QM Weekly Updates for September 22, 2025
🏳️⚧️A study published on Wednesday found that trans and nonbinary youth are more likely to feel that they can be their complete selves online compared to cisgender youth, and that TikTok, Discord, YouTube, and Instagram were the platforms they felt most safe and understood on.
More information:
"LGBTQ+ youth can be themselves online. But that freedom comes with danger"
LGBTQ+ youth can be themselves online. But that freedom comes with danger. - LGBTQ Nation
Transgender and nonbinary young people have the most to lose and gain online, researchers say.
"Online Experiences and Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People"
Online Experiences and Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People | The Trevor Project
Most LGBTQ+ young people agreed that they go online to connect with people because it is difficult finding others to relate to and connect with in their daily lives.
🏳️⚧️⚕️⚖️ On Tuesday, a federal appeals court struck down a lower court ruling requiring that a Georgia sheriff’s employee health plan cover gender-affirming care and instead ruled that her discrimination case must go to trial.
More information:
"Appeals court ruling creates 'lower-class citizenship' for transgender people, judge says"
- https://www.advocate.com/law/transgender-health-insurance-coverage-blocked
🏳️⚧️🏫🏛️ On Tuesday, 9 Attorneys General, including Michigan's AG Dana Nessel, released a video promising to defend the rights of trans students in their states.
More information:
"9 state attorneys general pledge to support transgender youth: 'We have your back'"
- https://www.advocate.com/politics/state-attorneys-general-transgender-youth
🏳️⚧️��🏛️ On Tuesday, two Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives stated that trans people should be institutionalized, in response to the death of Charlie Kirk.
More information:
"GOP Lawmakers, Including Nancy Mace, Say Trans People Should Be Institutionalized Following Charlie Kirk Death"
- https://www.them.us/story/nancy-mace-trans-people-institutionalized-internet-charlie-kirk
🏳️⚧️💻🏛️ Last Thursday, a member of the Michigan House of Representatives introduced a bill that would ban all online pornography as well as all online content depicting transgender people, with exceptions only for specific scientific, medical, or academic purposes. The bill is not expected to pass into law under the state’s Democratic-controlled senate and governor seat.
More information:
"Michigan Republican Bill Bans All Online Porn and Depictions of Trans People"
- https://www.them.us/story/michigan-total-porn-ban-trans-josh-schriver
"Some Michigan GOPers want to outlaw online porn-plus depictions of trans people or drag"
- https://www.advocate.com/politics/michigan-republicans-online-porn-ban