A threat to public health
Sept. 3 — The September issue of Georgia Voice is off to the printer, and we’re preparing to attend the NLGJA: Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists convention happening here in Atlanta. During the conference, the Voice will receive the 2025 Legacy Award. We’re excited!
Here are a few headlines:
🤬 The Republican Party’s move to cut the majority of HIV funding for prevention, treatment, and care is a grave threat to public health. You can read more about that below. This news, coupled with the dismantling of the CDC by the anti-science Trump administration, is going to have repercussions around the world.
⚖️ When the U.S. Supreme Court convenes in October, the justices will hear Chiles v. Salazar, a case that could decide whether states can continue protecting LGBTQ+ youth from “conversion therapy.”
🌈 The rainbow crosswalk in Midtown Atlanta is safe from removal, thanks to it being on city-owned streets, according to local officials.
🚨 A Forsyth County man was arrested for chalking the Pulse memorial crosswalk in Orlando, FL after it was paved over by the state.
📚 A Cobb County teacher who was fired two years ago for reading a book with a nonbinary character to her students continues to fight her termination.
🇻🇦 Pope Leo said he plans to continue his predecessor’s legacy by welcoming all people, including LGBTQ+ Catholics.
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Collin
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House GOP seeks to cut all HIV prevention funding
🩸The Republican-controlled Appropriations Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives has released its Fiscal Year 2026 funding bill that calls for cutting funds for domestic HIV prevention, treatment, and care programs by at least $1.7 billion, which is an amount significantly greater than the AIDS budget cuts proposed by President Donald Trump.
Among other things, the bill, if passed by the full Congress, would eliminate federal funding for all HIV prevention programs in the U.S. as well as eliminate the Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative program that Trump persuaded Congress to pass during his first term as president.
“This is not a bill for making America healthy again, but a disastrous bill that will reignite HIV in the United States,” said Carl Schmidt, executive director of the D.C.-based HIV + Hepatitis Policy Institute, in a Sept. 1 statement.
➡ Read the full report from our media partner, Washington Blade.
RELATED STORY
🙄 GOP Sen. Rand Paul said Tuesday that a gay doctor at the CDC who resigned last week in protest of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s leadership had “no business being in government” due to his “lifestyle.”
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LGBTQ+ orgs warn against anti-trans scapegoating after school shooting
🏳️⚧️ After the shooter who opened fire at a Catholic school in Minneapolis – killing two children and injuring 17 others – was identified as a transgender woman, LGBTQ+ organizations are warning against anti-transgender scapegoating and advocating for gun reform.
Because of the shooter’s gender identity, right-wing legislators have used the incident to insist on the mental unwellness of the community and advocate for more anti-trans legislation.
Jessica Douglas, the Development and Communications Manager of Georgia Equality, echoed this sentiment, telling Georgia Voice that the organization condemned the use of the tragedy to divide religious people and the LGBTQ+ community.
“We recognize that some may use this story to attempt to divide faith communities and the transgender community, but we know that both of those communities are vital parts of our larger LGBTQ+ community,” Douglas said. “We condemn any attempt to divide us and to scapegoat the transgender community for political gain.”
‘Dining Out’ explores gay restaurants of the past and present
📖 In his debut book “Dining Out,” journalist Erik Piepenburg tells America’s LGBTQ+ history through the beloved restaurants of the past and present.
Included in Piepenburg’s culinary journey are four Atlanta establishments: the now shuttered Gallus and Silver Grill and the still operational Colonnade and Su’s Chinese Cuisine.
Piepenburg will bring his book tour to Woofs – another beloved gay bar and restaurant – on Thurs., Sept. 4. He will discuss “Dining Out” but also get insights into the lived experience of eating and working at Gallus with locals Ashley Nicole Dawson and Christina D’Angelo. The event is free and starts at 6 p.m.
➡ Read more in Katie Burkholder’s feature story here.
🪴 Aspiring fall gardeners will find everything they need to learn and grow a fall & winter kitchen garden at Love is Love Cooperative Farm’s Annual Fall Plant Sale and Family Day on the Farm. Order plants now. Pickup Sept 6. SPONSOR MESSAGE
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🗣️ Award-winning author and journalist Nico Lang will discuss their new book “American Teenager: How Trans Kids Are Surviving Hate and Finding Joy in a Turbulent Era” at Out Front Theatre on Thurs. Sept. 4, 7 p.m.
💦 The Sex Down South Conference, an inclusive conference devoted to sexual wellness and education, runs Sept. 4-6 at the Courtland Grand Hotel.
🎭 Chris Dyke will perform their theatre piece “My Gender is Not My Journey” at The Supermarket on Sept. 9 at 7 p.m.
