The amazing gay travel organization, Oscar Wilde Tours, is putting on a new and fascinating tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. “Unhung Heroes” will explore why so much artwork has men that are not the biggest down there. The tour will explore why this is and ask various questions: Was it artistic licensing? Was it considered hot? Or, perhaps men back then were just not as large in the pants as they are today? After the in-depth journey through the Met’s “Unhung Heroes,” the tour will then explore artwork in the other direction. Art that features…
Author: Keith Langston
Florida’s recently-passed “Don’t Say Gay” bill isn’t going as smoothly as Republicans had hoped. The party was hoping to pass blatantly bigoted legislation under the guise of “protecting children”, thinking it would stoke massive support from the ever-grown alt-right base. However, Americans, Hollywood, and even Disney have taken a massive stand in defense of LGBTQ people in an act of defiance the Republican party has never seen before. Now, conservatives and conservative news outlets are forced to dig themselves deeper and deeper into a hole in order to find “logical” reasons to justify supporting a bill that is widely hated…
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 popular gay hookup/dating app Grindr has been fined 65 million Norwegian Krones ($7 million USD) for what Bloomberg Law calls “unlawful sharing of personal data with third parties for marketing purposes.” According to Jusrist.org., The Norwegian Data Protection Authority (DPA) “found that Grindr violated Articles 6(1) and 9(1) of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for disclosing personal data without legal basis and disclosing special category personal data without valid exemptions. Grindr argued it had the consent of its users as a legal basis for sharing personal data, but the DPA disagreed and found that users were not properly…
Health Canada, the nation’s official health department, announced last week that it will be ending its ban on LGBTQ people donating blood. According to PBS, Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, said that the nation had done extensive research into the legitimacy of claims that say using LGBTQ blood could “taint” the nation’s blood supply. The country spent millions doing research to determine if using LGBTQ blood was safe, and the answer that came back was: yes. ABC News stated that Trudeau wished the ban was lifted “10 to 15 years ago, but research proving it would not affect the safety…
Jack Petocz, the student activist who organized Florida’s statewide school walkout over the state’s “don’t say gay” bill has been suspended indefinitely from his high school, Flagler Palm Coast. After the suspension, Petocz took to Twitter to share his story. https://twitter.com/Jack_Petocz/status/1499517610077085701 According to Petocz, the school initially supported his idea for a walkout (which ultimately saw thousands from across the state walk out in protest, including over 400 from his own school). However, shortly before the protest, the school’s principal decided he wanted to call off the walkout and school officials even began confiscating pride flags from students and around…
According to Variety, employees from Pixar sent out a letter that said Disney has been forcing the censorship of LGBTQ content in Pixar films. The letter was first shared on Twitter by Judd Legum of the publication Popular Information. The letter (which can be read in its entirety below) contains many damning statements against Disney and its CEO, Bob Chapek, as well as former CEO Bob Iger. The employees say that Disney demanded vigorous cuts any time an instance of LGBTQ affection appeared in a Pixar film. In recent years, Disney has become known for including glimpses of LGBTQ characters…
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 votes are in from the recent election in Russia, which saw the nation voting (or did they?) for a whole referendum of constitutional changes. One of the most horrifying is Russia officially declaring marriage to be only between a man and a woman, preventing the possibility for any LGBTQ rights to develop in the near future. Even scarier, the referendum now allows Putin to retain his power until the year 2036, even though his reign was supposed to come to an end in 2024. But the worst part is that many Russians are crying foul. According to CNN, Russians…
East River State Park in Williamsburg, Brooklyn is about to make history. Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that the park will be renamed in honor of LGBTQ activist and icon Marsha P. Johnson. Johnson was an integral figure in the New York LGBTQ scene for decades. She was one of the leaders of the Stonewall uprisings and was one of the founders of the Gay Liberation Front. Besides her activism, she was a prominent performer, artist, and even modeled for Andy Warhol. She was so beloved by the community that she even earned herself the reputation of being the “Mayor of…
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…
Axel Hotels is launching a new contest that could take you around the world. If you book hotel stays through their website between November 1st, 2020 and April 1st, 2021, you’ll be entered to win a very unique prize… Each month, for 7 months, a winner will be named. This person (along with a plus one) will get a 5-night stay in seven Axel hotels around the world. That’s 5 nights in Barcelona, Madrid, Miami, Berlin, Ibiza, San Sebastian, and Maspalomas. Walk the beaches of San Sebastian, experience the delicious Cuban food of Miami, marvel at the architecture in Barcelona,…
In a historic moment for equality, the Sapporo District Court in Japan declared that sexuality, like race and gender, isn’t a choice, and therefore discriminating against people because of it goes against the Japanese Constitution. According to the AP, “Judge Tomoko Takebe said in the ruling that not allowing same-sex marriages violates Article 14 of the Japanese constitution, which prohibits discrimination “because of race, creed, sex, social status or family origin.” While the ruling doesn’t have any immediate legal impact, it does mark a significant change in the mindset of Japan, a country that has long been fueled by traditionalism and…
Anita Bryant, one of the most despicable anti-gay bigots in history, was shocked and dismayed recently to discover her own granddaughter is a lesbian. One of Bryant’s biggest public campaigns was to help get gay teachers fired from schools by accusing them of being pedophiles. According to LGBTQ Nation, Bryant stated, “Homosexuals cannot reproduce, so they must recruit.” Eventually, another famous bigot, Jerry Falwell Sr., came to help Bryant in her crusade against the gay community. It should also be noted that Falwell was convinced that the second coming would happen in his lifetime and also believed that the antichrist…
