In an early morning post on Truth Social Thursday, Donald Trump declared that California schools that defy his anti-trans directives will lose federal funding. Any California school district that doesnt adhere to our Transgender policies, will not be funded. Thank you for your attention to this matter! he stated with no further explanation. Related DOJ demands private info on trans youth patients from 20 gender-affirming medical providers The Trump administration has sued California over the states refusal to ban transgender girls and women from participating in school sports.The state of California has had a law allowing trans kids to participate in school sports as their gender since 2013 and has refused to violate it despite the administrations stance against trans sports participation.This past February, Trump signed an executive order to block federal funding for schools that allow trans girls and women to participate in school sports as their authentic selves, and the order told the DOJ to prosecute schools that allow trans students to play sports. The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) launched an investigation into the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), which handles school sports in the state, for sex-based discrimination under Title IX. 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 The current administration is arguing that allowing trans girls to play school sports takes away critical visibility for college scholarships and recognition from cis girls, who are also denied awards if trans girls win, the lawsuit states.In May,Trump raged at Californiaafter Fox News covered the story of a trans student who competed in the long jump. Please be hereby advised that large-scale Federal Funding will be held back, maybe permanently, if the Executive Order on this subject matter is not adhered to, Trump posted at the time on Truth Social. Executive orders only direct the actions of the federal executive branch and dont create new laws. Congress has not passed a law banning trans student-athletes at the federal level, and states have different laws governing trans participation in school sports.Over the past week, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has also been trolling Trump on social media, which may have motivated the highly sensitive presidents message Thursday morning. On X, the account Governor Newsom Press Office, which is associated with Newsoms office, has been posting messages in Trumps style as a way to mock the president. For example, the account has been posting messages in all-caps with boastful messages that make little sense. Trumps threat comes as his administration has frozen federal funding to five Virginia school districts that have refused to revoke their policies that allow trans kids to use facilities matching their gender identity. The school districts Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William say that their policies are required by Title IX. A letter publishedlast Friday by the pro-LGBTQ+ regional coalition Equality Arlington praised the schools for standing by their pro-trans policies.The U.S. Department of Educations demands are an illegal attempt to violate the human and civil rights of vulnerable transgender, nonbinary, and gender expansive students, and we know that more discriminatory demands will follow [from] a federal government intent on discriminating against many marginalized groups, the letter states. Thank you for recognizing the critical importance of making sure our schools are safe and supportive environments for all students.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Vice President JD Vance is no stranger to being heckled in person. In fact, by the sheer number of times its happened, it seems clear that most of the world isnt a fan. But yesterday, a group of protesters entered the heckler hall of fame when they called out the Republican politicians alleged unnatural love of couches. On Wednesday, Vance joined Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller to deliver Shake Shack burgers to the National Guard troops stationed around Washington, D.C. But instead of being warmly welcomed, the crowd booed them and hurled hilarious insults at Vance.Videos of the event quickly went viral on social media, showing hecklers shouting "Oh look, it's couch-f*cker, and You gonna f*ck a couch, buddy?" Or the pice de rsistance, Go f*ck a couch. from FauxmoiRumors of JD Vances attraction to furniture have been running rampant since the presidential campaign, stemming from a faux-excerpt from his novel Hillbilly Elegy that claimed the vice president once had sexual relations with a couch.While the excerpt is fake, the bit stuck and has been haunting Vance ever since. (@) Vance has been heckled all across the U.S. (and in Greenland too), including in Nantucket in June where a protest of his attendance at the Republican National Convention Committee fundraiser featured a sign reading, Go hump a couch. (@) It looks like Vance will never live down this hilarious rumor as long as hecklers are here to remind him.

Gap has tapped global girl group Katseye to headline its new fall denim campaign, a colorful showcase that blends nostalgia with pop culture star power.Better in DenimThe campaign, titled Better in Denim, spotlights low-rise jeans, mini skirts, and other early 2000s staples. To bring it to life, Gap enlisted Katseye, the six-member group formed with performers from across the globe, to dance through a high-energy spot set to Kelis 2003 anthem Milkshake.Directed by Bethany Vargas and choreographed by Robbie Blue, the video emphasizes movement and individuality. Dancers expand across the screen, eventually forming a circle meant to symbolize community, while Katseye shines in full denim looks.We each come from different parts of the world, with unique cultures, languages, and stories, the group said in a joint statement. Its the heart of what makes our sound, style, and presence stand out.Gap Leans on Pop CultureMark Breitbard, CEO of Gap, called the collaboration an obvious choice. Partnering with Katseye was a natural fit, he said. We share an expressive and inclusive point of view.The partnership follows the groups recent team-up with Urban Outfitters for its back-to-school rollout and comes as Katseye prepares for a global tour. Collectively, the performers boast more than 22 million followers across platforms, giving Gaps message a built-in fan base.A Contrast to American EagleThe rollout arrives just weeks after American Eagle faced backlash over its Sydney Sweeney campaign, which some critics called tone-deaf. While AE clarified that its message, Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans, was always meant to highlight denim, the internet was unconvinced.One post on X summed up the contrast: Gap saw American Eagles Sydney campaign and was like, Thats all you got? My turn! and brought out Katseye. Another user wrote, Getting Katseye to dance in jeans? Thats how you do advertising. American Eagle could never.Nostalgia Meets New EnergyBy leaning on the early aughts and blending it with fresh talent, Gap seems to have struck a balance between retro appeal and modern influence. Instead of relying on a single celebrity face, the campaign places a collective at its center, one that embodies diversity and creativity.Source

The MTV Video Music Awards are rolling out something new this year. When the show airs September 7 on CBS, MTV, and Paramount+, Ricky Martin will receive the inaugural Latin Icon Award and deliver a performance that ties back to one of the most memorable nights of his career.A Trailblazing LegacyMartins rise to global superstardom began with Livin La Vida Loca in 1999, a track that not only topped charts but also changed the VMAs forever. The video earned nine nominations, including Video of the Year, making Martin the first Latin artist to break into that category. He walked away with five wins, including Best Pop Video and Best Dance Video, cementing his place in MTV history.That same year, he performed Livin La Vida Loca live at the VMAs, a set that introduced many American viewers to his high-octane stage presence and helped launch the Latin pop boom of the early 2000s.From Menudo to MillionsBorn in San Juan, Martin started his career in commercials before joining the Puerto Rican boy band Menudo as a teen. In 1991, he went solo and signed with Sony Music Mexico. Since then, he has sold more than 95 million records worldwide, earned two Grammys, four Latin Grammys, and became one of the most awarded Latin artists in VMA history.A Voice for CommunityIn 2010, Martin publicly came out as gay, a decision he has said gave him freedom and purpose. He has since become a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. In 2024, he made headlines again by headlining L.A. Pride, the first time an out gay Latin artist had ever topped the bill at the festival.Being part of this vibrant community fills me with pride and purpose, he said at the time.What to Expect at the 2025 VMAsMartins performance is expected to be a centerpiece of the night, joining a packed lineup of stars. Lady Gaga leads this years nominations with 12 nods, while KATSEYE, a rising global girl group, earned their first nominations.The 2025 VMAs will mark a return to the spotlight for Martin in a way that feels both historic and full circle. Twenty-six years after shaking up the VMAs with Livin La Vida Loca, hell once again show why he remains an enduring force in music and culture.Source

Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic will face potential difficult American opponents when they begin their quest for another US Open title.

Falcons right tackle Kaleb McGary will miss time on his leg injury suffered Wednesday, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

An Ohio man has been arrested for the throwing of a sex toy at a WNBA game in New York.

Who has the edge at UFC Fight Night? An MMA coach and a betting insider make their picks.

It was not the first time that the vice president had addressed Ukraines leader with words more commonly spoken to toddlers than heads of state.

Officials removed decade-old guidance outlining the rights of students who are still learning English, which could weaken support for immigrant children.

Nostalgic fans of the interstate staple lament the loss of its country kitsch, while some conservatives blamed wokeness for the sleek redesign.

No shrinking or stretching!READ MORE...

Scientists have discovered possible hints of an undiscovered world in the solar systemnicknamed Planet Yorbiting about 100 to 200 times farther from the Sun than Earth, according to a new study.The newly proposed planet, assuming it exists, is predicted to be somewhere between Mercury and Earth in scale, which would likely make it detectable within the next few years. It is distinct from Planet Nine or Planet X, another hypothetical planet that is predicted to be much larger and more distant than Planet Y.Scientists speculated about the potential existence of Planet Y after discovering a strange warp in the Kuiper belt, which is a ring of icy bodies beyond Neptune, reports the study, which was posted on the preprint server arXiv on Wednesday.We still are skeptical because it's not a grand slam signal by any means, said Amir Siraj, a graduate student in astrophysics at Princeton University who led the study, in a call with 404 Media. At the most, it's a hintor its suggestive ofan unseen planet. The paper has been accepted for publication in The Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Siraj said.Siraj and his co-authors made the discovery while laying the groundwork for an upcoming search for Planet Nine. For more than a decade, scientists have debated whether this hypothetical worldroughly five to ten times as massive as Earth, making it a super-Earth or mini-Neptuneis orbiting at a distance of at least 400 astronomical units (AU), where one AU is the distance between Earth and the Sun.Scientists came up with the Planet Nine hypothesis after observing small celestial bodies beyond the orbit of Neptune called trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs), which appear to be gravitationally influenced by some hidden phenomenon. Planet Nine could be the culprit.Its an exciting time for Planet Nine watchers, as the next-generation Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile achieved first light in June. Rubin is expected to begin running its signature project, the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), by the end of 2025, and will spend a decade scanning the southern sky to produce a time-lapsed map that could expose Planet Nine, if it exists.For this reason, scientists are gearing up for a worldwide race to be the first to spot the planet in the incoming LSST data. To prepare for the observational onslaught, Siraj and his colleagues have been developing new techniques to learn all they can about the murky Kuiper belt.This is something I've been focusing on for the past couple of years, particularly because we are going to be flooded very soonknock on woodwith thousands of new TNOs from the Vera C. Rubin Observatorys LSST, said Siraj. So, my philosophy for the past couple of years has been, well, let me make sure I know everything that I can know from all the efforts so far.To that end, the team developed an improved technique for measuring the mean motions of objects in the distant Kuiper belt and comparing them to the plane of the solar system. Ideally, the mean plane of the objects orbits should fall in line with the solar systems plane, but deviations could point to more evidence for Planet Nine.Instead, the teams novel approach found that the Kuiper belts mean plane was tilted by about 15 degrees relative to the solar system plane at ranges of 80 to 400 AU. This warp could be caused by many factors, such as orbital resonances with known solar system planets. But it could also hint at the presence of a small rocky world, lurking anywhere from three-to-five times as far as the orbit of Pluto.It was certainly a big surprise, Siraj said. If this warp holds up, the best explanation we can come up with is an undiscovered and relatively small inclined planet, roughly 100 to 200 AU from the Sun. The other thing that was exciting to us is that, whether the warp is real or not, it will be very quickly confirmed or refuted within the first few years of LSSTs operation.If there truly is an undiscovered Mercury-ish world beyond Pluto, it is probably a homegrown member of the solar system that was ejected by the turbulent environment in the early solar system. Planet Nine, in contrast, could have either formed in the solar system, or it could have been a wandering exoplanet that was gravitationally captured by the solar system.The solar system probably formed with a lot of planetary embryos, Siraj said. There were probably a lot of bodies that were roughly Mercury-mass and most of them likely were just scattered out of the solar system like balls in a pinball machine during the violent stages of solar system formation.That would definitely be the most likely and possible formation scenario for such an object, he added. I think it would be very unlikely for an orbit like this to be produced from a capture event.Time will tell whether or not the warp represents a lost world that was kicked out of our local neighborhood more than four billion years ago. But the intense focus on the outer solar system and its many mysteries, spurred by LSST, is sure to bring a flood of new discoveries regardless. Indeed, the hypothetical existence of Planet Y does not rule out the existence of Planet Nine (and vice versa) so there may well be multiple mysterious worlds waiting to be added to our solar family.It is really remarkably hard to see objects in the outer solar system, Siraj said. These kinds of measurements were not even remotely possible 20 years ago, so this speaks to the technological progress that's been made. It is potentially putting us into an era in astronomy that's unfamiliar these days, but was much more familiar in, say, the 1700s or 1800sthe idea of adding another planet to our own solar system.

