December 1st marks World AIDS Day this year. The event was created in 1988 to raise awareness for the AIDS pandemic around the world. This is the event’s 31st year. So, how will people around the planet be commemorating the day? Here’s a list of some of the events taking place to help raise awareness of AIDS/HIV and to encourage HIV testing, treatment, and prevention. By Keith Langston MAUI, HAWAII On December 1st, the Maui AIDS Foundation will gather at the VFW hall to to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and…
Author: Keith Langston
The other week we featured five streaming services with LGBTQ collections, but seeing as binge-watching is at an all-time high due to the lockdown, we thought we’d bring you five more great places to watch all the queer content you want! From Sasha Velour to Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, here are five more great streaming platforms with LGBTQ+ content! PLUTO TV Pluto TV is determined to change the future of streaming. They want to provide live television as well as on-demand movies and TV shows, all for free. Their current library is astonishingly large, and their LGBTQ section…
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…
Liquor brand Jägermeister has heralded a campaign throughout the pandemic called the Save the Night Initiative, which has been dedicated to helping keep local bars open during the pandemic. And upon hearing the news that only 15 lesbian bars remain in the US (and that the pandemic is seriously threatening their livelihood), Jägermeister has vowed to extend their campaign by including the Lesbian Bar Project to the lineup. The project is dedicated to educating people about the importance of lesbian bars, preserving their history, and fighting to keep the last remaining ones open for future generations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qW2db4HuqA&feature=emb_logo The campaign released…
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,…
Suburban Toronto has a new bus taking residents to wherever they need to go… it’s a giant pink bus, with images of famous LGBTQ Canadians on its side. Inside, the bus is filled with facts, information cards, and words of encouragement, all meant to educate people on the LGBTQ community, as well as to inspire LGBTQ riders to feel comfortable being themselves. https://twitter.com/blogTO/status/1145470835018350593 The idea for the bus began with the nonprofit LoveisLoveisLove, after famed Canadian philanthropist Kathryn E. Langley Hope gave the organization a hefty donation to make it happen. The goal was to operate the bus during Pride…
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…
In 1999, a new film made its way around the festival circuit. It redefined what LGBTQ characters could be. And it had critics hailing its wit and humor. Before But I’m a Cheerleader, gay characters were often only seen in a negative light. Then, suddenly, this film showed queer characters as lovable, innocent protagonists. The film was also hysterically funny, with outstanding performances from stars Natasha Lyonne and Clea Duvall, as well as supporting actors like RuPaul, Mink Stole, and even Michelle Williams. The movie had its theatrical release in 2000, and now, 20 years later, the anniversary is being…
Norway’s postal service is celebrating 50 years since the nation decriminalized same-sex relationships with a new ad featuring Santa Claus. The ad, titled “When Harry Met Santa” (a play on When Harry Met Sally) starts off with Harry, a man who catches a glimpse of Santa one year. It’s clearly love at first sight, and year after year, Harry eagerly awaits the arrival of Santa every Christmas Eve. The ad finishes with Santa finally being able to spend a night with Harry, thanks to Posten (the postal service) taking care of delivering presents. The video finishes with a long kiss…
The Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (GPAHE) has released a massive and in-depth study about the rampant spread of misinformation and lies about conversion therapy online. According to the findings, search engines and social media networks like Facebook and Instagram do a good job of weeding out misinformation when people search the phrase “conversion therapy”. The problem, the study says, is that conversion therapy providers have started changing the phrasing and narratives of their practices. Now, terms like “reintegrative therapy” and “unwanted same-sex attraction” are becoming the norm within conversion therapy networks. Search engines and social media sites have much higher…
The film Hair Love has just won the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film. Though only a little under seven minutes, the movie manages to be funny, joyful, and heartwarming, while sending a powerful message of of acceptance and inclusion. View Hair Love here, and share this wonderful film with your family and friends. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNw8V_Fkw28 During the Oscars, Matthew A. Cherry and Karen Rupert Toliver accepted the award and called awareness to an issue many don’t know about: The CROWN Act. CROWN, which is an acronym for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlyDdE3mveY The act is…
