This week, it was announced that San Francisco will honor transgender people during the month of August. The city’s mayor, London Breed, stated that San Francisco will create the nation’s first Transgender History Month, which will be celebrated every August. Though it’s nearing the end of the month, the city still has some events planned, including the ‘Riot Party’ block party that will be taking place in San Fransisco’s famously queer Tenderloin District. This is also the neighborhood where much of the trans rights movement began, after a group of trans women decided to fight back against police brutality. According…
Author: Keith Langston
Fashion retailer, Banana Republic, has launched a new line of Pride-inspired pieces to coincide with June, which is the official month of Pride. Banana Republic’s sister brand, Gap, has also launched a pride collection, but the two are quite different. Gap’s collection uses bright colors, bold patterns, and has an overall youthful glow. Banana Republic’s collection on the other hand has a more mature and refined look. Comfy, muted tones combine with the occasional splash of color to create pieces that are perfect for not just Pride month, but year-round. The collection includes t-shirts, sweaters, hoodies, athletic wear, and even…
Ryan Murphy revealed that the cast of his upcoming Netflix film, The Prom, had reunited during the COVID pandemic to finish shooting the movie. He also said that it’s slated for release at Christmastime. The movie is based on the 2016 musical of the same name and follows a group of fading Broadway stars who decide to revamp their careers through an ill-planned publicity stunt. The group decides to head to a small town prom where drama is brewing over a female student who wants to take her girlfriend to prom. The Prom opened in Atlanta before heading to Broadway…
The website Apartment Guide just released the new list of America’s most expensive zip codes for renters. They collected data for rental prices for one bedroom apartments throughout the month of October and compiled the rankings. If you’re thinking 90210 is on the list… you’d be wrong. Manhattan isn’t even one of the most expensive places anymore! So, what zip codes did make the list…? 10.) 90292 Marina Del Rey, Los Angeles, California Avg. Price: $3,170 Marina Del Rey, one of LA’s beachside neighborhoods, has boomed in popularity recently. And why wouldn’t it? In Marina Del Rey you can…
The new documentary Julia Scotti – Funny That Way explores the life of comedian Julia Scotti, who shot to fame on the talent show America’s Got Talent. Julia, born Rick Scotti, always had a love for stand-up comedy, and despite a good career on the comedy club circuit, Scotti felt something was missing: that he wasn’t who he truly was supposed to be. In his late 40’s, Rick realized he needed to be his true self. After transitioning, Julia not only blossomed into a happier, healthier person, but she rebooted her career as a stand-up comediene. Little did she know…
When Brody Neville came out to his friends, many of them stopped talking to him. The young Calgary resident was left with only two friends, one of whom had a homophobic father who forbids her to see Brody often. With an upcoming birthday, his mother feared that his birthday party would be ruined. According to the CBC, she stated, “I was asking him what he wanted to do for his birthday and he was in tears and said since he came out as gay he lost all his friends, so he didn’t even have people who could come.” She put…
United Airlines made history by becoming the first airline in the US to offer non-binary booking options for its passengers. According to the airline, customers now have the ability to identify themselves as M(male), F(female), U(undisclosed) or X(unspecified), corresponding with what is indicated on their passports or identification. This is huge news because United is the one the world’s largest airlines. United is the 3rd largest by revenue and fleet size, and 4th largest in the number of passengers it carries. What that means is that if United can show that accommodating non-binary passengers proves to help business, it could…
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has enlisted 503 companies as part of its Business Coalition for the Equality Act. According to the nonprofit, the coalition “is a group of leading U.S. employers that support the Equality Act – federal legislation that would provide the same basic protections to LGBTQ people as are provided to other protected groups under federal law.” Among the hundreds of member companies in the coalition are Abercrombie & Fitch, American Express, CVS, General Motors, United Airlines, and Verizon, among many others. Wilma Wallace, the Chief Diversity & Social Impact Officer at REI (another coalition member), said…
Starbucks is in a bit of a predicament at the moment. The company just released an ad in the UK that depicts Starbucks as being welcoming and accepting of everyone. The main character in the commercial is a young trans man who feels safe using his name at a Starbucks store. Soon after the ad was released, the trans community raised their issues with the recent allegations that the company is transphobic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcSP1r9eCWw The company has a history of high-profile instances of discrimination, while also having a history of high-profile efforts for inclusion. Their most recent brush with controversy has…
According to a joint release from the Campaign for Southern Equality and Equality NC, new protections for LGBTQ people have gone into effect in four different North Carolina Communities. The cities of Asheville, Durham, Greensboro, and the county of Buncombe have all seen new protections go into effect as of today. These new measures help protect the LGBTQ community from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity while in spaces of private employment and in places of public accommodation (such as restaurants and stores). In addition to the four ordinances taking effect today, other measures have already been adopted…
