By John Kruzel WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Supreme Court, which last year expanded gun rights in a landmark ruling, is set to return to the issue in a major case testing whether a law that keeps firearms away from people under domestic-violence restraining orders violates the Constitution. It is one of the biggest cases that the court, with its 6-3 conservative majority, has agreed to hear during its next term, which begins in October. The justices wrapped up their latest nine-month term last week with important rulings rejecting affirmative action in collegiate admissions, undermining LGB…

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Aubrey O'Day is coming in hot and heavy about her alleged affair with Donald Trump Jr. — and she's not holding back when it comes to making fun of his fiancée, Kimberly Guilfoyle. During a guest appearance on the Monday, July 3, episode of Michael Cohen's “Mea Culpa” podcast, Trump Jr.'s former mistress trashed Guilfoyle, as she questioned how her former lover could possibly enjoy waking up “next to [Guilfoyle's] face every morning.” Calling him a “brilliant” man, O'Day noted something isn't “authentic” about Trump Jr.'s current persona before shading Guilfoyle's looks and lack of attractivene…

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Pope Francis has selected a Jesuit priest known for his LGBTQ advocacy to take part in a weeks-long gathering of bishops and laypeople later this year. The Rev. James Martin was one of several high-profile U.S. clerical leaders to be appointed by Francis to participate in the synod of bishops, a closely watched and likely consequential meeting that will focus on issues regarding the mission of the Catholic church. This year’s meeting will run from Oct. 4-29. A second session is scheduled for October 2024, after which Francis is expected to release a document considering all ideas proposed by d…

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Cary Grant's daughter never saw a “hint” her Hollywood icon dad was secretly gay. ‘Beverly Hills, 90201' star Jennifer Grant, 57, has hit out after years of talk her big screen icon dad was in the closet, and in the wake of the 2016 documentary titled ‘Women he's Undressed' which detailed the rumours. She told The Guardian ahead of the release of the upcoming ITV series ‘Archie' on her father, which she is producing, that he was “not flirtatious with men”. Jennifer added: “If you're around your parents a lot, you see them in ways that almost no one else does. And I never saw a hint of that. “I…

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It has been tough, but we've spent all week long scouring the depths of Instagram to bring you this week's Instahottie — Timo Barthel. Timo is a diver who hails from Germany. Last month Timo won the 10-meter platform at the European Championships in Poland and got closer to winning a spot in the 2024 Olympics. On his win, he told Swim Swan, “It's unbelievable I'm just speechless. Last year I won the preliminary too and then I did a bad job in the final, so finally I got the gold medal. It's just amazing and now we have the place for Germany, but it's just for Germany, not my place, so I have t…

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(Reuters) – Up to 2,000 anti-LGBT protesters broke up a Gay Pride festival in the Georgian capital Tbilisi on Saturday, scuffling with police and destroying props including rainbow flags and placards, though there were no reports of injuries. Organisers accused the authorities of actively colluding with the demonstrators to disrupt the festival, but a government minister said it was a difficult event to police as it was held in an open area, near a lake. “The protesters managed to find… ways to enter the area of the event, but we were able to evacuate the Pride participants and organisers,” …

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Edgars Rinkevics, Latvia's longest-serving foreign minister, today became the first openly gay head of state in the European Union. As he was sworn in as the country's new president, pledged to fight for inclusion and equality. During his inaugural address to the parliament, which elected him on 31 May, he said he would use his limited powers to influence legislation and shape public opinion to make Latvia a more inclusive and egalitarian country. “Latvia is a sovereign, free and democratic country. But it must be legal and fair for all. Every person in Latvia, its citizens, must feel that the…

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Gay couple tells web designer,

heck will freeze over

before their party-planning artistry

is available for her launch.

