Over the past week, my Facebook wall has been filled with the opinions of the recent release of Lil Nas X’s new music video, Montero, as well as his “Satan shoes.” The Montero (Call Me By Your Name) music video is provocative and incorporates religion into its theme. It’s not the first of its kind,…
Pete Buttigieg is headlining this year’s SXSW conference. South Bend’s former mayor and the current Transportation Secretary is one of several keynote speakers. “U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will emphasize SXSW’s continued focus on how technological innovations are transforming mobility,” says Hugh Forrest, Chief Programming Officer for SXSW. Buttigieg was sworn in as President Biden’s…
The documentary series Trans in Trumpland debuts today. The four-part series examines the struggles and resiliency of the transgender community under the Trump administration. Each episode of the series focuses on a different trans person who is living in Trumpland: states where they face transphobic laws as well as discrimination and violence. Director Zosherafatain travels across the…
Even if you don’t agree with former South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg’s politics or policies, his confirmation as President Biden’s Secretary of Transportation is a moment of pride for South Bend. Buttigieg made history as South Bend’s first openly gay mayor. Thanks to President Biden’s appointment of Buttigieg to serve as Secretary of Transportation and…
A service is planned at Zion United Church of Christ to recognize and remember transgender lives lost to violence or suicide in the past year. The event is non-denominational and will feature local faith leaders, community members, and musicians honoring transgender lives. It is open to the public. All are welcome. The service will take…
The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued a historic 5-4 ruling that same-sex marriage is legal in all 50 states, sparking instant celebration and declarations of triumph, as well as reminders from many in the LGBTQ community that the road to freedom is long, and this issue is just “the tip of the iceberg.” Friday’s…
Following the conclusion of oral arguments in Tuesday’s landmark U.S. Supreme Court hearing, advocates displayed cautious optimism that after years of legal wrangling, the U.S. legal system may finally support full marriage equality. “The case for the freedom to marry shone through at every turn in the argument, undimmed and undeniable,” said Freedom to Marry…
A majority of Indiana voters support efforts to add sexual orientation as a protected class in the state’s civil rights laws, according to a new poll from Howey Politics. “Indiana’s civil rights law makes it illegal to discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion or disability. Do you support or oppose adding sexual orientation…
Indiana Governor Mike Pence’s approval rating took a beating in a poll conducted by the Republican firm Bellwether Research for Howey Politics. Pence’s approval rating stands at 45 percent with 46 percent of voters disapproving of the job the governor is doing. The tanking numbers, down nearly 20 points since February, come just weeks after…
Indiana lawmakers today unveiled — and swiftly approved — proposed changes to the state’s recently-passed Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The bill is now sitting on Governor Mike Pence’s desk. But what is actually in the bill? The text states that the RFRA does not allow an individual, business, organization, association, and “other organized groups of…
