Scroll To Top

state department

World AIDS Day observance in Stuttgart, Germany

On World AIDS Day, thinking of progress and how to build on it in the face of hostility

“As long as people willing to fight, we will change the course of history,” says HRC's Matthew Rose.

desert road leading to nuclear bomb explosion

80 years after Hiroshima, Trump’s ‘gut’ is in charge of the nuclear codes, and it's dangerous

Opinion: In 1945, the world crossed a line. In 2025, one man might erase it altogether, writes John Casey.

Hand holding passport

Judge won't lift her block on Trump admin's anti-trans, anti-nonbinary passport policy

The Justice Department had asked U.S. District Judge Julia Kobick to lift her injunction in light of the Supreme Court's ruling allowing states to ban gender-affirming care for transgender youth.

Person sitting at a desk filling out paperwork.

What trans and nonbinary people need to know about updating their passports and birth certificates

Trans and nonbinary people are able to update their passports with the sex marker that aligns with their gender identity as of June 17.

Brussels Belgium protest sign showing Russian President Vladimir Putin in drag makeup against a rainbow another says gay rights human rights during protest against the detention of gay men in concentration camps in Chechnya

Bipartisan bill looks to sanction foreign officials who attack LGBTQ+ human rights

The Global Respect Act would allow sanctions against those who commit human rights violations against LGBTQ+ people.

Hand holding passport

Judge expands block on Donald Trump's anti-trans, anti-nonbinary passport policy

U.S. District Judge Julia Kobick had previously blocked the policy only for those who sued, but now it will cover almost all trans and nonbinary passport applicants.

Marco Rubio sipping watter on live tv

Marco Rubio had trouble sipping water but now has no problem drinking the Kool-Aid

We laughed at the awkwardness of Rubio’s water sipping, but there's nothing funny about what a danger he’s becoming, writes John Casey.

USA passport and boarding pass at airport

Federal judge blocks Trump admin's gender-restrictive passport policy

The State Department can't enforce the policy denying gender marker changes or the X marker while a lawsuit against it proceeds, the judge ruled.

HIV and AIDS Activists hold coffin delivery to protest PEPFAR cuts at State Department building in Washington, D.C., April 17, 2025

Activists stack coffins in front of State Department to protest PEPFAR cuts (in photos)

The gutting of the global HIV-fighting program could bring back "the darkest days of the AIDS epidemic," says the Human Rights Campaign's Matt Rose.

supporters of the lgbtq+ community protesting and holding signs

D.C. WorldPride organizers warn transgender visitors to the U.S. of potential travel risks

The organizers are responding to concerns from international travelers under the second Trump administration.

Charlee Doom Conflict Specialist with the State Department holding baby speaking to CNN Jake Tapper USA Navy USAID mission sailors signal MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter after rescuing victims of a private airplane crash

A USAID worker's pregnant wife was denied an emergency medical evacuation after DOGE fired her

Charlee Doom's wife was 31 weeks pregnant when she suffered "life-threatening" complications. The State Department denied her medical evacuation request — twice.

Closed up finger and keyboard with word BAN key in red

The many terms the Trump administration really hates

The administration has banned or discouraged the use of hundreds of terms, including "advocate," "LGBT," and "trans."