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Ricky Martin at center of $3M lawsuit
Superstar singer/actor Ricky Martin has been sued by his former talent manager, Rebecca Drucker, Deadline reported. Drucker was Martin's manager during 2014-18 and 2020-22. The complaint, filed June 29 in Los Angeles Superior Court, seeks in ...
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R. Kelly sentenced to 30 years
On June 29, Chicago-born R&B superstar R. Kelly was sentenced to 30 years in prison in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn, The Chicago Tribune reported. The sentence marked a fall from grace after decades of sexual-misconduct ...
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GLAAD responds to HHS announcement to combat monkeypox virus outbreak
-- From a press release
(June 29, 2022) - GLAAD responded to the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) just-announced strategy to mitigate the spread of monkeypox virus (MPV), which includes prioritizing vaccinations for ...
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Survey: Americans hold complex views on gender identity and trans+ Issues
-- From a press release
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 28, 2022) — As the United States addresses issues of transgender rights and the broader landscape around gender identity continues to shift, the American public holds a complex set of views around these ...
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Jeffrey Epstein cohort Ghislaine Maxwell sentenced to 20 years
On June 28, Ghislaine Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for carrying out a years-long scheme with her longtime confidante (and former boyfriend) Jeffrey Epstein to groom and sexually abuse underage girls, media ...
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Equal Employment Opportunity Commission adds X gender marker to charge intake process
-- From a press release
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced today full implementation of the opportunity to select a nonbinary "X" gender marker during the intake process for filing a charge of discrimination. "By adding a ...
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Indiana Univ. establishes Kinsey-Kelley Center for Gender Equity in Business
A new research center at Indiana University (IU) Bloomington will address issues of gender inequity, sexual misconduct and sexual harassment in the workplace, through an innovative partnership between the Kinsey Institute and the Kelley School of ...
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Task Force issues reaction to religious-freedom SCOTUS rulings
-- From a National LGBTQ Task Force press release
Statement from the National LGBTQ Task Force Policy Director Liz Seaton on the recent religious-freedom SCOTUS rulings: Upending decades of precedent that protected the religious freedom of students across the country and strongly supported our Democracy ...
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Billy Masters
"I'm not gay. I'm not straight. I don't know what I am. I love people. … I refuse to be anything, really, except for open to it all."—Kesha (without the dollar sign) makes this revelation in ...
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NATIONAL Biden's proposal, VP Harris, Elizabeth Taylor, outbreak, candidates
Lambda Legal issued a press release lauding the Biden administration for issuing proposed regulations that will help protect LGBTQI+ youth against unlawful discrimination. The proposed rules, issued by the U.S. ...
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SHOWBIZ Elliot Page, NPH, Madonna, Chita Rivera, Jennifer Lopez
Elliot Page talked with talk-show host Seth Meyers about how her Netflix show The Umbrella Academy incorporated the actor's own personal transition into season three of the series, Deadline noted. "With Steve Blackman, the showrunner of ...
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Pride Live hosts NYC center groundbreaking, 'Stonewall Day'
On June 24, Pride Live held an official groundbreaking ceremony for the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center (SNMVC), which is the first LGBTQ+ visitor center within the National Park System. Slated to open on June 28, ...
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'General Hospital,' Kelly Clarkson among Daytime Emmy winners
ABC's General Hospital—already the winningest sudser in daytime history—was named Outstanding Daytime Drama on June 24 while The Kelly Clarkson Show took home the prize for Outstanding Talk Show at the 49th annual Daytime Emmy Awards. ...
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Mass shooting takes place at Norwegian gay club
Oslo's annual Pride parade was canceled June 25 following a deadly shooting at a gay bar that Norwegian police are investigating as a possible terrorist attack, CNN reported. Two people were killed and eight others taken ...
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Supreme Court justice says marriage-equality ruling should be reconsidered
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas argued in a concurring opinion regarding the revocation of the constitutional right to abortion that the U.S. Supreme Court "should reconsider" its past rulings codifying rights to contraception access, same-sex ...
