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GLAAD responds to increase in suicide attempts among trans youth in Arkansas
--From a press release
(New York, NY - April 19, 2021) — GLAAD is responding to reports of an increase in suicide attempts among transgender youth in Arkansas, which on April 6 became the first U.S. state to outlaw gender-affirming ...
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Billy Masters
"I'm so glad to do this for The Actors Fund, because actors are not working. Because restaurants are closed!"—Mel Brooks on Stars in the House celebrating the 20th anniversary of The Producers opening on Broadway. He ...
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GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics hands out Dorian Awards
--From a press release
LOS ANGELES, CA, April 18, 2021 — Nomadland, the spare and fact-based drama of a group of struggling Americans living off the grid; the vivid blueswoman biopic Ma Rainey's Black Bottom; the family-happy fish-out-of-water fable Minari; ...
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NATIONAL More trans deaths, bullied teen, Manhunt, trans writer, Biden
A Black transgender woman in Missouri was shot to death—and investigators swiftly tracked down a suspect they believe shot her after meeting on an online dating website, LGBTQ Nation reported. Dominique Lucious was found dead April ...
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SHOWBIZ Brandi Carlile, 'Legendary,' children's book, film festival, Janet Mock
Lesbian musician Brandi Carlile memoir, Broken Horses, debuted at number one on The New York Times Best Sellers list, a press release announced. In addition to the hardback book, a very special audiobook edition of the ...
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Poll: Most Americans oppose anti-trans laws
A new PBS NewsHour/NPR/Marist poll showed that two-thirds of U.S. residents oppose laws that would limit transgender rights, PBS reported. About one half of one percent of U.S. adults are transgender, according to a recent Gallup ...
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U.S. women's hockey coach abruptly steps down
Bob Corkum abruptly stepped down as coach of the U.S. women's hockey team with fewer than three weeks before the world championships open in Canada, ESPN.com reported. USA Hockey's director of women's national team programs, Katie ...
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Equality Florida, HRC condemn Florida House passage of trans sports ban
--From a press release
Tallahassee, FL - The Florida House has voted 77-40 to ban transgender girls from playing sports alongside their peers. The vote comes just hours after transgender students and advocates held a press conference in the Florida ...
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Equality California names first AAPI executive director
Equality California and Equality California Institute announced that Managing Director Tony Hoang will lead the organization as the next Executive Director when Rick Chavez Zbur steps down at the end of this year to run for ...
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Former 'Bachelor' comes out as gay
In a Good Morning America (GMA) interview that aired April 14, former Bachelor Colton Underwood came out as gay, Entertainment Weekly reported. "I've [run] from myself for a long time, I've hated myself for a long ...
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Windy City Times publishes book of historical newspaper covers
Windy City Times newspaper, founded in 1985, is publishing a limited-edition, four-color book featuring hundreds of covers from its own archives, plus covers from other LGBTQ Chicago media, including Outlines, BLACKlines, En La Vida, Identity and more ...
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More than 45,000 trans youth put at risk of losing access to gender-affirming care
--From a Williams Institute press release
An estimated 45,100 transgender youth ages 13 and older in the U.S. are at risk of being denied gender-affirming medical care due to proposed and enacted state bans, according to the Williams Institute at UCLA School ...
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Pastor Donnie McClurkin's struggle with sexuality mirrors the Black church's
The most significant factor that keeps the Black church on the down low are closeted, homophobic ministers. Pastor Donnie McClurkin—a three-time Gospel Grammy winner and the former poster boy for ...
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NCAA issues statement hitting back at anti-trans discrimination
The NCAA, which regulates college athletics in the United States, supported transgender athletes April 12, saying it won't hold championship events in locations that aren't "free of discrimination," NBC News reported. As Republicans in more than ...
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LGBT media to boycott Georgia
--From a press release
The National LGBT Media Association (NGMA), composed of the 12 largest LGBT publications in the nation, passed a resolution banning meeting in the state of Georgia. The nation's largest LGBT media association today resolved to not ...
