Vermont governor signs 1st-in-nation shield bills that explicitly include medicated abortion
The bills protect providers from discipline for providing legally protected reproductive and gender affirming health care services.
LGBTQ+ rights & well-being
This archive tracks 337 stories about legal protections, health equity, community milestones, and policy advances for LGBTQ+ people around the world. From court rulings to local programs expanding access to care, these articles document real progress — reported with context and care.
Taiwan amends law to allow same-sex couples to adopt
Four years after Taiwan legalized same-sex marriage, the legislature has passed an amendment that makes the process of adoption for same-sex partners the same as for any other couple under Taiwan’s existing laws.
Eight Florida mayors sign pledge to support LGBTQ+ youth
The mayors of Orlando, Miami Beach, Tampa, Tallahassee, and four other Florida cities have released proclamations declaring that their communities are safe and affirming places for LGBTQ+ Floridians in defiance of new state policies.
Sri Lankan Supreme Court clears path to decriminalize homosexuality
Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court has given the green light to a bill seeking to decriminalize homosexuality in a move hailed as a “historic development” by campaigners.
Maryland passes bill protecting gender-affirming care access for trans people on Medicaid
“While other states are dead set on ripping away reproductive rights and attempting to erase the existence of trans and nonbinary individuals, we’re doing the opposite: We’re making Maryland a state that is welcoming, inclusive, and that safeguards the rights of all people.”
Washington State passes “shield law” to protect people from out-of-state seeking gender-affirming care and abortions
H.B. 1469 prohibits Washington legal authorities from cooperating with out-of-state subpoenas, court orders, warrants, and extradition requests regarding gender and reproductive health care.
New Jersey governor protects trans youth seeking health care with executive order
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order preventing people in the state from being extradited for providing, receiving, or facilitating gender-affirming care.
The Cook Islands decriminalize homosexuality
With the Crimes Amendment Bill, the group of 15 islands located in the South Pacific has rescinded a 1969 law that said men who have sex with men could be jailed for up to five years.
Germany & France join E.U. nations suing Hungary over anti-LGBTQ+ law
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the European Parliament have also applied to join the suit.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signs protections bill in historic LGBTQ+ victory
The bill, which passed the state house in a 64 to 45 vote earlier this month, adds the categories of sexual orientation and gender identity to Michigan’s 1976 Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA).