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The AI in Telecommunication Market Growth Rate is currently experiencing a period of powerful and sustained acceleration, with the industry's expansion being propelled by the urgent need for Communication Service Providers (CSPs) to manage the unprecedented complexity and scale of modern networks. This impressive growth is fueled by the exponential and unrelenting explosion of data...

Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro speaks during a press conference in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, Sept. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)2025-09-12T00:07:29Z WASHINGTON (AP) The U.S. military strike on what the Trump administration says was a drug-carrying speedboat from Venezuela came after the vessel had turned around and was heading back to shore, raising fresh questions as members of Congress are demanding more information about the provocative attack.National security officials acknowledged during a closed briefing this week on Capitol Hill that the boat carrying 11 people, described by the Trump administration as Tren de Aragua gang members, was fired on multiple times by the U.S. military after it had changed course, according to two people familiar with the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private meeting. The New York Times first reported the development.The emerging details come as the Trump administration has justified the military strike, but several senators, Democrats and some Republicans, have indicated dissatisfaction with the administrations rationale and questioned the legality of the action. They view it as a potential overreach of executive authority in part by using the military for law enforcement purposes. Democrats contest legal reasoning for the strikeIn a letter to the White House, Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia and two dozen other Democratic senators said the Trump administration has provided no legitimate legal justification for the strike.Senators are demanding more information from the administration on the situation and use of U.S. military power.Our armed forces are not law enforcement agencies, said Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, in a floor speech this week.They are not empowered to hunt down suspected criminals and kill them without trial, Reed said.The Trump administration has claimed self-defense as a legal justification for the strike, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio arguing the drug cartels pose an immediate threat to the nation. The U.S., which has designated Tren de Aragua as a terrorist organization, has indicated more military strikes on drug targets could be coming as it seeks to wage war on cartels. The President acted in line with the laws of armed conflict to protect our country from those trying to bring poison to our shores, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement. He is delivering on his promise to take on the cartels and eliminate these national security threats from murdering more Americans. She said that its bizarre that anyone is running cover for evil Tren de Aragua narcoterrorists trying to poison our homeland as over 100,000 Americans die from overdoses every year.The Pentagon added that drug cartels will find no safe harbor.This strike sent a clear message: If you traffic drugs toward our shores, the United States military will use every tool at our disposal to stop you cold, chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said.Reed said in his speech that the administration has offered no proof that this vessel was engaged in an attack, or even that it was engaged in drug trafficking at the time. He also said the administration has provided no positive identification that the boat was Venezuelan, nor that its crew were members of Tren de Aragua or any other cartel. Officials signal the military is able to launch more strikesIt was unclear what the national security officials disclosed in their Hill briefing about the identities of those who were on the boat and the administrations evidence that they were gang members. One of the people familiar with the situation said some of those on the boat were affiliated, but not members, of Tren de Aragua.It also was not unclear if the national security officials provided information on the boats destination and if it was, in fact, carrying drugs. They did indicate the Pentagon has the ability to conduct additional military strikes in the region, the people familiar with the matter said.Democratic senators have argued that Congress has not authorized the use of military force for this purpose.We assert that Congress made no declaration of war nor did it authorize the use of military force for future similar operations, the Democratic senators wrote in the letter to the president. Sen. Rand Raul, R-Ky., has said it was unlikely the boat was headed to U.S. shores, which would be a lengthy trip for such a vessel.Paul a libertarian-leaning Republican with a long history of challenging executive overreach, particularly in national security matters has argued the U.S. cant simply kill people suspected of wrongdoing without due process. Venezuela accuses the US of murderIn Venezuela, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello on Thursday accused the U.S. government of murder, characterized its version of events as a tremendous lie and questioned how the people on board the targeted vessel were linked to the gang.And how did they identify them as members of the Tren de Aragua? Did they have, I dont know, a chip? Did they have a QR code and (the U.S. military) read it from above in the dark? Cabello said. They openly confessed to murdering 11 people.Cabello said Venezuelan authorities are investigating the strike but did not provide any details.Cabello also rejected the U.S. governments assertion that the targeted vessel was carrying 11 people and drugs, explaining that the video released by the White House last week appeared to show a type of small fishing boat known as a peero in Venezuela.If you put 11 people on that peero, theres no room for anything else because when those peeros go to sea, the fishermen have to carry gasoline for the return trip so as not to be left adrift, Cabello said during a meeting of ruling-party members.___Garcia Cano reported from Caracas, Venezuela. AAMER MADHANI Madhani covers the White House for The Associated Press. He is based in Washington. twitter mailto

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) throws under pressure from Washington Commanders safety Quan Martin (20) during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)2025-09-11T16:18:10Z GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers have delivered a strong opening statement to the rest of the NFL.It helps that hes not facing the kind of pass rush that his teammates are bringing to opposing quarterbacks.Love threw for 292 yards and two touchdowns and the Packers beat the Washington Commanders 27-18 on Thursday night. Couple that with their 27-13 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday, and the Packers already have two wins over playoff teams from last season.It feels good, Love said. We couldnt have started the season off on a better note. Its a thing weve just got to keep building on, but it feels great right now.Tight end Tucker Kraft caught six passes for a career-high 124 yards to help the Packers go 2-0 for the first time since 2020. Love and Kraft connected for an 8-yard touchdown strike with 8:57 left to thwart the Commanders comeback attempt. Hopefully, I can keep stacking games like that, Kraft said. Its the first time Ive ever gotten over 100 yards, including college.Love went 19 of 31 to lead an offense that was playing without injured linemen Zach Tom and Aaron Banks. Loves other touchdown pass was a 5-yarder to Romeo Doubs in the first quarter. That was more than enough offense for Green Bay, considering how much its defense bothered Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels. Washington (1-1) gained just 11 yards in the first quarter and didnt reach the end zone until scoring a pair of touchdowns in the final period. We played consistent, said Packers defensive end Micah Parsons, who had half a sack and three hurries. We gave up some things that we didnt want to, more points than what we wanted to, but we made them earn everything, and thats just important. No big plays, we made them earn everything, and thats the good part.This could be a costly defeat for the Commanders, as running back Austin Ekeler injured his right Achilles tendon in the fourth quarter and defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. was carted off the field with a quadriceps injury in the second period. Commanders coach Dan Quinn had no immediate update on their conditions after the game.Well use the weekend to see where were at from the injuries, Quinn said. I dont want to make a guess.Daniels was 24 of 42 for 200 yards with touchdown passes of 20 yards to Zach Ertz and 10 yards to Deebo Samuel. Daniels was sacked four times and pressured all night.They played better than us, Daniels said. Not really much (else) to say.The Packers have won their last seven home matchups with Washington, which hasnt beaten the Packers on the road since a 20-17 victory at Milwaukee County Stadium in 1988. Washingtons last win at Lambeau Field was a 16-7 decision in 1986.Green Bay built a 14-3 halftime lead by putting together two touchdown drives of 90-plus yards.Doubs touchdown capped a seven-play, 96-yard drive that included a 57-yard completion to Kraft, plus a 14-yard scramble by Love on third-and-9 from Washingtons 19.Josh Jacobs made it 14-0 with a 2-yard touchdown run to finish a 10-play, 92-yard march that featured a 37-yard completion to Malik Heath, who did an outstanding job of keeping both feet inbounds while making a catch at Washingtons sideline. Jacobs finished with 84 yards on 23 carries. Washington gained 23 yards on its first three series before getting on the board with a 51-yard field goal from Matt Gay, who later missed from 58 and 52 yards.I just felt like we didnt find the rhythm that we needed to, really from jump street, Quinn said.After Brandon McManus 22-yard field goal made it 17-3 in the third quarter, Washington cut the margin to 17-10 on Ertzs touchdown catch with 13:45 remaining. But the Packers reached the end zone on their next series, and McManus added a 56-yard field goal later in the fourth quarter.Samuels touchdown closed the scoring with 2:53 left.InjuriesCommanders: TE John Bates and WR Noah Brown left with groin injuries. CB Jonathan Jones hurt his hamstring.Packers: OT Zach Tom (quadriceps) and OG Aaron Banks (ankle/groin) didnt play. WR Jayden Reed broke his collarbone in the first quarter while making a 33-yard touchdown catch that was nullified by a penalty.Hell be down for quite some time, Packers coach Matt LaFleur said of Reed. Well see how fast he can recover and heal. Certainly, I would expect him back at some point this season. Saluting SharpeThe Packers honored Sterling Sharpe in a halftime ceremony. The 2025 Hall of Fame inductee was a star receiver for the Packers from 1988-94.Up nextCommanders: Host Las Vegas on Sept. 21.Packers: At Cleveland on Sept. 21.___AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl STEVE MEGARGEE Megargee is a Wisconsin-based sportswriter whose assignments include the NFLs Green Bay Packers, NBAs Milwaukee Bucks and MLBs Milwaukee Brewers along with the University of Wisconsin and Marquette. twitter mailto

Proud transphobe Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) is running for governor of South Carolina on a campaign that focuses heavily on her opposition to trans rights. Now shes claiming that the person who shot rightwing political operative Charlie Kirk who has not been identified or apprehended is transgender, using an anti-trans slur to describe this person.She then claimed that the shooting made her afraid for her life due to her anti-trans advocacy. Related Nancy Mace starts screaming in rage on House floor when Democrat talked about gender affirming care It sounds like the shooter was a tr***y, Mace told reporters yesterday. Or pro-tr***y.And just because I wanna protect women that Im worried about getting murdered? Are you f**king kidding me? she continued. This is outta control and enough is enough. 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 Im gonna be louder than Ive ever been until this s**t stops. Nancy Mace today: It sounds like the shooter was a tranny, or pro-tranny.Law enforcement tonight: We have idea who the shooter is. pic.twitter.com/bJptJvnJmT Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) September 12, 2025On Wednesday, Turning Point America founder Charlie Kirk was shot to death at a public speaking event at Utah Valley University in Provo. Kirk was a prominent rightwing activist and podcaster known for his extreme statements, like that Jewish people control not just the colleges; its the nonprofits, its the movies, its Hollywood, its all of it, that If I see a Black pilot, Im going to be like, boy, I hope hes qualified, and that being gay is an error that needs to be correct[ed]. Just before his death, he was embroiled in controversy for saying that Taylor Swift to submit to her future husband because You are not in charge.Conservatives have, for the past several years, been blaming gun violence tragedies on transgender people, generally before any facts about such shootings are known and sometimes even after its known that the shooters were not transgender. In fact, Kirk died while debating how much trans people should be blamed for mass shootings despite the fact that the vast majority are perpetrated by cisgender men. A report in the conservative Wall Street Journal yesterday which the newspaper cast doubt on in a later article said that the shooters bullets or weapon had expressions of transgender and antifascist ideology engraved on them. That online rumor was started by rightwing podcast host Steven Crowder, who said he had obtained a leaked report from an ATF official. While its unclear what it even means for trans ideology to be engraved on bullets or a weapon, this may have been what Mace was referring to. A New York Times report said that another law enforcement official with direct knowledge of the investigation said that Crowders report had not been verified and didnt correspond to other information gathered in the investigation.Mace has a history of using anti-trans slurson social media, atcampaign events, andat the Capitol.No suspect has been arrested in the shooting, but law enforcement officials have released images of a person of interest in the case.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Robert Irwin is entering his full-blown thirst era and the internet is eating it up.The 21-year-old wildlife conservationist, and son of the late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, just landed a People cover shoot that proves you dont need to be half-naked to make fans feral. Posing at a Los Angeles ranch in a white tank top, denim, and surrounded by horses, hay, and even a kitten, Irwin somehow managed to break Twitter all over again. (@) Okay, horses, its my turn, one fan quipped. (@) Another cut straight to the point: Just get naked already. (@) Others compared him to another teen idol: Im firmly convinced Robert Irwin is the JTT of the 2020s. (@) And maybe the most relatable reaction? Saw those new pics of Robert Irwin and People magazine and I Im no better than a man is all I have to say about that. (@) This latest wave of thirst follows his viral Bonds underwear campaign from April, where Irwin stripped down to boxer briefs while casually wrangling snakes and spiders. (@) I did not expect the reaction it got! he laughed in his People interview, admitting it took way too many sit-ups to prep. He may have been surprised, but the internet is still not over it, and now the People shoot has only reignited the collective crush. (@) Irwin insists hes focused on bigger things, like competing on this season of Dancing with the Stars (Dancing scares me more than anything else Ive ever done!) and using his platform to push his conservation mission. But even when hes talking legacy, his body is doing most of the heavy lifting online.And its not lost on queer fans, either. While Irwin himself isnt gay, hes been an outspoken ally, once tweeting that he was proud to be one, which maybe explains why so many LGBTQ+ readers feel entitled to claim at least a slice of the thirst pie. (@) Whether its boxer briefs and snakes or blue jeans and horses, Irwin has officially graduated from the Crocodile Hunters kid to Gen Z thirst trap king. And if the internet has its way (and we hope, for once, it does), this is just the beginning.Check out his full interview with People below:

