Gender & Sexuality

Protesters hold signs. Two blue and white signs say, "Keep abortion legal." One black and white sign says, "Abortion kills a person."
Ayana Byrd  Feb 20, 2019 3:52PM EST

Illinois to Pass Laws to Give Women Better Access to Abortions

Due to restrictive laws in neighboring states, women nearby could also have the procedure there.
R. Kelly. Black woman with black dredlocs stands in black coat and holds white protest sign with black text that spells "#MuteRKelly" and image of Black man in black sunglasses and hat and shirt.
Sameer Rao  Feb 15, 2019 12:00PM EST

New Video May Lead to Indictment Against R. Kelly

The video, which attorney Michael Avenatti says he handed to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, allegedly shows the singer sexually abusing a teenage girl.
Jussie Smollett. Black man in grey suit with light purple tie in front of purple and blue wall with white text that reads "blackaids."
Sameer Rao  Feb 14, 2019 3:01PM EST

Jussie Smollett Opens Up About Traumatic Assault

The “Empire” star spoke to “Good Morning America” about the racist and homophobic assault he survived in Chicago—and the people who question his honesty.
Tourmaline, Charlene Carruthers, Miss Major, Alicia Garza and Barbara Smith. Black women in blue and red and orange and yellow clothing pose in various positions in front of brown wood and blue walls
Sameer Rao  Feb 12, 2019 5:30PM EST

Out Mag Celebrates Black Mothers and Daughters of the Movement

Guest editor Janet Mock spotlights five activist heroes—including Miss Major Griffin-Gracy and Alicia Garza—for Out’s March issue.
The outside of the Supreme Court
Ayana Byrd  Feb 4, 2019 10:29AM EST

SCOTUS To Make Landmark Decision on Abortion This Week

The conservative majority Court could effectively overturn Roe v. Wade as it rules on a Louisiana law. 
Chris Brown. Black man with black hair and tattoos holds up one finger in red and white shirt in front of pink and purple background
Sameer Rao  Jan 30, 2019 4:34PM EST

With R. Kelly Gone, Coalition Pushes Sony Music to Drop All Accused Abusers

#MuteRKelly campaign leadership, Ultraviolet, Black Women’s Blueprint and other allied groups want Sony to stop providing cover for abusive artists.
Jussie Smollett. Black man with black hair and beard in black shirt smiles in front of blue wall with yellow images and text.
Sameer Rao  Jan 30, 2019 12:59PM EST

Advocates Demand #JusticeForJussie Smollett

The “Empire” star was reportedly attacked by two men who shouted racist and homophobic slurs, physically attacked him and put a noose around his neck.
Tarana Burke. Black woman with black hair smiles in navy sweater in front of white wall with black text that reads "HBO"
Sameer Rao  Jan 29, 2019 3:42PM EST

Me Too Movement PSAs Shift Focus Back to Survivors

Movement founder Tarana Burke: “What has become painfully clear is that the world doesn’t really understand the life cycle of a survivor.”
Rashida Tlaib speaks at Creating Change Conference
Ayana Byrd  Jan 28, 2019 1:28PM EST

WATCH: Rashida Tlaib on Why All Legislation Must Protect LGBTQ Rights

The new member of Congress spoke at the National LGBT Task Force’s Creating Change Conference.
Suzan-Lori Parks and Rashid Johnson. Black woman with black hair in black and purple and yellow dress in front of blue wall with white text; Black man with black dredlocs in black pants and jacket and white shirt in front of white wall with black text
Sameer Rao  Jan 25, 2019 1:48PM EST

Suzan-Lori Parks, Rashid Johnson Cut Violent Scene From 'Native Son' Remake

The new cinematic version of Richard Wright’s 1940 novel addresses contemporary racial and social justice issues—and changes a major plot point.
Amanda Seales. Black woman with blonde hair smiles in black and pink and blue jacket while holding black and grey microphone in front of dark blue curtain
Sameer Rao  Jan 25, 2019 11:39AM EST

Watch the Trailer for Amanda Seales' Stand-Up Special

“Amanda Seales: I Be Knowin’”—the “Insecure” actress’ first televised stand-up special—airs on HBO.
Ayana Byrd  Jan 24, 2019 12:42PM EST

READ: How Texas Contributed to Rise in Pregnant Girls in Foster Care System

One teen mother: “All my friends that I was in placements with—every single one—either has a kid or is pregnant right now.”
catherine lizette gonzalez  Jan 22, 2019 4:19PM EST

Supreme Court Moves Trump's Trans Military Ban Step Closer to Implementation

In a 5-4 decision split along party lines, the Supreme Court lifted most of the injunctions that were preventing the Trump administration from keeping transgender people out of the military.
Black pesron holds blue and white sign the reads, "Keep abortion legal."
Sung Yeon Choimorrow, Marcela Howell, Jessica González-Rojas  Jan 22, 2019 11:59AM EST

How the Promise of Roe v. Wade Left Women of Color Behind [OP-ED]

Roe has never been full of promise for women of color, immigrant women and women with low incomes. But if the Trump administration gets its way, we have the most to lose.
Black women march in multicolored coats and clothes while holding tan banner with black text reading "WE RISE" and "The most unprotected person in America is the Black woman" and "#MuteRKelly" in front of grey building and sky.
Kenrya Rankin  Jan 18, 2019 3:04PM EST

Sony Music Finally Drops R. Kelly

The singer has been accused of sexually assaulting Black girls and women for decades.
U.S. Supreme Court Expected To Issue Major Rulings
Ayana Byrd  Jan 16, 2019 1:36PM EST

Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus Renews Its Fight For Women's Reproductive Health

Representatives Barbara Lee and Judy Chu introduced legislation that aims to protect the right to choose.
A Black woman wearing a white shirt rests her hand on her pregnant belly.
Ayana Byrd  Jan 14, 2019 2:17PM EST

Court Thwarts White House Effort to Keep Women From Free Contraception in 13 States

But a new federal rule could stand in the way for millions of other women.
Michael Jackson. Man with black hair and white bleached skin sits in black leather jacket and white shirt in front of brown wood courtroom wall
Sameer Rao  Jan 10, 2019 2:48PM EST

Sundance to Screen Doc On Michael Jackson's Alleged Child Sexual Abuse

“Leaving Neverland,” which revisits two men’s accusations that the artist abused them as boys, has prompted backlash from Jackson’s estate.
Niko Santos, Jake Choi and Vincent Rodriguez III. Three Asian men in black and white and red and brown clothing pose in front of orange and brown background and grey text that spells "THE ADVOCATE"
Sameer Rao  Jan 9, 2019 5:01PM EST

3 Rising Asian-American Actors Cover The Advocate

Jake Choi, Vincent Rodriguez III and Nico Santos talk about being young, queer and Asian-American in Hollywood.
Grey text spells "SURVIVING R. KELLY" on black background with scrambled video
Sameer Rao  Jan 9, 2019 1:01PM EST

'Surviving R. Kelly' Boosts Ratings and Donations, Inspires Possible Legal Action

It looks like Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx and the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office were among the millions who watched the Lifetime docuseries last week.