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Published by uPolitics.com The Republican-controlled Senate in North Carolina passed a law sanctioning public school teachers from calling students by new names or pronouns without first telling the student’s parents. The proposal passed the Senate 29-18. It is heading for the South Carolina House, where Republicans remain one short of a supermajority. One Democrat would have to be swayed to the right to pass the bill. While the bill looks unlikely to pass, the passage of the bill adds another example of legislative marginalization of the LGBT community. Senators overlooked mental health professionals’ warnings claiming… Read More View the full article

Published by DPA Czech Republic's Jakub Jankto in action during the soccer World Cup qualification group stage match between the Czech Republic and Germany in the Eden Arena in Prague. Jankto has publicly come out as gay, one of very few male professional footballers to have made the announcement. Jan Woitas/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa Czech Republic international Jakub Jankto has publicly come out as gay, one of very few male professional footballers to have made the announcement. “I am homosexual and I no longer want to hide myself,” the Sparta Prague midfielder, on loan from Getafe, said on Twitter on Monday. “I have a job which I have been doing as best as I can for years with seriousness, with professionalism and passion. “Like everybody else, I also want to live my life in freedom without fears, without prejudice, without violence but with love.” The 27-year-old follows Blackpool’s Jake Daniels, who last year became the first professional player in the British men’s game to say he was gay while still playing for over three decades. Former Germany and Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger announced he was homosexual after his retirement. Adelaide United player Josh Cavallo came out as gay last October. Several top names in women’s football have long been in same-sex partnerships. The football community praised Jankto on social media, with world players’ union FIFPRO writing: “Live your life, Jakub. Proud.” UEFA wrote on Twitter: “Well done, Jakub. You’re a true inspiration and European football is with you.” The risk of verbal abuse from fans at stadiums has often been cited as the reason players have not come out as homosexual in the past. But Football Supporters Europe tweeted: Well said. We’ve got your back, Jakub.” View the full article

Published by DPA Melika Zarr, not her real name, at home in Berlin, where she helps others and recalls her own desperation. Annette Riedl/dpa When Melika Zarr thinks of her native Iran, she is overcome by difficult emotions, not just because of the way nationwide protests are being brutally suppressed. “My family controlled me fiercely,” says Zarr, 30, in her apartment in Berlin. “My parents wanted me to dress in a more stereotypically feminine way. I wasn’t allowed to wear sneakers and had to go to school wearing high heels.” At the time, she was 13 years old and going to school in Iran. But her problems really began when she wrote a love letter to a female classmate – much to the disapproval of her teachers and parents. Today, Zarr (not her real name) is settled in the German capital, having left her homeland in 2018. She fled because her sexual orientation was unacceptable there and remains a taboo in many families and the traditional religious social class. According to Islamic legal opinion, same-sex relations are punishable by death in Iran. In desperation, some people choose gender reassignment surgery, which the state has advocated since it was legalized by former revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. The country’s conservative and strictly religious circles still consider being gay, lesbian or transgender a “curable” mental illness. “I had a couple of doctor’s appointments for hormone reassignment when I was 16 because I thought I was transgender,” says Zarr. “But then I met Shadi.” Shadi Amin also came from Iran and founded 6Rang, a Berlin association run by Iranian women that campaigns for the rights of queer people, meaning those who are not heterosexual or whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. “Because of the laws in Iran, many people don’t even realise that you can be lesbian or gay,” says Amin. That was also the case for Melika. Homosexuality is taboo but Tehran legalized gender reassignment as a way to treat transsexuality. While this may seem like a degree of openness, many trans people face social exclusion and stigmatization, says Amin. Moreover, queer people in particular are suffering amid the current unrest in Iran. As the protests that began in September rage on, queer and homosexual people are also campaigning for more rights. The women-led uprising was triggered by the death of 22-year-old Kurdish woman Jina Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody after being arrested for violating Islamic dress codes. At least four demonstrators have been executed for their involvement in the protests and more than 20 others have been sentenced to death. “The Iranian government has been condemning and executing people not just since September, but for decades,” Amin says. In January, for example, two men were hanged for having sexual relations. There must be protests and resistance against this, says Zarr. “People must not forget this in the current protests against the regime in Iran.” That is why Zarr also wanted to flee, having already tried living as a heterosexual woman for two years when she was 21, on a therapist’s advice. “I felt violated every time I was supposed to sleep with a man,” she says. Two years later, she met someone special and realised she could no longer live a lie. Secretly, she allied herself with like-minded people and tried to change something about the situation, until a family member threatened to report her to the authorities. “One night it got so bad that I had to run away with my girlfriend and sleep somewhere else. We were scared and realized we couldn’t stay in Iran,” Melika says. At 26, she fled to Germany with her partner and was quickly granted asylum as she was able to prove she had been in contact with 6Rang for a long time and was in danger in Iran. Some are less lucky. The Lesbian and Gay Association Berlin-Brandenburg (LSVD) reports that many of its Iranian clients are currently terrified they might have to return to Iran if their asylum applications are rejected. The problem is known to Sven Lehmann, the German government’s commissioner for the acceptance of sexual and gender diversity. He says it has been easier for queer refugees to be admitted to the country since autumn. That is encouraging, says Zarr, recalling her own desperation. “I hated everything in Iran at the time and had no hope that I could have a good life.” That has driven her activism over the past few years, and she has even managed to win over her own family. “I want to help queer young people so that they don’t have to go through what I went through,” she says. Shadi Amin, author and activist, is helping the Iranian LGBTQ community. Annette Riedl/dpa View the full article