Lesbian singer Brandi Carlile is a karaoke master, and the sapphics are sweating.Carlile is going viral on TikTok after videos surfaced of her singing karaoke with other musicians at the Nashville, Tennessee lesbian bar, The Lipstick Lounge.The Right on Time singer was seen crooning to songs like The Chicks Goodbye Earl, Bonnie Tylers Total Eclipse of the Heart, and Reba McEntires Fancy.@thelipstickloungeA recap of karaoke last night - we still arent sure if this was real life? @Brandi Carlile with The Hanseroth Twins, @SistaStrings, Our owner Christas wife @christydennis868, Our other owner @Jonda Valentine, @Adam Mac with @Chris Housman, and then @Brittneyspencer. Just to name a few! Thanks for partying with us last night. WE LOVE YOU! #thelipsticklounge #eastnashville #lgbtq #nashvilletn #karaokeSinger-songwriter Brittney Spencer, who went viral on TikTok for singing a The Highwomen cover, sang Crowded Table with Carlile, and took to the comments on the video to say it was a celebration of her birthday. She also belted out hits with The Hanseroth Twins and the owners of the bar, who joined in.@thelipstickloungeReplying to @Aloha we love @Brittneyspencer and @Brandi Carlile too!!! #thelipsticklounge #eastnashville #karaoke #brandicarlile #lgbtqThe Lipstick Lounges TikTok account posted the videos and said in the comment section that it wasnt a private event, that the musicians all showed up and started singing karaoke and some regulars even joined in, writing that it felt like it was a dream.Hanging out in a lesbian bar and having Brandi Carlile show up does sound like a dream come true!@thelipstickloungeWhen @Brandi Carlile sings a Karaoke classic with Phil! #thelipsticklounge #eastnashville #lgbtq #nashvilletn #karaokeSapphics in the comment section were lusting after Carlile and jealous of all the people that were at The Lipstick Lounge that night.One person commented, Was this BrandiOKE? I wasnt a turn singing with her!If Brandi Carlile looked me up & down like she did that 2nd lady I would simply pass away, someone else wrote, while another person said, I would have died. End of story,When people ask me the type of women Im into: the answer is Brandi, a fan commented.Same girl. Same.

Our favorite husbands are living their best lives!Jonathan Bennett and Jaymes Vaughan tied the knot back in 2022 and they've been inseparable ever since.As Bennett's acting career continues to evolve as one of the leading men on Hallmark Channel, Vaughan has proven to be his biggest fan by supporting Bennett in all of his impressive projects."Ive been in a relationship with a person who didnt support me and who actively rooted against me. I know how important the support of your partner is and how vital it is, so I make sure I always show up 110% for Jonathan any chance I get. Thats my baby! I got his back always," Vaughan tells PRIDE. See on Instagram The adorable couple is doing much more than enjoying all of the perks of married life. The hubbies have also healed a lot of trauma that haunted their early days of coming out."Growing up gay, I was taught to hate myself, so I hid a lot of parts of me away to try to be loved. Having someone who says you dont have to hide anything and I love all of you... I could have never dreamed of that, and now I have it! Its the most grounding and peaceful feeling," Vaughan says.Bennett has certainly come a long way since the early days of his career on notable projects like Mean Girls and All My Children. Now, the star is bringing even more LGBTQ+ representation to Hallmark as the star and executive producer of the cute film The Groomsmen: Second Chances."Its been 5 years of telling LGBTQ+ focused love stories at Hallmark Channel now. I started playing gay roles at Hallmark because I thought it was important to make sure that our community was represented and our love was represented on the network that people go to specifically for love stories. Love is universal! It just sometimes takes that one story for that to click for those who need it," Bennett tells PRIDE. See on Instagram The Groomsmen: Second Chances has already won over audiences around the world as the film secured the GLAAD Award for Best TV Movie earlier this year. The movie's central storyline follows Bennett's character fall in love with his best friend, played by the handsome Andrew Lincoln."This is honest, Alexander Lincoln is one of the best actors Ive ever worked with for so many reasons. Not only is he incredibly charming both on and off camera, but he made me laugh every single day we were together. It grounds our love story in something thats real and tangible. Its funny, my husband actually really pushed for Alexander to be my love interest in this," Bennett says.Although Bennett and Lincoln's chemistry is palpable in the charming film, there's nothing that's getting in the way of Bennett and Vaughan's incredibly tight bond."The thing about marriage is that it reveals who a person is and having my husband, Jaymes, be the most amazing supportive and loving person I could ever imagine has truly been the biggest blessing of my life. Jaymes is not only the best of me. Hes the best of all of us. Im so proud to be in a room with him because everyones just drawn to him and they just become giddy over him. Hes just the best part of me," Bennett concludes.The Groomsmen: Second Chances airs Saturday, September 13th at 8pm on Hallmark Channel.

These are the definition of core memories!LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream media has certainly grown over the decades, but there's a few standout moments that resonate with many people in the queer community.The MTV Video Music Awards have had countless amounts of iconic moments over the years that gay people simply can't get enough of.One moment in particular that served as a gay awakening for many was Lady Gaga's unbelievable performance of "Paparazzi" at the 2009 VMAs.Many LGBTQ+ stars walked the red carpet at this year's VMAs and spilled on their own queer awakenings, so check out all of the relatable answers below!Onya NurveRuPaul's Drag Race winner Onya Nurve always keeps it real and her gay awakening will certainly connect with many."I think when Janet Jackson's tit popped out at the Super Bowl! That's when I knew I was a true lesbian, you know what I'm saying?"DenaliFan-favorite queen Denali had the hots for Channing Tatum once he popped up on her screen."My gay awakening was She's the Man. It stars Channing Tatum and he has a shirtless scene and you see his visible V-lines."Rebecca BlackBring It On is considered cult classic for queer people around the world and Rebecca Black is no exception."Probably Eliza Dushku in Bring It On. I didn't know if I wanted to be her. I didn't know if I wanted her. It's definitely both!"Frankie GrandeFrankie Grande realized just how fruity he was when he attended one of Madonna's iconic concerts."Madonna's Blonde Ambition Tour. I was seven! Something about this feels correct. Meanwhile, now I'm here with blonde, curly locks. Thanks Madge!"Laganja EstranjaDancing diva Laganja Estranja naturally had her queer awakening when pop princess Britney Spears performed at the 2001 VMAs."Britney Spears! Any of her performances, but probably 'I'm a Slave 4 U.' Yellow python snake? That was such a moment. Brian Friedman choreography... I'll never forget it."Lexi LoveSimilar to Estranja, Lexi Love had her queer awakening thanks to Britney Spears."Attending the Britney Spears Hit Me Baby One More Time concert in fourth row!"Sam StarLet's not forget the impact Disney Channel had on many queer youth, including Drag Race finalist Sam Star."Probably the episode of The Suite Life of Zack and Cody when Jesse McCartney was the guest. They snuck in the hotel and stole his underwear! It was over, girl."Jewels SparklesSpeaking of Disney Channel, High School Musical had Jewels Sparkles swooning over the adorable characters."High School Musical. Getcha head in the game! I wanted my head in the game real bad, girl. Girl, I never wanted to be a basketball more in my life."Eric SedeoSimilar to Sparkles, Eric Sedeo was crushing on the male leads in the High School Musical franchise."I always say it's High School Musical 2. Zac Efron and Corbin Bleu... I needed them to kiss. That should have happened!"

Romantasy is everywhere these days. BookTok has been taken over by discussions of books like Sarah J. Maas A Court of Thorns and Roses series and Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, and the internet goes wild every time a new season of House of the Dragon premieres.Dog collars, shibari ropes, or strap-ons may be the kinky tools in your toolbox, but some people want to take a trip through time and into the world of knights, princesses, and dragons to get off. This mix of sex with fairytales and Renaissance-era aesthetics is called castlecore sex, and while those of us who are still fantasizing about Daenerys Targaryen and her huge dragons or John Snow and his giantsword, may want to give it a try, there are some things to keep in mind before you delve into this world of fantasy sex and monster poles. To understand why people are into this particular kink, why LGBTQ+ folks may be more likely to try it out, and what safety measures you should be keeping in mind, we talked tqo licensed sex therapist and psychology professor Jillian Amodio and Dr. Michael Grey, a licensed marriage and family therapist, board certified sexologist, the CEO of Grey Insight, and a graduate professor.What is castlecore sex? Where did the trend originate?Spicy fantasy series have taken over the bestseller list and the discourse on Booktok, so it makes sense that castlecore sex would be having a moment. Think corsets, dripping candles, medieval-inspired fits, and dragon tongues as sex toys and youve got a pretty good idea of what castfecore sex is all about. Castlecore is embodied by aesthetics like moody castles, gothic romance, dramatic clothing, candlelight, and medieval or Renaissance-inspired vibes, Amodio tells PRIDE. It originates from the broader castlecore aesthetic, which gained traction on social platforms like TikTok.And castlecore sex isnt just for the romantasy girlies, according to Dr. Grey, its for everyone with the hots for taboo power dynamics and loves a fairytale, I mean, who hasnt dreamed about taking back shots by John Snow. Just me?Castlecore is sex related to medieval, fantasy, like Game of Thrones, candlelit chambers, corsets, rugged men, maybe some incest role plays, like the Lannisters, perhaps a dragon or two if youre extra kinky, he says. At the core of it all, its about tapping into forbidden power dynamics, mixed with fairy tale vibes, a form of escapism. Its been a thing, but it has gained popularity with the increase of smut and the destigmatizing of sex in books. Like TikTok, and books like A Court of Thorns and Roses.How does it connect to romantasy books?These novels tend to draw from fantasy and hot, steamy, passionate sex, often spotlighting feminine desire and power dynamics, Dr. Grey explains. This causes people to recreate scenes from books and engage in role-playing.Peoples interest in this particular kink is an intersection between sexuality and nerdom that seems to be bringing fantasy lovers and smut readers together in the bedroom. I mean, who wouldnt want to get railed in Rivendell? Thats a Lord of the Rings reference, Dr. Grey jokes.Castlecore sex is a natural extension of this genre, Amodio agrees. People take the imagery, tone, and sensual tension of romantic worlds and translate them into their own intimate lives, bridging the gap between fantasy and reality and bringing their fantasies to life in the bedroom.What does it entail?Amodio says its less about specific sex acts and more about setting, mood, and play, and since the sex is taking inspiration from fantasy stories, the skys the limit, but it usually involves role play, medieval costumes, and maybe even some kinky fantasy monster-inspired sex toys.Set it up with candlelight, forbidden lovers, a damsel in distress, a knight in shining armor, or some warrior, maybe even a king or queen, and a peasant, Dr. Grey says. It can also include costume or leather pieces, gowns, corsets, wigs, or a potato sack if youre a peasant. Could be a crown, to name a few things, and then obviously sex toys, cant be a kinky scene without some type of medieval torture devices Dragon-inspired dildos seem to be a rage, or other unusual shapes, could also include some chains, collars, leather, and even candle wax.How is this trend impacting LGBTQ+ folks?Many romantasy novels are filled with heteronormative relationships and binary gender roles, but it doesn't have to be that way, and spicy monster romance and MM romance novels are currently rising in popularity. The tropes of this fantasy subgenre aren't just for straight people, and queer people may be particularly drawn to castlecore sex.Castlecore is fantasy, and while there may be traditional roles like a damsel in distress or a knight in shining armor, nobody ever said the damsel couldnt be a man, and the knight couldnt be a woman, Dr. Grey says. Queer and trans folx may find this escapism empowering and affirming. There are no gender norms or binaries in kink, so make it your own and embrace the fantasy.Are there any risks?As with any new kink youre trying out, educate yourself before diving straight in. Creating a safe word, along with communication, consent, and safety planning, are keys to keeping things from turning dangerous while youre having a transformative sexual experience," Amodio cautions. Castlecore sex can include fantasy costumes like corsets which can be risky when worn too tightly because then can restrict breathing or circulation, Amodio says. Armor and chains can also restrict breathing, so easy-escape clothing and a clear safe word are your best bets for pulling your sexual fantasy off safely. Youll also want to be careful that you know what youre doing if youre dripping candle wax on someone and may be tempted to get creative, but remember to only put toys in your butt if they have a flared base. If you get creative and pick a unique object for anal play, it can get sucked into your body and if you cant get it back out, youll wind up with an incredibly awkward trip to the hospital.Nothing ruins the mood like a trip to the ER, and there isnt really a way to explain a dragons tongue dildo to the hospital, Dr. Grey warns. If youre using candles or candle wax, make sure you know what youre doing and not accidentally setting someone on fire, or your home, or giving someone third-degree burns. And as always, wash your toys and store them properly.And like any time youre having sex, enthusiastic consent is a must. Consent is crucial; ensure it is enthusiastic and check in throughout the scene or play, he says. Have fun, enjoy it, and as always, you can shout Dracarys when you reach the big finish.Sources cited:Jillian Amodio, a licensed sex therapist and psychology professor.Dr. Michael Grey, a licensed marriage and family therapist, board-certified sexologist, the CEO of Grey Insight, and a graduate professor.

