By Sean McPolin The son of an infamous 1980s televangelist couple is set to reveal their family's darkest secrets in an upcoming documentary which is set to lay all bare. Dubbed Better Angels: The Gospel According to Tammy Faye, the series will follow the life of Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye Messner. The pair's lives recently came back into the public spotlight thanks to the Oscar-winning film starring Jessica Chastain and Andrew Garfield. Now, the duo's son Jay Bakker has revealed some of the shocking details which are about to be exposed. The 48-year-old admitted he hopes the documentary can sh…

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Ask some locals for the best place to eat in Key West, and you'd better open Notes on your phone and prepare your thumbs for a long list. With its compact size and diverse culinary landscape, Key West is a paradise for food enthusiasts, where it's hard to get a bad meal, and easy to satisfy your cravings.

Let's start with the basics. Key West claims both the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic, and is smack dab where the two meet. So, yes there is seafood. The warm waters of the Gulf offer a milder and sweeter taste to always-fresh fish than colder climes. For those with a sweet tooth, there's a key lime pie around every corner, each a unique twist on this beloved classic. And if you don't like any of that, you're still in safe waters.

Mile High Meringue at Blue Heaven

Let's start with dessert. Key West's eponymous pie is a culinary institution, sparking lively debates among locals and visitors alike.  Start to unlock the experience, a slice at Blue Heaven, or one of the many venues that feature it. Chef Theresa Paterno's handcrafted creations, her “happy pies,” she says are infused with love and guaranteed to leave you more than satisfied.

Located just a tart-citrus-fruit's throw away from popular nightlife hotspots 801, Tutu (22) bar and Saloon 1, Blue Heaven‘s eclectic sprawling outdoor space make it a welcome part of any itinerary. The restaurant leans into the venue's past incarnation as a brothel, its quirky charm captures the essence of Key West's vibrant spirit. The historic, loud, and beloved Key West chickens love the place, and all are welcome, along with a hodge-podge of every sort of visitor that makes it this far.

Benedicts For Brunch

Next stop is brunch, any day of the week. A perennial favorite is Azur – gay-owned and operated, featuring a Mediterranean-inspired menu and conveniently close to the clothing optional resorts on Fleming. And the chef prepares Benedicts three ways daily, each one delicious.

Another perennial, Banana Café, a French bistro in the heart of Key West. This quaint spot also features the Benedicts, a decadent lobster and other more traditional ones. They have a wine list featuring European vintners that's perfect for pairing and a range of traditional favorites, so everyone will leave fully completely satisfied.

Cubano Classics

No culinary survey of Key West can be called complete without enjoying the tastes of Cuba. Key West is closer to Cuba than to mainland Florida, and you can't go wrong at local favorite El Siboney or grab a decadent Cuban mix sandwich from Sandy's while you do your laundry.

More Key Restaurants

Other places we repeat visit are Date & Thyme, for healthy shakes, snacks and organic meals, across from Equator Resort.

The restaurant at Island House features addictive conch fritters and and the scenery sometimes beats a pretty sunset, as you'll hear Bobby rave in this episode of Gay Key West Uncovered.

Gay Key West Uncovered is a six-part miniseries podcast that is undeniably biased, and not-so-straight from a skeptical team of gay New Yorkers who didn't know what to expect in the southernmost wilds of Florida, and emerged as fans. Turning to the locals of Key West for their help and guidance, including drag queens, creative digital nomads, a super fierce lesbian boat captain, naked pool boys, business owners and even the mayor, we're attempting to tell at least a chapter or two of its story. This time we were hungry, and fortunately that's not a problem on the island. Not at all. Listen to our fourth episode here, and join New York comedian and host Bobby Hankinson as Towleroad eats its way into a coma:

More On Key West on Towleroad

‘Florida Curious' to Key West Convert: Take Your Clothes Off and Say ‘Gay' in the Conch Republic

Strip or Just Tease? Key West's Famous, and Infamous, Clothing-Optional Gay Guesthouses

Key West Spells Diversion With a Big “D”: Drinking, Dancing, Drag

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A recent study in Marine Mammal Science discusses the first observed sexual behavior between two male humpback whales off the coast of Maui, Hawaii in 2022.