Back in 2017, California enacted a law, known as Assembly Bill 1887, that bars state-sponsored travel for state employees to any state that discriminates on the basis of sexuality and gender identity. One of the eleven states on that list is Texas, who has decided that it’s wrong and illegal to discriminate against states that discriminate against citizens. According to The Hill, Texas is claiming that California isn’t respecting their “religious beliefs” and (almost hilariously) claiming that California “demonstrates a disregard for the safety and well-being of Texas children.” The irony here is almost too much to handle. Conservatives regularly…
The Catholic Diocese of Marquette, Michigan has instituted new rules that ban LGBTQ people from taking part in church sacraments like baptism and communion. According to the National Catholic Reporter, the new policy “asks pastors to deny baptism, Communion, and confirmation to gay, transgender, and nonbinary Catholics unless they have “repented.” The new rules, released with the title, An Instruction on Some Aspects of the Pastoral Care of Persons with Same‐Sex Attraction and Gender Dysphoria, states that the church must “lead them step‐by‐step closer to Jesus Christ in a manner that is consistent with the Church’s teaching.” According to NBC…
The winners of the 2020 Pulitzer Prizes include two queer men of color. The first is Michael R. Jackson, who won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his off-broadway play, A Strange Loop, which centers around a gay black man, Usher, trying to navigate life in New York City. By day, Usher works as an usher for the Broadway production of The Lion King. By night, he dreams of being a writer and creating his own plays. The show focuses on politics, religion, race, and sexuality. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4hWaHg6b98 Upon its release at Playwrights Horizon in Midtown, New York, the show received…
During Biden’s first week as president back in January, he signed a wave of executive orders to help undo many of the Trump-era’s harmful policies. One of Biden’s executive orders was to allow trans people to openly serve in the US military. Now, the Pentagon has finally released its revised codes and rulings that will put Biden’s order into effect. According to NPR, the Pentagon’s new policies include allowing military personnel to transition while serving, to be protected from discrimination based on gender identity, and to create new medical guidelines to help trans people who are serving. The new policies…
Adam Berry is having a bit of a moment. His paranormal investigation show Kindred Spirits is one of Travel Channel’s most popular, and is currently filming its fourth season. Adam also participates in Strange Escapes with his Kindred Spirits co-star Amy Bruni, where the two, along with other paranormal professionals, guide participants through ghost hunts at some of America’s most haunted locals. And to top it all off, he’s happily married to his handsome husband, Ben Berry. Seeing as October is here, autumn is in the air, and Halloween in fast approaching, I sat down with Adam to ask him…
Drag legend Bianca Del Rio is teaming up with Peaches Christ to produce a drag retelling of the classic psycho-biddy What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? Peaches Christ has long been a fan of horror and has been hosting horror movie nights for over twenty years. On December 19th and 20th, she will team up with Drag Race winner Bianca Del Rio to bring the classic tale to a new generation. Not only will the two pay homage to the historic film, but they will also play with the notorious feud between the movie’s two stars, Bette Davis and Joan…
On September 24, the ACLU was presented with the Emmy for Outstanding Short Documentary for their film Trans in America: Texas Strong. The film was made in partnership with Little by Little Films, and was distributed by Conde Nast’s LGBTQ brand, Them. The film centers around 8-year-old transgender child Kai Shappley and her mother Kimberly. At a very young age Kai showed signs that she didn’t identity with her gender at birth. Her mother, Kimberly, struggled with trying to understand and comprehend what was happening. Finally, Kimberly accepted her daughter Kai and embraced her with love and affection. However, with…
Ritchie Torres is currently NYC’s District 15 (The Bronx) councilman. But earlier this year, he launched his campaign to run for congress, hoping to replace his district’s current seat in the US House of Representatives (it’s important to note that in 2020, all 435 House seats are up for reelection, promising to completely alter the landscape of American politics.) Torres made waves in 2014 when he was elected as District 15’s councilman, becoming the youngest elected official in New York City at just 25 years old. He also became the first LGBTQ elected official from the Bronx. Torres is openly…
The Sin City Classic, the world’s largest annual LGBTQ sporting event, will return to Las Vegas on January 16th and will run through the MLK holiday weekend until the 19th. This year, there will be 24 sporting competitions with an estimated 8,000 competitors heading into Las Vegas. The sporting events are varied, including everything from basketball, dodgeball, and hockey, to e-sports, bridge, and billiards. Each of the events will take place in different venues and arenas around town. Aside from sports competitions, there will be nightly social events and parties, including a welcome party and closing celebration at the Brooklyn…
David Hayward, better known by his artistic moniker, the Naked Pastor, has been creating cartoon drawings that challenge religion and politics, and preach acceptance, equality, and love for all. And Pastor isn’t just in the name, Hayward actually once was a fervent member of the church, studying both at Pentecostal Bible College and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. However, Hayward’s beliefs began to change, and he realized he wanted to take his preachings in a whole new direction. Now, though he’s a cisgender, heterosexual male, Hayward’s dedication and belief in love and equality have turned him into a dedicated ally to the…
