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SHOWBIZ Warhol, Sarah Paulson, upcoming books, Rufus Wainwright, Elliot Page
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled seven to two that the late artist Andy Warhol wasn't allowed to use a photographer's portrait of Prince for a series of pop-art images, per The Hollywood Reporter. Associate Justice Sonia ...
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NATIONAL Google Doodle, drag laureate, Nebraska bill, NYC AIDS Walk
D.C. poet/activist/journalist Ivy Young passed away at age 75, per a press release. Among other things, Young worked at Chicago's VISTA; the Center for Black Education and Drum and Spear Book Store in D.C.; the ...
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Leading LGBTQ+ groups raise alarm to business community on coordinated anti-LGBTQ+ attacks; call on Target to lead
--From a press release
Organizations calling on Target and all businesses to stand up against anti-LGBTQ2S+ extremism in statement below: Family Equality, GLAAD, GLSEN, The Human Rights Campaign, National Center For Lesbian Rights, National LGBTQ Task Force, National Black J ...
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Louisiana Senate committee kills anti-trans bill aimed at minors
The Louisiana Senate Health & Welfare Committee has stopped an anti-trans bill aimed at minors, WBRZ News 2 in Baton Rouge has reported. Republican committee chairman Fred Mills joined Democrats on May 24 to kill Louisiana House Bill 648—a bill tha ...
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Louisiana Senate Health & Welfare Committee kills bans on gender affirming care, HRC responds
--From a press release
Baton Rouge, Louisiana — Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, thanks members of the Louisiana Senate Health ...
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Dr. Petros Levounis takes office as American Psychiatric Association president
--From a press release
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 24, 2023 — Petros Levounis, M.D., M.A., an internationally renowned addiction expert and advocate of LBGTQ+ mental health, began his term as president of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) at the 2023 APA ...
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HRC condemns Ohio state senate for passing education censorship bill
--From a press release
Columbus, Ohio — The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) — the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization — condemned the Ohio State Senate for passing ...
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Openly gay experimental artist/filmmaker Kenneth Anger dies at 96
Experimental filmmaker and artist Kenneth Anger has died at age 96. According to Variety, his gallery—Sprueth Magers, operated by Monika Spruth and Philomene Magers—confirmed the news on their website, writing ...
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Target removes some Pride merchandise after receiving threats
Ahead of Pride Month (June), Target is pulling some of its LGBTQ+ merchandise after facing "threats" and backlash from customers, Politico reported. Target's website features hundreds of items as part of its Pride Collection but will ...
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GLAAD, Equality Florida release resource of DeSantis' record of anti-LGBTQ+ info, actions
--From a press release
(Tuesday, May 23, 2023) GLAAD and Equality Florida released the LGBTQ record of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, an ongoing documentation of DeSantis' policies and rhetoric targeting LGBTQ people and issues. Read the DeSantis LGBTQ record on ...
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San Francisco's Harvey Milk School celebrates birthday of its namesake
Students at the Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy in San Francisco's LGBTQ Castro neighborhood took to the streets Monday, May 22, and marched on Harvey Milk Day. The day of special significance in California honors the ...
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Dodgers re-invite LGBTQ+ group
The Los Angeles Dodgers apologized to the L.A. order of the LGBTQ+ drag group Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence about a week after announcing the group was uninvited to the team's annual Pride Night on June 16—and ...
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Sodomy laws repealed in Minnesota and Maryland
Sodomy laws are no longer on the books in Minnesota and Maryland. According to The Los Angeles Blade, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed a public-safety bill into law on May 19 that repeals several anti-LGBTQ+ sections ...
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Billy Masters: And Anderson doesn't makes three
"We could have some good threesomes, me and Anderson." —Andy Cohen's response to Sherri Shepherd's question about his sex life, threesomes, and why he doesn't just date Anderson Cooper. Andy quickly added, "Because, by the way—excuse ...
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NATIONAL DHS violence report, queer Democratic club, trans influencer dies, vigil, GLSEN Awards
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said that threats of violence against the LGBTQ+ community are increasing—and intensifying, according to ABC News. "These issues include actions linked to drag-themed events ...