These images are hugely significant as the report describes: “Despite decades of research on humpback whales around the world, reports of penis extrusion by males are relatively rare … and copulation in humpback whales has not yet been documented …This is the first report of penetration by a humpback whale, and the first report of sexual activity between two male humpback whales.”

According to a press release by the Pacific Whale Foundation “The two whales circled the boat numerous times, allowing Krannichfeld and Romano the opportunity to carefully document the event by holding their cameras over the side of the stationary vessel (note: it is illegal to swim with or approach humpback whales within 100 yards in Hawaii and the vessel remained in neutral as the whales approached).

[FULL STUDY BELOW] Researchers Document First Known Sexual Behavior Between Male Humpback Whales

This observation challenges researchers to perhaps broaden their inquiry as previous understanding and research on humpback whale behavior, has largely focused on reproductive activities.

According to the study, so-called “nonreproductive sexual behaviors,” including those between the same sex, are documented across various animal species. Such behaviors may serve functions beyond reproduction, including social alliance formation, dominance establishment, and tension reduction. This single observation is difficult to generalize from, not only in isolation, but because of one whale was emaciated and injured.

The Significance of This Observation

The health condition of Whale A, described as emaciated and injured, may have influenced the interaction. Previous studies have suggested that weakened or injured animals might become targets for dominant behavior or mistargeted mating attempts. The Foundation release noted the health disparity adds “complexity to this unique observation. One whale's poor condition, possibly caused by a ship strike, may have contributed to the observed behavior.”

The observed whales, identified via tail fluke photographs and genetic analysis, exhibited a unique interaction. “Whale B repeatedly approached from the rear of Whale A and penetrated the second whale, appearing to hold Whale A in place with its pectoral fins,” the researchers detailed.

This behavior, they write, suggests a complex social interaction potentially related to dominance, social bonding, or a mistargeted mating attempt.

Male-Male Interactions Among Marine Mammals
The observed behavior in humpback whales adds to documented instances of same-sex interactions among marine mammals, including pinnipeds and cetaceans like bottlenose dolphins and killer whales. These interactions often involve complex social behaviors, including dominance, alliance formation, and social learning.

The authors emphasized the importance of further research to understand the motivations and implications of such behaviors fully, they noted a “similar observation by Pack et al. (1998), where a humpback whale exhibited sexual activity near a deceased conspecific, adds to the complexity of understanding these occurrences,” they concluded.

The study highlights the significant role of community scientists and the value of opportunistic observations in advancing marine mammal science.

View the full article

A recent study in Marine Mammal Science discusses the first observed sexual behavior between two male humpback whales off the coast of Maui, Hawaii in 2022.

These images are hugely significant as the report describes: “Despite decades of research on humpback whales around the world, reports of penis extrusion by males are relatively rare … and copulation in humpback whales has not yet been documented …This is the first report of penetration by a humpback whale, and the first report of sexual activity between two male humpback whales.”

According to a press release by the Pacific Whale Foundation “The two whales circled the boat numerous times, allowing Krannichfeld and Romano the opportunity to carefully document the event by holding their cameras over the side of the stationary vessel (note: it is illegal to swim with or approach humpback whales within 100 yards in Hawaii and the vessel remained in neutral as the whales approached).

[FULL STUDY BELOW] Researchers Document First Known Sexual Behavior Between Male Humpback Whales

This observation challenges researchers to perhaps broaden their inquiry as previous understanding and research on humpback whale behavior, has largely focused on reproductive activities.

According to the study, so-called “nonreproductive sexual behaviors,” including those between the same sex, are documented across various animal species. Such behaviors may serve functions beyond reproduction, including social alliance formation, dominance establishment, and tension reduction. This single observation is difficult to generalize from, not only in isolation, but because of one whale was emaciated and injured.

The Significance of This Observation

The health condition of Whale A, described as emaciated and injured, may have influenced the interaction. Previous studies have suggested that weakened or injured animals might become targets for dominant behavior or mistargeted mating attempts. The Foundation release noted the health disparity adds “complexity to this unique observation. One whale's poor condition, possibly caused by a ship strike, may have contributed to the observed behavior.”

The observed whales, identified via tail fluke photographs and genetic analysis, exhibited a unique interaction. “Whale B repeatedly approached from the rear of Whale A and penetrated the second whale, appearing to hold Whale A in place with its pectoral fins,” the researchers detailed.

This behavior, they write, suggests a complex social interaction potentially related to dominance, social bonding, or a mistargeted mating attempt.

