By: Susan Oser
NFBPWC Advocacy Team LGBTQIA+ Lead Happy New Year!

Hoping that you all had a wonderful holiday. As we start 2024 with new energy, I thought it was time to do something new for this column. In the past, we’ve covered the flags and the organizations of the LGBTQ+ community. This year, why not focus on the icons, activists and other people that make up this wonderful community. Just as we do in our own organization sharing the stories of the women around us and the women that make up the history of the BPW organization, it makes sense to do the same for this column. If you have any suggestions or personally know of someone you think should be highlighted this year for the column, please contact me at the email address below.

In addition to the icons, I’ll be sharing the good news and the bad news of what is happening within the community. It is still important to be aware of the current court cases in proceedings, discriminatory actions and more so that we as an organization can be better allies. At the same time, we also need to share and celebrate the good too.

LGBTQ+ Icon of the Month: Demi Lovato

Why highlight?

She is a popular singer-songwriter that came out as pansexual this year on the popular Joe Rogan Experience show. Their songs are beautiful, and they have been nominated for a Grammy. They are a popular icon among the younger demographic.

Source(s): https://www.demilovato.com/#/

Good LGBTQ+ News for January:

• New Legislation Package Introduced in Michigan: Removing Barriers for Legal Name Change; Accurate ID Documents and Birth Certificates – http://tinyurl.com/3h43jjrcTransgender, gender non-conforming, and non- binary people with incongruent identity documents are at a greater risk of experiencing violence and discrimination. Some states make it difficult and expensive for trans people to update their birth certificates or other identity documents, with some even requiring trans people to undergo surgery just to get an amended document.

• We Are Here: LGBTQ+ Adult Population in United States Reaches At Least 20 Million, According to Human Rights Campaign Foundation Report - http://tinyurl.com/y5scnwasAccording to an analysis of data in the Census Bureau’s recent Household Pulse Survey, 8% of respondents identified themselves as LGBTQ+, suggesting previous surveys undercounted the population.

• Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appoints members to state’s first LGBTQ+ Commission. http://tinyurl.com/49zu8y7vThe Governor named 13 members to the LGBTQ+ Commission the week of November 26th. The commissioners have not yet met and will set goals for improving life for the LGBTQ+ community in Michigan.

And now for the BAD news:

• UNAIDS officials say anti-gay laws impede fight against HIV/AIDS. http://tinyurl.com/5n6mbhddSixty-seven countries have laws that criminalize gay sex. In those countries, HIV prevalence rates are about five times higher among gay men than in countries where same-sex relations are not criminalized, according to figures from UNAIDS.

• Republican Congressman: Pass National Sports Ban To Make Trans People Detransition http://tinyurl.com/3zeeejyhRepresentative Glenn Grothman, in a hearing to ban trans people from playing sports of their gender identity, said a trans sports ban must pass because otherwise, trans people won't "switch back."

If you have any news or leads on anything related to LGBTQ+ news, issues, and organizations, please contact Sue Oser at soser@nfbpwc.org