As we get closer to graduation season next month, numerous LGBTQ students will be attending their graduations. Some, however, might not feel comfortable, safe, or accepted at their schools and may be wishing they had a space to celebrate their achievements amongst other members of the queer community. That’s why Lavender Graduation was founded in 1995 at the University of Michigan. According to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), “The Lavender Graduation Ceremony was created by Dr. Ronni Sanlo, a Jewish Lesbian, who was denied the opportunity to attend the graduations of her biological children because of her sexual orientation.” Sanlo…
On the final day of Pride Month, the White House released a statement that the State Department will be changing its passport guidelines. The State Department will be working on a new set of parameters that will make it easier for trans people to change their gender on their passports. According to an article from CNN, People applying for passports will now have the option of selecting their preferred gender and if they’re changing their gender from a previous passport, medical confirmation will no longer be required to issue the change. Furthermore, the State Department is also looking into adding…
On Thursday, the New York City Council claimed to make a tough decision: They decided to put forward legislation that would reverse the city’s ban on gay conversion therapy. What are they thinking? This is a decision based on fear, and the law must not be repealed. So why would NYC want to allow gay conversion therapy? As the New York Times puts it, “The City Council fears that if a federal lawsuit challenging the ban were to reach the Supreme Court, the panel could issue a ruling that protected the practice.” In essence, the City Council is worried about…
Scotland has just announced that teaching LGBTQ+ history will become compulsory in the country’s curriculum for schools. The move makes Scotland the first country in the world to do so. According to The Scotsman, the decision was made to help young LGBTQ people, who experience high rates of bullying and neglect, which can have long-term impacts on their lives. Upon hearing the news, Jordan Daly, the co-founder of Time for Inclusive Education, stated, “this work will empower young people and provide them with an opportunity I didn’t have at school: to feel valued, confident, and proud of who they are.”…
During Tuesday’s historic election, Delaware elected Sarah McBride to the state’s senate, which, according to NBC, makes McBride the first and only trans person to serve in a state senate anywhere in the country. This new position will also make McBride the highest-ranking trans politician in the country. An ABC affiliate in Deleware quoted McBride as saying, “I hope tonight shows an LGBTQ kid that our democracy is big enough for them, too. As Delaware continues to face the Covid crisis, it’s time to get to work to invest in the policies that will make a difference for working families.”…
Believe Out Loud is one of the largest digital spaces for religious LGBTQ+ people in the world. The organization works internationally to provide services and a sense of community to LGBTQ people of faith and their allies. Among the long list of services and activities provided by Believe Out Loud, participants can attend live-streamed affirming religious services, digital social events, and they can also find information on mental health and community justice resources. Recently, Believe Out Loud was acquired by the Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ. Located in Dallas, the Cathedral of Hope is one of the largest…
The current season of Jeopardy! has become known as the season of “Super Champions” since four contestants have already gone on to have impressive winning streaks. But it’s also become the season of LGBTQ Jeopardy! champions. First off was Amy Schnieder, who became the highest-earning female contestant in Jeopardy! history. Now, a new champion has entered the race to potentially become the top winner this season: a 23-year-old from Canada named Mattea Roach. Mattea is openly a lesbian and even says so on her Twitter profile. So far she’s won 14 games and has amassed $320,081 in winnings. Jeopardy! contestant…
The University of Michigan is renowned for being one of the most prominent universities in the country. The school is also known for being located in the forward-thinking and progressive college town of Ann Arbor, which is consistently regarded as one of the best destinations in all of Michigan. Now, the school has shown off its commitment to diversity and inclusivity with a special halftime show during a game against Rutgers that celebrated the 50th anniversary of the school’s Spectrum Center, a community space for U of M’s LGBTQ+ student body. The center also puts on events and hosts lectures…
Savvy travelers love the hilarious and irreverent comedian, Pam Ann. She’s known for her hot takes on airlines, the lives of cabin crew, and all the biggest news in the travel industry. However, like everyone else, she’s been out of the skies since the pandemic began. On January 28th, Pam Ann returns for her first new live show, PAMDEMIC! premiering at Hunters Nightclub Wilton Manors in Fort Lauderdale. I was lucky enough to chat with the seasoned comedian to ask about life during the pandemic, and to learn what she has planned for her triumphant return. Before we get to…
Musician. Actress. Businesswoman. Theme park owner. Gay icon. Dolly Parton is many things, and she’s incredible at pretty much every endeavor she embarks on. Now, TidalWave Comics has decided to feature her in their Female Force collection. The Female Force comic series tells the stories of real women who have changed the world. Whether it be in entertainment, politics, or activism, the women featured in this series have all left their mark on the world. Previous editions of Female Force have centered around Kamala Harris, Betty White, Michelle Obama, and more. In Female Force: Dolly Parton (which is set to…