The Washgton Post</tle><path d="M39.2 32v36.6c4.7-2.8 7-6.8 8.7-12.1l1.2.6c-1.1 13.2-10.3 26-24.3 26S0 72.6 0 55.8C0 43 7.7 35.1 18.7 28.2a16.11 16.11 0 00-4.4-.6c-7.2 0-11.4 4.9-11.4 9.9H1.5a14.77 14.77 0 01-.1-2.1c0-9.3 5.5-19.7 16.9-19.7 7.3 0 12.9 6.7 21.4 6.7 4.3 0 6.7-1.6 8.4-5.3h1.2c-.1 6.5-2 12.8-10.1 14.9zm-19-3.3C15.1 34 10.1 39.6 10.1 50.9c0 6.2 1.9 12.4 6.6 16.4l3.1-1.7V40.3L16.6 42l-1-1.6 15-8.4c-3.8-.8-6.9-2.3-10.4-3.3zm17.1 3.7a17 17 0 01-2.3.1 17.52 17.52 0 01-4-.4v29.5l-12.8 7a15.57 15.57 0 009.9 3 22.58 22.58 0 009.2-2zm44 9.2v34.3c0 9.6-8.51 16.11-18 18l-.6-1c4.7-2.3 7.8-6.41 7.8-11.41V45.7l-4.9-4.5-2.6 2.6v27.1l3 2.8v.4l-8.1 8.61-9.3-8.51v-.4l3.6-3.8V25.8l10.6-11.3.2.1v26.6l8.7-9.2 8.7 7.9 2.7-2.6 1.31 1.3zM97.91 62v4.5l9 7.1 7-7.3 1.3 1.3L101 82.8 88.21 72.6l-2.8 2.8-1.2-1.3 3.1-3.2V45.8l18.9-13.8 10.5 16.3zm.2-22.6l-.2.1v20.1l8.7-6.4zM180 82.71l-13.9-12-10.6 12-14.4-12.41V50.7h-2.8a3.89 3.89 0 00-4.1 3.5h-1a15.87 15.87 0 01-.5-3.8c0-2.6 1.1-9.4 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3.3-3.4V44.7l-3.6-3.3-2.7 2.6-1.3-1.3L322 32l7.6 6.9 2.7-2.8 1.4 1.4-3.4 3.4v28.6l4.2 3.9 3-3.1 1.3 1.4zm-2.9-51.61l-8.2-7.5 7.5-8 8.2 7.5zm46.1 51.61l-8.7-7.91V45.6l-4.7-4.4-3.4 3.5v26.1l3.1 2.9v.4l-8.2 8.61-9.3-8.51v-.3l3.6-3.8V44.9l-4.1-3.7-3 3-1.4-1.3L345.9 32l9.1 8.1v2l9.5-10.1 8.7 7.8 2.9-2.9 1.3 1.4-3.5 3.5v28l3.9 3.7 3.3-3.4 1.2 1.3zm43-41V75.6c0 5.2 2.9 5 2.9 8.9 0 4.51-6.5 8.71-16.5 16.21-3.3-3.6-5.6-5.1-8.7-5.1a19.85 19.85 0 00-10.7 3.6l-1-.8 13.7-16.11-9-7.09-2.9 2.89-1.3-1.3 3.4-3.5V45.5l19-13.6 10.2 8 3-2.9 1.3 1.3zm-7.7 41.71c-2.5-1.61-3.1-3.31-3.1-7.61V74.3L387.9 93l.1.1c3.2-1.9 5.6-3.1 10.3-3.1 4 0 6.9 1.7 9.5 4 1.9-1.6 3.3-3.2 3.3-5.7 0-1.99-1.5-3.3-4-4.89zM404 45.3l-8.3-6.5-.2.2v30.7l5.9 4.6 2.6-3zm31.5 37.41l-8.8-6.91-2.7 2.7-1.3-1.29 3.1-3.21V39.4H420l-.2-.2 3.5-5.2h2.5v-6.7L436.4 16l.2.2V34h8l.2.2-3.5 5.2h-4.7v30.3l4.8 3.7 3.3-3.4 1.3 1.4zm43.71-40.11v27.7l-16.9 12.5L450 73.5l-2.8 2.8-1.3-1.3 3.2-3.3v-27L466.81 32l11.4 8.9 2.9-2.9 1.3 1.4zm-10.8 3L460 39l-.09.1v29.8l8.5 6.4zm50.4 37l-8.7-7.9V45.5l-4.7-4.4-3.41 3.5v26.1l3.1 2.9v.4l-8.2 8.61-9.3-8.51v-.3l3.6-3.8V44.8l-4.1-3.7-3 3-1.4-1.3 10.2-10.9L502 40v2l9.5-10.1 8.7 7.8 2.9-2.9 1.3 1.4-3.5 3.5v28l3.9 3.7 3.3-3.4 1.2 1.3zm61.39.11a12.91 12.91 0 00-6.3-4.61v20.81l-.2.1-5.5-5.1-11.6 10.7-.2-.1V77.6a18.83 18.83 0 00-10.2 6.61l-.8-.5c.7-7.71 4.5-13.41 11-15.61V48.6h-2.1a5.25 5.25 0 00-5.3 4.2h-1.2a12.28 12.28 0 01-.7-4.6c0-4.9 3.3-8.6 8.7-8.6h.6V28.8l-3.6-3.2-2.8 2.8-1.4-1.3 11.1-11.4 9.4 8.6v9.8L572 31V19.5h1.9V29l12.5-13.3L597.7 26v43.5zM572 32.9l-2.9 3v56.31l2.9 2.7zm13.1-2.3l-5.9-5.4-5.3 5.6v36.3c4.7.6 8.2 2.2 11.1 5.3l.1-.1zm48.7 12v27.7l-16.9 12.5-12.3-9.3-2.8 2.8-1.3-1.3 3.2-3.3v-27L621.4 32l11.4 8.9 2.9-2.9 1.3 1.4zm-10.8 3l-8.4-6.6-.1.1v29.8l8.5 6.4zm35.6 4.5h9.4v21.4l-15.9 11.21a11.52 11.52 0 00-8.8-4.11c-3 0-5.4 1.4-7.8 4l-1.4-.5 13.8-19.8h-8.5V43.7L656 32c2 1.6 3.6 2.6 6.2 2.6a11.38 11.38 0 007.11-2.2l1 .7zm-1.4 8.8h-4.7l-11.1 15.9.1.2a12.36 12.36 0 017.6-2.5 10.4 10.4 0 018 3.8l.1-.09zm6.41-19.6a9.78 9.78 0 01-6.91 2.3 8.92 8.92 0 01-6.3-2.9l-.2.1v14.6h3.8l9.7-14zm22.9 43.41l-8.8-6.91-2.71 2.7-1.3-1.29 3.1-3.21V39.4H671l-.2-.2 3.5-5.2h2.5v-6.7L687.41 16l.2.2V34h8l.2.2-3.5 5.2h-4.7v30.3l4.8 3.7 3.3-3.4 1.3 1.4z"></path></svg><span class="alic gray font-xxxxs font--body">Democracy Di Darkns</span></div></div><hear class="w-100" data-qa="ma-full"><div class="hi-for-prt"><div class="wpds-c-bHXelH wpds-c-kBYYkb wpds-c-bHXelH-fGHEql-maxWidth-fluid wpds-c-bHXelH-iiAiuHj-css"><nav aria-label="Sectn" class="wpds-c-bJFhqa wpds-c-bJFhqa-eLuFnJ-hasBorr-te wpds-c-bJFhqa-hIlwIL-alignment-left wpds-c-bJFhqa-eDNePg-cv flex overflow-hidn overflow-xscroll mw-vw-100 grid-mobile-full-bleed" data-qa="sendary-nav" tabx="0"><div class="wpds-c-fSNrbZ"><a data-qa="sendary-nav-primary-lk" href=" class="wpds-c-kXFwZK wpds-c-kXFwZK-KuHyo-upperCaseLabel-te wpds-c-kXFwZK-gYpUjR-font-meta wpds-c-kXFwZK-hbKkTl-labelColor-black">Polics</a><a class="wpds-c-jWXnFc wpds-c-jxcbnu 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wpds-c-PJLV-mlvxn-size-lg"></div></div><div class="PJLV PJLV-iklXUFA-css"><h1 class="PJLV PJLV-ikmtGxl-css overriStyl" data-ttid="headle" data-qa="headle" id="ma-ntent"><span data-qa="headle-text" class="PJLV">GOP lawmakers ph historic wave of bills targetg rights of LGBTQ teens, children and their fai</span></h1></div><div class="flex prt-byle prt-mt-none"><div class="byle-wrapper flex-lumn flex"><div class="PJLV PJLV-ihSmMVC-css"><div class="PJLV PJLV-iPJLV-css mb-xxs overriStyl" style="gap:0.5rem" data-qa="thor-byle"><span class="wpds-c-PJLV"><div class="flex ems-center" data-qa="thor-byle"><div class="mr-sm flex lh-0"><div class="wpds-c-iTcer"><img src=" alt="" class="wpds-c-dgBqAZ"/></div></div><span class="left"><div class="flex"><div class="dib font-xxs" data-qa="name-wh-optnal-lk" data-cy="name-wh-optnal-lk"><span data-qa="attributn-text" class="wpds-c-cNdzuP">By <!-- --> </span><a data-qa="thor-name" href=" rel="thor" class="wpds-c-cNdzuP wpds-c-cNdzuP-ejzZdU-isLk-te">Kimberly Kdy</a></div></div></span></div></span></div></div><div data-ttid="timtamp" class="wpds-c-kgabfe wpds-c-kgabfe-ieEDlgV-css"><span data-ttid="display-date" class="wpds-c-iKQyrV">March 25, 2022 at 6:00 a.m. EDT</span></div></div></div></hear></div><article class="grid-article mb-xxl-ns" data-qa="ma"><div data-ttid="le-art" data-qa="le-art" class=""><figure class="overflow-hidn relative hi-for-prt center center mb-sm mb-md-ns ml-to-ns mr-to-ns grid-mobile-full-bleed"><div style="filter:blur(10px);transn:filter .1s;le-height:0" class="w-100 mw-100 h-to" width="600" height="394"><img style="background-size:ver;max-width:1600px;background-image:url('data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http%3A//; xmlns%3Axlk='http%3A//; viewBox='0 0 1280 853'%3E%3Cfilter id='b' lor-terpolatn-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGssianBlur stdDeviatn='.5'%3E%3C/feGssianBlur%3E%3CfeComponentTransfer%3E%3CfeFuncA type='discrete' tableValu='1 1'%3E%3C/feFuncA%3E%3C/feComponentTransfer%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage filter='url(%23b)' x='0' y='0' height='100%25' width='100%25' xlk%3Ahref='data%3Aimage/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAkAAAAGCAIAAACepSOSAAAACXBIWXMAAC4jAAAuIwF4pT92AAAAs0lEQVQI1wGoAFf/AImSoJSer5yjs52ktp2luJuluKOpuJefsoCNowB+kKaOm66grL+krsCnsMGrt8m1u8mzt8OVoLIAhJqzjZ2tnLLLnLHJp7fNmpyjqbPCqLrRjqO7AIeUn5ultaWtt56msaSnroZyY4mBgLq7wY6TmwCRfk2Pf1uzm2WulV+xmV6rmGyQfFm3nWSBcEIAfm46jX1FkH5Djn5AmodGo49MopBLlIRBfG8yj/dfjF5TUAAAAASUVORK5CYII='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E')" alt="" class="w-100 mw-100 h-to" width="600" height="394" srcSet=" 400w, 540w, 691w, 767w, 916w, 1200w" siz="(max-width: 440px) 440px,(max-width: 600px) 691px,(max-width: 768px) 691px,(m-width: 769px) and (max-width: 1023px) 960px,(m-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1299px) 530px,(m-width: 1300px) and (max-width: 1439px) 691px,(m-width: 1440px) 916px,440px" dg="async"/></div><figptn class="ml-gutter mr-gutter mr-to-ns ml-to-ns font--subhead font-xxxs mt-xs left gray-dark">From left, Cale, Alexandra, Leon and Homero Rey at their home Potomac, Md. Leon, 9, is transgenr, and his fay moved om Texas to protect his rights. (Bonnie Jo Mount/The Washgton Post)</figptn></figure></div><div class="grid-body"><div class="wpds-c-PJLV wpds-c-PJLV-hSmMVC-isLive-false"><div class="wpds-c-jUMcim wpds-c-jUMcim-ibVGacg-css hi-for-prt mb-sm"><div class="PJLV PJLV-ieDMgMI-css flex ems-center" nfig="[object Object]" data-qa="article-actns"><div class="wpds-c-mfMEg"><div class="wpds-c-kSOqLF wpds-c-hnjNCH wpds-c-kSOqLF-bywHgD-variant-primary wpds-c-kSOqLF-biynoz-nsy-pact wpds-c-kSOqLF-hZSyid-isOutle-te wpds-c-kSOqLF-ejCoEP-in-left wpds-c-kSOqLF-futx-cv wpds-c-hnjNCH-eNNUQD-cv wpds-c-hnjNCH-jGqLyO-cv"><div id="gift-share" data-ttid="gift-share" class="PJLV PJLV-ieGzigK-css hi-for-prt"><button aria-haspopup="dialog" aria-expand="false" aria-ntrols="gift-share-drawer" role="button" tabx="0" aria-label="Share this article" id="gift-share-drawer-ntrol" data-ttid="gift-share-drawer-ntrol" class="wpds-c-PJLV wpds-c-gsmDXe wpds-c-gsmDXe-dTGBTO-placement-ActnBar foc-highlight"><svg xmlns=" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 16 16" class="wpds-c-fBqPWp wpds-c-fBqPWp-idCxsxc-css " aria-hidn="te" focable="false" role="img"><path fill="currentColor" d="M8 .6v3.8h.1c-4.4 0-7.3 4.5-6.9 8.8.1.8.2 1.2.2 1.2l.2 1 .4-1.3c.8-2 2-4 6.2-3.9H8v4l7-6.9L8 .6Zm1 11.3V9.3h-.9c-3 0-4.8.5-6.2 2.9.5-3.3 2.7-6.8 6.2-6.8H9V3l4.5 4.4L9 11.9Z"></path></svg></button></div><span aria-hidn="te" class="wpds-c-fBEbFG">Share</span></div></div><div class="wpds-c-mfMEg"><div class="wpds-c-kSOqLF wpds-c-hnjNCH wpds-c-kSOqLF-bywHgD-variant-primary wpds-c-kSOqLF-biynoz-nsy-pact wpds-c-kSOqLF-hZSyid-isOutle-te wpds-c-kSOqLF-ejCoEP-in-left wpds-c-kSOqLF-futx-cv wpds-c-hnjNCH-eNNUQD-cv wpds-c-hnjNCH-jGqLyO-cv"><button aria-label="Comment" class="wpds-c-gPbxFP"><svg xmlns=" viewBox="0 0 16 16" fill="var(--wpds-lors-primary)" aria-hidn="te" focable="false" role="img" class="wpds-c-kKAfCG wpds-c-efqEZa flex ems-center jtify-center brad-lg poter transn-400 ease--out transn-lors" aria-label="Comment on this story"><tle>Comment on this story</tle><path d="M14 14V2H2v9.47h8.18L12.43 13ZM3 10.52V3h10v9.23l-2.5-1.66Z"></path></svg></button><span aria-hidn="te" class="wpds-c-fBEbFG">Comment</span><span class="wpds-c-fOvfhP wpds-c-fOvfhP-kshkDy-isCommentType-te none" aria-hidn="te"><span class="ment-unt font-xxxxs sc-ral-unt"><span></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="teaser-ntent grid-center"><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">Natnwi, GOP lawmakers have filed nearly 200 state bills this year that seek to ero protectns for transgenr and gay youth or rtrict discsn of LGBTQ topics public schools.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">The explosn of legislatn is part the culmatn of efforts by a tr of nservative anizatns, which are helpg state legislators wre and promote the bills. One of the most active — the Alliance Defendg Freedom — has a s-long history of fightg LGBTQ rights, cludg battl to prerve state laws crimalizg nsensual sex between gay adults, urt rerds show.</p></div></div><div></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><div class=" mb-md hi-for-prt" data-qa="subscribe-promo"><div data-orientatn="horizontal" role="separator" class="wpds-c-dbVHzF wpds-c-dbVHzF-hDkAcj-variant-flt"></div><a class="pt-sm pb-sm flex ems-center bold font-xxxs font-xxs-ns offblack hover-blue-bright jtify-between" href=" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="text-ratn:none;borr:none"><span class="mr-xs flex ems-center"><span class="ml-xs">Keepg up wh polics is easy wh The 5-Mute Fix Newsletter, your box weekdays.</span></span><svg class="ntent-box" width="16" height="16" viewBox="0 0 16 16" xmlns=" style="transn:right .2s;posn:relative;right:4px;fill:#2a2a2a" aria-hidn="te" focable="false" role="img"><tle>ArrowRight</tle><path d="M7.664 1.25l6 6a1 1 0 010 1.414l-6 6L6.25 13.25 10.499 9H2V7h8.585L6.25 2.664 7.664 1.25z" fill-le="nonzero"></path></svg></a><div data-orientatn="horizontal" role="separator" class="wpds-c-dbVHzF wpds-c-dbVHzF-hDkAcj-variant-flt"></div></div></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">Today, at least 166 measur to rtrict LGBTQ rights are still pendg state legislatur across the natn — nearly quadple the number of siar bills troduced jt three years ago, acrdg to data om <a href=" target=_blank>Freedom for All Amerins</a>, an LGBTQ advocy group.