Male-Male Interactions Among Marine Mammals
The observed behavior in humpback whales adds to documented instances of same-sex interactions among marine mammals, including pinnipeds and cetaceans like bottlenose dolphins and killer whales. These interactions often involve complex social behaviors, including dominance, alliance formation, and social learning.

The authors emphasized the importance of further research to understand the motivations and implications of such behaviors fully, they noted a “similar observation by Pack et al. (1998), where a humpback whale exhibited sexual activity near a deceased conspecific, adds to the complexity of understanding these occurrences,” they concluded.

The study highlights the significant role of community scientists and the value of opportunistic observations in advancing marine mammal science.

View the full article

Legal and political experts were stunned by the Supreme Court announcing Wednesday it will take up Donald Trump's claim of presidential immunity, despite there being no contradiction in the lower courts. Compounding experts' surprise and concern over granting certiorari was the length of time it took to announce the decision, and that they will not hear arguments until April 22. “The Supreme Court heard and decided Bush v. Gore in THREE DAYS. THAT was expediting a case of national importance,” noted Tristan Snell, the former New York State prosecutor who led the successful investigation and $2…

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Jussie Smollett has completed a five-month substance abuse programme. The former ‘Empire' actor – who is awaiting to find out if the supreme court will hear another appeal after his conviction for about being a victim of a racist and homophobic attack back in 2019 was upheld in December – had been participating in an outpatient scheme at an undisclosed facility following an “extremely difficult” few years, and sources told TMZ his rehab stint came to an end last month. The insider told the outlet Jussie put in the work, focusing on his health and being consistent with his workouts during his t…

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Renee Rapp was “obsessed” with Justin Bieber because he reminded her of a “really sexy lesbian.” The “Snow Angel” singer admitted the “Yummy” hit-maker is the only male celebrity she “ever had a crush on” but she eventually grew to realize she wasn't sexually attracted to him, she simply wanted to emulate his life and success. Asked about her previous comment she wanted to be the bisexual Justin Bieber, she told The Hollywood Reporter: “That was my pitch of myself to my label. I was obsessed with him. He was the one boy celebrity, pretty much, [that] I ever had a crush on. “And I realized, as …

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The 2003 killing of 15-year-old Sakia Gunn by a man who had been trying to pick up her girlfriend at a Newark bus stop let the world in on a little-known fact about Black lesbians in Newark: They existed. Furthermore, they were, and are, part of a broader LGBTQ+ community of color with a long history in the state's largest city. Those realities are the subject of a new book edited by a Rutgers-Newark professor that provides more complete histories of Newark and the broader LGBTQ+ community nationwide. Queer Newark: Stories of Resistance, Love and Community, edited by Whitney Strub andpublished…

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Whether he's shocking audiences with his unique perspectives on black comedy or paving the way for LGBTQ+ advocacy in cinema, US director John Waters remains one of the most influential living filmmakers. From raunchy satires (Serial Mom, Female Trouble), classic musical films (Cry-Baby, Hairspray), and did-he-just-do-that? cult trash (Multiple Maniacs, Desperate Living, Pink Flamingos), the pencil-line moustachioed pioneer of all things transgressive has never hesitated in pushing deep, dark boundaries. Now, Waters, 77, is reportedly returning to the director's chair, 20 years since his last …

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The Tennessee House passed a bill Monday aimed at curtailing the prevalence of rainbow Pride flags in public spaces. The bill would mandate that public schools in the state could only exhibit the U.S. and state flags, as well as, under certain conditions, the POW/MIA or official school flags. GOP Rep. Gino Bulso, the bill's primary sponsor, said the measure helps protect parents' rights. He advocated for it after fielding complaints from constituents about Pride flags in classrooms. Read: Tucker Carlson Allegedly Targeted In Assassination Attempt While In Russia To Interview Putin One Democrat…

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Rep. Lauren Boebert's (R-CO) teenage son was arrested on nearly two dozen charges related to a crime spree in the Colorado district she still represents. Police say 18-year-old Tyler Boebert was arrested Tuesday after a “recent string of vehicle trespass and property thefts” in Rifle, where the congresswoman lives and operated a gun-themed restaurant, reported Business Insider. The lawmaker's son was booked into the Garfield County jail on four counts of criminal possession of a financial device, four counts of criminal possession of ID documents and a count of conspiracy to commit a felony. W…

