Hi friends,

We’re a bit fashionably late (in true community-organizer tradition 😉), but here’s your February wrap-up: a mix of joy, policy watch items, global headlines, and a couple bright spots worth keeping in your pocket.

At a glance

• Celebration: Sydney’s Mardi Gras drew massive crowds. Read
• Schools: A federal bill was introduced targeting LGBTQ+ books and school programs. Read
• Global: Senegal’s PM pushed a bill increasing penalties for same-sex conduct. Read
• Global: Uganda arrests reported under its anti-LGBTQ law. Read

Top stories

🎉 Sydney Mardi Gras: One of the world’s biggest LGBTQIA+ celebrations turned Oxford Street into a giant street party. Story

📚 School censorship bill: A federal bill (H.R. 7661) was introduced that critics say could restrict LGBTQ+ books, programs, and support groups in public schools. Story

🌍 Senegal crackdown proposal: Senegal’s prime minister pushed an anti-LGBTQ law proposal that would increase penalties. Story

🌍 Uganda arrests reported: Reports of arrests under Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ law highlight ongoing risk for LGBTQ+ people there. Story

Context & trackers

If you want to keep an eye on U.S. policy changes as they move, the ACLU’s tracker is one of the fastest “what’s happening where” resources: ACLU Legislative Tracker.

Bright spots

• 🏆 Legal champions recognized: The ABA announced its 2026 Stonewall Award recipients. Read
• 📚 LGBTQ+ History Month: A reminder to spotlight the stories that built the rights and culture we have today. Overview