Jennifer Lopez is finally stepping into her spotlight in a movie musical with Kiss of the Spider-Woman, but as she recently revealed, that dream was decades in the making, and nearly included the iconic role of Eva Pern in Evita. During a post-screening Q&A for Kiss of the Spider-Woman on September 10, Lopez, 56, opened up about a particularly deflating moment early in her career. She recounted her audition for director Alan Parkers 1996 film adaptation of Evita, in which she had poured weeks of preparation into singing for the role, only to find out that Madonna had already been cast.Madonna, now 67, would go on to receive critical acclaim for her performance in Evita, which earned five Academy Award nominations and won the Oscar for Best Original Song in 1997. But Lopezs moment with Parker, though brief, remains a telling snapshot of how roles in Hollywood can often be locked in long before cameras roll, regardless of how much heart or hustle an actor brings to the table.The Dream DeferredLopezs reflection highlights a recurring theme in her journey through Hollywood: near misses and unexpected detours on the way to building a multifaceted career.This wasnt the only major movie musical she came close to landing. At the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, where Kiss of the Spider-Woman had its world premiere, Lopez told The Hollywood Reporter she also auditioned for Chicago and Nine.Now, nearly 30 years after Madonnas Evita, Lopez is finally taking center stage in Kiss of the Spider-Woman, her first-ever movie musical.A Role Worth Waiting ForDirected by Matthew Lpez and co-starring Diego Luna and breakout actor Tonatiuh, Kiss of the Spider-Woman is an adaptation of the 1993 Broadway musical of the same name. The film centers around two men imprisoned in a repressive South American jail a political revolutionary and a gay window dresser who bond through the shared fantasy of a vintage Hollywood musical, starring a fictional diva named Ingrid Luna, portrayed by Lopez.As Lopez told PEOPLE earlier this year, she approached her musical numbers in the film with old-school discipline.Themes and Cultural SignificanceViewers will find Kiss of the Spider-Woman especially meaningful, as the story is steeped in identity, repression, and resilience. Tonatiuhs character a gay man imprisoned for immoral behavior becomes the emotional anchor of the film, bringing poignancy to its musical dream sequences and a powerful reminder of the many queer lives criminalized under authoritarian regimes.For Lopez, portraying the glamorous and imaginary film star Ingrid Luna is more than just a role, its an homage to the larger-than-life icons she grew up watching. Its also a full-circle moment: after decades of being passed over for movie musical roles, shes finally starring in one with rich queer subtext and artistic ambition.From Bye-Bye to SpotlightThe anecdote about Evita may be humorous in hindsight, but its also emblematic of Lopezs resilience. Where some would have stopped auditioning or given up on landing musical roles, she pressed on taking risks in rom-coms, thrillers, dramas, and even launching a successful music career in the process.And now, with Kiss of the Spider-Woman arriving in theaters on October 10, Lopez is not only stepping into the musical genre she longed to conquer, but doing so in a film that celebrates fantasy, endurance, and queer liberation, all wrapped in lush choreography and glittering spectacle.Whether or not she ever plays Eva Pern, Lopez has certainly earned her place in the pantheon of pop culture icons who made their own way, even when the part had already been cast.Kiss of the Spider-Woman hits theaters nationwide on October 10, 2025. Follow @gayety for coverage on queer representation in film, exclusive interviews, and behind-the-scenes access.Source

Sniffies, the online cruising map that has become a cultural force, is stepping further into lifestyle territory with a new fall collection of Cruising Gear. The drop blends fetish-inspired flair with everyday essentials, designed to be worn both in the club and on the streetthough the company admits most of it ends up on the floor.Eli Martin, Sniffies Chief Marketing Officer and co-owner, says the line is about giving cruisers a way to communicate without words. Our new collection lets people show who they are and what theyre into before they even say hello, Martin said. Its fun, its sexy, and yes, the best part is when the clothes come off.Whats in the DropThe September 2025 release mixes updates of Sniffies favorites with fresh designs:Mild to Wild Ringer Tee A reimagined take on the classic fan favorite.Worldwide Reversible Jersey Double the colorways, celebrating cruising culture across borders.Wide Strap Jock A new variation of a tried-and-true favorite.Ringer Socks Retro styling, perfect for when feet find their way overhead.Core Sock A grey essential for everyday wear.Service Sock Bold stripes with a playful nod to reciprocity.Logo Long Muscle Tee Sleek, fitted, and impossible to miss.Beyond the MapSniffies has grown far beyond its digital cruising map. The company now hosts a popular podcast, Cruising Confessions, and a growing slate of in-person parties. Each merch release acts as both a style statement and a cultural marker for a community that values immediacy, curiosity, and connection.This latest drop, like the Sniffies platform itself, encourages people to swipe less and explore more. The brands expansion into lifestyle and apparel underscores how cruising culture continues to reinvent itself in the digital era.The Sniffies Fall Cruising Gear Collection is available now at sniffieshush.com. As always, the release is limited, so once its gone, its gone.Source

Mariah Carey is taking her music to one of the worlds most vital stages, the Amazon Rainforest. Organizers announced Thursday that the pop icon will headline Amaznia Live Today and Always on Sept. 17, performing on a floating stage along the Guam River in Belm, Brazil.The event is designed to highlight the urgent need for conservation in the region ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), which will also be held in Belm this November.A Stage Like No OtherCareys set will unfold at sunset, with a stage inspired by the Victoria Amazonica, the giant water lily native to the region. Organizers describe the performance as both a spectacle and a statement, pairing global star power with the symbolism of the rainforests natural beauty.Joining Carey are artists who represent Pars cultural richness, including Dona Onete, Joelma, Gaby Amarantos and Zaynara. Their inclusion underscores the events goal of blending international visibility with local artistry.Why the Concert MattersThe Amazon is often called the lungs of the Earth, and organizers say the concert is about more than music. In a statement, they emphasized that the show will call attention to protecting Indigenous communities, expanding the bioeconomy, restoring degraded lands, and reforesting areas critical to reducing global carbon emissions.The concert is being staged by Team Rock, the group behind Rock in Rio, and will be recorded for a national television special in Brazil.More Than One ShowThe September 17 performance wont be the only event tied to Amaznia Live. A free follow-up concert will take place on Sept. 20 at Mangueiro Stadium in Belm, which holds more than 46,000 people. That lineup will feature Brazilian superstar Ivete Sangalo alongside local favorites Viviane Batido and the Lambateria Baile Show with Lia Sophia.A Busy Month for CareyCareys rainforest gig comes just days after she made headlines at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards. The singer performed a medley of her hits before receiving the coveted Video Vanguard Award, adding another milestone to her decades-spanning career.Now, shes bringing that momentum to a stage unlike any other, one floating in the heart of the Amazon, where music and activism will meet on the water.Source

