Losing an election is a an opportunity for reflection. Its also an opportunity for airing pet peeves. Unfortunately, as the Democrats post-election conversation proves, the two are often one and the same, especially when it comes to identity. Donald Trumps victory has unleashed a flood of complaints that Democrats are too wrapped up in identity politics. Column after column, and story after story pin at least some of the blame on Democrats defeat on spending too much time on identity politics. Related Donald Trumps Cabinet picks are a prelude to his consolidating power in his hands alone As bad as the choices are, what really matters is how Trump is already acting like a dictator. Of course, its easy to make that accusation in retrospect. Its also wrong. Dive deeper every day Join our newsletter for thought-provoking commentary that goes beyond the surface of LGBTQ+ issues Subscribe to our Newsletter today For one thing, Kamala Harris never went all in on identity politics. If anything, she underplayed the issue. The critics blame the left, a large, faceless group, for taking control of the party and pushing it into unfriendly territory. Then there is the phrase itself, which is insulting. It diminishes the quest for equal rights by characterizing it as a fringe issue. For another, its applied solely to women, non-white groups, and the LGBTQ+ community. No one is talking about college-graduate identity politics. Indeed, many of the people arguing against identity politics are actually arguing for a different form of identity politics. For example, consider the column that Harry J. Holzer, a professor of public policy at Georgetown and a senior fellow at Brookings, wrote for The Hill,I strongly believe Democrats must tone down their very heavy focus on race and gender issues which are divisive and appeal primarily to the college-educated, while turning off most men and the working class. So womens issues are identity politics. Mens concerns are not, and white peoples arent. Whats silly about Holzers comments is that the reason why Democrats played so heavily to womens concerns this time out is because the support of women was a big reason why they succeeded beyond their expectations in 2022. If Democrats had won this time out, there would have been as many articles praising the success of identity politics as there are articles now condemning it.Nowhere is the sniping worse than when it comes to trans issues. Democrats who think they hold the key to understanding the electoral loss insist that trans issues played a big role in Harris defeat. The Democrats have to stop pandering to the far left, Rep. Tom Suozzi said after he won his election in suburban New York. I dont want to discriminate against anybody, but I dont think biological boys should be playing in girls sports. Rep. Seth Moulton expressed a similar sentiment. So wheres the evidence that trans issues affected the outcome of the election? There isnt any. Republicans spent a fortune on anti-trans ads, but that doesnt mean they were effective. That hasnt stopped political reporters from presenting the issue as if it were true, as opposed to just speculation. Moulton, a one-time presidential candidate, was given a big feature in The New York Times as the Democrat picking a fight with his party over transgender rights. (Moulton, who has a pro-trans voting record, said the story focused on trans issues despite being part of a long conversation about the problems of Democrats and how we cant relate to people in America.) Of course, no one talks about Republican identity politics. Being a white evangelical is as much an identity as being Black or trans. Indeed, after Mitt Romneys loss in 2012, the GOP actually undertook a post mortem that concluded that the party was too narrowly focused and needed to expand its outreach to voters, including gay voters, by being more compassionate. With Trump, the party moved in the opposite direction.The simplest explanation for Harris loss is that people werent happy with the economy. Joe Biden hanging on as long as he did hurt Democrats as well. The Democrats didnt have a compelling message about the price of eggs and paid the price for it. Immediately jumping to the conclusion that Democrats are in dire straits as a result is quite the leap. Frankly, nothing was likely to overcome peoples heartburn over the lingering effects of inflation. There are other complicating factors. Certainly one thing that the pundits arent taking into account is the environment of disinformation that social media has enabled, making it harder for reason to puncture lies. The other issue that people seem to forget is that Trump didnt win by a landslide. He didnt win a majority of voters, and his margin of victory was a slender 1.6% (and shrinking as vote counts are finalized.) Trump has proclaimed this a powerful mandate, when in fact its anything but. Hes abetted in his hyperbole by the media, which make his win sound like Ronald Reagans 1984 blowout. Perhaps the best comment on post-election debate comes from Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI). Schatz told New York Magazine that he doesnt know what went wrong. But what he does know that he doesnt buy the armchair analyses that the media love.I happen to be wary of anybody who thinks this result vindicates their particular policy worldview, whether people think we were too far to the left, or not populist enough, or not pro-Israel enough, or not pro-Palestinian enough, he said. I am deeply suspicious of anybody who uses this result just to advocate for what they wanted all along.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Every December 1st, the world unites to commemorate World AIDS Day, a time to reflect on the lives affected by HIV/AIDS, honor the memories of those lost, and renew our commitment to ending the epidemic. This year, as we focus on reducing stigma and increasing awareness, it is crucial to spotlight the vital role of [...]The post World AIDS Day 2024: Black Voices in Combating HIV and AIDS Stigma first appeared on GLAAD.

The latest film by writer, director, and actor Alexandra Swarens offers a slow-burn, will they or wont they, friends-to-lovers romance with The Holiday Club. Starring Swarens and Mak Shealy, the film takes viewers to small-town Ohio, where two women bond over disastrous holidays.Bailey (Swarens) is a kind bakery owner whose girlfriend shows little interest in her flour-sprinkled passion. Sam (Shealy) is a new-in-town tech worker struggling to connect with anyone other than her older coworker. When the two women meet over a particularly cursed Valentines Day, it sparks a friendshipand eventually, something much more.The Holiday Club is the latest entry in Swarens mini-empire of lesbian romance films. A triple threat, Swarens has been creating her own successful queer content since 2016s LA Web Series. She followed it with feature-length, queer-centric films including City of Trees, Spring, Looking for Her, and Over Easy.Swarens has a knack for creating easygoing, slow-burn romances that often highlight the lives of small-town lesbians and queer people. The Holiday Club is no exception. While the stakes are often high, the easy chemistry between Swarens and Shealy keeps the film at a steady pace. Sometimes, the pace feels a little too steady and could use a gentle push, but the connection between the characters is worth the wait. As each new holiday passes, we watch the gravitational pull between Sam and Bailey grow and cant help but root for their success.While technically not a Christmas film, The Holiday Club makes for a sweetly romantic watch, perfect for cuddling on the couch with hot chocolate.As of earlier this year, Swarens catalog of films is available through Tello Films, a streaming service for LGBTQ+ womens content. The Holiday Club is available to rent or buy now. Tello also has a collection of queer women-focused holiday romances to keep you going through the winter.The post The Holiday Club: A heartfelt friends-to-lovers film perfect for the season appeared first on News Is Out.

Michael Brown, founder of the FIRE School of Ministry in North Carolina, has been accused of sexual misconduct by a former secretary whom he asked to call him Dad.A woman identified by the pseudonym Erin accuses Brown of engaging in a years-long pattern of abuse including unwanted kisses on the lips, handholding and butt slaps, according to reporting by the Christian publication The Roys Report. Related Christians rage at Playboy for going from lewdness to perversion by putting gay man on cover Playboy has gone from degrading women to erasing women, one anti-LGBTQ activist said. Another said it proves that looking at naked women can turn men gay. On more than one occasion, ministry staff members walked in on Brown to find Erin sitting in his lap. 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 woman came forward more than 20 years after the incidents, which started when she was 18 and led her to leave the ministry at 21, after Brown served as a mediator in cases of sexual abuse and adultery among other Christian revivalist communities.Brown is host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fireradio program and president, founder, and professor of practical theology at the FIRE School of Ministry in North Carolina. He has a history of anti-LGBTQ+ bias.Three years ago he called Playboy magazines decision to put a gay man on the cover a perversion and hoped Americans would learn to celebrate a healthy sexuality within the bonds of marriage, one man and one woman together for life, as intended by God. In 2011, he published a book called A Queer Thing Happened to America about the extraordinary impact gay activism has had on our society, from elementary schools to college campuses, from the press to the courts, and from the world of business to the world of religion. The books Amazon description says that the book is a diatribe about how schools are trying to indoctrinate children with gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender ideology with complaints about how men are going to work in heels and universities endorse homosexual practice, while anyone who fails to affirm (or even celebrate) homosexuality and transgenderism gets called intolerant and bigoted.He has also said that he believes the LGBTQ+ movement will die out soon because the gay revolution has within itself the seeds of self-destruction and instructed Christians to resist the gay activist agenda with courage. Jesus hung out with the tax collectors and sinners, yes, but he didnt teach them how to extort more money or sleep with more men, he said on his radio show in 2015 about gay people, who he said had become bullies, according to the Christian Post.If you just speak that a child should have a mom and dad today you will be hated, vilified, he claimed. He also compared homosexuality to polyamory and couples living together without being marriedBrown denied Erins allegations while admitting to a definite lack of judgment. The schools board of directors has launched a third-party investigation of Erins accusations. Both Nancy and I were shocked and horrified by the mix of accusations, allegations, false statements, and mischaracterizations, Brown said in a statement, referring to his wife. Nancy and I did have a relationship with the woman in question and considered her to be like a family member, and she conducted herself as one who viewed our relationship the same way. But she was not a family member, and aspects of my interaction with her, although totally non-sexual in every way, reflected a definite lack of judgment on my part, he added.The incidents took place in an environment that explicitly forbids the kind of conduct Brown engaged in. Browns school has strict modesty dress codes and rules about dancing, including at weddings, with restrictions on unchaperoned dating and very little grace for those who didnt meet standards, according to a female student at one of Browns ministries.School leaders asked students to publicly confess sexual sins at services in front of the entire student body for offenses like swimming in a pool with someone of the opposite sex, said a former FIRE staff member.It was just like, Purify, purify, revival fire, be holy as God is, live this perfect, blameless, stainless life, said one of Browns former students. Erin said she came to a realization she had to leave the ministry after she was told to housesit for Brown and was asked to sleep to in the couples bedroom. There, she found an unsent letter Brown had written about a chaste adulterous relationship hed engaged in with another staff member.The letter basically stated that they were having a talking relationship and how they would dream about having sexual relations with each other and what they wanted to do with each other, how she wanted to wrap her legs around him, how he played into it, Erin said.She began to see Browns behavior with her in a new light. It was the realization that what was happening between us was wrong, even though, when it would happen, I would know it was wrong, I didntknowit was wrong, Erin said. When I found the note, I was like, This is wrong. Everythings wrong.Following Erins abrupt departure, other staff members confronted Brown over the behavior they had witnessed.He called the accusations an attack from Satan.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Famm Connect is turning the idea of professional networking on its head. Founded by queer married couple, Cat Perez (she/they) and Marianna Di Regolo (she/her) and designed specifically for the LGBTQ+ community, this innovative platform prioritizes safety, intentionality, and meaningful connections over mass adoption. With its referral-only model and thoughtful features, Famm Connect is creating a space where LGBTQ+ professionals can thrive.A safe and intentional spaceCurrently, Famm Connect operates on an invite-only basis. This decision was very intentional, Perez and Di Regolo explained in an email interview with News is Out. It stems from feedback weve received from the Famm community, emphasizing the importance of safety.For LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly trans folks, safety is paramount. In a world where far-right rhetoric and actions often target the queer community, Famm Connect is designed to foster a secure environment. By starting with people we know and trust, were creating a space thats built with intentionwhere the growth and value of the community come from those shared connections, Perez and Di Regolo shared.Unlike platforms that prioritize rapid growth or flashy metrics, Famm Connect focuses on cultivating quality over quantity. Were not aiming for mass adoption or vanity metrics. Instead, were focused on cultivating quality, intentional connections. Thats the heart of Famm Connect.While the invite-only model may evolve over time, the platforms growth will always align with the needs and values of its LGBTQ+ user base.A platform for LGBTQ+ professionalsFamm Connect is more than a networking tool; its a platform built to celebrate and support the whole person. Its not just a social network; its a space intentionally designed to meet the needs and desires of our community, said Perez and Di Regolo.The platforms user-friendly design encourages genuine engagement. Features like open to tags on profiles help users easily connect with others who share similar goals or interests.One of the features of Famm Connect is its integration with the queer economy, an extension of Heyfamm.com.By creating space for folks to add their business or service for free, Famm Connect not only facilitates professional networking but also highlights LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and the broader community, said Perez and Di Regolo.Importantly, Famm Connect is built through an intersectional lens, celebrating the diverse identities and experiences of its users and recognizing that LGBTQ+ individuals are not a monolith.Our focus is and always will be on what the community values most, Perez and Di Regolo added.Hopes for the futureAs Famm Connect continues to grow, its creators envision a network that is not only a hub for professional connections but also a catalyst for systemic change. We want this to be the go-to platform where safety and authenticity coexist with opportunity and growth, Perez and Di Regolo shared.Perez and Di Regolo dream of a future where Famm Connect plays a pivotal role in elevating LGBTQ+ professionals and businesses. How incredible would it be to know that Famm Connect was the catalyst for millions of connections that elevated LGBTQ+ professionals and businesses?Beyond networking, Famm Connect aims to address broader inequities in the professional world. The team behind the platform envisions increasing LGBTQ+ representation in executive positions, boardrooms, venture capital firms and beyond.What if, in doing so, we furthered intersectionalitycreating spaces where more women of color, queer leaders, and other underrepresented voices are amplified and supported?Building a movement, not just a platformFamm Connects vision goes far beyond building a social network. Our vision isnt just about building a social network; its about building a movement that redefines what professional success and community look like for folks who constantly have to navigate systems of oppression, Perez and Di Regolo explained.To join the waitlist, visit heyfamm.com/famm-connect. You can also join the virtual launch party on December 11 at 12:00 p.m. PT / 3:00 p.m. ET. Registering for the event automatically adds you to the waitlist, plus offers exclusive giveaways and early access to Famm Connect.The post Famm Connect is redefining networking for LGBTQ+ professionals appeared first on News Is Out.

Model Alex Consani who has walked the runway for Tom Ford, Chanel, and Victorias Secret has won the title of Model of the Year at the 2024 Fashion Awards in London.Im the first trans woman to win this award, she said to cheers at the Royal Albert Hall on Monday night. But I cant accept this award without thanking all those that came before me and specifically the Black trans women who really fought for the space. Related 20 LGBTQ+ fashion icons who lit up the runway & served some serious style Fashion is a collaboration of designers and models, and these 20 LGBTQ+ fashion icons are some of the best to ever do it. She also thanked her parents for being supportive of her identity and her career choice. 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 Thats something, I think, a lot of other parents of trans children should follow, she said. It gives children a foundation to love and support and makes them want to support themselves and love themselves, even when its not celebrated by most.She closed with a call for people in the fashion industry to support one another.Now more than ever, its an important conversation that should be had about how to truly support and uplift one another within this industry, especially those who have been made to feel insignificant, Consani said. Because change is more than possible, its needed. And this is a big step in the right direction. @ly.as0 @Alex Consani wins Model Of the year !!! son original lyas Consani signed with IMG Models in 2019 and built a following on social media, getting almost four million followers on TikTok. She walked the runway for the first time for Tom Ford in 2021 and later walked for Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, and Versace.In October, she became the first trans model to walk the runway at the Victorias Secret Fashion Show along with Brazilian model Valentina Sampaio.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

After a months-long investigation, police have charged three teenagers for alleged involvement in the brutal beating of a trans classmate. A release from the Gloucester, Massachusetts, Police Department stated that it has filed criminal complaints seeking assault and battery charges against three juvenile males. The charges stem from a violent altercation that took place over Labor Day weekend and left trans 16-year-old Jayden Tkaczyk with bone fractures and nerve damage. Related 16 trans kids die in subway station to protest national puberty blocker ban The protest happened on the day that the government extended the ban. One second, I was having fun. The next minute, I was on the ground getting my face stomped and beat, said Tkaczyk after his release from the hospital. Tkaczyktold reportershes dealt with being bullied for years over his trans identity and is sure it played a part in why he was targeted. 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 But the recent report from the police department stated there would be no hate crime charges. Due to allegations that this may have been a hate crime, Gloucester Police assigned a specially trained hate crime investigator to the case, and also consulted with Essex DAs Office and a specially trained State Police detective who investigates hate crimes as part of the Governors Hate Crimes Awareness and Response Team, it explained. Evidence gathered as part of the investigation did not ultimately support hate crime charges. Chief Edward Conley said in a statement that the department conducted a meticulous, thorough, and compassionate investigation, and the resulting charges are consistent with the evidence.Tkaczyk was reported missing before police responded to the area around 10:45 p.m. Officers say they learned that there had been a dispute among teens at the gathering and that one had been assaulted. Authorities said the people involved are known to one another. Adding to the familys distress: social media posts justifying the attack.This has always been my worst fear as a mom of a trans teen, said Jasmine Tkaczyk, Jaydens mother. A lot of them are proud of what they did, and its wrong.She added, Hes been bullied by these children for years. Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

