How Illinois's 1st Out State Sen. Mike Simmons Juggles Love & Politics

Drag Race UK vs The World came to a glittery finish on Tuesday, as Blu Hydrangea lip-sync battled her way through Jujubee and Mo Heart to be crowned the first-ever “queen of the mothertuckin’ world.”A much-discussed element of the latest Drag Race spinoff has been the grand prize. Instead of $100,000, the winning queen received the aforementioned title and the opportunity to record a duet with host RuPaul.Here’s the aptly-named track they released — “Champion”:Blu joins good company of those who’ve belted it out with Ru — scroll down for some memorable Ru-ets over the years:In 1994, Elton John rerecorded his 1976 duet with Kiki Dee, “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,” with none other than RuPaul.

Visibility is essential.

Let’s be honest – modern dating can be rough. As people live further apart and more in isolation than ever before, connecting via in-person dates is more challenging than ever.

Is it easier to give than to receive? Depends on the gay you ask. A spirited debate in the r/AskGayMen forum indicates there’s no consensus on whether tops or bottoms have an easier time of it.One Reddit user kicked off the discussion by asking if other people agree that being a bottom is tougher than being a top. “Like, you can’t eat spicy food, you need to fast, you need to be clean AF before having sex, etc.,” that user added.Many commenters informed that original poster that there’s no need for fasting and other diet restrictions, and some tops on the thread indicated that, you know, sh*t happens and that’s OK.But otherwise, there wasn’t much common ground in the comment section.

Ruby Rare is a sex educator, author and host of In Touch with Ruby Rare, a new podcast exploring sex and sexuality. You can follow her on Instagram @rubyrareAll views expressed in this article are the author's own.As told to Jenny Haward.

Apple CEO Tim Cook has denounced Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill in a new social media statement.

Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall has officially started her solo career with a brand new record deal.

Disney CEO Bob Chapek finally apologised to the LGBTQ+ employees after the recent ‘Don’t Say Gill’ bill backlash.

Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey opened up about hiding his sexuality at the beginning of his career.

She sashayed her way back onto the famous cobbles as former sex worker Nicky Wheatley last week to cause drama for new couple Daniel Osbourne and Daisy Midgeley on Coronation Street.

The ladies showcased their most rambunctious celebrity impersonations on the latest episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race. 

Disney pulling political donations due to Florida's new "Don't Say Gay" legislation, Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Núñez on Friday claimed that companies "have no right to criticize" the state's action.Making an appearance on Fox News' The Ingraham Angle, Núñez derided Disney's decision as "woke" and likened it to bullying while also claiming that such companies do not have the right to critique the actions of "duly elected legislators" despite explicit First Amendment protections."They will try to bully us like the NCAA did, like Disney [is] doing," she said. "How dare they.

Winter Park, Fla. — Last October, I attended a high school Halloween party. A group of guys from my school surrounded me and shouted homophobic slurs.

ABOVE: Oof, that decades-old can, though. Follow me here, please.

Jussie Smollett to 150 days in jail, branding the Black and gay actor a narcissistic charlatan for staging a hate crime against himself to grab the limelight while the nation struggled with wrenching issues of racial injustice.Smollett responded by defiantly maintaining his innocence and suggesting he could be killed in jail.The sentence and Smollett’s post-hearing outburst capped an hourslong hearing Thursday and more than three years of legal drama following Smollett’s claim that he had been the target of a racist and homophobic attack.Smollett didn’t make a statement when offered the opportunity before the judge announced the sentence, saying he was listening to his attorneys’ advice. But after Cook County Judge James Linn issued his decision, Smollett removed the face mask he wore throughout the hearing to proclaim himself innocent.“If I did this, then it means that I stuck my fist in the fears of Black Americans in this country for over 400 years and the fears of the LGBT community," Smollett said, standing up at the defense table as his lawyers and sheriff’s deputies surrounded him.

Manchester, transitioning from female to male and taking hormone treatments, but he also believed his now-ex partner was infertile. But despite all this, nine weeks into hormone treatments, Ryan, 24, discovered he was expecting a child.

Ella Vaday spoke to GAY TIMES about the “exciting” things she has been up to since Drag Race UK and how she has “changed” since competing.

Welcome to Screen Gems, our weekend dive into queer and queer-adjacent titles of the past that deserve a watch or a re-watch.Indie distributor Focus Features celebrates 20 years in showbiz this week, and we want to take a moment to applaud them. Few distributors have made such a momentous contribution to indie cinema, especially when it comes to movies about LGBTQ characters.As such, we’ve combed the Focus catalog to select some of our most beloved–and most essential–titles in the Focus Queer Canon.