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‘Queer Eye' star Bobby Berk is to be replace by Rachel Zoe's former styling associate Jeremiah Brent. Bosses behind the hit Netflix series have been searching for a new member of the Fab Five following the interior design expert's decision to quit after eight seasons – and they have now revealed Jeremiah will be brought in to appear alongside Antoni Porowski, Jonathan Van Ness, Karamo Brown and Tan France in series nine. The interior designer will take over from Berk for the new episodes which are going to be set in Las Vegas with the new recruit looking after the home makeover part of the sho…

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JoJo Siwa has already named her future children. The 20-year-old star- who is currently single but in recent years has dated Kylie Prew and Avery Cyrus – was sporting a set of fake tattoos on her arm and revealed that she has dedicated two of them to her future children, noting that she hopes to have one little girl named Freddie and twin boys named Freddie and Eddie as she joked that she already has a sperm donor ready. She told Access Hollywood: “I have two tattoos dedicated to them, one dedicated to my baby girl Freddie and one dedicated to my twin boys Eddie and Teddie – I already have a s…

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By mrgao / Getty Images Nearly 80% of LGBTQ+ youth play mobile games every week, 10 percent more non-LGBTQ+ youth, according to a study by YPulse. This figure demonstrates a real passion for gaming within this community, which is also characterized by stronger identification as gamers and specific reasons for frequent playing. Nearly 80% of LGBTQ+ youth play mobile games every week, 10 percent more non-LGBTQ+ youth, according to a study by YPulse. This figure demonstrates a real passion for gaming within this community, which is also characterized by stronger identification as gamers and speci…

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By Niamh Spence Tiger King star Joe Exotic has made an outrageous claim from inside his prison cell as he claims he can “turn” musician Machine Gun Kelly into a homosexual. The bizarre claim about the rapper comes as Joe spoke out on Twitter/X as he shared a photo of shirtless Machine Gun Kelly with new tattoos as Joe wrote: “A tiger and a little bit of meth I can make MGK gay.” The line is thought to be a reference to the 2020 hit Netflix series Tiger King, which saw Joe become a viral sensation as Joe's former husbands Travis Maldonado and Dillon Passage were both revealed to be straight men…

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Ricky Martin admitted being accused of incest was the “most painful thing” he has ever experienced. The ‘Livin' La Vida Loca' hitmaker took legal action against his nephew in 2022 after Dennis Yadiel Sanchez sought a protective order against him, with his allegations including they had a seven-month relationship before later withdrawing his request and the 52-year-old singer admitted the scandal was the “worst” thing that's ever happened to him. He told America's GQ magazine: “It's the worst. The most painful thing I've ever experienced. Thank God it was baseless.” Ricky came out as gay in 201…

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Dan Levy has joined the cast of ‘Animal Friends'. The ‘Schitt's Creek' actor is set to star alongside Ryan Reynolds in the live-action/animated hybrid movie. The R-rated road trip adventure is being directed by Peter Atencio and other cast members include Jason Momoa, Addison Rae and Aubrey Plaza. Plot details are being kept under wraps but the script has been penned by writing duo Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider. Meanwhile, Dan recently suggested that homophobia had robbed him of the chance to play “wonderful, rich, challenging roles”. Asked if it is easier for stars to be open about their sexua…

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Colman Domingo wants to “look like a big flirt”. The ‘Rustin' actor is proud that he's been winning praise for his red carpet looks because he has always gone for the same sort of “understated”, well-cut outfits that make him feel “sexy and playful”. Asked how it feels to be the unofficial best-dressed man in Hollywood, he told America's Vanity Fair magazine: “That is the coolest thing. It's funny, because I think I've always understood my own style. Working with my stylists, Wayman and Micah, we've always crafted story. “No matter how I was dressing—because I'm always dressing—people are noti…

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By Mia O'Hare John Savident revealed he was lucky to be alive after he was stabbed in the neck. The actor, best known for playing Fred Elliot in Coronation Street, sadly died aged 86 after appearing on the soap between 1994 and his departure in 2006. A statement from his agent said: “We are sad to announce the death of the actor John Savident who died on Wednesday 21 February, he was a much-loved husband and father of two and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.” Back in 2000, John was violently attacked by a former rent boy after meeting in a bar in Manchester's gay village. Michael Smi…

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Packed with positive energy, Key West's nightlife scene is proud of its lack of pretense. If drag shows, from raunchy to refined, aren't your pleasure, then wander into a room full of glitter and sophisticated adult drinks, a back room on the dark side … or cheer on a favorite adult toy competing in a most unconventional soapbox derby.

