Metro Weekly

A federal appeals court has issued a 2-1 ruling that the Trump administration illegally discriminated against trans service members by banning them from serving in the U.S. military.

Trump’s executive order stated that the identity of trans service members conflicts with service members’ “commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in one’s personal life,” and asserted — despite past analyses finding otherwise — that the inclusion of such individuals in the military harms unit cohesion and military readiness.

Subsequently, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a policy presumptively disqualifying trans people from serving and ordering them to leave by a specified date or risk being forcibly discharged and losing benefits, including pension and health care coverage.

The appeals court’s decision keeps the ban partially in effect but prevents the Pentagon from forcibly discharging current trans service members who are plaintiffs in the lawsuit. However, it does not allow trans recruits seeking to join the military to enlist in the Armed Forces.

Learn more about the ruling and its impact on our website at MetroWeekly.com

The Los Angeles Dodgers unveiled a permanent display honoring two gay MLB trailblazers during pregame ceremonies at the team’s 13th annual LGBTQ Pride Night on Friday, June 5, before taking on the Los Angeles Angels.

The tribute, located in Centerfield Plaza at Dodger Stadium, features photos and memorabilia from the careers of Billy Bean and Glenn Burke, both former Dodgers players.

Learn more about the players, including Burke’s invention of the high-five, on our website at MetroWeekly.com.

Lawmakers in Ghana have passed a bill that would punish people found to have promoted “LGBTQ activities” or advocated for LGBTQ rights with prison sentences of up to 10 years.

The bill, which is expected to be signed into law by President John Dramani Mahama, bans “promoting, sponsoring, or advocating” LGBTQ acts, as well as funding LGBTQ groups and activities, according to The Associated Press.

The legislation also imposes a three-year prison sentence for people who engage in same-sex activity and a five-year prison sentence for anyone who operates a brothel for prohibited sexual activity.

Additionally, under the bill, people who are aware of same-sex activity or LGBTQ-related advocacy have a “duty to report” it to police or other authorities and can face up to three years in prison for failing to do so.

Learn more about the legislation on our website at MetroWeekly.com.