Police in Kannapolis, North Carolina, killed 36-year-old Edgar Maddison Welch, the so-called Pizzagate conspiracy theorist who carried a gun into a gay-owned Washington, D.C., pizzeria in 2016 under the belief that the business nonexistent basement was a venue for a child-molestation ring that involved high-ranking Democrats.On January 4, two Kannapolis police officers lethally shot Welch during a traffic stop. One officer pulled Welch over to arrest him for an outstanding warrant for a probation violation. But when the officer opened Welchs car door to apprehend him, Welch allegedly pulled out a handgun from his jacket and pointed it at the officer. When a second officer told Welch to drop his weapon, Welch reportedly didnt comply and was fired upon by both officers. He was hospitalized and died from his wounds two days later, The Guardian reported. Related QAnons SaveOurChildren slogan has a long anti-LGBTQ history With each accusation on social media comes the hashtags #SaveTheChildren and #SaveOurChildren slogans that have been used against LGBTQ people many times over the last 100 years. The officers Brooks Jones and Caleb Tate have been placed on administrative leave while the states bureau of investigation looks into the incident. 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 Welch gained infamy on December 4, 2016, when the then 28-year-old conspiracy theorist entered the Comet Ping Pong pizzeria, a D.C. restaurant owned by gay entrepreneur James Alefantis, to self-investigate unfounded rumorsthat the pizzeria was part of a ring of U.S. restaurants involved in alleged human trafficking and a child sex ring that involved high-ranking Democrats like former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Welch entered the restaurant with an assault rifle and customers fled, terrified for their lives. Welch then fired at least one shot to break into a storage closet, looking for a basement where the child sex abuse allegedly took place the restaurant has no basement.After finding no evidence of the child sex trafficking ring, he exited the restaurant and surrendered himself to police waiting outside. He was subsequently sentenced to four years in prison for a federal charge ofinterstate transport of firearms and was required to pay $5,744.33 for damages to the restaurant. Three days before the attack, Welch had tried to convince some of his friends to join in his escapade and break up the pedo ring, showing them a video about the conspiracy theory on YouTube. He reportedly texted one of the friends, Im sorry bro, but Im tired of turning the channel and hoping someone does something and being thankful its not my family. One day it will be our families. The world is too afraid to act and Im too stubborn not to.During his trial, Welch told the court he had acted in a foolish and reckless way, but he maintained that he still believed in other aspects of Pizzagate. Pizzagate, which is a precursor to the QAnon conspiracy theory and other right-wing theories of LGBTQ+ people and their allies grooming and sexualizing children through abuse, began on X (then-Twitter) and right-wing fake news websites, alleging that emails from former U.S. Rep.Anthony Weiner (D-NY) and Clintons then-campaign chair John Podesta. The conspiracy theorists claimed the emails used code words referring to pedophilia andhuman trafficking.In November 2016, a now-deleted post on Reddit claimed that everyone associated with Comet Ping Pong [was] making semi-overt, semi-tongue-in-cheek, and semi-sarcastic inferences towards sex with minors, adding, The artists that work for and with the business also generate nothing but cultish [and Satanic] imagery of disembodiment, blood, beheadings, sex, and of course pizza.The story circulated on anti-LGBTQ+ right-wing websites like Alex Jones InfoWars and was promoted by anti-LGBTQ+ alt-right influencers like Mike Cernovich andJack Posobiec. It has since been promoted by transphobic billionaire and X-owner Elon Musk. In November 2016, Alefantis told The New York Times that his pizzeria and its associated employees had come under constant assault due to the conspiracy theory. Its owners, employees, mural painters, and musicians who had previously played at the restaurant received threats of violence and death. Other conspiracy theorists claimed that children who had been photographed eating at Comet Ping Pong were themselves child sex trafficking victims. Several other nearby pizzerias and businesses also received threats. Pictures of Comet Ping Pongs non-existent basement were, in actuality, just images of other business basements.The business was attacked again on January 25, 2019, when a white man deliberately set a fire in one of its backrooms. However, employees quickly put out the fire, ensuring that no one sustained any injuries. Police arrested the arsonist days later.Pizzagate has been disproven and debunked by numerous fact-checking and news organizations including Snopes, Fox News, and CNN, as well as investigators at theMetropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia.Alefantis called Pizzagate an insanely complicated, made-up, fictional lie-based story and a coordinated political attack. Days after Welchs shooting at the business, Clinton told NPR, The epidemic of malicious fake news and fake propaganda that flooded social media can have real-world consequences.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

One of the things that Donald Trump is really good at is chaos. Sometimes its intentional, like his efforts to sow doubts about his loss in the 2020 election. Sometimes, its spontaneous, like when he decided last month that he wanted Congress to repeal the debt ceiling limit, throwing weeks of Congressional negotiations into doubt. And then there are the trademark Trump brain burps and hare-brained schemes. Sometimes these are fleeting flashes from Trumps train of thought, such as the idea that mainlining bleach could kill the COVID virus. Other times, these are hare-brained schemes that Trump fixes on. Related Brian Sims marries his partner early to get it done before Donald Trumps presidency starts There are very treacherous times were going into, and having the protections of the law. The latest example of the latter is Trumps obsession with buying Greenland and invading Panama. (For good measure, Trump said Canada should be part of the U.S., that seemed to just be trolling on Trumps part.) This set off a flurry of media coverage about Trump as a 21st century William McKinley, culminating in a spectacularly silly story in The New York Times about just how much Greenland would cost to buy, the Times equivalent of a Zillow estimate. Dive deeper every day Join our newsletter for thought-provoking commentary that goes beyond the surface of LGBTQ+ issues Subscribe to our Newsletter today As with all things Trump, the incoming president views these issues through a tiny lens of his own, which is real estate and a 1950s fifth-graders sense of history. Trump doesnt see countries so much as he sees property to be acquired. Instead of acknowledging that Greenland is not for sale and that Trump is just fantasizing, the media spent endless time chasing down the bright shiny object that Trump threw before them. The same is true of the Panama invasion. Trump was asked by a reporter if he would rule out military or economic coercion to acquire either Panama or Greenland, so the idea didnt originate with Trump. In typical Trump fashion, Trump gave a non-answer, along the lines of his many people are saying shtick. No, I cant assure you on either of those two. But I can say this, we need them for economic security, Trump said.Immediately, the headlines blared that Trump wouldnt rule out invading Panama. But Trump probably never had that idea before a reporter raised it. When faced with a direct question, Trump will always be noncommital, which is what happened here. The problem that all the invasion talk highlights is that the media still treat Trump as if he were a normal politician. If a normal politician said what Trump said, it would be a clear signal about policy. For Trump, its just a shoot-from-the-hip response, with no regard to the implications. But youd never know that from the breathless coverage that follows. Instead, there are follow-ups from Trump supporters plastering Trumps comments with fig leaves to make him sound like a policy guru. In fact, Trump probably does think he can buy Greenland just like Jefferson secured the Louisiana Purchase (assuming he knows Jefferson did). Thats because Trump thinks the U.S. can act as it did when it was a much younger nation, by acquiring land. And acquiring land is what the real estate mogul loves, so of course hes going to apply his previous career to his current one. What happens while the media run around talking about Greenlands strategic importance (which for Trump is probably the excuse, not the reason, to acquire more land), is that really important ssues got lost. When was the last time you heard about Project 2025? Or Pete Hegseth? Or Robert Kennedy Jr.? What about mass deportations or tariffs or anti-trans measures? You know, the actual stuff that will happen and change (indeed ruin) peoples lives.This is the brilliance behind Trumps randomness. He knows that he can send the media off on a wild goose chase at a moments notice, changing the narrative. The media think that everything Trump says is news, even when its hogwash, and have to treat it seriously. Under the guidelines that theyve imposed on themselves, they cant acknowledge that a lot of what Trump says is just made up in the moment. Instead, they have to analyze it as if it was a thoughtful statement. The result is that truly serious things that are happening get buried. Trump is a creature of the media. He had a symbiotic relationship with the tabloids, and he learned just what the media need: distractions. Trumps thought processes are just a flood of distractions, creating chaos. Unfortunately, hes found a willing partner in the media.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Mark Zuckerberg has reportedly ordered the removal of tampons from mens bathrooms at the Meta offices in Silicon Valley, New York, and Texas. Once available for trans and nonbinary employees who used the mens bathroom, the tampons have been scrapped as part of Zuckerbergs anti-LGBTQ+ policy spree, which appears to be in response to Donald Trumps election victory. Related Black trans lawmaker asks UN to investigate Meta for new hate speech policies Facebook and Instagram will soon explicitly allow homophobia and transphobia. Last week, Zuckerberg announced that the company would be removing content moderators and fact-checkers and loosening restrictions on their hate speech policies, including allowing people to refer to LGBTQ+ people as mentally ill. 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 Then, on Friday, Meta announced that it would end DEI practices in hiring, training and picking suppliers. The company also reportedly deleted nonbinary and trans themes from its Messenger app, which until recently had been available for several years.Zuckerberg also recently sat for an interview with the massively popular anti-LGBTQ+ podcaster Joe Rogan, during which he declared companies need more masculine energy and that he is optimistic about Trumps second term because the president-elect just wants America to win. Zuckerberg is also one of several tech CEOs who has donated $1 million to Trumps inaugural fund. According to a report from the New York Times, Zuckerbergs sweeping changes are the result of a series of confidential meetings the CEO planned with a small group of top executives that took place in December. Its a departure from the way policymaking at the company is typically carried out (much more gradually and with input from employees and other leaders). Many employees are angry. One told 404 Media, No one is excited or happy about these changes. And obviously the employees who identify as being part of the LGBTQ+ community are especially unhappy and feel the most unsupported in this. A small number of people are taking time off and are sharing that they are considering leaving the company due to this change.Another one told the same outlet, I find it very hard to understand how explicitly carving out which groups of marginalized people can have what we otherwise classify hate speech directed at them will be beneficial for the communities we hope to build on our platforms.President Joe Biden even called out Zuckerberg for removing fact-checking policies, saying the decision is shameful. Several employees told the Times that Zuckerbergs massive shift is in part to prepare Meta for the Trump era but also that it reflects his personal views and that he no longer wants to keep those views quiet. It seems safe to assume Zuckerberg feels emboldened by the election results to do whatever he wants. Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