Drag Without Dilution

Nightly drag shows are just part of the everyday vibe on Duval Street, the main drag in Key West's Old Town, and gateway to everything from naked all-male volleyball to Margaritaville. For thoa taste of Drag Race glamour, Aqua's got dazzling spectacle, stunning costumes and pulsating pop beats. Alternatively, elevate your evening with performances by renowned female impersonators like Randy Roberts or Christopher Peterson at LaTeDa's Crystal Room Cabaret, where iconic divas come to life with flawless precision.

If that sounds like a lot or extra, then get over it because there's a lot more. Offering more porn than polish, try 801 . As the 300 pound, brash and brilliant hostess, Puddin' Tain, says to passing crowds – often in neon pleather, and as loudly as possible – “it's always fun at the 801!”

The show's unabashed humor and audacious performances only get more expressive as the night goes on. Needless to say, these queens always fill the room with laughs and gasps that could make Ru Paul blush.

Tea Dance Traditions

Sunday afternoons draw the broader queer crowd –and friends — to Duval Street and the tea dance at LaTeDa shoudl not be missed. DJ Rude Girl gets everyone from muscle daddies to guys in frocks and every dance/gender expression in between to the dance floor.

Thursday nights bring the now world-famous vibrator races for charity to Mary Ellen's, a bar/restaurant with a hint of Cracker Barrel, if that southern staple featured gender-neutral bathrooms and a gong rung nightly with silicone replica's of male porn stars to celebrate the night's winners.

Bars For All

Going on a bar crawl, two have reserved their own flavor of fun in Key West. There's the small bar 22 & Co, popularly known as “Tutu” bar, where Barbie pink rules. It flaunts a Versailles-worthy ball of mirrors, and glitter is everywhere.

The other is the polar opposite, with black walls, a dark room where Ken might feel at home, if the rumors are true, and favoring beer over cosmos. That bar is Saloon 1, Key West's only leather bar, and as down and dirty as it should be. Going from there, you'll find everything in between, all within easy walking distance, so we invite you to explore.

Key West's nightlife is pretty much what you can expect from the rest of the “one human family” island. Its only mandate is to have fun, and it's pretty easy to find your own groove and someone to share it with.

Gay Key West Uncovered is a six-part miniseries podcast that is unapologetically queer, and not-so-straight from the mouths of drag queens, creative digital nomads, the fiercest lesbian boat captain you should have the pleasure of meeting, naked pool boys, business owners and even the mayor. This time we're going out on the town to meet the queens of the night, join some of the locals, and saddle up to anyone who will drink, or at least talk, with us. Listen to our third episode here, and join host Bobby Hankinson and Towleroad as we explore the best of Duval Street, before we (maybe) stumble home:

More On Key West on Towleroad

‘Florida Curious' to Key West Convert: Take Your Clothes Off and Say ‘Gay' in the Conch Republic

Strip or Just Tease? Key West's Famous, and Infamous, Clothing-Optional Gay Guesthouses

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When Kris Kobach became Kansas secretary of state 13 years ago, he immediately proposed new election requirements, including showing a photo ID to vote and mandating new voter applicants provide documentsproving their citizenship. Among the earliest and fiercest critics of the measure were transgender Kansans. They warned that confusion or suspicion arising from mismatches between their official documents and outward presentation — and the difficulty of changing official records — risked disenfranchisement. A federal judge laterstruck down the proof-of-citizenship rule and Kansas agreed to all…

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Controversial bills aimed at preventing local governments from removing historical monuments and restricting the types of flags flown at schools and other public buildings appear to be dead in the Florida Senate. Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, said she doesn't expect the Senate to move forward on the monuments bill and that the flags bill is stuck in a committee that will not meet again. The monuments bill (SB 1122) seeks to prevent removal or destruction of historical monuments from public property and has been controversial because of debate about whether it is designed to pr…

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Deputy Alexander Khinshtein Supports Ershova…or Does He?

