation
When Spencer was 11, he came out to his family as gay. However, his family took the news as a shock and thought it was just a phase, so Spencer ( who requested we not use ...
|
| |
Walgreens, Greater Than AIDS offering free tests June 27
Walgreens and Greater Than AIDS are partnering community organizations across Chicago to provide free, confidential HIV testing and counseling in 22 Chicago Walgreens locations, including one in Boystown ( at 3646 N. Broadway ), on Thursday, ...
|
| |
People with disabilities wanted to talk about justice system
Access Living, a local disability rights and advocacy organization, is seeking people with disabilities who have had contact with the Cook County criminal justice system for interviews on their experiences and what they would change about ...
|
| |
Title X gag rule begins, limiting health care access for many, Planned Parenthood responds
WASHINGTON —— The Trump-Pence administration's Title X gag rule takes effect today in every state but Maryland, after a ruling by a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit. Just yesterday, the ...
|
| |
Reproductive Health Act is law, making Illinois a 'beacon'
BY CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
CHICAGO—Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker made Illinois the most liberal state in the United States for access to reproductive health care with the strokes of 20 pens June 12 at the Chicago Cultural Center. It was a ...
|
| |
AMA adopts new pro-LGBTQ policies at annual meeting
The American Medical Association ( AMA ), voted to adopt new policies on emerging health care topics during the first day of voting at its annual meeting, held June 8-12 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Among ...
|
| |
WORLD Conversion therapy, Bermuda march, trans officer, Belgium ban
Germany plans to ban all conversion therapies under a new law to be introduced this year by German Health Minister Jens Spahn, PinkNews noted. It's estimated there are around 1,000 attempts in Germany each year to ...
|
| |
Family Equality Council holds LGBTQ reproductive options panel discussion
Family Equality Council held an "LGBTQ+ Paths to Pregnancy: Using Donor Sperm to Build Your Family" panel discussion June 12 at Women & Children First. Family building with donor sperm was the focus of the event. ...
|
| |
Aging with HIV focus of Reunion Project event
The Reunion Project 2.0—Chicago hosted a two day event focused on people aging with HIV June 14-15 at Loyola University's Water Tower Campus. The day-long employment resource event organized by National Working Positive Coalition took place ...
|
| |
Schakowsky, Howard Brown host health talk
On June 14, U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky ( D-Illinois ) hosted a press conference following a roundtable discussion with leaders in Chicago's LGBTQ health community. Panelists at the event, held at Howard Brown Health, included Howard ...
|
| |
HRC releases sex discrimination report
WASHINGTON — Today, the Human Rights Campaign ( HRC ), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer ( LGBTQ ) civil rights organization, published its "Inclusive Interpretations of Sex Discrimination Law," a report that ...
|
| |
Gov. Pritzker signs Reproductive Health Act into Law, Planned Parenthood responds
CHICAGO - Today, June 12, 2019, Governor Pritzker signed into law the Reproductive Health Act ( RHA ), establishing reproductive health care as a fundamental right in Illinois. "We are in for the fight of our ...
|
| |
Trevor Project survey shows link between suicide, conversion therapy
The Trevor Project released a new survey showing that 57 percent of young people who experienced conversion therapy attempted suicide in the last year. The National Survey on LGBTQ Youth: Mental Health 2019 is consistent with ...
|
| |
Chicago House names new CEO
Chicago House announced that its board of trustees has appointed Michael Herman as its newest CEO. His term will begin July 8. Herman brings nearly 20 years of executive management and fundraising experience in the nonprofit ...
|
| |
Dr. Tom Klein: Helping patients through Man Up Medical, own practice
Dr. Thomas Klein has an extensive career in family medicine and has added to it with Man Up Medical, a different venture helping to improve men's self-esteem and sex lives. Klein, a Detroit native, knew he ...
|
| |
Aging with HIV focus of upcoming Reunion Project 2.0 event
Five years ago, The Reunion Project hosted the first day-long summit for long-term survivors of HIV/AIDS in Chicago. This year, the free summit, The Reunion Project 2.0—Chicago, will take place over two days—June 14-15 from 9 ...
