Politicians and community members await a news conference with California Gov. Gavin Newsom Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)2025-08-14T18:47:02Z LOS ANGELES (AP) California Gov. Gavin Newsom is calling for a Nov. 4 special election on new U.S. House maps designed to win more Democratic seats.His move is in response to Republican efforts to pick up five seats in Texas. Newsom released a campaign ad on social media Thursday as Democrats kicked off a press conference.State lawmakers technically need to declare the special election and they plan to do so next week.Democrats have not yet released their draft maps, but they aim to pick up five more seats.The maps need voter approval. Thats because voters previously granted the power to draw maps to an independent commission instead of lawmakers. TRN NGUYN Nguyn is an Associated Press reporter covering California government and politics. mailto

U.S. Border Patrol agent David Maland is recognized with military honors before his burial at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, on Feb. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr, file)2025-08-14T18:25:07Z A woman accused of killing a U.S. Border Patrol agent during a Vermont traffic stop in January has been indicted on murder and other new charges that make her eligible for the death penalty.Teresa Youngblut, 21, of Washington state, is a member of the Zizians, a cultlike group of radical computer scientists focused on veganism, gender identity and artificial intelligence who have been linked to six killings in three states. Shes accused of fatally shooting agent David Maland on Jan. 20, the same day President Donald Trump was inaugurated and signed a sweeping executive order lifting the moratorium on federal executions.Youngblut initially was charged with using a deadly weapon against law enforcement and discharging a firearm during an assault with a deadly weapon. But the Trump administration signaled early on that more serious charges were coming. In February, Attorney General Pam Bondi mentioned Malands death as an example in saying she expects federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in cases involving the murder of law enforcement officers. Under a four-count indictment made public Thursday, Youngblut was charged with murder of a federal law enforcement officer, using a gun while assaulting an officer, using a gun during a violent crime and using a gun during a murder. Prosecutors have not yet confirmed that they will seek the death penalty based on the new charges, but Youngbluts attorneys recently said they had been given a July 28 deadline to offer preliminary evidence about why she should be spared such a punishment. They asked a judge last month to delay that deadline until January, but the judge declined. At the time of the shooting, authorities had been watching Youngblut and her companion, Felix Bauckholt, for several days after a Vermont hotel employee reported seeing them carrying guns and wearing black tactical gear. Shes accused of opening fire on border agents who pulled the car over on Interstate 91. An agent fired back, killing Bauckholt and wounding Youngblut. Stay up to date with the latest U.S. news by signing up to our WhatsApp channel. The pair were among the followers of Jack LaSota, a transgender woman also known as Ziz whose online writing attracted young, highly intelligent computer scientists who shared anarchist beliefs. Members of the group have been tied to the death of one of their own during an attack on a California landlord in 2022, the landlords subsequent killing earlier this year, and the deaths of a Pennsylvania couple in between. LaSota and two others face weapons and drug charges in Maryland, where they were arrested in February, while LaSota faces additional federal charges of being an armed fugitive. Maximilian Snyder, who is charged with killing the landlord in California, had applied for a marriage license with Youngblut. Michelle Zajko, whose parents were killed in Pennsylvania, was arrested with LaSota in Maryland, and has been charged with providing weapons to Youngblut in Vermont. Vermont abolished its state death penalty in 1972. The last person sentenced to death in the state on federal charges was Donald Fell, who was convicted in 2005 of abducting and killing a supermarket worker five years earlier. But the conviction and sentence were later thrown out because of juror misconduct, and in 2018, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison.____Ramer reported from Concord, New Hampshire