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p><span class="wpds-c-gnhuPA wpds-c-gnhuPA-hqeSyH-variant-terstial wpds-c-gnhuPA-iPJLV-css hi-for-prt"><a data-qa="terstial-lk" href=">Dreadg the knock at the door: Parents of trans kids Texas are terrified for their fai</a></span></p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">Members of the LGBTQ muny say the unprecented legislative efforts are aimed at dismantlg the hard-earned and tenuo civil rights of a vulnerable populatn and are<b> </b>g psychologil damage to children who are already stgglg.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><div class="cb dn db-ns" data-qa="article-body-ad" data-ttid="article-body-ad-sktop"><div aria-hidn="te" class="hi-for-prt relative flex jtify-center ntent-box ems-center b bh mb-md mt-none pt-lg pb-lg" style="m-height:250px;borr-top-lor:;borr-bottom-lor:"><div class="center absolute w-100 borr-box" style="top:"><div class="dib gray-dark pl-xs pr-xs font-sans-serif light font-xxxxs lh-md" style="--primary-borr-lor:"></div></div><div data-ttid="placeholr-box" class="w-100 h-100 absolute flex flex-lumn jtify-center borr-box bg-offwhe" style="width:300px;height:250px"><div class="flex flex-lumn jtify-center font-sans-serif center font-xxs light gray-dark lh-md"><div>Advertisement</div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><div class="cb db dn-ns" data-qa="article-body-ad" data-ttid="article-body-ad-mobile"><div aria-hidn="te" class="hi-for-prt relative flex jtify-center ntent-box ems-center b bh mb-md mt-sm pt-sm pb-sm" style="m-height:250px;borr-top-lor:;borr-bottom-lor:"><div class="center absolute w-100 borr-box" style="top:"><div class="dib gray-dark pl-xs pr-xs font-sans-serif light font-xxxxs lh-md" style="--primary-borr-lor:"></div></div><div data-ttid="placeholr-box" class="w-100 h-100 absolute flex flex-lumn jtify-center borr-box bg-offwhe" style="width:300px;height:250px"><div class="flex flex-lumn jtify-center font-sans-serif center font-xxs light gray-dark lh-md"></div></div></div></div></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null"><i>“</i>This wave of bills has been staggerg,” Florida state Rep. Anna Eskamani (D) said an terview. “The paful state-level fights are proof posive that discrimatn is still a very real threat that directly harms members of our most vulnerable muni, cludg and pecially young people who are transgenr.”</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">Lawmakers who are sponsorg the bills say parental thory is beg unrmed, sometim nflict wh relig tes tght at home, and they believe tors and health-re workers are attemptg to nvert children to beg transgenr or queer.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null"><i>“</i>Christian parents don’t thk the schools should be evangelizg children to sexual iologi they don’t agree wh,” said Oklahoma state Sen. Rob Standridge (R), who troduced a bill this year that would enable parents to remove LGBTQ books om school librari. “So that’s what the bill is about, to try to get schools to stop dog that … I’m empowerg the parent that is directly affected by what they see as overridg their beliefs.”</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><div class="cb dn db-ns" data-qa="article-body-ad" data-ttid="article-body-ad-sktop"><div aria-hidn="te" class="hi-for-prt relative flex jtify-center ntent-box ems-center b bh mb-md mt-none pt-lg pb-lg" style="m-height:250px;borr-top-lor:;borr-bottom-lor:"><div class="center absolute w-100 borr-box" style="top:"><div class="dib gray-dark pl-xs pr-xs font-sans-serif light font-xxxxs lh-md" style="--primary-borr-lor:"></div></div><div data-ttid="placeholr-box" class="w-100 h-100 absolute flex flex-lumn jtify-center borr-box bg-offwhe" style="width:300px;height:250px"><div class="flex flex-lumn jtify-center font-sans-serif center font-xxs light gray-dark lh-md"><div>Advertisement</div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><div class="cb db dn-ns" data-qa="article-body-ad" data-ttid="article-body-ad-mobile"><div aria-hidn="te" class="hi-for-prt relative flex jtify-center ntent-box ems-center b bh mb-md mt-sm pt-sm pb-sm" style="m-height:250px;borr-top-lor:;borr-bottom-lor:"><div class="center absolute w-100 borr-box" style="top:"><div class="dib gray-dark pl-xs pr-xs font-sans-serif light font-xxxxs lh-md" style="--primary-borr-lor:"></div></div><div data-ttid="placeholr-box" class="w-100 h-100 absolute flex flex-lumn jtify-center borr-box bg-offwhe" style="width:300px;height:250px"><div class="flex flex-lumn jtify-center font-sans-serif center font-xxs light gray-dark lh-md"></div></div></div></div></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">Detailed trackg of this legislative movement n be difficult. This is due part to lawmakers’<b> </b>practice of not mentng the words “transgenr” or “LGBTQ” bill text, eher tentnally to pe tectn or bee they do not acknowledge the legimacy of transgenr or queer inty, advocy groups and experts say. However, several LGBTQ anizatns have teams of lawyers who track the bills, cludg Freedom for All Amerins, the Amerin Civil Liberti Unn and the Human Rights Campaign.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">About 75 of the new bills ll for bans or severe rtrictns on classroom discsns, curriculum and library books that mentn LGBTQ issu, mostly but not exclively primary gras, acrdg to Freedom for All Amerins, which has one of the most nservative legislative timat among advocy groups.<b> </b>Some of the bills are vaguely word, makg unclear whether tors or stunts uld even mentn their own sexual or genr inty — or that of their parents — on school grounds. This issue has <a href=" target=_blank>led crics to dub Florida’s bill</a>, which passed the state legislature on March 8, the “don’t say gay”<b> </b>act.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">Nearly 50 other bills seek to ban transgenr youth om playg petive school sports on teams that don’t align wh the genr they were assigned at birth.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><div class="cb dn db-ns" data-qa="article-body-ad" data-ttid="article-body-ad-sktop"><div aria-hidn="te" class="hi-for-prt relative flex jtify-center ntent-box ems-center b bh mb-md mt-none pt-lg pb-lg" style="m-height:250px;borr-top-lor:;borr-bottom-lor:"><div class="center absolute w-100 borr-box" style="top:"><div class="dib gray-dark pl-xs pr-xs font-sans-serif light font-xxxxs lh-md" style="--primary-borr-lor:"></div></div><div data-ttid="placeholr-box" class="w-100 h-100 absolute flex flex-lumn jtify-center borr-box bg-offwhe" style="width:300px;height:250px"><div class="flex flex-lumn jtify-center font-sans-serif center font-xxs light gray-dark lh-md"><div>Advertisement</div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><div class="cb db dn-ns" data-qa="article-body-ad" data-ttid="article-body-ad-mobile"><div aria-hidn="te" class="hi-for-prt relative flex jtify-center ntent-box ems-center b bh mb-md mt-sm pt-sm pb-sm" style="m-height:250px;borr-top-lor:;borr-bottom-lor:"><div class="center absolute w-100 borr-box" style="top:"><div class="dib gray-dark pl-xs pr-xs font-sans-serif light font-xxxxs lh-md" style="--primary-borr-lor:"></div></div><div data-ttid="placeholr-box" class="w-100 h-100 absolute flex flex-lumn jtify-center borr-box bg-offwhe" style="width:300px;height:250px"><div class="flex flex-lumn jtify-center font-sans-serif center font-xxs light gray-dark lh-md"></div></div></div></div></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">At least 29<b> </b>seek to ban genr-affirmg medil re for transgenr youth, which primarily volv hormone therapy to lay the onset of puberty or to beg the procs of transng. Some of the measur also seek to make a crime to provi such re to children and young teens, or to make a crime for parents to sign off on such re. (The Amerin Medil Associatn, the <a href=" target="_blank">Amerin Amy of Pediatrics</a> and other medil groups endorse the treatments, sayg such re sav liv.)</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">There are also dozens of other bills foced on rtrictg LGBTQ rights, cludg at least 15 “bathroom bills,” which 2016 kicked off this legislative movement by phg to ban transgenr stunts, and sometim faculty members, om g school bathrooms nsistent wh their genr inty.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">Nearly two-thirds of the bills foc on transgenr rights. There were 18 such bills troduced 2019, pared wh more than 100 last year. The number troduced so far this year has aga surpassed 100.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p><span class="wpds-c-gnhuPA wpds-c-gnhuPA-hqeSyH-variant-terstial wpds-c-gnhuPA-iPJLV-css hi-for-prt"><a data-qa="terstial-lk" href=">FAQ: What you need to know about transgenr children</a></span></p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">The bills have found pecially fertile ground as the GOP seeks to energize s base for midterm electns a time when party lears have shown new willgns to openly attack gay<i> </i>and transgenr<i> </i>rights — a movement that ns unter to wir public sentiment on LGBTQ rights, acrdg to several recent surveys. A Public Relign Rearch Instute <a href=" target=_blank>survey released last week</a> showed nearly 8 10 Amerins support laws to protect LGBTQ people om discrimatn jobs, hog and public acmodatns. The survey also found that 68 percent of Amerins support same-sex marriage, a rise om 54 percent 2014.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><div class="cb dn db-ns" data-qa="article-body-ad" data-ttid="article-body-ad-sktop"><div aria-hidn="te" class="hi-for-prt relative flex jtify-center ntent-box ems-center b bh mb-md mt-none pt-lg pb-lg" style="m-height:250px;borr-top-lor:;borr-bottom-lor:"><div class="center absolute w-100 borr-box" style="top:"><div class="dib gray-dark pl-xs pr-xs font-sans-serif light font-xxxxs lh-md" style="--primary-borr-lor:"></div></div><div data-ttid="placeholr-box" class="w-100 h-100 absolute flex flex-lumn jtify-center borr-box bg-offwhe" style="width:300px;height:250px"><div class="flex flex-lumn jtify-center font-sans-serif center font-xxs light gray-dark lh-md"><div>Advertisement</div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><div class="cb db dn-ns" data-qa="article-body-ad" data-ttid="article-body-ad-mobile"><div aria-hidn="te" class="hi-for-prt relative flex jtify-center ntent-box ems-center b bh mb-md mt-sm pt-sm pb-sm" style="m-height:250px;borr-top-lor:;borr-bottom-lor:"><div class="center absolute w-100 borr-box" style="top:"><div class="dib gray-dark pl-xs pr-xs font-sans-serif light font-xxxxs lh-md" style="--primary-borr-lor:"></div></div><div data-ttid="placeholr-box" class="w-100 h-100 absolute flex flex-lumn jtify-center borr-box bg-offwhe" style="width:300px;height:250px"><div class="flex flex-lumn jtify-center font-sans-serif center font-xxs light gray-dark lh-md"></div></div></div></div></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">Michael Boui, a law profsor at the Universy at Buffalo who specializ fay law and genr and sexualy law, argu that the new bills are aimed to please partisan terts rather than to spark real bate about how to bt<b> </b>help LGBTQ children.