Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) is set to speak to the Delaware GOP this week about her crusade to ban trans people from using bathrooms that align with their gender at the U.S. Capitol. Delaware is represented by transgender Rep. Sarah McBride (D), who Mace has viciously bullied since her victory in November. The party is hosting an event in Newark, Delaware, specifically to honor Mace, who the now-defunct event page called one of Congresss boldest conservative voices, according to Delaware Online. While the event has been scheduled since mid-December, Axios recently obtained information on the contents of her speech. Related Mike Johnson may use anti-trans measures to hold onto his job as House Speaker Johnson could use anti-trans measures to placate far-right opponents who want to replace him. Mace spokesperson Syndey Long told the publication she will speak about her fight for bathroom bans as well as other key womens issues, including her Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act. 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 Meanwhile, McBride will be in Williamsburg, Virginia, at a bipartisan event hosted by the Congressional Research Office. This weekend Congresswoman McBride will attend a bipartisan meeting with her colleagues from the House to discuss solutions to the most pressing issues facing her constituents, said her spokesperson Michaela Kurinsky-Malos. Mace has made national headlines since November for her crusade against McBride, the first transgender person elected to Congress. Mace introduced a resolution to ban McBride from using the womens facilities at the Capitol complex, has posted hundreds of times to social media attacking transgender people, and has made numerous media appearances to promote anti-transgender policies. Trans people have been working at the Capitol and visiting it for decades without incident, and McBride has a private restroom in her office, so Maces rule would mainly have the effect of making it harder for trans staffers to work at the Capitol and for trans people to visit the Capitol and participate in democracy.While the Houses new rule package did not include a measure limiting trans peoples restroom usage at the Capitol, the rule was slipped into the January 3 edition of theCongressional Record. The policy, mentioned onpage 26 of the dense, 87-page document, says that access to all gendered facilities at the Capitol complex will be based on biological sex. It says that the policy will be enforced by the sergeant-at-arms butdoesnt explain how biological sex will be defined. The inclusion of the policy in theCongressional Recordwithout a vote from the House means that it was enacted with Speaker Mike Johnsons (R-LA) own authority governing Capitol facilities, not the Houses power to pass its own rules.This cruel and discriminatory policy has nothing to do with helping the American people or addressing their priorities; its all about hurting people, The Human Rights Campaigns Kelley Robinson said. It targets not just Congresswoman McBride, but all trans and nonbinary people who work and visit the Capitol public servants who have been working in the Capitol for years but are now the subject of cynical political games. Speaker Johnson has proven yet again that the Republican majority is more focused on culture wars than on the needs of the country.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Donald Trump has announced that hes naming out lesbian Fox News host Tammy Bruce to a State Department spokesperson position despite her years of bizarre statements on air but it seems she and her new boss may be starting on the wrong foot. Bruce will serve under Trumps nominee for Secretary of State, Republican Florida Sen. Marco Rubio (assuming he is confirmed), who she spent years mocking on social media. Related GOP-led Congress promises to save women with rushed vote on anti-trans sports bill Rep. Greg Steube has reintroduced the legislation he believes will protect women from the radical left. Politico unearthed a series of posts in which Bruce insults Rubio as irrelevant and incompetent. 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 In one 2016 post on X, she described Rubio as the kid waving frantically in the back of the room trying to prove relevance.In more than one post, she also referred to him as Little Marco, echoing Trumps condescending nickname for the senator while both were running for president in 2016. Strange. I didnt mute Trump but I had to mute Marco, she wrote in another post from the same year.And in 2014, Bruce called Rubio another inexperienced senator whos never run a thing in his life in response to his desire to run for president.Nevertheless, Bruce claimed in a recent statement that she is thrilled to work with Senator Rubio. She called him one of the presidents strongest allies when it comes to the America First agenda. Bruce has a history of making extreme statements on Fox News. In 2021, for example. she claimed that Democrats were funding research into human-animal hybrids as a bannerdeclared, Mutants are coming! on screen.Bruce is one of the only out LGBTQ+ personalities on Fox News, something she has used to attack other LGBTQ+ people in the past. For example, in 2023, she joined in the rightwing bashing of Pride in a Fox segment about a drag queen whoparticipated in a marketing campaign for The North Face, the outdoor gear company. That year, conservatives freaked out over the Pride gear, LGBTQ+ advertising, and influencer partnerships of numerous corporations, including The North Face, Bud Light, and Target.Bruce said that most of the audience knows Im a gay woman, but there has been a kind of push for something, for everyone to be a victim or for some kind of new dynamic, claiming that Pride campaigns really do damage to the gay and lesbian community and were embarrassing.And its not about homophobia, its about everything being politicized,she said.In 2021, Bruce raged at President Joe Biden for saying that men and women are equal.Alright, you noticed how he added women and men are created equal, not just men,Bruce said sternly. It matters, right? Thats not what the Founders wrote. Apparently, the sacred words of our Founders werent inclusive enough for Sleepy Joe, so he corrected them.That same year, she said that she wished she could give back the COVID-19 vaccine. I got the vaccine!she said. In certain ways, its like, If I could give it back! at this point, you know?Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Social media accounts with a history of anti-transgender rhetoric frequently and falsely accuse transgender people of crimes, particularly during mass shooting events, before facts are known. There is no evidence of escalating violence committed by LGBTQ people. Extremism and domestic terrorism experts tell PolitiFact that there are no widespread threats of growing radicalization or violence [...]The post Fact Sheet for Reporters: Debunking Trans Terrorism and Other False Claims in High-Profile Crimes first appeared on GLAAD.

At only 17 years old, Neha Sikder founded Desoire, her own fashion line of genderless clothing to inspire femininity for everyone. Desoire strives to be a sustainable brand challenging a fashion industry that often promotes only the masculine side in unisex clothing.Sikder was only 13 years old when the idea for Desoire came to her. She was listening to a podcast and heard the term genderless fashion for the first time. After doing some research, she was drawn in by this whole realm of expression. Despite having no previous experience, Sikder jumped in to learning about clothing design and manufacturing.I knew I wanted to have a positive impact on the world, and this seemed like a way to do that, Sikder said.She saw that there were many brands in the market attempting unisex clothing lines, but they were only focusing on masculine styles. There can be a lot of stigma around how men express themselves, even though clothing has no bearing on ones gender or sexuality. Here was a market where Sikder could do something different and work to redefine gender norms.I drew a lot of inspiration from my Indian heritage and the way my male ancestors approached fashion, Sikder explained. This style of clothing touches on more feminine styles for everyone.She has found the process to be a lot more approachable than most people realize. Sikder began by reaching out to people already in the industry and found a mentor to help her map out the steps to starting a company. At this point, she had already done some market research and identified a gap in what was being sold, so the main difficulty was legalities, which were compounded because she was still under the age of 18.Sikders parents have been a big support throughout the process. Theyve really allowed me to have full control of the direction of the company, she explained. Her parents have been involved since the beginning, offering guidance and necessary backing.In fact, the name of the company was inspired by Sikders parents. Her stepmom is French, and Sikder asked her to come up with a name that sounds fancy. She provided a phrase; Sikder unscrambled the words and picked out what sounded to her like high fashion, Desoire.The next step was figuring out the design and manufacturing process. It can be incredibly daunting to find a manufacturer that meets all of ones requirements, and Sikder wanted to find a domestic producer that paid its employees fairly. Thankfully, the Council of Fashion Designers of America has online resources, including an open-access directory of over 340 U.S. fashion manufacturers. Sikder called every single number on the directory until she found the best fit for her brand.It is a long process from initial conception to having the product ready to sell. Sikder begins by digitally sketching her designs. Those sketches are then sent to a pattern maker who creates a digital pdf, and that gets sent to the manufacturer in Brooklyn. For Sikder, it typically takes two weeks from drawing the idea sketch to having a pattern. The turnaround time to get the first sample can be anywhere from one to two months depending on how busy the manufacturer is.Once a sample is created, the next step is figuring out adjustments. Sikder first decides how the garment fits on her, and then goes to friends or hires models to try out other sizes. The smaller end of our sizes fit differently on people than the larger sizes, so there is some work in adjusting it to work on everyone, Sikder explained.It was really exciting to get my first-ever sample and be able to hold something I designed, Sikder recalled.It was also a big learning moment.The first garment Sikder made was an asymmetrical, cropped, black sleeved tee, listed on Desoires website under The Cropped One. The first sample was made with fabric that was much thinner than Sikder wanted it to be.This was also the first garment Sikder saw an influencer style, and it was awesome.It was amazing to see people enjoying something I created and support my mission, Sikder said. Im very attached because theres so much that went into that piece, so it was great to see people praise the style.The inspiration for Desoires clothing comes from all over. Sikder gets a lot of ideas from watching fashion and runway shows. She also finds inspiration in music and architecture, and she will even craft a collection around an emotion.Of course, she also draws parallels from her Indian heritage. A lot of it is trial and error, Sikder said. I want to be experimental with my designs and play with conventions.When founding the company, Sikder wanted to ensure sustainability was a core value. Fast fashion is a big contributor to environmental deterioration.At Desoire, fabrics are either made from recycled or organic materials. All packaging is recyclable and biodegradable when possible. The company is registered with the United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network, a collection of almost 300 other companies committed to global sustainability.Desoire is committed specifically to sustainable development goals 12 and 13: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns, and take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.Desoire is also looking into a new concept of sample making. This is currently a very time intensive process, that produces a lot of waste as designers work to figure out the sizing of their clothes. With new 3D sampling technology, creators use a digital system to see their designs on an avatar. This helps eliminate the time and fabric wasted as one can more accurately tell proportions before the first sample is created.As of now, Desoire is an online only company, but Sikder hopes to one day have a physical location. Next up, she is working on a skirt design to be available soon. Its something our consumer platform is showing interest and enthusiasm in, Sikder said.In addition to changing the fashion industry, Siker wants to inspire tomorrows leaders. One thing I hope I can achieve is letting young entrepreneurs know their dreams are possible, she said. Her advice is to find what youre passionate about, believe in yourself and eventually youll make baby steps towards your dream.So far she is on track to reach her goals. Her genderless fashion brand is being well received and has already been featured in multiple publications. Desoire is a brand, Sikder said, designed so everyone can embrace their femininity.This story is part of the Digital Equity Local Voices Fellowship lab. The lab initiative is made possible with support from Comcast NBC Universal.The post Sustainable, genderless and bold fashion: The vision behind Desoire appeared first on News Is Out.