Following the presidents announcement on Wednesday that hell award singer Gloria Gaynor a Kennedy Center Honor for her lifetime of achievement in the arts, The View host Ana Navarro urged her to reject it.Dont do it, Gloria! Navarro posted to Instagram on Thursday. Related Is it actually gay? Heres the true meaning of the song YMCA Navarro extolled the singer, 81, best known for her gay anthem I Will Survive, while calling out the president as a stain on the prestige and significance of the Kennedy Center Honors.Look, the woman is a goddess and deserves all the flowers that come her way, Navarro said of Gaynor. But I wish she wouldnt accept an award from the hands of a man who has attacked the rights and history of women, people of color and LGBTQ. The gay community in particular, helped turn her signature song into an anthem. 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 View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ana Navarro-Crdenas (@ananavarrofl)Despite Navarros invocation of the gay community, Gaynors relationship with LGBTQ+ people could be called tenuous.Four years after the release of I Will Survive in 1978, Gaynor became a Christian and distanced herself from a past she considered sinful.Asked in a 2007 interview with the U.K.s Radio 4 if she had any opposition to homosexuality, Gaynor said of the gay community, I want to lead them to Christ and what he has for them. I want to lead them to Him. I want to lead them to truth.She said her I Will Survive anthem provided a platform for my purpose, which is to bring the love of Christ to all of my fans. Because they trust me, I think.Gaynor hasnt responded publicly to Navarros suggestion, but following the announcement of the award, she reposted a video to her Instagram story along with congratulations from a friend, according to The Wrap.Gaynor appeared on The View in 2009 to promote the 30th anniversary of I Will Survive. It feels great to have such a song like that because I get kids five and six years old telling me they like the song, and then people seventy-five and eighty. Its quite an honor, she said in a 2012 interview.Apparently, Gaynor can count the president among those older fans.The president shared at a press conference at the Kennedy Center on Wednesday that he was about 98% involved in the selection of the honorees, which include Gaynor, right-wing Rambo star Sylvester Stallone, Phantom of the Opera actor Michael Crawford, country music artist George Strait, and glam rock metal band Kiss.All of the picks made their names in the 1980s, at the same time that the president himself rose to fame on a tide of self-promotion in New Yorks daily tabloids. But a Kennedy Center honor has eluded him, he told the press and administration officials assembled to applaud his taste in arts and culture.I would have taken it if they would have called me, the former Apprentice host said in a rambling monologue, which included the news hell be hosting the Kennedy Center Honors himself in December.I waited and waited and waited and I said: To hell with it, Ill become chairman and Ill give myself an honor, adding that maybe next year hell honor himself.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Nature, Published online: 14 August 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-02587-7The journal Science has lifted an expression of concern on a paper claiming evidence of Majorana quasiparticles and added new details.

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Taylor Swift performs at the Paris Le Defense Arena as a part of her Eras Tour concert in Paris, May 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Lewis Joly, File)2025-08-14T15:52:41Z Taylor Swifts upcoming album release and her love of all things orange isnt lost on her fans - or brands that are seeking a ride on what has become an enormous economic tailwind.On Wednesday after Swift went on the New Heights podcast co-hosted by her boyfriend and NFL football star Travis Kelce to announce the imminent release of her 12th studio album The Life of a Showgirl, major companies went into marketing overdrive. The reason? Swifts ability to generate buzz and draw dollars. Swifts tour appearances have become economic events. The singers Eras Tour two years ago was the first such tour to cross the billion-dollar mark, according to Pollstars 2023 year-end charts. Cities and their surrounding areas registered a sizeable economic boost after Swift appeared, with thousands of fans making the pilgrimage and spending money at hotels, restaurants and elsewhere. Companies are no longer waiting to capitalize on Swifts gravitational pull and orange-themed memes from big brands began rolling out almost immediately. That is because Swift appeared onstage wearing orange numerous times towards the end of her Eras Tour and she discussed her feelings about the color on the Wednesday podcast. Numerous corporations, from United Airlines to Olive Garden, began posting orange hued memes on their own social media accounts soon after the new album was announced. Shake Shack, FedEx, Buffalo Wild Wings, Cinnabon, Walmart and Netflix did, too. More than a dozen NHL teams followed with posts on social media acknowledging Swifts new album, both north and south of the border. Even X got in on the action, declaring that it had a new profile pic: a glittery orange X. The post has garnered 5.5 million views so far.Google is using its search engine to celebrate the October release of Swifts The Life of a Showgirl. Users search for Taylor Swift, are greeted with a stream of orange digital confetti, along with a flaming orange heart and the phrase, And, baby, thats show business for you. Many, it seemed, saw value in tying their brand to Swift. Swift mentioned during the Wednesday podcast that she had Lasik eye surgery. The X account for LASIK.com wasted no time promoting the fortuitous namedrop.i got LASIK, i have incredible vision, they posted, accompanied by a video of Swift giving a shout out to the procedure on the New Heights podcast. TAYLOR SWIFT EVERYONE (red heart emoji). WEVE PEEKED!!!!!!!!The post currently has more than 389,000 views and 15,000 likes.

