Newswatch Rights State-by-State
Arkansas
How a pregnancy complication reshaped an Arkansas woman's view of abortion bans
June 17, 2026 06:30 PM EDT
Public Broadcasting Service.
A majority of Republicans continue to oppose abortion, but there’s been a shift in opinion among other Americans. More Democrats and independents now say abortion should be legal, and there are even conservatives questioning their own views in response to state bans. Special correspondent Sarah Varney brings us the story of one Arkansas woman whose own pregnancy changed how she sees abortion.
California
Trump's DOJ Can't Get Names and Medical Files of Trans Youth in California, for Now | KQED
June 21, 2026 05:00 PM EDT
KQED Inc.
Trump's Department of Justice is seeking patient files that include the names of young people who have been treated in transgender clinics, as well as hospital staff who have provided care.
California
6/18 AM Update: Trump Reverses Course on DNI Pick, Shock California LGBT Contract Bias Reporting
June 18, 2026 06:52 AM EDT
Megyn Kelly
AM Update for 6/18/26: President Donald Trump halts Jay Clayton’s confirmation process, keeping housing official Bill Pulte in line to become acting Director of National Intelligence amid a broader fight over FISA, leaving senators in his own party caught off guard. California reportedly gives certified LGBT-owned businesses preferential access to utility contracts, prompting a Justice …
Colorado
Colorado students report same-sex peers were made to kiss during class assignment, teacher fired
June 17, 2026 02:27 PM EDT
CBS News
Denver Public Schools board members voted unanimously May 20 to dismiss a 50-year-old foreign language teacher following a district investigation and an independent review into student complaints about a class assignment.
Florida
Congresswoman Kat Cammack Told Me This Story. Then She Asked Me Not to Publish It.
June 22, 2026 01:09 PM EDT
Tara Palmeri
The pro-life Florida politician nearly died during a pregnancy emergency that required an abortion. After she told me what happened, she asked me not to publish it.
Florida
A decade after Pulse massacre, here's what's changed for LGBTQ+ Americans
June 18, 2026 06:31 AM EDT
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
LGBTQ+ Americans have faced setbacks in rights and acceptance in the decade since the massacare at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Florida. There are some bright spots, though.
Florida
Intersex Teacher Fired in Florida After Parent Falsely Claims He Is Trans, ACLU Says
June 17, 2026 10:05 AM EDT
Erin in the Morning.
“It became clear to me that being fired had nothing to do with my qualifications or teaching—it was about who I am.”
Georgia
Billionaire who beat Trump's pick in Georgia faces fallout over leaked recording: analysis
June 17, 2026 06:17 PM EDT
Raw Story.
A MAGA billionaire gubernatorial candidate in Georgia was under fire on Wednesday after a recording surfaced with him reportedly "agreeing that women should have to 'prove' they were raped in order to qualify for an abortion," according to a report from The Daily Beast.Rick Jackson defeated Burt Jon...
Idaho
Federal Judge Blocks Idaho's Trans Bathroom Ban
June 17, 2026 05:53 PM EDT
Metro Weekly
The temporary ruling prevents Idaho from enforcing bathroom restrictions that could have subjected transgender people to prison sentences.
Idaho
Judge rules transgender people won't face criminal charges for using Idaho public restrooms
June 16, 2026 07:44 PM EDT
Press-Telegram.
The judge ruled that portions of the law were too vague to enforce.
Kentucky
Healthcare is harder to get for LGBTQ+ thanks to Republicans | Opinion
June 17, 2026 05:03 AM EDT
The Courier-Journal.
Kentucky Republicans have made access to healthcare harder to get, whether you're gay, straight, lesbian, trans or bisexual.
Louisiana
Washington Roundup: US-Iran MOU begins; SCOTUS takes up ICE bond hearings; FDA abortion suit filing - OSV News
June 20, 2026 07:03 AM EDT
Open Source Vulnerability News.
WASHINGTON (OSV News) -- The Trump administration signed a memorandum of understanding, or MOU, with Iranian officials, a tentative framework to end the war in Iran, but uncertainty remained about an end to the conflict. The same week, the U.S. Supreme Court took up a case concerning hearings for noncitizens in immigration detention, while Louisiana continued
Maine
Susan Collins remains 'very strong supporter of Israel'
June 22, 2026 05:49 PM EDT
Central Maine Newspapers.
