Students at a high school in Indiana have raised more than $80,000 to put on a play featuring LGBTQ characters after it was banned by school administrators. Earlier this year, the theater department in Carroll High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana had gotten all necessary approvals from the school board to put on “Marian, or the True Tale of Robin Hood,” a play which includes queer characters. But after rehearsals began, the school’s principal, Cleve Million, canceled the production when parents complained about the play’s content. According to MetroWeekly, after news of the cancellation spread, a petition was started on…
Author: Lauren Mulvey
Wine lovers will be heading to California’s sunny Sonoma County to celebrate Gay Wine Weekend Friday, July 14th through Sunday, July 16th. Gay Wine Weekend, hosted by Out in the Vineyard, is the perfect opportunity to enjoy world-class wine and culinary delights all while attending amazing events like VIP receptions, wine excursions, a drag brunch, pool party and wine auction. For 2023, explore new locations and wineries in Sonoma’s Healdsburg and Russian River Valley, a region which is home to more than 400 wineries. Funds from this fun-filled weekend benefit Face to Face, Sonoma County’s HIV/AIDS Network, an organization which…
Luxembourg’s prime minister, Xavier Bettel, made a stand for LGBTQ rights at the European Union’s parliament by calling out Hungary for implementing anti-LGBTQ laws. According to AP, Bettel has been prime minister of Luxembourg since 2013 and has championed LGBTQ+ rights during his term as one of the first openly gay prime ministers in Europe. At the EU Parliament meeting, Bettel said “If there’s anyone in this house who thinks that you’ve become a homosexual by watching the television or listening to a song, then you’ve not understood anything.” He also expressed his disdain for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s…
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of a trans woman, Estrella Santos-Zacaria, who fled Guatemala to escape persecution for her gender identity. The unanimous decision in favor of Estrella Santos-Zacaria gives her another chance to argue that immigration officials were wrong to reject her bid to remain in the US. Earlier court documents stated “she did not suffer past persecution, and thus was not entitled to a presumption of future persecution.” After facing years of sexual violence, Santos-Zacaria fled to the U.S. According to The Guardian, “The U.S. state department has found that Guatemala has done little to protect LGBTQ+…
At a four hour telethon on Sunday, Marcia Gay Harden revealed that her children are all queer, inspiring her to engage in LGBTQ+ advocacy. The telethon titled “Drag Isn’t Dangerous” was held on Sunday to raise funds for LGBTQ+ charities in response to a rise in anti-drag legislation across the country. Special guests included Drag Race’s Jinx Monsoon, Candis Cayne and Trixie Mattel, along with movie stars including Charlize Theron and Melissa McCarthy. Harden told telethon host Adam Shankman “What drives me is – my children are all queer. My eldest child is nonbinary. My son is gay. My youngest…
The mayor of the small town, Cedar Falls, Iowa has recently rescinded his decision to reject a proposal that would recognize the month of June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in the town. According to reports from the Advocate, mayor Rob Green originally cited his Christian values as a reason for rejecting the proposal, but soon after he reconsidered when members of the town voiced concern and fear for living in an anti-LGBTQ+ community. The proclamation that would recognize June as the official Pride Month of Cedar Falls was proposed by the Human Rights Commission of Cedar Falls in March, and…
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will add pop icon George Michael to the list of greatest stars in music history. Michael got his start as the front man for Wham! Releasing hits like “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” and “Last Christmas.” And soon he moved on to pursue a solo career where his top hits included: “Careless Whisper” and “Father Figure.” For consideration in the Hall of Fame artists have to have recorded their first record 25 years ago. A household name, Michael has been eligible for induction since 2012. Michael released his first solo album “Faith”…
Following Russia’s ban on LGBTQ propaganda, Moscow’s Bolshoi theatre has cancelled a performance tribute to famed Russian dancer Rudolf Nureyev. According to The Guardian, the show “has had a troubled history in Russia, where President Vladimir Putin has long promoted conservative values as part of a nationalist agenda backed by the Russian Orthodox Church.” In November, Russia passed a bill prohibiting the spread of LGBTQ propaganda classifying any positive depictions of ‘non-traditional values’ similarly to promotions of violence, pornography, or racial and religious violence and more. Not only does the bill affect theatrical works, but it also bans classic Russian…
Last week, long running tensions between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Disney boiled over as the company filed a first amendment lawsuit against the politician claiming political retaliation. Disney took a stand against DeSantis’s infamous “Don’t Say Gay” law last year, a law that bans discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in educational settings. According to The New York Times, the governor along with other state legislators have targeted Disney ever since. Consequences of this feud have seen Florida legislators end the resort’s “long-held ability to self-govern its 25,000-acre resort as if it were a county,” and appoint a new…
Transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney has faced a swath of criticism and hate speech from conservatives following her social media promotion with Bud Light last month, and is now speaking out. On April 1, Mulvaney released her collaboration with Bud Light in celebration of her “365 days of girlhood” series. In the promotion, Mulvaney sits with several cans of Bud Light in front of her and discusses the company’s special “March Madness” sweepstakes contest. Though the video is innocuous, conservative figures became outraged with the use of a transgender person for brand advertising and quickly began boycotting the beer. Musician Kid…
