LGBTQ news and entertainment
(image via Twitter/SFGiants)
Happy #Pride, #SFGiants fans! pic.twitter.com/PTjPIuA8jA
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) June 5, 2021
proud of my spaceson for writing this! love you for posting space daughter-in- law
— Gates McFadden (@gates_mcfadden) June 6, 2021
Much of the LGBTQ political news being reported lately focuses on the spate of anti-LGBTQ bills being promoted and passed in Republican-controlled state legislatures across the country.
But it’s not all bad news everywhere.
This past Sunday, Nevada’s Governor Steve Sisolak attended the Henderson Pride Festival where he signed several pro-LGBTQ bills into law.
“It is so important that we bring these bills to the community, to this center to help you understand how important this is,” said Sisolak at the signing ceremony.
The event also served as the grand re-opening of the Henderson Equality Center.
I want to everyone from the @HendersonEQCtr for inviting me today and to everyone who joined us at their grand re-opening event where I had the opportunity to sign four very important pieces of legislation into law, #SB109, #SB237, #SB275, and #SB325. pic.twitter.com/wCIvMn1VLR
— Governor Sisolak (@GovSisolak) June 6, 2021
It’s a breath of fresh air to see legislation moving LGBTQ interests forward and not backward.
The bills passed during the legislative session and now signed into law are:
Senate Bill 275 modernizes Nevada’s HIV laws by repealing a provision that made it a category B felony for someone who tests positive for HIV to “knowingly or willfully engaging in a manner” that could transmit the disease.
The laws were first put in place in the early part of the AIDS epidemic and targeted gay and transgender people. The antiquated laws don’t reflect the advances in HIV medicine and science that has occurred in the past 20+ years. Nine other states are currently considering similar legislation.
Senate Bill 237 allows LGBTQ-owned businesses to be designated as minority-owned which opens up opportunities from local chambers of commerce.
Senate Bill 109 will require local governments that collect demographic information to include sexual orientation and gender identity. Gov. Sisolak said the new law will “ensure our government reflects our community. Representation matters.”
Today, I was proud to sign #SB109 into law. Sponsored by @Senatorspearman & presented in partnership with Andre Wade from @silverstateeq, this law requires local governments to collect demographic information related to race, ethnicity, gender identity, and gender expression. pic.twitter.com/LEYxWWDAwE
— Governor Sisolak (@GovSisolak) June 6, 2021
Assembly Bill 261 makes Nevada only the sixth state in the U.S. to include the contributions of LGBTQ people in history and civics classes.
The Silver State now joins California, Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon and Colorado in making public education queer inclusive.
On the other side of the political spectrum, though, Tennessee and Montana have passed laws requiring schools to notify warn parents if issues of sexual orientation or gender identity are scheduled to be addressed.
Analysis from the Human Rights Campaign found that more than 250 anti-LGBTQ bills were introduced in state legislatures in 2021. At least 17 had been enacted according to an HRC report on May 7.
Responding to the pro-LGBTQ legislation passed this year in Nevada, GLSEN interim Executive Director Melanie Willingham-Jaggers said in a statement, “This year, we’ve seen record numbers of harmful anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced across the country. But Nevada’s new law offers a powerful contrast and shows us that a better way is not only possible, but already in motion.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CP1eX9Rjeum/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Oh, the shade of it all. For years now, many in the LGBTQ community have boycotted Chick-fil-A after reports showed the company’s CEO and executives donated over and over again to anti-LGBTQ groups that work to opposed queer rights. Now, Burger King is not only showing SUPPORT for the LGBTQ community, but throwing some subtle shade at Chick-fil-A while doing so. From USA Today:
Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy was identified last week by The Daily Beast as a donor to the National Christian Charitable Foundation, which has a history of funding opposition to The Equality Act.
Burger King, which recently launched the Ch’King sandwich, tweeted Thursday it will donate 40 cents for every chicken sandwich sold in June (Pride month) up to $250,000, or 625,000 sandwiches, to The Human Rights Campaign.
“This is a community we love dearly and have proudly supported over the years, so we couldn’t miss an opportunity to take action and help shine a light on the important conversation happening,” a Burger King spokesperson said in an email statement to USA TODAY.
You’ll note in Burger King’s tweet below the company notes that it would continue its donations “even on Sundays.” Chick-fil-A has a long-standing policy of being closed on Sundays.
