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Karine Jean-Pierre proudly announced, “I am obviously acutely aware that my presence at this podium represents a few firsts. I am a Black, gay, immigrant woman, the first of all three of those to hold this position.

The New York Times reports “the court said that officials could not resume the investigation into the plaintiffs that had brought the lawsuit, a family and a doctor, acknowledging that the inquiry would cause ‘irreparable harm’ and leaving in place the injunction as their case proceeds to trial.”It’s unclear currently why the court would allow other investigations to continue while acknowledging the investigation into the plaintiffs would cause harm.The 12-page ruling appears to focus more on the intricacies of the Texas constitution and what parts of the government have the authority to institute orders such as Governor Abbott’s ordering the state Dept.

Brittney Griner said Friday her pre-trial detention in Russia has been extended by one month.Griner's lawyer Alexander Boikov told The Associated Press he believed the relatively short extension of the detention indicated the case would come to trial soon.Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, was detained at the Moscow airport after vape cartridges containing oil derived from cannabis were allegedly found in her luggage, which could carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.The Biden administration says Griner, 31, is being wrongfully detained. The WNBA and U.S.

Benedict Cumberbatch and a number of stars took a political stand during the closing moments of the new episode over the weekend.As the host of this week's, Cumberbatch led the goodnights with the cast and musical guests, Arcade Fire, on stage.However, the star took a quiet stand against the ongoing political controversy surrounding the leaked Supreme Court decision draft that threatens to overturn Roe V. Wade and put women's abortion and reproductive rights at risk.Cumberbatch and cast members Mikey Day, Chloe Fineman, Alex Moffat, Kyle Mooney, Chris Redd and Cecily Strong all rocked white T-shirts with 1973 written across the front in blue and red.

Karine Jean-Pierre is replacing Jen Psaki as White House press secretary, President Biden announced Thursday. Psaki will be leaving the White House on May 13, and her impending departure was expected. Longtime top Democratic adviser Anita Dunn is also returning to the White House as a senior adviser, focusing on the president's policy and communications goals. «Karine not only brings the experience, talent and integrity needed for this difficult job, but she will continue to lead the way in communicating about the work of the Biden-Harris Administration on behalf of the American people,» Mr.

seemingly poised to overturn Roe v. Wade and anti-choice activists plotting to implement a nationwide “heartbeat bill” that will ban abortion as early as six weeks into pregnancy, the “mastermind” of the heartbeat bill strategy is running for Congress and plotting to use the strategy behind the Texas’ 2021 draconian “heartbeat bill” to target schools that teach about LGBTQ issues.Janet Porter, a longtime right-wing conspiracy theorist and religious-right activist, appeared on fellow radical right-wing activist Dave Daubenmire’s “Pass The Salt” program last month.

In a matter of months, laws protecting abortion access across the United States will likely be eradicated. A draft of the Supreme Court decision leaked last night indicated that a majority of the court has voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 privacy case that enshrined a woman's right to an abortion.

a stunning unanimous decision, finding that Boston violated the First Amendment free speech rights of an anti-LGBTQ group that had requested the city fly a Christian flag at city hall. That group, Camp Constitution, says part of its mission is to “expose some of the abuses and perversions that have brought our nation and economy so far down.”Like the Supreme Court’s very narrow decision in the Masterpiece Cake Shop case, the ruling, which is very specific, runs the risk of being used by the right to initiate more religion-based attacks against minority Americans.The decision, written by retiring justice Stephen Breyer, disturbingly also cites Boston allowing the LGBTQ Pride flag to fly in front of its city hall as an example of how the city granted many other groups’ requests but engaged in discrimination against the Christian group.“Between 2005 and 2017,” the decision reads, “Boston approved the raising of about 50 unique flags for 284 such ceremonies.

Grindr has been for sale to the highest bidder for years, allowing purchasers to micro-target them for ad purposes, while making available possibly intimate details of their movements.Those “precise movements,” The Wall Street Journal reports, “were collected from a digital advertising network and made available for sale,” since at least 2017. Grindr says it stopped the flow of the location data to advertising networks two years ago.