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CDC reminds people that National HIV Testing Day is June 27
-- From a press release
June 27 is National HIV Testing Day (NHTD), a day to emphasize the importance of HIV testing and make sure everyone knows their status so they can take steps to improve their health, regardless of the ...
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Abortion decision called 'full scale assault' on rights
In a ruling that one legal activist said will put LGBT rights "on the chopping block," the U.S. Supreme Court today (June 24) ruled 6 to 3 that the U.S. Constitution "does not prohibit" states from ...
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Actor Ezra Miller supposedly housing people at firearm-filled farm
Non-binary actor Ezra Miller is allegedly housing a young mother and her three small children at a Vermont farm, which is allegedly littered with firearms, ammunition and marijuana, according to a Page Six item that cited ...
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BREAKING U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade
On June 24, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, ruling there is no longer a federal constitutional right to an abortion. The decision means that states will determine abortion rights, which may prompt many women to go ...
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North Carolina to issue accurate birth certificates for transgender people without requiring surgery
-- From a press release
(Greensboro, NC — June 23, 2022) — Transgender people born in North Carolina will now be able to correct the gender marker on their birth certificates without the need for surgery under a consent judgment issued ...
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Illinois' Kwame Raoul joins VP Harris, other attorneys general to discuss reproductive rights
-- From a press release
Washington — Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined Vice President Kamala Harris as well as Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul and California Chief Deputy Attorney General Venus Johnson for a roundtable discussion ...
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'Hacks,' 'Euphoria' lead LGBTQ+ critics' Dorian TV nominations
-- From a press release
JUNE 22, 2022 - The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics—now composed of 385 professional critics and journalists covering film and television—announced its 14th Dorian TV Awards nominations for the best in all of TV, mainstream to ...
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HIV testing dropped sharply among key groups during first year of COVID-19 pandemic
-- From a press release
New CDC data published ahead of National HIV Testing Day (Monday, June 27) show a sharp decrease in the number of CDC-funded HIV tests administered in health care and non-health-care settings (43% and 50%, respectively) from ...
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Supreme Court strikes down N.Y. gun law; LGBTQ+ groups react
On June 23, the U.S. Supreme Court eased restrictions on carrying firearms in public, continuing a trend by the court in recent years of weakening gun restrictions, according to Yahoo! News. The court's conservative majority ruled ...
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Lynda Carter releases new single, 'Human and Divine'
Many people are familiar with actress Gal Gadot as superhero Wonder Woman. However, decades before, Lynda Carter wore the bracelets and wielded the golden lasso as the Amazon princess who set many hearts (of men and ...
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Human Rights Campaign celebrates 50-year Anniversary of Title IX
-- From a press release
WASHINGTON — The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) issued a press release recognizing the 50-year anniversary of Title IX. HRC Interim President Joni Madison said in a statement: "Title IX has had a transformative impact on our ...
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Photos of Chicago's Daniel Sotomayor included in new Smithsonian exhibit
The Smithsonian's first gallery dedicated to Latino history and culture has opened its doors to the public at the National Museum of American History, NBC News noted. Billed as a precursor to a national Latino museum ...
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HRC report: Wage for LGBTQ+ women is 79 cents to the average man's dollar
-- From a press release
WASHINGTON - Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the educational arm of the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, released new data outlining ...
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TELEVISION John Early and Kate Berlant discuss 'Would It Kill You to Laugh?'
Peacock is releasing a new sketch comedy show called Would It Kill You to Laugh? Starring Kate Berlant and John Early, the show debuts Friday, June 24. This one-hour special features a comedy duo who have ...
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Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center to open, reuniting historic Stonewall Inn
-- From a press release
New York, NY, June 21, 2022 — Pride Live, a social advocacy and community engagement organization for the LGBTQ+ community, today announced plans to open the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center (SNMVC). Set to be the ...
