| |
Kentucky legislators override governor's veto to push anti-trans youth bill
On March 29, Republican lawmakers in Kentucky overturned Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear's veto of a bill to ban transgender youths from gender-affirming healthcare and restrict which toilets they use in public schools, media outlets reported. Both ...
|
| |
| |
Sasha Velour pulls back the curtain for The Big Reveal
Gender-fluid drag queen Sasha Velour is hitting the road with The Big Reveal Live Show! This 90-minute extravaganza will be staged for two nights at Broadway Playhouse on April 29 and 30, and features an evening ...
|
|
| |
| |
Billy Masters
"This makes me happy for the OG Charmed fans. What a gift!" —Alyssa Milano captions a photo of Shannen Doherty, Holly Marie Combs and Rose McGowan at 90s Con. No word on why Alyssa missed this ...
|
| |
| |
Biden appoints Laura Ricketts to Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition
President Joe Biden has appointed Laura Ricketts—the lesbian co-owner of the Chicago Cubs, board chair of Chicago Cubs Charities and board chair of LPAC, which works to elect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer women and ...
|
| |
| |
Michaela Jae Rodriguez honored at HRC dinner
On March 25, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) hosted its Los Angeles dinner at the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE—and honored Golden Globe-winning and Emmy-nominated trans actress Michaela Jae Rodriguez, per a press release. Human ...
|
| |
| |
ALA: 2022 saw record demand of censorship of library books
On March 22, the American Library Association (ALA) released new data documenting 1,269 demands to censor library books and resources in 2022—the highest number of attempted book bans since the ALA began compiling data about censorship ...
|
| |
| |
SHOWBIZ 'Joy Ride,' Cynthia Erivo, David Bowie, March Madness, Kevin Bacon
Video below
The first trailer for the upcoming comedy Joy Ride has been released, Out noted. The movie stars Ashley Park, queer Oscar nominee Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All At Once), bisexual comedian Sherry Cola (Good Trouble) and ...
|
| |
| |
NATIONAL 'Don't Say Gay,' anti-trans bills, gay Irish leader visits, gay Calif. mayor
In Indiana, approximately 100 students from the Center For Inquiry School 27 held a walk-out to protest the state's "Don't Say Gay" bill, which would restrict how teachers are able to discuss sexual orientation or gender ...
|
| |
| |
Baldwin leads 22 colleagues in calling on FDA to end discriminatory blood donation policy
--From a press release
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) has headed up a group of 22 colleagues in sending a letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf expressing support for the agency's ...
|
| |
| |
Iowa, Georgia ban medical treatment for trans minors
Two more states have enacted laws that prohibit medical treatment for transgender minors. On March 22, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed two bills into law that affect transgender minors in the state, NBC News reported. Senate ...
|
|
| |
| |
Utah bans conversion therapy
On March 22, Republican Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed a bill that bans licensed professionals from practicing conversion therapy—the discredited practice that attempts to turn LGBTQ+ people heterosexual—on minors, Q ...
|
| |
| |
US Bishops' statement limits trans health care in Catholic health care facilities, DignityUSA responds
--From a DignityUSA press release
On March 20, 2023, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Doctrine released a policy statement on how Catholic medical institutions should treat transgender and nonbinary people. Entitled "Doctrinal Note on the Moral Limits to ...
|
| |
| |
N.Y. attorney general hosts Drag Story Hour
On March 19, New York Attorney General Letitia James—along with a coalition of advocacy organizations and elected leaders—hosted a first-of-its-kind Drag Story Hour Read-A-Thon for families in New York City, per a press release from her ...
|
| |
| |
Billy Masters: David Geffen sticks to what he knows
"I'm sure I've gotten a blow job from a guy before. For sure. I don't know if it's gay unless you make eye contact while there's a blow job happening." - DJ Diplo answers a question about having gay sex, which ...
|
| |
| |
Kentucky lawmakers pass anti-trans youth bill; governor plans to veto measure
In Kentucky, Republican lawmakers passed a bill that bans minors from receiving gender-affirming care, lets educators refuse to refer to trans students by their preferred pronouns and would not allow schools to discuss sexual orientation or ...
|
| |
| |
SHOWBIZ 'Black Adam,' Cyndi Lauper, Sondheim, Oscars, OutFest
Cultured Magazine recently profiled Quintessa Swindell—who became the first out, non-binary actor to play a lead superhero in the DC universe when they portrayed Cyclone in the 2022 movie Black Adam. Swindell grew up in Virginia ...