[You may want to start with Part 1 or Part 2]

It was sort of weird that Alexander Khinshtein, an architect of and advocate for Russia's legislative crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights, swiftly engaged with the story of Anastasia Ershova, arrested for wearing rainbow earrings. It was really weird to see him taking her side…well, for a day.

One day later and with a little distance, the message and Khinshtein's early involvement seem more likely one of those 3D chess moves to make the most of this arrest in the launch of the new repressive laws increasingly broad and more serious for LGBTQ people. The ease and experience with which they executed are certainly a reminder of Russia's long and deep experience manipulating public conversations domestically and elsewhere.

There is now a 10 year history of repressive LGBTQ regulations that have become part of the wallpaper and Russia's new normal. There is an increasingly frustrated and cut off population starting to question Putin along with a body of news from the war raising questions; sanctions and an uneven economy that's harder to mask. It's becoming clear why historic Russian expertise at seeding mistrust and manipulating public conversations might be tilted toward LGBTQ issues right now.

Who is Alexander Khinshtein?

A former journalist and a powerful member of the legislature — “Deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federal Assembly from the Samara” to be exact, Khinshtein brings access, experience and support to steering public narratives. He partnered with the head of the Russian Orthodox Church to guide the Supreme Court declaration of the International LGBT Movement as “extremist” and the subsequent husbanding of the laws and regulations it spawned through to Putin signing them into law..

For years he has been an outspoken culture warrior focused on raising awareness and protecting Russian children big homosexual lifestyle threats including the 20 fan clubs for the film ‘Call Me By Your Name' on the Russian version of Facebook, to claiming South Park's chef is a pedophile, and raising the alarm over the dangers inherent in a polar bear character with two moms on Peppa Pig.

As a powerful insider and part of the Putin team, Khinshtein helped architect the sham election in eastern Ukraine Donbas areas which was used to justify the invasion.

Aegis, group of LGBTQ activists and medical professionals working to support their community through this dangerous period, keeps it simple, and refer to him as someone “who does not represent the interests of us [LGBT] as a part of society,” and corrects some of the lies and implications he's spinning. [See No. 4 at end.]

Flips the Script. Attacks Anastasia. Full Autocratic Playbook

This was. in response to his post [No. 3 below] that accused Aegis, the media and others of duping him with ‘fake news'. In his follow up to the brief defense of Ershova for attention he let's it rip, wrapping himself in stolen victimhood, manipulating the sympathy he helped spawn to himself and is all in using Anastasia's story to underscore the state's anti-LGBTQ positions

It's not entirely clear what Russia has planned with these new domestic crackdown laws. Protecting the children is old news, but the new threat is being integrated, ready shortly to provision citizens with models to scapegoat and oppress.

Another favorite distraction for governments under pressure…just create a diversionary “conspiracy” and “enemy from within” for the public to obsess on, and distract from military excursions and economies that are stuck.

LGBT “threat” Becomes Part of Ukraine Invasion, “Element of Hybrid Warfare”

Khinshtein's rhetoric tying the fight against LGBTQ+ rights to the conflict in Ukraine—framing LGBTQ+ identity as an element of hybrid warfare—reveals a sinister attempt to weave this crackdown into the fabric of nationalistic and traditionalist discourse. This approach not only demonizes LGBTQ+ individuals but also positions them as external threats to Russian society, thereby justifying increasingly draconian laws under the guise of national security and moral purity.

Since late last year, Khinshtein has been messaging that the fighting in Ukraine brings “new relevance” to the threat posed by the LGBTQ movement.

“The special military operation takes place not only on the battlefield but also in the minds and souls of people,” Khinshtein said in October. “”LGBT today is an element of hybrid warfare and in this hybrid warfare we must protect our values, our society and our children.”

While the Ukraine connection is far from obvious, hardly intuitive, and has only been minimally explained or exposed by Khinshtein, it's likely to be sufficient to stick at current levels under the circumstances: a stuck conflict and a worrisome economy along with sanctions of all sorts.

Russia's LGBTQ Crackdown Bottom line — So ambiguous. by design. Makes just about anyone subject to investigation.