|
| |
'LGBTQ+ Paths to Pregnancy' talk June 12
"LGBTQ+ Paths to Pregnancy: Using Donor Sperm to Build Your Family" will take place Wed., June 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Women & Children First, 5233 N. Clark St. Family Equality Council is hosting the free event. ...
|
| |
Playboy, Trevor Project launch campaign to fight conversion therapy
( NEW YORK, NY June 4, 2019 ) Playboy announced today its collaboration with The Trevor Project, the world's largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ youth, to help drive awareness and raise funds ...
|
| |
Planned Parenthood Celebrates Resilience of LGBTQ Communities
New York, NY — This June, Planned Parenthood proudly celebrates the resilience and strength of LGBTQ communities by joining efforts to stand up, push forward, and organize for change. As we continue to fight back against ...
|
| |
Illinois Senate Directs Auditor General to Evaluate Care to LGBTQ Youth in DCFS
SPRINGFIELD - Today, the Illinois Senate passed Senate Resolution 403, which calls on the Auditor General to evaluate the care provided to LGBTQ children and youth in the care of the Illinois Department of Children and ...
|
| |
Male lawmakers urge Senate to follow House in passing abortion bill
By Rebecca Anzel, Capitol News Illinois
SPRINGFIELD—Six male, Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday encouraged their Senate colleagues to follow the House in approving a bill that would repeal and replace Illinois' abortion law. In part, the Reproductive Health Act creates access to contraception, ...
|
| |
Semenya appeals testosterone decision
South African mid-distance runner Caster Semenya filed an appeal May 29 against the Court of Arbitration for Sport's decision to uphold testosterone regulations for some female athletes in track and field, ESPN.com reported. Her lawyers said ...
|
| |
Center on Halsted joins lawsuit challenging "Denial of Care" Rule
CHICAGO- Earlier this month, the Department of Health and Human Services ( HHS ) announced the final rule inviting health care workers to impose their religious beliefs on people seeking healthcare for themselves and their family ...
|
| |
Trump-Pence admin targets LGBTQ non-discrimination healthcare protections
From press releases
From Human Rights Campaign: WASHINGTON— Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) — the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization — responded to the Trump-Pence administration's latest attempt to undermine the ...
|
| |
Rights organizations slam federal LGBT healthcare rollbacks
Numerous LGBT- and progressive-rights organizations came out against a Trump administration proposal to change the Affordable Care Act ( ACA ) such that anti-discrimination protections for LGBT persons would be rolled back. The change to the ...
|
| |
Five reasons the Gilead deal is a steaming pile of Truvada
Gilead Sciences, the pharmaceutical that makes Truvada, the only FDA-approved drug for PrEP, is having a great week in the public relations department. First, Gilead announced they were surrendering their patent for Truvada a year early, ...
|
| |
Lurie Children's, DCFS identifying LGBTQ youths in foster-care system
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago ( Lurie Children's ) and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services ( DCFS ) are teaming on a research study to identify LGBTQ youth who ...
|
| |
Lambda Legal sues HHS for failure to disclose documents on LGBTQs
NEW YORK ( May 22, 2019 ) — Lambda Legal today filed a federal lawsuit to compel the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ( HHS ) to release information about their communications with outside ...
|
| |
Legislation to ensure restroom access passes Illinois House
Legislation to modernize Illinois law to ensure single-occupancy restroom facilities are designated as gender neutral passed the Illinois House of Representatives Tuesday, said Equality Illinois, the state's civil rights organizations for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and ...
|
| |
Female CEOs say abortion is a right in full-page open letter in New York Times
NEW YORK — In a new full-page open letter running in today's edition of The New York Times, the CEOs and co-founders of Clary Collection, Cora, Dame, Fur, LOOM, Sustain Natural and THINX Inc, are speaking ...
|
| |
Mujeres, Esperanza announce new health center in Brighton Park
Mujeres Latinas en AcciÃ"n ( Mujeres ), in partnership with Esperanza Health Centers ( Esperanza ), has now opened a new health center in Brighton Park. "When Mujeres opens its space in Brighton Park, it will ...
|
| |
Illinois Collaboration on Youth holds gender-expansive services symposium
Illinois Collaboration on Youth ( ICOY ) held a day-long gender expansive services symposium May 13 at the Chicago Teachers Union. The day focused on how girls and gender non-conforming youth are impacted by the juvenile-justice ...
