Wednesday, January 22, 2025 The Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people, shared that its classic crisis services (lifeline, chat, text) reported significant increases in volume related to the 2025 Presidential Inauguration. This volume increase follows a record-breaking 700% increase observed across The Trevor Projects crisis lines on November 6, 2024, the day after the 2024 elections.No matter your political beliefs or how you feel about the current administration, one thing must be made clear to all of us living in the United States: real young peoples lives are at risk and we must take immediate action to support LGBTQ+ youth, said Jaymes Black (they/she/he), CEO of The Trevor Project. Suicide prevention transcends politics. And we are sounding the alarm for all lawmakers, community leaders, and adults who care about the health and survival of young people in their communities: The political targeting of LGBTQ+ youth and transgender and nonbinary youth in particular must stop. Whether it was the 700% increase on our lines following election day in November, or the 46% increase we saw yesterday, we urge lawmakers and the media to recognize the impact that their rhetoric can have on young peoples health and safety, and do better. For any LGBTQ+ young person who needs support, The Trevor Project remains here for you, always.The Trevor Projects crisis volume data analysis found:On January 21, 2025, the day after Inauguration Day, The Trevor Projects classic crisis services (phone, text, and chat) saw a 46% increase in volume compared to typical daily rates observed in weeks prior.On January 20, 2025, Inauguration Day, The Trevor Projects classic crisis services (phone, text, and chat) saw a 33% increase in volume compared to typical rates observed in weeks prior.Resources for LGBTQ+ young people who need support:Finding Support & Building Community Amid Political UncertaintyNavigating Personal Safety while Taking Action as an LGBTQ+ Young PersonHow to Signal You are an Ally in Hostile EnvironmentHow to Reach Out to The Trevor ProjectThe Trevor Projects Self-Care FlowchartThe Trevor Projects Visual Breathing Exercise for Stress & AnxietyThe post The Trevor Projects Crisis Line Volume Continues to Increase Following Inauguration Day appeared first on The Trevor Project.

A bold and unapologetic addition is coming to Washington, D.C.s LGBTQ+ nightlife scene: District Eagle, a kink-forward bar opening Wednesday. Tucked away on U Street in Northwest, the new space is tailor-made for kink and alternative lifestyle communities, hoping to fill a lingering gap in the citys vibrant but evolving nightlife scene.We designed the establishment first and foremost for our LGBTQ+ kink communities, said Zach Renovtes, managing partner of District Eagle, in an interview with The Advocate. This is something completely unlike anything else in Washington, D.C., right now, on purpose.Honoring a legacyThe name Eagle carries weight in LGBTQ+ history, symbolizing kink-friendly spaces serving as havens for self-expression worldwide. But dont get it twisted: District Eagle isnt part of a franchise. Each Eagle bar stands on its own, shaped by the unique culture of its local community. District Eagle is no exception, with Renovtes promising to build on that legacy while carving out its identity. See on Instagram When people hear the term Eagle, they have natural connotations about what they might come to experience, he said. We intend to not only live up to those expectations but exceed them.The bars design and concept also tip their hat to the Prohibition era, when the 18th Amendment banned alcohol sales and consumption from 1920 to 1933. Speakeasies emerged as secret, illicit venues offering more than just booze they became a refuge for people seeking freedom from societal norms. Hidden behind closed doors, patrons indulged in gambling, cross-dressing, and open expressions of queerness.Those spaces werent just about breaking the rules, Renovtes explained. They were about creating freedom where none existed. District Eagles concealed entry and thoughtfully immersive design channel that spirit of rebellion, offering a sanctuary for those eager to let loose and be themselves.A unique experienceDistrict Eagle promises an unforgettable journey from the moment patrons step inside. The entry is hidden behind a vintage 1950s candy vending machine inside the end of Lucky Pollo Peruvian Chicken, a restaurant. While District Eagle has no exterior signage, security staff will wear branded vests to assist patrons, a nod to the secrecy of Prohibition-era speakeasies. Once through, Renovtes said, patrons will find leather-padded walls, vintage foundry patterns, and a merchandise shop enclosed in a custom cage. Every detail has been meticulously crafted in collaboration with designer Jasin Cadic, whose previous work includes the nearby LGBTQ+ nightclub Bunker. tk caption: District Eagle washington DC leather barZach Renovates/District EagleWe are the only LGBTQ+ speakeasy in D.C. if not one of the only ones in the country, Renovtes said. Its intentional to pay homage to the necessity of secretive and hidden spaces for our LGBTQ+ community in decades past.He said programming will include themed nights like Jockstrap Wednesdays and Gear Fridays, with discounts for patrons who embrace the dress codes. Events will cater to a diverse range of subcultures, from leather and latex enthusiasts to rubber and pup community members.Building connectionsRenovtes envisions District Eagle as more than just a bar he wants it to be a community hub. We truly want this to be a space where people can email us, message us, and say, Hey, Im a member of the [fill in the blank] community. Can I host an event or happy hour? he said. Thats how bars thrive and succeed by the customers who inhabit them.Still, he acknowledges the space wont be for everyone. Its okay to have unique spaces that certain communities can say, without hesitation, This space was designed for me, Renovtes said. Some people may not find its the space for them, and thats OK.Inclusive communityRenovtes emphasized that District Eagle is committed to creating a welcoming space for all members of the LGBTQ+ community, including transgender and lesbian patrons. We are fully embracing everyone under our LGBTQ+ designation, he said. To include our trans and lesbian brothers and sisters, this is not a space that is trying to segment itself from others but rather be inclusive and designed for kink communities.Tied to BunkerDistrict Eagle is next to Bunker, a nightclub in which Renovtes is also a managing partner. He said the two venues will complement each other, allowing patrons to use their receipt from District Eagle for free entry into Bunker on select nights.The idea here is to make all of our establishments feel accessible to those of different means, Renovtes said. If we know theyve been at both establishments, then a cover isnt necessary for that specific night. tk caption: District Eagle washington DC leather barZach Renovates/District EagleThis interconnectedness also influenced the bars location. We want to continue to activate the 14th and U Street location to be the epicenter for LGBTQ+ nightlife in Washington, D.C., he said.Ready for WorldPrideDistrict Eagles opening couldnt come at a better time, as D.C. gears up to host WorldPride. Renovtes sees the bar as an essential addition to the citys offerings, particularly given the closures of several LGBTQ+ spaces in recent years.It is of the utmost importance as we approach WorldPride to set D.C. on a world stage for nightlife, he said, to include spaces that are inherently designed and focused around the kink communities.Let your freak flag flyAt its core, District Eagle is about encouraging patrons to embrace their unique identities. We are strongly encouraging customers to show off their uniqueness, to show off what their kink is, and bring that scene into our space, Renovtes said.

A large number of communities, including several prominent LGBTQ+ subreddits across Reddit are currently choosing to ban links from X (formerly Twitter) after Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk twice made a Nazi salute during the presidential inauguration.Musk dismissed the allegations, claiming that liberals were reaching by trying to categorize what he did as anything related to Hitler, writing on X, Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The 'everyone is Hitler' attack is sooo tired.But Democrats, queer people, and those who oppose fascism across social media arent buying his explanation and have begun to have discussions and start petitions to ban linking back to X on various subreddits.Users on the RuPauls Drag Race subreddit started a petition to ban X links that already had 27,000 upvotes at the time of publication. It has come to our attention that X is operated by an individual with documented affiliations to Nazi ideology and hate groups, the petition reads. Allowing links to X on our subreddit indirectly endorses or amplifies the platforms harmful messaging. This goes against /rupaulsdragraces commitment to fostering a safe and respectful environment for all members.The r/gay subreddit wasted no time and banned X links immediately after the inauguration. When a user on r/actuallesbians asked if the subreddit was planning on joining other parts of the Reddit community in an X ban, a moderator explained that they already were prior to this event.When users on the r/lgbt subreddit expressed a desire to ban X links, the moderator said they were currently having discussions about it and would only continue to allow them because some sources/screenshots with proof can only be found on Twitter still.Its not just members of the queer community who are looking to ban Musks social media site from Reddit, r/whitepeopletwitter has already banned X links except for original posters who need to add a source to a screenshot, and r/blackpeopletwitter is recommending people make the switch to X competitor Bluesky.Portland and Texas even seem to be in a rare agreement about Musks behavior, as both subreddits have already banned linking back to X.Although Musk himself and MAGA diehards across social media continue to claim that the tech billionaires controversial salute was innocent, people all across the vast Reddit ecosystem dont believe them and are now taking action to prevent X from having a home on their subreddits.

In his second inaugural speech, Donald Trump gave us so much that demands fact-checking and comment that I find it difficult to know where to start. I have chosen, though, to direct my focus here on one particular statement:This week, I will also end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life. We will forge a society that is colorblind and merit-based, Trump said. As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female. Related Donald Trump starts his presidency by declaring war on the LGBTQ+ community & democracy Trumps first day as president was an assault on trans rights and a reminder of the threat he presents to democracy. On merit Dive deeper every day Join our newsletter for thought-provoking commentary that goes beyond the surface of LGBTQ+ issues Subscribe to our Newsletter today On the topic of merit, Trumps choices for his second cabinet and advisory positions lay bare themythof meritocracy since most of his picks are unqualified for the positions they will likely hold and were chosen either on account of their enormous wealth or due to their television celebrity on conservative media.For example, Trump has tapped a record13 billionairesto work directly with his administration. For many, their merit lays primarily in their massive donations to Trumps campaign and their willingness to continually kiss his ring and bend their knees so often that soon they will require hip and knee replacements.In his highly choreographed inaugural ceremony under the Capitol dome, Trump placed three of the worlds richest people Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg in full view of cameras for all to see. On racial engineering and being colorblindHis warning to end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race into all aspects of society emanates from the claim throughout his time in politics of alleged reverse discrimination against white people in programs such as Affirmative Action and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.Trump and other conservatives misuse and corrupt the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.s oft-repeated quote from his I Have a Dream speech. I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character, King stated in 1963.Yes, it was among Dr. Kings dreams for a racially and economically just society, but when he proclaimed those words, it was an unfulfilled dream, an aspiration, something not yet achieved. Unfortunately race in American history has been one area in which Americans kid themselves and pretend to be fair-minded when they really are not, historianTaylor Branch, who wrote the new bookThe King Years: Historic Moments in the Civil Rights Movement, told CBS News. Conservatives, particularly those in the MAGA-sphere, deploy Kings words, paradoxically, as a weaponagainstthe possibility of a colorblind or so-called race-neutral society in their patriarchal Christian white supremacist project.Barack Obamas presidency led the media on numerous occasions to assert that the United States could now be considered a post-racial society, meaning race has lost its significance and our countrys long history of racism is now at an end. During the presidential primaries in 2008, National Public Radio Senior News AnalystDaniel Schorr noted on an episode of All Things Considered that Obama transcends race and is race free.Responding to Obamas State of the Union message on January 27, 2010, MSNBC political analyst,Chris Matthews declared, He is post-racial by all appearances. I forgot he was Black tonight for an hour. You know, hes gone a long way to become a leader of this country and past so much history in just a year or two. I mean, its something we dont even think about.Is the United States now a colorblind society? Or even more importantly, should it be? The very notion of race-blindness is deeply problematic. It may feel righteous to tell another person, I dont see your race; I just see you as a human being. But we are really telling the person, I discount a part of you that I may not want to address, and I will not see you in your multiple identities.These kinds of statements erase the persons background and historical legacy and hide the continuing hierarchical and systemic positionalities among white people and marginalized groups.In addition, the assertion that we have fully addressed and finally concluded the long history of racism in the United States with the election of Barack Obama and afterward is simply unfounded. InWhitewashing Race: The Myth of a Color-Blind Society, theauthorsshow how the concept of colorblindness / race-blindness attempts to deny and further entrench hierarchical and deeply rooted systemic racial inequities that permeate American society.We must as a society move beyond this false and counterproductive notion of colorblindness / race-blindness and confront head-on our history and current realities of racism. We must transcend, to useMica Pollocksterm, colormuteness by engaging in honest and open conversations and educational efforts on the impact and legacy of race relations in our country.On only two gendersI suppose that Trump can legally rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America and that he can reimpose the name Mt. McKinley onto the highest mountain peak in North America, dispelling its original popular and proper indigenous title of Denali (the high one or the great one).But not even the monarch-wannabe can decree the vast variety of genders out of existence.Trumps executive order declaring thatthere are only two genders: male and female goes against the natural world.Does he actually believe that he can simply erase Intersex people, for example, out of the human experience?Intersex people are born with sex characteristics that vary from what is typically considered male or female. Intersex traits can include variations in chromosomes, genitals, reproductive organs, and hormone production. Intersex bodies show the diversity of humans and other species and do not represent a form of birth defect, as some would argue.Recently, the Biden administration released agroundbreaking papertitled Advancing Health Equity for Intersex Individuals, issued by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, led by Admiral Rachel Levine, the first out transofficial confirmed by the U.S. Senate.The report shows the irreparable harm caused by surgeries on intersex infants that attempt to fix them into the male or female binary. There is growing evidence that surgical interventions on intersex infants can cause lasting harm, including stigma and medical mistrust, the report details. Historic and current medical practices have often focused on surgical interventions on infants to change their sex characteristics to conform with a single sex, rather than the health care needs of the intersex individual.And despite Trump and his sycophants spending $215 million on anti-transgender ads during his last campaign, the MAGA-sphere can never wipe out the existence and support for transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming people in the United States or worldwide.Within a patriarchal Christian white supremacist system of male domination, cisgender (primarily white) heterosexual male bodies matter more, while othered bodies matter less. These othered bodies include female and intersex bodies, as well as bodies that violate the rules for the reproduction and maintenance of the dominant patriarchal system, such as trans, gender diverse, nonbinary, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and pansexual bodies and bodies with disabilities.Within many Western societies including the United States, those who do not have European heritage are also regarded as having othered bodies.Within a patriarchal society that transmits distorted binary gender extremes, questions inevitably arise by those in favor of the gender status quo:How dare women demand reproductive freedoms that threaten male power? How dare a woman choose not to marry a man?How dare women compete with a man for a job or for a high social position?How dare gay men think of coming on to straight men?How dare trans men get any privileges that cis men have earned?How dare trans women relinquish male privilege and betray their gender? How dare intersex people choose not to identify as one or the other?Many people have exposed the truth that the fabrication we call gender roles is a social construction, one that our society ascribes to each of us as it assigns sex at birth.With the label female assigned at birth, society forces us to follow its feminine script, and with male assigned at birth, we are handed our masculine script to perform. As scripts are given to actors in a play, these binary gender scripts were also written long before any of us entered the stage of life. In fact, the roles in which we were cast have, very often, little connection to our natures, beliefs, interests, and values. These preconceived binary scripts become internalized, standardized mental pictures that societies model and pass to future generations. What it is to be male or female, girl or boy, woman or man, social actors pass on as actors memorize their scripts and pass them to future actors.Our patriarchal, individualistic society opposes and inhibits womens reproductive freedoms, encourages inequities in salaries between men and women, and maintains massive wealth for the very few while encouraging enormous financial disparities, among other issues.Throughout history, examples abound of male domination over the rights and lives of women and girls. Men denied women the vote until women fought hard and demanded the rights of political enfranchisement; strictly enforced gender-based social roles mandated without choice that womens only option was to remain in the home to undertakecleaning and childcare duties; women continue to be by far the primary target of harassment, abuse, physical assault, and rape by men.In addition, women remain locked out of many professions. At one time, rules required that women teachers relinquish their jobs after marriage. In fact, the institution of marriage itself was structured on a foundation of male domination, with men serving as the so-called head of the household and taking on sole ownership of all property, thereby restricting these rights from women.And when patriarchal social and family structures converge with patriarchal religious systems, oppression of those who transgress gender binaries becomes inevitable.Trumps entire raison detrecenters on his acquisition of unlimited power and wealth, and his means to that end has been to further prop up the patriarchal Christian white supremacist project.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

The nonbinary actor who rose to fame playing Casey Gardner on Atypical announced that they have changed their name to Jack Haven.Haven, best known for starring in last years I Saw the TV Glow in addition to Netflixs Atypical, made the announcement in a Monday, January 20, Instagram post explaining that they took their new last name to honor their great-great uncle, composer and lyricist Haven Gillespie, who wrote the holiday classic, Santa Clause is Comin to Town. Related Oppenheimer star Emma Dumont comes out as transmasc The Oppenheimer star will keep their stage name. And first name Jack has stuck, they added. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Haven wrote that they first started using the name two years ago in a workshop led by Iranian actor and director Saman Arastoo. I said I was using it in safe spaces, Haven wrote. Saman said use it in dangerous spaces. So I use it in the mens bathroom. View this post on Instagram A post shared by jack haven (@briiiiiiiiiig)Haven previously released a song, Open Urself, under the moniker late last year.The 30-year-old actor got their start appearing in director Woody Allens 2015 film Irrational Man. In 2017, they starred opposite Matt Damon and Christoph Waltz in director Alexander Paynes Downsizing and alongside Brie Larson, Naomi Watts and Woody Harrelson in The Glass Castle. From 2017 to 2021, they starred as Casey Gardner in the Netflix dramedy series Atypical, while also taking on roles in 2019s Bombshell and 2020s Bill & Ted Face the Music.Haven came out as queer in 2018, and as nonbinary in a since deleted November 2019 Instagram post. Im non-binary, they wrote. Always felt a lil bit boy, lil bit girl, lil bit neither. Using they/them as of late n it feels right. Havens performance in last years I Saw the TV Glow, directed by transfeminine, nonbinary filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun, earned the actor widespread acclaim, including a Gotham Awards nomination for Outstanding Supporting Performance and an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Supporting Performance.Earlier this month, GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics announced the nominees for its 2025 Dorian Film Awards, with I Saw the TV Glow leading with nine nominations, including for Film of the Year and a Supporting Film Performance of the Year nomination for Haven. GALECA also nominated Haven for its Were Wilde About You! Rising Star Award.Notably, neither the Gotham Awards, the Independent Spirit Awards, nor the Dorian Awards divide performance nominations by gender.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

The best part of January? Undoubtedly, the GayVN Awards.Adult entertainers around the world all head to Las Vegas to celebrate the hottest content created throughout the year.With plenty of spicy categories awarding the biggest and brightest in porn, the annual Sin City event is the best opportunity to get up close and personal with the top content creators.PRIDE spoke with the winners on the red carpet of the 2025 GayVN Awards, so check out their reactions to taking home the gold below.Rhyheim Shabazz - 2x WinnerSee on InstagramFor the second year in a row, Rhyheim Shabazz won Performer of the Year at the GayVN Awards! The star also secured an award for Best Duo Sex Scene alongside Sir Peter.It's no surprise that this sexy hunk continues his reign in adult entertainment as his spicy content continues to dominate worldwide."It would be surreal [to win again], but it would be motivating. It would let me know I'm on the right track. I'm appreciative of everything I've gotten so far, so it's not a must. I'm looking forward to 2025 and whatever opportunities come," Shabazz tells PRIDE.Cade Maddox - 3x WinnerSee on InstagramCade Maddox also had a big night at the GayVN Awards. The model took home earned the most amount of awards in the fan-voted categories by winning Favorite C*ck, Favorite Body, and Favorite Top."It's always an honor, especially how long I've been doing this. It's an honor to still be nominated with the young meat that's still coming up, but it's even cooler to win something. The big honor is just being nominated," Maddox says.Drake Von - 2x WinnerSee on InstagramHe may be one of the youngest gay porn stars out there, but Drake Von is now adding two more trophies to his shelf of accolades. The star won Favorite Twink and Hottest All-Male Creator Collab at this year's awards."Honestly, this has probably been the best GayVN Awards so far. I've had such an amazing time seeing all of my close friends. It's been such a great year for me. I couldn't ask for a better year," Von shares.