Today, the onePULSE Foundation, which was created in memory of those who lost their lives in the 2016 shooting, has announced that they have created 49 scholarships – one in honor of each victim – that will be given to students who are looking to pursue higher education. They can be used in universities, in career studies, and technical colleges. Each scholarship is dedicated to the passions and interests of each of the victims. Scholarships are available for a wide range of studies including, nursing, business, cosmetology, journalism, education, and many that are open to any area of study. The…
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…
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…
Famed designer, Jean Paul Gaultier, can add a new title to his resume, that of a museum curator. With his new exhibit, CinéMode at the Cinémathèque Française museum in Paris, France. Gaultier has long been a fan of film, loving their stories, soundtracks, cinematography, and of course, the costumes. In fact, Gaultier himself has done costuming for numerous big-budget films, such as The City of Lost Children and The Fifth Element, among others. His new exhibit celebrates the movies that have influenced him, the films he’s been a part of, and cinematic experiences that changed Hollywood forever. Just a few of…
At midnight, on April 1st, 2001, The Netherlands wed four gay couples, officially legalizing gay marriage in the country. The Netherlands was the first nation in the world to legalize gay marriage. Since then, 28 other countries have legalized gay marriage, including Belgium in ’03, Norway and Sweden in ’09, the USA in 2015, Australia in 2017, Taiwan in 2019, and Costa Rica in 2020. Now, NBC News reports that Gert Kasteel and Dolf Pasker, one of the couples to get married 20 years ago, are looking back on the monumental moment. And according to the news site, they’re not the…
The European Parliament has voted to make the entire 27-nation European Union an ‘LGBTQ Freedom Zone’. The motion passed by a vote of 492 to 141. While the motion is largely symbolic, it will add political pressure on certain EU countries that are leaning into radical and hateful conservativism, such as Poland, Hungary, and Latvia. In recent years, parts of Poland have been declaring themselves as ‘LGBTQ-free’, and Hungary has passed anti-LGBTQ legislation. The EU wanted to send a strong message about these new policies. According to Politico, the resolution states, “Rather than discriminating against LGBTIQ persons, the authorities at…
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…
According to NBC News, a man who had recovered from the COVID-19 infection was in the perfect position to donate antibodies for a new experimental immunotherapy treatment. However, since the man was gay, he was turned away from donating, despite a doctor saying he had a “robust” number of antibodies in his system. This all goes back to the AIDS epidemic when many feared that by receiving blood from a gay man, they’d be at risk of contracting HIV. However, in 2015, that rule was slightly modified by saying gay men could donate blood as long as they had been…
Sports Illustrated features their first transgender model for their famous swimsuit issue. Throughout the magazine’s history (it premiered back in 1964), their swimwear photoshoots have taken place all over the globe, from Cozumel to Australia, and even Bora Bora in Franch Polynesia. But this issue marks a new milestone for the magazine. Model Valentina Sampaio has become Sports Illustrated’s first transgender model, breaking barriers for women and the LGBTQ community, as well as ushering in a new era for the magazine—one that promotes the beauty of diversity. Sampaio was photographed by famed fashion photographer Josie Clough on Scrub Island, in…
The organization Out Leadership releases a yearly study that seeks to find the best states for the LGBTQ people to live and work called the State LGBTQ Business Climate Index. According to Out Leadership’s website, the group uses numerous variables to calculate a state’s score, which runs from 0 to 100, including, “Legal and Nondiscrimination Protections, Youth and Family Support, Political & Religious Attitudes, Health Access, and Safety, Work Environment and Employment.” According to their findings, New York is currently the best state for LGBTQ people, earning a score of 93.67. The worst-performing state was South Carolina, which holds a…
Singer, actor, activist, and living legend, Lady Gaga, has just launched a new video on YouTube to help inspire everyone around the country to vote this year. As she makes clear in the video, 2020 is a pivotal election that will change the course of this country forever. Where you stand on issues right now will define how this country continues, not only for you and your loved ones, but for generations to come. And, in natural Lady Gaga style, she does the entire video while making countless wardrobe changes. She dons her pink hat from the Joanne album, the…
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 popular ABC show What Would You Do? returns with a special episode guest-starring Olympic skater Adam Rippon. The show centers around putting real people in extreme scenarios to see what they do. Do they stand up to bigotry? Do they defend the oppressed? Or do they just stand there and watch? Or partake in the harassment? In the episode with Adam Rippon, a coach is put to the test when a young athlete comes out to her as LGBTQ. The show seeks to find out how she’ll respond, and also aims to help educate the viewer about why inclusivity…
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…
Rolling Stone has reported that Cyndi Lauper is set to receive the first-ever High Note Global Prize. The award, created through a collaboration between the United Nations and the High Note Global Initiative, is designed to celebrate musicians who use their talents to help further human rights around the world. Lauper will receive the award during the 9th annual Home for the Holidays benefit concert, being held at the Novo in Los Angeles on December 10th. The event features a star-studded line-up of musicians, comedians, and entertainers, including, Brandi Carlile, Billy Porter, Lily Tomlin, Marilyn Manson, Margaret Cho, and many…
The popular San Fransisco LGBTQ+ film festival, Frameline, returns this June in partnership with the Castro Theatre. Because of lockdown restrictions, the event will mostly be digital, with a special premiere taking place at a drive-in. This year, Frameline44 will take place June 25th-28th. The organizers have teamed up with filmmaker HP Mendoza (known for the popular movie Fruit Fly) to work as a creative partner and bring life to the digital festival. The main highlight of this year’s event will be the screening of Ahead of the Curve, which is set to have its premiere at the West Wind…