Gender & Sexuality

Protesters hold signs in support of abortion rights outside of Supreme Court.
Ayana Byrd  Oct 7, 2019 1:32PM EDT

SCOTUS To Hear Case That Could Dismantle Roe v. Wade

“Access to abortion is hanging by a thread in this country, and this case is what could snap that thread.”
Pink and white sign in support of abortion rights held outside Old Courthouse in St. Louis, Missouri
Ayana Byrd  Oct 2, 2019 5:43PM EDT

Planned Parenthood Covertly Opens Clinic to Provide Care for Missourians

The 18,000-square foot facility is located in Illinois—just 13 miles from Missouri’s lone abortion clinic, which is currently under fire.
Transgender rally. Lots of people and two flags.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Oct 2, 2019 4:00PM EDT

Nearly 100 Trans Advocates Pen Open Letter to Human Rights Campaign

“We do not need a cisgender-led $40 million organization to copy our work and brand it as new.”
Ling comic. Illustration of young Chinese-American girl with facial birthmarks wearing a blue hat.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Oct 1, 2019 2:29PM EDT

In 'Ling,' The Chinese-American Hero's Superpower is Being Normal

Creators Dennis Liu and Marie Iida say the star of their new comic series is no model minority.
Signs in support of abortion rights hang on a metal fence
Ayana Byrd  Oct 1, 2019 1:42PM EDT

New Poll Shows Most Americans Back Federal Funding of Abortion

Support is highest among women of color and people who live in abortion battleground states.
Dominique Jackson. Black woman with long reddish brown hair wearing dark dress.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Sep 30, 2019 1:56PM EDT

WATCH: Dominique Jackson Delivers Powerful Speech On Trans Women of Color

The “Pose” star at the Human Rights Campaign’s National Dinner: “You do not have the power to accept or tolerate me; I take that from you. You will respect me.”
A multiracial group of women hold up a colorful sign that says, “Reproductive Freedom!”
Jessica González-Rojas, Marcela Howell, Sung Yeon Choimorrow  Sep 30, 2019 12:29PM EDT

It's High Time We End Hyde If We Are Serious About Racial Justice [Op-Ed]

The Hyde Amendment blocks women from using federal funds such as Medicaid to end unwanted pregnancies. On this 43rd anniversary of a rule that places undue burden on women of color, we say enough is enough.
Mattel Doll. Gender-fluid Black doll shown wearing long braids and also wearing a fedora.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Sep 26, 2019 10:51AM EDT

These Gender-Inclusive Dolls Will Make You Say, 'Barbie and Ken, Who?'

“It’s important that kids of all different types can see themselves reflected in culture, in media and especially in the toys that they play with.”
Lilly Singh. South Asian woman with long dark hair wearing a mint green suit and white unicorn slippers.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Sep 18, 2019 12:34PM EDT

Lilly Singh's New Late Night Show Shakes Things Up

The YouTube sensation made history as the first queer woman of color to host a late night show on a major television network.
Hands holding a red sign that reads, "Stop the war on choice."
Ayana Byrd  Sep 16, 2019 3:18PM EDT

California Poised to Be First State to Provide Free Medication Abortions to College Students

The law will benefit the students at public universities in the state, who are predominantly people of color and may face geographic and economic hurdles to obtaining the medical procedure.
Stanley Kalu. Black man wearing black and white shirt with black cardigan in front of step and repeat.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Sep 11, 2019 3:32PM EDT

Filmmakers Behind 'The Obituary of Tunde Johnson' Talk Black Male Queerness

Screenwriter Stanley Kalu: “I was really trying to parse my experience in America with my experience within the African context.”
Exterior of Planned Parenthood of St. Louis. Gray-painted bricks, blue signage.
Ayana Byrd  Aug 28, 2019 1:37PM EDT

Court Temporarily Blocks Missouri's Eight-Week Abortion Ban

But new restrictions—including for cases of fetal Down Syndrome—were allowed to go into effect.
Young White man in blue scrubs draws blood from Black man wearing hospital gown.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Aug 22, 2019 3:33PM EDT

Medical Association Blasts Trump Administration for Attacking Health Care Rights

American Medical Association to Department of Health and Human Services: “This proposal marks the rare occasion in which a federal agency seeks to remove civil rights protections.”
Steven Canals. Latinx man wearing dark glasses with dark hair, dresses in black suit jacket and black shirt.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Aug 13, 2019 5:46PM EDT

'Pose' Co-creator Steven Canals on Breaking Boundaries for QTPOC

“For the work to be recognized, and for it to be work that uplifts LGBTQ people of color, is pretty incredible.”
Alexis McGill Johnson. Black woman in a black dress stands in front of a white step and repeat with logos on it.
Ayana Byrd  Aug 9, 2019 1:28PM EDT

Planned Parenthood's New Leader On Racial Equity and Reproductive Health Freedom

Alexis McGill Johnson talks to Colorlines about bringing her life’s work as a racial justice organizer to the reproductive health care organization.
Afton Williamson: Black woman with dark pixie haircut, wearing a black top.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Aug 5, 2019 1:32PM EDT

Actress Afton Williamson Calls Out Racism, Harassment on TV Show

“The Rookie” co-star quits and alleges racial discrimination and sexual misconduct on the set of the ABC show.
a rally with someone holding a sign that reads Black Trans Lives Matter
Ayana Byrd  Jul 30, 2019 2:14PM EDT

New Study Pinpoints the Most Urgent Needs of TGNC People Living With HIV

The Transgender Law Center documented the top legal and health care barriers for HIV-positive trans and gender nonconforming people. The goal is “data-driven advocacy led by the community for the community.”
Caster Semenya. Black woman in gray top with dark hair pulled back into a low bun.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Jul 24, 2019 4:32PM EDT

Caster Semenya is Out Magazine's Latest Cover Star

The South African record-breaker says that she’s here to inspire the world.
Trans Pride flags with blue, pink, white, pink, blue stripes.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Jul 23, 2019 4:27PM EDT

Rev. Elena Rose Vera On the Hotline Created for Trans People, by Trans People

Trans Lifeline executive director: “We’re not just people that need to be rescued, but also have extraordinary gifts.” 
Leana Wen. Asian woman wearing a black sleeveless shirt, sitting behind a desk with a laptop computer on a brown desk.
Ayana Byrd  Jul 17, 2019 2:16PM EDT

Planned Parenthood President Exits as Organization Prepares for Political Fight

Dr. Leana Wen, who is leaving after eight months, maintains that abortion is a health care—not political—issue.