This Pride season, the streaming platform Spotify is launching a new queer-centric campaign called Claim Your Space. The campaign aims to create safe spaces for the LGBTQ community and to promote the music of emerging queer musicians. Throughout the month, Spotify has various activations taking place, including: Pride Hub: A dedicated editorial hub that will promote LGBTQIA+ artists, podcasters and playlists as well as showcase exclusive Spotify Clips video content from artists including Kehlani, Hayley Kiyoko, Hope Tala, Claud, Urias, ILOVEMAKONNEN, Princess Nokia, Leland, and Kaydence all month long. Pride Singles: Continuing the Pride Singles program launched last June, Spotify is working with queer…
For the first time in Olympic history, three transgender athletes are competing. They are among a total of 160 LGBTQ athletes competing this year, the largest group of LGBTQ athletes in Olympic history. The three trans athletes are Chelsea Wolfe from the USA, competing in BMX Freestyle biking; Quinn from Canada, competing in women’s soccer; and Laurel Hubbard from New Zealand, competing in women’s weightlifting. Laurel Hubbard has caused the biggest controversy, as many conservatives claim that she has an innate, unfair advantage against other women because she was biologically male at birth. CNN lays out the two sides to…
Due to the hundreds of cancellations of pride celebrations around the world, a new online pride event will be taking place on June 27, 2020, called Global Pride. The event will live-stream performances, speeches, and keynote addresses from famous figures around the planet. The massive event is being put on by pride groups from every continent, including InterPride and the European Pride Organisers Association. They will be spearheading the campaign and getting organizers from all over the globe to help make the event a reality. In a statement, J. Andrew Baker, Co-President of InterPride, said, “We need community and connection…
Country singer Brooke Eden became a star a few years ago after releasing her hit song, “Act Like You Don’t”. Since then, Eden has been taking time to find herself and hone her skills as a musician. Part of her journey has been to take her once-secret relationship and make it known to the world. In an interview with People, Eden stated, “How is an artist supposed to be an artist and be completely open…if you can’t be completely open?” Now, Eden is releasing a trilogy of singles that chronicle her relationship and the love she shares with her girlfriend.…
Florida’s state senate has passed the “Stop WOKE Act”, a bill that would ban schools and companies from discussing topics regarding race, “ethnic heritage”, and sex/gender. Republicans claim that this is done in order to prevent people (white people) from feeling distressed and “blamed” for things like slavery and Jim Crow laws. According to NBC Tampa Bay, the bill would count discrimination as something that “espouses, promotes, advances, inculcates, or compels such individual to believe any of the following concepts”: Members of one race, color, sex, or national origin are morally superior to members of another An individual, by virtue…
President Joe Biden announced his nominee for the assistant secretary of defense of readiness, a key role as the pentagon embarks on new strategies concerning China, Russia, and Afghanistan. Biden’s nominee, Shawn Skelly, is a highly respected former naval officer and national security expert. Not only has she served in the armed forces, but she also worked in Obama’s administration and was part of Biden’s transition team. She has decades of experience within the US military and defense departments. In Biden’s official message announcing his nominees, he listed off Skelly’s long tenure in the armed forces, stating, “Shawn Skelly served over…
Out of the Blue, the a capella group of Oxford University, is celebrating the holiday season by doing their own rendition of Elton John’s popular Christmas hit ‘Step Into Christmas’. The group has performed numerous Christmas songs in the past, including Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas is You’, ‘I Wish it Could be Christmas Everyday’ by Wizzard, ‘Last Christmas’ by Wham, and many more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuDVzqtJmb8 Their new version of ‘Step Into Christmas’ is a charity single that’s raising money for the Helen and Douglas House, a nonprofit that cares for terminally ill children and their families. Out of…
