More Differences…

Once again the Blue states leep forward!

New Jersey’s attorney general files civil rights complaints against three school districts alleging discrimination against LGBTQ+ students

By Polo Sandoval, CNN

June 24, 2023

Just days after three New Jersey public school systems simultaneously enacted policies requiring educators to notify parents of changes in their children’s gender identity, the state is pursuing legal action.

New Jersey State Attorney General Matthew Platkin announced the complaints against the Middletown Township, Marlboro Township and Manalapan-Englishtown Regional boards of education, all in Monmouth County.

In a series of complaints filed in a New Jersey Superior Court, the state alleges policies requiring staff to notify parents when students express desire to change names, pronouns or bathroom and/or locker accommodations “target transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender non-binary students by singling them out for differential treatment, requiring parental notification for those students but not their peers.”

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“In New Jersey, we will not tolerate any action by schools that threatens the health and safety of our young people. Without question, the discriminatory policies passed by these Boards of Education, if allowed to go into effect, will harm our kids and pose severe risk to their safety,” said Attorney General Platkin in a statement. “Simply put, these policies violate our laws, and we will not relent in protecting our LGBTQ+ community – especially our children – from discrimination.”

There is going to be a long state court battle over this...

In May, state officials also filed a civil rights complaint after similar changes were enacted at the Hanover Township Board of Education.

The litigation challenging that policy remains pending. A Superior Court, however, issued a temporary restraining order barring that board of education from enforcing that policy while it considers the matter.

Meanwhile down in the Red states they are forcing teachers to squeal on their students even if it does harm to the child.

In another example of the differences… In a email from my Congressional representative, 

I’m proud Connecticut has led the way to protect bodily autonomy, becoming the first state in the nation to protect a woman’s right to an abortion under state law when I served as President pro tempore of the State Senate.  

Unfortunately, millions of Americans have been denied those same protections over the last year, with 15 states outlawing abortion since the Court’s ruling. Extreme proposals that I oppose to restrict access to reproductive health care at the federal level are moving through Congress – there’s even a measure to prevent pregnant veterans from receiving life-saving care.  

These efforts to punish women and their doctors for seeking the care they need have no place in our country. That’s why I signed on to a discharge petition this week that would force a vote on the House floor to reinstate the federal right to abortion access.

And notice the phrasing “protect bodily autonomy” that includes us!

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Then in the state of Colorado,

For the first time in history, all major Denver pro sports teams will march during Denver PrideFest

Mascots, cheerleaders, dancers and squads will march alongside thousands of people on Sunday

Denver 7 ABC

By: Óscar Contreras

June 23, 2023

For the first time in its nearly 50-year history, all major Denver pro sports team will march for LGBTQ+ rights during Denver PrideFest this weekend.

The announcement from the Center on Colfax, however, does not mean that any players from any of the teams will be marching this Sunday.

Contingents from the NBA champions Denver Nuggets, the Denver Broncos, the Colorado Rockies, the Colorado Avalanche, the Colorado Rapids and the Colorado Mammoth will join the hundreds of thousands of people that will be marching for equality during the Denver Pride parade on Sunday.

Among the contingents will be Supermascot Rocky, Denver Nuggets dancers, Skyline Drum Squad and the Mile High City Hype Squad; the Denver Broncos cheerleaders and Miles the Mascot; the Colorado Rockies mascot Dinger; the Colorado Avalanche Ice Patrol, Bernie the Mascot and The Celly Squad; the Colorado Mammoth Wild Bunch and Wooly the Mascot, and RapidMan, the Mascot from the Colorado Rapids.

And the state of Illinois,

Chicago sports teams support Pride parade with fun floats

There were appearances from fan-favorite mascots to team owners

NBC Sports

By Alex Shapiro

June 25, 2023

Many of Chicago’s teams came together to show their support at the city’s Pride Parade on Sunday. That included appearances from team owners to fan-favorite mascots.

Benny the Bull is one of the most recognizable, if not the singular most famous mascot in the world. So it’s no surprise that his appearance in a rainbow afro wig drew cheers from the crowd. Tough act to follow for the folks wearing Bulls shirts in the float behind Benny's.

Not to be outdone, White Sox mascot Southpaw opted to celebrate Pride shirtless. He also showed off some impressive dance moves.

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The Bears brought their top brass to Pride, with chairman George McCaskey and president/CEO Kevin Warren joining in the festivities to show their support.

Allies will make a difference but only if they speak up!