Republicans are demanding that a gay school board member resign because of his new position with a local Pride organization. The GOP is saying that he has overt conflicts of interest because of his work for the LGBTQ+ community, which they call a small minority.Tom Edwards is serving his second term on the Sarasota County School Board, the same school board that anti-LGBTQ+ Moms for Liberty co-founder Bridget Zeigler is on. In 2024, Zeigler and her husbands three-ways with women were publicly revealed as part of an investigation into accusations of sexual assault made against Zeiglers husband by one of the women the couple had sex with. Her husband denied the allegations and did not face any criminal charges because law enforcement believed that there was not sufficient evidence to prosecute. Related Explosive police report reveals how Moms for Liberty co-founder arranged bisexual threesomes But the Republican Party of Sarasota (RPOS) is now focused on Edwards, who was highly critical of Zeigler, saying that his position as executive director of Project Pride SRQ means he cant be a school board member anymore.Tom Edwards will have overt conflicts of interest, RPOS said in a statement according to Florida Politics, adding that Project Pride SRQ supports a radical ideology rejected by the vast majority of Americans. Project Pride SRQs website says that it organizes local events for the LGBTQ+ community, provides scholarships, and partners with other organizations, businesses, and governments to advance LGBTQ+ equality. 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 Tom Edwards can do whatever that he wants in his private life, RPOS continued. But this position leverages him as a School Board member to push programs in the public, taxpayer-funded schools of which he has enormous influence. He cannot hold this position and look out for the well-being of all students. He clearly is incentivized to prioritize a small minority.RPOS Chair Jack Brill was more direct in a statement, accusing Edwards of having radical LGBTQ beliefs completely out of touch with what the Sarasota County community of parents want. This isnt the first time Edwards has faced homophobia connected to his work on the school board. At a 2023 school board meeting, a resident associated with the Proud Boys called him an LGBTQ groomer and a threat to the innocence of our children because hes gay.What Tom stands for and what he wants to do to our children isnt what a majority of Sarasota parents, voters, and the community support, the resident said, using language that local Republicans would echo two years later.Edwards said he asked Zeigler, the chair of the board, to shut down those slurs being directed at him. Instead, Zeigler interrupted the hateful speaker to scold some people in the crowd who were booing. So Edwards walked out of the meeting. He walked out not because I was feeling offended but because I felt that I needed to protect our LGBTQ+ students and their allies, he told LGBTQ Nation. Because weve done a really good job of creating acceptance and understanding within public education, and all of a sudden you have these wackos screaming at the top of their lungs and confusing our students. So, I felt like I needed to shut the meeting down. And the best way I could do that, shy of a fire alarm, was just to get up and walk out.In a press release, Project Pride SRQ celebrated Edwards becoming their executive director, saying that his reputation as a moderate will help build coalitions that foster inclusivity and stand against the elimination of human rights for any element of the population. One of the projects he will work on is a peer-to-peer support squad to help the victims of bullying, the press release says. Were thrilled to welcome Tom as our new executive director, said Project Pride SRQ board president Justyn Hunter-Ceruti. His leadership, experience, and deep ties to the community will be invaluable as we step into this next chapter. I look forward to working with Tom to advance our mission and ensure that Project Pride continues to be a powerful force for inclusion, connection, and resilience in Sarasota and beyond.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Luke Macfarlane knows what turns him on!Bros and Platonic star was a guest on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen when he revealed some spicy secrets about his love life.Cohen had Rose Byrne, Seth Rogan, and Luke Macfarlane on his show to talk about their series Platonic. During the episode, he had Macfarlane and Byrne play a cheeky game of Pillow Talk. The game features Cohen and the celebs holding a pillow up to their ear and answering questions about their love lives.Cohen started by asking the two who their first celebrity crushes were. "Kylie Minogue," Byrne answered."Controversially, it was Mark Wahlberg," Macfarlane said. Mark Wahlberg for Calvin Klein.Calvin Klein Later, Cohen asked Macfarlane what his "oddest turn on" is."I like sticky-outy ears when people have sticky-outy ears," Macfarlane said, pressing his ears out. "I find it really sexy when a guy has sticky-outty ears.""Big Alfred E. Neuman fan?" Rogan joked."Oh, you do! So like, Russell Tovey?" Cohen offered."Russell Tovey has sticky-outy ears," Macfarlane agreed before smiling and giggling. Russell Tovey in 'The Pass.'Toledo ProductionsCohen's next question for Macfarlane was asking him to describe himself "as a lover in three words.""Listen, touch, kiss," Macfarlane answered after thinking about it for a moment.Finally, Cohen asked him when he last cried."Being in New York City today, I was walking down a street that I remember walking down when I was 19 years old when I first moved here," he said, making a pouty face and drawing "awws" from the audience. "I totally mean that."The second season of Platonic is streaming now on Apple TV+.Watch the full interview featuring Luke Macfarlane on Watch What Happens Live, below.

Thank you, GQ!Hasan Piker is the latest celeb to strip down in a new spread for the popular men's magazine, and he certainly didn't disappoint.The popular left-wing influencer has a massive gay following, so he certainly knew what his fans would want out of a steamy summer photoshoot.It's safe to say that Piker does it all in the spicy pics as he takes a dip in a pool, spreads out on a couch, and even poses seductively in a bathtub. The internet went feral online, so check out the reactions below. (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@)

