Tag: Turkey

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Trans Military Vets Waiting Months For Separation Pay + More News

Pete Hegseth crashes out during Senate Appropriations Committee hearing

Some news stories I thought worth your time:

• The Advocate: House Democrats are demanding answers from Defense Sec. Pete Hegseth about delayed separation pay for transgender service members forced out under the Trump administration’s military ban. Some trans vets have been waiting months and months for tens of thousands.

• New York Times: Last month, the Department of Homeland Security sent Nevada (my state!) a list of 185 names that it claimed identified noncitizens who had been improperly allowed to register to vote. Nevada looked into the claim and found every single person on the list was a lawful citizen. Continue reading “Trans Military Vets Waiting Months For Separation Pay + More News”

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Kansas Gets My Vote For Mister USA + More News

John Ahlstedt representing Kansas at this year's Mister USA pageant (screen captures)

Some news items I thought worth your time:

• Queerty: You must take note of John Ahlstedt (above), who turned heads representing Kansas at the recent Mister USA pageant. Not only is he a hottie, but the straight, father of two is an outspoken LGBTQ ally. Check out his swimwear moment in the clip below. #fire Continue reading “Kansas Gets My Vote For Mister USA + More News”

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Turkey Arrests Dozens Of LGBTQ People In Government Raids

Turkey arrests dozens of LGBTQ citizens in raids across 15 provinces

Legal authorities in Istanbul, Turkey, arrested at least 47 people across 12 provinces in government raids on LGBTQ+ bars, activist groups, and associations that took place over the weekend.

The government crackdown is part of virulently anti-LGBTQ President Tayyip Erdogan’s ongoing “My Family Is Safe” initiative, which targets queer people in the name of protecting family values, even though Turkey doesn’t have laws explicitly banning homosexuality. Continue reading “Turkey Arrests Dozens Of LGBTQ People In Government Raids”

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NBC News: Economic Impact Of Gay Cruise Denied Docking In Turkey + Egypt

NBC News reports on gay cruise being denied docking in Turkey and Egypt

NBC News interviewed me for this updated report on the Atlantis Events cruise I traveled on last month being denied docking in Turkey and Egypt.

The incidents are rightfully raising questions about how these policies could hurt their economies as the LGBTQ+ tourism industry booms.

You can check out other interviews I’ve done about the kerfuffle at the New York Times, CNN, and the Times of London.

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More On Gay Cruise Turned Away By Turkey & Egypt

With my Atlantis Cruise buddies in Mykonos

It was a bit of a “working vacation” these past two weeks while on my Atlantis cruise of the Mediterranean…

After our cruise ship, the Scarlet Lady, was turned away from Turkey and then Egypt, the incidents garnered international headlines.

One new bit of info I just recently learned – it was the Egyptian Navy that intercepted our ship shortly after midnight on July 9 and ordered our captain to turn away from Egyptian waters.

As the only member of the LGBTQ media who was onboard during the debacle, I’ve been interviewed by several major news outlets and thought I’d share some of the coverage 🙂 Continue reading “More On Gay Cruise Turned Away By Turkey & Egypt”

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Gay Cruise Banned From Docking In Turkey

Atlantis Cruise banned from docking in Turkey

Hello readers! I write to you from Greece where hubby Michael and I are about to embark on the Atlantis Cruise from Athens to Venice.

But a last minute hiccup has occurred as Turkey, which was to be an early stop on the cruise, has banned our ship from docking citing “moral standards” and “family values.” Continue reading “Gay Cruise Banned From Docking In Turkey”

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Podcast: George Santos Released From Prison + More LGBTQ News

The Randy Report podcast

In this week’s episode of The Randy Report podcast: Donald Trump ordered serial liar and former gay Republican Rep. George Santos released from prison after less than three months of his 7+ year sentence. Plus… Continue reading “Podcast: George Santos Released From Prison + More LGBTQ News”

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Caught On Camera Stealing LGBTQ Signs, Now Faces $$$ In Fines + More News

man charged with stealing LGBTQ signs

Some news items I thought worth your time:

• LGBTQ Nation: 56-year-old Frank Hobbs Jr. was caught on camera stealing pro-LGBTQ yard signs last June, eventually claiming that local officials had given him permission to remove “pedophile symbols.” But now he’s being charged with violating state civil rights laws and could face thousands in fines.

• Gay Times: Amazon MGM has announced the highly-anticipated sequel to “Red, White & Royal Blue” has been officially greenlit via a short teaser posted to social media. Continue reading “Caught On Camera Stealing LGBTQ Signs, Now Faces $$$ In Fines + More News”

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Books About LGBTQ Lives 30% More Likely To Be Banned + More News

A shelf holding LGBTQ themed books in a library

Some news items you might have missed: • Washington Post: An analysis of 872 challenges to 444 books in 29 states revealed books featuring “LGBTQ characters, themes and stories” are banned the most. Continue reading “Books About LGBTQ Lives 30% More Likely To Be Banned + More News”