After ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill Backlash, Disney CEO Expresses ‘Unwavering Support’ for LGBTQ Community

SACRAMENTO — After the governor of Texas ordered state agencies to investigate parents for child abuse if they provide certain medical treatments to their transgender children, California lawmakers proposed a law making the state a refuge for transgender youths and their families. When Idaho proposed a ban on abortions that empowers relatives to sue anyone who helps terminate a pregnancy after six weeks, nearby Oregon approved $15 million to help cover the abortion expenses of patients from out-of-state. As Republican activists aggressively pursue conservative social policies in state legislatures across the country, liberal states are taking defensive actions.

Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for their song “Younger Me”, making history as the first song about coming out as LGBTQ+ to win the prize. It is also the first Grammys win for the duo, made up of siblings TJ Osborne and John Osborne. Accepting the award onstage during the pre-telecast portion of this year’s Grammy Awards in Las Vegas, TJ Osborne said: “For those of you who do not know, this song was written really in response to me coming out, and I never thought I would be able to do music professionally because of my sexuality.

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GEMMA Collins showed off her sensational weight loss in a glam green jumpsuit which synched in at the waist. The former TOWIE star, 41, has just returned from a sun-soaked Tenerife break and her golden glow complemented the one-piece perfectly.

Kate Beckinsale strikes again! The star undoubtedly knows how to elicit a response from fans, be it for her hilarious shenanigans with her cat Clive, or her incredible looks.MORE: Kate Beckinsale declares herself 'off the market' with unexpected photoThe actress' latest look undoubtedly set pulses racing, but some fans weren't entirely pleased. Kate however was quick to clarify the issue at hand, the second time this week she's cheekily shut down rumors.The bombshell wowed fans as she detailed what her Friday night looked like.

(L-R:) Belmont Cameli, Andrew Garfield & Jazz Jennings (Images by Getty for GLAAD)

Welcome to Screen Gems, our weekend dive into queer and queer-adjacent titles of the past that deserve a watch or a re-watch.Long before Will Smith landed himself in the hot seat for his behavior on an Oscar telecast, and long before he reigned as one of the most bankable stars in the world, the man known as the Fresh Prince had to prove himself as an actor.Six Degrees of Separation aimed to move Smith beyond his rapper and sitcom roots. Based on the play of the same name, the movie cast Smith as Paul, a New York City rentboy with a knack for navigating high society. One night, he arrives on the doorstep of socialites Flan and Ouisa Kittredge (Donald Sutherland and Stockard Channing) bleeding and crying for help.

the full-frontal clip Instagram deemed too sexy for the internet, then check out the latest from Gay TikTok:John Duff became a business owner.Katy Perry snatched Trinity K. Bonet‘s wig.The neighbors showed support.Councilwoman Carrie Evans made a case for representation.Quan Davis answered the question.Patrick Frost did the Anitta challenge.Carter Kench picked up the essentials.♬ original sound – BartierDrew Phillips got swerved.The first ever drag queen food truck, Maybe Cheese Born With It, opened in Ohio.And Adam IncrediBerry dispelled anti-trans myths.

A post shared by kylejkier (@kylejkier)This post is part of a series of Queerty conversations with models, trainers, dancers, and, well, people who inspire us to stay in shape–or just sit on the couch ogling them instead.Name: Kyle Kier, 30Occupation: Cirque AcrobatCity: Fort Lauderdale / Barcelona / Paris / NiceWhat is your favorite gym for working out?Right now I am at VIDA gym. I’m always looking for a gym that has a sauna and steam room included, as well as a good “dance studio” with large mirrors to stretch and rehearse in.Do you have a favorite exercise playlist?I have two music modes when training or working out.

Talk about an unplanned hook-up. The trailer for the new African drama Orgasm has arrived.Orgasm continues the trend of increasing dialogue about LGBTQ people living in Africa.

Within two months’ time, a teen went from closeted and single to out and dating, and he has his meddlesome father to thank!As this 16-year-old recently recounted on Reddit, he came out to his dad more than a month prior, and his dad reacted better than his mom had. (In fact, the dad kicked the mom out of the house since she was pushing for conversion therapy.)But the dad’s supportiveness verged on overbearing, as the teen told other Redditors. “He still is trying way too hard to be supportive—like, support dial on 1000%,” the teen wrote.

Dancing on Ice professional Matt Evers has delivered a series of scathing reviews about his former celebrity skating partners, and revealed who was his least favourite to work with. Former champ Matt, who performed with Corrie's Sally Dynevor this year, admitted he hasn't got on so well with everyone he's taught to skate.