The highest court in Barbados has struck down the law that criminalized gay sex, making it the third Caribbean nation to do so in 2022. This year alone, other Caribbean nations including Antigua, Saint Kitts and Nevis have struck down homophobic laws after activists have fought against them. Chief executive, Tea Braun, from London-based human rights org, Human Dignity Trust, told the Guardian “It’s gone from a certain ripple effect to a tidal wave in the Caribbean, which is what everyone set out to achieve.” In July of this year, Antigua and Barbuda struck down their own versions of the…
Reports show that 2022 set a record for the number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills active or passed by state legislatures. In fact, 2022 has proven to be a horrific year for pushing a misogynistic, homophobic and transphobic conservative agenda. Here is a compiled list of dangerous bills targeting LGBTQ+ communities, primarily young people who are trans, according to reports from the ACLU and Human Rights Campaign. Many, which are marked as “active,” were introduced in 2021 and carried over into this year by state legislatures. Many have been passed or signed by state governors. This list, provided by the ACLU, indicates…
The first ever cohort of 10 trans attorneys was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court this year. These 10 attorneys are members of the National Trans Bar Association (NTBA), a group that seeks to promote and support trans and gender non-conforming people in the legal community. Those participating specialize in a wide range of law practices including civil rights, public advocacy, corporate and private law practices and more. This ceremony was intended to increase visibility for those in the transgender community practicing law and has been in the making for two years. Originally intended to take place in 2020, the…
A recent J&B whisky ad titled “She,” is promoting trans acceptance and calling on families to support their trans relatives this holiday season. The ad, created for J&B Whisky, depicts an older man experimenting with makeup. He starts slowly with lipstick and soon adds eyeshadow, blush, the works. Shots show him buying makeup palettes at the market, studying beauty ads with complex makeup looks at the bus stop, and giving himself a full face of makeup. As he finally perfects his look, his family arrives for a holiday dinner. One of the relatives is his transitioning granddaughter. We soon discover…
The Russian government has a voted to expand its “anti-gay propaganda” law. to According to the BBC, the bill “categorizes any positive depictions of same-sex relationships in mass media or advertising under the same umbrella as distributing pornography, the promotions of violence, or stoking racial, ethnic and religious tensions.” Though many have warned that this would also erase many classics in Russian literature and film, the bill insists on abolishing any positive depiction of LGBTQ+ figures and themes. The first version of this bill was introduced in 2013 to prevent children from learning about LGBTQ+ concepts and identities. Over the…
Lawmakers in Indonesia passed a new criminal code this Tuesday that criminalizes sex outside of marriage. Punishment for violations of this crime is up to one year in prison. Further legislative changes in the country include bans on cohabitation before marriage, and insults or criticisms of the president and state institutions, raising concerns on a global scale for the threat these new codes pose on the human rights of Indonesian citizens and visitors to that country. The New York Times reports “in recent years, conservative Islam has gained ground in the country, and now fear its influence, even as its…
As hate crime rates surge in New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed into law a pair of anti-bias bills to prevent hate crimes and announced $50 million in nonprofit grants for the state’s Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes Program. One bill will require individuals who have been convicted of hate crimes to undergo mandatory hate crime prevention training. Another bill, according to the governor’s statement, “establishes a statewide campaign for the acceptance, inclusion, tolerance and understanding of diversity, including, but not limited to diversity based on religion, race, color, creed, sex, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity…
President Biden announced Thursday morning that WNBA player and two-time Olympic gold medalist, Brittney Griner, is returning to the United States after being detained in a Russian prison for nearly a year. Griner, 32, was set to serve a 9-year sentence after being found guilty of drug-smuggling charges. She was returned in exchange for Viktor Bout, nicknamed the “Merchant of Death,” a Russian arms dealer being held in the U.S, who was set to serve 25 years in an American prison for conspiring to sell arms to people who planned to kill Americans. In February, Griner was detained for carrying…
It’s two steps backward and one step forward for Japan’s LGBTQ+ community as a court in Tokyo ruled last week to uphold its ban on same-sex marriage. However, the court also said lack of legal protection for same-sex couples and families is a human rights concern. Japan is the only G7 nation that does not allow same-sex marriage. There has been a tug of war in Japan’s major cities on whether bans on same-sex marriage are unconstitutional or not. Back in 2021, a court in the city of Sapporo ruled that it was unconstitutional, and earlier this year Osaka ruled…
Elon Musk has offered a general “amnesty” to hate groups who were formerly banned. This follows his decision to restore Donald Trump’s account which was banned last year, and Kanye West’s account which was restricted last month. To gage whether he should reinstate further banned members, Musk posted a poll to his account which received 72.4 percent in favor of amnesty. Imran Ahmed, CEO of campaign group the Center for Countering Digital Hate said to the Guardian “Superspreaders of hate, abuse and harassment will be the only people to benefit from this latest decision by Twitter.” Musk has received ample…
