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…
Author: Keith Langston
Lambda Literary, the premiere LGBTQ nonprofit for literature, needs your help. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the organization was forced to cancel many of their high-profile events, such as the Lambda Literary Awards ceremony, their program that brings LGBTQ authors to schools, and numerous public events. In a statement, the organization said, “For over thirty years, Lambda Literary has centered and celebrated LGBTQ writers because books affirm, validate, and save lives. And we must continue to champion LGBTQ voices and stories.” However, with the cancellation of many of their biggest events, the nonprofit is now in need of funding. Lambda…
Canadian nonprofit Rainbow Railroad has a mission: To help save LGBTQ people who are trapped in hostile nations. Earlier this year Brunei reversed its death penalty for gay sex, but still remains very dangerous for the LGBTQ community. And Brunei isn’t the only country with harsh anti-gay laws. According to CBS, same-sex relations are illegal in 70 countries, with 7 of those mandating the death penalty as punishment. Rainbow Railroad aims to provide a way for LGBTQ people to escape these dangerous areas so they can live the free, safe, and happy life they deserve. Rainbow Railroad executive director Kimahli…
Hey, Chicagoans and visitors to the Second City! Are you looking for a great way to get outside, get some exercise, experience the beauty of your city. and help others? Take part in Chicago’s AIDS Run and Walk! In order to promote social distancing, the event will be taking place in various parts of the city throughout the week beginning September 28th. Event locations include Hyde Park, The Loop, and Lakeview, among others. There are numerous ways to take part – You can walk, run a 5k or 10k, support a participating team, or even simply by sharing the news…
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…
This Black History Month, the National AIDS Memorial will be holding a virtual viewing of the AIDS Quilt to honor Black lives lost to AIDS. The exhibition is set to coincide with National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on February 7th. From now until March 31st, the free-to-the-public online exhibition will be available at AIDSMemorial.org. Pieces of the quilt will be on display that highlights Black stories. Swatches from the quilt that will be on display include: • Panels made as part of the Call My Name program, one of which honors Wandra, made by her hairdresser, who kept Wandra’s secret…
A few days ago, Wyoming congresswoman Liz Cheney did an interview with 60 Minutes. Throughout the segment, many difficult topics were discussed, including Trump’s control over the Republican party, the January 6 insurrection, and Afghanistan. However, in one remarkable moment of the interview, host Lesley Stahl asked Cheney, “How do you defend what you did?” in reference to the fact that Cheney was still vocally against same-sex marriage in 2013, despite having a gay sister. Shockingly, Cheney immediately responded with, “I was wrong.” She then went on to say, “I was wrong. I love my sister very much. I love…
The angry moms over at One Million Moms (the alt-right hate group that’s anti-LGBTQ and promotes 1950s gender roles) are enraged once again, this time, at Sephora. The beauty product company has released a new holiday ad titled “Holiday Gifting 2021: It’s the Beauty You Give” which features various people giving and receiving gifts from the store. One vignette features a gay couple who (gasp!) kiss at the end of the commercial. Naturally, this offended the one million moms, who curiously only have 4,119 followers on Twitter (not exactly a million, but again, this is a group who believes that…
Karine Jean-Pierre has been chosen by President Biden to become the first openly-LGBTQ White House Press Secretary. Pierre’s background is as a lecturer at Columbia University and a political analyst for both NBC News and MSNBC. She was then named Biden’s Principal Deputy Press Secretary. Her new role as Press Secretary marks two historic firsts. She is the first Black woman to hold the position and the first openly-LGBTQ person to hold the position. Jean-Pierre is an open lesbian and is partnered with former CNN host, Suzanne Malveaux. https://www.instagram.com/p/CdNmDSLqO8i/ According to NBC News, President Biden said in an official statement, “Karine…
Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon were two of the world’s first leading LGBTQ pioneers. The two women founded the first lesbian rights group, The Daughters of Bilitis, back in the 50s, and went on to run the lesbian newsletter The Ladder. After Phyllis Lyon’s death earlier this year, their historic San Fransisco home went up for sale. It was then that District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman introduced a resolution to designate the former home a local historic landmark. LGBTQ activists from the country have stood up and demanded that their home be preserved (it sits on a very prime plot…
