| |
Experts weigh impact of judiciary on LGBTQ rights
A panel consisting of prominent legal and public policy officials met June 23 to discuss recent developments in LGBTQ legal advocacy, particularly as it has been affected by the federal courts. The online forum was hosted ...
|
| |
Broadway suspends shows through 2020
The Broadway League announced June 29 that Broadway performances in New York City will be suspended through the remainder of 2020 due to COVID-19, media reports noted. Broadway theaters are also now offering refunds and exchanges ...
|
| |
SHOWBIZ Terrence McNally, Latino/a/x musicians, singer Harry Hains, Lena Waithe
Tony-winning actors Billy Porter and Rita Moreno, along with director Jeff Kaufman, will celebrate Terrence McNally on Wed., July 1, at 8 p.m. CT, with the International Documentary Association ( IDA ) online discussion of the ...
|
| |
Pro-LGBTQ groups respond to SCOTUS ruling on Louisiana abortion law
On June 29, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) ruled five to four (with Chief Justice John Roberts siding with the liberal contingent) to block a controversial Louisiana abortion law in the case June Medical Services v. ...
|
| |
NATIONAL Athlete/ex-servicemember dies, Stonewall Inn, Pride attendees arrested
Angela Madsen—a member of the LGBTQ community whose remarkable life included a spell in the Marines, several medals ( including a bronze in the shot put at the 2012 Paralympics in London ) and record-setting rowing ...
|
| |
BOOKS Joey Skladany entertains, instructs in 'Basic Bitchen'
With Basic Bitchen, Joey Skladany has probably put together one of the most entertaining cookbooks one might come across. With recipes for items such as Antidepressant Red Velvet Cake Pops and entertaining stories, Skladany aims to ...
|
| |
NCLR celebrates five-year anniversary of Supreme Court ruling on marriage equality
WASHINGTON, DC — The National Center for Lesbian Rights ( NCLR ) today joins with millions of LGBTQ people and allies in celebrating the five-year anniversary of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling establishing marriage equality ...
|
| |
Mapping the Gay Guides project plots queer spaces, launches digital map
When Eric Gonzaba travels across the United States, he often wonders about the history of the places he passes through — specifically, their queer history. The Cal State Fullerton assistant professor of American studies is the ...
|
| |
Lambda files suit over Trump anti-trans policies
Lambda Legal announced June 22 that it is suing the federal government over rollbacks the Trump administration announced June 12 to protections against healthcare-related discrimination previously afforded LGBTQ Americans, especially transgender community members. Lambda filed the ...
|
| |
NUNN ON ONE Miss Lawrence talks new song, activism and Lee Daniels
Reality-show personality Miss Lawrence has built a diverse career in acting, singing and activism. Growing up in Atlanta, Lawrence pursued hairstyling, which led to owning salons where celebrities such as Bravo's The Real Housewives of Atlanta ...
|
| |
TELEVISION Marvel's first openly trans actor on Pride, BLM and Hollywood
Zach Barack made cinematic history as Marvel's first openly trans actor in the 2019 film Spider-Man: Far from Home. He talked with Windy City Times about his experiences in Hollywood, his stand-up comedy, current social issues ...
|
| |
NUNN ON ONE TELEVISION Brian Tanen talks about 'Love, Simon' spinoff 'Love, Victor'
Ready to binge a new queer-centered television series that had a spoonful too much gay sugar to let the medicine go down for Disney? Well, Love, Victor might be the cure you are looking for to ...
|
| |
TELEVISION Dashaun Wesley spills the tea on HBO Max's 'Legendary'
"Ladies, gentlemen and genderqueers" exclaims Dashaun Wesley as host and emcee for the new ballroom culture reality-competition show Legendary, on HBO Max. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, he came out at 14 and visited Christopher Street ...
|
| |
Billy Masters
"On our street, we accept all, we love all, and we respect all. Happy #PrideMonth!"—From your friends on Sesame Street. This message was brought to you by the letter "I"—for Instagram. Remember the coronavirus? While I ...
|
| |
MOMBIAN
Supporting LGBTQ families requires that Black Lives Matter
Black lives matter. Black LGBTQ lives matter. And we will never have a just world for LGBTQ families until we have racial justice. Black same-sex couples are roughly twice as likely as white same-sex couples to ...
