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Published by NJ.com By Ellen S. Wilkowe There was plenty of good intention but no good fortune — or even a pot of gold — for the Long Valley Middle School students who decorated the school with rainbow-colored safe zone signs in support of their LGBTQ peers. The student-initiated effort resulted in a warrant from the rainbow police and now the symbol of diversity and inclusion is doing hard prism time, in order to appease the concerns of the community and school board. The decision was set in stone by the advice of legal counsel. Mind you, these signs have been a staple of the school since 2019 and many moons and… Read More View the full article

Published by Reuters (Refiles to fix typo in par 6) TOKYO (Reuters) – Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Saturday fired an aide who said he wouldn’t want to live next to lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender couples and warned that people would flee Japan if same-sex marriage was permitted. In remarks reported by local media, Masayoshi Arai, an economy and trade official who joined Kishida’s staff as a secretary in October, added he did not even want to look at same-sex couples. “His comments are outrageous and completely incompatible with the administration’s policies,” Kishida said in remarks aired by public broadcaster NHK. Speaking to reporters later in the day, the Japanese leader said he had dismissed Arai, who had earlier apologized for “misleading” comments made on Friday. Arai’s comments had come after Kishida had said in parliament that same-sex marriage needed careful consideration because of its potential impact on the family structure. The incident is an embarrassment for Kishida as he prepares to host other leaders from Group of Seven nations in May. Unlike Japan, which has been ruled by the conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) for most of the past seven decades, the rest of the G7 allow marriage or civil unions for same-sex couples. According to recent opinion polls, Kishida’s public support has halved to around 30% since last year following a series of scandal-tainted resignations by senior officials. Among those who stepped down was Mio Sugita, an internal affairs and communications vice minister, who quit in December over controversial comments about LGBT people, and about Japan’s indigenous Ainu community. In a survey published by NHK in July 2021, two months before Kishida became prime minister, 57% of 1,508 respondents said they supported the legal recognition of same-sex unions. Because they are not allowed to marry, same-sex couples can’t inherit each other’s assets and are denied parental rights to each other’s children. In November, a Tokyo court upheld a ban on same-sex marriage, but also said a lack of legal protection for same-sex families violated their human rights. (This story has been refiled to fix a typo in paragraph 6) (Reporting by Tim Kelly; Editing by Lincoln Feast.) View the full article

Published by Wayarc Daily Chinese surveillance balloon that had been transiting across the country for several days has been shot down by the US Military. In a statement Saturday, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said a U.S. fighter aircraft assigned to U.S. Northern Command successfully brought down the balloon at the direction of President Joe Biden. Lloyd said the balloon was being used by the People’s Republic of China “in an attempt to surveil strategic sites in the continental United States.” Biden gave authorization on Wednesday to take down the balloon as soon as it could be done “without undue risk to America… Read More View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Rupert Everett has claimed he knows who Prince Harry lost his virginity to. The Duke of Sussex caused a stir when he revealed in his memoir ‘Spare’ that he’d had sex for the first time when he was 17, in a field behind a pub with an older woman, but the ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’ actor has suggested the 38-year-old prince made up the story. He told Telegraph magazine: “By the way. I know who the woman he lost his virginity to is. And it wasn’t behind a pub. And it wasn’t in this country.” After asked if he was suggesting Harry had purposefully told a different story to protect the identity of the woman he really slept with, he simply grinned and added: “I’m just putting it out there that I know.” But a source close to Harry – who has children Archie, three, and Lili, 19 months, with wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex – questioned the actor’s remarks. They said: “Amazing that he would know such a personal detail better than Prince Harry himself.” Meanwhile, the 63-year-old actor admitted ‘Spare’ had changed his perception of Harry – who stepped down as a senior royal three years ago to start a new life in the US – and he felt “particularly bad” when the prince faced a backlash over his revelation in the tome that he had killed 25 people when he was serving in Afghanistan as an Apache helicopter pilot. He said: “It’s made me change my view. I was angry before, and now I just feel very sad – sad for Harry. I felt so sympathetic towards him for years and I still do now. “Honestly! As someone who has put his foot in it quite a bit, I feel particularly bad for him about the Taliban thing. That changed everything and loses him the one group that still loved him.” Harry revealed in his memoir that he lost his virginity in 2001, when he was still a student at Eton College in Windsor, South East England. Remembering a lunchtime meeting with one of the royal family’s bodyguards, Harry wrote: “I suspected he was referring to my recent loss of virginity, a humiliating episode with an older woman who liked macho horses and who treated me like a young stallion. “I mounted her quickly, after which she spanked my a** and sent me away. One of my many mistakes was letting it happen in a field, just behind a very busy pub. No doubt someone had seen us.” However, it ultimately transpired that the bodyguard was actually there to discuss another issue. View the full article

