Several Florida school boards sued over state's gender identity and sexual orientation law
A new federal lawsuit filed by Florida parents and students seeks to block several school boards from carrying out the state's new law that prohibits instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation in Kindergarten through 3rd-grade classrooms.
Bay Area influencers use Disability Pride Month to highlight struggles, community accessibility advances
Two Tampa Bay Area women are sharing on social media their experiences of how disabilities and accessibility impact their everyday lives.
Rubio on protecting gay marriage: 'I don't vote for fake problems'
During a visit to Tampa Friday, the Senator from Florida said "the chances that Nancy Pelosi will endorse me in my Senate reelection are higher than the chances of [gay marriage] going anywhere," but he added that he still would not vote for a bill that would protect the rights of same-sex couples to marry.
'We won't accept that': Family seen in viral Sesame Place video accuses park of discrimination
A family accusing Sesame Place of discrimination spoke publicly at a press conference in New York and called for the firing of the employee seen in the viral video with the two girls.
Sesame Place facing discrimination complaints as more videos are shared
After a video showing two children being seemingly ignored by a character at Sesame Place went viral, more videos are surfacing, sparking discrimination allegations against the Pennsylvania theme park.
US soprano, offended by blackface, pulls out of Italy opera
Angel Blue posted a note on Instagram saying she will be bowing out of “La Traviata” because the theater recently mounted another opera with performers in blackface.
Montana rejects new library logo over similarity to pride flag
The commission that oversees the Montana State Library has rejected a proposed new logo after a member said the main feature brought to mind a rainbow LGBTQ pride flag.
Video: Suspect with flamethrower torches flag at Uhuru House in St. Petersburg
St. Pete police are looking for a suspect with a flamethrower who set fire to the African flag raised in front of the St. Pete Uhuru House Black community center Friday.
Florida may become abortion services safe haven for women in southeastern states
Florida's new law banning abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy has been controversial, but after the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade, Florida could become the closest southeastern state that allows abortion and has operating clinics for women who seek one.
World swimming bans transgender athletes from women's events
World swimming’s governing body has effectively banned transgender women from competing in women’s events.
Tampa raises Juneteenth flag, recognizing history with new tradition
For just the third time ever, the city of Tampa raised its Juneteenth flag, marking the day in 1865 when Union soldiers brought news of freedom to enslaved people in Texas.
Historical marker honors Tampa’s largest forgotten African American cemetery
A new historical marker was unveiled Friday at the site of the old College Hill Cemetery in Tampa, where hundreds of minorities, mostly African Americans, were buried more than a century ago, before they were erased from maps in the mid-20th century.
New Florida law would allow cities, counties to restrict smoking at parks, except cigars
A measure that would allow cities and counties to restrict smoking at beaches and parks that they own, is waiting for a signature from Gov. Ron DeSantis, according to information posted on the Florida Senate website.
Florida moves forward on proposal to deny Medicaid coverage for transgender treatments
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration is moving forward with a proposal that would deny Medicaid coverage for treatments such as puberty-blocking medication and hormone therapy for transgender people.
Juneteenth Bingo: Mark these amazing Black-owned businesses off your card
A pair of Tampa Bay Area moms hope their Juneteenth Bingo game cards will spell success for Black-owned businesses.
Nebraska's capital city council rescinds LGBTQ fairness ordinance
The Lincoln, Nebraska city council voted to rescind its LGBTQ fairness ordinance, an anti-discrimination measure that extended protections to sexual orientation and gender identity, just four months after they had unanimously approved it.
Fight looms over transgender treatments in Medicaid
National and state legal and LGBTQ-advocacy groups are preparing to fight a move by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration to deny Medicaid coverage for treatments such as hormone therapy and puberty-blocking medication for transgender people.
Men's World Cup will have female referees for the 1st time ever
Female referees will make World Cup history this year by working games at a major men’s tournament for the first time in Qatar.
1st-ever Barbie with behind-the-ear hearing aids unveiled as part of Mattel’s ‘most diverse’ doll line
The Fashionistas doll line aims to reflect people with disabilities such as hearing loss and teach children to expand how they play and see the world around them.
Florida teacher says she was fired after discussing sexual orientation with middle school students
A Florida teacher says she revealed her sexual identity to her students only after she was asked, adding that "a lot of kids" came up to her and told her they were non-binary, bisexual, or gay. "A discussion happened in class and because of that, now I’m fired."