On November 6, 2024, LGBTQ+ people woke up to a dark new world.Donald Trump had just been reelected after being the center of one career-ending scandal after another for what felt like every week for almost a decade. His win raised a lot of questions: Why were so many people willing to set aside his obvious lack of qualifications? Did most of America really support the policies that he sold throughout the campaign, like mass deportation and ending transgender peoples rights? How far will he go to enact his less popular policies?How many people would he hurt along the way? How many lives would he harm or end because he cant understand the realities of peoples lives and because of the cruel people he would put in positions of power?Kamala Harris is a fairly normal politician, as well as a charismatic, smart, and driven woman who had a knack for being relatable and who ran a competent but brief campaign that tacked to the center. Dive deeper every day Join our newsletter for thought-provoking commentary that goes beyond the surface of LGBTQ+ issues Subscribe to our Newsletter today She was widely seen as running for the second term of a president who was, by objective measures, successful. President Joe Biden ended the war in Afghanistan. He gave Ukraine a fighting chance when invaded by Russia without sending American troops. He managed to avoid a recession at the price of brief and fairly mild, by world standards inflation. Unemployment went down and inflation-adjusted wages went up across the economic spectrum. He got several large pieces of legislation passed, including the biggest anti-climate change legislation in history. And, relevant to this publication, his administration was the most pro-LGBTQ+ administration ever.But the twice impeached, convicted felon, admitted rapist, and adjudicated sex abuser whose mental faculties were clearly failing at his advanced age won anyway. More Americans voted for him than did for Harris albeit by a small margin and now we have to prepare for the consequences. Some would throw up their hands and say that the American people deserve to face the consequences of their decision this past November, but those consequences will not be born equally. While all signs point to LGBTQ+ people voting strongly against him, he has promised an even harsher anti-LGBTQ+ administration than the first time around, without even the safeguards of one Democratic congressional chamber to blunt the impact. January marks the launch of LGBTQ Nations first monthly edition. Entitled Only when its dark enough can you see the stars, its focused on questions like these. Questions about how we got here, interrogating what broke in American society, how hatred for our community became a centerpiece of Trumps campaign. Questions about survival, about how LGBTQ+ people can access their rights as government officials take them away, about how to deal with a culture that has become emboldened in its attacks against us. And questions about how to prevent this from happening again in future elections.The cover story of this edition is our yearly Queer State of the Union series, where LGBTQ Nation editors and writers sit down with leaders in activism, politics, and thought to discuss the state of LGBTQ+ rights and what people in the community can expect this year. In the first interview of this series, journalist Nico Lang talked to trans rights activist Sydney Duncan about the wide array of attacks on trans youth that could occur this year.Only when its dark enough can you see the stars is a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jrs Ive Been to the Mountaintop speech, where he discussed how he would answer the question, Which age would you like to live in? if God asked him. He describes a few historical periods but says that his answer would be just a few years in the second half of the 20th century. Now thats a strange statement to make, because the world is all messed up, Dr. King said. The nation is sick. Trouble is in the land; confusion all around. Thats a strange statement.But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars. And I see God working in this period of the twentieth century in a way that men, in some strange way, are responding.Many were reminded of the quote recently when Harris brought it up in her concession speech. I know many people feel that we are entering a dark time, but for the benefit of us all, I hope that is not the case, she said. But heres the thing. America, if it is, let us fill the sky with the light of a billion, brilliant stars, the light of optimism, of faith, of truth, and service.The interview with Duncan will be published shortly. You can follow the January Edition of LGBTQ Nation as it is published here. Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

