LGBT News

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 …

The BBC reports: The government insists it will ban so-called conversion therapy for gay or bisexual people in England and Wales – but not for transgender people. It comes hours after it had said it would drop plans for the ban entirely. The announcement on Thursday evening that ministers would explore non-legislative routes to stop the practice was criticised by …

Via press release from the White House: To everyone celebrating Transgender Day of Visibility, I want you to know that your President sees you. The First Lady, the Vice President, the Second Gentleman, and my entire Administration see you for who you are — made in the image of God and deserving of dignity, respect, and support. On this day …

Politico reports: A group of LGBTQ advocates, including organizations, students, parents and a teacher, sued Florida and the DeSantis administration in federal court Thursday over recently passed parental rights legislation branded as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill by opponents. The lawsuit contends that the legislation, which has sparked an uproar with opponents like The Walt Disney Co. and the Biden …

Click Orlando reports: The Reedy Creek Improvement District—created by state lawmakers in 1967—acts as Walt Disney World’s own government with two cities and land in Orange and Osceola counties. “In effect, they’re their own city out there. They can zone the way they want. They can do things the way they want. They can even build a nuclear power plant …

Via press release from the State Department: The Department of State has reached another milestone in our work to better serve all U.S. citizens, regardless of their gender identity. In June, I announced that U.S. passport applicants could self-select their gender and were no longer required to submit any medical documentation, even if their selected gender differed from their other citizenship …

NBC News reports: Arizona’s Republican governor signed a series of bills Wednesday targeting abortion and transgender rights, joining a growing list of GOP-led states pursuing a conservative social agenda. The measures signed by Gov. Doug Ducey will outlaw abortion after 15 weeks if the U.S. Supreme Court allows it, prohibit gender confirmation surgery for minors and ban transgender girls from …

Florida Politics reports: Dade City Republican Rep. Randy Maggard announced Wednesday that he will return $5,000 worth of contributions made by Disney to his 2022 re-election campaign, joining Williston Rep. Joe Harding. The pair decided to return the donations in response to the entertainment giant’s public stance on legislation (HB 1557) sponsored by Harding that has garnered national attention and …

NBC News reports: Billboards popping up in some of Florida’s largest cities are encouraging passersby to “say gay.” The massive roadside messages are a response to the state’s controversial Parental Rights in Education bill, dubbed by critics the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law Monday. The billboards — now on display in Orlando, Tallahassee …

Reuters reports: Cuba’s communist government is seeking to rally support for a new family code that would open the door to gay marriage and boost women’s rights, but experts and a recent survey suggest an upcoming referendum vote may not provide a rubber stamp. The new code would legalize same sex marriage and civil unions, allow such couples to adopt …

From the Orlando Sentinel editorial board: The scene said it all. Surrounded by students in blue uniform shirts and plaid ties, some of whom had been given “Protect Children” signs to hold, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 1557 — the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” legislation that’s been nationally castigated as cruel, divisive and potentially hazardous to the mental and physical …

Newsweek reports: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said on Tuesday that the Walt Disney Company “crossed a line” by announcing its plan to repeal the Florida legislation known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which was officially signed into law on Monday. In a press conference in Tallahassee on Tuesday, DeSantis told reporters, “For Disney to come out and put a …

Via press release from the Walt Disney Company: Florida’s HB 1557, also known as the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill, should never have passed and should never have been signed into law. Our goal as a company is for this law to be repealed by the legislature or struck down in the courts, and we remain committed to supporting the national …

France 24 reports: Far-right candidate Éric Zemmour faces yet another lawsuit in the run-up to France’s presidential election, this time filed by gay rights groups who say he denied that homosexuals were rounded up and deported during the country’s wartime Nazi occupation. Six gay rights associations told AFP that their criminal complaint for “denial of crimes against humanity” stemmed from …

The Associated Press reports: At the Oscars, they said gay. The first political salvo of Sunday night’s Academy Awards in Los Angeles came in the opening monologue, when Wanda Sykes — one of the trio of hosts for the show — took a thinly veiled jab at Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill. “We’re going to have a great night …