303 Creative v. Elenis: A New Chapter in LGBTQ Legal History?

Some believe the U.S. Supreme Court's decision June 30 in 303 Creative v Elenis may be one of the most consequential in LGBTQ legal history—a kind of “separate but equal” pronouncement on how the courts should treat LGBTQ people under the law. Others see a “narrow” injury to the right of LGBTQ people to equal protection of the law and one that will come into play very rarely.

The true consequences will likely take many years to realize. That was the case with the notorious and widely harmful 1986 decision in Bowers v. Hardwick.

The 5 to 4 decision said states could prohibit same-sex sexual relationships, and it was wielded against LGBTQ people both legally and socially. It took 17 years to overturn. In that 17 years, seven of the nine justices who were on the high court and voted in Hardwick left the bench, including three of the five who had voted to allow bans on same-sex relationships.

One of the five, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, changed her mind. So, when the vote on so-called “sodomy laws” came up again, in Lawrence v. Texas in 2003, the vote was 6 to 3 to strike down such bans.

The Path to 303 Creative: The Role of Political Maneuvering in Shaping the Supreme Court

Twenty years have passed since Lawrence, and only one justice who was on the bench in 2003 is still there now: Justice Clarence Thomas. He and five of his conservative Republican appointees voted June 30 to approve the first ever exemption to state laws that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation in the public marketplace. Thomas is 75; the other five range in age from 51 (Amy Coney Barrett) to 73 (Samuel Alito).

If each current justice retires at 80 (the approximate average age that a justice retires these days), and if a pro-LGBTQ president is in office when each retires, and if nobody dies, the soonest 303 Creative might be overturned is 2030.

The Alliance Defending Freedom: Accelerated Appeals in the Wake of Increased Conservatism

So, how did this happen?

Mitch McConnell:  First, of course, then Republican Senate President Mitch McConnell denied a confirmation vote on Obama nominee Merrick Garland. Then he raced three Trump nominees through, creating a super majority of six conservative Republicans on the court.

“Alliance Defending Freedom”: With six conservatives on the court, the Alliance Defending Freedom, a national conservative litigation group seeking to undermine equal rights for LGBTQ people—and which was consistently losing at the lower court levels– accelerated its efforts to get appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court.

One case it had in the pipeline was 303 Creative v. Elenis. It involved a website designer, Lorie Smith of Colorado who was willing to say that she was opposed to same-sex marriage for religious reasons and that she had “worries” that a same-sex couple might come to her and ask her to design a wedding website for them.

If a gay couple did, she said her Christian beliefs would require her to say no, thus putting her in violation of Colorado's law against discrimination based on sexual orientation in public accommodations.

Unraveling the First Amendment Argument: Assessing the Role of ‘Expressive Activity' in the Case

There was no evidence that any same-sex couple had ever asked her, and this is a particularly interesting point. Typically, courts won't take a case unless there is a real –not imagined— conflict. Presumably, the Alliance could not find a website designer who ever faced a real conflict, so it proceeded with Smith and her “worries.” The litigation lost in the district court (which noted that Smith had not been faced with a same-sex couple's request) and lost in the federal appeals court (which said Smith's religious beliefs did not exempt her from obeying the law that applies to all businesses).

The next key turning point was when the Colorado attorney general's office conceded that Smith's plans to start designing wedding websites would constitute an “expressive” activity –or speech— protected by the First Amendment.

Images created with AI tools. See Nerd Notice below

Implications of the Decision: Potential Ripple Effects of the Supreme Court's 303 Creative Ruling

Many, if not most, wedding websites simply take information and photos which a couple provides and plug those into existing website templates. Smith claimed that she would pour herself into the creation of each website, so much so that the couple's wedding website is really her speech, not theirs. So, if Colorado forced Smith to create wedding websites for same-sex couples' weddings, it would be abridging her First Amendment right to free speech.

Images generated by Midjourney prompt: “A license to discriminate” from Biden's remarks

And then, oddly, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear the Alliance's appeal for Smith's case and, in doing so, stipulated that the only question it wanted to hear arguments about was “Whether applying a public-accommodation law to compel an artist to speak or stay silent violates the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment.”

