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7 charged with cyberbullying after Paris Olympics artistic director's opening ceremony backlash
Read full article: 7 charged with cyberbullying after Paris Olympics artistic director's opening ceremony backlashFrench authorities say they have charged seven individuals in connection with a cyberbullying campaign targeting Thomas Jolly, the artistic director behind the Paris Olympics’ opening and closing ceremonies.
Major companies abandon an LGBTQ+ rights report card after facing anti-diversity backlash
Read full article: Major companies abandon an LGBTQ+ rights report card after facing anti-diversity backlashMore than two decades ago, a national LGBTQ+ rights group decided to promote change by grading corporations on their workplace policies.
Walz touts Democratic record of defending LGBTQ+ rights, says Harris will advance cause if elected
Read full article: Walz touts Democratic record of defending LGBTQ+ rights, says Harris will advance cause if electedMinnesota Gov. Tim Walz touted Vice President Kamala Harris’ record of defending LGBTQ+ rights, pledging to a supportive crowd that she will advance their cause if elected president.
Pride march held in conservative Serbia under heavy police protection
Read full article: Pride march held in conservative Serbia under heavy police protectionA Pride march in Serbia’s capital of Belgrade has pressed for the demand that the government improve rights for the LGBTQ+ community who often face harassment and discrimination in the highly conservative Balkan country.
It's official, the census says: Gay male couples like San Francisco. Lesbians like the Berkshires
Read full article: It's official, the census says: Gay male couples like San Francisco. Lesbians like the BerkshiresGay male couples tend to gravitate toward big cities, while lesbian couples prefer more pastoral smaller cities or towns.
Same-sex couples and LGBTQ+ activists rally in Nepal's capital during the annual Pride parade
Read full article: Same-sex couples and LGBTQ+ activists rally in Nepal's capital during the annual Pride paradeHundreds of LGBTQ+ people and their supporters have rallied in Nepal’s capital during the annual Pride parade, the first one since gay couples were able to register same-sex marriages officially in the Himalayan nation.
Vitriol about female boxer Imane Khelif fuels concern of backlash against LGBTQ+ and women athletes
Read full article: Vitriol about female boxer Imane Khelif fuels concern of backlash against LGBTQ+ and women athletesLGBTQ+ athletes, officials and observers have warned that a deluge of hateful comments misidentifying a female boxer in the Paris Olympics as transgender or a man could pose dangers for the LGBTQ+ community and female athletes.
Paris Olympics set record for number of openly LGBTQ+ athletes, but some say progress isn't finished
Read full article: Paris Olympics set record for number of openly LGBTQ+ athletes, but some say progress isn't finishedA record number of athletes openly identifying as LGBTQ+ are competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Judge's order greatly expands where Biden can't enforce a new rule protecting LGBTQ+ students
Read full article: Judge's order greatly expands where Biden can't enforce a new rule protecting LGBTQ+ studentsA federal judge in Kansas has blocked a federal rule expanding anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ students from being enforced in four states and a patchwork of places elsewhere across the nation.
Impromptu LGBTQ+ protest in Istanbul after governor bans Pride march
Read full article: Impromptu LGBTQ+ protest in Istanbul after governor bans Pride marchA group of more than 100 pro-LGBTQ+ protesters have gathered in Istanbul in an impromptu demonstration for Pride after the local governor banned their march.
Long-vacant storefront that once housed part of the Stonewall Inn reclaims place in LGBTQ+ history
Read full article: Long-vacant storefront that once housed part of the Stonewall Inn reclaims place in LGBTQ+ historyIt was once half of the Stonewall Inn, the dive bar where a police raid exploded into a landmark moment for LGBTQ+ rights movement.
Things to know about the gender-affirming care case as the Supreme Court prepares to weigh in
Read full article: Things to know about the gender-affirming care case as the Supreme Court prepares to weigh inThe Supreme Court is planning to weigh in on whether states can ban gender-affirming care for transgender minors.
Stores are more subdued in observing Pride Month. Some LGBTQ+ people see a silver lining in that
Read full article: Stores are more subdued in observing Pride Month. Some LGBTQ+ people see a silver lining in thatWith Pride Month in full gear, U.S. shoppers can find the usual merchandise many stores stock for the June celebration of LGBTQ+ culture and rights.
