LGBTQ Breaking News Service

The arrival this term of Justice Amy Coney Barrett, President Donald J. Trump’s third appointee, has transformed a Supreme Court with a slight conservative majority into one that tilted right by a 6-to-3 margin. Justice Barrett has also left Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. with a sharply diminished ability to guide the court’s direction in cases on health care, voting, religion and gay rights.

According to a recent survey from researchers at Harvard, Stanford and the University of Texas, the public is divided nearly evenly on those key cases.

Affordable Care Act

In California v. Texas, the court effectively upheld the Affordable Care Act in a third major challenge, ruling that the plaintiffs did not have standing to sue. The court sidestepped the larger issue in the case, whether the law can stand without the provision requiring most Americans to obtain insurance or pay a penalty.

7-2

DECIDED JUNE 17

7-2

DECIDED JUNE 17

Liberal Bloc

Sotomayor

Kagan

Breyer

Conservative Bloc

Roberts

Kavanaugh

Coney Barrett

Gorsuch

Alito

Thomas

Where the public stands

	The individual mandate provision is a tax and is constitutional.	The individual mandate provision is not a tax and is unconstitutional.
All
Democrats
Independents
Republicans

Question wording: Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), there is a tax penalty for not buying health insurance. This is called the individual mandate. Recent legislation has set the tax penalty for not buying health insurance to $0. Some people believe that, because the tax penalty is $0, this means that the penalty is actually not a tax and it exceeds the federal government’s power to tax and is unconstitutional. Other people believe that it does not exceed the federal government’s power to
tax and is constitutional. What do you think? | Source: SCOTUSPoll

	If the individual mandate is unconstitutional, that should not affect the rest of the law.	If the individual mandate is unconstitutional, then the entire law should be struck down.
All
Democrats
Independents
Republicans

Question wording: Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), there is a tax penalty for not buying health insurance. This is called the individual mandate. Some people think that if the individual mandate is unconstitutional then the entirety of the ACA must also be unconstitutional. Other people disagree and think that if the individual mandate is unconstitutional, that should not affect the rest of the law. What do you think? | Source: SCOTUSPoll

Religion and Gay Rights

In Fulton v. City of Philadelphia, the court ruled that Philadelphia violated the First Amendment when it required a Catholic agency to work with same-sex couples when screening potential foster parents.

9-0

DECIDED JUNE 17

9-0

DECIDED JUNE 17

Liberal Bloc

Sotomayor

Kagan

Breyer

Conservative Bloc

Roberts

Kavanaugh

Coney Barrett

Gorsuch

Alito

Thomas

Where the public stands

	Requiring religious agencies to allow foster children to be placed with same-sex couples does not violate their First Amendment rights.	Requiring religious agencies to allow foster children to be placed with same-sex couples does violate their First Amendment rights.
All
Democrats
Independents
Republicans

Question wording: There are some religiously affiliated foster agencies that refuse to place foster children with same-sex couples. Some people think that governments can prohibit such agencies from participating in the foster care systems they operate unless the agencies allow children to be placed with same-sex couples. Other people think that doing so would violate the agencies’ First Amendment rights to religious freedom. What do you think? | Source: SCOTUSPoll

Covid Restrictions and Religion

In Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn v. Cuomo, the court ruled that New York could not prohibit in-person attendance at worship services because it violated the Constitution’s protection of religious liberty.

5-4

DECIDED NOV. 25

5-4

DECIDED NOV. 25

Liberal Bloc

Sotomayor

Kagan

Breyer

Conservative Bloc

Roberts

Kavanaugh

Coney Barrett

Gorsuch

Alito

Thomas

Where the public stands

	States can prohibit in-person religious gatherings despite the First Amendment right to free exercise of religion	States cannot prohibit in-person religious gatherings because of the First Amendment right to free exercise of religion
All
Democrats
Independents
Republicans

Question wording: Many states have prohibited large in-person gatherings due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Some people think that states cannot prohibit in-person religious gatherings because of the First Amendment right to free exercise of religion. Other people think that states can prohibit inperson religious gatherings. What do you think? | Source: SCOTUSPoll

Life Sentences for Juvenile Offenders

In Jones v. Mississippi, the court ruled that juvenile offenders need not be deemed incorrigible, or beyond hope of rehabilitation, before a judge sentences them to die in prison.