Star Wars star Mark Hamill offered a stellar response to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill.The proposed legislation—officially called the Parental Rights in Education bill and passed by Florida’s Senate on March 8—bans educators and others from discussing gender and sexual identities with younger students.“Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards,” the bill reads.And the measure, which Florida Gov.

Reddit post has gone viral and prompted thousands of comments. It would be a good one to share the next time you hear someone whine, “I don’t know why gay people have to come out, no one cares these days!”The mom (@Destroyedheart75) posted in the sub-Reddit, TrueOffMyChest, in which people vent about things going on in their life.

had an outburst in the courtroom, Kim Kardashian pissed off a lot of people, and gay men named their first adult film crushes.

Outsports.com, Chris chose to keep his identity anonymous “out of fear of online attacks from fans of the players or teams.”Chris was able to find 78 homophobic tweets from 40 players throughout the league — a full 32 of the players remain active, according to Outsports.com.The tweets run the gauntlet in terms of how explicitly homophobic they are. Some are as tame — and absurd — as Center for the Atlanta Hawks Clint Capela saying “no homo” after wishing a friend luck, while others feature explicitly homophobic slurs directed as insults.The majority of tweets were sent between 2009 and 2013, at a time when many of the players were still very young (some even still teenagers in high school), and attitudes around LGBTQ issues vastly different from now.But openly gay basketball player Derrick Gordon, who plays professionally in Germany, told Outsports.com that such statements shouldn’t be tolerated no matter when they were posted.“I don’t care how long ago it was, it shows the person’s character,” Gordon said.

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: César Abreu, 44Occupation: Producer/Director/EntrepreneurCity: New York. Originally from Bayamón, Puerto Rico.What is your favorite gym for working out? Blink.Do you have a favorite exercise playlist? 80’s and 90’s tracks.  A post shared by Cesar Abreu (@cesarny)What’s the best food to eat prior to a workout?Protein shakes.What’s the best outfit for working out?I take comfort any day- Shorts and a tank top.How do you balance staying in shape and having fun?I think it’s important to enjoy yourself as much as possible and that also applies when it comes to working out.

executive order that directs law enforcement officials to investigate gender affirming medical treatments for transgender youths as a crime has grown loud and intense, with many demanding LGTBQ organizations condemn the order through significant action not just words.In an op-ed posted to SB Nation’s Outsports.com on Tuesday, March 1, Brittney Miller — 11-year veteran of the Gay Softball World Series (GSWS) and manager of the Puget Sound Pronouns — called for the 2022 event to be removed from Dallas and held in another city.Citing the fact that the GSWS has an “economic impact” of $5 to 7 million, Miller stated the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA) should find a new host city in a different state to support the transgender community.Miller called the executive order cruel and explained how it criminalizes the mere existence of transgender people, but her most severe criticisms were reserved for NAGAAA itself.The organization, which Miller stated is one of the “largest governing bodies of queer athletes in America,” has yet to release a statement on the issue, a decision Miller believes is indicative of how the organization views its transgender members.“NAGAAA’s failure to release even a milquetoast statement shows we [the transgender community] are an afterthought to them,” she wrote. “If the trans community can’t count on them to stand up to bullies in the face of cruelty and intolerance, who can we count on?”She explained that the “wait and see” approach NAGAAA seems to be employing with the executive order should be abandoned, immediately.

Looking to spice up your accessory game with some new ear swag but think a traditional lobe piercing is too boring? Try a tragus piercing! Tragus piercings are a stylish type of body modification that’s been around since the 80s. But thanks to celebrities like Rihanna and Scarlett Johansson, they’re gaining popularity as a unique alternative to the usual cartilage piercings we more commonly see.In this article, we’ll cover all your burning questions about tragus ear piercings from how cartilage piercings work, tragus piercing pain, and the different earrings you can rock once it’s all healed.RELATED: A Brief History Of Signaling: The Gay Ear MythSo what exactly is a tragus? The tragus is the little flap of skin that partially covers the entrance to the ear canal.

Lily Collins and husband Charlie McDowell looked every inch the beaming newlyweds while attending a special screening of their upcoming film Windfall together in West Hollywood, California on Friday night.The lovebirds, who tied the knotduring an intimate wedding ceremony in Colorado five months ago, were nearly inseparable at the premiere as they posed for photos with their arms wrapped around each other.The Emily In Paris actress, 32,oozed effortless glamour in a plunging pinstripe suit, which belted to accentuate her trim waist, while strutting down the black carpet in a pair of heels. Beaming: Lily Collins and her husband Charlie McDowell looked every inch the beaming newlywed while attending a special screening of their film Windfall together in West Hollywood, California on Friday nightShe completed her chic look with anot-so-perfect, trendy bun and her French Girl bangs slightly parted as well as a simple gold necklace.