Earlier this week, Cracker Barrel, the olde-timey Southern-inspired casual dining chain that has been a staple of interstate highway exits since the late 1970s, unveiled its updated logo, and conservatives reacted with their usual anti-woke histrionics.As CNN reported, the new, simplified logo does away with the illustration of a man in overalls sitting next to a wooden barrel. It now simply features the chains name against a yellow backdrop meant to evoke the shape of a barrel turned on its side. Related Conservatives lose their minds as Cracker Barrel posts picture of rainbow rocking chair Anchored in Cracker Barrels signature gold and brown tones, the updated visuals will appear across menus and marketing collateral, including the fifth evolution of the brands logo, which is now rooted even more closely to the iconic barrel shape and word mark that started it all, the brand said in an August 18 press release, which also announced a new seasonal menu and ad campaign featuring country music artist Jordan Davis.The redesign is part of a brand refresh announced by CEO Julie Felss Masino that has seen Cracker Barrel remodeling many of its locations around the country with brighter lighting and less clutter. 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 On social media, reactions to the logo have been negative and overwrought, with many casual observers expressing confusion, and right-wing figures blasting the changes.WTF is wrong with @CrackerBarrel??! Donald Trump Jr. wrote in an August 20 X post.WTF is wrong with @CrackerBarrel??! https://t.co/LkYB5N34Qi Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) August 20, 2025 Trump was responding to a post from right-wing account Woke War Room, which blamed the redesign on Masinos DEI regime.Cracker Barrels new logo isnt an accident its CEO Julie Felss Masinos project. She scrapped a beloved American aesthetic and replaced it with sterile, soulless branding, the post read. She should resign and be replaced with leadership that will restore Cracker Barrels tradition.The post, which included a photo of Masino along with the logo of the companys LGBTQ+ Alliance, also claimed that the company is facing civil rights complaints from America First Legal, the conservative nonprofit founded by President Donald Trumps deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security advisor Stephen Miller.LGBTQ Nation reached out to Cracker Barrel with a request for a response to Trumps and Woke War Rooms comments. The brand has not responded.In a separate X post, conservative lawyer and Fox News talking head Phil Holloway compared Cracker Barrels logo redesign to Bud Lights one-off 2023 social media collab with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, which drew intense anti-trans backlash and calls for a conservative boycott of parent company Anheuser-Busch.Well now @CrackerBarrel is the Bud Light of formerly great restaurants, Holloway wrote. Kentucky businessman and Republican Senate candidate Nate Morris, meanwhile, likened the companys rebrand to calls to remove Confederate statues from public parks.This matters because tradition matters. Its no different than the leftwing activists who are hellbent on tearing down historic statues and monuments, Morris wrote on X. We have to fight back against anyone who wants to erase our history, destroy our values, and suck the soul out of America.In possibly the most unhinged reaction to the new logo, right-wing YouTuber Benny Johnson said that White people are about to riot due to Cracker Barrel [erasing] the white guy from its logo, according to The Times of India. The current conservative backlash against the brand comes three decades after Cracker Barrel took a firm stance against LGBTQ+ equality. In 1991, the company said that it would not hire gay people and fired at least eleven employees for being gay. Several months after the purge, the companys shareholders voted to add sexual orientation to its nondiscrimination policy and ended the policy.In recent years, anti-LGBTQ+ conservatives have railed against the company for celebrating Pride month each June. The way we communicate, the things on the menu, the way the stores look and feel all of these things came up time and time again in our research as opportunities for us to really regain relevancy, Masino said last year, according to CNN.During an appearance on Good Morning America this week, Masino claimed that the response to the rebrand has been overwhelmingly positive, according to ABC News.People like what were doing, she said. Cracker Barrel needs to feel like the Cracker Barrel for today and for tomorrow the things that you love are still there. We need people to choose us, and we want people to choose us.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

As the right continues to melt down over California Gov. Gavin Newsoms (D) week of mocking Donald Trump on social media, it seems Democratic voters are all in.Newsom has been trolling Trump on the X account Governor Newsom Press Office by posting messages in Trumps style as a way to mock the president. For example, the account has been posting messages in all-caps with boastful messages that make little sense. Fox commentators continue to complain about Newsoms lack of character and professionalism, seemingly unaware of the irony. Related Fox pundit rages at Gavin Newsom for mocking Trump: Hes a beta male who has to sit to pee! But CNN analyst Harry Enten says the strategy is working and has resulted in a whopping 40-point rise in California voters who want to see him run for president from 35% in 2023 to 75% today.My goodness gracious, Enten said, referencing a rising tide of support for Gavin Newsom. 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 Enten said the polling is significant despite the election being over three years away. Its one of those benchmarks, the home-state polling for presidential candidates. If they cant win the primary in their home state, they aint going to win anywhere, Enten wrote.So, yes, winning California is not tantamount to winning the nomination, but it is one of those stepping stones that you have to make it to if you, in fact, want to win the nomination historically, and, of course, in California, it has the most delegates out of any of the states that, of course, take part in the Democratic primary, he added.Enten said Newsoms numbers have also risen nationally, from 11% of Democratic voters who wanted him to run for president on June 1 to 27% now. Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Rebecca More had the time of her life destroying c*cks and honestly, who can blame her?Following her retirement from studio work in 2023, the adult performer is now focusing on her own OnlyFans content and hosting sex-positive reality shows for OUTtv."I started in the industry when I was 25. It's so changed now, but I like seeing how things evolved," More tells PRIDE. "It's great to be staying up with the times! I'm all sexed out over the years. I need a little break on ice. One day, you go, 'I'm going to hang up the g-string.'" See on Instagram More recently hosted the second season of Slag Wars alongside Matthew Camp and Fantasia Royale Gaga and she hopes more young stars can continue to thrive in their individual careers."Slag Wars is perfect to find new slags and cock destroyers! Take the baton. I'm tired! The talent that we have with the slags... they are incredible!"C*ck Destroyers served as some of the first adult performers to also find notoriety as influencers, so More is grateful that many aspiring entertainers can dabble into erotic work and content creation in this modern era of social media."It's humanizing sex workers. There is more to us that meets the eye. Sex workers, whether you're pro or against... they are some of the most interesting people you'll meet."Slag Wars is streaming now on OUTtv. To see the full interview with Rebecca More, check out the video at the top of the page.