Worldwide, there have been more than 45 (and counting) seasons of Drag Race, and more than 600 queens have sashayed into the various Werk Rooms. So, to make a truly gagworthy and memorable impression with an entrance today is really saying something. Yet, season 17 queen Lucky Starzzz managed to do just that when she entered the room in a lewk that was pure performance art. In doing so, she immediately proved she was one of the most unique artists we have seen in the franchises history. She quickly followed up that glowing first impression with a lemonade-themed talent performance that had the girls screaming and RuPaul erupting in laughter all of which, Lucky tells PRIDE, was a literal dream come true. But Lucky wasnt only making an impression on the main stage; She was snatching the hearts of fans with her talent and her vulnerability and catching the eye of fellow competitor Arietty, who wasnt shy about admitting how much she admired her Drag Race sister both in and out of drag. We do love a budding showmance. Lucky also tugged at our heartstrings by revealing the moving motivation behind her decision to audition for the show: A desire to support her family, who had fallen on difficult financial times. Also, as she explains to PRIDE, her desire to be a beacon to other queer kids out there who need to see the light of drag right now, perhaps more than ever, while ultimately she would become the first-out queen this season, one thing is sure: she certainly did the latter.PRIDE caught up with Lucky to talk about all of that, plus what it meant to her to be seen and appreciated by RuPaul, the lip sync we missed out on, and if she thought the Rate-A-Queen robbed her of a win. PRIDE: Congrats on Drag Race and making such an incredible impression right out of the gate. Do you think if the judges had been judging versus the Rate-A-Queen, you would have been in the top two?Lucky Starzzz: Oh, of course. I definitely believe that I would have been in the top two. I am an honorary member of the top that week. You know what's crazy? [My performance] felt even bigger and even better when I was there. Not even the TV could do it justice in terms of how good, how crazy, and how much everybody there was living for that performance. RuPaul was cackling. The girls were cheering. It was crazy. It was wild. I definitely felt like I was about to either win or be in the top.I did too. What did it feel like to go on the biggest drag stage in the world and have RuPaul live for you the way that she did? It was one of my goals to make RuPaul laugh, and I achieved that times a thousand, so I'm very proud.Imagine being robbed. Imagine being told that you were robbed of a challenge win on Drag Race in the premiere. Starting off that strong is like a dream, honestly. You were so vulnerable when you talked about doing this for your family back home. Do you feel like you put an enormous amount of pressure on yourself going into the competition, and, if so, do you feel like it hindered you or helped motivate you?I see it as motivation, to be honest. I think if you have a story to tell, tell it. We are representatives of the queer community right now. We are the faces of Drag Race right now, so it's our job to share our stories. It's our job to use our time in the darkness and create a guidebook for those who are in that same darkness out there who haven't been able to get out of it. So it's kind of like we're beacons. We're meant to inspire. We're meant to motivate. So I thought of a motivation for myself, and I saw it as a way to motivate others who are going through the same thing or more. We got to see a little spark or two flying between you and Arietty. I'm curious; where do things stand between the two of you now?Arrietty honestly ended up becoming like my bestie from the cast. We don't talk often, but that's just because we're so busy. We're in different worlds, doing different things, but I've always respected her. I've always really appreciated her. She's really sweet. She really is my number one from the cast that I've connected to. I was not expecting it. It's so funny I knew of Arrietty before the show I was not expecting to end up living for her and connecting with her like I did.What do you think when you were watching that back and she was living for you in and out of drag?I was living. I was living for her living. I thought it was really cute, honestly.How did you feel when those Rate-A-Queen receipts came out? Were there any that really took you by surprise?I was excited for the world to see and for the girls to see that I was ranked high. I knew that I was probably third place in the results. I expected it. If it was any lower, that would have been just true, utterly disgusting robbery.Who was the person that should have been in the top with you, and whose place should you have taken?I'm a very honest person. Being there and seeing Katy [Perry's] critiques and Untucked, it kind of felt like the top two were going to be me and Suzie [Toot]. Yeah, that's the vibe that I was getting. But, you know, who doesn't love a cunty, gorgeous girl like Jewels? This is a young cast, so this cast is going to gravitate more towards something like what Jewels did. You know what I mean? Young drag culture these days, that's what the majority live for. Those types of performances. So of course, they were going to rank her top two. But I feel like if it was the judges, it seemed like it was about to be me and Suzie. That's what it felt like to me. But you never know.There is a parallel universe where we would have gotten to see you and Suzie face off in a lip sync.I was ready to spray all the lemonade all over that stage for that "Woman's World." I was going to do this move where I bend my legs and lay on the ground, and I shoot upwards. So I'm just like shooting at myself, basically. Does that make sense? I'm sorry y'all missed out on that crazy-ass lip sync. Is it too early to be manifesting an All Stars return?I would love to come back to Drag Race. I loved filming. I could use a vacation. I could use a hotel room stay for like two months. I could use that. No, honestly, I just enjoyed filming. I love the PAs and the production. I have literally no complaints about Drag Race. The only complaint that I have is that they sent me home.Well, you definitely left us wanting more Lucky Starzzz thats for sure!

Oh, no! Now Im worried what will happen to these two. Thats what I thought, pulse racing, as I watched a dramatic cliffhanger scene in El secreto del ro (Secret of the River) on Netflix. Thats the power of good storytellingit makes your heart raceeven though you know very well youre watching a series, aka, [...]The post We Cant Stop Talking About the Latine GLAAD Awards Nominees! first appeared on GLAAD.

Taylor Zakhar Perez knows how to make an entranceby leaving little to the imagination.The Red, White & Royal Blue heartthrob turns heads as Lacostes fresh face for its global underwear campaign. The 33-year-old star smolders in two jaw-dropping looks: crisp white boxer-briefs with the iconic green waistband and sleek black briefs that practically redefine sultry.Its an honor to join Lacoste as an ambassador, Perez says. Ive always admired the history, legacy, and creativity of the brand, and its with great pride that I now carry the values of the crocodile.Turning Paris into His RunwayIn one steamy shot, Perez stands shirtless on a Paris balcony, flaunting his chiseled abs in white briefs. The bold green Lacoste logo on the waistband demands attention, perfectly paired with his smoldering gaze.Credit: Quentin de Briey for LacosteAnother photo takes the mood indoors, where Perez leans effortlessly against a wall in black boxer-briefs. Set in a shadowy bedroom, the scene feels intimate yet undeniably cinematic.The campaign, shot by Quentin de Briey and styled by fashion guru Jason Bolden, could not be any hotter. Head here to shop the look.A Rising Star on FireLacostes partnership with Perez isnt just about looksits a celebration of star power. Fresh off being named one of PEOPLEs 2024 Sexiest Men Alive, Perez continues to charm fans with his relatable personality and swoon-worthy style.When it comes to romance, the actor keeps it simple. Ditch the phones and have a quiet night in our out. Theres just always so much noise in everything we do, whether its a beeping on our phone or an email going out on our computer or Spotify playing in the background. I think its just [about] connection.Taylor Zakhar Perez stuns for Lacoste. pic.twitter.com/st8u4ZC5yP Pop Crave (@PopCrave) January 22, 2025Amplifying Latin Voices in MediaWhile turning heads in his briefs, Perez has his eyes on bigger goals. Hes launching a production company to spotlight untold Latin stories in mainstream media.The Latin talent in the mainstream media today is continuously underrepresented, he told Forbes. In the United States, 19% of the population is Latin, right? Thats not representative in TV/film.Perez plans to back talented creators who want to tell bold, authentic stories.Fans Await His Return to Red, White & Royal BluePerez gears up to reprise his role as Alex Claremont-Diaz in the highly anticipated sequel to Casey McQuistons beloved novel Red, White & Royal Blue. Amazon announced the sequel in May 2024, sending fans into a frenzy. While details remain under wraps, the film promises to explore more of Alexs journey alongside Prince Henry, played by Nicholas Galitzine.More Stories: Taylor Zakhar Perez Brings the Heat as Lacostes Steamy New Underwear IconLady Gaga Added a Countdown to Her Website and Fans Are Buzzing When Will the Album DropNonbinary Star Jack Haven Embraces New Name with Powerful MeaningLGBTQ+ Mental Health Crisis Hotline Sees Surge in Calls Following Trumps Inauguration and Anti-LGBTQ+ Policy MovesThailand to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage, Marking Historic Step for LGBTQ+ RightsThe post Taylor Zakhar Perez Brings the Heat as Lacostes Steamy New Underwear Icon appeared first on Gayety.

LGBTQ+ advocates have expressed alarm in recent weeks, as Meta has taken steps to undermine protections for queer youth and apparently worked to appease the incoming conservative administration in Washington.Meta, theparent companyof popular social media and messaging companies Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is owned by Mark Zuckerberg, who wasonce consideredto be an ally of the LGBTQ+ community.A week ago, theinternetwasafirewithdiscussion of Liv, the now-deleted Instagram profile of a proud black Queer momma of 2 AI made by Meta as part ofits AI user dreams.Then, last week, independent tech journalist Taylor Lorenz revealed that Instagram had beenblocking teensfrom searching LGBTQ+-related content for months.This comes as no surprise to Celia Fisher, a professor of Psychology and the Marie Ward Doty University Chair in Ethics at Fordham University who has spent her career studying children and adolescent health, especially for marginalized groups like the LGBTQ+ community.When speaking to theWashington Bladein November 2024 onTikTok, Fisher remarked that it was increasingly difficult to research the Meta platforms. Fisher and her team have used advertisements on social media to recruit youth for anonymous surveys for studies. One of the advantages of social media is that you can reach a national audience, she says.The advertisements are specifically linked to keywords and popular celebrities to reach LGBTQ+ populations of youth.When she spoke to theBladeagain this week, she was not surprised to hear that keywords were being blocked from youth. Now, there is a major barrier to being able to recruit when you are doing online studies.It makes her researchwhich has looked at the mental health of youth online, HIV prevention strategies, and COVID vaccine barriersimpossible. If Meta prevents researchers from using the platform, then the research cant be done, she said.The search blocks are not just a threat to the research, they are a threat to youth. Hiding those terms from youth means they cant see that there is a community out there. Thats a tremendous loss, especially for transgender youth, said Fisher.Fisher suspects where the restrictions are coming from, not that Zuckerberg has been particularly opaque ashe cozies upto the new administration. I think theres been a creeping fear on the part of companies not to do anything that might elicit the ire of more conservative politicians, she said.A Meta spokesperson toldLorenzthat the restriction was a mistake. Its important to us that all communities feel safe and welcome on Meta apps, and we do not consider LGBTQ+ terms to be sensitive under our policies, said the spokesperson.Meta backtracked immediately; the next day the companyremoved longstandinganti-LGBTQ+ hate speech policies.Zuckerbergannouncedlarge changes to the platform via video in which he sported a$900,000 watch. (More than1 in 5LGBTQ+ adults are living in poverty. More than1 in 3transgender adults are living in poverty.)The changes, which eliminate independent fact-checking for a system similar to Xs community notes, have been highly critiqued byjournalistsandfact-checking organizations. Many experts see it as abowto Trump.Zuckerberg also noted that the platform would remove restrictions on topics like immigration and gender that are out of touch with mainstream discourse. Hedirectly linkedthe changes to the recent election.Those changes happened quickly. That same day GLAAD, an LGBTQ+ media monitoringnon-profit, reported the changes to the hateful conduct policies. Changes include allowances for calling LGBTQ+ people mentally ill and the removal of prohibitions against the dehumanization of protected groups, among many. Notably, Metas guidelines include theright-wing transphobic dog whistle transgenderism.On Jan. 9, reporting fromThe InterceptandPlatformeron internal training documents revealed the use of even more slurs. Thet-sluragainst transgender people is now allowed on the sites with no restrictions. Phrases likeand this is a quoted exampleA trans person isnt a he or she, its an it are allowed on the sites with no restrictions.I shudder to think what these changes will mean for our youth.Arturo BjarNotably, the training manuals differentiate between different members of the LGBTQ+ community. For example,The Interceptfound that the phrase Lesbians are so stupid would be prohibited while trans people are mentally ill would not be.(These training manuals also include permissive use of racist and dehumanizing language for other marginalized groups.)And then, as a cherry on top, Meta removedDEI programsanddeletedthe transgender and non-binary Messenger themes, on Jan. 10.These changes are undeniably bad. Arturo Bjar, a former engineering director at Meta with expertise in online harassment, told theAssociated Press,heis horrified by the changes.I shudder to think what these changes will mean for our youth, Meta is abdicating their responsibility to safety, and we wont know the impact of these changes because Meta refuses to be transparent about the harms teenagers experience, and they go to extraordinary lengths to dilute or stop legislation that could help, he said.Fisher, who has researched the effects of hate speech online on LGBTQ+ youths mental health, agrees that the results will be devastating. We had many people who said they observed transgender harassment for others or were actually attacked themselves, said Fisher. This prevents people from wanting to come out online and to actually engage in those kinds of online communities that might be helpful to them.What is happening also confirms LGBTQ+ youths worst fears. Weve found that a major concern is that there would be an increased violation of civil rights and increased violence against LGBTQ individuals, she said.Fisher, a psychologist, sees this as putting us back into the dark ages of psychiatry and psychology when LGBTQ individuals were seen as having some kind of a mental health problem or disorder.Fisher emphasized: This kind of misinformation about mental illness is certainly going to be putting transgender people, especially at even greater risk than they were before.This story is part of the Digital Equity Local Voices Fellowship lab through News is Out. The lab initiative is made possible with support from Comcast NBCUniversal.The post LGBTQ+ advocates warn Metas policy changes putting us back in the dark ages appeared first on News Is Out.

President Donald Trump has lashed out at Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde following her sermon at the National Prayer Service on Tuesday, criticizing her remarks as nasty in tone and demanding an apology. The bishop had directly addressed Trumps policies, particularly their impact on LGBTQ+ people and immigrant families.Related: Watch a bishop scold Donald Trump about attacks on LGBTQ+ and immigrants during inaugural prayer service In a post on his Truth Social platform, made after midnight on Wednesday, Trump described Budde as a Radical Left hard line Trump hater and accused her of bringing her church into the World of politics in a very ungracious way. He also labeled the service as boring and uninspiring, adding, She is not very good at her job! She and her church owe the public an apology!Buddes sermon at Washington National Cathedral highlighted the struggles faced by marginalized communities under Trumps administration. There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in Democratic, Republican, and independent families, some who fear for their lives, Budde said. She defended immigrants by emphasizing that the vast majority are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors.Trumps response came hours after signing an executive order eliminating federal recognition of transgender and nonbinary identities, a measure that has drawn widespread condemnation from civil rights groups.Republican Georgia U.S. Rep. Mike Collins echoed Trumps sentiments on social media the previous day, calling for Budde to be added to the deportation list in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Collins comment referred to Trumps new immigration measures, including reinstating the Remain in Mexico policy and suspending the CBP One app, which facilitates appointments for immigration proceedings.During the prayer service, Budde urged Trump to show mercy, warning of the fear and uncertainty his policies have instilled in many communities. May God grant us the strength and courage to honor the dignity of every human being, she said in her closing remarks.Trump later dismissed the sermon to reporters, calling it not too exciting and expressing his belief that they can do much better.The Advocate has contacted Budde for comment but has not yet received a response.

(@) President Donald Trump's inauguration was always going to be a terrible day, and he didn't disappoint. Not only did he sign executive orders proclaiming that the U.S. government will now only recognize two genders and ending diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, but he also removed all LGBTQ+ references from the official White House website and invited every tech billionaire he could think of to attend as his guest.But he also got read for filth by Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, who gave the inaugural prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral."In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now," Budde said, directing her speech to Trump. "There are gay, lesbian and transgender children, and Democratic and Republican and independent families, some who fear for their lives."Predictably, Trump hated being called out so publicly. Before villainizing immigrants, he said the reverend had a "nasty tone." Trump has a history of calling women "nasty," a moniker he has bestowed on at least a dozen women including Kamala Harris, Hilary Clinton, and Nancy Pelosi since he first ran for office. "The so-called Bishop who spoke at the National Prayer Service on Tuesday morning was a Radical Left hard line Trump hater. She brought her church into the World of politics in a very ungracious way. She was nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart," the MAGA leader wrote Truth Social.Trump may have thought he got in the last word with his post, but people across X (formerly Twitter) celebrated Budde's words and made fun of the president. From people joking that it's "shocking to fake Christians when they meet real Christians" to someone writing, "When your church calls you out for being a piece of shit," the responses are pointed and hilarious.Keep scrolling to see the best reactions to Budde's speech! (@) "It's always shocking to fake Christians when they meet real Christians." (@) "Trump just got called out BY THE CHURCH! While having to sit and listen to it. Republicans: We are going to use Christianity to justify our hate and authoritarian policies. The Church: The fuck you will." (@) "In a world of Donald Trumps, be a Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde." (@) "When your church calls you out for being a piece of shit." (@) "'The so-called Bishop' If Trump weren't such a thin-skinned crybaby, he would ignore what the Bishop said and move on, but he cant help himself. Our so-called president is a national embarrassment" (@) "Echoing the teachings of Jesus and calling out Trump's cruelty, ignorance, and bigotry to his face, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde delivers a sermon for the ages. Bishop Budde stared down authoritarian fascism and said 'Not today, motherfucker.'" (@) "bishop budde before sermon vs after sermon" (@) "Jesus: Feed the poor, love your neighbor. MAGA: HOW FUCKING DARE YOU!!!" (@) "How dare she bring Christianity into Christianity?!" (@) "HAHAHA! Trump is FURIOUS after being called out by Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde 'I didnt think it was a good service they couldve done much better.' Trumps fragile ego has been badly damaged!" (@) "Day 1: Nazi salutes Day 2: Threatening a bishop with deportation Pace yourself lads, youve got four years. At this rate youll be on drop-kicking infants into a volcano by Easter." (@) "Donald Trump is big mad about getting reminded of what it is to be an actual Christian at the National Prayer Service today by the Bishop." (@) "The folks with 'Christian' in their bio sure are pissed that a Bishop asked Trump to uphold Christian values." (@) "It didnt take long for Donald Trump to fall back into his favorite White House habitlate-night rants on social media. His first target post-inauguration? The Episcopal Bishop who had the audacity to remind him of basic Christian values like mercy and compassion." (@) "Oh my gosh, she asked Trump, a man who claims to be a Christian, to honor the core principles of Christianity, in a church?" (@) "Wow. A bishop just called out Trump and Vance to their faces at church. 'The vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. May I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President, on those whose children fear their parents will be taken away.'" (@) "MAGA raging that: - a woman is a preacher in the Episcopal church - a woman is a bishop in the Episcopal church - a woman bishop has the "audacity" to speak truth to power to 47 and his cronies, who snickered and frowned. What Christianity is meant to be -- a call to justice." (@) "To recap, the MAGA religious who all put 'Christian' in their bios are super pissed at the Bishop who called for love, compassion & mercy towards immigrants. Do I have that right?" (@) "yeah nothing infuriates MAGA like being confronted with actual christianity" (@) "24 hours into the Trump administration, and you're defending insurrectionists, defending Nazi salutes, attacking a church for asking Trump to be more like Jesus, and prices are going up. There's still 35,016 hours of the Trump administration left. Good luck morons."

The Long Island Roller Rebels suffered a defeat on Tuesday when a judge blocked the roller derby teams effort to temporarily halt Nassau Countys ban on transgender athletes competing on female sports teams.Nassau CountySupreme Court Judge Bruce Cozzens claimed in his ruling that the county law passed last summer doesnt exclude transgender women and girls from public facilities based on their gender identities because they can still play in coed sports leagues. Related Judge strikes down Long Island countys anti-trans sports ban Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman (R) acted beyond the scope of his authority, according to the decision. There can be no question (even without discovery) that a biological male regardless of transitioning would be possessed of greater athleticism and speed, strength, muscle mass, stronger hearts and greater bone density, Cozzens asserted. The goal of the local law is to provide a safe environment for individuals who are born female to play. Stay connected to your community Connect with the issues and events that impact your community at home and beyond by subscribing to our newsletter. Subscribe to our Newsletter today He described transgender women playing on female sports teams as a potential liability for the local government.The loss comes as the county east of New York City is embroiled in a bitter fight over transgender athletes, which began with Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakemans unilateral decision in February last year to bar the countys parks department from issuing permits to womens and girls sports teams that include transgender athletes.They have a competitive advantage, the Republican official said, referring to transgender athletes. Its unfair, and its also unsafe.New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a cease-and-desist order to Blakeman, saying, Pernicious discrimination such as this is precisely what New Yorks Human and Civil Rights Laws proscribe. She gave the executive a week to repeal the law before she would initiate legal action.Instead, Blakeman filed a federal lawsuit asking the court to decide whether or not the ordinance passes legal muster an effort to delay repealing the mandate.A New York judge ruled in May that Blakeman acted beyond the scope of his authorityin issuing the order and overturned it. The countys Republican-controlled legislature responded by passing a local law to enshrine the ban, prompting the latest round of litigation, including a challenge to the new law by the Roller Rebels.Attorney for the New York Civil Liberties Union Gabriella Larios, who represents the Roller Rebels in the latest case, called the decision to deny the injunction while it makes its way through the courts an outlier. The Roller Rebels called it transphobic.At a time of rising anti-LGBTQ+ hate and violence across the country, keeping this ban intact is not only cruel, but it is also dangerous, said Amanda Curly Fry Urena, president of the roller derby team. We hope that New Yorks courts will ultimately strike down this unlawful ban and acknowledge it for what it is transphobic and unjust.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

The first two days of President Donald Trumps second term have already been catastrophic, and hes wasted no time igniting controversies on issues that dont really matter rather than issues that do.Among those was an executive order that declared only the binary male and female genders would be recognized henceforth and that those definitions are based solely on reproductive biology at conception. (@) While the order immediately drew fire from LGBTQ+ advocates, Delaware Rep. Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender person elected to Congress, dismantled its premise with sharp humor and undeniable science.Well, it appears that he just declared everyone a woman from conception based on the language of the executive order, McBride told The Independent, highlighting a glaring flaw in Trumps rigid definitions.The order claims that a female is a person belonging, at conception, to the sex that produces the large reproductive cell, while a male is a person belonging, at conception, to the sex that produces the small reproductive cell. (@) Although they tried to make that seem so simple, it actually goes much deeper than that.In fact, experts note that all human embryos start with a female developmental pathway.Yes, you read that correctly: All human embryos start with a female developmental pathway,According to the National Library of Medicine, sexual differentiation doesnt begin until six weeks into gestation, when the SRY gene activates in embryos with an XY genotype. Before that, embryos are phenotypically female.Trump presented the policy during his inaugural address, framing it as a stand against gender ideology. The order directs federal agencies to remove policies acknowledging gender identity, blocks federal funding for gender-affirming healthcare for inmates, and bans transgender women from being housed in womens prisons. (@) The impact of such a policy is far-reaching, but McBrides pointed response highlights the absurdity of its biological claims. She has long been a target of Republican-led anti-trans initiatives, but her advocacy remains steadfast.Trumps latest actions may signal another uphill battle for trans and nonbinary rights, but McBrides clarity and courage serve as a reminder that the fight is far from over.

