A Colorado candidate aims to become the first trans senator in the state, a school district in Maryland removed LGBTQ books from lessons, and volleyball teams in California refused to compete against a trans player.
Candidate Hopes To Be First Trans Senator In State
Vivian Smotherman, a candidate for Colorado’s Senate in District 6, is fighting to flip the area from Republican to Democrat.
Smotherman would also be the first transgender state senator in Colorado.
She said her main goals for the district include improving housing, access to healthcare and education, according to The Advocate.
Smotherman also said she wants to fight anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and actions in schools and put the focus back on kids.
“We’re still fighting the LGBT battle here,” Smotherman said. “We’ve been successful so far, but we can’t let down our guard. I’m a much better target for hate than the kids are.”
School District Removes LGBTQ Books From Lessons
“Pride Puppy” via robinstevenson.com.
Montgomery County Public Schools has taken two books out of its curriculum featuring LGBTQ characters that are part of a legal battle, The Washington Post reported.
The Maryland school district’s decision last summer to prohibit families with elementary students from opting out of lessons using books with these LGBTQ themes proved to be controversial. A group of parents sued the school system, saying it violates their First Amendment rights of religious freedom.
The books removed were called “Pride Puppy” and “My Rainbow.” They were initially incorporated into the lessons as an effort to better represent LGBTQ families in the school system’s English Language Arts curriculum.
Both books are still available in school libraries.
Volleyball Teams Refuse to Play Against Trans Player
Photo via Adobe.
Multiple opponents have canceled matchups against San Jose State women’s volleyball after players have raised concerns over playing against a transgender athlete on the team, according to NBC News.
The University of Nevada, Reno was the most recent team to cancel a game against the Spartans, citing they didn’t have enough players. The Wolf Pack were originally scheduled to host San Jose State this weekend but Nevada players said they wouldn’t take the court because they “refuse to participate in any match that advances injustice against female athletes.”
Nevada’s athletic department said it wouldn’t forfeit the match, citing state equality laws. However, it also said that no players would be disciplined if they do not participate.
Nevada eventually elected to forfeit the match with no further explanation.
In a lawsuit filed against the NCAA, plaintiffs cited unspecified reports asserting there was a transgender player on the San Jose State team. However, neither San Jose State nor the forfeiting teams have confirmed the school has a trans woman volleyball player.
“They’re receiving messages of hate, which is completely ridiculous to me,” said coach Todd Kress. “Would you want your student-athlete, your daughter, to face the same kind of hate that you’re dishing out?”