Bill would rename NYC subway stop after Stonewall, a landmark in LGBTQ+ rights movement
Read full article: Bill would rename NYC subway stop after Stonewall, a landmark in LGBTQ+ rights movementLawmakers have approved legislation that would rename a New York City subway station in honor of the Stonewall riots.
Gay pride revelers in Sao Paulo reclaim Brazil's national symbols
Read full article: Gay pride revelers in Sao Paulo reclaim Brazil's national symbolsThe iconic yellow and green of Brazil’s flag mixed with a sea of rainbow-colored tutus, hand fans and drag queen hairdos at Sunday’s LGBTQ+ pride parade in Sao Paulo.
As countries tighten anti-gay laws, more and more LGBTQ+ migrants seek safety and asylum in Europe
Read full article: As countries tighten anti-gay laws, more and more LGBTQ+ migrants seek safety and asylum in EuropeWhile many of the migrants who reach Europe are escaping war, conflict and poverty, an increasing number are fleeing possible prison terms and death sentences because they are gay.
A major UK report says trans children are being let down by toxic debate and lack of evidence
Read full article: A major UK report says trans children are being let down by toxic debate and lack of evidenceA report from a senior doctor in England says children who question their gender identity are being let down by lack of evidence and a toxic political debate.
Lawmakers in Thailand overwhelmingly approve a bill to legalize same-sex marriage
Read full article: Lawmakers in Thailand overwhelmingly approve a bill to legalize same-sex marriageLawmakers in Thailand’s lower house of Parliament have overwhelmingly approved a marriage equality bill that would make the country the first in Southeast Asia to legalize equal rights for marriage partners of any gender.
A Japanese court says denying same-sex marriage is unconstitutional and calls for urgent change
Read full article: A Japanese court says denying same-sex marriage is unconstitutional and calls for urgent changeA Japanese high court has ruled that denying same-sex marriage is unconstitutional and called for urgent government action to address the lack of any law allowing for such unions.
What to know about a settlement that clarifies what's legal under Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' law
Read full article: What to know about a settlement that clarifies what's legal under Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' lawFlorida's state government and LGBTQ+ advocates have settled a lawsuit challenging a law that bars teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools.
A timeline of restrictive laws that authorities have used to crack down on dissent in Putin's Russia
Read full article: A timeline of restrictive laws that authorities have used to crack down on dissent in Putin's RussiaRussian authorities have adopted a slew of laws restricting fundamental human rights, including freedom of speech and assembly, as well as the rights of minorities and religious groups.
Faced with wave of hostile bills, transgender rights leaders are playing "a defense game"
Read full article: Faced with wave of hostile bills, transgender rights leaders are playing "a defense game"For decades, the plotline for LGBTQ+ activism in the U.S. was one of advances — often slow but moving forward.
1st Russians are fined or jailed over rainbow-colored items after LGBTQ+ 'movement' is outlawed
Read full article: 1st Russians are fined or jailed over rainbow-colored items after LGBTQ+ 'movement' is outlawedRussian media and rights groups say the first publicly known cases have emerged of Russian authorities penalizing people under a court ruling that outlawed LGBTQ+ activism as extremism.
Angst over LGBTQ+ stories led to another canceled show. But in a Wyoming town, a play was salvaged
Read full article: Angst over LGBTQ+ stories led to another canceled show. But in a Wyoming town, a play was salvagedA canceled middle school play indicates there is still a ways to go before there is full LGBTQ+ acceptance in Wyoming.
Florida GOP lawmakers seek to ban rainbow flags in schools, saying they're bad for students
Read full article: Florida GOP lawmakers seek to ban rainbow flags in schools, saying they're bad for studentsFlorida Republicans advanced a bill Wednesday that would ban teachers from wearing a rainbow flag lapel pin in public schools and universities.
Wave of transgender slayings in Mexico spurs anger and protests by LGBTQ+ community
Read full article: Wave of transgender slayings in Mexico spurs anger and protests by LGBTQ+ communityAuthorities in Mexico say at least three transgender people were killed in the first two weeks of 2024, and rights groups are investigating two additional such cases.
