state Connecticut: Last News

The WNBA has announced the 2023 WNBA regular season schedule. Each team, including North Texas’ Dallas Wings, will play a total of 40 regular season games — 20 at home and 20 on the road — which is the most ever in a WNBA season.

Vermont has elected a gay man, Michael Pieciak, as state treasurer.Pieciak, a Democrat, bested Republican H. Brooke Paige in the race to replace Beth Pearce, also a Dem, who did not seek reelection.Pieciak will be the first member of the LGBTQ+ community to hold the office. He has held an appointed position as Vermont’s top financial regulator since 2016, and he helped lead the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

STONINGTON, Connecticut (WFSB) — After heated debate Tuesday night, the Stonington Board of Education voted to allow pride flags to fly once again.A potential ban had been discussed earlier this month.Many passionate opinions came for and against the flags during public comment, but it was determined the pride flags were not political.The crowded meeting room included many who showed up clad in rainbow clothing and other signs of LGBTQ support.Supporters said the flags stand for inclusivity and diversity and cross all party lines.“The whole idea that this is political, that the pride flag is political. It’s not.

A violent attack on the owners of a gay bar in Connecticut resulted in one man needing dozens of stitches on his face, both victims being shaken up, and the local police department coming under scrutiny.Police in Norwalk arrested Carmen Parisi on Wednesday, alleging that he committed an assault at the gar bar Troupe429. The following day, he appeared in court, and prosecutors accused him of spouting homophobic slurs in addition to punching the victims in the September 23 incident, Connecticut's local NBC station WVIT reports. Although police have so far declined to consider the attack a hate crime, the victims' attorney is confident that the assault will be reclassified as one."We believe that once all of this comes to light, it will be evident that this was a hate crime," said attorney Stephanie Stich, noting one of her clients was hit in the face, and the other was punched in the throat by Parisi.Parisi's lawyer disputes that version of events, alleging that bar staff attacked their client after escorting him out.Parisi's arrest came after the bar's owners alleged that Norwalk police were not taking the assault seriously because they failed to investigate the attack as a hate crime.According to Norwalk police, who characterized it as an "isolated" altercation between intoxicated patrons and the owners, The Hour reports, it was not initially investigated as a hate crime.Lt.

The owners of a gay bar in Connecticut were beaten outside their venue by a man who is also said to have assaulted them with homophobic slurs.

Far-right conspiracy monger Alex Jones has been ordered to pay a total of nearly $1 billion to families of several victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.The award came Wednesday in one of three defamation suits filed by Sandy Hook families after Jones claimed the mass shooting was a hoax. He later acknowledged that the massacre was real, but that was after the suits were filed and the families had endured threats and harassment.

"Outnumbered" host Kayleigh McEnany and Fox News medical contributor Dr.

Jack Evans, left, and George Harris wait in line for their marriage license on Marriage Equality Day. (David Taffet/Dallas Voice)

Below are our picks for some of the most fun and creative things to do this week in the DMV that are of special interest to the LGBTQ community.

5-4 decision Wednesday evening the U.S. Supreme Court opted to not block a state court’s ruling ordering a faith-based private university to recognize an LGBTQ students’ organization, but the order is quite likely temporary.Yeshiva University, which has four campuses in New York City, was ordered by a state court to recognize Y.U.

Casa Ruby, the Washington, D.C., LGBTQ+ organization beset by a variety of financial troubles, should be dissolved, and there is also evidence of “potential criminal misconduct” there, says a report from the foundation appointed to be its receiver.The nonprofit had provided housing and social services to D.C.’s most vulnerable LGBTQ+ residents — youth, transgender people, people of color, and others — since its founding in 2012. However, last year it lost a city grant due to mismanagement of funds.

The Wanda Alston Foundation, which a D.C. Superior Court judge named last month as the city’s receiver for the LGBTQ community services center Casa Ruby, issued a preliminary finding in an interim report filed in court on Tuesday, Sept. 13, declaring that “Casa Ruby should be dissolved in an orderly manner pursuant to D.C. Code.”