When thepresident does it, that means it is not illegal, Richard NixontoldBritish interviewer David Front years after the disgraced former president resigned from his officeforbugging and spyingonhis political opponents andorchestrating a massive cover-up.DonaldTrump, an obvious practitioner ofthe Richard Nixon SchoolofCriminal Behavior, employed Tricky Dicks lineofargumentinhis demand that all charges be droppedinhis election interference caseonthe basisofpresidential immunity. Related Donald Trumps quest to discredit the free press is his biggest threat to American democracy Without an independent media, democracy simply has no chance. Accordingtoafiling handed down on December 2, 2023, Judge Tanya Chutkan denied Trumps motion. The Judge wrote thatTrumps four years as president didnt give him the divine rightofkingstoevade the criminal accountability that governs his fellow citizens. Dive deeper every day Join our newsletter for thought-provoking commentary that goes beyond the surface of LGBTQ+ issues Subscribe to our Newsletter today Chutkan disagreedwithTrumps claim that the Constitution granted him presidential immunity, saying the Constitutions text, structure, and history dont support that argument. Chutkan added that former Presidents enjoy no special conditionsontheir federal criminal liability.Well, actually, they do. Ina 6-3 decisioninTrumpv. United StatesonMonday, July 1, 2024, the Supreme Court provided broad presidential immunity. The Court declared that a president is immune from prosecution when exercising the core powersofthe presidency but not for unofficial acts.Immunity means a personcannotbe prosecuted. Although the majorityofjustices did not outline precisely what these core powers were, nor what would be considered an unofficial act, there is no higher or stronger exampleofa core power than what is outlinedinArticle II, Section IIofthe U.S. Constitution stating that the President shall be the CommanderinChief. During argumentsonthis caseinfrontofthe Supreme Court, the justices askedTrumps lawyers whether a president could dispatch a SEAL Teamtokill his political enemies.The Courts ruling seemedtohave answered its own questioninthe affirmative. If a President, actinginaccordancewiththeir official capacity, orders the militarytokill other Americans judges, elected officials, reporters, your neighbor, you they can do so, and that President would be immune from accountability under criminal law.This new official-acts immunity now liesaboutlike a loaded weaponforany President that wishestoplace his own interests, his own political survival, or his own financial gain, above the interestsofthe Nation, Justice Sotomayor wroteinher dissent.Composed of three Trump-nominated justices, the Supreme Court has elevated the presidency to a virtual monarchy by making the chief executive officer above the law. Fuel, oxygen, spark: How we resistAccordingtotheMerriam-Webster Dictionary, the term trumpery first appearedinthe English languageinthe mid-15th century. Websters 1913 dictionary defined the word as such: Trumper`y n: 1. Deceit; fraud. 2. Something servingtodeceive by false show or pretense; falsehood; deceit; worthless but showy matter; hence, things worn out andofno value; rubbish. a. 1. Worthless or deceptiveincharacter; nonsensical talk or writing; ornamental objectsofno great value.A democratic republic like the United StatesofAmerica demands an informed and committed publictomaintainatleast a basic standardtowhich our leaders are held. Even within someofthe most tyrannical regimes in history, resistance movements have cometothe foretoworkonbehalfofthe people over autocratic, oligarchical, and kleptocratic assaults.Individuals and groupsofpeople have found waystobecome involved accordingtothe timesinwhich they find themselves and accordingtotheir own particular interests and strengths. Everyone in this nation has a placeinbuilding and maintaining strong and equitable institutions and acting as bulwarks against democratic decline.Let us use fire as an analogytodemocracy when determining the elements and where eachofus fitsinits sustenance. What does it taketocreate and sustain fire? It takes three major elements: fuel (somethingtoburn), oxygen, and a spark or other adequate heat source.Similarly,inour worktocreate and sustain a great, equitable nation, it takes peoplewithdiffering interests and talents (fuel, oxygen, spark),withconnecting values and goals coming togethertomake this democratic republic a reality.During Trumps first term, MSNBC host Stephanie Ruhle required her guests to pay her $2.00 each time they uttered the already overused term unprecedented when referring to the words and actions of the very atypical president. Unfortunately, she was correct,for what was once considered unprecedented has become routinizedtothe pointofnormalization. The shock that once sparked vigilance and counteractionstochallenge the attacksonour social institutions andonsomeofour cherished values can diminish over time by the mere drainonpeoples energies and desireforengagement.Duringour current grieving process over the resultsofthe recent presidential election and as we are recharging our activist batteriesforthe impending fights ahead we can learn from the past and imagine new waysofdefending our rights and our power.Since our democratic institutions are only as strong as we, the people, I know we will overcome the toxic red tide that has washed over us and come up staring toward the sun against a deep blue sky.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

The fourteenth season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (RHOBH) is in full swing, and the sixth episode of the season that premiered on January 7 had an unexpected guest: Kesha, who was there as a close friend of Kyle Richards.When the singer arrived to attend a red carpet premiere at The Viper Room for RHOBH star Erika Jayne to promote her new song, Dominos, Richards made a joke in her confessional about letting the rumors begin, and even made a comment to Kesha about freeing the nipple during the show.Richards also recently addressed the difficult conversation shes had with her children about her evolving sexuality.This wasnt actually the first time Richards and Kesha have been seen publicly together, which started in March 2024 when they attended an Academy Awards viewing party hosted by Elton Johns AIDS Foundation together. They then attended Coachella together the next month with Richards' niece, Paris Hilton, and also went skiing in Aspen.See on InstagramThere are also further tie-ins with Richards other rumored lover, Morgan Wade. Kesha appeared on the song Walked on Water with Wade on her fourth studio, Obsessed, after initially connecting through Richards.As to how Kesha and Richards met, it was also the same avenue Richards used to meet Wade: Instagram.Kesha and I met on Instagram, Richards said in her confessional when Kesha first appeared on the episode. She was following me. We DMed each other. And shes here with me tonight.Sounds familiar.During the RHOBH After Show, Richards delved further into their relationship with Jayne.I just automatically connected with her, she said. Shes just so sweet and has such a big heart. Due to Keshas talent, creative drive, and non-judgmental attitude, Richards said it ultimately led them to become really close friends, fast.Whether anythings happening between the two or if Richards is just fanning the flame for the fun of it, we may never know.But, honestly?We ship it.Catch new episodes of RHOBH on Tuesdays on Bravo, which are available to stream on Peacock the following day. Check out Keshas new single, Delusional, below, and keep an eye out for her upcoming yet-to-be-named sixth album.