Homophobic conservative actor Kevin Sorbo is being roasted after making rude comments about the new male cheerleaders who just joined the Minnesota Vikings squad. When the Vikings announced that dancers Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn were joining the cheerleading team, MAGA immediately started melting down.Sorbo quickly jumped on the anti-LGBTQ+ bandwagon by reposting a video clip of Shiek dancing in his new Vikings uniform on X, writing, Ive been a Vikings fan all my life sigh. I need a new team now. (@) Usually, people might have been angry about his comment and moved on, but social media users with excellent memories were quick to point out Sorbos hypocrisy. This you? one person commented alongside a photo of Sorbo passionately kissing another man in the film Meet the Spartans. (@) Looks like the 66-year-old actor-turned conspiracy peddler might have forgotten that he once went gay for pay and locked mustaches with a hot guy while shirtless. Other people also reminded Sorbo that when he starred in Hercules, he used to have long, luscious locks that looked an awful lot like the way the cheerleader he hates styles his hair. (@) This is far from the first time Sorbo has shown his true colors. In 2021, his Facebook account was removed after he shared false claims about the coronavirus and vaccines. And not only is he a Trump supporter, but hes repeated the presidents false claims of election fraud and initially supported the January 6 insurrection.Sorbo might have thought hed find a lot of people on the internet and agreed with him about the male cheerleaders and sadly there were a lot but his comments were also flooded with people calling him out in hilarious ways. (@) "Kevin Sorbo after hes watched this video 50 times." (@) "You've literally kissed men" (@) "The fact that the man who portrayed freaking Hercules is so damn fragile is wild to me." (@) "Didnt you wear the exact same outfits in Hercules?" (@) "Kevin, is it too difficult for you to avert your gaze from the gyrating man?" (@) "Bruh...this IS you." (@) "KSorbs: 'The gays hurt my feelings.' Also KSorbs:" (@) (@) "wont be able to keep your eyes off the male cheerleaders?" (@) "So gay for pay is okay?"

A Justice Department employee, who became an overnight internet celebrity this week, has been fired and charged with felony assault after allegedly throwing a wrapped sandwich at a federal officer during a federal law enforcement special deployment in Washington, D.C., the night before President Donald Trump seized control of the citys police force.Sean Charles Dunn, 37, an international affairs specialist in the departments criminal division, was arrested Sunday on the U Street corridor in Northwest Washington, a neighborhood celebrated for its Black cultural legacy and LGBTQ-friendly nightlife. The area has also become a flashpoint since Trumps early-August decision to flood D.C. streets with federal agents under the banner of a crime crackdown, despite Justice Department and Metropolitan Police data showing violent crime at its lowest point in three decades.According to court filings, Dunn confronted U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agent Gregory Lairmore around 11 p.m., standing within inches of the agents face and shouting, Fuck you! You fucking fascists! Why are you here? I dont want you in my city!Related: Man accused of throwing a Subway sandwich at border agent in D.C. charged with felonyThe incident was captured in an Instagram video that quickly went viral online. The footage shows Dunn holding a footlong Subway sandwich in one hand while gesturing with the other, continuing to shout at the officers. After stepping back briefly, he winds his arm behind him and throws the sandwich at Lairmore, striking him in the chest. The wrapped sandwich bounces off the agents flak vest before Dunn turns and sprints across the street. Several officers give chase as bystanders observe.Dunn was apprehended moments later. While being processed at the Metropolitan Police Departments Third District, he allegedly told an officer, I did it. I threw a sandwich.Attorney General Pam Bondi, a key ally in Trumps Justice Department reshaping, announced Dunns firing Thursday on X. If you touch any law enforcement officer, we will come after you, she wrote. She said that she had just discovered that he was a DOJ employee. Not only is he FIRED, he has been charged with a felony. This is an example of the Deep State we have been up against for seven months as we work to refocus DOJ. (@) U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, who has defended Trumps unprecedented police takeover, previously wrote on X, This guy thought it was funny. Well, he doesnt think its funny today.For residents of U Street and across D.C., where nearly 15 percent of adults identify as LGBTQ+, the surge of federal power into local streets has become a vivid reminder of how quickly the citys character and freedoms can be tested.The sandwich-throwing incident came less than 24 hours before Trump invoked Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to seize control of the Metropolitan Police Department for 30 days, a move condemned by civil rights advocates and Democratic leaders as authoritarian.