From Grimace to the Geico Gecko, these unexpected crushes prove that gay thirst has no limits.Gay men are known for having taste. Sometimes that taste is refined and obvious, like swooning over Pedro Pascal or Henry Cavill. Other times, its chaotic and borderline pathological. This is where the Hear Me Out comes in. The Hear Me Out is not about who is conventionally hot; its about who unexpectedly awakens something inside you. They might be a mascot, a cartoon, or even an inanimate object. They are not the crush you admit to your mom, but they are the one you confess to your best friend at 2 a.m. after a few too many Moscow mules.Related | The Hottest Male Tennis Players Serving Looks at the US Open and BeyondHere are 30 of our most unhinged Hear Me Outs, organized by type. Read them, laugh, and maybe, just maybe, see yourself reflected in the madness. Disclaimer: This is obviously not meant to be taken seriously. Dont worry, were not actually attracted to paperclips.For the Twink-LoversGeico InsuranceThe Geico GeckoYes, he is an insurance mascot, but at least hes employed. Hes cheeky, hes confident, and hes got that British accent that makes everything sound just a little sexier. You just know hed talk his way into your flat and convince you it was your idea. Plus, hes slick, well-groomed, and always dressed in that polished green suit. Honestly, it works.The Emperors New Groove (2000), Walt Disney Pictures.KuzcoSelf-obsessed, dramatic, and always ready to make an entrance, Kuzco is twink energy distilled into a Disney emperor. Hes also got a signature look; the perfect bob, turquoise earrings, and flowing red robes are a serve. He lives for attention, throws tantrums when ignored, and still manages to look hot while doing it. Also, hes rich. Heck, Ill take his Llama version too, there I said it.Star Wars franchise, Lucasfilm/Disney.C-3POHear me out: hes literally made of gold. Tall, shiny, and impossible to ignore, C-3PO looks like he was designed to catch the light on a runway. Sure, hes anxious and fusses nonstop, but underneath all that panic is someone who just wants attention and affection. Also, call me crazy, but is he or isnt he giving off blouse energy? Ill see myself out.The Pokmon Company/Nintendo.MachopSmall but shredded, this short king is basically a gym twink come to life. Hes always flexing, eager to prove himself, and so proud of those little muscles. You know hed follow you around the gym just to spot you, even when youre not lifting anything heavy. Theres a cockiness to him, the kind that comes from knowing hes stronger than he looks, and it somehow makes him even hotter.For the Bear-LoversBrawny/Georgia-PacificThe Brawny Paper Towel ManI wasnt going to include this one since it feels too obvious, but then I reminded myself that Im attracted to my paper towels, so here we are. The Brawny Man is tall, broad, and built like a proper lumberjack, always showing up in that perfectly fitted plaid. He has the arms to carry you and the domestic skills to clean up after, which is honestly a dangerous combination. The one downside? Im pretty sure Id be his dirty little secret.KelloggsTony the TigerThere was a reason I was always reaching for Frosted Flakes even though I was more of a Cocoa Krispies girl. Tony is huge, striped, and shredded, with the chest of a lumberjack and the arms of a heavyweight champ. Hes loud, confident, and the type to hype you up before, during, and after. You just know hes grrrreat in bed.Monsters, Inc. (2001), Pixar Animation Studios/Walt Disney Pictures.SulleyDo I honestly even need to explain this one? Hes got the build, hes a nice guy, and hes great with kids. Add in the horns, the voice, and the fact that he could throw you over his shoulder without breaking a sweat, and its game over. And lets be real, with those teeth, I bet he bites.McDonaldsGrimaceOkay, even I know this one is a hard sell, but hear me out. Hes soft, purple, and built like a giant cuddle toy. He may not be the brightest tool in the shed, but hes here for a good time, and his suggestive shape does raise a fewquestions. You know hed keep you warm, make you laugh, and then forget why he walked into the room in the first place. And for the record, Uncle OGrimacey can get it too.Kung Fu Panda (2008), DreamWorks Animation.PoSoft, round, and built for maximum cuddles, Po has the kind of body you actually want to fall asleep on. Hes a great fighter, an even better eater, and somehow manages to make clumsy look hot. Add in that goofy Labrador energy and Jack Blacks voice, and suddenly the Dragon Warrior is looking like boyfriend material.For the Otter-LoversZootopia (2016), Walt Disney Animation Studios.Nick WildeLets be honest, this one barely qualifies as a Hear Me Out. Nick is sly, scruffy, and dangerously smooth-talking, with the kind of smirk that makes you want to get into trouble. Hes tall, lean, and always dressed sharp in that Hawaiian shirt-and-tie combo, which should not work but absolutely does. Truthfully, I could have made an entire Zootopia Hear Me Out list Chief Bogo, Officer Clawhauser, Mayor Lionheart? Ive got to stop myself before I end up on some kind of list.Scooby-Doo franchise, Hanna-Barbera/Warner Bros.ShaggyTall, lanky, and perpetually stoned, Shaggy is the definition of scruffy otter energy. You know he would share his Scooby Snacks, laugh at your dumb jokes, and then cuddle you on the couch while watching horror movies, peeking out from behind a pillow. Hes goofy, messy, and a little clueless, but thats half the charm. Plus, you just know the man has bottomless munchies and would make you the best post-hookup sandwiches of your entire life.Crash Bandicoot, Activision.Crash BandicootLean, scrappy, and constantly spinning out of control, Crash is the kind of wiry, chaotic crush who would keep you laughing and low-key worried the entire time. Hes Dorito-shaped, always shirtless, and rocking a cool mohawk with statement eyebrows that somehow work. Hes got that feral energy that makes you wonder if dating him would be a nightmare or the most fun youve ever had. Por qu no los dos?Puss in Boots (2011), DreamWorks Animation.Puss in BootsCute and sexy at the same time, Puss in Boots has that perfect mix of charm and swagger. Hes got the Latin sex appeal, the voice of Antonio Banderas, and an outfit so sharp it deserves its own credit. He can dance, he can duel, and hes the kind of guy who flirts with everyone in the room and somehow gets away with it. Add in the fact that he has one of the biggest emotional arcs in any animated spin-off ever, and you cant help but fall a little bit in love.For the Daddy-LoversThe Little Mermaid (1989), Walt Disney Pictures.King TritonBroad chest, flowing white beard, golden crown. He looks like he was sculpted out of marble and then dropped into the sea. He is powerful and commanding, but still a devoted single dad who somehow raised seven daughters on his own. The trident, the voice, the sheer presence, it is all working overtime. Truthfully, he would not even be a Hear Me Out if he were not half fish, but the tail just seals the deal.The Lion King (1994), Walt Disney Pictures.MufasaThat deep James Earl Jones voice could read you a grocery list, and it would still get my motor running. He is wise, protective, and powerful, with a mane that makes him look like royalty even though his palace is just a big lump of rock. He has the strength to take down an army, the patience of a true leader, and the kind of presence that makes you feel both safe and a little bit nervous. The truth is, he could dom you with a single glance. Also, is it just me, or is Zazu kind of? Lilo & Stitch (2002), Walt Disney Pictures.Captain GantuCaptain Gantu has the build, the voice, and the presence of a true space daddy. Voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson, who is already such a daddy, Gantus every word rumbles in your chest. And thosemandibles? Intriguing, to say the least. He is strict, commanding, and just intimidating enough to keep you in line. His whale-like appearance somehow makes me feel safe, and Im not ashamed to admit that.The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004), Nickelodeon Movies/Paramount Pictures.DennisLeather, boots, and a motorbike. Dennis rides into the SpongeBob SquarePants Movie looking like he just came out of a Tom of Finland spread. He is ruthless, dominant, and the kind of leather-daddy bounty hunter who makes you want to disobey him just to see what happens next. The voice is deep, the mustache grows in an instant (jealous), and if the hanky code is anything to go by, hes not here for small talk. Honestly, I would do anything he told me, and I would thank him for stepping on me while he did it.For the Jock-LoversKraft Heinz/Kool-AidKool-Aid ManThe Kool-Aid Man does not knock; he tears down walls just to be with you. That is athletic dedication and hospitality all in one giant pitcher. He is constantly asserting himself, never skips leg day, and has the stamina to crash through brick like it is nothing. Plus, he brings the juice any time of day. Loud, bold, and built like a tank, he is the jock who makes an entrance you cannot ignore.Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022), Paramount Pictures/SegaKnucklesKnuckles is the kind of jock who is only a few years away from being promoted to muscle dad. Voiced by Idris Elba, his deep baritone alone is enough to make me weak at the knees. He has that anti-hero energy, always moody and serious, never wasting time on boring optimism. The arms are thick, the jaw is sharp, and the vibes are pure sexy intensity. Plus, you know what they say about big hands?Lightyear (2022), Pixar Animation Studios/Walt Disney Pictures.Buzz LightyearBuzz Lightyear is plastic space jock realness with the jawline to prove it. That chin dimple could crack a nut, and paired with his broad shoulders and perfect smile, he is every bit the all-American boy next door. He has that eager Labrador energy, strong and loyal and always ready to throw himself into action, but without the toxic will bully me for being gay vibe. He even has a button that flips him into Spanish mode, turning him from golden retriever to smooth-talking flamenco lover in seconds. And the catchphrase says it all: he can go all night, to infinity and beyond.The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), New Line Cinema.LurtzOkay, I know I am crazy for this one, but hear me out. Once you get past the uhgoo, Lurtz is built like a tank. He is the first Uruk-hai, Middle-earths version of the roided-out gym bro, and the body is undeniable. We already know he has stamina, his pain tolerance is unbeatable, and that Uruk can fight through anything. Yknow, I bet I could change him. And honestly, I would love to see a Boromir rematch, but this time in the bedroom.Pokmon franchise, The Pokmon Company/NintendoMachokeIf Machop is a twink, Machoke is a full-blown twunk. He is beefy, ambitious, and way too proud of his gains, the kind of gay gym bro who insists on flexing in every mirror. He walks in wearing a pump cover just so he can take it off dramatically, revealing a body he already knows you are staring at. Every rep is a performance, every flex is an invitation, and he is living for the attention. He is strong enough to toss you over his shoulder but cocky enough to make you thank him for it.For the Nerd-LoversMicrosoft CorporationClippyClippy has always given off nerdy sub vibes. He just wants to help, even when you never asked, and that kind of eager energy is hard to ignore. He is bendy, literally, which means he is more flexible than most of your exes. He clearly knows how to manicure his eyebrows, and there is a quiet confidence in that little paperclip curve. And if you think I am reaching, Google sexy Clippy. I dare you.Hasbro/MonopolyThe Monopoly ManThe Monopoly Man is daddy meets nerd, and somehow it works. He is short, rich, and has been serving sugar daddy cosplay for over a century. He is hot despite being a billionaire, which is saying something. The whole Mandela effect monocle thing only adds to the mystery, like he is hiding something kinky in plain sight. And honestly, he could pass Go on me any day. Just dont take him home to the family; that wont end well, trust me.The Powerpuff Girls (1998), Cartoon Network Studios.Professor UtoniumProfessor Utonium is the perfect mix of nerd and dad. He has an incredible jawline, smells like pipe tobacco, and is so smart that he literally made superheroes out of sugar. He is gentle and brainy, but still has the presence of a man who knows his way around the human body; scientifically speaking, of course. Plus, if you believe the fan theories, he might also be Samurai Jack, which is a huge plus in my book. And honestly, I just love a girl dad.Wrapping It UpFrom Grimace to Predator, from Mike Wazowski to the Geico Gecko, these Hear Me Outs are a reminder that gay thirst knows no limits. We see twink-coded Pokmon, bear-coded mascots, otter-coded stoners, and daddy-coded aliens, and we say yes. Love, lust, and chaos do not need to make sense; they just need to be fun. I encourage everyone who has made it this far to make your own Here Me Out cake with your friends. You may learn a thing or two you wont be able to unlearn.Source

Warning: Spoilers for Wednesday Season 2! After admitting he never got to meet the iconic Mother Monster Lady Gaga while filming Season 2 of Wednesday You make one hate crime joke and then you get asked every interview, Hunter Doohan is now manifesting another legend to join the show: Joan Cusack.Oh my God. Thats such a good question, he told Gayety with a laugh.Of course, Cusack famously played Debbie Jellinsky in Addams Family Values (1993), the hilariously unhinged black widow who marries Uncle Fester for his fortune. The role cemented her as a camp icon, delivering both comedy and chaos that fits perfectly into the Wednesday universe.Hunter even had a vision for how Cusack could tie into Tylers story:I dont know. Tyler has a lot of mommy issues, so I feel like thats the obvious pathway there.And yes, he clarifiedwith emphasisthat he means Mother. Because lets be real: Joan Cusack is Mother. We need this casting to happen. In case you need a refresher, heres your reminder of why.This season on Wednesday, Tyler is drowning in family drama. Spoiler alert: his father is murdered, his long-lost mother turns out to be alive, the brain-munching zombie Slurp is actually his once-dead uncle, and, plot twist, hes revealed to be a key member of the Addams family.Owens Secret Arc and the Infamous Tongue-on-a-StickWhile Hunter was manifesting dream co-stars, Owen Painter shared how he first learned about the extent of his characters storyline. Hes first introduced as a zombie named Slurp brought to life by Pugsley Addams electric abilities. But once Slurp escapes, his hunger for brains takes over, each bite bringing him closer to looking like a man again (enter Isaac Night). It took a minute, but when we got to Dublin, I kind of had a sit-down meeting with Alan [and] Miles, the showrunners, where they gave me a general arc and then they told me not to tell a soul, including everyone in the cast. And then I think Hunter immediately found out from someone and we were playing chicken with each other.The two recalled trading coded hints until eventually admitting they both knew.Owen also spilled one of the best behind-the-scenes secrets of the season: his incredible makeup team. Theres an amazing physical tongue they would have me open the mouth and then somebody would fly in a little tongue on a stick and youd be sitting there with this thing coming out.Hunter confessed he even had to react to the tongue prop once, but it did not make the show. And then they brought out this tongue on the stick and I was like, thats what I was supposed to be reacting to? And I did not do it.Thats probably why it didnt make the show. I was like, hmm, not really.Manifesting Camp GreatnessAs for whats next, Hunter isnt ready to claim an iconic role outside of Wednesday just yet: I think predetermining something, being iconic for yourself would be a little crazy.But with Joan Cusack on his vision board, the camp potential for future seasons couldnt be clearer. Season 2 of Wednesday is streaming now on Netflix.Source

Nature, Published online: 12 September 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-02520-yYATSI aims to represent scientists based in academia and in industry, and to build bridges between the two sectors.

