LGBT News

The Miami Herald reports: When Stacy Ritter, the CEO of Visit Lauderdale, saw professional organizations condemning Florida over legislation like the “Stop WOKE Act” and what critics call the “don’t say gay” law, she worried her job promoting tourism in Broward County could become much more difficult. The agency is reaffirming Fort Lauderdale and its surrounding area as an inclusive, …

The Kansas City Star reports: Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed a proposal on Friday that would have banned transgender athletes from girls sports and another that would have required schools to let parents challenge classroom curriculum — a measure she has called a “teacher demoralization act.” The bills reflect the political trap GOP lawmakers are trying to set for Kelly, …

City & State reports: Rep. Tom Suozzi, who is running against Gov. Kathy Hochul in the Democratic primary for governor, called a controversial new Florida law aimed at discouraging discussions about sexuality and gender in classrooms “reasonable.” “I think it’s a very reasonable law not to try to get kids in kindergarten to be talking about sex,” he said on …

The Springfield News-Leader reports: Local school districts in Missouri would be able to call elections on whether to ban transgender athletes from youth sports under a bill given initial approval by the House on Wednesday evening. A bill originally designed to audit the state’s voter rolls and tweak elections laws was amended by Rep. Chuck Basye, a Rocheport Republican, to …

CBS News reports: Even after two men were found dead in his California apartment, Ed Buck did not stop injecting gay men with walloping doses of methamphetamine. Federal prosecutors said Buck’s unrelenting fervor to satisfy a fetish by preying on vulnerable men, often young and Black, is reason enough to keep him behind bars for the rest of his life. …

From the Justice Department: A criminal complaint was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging John Lhota with the April 3, 2022 arson of Rash, a bar and nightclub in Bushwick frequented by members of the LGBTQ+ community. Lhota was arrested yesterday and will make his initial appearance this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Roanne L. Mann. Breon …

The Daily Beast reports: Fox News’ overtly anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and coverage of Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill has generated outrage from elsewhere within the Murdoch media empire. An employee networking and resource group for Fox Corporation’s LGBTQ staffers and allies earlier this month condemned the conservative cable giant’s “hateful” coverage of the new Florida law and issues surrounding sexual orientation …

Changing America reports: The Brooklyn Public Library is trying to fight back against a spike in censorship and book bans in the United States by making its resources available to teens and young adults across the country. On Wednesday, the library launched a new program entitled Books UnBanned, that allows 13 to 21 year olds to apply for a free …

The Miami Herald reports: Three family members have been charged with a hate crime after kidnapping and beating a gay man so severely that he was permanently blinded, Broward County prosecutors said Tuesday. Two parents and their son [photos above] were formally charged Tuesday on counts of first-degree attempted murder, burglary with battery and kidnapping “with prejudice” — all charges …

Politico reports: Weeks before The Walt Disney Co. took a stand against Florida’s contentious “Parental Rights in Education” law — which has been called the “Don’t Say Gay” bill by its critics — the theme park operator and entertainment conglomerate donated $190,000 to support Florida Republicans. The company gave $125,000 to the Republican Party of Florida and $65,000 to a …

The Washington Post reports: As Disney employees protested what they considered a delayed and lackluster response from the company to what critics call Florida’s “don’t say gay” bill, a Disney heir who recently came out as transgender watched in silence. Now, Charlee Corra Disney, who uses they/them pronouns, is speaking out. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times published …

Via press release from the CDC: There is a large, ongoing outbreak of meningococcal disease in Florida, primarily among gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men, including those living with HIV. There have also been cases reported in the state over the last few months, including multiple cases in college students. At this time, there is no evidence …

NBC New York reports: A Brooklyn bar that was quickly becoming a mainstay for the LGBTQ+ community after being in business for just a few months is now closed after police said someone used a canister of gasoline to set it on fire. Everything inside Bushwick’s Rash Bar was left unrecognizable and torched, after it took just 30 seconds to …

Fast Company reports: The latest piece of work from award-winning filmmaker Alice Wu (The Half Of It, Saving Face) is a short film about coming out. We meet a young man who appears to be stumbling through his coming-out process to his parents. But there’s a twist that extends this story from the traditional coming-out story to illustrate a larger …

NY1 reports: A gay firefighter has filed a lawsuit against the city, the FDNY and the lieutenant who served as the chief diversity officer, alleging harassment and hostility. “I was at my lowest,” Corey Boykins told NY1 exclusively. “I was kind of just trying to still have respect for the job, because I do love the job. I do love …

NBC New York reports: New York City, where the Stonewall Inn riots ignited what many consider to be the birth of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, has long voiced its support for that community. Now it wants its message heard in one place, especially: Florida. Starting Monday, Mayor Eric Adams is wallpapering the Sunshine State with digital billboards espousing New …

Broadway World reports: Randy Rainbow is back with an all new song parody, this time taking on “Shy” from Once Upon a Mattress, and putting his own spin on it for “GAY!”. The song is Produced, Orchestrated, Mixed, Mastered By Michael J Moritz Jr, with Vocal Arrangement by Jesse Kissel. Piano is by Michael J Moritz Jr, with Guitar from …

The Associated Press reports: Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey refused to say Thursday if transgender people actually exist, twice dodging direct questions on the subject just a day after he signed legislation limiting transgender rights. Asked again if he believed there are “actual transgender people,” he again answered slowly and carefully. “I am going to respect everyone, and I’m going to …

The Associated Press reports: Rainbow flags could be taken from fans at the World Cup in Qatar to protect them from being attacked for promoting gay rights, a senior leader overseeing security for the tournament told The Associated Press. Major General Abdulaziz Al Ansari insisted that LGBTQ couples would be welcomed and accepted in Qatar for the Nov. 21-Dec. 18 …

CNN Business reports: Bob Chapek, Bob Iger’s successor, initially opted not to speak out against the controversial law. But corporate executives should voice their opinions about ethical dilemmas, Iger recently told CNN+ host Chris Wallace. “A lot of these issues are not necessarily political,” Iger told CNN+ host Chris Wallace. “It’s about right and wrong. So, I happen to feel …