Every year since 2010, the Kinsey Institute (named for Dr. Alfred Kinsey, the bisexual sexologist who also lent his name to the Kinsey Scale) has the Singles in America (SIA) Study. The independent study is sponsored by none other than match.com, a company that certainly has some interest in figuring out what single Americans are feeling. One of the most interesting trends over the past decade and a half is the rise of people engaging in or willing to engage in "consensual non-monogamy," which the American Psychological Association defines as, "an umbrella term for relationships in which all partners give explicit consent to engage in romantic, intimate, and/or sexual relationships with multiple people." According to the 2023 SIA Study, nearly a third (31%) of singles reported having been in a non-monogamous relationship.Queer isn't just something you are, it's something you do. LGBTQ+ folks have been queering dating norms for as long as we've been around. For many, this rise in CNM sounds like a breath of fresh air; a sign that progress is still being made all the time, little by little. For others, this induces a cold sweat it's you, you are "others" in this case. You're partner has suggested opening your relationship and you don't want to, so you panicked and went to the internet for advice and now you're here.So what do you do if you've found your one and only, but they want to keep looking? One person's "progress" is another person's "nightmare!" And if and that's a really big if you do try CNM, you might be completely overwhelmed by the terms and different styles. Does this mean you should just break up?However your feeling right now just know it's valid. So, we gathered three queer relationship experts, Ally Iseman, writer, television host, relationship coach, and founder of the educational platform passport2pleasure.com; Anne-Marie Zanzal, ordained minister, late-in-life lesbian, coming out coach, and founder of Anne-Marie Zanzal Coaching; and Melissa Klass, a licensed marriage and family therapist, to help you figure out where to go from here.Does my partner wanting an open relationship mean I'm doing something wrong or not doing enough?"When a partner suggests opening a relationship, its common to be concerned that you are not enough, that youve done something wrong, or perhaps you arent doing something that the other person may want or need from you," says Klass. "In my experience, desire for non-monogamy is rarely about inadequacy. Monogamous relationships are founded on the cultural and societal belief that one person can and should be your everything. This is an immense amount of pressure for one to fulfill. The desire to explore non-monogamy can be about novelty, sure, but more often is about meeting a need that it may be difficult or even unreasonable for a current partner to fulfill."I myself am in an open relationship, and one of the most helpful practices for me personally has been getting very good at looking at situations and telling myself, "This is not about you." Zanzal reaffirms this concept, saying, "This is about their needs and desires. I would be leery if my partner stated they wanted an open relationship because of something I did or didn't do. That feels like them evading the responsibility of wanting an open relationship. People often open relationships because one or both the partners want to explore other romantic opportunities. Or one partner no longer wants to be sexually intimate."The approach to an open relationship, Iseman describes, should be "A 'yes and' rather than an 'either or' decision. This means that it's intended as an additive experience to an already secure dynamic as opposed to a solution to or escape from addressing something difficult. It can be a perfectly reasonable solution to some relationship incompatibilities, but only if the issue has already been directly addressed and examined so that opening up is not used as an avoidance tactic."Your own adequacy and place in your partner's life isn't a factor, and you have to find assurance of your own worth in your relationship, non-monogamous or not. As Iseman so succinctly puts it, "Enoughness is not necessarily what's on the table here."Not all open relationships look the same, what are some options for exploring nonmonogamy?Okay, so even if you're not in love with the idea, it's worthwhile to at least be on the same page with your partner. There are plenty of configurations for CNM, so you should figure out what they mean when they say they want to open the relationship. We have a brief introduction to some common forms of CNM to help you wrap your head around it.Klass outlines the basics well. She defines some key terms like, polyamory as, "building meaningful relationships with multiple partners, where love and commitment are shared." Iseman expands on polyamory, adding, "You can have an open or closed polyamorous dynamic, ie: you can have a closed polyamorous relationship with two other people but you all only engage sexually and emotionally within the triad dynamic and are closed to connections outside of that."Your partner might be someone who is finding that being non-monogamous is an important part of their identity, something essential. Or, they might be "ambiamorous, meaning they are equally happy and fulfilled in either a monogamous or non-monogamous dynamic," says Iseman.There's also the idea of being "monogamish," which Klass defines as, "staying primarily monogamous but allowing occasional outside experiences," like allowing your partner a "hall pass."All this is key to building a healthy relationship, whatever you and your partner decide. "Understanding more fully all the options that are actually available enables you to actually choose your relationship, even if you choose monogamy," says Iseman.Though you shouldn't overwhelm yourself, it's a lot to take it. Once you feel like you've got the absolute basics down an you're ready for terms like "Swinging or Swapping, Hierarchical or Non-Hierarchical Polyamory, Solo Poly, and Relationship Anarchy," then Iseman's course "ENM 101: Exploring Healthy Non-Monogamy" is an excellent resource.What are some green flags in my relationship that, if we did open up, show we're ready for it?If you end up in a place where you feel you might want to at least try an open relationship, the hard part then becomes trying to do self assessment on whether or not you can handle it. Like many of life's big decisions, sometimes you'll never know if you're ready to do it until you do it. But! That doesn't mean you can't make an informed decision! Here are some indicators that bode well for opening up a relationship.Klass keeps it simple, saying that you and your partner need a baseline of, "Clear, compassionate, and specific communication," "baseline trust," "strong sense of self" and "a shared curiosity." Great news: those are all qualities to be fostering in a relationship for any reason, and there's a reason that they keep coming up again and again. "You trust each other and that the relationship between the two of you is first and foremost," says Zanzal, also adding, "Both parties feel secure in this relationship and have no fears around abandonment of replacement." She brings up that it can be helpful if you and your partner just aren't naturally drawn to envy, saying when "both parties are genuinely happy for each other's experiences and there is no jealousy" that's a huge green flag.Iseman brings up the term for this: compersion. "Commonly referred to as 'the opposite of jealousy,' is when you feel joy or pleasure from your partner experiencing joy or pleasure with someone else," she says.These are all traits that can be learned, grown, and developed, but if you're naturally inclined to them or they're already something you've been trying to build between each other, that'll make the concept of a successful open relationship much more realistic.What are some signs that might mean we should wait, or not be right for opening up at all?Inversely, as much as your partner an open relationship, you might be opposed to it because it's not a good idea for you two right now. Maybe they have some blind spots to qualities of your relationship that could make opening it up a bad idea from the get go. If you're struggling with any of these things, bring them up with your partner, you should both be making as informed of a decision as possible, whatever it is. Klass says simply, "Non-monogamy tends to amplify any existing challenges within a relationship. If theres unresolved tension or unmet needs, those issues will likely become more pronounced."When evaluating the concept of having an open relationship, your partner should explain in detail what it is they're looking for and you both need to be self-aware of the problems you've shared together. "If the relationship has been monogamous up to this point and you are using an open relationship to 'save' it," is a massive red flag according to Zanzal. She asks, "Are you using an open relationship to avoid addressing concerns about the relationship? One partner feeling pressured or coerced and allows the open marriage to make the other partner happy, this indicates an imbalance of power in the relationship. If either of you has problems with boundaries in any aspect of your life, then the boundaries of an open relationship may be too difficult for you. Are you prone to jealously or insecurity? This is a red flag not to open up your relationship. Poor communication, dishonesty, or secretive behavior can undermine trust, while emotional or physical neglect may leave one partner feeling disconnected.""Avoiding discomfort is a solid sign that you are not ready to open up your relationship. This can look like requiring 'veto power' over your partner's potential other partners or enacting a DADT (Don't Ask Don't Tell) policy. These are often used to mask cheating and/or avoid uncomfortable experiences like jealousy or mistakes," says Iseman. You can't experience compersion just by running away from jealousy. "Uncomfortable is not the same thing as unsafe, and it is a requirement for growth. Not being radically honest and authentic in your communication or being unwilling to accept responsibility for when you aren't is another red flag. If you say one thing but mean another aka 'testing' your partner you are not ready to open up. It's okay to think you will be okay with something and then after the fact realize you're not, but it's not okay to blame your partner for acting within an agreement you made even if it makes you uncomfortable."Is it harder for queer women to open their relationships vs. straight couples or queer men?While there are wide overlaps in queer culture, this is one area where queer women and queer men differ vastly. "Gay men are often assumed to be sexually non-monogamous (polysexual) unless otherwise discussed, whereas queer women generally engage more readily with emotional connection (polyamorous)," says Iseman. "Queer womens relationships often carry unique cultural baggage," says Klass. "Cultural baggage like, 'The 'U-Haul' stereotype of intense emotional intimacy can make the idea of 'sharing' feel especially daunting. Additionally, the queer community is smaller and more interconnected, which means the boundaries between friends, exes, and lovers can blur. Queer women are also navigating societal narratives that say they should feel lucky to have any partner, let alone one who accepts them as they are. Opening a relationship can feel risky when the world already tells you that love is scarce."As progressive as we queers would all like to think of ourselves, we're all products of our culture for better or worse. "Queer women as a subculture do not have many examples of healthy, loving, stable open relationships, and therefor it's hard to envision one for yourself. "Just like comphet [compulsive heterosexuality] there are internalized monogamy norms where all of us must be in a committed monogamous relationship," describes Zanzal. Not to mention, "Queer women take an enormous risk already rejecting the patriarchal structures, so further rejecting monogamy may be too much for some people."What do I do if neither of us changes how we feel about an open relationship?Even with all your knowledge, and know how, even if you have all the green flags a relationship could wish for, you might still end up at a stalemate. At the end of the day, you might be staring down a very cold, hard truth: that you are in a wonderful relationship, but you want to be monogamous and your partner no longer does. Neither of you have done something wrong in honestly recognizing and holding steadfast to your own needs. But it might be time for someone to say the hard part."Explore whether or not you can meet your partners needs without sacrificing your own. If the answer is no, then the most loving choice might be to let each other go. Its not a failure; its an acknowledgment that love isnt just about compatibility but also alignment in vision," says Klass."It may be time to consider ending the relationship," agrees Zanzal. "Although painful, it is less painful then being in a relationship that you do not want or are uncomfortable in. Your needs and desires are important too."Iseman suggests another option, adding, "You also don't both have to be non-monogamous to open up. Mono-Poly relationships are possible, but come with their unique challenges and benefits. Working with a vetted and experienced professional to navigate this decision making process and guide you in any exploration can make the difference between a hard or soft landing."Whatever you decide, wherever you end up, Klass say to, "Approach it with compassion, curiosity, and care. Whatever you decide, youll learn more about yourself and each other and isnt that the heart of any great love story?"Experts cited:Ally Iseman, writer, television host, relationship coach, and founder of the educational platform passport2pleasure.com.Anne-Marie Zanzal, ordained minister, late-in-life lesbian, coming out coach, and founder of Anne-Marie Zanzal Coaching.Melissa Klass, licensed marriage and family therapist offering remote therapy throughout California with extensive experience working with diverse relationship configurations, including ENM and CNM.