Thailand’s LGBTQ+ community hopeful as marriage equality bill is set to be discussed in Parliament
Read full article: Thailand’s LGBTQ+ community hopeful as marriage equality bill is set to be discussed in ParliamentNaphat Krutthai and Rasithaya Jindasri have been in a committed relationship for eight years, but only now they can consider getting married.
Activists hope pope's approval of same-sex blessings could ease anti-LGBTQ+ bias and repression
Read full article: Activists hope pope's approval of same-sex blessings could ease anti-LGBTQ+ bias and repressionPope Francis’ authorization for Catholic priests to offer blessings to same-sex couples is in many ways a recognition of what has been going on in some European parishes for years.
Massachusetts attorney general files civil rights lawsuit against white nationalist group
Read full article: Massachusetts attorney general files civil rights lawsuit against white nationalist groupMassachusetts’ attorney general has filed a lawsuit accusing a white nationalist group of civil rights violations, saying it repeatedly subjected LGBTQ+ events and facilities sheltering migrant families to intimidation and harassment.
Police raid Moscow gay bars after a Supreme Court ruling labeled LGBTQ+ movement 'extremist'
Read full article: Police raid Moscow gay bars after a Supreme Court ruling labeled LGBTQ+ movement 'extremist'Russian security forces have raided gay clubs and bars across Moscow less than 48 hours after the country’s top court banned what it called the “global LGBTQ+ movement” as an extremist organization.
Russia’s Supreme Court effectively outlaws LGBTQ+ activism in a landmark ruling
Read full article: Russia’s Supreme Court effectively outlaws LGBTQ+ activism in a landmark rulingRussia’s Supreme Court has effectively outlawed LGBTQ+ activism, in the most drastic step against advocates of gay, lesbian and transgender rights in the increasingly conservative country.
India's LGBTQ+ community holds pride march, raises concerns over country's restrictive laws
Read full article: India's LGBTQ+ community holds pride march, raises concerns over country's restrictive lawsMore than 2,000 people have danced, sang and cheered in a gay pride parade in India’s capital, while also raising their concerns over India’s restrictive laws.
Russian authorities ask the Supreme Court to declare the LGBTQ 'movement' extremist
Read full article: Russian authorities ask the Supreme Court to declare the LGBTQ 'movement' extremistThe Russian Justice Ministry says it has filed a lawsuit with the country’s Supreme Court to outlaw the LGBTQ “international public movement” as extremist.
Thousands in Mexico demand justice for LGBTQ+ figure found dead after death threats
Read full article: Thousands in Mexico demand justice for LGBTQ+ figure found dead after death threatsThousands have marched in Mexico’s capital demanding justice for an influential LGBTQ+ figure who was found dead at home in the city of Aguascalientes after receiving death threats.
Librarians turn to civil rights agency to oppose book bans and their firings
Read full article: Librarians turn to civil rights agency to oppose book bans and their firingsSome librarians who've been fired as they take a stand against discrimination and banning books are turning to a federal civil-rights enforcement agency for help.
Asia's first Gay Games to kick off in Hong Kong, fostering hopes for wider LGBTQ+ inclusion
Read full article: Asia's first Gay Games to kick off in Hong Kong, fostering hopes for wider LGBTQ+ inclusionHong Kong is set to launch Asia's first Gay Games on Friday, fostering hopes for wider LGBTQ+ inclusion in the Asian financial hub.
Mass arrests target LGBTQ+ people in Nigeria while abuses against them are ignored, activists say
Read full article: Mass arrests target LGBTQ+ people in Nigeria while abuses against them are ignored, activists sayRights groups and lawyers in Nigeria say the West African nation's law enforcement authorities are using the country’s same-sex prohibition law to target the LGBTQ+ community while ignoring abuses against them.
North Carolina Republicans put exclamation mark on pivotal annual session with redistricting maps
Read full article: North Carolina Republicans put exclamation mark on pivotal annual session with redistricting mapsThe North Carolina General Assembly has given final approval to new redistricting maps poised to empower the state GOP for years to come.