LGBTQ student organization for now, the Supreme Court said in a Friday evening order from Justice Sonia Sotomayor.A lower court had ordered Yeshiva University, a private Orthodox Jewish research school in New York City to recognize the student group, but Justice Sotomayor, who has jurisdiction over the Second Circuit, which includes Connecticut, New York, and Vermont, temporarily stayed that ruling, “pending further order,” as lower court and state court cases continue.“A New York state trial court ruled that as a public accommodation, Yeshiva was covered under the New York City Human Rights Law and required to provide the Pride Alliance the same access to facilities as dozens of other student groups,” The Washington Post reports. “The group said that means access to a classroom, bulletin boards and a club fair booth.”Yeshiva is an Orthodox institution, and the “Orthodox tradition only supports heterosexual relations and only within the context of heterosexual marriage,” the Human Rights Campaign Foundation has said.Well-known University of Texas School of Law Professor of law Steve Vladeck called Justice Sonomayor’s decision “surprising.”“Justice Sotomayor, acting by herself, has stayed a New York state trial court’s injunction that had ordered Yeshiva University to recognize an LGBTQ student group.

Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff will host a virtual roundtable this afternoon when he will meet with LGBTQ+ high school students from across the country to learn how they feel about returning to school in the wake of widespread attacks on LGBTQ+ identity in classrooms.Young LGBTQ+ people have been the target of a coordinated right-wing attack for months to erase them and relegate them back into the closet.Today's meeting comes as Republican governors and legislatures have focused on banning subjects of conversation and books related to LGBTQ+ people and issues from schools and libraries around the country. Others have gone so far as to make gender-affirming medical health care access impossible with policies with which major medical associations disagree."The Second Gentleman felt compelled to hold a meeting with students following the passage of legislation in states that impacts the LGBTQ community, including the Don't Say Gay bill in Florida," a White House official tells The Advocate. The call will include trans and cis-gender youth from Florida, Washington, D.C., Connecticut, and California. Among these students are outspoken advocates of LGBTQ+ equality and inclusion, including some of those who led efforts against the Florida's "don't say gay" bill.The White House says the Second Gentleman is committed to ensuring students feel safe in schools.One of the young participants, Daniel, reacted to questions from The Advocate with excitement."I think it's important for young people to speak with political leaders, so they know exactly what we need and want from them at this time," Daniel, 17, said.

Grassroots Comedy will partner with Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Washington, D.C. to host “Super Spectacular Comedy Show for Cultural Understanding” on Wednesday, Aug. 31 at 7:30 p.m. at Kramers (1517 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.).

When wrestler Mack Beggs stepped onto the mat to compete during his days as a high schooler in Texas, he not only faced the opponent in front of him, but often a raft of adversaries in the stands. They booed him and hurled invectives.

From left: Leigh Finke, Erick Russell, and Erin Maye Quade; photos courtesty LGBTQ+ Victory FundLGBTQ+ candidates made plenty of history in Tuesday’s primaries, with groundbreaking wins in Connecticut and Minnesota.Erick Russell, a Black gay man, beat two other candidates to become the Democratic nominee for Connecticut state treasurer. If he wins in November, which is likely given the state’s makeup, Russell would be the first Black member of the LGBTQ+ community to hold statewide office anywhere in the nation.

State of the Union program on Sunday, Graham participated in a debate with Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut over the effects of a Democratic tax, spending, and climate bill that ultimately passed on a party-line vote.At one point, the topic turned to whether the U.S.

Last week, Florida teens and their families, along with LGBTQ advocacy groups, filed a lawsuit against the state’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay Law.”Well the stakes just got higher.16 states are now suing Florida to block the Parental Rights in Education Bill, arguing the legislation harms students and faculty and lacks educational merit.The plaintiffs include the District of Columbia, as well as New Jersey, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, and Oregon.“It’s my job to stand up for people who are harmed by discrimination–and what harms Florida kids, parents, and teachers harms every one of us,” said Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison in a statement.“Essential to being able to live with dignity, safety, and respect is being able to say loud and clear who you are as a human being, to speak your truth. But under this law, Florida kids can’t speak their truth.

Last week, Florida teens and their families, along with LGBTQ advocacy groups, filed a lawsuit against the state’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay Law.”Well the stakes just got higher.16 states are now suing Florida to block the Parental Rights in Education Bill, arguing the legislation harms students and faculty and lacks educational merit.The plaintiffs include the District of Columbia, as well as New Jersey, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, and Oregon.“It’s my job to stand up for people who are harmed by discrimination–and what harms Florida kids, parents, and teachers harms every one of us,” said Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison in a statement.“Essential to being able to live with dignity, safety, and respect is being able to say loud and clear who you are as a human being, to speak your truth. But under this law, Florida kids can’t speak their truth.