Fresh off a failed nomination for U.S. Attorney General and following the release of a scathing House ethics report detailing years of heavy drug use and a pension for regularly hiring prostitutes, former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) has floated his name for the next governor of Florida.I am starting to think about running for governor in 2026, he told the Tampa Bay Times. Related MAGA cries over Matt Gaetzs withdrawal as Donald Trumps attorney general pick But not all Republicans are sad to see him go. The declaration came days after new members were sworn into Congress, where Gaetz was a divisive and self-promoting representative from Floridas panhandle. He served four terms in the safely Republican district and won a fifth in November before resigning after Donald Trump nominated him for U.S. Attorney General. 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 Gaetz had hoped to avoid the release of the House Ethics Committee report which also accuses him of statutory rape of a 17-year-old girl with his resignation, but committee members voted to make the report public anyway. Gaetz has denied the allegations.The Justice Departmentinvestigated Gaetz for sex traffickingbefore deciding not to charge him in 2023.The far-right MAGA provocateur said he would pray in the coming months about whether to seek the governorship. Current Florida governor and failed presidential candidate Ron DeSantis (R) is termed out after his second win in 2022.I have a compelling vision for the state, Gaetz said. I understand how to fix the insurance problem, and its not to hand the keys to the state over to the insurance industry. If I run, I would be the most pro-consumer candidate on the Republican side.Gaetz calls himself an economic populist and favors cannabis legalization. Of the litany of allegations directed at him, Gaetz said, Those lies have been told about me for years, he said. Theyve never affected my ability to win elections.Gaetz recently picked up a hosting gig on the One America News network, giving the rhetorical bomb-throwing provocateur a regular, if diminished, platform to own the libs.One of his latest taunts earned the ire of out Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI), who blasted Gaetz for promoting the idea that trans people are responsible for the school shootings epidemic. Responding in December to a statement from President Joe Biden calling for Congress to enact gun safety laws in the wake of so many shootings, Gaetz posted on X, What about trans control instead?Pocan reposted Gaetzs attack, adding, To all the idiots who claimed the shooter was trans with no information whatsoever to believe that, f**k off, Pocan wrote. Your ignorance speaks volumes. Your hate is consuming your brains (or whats left of them).Florida has been plagued by multiple mass shootings, including the Parkland massacre atMarjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018, which killed 17 students and staff. A former student, Nikolas Cruz, pleaded guilty to the crime and was sentenced to life in prison in 2022. Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

One reason we love Andy Cohen so much is that he isnt afraid to spill all his sexy secrets. Whether dishing on threesomes, hookups, or just making us giggle on New Years Eve, Cohen always keeps us entertained. His latest admission is that he has a sex tape with his ex John Hill. The two dated for three years back in the early 2000s and now cohost the SiriusXM show Radio Andy together. Were not shocked, oh not at all, but we are titillated! In Tuesday's Watch What Happens Live episode, the host ended the episode with a game with Things Andy Should Do in 2025 in which Hill listed things the host should do in the coming year. He joked Cohen should get tits, and finally learn to read. Then Hill dropped the real tea, Finally release our sex tape from 2003. Cohen immediately broke down in laughter at the tapes mention.Both guests Erika Jayne and Racquel Chevremont immediately became the voice of the people and expressed a desire to see it. Wait, I kind of want to see it. Is that wrong? said Jayne. Can we pull it up? added Chevremont. You know what, I think there is one, admitted Cohen, But the format, its in some janky format. Its bad, Hill agreed. No, Im glad we probably cant even transfer it. While he didn't specify the janky format, it sounds like VHS to us, to which we say, Digitize it, Mary! (@) But in all seriousness, we live for Cohen and his unapologetic queerness. In a time when more and more folks are feeling pushed back into the closet, we appreciate him being out and proud of his identity and his sexuality.Go off queen, and while you're at it, release the tape!