Rachel Levine, who is currently serving as Pennsylvania’s Health Secretary, has been chosen by Joe Biden to be his assistant secretary of health. Levine has a long history of medicine and public service. She’s Harvard educated and attended the Tulane School of Medicine. She was a pediatrician by trade, and later became a Pennsylvania physician general, as well as holding her spot as the state’s Health Secretary. According to NBC News, Biden said of Levine, “Dr. Rachel Levine will bring the steady leadership and essential expertise we need to get people through this pandemic — no matter their zip code,…
Argentina has just made a change to their national identity documents to show support and acceptance to Argentinians who are nonbinary. According to NBC News, during the ceremony unveiling the new document option, Argentinian President, Alberto Fernández, said, “There are other identities besides that of man and woman, and they must be respected…there are a thousand ways to love and be loved and be happy.” https://twitter.com/ZonaFALGBT/status/1417887280719663104 This move is a first in South America. However, as CNN reports, various other countries around the world already allow gender-nonconforming people to change their gender marker. Such countries include Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In…
According to NBC News, this year, 77 commercials will air during the Super Bowl, bringing in a whopping $400 million dollars in profit for FOX. The Super Bowl is the most expensive time-slot of the entire year, with each commercial costing companies millions of dollars. But this year, a new trend is taking place in a very unlikely space…Inclusivity at the Super Bowl. That’s right, this year’s commercials are filled with LGBTQ personalities and famous females. Here are eight #superbowl commercials you’ll must see! SABRA HUMMUS Starring Miz Cracker and Kim Chi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ex5xnVm2po RuPaul’s Drag Race alumni Miz Cracker…
President Joe Biden showed his continued support of the LGBTQ community last week by taking time to tell young LGBTQ Americans that his administration has their back. The comments came as Florida gears up to pass a “don’t say gay bill” which will prohibit discussing LGBTQ issues in schools for grades deemed too young…however, what criteria Florida will use to deem who is “too young” has yet to be seen, leading many to fear they will try to limit LGBTQ discussions as much as possible. In response to this, Biden sent out a tweet saying, “I want every member of…
Back in July of 2019, the African nation of Gabon criminalized sex between two people of the same gender. The crime was punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of 5 million CFA francs ($8,664 USD), a huge sum of money for Gabon residents. However, the country has now decriminalized same-sex relations less than one year after enacting the law. The motion passed in Gabon’s Lower House 48-24, and received even more support in the Senate, gaining 59 votes. This is a huge moment for Africa, a continent that unfortunately has been historically plagued by colonial-era…
The espresso martini has been this year’s hottest cocktail. The combined punch of alcohol, the bitter crispness of espresso, and the perky power of caffeine have proven to be a winning combination. And while espresso martinis tend to be popular drinks to order at bars and lounges, many people don’t know how to make them at home, or feel that they require too much work. Luckily, Randy Lauwasser, owner of the Fire Island-based coffee company, BEACHBREAK, is here to share his recipe for the perfect (and incredibly simple) espresso martini. The drink is made using BEACHBREAK’s new PR!DE Roast, a…
I love good luggage. I think it’s important to travel with items that are sleek, stylish, and make you feel like you’re going somewhere wonderful. However, I also understand that my luggage is going to be thrown around, dropped, rained on, snowed on, get lost in during a layover, and then mailed to my home two weeks later (long story, don’t ask.) Therefore, as much I love stylish travel bags, I’m not willing to fork out tons of money for something that is going to spend its life being abused at every turn. That’s why I always search the net…
The groundbreaking documentary Gay Chorus Deep South, which followed the San Fransisco Gay Men’s Chorus as they toured through the American South, is set to get a TV premiere on December 20th. The chorus director, Tim Seelig, along with numerous others in the ensemble, all had very personal, deeply moving reasons for partaking in the tour, and without giving anything away…the film proves to be one of the most poignant LGBTQ documentaries ever. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Nc_VZr3Vdk Gay Chorus Deep South won an Audience Award at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival and currently holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. And with 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…
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…