On the evening of the 2024 election, Sydney Duncan was completely blindsided. A longtime LGBTQ+ advocate and attorney, Duncan says she was not expecting neighbor after neighbor to vote the way they did, especially given the stark differences between the two candidates. President-elect Donald Trump, for his part, is the first Commander-in-Chief in American history to have been twice impeached, including over his role in inciting an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in January 2021, and the first to have been convicted of a felony resulting from his time in office. He was found guilty in April 2024 of 34 felonies for falsifying business records to conceal his hush money payments to former adult performer Stormy Daniels.I really, really did not see that coming, Duncan tells LGBTQ Nation of the election returns, which saw Trump becoming the first Republican since 2004 to win both the popular vote and the Electoral College. Im still processing it. Since the election, Ive been pinching myself to try to wake up from this nightmare, but here we are.Among the most difficult aspects of watching Trump retake the White House is knowing that he did so, in part, by vociferously opposing trans rights. During the presidential race, Republicans reportedly spent more than $222 million on advertisements directly targeting the trans community, including TV spots claiming that Democrat Kamala Harris is for they/them. If re-elected, Trump vowed to push for a federal ban on gender-affirming medical care for trans minors and policies restricting the ability of trans student-athletes to play sports in alignment with their lived gender. In what could be a preview of things to come, the House of Representatives recently instituted a bathroom ban targeting incoming freshman Sarah McBride (D-DE), the first out trans woman ever elected to Congress. Related The newest LGBTQ+ members of Congress are fired up & ready to serve The 119th Congress has begun, and three LGBTQ+ freshmen have officially made history. 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 Duncan, who works as the senior counsel for Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE), says that she has seen firsthand the deleterious impact of anti-trans policy living in Alabama. The state has on the books the nations most onerous trans youth health care ban, which prohibits transition care through the age of 19, and one of its harshest Dont Say Gay laws, which restricts LGBTQ+ education through the end of the eighth grade. She sometimes jokes that her job at A4TE, the nations largest trans advocacy group, is preventing the rest of the country from becoming Alabama, but the remark hardly feels in jest following Trumps win.Were ready in Alabama because were living through it, she says, adding that LGBTQ+ advocacy groups like A4TE have already begun to prepare for what they believe the incoming administration has in store: Things can get worse, and I think we have pretty clear eyes on what thats going to look like, at least initially. Im OK, and I think my community is doing OK, but the kids here are not. They have really taken the brunt of the anti-trans rhetoric.As the LGBTQ+ community looks ahead to four more years of Trump, Duncan spoke with LGBTQ Nation about how advocacy groups like hers are preparing and what keeps them motivated to fight. For Duncan, her north star is the sheer inevitability of trans liberation: This isnt something that you can stop. Its not something that you can just put back in a bottle. A new trans advocacy organization emerges View this post on Instagram A post shared by Advocates for Trans Equality (@transequalitynow)In many ways, A4TE was built for this moment. Launched in June 2023, the nonprofit results from a merger between the nations two largest trans advocacy groups: the National Center for Trans Equality (NCTE) and the Trans Legal Defense and Education Fund (TLDEF). The organization combines TLDEFs decades of legal expertise with the lobbying prowess of NCTE in order to grow and develop trans political power at a time when trans Americans are still jockeying for their seat at the table. A4TEs work combines public education efforts with high-impact litigation to advance trans equality.Less than a year after its founding, A4TE certainly has much work ahead. Duncan says that experts are anticipating that Trump, in the very first days of his term, will issue an executive order prohibiting federal funding for gender-affirming care. Such an order, she adds, is likely to be patterned after the Hyde Amendment, a 1980 law banning public insurers like Medicaid from covering abortion care. Trump may not meet much political opposition should he take such action: A must-pass defense bill recently signed into law by President Joe Biden included a provision blocking the children of active or retired servicemembers from seeking coverage for gender-affirming treatments under TRICARE, the militarys medical plan. It was the first anti-LGBTQ+ bill to be enacted in the U.S. since Dont Ask, Dont Tell in December 1993.It would be devastating, Duncan says of a possible amendment attacking gender-affirming care. It would end health care for a lot of people and remove the ability to get health care by removing it from their employee health plans. Our opponents say that [trans health care] is drive-through medicine and that its easy to access and easy to get. But the reality is, its not. Its sometimes expensive. Its cost-prohibitive to a lot of familiesand a lot of families who rely on resources provided through the government to get these kinds of things. Duncan also fears that Trump will issue a federal order defining gender and sex in a very limited way, similar to proposed regulations floated during his first term in office. Trump has already indicated that he has an appetite for revisiting the policy: On his 2024 campaign website, he called upon Congress to pass a national law stating that the only genders recognized by the U.S. government are male and femaleand they are assigned at birth. Those kinds of efforts will not be exclusive to the federal legislature: Alabama has, in recent sessions, pushed theWhat Is a Woman? Act to define trans people out of existence, and more states are likely to follow in 2025 as anti-trans legislation reaches record levels. Last year, at least 669 bills targeting trans Americans were put forward in 43 states, per the Trans Legislative Tracker website.In looking ahead to the new Trump term, Duncan says that it may be a matter for Republicans to throw everything they can against the wall and see what sticks. All indications are that they are going to take a lot of shots at the trans community, she says. They have both houses of Congress, so were expecting some bad legislation on top of that. We expect a tidal wave. Were going to be slammed.Also keeping A4TE busy is the recent Supreme Court case that will determine the future of trans health care. In U.S. v. Skrmetti, the nations highest judicial body will weigh in on the permissibility of state-level laws limiting the kinds of medical treatments that can be prescribed to trans minors. Currently, 26 states limit doctors from providing best practice medical treatments if the patient is a trans person under the age of 18including Tennessee, the state whose attorney general, Jonathan Skrmetti, is named as the defendant in the suit. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Advocates for Trans Equality (@transequalitynow) If the Supreme Court decides that Tennessee is permitted under the Constitution to limit trans medical care without scrutiny, the ruling could provide a green light for other states that wish to restrict gender-affirming treatments while emboldening any similar efforts at the federal level. Trumps running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), introduced legislation in July 2023 that would jail doctors for up to 12 years for providing transition care to minors.Duncan cautions, however, that even a positive outcome from the Supreme Court doesnt necessarily equate to trans rights for everyone. It would simply mean, she says, that states must operate under heightened scrutiny when passing anti-trans laws: that they are required to demonstrate a rational basis for the legislation rather than acting out of pure animus.Right now, they dont really have to say: Heres our evidence, says Duncan, who attended oral arguments in the case this December on behalf of A4TE. Were still going to face those state laws, but the states will be more burdened to say: Were bringing these laws because of these reasons, and the law is going to do this in concert with that reasoning. Right now, they dont have to do that. Right now, its just: We dont like trans people. Were not going anywhereProtesters demonstrated outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 4, 2024, as Justices considered states ability to prevent transgender adolescents from using puberty blockers and hormone therapy. Photo: Megan Smith / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesAlthough early signs indicate that the Supreme Court is likely to uphold Tennessees law targeting trans youth health care, Duncan remains hopeful that a rubber band effect is imminent: that after years of attacks on the very existence of trans people, the momentum will reverse. She believes that what the trans community needs is the kind of pendulum swing that accompanied Ellen DeGeneres 1997 coming out, which helped humanize the everyday experiences of gay and lesbians to an American public that, by and large, widely held negative views of the community. A Gallup poll conducted the prior year indicated that a slim majority of Americans still believed that homosexuality should be illegal. Just 26 percent of respondents in the same poll felt that queer couples should have the right to marry.Thats why representation matters in media and in life, Duncan says, noting the impact of Laverne Coxs 2014 Time magazine cover on her decision to live her life openly as a trans woman. Media is so fragmented right now that I dont know if that same thing is possible for trans people. There needs to be something that happens that draws all eyes to it. If it draws my eye and not my neighbors eye, then its not going to do that. But if it has X factor, that says that these are real people, and this is a real human experience, I think that will cause a shift.Every day, I see people waking up, living their best lives, and refusing to be any other way than the way they are.Sydney Duncan, Advocates for Trans Equality Senior CounselBut while the community awaits its own sea change in public opinion, Duncan maintains that trans people will continue to persist the same way that they always have. Before joining A4TE, she worked for five and a half years as the attorney for Alabamas largest LGBTQ+-led resource provider, Birmingham AIDS Outreach, and Duncan has seentime and againthe state fail to stop people from being trans. After signing the states gender-affirming care ban, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) tweeted in May 2022, If the Good Lord made you a boy, youre a boy. If He made you a girl, youre a girl. Its Alabama common sense. Although these kinds of laws are intended to discourage people from living their truth, Duncan says that shes only gotten louder and more obnoxious in the face of far-right hate.Every day, I see people waking up, living their best lives, and refusing to be any other way than the way they are, says Duncan. I think thats beautiful. I think its so radical and empowering. Watching that gives me hope. Nobodys saying, Ill just give up and go back to the way it was. Theyre saying, Hell no. 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Amazon has joined the slew of companies rolling back its DEI efforts in apparent celebration of Donald Trumps anti-woke agenda. The changes specifically target LGBTQ+ people, with the section on LGBTQ+ rights being completely removed from its Positions page. The section once emphasized that the company would continue to fight for protection and equal rights rights for transgender people as well as for the passage of the Equality Act. Now, the only mention of LGBTQ+ people on the page is as part of a list of marginalized communities against which the company supposedly does not tolerate inequitable treatment. Related Meta employees speak out against new anti-LGBTQ+ & anti-DEI policies Zuckerbergs policies are part of a growing anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment and a shift away from diversity, equity and inclusion. The page also once stated that Amazon provides gender transition benefits based on the Standards of Care published by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). The removal of this statement has employees worried that they are losing this benefit, but the company told the Washington Post which is owned by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos that it is still available. Stay connected to your community Connect with the issues and events that impact your community at home and beyond by subscribing to our newsletter. Subscribe to our Newsletter today A section entitled Equity for Black people was also removed from the Positions page. The tech giant also renamed a page for prospective employees from Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to Inclusive Experiences and Technology. Where it once claimed to advance DEI through technology, it now promises to advance the employee experience. With these moves, Amazon joins a wave of corporate retailers buckling under pressure from right-wing groups to shed their DEI initiatives, including Walmart, Stanley Black & Decker,Molson Coors,Jack Daniels, Ford Motor Company,John Deere,Lowes Hardware, Target andHarley-Davidson. Earlier this month, 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.And in the tech world, Amazons rollbacks are apparently becoming par for the course. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has launched an anti-LGBTQ+ policy spree this month, seemingly emboldened by the election results to do whatever he wants. Zuckerberg, Bezos, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and Apple CEO Tim Cook have also all donated $1 million to Donald Trumps inaugural fund. Despite all of this, the Human Rights Campaigns 2025 Corporate Equality Index(CEI) found that, in fact,there has been an increase in companies committed to improving LGBTQ+ inclusion and equality in the workplace. The annual report, which debuted in 2002, measures U.S. companies policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality and has been a leading force in improving LGBTQ+ employees workplace experience.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

***WARNING: Some of the content in this article deals with sensitive topics of abuse. Please read with caution.New allegations and details about Neil Gaiman's alleged abuse have been revealed.In case you haven't heard, Vulture just dropped a bombshell expos on Gaiman titled "There Is No Safe Word," which describes, in shocking detail, the allegations from eight women who detail his sexual assault, coercion, and abuse. It also implicated his ex-wife Amanda Palmer in some degree of complicity with his alleged crimes. The piece, written by Lila Shapiro, who also gave us an in-depth look into Joss Whedon a few years ago, highlights the chilling dissonance between Gaiman's public persona as a feminist and the shared stories by his accusers. Among them is perhaps most notably Scarlett Pavlovich, a 22-year-old gay woman who worked as a nanny for Gaiman and Palmer.I wrote about Neil Gaiman, and the women accusing him of sexual coercion, assault and abuse. www.vulture.com/article/neil...[image or embed] lila pearl (@lilashapiro.bsky.social) January 13, 2025 at 4:20 AMThis is also not the first time Pavlovich has said anything.In the Vulture piece, Pavlovich describes an unsettling power dynamic and alleged assaults, recalling one incident where Gaiman joined her in a garden bathtub despite her discomfort. I said no. He said, Dont ruin the moment, she told Shapiro, adding that what followed left her feeling a subtle terror. Pavlovichs story adds another harrowing pain point as she noted, Im gay. Id never had sex [with a man].Elsewhere, Pavlovich recalled Gaiman telling her that Palmer told him he "couldn't have" her, which only fueled his desires. According to Pavlovich, she said Gaiman wished "it were the gold old days we we could both [he and Palmer] f**k you."Seven of the eight accusers in the article emphasize that they had no interest in BDSM, a culture Gaimans representatives claim he engaged in consensually. However, as Shapiro points out, If just one party consents, then its not BDSM but abuse.Despite the gravity of these claims, Gaimans career remains largely intact, for now, and major projects with Netflix and Amazon Prime are still currently slated for later this year. Meanwhile, Pavlovich and others continue to process the aftermath, finding solace in one anothers stories -- which have finally gotten the public attention they deserve.Keep scrolling for reactions from fellow writers, queer folk, and fans as we watch the downfall of Neil Gaiman in real-time.I knew this piece about Neil Gaiman was in the works, and still, I felt sick reading it. TW: rape, abuse, coercion, and child sex abuse.[image or embed] Monica Byrne (@monicabyrne13.bsky.social) January 13, 2025 at 2:44 AM (@) Read that Neil Gaiman piece. Said it when the whole thing broke out and Ill say it again now: Fuck Neil Gaiman. Gabino Iglesias (@gabino.bsky.social) January 13, 2025 at 7:59 AM (@) Oooof the new Neil Gaiman revelations are baaaaaad[image or embed] Gary Whitta (@garywhitta.com) January 13, 2025 at 8:15 AM (@) I named my caiman lizard Neil Caiman back before all the shitty stuff came out about Neil Gaiman. I would like to propose we forget Gaiman exists entirely and replace him with my lizard.[image or embed] Ethan Fink-Nottle Kocak (@ethankocak.com) January 13, 2025 at 6:37 AM (@) muting anyone that shows up today with a "i've always hated neil gaiman" take. good for you. take a bow and shut the fuck up inthefade (@ihavethatonvinyl.com) January 13, 2025 at 5:27 AM[Two bad men]Neil GaimanDonald TrumpBoth rapists.Both getting away with it. Lazarou Monkey Terror (@Lazarou.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy) January 13, 2025 at 9:48 AMHere's a list of NON PROBLEMATIC genre authors to read instead of Neil Gaiman:1-10: A bunch of people who harassed Isabel Fall into a mental hospital and who give zero results when you search their social media for the word 'Gaza'. Gareth Watkins (@garethwatkins.bsky.social) January 13, 2025 at 9:48 AMI dont have much to say about neil gaiman except that I hope he gets exactly what he deserves Ophie is open for commissions! (@opheliadrowned.bsky.social) January 13, 2025 at 9:47 AM (@) I hope neil gaiman rots in hell. What a disgusting piece of shit. han (@hansoeii.bsky.social) January 13, 2025 at 7:16 AM (@) (@) (@) fucking hell that Neil Gaiman article is horrifying. fuck. feel a bit shaken tbh. awfully waffly (@awfullywaffly.bsky.social) January 13, 2025 at 4:19 AMWhat a fucking day to be 50,000 words into a Neil Gaiman piece. Elizabeth Sandifer (@eruditorumpress.com) January 13, 2025 at 9:29 AM