Published by AFP Beyonce, shown here attending the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards, has the most chances at Grammy gold this year Los Angeles (AFP) – The brightest stars in pop music will vie for the industry’s top awards at the Grammys in Los Angeles on Sunday, with a Beyonce-Adele rematch set to take center stage. Kendrick Lamar, Harry Styles and Taylor Swift are also among the frontrunners at the gala primed to be the most star-studded in recent memory. The performance-heavy ceremony will include songs from major contenders Styles, Bad Bunny, Lizzo and Mary J. Blige at the 65th annual show, hosted once again by comedian Trevor Noah. Beyonce leads the pack with nine chances at Grammy gold, followed by rapper Lamar with eight. Adele and fellow balladeer Brandi Carlile scored seven nods each. Music’s biggest night follows a year of blockbuster albums, including Beyonce’s “Renaissance” — a pulsating collecting of club tracks — and Adele’s introspective ode to the ugly cry, “30.” Those records will face off in the most prestigious categories, six years after the British artist shut out Queen Bey’s culture-shaking “Lemonade.” Adele’s sweep in 2017 left both women in tears, with the crooner calling Beyonce her “idol” and telling the audience her fellow megastar’s paradigm-shifting record should have won. That contest fueled perennial criticism that the Academy consistently fails to pay Black artists their due. This year, Billboard predicts the Beyhive will rejoice over a best album win for their Queen, while the industry tracker thinks Adele has the top shot at best record — the award for overall performance of a song — for her single “Easy On Me.” But as the shock upsets of Grammys past prove, it’s really anyone’s game. Either way, with this year’s new nominations, Beyonce continues to forge a history-making path: she moved into a tie with her husband, Jay-Z, as the most nominated artists ever with 88 each. Already the woman with the most Grammys, Beyonce could overtake classical conductor Georg Solti for the most wins by any artist, with four victories on Sunday; she’s tied for second place with music power player Quincy Jones. Swift top songwriter? Bad Bunny, indisputably the world’s biggest commercial artist, has three Grammy chances off his major drop “Un Verano Sin Ti,” which is in the running for Album of the Year. It’s the first time an all Spanish-language album has a chance at that coveted award, and it’s the first time the Puerto Rican reggaeton megastar has landed a solo nomination in the major Grammy categories. Styles, Lizzo and Doja Cat all figure among the top nominees, while pop juggernaut Swift could finally win the Song of the Year prize that has evaded her for years. The superstar — who has been making good on a vow to re-record her first six albums to gain control of her rights to them — has a chance at the prestigious award celebrating songwriters for her 10-minute version of “All Too Well.” The original song came out in 2012 on Swift’s album “Red,” but qualified for inclusion because the expanded version contained more than 50 percent new material. TikTok newbies After several Grammy years with clear Best New Artist frontrunners — Olivia Rodrigo, Megan Thee Stallion and Billie Eilish — Sunday’s race is wide open. The category has grown increasingly eclectic and reflective of the internet age’s impact on popular music, and many of the nominees including Brazil’s Anitta, Eurovision rockers Maneskin and rapper Latto have all found viral fame on TikTok. South Korea’s boy band sensation BTS — who last year declared they were taking a hiatus — meanwhile is hoping for a first elusive Grammy. The Academy — comprised of music-makers including artists, composers and engineers — also shortlisted a coterie of the industry’s enduring stars, with Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson and ABBA each garnering a handful of nominations. After wowing audiences with a show-stopping performance at the 2019 Grammys, the big-voiced Carlile will take the stage once more as she competes in the top categories as well as for roots and Americana honors. Asked on a recent red carpet about her slate of nominations, Carlile said she was “ecstatic.” “Those kinds of accolades are life-affirming,” she told AFP. “Especially because the Grammys is my peers, it means other musicians think I did a good job this year. “That’s why it feels so good.” View the full article

