QM Weekly Update for April 6, 2026
🏳️🌈⚕️⚖️ On Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Colorado’s ban on “conversion therapy” for minors, recognized by experts as a form of anti-LGBTQ+ torture, must be sent back to a lower court and scrutinized under a strict First Amendment test that it is expected to fail. While the court decided bans on talk therapy that attempt to change a child’s sexual orientation or gender identity are likely unconstitutional, it did not rule against banning other types of this “therapy” such as electroshock or medication interventions. The ruling is likely to threaten existing conversion therapy bans in several other states, including Michigan.
More information:
“High court decision clears path for challenge to Michigan’s conversion therapy ban”
“Supreme Court says Colorado can’t ban conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ youth”
“Michigan examines options after Supreme Court rules against Colorado conversion therapy ban”
Chiles v. Salazar: What you need to know about the U.S. Supreme Court case on conversion therapy | The Trevor Project
Here’s what you need to know about Chiles v. Salazar, the U.S. Supreme Court case on conversion therapy.
“Supreme Court rules against conversion therapy ban in 8-1 decision”
Supreme Court rules against conversion therapy ban in 8-1 decision - LGBTQ Nation
The Court found it to be a First Amendment right to try to turn LGBTQ+ kids straight and cis.
“What is conversion therapy? What to know after Supreme Court decision”
What is conversion therapy? What to know amid Supreme Court decision
More than a dozen major mental health and medical organizations have renounced conversion therapy as ineffective and harmful.
“Supreme Court ruling puts Michigan’s ‘conversion therapy’ ban in jeopardy”
Supreme Court ruling puts Michigan's ‘conversion therapy’ ban in jeopardy - Bridge Michigan
A federal appeals court ruling in December blocked Michigan’s law meant to protect LGBTQ+ youth from taking effect. The state’s law faces significant challenges following the US Supreme Court’s decision to strike down a similar ban in Colorado.
🏳️🌈🏫 A recent report on the experiences of LGBTQ+ students in U.S. K-12 schools found that 2 in 3 LGBTQ+ students reported feeling unsafe at school during the 2023-24 school year, 53% reported experiencing anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination, and a majority reported facing harassment for their sexual orientation or gender identity. The report also found that LGBTQ+ students in schools with greater LGBTQ+ inclusion, strong anti-bullying policies, and GSAs reported higher grades and a stronger sense of belonging.
More information:
“Glisten report details hostile climate for LGBTQ students”
Glisten report details hostile climate for LGBTQ students
Survey details persistent harassment, feeling unsafe in classroom
“The 2025 National School Climate Survey”
🏳️⚧️🏃🏛️ On Monday, the U.S. Department of Justice sued the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota State High School League for allegedly violating Title IX by allowing trans girls to participate in girls’ school sports.
More information:
“Trump administration sues Minnesota over transgender athletes in girls sports”
Justice Department targets Minnesota in transgender athletes lawsuit | AP News
The Trump administration has carried out on a threat to sue the state of Minnesota and its school athletics governing body for allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls sports.
🏳️⚧️🏛️ On Tuesday, the governor of Wisconsin vetoed five anti-trans bills, including a gender-affirming care ban for trans minors, an anti-trans sports bans, and a bill that would have required teachers to out trans students to their parents.
More information:
“Democratic governor says “Hell no” to five anti-trans bills on Transgender Day of Visibility”
Democratic governor says “Hell no” to five anti-trans bills on Transgender Day of Visibility - LGBTQ Nation
Gov. Tony Evers promised to veto all anti-LGBTQ+ legislation that comes to his desk. He has not failed.
🏳️⚧️🏛️ On Wednesday, a bill that would have prevented trans people from obtaining or renewing a teaching certification in Kentucky failed to advance and will not move forward this session.
More information:
“A Last Ditch Republican Attempt to Ban Trans Teachers Failed in Kentucky”
A Last-Ditch Republican Attempt to Ban Trans Teachers Failed in Kentucky | Them
State senator Gex Williams attempted to “piggyback” a failed anti-trans bill by amending it to a new one.
🏳️⚧️🏛️🚽 On Tuesday, the Governor of Idaho signed the most extreme anti-trans bathroom law in the U.S., which gives up to a year in prison for anyone “knowingly and willfully” using a bathroom that doesn’t match their sex assigned at birth in any business or space open to the public. It carries up to five years in prison for a second offense, and a fourth offense would trigger the state’s persistent violator statute, carrying up to life in prison.
More information:
“Idaho Gov. signs nation’s “most extreme” anti-trans bathroom law despite police opposition”
Idaho Gov. signs nation's "most extreme" anti-trans bathroom law despite police opposition - LGBTQ Nation
Opponents say the bill will increase harassment of cisgender people and violence against trans people.
“Idaho Republicans Pass One of Nation’s Most Extreme Anti-Trans Bathroom Bills”
Idaho Republicans Pass One of Nation’s Most Extreme Anti-Trans Bathroom Bills | Them
Idaho's new law applies not only to government buildings, but also places of public accommodation.
🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️💵 A study published in March found that LGBTQ+ adults are more likely to be worried about being able to afford health care, food, housing, and transportation than non-LGBTQ+ adults.
More information:
“LGBTQ+ adults worry more than cis-hets about affording healthcare”
LGBTQ+ adults worry more than cis-hets about affording healthcare - LGBTQ Nation
... and the current president is worsening their concerns.
“LGBT People Experience Widespread Concerns and Challenges When it Comes to Health Care Affordability”
