LGBT News

USA Today reports: The Pentagon plans to announce the repeal of its ban on transgender service members July 1, a controversial decision that would end nearly a year of internal wrangling among the services on how to allow those troops to serve openly, according to Defense officials. Top personnel officials plan to meet as early as Monday to finalize details …

From the Seattle Police: Seattle police are working with the FBI as they investigate an attack on a transgender man, who was beaten late Wednesday on Capitol Hill after leaving a fundraiser for victims of the Orlando mass shooting. The victim left the fundraiser around 11:30 PM and was walking near 11th Avenue and East Pike Street when the suspect …

Clip recap: Pride is about celebrating who you are and who you love. But millions around the world don’t have the ability to take part. With this immersive 360° film, now anyone can experience parades from around the globe, from São Paulo to Sydney, on your computer, mobile device or with Google Cardboard. Join the celebration and share with friends—together …

From the New York Daily News: The owner of Pulse, the Orlando nightclub where 49 people were shot and killed by a crazed gunman, will ride on the lead float in this year’s NYC Pride March. Also, in memory of all those lost in the June 12 massacre, their names will be read, followed by a moment of silence, a …

“LGBT Americans have seen tremendous progress under President Obama, and we can’t afford to go backwards. There is more work to be done to achieve full equality. We need to enact the Equality Act to prevent discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. We need to prevent and reverse anti-gay and anti-trans legislative efforts like HB2 and so-called religious freedom …

Via press release from the White House: Since taking office, President Obama and his Administration have made historic strides in expanding opportunities and advancing equality and justice for all Americans, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Americans. From major legislative achievements to historic court victories to important policy changes, the President has fought to promote the equal rights of …

Via press release: U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (D-WA) introduced a resolution to designate June 26, as “LGBT Equality Day,” honoring the anniversary of three significant victories won at the U.S. Supreme Court for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans. “America should celebrate the progress we have made to pass on to the next generation …

The Royal Gazette reports: Bermudians overwhelmingly rejected same-sex marriages and civil unions by a greater than two-to-one margin in the referendum yesterday. However, the total number of votes cast was 20,804, or 46.89 per cent of the electorates, which is below the 50 per cent requirement to make the referendum valid. The final count, at around 4am today, showed that …

Gay Star News recaps: Ellen DeGeneres has marked Pride Month with a remarkable video highlighting moments with an array of LGBTI guests and allies. One of the most moving moments is when Orpah Winfrey says to a clearly touched Ellen: ‘Your true legacy, the real work that you’ve done on the planet, will be teaching people how to live authentically …

NPR reports: The owner of Orlando’s Pulse nightclub, where 49 clubgoers were shot and killed on June 12, says she and her staff will host a “Latin Night” street party on Thursday. “We need to show that we are strong, that Pulse continues and that we appreciate all the help the community has shown us,” said Barbara Poma in a …

According to a Gallup poll released yesterday, nearly one million Americans are now in same-sex marriages, a 22% increase since Obergefell. They write: Gallup currently estimates 3.9% of U.S. adults are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, and 0.4% of U.S. adults are married to a same-sex spouse. These figures can be used to estimate there are approximately 981,000 U.S. adults …

From the Associated Press: Missouri has its first openly gay Miss Missouri, and she will represent the state at the Miss America pageant later this year. Erin O’Flaherty, 23, was crowned Miss Missouri on Saturday in Mexico, Missouri, and is the first openly gay woman to be named Miss Missouri, said Ann Jolly, chairman of the board of the Miss …

Via press release from viciously anti-LGBT New York state Sen. Ruben Diaz: You should know that Sacramento California Pastor Roger Jimenez of the Verity Baptist Church in Sacramento, California, has been reported in the media as rejoicing in the massacre that took place this weekend at the Orlando gay nightclub. It is very important for you to know that as …

WATCH this. From Pennsylvania House Democrats: Pa. state Rep. Brian Sims stands with Gov. Tom Wolf and other advocates to call on the legislature to pass equal protections for LGBT citizens. In Pennsylvania, members of the LGBT community can still be denied employment, housing, and other basic rights afforded to others in the general population. Sims is co-sponsoring the Pennsylvania …

Via press release: Over 100 LGBT and AIDS activists turned up outside Trump Tower last night to protest Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump meeting with 400 Evangelical religious leaders in New York City. The protest was organized by activist group ACT UP NY (AIDS Coalition To Unleash Power) to combat Trump’s use of the recent massacre at an Orlando gay …

Over five million views in one day. From the clip description: From commemorating Pride parades to opening up about transitions and explaining the ABCs of LGBT, YouTube is a place where anyone can belong no matter who they are or who they love. That is why today we want to help people honor and celebrate who they’re #ProudToBe. Now, more …

NOTE: The video of this funeral may feel intrusive to some, but it was broadcast live in Orlando with the agreement of the victim’s family. ABC News reports: Brenda Lee Marquez-McCool was dancing with her son Isaiah Henderson at Pulse nightclub when shots rang out over the blaring music. Instead of running away, she threw herself on her son, shielding …

Pink News reports: Today the flag was raised above the Houses of Parliament for the first time – with the Speakers of the Commons and Lords both giving special permission to mark the weekend of London’s Pride festival. LGBT group ParliOUT had gifted a 12 foot rainbow flag for the occasion, with the flag set to fly until June 26. …

Warning: Not safe for work beefcake ahead. Via press release: Chiseled morning show hosts, rock-hard reality show contestants and pumped up politicos took over the airwaves at this year’s ratings-raising edition of Broadway Bares, an evening of elaborately staged burlesque production numbers that gave a new meaning to “Bares TV.” Produced by and benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Broadway Bares: …

Earlier this month convicted gay-basher Kathryn Knott petitioned for early release from prison because she’s been such a good girl while behind bars. That’s not gonna happen. Philadelphia Gay News reports: Knott’s attorney, Bill Brennan, told PGN he submitted to the court attestations from Riverside Correctional Facility, where Knott has been housed since her Feb. 8 sentencing, that she has …