Opening arguments begin today in a lawsuit challenging North Dakota's ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth.

The case stems from a law change the state legislature approved in 2023, mirroring action in other conservative-led states.

With some exceptions, the ban brings criminal penalties against doctors if they provide care, like puberty blockers, to transgender people under the age of 18.

Brittany Stewart senior staff attorney with the legal non-profit Gender Justice, which represents the plaintiffs. She said these laws prevent families from seeking critical healthcare for their child.

"Young people who are dealing with gender dysphoria, which is a legitimate medical condition recognized by all the medical associations," said Stewart, "this is the care that helps alleviate symptoms, and those symptoms include extreme anxiety and depression."

Her organization reports families having to drive up to seven hours for doctor appointments.

Republicans behind the ban argue they're trying to protect children, noting young people aren't mature enough for these decisions.

But ban opponents say parents and doctors are heavily involved in discussing the lengthy process, and that gender-affirming surgery is rare for minors.

A separate legal challenge out of Tennessee is now before the U.S. Supreme Court. And Stewart noted that the courts have frowned on similar laws in a neighboring state.

"The Montana Supreme Court just upheld the injunction that is halting their gender-affirming care ban," said Stewart. "And they did find that the ban violated that individual right to personal autonomy."

Testimony in the North Dakota trial is expected to last a little more than a week. Since it's a bench trial with no jury, Stewart said it'll likely take several months for the judge to decide the outcome.

Meanwhile, an opinion in the U.S. Supreme Court case is expected this summer.




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June is Pride Month, and Washington's Lavender Rights Project is celebrating with a Black Trans Comedy Showcase. This is the largest fundraiser of the year for the nonprofit, which provides legal and social services for Black trans people.

Angel Patterson, director of development for Lavender Rights, said in the wake of increased attacks on trans rights across the country, the showcase prioritizes the community's health, safety, and joy.

"We are your family too," Patterson explained. "We are your mothers, your brothers, your sisters, your aunties, uncles, cousins, friends, bosses, coworkers. We're all paying parking tickets and taxes the same as everyone else."

Patterson said the showcase will be on June 14th in Seattle and will feature performers from Washington and across the country, including T.S. Madison and Mx Dahlia Belle.

So far, 923 bills targeting trans rights have been introduced across the country this year, and over 100 have passed. Patterson explains that the idea for the showcase came after hearing trans people used as punchlines for jokes in the media.

"Instead of a traditional protest we wanted to reclaim our power in another way that felt sacred to us and this event is truly that and it's a wonderful night to bring our folks together and highlight our work and really just feel the power of pride," Patterson continued.

The comedy showcase will also have auction items to help raise money for the project such as plane tickets, glass blowing classes, concert and sports tickets.

Indiana's largest LGBTQ+ celebration kicks off this weekend as Indy Pride marks its 30th anniversary.

The event expands this year to two days, featuring three major events in downtown Indianapolis. A parade steps off Saturday at 10 a.m. on Mass Ave., followed by a free community gathering at Monument Circle and a two-day concert at American Legion Mall.

Tina Robb, marketing director for Indy Pride, expects tens of thousands of people to attend, and said this year's message is about visibility and unity.

"Pride started out as a protest and as we are seeing in 2025, our rights are being stripped away daily," Robb pointed out. "While it started as a protest, it's going to continue as a protest. And this is our 30th anniversary, so we chose to be loud and bigger than ever this year."

Organizers said the expanded festival reflects both the urgency of the moment and the power of community. June is Pride month and takes place against high profile pushback on equality initiatives by the Trump administration.

Robb noted while some fear rising hate or tension, organizers said they are creating space for joy and safety.

"We can feel the fear," Robb acknowledged. "We can feel the joy is not as high as it normally is, but we need to remember that joy is an act of resistance. We are here for a reason. We have always existed, and we will continue to exist."

Indy Pride expects up to 60,000 people to attend Saturday's parade.


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As Pride events take shape in June, Minnesota organizers recognize a more hostile political climate this year toward LGBTQ+ populations. It has resulted in mixed feelings but a renewed desire to stand tall in their communities.

With the Trump administration pushing to roll back Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs and funding, corporations have followed suit in fear of being singled out by the White House. It has led to a more muted public celebration of people who identify as queer and/or transgender.

Khrys Wetzel, community organizer for the Taking Back Pride Coalition, is it will be fine if corporate support goes away because he believes such partnerships always seemed hollow.

"You gotta actually stand for something and not just for the moment because we're not just here during June," Wetzel urged.

Twin Cities Pride already severed ties with Minnesota-based Target after it limited the scope of its DEI work but the coalition wants all corporate sponsors for the event to be pulled, as well as law enforcement involvement. Other large Pride celebrations face budget shortfalls because of diminished corporate backing, but Wetzel argued community-driven leadership and donations create a more authentic and transparent gathering.

Aron Schnaser, volunteer coordinator of Itasca Pride in northern Minnesota, said there is a sense of fear this year but it is not deterring attendees from celebrating. In fact, he predicted a combination of joy and solidarity.

Schnaser stressed he does not think new backlash, aligned with conservative ideology, is enough to drown out the acceptance they get from friends and neighbors.

"Those who are pushing back against us weren't there last year, and if anything, it makes people more aware of us," Schnaser emphasized.

Schnaser added alliances help build a network to address service gaps for LGBTQ+ people, such as mental health care, in light of the changing narrative in the United States. While organizers for events elsewhere face calls to keep police at bay, Schnaser underscored they have a good relationship with municipal leaders and local law enforcement.


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