In a playful back-and-forth, the Whopper’s Twitter account seems to be a bit jealous of the new chicken sandwich LOL…
*6/3-6/30 with every Ch’King sold, BK will contribute 40₵ to the Human Rights Campaign (Max. donation $250k)
— Burger King (@BurgerKing) June 4, 2021
Bk throwing some much needed shade. I normally order a whopper but i think ill be trying the chicken sandwich this month. No homophobia chicken here 🏳️🌈
— That Damn 🏳️🌈Queer🏳️🌈 Cat (@ShallotCog) June 4, 2021
The SHADE 💜 If the sandwich is half as spicy as this tweet… pic.twitter.com/NsFYSc1C0s
— Reia🔆Sunshine (@warmsunsh1ne) June 4, 2021
simmer down, i serve all my favorites https://t.co/bxmud43DAE
— Burger King (@BurgerKing) June 1, 2021
uh, everyone… the Whopper’s gone rogue 👀 https://t.co/exOA6cSHBH
— Burger King (@BurgerKing) June 1, 2021
In celebration of Pride Month, UPS is unveiling a new set of commissioned artwork for UPS Express envelopes. Fernando Volken Togni, a UK-based artist originally from Brazil, was commissioned to design original artwork which will be featured on UPS Express Packaging and is titled “Love Delivered.” Like all creators, illustrator and graphic design artist Fernando Togni had a vision when he sat down in his studio and turned on some music. The process of creating an image to capture the essence of what Pride Month means was important. “When you create something for Pride you always want to be vibrant. I wanted to create this rainbow connecting everything,” Fernando said. “In the end, the main aspect of it was to try and focus on camaraderie, joy and love … a theme that connects everything.” The final product, titled Love Delivered, was completed in just three days. Artwork by Fernando Volken Togni
Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia (image via Facebook)
Some in my party have argued that now is the time to discard such bipartisan voting reforms and embrace election reforms and policies solely supported by one party. Respectfully, I do not agree.
I believe that partisan voting legislation will destroy the already weakening binds of our democracy, and for that reason, I will vote against the For the People Act. Furthermore, I will not vote to weaken or eliminate the filibuster.
For as long as I have the privilege of being your U.S. senator, I will fight to represent the people of West Virginia, to seek bipartisan compromise no matter how difficult and to develop the political bonds that end divisions and help unite the country we love.
American democracy is something special, it is bigger than one party, or the tweet-filled partisan attack politics of the moment. It is my sincere hope that all of us, especially those who are privileged to serve, remember our responsibility to do more to unite this country before it is too late.
I understand Manchin believing he’s taking a ‘principled’ approach here. But many say Manchin’s stand for “bipartisan compromise” will basically kill most of the policies Joe Biden promised the American people during his campaign – which got him elected.
Joe Manchin @Sen_JoeManchin:
Using all of the tools at our disposal to stop the blowtorching of our democracy isn’t partisan.
It’s patriotic.
Refusing to stand against voter suppression isn’t noble.
It’s dereliction of duty.
Cc: @kyrstensinema
— Nick Knudsen 🇺🇸 (@NickKnudsenUS) June 6, 2021
Joe Manchin is happy to let Republicans unilaterally enact voter suppression laws but refuses to vote for the For The People Act because he says it’s too “partisan.”
Let’s be clear: there is nothing “partisan” about protecting the right to vote.
— MeidasTouch.com (@MeidasTouch) June 6, 2021
The Affordable Care Act passed the Senate on strictly partisan lines yet became so popular that Joe Manchin based his reelection campaign in 2018 on a pledge to fight attempts to repeal the law.
— Brian Fallon (@brianefallon) June 6, 2021
Never been this disappointed in a politician before. Joe Manchin is voting against the right to vote. His real reason can only be if we elect more Dems he will lose personal power and leverage he has now. Like so many before him, power has stolen his heart.
— Joe Lockhart (@joelockhart) June 6, 2021
“I believe that partisan voting legislation will destroy the already weakening binds of our democracy, and for that reason, I will vote against the For the People Act.”