Scholastic will drop policy that makes it easier for school fairs to exclude diverse books
Read full article: Scholastic will drop policy that makes it easier for school fairs to exclude diverse booksScholastic Inc. will end a widely criticized policy that made it easier for school book fairs not to sell works with racial, disability and LGBTQ+ themes.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs bills to enhance the state's protections for LGBTQ+ people
Read full article: California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs bills to enhance the state's protections for LGBTQ+ peopleCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed several bills aimed at bolstering the state’s protections for LGBTQ+ people.
Hundreds of Pride activists march in Serbia despite hate messages sent by far-right officials
Read full article: Hundreds of Pride activists march in Serbia despite hate messages sent by far-right officialsHundreds of Pride activists have gathered in the Serbian capital amid heavy police presence and anti-gay messages sent by the country’s conservative leadership and threats by far-right groups.
Miami-Dade superintendent reacts to board vote against LGBTQ+ History Month
Read full article: Miami-Dade superintendent reacts to board vote against LGBTQ+ History MonthMiami-Dade County Public Schools will once again not be recognizing LGBTQ+ History Month after the school board voted against the measure this week for a second time.
GOP lawmakers take aim at LGBTQ+ ‘safe places’ program in small Florida town
Read full article: GOP lawmakers take aim at LGBTQ+ ‘safe places’ program in small Florida townSome central Florida lawmakers say they are considering “all legislative, legal and executive options available” to stop business owners in a small town from voluntarily displaying rainbow decals in their windows.
A Ugandan man is charged with aggravated homosexuality and could face the death penalty
Read full article: A Ugandan man is charged with aggravated homosexuality and could face the death penaltyUgandan authorities have charged a man with aggravated homosexuality, which carries a possible death sentence.
Veto overridden: Ban on gender-affirming care for minors takes effect in North Carolina
Read full article: Veto overridden: Ban on gender-affirming care for minors takes effect in North CarolinaTransgender youth in North Carolina have lost access to gender-affirming treatments after the state’s Republican-controlled General Assembly voted to override Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of that legislation and others involving gender in sports and LGBTQ classroom instruction.
More states expect schools to keep trans girls off girls teams as K-12 classes resume
Read full article: More states expect schools to keep trans girls off girls teams as K-12 classes resumeChildren are heading back to classes and fall sports practices, and four more states are expecting their K-12 schools to keep transgender girls off their girls sports teams.
LGBTQ+ people in Ethiopia blame attacks on their community on inciteful and lingering TikTok videos
Read full article: LGBTQ+ people in Ethiopia blame attacks on their community on inciteful and lingering TikTok videosMembers of Ethiopia’s LGBTQ+ community say they face a wave of online harassment and physical attacks and blame much of it on the social media platform TikTok.
How many transgender and intersex people live in the US? Anti-LGBTQ+ laws will impact millions
Read full article: How many transgender and intersex people live in the US? Anti-LGBTQ+ laws will impact millionsNew laws targeting LGBTQ+ people are proliferating in GOP-led states, but the conversations often lack a clear understanding of how many people will be directly affected.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak apologizes for a previous ban on LGBTQ+ people in the military
Read full article: UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak apologizes for a previous ban on LGBTQ+ people in the militaryU_K_ Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has apologized for the treatment of gay veterans by saying that a previous ban on LGBTQ+ people serving in the U_K_ military was “an appalling failure of the British state.”.
Japan's top court says government restrictions on transgender employee's use of restrooms illegal
Read full article: Japan's top court says government restrictions on transgender employee's use of restrooms illegalJapan’s Supreme Court has ruled that restrictions imposed by a government ministry on a transgender female employee’s use of restrooms at her workplace are illegal, in a landmark decision that could promote the rights of LGBTQ+ people in a country without legal protections for them.
North Carolina governor vetoes trio of LGBTQ+ restrictions in ongoing fight with GOP supermajority
Read full article: North Carolina governor vetoes trio of LGBTQ+ restrictions in ongoing fight with GOP supermajorityNorth Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has vetoed a trio of bills aimed at LGBTQ+ youth that would restrict gender-affirming health care and sports participation for transgender minors and limit classroom instruction about gender identity and sexuality.
Both Republicans and Democrats criticize DeSantis’s new campaign ad
Read full article: Both Republicans and Democrats criticize DeSantis’s new campaign adLeaders for both liberal and conservative organizations advocating for the rights of the LGBTQ+ communities in the United States criticized Gov. Ron DeSantis’s recent campaign ad.
