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…
Author: Keith Langston
9-1-1 quickly skyrocketed into one of FOX’s most-watched series. The show centered around larger-than-life disasters and pulpy, campy fun. Before long, the series received a spin-off, 9-1-1: Lone Star, which is set in Austin, Texas. Along with longtime Hollywood veterans like Rob Lowe and Liv Tyler are three LGBTQ stars. First, Brian Michael Smith, who stars as firefighter Paul Strickland, became the first Black trans man to star in a network television series. Smith told NBC News he was excited to work on the show because he’s also able to portray a trans character in the series, giving a voice…
Comedic actress and legendary gay icon Fran Drescher is set to star in Lifetime’s new LGBTQ holiday movie, The Christmas Setup. In the film, Hugo heads home to Milwaukee for the holidays. But once he arrives, his mom (Drescher) decides to play a little matchmaking between him and his high school crush. Hugo is forced to question what’s truly important in his life and what direction his life should take. It looks like the perfect offering to add to your Christmas watch-list. Plus, with Drescher involved, there’s sure to be a good dose of humor and fun along with way.…
At last night’s Oscars celebration, Ariana DeBose made history by becoming the first queer woman of color to win an Academy Award. DeBose won Best Supporting Actress, thanks to her role as Anita in Steven Spielberg’s remake of the famed musical, West Side Story. According to CNN, DeBose took the stage and emotionally stated, “Even in this weird world we live in, dreams do come true. For anyone who has ever questioned their identity, there is indeed a place for us.” DeBose has been widely praised for her role in West Side Story, and her Oscar marks the fourth major…
Earlier this year, famed musician k.d. lang released an album of remixes titled, Makeover. The album soared to #1 on the electronic charts and even spawned two #1 singles on the dance music charts. it was an impressive record that even led NPR to call lang “an immortal voice” in the music world. Now, k.d. lang is back with another remix, this time with the help of DJ and producer, Tracy Young. The song, Constant Craving – Fashionably Late Remix, is a remixed version of her 1992 hit single, Constant Craving. Upon its original release, the single peaked at #2…
It’s a historic moment for Bangladesh. In the town of Trilochanpur, Nazrul Islam Ritu was just elected mayor. Ritu is a trans woman and is now the nation’s first transgender mayor in history. Making the event even more powerful is that Ritu won in a landslide victory, gaining 9,569 votes, compared to her opponent’s 4,517 votes. Even more historic is that the town of 40,000 people is majority Muslim. During her campaign, Ritu ran on a social issues platform that vowed to rid the community of corruption and drug abuse. Bangladesh as a whole is also heavily Muslim, and trans people…
Releasing on July 23rd, Joe Bell is a film that will chronicle the true story of Joe and Jadin Bell. In 2013, Jadin Bell attempted suicide by hanging himself on the jungle gym of a local elementary school. He was rushed to the hospital and put on life support. However, as it became clear that Bell wouldn’t be able to survive without the equipment, he was removed from life support, dying only a few weeks after the incident. It was revealed that Jadin Bell was experiencing extreme bullying for being gay, both at school and online. To honor his son’s…
Columbus has the largest Pride celebration in Ohio, often attracting around 500,000 attendees. This year, Columbus Pride will be taking place from June 17-18. For any locals or visitors looking to make the most of their Pride weekend, the newly-opened AC Hotel has the perfect package. Located in the Arena District, the hotel puts visitors directly in the heart of the action, surrounded by the bars and clubs of downtown Columbus. Plus, their Pride Parlor Package offers guests some truly unique and awesome enhancements to their celebration. The package includes a two-night stay from June 17-19, as well as tons…
Target is one of the biggest names in retail; not just in America, but across the globe. In honor of Pride Month, the brand has unveiled a huge selection of products, all themed around Pride, acceptance, and diversity. From clothing to accessories, home decor, books, and even gifts for your pets, Target has something for everyone. This year’s collection was designed by LGBTQ designers, like TomboyX and Humankind, giving the community a voice and providing the products with an authentic touch. According to an official statement from Target, the company stated, “We teamed up with LGBTQIA+ designers, entrepreneurs, and Target…
Jeopardy! fans have been enthralled by the captivating and intelligent Amy Schneider, who, for the last three months, has been dominating every single episode of the trivia show. This week, however, Schneider finally concluded her run on the show after not being able to come up with the question for the Final Jeopardy Answer: “The only nation in the world whose name in English ends in an H. It’s also one of the 10 most populous.” The correct response was ‘Bangladesh’ and only one contestant was able to answer correctly—Rhone Talsma, a librarian from Chicago. Schneider became the second longest-running…