|
| |
GLAAD unveils inaugural 20 Under 20 list
GLAAD revealed its inaugural Rising Stars 20 Under 20 list. The list spotlights 20 young LGBTQ people, ages 20 and younger, who are accelerating acceptance of LGBTQ people while shaping the future of media and activism. ...
|
| |
Torres wins NYC primary over anti-LGBTQ opponent, could be first openly LGBTQ Afro-Latinx in Congress
Washington, DC — New York City Councilmember Ritchie Torres won the Democratic primary for New York's 15th Congressional District, defeating an anti-LGBTQ opponent and putting him on-track to become the first openly LGBTQ Afro-Latinx member of ...
|
| |
Mondaire Jones may be among first Black LGBTQ members of Congress
Washington, DC — Today Mondaire Jones won the Democratic primary for New York's 17th Congressional District and is on-track to become one of the first openly LGBTQ Black members of Congress. The seat is considered a ...
|
| |
Leaders in LGBTQ history documentation, interpretation, outreach create fact sheet
NEW YORK, NY — Tuesday, June 23, 2020 — The Stonewall 50 Consortium, Making Gay History, NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project, New York Public Library, GLSEN, National Parks Conservation Association, and the ONE Archives Foundation announce ...
|
| |
PFLAG National, Wear Your Voice elevate voices of LGBTQ+ Black, Indigenous, People of Color
WASHINGTON ( June 23, 2020 ) — This month, as the media turns its lens to the dangers faced by marginalized people, specifically Black people and Black LGBTQ+ folks, PFLAG National and Wear Your Voice launch ...
|
| |
NATIONAL Trans youth guide, march items, Dallas Pride flag, Key West
The Harvard Law School LGBTQ+ Advocacy Clinic ( HLAC ) and the National Center for Lesbian Rights ( NCLR ) published a first-of-its-kind legal resource guide for transgender youth in the United States, a press release ...
|
| |
SHOWBIZ Lee Daniels, 'Walking Dead' star, Sylvester, Richard Simmons
Openly gay producer/director Lee Daniels ( TV's Empire; producer of the movie Monster's Ball ) said he was the original director of the Oscar-winning film Brokeback Mountain, but couldn't get the film made as "nobody wanted ...
|
| |
Lambda Legal Sues HHS to Block Effort to Gut Protections for LGBTQ Patients
( Washington, D.C., June 22, 2020 ) — Today, Lambda Legal and Steptoe & Johnson LLP filed a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ( HHS ) recently published health care discrimination ...
|
| |
TV: Sam Feder, Laverne Cox discuss trans documentary 'Disclosure'
Disclosure is a new original documentary debuting on Netflix in time for Pride season. Through a series of movie and television clips plus personal interviews, Disclosure gives a history of the depiction of the transgender community ...
|
| |
Sylvester's iconic album 'Step II' to be reissued
Los Angeles, CA ( June 17, 2020 ) — Craft Recordings is proud to reissue Sylvester's iconic 1978 album, Step II, with newly remastered audio. Available this Friday ( 6/19 ) across all digital and streaming ...
|
| |
Supreme Court refuses to end DACA protections
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on June 18 that the Trump administration cannot dismantle the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals ( DACA ) program, which has offered protections to hundreds of thousands of people who both ...
|
| |
Madison Young: Making queer, kinky representation possible
Queer author, adult film star and podcaster Madison Young further secures her "Queen of Kink" title with the new sex-positive docuseries, Submission Possible. This informative exploration into kink culture kicks off its first episode in New ...
|
| |
81,000 'Dreamers' identify as LGBT, 39,000 of them have participated in DACA
There are an estimated 81,000 LGBT Dreamers in the U.S., including 39,000 who have participated in Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals ( DACA ), according to an updated report by the Williams Institute at UCLA School ...
|
| |
Queer creator Quentin Lee honored, announces three new TV series
Los Angeles, CA. June 17, 2020. Roddenberry Impact Awardee Quentin Lee ( White Frog, The People I've Slept With, Comedy InvAsian ) is co-creating with author Adi Tantimedh ( The Ravi PI series from Simon & ...