Published by Reuters By Joseph Ax (Reuters) – Portions of a Georgia special grand jury’s final report on Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the state’s 2020 presidential election should be publicly released over the objection of prosecutors, a state judge ruled on Monday. The panel’s findings, which have remained sealed since the existence of the report was disclosed in January, could potentially serve as the basis for criminal charges against Trump or his associates who attempted to reverse Democratic President Joe Biden’s statewide victory. The decision on whether to file criminal charges ultimately lies with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. At a court hearing on Jan. 25, Willis told Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney that charging decisions were “imminent” and urged him to keep the grand jury report under wraps for now to ensure future defendants cannot cry foul. Willis is expected to appeal the decision, which would likely delay any release of the report until the appeal is resolved. (Reporting by Joseph Ax; Editing by Daniel Wallis) View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Prince Harry could be “honoured” with a blue plaque at the field where he lost his virginity aged 17. The royal, now 38, romped with Sasha Walpole when she was 19 on land now owned by Dean Ellwood and his partner Anna Pitt-Stanley in Norton, Wiltshire, south-west England, and the couple have joked they may set up a tribute on the grounds to mark the pair’s romp. Dean, who lives with Anna at Splash Cottage next to the site where Harry had sex with Sasha, now 40, told The Sun on Sunday (12.02.23): “I suppose I could put a blue plaque up in the field, but I don’t think many people would be interested.” Anna added: “Everyone in the village is talking about it but I don’t think we will be setting up a gift shop selling memorabilia.” The field belonged to The Vine Tree Inn in 2001 when Harry lost his virginity there, and Dean said by the time he and Anna bought their cottage eight years ago the field’s ownership had transferred to their property. Harry’s ex-lover Sasha has said she is baffled at his decision to lift the lid on their romp in his memoir ‘Spare’, which was released in January, before she came forward earlier this month to reveal she was the woman unnamed in the book to whom he lost his virginity. The royal – who has children Archie, three, and 20-month-old Lilibet with his 41-year-old wife the Duchess of Sussex – said in the book he had lost his virginity to an older woman who treated him like a “stallion” and smacked his “rump” after a five-minute frolic in a field behind a pub. Sasha has since told her side of the story in a series of interviews and said she remains baffled by Harry’s decision to go into so much detail about his love life. During an appearance on ‘Piers Morgan Uncensored’ on TalkTV on 9 February, Sasha said: “If you want to live a private life and you want to get out of the limelight and leave the royal family, or whether to live your life as you want to live it, to then sell a book and go on Netflix is kind of going against what you’re saying you want.” Digger driver Sasha previously admitted she never spoke to Harry again after their night together and told The Sun newspaper: “I don’t have any regrets about not texting him. I don’t think there was anything to be gained from that. Our lives have gone in different directions but I wish him all the best.” View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Harry Styles has been ranked Lewis Capaldi’s “top” kisser after the pair shared a smooch at The BRIT Awards 2023. The former One Direction singer, 29, won in each of the four categories in which he was nominated at the ceremony on Saturday (11.02.23) night in London’s O2 Arena – and beat Lewis to the Song of the Year gong. He walked straight over to the Scottish singer after he won the Artist of the Year prize, with Lewis, 26, then grabbing Harry’s face and planted a kiss on his lips. Lewis, who was nominated for his ‘Forget Me’ ballad in the Song of the Year category, told the Daily Star at the BRITs official Universal afterparty the moment was “amazing”. He said: “Eh, it was alright… no, he was amazing, (it was) magical.” The newspaper added Lewis also rated Harry “my top one” in his kissing rankings. Harry opened this year’s BRITs with a performance of ‘As It was’ in a red matador-style jacket, while Lewis later performed ‘Forget Me’ after he was wrongly introduced by host Mo Gilligan, 34, as “Sam Capaldi” – in an apparent mix-up with Lewis’ and his fellow BRITs nominee Sam Smith’s names. Lewis made light of the blunder on Saturday night by tweeting a photoshopped image of his head on singer Sam’s bizarre BRITs outfit, which he captioned: “Sam Capaldi. x.” Sam, 30, stunned fans by turning up for the show in a huge balloon-style black latex costume that left guests and viewers wondering how he would be able to use the loo during the show. Viewers hit out at BRITs host Mo for his “Sam Capaldi” mix-up saying it could have put Lewis off his song. The stand-up later apologised, saying: “I do apologise I did call him Sam.” He also jokingly blaming the drinks being served at the awards, adding: “They’re (the drinks are) not playing around.” Harry told BRITs guests he was “aware of his privilege” as he picked up his Artist of the Year trophy, and dedicated the award to several female artists after the BRITs was slammed for the all-male nominees line-up in the category after it went gender neutral. He also took home awards for Album of the Year for ‘Harry’s House’ and Pop/R+B Act. View the full article

