The Trevor Project’s Post

New York's courts have had their say on LGBTQ rights several times. In our oral histories with her, Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye reflected on several of these decisions. This clip highlights those discussions. The first case, In the Matter of Jacob, was a family law case that affirmed the right of the same-sex partner of a legal parent may adopt that parent's child, also known as second-parent adoption. A legal innovation that reinterpreted stepparent adoptions, New York was one of the largest states to adopt this interpretation in the 1990s. Judge Kaye reflected on the importance of the case, including how it helped bring her own godson into her life. The second case, Hernandez v. Robles, was a sadder affair. Three cases seeking a right to same-sex marriage in New York State were consolidated for review at the Court of Appeals. In 2006, the majority rejected those calls. Chief Judge Kaye dissented powerfully, arguing that the state constitution could allow for marriage equality and that the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage lacked even a rational basis. In the end, Judge Kaye's dissent proved prescient. You can see our full oral histories with Chief Judge Kaye, and many others, at our website: https://lnkd.in/gPmEyMsW #PrideMonth #LGBTHistory #LGBTQ #LGBTQIA+ #JudgeKaye #HSoftheNYCourts #NYSCourts #NYSJudges #NYSLawyers #NYSHistory #NYCHistory #NYHistory #NYLegalHistory #LegalHistory #AmericanHistory #History

When did you know it was time for you to come out? 🏳️🌈 Wednesday is National Coming Out Day, and this month is LGBTQ+ History Month, so I’ve been thinking about my coming out story — and yours. I came out to myself—and to others—when I was ready, and not a second before. For me, it was a one-two punch: coming out about my divorce and then deciding if I would share the reason why. At first I talked about “wrestling with my sexuality,” vs. coming out and SAYING I was gay or a lesbian because when I was growing up, those labels had a negative connotation or seemed to be for people who weren’t like me. That’s why I talk about how representation matters and encourage you to write your story. Sharing your story helps your readers see YOU—which in turn helps them feel safe to be seen themselves. 🤩 It wasn’t until later that I could call myself a lesbian and a member of the queer community. And even sometimes today, the words get stuck in my throat. It’s hard to let go of who I considered myself to be for over 50 years. And I imagine it’s been hard for some of my family members to let go as well. One thing I’ve learned in this coming out journey is that the important people in your life need time to process your coming out too. Your story truly matters. Representation matters. So go write it! (And let me know how it goes in the comments.👇🏻👇🏻) #bookcoach #writingcommunity #lgbtqia #memoirwriting

Happy Pride 🏳️🌈⚧️ Pride month, is a time of great joy and a tad of sorrow… but, I’ll try and keep it positive, but let’s be real for a second. Reflecting on the past a little, amongst our own community history, same sex marriage was legalised in the UK 🇬🇧 March 2014… It’s only been 10 years, that this “legal right” was extended to the lgbtq+ community after years of existence. I couldn’t call it a “human right” since that would mean that everyone should of had this right from the beginning of time and that wasn’t the case. The fight up to that point (in the UK alone) was a politically backed history of discrimination, fueling violence and isolation, deteriorating mental health, broken families and high levels of suicide rates. I know I’m generalizing, but it’s the truth. After years of putting our hands up to say, “the law needs include and support us too…. We aren’t going away”. It happened. A not so funny thing is, history has a thing for repeating itself. A foolish thing is… History seems to have taught our leaders very little, despite all the history books and all the digital information thanks to the internet, documenting similar “exercises” 🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️ Trans rights are worryingly diminishing, from proposed laws in discussion around the use of public bathrooms based on biological sex as well as denying transgender health care. The same exercise of Trans people putting their hands up to say “please include us with the same rights and support in our legal system, we’re not going anywhere”, governments are choosing to block rather than to look at what can be done to make our society more inclusive. Why? Whilst how some individuals chose to react is disappointing, looking at the history again, where the marches for black rights, women’s rights, gay & lesbian rights… they all got humanity closer to where we need to be, eventually. I’m sure Trans rights will also get there too. Eventually. Happy pride 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ #pride #transrights #humansrights #lgbtq+