Published by Radar Online Mega Madonna‘s “greatest hits” would tour will be a family affair — with all of her six children joining her on the stage and off, RadarOnline.comhas learned. “Lourdes, David, Mercy, Stella, and Estere will join their mom onstage, while her son Rocco will help design the tour,” spilled one source — but it will eat into the profits from sales of the $2,583 tickets, with the insider adding Madonna will only make sure her kids get the VIP treatment. Mega “It’s only the best for Madonna and her kids,” the source stated. “That’s seven VIP suites in each city!” The Grammy winner, 64, announced The Celebration Tour last month with the help of several celebrity pals who taunted her with a challenge: “I dare you to do a world tour and play your greatest motherf—— hits.” Mega Madonna promised to feature hits from her entire career, all the way from her 1983’s self-titled debut album to the 2019’s Madame X. “I am excited to explore as many songs as possible in hopes to give my fans the show they have been waiting for,” the singer shared in January. A press release said the tour “will take us on Madonna’s artistic journey through four decades and pays respect to the city of New York where her career in music began.” Mega She first announced she’ll be gracing fans from 35 cities across North America and Europe, only later revealing she added 13 additional dates due to “overwhelming demand.” Madonna’s The Celebration Tour will kick off on July 15 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver. Madge will then head to Phoenix, Cleveland, Toronto, New York, Atlanta, Miami, Los Angeles, London, Barcelona, Paris, Milan, and more cities. She’ll finish the tour on December 1 at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam. But Madonna’s not the only featured star on the tour. Mega She’ll be joined by her dear friend Bob the Drag Queen at all of her scheduled shows. Madonna’s big Celebration tour — which marks the 40th anniversary of her breakout single, Holiday — comes after she was forced to cancel some of her Madame X shows pre-pandemic due to knee and hip injuries. The world tour also comes on the heels of Madonna’s biopic getting scrapped. View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Channing Tatum had to cover up a blemish on his bum for ‘Magic Mike’s Last Dance’. Make-up artists on the upcoming movie had to spend 20 minutes every day rubbing concealer and powder on the Hollywood hunk’s bare bottom to hide the scar he suffered from a bite while filming his previous flick ‘Dog’. An insider told The Sun newspaper’s Bizarre column: “Channing is actually quite proud of that scar because of how much the film ‘Dog’ meant to him. “But for ‘Magic Mike 3’ it was case of keeping his assets looking as visually pleasing as possible. “A make-up team had to make sure that the concealer covered his canine teeth marks. “But the team also had to ensure that his skin was smooth. It was a proper 20-minute job working on his bum.” Channing will strip off once again as he reprises his role as Mike Lane in the conclusion to the trilogy and is joined in the cast by Salma Hayek, but a raunchy lap dancing scene between the pair almost ended in tragedy. Salma said: “You know, this one part that’s not in it where I’m upside down, and my legs had to be somewhere. But upside down, one loses sense of direction, and I didn’t do what I was supposed to do, so in the rehearsal, I went like, head down, almost hit my head. “(Channing) held on to my pants, but I was really concerned because my pants were going away, and I couldn’t remember if I had underwear or not in this moment. So, instead of putting my hands to protect my head, I just held onto the pants. He’s like, ‘Put your hands up,’ and I’m like, ‘No, no, no, no.’ “Everybody came in, and kind of took me away from him, and he said, ‘What’s wrong with you?’ I said, ‘What’s wrong with me? You nearly killed me!'” View the full article