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SHOWBIZ Cynthia Erivo, 'Next Level' winner, 'All Out,' Madonna, Omar Ayuso
LGBTQ+ actor Cynthia Erivo will star in a film adaptation of the theater sensation Prime Facie, Variety noted. Oscar nominee Erivo will take on the role originated on the West End (and, currently, on Broadway) by ...
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White House releases statement by President Biden on International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia
--From a press release
From the White House, May 17, 2023/B> Everyone is entitled to be treated with dignity and equality—no matter whom they love, or how they identify. On the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia, we reaffirm ...
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Modern Military Association of America appoints interim Executive Director
--From a press release
WASHINGTON, (May 17, 2023) — LGBTQ+ military nonprofit Modern Military Association of America (MMAA) announced today that nonprofit management expert Rachel Branaman, will step into the role of interim executive ...
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Dodgers rescind Pride Night invitation to legendary drag group
On May 17 (the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia), the Los Angeles Dodgers rescinded their Pride Night invitation toThe Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence—a famous LGBTQ+ group that ...
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NCLR, GLAD, Trevor Project, coalition of groups support Biden administration's proposed Title IX Athletics Rule
--From a press release
WASHINGTON, DC — The National Center for Lesbian Rights, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), and The Trevor Project — along with the National Education Association and more than a dozen other organizations — have submitted ...
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Florida Gov. DeSantis signs four anti-LGBTQ bills into law; parents file for an Emergency Order to Block SB 254
--From press releases
(Miami, Florida - May 17) Today, on International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law four anti-LGBTQ+ bills at a signing ceremony at a private Christian school. The bills signed ...
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WNBA coach suspended for policies, comments about pregnancy
The WNBA rescinded the Las Vegas Aces' 2025 first-round draft pick and suspended head coach Becky Hammon for two games after an investigation found the franchise violated league rules regarding impermissible player benefits and workplace policies, ...
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Abortion news: North Carolina, Montana, Nancy Pelosi
On May 16, North Carolina's GOP-led General Assembly moved to ban most abortions after 12 weeks, overriding a veto from Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper. The state House voted 72-48, along party lines, hours after the state ...
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Filmmaker Laura Moss brings 'birth/rebirth' to life
Non-binary filmmaker Laura Moss, who uses they/them pronouns, likes to tackle projects that break away from societal norms. Moss' first feature, titled birth/rebirth, and tells the story of a single mother and a morgue technician bound ...
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Trace Lysette: Film festival hit 'Monica' brings a story of trans resilience to the screen
Trans performer Trace Lysette grew up in Dayton, Ohio before moving to New York City to pursue a new life. Her television debut on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in 2013 made her one of the first trans people to ...
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Texas House passes bill SB14 which would ban healthcare for transgender youth; GLAAD speaks
--From a GLAAD press release
(New York, NY - May 15, 2023) - Today members of the Texas House of Representatives passed SB14 banning life-saving healthcare for transgender youth. The bill now heads back to the Senate for final approval before ...
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Writer Sarah Gailey crosses paths with Black Cat for Marvel Voices: Pride #1
Publishing company Marvel Comics has been showing its true colors, with Marvel Voices: Pride #1 returning in 2023 for its third year in June. The comic book series features a wide range of out and proud ...
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Billy Masters: Has The Kelly Clarkson Show gone all Ellen on us?
"That's really hard, because Brad was the sort of major chemistry, love of your life, at the time. And then Ben was, like, technically excellent." —Gwyneth Paltrow compares Brad Pitt and Ben Affleck in bed. Sounds ...
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MUSIC Billy Porter talks 'Mona Lisa,' authenticity and activism
Billy Porter certainly seems to have it all. The actor/singer/director received numerous awards—including two Tonys (for his role in Kinky Boots and as a producer of A Strange Loop), a Grammy (for Kinky Boots as well) ...
