January 19 2026, 08:15 
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in trans sports ban cases
What was brought up: Two cases involving trans girls who wanted to participate in school sports (and who won their lower court cases) are being appealed to the Supreme Court, which heard oral arguments this week. Much of the discussion focused on the supposed biological advantages that trans girls who have not undergone male puberty have.
Why it matters: These cases could not only decide whether states can ban trans people from playing sports but also set up how future LGBTQ+ rights cases are decided, even those unrelated to sports.
Supreme Court hearing on trans sports bans focuses on “biological advantages”
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Out Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) leads effort to impeach Secretary Kristi Noem after death of queer mom Renee Good
What Craig said: “ICE Barbie is not doing her job. It’s lawless… She’s not following any of our immigration laws in this country. She’s following no protocols with respect to immigration enforcement,” Rep. Craig said.
Why it matters: Good’s death shocked the nation, and most Americans don’t think ICE was justified in shooting her to death. Craig is one of several Democrats trying get material changes to immigration enforcement.
Out Rep. Angie Craig leading effort to impeach Kristi Noem after the killing of Renee Nicole Good
Pro-trans American Academy of Pediatrics wins federal court ruling & gets $12 million in funding restored
What happened: Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy cut the medical association’s funding in December, in part because the group – like all major medical organizations in the U.S. – supports gender-affirming care for trans youth. The judge ruled that Kennedy was attempting to “chill public health policy debate by retaliating against a leading and genderally trusted pediatrician member professional organization focused on improving the health of children.”
Why it matters: People who understand the science of gender-affirming care consistently support it, to the point that threats and extortion are the only tools that conservatives have to fight against that consensus. In this instance, it didn’t work.
Pro-trans pediatric group wins $12 million as judge slams Kennedy’s “retaliatory” cuts
The Education Department announces wide-ranging investigations into schools for being too pro-trans
What the ED asserts: They claim there have been complaints against 14 grade schools across nine states about trans kids being allowed to participate in school sports. They say that this is a form of discrimination against cis girls.
Why it matters: While there is no federal law banning trans kids from playing school sports, the current administration is acting like there is and is using investigations and funding threats to coerce schools and states to comply. This is just the latest – but a rather large – salvo in their battle to discriminate against trans kids.
Education Dept. says it’s “aggressively pursuing” 14 schools over trans-inclusive sports policies
Out actor Wanda Sykes slams transphobic comedian Ricky Gervais at the Golden Globe Awards
What she said as she presented the award for Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on Television: “Ricky Gervais, I love you for not being here. Because if you win, I get to accept the award on your behalf and you’re going to thank God and the trans community.”
Why it matters: It’s important to show that, even in the middle of an anti-trans moral panic, people with consciences will continue to stand up for all people’s dignity.
Wanda Sykes thanked the trans community for anti-trans comic Ricky Gervais’ Golden Globes win
This week’s pictures
Protests for slain queer mom Renee Good continued this week.
And here are some interesting queer and trans reads
Contributor Warren Blumenfeld examined White House official Stephen Miller’s imperialist fantasies and his long hatred of liberal ideals.
Editor-in-Chief Alex Bollinger looked at the right’s disdain for humanity in all its complexity.
Why the right wants to ban Plato: It’s part of their war on being human
Author Shaley Howard challenged the LGBTQ+ community not to fall into hopelessness despite everything that’s going on.
Donald Trump wants LGBTQ+ people to feel hopeless. Don’t let him win.
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