LGBTQ advocates are turning their focus to encouraging words for young people who are gay, following passage of Florida's "Parental Rights in Education" bill.

Dubbed the "Don't Say Gay" bill by critics, it would limit what is taught about sexual orientation and gender identity in classrooms, and ban it "in Kindergarten through Grade 3, or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards."

State Sen. Shevrin Jones, D-Miami, who is openly gay, has shared emotional testimony against the bill. Knowing it was about to pass, he turned attention to those affected.

"I want to speak to the boy or girl, the trans boy or the trans girl," he said. "I want to tell them that you're wonderful, you're not confused, and there is a community of people who love you, who support you, and who are rooting for you."

Proponents argued that certain topics should be left up to parents. The bill also would allow parents to sue schools or teachers that engage with these topics. Gov. Ron DeSantis has indicated his support, and if it is signed into law, it would go into effect July 1.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Department of Health and Human Resources, LGBTQ youths are more likely to attempt suicide than non-LGBTQ teens. Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, an openly gay lawmaker, called it "disingenuous" for the bill sponsor to claim it's about parental rights.

"Gov. DeSantis' own press secretary used the 'Don't Say Gay' bill this weekend to accuse opponents of the legislation of pedophilia," he said, "which is a despicable and disgusting attack on our community."

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Joe Harding, R-Williston, said it would not prohibit people from discussing gender identity or sexual orientation in classrooms, but would ban curriculum and lessons on these topics. The Biden administration has denounced the legislation.

Support for this reporting was provided by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Nevada marriage-equality groups say the U.S. Senate's passage of the Respect for Marriage Act is a huge step forward for people who identify as LGBTQ+.

The bill would require states to recognize all marriages performed in other states. However, it does not require any state to conduct same-sex marriages.

Chris Davin, executive director of the Henderson Equality Center, said no state should be allowed to disregard legal, same-sex unions.

"It should not be up to somebody else who somebody can marry because of their beliefs, their religion, their ideology," Davin contended. "When do we finally say, 'Enough is enough,' on who can dictate what we can and cannot do as living beings?"

The Senate added language to the bill, clarifying people who run wedding-related businesses and have religious or moral objections do not have to participate in same-sex unions. The bill now goes back to the House for a second vote, where it is expected to pass and then be signed by President Joe Biden.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the vote showed, in his words, "the long, but inexorable march towards greater equality advances forward."

"A decade ago, it would have strained all of our imaginations to envision both sides talking about protecting the rights of same-sex married couples," Schumer pointed out. "No matter who you are or who you love, you too deserve dignity and equal treatment under the law. That's about as 'American ideal' as it comes."

Opponents argued the bill could penalize states which have not legalized same-sex unions. The push for federal protections for same-sex marriage heated up after the Supreme Court reversed 'Roe v. Wade' and took away the constitutional right to abortion.

The LGBTQ community continues to mourn those killed at a shooting at a Colorado nightclub over the weekend. In South Dakota, advocates said such attacks make members feel unsafe at a time when they are trying to have a stronger voice.

Investigators are still looking into the attack at the LGBTQ venue, which happened on the eve of the Transgender Day of Remembrance, and many dignitaries were quick to condemn violence linked with hateful rhetoric.

Jack Fonder, community health worker and community outreach manager for the Transformation Project, said a South Dakota gathering for the Day of Remembrance included a tribute to those killed. He noted community members are faced with a difficult reality right now.

"It's a thin line, right?" Fonder pointed out. "We do need to stand up, we need to be strong, we need to be seen, we need to be visible. But it's scary; not everybody is OK being out because that does, in essence, put a target on your back."

Fonder added he is convinced recent attacks and threats of violence are fueled by conservative politicians and special-interest groups pushing anti-LGBTQ laws. Supporters of the policies cited motivations such as religious freedom, and South Dakota has seen several bills considered or adopted. Fonder stressed his group is trying to educate lawmakers about the need to protect and support the community.

Fonder acknowledged many lawmakers in question have not shown a willingness to engage with advocates, but he emphasized through protests and testimony at the state Capitol, there is a coalition which will not back down, even in a difficult environment.

"We're trying to do as much as we can to be visible with as many folks that are comfortable doing so," Fonder asserted.

Saturday's shooting in Colorado Springs left at least five people dead and more than two dozen others injured. Six years ago, nearly 50 people were killed in a shooting at an Orlando, Florida, nightclub, making it the deadliest attack on the LGBTQ community in U.S. history.

Communities across Colorado continue to mourn the deaths of at least five people, after a 22-year-old gunman allegedly opened fire inside an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs on Saturday.

More than two dozen people were injured. Colorado's 4th Judicial District Attorney Michael Allen told reporters he has a strong interest in prosecuting the case, including as a possible hate crime, because it's important for the community see that the perpetrator is held accountable.

"The current bias-motivated crime statute in the state of Colorado provides some elevation," said Allen, "but will not elevate beyond what will likely be charges in this case which will likely include first-degree murder, extreme-indifference murder, those types of charges, which are all Class 1 Felony murder charges."

Allen said everyone charged with crimes is presumed to be innocent until proved guilty.

In a statement, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said "My heart breaks for the family and friends of those lost, injured and traumatized in this horrific shooting." He also told Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers that he would make every state resource available to local law enforcement.

The mass shooting at Club Q occurred on the eve of Transgender Day of Remembrance, which honors the memory of those murdered in acts of anti-transgender violence.

Allen also said that every person regardless of who they are has the right to be secure from fear and physical harm.

"And actions taken to strike fear in specific communities will not be tolerated in our community," said Allen. "This is particularly true for communities that have been maligned, harassed and targeted by persons or groups to intimidate and cause harm to members of those communities."

According to data collected by Human Rights Campaign, before Saturday's shooting at least 32 transgender and gender non-conforming people have been killed in 2022, although actual numbers are likely much higher due to under-reporting.

Victims are overwhelmingly Black, under 35, and killed with a firearm. More than 16% of transgender students reported being physically assaulted, while one in three has experienced physical harassment.