Gemma Collins wowed fans with her latest stunning social media upload. The 41-year-old star flashed a smile to the camera as she stood outside in the sun while donning a bright purple co-ord.

Transgender Day Of Visibility takes place on March 31 every year and is a day to show your support for the trans community.It’s a worthy cause, and where better to start than with those closest to you?Being there for a transgender mate might seem daunting and confusing, so we spoke to an expert to get some advice on how to be a good friend.I spoke to Samantha Carbon, a psychotherapist who works closely with transgender individuals offering support and professional counselling and she shared some tips.Starting up a conversation with your friend might be at the forefront of your mind, but it doesn’t give you the right to force them into talking about a subject which may be very painful for them to approach.Samantha says, ‘It takes an unbelievable amount of courage for an individual to begin to recognise they want to be fully seen and to no longer endure the internal suffering they have experienced for some time.’Don’t push the topic, let them lead the way.As a friend, the best thing you can do is to treat them the way they’re asking you to treat them, not the way traditional society expects you to.Samantha says it’s ‘crucial to put aside your bias’ in order to help your friend ‘enjoy a life without having to live in fear, resistance or exile’.Even those who are vocal on the subject get sick of being asked about being transgender, as television star and LGBTQ activist Jazz Jennings revealed in an interview with Dazed magazine.She said: ‘People ask the same questions about me being transgender. They say, ‘How does it feel to be transgender?’ or ‘Why do you think this way?’ – blah, blah, blah! All these questions.

Survivor contestant Smith said to Santos whiledropping to a knee. “You are my other half, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” Santos, a star of Superstore and Crazy Rich Asians, said yes, and Smith put a ring on his finger.The two met at the GLAAD Media Awards after-party in 2018. Smith preceded his proposal by recalling that moment, when Santos got him a Ketel One cocktail and swept him off his feet.

Australia is set to elect a new government in May 2022. The country’s peak national LGBTQI health organisation, LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA), has called upon the major political parties and independent candidates to spell out their commitment and plans to improve the health and well being of the community. “LGBTIQ+ communities face significant barriers to improved health because of stigma and discrimination,” Nicky Bath, CEO, LHA, said in a statement. “All members of LGBTIQ+ communities, including those who live at the intersections of additional marginalised identities and experiences, can no longer be left behind.

The Advocate won the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Magazine Overall Coverage at Saturday night’s ceremony at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.The magazine bested Entertainment Weekly, People, POZ, and Variety in the category. The Advocate had also won the category in 2020.“Thank you to GLAAD for this honor at a time when it’s especially incumbent upon LGBTQ+ news outlets to shine a light on conservative attacks on queer people with onslaught of anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ+ bills cropping up around the country,” said Advocate Editor in Chief Tracy E.

Due to recent developments, Man2Man has launched a campaign to create awareness around Shigella. What is Shigella? Shigella is a bacterial gut infection that can cause severe stomach upset. It is passed on through infected faeces (poo). This can happen through contaminated food or sexual activity. Only a very small amount of the bacteria is […]

By Dr Christopher Pepin-NeffA new study from the University of Sydney will look at the impact of COVID on LGBTQI community life in NSW, including Oxford Street. The research project is being coordinated by the Sydney Policy Lab and will look at the implications of COVID-forced closings as well as new venues that opened during the height of the pandemic.Gay sex clubs like Sydney Sauna are a good example of social capital, where social trust is shared, and this may create a network of friends who go to the same doctor, gain access to PrEP, and seek sexual health information as a result.

In Olivia Wilde's directorial debut, Booksmart is a coming-of-age story about two goodie-two-shoes best friends who decide to let it all go before high school graduation, finding love, friendship, and fun in the process.Queer icon Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever star as the main duo and experience teen mayhem, queer awakenings, and oh so much more in this wonderful comedy.The film is available to stream on Hulu.Few documentaries offer such an important snapshot of a moment in queer life like Paris is Burning. Filmed during the late '80s, the film captures the Black and brown queer people who ran the New York ballroom scene and the legacy they left behind. A story about family, community, and vogue, few works document a culture-defining era like this.

The latest proposed San Francisco electoral map maintains the Tenderloin and central South of Market neighborhoods in the same supervisor district. But the boundaries of the city's 11 supervisorial districts are still far from being set in stone.