6-3

DECIDED APRIL 22

6-3

DECIDED APRIL 22

Liberal Bloc

Sotomayor

Kagan

Breyer

Conservative Bloc

Roberts

Kavanaugh

Coney Barrett

Gorsuch

Alito

Thomas

Where the public stands

	Juvenile defendants must be deemed incorrigible before being sentenced to life without parole	Juvenile defendants need not be deemed incorrigible before being sentenced to life without parole
All
Democrats
Independents
Republicans

Question wording: There are states that reserve the ability to sentence juvenile criminal defendants to life sentences without the possibility of any parole. Some people think that such juvenile defendants must be found to be incorrigible — or impossible of being reformed — before being sentenced to life without parole. Other people think that juveniles can be sentenced to life sentences without parole without states having to make such a determination. What do you think? | Source: SCOTUSPoll

Where the public stands

	Discarding entire ballots from voters who voted outside of their precinct is unlawful.	Discarding entire ballots from voters who voted outside of their precinct is lawful.
All
Democrats
Independents
Republicans

Question wording: In Arizona, if a voter arrives at a polling place and is not listed on the voter roll for that precinct, the voter may still cast a provisional ballot. After election day, Arizona election officials review all provisional ballots to determine the voter’s identity and address. If officials determine that the voter voted outside of their precinct, the ballot is discarded in its entirety, even if the voter was eligible to vote in most of the races on the ballot. Some people believe that discarding entire ballots in this manner is unlawful. Other people believe that it is lawful. What do you think? | Source: SCOTUSPoll

	Voters should be able to rely on another person to collect and drop off ballots.	States can forbid voters from relying on another person to collect and drop off ballots.
All
Democrats
Independents
Republicans

Question wording: Arizona offers in-person voting at a precinct or vote center either on election day or during an early-vote period. Many voters — particularly racial minorities — who vote early rely on another person to collect and drop off voted ballots. However, the Arizona legislature made it illegal to collect and deliver another person’s ballot. Some people think that voters should be able to rely on another person or third party to collect and drop off ballots. Other people think that states can forbid this. What do you think? | Source: SCOTUSPoll

Where the public stands

	Requiring nonprofits to report their major donors to the state does not violate their First Amendment rights.	Requiring nonprofits to report their major donors to the state violates their First Amendment rights.
All
Democrats
Independents
Republicans

Question wording: To detect possible fraud, the attorney general of California requires private nonprofit organizations to report the names and addresses of their major donors to the state, which keeps this information confidential. Some people think that this violates nonprofit organizations’ First Amendment rights to free association because it might deter people from financially supporting them. Other people do not think that this violates nonprofit organizations’ First Amendment rights to free association. What do you think? | Source: SCOTUSPoll

Students’ First Amendment Rights

In Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L., the court will decide whether schools may punish students for social media posts and other off-campus speech.

Where the public stands

	Public schools can punish students for things they say or write off campus	Public schools cannot punish students for things they say or write off campus
All
Democrats
Independents
Republicans

Question wording: Some people think that public school officials can punish students for things they say or write off campus, including on social media, without violating students’ First Amendment rights to free speech. Other people think that such punishments violate students’ First Amendment rights to free speech. What do you think? | Source: SCOTUSPoll

Where the public stands

	The NCAA should not be able to strictly limit paid compensation to college athletes.	The NCAA should be able to strictly limit paid compensation to college athletes.
All
Democrats
Independents
Republicans

Question wording: The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) strictly limits colleges and universities from providing paid compensation to college athletes. Some people think the NCAA’s strict limits on paid compensation for college athletes in this manner is an unlawful form of coordination against athletes. Others disagree and think that the NCAA should be able to strictly limit colleges and universities from providing paid compensation to college athletes. What do you think? | Source: SCOTUSPoll

Union Access to Workplaces

In Cedar Point Nursery v. Hassid, the court will decide whether a California regulation that allows union representatives to meet with farmworkers at their worksites amounts to government taking of private property.

Where the public stands

	States can require that employers allow union representatives to enter a company’s private property	States cannot require that employers allow union representatives to enter a company’s private property
All
Democrats
Independents
Republicans

Question wording: California law requires that employers allow union representatives to enter a company’s private property to meet with employees and solicit support for labor organizing. Some people believe that this is akin to the government taking companies’ private property without compensation. Other people argue that the law is acceptable, and is not the government taking companies’ private property without compensation. What do you think? | Source: SCOTUSPoll

Today, President Biden issued a proclamation affirming June 2021 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) Pride Month, marking a time a time of hope, progress, and promise for LGBTQ+ Americans across the country. After four years of relentless attacks on LGBTQ+ rights, the Biden-Harris Administration has taken historic actions to accelerate the march toward full LGBTQ+ equality. From protecting the civil rights of every LGBTQ+ American, enabling all qualified Americans – including transgender Americans – to serve their country in uniform, ensuring that LGBTQ+ Americans are leaders at every level of the federal government, to protecting and defending the human rights of LGBTQ+ persons around the world, the Biden-Harris Administration is a consistent and reliable partner in the fight for equality at home and abroad.