As a wave of corporate retailers buckle under pressure from right-wing groups to shed their diversity, equity and inclusion *(DEI) initiatives including most recently fast food giant McDonalds Costco, the membership-only big-box warehouse club retail chain, is going on offense over their inclusive hiring policies.Activist shareholders at the retail behemoth, the countrys third largest after Walmart and Amazon, are looking to end Costcos diversity ambitions with a proposal from the conservative National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR) think tank that would require the warehouse retailer to evaluate and issue a report on the financial risks of maintaining its diversity and inclusion goals. Related The number of companies committed to LGBTQ+ inclusion is growing HRCs 2025 Corporate Equality Index reported an overall positive trend despite some major companies rolling back their DEI policies NCPPR argues that Costcos DEI initiatives are a form of illegal discrimination against employees who are white, Asian, male or straight, reportsCNN. The group claims victims of that discrimination could pursue legal actions against the company, potentially costing Costco tens of billions of dollars. Stay connected to your community Connect with the issues and events that impact your community at home and beyond by subscribing to our newsletter. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The retailers board of directors isnt buying the argument, and is urging shareholders to defeat the proposal.Our success at Costco Wholesale has been built on service to our critical stakeholders: employees, members, and suppliers, a statement from the board reads. Our efforts at diversity, equity and inclusion remind and reinforce with everyone at our Company the importance of creating opportunities for all. We believe that these efforts enhance our capacity to attract and retain employees who will help our business succeed.The company has a chief diversity officer and a supplier program dedicated to expanding ties with small and diverse businesses. It also donates to organizations like the Thurgood Marshall College Fund that serve marginalized and underrepresented groups. Flipping the argument that DEI initiatives are discriminatory and a burden on shareholders, the board said NCPPR is inflicting a burden on Costco with challenges to DEI. The organizations broader agenda is to abolish diversity initiatives, the board asserted.The proponent professes concern about legal and financial risks to the company and its shareholders associated with the diversity initiatives, the company said. The supporting statement demonstrates that it is the proponent and others that are responsible for inflicting burdens on companies with their challenges to longstanding diversity programs. The proponents broader agenda is not reducing risk for the company but abolition of diversity initiatives.The board said Costcos DEI policies are integral to its business model. Among other things, a diverse group of employees helps bring originality and creativity to our merchandise offerings, promoting the treasure hunt that our customers value, the board explained. We believe (and member feedback shows) that many of our members like to see themselves reflected in the people in our warehouses with whom they interact.Robby Starbuck, a vocal opponent of corporate DEI policy who has led MAGA-based boycotts against several companies, called on supporters to boycott Costco after the boards recommendation to vote down NCPPRs proposal. For now, I suggest conservative consumers find other places to spend their money if Costco is so dedicated to doubling down on DEI. If theyre smart, Costco will do right by their shareholders and change before we turn our attention to them, Starbuck threatened in a post on X. Companies including Walmart, Stanley Black & Decker, Molson Coors, Jack Daniels, Ford Motor Company, John Deere, Lowes Hardware, Target and Harley-Davidson have publicly rolled back DEI initiatives in the face of Starbucks online threats and groups like NCPPR organizing shareholder revolts.On Monday, McDonalds, the worlds largest fast-food chain, announced it was retiring aspirational representation goals and would pause survey submissions to third-party groups including the Human Rights Campaigns Corporate Equality Index, among other concessions to anti-DEI activists.Shareholders vote on DEIs fate at Costco on January 23.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Have you watched their videos?At the end of every year, Pornhub releases the spicy statistics that breaks down all of the sexy content people binged every month.For the 2024 Year in Review, many recognizable gay porn stars earned millions of views on their raunchy videos including Rhyheim Shabazz, Cade Maddox, Tyler Wu, Dante Colle, and so many more. The steamy content was at an all-time high last year!Who secured the number one spot? Scroll below to see the 20 most-searched gay adult entertainers on Pornhub in 2024.20. Alex MecumSee on Instagram19. Devin FrancoSee on Instagram18. Diego SansSee on Instagram17. Rafael AlencarSee on Instagram16. Diego BarrosSee on Instagram15. Cris Fabio14. Drake VonSee on Instagram13. Dom KingSee on Instagram12. Timothy ChampagneSee on Instagram11. Zilv Gudel & KaiSee on Instagram10. MtwunkSee on Instagram9. Legrand WolfSee on Instagram8. Leon & MikeSee on Instagram7. Joey MillsSee on Instagram6. Dante ColleSee on Instagram5. Rhyheim ShabazzSee on Instagram4. Cade MaddoxSee on Instagram3. HunnypaintSee on Instagram2. Tyler WuSee on Instagram1. Malik DelgatySee on Instagram

Republicans in the Montana state House will likely hold the first anti-trans state legislative hearing of the year concerning House Bill 121, proposed legislation banning transgender adults from using multiple-occupancy bathrooms, changing facilities, and sleeping quarters in public buildings, including school campuses, businesses, libraries, museums, hospitals, auditoriums, detainment centers, and abuse shelters.The bill which is co-sponsored by 35 of the state Houses 58 Republican members and was introduced by a legislator who said shed rather have a dead child than a trans one would affect all trans or nonbinary (NB) individuals. It would also allow anyone who encounters a trans or NB person in one of the aforementioned facilities to sue that person or whoever granted their entry up to two years after the encounter. Related Record number of anti-trans bills introduced just before 2025 120 bills have been introduced, topping last years count of 80. House Bill 121 bans trans individuals and members of the opposite sex from the multiple-occupancy spaces except when providing custodial, maintenance, medical, emergency, or law enforcement services or when assisting as a legally recognized family member. 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 bill defines gender as either being male or female, determined by ones chromosomes and reproductive organs. It deems that those determinations should make it easier to categorize intersex people as either one gender or the other.The purposes of the bill are to reaffirm the longstanding meanings of the terms sex, male, and female in law; and preserve women in facilities where women have traditionally been afforded privacy and safety from acts of abuse, harassment, sexual assault, and violence committed by men.The latter aim echoes claims from trans-exclusionary radical feminists (TERFs), who have long vilified trans women as a threat to cisgender womens safety even though almost all violence against women is perpetrated by cis men. Trans journalist Erin Reednotedthat transphobic bathroom laws have led trans people to experience medical issues from having to hold their bodies waste products for prolonged time spans. Transphobic bathroom bans have also led vigilante citizens to mistakenly forbid cis people from using restrooms whenever those people dont fit their preconceived gender stereotypes.The bill was introduced by Montana state Rep. Kerri Seekings-Crowe (R), a cis woman who once said that she would rather have her daughter die by suicide than let her transition genders. She made her comment while speaking in favor of a now-implemented law to ban gender-affirming care for minors in the state.Rep. Seekings-Crowe said that her own daughter was suicidal for three years but that she would never have let her access gender-affirming care, even if it would have saved her life.The state legislature passed the bill, and Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) signed it into law in 2023, despite his nonbinary son pleading with him to veto it. The state has two trans legislators, Reps. SJ Howell (D) and Zooey Zephyr (D). Neither seems to have publicly commented on the hearing at this time via social media.Editors note: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at988lifeline.org. TheTrans Lifeline(1-877-565-8860) is staffed by trans people and will not contact law enforcement. The Trevor Project provides a safe, judgement-free place to talk for youth viachat, text (678-678), or phone (1-866-488-7386). Help is available at all three resources in English and Spanish.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Donald Trump has already gone full imperialist before even taking office, and his unhinged desire to plant the American flag in other countries has the internet clowning on him with memes so funny we can't stop laughing.Trump's terrifying vision of neocolonialism includes his desire to annex Greenland, make Canada the 51st state, take control of the Panama Canal, and change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.Who does he think he is? Carmen Sandiego? Next, he'll be wanting to steal the Eiffel Tower.While this may seem like idiotic mustache-twirling levels of villainy, the real reasons he wants to conquer these foreign countries may be more sinister. "We need Greenland for national security purposes," Trump said Tuesday, CBS News reports. "I'm talking about protecting the free world. You look at you don't even need binoculars you look outside. You have China ships all over the place. You have Russian ships all over the place. We're not letting that happen. We're not letting it happen." Greenland also contains significant oil, natural gas, and deposits of rare earth minerals, including lithium and graphite, which Tesla owner and Trump's buddy Elon Musk needs to make electric vehicle batteries. This America-first imperialism and Trump's desire to slap the United States' name on everything so he can control other countries and shipping routes may be a scary glimpse into what Trump has in store for the next four years; his outrageous claims have led to a deluge of hilarious jokes that have kept us giggling all day.From someone quipping that MAGA supporters "wanted cheaper eggs and accidentally got a tyrannical group of oligarchs challenging the sovereignty of our closest allies" to another person joking," Thank god Joe Rogan and Andrew Tate have prepared Gen Z alpha males to die in battle for the annexation of Greenland" the memes are coming in fast and furious, and we can't get enough.Keep scrolling to see the funniest reactions to Trump's absurd expansionist plans! (@) "Just posted by Trump. Unhinged." (@) "Thank god Joe Rogan and Andrew Tate have prepared Gen Z alpha males to die in battle for the annexation of Greenland" (@) "Coke Junior has already left Greenland disappointed realizing all that white stuff is just snow." (@) "You wanted cheaper eggs and accidentally got a tyrannical group of oligarchs challenging the sovereignty of our closest allies. Oops" (@) "i have seen the theory that Trump is so obsessed with Greenland because he doesn't understand the Mercator projection and i cannot stop laughing. one hundred percent that's what's going on" (@) "We are living in the stupidest of times... Trump: 'We're going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.' I feel like we are being led by Patrick from SpongeBob." (@) "Dear Greenland, Were sorry. Sincerely, Sane America" (@) "This must hit so hard if youre stupid" (@) "MAGA: We want all the immigrants deported & eggs to be cheaper! America first! Trump: Actually, were gonna hire immigrants for all the tech jobs & its too hard to make groceries cheaper, but we are gonna take over Greenland & Canada to help Putin! MAGA: OK! (Fucking idiots)." (@) "I have a feeling this meme format is going to get a lot of use over the next four years." (@) "Where's the lie?" (@) (@) (@) "You idiots voted for lower egg prices and you're getting the 'Gulf of America.'" (@) "Things America needs: 1. A better healthcare system Things America doesnt need: 1. Canada 2. Greenland" (@) "Remember when people said MAGA was anti-war? Lol" (@) "MAGA: THE PRICE OF EGGS IS TOO HIGH!!! Trump: How about I change the name of some buildings and the Gulf of Mexico instead? MAGA: YAY!!!!!" (@) "So let me keep track here... MAGA wants to buy or use the military to get ahold of: 1. Panama Canal 2. Canada 3. Greenland 4. Great Britain 'No new wars!' Were broke! We cant afford all of this spending!'What happened, MAGA?" (@) "This motherfucker said its 'too hard' to lower the cost of groceries, but he wants to buy Greenland? Never forget - all roads lead to Putin." (@) "Imagine Canada and Greenland wanting to give up their universal healthcare to become part of America. Not going to happen." (@) "This whole discourse is stupid (not to mention dangerous), but how exactly do these conservatives think a country full of people accustomed to universal healthcare would vote as the 51st state?" (@) "Suddenly, all the 'no new wars!!!' crowd is just fine with their naked emperor threatening to take Greenland by military force, seize the Panama Canal, and potentially annex our NATO ally, Canada." (@) "So, you're not getting lower prices on anything. He's buying Canada and Greenland, invading Mexico and Panama, and pretending to change the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, while putting tariffs on everything that YOU will pay for. Got it, hes insane." (@) (@) "Welcome to idiocracy." (@) "Fox News is talking about Harry Truman trying to buy Greenland in 1867. Harry Truman wasn't even alive in 1867." (@) "We got yelled at so much for calling you fuckers Nazis and the MINUTE you get elected youre all 'lets take Canada, lets take the UK, lets take Greenland'"