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Trans, non-binary youth influencers launch book collection with "A Kids Book About"
--From a press release
Chicago, IL - April 12, 2021 - While many teens took e-learning as an opportunity to level-up their gaming skills, a group of young people chose instead to write a collection of books about their lives. ...
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Windy City Times publishes book of historical newspaper covers
Windy City Times newspaper, founded in 1985, is publishing a limited-edition, four-color book featuring hundreds of covers from its own archives, plus covers from other LGBTQ Chicago media, including Outlines, BLACKlines, En La Vida, Identity and ...
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Billy Masters on The Real Magic Mike and more
"As a Republican man, as soon as it was my turn, I took the vaccine. I would encourage all Republican men to do that … take the vaccination."—Mitch McConnell encourages Republicans to get the COVID vaccine. ...
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SHOWBIZ Trans singer, 'Pose,' Kate Winslet, Lil Nas X, Broadway
Trans femme indie-punk artist Evan Greer (she/her) released a dystopian new music video for the song "Surveillance Capitalism," a press release noted. She is using it to launch StopSpotifySurveillance.org with Fight for the Future, where she ...
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NATIONAL College items, Easter rally, mental-health study, Chuck Schumer
The NCAA LGBTQ OneTeam—a group of NCAA-trained facilitators at colleges across the country—published an open letter condemning the actions taken by 28 states across the country to introduce, pass and ...
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The Amazon Trail, How to Write a Book
I'm not giving away any secrets here. Not saying it's simple or that anyone can do it if they send $25.00 to Post Office Box 1,2,3. Nope, it's a personal journey and every story has a story. Here's mine, about the ...
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HIV/AIDS Report: Vaccine may hold promise
Preliminary data from an early stage clinical trial out of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) and The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, suggests that a new HIV vaccine may hold promise, ABC News ...
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Open TV (OTV) to return April 17 with virtual event
The intersectional Late Show #OTVTonight is back, with a virtual event on OTV's app and on Facebook Live that will air Saturday, April 17, at 8-9:30 p.m. CT. Hosted by Open TV (OTV) founders Elijah McKinnon ...
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Study: 30% of young LGBQ people have attempted suicide in their lifetimes
--From a press release
A new study by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law finds younger LGBQ adults experience greater psychological distress and suicidal behavior than older LGBQ people. Researchers examined a representative sample of LGBQ people in ...
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Lifetime presents Variety's Power of Women The Comedians Special May 10
--From a press release
Los Angeles, CA (April 8, 2021) — Variety and Lifetime announced today the one-hour special Lifetime Presents Variety's Power of Women The Comedians which will premiere on Monday, May 10th at 8PM ET/PT on Lifetime. The ...
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GLAAD Media Awards honors creative forces of change in media, culture
--From a press release, video below
Los Angeles, CA, Thursday, April 8, 2021 — GLAAD, the world's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, tonight hosted a virtual ceremony to announce the award recipients of the 32nd Annu ...
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Attorneys general challenge Tennessee abortion law
A group of 20 attorneys general filed an amicus brief in a case challenging a Tennessee law that requires women to have two in-person appointments at least 48 hours apart before having an abortion, The Hill ...
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THEATER 'A Portrait of My Mother' to start streaming May 9
Jarrott Productions will present the world premiere of A Portrait of My Mother, written and performed by Carlo Lorenzo Garcia and directed by David R. Jarrott. The autobiographical tribute to Garcia's mother, Maria, begins streaming on ...
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New study shows discrimination, stigma, family pressure drive transgender "detransition"
--From a press release
BOSTON—A new study published in LGBT Health found that 13.1% of currently identified transgender people have detransitioned at some point in their lives, but that 82.5% of those who have detransitioned attribute their decision to at ...
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45% of employees report hearing anti-LGBT remarks in the workplace
--From a Williams Institute press release
Employees in all sectors report high levels of discrimination and harassment of LGBTQ employees at work Significant proportions of Americans believe that LGBTQ people are treated worse than non-LGBTQ people at work and school, and by ...
