Tag Archives: LGBT History

ORLANDO: City To Buy Pulse For Permanent Memorial

The Orlando Sentinel reports: The city of Orlando has reached a deal to buy the Pulse nightclub for $2.25 million and plans to eventually transform the site of the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history into a memorial. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer told the Orlando Sentinel on Monday that the city won’t rush to change the club, once a mainstay …

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SCOTLAND: Government Moves For “Automatic Pardon” For Gay Men Convicted Under Old Sodomy Laws

The BBC reports: The Scottish government is to move to pardon men who were convicted of same-sex offences before laws against homosexuality were scrapped. The UK government has announced plans for posthumous pardons for men who were convicted under laws now abolished. There was controversy after an SNP members’ bill on the topic was “talked out” at Westminster, with Theresa …

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BRITAIN: MPs Shout “SHAME!” As Tory Justice Minister Kills Bill To Pardon Gay Men Convicted Of Sodomy

The Sun reports: There was widespread anger in the House of Commons as the Government talked out the Turing bill, which would automatically pardon gay men convicted of now abolished sexual offences. MPs shouted ‘shame’ and ‘shameful’ as Justice Minister Sam Gyimah killed off SNP MP John Nicolson’s private members bill. The Government has announced plans for thousands of gay …

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ALAN TURING LAW: Britain To Formally Pardon 65,000 Gay Men Convicted Under Sodomy Laws [VIDEO]

Last month the office of British Prime Minister Teresa May signaled that this would happen but gave no timeline. Today we get confirmation. The Guardian reports: Gay and bisexual men convicted of now-abolished sexual offences in England and Wales are to receive posthumous pardons, the government has announced. Thousands of living men convicted over consensual same-sex relationships will also be …

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Matthew Shepard’s Mother Denounces Trump’s Violent Rhetoric In New Ad Backing Hillary Clinton [VIDEO]

The Huffington Post recaps: The mother of Matthew Shepard ― a gay student who was brutally attacked and left to die in a 1998 hate crime in Laramie, Wyoming ― is warning voters about Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s bullying. In an ad released by the pro-Hillary Clinton super PAC Priorities USA, Judy Shepard speaks about Trump’s violent rhetoric on …

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MASSACHUSETTS: Gov. Baker And Boston Mayor Marty Walsh Celebrate Life Of Hat Sister John Michael Gray

Longtime JMG participant Boston Guy reports: On Sunday, October 16th the Arlington Street Church in Back Bay was filled to capacity as family, friends and members of the Boston LGBTQ community came together for a service in celebration of the life of John Michael Gray (one half of the Hat Sisters). Mayor Marty Walsh addressed those gathered and a surprisingly …

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Democrats Applaud National Coming Out Day

Via press release: Today, on National Coming Out Day, we celebrate one of the most powerful forces in the fight for LGBT equality. When someone decides to come out as member of the LGBT community, it gives their friends, family, loved ones and neighbors a personal reason to support LGBT rights, and it inspires more members and allies of the …

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TODAY: National Coming Out Day

The Human Rights Campaign notes that this year it coincides with Yom Kippur: We live in a beautiful, ever changing world where almost every day is sacred for someone, somewhere. This is no less true for many LGBTQ Jews and Muslims who will be celebrating National Coming Out Day and observing Yom Kippur and the Islamic holiday of Ashura all …

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Democrats Celebrate LGBT History Month

Just in from the Democratic National Committee: “As LGBT History Month begins, we have so much progress to celebrate. From the Stonewall uprising to the many victories during the Obama presidency–including ending Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and the Supreme Court wins that enacted marriage equality–our nation has made enormous strides. That progress would not be possible without the historic pioneers …

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DOMA Champion Edie Windsor Remarries At 87

NBC News reports: Edie Windsor, the 87-year-old LGBTQ activist whose lawsuit against the federal government helped paved the way for same-sex marriage nationwide, has gotten remarried. Windsor and Judith Kasen, 51, tied the knot on Monday at City Hall in New York, the New York Times reported on Saturday. “I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this joy and …

