Laura Loomer, a far-right provocateur, conspiracy theorist, and former Florida Republican congressional candidate, has gained a notorious reputation within the political landscape for her inflammatory rhetoric and extreme views. Loomers recent proximity to former President Donald Trump has sparked renewed controversy, especially after she accompanied him to a 9/11 memorial event, despite having previously suggested that the terrorist attacks were an inside job. Loomers rise and actions have prompted concern across the political spectrum, and even prominent Republicans, like Georgia U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, have distanced themselves from her.Loomers ascent in the far-right ecosystem is marked by a series of racist, anti-Islamic, and sexist statements that have earned her bans from social media platformsuntil Elon Musk lifted those bans after he acquired Twitter, now known as X. Loomer, 31, has made a career out of provocative public stunts and incendiary remarks, and her willingness to embrace conspiracy theories has drawn her closer to Trump, a figure she appears to idolize.Laura Loomer has a history of extremismLoomer first gained national attention for her involvement in the alt-right movement and her frequent targeting of minority groups. One of her most controversial moments came when she called for a ridesharing service that would ban Muslim drivers, following her anti-Islam rants.In 2017, after a terrorist attack in New York City, Loomer launched into a daylong anti-Islam rant on Twitter, blaming Muslims for the violence and calling for a ridesharing service that would ban Muslim drivers. Someone needs to create a non-Islamic form of Uber or Lyft because I never want to support another Islamic immigrant driver, she tweeted, tagging both companies, NBC News reported. The swift backlash led Uber and Lyft to ban her from their platforms permanently.Her social media posts have frequently ventured into outright conspiracy theories. Loomer has claimed that the 9/11 attacks were an inside job, a baseless accusation that adds to the host of fringe beliefs she has propagated. This theory, which suggests U.S. officials were somehow complicit in the attacks, has been debunked but remains a rallying cry among certain factions of the far right.Loomer also made headlines during her two failed 2020 and 2022 congressional bids in Florida, where she ran on an unabashedly pro-Trump platform. Despite receiving an endorsement from Trump, her campaigns failed to gain traction, as even many Republicans were uncomfortable with her extremism.What did Loomer say that was too extreme for Marjorie Taylor Greene?Loomers rhetoric has been so incendiary that even Greene, a figure known for her controversial statements, has publicly condemned her. In April 2023, when Trump reportedly considered hiring Loomer for his 2024 campaign, Greene took to social media to express her opposition. Describing Loomer as mentally unstable and poisonous, Greene urged Trump to distance himself from the controversial activist. (@) Their feud escalated this week when Loomer posted a racist comment targeting Vice President Kamala Harris, referencing Harriss Indian heritage in a derogatory way. She claimed that if Harris were elected president, the White House will smell like curry, and speeches would be delivered via a call center.Greene, who has herself been accused of promoting racist and anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, responded by calling Loomers remarks appalling and extremely racist, adding that Loomer does not represent who we are as Republicans or MAGA. (@) Greenes condemnation was notable because it marked a rare moment when a prominent figure within the MAGA movement publicly distanced themselves from someone for being too extreme. Greenes record includes statements downplaying the significance of the Holocaust and spreading conspiracy theories about Jewish space lasers.Laura Loomer and Donald TrumpDespite her controversies, Loomers relationship with Trump has only grown stronger. She has been spotted traveling with the former president on multiple occasions, including during his 2024 campaign appearances. Loomer was also aboard Trumps plane for the September 10 debate against Harris, and the following day, she accompanied Trump to 9/11 memorial events in New York and Pennsylvania.Trumps decision to keep Loomer in his orbit despite her controversial history has drawn criticism from both Democrats and Republicans. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the New York Democrat, condemned Trumps association with Loomer, calling it shocking, irresponsible, and offensive, particularly in light of her history of promoting 9/11 conspiracy theories.While some Republicans have also voiced concern about Loomers influence, many within Trumps base view her as a loyal supporter willing to speak truths, while others wont. For her part, Loomer has defended her actions, claiming that her attacks on Harris and others are merely criticisms of political pandering and not rooted in racism.

In a world where politicians are constantly trying (and often succeeding) to strip LGBTQ+ people of their rights, it is mind-boggling that queer Republicans exist, but they do. There are Log Cabin Republicans and LGBTQ+ MAGA zealots out there supporting the GOP and then are shocked when they find out that the party theyve worshiped at the alter of is actually homophobic and transphobicas if that hasnt always been the case!Although queer Republicans are maddening, we're choosing to find catharsisor at least a few gigglesin people supporting the party of hate and then getting burned. I mean, its either laugh or cry at this point, folks. From podcasters to disgraced politicians to celebrities, here are the Republicans who voted against their self-interest and then were big mad when they faced the consequences. Lindsey Graham (@) Republican Senator Lindsey Graham who has spent his career defending traditional marriage and fighting to stop the LGBTQ+ community from gaining equal rights got his feelings hurt when he spoke out against fellow MAGA supporter and far-right provocateur Laura Loomer, and she responded by calling him gay. To be clear, despite years-long rumors that Graham is a confirmed bachelor, he has only ever identified as straight, but that didnt stop Loomer from taking to X to say, We all know youre Gay, Lindsey and for Donald Trump to essentially disown Graham after he dared to criticize Loomer for being racist, the Huffington Post reports.Young Republican finds out that the party is full of White SupremacistsBlack gay conservative media personality Rob Smith was shocked when he was surrounded by young white men shouting homophobic and racist slurs at him while he was attending the far-right event AmericaFast. Even after being verbally assaulted by his fellow MAGA supporters, Smith went on CNN to explain that he still supports the GOP and Trump. He decided to f*ck around and find out and learned zero lessons.Caitlyn Jenner is a hypocrite what else is new? View this post on Instagram A post shared by Caitlyn Jenner (@caitlynjenner) Trans reality tv star Caitlyn Jenner is constantly spouting her regressive beleifs about the trans community and then was angry when she discovered the MAGA president she's been supporting was transphobic."The reality is that the trans community is being relentlessly attacked by this president," she wrote in a column for the Washington Post. Jenner may be 74 years old, but she's acting brand new.Karma smacks hateful preacherTony Perkins, president of the ultra-conservative Family Research Council, preached that natural disasters are God's way of punishing homosexuality, then a flood destroyed his home, reported The Independent. Do you think we should tell him?Gay conservative mistakenly believes Republicans care about herIn 2016, Rachel Hoff was the first openly gay Republican to serve on her partys platform committee, which laid out the Republican platform for the next few years. And even though her colleagues kept shooting down all of her suggestions around LGBTQ+ inclusivity and equal marriage rights, she is still a staunch Republican, even working for the Ronald Reagan Institute today. Get a clue! In a 2012 Time interview, she said that the LGBTQ+ community has been more hurtful to her than Republicans. "I cant think of a single time where anybody has said anything mean to my face, other than not supporting my constitutional rights. Clearly, thats offensive to me in a different way," she said, seemingly oblivious to how ridiculous she sounded.The lying gay congressman is shocked that a fellow Republican lied View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rep. George Santos (@rep.georgesantos) Disgraced former congressman George Santos initially supported Ron DeSantis' bid for president and the "Don't Say Gay" bill but then felt duped after DeSantis' team released a homophobic campaign ad. I still stand by the bill in its nature, but now it seems it had a more perverse agenda behind it. Im starting to see [DeSantis] for what he is. His rhetoric is to diminish and remove rights away from people like myself, and I cant support that," reported The Hill. Are you brand new? Of course, that's what DeSantis was doing! It's not like he was even trying to hide his villainy!Log Cabin Republicans surprised conservative Texans hate gay peopleOur statement on @TexasGOP excluding @LogCabinTexas from the convention:"Inclusion wins, which makes the Texas Republican Party leaderships decision to exclude the Texas Log Cabin Republicans from their convention not just narrow-minded, but politically short-sighted." pic.twitter.com/vp1UAZJZtn Log Cabin Republicans (@LogCabinGOP) June 17, 2022 Log Cabin Republicans in Texas have spent decades fighting to get other Republicans to agree that LGBTQ+ people deserve rights. Still, it turns out that leopards don't change their spots no matter how many times they vote against their interests. In 2022, the Texas Republican Party banned the Log Cabin Republicans from setting up a booth at their convention, Vice reported. And yet, somehow, they still want to be part of the GOP, even going so far as to say that it made clear that LGBT conservatives are welcome in the America First movement and the Republican Party" in a statement about being banned. No matter what the Republican Party does to them, they'll keep taking it. Get a clue!Gay Republican podcaster blames the Left for the GOP's transphobiaGay Republican podcaster Brad Polumbo wishes queer politics could be like it was a few years ago because, apparently, he thinks things were better for LGBTQ+ people under Trumphow he reached this conclusion (or delusion) is anyone's guess. He lays the blame for the backslide toward more anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment in this country at the feet of Democrats because the "trans debate has gotten so out of control on both sides," he shared with the New York Times. "And it has engendered this vicious backlash that, in my view, stems from a lot of overreach on the left-wing side of the debate but now is causing an equal and oppositely extreme backlash and reaction on the right, which is catching up to gay rights." So now the left is to blame for Republicans getting more conservative and transphobic? What is happening? Am I in Bizarro World?!

If you think you're an expert, think again. There's always more to learn!There are plenty of basic sex tips out there for tops and bottoms who want to strengthen their game in bed, but what about for the self-titled "experts"? If youre having plenty of sex, you probably already know to use a lot of lube. (Or conversely, your anus is so warmed up, you dont even need any.) You also know more than three types of sexual positions. Who couldn't use a few new gay sex ideas? So these are some tips for tops/bottoms/versatile men who dont need a 101 crash course, but a 401 masters level seminar.Here are 20 sex tips for gay guys who think they know everything about sex!1. Don't jump straight for the goodsHave you ever seen the Friends episode where Monica shares all of the erogenous zones with Chandler? Whether you do or don't, the point remains the same: Spend some time hitting all of the hot spots instead of just heading right to the penetration.2. Remember porn is not realYes, porn is fun to watch and yes, we can learn a lot from it. However, remember that it's filmed as a fantasy, and the people onscreen are just actors (for the most part, anyway.) Don't try to recreate experiences if it's not viable for the situation. 3. Stay open to learnEach partner and each sexual experience has an opportunity to teach you something new about either yourself or your partner. Even if you have sex all of the time, always keep your mind open to learning something new or trying a new position with your partner.4. Communication is keyBe vocal. Say what you like and what you don't. Set up your boundaries. Whether in a hook-up or a relationship, it's always important to stay communicative with your partner, even if you think you don't need to.5. Play around with positionsThis one should be obvious, but you may be surprised at how many people just stick to one position -- and as the expert, you're supposed to know more than three. Even if you do only stick to one position, the slightest repositioning can open up an entirely new sensation, so feel free to explore!6. Squeeze your hole while hes inside youAs bottoms, you obviously need to loosen your hole wide enough for him to insert himself inside of you. But once you're warmed up, periodically squeeze your hole as he's penetrating you. The pressure not only feels really good for him, but for you too.7. Rule of thumb: hands should always be busyIf your hands aren't doing something then you're dong something wrong. They can be holding on the bedpost for dear life. They can be touching your partner's chest, jerking them off, holding their hand. Your hands should never be laying by your side doing nothing.8. Use your lipsJust like your hands, your lips should be frequently doingsomething. Whether theyre talking that dirty talk or kissing around various parts of the body, make sure you use them any time the idea crosses your mind.9. Switch condoms between partnersSo hopefully you're doing this already, but if you're topping a number of guys (first of all, good for you), you should be switching condoms between partners, no matter how squeaky clean their anuses are. You don't want to transfer any bacteria or anything else between partners...10. Play with toysLike the vibrating cock rings, its always fun to bring some toys into the bedroom to see what kind of fun ensues. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but chains and whips excite me. Play around!11. Kegel squeeze while inside of himSo if you're a pro, you already know what Kegel exercises are and how they strengthen your PC muscle. If you're topping, do a Kegel squeeze inside of him. It moves your penis up and down, hitting different places, which feels really good for the man bottoming.12. Use vibrating cock ringsThere's really nothing much more to add than this. I've never met anyone who doesn'tlike it. It feels good for the top, helping him to achieve a more full-body orgasm, and it feels really good for the bottom, because you're vibrating his booty. It's just a win-win, and I'm surprised why more guys aren't using them all the damn time.13. Spread those cheeks wide before devouring his holeWIDE. None of this baby spread nonsense. You want to get up IN there. Pull his cheeks apart as far as they go before feasting on that cake.14. Change up locationsAre you a pro or are you a pro? Pros don't have sex in the bedroom every single time. They take their lovemaking sessions to the living room, laundry room, outdoors, and even sex clubs.15. BreatheSuch a simple thing to do, and it's advice that every sex expert gives, yet I find myself (and so many others) getting so excited that they forget to breathe during sex. Breath control helps you manage your orgasms (and can delay them). So it's particularlygood to pay notice to breath if you have a tendency to get a little too excited and ejaculate prematurely.16. Give subtle feedbackIf you're a pro, you should known to give direct, explicit feedback too. "That feels good. Do more of that!" But there's also the more subtle feedback, which some guys prefer to receive. Moan loudly if he does something you like while blowing you. Arch your hips so he hits the spot you want him to hit. Guide his hands where you want them to go. These are ways to communicate what you want sexually without being blunt.17. Mimic his styleIn general, people kiss the way they like being kissed. If they use a lot of tongue, they want tongue in return. If they're deepthroating your dick, that's probably how they like receiving oral. Sometimes this isn't the case, as subs prefer doms, not other subs, but if you're not engaging in a play that is supposed to have a power discrepancy, this is a good general rule to live by.18. Double your foreplay time and teaseMaybe you're already good about this, but I'm just going to go off on a limb and assume you're not. I, too, have a tendency of wanting to get down to business ASAP, but when I have more foreplay, more kissing, and more teasing prior to getting down to business, the sex is so much better.19. Find the perfect dirty-talk balanceThis is really difficult and requires you to read your partner. Some guys love dirty talk, the dirtier the better. Some guys hate it. Some guys, like myself, find it performative unless done with more intention than "this is sexy because it's dirty." In other words, don't just say it for the sake of saying it. Get into it and and mean it.20. Step up your music gameSex to music is infinitelybetter than sex without. It also sets the mood. If you're going for rough, better get some music that screams "pump me daddy." If you're going for love making, play some R&B. If you're going for naughty, find some music you consider naughty. (You get the gist!)

We're wishing for Genie!The lovable queen has come a long way since competing on the second season of the Drag Race Thailand.As the show gears up for its highly anticipated return, Genie is offering her top tips and tricks to anyone hoping to visit the gorgeous country of Thailand."House of Heals is a fun time. Their shows are incredible! All of the Drag Race Thailand queens are there, plus other Thailand girls. The drag there is incredible," Genie tells PRIDE. See on Instagram Aside from top tier drag, the food in Thailand is off the charts and Genie has the perfect dish to recommend."Of course there's good food there! Kra Pao Gai, which is like the stir fry mince chicken, or the mince chicken in a spicy salad... it's so good!"Speaking of "snacks," Genie has also checked out some of the adult venues around Thailand and hopes other sex-positive people get to experience it as well."There's some adult shows that you can enjoy! I think it's fun, beautiful, and exciting. You might see more folks from the range of our community performing, which is amazing. Not to be too vulgar about it, but there are a lot of erections. Go enjoy it!"Genie has certainly had her fun while traveling the world and she has plenty of stories to tell. The queen has recently dabbled into stand-up comedy and is manifesting an appearance on a future season of the new World of Wonder show House of Laughs."I want to be on that second season! That's a huge thing. I want to be a part of it. I'm putting it out there."Fans can keep up with Genie by following her on Instagram here. To see the full interview, check out the video at the top of the page.

It's been a long time since suits have been exclusively considered menswear, and thank god for that. From tailored to oversized, patterned to basic black, there's nothing like a good suit no matter who's rocking it.Fortunately, some of our favorite queer celebs love to go above and beyond blessing us with their fashion prowess when it comes to this particular wardrobe staple. Which look is your fave? (Trick question: the correct answer is all of them.)Aubrey PlazaRene RappSophia BushJanelle MoneKristen StewartHalseyAmandla StenbergDove CameronEvan Rachel WoodHayley KiyokoCara DelevingneTessa ThompsonMegan FoxKeshaLilly SinghBrandi CarlileFletcherDevery Jacobs

We love a queen who knows her history. RuPauls Drag Races Soa de Muse may have been the electric queen who sashayed into the hearts of fans first on Drag Race France and now Global All Stars and whose recent elimination from the latter left them heartbroken. Still, she will forever have a place in my heart for honoring our past in the art of drag. In one of her latest runway looks, the French queen paid homage to William Dorsey Swann, a 19th-century drag queen who paved the way for every queen who steps onto the Drag Race runway. For me, it was, what can I say? It was an opportunity, Soa told PRIDE in an interview following her exit. Lets take a moment to step back into the queer time machineyour finest Victorian-era bustles are not required. Its not the era we often associate with drag ballrooms and house mothers, but thats precisely what well find in Swann: a former enslaved person turned drag queen and activist. She is widely regarded as the first queen of drag. Can you imagine being that fabulous in a time when being Black and gay, let alone publicly donning a wig and gown, was considered an act of rebellion? But thats what William Dorsey Swann did. In the 1880s, Swann organized secret drag balls in Washington, D.C., which would have had even the fiercest of queens today shaking in their stilettos. She faced police raids, arrests, and the constant threat of violence. Yet, she persevered, fighting for the right to celebrate her identity and her community.Long before the fabulous, glittering world of RuPauls Drag Race, well before the voguing scenes portrayed in Paris is Burning, and long before that brick was thrown at Stonewall, Swann fought for our right to serve looks and live authentically. As house mother, Swann's gathering consisted of formerly enslaved individuals and drag queens of the time, known as the "House of Swann." One of the dances they participated in was the cakewalk. Once performed by enslaved Americans in Southern plantations in a semi-minstrel manner, it was reclaimed with improvisational movements and expressions that resemble our modern voguing. In the late 1800s, Swann and others were arrested and charged for running a brothel and sentenced to a few months in jail. Though Swann failed to get a presidential pardon, they left another historic moment for the books: becoming the first American to legally defend our community's right and dignity to gather freely and without violence. Sadly, theres no surviving image of Dorsey today, so Soa de Muse had several references to source for her look. He looked to Swanns friend, Mr. Brown, often mistaken as Swann in early photographs, an American performer who went to France and later performed in a cabaret.So Im gonna try to connect with [Mr. Browns image and story] and do this kind of Afro-futurism vision about who is William Dorsey Swann, de Muse told us.Swann stopped hosting drag events and died in 1925, aged 65. Today Swann is a historical figure who has largely been forgotten, but her legacy is now being rediscovered and celebrated. We have to thank Soa de Muse for embodying that legacy.As the music played and the credits rolled at the end of this weeks episode, I wondered how we honor our drag ancestors in a world that often tries to forget them. Perhaps its through queens like Soa who remind us that drag is not just a performanceits a way of life. A celebration of identity. And the most artful form of protest.So, as we say au revoir to Soa this season, lets not mourn her departure. Instead, lets celebrate her for what she truly is: a revolutionary. A queen like Dorsey reminds us that drag is history, drag is activism, and, most importantly, drag is forever.

