Scroll To Top

u.s. security assistance

Democrats Push to Block Defense Funds to Uganda Over Anti-LGBTQ+ Law

Using the must-pass National Defense Authorization Act, two LGBTQ+ members of Congress have joined forces to hold up funds to the African country.

Senate Confirms Historic LGBTQ+ Nominees to Defense Department

Gina Ortiz Jones, a lesbian, was confirmed as undersecretary of the Air Force, and Shawn Skelly, who is trans, was confirmed as assistant secretary of defense for readiness.

Biden to Nominate Trans, Lesbian Officials to Department of Defense

The Biden administration continues to uplift LGBTQ+ representation in government with Shawn Skelly and Brenda Sue Fulton.

How a Federal Government Shutdown Will and Won't Affect You

As House Republicans continue to dither and blockade, here's what to expect.

The Plight of LGBT Refugees

In December, President Obama set ambitious goals for protecting and rapidly resettling vulnerable LGBT refugees worldwide. Can his administration deliver?

Protecting LGBT Refugees from Violence

Through the lens of two East African countries where anti-LGBT discrimination is pervasive, a new report by Human Rights First lays the groundwork for aiding vulnerable gay and transgender refugees.

Biden-Harris Transition Team Includes Trans Veteran, LGBTQ+ Notables

The out experts on the military, law, and other areas will review federal agencies as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris prepare to take office.

Why foreign assistance for LGBTQ+ rights is in the U.S. national interests

The Trump administration's plan to cut U.S. foreign assistance programs is shortsighted and harmful.

FBI Director Nominee a Pro-Gay Republican

Jim Comey joined other well-known Republicans in a legal brief supporting marriage equality.

Kansas Man Arrested for Threatening to Shoot Up, Bomb Nashville Pride

He said he would “make shrapnel pressure cooker bombs for this event” and that he was going to “commit a mass shooting.”

Labor Dept. Issues New Rules for Same-Sex Marriages, Benefits

With the fall of section 3 of DOMA comes new rules on rights and benefits for married gay and lesbian couples.

Tom Gallagher, First Foreign Service Officer to Come Out, Dies at 77

Gallagher represented the U.S. in a variety of countries, including some where he could have been imprisoned or killed for being gay.

Obama Nominates Two More Openly Gay Ambassadors

The White House nominated James Costos as U.S. ambassador to Spain, and Rufus Gifford as U.S. ambassador to Denmark.

DHS to Further Restrict Travel for HIV-Positive Foreign Nationals

The Department of Homeland Security announced proposed regulations Thursday purporting to offer a "streamlined," "categorical" waiver for HIV-positive visitors from other countries. However, by using this "streamlined" application process, applicants would have to also waive the possibility of any change in immigration status while in the U.S.

Lauren Boebert Under Fire for Horrifying Transphobic Comments About Pentagon Official

Boebert's Democratic colleagues were quick to come to the official's defense.

Arsonist Behind Fire at Seattle Gay Bar Pleads Guilty to Hate Crime

"I think it's wrong that we have a bunch of queers in our society," Kalvinn Garcia told police after being arrested.

Trump's Homeland Security Pick Fears Women in Combat Will 'Lower Standards'

Marine Gen. John Kelly has decades of battle experience -- and strong views about women in combat and the Guantanamo Bay military prison.

Biden Assures Brittney Griner's Wife He's Working on Player's Release

President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris called Cherelle Griner today, telling her that the U.S. government is working to secure Griner's freedom from Russian custody.

How the FBI Investigated Suspected Lesbians in Nuclear Weapons Project

Robert Oppenheimer's story isn't the only one to come out about workers at the Manhattan Project.

New A.G. Matt Whitaker's Cozy Past With Homophobes

The acting U.S. attorney general (since Jeff Sessions's) departure, once prosecuted a gay politician in a flimsy case and worked for an antigay candidate.