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GLAAD ceremony honors celebrities and welcomes TGNC state reps
On May 13, GLAAD announced recipients for the final 18 of this year's 33 categories of the 34th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York City. Maren Morris accepted GLAAD's Excellence in Media Award, introduced by ...
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Kansas City declares itself an LGBTQ+ sanctuary city
Defying Missouri legislators who voted to ban gender-affirming care for minors and restrict it for some adults, officials in Kansas City—the state's largest city—approved a resolution to declare it a sanctuary for people seeking or providing ...
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NATIONAL Alabama protest, antibiotic, bi politician, high-school musicals, Key West
Alabama LGBTQ Action is urging the LGBTQ+ community and allies to join the group at a march on the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery on Tuesday, May 16, to demand equal rights for all state residents, ...
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SHOWBIZ Nathan Lane, Marvel, 'Guardians,' Deborah Cox, Provincetown film fest
Wanda Sykes' 'I'm an Entertainer' trailer below
GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics named Nathan Lane its Timeless Star for 2022-23, per a press release. "Nathan Lane is an icon of stage and screen, a master of both drama and comedy, and ...
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FDA changes 40-year blood donation guidelines to focus on behavior, not orientation or identity; GLAAD responds
--From a press release
(New York, NY - Thursday, May 11, 2023) GLAAD, the world's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, is responding to news that the FDA will allow more gay and bisexual men ...
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Vermont enacts most comprehensive transgender healthcare protections to date
--From a press release
May 10, 2023 (MONTPELIER) — Vermont Gov. Phil Scott signed into law two bills—HB 89 and SB 37—protecting access to essential healthcare for transgender people. The new laws come as at least 18 states have moved ...
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Biden-Harris 2024 announces campaign national advisory board
--From a Biden for President press release
Today, the Biden-Harris 2024 reelection campaign announced the formation of its National Advisory Board, which will be comprised of 50 leading voices in the Democratic Party who will take a leadership role in helping deliver President ...
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Rep. George Santos faces criminal charges
Federal prosecutors filed 13 criminal charges against embattled gay U.S. Rep. George Santos, the Republican New York lawmaker who has admitted to a pattern of lies and fabrications regarding some issues. The charges were unsealed the morning of May 10. ...
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Louisiana House passes discriminatory education bill targeting LGBTQ+ youth, HRC responds
--From an Human Rights Campaign press release
Baton Rouge, Louisiana — Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, condemns the Louisiana House for passing HB ...
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Billy Masters: Carrie Fisher's family declare Walk of Fame star wars
"Days after Billy Masters revealed he spent time with Darren Hayes on the final stop of his tour (and talked about his butt), Darren announces his marriage is over: Coincidence?" —A fan wrote this to "Ask ...
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Indiana governor signs anti-LGBTQ+ bill that focuses on students
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb signed a measure that will require schools to notify a parent if a student requests a name or pronoun change at school, according to ABC 7 Chicago. It was one of the ...
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SHOWBIZ Barry Manilow, 'The Kardashians,' gay Marine drama, Tonys, 'Unleashed'
The Barry Manilow/Bruce Sussman production Harmony will make its Broadway bow in the 2023-24 season, beginning performances Oct. 18 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, with opening night on Nov. 13, according to Playbill. The musical—featuring music ...
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NATIONAL Gun control, San Francisco, trans-rights bill, Portland police, Roxane Gay
Openly gay Colorado Gov. Jared Polis recently signed four gun-control measures into law, per the Colorado Newsline. The new laws raise the minimum age to buy a gun to 21, impose a three-day waiting period for ...
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Florida parents will ask federal court to block trans health ban passed by legislature
--From a press release
TALLAHASSEE— Seven Florida parents who are currently challenging state Boards of Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine rules banning established medical care for their children and other transgender adolescents will also ask ...
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LAMMY Awards announce host, presenters, special guests for June 9 event
--From a press release
New York, NY, May 4, 2023 — Lambda Literary, the nation's premier LGBTQ literary arts organization, announced updates and additions, including host, special guests and more at the upcoming 35th Annual Lambda Literary Awards — aka ...