The Trump administration has fired U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Linda Fagan due to her supposed excessive focus on DEI initiatives. Appointed by President Joe Biden, Fagan was the first uniformed woman leader of a U.S. Armed Forces branch. An anonymous senior official from the Department of Homeland Security told Reuters that Fagan was terminated by acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman due to leadership deficiencies, operational failures, and inability to advance the strategic objectives of the U.S. Coast Guard. The official said Fagans excessive implementation of DEI policies played a role. Related Donald Trump purges LGBTQ+ & HIV content from federal websites President Trump claims to be a strong proponent of freedom of speech, yet he is clearly committed to censorship. Trump confidante Elon Musk seemed to confirm the reasons for Fagans firing. He posted an article about it on X and wrote, Undermining the US military and border security to spend money on racist/sexist DEI nonsense is no longer acceptable. Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The Armed Forces branch has a particularly bad reputationfor racism, hazing, sexual harassment, and sexual assault, including ahigh-level cover-upof dozens of sexual assault cases between 2014 and 2019 known as Operation Fouled Anchor. Fagan took the helm in 2022, after which the Coast Guard established a Diversity and Inclusion Education and Awareness Program (its first ever), followed by its 2024-2026 Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan. The anonymous official told Fox News the Trump administration also fired Fagan for allegedly failing to adequately address border threats, as well as for recruitment challenges, mismanagement of acquisitions, and the erosion of trust over Operation Fouled Anchor, the details of which were not released until 2023 when CNN broke the story.The Commandant who stood up to clean up this mess instead of burying it should be rewarded, not dismissed, said Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), according to Politico. Firing a Commandant at will by a new President also sets a bad precedent. Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT) added, President Trumps unprecedented decision on day one to fire a service chief ahead of her scheduled departure is an abuse of power that slanders the good name and record of Admiral Fagan.The Commandants outstanding record completely negates the Presidents demonstrably false claims and signals his interest to put politics over the best interest of our service members and national security. Courtney praised Fagan for providing a fundamental change in Coast Guard leadership that has led the service withtransparency and honestyto rebuild trust and correct the persistent sexual misconduct problems facing the service. He also cited specific stats on her successes: Under Admiral Fagans leadership, the Coast Guardexceededits 2024 recruitment goal for the first time since 2017;interdictedover $2.5 billion in illegal drugs from bad actors in 2024; and demonstrated an aggressive commitment to countering adversaries in the Artic by championing theICE Pactto speed up production of new icebreaker vessels, which the US has not built in nearly 50 years.Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) also slammed Trump for terminating Fagan, despite the fact that he oversaw a congressional investigation regarding Operation Fouled Anchor and has criticized Fagan for failing to provide certain information to lawmakers. Ive been critical of Adm. Fagan concerning the Coast Guards response to problems of sexual assault and harassment in the aftermath of a cover-up executed by her Trump-appointed predecessor [Karl Schultz], he told the CT Mirror. But this abrupt firing certainly raises concerns about how Donald Trump intends to treat dedicated, professional men and women who have faithfully served our country for decades.Fagans firing comes after Donald Trump signed anexecutive orderon Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing. The order called DEI programs illegal and immoral and said they demonstrated immense public waste and shameful discrimination.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Congratulations are due to PRIDE's sister sites! The nominees for the 36th annual GLAAD Media Awards have been announced, and The Advocate, Out, and Plus, sibling publications, are each nominated for Outstanding Magazine Overall Coverage. Out won the award last year, and The Advocate won the award the two years prior.Reporter at The Advocate, Ryan Adamczeski, is nominated for Outstanding Print Article for the November/December cover story "Meet the young transgender teens changing America and the world." The Advocates senior national reporter, Christopher Wiggins, is nominated for Outstanding Online Journalism Article for Missouri Republican's antigay slur-filled posts remain on Instagram despite violating Metas policies." The nominees, announced Wednesday morning, reflect work published, released, or broadcast between January 1 and December 31, 2024. GLAAD announced 303 nominees across 33 categories this year, and has updated the Outstanding Blog category to Outstanding Independent Journalism. The GLAAD Media Awards were created nearly four decades ago to champion LGBTQ stories amid a deeply hostile and unsafe time for our community. Today, this mission holds true and ever-more important as attacks against LGBTQ people are not only growing, but finding new avenues," GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement. "Whether its rampant misinformation or defamation of transgender people, LGBTQ youth, or the shocking corporate rollback of policies and programs that keep LGBTQ people seen and safe in a workforce, what will always prevail is our truth and talent," Ellis said. "This years nominees for the 36th GLAAD Media Awards represent the best of our vibrant community, spanning across all media, genres and mediums, and send a loud and global message to industry leaders that our stories are not only popular and entertaining, but necessary and culture-changing. The 36th Annual GLAAD Media Awards will take place in Los Angeles on March 27, 2025. Scroll for the full list of nominees. Outstanding Film Wide Theatrical ReleaseCuckoo (Neon)Drive-Away Dolls (Focus Features)Love Lies Bleeding (A24)Mean Girls (Paramount Pictures)My Old Ass (Amazon MGM Studios)Problemista (A24)Queer (A24)Wicked (Universal Pictures)Outstanding Comedy SeriesAbbott Elementary (ABC)Ghosts (CBS)Hacks (Max)Loot (Apple TV+)The Sex Lives of College Girls (Max)Shrinking (Apple TV+)Somebody Somewhere (HBO)Sort Of (Max)We Are Lady Parts (Peacock)What We Do in the Shadows (FX)Outstanding Drama Series9-1-1: Lone Star (Fox)Arcane (Netflix)The Chi (Showtime)Doctor Who (Disney+)Found (NBC)Heartbreak High (Netflix)Interview with the Vampire (AMC)Star Trek: Discovery (Paramount+)The Umbrella Academy (Netflix)Wicked City (ALLBLK)Outstanding New Series Agatha All Along (Disney+)Black Doves (Netflix)Brilliant Minds (NBC)Diarra from Detroit (BET+)Fantasmas (HBO)Hazbin Hotel (Amazon Prime Video)How to Die Alone (Hulu)Kaos (Netflix)No Good Deed (Netflix)Palm Royale (Apple TV+)Outstanding Film Streaming or TVAm I Ok? (Max)Fancy Dance (Apple TV+)Good Grief (Netflix)The Groomsmen: Second Chances (Hallmark)The Holiday Exchange (Amazon Prime Video / Peacock)Mother of the Bride (Netflix)Ricky Stanicky (Amazon Prime Video)Seasons Greetings from Cherry Lane (Hallmark)Sweethearts (Max)Wynonna Earp: Vengeance (Tubi)Outstanding DocumentaryBreaking the News Independent Lens (PBS)Campbell Addy Photographer (National Geographic)Chasing Chasing Amy (Level 33 Entertainment)Down in the Valley (Starz)Hidden Master: The Legacy of George Platt Lynes (Greenwich Entertainment)Hummingbirds POV (PBS)Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero (HBO)Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution (Netflix)Who I am Not POV (PBS)Will & Harper (Netflix)Outstanding Limited or Anthology SeriesBaby Reindeer (Netflix)Becoming Karl Lagerfeld (Disney+)Carol & The End of the World (Netflix)Eric (Netflix)Expats (Amazon Prime Video)Feud: Capote vs The Swans (FX)Get Millie Black (Max)Mary & George (Starz)The New Look (Apple TV+)Under the Bridge (Hulu)Outstanding Film Limited Theatrical Release20,000 Species of Bees (Film Movement)Backspot (XYZ Films)Before I Change My Mind (Epic Pictures)Big Boys (Dark Star Pictures)Close to You (Greenwich Entertainment)Crossing (MUBI)Fitting In (Blue Fox Entertainment)High Tide (Strand Releasing)Housekeeping for Beginners (Focus Features)A Place of Our Own (Dark Star Pictures)Outstanding Reality ProgramBargain Block (HGTV)Big Freedia Means Business (Fuse)The Boyfriend (Netflix)Queer Eye (Netflix)The Real Housewives of New York City (Bravo)Selling Sunset (Netflix)Southern Charm (Bravo)Wayne Brady: The Family Remix (Freeform)Were Here (HBO)Wiggin Out with Tokyo Stylez (We TV)Outstanding Reality Competition ProgramThe Amazing Race (CBS)The Boulet Brothers Dragula (Shudder / AMC+)The Challenge 40: Battle of the Eras (MTV)Finding Mr. Christmas (Hallmark+)Hells Kitchen: Head Chefs Only (Fox)I Kissed a Boy (Hulu)I Kissed a Girl (Hulu)RuPauls Drag Race (MTV)Top Chef (Bravo)The Voice (NBC) Outstanding Childrens ProgrammingAunt Pralines Sweetie Pie Strawberry Shortcake: Berry in the Big City (Paramount+)The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish (Nickelodeon)Firebuds (Disney Jr.)Im Pogey Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock (Apple TV+)Lets Go, Bananas! (Cartoonito)Monster High (Nickelodeon)Our Family Musical Sesame Street (Max)Princess Royal Wedding Princess Power (Netflix)Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures (Disney Jr. / Disney+)Vida the Vet (Netflix)Outstanding Kids & Family Programming or Film Live ActionEmpire Waist (Blue Fox Entertainment)Heartstopper (Netflix)If You Love Me Beyond Black Beauty (Amazon Prime Video)Jane (Apple TV+)Louds in Love The Really Loud House (Nickelodeon)Outstanding Kids & Family Programming or Film AnimatedThe Bravest Knight (Hulu)The Dragon Prince (Netflix)Fright Krewe (Hulu / Peacock)Kiff: The Haunting of Miss McGravys House (Disney Channel)I Wanna Dance with My Buddy Haileys On It! (Disney Channel)Jurassic World: Chaos Theory (Netflix)The Loud House (Nickelodeon)Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (Disney Channel)Powerless Monsters at Work (Disney Channel)Summer of Heart Eyes Primos (Disney Channel)Outstanding Music ArtistAdam Lambert, AFTERS (More is More)Billie Eilish, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT (Darkroom/Interscope)Doechii, Alligator Bites Never Heal (Top Dawg Entertainment/Capitol Records)Elton John, Never Too Late: Soundtrack to the Disney+ Documentary (UMG Recordings)Joy Oladokun, OBSERVATIONS FROM A CROWDED ROOM (Verve Forecast/Republic Records)Kali Uchis, ORQUDEAS (Geffen Records)Omar Apollo, God Said No (Warner Records)Orville Peck, Stampede (Warner Records)Tove Lo, HEAT (Pretty Swede Records)Victoria Mont, JAGUAR II: Deluxe (Lovett Music/RCA Records)Outstanding Breakthrough Music ArtistBeabadoobee (Dirty Hit)The Blessed Madonna (Warner Records)Durand Bernarr (DSing Records)Gigi Perez (Gigi Perez PS/Island)The Last Dinner Party (Island Records)Medium Build (Island Records)Michaela Ja (TribeDisciples)Remi Wolf (Island Records)Villano Antillano (La Buena Fortuna Music)Young Miko (Wave Music Group/Capitol Records)Outstanding Broadway ProductionCult of Love, by Leslye HeadlandIllinoise, book by Justin Peck, Jackie Sibblies Drury, music and lyrics by Sufjan StevensLempicka, book by Carson Kreitzer, Matt Gold, music by Matt Gould, lyrics by Carson KreitzerMother Play, by Paula VogelOh, Mary!, by Cole EscolaOutstanding PodcastBaby, This is Keke Palmer (Wondery)But We Loved (iHeart)Las Culturistas (iHeart)Made it Out (Made It Out Media)Queer West (Audible)Rooted Recovery (Promises Behavioral Health)The Science Of Transgender Healthcare, Puberty Blockers, & Conversion Therapy with Dr. Jack Turban The Checkup with Dr. Mike (DM Operations Inc.)Sibling Rivalry (Studio 71)Surface Level Tres Leches Outstanding Video GameCaravan SandWitch (Studio Plane Toast / Dear Villagers)Dragon Age: The Veilguard (BioWare / Electronic Arts)Dread Delusion (Lovely Hellplace / DreadXP)Dustborn (Red Thread Games / Spotlight by Quantic Dream)Fear the Spotlight (Cozy Game Pals / Blumhouse Games)Life is Strange: Double Exposure (Deck Nine / Square Enix)Minds Beneath Us (BearBone Studio)Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Intelligent Systems / Nintendo)Sorry Were Closed ( la mode games / Akupara Games)Until Then (Polychroma Games / Maximum Entertainment)Outstanding Comic BookAlan Scott: The Green Lantern, by Tim Sheridan, Cian Tormey, Jordi Tarragona, Ral Fernandez, John Livesay, Matt Herms, Chris Sotomayor, Lucas Gattoni (DC Comics)Avengers Academy: Marvels Voices, by Anthony Oliveira, Carola Borelli, Bailie Rosenlund, IG Guara, Alba Glez, Elisabetta DAmico, Pablo Collar, Karen S. Darboe, Carlos Lopez, KJ Daz, Ian Herring, Frank William, Ariana Maher, Joe Caramagna (Marvel Infinity Comics)Captain Marvel, by Alyssa Wong, Jan Bazaldua, Ruair Coleman, Roberto Poggi, Bryan Valenza, Carlos Lopez, Ariana Maher (Marvel Comics)I Heart Skull-Crusher, by Josie Campbell, Alessio Zonno, Angel De Santiago, Jim Campbell (BOOM! Studios)The Nice House by the Sea, by James Tynion IV, lvaro Martnez Bueno, Jordie Bellaire, Andworld Design (DC Comics)NYX, by Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly, Francesco Mortarino, Enid Balm, Elisabetta DAmico, Michael Shelfer, Ral Angulo, Joe Sabino (Marvel Comics)The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos, by Tate Brombal based on an idea by James Tynion IV, Isaac Goodhart, Soo Lee, Naomi Franq, Miquel Muerto, Patricio Delpeche, Hctor Barros, Aditya Bidikar (Dark Horse Comics)Poison Ivy, by G. Willow Wilson, Marcio Takara, Luana Vecchio, Haining, Arif Prianto, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (DC Comics)Spectregraph, by James Tynion IV, Christian Ward, Aditya Bidikar (DSTLRY)Suicide Squad: Dream Team, by Nicole Maines, Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira, Jos Lus, Adriano Di Benedetto, Adriano Lucas, Becca Carey (DC Comics)Outstanding Original Graphic Novel/AnthologyAshs Cabin, by Jen Wang (First Second)Bad Dream: A Dreamer Story, by Nicole Maines, Rye Hickman (DC Comics)Becoming Who We Are: Real Stories About Growing Up Trans, [anthology] (A Wave Blue World)Deadendia: The Divine Order, by Hamish Steele (Union Square & Co.)The Deep Dark, by Molly Knox Ostertag (Graphix)The Fox Maidens, by Robin Ha (HarperAlley)Lunar Boy, by Jes Wibowo and Cin Wibowo (HarperAlley)My Fairy Godfather, by Robert Mailer Anderson, Jon Sack (Fantagraphics)The Ribbon Skirt, by Cameron Mukwa (Graphix)The Science of Ghosts, by Lilah Sturges, El Garing, Alitha Martinez, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, Jimmy Betancourt (Legendary Comics)Outstanding Variety or Talk Show EpisodeThe 77th Tony Awards (CBS)The 98th Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade (NBC)Bernie Sanders Rips the Democratic Establishment; Trump Allies Claim Massive Mandate: A Closer Look Late Night with Seth Meyers (NBC)D.C. Woman Turns Childhood Home Into Communal Living For LGBTQ+ Seniors The Kelly Clarkson Show (syndicated)DNA: This is Not My Child / Mom, Why Cant You Accept Me? Karamo (syndicated)Elliot Page Talks Season 4 of The Umbrella Academy, Fighting Anti-LGBTQ Legislation The View (ABC)Laverne Cox Unpacks Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation, Bullying & Transness for Spirit Day The Daily Show (Comedy Central)Libraries Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)Queer Teacher Gets a Life-Changing Surprise! The Jennifer Hudson Show (syndicated)A Special Monologue for the Republican in Your Life Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC)Outstanding TV Journalism SegmentBecoming Che SC Featured (ESPN)Big Gay Football CBS Sports (CBS)Demystifying Trans Identities (Spectrum News 1 Ohio)Pete and Chasten Buttigieg on Fatherhood CBS News Sunday Morning (CBS)Project Asylum: Transgender Asylum Seekers Find Hope Through San Franciscos LGBTQ Asylum Project CBS News Bay Area (KPIX-TV CBS 5 Bay Area)Small Town in Arkansas a Safe Haven For LGBTQ+ Residents GMA3 (ABC)Spectrum Indigenous Celebrates Pride Month With Two Spirit Powwows KREM 2 News (KREM-TV CBS 2 Spokane)Stonewall House NBC News Now (NBC)Transgender Pastor In California Builds Inclusive Church For LGBTQ+ Community CBS Mornings (CBS)Vogue Realness: Billy Porter & LGBTQIA Community Celebrate Dancer OShae Sibley America In Black (BET+)Outstanding TV Journalism Long-FormAmerican Problems, Trans Solutions Local, USA (PBS via WORLD Channel)The Cure for HIV Scripps News Reports (Scripps News)Chella Man Its Ok to Ask Questions (WMAQ-TV NBC 5 Chicago)The Life and Death of Blaze Bernstein 48 Hours (CBS)Proud Legacy: A NY1 Special (Spectrum News NY1)Outstanding Live TV Journalism Segment or SpecialAfricas Anti-LGBTQ Laws: Impact on Ugandas Economy, Ghana Wants Bill Accelerated Horizons Middle East & Africa (Bloomberg Television)Algerian Boxer Imane Khelif Names J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk in Cyberbullying Suit NBC News Now (NBC)Democrats are Learning The Wrong Message on Trans Youth Inside with Jen Psaki (MSNBC)Finding Love & Light in Unexpected Places: Small Towns Celebrate Pride Across America Good Morning America (ABC)Ina Fried Talks Imane Khelif The Saturday/Sunday Show with Jonathan Capehart (MSNBC)LGBTQ+ Asylum Seekers flee to U.S. to Save Their Lives Jos Daz-Balart Reports (MSNBC)Pride Across America ABC News Live (ABC)Rep. Leigh Finke Discusses Gender Affirming Healthcare with Pamela Brown CNN Newsroom (CNN)Sarah McBride reflects on Becoming First Openly Transgender Person Elected To Congress PBS NewsHour (PBS)Young Voters Could Decide The 2024 Election The 11th Hour with Stephanie Ruhle (MSNBC)Outstanding Print ArticleAfter Trumps Election Win, Local Trans Community Concerned About Their Future by DeAsia Paige (The Atlanta Journal Constitution)Changing The Narrative: Advocates Fight HIV Stigma in Dallas Latino Community by Abraham Nudelstejer (The Dallas Morning News)I Want To Exist: Three Days at a Texas Summer Camp for LGBTQ Kids. by Erin Allday (San Antonio Express-News)Joe Locke on Heartstopper Embracing Sex, Being a Queer Marvel Star in Agatha and Why There Are Days I Never Want to Play a Gay Character Again' by Adam B. Vary (Variety)Meet the Young Transgender Teens Changing America and the World by Ryan Adamczeski (The Advocate)Noah J. Ricketts Brings the Bluegrass to Hollywood and Broadway by Spencer Jenkins (Queer Kentucky)Opinion: Celebrating 10 Years of Marriage Equality, More LGBTQ+ History Left to Write by Josiah Robinson (Tulsa World)Our Queerest Century [special project] (Los Angeles Times)Paris Olympics: More Queer Athletes, More Medals, More Pride, Less Grindr by Dawn Ennis (Washington Blade)Sasha Velour Sashays Into The Culture Wars by Maura Judkis (The Washington Post)Outstanding Magazine Overall CoverageThe AdvocateAllureCosmopolitanThe Hollywood ReporterMetro WeeklyOUTPeoplePlus VarietyVogueOutstanding Online Journalism ArticleAfraid Your Child Will Regret Their Transition? Lets Talk About It! by Ben V. Greene (Romper.com)CeC Telfer Was Barred From Competing at The 2024 Paris Olympics as a Trans Woman Athlete. She Has Her Sights Set On L.A. In 2028. by David Artavia (Yahoo.com)First They Tried to Cure Gayness. Now Theyre Fixated on Healing Trans People. by Madison Pauly with Henry Carnell (MotherJones.com)Fleeing the Country and Rationing Testosterone: Transgender Americans New Reality Under a Trump Presidency by Beth Greenfield (Fortune.com)Friends Remember Nex Benedict, Oklahoma Student Who Died After School Fight, as Fiery Kid' by Jo Yurcaba (NBCNews.com)Hes 23 and in an Ohio Prison for Exposing Someone to HIV Even Though He Couldnt Transmit the Virus with Ken Schneck/Rachel Dissell (TheBuckeyeFlame.com/TheMarshallProject.com)Missouri Republicans Antigay Slur-Filled Posts Remain on Instagram Despite Violating Metas Policies by Christopher Wiggins (Advocate.com)Thailand Could Soon Legalize Same-Sex Marriage. It Would Change Lives. by Rebecca Root (them.us)These Trans People And Their Families Cant Afford To Flee To A Friendlier State by Nico Lang (HuffPost.com)Your Guide to Accessing Gender-Affirming Care by Madison Feller (Elle.com)Outstanding Online Journalism Video or MultimediaBallin Out (OutSports.com)The Legacy of Cecilia Gentili: First Pride Without Mother (Time.com)A Life In Fear: The Dangers Of Finding Love Online As A Queer Woman In Nigeria (CNN.com)Love to the Max: Family Bonds Protect a Trans Teen in Texas (NewYorker.com)The Past, Present, and Future of Trans Visibility in Fashion (InStyle.com)Rainbow Girls: 10 Years of Protection and Prejudice The Picture Show (NPR.org)RuPaul, Tina Knowles, Billy Eichner & More Give Ts Madison Her Flowers (LogoTV.com)The Uncertain Future Of A Historic LGBTQ+ Safe Space: New York Citys Peoples Beach (ABCNews.com)War On Woke: How a Gay Rights Index Once Touted By Walmart And Others Became a Conservative Target (CNBC.com)Seat 31 (NewYorker.com)Outstanding Independent JournalismThe 19thAssigned MediaThe Buckeye FlameThe Don Lemon ShowErin in the MorningGaye MagazineQueer News DailyThe Queer ReviewTransLash MediaUnder the Desk NewsSpecial RecognitionDRAG: The Musical OUTLOUDQ.DigitalRed Ink: A Tribute to Cecilia Gentili The Stonewall National Monument Visitor CenterThe New York LibertyEditor's Note: The author of this article is one of the reporters nominated.

