Archbishop Carl Bean—an openly gay former Motown singer, longtime AIDS activist and leader in the LGBTQ church movement—died at age 77, The New York Daily News reported. In a statement entitled "The Giant Sleeps," the Unity Fellowship Church Movement announced that the "liberation theologian" and president prelate of the denomination "made transition into eternal life … after a lengthy illness." He founded the Minority AIDS Project in 1985, a nonprofit created to address the needs of Black and Latinx people living with HIV/AIDS in Central and South Central Los Angeles. Among other accomplishments, he recorded the disco hit "I Was Born This Way" in 1977. His autobiography had the same title.
Equality Forum released its list of 31 LGBTQ icons who will be celebrated during LGBT History Month in October. According to a press statement, 2021 is the 16th anniversary of LGBT History Month. By Oct. 31, there will be almost 500 cons with resources (short video, biography, bibliography with links and downloadable images) for each Icon archived at Icon Search and sliced and diced into over 150 tags/descriptors— making LGBT History Month the largest online LGBT resource of its type worldwide. A few of this year's icons include singer/actor Janelle Monae, entertainer Liberace, rock star Janis Joplin, Deputy White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, CNN Executive Producer Javier Morgado, disability-rights activist Stacey Milbern and U.S. Congressman Mark Takano. See www.LGBTHistoryMonth.com .
The Modern Military Association of America (MMAA) will hold events Sept. 20 in Washington, D.C., that will mark the 10-year repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," per a press release. Said events include a wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; a gravesite memorial service honoring TSgt Leonard Matlovich; a moment of silence to honor past and present LGBTQ+ military servicemembers; the retirement ceremony of MMAA member Dwayne Beebe; a social hour; and a virtual celebration.
San Francisco Dykes on Bikes Women's Motorcycle Contingent President Kate Brown and several members of the organization revved up to The Academy in the Castro in San Francisco recently to celebrate Dykes on Bikes' 45th anniversary, SFBayTimes.com noted. The event—a sell-out hosted by Donna Sachet, with music by DJ Rockaway—was co-produced by the San Francisco Bay Times and The Academy. Supervisor Rafael Mandelman honored Dykes on Bikes with a proclamation, and introduced San Francisco Fire Department Chief Jeanine Nicholson, who, in turn, introduced Brown.
President Joe Biden is nominating a Vermont judge who played a critical role in paving the way for the legalization of same-sex marriage to become the first openly LGBT woman to serve on any federal circuit court, ABC News reported. Biden has nominated Beth Robinson, an associate justice on the Vermont Supreme Court since 2011, to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit. The court's territory includes Connecticut, New York and Vermont.
A federal court ruled that a transgender professor who was denied a promotion more than a decade ago must be reinstated with tenure at Southeastern Oklahoma State University because the school discriminated against her, NBC News reported. Rachel Tudor, who was fired from the university in 2011, won a discrimination case in 2017 in which a jury awarded her more than $1 million in damages. Although she was granted tenure during the 2009-10 academic year by a faculty committee of five in a four-to-one vote, the university's administration denied her promotion to associate professor.
Health-insurance company Aetna has been sued for allegedly discriminating against LGBTQ people in a case in which a claimant says they were required to pay more out of pocket for fertility treatment coverage than straight couples, The Hill reported. Plaintiff Emma Goidel filed a class-action lawsuit in Manhattan, claiming she and her spouse had to pay $45,000 for fertility treatments because Aetna requires same-sex couples to pay for treatment out of pocket before they are eligible for coverage. Straight couples who are trying to conceive through intercourse reportedly can receive coverage from Aetna by saying that they have tried for six or 12 months, while couples of other sexual orientations or genders who cannot conceive through intercourse must initially pay out of pocket for six or 12 months of intrauterine insemination.