MSNBC host Chris Hayes unpacked new data on the actual numbers of transgender people and contrasted it with the outsize outrage and lies about the community. On Thursdays All in with Chris Hayes, Chris began with the bombardment of anti-trans campaign ads last fall. You could not watch a single NFL football game all election [...]The post MSNBCs Chris Hayes on the Truth about Transgender People, and the Lies of Cynical Culture Wars first appeared on GLAAD.

The devastating fires in Los Angeles, California have claimed 24 lives in a week of destruction wrought across the vast metropolis. On Sunday, a beloved lesbian bar in the Silver Lake neighborhood announced it was another victim of the unprecedented natural and urban disaster.Owners of The Ruby Fruit, a tiny and popular wine bar and restaurant serving the sapphically inclined, said on Instagram, We have come to the heartbreaking decision that at this time, operating The Ruby Fruit is no longer possible due to financial impact from the current natural disaster. Related Conservatives blame LA wildfires on fire chief being gay They dont know what she did, but her being gay, they say, proves that she was a diversity hire. The community gathering spot opened in a small strip mall on Sunset Boulevard in 2023, a rare addition to the declining number of lesbian bars in the United States. At the time, it was the only bar dedicated to LGBTQ+ women in Los Angeles.Honeysat Star Love in East Hollywood opened soon after. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today In 1980, there were 200+ lesbian bars in the U.S. By 2021, that number dwindled down to 24, according to The Lesbian Bar Project. A small resurgence in the last few years included The Ruby Fruit.The name of the bar, created by co-owners Emily Bielagus and Mara Herbkersman, was an homage to Rita Mae Browns 1973 coming-of-age lesbian novel The Rubyfruit Jungle. The devastation felt within our small community, as well as the unfathomable destruction that continues day after day, is truly beyond comprehension, the co-owners wrote. Sadly, along with all the feelings of grief and shock that we have experienced over the last few days, also came this undeniable reality: that running our small business is no longer sustainable.The hospitality industry functions on a day-by-day basis and right now, as they say the math just isnt mathing. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Ruby Fruit (@therubyfruit)At just 500 square feet, The Ruby Fruit had a small footprint, but the bar held outsized influence among its community in its short run. Conde Nast Traveler called its mutable energy unique among similar institutions, with the owners focused on community and a brand of hospitality devoted to every customer.After we opened The Ruby Fruit, we quickly learned that we had to function as not just a restaurant but a community space, Herbkersman told the magazine. The queer community is full of diversity and nuance. We want to create a little bit of space for everyone to feel at home.We try to talk to everyone, Herbkersman said. The Ruby Fruit is so small that you actually can do that.The spot was host to TRANScendent Tuesdays, a gender-expansive mixer, along with other regular programming like Queereoke and queer open mic Verse4Verse Poetry.Crowds often spilled out into the parking lot lining the small mall.For now, Bielagus and Herbkersman are using the space as a donation drop-off and distribution center for victims of the fires.Even as we write this, we have folks filling their cars and driving supplies to area shelters and resource centers. Please keep an eye on this Instagram account for more information regarding that,its farewell Instagram post stated. There isnt much more to say beyond: we love you, LA. We love you, queer fam. We are grateful for the support youve shown us over the past almost-two years.Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

The United Kingdom has announced its plans to build a memorial for LGBTQ+ veterans who were persecuted and discharged under the countrys ban on queer military members, which remained in place from 1967 to 2000. The bronze memorial will resemble a crumpled sheet of paper and contain phrases from LGBTQ+ people affected by the ban. The announcement of the monument follows a government pledge to give 70,000 ($85,159) to military members harmed by the ban.The memorial whose design was chosen from 38 submissions and five finalists will be constructed at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, a county about 145 miles northwest of London, just north of Birmingham. It will include phrases collected from LGBTQ+ soldiers during a recent investigation into the policy spearheaded by Terence Etherton, a member of Britains House of Lords. Related Another trans military ban would cost the United States billions of dollars And that could be the least of the problems caused. The phrases include ones like A battle for love, a place to belong, and together we stand. Though most of the letters will be gray in color, some individual words like respect, strength, and pride will be highlighted in gold. Global perspectives delivered right to your inbox Our newsletter bridges borders to bring you LGBTQ+ news from around the world. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The memorial received a 350,000 grant from the Ministry of Defenses (MoD) Office for Veterans Affairs. Its construction is being overseen by the LGBTQ+ military charity Fighting With Pride, The Hereford Times reported.The trustees are delighted that we have such a strong winner for the LGBT+ armed forces community memorial, said Ed Hall, chairman of Fighting With Pride. Its been incredibly important to all of us at Fighting With Pride that we held a rigorous creative process to find the right design that will provide a place of peace and reflection for the LGBT+ armed forces family. 25 years after a ban on LGBT people serving in the military was lifted, a new monument is unveiled. Campaigned for by @fightingwpride & designed by Abraxas Academy, the design represents a crumpled letter, made up of words taken from evidence to the Lord Etherton report. pic.twitter.com/dMj6lRYU5V Chamber UK (@ChamberVoice) January 12, 2025The lasting harm of the UKs anti-LGBTQ+ military banWhile the U.K. decriminalized same-sex encounters in 1967, it erected a ban on military members under the pretense that queer service members harmed morale and threatened preparedness.The ban, which affected hundreds of thousands of military members, resulted in military members facing intimidation, blackmail, discrimination and harassment, the seizure of personal letters and photos, intense psychological interrogations, invasive medical examinations that sometimes involved sexual assault, forced resignations and outings to family members, dishonorable discharges, prison time, alienation from military supports and benefits, and even suicides over the shame, isolation and poverty that resulted from all of the above.Several military members discharged under the ban told researchers that the policy, Made me [feel] embarrassed of my own sexuality. Made me feel a lesser person, one who was open to abuse and ridicule. Some LGBTQ+ military members told the BBC that staying closeted felt like a self-betrayal and that they hid their same-sex relationships, often censoring themselves in private letters and referring to their partners in public by names often used by members of the opposite sex. Another said the policy made them feel lonely, dirty, outcast, and left them severely gay bashed threatened, robbed, deprived, imprisoned, mind games, loss of confidence, removed the joy of sex, self-hate, made to feel ashamed of being me, nervous.It took away my career, it took away my pension, it took away my future, yet another said. It just, it just utterly destroyed it, and it took away a job I know I was good at it just took away my home, my livelihood, my future, career, pension. It doesnt really get much worse than that, does it?Finally, some justice nearly 25 years after the bans repealA group of ousted LGBTQ+ veterans and allies eventually formed an activist group called the Rank Outsiders. Together, along with other U.K. LGBTQ+ groups like Stonewall, successfully raised public awareness about the bans inherent unfairness and pressured the MoD to repeal the ban in 2000.In July 2023, then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, apologized on behalf of the nation for the ban. In December 2024, the government said that veterans who were discharged and negatively affected by the ban could receive up to 70,000 ($85,159) as compensation. Veterans can also apply to have their rank restored and discharge reasons amended.Lt. Cdr. Duncan Lustig-Prean, who was blackmailed for his homosexuality and discharged under the ban, told the BBC that seeing the monument will be an intensely emotional experience not just because we never expected to get this far, but also because for anyone who serves, remembrance of those who gave their lives is profoundly important to us.Thats one of the reasons why I really want to go and see that memorial and contemplate the LGBTQ people who died for this country, as well as those who gave their careers because of this policy, he added.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Oh, did you think last weeks episode of For the Love of DILFs was dramatic? Well, yes. But this week is also bringing the spice and the camp and were here for it.Last weeks episode ended with the mother of all cliffhangers when Timmy, at last, received a call on the golden cell phone that he was gifted by Justin early in the season. It was also one of the show's most dramatic evictions, which is saying a lot when Victor used his power to remove David from the house while reading him for absolute filth.No wonder David still has some feelings about that whole dynamic and what Victor was allegedly up to behind the scenes.But we digress... This week's sneak peek picks up just where we left off with Timmy discovering exactly what dastardly plan Dr. DILF had up his sleeve we wont spoil it here (watch the video!) but it's leaving a whole lot of power in his hands. While he is left to deliberate, we catch up with Robert who is getting a visit from his plastic surgeon, following his shocking accident and injuries. By his side is himbo Samuel and the two grow closer over the experience. Speaking of being in your feelings, Steff is reeling from the loss of his daddy in the house and a special delivery sends him into tears. Another week, another killer episode. We cant wait to see how this turns out!'For the Love of DILFs' is streaming now on OUTtv. Scroll up to watch the first 10 minutes of season 3 episode 6 now.