A new lesbian period drama is on the way, which is always exciting news but this one looks like its going to be utterly unmissable. For one thing, it stars out actress Tessa Thompson.Hedda reimagines Henrik Ibsens famed 1891 play Hedda Gabler, with writer and director Nia DaCosta (Candyman, Little Woods) putting a sapphic spin on the classic. Recently married, Hedda finds her carefully constructed life upended when a former lover now reimagined as Eileen Lovborg (played by Nina Hoss) resurfaces at a party she is hosting.Their reunion rekindles feelings of both longing and resentment, while also exposing Heddas deep dissatisfaction with her marriage. Visually, the film looks breathtaking, with 1950s Dior-inspired costuming and a lush country estate setting.As if that werent enough to fill us with anticipation, the trailer dropped today and its positively dripping with lesbian longing, chaos, and revenge.Hedda will premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, followed by a theatrical release on Wednesday, October 22, before streaming on Prime Video starting Wednesday, October 29.We will be seated when it does but in the meantime, here are the 11 most lesbian moments from the trailer that already have us waiting with bated breath.1. Hedda makes flirty eyes at a lady guestEven before the action kicks off, were already seeing hints of Heddas sapphic sexuality as she gets flirty and eye-bangs a guest.2. All the women are dancing... with each otherWhile women dancing together isnt automatically gay (unfortunately), same-sex pairings cutting a rug repeat throughout the trailer. Cumulatively, it imbues the film with even more sapphic energy.3. The face she makes when she first spots her former lover, EileenYou can almost hear this photo: the intake of breath, the pounding of her heart, the blood rushing in her ears. Be still, our lesbian hearts.4. Everything about Eileens lewk... everythingThis vest-like number is giving period piece top chic. Perfect for making your ex swoonand our bosoms heave.5. The lesbian longing in this frame alone could fill a novelEverything about the body language here is crackling with nervous, sapphic energy. The eyes, the touching of the locketthis is what we came for, folks.6. Stolen kiss in the garden?This reunion seems to culminate with a stolen moment in the garden. That, um, does not go welland kicks off what follows. And on that note...7. Oh boy, theres no fury like a sapphic scornedThis is not going to end well.8. Cue the lesbian ex dramaWe dont know the dynamic here, but we can guess...9. Best to resist temptation.So... this escalated quickly.10. Behold... Tessa Thompson in lingerieNothing says iconoclast like stripping down to your lace merry widow for a midnight dip with friends. Not that were complaining.11. Tessa Thompson simply... existsI mean, just look at her. LOOK. AT. HER.

Grammy-winning rapper Lil Nas X was hospitalized early Thursday morning following a bizarre and troubling incident on a major Los Angeles street, prompting concerns of a possible overdose, authorities confirmed.The 25-year-old Old Town Road artist, born Montero Hill, was seen walking down Ventura Boulevard in Studio City around 4 a.m., wearing only underwear and cowboy boots. According to video footage obtained by TMZ Hip Hop, the rapper appeared disoriented and erratic. He was captured aimlessly pacing in the street, pointing at passing cars and repeating that he was heading to a party. At one point, he placed an orange traffic cone on his head.Multiple eyewitnesses reported the scene to the Los Angeles Police Department, describing a man, initially unidentified, as nude and behaving strangely in the roadway. Upon arriving, officers found Lil Nas X still walking in the middle of the street. Sources told TMZ that when police attempted to approach him, he allegedly charged at them. Officers subdued and handcuffed him on the scene.Paramedics transported Lil Nas X to a nearby hospital shortly after, with law enforcement labeling the incident as a possible overdose. His current condition has not been publicly confirmed. As of Thursday morning, he remains under medical care.Law enforcement officials noted that charges may still be filed depending on the results of the ongoing investigation. However, no official charges had been announced at the time of publication.Lil Nas Xs representatives have not yet issued a statement regarding the incident.The artist, who rose to international fame in 2019 with his viral country-trap hit Old Town Road, has been a frequent presence in pop culture headlines, both for his music and bold public persona. In recent months, he made waves with a controversial music video, appeared at several high-profile events, and was seen publicly with rumored romantic partner Cody Jon.The incident marks another troubling moment for the chart-topping artist, who has previously spoken openly about mental health challenges and the pressures of fame.Fans and fellow artists have expressed concern on social media, calling for compassion and privacy as Lil Nas X receives treatment.Source

The Jaguars' Travis Hunter was held out of Thursday's joint practice with the Dolphins because of an upper-body injury, and the No. 2 draft pick isn't going to play in the Jaguars' preseason finale Saturday night, either.

Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders is expected to play in Saturday's preseason finale at home against the Rams.

The Tennessee Lady Volunteers have suspended fourth-year guard Ruby Whitehorn indefinitely following her recent arrest on felony charges of domestic assault and aggravated burglary.

The presidents calls for Lisa Cook, a Fed governor, to resign are diverting attention from economic issues as top central bankers from around the world gather in Jackson, Wyo.

Mayor Eric Adams of New York has sought to argue that his first-term wins have earned him the right to serve a second. But he cannot shake the stench of corruption around his administration.

Here's how.READ MORE...

Fantastic, Ill take 14 of them. READ MORE...

Its warm, neutral, and inviting.READ MORE...