Spooky season is right around the corner, and while you might have killer holiday plans on Halloween theres no reason you cant start celebrating the spookiest time today with a terrifying queer horror movie marathon.While queerness has always been inherent to the genre heck, we invented it it hasnt always been a welcoming place to out and proud queer characters, stories, and theme. Thankfully, thats been changing in recent years. In films like Fear Street, So Vam, and the recent Hellraiser reimaging, the once subtextual has come out of the celluloid closet to explore our anxieties openly as well as give us some final girls, gays, and nonbinary heroes to root (and fear) for. In other words, its a great time to be a queer horror fan. Not sure where to start? No worries, here are 27 modern queer-inclusive horror films you can stream now. All series descriptions are courtesy of their respective studios and networks.Hypochondriac (2022)Synopsis: When Wills mentally ill mother re-emerges after a ten year absence, it erodes the foundation of the world he has created and exposes his dark past.Where to watch: Tubi Huesera: The Bone Woman (2023)Synopsis: Cursed by an evil spirit and expecting her first child, Valeria's plunged into a terrifying world where a group of witches are her only hope.Where to watch: ShudderI Saw the TV GlowSynopsis: Teenager Owen is just trying to make it through life in the suburbs when his classmate introduces him to a mysterious late-night TV show a vision of a supernatural world beneath their own. In the pale glow of the television, Owens view of reality begins to crack.Where to watch: VOD Jagged MindSynopsis: When Billie starts dating a mysterious new girlfriend, she suffers blackouts and strange visions that feel like she's living the same moments of her life over and over.Where to watch: Hulu Bodies Bodies BodiesSynopsis: When a group of rich 20-somethings plan a hurricane party at a remote family mansion, a party game goes awry in this fresh and funny look at backstabbing, fake friends, and one party gone very, very wrong.Where to watch: Paramount+GanymedeSynopsis: After a small-town wrestling star develops a crush on an openly gay classmate, he is stalked by a grotesque creature that invades his thoughts as he navigates his feelings and struggles to live up to his legacy-obsessed family.Where to watch: VODKnock at the CabinSynopsis: While vacationing at a remote cabin, a young girl and her parents are taken hostage by four armed strangers who demand that the family make an unthinkable choice to avert the apocalypse. With limited access to the outside world, the family must decide what they believe before all is lost.Where to watch: Peacock Bad Girl Boogey (2023)Synopsis: Years after Angel's mother was murdered in a killing spree by madman wearing a mask cursed with hate, the deaths have started again. Now she must decide to live in fear or find the killer before he, or it, slaughters everyone she loves.Where to watch: Rent on Prime VideoBad Things (2023)Synopsis: When a group of friends escape the city to spend the weekend in an abandoned hotel, a pervading eerie energy begins to illuminate the cracks in their little family unit. Ruthie Nodd (Gayle Rankin) inherits the hotel from her grandmother and with bad childhood memories threatening to burst to the surface, Ruthie wants to sell the hotel and never return. But her partner Cal (Hari Nef) drags her there in the hopes of returning it to its former glory. They are joined by their amiable friend Maddie (Rad Pereira) and mysterious grifter Fran (Annabelle Dexter-Jones). As the friends dance, cook, flirt, and fight, they find themselves entwined in the hotels seductive embrace and start doing bad things to each other.Where to watch: ShudderMy Animal (2023)Synopsis: Tormented by a hidden family curse, Heather lives in seclusion on the outskirts of a small town. When she falls for the rebellious Jonny, their connection threatens to unravel Heather's suppressed desires, tempting her to unleash the animal within.Where to watch: Rent on AppleTV+Swallowed (2022)Synopsis: After a drug run goes bad, two friends must survive a nightmarish ordeal of drugs, bugs and horrific intimacy in this backwoods body-horror thriller.Where to watch: Rent on AppleTV+, Prime Video Attachment (2023)Synopsis: In this stunning horror romance, Maja, a has-been actress in Denmark, falls in love with Leah, a young Jewish academic visiting from the UK. When Leah suffers a mysterious seizure, Maja follows Leah back to London where she lives with her overbearing, secretive mother, Chana. There, Maja notices strange occurrences in the building, and begins to suspect that Chanas secrets could be much darker than first anticipated. Where to watch: ShudderBirth/Rebirth (2023)Synopsis: A morgue technician successfully reanimates the body of a little girl, but to keep her breathing, she will need to harvest biological materials from pregnant women. When the girl's mother, a nurse, discovers her baby alive, they enter into a deal that forces them both down a dark path of no return.Where to watch: Rent on AppleTV+, Prime Video May (2002)Synopsis: A socially awkward veterinary assistant with a lazy eye and obsession with perfection descends into depravity after developing a crush on a boy with perfect hands.Where to watch: Roku, Tubi, Redbox, Shudder, PlutoTVSeed of Chucky (2004)Synopsis: Chucky and Tiffany are resurrected by their innocent gender-confused daughter, Glenda, and hit Hollywood, where a movie depicting the killer dolls murder spree is underway.Where to watch: Fubo, Peacock, USAHigh Tension (2005)Synopsis: Best friends Marie and Alexia decide to spend a quiet weekend at Alexias parents secluded farmhouse. But on the night of their arrival, the girls idyllic getaway turns into an endless night of horror.Where to watch: Tubi, Kanopy, Redbox, PlutoTV, Plex, RokuThe Gay Bed and Breakfast of Terror (2007)Synopsis: A religious mother and daughter host five LGBT couples at their inn, but when guests go missing, the familys sinister motivation becomes apparent.Where to watch: Tubi, PlexLet the Right One In (2008) Synopsis: A 12-year-old boy befriends an eccentric neighbor girl whose recent appearance in town coincides with a rash of suspicious deaths in this Swedish supernatural thriller.Where to watch: Prime Video, Fubo, Hulu, The Roku Channel, Hoopla , The Criterion Channel, Kanopy, Redbox, Magnolia Pictures, Plex, PlutoJennifers Body (2009) Synopsis: A newly possessed high school cheerleader turns into a succubus who specializes in killing her male classmates. Can her best friend put an end to the horror?Where to watch: Prime Video, Paramount+, EpixAll About Evil (2010)Synopsis: A mousy woman inherits an old movie house and starts making a series of grisly shorts, but her fans do not realize that the murders in the films are all real.Where to watch: Shudder, AMC+All Cheerleaders Die (2013)Synopsis: A rebel girl signs up a group of cheerleaders to help her take down the captain of their high school football team, but a supernatural turn of events thrusts the girls into a different battle.Where to watch: Roku, Tubi, PlexLyle (2014)Synopsis: Leahs grief over her toddlers death turns into paranoia when she begins to suspect her neighbors are part of a satanic cult.Where to watch: Peacock, KanopyRaw (2016)Synopsis: A young woman, studying to be a vet, develops a craving for human flesh.Where to watch: NetflixB&B (2017)Synopsis: Gay Londoners Marc and Fred plan a weekend getaway, but things turn deadly when they seek revenge against a hotel owner who turned them away.Where to watch: Peacock, Tubi, AcornTV, HereTVRift (2017)Synopsis: Two mens broken relationship is tested as they are haunted by a supernatural entity awakened by their grief.Where to watch: AMC+, Roku, Vudu, Tubi, Kanopy, ShudderThelma (2017) Synopsis: A confused religious girl tries to deny her feelings for a female friend whos in love with her. This causes her suppressed subconsciously controlled psychokinetic powers to reemerge with devastating results.Where to watch: Hulu, Tubi, KanopyClimax (2018)Synopsis: French dancers gather in a remote, empty school building to rehearse on a wintry night. The all-night celebration morphs into a hallucinatory nightmare when they learn their sangria is laced with LSD.Where to watch: Fubu, Showtime, RokuSuspiria (2018)Synopsis: A darkness swirls at the center of a world-renowned dance company, one that will engulf the artistic director, an ambitious young dancer, and a grieving psychotherapist. Some will succumb to the nightmare. Others will finally wake up.Where to watch: Prime VideoThe Perfection (2019) Synopsis: When troubled musical prodigy Charlotte seeks out Elizabeth, the new star pupil of her former school, the encounter sends both musicians down a sinister path with shocking consequences.Where to watch: NetflixKnife + Heart (2019) Synopsis: Paris, Summer 1979. Anne (French superstar Vanessa Paradis) produces third-rate gay porn. When one of her actors is brutally murdered, Anne is caught up in a strange investigation that turns her life upside-down. An ultra-stylish and blood-soaked ode to 70s-era De Palma, Argento, and Friedkin, shot on 35mm and featuring a killer retro score from M83.Where to watch: Shudder, Freevee, KanopyBit (2020)Synopsis: Laurel moves to L.A. and falls in with a gang of vampires. Not knowing if they want to kill her, befriend her, or turn her, she learns to understand the love and dangers of her new and first group of friends.Where to watch: Prime Video, Hoopla, VuduBloodthirsty (2021)Synopsis: Grey is an indie singer who is having visions that she is a wolf. When she gets an invitation to work with notorious music producer Vaughn Daniels at his remote studio in the woods, she begins to find out who she really is.Where to watch: Roku, Vudu, Tubi, Shudder, FreeveeDeath Drop Gorgeous (2021)Synopsis: A dejected bartender and an aging drag queen fight to survive the eccentric and hostile nightlife of a corrupt city, as a masked maniac slaughters young gay men and drains them of blood.Where to watch: AMC+, Tubi, ShudderFear Street Trilogy (2021)Synopsis: A circle of teenage friends accidentally encounter the ancient evil responsible for a series of brutal murders that have plagued their town for over 300 years. Welcome to Shadyside.Where to watch: NetflixThe Retreat (2021)Synopsis: A lesbian couple with a rocky relationship goes to a pre-wedding retreat and ends up fighting for their lives when a group of militant serial killers tries to murder them.Where to watch: Fubo, Roku, Showtime, Paramount+Saint Maud (2021)Synopsis: A pious nurse becomes dangerously obsessed with saving the soul of her dying patient.Where to watch: Prime Video, Roku, Paramount+, EpixTitane (2021)Synopsis: With a titanium plate surgically fused to her skull following a car crash as a child, car model Alexia embarks on a wild and ultimately unpredictable journey that questions our assumptions about family, identity, and love.Where to watch: HuluHellraiser (2022)Synopsis: A take on Clive Barkers 1987 horror classic where a young woman struggling with addiction comes into possession of an ancient puzzle box, unaware that its purpose is to summon the Cenobites.Where to watch: HuluSissy (2022)Synopsis: Invited away on a hens weekend, Sissy is stuck in a remote cabin with her high school bully...and a taste for revenge. Cecilia (SISSY) and Emma were tween-age BFFs who were going to grow old together and never let anything come between them. That is, until Emmas new friend Alex did just that. When Cecilia became the target of Alexs bullying, it forced Cecilia and Emma apart. Twelve years later, Cecilia is a successful influencer living the dream... until she runs into Emma for the first time in over a decade and her world is turned upside down.Where to watch: ShudderSo Vam (2022)Synopsis: Kurt is an outcast in a conservative town who dreams of moving to the city to be a famous drag queen. Kidnapped by a predatory old vampire, Kurt is rescued and resurrected by a gang of rebellious vamps who feed on bigots and abusers. As a vampire he finally knows empowerment and belonging, but until Kurt faces the monster, he will never truly be free.Where to watch: ShudderRELATED | Hellraiser Is Modern, Unabashedly Queer, And It Gets Its Hooks In You

Here are this weeks most popular positive stories, with some fun social media posts tossed in too. Like seeing uplifting content like this?Sign up for our Good News email.So many great things have happened recently that its hard to keep up. Luckily, youve got us keeping an eye on all the inspiring and heartwarming stories from this hustlin bustlin week.So what are we waiting for? Lets do this grab yourself a cup of coffee and enjoy some good news this Saturday morning. Missed the debate? Let funnywoman Chelsea Handler give you a hilarious recap Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chelsea Handler (@chelseahandler) Coldplays frontman saw a trans man in his audience. What happened next will warm your heart.The internationally celebrated singer brought a trans fan up on stage to celebrate how theyve helped each other, and their touching moment was captured in pics and a video that you have to see!And talking about celebrities aiding our community, remember whenLady Gaga discussed trans rights during her Las Vegas residency? How aboutthe pro football player turned actor who took on a queer film role to show support for his lesbian sisterorthe legendary drag queen who spent her life advocating for the queer community?Its so cool when you think about all the bigger and smaller celebrities who have helped our movement along the way. Trans girls win the right to play sports alongside their classmates & friendsThey just wanted to have fun like everyone else, and their love of sports helped win rights for other kids too. How Colton Underwood overcame a medical issue to become a fatherThe TV personality is sharing his incredible personal journey (and how he and his husband planned the perfect nursery for their soon-to-be-born son).Prepare to fall in love with this newborn baby hippoMoo Deng the most beautiful girl in the world pic.twitter.com/gTf9HTR0dk yammi (@sighyam) September 13, 2024 Lesbian Rep. Angie Craig took this hunky photo tradition & made it queerNot only did she recognize the important work firefighters do, but she also turned herself into a fun pin-up model in the process! Sarah McBride is about to make history as the first trans member of CongressShe just won a landslide election and now she and her allies are celebrating the big win for equality.Sade to release new song dedicated to her trans sonThe singers first new song since 2018 will be included on an epic compilation album aimed at spreading transgender visibility. This Chinese TikToker shares interesting bits of lesbian culture from her home country @nora_6688 If you were a lesbian in China, how would you identify yourself?#lgbt #lesbian #China #chinese #laguagelearning #howtolearnalanguage #tiktok #funny #fyp nora_6688 Tim Walz stands up for equality in barnstormer speechThe vice presidential candidate and long-time LGBTQ+ ally has become an important and very vocal ally for queer people nationwide.Trans students can learn in peace thanks to this landmark court rulingReading, writing, arithmetic and civil rights! Transgender people in Pakistan get a ride-sharing service just for themThe service for women and trans people is trying to make their customers feel safer. Ever seen a ninja vogue before? View this post on Instagram A post shared by Paris Ballroom TV (@paris_ballroom_tv)From our sibling sites:OUTSPORTS:One of the heroes on 9/11 was gay rugby player Mark Bingham, who stormed the cockpit on Flight 93GAYCITIES:This queer fashion show was the highlight of New York Fashion Week so far and weve got photos!QUEERTY:Uncover the hidden queer history of Old Hollywood with these streaming docsINTO:Chappell Roan delivers beautifully queer acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards

An officer involved in a police car driving directly into a gay bar, Bar:PM, and then even more shockingly, arresting one of the gay bars owners, is no longer employed, says the St. Louis Police Department. A spokesperson from the department said that the department no longer employs Ramelle Wallace, though they could not further comment on the matter. The spokesperson did not say whether or not Wallace was fired or resigned of his own volition. Related LGBTQ+ museum rails against Floridas disgusting removal of gay tourism webpage The page disappeared because of a vindictive order from Gov. Ron DeSantis. Wallace was the officer who arrested one of the co-owners of Bar:PM, Chad Morris, and one of the first on the scene. It is not clear who was driving the police vehicle that crashed into Bar:PM in December of last year. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Javad Khazaeli, the lawyer for Bar:PM co-owners James Pence and Morris, said that one of the officers quickly escalated the situation by going to rage level 10, leading to the arrest of one of his clients. A video posted by the pairs lawyers shows Pence introducing himself as the bars owner. Officer Wallace requests his ID, but Pence declines, insisting that he hasnt done anything wrong.Wallace then tells Pence to have a good night, which Khazaeli says implies that the officer refused to investigate unless Pence presented an ID. Pence continues to refuse to show his ID, prompting Wallace to accuse him of causing a disturbance. Wallace, along with another officer, then handcuffs Pence. The person recording the incident asks why Pence was cuffed, to which Wallace responds that Pence was creating a disturbance by yelling. When the bystander requests Wallaces badge number, the officer refuses and threatens, Keep interfering, youll be in handcuffs too, clown.Morris was arrested and initially charged with felony assault on an officer and misdemeanor resisting arrest. The charges were later reduced to misdemeanors. When speaking to reporters after being released from custody, Morris reportedly had what appeared to be a black eye.The St. Louis police department has given differing accounts of what caused the crash. The officer in question was not tested for intoxication, local NBC Affiliate KSDK reports that the latest word from the police is that another officer was distracted by using his police radio while driving, which is how the SUV crashed into the bars facade.

In the past few weeks, approximately50 millionK-12 kids across the country started a new school year. In my family, my girls were so excited about new backpacks and making new friends. Last week, I dropped them off and, like every morning, told them I love them and that I hope they have a good day. Just a few hours later, I saw the news: The first school shooting of this school year happened in Georgia, leaving two teachers and two 14-year-olds dead. Related Why is the U.S. more lax on gun laws than on peaceful protests? If students were openly carrying during their campus protests, the NRA would have likely petitioned university officials to stay away. In 2024, there have already beenat least 139 incidentsof gunfire on school grounds, resulting in 42 deaths. It is heartbreaking beyond belief to think of the indescribable grief parents face when their kids dont come home. Dive deeper every day Join our newsletter for thought-provoking commentary that goes beyond the surface of LGBTQ+ issues Subscribe to our Newsletter today As a mother and a voter, I want to see elected officials who are taking action to keep kids safe. As Kamala Harrissaid in a rallylast week, Weve got to end the epidemic of gun violence in our country once and for all. Kamala has a track record of leading this fight, including breaking the 30-year logjam on federal gun safety legislation and taking historic executive actions to combat gun trafficking.On the other hand, Trump actually worked during his presidency to make our countrymoreunsafe, by making it easier for people with arrest warrants and criminal records to buy guns. He even halted a proposal to require gun makers and dealers to sell child safety devices in stores where guns are sold.Recently, Trumps campaign and the Republican National Committeeheld a press callto discuss whathesees as therealthreat to American kids: Kamala Harris supposed radical gender ideology. Trumps proposed agenda would mandate that sex assigned at birth is the only legally recognized sex someone can ever have in the United States, and would ban gender-affirming care for trans youth. This agenda comes straight from a page on his campaign website that outlines his Plan to Protect Children from Left-Wing Gender Insanity. Nowhere does he include plans to actually make schools safe and protect our children from the real, documented threat they face every daygun violence. Lets be clear Trumps agenda is an attempt to distract the American public.Hes inventing problems that dont exist so that we wont pay attention to the very real problems hes responsible for. And in doing so, hes causing even more damage to trans kids, who simply want to exist as they are.Keeping our kids safe means keeping all kids safe, including from policies that attempt to erase their identity, and deny them the care that keeps them happy and healthy. The American Academy of Pediatrics isclear in its supportfor lifesaving gender-affirming care for trans youth, which is shown to prevent depression and suicidality.I also want to unpack the term radical gender ideology. This is a term weve heard a lot from right-wing, anti-LGBTQ individuals and organizations who believe that being LGBTQ is not actually rooted in who we are, but instead is part of a movement to disrupt American society.Anyone who is LGBTQ or who loves an LGBTQ person will tell you that who we are is not a beliefits a part of us, as much as our eye or hair color. And speaking of disrupting American society Im sad to say that there isnothing more American than gun violence.And so, if being out LGBTQ voters who want our families to be free from violence is a disruption to the norm,then lets disrupt. Every vote is an expression of hope that our country can be better, that our schools can be safer, that our kids deserve more. Im so grateful we have LPAC-endorsed candidates across the country who are dedicated to school safety, and who want to see every LGBTQ person treated with dignity and respect. Together, we can build a world where safety is more than just a dream.Janelle Perez is the Executive Director of LPAC, the only organization in the U.S. working to elect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer women and nonbinary people.

A recently released analysis of data on transgender name changes in the U.K. reveals intriguing trends and patterns in how trans people approach the deeply personal process, according to the U.K. Deed Poll Office.In the U.K., a deed poll is a legal document that proves a change of name. While the U.K. Deed Poll Office is not a government agency, the privately owned document provider has, according to its website, helped more than 136,000 U.K. citizens change their names for a fee in its eight years in business. Related Queer Colorado legislator sponsors bill to require schools use students preferred name Failing to call a trans student by the correct name would be considered discrimination. According to the office, whether or not to maintain a connection to their deadname is a top consideration for trans people seeking a name change. But their data showed that a majority of trans individuals do not choose a name beginning with the same first letter as their deadname. Of the over 1,500 trans name change applications the office looked at, 69.72% (1,057 people) chose a name that begins with a different letter than their deadname, while 30.28% (459 people) kept the first letter of the name they were given at birth. Global perspectives delivered right to your inbox Our newsletter bridges borders to bring you LGBTQ+ news from around the world. Subscribe to our Newsletter today While it didnt provide additional information to back this up, the U.K. Deed Poll Office speculated that choosing a name beginning with the same letter as their deadname may indicate a desire to retain some continuity with their past identity among trans people.The office also found that the vast majority of applicants 1,260 of 1,558, or nearly 81 percent also opted to change their middle name. The trend, it said, reflects the significance individuals attach to their middle names, with many seeking a fresh start or a name that better aligns with their gender identity.The office also looked at the age at which trans people applied for a deed poll to change their names. More people chose to change their names at the age of 18 (15.28%) than at any other age, though their data showed that trans people may choose to change their name at any point in their life. Of the 1,558 applications the office included in its analysis, 140 (8.99%) were from people who were 16.The analysis also revealed the top 10 names chosen by both transgender men and women. Noah, Alex, Charlie, Elliot, Daniel, Tyler, Jay, Luke, Lucas, and Logan were most common with trans men among the 1,371 applications included in the analysis. Among trans women, Jessica, Emily, Charlotte, Alice, Willow, Luna, Lucy, Freya, Ellie, and Alex were most common.These names often reflect cultural influences, personal heroes, or simply names that resonate deeply with the individuals sense of self, according to the U.K. Deed Poll Officethough, again, the office did not provide information to back up this claim.By understanding these statistics, we can better appreciate the diverse experiences and choices of the transgender community, the U.K. Deed Poll Office said, adding that it is committed to supporting individuals through every step of their name change journey with empathy and respect.

After a federal judge allowed a transgender teenage girl in New Hampshire to rejoin her schools soccer team for the fall while the lawsuit against the states transgender sports ban continues, another school district has stood up for trans youth and permitted a trans athlete to play on her schools soccer team.Malle Jacques, a junior at Kearsarge Regional High School in North Sutton, New Hampshire, has been the goalie for the girls varsity soccer team at her school since last fall, but it was up in the air whether or not she was going to be able to play. On Tuesday, New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR) reported that Jacquess appeal to play on the soccer team was successful. Related Federal court overturns transgender sports ban calling it the essence of discrimination Trans kids can participate in school sports in Arizona because of the ruling. In July, Gov. Chris Sununu (R) signed H.B. 1205, also known as the Fairness in Womens Sports Act, into law. This legislation prohibits transgender girls and women from competing on girls and womens sports teams. Stay connected to your community Connect with the issues and events that impact your community at home and beyond by subscribing to our newsletter. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The law went into effect in August, but not before the families of two transgender teenage athletes, 15-year-old Parker Tirrell and 14-year-old Iris Turmelle, filed a lawsuit to block its enforcement. The girls appeared in court in their soccer uniforms to ask the judge to let them play while the lawsuit against H.B. 1205 works its way through the court system.Although both her coach and administrators were supportive of Jacques playing on the team, the newly enacted law posed a risk of potential lawsuits if they allowed her to play. Jacques wrote her appeal on her own, drawing from Tirrell and Parkers case, with assistance from her older brother and an ACLU lawyer. According to the Boston Globe, the Kearsarge Regional school board voted 6-1 on August 29 to allow Jacques and other transgender girls to participate in school sports teams. The boards decision referenced Title IX and a state law prohibiting discrimination in public education.Jacques said that the decision was relieving most of all, to just not have to sit out, and to be able to help my team.Im feeling hopeful because I know so far the school board has had my back. And I know I have great teammates and supportive coaches, she said.Jacques said that when she received the news and immediately messaged her teams captains, who had been asking her daily about her return and any updates. Obviously, they were very excited as well.

In a truly pathetic attempt to reach out to the coveted Gen Z demographic, Robert D. Kennedy Jr. and social media celebrity Amber Rose have teamed up to make what will surely go down as MAGAs cringiest video outreach ever.One X user reposting the clip simply typed, No. Related MAGA pundit upset that queer slut Amber Rose called for unity & diversity at RNC Walsh feels Trump is a victim by having to listen to someone express support for him In the ill-fated attempt at cool (set in a kitchen), Rose asks Kennedy and an unidentified bystander, Hey guys, wanna shake? Dive deeper every day Join our newsletter for thought-provoking commentary that goes beyond the surface of LGBTQ+ issues Subscribe to our Newsletter today The two men respond by gyrating awkwardly, getting down to a scratchy beat Baauers 2012 song Harlem Shake for what seems like days. The Harlem Shake became a brief viral video trend in 2013.Rose finally throws up her hands and explains, Not that kind of shake! A healthy shake!The anti-vax nephew of President John F. Kennedy and his dancing partner reply, Ohhh! and the camera pans to a blender Rose has stuffed with vegetables with their labels still inexplicably attached.Rose then fondles a cucumber and adds it to the mix as laughter fills the room and a graphic pops up reading, Make America Healthy Again.Oh, no. RFK Jr and Amber Rose make cringe MAGA video. pic.twitter.com/RS2S42EyAy PatriotTakes (@patriottakes) September 8, 2024RFK Jr, a former environmental lawyer, dropped his own presidential bid in August to join the Trump campaign as a surrogate, with a vague promise from the Republican nominee to get a well-placed job in a hoped-for second Trump administration.Kennedy has since been mocked for chopping off a whales head and transporting the leaking remains on the roof of his car, being photographed posing with a barbequed dog, and dumping the body of a dead bear in New Yorks Central Park.Rosethe feminist founder of Slut Walk, an event promoting sex workers rightsshocked her fans in May when she endorsed the former president found liable for defamation and sexual abuse against writer E. Jean Carroll. Trump has a litany of other misogynistic actions, including the revelation in 2016 of his infamous grab em by the pussy admission to Access Hollywood TV host Billy Bush.Rose, the bisexual former girlfriend of Ye (formerly Kanye West), spoke at the Republican National Convention in July to dismal reviews from the far-right.Said far-right homophobe Matt Walsh, The RNC gives a primetime speaking slot to a pro-abortion feminist and self-proclaimed slut with a face tattoo whose only claim to fame is having sex with rappers. Truly an embarrassment. Not a single voter will be mobilized by this person.

