Strictly confirms BBC presenter Richie Anderson for same-sex pairing

The GAZE International LGBTQ+ Film Festival returns once again in 2022 for a very special 30th anniversary celebration. Not only is it a landmark year, but it is also the first time since 2019 that the festival will be able to operate in-person to full capacity, as Covid-19 restrictions are no longer in place. GAZE […]

GEMMA Collins has been spotted showing off her figure in a pink Christian Dior swimsuit as she soaked up the sun in Mykonos. The former The Only Way Is Essex star looked glam as she posed poolside on Wednesday morning in the pink number - going make-up free and letting her blonde locks flow down. Gemma, 41 - who has been holidaying with her fiance Rami Hawash on the Greek island this week - looked glam in the new snap.

A teacher from a Westmeath school, Mr Enoch Burke, who refuses to correctly address Trans students with ‘they’ pronouns has been temporarily suspended and placed on paid administrative leave. It is claimed that, despite the suspension, the teacher in question recently attended the Wilson’s Hospital School campus, thus prompting a temporary High Court injunction against […]

Italian band Equipe 84 above at a bar in 1968, the same time period police were raiding bars that gay and bi+ men frequented in LA. Photo by Mondadori Portfolio by Getty Images.The police raid at the Black Cat in Los Angeles, a pre-Stonewall gay landmark, is often cited as the catalyst that led Dick Michaels (real name Richard Mitch), Bill Rand (Bill Rau), and Sam Winston (John Sam Allen) to found The Advocate, but it was not the first raid where Michaels was present.

In a closed door session the Hanover County School Board voted 5-2 to approve a policy that requires transgender students to submit a request to use school bathrooms that align with their gender identity and gives the school board the authority to approve or deny those requests.

Instagram since she made her comments.The wife of country music star Jason Aldean made headlines last week for perceived offensive comments, which led to an outcry from some quarters, while others have voiced their support for Brittany.On August 23, the former American Idol contestant shared a video of herself putting on makeup. The caption that upset many read: "I'd really like to thank my parents for not changing my gender when I went through my tomboy phase.

The Circuit Court for the City of Virginia Beach has rejected two petitions arguing that two LGBTQ-themed books were obscene and illegal to sell or lend in the state of Virginia.

BBC Three has revealed an insane line-up of guest stars for the fourth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.

The post Meet the journalist navigating Britain’s anti-trans press appeared first on GAY TIMES.

A registered sex offender was caught taking 'hundreds' of pictures of women at Manchester Pride by plain clothes police officers. Andrew Smoggie, 51, of Thelwall Lane, Warrington, was seen acting 'suspiciously' around women during a Pride event on Peter Street.

The fact that Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida, is favored to win re-election is a clear warning to those worried about declining support for democratic institutions and values in the United States. The prospect of DeSantis’s re-election in November suggests that under certain circumstances the American electorate will tolerate, if not actively embrace, the abuse by domineering leaders of traditional political norms.

It began as an odd-looking pimple, or perhaps as a weird rash, or maybe as a sudden wave of fatigue in the middle of a hot summer day. The doctor was stumped, or said it was not a big deal, or — just maybe — identified it right away: monkeypox. New York City has been the epicenter of an outbreak of an old disease that has created new havoc.

Rose Ayling-Ellis gave a powerful speech during the Alternative MacTaggart lecture at the Edinburgh TV Festival this past weekend, where the actress opened up about the challenges those who cannot hear face daily.MORE: Rose Ayling- Ellis breaks silence following breakup reportsIn a new Instagram post, shared on Tuesday, the current Strictly Come Dancing winner shared the full video of her powerful speech and revealed it was the "hardest thing I ever done".WATCH: Strictly star Rose Ayling-Ellis unveils first Barbie doll with hearing aids"The video of my full speech is now up. The link is in my bio," she began to write alongside a picture of her up on stage at the festival.MORE: Strictly's Rose Ayling-Ellis confirms exciting new role after EastEnders exitREAD: Strictly's Rose Ayling-Ellis reveals transformation for very special reason"What you seen so far is only a glimpse of whole speech.

