Woman’s transphobic rant sparks violent protests outside Koreatown spa Demonstrations over transgender rights sparked clashes between protestors and counter-protestors in Koreatown at the beginning of the month after a video went viral of a woman upset that a trans woman disrobed in the women’s section of a popular spa, reported KTLA. The video that sparked…
“I’m sure you’ve all read about Carl Nassib, the Las Vegas Raider lineman who came out of the closet, becoming the first active NFL player to do so. Congratulations Carl. You go, man.” MAKING A PERFECT CHEESE SOUFFLÉ It’s Supreme Court Time, the end of the session when the Court is obliged to churn out…
President Biden has issued a proclamation affirming June 2021 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month, marking a time a time of hope, progress, and promise for LGBTQ+ Americans across the country The uprising at the Stonewall Inn in June, 1969, sparked a liberation movement—a call to action that continues to inspire us to live up to our…
The State Department has put an end to those unfair rules that meant Americans with kids born outside the country to their foreign-born legal spouses would not become automatic citizens. Now they will, just like the kids born to straight binational ex-pats. IS THAT A PISTOL IN YOUR POCKET? I’ve lost track of the legislative…
Conservatives in a tizzy over Biden’s new rainbow flag directive The Biden administration will allow US embassies around the world to fly the gay Pride flag on the same flagpole as the American flag, reversing a Trump-era policy. In 2019, then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blocked embassy requests to fly the symbol of support for…
“… There’s nothing like a Democratic governor to keep a state on an even keel. As a Texan, I’m jealous. And as a former Californian, I am mildly worried to see the Golden State once again devolve into recall mayhem.” CHEER’S MIDDLE FINGER I’m fascinated by the frustrated 14-year-old cheerleader, who got dropped from the…
Angered by Asian American attacks, Californians rally to demand change A grassroots anti-hate rally brought out a very large crowd in San Jose last month, reports CBS San Francisco. Rally participants said they were fed up and that they would no longer stay silent. Gay state assemblyman Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley) fired up the crowd by…
First Presidential Proclamation issued on Trans Day Of Visibility 2021 President Joe Biden issued the first presidential proclamation recognizing Transgender Day of Visibility last month. The day is dedicated to celebrating transgender people and bringing awareness to the discrimination and violence they face everyday. The full text of President Biden’s first “Presidential Proclamation on Transgender…
WEST HOLLYWOOD DEMONSTRATORS JOIN NATIONWIDE CALL TO STOP ASIAN HATE Demonstrators gathered on all four corners of the Santa Monica Boulevard and La Cienega Boulevard intersection in West Hollywood at the end of last month for a nationwide call to Stop Asian Hate. The protest was a condemnation of the recent rise in hate crimes…
TSUNAMI OF HATE Growing government discrimination against the LGBTQ community in Turkey Turkish media are reporting that police detained dozens of people who assembled outside a courthouse last month in a show of solidarity with 12 students who were taken into custody for unfurling rainbow flags, reports The Associated Press. The detentions came amid growing…
I’m not optimistic about Senate support for the Equality Act, even as the arc of history seems to be bending our way NO LONGER THE SOCIAL OUTCASTS A massive annual poll of 10,000 Americans run by the Public Religion Research Institute has just released its latest findings on attitudes towards GLBT rights, revealing a continual…
FREE GHANA The west African country condemned for its stance on gay rights. Various celebrities of Ghanaian heritage have joined together to condemn their former homeland for its stance on gay rights in what will be seen as an extraordinary show of diaspora power, reports The Guardian. The influential names in fashion, film and media,…
As Americans grow more comfortable with the gay, lesbian and bisexual cohorts within their midst, the Christian right has zeroed in with a vengeance on transgender and non-binary civil rights. JUST US CHICKENS Should transwomen and girls be allowed to compete against cisgender sportswomen? The answer is simpler than it might seem. Most athletic organizations…
Maybe it’s just for now, but I am relishing press conferences and Covid briefings. I like seeing Joe give us an update on this or that policy. It’s fun to meet these competent new executives and hear their detailed agendas. INTO THE LIGHT For four years, it has been my unpleasant duty to announce tedious…
Pete Buttigieg makes history as first gay cabinet nominee Nearly a year ago in Des Moines, Pete Buttigieg hugged his husband onstage after his win in the Iowa caucuses made him the first openly LGBTQ candidate to earn delegates toward a major political party’s presidential nomination. Last month, reported USA Today, he made history again…
WEST HOLLYWOOD SEPI SHYNE FIRST LGBTQ IRANIAN WOMAN ELECTED TO OFFICE Sepi Shyne and John M. Erickson were sworn in to the city council of West Hollywood during a teleconference council meeting last month, in adherence to COVID-19 health and safety guidelines. Councilmember Sepi Shyne made history when she was elected to the West Hollywood…
Rainbow Railroad Support LGBTQI individuals living in fear and isolation due to government and police supported persecution and violence. Can you imagine living in fear of persecution, torture or murder? Can you imagine going to jail for who you are or who you love? That is a reality for so many LGBTQI individuals around the…
A staunch family values Hungarian member of the European Parliament was caught “fleeing along the gutter” to escape Brussels police during the raid of a gay orgy [which violated Belgium’s strict lockdown rules]. RAYS OF HOPE FROM SCOTUS? Last month, I spared you the recap of a lawsuit that pitted Indiana against two married women…
SAN DIEGO TODD GLORIA BECOMES FIRST OPENLY GAY MAYOR OF COLOR Todd Gloria is now the first openly LGBTQ+ person and first person of color elected mayor of San Diego. The new mayor is Native American, Filipino, Puerto Rican and Dutch. He vows to create opportunity for people of color like himself when he takes…
QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT PRESIDENT I just reread my last column, written in the wee hours of November 4, and relived the intoxicated stress of election night. All I can say is I’m glad that’s over. Yes, we now face nearly two more months of dodging bullets from Trump and the crazies he has…