(@) MAGA obsessive Marjorie Taylor Greene is back at it again, making a fool of herself without even trying, and we cant help but howl with laughter. This morning, Greene took to X (formerly Twitter) to weigh in on all of the discourse about how President Joe Biden shouldnt have pardoned his son Hunter Biden, but Donald Trump should pardon everyone once he takes office in January. But while regurgitating these right-wing talking points, MTG managed to accidentally imply that shes committed a crime that she wants pardoned. If Democrats are going to play the pardon game then we should do the same thing. Trump can just blanket pardon all of us too, Greene posted. While MAGA supporters gleefully ran to the comments to talk about how Trump should pardon all of the January 6 insurrectionists, the rest of the internet was busy roasting Greene and asking what crime she would need to be pardoned for. Even far-right conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer commented, JUST IN: MTG admits she has done something that would make her need a pardon. When even Trump-loving Loomer is clowning on you, you know youve sunk to an all-time low.The jokes about Marge committing crimes worthy of a presidential pardon have us cracking up, but the quips resurrecting the wild conspiracy theory that she planted a pipe bomb on January 6 are chefs kiss.Keep scrolling to see the funniest reactions to MTG accidentally telling the world shes a criminal in need of a pardon! (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@)

The Montana legislature has rejected a measure to ban state Rep. Zooey Zephyr (D) the only trans person in the legislature from using the restroom. The Montana Joint House and Senate Rules committees voted 10-12 to reject the amendment (S.J. 1) banning trans people from using the appropriate restroom at the state capitol. Zephyr was first elected in 2022 and has already worked in the state legislature for a session without issue when it came to restroom usage. But congressional Republicans at the national level agitated for a rule which Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) implemented banning incoming Rep. Sarah McBride (D-DE) from using the womens restroom at the Capitol just last month. McBride is the first trans person elected to Congress. Related Who is Zooey Zephyr? Where does she stand on LGBTQ+ rights? Meet Zooey Zephyr, a trailblazer in Montana politics who made history as the first openly transgender state Rep. During the debate on S.J. 1, a joint resolution that lays out the rules for the coming legislative session, state Rep. Jerry Schillinger (R) proposed an amendment that said that the gals restroom will be used only by gals and the guys restroom will be used only by guys. The amendment referred only to the restrooms located between the state house and state senate. Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today One lawmaker who commented on the measure, state Rep. David Bedey (R), asked if there was any need for this amendment after the previous session of the Montana legislature, where Zephyr wasnt banned from using the restroom. He said that he reluctantly opposed the amendment because, after speaking with women in the legislature, he learned that no one had a problem with the current rules and that passing the amendment would be a distraction from us doing our duties. The amendment will have the effect of making people famous in the national news and will not contribute to the effective conduct of our business, Bedey said.State Rep. Ed Buttrey (R) asked how the amendment would be enforced, if everyone in the legislative body would be forced to get a medical examination or chromosome testing to see if they met the definition of male or female as laid out in the amendment. Schillinger said that no testing would be needed and cited anti-LGBTQ+ activist Matt Walshs movie What is a Woman, which he claimed proved that most of us can figure that out. Another lawmaker said that there couldnt be an answer to the question because no legal review had been conducted. State Rep. Jedediah Hinkle (R) said that women in the legislature did have an issue in the previous session with sharing a restroom with Zephyr. He said that he knows multiple women lawmakers who would go all the way across the capitol building, down to the bullpen, to use that bathroom rather than using the one right outside the house and senate chambers.Several other lawmakers all men talked about how the amendment should be passed in order to protect women lawmakers. No women spoke on the amendment.Zephyrs first term in the state legislature was not without controversy. The body debated a bill to ban gender-affirming care for trans minors in 2023, and Zephyr accused Republicans of having blood on your hands for supporting the bill. If you are denying gender-affirming care and forcing a trans child to go through puberty, that is tantamount to torture, and this body should be ashamed, she said. I hope the next time theres an invocation when you bow your heads in prayer, you see the blood on your hands.Conservative lawmakers demanded that she be censured for using inappropriate and uncalled-for language during a floor debate. She was barred from speaking on the state house floor. Speaker Matt Regier (R) said he decided to bar Zephyr from speaking to protect the dignity and integrity of the chamber.On Monday, protesters in the state house chamber opposed Regiers refusal to recognize Zephyr on the floor. The protesters chanted, Let her speak! while Zephyr raised a microphone towards them to amplify their voices. Police arrested seven protesters, and Zephyr stood nearby as they were booked at the county jail. I raised my mic and stood in solidarity with them, Zephyr said later. I am devoted to those who rise in defense of democracy.After the protest,top Republican state house members accused Zephyrof violating the rules, collective rights, safety, dignity, integrity, or decorum of the chamber and its members. Some even called the temporary, non-violent incident a riot and an insurrection.State house Republicans voted to ban Zephyr from the state house floor in a 68-32 party-line vote. She was still allowed to vote remotely.Zephyr was reelected this past November.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Joe Biden made history on World AIDS Day last Sunday by being the first president to display panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt on the White Houses South Lawn. Biden and others mentioned the quilt in their speeches to commemorate the occasion.The following day, the Library of Congress announced its release of over 125,000 items including letters, diaries, photographs, and other materials documenting the lives of those represented in the Quilt. The documents will complement the librarys digitized version of the quilt online, providing the world with a deeper insight into one of the most poignant symbols of the U.S. AIDS epidemic. Related Donald Trump had a plan to end HIV by 2030. His re-election may kill that plan. In 2019, he announced the Ending HIV Epidemic Initiative. But the GOP seems determined to gut it entirely. A total of 124 panels from the quilt were laid out, each one decorated with names and icons representing someone who lost their life to HIV-related illnesses. A massive red ribbon also graced the White Houses southern portico the iconic decoration has been an annual White House tradition since 2007. 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 his speech, Biden mentioned that the idea of the quilt was conceived in 1985 by Cleve Jones and Mike Smith to honor the memory of all those lost to HIV and AIDS.It started with one name on one panel nearly four decades ago.And decades later, 50,000 panels and 110,000 names, Biden said. This quilt weighs 54 tons, the largest community art project in the entire world, and tells the tragic stories of brothers who died too soon; moms who contracted AIDS at childbirth her daughters life stolen, eventually her own as well; friends and partners who lost loved ones of their lives; and so many more stories of precious lives cut too short.The first threads of this quilt stitched nearly 40 years ago, this movement is fully woven into the fabric and history of America, shining a light on the memory and the legacy of [those] who weve lost to this terrible disease, Biden added. [The quilts panels] bring back all the memories.Theyre hard. Its not easy, [but[ its important. The AIDS Memorial Quilt was created in 1985 to honor the memory of those weve lost to HIV/AIDS.It started with one name on one panel four decades later, the quilt holds 110,000 names.Yesterday, for the first time, the Quilt was on display on the White House's South Lawn. pic.twitter.com/dU8ukShh0d President Biden (@POTUS) December 2, 2024On Monday, the Library of Congress announced the release of its newly digitized collection of AIDS Memorial Quilt records. The records include files listing the names of people with panels on the quilt. A typical panel file contains a letter written by a panels maker, the collections website says. These moving and heartfelt letters often include memories and descriptions of the AIDS victim memorialized on the panel, or explain the makers motivations. The files also often contain obituaries, news clippings, and funeral service prayer cards.The files also include photographs and portraits of those who passed away, providing a face and emotional insights into the lives of those commemorated and the people they left behind. The ordered files are labeled, making it easy for viewers to connect names, faces, and stories of those lost to the epidemic. Thedigitized AIDS Memorial Quilt Records collection is a major milestone not only in our preservation efforts but also in ensuring that the stories, lives, and collective memory of those lost to the AIDS epidemic remain accessible to future generations around the world, said Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden.The digital collection presents the manuscript and still image panel maker records for Quilt panels that are more than 25 years old. Records concerning panels that are less than 25 years old and other media formats are available onsite in theFolklife Reading Room.NEWS: The Library of Congress has released a groundbreaking online collection of the National AIDS Memorial Quilt Records, making one of the most poignant symbols of the AIDS epidemic in the U.S. available to a global audience. https://t.co/NQhiP5X0ck pic.twitter.com/a2OQ2TiVlW Library of Congress (@librarycongress) December 2, 2024In her address at the White House World AIDS Day event, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden said, The act of quilting creates a work of art that wraps us up in its beauty.This one was woven together with a grief powerful enough to move the world toward unity, acceptance, compassion, and grace.As I look at this beautiful quilt, with its bright colors, she added, the names in big block letters, renderings of lives and loves, I see it as a mom. And I think of the mothers who stitched their pain into a patchworked panel so the world would remember their child not as the victim of a vicious disease but as a son who had played in the high school jazz band, as the child who grew up to proudly serve our nation in uniform, as the daughter whose favorite holiday was Christmas.The event also featured a speech by Jeanne White-Ginder, the mother of Ryan White, a hemophiliac who contracted HIV at the age of 13 from a blood transfusion. He gained national attention when he tried to return to school, but faced discrimination from his Indiana community. He eventually won his right to attend school and became the national face of public HIV education until his death at age 18. His 1990 death from AIDS inspired an eponymous federal program providing financial assistance for HIV medications.[Ryan] taught America we needed to fight AIDS and not the people who have it, White-Ginder said. In 1990 shortly after Ryan died, Senator [Ted] Kennedy (D) asked me if I would come to Washington to explain to senators how vital it was to pass the AIDS bill which had been recently named after my son the Ryan White CARE Act.He said I was something much more powerful than a lobbyist: I was a mother. I am sure that Dr. Biden can relate.In the 34 years since, thats exactly what Ive tried to do, in partnership with the extraordinary community here today that has become my family, she added.For the first time ever, pieces of the AIDS Memorial Quilt were displayed on the South Lawn of the White House shining a light on the memory and legacy of all the loved ones we have lost to this disease. pic.twitter.com/nCkadU3lbj The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 3, 2024 A quick history of the AIDS QuiltThe AIDS Quilt has 50,000 panels and weighs 54 tons. It remains under the permanent care of the National AIDS Memorial Grove (NAMG), a non-profit that maintains a 10-acre place of remembrance in Golden Gate Park.Ina December 2017 interview withFresh Air, longtime LGBTQ+ activist Cleve Jones said he came up with the idea for the quilt on November 27, 1985, during an annual candlelight tribute for assassinated gay politician Harvey Milk and then-Mayor of San Francisco George Moscone.Struck by the epidemics 1,000-person death toll, he had attendees write the names of their deceased loved ones on poster boards that they they posted onto the front of building that housed the Health and Human Services West Coast offices for the federal government, then under the Reagan administration, which refused to publicly acknowledge the epidemic until four years after it started. I thought to myself, it looks like some kind of quilt, Jones said. And it was such a warm and comforting and Middle American traditional family values sort of symbol. And I thought This is the symbol we should take. And everybody told me it was the stupidest thing theyd ever heard of.While these first panels were made as a way to help ensure that history wouldnt forget those who had passed, today the quilt is the largest ongoing community folk art project in the world. Its panels have been sewn by families, friends, and lovers to immortalize more than 105,000 individuals whose lives were lost to HIV.Each panel is three feet by six feet, the approximate size of a grave, Jones says. The last display of the entire quilt was in 1996 when we covered the National Mall from the steps of the Capitol building all the way to the Washington Monument, he added.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Companies love taking advantage of viral trends, often to varying results. But Planned Parenthood's latest swing is going to be hard to forget.On Monday, the clinic posted an image used for Wicked's Broadway run to their Instagram account. It's familiar to any fans of the show Glinda whispering something to a smirking Elphaba, the iconic black hat pulled down over the latter's eyes.However, Planned Parenthood's version had one notable though possibly also familiar alteration."Is your discharge green?" reads a text overlay, insinuating that's the question being whispered to the Wicked Witch of the West.As if that wasn't bold enough already, the caption includes another sentence we can all add to the list of intrusive thoughts that will be haunting us for the next decade or three: "If you're experiencing wicked sexual and reproductive health care concerns, Planned Parenthood health centers are holding space to help even if your p*ssy's green."See on InstagramLongtime fans may recognize all of this as a take on a decade-old Wicked meme that's circulated on and off for years. It's come back up in recent days thanks to both the film adaptation and star Cynthia Erivo getting upset about it and other jokes shared by fans. (@) (@) (@) There's something that feels wrong about saying the post went viral in this specific instance, but we also can't beat around the bush. The image did numbers on Instagram, but it also spread to other social media platforms as people tried to wrap their heads around the brazen move. (@) (@) (@) (@) Could this be the start of a new series of Wicked-themed campaigns for Planned Parenthood? "'What is this feeling? Fervid as a flame; does it have a name? Yes!' Herpes" does have a certain ring to it. Although somebody might want to run this all by Cynthia first, just to be safe.

In observation of World AIDS Day this year GLAAD reached out to the Gilead COMPASS Initiatives grassroots partner organizations who are working tirelessly to uplift their communities in the U.S. South. As of 2021, the South accounted for more than half (52%) of new HIV diagnoses in the United States. These nonprofit organizations are committed [...]The post Grassroots Organizations in the U.S. South Give An Update on Their Fights Against HIV and HIV Stigma first appeared on GLAAD.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment last week charging a Durham, North Carolina man with cyberstalking five gay victims. One of the charges alleges the harassment began in 2016 and continued through this year.The grand jury found evidence to support allegations against the defendant, David Ryan Winters, who was arrested and faces up to 25 years in prison. Related Deranged neighbor threatened same-sex couple with a rifle. Now hes facing prison time. After a three-day trial, a jury found the man guilty of 10 charges. The indictment alleges Winters, 38, targeted five gay men due to their sexual orientation or gender identity, sending electronic and text messages to them, as well as friends and family members, in a long-running effort to harass and intimidate the victims. 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 case was taken up by the U.S. Department of Justices Civil Rights Team, which was formed by the Biden administration in 2022.Winters has faced similar accusations seven times since 2016. He was arrested once before in 2023 and spent 30 days in Wake County jail.Gay Raleigh City Council member Jonathan Lambert Melton was one of Winters victims and said hes endured five years of online threats through direct messages on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.I have probably like pages of accounts Ive blocked that are all him, and he just makes new ones, Melton told WRAL News. There were some messages that were sent to people in my network who dont even live in North Carolina suggesting that I should die.Investigators said the messages were extreme enough to put Lambert Melton in reasonable fear of death and serious bodily injury. Melton said the experience has left him living on edge, because you can never get too comfortable. Because every time I feel comfortable and like maybe the harassment has passed, it starts up again.Other cases taken up by the DOJs Civil Rights Team include the indictment of an Alabama man accused of cyberstalking a North Carolina woman because of her sexual orientation, and the arrest of a California man for making threats targeting multiple entities and individuals, also in North Carolina, including an elected official, members of law enforcement, and several synagogues.Everybody has an equal right to live, work, worship, and love in America said U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr. in a statement announcing Winters indictment.We wont tolerate those who threaten, stalk, or use violence just because they dont like how somebody else lives.Everybody is treated equally and fairly under the law, Easley wrote, and we wont normalize violence and intimidation.Our Civil Rights Team is squaring off against threats and hate-fueled violence of any kind and not slowing down.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