Published by AFP US Navy sailors recovering remants of a suspected Chinese spy balloon off the coast of South Carolina, on February 5, 2023 Washington (AFP) – The downing of a huge Chinese balloon off the US coast, followed by the shootdowns of two smaller objects over Alaska and Canada — and another over Lake Huron on Sunday — has raised concerns about North American security and further strained relations with China. Here is what we know so far: What were the four objects? The drama began in late January, when a giant Chinese balloon — dubbed a spy craft by US officials — drifted for days through US skies before being shot down February 4 by an F-22 jet off the South Carolina coast. China insisted the balloon was conducting weather research. The Pentagon said it had a gondola the size of three buses and weighing more than a ton; that it was equipped with multiple antennas, and had solar panels large enough to power several intelligence-gathering sensors. Then Friday, US fighter jets downed another object off northern Alaska, the military said, adding it was “within US sovereign airspace over US territorial water.” It lacked any system of propulsion or control, officials said. On Saturday, a US F-22 jet, acting on US and Canadian orders, downed a “high-altitude airborne object” over Canada’s central Yukon territory, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) from the US border, saying it posed a threat to civilian flight. Canada described it as cylindrical and smaller than the initial balloon. Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand would not speculate on whether it originated in China. On Sunday Biden ordered US warplanes to down an unidentified object over Lake Huron “out of an abundance of caution,” a senior administration official said. The object was described as an octagonal structure with strings hanging off it, and was not deemed to be a military threat to anything on the ground, but could have posed a hazard to civil aviation as it flew at about 20,000 feet (6,000 meters) Michigan, the official said. US Senate majority leader Charles Schumer, who was briefed by the Biden administration following the incident over the Yukon, said Sunday — before the Lake Huron incident — that the previous two objects were likely balloons, “but much smaller than the first one,” both flying at around 40,000 feet (12,200 meters). Officials described the second and third objects as about the size of a Volkswagen Beetle. Only the first object so far has been attributed to Beijing. What has been recovered? Military teams working from planes, boats and minisubs are scouring the shallow waters off South Carolina for the first object, and military images showed the recovery of a large piece of balloon. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is taking custody of the debris for analysis. Operations to recover the second object continue on sea ice near Deadhorse, Alaska. “Arctic weather conditions, including wind chill, snow and limited daylight, are a factor,” the military said. Recovery teams — backed by a Canadian CP-140 patrol aircraft — are searching for debris from the third object in the Yukon, Anand said Saturday. The Pentagon said the FBI is working closely with Canadian police. No information was immediately available about recovery of the fourth object. What was the objects’ purpose? – US officials say images of the first balloon show it had surveillance equipment that could intercept telecommunications. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said it was intended “to surveil strategic sites in the continental United States.” A former chair of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Michael Mullen, suggested China, or some in its military leadership, intentionally wanted to subvert an impending visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The United States has said the balloons were part of a “fleet” that has spanned five continents. Some analysts say it may be the start of a major Chinese surveillance effort targeting foreign military capabilities ahead of possible acute tensions over Taiwan in coming years. Why so many objects now? Analysts said US and Canadian intelligence constantly receive huge amounts of raw data, and generally screened some out to focus on the threat of incoming missiles, not slow-moving objects like balloons. “Now, of course, we’re looking for them. So I think we’re probably finding more stuff,” Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, told NBC. Officials have said three balloons are now known to have briefly overflown US territory during Donald Trump’s administration — undetected at the time — and one earlier in Joe Biden’s term. What’s the impact on US-China ties? The United States scrapped Blinken’s visit, intended to stabilize severely strained relations, and has sanctioned six Chinese entities believed to support military spy balloon programs. Beijing denounced the first balloon’s downing, saying it “seriously violated international practice.” It reserved the right “to use necessary means to deal with similar situations.” There has been no Chinese reaction to the latest downings. View the full article

Published by AFP US officials restricted the airspace over Lake Michigan on February 12, 2023, citing a potential new threat to national security, as the US and Canada respond to a series of recent air intrusions days after the shootdown of a Chinese balloon Washington (AFP) – A US warplane shot down another flying object on Sunday, this time over Lake Huron on the US-Canadian border, the fourth in a dramatic series that began with the downing of a suspected Chinese spy balloon a week ago. Jittery Americans have been watching the skies as the mysterious incursions unfolded against a backdrop of acute tensions with China — although only the first object has so far been attributed to Beijing. President Joe Biden ordered a F-16 fighter to shoot down the latest object “out of abundance of caution,” a senior administration official said. This new device — described as an octagonal structure with strings hanging off it — was not deemed to be a military threat to anything on the ground, but it could have posed a hazard to civil aviation as it flew at about 20,000 feet (6,000 meters) over Michigan, the official said. “We have no indication that it has surveillance capabilities but nor can we rule that out,” the official said on condition of anonymity. Reflecting the heightened state of alert, US authorities briefly closed the airspace over Lake Michigan Sunday, before the latest object was shot down further towards the Canadian border. The US aerospace command NORAD tracked the new object visually and with radar, and it was downed over the lake “to avoid impact to people on the ground while improving chances for debris recovery,” the Pentagon said in a statement. A senior Republican on Sunday accused Beijing of “an act of belligerence” regarding the first object, a Chinese balloon shot down February 4 off the US East Coast after American officials said it was engaged in spying. China has insisted it was a weather balloon blown off course. “It was done with provocation to gather intelligence data, and collect intelligence on our three major nuclear sites,” Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told CBS. US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, among senior lawmakers who received a government briefing, told ABC the second and third objects — one shot down over Canada’s Yukon territory on Saturday, and one downed over Alaska on Friday — both appeared to be balloons, but “much smaller than” the first large one. Meanwhile Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was heading Sunday to the western Yukon territory, where the third unidentified object was shot down a day earlier. There, a US F-22 jet, acting on orders from the prime minister and US President Joe Biden, downed a “high-altitude airborne object” about 100 miles (160 kilometers) north of the border. Canadian officials described it as small and cylindrical, roughly the size of a Volkswagen car. Recovery teams backed by a Canadian CP-140 patrol aircraft were continuing their search Sunday for debris in the Yukon, officials said. US teams were struggling with Arctic conditions as they searched near Deadhorse, Alaska, where the second object was shot down Friday. Operations were also continuing off the South Carolina coast, where the past week’s drama climaxed when the initial large balloon was shot down. ‘Real concerns’ Culminating a weekend with the military on alert, the North American Aerospace Defense Command said on Twitter that Sunday’s Lake Michigan closure was “to ensure the safety of air traffic in the area during NORAD operations. The temporary flight restriction has since been lifted.” Republicans meanwhile have harshly criticized Biden for allowing the first balloon to drift for days across the country — potentially gathering sensitive intelligence — before having it shot down. Schumer on Sunday defended Biden’s handling, telling ABC an analysis of recovered debris would represent “a huge coup for the United States.” But Biden has faced bipartisan calls for greater transparency. “I have real concerns about why the administration is not being more forthcoming,” Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, told NBC. View the full article