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Story of Chicagoan and Broadway influencer Sister Rosetta Tharpe on to Broadway
--From a press release
NEW YORK (April 4, 2021) — Prolific writer and Chicago native Cheryl L. West (FANNIE: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer; Jar the Floor), will be joined on the creative team of SHOUT SISTER ...
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Arkansas legislature overrides governor on anti-trans measure
On April 6, the Arkansas state legislature voted to override a veto by Gov. Asa Hutchinson on a bill that would ban gender-affirming treatments for transgender youths in the state, ABC News reported. The "Save Adolescents ...
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Athlete Ally releases Athletic Equality Index of LGBTQ-Inclusion at NCAA D1 Schools
--From a press release
LGBTQI+ student athletes are under attack. Here's how schools can step in. LGBTQI+ student athletes already have a lot on their mind between navigating COVID-19, coursework and their sport. They shouldn't have to also worry about ...
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THEATER 'Security,' with Eric Roberts, running April 10-May 2
Kane Repertory Theatre Artistic Director Daniil Krimer and Managing Director Avery Bowne announced the world-premiere online production of Hammaad Chaudry's Security, as part of the company's new Multiplatform Commission. Security ...
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Billy Masters
"I didn't watch the documentary, but from what I did see of it I was embarrassed by the light they put me in. … I cried for two weeks and well … I still cry sometimes!!!!"—Britney ...
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'Ma Rainey,' 'Schitt's Creek' win during diverse SAG Awards
On April 4, a one-hour, pre-taped 27th Screen Actors Guild Awards aired on TNT and TBS, celebrating the best achievements in film and TV performances for 2020. According to Entertainment Weekly, it was a historic night, ...
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SHOWBIZ 'Special,' Bonnaroo, Broadway items, Rita Moreno, Bridgerton
The second season of the Netflix comedy series Special will premiere May 20, a press release noted. The series revolves around Ryan O'Connell, a gay man with mild cerebral palsy, and is based on his memoir ...
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NATIONAL Non-binary athlete, HRC and Lyft, Tegan and Sara, panic defense
On March 27, NBC Sports California presented the NBA team Sacramento Kings TV's first women and non-binary broadcast announcing and coverage team across all platforms, including pregame and postgame shows, the live-game telecast and social content, ...
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COVID: CDC updates domestic travel guidelines
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an update regarding domestic travel—and eased restrictions for travelers who are fully vaccinated. The CDC website stated, as of April 3: People who are fully vaccinated with ...
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Michigan Court recognizes same-sex parents have parental rights
--From a NCLR press release
DETROIT, MI — Yesterday, the Michigan Court of Appeals recognized two unmarried women as parents where one parent is a genetic parent and the other parent gave birth. LaNesha Matthews and Kyresha LeFever were a same-sex ...
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April 2 is National Out to Win Day
On April 2, LGBTQ Victory Institute will hold its third annual National Out to Win Day, which aims to inspire LGBTQ people to consider a run for office, a press release noted. LGBTQ people make up ...
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MOVIES 'The Sound of Identity,' about trans opera star, out June 1
Winner of the 2020 Outshine Film Festival's prestigious Programmers Award of Excellence, The Sound of Identity is a feature documentary that Shout! Studios will present on digital and on demand June 1. Profiling international opera star ...
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32nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards April 8
--From a press release
New York, NY - Thursday, April 1, 2021 - GLAAD, the world's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, today announced that CHIKA, Rebecca Black, and Niecy Nash's wife Jessica Betts will ...
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Yvonne Zipter's historical novel 'Infraction' out June 1
The lesbian historical fiction work Infraction, by Chicagoan Yvonne Zipter, will be out June 1. The publisher is Rattling Good Yarns Press. Set in socially turbulent St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1875, the work follows Marya Zhukova, ...
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President Biden recognizes Transgender Day of Visibility
--From a Center on Halsted press release
In a proclamation recognizing March 31, 2021 as Transgender Day of Visibility, President Biden wrote, "Vice President Harris and I affirm that transgender Americans make our Nation more prosperous, vibrant, and strong. I urge my fellow ...