Gatherings combining Pride and Juneteenth give Black LGBTQ+ people a refuge where they can celebrate
Read full article: Gatherings combining Pride and Juneteenth give Black LGBTQ+ people a refuge where they can celebrateFrom a block party in New York City to a movie screening outside of Denver, groups across the U.S. have found ways to merge Pride month and Juneteenth celebrations.
VP Harris visits historic LGBTQ+ landmark, decries flurry of anti-trans bills in state legislatures
Read full article: VP Harris visits historic LGBTQ+ landmark, decries flurry of anti-trans bills in state legislaturesVice President Kamala Harris has visited the Stonewall Inn national monument to pay tribute to activists at the site of a watershed moment in the gay rights movement.
Why are the Texas Rangers the only MLB team without a Pride Night?
Read full article: Why are the Texas Rangers the only MLB team without a Pride Night?The Texas Rangers are the only one of the 30 teams in Major League Baseball that aren't hosting Pride Night during a game in June as part of Pride Month.
LGBTQ+ pride flags vandalized at Stonewall National Monument 3 times during Pride month
Read full article: LGBTQ+ pride flags vandalized at Stonewall National Monument 3 times during Pride monthPolice say dozens of LGBTQ+ pride flags have been damaged and ripped down at the Stonewall National Monument.
Pride parade kicks off in Wilton Manors amid new Florida laws
Read full article: Pride parade kicks off in Wilton Manors amid new Florida lawsThe city of Wilton Manors is celebrating LGBTQ Pride on Saturday, despite recent legislation passed this year in Florida that has taken a toll on the community.
A nun commends Dodgers' handling of Pride Night controversy. Some archbishops call it blasphemy
Read full article: A nun commends Dodgers' handling of Pride Night controversy. Some archbishops call it blasphemyThe Los Angeles Dodgers, over the decades, have endured fans' diatribes along with their cheers.
Twitter is the worst major social media platform when it comes to LGBTQ+ safety, says GLAAD
Read full article: Twitter is the worst major social media platform when it comes to LGBTQ+ safety, says GLAADAll major social media platforms do poorly at protecting LGBTQ+ users from hate speech and harassment — especially those who are transgender, non-binary or gender non-conforming, the advocacy group GLAAD said on Thursday.
MLB teams welcome LGBTQ+ fans with Pride Nights but not one has seen an active player come out
Read full article: MLB teams welcome LGBTQ+ fans with Pride Nights but not one has seen an active player come outAll but one big league team will celebrate Pride Night this season, yet the sport remains hampered by ongoing issues around LGBTQ+ inclusivity.
In blow to Russian LGBTQ+ community, lawmakers weigh a bill banning gender transitioning procedures
Read full article: In blow to Russian LGBTQ+ community, lawmakers weigh a bill banning gender transitioning proceduresRussian lawmakers have given initial approval to a bill that would severely restrict gender-affirming medical care and prevent making any changes in reference to gender on official documents.
Lower house of Japan's parliament passes bill to promote LGBTQ+ awareness, but not guarantee rights
Read full article: Lower house of Japan's parliament passes bill to promote LGBTQ+ awareness, but not guarantee rightsThe powerful lower house of Japan’s parliament has passed a bill to promote awareness of LGBTQ+ issues amid protests by activists who say that last-minute revisions by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s conservative party favor opponents of sexual equality instead of guaranteeing equal rights.
Transgender and nonbinary people are often sidelined at Pride. This year is different
Read full article: Transgender and nonbinary people are often sidelined at Pride. This year is differentTransgender and nonbinary people are front and center this year at Pride festivals where they've often been sidelined.
As conservatives target schools, LGBTQ+ kids and students of color feel less safe
Read full article: As conservatives target schools, LGBTQ+ kids and students of color feel less safeAs politicians and activists push for limits on discussions of race, gender and sexuality, some students say the measures targeting aspects of their identity have made them less welcome in American schools — the one place all kids are supposed to feel safe.
LGBTQ+ Americans are under attack, Human Rights Campaign declares in state of emergency warning
Read full article: LGBTQ+ Americans are under attack, Human Rights Campaign declares in state of emergency warningSounding the alarm about the current political climate, the Human Rights Campaign has declared a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ people in the U.S. The civil rights group warns of what it calls an “unprecedented and dangerous” spike in discriminatory legislation sweeping state houses.
