The OutLook is our weekly roundup of political issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community
- Former Kentucky clerk Kim Davis has filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court asking it to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges, the 2015 case that legalized same-sex marriage. Her legal team argues that the ruling conflicts with religious freedom, but most observers expect the Court to reject the appeal as marriage equality remains well-established.
- Washington, D.C.’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs is getting its budget slashed by $600,000 for FY 2026, down from $2.3 million to $1.7 million, even though key programs and its full-time staff will remain intact. The cut affects specialty projects like the Black LGBTQ History Preservation Commission, but core initiatives like violence prevention, cultural humility trainings, and ~$1 million in annual grants are untouched.
- The State Department’s 2024 human rights report slashed sections on LGBTQ+ rights and gender-based violence, omitting major issues like Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Law. Advocates warn the cuts weaken U.S. credibility and leave vulnerable communities at greater risk.
- Ohio’s Attorney General has certified two constitutional amendment petitions to move forward: one would repeal the state’s ban on same‑sex marriage, and the other would establish broad equal rights protections, including for sexual orientation and gender identity, at the local and state level. Organizers can now begin gathering signatures to put both measures on the ballot.
- West Palm Beach is removing its rainbow crosswalk to comply with state road regulations, but it’s not disappearing. The city plans to repurpose its historic Pride bricks into a redesigned LGBTQ+ monument at Serenity Park, featuring new lighting, landscaping, and a permanent community tribute.