Nature, Published online: 12 September 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-02777-3A difficult thing to fix.

Nature, Published online: 11 September 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-02982-0Carbon emissions from individual energy giants can be directly linked to one quarter of heatwaves between 2000 and 2023. Plus, a brain dial that turns the desire to eat on and off in mice and the researchers fighting back against the Trump administrations assault on US science.

Nature, Published online: 11 September 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09597-5Author Correction: A broad-spectrum lasso peptide antibiotic targeting the bacterial ribosome

Nature, Published online: 10 September 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09456-3A superconducting quantum computer is used to realize an out-of-equilibrium topologically ordered state, which hosts anyonic excitations.

If you read only one fantasy hockey story, read this one: your guide to draft, play and win your league like an expert.

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Terence Crawford wanted the fight he wasn't supposed to win. He gets that opportunity Saturday after a yearslong chase.

All around Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands and host of a regional summit, are not-so-subtle hints of donor nations competing for hearts and minds.

The British government banned Palestine Action under an antiterrorism law, but an intelligence document said most of its activity would not be classified as terrorism.

The artificial intelligence giant is closing in on a deal with Microsoft regarding its future governance, but other questions stand over its huge costs.

Jamel McGriff, who was arraigned late Thursday night, told the authorities that he had molested the septuagenarians before torching their home in the Bellerose neighborhood.

Vouchers are spurring the growth of low-priced, Christian schools that often serve small populations of students. Theyre also pushing up tuition prices.

In her first television interview since joining the Supreme Court, Justice Amy Coney Barrett defended the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade, claiming abortion policy should be left to state legislatures. What do you think?Youd think shed be more ashamed of doing the exact thing she was hired to do.Lee Garton, Systems AnalystI hope she addresses the decision in more detail during her Hot Ones interview.Sergio Villeda, Recess MonitorYeah, I panic and say stupid stuff when Im on camera, too.Rachel Wesselink, Retired GourmandThe post Justice Barrett Defends Overturning Roe v. Wade appeared first on The Onion.

The happy couple tied the knot in a small ceremony at a local courthouse since they were there for Smiths arraignment anyway.The post Ashley Byron and Connor Smith appeared first on The Onion.

The post Home Depot Garden Center Offering 1.5 Cubic Feet Of Squirrels appeared first on The Onion.

WASHINGTONAttempting to garner camaraderie from a group of regulars at his local watering hole, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth loudly announced Monday that he would be buying everyone in the bar a round of F-22 fighter jets.Guys, the next round of aeronautic defense systems is on me, said a visibly inebriated Hegseth, twirling his finger around in the air to indicate that his fellow bargoers should put their $370 million supersonic stealth Raptors on his tab. Hey, everyone, raise your missile launchers for a toast! Anyone want to join me in the bathroom to take out a Yemeni village with a drone? No? Okay, your loss.According to reports, a winking Hegseth also sent a nearby table of ladies a round of tanks.The post Pete Hegseth Buys Bar Round Of F-22 Fighter Jets appeared first on The Onion.

Gather round, friends, and lend me your ears! Today, I bring to you a marvelous proposition, one that can become a reality with everyones help. It may seem far-fetched at firstthe ravings of yet another humble dreamer. But I really believe that we can accomplish this as long as we stay united as one. For alone, each of us is just one little person. But together, absolutely nothing can keep us from attaining our desires.So, cmon, everybody, and join in! Theres too many of us for them to stop us from jerking off all at once!Of course, were vulnerable if we stay isolated while rubbing one out. But if we lock arms and touch ourselves, side by side in a public park, then the impossible is possible! We can shout No! at the authority figures who tell us to keep our sexual organs in our pants. We can overcome the powerful who want us to remain flaccid and dry. For nothing they do will ever change this underlying fact: There is strength in our engorged numbers.Some of you might fear the consequences of joining me in this communal act of self-pleasure. I dont blame you. Many of us wont make it to climax, particularly if were arrested for public indecency and dragged away by the police while still desperately pawing at our crotches. But no matter what, dont stop fondling yourself! For even as our brothers- and sisters-in-arms fall, other rock-hard cocks rise in their place, ready to be furiously manipulated in the face of incredible odds.Im going to show you how this is done: Basically, you start touching yourself really slowly. See? Like this. But then go faster and faster. It feels better that way.So how about itsir, are you with me? If so, follow my example. Put your hand in your pants and start beating off! How about you, madam? Will you stand up and say Enough is enough to those who would deny you your pleasure? Then the time has come to begin diddling yourself. After all, one person jerking off in a dark room does nothing, but everyone on the face of the earth jerking off simultaneously?Friends, that can change the world.Not so long ago, I was exactly like many of you: fearful, isolated, and mistaken in my belief of the cynics who said my dreams about group masturbation were impractical. In the darkest of those moments, I tried to cheer myself up by turning to my favorite porn video on xHamster.com, Busty Amateur Sucks And Fucks. It was then that I happened upon the view count: 837,000. Stunned, I checked out my other favorite video, Horny Stepsis Sneaks Into My Room After Yoga. 1.3 million views. Thats when I realized I wasnt alone.Not at all.There are millionsno, billionsof us: decent, hardworking people who just want to play with themselves in public without any consequences and would do exactly that if the elite didnt rely on keeping us disillusioned and sexually repressed. Though each of us is just a single drop in the ocean, if we all band together, we can produce a massive tidal wave of bodily fluid so powerful it can overcome anything.So today I ask you, my brothers and sisters, to ignore the doubters and skeptics and join me. Be you man or woman, teen or elder, I call upon you to plunge your hand into your underwear and start rummaging around. We will either go down tugging and rubbing, or we will enjoy orgasms that will stay with us for eternity.And to those still uncertain of whether to participate, I ask you to recall that all it takes for evil to triumph in this world is for good, horny people like ourselves not to beat off together.The post Cmon, Everybody, Theres Too Many Of Us For Them To Stop Us From Jerking Off All At Once! appeared first on The Onion.

"When I first toured this apartment it was absolutely disgusting. A hoarder was living here. Every inch of the unit was covered in furniture and clutter. It smelled bad. But at 23 it was the only apartment I could afford to rent in the city that was in my price range," writes Joyce Caldwell.READ MORE...

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President Donald Trump, center, gestures next to New York Yankees president Randy Levine, front right, during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)2025-09-12T12:30:47Z NEW YORK (AP) President Donald Trump said Friday hell send the National Guard to Memphis to address crime concerns there with the support of the mayor and the governor.Trump, a Republican, said on Fox News Channel the mayor is happy and the governor is happy about the pending deployment. The mayor is a Democrat, and the governor is a Republican.He said the city is deeply troubled and were going to fix that just like we did Washington, where hes sent National Guard and surged federal law enforcement.Since sending the National Guard to Los Angeles and Washington, Trump has openly mused about sending troops to some of the nations most Democratic cities including Chicago and Baltimore claiming they are needed to crack down on crime.Trump said he would have preferred going to Chicago, where local politicians have fiercely resisted his plans, but he suggested it was a hostile place with professional agitators. Trump first deployed troops to Los Angeles in early June over Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsoms objections by putting the California National Guard under federal jurisdiction, known as Title 10, to protect federal property from protests over immigration raids. Besides 4,000 guard members, Trump later sent 700 active duty Marines, and California sued over the intervention. The guard went on to help protect officers during immigration arrests. Meanwhile, the unique status of the District of Columbia National Guard Trump is its commander in chief means he has been able to use it for everything from armed patrols to trash cleanup without any legal issues. Because it is on state and not federal orders, legal restrictions on law enforcement dont come into effect.