|
| |
Comprehensive legal resource for transgender youth launched by Harvard, NCLR
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Today, the Harvard Law School LGBTQ+ Advocacy Clinic ( HLAC ) and the National Center for Lesbian Rights published a first-of-its-kind legal resource guide for transgender youth in the United States. The ...
|
| |
Jane Fonda, Greenpeace USA to host Fire Drill Fridays for Pride, Juneteenth
Jane Fonda will be joined by celebrated actor, writer, model and social activist Indya Moore ( FX series "Pose" ) and activist and blogger Billie Lee ( "Vanderpump Rules" ) Friday, June 19 for a discussion ...
|
| |
SCOTUS issues historic employment ruling in favor of LGBTQs
In what is perhaps the most stunning U.S. Supreme Court victory in history for LGBT people, the nation's highest court has voted six to three that a federal law barring discrimination on the basis of "sex" ...
|
| |
NATIONAL Justice in Policing Act, trans women killed, marches, W.Va. politician
The National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund issued a statement in support of the Justice in Policing Act, a press release noted. Executive Director Rea Carey said, in part, "The Justice in Policing Act is a ...
|
| |
SHOWBIZ Lady Gaga, 'Pride Castle,' Terrence McNally, LGBTQ film
When Lady Gaga's Chromatica album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, it not only marked the superstar's sixth chart-topper, but also just the second chart-topping album by a woman in 2020, Billboard noted. ...
|
| |
LGBs who have undergone conversion therapy more likely to attempt suicide
A new report by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law finds that non-transgender LGB people who experienced conversion therapy were almost twice as likely to think about suicide and to attempt suicide compared to ...
|
| |
National groups respond to June 15 SCOTUS ruling
Many organizations responded to the June 15 U.S. Supreme Court ruling extending workplace protections to LGBTQ people. Here are a few: —LGBTQI Catholic Group DignityUSA Executive Director Marianne Duddy-Burke: "Today, justice has taken a bold step ...
|
| |
Security camera reveals neglect, humiliation in Rikers Island death
Newly-released security camera footage reveals jail officials neglecting Layleen Cubilette-Polanco Xtravaganza while she experienced a medical emergency resulting in her death, including apparent laughter by corrections officers minutes before she was pronounced dead. The video was ...
|
| |
Trump administration removes ACA healthcare protections for transgender people
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced June 12 that it was rolling back health protections for transgender Americans that had previously been inscribed in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The rollback creates numerous ...
|
| |
Billy Masters
"Alone we can achieve so little; together we can achieve so much."—Tiffany Trump. Actually, the Trump spawn was quoting Helen Keller—because, when I think of one, I automatically think of the other. Tiff's tweet had the ...
|
| |
NUNN ON ONE TELEVISION Ariane Labed plays numbers game in 'Trigonometry'
Greek-born French actress Ariane Labed is currently starring in a new BBC eight-episode drama called Trigonometry, on HBO Max. The story is about a couple—Gemma, played by Thalissa Teixeira, and Kieran, played by Gary Carr—who bring ...
|
| |
National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund states support for Justice in Policing Act
"The Justice in Policing Act is a critical step towards unraveling the systemic racism embedded within law enforcement. We thank Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Bass, Chairman Nadler, and Senators Booker and Harris ...
|
| |
Study says LGBT emotional well-being improved post marriage equality ruling
A new study by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law finds that the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which extended marriage equality nationwide in June 2015, had a positive impact on ...
|
| |
Kinsey Institute, Trevor Project collaborate on LGBTQ mental health
The critical need for research on LGBTQ youth mental health and suicide prevention—made even more critical by the COVID-19 pandemic—has led to a new partnership between the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University and The Trevor Project, ...
|
| |
NATIONAL Puerto Rico setback, gay-bar attacks, election news, Artists for Artists
Puerto Rico Gov. Wanda Vazquez Garced signed a new civil code that removed explicit non-discrimination protections for the island's LGBTQ citizens, LGBTQ Nation reported. The Human Rights Campaign ( HRC ), singer/rapper Bad Bunny, and gay ...
|
| |
SHOWBIZ Ruby Rose, Tamron Hall, actors come out, Billy Porter, Sondheim
Out actress Ruby Rose finally spoke out on her shocking decision to leave Batwoman after one season, NewNowNext.com noted. "I didn't want to not acknowledge everyone involved and how big this was for TV and for ...