Today marks the 9th anniversary of a historic milestone – the Supreme Court's decision to legalize marriage #equality in the United States. 🌈💍 How time flies! I vividly remember hearing the groundbreaking news just days before NYC Pride in 2015. As a #queer #immigrant who had moved to the U.S. just three years earlier, it was an incredibly joyous and emotional moment. The realization that I could one day #marry my partner, whenever I find them, filled me with hope and happiness. Back then, the streets were filled with people celebrating, shedding tears of joy, and same-sex couples lining up in front of city councils and local governments across the country to secure their marriage certificates. The NYC Pride March that year was particularly unforgettable, especially with Edith Windsor, who was instrumental in the fight for marriage equality, marching alongside us. I had the honor of being on the organizing team for that march, and the energy and #love was palpable. Reflecting on this achievement is more important than ever, especially with the current political climate where numerous anti-LGBTQ+ laws are being introduced. It’s both concerning and frightening to think that this right, like many others, could be taken away, just as we saw with the reversal of Roe v. Wade. We cannot afford complacency. The LGBTQ+ community must continue to advocate and fight for our rights, ensuring that progress is protected and expanded. How do you remember the day #marriage equality became the law of the land? I’d love to hear your stories and reflections on that historic moment. 🏳️🌈 #MarriageEquality #LoveWins #LGBT #LGBTQ #Pride #SupremeCourt #LGBTQRights #Anniversary #EqualityMatters #CelebrateLove #JusticeForAll #LoveIsLove #QueerVoices #StandUpForEquality #samesexmarriages

Today marks National Freedom to Marry Day! 🎉 We celebrate the profound right to love and marry, unrestricted by gender. The powerful quote echoes the essence: "Gender should never be the basis of getting married, but love and consent should be."  This day is a tribute to the progress made in recognizing diverse forms of love and commitment, emphasizing the universal right to marry without limitations. ❤️🤝  National Freedom to Marry Day remains pivotal in our ongoing fight for LGBTQ rights.  It symbolizes our collective advocacy for equal rights and inclusivity.  As we celebrate love without boundaries, the day serves as a reminder that everyone, regardless of gender, deserves the freedom to express their love through the institution of marriage. 🌐🌈  For LGBTQ centers and organizations, this event holds immense relevance.  It underscores the ongoing need to champion inclusivity and equal rights.  National Freedom to Marry Day aligns with the mission of LGBTQ centers, promoting a world where love is celebrated without constraints.  Let's continue the journey towards a more inclusive society! 🤗💙  Share the love! Join the conversation by leaving your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.  Let's create a space for everyone to share their memorable moments related to National Freedom to Marry Day.  Your stories contribute to the narrative of love, inclusivity, and the freedom to marry. 🗣️❤️ 📸 [Image Description: A Dark Blue Themed Image featuring the CenterLink brand with a background showcasing a black queer couple. The text reads, "National Freedom to Marry Day: 'Gender should never be the basis of getting married, but love and consent should be.' Warm wishes on the occasion of National Freedom to Marry Day."] 🏳️🌈✨ #MarriageEquality #EqualityForAll #LoveWins 🌐🌈

I'll tell you a bit about how bias works. I was a child of a very contentious litigated divorce. IF I were to comment as to why litigated divorces are preferable to divorces handled through non-adversarial processes and approaches, my perspective would be like gold. I would be compensated and in-demand as a presenter. The same is true if I were a gay man who opposed LGBTQ+ rights. Diversity becomes a problem when it challenges the status quo or an agenda to return to the prior status quo, such as overturning marriage equality. Diversity is greatly valued, when the diversity supports the status quo. It's how box checking works and we and our diversity are used as tools by those in power and wanting to maintain power or wanting to return to power and bring back the prior status quo. Nothing is hidden because it's the same regardless of the diversity involved.

Queer history has never been a chain of victories — instead it’s more like a constant game of tug-of-war. Sometimes the mighty opponent gains the upper hand, sweeping away years of hard-won progress. Let’s take a look at a slice of LGBTQ+ history together and go over major events that took place in February over the last 100 years. ◾ On February 1, 2006, for the first time in Oscar history, a film about a homosexual relationship enjoyed record-breaking success: “Brokeback Mountain” received eight nominations and won three of them. A week later, the film outdid all the other Oscar nominees at the American box office. ◾ On February 18, 1990, the Libertarian Party was created in Russia — the first party in Russian history to defend LGBTQ+ rights. ◾ On February 20, 2000, the American Academy of Pediatrics approved the adoption of children by same-sex couples. ◾ On February 23, 1933, in Nazi Germany, all organizations and institutions dealing with homosexuality were shut down by decree, marking the beginning of the persecution of LGBTQ+ people. ◾ On February 25, 2004, US President George W. Bush called on Congress to quickly approve a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage in the United States. ◾ On February 29, 2012, the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg adopted a law banning “gay propaganda” among minors. Queer history is a roller coaster. But even when we’re going downhill at full speed, we must hold on tight — to come up again, propelled by our relentless struggle for our rights. Share this post with your friends and subscribe to ComingOut to stay on top of LGBTQ+ news and insights into queer history 🏳️🌈 . . . . . #LGBTQHistory #QueerHistory #LGBTQ #Equality #Queer #LGBTQRights #LGBTQCommunity #HumanRights #StandWithLGBTQ #ProtectLGBTQRights #LGBTQVoicesMatter #EqualityForAll #LGBTQEquality #LetsTalkLGBTQ #CelebrateDiversity #InclusionMatters #WeAreHere #StrongerTogether #UnitedWeStand #NeverBackDown