Published by OK Magazine mega Fashionably too late? Lourdes Leon was stopped by security and not allowed inside a Marc Jacobs fashion show event on Thursday, February 2, after she showed up exactly as the show was set to begin. The eldest daughter of Madonna arrived at the Park Avenue Armory at approximately 6 p.m., when she was greeted by two bouncers who wouldn’t let her up the stairway into the venue, as seen by OK! in a now-viral TikTok video. @mickmicknyc/tiktok It appeared the doors were shut in preparation for the runway event to begin, as security seemingly had strict orders not to let anymore guests inside — even the famous offspring of the “Material Girl” singer, who “has a long-storied history” with Marc Jacobs,” according to a previous press release once shared by the brand. Lourdes even starred as the face of the designer’s Spring 2021 campaign. The 26-year-old — whom Madonna shares with her ex-boyfriend Carlos Leon — was accompanied by an unidentified man. The duo attempted to plead with the guards, who firmly informed them that the event was “closed.” @mickmicknyc/tiktok The crowd of bystanders jumped to Lourdes’ defense and began to chant “let her in,” while one individual asked the bouncers, “you don’t know who she is?” Security still didn’t budge, causing the brunette beauty to turn around and head back into the car — instead of entering the star-studded event featuring special guests Emily Ratajkowski, Nicky Hilton Rothschildand Ashley Graham. mega Meanwhile, those in the comments section of the video slammed the “nepo baby,” as viewers were glad to see consequences in response to her late arrival. “Some times you have to be humbled and arrive on time to an event,” one user criticized, as another laughingly stated, “Hahaha a little reality check,” and a third person quipped, “she thought she was Beyonce .” “If you ain’t 15mins early… you’re late!” someone expressed, as an additional individual pointed out, “OK… But the show started AT 6. So she’s gonna be getting to her seat as ppl walk,” and another TikTok viewer chimed in noting, “everyone’s time is precious — glad they did not let her in. Show respect and get there on time.” “Some shows are very strict because the designer wants it that way. So that’s why they didn’t just open the doors,” one person explained, as another hater added, “people saying ‘do you know who she is’ in the video… no, nobody does.” View the full article

Published by New York Daily News NEW YORK — One of the stars of the Broadway hit musical “& Juliet” has withdrawn their name from Tony Awards consideration after they were told they would have to “choose between one of two gendered categories.” Justin David Sullivan, a transgender nonbinary singer and actor who’s “passionate about diversity and representation in the performing arts” is currently on Broadway playing one of the main roles in the critically acclaimed musical. On Wednesday, the 23-year-old Broadway newcomer announced they were opting out of the prestigious award, in which the acting awards are divided into catego… Read More View the full article

Published by Knewz For $4.99, comic book fans can channel a whole new level of modern characterization Feb. 14. In the DC Comics release “Lazarus Planet: Dark Fate #1,” there are not one but two non-binary characters: Circuit Breaker and Xanthe. In the case of Circuit Breaker, his non-hero trans identity is Jules Jourdain, whose pronouns are “he/they.” As is the case with many comic book crossovers and new series, a lot of the information has been teased on social media. Circuit Breaker is able to channel a dark energy known as the Still Force. It’s essentially the opposite of The Flash’s Speed Force. “When the … Read More View the full article

Published by Orlando Sentinel ORLANDO, Fla. — In the days after the 2016 Pulse gay nightclub shooting ―the second-deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history — gay and bisexual men were turned away from donating blood unless they had been celibate for a year. “Our community really wanted to give back in that way. They wanted to be able to donate blood for those who needed it, who were injured that night, and weren’t allowed to. I think that really weighed heavily on (them),” said Brandon Wolf, press secretary for Equality Florida and a Pulse survivor. Currently, men who have sex with men must be celibate for three months to do… Read More View the full article

Published by Miami Herald So, liar extraordinaire George Santos has ties to Florida! Where’s the surprise? To partially quote our illustrious governor, a fibber himself, this is the state where truth “comes to die.” The New York congressman may claim the current title of Most Prolific Liar in the Lot, his biographical whoppers running deep across cities and continents. But lying in Florida has become acceptable political practice for the state GOP. It’s strategy that wins elections all the time. Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar, for example, launched her campaign against former University of Miami president Donna Sha… Read More View the full article