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">“The laws are beg drafted such an extreme way, and wh such potentially opportunistic motiv, that is very easy for the left to reject them. The right don’t really want a bate on the issu,” Boui said an terview. “A lot of the bills volve parents’ rights to ntrol their children’s health re and tn, which has been galvanizg for a large segment of the Amerin populatn, particularly among nservativ leadg up to and gog through the panmic.”</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">For many parents of LGBTQ children, the wave of new bills have already had a signifint impact on their liv. After watchg a<b> </b>wave of anti-trans legislatn crtg the Texas Capol last fall, Cale Rey cid to move wh her hband and three children, cludg 9-year-old Leon, a transgenr boy, om At to Potomac, Md.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><div class="cb dn db-ns" data-qa="article-body-ad" data-ttid="article-body-ad-sktop"><div aria-hidn="te" class="hi-for-prt relative flex jtify-center ntent-box ems-center b bh mb-md mt-none pt-lg pb-lg" style="m-height:250px;borr-top-lor:;borr-bottom-lor:"><div class="center absolute w-100 borr-box" style="top:"><div class="dib gray-dark pl-xs pr-xs font-sans-serif light font-xxxxs lh-md" style="--primary-borr-lor:"></div></div><div data-ttid="placeholr-box" class="w-100 h-100 absolute flex flex-lumn jtify-center borr-box bg-offwhe" style="width:300px;height:250px"><div class="flex flex-lumn jtify-center font-sans-serif center font-xxs light gray-dark lh-md"><div>Advertisement</div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><div class="cb db dn-ns" data-qa="article-body-ad" data-ttid="article-body-ad-mobile"><div aria-hidn="te" class="hi-for-prt relative flex jtify-center ntent-box ems-center b bh mb-md mt-sm pt-sm pb-sm" style="m-height:250px;borr-top-lor:;borr-bottom-lor:"><div class="center absolute w-100 borr-box" style="top:"><div class="dib gray-dark pl-xs pr-xs font-sans-serif light font-xxxxs lh-md" style="--primary-borr-lor:"></div></div><div data-ttid="placeholr-box" class="w-100 h-100 absolute flex flex-lumn jtify-center borr-box bg-offwhe" style="width:300px;height:250px"><div class="flex flex-lumn jtify-center font-sans-serif center font-xxs light gray-dark lh-md"></div></div></div></div></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">“None of should have to feel persecuted by our own ernment. None of should have to feel like polil refuge our own untry,” Rey said an terview. “That’s lerally what I feel like. I moved my whole fay bee of polics.”</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><h3 data-qa="article-hear" class=" pb-sm pt-lgmod" id="D3OGGUT3WNH67EUMSWEW3GW63M"><div>Startg a landsli</div></h3></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><div data-qa="article-image" class="hi-for-prt"><div style="m-height:358px"></div></div></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">In early 2020, as Republin Idaho state Rep. Barbara Ehardt worked to craft a ban on transgenr athlet petg on public school sports teams, she turned to the Alliance Defendg Freedom, a Christian<b> </b>nservative legal anizatn.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">The Arizona-based advocy group, found 1993, leverag the power of a natnal work of Christian lawyers for s legislative efforts and legal battl. It reported $78 ln assets 2020 and has received fundg om Christian, fay and fancial foundatns. In recent years, battled urt agast abortn rights and favor of relig practic schools and drafted language for anti-transgenr “bathroom bills” later ed multiple stat.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p><span class="wpds-c-gnhuPA wpds-c-gnhuPA-hqeSyH-variant-terstial wpds-c-gnhuPA-iPJLV-css hi-for-prt"><a data-qa="terstial-lk" href=">Insi the Christian legal powerhoe that keeps wng at the Supreme Court</a></span></p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">Now, the group helped Ehardt craft the natn’s first succsful ban on transgenr female athlet.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><div class="cb dn db-ns" data-qa="article-body-ad" data-ttid="article-body-ad-sktop"><div aria-hidn="te" class="hi-for-prt relative flex jtify-center ntent-box ems-center b bh mb-md mt-none pt-lg pb-lg" style="m-height:250px;borr-top-lor:;borr-bottom-lor:"><div class="center absolute w-100 borr-box" style="top:"><div class="dib gray-dark pl-xs pr-xs font-sans-serif light font-xxxxs lh-md" style="--primary-borr-lor:"></div></div><div data-ttid="placeholr-box" class="w-100 h-100 absolute flex flex-lumn jtify-center borr-box bg-offwhe" style="width:300px;height:250px"><div class="flex flex-lumn jtify-center font-sans-serif center font-xxs light gray-dark lh-md"><div>Advertisement</div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><div class="cb db dn-ns" data-qa="article-body-ad" data-ttid="article-body-ad-mobile"><div aria-hidn="te" class="hi-for-prt relative flex jtify-center ntent-box ems-center b bh mb-md mt-sm pt-sm pb-sm" style="m-height:250px;borr-top-lor:;borr-bottom-lor:"><div class="center absolute w-100 borr-box" style="top:"><div class="dib gray-dark pl-xs pr-xs font-sans-serif light font-xxxxs lh-md" style="--primary-borr-lor:"></div></div><div data-ttid="placeholr-box" class="w-100 h-100 absolute flex flex-lumn jtify-center borr-box bg-offwhe" style="width:300px;height:250px"><div class="flex flex-lumn jtify-center font-sans-serif center font-xxs light gray-dark lh-md"></div></div></div></div></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null"><b>“</b>The<b> </b>Alliance Defendg Freedom said, ‘We thk we n strengthen this, maybe do somethg different,’ and then they shared wh me some other language,” Ehardt said an terview. “I thought was fely stronger and fely better.”</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">That bill,<b> </b>which beme law two years ago, helped set off a landsli of pyt legislatn, wh Ehardt travelg the untry to<b> </b>ttify support of the bills — and wh<b> </b>the Alliance Defendg Freedom helpg other legislators craft new bills to lim LGBTQ rights, acrdg to lawmakers and advot. Measur siar to Ehardt’s bill have sce bee law at least 10 other<b> </b>stat, acrdg to the Human Rights Campaign.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">The group has played a siar role the proliferatn of dozens of other anti-LGBTQ bills filed around the natn this year — helpg lawmakers craft legislatn and providg legal support.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><div class="cb dn db-ns" data-qa="article-body-ad" data-ttid="article-body-ad-sktop"><div aria-hidn="te" class="hi-for-prt relative flex jtify-center ntent-box ems-center b bh mb-md mt-none pt-lg pb-lg" style="m-height:250px;borr-top-lor:;borr-bottom-lor:"><div class="center absolute w-100 borr-box" style="top:"><div class="dib gray-dark pl-xs pr-xs font-sans-serif light font-xxxxs lh-md" style="--primary-borr-lor:"></div></div><div data-ttid="placeholr-box" class="w-100 h-100 absolute flex flex-lumn jtify-center borr-box bg-offwhe" style="width:300px;height:250px"><div class="flex flex-lumn jtify-center font-sans-serif center font-xxs light gray-dark lh-md"><div>Advertisement</div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><div class="cb db dn-ns" data-qa="article-body-ad" data-ttid="article-body-ad-mobile"><div aria-hidn="te" class="hi-for-prt relative flex jtify-center ntent-box ems-center b bh mb-md mt-sm pt-sm pb-sm" style="m-height:250px;borr-top-lor:;borr-bottom-lor:"><div class="center absolute w-100 borr-box" style="top:"><div class="dib gray-dark pl-xs pr-xs font-sans-serif light font-xxxxs lh-md" style="--primary-borr-lor:"></div></div><div data-ttid="placeholr-box" class="w-100 h-100 absolute flex flex-lumn jtify-center borr-box bg-offwhe" style="width:300px;height:250px"><div class="flex flex-lumn jtify-center font-sans-serif center font-xxs light gray-dark lh-md"></div></div></div></div></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">Last year, formed a aln wh two other nservative nonprofs, the Herage Foundatn and the Fay Policy Alliance,<b> </b>that published a list of posns on transgenr and gay rights that have repeatedly surfaced<b> </b> the rtrictive new state bills. It was released a month after Print Bin signed an <a href=" target="_blank">executive orr </a> January 2021 support of LGBTQ rights.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><div id="gift-share-le" data-ttid="gift-share-le" class="PJLV PJLV-ilotWTr-css hi-for-prt"><button aria-haspopup="dialog" aria-expand="false" aria-ntrols="gift-share-drawer" role="button" tabx="0" aria-label="Share this article" id="gift-share-drawer-ntrol-le" data-ttid="gift-share-drawer-ntrol-le" class="wpds-c-PJLV wpds-c-gsmDXe wpds-c-gsmDXe-goNocI-placement-Inle foc-highlight"><div data-ttid="gift-share-terstial-trigger" class="wpds-c-kPqOkS wpds-c-kPqOkS-jtSXsT-hasSubsText-false"><span class="wpds-c-hBJqc"><span class="wpds-c-dzSncg">Share this article</span></span><span class="wpds-c-eCvK"><span class="wpds-c-enedHQ wpds-c-enedHQ-cCdK-isShown-false">Share</span><svg xmlns=" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 16 16" aria-hidn="te" focable="false" role="img" class="wpds-c-fBqPWp wpds-c-fDHGth"><path fill="currentColor" d="M8 .6v3.8h.1c-4.4 0-7.3 4.5-6.9 8.8.1.8.2 1.2.2 1.2l.2 1 .4-1.3c.8-2 2-4 6.2-3.9H8v4l7-6.9L8 .6Zm1 11.3V9.3h-.9c-3 0-4.8.5-6.2 2.9.5-3.3 2.7-6.8 6.2-6.8H9V3l4.5 4.4L9 11.9Z"></path></svg></span></div></button></div></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">The webse for the aln, Promise to Ameri’s Children, also v lawmakers to provi their email addrs so the group n send sample bill language, which has sce appeared dozens of measur.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">In the past,<b> </b>the Alliance Defendg Freedom has taken some of the most aggrsive stanc the fight agast LGBTQ rights. It filed a Supreme Court <a href=" target=_blank>amic brief</a> the landmark <i>Lawrence v. Texas</i> se — and joed <a href=" target=_blank>another brief </a>— which both unsuccsfully argued 2003 favor of the state’s right to mata sodomy laws, urt rerds show. High-rankg lears of the anizatn have also <a href=" target=_blank>publicly supported</a> efforts other untri to crimalize same-sex sexual acts. It also has fend parents’ right to have their LGBTQ children unrgo nversn therapy, which psychologil, physil, or spirual terventns an effort to make a person heterosexual or cisgenr.