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BOSTON: Hat Sister John Michael Gray Dies

Provincetown legend John Michael Gray, one-half of the eternally famed Hat Sisters, has died of cancer. I first learned of the Hat Sisters back in the 80s from their regular appearances in the comic strip The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life Of Ethan Green and was completely starstruck when I finally met them in person at Provincetown’s Boatslip in 1994. Since …

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BRITAIN: PM’s Office Commits To “Alan Turing Act” To Pardon Gay Men Convicted Under Old Indecency Laws

The Independent reports: Theresa May’s government is committed to introducing an ‘Alan Turing law’ and will, in due course, pardon thousands of gay men convicted under historic gross indecency crimes. Mr Turing, the Enigma code breaker responsible for decrypting Nazi messages, was granted a posthumous royal pardon in 2013 – 61 years after he was charged at the Manchester police …

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Dems Celebrate 5th Anniversary Of DADT Repeal

Via press release from the Democratic National Committee: “In the five years since Congress repealed the discriminatory Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy, we’ve made great strides in expanding and protecting the rights of the LGBT community in the United States, but we still have further to go. More than 13,000 service members were discharged under DADT, denying those men and …

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TEASER: Tom Of Finland [VIDEO]

Dark Horizons recaps: Protagonist and Helsinki Filmi have unveiled the first teaser trailer for Dome Karukoski’s anticipated biopic “Tom of Finland” about groundbreaking Finnish artist Touko Laaksonen who adopted the moniker ‘Tom of Finland’. The project is still being edited ahead of its release in February next year. A pioneering figure in late 20th century gay culture, Laaksonen (Pekka Strang) …

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Lesbian Miss America Candidate Fails To Advance

Via the Hollywood Reporter: Miss Missouri Erin O’Flaherty was not among the top 15 picked to advance in the pageant during its nationally televised finale Sunday night. The first openly gay contestant in the Miss America pageant was eliminated Sunday night when the top 15 finalists were chosen. Miss Missouri Erin O’Flaherty was not among the top 15 picked to …

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Houston’s Oldest Gay Bar Closes After 36 Years

Houston resident and JMG reader Dwayne points us to this Facebook post: Effective immediately, Montrose Mining Company, located at 805 Pacific Street, is closed. We sincerely appreciate Houston’s support of The Montrose Mining Company for the past 36 years. The Montrose Mining Company was the first Houston Levi/Leather gay (GLBTQ) cruise bar on Pacific Street with an amazing sound system, …

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This Weekend Might See Our First Gay Miss America

Via the Associated Press: After competing in pageants for generations in the closet or working behind the scenes, gays and lesbians finally get to see one of their own take one of pageantry’s biggest stages. Miss Missouri, Erin O’ Flaherty, will compete for the Miss America crown this weekend as the first openly lesbian contestant. “Behind the scenes, we’ve been …

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On Why Gay Men Love Musicals [VIDEOS]

Here’s an entertaining pair of videos in which the narrator explores the famed passion that many gay men have for musical theater. Watch below as he examines the careers of Cole Porter, Noel Coward, Lorenz Hart, and other famed gay composers. More from the San Diego Gay & Lesbian News: Mr. Musical Theatre Mash, or as he likes to be …

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Naming Ceremony Held For USNS Harvey Milk

The USNS Harvey Milk hasn’t been built yet, but today the Navy held a naming ceremony for the ship on Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay. This, despite an outraged campaign of complaints to Congress led by the American Family Association. Attending this afternoon were San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, and Stuart …

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Ricky Loved Madonna

Gentle readers, today is Madonna’s 58th birthday. Below is a short story that first appeared on JMG on this day in 2006, a date which, as you’ll see, plays a role in the story. Ricky Loved Madonna Twenty years ago today, August 16th 1986, I was a few months into a new job with AMC Theatres, a position that I …

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