Republicans can rig democracy— and so long as they’re united, Manchin will let it fly. https://t.co/1YWoesUfM7
— Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen) June 6, 2021
Joe Manchin's lazy arrogance is off the charts. He's destroying voting rights by calling for bipartisanship, while doing nothing to bring that about. He's the person you dread running into, because of his droning self-satisfaction
— Paul Rudnick (@PaulRudnickNY) June 6, 2021
(photo: Pexels/Chris Flaten)
A Delta Airlines flight on its way from Los Angeles to Nashville was diverted to the Albuquerque International Sunport Friday afternoon due to a passenger disturbance on board. Officials at the Sunport say there was a level four incident on the plane. They say typically means someone tried to break into the cockpit.
Sunport officials say the passenger was not able to actually get in the cockpit and passenger video shows the man being restrained by flight attendants and other passengers. Witnesses onboard say a man was yelling ‘stop the plane’ and went for the cockpit.
The plane reportedly landed without incident. The man’s identity has not been released. Delta then flew the remaining passengers on to Nashville arriving about five hours late. You can see video footage taken during the flight below.
(image via Instagram/Silverjow)
(image via Rage Magazine)
Milo Yiannopoulos says that as soon as he became “ex-gay,” dogs stopped barking at him, which he believes is a sign from God. pic.twitter.com/AgDrmFka2h
— Right Wing Watch (@RightWingWatch) June 4, 2021
Some news items you might have missed: • CNBC: The labor market continues to improve as initial jobless claims fell to 385,000 last week. The last time claims were lower was the week of March 14, 2020, with 256,000. The number spiked to nearly 3 million the following week and peaked at more than 6.1 million in early April as governments across the U.S. shut down businesses in an effort to slow the coronavirus spread. • Instinct Magazine: In honor of Pride month, the American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) will stream for one week only Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City The Musical. The 2011 show will stream at Broadway On Demand’s National Theater Network. • Edge Media: A viral video about a 73-year-old man coming out and being celebrated by his neighbor has taken the internet by storm. “My dad’s neighbour just came out as gay at 73!” reads the video’s caption. “His family aren’t supportive. So Dad did this to show him he is not alone.” https://www.instagram.com/p/CPlDYz8DR0e/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link • Washington Post: U.S. prosecutors this week put a price tag for the first time on damage to the U.S. Capitol from the Jan. 6 breach — $1.5 million so far — and are asking defendants to cover some of that in plea offers. Prosecutors with the U.S. attorney’s office in Washington are seeking to require restitution of $2,000 in each felony case and $500 in each misdemeanor case. • Delusional: Writing for the National Review, Charles Cooke reports, “Donald Trump does indeed believe quite genuinely that he — along with former senators David Perdue and Martha McSally — will be ‘reinstated’ to office this summer after “audits” of the 2020 elections in Arizona, Georgia, and a handful of other states have been completed. • Twitter: The U.S. Embassy at the Vatican is flying the rainbow flag for Pride Month and a host of Republican politicians, religious right leaders, and far right media figures are losing their minds that the government would promote tolerance.
This is a deliberate provocation from the US embassy to the Vatican. It is intended to offend devout Catholic sensibilities. Trampling on human hearts is what the Left does best. https://t.co/J7CizPWBT9
— Dinesh D’Souza (@DineshDSouza) June 1, 2021
(image via Depositphotos)
Jenkins pleaded guilty to one hate crime count, one count of conspiracy to commit hate crimes, kidnapping, and carjacking, and one count of use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
According to court documents filed in connection with his guilty plea, Jenkins admitted that he and his co-conspirators used Grindr, a social media dating platform used primarily by gay men, to lure gay men to a vacant apartment and other areas in and around Dallas for robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, and hate crimes over the course of approximately a week in December 2017.
Jenkins admitted that he and his co-conspirators held victims against their will; pointed a handgun at victims and took their personal property, including their vehicles; and traveled to local ATMs to withdraw cash from the victims’ accounts.
Jenkins further admitted that he and his co-conspirators physically injured at least one victim and taunted the victims based upon the co-conspirators’ perception of the men’s sexual orientation.
In March 2019, Michael Atkinson pleaded guilty to conspiracy and kidnapping charges in connection with this case. In December 2019, Daryl Henry and Pablo Ceniceros-Deleon pleaded guilty to a federal hate crime and other charges in connection with this case. Sentencing for these three defendants is set for June 23.
At his sentencing, scheduled for October 6, Jenkins will face up to 26 years in prison.
Anthony Varrecchia (image via Instagram)
Trump's blog appears to be gone pic.twitter.com/yI9hAR3Ozs
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 2, 2021