LGBT News

Federal Appeals Court Hears Arguments On Mississippi Law That Would Legalize Anti-LGBT Discrimination

The Associated Press reports: A federal appeals court is hearing arguments about a Mississippi law that would let merchants and government employees cite religious beliefs to deny services to same-sex couples. U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves halted the law before it could take effect last July 1, ruling it unconstitutionally establishes preferred beliefs and creates unequal treatment for LGBT people. …

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Kremlin Spox Vows To Investigate Report Of Murders And Mass Detentions Of Gay Men By Chechen Police

Newsweek reports: Russian authorities have pledged to investigate reported mass disappearances and deaths of gay locals in the region of Chechnya, after the regional government dismissed allegations made in Novaya Gazeta on Saturday, saying “you cannot detain… what simply does not exist.” According to the Russian investigative newspaper, authorities in the conservative and predominantly Muslim Chechen Republic have detained over …

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TRAILER: Something Like Summer

From the film’s website: Blue Seraph Productions’ third feature film is also our first adaptation. “Something Like Summer,” the novel by Jay Bell, is itself something of a phenomenon. Independently published, the book resonated with readers all over the world, who spread the word to others, turning it into a full-fledged social media sensation. The book garnered widespread praise from …

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RUSSIA: Newspaper Reports Sweeping Purge And Murders Of Gay Men By Police In Chechnya Republic

The New York Times reports: First, two television reporters vanished. Then a waiter went missing. Over the past week, men ranging in age from 16 to 50 have disappeared from the streets of Chechnya. On Saturday, a leading Russian opposition newspaper confirmed a story already circulating among human rights activists: The Chechen authorities were arresting and killing gay men. While …

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NEW HAMPSHIRE: House Panel Rejects Ex-Gay Torture Ban Upon Urging Of Rep Who Does Ex-Gay Torture

The Concord Monitor reports: New Hampshire won’t ban gay conversion therapy for minors this year, after a House committee voted this week to hold back the bill. In a 13-8 vote, the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs committee retained the legislation Tuesday over concerns that it limits parental rights and counseling for youth working through their sexuality, members …

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Former NC Gov. Pat McCrory Mocks LGBT Activists Over Compromise HB2 Repeal: They Lost The Battle

The Charlotte Observer reports: Former Gov. Pat McCrory says North Carolina’s compromise over the controversial “bathroom law” House Bill 2 was not a full repeal, and he counts that as a loss for the left and gay rights advocates with the Human Rights Campaign. Those comments were made during one of two radio interviews McCrory has given since the state …

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Rainbow Flag Creator Gilbert Baker Dies At Age 65

Cleve Jones breaks the news on his Facebook page: “I am heartbroken. My dearest friend in the world is gone. Gilbert gave the world the Rainbow Flag; he gave me forty years of love and friendship. I can’t stop crying. I love you forever Gilbert Baker.” No cause of death has yet been disclosed. Gilbert suffered a stroke about five …

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Today’s Google Doodle Celebrates Diversity

“This is an outrage!” – Wingnut sites, probably. CNET reports: A Connecticut student gets to share her vision of the future with the world, with a little help from Google. Sarah Harrison, a 10th grader from Bunnell High School in Connecticut, won the annual Doodle 4 Google competition with her drawing showing peace and diversity among people from all walks …

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MICHIGAN: Former Assistant Attorney General Finally Disbarred Over 2010 Harassment Of Gay Student

Remember this tool? The Associated Press reports: A former lawyer with the state of Michigan has lost his law license in a misconduct case related to his public hostility for a gay student leader at the University of Michigan. Andrew Shirvell’s disbarment was ordered Thursday by a panel at the Attorney Discipline Board. He can appeal to the full board. …

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VIRAL VIDEO: Touching Ad For Vicks Tells True Story Of Orphaned Indian Girl Adopted By Transgender Woman

Creativity reports: Procter & Gamble brand Vicks centers an emotive new Asian campaign around a mother and her adopted daughter — but it’s not until later on in the spot we discover the whole story. Created by Publicis Singapore predominantly for the Indian market, the ad is narrated by the daughter, Gayatri, who describes how was orphaned and then adopted. …