This combination of two booking photos provided by the California Department of Corrections shows Erik Menendez, left, and Lyle Menendez. (California Department of Corrections via AP, File)2025-08-21T04:03:00Z LOS ANGELES (AP) The Menendez brothers will make their cases for parole starting Thursday, marking the closest theyve been to winning freedom from prison since their convictions almost 30 years ago for murdering their parents.Erik and Lyle Menendez were sentenced to life in prison in 1996 for fatally shooting their father, Jose Menendez, and mother, Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills mansion in 1989. While defense attorneys argued that the brothers acted out of self-defense after years of sexual abuse by their father, prosecutors said the brothers sought a multimillion-dollar inheritance.They became eligible for parole after a Los Angeles judge reduced their sentences in May from life in prison without the possibility of parole to 50 years to life, making them immediately eligible under California law because they were under the age of 26 when they committed their crimes.But even if the board grants them parole, it could be months before the brothers walk free if at all. Hearing for Erik Menendez is first, followed by Lyle Menendez AP AUDIO: Menendez brothers face parole hearings after decades in prison for parents 1989 murders AP correspondent Jaimie Ding reports the parole hearings for the Menendez brothers are just the first steps in the review process. A panel of parole hearing officers will evaluate the brothers individually. Erik Menendez will have his hearing Thursday morning, followed by Lyle Menendez on Friday. They will appear over videoconference from prison in San Diego.The board will assess whether the brothers pose an unreasonable risk of danger to society if released, considering factors such as criminal history, motivation for the crime, signs of remorse, behavior while in prison and plans for the future, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Stay up to date with the latest U.S. news by signing up to our WhatsApp channel. If the board grants each brothers parole, the chief legal counsel has 120 days to review the case. Then Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has 30 days to affirm or deny the parole. Newsom had previously ordered the state parole board to conduct a risk assessment of the brothers in response to a clemency request. He hasnt said if hes likely to support parole, but he has denied recommendations in high-profile cases in the past most notably for Sirhan Sirhan, who assassinated presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy in 1968. Erik and Lyle Menendez have the support of their relatives, who are expected to deliver statements at their hearings.For more than 35 years, they have shown sustained growth, their family said in a statement. Theyve taken full accountability. They express sincere remorse to our family to this day and have built a meaningful life defined by purpose and service. Case features in documentaries, TV specials and dramatizationsThe case has captured the attention of true crime enthusiasts for decades and spawned documentaries, television specials and dramatizations. The Netflix drama Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story " and a documentary released in 2024 have been credited for bringing new attention to the brothers. A greater recognition of the brothers as victims of sexual abuse has also helped amass a legion of supporters who seek their release. Some have flown to Los Angeles to hold rallies and attend court hearings.The previous LA County district attorney first opened the door to possible freedom for the brothers last fall by asking a judge to reduce their sentences. The judges decision to ultimately resentence the brothers followed months of pushback from current prosecutors.LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said ahead of the parole hearings that he opposes parole for the brothers because they have not demonstrated full insight into their crimes, comparing them to Sirhan. Newsom denied him parole in January 2022 because of his deficient insight.Insight means taking full responsibility for a crime and understanding the factors that led you to commit the crime, such as anger, inability to handle stress and substance abuse, said Michael Beckman, a lawyer specialized in parole hearings. Recent rules violations could have consequences for the brothersErik and Lyles college degrees, participation in volunteer programs and support groups, plus the fact that Lyle has not been in a single fight in prison, are all positive factors for their release, Beckman said.But recent rules violations could have major consequences for the brothers. In May, Hochman revealed details from a confidential risk assessment report that said Lyle was cited for having a cellphone several times in 2024, and Erik was found with a cellphone this January. The board is really big on the philosophy that if you cant follow the rules in prison, you cant follow the rules in free society, Beckman said. Add to that that cellphones are one of the three big bad rules violations along with violence and substance abuse. Ultimately, Beckman noted, parole decisions come down to individual commissioners, who might weigh the brothers cases based on factors like their celebrity status or family members support.The state corrections department has selected one media representative to view the proceedings virtually and share notes with the rest of the press at set intervals. JAIMIE DING Ding covers California breaking news for The Associated Press. She focuses on law enforcement and the courts, and is based in Los Angeles. twitter mailto RSShttps://feedx.net https://feedx.site

The Air Force has issued guidance on how transgender Airmen and Guardians will be involuntarily discharged, making it the first branch to provide detailed instructions on removing transgender personnel in compliance with the Pentagons trans military ban.This isnt a policyits a shadow process, Sparta, a transgender military advocacy organization, said in statement. It creates a military that is no longer built on standards and values identity over merit and paperwork over judgement, eliminating transparency along the way. Related Supreme Court allows military to start kicking trans people out According to an August 12 memo, transgender service members will not be allowed to contest their separation based on service record, character, or merit protections normally available to others facing discharge. Instead, if a member requests a board hearing, the board will consider only one question: whether the member has a current diagnosis or history of gender dysphoria, or exhibits symptoms consistent with gender dysphoria.If the board finds the member has a diagnosis or history of gender dysphoria, or exhibits symptoms consistent with gender dysphoria, the board must recommend separation, the memo states. The board does not make findings or recommendations on a retention waiver or service characterization, and the board shall not receive evidence on these matters. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The guidance explains that hearings will resemble court trials, with opening statements, witness testimony, and documentary evidence such as medical records, policy waivers permitting compliance with standards of the opposite sex, or requests to alter sex markers on official documents. Panel members will then vote by secret ballot in private deliberations on whether separation is warranted.Sparta criticized the procedure for ignoring key factors like service history, physical health, commander recommendations, and overall performance, all of which usually play an important role in military separation decisions. The Air Force just created a separate set of rules for transgender members under the illusion that fairness still exists, Sparta said. Transgender troops are not asking for special favors; just equal treatment under the law and the right to due process.These guidelines come after the president reinstated his transgender military ban during his first month back in office. In February, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a memo enforcing the ban and halting gender-affirming care for service members and their families. Although a federal judge temporarily blocked the ban, the Supreme Court lifted the injunction in May, allowing it to take effect. Active-duty personnel were given until June 6 to voluntarily separate; reservists had until July 7 before involuntary separations began.Roughly 4,240 service members have been classified with gender dysphoria, the diagnosis being used to identify transgender personnel for involuntary separation. Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

A Republican state lawmaker from California was cornered in a CNN interview when she raged against California possibly redrawing its congressional districts this year while refusing to say anything against Texas Republicans for doing the same thing.At issue is Texas Republicans passing a bill to redraw their congressional map at the request of the president in order to gerrymander several Democratic seats away to keep the GOPs hold on the House of Representatives, even if the 2026 election doesnt go well for Republicans. Californias legislature introduced a bill in retaliation to redraw their congressional district map to help Democrats in order to neutralize the advantage in the House that Texas Republicans are trying to get. Related Gavin Newsom misgenders gay MAGA activist, calling him Nancy Mace 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 California State Sen. Suzette Martinez Valladares (R) was one of several Republicans to file a lawsuit to force the state legislature to pause its attempt to put a new congressional map up to a vote next year. The California Supreme Court has already denied the petition.On CNN, Valladares accused California Democrats of trying to redraw their congressional map behind closed doors with no transparency. However, CNN host Brianna Keilar asked, Do you hold Texas Republicans at all responsible for what youre facing in your state? Keilar pointed out that theres a trigger in the California bill that only lets their new map go into effect if another state, like Texas, redistricts to increase Republican power in Congress.Valladares said that shes not an expert on Texas to avoid the question, and pointed out that the trigger in the California bill mentions any state, not just Texas, redistricting.Okay. But thats the effect of this. There is a trigger. This isnt happening in a vacuum. Theres a contingency. And in this case, it is Texas. So lets just be clear. If it says other states, well, its Texas, Keilar pressed. So do you have any criticism from members of your own party in Texas?Valladares again tried to avoid the question, speaking positively about Californias independent redistricting commission. So then what do you think about what theyre doing in Texas? Keilar asked again.Valladares said that all states should do the right thing and implement your own independent redistricting commission without saying anything about Texas Republicans in particular.If you cant criticize Republicans in Texas for their approach, which is so different from the one that youre advocating for in California, I mean, how should voters see California Republicans as opposed to a move like this, only when it doesnt favor them? Keilar asked. This isnt a Republican issue. This isnt a Democrat issue. This is an issue of political elitists in California silencing and taking the power away from California voters, Valladares said. Valladares rhetoric echoes that of other Republicans. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) raged at California Democrats plan to redistrict, calling it an illegal power grab. He did not have similar words for Texas Republicans.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