A deposition of right-wing political activist Laura Loomer in her lawsuit against HBO host Bill Maher offered her one more platform to hurl homophobic insults at politicians she hates. That includes figures on the left, like former Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, but also Republican figures, including U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham.Loomer filed a lawsuit against the HBO host, who has his own history of anti-transgender rhetoric, after he said on the Real Time with Bill Maher show during the campaign that the influencer might be f---ing Trump. In her court deposition, which her own attorneys made public in a filing, she said the joke cost her any chance to join the White House staff after Trumps election in November.But Maher's attorney, Katherine Bolger, also raised a number of controversial remarks Loomer has made, including insinuations about Grahams sexuality. In September, Loomer on the X platform wrote: "When is Lindsey coming out of the closet? We all know youre gay, Lindsey and thats ok."She went on to write: "There's no reason why Lindsey Graham, South Carolina, needs to hide the fact that he's a gay man. Come on, Lindsey. I like men too. No need to hide. I want you to relieve yourself of your toxic closeted anger. It's 2024. Nobody needs to hide that they're gay anymore."She defended those remarks to Bolger, who raised the exchange.c"I called him 'gay,'" she said. "Its well-known. Several of President Trump's staff have told me in confidence that that Lindsey Graham is gay."Further, she said a number of people in Republican circles "told me that they've attended dinners where he's brought male significant individuals with him -- like, significant others.""I will say that he never denied being gay after I said that," she said.Bolger stressed she did not ask for Loomer to explain the accusation, and Loomers own attorney, Larry Klayman, objected to the topic being further discussed.Bolger also raised a similar attack by Loomer on Emhoff, Vice President Kamala Harris husband, this one more focused on his masculinity.Weeks before the election, Loomer posted, "If you call yourself, 'Second Gentleman,' you're just gay. Men aren't supposed to be second to women. It's called biological hierarchy, and we should respect it. There's a reason why she tells him to 'answer your effing phone.' She has no respect for him because he's lowered himself into being a loser."Asked if Loomer had any reason to think Emhoff was gay, she clarified she did not mean he was a homosexual."'Gay' can mean either homosexual, or it can also just mean, like, you're, like, weak. You know, it's like also used as a term to describe, like, weak men. It is. So it's like a and I do believe that he's a weak man," Loomer said.She went on to say Maher would not understand "respect in a relationship" because he hasn't been married, though Loomer also is not married. She said in the deposition that she has had a boyfriend for a year.The Florida-based Loomer also discussed her ejection from the Pulse trial, where prosecutors unsuccessfully sought a criminal conviction against the wife of dead shooter Omar Mateen, who killed 49 people at a gay nightclub in Orlando in 2016. Loomer's press credentials were revoked shortly after she followed the family of Noor Salman into the parking lot after her questions incited a sudden end to a press conference.But she recalled the event differently.I, during the press conference, asked the family members of the terrorists whether or not they condemned jihad. And the family was being represented by CAIR, which is the group that lobbied Twitter to ban me, she said. They've been designated as an Islamic terrorist organization in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.She went on to further criticize CAIR -- the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a DC-based nonprofit that advocates for Muslim civil rights. She also suggested Salman should not have beaten the charges.

The hills werent alive with music this week, they were echoing with Andy Cohens searing takedown of Kim Davis, the former Kentucky county clerk who once refused marriage licenses to same-sex couples and is now asking the U.S. Supreme Court to erase marriage equality.Davis, who spent five days in jail in 2015 for contempt of court, is once again making headlines after petitioning the court in July to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges, the landmark ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. Since that decision, more than 800,000 LGBTQ+ couples have wed in the United States.A History of DefianceDavis first gained notoriety after she denied a marriage license to David Ermold and David Moore in Rowan County, Kentucky. She argued that issuing the license would violate her religious beliefs, even after the Supreme Court ruled marriage equality was a constitutional right.Her legal team now claims the Obergefell ruling was flawed and has caused disastrous results for religious liberty. Alongside seeking to overturn the decision, Davis is requesting over $350,000 in damages and legal fees, money tied to the compensation she was ordered to pay Ermold and Moore.Cohens Blistering ResponseOn a recent episode of Watch What Happens Live, Cohen named Davis his jack hole of the day and delivered a roast that would make a Real Housewife blush.Lady, youve been married four times to three different people, reportedly getting pregnant with husband number three while still married to husband number one, Cohen said. And you want to lecture us on the sanctity of marriage?He didnt stop there. Cohen suggested Davis might want to prioritize self-reflection over dismantling basic rights: How about you take your high-body-count hair, bigoted, bump-it ass to therapy to figure out your relationship issues before you try to nuke our basic civil rights.The host closed the segment by pointing his middle finger toward the floor and declaring, Overturn this, lady!Marital Record Under ScrutinyAccording to Newsweek, Davis married Dwain Allen Wallace in the 1980s and divorced in 1994, the same year she gave birth to children fathered by another man. She later married Joe Davis, divorced him in 2006, married Thomas McIntyre in 2007 for a single year, and remarried Joe Davis in 2009.Her attorney, Mat Staver, has previously said Davis regrets many of the decisions she made and loves the Lord but cannot act against her beliefs.The Bigger PictureThe Supreme Court has not yet indicated whether it will hear Davis challenge. If accepted, the case could become a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S. and another test of how far religious liberty arguments can go in rolling back hard-won civil rights.For now, Cohens viral rant ensures that even if Davis legal battle gains traction, shell have a tough time avoiding the publics side-eye.Source