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NORTH CAROLINA: Gov. Roy Cooper Signs “Fake” HB2 Repeal Despite Veto Calls From ACLU, LGBT Groups

The Charlotte Observer reports: The General Assembly on Thursday approved a compromise bill that repeals House Bill 2 but restricts anti-discrimination ordinances in cities and counties. Gov. Roy Cooper signed the measure into law. The Democratic governor negotiated the compromise with the Republican leaders of the legislature, House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger. “It was a very …

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BREAKING: NC House Approves “Compromise” HB2 Repeal, Bill Now Goes To Dem Gov. Roy Cooper

The Raleigh News & Observer reports: The General Assembly on Thursday approved a compromise bill that repeals House Bill 2 but restricts anti-discrimination ordinances in cities and counties. The bill now goes to the governor for his signature. Opposition and support for the bill did not fall along party lines in the 32-16 Senate vote. Several Triangle Democrats banded together …

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LIVE VIDEO: NC House Debates HB2 Repeal

Earlier today the North Carolina Senate voted 32-16 for a “compromise” repeal of HB2 that has angered both LGBT activists and hate groups. The Charlotte Observer is now live-streaming the debate in the state House on their Facebook page. Watch it here. UPDATE: More from the Observer. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper said in a statement overnight that he supported the …

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TENNESSEE: Anti-Gay Marriage Bill Dead For Session

The Associated Press reports: A watered-down version of a bill that took aim at Tennessee’s recognition of gay marriages is dead for the year. The House Civil Justice Subcommittee voted Wednesday to stop considering the bill by Republican Rep. Mark Pody of Lebanon until next year. The bill would have required the state attorney general to defend county or city …

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ARKANSAS: Bathroom Bill Dead For Current Session

The Associated Press reports: An Arkansas lawmaker dropped her proposal Wednesday prohibiting individuals from using bathrooms in government buildings that do not match their gender at birth after the legislation had faced opposition from the state’s Republican governor and tourism groups. GOP Sen. Linda Collins-Smith withdrew her proposal, which would have required every restroom or changing facility accessible by multiple …

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NORTH CAROLINA: “Compromise” HB2 Repeal Passes Senate In 32-16 Vote, Bill Now Moves To House

ABC News reports: A controversial compromise bill that would replace HB2 has cleared its second hurdle and is now on its way to the North Carolina House. HB142 passed its second reading in the Senate 32 to 16, meanwhile, it remains unclear if the compromise bill will pass in the House. “This law does not repeal HB2, it doubles down …

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NEW YORK CITY: Resistance Groups Reach Deal With Pride Organizers For Front-Of-Parade Placement

Duncan Osborne reports at Gay City News: The organization that produces New York City’s pride parade, rally, and related events has agreed to allow groups eager to confront the Republican Party’s control of the federal government near the front of the June 25 pride parade. “I’m extremely proud of the people who came out to raise their voices about this, …

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NORTH CAROLINA: LGBT Activists Loudly Object To Compromise HB2 Repeal That Could Happen Today

The Charlotte Observer reports: North Carolina lawmakers could repeal House Bill 2 on Thursday under a deal struck late Wednesday night by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and Republican legislative leaders. Senate leader Phil Berger announced the deal shortly after 10:30 p.m. The announcement capped days of marathon, often contentious negotiations and closed-door meetings. Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore took …

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TEXAS: GOP House Speaker Blocks Bathroom Bill

The Austin Statesman reports: Flexing his parliamentary muscle and flashing his antipathy to efforts to regulate the use of bathrooms by transgender people, House Speaker Joe Straus prevented amendments on the matter from reaching the House floor on Tuesday. In a showdown with his most socially conservative members, Speaker Joe Straus ended debate on a bill about the fate of …

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White House Floats Massive Cuts To HIV/AIDS Programs

Bloomberg reports: President Donald Trump’s administration has proposed cutting $1.23 billion this fiscal year from research funded by the National Institutes of Health, according to a White House document sent to congressional appropriators. The reduction is part of $18 billion in cuts that the administration wants in fiscal 2017, which ends in October. Most of the proposed reductions at NIH …

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