On Monday, the 16-year-old transgender girl at the center of the U.S. Supreme Court case United States v. Skrmetti (identified in court documents as LW) spoke to ABC News about the upcoming landmark transgender healthcare case.The court has definitely ruled in ways that would make me think that they dont exactly value bodily autonomy, but I have heard that theyve been a little bit better about trans cases than people would think, she said alongside her parents Samantha and Brian Williams. Related Conspiratorial and biased doctors will argue against gender-affirming care to the Supreme Court Their opinions may affect transgender rights for decades to come. The case, which concerns Tennessees 2023 ban on gender-affirming healthcare for minors, is to be heard on Wednesday. The Williams family, with the backing of the American Civil Liberties Union and the first openly transgender attorney to present in front of the Supreme Court, Chase Strangio, are challenging the legality of the legislation. 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 This healthcare, which includes puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapy, was game changing for LW. Since the passing of the law, she now has to take a 10-hour trip out of state to receive this care.Its not very comfortable being trapped in (your body) because it just doesnt feel like you, she said. She has to repeatedly take time out of school while her family loses a significant amount of money. It would definitely be horrible for me to have to continue to go out of state to get care. I feel normal now.LWs mother, Samantha, feels that it is incredibly hypocritical of the Tennessee government to restrict healthcare when its politically convenient, rather than sticking to their previously stated morals of advocating for parental rights. Our state legislature had made such a big deal out of parents rights during COVID, about masks and vaccines that thats for parents to decide these medical decisions for their children. And then they made this medical decision for our child, she said.The decision to give their child essential healthcare was not done lightly. They talked to medical professionals and mental health providers for months after months, ultimately feeling that masculinizing puberty was going to continue to harm LW.LWs father Brian Williams commented, There is this time clock sitting here. The kids can go through puberty and it can have permanent effects on them. So these two things youre trying to balance at the same time. Puberty blockers, which have come under fire recently from opponents to transgender rights, are regarded as one of the most safe and well-tested means of ensuring that transgender youth can delay their puberty until professionals decide theyre ready for hormone replacement therapy. Previously developed to treat early-onset puberty, theyve since been shown to be effective and safe in transgender youth.However, they are not protective inherently their purpose is to delay puberty, but that in of itself does not mean that youth are free from dysphoria. They are only useful in preventing further gender dysphoria from developing.Not receiving this essential healthcare leads many individuals to develop suicidal thoughts, major psychological professional associations have advised. This was a big concern for the Williams. Shes not suicidal, but she shouldnt have to be suicidal, right?, to get the care that she needs, added LWs mother. When that really hit me, I was like, OK, lets do blockers. Lets get moving.' LW reports that after starting hormones, she was significantly better off. That was incredibly helpful. I feel amazing after that. You know, maybe its just because the gender dysphoria was so bad.They feel that the politicization of transgender healthcare is detrimental to youth across the country. Brian Williams said, I want to listen to the doctors. I want to listen to my kid. I want to take care of her, you know?About half of states across the country restrict gender affirming care for minors, in spite of numerous medical organizations including the leading medical body American Academy of Pediatrics saying that gender affirming care for minors is completely safe and effective. Other organizations that have spoken out in favor of gender affirming care include the Endocrine Society, American Psychological Association, among others.Strangio emphasizes the importance of this case to transgender rights. This is one of the most significant LGBTQ cases to ever reach the Supreme Court. I think this is an inflection point, he said to ABC News.Referencing two U.S. Supreme Court cases that upheld and struck down anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination respectively, Strangio asked, Is this going to be a Bowers v. Hardwick type moment that sets off years of government legitimized discrimination against LGBTQ people? Or, is this going to be a Bostock moment that clarifies what we all have been assuming all this time, which is that LGBTQ people are protected under the Constitution and civil rights laws.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Victor Willis, one of the Village People's founders, posted to social media on Monday defending President-elect Donald Trump's use of the song Y.M.C.A. and threatening legal action against any news organization that labels the iconic tune a gay anthem.Willis, who portrayed the cop with a nightstick in the band, cowrote Y.M.C.A. with Jacques Morali who provided the music while Willis provided the lyrics. Morali died of AIDS-related illness in 1978.Willis acknowledged he had asked Trump to stop using the song after receiving over a thousand complaints from fans.With that many complaints, I decided to ask the President-Elect to stop using Y.M.C.A. because his use had become a nuisance to me, Willis wrote in his post to social media on MondayWillis said he reconsidered his decision after seeing so many other artists withdraw the rights to their songs from the President-elect. He said the decision to reissue the licensing agreement with Trump proved financially sound.Y.M.C.A. has benefited greatly from use by the President Elect. For example, Y.M.C.A. was stuck at #2 on the Billboard chart prior to the President Elects use. However, the song finally made it to #1 on a Billboard chart after over 45 years (and held on to #1 for two weeks) due to the President Elects use, Willis wrote. The financial benefits have been great as well as Y.M.C.A. is estimated to gross several million dollars since the President Elects continued use of the song. Therefore, Im glad I allowed the President Elects continued use of Y.M.C.A. And I thank him for choosing to use my song.Willis also said he has no objection to the LGBTQ+ communitys love of the popular tune.I don't mind that gays think of the song as their anthem, Willis continued.He does dispute that the song was written to celebrate gay life, saying that to the extent that Y.M.C.A. is considered a gay anthem based on the fact that gays once used certain YMCAs for elicit activity, the assumption that the song alludes to that is completely misguided. Richard Creamer/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesWillis said he was unaware the Y.M.C.A. was popular with the gay community as a place to meet other gay men, sometimes to engage in sexual activity, when he wrote the song.As I stated on numerous occasions, I knew nothing about the Y being a hang out for gays when I wrote the lyrics to Y.M.C.A. and Jacques Morali (who was gay) never once stated such to me, Willis wrote.Willis points out that the song has grown popular with a far broader audience, noting the song is on the playlist of almost every wedding, bar mitzvah, sporting organization, and the song is used in commercials and motion pictures and products worldwide.The true anthem is Y.M.C.A.s appeal to people of all stripes including President-elect Trump, Willis wrote.Willis said he would sue any news organization that labels the song as a gay anthem.Therefore, since I wrote the lyrics and ought to know what the lyrics I wrote is really about, come January 2025, my wife will start suing each and every news organization that falsely refers to Y.M.C.A., either in their headlines or alluded to in the base of the story, that Y.M.C.A. is somehow a gay anthem because such notion is based solely on the songs lyrics alluding to elicit activity for which it does not, Willis wrote.Y.M.C.A. was written in 1978 and debuted on the Village People's album Cruisin'. First popular in LGBTQ+ bars and clubs, it grew in popularity worldwide with people boisterously joining to mimic the music groups dance routine using their bodies to sign the letters of the song. In 2020, the Library of Congress added Y.M.C.A. to its National Recording Register.Willis stressed he supported Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.

Sabrina Carpenter has allegedly called it quits with Saltburn star Barry Keoghan.People broke the news on Tuesday, citing an anonymous source who called the split "a break.""They are both young and career-focused, so they've decided to take a break," the source claimed.The two had been together for about a year, making headlines every now and then, such as when they were photographed at various after parties and when Keoghan starred in Carpenter's music video for "Please Please Please."However, rumors of a breakup had already been swirling after celeb gossip account @PopFlopHQ posted an unconfirmed claim that Keoghan had cheated on Carpenter with an unnamed "LA based influencer." (@) Neither celeb or their respective camps have commented on their relationship status, but Carpenter's fanbase had some strong feelings surrounding everything. (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) While People's anonymous source didn't give us much to work with, they're definitely right about Carpenter being career-focused right now. After recently being nominated for six Grammys, the Girl Meets World star is gearing up to continue on her Short n' Sweet tour, which has received a slew of attention online since it began, and releasing her new Christmas special on December 6.Meanwhile, there's a Keoghan lookalike contest scheduled in Los Angeles on December 7. (@)

With her Southern charm and her quick wit, Fortune Feimster has a knack for turning lifes awkward moments into comedy gold. Whether its recounting her honeymoon misadventures in the Maldiveswhere she hilariously discovered mid-flight that being gay is currently illegal thereor reflecting on her travels with humor and insight, the North Carolina native knows how to connect with audiences on a deeply human level.In this Out and About interview, we explore Fortunes latest Netflix special, Crushing It, now available on the streaming platform worldwide following its December 3 premiere. This latest hour of comedy brings her signature humor to topics like love, relationships, and identity, offering a much-needed respite from the cataclysmic energy of an election year. We also dive into Handsome, her hit podcast with fellow comedians Tig Notaro and Mae Martin, which debuted in August 2023 and has already garnered 20 million downloads. Each week, the trio answers a single question from celebrity guests like Sarah Paulson, Neil Patrick Harris, Jennifer Aniston, and Margaret Cho, tackling subjects ranging from pop divas and time travel to making friends and coming out. Packed with hilarious stories and good-natured banter, Handsome is a fresh take on the celebrity podcast format. Its available on all major platforms and has quickly become my go-to listen on long flights.We also discuss Fortunes travel tales, which are equally engaging, from luxurious stays at the San Ysidro Ranch in California to discovering LGBTQ+ inclusivity in unexpected places like Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Her experiences navigating cultures abroad, including destinations where homosexuality is illegal, provide a unique blend of thoughtful reflection and comedic perspective, themes explored in her new special. With Crushing It and Handsome, Fortune continues to prove that laughter is the ultimate escape and shes generously bringing it to audiences worldwide.Favorite hotel?FF: Its a tie between San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, California, and Las Ventanas in Cabo, Mexico. Both are amazing hotels with incredible attention to detail and great service. Theyre very romantic spots as well. And a close third is Canaves Epitome in Santorini, Greece.Favorite restaurant?FF: My go-to casual place is a drive-in spot called BBQ King in Charlotte, North Carolina. My family has been taking me there since I was a kid, and we all love it. The food is so good; the onion rings are to die for. As far as fancy places, I finally got to go to the French Laundry in Yountville, California, and it exceeded all expectations. I still dream about their famous oysters and pearls dish. But the coolest part is someone from the staff had watched my Sweet & Salty Netflix special and made me their version of the Chilis triple dipper. I couldnt believe it.Favorite season?FF: I love the spring. The sun is starting to shine more. Its not too hot. The flowers are blooming. It just feels like a fresh start.Must-have travel essential items?FF: I always travel with my laptop, my Bose noise-canceling ear pods, a charger, and a sleep mask.Beach or mountain escape?FF: Im more of a beach gal, though I have to lather myself in sunscreen. I just find being near water makes me a lot calmer.Go-to movie to watch on a flight?FF: I could watch Bridesmaids over and over again. It never gets old.If you found yourself stranded on an island, which three items would you hope to have with you?FF: My wife Jax, my dog Biggie, and food.What's been your most memorable or humorous travel experience so far, and why?FF: When I was 22, I lived in Spain for a year and every three months I would backpack through Europe for two weeks. I went to Austria and decided to go on a Sound of Music van tour. It was six older couples over the age of 70 and me. This van drove through the hills of Austria blasting the movies soundtrack while stopping at locations from the film. I was singing every song at the top of my lungs, having the time of my life. Then at one point we stopped for apple strudel and one of the couples bought my strudel because they felt sorry for me. But Ive never been happier.What's one travel destination that exceeded your expectations and why?FF: Thailand. I had no idea what to expect but my wife and I went one summer for two weeks. We loved it. The food was so good, the people were really friendly, it was beautiful. We also went to an elephant reserve in the middle of the jungle where we fed elephants and bathed them. Its an experience Ill never forget.How do you navigate and embrace local LGBTQ+ culture when visiting different countries?FF: I always feel a sense of relief when Im traveling and I see a gay flag on the door of a business or around a particular neighborhood. You feel like youre among your people and you dont have to worry about just existing. It can be stressful going to certain countries and not knowing if youll be safe. So, we try to do due diligence before traveling to see if there are any laws we need to know about or if there are certain areas to avoid. If the vibes are good, its always fun to visit a local gay bar just to experience what its like elsewhere. Can you share a travel tip or hack that has made your journeys more enjoyable or convenient?FF: I rent a lot of cars when Im on tour so I always pack an extra charger cord for the rental car so I can plug into the navigation system since theyre not all on Bluetooth. Eye masks can make a world of difference sleeping on a plane. I dont even care that I look silly. And be sure to sign up for the reward programs on airlines and hotels so that you can bank those points to go towards future trips.Are there any specific LGBTQ+-friendly destinations or events that you've particularly enjoyed?FF: Palm Springs, California, is always a favorite. Its really fun and its so gay-friendly. Wilton Manors, Florida, has a similar vibe. Puerta Vallarta, Mexico, is super gay-friendly. Picton, Ontario, was wonderful and very inviting. And surprisingly Fayetteville and Eureka Springs, Arkansas. I never in a million years expected to see so many gay flags in the middle of the South. I loved it. And of course, the OG gay-friendly Southern town, Asheville, North Carolina.Do you have any favorite LGBTQ+-owned or LGBTQ+-friendly businesses, hotels, or restaurants that you would like to recommend to travelers?FF: The Hideaway Wine Co in Los Olivos, California, has great wines and a cute tasting room,St. Cecilia in Austin, Texas, is a really cool boutique hotel, La Barbecue in Austin, Texas, has some of the best barbecue, Eight Four Nine restaurant in Palm Springs, California, is really great, and Over the Rainbow Cupcakes and Desserts in Palm Springs, California, makes the best cake Ive ever had.Have you ever faced any challenges or encountered discrimination while traveling as an LGBTQ+ individual?FF: Weve traveled to a few places where homosexuality is illegal like the Maldives, Qatar, and Dubai. We were extra careful to be respectful of their customs and culture. I think my wife and I stood four inches apart at all times just in case. Its nerve wracking because you feel like you cant really let your guard down or be totally comfortable. Luckily all was smooth. Ive experienced some homophobia in a couple towns in the US that I was really surprised about, but for the most part, people are pretty kind. Can you share a story of a time when travel broadened your perspective or challenged your preconceptions?FF: The first time I ever went out of the country was when I was 19. I went to Merida, Mexico for three weeks with a group from my college. Our anthropology professor took us all over the Yucatan to study the Mayan ruins and teach us about the local culture. As someone who grew up in a town of 8,000 people in North Carolina, this trip opened my eyes in ways I could have never imagined. I realized there was so much more in the world than my little bubble and I needed to leave my comfort zone more and start learning about other people and other countries. It was pretty transformative.In your latest Netflix special, you wear a brightly colored suit that feels joyful and full of personalitya notable departure from the looks you chose for your previous Netflix specials. Was there any special significance behind this choice or did it just feel right for this special?FF: For me, this special was about elevating. I wanted it to feel big, full of energy, bright and happy. So, I knew I wanted a suit partly as a nod to my podcast Handsome and I thought pink would match that big, exciting feeling. I just didnt want it to feel cheesy but luckily, I found a suit maker named James Ford; a very talented trans designer who had been on Netflixs Next in Fashion. He killed it. I was so happy with the suit and felt really comfortable on stage. And when we released the specials trailer, everybody was like, Holy cow, that suit! It was the exact reaction I was hoping for. I'm curiouswhy did you choose to film this special in Seattle? Was there something about that particular city or venue that resonated with the stories you were telling?FF: I didnt have a personal connection to Seattle like I did in my last two specials other than Seattle is such a great comedy city. I picked it because I had done two shows at the Moore on my last tour, and I couldnt believe the energy in that room. Its a 1,900-seat theater and sometimes the laughs get lost in those big spaces but I could hear everything so clearly and it allowed me to feed off that energy. On your podcast Handsome, you and your co-hosts, Tig Notaro and Mae Martin, tackle all sorts of topics, and the camaraderie is evident. What's the most surprising or unexpected thing you've learned about Tig or Mae since starting the pod?FF: Ive learned that they are very smart but there are also things I cant believe they dont know. They had no clue what bread and butter pickles are, and they had never heard of Julia Sugarbaker on Designing Women. Blasphemous! But thats the beauty of our pod, at any point one of us doesnt know something and the other two cant believe it and it makes us all laugh so much. Touring is such a big part of being a stand-up comedian. How do your experiences on the road find their way into your material? Are you always on the lookout for funny moments, or do they tend to happen unexpectedly, and you realize later, "This would make a great story for the stage"?FF: This is my third hour special in five years, and you have to start over after every one so Im always on the lookout for material. Any embarrassing moment can become a gift to a performer. I do spend a ton of time touring so it is something that can end up in your act.