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…
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…
This last decade was a tremendous one for gay rights. The USA became the most populous nation to legalize gay marriage so far, same-sex marriage finally became legal in an Asian country (Taiwan), and now, over one billion people live in countries where same-sex marriage is legal! 2020 is also off to a great start, with one more country being added to the list. Gay marriage is now legal in Northern Ireland, with the first ceremonies expected to take place in February. Social acceptance in the UK has changed drastically in the past 10 years. Some people have been swayed…
Elton John has been dominating the music industry for decades now and has released 27 Top 10 hits on Billboard’s Hot 100 list and 40 charting songs on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary list. He’s easily one of the most talented musicians of all time. During the pandemic, forced to cancel his tour, Elton John decided to record a new album, this time collaborating with other musicians of different genders, ages, and musical traditions. The album, The Lockdown Sessions, features 16 tracks, all of which include Elton John collaborating with other artists, including Nicki Minaj, Yo-Yo Ma, Eddie Vedder, Stevie Nicks, Lil…
LUSH has been famous for decades, known best for their handmade, cruelty-free soaps, shampoos, and of course, bath bombs. But the company is also known for its active social justice campaigns, often fighting to raise funds for animal rights, environmental protection, underprivileged communities, and now, LGBTQ rights. The company has just unveiled their Gay is OK soap. This tropical bar is made with cocoa butter, coconut oil, and grapefruit oil, creating a lusciously fruity and moisturizing soap. Best of all, it’s dusted with LUSH’s famous biodegradable glitter, coating the bar with a shimmery, shining gold sheen. Better yet, 100% of…
Earlier this week an appellate court in Illinois upheld a decision from a lower court that Hobby Lobby broke anti-discrimination laws by not allowing a trans employee to use the women’s restroom. The case centers around Hobby Lobby employee, Meggan Sommerville, who has worked at the company for 20 years. Back in 2010, Sommerville transitioned. After identifying as a woman, Hobby Lobby refused to allow her to use the women’s restroom. The lawsuit states that this led to numerous problems for Sommerville, including having to limit how much she drank at work for fear of having to enter the men’s…
A new film, titled The Sound of Identity, focuses on the life and career of trans opera singer Lucia Lucas. Lucas is the first openly prominent opera singer and the first trans person to star in the famed Italian opera, Don Giovanni. The documentary begins as Lucia Lucas prepares for her performance of Don Giovanni at the Tulsa Opera. There’s an obvious tension in the air since Tulsa, Oklahoma is a conservative town. However, Lucas and her fellow performers are determined to change opera forever and breathe new life into the dying art form. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1IWvVwkk6Q The film’s director, James Kicklighter,…
Jim Obergefell is best known for being the title name on the landmark Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges. The Supreme Court ended up ruling by a vote of 5 – 4 that banning same-sex marriage was unconstitutional and that all fifty states, Washington DC, and even the insular areas (like Guam and the US Virgin Islands) were required to perform same-sex marriage, thus legalizing it nationally. Now, Obergefell has headed back to his hometown of Sandusky, Ohio, and is running as a Democrat for the State Legislature to represent Ohio’s 89th District. Sandusky is a lakeside town that’s best…
Part burlesque, part musical, and part spectacle, with a pinch of Hedwig and the Angry Inch thrown in. If you’re asking what this is, it’s LatinXoxo, the new one-man show by performer Migguel Anggelo. The show premiered earlier this year at Joe’s Pub and went on to be featured in the Afterglow Festival. Now, due to popular demand, Anggelo will reprise his show for three nights only at Joe’s Pub. Preview night is October 15 and then the show will run November 6-7. The show is inspired by Anggelo’s Venezuelan background. Machismo culture is prevalent in Latin countries, so growing…
Club Cumming, the popular East Village lounge founded by the legendary Alan Cumming himself, will be opening “Club Cumming on the Coast” in Kennebunkport, Maine this summer. The seaside village is home to intimate resorts, stunning ocean views, and endless acres of New England charm. This summer though, Club Cumming will be turning the town into a red hot piano bar and cabaret. The Manhattan lounge is famous for its Broadway singers, jazz bands, drag performances, burlesque shows, and more. Now, the troupe will bring all that excitement to the Maine Coast. Anchored at the Kennebunkport Inn, the show will…
In yet another blow to civil rights during the Trump era, members of the Supreme Court are now declaring that gay marriage is an attack on “religious liberty” and is “hurting people’s lives”. The anti-gay opinions came from justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel A. Alito Jr. after the court declined to hear the case of Kentucky clerk Kim Davis (who was famously jailed for refusing to do her job after gay marriage was legalized.) While the two supported not hearing Davis’ case, they followed up by stating, “Davis may have been one of the first victims of this court’s cavalier…