Madeleine Albright, the first woman to serve as secretary of state who died last month at the age of 84, was remembered as a tenacious defender of American ideals and freedom around the globe during a funeral service honoring her legacy on Wednesday.More than 1,400 dignitaries, current and former U.S. officials and top lawmakers were in attendance for the ceremony at the Washington National Cathedral. President Biden, former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hailed Albright's decades-long influence on U.S.

The Daily Beast reports, citing an affidavit that also “says Morgan admitted becoming angry at being denied another drink.”Morgan was arrested on April 22 at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. He is facing charges of interference with flight crew members or attendants, which can lead to up to 20 years in prison if convicted.He “reclined his seat all the way back and refused to put on his seatbelt,” at takeoff, then later ordered an alcoholic beverage.

Megyn Kelly says she has a lot of gay friends and has been speaking with them about transgender issues. Kelly did not say she has any transgender friends nor did she say she has been speaking with any transgender people but says her lesbian and gay friends believe transgender people should not be part of the LGB community.

Work done by Team ROC, the social justice division of Roc Nation led by Jay-Z and Yo Gotti, could result in major changes to conditions at Mississippi State Penitentiary (also known as Parchman), Billboard reports. In 2020 Team ROC secured legal representation for more than 200 inmates at the state prison and filed multiple lawsuits that resulted in an investigation by the U.S.

Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis is one-third of the way to punishing Disney for opposing his anti-LGBTQ legislation, the widely-discredited, potentially unconstitutional “Don’t Say Gay” law, but some Florida taxpayers are in for a reportedly multi-billion dollar shock if he signs on the dotted line.On Wednesday the Florida Senate, succumbing to DeSantis’ worst instincts, passed a bill that would eliminate a 1967 law that essentially created a 39-square mile area, now almost entirely occupied by Disney World, that enables it to act as its own government – including providing all the services, like power, water, sewers, police, and fire, that local governments do.Called the Reedy Creek Improvement District, DeSantis now wants to essentially void that law. The House is expected to pass that bill Thursday, putting DeSantis’ temper tantrum at his feet.But according to the Orange County Tax Collector, Orange County would be on the hook for “all debt and obligations with no extra funds,” meaning “Orange County would take on $163 million [in debt obligations] per year.”It gets worse for Florida taxpayers.“If Reedy Creek is dissolved, Orange and Osceola counties would assume responsibilities handled by the district like sewer and road maintenance, meaning taxpayers in those counties would pay, The Miami Herald reports.

Governor Ron DeSantis after his Dept. of Health issued a statement labeled “guidance” Wednesday in opposition to the U.S.

blasted the Republican lawmaker who baselessly called her a groomer who supports pedophilia by proving that she’s the better person – and by providing the way to respond to the right’s hateful lies.Her speech on the Michigan Senate floor decimating state Senator Lana Theis has gone viral, making local and national headlines, and appearing on national television.“We have to push back against hateful garbage,” Sen. McMorrow said on MSNBC Wednesday morning.

Fox News reports “schools staff members were encouraged to display them as support for the LGBTQ community.”“These flags were shoved down teachers’ throats to put on their desk – that’s not inclusive,” school board President Kenneth Kiler said. “That’s not the way it ought to be.”School board member Tara Battaglia said, “What this does is open up a gateway for other flags to come into our schools that other people will not like.”“We’ve already banned the Confederate flag, and that was done a couple of years ago. … The premise behind the Pride flag was social advocacy … which is political.”Parent Caitlin Edmondson told Fox News the pride flags are “very concerning” and “being forced upon teachers.

a nationwide book ban sweeping America’s school districts, primarily fueled by conservatives who are targeting books mostly by and about minorities, especially LGBTQ and Black people.Over the last nine months 1145 books have been removed from school classrooms and libraries in 86 school districts, a PEN America report finds. They cover a wide range, including books about Rosa Parks, Dr.

Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak will both face fines referred by the Metropolitan Police for breaking COVID lockdown rules by attending parties at Downing Street and Whitehall.The Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, along with Johnson’s wife Carrie, have been notified about the fixed penalty notices, which are the latest conclusions from the Met Police’s investigation.Labour has called for both Johnson and Sunak to resign, while Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey demanded parliament be recalled for a vote of confidence in Johnson.Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, said: “Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak have broken the law and repeatedly lied to the British public. They must both resign.

