5 THINGS TO KNOW

Bigots are spreading a hoax that gays caused COVID-19 in Italy.

Social media users are claiming that LGBT+ people caused Italy’s coronavirus outbreak by holding a “gay conference” – but it never actually happened. Video footage that social media users claim shows the “gay conference” has been shared thousands of times on…

5 THINGS TO KNOW

Risky Mardi Gras may have been canceled with federal guidance.

Louisiana likely would have called off New Orleans’ packed Mardi Gras in February amid the coronavirus crisis if the state had gotten guidance from the federal government, state Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser (R) said Sunday. The state was “without any…

5 THINGS TO KNOW

Charity compares gay people to drug addicts to justify bigotry.

An organization has been refusing to allow LGBTQ people – including medical professionals – to volunteer at its New York City tent hospital set up to help people afflicted with coronavirus. The group’s president is defending the policy by comparing homosexuality to…

5 THINGS TO KNOW

Police chief claimed cop died of COVID-19 ‘because he was gay.’

A Florida police chief who allegedly claimed that his deputy died from complications from coronavirus because he is a “homosexual who attended homosexual ‘sexual’ events” has been suspended. Broward Sheriff’s Office deputy Shannon Bennett was 39 when died on April 3, just…

5 THINGS TO KNOW

Why is there no data on how COVID-19 is impacting the LGBTs?

We know LGBT people are disproportionately vulnerable to experiencing complications if they contract the coronavirus. We are more likely than the general population to live in poverty, meaning members of our community experience disparities in health care access and resources…

5 THINGS TO KNOW

Virginia now has an LGBT-inclusive civil rights law.

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam on Saturday signed a bill that adds sexual orientation and gender identity to the state’s nondiscrimination law. “This legislation sends a strong, clear message — Virginia is a place where all people are welcome to live, work,…