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GLAAD responds to wave of anti-LGBTQ bills passed by Florida legislature
--From a press release
GLAAD: "Florida's extremist lawmakers are working overtime to make their state less free and outright dangerous for everyone, especially LGBTQ people, youth and families. They make every citizen and every visitor to Florida vulnerable to discriminator ...
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SAVOR Omi Hopper takes it to the 'Next Level' on reality-competition show
Omi Hopper knows all about changing one's life. During the COVID pandemic, she decided (out of necessity) to create a social-media presence involving her cooking Puerto Rican dishes. Since then, Hopper (best known as @CookingConOmi) ha ...
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Judge rejects trans Montana lawmaker's effort to return
On May 2, District Court Judge Mike Menahan rejected transgender Montana state Rep. Zooey Zephyr's attempt to the state House after Republicans ousted her for the remainder of the legislative session, a PBS item noted. The ...
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Pansy Division marks 30th anniversary of album with tour that hits Chicago
Pansy Division—one of the first openly LGBTQ+ rock bands—is marking the 30th anniversary of its debut album, Undressed, by performing at several spots across the country. "Pansy Division started in 1991 because we knew there were ...
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George Michael in 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class
The late gay singer George Michael was among the seven individuals receiving impending inductions into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The other inductees include Willie Nelson, Kate Bush, Rage Against the Machine, Missy Elliott, ...
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Families, doctors challenge Oklahoma's ban on health care for trans youth
--From a press release
OKLAHOMA CITY - Families, transgender adolescents, and their medical providers are challenging a new law criminalizing age-appropriate medical care for transgender adolescents signed by Governor Kevin Stitt yesterday. In a ...
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Billy Masters: Darren Hayes is bummed out
"Don't fuck it up!" —Glenn Close's bit of advice over the Paramount+ series based on "Fatal Attraction". Darren Hayes has a nice bum. I hate to start in such a coarse way—not that I have firsthand ...
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Chaz Bono talks about bringing the chills in horror movie 'Bury the Bride'
"I've seen this movie before. It ends bad." The above line is uttered by one of the characters in the Tubi original movie Bury the Bride. However—even though the film features some horror-movie constants like young, ...
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NATIONAL Pro-trans measures, Lambda Legal, Elizabeth Taylor event, drag items, 'The L Word'
While at least 12 states have passed legislation to limit or ban gender-affirming healthcare for young people, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, New Mexico and Minnesota have passed bills designed to shield ...
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SHOWBIZ Lily Tomlin, Daniel Craig, Lizzo, 'Noah's Arc,' Maurice Jamal, 'Heartstopper'
Video below
The Peabody Awards announced that Lily Tomlin and Issa Rae will receive honorary awards at the June 11 ceremony, to be held in Los Angeles for the first time in Peabody's 83-year history, per the Hollywood ...
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Kansas passes sweeping anti-trans restroom law
On April 28, Republican legislators in Kansas enacted what may be the most imposing anti-trans bathroom law in the country. In doing so, the lawmakers overrode Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly's veto of the measure—without having a ...
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CDC: One in four high-schoolers identifies as LGBTQ
CDC: One in four high-schoolers identifies as LGBTQ Approximately one in four high school students identifies as LGBTQ, according to a report the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released on April 27, The Hill ...
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Contrary to California law, many parole hearings for trans, nonbinary people include misgendering
--From a press release
A new study of California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) parole hearings by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law and the Social Justice Legal Foundation finds 43% of parole hearings for transgender and nonbinary people ...
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HRC calls on Gianforte to veto LGBTQ Erasure Act
--From a press release
Helena, Montana — The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has called on Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte to veto the LGBTQ Erasure Act (S. 458), legislation that aims to strip away dozens of legal protections and rights for ...
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HRC celebrates Minnesota governor Tim Walz for signing statewide 'Conversion Therapy' ban into law
--From a press release
St. Paul, Minnesota — Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) — the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization — celebrated Governor Tim Walz for ...
