transgender rights

A divided federal appeals court has refused to reconsider a decision allowing Alabama to enforce its ban on treating transgender minors with puberty blockers and hormones.

At least five Republican state attorneys general are challenging a new federal regulation that mandates protections for transgender students at schools. The federal rule opposes sweeping policies to allow transgender people from using the school bathrooms that align with their gender. At least eleven states, including Alabama, have such laws in their books already.

Alabama lawmakers have advanced legislation to define who is considered a man or a woman under state law, saying it must be based on reproductive systems and not gender identity. The Alabama House of Representatives voted 77-24 for the legislation.

Alabama lawmakers are advancing legislation that would define who is considered female and male under state law. A Senate committee approved definitions based on reproductive systems on Tuesday, and a House committee planned to take up similar legislation Wednesday.

A federal appeals court ruled that Alabama can enforce a ban outlawing the use of medications to treat transgender children. That’s the second such appellate victory for gender-affirming care restrictions that have been adopted by a growing number of Republican-led states. The eleventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a judge's temporary injunction against enforcing the law. The judge has scheduled trial for April of next year on whether to permanently block the law.

More than 6,000 United Methodist congregations — a fifth of the U.S. total — have now received permission to leave the denomination amid a schism over theology and the role of LGBTQ people in the nation's second-largest Protestant denomination. The departures have been particularly large in the South and Midwest, with states such as Texas, Alabama, Kentucky and Ohio each losing hundreds of congregations.

Alabama is the latest state attempting to pass new laws that prohibit drag performances. The bill, which was filed, is similar to the Tennessee’s recent anti-drag legislation. Supporters say the legislation safeguards children.

Alabama has joined states trying to limit drag shows after legislation was filed Thursday that would prohibit the performances in public places where children are present.

Alabama Public Radio has spent the summer reporting on issues that the transgender community faces in the state. That includes legislation aimed at…

An APR News FeatureJune is Pride month, and Alabama Public radio has spent the past few weeks diving into issues that affect the transgender community.…