Online superstar Saucy Santana recruited the original material girl Madonna for a remix of his viral hit.

Justice Clarence Thomas

This week we learned about GOP Rep. Glenn Thompson, the Pennsylvania lawmaker who voted against protecting same-sex marriage rights then jetted off to celebrate his gay son’s wedding.We wondered allowed about what on Earth his reception toast was like, knowing the grooms and their guests were aware of exactly what side of history he was on.Well, wonder no more — a wedding attendee recorded Thompson’s speech and has leaked it online.The guest shared the audio anonymously with Buzzfeed News, telling the outlet “I think the word should definitely get out there.

From left: Candidates in line to make history this year include Maura Healey, running for governor of Massachusetts; Erick Russell, up for Connecticut treasurer; and Zooey Zephyr, running for Montana state representative. Photos courtesy LGBTQ Victory Fund.It’s once again a record election year for LGBTQ+ candidates.There are at least 1,008 out candidates running this year, surpassing the record of 1,006 set in 2020, according to the LGBTQ Victory Fund, which supports out candidates who are also qualified and viable.“We’re excited to continue making historic firsts,” Sean Meloy, Victory Fund’s vice president of political programs, tells The Advocate.The field this year is significantly more diverse than previous ones as well.

The U.S. House of Representatives today (Thursday, July 21) passed legislation codifying the right to contraception nationwide into law as a pre-emptive move in the wake of the U.S Supreme Court’s June 24 decision over-turning Roe v. Wade.

Related: Connecticut official bans RuPaul biography from library after one dad complainsKhan said the women responded with “hateful language” and told her the books in the display should be burned.According to Khan, the library’s collection is evaluated based on specific criteria, including relevance and representation, and materials are evaluated by respected sources, including Library Journal and The New York Times Book Review, according to the Journal Inquirer.Khan told the group they needed to follow library procedure and file a formal “request for reconsideration,” explaining their concerns in writing.  A post shared by Booth & Dimock Mem. Library (@bdlibrary)While library privacy guidelines proscribe naming the complainants, Khan did reveal the woman who filled out the request identified herself on the form only as a “Christian taxpayer.” It was unclear if the patron is a resident of Coventry.In a statement, Town Council Chairwoman Lisa Thomas said, “I stand by our library and their mission to serve each individual in our community.”“The hostile incident at our public library is part of a disturbing trend across the country.

Journal Inquirer. Town Manager John Elsesser said that while police were not called this time, that would not be the case next time.

Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh had his dinner at Morton’s Steakhouse completely ruined last night after a gaggle of pro-choice protesters gathered outside the front of the restaurant, forcing the accused sexual predator to flee out the backdoor.Per Politico:On Wednesday night, D.C. protesters targeting the conservative Supreme Court justices who signed onto the Dobbs decision overturning the constitutional right to abortion got a tip that Justice Brett Kavanaugh was dining at Morton’s downtown D.C.

concurring opinion when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade is sounding alarm bells for LGBT rights advocates. It should.

ABOVE: His thighs adored ya. (From Socialite Life.)

overturned Roe v. Wade, said the justices should revisit Lawrence v. Texas, the ruling that invalidated state antisodomy laws across the nation; Obergefell v.

It’s bee a rough couple of weeks in Supreme Court news, with conservative justices dominating rulings on issues from gun control to abortion rights to the fight against climate change.Just today, the court curbed the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to broadly regulate carbon emissions, and agreed to hear a case that could drastically change the way elections for Congress and the presidency are conducted, potentially jeopardizing election integrity.That being said, there is one major reason to pause and celebrate a SCOTUS development today — Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has officially been sworn in as the 116th Supreme Court justice and the first Black woman to serve on the high court.Related: Openly gay Connecticut Supreme Court Justice Andrew McDonald is having none of Clarence Thomas’ B.S.Jackson replaces liberal now-former Justice Stephen Breyer, who stepped down from his position today.Her confirmation hearing, if you recall, was a GOP sideshow of epic proportions, making today’s swearing in all the more satisfying.While the conservative stronghold on the court won’t change with Jackson’s arrival, folks are still hailing the historic moment:The news we needed this week. Grateful for you #KetanjiBrownJackson!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/Zw6ubL64H0— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) June 30, 2022Today we celebrate a monumental moment in history.

