Richmond removes its last city-owned Confederate statue
It took just minutes to free the statue of Confederate Gen. A.P. Hill from its base before a crane using yellow straps looped under the statue’s arms lifted it onto a bed of tires on a flatbed truck.
Pioneering Black feminist Dorothy Pitman Hughes dies at 84
Hughes died Dec. 1 in Tampa, Florida, at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, said Maurice Sconiers of the Sconiers Funeral Home in Columbus, Georgia. The home said it did not know the cause of death.
Arkansas town elects youngest Black mayor in America
Only months after graduating high school, Jaylen Smith, 18, is the new mayor of Earle, Arkansas.
House passes bill protecting same-sex, interracial marriages, sends to Biden
The House has given final approval to protections for same-sex marriages.
Putin signs law expanding Russia's rules against LGBT 'propaganda'
Russia’s new law outlaws advertising, media and online resources, books, films and theater productions deemed to contain such LGBT “propaganda.”
Supreme Court justices spar in latest clash of religion and gay rights
The Supreme Court on Monday heard the case of a Christian graphic artist who objects to designing wedding websites for gay couples.
EXPLAINER: Congress is acting on gay, interracial marriage after Senate passes bill
The Respect for Marriage Act is a historic bipartisan agreement that reflects a wider acceptance of gay rights in both Congress and the country. The bill would protect the rights of about a half million married couples.
FDA likely to end blanket ban on sexually active gay, bisexual men donating blood
Currently, federal regulations prohibit blood banks from accepting donations from men who have had sex with men within the last three months
First Asian Santa to greet children at Mall of America
For the first time in three years, children are back sitting on Santa's lap at the Mall Of America (MOA), but that's not the only change you may notice at The Santa Experience this year.
Senate passes landmark same-sex marriage bill
The Senate has passed landmark bipartisan legislation to protect same-sex marriages.
Santa's back in town with inflation, inclusion on his mind
Don’t look for plastic partitions or faraway benches when visiting Santa Claus this year. The jolly old elf is back, pre-pandemic style.
Black woman reports getting cup with 'monkey' printed as customer's name at Maryland Starbucks
A Starbuck employee is suspended, and an investigation is underway after a Maryland woman reported that the word "monkey" was printed as the customer's name on her cup.
Mary Peltola becomes 1st Alaska Native in Congress
Mary Peltola, who is Yup’ik, defeated Republicans including Sarah Palin for the House seat to become the first Alaska Native to serve in Congress.
Russian Duma gives anti-LGBTQ 'propaganda' bill final approval
The bill would significantly expand restrictions on activities seen as promoting gay rights in Russia, another step in a years-long crackdown on the country's embattled LGBTQ community.
Colorado gay bar shooting suspect facing murder, hate crime charges
The man suspected of opening fire at a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs was being held on murder and hate crime charges Monday, while hundreds of people gathered to honor the five people killed and 17 wounded in the attack on a venue that for decades was a sanctuary for the local LGBTQ community.
Senate advances same-sex, interracial marriage bill with 12 GOP votes
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the law is a chance for the Senate to “live up to its highest ideals” and protect marriage equality for all people.
Mormon church shows support for same-sex marriage law, believes act is still unbiblical
The nearly 17-million-member, Utah-based faith said in a statement that church doctrine would continue to consider same-sex relationships to be against God's commandments.
A record 12 women were elected as governors this election, making US history
Eight of the 12 are Democrats, aligning with the trend of more women serving in elected office identifying as Democrats than Republicans in the U.S. House, the U.S. Senate and state legislatures.
Disneyland, Disney World add dolls in wheelchairs to 'It's a Small World' attraction
This is the first time in Disneyland's 67-year history that an attraction has included a character in a wheelchair.
Maura Healey becomes 1st lesbian elected Massachusetts governor
Democratic Attorney General Maura Healey has been elected governor of Massachusetts, making history as the nation's first openly lesbian governor.