Martina Navratilova creates a lesbian rights group, Heather Dubrow’s child comes out as transgender, and UPenn highlights a non-binary author as a scholar for its new residency.

Martina Navratilova Creates The Lesbian Project

Tennis star Martina Navratilova founded a new lesbian rights group, The Lesbian Project. The non-profit is dedicated to the understanding and enhancement of lesbian lives in the U.K.

To mark the launch, Navratilova said, “At a time when lesbian rights in many countries are being eroded I am proud to be a patron of The Lesbian Project, an organization dedicated to the wellbeing of U.K.-based lesbians – a force for good.”

The organization was co-founded by Kathleen Stock, a former university professor who resigned after being targeted over her views on gender identity, and Julie Bindel, a feminist author. Stock previously received an OBE for her services to higher education from Queen Elizabeth II before stepping down.

“I think there are many more issues to talk about for lesbians than just the issue of gender identity,” said Stock to BBC’s Woman’s Hour.

Stock named some of these issues as a lack of academic research, funding, and gender identity culture wars. Stock said the project will not be a “single-issue group.”

Heather Dubrow’s Youngest Child Comes Out As Trans

Heather Dubrow and Ace. Photo via Instagram.

For International Sons Day on Mar. 4, Heather Dubrow and her husband, Terry, announced that their youngest child has come out as transgender.

“It’s International Son’s Day! We love you, our youngest son, Ace.”

Dubrow shared this tribute for her 12-year-old via Instagram and revealed his name as Ace. Ace marks the third of four of the Dubrow children to identify as members of the LGBT community.

“Our job as parents is to give our kids a safe and supportive environment so they can grow up as healthy, happy, confident, independent humans,” Dubrow wrote. “Since Ace is a 12-year-old child, with a long life ahead of him – we will let him tell his own story someday if he chooses to do so. All we can say is Ace, we love you so much and we are proud to be your parents. Your brother and sisters love and support you, too.”

After receiving mostly positive comments, Terry wrote back, “Thank you all for spreading the love.”

UPenn Honors Non-binary Author as First Scholar for New Residency

Photo via www.alokvmenon.com.

The University of Pennsylvania announced a commitment to creating the first LGBT residency at any university in the country. The residency is dedicated to “championing LGBTQ+ communities and scholarship” and is made possible by an anonymous $2 million donation.

The LGBTQ+ Scholar in Residence provides new resources to bring prominent leaders to Penn. The residency will launch this April with inaugural scholar ALOK who will be guest teaching and leading various aspects of campus life.

ALOK is an internationally acclaimed non-binary author and creator of #DeGenderFashion, an initiative to degender fashion and beauty industries.

“It’s a profound honor to be the Inaugural LGBTQ+ Scholar in Residence at the University of Pennsylvania,” said ALOK to PennToday. “In the face of escalating malalignment, we see a widening chasm between the reality of LGBTQ+ lives and the misrepresentation of our communities in media and society. As LGBTQ+ scholars and artists, we must continue to debunk anti-LGBTQ+ misinformation while also harnessing the power of LGBTQ+ storytelling to create a more inclusive and magnificent world.”