I would like all of those who are cynical or fed up with the U.S. electoral system, where our options are either to vote for candidates from the two major political parties (Democrats or Republicans), to vote for candidates in the smaller parties who have little to no chance of winning nationwide, or not to vote at all, I was once where you are.I turned 21 years old on May 27, 1968, and was authorized to vote for the first time because, back then, the legal voting age was 21. However, at the age of 18, I, my friends, and classmates were old enough to be eligible to fight and die in Vietnam: a war that I actively protested and worked vigorously to bring to an end. Related White people must take responsibility for dismantling white supremacy in America They say the U.S. is a land of immigrants so why do whites act like they own the place? Many like me viewed the war as a blatantly criminal, illegal, and as an unjustified invasion and occupation that brought misery and death to our military and the people of North and South Vietnam. Dive deeper every day Join our newsletter for thought-provoking commentary that goes beyond the surface of LGBTQ+ issues Subscribe to our Newsletter today As an undergraduate student at San Jos State University until 1969, I joined the Students for a Democratic Society to oppose the war. I helped organize demonstrations and attended and led study groups and sit-ins while I also worked to improve conditions in student off-campus housing. I also joined in activities to challenge racism on our campus.Although I was interested in politics in high school, my deep political education took off in college. Looking back, I remember much more of what I learned outside the classroom than in my courses, for those were truly exciting and terrifying times of war, riots, and political assassinations.While we lauded President Lyndon B. Johnson on his courageous leadership into the realm of his domestic policiesespecially in his active and enthusiastic support for the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Actwe saw how his military ventures and missteps had torn the country apart. Moving into the political void left in the progressive wing of the Democratic Partyafter what we saw as Humphreys capitulation to his administrations disastrous hawkish military policiesa fresh and dynamic voice articulated the feelings and visions of a younger generation of concerned activists.Senator Eugene McCarthy of Minnesota courageously challenged a sitting president of his own party, and along the way, he captured our imagination, our hearts, and our minds.Running in the first state primary in New Hampshire that year, he garnered 42% to Johnsons 49% of the vote. Four days later, seeing that Johnson could possibly lose his small lead in the primaries, New York Senator Robert F. Kennedy threw his hat in the ring. Though I and many of my peers liked Kennedys politics, the timing of his entry into the primary process smelled of pure opportunism rather than of courage. And then we were all completely thunderstruck with surprise watching Johnson give a televised address on March 31, 1968, when he suddenly uttered from the Oval Office, I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your President.Less than one month later, on April 27, U.S. Sen. Hubert Humphrey Jr. of Minnesota announced his candidacy.Though Ive seen the Democratic Party place its metaphoric thumb on the scales in favor of Hillary Clinton and against the candidacy of Bernie Sanders in 2016, this pales in comparison to the heavy hand that party officials dumped on the scales to assure Hubert Humphreys nomination in 1968.Although my prefrerrd candidate, Eugene McCarthy, won by far the largest percentage of the popular vote in the Democratic general primariesapproximately 3 million or 38.7% to Humphreys 161 thousand or 2.1% in a crowded field of candidatesHumphrey didnt even bother to enter some of the state primaries. Nonetheless, party officials gave Humphrey the right to carry the Democratic banner as its presidential nominee. It did this byawardingHumphrey the vast majority of overall delegates in the non-primary states, thereby bringing him over the top in terms of the number of delegates needed. Talk about rigged elections!By the time the election came around in November, I was so angry and discouraged by the electoral political process, I decided that if I were going to maintain any sense of integrity and ethical standards, I could not and would not vote for anyone that year, even though I considered Humphrey the least reprehensible relative to Richard Nixon.The day before Election Day, two friends and I drove south down Highway 1, along the beautiful California coastline. We camped and played our acoustic guitars and violin beneath tall ancient redwood trees overlooking crashing waves at Big Sur. Two days later, as we returned to San Jos, by choice, we remained unaware of the election outcomes. At the time, I regretted nothing about my decision to opt out. I didnt even feel troubled by losing all the points on the surprise pop quiz given by the professor in my Music Conducting classmy integrity remained intact.Well, at least thats what I thought until I reflected on the potential consequences and the actual realities of a Nixon presidency.For a full five additional years, the body bags carrying the fallen continued to pile up. The people of Vietnam, combatants and civilians alike, continued suffering the horrors of incinerated flesh and scorched fields and forests from the massive airdrops of Agent Orange from U.S. bombers, increasing the already massive profits by Dow Chemical Company and other profiteering corporations. Race relations worsened, as did the already large gap between wages and the accumulated wealth of socioeconomic classes. Charges of corruption and bribery against Vice President Agnew (and his subsequent resignation from office) combined with Nixons involvement in Watergate and his eventual resignationfurther divided the country.So, in retrospect, I perennially ask myself the two-part question: By failing even to vote for the lesser of the two evils in 1968, did I really maintain my sense of integrity on the micro level, and did I serve the best interests of the country on the macro?Looking back now, I realize that in 1968 at the age of 21, I was functioning on a dualistic or binary cognitive developmental level. I perceived the world, people, and events as either good or bad, and I saw pragmatism as a form of surrender. Viewing both Humphrey and Nixon as bad, I could not honestly vote for either without surrendering my ideals and ethical standards. Using this event as a constant touchstone in my personal history, I now understand the cosmos more in its multiplicity, its nuance, along a continuum rather than as a binary. I also often consider pragmatism not so much as surrender, but more as compromise and as a necessary give and take in a democracy.The 2000 Presidential ElectionFor the cynics, I ask you to imagine the following scenario in a recent close presidential election. How history would have been different if Al Gore had won the 2000 presidential election over George W. Bush. Would we have invaded Iraq, what turned out as a misguided and disastrous venture that resulted in the death of over 4,000 U.S. military personnel and severe injuries to thousands more, and the expenditure of trillions of tax dollars wasted needlessly?Add to this the deaths and injuries to literally hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, plus the political destabilization of the entire Middle East, giving rise to radical terrorist groups, including those supported by Iran.At home under the Bush administration, we witnessed a gradual loosening of governmental regulations on Wall Street and the housing industry, which set the stage for the biggest downturn in domestic and international economies since the Great Depression. Consider where we would be and the different outcomes if Al Gore had defeated George W. Bush in the Electoral College count (though he did prevail in the overall number of individual votes), and Congress had significant Democratic majorities.Let us suppose that Gore, a high-profile climate activist, would have pushed Congress to develop green technologies at greater rates with substantial budgetary increases. He most likely would have advocated for retraining programs of workers in the mining and oil drilling industries whose jobs would change in the developing renewable energy economy.As a leader in these technologies, we could impact the world by sharing our advancements as other countries would share theirs with us. Possibly, we now would be living in a world in which we all would breathe a bit easier, drink cleaner water, and the weather extremes might not be as great as they are today. President Gore would also view reports from our intelligence agencies with an open mind, and not merely dismiss accounts that did not accord with his political agendas. He most likely would not have invaded Iraq as did the Bush II administration under the guise of confiscating Saddam Husseins weapons of mass destruction, which were never finally confirmed by intelligence information, both before and after the invasion.By not invading Iraq, Gore would have spared the lives of an estimated150,000 to 1,033,000 people, including more than 100,000 civilians, and thousands of U.S. and NATO military personnel. This does not include the many more who received serious injuries and those who took their own lives once they returned home.For those who are considering voting for a minor third-party candidate during the 2024 electionspresidential and down-ballotyou might want to consider the 2000 presidential election between Gore and Bush, and Green Party candidate, Ralph Nader. That year, many progressives wanted to vote for their preferred candidate, Nader, thereby, maintain their political values. On the other hand, many feared that by voting for Nader, people would in essence be casting their lot with Bush since Nader had as much chance of rising to the presidency as any individual does of purchasing a single ticket and winning a national MegaBucks lottery.As it turned out, Bush waschosenby the Supreme Court as the vote was so close, particularly in Florida, though Gore won the overall popular vote.So, I ask those who voted for Ralph Nader, or those who did not vote at all in 2000, did you really walk away with your integrity intact? Did your vote serve the best interests of the country? Now we stand within another crucial election year. For those who are considering not voting because you either dont believe your vote will matter, or because the candidates dont conform to your idea of a perfect political leader, or you are thinking about voting for a third-party candidate, think again!These very rationales in 2016, by a mere total of 80,000 people in three statesWisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania brought our nation to a crisis under the Trump administration resulting the frayed international alliances, needless deaths during the COVID pandemic due to the lies and inaction by the Trump administration, and the stripping of reproductive rights and voting rights, the dehumanization of immigrants from our southern border, the vilification of transgender people, reversals on clean energy sources, giant tax breaks for the super-rich, and presidential scandal upon scandal that by now, it is often difficult to comprehend the enormity of corruption and sexual assault.Oh, yes. Let us not forget the insurrection and attempted coup on January 6, 2021. So, for anyone thinking of not voting or voting for a third-party candidate this year, I would simply repeat what Sarah Silverman said to the lost Bernie Sanders campaign supporters at the Democratic Presidential Convention in 2016 who promised they would not vote for Hillary Clinton: Youre being ridiculous!Kamala Harris and her vice-presidential running mate, Tim Walz, are good people who are genuinely fighting to work for the majority of people in the United States. No, they are not perfect human beings, but none of us are. They might not absolutely align with all of your values or policy agendas.For example, I disagree with Harris who does not advocate for a single-payer health system and who will continue the practice of fracking, which I oppose. But I am voting for the Harris-Walz ticket because I trust them, and I know they will model a positive force for our nation and nations throughout the world.And I agree with Kamala that We are not going back!

Bostons only lesbian bar has finally opened its doors. After decades of having no lesbian bar to call its own, Danis Queer Bar announced via a post on Instagram that they were open for business starting Thursday, September 12, from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Related Chappell Roan dominated the VMAs. Here are her 5 top moments. From the red carpet to the stage, Chappell Roan was the center of attention last night. The bars opening has been highly anticipated since last spring, when the bar posted, excited to share the transformation of this extremely old space into something new! Stay connected to your community Connect with the issues and events that impact your community at home and beyond by subscribing to our newsletter. Subscribe to our Newsletter today In an update shared on Instagram in July, manager Thais Rocha said that while the bar is ready to go, ongoing delays caused by their architect have kept the doors closed.Hes kind of held us hostage in terms of what we need to move forward with all of our final permitting and things like that to get open, Rocha said in the video. Its been a lot of back-and-forth, so hopefully were able to wrap that up soon.Rocha has been chronicling the bars opening on Instagram, sharing renovation updates as well as events the bar has held in other queer spaces, such as OKeeffes, a neighboring restaurant. Danis Queer Bar says that its core audience is Queer, Sapphic Women, Trans and Non-Binary members of the LGBTQ+ Community in Boston. Danis Queer Bar hosts weekly events, from drag shows to emo dance parties, that showcase Bostons queer culture and allow everyone to be their true and honest selves.Rocha has been curating queer events in Boston, including Sapphic Nights. The website states that Rocha started Danis because the events had spent years moving from one borrowed space to another, and never feeling truly at home.It was time for a change, so there it was.. the dream of a lesbian bar in Boston was born.Being lifelong Bostonians, weve witnessed our city evolve and grow and we felt it was important for our community to be part of that evolution, Danis website further states. And why the name Dani? Rocha named the bar after her dog, Dani, in the most lesbian fashion!For queer Bostonians who want to check it out, the bar is right across from Hynes Convention Center at 909 Boylston Street, and its opening hours are Monday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.

A new study out of Sweden appears to show a link between taking testosterone as part of gender-affirming care with changes in the immune systems of transgender men.As Scientific American reported, scientists studied a small group of 23 transgender men between the ages of 18 and 37 over the course of 12 months. Their goal was to see how taking testosterone would affect participants vulnerability to viral infections and autoimmune diseases, which have been shown to differ in men and women. As the outlet notes, men tend to be more vulnerable to viral infections, while women are more prone to autoimmune diseases, though it is unclear whether genetics, hormones, or other factors account for that difference. Related Senators ask Biden officials to remove barriers to testosterone access Testosterone is currently classified as a Schedule III controlled substance, which makes it harder to obtain. As part of the Swedish study, researchers took blood samples from all 23 trans men before they started gender-affirming hormone therapy. After three months on testosterone, a second blood sample showed that most of the participants testosterone levels were comparable to those of cisgender men and that their estradiol and progesterone levels had decreased. Stay connected to your community Connect with the issues and events that impact your community at home and beyond by subscribing to our newsletter. Subscribe to our Newsletter today A third blood sample taken after 12 months on testosterone showed a decrease in an immune response involving type I interferon, a protein the body uses to fight viral infections, and an increase in a signaling pathway involving tumor necrosis factor, which is involved in fighting bacterial infections through inflammation, according to Scientific American.Researchers also took blood samples from cisgender female donors and exposed them to either testosterone or an estrogen blocker. They found that testosterone appeared to be directly involved in an increase in the tumor necrosis factor response similar to what was shown in the trans mens blood samples after 12 months. They also found that testosterone also affected the type I interferon response but noted that previous studies have suggested that estrogen may also be involved.Essentially, the results of the study, published earlier this month in the journal Nature, suggest that taking testosterone may make people more vulnerable to viral infections while increasing their bodies ability to fight off bacterial infections. However, the studys authors urged caution. We cant say that these individuals are now more susceptible to any infection, and so on, but what we can say is that their immune profiles do alter or change in a way that is more similar to [cisgender] men, co-author Petter Brodin, a professor of pediatric immunology at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, told Scientific American.Dawn Newcomb, an assistant professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, who was not involved in the research, noted the studys small sample size and added that sex hormones are likely one mechanismnot the only mechanismat play.Nils Landegren, an assistant professor at Uppsala University in Sweden who co-authored the study, cautioned against drawing conclusions about the risks of gender-affirming hormone therapy for transgender men without further information about actual disease outcomes. We will need much larger numbers and longer follow-up, he said.We should just urge caution for people taking hormone therapies for any purpose, Brodin said, and make sure that we follow up to see that there are no health consequences that we dont intend.

A breastfeeding expert from Australia is facing legal action after she posted on social media saying that trans women cannot breastfeed, calling attempts to breastfeed a dangerous fetish.Jasmine Sussexis being taken to Queenslands Civil and Administrative Tribunal by a trans mother, Jennifer Buckley, after saying that the mother had a fetish and that trans women breastfeeding was experimental. Related Parents concerns about reproduction affect responses to their own kids coming out Parents often want grandkids, but that can affect their reactions when their own kids come out as gay or bisexual. Buckley and her wife got pregnant in 2019 using IVF after Buckley began her transition. While her wife was 28 weeks pregnant, Buckleys endocrinologist asked her whether she also wanted to breastfeed. Global perspectives delivered right to your inbox Our newsletter bridges borders to bring you LGBTQ+ news from around the world. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Buckley began taking hormones to stimulate milk production as her wife prepared to give birth so she could breastfeed her child as well. She documented the journey on Facebook: For the past six weeks I have been taking a drug called domperidone to increase prolactin in an attempt to be able to produce breast milk so that I can have the experience of breastfeeding.When she posted photos of herself online, she received waves of comments condemning her, including from Sussex.This is Buckleys delusional queer theory take on his experience breastfeeding,' she wrote.Sussex previously worked at the Australian Breastfeeding Association. She was fired in 2021 from her role as volunteer breastfeeding counselor because she refused to use gender-neutral language.In November of last year, the Queensland Human Rights Commissionnotified Sussex that they were investigating a complaint from Ms Buckley alleging vilification. Ms. Buckley, who referred to herself as a loving mother of a beautiful little boy, told the Saturday Herald Sun that her wife had encouraged her to attempt breastfeeding after receiving guidance from her endocrinologist.She explained that she was informed it was no different from inducing lactation in non-pregnant mothers or mothers who are not producing sufficient milk.For the past three years, Jasmine has repeatedly made public statements about me and my family that are harmful, hurtful, and untrue, she added.According to the International Breastfeeding Journal, Lactation induction protocols commonly used for cisgender women are also effective in transgender women, and though the amount of milk produced is insufficient as the sole source of milk, nevertheless, the success of induced lactation may be attributed to parent-infant bonding.

Young people are listening. Ive heard many people underplay the dangers of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, citing that its just politics or these candidates are just trying to fire up the base. They say that the Supreme Court will never overturn Obergefell vs. Hodges (the landmark Supreme Court cases which solidified marriage equality in all 50 states), even when at least one Justice has explicitly named Obergefell as a decision that should be revisited.This year weve seen a record number of anti-LGBTQ+ laws that are targeting young people. Even though The Trevor community has been instrumental in stopping the vast majority of harmful bills, just their introduction and the toxic discourse that follows can cause harm to LGBTQ+ youth mental health.Anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and legislative action have a profound impact on the mental health of LGBTQ+ young people. Nearly 2 in 3 LGBTQ+ young people said that hearing about potential state or local laws banning people from discussing LGBTQ+ people at school made their mental health a lot worse. When 41% of LGBTQ+ youth have seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year and young people who are transgender, nonbinary, and/or people of color reported higher rates than their peers, people with a public platform have a responsibility. This is an uphill battle, but The Trevor Projects team of advocates work hard to protect LGBTQ+ young people every day. In the meantime, what can we do as allies to support LGBTQ+ young people during election season?The best way to support these youth is to ensure that these politicians dont get into positions of authority. In 2024, 617 anti-LGBTQ+ laws were introduced, with 38 passed into law. With the election coming up, its more important than ever to elect candidates who wont play politics with young lives. Do your research about the people on your ballots. When anti-LGBTQ+ candidates are defeated in elections, it shows young people that they have allies who will advocate for them let them know they matter with your vote and your voice.If you cant vote or if youre a young person who wants to advocate for yourself, theres still a lot you can do. Talk to your parents. Call your aunt. Call your neighbor. Tell them that when anti-LGBTQ+ politicians get into power, they make life harder for you and the people you love.Making young people feel safe during an election in which they have been targeted by candidates also means ensuring they feel loved no matter the outcome. When there are negative comments about the LGBTQ+ community, its important to remind young people in your life that they deserve to be loved for who they are. Continue to affirm them and let them know these harmful words arent true and arent how you feel.People often feel pressure to have a perfect affirming conversation. But it can be as simple as letting them know you are a safe person who sees them and holds space for them. As always, let them know that resources like the Trevor Project exist to support all LGBTQ+ young people day and night, not just for when theyre in crisis, but to talk through all sorts of things, even the impact of political discourse during the election season.Its also important to educate yourself about LGBTQ+ issues. Start by reading our Trevor Project guides to familiarize yourself with how to approach LGBTQ+ mental health or sexual orientation; knowing how to have affirming conversations can help combat a political climate that can be dangerous for LGBTQ+ young people. Remember that affirmation from people closest to them is extremely impactful: LGBTQ+ young people who reported feeling accepted by the adults in their lives typically had more than 40% lower odds of attempting suicide in the past year.Elections have consequences, and when anti-LGBTQ+ politicians get into power, they debate or pass laws that tell our kids that their existence isnt valid. Young LGBTQ+ people just want to be known and loved, and growing up is hard enough. As we vote, we have the power to show that harmful words (and laws) have consequences. In the meantime, we need to do everything we can to support the mental health of LGBTQ+ young people through affirmation, resources, and advocacy.In the meantime, the best thing we can do is make sure we are making our voice heard at the ballot box:Register to Vote or Check Your Registration Status:Visit Vote.org for registration and status checks.Voting Options:By Mail: Check deadlines and procedures for mail-in ballots at Vote.org.In-Person: Find polling place information at Vote.org.Prepare for Barriers:Voter ID Requirements: Determine if your state requires voter ID at HeadCount.Addressing Specific Challenges: Transgender and nonbinary voters may face issues like discrepancies between ID details and voter registration. Ensure all documents match your registration and review this checklist.Need Help?: If you face any voting issues or need assistance, call 866-OUR-VOTE.Make a Plan to Vote:Decide your voting day and time.If voting by mail, plan when to submit your ballot.Arrange transportation or adjust your schedule as needed.If You Cant Vote: Even if youre not eligible to vote, you can still contribute by sharing your experiences and encouraging others to vote. Your voice and advocacy are vital for shaping our future. Stay informed and preparedlets make an impact together!The post How to Support LGBTQ+ Young People Ahead of the 2024 Election appeared first on The Trevor Project.

By: Gabriella Potter (they/them), Crisis Services Digital SupervisorIn my work as a Crisis Services Digital Supervisor at The Trevor Project, I hear from young bi people everyday about the challenges and fears they face because of the stigma around bisexuality. Thats why we created, How To Support Bisexual Youth: Ways to Care for Young People Who Are Attracted to More Than One Gender. We know how important it is to provide resources for those who want to support the bi young people in their lives, as well as affirm and uplift bisexuality as a valid identity for bi young people themselves.Bi Awareness Week is a celebration of what it means to experience attraction to people of more than one gender. It is also a reminder to us all about the amazing diversity of language that bi people use to describe their sexualities. In a world that often invalidates, erases, and harms people for multi-gender attraction, Bi Awareness Week highlights the need for resources that will help educate the larger population about what advocating for a safer, more inclusive world for bi people means.As someone who identifies as bi and queer, I know that the bi community is incredibly vast. In fact, bisexual young people comprise 75% of those who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual in the CDCs 2019 YRBSS study. Despite the numbers, we still see a distinct erasure of bisexuality. With this erasure being so prevalent, identifying as bisexual can be an act of reclamation and power.Bi Awareness Week aligns with Celebrate Bisexuality Day, also known as Bi Visibility Day. Visibility is a complex topic for many; often those who are most visible in our world are subjected to higher rates of harm and have less access to safety, which is absolutely unacceptable. Visibility can also mean that young people get to see their identities reflected back to them. Being able to see bi people living their lives, finding joy, and making the world a more diverse and beautiful place can be so powerful for young people to see. It is empowering to see successful pathways and possibilities for ourselves, which can show young people that they are capable of accomplishing anything.The Trevor Project also wants to contribute to increased visibility of the bi community, and celebrate the identities and experiences of our staff members who are attracted to people of more than one gender. Looking for more ways to support LGBTQ+ young people? Read and share:The Trevor Projects How to Support Bisexual Youth: Ways to Care for Young People Who Are Attracted to More Than One GenderThe Trevor Projects Guide to Being an Ally to Transgender and Nonbinary YouthThe Trevor Projects Coming Out: A Handbook for LGBTQ+ Young PeopleThe post Commemorating Bi Awareness Week appeared first on The Trevor Project.

The Trevor Project caught up with Joshua Croke (they/them), the President and Co-Founder of Love Your Labels. The organization is based in central Massachusetts, and its mission is to support LGBTQ+ youth through art, fashion, and design, while working with families and communities to create inclusive and loving space everywhere. Love Your Labelss upcoming event, Queer AF, takes place on September 6, 2024, in Massachusetts.Tell us about Love Your Labels and how you positively impact the mental health of LGBTQ+ young people in MA.Thanks to the research of The Trevor Project, Love Your Labels knows the impact of having affirming adults in the lives of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth. Our organization fiercely advocates for youth by using art, fashion, and design programming to build community with and provide support for 2SLGBTQIA+ young people and create inclusive and loving spaces everywhere.Our Threads Youth Fashion program for high school-age youth uses fashion design and sewing skills education to talk about expression, identity, gender, and more, creating an inclusive and loving space where youth are affirmed as they explore and come into their own identities. When we feel pressured by outside influences like society and the media to dress a certain way, clothes can make us feel very dysphoric. On the other hand, clothing can feel incredibly affirming and joyful when were able to express ourselves in the way we want.Our Threads program helps provide some tools for students to create their own garments to express themselves in the way that feels best, which can go a long way in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.Queer AF sounds like a great way to build and find community. What inspired you to create the annual event?Queer AF was the first fundraising event we held as an organization and it came out of a desire to create a fun and accessible event that uplifted and amplified queer and trans folks in the community. Seeing queer and trans adults living joyful lives in an affirming community can be transformative for people navigating their own journey at any age.Queer AF is about queer joy and providing opportunities for folks to walk proudly as themselves. Our community modeling program means that many of our models have never walked a runway before, some saying theyve been told either directly or by false mainstream standards of beauty that it isnt a place for them. Our runway is for everybody, and weve had so many stories from folks who have said that experience helped them come out, gave them the confidence to do drag, or provided an opportunity to have a conversation with their child.The growth of the event, from 100 guests the first year to over 700 in 2023, has been a true testament to the power of community. And the fact its currently our largest fundraiser for our youth programs is really an incredible icing on a pretty fabulous cake.How does Queer AF support the LGBTQ+ young people in your area?Queer AF is our largest fundraiser for Love Your Labels, but it also gives students of our Threads Program and youth in the community opportunities to connect with each other, model in the show, and some former students even participate as featured designers in the show alongside designers who are more advanced in their careers and have appeared on shows like Project Runway.This year our show is 13+, including a free youth section for 13- to 17-year-old youth. I cant imagine the impact of being that age, walking into a historic venue like Mechanics Hall, and seeing 700 queer people and the people who love them celebrating our identities and community it still makes me emotional every year. The queer joy is palpable.What are your goals with the Banned Books Drag Looks campaign? How do you hope the campaign impacts LGBTQ+ young people?This year, our Queer AF theme is #WithTheBanned. While this event is centered and rooted in queer joy and celebration, we must also take a stand against the rise of book and drag bans and efforts to erase queer and trans stories from our schools, our media, and our laws. Our #BannedBookDragLook campaign was inspired by this theme.The art of drag is a powerful medium that so many follow and engage in, and were hoping more folks can bring visibility to book-banning efforts through this creative medium, tell their followers what is going on across the country, and share how people can get involved to fight back against this hate.What message of hope and inspiration do you have for LGBTQ+ young people?My message of hope to queer and trans young people is that we can create our own worlds within this one that celebrate, love, and affirm who we are. Its not always easy and its not always as accessible as we want it to be in our present moment, but building and stepping further into that world is worth everything there is so much joy and boundless love for you in these worlds we can create together. My message of hopeful inspiration is to stay informed, find joy in the advocacy we have to do together, and pursue your passions fiercely. Onward!The post Love Your Labels: Affirming LGBTQ+ Youth Through Fashion appeared first on The Trevor Project.