Published by Euronews (English) It’s not always easy keeping up with emerging acronyms and new jargon that goes viral on social platforms. Often, words are given new meaning and the latest is “mascara”, which no longer refers to that bristled brush that enhances your eyelashes. The word has taken on a whole new meaning on TikTok, which has a language of its own: “Aglospeak”. “Mascara” refers to someone’s romantic partner and is being used with the hashtag #MascaraTrend as code to describe relationships. As an example, one TikToker joked: “My mascara stuck its wand in another tube.” Another said: “The one mascara I ever reall… Read More View the full article

Published by The Charlotte Observer John Waters knows what makes a “John Waters movie,” but he isn’t sure movie critics do. “I hate those movies, because they just mean they’re gross, or they have one drag queen in it,” Waters tells me over the crackling receiver on his San Francisco landline. Waters has spent years creating universes where people are as bad as cable television cop shows and the latest conservative talking points would have you believe. You’ve almost certainly heard of him through “Hairspray,” his 1988 film staring Ricki Lake as Tracy Turnblad, an overweight teenage girl who helps integrate Baltimore public tele… Read More View the full article

Published by Global Voices People under a rainbow flag at 2019 Pride March in Skopje, North Macedonia. Photo by Global Voices, CC BY 3.0. This story was originally published by Meta.mk. An edited version is republished here under a content-sharing agreement between Global Voices and Metamorphosis Foundation. The amendment to the Family Code went into full force in Slovenia on January 31, 2023, thereby decreeing that marriage is no longer just a union between a man and a woman, but a union between two persons, and same-sex couples are now able to adopt children, Radio-Television Slovenia reported. According to the elabor… Read More View the full article