Too many LGBTQ+ Americans across our nation continue facing discrimination and hate, especially LGBTQ+ people of color and transgender Americans, and some states are attempting to roll back the clock on equality with discriminatory bills that target LGBTQ+ people and families. The Biden-Harris Administration reaffirms that no one should face discrimination or harassment because of who they are or whom they love. As President Biden said during his first joint address to Congress, the President has the back of LGBTQ+ people across the country and will continue fighting for full equality for every American – including through continuing to urge the U.S. Senate to pass the Equality Act and provide overdue civil rights protections to LGBTQ+ people and families across the country.   

This Pride Month, the Biden-Harris Administration celebrates the historic progress made towards LGBTQ+ equality since President Biden took office, including:

Signing One of the Most Comprehensive Executive Orders in History on LGBTQ+ Rights on His First Day in Office. Within hours of taking the oath of office, President Biden signed an Executive Order Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation. The Executive Order established that it is the official policy of the Biden-Harris Administration to prevent and combat discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals, and to fully enforce civil rights laws to prevent discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation. The President directed all federal agencies to implement fully all federal laws that prevent discrimination on the basis of sex, to include sexual orientation and gender identity. This Executive Order is one of the most consequential policies for LGBTQ+ Americans ever signed by a U.S. President. As a result of that Order, agencies have already taken key steps to advance LGBTQ+ equality.

• The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced it will interpret and enforce Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act and Title IX to prevent discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
   
• To address the pervasive discrimination LGBTQ+ families continue to face in housing, the Department of Housing and Urban Development announced it will interpret the Fair Housing Act to prevent discrimination in housing and rental assistance against LGBTQ+ people. HUD will require state and local jurisdictions who receive funding through its Fair Housing Assistance Program to apply the same protections.
   
• In response to the continuing discrimination many LGBTQ+ individuals face in credit and lending services, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced that it will enforce against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in credit and lending services.
   
• The Department of Justice issued new guidance to agencies clarifying that Title IX sex discrimination protection includes protection on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
   
• To ensure that LGBTQ+ Veterans are treated with dignity and respect, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has undertaken an agency-wide review of its policies and practices to remove barriers that transgender veterans and their families face.
   
• To advance protections for incarcerated individuals who are transgender, the Department of Justice filed a statement of interest in litigation clarifying that it is DOJ’s position that transgender prisoners should be assigned to housing that aligns with their gender identity, and that transgender prisoners should receive medically-necessary gender affirming care. 

Launching a Whole-Of-Government Initiative to Advance Equity and Justice for Underserved Communities, Including LGBTQ+ Communities. On his first day in office, President Biden signed a historic Executive Order establishing a cross-government initiative to advance equity and justice for communities who have been left behind, underserved, or discriminated against by federal policies, laws, and programs, including LGBTQ+ communities. The President directed all agencies to take steps to advance equity by taking comprehensive action to root out bias from federal programs and policies, engage with underserved communities, and ensure that federal resources equitably reach all Americans, including LGBTQ+ Americans.

Enabling All Qualified Americans to Serve Their Country in Uniform. In his first week in office, President Biden signed an Executive Order reversing the ban on openly transgender servicemembers serving in the Armed Forces, enabling all qualified Americans to serve their country in uniform. President Biden believes that gender identity should not be a bar to military service, America’s strength is found in its diversity, and an inclusive military strengthens our national security As a result of his Executive Order, the Department of Defense issued new policies which prohibit discrimination against transgender servicemembers, provide a path for transgender servicemembers to access gender-affirming medical care, and require that all transgender servicemembers are treated with dignity and respect. Patriotic transgender servicemembers are once again able to openly and proudly serve our Nation in uniform.

