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Senate OK's Defense Bill Without Anti-LGBTQ+ Provisions, Setting Up Fight With House

Fights are likely over individual appropriations bills as well.

Gay Democrat is lone LGBTQ+ vote in Congress for anti-trans national defense bill

New Hampshire U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas defended his support for the National Defense Authorization Act that strips trans kids of military members of care in a statement to The Advocate.

Obama Administration Objects to Antigay Military Act

The White House has challenged a Republican's 'license to discriminate' amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act.

Pro-Equality Lawmakers Demand Removal of Anti-LGBTQ+ Sections From Defense Bill

The House version of the National Defense Authorization Act includes bans on trans health care, Pride flags, drag shows, and more.

President Joe Biden signs into law first federal anti-LGBTQ+ bill in decades

The National Defense Authorization Act has a provision barring the military's insurance from covering gender-affirming care for service members' children.

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

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

Hagel: Full National Guard To Recognize Gay Couples

Less than two months after the Defense Department launched an inquiry into how to recognize same-sex couples, each National Guard organization is now falling in line to observe the policy.

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New Pentagon memo dictates how transgender troops must look to defend their service

“This administration is desperate to distract from the reality that these service members have impeccable records and that there is no reason whatsoever to separate them from military service,” attorney Shannon Minter told The Advocate.

BREAKING: U.S. House passes defense spending bill with anti-trans provision

The bill, which now goes to the Senate, would deny insurance coverage for gender-affirming care for trans children of service members.

Transgender youth endangered as anti-trans defense budget is signed into law by Biden

The newly signed bill bars the military's insurance from covering gender-affirming care for minors.

Senate passes defense bill with anti-trans language; now goes to Biden

Advocates are calling on President Joe Biden to veto it.

The former Marine who helped end DADT predicts the road ahead for LGBTQ+ service members

Trump’s Defense nominee Hegseth’s anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and the House passing the anti-trans defense spending bill mean that the assault on LGBTQ+ soldiers is just beginning.


U.S. Reps. Nancy Mace, Sara Jacobs spar over trans rights and 'boob jobs' as gender-affirming care

Mace couldn't stand that Jacobs pointed out that cisgender people benefit from gender-affirming care too.

Voters Oppose Anti-LGBTQ+, Anti-Abortion Amendments to Defense Bill: Poll

Those are the findings of a Data for Progress survey of likely voters.

Civil rights groups sue Trump over executive orders targeting DEI & transgender people

President Trump, we will see you in court again, and we will beat you again,” Lambda Legal CEO Kevin Jennings said.

Tammy Baldwin, 20 other senators try to strike anti-trans provision from defense bill

They introduced an amendment to the House-passed version of the bill, and Baldwin delivered floor remarks against the anti-trans language.

40+ senators oppose anti-LGBTQ+, anti-abortion provisions in spending bills

Led by Jeff Merkley, Tammy Baldwin, and Cory Booker, they have sent a letter to Appropriations Committee leaders.

Sarah McBride slams Republicans for blocking amendments on trans military service in defense bill

The Delaware congresswoman said lawmakers were "betraying" those who volunteer to wear the uniforms of the U.S. military.

Republicans release top bill priorities in rules package. The No. 1 priority? Trans people

The rules package released by Speaker Johnson shows that transgender people are likely to be a top priority for Republicans in 2025.

Illinois Army captain says Dems are ‘rolling over’ on LGBTQ+ rights. He’s running for Congress to change that

“What’s happening right now to trans people — to the LGBTQ+ community — is not okay. Somebody needs to stand up," Dylan Blaha told The Advocate.

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