Hundreds of LGBTQ+ couples in Thailand are expected to tie the knot on Thursday as a new law legalizing same-sex marriage goes into effect in the Southeast Asian nation.Thailand joins Taiwan and Nepal among countries recognizing same-sex unions in Asia. More than 30 countries worldwide now recognize same-sex marriage, according to the Pew Research Center. Related Thailand becomes first Southeast Asian country to legalize marriage equality The king of Thailand just gave Royal Assent to a law allowing same-sex couples to marry and adopt. Thailands law enshrining marriage equality was passed last year by Parliament and given royal assent by the countrys King Maha Vajiralongkorn in September. Global perspectives delivered right to your inbox Our newsletter bridges borders to bring you LGBTQ+ news from around the world. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Anticipation has been building since for hundreds of same-sex couples whove waited years for the opportunity to wed.This demonstrates that Thailand is ready to embrace diversity and accept love in all its forms, said Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who invited dozens of LGBTQ+ couples and activists to government offices last week ahead of the laws enactment. Today shows that our country is open and accepting.The new marriages will come with full legal, financial, medical and inheritance rights. For the first time in Thailand, same-sex couples will be allowed to legally adopt.In Bangkok, more than 200 couples plan to marry in a mass wedding at a popular shopping mall, according to Bangkok Pride, which co-organized the event with local authorities, CNN reports.Organizers will roll out a pride carpet at a celebration welcoming the newlyweds.We are all delighted and excited, said Siritata Ninlapruek, an LGBTQ+ activist in Bangkok. Weve been fighting for our rights for over ten years, and now its finally happening. Weve been waiting for a long time, said Apiwat Apiwatsayree, who plans to marry his partner of 17 years.While the new law replaces the terms husband and wife with inclusive, gender-neutral language, resistance remains in Thailand to fully recognizing the rights of all LGBTQ+ Thai citizens.Transgender woman Nina Chetniphat Chuadkhunthod will marry her boyfriend of 22 years on Thursday with personal documents that still identify her as male. Parliament rejected a proposed gender recognition bill last February.We should use marriage equality as an opportunity to open another door for gender recognition, said local trans rights advocate Hua Boonyapisomparn.We have come far in changing the law and there is some way to go for more inclusion, Nada Chaiyajit, a lecturer at Mae Fah Luang Universitys law school, told Reuters.We also still have to fight for social acceptance and that requires more than just changes to the law.For Chuadkhunthod, how she arrived at the alter doesnt diminish the celebration.I feel like, wow, my dream is close to coming true. Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

By Blair Durkee, Associate Director of Gaming, and Annabelle Cook, Gaming Jr. Associate Amidst the resurgence of hostility towards LGBTQ equality, video games have become a tool of defiance and solidarity for many creators. The ten nominees for Outstanding Video Game at the 36th Annual GLAAD Media Awards reflect this shift, showcasing LGBTQ-inclusive stories that [...]The post GLAAD Celebrates Outstanding Video Game Nominees at the 36th Annual GLAAD Media Awards #GLAADAwards first appeared on GLAAD.

On January 22, 2025, GLAAD announced the nominees for the 36th Annual GLAAD Media Awards, and many of this years nominees center diverse and compelling stories about transgender and nonbinary people. In the Outstanding Film Limited Theatrical Release category several nominees tell powerful stories about transgender people. In 20,000 Species of Bees, a young [...]The post 36th Annual GLAAD Media Award Nominees Include Outstanding Stories About Transgender People #GLAADAwards first appeared on GLAAD.

As Donald Trump assumes office for a second time, activists who battled his first administration over his sudden and chaotic ban on trans people serving in the military are poised to do it again.We are preparing for the worst, and then well fight for the best, Cmdr. Emily Hawking Shilling, an out transgender, active-duty Navy pilot and president of SPARTA, a nonprofit organization promoting an inclusive military environment, told LGBTQ Nation. Related Donald Trump issues first attack on transgender people in the military The order also took aim at LGBTQ+ students, parents, and protections from conversion therapy. What the worst looks like, said Shilling, who made clear her views dont represent the Navys, is a Day One executive order that tries to kick everybody out of the military who is transgender. 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 While he didnt do it yesterday, Trump may prove Shillings fears right soon.He banned transgender people from serving in the military during his first administration, sparking multiple lawsuits. While the Supreme Court ultimately allowed the ban to go into effect while the cases were heard, no court actually ruled on the substance of the ban before President Joe Biden got into office and nixed it, rendering the lawsuits moot.Legal developments since then have made trans rights advocates more confident in their chances of winning the legal battle.Theres good, strong, solid law from those cases that will be important in any new cases that are brought, and theres been some important precedent established after those cases that will be important, as well, GLAD Senior Director of Transgender and Queer Rights and trans attorney Jennifer Levi told LGBTQ Nation.Several organizations gathered on South Congress for a rally to oppose Trumps agenda on Inauguration Day, Monday, January 20, 2025, in Austin. | Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK Trump has been obsessed with kicking trans people out of the military for yearsWith the stroke of my pen on Day One, were going to stop the transgender lunacy, Trump told an audience of MAGA faithful in Phoenix in December, including a pledge to get transgender out of the military.Its a return to Trumps first ban issued six months into his first term, a unilateral decision that shocked even his own generals and secretary of defense.What followed was a tortured reverse-engineering effort by Pentagon officials to justify it, after President Barack Obama lifted the longtime prohibition on trans service members just a year earlier. To join the military, everyone has to meet the exact same standards, Shannon Minter, a trans attorney for the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), told LGBTQ Nation. Its all that transgender people were ever asking for, just simply to be permitted to attempt to meet the same standards as everyone else is meeting. And if they do, then theyre in, and if they dont, then theyre out.NCLR and GLAD filed the first of four lawsuits to challenge the ban in August 2017. Two months later, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued an injunction that put a temporary halt to the discriminatory policy.As the cases made their way through the courts, Secretary Mattis issued a plan to split Trumps trans ban baby in two, hoping to survive a constitutional challenge. Trans service members whod been issued a gender dysphoria diagnosis before a ban took effect could continue to serve, but active trans members who hadnt would be out. That version of Trumps trans ban took effect in April 2019, after the administration leapfrogged lower courts to ask the Supreme Court to grant injunctive relief to enforce it. The conservative majority voted 5-4 in favor of the administration.But the ruling was only a procedural victory in deference to the executive branch. By the time Biden overturned Trumps ban in 2021, the high court had yet to hear any of the cases and rule on whether the ban was constitutional.That gives hope to trans advocates, who say the evidence arguing against a ban has only grown more persuasive since their original cases were filed eight years ago. Trans legal advocates are ready for the fightWhile Trumps allies have made much of the idea that hes better prepared in a second term to enact his agenda, the same can said of the lawyers who shepherded those first cases through the courts, who now come armed with their most effective data and arguments in a Trump trans ban Round Two.Well challenge it pretty much right out of the gate, said Minter, whos been in contact with over a hundred potential plaintiffs in anticipation of a renewed ban.Jul 27, 2023; Washington, DC; Shannon Minter testifies at a House Judiciary Subcommittee on Constitution and Limited Government hearing on gender affirming care | Jasper Colt-USA TODAY The legal landscape for transgender people has changed significantly since 2017. According to GLADs Levi, the new precedent includes the 2020 Bostock decision, in which the Supreme Court said that discrimination on the basis of transgender status is a form of sex discrimination.That will have important ramifications for the equal protection challenges that I would anticipate being brought against a ban on military service, she said.Trans people have also been serving openly in the military for several years now, making the case for a ban more difficult on a policy level.I think among those lessons was how important it was to have the voices of military leadership convey the harms to national security from baseless shifts in personnel policies, Levi said. It was really the voices of the senior leaders of the military that I think was very compelling in conveying to courts how harmful it is excluding people who meet the qualifications of service.Minter, Levis former co-counsel from Doe v. Trump, agreed. I think the reason that we got so much support from military officials at such a very high level was not because they were particularly pro-transgender, Minter said. It wasnt that. It was that they were so distressed by that manner of making military policy.The key lesson just to understand how the military ordinarily works is that to a really extraordinary degree, its based on merit, on objective standards and qualifications, he continued. Thats all that matters.Further bolstering a future suit, Minter said, is real-world data about trans military service.In contrast to when we were challenging the ban in 2017, we now have four years of experience of transgender people serving, he said. There were trans people who were in the military, but they were in a kind of limbo. They had never been officially permitted to serve. Now, theres four years worth of officially permitted service and data that goes along with that. Transgender people are already a part of the militaryAmong those trans individuals currently serving in the military is Jake, a former plaintiff from one of the lawsuits challenging Trumps first trans military ban. (He asked to use a pseudonym and not identify his branch of service for fear of reprisal by the Trump administration.)Jake told LGBTQ Nation that his experience in the military has been overwhelmingly positive since he joined six months ago.In basic training and officer school, I was very open about my status as a transgender individual, about my transition itself, and everybody I encountered there was immensely supportive, he said. Asked if he had a memorable coming out story in the military, Jake recalled a group inspection from a relatively high-ranking individual.He asked me why I joined the service, and I said, Im here because I want to prove that transgender individuals like myself not only are capable of serving, but we are capable of excelling in military service. And once our inspection was over, my colleagues came to me and they said, We had no idea. Is that true? Did you really mean that? Are you really transgender? And I said, Yeah, and I had a good conversation. This was something that happened in front of, Id say, about 65 other young men.Transgender service members, like the military as a whole, are a snapshot of America, said SPARTAs Shilling, who narrowly avoided separation from the Navy before Biden reversed Trumps ban. We have people of all different persuasions, all different beliefs, all different opinions and all different backgrounds in life. They just happen to have one additional thing, which is they end up being transgender. Shilling said she has her fellow trans colleagues backs as a second ban looms.Ive got a bunch of people who are scared, she said. Ive got a bunch of people who, the military is their family, and they dont know if their family is about to kick them to the curb. Im going to take care of them.Im a freaking fighter pilot, she added. Of course, Im going to be fangs out. A military mired in wokeness, said Jake, is definitely something, in my experience, that is being perpetuated by outsiders and not the actual military experience today. A culture war is the last thing on his fellow service members minds, he said.At the end of the day, we all just kind of come together, work as a team, embrace the camaraderie, embrace the suck, and as long as youre contributing to the team, nobody cares what your background is, where youre coming from, what your political stance is.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Secretary of State Mark Rubio issued a One Flag Policy on Tuesday this week, which will allow three flags to be flown at U.S. outposts: the U.S. flag, the POW/MIA flag, and the Hostages and Wrongful Detainees flag, the rightwing Free Beacon reports.Starting immediately, only the United States of America flag is authorized to be flown or displayed at U.S. facilities, both domestic and abroad, and featured in U.S. government content, the order states, according to the Free Beacon. The flag of the United States of America united all Americans under the universal principles of justice, liberty, and democracy. These values, which are the bedrock of our great country, are shared by all American citizens, past and present. Related Marco Rubio files transgender military ban bill He says its even more strict than Donald Trumps trans military ban. Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) celebrated the ban. 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 not tired of winning!! she posted to X, a reference to Donald Trumps 2016 promise that were going to win so much, youre going to be so sick and tired of winning. Im not tired of winning!! https://t.co/vjxTVlkpZN Marjorie Taylor Greene (@mtgreenee) January 22, 2025Rainbow flags flying at embassies has been a point of contention for years between Republican and Democratic administrations, with Democrats arguing that the U.S. has a duty to promote human rights abroad while Republicans oppose considering LGBTQ+ peoples rights human rights. In 2023, House Republicans proposed a bill to ban rainbow flags and Black Lives Matter banners at embassies, with Rep. Greene calling such symbols Hate America flags in a statement.President Bidens State Department has already raised a flag over our embassies that doesnt represent the vast majority of Americans, she said. Her statement went on to say that BLM is a radical Marxist group and domestic terrorists who want to bring mass destruction to our country through Communism. During Trumps first term, then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo ordered the U.S. embassy in Seoul, South Korea, toremove a rainbow Pride flag and BLM bannerfrom the exterior of its chancery. The embassy said it had hung the BLM flag to show solidarity and support for the fight against racial injustice and police brutality as we strive to be a more inclusive & just society.In June 2019, Trumps State Departmentforbade at least four requestsfrom U.S. embassies worldwide seeking to fly the rainbow flag during Pride month. But embassies defied Trump andflew Pride flags without permissionanyway. Vice President Mike Pence laterdefended the administrations ban, saying that only American flags should fly outside embassies.The administration of President Joe Bidenreversed Trumps ban on rainbow flags at embassies. Bidens Secretary of State Antony Blinken told American embassies and diplomatic missions that they can fly the Pride flag again as well as other symbols connoting support for LGBTQ rights based on what is appropriate in light of local conditions. During his January 2021 testimony to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Blinken said that he wouldenact policies that would allow American embassies to support and protect LGBTQ+ rights around the worldby flying the rainbow flag.Weve seen violence directed against LGBTQI people around the world increase, Blinken told the committee. Weve seen, I believe, the highest number of murders of transgender people, particularly women of color, that weve seen ever and so I think the United States playing the role that it should be playing in standing up for and defending the rights of LGBTQI people is something that the Department is going to take on and take on immediately.Rubio has long been an opponent of equal rights for LGBTQ+ people, supporting a ban on same-sex couples adopting in his state of Florida and opposing the Equality Act, which would ban discrimination against LGBTQ+ people at the federal level, in the Senate. In early 2023, he got a U.S. Air Force base tocancel a Drag Queen Story Hour eventthat was scheduled for the bases library in honor of Pride Month.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

The Trump administration has reportedly ordered that all federal employees in positions associated with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) be placed on paid leave by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday. The directive comes after Donald Trump signed an executive order on Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing. The order called DEI programs illegal and immoral and said they demonstrated immense public waste and shameful discrimination. Related Marco Rubio bans rainbow flags at embassies Marjorie Taylor Greene celebrated the move: Im not tired of winning!! The administration issued the memo ordering paid leave for DEI employees on Tuesday, NBC News reported. It also ordered them to shut down all DEI-related websites, social media accounts, offices, and programs and said managers must submit a plan in writing to terminate all DEI employees by January 31st. 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 These programs divided Americans by race, wasted taxpayer dollars, and resulted in shameful discrimination, the memo claimed before issuing a warning about defying the orders.We are aware of efforts by some in government to disguise these programs by using coded or imprecise language. If you are aware of a change in any contract description or personnel position description since November 5, 2024 to obscure the connection between the contract and DEIA or similar ideologies, please report all facts and circumstances There will be no adverse consequences for timely reporting this information. However, failure to report this information within 10 days may result in adverse consequences.In a statement about the memo, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt praised Trump for following through on his campaign promise to end the scourge of DEI from our federal government and returning America to a merit based society where people are hired based on their skills, not for the color of their skin.This is another win for Americans of all races, religions, and creeds. Promises made, promises kept, she declared. Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Whats that buzzing feeling? Well, its the Yellowjackets season 3 trailer! According to the official synopsis, In season three, as summer arrives, the Yellowjackets face a fragile victorythe brutal winter that nearly claimed them is finally behind them, but distrust in leadership and tension within the team jeopardize their chances of being rescued. In the present, long-buried secrets from their pasts begin to surface. As the women fight to keep their lives from unraveling, they must confront a chilling question: who are they really, and what dark truths are they hiding from each other and themselves?The show returns with a two-episode premiere on Friday, February 14 on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME Plan. Watch the trailer below.

Donald Trump commuted the sentence of a transgender woman who was convicted in federal court and sentenced to eight and a half years in prison for her role in helping organize the January 6, 2021, insurrection. Jessica Watkinswas among the 1500 people he pardoned or commuted the sentence of for participating in the attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election that resulted in five deaths. Watkins, a military veteran from Ohio, was part of the far-right militia Oath Keepers. Prosecutors argued that she helped recruit and train people to go to the Capitol in an attempt to keep Congress from certifying the results of the 2020 election, which Trump had lost. She was part of a group of Oath Keepers that went to the Senate to stop Mike Pence from ceremonially presiding over the certification process but was deterred when police used a chemical spray on the mob. Related Trans Jan 6 rioter is begging Marjorie Taylor Greene to get her into a womens prison The MAGA trans woman might be surprised to find that Greene and other Republicans arent going to bat for her. On his first day in office on Monday, Trump issued a blanket pardon for over 1500 people who were charged with crimes related to the attack. Many of the people he pardoned or whose sentences he commuted attacked police officers. One hundred thirty-eight police officers were injured that day. 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 It is wrong to pardon individuals convicted of violent crime, especially when many of the victims of their violence were law enforcement officers, said Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS). Trump had previously said that he would examine the rioters requests for pardons on a case-by-case basis, and J.D. Vance had said that those who committed violence on that day obviously shouldnt be pardoned.It is shameful that the President has decided to make one of his top priorities the abandonment and betrayal of police officers who put their lives on the line to stop an attempt to subvert the peaceful transfer of power, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said in a statement. Despite the Presidents decision, we must always remember the extraordinary courage and valor of the law enforcement heroes who stood in the breach and ensured that democracy survived on that dark day.Trump himself didnt seem to realize that he had pardoned people who attacked police officers, telling a reporter when asked about whether a person who used a stun gun on a police officer deserved a pardon, I dont know Well, well take a look at everything. He then rambled about unrelated topics. REPORTER: You would agree it's never acceptable to assault police officers?TRUMP: SureREPORTER: Among those you pardoned is a guy who used a stun gun on a police officer. Why does he deserve a pardon?TRUMP: Well, I don't know[image or embed] Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) January 21, 2025 at 11:40 PMThe Oath Keepers, to whom Watkins was a dues-paying member, is based on a set of baseless conspiracy theories about the federal government working to destroy the liberties of Americans, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. Prosecutors believe that the 11 Oath Keepers who participated in the insurrection were more serious in their attempt to overthrow the government.Shortly after the November 2020 election that Trump lost and Biden won, Watkins texted invitations to training for people she called recruits, saying, I need you fighting fit by innaugeration [sic].In December 2020, Watkins texted another member of the group: We plan on going to DC on the 6th and used the messaging app Signal to assign roles to a small group on January 2, 2021. This was while Oath Keeper leader Stewart Rhodes and the other Oath Keepers were stocking up on thousands of dollars worth of weapons and gear in preparation for the attack and promising their members a bloody, massively bloody revolution. On January 3, Watkins allegedly told another member of the group that weapons are ok now as well. Sorry for the confusion. She also told that person to wear khaki or tan pants.On the day of the insurrection, Watkins allegedly was part of the group of Oath Keepers going to the Senate wherePencewas ceremonially presiding as it received the results of the election from the states and prosecutors said that others in the group called her captain and cap.Yall, were one block away from the Capitol right now. Im probably gonna go silent when we get there, because Im gonna be a little busy, she allegedly said in a channel on the walkie-talkie app Zello. She and her group forced their way through the doors of the Capitol. Despite her worry that she would go silent, she kept talking on Zello, saying where she was in the Capitol.Get it, Jess. Do your f**king thing. This is what we f**king [unintelligible] up for. Everything we f**king trained for, someone responded to her.She and her group made their way to the Senate. Watkins told people in the crowd around her to Push, push, push and Get in there, get in there as the mob tried to get past a line of law enforcement officers.They cant hold us! Watkins said.Officers then used a chemical spray on the mob, and they retreated. Watkins and her fellow Oath Keepers left the Capitol. Yeah. We stormed the Capitol today, she wrote on Parler that day. Teargassed, the whole 9. Pushed our way into the Rotunda. Made it into the Senate even. The news is lying (even Fox) about the Historical Events we created today.Several days later, Watkins messaged someone on Facebook: Weve been organizing a bugout plan if the usurper is installed Something like 20+ Oathkeepers going to Kentucky mountains on hundreds of acres apparently.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