With Inauguration Day around the corner, many LGBTQ+ people are dreading watching politicians who want to roll back our rights take control of the government. But one redditor was stunned to discover her girlfriend felt differently all because of money.u/ExcellentComment5507 turned to the actuallesbians subreddit for advice after learning her girlfriend had previously purchased stocks in Donald Trump's media company."She's owned them for a while now but I only found out today," she wrote. "She mentioned how excited she is for January 20th for that reason because it will do well for her stock."It was clearly a shock, as she notes the two have known each other since high school, been dating for a year, and she considers her girlfriend "genuinely such a good person, and a liberal.""I love her more than anything but this feels wrong. Am I being overdramatic?" she asked.The title of the post indicated that she wanted to know if this should be a dealbreaker for the relationship, and it sparked some interesting debate surrounding what, precisely, was the problem here.Several of her fellow redditors admitted they didn't see a problem with LGBTQ+ people finding a way to profit from something that is otherwise likely to cause problems. from actuallesbians from actuallesbians from actuallesbiansBut others pointed out there's often a difference between profiting where you can in this sort of system and actively investing in something that benefits Trump and/or his political allies. from actuallesbians from actuallesbiansUltimately, the majority of responses centered around concern that the original poster's girlfriend was actively "excited" for Trump's inauguration just so she could make a little cash. from actuallesbians from actuallesbians from actuallesbians from actuallesbiansAnd one redditor who managed to step back from the understandably high emotions so many are feeling leading up to January 20th and make a pretty decent point."I think it would be a deal breaker for me," wrote u/Purple_Bowling_Shoes, "because it's not intelligent. No one has ever invested in trump and made a profit."

Donald Trumps niece clinical psychologist Mary Trump is calling out his behavior during the Los Angeles wildfires, which she says is a harbinger of how he will handle crises as president.There are currently an estimated 24 people who are either dead or missing and over 12,000 structures have been damaged so far, with over 150,000 more people still under evacuation orders. Related Donald Trumps lesbian niece calls him out: No idea what hes talking about She said her uncle is deeply ignorant since he didnt know the Constitution prohibits one of his biggest campaign promises. The fires have also become the subject of massive misinformation, which Trump is only contributing to. 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 Late last week, Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snow melt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way. Donald Trump also referred to Newsom as Newscum in that post.There was no water restoration declaration. It was just made up to put blame on Newsom.Mary Trump wrote on her Substack that her uncle should be rallying support and taking action to aid his fellow Americans instead of spreading false information to attack his perceived political enemies and stoke division.She said this is a sign of things to come during his second administration. Weve seen the real world consequences of what happens when Donald is in charge during a crisis, Mary Trump wrote. Hes withheld disaster aid from states whose governors didnt pay him sufficient [deferential respect]; hes diverted resources away from first responders; hes repeatedly failed communities in crisis, and hes often made recommendations based on pseudo-science that have made everything worse. What we can expect, because weve seen time and time again: If you need help in a crisis, but you do not kiss Donalds ass sufficiently, he will not help you. He will use the crisis to perpetuate misinformation and conspiracy theories which will lead to a greater loss of life. He will blame the victims. He will divide us against each other. That is the playbook, she added.She listed numerous disasters that occurred during her uncles first term, including Hurricane Maria and the COVID-19 pandemic, both of which she said he didnt adequately respond to and showed his jaw-dropping lack of empathy.Mary Trump then accused her uncle of sowing discord because it wears down his opposition. I do know what Donald gets out of stirring up chaos and division during those times when we need unity, she wrote. Division benefits him, even if, or maybe especially if its at the expense of the rest of us. Division wears us down, even as it leaves him unaltered. I actually think it energizes him.We know whats coming and we know how to combat whats headed our way: stick togetherdont let anybody tell you that the best way for you to survive in a crisis is to stop caring about other people.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

2024 was a very sexy year.One thing that's undeniable in the world of adult entertainment is that these models put in work! 2024 was another memorable year for the top porn stars around the world and PRIDE was there to celebrate all of the big and wild moments.From exclusive interviews with the best performers to covering the most exciting events throughout the year, these creators gave us a lot of content to feast our eyes on.Scroll below to see a few of the highlights that are still leaving us gagged as 2025 begins.GayVN AwardsSee on InstagramThe biggest week for the adult entertainment industry happens in January where the annual AVN and GayVN Awards take place.One thing that's guaranteed at this fan event? Viral moments... and 2024 didn't disappoint. From Angela White's confession to wanting to film bisexual content and Max Lorde revealing his concerning bottoming regimen, there's plenty of tea spilled at this signature Sin City event.Let's also not forget all of the big moments for the stars. Derek Kage swept the awards and made history as a gay performer, while Trevor Brooks, Max Konnor, and Rhyheim Shabazz opened up on just how much longer they plan on staying in the sexy industry. Plus, Papi Kocic dished on his favorite spicy films to make, so what's not to love?Mainstream MediaSee on InstagramIt's a thrilling time for adult performers as many are venturing into other industries outside of sex work or they're working on content that's more genuine to who they are as people.Daisy Taylor is considered one of the top trans content creators in the world and she's focused on creating content that properly represents her community. In other aspects of media, Matthew Camp continues to solidify his place in reality TV by serving as a host and judge on Slag Wars while Cody Seiya partnered with The Pride Store to sell his amazing art sketches, with some of the proceeds benefitting the Free Speech Coalition.Plus, many popular stars spoke up ahead of the 2024 election and reminded everyone what's at stake this year for adult entertainment. It's more important now than ever to stick together and raise awareness.Big Studio MovesSee on InstagramTwo of the most popular gay porn studios, Men.com and Carnal Media, made some big moves in 2024.Drake Von officially signed as a Men.com exclusive model and filmed his first bottoming scene with fan-favorite twink Joey Mills. Carnal Media also moved main operations to Las Vegas and the studio's CEO Legrand Wolf dished on the fantasy content he's filming with many sexy performers.Lane Colten and Dylan Tides are two of the latest creators to sign on as Carnal Media models and the handsome men even started dating after meeting on set, so love is truly in the air in the adult entertainment industry.2024 certainly had too many iconic moments to count, so let's see what 2025 has in store.

Amazon has quietly removed several policies from its public websites aimed at protecting workers, including "solidarity" pledges with its Black employees and health care benefits for transgender workers. The pages were removed about a month ago, according to The Washington Post. The changes include several to policy, as well as department titles. A section previously called Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is now Inclusive Experiences and Technology, and the section advance DEI through technology is now a pledge to advance the employee experience.One of the removed policies includes an outline of the gender-affirming care benefits provided to employees under Amazon's health care plan, which it said were "based on the Standards of Care published by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). Also removed was the company's pledge that it is working at the U.S. federal and state level on legislation that would provide anti-discrimination protections for transgender people.Though Amazon previously stated that it stood "in solidarity" with its Black employees, the company also removed that section, as well as one claiming to support legislation to combat misconduct and racial bias in policing, efforts to protect and expand voting rights, and initiatives that provide better health and educational outcomes for Black people.Spokesperson Kelly Nantel confirmed to the outlet that the company update[s] this page from time to time to ensure that it reflects updates weve made to various programs and positions.Several major U.S. businesses have announced they would be ending their diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in the past year, including Ford Motor Company, Harley-Davidson, Lowe's, and Tractor Supply among others. The decisions came after pressure from conservative extremists online, including failed filmmaker turned failed congressional candidate Robby Starbuck, who has taken credit for the companies' decisions. However, experts believe that Starbuck's pressure alone does not explain the shift.Meta recently announced the end of its DEI programs almost immediately after announcing new content rules that allow users to abuse LGBTQ+ people, citing the shifting "legal and policy landscape surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the United States." McDonald's also cited Supreme Court decision against affirmative action in its decision to end DEI programs the, as well as changes among "other companies."