Advancing an Equitable Recovery from COVID-19 for LGBTQ+ Americans across the Country. President Biden knows that LGBTQ+ individuals and families have been disproportionately burdened by the COVID-19 health crisis and economic crisis. Even before COVID-19, LGBTQ+ Americans were more likely to be uninsured and unemployed, and were more likely to experience poverty, have a pre-existing condition, and experience food insecurity. These barriers have posed unique risks to the physical and financial health of LGBTQ+ people during this crisis. The President’s American Rescue Plan makes significant investments in an equitable recovery, and is helping LGBTQ+ families across the country recover from COVID-19 by:

• Addressing food insecurity among LGBTQ+ communities by increasing the value of nutrition assistance by 15 percent.
• Advancing health equity for LGBTQ+ Americans, who remain more likely to be uninsured, by improving access to and affordability of health coverage through the Marketplace, and expanding mental health resources.
• Supporting LGBTQ+ Americans, who are more likely to experience unemployment and continue to face discrimination in the job market, by extending unemployment insurance benefits critical to helping many families, including LGBTQ+ families, stay afloat.
• Addressing the disproportionate rates of housing insecurity and homelessness faced by LGBTQ+ Americans, especially transgender youth, by expanding emergency rental assistance programs.

Signing and Leading Implementation of a Presidential Memorandum on Advancing the Human Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Persons Around the World. President Biden directed all agencies engaged abroad to ensure that United States diplomacy and foreign assistance promote and protect the human rights of LGBTQ+ persons. His Memorandum establishes that it “shall be the policy of the United States to pursue an end to violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics, and to lead by the power of our example in the cause of advancing the human rights of LGBTQ+ persons around the world.” As previously highlighted by the White House, Departments and Agencies are already making progress in areas towards the goals outlined in the  Presidential Memorandum, including: strengthen existing efforts to combat the criminalization by foreign governments of LGBTQ+ people and expand efforts to combat discrimination, homophobia, transphobia, and intolerance on the basis of LGBTQ+ status or conduct; protect vulnerable LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers; help ensure the Federal Government has a swift and meaningful response to serious incidents that threaten the human rights of LGBTQ+ persons abroad; and build coalitions with like-minded nations to counter discrimination against LGBTQ+ people around the world.

Establishing the White House Gender Policy Council to Advance Gender Equity and Equality. President Biden signed an Executive Order establishing the White House Gender Policy Council to advance gender equity and equality across the whole of the government, including by addressing barriers faced by LGBTQ+ people, in particular transgender women and girls, across our country.  

Ensuring Educational Environments are Free from Sex Discrimination and Protecting LGBTQ+ Students from Sexual Harassment. President Biden signed an Executive Order recommitting the Federal Government to guarantee educational environments free from sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and including discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, and directing the Department of Education to review and as necessary consider revising agency actions that are inconsistent with that policy. The Executive Order charged the Department of Education with reviewing the significant rates at which students who identify as LGBTQ+ are subject to sexual harassment, including sexual violence.

Signing a National Security Memorandum Supporting Federal Employees Serving Overseas, including LGBTQ+ Employees. President Biden signed a National Security Memorandum on Revitalizing America’s Foreign Policy and National Security Workforce, Institutions, and Partnerships. The Memorandum directs agencies to take steps to retain, develop, promote, and support LGBTQ+ and other national security employees, and employees with LGBTQ+ family members.

Ensuring Transgender Americans Can Access Emergency Shelter That Dignifies and Respects Their Identity. The Department of Housing and Urban Development restored protections for transgender individuals seeking emergency shelter and homeless services. HUD reaffirmed its commitment that no person be denied access to housing or other critical services because of their gender identity.

Creating a Historically Diverse Cabinet and Administration.  The Biden-Harris Administration includes barrier-breaking LGBTQ+ leaders, including Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, who is the first openly gay Cabinet Secretary confirmed by the U.S. Senate, and Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. Rachel Levine, who is the first openly transgender person ever confirmed by the U.S. Senate. President Biden has assembled the most diverse Administration in our Nation’s history, and is proud to serve alongside the 14 percent of all appointees who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer.

Issuing the First White House Proclamation for Transgender Day of Visibility. On March 31, 2021 President Biden became the first U.S. President to issue a proclamation commemorating Transgender Day of Visibility. The proclamation honored and celebrated the achievements and resiliency of transgender individuals and communities, and recognized the generations of struggle, activism, and courage that have brought our country closer to full equality for transgender and gender non-binary people in the United States and around the world. 

Ensuring Pride Flags Fly on U.S. Embassies Around the World. The State Department announced it will allow U.S. diplomatic outposts to fly the Pride flag on the same flagpole as the U.S. flag at their embassy or consulate, demonstrating that the United States will lead on LGBTQI+ human rights around the world.

