πŸ“– Classrooms have become the latest battleground for #LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S.

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Since the beginning of 2022, nearly a dozen bills have been proposed banning queer books and classroom materials.

🧡 Here's what you need to know. πŸ‘‡
openlynews.com/i/?id=9b222e47…
πŸ³οΈβ€πŸŒˆ Educating children about LGBTQ-related issues has often caused controversy across the U.S.

πŸ“– In 2019, 8 of the top 10 most challenged or banned library, school or university books contained queer content, according to @OIF. Image
πŸ§’ Lawmakers say parents should have a bigger say in their children's education – potentially overriding administrators.

πŸ“š They also say that religious freedom means families and students should be able to challenge some material. Image
πŸ‘₯But LGBTQ+ rights groups say the proposed bills are discriminatory.

🚫There has been a barrage of "hostile rhetoric and behavior targeting vulnerable young people and books about their lives” - @glaad CEO @sarahkateellis.

Here's a snapshot of what's happening in the U.S.πŸ‘‡ Image
πŸ‘‰ Oklahoma

πŸ’΅ A bill introduced could fine teachers at least $10,000 for educating children on anything that contradicts religion, which could include LGBTQ+ topics.

πŸ“’ Another suggests fining schools and librarians that continue to stock books challenged by parents. Image
πŸ‘‰ South Carolina, Texas and Utah

πŸ”Ž Elected officials have sent letters to school districts asking them to investigate certain titles in libraries.

πŸ“š One list in Texas includes more than 800 books. Image
πŸ‘‰ Tennessee

🏫 Lawmakers are considering a bill to ban the teaching of #LGBTQ+ topics in the state’s public schools.

πŸ›‘ It aims to ban textbooks and other educational materials that β€œpromote, normalise, support or address LGBT issues or lifestyle”. Image
πŸ³οΈβ€πŸŒˆ Some of the books with LGBTQ+ themes include:

πŸ“– "She/He/They/Them: Understanding Gender Identity" by Rebecca Stanboroug.

πŸ“– "Honestly Ben" by @billkonigsberg.

πŸ“– "Gender Queer: A Memoir" by Maia Kobabe.

πŸ“– "All Boys Aren't Blue" by @IamGMJohnson.
πŸ‘Š But some groups are fighting back.

♣️ In Kutztown, Pennsylvania, local students started a "banned book club" that meets every other week.

πŸ‘¨β€πŸ« English teacher Heathcliff Lopez said he specifically added titles included on a list of books to be banned in Texas schools. Image
At least 5⃣ U.S. states have proposed legislation to prohibit the discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools.

πŸ—£ On Tuesday, @WhiteHouse condemned Republicans for advancing the controversial "Don't Say Gay" bill in Florida.
πŸ“– Teachers and school administrators are concerned these new legal restrictions could intensify pressure as COVID-19 continues to strain the education system.

Read @femme_thoughts's story πŸ‘‡
openlynews.com/i/?id=9b222e47…
πŸ“š Has a book ever been banned at your school?

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More from @Openly

Feb 8
πŸ“’ The #OscarNoms are out!

✨ Here are all the #LGBTQ+ figures and films that have received a nod from @TheAcademy. πŸ‘‡
πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ American queer icon Kristen Stewart is nominated for Best Actress for her role as Princess Diana in Spencer.

πŸ† Stewart has been recognised for at least 10 other awards for her performance in the film directed by Pablo LarraΓ­n. Image
πŸ³οΈβ€πŸŒˆ Queer actress and #LGBTQ+ advocate @ArianaDeBose is nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.

🎬 She plays Anita in Steven Spielberg's remake of the 1961 classic @WestSideMovie. Image
Read 6 tweets
Feb 8
πŸ’• Love is in the air πŸ’•

πŸ³οΈβ€πŸŒˆ For #ValentinesDay, @marksandspencer have launched a limited #LGBTQ+ edition of their famous caterpillar cake.