Jimmy Kimmel made a monologue joke that might have the authorities looking into him. On an episode of earlier this week, the late-night host made a joking remark about Marjorie Taylor Greene that didn't sit well with the Georgia Republican.Ahead of Ketanji Brown Jackson being confirmed to the Supreme Court, Kimmel made a joke in reference to one Greene's recent tweets. «This woman, Klan mom, is especially upset with the three Republican senators who said they’ll vote yes on Ketanji Brown Jackson, who’s nominated for the Supreme Court.

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court on Thursday, and the world is celebrating her place in history as the first Black woman to serve on the nation's highest court.Jackson, who will be the second-youngest justice at 51 years old, is the first former federal public defender to ever be nominated to the Supreme Court. She will be the only justice besides Justice Sonia Sotomayor on the high court with actual trial experience.

“Don’t Say Gay” bill refused to talk to reporters Tuesday as she ran away from them insisting she was in a big hurry to go to the Senate.“I’ve got to go to the Senate, please don’t harass me,” Rep. Schmidt begged reporters.When asked why she introduced the possibly unconstitutional legislation Rep.

Obergefell ruling that finds same-sex couples have the same rights and responsibilities to marriage as their different-sex peers. The bill creates all-age marriages classified as common-law “one man and one woman” unions while mandating the state defend in court any clerk who decides to not issue a marriage license for any reason.The extremist legislation comes as Republicans across the country are falsely claiming Democrats support the “grooming” of children – pedophilia – after Florida governor Ron DeSantis’ press secretary wrongly characterized the now-infamous “Don’t Say Gay” bill.WZTV reports the bill creates “a separate marriage class,” and points to an amended version of the original bill that adds this line to the legislation: “Establishes common law marriage in the state between one man and one woman.”WKRN adds that opponents “say it would eliminate an age requirement, and in some instances, open the door for a coverup of child sex abuse.”The bill’s sponsor makes clear his intent is to do an end-run around Obergefell.“So, all this bill does is give an alternative form of marriage for those pastors and other individuals who have a conscientious objection to the current pathway to marriage in our law,” says GOP state Rep.

U.S. Senator John Cornyn, the long-serving 70-year old Texas born, bred, and educated Republican who has been in government since 1985, on Monday doubled down on his attack on the landmark 2015 Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges, which found the U.S.

Franklin Graham spent the weekend promoting anti-LGBTQ extremist hate to his nearly 10 million Facebook followers, including by attacking The Walt Disney Company, criticizing the Biden administration’s support of medically-necessary treatment for transgender children, posting a video of his home state’s Lt. Governor preaching jaw-droppingly vulgar attacks on transgender people, and even calling for “regime change” in the United States because he opposes science that support LGBTQ children and teens.Graham kicked off his attacks on Thursday, the Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV), calling the U.S.

The Daily Beast last year said she “is an active duty astronautical engineer in the U.S. Space Force, currently assigned to the Pentagon to lead space policy integration for the Department of the Air Force.”Stitchfeld and Johnson continued their attack, with the former claiming Fram is an “inspiration” to China and Russia who want the entire U.S.

Will Smith.The Chancellor of the Exchequer suggested in a new interview that he can relate to Smith, who assaulted Chris Rock at the Oscars on Sunday (March 27) for a joke made about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, because he has felt similar defensive emotions recently.Labour said last week that Sunak has “very serious questions to answer” over his wife Akshata Murty’s shares in Infosys, a firm co-founded by her father, that operates in Russia.Sunak has said that he has “nothing to do” with the company, and previously encouraged UK firms to sever ties with Russia to punish Vladimir Putin over his invasion of Ukraine.Sunak told the BBC’s Newscast podcast: “I think it’s totally fine for people to take shots at me. It’s fair game.