The temporary field hospital being built in Central Park to help people affected by the Coronavrus in New York City is going to be staffed by volunteers of Samaritan’s Purse, a religious organization whose President and CEO is evangelical fanatic Franklin Graham. Graham has, to date: Thought the world was coming to an end in 2011. Claimed Obama was a Muslim and part of the Muslin Brotherhood. Thinks God helped Trump get elected. Is in favor of gay conversion therapy. Opposed gay marriage. Called Pete Buttigieg a sinner. Praised Putin’s anti-gay positions. And now, Graham’s organization, Samaritan’s Purse, will be…
Revry, the 24/7 queer network, has just launched their new show Versus, hosted by comedy sensation Deven Green (who many will recognize as Mrs. Betty Bowers, America’s Best Christian). In each episode, two contestants face off in a series of bizarre challenges, from having to remember their own tweets from years ago, to having to answer bonkers questions like, “which animal breeds faster, bunnies or goats?” It’s also a quick program, with each episode running only around 5-7 minutes in length, making it the perfect way to pass the time in the subway, while cooking, or while on a quick…
Last year, the Los Angeles LGBT Center (often referred to as simply “The Center”) raised $1.3 million for queer charities thanks to their Love in Action telethon. To ensure that grassroots nonprofits are able to continue enacting change, the center is putting on another telethon this summer. On Saturday, August 14th from 7-9 pm PT, the Love in Action telethon returns. The center is partnering with the TV station KTLA 5 to broadcast the event, and KTLA 5 news anchor, Cher Calvin, will be joining actress Jane Lynch as host for the evening. The event will have a star-studded ensemble…
Historically, much of LGBTQ culture has been centered around nightlife. Dark, smoky, and with little to no windows, bars were one of the safest places for LGBTQ people to feel like they could be themselves without being seen or judged by the bigoted societies around them. Since then, the “gay bar” has been an integral part of many LGBTQ people’s social lives. To celebrate Pride and reveal the LGBTQ community’s unique history with nightlife, Miller has teamed up with historian new New York Times bestselling author, Dr. Eric Cervini, to create the book Beers & Queer History. The book explores…
Last week, the Trump administration rolled back yet another Obama-era law. This time, they attacked the protections granted to trans people in the Affordable Care Act. In what is known as the Health Care Rights Law, groups were protected from discrimination based on things like sex, race, and gender. The trans community was included in this list. However, last week, the Department of Health and Human Services claimed that there was no authority to create such protections, and so they will now, “enforce Section 1557 by returning to the government’s interpretation of sex discrimination according to the plain meaning of…
In a somewhat surprising move, the Senate has unanimously voted to designate the Pulse Nightclub as a National Memorial. The move comes just days before the 5th anniversary of the horrific shooting that left 49 people dead and led to a standoff with the police. It was the deadliest mass shooting in American history until the Las Vegas shooting just a year later. What’s really surprising is that every horrifically anti-LGBTQ Senator voted to commemorate the Pulse Nightclub, which is perplexing considering that these same senators are currently propagating fear and hatred against the LGBTQ community and are trying to…
The United Kingdom has just expanded Turing’s Law, a measure that seeks to pardon LGBTQ people who were convicted of archaic crimes, largely aimed at gay men who were convicted under sodomy laws. According to NBC News, gay sex was legalized in the UK in 1967, but the age of consent was kept higher (at 21 years of age) for gay men than for heterosexuals (which was 16 years of age) all the way until 2001. This means that someone who was 25 or 26 could have been convicted of pedophilia for having sex with someone who was 20 years…
The Grammy-nominated singer, Rufus Wainwright, has had a big year. His new album Unfollow the Rules has garnered the singer yet another Grammy nomination, and he’s appeared on James Corden, Jimmy Kimmel, and Jimmy Fallon. Now, he’s launched an online series called Rufus-Retro-Wainwright-Spective! 2021. It is a multi-show event series with Wainwright performing a virtual live-stream tour through all 9 of his studio albums. Each episode even includes a celebrity audience. Among those joining Wainwright for the performances are Zach Galifianakis, James Corden, and more. When speaking of the events, Wainwright stated, “I was reluctant at first to take a look…
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…
With everyone stuck at home, streaming movies and TV shows have become the national pastime. Over the last five years, more and more streaming services have entered the market, offering everything from Oscar-winning classics to anime. Some streaming platforms have even included LGBTQ+ collections to their online libraries, giving everyone access to queer cinema, a genre they may not have known otherwise. Below are five awesome streaming services that have LGBTQ+ collections. NETFLIX Netflix was one of the first streaming platforms to include an LGBTQ section. But then again, Netflix was also one of the first streaming services, period.…