President Donald Trump is raging at EpiscopalianBishop Mariann Edgar Budde who publicly urged him to have mercy on LGBTQ+ people and immigrants at a prayer service for his inauguration. In a Truth Social post published on Wednesday, Trump called her a radical far left hard line Trump hater and nasty, an insult Trump has often used against women. Then he demanded an apology. Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA) has also called for Budde to be deported even though she is a U.S. citizen born in New Jersey. Related Bishop begs Donald Trump to his face to have mercy on LGBTQ+ people She bravely tried to speak to Trumps conscience as he starts his second term. Speaking at the National Cathedrals prayer service on Tuesday morning, Budde asked Trump to find compassion, stating, In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now. There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in Democratic, Republican, and independent families, some who fear for their lives. 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 She also brought up immigrants, saying that theyre not rapists but instead hard workers who do much of the labor that Americans depend on.I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President, on those in our community whose children fear that their parents will be taken away and that you help those that are fleeing war zones and persecution in their own lands, to find compassion and welcome here.During her speech, Trump looked visibly uncomfortable. Wow. Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde fearlessly calls out Trump and Vance to their faces. This is heroic. pic.twitter.com/igyKzC8dRo MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) January 21, 2025The so-called Bishop who spoke at the National Prayer Service on Tuesday morning was a Radical Left hard line Trump hater, Trump wrote in a Wednesday morning social media post. She brought her church into the World of politics in a very ungracious way. She was nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart.Trump wrote that Budde failed to mention the large number of illegal migrants that came into our Country and killed people and who were deposited from jails and mental institutions and are now taking part in a giant crime wave in the United States. The Department of Justice has said that undocumented immigrants commit crimes at rates lower than U.S.-born citizens. Trumps plan to deport 11 million undocumented people despitehis use of immigrant labor at his properties would break up law-abiding immigrant families who have been living, working, and paying about $100 billion a year in U.S. taxes,according toMother Jones.Apart from her inappropriate statements, the service was a very boring and uninspiring one, Trump added. She is not very good at her job! She and her church owe the public an apology! Trump wasnt the only Republican to criticize Budde. In a Tuesday afternoon post, Rep. Collins wrote of Budde, The person giving this sermon should be added to the deportation list. The person giving this sermon should be added to the deportation list. pic.twitter.com/d7a2z1CM6s Rep. Mike Collins (@RepMikeCollins) January 21, 2025 Budde, age 65, is the first woman to serve as the spiritual leader of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, D.C.In a phone interview, Bishop Budde said that she wasnt necessarily calling the president out but made her plea because of the fear she had seen in Washingtons immigrant and LGBTQ+ communities. She wanted Mr. Trump to be mindful of the people who are scared, she told The New York Times.I was trying to say: The country has been entrusted to you, she added. And one of the qualities of a leader is mercy.Budde also angrily criticized Trump in a 2020 New York Times op-ed, writing that she was outraged and horrified by Trumps use of a Bible for a photo in front of St. Johns Churchafter officers used tear gasto disperse racial justice protesters in nearby Lafayette Square. She wrote that Trump had used sacred symbols to cloak himself in spiritual authority while espousing positions antithetical to the Bible.In 2015, Trump implied that he doesnt ask God for forgiveness because he doesnt make mistakes that require forgiveness. An estimated 56% of Christians voted for Trump in the 2024 elections.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Just hours after Donald Trump was inaugurated for a second term, his administration purged federal websites of LGBTQ+ content, GLAAD reported on Tuesday.Its a repeat of Trump administration actions in his first term. Related Who owns the truth? GLAADs Sarah Kate Ellis on resisting the second Trump administration The battle ahead extends far beyond Washington. Who owns the media owns politics, Ellis said. Prior to Trumps second inauguration on Monday, GLAAD created an archive of mentions of LGBTQ terms and terms related to HIV on the White House website and other major federal government websites in anticipation of Trumps second term, the nonprofit said in a statement.The group cataloged more than 50 links to LGBTQ+- and HIV-related content on web pages for the White House and Departments of State, Education, Justice, Defense, Health and Human Services, and Labor, as well as other agencies including the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. 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 Most of those have now been wiped from federal government websites.As of Tuesday, GLAAD said, terms including lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and LGBTQ are no longer accessible onWhiteHouse.gov, and LGBTQ-specific pages have been taken down from sites for the Centers for Disease Control, Department of State, and more.Those include 94 previously available entries at the State Department for LGBT Rights along with information and resourceson LGBTQI+ Policy once provided by the Department of Labor. Pages removed include WhiteHouse.govs equity report; a fact sheet with information on expanding access to HIV prevention and treatment; and information about LGBTQ Pride Month.President Trump claims to be a strong proponent of freedom of speech, yet he is clearly committed to censorship of any information containing or related to LGBTQ Americans and issues that we face, said GLAADs President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis.This action proves the Trump administrations goal of making it as difficult as possible for LGBTQ Americans to find federal resources or otherwise see ourselves reflected under his presidency. GLAAD created and reported on a similar archive prior to Trumps first term, with the same results when he came to office: a near-total purge of LGBTQ+ content in 2017.The repeat comes as Trump restated campaign pledges targeting LGBTQ+ Americans in his inaugural address, including a promise to make it the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders: male and female.Trump also vowed to sign an order to stop our warriors from being subjected to radical political theories and social experiments while on duty, a reference to woke policies Republicans complain the Department of Defense has instituted, including DEI initiatives, and possibly the presence of trans service members, whom Trump banned from service in 2019 and has promised to purge once again.Its going to end immediately, Trump said. Our armed forces will be freed to focus on their sole missiondefeating Americas enemies.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

MAGA queen Nancy Mace best known for allegedly faking an injury after a handshake and spewing anti-trans rhetoric is getting dragged by the internet after looking a fool while clashing with Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett over trans rights.A heated exchange about transgender rights during Tuesday's Oversight and Accountability Committee took a turn when the Republican congresswoman suggested the two could "take it outside."This happened after Crockett asked the members of the committee to reinstate the Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, which was disbanded almost two years ago after the GOP took control of the House. Of course, Mace who was the former ranking member on the subcommittee decided this was a great opportunity to make her gross views on transgender women using women's restroom known yet again."You want women to be forced to undress in front of men in the locker room and in dressing rooms, and it's so hypocritical for you to sit here and be screaming from the rooftops about the right to privacy and civil rights when you don't respect women," Mace said, The Hill reports. Mace then went on to make inflammatory comments about women having the freedom to go into "women's-only space and not see a man in it," claiming that Crockett was somehow trying to "take my rights as a woman, a rape survivor."Then, Crockett called out her hateful rhetoric. "So, she's gonna keep saying 'trans, trans trans' so that people will feel threatened, and child, listen," Crockett said. Mace took her words literally and yelled that she was "no child" and asked Crockett if she wanted "to take it outside." After seeing this exchange in clips circulating on X (formerly Twitter), people on social media began pointing out that Mace had to wear her arm in a sling after a handshake so she's unlikely to do well in a fight. From someone joking, "I would like to volunteer to hold Jasmine Crockett's earrings and shoes if she goes outside to meet up with Nancy Mace" to people posting pictures of Mace in full body casts with captions like, "Nancy Mace, after Rep. Jasmine Crockett called out her performative bullshit in Congress today," there was no shortage of funny memes.Scroll through to see the funniest reactions to Nancy Mace thinking she has the juice to beat Jasmine Crockett in a fight! (@) "Youre telling me this is the Nancy Mace who wanted to 'take it outside' with Jasmine Crockett?" (@) "Nancy Mace after 'taking it outside' with Jasmine Crockett." (@) "I would like to volunteer to hold Jasmine Crocketts earrings and shoes if she goes outside to meet up with Nancy Mace" (@) "Nancy Mace, after Rep. Jasmine Crockett called out her performative bullshit in Congress today" (@) "Nancy mace going outside to meet Jasmine Crockett" (@) "Nancy Mace tomorrow after Jasmine Crockett ate her alive in the Oversight Committee today." (@) "All the racist MAGA folks that call Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a lawyer, ghetto must have words about former Waffle House employee Nancy Mace asking her to go outside Right?" (@) "Nancy Mace better have several seats before coming for representative Jasmine Crockett @NancyMace @JasmineForUS" (@) "Nancy Mace seen leaving the emergency room after being called a child by Rep. Jasmine Crockett." (@) "Nancy Mace thinking that she can fight Jasmine Crockett while walking around looking like the poster child for osteoporosis is some wild shit lmao." (@) "Jasmine Crockett is a legend.." (@) "Now this bish is pretending she didn't threaten Rep. Jasmine Crockett. What exactly does Nancy Mace think "take it outside" means? A reminder that Congress Karen wore a sling after someone shook her hand too hard and claimed she was "assaulted." (@) "I am only surprised that Nancy Mace's isn't claiming that Jasmine Crockett's words gave her whiplash or another jury. Or perhaps Congress's most unstable member will limp around the Capitol tomorrow in a neck brace." (@) "Nancy Mace had a meltdown because Jasmine Crockett used the expression chile. and her dumbass literally thought she was calling her a child" (@) "My money is on Jasmine Crockett!" (@) "Nancy Mace right now" (@) "Nancy Mace thinking she can rock anybody let alone Jasmine Crockett is hilarious!! 'If you wanna take it outside'. Chile Trump got this maga mfers bold AF." (@) "If Nancy Mace and Jasmine Crockett actually stepped outside Mace would have been on some hold me back ish, as if she was actually capable of doing something. Jasmine wouldve snatched her up quick, fast and in a hurry by her fried hair!" (@) "Nancy Mace after Jasmine Crockett is done with her" (@) "Nancy Mace put on a show! As always. Did she claim that Jasmine Crockett injured her neck? That seems to be par for the course for Congress's reigning drama queen!"

Grindr, Pornhub, and Sniffies, along with several other adult film websites and dating/hookup apps, have been facing new restriction laws enacted by conservative politicians in 19 states (so far).These new requirements and restrictions which have already been enacted over the past two years are now being enforced even more following Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 presidential elections. Not only are platforms like Grindr, Sniffies, and Pornhub very popular among people in the LGBTQ+ community, but these new laws are also putting at risk the income earned by queer and/or trans creators who make a living off of adult content.What are the new restrictions to adult film websites and hookup apps enacted by these state-level laws?The following 19 states have already introduced similar restriction laws requiring users to go through new age-verification systems when using these services (via CNN):AlabamaArkansasFloridaGeorgiaIdahoIndianaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMississippiMontanaNebraskaNorth CarolinaOklahomaSouth CarolinaTennesseeTexasUtahVirginiaEven though Tennessee courts initially blocked a new restriction law in the state, AP News reports that a "panel of judges has ruled that Tennessee can begin enforcing" this new age-verification system for users on porn sites.Why are platforms, creators, and consumers worried about these new restrictions?The biggest concerns related to these age-verification systems include a user's right to privacy, a creator's freedom of speech, and a platform's ability to make money off of the services it provides (in a free market).It is not illegal for people to use apps for dating and hooking up. Pornography, generally, is also not illegal. And yet, these new laws are reportedly impacting popular websites and apps as users turn to other less regulated platforms that aren't under the scrutiny of mainstream news.How did Pornhub respond to these restriction laws?CNN reports that Pornhub has responded to these new restriction laws by blocking access to its website in all but three of these states: Georgia, Louisiana, and Tennessee.When reached for comment, a spokesperson for Aylo the Canadian parent company that owns sites like Pornhub, YouPorn, Brazzers, and Men.com shared a statement with Out reinforcing that its platforms have always supported the age verification of visitors. On the other hand, the company believes that "any law to this effect must preserve user safety and privacy, and must effectively protect children from accessing content intended for adults."Aylo's statement, shared with Out, continues: "Unfortunately, the way many jurisdictions worldwide have chosen to implement age verification is ineffective, haphazard, and dangerous. Any regulations that require hundreds of thousands of adult sites to collect significant amounts of highly sensitive personal information is putting user safety in jeopardy. Moreover, as experience has demonstrated, unless properly enforced, users will simply access non-compliant sites or find other methods of evading these laws."Aylo claims that this shift from users of popular websites (such as Pornhub) to smaller platforms "is not speculation," adding that the company has experienced the same result across the United States when attempting to comply with these new guidelines.What impact did Pornhub experience after these laws took effect?The Aylo spokesperson claims that Pornhub was one of the "few sites to comply with the new law" in Louisiana when it took effect on January 1, 2023."Since then, our traffic in Louisiana dropped approximately 80 percent," the statement shared with Out reads. "These people did not stop looking for porn. They just migrated to darker corners of the internet that don't ask users to verify age, that don't follow the law, that don't take user safety seriously, and that often don't even moderate content. In practice, the laws have just made the internet more dangerous for adults and children."Aylo argues that the best solution to the issues outlined in these new restriction laws is "performing age verification at the source: on the device." The company highlights that most operating systems already have features like parental controls and content filters to prevent children from accessing content that parents consider damaging for them on modern-day computers, phones, tablets, and other devices adding that these features can be tailored and customized for each specific family "without risking the disclosure of sensitive user data."How did Sniffies respond to these restriction laws?Sniffies, a hookup website that caters to queer men and focuses on importing the cruising experience into the digital era, has already issued a statement and enabled new features to comply with these restrictions put in place in several states even though Sniffies is not a platform for adult films (like Pornhub is).On January 2, Sniffies shared a statement announcing that it was "advancing trust and safety with enhanced ID-based age verification and comprehensive safeguards."The Sniffies statement outlines a long list of changes and new features, including:Government ID Check: Users upload a government-issued photo ID, which is securely verified using an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) system to confirm the user's age.Face Liveness Check: A real-time facial verification ensures the person using the ID matches the individual accessing the platform.Blocklist Validation: IDs are cross-referenced against a secure blacklist of previously flagged fraudulent IDs, protecting the community while maintaining user anonymity.A spokesperson for Sniffies claims that the company is "proud of the strong age-gating measures we've implemented over the years." With that said, the statement concludes with a sentiment similar to that expressed by the Aylo rep."Parents play a vital role in ensuring their children's safety online," the Sniffies spokesperson notes. "We urge them to leverage available tools and resources, such as whitelisting safe websites, configuring firewall settings, and using monitoring software to review internet usage. Equipping parents with this knowledge is key to preventing minors from accessing spaces intended exclusively for adults."How did Grindr respond to these restriction laws?When Out reached for comment regarding these new restriction laws, Grindr the most popular queer dating/hookup app in the world shared the link to a new entry published on the official Grindr Blog titled, "Keeping Minors Off Grindr."The company's full statement underscores that the Grindr app is categorized "under the most age-restrictive settings;" maintains a "mandatory age gate" that blocks anyone under 18 years of age from using the service; has a "robust human content moderation and customer support team" as well as "AI and machine-learning tools" to review new accounts; provides "easy-to-use reporting tools;" and highlights that it "cooperates with law enforcement" to support ongoing investigations.While Pornhub has been dealing with these restrictions for over two years, and Sniffies has just announced a slew of new features that address the specific concerns outlined by those new laws (without mentioning any state or particular piece of legislation), Grindr's response has been to reinforce its existing features, tool, and mechanisms used to "keep minors off Grindr."How did OnlyFans and JustFor.Fans respond to these restriction laws?In November 2024, following Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election, Out reached out to platforms OnlyFans and JustFor.Fans to ask what they expected from Trump's second turn in the White House.Two months later, OnlyFans has yet to respond to Out's request for comment.JustFor.Fans founder and CEO, Dominic Ford, quickly shared the following response with Out in the immediate aftermath of Trump's victory."There are no two ways about it: a second Trump administration puts our entire industry at risk. A younger, more naive version of me would say, 'There is no way they could actually ban porn there is precedent in the Supreme Court about this.' But, as we have seen, the current court doesn't seem overly burdened by either precedent or modern norms. That Project 2025 targets, aggressively, porn and those who produce and distribute it, should scare us all. Even with the rich irony that Trump established his 'playboy' persona quite literally through Playboy magazine, and has been linked to several porn stars, we know the Republican Party has no shame, and is blazingly hypocritical."Ford added: "JustFor.Fans has been on the front lines fighting this war for years now. We are named plaintiffs (along with the Free Speech Coalition) on many lawsuits against various states that have implemented ID Verification laws. These laws are meant to 'protect the children,' but are really just trying to shut the industry down. There are many better ways to protect children from adult content, and we all agree that our content should never fall into the hands of children. That's why there are website blockers and other technologies to allow parents to disable sites like ours on their children's devices. Industry websites, including JustFor.Fans, embed restricted-access HTML coding to alert these blockers that we are NOT child-friendly."Ford highlighted that JustFor.Fans makes donations to the Free Speech Coalition, the Woodhull Freedom Foundation, and the Sex Workers Outreach Project, to name a few. Ford shared that JustFor.Fans has also helped fund transgender organizations like Trans Lifeline and Point of Pride."We are actively working to understand how best to mitigate these possible scenarios. One extreme would be moving the entire operation to another country," Ford wrote. "But on a nearer-term basis, we are bracing and ready to be part of any legal battles that arise. We have always made it a point to stand up and be counted, and to do our best to provide a safe space for our models. That call to arms is more important now than it has ever been."

After Vultures bombshell expos detailing sexual assault allegations against Neil Gaiman came out earlier this week, the best-selling authors ex-wife Amanda Palmer finally made a public statement.The explosive report describes in detail the disturbing allegations made by eight women of the sexual assault, coercion, and abuse they suffered at the hands of the Good Omens writer. The Vulture article, written by Lila Shapiro, also includes accusations that Palmer had knowledge of his actions and that some of the women met Gaiman through Palmer.Scarlett Pavlovich, who began working as a nanny for Palmer in 2022, claims Gaiman sexually assaulted her in an outdoor bathtub and further alleges that he assaulted her again in a hotel room while his son was present. Pavlovich also claims that she told Palmer about what Gaiman did to her, including the bathtub incident, but didnt describe it as sexual assault at the time.Palmer broke her silence yesterday when she took to Instagram to post a statement asking for privacy because of the former couples custody battle.As there are ongoing custody and divorce proceedings, I am not able to offer public comment. Please understand that I am first and foremost a parent. I ask for privacy at this time, she wrote.See on InstagramThe singer-songwriter and former Dresden Dolls member also made a statement to NME, calling the allegations against Gaiman, who she divorced in 2022, disturbing.While Ms. Palmer is profoundly disturbed by the allegations that Mr. Gaiman has abused several women, at this time her primary concern is, and must remain, the well-being of her son and therefore, to guard his privacy, she has no comment on these allegations, her statement read. Palmer and Gaiman met in 2008 and got married in 2011. They have one son together.

As fires continue to ravage the Los Angeles area, Conservatives have spent the past week blaming DEI hires, Democratic Governor Gavin Newson, and the out-lesbian fire chief for the natural disaster. Now, MAGA firebrand Megyn Kelly has taken things a step further by ranting about how overweight, out-of-shape women running the Los Angeles Fire Department are sending obese lesbians to save people trapped by the fires when she just wants to be rescued by a strong man.On a recent episode of her podcast, The Megyn Kelly Show, the 54-year-old outspoken Donald Trump supporter blamed DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) for weakening the fire departments response to the deadly wildfires, making the inflammatory comment that this is the one place where she would support biological women being replaced by transgender women, the New York Post reports.I believe I speak for all females in Los Angeles when I say, we want a strong man to rescue us, Kelly said. Thats what we want. Do we ask for too much?Despite there only being three women on the 145-person LAFDs leadership team, Kelly insisted the women at the top are to blame for the perceived failures of the department.Kristen Crowley, LAFDs first LGBTQ+ fire chief, has been the target of online harassment and harsh criticism from the right wing, who think she was an undeserving DEI hire, even though she has 22 years of experience in the fire department. Kelly jumped on this bandwagon but added insults about the womens weight. These three women who are all at the top there I mean honestly, Im not trying to be mean, but theyre obese. These are overweight, out-of-shape women, she said. (@) She continued, The last thing I want to see if Im in a burning building is a) a woman, and b) an obese woman.After insulting the womens weight, Kelly moved on to homophobia and transphobia. Who takes comfort in Im going to die, but its in the presence of an obese lesbian? This is ridiculous, she said.Then she slid into a bizarre argument for the inclusion of trans women while also being wildly insulting. If theyre so intent on getting women into the fire department, why cant we get the so-called trans women?Kelly has been a vocal critic of trans women participating in sports and used that favorite conservation talking point to call out the women in the fire department. Lets get the fake women who want to invade our sports and redirect them to the fire department, she said. That would be a great place for you to break barriers as a quote woman in the firefighting realm where you still have all of your male advantage.In actuality, the LAFDs budget was slashed by $17.6 million in 2024. The reduction has severely limited the departments capacity to prepare for, train for, and respond to large-scale emergencies, including wildfires, Crowley explained in a memo in December.

Shaun T is giving fans what they want.Not only is the sexy model living his best life as a loving husband and father of two, but the star is also running a fitness empire and posting plenty of hot content on his very spicy OnlyFans.Many celebrities have joined the popular site over the years, but Shaun T is doing much more than taking steamy photos. He also uses the platform to connect with his fans and encourage many people to invest in their bodies at the gym... or under the sheets."We all know what OnlyFans is known for, but one of the things I absolutely love about it is having conversations with men and women. I'm super open minded! You can basically tell me next to anything," Shaun T tells PRIDE. See on Instagram If you're looking to see some raunchy content from Shaun T and his handsome husband Scott Blokker on OnlyFans, then you're in luck."After 14 years, we still have an incredible sex life. We keep it spicy! If you join my VIP platform, you might get a little bit more. I'm just saying! We know what people want."Speaking of what people want, many fans are curious as to what Shaun T's sexual preferences may be in the bedroom and the star has no problem spilling the tea."I am way more top than I am bottom, but for [my husband], we're flipping, flopping, moving, shaking, doing, and dipping! Bottoming is not my biggest thing. There's a way to get there. He knows how to get there, so I give him what he wants. My husband's hot."Shaun and Scott Blokker certainly know how to keep things steamy at home, but now, fans can channel their inner sexiness by checking out the couple's new undies T-Bone Threads."We wanted to create an underwear line for gay men of all shapes and sizes to show their confidence. Thongs are my personal favorite. Scott loves jockstraps. The booty is bootying! It is a way to feel confident wherever you are. When I take these off, someone is going to like what they see."T-Bone Threads are available now. To see the full interview with Shaun T, check out the video at the top of the page.

With Donald Trump's second inauguration looming, MAGA Republicans have been preemptively celebrating his return across social media. And while it's totally normal to cheer on the person you voted for, nothing about the MAGA obsession with Trump has ever been particularly normal, and that doesn't look to be changing anytime soon.Of particular note is a recent post from alt-right podcaster Charlie Kirk, who shared a creepy photo of Trump alongside the caption "Dad is home." (@) It's only been a few months since Tucker Carlson's bizarre speech at a Trump rally in Duluth, Georgia comparing Trump to "dad" and the country to a small child."You've been a bad little girl and you're getting a vigorous spanking right now," he said in a bizarre metaphor that went on way, way too long.One has to imagine this is where Kirk got the idea, although with the way MAGAs love to imagine Trump as everything from a comic book superhero to an actual god, it's entirely possible daddy is just another role they fill with the 78-year-old felon.But no matter how you look at it, it's freaking weird. (@) "Very normal thing to say." (@) "hmm.. seeing as Donald Trump isn't your biological or adoptive father, I'm confused as to why youre calling him "Dad". I'm a conservative who follows you for your conservative values, but calling an unrelated man "Dad" seems akin to what the gays would do. Is he your "daddy dom"?" (@) "very submissive of you charlie. good boy." (@) "You sound turned on." (@) (@) "MAGA when they look at Trump" (@) "i just know that adding the dy was calling out to him like the green goblin mask" (@) It's usually not great when people call conservatives or homophobes "gay" as some sort of gotcha. It furthers the implication that there's something bad about being gay, while also inadvertently suggesting the people oppressing gay people are just other gay people, albeit closeted and filled with internalized homophobia.But in this case, there just...really isn't any other way to read what Kirk is putting down. It's gay as hell. (@) "Calling an man twice your age with no relation to you in any way dad is the most gay shit possible" (@) "Hes not going to fuck you, Charlie." (@) "Charlie Cuck cant wait for Daddy Dom to come home to him." (@) "Conservatives will be like I cant stand gay people grrrrr and then immediately turn around and being incredibly homoerotic for another guy." (@) What's possibly the most amusing of all is that Kirk's fellow MAGAs are frequently doubling down on his behalf. Not only that, but like tiny children on a playground, they're even trying to insist that liberals are actually the ones making it weird. Totally normal to call Trump "dad;" only weird when liberals point out that's pretty gay. Mhmm. (@) "Why do you have to make it weird?" (@) "bc calling another man daddy is gay, hope this helps" (@) Kamala Harris and Tim Walz really never should have pivoted away from calling MAGAs weird.