The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to America in 1884. Now more than 140 years later, a painting that reimagines Lady Liberty as a Black trans woman is turning out to be a different sort of artistic gift, with a little help from Donald Trump.Trans Forming Liberty is the title of a 2024 painting by the renowned artist Amy Sherald, who is known for her stylized portraits of African-Americans. Sherald drew national attention in 2018, when she painted former First Lady Michelle Obamas official portrait. Arewa Basit, a Black transgender performance artist, was the model for her depiction of Lady Liberty, who is shown in a blue gown and pink bob, holding up a bouquet of flowers in lieu of a torch. Related Trump administration cracks down on content at Smithsonian Institution The result is one of the most-discussed pieces in Amy Sherald: American Sublime, a mid-career retrospective that has been touring the country since last fall, featuring approximately 40 paintings completed between 2007 and 2024.Sherald will receive the Human Rights Campaigns Ally for Equality Award for her work and advocacy at its sold-out National Dinner in Washington on September 13 at the Washington Hilton. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today After successful stops at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) in California and the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, American Sublime was supposed to open on September 19 at the National Portrait Gallery, a branch of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D. C. It was to be the third and final stop for the exhibit, the most comprehensive presentation of her work to date.But Sherald cancelled the show in July due to concerns about censorship. She has said she learned that museum officials were considering removing Trans Forming Liberty from the exhibit because they wanted to avoid provoking the Trump administration, since the federal government provides the bulk of the Smithsonians budget. View this post on Instagram A post shared by A M Y S H E R A L D (@asherald) President Donald Trump and his appointees have been exercising control over what can and cant be presented at the Smithsonian, the Kennedy Center and other federally-operated venues, such as National Park Service properties. Theyve targeted works that they consider woke or examples of a DEI agenda, and Sheralds painting, with its twist on Liberty Enlightening the World, was on their hit list of 26 artworks and shows depicting queer, trans and migrant experiences that they believe convey divisive narratives.In a statement, Sherald said she was informed by the National Portrait Gallery that concerns had been raised internally about the painting. These concerns led to discussions about removing the work from the exhibition, she said. While no single person is to blame, it is clear that institutional fear shaped by a broader climate of political hostility toward trans lives played a role. A Smithsonian spokespersonlater said it was a misunderstanding and that the museum never intended to remove the painting from the exhibit. The representative said the museum only wanted to contextualize it by adding a video showing people reacting to the painting and discussing trans rights. That didnt help as far as Sherald was concerned. The video would have opened up for debate the value of trans visibility, and I was opposed to that being a part of the American Sublime narrative, Sherald toldThe New York Times.Her painting has since appeared on the cover ofThe New Yorker.I cannot in good conscience comply with a culture of censorship, especially when it targets vulnerable communities, she said in a statement about canceling the show. At a time when transgender people are being legislated against, silenced, and endangered across our nation, silence is not an option. I stand by my work. I stand by my sitters. I stand by the truth that all people deserve to be seen not only in life, but in art.Sherald said in a letter to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch III that she agreed to collaborate with the museum in good faith, believing that the institution shared a commitment to presenting work that reflects the full, complex truth of American life. Unfortunately, it has become clear that the conditions no longer support the integrity of the work as conceived. The Smithsonian dispute is part of a larger trend of censorship, postponement, and alteration of exhibitions featuring LGBTQ+ art and themes since Trump began his second term in January. Yanking the exhibit was a momentous decision for the artist, given the prestigious setting and the exposure it would have brought her. She would have been the first contemporary Black artist to have a solo show at the National Portrait Gallery.This month Sherald found a new home for her show. On September 3, directors of the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) announced that their museum will present American Sublime for five months, from November 2 to April 5, 2026. That will make Baltimore the previously-unscheduled third and final stop for Sheralds show, and it promises to be a blockbuster for the city and the museum.Ive had the great pleasure and joy of knowing Amy Sherald for a decade, Asma Naeem, the BMAs Dorothy Wagner Wallis Director, said in the announcement. In that time, she has become a cultural force, capturing the public imagination through works that are powerful and resonant in their profound humanity. Were thrilled to share her transformational work with our visitors. Now 52, the survivor of a heart transplant in 2012, Sherald works primarily as a portraitist depicting African-Americans in everyday settings. Her style is simplified realism, involving staged photographs of her subjects.Since 2012, she has used grisaille to portray skin tones, a painting technique that employs monochromatic shades of gray, or sometimes brown, to create the illusion of three-dimensional forms. For her, its a way of challenging conventions about skin color and race. Another well-known work of hers is a 2020 portrait of Breonna Taylor, a woman who was killed by police while sleeping in her home in Louisville, Kentucky. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mike Monteiro (@mikemonteiro)Forty-three miles north of the National Portrait Gallery, the BMA is a logical setting for Sheralds show for several reasons.First, the BMA isnt going to censor Sheralds work the way she feared the Smithsonian might. None of the BMAs budget comes from the federal government at present. Its under no Trumpian mandate to censor artists work, and it has no record of doing so.The museum has a long history of presenting the works of LGBTQ+ artists and patrons and exploring LGBTQ+ themes. Its the home of the Cone Collection, amassed by sisters Claribel and Etta Cone, the latter of whom had a romantic relationship with lesbian novelist and poet Gertrude Stein. It has shown the work of Mickalene Thomas; Mark Bradford; Elle Perez; Raul de Nieves and other LGBTQ+ artists in recent years. It named its all-gender restrooms after gay filmmaker, visual artist, and hometown hero John Waters, whos on the museums board of trustees. Actress and transgender activist Elizabeth Coffey flushed the first flush when The John Waters Restrooms were dedicated. If any art institution has provided a haven for LGBTQ+ subjects, with a sense of humor, its the BMA.The museum already has a relationship with Sherald. She joined its board in 2018 but stepped down in 2020 amid controversy related to its planned sales of paintings by Brice Marden, Clyfford Still, and Andy Warhol, a divestment that never went through. The museum owns one of her paintings, Planes, Rockets, and the Spaces in Between (2018), and has featured her work in group shows. This will be her first solo exhibit there. View this post on Instagram A post shared by (@chetarek_)Perhaps most importantly, Sherald has a close relationship with the city of Baltimore. Born in Columbus, Georgia, and now based in New York City, she earned a Bachelors degree in painting from Clark-Atlanta University and then moved to Baltimore to get her MFA degree at the Maryland Institute College of Art. She continued to live and work in Baltimore after college for more than a decade, formative years during which she launched her career and started getting widespread attention in the art world.Sherald has a billboard-sized mural entitled Equilibrium on one side of the Parkway Theater on North Avenue, one of Baltimores main boulevards. It depicts a woman balancing on a tightrope, dangling a heart-shaped locket from one hand. Many of the subjects of her portraits are Baltimore residents who sat for her when she had a studio there.Baltimore has always been part of my DNA as an artist, Sherald said in a statement about moving the show. Every brushstroke carries a little of its history, its energy, its people, and my time there. To bring this exhibition here is to return that love. View this post on Instagram A post shared by PL Henderson (@womensart1)Sherald was the first woman and first African American to receive the grand prize in the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition from the National Portrait Gallery. In 2018, the year that Obamas portrait was unveiled, Sherald was awarded the Pollock Prize for Creativity by the Pollock-Krasner Foundation and the David C. Driskell Prize from the High Museum of Art.In addition to the BMA, her work is held in the collections of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art; Nasher Museum of Art in Durham, N.C.; the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C.; the National Portrait Gallery; and the Whitney Museum of American Art.With the exception of her commissioned portraits of Obama and Taylor, the artist selects each subject based on her observations of their inherent qualities, such as poise, style or wit what she calls their ineffable spark.During photoshoots, Sherald lets her models pose organically, allowing for the synergy to build between them so that she can authentically capture their essence, the BMA said in its announcement. She then curates each scene and styles the subjects in clothing that speaks to the narrative she wishes to craft, creating a sense of magical realism. For the titles of her paintings, Sherald often draws inspiration from Black women writers and poets like Toni Morrison and Lucille Clifton, reinterpreting their poetry to develop different contexts around the interior worlds of her subjects, the BMA added. Through her explorations, Sherald redefines common beliefs about American identity, weaving a broader visual story of history and belonging.The BMA is treating the exhibit as a homecoming for the artist and rolling out the proverbial red carpet for her. Besides presenting American Sublime, its giving her one of its Artists Who Inspire awards during its 2025 BMA Ball & After Party on November 22 a decision made before she announced plans to move her show to Baltimore.Besides Trans Forming Liberty and the portraits of Obama and Taylor, highlights of American Sublime include Sheralds Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition-winning painting,Miss Everything (Unsuppressed Deliverance), and the triptychEcclesia (The Meeting of Inheritance and Horizons), created for this exhibition. It also includes For love, and for country, her 2022 reimagined same-sex take on photographer Alfred Eisenstaedts famous VJ-Day Kiss photo, first published in Life magazine in 1945. View this post on Instagram A post shared by PL Henderson (@womensart1) From foundational early works to some of her most iconic and recognizable paintings and rarely seen examples,American Sublimecaptures the power and poignancy of Sheralds artistry and traces her ascendance as one of the most influential figurative painters of our time, the BMA said in its announcement.How did the BMA land Sheralds show? After word got out the that artist canceled the exhibit in Washington, the BMA contacted her to see if she would bring it to Baltimore. Naeem was a curator at the National Portrait Gallery before coming to Baltimore and admired her work. The BMA offered prime space on the second floor of its contemporary wing, and was prepared to present American Sublime for the same number of months and in roughly the same time frame as the Washington exhibit.Baltimore is the ideal place to present Sheralds work, Naeem said.Beyond her education and time lived in our beloved city, Baltimore is rooted in her subjects, on her canvases, and in her titles. PresentingAmerican Sublimeat the BMA is a celebration of our creative community and a joyful reunion with those shaped by Amys extraordinary power to connect. Censorship is out of the question, Naeem told The Baltimore Sun.We are doing what we always do, which is to present an exhibition of an artist at the peak of her powers, she said. Trans Forming Liberty is just one painting among 40 glorious portraits that represent a wide swath of humanity. Our role is to speak to a diverse range of narratives.Sherald is clearly upbeat about the new location. After the BMA show was announced, she posted a video on Instagram in which she starts, Hey Baltimore, and invites viewers to see her show.You asked for it, she says in the video. We listened. Were pulling up. Were bringing Sublime to Charm City. Get your calendars ready. Call your mama. Call your cousin. Get your edges ready. Its about to go down. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Susan Washington | Abstract Paintings (@susanwashingtonart)A sign of the museums keen interest in accommodating Sherald is the pace at which the show has come together. Museums such as the BMA typically schedule exhibits years in advance, to give curators time to borrow key works and make other arrangements. In this case, the paintings were already lined up for a multi-city tour and the accompanying catalog has been printed. Still, this leg of the show is taking shape in record time. Sherald canceled the Washington show on July 24 and reached agreement with the BMA on September 2. According to BMA Senior Director of Communications Anne Mannix Brown, its happening at warp speed.American Sublimeis organized by SFMOMA and curated by Sarah Roberts, the museums former Andrew W. Mellon Curator and Head of Painting and Sculpture. At the BMA, it will be a special ticketed exhibition organized by Naeem with Cecilia Wichmann, Curator and Department Head of Contemporary Art; Antoinette Roberts, Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art; and Dylan Kaleikaumaka Hill, Meyerhoff-Becker Curatorial Fellow.The catalog, also entitledAmy Sherald: American Sublime, is the artists first comprehensive monograph, showing the broad sweep of her painting practice as well as her influences and inspirations. Contributors include Roberts, the exhibition curator, Elizabeth Alexander, Dario Calmese and Rhea Combs.Its published by SFMOMA in association with Yale University Press. Tickets forAmy Sherald: American Sublime will go on sale October 1 for BMA members and October 8 for the general public. Prices are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors, $14 for groups of seven or more, and $10 for students with ID. BMA members, individuals ages 17 and under, and student groups are admitted for free. Free admission is also available on Thursdays from 5 to 9 p.m., and on opening day, November 2, as well as all day on January 15, and February 19.The announcement about the new location comes, ironically, just as Trump has been bashing Baltimore and its leaders. Hes called the city a hellhole and a deathbed and threatened to send in the National Guard to curtail crime. Hes also threatened to take away federal funds needed to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge after it was struck by a container ship and collapsed in March of 2024 money that was allocated in the closing days of the Biden administration.In a sense, prompting Sherald to move her show, albeit indirectly, is one of the only ways Trump has done anything helpful to Baltimore since he began his second term as president. Sheralds show promises to bring positive national attention and visitors to the city. Its the sort of event that will get people to become museum members or renew lapsed memberships. It will help solidify the museums reputation as a welcoming, censorship-free venue for art. Thats what Sherald wanted when she agreed to bring her show to the National Portrait Gallery the liberty to present works such as Trans Forming Liberty on her terms, without any spin or censorship from curators.It became clear during my exchanges with the [National Portrait Gallery] how quickly curatorial independence collapses when politics enters the room, she wrote in an essay for MSNBC. When governments police museums, they are not simply policing exhibitions. They are policing imagination itself.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

