What is ‘sexual’ about this? (photo: Flickr/Victoria Belanger – CC license) Four new bills filed in the Texas legislature aim to re-categorize bars or businesses that host drag shows as “sexually oriented businesses,” the same classification as adult movie theaters and sex shops. That would result in operating under different regulations as well as higher taxes and fees. Those increased pressures could compel the businesses to stop presenting drag performances or shut down altogether. Continue reading “Texas Lawmakers Aim To Reclassify Drag Shows As ‘Sexually Oriented’”
Ruggero Freddi aka Carlo Masi (via Instagram) Some news items you might have missed: • OUT: Ruggero Freddi, a former gay adult actor who worked under the name Carlo Masi during his time in the porn industry, has won his lawsuit against Sapienza University in Rome, Italy after alleging he was fired unfairly for his history as a sex worker. Continue reading “Former Porn Actor Wins Lawsuit Against University That Fired Him + More”
‘The Last of Us’ star Pedro Pascal (screen capture) Pedro Pascal, star of the massive hit HBO Max series The Last of Us (and the Internet’s unofficial ‘Daddy’), recently shared photos of LGBTQ Pride flags on social media thrilling his queer fans. Continue reading “‘Daddy Of The Internet’ Pedro Pascal Shares Pride Flag Message”
(image via Depositphotos) In 2021, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County, the Alaska State Commission for Human Rights (ASCHR) published new guidelines saying Alaska’s LGBTQ protections included employment, finance, government practices and public accommodation. The official ASCHR website was updated to specifically say that it was illegal to discriminate against someone due to sexual orientation or gender identity. In fact, the executive director for the state commission co-authored an essay calling the new policy “a sea change under Alaska law for LGBTQ+ individuals’ right to be free from discrimination.” A year later, the commission quietly u-turned on that decision and deleted the related language from its website. Continue reading “Alaska Quietly Dropped Most Of Its LGBTQ Protections”
Michael Galyean (screen cap) Some news items you might have missed: • The Advocate: Meet Michael Galyean, the lifelong cheerleader who has gone viral for the second time with his dance moves. He is sharing his extended 15 minutes of fame with young people he hopes to inspire through dance. Continue reading “Get To Know That Dancing Security Guard + More News”
Nikki Haley (screen capture) Speaking to a small crowd at CPAC, Republican White House hopeful (giggle, giggle) Nikki Haley declared that “wokeness” is more dangerous than the pandemic that killed over a million Americans. Continue reading “Nikki Haley: Wokeness Is More Dangerous Than Pandemic”
John Umberger; Julio Ramirez (photo credit: Linda Clary/family photo) The deaths of two gay men who were found dead with their bank accounts drained have been ruled homicides caused by “drug-facilitated theft.” Police have been investigating the two cases which happened separately. In both incidents, the men were seen leaving night spots in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood. Continue reading “NYC Gay Bar Deaths Ruled Homicides By Medical Examiner”