Lily Collins keeps close to husband Charlie McDowell at the premiere of their new movie, Windfall, on Friday night (March 11) in West Hollywood, Calif.

Our anthem should be something our most esteemed members of society, gay men and their mothers, can enjoy.Because nothing goes off quite like early 2010s Kelly Rowland. Let's commemorate that!Yes, that would put our National Anthem at over six minutes and only a chosen few would know the lyrics, but damn, that would be iconic. Kelly could cover "Baby Shark" and I'd stand proud and salute the flag to that. Because Tinashe's name on the National Anthem will finally give her the recognition she derserves.Because the National Anthem should have one of pop's finest bridges.Yes, Fifth Harmony is (one of the messiest) girl groups of all time, but damn, this really is an anthem. Arguably Mariah's gayest song.

Sesame Street for 44 years and was a strong LGBTQ+ ally, has died at age 81.Delgado died Thursday at his Manhattan home, The New York Times reports. The cause was multiple myeloma, his wife, Carole Delgado, told the paper.He was a beloved regular on the PBS children’s program, having joined the cast in 1971; Luis became the longest-running role for a Mexican-American on any TV show. His character owned the Fix-It Shop, where he repaired a wide variety of objects.

party and through political committees that support them in donations that can't be traced.Disney also has donated to Democrats.The entertainment company, which opened a theme park in China in 2016 and has gained substantial access to that country’s film market, has been accused by some critics of adjusting its content to please China’s Communist leaders and avoid topics they consider sensitive.Critics of DeSantis argue he's going against the corporation as part of a culture war because of ambitions to win the Republican primary to be the 2024 presidential nominee.“It's really pretty shocking,” said former Republican Gov. Charlie Crist, who is now a Democratic congressman seeking to challenge DeSantis.Crist said that the governor has sparred with industries important to Florida, like DeSantis' legal battle with cruise lines who wanted passengers to show they were vaccinated for coronavirus.“Now it's Disney.

Judge Amy Clark Meachum

Like a lot of visitors to the GLBT Historical Society Museum, Colm Kelleher, Lord Mayor of Cork, Ireland, said he was most impressed with one exhibit in particular, the bloodstained jacket worn by the late gay leader and San Francisco supervisor, Harvey Milk, when he was fatally shot in his City Hall office in 1978.It's a powerful exhibit, to be sure, and probably one that leaves a lasting impression on a lot of elected officials and others who see it.The museum was just one of several visits the mayor would be paying to various sites around San Francisco, including a stop at City Hall where he joined Mayor London Breed at a reception where they raised the Irish flag ahead of St. Patrick's Day.

Texas District Court Judge Amy Clark Meachum Friday evening declared unconstitutional Governor Greg Abbott’s executive order manding state agencies investigate anyone involved in or facilitating medically-necessary gender-affirming care, including parents, for “child abuse” and criminally charged if possible.

directive that claimed letting kids access gender-affirming care is child abuse.It comes days after a Texas court denied the state’s appeal of a restraining order temporarily blocking the investigation of one set of parents who’ve allowed their transgender daughter to access gender-affirming care.Texas Civil District Court Judge Amy Clark Meachum last week granted the restraining order, which stopped this investigation, and after Friday's hearing to consider blocking Abbott’s directive statewide, she decided to do so.She ruled that Abbott's order was not adopted properly and violated the Texas constitution. He had ordered the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to investigate all parents who allow their kids to receive such care.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s possibly unconstitutional executive order requiring state agencies to investigate anyone, including parents, involved in or facilitating the delivery of medically-necessary gender-affirming care to transgender youth and teens has just been blocked, temporarily, by a Texas judge.

Gov. Greg Abbott, with his wife Cecilia, left, at a primary election night event, on March 1 in Corpus Christi, Texas. (Eric Gay/Associated Press)

Disney Company CEO Bob Chapek announced Disney will be pausing all political donations in the state of Florida following a week of significant criticism of the company's initial silence on the Florida Legislature's "Don't Say Gay" bill.The company's lack of response to the bill, which would ban discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in some public school classrooms, sparked an intense backlash against Disney, internally and externally, prompting Chapek to shift to a public stance, calling for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to oppose the bill.DeSantis then called out the entertainment titan for its ties to China, accusing the company for criticizing "parents' rights" but continuing to work in China despite knowledge of the human rights issues in Xinjiang regarding Uyghur Muslims.After statements of apology to Disney's LGBTQ employees, Chapek released an internal memo on Friday further stating that the company would be pausing all political donations in Florida, affecting many of the politicians who had previously received money from the company.Several Disney donations were made to key co-sponsors of the bill, and in total, the company gave $253,850 to senators who voted to pass the "Don't Say Gay" bill.Donations made only for the 2022 general election go back to January 1, 2021, and records reviewed by Newsweek showed that Disney donated at least $33,000 for state Senate races and more than $98,000 in state House contests.Other primary GOP figures who have received donations from Disney included DeSantis, who received $50,000 from Disney Worldwide Services Inc., according to the Florida Division of Elections.Ashley Moody, Florida's attorney general, was given $25,000 from Disney during the 2022 general