On its face, the answer seemed obvious: Of course, it does. The court's question presumed Colorado applied the state law to “compel” Smith to “speak or stay silent.”

As ACLU legal director David Cole said in a New York Times guest column last December, “The right question is whether someone who chooses to open a business to the public should have the right to turn away gay customers simply because the service she would provide them is ‘expressive' or ‘artistic'.”

The Future of Discrimination Laws: 303 creative llc v. elenis prediction

“President Biden's Concern: The Potential for Increased Discrimination Against LGBTQI+ Americans”**

On its face, the court's decision seemed to agree. “When a law prohibits or compels expressive conduct or intrudes on a speaker's editorial control,” wrote Justice Neil Gorsuch for the majority, “it must satisfy ‘strict scrutiny.'” But Justice Gorsuch also noted that the Colorado law prohibited Smith from “declining any request to design and create wedding websites for same-sex marriages.”

President Biden immediately expressed his concern with the decision. “By carving out a new ‘license to discriminate' for businesses that claim to engage in ‘expressive' or ‘artistic' services,” said Biden in a statement, “this decision threatens to undermine critical non-discrimination protections for LGBTQI+ people. It means that a small business can refuse service to a same-sex couple because of the owner's religious beliefs.”

First Amendment Controversies: The Fear of an Increasingly Religious Government

He and many others worry that the decision could be used by conservatives to justify broader exemptions to laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. And, in some cases, the majority opinion suggested that even laws prohibiting discrimination on race could be undermined. Gorsuch's opinion did note that states have a compelling interest to “ensure equal access to goods and services” but that the law should not “interfere with a person's First Amendment rights.”

Questionable Claims: Examining the Alleged False Information Presented by the Alliance

Legal groups were quick to point out that Gorsuch's opinion contained at least two pieces of false information. One was that Colorado was forcing Smith to express “messages that she finds objectionable.” The state never forced Smith to create a message; it only required her to treat all customers equally. The other was that Colorado “admits that other businesses may deny service based on a customer's protected characteristics.”

That information came from the Alliance which alleged that Colorado officials said a black designer could refuse to create a website criticizing the Black Lives Matter movement, and a Muslim designer could decline to create a website disparaging the Quran. There was no record of any such statements.

A Broader Perspective: The Status of Anti-Discrimination Laws Across the United States

In the end, what does the decision mean? Its impact will be felt immediately in the 22 states, including Colorado, that have laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation in public accommodations. These are the laws that enabled same-sex couples to secure wedding cakes, flowers, and other services from businesses open to the public.

But those states cover just 50 percent of the population. The other half of Americans live in states with no such protections. So, 303 Creative will likely have little impact there, unless those states eventually pass such laws.

One Colorado

© 2023 Keen News Service. All rights reserved.

Images created with AI tools. See Nerd Notice above

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Candy Spelling “didn’t know” her first husband was gay. The 77-year-old author is mother to ‘90210 star Tori, 50, and former actor Randy, 44, with her late husband Aaron Spelling but initially married Howard Frederick in 1963 and revealed that the union came to an end in 1964 after a mere two years together because it turned out he had a sexual preference for men. Speaking on SiriusXM’s ‘Jeff Lewis Live’, she said: “I got married at 17. It sort of didn’t work out. Obviously. He died last year. Um, well, he was, uh…it turned out that he was a latent gay. I didn’t know that!” The Broadway produc…

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Michael Imperioliblastd the Supreme Court’s decision to side in favor of a Christian web designer’s right to refuse to create websites that celebrate same-sex weddings.  Imperioli took his opinion onto Instagram stating, “I’ve decided to forbid bigots and homophobes from watching The Sopranos, The White Lotus, Goodfellas or any movie or tv show I’ve been in. Thank you Supreme Court for allowing me to discriminate and exclude those who I don’t agree with and am opposed to. USA! USA!” He additionally included a picture of a headline that reads, “Supreme Court protects web designer who won’t do g…