In the pantheon of lesbian sex acts from oral to strap-ons to scissoring (Myth or real? You decide!) to the thigh thing most people are familiar with the mainstays, but what about dove f**king?This cutely named Sapphic sex act involves one woman using her nipple to stimulate her partners vulva and then having her lick your breast clean for added fun. Hot!While the term has been around for years the Urban Dictionary definition was added in 2009, and a quick Google search proves there is plenty of porn out there featuring this spicy lesbian sex move its not one that comes up in everyday conversation. One person was so curious to know if other lesbians do this in the bedroom that they took to the r/actuallesbians subreddit to ask, Is this a common sexual practice among WLW?While some were surprised (and delighted) to learn of dove f**king for the very first time, the comment section proves that the sex act is more common than you think, and lesbians love it. The responses are so steamy you may need to defog your reading glasses! The comments have been lightly edited for length and clarity.What is "dove f**king?""Yes!!! This is called dove fucking no idea where the name came from. Not sure if its a super common thing, but iykyk lol. You can also add to it by rubbing your nips all over her vulva, getting it wet, then having her kiss/lick the wetness off you (assuming shes ok with her own taste). Or vice versa of course." Electrical-Cake-6529"I call it tiddy fucking." GreenG0blnIf you know, you know""Eh? I thought it was a common sexual practice . Actually something that I love doing ... it feels amazing!" ashleykhan7"Lol didnt know it had a name! Never thought of it as an "uncommon practice". I thought everyone did this . cecileett"OH MY GOD IT HAS A NAME. I have been searching for porn of this nature for only god knows how many years, and tried all possible and impossible word combinations in my searches, but to no avail, and I have been teetering on the edge of madness about how utterly impossible it seemed. From a porn producer's perspective, I simply could not wrap my head around how 'Tits AND pussy at the same time!' was not an all time top blockbuster category. Like, at this point I didn't even care about the practicality of it, or if it was blatantly made for male appealing aesthetics, if the common type of fucking acrobatic scissoring is a major porn category, how in the world could this not be? I have been so confused." ElisaKristiansenYou're not alone if you've never heard of it"LMAO shoving a balloon down a water slide how did i never hear of this?!" skippy51"Woah, first time hearing of this I'm intrigued." Relative-Policy5887"Never heard of, am very curious." grey_hat_ukNow I have to try it!"This is new to me, but I'd try it." Remote_Bluebird4040"Lmao I wanna try. Scissoring is old." Bit-Jungle"I'll add it to the agenda." natzielSo whether you're new to "dove f**king" or you're very familiar with it, tonight might a good time to add it into your bedroom escapades!

EDM festivals are all the rage these days, but Sphere in Las Vegas is truly in a league of its own.Sin City's latest venue quickly took over everyone's algorithms when it opened at the end of 2023. Headliners like U2, Phish, Dead & Company, and the Eagles went viral for their unbelievable visuals that complimented their upbeat music in the immersive arena.Although each of those bands made their mark at Sphere, nobody was prepared for the first EDM performer to take the stage. Afterlife Presents Anyma: The End of Genesys serves as the inaugural residency to feature a DJ and predominantly dance music.A groundbreaking immersive experienceWhen it comes to creating a experience that taps into everything Sphere can offer, Anyma certainly understood the assignment. It's no wonder that all of his shows sold out, including the new dates that were added following a very high demand.Anyma performs his electric set on the top of a gorgeous riser surrounded by glowing cords that put him on the pedestal he deserves. Although his platform is impressive, it's the visuals behind him that really transport audiences into a whole new world. See on Instagram Not a bad seat in the houseThe best part about seeing a show at Sphere? There's not one bad seat in the house.Securing a ticket for the pit at the front of the venue is never a bad choice, especially if you're surrounded by friendly people who are ready to dance the night away with you.However, if you decide to opt for an actual seat in one of the higher sections, then get ready for a 4D experience like none other. Every seat has surround sound speakers that really brings the music to life. Plus, the chairs shake and rumble along with the base, so there's a good chance you won't even want to stand up throughout the exhilarating show.There's truly something for everyone at a Sphere residency. If you'd like to enjoy the show as if it were a movie, then sitting higher up and taking in all of the unbelievable visuals is a real treat. On the other hand, if you're hoping to bust a move with your crew and everyone around you, then the pit is the way to go.One thing to brace for... get ready to put your neck to work as you'll be looking up multiple times throughout the night. The very large and grand LED screen will have you turning your head in every direction to absorb all of the mind-blowing visuals in front of you.A game-changing showSphere has changed the game when it comes to escapism through EDM. How will visuals at any other festival or show live up to Anyma's residency? Only time will tell. It would be incredible to see other DJs eventually perform at the stunning theater down the road.Although Anyma's residency has sadly come to an end, the demand is still very much alive for his grand return. Until then, there's plenty of thrilling shows and concerts scheduled throughout the year at Sphere. Learn more by visiting the official website here.

The president-elects mass deportation plans along with the vicious anti-immigrant hysteria he has provoked will no doubt destroy countless lives, but according to trans activist and civil rights attorney Alejandra Caraballo, it wont stop peoples dogged pursuit of a better life across the border.Theres almost no depth of cruelty that will deter immigration, Caraballo, who has worked extensively with LGBTQ+ immigrants and asylum seekers, told LGBTQ Nation. The conditions in a lot of countries are so dire Its life or death for them, and a life of fear and tolerating cruelty is still one where you have a life. Trumps fundamental miscalculation, she said, is ignoring that drive to survive. She pointed to the Darin Gap, an extremely inhospitable and remote region connecting North and South America that many immigrants must cross on their journey to the United States.It is hundreds of miles of the most remote, densely forested rainforest with no civilization anywhere nearby. And people are trekking through this, constantly dying. To put yourself through that and then travel thousands of miles more, oftentimes on foot, to get to the border just to have a hope that you might get in The level of precarity in the countries they are coming from has to be so dire. 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 Caraballo is currently a clinical instructor at the Harvard Law School Cyberlaw Clinic, but she spent much of Trumps first term as an attorney at the LGBTQ Law Project at the New York Legal Assistance Group. There, she mainly worked with undocumented Trans Latina women, assisting with asylum applications, T Visas for survivors of human trafficking, and U Visas for victims of crime.While there were significant challenges to doing this work under an administration overtly hostile to both immigrants and LGBTQ+ people, Caraballo predicts the second time will be far worse.The guardrails are completely off, she said. We now have many more judicial decisions from the Supreme Court that basically give Trump a carte blanche to do whatever he wants in terms of immigration. The so-called adults in the room are gone. The explicitly cruel policies are a feature, not a bug. Normalizing the unthinkableMigrants living on the north embankment of the Rio Grande hold hands during a prayer as they await to be processed by Customs and Border Protection in El Paso, Texas. Photo: Omar Ornelas/ El Paso Times / USA Today Network.Caraballo predicts the second Trump administration will commit a slew of atrocities, from the building of actual camps to house migrants to immigration raids in classrooms, churches, and other sensitive areas that are typically off-limits.I wouldnt be surprised if they try to carry out immigration raids during a class like hauling students out in front of their classmates. Because the goal is to instill fear, to instill a sense of, you are not safe anywher, and we are coming to get you. also to kind of shock the public consciousness and normalize the once unthinkable.Whatever Trump and his cronies inflict, it will certainly be harsher for LGBTQ+ people, especially trans folks. LGBTQ+ people already face outsized risks of abuse and harassment in immigration detention, and they are also more likely to be denied critical medical care. Related Donald Trump is targeting trans rights. Sydney Duncan is fighting back. The senior counsel for Advocates for Trans Equality gets real about the future for trans Americans. A recent report from Immigration Equality found significant medical neglect for detainees with HIV, and Caraballo said many of the clients she worked with who were detained by ICE were denied essential HIV medication. LGBTQ+ detainees also reported rampant verbal abuse and threats of violence.The Center for American Progress found that in 2017 (while Trump was president), LGBTQ+ people in ICE custody were 97 times more likely to endure sexual abuse than non-LGBTQ+ people. The organization described the numbers as staggering and far greater than the already high rates of abuse against LGBTQ+ inmates. The report also detailed how ICE disproportionately placed trans women either in solitary confinement or mens facilities, as well as the agencys pension for detaining trans people significantly longer than other immigrants, concluding that the Trump administration rejected policies meant to protect vulnerable populations from abuse in detention.In some especially tragic cases, like that of transgender Honduran Roxsana Hernandez, detained LGBTQ+ migrants have died in ICE custody. Hernandez came to the U.S. seeking asylum and died of an AIDS-related illness after she was denied antiretroviral medication despite the fact that Customs and Border Control knew she was HIV positive.Conditions for detained LGBTQ+ immigrants have remained dire under the Biden administration. Last year, a group of trans and nonbinary people detained at Colorados Aurora Contract Detention Facility filed a civil rights complaint alleging medical neglect and dehumanizing treatment. I think it is intentionally bad here, said one complainant, Victoria. It is a way to get people to give up on themselves.With Trumps threat to somehow deport all 11 million undocumented immigrants currently residing in the United States, checks on the system are likely to deteriorate even more. Combine that with the unmitigated anti-trans hatred the Trump campaign injected into the American psyche, and the more than one million queer and trans immigrants and asylum seekers become one of the most vulnerable populations in the country. Method over madnessThe ties between Donald Trump and tech giants like Elon Musk could further threaten LGBTQ+ rights. Photo: Jasper Colt/USA Today.Trumps first term also included a base level of incompetence that allowed Caraballo to maneuver through the system and still help several of her clients. This time, she predicts the administration will ditch the chaos and become much more methodical.Theyve had four years to plan this stuff out. Theyve been methodically planning out their executive orders, the rules, how theyre going to go about this, whereas previously, in the first Trump administration, they didnt necessarily have that apparatus in place.But these tactics will no doubt meet resistance.At a certain point, people are not going to tolerate immigration raids on elementary schools, like hauling seven-year-olds out of class This is the era of the smartphone. You cant hide this stuff.Alejandra Caraballo, trans activist and civil rights attorneyAt a certain point, people are not going to tolerate immigration raids on elementary schools, like hauling seven-year-olds out of class to put in detention and put into a camp, she said. This is the era of the smartphone. You cant hide this stuff as easily.Technology, however, is a double-edged sword. Now that Trump is returning to the Oval Office, social media giants X and Meta have eliminated the last vestiges of protections for marginalized groups on their platforms. Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg have given a free pass to hate speech and misinformation, both of which can cause extremely dire consequences in the real world.All it takes is a single viral rumor that a trans person or immigrant committed a crime to incite a violent mob,Caraballo points to the violent anti-immigrant riots that broke out in the U.K. over the summer after the spread of online misinformation.Thats whats going to be in store in the next four years. Weve already seen kind of isolated lone wolf attacks, but this kind of stuff metastasizes on social media. The genocide against the Rohingya in Myanmar, she added, was very much catalyzed by content spread on Facebook and WhatsApp in 2016.Weve already seen armed Proud Boys showing up to library events and drag shows. I really worry in this kind of atmosphere where people are emboldened, and there is no societal accountability or check on them, that its going to lead to more violence.Jan 6, 2024; Columbus, OH, United States; Members of the far-right Proud Boys extremist group clash with groups who had gathered to speak out against them outside of the Ohio Statehouse, January 6, 2024. Photo: Brooke LaValley/Columbus Dispatch/USA Today Network. She continued, Ultimately, thats the fundamental evil at play here Even when theyre not always fully enforced, policies can serve as a deterrence, and by removing that deterrence and the friction of it, theyre going to accelerate this stuff.With a slew of tech giants, including Meta, announcing $1 million donations to Trumps inaugural fund, its clear that their interest is solely in protecting their bottom lines.Theyre supposed to have beyond f**k you money, Caraballo said, and the point of that kind of money is youre not beholden to anyone, and theyre just cowards. They are spineless, immoral cowards. The increasingly hostile social media climate will not only incite hate against LGBTQ+ people but will also cut them off from their own communities.Caraballo lamented the incalculable amount of community lost on these platforms. She worries about the isolation many will feel if they choose to leave social media platforms that have become too hostile to them. Theyve built up communities on those platforms over decades and you cant replicate that. Bluesky is promising, but its not the same, and itll never be.The next four years wont be pretty, but Caraballo does believe there may be some light on the other side. I fundamentally believe our society is at an impasse. I dont think this kind of far-right populist authoritarianism is durable. In the meantime, Caraballo suggests finding community and holding it tightly.Community and each other is how were going to get through all of this, and having empathy and loving other people is the most important value in the face of fascism. Related Civil rights leader David Johns is fighting to reclaim the future for Black & queer America Culture wars are manufactured to spur misinformation, says the CEO and Executive Director of the National Black Justice Collective Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Donald Trump's second term as U.S. president is about to begin and a list of music stars are scheduled not only to attend his inauguration ceremony, but also celebrate the occasion and perform a few songs.During the election, most celebrity endorsements went to Vice President Kamala Harris, with big names like Beyonce and Taylor Swift endorsing her over Trump. Still, there are some music stars who support Trump.With Trump's numerous pledges to curtail trans and gay rights, many queer fans have called for artists with queer fanbases to boycott the inauguration. However, some artists have still decided to participate.Keep scrolling to see the full list of musicians who will be performing at different events during Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony.Carrie UnderwoodAmerican Idol winner and country music star Carrie Underwood is probably the biggest name to be performing, and the announcement that she would perform was met with the biggest pushback.Underwood has long had a large contingent of LGBTQ+ fans and was considered an ally to the community. Back in 2012, she even spoke out in favor of gay marriage, saying, "as a married person myself, I don't know what it's like to be told I can't marry somebody I love, and want to marry," she said at the time. "I can't imagine how that must feel. I definitely think we should all have the right to love, and love publicly, the people that we want to love."She is set to perform "America, the Beautiful" at the ceremony."I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event," Underwood said in a statement, per NPR. "I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future."Village PeopleTo many, Village People are considered queer icons with their flamboyant, hyper-masculine personas and costumes and songs like "YMCA," "Macho Man," and "In the Navy." However, the group has distanced themselves from that image, with Victor Willis, who plays the cop in the band, saying, "I will sue the next media organization, or anyone else, that falsely suggests Y.M.C.A. is somehow about illicit gay sex."During the 2024 election, Willis also defended Trump's usage of the song in his campaign."Our song Y.M.C.A. is a global anthem that hopefully helps bring the country together after a tumultuous and divided campaign where our preferred candidate lost," the band posted in a statement shared on Facebook. "Therefore, we believe it's now time to bring the country together with music which is why VILLAGE PEOPLE will be performing at various events as part of the 2025 Inauguration of Donald J. Trump."Jim Newman, a former member of the band, made a video on Threads saying that the version of the band performing "is a new and entirely separate entity than the long-storied Village People I had the honor of being in for 8 years.""The Village People that were around for about 40 years had a strong, loyal gay following," he said. "There was a lawsuit about four years ago, they took away the name Village People from our band, the band that had been around forever, a lot of originals still in the band, and they gave it to an ex-member who was fired a couple years in. And he started a new group, and that is the Village People that performs. Or Village People would never ever perform at a Trump rally, we would never give him the right to use those songs, and we would never slap the face of the strong, especially gay audience that made us who we are today."Kid RockKid Rock has been one of Trump's most vocal celebrity supporters and will once again lend his support at the Make America Great Again Victory Rally.Billy Ray CyrusWhile Cyrus' daughter Miley Cyrus has been critical of Trump, the singer known for his song "Achy Breaky Heart" and his feature on the remix of Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road" will be performing at the Make America Great Again Victory Rally.Jason AldeanCountry singer Jason Aldean is most recently best known for political controversies surrounding his song "Try that in a Small Town" (which was called a "modern lynching song") and his wife, Brittany Aldean, who made a transphobic comment on social media, thanking her parents "for not changing my gender when I went through my tomboy phase." Aldean will perform at the Liberty Ball.Rascal FlattsCountry Trio Rascal Flatts, known for their cover of "Life is a Highway" from the Cars soundtrack, will perform at the Commander in Chief Ball.Gavin DeGrawSinger-songwriter Gavin DeGraw is most known for his song "I Don't Want to Be," which was used as the theme song for One Tree Hill. He will perform at the Starlight Ball.Lee GreenwoodCountry singer Lee Greenwood will be performing his popular patriotic song "God Bless The U.S.A." at the swearing-in ceremony and the Make America Great Again Victory Rally."I am humbled and honored to be asked to perform for our 47th President Donald J. Trump during his inaugural events," Greenwood said in a statement (via NPR). "The President has been a friend of [my wife] Kim [Payne] and I's for many years and this is one of the most historical moments in our lifetime. I look forward to celebrating this special day with proud Americans everywhere."Parker McCollumParker McCollum is another country singer who will perform at the Commander in Chief Ball.Liberty Univesity's Praise ChoirThe Praise Choir from private evangelical Christian college Liberty University founded by conservative stalwart Jerry Falwell Sr. will be performing at the Make America Great Again Victory Rally.Christopher MacchioChristopher Macchio is a classical Tenor who will perform the national anthem at the swearing-in ceremony.

Chrishell Stause just confirmed a suspicion fans have had for months about her feelings towards fellow reality star Tom Sandoval, and she did so in the most hilarious way.Back in November, Stause shared a series of promotional images for season three of The Traitors to her Instagram. The main photo was of her, the second slide in the carousel was a trailer for the show, and the remaining three entries showcased all this season's cast members' individual promo pics.All of the cast, that is, except for Sandoval.In the spot where Sandoval could have been, Stause instead superimposed an image of the castle where The Traitors takes place.See on InstagramWe live in a world where everything on celeb social media is picked apart and analyzed for our own entertainment, so obviously her exclusion of Sandoval didn't go unnoticed."omg if you blocked off Sandoval's face in the last slide... ICONIC BEHAVIOR," one person commented at the time.During a recent appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, a fan finally had the opportunity to ask Stause if she left Sandoval out on purpose, and the Selling Sunset star did not pull her punches with her response."Yes, I did," she confirmed without hesitation. "I don't want him on my page. I hate him.""Hate's a strong word," fellow guest Lisa Barlow replied."Exactly," Stause said.While she didn't elaborate on her reasons for hating Sandoval, the general assumption has been that it stems from her friendship with his ex, Ariana Madix. The two were together for nine years before calling it quits in 2023after Madix discovered Sandoval was cheating on her with his Vanderpump Rules costar, Raquel Leviss.Stause admitted she wasn't sure what interactions between her and Sandoval made the final edit, but we already know she wasn't playing nice with him for the cameras, either."The Traitors have to be able to lie and cheat and deceive easily," she said during a recent episode, addressing Sandoval. "And since I know that you possess all of those skills, I voted for you."

