Some news items I thought worth your time: • The Advocate: A new survey from the Pew Research Center shows the majority of Americans support transgender sports and health care restrictions — yet they also support anti-discrimination laws protecting trans people. • Boy Culture: The folks at Mr. Man have revealed the winners of the 11th Annual Manatomy Awards, which celebrate the best nude scenes of the year. Hit the link to check out the winners. Continue reading “11th Annual ‘Manatomy Awards’ + Support For Trans Rights + More News”
Some news stories you might have missed: • Playbill: Keeping Company With Sondheim, a new documentary exploring the legacy of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s musical Company, will premiere May 27 at 9 PM ET on PBS featuring rehearsal and performance footage. Continue reading “News Round-Up: January 19, 2022”
L-R Bob the Drag Queen, Shangela & Eureka O’Hara (image via HBO) Get ready, small-town America – the queens are coming! HBO Network has announced a new unscripted TV series titled We’re Here starring RuPaul’s Drag Race alumni Bob the Drag Queen, Eureka O’Hara, and Shangela. Over six episodes, the trio of RPDR royalty will travel to small towns across the country with the goal of “empowering local communities with the magic of drag.” Each installment of the series will feature a different town where locals will be recruited to participate in a one-night-only drag show. The three queens will work to inspire their ‘drag daughters’ to step out of their comfort zone. We’re getting a Queer Eye / To Wong Foo vibe here… Creator and executive producer Johnnie Ingram says, “We’re bringing the art of drag into small-town America in an effort to make connections in unexpected places.” “Drag is about confidence and self-expression,” says Nina Rosenstein, EVP, HBO programming in a statement. “We are so thrilled to showcase the transformative power of the art form with our audience.” All three queens will contribute as consulting producers on the series with Ingram and co-creator/executive producer Stephen Warren. The divas shared the news with similar messaging on their Instagrams:
Sen. Kamala Harris releases her plan for LGBTQ+ equality Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) mixed and mingled with supporters at the West Hollywood gay bar The Abbey on Wednesday night prior to the LGBTQ Town Hall co-sponsored by HRC & CNN on Thursday night. At one point during the event, the California senator also got a lesson from RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Shangela on how to properly clack a fan. Certainly a skill the first woman president would need, yes? Shangela shared the moment on Instagram with 1.2 million followers:
Today, Harris released her proposal for LGBTQ Equality titled, “Kamala’s LGBTQ+ Plan to Provide Equality and Dignity for All.” Harris announced the plan on Twitter writing, “Today, I introduced a plan to ensure everyone in the LGBTQ+ community is able to live proudly and openly, without fear of discrimination. We can restore equality and dignity in the White House.”
Today, I introduced a plan to ensure everyone in the LGBTQ+ community is able to live proudly and openly, without fear of discrimination. We can restore equality and dignity in the White House. https://t.co/tS2YM46az7
In the plan, Harris says she will repeal the Trump/Pence Hate Agenda: • Reverse Trump’s ban on transgender service members • Ensure that questions about the LGBTQ+ community are included in the census • Enforce federal civil rights laws that protect LGBTQ+ people • Ensure religion cannot be used to discriminate against LGBTQ+ individuals Additionally, Harris promises to establish a Chief Advocate for LGBTQ+ Affairs in the White House, sign the Equality Act into law, sign the Student Non-Discrimination Act into law, and require homeless shelters that receive federal funds cannot discriminate again LGBTQ+ youth.
Regarding HIV, the California senator proposes requiring all insurance plans to cover PrEP as well as bring the cost of the medication down using the government’s authority. Also in the medical arena, Harris wants to ensure health care coverage of gender confirmation surgery and other gender transition health services as well as guarantee coverage for reproductive services for all LGBTQ+ people including trans and gender non-binary people through her Medicare For All plan. In terms of crime and the justice system, Harris proposes improving the tracking and reporting of hate crimes, end profiling of LGBTQ+ people by law enforcement, and reform the criminal justice system addressing the disproportionate hard the system has on LGBTQ+ people. There’s much more on Harris’s campaign website here. Earlier today, fellow Democratic White House hopefuls Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Indiana, released their plans for LGBTQ Americans. Don’t forget to watch the LGBTQ Town Hall tonight on CNN beginning at 7 p.m. ET.