Some LGBTQ renters report not being caught up on rent and fear losing their homes in the next few months, according to a new report published just after the Supreme Court struck down an extended eviction moratorium, according to NBC News. Nearly one-fifth (19 percent) of LGBTQ renters report not being caught up on rent, compared to 14 percent of non-LGBTQ renters, according to the report by the Williams Institute, a think tank at the UCLA School of Law.
Gavin Newsom easily won the recent California recall election—and an NBC News exit poll showed that 83% of LGBTQ individuals voted to keep him. Newsom has long been seen as an LGBTQ ally. In February 2004, Newsom, then the mayor of San Francisco, defied federal law—and the Democratic party platform at the time — when he and other city officials issued a marriage license to lesbian activists Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin. Over the next month, the city wed 4,000 LGBTQ couples, The Los Angeles Times reported.
America250— the nationwide commemoration of America's 250th anniversary in 2026 led by the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission—will host its next Community Conversation on Thursday, Sept. 23, at 3 p.m. CT, a press release noted. Members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies are invited to share their hopes for the America250 celebration. America250's ongoing series of Community Conversations aims to engage with communities across the United States and around the world leading up to 2026. To register for the LGBTQ+ Community Conversation, visit https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DnLc_W_UQB-StvD-7lQriw.
Authorities are looking for any possible connection between missing Florida woman Gabrielle "Gabby" Petito and the still-unsolved slaying of a lesbian couple who were fatally shot at a campsite near the tourist town of Moab, Utah, according to CBS News. Six days after an incident between Petito and fiance Brian Laundrie, the bodies of two newlyweds—Kylen Schulte and Crystal Turner—were found at a campsite near Moab. Schulte and Turner had told friends they feared a "creepy man" they had seen nearby might harm them. Petito was reported missing by her family and is now the subject of a nationwide search joined by the FBI. Police in North Port, where Petito and her Laundrie lived, say he is a "person of interest"—but he has also apparently disappeared.
At the end of last month, San Francisco Mayor London Breed (D) issued an official proclamation celebrating Transgender History Month—making the city the first U.S. locale to do so, LGBTQ Nation reported. San Francisco is home to many historical events that changed the world for LGBTQ people, such as the Compton Cafeteria Riots that became the first officially recognized trans-rights demonstration in the country with the designation; the riots took place in August 1966.
Also regarding Breed, reports have emerged that she was spotted dancing and singing along to live music without a mask at an indoor nightclub—despite a strict order by her public health department that requires wearing masks at indoor establishments unless someone is actively eating or drinking, Yahoo! News noted. The San Francisco Chronicle reported the mayor was at the Black Cat nightclub for an impromptu late-night performance by two of the original three members of popular R&B act Tony! Toni! Tone! Breed told the Chronicle that she tests often for COVID-19, and she was reassured that the subterranean club was safe because people at the Black Cat need to show proof of vaccination to be allowed inside.
In New Jersey, an 18-year-old was indicted on charges that he beat up a mentally disabled man, robbing him and leaving him for dead—because he perceived the victim was gay, LGBTQ Nation reported. The 37-year-old victim was found unconscious with broken bones and several missing teeth. Jose Tobias Carranza Serrano faces 40 to 50 years in prison if convicted on charges of attempted homicide, bias intimidation, robbery and aggravated assault.
Parkland survivor and LGBTQ+ activist Cameron Kasky came out as part of the LGBTQ+ community, according to out.com . After candidly admitting he doesn't know "what 'type' of queer" he is, Kasky went on to say that he is "finally okay" with his sexuality despite previously harboring a desire to be straight. Kasky went on to credit queer activists—specifically queer activists of color, who had given their lives to the cause and said it was important to him that he follow their lead due to his white privilege.
In Pennsylvania, a new fund created by Caron Treatment Centers and the Release Recovery Foundation aims to create a treatment scholarship for the LGBTQ+ community, according to Yahoo! News. Officials from the Release Recovery Foundation said the addiction treatment center will continue to increase the fund through contributions from individuals and additional organizations. Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health suggests that substance abuse patterns reported by LGBT adults are higher compared to those reported by their heterosexual counterparts.
