New York Pride bans police from marching in uniform
Organisers of New York’s Pride events have banned police and other law enforcement from marching in their annual parade until at least 2025. They are also seeking to have on-duty officers kept a block away from celebrations. The decision was taken because organisers believe law enforcement in the city does harm to minorities. However, the Gay Officers Action League which represents LGBTQ police officers has said it is disheartened by the decision and says “the decision to placate some of the activists in our community is shameful.”
Trans women allowed to play women’s rugby in France
The French rugby federation (FFR) has voted unanimously in favour of allowing transgender women to play women’s rugby. The decision goes against advice from World Rugby who recommended trans women not play on ‘safety grounds.’ The FFR Vice President Serge Simon said the organisation stands against all forms of discrimination. There are stipulations, however, and MtF players must have been on hormonal treatment for at least 12 months and must not exceed a testosterone threshold of 5 nanomoles per litre.
Lutheran Church elects first trans bishop
The Rev. Megan Rohrer has become the first transgender Lutheran bishop in North America. Rohrer uses they/them pronouns and was first ordained into the church in 2006. They are married and have two young children. Rohrer says they came out at the time Matthew Shepard was murdered and at time when they were questioning whether or not God loved them.
Welsh town has world’s first known non-binary mayor
Owen Hurcum has been sworn in as the new mayor of Bangor in Wales. Elected unanimously last year, Hurcum didn’t take office until this week due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The new mayor describes himself as genderqueer and uses gender-neutral pronouns. The 23-year-old says they initially worried they might not be welcomed by the city, but feels ready to face the challenges ahead.
Actor Billy Porter reveals he has been HIV positive for 14 years
Tony and Emmy award-winning actor Billy Porter revealed in an interview this week that he has been living with HIV for over a decade. He was diagnosed in 2007 but kept the information secret fearing discrimination in the entertainment industry. Porter had intended to keep his diagnosis secret until his mother died, but after playing an HIV-positive person in the television series Pose, he told her. Her reaction was to say: “You’ve been carrying this around for 14 years? Don’t ever do this again. I’m your mother, I love you no matter what.”