Published by DPA The cathedral on the Zócalo is considered the largest on the American continent. Philipp Laage/dpa Colonial palaces, the legacy of the Aztecs and Frida Kahlo, kaleidoscopic nightlife and cuisine – plus mezcal – to write home about: Despite its intensity and daunting size, a bold immersion in the best of Mexico City will change your world. Locals urge you to spend at least a week in this metropolis of 22 million people, but a three-day compact programme also hits the mark. Tour guide and architecture expert Santiago Garcia de Vinuesa recommends you start in the Centro Histórico – where it all began. Until the mid-19th century, today’s historic centre covered the entire city. “That’s why there are so many hidden buildings and gems from all eras here,” says Santiago. “It’s a hectic place because everyone comes here to shop. But it’s also very real.” The city’s birthplace is the mighty Zócalo main square and the vestiges of Tenochtitlán, the former heart of the Aztec Empire. Here, the ruins of the Templo Mayor, the main temple, are overshadowed by the giant Metropolitan Cathedral, once a symbol of the imperial power of the Spanish conquerors. When the tumult gets overwhelming, head through the archways to the grand colonial courtyards. Maybe take a bite too, for example in the Azul Historico restaurant, located at Isabel La Católica 30, run by renowned chef Ricardo Muñoz Zurita. Moving west, you pass many impressive sights built under the rule of General Porfirio Díaz in the late 19th century, after Mexico’s independence. The ruling classes then took their cue from France, producing magnificent Art Nouveau buildings like the Palacio de Hierro – now a luxury shopping mall – and the Gran Hotel Ciudad de México, with its spectacular Tiffany glass roof. The Palacio Postal, the old main post office, is a masterpiece of Neo-Venetian architecture, while the Palacio de Bellas Artes cultural centre is a whirl of architectural styles, from neoclassicism to Art Nouveau and Art Déco. The cityscape mirrors the many influences pulling at its municipal chiefs over the centuries, says the guide. They sought to become more European, with a yearning also for the lifestyle of the American suburbs and an eye to the pre-Columbian past: “All of this while trying to be modern and cosmopolitan.” Taking it all in is thirsty work. Come the evening, head to the hip Roma district for at least one drink. Make it a mezcal cocktail with smoky pineapple at Licorería Limantour, which was ranked fourth on the list of the 50 best bars in the world in 2022. For dancing, head to the Zona Rosa, a party district and magnet for the LGBTQ community, with many bars and clubs. By day, its art galleries and antique shops offer stone lions, Jesus paintings, mahogany secretaries with golden inlays and Louis XIV-style chairs. Day two is all about art, culture and curiosities. Roma and the equally cool Condesa district, with their brunch bars, boutiques and peeling, dignified house facades evoke Europe, perhaps Barcelona or Rome. Both districts are fully gentrified and very pricey by Mexican standards. For lunch, try the fish restaurant Contramar at Calle de Durango 200. Another address often recommended is Mercado Roma (at Calle Querétaro 225). This food market hall laden with tacos, paella, ceviche, vegan Italian snacks and smoothies could hold its own in virtually any of the world’s famous hipster neighbourhoods. From here it’s a short stroll to the huge Chapultepec City Park, where those who prefer to avoid the promenade and its fly traders will find tranquillity on its many set-back trails. Here, fountains splash, squirrels hop in the trees, and traffic sounds are muffled. Around the park are several cultural highlights, starting with the imposing National Museum of Anthropology (Museo Nacional de Antropología). Also worth a visit are the museums of modern and contemporary art (Museo de Arte Moderno and Museo Tamayo) and the Casa Barragán, the former studio of the architect Luis Barragán. The Castillo de Chapultepec is also worth a visit. Built by the Spanish colonial rulers, the castle was the imperial residence of Maximilian I from 1864. The Austrian was installed as a puppet regent during France’s meddling in Mexico’s affairs and was killed three years later. Today, the site houses a history museum. From castles to cuisine, with a street food tour in the evening: Guide Clarissa Obregón says the majority of Mexicans eat on the street. Most work six days a week and time is short. “That’s why we need good street food,” she says. And you find it on every corner. A stop in Condesa brings tortas de cochinita pibil – braised pork sandwiches. On towards San Rafael, once a residential district and now middle class, where a street vendor made famous by YouTube serves succulent tacos campechanos with chorizo and beef. Then a retreat to a gloomy pulqueria tavern, where the national drink pulque, made from fermented juice, takes some getting used to and is served in three versions. “We say it makes you sociable and a bit frisky,” says Clarissa. “And it heals broken hearts.” At Mercado de San Cosme it’s fried quesadillas, tamales, stuffed corn dough, and atole, a heavy, hot drink also made from corn. Your stomach is now groaning but you keep eating because it tastes so good. Mezcal helps. Day three starts with some relaxation at Lake Xochimilco and then up to the cosy southern borough of Coyoacán. Here, tourists flock to the cobalt-blue Frida Kahlo Museum, also called Casa Azul, the birthplace and workplace of Mexico’s most famous artist. In the afternoon, take a tour through the canals of Xochimilco, built for agriculture but today a popular excursion area, where around 1,500 trajineras – colourful flat-bottomed wooden boats – glide with guests through the network of waterways. The grotesque highlight is the Isla de las Muñecas, the island of the dolls, where hundreds of them dangle in the trees, eerily weathered over the years. According to legend, a local man who found the body of a drowned girl kept hanging up dolls to honour her lost soul. It’s an old, colourful story, full of humanity and not nearly so scary when you actually get there – and maybe that’s Mexico City for you too. Tapas and drinks at Mercado Roma. Philipp Laage/dpa Mexico City’s Azul Historico restaurant. Philipp Laage/dpa Around 1500 trajineras can be found on the canals of Xochimilco. Philipp Laage/dpa Authentic food to go: A street food tour through Mexico City offers a contrast to the city’s high-end cuisine. Philipp Laage/dpa Roma, with its brunch spots and boutiques, is a highly gentrified and comparatively expensive neighbourhood. Philipp Laage/dpa In the posh district of Polanco, the avant-garde Museo Soumaya awaits. Philipp Laage/dpa In the peace and quiet of Chapultepec City Park, even the carousel is at a standstill. Philipp Laage/dpa On the Isla de las Muñecas in Xochimilco, dozens of dolls – some of them eerily weathered – hang in the trees. Philipp Laage/dpa Ruins of the Templo Mayor: This was once the most important and largest temple of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlán. Philipp Laage/dpa In the Centro Histórico there are buildings from all eras. Philipp Laage/dpa Centrally located and yet far away from all the hustle and bustle: Chapultepec City Park. Philipp Laage/dpa View the full article