Twelve men, two drag icons and one very glittery crown are taking center stage in a new competition that blends camp comedy with a public health push.The Mr. MISTR Pageant, created by LGBTQ+ telehealth company MISTR, is equal parts satire and service announcement. Its hosted by Mistress Isabelle Brooks, while Violet Chachki presides over the judging table with her signature precision.Part spoof of traditional beauty contests and part sexual health awareness campaign, the show trades ball gowns for harnesses and tiaras for well, sometimes lube bottles.More Than Just a Pretty FaceThe contestants are the 2025 MISTR class, a lineup that includes Bruno Alcantara, Harold Cabrera Ruiz, Chase Carlson, Christian Dante White, Dany Juvier, Kyle Krieger, Jordan Lipes, David Oberto, Robert Prez, Ty Talley, Doryin Thames and Dru Vu. Each is tasked with delivering pageant-worthy flair while highlighting key messages about HIV and STI prevention.We can talk about HIV prevention, or we can throw a shirtless pageant judged by drag royalty, said Tristan Schukraft, MISTRs founder and CEO. The Mr. MISTR Pageant is fun, flirty, and a little unhinged. Its proof that sexual health can be a party.Turning Advocacy Into EntertainmentThe series humor is intentional. Contestants strut, twirl and occasionally monologue about PrEP and DoxyPEP, prevention medications that MISTR provides free of charge to patients across the country.PrEP, a once-daily pill, can reduce the risk of HIV by 99%, while DoxyPEP, taken after sex, lowers the risk of certain bacterial STIs. The telehealth platform, which serves more than 500,000 patients, offers both medications to insured and uninsured individuals with discreet home delivery.By framing these conversations in an outrageous pageant format, MISTR aims to make discussions about sexual health more approachable and engaging.Where to WatchEpisodes of the Mr. MISTR Pageant are streaming now on MISTRs Instagram.In addition to laughs, the series leaves viewers with an easy call-to-action: visit mistr.com to sign up for PrEP and DoxyPEP without cost, judgment or lengthy clinic visits.From high heels to high-impact health education, the Mr. MISTR Pageant proves you can crown a winner and spread an important message, sometimes all in the same strut down the runway.Source

Nature, Published online: 14 August 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-02578-8Stunning results in mice herald gene-editing advances for neurological diseases.

Nature, Published online: 14 August 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-02562-2A coffee variety called liberica, which is gaining popularity for the distinctive flavour of its beans, is actually three species.

Following the NBA's schedule release, our insiders breakdown which 2025-26 games have the most intrigue.

Former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomos proposal is a dig at Zohran Mamdani, his main opponent in the mayors race, but it could upend the housing search for middle-income New Yorkers.

Officials and volunteers patrolled areas around schools, part of an effort to warn families about potential raids and reassure them that their children were safe at school.

The Justice Department said the yacht, Amadea, was worth at least $300 million when it was seized in 2022 from a Russian oligarch. Its unlikely to sell for that price.

A 60-year-old man was hospitalized with rare bromide poisoning after replacing table salt with sodium bromide based on advice given by ChatGPT, despite the FDA claiming the substance is unsafe for human consumption. What do you think?ChatGPT tells me the solution here is more sodium bromide.Mark Bratos, Retired WhalerSee? No good ever comes from consuming less salt.Jacqueline Pino, Keyboard CleanerThats why I only trust ChatGPT with advice about my mental health.Rhys Hamons, Scooter DetailerThe post Man Poisoned After Taking Dietary Advice From ChatGPT appeared first on The Onion.

This September, Atlanta will host Haus of Move Campa 3-day immersive sync songwriting and music industry development experience designed for Black and Brown trans and queer artists, songwriters, and producers. Taking place September 2628, the camp is a program of the 2AM Ricky M.O.V.E. (Mobilizing Opportunities for Visibility and Empowerment) Initiative and powered by Blaze [...]The post Haus of Move Camp: Building Power & Creativity for Black and Brown LGBTQ+ Artists first appeared on GLAAD.

Your average person might be excited for the upcoming film Splitsville because of Dakota Johnsons starring role or the promise of raunchy comedy, but the gays are buying tickets in the hopes of seeing all of Charlie Gillespie.The upcoming movie from Neon released a trailer, and eagle-eyed fans quickly noticed there is a short scene of Gillespie standing in his birthday suit with only an acoustic guitar covering his pole. (@) Photos of Gillespie showing off his cut physique, with the goods just barely out of sight, are currently going viral on X, where the post has already racked up 1.5 million views.People have been crushing on Gillespie since he starred in Julie and the Phantoms and Totally Killer, but it looks like his newest role is going to be much more adult.And the spicy pics where you even get a sneak peek of his V have the gays on social media spiraling, and we can see why. Keep scrolling to see the funniest reactions! (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@)