In New Jersey, Out Montclair—a nonprofit, volunteer-run organization established in 2021 to provide community, support and solidarity for LGBTQ+ people—announced a date (June 11, 2022) and preliminary details for the first-ever Montclair Pride, per a press release. Out Montclair will also host local talent, special guests and celebrities as Montclair Pride is showcased across the town's institutions and businesses. Additional events are being planned leading up to Montclair Pride, including Out Montclair's partnership with Montclair Film and the Montclair Film Festival in October 2021.
The Human Rights Campaign PAC (HRC PAC) announced its endorsement of three statewide candidates in Virginia: Terry McAuliffe for governor, Hala Ayala for lieutenant governor and Attorney General Mark Herring for re-election, per a press release. McAuliffe, a Democrat, is a lifelong entrepreneur who served as the 72nd governor of Virginia during 2014-18. The current governor, Democrat Ralph Northam, has to abide by term limits and is ineligible to run for re-election.
In Michigan, Lansing's only LGBTQ dance bar is getting ready to reopen under new ownership, according to WIIX.com . Spiral closed in March 2020 during the first wave of COVID restrictions, and it never reopened. The new owner is reportedly planning some changes, including a new name, concept and remodeling; the goal is for the bar to reopen in mid-October.
Nine months after San Francisco officials cleared the way for gay bathhouses to resume operations in the city, proprietors reportedly want to open such a business near the leather-themed Eagle Plaza parklet in the South of Market neighborhood—but their doing so requires city leaders changing the zoning in the area, according to The Bay Area Reporter. Gay District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman disclosed the issues the bathhouse proprietors face during the Castro Merchants Association meeting Sept. 2. He announced his intention of increasing the number of places in San Francisco where bathhouses, as well as bars, would be permitted. Mandelman aide Jacob Bintliff told the publication that when the prospective owners went to the planning department, it was ruled that a bathhouse falls under the category of adult business; such businesses are not allowed in most of the city.
The Office of LGBTQIA Education and Engagement at Texas Tech University announced it will award a $500 scholarship for LGBT leadership and service, according to Yahoo! News. Minimum qualifications for applicants to apply for the award include being a full-time student at the university, having a cumulative 2.50 GPA, answering a few questions in writing, and providing a resume and two references, the office stated.
The central Pennsylvania LGBT Center hosted its FAB 2021 awards program to highlight the center's work fostering connections across communities and to honor individuals for their community building work, PennLive.com noted. The keynote speaker, and recipient of the Movement Leadership Award, was author, historian and activist Blair Imani. A limited number of people gathered in person, observing various COVID-198 mitigation measures, and the program was livestreamed.
Former U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock (R-Illinois) and ex-U.S. ambassador Richard Grenell were the guests of honor at "OutSpoken Pride"—a controversial Pride event in Nashville for gay Trump supporters, Queerty noted. The event was hosted by the Log Cabin Republicans and featured panels, parties and a Sunday brunch. Schock came out as gay in 2020 following a derailed political career in which he voted in favor of the Defense of Marriage Act and against lifting the ban on LGB people in the military. Other attendees included transphobic YouTuber Arielle Scarcella as well as West Virginia Delegate Josh Higganbotham, New Hampshire state Rep. Joe Alexander and Tennessee state Rep. Eddie Mannis.
An L.A. jury found Robert Durst—the infamous millionaire real-estate heir on trial for the 2000 murder of close friend Susan Berman—guilty of first-degree murder, Deadline noted. Durst, whose appearance in HBO's six-part documentary series The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst reignited interest in the case, was not in the courtroom when the verdict in Los Angeles Superior Court was read, having been in quarantine for potential exposure to COVID-19. Durst, 78, could face up to 25 years in prison once he is sentenced; L.A. Superior Court Judge Mark Windham will sentence Durst on Oct. 18.