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Billy Masters
"u don't know my alphabet."—Sexy Lukas Gage (from The White Lotus; Love, Victor; and the rebooted Queer as Folk) tweets his response to criticism that Hollywood shouldn't hire him to play LGBTQIA+ roles. When asked to ...
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Clela Rorex, first County Clerk to issue same-sex marriage licences, has died
-- From a press release
BOULDER, CO - Out Boulder County and the family of Clela Rorex are saddened to announce the death of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer pioneering ally, Clela Rorex. On March 27,1975 Clela issued the first ...
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Pride Flag arsons raise alarm, church leaders say
-- From a Metropolitan Community Church press release
The intentional burning of two LGBT Pride flags in Baltimore earlier this week resulted in three people being seriously injured and significant damage to multiple homes, and leaders of the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) are expressing ...
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Governing body restricts trans swimmers; HRC responds
On June 19, swimming's world governing body, FINA, voted to restrict the participation of transgender athletes in women's events and will look into creating an "open competition" category, Yahoo! News reported. FINA members voted 71.5% in ...
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TELEVISION 'Rutherford Falls' returns for season two with double the diversity
Peacock's hit comedy Rutherford Falls is back with season two. (It started June 16.) The story follows two lifelong friends—Nathan Rutherford (Ed Helms) and Reagan Wells (Jana Schmieding)—as they navigate ...
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NATIONAL Sec. of state; Palm Center; judicial nominees; Detroit bar
Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a roundtable with six LGBTQI reporters at the State Department, according to The Washington Blade. It was the first time a secretary of state sat down with a group of ...
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SHOWBIZ 'Lightyear,' celebrity event, LGBT runner, Mariah Carey
Video below
Pixar's latest film Lightyear is hitting theaters, and it has a special moment for gay fans—a same-sex kiss between the character Hawthorne (voiced by Uzo Aduba) and her female partner—that almost didn't happen, Out Magazine note ...
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WNBA player and lesbian icon Sue Bird to retire
WNBA legend Sue Bird, who's with the Seattle Storm, will retire after this season, NPR noted. "I've decided this will be my final year," Bird said in a post on her Instagram and Twitter accounts. "I ...
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Biden's historic executive order strengthens protections for the 2M LGBT youth in U.S.
-- From a press release
Today, President Biden signed an executive order that includes actions to protect LGBTQI+ youth from conversion therapy, expand LGBTQI+ access to comprehensive health care, support LGBTQI+ youth in schools, end ...
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100 HIV groups call on Congress to fund Biden's National PrEP Program
-- From a press release
(New York City, NY) Wednesday, June 15, 2022—PrEP4All, Inc., along with 100 HIV organizations, are leading the push for Congress to fund a National Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Program that would ...
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Biden signs executive order advancing equality for LGBTQI+ Americans
On June 15 (and during Pride Month), President Joe Biden signed an executive order advancing equality for LGBTQI+ U.S. residents. In part, Biden's order reads, "It is … the policy of my Administration to combat unlawful ...
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New report looks at LGBTQ+ restaurant workers and job risks they face
-- From a press release
Today, One Fair Wage, a national nonprofit representing tipped subminimum wage restaurant workers, released a new report on the harsh realities of being a LGBTQ+ restaurant worker. The report shows that the subminimum wage encourages rampant ...
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TELEVISION 'Queer as Folk' defines a new generation on Peacock
An all-new version of Queer as Folk is currently streaming on Peacock, with some big differences from the two past incarnations. This 2022 production is a reimagining of the two previous series—one with a British cast ...
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Lambda Legal names Jennifer Pizer as chief legal officer
Lambda Legal announced Jennifer C. Pizer, senior counsel and director of strategic initiatives, as acting chief legal officer upon the departure of Sharon McGowan, who officially leaves the position June 15, a press release noted. "Lambda ...
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AMA chooses first openly gay president-elect
Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, M.D., M.P.H, an anesthesiologist from Wisconsin, was voted president-elect of the American Medical Association (AMA) by physicians gathered at the Annual Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates. Following a year-long term as ...
