| | 
| From our Editor Sarah Herrmann, Assistant Professor,
Weber State University The weather is warming as we approach the end of another semester and the beginning (hopefully) of a return to normalcy, with the promise that all adults will have access to the COVID vaccine in a few short months. However, we will most assuredly continue to feel the effects of the pandemic on unemployment and economic progress, educational setbacks, and the challenges associated with the upcoming changes in our lives. In other ways, we are also continuing in a time of turmoil, including the dramatic increase in anti-Asian hate crimes, the trial of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd, and the recent killings of Daunte Wright and Adam Toledo. This duality is highlighted in the articles in this edition of The Forward.
Specifically, we highlight recent research from Social Issues and Policy Review, including “Identity Leadership in a Crisis: A 5R Framework for Learning from responses to COVID-19” and “Political Psychology in the Digital (mis)Information age: A Model of News Belief and Sharing.” |  | Policy Report: New Resources to Assist in LGBTQ+ Advocacy at the State Level Sarah Mancoll, SPSSI Policy Director Policymaking happens at so many different levels. When it comes to an area of policy, such as LGBTQ+ rights, it is therefore important to look not only at what’s happening at the federal level but also what’s happening at the state, local, institutional, and international levels. Case in point: At the federal level, hopes are high that we are nearing another watershed moment for LGBTQ+ rights. In late February, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5, the Equality Act. As reported by Politico, this "sweeping legislation…would ban discrimination in various areas, including the workplace, housing and education, in addition to federally funded programs. The legislation also would expand the 1964 [Civil Rights] bill to cover public accommodations to include places like shopping malls, sports arenas, and even websites." Although not yet scheduled, a companion bill is expected to be brought to the floor of the Senate for a vote, and President Biden is expected to sign the legislation if it passes the Senate. Continue reading this article here. | 
| | |
.png){kind=small}