Published by Raw Story A review of newly released records shows San Diego police officers have engaged in numerous racist incidents. California police departments were required under a 2021 law to release misconduct records to increase transparency and improve community relations, and KFMB-TV’s review found that San Diego police targeted Black drivers, conducted improper searches and engaged in disturbing behavior while on and off duty. “I kill [Black People] for a living,” yelled one officer during a drunken disturbance at a bar in 2020, according to one investigative report. “I am a cop.” Another officer allegedly… Read More View the full article

Published by Radar Online MEGA Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders will be signing a bill that imposes restrictions on drag shows to protect kids, RadarOnline.com has learned. The bill, first introduced on January 9, would end storytime performances, during which drag queens read to students for free at public libraries and other shows in front of minors. CNP / MEGA This comes after the House recommended and passed an amendment to bill SB43, imposing restrictions to “adult-oriented performances” and “adult nudity.” An “adult-oriented performance” shall not take place on public property; admit any minor for attendance; or be funded in whole or in part with public funds, per the proposal. The bill also states that no adult-oriented business may be located on public property or where a minor, anyone under the age of 18, can see it. Graylock.com / MEGA That is defined as a performance where someone “exhibits a gender identity that is different from the performer’s gender assigned at birth.” “[This includes] using clothing, makeup, or other accessories that are traditionally worn by members of and are meant to exaggerate the gender identity of the performer’s opposite sex,” according to the bill. Graylock.com / MEGA The drag show proposal is not about “banning anything” but rather about “protecting kids” from accessing “sexually explicit drag shows,” a spokeswoman for the Arkansas governor, Alexa Henning, told The Washington Post. “Only in the radical left’s woke dystopia is it not appropriate to protect kids.” Activists, on the other hand, said it could have negative and harmful effects on the LGBTQ community, noting that drag shows do not typically involve nudity or stripping and don’t have to be profane. Huckabee, the first woman elected as governor of Arkansas, hit the ground running after being sworn in. She signed several executive orders, including one that banned the term “Latinx” in official state documents. CNP / MEGA RadarOnline.com has learned she is looking forward to delivering the Republican response to President Joe Biden‘s State of the Union address. She said, “We are ready to begin a new chapter in the story of America — to be written by a new generation of leaders ready to defend our freedom against the radical left and expand access to quality education, jobs, and opportunity for all.” View the full article

Published by Euronews (English) WARNING: This article contains spoilers for Episode 3 of HBO’s The Last of Us series. So if you haven’t watched it already, you need to seriously reconsider your life priorities. ‘The Last of Us’ is one of my favourite video games of all time. It’s a game that shines in every aspect, from its heart-wrenching story and performances to its immersive gameplay and stunning graphics. So when I heard that they were adapting it into a TV series I was nervous to say the least… We’ve seen it attempted with countless other games before, and usually they end up being a complete mess. Take the atrocious m… Read More View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Sarah Michelle Gellar has revealed Dolly Parton was a producer on ‘Buffy The Vampire Slayer’. The 45-year-old actress – who played Buffy Summers in the classic show from 1997 to 2003 – has opened up on the role the country music legend played in bringing the iconic series to the small screen. Appearing on ‘The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon’ this week, she said: “Yes, little known fact. The legend Dolly Parton was a producer.” Back in 1986, Dolly and producing partner Sandy Gallin founded Sandollar Productions, going onto produce movies like 1991’s ‘Father of the Bride’ and 1995’s ‘Sabrina’. The company also went on to produce ‘Buffy the Vampire’ slayer, as well as its spin-off series ‘Angel’ from 1999 to 2004. And although the ‘9 to 5’ hitmaker wasn’t particularly hands-on when it came to the making of the show, Sarah revealed she did send gifts to the cast. She added: “We never saw her,. We’d get Christmas gifts in the beginning that would have our name, and I would think, ‘She doesn’t know who I am.’ “ However, it turned out Dolly was keeping up and Sarah revealed the ‘Jolene’ hitmaker once praised her performance as Buffy. She gushed: “One day, somebody asked her about it and she complimented the show and my performance. I was like, ‘Oh, I can die now. Dolly Parton knows who I am and thinks I’m good.’ “ Meanwhile, Sarah – who stepped away from Hollywood back in 2014 to focus on raising her and Freddie Prinze Jr’s two children, Charlotte, 12, and Rocky, nine – recently admitted she worried there might not be a place for her when she decided to go back to work. She said: “Your job may not always be there. You can be surpassed by other people; interests change.” Sarah had been planning to return to Hollywood shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic struck so her career break was extended as the health crisis shut down movies and film productions across the globe. She finally got back to work last year with a part in Netflix’s teen comedy ‘Do Revenge’ and she’s now appearing in Paramount+ series ‘Wolf Pack’. View the full article

