LGBTQ rights

Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear joined health care professionals and activists Wednesday as he signed an executive order he said would restrict conversion therapy in Kentucky.

Republican lawmakers in Tennessee are making their umpteenth attempt to end same-sex marriage. This time around they want to make sure a public official is not required to solemnize a marriage, which would mean LGBTQ couples could be denied their fundamental right to marry. The bill is heading to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk, and if he signs it, it’ll be effective immediately.

This summer, transgender minors in Kentucky lost access to gender-affirming hormone therapy. But the ACLU of Kentucky wants the U.S. Supreme Court to change that.

A federal appeals court has promised a swift decision in a legal challenge to Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming healthcare for minors.

A second federal judge in Tennessee has temporarily blocked a state law restricting drag performances in public spaces. The order from an East Tennessee judge comes three months after a West Tennessee judge ruled the law unconstitutional.

Kentucky’s largest school district passed a policy Monday night that they say brings it in line with a new state law targeting LGBTQ+ students’ rights.

A group representing teachers from across Tennessee has filed a lawsuit against state officials over a ban on certain “prohibited concepts” in the classroom. The law bans certain lessons about racism, gender and privilege. Plaintiffs in the suit say the policy interferes with teachers’ ability to do their jobs and “deprives students of a quality education.”

The same federal judge who temporarily blocked Kentucky’s ban on gender-affirming hormone therapy reversed course on Friday.

Kentucky civil rights law explicitly protects individuals against discrimination based on race, sex, religion and nationality. Smokers, too, are considered a protected class. Some Kentucky lawmakers are again introducing legislation to also explicitly protect LGBTQ+ individuals.