This articlefirst appeared on Mother Jones. It has been republished with the publications permission.The Supreme Courton Friday allowed a ban on TikTok to take effect. Last year, President Joe Biden signed a law that would ban the platform unless its Chinese parent-company, ByteDance, sold it. In handing down its ruling, the court rebuffed an effort by the platform, some of its users,numerousfree-speechadvocates, and President-elect Donald Trump to halt the ban from taking effect.The casepittedCongress national security concerns against the free speech rights of TikTok and its users. The court released an unsigned majority opinion, along with two separate concurring opinions but no dissents. Related Users rush to RedNote as TikTok ban looms. But is it LGBTQ+ friendly? TikTok refugees have flocked to Chinese-owned Red Note out of spite while expressing dissatisfaction with Metas Reels. Stay connected to your community Connect with the issues and events that impact your community at home and beyond by subscribing to our newsletter. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The majority held the ban passes constitutional muster because any potential free speech implications would be overridden by serious threats tonational security. There is no doubt that, for more than 170 million Americans, TikTok offers a distinctive and expansive outlet for expression, means of engagement, and source of community, the court held. But Congress has determined that divestiture is necessary to address its well-supported national security concerns regarding TikToks data collection practices and relationship with a foreign adversary. It concluded that the law does not violate petitioners First Amendment rights.The court took the case on an expedited basis, with just nine days between last weeks oral arguments and the deadline for the ban to take effect. As a result, the justices stressed their decision is narrow and declined to reach significant questions such as whether the First Amendment was indeed implicated and, if so, how much.In spring 2024, Congresspassedthe law requiring ByteDance to sell US-based TikTok, or else the platform would go dark. TikTok sued to halt it, as did several content creators. The federal government has warned that ByteDances ownership puts the Chinese government in a position to use the app to spy on Americans by vacuuming up their personal data, and that it could enable China to manipulate the algorithm to further geopolitical goals. The court found TikToks data collection activities to be a significant national security concern that alone justified the law. But Justice Sonia Sotomayor, in a concurring opinion, stressed that social media algorithms, as the court recently held in a separate case, are a form of protected speech. TikTok engages in expressive activity by compiling and curating material on its platform, she wrote.Along with TikTok and some users, Trump mounted his own campaign to keep the platform online,askingthe justices to halt the law until after his inauguration, on the premise that he alone could broker a deal to preserve the app while alleviating the governments national security concerns. This was not exactly a legal request, but more of a request for an extralegal action.The courts decision to let the law take effect does not preclude Trump from trying to negotiate a sale of TikTok that would allow the platform to remain online, including by brokering a deal involving a political supporter. Trump is also reportedly mulling an executive action to halt the lawalthough legally, that is unlikely to succeed because presidents cannot overturn laws by fiat. During his first term, Trump sought to ban TikTok, but he made an about-face, apparently after determining that the appand his newfound vocal support for itwould help his 2024 presidential campaign. While the sell-or-ban law was passed on a bipartisan basis, a number of Republicans have recently followed Trumps lead in walking back support for the measure. Democrats, too, have begun to change course. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)saidyesterday that he would work with the new administration to find a solution, and the Biden administrationannouncedthat it would defer implementation to the next president. It seems that without bipartisan support, there is little political will to implement what Congress said it neededand what the Supreme Court just green-lighted.Whatever happens, the platforms future is no longer in the courts hands, but back in the realm of politics.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

The Department of Health and Human Services has released a first-of-its-kind report on health equity for intersex individuals, citing the lasting harm surgical interventions inflict on infants and others subjected to nonconsensual procedures.Titled Advancing Health Equity for Intersex Individuals, the groundbreaking paper was issued by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, led by Adm. Rachel Levine, the first out transofficial confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Related Queer intersex youth at heightened risk of conversion therapy & suicide attempts, new study finds Forced genital surgeries on intersex youth lead to an increased risk of suicide. There is growing evidence that surgical interventions on intersex infants can cause lasting harm, including stigma and medical mistrust, the report details. Historic and current medical practices have often focused on surgical interventions on infants to change their sex characteristics to conform with a single sex, rather than the health care needs of the intersex individual. Stay connected to your community Connect with the issues and events that impact your community at home and beyond by subscribing to our newsletter. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Research and advocacy from intersex individuals has documented that non-consensual, medically unnecessary interventions for intersex infants can cause lifelong harm. These interventions impact people into adolescence and adulthood, and intersex adults face significant barriers in accessing high-quality care that affirms and meets their needs.The report defines intersex as an umbrella term to refer to people born with differences or variations in their sex characteristics or reproductive anatomy. An estimated 5 million people in the U.S., or about 1.7% of the population, fall within the definition, displaying 40 identified variations.Those variations are most commonly identified at birth or during puberty, but it is also not uncommon for adults to discover they have intersex traits while seeking fertility care or through unrelated medical procedures, the report states. While many intersex individuals may require specialized health care, for many intersex people, their variations in sex characteristics are a healthy part of human diversity and do not pose any threats to overall health. Nevertheless, many intersex individuals report facing medical interventions because their variations in sex characteristics have been treated as a medical disorder. Surgical interventions can lead to a host of negative physical and mental effects for intersex individuals, including significant scarring, loss of sexual function, urinary or vaginal complications, chronic pain, and early-onset osteoporosis. Intersex people suffer disproportionate rates of trauma and mental health issues due to lack of affirming care, the report noted.Despite those risks, medical practitioners still encourage parents to have surgeries on intersex infants, citing potential stigma for the natural differences in sexual anatomy a child may display.The report recommends a set of guiding principles to address intersex health equity, including protecting the civil rights of intersex people, affirming the role of parents in supporting their intersex children, and promoting bodily autonomy and informed consent. The report also notes the importance of self-acceptance among the intersex population. Discussions about intersex variations can also enable many intersex adolescents and adults to appreciate their body, improving overall self-acceptance and mental health.Over the past decades, a growing body of evidence and advocacy by intersex people has demonstrated that current medical practices for intersex patients, especially children, can cause lifelong harm and must be reevaluated, the report states. Even as this report acknowledges the pervasive barriers intersex people face in our society and health care system, it makes clear that, when intersex people are affirmed and receive high-quality care, they can thrive.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Earlier this week Villads Raahauge Jensen, a professional handballer and host of the Hndbold - mere end bare en sport (Handball - more than just a sport) podcast from Denmark took the brave step of coming out in a post on Instagram.I am gay. Three words that should, in reality, be easy to say, but for many years, Ive been afraid to be open about it, he began in the emotional posts, he began in the caption. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Villads Raahauge Jensen (@villads_raahauge)His decision was a long one in coming, and one that Jensen, who plays for Lugi HF in the second-tier Swedish Allsvenskan league, once feared was at odds with his role as an athlete. Those who know me also know that handball has always been my first priority in all aspects of my life. But the thought that the entire narrative about who I am as a person would change solely because of my sexuality has been something I didnt dare take a chance on, he continued. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Villads Raahauge Jensen (@villads_raahauge)n part, his struggle to come out was against the culture of professional sports itself. Being gay in sports is, in many ways, still a taboo, without me really knowing why. I just know that, for me, it has been very difficult to be open about who I am, he wrote. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Villads Raahauge Jensen (@villads_raahauge)Thankfully when he did decide to share his truth with his teammates he was met with positivity and acceptance. When I told the club and my teammates last week, it was, of course, received entirely positively, he recounted. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Villads Raahauge Jensen (@villads_raahauge)While this is news to the world and his team, there have been some in his life who have previously known his truth. And even though my closest friends have known for some time and my family has always known, it is still scary to share something youve kept secret for so long, he wrote. Hiding a big part of who you are from almost everyone makes it so that you can never truly be 100% yourself. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Villads Raahauge Jensen (@villads_raahauge)Hiding a big part of who you are from almost everyone makes it so that you can never truly be 100% yourself. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Villads Raahauge Jensen (@villads_raahauge)ltimately, Jensen writes that he hopes by being open and and honest with who he is, he can make space for others who are struggling to following his footsteps. I hope that with this post, I can help others, and perhaps be a role model that shows that it is okay to be gay in the world of sports, he wrote. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Villads Raahauge Jensen (@villads_raahauge)He adds, At the same time, I sincerely hope that you will all still see me exactly as the person I have always been. Because yes I am gay, but also so much more than that. I'm still just Villads, he concludes. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Villads Raahauge Jensen (@villads_raahauge)Welcome to the family Villads, were glad youre here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Villads Raahauge Jensen (@villads_raahauge) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Villads Raahauge Jensen (@villads_raahauge) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Villads Raahauge Jensen (@villads_raahauge)You can read the full post here (if you speak Danish).

Sure, its still 2024, but we can't help but already be looking forward to 2025, and especially all the amazing queer stories that will be heading to our screens, big and small.What do we have to look forward to? Honestly, a lot! From major blockbusters like Jurassic World Rebirth, to queer romances like Swift Horses and The Wedding Banquet, and even some spooky thrillers and horror like Mother Mary and Queens of the Dead. Oh yes, this year is already stacking up to be a very entertaining one. So, with that in mind, here is everything currently on our radar! All film descriptions are courtesy of their respective studios and networks.Lady Like - January 3The pages of RuPaul's Drag Race season 14 runner-up, Lady Camden's fairytale story are filled with growth, discovery, and a passion for performance in this vivid personal portrait. A student of dance, Camden performed ballet across many international stages before lip syncing on the Drag Race catwalk. When Camdens professional ballet career unexpectedly ends, she discovers drag as a way to find joy and community. It catapults her to stardom - and the glittering highs and challenging lows of life as an international drag celebrity. Born in the UK, Camden (aka Rex Wheeler) recounts a difficult childhood, and explores how Lady Camden helped Rex deal with his past traumas and embrace the joys of life. Narrated by fellow Drag Race star, Nina West. Where to watch: On VODEat the Night - January 10 (Limited)The queer French romance-thriller follows Pablo (Tho Cholbi), a small-time drug dealer, and his teenage sister Apolline (Lila Gueneau) have forged an unbreakable bond through their shared obsession with the online video game Darknoon. When Pablo falls for the mysterious Night (Erwan Kepoa Fal), he gets swept up in their liaison, abandoning his sister to deal with the impending shutdown of their digital haven alone. As Pablos reckless choices provoke the wrath of a dangerous rival gang, the end of their virtual life draws near, upending their reality.Where to watch: In theaters limited Peter Pans Neverland Nightmare - January 13 (Limited)The newest entry into the Poohniverse follows Wendy Darling as she strikes out in an attempt to rescue her brother Michael from the clutches of the evil Peter Pan who intends to send him to Neverland. Along the way she meets a twisted Tinkerbell, who is hooked on what she thinks is fairy dust.Where to watch: In theaters limitedOne of Them Days - January 17Best friends and roommates Dreux (Keke Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA) are about to have One of Them Days. When they discover Alyssas boyfriend has blown their rent money, the duo finds themselves going to extremes in a comical race against the clock to avoid eviction and keep their friendship intact. Where to watch: In theatersJimpa - January 23 (Sundance premiere)Hannah takes her nonbinary teenager, Frances, to Amsterdam to visit their gay grandfather, Jim lovingly known as Jimpa. But Frances desire to stay abroad with Jimpa for a year means Hannah is forced to reconsider her beliefs about parenting and finally confront old stories about the past.Where to watch: Sundance Film Festival, further release details TBA Twinless - January 23 (Sundance premiere)Two young men meet in a twin bereavement support group and form an unlikely bromance.Where to watch: Sundance Film Festival, further release details TBA Presence - January 24A family moves into a suburban house and becomes convinced they're not alone. Starring newly out Julia Fox! Where to watch: In theatersStar Trek: Section 31 - January 24In this new original movie, Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh reprises her Star Trek: Discovery role as Emperor Philippa Georgiou, who joins a secret division of Starfleet. Tasked with protecting the United Federation of Planets, she also must face the sins of her past.Where to watch: Paramount+Kiss Of The Spider Woman - January 26 (Sundance premiere)Valentn, a political prisoner, shares a cell with Molina, a window dresser convicted of public indecency. The two form an unlikely bond as Molina recounts the plot of a Hollywood musical starring his favorite silver-screen diva, Ingrid Luna.Where to watch: Sundance Film Festival, further release details TBA Plainclothes - January 26 (Sundance premiere)A promising undercover officer assigned to lure and arrest gay men defies orders when he falls in love with a target.Where to watch: Sundance Film Festival, further release details TBAPeter Hujars Day - January 27 (Sundance premiere)A recently discovered conversation between photographer Peter Hujar and his friend Linda Rosenkrantz in 1974 reveals a glimpse into New York Citys downtown art scene and the personal struggles and epiphanies that define an artists life.Where to watch: Sundance Film Festival, further release details TBA Touch Me - Janurary 28 (Sundance premiere)Two codependent best friends become addicted to the heroin-like touch of an alien narcissist who may or may not be trying to take over the world.Where to watch: Sundance Film Festival, further release details TBA Companion - January 31New Line Cinemathe studio that brought you The Notebookand the unhinged creators of Barbarian cordially invite you to experience a new kind of love storyWhere to watch: In theatersLove Me - January 31Long after humanitys extinction, a buoy and a satellite meet online and fall in love. K-Stew, so we are seated. Where to watch: In theatersStockade - February 21 (theaters) & February 15 (Digital)Stockade tells the story of Ahlam, a struggling Lebanese artist in New York City who takes a job delivering a package upstate, only to open a Pandoras box. In this updated meditation on the pursuit of the American dream, Ahlam finds herself in dire financial straits and desperate to come by the funds to extend her artists visa. When she is offered a job to deliver a mysterious package upstate, Ahlam believes she has found a solution. Upon her arrival in the Hudson Valley, Ahlam encounters shady characters and quirky neighbors as she is unwittingly drawn into the world of ancient artifact trafficking. Where to watch: On VOD A Nice Indian Boy - April 4Self-effacing doctor Naveen Gavaskar meets Jay Kurundkar, a white man adopted by two Indian parents, when Jay takes his picture at the hospital. Despite initial skepticism on Naveens part, the two quickly fall in love. Naveen avoids telling his traditional familyparents Megha & Archit and sister Arundhathiwho accepted his sexuality years earlier and are close to him but increasingly dont know much about his life. Eventually, inevitably, Jay, with no family of his own, has to meet the Gavaskars, who have never met a boyfriend of Naveen's. What follows is the comedic & heartfelt collision between the family, Jay and Naveen, caught between the versions of himself his family and Jay know.Where to watch: In theatersMickey 17 - April 18The unlikely hero, Mickey Barnes (Robert Pattinson) has found himself in the extraordinary circumstance of working for an employer who demands the ultimate commitment to the job to die, for a living.Where to watch: In theatersLilies Not For Me - AprilIn 1920s England, a young novelist (Fionn OShea) has been institutionalized because of his sexuality. As he tells his story to a sensitive nurse, he reveals the love he shared with a handsome doctor who became convinced their shared condition could be cured. Writer/director Will Seefrieds bleedingly romantic debut feature shines an unflinching light on a dark and mostly unknown period of gay history. Evoking a handsome Merchant Ivory-esque production with a dash of gothic flair, Lilies Are Not For Me is a reminder that despite the many attempts throughout history to change queer folks at their very core, passion and love have always persevered.Where to watch: TBALilo & Stitch - May 23A live-action reimagining of Disneys 2002 animated classic, Lilo & Stitch is the wildly funny and touching story of a lonely Hawaiian girl and the fugitive alien who helps to mend her broken family. Where to watch: In theatersM3GAN 2.0 - June 27The next installment in the "M3GAN" franchise.Where to watch: In theatersJurassic World Rebirth - July 2Five years post-Jurassic World Dominion, an expedition braves isolated equatorial regions to extract DNA from three massive prehistoric creatures for a groundbreaking medical breakthrough.Where to watch: In theatersFantastic Four: First Steps - July 25Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces Marvels First FamilyReed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ben Grimm/The Thing as they face their most daunting challenge yet.Where to watch: In theatersFreakier Friday - August 8Years after Tess and Anna endured an identity crisis, Anna now has a daughter and a soon-to-be stepdaughter. As they navigate the challenges that come when two families merge, Tess and Anna discover that lightning might strike twice.Where to watch: In theatersOn Swift Horses - Sept 7Muriel and her husband Lee are about to begin a bright new life, which is upended by the arrival of Lee's brother. Muriel embarks on a secret life, gambling on racehorses and discovering a love she never thought possible. Starring Jacob Elordi, Diego Calva, and Will Poulter.Where to watch: In theatersAn untitled sequel to Downton Abbey: A New Era - September 12No plot details have been released. Where to watch: In theatersThe Running Man - November 21The futuristic United States of 2025 when the world has become a dystopia.Where to watch: In theatersWicked: For Good- November 21Follows Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West and her relationship with Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. The second of a two-part feature film adaptation of the Broadway musical.Where to watch: In theatersDead Mail - TBDOn a desolate, Midwestern county road, a bound man crawls towards a remote postal box, managing to slide a blood-stained plea-for-help message into the slot before a panicking figure closes in behind him. The note makes its way to the county post office and onto the desk of Jasper, a seasoned and skilled "dead letter" investigator, responsible for investigating lost mail and returning it to its sender. As he investigates further, Jasper meets Trent, a strange yet unassuming man who has taken up residence at the mens home where Jasper lives. When Trent unexpectedly shows up at Jaspers office, it becomes clear he has a vested interest in the note, and will stop at nothing to retrieve it...Dope Queens TBAAn action-packed romantic thriller where three remarkable friends navigate San Franciscos fluorescent Tenderloin District and quickly find themselves trapped in a prison of their own making.Fear Street: Prom Queen - TBDIn this next installment of the blood-soaked Fear Street franchise, prom season at Shadyside High is underway and the schools wolfpack of It Girls is busy with its usual sweet and vicious campaigns for the crown. But when a gutsy outsider is unexpectedly nominated to the court, and the other girls start mysteriously disappearing, the class of 88 is suddenly in for one hell of a prom night.Where to watch: Netflix The History of Sound - TBDTwo young men during World War I set out to record the lives, voices and music of their American countrymen.The Housekeeper - TBADanni, a housekeeper at Manderville Halla house owned by the wealthy and widowed Lord DeWithersfalls prey to the glance of a young and beautiful visitor, the novelist Daphne Du Maurier. For one, their affair is an all-consuming love, for the other, an intoxicating realization of her secret longingWhere to watch: TBAHowdy, Neighbor! TBAWhen former child actor, Benjamin Caldwell, is recognized by his new neighbor, the lines between friend and fan are blurred, turning his number one fan into his number one nightmare.I Dont Understand You - TBD 2025I Dont Understand You is a pitch-black horror comedy featuring Nick Kroll and Andrew Rannells as a couple on the verge of adopting their first child. The two set off to Italy to celebrate their babymoon/anniversary, but the language barrier soon leads to a series of very unfortunate events, plunging them into a waking nightmare.I Want Your Sex - TBAWhen fresh-faced Elliot lands an exciting job for renowned artist, icon and provocateur Erika Tracy (Wilde), his fantasies come true as Erika taps him to become her sexual muse. But Elliot soon finds himself out of his depth as Erika takes him on a journey more profound than he ever could have imagined, into a world of sex, obsession, power, betrayal, and murder.Where to watch: TBAI Wish You All The Best - TBDBased on Mason Deaver's novel, the film follows Ben DeBacker, a non-binary teen who is thrown out of their house and forced to move in with their estranged older sister, Hannah, and her husband, Thomas. Struggling with anxiety, they come out only to Hannah, Thomas, and their art teacher, Ms. Lyons, while trying to keep a low profile at their new school. Ben's attempts to survive junior year unnoticed are thwarted when Nathan, a funny and charismatic student, decides to take Ben under his wing. With the help of Nathan, and his friends Sophie and Mel, Ben discovers themselves and what started as a disastrous turn of events looks like it might just be a chance to start a happier new life.Lesbian Space Princess - TBAA space princess is thrust out of her sheltered life and into a galactic quest to save her bounty hunter ex-girlfriend from the Straight White Maliens.Where to watch: TBAMother Mary - TBDFollows the relationship between a fictional musician and a famous fashion designer. Starring Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel as lovers. Hunter Schafer costars and David Lowrey directs.Where to watch: In theatersThe Parenting - TBAA couple rents a countryside house for a weekend with their parents and then discovers its inhabited by a 400-year-old poltergeist.Where to watch: TBAPonyboi - TBDUnfolding over the course of Valentines Day in New Jersey, a young intersex sex worker must run from the mob after a drug deal goes sideways, forcing him to confront his past.Queens of the Dead - TBDDrag queens and club kids battle zombies craving brains during a zombie outbreak at their drag show in Brooklyn, putting personal conflicts aside to utilize their distinct abilities against the undead threat.The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo - TBDFollows Hollywood legend Evelyn Hugo, who chooses an unknown reporter to tell her life story. Evelyn recounts her time in the Golden Age of Hollywood and her seven marriages. Directed by Leslye Headland.Untitled Christy Martin Biopic - TBDSee on InstagramTells the story of Christy Martin, the most successful female boxer of the 90s.Where to watch: In theatersWake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery - TBD (@) No plot details have been released. The Wedding Banquet - TBDWai-Tung, a gay Taiwanese-American, agrees to marry Wei-Wei for a green card. When their parents visit for the wedding, Wai-Tung's homosexuality is revealed, leading to eventual acceptance. Wai-Tung, a gay Taiwanese-American, agrees to marry Wei-Wei for a green card.