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Pentagon reverses Trump-era ban on trans military service, GLAAD responds
--From a GLAAD press release
New York, NY - Wednesday, March 31, 2021 - GLAAD, the world's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, celebrates news that the Pentagon will issue ...
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NABJ's LGBTQ+ Task Force announces new scholarship named for trans journalist Monica Roberts
--From a LGBTQ+ Task Force press release
As communities worldwide celebrate transgender and non-binary people on Transgender Day of Visibility, the National Association of Black Journalists' LGBTQ+ Task Force is proud to announce a new scholarship named ...
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465+ feminist leaders sign open letter in solidarity with trans women and girls
--From a GLAAD press release
More than 465 feminist leaders sign open letter standing in solidarity with transgender women and girls in honor of Women's History Month and Transgender Day of Visibility. The letter, organized by GLAAD & Raquel Willis, comes ...
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Submissions from Black musical-theater writers sought for album
Broadway Records and Black Theatre Coalition (BTC) announced today the call for submissions for Black Writers Amplified, a new album consisting entirely of new works by Black musical-theater writers to be released in 2021. Black Writers ...
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Wisconsin Supreme Court strikes down mask mandate
On March 31, the Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down Gov. Tony Evers' statewide face mask mandate, WISN.com reported. The ruling was four to three. Republican lawmakers filed the suit last October. They said the governor did ...
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Chella Man talks media endeavors, the fashion world, upcoming book, AAPI visibility
The multi-talented 22-year-old, Deaf, genderqueer, transgender, Jewish, AAPI, artist and activist Chella Man has done more in his short life than most people achieve in their lifetimes. This includes a successful YouTube channel; TedX talk, modeling ...
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LGBTQ students sue U.S. Department of Education
More than 30 LGBTQ students are suing the U.S. Department of Education in a class-action lawsuit filed March 29, NBC News reported. The students allege that they dealt with discrimination at 25 federally funded Christian colleges ...
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MOVIES 'Mommie Dearest' to come out on Blu-ray on June 1
The cult-classic drama Mommie Dearest celebrates its 40th anniversary with a brand-new Blu-ray in the Paramount Presents line, debuting June 1, from Paramount Home Entertainment. Based on Christina Crawford's controversial ...
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OP-ED: An AAPI hate crime we dare not say
On March 16, Robert Aaron Long killed eight people, six of whom were women of Asian descent. Long's action has not yet been classified as a hate crime because the motive, he stated, was his sex ...
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Nearly half of all LBQ women have been physically or sexually assaulted
--From a press release
New study examines the social, economic, physical, and psychological well-being of cisgender and transgender LBQ women and girls A new study by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law finds about 5% of cisgender and ...
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New Equality Map: Bans on transgender youth participation in sports
(March 29, 2021) — Across the country, state legislatures have introduced bills that would ban transgender youth from participating in K-12 school sports, and in some cases in college as well. This year alone, at least ...
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Billy Masters
"A little prick is better than no prick at all."—Billy Masters. Yes, that's my new motto when it comes to getting the vaccine. If the promise of a prick of any size doesn't entice you … ...
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SHOWBIZ 'Batwoman,' Adam Lambert, 'Glee,' Janet Jackson, 'Genera+ion'
The character of Kate Kane is coming back to the CW series Batwoman—but Ruby Rose won't be, according to out.com. British actress Wallis Day is joining the cast as Kane, the same character Rose played, after ...
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NATIONAL Anti-trans attacks, Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, tower, Mary Trump
Rayanna Pardo, a 26-year-old Latinx trans woman, was struck by a car and killed while fleeing from a small mob in Los Angeles on March 17, out.com reported. Security video showed Pardo being chased and assaulted ...
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Mara Keisling leaving national trans group
After 18 years leading the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE), Mara Keisling is not renewing her contract, according to LGBTQ Nation. Current Deputy Executive Director Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen will succeed her. In a statement on the ...