Republican Governor Ron DeSantis is the leading defendant in a massive 80-page lawsuit by Equality Florida against the “Don’t Say Gay” law he signed this week. Roberta Kaplan, one of the nation’s top civil rights lawyers, who successfully argued the Supreme Court case that effectively overturned the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA),  is the lead attorney on the case.“Florida House Bill 1557 (widely known as the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law) is an unlawful attempt to stigmatize, silence, and erase LGBTQ people in Florida’s public schools.

expected to sign the dangerous and possibly unconstitutional “Don’t Say Gay” bill at a hushed-up event early Monday afternoon. The Governor is also deviating from his usual media notification efforts, some thnk in an effort to quelch expected protests.WFLA’s political anchor and reporter Evan Donovan says no email has been received about the event, just a phone call:RIGHT NOW: Governor’s office called @wfla to notify us DeSantis will appear at Classical Preparatory in Spring Hill at 12:30pm.Typically there’s an email (like below), but so far none.Lots of rumors this is to sign HB 1557 Parental Rights in Education / ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill.

started off the three-hour telecast with jokes about gender discrimination, diversity, political divisions and homophobia.“This year, the Academy hired three women to host because it’s cheaper than hiring one man,” Schumer quipped as the comedians welcomed viewers.Sykes then took a shot at Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell with a joke about “toxic masculinity” before she and Hall ganged up against Schumer to block her from Black Twitter. The trio ended the opening monologue with the three women chanting “Gay, gay, gay!”“We’re going to have a great night, and for you folks in Florida, we’re going to have a gay night! Gay, gay gay!” Sykes jeered.The actress was referring to Florida’s controversial Parental Rights in Education bill, which prohibits lessons about gender or sexuality in school between kindergarten and third grade, which critics refer to as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

everything.Whether they’re winners or presenters, A-listers have taken to the Academy Awards stage year after year, decade after decade, to voice their opinions on matters that plague the globe, hoping to enlighten the worldwide audience on whatever issue they feel so strongly about.The prestigious Oscars podium has become a designated, glorified soapbox for the so-called Hollywood elite to chime in on controversial topics including Hollywood’s gender pay gap, oppressed people’s rights and climate change — all subjects that have found their spotlight on the Dolby Theatre stage. This year’s star-studded ceremony — set for 8 p.m.

Cory Booker is refusing to let any of his peers take away the historic glory of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's nomination. During the tense third day of the Supreme Court nominee's confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, the junior United States senator from New Jersey brought tears to Jackson’s eyes as he praised her poise during continued conservative attacks.«This has been not a surprise, given the history that we all know, but perhaps a little bit of a disappointment, some of the things that have been said in this hearing,» Booker said, crediting Jackson for her «grit and grace» and «extraordinary demeanor» in the face of the GOP senators' questionable tone.Booker became emotional as he recognized the journey that Jackson -- who would be the first Black woman on the Supreme Court — took to get to her current nomination. «You got here how every Black woman in America who's gotten anywhere has done… like Ginger Rogers said: 'I did everything Fred Astaire did, but backwards and in heels,'» he added.

@Madeleine: pic.twitter.com/C7Xt0EN5c9Albright was a force to be reckoned with when she worked under President Bill Clinton's administration. She was Clinton's secretary of state from 1997 to 2001 after previously serving as his U.S.

transgender, and no one, not even their parents know. If you’re a teacher in Alabama you would be legally required to tell that child’s parents, if a bill that’s already passed the Senate becomes law.SB184 is expected to be taken up in the House this week.

alternative viewpoint” on transgender people. The group, the Minnesota Child Protection League, has been cited by the Southern Poverty Law Center.Protesters have shown up tonight ahead of a Becker school board meeting where the Minnesota Child’s Protection League is speaking.

Ken Paxton, lawyers for parents of trans kids disagree on whether child abuse investigations can continue” was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.For LGBTQ mental health support, call the Trevor Project’s 24/7 toll-free support line at 866-488-7386. You can also reach a trained crisis counselor through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 800-273-8255 or texting 741741.When a judge ruled Friday that Texas could not investigate parents for child abuse simply for providing gender-affirming care, it was immediately clear that the legal fight was far from over.That same night, Attorney General Ken Paxton filed an appeal and then announced on Twitter that the “Democrat judge’s order permitting child abuse is frozen.”He said that “[m]uch-needed investigations [will] proceed as they should,” and noted that his “fight will continue up to the Supreme Court.”Lawyers representing the families of transgender children said they don’t believe the appeal should affect the injunction.Legal experts say this case falls into a complicated corner of the law until the appeals court weighs in.This case stemmed from a nonbinding legal opinion that Paxton issued last month, arguing that certain gender-affirming health care can constitute child abuse.