Facing a financial deficit and a shortage of dues owed by local chapters, theNational Stonewall Democratic Federation, founded by retired out Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) in 1998 to unite StonewallDemocratic clubs across the U.S., closed the doors at its Washington office in 2013 to go on an indefinite hiatus. They never reopened.Now, in the face of an openly anti-LGBTQ+ second Trump administration, the group has been revived under a new banner, the National Federation of Stonewall Democrats. Related Democrats are at each others throats over the role of trans issues in Trumps victory But experts say we can find our way through. The challenges facing LGBTQ+ Americans today underscore the need for a bold and unapologetically progressive action, especially given the uncertainty we face with the incoming Trump administration, said President Jeremy Comeau in an announcement of the new groups formation on Friday, just days before Trumps inauguration. We are united in our mission and we are unapologetically committed to that work. Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The new federation aims to amplify the voices of the 19 million LGBTQ+ Americans and drive progress within the Democratic Party and across the nation, the statement read.Founding organizations include local Stonewall Democratic clubs and LGBTQ+ Democratic Party caucuses from 21 states. Out members of Congress Robert Garcia (D-CA) and Sarah McBride (D-DE) praised the groups mission.Together, were going to build on our work to create a Democracy big enough for all of us, said McBride.Comeau told Politico the federations priority will be holding Democratic electeds and candidates accountable for their votes and advocacy for LGBTQ+ people.Our job is to continue to push for the Democrats who are elected to make sure that theyre speaking up, said Comeau, a Democratic activist from Massachusetts. If they just let the Republicans steamroll these issues through the Congress without providing the words of support for the community were doomed. Democrats face a Republican trifecta in the White House and Congress thats outwardly hostile to LGBTQ+ rights. After a Republican campaign that spent $215 million attacking transgender people, Trump reiterated his commitment to undermining those rights in a speech in December.With the stroke of my pen on Day One, were going to stop the transgender lunacy, Trump told an audience of MAGA faithful in Phoenix. And I will sign executive orders to end child sexual mutilation, get transgender out of the military, and out of our elementary schools and middle schools and high schools.Trump also claimed he would make it the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders male and female through executive orders. Keeping Democrats united in the face of those challenges includes addressing those who have blamed the partys losses in November on its support for LGBTQ+ rights, among them Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA).Democrats spend way too much time trying not to offend anyone rather than being brutally honest about the challenges many Americans face, Moulton said after Democrats lost control of the White House and Congress. The rep said he didnt want his own daughters getting run over on a playing field by a male or formerly male athlete, but as a Democrat Im supposed to be afraid to say that.The congressman is absolutely out of his mind if he thinks that thats the reason why we lost the election, said Comeau. The new group will call out Democrats when they are using our community as a reason that we lose elections, he added.One way theyll do that is by taking a page from the MAGA playbook, primarying candidates they believe are backsliding on LGBTQ+ rights. The group has formed an independent political action committee dedicated to recruiting and raising money to field a new generation of out Democratic leaders.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Here are this weeks most popular positive stories, with some fun social media posts tossed in too. Like seeing uplifting content like this?Sign up for our Good News email.Wedding bells and love songs are playing in this weeks good news round-up as we see politicians proposing, the pope opening up the priesthood, and some powerful expressions of queer solidarity! Why prolong the pause? Lets stop alliterating and jump right in!All aboard at the slay station! View this post on Instagram A post shared by PARALLEL (@parallel.fbx) Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Pete Buttigieg reveals first thing hell do now that hes out of a jobMayor Pete, the outgoing transportation secretary, will be hitting the friendly skies, using his Christmas gift and making up for some lost time.And talking about queer people who have tried to better the community, rememberthe activist who has spent his life making sure the Black LGBTQ+ community gets their due? How aboutthe hometown heroconnecting LGBTQ+ elders with younger people? And do you recall whenthePaw Patrol introduced its first non-binary character? Democrat introduces bill to block Donald Trumps trans military banRep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA) has a trans sibling, and is trying to protect the estimated 15,000 trans people in the military. Brian Sims marries his partner of four years at incredible weddingHe got married in a historic building and had a warm reception, despite the chilly weather.We havent seen a gay gang like this since West Side Story View this post on Instagram A post shared by Diego Badaracco. (@diebadaracco) Karine Jean-Pierre shows her daughter love at final White House briefingShe made history as the first out, Black press secretary ever to serve a U.S. president. Gay lawmaker surprises everyone by proposing to boyfriend after taking oath of officeEveryone cheered as he got down on one knee.A lesbian princess just helped end a bad Lithuanian lawThe stunning high court decision all began with a story about a magical princess and a shoemakers daughter. If you feel like your goose is already cooked this year, be like this wise bird View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hipsters Of New York (@hipsters_of_ny) Pope Francis gives blessing, allowing gay men to train for the priesthoodTheres just one BIG catchAmericas first gay rights group formed a century ago this yearBefore Stonewall and before the Mattachine Society, there was this groundbreaking group that youve probably never heard of. Oregons first LGBTQ+ treasurer sworn in by nations first lesbian governorElizabeth Steiner wants to double the percentage of kids in the state with college savings plans. Treat yourself to some golden-age quality Neopolitan ice cream! View this post on Instagram A post shared by (@1920aesthetic)From our sibling sites:OUTSPORTS:83% of NBA teams are hosting a Pride NightQUEERTY:This queer shepherd & his gay sheep are spinning gold on social mediaINTO:This 60-year-old photo of a lesbian near-kiss is part of Beatles historyGAYCITIES:Pittsburgh activists seek historic designation for former gay barSubscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Jack Haven, formerly known as Brigette Lundy-Paine, has shared a heartfelt name change announcement on social media. The Atypical star revealed that their new name is a tribute to a family member and reflects their journey toward self-discovery.Related | Omar Apollo Shares Full Frontal Queer Scene Shuts Down HomophobesHaven is after my great-great-uncle, Haven Gillespie, who was a songwriter known for the Xmas hit Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, which he wrote on the subway in 15 minutes. And first name Jack has stuck, Haven wrote on Instagram. Two years ago in a workshop led by @saman_arastoo, I began using this name. I said I was using it in safe spaces. Saman said use it in dangerous spaces. So I use it in the mens bathroom.The announcement comes just one day after former President Donald Trump reiterated a divisive stance on gender identity in a speech. During his address, Trump declared, As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders: male and female, and signed an executive order enforcing this view.Haven, who came out as nonbinary and began using they/them pronouns in 2019, continues to defy societal expectations with grace and authenticity. Their breakout year in 2024 included a standout performance in the trans horror film I Saw the TV Glow. The role earned them nominations from the Gotham Awards, Independent Spirit Awards, Dorian Awards, and more, cementing their place as a rising star.Jack Havens name change is more than a personal shiftits a statement of empowerment, resilience, and the importance of claiming ones identity in every space.More Stories: Lady Gagas Cryptic Countdown Sparks Frenzy Over New Album RevealNonbinary Star Jack Haven Embraces New Name with Powerful MeaningLGBTQ+ Mental Health Crisis Hotline Sees Surge in Calls Following Trumps Inauguration and Anti-LGBTQ+ Policy MovesThailand to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage, Marking Historic Step for LGBTQ+ RightsBishop Delivers Heated Sermon to President Trump on Inauguration Day, Calls for Mercy on Immigrants, Transgender ChildrenThe post Nonbinary Star Jack Haven Embraces New Name with Powerful Meaning appeared first on Gayety.

While the real world feels chaotic, Lady Gaga seems ready to bring salvation to the pop world. Mother Monster is teasing something big, and fans are convinced its all about her highly anticipated new album.Fans noticed a mysterious update to Gagas website, which now features a countdown clock ticking toward 4 p.m. GMT (11 a.m. ET, 8 a.m. PT) on Monday, Jan. 27. The clock is surrounded by a black and white interactive background. In addition, users can drag their curser across the screen to reveal LG2. Its likely the background is made to represent the cover art of The Fame Monster. Hours before, the site had a background of icy blue crystals, resembling the ones adorning Gagas glasses on the cover of her debut album, The Fame.Let the countdown beginThe website update comes after a quiet stretch from Gaga, leaving fans eager for news. In October, she released the albums first single, Disease, and announced the record would drop in February. However, details like the release date, title, and cover art remain under wraps, and a second single hasnt been announced.Fans are praising the timing of Gagas teaserHer cheering up the gays today of all daysyeah, thats MOTHER, a fan wrote on social media. Another added, Finally some good news in 2025.As the countdown ticks on, one things certain: all eyes are on Gaga and what promises to be an unforgettable moment in pop history.More Stories: Lady Gagas Cryptic Countdown Sparks Frenzy Over New Album RevealNonbinary Star Jack Haven Embraces New Name with Powerful MeaningLGBTQ+ Mental Health Crisis Hotline Sees Surge in Calls Following Trumps Inauguration and Anti-LGBTQ+ Policy MovesThailand to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage, Marking Historic Step for LGBTQ+ RightsBishop Delivers Heated Sermon to President Trump on Inauguration Day, Calls for Mercy on Immigrants, Transgender ChildrenThe post Lady Gagas Cryptic Countdown Sparks Frenzy Over New Album Reveal appeared first on Gayety.

Warning: The following post contains spoilers through Episode 4 of Traitors US season 3 The third season of The Traitors: US is underway, and we have already had many goops, gags, a live murder, and an unexpected new obsession for the gays in the form of Zac Efron's younger brother, Dylan.For those unfamiliar with the Emmy-award-winning show hosted by the legendary Alan Cumming, it goes a little something like this: The contestants are split into two groups, the Faithfuls, and the Traitors. Every night, the Traitors -- which usually number between one to four -- gather together to decide who they'll "murder" to eliminate from the show. The following day, the entire group embarks on a mission to add to an overall prize fund, and following the mission, they sit together at a round table and decide who they think is the traitor. Whoever receives the most group votes is "banished" from the game. In the end, if any traitors remain standing, they take it all, while any remaining faithful split the money.Efron started relatively quiet in his season, but he was (rightfully) immediately onto Bob the Drag Queen. During a confrontation at the round table between Efron and Bob in the fourth episode, Bob made a comment about how Efron's brother wasn't "a good actor," which collectively sent the internet into a spin.It also wound up getting Bob eliminated. (@) Bob was iconic for this moment. (@) That, however, isn't what has the internet so interested in Efron. It also has nothing to do with the newfound obsession the gays have to protect him at all costs and somehow get him to the finale of The Traitors, even though filming has already wrapped.The reason Efron's getting so much attention is because of his ability to post an incredible thirst trap.Take, for example, this:See on InstagramOr this, which, you're welcome, shows his bum:See on InstagramIn fact, a selection of photos have started to circulate involving this cutie, including a photo of him lying on the beach and arching his back with his butt up in the air from a photo dump he posted last August.See on InstagramThe discovery of these photos, for better or worse, have very much captured our attention. (@) For once, people focused less on the six back and more on the backline body: (@) To be fair, as of now, Efron hasn't fully addressed his sexuality and has mostly lived his life as a recluse prior to the show. In the past, he was rumored to have dated Stella Hudgens (Vanessa's sister) and model Courtney King, but no one has ever confirmed or denied these rumors.Even if he has dated women, there's always hope he's bisexual, but one can dream.Take a look at some of the other reactions to these sexy photos: (@) "dylan efron knows EXACTLY what he's doing" (@) "the third pic" (@) "THAT ARCH IS NASTY" (@) "And we all know what we exactly would do" (@) "Happy Friday to my newest bf, Dylan Efron!" (@) "hird photo is giving this" (@) " would be faithful to Dylan Efron" (@) "emme start rooting for Dylan Efron, hold up." (@) "Kim K or Dylan E?" (@) (@) "Now, Dylan Efron. What is going on here sir?" (@) "I am in love with Dylan Efron. Whoever cast him gets an A+++" (@) "Zac who??? DYLAN EFRON is the new sexual awakening." (@) "Ive decided that from this point on I will be an unapologetic Dylan Efron stan for the bit" (@) "I dunno but count me IN!" (@) "dunno but I keep trying to press play to see how this clip ends" (@) " have so many questions about this one And btw these dimples tho" (@) "The ass pic always gonna kill me"

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) took the GOP to task for passing a bill that would effectively ban transgender women and girls from school sports and told Democrats they will only start winning on LGBTQ+ issues if theyll throw a damn punch.On Tuesday, despite Democrats presenting a fairly unified front with only two members, Vicente Gonzalez and Henry Cuellar both of Texas, voting in favor of the anti-trans sports bill, the bill passed with widespread Republican support, something that AOC said liberals needed to counter if they were going to support marginalized communities.When we tell the truth about what Republicans are doing, and when were unafraid to do that, it generates momentum, AOC told Semafor political correspondent Dave Weigel at a press briefing after the vote, Them reported. When we lean into that momentum that we generate, and when Democrats arent afraid to throw a damn punch, then we can see that we can yield results.If Democrats want to push back against Republicans, the party cant cower in the face of tough issues, she said.The reason why I think some folks in the Democratic Party have felt like trans issues are hot water, or immigration issues are hot water, is because they havent felt confident or the ability to confidently throw a punch on solid ground that is persuasive and uniting people, AOC explained.The so-called Protection of Women and Girls in Sports bill passed with a vote of 218-206 and threatens to withhold federal funding from schools that dont comply with keeping trans girls from participating in school sports. The bill is one of several that the GOP has pushed forward that would amend Title IX the federal civil rights law that prohibits sex discrimination in government-funded schools and education programs to enforce rules impacting trans peoples access to bathrooms, locker rooms, and protection from discrimination, based on biological sex without ever defining it. The Congressional Equality Caucus said the bill could force any student to answer invasive personal questions about their bodies & face humiliating physical inspections to prove that theyre a girl because it defines sex as based solely on a persons reproductive biology and genetics at birth.AOC pointed out that to stand up against this kind of discrimination, Democrats have to be strong if they want to garner support and create change.I think people smell blood in the water. They can understand weakness. And where they see weakness, thats when everything kind of falls apart, the congresswoman explained. So we have to be strong about these things. And I think projecting strength attracts support.

Three Unitarian churches in Rochester, New York, came together last weekend to host the Big Gay Wedding event, a free opportunity for LGBTQ+ couples, many of whom are fearful that marriage equality will be in jeopardy under the next administration and are rushing to get married before inauguration day. The event was hosted by the First Universalist Church of Rochester, the First Unitarian Church of Rochester, and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Canandaigua and bolstered by donations of cake, photography, and flowers from local vendors. Related Gay couple dressed as Disney princes get engaged in heartwarming fairy tale proposal Sorry Belle and Jasmine, these boys are taken. Headlines and state legislatures are looking to repeal same-sex marriage and marriage equality, Unitarian Church of Rochester lead minister Shari Halliday-Quan told Spectrum News. We thought, great. One of the things churches do really well is rites of passage like weddings. And so thats the thing that we, the Unitarian Universalist congregations, can offer. Stay connected to your community Connect with the issues and events that impact your community at home and beyond by subscribing to our newsletter. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Rev. Lane-Mairead Campbell, Minister of the First Universalist Church of Rochester, told WXXI that the event was a way that we could provide some certainty for our community and be able to provide some space to be able to get married legally, safely, quickly, inexpensively.Caliana and Angeles Rolon Torres are one couple who were married at the event. Caliana said being able to marry without financial burden means the world. The fact that we can do something like this, and theres any organization doing something like this that enables people to get married, not only for free, but also before people are worried about it and things like that, is incredible. Like, outside of the marriage itself, the fact that this is happening is an amazing concept.Halliday-Quan told WXXI that creating safe and affirming spaces matters deeply. Were helping couples secure rights that theyre worried will be taken away. We all hope that that wont be the case. But what I want folks to know, and what I think today really celebrates and uplifts, is that queer and trans people have a place in our community, that you are loved and worthy.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

A major tenet of liberation is having the freedom to define oneself and not be defined by others. This includes the ability to live freely, unencumbered by a societys hegemonic attitudes of who deserves to be accorded rights and privileges based primarily on social identities or adherence to dominant ideologies.Societies construct isolated and often dangerous places referred to as closets in some cases for those who are marginalized because they do not conform to social mandates. Related The modern presidency includes being Consoler-in-Chief. Donald Trump cant handle that. Trump is more interested in pitting people against each other than uniting the nation in hard times. Individuals and organizations have employed religion to justify the marginalization, harassment, denial of rights, persecution, oppression, and murder of entire groups of people based on their social identities. Dive deeper every day Join our newsletter for thought-provoking commentary that goes beyond the surface of LGBTQ+ issues Subscribe to our Newsletter today At various historical periods, people have applied religious texts to establish and maintain hierarchical positions of power, domination, and privilege over certain individuals and groups.We have seen this throughout the Christian world, from Roman Emperors Constantine I and Theodosius to the Spanish Inquisition to Queen Elizabeth I of England to Colonial America to Nazi Germany to the present.Living openly and proudly as a queer Ashkenazi Jew (one of eastern European heritage), I am aware of my minoritized social status in the United States both from personal experience and from my understanding of history and also through what authorShelby Steelerefers to as enemy memory or oppression mentality, an intense awareness by traditionally marginalized peoples that this oppression can surface again at any time, regardless of how good conditions may appear at any given moment in history. Each year for a series of eight nights, as Ilightthe candles on my Hanukkah menorah, an image of another time comes to mind: a photo of a menorah at a window with a view of a Nazi flag waving across the road. Taken by Rachel Posner, wife of Rabbi Akiva Posner, in Kiel, Germany in 1931, the picture portends the eventual destruction of European Jewry.According to Jewish tradition, we place our menorahs in the window to share publicly thelightand hope of the holiday and to symbolically reenact the miracle of light. It shows a declaration of our faith to wider communities.The menorah holds significant historical roots dating back to ancient times. Deriving from the Temple in Jerusalem, the menorah is a multi-branched candelabrum used for ceremonial purposes and not only during Hanukkah. Hanukkah, also known as the Festival ofLights, celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days. During this joyous remembrance, families gather tolightthe menorah, adding one candle each night for eight consecutive nights.Just over one year after Rachel Posner snapped her iconic picture, the Nazi Party won a majority of seats in the German Reichstag (Parliament) by a plurality of votes, and Adolf Hitler became Chancellor. He then took the title ofFhrer und Reichskanzlerin 1934.Increasingly throughout Germany, and eventually within its conquered occupied territories, the Nazi regime took many rights from Jews, including the right to safely display their faith through their cherished symbols like menorahs. The Nazis extinguished this traditional beacon of resilience, hope, faith, and the triumph oflightover darkness. Looking over the enormously expansive history of anti-Jewish oppression the longest hatred, as writer Robert S. Wistrich calls it a recurring pattern emerges from conversion (you cannot live among us as Jews), to expulsion (you cannot live among us), to extermination (you cannot live).We see this cycle clearly in Medieval Spain. The Catholic Church forced all Jews to convert in 1391 c.e. These converted baptized Jews were referred to as Marranos (meaning swine). The Church accused them of secretly remaining true to their Jewish faith and practicing their traditions underground, including lighting their sacred menorahs.Spanish Christian theologians devised the doctrine ofLimpieza de Sangre(purity of the blood), whereby baptized Jews remained Jewish in the view of the Church and therefore were considered a danger to society. Thereafter, the Church forbade baptized Jews from practicing medicine, surgery, or pharmacy because they believed they would attempt to murder Christians.In 1412 in Spain, Bishop Pablo de Santa Maria introduced theLaws of Valladolid, where he decreed that Jewish districts were to be enclosed and placed under strict control. Jews were forced to wear certain patches on their clothing distinguishing them as Jews.The Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition (Tribunal del Santo Oficio de la Inquisicin) was established in 1478 by Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. Thomas de Torquemada was the Grand Inquisitor of the Spanish Inquisition. The Church saw theMarranosas a problem, and it burned many to death in what the Church justified as anauto da f.Theauto da f (in Medieval Spanish, act of faith) represented the ritual of public penance of condemned heretics and apostates during the Spanish and Portuguese Inquisitions.King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella drove the last Jews from Spain and Portugal since Jews were no longer needed for the economic roles they once filled. Jews were expelled from Spain on July 31, 1492, when the Alhambra Decree took effect.Christopher Columbus departed from the port of Palos rather than the port of Cadiz, which was filled with ships evacuating Jews from Spain. Much of the funding for his voyage was money the Spanish monarchy confiscated from the Jews. In Spanish-controlled Mexico, historians found 61 volumes of manuscript records on Inquisition trials. One trial involved Miguel Hernandez de Almeida on the charge of Judaising Heresy in 1590. Another involvedMariana de Carabejal, who was accused and convicted of Judaising Heresy, and burned in anauto da f.Historians have located more than 9,000 trials of Judaising Heresy brought against so-called Marranos between 1500 and 1700. Many of the accused were found guilty and burned.As a side note: the term heresy is taken from the Greek, , (hairesis)meaning choice. It was used in the early Roman Christian Church as a crime against the empire, and aheretic was a person who opposed established beliefs or customs. Today, I have the privilege of safety to forthrightly and proudly display my menorah at my windows edge. I know that the Jewish people have not always had this right and privilege, as many may still not have today.I hope, however, that we all join together to uphold andextendthelightduring these times of eclipse attempted by the political and theocratic right by working to empty and dismantle all remaining closets where religious minorities, LGBTQ+ people, people of color, immigrants, people with disabilities, seniors, and so many other socially marginalized people are often forced to hide.Let the sun return fully to our lives and to our countries.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

News Is Out, a queer media collaborative, has received $250,000 from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation to launch a research project to document the status of LGBTQ+ media in the U.S.The LGBTQ+ Media Mapping Project is in partnership with the MacArthur Foundation, City University of New Yorks Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism Center for Community Media, and Local Media Foundation, which hosts News Is Out.This funding is part of MacArthursLocal News Program, with $20 million in grants announced this week. MacArthur launched theprogramlast year with a commitment of at least $150 million in new grantmaking to local news over five years, and the potential of $25 million in additional impact investments. This latest round of grants brings the total committed to date to more than $90 million.Our grantmaking supports a range of organizations working to strengthen nascent and emerging local news ecosystems and their leaders, who innovate in these spaces, with tools, resources, and funding. This includes a cohort of legacy newsrooms pioneering new paths, said Silvia Rivera, MacArthurs director of local news. These investments are part of a collective effort to ensure that local communities have steady access to reliable and trustworthy information.LGBTQ+ media have often been left behind when it comes to new types of funding, in part because its difficult to quantify who and where we are, said Tracy Baim, research lead and co-founder of Windy City Times, a member of the News is Out collaborative. Baim wrote a history of LGBTQ+ media, Gay Press, Gay Power, a decade ago. Since that time, many outlets have closed, but many new digital-first outlets have been launched.LGBTQ+-owned news organizations are essential to a healthy media ecosystem. The seven members of News Is Out are: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco); Dallas Voice; Los Angeles Blade; Philadelphia Gay News; Tagg Magazine; Washington Blade (Washington, D.C.); and Windy City Times. News Is Out will be adding affiliate members in early 2025.A survey will go out soon to more than 150 local and national LGBTQ+ media. Focus groups and other research will continue through spring 2025. A final report and map will be out in summer 2025 and will be distributed to interested stakeholdersfunders, advertisers, donors, readers, academics, and more.Hanna Siemaszko is the research associate on the project. Penny Riordan, Local Media Associations director of business strategy and partnerships, is overseeing the project. LGBTQ+ media outlets should contact newsisout@localmedia.org if they want to participate in the project.About Local Media Association / Local Media FoundationLocal Media Association brings all media together to share, network, collaborate and more. More than 3,000 newspapers, TV stations, radio stations, digital news organizations, and research and development partners engage with LMA as members or constituents of our programs. As a 501(c)(6) trade association, LMA is focused on the business side of local media. Its programs and labs focus on revenue growth and new business models. LMA helps local media companies develop their strategies via cutting-edge programs, conferences, webinars, research and training.Local Media Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable trust, serves as the innovation and transformation affiliate of LMA. Incorporating our four strategic pillars business transformation, journalism funded by philanthropy, industry collaboration, and sustainability for publishers of color LMF helps provide local media companies the strategies and resources for meaningful innovation and impactful journalism projects.The post MacArthur-funded research project documents status of LGBTQ+ media in U.S. appeared first on News Is Out.