There's nothing wrong with a naughty playlist.JORDY is the gay pop heartthrob who's been posting plenty of skin online and opening up on his sexual fantasies with his latest steamy music.His latest deluxe album Sex With Myself and It Last Longer is all about empowerment, liberation, and plenty of sexual innuendoes of course."I want to be able to feel sexy and comfortable in my body and I do! A lot of that is because of this music. It's helped me so much," JORDY tells PRIDE. See on Instagram The star is not only celebrating the beautiful skin he's in, but his music is also giving other people confidence to love themselves as well."I have a little cute belly and I love my little belly! So many of us have little bellies that we love and deserve to feel really sexy with. [I want] to help people feel comfortable in their bodies. I feel sexier and hotter than ever!"JORDY's spicy music is also being added to sex playlists around the world. In fact, the singer was recently tagged in a NSFW video on X (formerly Twitter) with his songs playing in the background."That was a first! The fact that I'm on certain people's sexy playlist for when they have people over... that's hot. I love that. This chapter opened the door for possibilities for what this career and journey can look like. I feel more fearless than ever."Sex With Myself and It Last Longer is available everywhere now. To see the full interview with JORDY, check out the video at the top of the page.

Gender identity is the accurate term to describe a persons internal sense of their own gender. Gender diverse people have existed throughout history and cultures around the world. The growing visibility of transgender and nonbinary people is not an ideology and their existence is not up for debate. Gender ideology is not a term transgender [...]The post Fact Sheet for Reporters Term to Avoid: Gender Ideology first appeared on GLAAD.

More people are out and proudly queer than ever before. According to a 2023 Gallup poll, 7.6% of American adults identify as LGBTQ+, a huge leap from 5.6% in 2020. That count more than doubles when looking specifically at Gen Z adults, a demographic where 20.8% of respondents identified as LGBTQ+. Gay women are everywhere, but what do you do if you can't find any because your gaydar is broken?Queer people have always had a knack for finding each other, but what do you do if you're here and you're queer, you're single and ready to mingle, but you have no gaydar whatsoever? Yes, there are queer specific dating apps, but if you're trying to get better at assessing if that cute stranger is flirting with you in real life and in real time, we have some experts a social worker, a relationship expert from Taimi (an LGBTQ dating app), and a licensed sexologist for their advice on how to navigate finding potential partners, and their practical tips for honing your gaydar!What is "gaydar?" Does everyone have it?See on InstagramGaydar, a portmanteau of "gay" and "RADAR", is a queer person's ability to recognize other queer people. I think it's best encapsulated in the song "Ring of Keys" from Fun Home, the musical adaptation of Alison Bechdel's graphic memoir of the same name. In "Ring of Keys," Young Alison, while out to lunch with her father, sees "an old school butch" for the first time and immediately recognizes herself in the woman. Years before Alison Bechdel even knew what being gay was, years before becoming one of the most prolific modern lesbian artists, she still knew that she and this butch were cut from a similar cloth.When we reached out to Savannah Eklund, a licensed clinical social worker who works primarily with LGBTQ+ people and women, to ask about finding prospective partners, she defined gaydar as, "the ability to recognize other queer people through subtle cues like style, body language, or shared cultural references." Rest assured, however universal it may seem, not everyone has a functioning gaydar. Eklund added, "While some people seem to have a natural knack for it, gaydar isnt universal or foolproof. Its often shaped by your environment, exposure to LGBTQ+ spaces, and, unfortunately, stereotypes."If you feel like your gaydar is 'broken,' youre not alone. People who came out later in life or grew up in environments with little queer visibility might find it harder to rely on intuition alone. And thats okay! Recognizing someones queerness doesnt need to be a guessing gameits more about creating spaces and conversations where connection can happen naturally."If you're someone new to queer environments, and you want to hone your gaydar, here are things you can do to get better at recognizing other queer people out in the wild.Subtly drop hints that you are queer and see how they respondSee on InstagramAngelika Koch, a relationship and break-up expert for the LGBTQ+ dating app Taimi, tells PRIDE that "wearing a bracelet or a necklace with a rainbow on it can show you are a part of the community, so there is no question where you stand while meeting people."Eklund advises something similar, adding that it doesn't have to be obvious to everyone, it just needs to be something that your prospective paramour will pick up on. "You dont need a neon sign that says, 'Im queer!' to signal your identity," she says, explaining, "Small, meaningful details can create opportunities for others to recognize you and feel safe approaching you."She also adds that this doesn't just apply to accessorizing, but all facets of queer culture. Asking people about their thoughts on queer musicians or artists, mentioning LGBTQ+ shows in conversation, or carrying a book by a queer author can all work well to signal to others that you're queer. And if you're trying to hone your gaydar, these are great subtle signals to be training yourself to look for as well!Go to IRL queer spacesSee on InstagramThe hardest part about meeting people? You have to go out and meet people.If you're looking to meet other queer women, going to queer specific spaces, events, and organizations is a tried and true method. Sophie Roos, a licensed sexologist and writer for the Swedish sex-positive magazine Passionerad, gives gay bars her resounding endorsement."My favorite place to meet other queer women and NBs, regardless if its just for making friendly contacts, or if its with the intuition to date or find sex partners (I did the latter before, not anymore though since I have a partner), is to attend a gay bar," Roos says. "This is not only a place where youre almost fully sure all people are queer, its also a place where you can train your gaydar and by gaining your own experience try to get better at spotting other queer women."Gay bars aren't your only option. There are plenty of LGBTQ+ groups for basically any activity. Roos suggests checking Facebook for any groups in your area. If there are none, start one!Eklund and Koch also suggest volunteering a great way to give back to your community and meet hot singles in your area at the same time. "Volunteering not only helps the community but also connects you with people who share your values," Eklund says.If all else fails, there are always dating appsSee on InstagramIf you don't want to have to question at all whether or not someone is queer, dating apps are perfect.Dating apps aren't just good if you're nervous about your bad gaydar, there are other benefits too! "Going on queer apps like Taimi can help you to meet other queer people in your area. This is a wonderful option for those who have odd working hours and struggle with finding time meeting someone during regular daytime hours," Koch says.Many other queer dating apps have options to look for platonic connections too! Bumble is Roos's personal favorite. She says, "I especially recommend Bumble since it has relatively many queer women on the platform, but especially because you can choose to find either people looking for a romantic relationship, or people whore looking for friends!" Lex is another great app for finding queer connections of all kinds.Just remember, that whatever you wear, and wherever you go, queer people are everywhere! You just have to know how to look.Experts: Savannah Eklund, a licensed clinical social worker Angelika Koch, a relationship and break-up expert for the LGBTQ+ dating app TaimiSophie Roos, a licensed sexologist and writer for the Swedish sex-positive magazine Passionerad

Aubrey Plaza is serving smoldering sophistication in her latest photoshoot for V Magazine, and the sapphic communityand pretty much everyone elsecant get enough. Draped in nothing but a sharp blazer, Plazas minimalist yet magnetic look is redefining power dressing and sparking a cultural phenomenon hotter than a mid-summer heatwave.Related | WATCH: Aubrey Plaza Makes Out With SNL Star Chloe FinemanFans Cant Stop Talking About Aubrey PlazaPlazas latest fashion moment is more than a photoshootits a masterclass in allure. The sultry, stripped-down aesthetic has ignited a wildfire of thirst and admiration across social media.Breaking Boundaries with Marvels First WLW KissThis isnt the first time Plaza has sent pulses racing. In Agatha All Along, her portrayal of Rio Vidal, the sultry embodiment of death and former lover of Kathryn Hahns Agatha Harkness, gave the Marvel Cinematic Universe its steamiest, most groundbreaking moment: its first WLW kiss. Plaza described the moment as a dream come true, and honestly, same. The palpable tension between Plaza and Hahn turned the screen into a pressure cooker of queer energy, breaking barriers and setting a new standard for representation.Why Aubrey Plaza Is a Sapphic IconWhether shes rocking a blazer with nothing else or turning up the heat in Marvels sapphic storyline, Plaza is rewriting the rules of queer representationand looking damn good while doing it. Her photoshoot isnt just sexy; its a power move, reminding everyone that fashion and identity go hand in hand.And if youre looking for more from Aubrey, check out her new film, My Old Ass, on Prime Video. This hilarious take on aging and identity puts a queer protagonist front and center, serving up authentic representation that feels fresh and real. Its not just about the laughsthough there are plentyits about seeing LGBTQ+ characters living their lives in all their messy, fabulous glory. With its focus on the intersection of queerness and aging, My Old Ass is the kind of inclusive storytelling we need more of, and honestly, its a total vibe. See all of the photos for V Magazine here! More Stories: Aubrey Plazas Latest Photoshoot Is Sending Sapphics SpinningSpread Holiday Cheer With this Festive Playlist of Pop Girls + GaysDisneyland Dazzles with Holiday Cheer: Your 2024 Entertainment GuideThe HoliGAY Spirit Is Here! 25 Must-Watch Festive Lesbian MoviesWhy a Canonically Bisexual Fiyero is Just What Wicked NeededThe post Aubrey Plazas Latest Photoshoot Is Sending Sapphics Spinning appeared first on Gayety.

A South Carolina has filed a class action lawsuit alleging that the toy manufacturer Mattel caused her and her daughter to suffer emotional distress after the company mistakenly printed alink to a sexually explicit adult website on the packaging for dolls of characters from the musical film adaptation of Wicked, a tale of witches in the magical land of Oz.The lawsuit notes that the first editions of the toys boxes mistakenly included a printed link to Wicked.com, an adult website that has no connection to the film, instead of to the films website, WickedMovie.com. When Holly Ricketsons daughter visited Wicked.com on Ricketsons iPhone, the site allegedly displayed sexually explicit] advertisements featuring hardcore, full-on nude images of actual intercourse, the lawsuit states, horrifying them both. Related Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo celebrate the Wicked film as beautifully queer Grande and Erivo say it isnt just Glinda and Elphaba that make the land of Oz a celebration of uniqueness. The company publicly apologized for the error, recalled the dolls on November 11, and corrected the website URL on the second edition of its toy boxes. But Ricketsons lawsuit alleges that Mattel fraudulently advertised as appropriate for children ages four and above and yet negligently made a completely avoidable mistake, causing injurious harm to its purchasers. 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 lawsuit alleges that Mattel unjustly profited from the toys sales despite violating its stated labeling, marketing, and packaging pledge of being appropriate for young children. The lawsuit states that purchasers of the initially released toy suffered and continue to suffer financial damage and injury, and are entitled to all damages, in addition to costs, interest, and fees, including attorneys fees.Ricketson filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles, and Californias civil code forbids products from making false and deceptive claims (like saying a product is fit for kids when it isnt). While Mattel refused to comment on pending litigation, it provided a statement about the product to Variety, saying The Wicked Dolls have returned for sale with correct packaging at retailers online and in stores to meet the strong consumer demand for the products.The previous misprint on the packaging in no way impacts the value or play experience provided by the product itself in the limited number of units sold before the correction.The film showcases Erivo as Elphaba, a green-skinned witch in the magical fantasy land of Oz. Erivo identifies as bisexual and queer and is dating actress and producerLena Waithe. The film made $112 million in its debut and has since grossed $263 million domestically and $360 million globally.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Anti-transgender laws caused up to a 72% increase in suicide attempts among transgender and nonbinary youthDecember 4, 2024 Today, The Supreme Court of the United States hears oral arguments in United States v. Skrmetti, a case that will determine whether a Tennessee law that bans certain medicines for transgender youth that are readily available for all other youth is unconstitutional discrimination.Jaymes Black (they/she/he), CEO at The Trevor Project, shared the following statement in response:Banning medicines for only transgender youth that are available to all other young people is discrimination, plain and simple. While the day-to-day lives of transgender and nonbinary people have become increasingly politicized, our ability to access the medicine we need to lead healthy lives should not be up for debate.This case will have a major impact on the mental health of young people all across the U.S. The Trevor Projects researchers published a peer-reviewed study in September that found anti-transgender state laws like the one at the center of this case directly caused an increase in suicide attempts among transgender youth by up to 72%. Transgender young people are not inherently prone to suicide risk compared to other youth; rather, the unique anti-transgender stigma and discrimination they face are what lead to these disparities.Its common sense that the Tennessee law in question is unconstitutional, and the Court must strike it down. In doing so, they will affirm that the U.S. Constitutions prohibition on discrimination applies to all Americans, including those who happen to be transgender.Relevant research:A 2024 peer-reviewed study in Nature Human Behaviour from researchers at The Trevor Project found that anti-transgender state laws, such as the Tennessee law in this case, directly caused an increase in suicide attempts among transgender youth by up to 72%.A 2022 peer-reviewed study in The Journal of Adolescent Health from researchers at The Trevor Project found gender-affirming hormone therapy was significantly related to lower rates of depression, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts among transgender and nonbinary young people.The Trevor Projects 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People found nearly half (45%) of transgender and nonbinary youth reported that they or their family have considered moving to a different state due to anti-LGBTQ+ politics and laws.The overwhelming majority of transgender youth who received puberty blockers, hormones or other gender-affirming medical care report being satisfied with treatment and go on to live happy, healthy lives.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 Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Landmark Transgender Discrimination Case appeared first on The Trevor Project.

The anti-LGBTQ+ social media account Libs of TikTok, run by Chaya Raichik, has allegedly been banned from the microblogging platform Bluesky. The account which has inspired death threats against children, educators, and medical professionals is just one of several anti-LGBTQ+ accounts that have found themselves unwelcome on Bluesky. Progressive social media users have increasingly flocked to it as an escape from the increasingly right-wing site X, owned by transphobic Republican billionaire Elon Musk. Related Libs of TikTok and its dark influence on LGBTQ+ hate A complete history of the most infamous anti-LGBTQ+ social media account of all time. The Libs of TikTok account which whips up outrage against LGBTQ+ adults and queer-inclusive school and health policies by accusing them of grooming, sexualizing, or indoctrinating children reportedly had a Bluesky account for nine days before becoming the second most blocked account on the platform, according to Jewel City Times. 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 account was reportedly suspended from Bluesky on December 2. Its removal sparked celebration from numerous Bluesky users, including out Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA).This is why bluesky is going to be a success, Garcia wrote in a December 2 post. Real moderation. Libsoftiktok is racist, homophobic, and actually causes harm to others. They can keep their bulls**t elsewhere. This is why bluesky is going to be a success. Real moderation. Libsoftiktok is racist, homophobic, and actually causes harm to others. They can keep their bullshit elsewhere.[image or embed] Robert Garcia (@robertgarcia.bsky.social) December 2, 2024 at 7:33 PMThe satirical right-leaning fake news parody website The Babylon Bee has also experienced blowback on Bluesky after its November 19 post claiming that Admiral Rachel Levine, the out trans assistant secretary of health at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), won the websites Man of the Year award.The post crudely misgendered the trailblazing doctor and professor who is also the first woman to become a four-star admiral in theU.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. As a result, the post received a label stating that it violated Blueskys intolerance policy encouraging discrimination against protected groups.One Bluesky user commented on the post, Suicide rates in the trans community are high because of bigoted s**t like this. Stop it. Babylon Bee managing editor Joel Berry said he received abusive comments on Bluesky, including posts telling him, Step into traffic, and Your mother should have aborted you. They said this competing platform to X would be a kinder, less hateful, less toxic alternative but Im really not feeling it, he wrote on X alongside screenshots of the comments. They said this competing platform to X would be a kinder, less hateful, less toxic alternative but Im really not feeling it pic.twitter.com/5utG0PqNwO Joel Berry (@JoelWBerry) November 20, 2024During the end of November, nearly one million new users signed up for accounts on Bluesky each day, company CEO Jay Grabersaid. Additionally, Blueskys Trust & Safety teamrecently announced that it quadrupled its moderation team. Weve already always focused a lot on trust and safety, making sure that users have ability to have an experience thats free from bots and harassment and spam, Graber said. We want a place where people can express their creativity, and so they can come on and explore making sure that its an environment where discussions can happen and people can have different opinions, but people arent getting harassed.In its annual Social Media Safety Index report,GLAAD just awarded X an F, the lowest out of any social media site accorded a grade, for allowing the proliferation of anti-LGBTQ+ hate speech without enforcing its own policies against harassment and discrimination.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

A month ago on LGBTQ Nation, reporter Nico Lang investigated the effects of gender-affirming care bans on families of trans kids who have been forced to move out of their home states to ensure that their children could get medical care without being taken away from them. One family from Texas was living out of their van in a truck stop in Connecticut because of the increased cost of living in their new home state. Another parent made a similar move from Texas to Connecticut and noted that Connecticut launched a campaign inviting families from anti-trans states to move there but didnt do much to help with affordability.From the article:Having to move as many times as weve moved to try to keep my family safe, that alone is pretty devastating, but weve increasingly had to move to more expensive places, she says. I dont know how Ill ever recover from all this, and Im scared because I now have no savings. Ill never be able to retire. I am going to work until Im 100 years old because Im still trying to overcome what it has cost us to leave the South.Go read the whole thing.This is just one update in a bigger story. Dont miss LIVE UPDATES: Supreme Court hears arguments in challenge to gender-affirming care ban on LGBTQ Nation for more context and updates.