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><div class="cb dn db-ns" data-qa="article-body-ad" data-ttid="article-body-ad-sktop"><div aria-hidn="te" class="hi-for-prt relative flex jtify-center ntent-box ems-center b bh mb-md mt-none pt-lg pb-lg" style="m-height:250px;borr-top-lor:;borr-bottom-lor:"><div class="center absolute w-100 borr-box" style="top:"><div class="dib gray-dark pl-xs pr-xs font-sans-serif light font-xxxxs lh-md" style="--primary-borr-lor:"></div></div><div data-ttid="placeholr-box" class="w-100 h-100 absolute flex flex-lumn jtify-center borr-box bg-offwhe" style="width:300px;height:250px"><div class="flex flex-lumn jtify-center font-sans-serif center font-xxs light gray-dark lh-md"><div>Advertisement</div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><div class="cb db dn-ns" data-qa="article-body-ad" data-ttid="article-body-ad-mobile"><div aria-hidn="te" class="hi-for-prt relative flex jtify-center ntent-box ems-center b bh mb-md mt-sm pt-sm pb-sm" style="m-height:250px;borr-top-lor:;borr-bottom-lor:"><div class="center absolute w-100 borr-box" style="top:"><div class="dib gray-dark pl-xs pr-xs font-sans-serif light font-xxxxs lh-md" style="--primary-borr-lor:"></div></div><div data-ttid="placeholr-box" class="w-100 h-100 absolute flex flex-lumn jtify-center borr-box bg-offwhe" style="width:300px;height:250px"><div class="flex flex-lumn jtify-center font-sans-serif center font-xxs light gray-dark lh-md"></div></div></div></div></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">In a statement to The Washgton Post, the group scribed s efforts regardg crimalizg LGBTQ sex as a “limed engagement” on the issue and said is based on s “belief that marriage between on man and one woman is the bt stutn for human flourishg.” It also said believ that the issue of whether to crimalize LGBTQ sex should be left to stat.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">As for nversn therapy, Alliance Defendg Freedom said “supports everyone’s eedom to seek the unselg they choose whout terference om the ernment.”</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">The aln of nservative nonprof groups, which say their work on recent anti-LGBTQ state bills is aimed at rtorg tradnal fay valu, cled terview requts om The Post. The Alliance Defendg Freedom said is routely volved helpg craft legislatn, notg that groups like the ACLU regularly do the same.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">“It is standard practice for lawmakers to work wh groups wh expertise as they craft and troduce legislatn. This is te across the iologil spectm,” the statement said. “ADF is regularly ved to draw upon our nstutnal expertise to provi put to forthg bills.”</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">The Fay Policy Alliance said that the polil movement is driven by parents.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">“In the wake of COVID, wh children engaged remote learng, parents gaed a new wdow to what their children were learng the classroom,” the group said a statement. “For some parents, this revealed curriculum which not only tght viewpots about sex and genr wh which they disagreed, but tght them as fact to young children.”</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">LGBTQ advot, though, say the groups — and smaller anizatns wh siar goals — have played a central role elevatg the legislatn.<b> </b>Some groups have boasted of their fundraisg and fluence on the measur. Officials om the Amerin Prcipl Project, a nservative thk tank, <a href=" target=_blank>scribed on Stephen K. Bannon’s</a> “War Room” show a $750,000 “grassroots advocy” mpaign anized to urge Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) to orr the state to vtigate parents of trans children who have received genr-affirmg medil re.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">Cathryn Oakley, the state legislative director and senr unsel for the Human Rights Campaign, the natn’s largt LGBTQ advocy group, noted that many of the same<b> </b>groups had prevly phed bills to stop same-sex marriage and enact natnwi transgenr bathroom and relig exemptn laws.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">“We had a flurry of those bills, 2017, 2018, 2019, but they weren’t really g the kd of dramatic impact that opponents of equaly wanted them to have, terms of stillg fear about what LGBTQ+ equaly uld mean,” Oakley said an terview. “So, they swched to targetg trans kids.”</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">Like Ehardt, other lawmakers behd more recent bills have publicly creded the groups wh helpg to achieve succs.<b> </b>South Dakota state Rep. Fred Dtsch (R) troduced 2020<b> </b>a bill to ban genr-affirmg medil procr for transgenr youth, after he attend an event hosted by the Herage Foundatn.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">Dtsch said that, craftg the bill, he sought out transgenr youth and spoke to them as part of his rearch. The ial draft, he said an email msage, “was veloped anilly the livg room of my untry home South Dakota, surround by of rn fields.”</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">He then got put om the Alliance Defendg Freedom and asked the Herage Foundatn if he uld share the bill draft at an upg nference.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">“Apparently people at the nference shared the draft wh legislators om other stat, sce the months followg the nference, legislators om other stat ntacted me,” he wrote an email.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">Like Ehardt’s legislatn, Dtsch’s medil-re bill was the first of s kd 2020. Although did not pass, has been replited and troduced dozens of stat. So far, at least two stat have enacted<b> </b>such laws<b> </b>— Arkansas and Tennsee.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">Morissa Ladsky, associate profsor of pediatrics at the Universy of Alabama at Birmgham, said those laws will force physicians like her who re for transgenr youth to chose between vlatg the Hippocratic oath or breakg state law.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">“To cease a urse of succsful medil therapy … is grave vlatn of a huge te of medil ethics. It’s lled medil abandonment,” said Ladsky, who works a state wh a pendg transgenr medil re bill. “So, do I vlate a major, major ethil te of health-re livery, or do we risk a felony nvictn? It’s a place no physician ever saw themselv beg .”</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">There’s no one reason<b> </b>the bills have found particular tractn this year, advot and experts said. Oakley<b> </b>said that panmic burnout has led many Amerins to tune out legislative ssns.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">“I do thk that to some gree, the attacks have flown unr the radar bee of the panmic and bee of the surrectn,” she said. “I don’t thk that this has permeated their nscns the same way that prev attacks have permeated their nscns.”</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">Hannah Willard, vice print of ernment affairs for Freedom for All Amerins, said the bills are also a reactn to recent civil rights gas ma by the LGBTQ muny.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">“You don’t get progrs whout backlash,” Willard said an terview. “So ’s not a cince that we’re seeg the anti-trans bills the stat at the same time as we’re seeg growg support. They n feel like ntradictory trends, but really they are two sis of the exact same .”</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><h3 data-qa="article-hear" class=" pb-sm pt-lgmod" id="PRWZ3AJGGBBWXPMVTC7EUYKJJ4"><div>A wave of legislatn</div></h3></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><div data-qa="article-image" class="hi-for-prt"><div style="m-height:358px"></div></div></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">From ast to ast, bills<b> </b>that would drastilly impact gay and trans children have advanced this year wh startlg speed<i>.</i></p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">In Alabama, the Senate passed a bill Febary that lls for penalti of up to 10 years prison and a $15,000 fe for anyone who provis genr-affirmg re to a child or teenager. This clus<b> </b>hormone treatments that lay puberty, which are reversible.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">In Idaho, a bill passed the Hoe<b> </b>this month that<b> </b>would allow librarians to be jailed for up to a year and fed $1,000 each time they are found guilty of dissematg material that is “harmful to mors.” A meang for this standard is not fed the bill. Exampl provid durg legislative heargs clud<b> </b>books that had LGBTQ them or characters.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">And Florida, the “don’t say gay” bill would ban public schools om teachg about sexual orientatn or genr inty krgarten through the third gra, and says tors at all gra levels should rea om discsg LGBTQ issu that are not “age-appropriate or velopmentally appropriate for stunts,” which is left open to terpretatn. Parents who believe an tor has vlated the law may sue.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">When Texas lawmakers did not pass a transgenr medil re ban, Abbott Febary<b> </b>asked the public to turn parents to state officials if they have provid genr-affirmg medil re to their trans children so they n face crimal vtigatns and potential charg. Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) have lled such re “child abe.”</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">Paxton said a Febary opn that parents and guardians should be blocked om signg off on all transgenr procr — cludg hormone therapi — “[b]ee children are legally petent to nsent,” and said that hormone therapi n sometim affect fertily and therefore “ge on the child’s fundamental right to procreate.”</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">The ACLU has sued an attempt to stop the vtigatns,<b> </b>and advot have cried the state’s move as<b> </b>perhaps the most aggrsive attack<b> </b>on trans youth<b> </b> this multiyear mpaign.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">“They have gone after trans kids every nceivable dimensn,” Oakley said. “They’re tryg to take their parents’ support away, they’re tryg to take doctors’ support away, they’re tryg to take teachers’ support away, and they’re tryg to take their teams and ach away.”</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">So far this year, six of the bills have been approved by five state legislatur — four of which specifilly curtail the rights of trans children and their fai, acrdg to Freedom for All Amerins.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">The advocy group said at least a dozen pendg bills would also require medil re provirs and tors who learn of a child’s LGBTQ stat to notify parents. Many of the provisns to “out” transgenr and other LGBTQ youth are not expected to survive.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">The rise the extreme penalti the measur ll for — and the polarizg bat surroundg them — have started to garner the attentn of major rporatns and the general public. It’s not yet clear whether this uld change the urse of future state legislatn, experts said.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">This month, more than 170 major U.S. rporatns, cludg PepsiCo, Johnson & Johnson and Macy’s, have signed a statement nmng the bills. Other large pani have felt a backlash recent months, most notably Disney. CEO Bob Chapek formally apologized to employe this month for the pany’s silence on the Florida bill rtrictg LGBTQ topics elementary schools, announcg would pse all polil donatns the state after fancial ntributns showed the pany gave to lawmakers who champned the legislatn.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">Court challeng to block the laws — cludg one Arkansas that bans genr-affirmg medil re for trans youth — have been succsful four stanc but are beg appealed by state officials, acrdg to the ACLU. Several other lawsus are still pendg, the group said. Some Republin officials have also phed back on the measur, wh <a href=" target=_blank>ernors both Indiana and Utah</a> recently vetog transgenr sports bans.