|
| |
All officers now charged in George Floyd case
The former Minneapolis Police officer who pressed his knee into George Floyd's neck for almost nine minutes has now been charged with second-degree murder—and the three other officers on scene during his killing are charged with ...
|
| |
Democratic National Committee releases Pride Month statement
Democratic National Committee ( DNC ) Chair Tom Perez, LGBTQ Caucus Chair Earl Fowlkes, Treasurer Bill Derrough and Secretary Jason Rae released the following joint statement on the start of Pride Month: "This year's LGBTQ Pride ...
|
| |
NATIONAL Court ruling, Trevor Project, trans man killed, George Floyd statements
A federal district court ruled that the U.S. Social Security Administration's ( SSA's ) refusal to consider the claims for survivor's benefits by same-sex spouses who were unable to be married for nine months because of ...
|
| |
SHOWBIZ Trans movie, Diana Ross, GLAAD study, celebrities take stand
The Netflix original documentary Disclosure will launch Friday, June 19, a press release noted. Directed by Sam Feder and executive produced by Laverne Cox, Disclosure shows how the fabled stories of Hollywood deeply influence how Americans ...
|
| |
Global Pride event announces first wave of speakers, artists
A worldwide LGBTQIA+ Pride event has announced the first wave of speakers and artists appearing at the online event Saturday, June 27, and is expected to attract up to 300 million viewers, an InterPride press release ...
|
| |
EXCLUSIVE
Trans Minneapolis city councilmember talks about violence, George Floyd
In 2017, Phillipe Cunningham ( a DePaul University graduate ) made history when he became one of the first openly transgender men to be elected to public office in the United States. He defeated a two-decade ...
|
| |
Report: Same-sex weddings boost state economies $3.8 B since marriage equality ruling
More than half of all married same-sex couples in the United States married after the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which extended marriage equality nationwide in June 2015. Wedding spending by these 293,000 ...
|
| |
NATIONAL 'Drag Fest,' eating disorders, journalist attacked, NCLR event
Political activist/New York City drag staple Marti Gould Cummings and The Only Productions announced the largest digital drag festival during Pride 2020, a press release noted. More than 100 performers are scheduled to appear during "Pride ...
|
| |
SHOWBIZ Rufus Wainwright, LGBTQ films, Billy Porter, Janelle Monae
Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright unveiled the latest single from his eagerly anticipated new pop album, Unfollow the Rules, a press release noted. "Alone Time" is available now at all DSPs and streaming services; an official companion ...
|
| |
Billy Masters
"Hate and discrimination against LGBTQ+ people started long before Trump and Pence took office. Defeating them will not solve the problem, but it is an essential first step in order to resume our march towards equality."—Joe ...
|
| |
Planning your legacy: VA benefits for LGBTQ veterans and servicemembers
Dear community: The Department of Veterans Affairs ( VA ) stands strong in supporting our LGBTQ servicemembers and veterans. As members of the LGBTQ community, we understand you may face many challenges. The last thing you ...
|
| |
LGBT giant Larry Kramer dies at 84
The groundbreaking writer and outspoken LGBT- and AIDS-rights activist Larry Kramer died May 27 in New York at age 84. His husband, David Webster, said Kramer died of pneumonia. Kramer co-founded the Gay Men's Health Crisis ...
|
| |
Chita: A Legendary Celebration to stream May 29
Chita: A Legendary Celebration , Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS' one-night-only evening of song and dance celebrating the legendary Chita Rivera , returns this Friday, May 29, 2020, in an exclusive stream benefiting Broadway Cares and its ...
|
| |
MAP releases report on LGBTQ equality in the South
The nonprofit think tank The Movement Advancement Project ( MAP ) has released a report, "LGBTQ Policy Spotlight: Mapping LGBTQ Equality in the U.S. South." The report is being released in partnership with a new PBS ...
|
| |
NCLR honors SF 49ers Offensive Assistant Coach Katie Sowers, comedian Gina Yashere
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The National Center of Lesbian Rights ( NCLR ) today announced that they will be honoring San Francisco 49ers Offensive Assistant Coach Katie Sowers with their Trailblazer Award, presented by pro-athlete and ...