The Senate passed the highly anticipated Respect for Marriage Act yesterday with a 61-36 bipartisan vote, sending the bill back to the House of Representatives before it will go to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law. According to the bill’s summary on Congress’s official website, the bill more specifically will “repeal and replace provisions that define, for the purposes of federal law, marriage as between a man and a woman and spouse as a person of the opposite sex with provisions that recognize any marriage that is valid under state law.” Furthermore, it promises federal recognition of marriage…
Pack your bags and head to Provincetown for the holidays! One of the most popular LGBTQ destinations in the world, P’town knows how to deck the halls during this feative time of year! Celebrate the 25th anniversary of Holly Folly from December 2nd through 4th. Considered one of the world’s best LGBTQ+ holiday festivals, this three-day event offers residents and visitors to Provincetown the ultimate holiday celebration. Events include: food, drink, shopping, nightlife, live entertainment and more in “the U.S.’s queerest resort town.” Visit the Canteen Holiday Market, which Provincetown describes as “a cross between your favorite beach bar and…
With the recent elections in Israel giving far-right extremists control of the government, LGBTQ+ citizens there have become increasingly concerned. Major election wins included the re-election of former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a member of one of Israel’s right-wing party, Likud. Israel’s election system relies on the election of parties as opposed to individuals. The party with the most votes, in this case the Likud party, brings along with it an entire bloc of parties in alliance. The parties to have the most seats in Israel’s newest Knesset (parliament) after the Likud include the extremist Religious Zionist Party and other…
A mass shooting at a Colorado gay club has left 5 dead and 25 injured. The tragedy occurred on Saturday night when 22-year old Anderson Lee Aldrich entered the bar, Club Q, in Colorado Springs. Reports say he was stopped when club patrons subdued him by hitting him with one of his guns. Since 2002, Club Q has stood as one of Colorado Springs’ only gay clubs and acted as a safe space for queer people to gather and celebrate their identities. But Colorado Springs has a hefty conservative population and acts as headquarters for a conservative Christian group called Focus…
The Senate advanced legislation this week that will install federal protections for same-sex marriage and overturn discriminatory laws. According to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the bill, which is expected to be passed in the Senate in the coming days will “codify federal marriage equality by guaranteeing the federal rights, benefits and obligations of marriages in the federal code.” The act will also repeal the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) which barred the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriage and prevented same-sex couple whose unions were recognized in their own states from receiving benefits available to other married couples. …
Out in the Vineyard has officially announced the 2023 dates for its annual Gay Wine Weekend in Sonoma County, California. From July 14 through 16, there will be a weekend full of LGBTQ+ events, including: world class wine and food, wine tastings and auctions, a drag queen brunch, and the signature Twilight T-Dance, which will be sponsored by La Crema Estate & Winery and feature a selection of their wines at the stunning Richard’s Grove. Out in the Vineyard is a renowned supporter of LGBTQ+ causes and organizations. In 2023, the weekend-long event will benefit Sonoma County’s Face to Face…
Olympic diving legend Greg Louganis is auctioning off memorabilia to raise funds for charities in the LGBTQ+ communities. Proceeds from the auction will be given to two non-profits: Children’s Rights and The Damien Center. “The funds we’ll raise from the auction are designed to help people in need and those who are fighting for justice,” said Louganis. Children’s Rights is a national organization which holds governments accountable for the safety of children and families through advocacy and legal action, and The Damien Center serves as Indiana’s largest and oldest AIDs service organization. Louganis holds both organizations close to his heart and…
A record number of LGBTQ politicians have won their races in the November midterm elections, making U.S. history. This year 678 LGBTQ candidates appeared on ballots in every state. Those backed by the Victory Fund and Human Rights Campaign are celebrating their wins as they “shatter lavender ceilings.” Think you missed a few of the wins? Here’s a list of the major LGBTQ+ victories thus far. House of Representatives: -Becca Balint (VT-1) will serve as Vermont’s first female and lesbian elected to Congress. -Robert Garcia (CA-42) will serve as California’s first openly gay immigrant elected to Congress. -Eric Sorensen (IL-17)…
Maura Healey of Massachusetts and Tina Kotek of Oregon made history this week as the first two out lesbians elected governors in U.S. history. Since January 2015, Maura Healey has served as the Attorney General of Massachusetts, leading the People’s Law Firm in the fight for fairness and equality. Kotek, a member of the LGBTQ Victory Fund was also the first out lesbian Speaker of any state House in the country in 2013, and just one of the many members of the fund who are making history in their local, state and national races. Kotek is part of what the fund…
Twitter has lost more than a million users following Elon Musk’s buyout of the popular social media platform as the CEO goes on a political tweeting frenzy. Musk, who recently bought the app for $44 billion, has been in hot water with users and advertisers since taking over the company. In addition to his mass layoffs, Musk has backed Republican candidates and poked fun at various public figures. According to the New York Times “his recent tweets have covered an increasingly broad range of topics. Over the last four days, Mr. Musk, 51, needled the comedian Kathy Griffin and beefed…