In the early morning hours of Thursday, Florida state officials painted over a rainbow crosswalk in Orlando that had served as a visual tribute to the 49 victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting. The move has sparked an outpouring of frustration and grief from local leaders, survivors, and LGBTQ+ advocates across the country. The rainbow crosswalk, located on Orange Avenue, was part of the Pulse Memorial and had become a symbol of both safety and solidarity. It was installed in 2017 to commemorate the lives lost in the 2016 mass shooting at Pulse, a gay nightclub that became the site of the deadliest attack on the LGBTQ+ community in United States history.Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer called the act a cruel political statement. He expressed deep disappointment in a public message, saying the crosswalk was more than paint on asphaltit was a public commitment to remembering the victims and supporting the LGBTQ+ community. According to Dyer, the crosswalk was originally installed by the state and adhered to all safety standards.Survivor and activist Brandon Wolf described the removal as a desecration of the victims memory. In a message shared with his followers, he said the state did not just remove paintthey tried to erase a powerful declaration of resilience and remembrance. Wolf added that those responsible for the act were lucky they never had to bury someone they loved, only to see their memory stripped away.State Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith, a longtime LGBTQ+ advocate in Florida, also condemned the removal. He criticized the state for acting in secret, under the cover of night, and accused officials of cowardice. Smith promised the fight was not over and vowed to support a new mural near the Pulse site that would be even more colorful and visible than the original crosswalk.Florida officials have defended the decision, citing new transportation guidelines that restrict nonstandard road markings. These guidelines claim to prioritize safety by ensuring consistent traffic markings that avoid potential distractions. However, critics argue that the decision is more political than practical, especially given the context and symbolism of the Pulse memorial crosswalk.The controversy comes on the heels of a broader push from state and federal officials to remove rainbow crosswalks from public roads. Earlier this summer, a memo from the US Department of Transportation urged all 50 states to eliminate road art that could be seen as political, including rainbow-colored intersections often used to signal LGBTQ+ pride and inclusion.Across Florida, other cities like Key West and Delray Beach have also come under pressure to remove similar crosswalks or face the risk of losing transportation funding. In some communities, local leaders are exploring legal options or looking for alternative ways to maintain visible support for LGBTQ+ residents.Many LGBTQ+ leaders see these moves as a direct effort to push queer identities out of public view. For them, the removal of rainbow crosswalks is not about safetyit is about erasure. The symbolism of these crosswalks is deeply meaningful, especially in places like Orlando, where trauma and healing remain ongoing.Despite the setback, Orlando continues to move forward with plans for a permanent Pulse Memorial. The city is working with community partners and designers to create a lasting space of reflection and tribute. Construction is expected to begin next year, with hopes that the final memorial will open by late 2027.The removal of the Pulse crosswalk has reignited a broader conversation about queer visibility, public memory, and who gets to decide what stories are told in shared spaces. LGBTQ+ advocates are calling on communities to remain vigilant and vocal, pushing back against what many see as an attempt to erase hard-fought symbols of pride and remembrance.As the conversation continues, one thing remains clear: the memory of the 49 lives lost at Pulse will not be painted over so easily.Source

Language-learning platform Duolingo has issued an apology and removed a controversial prompt after one of its German lessons referred to author J.K. Rowling as mean, sparking backlash across social media.The lesson, part of Duolingos German course, asked users: Magst du die Bcher mit Harry Potter als Figur? which translates to, Do you like books with Harry Potter as a character?One of the accepted answers read: Ja, aber meiner Meinung nach ist die Autorin gemein. Translation: Yes, but in my opinion, the author is mean.Critics immediately connected the statement to Rowlings long-standing, controversial views on transgender rights, which have made her a polarizing figure within the LGBTQ+ community.User Flags the Lesson on Social MediaGaby Koppel, a freelance TV producer and writer, brought attention to the lesson after encountering it during her German studies. Koppel, who had been using the app for about five months, said Rowling was the first and only real-life figure she saw criticized in a language prompt.Its gratuitous, how is Rowling relevant to learning German? Koppel told The Telegraph.On X (formerly Twitter), she posted a screenshot of the lesson, writing: Shame on you @duolingo: learning German and I came across the sentence Yes I like Harry Potter but the author is mean. How woke do you have to be to let trans ideology infect a language lesson?Duolingo RespondsIn a statement, Duolingo said: We apologize for any offense caused and will remove this content.With more than 130 million active users worldwide, Duolingo is widely regarded as one of the most accessible educational tools globally. The company has since removed the lesson and reiterated its commitment to keeping content apolitical and appropriate for learners of all backgrounds.Still, the incident sparked debate over how education and entertainment apps navigate cultural commentary and where the line lies between being socially aware and editorializing.Rowlings History of Anti-Trans RhetoricThe backlash stems from Rowlings well-documented opposition to transgender-inclusive policies. Most recently, she reignited tensions by publicly criticizing former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon over gender recognition reforms.In a post earlier this month, Rowling shared a photo of Sturgeons new memoir with her own angry annotations, including a handwritten, Are you f***ing kidding me??? over a passage about womens rights. She later joked that she might auction off the scribbled-on book to benefit a U.K.-based womens rights group that has been accused of anti-trans rhetoric.Rowlings views have been widely condemned by LGBTQ+ advocates including several stars of the Harry Potter film franchise.Daniel Radcliffe, who played the series titular character, said in 2020: Transgender women are women Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people.Emma Watson also issued support, tweeting:I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you, and love you for who you are.When a fan suggested Rowling was owed an apology by the actors, Rowling responded online, saying they could save their apologies for traumatized detransitioners.Nick Frost, who is set to play Hagrid in the upcoming HBO Harry Potter reboot, also distanced himself from Rowlings politics, saying, Shes allowed her opinion, and Im allowed mine, they just dont align in any way.Duolingo has long branded itself as family-friendly and politically neutral, and its content moderation policies typically prohibit offensive or polarizing material. The Rowling prompt has forced the platform to re-examine its boundaries and what kind of commentary belongs in language lessons.For now, the company has removed the phrase and pledged to avoid similar missteps in the future.As debates over trans rights, celebrity accountability, and media responsibility continue to unfold, even educational apps are finding themselves pulled into the fray, and being held accountable for the messages they platform.Source

Wrexham have again spent big to sign England under-21 defender Callum Doyle from Manchester City for a fee of 7.5 million ($10m).