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">The Bin admistratn is also now steppg , vowg to take steps to block state actns that might discrimate agast LGBTQ youth and their fai — somethg the Tmp admistratn did not do. Earlier this month, Health and Human Servic Secretary Xavier Becerra nmned Abbott’s directive to vtigate parents of transgenr children and said his agency “will e every tool at our disposal to keep Texans safe.”</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">Whether the bills have succeed, failed or are pendg, parents and children ught up the polil drama say has taken a psychologil toll.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">In Florida, Todd and Jeff Delmay — a gay married uple — say they worry for their 12-year-old son, Blake, bee ’s unclear if the proposed “don’t say gay” law would prevent their son om beg able to openly talk about his home life at school.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null"><i>“</i>I n’t image not beg able to see your parents accepted like other parents bee mak you feel <i>other</i>,” said Todd Delmay, who ttified agast the Florida bill.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">“It don’t matter how different your fay is. It’s still lled fay,” said Blake, who exprsed siar ncerns and said he is also worried about beg bullied. “You need to be able to talk about your fay.”</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">Rey said her fay’s cisn to move om Texas was driven by the knowledge that even if a bill fails this year, a siar or new bill targetg transgenr rights probably will be brought back next year. She said stayg to ntue battlg the bills would have been too taxg on her fay.</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null">“There were parents who were fightg bi me who had fought two years earlier when the bathroom bill had been troduced,” she said. “This was their life. I didn’t want this to be my life. I had a different life md. I have a different life md for Leon.”</p></div><div class="article-body" data-qa="article-body"><p data-ttid="drop-p-letter" data-el="text" class="wpds-c-cYdRxM wpds-c-cYdRxM-iPJLV-css overriStyl font-py" dir="null"><i>Alice Cr and Stt Clement ntributed to this report.</i></p></div><div class="wpds-c-jkoBlc wpds-c-jkoBlc-leHWbT-removeAllStyl-te"><div class="wpds-c-dhzjXW wpds-c-dhzjXW-iPJLV-css overriStyl mt-md tt"><div id="gift-share-end" data-ttid="gift-share-end" class="PJLV PJLV-idiqKOk-css hi-for-prt"><button aria-haspopup="dialog" aria-expand="false" aria-ntrols="gift-share-drawer" role="button" tabx="0" aria-label="Share this article" id="gift-share-drawer-ntrol-end" data-ttid="gift-share-drawer-ntrol-end" class="wpds-c-PJLV wpds-c-gsmDXe wpds-c-gsmDXe-iIVoLq-placement-Shortcut foc-highlight"><div class="wpds-c-UazGY" id="gift-share-shortcut" data-ttid="gift-share-shortcut"><svg xmlns=" fill="var(--wpds-lors-primary)" viewBox="0 0 16 16" aria-hidn="te" focable="false" role="img" class="wpds-c-fVfumU "><path fill="currentColor" d="M8 .6v3.8h.1c-4.4 0-7.3 4.5-6.9 8.8.1.8.2 1.2.2 1.2l.2 1 .4-1.3c.8-2 2-4 6.2-3.9H8v4l7-6.9L8 .6Zm1 11.3V9.3h-.9c-3 0-4.8.5-6.2 2.9.5-3.3 2.7-6.8 6.2-6.8H9V3l4.5 4.4L9 11.9Z"></path></svg><div class="PJLV wpds-c-kwcHlj">Share</div></div></button></div><div class="wpds-c-hcekgi"><div class="mb-lg-mod" data-qa="ments-btn-div"><button aria-label="Scroll to the ments sectn" data-qa="ments-btn" class="wpds-c-kSOqLF wpds-c-kSOqLF-SQjOY-variant-sendary wpds-c-kSOqLF-eHdizY-nsy-flt wpds-c-kSOqLF-ejCoEP-in-left wpds-c-kSOqLF-igqYgPb-css ments hi-for-prt"><svg xmlns=" viewBox="0 0 16 16" fill="currentColor" aria-hidn="te" focable="false" role="img" class="wpds-c-fBqPWp "><path d="M14 14V2H2v9.47h8.18L12.43 13ZM3 10.52V3h10v9.23l-2.5-1.66Z"></path></svg><span></span> Comments</button></div></div></div><div class="PJLV PJLV-iipsdti-css"><div class="hi-for-prt" data-ttid="llectns__wrapper"><div class="wpds-c-iRrQDa wpds-c-iRrQDa-ibLfOyz-css"><div class="wpds-c-eZQlgr"><div class="PJLV"><div data-orientatn="horizontal" role="separator" class="wpds-c-dbVHzF wpds-c-dbVHzF-kJRMEh-variant-strong wpds-c-dbVHzF-icdXrXM-css"></div><label class="wpds-c-bMdHQm wpds-c-bMdHQm-jPiQqD-size-md wpds-c-bMdHQm-iPJLV-css"><div>Transgenr issu</div><div data-qa="handcurated-label" class="wpds-c-kcUnXn"><div class="wpds-c-hxvsrd curated-in-wrapper"><svg xmlns=" viewBox="0 0 93 81" fill="var(--wpds-lors-sendary)" aria-hidn="te" focable="false" role="img" class="wpds-c-hlLlVP curated-in-asset" data-ttid="curated-in-asset" style="marg:to"><path fill="#fff" fill-le="evenodd" d="m42.2 24.27-4.28-4.32-3.28 3.32v26.65l7.47 6.62.08-.07v-32.2zm-17.25 1-5.34-5.32-3.51 3.62V50l6.48 5.62 2.37-2.7V25.27zm59.4-13.49 8.65 8v33.76L79.61 63.78c-1.3-1.63-2.9-3.02-4.81-3.57v16.15l-.16.08-4.2-3.96-8.87 8.3-.16-.08V59.82a14.37 14.37 0 0 0-7.8 5.13l-.61-.39c.53-5.98 3.44-10.4 8.41-12.1V37.31h-1.6a4.03 4.03 0 0 0-4.06 3.26h-.91A9.64 9.64 0 0 1 54.3 37c0-3.8 2.52-6.68 6.65-6.68h.46v-8.38l-2.75-2.48-2.14 2.17-1.07-1.01 8.49-8.85 7.19 6.68v7.6l2.22-2.4v-8.93h1.45v7.37l9.56-10.32zm-11 13.35-2.22 2.33v43.7l2.22 2.1V25.12zM15.1 0l.68.62c-2.51 1.23-4.57 2.77-4.57 6.08 0 5.09 4.88 3.78 4.88 11.79v3.08l8.92-9.47 9.39 9.32 8.85-9.33 8.54 8.48v28.5L36.1 63.71l-10.6-9.25-8.1 9.25-10.98-9.55v-15.1H4.27c-1.9 0-2.82 1.15-3.13 2.7H.38c-.15-.62-.38-1.7-.38-2.93 0-2 .84-7.24 6.4-7.24V19.88c0-4.55-2.97-4.78-2.97-8.7C3.43 6.77 7.55 2.7 15.11 0zm63.74 19.16L74.8 23.5v28.18c3.6.46 6.27 1.7 8.49 4.11l.07-.08V23.35l-4.5-4.2z"></path></svg></div><div>HAND CURATED</div></div></label></div></div><div data-qa="llectns-wrapper"><ul data-ttid="llectns-list" class="wpds-c-fJRfWX wpds-c-fJRfWX-icuweNC-css"><li class="wpds-c-hzLuJf wpds-c-hzLuJf-ibJMFbE-css"><span class="wpds-c-boVztI"><a href=" class="wpds-c-hJmLeM remove-borr-bottom"><div style="width:66%;marg:0" class="wpds-c-fixGjY"><div class="wpds-c-eQfTfP"><div href=" alt="Anti-trans bills have doubled sce 2022. Our map shows where stat stand. lk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" data-qa="text-rd-lk" style="display:-webk-box;-webk-box-orient:vertil;-webk-le-clamp:4;text-overflow:ellipsis;transn:none" attribut="[object Object]" class=""><span>Anti-trans bills have doubled sce 2022. Our map shows where stat stand.</span></div></div><div class="wpds-c-bZNrxE"><div data-ttid="text-rd-timtamp-earlier" class="wpds-c-iKQyrV wpds-c-gWbYHj">May 19, 2023</div></div></div><div class="wpds-c-fvnsYS"><figure data-qa="sc-figure-image" class="relative wpds-c-kFsrtG"><div data-qa="sc-skeleton-image" class="font-0 aspect-ctom bg-gray-lighter filter transn" style="opacy:1;transn:opacy 400ms ease--out 0s;--aspect-width:3;--aspect-height:2"></div></figure></div></a></span><span class="wpds-c-CEJsw"><a href=" class="wpds-c-gfGApI remove-borr-bottom"><figure data-qa="sc-figure-image" class="relative wpds-c-kFsrtG"><div data-qa="sc-skeleton-image" class="font-0 aspect-ctom bg-gray-lighter filter transn" style="opacy:1;transn:opacy 400ms ease--out 0s;--aspect-width:3;--aspect-height:2"></div></figure><div class="wpds-c-eQfTfP"><div href=" alt="Anti-trans bills have doubled sce 2022. Our map shows where stat stand. lk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" data-qa="text-rd-lk" style="display:-webk-box;-webk-box-orient:vertil;-webk-le-clamp:4;text-overflow:ellipsis;transn:none" attribut="[object Object]" class=""><span>Anti-trans bills have doubled sce 2022. Our map shows where stat stand.</span></div></div><div class="wpds-c-bZNrxE"><div data-ttid="text-rd-timtamp-earlier" class="wpds-c-iKQyrV wpds-c-gWbYHj">May 19, 2023</div></div></a></span></li><li class="wpds-c-hzLuJf wpds-c-hzLuJf-icPtoSL-css"><span class="wpds-c-boVztI"><a href=" class="wpds-c-hJmLeM remove-borr-bottom"><div style="width:66%;marg:0" class="wpds-c-fixGjY"><div class="wpds-c-eQfTfP"><div href=" alt="Texas ban on puberty blockers, hormon for trans children to take effect lk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" data-qa="text-rd-lk" style="display:-webk-box;-webk-box-orient:vertil;-webk-le-clamp:4;text-overflow:ellipsis;transn:none" attribut="[object Object]" class=""><span>Texas ban on puberty blockers, hormon for trans children to take effect</span></div></div><div class="wpds-c-bZNrxE"><div data-ttid="text-rd-timtamp-earlier" class="wpds-c-iKQyrV wpds-c-gWbYHj">Augt 25, 2023</div></div></div><div class="wpds-c-fvnsYS"><figure data-qa="sc-figure-image" class="relative wpds-c-kFsrtG"><div data-qa="sc-skeleton-image" class="font-0 aspect-ctom bg-gray-lighter filter transn" style="opacy:1;transn:opacy 400ms ease--out 0s;--aspect-width:3;--aspect-height:2"></div></figure></div></a></span><span class="wpds-c-CEJsw"><a href=" class="wpds-c-gfGApI remove-borr-bottom"><figure data-qa="sc-figure-image" class="relative wpds-c-kFsrtG"><div data-qa="sc-skeleton-image" class="font-0 aspect-ctom bg-gray-lighter filter transn" style="opacy:1;transn:opacy 400ms ease--out 0s;--aspect-width:3;--aspect-height:2"></div></figure><div class="wpds-c-eQfTfP"><div href=" alt="Texas ban on puberty blockers, hormon for trans children to take effect lk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" data-qa="text-rd-lk" style="display:-webk-box;-webk-box-orient:vertil;-webk-le-clamp:4;text-overflow:ellipsis;transn:none" attribut="[object Object]" class=""><span>Texas ban on puberty blockers, hormon for trans children to take effect</span></div></div><div class="wpds-c-bZNrxE"><div data-ttid="text-rd-timtamp-earlier" class="wpds-c-iKQyrV wpds-c-gWbYHj">Augt 25, 2023</div></div></a></span></li><li class="wpds-c-hzLuJf wpds-c-hzLuJf-ibYjAXf-css"><span class="wpds-c-boVztI"><a href=" class="wpds-c-hJmLeM remove-borr-bottom"><div style="width:66%;marg:0" class="wpds-c-fixGjY"><div class="wpds-c-eQfTfP"><div href=" alt="From state ho to Congrs, anti-trans fights arrive Washgton lk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" data-qa="text-rd-lk" style="display:-webk-box;-webk-box-orient:vertil;-webk-le-clamp:4;text-overflow:ellipsis;transn:none" attribut="[object Object]" class=""><span>From state ho to Congrs, anti-trans fights arrive Washgton </span></div></div><div class="wpds-c-bZNrxE"><div data-ttid="text-rd-timtamp-earlier" class="wpds-c-iKQyrV wpds-c-gWbYHj">July 28, 2023</div></div></div><div class="wpds-c-fvnsYS"><figure data-qa="sc-figure-image" class="relative wpds-c-kFsrtG"><div data-qa="sc-skeleton-image" class="font-0 aspect-ctom bg-gray-lighter filter transn" style="opacy:1;transn:opacy 400ms ease--out 0s;--aspect-width:3;--aspect-height:2"></div></figure></div></a></span><span class="wpds-c-CEJsw"><a href=" class="wpds-c-gfGApI remove-borr-bottom"><figure data-qa="sc-figure-image" class="relative wpds-c-kFsrtG"><div data-qa="sc-skeleton-image" class="font-0 aspect-ctom bg-gray-lighter filter transn" style="opacy:1;transn:opacy 400ms ease--out 0s;--aspect-width:3;--aspect-height:2"></div></figure><div class="wpds-c-eQfTfP"><div href=" alt="From state ho to Congrs, anti-trans fights arrive Washgton lk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" data-qa="text-rd-lk" style="display:-webk-box;-webk-box-orient:vertil;-webk-le-clamp:4;text-overflow:ellipsis;transn:none" attribut="[object Object]" class=""><span>From state ho to Congrs, anti-trans fights arrive Washgton </span></div></div><div class="wpds-c-bZNrxE"><div data-ttid="text-rd-timtamp-earlier" class="wpds-c-iKQyrV wpds-c-gWbYHj">July 28, 2023</div></div></a></span></li></ul></div><button 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gop gay