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LGBTQ+ rights and immigration activist Edafe Okporo to be honored with American Heritage Award
-- From a press release
WASHINGTON, June 13, 2022—The American Immigration Council will honor global LGBTQ+ rights activist and founder of Refuge America, Edafe Okporo, with its American Heritage Award on Friday, June 17 at the Javits Center in New York. ...
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Spacey charged with sexual assault; UK hearing set for June 16
British authorities have charged actor Kevin Spacey with four counts of sexual assault and a further offense, Deadline reported. The actor has also been charged with causing a person to "engage in penetrative sexual activity without ...
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Queer-themed plays win Tonys; Hudson reaches EGOT status
On June 12, the 75th annual Tony Awards were held to honor the top performances from the theater industry. The event—hosted by LGBTQ+ Oscar winner/Tony nominee Ariana DeBose at New York City's Radio City Music Hall—followed ...
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34th annual Lambda Literary award winners announced
-- From a press release
New York, NY, June 11, 2022 — Lambda Literary, the nation's premier LGBTQ literary organization, announced the winners of the 34th Annual Lambda Literary Awards (a.k.a. the "Lammys") at a live virtual award ceremony hosted by ...
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Billy Masters
"I thought I was searching for a Disney Prince, but maybe what I really needed was a Disney Princess!"—Rebel Wilson discusses how she came to the realization that she might be gay. Sigh … they're always ...
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NATIONAL Marriage poll, Family Equality event, podcast, NYC Pride
GLAAD responded to a Gallup poll showing 71% of Americans support marriage equality—another record high for the poll conducted each year since the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing marriage for LGBTQ people nationwide. In a ...
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SHOWBIZ Jodie Comer, 'Queer As Folk,' trans film, Tom of Finland photos
Jodie Comer—the Emmy- and BAFTA-winning actress perhaps best known for playing LGBTQ+ assassin Villanelle on BBC America's Killing Eve—will make her Broadway debut next spring in Prima Facie, a new play by Suzie Miller, Deadline noted. ...
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Idaho police arrest dozens with white nationalist ties near Pride event
In Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, police officers arrested 31 people on June 11 who are believed to be affiliated with the white nationalist group Patriot Front after they were seen gathering near a Pride parade, CNN reported. ...
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States might make having kids at drag events a felony; LGBTQ+ groups respond
Video below
Florida state Rep. Anthony Sabatini wants to make it a felony for any parent to bring a child to a drag event, WFLA reported. MYSA also noted that Republican Texas state Rep. Bryan Slaton announced on ...
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Texas court issues emergency stop to Gov. Abbott's anti-trans youth directive
-- From a press release
AUSTIN, Texas — The Travis County District Court granted a temporary restraining order on Friday to block the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) from investigating PFLAG families ...
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300K youth in the U.S. identify as transgender
-- From a press release
New estimates show 300,000 youth ages 13-17 identify as transgender in the US About 1.3 million adults—0.5% of the adult US population—identify as transgender Approximately 1.6 million people ages 13 ...
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Rebel Wilson comes out as LGBTQ+ [UPDATE]
It's fitting that, during Pride Month, actress Rebel Wilson has seemingly come out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. On June 9, Wilson shared an Instagram post beside her new love, with the caption: "I ...
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Columbus, Ohio: A tantalizing mix of the old and the new
I have had the good fortune to visit Columbus, Ohio, several times—and there's a lot more to the 14th-most populous city in the country than The Ohio State University (and, yes, be sure to include "the"). ...
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New military policy keeps HIV-positive service members deployable
A new Defense Department policy allows HIV-positive service members with an undetectable viral load to not only stay in uniform but remain deployable, Military Times reported. ...
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MUSIC Lil Nas X slams BET for lack of nominations; network responds
After receiving no nominations for the upcoming 2022 BET Awards, queer rapper Lil Was X teased a new song on June 8 featuring a pointed diss toward the network—although he claims the issue is "bigger" than ...