|
| |
| |
NATIONAL Ritchie Torres, N.J. towns, Karine Jean-Pierre, Tennessee items
New York Congressman Ritchie Torres has talked about his own struggle with depression and the importance of mental health in the wake of U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.)'s recent hospitalization for clinical depression, The Washington Blade ...
|
| |
| |
HRC settles race-based lawsuit with former president
Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and its Black former president, Alphonso David, settled a lawsuit in which David had alleged racial discrimination in his firing, Reuters reported. In September 2021, David was fired after New York state ...
|
| |
| |
Major national LGBTQ+ groups condemn Oklahoma House censure motion against Rep. Mauree Turner
--From a press release
Last week, Oklahoma Representative Mauree Turner was the target of a censure motion by Republican leaders — a blatant attempt to silence the first openly non-binary U.S. state legislator. The motion passed on a party line ...
|
| |
| |
Lambda Literary announces award finalists
--From a press release
Lambda Literary has announced the finalists in 25 categories for the 35th Annual Lambda Literary Awards. The finalists were selected by a panel of over 65 literary professionals from more than 1,350 book submissions. These selections ...
|
|
| |
| |
Arkansas governor signs anti-trans medical malpractice bill
Republican Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed into law a measure that makes it easier to sue providers of gender-affirming care for children, ABC News reported. This move, involving a law that will take effect this ...
|
| |
| |
NYC Pride unveils 2023 theme: 'Strength in Solidarity'
--From a press release
NYC Pride announces the official theme for 2023, "Strength in Solidarity," as the kick-off to this year's events and programming. Amidst a backdrop of increased attacks against members of the LGBTQIA+ community, especially in the form ...
|
| |
| |
Billy Masters: From the Oscars to the Grebes
"31 years ago in 1992, Brendan Fraser and Ke Huy Quan were in a movie together. . . two actors from 'Encino Man' are nominated for Oscars. Incredible night it must be for the two of you, and what a very ...
|
| |
| |
Anna DeShawn wins prestigious Ambie award for the Queer News podcast
--From a press release
Las Vegas, NV (March 13, 2023) — The Podcast Academy hosted the Ambies, the most preeminent awards in podcasting, at the Westgate Hotel in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. Anna DeShawn, the producer & ...
|
| |
| |
31ST annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party raises more than $9 million
--From a press release
LOS ANGELES, March 13, 2023 — The 31st annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards® Viewing Party hosted by Sir Elton John and David Furnish, with special guests Eric McCormack and Michaela Jae Rodriguez, raised more ...
|
| |
| |
TransLash Media CEO Imara Jones reflects on JK Rowling and 'Hogwarts Legacy'
The action role-playing game Hogwarts Legacy has been making big news lately—and it's not just because so many people are playing it. Hogwarts Legacy, inspired by writer J.K. Rowling's wizarding ...
|
| |
| |
Study: Outcomes for children similar regardless of the LGBTQ+ identity of the children's parents
--From a press release
NEW YORK — This week a new report was released by BMJ Global Health examining outcomes between LGBTQ+ families and families headed by heterosexual couples. The report, a literature review and synthesis of dozens of academic ...
|
| |
| |
SHOWBIZ Little Richard, Indigo Girls, Rodriguez's honor, dance film, Pedro Pascal
Video below
Produced by Bungalow Media + Entertainment for CNN Films and HBO Max, in association with Rolling Stone Films, director Lisa Cortes' Sundance opening-night documentary Little Richard: I Am Everything will debut in theaters and on VOD ...
|
| |
| |
NATIONAL Folx Health, gay mayor arrested, powerlifter's suit, Versace visit
Boston-based Folx Health—which provides primary healthcare services and gender-affirming healthcare to LGBTQIA people—made Fast Company's list of the world's 50 most innovative businesses. A few of the other healthcare companies ...
|
| |
| |
Minn. governor signs order protecting gender-affirming healthcare
At a time when so many political officials seem to be backing anti-LGBTQ+ measures, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is doing just the opposite. On March 8, Walz signed an executive order protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ ...
|
|
| |
| |
Study examines straight men and their sexual attraction to transgender women
--From a press release
An analysis of online Reddit conversations also revealed a paradox: the same men devalue both trans and cisgender women Some straight men said they sexually desire transgender women because of the women's supposed hyper-feminine traits. Brandon ...
