Denton, TX – On August 8, 200 people braved triple digit temperatures to protest Governor Greg Abbott’s visit to Texas Women’s University, located in Denton, Texas. The governor came to the campus for a ceremonial signing of SB 15, a bill banning trans athletes from participating in college sports teams aligned with their genders. Abbott had already officially signed SB 15 into law in June of 2023.
Baton Rouge, LA – On July 24, protesters from across Louisiana gathered outside Jones Creek Library in East Baton Rouge Parish. They chanted and waved signs, voicing their opposition to Louisiana Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley’s meeting with Moms for Liberty, a far-right national organization identified as an extremist group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Baton Rouge, LA – Dozens of protesters gathered at the Louisiana State Capitol building, July 18, for an emergency demonstration against three anti-LGBTQ bills. The Republican supermajority called a special legislative veto override session after these bills were vetoed by Governor John Bel Edwards. The governor’s move in support of the LGBTQ community resulted from substantial pressure from the people of Louisiana.
Tallahassee, FL – On July 13 Tallahassee community organizers and experts gave presentations at the Mayor's LGBTQ+ Advisory Council at City Hall. The presentation's focus was the demand to transform Tallahassee into an LGBTQ sanctuary city.
Waukesha, WI – On July 12, nearly 800 people silently rallied to support Waukesha public school teacher Melissa Tempel. Waukesha Alliance for Education organized the rally and encouraged participants to wear black armbands. This is a subtle nod to Mary Beth Tinker, the lead plaintiff in the Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District ruling, a landmark 1969 decision regarding censorship in education settings.
Minneapolis, MN – 30 protesters gathered in front of Mayday Books in the West Bank neighborhood on July 8 to oppose the recent U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) decisions that end affirmative action, enable LBGTQ discrimination, and block student loan forgiveness.
Milwaukee, WI – Milwaukee organizations hosted their second annual People’s Independence Day on July 4. Partner organizations, led by the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (MAARPR), Reproductive Justice Action – Milwaukee (RJAM) and Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), hosted a rally and march shedding light on the hypocrisy of July 4th and the United States’ unjustified claim of being the “nation of freedom.” The so-called “freedom” America claims to possess and “bestow” unto other nations is simply the freedom for the ruling class to oppress the working class, either domestically or internationally.
Orlando, FL – On Saturday, July 1, over 350 community members marched up and down Aloma Avenue against the Governor Ron DeSantis-backed anti-immigrant bill, SB 1718, as well as the governor’s continued attacks on Florida’s LGBTQ community. The sweeping bill, which went into effect that same day, prohibits funding for social services for undocumented immigrants, invalidates driver’s licenses issued to undocumented people by other states, makes it harder for undocumented workers to find jobs, and much more.
Tampa, FL – The International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the United Parcel Service have reached agreements on multiple non-economic proposals, including more protections for transgender workers. If the Teamsters and UPS reach a tentative agreement by July 31, it will have updated language to include gender identity and sexual orientation as protected identities under article 36, the non-discrimination section of the contract.
Minneapolis, MN – On June 25 hundreds came together to protest the city-sanctioned Twin Cities Pride parade. Now in its seventh year, the Taking Back Pride protest was a powerful display of solidarity amongst several organizations that demand that there be no cops and corporations at Pride.
New Orleans, LA – Activists convened in an open forum, June 22, hosted by members of an LGBTQ delegation that visited Cuba in early May. About 25 others joined virtually. Gregory William from the Women in Struggle / Mujeres en Lucha and Serena Sojic-Borne of Real Name Campaign New Orleans spoke as delegation members. Speaker Verde Gil Jimenez, a coordinating member of the Trans Masculine Group of Cuba, attended remotely from Santa Clara.
Tallahassee, FL – The Tallahassee District of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), Florida State University Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), and the Tallahassee Community Action Committee (TCAC) held a rally outside of the Leon County courthouse, June 17, to demand that Tallahassee become a sanctuary city for LGBTQ+ people.
Baton Rouge, LA – On May 27, almost 300 people gathered at the Louisiana State Capitol to protest the attacks on LGBTQ rights. The demonstrators then marched to Governor John Bel Edwards’ mansion and listened to several speakers. Protests like this are sweeping the nation as states move to pass anti-LGBTQ legislation. Many of the attendees and speakers were students and young people, who these reactionary bills directly attack.
Appleton, WI – On May 22, Appleton Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) hosted a rally in solidarity with trans rights. Nearly 40 students, faculty and staff, and community members turned out. Appleton SDS was joined by Lawrence University Young Democratic Socialists of America, the Gender and Sexuality Diversity Center, and LU PRISM— two student queer organizations. The rally was a student-led effort in response to the transphobic comments made by Tim Hermes of the Outagamie County Board of Supervisors.
Appleton, WI – Over 50 outraged community members gathered outside the Outagamie County Courthouse on May 23 for a protest demanding accountability around Tim Hermes, a member of the Outagamie County Board of Supervisors. The event took aim at Hermes after recent transphobic comments he made during a board meeting became public. A look at his social media reveals a long history of bigotry and racism. The demand put forward was for Hermes's removal from office.
Havana, Cuba – In a rose and butter-yellow building held up by Greek columns, Cuba’s LGBTQ activists work every day to advance equality. This building, formerly someone’s mansion and now repurposed by the socialist government, houses the National Center for Sex Education (CENESEX).
Havana, Cuba – It’s hard to imagine when you live under state governments banning gender-affirming healthcare, but 100 miles off of Florida’s shore is an island striking unrelenting blows against bigotry.
Appleton, WI – On May 16, a dozen community members gathered outside the Outagamie County Government Center in Appleton on short notice. Their purpose? To demand accountability from County Board Member Tim Hermes, who recently made transphobic comments during a May 9 county board meeting. When confronted about the comments, Hermes deflected by saying he was “simply asking questions.”
Marshfield, WI – Over 100 community members packed the chambers and overflowed into the lobby of an otherwise routine common council meeting, May 9, in the 18,900 person town of Marshfield, Wisconsin. On the agenda was a period devoted to open comments from the public, and religious reactionaries in the community had attempted to rally comment in opposition to the upcoming Marshfield Pride event in June.