The devastating wildfires sweeping across Los Angeles have claimed 24 lives in just a week, leaving a trail of destruction that has impacted homes, businesses, and communities throughout the city. Among the casualties is The Ruby Fruit, a beloved lesbian bar in the Silver Lake neighborhood that had served as a vital gathering spot for the LGBTQ+ community.On Sunday, the bars owners, Emily Bielagus and Mara Herbkersman, shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram that The Ruby Fruit would be closing its doors due to the financial strain caused by the ongoing disaster. We have come to the heartbreaking decision that at this time, operating The Ruby Fruit is no longer possible due to financial impact from the current natural disaster, the post read.A Rare Sanctuary for LGBTQ+ WomenOpened in 2023, The Ruby Fruit was a rare addition to the shrinking number of lesbian bars across the United States. Located in a small strip mall on Sunset Boulevard, the bar became a vital hub for LGBTQ+ women in Los Angeles. At the time of its opening, it was the only bar dedicated to lesbian women in the city, a distinction that was later shared by Honeys at Star Love in East Hollywood.In a country where lesbian bars have become increasingly rare, the closure of The Ruby Fruit marks a significant loss for the LGBTQ+ community. According to The Lesbian Bar Project, the number of lesbian bars in the U.S. dropped from over 200 in 1980 to just 24 by 2021. Despite these challenges, a small resurgence in recent years had breathed new life into establishments like The Ruby Fruit, which quickly garnered a loyal following.The bars name was inspired by Rita Mae Browns 1973 novel Rubyfruit Jungle, a groundbreaking coming-of-age story about a lesbian womans journey to self-acceptance. For co-owners Bielagus and Herbkersman, the name was a tribute to the books legacy and its role in queer literary history.A Space for CommunityThough only 500 square feet, The Ruby Fruit had an outsized impact on the local LGBTQ+ scene. The bars intimate setting allowed it to function not only as a bar but also as a community space where queer individuals could feel seen and supported. In an interview with Cond Nast Traveler, Herbkersman described how the space evolved beyond a restaurant, becoming a hub for connection and inclusion.After we opened The Ruby Fruit, we quickly learned that we had to function as not just a restaurant but a community space, Herbkersman said. The queer community is full of diversity and nuance. We want to create a little bit of space for everyone to feel at home.View this post on InstagramA post shared by The Ruby Fruit (@therubyfruit)The bar hosted a variety of regular programming, including TRANScendent Tuesdays, a gender-expansive mixer, and other popular events like Queereoke and Verse4Verse Poetry, a queer open mic night. These events brought together a diverse range of people from across the LGBTQ+ spectrum, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual support. On many nights, the bars small space would overflow into the parking lot, a testament to its popularity and the strong sense of community it had cultivated.Wildfires Devastate Los AngelesThe ongoing wildfires have affected many businesses and residents across Los Angeles, but the impact on The Ruby Fruit was particularly devastating. Bielagus and Herbkersman explained that the financial realities of operating the business in the aftermath of the fires made it impossible to continue.The hospitality industry functions on a day-by-day basis and right now, as they say the math just isnt mathing, the co-owners wrote in their farewell post.Despite the bars closure, Bielagus and Herbkersman are still using the space to give back to the community. They have transformed The Ruby Fruit into a donation drop-off and distribution center for victims of the wildfires. Even as we write this, we have folks filling their cars and driving supplies to area shelters and resource centers, the post continued. Please keep an eye on this Instagram account for more information regarding that.In the wake of the closure, both owners expressed their gratitude for the support they received over the past two years. There isnt much more to say beyond: we love you, LA. We love you, queer fam. We are grateful for the support youve shown us, they wrote. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.A Loss for the Queer CommunityThe loss of The Ruby Fruit is a particularly painful blow to the LGBTQ+ community in Los Angeles, a city that has long been seen as a haven for queer individuals seeking support and acceptance. The bars closure highlights the broader struggles faced by many small businesses in the hospitality industry, especially those serving marginalized communities.For many, The Ruby Fruit was more than just a place to grab a drink; it was a safe haven where queer individuals could be themselves without fear of judgment. Its closure underscores the devastating toll the wildfires have taken on the city and the fragility of spaces that serve as essential cultural and social resources for vulnerable populations.As Los Angeles continues to grapple with the aftermath of the fires, the legacy of The Ruby Fruit will live on in the memories of those whose lives were touched by the bars unique spirit and its commitment to building a welcoming, inclusive community.The post Beloved Lesbian Bar in Los Angeles Closes Due to Wildfire Impact Leaving Only One Left in Major City appeared first on Gayety.

A lawyer representing an 18-year-old Black transgender high school student who was stabbed in a violent attack on a METRO bus in Houston is demanding that the suspect be charged with a hate crime. The victim, identified only by her first name, Rue, was attacked on December 22, 2024, as she got off the bus in broad daylight.According to local reports, Rue was approached by a man, later identified as 26-year-old Joseph Fuerborn, who asked to use her phone to make a call. Rue agreed, but when she asked for the phone back, Fuerborn reportedly refused and became violent. He allegedly stabbed Rue three times, puncturing her lung, before fleeing the scene.Assailant Arrested, Charges PendingFuerborn was quickly apprehended by law enforcement, with the knife used in the attack still in his possession. He has been charged with aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon, a charge linked to another armed robbery he was allegedly involved in. Despite these charges, Rues attorney, Kevin Murray, is pushing for Fuerborns charges to be upgraded to include a hate crime.She didnt do anything to provoke this attack, Murray said. This was an unprovoked assault that appears to be rooted in transphobia. We believe this should be considered a hate crime.While the suspect is in custody, the decision on whether to pursue hate crime charges will ultimately be made by the office of Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare.Victim Speaks OutRue, who has dreams of becoming a fashion designer, spoke publicly for the first time on January 3, 2025, outside the Harris County Criminal Courts Building. She recounted her terrifying ordeal, revealing how she feared for her life during the attack.I thought I was going to become one of those like my worst fears ever come true, Rue said. I thought my life was going to end before I even got to start it.Rue spent the holiday season recovering in the hospital from her injuries, which included a punctured lung. She continues to undergo medical treatment, but she says the emotional toll of the attack is significant. Despite this, Rue expressed her desire to stay involved in the community and advocate for trans rights going forward.I just hope to be more safe, Rue added in an interview with KHOU. I want people to know that we arent here to harm anyone, and I just want people to stop harming us.Concerns Over Rising Violence Against Transgender PeopleThe incident has brought renewed attention to the alarming trend of violence against transgender individuals, particularly Black trans women. Local LGBTQ+ advocates, including representatives from the Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus, have condemned the attack and called for stronger protections for the trans community.At the heart of this incident is a broader, more dangerous issue: the rising violence against transgender people, said Austin Ruiz, a spokesperson for the Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus. We cannot ignore that Black trans women are particularly at risk, and incidents like this are a painful reminder of the need for stronger protections and greater awareness.Data compiled by the Transgender Law Center shows that Black trans women are disproportionately affected by violence. In Texas, 57% of all reported victims of fatal anti-trans violence between 2017 and 2020 were Black, a statistic that highlights the ongoing danger faced by this community.The Human Rights Campaigns 2024 report on violence against transgender and gender-expansive individuals declared a national state of emergency due to the rising rates of violence. Texas, in particular, has been identified as the state with the highest number of incidents of fatal anti-trans violence in the U.S., partly due to the states contentious anti-LGBTQ+ laws. The report also noted that Black trans women make up more than 60% of all victims of fatal anti-trans violence across the country since 2013.Ongoing Advocacy and SupportIn response to the attack, local advocates and activists have organized rallies and events to raise awareness about the violence faced by transgender people. Rue herself attended a rally on January 4, where she called for more safety measures and urged the community to support trans individuals rather than attack them.I hope to be more involved in the fight for trans rights, Rue said at the rally. We need to stand up for ourselves and make sure people know we have a right to live without fear.While Rues recovery continues, her experience has galvanized local support for stronger protections and greater public education on the issues facing the transgender community. Activists are urging lawmakers to address the growing climate of violence against transgender people, particularly in Texas, where the legal and political landscape continues to become increasingly hostile toward the LGBTQ+ community.As Rues case unfolds, her lawyer and advocates are calling for justice, with hopes that the incident will spark wider conversations on the need for reform and protections for the most vulnerable members of society.The post Lawyer Calls for Hate Crime Charge After Black Transgender Student Stabbed in Houston appeared first on Gayety.

If you're queer, you've probably already very familiar with the infamous dating app Grindr. (If you haven't, you truly live in your own world and, no sarcasm, I'm so envious and in serious awe.) It's the app that has veritably swept a nation of queer folks and made dating and hooking up convenient for tons of bored, horny gays on the go. All joking aside, people use it for lots of different reasons and I respect that...but I still choose not to use it myself.If your immediate response is "Who cares?" that's totally fine, because you probably don't have to care about what I have to say anyway. If you love the app and were looking for a hate read, sorry to break it to you, but I'm also not trying to judge people who peruse Grindr on the regular. What I'm really trying to do is make space for people who don't use Grindr to discuss the issues and triggers the app presents them with. Grindr (and countless other online dating/hook-up services) has become such a cultural norm among modern gays, but there are still many people who are still not using it. And I'm one of them.Let's explore some of the reasons why Grindr is just not a thing in my life. You just might relate.1. The app can be incredibly homonormativeThe first time I downloaded Grindr, I was super excited to get to see other available gay people around me. I was still in the community-forming stage at that point and was just giddy at the idea of having other people I could be gay with.What I found when I downloaded the app hit me deeply.NO FEMMESNO FATSNO POCSI was shocked to see such blatant and widespread prejudice in the preferences of the men around me (in the Philadelphia area). It was as if people were "shopping" for people as opposed to trying to get to know them. In the past I've had my own struggles with homonormativity, preferring masculine men to feminine ones, but I learned that attraction is moral and political. For one, if you set such preferences, you give other people the right to do the same. If you don't want to date someone of color, you give white people and people of color the complete, justifiable right to deny you based on the color of your skin. The simple fact is, when you declare yourself not attracted to a type of person, you are promoting prejudice, which is nothing more than the act of judging a person or group of people before you know them. Unless you know every POC person on the planet, you can't logically say you're not attracted to any of them.While Grindr officially removed ethnicity filters from the app in 2020, this system of hierarchies and societal trends in its users turned me off me from Grindr immediately. What I wanted from Grindr was a sense of community, but what I found was a lot of people seeking hookups like they were ordering food off of a menu. It wasn't for me.2. Where's the romance?I'm not saying you can't find love on Grindr (anything is possible, right?). I'm also not saying the majority of people who use the app are looking for serious relationships. I'm a very romantic person and found that the speed with which conversations moved on Grindr was far too fast. I'd feel like I barely knew someone before they were inviting me out to dinner or to their house. It threw me for a loop.There's no shame in moving quickly. Some people move faster than others, and that's okay. Again, it just wasn't for me. I prefer the tension that IRL conversations create; the kind that makes you think before you speak and makes you awkward. I feel like people are more themselves in person because on an app, people have time to say the things they think people want to hear. People can create the personas they wish to be and avoid the very real parts of themselves that they think people won't like.3. Men can be very scaryI'm petite. Most adult men weigh more than me. People can say whatever they want online. People can use and send pictures that aren't their own. I know I sound like a paranoid mess with a superiority-complex, but the reality is that I have one life and I'd rather not risk it for a stranger I met through an app.It's true that you never know what people are like even if you know them in real life, but it's also true that rape and sexual violence can (and does) happen to gay men too. It can happen to anyone. I know it's a stretch and that people will say there's always risks in life, and because that's true I try not to take unnecessary risks. I'm sure there are plenty of safe and kind people on Grindr, but I'm too worried to take a chance to find out. I don't have the trust level or confidence required to really enjoy the app. Maybe that's my loss.4. Sex isn't really all that important to meI'm team sex positivity. I think if people want to bang on the table, in a church, on the stairs, in a park, or however, wherever they want, that's fine. No one has a right to tell people what to do with their body as long as all parties involved are consenting and safe.For some people, though, sex just isn't worth all the time and effort. I'm one of those people. Maybe my hormones never kicked in.