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Kevin Spacey has been accused of coming out as gay to “excuse” and avoid “taking responsibility” for his alleged inappropriate sexual behaviour. The Oscar-winning actor, 63, is on trial facing 12 charges of sexual assault, and London's Southwark Crown Court this week heard he was “hiding in plain sight” when he made a series of “vile” remarks before grabbing a man's private parts “with force” at a central London theatre in the mid-2000s. The court also heard one complainant felt “degraded” and “belittled” after the alleged incident. During cross-examination, the man – who is not being named fo…

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When Officer William Stewart arrived on the scene of a pro-LGBTQ rally on June 3 in Corbin, Ky., he found a self-identified Ku Klux Klan member menacing rally-goers with a loaded handgun. “Take your gun off!” Stewart said to 43-year-old KKK member Clayton Segebart, who puts his handgun on the ground. “He's got a gun! He's been trying to f—— shoot someone!” a protester yelled at the officer. But the dramatic scene, captured in a 15-minute police bodycam video obtained by Raw Story through a Kentucky Open Records Act request, didn't result in any arrests. Instead, Stewart decided not press c…

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Republican lawmakers are now focusing their ire on an unlikely target: Barbie. Members of the GOP are accusing the makers of the hit movie of advancing the interests of the Chinese Communist Party, reported POLITICO on Friday — and it all has to do with a drawing seen in one part of the film. “The detail in question is a dashed line drawn on a map off the coast of Asia that critics have identified as the nine-dash line, a contested maritime boundary that Beijing draws more than a thousand miles off its own coast to claim the vast majority of the South China Sea as its territory,” reported Dani…

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The sea sent a chilling message in the middle of June, following two horrific accidents. The first: a vessel carrying 750 people across the Mediterranean, fleeing the hell of their countries towards what they believed would be a place of safety. Crammed onto a fishing trawler, they'd paid the smugglers everything they had to secure a spot. The boat is nameless, was old and rusty, with enough room for a quarter of the number that was onboard. Passengers set off from Tobruk on Libya's eastern coast, unaware the smugglers had tricked them when they said the ship was safe and assured them they wou…

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Hot Sun. Hot Men. Got to get to Miami.

You want sun? Miami's got sun. On average, 249 days/year of sun. And amazing beaches, less-is-more fashion sense (quantity, not bling), and Latin vibe that loves both a good party and just chilling-out in its near-perfect weather.

Miami is calling all sun worshippers! If you're looking to bask in the glorious sunshine, feel the warm sand between your toes, and embrace the vibrant culture, Miami is your ultimate destination. With its stunning beaches, lush gardens, and an array of outdoor activities.

Whether you're a beach bum, a foodie, or a culture enthusiast, Miami has something for everyone, and that includes legendary, robust gay night life, art, friendly hotels. But all of it focuses and points to beaches and parks and boats that offer up tons of folks  all with a focus on the beach and a lot less clothing.

Miami continues to roll out the rainbow carpet. So, grab your sunscreen, put on your favorite shades, and let's dive into the sun-soaked wonders of Miami.

Classic Sun Spots

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens: This historic estate features stunning gardens inspired by European landscapes. Take a leisurely stroll through the lush gardens, admire the architecture of the mansion, and enjoy the beautiful views of Biscayne Bay.

MIAMI BEACH BOARDWALK: This 7-mile walk, from the tip of South Beach (South Pointe Park) to the Surfside border, is the perfect way to get your steps in, and catch some rays in the meantime. Obviously, you don't have to do the whole thing in case a hot game of beach volleyball distracts you.

Haulover Beach Park: Located just north of Miami Beach, Haulover Beach Park offers a clothing-optional section as well as a traditional beach area. It's a favorite spot for sunbathers and beach sports enthusiasts. Remember to follow safety guidelines, such as applying sunscreen, staying hydrated, and seeking shade when necessary.