|
| |
| |
LPAC expands board of directors, building on successful 2023 midterms
--From a press release
Washington, DC — LPAC, the national political organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ women and nonbinary people to public office, announced today that Liz Culley and Janelle Perez have joined its Board of Directors. LPAC is the ...
|
| |
| |
Non-binary Okla. state rep censured after incident; LGBTQ+ groups respond
On March 7, the Oklahoma House voted to censure (or publicly express strong disapproval of) Democratic non-binary state Rep. Mauree Turner for allegedly harboring a fugitive following a recent confrontation ...
|
| |
| |
VIEWPOINT The scrutiny of Kamala Harris
President Biden had a cancerous lesion successfully removed from his chest last month, which was just now reported. At 80, questions continue about Biden's fitness to serve a second term. But questions also abound concerning Vice ...
|
| |
| |
Billy Masters: Raunchier Uncoupled on the rebound with Showtime
"I never liked when she did this in concerts either. I don't like when females are overly sexualized in art. It degrades and objectivy's [sic] women in a way that's not healthy." —TJ Jackson on reports ...
|
| |
| |
PFLAG holds 50th anniversary celebration gala, honors Tom Daley with George Takei Advocate Award
--From a press release
NEW YORK (Mar. 4, 2023) — Last night, iconic LGBTQ+ community organization PFLAG celebrated 50 years of leading with love at a spectacular gala event hosted by comedian and actress Amber Ruffin at New York's Marriott ...
|
| |
| |
National Gay Basketball Association founder steps down after more than three decades at helm
Mark Chambers—the founder of the National Gay Basketball Association (NGBA)—has stepped down after more than 30 years in the business, Outsports reported. The player and organizer has been on the LGBTQ+ basketball scene since 1990, when ...
|
| |
| |
SHOWBIZ Wanda Sykes, Jonas Brothers, 'Queen of Versailles,' 'Bloodshed'
Adam Lambert video below
Award-winning comedian Wanda Sykes' new comedy special, I'm An Entertainer, will premiere globally on Netflix on May 23, a press release announced. The special, directed by Linda Mendoza, was filmed in early February 2023 at Philadelphia's ...
|
| |
| |
NATIONAL Drag shows, LGBTQ+ honors, Bragman memorial, Fred Karger
Video below
Dozens of supporters turned out outside the Crazy Aunt Hellen's restaurant in D.C. in anticipation of a drag show's planned protest by the far-right group Proud Boys—but police said members of the far-right, neo-fascist organization didn' ...
|
| |
| |
Home of long-term NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter devastated by Texas tornado, NCLR comments on outpouring of support
--From a press release
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Yesterday during violent storms in several southern states, the home of long-time NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter and his Robin was destroyed by a powerful tornado in rural Texas. The house also ...
|
| |
| |
Coalition of tradeswomen, teachers, civil rights groups applaud end of Trump-Era rule allowing discrimination
--From a press release
Washington, D.C. — On March 1, the United States Department of Labor's (DOL) Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) officially rescinded a Trump-era rule that vastly expanded the ability ...
|
| |
| |
LGBTQ+ groups criticize Tenn. bill that bans access to medical care for trans youth
--From a press release
NASHVILLE — On March 2, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed into law HB1/SB1, a bill that prohibits transgender-related healthcare in Tennessee for people under the age of 18. The bill is set to take effect on ...
|
| |
| |
House Ethics Committee announces investigation into George Santos
On March 2, the U.S. House Ethics Committee announced it is officially investigating embattled Rep. George Santos as the gay Republican from New York faces multiple legal issues and calls to resign for extensively lying about ...
|
| |
| |
LGBTQ+ Victory Fund launches new brand; celebrates LGBTQ+ progress, joy and resilience
Video below. From a press release
Washington, DC — Today LGBTQ+ Victory Fund launched its new name, new logo and new visual identity. This new brand honors LGBTQ+ progress since the organization's inception in 1991, celebrates LGBTQ+ people's joy and resilience in ...
|
| |
| |
Singer Zolita zips through Chicago on a whirlwind tour
Zoe Montana Hoetzel has evolved into the multidimensional artist known as Zolita while cultivating a massive following. Her personality is multifaceted as well. She identifies as a lesbian, an activist and a witch, but she's also ...