With a TikTok ban impending, many users are turning to RedNote as an alternative but it might not be everything they're seeking. Here's all you should know about the platform before diving in. What is RedNote? RedNote is a short-form video platform that doubles as an e-commerce site, offering shopping and the ability to leave reviews on products. It is the alternative to TikTok in China, where it is known as Xiaohongshu, which translates to "little red book." RedNote recently became the number one app in U.S. stores online ahead of the impending ban. Because the company is based in China, the platform could eventually be subject to a similar ban as TikTok's.What content is allowed on RedNote?TikTok refugees have already noted harsh restrictions on RedNote that have resulted in their content being removed or their accounts being suspended, including for mentioning LGBTQ+ identities or for women, wearing a slightly low-cut top. One TikTok user returned to the platform to share that she had bee banned from RedNote after posting a selfie with "a tiny bit of cleavage," and a separate video mentioning "trans plight." A Black user asked for help online after her selfie was removed all for wearing a shirt in the same tone as her skin.Why is TikTok being banned?The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard legal challenges to a law that requires ByteDance, TikToks China-based parent company, to sell the app or face a nationwide ban. Passed in Congress with bipartisan support and signed by President Joe Biden, the law requires ByteDance, TikToks China-based parent company, to sell the app or face a nationwide ban. Unless the Supreme Court delays or overturns the ban, ByteDance has said it will start the process of shutting down TikToks U.S. operations on Jan. 19. Lawmakers have argued that the app poses national security risks because of its foreign ownership, despite the First Amendment concerns a ban creates. Is TikTok really a national security threat?While lawmakers have claimed they cannot release much of their evidence proving TikTok's threat to security due to it being classified, experts say that the app isn't any more invasive than other social media platforms. A 2021 study by the University of Torontos Citizen Lab found that TikTok's data harvesting is nearly identical to that of Facebook or Instagram's, and an investigation into the app by the C.I.A. found no concrete evidence of Chinese authorities using users' data, according to The New York Times. Can TikTok be used after the ban?While TikTok could theoretically remain operational on personal devices that have already downloaded the app after it is removed from stores on Jan. 19, it will not be able to continue indefinitely without updates, which ByteDance will no longer be able to deploy. To prevent issues, TikTok has suggested that it will begin shutting down operations in the U.S. once the ban takes effect.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has reportedly ordered the removal of tampons from mens bathrooms across the companys offices in Silicon Valley, New York, and Texas. The move, which affects restrooms previously equipped with tampons for trans and nonbinary employees, is part of a broader series of policy changes at the company that critics say signal a shift toward more anti-LGBTQ+ stances.According to sources familiar with the decision, the removal of tampons is one of several actions in a sweeping series of changes that Zuckerberg has implemented in recent months. These changes, which some argue reflect a more conservative approach, have sparked outrage among employees and LGBTQ+ advocates.A Shift in Metas PoliciesThe tampon removal follows other controversial policy changes at Meta, including the companys decision to loosen its hate speech policies. Last week, Zuckerberg announced that the company would reduce its reliance on content moderators and fact-checkers, a move that will allow more controversial content to remain on its platforms. This includes content that may promote harmful rhetoric about LGBTQ+ individuals, such as referring to them as mentally ill.Meta also recently ended its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices in hiring, training, and supplier selection. These policies, which had been a key component of the companys commitment to inclusivity, are now being rolled back. Additionally, Zuckerberg has reportedly authorized the deletion of nonbinary and transgender themes from Metas Messenger app, which had previously been available for several years.Zuckerbergs Comments Fuel BacklashZuckerbergs recent actions appear to be part of a broader strategy to align the company with more conservative viewpoints, a shift that some believe is connected to the rise of Donald Trumps political influence. In a recent interview with popular anti-LGBTQ+ podcaster Joe Rogan, Zuckerberg praised what he called masculine energy in business, while expressing optimism about Trumps second term. Zuckerberg, a major political donor, is one of several tech CEOs who contributed $1 million to Trumps inaugural fund.The CEOs public remarks have fueled speculation that his decisions at Meta are increasingly influenced by his personal views, as well as a desire to align the company with the political climate that has gained momentum under Trumps influence. In December, Zuckerberg convened a series of confidential meetings with top executives to discuss these changes, a departure from the companys traditional decision-making process, which typically involves broader input from employees and leadership.Employee Reactions: Anger and DisillusionmentThe policy changes have been met with widespread anger from Metas workforce, particularly among employees who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. One employee told 404 Media, No one is excited or happy about these changes. And obviously, the employees who identify as being part of the LGBTQ+ community are especially unhappy and feel the most unsupported in this. A small number of people are taking time off and are sharing that they are considering leaving the company due to this change.Another Meta employee expressed frustration with the direction the company is taking, saying, I find it very hard to understand how explicitly carving out which groups of marginalized people can have hate speech directed at them will be beneficial for the communities we hope to build on our platforms.Widespread Criticism from LGBTQ+ Groups and Public FiguresThe changes have drawn sharp criticism from LGBTQ+ rights organizations and public figures, including President Joe Biden. Biden recently condemned Metas decision to remove fact-checking policies and loosen its hate speech guidelines, calling it shameful and expressing concern over the potential harm these changes could cause to marginalized communities.LGBTQ+ advocates have voiced particular concern about the tampon removal, arguing that it is part of a broader pattern of erasing support for trans and nonbinary individuals. Its a clear message that the company no longer values the needs and rights of LGBTQ+ employees, said one advocate, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue.Zuckerbergs Political and Personal Views at the ForefrontSeveral reports suggest that Zuckerbergs policy changes are not just a response to shifting political dynamics in the U.S., but also a reflection of his personal views. Sources close to the company say that Zuckerberg, emboldened by Trumps political success, is now more openly expressing his conservative leanings. One insider stated, He no longer wants to keep those views quiet, and he is pushing Meta to reflect that.The companys pivot is seen as a direct response to what Zuckerberg perceives as a growing conservative movement in the United States, one that values traditional, masculine business practices and rejects what some view as the excesses of the previous eras focus on diversity and inclusion.Impact on Metas Reputation and FutureAs Meta continues to roll out these controversial changes, the companys reputation among its diverse employee base and the general public is being tested. Many employees fear that the companys shift toward more conservative values will undermine the inclusivity that has been central to Metas image, especially among younger and more progressive demographics.The removal of tampons from mens bathrooms, in particular, has ignited conversations about the importance of maintaining inclusive policies that recognize the needs of transgender and nonbinary individuals. Critics argue that such moves could alienate a significant portion of the LGBTQ+ community and damage Metas standing as a tech leader committed to social progress.While Zuckerbergs decisions have sparked significant backlash, the CEO appears undeterred, confident that his approach will help position Meta for success in an increasingly polarized political climate. Whether this shift will pay off in the long run remains to be seen, as Meta navigates the complexities of balancing corporate values with the demands of an evolving social and political landscape.The post Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg Allegedly Orders Removal of Tampons from Mens Bathrooms in Controversial Policy Shift appeared first on Gayety.