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has gotten progressively worse over the last few weeks, with recent reports of the massacre in Bucha and the bombing of a crowded train station in Kramatorsk. The situation is even more dire for LGBTQ+ Ukrainians. Many are being forced to flee the country to surrounding nations, many of which are homophobic, like Poland and Hungary. Fortunately, there are ways you can help LGBTQ Ukrainians. PinkNews has started a campaign called LGBTQ Refugees Welcome. The news agency is asking readers to help support their new campaign which will donate money to two causes. First is OutRight Action…
Pantene, the renowned beauty company known especially for their Pro-V products and their famous advertisements from the ’80s which featured supermodel Kelly LeBrock saying, “Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful,” is now being known for something else…their inclusivity. Earlier this month, the beauty company launched their Home for the Holidays video series, along with the hashtag #BEAUTIFULGBTQ. The series highlights different members of the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles. Watch the opening trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsJWzXtNlgw The trailer begins with “137 million Americans will travel home this holiday season…” Followed by, “44% of LGBTQ people feel they can’t come home as their…
The Salt Lake Tribune reports some (basically) good news today. According to a study from the University of Utah that was published in the medical journal Fertility and Sterility, researchers believe that the coronavirus is NOT spread through bodily fluids like semen, so, therefore, isn’t considered “sexually transmitted.” The article went on to say that the new novel coronavirus (which can lead to the COVID-19 disease) is spread through tiny droplets of moisture, similar to the cold or flu, that spread from coughing, sneezing, breathing, and talking. However, you can also become infected from touching a surface that has these…
In yet another blow to the LGBTQ community from the Trump administration, according to the New York Times, Washington Post, NBC News, and more, the US State Department will not allow US Embassies around the world to fly the pride flag during June. Multiple embassies requested permission, to which the State Department responded that flags could not be flown “on public-facing flagpoles,” according to the NYT article, but could still be flown in other places, such as inside… Sadly, this shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. The Trump administration has been avidly hateful of the LGBTQ community. Our current…
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…
Nevada has just become the first state to recognized same-sex marriage in their constitution. According to NBC News, Question 2 on Nevada ballots asked voters whether they support an amendment recognizing marriage “as between couples regardless of gender.” Nevada voters overwhelmingly supported the measure, with 88% voting yes. According to NBC Las Vegas, the first same-sex couples were married in the state back in 2014 (which, really wasn’t that long ago) and they also pointed out that Las Vegas is the marriage capital of the entire world, so it’s only fitting that the state recognizes marriage in the most inclusive…
On October 9th, Academy Award-nominated director, Leslie Iwerks, will release her new short documentary, Selling Lies. The film, which was an Official Selection at 11 film festivals, looks at 2016’s rampant spread of fake news through social media and the people of Macedonia who produced the content. The movie is a shocking yet sobering experience. It’s angering to know that people from other countries were directly manipulating America’s election in order to make a profit. However, the film also digs into other aspects that we as Americans need to think about, such as the fact that much of the “information”…
Since mid-March, much of the world has been forced to endure a grueling lockdown that has been mentally draining and has had a massive impact on the global economy. In times like these, when many people have lost their jobs and are forced to deal with it in solitude, comedy is as important as ever. It’s a way to help relieve stress and make us feel like life is somewhat normal again. Drag queens have always been leading figures in the LGBTQ community. They hold a larger-than-life presence and are seemingly afraid of nothing. That tradition continues throughout the coronavirus…
What does flight insurance cover? In general, it covers canceling a flight due to things like illness, a death in the family, job loss, severe weather problems, an extreme accident that makes you unable to fly, and so on…but in general, we’re talking about illness. That’s the most common reason you’d need to cancel a flight. Let me explain what happened to me: Back in early May, I booked a flight home for June. By the time June rolled along, it would be around 4 months since I was sick last, so I purchased flight insurance just in case, because…