A gay Connecticut Supreme Court Justice has called Clarence Thomas’ recent statements advocating for the reversal of federally-recognized same-sex marriage rights “hypocritical” due to the justice’s failure to not call for the repeal of a similar ruling allowing interracial marriage.Andrew McDonald, a senior associate justice for Connecticut’s high court, blasted Thomas for suggesting — in a concurring opinion as part of a recent abortion-rights case —  that the nation’s highest court should re-examine all cases dealing with “substantive due process” rights, referring to rights that have been conferred or recognized by courts, but are not specifically mentioned in the Constitution.Among the “substantive due process” cases that Thomas said should be reconsidered by the court include the court’s 1965 Griswold v. Connecticut ruling, which allowed married couples to buy and use contraception without government interference, the 2003 Lawrence v.

Related: Openly gay Connecticut Supreme Court Justice Andrew McDonald is having none of Clarence Thomas’ B.S.Speaking to King yesterday, Clinton summed up Thomas as a person motivated by “Resentment, grievance, anger.”She wasn’t just basing her opinion on his comments last week. She’s known him for decades.“I went to law school with him.

We think it’s safe to say openly gay Connecticut Supreme Court Justice Andrew McDonald and antigay U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas won’t be sitting down for a nice dinner together anytime soon.McDonald just blasted Thomas in a Facebook post after the 74-year-old judge said SCOTUS should reconsider Griswold, Lawrence, and Obergefell–cases which established federal protections for contraception, same-sex relationships, and same-sex marriage, respectively–following its vote to overturn Roe v. Wade last week.Related: Clarence Thomas wastes literally no time using Roe decision to attack gay rights“Mr.

Dobbs v. Jackson’s Women’s Health Organization, the ruling that came out today and struck down Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that established abortion as a constitutional right and meant states could not ban it and could regulate it only in a limited fashion.

Supreme Court's 5 to 4 decision overturning abortion rights as established by Roe v. Wade on Friday. The conservative justice, who was appointed by former Republican President George H.W.

Roe v. Wade ruling guaranteeing the constitutional right to an abortion by a 5-4 vote, setting up a scenario in which more than half of the states in the country could be poised to, at some point, explicitly ban the procedure. With Roe overturned, the legality of abortion now depends on individual state laws, who will be allowed to regulate the procedure — or ban it outright — as they see fit. The ruling came in response to a dispute over a 2018 Mississippi law that banned abortions after 15 weeks, under the guise of prohibiting “inhumane procedures” on the grounds that a fetus is allegedly capable of detecting and responding to pain at that point in a pregnancy.

In a ruling that is expected to have significant repercussions for LGBTQ people, the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday ruled 6-3 that the U.S.

Perezcious readers will no doubt recall the disturbing story of Dominick Krankall — the 6-year-old boy who suffered horrific second and third-degree burns following a terrible incident back in April at his home in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

As the UK leg of Harry Styles' Love On Tour wrapped at London's Wembley Arena last night (June 19), one member of the 90,000-strong audience instigated an emotional moment mid-show.

January 17, 1957 — April 4, 2022William Alan Stern, age 65, passed peacefully on April 4, 2022 in his San Francisco home.Born on January 17, 1957, Bill was raised in Bolton, Connecticut. He graduated "best dressed" and was valedictorian of his class at Bolton High School. Bill went on to the University of Connecticut and studied abroad at the University of Paris, Sorbonne, France.

Once again, we find ourselves struggling to understand, respond after another mass shooting

Stamford Advocate reports. In this instance, Kyu Tipjak and his husband, Michael Flora, owners of The Blue Orchid, caught the crime on a security camera.In the video, a group of young people approached the restaurant and began trying to jump up and take down the flag. After several minutes, one climbed up the front of the building to pull it down.

Stamford Advocate reports. In this instance, Kyu Tipjak and his husband, Michael Flora, owners of The Blue Orchid, caught the crime on a security camera.In the video, a group of young people approached the restaurant and began trying to jump up and take down the flag. After several minutes, one climbed up the front of the building to pull it down.

draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade  recently leaked from the U.S Supreme Court is actually issued.

The leaked draft of the Supreme Court decision by Associate Justice Samuel Alito in Dobbs v. Jackson shows that a decision overturning Roe v. Wade and Casey v.