Anti-LGBTQ evangelist Franklin Graham will deliver the invocation at the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, according to a copy of the program circulating on X, The Washington Blade has reported.Grahams invocation further cements Trumps connection to the Christian Evangelical community. An estimated 80% of evangelical voters supported Trump even though Trump says he has never had to ask God for forgiveness because he has never made any mistakes. Trump has been found liable for sexual assault, convicted of 34 felonies, and accused of sexual misconduct by at least 26 women. Related Congress replaces statue of white supremacist with statue of anti-LGBTQ+ zealot A statue of white supremacist politician Charles Aycock will be replaced by anti-gay pastor Rev. Billy Graham. Graham is also symbolic of the anti-LGBTQ+ agenda that Trump and his administration will espouse in Trumps second term. 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 Graham has called forregime change in the U.S. because trans rights are evil and wicked.He has called LGBTQ+ rights a godless, secular agenda and said that LGBTQ people are extremely dangerous if they are permitted to proceed unchecked.He hasreferredto gay Christians as the enemy, said that sexually transmitted diseasesare a punishmentfor ignoring Gods guidelines, that trans people who need to peeare a danger to women and children, and Hes complained that Pope Francis istrying to normalize homosexuality.Hehas called for a boycott of Targetfor instituting gender-neutral language in its stores, called for aboycott of Girls Scout cookiesdue to the organizations support of LGBTQ+ rights, andcalled for boycottsof businesses that feature same-sex couples in their advertisements.He has called for foreign nationsto deny people with official gender-neutral markerson their passports. He cited a Biblical verse calling for death for homosexualitywhen talking about out Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.Hehas praisedRussian President Vladimir Putins anti-gay propaganda law andhas saidthat gays and lesbians are recruiting people by adopting children. Graham was also offered the chance to conduct the opening prayer at Trumps first inauguration in 2017.Trumps second term is considered highly likely to pursue the anti-LGBTQ+ agenda outlined in Project 2025, the Heritage Foundations blueprint for his presidency. The project calls upon the government to no longer recognize same-sex marriages, to ban all legal recognitions and rights connected to transgender people, to eradicate any mention of LGBTQ+ issues in schools or the federal government, and to end all federally funded LGBTQ+-related anti-discrimination programs as well as any diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

The Supreme Court on Friday announced it will take up a case that imperils a core tenet of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) preventative care. This tenet requires insurance providers to cover pre-exposure prophylactics (PrEP), medications that can greatly reduce HIV transmission, as well as potentially hundreds of other preventive services, among them cancer screenings and heart statins.The case was originally brought by a group of individuals and a Texas business, Braidwood Management, who sued over the mandates because the company had moral objections to covering PrEP and screenings for sexually transmitted diseases and other treatments that they believe promote homosexual behavior. 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. Braidwood is a for-profit, closely held management organization owned bya trust with Dr. Steven F. Hotze, a religious Christian, as the sole trustee and beneficiary, according to KFF, the health policy research group. 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 Braidwood is represented by Gene Hamilton, a former Justice Department official in the first Trump administration, who now leads America First Legal with fellow Trump alum and Homeland Security advisor designee Stephen Miller. Also representing the plaintiffs is Jonathan Mitchell, who argued on Trumps behalf in the Colorado ballot access case before the Supreme Court last term, CNN reports.Braidwoods challenge to Obamacares preventative care provision was upheld in a succession of court decisions before its latest appearance before the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, which agreed with previous rulings in favor of the plaintiffs but only blocked the provision for Braidwood. Both the Biden administration and the plaintiffs agreed that the 5th Circuits ruling opened the door for another party to sue in order to block the mandates nationwide, so the parties asked the U.S. Supreme Court to take up the case.The case,Braidwood Management Inc. v. Becerra, rests on the assertion that as inferior officers, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which issued recommendations for preventive services like PrEP, operated outside the Constitution because its members are not approved by the Senate, thus violating the Appointments Clause. The plaintiffs also claiedm the requirement to cover PrEP violates Braidwoods religious rights under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, a 1993 law that prohibits the government from significantly burdening a persons religious exercise.If the challengers prevail on either the constitutional or the religious claims, the governments ability to require insurance plans to cover evidence-based preventive services without cost-sharing could be limited.Other preventative care benefits among the hundreds at risk in this provision are prenatal nutritional supplements, physical therapy for older Americans to prevent falls, and lung cancer screenings. Those screenings save 10,000 to 20,000 lives a year, according to the Biden administration. PrEP is an essential tool in the arsenal to fight and eliminate HIV as a serious health threat in the U.S. and around the world. PrEP access has been credited for reducing HIV and STI transmission rates around the world. Though PrEP doesnt prevent STIs, those on the medication tend to get regular sexual health screenings, making them more likely to detect and receive medical treatment for STIs.In her petition to the Supreme Court to take up the case, U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar wrote that the 5th Circuit ruling jeopardizes healthcare protections that have been in place for 14 years and that millions of Americans currently enjoy.This Courts review is warranted because the court of appeals has held an Act of Congress unconstitutional and its legal rationale would inflict immense practical harms, she wrote. The case should be heard, she said, because the appellate decision threatens to disrupt a key part of the ACA that provides healthcare protections for millions of Americans.A decision in the case is due by the end of the Supreme Courts term in June.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Comedian, actress, writer, and podcaster Whitney Cummings has been slammed for sharing controversial remarks on social media in reaction to the Los Angeles fires including a homophobic conspiracy theory. Amid sharing posts that declared she would arm herself with a wooden sword to fight alleged arsonists and blaming the media for misreporting information about the fires, Cummings posted a video Friday questioning the leadership of the "lesbians in charge of" the Los Angeles Fire Department."I came across a video of the fire chief. A lesbian. Love it.... Tried to be one, didn't take," Cummings said in an X video. "I don't think I'm a lesbian...I just live in Los Angeles. The men are so effeminate that honestly, at this point, dating a woman is like the straightest thing you can do."Cummings is referring to Los Angeless first out LGBTQ+ fire chief, Kristin Crowley. Throughout the disaster, Crowley has become a lightning rod of social media criticism among conservatives, who have called her a "DEI hire" and accused her of being unqualified despite decades of experience.Though Cummings acknowledged that "lesbians can be firefighters" and that she's not "thinking about your genitals or your preferences" when it comes to emergency responders, she then proposed that gay women running the LAFD are deliberately "recruiting more lesbians" to work with them.Cummings compared this alleged hiring process to a gay man only hiring other gay men, a straight woman wanting to hire "more hot guys" to work with, or a straight man declaring that his workplace needs "more hot blondes." Cummings then posed the question, "Isn't that essentially just recruiting people in your dating pool to work at your office?"The video concluded with Cummings showing an X post claiming that "all of the people in charge of L.A.'s fire response are lesbians named Kristin." She adds, "I don't recall voting on a prop that said we could recruit our fire team off Grindr. What?" (@) Lesbians were not Cummings's only controversial target. In other incendiary social media posts, Cummings mused about "people in L.A. talking about fire retardant more than they need to because they're having fun using the R-word again." She also joked about hoping that alleged arsonists "aren't near where Diddy stored his video tapes."And when an X user replied with a conspiracy theory that the recent L.A. fires were related to a "massive land grab and the upcoming Olympics," Cummings replied, "A lot of people talking about this." (@) (@) (@) PRIDE's sister site, Out, has reached out to Whitney Cummings for comment.Best known for creating the CBS sitcom 2 Broke Girls, starring on NBC's Whitney, and hosting the Good for You podcast, Cummings is set to appear soon as a guest judge on RuPaul's Drag Race season 17.How are people reacting to Whitney Cummings's posts?Whitney Cummings's conspiracy theories about the 2025 Los Angeles fires have prompted a negative response from Hollywood stars, influencers, and other social media users. Content creator and Out100 honoree Matt Bernstein (@mattxiv) wrote on X: "I'm fine with a straight guy but THREE straight men? Something's fishy," in response to Cummings's reaction about three lesbian firefighters. (@) Without naming names, actor, writer, and comedian Guy Branum shared a few reactions Saturday that seem pointed at Cummings. These X posts read: "Multiple lesbians being at the top of an organization that requires brute strength, technical skill, and a desire to save people isn't DEI, it's nature taking its course." (@) In what seemed to be a reaction to Cummings's intent to fight arsonists with wooden swords, Branum stated, "If you are trying to hunt down an arsonist with a blowtorch, you should probably bring a weapon that isn't, you know, highly flammable." (@) Branum also called out this type of behavior in an Instagram video:"This is not a universal amongst comedians right now, but I just wanted to say that I think being a vigilante is bad. Going into dangerous areas where there are active fires and emergency crews are working, with weapons, because you think you're going to hunt down the arsonists It's danger to yourself, it's a danger to innocent people who you could mistake for arsonists, and it's a danger to the rescue crews who might have to save you from harm you do to yourself."The Bros star continued, "I love free speech, [and] I love America protecting free speech, but I think that people advocating, modeling, and doing dangerous things during times of crisis is dumb and it's wrong. I feel obliged to say: I don't think you should do it. I don't think you should encourage people to do it. I think it's really dumb. And I think, if you don't like California, I'm excited for you to leave."See on Instagram@theserfstv shared a Family Guy meme that shows Lois Griffin staring at a pill bottle that reads:"Throwing LGBTQ+ people under the bus to salvage dead career." (@) X user @KrangTNelson wrote:"[Seeing people pour gasoline into the sewer] f*ck I gotta text comedian Whitney Cummings about this." (@) Cummings is far from the only person to blame LGBTQ+ people for the L.A. fires. In addition to the online vitriol aimed at Crowley, a man made headlines last week for saying "all the gay people in L.A." were responsible for the destruction in an interview with local reporters, who quickly shut him down.This story is developing

January 14, 2025 Mr. Mark Zuckerberg Via Email Re: Meta civil rights advisory groups grave concerns with content policy changes Dear Mr. Zuckerberg, As a group of external experts whom Meta has convened for years to advise on how its policies impact marginalized communities, we write to express our grave concern surrounding Metas recently announced [...]The post A Letter to Mark Zuckerberg first appeared on GLAAD.