RuPaul has resurfaced an old video of herself fake-slapping Tyra (formerly known as Tyra Sanchez) from an acting scene filmed on RuPaul's Drag Race season 2 a clear reaction to Tyra's several disturbing social media posts in which made light of The Vivienne's tragic death based on a tweet shared by the Drag Race UK winner in 2020.Ever since The Vivienne's death was officially announced via a press release on Sunday, Jan. 5, Drag Race season 2 winner Tyra started sharing various disturbing posts making light of The Vivienne's passing.That series of negative X posts about the OG Drag Race UK champion was all based on a tweet that The Vivienne shared over four years ago, on July 27, 2020. This caused an uproar within the drag community, with several drag artists responding to Tyra's X posts to call she and/or her comments "rotted" (DeJa Skye), "disgusting" (Kandy Muse), and "distasteful" (Tayce), among other things.On Wednesday, Jan. 8, RuPaul resurfaced an old clip of herself fake-slapping Tyra in an acting scene from the grand finale of Drag Race season 2, which aired in 2010. And while RuPaul didn't include a caption for the post (seen below), it absolutely suggests that this is Ru's reaction Tyra spending several days sharing disturbing X posts not only disrespecting The Vivienne, but also those who were mourning her death.See on InstagramTyra responded, "Right back at ya. Puppet," via an X post.This subsequent post from Tyra included an illustration of in-drag RuPaul wearing the Confederate flag dress her costume from To Wong Foo and being manipulated by marionette strings. It's an image Tyra has used before to criticize the Drag Race host.The overall LGBTQ+ community and hundreds of drag artists have been mourning The Vivienne's death all week from Drag Race alumni from around the world to legendary drag performers who haven't competed on the show to former The Boulet Brothers' Dragula contestants.Celebrities such as Ariana Grande, Russell Tovey, Ben Platt, Russell T Davies, and John Whaite also shared their reactions to the tragic news of The Vivienne passing away, and RuPaul herself shared an emotional post about it, writing:"With a broken heart, I join the entire Drag Race universe in mourning the loss of The Vivienne an incredibly talented queen and a lovely human being."See on InstagramThis story is still developing

Babygirl may have been getting the noms at this years Golden Globes awards, but it was a lesbian boyfriend who dominated the night. Were of course talking about our beloved Kate Winslet, who bounced around the ceremony, red carpet, and after-party looking like every Sapphic's dream date in a white Erdem suit and leaving everyone in her wake absolutely swooning. Winslet was there celebrating two nominations, one for best performance by a female actor in a drama for Lee, and the other for best performance by a female actor in a limited anthology series for The Regime. But her big win of the night was every ladys heart. (Disclaimer: This is all in good fun; were not outing anyone, so dont @ us!) The night started with Winslet wowing us in a suit on the red carpet. If that werent enough to send us into a Sapphic spiral, she also sent out the lesbian bat signal. We see what you did there, Kate. From there, she headed into the party where no one was safe from her Sapphic charms.This moment with bi queen Angelina Jolie alone is enough to launch a million Sapphic ships. (@) She then turned her witchy lesbian boyfriend powers on the Wicked girlies, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, who, of course, were under her spell. I mean, find someone who looks at you like Grande looked at Kate.Just Kate being a goddess. NBD. No wonder all the guests she took photos with looked smitten.See on Instagram (@) (@) Yep, that's Sharon Stone in Kate's lap. And yep, the world is envious, Including noted lady kisser Zoe Saldaa.Of course, the moment we loved the best had to be when Jodie Foster jumped in her lap. (@) As we said, Winslet ruled the night. But it wasn't the first time she had our little gay hearts beating at the Golden Globes. Check out this flashback of her with the OG lesbian boyfriend, Gillian Anderson. She clearly learned from the best.See on Instagram

The stereotype of lesbians always being prepared for an emergency everyone knows a queer woman who doesnt leave the house without a Leatherman multitool and carabiners holds true for Los Angeles first openly LGBTQ+ Fire Chief Kristin Crowley who is overseeing the firefighters trying to stop the Palisades fire.As of Wednesday morning, more than 5,000 acres in the affluent celebrity-inhabited neighborhood of Pacific Palisades in southern California has been consumed by fire, with approximately 1,000 structures and coastal homes reduced to rubble.The fire is being called one of the most destructive firestorms to hit the region in memory by the LA Times and has already carved a path of destruction along the Pacific Coast Highway.As the Palisades fire ravages the wealthy area, three other fires are also devastating Los Angeles County and have led to the death of two people, and fire hydrants in the area have run dry, the LA Times reports.This has led to Crowley facing growing backlash on social media, where conservatives are taking cheap digs at her appearance and are claiming shes a DEI hire and isnt qualified for the position.But Crowley already had multiple decades of experience when she was nominated for her position in 2022. She had been with the fire department for 22 years and had held the positions of firefighter, paramedic, engineer, fire inspector, captain, battalion chief, assistant chief, fire marshal, and deputy chief. She also ranked in the top 50 out of 16,000 applicants when she took her firefighters exam in the late 90s, according to Newsweek.Becoming the first LGBTQ+ fire chief wasnt even the first time Crowley made history; back in 2016, she also became Los Angeles first female fire marshal.Conservative actor James Woods has also expressed his frustration with Crowley, taking a jab at her LAFD bio, which lists her priorities as creating, supporting, and promoting a culture that values diversity, inclusion, and equity while striving to meet and exceed the expectations of the communities.Woods took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice his opinion. Refilling the water reservoirs would have been a welcome priority, too, but I guess she had too much on her plate promoting diversity, he wrote.The Santa Ana winds in the area have reached nearly 100 mph, which has spread the fire farther and faster and is only made worse by the lack of rain the region got this winter, extending the Southern California fire season.We are absolutely not out of danger yet, Crowley said, adding that these fires are stretching the capacity of emergency services to the maximum limits.