Photo courtesy of the GMCVB 

See More: Sunrise to Sunset

BILL BAGS CAPE FLORIDA STATE PARK: The beautiful island of Key Biscayne touts the oldest structure in Greater Miami – the Cape Florida Light (lighthouse). A perfect place to greet the sunrise, beautiful views, plenty of sand, and limitations on the number of visitors each day make it a perfect destination, but plan ahead to make sure you get in.

OCEAN DRIVE: The Deco District is world-famous for its colorful architecture, and South Beach's center of activity for people-watching, cocktails, and a tropical vibe that goes all night

Photo courtesy Wynwood Pride – WynwoodPride.com

Two Great Sun Soaked Events

WYNWOOD PRIDE: For an artsy neighborhood Pride, Wynwood Pride, founded by three queer people of color, is now on the calendar of every in-the-know culture vulture in Miami during Pride month, benefitting Equality Florida.

WINTER PARTY: This annual world-famous week-long celebration of queerness, music and dance on Miami Beach, benefits the National LGBTQ Task Force. (February 28 to March)

Photo courtesy of Twist South Beach 

Shine on: Miami Nightlife

KILL YOUR IDOL: DJs, live music and a life-size statue of Bruce Lee. This dive bar is a popular local hangout on Espagnola Way, and a little bit of hipster heaven.

TWIST: Show off your shirtless tan in this mega dance club, with 7 bars, open 7 nights/week, 2-4-1 drinks until 9pm everyday, and everything from salsa to house music. The longest-running gay bar in Miami, its conveniently located near 12th Street Beach.

Photo courtesy Sonesta Hotels

Miami Check ins

THE NAUTILUS SONEST MIAMI BEACH: On Collins Avenue, with a beautiful pool and outdoor seating, and an easy walk to the beach, this “Miami Modern” 1950's gem is midcentury oceanfront luxury at mid-range prices.

FREEHAND MIAMI: Technically a hostel, but with private rooms and a laid-back vibe, this mixed-crowd hangout is good for any budget.

A Taste of Miami: Dine in Style

Photo courtesy Azabu Miami Beach 

A Miami Trip For the Sun Worshipper

AZABU: Inspired by the Azabu District in Tokyo, this Michelin-starred outpost on Ocean Drive is fresh and light. Perfect after a day on the sand, ask about The Den – a hidden exclusive sushi bar within the Marriott Stanton South Beach hotel.

ITAMAE: This Design Destrict hot spot, where Peru meets Japan, offers health-conscious fresh ceviches and low-carb deliciousness, celebrating local and seasonal ingredients.

Photo courtesy of the GMCVB – http://MiamiandBeaches.com

Shop Bright

W SWIMWEAR: Everything from board shorts to thongs, if beach time means speedo time for you, this is the place. Even if it isn't, this LGBTQI+ more-than-friendly store may have what you're looking for.

LAPIS SPA: The spa at the Fountainbleau hotel has everything you need to let that tan set in, or offer some relief if you overdid it a bit on day one. On the menu are ocean-sourced mineral scrubs, mineral pools and eucalyptus steam baths.

Featured image courtesy o f Photo courtesy of GMCVB 

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By Colette Bennett While many businesses prefer to remain neutral on thorny topics such as politics, Unilever-owned (UL) – Get Free Report ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s has always opted to take a bold stand instead on many a liberal topic. From its “Issues We Care About” section on its website to its stance on gun violence in America, the brand has been famously progressive for decades — but with its latest take, some think its gone too far. READ MORE: Bud Light’s New Ad Campaign Is Off to a Rough Start On July 4, the brand shared a graphic on its official Twitter that suggests the idea of re…

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Kevin Spacey is said to have asked one of his sexual assault accusers if he liked to “be f*****” before he allegedly grabbed the man's genitals “with force” at a charity gala. The Oscar-winning actor, 63, is facing 12 charges of sexual assault and appeared at London's Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday (05.07.23), where the second of his four alleged victims also claimed he had been “aggressive” towards him and accused the star of “laughing” at him during the alleged assault. The court also heard ‘The Usual Suspects' star “smelt of booze” while “talking about sex” with the man at a central Lon…