Published by Reuters By Amy Tennery and James Oliphant PHOENIX (Reuters) – Native American groups are expected to protest the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, calling for the AFC champions to drop their name and logo as they take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 57. The Chiefs wear the arrowhead logo on their helmet and use a large drum to kick of their home games, as fans routinely engage in what’s known as the “tomahawk chop” chant, all of which critics say draw on offensive and racist stereotypes. This is their third trip to the NFL title game in four years and Kansas City fans can be heard throughout Phoenix singing the “tomahawk chop” chant. It is a jarring contrast to the displays of Native American culture and pride that Super Bowl hosts have invited to participate in the days leading up to the game. Dancers from Indigenous Enterprise performed at Monday’s Opening Night festivities, becoming the first Native Americans to perform at the annual media mega event. In a strange juxtaposition, they took the stage minutes after Kansas City fans in attendance at the Footprint Center joined together in a loud rendition of their “tomahawk chop” chant. “What the NFL is doing inside Phoenix, by bringing in indigenous dancers and artists, that’s celebrating the authentic, which is wonderful,” said Cher Thomas, an artist, community organizer and member of the Gila River Community. She will be among those outside the game on Sunday protesting. “However, the NFL simultaneously condones Kansas City’s team and their names and monikers and their derogatory traditions.” The NFL did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Chiefs supporter Benny Blades, 55, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, said he admired the team for “sticking to their guns” as he stood in Scottsdale’s Old Town, where fans broke out into spontaneous “tomahawk” chants on streets lined with shops selling Native American arts and crafts. “We can’t say anything now because you’re gonna offend one or two percent of the people in the United States,” he said. Scottsdale is directly adjacent to the Salt River-Maricopa Indian Community of more than 7,000 residents, one of Arizona’s 22 federally recognized tribes. At Sunday’s preshow, when singer Babyface performs “America the Beautiful,” Navajo Colin Denny will provide North American Indian Sign Language interpretation. Chiefs fans are all but assured to perform the “tomahawk chop” cheer loudly in the minutes before kickoff, as they did prior to the game in their previous two Super Bowl appearances. The Chiefs did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Ak-Chin Indian Community, the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation and the Tohono O’odham Nation, who are partners with the Super Bowl host committee, did not respond to multiple interview requests. Another partner, Gila River Indian Community, did not make leadership available. It is far from the first time the Chiefs name and traditions have come under fire. In 2019 the Kansas City Star called for an end to the chanting and chopping hand gestures. Months later, in the days before the Chiefs’ Super Bowl triumph over the San Francisco 49ers, the team told Reuters it had “engaged in meaningful discussions with a group comprised of individuals with diverse Native American backgrounds and experiences” over the previous six years. But amid a nationwide reckoning over race propelled by the Black Lives Matter Movement, their name and the majority of their traditions remained intact, even as the Washington Redskins dropped their nickname in July 2020. The Washington team later replaced the nickname, widely seen as a racist slur, with the Commanders. A month later the Chiefs announced they would ban the wearing of headdresses at Arrowhead Stadium, where the words “end racism” were painted in the end zone and emblazoned on helmets in a nod to racial justice. “They use that hashtag #EndRacism and it’s on their helmets. And it’s tone deaf,” said Rhonda LeValdo, an Acoma Pueblo journalist who founded the Not in our Honor coalition in 2005, to advocate against the use of Native American imagery in sports. “I don’t even understand what you guys are saying and you have the Chiefs logo and you guys are doing the chop.” (Reporting by Amy Tennery and James Oliphant in Phoenix; Editing by David Gregorio) View the full article

Published by Reuters UK By Marie-Louise Gumuchian LONDON (Reuters) -Harry Styles was the big winner at the BRIT awards, Britain’s pop music honours, on Saturday, winning all four categories he had been nominated in, a week after his triumph at the Grammys. Styles took home the coveted album of the year for “Harry’s House”, song of the year for his synth pop hit “As It Was”, best pop/R&B act and artist of the year, one of two gender-neutral categories introduced last year after BRIT awards organisers got rid of female and male distinctions. The contenders for that prize were all men, which had irked many in the indust… Read More View the full article