Kanye West’s rep has addressed reports that circulated Friday stating that the rapper is “going away to get help” after he publicly harassed ex-wife Kim Kardashian and her boyfriend Pete Davidson.

The St. Augustine Record.Following the outcry, Willets "immediately" spoke with the teacher and demanded the removal of the shirt, which they complied with.

DANCING On Ice star Matt Evers has dished on his former dance partners including his least favourite. The pro skater, who was partnered with Corrie's Sally Dynevor in the competition this year, opened up about the challenges of partnering up with famous names.

I’d love to incorporate more sustainable, plastic-free choices in my everyday life, in a bid to live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. Having ditched makeup wipes a long time ago and swapped to reusable removal pads, I’ve been looking at other changes that I can make, too.

Rowling said as she tweeted a clip of Bell's interview on BBC News that was posted by a former BBC journalist.Bell, who is a former staff governor at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, was speaking about children who suffer from gender dysphoria. There has been a "great pressure to affirm these children as being trans" without having "appropriate exploration," according to Bell.History will judge whether Dr David Bell was a hateful transphobe or trying to alert people to a medical scandal, but he's far from the only health professional raising these concerns (and I have the letters and emails to prove it.) https://t.co/siTOdD6CGC"Thirty-five percent of these children are on the autistic spectrum.

LGBT+ identities are still as important and relevant than they were while I was growing up. Positive representation would have helped me feel like I truly belonged at school, and that it was a safe space. Long before I came to terms with my identities, I had been called various slurs and bullied for being ‘weird’ or different. For a long time I felt like everyone else was following a rulebook – about how to be a good girl, have a celebrity crush, fall in love with a boy – that I never received.

GEMMA Collins stunned fans with her incredible weight loss today as she posed in a glamorous purple coord after shedding four stone. The 41-year-old star stood with her hands on her slimmer hips and flashed a huge smile.

Harry Styles stripped down for new music, Lady Gaga brilliantly dismissed Caitlyn Jenner, and Donald Trump tested his gaydar on a crowd.

Welcome to Screen Gems, our weekend dive into queer and queer-adjacent titles of the past that deserve a watch or a re-watch.The stories of Charles Dickens have become the stuff of pop-culture mythos. Like Shakespeare, people often quote or allude to the characters and plot twists of Dickens’ writing without even realizing they’ve done so.

ABOVE: Happy birthday to perfection. More here.

We recently revisited Liza Minelli’s long-forgotten 1989 electronic dance album Results. Next, we thought we’d take a look at another lesser-known release by a different one of our favorite gay icons.Related: We need to revisit Liza Minnelli’s super gay electronic dance album that nobody seems to rememberIn 1982, Cher released I Paralyze, a strange mix of soft rock and new age songs with a few rockabilly ballads thrown in for good measure. It was her first and only release on Columbia Records and a commercial flop that ultimately resulted in her taking a five-year hiatus from music.

Hi Jake,My boyfriend and I moved in together during quarantine. At that point, we had only been together for about six months, but it made sense financially, and it felt right. In the beginning, everything was awesome. We had sex every day, sometimes multiple times a day, and got to know each other really, really well. Now, quarantine is over. We’re still both working from home. But things have changed. The sex is fine but not what it used to be, and I’ve started masturbating, usually at least once or twice a day. The problem is, I feel like I need to hide it from him, as if I’m cheating. We only have a two-bedroom, so keeping it secret can sometimes be difficult. Is it weird that I feel like I’m doing something wrong? I find myself doing it secretly in the shower, behind closed doors, or only when he’s out of the apartment, and I have a fear I’m going to get caught. Is this normal?Cheating with MyselfDear Cheating with Myself,Ah, the age-old question, “Is masturbation cheating?” Cheating usually involves some sort of betrayal, a refusal to be completely upfront and honest about what one wants sexually, or acting out to meet those needs behind a partner’s back.

There’s no user manual to being gay, so until some enterprising dude publishes one, all we can do is heed advice from others in our community.To that end, hundreds of Reddit users commenters shared words of wisdom after one person asked for the “unspoken rules that every gay guy should know.”Here are some of their responses, edited for brevity and readability… and judiciously censored for mixed audiences!“Communicate, and don’t assume that you are on the same page or that anything should be considered ‘common sense’ and doesn’t need to be addressed.”“Do. Not. Fall.