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Singer Ricky Martinand his husband, artist Jwan Yosef, have announced that they are getting divorced.  The two have come to this decision after six years of marriage and posted a joint statement on their Instagram accounts on Thursday.  “For some time, we have considered transforming our relationship, and it is after careful consideration that we have decided to end our marriage with love, respect, and dignity for our children-preserving and honoring what we have experienced as a couple all of these wonderful years.” The couple specified that their attention will be focused on their family and…

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Jay-Z's mother Gloria Carter has got married to her longtime partner. Gloria and her partner Roxanne Wiltshire tied the knot in a star-studded ceremony in New York City over the weekend, with her famous son and his wife Beyonce in attendance. As reported by TMZ, other famous guests including the likes of Kelly Rowland, Tyler Perry, Tina Knowles-Lawson, Corye Gamble and Robin Roberts. It's said the celebrations on Sunday (02.07.23) went on until 1am. Bey shared a snap of her outfit on Instagram, posing in a peach ensemble, including a corseted bodysuit and matching skirt. Her and Jay's 11-year-…

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Madonna was allegedly found unresponsive on Saturday, June 24, and had to be “brought back from the dead” by medical personnel. According to reports by Radar, the “Like a Virgin” singer was given a NARCAN injection to resuscitate her. NARCAN — also known as naxalone — is sometimes administered in emergency situations in order to treat a narcotics overdose. However, there is currently no evidence that the Queen of Pop was given Narcan in relation to any type of drug abuse. Aside from overdose, the life-saving medication can also be used to reverse acute septic shock, which occurs when an infect…

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Dolly Parton stole her signature look from her “town tramp”. The Jolene' country icon, 77, who grew up in Sevier County, Tennessee, and once said she had spent $1 million dollars on her breast enlargements, said looking trashy was a “country girl's idea of glamour”. She is quoted in the Daily Star saying: “I based my look on the town tramp, the trash in our county. “She had long beautiful red nails, bright red lipstick, peroxide yellow hair, high-heeled shoes, short skirts. I thought she was absolutely beautiful. “I thought, ‘That's what I'm going to be when I grow up – trash.'” Dolly has cons…

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By Jena Greene Pop star and outspoken culture critic Kid Rock has never shied away from some good old-fashioned identity politics. And since Bud Light has been the most recent lightning rod in the debate over woke corporate policies, Kid Rock has naturally placed himself firmly at the center of it. DON'T MISS: Target Makes a Bold Move That Has Conservatives Angry and Calling for Boycott Earlier this summer, Bud Light, owned by parent company Anheuser-Busch (BUDFF ) sparked outrage when it voiced support for the LGBTQ+ community. Some of its core and loyal consumers, namely a right-leaning crow…

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A former mayor of New York confirmed Tuesday he is separating from his wife, who is lesbian. But his wife said Wednesday the they are “still very much in love.” Bill de Blasio, who gave up the mayor's seat 18 months ago, has been married to Chirlane McCray for 29 years. They will not seek a divorce, but will keep sharing a Brooklyn townhouse. McCray told reporters outside their home that the couple is “figuring out how it plays out. “There's a very deep bond between us,” the New York Post quoted her as saying. De Blasio was spotted leaving their building with suitcases Wednesday morning. McCra…

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Billy Porter has split from Adam Smith after six years of marriage. The 53-year-old actor met Adam, 36, at a dinner party in 2009 and they tied the knot almost a decade later but announced on Wednesday (05.06.23) that they have made the “sad decision” to go their separate ways but will make “no further comment” on the situation, a representative has confirmed. Rep Simon Halls told People: “I can confirm that Billy Porter and his husband Adam Smith have made the sad decision to end their marriage after six years. The decision was an amicable and mutual one and was made after much consideration….

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