Under Khinshtein's advocacy, the laws behind this new Russian LGBTQ crackdown are so ambiguous as to potentially apply to just about any person or activity with even a peripheral relationship to LGBTQ movements, organizations, or individuals. These initial arrests and the rhetoric around it all — the nationalism and calls for purity, now directly connecting the invasion of Ukraine with the newly scapegoated

Extra: The Earring Case Manipulation Chronology

The nuanced propaganda maneuver following Ershova's arrest, shifting from a seemingly empathetic stance to one of accusation and moral panic, underscores Khinshtein's role as a master of narrative control. By shifting the focus from empathy for an individual to the reinforcement of the state's anti-LGBTQ+ policies, he effectively utilizes the incident to advance the narrative of LGBTQ+ symbols as extremist threats, further entrenching the legal and social ostracization of the LGBTQ+ community in Russia.

The chronology of these messages is a bit complicated. There is, of course, no evidence of this being a Jedi propaganda op, from the openly available Telegram posts by those involved and citizen journalists, there is even less evidence to suggest he's a good guy, or anything like a mensch moved by injustice against a young woman assaulted in a cafe. This could even be considered part of the launch of these new harsh laws.

1. Khinshtein weirdly support Anastasia Ershova in days after earring arrest

1. Alexander Khinshtein, the politician most responsible for Russia's new national LGBTQ campaign weirdly weighed in on Feb 1 seemingly in support of Anastasia Ershova in days after she was accosted. His remarks made on his own Telegram channel with close to 100,000 subscribers.
   His support, he says, is based on images that include the “traditional seven-color rainbow. What does that have to do with LGBT people is unclear,” and he ends by asking the court to overturn.

2. Less than a day later …

Khinshtein takes it all back in a check-all-the-boxes media manipulation post that pulls out all the propaganda stops. It's a veritable BINGO-card of: dehumanizing descriptions; questionable bureaucratic proofs; arcane assertions, and while enveloping one of the most privileged and powerful men in fake victimhood.

He laments that he was duped by “fake news” — joins the others he claims were similarly taken in by media and extremist lies. He refers to Ershova's companion as “a sexless creature,” and his generally disrespectful message not only dehumanize them both, but also model the scapegoating, defending tradition, and public denouncing behavior that is likely an objective of the crackdown. With Khinshtein's involvement and Russia's history it's a potent endorsement by the powerful government and likely to be persuasive.

The plot of course hinges on the chain of custody and the number of colors in the rainbow. He reveals the barely registering fact that Ershova is reported to have a damning “six color rainbow avatar on Pinterest as some kind of smoking gun. He declares Ershova is an LGBT* activist. All that's left then is to assure his traditionalist followers of his pride “I'm glad that the traditional seven-color rainbow is not in danger.”

He blamed and undermined Aegis for being in cahoots with the media to push “fake news” and a grand frog switcheroo. Her frogs — the ones hard to make out in the video — he alleged were of the six color rainbows, he said, “which – yes indeed is a symbol of LGBT”* His at best marginal proof, presented as the smoking gun, is a Pinterest profile with a six-color rainbow avatar, discovered by the ‘civil activists' from the cafe.

That righteous anger; the regret that he “like many, I bought into this fake;” He was the biggest victim, along with many of his readers. But they should not fear. He promised an investigation to track down the people and the conspiring organizations who did this to all of them. Ending with the passion that drives him, he writes “I'm glad that the traditional seven-color rainbow is not in danger” … and the asterisk footnoting LGBT* “Recognized as an extremist organization.”

3. Aegis responds to Khinshtein's links accuses them of spreading fake news

Aegis is quick to reply and to make it clear they won't be bullied. Treading carefully, they introduce facts in their defense and share comments from Anastasia's team that contradict that story being spun.

New Russian LGBTQ Crackdown Multi-part

• 5-Days Jail for Rainbow Earrings? Fined for Posting Gay Flag? Kafkaesque. Russia Launches LGBTQ Crackdown. WTF Russia? Part 1
• Draconian: Sochi Olympics-Era “Gay Propaganda” Ban Expands to Forbid All Public LGBTQ Expression. New Russian Crackdown. Pt. 2
• Orwellian: Architect of New Russia LGBTQ Crackdown Warns Of LGBTQ Threat in Ukraine War; Manipulates Rainbow Earring Arrest in Pt. 3
• Dystopian: TK

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[You may want to start with Part 1 ] Russia's legislature has pivoted toward repressing LGBTQ+ rights, in a departure from the path of expanding equality seen in most countries. The last few weeks have seen the first arrests under these laws, in particular the young woman jailed for 5 days under arrest for wearing rainbow earrings in public. And according to the folks at Aegis, a group of activists and health works who assembled to support LGBTQ people in what they're predicting is a difficult period, and likely to get worse.