Twitter, “we are ending an inequality that was no longer justified.”Related: FDA approves injectable form of PrEP given every two monthsViolette Cordaro, head of the LGBTQ center Nosig in Nantes, said the change had partly come about because of the increase in gay men taking PrEP. This made the previous four-month restrictions nonsensical.“It allows homosexuals who do not take PrEP—a preventive treatment that protects against HIV—to give blood.

little or no LGBTQ representation in government, anti-LGBTQ laws are now spreading like wildfire across the country. According to the ACLU, there are now almost 240 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced this year alone.“Don’t Say Gay” bills, criminalization of gender-affirming health care for trans kids, bathroom bans, sports bans, and other anti-LGBTQ bills are not harmless political tactics in a so-called “culture war.” They have serious consequences and are a matter of life and death for our kids.The sick reality is that these bills will cost lives.The Trevor Project tracks mental health among LGBTQ youth and found that queer and trans children are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers.

For the past few months, I’ve been completing one book per week as part of a reading challenge that is proving rigorous but delightful. I’ve recaptured some of the uncomplicated joy of reading I remember from childhood, when books were home base, a place I was always trying to get back to. When I’d reread a book just to spend more time with its characters.

In the summer of 2020, not long after the murder of George Floyd spurred a racial reckoning in America, Carri Twigg’s phone kept ringing. Ms. Twigg, a founding partner of a production company named Culture House, was asked over and over again if she could take a look at a television or movie script and raise any red flags, particularly on race.

coronavirus lockdowns of 2020, with the government-imposed isolations allowing him to really think without having to conform to societal expectations.‘Initially, I thought I was non-binary, but then I kept having these thoughts that I may be trans,’ he explains. ‘It was actually my husband that realised it before I did.

Schitt's Creek's Annie Murphy joins the cast this season, all ready for her own time jump fiasco.  When it returns: April 20 on NetflixWatch the new season teaser trailer hereFrom Viola Davis and her husband, Julius Tennon, comes The First Lady. The series is an anthology based on the lives of first ladies Michelle Obama, Betty Ford, and Eleanor Roosevelt.

About me: Hi there! My name is Joey, and aside from my obvious obsession with books, I also find myself taking way too many pictures of the world around me. I’ve always been artistic my entire life, whether it’s with a camera, sketch book, or a keyboard. I’m often described as too nice for my own good and impossibly funny, but comedy is subjective.What followers can expect: I truly do put all of my creative efforts into every post.

Attitude magazine, the event promises to be a one-of-a-kind queer bacchanal that includes after-parties highlighting Porto’s nightlife, pool and boat parties, and helicopter rides over the ocean.Festival-goers can also expect some of the world’s finest DJs to spin through the 72-hour event. For those who want to balance the reveling with a more low-key experience, there will be hosted talks with queer luminaries, brunches, and acoustic music sessions.  “This will be a festival that remembers the past, celebrates the present and prepares for the future.

All that jazz (Image via HBO Max)

(Images by Joan Crisol for Modus Vivendi)

We can never have enough gay bars in the world, and any would-be proprietors out there could consult Reddit users’ list of names for gay-male-friendly establishments.The users submitted their punny bar name ideas in a recent thread in the r/AskGayMen subreddit after one Redditor asked, “If you could name a Gay Bar, what would you name it?”Here are just some of the 150-plus comments:Related: 10 of the oldest and most iconic gay bars in the USRelated: 11 types of gay bars and why they matter more than everWhat about all you entrepreneurial Queerty readers out there? What gay bar would you open? Submit your bar name idea in the comments below.

A post shared by JONATHAN BAILEY (@jbayleaf)Bridgerton continues to trend as one of Netflix‘s most popular shows, and we think we know why: Jonathan Bailey, the handsome, British heartthrob leading the series. As a gay actor, Bailey has shown that he commands a sexual charge on screen…even when playing a straight character.Bailey opened up recently about Season 2 of Bridgeton, and the controversial choice to keep the season’s sex scenes saved for the final two episodes.“It would have been wrong for Kate and Anthony to have got physical any sooner than they did,” Bailey told USA Today.

, the 34-year-old comedian makes the personal declaration after telling a story about realizing his father had been cheating on his mother for years. He later looks out at the audience and says, «After that was out in the open, I was left alone feeling like a liar, because I had a secret. One that I kept from my father, my mother, my family, my friends, and you.

Elliot Page took to his social media platforms to announce the exciting update that fans have been waiting for… His character will now be known as Viktor Hargreeves. Viktor will mirror the actor’s own personal life by coming out as Transgender on the show. The series originally began as a set of comics written by […]