"I think it is critical that people who would otherwise be left outside of this field have not only representation but support as they consider whether this work is for them." For our last PRIDE month profile, we proudly share this feature of TAP mentor Emanuel Powell III, a litigation associate at Jenner & Block LLP. Click over to our website (https://lnkd.in/esmr8f9k) to read his full profile, including how his community's support for each other growing up shaped his commitment to social justice, but for now, read one excerpt here: Q: How often do you encounter other LGBTQ+ attorneys, particularly those of color, in the appellate field? Why do you think that representation is important? A: I have been lucky to work for judges and organizations that have been committed to working with talent from diverse backgrounds. I am also at a law firm where several leaders are openly members of the LGBTQ+ community. Even so, the reality has been that I am often the only Black attorney in many spaces, especially when it comes to the appellate bar. I decided to become a TAP mentor primarily for this reason, because I think it is critical that people who would otherwise be left outside of this field have not only representation but support as they consider whether this work is for them. #LGBTQ #Pride #AppellateLinkedIn

Dr. Jacob Bloomfield, a historian of gender and sexuality, enters the ITBR to discuss the origin story of his interest in the history of drag performance, specifically male drag performance in Britain during the 1800s. Jacob explains his view that drag is not inherently a queer art form, despite its strong historical connections to LGBTQ+ communities. He argues that drag has had many different meanings and associations over time, and that it should be seen as an art form like any other, rather than being essentialized as solely a queer or progressive expression. Jacob discusses how drag has adapted and maintained mainstream popularity throughout history and argues that RuPaul's Drag Race should be seen as part of this ongoing tradition of drag's mainstream appeal, rather than as a new phenomenon. Jacob discusses the present-day backlash against drag, particularly from social conservatives, and how this echoes historical debates and critiques of drag as immoral or unsuitable for children. https://lnkd.in/eCh-Rbgc #pridemonth #lgbtq #drag #history #jacobbloomfield #andrewrimby #ivorytowerboilerroom #podcast

Happy New week. Let's talk about something important, as a counsellor it's important to give life to cases that are hardly talked about. Today I want to talk about how to heal victims of LGBTQ that stands for (Lesbianism, Gays, Bisexual, Transgender ans Queer) whichever category one finds themselves and you have been a victim of this practice, I want you to realize that Jesus loves you and this is the reason he came to the world to die for sinners so in Him they can find life and life everlasting. How to heal victims of LGBTQ 1. Hearing them talk (Listening):- not many of us can listen and listening is a great potential because when you listen to people's issues you find companions and you are largely expected to do that which you ought to do. our generation needs great listeners, it's important I drum on this, people with pseudo practices only feel safe with great listeners. when you become a great listener people buy into you. 2. Irrespective of what they practice show them love:- In the world today no one is seeking for people who will make them feel stigmatized, how people hate it when they use them to do illustration on subjects that are disturbing. victims and even the ones that practice LGBTQ must be shown adequate love from Jesus perspective when He walked on the earth over 2000+ years ago and still counting. please note show this victim love show them love don't hate them don't stigmatize them don't use them as a yardstick to give points. 3. Carry out a deliverance session on them:- the word of God is quick and more powerful than any two edged sword. You must understand that these victims have been influenced by some strange spirits and you only speak their language if you want them to evacuate. you must pray some kind of prayers for these victims, Push back his demons and their nature. Happy new week 😊 #Oluwasholalife'sbranding #Linkedlntruththeraphy #RemedialHub #HealingSchool remedialhub24@gmail.com Babatunde Shola