Published by uInterview.com After nearly a decade of evasion and hefty scores in the fashion-beauty industry, Rihanna is returning to the music scene this Sunday at the Super Bowl in what is probably the most anticipated Halftime Show of all time. The nine-time Grammy winner said in a February 9 Apple Music interview that fans can expect no less than the most meticulously selected glimpses into her career, and of course, an anthem to black womanhood and her Caribbean roots. The Super Bowl is famous for headlining some of music’s biggest names, and past artists to take the stage include Beyonce, Lady Gaga and The Weeknd. … Read More View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Beyoncé thanked fans for always supporting her as she was named International Artist of the Year at The BRIT Awards 2023. The 41-year-old singer beat Lizzo, Burna Boy, Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar, but wasn’t at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday (11.02.23) to pick up her trophy in person. She said in a video message in which she clutched her award, which was announced by ‘Happy Valley’ actor Rhys Connah and Georgia May Jagger: “Thank you so much for this incredible recognition. “I’d like to say thank you to all my fans out there for their continued support over the years… I’ll see y’all on tour. Thank you so much for this honour.” Beyoncé is starting her ‘Renaissance’ tour in Stockholm on May 10, before landing in the UK with a performance in Cardiff on May 17, followed by a string of dates in Europe before she finishes in New Orleans on September 27. The next winner of the night was singer Becky Hill, 28, who won best Dance Act for the second year in a row, beating Bonobo, Calvin Harris, Eliza Rose and Fred again.. in the category. Last year saw her release a deluxe version of her album and headlined final of the women’s Euros and went on her first US tour. She said in a teary winner’s speech as she held her gong – designed by London-Nigerian artist Slawn: “It’s heavy. Wow. I did try and plan something but it might go to s*** now. I wanna thank the BRITs for putting me on the shortlist of the Dance act for another year and it is such an honour to be nominated, especially alongside the amazing Eliza Rose and the incredible Rae, last year… oh God, I’m making a right pickle of this… who are an inspiration for women of colour in such an under-represented scene. “I think Beyoncé actually said it best in her Grammy speech – we all have the queer community to thank for the best genre on Earth.” Becky added about being hit by self-doubt when she was nominated for the prize: “My imposter syndrome kicked straight in when the nominations came out, and when I read all the comments I was so scared, and touched, so thank you so much.” Wet Leg – who are nominated in four categories – then performed, and host Mo Gilligan, 34, told foodie and actor Stanley Tucci, 62, during a walk-around celebrity guests’ tables he would get him a magnum-sized bottle of booze later on in the night. View the full article

Published by Hong Kong Free Press It has been more than four years since Hong Kong trans activist Henry Edward Tse began an uphill legal battle to get the government to recognise him as a man. In early January this year, he donned a smart navy blue suit, paired with a carefully-chosen blue-and-pink tie, for his appearance at the Court of Final Appeal. Standing outside court for a photo call, Tse’s necktie matched the white, blue and pink striped flag – one that represents the transgender community – he carried. He also displayed a printed prop of a Hong Kong identity card bearing his Chinese and English name, with the gender m… Read More View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Dan Benson “doesn’t question” why his OnlyFans followers are “mostly gay men.” The 35-year-old actor is best known for playing Zeke Beakerman on the Disney Channel sitcom ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ alongside Selena Gomez in the late 2000s and has been in a relationship with co-star Jennifer Stone since 2009 but now sells racy pictures on the adults-only subscription service and enjoys being able to lean into gay culture with his platform. He said: “I try to make content that lots of different kinds of people could enjoy, but the reality is, the significant portion of my followers are gay men. I don’t know what it is about me, in particular, but I don’t question it. I’m comfortable with my sexuality. I have a ton of gay friends, I’ve been immersed in the culture for a long time, so [the attraction] never bothered me, the way it might other straight men in that way. I lean into it.” Dan – who also made appearances on a number of other teen sitcoms such as ‘Zoey 101 and ‘Phil of the Future’ but has not acted on screen since starring in sci-fi movie ‘Killing Diaz’ in 2018 – went on to add that he has such a “profound respect” for the gay community and feels confident about the way in which his career is now going. He told E! News: “I have such a profound respect and admiration for the gay community and I’m working really hard at being an advocate for gay rights, trans rights. Those are the kinds of things that make it so I feel really good about the direction I’m going. I want to take that momentum and direct it toward fighting for the causes and communities that need outspoken supporters.” View the full article

Published by The San Diego Union-Tribune SAN DIEGO — San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez won’t implement a recommendation to tighten rules for booking transgender people into county jails that coincide with their gender. The Citizens’ Law Enforcement Review Board, or CLERB, recommended last year that the current policy be revised “to mandate that an arrestee shall be taken to a facility that coincides with the arrestees’ gender identity.” But in a letter released late Thursday, sheriff’s officials said they would not be changing the policy because no change is needed. “The department believes CLERB’s desired outcome, properly boo… Read More View the full article