Stt Esk said "we would be totally the right" to stone and kill gay people ments that rurfaced ahead of his noff electn.

Contents:

WHO IS JOSEPH ZIEGLER, THE GAY IRS WHISTLEBLOWER HUNTER BIN PROBE?

Inially, there were accatns that Ziegler, as a gay Democrat, was biased toward Bin, but now some Republins say his inty shows he's fair and reliable sayg the IRS was hampered the vtigatn. * gop gay *

The projects were elimated as part of a Republin en bloc amendment that advanced a range of Republin cultural prri, cludg a provisn that would ban flyg gay pri flags over ernment buildgs.

Some Republins once said Joseph Ziegler, the Internal Revenue Service agent who ttified before Congrs Wednday about possible terference the vtigatn of Hunter Bin, was biased Bin’s favor bee he’s a gay man and a Democrat. The report clud a photo of Joseph Ziegler and his hband, Newsweek not, pl the assertn that the hband was nnected “at least socially” to Demetre Daskalakis, a gay physician who has worked the New York Cy health partment and the Centers for Disease Control and Preventn, and later was appoted by Joe Bin as puty ordator of the rponse to the mpox outbreak.

GOP CANDIDATE SAYG 'S 'TOTALLY JT' TO KILL GAY PEOPLE RURFAC

* gop gay *

Glenn Thompson sred high on this summer's hypocrisy x when the PennsylvaniaRepublinvoted agast a bill that sought to enshre marriage equaly protectns to feral law days before dancg at his gay son's d rerdg provid to Buzzfeed highlights the rank hypocrisy. " The Republin was stnchly agast marriage equaly spe his son's beg gay, Poli did urge his son, also named Matthew, to attend harmful nversn therapy to pray the gay beg urged to unrgo nversn therapy by his fay at 18, the younger Salmon eventually me out of the closet. Hodg that same-sex upl the Uned Stat have the same right to marry as different-sex 2013, Portman, whose son Will is gay, announced his support for marriage equaly after Will me out.

"This cisn means a lot to me and my fay as my brother is gay, means a lot to our entire muny, and means a lot to everyone throughout the Uned Stat of Ameri who has yearned for eedom and has been nied until today.

FIRST OPENLY GAY REPUBLIN ELECTED TO HOE WON LI SEAT WH ‘MON SENSE’ MSAGE

Behd the succs of the Rpect for Marriage Act was a group of proment Republins, some of them gay, who worked to persua G.O.P. senators that embracg was a polil wner. * gop gay *

In an effort to outflank Tmp on the right, DeSantis has advanced an extremely nservative agenda Florida this year, which clud signg a six-week abortn ban and his “Don’t Say Gay” school polici. Though his fay nied , McKney was long mored to be gay or to McKney, the first two out — and not by choice — gay members of Congrs were Republins, and both left unr a swirl of ntroversy and crimal activy.

The only difference is that Gee Santos was first elected as an out gay unrstand why there has not been more of an effort to field LGBTQ+ ndidat and why the party still hasn’t ma headway wh queer voters, ’s important to note that the GOP ma anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and polici an unofficial (and later official) rnerstone of s platform for four s. Bee overwhelmgly affected gay men, Reagan, who had gay iends Hollywood, stayed away om mentng AIDS and s Kirchick, the thor of Secret Cy: The Hidn History of Gay Washgton, says the tersectn of gay inty and AIDS for Republins likely started wh the Beltway, when Republin operative Terry Dolan, the founr and chairman of the Natnal Conservative Polil Actn Commtee, died of HIV-related plitns December of 1986.

PROMENT GAY REPUBLINS HELPED SMOOTH THE WAY FOR MARRIAGE BILL

“Of all the many gay men workg the Reagan admistratn and nservative movement durg the 1980s, none more vividly exposed the punishg ntradictns of their prer existence than Terry Dolan, ” Kirchick wr. But the early years of AIDS, the stark differenc between the two parti’ attus towards the disease and gay men began to appear, as Democrats had posns on sex tn, fundg, and treatg the disease which were opposed by Republins, ” Kirchick offers. 6, which was known as the Briggs Iniative, that basilly said if you were a school employee or a teacher, you uld be fired for beg gay, ” Karger GOP printial ndidate Fred Karger (right) wh former Hoe Speaker Newt Ggrich (Getty Imag)Karger and Roberts nvced polil nsultant Peter Hannaford to ask his close iend Reagan to oppose the ballot measure.

Frank, by then retired om Congrs, told the Washgton Bla a 2018 terview that he asked Bh to rcd the le put place unr Print Eisenhower that said gay and lbian feral employe uld not get secury clearanc. Buchanan ma gay rights his target and gave a vic speech about “homosexuals” at the 1992 Republin Natnal Conventn Bh and Reagans at Ronald Reagan's 1985 guratn (Getty Imag)It was durg Clton’s first term as print that a gay Republin, one whout any sndals, surfaced.

In March of 1994, California Republin Congrsman Robert Dornan outed a lleague, fellow Republin Steve Gunrson of Wisns, durg a bate on the Hoe floor about an antigay tn ative. He died last Gunrson and Kolbe me out, several Republin ngrsmen have e out as gay or bisexual after they left office — Michael Huffgton of California and Aaron Schock of Illois are jt some exampl. And then there was Florida’s Mark Foley, who was ught sendg lurid texts to a page a 2006 repeat of the 1980s the 2012 electn cycle, Karger beme the first out gay major-party printial ndidate, eight years before Democrat and current Transportatn Secretary Pete Buttigieg ran.

