As the child of entertainers Sonny Bono and Cher, Chaz Bono has decided to come out publicly as transgender and live his life openly by transitioning from female to male. Many have applauded Chaz’s decision and hope that his statements will help bring more attention to transgender issues that have largely been ignored.

The GLSEN released a report on Wednesday showing that most of Illinois’ LGBT students have faced harassment. 89% of youth have received verbal harassment, while a large minority–21%–have faced physical abuse based on their LGBT identity.

President Obama on Wednesday stated his support of partner benefits for federal employees with a memorandum aimed at requesting Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Director of Personnel Management John Berry to grant what rights their offices could to same-sex partners of federal employees. The Domestic Partners Benefits and Obligations Act of 2009 is in Congress now to provide a full range of equal rights to same-sex couples where one member is an employee of the federal government, while the memorandum can only be applied to long-term care insurance for employees and their partners.

The horrific murder of transwoman Teish Green on November 14, 2008 was set to go to trial to prosecute suspect Dwight DeLee in Syracuse, NY on Thursday, June 11, but has been pushed back to Monday, July 13. The case is being considered a hate crime based on the defendant’s knowledge of Green’s gender identity, a charge upheld by Judge William Walsh.

The State Government Committee of Ohio’s House passed anti-discrimination bill 176, the Equal Housing and Employment Act. The bill will have to go on to both Ohio’s House of Representatives and State Senate for before being passed.