|
| |
U.S. Supreme Court backs Idaho trans woman's reassignment surgery
The United States Supreme Court denied Idaho's application to stop a transgender inmate's reassignment surgery, East Idaho News reported. The court order said that two justices, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, would have granted the request ...
|
| |
Trevor Project releases report on mental health of trans, non-binary youth
The Trevor Project's research team has published a new peer-reviewed article titled "Understanding the Mental Health of Transgender and Nonbinary Youth" in the Journal of Adolescent Health ( JAH ). Among the key findings: —When accounting ...
|
| |
Report shows impact of pandemic on LGBTQ communities of color
The Human Rights Campaign ( hRC ) Foundation—the educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign—released new data outlining the economic impact of COVID-19 on LGBTQ communities of color. "This new data, showing that LGBTQ communities of ...
|
| |
Roe v. Wade plaintiff said she was paid for anti-abortion stance
Norma McCorvey, the anonymous plaintiff in the landmark Roe v. Wade case, came out against abortion in 1995, stunning the world—but a deathbed documentary reveals that she only switched sides for money, The Chicago Tribune reported. ...
|
| |
Lola Lennox lives a legacy
At the age of 29, singer Lola Lennox is finally ready to release music and show listeners what she's all about. She was raised in the perfect environment for that to happen. Her mother is singer ...
|
| |
Ruby Rose leaving lead role in 'Batwoman'
Ruby Rose—the openly lesbian actress who starred in the CW's freshman drama series Batwoman—is leaving the Warner Bros. TV/Berlanti Prods. drama after one season, Deadline reported. The series, which already has been renewed for a second ...
|
| |
Report: HHS rule will negatively affect 1.5M transgender Americans
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is expected to announce a final rule in the coming weeks that reverses federal protections prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity in health care. The Williams Institute ...
|
| |
VIEWS LGBTQ discrimination is a disgrace
Named plaintiff in landmark Supreme Court gay marriage case talks cases now before court
Re the New York Times article, "Aimee Stephens, 59, Plaintiff in Transgender Rights Case" ( obituary, May 14 ): Our world has long been gripped by questions of mortality and legacy, perhaps more than ever in ...
|
| |
SHOWBIZ 'Idol' alum, PBS series, LGBT film, concert series, Bad Bunny
Openly gay American Idol alum David Hernandez has premiered his new song—"Sorry"—and the accompanying music video, a press release noted. "Sorry" is described as "a metaphoric letter to those David has hurt in the past as ...
|
| |
NATIONAL Harvey Milk, trans woman killed, 'Queer the Census,' NYC Pride
LGBTQ-rights icon Harvey Milk would have turned 90 on May 22—and San Francisco is coming together ( virtually ) that day, a press release noted. Openhouse, SF Queer Nightlife Fund and the Tenderloin Museum will present ...
|
| |
Navy grants first waiver for trans service member
The U.S. Navy granted a waiver allowing a transgender service member to serve "in their preferred gender" for the first time since the military enacted an anti-transgender ban, CNN.com reported. "The acting Secretary of the Navy ...
|
| |
Coalition of progressive groups slam Ruban Diaz Sr. for anti-abortion, anti-LGBTQ record
NEW YORK — As New York grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, a broad coalition of progressive groups — including Planned Parenthood Action Fund, LGBTQ Victory Fund, NARAL Pro-Choice America, Latino Victory Fund, and the Congressional Hispanic ...
|
| |
Melissa Etheridge's son dies at age 21
Beckett Cypher—the son of Melissa Etheridge and her former partner Julie Cypher—died, according to media reports. He was 21. Etheridge, on Twitter, said, "Today I joined the hundreds of thousands of families who have lost loved ...
|
| |
MOVIE REVIEW 'A Secret Love' shines for a new generation
Netflix's new documentary A Secret Love is the story of a relationship between two lesbians named Terry Donahue and Pat Henschel that began in the late '40s. For almost seven decades, even some of their family ...
|
| |
Billy Masters
"Billy, you are a new find of mine. I'm now your biggest fan."—Paul Shaffer—yes, THAT Paul Shaffer—after showing up to surprise my guest, the legendary Darlene Love. Yet another typical episode of "Billy Masters LIVE!" I'm ...
|