Published by New York Daily News Protesters clashed outside London’s Tate Britain museum on Saturday over a drag queen storytelling event. About 30 demonstrators showed up to protest the Drag Queen Story Hour U.K. event, which featured drag performer and author Aida H Dee reading to kids and families. The protest was organized by the far-right group Patriotic Alternative, according to local media reports. Carrying signs that read “Drag reading shut down” and “Leave our kids alone,” the anti-LGBTQ protesters stood outside the Central London museum hoping to disturb the event. But according to organizers, all three planned show… Read More View the full article

Published by Stateline.org Republican lawmakers in more than half the states are continuing a party-line push to restrict doctors and other medical providers from offering some gender-affirming health care to minors, even with parents’ consent. In late January, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican, signed legislation making the Beehive State the first this year to ban some medical interventions for patients under 18, including hormone therapy and gender-affirmation surgery. Adolescents who were diagnosed with gender dysphoria — a mismatch between their gender identity and sex assigned at birth — before the law took effec… Read More View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Lizzo says she and Adele got “so drunk” at the Grammys. The singers, both 34, sipped on alcoholic drinks that Lizzo snuck into the ceremony in flasks and Adele admitted they had no idea what was going on throughout the show. Speaking on ‘Elvis Duran and the Morning show’, Lizzo said: “We were like, ‘Did they do Best Artist?’ “We didn’t even know, and when it was time and they would call our names we would just be like, ‘Smile’.” Lizzo revealed that the flash she brought for herself had tequila, while Adele’s had white wine but she helped Adele to finish hers. She said: “I brought it for Adele, and then I drank hers.” The pair sat next to each other at the ceremony and Lizzo revealed: “I had zero say in where I was sitting, but Adele had 100 per cent say in where she was sitting. So therefore Adele Facetimed me when I was in Grammy rehearsal a few days before. She was like ‘Oh my God! Oh my God, we’re sitting next to each other’.” Lizzo also explains that she thinks she owes pal Harry Styles an apology for downplaying the incident during his performance where the stage malfunctioned. She said: “[Harry told me] the turntable went the wrong way.” [I told him] nobody noticed, [then I told our friend Tom] Don’t tell him we all noticed. “I would have been so scared if that was me.” View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English SZA will receive the Woman of the Year accolade at the Billboard Women in Music Awards. The 33-year-old singer – who released her second album, ‘SOS ‘, in 2022 – will receive the gong at the awards show on March 1. Hannah Karp, Billboard’s editorial director, said: “Since she burst onto the scene in 2017, SZA has defied genres and continually released raw, powerful songs which have landed her music on the Billboard charts. “The release of her latest album, ‘SOS’, has solidified her as a distinct force in contemporary RnB, and catapulted her into superstardom. We can’t wait to honour her as Woman of the Year.” SZA released her critically acclaimed debut album, ‘Ctrl’, back in 2017, while she’s also written for the likes of Nicki Minaj and Beyonce. Elsewhere, Becky G will receive the Impact Award, while rapper Doechii is set to win the Rising Star Award. Meanwhile, SZA previously claimed that ‘SOS’ showcased a “different” side to her personality. Speaking ahead of her album release, she explained: “It’s my first album in five years, so I’m ready to be a different person and step into this new part of my life. “Really exemplify who this character is and get to know myself better while everyone else gets to know me live at the same time.” SZA – whose real name is Solana Rowe – also admitted that the album was a “little angry” in places. She explained: “The sound is a little bit of literally everything. “It’s a little angry as an overview, but some of it is really beautiful and soft and heartfelt. It’s about heartbreak, it’s about being lost, it’s about being p*****.” View the full article

Published by Radar Online MEGA A secret team has been assigned to shield Vladimir Putin‘s public image online, working “tirelessly to crack down on the online dissent” against the Russian president. RadarOnline.com has learned media watchdog Roskomnadzor had a number of documents showing that thousands of employees are tasked with blocking material that disparages Putin, including memes that portray him as a “dwarf,” “crab,” or a “Hitler wannabe” as he continues to be a polarizing figure amid his war against Ukraine. MEGA Should they find anything questioning or downplaying his image, health, or ability to understand and reason, they are told to alert Putin’s spooks. Belarusian hackers breached a Roskomnadzor network and obtained a collection of internal data revealing that and more. It’s a gig that requires long hours, the leak revealed, as many are expected to work “over the weekend or holidays.” MEGA Roskomnadzor’s workers start their days early, signing at 8:30 AM every morning to scour the internet for any activity that could pose a threat to Putin and his image, blocking comparisons to pedophiles and serial killers, as well as depictions of him in pornographic scenes, according to independent Russian news site iStories. Never miss a story — sign up for the RadarOnline.com newsletter to get your daily dose of dope. Daily. Breaking. Celebrity news. All free. MEGA The leaks indicated that Putin faced more scrutiny in late September, during which time he recruited another 300,000 soldiers to fight. More negative searches were found when his 70th birthday rolled around on October 7. A former speechwriter for Putin told iStories the goal of the monitoring effort is simply to “squash unrest,” explaining, “If you are hated by your own people, then at some point the security forces will simply get rid of you, you will be unnecessary to them.” MEGA “Popularity is of great importance for the leader [of the country], including for Putin. Any regime can be sustainable only if it relies on the support of a significant group of voters,” the speechwriter added. “You see an information threat, and you make a decision how to stop it, how to deal with it. Either with the help of technological tools, creating an alternative agenda, or with the help of an administrative scenario.” View the full article

