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Health

Discover the Health section of The Advocate, where readers can find the latest news on medicine, fitness, mental and physical wellbeing, scientific developments, and diseases that affect the LGBT community. Read the most recent on gay health, AIDS and HIV news, pregnancy and sex from experts like doctors and researchers. Learn about news related to health insurance, statistics, changing laws and government policy, and tools that can be used in preventing and curing illnesses in the United States and beyond.

Olivia Rodrigo gives away free Plan B at Missouri show, calls for 'funding abortion'

Olivia Rodrigo gave away free boxes of Julie emergency contraception also known as Plan B — at her recent show in St. Louis, Mo., where abortion is a felony.

Researchers have turned a skin cell into an egg. Here's what that means for LGBTQ+ people

A new in vitro gametogenesis (IVG) technique is signaling promise for same-sex couples looking to start families.

Nebraska trans youth can access gender-affirming care, but only after invalidating therapy

Minors in Nebraska will be able to access gender-affirming care, but only after attending 40 hours of therapy that could push back on their identity.

How important is abortion in the 2024 elections? To these groups, it's crucial

Abortion is an important issue to most women, but a large number of certain demographics are making it their top priority.

North Dakota allows doctors to refuse trans health care in the name of 'religious freedom'

A North Dakota court has permitted doctors to refuse to perform gender-affirming surgeries, and allowed employers to refuse to cover all gender-affirming care.

CVS and Walgreens will start dispensing abortion pill mifepristone. Here's when and where

Both pharmacy chains already dispense misoprostol, the other medication involved in medication abortion regimens.

Texas quietly restricts gender-affirming care for trans adults: 'Canary in the coalmine'

Texas Medicaid will no longer cover gender affirming care for transgender adults as of tomorrow.

World's largest psych association passes policy supporting trans youth care by massive margin

The American Psychological Association, representing 157,000 members, has issued a resolution calling for an end to trans care bans and misinformation around care.

West Virginia Republicans want to prevent suicidal transgender youth from receiving care

GOP lawmakers in West Virginia are pushing to overturn an exception that allows transgender youth at risk of self-harm or suicide to receive gender-affirming care.

Family planning and fertility services grind to halt in Alabama after devastating ruling

Family planning services in Alabama have been completely upended by an unprecedented and unscientific state Supreme Court ruling.

Youth mental health crisis calls in Oklahoma skyrocket after Nex Benedict’s death

Trans and nonbinary youth in Oklahoma are suffering from the news of the death of a bullied high school sophomore.

Columbia South Carolina Planned Parenthood Abortion Healthcare Protest State House capitol building
Law

A South Carolina woman was forced to leave the state for an abortion. Now, she's suing

Despite being less than six weeks pregnant, Taylor Shelton said that healthcare providers would not assist her in terminating her pregnancy, nor provide her resources for services elsewhere.

Alabama Supreme Court endangers IVF access by ruling frozen embryos are people

In a notable union of church and state, the Alabama Supreme Court cited Christian faith as reason to jeopardize access to in vitro fertilization (IVF).

DOJ sues Tennessee over HIV-related discrimination in anti-sex work law

The Justice Department says that the state is violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Abortion restrictions amount to sex-based discrimination, state Supreme Court says

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled against an antiquated anti-abortion law, with justices issuing a scathing rebuke of the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson decision.

Doctors Argue Business Meeting Gender Affirming Care Transgender Rights
Law

Experts say that gender-affirming care bans amount to 'abuse.' Why won't lawmakers listen?

Despite medical professionals insisting bans on gender-affirming care for minors “amount to state-sanctioned medical neglect and emotional abuse," politicians won't relent.

Transgender women have a higher risk of HIV infections. A new CDC report reveals why

A new CDC report reveals that discrimination against transgender women is the main cause behind adverse health trends in the group.

Texas AG Ken Paxton won't leave trans people alone, again requests data from out of state

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has once again requested medical records from a transgender health care provider in another state, despite having no legal jurisdiction.

Biden administration creates $700k grant to create inclusive sex ed for trans male teens

Trans boys and nonbinary youth were assigned female at birth don't always receive appropriate information to help them prevent pregnancy and STIs, but a new program seeks to change that.