Content Warning/Authors Note: My story is rooted in my lived experience as a survivor of multiple forms of sexual violence and suicidal ideation. Everyone living with C-PTSD has an entirely different story. In reflecting on my personal narrative, I use she/her pronouns to describe my childhood self, but I currently use they/them pronouns to describe myself in the present and future tense.I remember the feeling of my childhood carpet on my back as I stared at the ceiling for hours. At fourteen years old, I scribbled manic notes in my journal about not wanting to be alive, and ate vanilla ice cream on the floor in a catatonic state.Yesterday was Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) Awareness Day. As we honor and spread awareness of C-PTSD, I cling tightly to the ways in which my younger self followed her wisdom to stay alive in the face of multiple traumas that she didnt think she would survive.I grew up with an innate sense that I did not belong in the world, which was reaffirmed in my mind by my home environment, anti-LGBTQ politics, bullying and internet harassment, and multiple acts of sexual violence that exacerbated the depression that I live with. I tried many cries for help, including physically harming my body but I didnt feel heard by my parents or the adults in my life. It felt like my pain was thrown into the ether. Like many LGBTQ+ young people, I saw suicide as my only way out of a misunderstood hopelessness. Still, I clung to the hope that someday I would understand what this was all for.As a queer and nonbinary young person, I struggled to find the right therapist, diagnosis, and medications that kept me healthy and stable. Despite being successful at school and accomplishing things to make my parents proud, I felt like I didnt know who I was; masking my emotions to keep everyone around me happy. I dealt with eating disorders, self-harm, and suicidal ideation and didnt know why.I didnt receive a C-PTSD diagnosis until I was 25 and started working with the therapist who saved my life by recognizing my childhood self as part of me. Complex post traumatic stress disorder can happen as a result of chronic, or compounded trauma, violence, or stress. For me, it was the result of prolonged sexual violence, harrassment, and exploitation. It was everything, everywhere, all at once. It was the divorce in my childhood, the feeling of chronic abandonment, the vandalism of my locker on my birthday, the sexual assault behind my high school, being outed, the ways in which all my friends forgot about me, and on, and on, and onIn a recent conversation with my therapist, I divulged that Ive been clinging to hope since I was ten years old. Ten year olds shouldnt be finding reasons to cling to hope, I say.They do when theyve experienced really bad stuff, my therapist responds.The traumas that I have lived through were real and fundamentally changed the way that my brain works. As a result of chronic trauma, my entire nervous system was dysregulated for most of my life. It has made me interesting, empathetic, neurospicy, and passionate about creating a better world. But it has also left me feeling unworthy; deeply sad, anxious, healing, and hungry for safety. It has made relationships hard, but it has made me work harder to find the joy that is rightfully mine. Because all of these parts of me are equally valuable and deserve to show up. And the unique parts of you deserve to show up, too.When I think about my high school self, I think of Nex Benedict and Leelah Alcorn. I think of the beautiful LGBTQ+ young people taken too soon, and the safer world that we can create in their honor.In our 2024 U.S. National Survey, 70% of queer young people reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety and 55% reported symptoms of depression. This number increases for nonbinary young people like me. These numbers remind me that we are not alone and we need change. We need structural, cultural, and policy reform to prevent the factors that lead to complex post traumatic stress for LGBTQ+ young people to fester. We need necessary rules like Title IX protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity, to prevent discrimination against students in schools. Because if I felt safer in school as an LGBTQ+ young person, I would have felt more empowered to speak out and seek professional help from my administrators.And when bad stuff does happen, we need equitable access to accessible, affirming, affordable, comprehensive, mental health care to treat and heal our brains and bodies. Because mental health is a human right. Our National Survey also showed that 50% of LGBTQ+ young people who wanted mental health care in the past year were not able to get it. Receiving specialized care when youre struggling is lifesaving; all LGBTQ+ young people deserve this.As a twenty-seven year old living with C-PTSD, I do everything on behalf of my childhood self who didnt feel seen, heard, or understood. If youre feeling that way, know that there is an adult out there who survived and is championing you to survive, too. Grant yourself the hope to cling to light in the darkness. The world deserves to have you in it; you deserve to be here. Thats why The Trevor Project is always here for you, 24/7, free and secure. You can call us anytime at 1-866-488-7386, text START to 678-678, or visit trvr.org/get-help to speak to our counselors. There is no shame in reaching out for help. Doing so saved my life.Leah Juliett is the Sr. Associate, Social Media Community Engagement at The Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention and mental health organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ+) young people.The post Clinging to Hope: Honoring C-PTSD Awareness Day appeared first on The Trevor Project.

The Helmsley Charitable Trust awards first-of-its-kind $5 million grant to The Trevor Project to launch LGBTQ+ youth mental health awareness campaign across rural AmericaSeptember 3, 2024 Today, The Trevor Project and The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust announced that theyre joining forces to support the mental health of LGBTQ+ young people across rural America. Through a $5 million grant from the Helmsley Charitable Trust, the two organizations will develop a targeted multimedia campaign to raise awareness of the public health crisis of LGBTQ+ youth suicide.It is estimated that every 45 seconds, at least one LGBTQ+ young person in the United States attempts to take their own life. The multimedia campaign will shed light on the issue, connect young people with the crisis care they need, and encourage everyone to do their part to combat this undeniable crisis.No one should feel isolated simply because of who they are, yet the LGBTQ+ community is too often met with hostility, said Walter Panzirer (he/him), Trustee at The Helmsley Charitable Trust.Protecting the lives of young people should not be viewed as political or controversial; it should be something that we all support, Panzirer said. I look forward to collaborating with The Trevor Project to spread awareness of the serious challenges LGBTQ+ youth face and let them know that help, support and resources are available to help them thrive.The grant will fund public service announcements, social media blasts and traditional advertising, initially in the states supported by Helmsleys Rural Healthcare Program Hawaii, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. The funding will also provide The Trevor Projects public training team with the resources needed to deliver 50 trainings to youth-serving organizations in Helmsleys nine-state rural footprint, building LGBTQ+ cultural competency among youth-serving adults. These trainings will be orchestrated in the counties and regions that report higher rates of suicide among young people.We are thrilled to partner with The Helmsley Charitable Trust on this critical endeavor to support the mental health of LGBTQ+ young people in rural regions at a time when they may need it most, said Jaymes Black (they/she/he), Chief Executive Officer at The Trevor Project. The Trevor Projects research has consistently shown that LGBTQ+ young people are at higher risk for suicide compared to their peers, and we have a lot of work to do to connect them with the support they need. This work is especially crucial as we consider the unique barriers that exist for young people in many communities across the nine states. Together, we look forward to decreasing stigma, educating youth-serving adults, and making it possible for LGBTQ+ young people to lead the happy, fulfilling lives they deserve.LGBTQ+ young people are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide compared to their peers, and The Trevor Projects National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People by State found this crisis is particularly severe in rural America. In Montana, 55 percent of LGBTQ+ youth considered suicide in the past year, compared to 45 percent nationwide. In South Dakota, 19 percent of LGBTQ+ young people attempted suicide in the past year, compared to 14 percent nationwide.Access to mental health care remains a considerable barrier for LGBTQ+ young people in rural areas. For example, 72 percent of LGBTQ+ youth surveyed in Nevada and 62 percent in North Dakota said they wanted mental health care in the past year and were not able to get it, compared to 60 percent nationally.The multipronged campaign will spread awareness of these suicide risk disparities by amplifying the stories of real LGBTQ+ youth, helping them destigmatize their identities and encouraging help-seeking behaviors. Initially, the campaign will feature The Trevor Projects video series, Learn with Love and Sharing Space, marketing them directly toward individuals in the selected states. In a second phase, new videos will be created to further elevate the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ youth in rural communities.The campaign will launch in 2025.About The Trevor ProjectThe Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people. Trevor offers 24/7 crisis services, connecting highly trained counselors with LGBTQ+ young people whenever they need support. To drive prevention efforts, The Trevor Project also operates robust research, advocacy, education, and peer support programs. The Trevor Project envisions a world where all LGBTQ+ young people feel safe, seen, and accepted exactly as they are.About The Helmsley Charitable TrustThe Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust aspires to improve lives by supporting exceptional efforts in the U.S. and around the world in health and select place-based initiatives. Since beginning active grant making in 2008, Helmsley has committed more than $4.5 billion for a wide range of charitable purposes. Helmsleys Rural Healthcare Program funds innovative projects that use information technologies to connect rural patients to emergency medical care, bring the latest medical therapies to patients in remote areas, and provide state-of-the-art training for rural hospitals and EMS personnel. To date, this program has awarded more than $700 million to organizations and initiatives in the states of Hawaii, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and two U.S. Pacific territories. For more information, visit helmsleytrust.org.If you or someone you know needs help or support, The Trevor Projects trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386, via chat at TheTrevorProject.org/Get-Help, or by texting START to 678678.The post The Trevor Project and The Helmsley Charitable Trust Team Up to Support LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health appeared first on The Trevor Project.

Dear Trevor Community,Heading back to school can be an exciting time. As a parent, I know well the anticipation of new teachers, the joy of buying school supplies, and the prospect of new and old friends. I also know as an LGBTQ+ person that heading back to school can bring more than excitement it can bring new and old anxieties.At this time of year at The Trevor Project, our Crisis Counselors hear from LGBTQ+ young people who have challenging experiences at school. As a parent and LGBTQ+ person, I want nothing more than to support young people in educational settings because I know how difficult it can be.In the 90s, high school classmates called me gay before I even knew what it meant. After being outed, rejected, and bullied, I made the difficult decision to drop out of school, and for years after I had to fight to simply survive including finding a place to sleep.Weve made progress since I was an LGBTQ+ young person, but these challenges remain. LGBTQ+ young people report a number of negative experiences that happen to them at school, including verbal harassment, physical attacks, leaving a school because of the severity of mistreatment, and more. Thats why The Trevor Project is here for every young person, day or night.So as we enjoy going back to school, remember that we at The Trevor Project are always in your back pocket for the difficult moments, and no problem is too small for our trained crisis counselors to be there to listen. Together we can create a brighter future for all LGBTQ+ young people.Jaymes Black(they/she/he)CEOThe Trevor ProjectThe post A Back-to-School Message from Trevors CEO appeared first on The Trevor Project.

Tanner Mobley (he/him) Advocacy Associate, Conversion TherapyAs Advocacy Campaigns Associate at The Trevor Project, Im thrilled to share a major victory from our Advocacy Teams efforts. Over the past several years, Ive been part of an incredible team working tirelessly to get Pennsylvanias regulatory boards to adopt statements-of-policy against conversion therapy dangerous and discredited practices that attempt to change a persons LGBTQ+ identity. I want to take you behind the scenes and show you how we turned our vision into a powerful reality.The Urgent Need for ChangeOur drive to end conversion therapy in Pennsylvania was fueled by some eye-opening statistics. The Trevor Projects 2022 National Survey revealed that 5% of LGBTQ young people in Pennsylvania had experienced conversion therapy, and another 11% had been threatened with it. Even more concerning, 15% of LGBTQ young people nationally who needed mental health care but didnt receive it last year cited fear of conversion therapy as a major barrier.Our Its Still Happening Report also uncovered that Pennsylvania had the highest number of licensed practitioners linked to conversion therapy in the country. We identified at least 88 providers with active licenses who supported or practiced these harmful methods, or were part of referral networks perpetuating them. These figures made it clear that urgent regulatory action was needed.A Unified Effort: From Vision to RealityOur efforts in Pennsylvania started with a decisive executive order by former Governor Wolf that banned state funds from being used for conversion therapy. This was a crucial step, but we knew there was more work to be done to protect LGBTQ+ youth comprehensively.Turning this vision into reality wasnt easy. We gathered powerful evidence, including survivor testimonies and data on the severe harm caused by conversion therapy. Collaborating with LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, mental health professionals, and legal experts, we built a coalition dedicated to making change happen.Engaging with Pennsylvanias regulatory boards required a lot of strategic effort. We worked with key stakeholders, presenting them with compelling data and heartbreaking survivor stories that illustrated the true impact of conversion therapy.One of the most moving moments came when Dr. Mark Woodland, Chair of the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine, shared his personal experience as a survivor of conversion therapy. His heartfelt testimony added a deeply personal touch, highlighting the lasting trauma inflicted by these practices. Seeing the board members agree and vote in favor of our proposed policies was a powerful moment of validation for all our hard work.Victory! PAs Licensing Boards Adopt Policies on Conversion TherapyOur efforts culminated in a major victory: all five of Pennsylvanias regulatory boards Medicine, Osteopathy, Nursing, Social Workers, and Psychology adopted comprehensive statements-of-policy against conversion therapy. This was a monumental step, signaling that Pennsylvania stands firmly against these harmful practices. With this achievement, Pennsylvania became the 28th state, in addition to Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, to protect minors from conversion therapy. It was a long-awaited win, made even more significant following former Governor Wolfs executive order banning state funds for conversion therapy.A Night of Queer Joy and Celebration at the Governors ResidenceTo celebrate this victory, we held an unforgettable Pride event at the Governors residence. Standing alongside fellow advocates, survivors, and allies, I felt an immense sense of accomplishment and community. The evening was filled with joy, hope, and renewed purpose. We even had the first-ever Drag Queen performance at the Governors Residence, adding to the electric atmosphere of love and celebration.Governor Shapiros speech was a poignant reminder of the impact of our work. His words underscored the importance of advocacy and the change weve achieved. Were incredibly grateful for his support and tireless advocacy. A huge thank you also goes to the Pennsylvania Psychological Association and NASW-PA for their crucial roles in this success. Their dedication was key to our achievement.The Work ContinuesWhile we celebrate this victory, our work is far from over. The policies weve implemented in Pennsylvania serve as a model for other states. Moving forward, well continue to support survivors, monitor policy enforcement, and push for similar measures nationwide.This experience has been one of the most rewarding of my career at The Trevor Project. Its a testament to the power of advocacy, collaboration, and unwavering commitment to justice. Knowing that our efforts are helping to create a safer, more inclusive world for LGBTQ+ youth fills me with both pride and a deep sense of responsibility. As we continue this vital work, Im filled with hope and determination, striving to ensure that every LGBTQ+ young person can live authentically and without fear. This cause is deeply personal to me, and its what drives me every day to push for change and to stand up for those who need it most.The post A Mental Health Victory: Pennsylvanias Historic Ban on Conversion Therapy appeared first on The Trevor Project.

On the outside, Meg LeFauve may look like a calm, cool, and oh-so-professional screenwriter, but on the inside, shes a world class worrier. From an early age, Meg learned to deal with her worries by telling stories, but the idea of becoming a screenwriter in Hollywood was too overwhelming, so she took a detour and became a film producer. Meg was lucky enough to start her career as an executive and producer at Jodie Fosters Egg Pictures, where she spent 10 years learning from the best, and was nominated for an Emmy, a Golden Globe and won a Peabody Awardnone of which allayed her worries. So she decided to face her fear of the blank page and declared herself a screenwriter. As a writer, her fears were indeed realized with beginner drafts and anxious nights, but she also found that joy had entered the equation.Meg set Pixar, the place with the best storytellers in the business, as her beacon, and she got her chance to write with Pete Docter on the first Inside Out, for which she garnered an Oscar nomination for best original screenplay and an Annie Award. She went on to write Pixars The Good Dinosaur, which was nominated for a Golden Globe, and is thrilled to be back for Inside Out 2. She is also grateful to have worked with incredible fellow artists on Marvels Captain Marvel and Cartoon Saloons My Fathers Dragon for Netflix.Meg is currently writing with her husband, Joe Forte, and, after 30 years of navigating the business as individual filmmakers, writing together feels like finally coming home. Meg also finds her joy in travel, collecting weird rocks, and speaking with young artists on her podcast, The Screenwriting Life to lead the next generation of worriers toward their stories.Written by Ryan Bernsten (he/him), Director, Editorial & CopyRYAN:I was extremely touched by this film. I actually saw it two times in one week and I realized this is a perfect film for our Trevor audience to see. I love how you take abstract ideas like how memories form beliefs, which then form a sense of self. Tell me about what youve learned about young peoples sense of self, and what you think a healthy one looks like.MEG:The director, Kelsey Mann, wanted to do a movie about anxiety and how it arrives at that age. Its really that moment when your idea of the world and yourself switches. You become very self-aware and self-conscious. Before this, you lived your life not understanding that other people were looking at you, judging you. You just loved your parents, your parents loved you, and suddenly you became a teenager and all these new emotions arise. As we explored Anxiety the character, we realized that so much of that anxiety is questioning your sense of who you are and shifting from internal to external. And, as a parent, you cant control what your childs sense of self is. Its theirs. Meaning as a parent, sometimes you dont want them to see all those negative things about themselves. But that is a part of growing up. That is a part of knowing yourself, which is so, so important. So we worked really hard to figure out how to communicate that in metaphor with this physical, physical possession of the sense of self. And what I really related to, especially as a woman, is that so much of the external stimulus coming at us from our culture, from our friends, is a need for perfection and its not possible and its not even wanted, in my opinion. Great art comes from failure and imperfection, and your humanity is in there. Your connection to other people is in all of the, shall we say, rougher stuff. And thats what it means to be human. And for me, the most powerful moment in the film is when they all embrace her sense of self. Because you just have to know yourself and love yourself no matter what is coming up, no matter whats happening. So that compassion, that self-compassion as it relates to the sense of self, I think, takes on an incredibly powerful role.I also think theres a deeper question being asked in the film that a lot of people arent talking about, which is, you know, the sense of self as were portraying it, is created from the belief system, which the other writer, Dave Holstein, was very key in helping us figure out how to do that. So what that means is you can ask the question about your own beliefs. Is that true? Youve unconsciously decided who you are or youre deciding who you are. People are telling you who you are. Youve had experiences that you think determine who you are. And sometimes thats true. Sometimes its not true. So it kind of puts the teenager back as it should be, in the drivers seat of themselves and their sense of self, that they have the power.So, for example, thinking, Im not enough. Well, is that true? It may feel that way right now. Youre having that experience. But is that who you are? You have the power to ask those questions. Its a life journey to always be asking yourself, catch yourself with those beliefs and ask, is that true?RYAN:I also love this idea that beliefs are based on memories, but core beliefs sprout from maybe one out of thousands of memories. And some of those memories get sent to the back of mind and forgotten, as we see in the film. We dont actually tell ourselves the whole story.MEG:Listen, Anxiety is fun and she takes up a lot of great discussion around the film. But I agree with you, theres a deeper thing happening in terms of those memories. That memory might have been one moment, right? And it might have just been a moment that doesnt define you, but for some reason your brain maybe because of survival instinct has decided it is you.And I do believe its all about trying to protect you, even unconsciously. It doesnt mean to hurt you with anxiety or which beliefs are being chosen. But always you have the ability to know yourself and ask yourself about it. Okay, that was a memory. That did happen. It was upsetting. I failed that test. But does that mean Im a failure? Does that mean that every test I take will be a failure? Maybe it was that subject. Maybe it was that day. Maybe I had a fight with my mom before the test. Theres a kind of self-knowledge. You know, I went to Greece and we visited the oldest tomb they could find. Across the top of the tomb, it said, Know thyself. Its ancient wisdom and thats the best way to live: know yourself first. And I think theres a lot going on in the world where people dont take the time to know themselves and dont feel brave enough to be self-compassionate. So they put a lot of their stuff on other people.RYAN:I think its a perfect segue. How do you hope that this film, tackling these specific concepts that were talking about, will help young people and adults have better conversations around mental health?MEG:Well, you know, I had a friend who emailed me after seeing the movie with her daughter, and she said in the middle of the movie, her daughter leaned over and said about Anxiety, I feel like that all the time! And my friend didnt know that. So for me, like just lets start at the base level where you can talk about it, right? It might be that your kid says, I never have anxiety. Now you can talk about the fact that other people do and maybe theyre responding to you in a certain way that you dont understand. So to me, its about inclusion and being human. And if we can just talk about our insights without judgment and with compassion, thats a big ripple that can happen. There are adults going to the movie without kids because this is who they are inside too. We all have these emotions. For people to have conversations and have tools to know each other better and have compassion for each other, I think thats incredibly powerful.RYAN:I had a similar experience with people that I went and saw the film with, where we had an hour-long conversation about mental health topics wed never discussed because we had never had the vocabulary that this movie gave us.MEG:I love that.RYAN:Its incredibly powerful. And so you brought up new emotions. Can you tell me how you chose the emotions you did, and what you think we can learn from them?MEG:Well, it was super fun. In terms of choosing them, we had a lot more at the start. We had Guilt and Suspicion and Schadenfreude. We really wanted a cacophony of emotions overwhelming her. But pretty quickly we realized, no, no, we dont need that many. You cant know them well because theres too many to get to know.And so we chose those emotions. And, you know, Kelsey Mann is the director and the creator and so hes choosing the ones that he felt were really incredibly powerful. Its from the research. Its from our Rileys Crew. Its from me being a teenager. Its from watching our kids. So all of that comes together to help us to use these emotions.And also its the ones that we thought would be the most fun.Envy. You know, people think being jealous is bad. And were told, especially as kids, dont be jealous. Well, we think there is no bad emotion. Theyre serving a function for you. So jealousy tells you what you want. And thats incredibly important to know what you want. Maybe you think youre jealous of someone because of her hair. Is it really just her hair now? Maybe I think, I really like her hair, but I really like her confidence. I want to be more confident. It could be I want to be on the lacrosse team. How great to know that! I think that in our culture, it almost feels dangerous for women to know what they want. And I think its really important for girls to start thinking about what they want.Ennui. We have teenagers. For teenagers, Ennui is so fun and dominant, but also important. There are days you should say, you know what? Whatever. Im letting it go. Im not going to do that today. Im going to rest. Im not going to get all worked up about this. Its an important piece of yourself.Embarrassment. Come on. Thats just being a teenager. I love when they had him lay across the console. I thought that was amazing. He was super fun to write to, but I was very embarrassed as a kid. But I love that Embarrassment is about vulnerability. And he has a special connection with Sadness. And Anxiety, you know, at first when we created her, she was a bad guy. She had come into headquarters as a worker and disguised herself so that Joy didnt know Anxiety had arrived and then she took over kind of subversively. She was a monster. (A cute monster because its Pixar.) But she was a monster. And then we realized, no, thats not really quite right about Anxiety, because the truth is she is trying to help. Shes trying to protect you. And I was a very anxious kid.I created this thing in my head long before I even wrote the first movie, where my anxiety would be raging. Maybe I had to go in and pitch in Hollywood, and I would, before the meeting, I would just take some breaths, which is very important to be present. Take breaths, feel your feet, feel your fingers. And then I would say thank you to anxiety because you never want to cut a piece of yourself out. Thats not possible. Theyre just going to get louder, right?Because theyre trying to help you. So I like to say thank you. I know youre trying to protect me. Im going to be okay. So take a seat. And I would imagine a little red chair and Id say, take a seat. Later, I learned to give her a job. Anxiety is good. Shes good at certain things. Give her a job to do. So its really fun that I got to do that in the movie. So every emotion that you have is a part of you. Theres no bad emotion. Thats a lot of judgment to put on yourself. You just have to know its there and have a little self-reflection about whats happening. Why are you feeling that way?RYAN:Yeah, I get a little misty as I was a very anxious child myself. And when I saw that Anxiety tornado, and then in the middle you see her locked on the console. And thats what it feels like. I had never had a visual representation of that feeling. And it just got me so excited that people can come to it and say, this is what anxious people go through.MEG:And whatevers happening, you know that you can get support. And you know, you might need more support. You might need a therapist to talk to you. You might need medication. And its okay to know yourself, know whats going on, and what support you need. I just thought what Kelsey did as a director to create that visual was just stunning, Absolutely beautiful.RYAN:My last question for you. Youve brought up this Rileys Crew project. So, you know, were a mental health organization for young people and we think it is so cool that you actually had a panel of young people to help create this film. Im wondering if you wanted to tell me a little bit about that and let me know. What is one thing you wish everyone knew about how young peoples markets work that they might not understand or think about?MEG:Well, whats interesting is that I love the Rileys crew, and I think that what I was surprised about, to be honest with you, because of my own prejudice against young people or unconscious bias against young people was they took it very seriously. They came very, very prepared. They had notes. They type them up or wrote them up. They cared. They wanted to help. And I just love that about them. And they were brave. And they talked about what they saw and what they liked and what they didnt. And theyre really smart. Theyre really smart and they have something to say. And we need to listen to what they have to say.RYAN:I dont always think we know how to talk about mental health in a way that is fresh and productive. And I think your movie does that. So thank you.MEG:Thank you. And you know, I loved the end of the movie where Joy is called back to the console because ultimately joy is self-compassion and you just have to let yourself off the hook and love wherever you are, you know?RYAN:Words to live by.If you or someone you know is feeling hopeless or suicidal, our trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386 via chat www.TheTrevorProject.org/Get-Help, or by texting START to 678-678.The post A Conversation With Inside Out 2 Writer Meg LeFauve appeared first on The Trevor Project.