###

The uprising at the Stonewall Inn in June, 1969, sparked a liberation movement — a call to action that continues to inspire us to live up to our Nation’s promise of equality, liberty, and justice for all.  Pride is a time to recall the trials the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) community has endured and to rejoice in the triumphs of trailblazing individuals who have bravely fought — and continue to fight — for full equality.  Pride is both a jubilant communal celebration of visibility and a personal celebration of self-worth and dignity.  This Pride Month, we recognize the valuable contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals across America, and we reaffirm our commitment to standing in solidarity with LGBTQ+ Americans in their ongoing struggle against discrimination and injustice.

The LGBTQ+ community in America has achieved remarkable progress since Stonewall.  Historic Supreme Court rulings in recent years have struck down regressive laws, affirmed the right to marriage equality, and secured workplace protections for LGBTQ+ individuals in every State and Territory.  The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act broadened the definition of hate crimes to include crimes motivated by sexual orientation or gender identity.  Members of the LGBTQ+ community now serve in nearly every level of public office — in city halls and State capitals, Governors’ mansions and the halls of the Congress, and throughout my Administration.  Nearly 14 percent of my 1,500 agency appointees identify as LGBTQ+, and I am particularly honored by the service of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the first openly LGBTQ+ person to serve in the Cabinet, and Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine, the first openly transgender person to be confirmed by the Senate. 

For all of our progress, there are many States in which LGBTQ+ individuals still lack protections for fundamental rights and dignity in hospitals, schools, public accommodations, and other spaces.  Our Nation continues to witness a tragic spike in violence against transgender women of color.  LGBTQ+ individuals — especially youth who defy sex or gender norms — face bullying and harassment in educational settings and are at a disproportionate risk of self-harm and death by suicide.  Some States have chosen to actively target transgender youth through discriminatory bills that defy our Nation’s values of inclusivity and freedom for all.

Our Nation also continues to face tragic levels of violence against transgender people, especially transgender women of color.  And we are still haunted by tragedies such as the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando.  Ending violence and discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community demands our continued focus and diligence.  As President, I am committed to defending the rights of all LGBTQ+ individuals. 

My Administration is taking historic actions to finally deliver full equality for LGBTQ+ families.  On my first day in office, I signed an Executive Order charging Federal agencies to fully enforce all Federal laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation.  As a result, the Federal Government has taken steps to prevent discrimination against LGBTQ+ people in employment, health care, housing, lending, and education.  I also signed an Executive Order affirming all qualified Americans will be able to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States — including patriotic transgender Americans who can once again proudly and openly serve their Nation in uniform — and a National Security Memorandum that commits to supporting LGBTQ+ Federal employees serving overseas.  My Administration is also working to promote and protect LGBTQ+ human rights abroad.  LGBTQ+ rights are human rights, which is why my Administration has reaffirmed America’s commitment to supporting those on the front lines of the equality and democracy movements around the world, often at great risk.  We see you, we support you, and we are inspired by your courage to accept nothing less than full equality.

While I am proud of the progress my Administration has made in advancing protections for the LGBTQ+ community, I will not rest until full equality for LGBTQ+ Americans is finally achieved and codified into law.  That is why I continue to call on the Congress to pass the Equality Act, which will ensure civil rights protections for LGBTQ+ people and families across our country.  And that is why we must recognize emerging challenges, like the fact that many LGBTQ+ seniors, who faced discrimination and oppression throughout their lives, are isolated and need support and elder care. 

During LGBTQ+ Pride Month, we recognize the resilience and determination of the many individuals who are fighting to live freely and authentically.  In doing so, they are opening hearts and minds, and laying the foundation for a more just and equitable America.  This Pride Month, we affirm our obligation to uphold the dignity of all people, and dedicate ourselves to protecting the most vulnerable among us.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2021 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Pride Month.  I call upon the people of the United States to recognize the achievements of the LGBTQ+ community, to celebrate the great diversity of the American people, and to wave their flags of pride high.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth.

JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

You might have noticed the Peloton app has become the go-to home workout for a lot of people who can’t make it to the gym. Personally, Peloton has given me the means to sweat out my stress and get stronger at home, while offering a sense of comfort from its warrior trainers. Peloton instructors fill you up with pride and motivation while making you sweat, helping you grow stronger from the inside out.

I asked some of my fellow Peloton-lovers from POPSUGAR and our parent company, Group Nine Media, about their favorite trainers on the app. Together, we’re giving you a short list — because we could have gone on and on — you might deem handy if you’re new to the streaming service or looking for more instructors to try. As avid members, we are eager to share our advice and personal faves, so here are our top picks.