The Atwood family made eight $1 million donations to various nonprofit groups in the U.S. working to support and provide resources to communities in needJanuary 7, 2025 Today, The Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention and crisis organization for LGBTQ+ young people, announced that they are the recipient of a $1 million donation from Jeff Atwood, co-founder of Stack Overflow and Discourse.We are profoundly grateful to Jeff Atwood and the Atwood family for this incredibly generous gift, said Jaymes Black (they/she/he pronouns), CEO at The Trevor Project. Our life-saving work would not be possible without the support and compassion from our donor community, and the Atwood familys contribution will play a transformative role in advancing our mission to end suicide among LGBTQ+ young people. This donation comes at a critical time for our movement in the face of anti-LGBTQ+ policies and rhetoric that directly harm our youth, its more crucial than ever that we keep fighting for a future where all LGBTQ+ young people can thrive. This gift enables us to continue to provide free, 24/7 crisis services to youth in need and advocate for laws that protect the rights of LGBTQ+ young people across the country. Jeff and the Atwood family are sending a powerful message of solidarity that we hope will inspire others to help us build a safer, more inclusive world for LGBTQ+ young people everywhere.According to The Trevor Projects 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People, 39% of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, including 46% of transgender and nonbinary youth. Despite these alarming findings, 50% of LGBTQ+ young people who wanted mental health care in the past year were not able to access it.The Trevor Projects research also found that an overwhelming majority (90%) of LGBTQ+ young people said their well-being was negatively impacted due to recent politics. Following the outcome of the 2024 U.S. election, The Trevor Projects crisis services saw an overall volume increase of nearly 700% on November 6, 2024 compared to the weeks prior.In a blog post announcing the news, Jeff stated: I encourage every American to contribute soon, however you can, to organizations you feel are effectively helping those most currently in need here in America. We must also work toward deeper changes that will take decades to achieve. Over the next five years, my family pledges half our wealth towards long term efforts ensuring that all Americans continue to have access to the American Dream.In addition to The Trevor Project, Jeff and the Atwood family made $1 million donations to Childrens Hunger Fund, First Generation Investors, Global Refuge, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, PEN America, Planned Parenthood, and Team Rubicon.Visit Jeffs blog here to read more about his familys movement to help fund dreams across the U.S.If you or someone you know needs help or support, The Trevor Projects trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386, via chat atTheTrevorProject.org/Get-Help, or by texting START to 678678.The post Stack Overflow Co-Founder Jeff Atwood Donates $1 Million to The Trevor Project appeared first on The Trevor Project.

Who are you taking home at the end of the night? A video of a bi king putting in the work at the club is going viral on social media, and everyone has opinions!Yesterday, a video was posted on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption, what the heII is this mf doing and shows a young man subtly rubbing the backs of the guy and woman sitting on either side of him.The person who filmed the trio (can we normalize not filming strangers in public please?) also turns the camera on himself to show his confusion and skepticism, but to a trained LGBTQ+ eye, this is clearly a bisexual guy who is attracted to both of the people hes hanging out with. Those back rubs are far too sensual to be just friendly. (@) The now-viral video, which has already amassed more than 22 million views as of publication, inspired countless commenters, some of whom joked about his obvious bisexuality. (@) (@) (@) Some commenters also posited that hes angling for a threesome. (@) (@) (@) While there is a harmful stereotype that bisexual folks want to have their cake and eat it too and are more prone to cheating because they want to go to the bone zone with men and women, thats ridiculous and biphobic.But the jokes about the bi king in the video wanting both of his night-out pals are hilarious. (@) (@) (@) (@) Whether he was trying to start a threesome or the trio is already a poly throuple, its glaringly obvious the guy in the middle is bi and knows how to make a pass! (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) This bi guy just catapulted himself to bicon status!

Nicholas is a huge Hollywood star!English actor Nicholas Galitzine is quickly becoming a major player in Hollywood as he grows his career on the big screen and gets cast in numerous projects.After creating some buzz in 2016 for starring in the films High Strung and Handsome Devil, Galitzine went on to appear on TV shows such as Legends and Chambers. In 2020, the actor starred in the Sony reboot The Craft: Legacy as Timmy, whos moving bisexual coming out scene, regardless of how you felt about the movie, made it a must-see.Galitzines career truly broke into the mainstream as he starred as Prince Robert in the Amazon Prime Video original film Cinderella released in 2021. With Camila Cabello in the titular role, and Galitzine appearing as her love interest in the movie. Since then, the actor was cast as the lead in Netflixs Purple Hearts and truly became a gay fave with back to back roles in Red, White, & Royal Blue and Mary & George. Next up is is going to slay our hearts again as Prince Adam in the live-action He-Man movie, Masters of the UniverseScroll through to see sexy pictures of Nicholas Galitzine and make sure to follow him on Instagram via @nicholasgalitzine.See on InstagramSee on Instagram View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nicholas Galitzine (@nicholasgalitzine) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nicholas Galitzine (@nicholasgalitzine) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nicholas Galitzine (@nicholasgalitzine) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nicholas Galitzine Fanpage (@nickgalitzinefans) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nicholas Galitzine (@galitzinefans) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nicholas Galitzine (@nicholasgalitzine) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nicholas Galitzine (@nicholasgalitzine) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nicholas Galitzine (@nicholasgalitzine)See on InstagramSee on InstagramSee on InstagramRELATED | Red White & Royal Blue's Polo Morn Was Outed & Had His Nudes Leaked