Payment processor Stripe has issued an apology and refuted the allegations that it has banned the purchase of LGBTQ+ goods.Developers and supporters of LGBTQ+ games have recently expressed concerns over the deindexing and/or removal of NSFW games on itch.io and Steam, with some creators sharing that even their SFW games featuring LGBTQ+ (often female-centric) content have been removed from search.Gamers have been contacting various payment processors en masse after being told they were responsible for the sudden policy shift and extreme correction. Stripe in particular became a big target of the efforts after Itch founder Leaf mentioned them by name.In recent days, multiple people have alleged that Stripe customer service agents have informed them directly that the company has recently restricted the purchase of all LGBTQ+ goods."twice today, when pressured, Strip operators have said, plainly, that i cannot use stripe for the purchase of LGBTQ content," wrote Bluesky user @dieselbrain. "not just adult content, but explicitly LGBTQ."@mostlycogent reported a similar experience, saying they were told that Stripe is, in fact, blocking "non-explicit, legal, non-adult LGBT content" because they're a "private company, we make our own rules about it." (@) The concern and outrage prompted a public response from Mark Jansen, the Head of Policy Communications at Stripe."Sorry for the confusionthis is not our policy," he wrote. "Stripe has no prohibitions on the sale of LGBTQ+ content or goods."The company echoed that sentiment in statements to several publications."We apologize: the information given by our support team was totally wrong," Stripe spokesperson Casey Becker told The Verge, repeating that they have "no prohibitions on the sale of LGBTQ+ content or goods."There are still a lot of questions and concern at hand, despite the company's response.As @dieselbrain pointed out, even if Stripe doesn't have an official policy against LGBTQ+ content, it's still extremely likely targeting adult content will disproportionately affect LGBTQ+ creators, as we have seen happen time and time again.

In an unexpected turn of events, it seems that singers Lana Del Rey and Ethel Cain are butting heads online. On Thursday, Rey uploaded a snippet of a song off her upcoming album to Instagram and in the song, she can be heard singing, "Ethel Cain hated my Instagram post / Think its cute reenacting my Chicago pose." See on Instagram The lyrics confused her fans, many of whom were confused as to why she mentioned Cain in the first place. But it seemed like others were in on this seemingly long-simmering drama going on between the two singer-songwriters and it looks like a man is at the center of it all.In 2022, Rey took a picture with her ex-boyfriend, Jack Donoghue, outside of the Cook County Jail, and not too soon after, Cain posted a photo of herself with Donoghue. (@) IIn the song, Rey also sings, "The most famous girl at the Waffle House/ I dont regret it/ The most famous girl at the Waffle House." Many people think that this is a nod to a 2022 profile in the New York Times of Cain that was titled, "The Most Famous Girl at the Waffle House." Just a year later, Rey worked a shift at a Waffle House as a publicity stunt that many are now considering to be shade toward Cain's stint at the restaurant chain. (@) After the snippet was uploaded, Cain took to her Instagram stories to say that Rey blocked her on the platform. (@) Rey later cleared some things up in the comments section of @PopBase's Instagram and wrote about why she feels there is bad blood between her and Cain. "I didnt know who Ethel was until a few years ago when someone brought to my attention the disturbing and graphic side-by-side images she would often put up of me next to unflattering creatures and cartoon characters, making constant comments about my weight, I was confused at what she was getting at," the comments read. "Then, when I heard what she was saying behind closed doors from mutual friends and started inserting herself into my personal life, I was definitely disturbed. (@) Their beef seems to date all the way back to 2018 when Cain was posting on the CuriousCat platform and uploaded some racist posts that were recently resurfaced, and she's since apologized for. In 2020, she began to criticize Rey online and in interviews after people had repeatedly compared the two artists.Both of the singers' fans want them to move on from this spat, and everyone is hoping the two will have a Lorde/Charli XCX moment where they work things out on the remix. But, knowing Rey, that doesn't seem likely.

Prosecutors have declined to file a formal misdemeanor battery charge against Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins, a spokesperson for the Broward State Attorney's Office in Florida told ESPN.

The sexual assault case against former Texas wide receiver Isaiah Bond has been no-billed and he faces no further criminal charges, Collin County (Texas) District Attorney Greg Willis said.

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has not practiced during training camp because of an aggravated disk in his back, will work out Saturday morning.

To be one nation, we have to embrace ground-up social change.

The armed and masked agents assembled outside the museum where the governor was speaking. Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles called it a provocative act.

A cognitive scientist, she used the language of computers to explore the nature of human thought and creativity, offering prescient insights about A.I.

See how two designers suggested I (safely) hide the out-of-place outlet in the middle of my wall. READ MORE...

