LGBT News

Germany Grants Visas To Chechen Gays

The Associated Press reports: Germany has begun granting gays from Chechnya special visas on humanitarian grounds following reports that gay people are being tortured and killed in the Russian republic. The Foreign Ministry told The Associated Press on Thursday the first man arrived in Germany on Tuesday and four other applications for humanitarian visas are being reviewed. Gay activists and …

Read More »

Scottish Episcopal Church Votes To Allow Same-Sex Couples To Marry In Church, First In UK [VIDEO]

The BBC reports: The Scottish Episcopal Church has voted to allow gay couples to marry in church. It makes it the first major Christian church in the UK to allow same-sex marriages. The vote to amend canon law on marriage, removing the stipulation that it is between a man and a woman, was carried by the Synod in Edinburgh. It …

Read More »

Charlotte Pride Bans Homocons From Parade [VIDEO]

They say they’re going to sue. Charlotte’s Fox affiliate reports: A group says Charlotte Pride is pushing them out of the Gay Pride Parade because they support President Trump. “I’m very proud of my country, proud of my president, and was once proud of my community,” said Brian Talbert, who said he’s proud to be gay and proud to be …

Read More »

Record Crowds Forecast For DC This Weekend

The Washington Blade reports: Organizers of D.C.’s annual Capital Pride parade and festival scheduled for June 10 and 11 and more than a dozen related events such as dance parties, art exhibits and D.C. Latino Pride events that began June 3 were expected to draw as many as 200,000 people or more from the Mid-Atlantic region. And with the national …

Read More »

Southwest Airlines Backs Transgender Equality [VIDEO]

That this clip comes today is likely not just an ordinary corporate LGBT Pride Month celebration as Southwest is headquartered in Texas, where yesterday Gov. Greg Abbott called a special legislative session, in part, to make another attempt to pass an anti-transgender bill. From the airline’s Facebook page: “Southwest Airlines University is a place where Employees come to learn and …

Read More »

Sec. Alex Acosta Recognizes Pride Month: The Labor Department Honors The Contributions Of All Americans

Via press release from Labor Secretary Alex Acosta: This June, we recognize Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) Pride Month at the Department of Labor. The department honors the impactful contributions of all Americans, no matter their ethnic background, gender, religious affiliation, or sexual orientation. Pride at DOL, the Department’s Affinity Group for LGBTQ Employees and Allies, helps educate …

Read More »

Sec. Rex Tillerson Recognizes Pride Month: The State Department Affirms Its Solidarity With LGBT Rights

Via press release from Secretary of State Rex Tillerson: In recognition of LGBTI Month, the Department of State affirms its solidarity with the human rights defenders and civil society organizations working around the world to uphold the fundamental freedoms of LGBTI persons to live with dignity and freedom. We also recognize that LGBTI persons continue to face the threat of …

Read More »

NYC Launches First-Ever LGBTQ Health Care Bill Of Rights, Program To Be Supported With Transit Ads

Via press release: To kick-off Pride Month, the de Blasio Administration today published and distributed New York City’s first-ever LGBTQ Health Care Bill of Rights, which details health care protections on local, state and federal levels to empower LGBTQ New Yorkers to get the health care they deserve. It also reiterates that medical providers and their support staff are legally …

Read More »

Federal Court Rules It Has No Jurisdiction Over “Crimes Against Humanity” Suit Against Pastor Scott Lively

Anti-LGBT activist Scott Lively today won dismissal in the “crimes against humanity” lawsuit brought against him in Massachusetts by a group of Ugandan human rights activists. Lively was accused of collaborating with Ugandan officials to institute the death penalty for homosexuality. Following international outrage, the punishment was amended to only life in prison. The Ugandan Constitutional Court later invalidated the …

Read More »

Guerilla Pride Posters Appear On NYC Subway

Gothamist reports: Thomas Shim said he and his collaborators were inspired to pepper the subway with guerrilla Pride Month posters when President Donald Trump declined to formally acknowledge the month’s significance on June 1st. “It hit us hard the day of pride month, and President Trump not acknowledging it,” Shim told Gothamist on Monday. “Pride month is not something that …