Sebastian Prokop, the man who told police “I don’t like gays” has been sentenced to five years in jail following the arson attack on a popular LGBTQI bar Envy Nightclub in Derry, Northern Ireland in 2020.The 24-year-old man from Crawford Square, Derry also faces deportation from Northern Ireland to his homeland, Poland as a result of the sentence. He will serve half of his five-year sentence in custody and the rest on license.The jury found Prokop unanimously guilty for the destruction of the Envy Nightclub on Strand Road.

nations and high-risk groups miss out — recalling the unequal global access to both COVID-19 vaccines and HIV medication.The outbreak, which has reached nearly 100 countries outside of Africa, where the virus is endemic, is overwhelmingly being transmitted among men who have sex with men. They are getting priority for vaccination globally, but some face a longer wait than others.This could be due to a conflict with your ad-blocking or security software.Please add japantimes.co.jp and piano.io to your list of allowed sites.

Manchester Pride returned in full force over the Bank Holiday weekend, with thousands of people turning out to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and protest for equality.

20-year-old creative @bigsnoww_ went viral on TikTok this week with the feel-good video that we all need right now.The stylist/personality/graphic designer has had her share of views in the past, but this recent video has racked up an incredible 1.3 million and counting.In the clip, she comes out to her 9-year-old brother as trans and explains how she feels in terms she knows he can understand.What starts as confusion ends with nothing but love:She starts with asking if he knows what “transgender” means, before asking how he would feel if she were trans.“What?! I would be confused as heck!” he replies. “You’re a boy who wanted to transgender into a girl? That would make me confused.”She patiently poses, “What if I don’t feel right in this gender? What if I’m sad in this gender and would be happy another gender?”“That would be good for you,” he says, already starting to get it.Related: Hiker Veronica Ashcroft is taking the trans community to new heights — literallyAfter about a minute more back and forth of him coming around, she asks, “Would you still love me the same?” In a response quicker than any in the video so far, he immediately says yes.“Would you still be confused?” she asks.“No,” he says, “because you already told me what you feel like.”And that’s that.

A 21-year-old Tennessee man arrested by D.C. police on Aug. 24 outside the Lyle Hotel near Dupont Circle for threatening two hotel workers with a handgun while saying his gun “is only for faggots” pleaded guilty on Tuesday in D.C. Superior Court as part of a plea bargain offer by prosecutors.

Gender Queer — as “obscene,” a designation which would have made it illegal to sell or lend the books in the commonwealth.Circuit Judge Pamela Baskervill rejected the petitions, ruling that the state law being used to challenge the books is unconstitutional on its face because it violates the First Amendment and the Constitution of Virginia, infringing on free speech rights as well as the right to due process for booksellers and publishers, who are not required to be informed of when a book they are selling or distributing has been designated “obscene.”Baskervill also vacated a lower court determination of probable cause for obscenity, finding the lawsuit didn’t present facts that could support a finding that the books are obscene, even as defined under Virginia law. As a result, she dismissed the case.The original petition sought to challenge Gender Queer, Kobabe’s autobiographical story about coming to terms with their sexuality and gender identity, and A Court of Mist and Fury, adult fantasy romance novel, by Sarah J.

Fans have praised Married at First Sight UK for introducing the franchise’s first lesbian couple. 

Related: PHOTOS: Sexy gay farmer on why he loves being home on the range

Twitter has finally rolled out it’s long-tested “Circle” feature to all users, and the gays have decided it’s pretty much for one thing only.Much like the “Close Friends Story” on Instagram or the “Private Story” on Snapchat, using the “Twitter Circle” feature makes your posts visible to only a hand-selected portion of your followers. For many, that means besties, thirst followers, and those who are both.For folks who want to — as Lil Nas X sang on SNL — “post hole on main,” having a separate space to toss your lewds to all your desired mutuals without any prying eyes is unbeatable.Related: Dwight D. Eisenhower’s diva sit has Gay Twitter™ in stitchesIt’s not public digitally nudity, but it’s right there on the line of semi-public.

With summer coming to a close and the rights of the LGBTQ+ community under attack once again, our community also faces another foe that is less publicized but still extremely dangerous: tobacco companies masquerading as allies in order to addict us to their harmful products and grow their customer base.There’s a well-documented history of tobacco companies targeting Black communities with marketing for menthol cigarettes, causing disastrous public health consequences. Lesser known is the insidious targeting of the LGBTQ+ community, which both harms overall health and contributes to health disparities in our community.According to the latest survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a quarter of lesbian, gay, or bisexual adults use at least one form of tobacco, compared to about 19 percent of straight adults (the CDC survey did not report data for transgender adults).