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LGBTQ legislator faces charges over Georgia elections law
Georgia state troopers arrested and forcibly removed state Rep. Park Cannon, an LGBTQ lawmaker, from the Gold Dome on March 25 as she interrupted Gov. Brian Kemp during the signing of a massive elections bill that ...
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Another anti-trans sports bill signed, this time in Tennessee
Transgender students in Tennessee will be required to compete in school sports according to their sex at birth after Republican Gov. Bill Lee signed a controversial bill into law March 26, according to The Tennessean. Tennessee ...
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Congressional Equality Caucus announces leadership of Transgender Equality Task Force
--From a press release
Washington, D.C. — The Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus is excited to announce the leadership of the Transgender Equality Task Force for the 117th Congress. The Task Force will work with the Caucus to amplify transgender issues ...
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Victory Institute condemns arrest of Rep. Park Cannon in Georgia State Capitol
--From a press release
Washington, DC — Today LGBTQ Victory Institute — the only national organization dedicated to creating a pipeline of LGBTQ public leaders — condemned the arrest of out LGBTQ Georgia state Representative Park Cannon and called on ...
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Arkansas governor signs anti-trans sports bill
On March 25, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) signed a bill into law that will ban transgender girls and women from participating in K-12 and collegiate level sports that align with their gender identity, The Hill ...
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Senate confirms Levine as first out trans federal official
On March 24, the U.S. Senate confirmed Dr. Rachel Levine as assistant secretary for health in the Department of Health and Human Services—making her the first openly transgender federal official to be confirmed by that governmental ...
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Dr. Rachel L. Levine confirmed as HHS Assistant Secretary for Health, Lambda responds
--From a Lambda Legal press release
(Washington, D.C.) — Today, the United States Senate confirmed the appointment of Dr. Rachel L. Levine to lead the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health of the Department of Health and Human Services, a critical ...
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Transgender people four+ times more likely than cisgender people to be victims of violence
--From a press release from The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law
Transgender people are over four times more likely than cisgender people to experience violent victimization, including rape, sexual assault, and aggravated or simple assault, according to a new study by the Williams Institute at UCLA School ...
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Victor Reyes may become New Mexico's first out LGBTQ Congressmember in March 30 race
--From a press release
Washington, DC — Today LGBTQ Victory Fund, the only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ leaders to public office, called on Democratic Party of New Mexico officials to choose out LGBTQ candidate Victor Reyes to be ...
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Sisters in Cinema names 2021 documentary fellowship recipients
--From a press release
CHICAGO, IL (March 23, 2021)- Sisters in Cinema, a Chicago based 501 (c)3 non-profit with an inclusive mission to center and celebrate Black girls, women, and gender non-conforming media makers, announced today their 2021 cohort for ...
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Freedom & Opportunity for All Coalition formed to support Equality Act
--From a press release
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, a new national campaign advocating for urgent passage of the Equality Act launched with support from hundreds of the nation's top leaders in civil rights, faith, education, health care, and advocacy. The ...
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Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscars party to be virtual on April 25
The 29th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) Academy Awards Pre-Party will be hosted by Emmy- and Tony-winning actor and New York Times best-selling author Neil Patrick Harris alongside Sir Elton John and David Furnish, with ...
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Billy Masters
"I always knew Frank would end up in bed with a boy."—Ava Gardner, when told Frank Sinatra had married Mia Farrow. Is this a rerun? A headline this week: "Grammy Ratings Hit All-Time Lows in Viewership ...
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SHOWBIZ Tamron Hall, 'Killing Eve,' speedskater, DJ dies, 'Pariah'
On the March 16 episode of Tamron Hall, Hall highlighted groundbreaking transgender trailblazers in Hollywood, a press release noted. Pose/American Horror Story actress and tech CEO Angelica Ross opened up about her difficult coming-out experience in ...
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NATIONAL Anti-trans violence, pilot dies, Dr. Rachel Levine, panic defense, Amazon
Diamond "Kyree" Sanders, a 23-year-old Black transgender woman, was shot and killed in Ohio March 23—making her at least the 10th known trans victim of violence this year, out.com noted. Police in Clifton rushed Sanders to ...
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