20 REPUBLIN POLICIANS BROUGHT DOWN BY BIG GAY SEX SNDALSSHE DOTH PROTT TOO {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}LIFEBY DAN AVERYDECEMBER 30, 2016/1:55 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}ALEX QUADA/LOS ANGEL TIM VIA GETTY , 02/12/2004. CAPOL, WASHGTON, D.C. HEARGS BEFORE THE SENATE COMMTEE OF THE JUDICIARY SUBMTEE ON IMMIGRATN AND BORR SECURY ON " EVALUATG A TEMPORARY GUT WORKER PROPOSAL". SENATOR LARRY CRAIG (R) IDAHO GIV TTIMONY SUPPORT OF LEGISLATURE TO CHANGE IMMIGRATN LAWS. (PHOTO BY ALEX QUADA/LOS ANGEL TIM VIA GETTY IMAG)BY DAN AVERYDECEMBER 30, 2016 / 1:55 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"20 REPUBLIN POLICIANS BROUGHT DOWN BY BIG GAY SEX SNDALS","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2016-12-30T18:55:32.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2016-12-30T18:55:32.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"DAN AVERY","ARTICLESECTN":"LIFE"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY TIME A REPUBLIN POLICIAN STARTS SCREAMG ABOUT THE GAY AGENDA, WE FD OUT HE HAS A GRDR ACUNT OR A SECRET {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FROM SMALL TOWNS TO THE HIGHT ECHELONS OF POWER, THERE'VE BEEN A LOT OF CLOSETED GOP OFFICIALS UGHT WH THEIR PANTS DOWN—LERALLY, SOME S. (AND THAT'S NOT EVEN CLUDG THE ON WHO NEVER GOT UGHT.){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WH THE REPUBLINS POISED TO RETAKE THE WHE HOE, 'S A GOOD TIME TO LOOK BACK AT RIGHT-WG HYPOCR ON THE DOWN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JON HSONCQ ROLL CALL VIA GETTY IMAGJON HSON LOOKG AT BIRD SCULPTURE. (PHOTO BY CQ ROLL CALL VIA GETTY IMAG)"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 1976, WHEN HSON WAS AN AI TO MISSISSIPPI REP. THAD COCHRAN, HE WAS ARRTED FOR EXPOSG HIMSELF TO AN UNRVER P AT THE IWO JIMA MEMORIAL ARLGTON NATNAL CEMETERY. MARRIED AT THE TIME, HSON BLAMED HIS ACTNS ON "PERSONAL TURMOIL" AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE MANAGED TO KEEP HIS JOB AND EVEN WON THE ELECTN TO BE COCHRAN'S REPLACEMENT THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THEN 1981, HSON WAS ARRTED AGA, FOR PERFORMG ORAL SEX ON A YOUNG CLERK A HOE OF REPRENTATIV BATHROOM. HE WAS CHARGED WH SODOMY (THEN STILL A CRIME) BUT RECEIVED A SPEND SENTENCE AND YEAR'S PROBATN. HE RIGNED ON APRIL 13, 1981, LLG "THE MOST PAFUL AND DIFFICULT CISN OF MY LIFE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SOON AFTERWARD, HSON ME OUT AND BEME AN ADVOTE FOR LGBT RIGHTS AND FOUGHT AGAST THE BAN ON GAYS THE ARY. HE DIED OF AN AIDS-RELATED ILLNS 1995 AT THE AGE OF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TROY KGBILL CLARK/ROLL CALL/GETTY IMAGUNITED STATES - MARCH 23: ALABAMA ATTORNEY GENERAL TROY KG, LEFT, AND REP. SPENCER BACH, R-ALA., HOLD A NEWS NFERENCE ON TUDAY, MARCH 23, 2010, TO DISCS ALABAMA'S POSN AND PLANNED LAWSU CHALLENGG THE HEALTH RE REFORM LEGISLATN PASSED BY CONGRS. (PHOTO BY BILL CLARK/ROLL CALL/GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS FORMER ALABAMA ATTORNEY GENERAL RAILED AGAST HOMOSEXUALY, LLG "THE DOWNFALL OF SOCIETY" A 1992 OP-ED ABOUT A LLEGE LGBT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THE EXISTENCE OF THE GAY-LBIAN ALLIANCE ON THIS MP IS AN AFONT TO THE STATE OF ALABAMA, S CIZENRY, THIS UNIVERSY AND S STUNTS." (HE ALSO TRIED TO BAN THE SALE OF SEX TOYS THE STATE.){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SO WAS A B EMBARRASSG WHEN, 2008, WAS REPORTED HE WAS UGHT BY HIS WIFE BED WH A MALE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NEWSPAPER ACUNTS POTED OUT THE STAFFER WAS IALLY PAID $39,456 A YEAR AS AN "TERN" WHILE STILL LLEGE, AND THEN BUMPED UP TO $57,504. (KG'S CHIEF OF STAFF SAID THE AI TRAVELED EXTENSIVELY WH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND WAS "DISPENSABLE TERMS OF THE MANY FUNCTNS HE RRI OUT THIS OFFICE."){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}KG RAN FOR REELECTN 2010 BUT WAS FEATED THE GOP PRIMARY BY LUTHER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ROY ASHBURNWALLY SKALIJ/LOS ANGEL TIM VIA GETTY IMAGSACRAMENTO, CA. FEBRUARY 19, 2009??REPUBLIN SENATORS ROY ASHBURN, LEFT, AND ABEL MALDONADO VOTED FOR THE BUDGET PLAN THURSDAY SACRAMENTO. (PHOTO BY WALLY SKALIJ/LOS ANGEL TIM VIA GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CALIFORNIA STATE SENATOR ROY ASHBURN VOTED AGAST EVERY PIECE OF LGBT RIGHTS LEGISLATN THAT EVER CROSSED HIS SK. THEN, ON MARCH 3, 2010, HE WAS PULLED OVER FOR DNK DRIVG WHILE LEAVG A POPULAR SACRAMENTO GAY CLUB WH ANOTHER MAN HIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE ARRT SPARKED NATNWI SPECULATN ABOUT HIS SEXUALY AND THE HYPOCRISY OF HIS VOTG RERD. LATER THAT SAME YEAR, ASHBURN ME OUT A RAD TERVIEW. HE WAS LATER APPOTED BY GOVERNOR ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE APPEALS BOARD AND RAN UNSUCCSFULLY FOR UNTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}RICHARD CURTISKXLY/{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS A WASHGTON STATE REPRENTATIVE, CURTIS VOTED AGAST SAME-SEX DOMTIC PARTNERSHIPS AND AGAST AN ANTI-DISCRIMATN LAW PROTECTG GAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT HE WAS EVENTUALLY OUTED BY A MALE RT WHO HAD BEEN BLACKMAILG HIM AND THREATENG TO TELL HIS WIFE ABOUT THEIR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:75%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ED SCHROCKU.S. NAVY PHOTO BY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER'S MATE JOHNNY BIVERA041023-N-2383B-071NORFOLK, VA. (OCT. 23, 2004) Ð CONGRSMAN ED SCHROCK OF VIRGIA'S SEND DISTRICT, SPEAKS DURG THE MISSNG CEREMONY OF USS VIRGIA (SSN 774). THE NGRSMAN HONORED THE CREW AND GUTS OF THE FIRST NUCLEAR-POWERED FAST ATTACK VIRGIA CLASS SUBMARE AND NTH U.S. NAVAL VSEL TO BE NAMED FOR THE "OLD DOMN". IT IS THE NAVY'S ONLY MAJOR BATANT SIGNED WH THE POST-COLD WAR SECURY ENVIRONMENT MD. VIRGIA CLASS PABILI CLU ANTI-SUBMARE; ANTI-SURFACE; VERT STRIKE; VERT SPECIAL OPERATNS; VERT ME; AND VERT TELLIGENCE, RENNAISSANCE AND ELECTRONIC WARFARE. U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER'S MATE JOHNNY BIVERA. (RELEASED){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FROM 2001 TO 2005, SCHROCK SERVED AS U.S. REPRENTATIVE FOR VIRGIA'S SEND CONGRSNAL DISTRICT, AND STOOD 100% AGAST GAY RIGHTS. HE DROPPED PLANS FOR REELECTN, THOUGH, WHEN A TAPE OF HIM SOLICG SEX WH MEN ON A GAY CHAT LE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JIM KOLBEREBEC ROTH/CQ ROLL CALL VIA GETTY IMAGAT A CENS MARK-UP THE HOE APPROPRIATNS SUB-MTEE ON COMMERCE, REP. JIM KOLBE, R-ARIZ., AND CHAIRMAN REP. HAL ROGERS, R-KY., ON JULY 29, 1997. (PHOTO BY REBEC ROTH/CQ ROLL CALL VIA GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS ARIZONA CONGRSMAN WASN'T EXACTLY "TAKEN DOWN" BY REVELATNS ABOUT HIS SEXUALY—BUT HE WAS FORCED TO E {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AFTER KOLBE VOTED FAVOR OF THE DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT, LGBT ADVOT THREATENED TO OUT HIM—PLACG A FULL-PAGE AD THE WASHGTON BLA LLG ON CLOSETED NGRSMEN TO "END YOUR SILENCE AND FEND YOUR MUNY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE SUBSEQUENTLY ME OUT, AND ACTUALLY WON REELECTN THAT SAME YEAR. IN 2000, HE BEME THE FIRST OPENLY GAY PERSON TO ADDRS THE REPUBLIN NATNAL CONVENTN, ALTHOUGH HIS SPEECH DID NOT ADDRS GAY RIGHTS. (THAT SAME YEAR, HE RMED THE NGRSNAL PAGE PROGRAM ABOUT POSSIBLY APPROPRIATE NTACT BETWEEN CONGRSMAN MARK FOLEY AND TEEN PAG.){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN OCTOBER 2006, PROSECUTORS VTIGATED A MPG TRIP THAT KOLBE TOOK JULY 1996 WH TWO MALE PAG, AS WELL AS NATNAL PARK OFFICIALS, STAFFERS AND HIS SISTER. HE WAS ACCED OF "ACTG APPROPRIATELY," BUT WAS ABSOLVED OF ANY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 2013, KOLBE SIGNED AN AMIC BRIEF TO THE SUPREME COURT SUPPORT OF SAME-SEX {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JIM WTFRONTLE/{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TWO FORMER BOY SUTS CLAIMED WT, THE MAYOR OF SPOKANE, WASHGTON, FONDLED THEM AND FORCED THEM TO PERFORM SEX ACTS WHEN THEY WERE MORS. WT NFIRMED HE HAD OFFERED GIFTS, FAVORS AND AN TERNSHIP INTER CHATS WH A MAN HE BELIEVED WAS 18, BUT NIED THE MOLTATN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WT ACKNOWLEDGED HE WAS GAY BUT CLED TO STEP DOWN AS MAYOR, AND WAS EVENTUALLY REMOVED OM OFFICE BY A SPECIAL ELECTN. BEFORE HIS ATH 2006, HE SAID HE REGRETTED VOTG FOR A BILL THAT BANNED DISCSN OF HOMOSEXUALY OR LGBT RIGHTS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PL BABEGAGE SKIDMORE (CC LICENSE 3.0){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PAL COUNTY SHERIFF PL BABE WAS ONCE NSIRED A RISG STAR ARIZONA POLICS—UNTIL REPORTS SURFACED THAT HE THREATENED AN EX-BOYIEND WH PORTATN BACK TO MEXI. THE SNDAL EVENTUALLY ST BABE HIS NGRSNAL BID, AS WELL AS HIS ROLE AS ARIZONA -CHAIR OF THE MT ROMNEY FOR PRINT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT WAS LATER REVEALED THAT WHEN BABE RAN A PRIVATE BOARDG SCHOOL MASSACHETTS THE LATE ’90S, THE SCHOOL HAD BEEN VTIGATED FOR ABIVE DISCIPLARY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE RE-EMERGED ON THE SCENE THIS YEAR, WHEN HE BEME THE REPUBLIN NOMEE FOR ARIZONA'S FIRST NGRSNAL DISTRICT, BUT WAS FEATED THE GENERAL ELECTN BY DEMOCRAT TOM O'{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ROBERT BMAN CQ ROLL CALL VIA GETTY IMAGREP. ROBERT E. BMAN, R-MD., HOE OF REPRENTATIV MEMBER, STANDG BI H R IV AND MRS. GROSS. 1974 (PHOTO BY CQ ROLL CALL VIA GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS A NGRSMAN OM MARYLAND, BMAN PREACHED ABOUT THE LLAPSE OF AMERIN MORALY AND FOUND NUMERO NSERVATIVE ANIZATNS, CLUDG THE YOUNG AMERINS FOR FREEDOM AND THE AMERIN CONSERVATIVE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SO WAS QUE A SHOCK WHEN, 1980, HE WAS ARRTED FOR ATTEMPTG TO SOLIC SEX OM A 16-YEAR-OLD MALE PROSTUTE. HE, LIKE OTHERS ON THIS LIST, BLAMED ALHOL FOR HIS DISCRETN, BUT HE LOST REELECTN TO DEMOCRAT ROY DYSON, WHO WAS PREVLY NOT NSIRED A SER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AFTER THE END OF HIS POLIL REER, BMAN BEME LEGAL UNSEL FOR A GROUP DITED TO OFFSHORE BANKG AND VTMENTS. HIS MEMOIR, THE GENTLEMAN OM MARYLAND: THE CONSCIENCE OF A GAY CONSERVATIVE, WAS PUBLISHED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MARK FOLEYTHEO WARGO/WIREIMAGECONGRSMAN MARK FOLEY DURG THE CREATIVE COALN PRENTS "ART$, EDUTN AND THE 21ST CENTURY" - ENTERTAMENT INDTRY JOS FORC WH REPUBLIN LEARSHIP AT CAROL COMEDY CLUB NEW YORK CY, NEW YORK, UNED STAT. (PHOTO BY THEO WARGO/WIREIMAGE){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}REPUBLIN NGRSMAN MARK FOLEY SERVED THE HOE OM 1995 UNTIL 2006, AND VOTED FOR THE DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT. BUT ME TO LIGHT HE HAD BEEN SEXTG WH TWO MALE PAG, AG 16 AND 18—AND AFTER THEY TURNED LEGAL, REPORTEDLY HAVG SEX WH {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FOLEY NIED HE "EVER HAD APPROPRIATE SEXUAL NTACT WH A MOR HIS LIFE," BUT HIS POLIL REER WAS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE RIGNED OM CONGRS ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2006, AFTER A REQUT BY REPUBLIN LEARSHIP. FOLEY RURFACED AS A SUPPORTER OF DONALD TMP DURG THE 2016 PRINTIAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BOB ALLENCORBIS/GETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ALLEN, A MARRIED FLORIDA STATE REPRENTATIVE, VOTED AGAST GAY RIGHTS LEGISLATN 90% OF THE TIME. WHEN HE WAS ARRTED FOR OFFERG A MALE UNRVER P $20 TO RECEIVE ORAL SEX A RTROOM, HE CLAIMED HE ONLY DID BEE HE WAS AAID OF BLACK {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ON NOVEMBER 9, 2007, ALLEN WAS NVICTED, FED $250 AND SENTENCED TO SIX MONTHS' PROBATN. HE SUBMTED HIS LETTER OF RIGNATN A WEEK {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CHRIS MYERSWIKIMEDIA (CC LICENSE 3.0){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 2011, THIS MARRIED REPUBLIN MAYOR OF MEDFORD, NEW JERSEY, WAS ACCED OF HAVG SEX WH A MALE PROSTUTE A CALIFORNIA HOTEL—BY THE RT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}APPARENTLY MYERS HAD PAID HIM $500, BUT RENEGED ON A R AND OTHER PROMISED GIFTS. BUT THE PRO-LIFE, ANTI-MARRIAGE-EQUALY POLICIAN STONEWALLED FOR MONTHS BEFORE EVENTUALLY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE DIDN'T MENTN THE ACCATNS HIS RIGNATN LETTER, THOUGH, CLAIMG, "MY WORK MMENTS WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO VOTE THE TIME THAT IS NEED THE MONTHS AHEAD."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MYERS WAS RELIEVED OF HIS POSN AT LOCKHEED MART SHORTLY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PHIL HKLETHE YOUNG TURKS/{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS A MEMBER OF THE INDIANA HOE OF REPRENTATIV, HKLE VOTED FOR A NSTUTNAL AMENDMENT BANNG SAME-SEX MARRIAGE. SO HE PROBABLY DIDN'T HAVE MARRIAGE ON HIS MD WHEN HE ASKED AN 18-YEAR-OLD MALE HE MET ON CRAIGSLIST UP TO HIS HOTEL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN THE YOUNG MAN CHANGED HIS MD ABOUT THE ENUNTER, HKLE TRIED TO PAY HIM OFF, BUT WORD GOT OUT. HKLE REFED TO ADM HE WAS GAY, BUT CLED TO SEEK REELECTN. "I DON'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOG THROUGH MY MD," HE SAID AT THE TIME. "I DON'T KNOW WHY I DID WHAT I DID."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WE THK WE MIGHT KNOW {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BCE BARCLAYARTFOLPHOTO/GETTY IMAGCLOSP PHOTO OF YOUNG MAN HOLDG PACK OF DOLLARS AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BARCLAY, CHAIRMAN OF THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY MISSNERS OFFICE, SPOKE OPENLY ABOUT HIS BELIEF THAT HOMOSEXUALY WAS A S. BUT 2008, HE WAS UGHT WH HUNDREDS OF TAP OF HIM HAVG SEX WH MALE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}COURT DOCUMENTS DITE BARCLAY PATRONIZED A RENTBOY SE AND, AT LEAST TWICE, FLEW A 19-YEAR-OLD TO HIS HOME WT PALM BEACH. CAMERAS WERE HIDN THROUGHOUT THE HOE— THE BATHROOMS, BEDROOMS AND “DOOR RECREATNAL AREAS”—AND RERD BETWEEN 100 AND 500 SEXUAL ENUNTERS WH OTHER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LARRY CRAIGALEX QUADA/LOS ANGEL TIM VIA GETTY , 02/12/2004. CAPOL, WASHGTON, D.C. HEARGS BEFORE THE SENATE COMMTEE OF THE JUDICIARY SUBMTEE ON IMMIGRATN AND BORR SECURY ON " EVALUATG A TEMPORARY GUT WORKER PROPOSAL". SENATOR LARRY CRAIG (R) IDAHO GIV TTIMONY SUPPORT OF LEGISLATURE TO CHANGE IMMIGRATN LAWS. (PHOTO BY ALEX QUADA/LOS ANGEL TIM VIA GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 2007, THIS REPUBLIN SENATOR FAMOLY BLAMED HIS ARRT FOR SOLICATN AN AIRPORT BATHROOM ON HAVG A "WI STANCE" AND REFED TO RIGN HIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 2014, THE FERAL ELECTN COMMISSN FILED SU AFTER DISVERG CRAIG HAD ILLEGALLY ED MPAIGN FUNDS TO PAY HIS ATTORNEYS DURG THE WHOLE ORAL. HE WAS ORRED TO PAY THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT $242,535 OUT OF HIS OWN POCKET. CRAIG APPEALED, BUT 2016, THE U.S. COURT OF APPEALS LED AGAST {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}STEVE WILHENRY HORENSTE/GETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 2014, THIS REPUBLIN SENATE NDIDATE MPAIGNED HEAVILY ON HIS SUPPORT FOR NORTH CAROLA'S SAME-SEX MARRIAGE BAN. HIS SUPPORTERS WERE SHOCKED TO LEARN, THOUGH, THAT WIL HAD PERFORMED AS MISS MONA SCLAIR AT A DRAG CLUB {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE WAS ALSO A PROMOTER FOR THE 2011 MISS GAY AMERI {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}RANDY BOEHNGTHOMAS TTSCHEL/PHOTOTHEK VIA GETTY IMAGBERL, GERMANY - FEBARY 26: IN THIS PHOTO ILLTRATN THE APP OF GRDR IS DISPLAYED ON A SMARTPHONE ON FEBARY 26, 2018 BERL, GERMANY. (PHOTO ILLTRATN BY THOMAS TTSCHEL/PHOTOTHEK VIA GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LET THIS BE A LSON: IT WAS AFTER BOEHNG, A MEMBER OF THE NORTH DAKOTA HOE OF REPRENTATIV, VOTED AGAST GAY RIGHTS THAT HE WAS OUTED ON GRDR WH EXPLIC PHOTOS AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE IALLY CLAIMED WAS POLIL RETALIATN, BUT ON APRIL 30, 2015, HE TOLD THE GRAND FORKS HERALD HE WAS "RELIEVED TO E OUT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MIKE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YENNI WAS MAYOR OF KENNER, LOUISIANA—AND MARRIED TO WIFE MICHELLE—WHEN HE REPORTEDLY SEXTED 17-YEAR-OLD ALEX {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YENNI, NOW PRINT OF JEFFERSON PARISH, ME TO SEE DAIGLE AT THE MALL WHERE HE WORKED. THEY REPORTEDLY MET A BATHROOM, WHERE THE MAYOR GAVE THE TEEN SOME SIGNER UNRWEAR AND THEY BRIEFLY KISSED. YENNI APPARENTLY ASKED TO SEE THE YOUNG MAN NAKED AND TOLD HIM THAT HE WANTED TO PERFORM A SEX ACT ON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DAIGLE SAID HE STARTED TO FEEL UNFORTABLE AND END MUNITN A FEW WEEKS AFTER THE SEXTG BEGAN. “HE ASKED ME TO BE A SECRETARY OR ASSISTANT HIS OFFICE; THAT WAY I ULD BE WH HIM AND NOT BE QUTNED.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHILE YENNI ADMTED TO SENDG EXPLIC TEXTS TO DAIGLE, HE NI HE IS GAY. “THERE ARE A LOT OF ELEMENTS OF THAT STORY I TLY BELIEVE ARE CERTALY FICTNAL,” HE TOLD {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}RALPH SHORTEYOKLAHOMA LEGISLATIVE SERVICE BURE/PUBLIC {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OKLAHOMA STATE SENATOR RALPH SHORTEY (R-OKLAHOMA CY) WAS AN EARLY SUPPORTER OF DONALD TMP AND SERVED AS A ORDATOR FOR HIS MPAIGN OKLAHOMA. IN MARCH 2017, THOUGH, SHORTEY, WHO IS MARRIED, WAS UGHT A MOTEL ROOM WH A 17-YEAR-OLD BOY HE HAD OFFERED MONEY FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE BOY'S FATHER LLED POLICE AND SHORTEY WAS ARRTED. AN FBI VTIGATN FOUND THAT SHORTEY NTACTED NUMERO YOUNG MEN ON CRAIGSLIST TO SEND AND RECEIVE PORNOGRAPHY. HE PLEAD GUILTY TO THE CHILD-SEX TRAFFICKG CHARGE, BUT AVOID CHARG RELATG TO CHILD {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}W GOODMANNBC4/{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN NOVEMBER 2017, GOODMAN (R-CARDGTON) RIGNED OM THE OH HOE OF REPRENTATIV AFTER ALLEGATNS SURFACED HE HAD SEX WH ANOTHER MAN HIS OFFICE. A MARRIED “FAY VALU” REPUBLIN, HAS PREV CLAIMED “HEALTHY, VIBRANT, THRIVG, VALU-DRIVEN FAI ARE THE SOURCE OF OH’S PROUD HISTORY.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}GOODMAN TOUTED RELIG LIBERTY AND VOTED TO REPEAL OBAMARE OH. HE ALSO THORED THE “ENACT CAMP FREE SPEECH ACT,” TO ENSURE SPEAKERS WERE ALLOWED TO SPEAK ON LLEGE MP REGARDLS OF HOW OD THEIR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“WE ALL BRG OUR OWN STGGL AND OUR OWN TRIALS TO PUBLIC LIFE,” GOODMAN SAID AN APOLOGY. “THAT HAS BEEN TE FOR ME, AND I SCERELY REGRET THAT MY ACTNS AND CHOIC HAVE KEPT ME OM SERVG MY NSTUENTS AND OUR STATE A WAY THAT REFLECTS THE BT IALS OF PUBLIC SERVICE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}RUMORS OF GOODMAN'S BEHAVR HAVE APPARENTLY BEEN SWIRLG FOR YEARS: IN 2016, GOODMAN WAS ACCED OF FONDLG AN 18-YEAR-OLD WHO WAS ATTENDG A FUNDRAISER. GOODMAN ALLEGEDLY FORCE THE TEEN TO E TO HIS HOTEL ROOM AND SHARE A BED WH HIM. THE YOUNG MAN SAYS HE WOKE UP THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT TO FD GOODMAN PULLG DOWN HIS ZIPPER. HE LEFT THE ROOM AT 4AM, THE WASHGTON POST REPORTED, “SHAKEN, DAZED, NFED AND VERY UPSET.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