Britney Spears' ex-fiancé Jason Trawick addressed the recent coming out post featured on his Instagram Stories, stating that it was a prank and that he is not gay. 'I am not gay,' the talent manager, 50, clarified to TMZ, explaining about the post, 'Ha no, it wasn’t me – this is what happens when you leave your phone unlocked and unattended at brunch with a gay guy friend that thinks he’s being funny and cute.'The post in question was a photo of a living room with a portrait of Britney, 40, and text overlay that read, 'At my boyfriends apartment Out and proud Finally living my true self This is me people.' Not true: Britney Spears' ex-fiancé Jason Trawick addressed the recent coming out post featured on his Instagram, stating that it was a prank and that he is not gay; Pictured 2012Because Trawick had been a temporary co-conservator of Britney in 2011, social media had been speculating that his 'coming out' suggested their engagement was a way to get her out of the conservatorship.

Yanhui Peng, co-founder of LGBT Rights Advocacy China, a Chinese advocacy group, in 2014 sought to expose doctors and therapists who practice so-called conversion therapy.

ABOVE: This would be my driver's license pic.

Boy Meets World‘s Danielle Fishel were an item?The one-time boy bander recently joined Fishel on her Pod Meets World podcast to talk about their former fling. Though the series is typically dedicated to revisiting the beloved ABC sitcom (with stars Will Friedle and Rider Strong joining the actress in conversation), the most recent episode opened up a whole other nostalgic can of worms when Bass guested.The two spoke openly and warmly about their past relationship—years before Bass came out publicly as gay.

A Christian group that discriminates against LGBTQ+ people must be reinstated as an official student organization at a high school in San Jose, Calif., while a lawsuit against it proceeds, a federal appeals court ruled Monday.The San Jose Unified School District had withdrawn recognition of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes after a controversy over the club at Pioneer High School, the Los Angeles Times reports. In 2019, a teacher had questioned its “Sexual Purity” statement, which said heterosexual marriage was the only proper setting for sexual relationships.

U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, a California Democrat and major LGBTQ+ ally, has received a violent threat from someone claiming to be a gay man.“A staffer of mine — who’s 1 month into her job — received a call from a man saying he’s coming to our office w/ an assault rifle to kill me,” Swalwell tweeted Tuesday.

(CNN) — Mikhail Gorbachev -- the last leader of the former Soviet Union from 1985 until 1991 -- has died at the age of 91.Gorbachev died after a long illness, Russian state news agencies reported."Mikhail Sergeevich Gorbachev died this evening after a severe and prolonged illness," the Central Clinical Hospital said, according to RIA Novosti Tuesday.The man credited with introducing key political and economic reforms to the USSR and helping to end the Cold War had been in failing health for some time.With his outgoing, charismatic nature, Gorbachev broke the mold for Soviet leaders who until then had mostly been remote, icy figures. Almost from the start of his leadership, he strove for significant reforms, so the system would work more efficiently and more democratically.

BuzzFeed News story in July. The lawsuit alleges that Black residents of Trilith were “being stalked, harassed, subjected to intimidation and raised legitimate concerns for the safety of Black residents.” The suit names Trilith Development LLC, the Townhomes at Trilith Homeowners Association and Trilith Studios.

Gemma Collins has pleaded for drones to stop following her during her Greece getaway with her beau Rami Hawash. The 41 year old took to social media to rant about her constant hassle with drones trying to take pictures of her while on her Greek vacation with her fiancé. In an initial post shared on the star’s Instagram story, she said the “buzzing” sounds had become a bother to her but felt that whoever was piloting the device “needed to earn money”.

Ann Coulter has broken up with Donald Trump again… again.In her latest podcast, posted to her Substack, the 60-year-old Republican troll declares the ex-president “done” and says his influence over the GOP is waning, citing his dwindling poll numbers and shrinking crowds at his rallies.“They’re like Deadheads,” Coulter calls people who still attend MAGA rallies. “They’re following him from place to place.

First Kill showrunner Felicia D. Henderson has opened up about the possibility of a revival series. 

On March 31, the first period bell at Northwest High School in Grand Island, Neb., had just rung when the principal walked into a journalism classroom adorned with punctuation posters to deliver a new rule directly from administrators. Students, including at least three who were transgender, were ordered to use the names they were given at birth for bylines because using their preferred names was “controversial,” according to a former student who was in the classroom and a lawyer for the Student Press Law Center. In response, the student journalists dedicated their final issue in June to L.G.B.T.Q.