Allies need to show up for LGBTQ+ young people not just during Pride, but year-round. Pride means taking action and reminding all of us that we can make tangible actions to end suicide among LGBTQ+ young people volunteering, building relationships, voting, getting involved in local schools and institutions. Every individual action moves the needle toward a brighter future for LGBTQ+ young people.Were asking our community to commit to logging 26 miles however it feels best to move all in effort of supporting our mission to end suicide among LGBTQ+ young people. Youll also engage with the community on our Pride Ride Facebook group, celebrating each others wins and everything that makes the LGBTQ+ and allied community so powerful. Together, weve raised over $934,000 this year with over 31,000 supporters joining. Lets keep that energy going this September.Follow these simple steps to join our 26 Mile to Save Lives Challenge:Register in Facebook Messenger now to log your miles all month. Choose to create a team or participate solo!Follow this link and well automatically create a fundraiser with all the right settings on your behalf. You can edit the details on Facebook upon creation.In the face of rising anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, The Trevor Project remains here for LGBTQ+ young people through free, confidential 24/7 suicide prevention and crisis services, ongoing public education, advocacy, and research initiatives. Your support powers that work and powers our community to continue defending LGBTQ+ young people today and tomorrow.Have a question? Check out the FAQs for our Facebook Challenges!If you cant find your answer below, please reach out to development@thetrevorproject.orgfor additional help. Please be patient and allow us up to 24-48 hours to respond.Q: When and how do I log my miles?A: Youll be able to start logging miles on the first day of the month, but you can join the 26 Mile to Save Lives group and start your fundraiser right away. You can log your miles in Messenger by typing Menu then enter, and click the Record miles button, then enter your achieved miles and click the word Submit. Please note that the menu has multiple tiles.Q: What if my miles are incorrect or I receive an error?A: To correct your total activity in Messenger, type Menu then enter, click on Record miles and then click Edit my total miles. Let us know if you still experience issues.Q: How do we participate as a team?A: When you register in Messenger, you will be prompted to take on the challenge solo and invite others to join the Group.Q: Can I do a different activity?A: While the challenge is designed for miles, if you want to do another activity, youre more than welcome.Q: What do I do if I started a Facebook fundraiser for The Trevor Project but not specifically for the challenge?A: A Facebook fundraiser for The Trevor Project is the same as a fundraiser for this challenge. Thanks for supporting Trevors mission.Thank you so much for your support, and best of luck with the challenge!The post 26 Miles to Save Lives Challenge appeared first on The Trevor Project.

For Disability Pride Month, The Trevor Project is proud to partner with Easterseals, one of the nations leading providers of life-changing disability and community services for over 100 years. Easterseals actively lobbied for the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, which expanded protections to people with disabilities to prohibit discrimination in everyday activities like employment, transportation, education, and recreation.Disability Pride Month started in 1990 following this landmark legislation and continues to celebrate the milestones toward equity within the disability community its also a month that challenges the outdated and harmful idea that people with disabilities do not belong in society.Disability Pride Month is not about loving your specific disability and its symptoms all the time. Disability Pride is about accepting that you are not less than because of your disability. Celebrating Pride is about sharing stories and perspectives within the community, which helps to create a space where we can exist without shame.How can we all celebrate Disability Pride Month? A great starting point is self-education, even if youre disabled. Consider these ten ways to be more inclusive and learn about diversity within disability.1. Seek out authentic disabled voices in media, whether its reading Eddie Ndopus Sipping Dom Perignon Through a Straw, or watching disabled content creators on YouTube, like Squirmy and Grubs or Roll with Cole and Charisma.2. Remember that when you meet one person with a disability, youve met one person with a disability. Identity is not a monolith!3. Recognize that disabled people lead full lives and can be in romantic relationships, pursue higher education, or live interdependently. Having high support needs does not disqualify you from any of the above. The Easterseals podcast Everything You Know About Disability is Wrong highlights the everyday lives of disabled people.4. Understand intersectional identities exist within disability, like being BIPOC or queer, which can impact individual needs and experiences. Understanding intersectionality can lead to more inclusive spaces.5. Know that disability is different for everyone. Not every wheelchair user is unable to walk. Someone with a mental illness may not have an apparent disability. Two people who both have Cerebral Palsy may have very different presentations of their disability. 6. How someone relates to their disability is also different for everyone. Some folks may use person with a disability to describe themselves, while others might prefer disabled person. And some people dont have a preference! To be an ally requires respect and curiosity about how someone wants to refer to themselves.7. Believe that disabled people are experts in their own experiences and needs. Listen to disabled people when they share new information and avoid offering uninvited suggestions for managing someone elses disability.8. Be open to a persons disability and how their accessibility needs can change over time. Disability is not static, and making space for someones needs at any time can be a powerful way to demonstrate inclusion and respect.9. Know that much of what has been presented in the media and on screen about disability is not correct. Take interest in understanding disabled people in your everyday life rather than focusing on stereotypes in the media.10. Ask your friends about their disability and their disability pride! Create a space where disability can be talked about without judgment or shame. Let your disabled friends know you care to understand their identity.The Trevor Projects Guide to Supporting LGBTQ+ Young People with Disabilities is an additional resource that offers ways to further that self education and foster inclusion. Remember that education is not a destination, but a practice we can continue to build on indefinitely.Happy Disability Pride Month!If you or someone you know needs help or support, The Trevor Projects trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386, via chat atTheTrevorProject.org/Get-Help, or by texting START to 678678.The post 10 Ways to Be More Inclusive and Learn About Diversity Within Disability appeared first on The Trevor Project.

Last weeks presidential debate set a new course for the Republican ticket. The idea of trying to control Donald Trump which was always a pipe dream went out the window. Now were in a period where the strategy seems to be to make up the most disgusting lie possible and then double down on it. All the lies are outrageous in their own way, so theres no determining which is the biggest. Certainly the most consequential and visible has been the lie about Haitian immigrants eating pets in Springfield, Ohio. The Republican governor of Ohio, Mike DeWine, has called the lie out as garbage, although, in true GOP fashion, he refused to condemn the garbagemen spreading the lie. In the meantime, the town is enduring bomb threats and attacks on the Haitian immigrants who live there. Related Donald Trump is getting so desperate his campaign is spreading racist lies about cats Yesterday it was schools operating on students, today its Haitian immigrants eating cats. They just cant win with the truth. There is also Trumps insistence that schools are performing gender-affirming surgeries without parental consent. Your kid goes to school and comes home a few days later with an operation. The school decides whats gonna happen with your child, he lies. Dive deeper every day Join our newsletter for thought-provoking commentary that goes beyond the surface of LGBTQ+ issues Subscribe to our Newsletter today Trump also claims doctors are murdering babies after they are born as an extension of an anything-goes abortion policy. The question is, what kind of political strategy is this? In a close election, how does this benefit the Trump campaign?The reality is that Trump has no strategy. He has impulses. His lies serve two purposes. They are meant to make himself look bigger and to protect his fragile ego (e.g., he didnt lose the 2020 election). They are also meant as a test for his followers. Trump doesnt allow for dissent, so you have to embrace the lie.But Trump also believes his own lies. They reinforce his warped view of the world. He has long harbored racist sentiments against Haitians, accusing them of spreading AIDS to kill Americans. He is exactly the type to swallow an urban myth if it comports with his racist views. Remember that Trumps closest media companion for a long time was the National Enquirer. Trump keeps repeating the lie about Haitians because he cant talk about immigration policy in any rational way. (He repeats a lie about Aurora, Colorado, being besieged by immigrant gangs for the same reason.) He lies about schools performing gender-affirming surgery because it fits with his dystopic view of a society out of control. Plus, it plays well with his audiences, who take his words at face value. What the lies dont do is convince that small segment of undecided voters that Trump is their candidate. If you dont reside in the closed universe of ultra-online conspiracy theorists, you will likely think that this is crazy talk. Thats why Trumps advisers were so desperate to have the candidate talk about Kamala and not barbequed cats.Of course, that still leaves J.D. Vance, who may be totally bereft of principle and even humanity, but is not stupid. Vance is the one who has been fanning the flames of the Haitian pet-eating lie. He knows its a lie, but out of an overabundance of cynicism, he keeps repeating it, even though the lie originated with neo-Nazis. At first, Vance said that there were reports of pet-eating. There werent. Then he said unnamed constituents were calling his office. (A CNN reporter asked him if he would take a constituents word about seeing Bigfoot.) Then Vance made the mistake of accidentally exposing his logic for pushing an inflammatory lie. If I have to create stories so that the American media actually pays attention to the suffering of the American people, then thats what Im going to do, Vance said on CNN yesterday.In short, its a lie, and Vance knows it. He just doesnt care about the human cost. He tried to downplay his admission that hes writing fiction. He was just creating the American media focusing on it. Vance has to be one of the worst candidates ever at the national level. He makes Richard Nixon look like George Washington. But he is also incredibly inept for all his elite smarts. He thinks hes generating buzz against Harris by focusing on the supposed horrors of immigration. Instead, hes making himself out to be a laughingstock. Youre not winning when USA Today runs this headline: J.D. Vance says he does not regret spreading baseless rumors of migrants eating pets.Both Trump and Vance are relying on lies because both want to burn the current system down. Trump wants to do it because thats how he plays to win, by destroying everything in his path. He also kind of believes the crazy ideas. People who support him will get a payoff in return. Its all transactional. Vance is doing it because he wants to create an entirely new system of conservative elites who will create a paradise based on right-wing Christian thought. He knows hes appealing to ignorance. Hes counting on it. Its what he needs to install himself and like-minded elites as heads of a new system. Hes looking for a different kind of power than Trump is.Both Trump and Vance will continue to lie right up to and beyond Election Day. Trump is better at it because hes had more practice and because he believes his own lies. Vance will keep exposing himself as the clumsy mercenary that he is. Unfortunately, as long as the pair finds a willingness audience for their lies, the damage that they inflict on democracy will continue to harm the nation.

The woman who started the baseless rumor that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, are eating their neighbors pets the rumor that Donald Trump cited at his debate with Vice President Kamala Harris last week and that Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) has been promoting online even though he admits that its a lie defended her actions, saying that she cant be racist because shes a part of the LGBTQ+ community and her daughter is biracial.It just exploded into something I didnt mean to happen, said Erika Lee, the woman who started the rumor on Facebook. Related Pete Buttigieg explains exactly why Donald Trump keeps taking about eating cats Its all part of a darker strategy, the out transportation secretary says and its no laughing matter. In a Facebook post two weeks ago, Lee wrote that her neighbors cat went missing: Warning to all about our beloved pets & those around us!! My neighbor informed me that her daughters friend had lost her cat. Your LGBTQ+ guide to Election 2024 Stay ahead of the 2024 Election with our newsletter that covers candidates, issues, and perspectives that matter. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Lee wrote that her neighbor, Kimberly Newton, told her that her daughters friend had searched everywhere and then wrote that when Newtons daughters friend came home from work one day, she looked at her Haitian neighbors house and saw her cat hanging from a branch, like youd do a deer for butchering, & they were carving it up to eat. Lee added that she was told they are doing this to dogs as well.That post spread like wildfire among conservatives on social media. One of the Trump-Vance campaigns major promises this election cycle is what Trump is calling the largest deportation in history, so stories whether true or not that portray immigrants in negative light are being spread as a way to convince people to vote for Trump.Within days after Lee posted to Facebook, her story was being cited by Trump in his debate with Harris and Vance was arguing that it was true on social media, despite the lack of evidence other than Lees post and local authorities saying there have been no reported incidents of cats being kidnapped and eaten. Later in the week, the town was shutting down schools and municipal buildings due to bomb threats.But now the story is falling apart. Newton told NewsGuard that shes not the most credible source becuase I dont actually know the person who lost the cat and that she didnt hear about it from her daughters friend, like Lee said, but from a friend who heard about it from a source that she had. I dont have any proof, she said. Lee has since deleted her Facebook post and she told NBC News that she didnt mean for it to get so much attention.Im not a racist, she said. She said that her daughter is half-Black and that she is of mixed race as well and that she is a member of the LGBTQ+ community, according to NBC News. Everybody seems to be turning it into that, and that was not my intent.I feel for the Haitian community, she added, explaining that she pulled her daughter out of school becuase shes worried for her safety. If I was in the Haitians position, Id be terrified, too, worried that somebodys going to come after me because they think Im hurting something that they love and that, again, thats not what I was trying to do.I didnt think it would ever get past Springfield, she said.

North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson (R), an anti-LGBTQ+ politician who is his partys nominee for governor this year, considers same-sex marriage as an ungodly form of wickedness. Its just the latest in a long string of inflammatory comments he has made that now threaten his chances of being elected.Im going to have to answer to God almighty, he said during a recently unearthed sermon he delivered on April 26, 2021 at Peoples Baptist Church in Greenville, North Carolina. Im going to have to give an account for everything that I say or do on this journey he has put me on, and because of that, I intend to say some things that I am not supposed to say. Things like this: Marriage is between one man and one woman. Related GOP governor candidate calls to kill the left: Kill them! He also considers LGBTQ+ people as filthy demons who mentally rape children. He continued, It is ordained by God, and anything outside of that is wickedness. Your LGBTQ+ guide to Election 2024 Stay ahead of the 2024 Election with our newsletter that covers candidates, issues, and perspectives that matter. Subscribe to our Newsletter today In a 2018 Facebook comment, written three years after the nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage in the United States, he also wrote, We have pushed homosexuality over the top. Mark my words PEDOPHILLA is next, which will be closely followed by the END of civilization as we know it. Robinsonwho was recentlyaccused of regularly patronizing state porn shopshas said that he considers LGBTQ+ people as filthy demons who mentally rape children. Among hismany anti-LGBTQ+ statements, he has called homosexuality an abominable sin, hascompared LGBTQ+ people to cow dung, and Satanic demons, and said trans peopleshould defecate on public street corners outsiderather than using bathrooms matching their gender identity. He has also made numerous racist and antisemitic comments.Recent polls suggest that voters disapprove of him so highly that he could cause Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump to lose the state in the upcoming national elections. A recent poll showed Trump leading his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, by only 1% in the state. Another recent poll showed Robinsonrunning 14 points behind his Democratic opponent, North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, and most polls show Stein beating Robinson anywhere from 6% to 10%.Democrats have tried to tie Robinsons anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-abortion rhetoric to Trump,who endorsed him as [Martin Luther King Jr.] on steroids.In addition to thinking very poorly of Martin Luther KingRobinson called him a bad pastor and a communistRobinson hasa long history of antisemitic statements, and voters nationwide seem largely opposed to his hardline brand of GOP anti-abortion policies that lack exceptions for rape and incest. Democrats say they hope that theres an issue there with an unpopular Republican gubernatorial candidate sort of making the entire Republican ticket, the Republican brand in the state, less appealing, Steve Kornaki, NBC News out gay national political correspondent,told WRAL. Stein is running political ads highlighting Robinsons past statements against abortion. Robinson once said that women who get abortions are killing children because they werent responsible enough to keep your skirt down. He has also said, I absolutely want to go back to the America where women couldnt vote. He has regularly called feministsfem-nazisand once referred to womens rights activists assexist, hairy armpit having, poo-poo hat wearing pinkos.Robinson voiced support for such hardline policies as recently as 2020. Robinson paid for his now-wife to have an abortion in 1989. He has said God allows school shootings in America as a punishment for Americans getting abortions.The states high-stakes governors race whose outcome could be decided by pro-choice voters.

Editors note: This article contains some explicit sexual writing that is not safe for work (NSFW)A few years back, when Antonio, a 21-year-old beefy Dominican bottom, and I decided to meet at a local queer bathhouse, our chats on Grindr had already made it clear that we had undeniable sexual chemistry. He wanted to be dominated and humiliated and f**ked into oblivion, which is a particular skill set of mine. Related James Baldwin was my crush when I was a lonely Black queer teen I tore an image of him from one of his books and carried it with me everywhere, imagining our Paris romance. As I walked him around the bathhouse with the dog leash he brought with him, both of us were throbbing with anticipation. We found our private room and, with me being on PrEP, we got into a steamy, fluid-heavy bareback session. As I was getting close to climax, I asked him where he wanted me to cum, and he screamed, Inside me, papi! Please papi! I happily obliged. Dive deeper every day Join our newsletter for thought-provoking commentary that goes beyond the surface of LGBTQ+ issues Subscribe to our Newsletter today As we lay soaked in sweat cooling off before getting dressed, as a former community health worker specializing in HIV/AIDS prevention, I instinctively asked if he was on PrEP, undetectable, or aware of his status. He seemed genuinely confused by the question, and after a bit of probing, it quickly became apparent that he didnt know his status, didnt know what PrEP was, had only ever had condomless sex, and had once contracted a bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) for which he received uninsured treatment to hide it from his parents, whose insurance he was still on.Normally, I would have side-eyed a response like his, but something about his navet was youthfully endearing, and the sex was good. Still, I didnt feel it was right to be having sex with someone so much younger without showing him the ropes on protecting his health and understanding consent, especially since he had also described an experience with a rough hookup that I would call sexual assault.He gave me a ride home, and we got stuck in standstill rush hour traffic, giving us more time to talk. During the conversation, he revealed that he came from a very traditional Dominican immigrant family with parents who were strict evangelical Christians. His parents had decided it was best to severely shelter him and his siblings from life outside their church. He had recently become estranged after a fight with his father, whose machismo meant seeing a challenge to his authority as an act of violence. Hed been living with friends for a year while working barely above minimum wage at Target and knew little about life outside his strict upbringingand even less about HIV in the queer community. I told him about my own religious upbringing and period of estrangement from a parent, how Id found a queer support group back when I was younger, and how I went on to co-found an HIV/AIDS prevention organization through the University of California at San Francisco. We agreed to get together again, and I told him he could text me anytime he wanted to hook up, needed a friend to talk to, or wanted to know about places to get tested for STIs. We kept in touch through occasional texts, where he begged to be taken to a wooded area and tied to a tree to be used for whatever I pleased. While I found it arousing, I rejected the idea as illegal, and I didnt want to encourage him to engage in any more risky behavior than he already had. His sexual behavior wasnt just putting him at increased risk for HIV, it could just actually get him killed. Ive witnessed firsthand how dangerous misconceptions about HIV continue to fuel the epidemic among queer Hispanic men (QHM). During visits to adult arcades and theaters, I had hooked up with many older Hispanic men who engaged in condomless sex, believing they couldnt contract HIV if they were the insertive partnera false and risky assumption.Despite advances in HIV prevention and treatment, QHM remain disproportionately affected by the epidemic, with recent CDC data showing that Hispanic and Latino men who have sex with men account for a significant portion of new HIV diagnoses in the U.S. in 2024. For a lot of these guys, its not just about avoiding HIVits way more complicated. A lot of cultural stigma around being gay still exists in Hispanic communities, and HIV still remains such a taboo topic. Some Hispanic home and others are inundated in religious guilt, and some Hispanic families are masters of chismethe art of gossip. Stigmas associate HIV with being gay, promiscuous, or having moral failings. These often lead to shame, silence, and fear of rejection, causing delayed testing, untreated HIV, and healthcare avoidance.Its tough when youre up against that kind of pressure. Also, theres the whole issue of language barriers and not having healthcare workers who understand Hispanic peoples cultural and regional backgrounds. Concerns about immigration status can also prevent QHM from seeking healthcare, as they may fear legal repercussions or deportation if they access medical services. When you mix in racism and the fact that a lot of us cant even afford decent care, its no wonder so many QHM like Antonio are out there taking risks without really thinking about the consequences. It all just kind of piles up, making it harder to stay on top of your health.The next time I saw Antonio, it was even hotter than the first time. I was alone for the weekend, so I invited him over. When he arrived, he took off his clothes to reveal an erection bursting through a skin-tight black Nasty Pig jock. From the pockets of his pants, he pulled out a dog leash and a gimp mask. He got down on his knees to service me, and before I knew it, he was riding me raw again, begging me to release inside him. I never disappoint a sexual partner, so I fulfilled my end of the bargain. By the end, he might as well have been a Twinkie.Afterward, we sat together for a while, and I asked him if he had gotten tested yet or started using condoms. He reluctantly admitted that he hadnt. I told him that I was still on PrEP and that he could go to clinic where I got my prescription to get tested. He stumbled with his words a bit and I could tell he was uncomfortable. I apologized for being in his business. He told me hed be fine and thanked me for caring, mentioning how most of his hookups only focused on sex. Even though we were just f**k buddies, he appreciated that I offered support without expecting anything sexual. The sex was great, but its easy to forget that the people we hook up with have their own lives and stories too.I didnt hear from Antonio for about three months, and only in fleeting moments did I wonder what had happened. Hookups come and go, so thats just how things are. I went back to cruising Grindr, looking for more friends with benefits, when I got a notification saying, I have to tell you something.I opened the message, and it was Antonio, who proceeded to tell me the story of how he had been drugged at a bar after meeting an older man. He had agreed to go to a wooded area to live out his fantasy of being bound, gagged and treated as a sex object. The guy must have put something in his drink but decided not to follow through on whatever he had planned. At some point, Antonio passed out in the bar and woke up in the hospital, where he was told the bartender had called an ambulance. While he was unconscious, the doctors had taken blood. It was through these circumstances that he learned he was HIV-positive and had likely been positive for some time.I wasnt shocked by any part of his revelation, as Ive been drugged at a bar before and escaped an attempted assault. Im also well aware of the risks that exist for QHM concerning HIV/AIDS. Antonio said he was waiting for a genetic test to officially confirm his HIV-positive status, but he knew in his heart that he was positive and took responsibility for his actions, saying it was his fault. I told him there was no one to blame and that HIV is a virusit has nothing to do with morality. He admitted that since we had last seen each other, he had been on a spree of drinking and compulsive sex, and he didnt want me to worry, so he never reached out even though I had offered. The doctors told him that his cell levels indicated that he had likely been positive for a while and advised him to start antiretroviral medication as soon as possible. All of this had happened about a month earlier, and he still hadnt heard back about the genetic testing results. He didnt know how hed be able to get the medication since he was now officially uninsured. While I was glad he wasnt devastated, his attitude was incredibly nonchalant. I reemphasized that if he wanted to talk or needed information on treatment resources, I could help. He said he appreciated it but declined my help, although he was again thankful for my care and non-judgmental manner. Near the end of our chat, he explained that he had contacted me to tell me to get tested, and I replied that I had been recently tested, was still on PrEP, and remained negative. The conversation ended there, and we didnt speak again for months. The last time we talked, he confirmed that he was HIV-positive but still hadnt started treatment as the doctors had advised. I continue to encourage him to seek treatment, but each time, he has politely declined my help or ghosted on our plans to go together to his first appointment to get anti-retroviral therapy. I understand, on some level, his reluctance to deal with it. As a Black man of Hispanic heritage, I know how HIV/AIDS impacts both communities of queer men. Every time I get tested or take my PrEP, Im honoring my Hispanic body by caring for it and staying informed. Asking a hookup about their sexual healthor health in generalcan sometimes feel more invasive than being inside someones butthole, and sharing parts of your sexual history can leave you feeling more vulnerable than having someones cock in you. Its sad that, as queer men, we still havent built a community free from judgment and stigma around HIV/AIDS. I know I cant control what Antonio does, but I can honor our heritage by supporting other QHM and acting as a resource to empower their healthcare. Some guys, like Antonio, might avoid facing the reality of being HIV-positive until theyre forced to deal with it when they become sick or hospitalized (as Ive seen with friends in the past). I hope to always create a space where guys feel free to be honest about their status or ask for support without shame.Talking about my sex life as a QHM during Hispanic Heritage Month is a way to break stigmas and celebrate my authentic self within both the Hispanic and LGBTQ+ communities. Im interested in sex, not just for the sake of it, but to be inventive and address topics that genuinely resonate with queer men as an important part of our lives. Sex has always been a form of celebration for queer men. Whether its Pride Month or Queer Christmas (aka Halloween), queer men are always going to enjoy f**king andtelling each other about it. Hispanic Heritage Month can be about my own sexuality as a queer Hispanic manandour everyday experiencesgathering with loved ones, embracing wellness and self-care, or simply taking pride in our identities and histories. Its about embracing the boldness, authenticity, and vibrant diversity within our community.We, as Hispanic people, value helping one another, a tradition rooted in mutual support as a way to navigate life. This Hispanic Heritage Month, Im reaching out to other QHM to remind them that theyre not alone and that we can confront stigma and barriers to our well-being together. Ill be checking in with Antonio, and I also plan to get tested for HIV, syphilis, and other STIs this month as part of my own self-care. I encourage all QHM to take this time to do the same, including getting the monkeypox vaccine if you havent already. Lets hook up, have fun, and work toward being a healthier community in honor of this month.