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PFLAG National, ACLU, Lambda Legal file pro-trans youth lawsuit against Texas governor
The American Civil Liberties Union, Lambda Legal and the ACLU of Texas, along with Texas-based law firm Baker Botts LLP, filed a new lawsuit in Texas state court on behalf of PFLAG National and three Texas families on June 8, per a press release. ...
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TRAVEL Chicago theater blooms outside and out of town
Chicago Shakespeare Theater is keeping its show docked at its Navy Pier facility and Oak Brook's First Folio Theatre is taking the summer off before re-commencing in the fall, but playgoers eager to swap the urban ...
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Drama Desk Awards to be presented June 14 in NYC
-- From a press release
Winners for the 66th Annual Drama Desk Awards were announced today. This year's Drama Desk Awards will take place at Sardi's Restaurant (234 W 44th Street) on Tuesday, June 14, 3-6 p.m. The full list of ...
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Reality-TV couple convicted of committing fraud
A jury found reality-TV couple Todd and Julie Chrisley guilty of fraud, including charges related to a tax evasion scheme that went on for years, according to NBC News. The couple, known for their USA Network ...
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MUSIC Grag doll: Brazilian drag queen makes waves in the U.S.
Chicago Pride Fest 2022 promises to be hotter and more exciting than ever. This popular festival features a wide variety of musical acts on three stages and is surrounded by numerous vendor booths up and down ...
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Critically acclaimed Queer Serial History Podcast continues new series into Pride Month
-- From a press release
In Queer Serial's radio drama style, NLGJA award-winning producer Devlyn Camp is bringing gay history to life with news & gay radio shows from the archives, unheard interviews between historian Will Roscoe & Supervisor Harry Britt, ...
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American Art Awards issues national honors for 2022
The American Art Awards has selected the 20 Best American Galleries and Museums for 2022. Among other criteria, selections are based on years established, industry reputation, online interest, location, size ...
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2022 MTV Movie & TV Awards & Movie & TV Awards unveiled
-- From a press release
New York, New York: (June 5, 2022) - The 2022 MTV Movie & TV Awards, hosted by Vanessa Hudgens, honored the biggest and brightest stars in movies and television with an epic, one-night only global event ...
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Billy Masters
"My mother says that she will not sleep with anybody over the age of 25."—Rocco Ritchie talking about Madonna. This tidbit came courtesy of Dame Joan Collins—who prefaced the quote by saying "We were with her ...
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SHOWBIZ Variety list, Billy Porter, Jamie Lee Curtis, Janelle Monae
In honor of Pride Month, Variety published "55 Queer Artists and Decision-Makers to Know in 2022." A few of those on the list include Bridgerton actor Jonathan Bailey; actor Sara Ramirez (And Just Like That…; Grey's ...
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NATIONAL Mysterious death, Tennesee law, lesbians of color, Guam
Gay bilingual mental-health counselor Julio Ramirez died in April after he fell unconscious in a taxi following a night out at gay bars in Hell's Kitchen—and then his bank accounts were allegedly drained days later, leaving ...
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HRC, Showtime launch third year of QUEER TO STAY, an LGBTQ+ small business initiative
-- From a press release
WASHINGTON — Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, and SHOWTIME announced the third consecutive year of "QUEER ...
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MUSIC Transgender 'RuPaul Drag Race' alum Peppermint composes 'Letter' to past lovers
Miss Peppermint is a drag artist who made a name for herself while slaying on the ninth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. Eventually coming in second place, Peppermint made herstory by being the first out trans ...
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SF mayor makes about-face, will march in city's Pride Parade
San Francisco Mayor London Breed will march in this year's Pride Parade, SFPD Chief Bill Scott announced on Twitter, KRON4 reported. Breed stated last week that she would not take part in this year's parade unless ...
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Scores of LGBTQI+ groups call on policymakers to protect abortion rights
-- From a NCLR press release
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the National Center for Lesbian Rights released an open letter signed by 91 organizations representing the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) community voicing ...
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