Published by OK Magazine CBS Madonna won’t be apologizing for her “unrecognizable” looks or bizarre behaviors. On Thursday, February 9, the Queen of Pop was dressed in a full denim ensemble when the award-winning artist took to her Instagram Story to confess she’s “most definitely not sorry,” just two days after the 64-year-old told haters to “bow down b**ches.” @madonna/Instagram Madonna has been clapping back at critics ever since she stepped onto the stage at the 65th annual Grammy Awards at the Crypto.com arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 5. Viewers of the prestigious event were shocked to see the “Material Girl” singer’s close-up facial features, prompting them to voice their concerns she may have taken plastic surgery procedures a bit too far. @madonna/Instagram Never miss a story — sign up for the OK! newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what OK! has to offer. It’s gossip too good to wait for! After an incessant amount of backlash, Madonna informed her 18.7 million Instagram followers she has “never apologized for any of the creative choices I have made nor the way that I look or dress and I’m not going to start.” The “Like a Virgin” vocalist expressed her frustration with people who chose to hone in on her appearance rather than the words that came out of her mouth. CBS “Instead of focusing on what I said in my speech which was about giving thanks for the fearlessness of artists like __Sam [Smith]__ and Kim Petras], many people chose to only talk about close-up photos of me taken with a long lens camera. By a press photographer that would distort anyone’s face!!” Madonna declared of her disappointment. “Once again I am caught in the glare of ageism and misogyny that permeates the world we live in. A world that refuses to celebrate women past the age of 45 and feels the need to punish her if she continues to be strong willed, hard-working and adventurous,” she continued. “I have been degraded by the media since the beginning of my career but I understand that this is all a test and I am happy to do the trailblazing so that all the women behind me can have an easier time in the years to come,” the mother-of-six admitted. “In the words of Beyoncé, ‘you won’t break my soul.'” “I look forward to many more years of subversive behavior, pushing boundaries, standing up to the patriarchy and most of all enjoying my life,” Madonna concluded. View the full article

Published by The Street By Daniel Kline The massive structure has been a source of curiosity and now, as its opening date approaches, details are still scarce. Las Vegas likes a good mystery. That’s sort of what happened as a massive UFO-like structure rose in what’s essentially the parking lot at the Venetian. Even before it had been publicly been given a name, the project was garnering attention simply because it does not like anything else on the Las Vegas Strip. On its own, just standing out on the Strip is impressive given that the 4.2-mile stretch of road hosts a version of the Eiffel Tower, a Statue of Liberty… Read More View the full article