|
| |
| |
Tennessee to ban drag shows; governor asked about '77 drag photo
Tennessee will ban some drag performances as well as gender-affirming healthcare for trans minors after state House lawmakers sent both bills to Republican Gov. Bill Lee to sign, The Hill reported. Republican state Senate Majority Leader ...
|
| |
| |
Billy Masters: Billy lobbies for Bette to co-star in Sister Act 3
"When you see your boyfriend washing his penis in the sink, that's a sign they're probably having an affair." —Pamela Anderson shares a life lesson in her new documentary, "Pamela, A Love Story" I have to ...
|
| |
| |
Gay race-car driver Zach Herrin on industry, historic partnership with Lambda Legal
NASCAR driver Zach Herrin has announced a partnership with Lambda Legal, a national organization aimed at achieving full recognition of the civil rights of LGBTQ+ people and everyone living with HIV through litigation and public advocacy. ...
|
| |
| |
NATIONAL Help center, PrEP/PEP bill, gay pol weds, Creating Change protest
On Feb. 21, the LGBT National Help Center officially launched its newest program, the LGBT National Coming Out Support Hotline, per a press release. The hotline focuses specifically on the concerns of those who are struggling ...
|
| |
| |
SHOWBIZ 'Bob's Burgers,' P!nk, sports items, Billy Porter, Ben Platt
Animated sitcom Bob's Burgers marked another major milestone with its 250th episode. Gay actor/comedian/musician John Roberts (who voices Linda Belcher) talked with Queerty and said that one of the most important lessons he's learned from ...
|
| |
| |
First bobblehead of gay figure skater unveiled
On Feb. 24, Milwaukee's National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled the first bobblehead of U.S. Olympic figure skater Jason Brown, who had a personal-best showing at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, according to ...
|
| |
| |
New Report: Historic number of Black LGBTQ elected officials serving in U.S.
--From a press release
Washington, DC — Today LGBTQ Victory Institute released "Powering Equality: Black LGBTQ Representation Over the Past Five Years," a new report tracking Black LGBTQ representation at all levels of government from 2018-2023. The report is part ...
|
| |
| |
Ex-Colts player accused of attacking son and his boyfriend
Former Indianapolis Colts lineman and radio personality Joseph "Joe" Andrew Staysniak was arrested on Feb. 21 after a domestic incident in which he was accused of assaulting his son and choking his son's boyfriend in the ...
|
| |
| |
'Everything' sweeps The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics 14th Dorian Film Awards
--From a press release
GALECA,The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics, has named A24's fantastical and affecting family relationship drama Everything Everywhere All at Once 2022's Film of the Year—and then some—in its 14th Dorian ...
|
| |
| |
More LGBTQ PoC report barriers to academic achievement than white LGBTQ peers
--From a Williams Institute press release
A new study from the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, conducted in collaboration with the Point Foundation, the nation's largest LGBTQ scholarship nonprofit, finds more than twice as many LGBTQ POC as white LGBTQ ...
|
| |
| |
HRC condemns North Dakota House for latest "Slate of Hate" targeting trans, non-binary people
--From a press release
Bismarck, ND - Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, denounced members of the North Dakota House for ...
|
| |
| |
Hidden History: Pamela Bannos brings the life of 19th-century lesbian photographer to new audiences
Few people outside of New York may know about 19th-century photographer Alice Austen (1866-1952)—but author/historian/Northwestern University professor Pamela Bannos wants to change that. Bannos recently completed a podcast series about ...
|
| |
| |
Pride Journey: Jacksonville, Florida
The last time I visited Jacksonville, I was probably in my early-mid 20s and living in Orlando. It was a very long time ago. I was eager to visit again as I know much has changed in the city since the ...
|
| |
| |
Rep. David Cicilline to retire, hailed by LGBTQ Victory Institute as a groundbreaking LGBTQ leader
--From a press release
Washington, DC — Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Institute, has released the following statement following U.S. Representative David Cicilline's announcement that he will retire this June. "David has been a fearless champio ...
|
| |
| |
Longtime gay congressman to resign
Congressman David Cicilline (D-Rhode Island), currently serving his seventh term in the U.S. House of Representatives, announced he has been selected to lead the Rhode Island Foundation as its president/CEO and will be leaving elected office ...
|
| |
| |
Billy Masters: What happens at sea stays at sea
"I knew I was gay before I knew I was Asian. " —Joel Kim Booster on one of my favorite podcasts, Mayim Bialik's Breakdown. Whenever I get a break from being on the road, I catch up on messages people leave. ...