This Memorial Day weekend, were taking time to commemorate the lives and contributions of LGBTQ+ service members, those who fought for our country while fighting the stigma that came with serving while gay.Serving openly wasnt an option for LGBTQ+ people in the U.S. for many years until the repeal of the militarys Dont Ask, Dont Tell policy in 2011. Related Five LGBTQ films to watch this Memorial Day Serving while gay wasnt technically forbidden until 1982, when the Reagan administration enacted a policy explicitly banning gay men and lesbians from the armed forces. Same-sex relations in the military, however, had long been criminalized, as they were in society at large. In the 1940s, the Department of Defense classified same-sex attraction as a mental illness and a reason for dishonorable discharge. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Yet for more than 200 years before that landmark reversal in 2011, countless LGBTQ+ people did serve in the military. Sometimes their sexuality or gender identity was an open secret and overlooked. More often, if discovered, it was used as a bludgeon to drum them out of service.The following is a list of 15 notable LGBTQ+ Americans, just a fraction of those whove served with distinction, from the Revolutionary War in 1775 to the debut of Space Force in 2019. The American Revolution: Friedrich von SteubenA portrait of Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben by Charles Willson PealeAt 33, Prussian soldier Friedrich von Steuben had served as aide de camp to Frederick the Great, who was rumored to be gay. Von Steuben found himself discharged from the Prussian Army after his own rumored relations with young men.Ben Franklin didnt care. He was in Paris in 1777, and signed up the experienced soldier for his budding War of Independence. Steuben arrived at Valley Forge in February, 1778 with his Italian greyhound, Azor, and his 17 year-old male secretary, and set about remaking the ragtag colonial troops into a proper Continental Army. One of Washingtons last acts as general was a letter written to the Prussian signifying in the strongest terms my entire [praise and approval] of your conduct. The Civil War: Albert D. J. CashierAlbert D. J. CashierAlbert Cashier was born Jennie Irene Hodgers in 1843, but after enlisting in the Union Army as a man in 1862, he maintained his new identity for the rest of his life. The 18-year-old signed up for a three-year stretch with the 95th Illinois Infantry, and served as part of the Army of Tennessee under General Ulysses S. Grant. Despite capture while performing reconnaissance at the Siege of Vicksburg, and a later hospital stay, Cashier avoided detection for the duration of his military service.After the war, Cashier settled in Illinois and worked as a farm hand and did odd jobs. Two bouts of illness revealed the veterans sex to friends and a local doctor, but it remained a secret, and he was buried in uniform with full military honors in 1915. World War II: Allen Irvin BernsteinStaff Sergeant Allen BernsteinBernstein, a gay, Jewish writer, enlisted in the Army in 1940. A few years later, he followed a night at the Ballets Russes in Richmond, Virginia with an attempted pick-up of another soldier. As a result, he was jailed, held in a psychiatric facility, and drummed out of the service, before fighting for, and receiving, a retroactive honorable release in 1981.What the world didnt know, until 2010 and after his death, was that Bernstein was the author of a 149-page unpublished manuscript titled Millions of Queers (Our Homo America), written the same year he enlisted. Discovered by a researcher at the National Library of Medicine, the essay anticipated seminal arguments years later defending homosexuality. It was finally published online in 2014 at OutHistory. World War II: Jos SarriaJose Sarria | National Park ServiceIn World War II, Jos Julio Sarria was a Signal Corps intelligence officer, a cook, a baker, a scout, and worked in the motor pool. At just under 5-feet tall, the diminutive son of Colombian and Spanish parents shouldnt have been in the service at all, as he didnt meet the height requirement. Determined to sign up following Japans attack on Pearl Harbor, Sarria seduced a major who was attached to his San Francisco recruiting station and found himself inducted.And thats just the beginning of Sarrias glittering resume. He regaled patrons at the legendary Black Cat club in San Francisco with his modern-day version of Carmen, earning the sobriquet The Nightingale of Montgomery Street. He was radicalized with his arrest for solicitation in a sting operation at the St. Francis Hotel. He was founder of famous homophile orgs the League for Civil Education and the Society for Individual Rights.He was also the first openly gay candidate for political office in the U.S. with his run for San Francisco city supervisor. He also founded with his assumption of the titles Jos I, Empress and Widow Norton the Imperial Court System, the nationwide gay charitable organization that continues to thrive today. World War II: Chester Alan Gavin Arthur IIIChester Alan Gavin Arthur IIIChester Alan Gavin Arthur III the grandson and last living descendent of Chester A. Arthur, 21st president of the United States served in World War II in the Army and Merchant Navy.Arthur earned his own fame as a renowned sexologist and astrologer, friend to the famous (including Jaqueline Kennedy, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, Eleanor Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and Allen Ginsberg), and as a pre-hippie hippie. In his 1962 book,The Circle of Sex, Arthur envisioned sexuality as a wheel with twelve orientations.He was active in the early gay liberation movement and a leader of the Haight-Ashbury counterculture. Arthur used astrology to decide the date for the first Human Be-In in January, 1967, a gathering that emphasized personal empowerment, communal living, ecological awareness, higher consciousness through drugs, and radical New Left political consciousness. The event set the scene for San Franciscos halcyon Summer of Love later that year. World War II: Nell Johnnie PhelpsNell Johnnie PhelpsThe story of Nell Johnnie Phelps is legend among lesbians whove served. Phelps was a member of General Dwight Eisenhowers staff in post-war, occupied Germany. The Supreme Commander had learned that a large number of lesbians were purported to serve in the Womens Army Corps (or WACs, as they were more commonly known). After Ike indicated he wanted to to get rid of them, and that Phelps should compile a list, the sergeant said shed comply, but warned Eisenhower that her own name would be at the top of it. On hearing Phelps declaration, Eisenhowers own secretary came out as well, saying Phelps would have to make room for her too. Eisenhower dropped the request. World War II: Christine JorgensenChristine Jorgensen | Screenshot/PatheEx-GI Becomes Blonde Beauty. That was the tabloid headline in 1952 that outed Christine Jorgensen, the worlds first trans celebrity.Jorgensen was drafted into the Army during World War II, serving as a military clerical worker with the rank of private. After the war, she learned about sex reassignment surgery and traveled to Copenhagen, where she obtained special permission to undergo a series of procedures beginning in 1952. A letter to her family was intercepted by the New York Daily News later that year, explaining, Nature made a mistake which I have had corrected, and now I am your daughter. Jorgensons story made front page news for decades after, as she entertained millions on television and in nightclubs while also working tirelessly for transgender rights.Remember the shy, miserable person who left America? Jorgenson asked her family in another letter, accompanied by photos. Well, that person is no more and, as you can see, Im in marvelous spirits. The Cold War: Frank KamenyLGBTQ pioneer Frank Kameny, with his Gay is Good sign, marching during the 1970 Christopher Street Gay Liberation Day, in New York City. | Kay Tobin / New York Public LibraryDr. Frank E. Kameny served both in World War II and later with the U.S. Armys Map Service as a civil service astronomer. In 1957, at the height of the Cold War and the corresponding Lavender Scare, Kameny was fired and banned from federal employment because he was gay, along with over 10,000 other LGBTQ+ people in the government who were forced from their jobs in the 1950s and 60s. Kameny sued to contest his firing, but he lost, the first in a series of defeats that reached all the way to the Supreme Court. There, he argued the governments actions were an affront to human dignity. Afterward, the U.S. Civil Service Commission reversed course on LGBTQ+ employment. Eventually, 50 years after he was fired for being gay, Kameny received a formal apology from the federal government. The Vietnam War: Leonard MatlovichLeonard Matlovich was seated on a Lambda American flag in the June 1979 San Francisco Pride parade. | Joe Altman collection; California Historical SocietyTechnical sergeant Leonard P. Matlovichserved three tours of duty in Vietnam with the Air Force, earning a Purple Heart and Bronze Star in the process, and later served as an instructor on race relations in the service. But his greatest contribution to the military was his work to overturn the governments ban on LGBTQ+ service members.Matlovich saw parallels between the 1960s racial Civil Rights Movement and the oppression of gay people, and he set about the change it. Hed read an interview in the Air Force Times with Frank Kamany, whod been working with the ACLU to find a way to challenge the militarys gay ban. Soon enough, Matlovich delivered a letter to his base commander, coming out. His declaration and picture appeared on the cover of Time magazine in 1975 alongside the words: I Am a Homosexual. Post-Cold War: Sandra LawsonRabbi Sandra LawsonLike lots of Army brats, Sandra Lawson followed in her parents footsteps and enlisted, around the same time President George H. W. Bush ordered American troops into the Persian Gulf for Operation Desert Storm in 1990. After graduating magna cum laude with a degree in sociology from St. Leo University in Florida,Lawson served in military law enforcement, working on child abuse and domestic violence cases. She was out to family and friends.Unlike a lot Army brats, particularly with a Christian upbringing, Lawson converted to Judaism, and in 2018 became the worlds first Black, out gay female veteran rabbi. Shes also a vegan, holds a masters in sociology, is a personal trainer, food activist, weightlifter, author, and musician. In 2021, she became the first Director of Racial Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Reconstructing Judaism, a progressive pro-Democracy Jewish organization. Iraq War: Eric AlvaMajor General Christopher Cortez (left), commends Staff Sergeant Eric Alva on July 13, 2003, calling him a credit to the Corps.Eric Fidelis Alva joined the United States Marine Corps in 1990 as a 19-year-old. He knew he was gay, at a time when the military strictly barred LGBTQ+ service. Yet he served for 13 years, in Okinawa, Somalia, and finally Iraq, much of the time being out to his fellow Marines.That trust and comradery would be tested on March 21, 2003 two days into the U.S invasion of Iraq when Alva became the first U.S. Marine to be seriously injured in the war. The Texas native was in charge of 11 Marines in a supply unit when he stepped on a land mine and lost his right leg.In 2006, Alva joined the Human Rights Campaign and began working in 2007 to repeal Dont Ask, Dont Tell. He testified before the House Armed Services Committee, My being gay and even many of my colleagues knowing about it didnt damage unit cohesion. They put their lives in my hands, and when I was injured, they risked their lives to save mine. Iraq War: Alan G. RogersMajor Alan G. RogersAlan Greg Rogers, a U.S. Army major and intelligence officer, worked in his lifetime to repeal Dont Ask, Dont Tell with a group of fellow gay service members. However, he may be most remembered for the way his death contributed to LGBTQ+ civil rights.Rogers died in January 2008 while on foot patrol in Baghdad. His death coincided with the U.S. military death toll in Iraq reaching 4000. Yet, while Rogers was out to many in the military and among friends, and many news organizations were aware of his orientation, coverage of his death uniformly failed to recognize he was gay. Instead, mainstream media widely reported that Rogers was not married and left no children. According to the Washington Posts ombudsman at the time, the news organization made an overt decision to not disclose Rogers sexuality.Subsequent reporting in the Washington Blade and The New Yorker outed other outlets for the omission, while the Blade revealed that the office of the Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence had gone so far as to remove references to Rogers sexuality from his Wikipedia page. His posthumous closeting became an emblem of how Dont Ask, Dont Tell affected LGBTQ+ soldiers even after their lives ended. Iraq War: Dan ChoiDan Choi at his West Point graduationDan Choi was a model soldier. A graduate of West Point in 2003, Choi earned degrees in Arabic and environmental engineering, and served as an infantry officer in Iraq with the 10th Mountain Division in 2006 and 2007. But in 2009, Choi appeared on The Rachel Maddow Show and uttered three powerful, and career-ending words: I am gay.That public admission broke Army regulations and earned a Choi a prompt, dishonorable discharge. This is to inform you that sufficient basis exists to initiate action for withdrawal of federal recognition in the Army National Guard for moral or professional dereliction, Chois letter of dismissal read. Specifically, you admitted publicly that you are a homosexual, which constitutes homosexual conduct.Chois actions, and subsequent activism, helped supercharge efforts to repeal Dont Ask, Dont Tell. Several arrests later Choi handcuffed himself to the White Houses gates on multiple occasions DADT was signed out of law by President Obama in 2010. War in Afghanistan: Pete ButtigiegPete Buttigieg (credit: U.S. Military, Mass Communication Specialist Joseph A.D. Phillips) | U.S. Military, Mass Communication Specialist Joseph A.D. PhillipsPete Buttigieg, currently the Secretary of Transportation and the first out gay cabinet secretary in history, was serving the people of South Bend as their 32nd mayor when he was called up by the U.S. Navy Reserve in 2014 for a seven-month deployment to Afghanistan. The one-time presidential candidate was based at Bagram Air Base as part of a unit assigned to identify and disrupt terrorist financial networks. He also served as a driver for his unit commander on more than 100 trips to Kabul. The future transportation secretary has referred to the role as military Uber, through a gauntlet of improvised expolosive devices and potential ambushes into the capital. Buttigieg was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal before leaving the Reserve in 2017. He came out in 2015, following his deployment. Space Force: Bree FramU.S. Space Force Lieutenant Colonel Bree Fram | In 2016, Bree Fram, an astronautical engineer, dedicated Star Trek fan and space fanatic, was an active duty Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force when President Obama dropped the militarys ban on transgender service members. Fram came out as trans the very same day, and instantly became one of the highest ranking out transgender officers in the U.S. military.Then came President Donald Trump (R).After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military, Trump wrote in a series of early morning tweets in July 2017. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you.Suddenly, thousands of trans military personnel, whod served openly for 18 months would be forced back into the closet or kicked out of the U.S. Armed Forces altogether. Fram hadnt fully transitioned she still used her chosen and birth names interchangeably. Would she deny her true identity or give up her military career?Ultimately, Trumps blanket ban was rejected by his generals and so-called military experts, and watered down. Five days after taking office, President Joe Biden (D) lifted it altogether.Now, Fram has fully transitioned, with the support of her wife and two kids. In August, 2021, she joined Space Force, as a woman.

