Former Air Force officer Steve Marose is among veterans awaiting President Biden’s promised pardon for those discharged under the repealed Article 125 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which criminalized consensual same-sex conduct. Despite the June announcement of mass pardons, the application process remains burdensome, with only eight veterans applying so far and none granted. Marose’s 1990 conviction continues to affect his career, highlighting challenges in rectifying past injustices against LGBTQ+ service members. Them

During the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces campaign promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion, two team captains made headlines for their actions. Sam Morsy, captain of Ipswich Town and a practicing Muslim, chose not to wear the rainbow armband due to his religious beliefs. The club respected his decision and reaffirmed its commitment to inclusion. Meanwhile, Marc Guéhi, captain of Crystal Palace and a devout Christian, wore a rainbow armband inscribed with “I love Jesus,” potentially violating Football Association rules against political, religious, or personal messages on equipment. The FA plans to remind both Guéhi and Crystal Palace about this prohibition. These incidents highlight the ongoing tension between personal beliefs and collective messages in football. 

The Times

On November 27, 2024, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 104 into law, restricting transgender individuals from using bathrooms that align with their gender identity at educational institutions. The law mandates that facilities be designated by “biological sex” as listed on birth certificates, disallowing gender-neutral private facilities except for single-use and family facilities. Them

President Vladimir Putin has enacted a law prohibiting the adoption of Russian children by individuals residing in countries that permit gender-affirming care. This measure affects numerous countries, including many in Europe, Australia, and Canada, and is part of a broader pattern of increasing anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Russia. 

Them

A coalition of 24 states is petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court to prohibit transgender girls from participating in women’s sports. This follows a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision that upheld an injunction against Arizona’s “Save Women’s Sports Act.” The states argue that sex and gender identity are not equivalent under the Equal Protection Clause, challenging the inclusion of trans athletes in women’s sports. 

Them

Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, has announced a rollback of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives amid pressure from conservative activists. The company plans to discontinue its racial equity center and will no longer prioritize race or gender in supplier contracts. Additionally, Walmart will scrutinize third-party marketplace items to avoid featuring products related to sexual and transgender minors. 

AP News