Maine's senior senator defended her support for the American Israel Public Action Committee, rejected blame for the end of national abortion rights and previewed her general election message against Democrat Graham Platner.
Maine
Maine Expands Abortion Access, Becomes First State to Repeal Its Limit Post-Roe
June 20, 2026 07:32 AM EDT
G/O Media.
The state that re-elected Sen. Susan Collins (R) after she betrayed them on abortion has become one of the least restrictive in the nation.
Maine
Susan Collins proves she never gave a damn about abortion rights
June 16, 2026 05:16 PM EDT
Daily Kos.
GOP Sen. Susan Collins of Maine says she doesn’t regret voting for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Michigan
Trump admin investigates three Michigan schools over trans athlete participation
June 19, 2026 06:16 AM EDT
PinkNews.
The Department of Education is probing three Michigan school districts over claims they let students compete based on their gender identity.
Michigan
Democrats in Michigan Senate adopt state voter bill of rights
June 17, 2026 08:58 AM EDT
Eastern Michigan University.
The Michigan Senate approved bills Tuesday to create a state-level Voting Rights Act. Rick Pluta reports the goal is to fill gaps created by the U.S. Supreme Court striking down major portions of the federal voting rights law.
Missouri
Missouri Judge Restores Medication Abortion Access After Striking Down Restrictions - NewsBreak
June 22, 2026 12:15 PM EDT
News Break, Inc
A Missouri judge has restored access to medication abortion by striking down a broad range of abortion restrictions that she found violated the state’s vot
Missouri
Missouri judge finds state laws restricting abortion violate voter-approved constitutional amendment
June 19, 2026 05:57 PM EDT
the Marin Independent Journal
Enforcement of some of the restrictions had already been on hold.
Missouri
Missouri governor responds after judge strikes down most abortion restrictions
June 19, 2026 05:45 PM EDT
KMIZ-TV
A Jackson County judge ruled Thursday to eliminate the waiting-period requirement for patients and to keep the in-person appointment requirement.
New York
Meet NYC Mayor Mamdani's LGBTQ+ avengers
June 22, 2026 12:00 PM EDT
The Advocate.
The mayor of New York City has appointed several LGBTQ+ people to powerful positions. Learn more about them here.
New York
Pride Month: From the Streets of New York to a Global Movement
June 19, 2026 06:53 AM EDT
Plataforma Media.
Pride Month has become a regular fixture on the international calendar, bringing together millions of participants in marches, cultural ...
Ohio
Ohio Equal Rights will try to get two amendments on 2027 ballot
June 22, 2026 03:55 AM EDT
Yahoo! Inc.
Ohioans will not have a chance to vote to eliminate the same-sex marriage ban in the Ohio Constitution in the November election. Ohio Equal Rights recently announced they will not try to get two amend...
Ohio
More Ohio communities holding PRIDE events this June, though corporate sponsorships are down
June 15, 2026 08:48 PM EDT
The State News.
Equality Ohio says there are more events to celebrate LGBTQ+ communities due to grassroots support.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island Pride turns 50 this weekend: 'Queer joy is resistance' - The Boston Globe
June 19, 2026 05:55 AM EDT
The Boston Globe.
Pride in the Ocean State began at a Bicentennial Parade in 1976. “They were truly the unrelenting voices of their time.”
Tennessee
Tennessee Christian school to pay $10,000 to student banned from graduation after coming out as gay
June 22, 2026 06:07 PM EDT
WSMV Nashville.
A Tennessee Christian school sued by a senior who came out as gay and was prevented from going to graduation will now have to pay her $10,000 as part of a settlement approved Monday.
Texas
The Texas GOP Added An IVF Ban To Its Party Platform. Ken Paxton Is Publicly Distancing Himself From It.
June 22, 2026 03:14 PM EDT
HuffPost.
Paxton's break from his party sets up a conflict within the GOP that could impact his chances of winning his Senate race.
Virginia
Flanked by N. Va. lawmakers, Spanberger signs bills in Lorton to boost contraception access | FFXnow
June 19, 2026 01:45 PM EDT
FFXnow.
With the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial just a stone’s throw away, Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed landmark reproductive freedom and contraception access legislation Wednesday during a ceremony at Occoquan Regional Park. The new law, the governor said, protects the right of Virginia women to access and use birth control and reduces the cost of contraception across
