LGBTQ news and entertainment
(image via Depositphotos)Funny/smart guy Michael Henry takes a look at a longstanding conflict in the LGBTQ community: Does kink belong at Pride? Should Pride attendees reflect sexual expression? Or should it be a sanitized version for suburban sensibilities? Continue reading “Michael Henry: Kink At Pride? Or Should We Sanitize?”
Decades of struggle, revolution, and love. FX’s new six-part documentary, PRIDE, premieres May 14 at 8pm on FX, next day on FX on Hulu. From the official description:
Featuring little-known characters such as Madeleine Tress or 1980s videographer Nelson Sullivan who chronicled a vanishing downtown New York City during the AIDS epidemic, the series also features international figures such as Civil Rights pioneer Bayard Rustin, writer Audre Lorde and Senators Tammy Baldwin and Lester Hunt.
The evolution of trans rights and identities through the decades is charted through interviews and archival footage of pioneers including Christine Jorgensen, Flawless Sabrina, Ceyenne Doroshow, Susan Stryker, Kate Bornstein, Dean Spade and Raquel Willis.
|
| Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (image via Twitter/JustinTrudeau) |
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made headlines yesterday when he stopped in at the Fountainhead Pub in Vancouver’s West End in advance of the city’s Pride celebration this weekend.
Many believe this may have been the first time a sitting Prime Minister dropped by a gay bar.
According to Taran Parmar, reporter for City News 1130, Trudeau walked around the pub shaking hands and posing for photos for about fifteen minutes.
Parmar described the scene as, “Lots of cheering, lots of excitement, a lot of people that tried to rush him and take a picture as well as take his hand.”
“Vancouver is gearing up for #Pride weekend right now, but the spirit of pride and inclusivity is strong here all year long!” wrote Trudeau from his own Twitter account. “Thanks to the folks at @fountainheadVAN for the warm welcome today.”
This is the first time a sitting Canadian PM has visited a gay bar, and may even be the first instance the leader of a country has done this. @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/Vt5o1g6pum— Taran Parmar (@Tarankparmar) July 30, 2019
Vancouver is gearing up for #Pride weekend right now, but the spirit of pride and inclusivity is strong here all year long! Thanks to the folks at @fountainheadVAN for the warm welcome today. pic.twitter.com/vQWgTUG9xw— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) July 30, 2019
People genuinely happy to see @JustinTrudeau as he visits the Fountainhead Pub, in the heart of Vancouver’s gay village. Apparently first sitting head of state to do visit a gay bar. No surprise. @HedyFry has held this seat for 25+ years. #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/cIql23PRBR— Charmaine de Silva (@char_des) July 30, 2019
The prime minister has a strong history of supporting the LGBTQ community.
In 2016, Trudeau became the first sitting prime minister to take part in Toronto’s Pride Parade, the largest LGBTQ pride celebration in Canada.
In 2017, he issued a public apology to gay Canadians who were fired from jobs and dismissed from the military from the 1950s through the 1990s. “It is our collective shame that you were so mistreated,” said Trudeau speaking at the House of Commons.
Additionally, he introduced the Expungement of Historically Unjust Convictions Act, which erased the records of Canadians who were previously convicted of “consensual homosexual activity.” That legislation was passed last June.
Social media celebrated the visit by Trudeau posting selfies with the Prime Minister.
One Instagrammer wrote, “When the Canadian Prime Minister comes into a gay bar in Vancouver and asks your name,” adding the hashtag #LivingMyBestLife.
The Washington Blade is reporting that Cuba’s annual International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia marches – scheduled for May 11 in Havana and May 17 in Camagüey – have been cancelled.
Posted on the Facebook page of the National Center for Sexual Education, which is directed by Mariela Castro, is a statement saying the events were cancelled due to “current uncertainty the country is experiencing.”
The Facebook post goes on to say the Cuban Ministry of Public Health made the decision to cancel the events.
The first Pride parade held in Cuban occurred in 2009.
LGBTQ Cubans were disappointed when marriage equality was removed from a draft of Cuba’s new constitution.
From last year’s Pride event:
Tel Aviv Gay Pride, the largest Pride event in the Middle East, attracted hundreds of thousands of attendees to it’s annual parade on Friday.
From the Jerusalem Post:
The parade, which took off from Tel Aviv’s Gan Meir at noon and included music, festivities, speeches and shows, is the largest Pride Parade in the Middle East.
This year’s event spotlighted “Women for a Change,” an organization that highlights the role of women in the LGBT community.
Additionally, the parade included events like a fashion tour, a Eurovision event and the hallmark of the festivities, the LGBT Film Festival.
Hey hey hey Las Vegas! Come on out today and get your Pride on!
The weather is looking to be beautiful, just like all the shiny, happy people at Pride Fest.
I want to see you there! Come up and say ‘hey’ if you see me 🙂
Here’s the details – Happy Pride!
Exit the hater; enter the hunk.
Rapper Iggy Azalea dropped out yesterday as the headliner for Pittsburgh Pride in the Street over mounting criticism regarding racist and homophobic tweets published years ago before she was famous.
It looked like Pittsburgh Pride was in a tight spot, but LGBT ally, hunky KINGDOM star, and current “It” guy Nick Jonas rides in to the rescue.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports:
“Nick had heard about Pittsburgh Pride in the media and called us on Tuesday and said he would like to come and perform,” said Gary Van Horn, president of presenting nonprofit Delta Foundation of
Pittsburgh, in a statement. “He has been a supporter of the LGBT community, and he wanted to make sure that the community and Pittsburgh had a Pride event that they could be proud of.”
“When I heard about the difficult position Pittsburgh Pride was in just days before their event, I knew I had to find a way to help,” said Mr. Jonas.
“I’m excited to do what I can to support the LGBT community in Pittsburgh, and I look forward to seeing you this Saturday as we celebrate together.”
Emmy Award winning host of the popular nationally syndicated entertainment program Extra, Mario Lopez will preside over the 2015 Miami Beach Gay Pride parade and festival as Grand Marshal, announced Mark Fernandes, chair of the Pride Board.
As Grand Marshal, Lopez will lead the enthusiastic and colorful parade that is expected to draw more than 100,000 spectators on Sunday, April 12.
The Miami Beach Gay Pride parade kicks off at noon along famed Ocean Drive between 5th and 15th Streets and will be followed by the Pride Festival with live performances from four stages, community booths and refreshments.
An ardent proponent of LGBTQ issues, Lopez is a long-time supporter of GLAAD.
– press release
Yesterday in Belgrade, over 1,000 people took part in the first gay pride event in four years.
The past three years saw pride events cancelled due to threats and protests. Only small outbreaks of violence occurred thanks in great part to the protection by thousands of riot police.
From Gay Star News:
Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic warned yesterday that ‘whoever tries to provoke incidents will be very, very severely punished.’
Belgrade Mayor Sinisa Mali and Michael Davenport, the head of the European Union’s delegation to Serbia, were among the politicians and dignitaries in attendance.
‘Belgrade is an open city, which means it is open to all and that everyone here is equal,’ Mali said, as reported by Radio Free Europe.
The country, which is pursuing EU membership, has reportedly come under pressure from the Union, which says the event is a test of Serbia’s commitment to the fundamental freedoms promoted by the bloc.
Homophobia is widespread in Serbia, often supported by right-wing parties and church leaders.