(SRN NEWS)- ( ) Four Democratic-led states are suing to block the Trump administration from cutting off hundreds of millions in public health grants. At issue is the promotion of transgenderism and the use of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs. The Department of Health and Human Services told Congress that it plans to withhold about 600 […]
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( ) Four Democratic-led states are suing to block the Trump administration from cutting off hundreds of millions in public health grants. At issue is the promotion of transgenderism and the use of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs. The Department of Health and Human Services told Congress that it plans to withhold about 600 million dollars allocated to California, Colorado, Illinois and Minnesota. The administration also plans to pull hundreds of millions in transportation funding from the same four states. Courts have temporarily blocked similar efforts by the administration to restrict federal funds.
( ) A Mexican pastor has been jailed for refusing to participate in a Catholic ritual. International Christian Concern reports that Pastor Mariano Martinez was locked up after declining to pray to a statue of a Catholic saint during a recent public celebration. Martinez was in jail for five days and then local leaders let him out, but banished him from his village. He had to leave behind members of his family as well as his small congregation. Persecution of Protestants by radical Catholic authorities is a growing problem in Mexico, landing the country on several lists of nations where religious freedom is in jeopardy.
( ) The chairman of the federal Religious Liberty Commission has ousted a member after a hearing that featured tense exchanges on the definition of anti-Semitism. The ousted member, Carrie Boller, had defended prominent commentator Candace Owens, who routinely shares anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. Commission Chairman Dan Patrick says, “No member of the commission has the right to hijack a hearing for their own personal and political agenda on any issue.” Boller quoted a Bible verse that attributed the death of Jesus to Jews and pushed back on the idea that some people mask anti-Semitism in their criticism of Israel.
( ) LGBT activists are complaining about commentators at the Winter Olympics “misgendering” a woman who is living as a man. Elis Lundholm of Sweden is a female skier who is living as a man. However, because she is competing in the women’s division — not against the men — there is often confusion in the broadcasting booth. Because Lundholm is a biological woman there has been no controversy surrounding her participation in the Milan-Cortina Games. The Swedish ski team confirms that the 23-year-old has not undergone any testosterone therapy, meaning there is no concern about her having an unfair advantage.