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 Mike Pence attended a homophobic sermon at the Holy City Church of God in Christ in Memphis. Making matters even worse is that the White House officially streamed the sermon and then put it on their YouTube page, giving the republican base a clear expression of where the Trump administration stands. Not only did Pence attend the sermon, but he was invited on stage to give a few words. He, of course, ran the typical dog and pony show, stating how the Trump administration is creating jobs, is good for the economy, especially in the South, as…
Lance Bass, famous for his time in the hit sensation *NSYNC, has really come into his own in recent years. He publicly came out 15 years ago and has since dabbled in many projects spanning film, music, and television. Most recently, Bass guest-hosted the new summer guilty please, Bachelor in Paradise, and he told Variety that he loved it. In an interview with the publication, he stated, “If you want the most dramatic season ever, do an LGBT version. I think maybe it’s the time for ‘The Bachelor’ to do a gay Bachelor. I think that would be so much fun…And I…
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…
This month marks the beginning of a new era for San Fransisco International Airport. The airport’s Terminal 1 has reopened after a $2.4 billion renovation as Harvey Milk Terminal 1. A giant banner now welcomes travelers as they approach the airport. The terminal, which is currently home to Jet Blue and Southwest, is destined to become the ultimate destination at SFO. The aim for the terminal was efficiency and relaxation. It was designed with high ceilings, retro furnishings, abundant sources of natural light, and even a yoga room! On top of the state-of-the-art facilities, the terminal has a permanent Harvey…
Cock is a play written by Mike Barlett and originally performed in 2009. It follows the main character, John. John has identified as gay his whole life and has been in a long-term relationship with a man. However, he soon falls in love with a woman and becomes sexually attracted to her, revealing to himself that he’s actually bisexual. The show examines John’s struggles with deciding which love interest he wants to be with. Now, the show is slated for a revival on West End. It hasn’t yet been stated who is playing which character, but Bridgerton’s Jonathan Bailey and…
NBC’s streaming service, Peacock, has premiered the documentary Right to Try, which centers around the fight to cure HIV. The movie, which was produced by Academy Award-winning actress, Octavia Spencer, follows longtime casting director, Jeffrey Drew, who shares his experiences taking part in experimental HIV treatments, all with the hopes of finding a cure for AIDS. According to Variety, Octavia Spencer said of the film, “We are thrilled our film Right to Try will be seen on Peacock. Though Jeffrey Drew’s heroic journey is singular, his story is universal. This is an important film and with Peacock, we have a…
Sprinkles is one of the most famous names in cupcakes. During the cupcake craze of 2010, the brand exploded in popularity and even became known for their cupcake vending machines. Now, Sprinkles is using its platform to help the LGBTQ community. In honor of pride month, Sprinkles has teamed with popular Austin BBQ joint, la Barbecue. Helmed by LeAnn Mueller and her wife Alison Clem, the BBQ spot has become famous in every corner of Texas for producing some of the state’s most badass brisket, ribs, and house-made sausages. For Pride Month, the ladies have partnered with Sprinkles to bring the…
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…
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…
Today, in a groundbreaking ruling, Taiwan became the first country in Asia to legalize gay marriage! The country of almost 24 million people celebrated as the ruling was announced. President Tsai Ing-wen tweeted after the vote. “We took a big step towards true equality, and made Taiwan a better country.” and #LoveWon is currently trending on Twitter. It’s great to see that a country in Asia has stepped forward in this landmark decision. Now that Taiwan has legalized same-sex marriage, the doors for other countries in the region to do the same have been blown wide open. If you’re planning on…
The House and Senate are currently fighting over some very big issues, including an infrastructure bill and reforming the filibuster. However, Arizonan Democratic senator, Kyrsten Sinema seems to be siding with Republicans on both measures, hurting protections for LGBTQ people. Infrastructure Bill Sinema is avidly opposed to supporting Democrat’s 3.5 trillion spending bill, claiming that she can’t justify anything so expensive. However, the bill would greatly benefit the lives of all Americans. According to CNN, the bill includes tons of much-needed measures for the country, including funds for America to become more sustainable, universal pre-K, and support for America’s…