Slates legal writer Mark Joseph Stern explained in an article what is at stake in U.S. v. Skrmetti, the challenge to Tennessees gender-affirming care ban that the Supreme Court is hearing today.Stern explains that the legal principles that protect against sexism are being challenged and were overturned by the appeals court in this case. The pro-trans side argued that, for example, banning a trans boy from getting testosterone therapy but allowing a cis boy to get testosterone therapy for the same reason, to help their bodies develop in a way that affirms their gender identities is blatantly sexist since the only difference between the trans and cis boys is their sex assigned at birth. But the appeals court said that thats not sexist because of a new biological difference exception the court created, the idea that biological necessity is a legally acceptable excuse to discriminate based on sex. The appeals court also ruled that the ban on gender-affirming care hurts both trans boys and trans girls equally so therefore its not discrimination on the basis of sex, an argument that sounds similar to what marriage equality opponents used to argue about how both men and women are banned from marrying someone of the same sex so same-sex marriage bans dont discriminate on the basis of sex.From Stern: ButSkrmettiis not just about transgender people. It is also, fundamentally, a case about gender equality, and whether constitutional limitations on sex discrimination can survive the Supreme Courts conservative supermajority. The key legal question in the case is surprisingly easy: Do laws that deny certain medicine to people based exclusivelyon their sex trigger heightened scrutiny by the courts? The answer, according to long-established precedent, is a resounding yes. If the court decides otherwise, it will shred the constitutional presumption against sex discrimination and replace it with a rubber stamp for states that want to impose their own prejudiced conception of gender roles by force of law. Transgender Americans are, of course, most immediately affected bySkrmettibut the case really implicates all of our rights. Everyones freedom to reject gender stereotypes without fear of state oppression is at stake.The full article is worth reading.This is just one update in a bigger story. Dont miss LIVE UPDATES: Supreme Court hears arguments in challenge to gender-affirming care ban on LGBTQ Nation for more context and updates.

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has awarded a grant of up to $5 million to two psychologists who are pioneering an identity-affirming eating disorder treatment for LGBTQ+ people. Auburn University Assistant Professor of Psychological Sciences Tiffany Brown and San Diego State University Professor of Psychology Aaron Blashill developed the Promoting Resilience to Improve Disordered Eating (PRIDE) program to address the identity-related stressors that they believe increase the risk of developing eating disorders something routine treatments today reportedly do not account for. Related Eating disorders affect a disturbingly high number of LGBTQ youth Researchers also uncovered an alarming link between eating disorders and suicide. Even when available, many LGBTQIA+ people across the country feel uncomfortable accessing treatment, for fear of discrimination or lack of understanding, Brown told the liberal arts magazine at Auburn. That is why we are so excited and honored to receive this grant from the NIMH to evaluate a treatment that integrates approaches that affirm and support LGBTQIA+ identities. 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 According to the publication, LGBTQ+ people are not only three times as likely to develop an eating disorder but are also more likely than non-LGBTQ+ people to quit treatment.NIMH awarded the grant after an initial study using the PRIDE program saw a 75% remission rate in eating disorders. The program is virtual, making it accessible nationwide.The conservative outlet Daily Caller mocked the Biden administrations support of the program and said that Trumps incoming administration could be poised to crack down on Bidens LGBTQIA+ agenda. [with] the creation of a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).Indeed, anti-trans billionaire Elon Musk will co-lead DOGE with anti-LGBTQ+ entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Despite its name, the group is merely a nongovernmental advisory commission that can only make recommendations to federal officials rather than make any actual changes. Musk and Ramaswamy will make suggestions on which federal departments and roles to defund, though any defunding may first require congressional approval. And according to the Daily Caller, it is programs like PRIDE that are at risk of being left behind. It quoted Musk declaring, The woke mind virus consists of creating very, very divisive identity politics[that] amplifies racism; amplifies, frankly, sexism; and all of the -isms while claiming to do the opposite. It actually divides people and makes them hate each other and hate themselves.An op-ed in The Hill warned of the dangers DOGE could bring, explaining, The idea that slashing federal agencies is a magic bullet for achieving good governance is as wrong-headed as it is simplistic. The writers said conservatives often use inefficiency as an all-purpose invective against government, often used tojustifyaggressive efforts to cut back programs that benefit millions of Americans.They added that making programs more efficient means making policymakers unaccountable to the American people because it dismantles the levels of authority designed to ensure regulatory effectiveness. The effort also disregards the fact that federal authority to address social problems is often desirable and necessary, they added, and that federal efforts to handle these matters are more efficient than devolving them to the states. The choice between centralized or decentralized authority requirescareful consideration of trade-offsbetween efficiency, effectiveness and accountability.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

In response to a line of questioning from Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh concerning how gender-affirming care impacts fertility (one argument in favor of bans is that trans kids might face fertility issues later in life), U.S. Solicitor General Prelogar argues that fertility issues, while prevalent in transgender care, not only have solutions but are found in treatments allowed by S.B. 1, such as invasive surgeries on intersex infants.Intersex individuals who have genitalia that do not align with expectations for what male and female genitalia should look like are often subject to invasive surgeries as infants, often completely restricting their ability to ever have children due to forced conformity to what they are believed to look like. Many anti-transgender policies across the country, including S.B. 1, contain provisions allowing gender-affirming care to be given to intersex minors, in spite of advocates wanting restrictions on mandatory conforming surgeries and care.Many intersex individuals also identify as transgender, linking these issues intrinsically in how theyre talked about.This is just one update in a bigger story. Dont miss LIVE UPDATES: Supreme Court hears arguments in challenge to gender-affirming care ban on LGBTQ Nation for more context and updates.

When people wish others a happy holiday season or just say, Happy Holidays, what exactly do they mean? The season usually begins around Thanksgiving and lasts throughNew Years Day.Thanksgiving in the United States commemorates that mythical occasion when the Pilgrims and the Indians shared a joyous meal together. So when we wish people a happy holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Years, whom are we including? Related Identity politics did not cost the Democrats the election Democrats blaiming trans rights for the loss are actually revealing their own pre-conceptions without any evidence. I suppose we cannot include Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs, some of whom celebrate Diwali (Festival of Lights), observed beginning in late Ashvin (between September and October on the Christian Gregorian calendar) and ending in early Kartika (between October and November). Dive deeper every day Join our newsletter for thought-provoking commentary that goes beyond the surface of LGBTQ+ issues Subscribe to our Newsletter today And what about the estimated 16% of Americans (according to the Pew Research Center) who define themselves as religiously unaffiliated, atheist, agnostic, freethinker, or non-believer, as well as members of religious sects Jehovahs Witnesses that do not celebrate any holidays?What events are we including in our Seasons Greetings? A major happening that comes to mind is the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere: that exact split second usually occurring onDecember21 or 22 on the Christian Gregorian calendar when the earths axial tilt is farthest from the Sun.Also called the first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice marks the seasonal reversal when days begin their gradual lengthening and nights darkness shortens. Many groups celebrate the winter solstice in a number of ways, from sharing a meal to lighting candles, hanging lights, and having song and dance fests. Among many other celebrations in December, theres Hanukkah. Also known as the Festival of Lights, it is an eight-day Jewish holiday observing the rededication of the Second Holy Jewish Temple in Jerusalem in 3593 on the Jewish calendar (167 BCE on the Christian Gregorian calendar), when the Maccabees conducted a revolt for independence.Hanukkah begins at sundown on the 25th of Kislev on the Jewish calendar, which falls anywhere from late November to lateDecemberon the Christian Gregorian calendar. Celebrants light candles each night on candelabra called menorahs.Kwanzaa, created by Maulana Karenga and first celebrated in 1966, honors African heritage and culture. It is commemorated annually betweenDecember26 and January 1. The name was drawn from the Swahili phrasematunda ya kwanza, meaning the first fruits of the harvest. Celebrants light candles each night on candelabra called kinaras.And then theres Christmas, a celebration of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Though no one knows the actual date Jesus was born, most Christian denominations though not all celebrate it onDecember25. Christian cultural imperialismEarlier and earlier each year often now following Halloween merchants and media begin proclaiming, Happy Holidays. While many holidays, both religious and secular, occur around this time, Happy Holidays is in all actuality coded language for Merry Christmas and Happy (Christian) New Year. In fact, most non-Christian major holidays do not fall inDecember.How many people in the United States really care about or are even familiar with the non-Christian holidays and celebrations that fall around this time of the year? What are these Winter Parties, Winter Concerts, Winter School Breaks, and Winter Vacations really about? How many Christians would know about Hanukkah if it did not usually fall inDecember? In actuality, Hanukkah is a relatively minor Jewish historical holiday that has taken on greater importance due to its proximity to Christmas. What we are experiencing is a form of Christian cultural imperialism (hegemony), a promotion of the larger Christian culture, celebrations, values, and beliefs.I define Christian hegemony as the overarching system of advantages bestowed on Christians. It is the institutionalization of a Christian norm or standard that establishes and perpetuates the notion that all people are or should be Christian, thereby privileging Christians and Christianity and excluding the needs, concerns, cultural practices, and life experiences of people who do not define themselves as Christian. Often overt, though at times subtle, Christian hegemony is oppression by intent and design, as well as by neglect, omission, erasure, and distortion. While some of its religious significance has diminished over time as traditional Christian religious practice has entered the public square, the clearly religious meanings, symbolism, positionality and antecedents of generalized holiday observances belie any claims that the holiday has become fully secularized.The effect of the so-called secularization of religion, in fact, not only fortifies but indeed strengthens Christian privilege by perpetuating Christian hegemony in such a way as to avoid its detection as religion or to circumvent constitutional requirements for the separation of religion and government. Therefore, Christian dominance is maintained by its relative invisibility; with this invisibility, privilege is neither analyzed nor scrutinized nor interrogated nor confronted.Dominance is perceived as unremarkable or normal, and when anyone poses a challenge or attempts to reveal its religious significance, those in the dominant group brand them as subversive or sacrilegious. Examples of Christian cultural imperialism during the so-called Holiday Season are many:The constant and prolonged promotion of Christmas music in public spaces and on radio stations; Christmas specials on television throughout November andDecembereach year.Christmas decorations (often hung at taxpayer expense) in the public square in cities and towns throughout the United States.The highly visible and widespread availability in retail stores of Christian holiday decorations, greeting cards, foods, and other items during Christian holiday seasons.The president lighting the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse behind the White House.There are many other examples, truly too numerous to list. Our society marks time through a Christian lens. Even the language we use in reference to the calendar reflects Christian assumptions.A few years ago, with increasing rapidity, we heard and read of the coming of the twenty-first century, The year 2000, and the dawning of the new millennium. Among the definitions of millennium in the Merriam-Websters Eleventh New Collegiate Dictionary (2003), definition 2a is: a period of 1000 years.Let us not forget, however, that the year 2000 is calculated with reference to the birth of Jesus, and it is, therefore, the beginning of the nextChristianmillennium. In fact, definition 1a in the same dictionary defines millennium as: the thousand years mentioned in Revelation 20 during which holiness is to prevail and Christ is to reign on earth. This fact is brought home each time we hear someone mention the date followed by in the year of our Lord, Jesus Christ. The century markers BC (before Christ) and AD (anno Domini) are clearly Christian in origin. Therefore, the year 2000 is one important milepost, though for many religious traditions it also marks a heightening of invisibility.An attempt to decenter Christian hegemony in terminology related to the marking of time is replacing BC with BCE (Before the Common Era) and AD with CE (Common Era). However, the renaming does nothing to end the marking of time before and after a common (Christian) era.Actually, this is the year 5785 on the Jewish calendar that began on the first day ofTishrei(the seventh month on the Jewish calendar, or in September this year on the Christian Gregorian calendar). The Jewish calendar is a lunar/solar hybrid with months defined by the moon and the year based on the Earths annual solar revolution.In addition, we are coming up on the year 4722 on the Chinese calendar (February 3 on the Christian Gregorian calendar). The Chinese calendar is both a lunar- and solar-based calendar. The New Year on the Islamic calendar, or Hijri, announces the year as 1446 AH, which began on the first evening of the month of Muharram, inDecemberon the Christian Gregorian calendar. In addition, we are celebrating the year 2763 on the Karen calendar. The Grinch Alert (or Cultural Pluralism) Robert Jeffress, senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, organized a movement not long ago to call the season what it really is the Christmas Season and he asserted that businesses who display Happy Holidays are simply stooping to political correctness. Jeffress created a Grinch List on his website to expose businesses that he contends are taking the Christ out of Christmas.Simply stated, the pastor positioned Christians as the real victims in the current Happy Holidays epoch. In his effort to purge Happy Holidays from modern parlance, Jeffress was attempting not only to maintain but also to fortify Christian cultural imperialism though by all indications, he has nothing to fear since this form of hegemony most certainly will not be placed on the endangered list any time soon.Throughout his first term and his 2024 campaign, Donald Trump promised Americans would be able to say Merry Christmas again, as if some king or some would-be autocrat like himself declared that greeting as unlawful. We as a society face some choices. We can commit to issues of multiculturalism and diversity: We can learn about and value other peoples and customs, and we can work for true realization of the concept of cultural pluralism a term coined by the Jewish immigrant and sociologist of Polish and Latvian heritage, Horace Kallen, to challenge the image of the so-called melting pot, which he considered inherently undemocratic.Kallen envisioned a United States in the image of a great symphony orchestra, not sounding in unison (the melting pot) but rather one in which all the disparate cultures play harmoniously while retaining their unique and distinctive tones and timbres.If we are unwilling to begin this journey, however, then as offensive as it is, Pastor Jeffress and Donald Trump may have hit on something. At least they demand honesty in expressly calling it what it really is the Christmas Season. Happy Holidays, after all, was clearly created to give the false impression of inclusivity.An individual can appropriately wish a Christian Merry Christmas, of course. Can an individuals wishing others Happy Holidays inDecemberbe considered that individuals intent to work toward inclusivity? Of course! Can an individual wishing others Happy Holidays inDecemberamount to that individuals intent to decenter Christmas and Christianity? Of course!My argument, however, focuses upon a critique of the systemic structures that promote Christian privilege and hegemony within the United States (and many other Western countries). The systemic structures themselves promote Christian imperialism (hegemony), under which individuals are often unwilling and even unknowing conspirators. Wishing people Happy Holidays simply glosses over the Christian assumptions inherent during this particular time of the year.Wishing another Happy Holidays inDecembercertainly can be very nice, well-meaning, and well-intentioned. If one really wants to be sensitive and inclusive while acknowledging others cultural and religious (or non-religious) perspectives, why not wish people of other faiths Happy Holidays duringtheirholidays that are actually important? Or if they celebrate no holidays, why not be mindful of that fact?When we as a society use the generic greeting Happy Holidays inDecember, many of us may intend to promote intercultural awareness and sensitivity. But this actually has the exact opposite effect by giving most of us the excuse not to do our homework in truly investigating other cultures and other forms of celebration. When we wish others Happy Holidays inDecember, we do not have to think about when others major holidays actually occur, and we do not have to acknowledge that many people are not affiliated with religion at all.The concept of oppression, then, constitutes more than individuals cruel and repressive actions upon others. It involves an overarching system of differentials of social power and privilege exercised by dominant groups over subordinated groups, based on ascribed social identities and reinforced by unequal social group status.This is not merely the case in societies ruled by coercive or tyrannical leaders but occurs within the day-to-day practices of contemporary democratic societies such as the United States. Unpacking the knapsack of privilege (whether it be Christian, white, male, heterosexual, owning class, temporarily able-bodied, native English speakers, and others) is to become aware of and to develop critical consciousness of its existence and to recognize how it affects the daily lives of both those with and those without this privilege.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Justice Samuel Alito asked ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio whether gender identity is immutable, citing detransitioners and gender fluidity as reasons to suggest it is not. Strangio points out that there is strong evidence that the underlying basis of gender is strongly immutable and that in spite of individuals conceptions of their gender identities changing, what remains underneath is not something that can be willingly changed. The only thing that needs to remain immutable, he says, is that their gender is different from how their birth sex was assigned.Alito then compares trans people to those with schizophrenia, arguing how there can be different treatments. Strangio points out that these are fundamentally different issues and that regardless of any divergence from a typical understanding of how trans people exist, ones status as a trans person is immutable and does not shift in a way that can easily be compared to mental illnesses.This is just one update in a bigger story. Dont miss LIVE UPDATES: Supreme Court hears arguments in challenge to gender-affirming care ban on LGBTQ Nation for more context and updates.