RuPaul has subtly reprimanded RuPauls Drag Race season 2 winner Tyra Sanchez following the latters controversial comments about the recent death of The Vivienne, the first crowned queen of RuPauls Drag Race UK.On Wednesday, RuPaul shared a short clip from the 2010 season 2 finale, featuring a memorable scene in which she slapped Tyra during an acting challenge. The video post, which quickly went viral, comes after a wave of backlash against Tyra for mocking The Viviennes death. While numerous Drag Race contestants, including RuPaul, publicly mourned the 32-year-old queens passing, Tyras comments ignited an online firestorm.Tyras remarks stemmed from a five-year-old social media post from The Vivienne that referenced her. In the post, The Vivienne wrote, Bet Tyra was fuming when she realized Netflix Spoiled the win Too. Sorry gal. You Tried though. After The Viviennes death, Tyra responded with a callous comment, writing, Yet it doesnt compare to the fumes of the crematorium.The response was met with swift and widespread condemnation from both fans and Tyras fellow Drag Race alums, including Kandy Muse, DeJa Skye, Tatianna, and new season 17 contestant Hormona Lisa, who all condemned Tyras actions as distasteful. Despite the outrage, Tyra remained unapologetic, continuing to taunt The Viviennes death with further posts across multiple social media platforms, including a direct response to RuPauls video clip.View this post on InstagramA post shared by RuPaul (@rupaulofficial)In the aftermath of RuPauls post, Tyra took to Instagram, sharing an illustration of the host with a caption reading, Right back at ya. Puppet. On her Instagram Story, she also expressed her gratitude to both her supporters and critics, writing: I am immensely thankful to everyone visiting my page this week. Whether showing love or showing your ass, you increased my pages reach TREMENDOUSLY. Welcome to all new followers! Tyra also sent a pointed message to those critical of her, stating, Two fingers in the sky to those who have left us. Special shoutouts to the ones who truly hate me yet hang around watching my every move. With you hanging around here youve increased the reach by 95%. Silly rabbits. You work for me. It is because of you that my name LIVES on.RuPauls post and Tyras continued provocations drew strong support for the host from several Drag Race alumni. Shea Coule, the winner of All Stars 5, voiced her approval, writing, GET HER AGAIN FOR ME MAMMA!!! referencing RuPauls implied reprimand. Crystal, a Drag Race UK season 1 queen, also chimed in, commenting, Mamas had enough nonsense, as other queens, including Kandy Muse, Jiggly Caliente, Jasmine Kennedie, Mrs. Kasha Davis, and Victoria Scone, echoed their support for RuPauls stance.Tyra has a well-documented history of controversy within the Drag Race fandom. She previously faced backlash for falsely announcing the death of fellow season 2 queen Morgan McMichaels and was allegedly banned from DragCon for making threatening comments about the event. Tyra, however, has denied these claims, telling Entertainment Weekly in a statement, I never threatened DragCon and I damn sure never apologized for it.In response to Tyras callous comments about The Vivienne, Kandy Muse, who competed on season 13 and All Stars 8, issued a strongly worded rebuke. Ive defended you for years but now you can absolutely go f yourself and if our path were to ever cross its absolutely on sight, bitch, its not a threat, its a promise. You disgusting person, Kandy wrote in a fiery Instagram post. DeJa Skye, who appeared on season 14, also condemned Tyras behavior, calling her a rotted person and expressing dismay at her actions.In addition to the drama surrounding Tyras online posts, the season 2 queens name resurfaced in the news in 2023 when she was arrested in Starke, Florida. Tyra, whose real name is James Ross, was initially detained for allegedly resisting arrest after a car accident. The charges were later dropped after Ross filed a complaint against the department, but the incident further fueled the queens controversial reputation.Following The Viviennes death, RuPaul shared a heartfelt statement on social media, expressing her grief over the loss of the late queen. With a broken heart, I join the entire Drag Race universe in mourning the loss of The Viviennean incredibly talented queen and a lovely human being, RuPaul wrote.The post RuPaul Posts Drag Race Clip of Slapping Tyra Sanchez After Season 2 Winner Mocks The Viviennes Death appeared first on Gayety.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerbergs recent announcement that he would be ending professional fact-checking on Facebook and Instagram signals a significant shift in the companys approach to political content. The decision, unveiled Tuesday, marks the culmination of months of efforts to position the social media giant to navigate the conservative pressures expected from a potential second term of Donald Trump.Zuckerberg, who has long been known for supporting progressive causes, appears to be recalibrating his companys policies to align with a more right-leaning stance. In the past, Zuckerberg has engaged in high-profile meetings with former President Barack Obama and criticized his administration at times, particularly in matters related to privacy and tech regulations. However, over the last year, Zuckerbergs actions have hinted at a clear pivot toward embracing conservative influences.The first sign of this shift came in July 2024, when Zuckerberg publicly praised Trumps defiant response after an assassination attempt, calling it one of the most badass things Ive ever seen. Although Zuckerberg quickly clarified that he was not endorsing any presidential candidate, the comment set the stage for what would become a series of moves signaling alignment with conservative positions.In the same month, Meta made a pivotal decision to lift the special restrictions placed on Trumps Facebook and Instagram accounts following the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. This move effectively restored Trumps access to Metas platforms, signaling the companys willingness to embrace a more lenient approach toward the former president.By August, Zuckerberg escalated his rhetoric, criticizing the Biden administration for its handling of COVID-19 misinformation. He accused the government of pressuring Meta to censor content, a sharp contrast to the companys earlier stance, which had taken a firm position against misleading health information during the pandemic.Further demonstrating his political pivot, Zuckerberg allowed a personal threat made by Trump to go unaddressed. Trump had released a book in which he ominously claimed Zuckerberg would spend the rest of his life in prison if he attempted to interfere with the 2024 election. Meta did not comment on the statement, an indication of the companys increasing detachment from its previous, more critical stance toward Trump.Amid these changes, Metas corporate political action committee (PAC) notably refrained from donating to either of the major presidential candidates during the 2024 election cycle. However, individual Meta employees contributed heavily to Vice President Kamala Harris campaign, raising nearly $2 million, according to the transparency website OpenSecrets. The PAC also made contributions to both Republican and Democratic Senate campaigns, highlighting a more neutral posture in some respects, though the companys recent leadership appointments have leaned more conservative.In December, Meta revealed that it had donated $1 million to Trumps inaugural fund, signaling further support for the former presidents political future. Moreover, Zuckerberg made headlines last week by appointing Joel Kaplan, a longtime Republican insider, as Metas head of global policy, replacing Nick Clegg, a former British deputy prime minister with more liberal leanings. Kaplans appointment underscores Zuckerbergs growing reliance on conservative political strategists.These moves have drawn sharp criticism from some observers. Nina Jankowicz, a disinformation expert, called Zuckerbergs shift a full bending of the knee to Trump and criticized the companys direction as part of a broader trend of tech leaders catering to right-wing agendas. Others, however, suggest Zuckerberg is simply trying to adapt to the political realities of the moment.David Sacks, a venture capitalist and Trump adviser, praised Zuckerbergs decision, calling it a turning point in U.S. political and cultural realignment. Zuckerbergs pivot is significant not only because of the potential return of Trump to power but also due to Metas dominant role in shaping online communication. Metas suite of appsFacebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messengerare among the most widely used platforms in the world, giving Zuckerberg immense influence over public discourse.Zuckerbergs shift is not just about political convenience; it is also tied to the companys financial and regulatory interests. Meta faces ongoing legal challenges, including a high-profile antitrust case brought by the Federal Trade Commission over its 2012 acquisition of Instagram. As Meta navigates these pressures, its increasingly conservative policy shift may also be a strategy to better align with a potential Republican administration, especially in light of the growing influence of right-leaning political figures within the company.Over the years, Zuckerberg has cultivated relationships with both Democratic and Republican leaders, from Obama to former House Speaker Paul Ryan. However, Metas top ranks have increasingly been filled by Republicans. Kaplans promotion is just one example of how the company is adjusting to shifting political tides. Other notable Republicans in Metas leadership include Jennifer Newstead, Metas chief legal officer, who previously served in the George W. Bush administration, and Kevin Martin, Metas new vice president of public policy, who also has deep ties to Republican administrations.Zuckerbergs decision to hire key Republican operatives such as Dustin Carmack, a former adviser to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, reflects his growing embrace of conservative political strategies. Metas corporate culture has shifted significantly since Sheryl Sandberg, once the companys most prominent Democrat, left her day-to-day role in 2022.Despite these moves, Zuckerberg insists that his shift is not a departure from his core values. In a recent video explaining the changes, he referenced a 2019 speech in which he criticized traditional gatekeepers in politics or media, suggesting that the latest policy adjustments were part of his long-standing vision to reduce content moderation.The coming years will reveal whether Zuckerbergs pivot is part of a broader trend in corporate America or a strategic move aimed at positioning Meta for political and regulatory influence in a potential second Trump administration. However, with Metas growing influence over global communication and its increasing ties to conservative politics, the implications of Zuckerbergs decision will be felt across the digital landscape for years to come.The post Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg Shifts Political Strategy Amid Trumps Possible Return to Power appeared first on Gayety.

The nominations for the 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards were announced today and are set stream live with Kristen Bell as host on Netflix Sunday, February 23 at 8 pm ET / 5 pm PT at the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall. Jon M. Chus movie musical juggernaut Wickedleading the pack and holding space [...]The post SAG Awards 2025: Wickeds Jonathan Bailey Lands Nomination for Beloved Fiyero Performance; Cynthia Erivo, Baby Reindeer, Hacks Score Nods first appeared on GLAAD.

The new year has kicked off and For the Love of the DILFs is bringing the heat!King Adonis is the latest himbo to enter the mansion looking to fall in love with a daddy. It also doesn't hurt that he's very easy on the eyes.Shortly after his DILFs debut, Adonis has already linked up with a daddy in the house and it looks like the tension is only growing stronger."Patrick and I have a lot of fun! You're going to be seeing a lot of us. We look mad cute. I will say... he's a really good kisser. I'll give you guys that, but you'll have to wait for more," Adonis tells PRIDE. See on Instagram Adonis has had no problem showing off his sexy physique and opening up on his spicy bedroom preferences on the hit show."Listen, I haven't always looked like this! I'm damn proud of it and I'm going to show it off every time I can. I am fully a vers person. I really believe on vibing with the right person. I love switching it up! I want you to pound me and the next day I'm going to pound you. That's what's good!"For the Love of DILFs is streaming now on OUTtv. To see the full interview with King Adonis, check out the video at the top of the page.

Republicans in Idahos House of Representatives are considering making a formal statement imploring the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn its famous 2015 ruling legalizing same-sex marriage.The measure proposed by Republican state Rep. Heather Scott frames the court decision as an illegitimate overreach. Scotts measure asks the court to bring back the natural definition of marriage, even though different forms of marriage (including same-sex unions) have existed throughout human history. Related GOP law forces library to require ID from patrons under 30 to access adult books The adult book section includes books with queer themes, something a new law defines as sexual content. The purpose of this resolution is just to affirm our state authority to regulate marriage, she said at a Tuesday hearing. 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 2015 Supreme Court ruling, Obergefell v. Hodges, came after decades of activism from the LGBTQ+ community to legalize same-sex marriage. When the ruling was implemented, many states still banned gay marriage, in spite of growing support for such unions.The decision, implemented on a 5-4 vote, came before three additional conservative justices were appointed during the term of then-President and now-President-elect Donald Trump. The justices appointed by Trump include Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett.Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito have called for a reconsideration of the Obergefell decision.Scotts resolution has no legal weight, though it would be sent to the Supreme Court for consideration. The committee moved it forward on Tuesday, with a public hearing set on a date yet to be determined. State House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel (D), and Senate Minority Leader Melissa Wintrow (D) referred to Scotts resolution as a sad distraction. This is yet another example of the extreme wing of the Republican Party ginning up divisive social issues in order to create problems where none exist. Big government has no business telling consenting adults who they should love.This resolution may be a helpful gimmick for winning in closed GOP primaries, they added, but it should be offensive to all Idahoans who value their individual rights and freedoms and just want to live their lives without egregious government interference.In 2021, Rep. Scott compared Idaho to Nazi Germany over a policy requiring students to wear facemasks in school to prevent the spread of COVID-19.Idaho still has a ban on same-sex marriage on the books, in spite of a federal judge ruling that it violates the U.S. Constitution. Recent polling suggests more Idahoans support same-sex marriage than are against it.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.