Wake up readers, a new example of straight people ruining the sanctity of marriage just dropped!The married pastor of The Village megachurch in Flower Mound, Texas has stepped down from his position after being caught sending inappropriate Instagram DMs to an unnamed woman.In a not-quite-tearful apology befitting a recently disgraced YouTuber, the pastor confessed to sending “unguarded and unwise” messages containing “course and foolish joking.” That was the extent of his specifics, as he mostly referred to the entire situation with things like “what I was in” and “whatever this is.”His complete vagueness matched with the severity of the punishment have many, including survivors of church abuse and a long-time pastor counselor, thinking that Chandler isn’t telling the whole story.Related: Gay rumors swirl after Southern Baptist leader retires over “morally inappropriate relationship”This pastor being caught sending inappropriate messages to a woman outside his marriage is doubly notable, given his track record on handling marriage sanctity instances in his church.In 2015, a Village Church congregant named Karen Hinkley left her husband for being an admitted pedophile. Chandler & Co.

Across the globe, one hundred and thirty-four countries are criminalized or prosecuted due to criminal laws against HIV transmission, non-disclosure and exposure. Lower rates of HIV treatment and viral suppression are present and more likely in those countries that criminalize the virus.

The first patient with monkeypox infection died in Texas. On Tuesday afternoon, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) released a statement reporting that a Houston-area MPV patient had died."The patient was an adult resident of Harris County who was severely immunocompromised," the statement read.

Gemma Collins wasn't afraid to show off her killer curves in a plunging swimsuit during her romantic holiday with fiancée Rami Hawash.

When blaming President Biden ad nauseam for inflation still leaves you trailing in the polls, what’s a right-wing senatorial candidate to do? Arizona’s Republican U.S. Senate nominee Blake Masters found his answer: blame the gays… and Black people… and women?!The Trump-endorsed candidate appeared to suggest that America needs more straight, white men to get back on track, implying diversity is to blame for economic hardship.Related: That time anti-LGBTQ candidate Blake Masters went to the gay wedding of his biggest financial backerMasters shared an Associated Press report that said the Federal Reserve’s leadership “has become its most diverse ever.

Harry Potter author JK Rowling somehow finds time to write more novels under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith.Her latest, The Ink Black Heart, is yet another addition to her crime fiction series about private investigator Cormoran Strike, and the plot particulars are pretty rich coming from Rowling. Here, we’ll let you read the opening of the synopsis for yourselves:When frantic, disheveled Edie Ledwell appears in the office begging to speak to her, private detective Robin Ellacott [Strike’s colleague] doesn’t know quite what to make of the situation.

An array of country stars have slammed beauty influencer Brittany Aldean for making vile transphobic comments.

BBC Three has released its first promotional video to Twitter for Rupaul’s Drag Race UK season four, which has left fans wanting more.The outlet posted a 10-second clip on Tuesday on its Twitter account. In the video, there was an array of cameras, lights, and fabric moving in sync with Rupaul’s track, "Supermodel (You Better Work)."Spliced throughout the clip were the words, "Bring it to the runw4y!" At the end, came the announcement of the fourth season.

Reuters.  At the start of the 2021-2022 school year, the district adopted an “all-comers” policy, which requires that officially recognized clubs must allow any currently enrolled student to participate in, become a member of, or hold leadership positions within the club, regardless of their status or beliefs. Yet FCA would still not be recognized under such a policy, because it would prohibit them from selecting leaders who agree with the club’s stated religious beliefs. U.S.

Loose Women star Kaye Adams has shared her excitement ahead of Strictly Come Dancing, while admitting that there are some parts of the show she's dreading.  The 59 year old announced her involvement in the star-studded dancing competition during Friday’s episode of the ITV daytime show. In a conversation with the Sunday Mirror following the announcement, Kaye said: “All the sexy stuff, oh my God, it just gives me the ick.” “I’m worried it’s going to look tragic, a woman of my age – the whole thing about trying to appear dance-y when you’re older.," the presenter added.

Strictly Come Dancing's Rylan Clark has set the record straight after fans believed a parrot had been signed up the 2022 series of the BBC One dance contest. The host of spin-off show It Takes Two spoke out after the parody Twitter account @bbcstructly posted a joke 'announcement' that Chanel the African grey parrot, who went viral during lockdown in 2020, had joined the line-up.

Loose Women 's Kaye Adams has said she hopes her professional partner for the new Strictly Come Dancing show will be gay.

BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing has confirmed Richie Anderson will be joining the 2022 series as the third-ever same-sex pairing. The ex-footballer and current BBC Radio 2 presenter will be following in the footsteps of 2021’s John Whaite and Johannes Radebe and 2020’s Nicola Adams and Katya Jones. He is the third celebrity who has been announced […]