Mayor London Breed on Friday swore in three women as the newest commissioners on the San Francisco Board of Education, replacing the members who were ousted in last month's historic recall.None of the women is LGBTQ, but all are parents of students attending public schools in the district. Ann Hsu, Lainie Motamedi, and Lisa Weissman-Ward each pledged to work hard with the four other board members to have the San Francisco Unified School District "turn a page," as Hsu said during her remarks.Breed made the announcement and swore in the new commissioners on the football field of Galileo Academy of Science and Technology, which Breed attended when it was known as Galileo High School.

The Hollywood Reporter. “Speaking to you, reading your messages, and meeting with you have helped me better understand how painful our silence was. It is clear that this is not just an issue about a bill in Florida, but instead yet another challenge to basic human rights.

ABOVE: Boz flashbacks.

Bob Chapek is speaking out again.

criticized for not immediately and publicly condemning the legislation. The company has also donated at least $250,000 to Florida Republican senators who voted to pass the bill."I truly believe we are an infinitely better and stronger company because of our LGBTQ+ community.

Russian invasion and bombardment.The images of the mass destruction of Ukrainian cities caused by Russian artillery and the heartbreaking scenes of Ukrainian citizens fleeing their war-torn country are also causing flashbacks to the devastation and refugee crisis of World War II.Watching families get slaughtered, seeing little children desperate and fearful, and witnessing the invalid and elderly cross treacherous, makeshift bridges in order to escape have all been gut-wrenching scenes.In interviews of Ukrainians as they cross the border into neighboring safe havens, there is genuine hate for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has destroyed thousands of lives in his delusional attempt to restore the old Soviet Union.However, to a person, not only in Ukraine or the countries where refugees have fled, there is a stoic admiration for Zelenskyy. He is revered not only by Ukrainians but the world over, giving us all a lesson in leadership.He has shown humanity the importance of fighting for freedom.

Reality TV star, failed California gubernatorial candidate, and perennial attention seeker Caitlyn Jenner has announced her next big venture. The 72-year-old former Olympic Gold Medalist will step into the boxing ring as host for a Celebrity Boxing and Bitcoin Rodney event.“I am so excited, but on the other hand, I’m always excited,” Jenner told Page Six.

Despite Russia’s deadly unprovoked attacks on Ukraine, the bromance between ex-president Donald Trump and murderous dictator Vladimir Putin appears to be firmly intact.During a 30-minute interview with Sean Hannity yesterday, Trump was given multiple opportunities to walk back all the praise he’s showered Putin with over the years, but he chose not to.Related: Donald Trump’s flailing Truth Social appears to have reached code red status“I think you also recognize he’s evil, do you not?” Hannity asked after bringing up how Trump called Putin “smart” for invading Ukraine.“Well, I was referring to the fact that he said this is an independent nation, talking about Ukraine, and I said that this was before there was any attack,” the ex-president replied.Trump says he only called Putin smart before he invaded, says Putin has changed but he wouldn’t have changed if he was still President, and takes credit for Russian tanks being destroyed pic.twitter.com/QTi1kRGq5T— Acyn (@Acyn) March 11, 2022Later, Hannity asked, “When you got criticized for saying that Vladimir Putin is smart, we’ve had many conversations, and you’ve often quoted to me Sun Tzu, ‘The Art of War’. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

The Walt Disney Company has a big problem. It wants to be loved by everybody: Massachusetts liberals and Mississippi conservatives, Muslims in Saudi Arabia and atheists in China. It therefore prefers to minimize the number of times it takes stands on hot-button social issues.

Apple, Google, Meta, IBM, IKEA, Microsoft and Ben & Jerry's, have signed a letter that also appeared as an advertisement in The Dallas Morning News to criticize and call for an end to the "anti-LGBTQ+ efforts" of Texas Governor Greg Abbott.Late last month and earlier this month, Abbott told the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to begin investigating parents of transgender children who receive some sex-change procedures for child abuse, which has led to widespread criticism as several investigations have been opened by the department.This is a developing story that will be updated as more information becomes available.

Allen Schindler as Schindler’s mother Dorothy Hajdys, now Clausen, of Chicago, address a demonstration at the Pentagon protesting the ban on gays in the military, Monday, April 26, 1993, Washington, D.C., flanked by Allen Pemberton, holding up a photo of her son, and Jim Jennings. (Ron Edmonds/Associated Press)