The WNBA's 13 teams have drawn more than 2.5 million fans over 226 games this season, surpassing the previous mark set in 2002.

The father of Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown has been accused of attempted murder in connection to a stabbing Wednesday night in Las Vegas.

Eagles wide receiver Johnny Wilson will undergo season-ending knee and ankle surgery, a league source confirmed.

null

The figure makes plain how a gerrymandering push that began in Texas but spread nationwide has energized the Democratic base.

Defense lawyers had questioned whether Alina Habba, a Trump loyalist, was legally authorized to run the U.S. attorneys office in New Jersey.

The presidents financial situation had already improved after taking office a second time, thanks to his cryptocurrency ventures.

Mr. Hinds, 51, was found unresponsive late Wednesday after an S.U.V. appeared to slam into the motorcycle he was riding near downtown Atlanta, the authorities said.

I grew up in a pre-war bungalow house in Belmont Cragin, which is a bungalow belt neighborhood in Chicago (think: squat little houses with bay windows lining the entire block, harkening back to a time of streetcars and phonographs). The homes there were mainly built between 1910 and 1930 to accommodate an exploding middle-class population, per this local encyclopedia.READ MORE...

Onlookers jeered and heckled anti-LGBTQ+ Vice President J.D. Vance while he entered D.C.s main transportation hub, Union Station, on Wednesday to greet National Guard troops. A video shows hecklers calling Vance a couch f**ker and telling him to Go f**k a couch, a reference to an untrue viral claim from 2024.Vance entered the station and proceeded to Shake Shack, where he shared burgers with the arriving troops. Red state governors have sent the troops into D.C. a district with a large Black and Democratic population after the president promised to crack down on crime in the city, following the assault of Edward Coristine, a 19-year-old administration member nicknamed Big Balls. The violent crime rate in Washington, D.C. reached a 30-year low in 2024. Related JD Vance joined Bluesky & posted an anti-trans message. Users immediately paid him back. Vance seemingly didnt react to the jeers, but numerous D.C. residents have been angered by the presidents militarization of the district. The militarized presence has also harmed LGBTQ+ nightlife in the district. JD Vance heckled a bit as he enters Shake Shack in DCs Union Station pic.twitter.com/dkRc7tyhAB Arthur Delaney (@ArthurDelaneyHP) August 20, 2025 Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Did Vice President JD Vance really have sex with a couch?There is no reason to believe that Vance ever had sex with a couch. But that hasnt stopped the idea from spreading on social media last year, with people who know very well that there is no evidence that Vance had sex with a couch having a good time making jokes as if there is proof that he did.The joke started on July 15, 2024, when someone on X said they remembered Vance recounting a story of putting an inside-out latex glove between two couch cushions in his book,Hillbilly Elegy, pages 179 to 181. Such a story does not appear on those pages or in that book. The joke might have been quickly forgotten if the Associated Press hadnt published a fact check on the claim with the title No, JD Vance did not have sex with a couch and then deleted the article shortly afterwards because it did not go through our standard editing process. Now, links to that fact-check article go to a page with a Page unavailable message.In what could only be a result of the Streisand Effect when someone powerful tries to stifle a story but, in doing so, ends up making it go viral and get much more attention than it otherwise would have X and other social media platforms lit up with jokes about Vance having sex with a couch last week.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

The Beckham genes are top tier!It's no secret that David Beckham is one of the most gorgeous men on the planet and his handsome sons certainly don't fall far from the tree!Beckham's youngest son, Cruz, mainly focuses his time on his music career, but he's gone viral for some stunning photos over the years.Now, the 20-year-old star has the internet drooling over steamy new photos of him in a Speedo on a yacht in Italy. Fans were quick to share the pictures like wildfire and share their very hilarious and feral reactions online, so check out some of the highlights below. (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@)

After nearly 50 years in business, Southern country-themed restaurant Cracker Barrel has changed its logo, prompting the MAGA crowd to melt down over the companys perceived swing to the left.The restaurant stated in a press release that the new logo which removes the man sitting in a rocking chair and streamlines the name is "Rooted even more closely to the iconic barrel shape and wordmark that started it all.But conservatives across social media have been blaming the changes on new CEO Julie Felss Masino, who they claim was only hired because of DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), and the company going woke. (@) People have been threatening to boycott the brand, and are angry that the restaurant chain is pushing woke agendas because conservatives just discovered Cracker Barrel has an LGBTQ+ Alliance, and regularly attends Nashville Pride. (@) (@) Donald Trump Jr. was angry about the changes, writing on X, WTF is wrong with @CrackerBarrel??! And other people were comparing the changes to Budweiser when they used trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney to promote the brand, or cruelly making memes comparing the logo supposedly getting worse to Elliot Pages transition journey.Clearly, conservatives havent been watching Pages sexy glow up from twink to twunk if they think this is a good analogy for something getting worse over time.Conservatives may think this new logo is a sea change for the company and proof of it moving toward the left, but they must have the memory of a goldfish because Republicans also got angry with Cracker Barrel back in 2023 when the brand posted a photo of its signature front porch with a rainbow rocking chair. (@) While the MAGA backlash is outsized in comparison to the changes made to the iconic logo, and it quickly veered into racist and transphobic territory, conservatives arent the only ones unhappy with the changes. Other people were annoyed that the quaint, country kitsch restaurant was redesigned to resemble a more sterile Apple Store-like aesthetic. (@) Whether you are angry at the change because its too woke or too bland has become a political litmus test in a country that is increasingly divided along right and left ideological lines. Even California Governor Gavin Newsom got in on the action, with one of his new signature posts mocking Trumps style, writing on X, WHAT IS WRONG WITH CRACKER BARREL?? KEEP YOUR BEAUTIFUL LOGO!!! THE NEW ONE LOOKS LIKE CHEAP VELVEETA CHEESE FROM WALMART, THE PLACE FOR GROCERIES (AN OLD FASHIONED TERM)!!! FIX IT ASAP! WOKE IS DEAD!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. GCN (@) While other people joked about conservatives being more concerned about a restaurant logo than about releasing the Jeffrey Epstein files. (@) The backlash against the Southern road-trip staple doesn't seem to be slowing down, so take a look at some of the most ridiculous MAGA meltdown moments. (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@)