A mural by artist Tene Smith is seen near the entrance of Chicago Women in Trades, a nonprofit dedicated to training and retaining women in the skilled construction trades is photographed April 1, 2025, at the facility in Chicago. (AP Photo/Claire Savage, File)2025-08-14T21:09:12Z WASHINGTON (AP) A federal judge on Thursday struck down two Trump administration actions aimed at eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion programs at the nations schools and universities.In her ruling, U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher in Maryland found that the Education Department violated the law when it threatened to cut federal funding from educational institutions that continued with DEI initiatives.The guidance has been on hold since April when three federal judges blocked various portions of the Education Departments anti-DEI measures. The ruling Thursday followed a motion for summary judgment from the American Federation of Teachers and the American Sociological Association, which challenged the governments actions in a February lawsuit.The case centers on two Education Department memos ordering schools and universities to end all race-based decision-making or face penalties up to a total loss of federal funding. Its part of a campaign to end practices the Trump administration frames as discrimination against white and Asian American students. The new ruling orders the department to scrap the guidance because it runs afoul of procedural requirements, though Gallagher wrote that she took no view on whether the policies were good or bad, prudent or foolish, fair or unfair. Gallagher, who was appointed by President Donald Trump, rejected the governments argument that the memos simply served to remind schools that discrimination is illegal. It initiated a sea change in how the Department of Education regulates educational practices and classroom conduct, causing millions of educators to reasonably fear that their lawful, and even beneficial, speech might cause them or their schools to be punished, Gallagher wrote. Democracy Forward, a legal advocacy firm representing the plaintiffs, called it an important victory over the administrations attack on DEI. Threatening teachers and sowing chaos in schools throughout America is part of the administrations war on education, and today the people won, said Skye Perryman, the groups president and CEO.The Education Department did not immediately comment on Thursday.The conflict started with a Feb. 14 memo declaring that any consideration of race in admissions, financial aid, hiring or other aspects of academic and student life would be considered a violation of federal civil rights law.The memo dramatically expanded the governments interpretation of a 2023 Supreme Court decision barring colleges from considering race in admissions decisions. The government argued the ruling applied not only to admissions but across all of education, forbidding race-based preferences of any kind.Educational institutions have toxically indoctrinated students with the false premise that the United States is built upon systemic and structural racism and advanced discriminatory policies and practices, wrote Craig Trainor, the acting assistant secretary of the departments Office for Civil Rights. A further memo in April asked state education agencies to certify they were not using illegal DEI practices. Violators risked losing federal money and being prosecuted under the False Claims Act, it said.In total, the guidance amounted to a full-scale reframing of the governments approach to civil rights in education. It took aim at policies that were created to address longstanding racial disparities, saying those practices were their own form of discrimination.The memos drew a wave of backlash from states and education groups that called it illegal government censorship.In its lawsuit, the American Federation of Teachers said the government was imposing unclear and highly subjective limits on schools across the country. It said teachers and professors had to choose between chilling their constitutionally protected speech and association or risk losing federal funds and being subject to prosecution.___The Associated Press education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. COLLIN BINKLEY Binkley covers the U.S. Education Department and federal education policy for The Associated Press, along with a wide range of issues from K-12 through higher education. twitter mailto

Laverne Cox is speaking her truth.The outspoken trans icon has constantly stood up for LGBTQ+ equality and even called out the Republican party on their hypocritical ideologies over the years.Cox recently admitted that she even dated a conservative police officer for an extended period of time, which resulted in quite a bit of backlash from her queer peers.While attending the grand opening for The Tryst Puerto Vallarta back in April, the star opened up on her healing journey and why she's not interested in dating anyone at this time of her life."I feel like my worst behavior's behind me. I'm a good girl now. My bad behavior was back in the day. The boys were just so delicious and so wonderful. We were feeling each other! I lived and I'm still alive. It's kind of a miracle! We were doing some things," Cox tells PRIDE. See on Instagram Although she's moved on from her wild days, Cox is now focusing on herself more than ever, and she's not even interested in having any spicy hookups with anyone in her life."I'm really kind of over men right now. I feel done for the moment. I have no desire to go on a date. I have no desire to have sex right now, which is weird. I love myself. I love my body. I look good! I feel like more myself than I ever have before."The Emmy winner believes the best is yet to come for her and that she'll be able to continue to evolve as a person in all of her personal and professional endeavors."I've healed so much through these relationships. Relationships come into our lives to heal childhood trauma. The last relationship was deeply healing, even though it didn't work out. It's a miracle! The only thing that makes sense is that God had something in mind for me."Fans can follow Laverne Cox on Instagram here. To see the full interview, check out the video at the top of the page.

The talks on Friday in Alaska pull the Russian leader out of diplomatic isolation from the West, and Ukrainian and European leaders fear it gives him an opening to sway the American president.

State prosecutors had previously charged the man with second-degree murder in the deaths of State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband.

The leader of Democrats in the Texas House said the battle over redistricting, which could determine control of Congress, is likely to continue in the courts.

The Trump administration has taken steps that have hobbled Washingtons efforts to reduce crime, such as gutting its U.S. attorneys office and enacting budget cuts of more than $1 billion.

The City Council is likely to override most of Mayor Eric Adamss recent vetoes. Still, the mayor seems eager for a fight over bills affecting grocery delivery workers and street vendors.

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