Read More »

POLAND: Thousands March In Warsaw Pride [VIDEO]

Deutsche Welle reports: The 17th annual ‘Equality Parade’ took place as Poland’s conservative government continues to oppose civil unions for same-sex couples. Organizers put the number at 50,000, while the police said 13,000 attended the parade, with 40 foreign embassies, including those of France and the US, expressing their support. The parade was intended to “draw attention to the rights …

Read More »

MICHIGAN: State Appeals Court Rules Against Woman Who Sued Over Transgender Woman In Locker Room

The Associated Press reports: The Michigan appeals court has ruled in favor of a Midland health club in a lawsuit filed by a woman who said her rights were violated when she encountered a transgender person in the locker room. The court found no evidence of sexual harassment, noting that Yvette Cormier and a transgender woman were both wearing clothes …

Read More »

State Department OK’s Pride Month At US Embassies: LGBTI Rights Is A Core Component Of US Foreign Policy

Paging Tony Perkins. Via the Washington Blade: A State Department spokesperson on Friday said embassies and consulates have received guidance that allows them to recognize Pride month. “Advancing the human rights of vulnerable groups including LGBTI persons is a core component of U.S. foreign policy,” the spokesperson told the Washington Blade. “All people should be protected from discrimination and violence, …

Read More »

MALAYSIA: Health Ministry Launches Video Contest On How Young People Can Best Prevent Homosexuality

The BBC reports: The Malaysian government is encouraging young people to make videos about “preventing” homosexuality by offering cash prizes. A competition launched on the health ministry’s website offers up to $1,000 (£780) for the best videos tackling “gender confusion”. The entries should explore prevention and control; issues and consequences; and how to get help, said the site. It is …

Read More »

The Pentagon Celebrates LGBT Pride Month

Via press release: The Defense Department is observing June as LGBT Pride Month to recognize DoD’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender service members and civilians. DoD Pride, an employee resource group, is hosting its annual celebration June 12 at the Pentagon. Tolerance and Justice “The struggles, sacrifices and successes among the LGBT community continue to shape our history and remind …

Read More »

Illinois Bans “Gay Panic” Murder Defense

Slate reports: On Wednesday, the Illinois House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill prohibiting the “gay panic” defense, which allows alleged murderers to defend their actions in court by arguing that their victim’s sexual orientation “triggered” their crime. The bill also bars the “trans panic” defense, which alleged murderers may use to justify the killing of a trans person on …

Read More »

BREAKING: Ireland Elects Gay Prime Minister

History!!! The Independent reports: Leo Varadkar is the new leader of Fine Gael and on course to become Ireland’s first gay Taoiseach. The Social Protection Minister got the support of 51 TDs, senators and MEP to get over the line despite losing the popular vote. Massive cheers greeted Mr Varadkar as he arrived at the count centre in the Mansion …

Read More »

US Navy Celebrates LGBT Pride Month

In last night’s post about Ivanka Trump’s nod to LGBT Pride Month, I noted that during the Obama era we got proclamations from a myriad of federal agencies in addition to Obama’s annual message, but that those days are behind us. Well, shut my mouth. Via press release from the US Navy: The Navy joins the nation in recognizing Lesbian, …

Read More »

NBA Teams With GLSEN For LGBT Pride Jerseys

Stand by for the usual ranting sadz. Via press release from the NBA: In celebration of LGBTQ Pride Month, we’re excited to announce a collaboration between the NBA & WNBA, GLSEN, and our retail partner, Fanatics, where fans can choose from an exclusive line of Pride T-shirts featuring any NBA or WNBA team logo, with a portion of the proceeds …

Read More »

Ivanka Trump “Celebrates And Honors” The LGBT Community And Twitter Is Just Totally Not Having It

One year ago today President Obama issued his final LGBT Pride Month proclamation, a tradition Donald Trump, as well as all other federal agencies, evidently chose to discontinue. Tonight, however, Ivanka issued a pair of tweets in which she declares that she is “proud to celebrate and honor the LGBTQ community” and support her “LGBTQ friends and the LGBTQ Americans …

Read More »