Published by NJ.com In response to the public execution of Tyre Nichols, Memphis police chief Cerelyn Davis said, “This is not just a professional failing. This is a failing of basic humanity toward another individual.” The difference, however, is that while humans change, her profession is often opposed to reform. Broken institutions such as the Memphis PD — which employed a gang of thugs who killed a person for a traffic violation – may never restore its credibility. And this crime demonstrates the need to dismantle the entrenched police-state culture that treats communities of color like occupation zones — a… Read More View the full article

Published by PsyPost Sexuality is commonly thought to be a spectrum. If that is true, is anyone fully straight? Does that blur the label of what heterosexual means? A study published in Archives of Sexual Behavior explores sexual preferences and experiences of people who self-identify as heterosexual. Sexuality is a complicated topic for many people and sexualities deviating from the norm of heterosexuality often face stigma. Same-sex experiences or feelings can threaten people who identify as heterosexual’s sense of self and can have emotional impacts that leave them questioning their sexual orientations. From 19… Read More View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Taylor Lautner thought it was part of a planned “skit” when Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift’s MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) acceptance speech. The ‘Twilight’ actor presented the Best Female Video award to his then-girlfriend for her ‘You Belong with Me’ promo at the 2009 ceremony but her moment in the spotlight was tainted when the ‘Stronger’ hitmaker stormed the stage to declare Beyonce should have taken the prize. And Lautner, 30, has now reflected on the infamous moment and admitted it took some time for him to realise what was happening. Asked by his wife Tay Dome which moment of his career he would like to relive, he said on their ‘The Squeeze’ podcast: “Probably the 2009 VMAs when I presented the award to Taylor. I was unaware that the Kanye thing was not a skit. “Yeah [we had just gone public with our relationship] and I presented the award to her, so I gave her the award [and] I took five steps back and was standing five feet behind her. “In the middle of giving her thank you speech, Kanye jumps up onto the stage. “I can barely hear it. I can’t see them. I’m just assuming that this whole thing was a practiced and rehearsed skit because why else would Kanye West be jumping up on the stage, interrupting Taylor Swift? It just didn’t make sense.” But after Kanye gave the mic back to the ‘Shake It Off’ singer, Lautner realised it wasn’t a joke. He recalled: “He jumped off, she finished [and] the second she turned back around and I saw her face for the first time, I was like, ‘Oh. No, that wasn’t good.’ “ During the awards show, Swift had just begun her speech when she was interrupted by the 45-year-old rapper. He said: “Yo, Taylor, I’m really happy for you, I’mma let you finish. But Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time [with ‘Single Ladies’]! One of the best videos of all time.” When Beyonce later scooped Video of the Year for ‘Single Ladies’ at the ceremony, she invited Taylor back on stage to finish her speech. View the full article

Published by PopCrush Wondering how to get tickets to Beyoncé‘s Renaissance World Tour? We’ve got you covered. Queen Bey will hit the road in May to bring her next iconic tour to the BeyHive. Beyoncé announced the Renaissance World Tour on her social media Jan. 31 with a photo of her wearing a glittery cowboy hat while sitting atop a shiny silver horse. Her last solo world tour, the Formation Tour, took place 2016, and was followed by a co-headlining run with Jay-Z for the On the Run II tour in 2018. Here’s everything we know about the tour, including how to get tickets to Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour in 2023, … Read More View the full article