The day after the murder of right-wing provocateur Charlie Kirk, Wisconsin State Rep. Jerry OConnor said that his state needs to ban rainbow Pride flags to end political violence.If the Capitol hosted flags representing LGBTQ+ Pride, the Make America Great Again movement, Black Lives Matter, pro-life and pro-choice causes, in the end, anyone driving around this buildings going to be upset. Why would we do that? OConnor said while defending his legislation to ban all flags except for ones representing the state, the country, or state agencies, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. Related A Muslim-majority city banned Pride flags. A judge just ruled on its legality You move from whats too often political dialogue, that moves to political rhetoric, and there are those extreme cases where it leads to hatred and to murder, he added. We need to be the ones who lead by setting aside political and partisan differences. Stop the gaslighting. Stop the hateful rhetoric, and stop the excessive division.As of September 2025, three states Idaho, Montana, and Utah have enacted statewide laws banning Pride flags from public buildings and schools, with Utah being the first to do so last March. At least eight other states with Republican-controlled legislatures are considering similar bans.

Gay sex and relationship podcaster Dan Savage is known for inventing new terms that catch on in the zeitgeist. Remember when he came up with pegging or created the neologism Santorum to describe the frothy byproduct of anal sex?Well, hes at it again, and this time hes combined tolerate and polyamory into the new relationship model, tolyamory.As people break away from heteronormativity and the societal expectation that everyone should be monogamous, different relationship models have popped up, like polyamory, ethical non-monogamy, relationship anarchy, living-apart-together. But not everyone is jazzed about opening up their relationship, and thats where tolyamory comes in. To get to the bottom of what tolyamory is, how its different from other types of open relationships, and whether LGBTQ+ people are more likely to engage in it, we talked to Ally Iseman, a certified relationship coach and non-monogamy expert at Passport to Pleasure; Edward Reese, a trans nonbinary activist and gender and sexuality expert at LGBTQ+ dating app Taimi and Dr. Yael R. Rosenstock Gonzalez, a sex coach, researcher, and authentic consent practitioner.What is 'tolyamory,' and where did the term originate?Tolyamory is a portmanteau of tolerate and polyamory coined by Savage in 2024 on an episode of his sex and relationship advice podcast Savage Love.Basically, it describes a dynamic when one partner in a relationship puts up with their partner being non-monogamous (dating or sleeping with people outside of their relationship) without actually being enthusiastic, curious, or emotionally on board with it, Iseman tells PRIDE.'"It describes the completely uncommunicated side of the 'don't ask don't tell' spectrum of non-monogamy. There is a level of awareness that behaviors that are not desired are occurring and a general acceptance of that reality without any explicit communication between the partners," adds Rosenstock Gonzalez to PRIDE. Reese says that compersion experiencing joy when your partner finds happiness with another sexual or romantic partner is a cornerstone of polyamorous and consensual non-monogamy relationships, and because that isnt present in a relationship where someone is just tolerating their partners other relationship, it can spell disaster. When were poly, we feel joy when our partners share affection and attention with others, and were happy to engage in that, he says. In simpler terms, tolyamory can be seen as cheating that doesnt lead to a breakup.How is 'tolyamory' different from polyamory or ethical non-monogamy?Within any type of polyamory or ethical non-monogamy, informed mutual consent, clear communication, and ideally, a shared desire to explore beyond monogamy are all keys to building a healthy relationship. Tolyamory, on the other hand, is more like a quiet compromise: one partner fully identifies as non-monogamous, while the other kind of grits their teeth and tries to be okay with it to keep the relationship going, Iseman explains.This often happens when couple rush to open up their relationship before theyve done the work to make sure they both are on board and know how to face the challenges that can come up in a healthy and responsible way. If you dont take the time to build that foundation, Iseman says, one partner ends up physically and/or emotionally outsourcing, while the other spirals in silent resentment or forced performances of compersion.Reese agrees and cautions that tolyamory is not ethical because without both partners enthusiastically buying in and experiencing compersion, it can lead to emotional abuse, self-sabotage, and even depression.Is it common in the LGBTQ+ community? If so, why or why not?Historically, the LGBTQ+ community, especially gay men, has been more open to various forms of ethical non-monogamy, Reese explains. Polyamory is also gaining popularity among younger queer folks, with dating apps offering poly options, like Taimi and Feeld, receiving more praise from Gen Z.According to Iseman, the LGBTQ+ community is more likely to engage in tolyamory because theyre already eschewing heternormativity and live outside the normative relationship model. Queer folks are often more open to relationship design outside the cishet mononormative script, Iseman says. But that doesnt mean both partners are equally ready or aligned. Queer people also frequently feel like there is a scarcity of dating options and depending on where you live that might be accurate so they are more likely to accept a relationship structure that theyre not actually interested in, rather than initiate honest renegotiation, she says.They also can come about when couples struggle to communicate their needs and boundaries. "Because monogamy is used as a default relationship structure in many societies, people are often not engaging in conversations about what is and is not considered cheating which leaves a lot of grey space within those relationships," says Rosenstock Gonzalez. "Therefore, tolyamory is likely a very common phenomenon partially due to a lack of clear communication and expression of what is considered acceptable within one's dynamic."Is it healthy for a relationship?Tolyamory is a red flag, not a death sentence. Its a signal that something in the relational agreement isnt fully consensual, aligned, or being emotionally tended to, Iseman explains. But it can actually be a stepping stone if both partners are willing to talk about what theyre actually feelingwithout shame or forced enthusiasm.Iseman says that if you dont deal with these issues it breeds quiet resentment, performative consent, and rupture but if you face it head on, it can become a catalyst for growth, clarity, deeper trust, and a more compassionate redefinition of the relationship.Reese agrees and says that tolyamory can be very unhealthy and cruel when one partner is only doing it to keep the relationship from falling apart. If one partner engages in sexual or romantic relationships with others without the second partners consent or even knowledge, its a sign of a fundamentally unhealthy relationship, they say. Issues like these should be addressed at the very start.Iseman says that the term tolyamory catching on is a great example of how internet language can give voice to real relational tension, but we have to be careful not to mock or meme-ify peoples pain.If its occurring in your relationship, what is the best way to handle it?Talking about it using I statements instead of accusatory language can help to open the lines of communication with your partner. According to Iseman, if youre already in the middle of a polyamory relationship, you should both be asking, Are you both consenting to the same version of this relationship? Are boundaries clear, dynamic, and co-created?Rosenstock Gonzalez suggests approaching the conversation by explaining how the dynamic is impacting you emotionally. "Be open to naming what causes pain," she advises. "If you don't yet know what the specifics are, a great way to start is to stick to naming how you are feeling as a result of observable actions [and] situations (rather than your interpretations and assumptions) and sharing your fears (rather than accusations)."Both Reese and Iseman recommend reaching out to ethical non-monogamy-informed coaches, therapists, and community spaces to help you navigate this potential minefield.Couples therapy is a common path for many, but labeling cheating with a new trendy term wont solve the underlying problem, Reese cautions.Sources cited:Ally Iseman, a certified relationship coach and non-monogamy expert at Passport to Pleasure.Edward Reese, a trans nonbinary activist and gender and sexuality expert at LGBTQ+ dating app Taimi.Dr. Yael R. Rosenstock Gonzalez, a sex coach, researcher, certified EroSomatic Touch Practitioner, sex doula, and authentic consent practitioner.

I grew up in a religious Christian household. I wasn't exposed to queerness, except maybe a scene from The Color Purple where Celie and Shug kissed and even then, my mom would skip that part, though I'd already seen it once on my own. That might've been my only exposure, and even that wasn't intentional.I remember being a curious kid, looking up "girls kissing girls" on YouTube for reasons I couldn't explain at the time. I even explored a bit myself, kissing a couple of girls while playing house, and I was always the boyfriend. Very telling.I had my first crush at the age of five; in 8th grade, I had my first girlfriend. Still, from then through junior year, I hid behind fake profiles to talk to girls online. I genuinely liked them and caught feelings for them. But I was still convinced I was straight. After high school, I considered that maybe I was bi. I wasn't ready to call myself a lesbian yet. I could accept "bi" easier because of my religious trauma and internalized homophobia.Eventually, I joined a lesbian iMessage group chat. That helped me get more comfortable with who I was. I started leaning into the lesbian label more. I also began learning about the LGBTQ+ community, which I had not even been aware of until my senior year. That's when a friend introduced me to the term gender fluid. It was after someone in a chat asked me if I was a boy or a girl, and I answered, "Both."A couple of years later, I learned about the term non-binary, and that hit, too. It resonated deeply, but I still didn't know if I should claim it. I went through a phase where I did claim it. I even put socks in my underwear to feel what having a bulge would be like. I wrote a whole explanation on my Instagram Close Friends story, breaking down my pronouns and why I identified as non-binary.But even then, labels never felt right. Now? I resonate with both non-binary and gender fluid, but I don't wear either one loudly. I use she/her/they/them pronouns. I don't correct people all the time. I let folks say what they say but know that I know who I am. And that's why queer feels like the best fit. It covers everything. It speaks to the full depth of me. I am all and nothing at the same time. Some people will get that. And some won't. But if you know, you know.I'm just me. A person. An energy. A soul. Androgynous. Non-binary. Gender fluid. Expansive. Complex. Constantly evolving.I've always loved when Prince said, "I'm not a woman. I am not a man. I am something that you'll never understand." I felt that in my soul. That's the essence of me. I don't want to explain it. I want to live it. Be it. Exist as it. You don't have to understand me. But you will respect me.I'd rather not attach myself to just one label. I resonate with the entire umbrella. I see myself in the L, the G, the T, the Q, and the +. Especially when it comes to my gender identity. They're all me. Every one of them holds a piece of me.My soul is expansive. Multi-dimensional. I wasn't meant to be boxed in. I'm everything and nothing at the same damn time.Kai (she/they) is a non-binary, gender-fluid writer and creative exploring identity beyond labels.Perspectives is dedicated to featuring a wide range of inspiring personal stories and impactful opinions from the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Visit Pride.com/submit to learn more about submission guidelines. Views expressed in Perspectives stories are those of the guest writers, columnists, and editors, and do not directly represent the views of PRIDE or our parent company, equalpride.

Charlie Kirk, the far-right, anti-LGBTQ+ commentator who founded Turning Point USA and became a defining figure of the American rights youth movement, died Wednesday after being shot during a campus event at Utah Valley University in Orem, according to authorities. He was 31.The shooting happened during Kirks American Comeback Tour. A graphic video from the event showed him speaking before a shot can be heard, and he suddenly flinched as he was struck. He appeared to be shot in the neck. Police confirmed a single shot was fired, and the campus was locked down. A suspect was taken into custody.Kirk rose to national prominence in his early 20s, cultivating close ties to President Donald Trump and building Turning Point into a powerhouse of conservative media, activism, and student organizing. Kirks rise was matched by years of incendiary commentary targeting LGBTQ+ people.He frequently spread disinformation about transgender people and gender-affirming care, painting LGBTQ+ equality as a threat to American culture. In 2022, he even claimed that transgender people were to blame for inflation, a remark widely ridiculed by economists and LGBTQ+ advocates. The following year, Kirk courted outrage when he said that if the January 6 rioters had stripped naked and filmed themselves having gay sex, they would have been treated more leniently, which critics blasted as both homophobic and trivializing of the insurrection.Kirk also used his platform to target transgender athletes, railing against their inclusion in womens sports, and his views shaped broader conservative messaging. Earlier this year, California Gov. Gavin Newsom drew criticism after echoing Kirks arguments on his podcast.Kirk was married and had two small children.