πŸ› You can now get Colin and Connie the Caterpillar in same-sex sets. Image
✍️ As part of its Valentine’s Day range, the supermarket chain is also bringing back cards for same-sex couples and making its wider range of greeting cards gender-neutral to β€œbe more inclusive”. ImageImageImage
πŸ₯ͺ Back in 2019, M&S caused a stir online after launching an "LGBT" sandwich, a twist on the classic BLT.

πŸ³οΈβ€πŸŒˆ The aim was to raise money for the @aktcharity, a charity dedicated to helping homeless LGBT+ youth.

πŸ”΄ But many were sceptical about the move.
Read 4 tweets
Nov 5, 2021
πŸ‡΅πŸ‡± Poland has been cracking down on #LGBT+ rights.

πŸ³οΈβ€πŸŒˆ We've seen the creation of "LGBT-free zones" - and now lawmakers are debating a proposed β€œStop LGBT" law that would ban Pride parades.

⚠️ Here's why communities are worried. 🧡
πŸ‡ͺπŸ‡Ί Poland could be the worst country to be #LGBT+ in the EU, according to @ILGAEurope’s Rainbow Map.

πŸ‡΅πŸ‡± The country doesn’t allow:

πŸ’ Same-sex marriage
πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘§ Adoption
πŸ†” Non-binary gender recognition
πŸͺ– Trans people to serve in the military
πŸ‘¬ However, homosexuality is legal.

🩸 Gay and bisexual men can also donate blood.

πŸ’Ό Employment discrimination based on sexual orientation is banned.
Read 9 tweets
Nov 4, 2021
🩺 The COVID-19 pandemic could lead to an increase in HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths.

πŸ§ͺ Measures to stop the spread, such as lockdowns, curbed access to prevention and treatment.

🚨 But healthcare services are determined to keep going. πŸ‘‡ 🧡
openlynews.com/i/?id=0d6cea7a…
🌎 Around 37.7 million people are living with HIV worldwide.

πŸ“„ 84% of them have been diagnosed.

πŸ’Š Around 27.5 million people are receiving the antiretroviral treatment that means they will live to the same age as their peers.
πŸ‡ΏπŸ‡¦ South Africa

πŸ”΄ Around 19% of people aged 15 to 49 are HIV+.

🚌 Healthcare workers are using minibus clinics to reach communities in need.

πŸ”“ They are also delivering antiretroviral treatments to public lockers to tackle COVID-19 restrictions.
Read 7 tweets
Oct 26, 2021
πŸŽ‰ Happy #IntersexAwarenessDay!

🌍 Intersex people have always existed, but today they often face a mixture of ignorance and discrimination.

🧡 Here are eight facts to know πŸ‘‡
❓ The definition

β˜‚οΈ #Intersex is an umbrella term for people with sex characteristics – chromosome patterns, genitals, gonads – outside the binary of male and female bodies.

πŸ‘Ά The traits are sometimes visible at birth, but might not appear until puberty – or not at all.
πŸ”’ The numbers

🌎 Around 1.7% of the global population is thought to be born with an intersex condition.

πŸ‘¨β€πŸ¦° This is almost the same as those who are born with red hair

πŸ’‘ However, many don't realise they are intersex until later in life.
Read 10 tweets
Oct 25, 2021
πŸ³οΈβ€πŸŒˆ @DCComics is making #LGBT+ history - again!

πŸ’­ It has introduced the first transgender Amazon in the latest issue of their Wonder Woman series, Nubia & The Amazons.

πŸ³οΈβ€βš§οΈ The character is a Black trans woman named Bia πŸ‘‡.
πŸ–ŒοΈ Writers @Steph_I_Will and @definitelyvita confirmed Bia’s identity in a series of tweets.

πŸ—£ β€œShe isn’t set dressing, she isn’t a box to tick, she is a fully-fledged character that is important to her community,” wrote @Steph_I_Will.

πŸ¦Έβ€β™‚οΈThe news comes shortly after Jon Kent, @DCComics' newest Superman and son of the original Man of Steel, came out as bisexual.

🌈 Earlier this year, Tim Drake aka Robin also came out as bi in Batman: Urban Legends.
twitter.com/i/events/14478…
Read 4 tweets

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