Published by Reuters By James Oliphant TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Reuters) -When a newly elected Florida legislator endorsed a bill allowing residents to carry a concealed firearm without a permit, he was both demonstrating his fealty to Ron DeSantis and helping to burnish the governor’s conservative credentials for a possible White House run in 2024. State Senator Jay Collins’ support for the concealed-carry bill was key to DeSantis’ efforts to secure a suite of legislative victories this spring ahead of an anticipated announcement that he is seeking the Republican Party nomination, according to interviews with nearly a dozen lobbyists, lawmakers and strategists in Tallahassee. Those efforts include installing hand-picked loyalists like Collins in the Republican-controlled state legislature who could then help ensure passage of proposals on guns, abortion and other Republican red-meat issues, they told Reuters, providing DeSantis with a strong record of conservative wins. Former President Donald Trump, who is leading in national opinion polls nearly a year ahead of the first primary contests, has targeted DeSantis as a “RINO,” a Republican in name only. Yet DeSantis, 44, remains wildly popular with voters in his state after winning re-election by the widest margin of any Florida governor in 40 years, giving him a solid platform from which to launch a presidential bid. DeSantis has yet to make a final decision on a presidential run, those close to him told Reuters. But he is reaching out to potential staff and donors, raising money, and traveling around the country to raise his profile. The expectation is that DeSantis will wait until the legislative session is over in early May to launch his campaign, allies said. “Having vast political capital is an asset,” said David Johnson, a longtime Republican operative in Tallahassee. “With a cooperating Republican supermajority in both houses, DeSantis’ agenda will never have better timing for legislative accomplishment.” DeSantis’ office did not grant a request for an interview. In response to questions about how DeSantis’ goals for this spring’s session might play into his future political plans, DeSantis spokesman Bryan Griffin said in an email: “The governor has been clear about his priorities for Florida.” Griffin also noted the support DeSantis’ proposals receive from lawmakers. If DeSantis does enter the race for the Republican nomination, he will join a field still dominated by Trump. The former president this month unleashed a flurry of critical social media posts at DeSantis, including calling him a “RINO GLOBALIST.” In response, DeSantis said he was keeping his focus on Florida. “I don’t spend my time trying to smear other Republicans,” DeSantis said at a press conference on Wednesday. In recent weeks, DeSantis and his allies in the legislature have rolled out several proposals that the governor expects will be well received by conservatives in and outside of Florida, those close to him said. He called a special session of the legislature where lawmakers voted on Friday to strengthen the authority of DeSantis’ new election police force to investigate and prosecute voter fraud, although there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the state. The legislature also approved more interstate flights of migrants such as those he chartered last year from Texas to Massachusetts. In response to last year’s spat with Walt Disney World over its opposition to the Republican measure called the “don’t say gay” bill by opponents, the legislature on Friday granted DeSantis control over the special tax district that governs the park. When the regular session launches in March, the legislature will be poised to act on DeSantis’ priorities, introducing bills that would allow juries to impose the death penalty without unanimous agreement; stop public pension fund managers from considering environmental, social and governance (ESG) provisions in their investment decisions; defund diversity and equity programs at state colleges and weaken teachers’ unions. DeSantis has said he would sign a bill to ban abortions as early as six weeks if passed by lawmakers. He signed a bill last year banning abortions after 15 weeks. He also continues to push back hard on what he sees as efforts to impose a liberal agenda in public schools. Last month, he said Florida would not allow an Advanced Placement high school course in African American studies, contending the curriculum would indoctrinate students on “queer theory.” Such efforts are aimed at bolstering what would likely be the central theme of DeSantis’ presidential campaign: that he has transformed Florida into the most prosperous conservative-leaning state in the country. “We have articulated a vision for a free and prosperous state,” DeSantis said at his second inauguration last month. “We have, through persistence and hard work, executed on that vision.” But, he added, “We are far from done.” HANDPICKED ALLIES Allies in the legislature are part of DeSantis’ strategy. Last year, DeSantis broke with convention to endorse Collins, a former Green Beret and the sponsor of the concealed-carry bill, over the candidate preferred by Republican lawmakers. In a brief interview, Collins called DeSantis’ support “a blessing.” He resisted the suggestion that the legislature was a rubber stamp for the governor. “All three parts of our state government work together,” he said. “This is a well-oiled machine.” Blaise Ingoglia, another first-time state senator elected with DeSantis’ support, authored the death penalty bill and will chair the committee charged with helping the governor cut taxes, also an item on his wish list. A CLIMATE OF FEAR DeSantis has wielded power in Florida unlike any other modern governor, the lobbyists, lawmakers and strategists who spoke to Reuters said. Some of those Tallahassee insiders point to an episode last year involving Wilton Simpson, then president of the state Senate. Republicans in the chamber had presented DeSantis with a congressional redistricting map he disliked citing “legal concerns”. DeSantis used his executive veto power to block funding of a new sports complex and cancer research center in Simpson’s home county, and then had Simpson and other Senate leaders stand with him at a public event as he announced the budget cuts. DeSantis later presented his own, more aggressive map that was quickly approved by the Senate. “They are afraid,” said Mac Stipanovich, a retired Republican lobbyist who recently left the party. “If you are interested in being the Republican nominee in any office in the state, there is no percentage in crossing Ron DeSantis.” Simpson, now the state’s agriculture commissioner, said the rift with DeSantis over the budget was “blown out of proportion.” “The governor is a very strong man,” he said, adding DeSantis and Republican lawmakers were in “lockstep” with how to run the state. DeSantis’ hard-right stance on issues such as guns and abortion risks alienating the suburban voters he eventually would need to win the presidency in 2024. For now, allies say his actions are primed to win the primary over Trump, and he’ll worry about a general election later. DeSantis has pointed to his mammoth re-election victory as validation of his approach. “That verdict has been rendered,” he said, “by the people of the state of Florida.” (Reporting by James Oliphant; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Suzanne Goldenberg) View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English ‘Hogwarts Legacy’ has broken a record for the most live Twitch viewers. During early access, the RPG based on the ‘Harry Potter’ franchise has beaten ‘Cyberpunk 2077’ after it was watched by more than 1.2 million people on the streaming platform. The majority of viewers watched xQc’s channel live-stream, which had more than 100,000 live viewers at peak times. The record viewers come after ‘Hogwarts Legacy’ sparked controversy by adding the first transgender ‘Harry Potter’ character. The introduction of Sirona Ryan, a barkeep at the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade, comes amid the J.K. Rowling transgender row. Although It’s not stated in the game if Sirona is transgender, one piece of dialogue about an encounter with a goblin called Lodgok suggests as much. Sirona says: “I’ve known [Lodgok] for years. We met when I was waiting tables here as a student — well before I bought the place. “He was cordial enough, but we weren’t friends then. His mistrust of wizardkind ran deep… Hadn’t seen him in years when he came in a few months ago. But, he recognised me instantly. Which is more than I can say for some of my own classmates. Took them a second to realise I was actually a witch, not a wizard.” Warner Bros. Games has insisted Rowling is “not directly involved”, though her writing has provided the “foundation” for the title. The acclaimed scribe first caused controversy when she took issue with an online article’s mention of “people who menstruate” by tweeting: “‘People who menstruate’. I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?” Among those who have since hit out at the author over her remarks are ‘Harry Potter’ actors including Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) and Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), as well as Eddie Redmayne (Newt Scamander), who featured in her ‘Fantastic Beasts’ films. The much-discussed role-playing title arrives on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC this Friday (10.02.23). PlayStation 4 and Xbox One follow on April 4 and Nintendo Switch players will have a while longer to wait with a date set for July 25. View the full article

Published by Fadeaway World By Nico Martinez Nets guard pays huge price for post-game slip up. The Kyrie Irving saga is finally over for the Brooklyn Nets, but that doesn’t mean they have run out of controversial point guards. After Thursday’s win over the Chicago Bulls, Kyrie’s newest replacement, Cam Thomas, took a page from his predecessor by speaking a homophobic slur during the post-game media interview. View the original article to see embedded media. “He just talking man. We already had good-looking dudes, no homo. You know how it goes,” said Thomas. Cam was quick to realize his mistake and jumped to make an apolo… Read More View the full article