Vice President Kamala Harris riled up former President Donald Trump last week during their first and possibly last presidential debate. In the weeks leading up to the debate, the Harris-Walz campaign made it clear that she would try to wind Trump up and provoke him into going off-script at the event. She successfully accomplished this at several points while also managing to get in quite a few direct jabs at his policies and character.Now that the debate has happened and youve had time to think about it, what was your favorite Harris quote from the debate? Here are four highlights that definitely made headlines and waves on social media, but which one do you think was the best? Please tell us in the poll below! Share your opinion View the article on LGBTQ Nation to participate in our reader poll. Also, please make sure youre registered to vote. Your Vote is a step toward Equality for All Make sure youre ready to vote!

On a night where Shgun reigned supreme, LGBTQ+ stars sparkled through the dross of the 73rd annual Emmy Awards, a show that ended on time and was relatively subdued by Hollywoods self-congratulatory standards.Hosted by father and gay son duo Eugene and Dan Levy, visibility was a given and bisexual was the byword. Related Winners call for more visibility for trans & drag stories at 75th Emmy Awards The world urgently needs culture-changing stories about transgender people. Surprise Netflix hit Baby Reindeer, the autobiographical miniseries from bisexual actor Richard Gadd about his experiences with a stalker, took home the award for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series. Gadd also won for Lead Actor and Writing. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Gadds lesbian co-star Jessica Gunning picked up the award for Best Supporting Actress in the category. The show also won for casting and editing at the Creative Arts Emmys last weekend. #BabyReindeer star Jessica Gunning wins supporting actress in a limited or anthology series at the 2024 #Emmys pic.twitter.com/3igGcQJjLw The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) September 16, 2024RuPauls Drag Racegot a drubbing as the long-running reality series lost to Peacocks The Traitors for Outstanding Reality Competition. It was a second win for the shows bi host and producer, actor Alan Cumminghe also picked up a statuette for Outstanding Host of a Reality or Reality Competition Show at the Creative Arts ceremony.Cummings coup ended an eight-year streak in the same category for RuPaul on her eponymous show. The popular Scottish actor has been nominated four times before, for The Good Wife and as host of the Tony Awards broadcast. Jodie Foster won for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series, the first acting Emmy of her storied career, for her reliably gripping performance in the otherwise confounding fourth iteration of HBOs True Detective anthology series. Shes previously picked up Emmy nods for directing on Orange is the New Blackand producing The Baby Dance.Foster thanked her wife and told her kids to remember that Love and work equals art. A pan to queer actress Holland Taylor and her spouse Sarah Paulson in the audience provided a sweet recognition of another pair of Hollywood wives. Jodie Foster wins lead actress in a limited anthology series or movie at the 2024 #Emmys for #TrueDetective: Night Country pic.twitter.com/aQdAg0jFOR The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) September 16, 2024Gay songwriter Benj Pasek, along with his straight collaborative partner Justin Paul, became the 20thand 21stcreatives to earn EGOT status with their win for Best Original Song for Which of the Pickwick Triplets Did It, a tune featured in the Hulu mystery series Only Murders in the Building.The Emmy win follows Grammy and Tony Awards for their musical Dear Evan Hansen and an Oscar for their song City of Stars in the 2016 movie La La Land.When accepting this years Governors Award, gay writer and producer Greg Berlantia TV creator responsible for so many iconic TV moments,including the first on-screen kiss between two gay characters on his first show, Dawsons Creektold the story of LGBTQ+ visibility on television.There wasnt a lot of gay characters on television back then, and I was a closeted gay kid, and its hard to describe how lonely that was at the time, Berlanti said. There was no internet to connect with other queer kids, no LGBTQ+ advocacy groups in schools. Back then, the only way to tell if another kid might be gay was if he also watched Dynasty, Dallas and could name all four of The Golden Girls.It wasnt until the AIDS crisis in the 1980s, Berlanti continued, that he saw gay men on television holding hands with other men, marching and fighting for their rights.They gave me hope that I might one day have their courage to come out and share my truth with the world, Berlanti said. Greg Berlanti accepts the Television Academy's governors award at the 2024 #Emmys pic.twitter.com/xjei8Lf9MS The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) September 16, 2024Mostly overlooked: the gayest show of the last TV season, Feud: Capote vs. The Swans, only managed to snag the award for Outstanding Period Costumes for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie at last weeks Creative Arts Emmys.The second most overlooked gay show was Ripley, Steven Zaillians longform adaptation of Patricia Highsmiths 1955 homoerotic novel The Talented Mr. Ripley. The adaptation pulled in an Emmy for Best Director of a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie. The series also snagged Creative Arts wins for Outstanding Cinematography, Sound Editing and Special Visual Effects.Emmy watchers also got a trans visibility two-fer on the red carpet: trans actress Nava Mau, nominated for her role as Richard Gadds maybe-girlfriend in Baby Reindeer, had a moment with beloved Orange Is the New Black actress and red carpet host Laverne Cox.Im supposed to keep it together, Im the host, a teary-eyed Cox told Mau.Im so proud of you. This show is so incredible, and the work that you do is so amazing, Cox gushed. Ten years ago, I became the first openly transgender person to be nominated for an acting Emmy, and ten years later, Im not the last. Trans icon Laverne Cox tearing up over seeing trans icon Nava Mau pic.twitter.com/NhPwPGHCWr The Meteor (@themeteor) September 16, 2024

BOOM! There she is. The bisexual pride flag in all of her glory. Here are all the deets you need to know about it.1. Yep, we have our own flag.Who knew?2. Michael Page designed the bisexual flag.He noticed the majority of Bi+ people felt less connection to the rainbow Pride flag and wanted to create a flag with symbols all Bi+ people could rally around.3. The color scheme is borrowed from another bi pride symbol.Page used two overlapping triangles as a symbol of bisexuality and pride.These biangles were designed by Liz Nania as she was helping to organize the first national bisexual contingent for the 1987 March on Washington, according to Los Angeles-based art historian Andrew Campbell, author of Queer x Design. He told Deezen that "they are a powerful expression of the cleverness of LGBTQ design. The design takes the triangle as a starting point. The pink triangle was used by the Nazis during world war two to mark male homosexuals. Lesbians were categorized with a black triangle with other 'asocials' such as sex workers and 'nonconformists.' Nania overlapped pink and blue triangles, each representative of a pole of the normative gender binary. The space of their overlap is a deep purple, made from the combination of pink and blue. This overlap communicates an inclusivity in terms of the potentially adored playing with powerful LGBTQ symbology." Later, it became the foundation for a Page's Bi+ Pride flag.4. The colors have meaning.The top 40 percent of the flag is pink, the middle 20 percent is purple, and the bottom 40 percent is blue. The various colors represent attraction to multiple genders. The pink alludes to the pink triangles, which was later adopted by AIDS activist group ACT UP as a badge of solidarity and pride in the 1980s. The purple was an allusion to "purple menace" (or "lavender menace") another slang term for bi+ folks. And the blue was added both because it reflects multiple genders overlapping, but also, says bi+ activist Cynthia Connors, "because it makes the flag, and the original biangles the colors came from, a bit of a joke on the gender binary. And the Bi+ community has never been able to resist a pun or a joke."5. It was unveiled on December 5, 1998.Which makes it just over 24 years old.6. Its absolutely stunning.Let your Bi+ flag fly.7. This breaks it down quite beautifully\u201ci was today years old when i figured out the bisexual flag is magenta and blue on the outside, and those colours mixed make purple\u201d cat! (@cat!) 16697179288. The bisexual flag is currently part of a meme format that is getting hot\u201cmontero, lil nas x - bisexual flag\n\nrequested by @bxysgirl\u201d gay albums \ud83d\udca5 (@gay albums \ud83d\udca5) 16693760989. The growth of bisexual awareness in memes is uplifting and full of hope\u201cremembering when hobi did a heart to a bisexual flag and then they put it in the ptd movie :')\u201d bisexual armys (@bisexual armys) 166898759610. There isn't a Bi flag emoji but there could be.Currently, no bi flag is available in the Unicode, but that may not be the case forever. In 2020 Tanner Marino, an advocate and software engineer, proposed to the Unicode Consortium to request the creation of a bisexual flag. Sadly it was rejected, but he has kept the hope alive with his #MorePrideEmojis campaign. Want to help out? Sign the petition use the #BiFlagEmoji and post the above image. TLDR: What do the 3 colors on the bisexual flag mean?The pink symbolizes male homosexuals, a reference to the Nazis use of it during the war. The black triangle symbolizes lesbian relationships. The purple is meant to be a combination of pink and blue referencing both genders. What colors are bisexual?The pink color represents represents same sex attraction, the blue represents straight sexual attraction and the purple represents both, which makes it the most bisexual color. What does Lgbtqia+ stand for?Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgenderWhat is the bisexual symbol?The purple stripe, the resulting "overlap" of the blue and magenta stripes, represents attraction regardless of sex or gender.What is the bisexual flag design?Three horizontal bars with 2/5th colored pink, 1/5th purple, and 2/5th blue. It has a proportion of 3:5.

Since its premiere in 2009, RuPauls Drag Race has expanded a lot. A lot. It's an international phenomenon.There have been 16 regular seasons, 9 All Star seasons, 15 international expansions, and even more mix and match competitions from there (vs. the World, Global All Stars, etc.). As the Drag Race empire continues to expand, the possibilities for interesting spins on the regular game grow with it. Weve all got concepts for seasons wed love to see, including RPDR judge Ts Madison!On the MTV Video Music Awards red carpet, Parade Magazine asked Madison her thoughts on what the franchise should do next. The 2024 VMAs were arguably the queerest ever, in part because Madison, Sasha Colby, and the queens of RPDR season 16 all showed up and showed out. Pause for a little commotion for the dress:See on InstagramSee on InstagramSo when asked about where she wants to see the franchise go, Madison pitched this: not an All Stars: All Winners season, but All Stars: Every Winner. Madison said, "I think the franchise should pool together the all of the former winners and do the battle - the battle for THE crown for all the winners." Already a very bold pitch, she added, "And I'd like them to bring back Tyra Sanchez, all the girls who have been like, ostracized, and I'd like to get them in a room and battle."Now here's the kicker. Madison saves the biggest bomb for last, and added, "And I think the prize should be $1 million." @parademag'RuPaul's Drag Race' judge, the one and only @therealtsmadison, has a pitch for the ultimate season of #AllStars and we're here for it. . . . #RuPaulsDragRace #dragrace #tsmadison #dragraceallstars #dragI am living for it, but I have questions. First, when Madison said every winner, which winners are we talking? Would the contestant pool for the ultimate battle just be the 16 main season winners, or would it be open to All Stars winners as well? Because an ultimate battle for the crown without Shea Coule there just wouldn't be the same to me. Madison explicitly said she wanted to include winners who had been previously ostracized by the franchise, but I'm very curious if this would include Sharon Needles. More importantly, what would this "battle" look like? How closely would it resemble a regular season, or an All Stars season? Or any past season for that matter? An all winners Lip Sync Lalaparuza would have to happen. And to eliminate or not to eliminate, that is the question! I think having an every winner season that more closely resembles pageant structure would be fascinating, and a great way to share that important side of drag culture with audiences who may be unfamiliar with it.Lastly, the question on everybody's mind: Would it just be a repeat of season 15, in the sense that when Sasha Colby walks in the door would the other queens look around and go, "Alright, let's put up one hell of a fight for a well earned second place"? At that point it's not even a fight for silver. Sasha Colby's coming in to win the platinum, and everyone else can fight for gold. She's playing 4D drag chess. It's Sasha Colby's world and we're all just living in it.Whatever the format, this All Stars: Every Winner season would certainly be excellent television. The fans are ready whenever you are, RuPaul!

After lying about Haitian immigrants eating cats and dogs, Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) is now claiming that the same group of immigrants has caused a skyrocketing rise in HIV and tuberculosis cases in Springfield, Ohio.Although city officials say theres no evidence to support these claims, Vances claims have nonetheless contributed to bombing threats; the closures of schools, offices, and churches; and violent attacks against local Black residents and property as well as a march by members of the far-right, neo-fascist militant organization The Proud Boys. Related Pete Buttigieg explains exactly why Donald Trump keeps taking about eating cats Its all part of a darker strategy, the out transportation secretary says and its no laughing matter. Meanwhile, social media commenters have blasted Vance as a racist liar, and Vance himself has said hes willing to create stories to get the media to focus on anti-immigrant narratives. Your LGBTQ+ guide to Election 2024 Stay ahead of the 2024 Election with our newsletter that covers candidates, issues, and perspectives that matter. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Because of the lies about Haitians, this is happening. The Proud Boys showed up. In Springfield, Ohio. The GOP and Trump are complicit. pic.twitter.com/ylSW62E0dt CollinCounty Texas Democrats (@CollinDems) September 15, 2024When asked about the Proud Boys march this weekend on CBS News Face the Nation, Vance replied, Of course, I dont align myself with the views of the Proud Boys but we have to remember this is a real problem. The media uses things like a dozen marchers to ignore and distract from the fact that thanks to Kamala Harris open borders, there are children who arent getting a good education. Thanks to her open border, there is a rise of HIV cases in Springfield, Ohio.Ohio Department of Health director Bruce Vanderhoff said the state isnt seeing a measurable or discernible increase in vaccine-preventable illnesses, The Columbus Dispatch reported. Vances running mate, former President Donald Trump has previously accused Haitian immigrants of attempting to spread AIDS in the United States.Take a look at whats happening in Haiti. A tremendous problem with AIDS, he said in a late 2021 interview with Fox News. Many of those people will probably have AIDS and theyre coming into our country and we dont do anything about it. We let everybody come in. Its like a death wish for our country. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) listed Haitians as a high-risk group for spreading HIV in the U.S. in 1983, during the rise of the HIV epidemic. Though the CDC removed the island nation as a high-risk group by 1985, the association has stuck. As for Harris open borders policies, Springfields large Haitian immigrant population is in the country legally and eligible to apply for Temporary Protected Status, according to a Springfield government information page.Regarding the pet-eating claim, Springfield City Manager Bryan Heck said there werent any credible reports of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community, in Hecksstatement to The Cincinnati Enquirer. It is disappointing that some of the narrative surrounding our city has been skewed by misinformation circulating on social media and further amplified by political rhetoric in the current highly charged election cycle, Heck said.Springfield Mayor Rob Rue has also said theres no evidence of immigrants harming and eating local animals.A queer woman whose early Facebook post helped spread the baseless claim about Haitians eating local pets has since admitted that she had no firsthand knowledge of it happening she said it came from an acquaintance of a friend of a neighbor and now regrets the effects of the viral claim. CNN anchor Dana Bash asked Vance during his weekend appearance on State of the Union, Can you affirmatively say now that this is a rumor that has no base basis with evidence? Vance replied, The evidence is the firsthand account of my constituents who are telling me that this happened. Despite his claims, the Springfield Police Division has also told local news media that officers havent received any local reports of pets being stolen or eaten.Ive been trying to talk about the problems in Springfield for months, and the American media ignored it, Vance continued. The American media totally ignored this stuff, until Donald Trump and I started talking about cat memes. If I have to create stories so that the American media actually pays attention to the suffering of the American people, then thats what Im going to do, Dana, because you guys are completely letting Kamala Harris coast. When Bash pointed out that he admitted to creating the story about the pet-eating Haitians, Vance said, Were creating a story, meaning were creating the American media focusing on it. We created the actual focus that allowed the American media to talk about this story, and the suffering caused by Kamala Harriss policies.Numerous commentators have noted that such baseless claims of spreading disease and harming innocent creatures are examples of blood libel used by Nazis and fascists to whip up widespread hatred against Jews and immigrants.Vance claims he and Trump have to "create stories" about migrants eating cats and dogs "so that the American media actually pays attention to the suffering of the American people."There is then some awkward dead air as Bash tries to highlight the absurdity of what he just said pic.twitter.com/IN26ZGYsvE Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 15, 2024

On Thursday, a federal appeals court upheld Colorados ban on conversion therapy for minors, protecting LGBTQ+ youth across the state.The lawsuit concerned a counselor, Kaley Chiles, who claims she assists clients with same-sex attractions or gender identity confusion who prioritize their faith above their feelings and are seeking to live a life consistent with their faith. Related Queer kids are starting to win big civil rights victories in court! PLUS: Several celebrities are stepping up to support their queer siblings. In March of 2019, Colorado passed H.B. 19-1129, a bill that bans conversion therapy on minors. It went into effect in August of the same year with bipartisan support. For those who do not comply with the law, they run the risk of formal complaints, revoking of their license, and having to pay thousands of dollars. Stay connected to your community Connect with the issues and events that impact your community at home and beyond by subscribing to our newsletter. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Chiles, however, claimed this law interfered with her practice, specifically with those she says are seeking such change. This led her to sue state counseling officials in 2022, arguing that this law constituted a free speech violation. She sought a preliminary injunction on the bill, a legal restriction that would prevent the bill from being enforced.However, the lawsuit was unsuccessful in the lower district court. She then appealed the ruling and brought it to the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.She is backed by the Alliance Defending Freedom, a Southern Poverty Law Center-designated hate group.Judges Nancy Moritz, an Obama appointee, and Veronica Rossman, a Biden appointee, were the majority in the 2-1 appeals court panel and they rejected Chiles claims,Because, on the record before us, we find Ms. Chiles has failed to show [that Colorados Minor Conversion Therapy Law (MCTL)] lacks neutrality and general applicability, the district court did not abuse its discretion in finding the MCTL is subject to rational basis review The MCTL survives rational basis review. Therefore, the district court did not abuse its discretion in holding Ms. Chiles has failed to demonstrate a likelihood of success on the merits of her free speech and free exercise claims and by extension, in denying her motion for a preliminary injunction regarding these claims.They argued that free speech does not apply in this case, as Chiles is still allowed to state her views to her clients on conversion therapy and the laws governing it. She is only not allowed to practice conversion therapy on minors. The judges also said that there are no laws governing conversion therapy for adults, meaning that once minors reach the age of majority, she is allowed to practice conversion therapy on them under Colorado law.The judges additionally wrote that the law specifically governs the practices of mental health professionals in regards to how their job is conducted, and as such is in line with other laws on the books that regulate what mental health professionals can and cannot do. And, while Chiles may argue that she should be allowed to practice as she sees fit, this does not extend to violations of laws governing the protection of minors, as violations of this law would constitute demonstrable harm to minors.The sole dissenter was Bush appointee Harris Hartz, who said that Chiles type of talk therapy constitutes protected speech. In support of his argument, he cited the United Kingdoms Cass Review, a widely criticized systematic review of the literature on puberty blockers for transgender minors, and the alleged ideological disagreement that American medical professionals have with it. He does not cite, however, the widespread methodological issues cited with the Review or how major medical associations in the United States support affirming trans youths identities.He also claims that there needs to be more research on the effectiveness of conversion therapy, specifically with regard to talk therapy and with minors, and that conclusions cannot be made in this specific case because of that. However, research has already shown that conversion therapy is harmful. The ADF said of this decision in a statement, Counseling is speech, not conduct, and it must be treated as such under the First Amendment. The government has no business censoring private conversations between clients and counselors, nor should a counselor be used as a tool to impose the governments biased views on her clients We will consider all options to stop the unlawful attempt of Colorado officials to ban someones speech simply because they disagree with the viewpoints expressed.LGBTQ+ advocacy group One Colorados executive director Nadine B ridges said of this decision, We are delighted that Colorados youth will remain protected from conversion therapy. Research has shown that conversion therapy can cause increased rates of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, homelessness, self-harm, and suicide. LGBTQ+ youth are especially at risk, as are families who are misled into believing these dangerous practices can prevent their children from being who they truly are.

Jackass alum Steve-O has had a change of heart.The comedian and podcast host has been getting ready for his Super Dummy Tour, a live show featuring a wild collection of filmed stunts. One planned stunt would have featured the now 50-year-old prankster attending the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota,disguised as a woman, to record video footage of male rally attendees ogling Steve-O and then reacting after he reveals his face and male gender. Related School board defies state law & lets trans girl play soccer. Her teammates are very excited. She said the decision was relieving most of all, to just not have to sit out, and to be able to help my team. In true Steve-O style, the stunt would feature a painful transformation, with the comedian getting temporary breast implant surgery to complete the look. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today It involved me getting my whole body waxed, with airbrushing to remove all of my tattoos, and I lost literally 20 pounds to get really slender and petite. So I would be hairless, tattooless, with a pink bikini top and Daisy Duke shorts, and a motorcycle helmet covering my entire face and head, he told Consequence. I would ride a pink Vespa around at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally completely in disguise, where nobody could tell who I was, Steve-O explained. And the plan I had was to film with hidden cameras as I rode up to big gangs of motorcycle riders, who would presumably be checking me out. And I would walk up to pull off my helmet and say, Yeah, dude, and get this crazy reaction, which, predictably, would be contentious.But a sign from the universe led him to scrap the stunt, he said.First, Steve-O got a call that the anesthesiologist backed out of the planned surgery because he found out that it was me doing it as a stunt. Then the surgeon followed suit.Then Steve-O came face to face with the possible consequences of his planned actions. On the day that the scheduled surgery was supposed to happen, I was checking out at the supermarket. And the person ringing up my groceries was evidently transgender, he recounted. So I asked the transgender person if I could run something by them, and I had a conversation with this person that had a profound impact on me.My feeling that it was the ultimate statement of body autonomy, me saying my body, my choice That part was okay [with the grocery clerk], he said. But the part where I deliberately went out to trick people into thinking that I was a woman and then fooling them, and then kind of celebrating the idea of hate towards [trans people] that was a thing.The trans employee described how they werent allowed to use the bathroom at their place of work, that there were like maybe 28 states in the country that would arrest them for having an ID that said female on it. That there were politicians making concerted efforts to lock them up in internment camps. It was really pretty heartbreaking, the level of oppression that was described, Steve-O said. Framed like that, he added, I thought about it in a way that I hadnt before, where you know, wow, maybe its not all fun and games. Especially the pranks. Like, I wouldve considered it to be better footage if I was to be beaten up at the motorcycle rally. And just having that mentality was very flawed, because ultimately it would be an exercise in celebrating violence against trans people. At least, it would be interpreted that way by some, and when it was put to me that way, I thought, Wow, maybe I missed the mark on that one.Steve-O said he had plans for hidden camera pranks in strip clubs as well. And I took my pole dancing training remarkably seriously. I was doing some seriously inverted pole dancing acrobatics.Footage of his stripper pole training will still be featured in the tour, along with early footage from his doctors office theres some pretty shocking stuff, he said. But now hell explain to audiences why he ended up not going through with the surgery and the stunt: I dont really avoid the topicI explain that I felt the universe intervened on my behalf.Steve-O admitted giving up the transformation was difficult for me. Looking back on it, Im extremely grateful that it didnt happen. Im really glad that I didnt go through with it. But that didnt make it any easier, because I was so vocal about my plans to do that, and Ive never been the kind of artist to say I was going to do something and then not do it. That was what I had trouble with not honoring my word.Ultimately, though, canceling the stunt is a good thing, he said. The show still has a bunch of really good comedy from that whole episode. And the extent to which I was prepared to go through with that is hilarious in its own right.I think its a very valuable trait, he said, to be able to admit when youve got things wrong.