Baseline: Russia Was Hostile to LGBTQ People Before this Renaissance of Repression

A pivotal law, commonly referred to as the “gay propaganda” law, was enacted in 2013, signed by Russian President Vladmir Putin months before the Sochi Olympics. This legislation prohibited the promotion of “non-traditional sexual relationships” among minors. It was criticized internationally for its vague wording and potential for abuse, serving as a tool for increasing stigma, discrimination, and violence against LGBTQ+ individuals.

As Human Rights Watch put it: “The well-founded fear of activists in Russia was that the law would not only restrict freedom of expression, but would send a message that the government condoned homophobia, leaving gay people vulnerable to violence and abuse.”

That law effectively banned public expressions of LGBTQ+ identities, including pride parades, and limited access to LGBTQ+ related information and support services.

10 Years Later, Gay Propaganda Law Inspires New Legislation to Up Ante

December 2022 – The Russian government expanded the 2013 “gay propaganda” law to ban any public expression of LGBTQ+ behavior or lifestyle, not just where youth were present.

• Prohibits all forms of LGBTQ+ representation in public, online, in films, books, or advertising, with violators facing heavy fines. This broadened the scope of censorship and repression against the LGBTQ+ community, intensifying the crackdown on free speech and minority rights】.

July 2023, the Russian State Duma passed a bill that outlaws transgender healthcare, including gender-affirming surgeries and treatments, and prohibits the change of gender markers in official documents. This legislation also affects the family rights of transgender individuals by dissolving marriages if a partner undergoes gender transition and banning them from adopting or becoming foster parents. The bill was subsequently approved by Russia's upper house of parliament and was expected to be signed into law by President Vladimir Putin, representing a comprehensive assault on the rights and well-being of transgender individuals in Russia​​​​​​.

November 2023 – Supreme Court declares the “international LGBT movement” an “extremist organization.”

The Movement does not have registration and a unified structure on the territory of the Russian Federation; it consists of various unregistered organizations, including international non-governmental organizations, communities, groups…, as well as individual activists and participants who are not such, but carry out their activities in the interests of the Movement .”
— Excerpt from the Russian Supreme Court's decision to recognize
the International LGBT Movement as an extremist organization became known.

In sum, a severe tightening of restrictions on LGBTQ rights in Russia

• LGBTQ+ rights activism criminalized: Up to 12 years in prison for participation or support for the movement.
• Vague terms allow arbitrary prosecution: significantly escalating legal pressures on the LGBTQ+ community.
• Big increase in censorship of LGBTQ+ content in media and literature.
• All content with positive depictions of LGBTQ relationships banned. Films, books, and online content promoting or positively depicting LGBTQ+ relationships have been banned. The vague wording of the laws puts the publishing sector at risk, affecting cultural expression and access to information for the LGBTQ+ community.

Russia has moved from laws targeted at protecting young people from exposure to comprehensive legislation that aims to erase LGBTQ+ visibility and activism from public life. International rights organizations have condemned each stage, highlighting their discriminatory nature and the adverse effects on human rights and freedoms in Russia.

But wait there's more. Unsatisfied with just protecting young people, advocates have now construed a connection to the Ukraine invasion. In particular one powerful legislator with a history of homophobic panic and close ties to Putin warns warns, “The special military operation takes place not only on the battlefield but also in the minds and souls of people, LGBT today is an element of hybrid warfare.” More on Alexander Khinshtein and his strange direct involvement with the rainbow earring story last week in Russian media. in Part 3.

New Russian LGBTQ Crackdow Multi-part

• 5-Days Jail for Rainbow Earrings? Fined for Posting Gay Flag? Kafkaesque. Russia Launches LGBTQ Crackdown. WTF Russia? Part 1
• Draconian: Sochi Olympics-Era “Gay Propaganda” Ban Expands to Forbid All Public LGBTQ Expression. New Russian Crackdown. Pt. 2
• Orwellian: Architect of New Russia LGBTQ Crackdown Warns Of LGBTQ Threat in Ukraine War; Manipulates Rainbow Earring Arrest in Pt. 3
• Dystopian: TK

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