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Regional News

North Dakota Antidiscrimination Bill Proposed

If a bill introduced in the State Legislature passes, North Dakota could become the 21st state to provide protections for sexual orientation. It seeks to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation in housing, employment, and use of public accommodation. Minnesota passed such a measure in 1993. Neighboring Montana also is considering similar legislation.

National News

GLSEN Report Says GLBT Students of Color Face Victimization

A new report from the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) finds that GLBT students of color face unique and diverse challenges regarding victimization at school. It states that across all groups, sexual orientation and gender expression were the most common reasons GLBT students of color reported feeling unsafe in school. More than four out of five students within each racial/ethnic group reported verbal harassment in school because of sexual orientation, and about two-thirds because of gender expression. At least a third of each group reported physical violence in school because of sexual orientation. The entire report can be accessed at www.biggaynews.com.

World News

Transgender Murders on the Rise in Honduras

The Human Rights Watch is raising awareness of an increase in murders of and violence against transgender people in Honduras. Cynthia Nicole, a leading Honduran transgender rights activist, was gunned down by unknown assailants in January. “The transgender community is terrified,” according to Indyra Mendoza, Director of the Honduran lesbian and feminist group Cattrachas.