|
| |
New Publication Promotes Health, Safety of Trans Youth in Confinement
( San Francisco, CA ) Today, the National Center for Lesbian Rights ( NCLR ) and the Center for Children's Law and Policy ( CCLP ) released a new publication, Model Policy: Transgender, Gender Nonconforming, and ...
|
| |
NATIONAL: Twin sons' dilemma, Center Global, risky Buttigieg comment
The Hill reported that the State Department continued an ongoing fight to require one of a gay couple's twin sons to undergo a DNA test to prove his citizenship, according to Immigration Equality, a nonprofit that ...
|
| |
Planned Parenthood' youth-led initiative to hold day-long conference May 18
CHICAGO - Planned Parenthood of Illinois' ( PPIL ) youth-led initiative My Body. My Story. is hosting the Generation Empowered conference for young people of all ages on Saturday, May 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 ...
|
| |
New Planned Parenthood videos connect teens to Sex Ed answers
Video below
New York, NY — Planned Parenthood Federation of America is excited to debut Roo High School, YouTube videos that answer some of teens' most common questions while showing how easy, fun, and helpful it is to ...
|
| |
New study on gun violence against LGBTs highlights need for research
A new report from the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law examines gun violence against LGBT people, including suicides, homicides, and other forms of gun violence. Researchers conclude that gun violence is a significant concern ...
|
| |
StoryCorps launches project with LGBTQ elders for new YouTube documentary
StoryCorps, the groundbreaking effort to document the American story, which has given 500,000 Americans across all 50 states the chance to record conversations about their lives and preserve them for future generations, is preparing to launch ...
|
| |
SMART Recovery offers addiction support to local gay men
Chicagoan Anthony Radulovich had already decided he was abstaining from crystal meth, but he wasn't sure that he'd be able to follow through with the commitment if someone put the substance in front of him. He ...
|
| |
Trump religious conscience rule draws fire
LGBT advocates and service providers resoundingly condemned a so-called "religious conscience rule" that was announced by the Trump administration May 2 in its finalized form. That new rule privileges the religious scruples of healthcare providers that ...
|
| |
Center's 'Human First' gala set for May 4
Center on Halsted is hosting its annual signature event, the Human First Gala—which recognizes the contributions of individuals, businesses and other organizations to the LGBTQ community in Chicago—on Saturday, May 4, at The Geraghty, 2520 S. ...
|
| |
Regulation would allows medical providers to deny care to LGBTQs, groups respond
From press releases
From The Human Rights Campaign: WASHINGTON — The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced a final version of a regulation that would allow medical providers to cite their personal beliefs in refusing ...
|
| |
International Sports Court upholds proposed rule on testosterone suppressants
( New York, N.Y. )— Today, in a divided 2-1 opinion, the international Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld a proposed rule by the International Association of Athletics Federation ( IAAF ) forcing women with high ...
|
| |
New report highlights LGBT community needs
Systemic inequities, healthcare availability and unemployment and under-employment are among the Chicago-area LGBT community's principal current concerns, according to a new survey released April 30. About 2,000 individuals participated in the survey, the 2019 Chicago LGBTQ ...
|
| |
Trans woman fights bias during journey from Tennessee to Chicago
May 5 will be a meaningful day for Angelina Nordstrom. She will be speaking at the Chicago House 33rd Annual Spring Brunch Fashion Show on the importance of stable employment for the vulnerable. ( Also at ...
|
| |
Ring of Silence shines light on human trafficking
A new film, available on-demand on Amazon Prime April 26, depicts the toll human trafficking—in this case, in the form of forced sex work—has taken upon young people in the American suburbs. Ring of Silence, directed ...
|
| |
NATIONAL Teen suicide, scholarship loss, discrimination cases
Out.com reported that Alabama high-school student Nigel Shelby died by suicide after being the target of homophobic bullying, according to reports that began to surface over the weekend on Facebook. Rocket City Pride—the local LGBTQ+ Pride ...
|
| |
National Black Justice Coalition Statement on Nigel Shelby Suicide: "This Must End"
WASHINGTON — Over the weekend it was reported that Nigel Shelby, a high schooler in Huntsville, Alabama, died by suicide. In response to the tragic news, National Black Justice Coalition Executive Director David Johns released the ...
|