The Supreme Court session has adjourned early, ending the oral argument session. It is expected that SCOTUS may take up to June 2025 to issue a ruling regarding US v. Skrmetti.You can read more about the case (and other LGBTQ+ rights cases in front of the Supreme Court this term) in this explainer.This is just one update in a bigger story. Dont miss LIVE UPDATES: Supreme Court hears arguments in challenge to gender-affirming care ban on LGBTQ Nation for more context and updates.

Tennessees Solicitor General Matthew Rice, in response to a question from Justice Brett Kavanaugh about why laws regulating gender-affirming care shouldnt be left up to the states, makes a comparison between gender-affirming care to the discredited medical practice of lobotomies, or removing a part of the brain to treat mental illnesses.He falsely claims that lobotomies were widely supported by the medical community in the early 1900s, and thus gender-affirming care needs to be regulated similarly. As Alejandra Caraballo, attorney and instructor at Harvard Law CyberLaw Clinic, says on BlueSky, leading medical organizations at the time opposed lobotomies, meaning Rices comparison is highly inaccurate.Rice responds to a question by Kavanaugh about why doesn't the state just leave this to states.Rice compares this to lobotomies which is detestable. Notable that the AMA and other health orgs opposed lobotomies and played a role in ending the practice! Alejandra Caraballo (@esqueer.net) December 4, 2024 at 11:19 AMThis is just one update in a bigger story. Dont miss LIVE UPDATES: Supreme Court hears arguments in challenge to gender-affirming care ban on LGBTQ Nation for more context and updates.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor asks how Tennessee Solicitor General Matthew Rices claims protect the public, pointing out that when youre 1% of the population, its very hard to see how the democratic process will protect you. The decision of the Court has the potential to also influence gender-affirming care for adults with their ruling, if they accept Tennessees logic about the possible medical risks, that reasoning could be used in further arguments to restrict all forms of care.Justice Amy Coney Barrett asks how Rices policies would apply to bathrooms or sports issues. He tries to argue that a transgender-based challenge is separate from a sex-based challenge in other words, this case is about medical risks of transgender healthcare whereas bathroom and sports arguments are about gender rights and equity. As such, Rice gave minimal rationale for how this argument may be structured. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson asks how the gender-affirming care ban can even exist when it has so many parallels to racist laws of the past, pointing out that theyre doing a similar thing: denying access to a public service based on personal characteristics.Rice tries to argue that gender-affirming care (like hormone replacement therapy and puberty blockers) are different medical treatments on the basis of why its being asked for that is, the use of both treatments are different based on whether theyre being given to a cisgender child or a transgender one.Jackson points out that the treatments are acting on the body in the same way, and that Rice is contradicting his initial argument about the treatments being dangerous to minors when he goes on to argue that they have different effects on the body depending on your gender identity.This is just one update in a bigger story. Dont miss LIVE UPDATES: Supreme Court hears arguments in challenge to gender-affirming care ban on LGBTQ Nation for more context and updates.

Tennessee Solicitor General Matthew Rice appears on the floor, arguing in favor of restricting gender-affirming care and allowing Tennessees ban to take effect. He attempts to argue that gender-affirming care for minors has no benefits, something that does not reflect the opinions of leading medical organizations like the Endocrine Society, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Psychological Association.Justice Sonia Sotomayor points out that every medical treatment has risks, even Aspirin, and that there is no basis for restricting gender-affirming care on this basis. She points out that ceasing the development of sex-based characteristics is inherently sex-based and thus is discriminatory. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson echoes this argument, immediately pushing back against Rices claims that this is not sex-based and not discriminatory by pointing out that aiming to restrict breast growth, for instance, is sex-based.The pushback continues after Rice makes the questionable claim that boys with gynecomastia a condition that causes males to grow enlarged breast tissue taking puberty blockers lack a medical purpose for doing so, leading to confusion from the Court in interpreting his argument. This is just one update in a bigger story. Dont miss LIVE UPDATES: Supreme Court hears arguments in challenge to gender-affirming care ban on LGBTQ Nation for more context and updates.

It seems like only yesterday we were in Phase 1 of the brand-new Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), hanging out with Tony Stark for the first time. Now, as the universe has expanded into multiple movies, TV shows, and spinoffs, were about to close out Phase 5 and move on to Phase 6.There are a million things we can talk about when it comes to the MCU, but today were here to hone in on the very important fact that Colman Domingo has officially confirmed with Screen Geek that he is, in fact, in talks of joining.The where, the how, and the who he might play (or replace) is still up for debate, so keep reading to find out what hes said, who hes rumored to play, and other scenarios that could potentially pan out as we move into the next phase of the MCU.What has Colman Domingo said about joining the MCU?See on InstagramIn truth, Domingo has actually spoken about the potential of joining the MCU for a while, but this is the first time hes ever confirmed anything.In his interview with Screen Geek, he said he had a meeting with Marvel but that it wasnt specifically about anything, which sort of helps but doesnt.They literally sat down and said, What do you want to do? Domingo recounted. And I said, I dont know, what do you got for me?This led to a further engagement with Domingo, who very much expressed excitement at the idea of joining the MCU. That said, he also wants something that is created for me and something where I feel like I can give something of myself to. So well find out what that is. I dont know what it is yet, but Im patient.Were a little less patient, but were at least happy with the progress.What character is he rumored to play?See on InstagramDomingos admission to joining the MCU comes on the heels of rumors that he will take over the role of Kang on Loki after some things went down with the original actor, Jonathan Majors.However, Domingo adding that hed want to have a character thats created for him that he can give something of himself to may elude to the fact this particular rumor is squashed. Perhaps. Because, with the MCU, you really never know whats going to go down. Who is Kang? (@) For those who arent fully immersed in the MCU, the character of Kang as the variant He Who Remains debuted in season 1 of Loki, and his Kang the Conqueror variant debuted in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.Played by Jonathan Majors, the character was originally meant to replace Thanos as the big bad of the universe, and Majors was set to play all of the variants of the character. Said variants are also something Domingo could take over, which could make for a smooth transition if it's the route they choose to take.The reason Majors lost his role with Marvel came on the heels of a 2023 arrest for misdemeanor charges of assault, strangulation, and harassment following an altercation with his girlfriend. He was found guilty on two misdemeanor counts of harassment and assault, and the MCU promptly cut ties.Who might Colman Domingo play instead? (@) Honestly, as soon as the rumors started swirling in early January about Domingo taking over for Majors, it seems that fans have rallied around the idea and want it to proceed whether Domingo wants to or not.See on InstagramBesides that, fans have vocalized a desire for him to play other characters, as well, including Doctor Voodoo from Doctor Strange. (@) After interviewing him, Screen Geek also suggested that Domingo could take on the role of Charles Professor X Xavier when the MCU brings the X-Men back to front and center. Their argument for his take on the role largely focuses on his ability to embrace the idea of his characters and how he always handles his roles with care.Wait, doesnt he already play a character in the MCU? (@) Some of this news may sound a little confusing, depending on how closely you follow along with all of the stories in the world of Marvel, including the comics and animated series on the side.While Domingo is going to voice the role for the Green Goblin/Norman Osborn in the upcoming Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man animated series, the show technically takes place outside of the MCUs main timeline and makes that a little bit convoluted. Still, this could also make way for Domingo to bring a live-action version of the role to an upcoming Spider-Man movie, if it fits into the storyline which it totally could, considering where we left off in the most recent Spider-Man flick.Either way, Domingo admitted voicing the role left him with some big shoes to fill, adding that Willem Dafoes performance of the character was phenomenal.Further, he said, I thought, I get to actually really just play his intelligence and looking at his mind and how he builds, especially with his industries and then how that also becomes narcissistic. It also becomes a detriment as well. Ive always looked at the Norman Osborn character as being a symbol of mental health when its unchecked.What if a live-action MCU movie with Colman Domingo doesnt happen?See on InstagramAt this point, there are too many things in life that get us excited and then let us down. With all of the rumors about potential castings, all of the interest in Domingo joining the MCU, and now confirmation that something is at least in talks, we better not get let down again.Fortunately, we think the MCU knows how lucky they would be to have Domingo on their team. Hes a rising star with an acting range that covers every emotion under the sun. We also just need more opportunities to watch him and listen to him speak. Well see how this pans out as Phase 5 closes out in the first half of 2025 and Phase 6 gets started right after with The Fantastic Four: First Steps in July.

As many as a dozen individuals rounded up at gay clubs in Moscow this past weekend have been found guilty of hooliganism by a Russian court and sentenced to administrative detention.Three clubs were raided by Russian security forces Saturday night into Sunday morning as part of measures to combat LGBT propaganda, according to reporting by the Russian state-run TASS news agency. Related Russia passes bill to outlaw adoption by people from countries where gender-affirming care is legal The bills authors believe that foreign parents can change the gender of the adopted child once safely back in their home country. The raids occurred at at least three nightclubs in the Russian capital, including Arma, Inferno, and Mono. Video of the incidents shows heavily armed men shouting orders at clubgoers seated on the floor with their hands over their heads. 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 Young men at the Mono nightclub were handed military draft notices by police, according to one source who spoke with news outletVyorstka, Reports that hundreds of men were taken away by police from nightclubs around Moscow on Friday night. pic.twitter.com/47MOKtlK1V Igor Sushko (@igorsushko) November 30, 2024A statement from the Lefortovo District Court in Moscow said the detained clubgoers were found guilty of petty hooliganism and disrupting public order.These citizens committed an administrative offense, which was expressed in obvious disrespect for society, accompanied by obscene language in a public place, the statement read.The raids coincide with the one-year anniversary of Russias designation of the LGBTQ+ movement as an extremist organization. Russians found guilty of extremism face up to 12 years in prison. Independent news website Mediazonareported the detained clubgoers were arrested for up to 15 days for administrative offenses, including swearing at Russian security forces, according to the courts website.Telegram channel Baza reported security forces blocked club exits at Arma for three hours as they interrogated patrons and detained dozens. During the operation, policeseizedelectronic devices, weapons and alcohol.MOSCOW CLUB RAIDS TARGET "LGBT PROPAGANDA"Moscow police raided nightclubs on the anniversary of LGBT being labeled an "extremist movement" in Russia.They went into full treasure hunt mode, seizing electronics, weapons, and even the booze that was supposedly sold under pic.twitter.com/U7NCcAVPv3 Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) November 30, 2024During the same raid, the director of a travel agency for gay men was arrested for organizing tours for members of the LGBT community, according to The Moscow Times.The crackdown follows a pattern of government-sanctioned harassment directed at the LGBTQ+ community after President Vladimir Putins government outlawed the so-called international LGBT movement in Russia last year. Putin has also instituted successively broader anti-LGBTQ+ propaganda laws since 2013. Raids and arrests at LGBTQ+ clubs have become commonplace across the country.In November, Russian legislators approved two new laws directed at promoting traditional family values. One amends the current prohibition of propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations and (or) preferences or gender reassignment to include outlawing the promotion of not having children.The other law banscitizens of countries that allow gender transitioning from adopting Russian children. 12 countries currently outlaw all forms of gender transition, including Russia.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

ACLU attorney Chase Strangio argues that the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals got it wrong in their decision to re-instate S.B. 1s ban on gender-affirming care in Tennessee, stating that they incorrectly applied rational basis review to this issue. Instead, he argues that intermediate scrutiny is necessary.Rational basis review is a type of judicial review to determine whether governments are acting in line with regulations. Intermediate scrutiny draws from a constitutional review to determine whether a legal action aligns with the United States Constitution in this case, the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th amendment, which regulates sex-based discrimination.In response to Justice Amy Coney Barrett, Strangio also points out that these issues are inherently intertwined with advocacy for gay rights, drawing from bans on cross-dressing and trans people entering the military, both issues that affect gay individuals as well.Strangio further responded to Justice Brett Kavanaughs attempt to circle back to trans people in sports, making a brief point in favor of the way anti-discrimination measures could be used to argue for the inclusion of trans women athletes while still suggesting that is not the core of the current issue.This is just one update in a bigger story. Dont miss LIVE UPDATES: Supreme Court hears arguments in challenge to gender-affirming care ban on LGBTQ Nation for more context and updates.