|
| |
| |
SHOWBIZ Black queer films, Janet Jackson, Paramore, WNBA, GALECA contest
Queerty ran a piece on 10 films that celebrate Black queer love. Some of them include The Skinny (with Jussie Smollett), Dee Rees' movie Pariah, the Oscar-winning Moonlight, the Marlon Riggs classic Tongues Untied, Brother to ...
|
| |
| |
NATIONAL Under secretary leaving, gay man killed, anti-trans moves, SF gay bar
Under Secretary Gina Ortiz Jones—the Air Force's second-highest ranking civilian—is stepping down on March 6, after a year and a half in the position, according to military.com. Jones was appointed by President Joe Biden as the ...
|
| |
| |
Rubio, Banks introduce bill that would ban some trans people from military
Republicans are introducing measures in both houses of Congress that, if passed, would ban some transgender people from serving in the military, The Hill reported. The Ensuring Military Readiness Act, sponsored by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida), ...
|
| |
| |
Poll: Black Americans support gender equality but split on trans and non-binary issues
--From a press release
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb. 16, 2023) — Discussions about gender equality and feminism have a long history among Black Americans, with hallmarks like Maria Miller Stewart in 1832; the Combahee River Collective in 1977; Anita Hill in ...
|
| |
| |
Federal Bureau of Prisons provides bureau's first gender affirming surgery to Donna Langan
--From a press release
Carswell, TX - Transgender prisoner Donna Langan is ready to announce that she is gratefully recovering from the first gender confirming surgery (GCS) ever performed on a prisoner held in a US Federal Prison. Ms. Langan, ...
|
| |
| |
Under Fire: New report outlines war against LGBTQs in the U.S.
--From a press release
Breadth, volume, speed and viciousness of anti-LGBTQ attacks create an unprecedented firestorm. In a groundbreaking report released today, the Movement Advancement Project (MAP) connects the dots on the varied ways ...
|
| |
| |
New York Times publishes transphobic column one day after an open letter condemning anti-trans coverage, HRC responds
--From a press release
WASHINGTON— This morning, the New York Times published yet another opinion piece attacking the transgender and non-binary community. The piece, "In Defense of J.K. Rowling" was written by Pamela Paul and was published merely one day ...
|
| |
| |
180+ journalists and NY Times contributors join HRC, GLAAD to call out biased coverage of trans people in Times coverage
--From a press release
(New York, NY — Feb. 15, 2023) — Today GLAAD, the world's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, is joined by hundreds of journalists, organizations ...
|
| |
| |
Gay Calif. lawmakers introduce Prop 8 repeal
On Valentine's Day, two gay California lawmakers introduced a constitutional amendment to repeal Prop 8—the state's same-sex marriage ban that remains on the books despite being ruled unconstitutional years ago, according to The Bay Area Repo ...
|
| |
| |
Billy Masters: Madonna's guilt-trip
"Once again I am caught in the glare of ageism and misogyny that permeates the world we live in. A world that refuses to celebrate women past the age of 45."—Madonna. I don't know what 45-year-old ...
|
| |
| |
Famed gay publicist Howard Bragman dies at 66
Howard Bragman—a gay publicist whose clients included Sharon Osbourne and Stevie Wonder, among many others—died at age 66 after privately battling acute monocytic leukemia, Deadline reported. After graduating from ...
|
| |
| |
NBA: Nets guard fined for anti-gay language after win over Bulls
Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas was fined $40,000 for using "derogatory and disparaging language" after the team's Feb. 9 win over the Chicago Bulls, ESPN reported. Two days earlier, new Nets player Spencer Dinwiddie had joked ...
|
| |
| |
SHOWBIZ Isaac Mizrahi, Viola Davis, Laura Jane Grace, Elton John, GLAAD
On Sherri Shepherd's talk show, entertainer/fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi said he'd love for out actor Dan Levy to portray him in a potential biopic based on Mizrahi's memoir, I.M., The Wrap noted. "Dan Levy, OK," Mizrahi ...
|
| |
| |
NATIONAL Mayor's honor, sexuality oath, Big Freedia, TikTok COO, AIDS Quilt
Openly gay San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria recently became the latest recipient of the Latino Leaders Network's Antonio Villaraigosa Leadership Award during the organization's Tribute to Mayors, the Los Angeles Blade reported. The biannual event, held ...
|
| |