Pride becomes a minefield for big companies, but many continue their support
Read full article: Pride becomes a minefield for big companies, but many continue their supportDozens of big companies from Delta and Coca-Cola to Walmart are sponsoring LGBTQ+ Pride events and displaying racks of Pride-themed merchandise.
Surfside hosts flag-raising ceremony in honor of Pride Month despite mayor’s objection
Read full article: Surfside hosts flag-raising ceremony in honor of Pride Month despite mayor’s objectionThe Town of Surfside held a flag-raising ceremony on Friday in honor of Pride Month and its LGBTQ+ community despite opposition from Surfside Mayor Shlomo Danzinger.
Some trans people turn to crowdfunding to leave Florida after anti-LGBTQ+ laws
Read full article: Some trans people turn to crowdfunding to leave Florida after anti-LGBTQ+ lawsDozens of transgender people in Florida who can't afford to move are turning to crowdfunding to help them leave after the passage of new legislation that targets the LGBTQ community.
Pride Month: Anti-LGBTQ+ group protests outside Target in Miami’s Midtown
Read full article: Pride Month: Anti-LGBTQ+ group protests outside Target in Miami’s Midtown“Boycott Target,” a two-minute track by Kurt Jantz, better known as rapper Forgiato Blow, shot to number one on iTunes’ Top Ten Chart this week.
Miami’s Wynwood Pride returns for 5th year with commissioner’s call ‘to show support’
Read full article: Miami’s Wynwood Pride returns for 5th year with commissioner’s call ‘to show support’Miami’s Wynwood Pride kicked off on Thursday as it has now been going strong for five years in support of the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities.
LGBTQ+ Pride month kicks off with protests, parades, parties
Read full article: LGBTQ+ Pride month kicks off with protests, parades, partiesThe start of June marks the beginning of Pride month around the United States and some parts of the world, a season intended to celebrate the lives and experiences of LGBTQ+ people and to protest against the rollback of hard-won civil rights gains.
LGBTQ+ activists call for new strategies to promote equality after Target backlash
Read full article: LGBTQ+ activists call for new strategies to promote equality after Target backlashActivists in the LGBTQ+ community are calling for new ways to mobilize against threats to their long fight for equality.
Uganda's president signs into law anti-gay legislation with death penalty in some cases
Read full article: Uganda's president signs into law anti-gay legislation with death penalty in some casesUganda’s president has signed into law new anti-gay legislation supported by many in the East African country but widely condemned by rights activists and others abroad.
Why is Target pulling some Pride merch? The retailer’s response to hostile backlash, explained
Read full article: Why is Target pulling some Pride merch? The retailer’s response to hostile backlash, explainedTarget is removing some items and making other changes to its LGBTQ+ merchandise nationwide after intense backlash from some shoppers ahead of Pride month.
Target becomes latest company to suffer backlash for LGBTQ+ support, pulls some Pride month clothing
Read full article: Target becomes latest company to suffer backlash for LGBTQ+ support, pulls some Pride month clothingTarget is removing certain items from its stores and making other changes to its LGBTQ+ merchandise nationwide ahead of Pride month, after an intense backlash from some customers including violent confrontations with its workers.
Largest US gay rights group issues Florida travel advisory for anti-LGBTQ+ laws
Read full article: Largest US gay rights group issues Florida travel advisory for anti-LGBTQ+ lawsThe largest LGBTQ+ rights organization in the U.S. has joined other civil rights organizations in issuing a travel advisory for Florida.
LGBTQ+ group suspends Bud Light maker's rating over handling of backlash to transgender influencer
Read full article: LGBTQ+ group suspends Bud Light maker's rating over handling of backlash to transgender influencerThe country’s largest advocacy group for LGBTQ+ rights has suspended its benchmark equality and inclusion rating for Anheuser-Busch.
Beijing LGBT Center shuttered as crackdown grows in China
Read full article: Beijing LGBT Center shuttered as crackdown grows in ChinaAn advocacy group that served as a safe space for the LGBTQ community in Beijing has been shut down as part of a government pressure campaign against gay rights groups.