These new queens are sickening!RuPaul's Drag Race is back for season 17, and today Paramount+ ru-vealed the new cast.The Drag Race franchise's flagship show is returning on January 3 with 14 new talented queens who are ready to vie for that coveted crown and the $200,000 prize.This season is bringing back the "Rate-A-Queen" rating system, which requires the queens to evaluate their fellow competitors. Not all fans loved the change, but it's undeniable that it gave us some very messy moments that were a blast to watch unfold. The season will open with the new RuGirls competing in a "Drag Queens Got Talent" that is sure to give viewers a taste of what each competitor is bringing to the table.And get ready for all of the backstage drama and scathing reads because the new season of Untucked will give viewers a behind-the-scenes view of the queens at their most unfiltered. We can't get enough of the gossip and drama!Season 17 of RuPaul's Drag Race will premiere on January 3, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on MTV, and Untucked will premier directly after.Let's meet the new queens!Acacia ForgotThis honky-tonk diva puts the country in California. Glitzy, glamorous, and with a penchant for blonde hair, Acacia Forgot has never met a rhinestone she didnt like. Musically talented, as well as being a singer-songwriter, Acacia plays the guitar, piano, banjo and ukulele. Will this aspiring country star also become Americas Next Drag Superstar?ArriettyArrietty hails from the House of Dubois - her drag mother is none other than Drag Race season 15s Irene (The Alien) Dubois. Obsessed with the fantasy genre, this uniquely creative queen designs and sews her own outfits, often with a futuristic elf aesthetic. Add in the ability to beat a mean mug when needed, and this talented, twisted queen is ready to go all the way in the competition!Crystal EnvyWith looks so polished, its hard to believe this makeup artist and drag queen has only been performing for 3 years. In New Jersey, Crystal swiftly dominated the club scene. Crystal Envys name comes as a mixture of their birth name Chris, and the fact that every outfit she wears is bedazzled and sparkly. This pageant princess commands a club crowd, but can Crystal hold that same command over the judges this season?Hormona LisaThis Southern bubblegum babe was infamously plucked from the crowd by RuPaul on the Atlanta stop of his The House of Hidden Meanings book tour, and invited to Hollywood. Now officially a part of the season 17 cast, this campy queen - inspired by Disney princesses and vintage screen sirens - hopes to catch the eye of RuPaul again, this time where it counts the most: on the main stage of RuPauls Drag Race!Jewels SparklesOut of drag, this youthful queen has a sweetness and an innocence, and is a self-described "ditzy clumsy bimbo." But dont be fooled - Jewels intends to enter the competition with intention and strategy. With influences that range from Ariana Grande to Priscilla Presley, to her Puerto Rican and Cuban heritage, youd be foolish to underestimate this talented doll as merely a look queen."JoellaJoella calls herself The Slaysian Diva, and with her own unique style of drag, mixing traditional Chinese costume with street fashion and pop culture, you can see why. Having already won local West Hollywood drag bar contests, Joella is now ready to represent plus size queens in the biggest drag competition in the world.Kori KingThis boisterous queen has rapidly risen to the top of the Boston scene, amassing a respectable TikTok following along the way. Only in the drag game for 2 years, Kori has already been awarded Bostons Best New Performer To Watch award, and is the name on everybody's lips. She is season 16 finalist Plane Janes drag sister, so expect a razor sharp wit, and somebody who tells it like it is!Lana Ja'ReaLanas drag mother is Luxx Noir London, from season 15 of Drag Race, so expect a level of fierceness from this fashionista! Luxx saw Lana competing in a New York drag competition and was so impressed, she approached her backstage and asked if she could adopt her on the spot. Bringing legs and body to the main stage, Lana is ready to strut away from this competition with a crown!Lexi LoveLexi Love is a full-time playmate at Play, Louisville: a bar known for its high energy drag excellence. As a performer, Lexi knows how to turn the party up - but shes also someone youd love to kick it with. Having survived a period of homelessness and drug addiction, she has emerged a stronger and more independent queen, and is ready for the re-birth of Lexi to take over the world!Lucky StarzzzBorn in Havana, Cuba, Lucky Starzzz is an expressive, colorful, living cartoon! Luckys drag meets at the intersection of club kid and camp, and this resourceful queen uses as much paper and spray paint as she does sequins and rhinestones. Lucky describes her drag as a venus fly trap in a room full of roses. Can Luckys eye-catching creativity catch the eyes of the judges this season and win her the crown?Lydia B KollinsTo understand this absurdist, unique queen you only need to know that the B stands for b*tthole. Named after Winona Ryders character in Beetlejuice, Lydia Deetz, and inspired by Tim Burton, John Waters and David Lynch, Lydia B Kollins is a queen who values creativity over perfection. Will the judges find Lydias looks BOOTYful, or will her time on Drag Race be a disASSter? Onya NurveSmashburger cook by day, enchanting and in-demand drag artist by night. Onya Nurve got bitten by the performance bug in high school, and took an artistic career path to drag via a BFA in Painting from the Cleveland Institute of Art. A comedic actress as well as being able to belt out a tune, Onya represents a real threat in this competition!Sam StarStunning, stylish, SOUTHERN! Sam is quite the Renaissance queen, having trained in musical theater, and being a retired gymnast / cheerleader who can do back handsprings! With polished makeup skills and a gorgeous mug, Sam has gone on to win an impressive number of pageant titles for such a young queen: its no surprise to learn that Trinity The Tuck is her drag mother and mentor. Suzie TootSuzies uniqueness is her greatest strength in drag. A professional tap dancer, with a look rooted deeply in 1920s and 30s fashions, Suzie describes herself as the "cross section between Betty Boop and Lucille Ball." A skilled actor with a wild sense of humor and excellent comedic timing, Suzie hopes to wow the judges with her quirky take on drag!

A precocious and sexually domineering king penguin enlisted for a breeding initiative in an England zoo and thought to be a female has turned out to be a boy.Penguin Maggie traveled from Denmark to the Birdland Park and Gardens in the Cotswolds in Gloucestershire, England in 2016. Her keepers had high hopes she would produce an egg. When Maggie reached sexual maturity in 2020, she displayed flirtatious behavior with a male named Frank. Related Gay penguin power couple celebrate their anniversary The male couple, who have hatched two eggs together, enjoyed frozen fish cakes for dinner and held a party with their neighbors in the enclosure. Alas, the couple did not produce an egg. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Same again in 2021. Same again in 2022, Alistair Keen, Birdlands head keeper,told The Washington Post. In 2023, they were seen mating quite regularly.The flirting, Keen said, involved various behaviors like making distinctive penguin noises and posturing.They do a low trumpeting call, which is basically them saying, Im free and Im single. Whos interested? And whoevers interested then shouts back, said Keen. Theyll even check out their partners feet, as they incubate their egg on their feet.Keen said staff were giddy for a chick when Frank sat with his tummy tucked over his penguin feet, a usual sign of warming an egg.But he was incubating a leaf, Keen said.The head keeper said his suspicions about Maggies sex rose as the penguin grew taller than her female peers.This penguin has looked very tall compared to everyone else, he said.She also displayed dominant characteristics in the birds mating ritual, which female penguins dont do. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Birdland Park and Gardens (@birdlandpark)Male penguins lack an extruding sex organ, which complicates sexing the avian animals. Insemination takes place when an opposite-sex pair rub orifices (called cloacae) together to transfer sperm, produced by males from internal testes.Maggies rubdowns grew to include other boy birds besides Frank. She was also seen mating with another male called Spike.The mystery of Maggies eggless encounters was finallysolved when keepers conducted a DNA test on the birds feathers in October.It turns out Maggie is a male.I wasnt 100% surprised when I found out, Keen said.In honor of the birds far-Northern roots, Weve renamed him with the fine Scandinavian name of Magnus, Keen said.Is the bird formerly known as Maggie gay? Could be. Cohabitating male penguins have famously incubated chicks together and mourned one anothers passing, just like humans. Males are also known to display mating behaviors with other males, even as they father chicks with a female partner.Weve told the breeding program, so Im kind of hoping that gives them an excuse to give me another female, Keen said.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio, the first openly trans person to argue in front of the Supreme Court, draws from the courts role in the COVID-19 pandemic to argue in favor of SCOTUS ruling against S.B. 1 for the sake of the common good. He uses the same rationale as was used in the courts role in the regulation of public health policies during the height of the pandemic.He further argues that regret is rare, pointing out that commonly cited figures that suggest high regret and detransition rates are often misrepresented in favor of an agenda. He cites the ACLUs reply brief submitted to SCOTUS last month, detailing the organizations response to these claims.In response to a line of questioning from Justice Alito, he maintains that gender-affirming care for minors is life-saving, reducing the risk of suicide. He points out that, contrary to claims in the Cass Review, there are many studies that show an improvement in mental health outcomes for transgender individuals.This is just one update in a bigger story. Dont miss LIVE UPDATES: Supreme Court hears arguments in challenge to gender-affirming care ban on LGBTQ Nation for more context and updates.

It's 2024, and many are quick to proclaim that chivalry is dead, or that there's no romance left in the world. This couldn't be further from the truth just ask comedian Fortune Feimster. Feimster a lesbian icon, stand up comic, podcast host, and romantic at heart sat down on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon to tell the host about one romantic gesture she pulled off for her wife that was 10 years in the making.Feimster opened by saying that her partner is not easily star struck, with one big exception. "My wife, Jax [Smith], she does not care about celebrities. She does not know who anyone is," Feimster said, adding, "She only cares about Madonna."Smith is unrelenting in her pursuit of trying to intersect with the pop icon. Feimster said, "Every person she would meet, she's like 'Do you know Madonna? How can I meet Madonna? I love Madonna." The two also have a lot in common. "They're both from Michigan, went to the same high school a few years apart." Smith even "credits Madonna with her sexual awakening of liking girls to begin with" Feimster told Fallon. "It was her life's mission to meet Madonna, but that is not an easy person to meet. She's very famous."@fallontonight@Fortune Feimster stared down @madonna until she acknowledged her at a party #FallonTonight #TonightShow #FortuneFeimster #Madonna #JimmyFallon"It was her life's mission to meet Madonna, but that is not an easy person to meet. She's very famous." But that hasn't stopped Feimster from trying, and trying hard. "So for 10 years, all I've tried to do is get her to meet Madonna, and I was coming up short."So for a decade, Feimster tried to orchestrate a meetcute between herself, her wife, and Madonna. She went to extreme lengths, even going so far as to attend a rollerskating party Madonna was supposed to be at. Important and hilarious detail to that story: Feimster absolutely cannot roller skate. She said, "It was just me with a walker roller skating, going, 'Where's Madonna?'"Feimster was so dogged in her pursuit of the mononymous legend because it came from a place of such deep love for her wife. "She moved to L.A. for me. This is the only thing in the world I want to do for her."See on InstagramThen, finally, it happened! Feimster teased, "Earlier this year, you guys, we went to a party, and who showed up? None other than..." Do you need a hint? Do you have your guesses in?Guys, it was MADONNA."She shows up, she's 6 feet in front of me, Jimmy. Stunning, gorgeous, she's in this like, Marie Antoinette like, Vogue-type outfit VOGUE Madonna!" At this point, Feimster can barely keep her composure. She's losing her mind, saying, "And I'm like 'Jax! It's Madonna! Oh my God it's Madonna!"Then the other shoe drops. "But Jax did not wear her glasses this night. She cannot see anything that's not right in front of her face. Madonna's six feet from her, she has no clue. 'It is Madonna! How do you not see Madonna?!'"Hearing this especially as someone who also has terrible eye sight feels like watching a slasher film, screaming at the television that the killer is right there! Jax! It's Madonna! She's right in front of you! Jax, look up it's Madonna!It only gets wilder from there. At this party, Feimster said, all the waitstaff were also dressed as Madonna in the same Marie Antoinette outfit. Feimster likened the experience to "A Where's Waldo of Madonnas" which does sound fun in concept, but is in the top 5 worst games to try and play with your Madonna obsessed and incredibly nearsighted wife. The moment, and Madonna, are gone.See on InstagramBut the night's not over yet! "Two hours later, everyone's gone," Feimster said, except, "There's a woman on a chaise lounge, she's got a sign on that says 'I'm tired leave me alone'."Guys, once again, it was Madonna.Feimster, a self-proclaimed rule follower, didn't want to bother her, but she couldn't let the opportunity slip away again. "This is it. This is the moment," she said. Instead of going up to her and using her words, Feimster starts "staring at her really creepy." Feimster asked Fallon, "You know when you're staring at someone hoping they'll see that you're being a creep?" Yes, and Madonna knew, too.She made eye contact with Feimster, pointed right at her, and gave her a little heart with two hands. Feimster was right, this IS the moment. Madonna summons Feimster over, who then ran back and grabbed an oblivious Smith "like we're going to the last boat of the Titanic."Finally, they both make it over to Madonna. Feimster immediately explodes, telling her in rapid succession, "My wife loves you so much! She's your biggest fan! Thank you for making her gay!"See on InstagramMadonna was apparently incredibly receptive and gracious. "They have this beautiful moment. Madonna gives her a huge hug. They get to, you know, say a few things to each other. It was, like, the greatest thing I could have ever imagined, the greatest way for her to meet Madonna," she said.But the real icing on the cake, according to Feimster? "I never have to go roller skating again!"

Last year we put out a list of 15 LGBTQ+ films and where to find them, and its been one of our most popular posts ever. Thats why were bringing you 10 more holiday films featuring LGBTQ+ characters and storylines and where you can watch them right now.The Holiday ClubWritten, directed, and starring Alexandra Swarens, this film is not exclusively a Christmas film, but it does have key chapters in all the major holidays. Bailey (Swarens) is a small-town Ohio bakery owner who develops a friendship with next-door neighbor Sam (Mak Shealy). Over the course of a year, the two spend holidays together, developing a deep friendship. Girlfriends come and go, but the bond between Sam and Bailey deepens. Are they willing to risk their friendship for something romantic?The Holiday Club is available to rent and buy through Tello Films.I Hate New YearsThe second holiday film by Tello Films finds pop star Layne (Dia Frampton) returning home to Nashville to crack her debilitating writers block. A session with a fortune teller inspires Layne to seek out her ex to reconnect. Her best friend Cassie (Ashley Argota Torres), who is secretly in love with Layne, joins her on a madcap New Years night to try and find Laynes ex and reignite her creative spark. Naturally, things dont go quite according to plan.I Hate New Years is available to rent and buy through Tello Films.The Holiday ExchangeFans of the 2006 film The Holiday will want to check out The Holiday Exchange. LA-based Wilde (Taylor Marie Frey) finds himself unexpectedly single over the holidays and agrees to swap homes with Oliver (Rick Cosnett), who lives in the English countryside. Both men end up sparking up new romances in their holiday settings. The film also stars Real Housewives favorite Kyle Richards.The Holiday Exchange is available to stream on Peacock.Let It SnowThis 2019 Netflix holiday film stars a large ensemble of young actors, including Liv Hewson (Yellowjackets) and Kiernan Shipka (The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina). When a heavy snowstorm brings a town to a halt, teenage hijinks and romances ensue, including one between Waffle Town server Dorrie (Hewson) and closeted cheerleader Kerry (Anna Akana).Let It Snow is available to stream on Netflix.Lez BombJenna Laurenzos Lez Bomb is a bit of a pioneer when it comes to queer holiday films. Set at Thanksgiving in a New Jersey suburb, Laurenzo stars as Lauren, a closeted queer woman who brings her girlfriend home for the holidays. When her longtime best friend and roommate is mistaken for her boyfriend, misunderstandings abound with Laurens overbearing family. The film features an impressive lineup of supporting actors, including Cloris Leachman, Kevin Pollak, and Bruce Dern.Lez Bomb is available to stream on Peacock and Tubi.Happiest SeasonThis star-studded holiday film, directed by Clea DuVall, features Kristen Stewart, Aubrey Plaza, Mackenzie Davis, and Dan Levy, to name a few. Girlfriends Abby (Stewart) and Harper (Davis) head to Harpers hometown for the holidays, but along the way, Harper confesses that she isnt out to her family. Abby has to play BFF instead of GF, which leads to her meeting up with Harpers ex (Plaza) and calling in reinforcements from her best friend (Levy). A raucous soundtrack featuring LGBTQ+ artists like Shea Diamond and Tegan and Sara rounds out the film.Happiest Season is available to stream on Hulu.Ghosting: The Spirit of ChristmasThis Freeform film stars Aisha Dee (The Bold Type) and Kimiko Glenn (Orange Is the New Black) as best friends who have to face an unexpected roadblock: life after death. During the holidays, Jess (Dee) is texting and driving after an amazing first date when she crashes her car and dies. Waking up as a ghost, Jess will need to employ her queer best friend Kara (Glenn) to help her with unfinished business so she can move on to the afterlife.Aisha Dee and Kimiko Glenn in Ghosting: The Spirit of Christmas. Photo: FreeformGhosting: The Spirit of Christmas is available to stream on Disney+.FriendsgivingMalin kerman, Kat Dennings, Aisha Tyler, Jane Seymour, and Wanda Sykes are a few of the big names featured in Nicol Paones Friendsgiving. Best friends Molly (kerman) and late-in-life lesbian Abby (Dennings) plan for a quiet Thanksgiving at home, but their friends and family have other plans. Exes, estranged parents, a slew of eligible queer bachelorettes, and even some fairy gaymothers show up to spice up the holiday.Friendsgiving is available to stream on Starz.Anna and the ApocalypseWho says horror doesnt have a place at the holidays? Horror musical Anna and the Apocalypse takes place in a small town in Scotland where a group of teens is just trying to survive high schoolliterally. A zombie infection spreads quickly, and the teens must take a stand or become part of the undead army. One of the teens, Stef (Sarah Swire), is a queer transfer student and activist, trying to find her way in a new school and facing an unprecedented event.Anna and the Apocalypse is available to stream on Tubi.Every Time a Bell RingsAfter the passing of their father, three sisters return to their hometown of Natchez, Mississippi, to take part in one last annual scavenger hunt to find the familys Christmas bell. Erin Cahill, Brittany Ishibashi, and Ali Liebert star as the three sisters. Liebert plays Nora, the lesbian sister who finds a bit of sweet romance along the way.Every Time a Bell Rings is available to stream on Hallmark+.The post 10 more LGBTQ+ holiday films and where to find them appeared first on News Is Out.

In conjunction with a line of questioning from Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson draws up an example to show how denying trans people medical care is discriminatory, as this same care is often granted to cisgender individuals. Jackson makes a comparison between discriminatory policies implemented in the 1950s and 1960s on the basis of race, bringing up Loving v. Virginia, which overturned bans on interracial marriage.U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar echoes this argument, drawing parallels between the logic given in Loving and in the current argument.Shortly after this, Chase Strangio, the first openly trans lawyer to speak in front of the Supreme Court, begins arguing in favor of overturning S.B. 1. Strangio is with the American Civil Liberties Union and has previously presented in representation of the plaintiffs. Justice Clarence Thomas asks Strangio what his proposed solution would be, to which he responds that he would want to allow gender-affirming care for minors to be authorized, especially for his plaintiffs.This is just one update in a bigger story. Dont miss LIVE UPDATES: Supreme Court hears arguments in challenge to gender-affirming care ban on LGBTQ Nation for more context and updates.

Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh asks U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar why SCOTUS should apply immediate scrutiny (a type of judicial review to determine constitutionality) to Tennessees S.B. 1. Prelogar argues that by adding restrictions on the basis of assigned sex at birth, it violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution and thus inherently warrants additional review. Kavanaugh begins an additional line of questioning, bringing up the issue of trans women in womens sports. This ultimately leads to Prelogar admitting that she believes there should be restrictions on this issue while trying to go back and argue that restrictions on gender-affirming care should not be in place.There is no evidence that trans women have an inherent advantage in sports after transitioning for the amounts of time specified by regulatory bodies; performance has been noted by research to be on par with cis women. There is no evidence of trans women disproportionately dominating womens sports.This is just one update in a bigger story. Dont miss LIVE UPDATES: Supreme Court hears arguments in challenge to gender-affirming care ban on LGBTQ Nation for more context and updates.

After what felt like an eternity, Spotify Wrapped is finally here!Spotify Wrapped takes all of your music and podcast listening habits from the past calendar year and breaks it down into unique and funky stats. Kudos to Spotify for being the one company to find a way to make nonstop data collection into a viral sensation, especially for the LGBTQ+ community! It's more serious and more telling than your horoscope, Meyer-Briggs, Enneagram, and favorite Sex and the City diva combined.So what was it this year? Your listening habits as a tarot card? Where you should vacation based on your top artist of the year? Sadly, no. After a longer than average wait, many listeners were disappointed and left wanting more. Where are the genre statistics? Why have they still not brought back user's top album? The lackluster graphics and bare bones assessments are almost certainly due it's overuse of AI. In December of last year, Spotify laid off 17% of its staff. How did the company make up for the loss of around 1,500 employees? By adding an AI component describing user's "musical evolution" throughout the year that listeners are overwhelmingly displeased with.The use of artificial intelligence, lack of creativity, and disappearance of a specifically human touch have given birth to the most lackluster Spotify Wrapped since starting in 2016. And yet, when times are hard, the memes go harder. The good news is that queer artists absolutely dominated this year, and queer people on the internet have made some memes that more than make up for Spotify Wrapped failing to meet expectations this year. Here are 25 of our favorites. (@) (@) See on Instagram (@) (@) See on Instagram (@) See on Instagram (@) (@) (@) (@) See on Instagram (@) (@) (@) (@) See on Instagram (@) See on InstagramSee on Instagram (@) (@) (@) (@)

Queer actors have been a part of the film industry for many, many years!Queer culture in Hollywood has been around as long as there's been a Hollywood but due to social pressures and the interests of the entertainment industry, movie stars from decades past often had to keep their identities a secret (some more carefully than others). There were no famous gay actors in history in the same way we have them today. From salacious rumors and fun scandals to some pivotal names in LGBTQ+ history, here are just a few of the biggest stars.Marlene DietrichIf you go weak at the knees at the sight of a woman in a suit, you have Marlene Dietrich to thank for it. A product of the arts-centric Weimar culture in early 20th-century Germany, Dietrich lived freely and fearlessly. She regularly donned pants and tuxes on the silver screen at a time when it was unfashionable to do so and changed the the way women thought about pants forever. She was also unapologetic about her love for both men and women.The movie legend locked lips with women on screen as early as 1930 and was romantically linked with Kay Francis, Edith Piaf, Mercedes de Acosta, and even Greta Garbo.Cesar RomeroWith a devilishly handsome smile and a towering height of 6'3", Cesar Romero was poised for leading man status. The Cuban-American actor appeared on the silver screen alongside Marlene Dietrich and Carole Lombard, was a lifelong best friend to actress Joan Crawford, and became a living legend after playing The Joker in the original film version of Batman. Whats not so well-known known about Romero is that he was gay. He remained in the closet to the public for the entirety of his career, but was out to friends and colleagues in the industry.Greta GarboOnce considered the most beautiful woman in the world, Greta Garbo was legendary for her expressive face, her need for privacy, and her sexuality. During her lifetime, it was never quite clear just where she landed on the LGBTQ+ spectrum, but history remembers her as being distinctly queer. She reportedly played a bit of lovers ping-pong with Mercedes de Acosta who would flee into Marlene Dietrichs arms whenever Garbo discarded her. Its also been speculated that she had tender feelings for her childhood friend Mimi Pollack. Cary GrantRenowned for his good looks and acting talent, Cary Grant quickly rose to stardom in the 1930s. The British-American actor, whose credits included His Girl Friday and North by Northwest, was reportedly a ladies man whose five marriages didnt do much to quelch his need for love. But in recent years, new information has come to light about Grants personal life. He lived with fellow actor Randolph Scott for a number of years and rumors have long circulated that the pair were involved romantically.Joan CrawfordWhile Joan Crawford is most remembered for ankle-strap shoes, enlarged shoulder pads, and drinking 100-proof vodka, few of todays modern movie buffs are familiar with the rumors surrounding her sexuality. Its long been said that Crawford, who had a reputation for being something of a maneater, was actually bisexual. The jurys still out on Crawfords sexuality, but in the years since her death, its been reported that she had affairs with Barbara Stanwyck, Marilyn Monroe, Martha Raye, and an unknown actress by the name of Marion Morgan.Rock HudsonFor the duration of his career, Rock Hudson was an American heartthrob. He wooed audiences with his good looks and impressive performances, and worked hard to keep his private life out of the tabloids. But when Confidential magazine threatened to expose his homosexuality, his career took a backseat. Soon after the Confidential incident, he married Phyllis Gates to keep any rumors from circulating. The marriage didnt last, as Gates was aware of Hudsons true sexuality and the two eventually parted ways. Just a few years post-divorce, in 1962, Hudson met stockbroker Lee Garlington with whom he shared a lengthy, intimate relationship. His story was even included in Ryan Murphy's 2020 Netflix series Hollywood.Hudson died from AIDS complications in 1985.Tallulah BankheadTallulah Bankhead was a theater actress, film star, and life-of-the-party socialite who enjoyed pushing the envelope as much as humanly possible. Like so many others on this list, she disregarded the conventions of her time and marched to the beat of her own drum. She, too, allegedly spent some intimate nights with Mercedes de Acosta as well as Greta Garbo, Hope Williams, and Barbara Stanwyck.Ramon NovarroKnown for playing the title role in the 1925 version of Ben-Hur, Ramon Novarro was a mainstay of the silent film era. Handsome and enthusiastic, the Mexican-born Novarro quickly earned a place among Hollywoods rising stars. But behind the glitz and the glamour of the film industry, Novarro was struggling to reconcile his love of men with his Catholic upbringing and turned to alcohol to ease his inner pain. Unable to come to terms with his homosexuality, Novarro took to hiring hustlers in secret to stave off his loneliness. In the late sixties, Novarros life met a brutal end after he hired two young brothers to come to his home. The brothers reportedly tortured and killed Novarro and were later convicted, imprisoned, and then parolled.Lizabeth ScottLizabeth Scott was what some used to call the "poor mans Lauren Bacall." She was a sultry blonde bombshell with a smoky voice and stellar acting skills, much like the legendary Bacall herself. But she was so much more than an alternate version of someone else. She had a distinct style and grace that put her leagues ahead of her film noir counterparts. Unfortunately for Scott, her potential was cut short by a 1954 expos in Confidential magazine. The tabloid rag accused her of being a deviant with a penchant for "baritone babes"a euphemism for lesbians at the time. Although Scott sued the magazine, she was never able to recover from this perceived stain on her reputation and her career reportedly waned because of it.Robert ReedRobert Reed may be best known for his role as head of the house Mike Brady on The Brady Bunch, but Reed kept his sexuality a close secret for fear of damage to his career. In his memoir, Sex, Drugs & Pilot Season, casting director Joel Thurm recalled memories of hookups he shared with Reed, and also said most of the attendees at industry parties in the '70s were gay.James DeanWell be honest this ones hearsay, but there are multiple claims of homosexual activity from James Dean at the height of his career. In 2016, a book called James Dean: Tomorrow Never Comes" alleged that Dean shared a secret relationship with fellow heartthrob Marlon Brando. The authors, Danforth Prince and Darwin Porter, are known for crafting some exuberant stories about Old Hollywood, but Thurms claim of most of the attendees being gay at the parties Dean would have been at have re-fanned the rumors.Marlon BrandoThe other half of the James Dean secret relationship, Marlon Brando, was openly bisexual. In 1976, he told a French journalist, Homosexuality is so much in fashion, it no longer makes sense. He then confirmed that, like a large number of men, I, too, have had homosexual experiences, and I am not ashamed. Although open about his sexuality, Brando denied claims of his relationship with Dean in his memoir, Songs My Mother Taught Me.Tab HunterTab Hunter was a heartthrob of 1950s and 60s cinema who was first discovered, thanks to his good looks, at age 17 and put in the pictures. While Confidential magazine exposed an arrest in his past for lewdness, which at the time simply meant showing any signs of homosexuality in public, his movie studio dismissed the allegation and the public quickly forgot about them. While he remained closeted for most of his career he later opened up about his relationship with fellow actor Anthony Perkins in a 2005 memoir, Tab Hunter Confidential.Patsy KellyUnlike many of her contemporaries in the '30s and '40s Patsy Kelly didn't hide her sexuality, going as far as to tell one publication that she was a "dyke" who lived with her girlfriend and would never marry. Kelly was romantically linked to actress Tallulah Bankhead, who was also very open about her bisexuality. Montgomery CliftLeading man Montgomery Clift made his name in films like A Place in the Sun and From Here to Eternity. While Clift would later say struggles with his sexuality did not lead to his abuse of alcohol the actor struggled with substance abuse and led to a car crash that led to permanent injury. In the 2018 documentary Making Montgomery Clift which was co-directed by his nephew Robert Clift along with his wife Hillary, Clift's mother opened up about being aware of her son's sexuality from a young age, and in 2000 Elizabeth Taylor admitted publically he was gay during the GLAAD Media Awards.

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito argues that previous SCOTUS rulings, Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization (the decision that overturned Roe v. Wade) and Geduldig v. Aiello (which allowed the denial of insurance benefits from work loss due to pregnancy) do not support the claim that S.B. 1 is sex-based discrimination, as both rulings suggested that pregnancy coverage restrictions in insurance and abortion restrictions are not sex-based discrimination.Prelogar argues that both rulings do not suggest what Alito believes, arguing that they refer to more individualized care that is irrelevant to the specific features of hormone replacement therapy and puberty blockers, which are based on sex-based characteristics and therefore circumvent the arguments made in those previous rulings.Justice Sonia Sotomayor began speaking, echoing arguments made by Prelogar that this issue is inherently based on sex classification. She also echoes her criticisms of the Cass Review, as well as responses to Alitos claims that European countries have restricting care, pointing out the inaccuracy of those statements. She asks for further clarity on these issues, illuminating key points of Prelogars arguments.This is just one update in a bigger story. Dont miss LIVE UPDATES: Supreme Court hears arguments in challenge to gender-affirming care ban on LGBTQ Nation for more context and updates.

U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar has begun detailing her case for why Tennessees S.B. 1 is discriminatory on the basis of what she describes as biological sex. She argues that because testosterone and estrogen have different effects in those assigned male at birth versus assigned female at birth, and due to these medications differing based on said assigned sex, restriction constitutes sex-based discrimination.Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, Justice Samuel Alito, and Chief Justice John Roberts began their line of questioning. Alito cites the infamous Cass Review in his line of questioning, the infamous United Kingdom report that has been used to restrict puberty blockers in the country. It has been criticized by the World Professional Association on Transgender Health as well as researchers at Yale for being unscientific.Justice Thomas asks for clarity on the specific effects of each medication on youth, while Roberts asks for specific clarity on the role SCOTUS should play in regulating individualized care, and whether it should be left up to the states to decide.Prelogar argues the core that S.B. 1, regardless of other arguments or details, is discriminatory and that no medication has been completely restricted in other countries.All three justices that have begun their line of questioning were appointed by Republican presidents.This is just one update in a bigger story. Dont miss LIVE UPDATES: Supreme Court hears arguments in challenge to gender-affirming care ban on LGBTQ Nation for more context and updates.

Some of these rankings weren't fun to unwrap!See on InstagramThe 2024 edition of Spotify Wrapped is here, and the most-streamed musicians of the year might shock you!The streaming platform shared its top 10 most-streamed artists, albums, and songs in its annual Spotify Wrapped list for 2024. Quite a few icons for the gays snagged spots, like Sabrina Carpenter's "Espresso" as the most-streamed song in the U.S. and no. 9 globally. Furthermore, Carpenter's Short 'n Sweet album climbed to the no. 3 spot on Most-Streamed Artists Globally. Artists like Ariana Grande, Karol G, Lady Gaga, Kacey Musgraves, and SZA were also present in the rankings.But even though it feels like 2024 was dominated by queer music and moments, Billie Eilish and Chappell Roan were the only two out musicians who appeared in certain lists for Spotify Wrapped this year. In fact, Spotify's high-profile U.S. Most-Streamed Artists ranking in 2024 featured zero (yes, zero!) out LGBTQ+ artists. The other shocking statistic from that top 10? Taylor Swift, who occupied the no. 1 spot on the list, was the only woman to appear in the ranking.Keep scrolling to learn more about the results from Spotify Wrapped 2024.Who were the U.S. most-streamed artists of 2024 on Spotify?1. Taylor Swift2. Drake3. Zach Bryan4. Morgan Wallen5. Kanye West6. Future7. Kendrick Lamar8. Travis Scott9. The Weeknd10. Metro BoominWhat were the U.S. most-streamed albums of 2024 on Spotify?1. The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology Taylor Swift2. One Thing at a Time Morgan Wallen3. Short n' Sweet Sabrina Carpenter4. Stick Season Noah Kahan5. The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess Chappell Roan6. Hit Me Hard and Soft Billie Eilish7. SOS SZA8. Dangerous: The Double Album Morgan Wallen9. Zach Bryan Zach Bryan10. 1989 (Taylor's Version) Taylor SwiftWhat were the U.S. most-streamed songs of 2024 on Spotify?1. "Espresso" by Sabrina Carpenter2. "Not Like Us" by Kendrick Lamar3. "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" by Shaboozey4. "I Had Some Help (feat. Morgan Wallen)" by Post Malone5. "Million Dollar Baby" by Tommy Richman6. "Good Luck, Babe!" by Chappell Roan7. "Beautiful Things" by Benson Boone8. "Birds of a Feather" by Billie Eilish9. "I Remember Everything (feat. Kacey Musgraves)" by Zach Bryan10. "Stick Season" by Noah KahanWhich LGBTQ+ artists stood out on Spotify Wrapped in 2024?Billie Eilish's Hit Me Hard and Soft was the second most streamed album globally. Moreover, her runaway hit song "Birds of a Feather" was the no. 3 most streamed song in the world and no. 7 in the U.S. These numbers landed Eilish as the fifth most streamed artist in the world but not in the United States!Roan's meteoric rise in 2024 cemented The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess as the no. 6 most-streamed album in the U.S. "Good Luck, Babe!" ranked in the no. 5 slot for Most Viral Song Globally, and this new queer anthem also appeared as the no. 6 most-streamed song in the U.S.See on Instagram

Live coverage of the oral arguments presented to SCOTUS is beginning on C-SPAN. It is set to last until approximately 2 p.m. Eastern, when oral arguments will come to a close.While the courthouse prepares for the cameras, reporters outside the building are highlighting protests on both sides. Advocates for transgender care are scarcely featured disproportionate coverage is given to opponents of transgender care, featuring known pseudoscience activist groups like Do No Harm, and Gays Against Groomers, as well as anti-trans politicians like Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL).This is just one update in a bigger story. Dont miss LIVE UPDATES: Supreme Court hears arguments in challenge to gender-affirming care ban on LGBTQ Nation for more context and updates.