“Extremism is a crisis this untry, even wh the Democrats, and extremism plays to the fact that Republins aren’t gog to promote a gay ndidate, when the base of the party supports anti-LGBTQ laws, ” he says. “I don’t know that engagg more LGBTQ ndidat the Republin Party is fixable the current atmosphere of the Republin Party, ” argu Tim Miller, a gay former Republin Natnal Commtee spokperson and a wrer for The Bulwark, a neonservative news and opn webse. “In theory, at some of the state levels, which is where you rec ndidat, prospective LGBTQ+ ndidat won’t n and buck the system bee of all the antigay rhetoric and legislatn.

”Kirchick tri to ph the narrative that Tmp was somehow not as bad for LGBTQ+ people than Reagan or the Bh, though that argument ually om a whe gay man thkg of only whe gay men and not the monizatn of trans people and people of lor general that Tmp regularly whipped up. If DeSantis gets the nomatn, you fely won’t be seeg any gay ndidat, particularly at some of the state levels, where state legislators are takg their anti-LGBTQ legislatn leads om Florida and DeSantis.

”The 2022 midterms ma history when Democratic ngrsnal ndidate Robert Zimmerman faced another gay ndidate, Republin Gee Santos, a district on New York’s Long Island. ”Gunrson, who is arguably the an of gay Republin legislators, thought at one pot the Republin Party might be shiftg, and while didn’t, he now has hop that future generatns will save the party. “Around the years 2014—2016, there was evince that Republins were beg more acceptg, and Republin voters, acrdg to polls, appeared to be more welg to gay ndidat, ” he says.

COLUMN: THK ‘GAY REPUBLIN’ IS A NTRADICTN? THK AGA

A Republin ndidate nng for a seat Oklahoma's state Hoe once said is "totally jt" to kill gay people ments that have rurfaced amid his Esk is nng to reprent Oklahoma's 87th Hoe District, which clus parts of Oklahoma Cy. The ments rurfaced last year a Facebook ment thread as many the LGBTQ muny have warned about a rise homophobic rhetoric 2013, when Esk was nng a different race, the ndidate mented on an article about the Pope askg "who I am to judge?

"Renewed Anti-Gay RhetoricEsk is not the only proment nservative figure the Uned Stat to ph anti-gay, and at tim vlent, rhetoric recent Mark Burns, who ran and lost a primary challenge for a South Carola Hoe seat, also lled for the executn of gay people. 11, 2022WASHINGTON — When the Senate passed landmark legislatn last month to mandate feral regnn for same-sex marriag, the vote was ld as a rare moment of bipartisanship at a time of ep polil polarizatn the the narrow aln of 12 Republins that joed every Democrat support of the measure — which cleared Congrs on Thursday wh fal passage the Hoe, sendg to Print Bin — did not sprg up spontaneoly a groundswell of cross-party the scen, a group of fluential Republin donors and operativ, cludg some of the party’s most proment gay lears wh long experience proddg their party to embrace L. Senators that backg would give them a polil quiet work helps expla how a bill to ensure regnn of same-sex marriag across the untry went om beg the subject of an electn-season polil manver that few expected to be enacted to an iative embraced by a cisive majory of senators, and an unexpected victory for the gay rights movement that will be one of the fal acts of the Democratic-ntrolled Congrs.

Bh’s mpaign manager 2004 and a former chairman of the Republin Natnal Commtee who me out as gay 2010, and Centerle Actn, a centrist nonprof fund by him and Regald Brown, a lawyer Mr. Mehlman, who has worked to build greater acceptance among Republins for gay- and transgenr-iendly polici, also leaned on a work of Republins that he enlisted 2019 to urge the Supreme Court to clare that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 explicly prohibs discrimatn agast gay men, lbians and transgenr people the workplace. Tmp; Ben Gsberg, the proment Republin lawyer; Mary Cheney, the openly gay and married dghter of former Vice Print Dick Cheney; Tom Ridge, the former homeland secury secretary unr Mr.

TEXAS GOP'S NEW PLATFORM LLS GAY PEOPLE 'ABNORMAL' AND REJECTS TRANS INTI

More about Annie KarniA versn of this article appears prt on, Sectn A, Page 28 of the New York edn wh the headle: Proment Gay Republins Helped Smooth Way for the Marriage Bill. The right-wg mpaign to tar LGBTQ people wh false allegatns of pedophilia appears to be havg an impact on Republins, a majory of whom said a recent poll that same-sex relatns were the poll last month, the latt edn of a survey that Gallup nducts annually, jt 41% of Republins said gay or lbian relatns were morally acceptable, a 15-percentage-pot drop om 2022.

GAYS HAVE A PLACE TMP'S REPUBLIN PARTY NO MATTER WHAT TEXAS GOP LLS 'ABNORMAL'

Democratic approval also fell to 79% om share of pennts sayg same-sex relatns are morally acceptable has remaed steady the Gallup poll recent years, wh 73% exprsg approval 2023 pared wh 72% the year sharp drop support among some Amerins follows an pecially aggrsive year of anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and the past year, right-wg activists and policians have creasgly attacked LGBTQ muni, claimg that public-school teachers are "groomg" stunts by acknowledgg the existence of gay or transgenr attacks have led school districts across the untry to pull books om librari over claims that pictns of gay or transgenr relatnships are "pornographic. Overall, 64% of Amerins the latt Gallup poll said gay or lbian relatns were "morally acceptable, " still a nsirable difference om 2001, when jt 40% of rponnts to the same poll exprsed approval of "homosexual behavr, " as the qutn was word at the time. Correctn: June 21, 2023 — An earlier versn of this story misstated the change sce 2022 the share of Republins who told Gallup that gay or lbian relatns were morally acceptable.

More about Sheryl Gay StolbergA versn of this article appears prt on, Sectn A, Page 15 of the New York edn wh the headle: Virologists Deny to Panel That Fci Swayed Report Agast Lab Leak Theory. It seems like every time a Republin polician starts screamg about the gay agenda, we fd out he has a Grdr acunt or a secret small towns to the hight echelons of power, there've been a lot of closeted GOP officials ught wh their pants down—lerally, some s. He died of an AIDS-related illns 1995 at the age of KgThis former Alabama Attorney General railed agast homosexualy, llg "the downfall of society" a 1992 op-ed about a llege LGBT group.

Then, on March 3, 2010, he was pulled over for dnk drivg while leavg a popular Sacramento gay club wh another man his arrt sparked natnwi speculatn about his sexualy and the hypocrisy of his votg rerd. Richard CurtisAs a Washgton State Reprentative, Curtis voted agast same-sex domtic partnerships and agast an anti-discrimatn law protectg gay he was eventually outed by a male rt who had been blackmailg him and threateng to tell his wife about their SchrockFrom 2001 to 2005, Schrock served as U.

*BEAR-MAGAZINE.COM* GOP GAY

Texas GOP's new platform lls gay people 'abnormal' and rejects trans inti.

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