Diego Montoya's work as a fashion designer has not only been heavily featured on the RuPaul's Drag Race runway over the years, but he's also won two Emmy Awards as a costume designer in all four seasons of HBO's We're Here. After creating so many extraordinary outfits for drag artists that looked like pieces of art, Montoya flips the script bringing his queer and Latine sensibilities and honoring drag artistry in an exhibition at the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields."This is the first time my costume work has been presented in a major museum setting," Montoya tells Out. "I've had individual installation-based pieces in museums before, but costume design has been my primary focus for over a decade now, so having a collection of my work exhibited in this grand context feels really special."This museum exhibition named Resplendent Dreams: Reawakening the Rococo opened on June 6, 2025 and will continue through March 29, 2026. Featuring pieces created for queens like Sasha Velour, Blair St. Clair, Kandy Muse, Jimbo, and Miz Cracker, this is not only a huge milestone for Montoya as a designer, but also an achievement for drag artistry overall to literally be seen at an art museum."It's surreal! I've always dreamed of having my work shown in a museum, but to have it be featured in a way centered around the queerness and drag has exceeded anything I could have hoped for," Montoya says. "Our work often thrives in spaces overlooked by traditional institutions, so to see it treated with such care, and presented with the full resources of the museum, meant the world to me. It gives me hope to see museums beginning to make space for this kind of work and for the communities it represents."While Drag Race fans can quickly recognize Montoya's looks (and which queens wore them) displayed at the museum, the designer highlights a new piece that he created for this exhibit."There are too many things I could say about all of these pieces; they all hold so many memories and fun anecdotes, and I'm weirdly sentimental about each of them," he says. "We made one new piece, 'Rocaille,' specifically for this exhibition, which is Newfields's first-ever fashion commission. Knowing that she will be preserved and have a life beyond me is so cool."The new piece in question, "Rocaille," was created with Indiana drag artist and actor Blair St. Clair in mind. The outfit's official description reads:"Referencing the shell motif that is a mainstay of Rococo dcor, the new ensemble is designed in an exaggerated mermaid shape. It includes elaborate hip panels and a framing collar reminiscent of eighteenth-century European royal fashion, and is topped with a feathered headdress that recalls such pieces worn by Las Vegas showgirls and cabaret performers. With its opulent reimagining of drag costume and its liberating possibilities for gender expression, Diego's work is both a technical leap forward in fashion design and a radical statement on the potential of clothing to transform our sense of self."Unsurprisingly, Montoya went above and beyond to ensure that these drag looks were properly presented to the public. "It was important to me and my team that the costumes weren't presented like regular gowns on mannequins," he explains. "But, rather, that they really felt like the embodiment of a drag queen. Mandie Holden and her team did such a beautiful job of customizing all of the mannequins and their poses to reflect the dramatic drag silhouettes."Montoya adds, "Each one is covered in pearl-finish with a slight shimmer and has long pearl nails to match. We also made all the mannequins custom masks with pearl embellishments and hand-cut and curled pearlized lashes to represent the 'drag face.' Makeup is so important in drag, and this was our way of honoring that transformative element.""Hopefully when people see these cinched, padded, shimmery bodies with long nails, outstretched arms and long lashes they'll appreciate how much work goes into a drag artist's actual transformation," he muses.Born in Lima, Peru, Montoya was only 10 when he and his family moved to Miami. As one queer Latino immigrant to another, I ask Montoya how he's been navigating the current political climate in the U.S."It's been painful to witness how this administration has framed immigrants as some kind of threat, reducing real human lives to political talking points," he says. "Unfortunately, this is nothing new, and just like artists in the past and as will the ones who will come after me hopefully understand it's important to stay visible, create with honesty, and use your art to remind people of our shared humanity."Montoya continues, "We have lost too much queer art and history. I am grateful to those who have preserved our stories until it was safe to share, and I hope we won't have to pass it along in secret ever again. As an immigrant, I carry deep pride in having made, even in a small way, a contribution through my work, and in being able to represent my community."For an exhibition to include so many queer artists, feature a Latino creative like Montoya, and display drag artistry so prominently, one should absolutely recognize the big swing that the museum and its team have taken. Thank goodness.Montoya credits Michael Vetter, Associate Curator of Contemporary Art at the IMA, for putting together this exhibition named Resplendent Dreams: Reawakening the Rococo, which showcases the influence of the Rococo period through contemporary art by three artists: Montoya, Robert Horvath, and Anthony Sonnenberg."It's been exciting to see how our individual approaches, while very different, come together around this shared influence," Montoya remarks. "It's also very interesting to see our work in conversation with the Rococo pieces from the museum's permanent collection, which are also included in this exhibition."When asked for comment, Vetter tells Out that "the response to the exhibition so far has been tremendous guests have been blown away by the intricacy and beauty of these works and the labor involved in creating them."Vetter adds, "Visitors have been particularly excited to see Diego's pieces in conversation with works in other media (ceramics, painting, and video) that are more typical of the kinds of things you'd see in an art museum."So, what's next for Montoya?"I'm really interested in expanding into more long-form storytelling in areas like theatre and film, where the work can shape a more complete narrative," he replies. "Much of what we've been creating in the studio recently are singular pieces for specific moments, but I'm eager to explore world-building through costume."Montoya concludes, "I feel very lucky that we get asked to do all kinds of things, and that we're flexible enough to often mold to the needs of a particular project. As long as I get to keep creating, I'm open to wherever life may take me. I've also always wanted to do jewelry Who knows!"For more information about the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields and its Resplendent Dreams: Reawakening the Rococo exhibition, visit DiscoverNewfields.org. Photography courtesy of Eric Lubrick and Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields.See on Instagram

For some time, those in IndyCar have questioned just how talented lex Palou. After sealing his fourth championship, that can no longer be a debate.

Before playing US Open mixed doubles together, Jess Pegula and Jack Draper had hardly spoken. Yet they pulled off two victories on Tuesday.

The Category 2 hurricane isnt expected to make landfall. Still, its drawing notice as the first named storm to reach hurricane strength this year.

The plan appears to be part of a broader effort to shift the agencys focus from tracking national security threats to fighting crime.

A neighbors doorbell camera showed Jossimar Cabrera dragging a large object in a tarp, two days before his wife was reported missing, the authorities said.