Oh, hey Trades of the Season!Some seasons of RuPauls Drag Race have several guys who are considered trades of the season, while others never really land on any particular guy to fit this role.For old-school enthusiasts of ballroom culture and drag, the trade of the season meaning is a masculine-passing LGBTQ+ guy who has a certain edge, danger, or risk to how he looks. Over the years, though, this term has been reimagined to simply mean that a queer guy looks sexy and attractive. There is some debate between people who want to cling to the original meaning of the term, while others use it more liberally.In the Drag Race franchise, the trade of the season label is typically assigned to the guy in the cast who looks the best according to the other queens in the room, or the fans, or a combination of both.Scroll through to see sexy pictures from the most memorable trades of the season within the RuPauls Drag Race franchise!Kendall Gender (Drag Race Canda Season 2)See on InstagramInstagram: @kendallgender Charity Kase (Drag Race UK Season 3)See on InstagramInstagram: @charitykaseVenus (Canada's Drag Race Season 4)See on InstagramInstagram: @legallyvenusAnubis (Drag Race UK Season 3)See on InstagramInstagram: @anubisfinchVerushka Levels (Drag Race Philippines Season 2)See on InstagramInstagram: @veruschkalevelsSminty Drop (Drag Race UK Season 4)See on InstagramInstagram: @smintydropLina Galore (Drag Race Italia Season 3)See on InstagramInstagram: @lina.galoreChanel Anorex (Drag Race Espaa Season 3)See on InstagramInstagram: @chanelanorexA-Whora (Drag Race UK Season 2)See on InstagramInstagram: @awhoraSee on InstagramInstagram: @dragvulcanoAnetra (Season 15)See on InstagramInstagram: @iamanetraNaysha Lopez (Season 8 & All Stars 8)See on InstagramInstagram: @nayshalopezPearl (Season 7)See on InstagramInstagram: @pearliaisonKween Kong (Drag Race Down Under season 2 & Global All Stars)See on InstagramInstagram: @kweenkongofficialKameron Michaels (Season 10)See on InstagramInstagram: @kameronmichaelsMiss Abby OMG (Drag Race Holland season 1)See on InstagramInstagram: @missabbyomgJoey Jay (Season 13)See on InstagramInstagram: @joeyjayisgayMocha Diva (Drag Race Thailand season 2)See on InstagramInstagram: @itsmochadivaYvie Oddly (Season 11 & All Stars 7)See on InstagramInstagram: @oddlyyvieKaos (Canadas Drag Race season 3)See on InstagramInstagram: @thekaosofjesiloJade Sotomayor (Season 1)See on InstagramInstagram: @jadesotomayorElla Vaday (Drag Race UK season 3)See on InstagramInstagram: @ellavadayAlyssa Hunter (Season 14)See on InstagramInstagram: @thealyssahunterAura Mayari (Season 15)See on InstagramInstagram: @auramayariMilk (Season 6 & All Stars 3)See on InstagramInstagram: @bigandmilkyTayce (Drag Race UK Season 2)See on InstagramInstagram: @itstayceDenali (Season 13)See on InstagramInstagram: @denalifoxxGala Varo (Drag Race Mxico Season 1 & Global All Stars)See on InstagramInstagram: @gala.varoRos(Season 13)See on InstagramInstagram: @omgheyroseApril Carrion (Season 6)See on InstagramInstagram: @aprilcarrionTessa Testicle (Drag Race Germany season 1 & Global All Stars)See on InstagramInstagram: @tessatesticlePythia (Canadas Drag Race season 2 & Global All Stars) (@) Instagram: @pythia.queenMelusine Sparkle (Drag Race Brasil season 1)See on InstagramInstagram: @melusinesparkleDawn (Season 16) (@) Instagram: @upuntil.dawnDenim (Canadas Drag Race season 4)See on InstagramInstagram: @denimjustdenimLady Camden (Season 14)See on InstagramInstagram: @ladycamdenJackie Cox (Season 12)See on InstagramInstagram: @jackiecoxnycLoosey LaDuca (Season 15)See on InstagramInstagram: @looseyladucaMont X Change (Season 10, All Stars 4 & All Stars 7)See on InstagramInstagram: @monetxchangeDanny Beard (Drag Race UK season 5)See on InstagramInstagram: @thedannybeard

65 celebrities with OnlyFans accounts to thirst overFirst launched in 2016,OnlyFansis an increasingly popular subscription-based website that allows content creators to make money from their followers and subscribers by offering them exclusive, premium content that they wouldn't want to share on other free social media sites. Although it is mostly associated and popular with adult actors and sex workers who use it to share their steamier goods,all kinds of artists and creators are starting to use it, including these celebs!Douglas CostaSee on InstagramProfessional soccer player (or footballer for you Brits) Douglas Costa has hung up his cleats and headed to OnlyFans to share a more intimate day-to-day side of himself with the fans for free! Leah McSweeneySee on InstagramFormer Real Housewives of New York star and fashion designer Leah McSweeney was a spicy edition to the franchise. Now shes ready to be erotic & neurotic for the fans for $10 per month. Camille WinbushSee on InstagramFans first fell in love with Camille Winbush on The Bernie Mac Show, but now the star is all grown up and a bit spicer. While she has a strict no-nudity policy that doesn't mean she won't get a bit steamy, recently she sold some of her undies on the platform. Currently, her subscriptions are free. DahliSee on InstagramDahli is a fan-favorite from The Boulet Brothers Dragula season two, Resurection, and season four where they were crowned "The World's Next Drag Supermonster. But thats not the only platform where this TALENTED performer has us in a chokehold. On OnlyFans, they perform under the name Pup Jayy where they share uncensored photos and vids too hot for Instagram for $12 per month. Robbie MansonSee on InstagramNew Zealand rower Robbie Manson started his OnlyFans for two reasons: to fund his Olympic dreams and to "celebrate the human form through tasteful and artistic imagery. we support BOTH of those reasons. While nudity is a part of what he is sharing he won't be sharing any explicit sexual content. But honestly, with that body-ody-ody, we aren't complaining even at $14.99 per month. Gothy KendollSee on InstagramDrag Race UK and Drag Race UK vs the World star Gothy Kendoll showed off her glam side on our TVs and is now unleashing her steamy side on OnlyFans for $9.99 a month. Mike MulderrigSee on InstagramMike Mulderigg has made a splash on reality TV including Ex on the Beach, Lindsay Lohan's Beach Club, All Star Shore, and even starred in a music video for Eureka O'Hara. Now hes' making us sploosh with his OnlyFans page for $10 a month. Tessa TesticleSee on InstagramWe all fell for Tessa Testicle during her season of Drag Race Germany and now she's headed back to the Werk Room again for the upcoming season of RuPaul's Drag Race Global All Stars. But you don't have to wait to see her many talents on OnlyFans for $14.99.Gala VaroSee on InstagramDrag Race Mexico star Gala Varo has us saying ay papi over his drag and with his OnlyFans page which shares his steamy content for $10 per month. Scarlett HarlettSee on InstagramScarlett Harlett gave us equal parts glam and comedy when she stole our hearts on Drag Race UK. Now shes ready to put "the cock in cockney princess" with her spicy OnlyFans page, where subscriptions are free. Marston HefnerSee on InstagramIf Marston Hefner's last name sounds familiar, it should. The out and proud "bisexual af" son of former Playboy magnate Hugh Hefner is on his own journey with intimate content on OnlyFans. Jozea FloresSee on InstagramThe reality star to OnlyFans pipeline is real and we are SO GRATEFUL. Case and point Big Brother 17, Ex on the Beach, and Vanjie: 24 Hours of Love star is now showing off the skin he's in on OnlyFans for $15.99. Come get these cookies, baby!Jay ParkSee on InstagramWere big fans of K-pop around here, and were also big fans of celebrities who have OnlyFans accounts for us to thirst over. K-rapper Jay Park gave us the best of both worlds with a surprise announcement on his Instagram that he was joining OnlyFans, which came alongside the announcement that his new single, McNasty would drop on June 30.George SantosSee on InstagramWe regret to inform you that disgraced Republican congressman George Santos has made good on his threat and joined OnlyFans. Is it a grift? No doubt, but for the morbidly curious heres your chance to to dive deep into the exclusive never before seen content of the Congressional Icon and much more, for just $29.99 per month. Sigh.Ellie DubaichCant get enough of stew Ellie Dubaich on Below Deck Med? Good news you can get to know her steamy side on OnlyFans. She promises a varying degree of creative sexy pictures and videos to get the imagination going, on her page.Gia GunnSee on InstagramGia Gunn is and will forever be Drag Race royalty! We first met this queen on season 6 of the hit show, and she returned to for All Stars 4. Did we love her both times? Ab-so-lutely! So, of course, were thrilled shes also on OnlyFans now and living in her TV celebrity gone wild era.NLE Choppahttps://t.co/IxBjdyP1ro Is We Fuckin Or What ? \ud83e\udd28 (@) 'Slut Me Out' rapper NLE Choppa is ready for his OnlyFans era! The artist shared the news that he was joining the paid platform and we are seated. According to his bio he is here to share his shirtless health tips, meditation, and expertise as an herbal guru. Ollie B KingSee on InstagramYes, your favoreYes, your favorite from I Kissed a Boy is officially on OnlyFans now. While fans rooted for this reality star's love story with Dan Harry Glendinning during the show's run, and were bummed to learn they had gone their separate ways last year, we cant help but cheer his single era, too. Tyler CameronSee on InstagramTyler Cameron had the girlies, gays, and theys thirstin during his time on The Bachelorette, but now he's giving his fans everything they want. He announced he was joining OnlyFans with a very steamy pic of the star on a bearskin rug, The reveal youll have been asking for, wrote Tyler in the caption.The OF officially launches on April 18 and we will be seated. Also in attendance, Chris Olsen and Austin Wolf who both quickly commented with the announcement dropped and made it clear they were up for a collab with the hunky reality star.John CenaJohn Cena first made a name for himself as a professional wrestler with the WWE, but lately, he's been spending more time behind the camera than in the ring. He got his first starring role back in 2006 with The Marine; since then, he's had starring roles in big blockbuster movies like Bumblebee, Fast X, The Suicide Squad, and, most recently, Barbie. He's even been the star of his own hit TV show, Peacemaker, based around his Suicide Squad character. But it's his upcoming role in the comedy Ricky Stanicky that got him to finally join OnlyFans. The ripped star may have only joined the adult website to promote his upcoming film, but we hope he sticks with it and starts removing clothing ASAP!Nick Kyrgios (@) 28-year-old tennis star Nick Kyrgios won his first Grand Slam title in the mens doubles at the Australian Open in 2022 but has been plagued by injuries this year said that his OnlyFans channel will have tennis balls involved as well as "tips, tricks, and behind the scenes" content."But theyll get to see all different sides of me," Kyrgios said. "Gaming, tattoos, my intimate side its all on the table and Ill be bringing fans along for the ride!Miguel GuerreroSpanish soccer goalie Miguel Guerrero has set a new goal, to conquer OnlyFans. The professional player is hanging up his cleats so can transition away from sports and into making spicy content for OnlyFans, where hes making far more money than he ever did on the field.Unlike many professional athletes who have joined the adult website lately Guerrero isnt just posting suggestive photos of himself, hes making explicit videos. He even posted a trailer for his first 20-minute-long adult film on his Instagram account.Franek SkywalkerSee on InstagramFormer Disney star Franek Skywalker has left the House of Mouse behind for a new more adult career. Much like Wizards of Waverly Place star Dan Benson, Skywalker has joined OnlyFans, but unlike Benson, you can expect to find guy-on-guy action on his account.The 28-year-old former child star, whose real name is Marcin Turski, starred as Sebastian Seba on the Disney Channels Do dzwonka, the Polish version of As the Bell Rings. Benjamin JulianBenjamin Julian, a popular TikTok influencer and frontman for the metal band Daze of June, has joined the ever-growing list of people taking the leap to start an OnlyFans.The Danish hottie took to OnlyFans after trying out another premium content provider and starting on the first of the month, fans can subscribe for just $10/month. As for what he's showing. Well we think he says it best: "Yea, I did it! You won't be disappointed by the size... Im posting explicit TikTok's and daily HORNY extra content!Yall know Im Horny 24/7 so why not post it here for you guys."Grant CoulsonSee on InstagramGrant Coulson, best known for his time on the hit reality series Geordie Shore is having a moment! Coulson came out last month as gay last month and introduced the world to his boyfriend, only to turn around and share they had split over his partner's infidelity. Now the reality star is taking his goodies to OnlyFans and to Snapchapt Premium.Trace LenhoffSee on InstagramMost know Trace Lenhoff as a design associate on Bravo's design/reality series Flipping Out. But if you had the good sense to follow him after meeting the cutie on the series, then you know he's already been steaming up Ingstram. At long last he's taking those abs (and more) to OnlyFans. "Get to know me a little better. Sexuality as an aesthetic," he writes in the bio. And because she is a business woman, warns against misusing his copyrighted material. "All content is exclusive copyrighted material belonging to Trace Lehnhoff. Fans may not screenshot, distribute or publish any content from this account, including but not limited to videos, photographs and any other such content that is posted. Violation of this will result in legal action." Yes, daddy! Drea de MatteoSee on InstagramBest known for her iconic turn as Adriana La Cerva in The Sopranos, actress Drea de Matteo is ready to introduce fans to her steamy side on OnlyFans. Having a little fun with her reputation Matteo's description is simply "The Sopornos."Blair St. ClairSee on InstagramWell, I do declare, Blair St. Clair has entered her OnlyFans hunk era! Audiences were introduced to the drag star as a Broadway baby on RuPauls Drag Race season 10, before his bad girl glow-up on All Stars 5. Now Blair St. Clair is entering a new era as a thirst trap king! While they have no intention of ending their drag career they have started an OnlyFan account to also go on a "journey of loving myself inside and out." You can join them on that journey for a mere $10 per month.Tyler BaltierraSee on InstagramFormer Teen Mom star Tyler Baltierra has been showing off his transformation pics on IG and serving major twunk vibes. Now he's taking that new physique to OnlyFans, courtesy of his wife Catelynn Lowell who is actually the one posting the steamy but not too steamy pics. Based on the images currently visible, they will be pushing that whole PG-13 vibe to the max. Dan BensonSee on InstagramBefore making the move to OnlyFans actor Dan Benson was best known for playing Zeke Beakerman on Disney's Wizards of Waverly Place. But after after "fan" leaked his nudes Benson decided to reclaim his power and start selling his nudes himself! PearlSee on InstagramPearl made an unforgettable impression during their time on RuPauls Drag Race season seven. They had all the charisma, uniqueness, nerve (Is there something on my face?), and talent to make it to the end. While they didn't walk away with the crown they recently entered a new era, their OnlyFans era. The Drag Race alum promises to share daily steamy content, live chatting, custom requests, ~spilling t~, and oh so much more.Matthew MitchamSee on InstagramGay Olympian Matthew Mitcham made the move to OnlyFans after retiring from diving. He had long been sharing cheeky semi-nudes on Instagram and decided it was time to share a little more. Denise RichardsSee on InstagramDenise Richards will forever be a queer fan fave with queer audiences thanks to her sexy Sapphic role in Wild Things (gay awakenings abound!). Now thanks to her OnlyFans account, long-time Denise-heads can get a more intimate connection with the star who promises to "Personally answering all your comments & ?s" and sharing some steaming uncensored pics. Iggy AzaleaSee on InstagramThe "Fancy" singer is officially in her "Hotter Than Hell" era and offers uncensored photos, videos, music, and illustrations on her OnlyFans to support the yearlong multimedia project. She also encourages fans to reach out. "DM me & ask nicelyI might send you something wild," she teases in her bio. Sasha BelleSasha Belle aka Frisbee Jenkins was one of the earliest Drag Race queens to make the move to OnlyFans and they aren't holding back, oh, at all behind the paywall. According to the accounts description, subscribers can look forward to "18+ XXX Adult action. Please feel free to DM me and like, comment, and tip."The model, actor, singer, and Eating Out star took to social media in July of 2021 to announce that he had just launched his OnlyFans account, where he promises followers and subscribers "fun and sexy content." (@) WillamSee on InstagramWillam who anyone with a TV will recognize is heating up their OnlyFans account with a mixture of their patented humor and some steamy explicit content, too.Marvin CortesSee on InstagramAfter finishing as runner-up in cycle 20 of America's Next Top Model, Marvin Cortes has been busy building a brand all his own. One aspect: his steadily growing OnlyFans. While the page has long had sexier content in terms of editorial shoots, and more, when he came out as bisexual he began posting collaborations with other male performers on the platform.Dahlia SinSee on InstagramDahlia is putting the Sin in OnlyFans, and we live! Behind the paywall Dahlia is sharing exclusive photos, explicit content, and is open to private requests. Adore DelanoSee on InstagramBeloved Drag Race star and musician, Adore Delano, is promising uncensored content on her OnlyFans. Fans whove ventured beyond their paywall have described the content as an artistic, personal exploration of their sexuality.Bella ThorneSee on InstagramAlthough she made a fortune during her first week on the OnlyFans platform when she launched her account back in August of 2020, the pansexual actress and former Disney star immediately caught heat after one of her pay-per-view pictures that she was charging her subscribers $200 to see caused the website to change their policy on pay-per-view pricing (OnlyFans now caps PPV at $50), affecting smaller content creators and sex workers who don't have as big of an audience as she does. She then apologized for it in a series of tweets. Yaten aka AjaSee on InstagramSince her time on Drag Race, Aja has rebranded on OnlyFans under the name of Yaten. In the description, they write, Music and Sexuality. Life is art. Based on what they have teased on Twitter they arent holding back on the sexy content.Bryan Philip aka Ariel VersaceSee on InstagramWhile Drag Race fans are most likely to recognize Bryan from their drag persona Ariel Versace, they are really winning on OnlyFans. Bryan reportedly does plenty of solo shows on his OF and occasionally is joined by friends. All of which he teases on Twitter.Tana MongeauSee on InstagramSocial media star Tana Mongeau, who came out as pansexual in June of 2020 and who previously dated fellow pan celeb and OnlyFans creator Bella Thorne, launched her OnlyFans account back in May of 2020, but unlike other celebs on this list, her page is free to subscribe to!See on InstagramTrey SongzTalented musician Trey Songz is on OnlyFansSee on InstagramCharlotte StokelyMaitland WandSee on InstagramThe former Boy Meets World hottie Maitland Wand is now taking the world of OnlyFans by storm instead for $15.99 a month. Amber RoseSee on InstagramThe bisexual model and sex-positive activist turned Trump supporter (gross!) joined OnlyFans back in 2020, after teasing some of the content from her account to her 20 million+ Instagram followers! Austin MahoneSee on InstagramThe 24-year-old pop singer, who rose to fame in the 2010s for performing covers of popular songs on his YouTube channel and who is probably best known for the 2013 track "What About Love," announced that he was joining OnlyFans to his followers back in October."I feel like Ive reached an age and a point in my career where Im ready to mix it up and be more open with my fans, and OnlyFans gives me a platform to do so without any limitations," Austin said in a statement about creating his OnlyFans account. "I'm excited to show my fans a different side of me than they may be used seeing on my other social media accounts." Tyler PoseySee on InstagramThe actor, who just recently starred in STARZ's super queer Now Apocalypse series and who is known to take a couple of shirtless selfies for the 'Gram, joined OnlyFans back in September much to the joy of many Teen Wolf fans."I noticed many of my fans commenting on my Instagram photos saying that I should join OnlyFans," Tyler said in an official statement about the debut of his account. "I saw it as a really cool opportunity to get even closer with my fans and be more real with them. I get to talk about things on OnlyFans that I maybe wouldnt get to otherwise and connect with more people like me. I want to accomplish creating unique content and collaborating with my friends to bring a fun experience to my fans." TygaOffering both paid and free OnlyFans accounts for his fans, the rapper is one of the platform's most well-known creators! He even launched a sexy lifestyle and entertainment brand called TOO RAWW in the wake of his OF success.View this post on InstagramA post shared by TOO RAWW (@tooraww)Cardi BThe Grammy-winning "WAP" rapper joined OnlyFans in August 2020, but she's only using her account to post behind-the-scenes content of her work."No Im not going to be showing my t*tties, or my p*ssy, or my a**," the rapper said when she made the announcement on Instagram. "Just straight up real-life content shit. You guys be mad nosey when it comes to my life."View this post on InstagramA post shared by Cardi B (@iamcardib)Shea CouleAll Stars 5 winner and Drag Race Hall of Famer Shea Coule joined OnlyFans back in Julyto share exclusive behind-the-scenes content with her most loyal and dedicated stans."I'm so excited to be joining the OnlyFans community!" she wrote in a tweet announcing her account. "Make sure you go and follow me to get all the exclusive behind the scenes content, photo shoots, videos, and LIVE makeup tutorials!" (@) Plastique TiaraThe season 11 Drag Race contestant is one of many alum who joined the platform in 2020!"We live in a world of prejudice and discrimination, where we have to confine ourselves to a projected idea from society to be accepted," Plastique said in a September statement when she launched her account where she shares her exclusive, and oftentimes sexy, content. "Ive decided to join OnlyFans because its a safe space for people of different colors, sexualities, shapes, and sizes to show the world that we are indeed proud and powerful."MilkThe Drag Race Season 6 and All Stars 3veteran announced his OnlyFans account in November of this year, where he posts weekly, exclusive pics and vids! (@) The VixenThe Drag Race season 10 alum has also been blessing fans with steamy exclusives on OnlyFansunder the username Tony Untucked! (@) Daniel NewmanThe bisexualWalking Dead star announced he was blessing his fans with exclusive content via OnlyFans shortly after Christmas 2020. A happy holiday, indeed! (@) Bretman RockThe beloved YouTube star and makeup guru uses his OnlyFans, in his words, to "post my nudes for free because I'm tired of no one seeing the cute ass pics I be taking." The best part about Bretman's exclusive OF account? It's free to subscribe, and he says any tips he receives from followers will be donated to charity. "Unless its the right kinda tip," of course.Blac ChynaFor $20 a month, you can get an exclusive look at the reality TV star and model's world via her OnlyFans, which she launched back in April 2020.Ryan KelleyThe Teen Wolf star and self-proclaimed "Daddy" has an OnlyFans account and posts regularly to it, but it's definitely more for comedy and laughs than it is for um...other things. You'll see what I mean if you check out his profile.Gravity BalmainThe HBO Max Legendary star and member of the House of Balmain rang in the new year with the launch of his highly-anticipated OnlyFans account in January 2021. For $20 a month, Gravity promises to bless users with "full nudity, actual premium content, not just reposted Instagram and Twitter posts," like some other OF creators do. We stan! (@) Harry JowseyThe Aussie hunk, TV star, and winner of Netflix's reality seriesToo Hot to Handlelaunched his free OnlyFans account in February 2021just in time for Valentine's Day, promising his fans that it will be the"only place you'll truly see down under." Sign. Us. Up. (@) Michael B. Jordan (Coming soon...)Although it hasn't been officially launched just yet, during a recent appearance onJimmy Kimmel Live!, Creed and Black Panther heartthrob Michael B. Jordan (a.ka.2020's Sexiest Man Aliveandthe king of thirst traps for a good cause)opened up about how he is planning to start an OnlyFans account (for his mustache), and how all the proceeds will be used to support small business!"I never had time to actually sit in one place and grow my facial hair where I didnt have to get it groomed, or manicured, or anything like that. So, during quarantine, I just wanted to see how much hair I could actually grow," MBJ told Jimmy Kimmel about growing out his signature facial hair. "His name is Murphy. We call him Murph for short. Got an OnlyFans coming soon eating fruit, all types of crazy stuff, its going to get wild."He continued:"Im actually going to start [an OnlyFans account,] but like all the proceeds I want to go towards a barber school because during the quarantine, you know, theres been so many businesses and schools that shut down."WHEN, MICHAEL?!?! WHEN!?!?Madonna (Coming Soon?)Much like Michael B. Jordan, the pop legend has only teased a possibilty of joining the content sharing platform!In a March 2020 Instagram video post, Madgediscussed her upcoming Madame X documentary, and how she might use OF to release it to her fans."If nobody wants to buy this show...it will be good on OnlyFans," she says in the video. It's not a total confirmation, but it's something! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Madonna (@madonna)

A neo-Nazi is facing years in prison after he was found guilty of intending to commit a terrorist act on an LGBTQ+ group in a nearby town.Alan Edward is a 54-year-old former journalist in the United Kingdom who had a following of over 28,000 people on social media. He was known for glorifying Hitler, mocking the murder of Black Minneapolitan George Floyd, denying the Holocaust, and supporting far-right terrorist groups. He once wrote, The quickest way to someones heart is with a high power 7.62mm round. Related State Department warns of terrorist attacks during Pride Month following ISIS threats This follows a similar warning about terrorist threats from the FBI and DHS. He also had a document on his computer where he praised Norwegian neo-Nazi mass shooter Anders Breivik, calling him Saint Anders. In 2011, Breivik killed 77 people, and detailed his own racist and Islamophobic ideology in a manifesto discovered after his arrest. Global perspectives delivered right to your inbox Our newsletter bridges borders to bring you LGBTQ+ news from around the world. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Edward had an armory of weapons, consisting of a crossbow, machetes, tomahawks, a catapult, brass knuckles, a stun gun, a baton, a sword, and over 14 knives that were often branded with SS and Nazi insignias, police said. Officers also allegedly found a respirator, air pistol, an SS-style skull mask, pellets, ball bearings, fighting gloves that had hardened knuckles, and hunting tips with crossbows.He also had an indoor cannabis plantation whose smokeable flowers he had planned on selling.The court said Edward expressed a set of ideals with a neo-Nazi outlook, incorporating notions of white supremacy, the notion of racial purity of whites, racism, anti-semitism, and hatred of homosexuals and transgender people.However, Edward denied all offenses. Nevertheless, a jury still found him guilty under the Terrorist Act of four offenses, including inviting support for a forbidden organization; possession of weaponry, ammunition and equipment for the commission, preparation or instigation of terrorist acts; and encouraging terrorism and circulating terrorist publications. He was also found guilty of breaching the peace with racism, anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial.His plans to attack a nearby LGBTQ+ group in Falkirk were revealed through a series of exchanges he had with someone on WhatsApp. In one text exchange, he wrote, Its clearly time to hunt the f****ts down and beat them. They have been pushing their luck for years, now they will pay in blood, he added. Its time to kill [the] tr*nny, there is no place for them in this worldI hate them all I really do Hunting time is nearly here We should get masked up and go do a few of them in at their little gay club.He had written, Communists belong in woodchippers, Time to fire up the ovens and step on the gas, and, Jews are behind it all. We will send [them] back to hell where they belong.Edward also had accounts on the far-right social media site Gab. Edward was arrested when police surrounded his house back in 2022, after he came to the attention of the authorities for posting a video of the far-right terrorist group National Action at a rally in 2016, shortly before they became designated as a terrorist group. He had posted the video on Juneteenth 2022 as an attack against Black individuals.During the trial, Edward repeatedly denied any interest in violence, in spite of posts on his Gab account suggesting otherwise. He argued that his armory was actually a collection for outdoor pursuits, and that his Black Sun ring represented life force and not an homage to fascism.Judge Fiona Tait deferred his sentence until October 21 at the Edinburgh High Court, suggesting he remain in custody until then. She also called for a lifetime Serious Crime Prevention Order, something meant to ensure the lifetime management of individuals who are deemed a threat to society, monitoring every action they make.Prosecutor Paul Kearney KC said Edward was a man who with clear neo-Nazi ideals preparing for an act of terrorism which would include an ideologically-driven incident of serious violence.