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NLGJA, Curve Foundation announce recipients of inaugural Curve Award for Excellence in Lesbian Coverage
WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 27, 2023) — Today, NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists and The Curve Foundation announced the recipients of the inaugural Curve Award for Excellence in Lesbian Coverage. ...
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GLAAD, LGBTQ+ Victory Institute respond to censure threat to Montana Rep. Zooey Zephyr
--From a press release
Washington, DC — GLAAD, the world's leading LGBTQ media advocacy organization, and LGBTQ+ Victory Institute, the only national organization dedicated to elevating openly LGBTQ+ leaders who further equality at all ...
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Trans state rep banned from Montana House
On April 26, Montana's Republican-dominated House voted 68-32 to ban transgender state Rep. Zooey Zephyr from the rest of this year's legislative session. According to CNN, Zephyr had said that GOP lawmakers would have "blood" on ...
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Biden administration files lawsuit challenging Tennessee's ban on trans youth care, HRC responds
--From an HRC press release
WASHINGTON- Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, applauded the Department of Justice's filing of a federal lawsuit ...
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MUSIC Sawyer Fredericks talks 'The Voice,' artistic freedom, coming out as bi
Life has been a whirlwind for Sawyer Fredericks, who won season eight of the NBC show The Voice at age 16 several years ago. Since that triumph, Fredericks (who explores various aspects of folk music in ...
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White House proclaims 70th anniversary of the 'Lavender Scare'
On April 25, the White House issued a proclamation noting April 27 as the 70th anniversary of the Lavender Scare, which negatively—and extensively—impacted the LGBTQ+ community. In 1950, the U.S. State Department fired 91 employees because ...
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HHS Secretary on Missouri's emergency regulation restricting gender-affirming care: "crisis of their own manufacturing"
--From a press release
Statement from HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra on Missouri's Emergency Regulation Restricting Access to Gender-Affirming Care : "At a time when our communities are facing true threats to their health and well-being — in the form of ...
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Singer/actor/LGBTQ+ ally Harry Belafonte dies at 96
Actor/singer/civil-rights icon Harry Belafonte died at age 96 of congestive heart failure, according to Yahoo! Among the most honored performers of his era, Belafonte won two Grammy Awards (and the Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award in ...
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President Biden announces re-election run
U.S. President Joe Biden has announced his re-election run. In doing so, he is teaming the veteran advisers who helped him win the White House once with a newer generation of diverse leadership for his 2024 ...
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Florida parents of trans teens seek emergency ruling regarding healthcare
Florida families challenging the state's ban on medically necessary healthcare for their transgender children filed a motion asking the court to halt the ban while their case proceeds, according to a joint press release from GLBTQ ...
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Billy Masters bids adieu to Dame Edna
"I was born with a priceless gift—the ability to laugh at the misfortunes of others." —Dame Edna Everage The world just got a bit duller with the death of Dame Edna Everage. Her creator, Barry Humphries, ...
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Don Lemon out at CNN after 17 years; Tucker Carlson out at Fox
Openly gay TV journalist Don Lemon is out at CNN after 17 years. Lemon, who had co-hosted CNN This Morning on April 24, said that he was informed by his agent that he had been terminated, according to Deadline. The show, ...
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American Library Association releases Top 10 List of Most Challenged Books of 2022
--From a press release
CHICAGO (April 24, 2023) — Today, the American Library Association (ALA) kicked off National Library Week with the release of its highly anticipated list of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2022 and the State ...
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Why mifepristone battle matters to LGBTQs
The escalating clash over the availability of a certain FDA-approved medication to terminate an early-stage pregnancy has significant implications for many LGBTQ people. Over the years, various entities have tried to block the use of hormones ...
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LA LGBT Center's gala raises $1M+; Leslie Jordan among those honored
On April 22, the Los Angeles LGBT Center raised more than $1 million to support its lifeline services and advocacy benefiting the LGBTQ+ community ...
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HRC applauds Kansas Governor Laura Kelly for vetoing extremist attacks on transgender lives
--From a press release
Topeka, KS - Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, commended Kansas Governor Laura Kelly for vetoing a total of four bills designe ...
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