Hate preacher Joel Webbon is calling on his Christian nationalist brethren to seize power across political, cultural, academic spheres in the United States and wield it ruthlessly.The alternative will be a globohomo gay globalism, Webbon says. Related Hate pastor & pals cite bizarre statistic about what homosexuals secretly eat They all seem pretty obsessed about what gay men do in their bedrooms. In his latest mockery of true Christian values, the pastor at Covenant Bible Church in Texas and founder of the far-wing propaganda organ Right Response Ministries said that a Christian nationalist theocracy is the only hope for America. Additionally, the wicked would benefit from the imposition of a theocracys iron will on society, he claimed. Stay connected to your community Connect with the issues and events that impact your community at home and beyond by subscribing to our newsletter. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Webbons right-wing wingmen, Wesley Todd and Michael Belch, joined the hate preacher for a discussion of the one and only debate between Kamala Harris and the savior they hope will help impose their Christian nationalist mandate on the country, Donald Trump.I had the great misfortune of watching the debate, Webbon said to laughs from his sidekicks.Did you watch? Webbon asked.Yup, the pair of giggling acolytes nodded obsequiously.It wasnt long before Webbon veered into how he would unleash his vision of a Christian theocracy on Americas believers and wicked alike. Extremist Christian nationalist pastor Joel Webbon says Christians must have an "iron will" and be "ruthlessly committed" to seizing political power because everyone will benefit more from Christian nationalism than "globohomo gay globalism." pic.twitter.com/0BryWZNXws Right Wing Watch (@RightWingWatch) September 13, 2024The way that you engage is with an iron will, Webbon said while discussing the creation of his Christian nationalist autocracy. The autocracy would have a righteous Trump at the helm, he said.The way that you engage is you have to be ruthlessly committed to winning real, tangible, political, cultural, academic, and ecclesiastical power. You must seize power, and then with that power, you then wield it righteously, he explained.And when power is wielded righteously, Webbon continued, it is a blessing to the righteous.And, it is even a blessing to the wicked, he added, if they choose to turn from their wicked ways.Everybody wins, Webbon assured his nodding Christian cohorts. Everybody wins. The atheist will fare much better under Christian nationalism.If Christians lose, Webbon predicted, what youll get will be a globohomo gay globalism.During Pride month this year, Webbon aimed his holier-than-thou wrath at feces-eating homosexuals.Degenerate popular culture dictates LGBTQ+ people are marked by compassion or theyre marked by artistic expression, Webbon told the same Christian Nationalist cohorts. Well, dont forget the key characteristic, he continued. The key characteristic of the gay community is butt sex. Thats the key characteristic. Its feces. Thats the key characteristic. Its AIDS, its disease. And it needs to be said, because nobody has said it for a very long time.Webbon has advocated the death penalty for LGBTQ+ people and assured his Christian nationalist followers that racists go to heaven and Black civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. is burning in Hell. In his latter claim, Webbon asserted that abolitionists were not the good guys in the fight over slavery.

Even though we're a little bummed that Fellow Travelers didn't get any of the Emmys it was up for at the 2024 ceremony -- including one for both Outstanding Lead for Matt Bomer and Outstanding Support for Jonathan Bailey, as well as one for Outstanding Writing -- we're still stoked at the amount of attention the production garnered and all of the love viewers have given it.The plot of the eight-episode limited series revolves around Hawkins "Hawk" Fuller (Bomer) and Tim "Skippy" Laughlin (Bailey) as they grapple with their love for each other throughout four decades of war, plague, and drama. The show covers aspects of The Lavender Scare under Joseph McCarthy all the way to the AIDS epidemic in the '80s. On the serious side, everything they cover is a great reminder for the younger queer generation to understand what really happened to get us as far as we have today.Although the show deals with some very heavy topics that pull us through the plot and act as equal entertainment and history lesson, the show garnered a lot of buzz for the chemistry between Bomer and Bailey and some of the sex scenes the two of them let us have.Here's a look at those sex scenes, ranked in order from least to most exciting in the series.13. Hawk and Tim jerk off together, Episode 6Hawk and Tim lay next to each other and jerk off, their faces full of the emotion they feel for each other. Theres tension between the two of them because Tims going through an existential crisis in regard to his sexuality and doesn't want to have the feelings he does for Hawk. We dont get any nudity here, but the moaning between the two of them is still hot to watch.12. It's Tim's turn tonight, Episode 4Its Tims turn tonight, and after Hawk undresses him, he goes down and gives him head. This is another scene that doesn't give us any skin, but it still brings a deeper romance into their story.11. Hawk and Eddie hook up, Episode 1After a random meeting in the bathroom, Hawk and Eddie (David Tomlinson) have a quickie, and Hawk takes a moment to pound it out with Eddie. Its the first bit of sex we get for the full series and we get some nice shots full frontal shots but its a blink-and-youll-miss-it experience compared to other scenes. 10. Hawk gets loose in the club, Episode 4Hawks relationship with sex is a central focal point of the story (which may be obvious given that he's in every single one of these scenes). At one point in the club, he walks into a back room where we find an orgy taking place. Hawk watches for a few seconds before he stands against a back wall and starts to unzip his pants. While the scene starts out hot, it sours relatively quickly once Hawks partner throws him against the wall and tries to make him bottom against his will.9. Hawk rekindles with Lucy, Episode 6It might be a heterosexual sex scene, but watching Lucy (Allison Williams) and Hawk reconvene their love is hot to watch, especially because we got a nice shot of Hawks ass. Truthfully, we get a little more nudity out of Hawk in this situation than we do in a lot of others involving sex with men, but we'll take it when it can get it.8. Hawk and Tim go cruising, Episode 7After spending some time on the beach together, Hawk and Tim go cruising in the bushes. While they're in there, they watch other men play with each other. This one doesn't go as far as we would have liked into the sexual realm, but it still gives us some great full-frontal shots.7. Hawk and Tim dance naked together, Episode 8Although there isnt any actual sex, in the final episode, Hawk and Tim hold each other and dance naked while they caress each other's backs. Its just a sensual and peaceful look into their relationship that proves it had a lot more to do with their actual feelings for each other as opposed to their sexual attraction. Plus, we get to admire them both from behind, so no complaints here.6. Tim smacks Hawk's bare ass, Episode 2Tim smacks Hawks bare booty while they're getting busy. Theres a growing passion in the interaction, and it occurs as their relationship starts to blossom. It's a pretty short (but hot) scene that culminates with the two of them having an adorable cuddle session afterward. 5. Tim becomes Hawk's boy, Episode 1Tim starts to kiss Hawks feet after reaffirming hes Hawks boy, then sucks on his toes for one of the most talked-about interactions of the show. Once he's finished with Hawk's toes, Tim moves on to other parts as Hawk tells him to show him what his boy really wants. Theres a lot of dirty talk here, as there frequently is, and there isnt any nudity, but its still a hot interaction.4. Hawk and Tim's first time, Episode 1The first time Hawk and Tim come together is equally romantic, sensual, and kinky. After Hawk takes off Tims cross necklace, they slowly undress before they get to the bedroom and explore the sexual passion. The first interaction doesnt last long, but it quickly leads to another that has Hawk taking advantage of Tim being his boy and showing us his toping skills.3. Hawk asserts his dominance over Tim, Episode 3After Tim asks Hawk to slap him a few times, Hawk tells Tim to take off all of his clothes while still looking at him. The two come together for a carnal round of sex that involves Hawk tying up Tim. 2. Hawk, Tim, and Craig have a threesome, Episode 7The sexual tension is on fire when Hawk, Tim, and Craig (Morgan Lever) all join each other for a threesome after Tim experiences some jealousy about the relationship between Hawk and Craig. Although it starts out hot, trigger warning that it does end with some physical abuse, as well as an emotional breakdown that we can't fully discuss without spoilers.1. Tim tops Hawk, Episode 8Hawk and Tim switch places and Tim finally takes the top with Hawk. This is one of the longer and more passionate scenes that sees both men release all of the tension and love theyve kept bottled up for each other throughout the years. This is the type of scene that had the critics talking about the palpable tension between the two lovers.

The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards were last night, and queer celebs, creatives, and stories had the opportunity to shine. As with any award show, there was a solid mix of triumphs and let downs, but there were also some truly meaningful moments especially for LGBTQ+ fans. Let's take a look at some of our faves!1. Greg Berlanti's acceptance speech (@) Berlanti was honored with the Governor's Award for all of his contributions to television. It was a bittersweet moment, as his career flourished on The WB and The CW one network that no longer exists and another that has recently shifted to become something unrecognizable. Still, his speech highlighted the importance of queer representation on TV, and we had the opportunity to look back on some of the most important moments he helped bring about. There's certainly no shortage of them. (@) (@) 2. Traitors beating out RuPaul's Drag Race (@) RPDR has had a lock on the Outstanding Reality Competition Program for years, but it's finally been unseated by the Alan Cumming-hosted Traitors. We'd have been happy with either win, but it's nice to spread the accolades around!3. Nava Mau's red carpet remarks (@) Mau was interviewed by Laverne Cox about Baby Reindeer on the red carpet, and her message about the importance of trans rep was a lovely thing to hear.4. Jodie Foster's first Emmys win (@) Foster deserves any awards that come her way, and everyone was hyped to see her snag her first Emmy for True Detective: Night Country!5. The TV dads tribute (@) A segment honoring TV dads took a cute turn when it became time to honor their TV wives. Representing Modern Family, Jesse Tyler Ferguson joked, "I'm so sorry, did you watch my show, or...?" reminding everyone that things aren't as heteronormative as they once were.6. Hacks winning Best Comedy Series (@) Hacks deserved more Emmys than it won last night (as did several of the actual comedies nominated), but at least it took home wins for comedy writing, comedy actress (Jean Smart!), and Best Comedy Series. (@) 7. Jessica Gunning winning for 'Baby Reindeer' (@) We dare you to try not to cry watching newly out Jessica Gunning gushing over what it meant to be a part of Baby Reindeer while accepting the award for outstanding supporting actress in a limited or anthology series or movie.

These Sapphics left us weak in the knees.Last night Hollywood came together for the 76th Emmy Awards and there were plenty of queer moments to celebrate. Whether it was Jodie Foster moving closer to an EGOT with her first Emmy win for True Detective, Jessica Gunning taking home a well-deserved Emmy for Baby Reindeer, or all the love that Hacks received the LGBTQ+ folks stayed WINNING.That's not the only place Sapphics ruled the night they also took over the various red carpets and we loved to see it!Sure, there were plenty of A-listers there, but the stars who shone the brightest and made our hearts beat out of our chests were folks like Kali Reis, Kristin Kish, and Devery Jacobs. Or the Sapphic couples cozying up on the red carpet including Sarah Paulson and Holland Taylor; Jodie Foster and Alexandra Hedison; or Niecy Nash-Betts and her wifey Jessica Betts.The girlies and nonbinary Sapphics showed up and showed out and we have no complaints. ZERO. Keep scrolling to swoon along with us. Jodie FosterLily GladstoneRita OraSarah Paulson & Holland TaylorDevery JacobsJessica Betts & Niecy Nash-BettsKristen KishHannah EinbinderAyo EdebiriGillian AndersonRobin RobertsJodie Foster & Alexandra HedisonJessica GunningSasheer ZamataKali ReisEmily HampshireSabrina ImpacciatoreRegan AliyahSonia MenaAriana MadixPoppy LiuLori Wolf & Carol LeiferKrys MarshallMia HealeyLouisa JacobsonCaroline Joyner & Brittani Nichols

North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson (R), an anti-LGBTQ+ politician who is his partys nominee for governor this year, has said he has a problem with birth control being forced on very young ladiesbecause it might make them more sexually promiscuous.Robinson made this claim at an August 26 meet-and-greet event in Rockingham County. At the event, an undercover Democratic researchoperative asked what he could do about young women being pressured into taking birth control, The Huffington Post reported. Robinson replied, The only thing I dont like about birth control is when its being forced on very young ladies. Related GOP governor candidate said same-sex marriage is an ungodly form of wickedness He has also written that homosexuality leads to PEDOPHILLA and the end of civilization. The operative then said that birth control may make young women a little bit more inclined to be promiscuous. Robinson replied, I think so, adding, You know, those are personal opinions. But you know, working those into legislation is tricky. Your LGBTQ+ guide to Election 2024 Stay ahead of the 2024 Election with our newsletter that covers candidates, issues, and perspectives that matter. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Republicans have long claimed that the availability of contraceptives (like condoms and birth control pills) and sexual education make young people more sexually active. As such, Republicans have supported abstinence-only educationwhich focuses on the dangers of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs)or no sexual education classes in schools whatsoever, leaving such discussions to family members.Contraceptives and comprehensive sex education lower rates of sexual activity among young people, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). These also result in a reduced number of sexual partners, reduced frequency of unprotected sex and fewer pregnancies and STIs.Young women use birth control pills for reasons unrelated to sex, including to reduce menstrual cramps, heavy periods of menstruation, and nutrient deficiencies or to treat other conditions like acne, cysts, and ovarian cancer, Huffington Post writer Jennifer Bendery noted. Robinsons replies will likely hurt his flagging campaign to become North Carolinas new governor. His Democratic opponent, state Attorney General Josh Stein,has run political ads highlighting Robinsons complete opposition to abortion, even in cases of rape or incest.Abortion in this country is not about protecting the lives of mothers. It is about killing the child because you werent responsible enough to keep your skirt down, Robinson has said. He has also said that once a woman becomes pregnant, Its not your body anymore.Robinsonwho was recentlyaccused of regularly patronizing state porn shopshas previously said that school shootings are Gods punishment for abortions. In 1989, he paid for his then-girlfriend to get an abortion. He has since called that abortion a mistake.Robinson has also said that he considers LGBTQ+ people as filthy demons who mentally rape children. Among hismany anti-LGBTQ+ statements, he has called homosexuality an abominable sin, hascompared LGBTQ+ people to cow dung, and Satanic demons, and said trans peopleshould defecate on public street corners outsiderather than using bathrooms matching their gender identity. He has also made numerous racist and antisemitic comments.

Out pop singer Troye Sivan wants straight people to stop using the term twink.If you say twink where you meant to say fa***t, thats still a slur, he said in a recent TikTok post. Thats, like, our word. I dont think straight people should be using that. Related Azealia Banks attacks expired twink Troye Sivan in outrageously hateful rant When Sivan praised her 2012 hit song, she accused him of perpetuating pedophilia. As them noted, most LGBTQ+ people dont necessarily consider the word particularly offensivethough one of the characters in the 1993 TV adaptation of Armistead Maupins Tales of the City did famously observe that to call younger gay men twinks is just a queens way of being a male chauvinist pig. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today But as Sivan suggested, the term, often used to refer to a young, lean, generally hairless gay man, can hit differently when straight people use it. Notably, controversial rapper Azealia Banks, who identifies as bisexual, directed a homophobic rant at Sivan last year, calling him an expired twink and baselessly accusing him of perpetuating pedophilia. Sivan made the observation as a general aside in a video responding to a recent blind item that originally appeared in a September 11 post on the Crazy Days & Nights blog. The item claimed that an A-list foreign born singer should be at her peak right now and selling lots of tickets on her tour. The sales are low though and her label is getting ticked off. It went on to claim that her touring partner doesnt really care about sales, He [sic] is just happy to be on the road and hitting Grindr at every stop.TikTok account @celebriteablinds_ picked up the item in a since-deleted post afteranother sitesuggested that the two artists in question were, in fact, Charli XCX and Sivan, who are currently touring together. Straight people are getting way too comfortable, Sivan said in his post, which included a clip of @celebriteablinds_ reading the part of the item supposedly pertaining to him. I released an album. I am touring the album with Charli XCX. We are playing 22 shows across the country that are 95 percent sold out, by the way.The singer, whose third album, Something to Give Each Other, was released last year, added that the only city in which his and Charli XCXs Sweat Tour is flopping is Nashville, Tennessee though Sivan noted that ticket sales for that October 2 show are at 78 percent.To say that I am touring the country to go on Grindr at every stop, like, thats genuinely homophobic, Sivan continued. Its, like, a stereotype. Dont sex shame me.I dont need to travel the country to get laid, the Rush singer added. I can get laid wherever I want. I can get laid in L.A. Im going on tour because I released an album, and because people are buying tickets to come to see the show. So, f**k you. @troyesivan #stitch with @Celebritea Blinds original sound Troye Sivan

Brands that are supportive of LGBTQ+ rights or social justice movements see greater consumer engagement and loyalty from customers, a new study found. The study comes after several major brands have distanced themselves from their previous pro-diversity initiatives.Unstereotype Alliance, a business initiative convened by UN Women, more inclusive advertising campaigns positively impact profits, sales, and brand worth. Related LGBTQ+ stars shined at last nights Emmy Awards. Here are the highlights Out queer actors, directors, and creatives snagged big wins and made meny memorable moments at the annual awards event. Researchers at Sad Business School at Oxford University analyzed data from Diageo, Kantar, and Unilever in collaboration with the Geena Davis Institute. The research, based on an analysis of 392 brands across 58 countries, reveals that inclusive advertising can boost short-term sales by nearly 3.5% and drive long-term sales by over 16%. Global perspectives delivered right to your inbox Our newsletter bridges borders to bring you LGBTQ+ news from around the world. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The study spanned various product categories, including confectionery, snacks, personal care, beauty, pet food, pet care, alcohol, consumer healthcare, and household products across diverse regions.Inclusive advertising also persuades 62% of consumers to choose a product and enhances brand loyalty for 15% of shoppers. The study highlights that ads that authentically portray people without using stereotypes have a clear competitive advantage in the marketplace, influencing consumer preferences and long-term success.Sara Denby, head of the Unstereotype Alliance secretariat at UN Women, emphasized that the long-held belief that inclusive advertising could harm a business or, in conservative parlance, Go woke, go broke has hindered progress for too long. This claim is consistently unfounded, she said, but we needed evidence to counter it. These undeniable findings should reassure any business and motivate brands to strengthen their commitment to inclusivitynot only to serve their communities but also to drive growth and boost profitability. Unstereotype Alliance was founded in 2017 and has 240 member companies. The organization seeks to end harmful stereotypes in advertising and has 12 national chapters across five continents.In the effort to be more inclusive, some companies have fumbled. Kendall Jenner and Pepsi were ridiculed after an ad from the soda company showed Jenner solving a clash between protestors and the police by handing a cop a soft drink. On the other side, the beer brand Bud Light also faced right-wing rage after partnering with trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney. After the incident, Jason Warner, CEO of the European branch of Bud Lights parent company, Anheuser-Busch InBev, said that the company would no longer attempt inclusivity and stay in our lane. The study comes after right-wing influencer Robby Starbuck pressured multiple companies to cave by accusing them of having woke agendas and sending a social media mob after them. Starbuck succeeded in getting companies such as Lowes, John Deere, Harley Davidson, and more to drop their DEI initiatives, stop partnering with the Human Rights Campaign, and end sponsorship of Pride festivals. When fear of Starbuck caused Ford Motors to follow behind the other brands, president of the Human Rights Campaign, Kelley Robinson, called Starbuck a MAGA bully and Republican-reject.It later released a study that details how rollbacks on DEI from large corporations in recent years are wildly unpopular with LGBTQ+ individuals and alienating many consumers.The latest research adds even more weight to that argument.

Most of the openly gay people that have worked with me, that Ive worked with, the one advantage they have is they tend to have more courage than most people have, President Joe Biden said in a recent interview while reflecting on LGBTQ+ activists who have fought against violence and discrimination.Biden reportedly expressed admiration for the men and women who broke the back of the prejudice or began to break the back, starting with those who sparked the 1969 Stonewall Uprising. Related President Joe Bidens LGBTQ+ legacy: 45 defining moves he made for equality President Biden has been advancing equality for LGBTQ+ people in the workplace, health care, and other areas of peoples lives. I was really impressed when I went to Stonewall, Biden said, speaking of the 7.7-acre areadesignated as a National Monument in 2016, the nations first monument dedicated to LGBTQ+ history. And I was really impressed talking to the guys who stood up at the time. I think the thing that gets underestimated is the physical and moral courage of the community, the people who broke through, who said, Enough, enough, and they risked their lives. Some lost their lives along the way. Stay connected to your community Connect with the issues and events that impact your community at home and beyond by subscribing to our newsletter. Subscribe to our Newsletter today [They] took their lives in their own hands, Biden continued. Not a joke. It took enormous courage, enormous courage. Most of the openly gay people that have worked with me, that Ive worked with, the one advantage they have is they tend to have more courage than most people have. No, Im serious. I think you guys underestimate that.All the LGBTQ+ people that have worked for me or with me have reinforced my view that its not what your sexual preference is, its what your intellectual capacity is and what your courage is, he added. Its not like someone wakes up one morning says, You know, I want to be transgender, thats what I want to do. What do they think, people wake up, decide one morning, Thats what I wanted its a lot easier being gay, right?During the interview, Biden mentioned the many pro-LGBTQ+ actions his administration has taken, including signing the Respect for Marriage Act, appointing high-level out officials and judges, ending the anti-gay blood donation ban, establishing rules to protect LGBTQ+ kids in foster care, and issuing Title IX and Title VII rules to protect queer students and workers. However, Biden said theres still more to do to secure full LGBTQ+ equality. When a person can get [same-sex] married [and] show up at a restaurant and get thrown out of the restaurant because theyre LGBTQ, thats wrong, he said. Thats why we need the Equality Act. We need to pass it. So, Im going to be doing everything I can to be part of the outside voices, and I hope my foundations that I will be setting back up will talk about equality across the board.The Equality Act would add gender identity and sexual orientation to federal civil rights protections. But to become law, it would need Republican support, at least in the Senate, where it needs 60 out of 100 votes to get past the filibuster. I think there are a lot of really good Republicans that Ive served with, especially in the Senate, who dont have a prejudiced bone in their body about this but are intimidated, Biden said. Because if you take a position, especially in the MAGA Republican Party now, youre going to be theyre going to go after you. Trump is a different breed of cat, Biden said. I mean, I dont want to make this political, but everything hes done has been anti, anti-LGBTQ, I mean, across the board.Biden also criticized Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who expressed interest in the nations highest court possibly overturning its 2015 decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide, calling Thomas view just pure, simple prejudice.My dad used to say that everyones entitled to be treated with dignity, Biden said, noting that, when he was a teen, he expressed surprise to his father over seeing two men kiss. His father explained, Joey, its simple. They love each other.As a consequence of that, most of the things that Ive done have related to just [what] I think is basic fairness and basic decency,Biden said.