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Published by New York Daily News New HIV infections in the U.S. fell more than 10% in five years with a 34% decrease in new cases among young gay and bisexual men, according to a new report released Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There are approximately 1.2 million people living with HIV in the U.S., according to the report. While the overall number of new cases per year dropped from 36,500 in 2017 to about 32,100 in 2021 — or 12% — the number of new diagnoses among gay and bisexual men between 13 and 24 dropped around 34% from an estimated 7,400 infections to about 4,900 during that timeframe. Hea… Read More View the full article

Published by AFP Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, pictured with his wife Casey in Tampa, in November 2022 Washington (AFP) – Ron DeSantis is to announce his bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination in a livestreamed Twitter chat with the platform’s billionaire owner Elon Musk on Wednesday, touting his ultra-conservative record as governor of Florida as a blueprint for the nation. DeSantis will be banking on borrowing some of the tech mogul’s star power to outshine clear frontrunner Donald Trump, who has swept all before him in the early stages of the contest and is polling in greater numbers than all the other contenders combined. “I will be interviewing Ron DeSantis and he has quite an announcement to make,” Musk confirmed on Tuesday, promising the 6:00 pm (2200 GMT) event would be unscripted, with “real time questions and answers.” “It’s going to be live. Let it rip,” Musk told the Wall Street Journal CEO Council conference. The announcement will come with a campaign launch video and the start of a three-day retreat in Miami for some of DeSantis’s wealthiest donors, who will be briefed on the campaign before the governor makes a swing through several early voting states next week. Long viewed as the most viable challenger to twice-impeached former president Trump, DeSantis is better known than most of the hopefuls in the chasing pack for the Republican nomination — but still lacks the frontrunner’s national profile. The format offers him a dual advantage — giving him precious access to Musk’s 140 million followers, many of whom are in Trump’s base, and, if he wins the nomination, the attention of a chunk of younger, less conservative voters that he will likely need for a shot at the White House. Ratings in decline DeSantis has used his platform as Florida’s chief executive to burnish his conservative credentials, signing off on some 80 new state laws this spring, many targeting “woke indoctrination” in schools and other public institutions. They include a ban on the discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation in schools, a block on funding for efforts to promote diversity at public universities and one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country. But the 44-year-old’s official launch comes with his ratings in decline despite a slate of right-wing legislative wins in his state. A number of policy missteps have prompted disquiet about his readiness to take on Trump, with donors worried he may have peaked too soon. He faces the daunting task of closing an enormous polling gap, with Trump posting leads close to 40 percentage points, despite being indicted on felony financial charges and being found liable for sexual abuse in a New York civil trial. But DeSantis goes into the campaign with a large cash advantage over his rivals in the pack chasing Trump — a war chest of potentially more than $100 million — and buoyed by strong turnout at a series of recent campaign events. Never Back Down, a super PAC that has acted as the governor’s de facto campaign arm before he announced, has a ground operation in most of the early nominating states and is making plans to expand. Behind the scenes, the Trump and DeSantis camps have been jostling to secure political endorsements from state lawmakers while, at the national level, Florida’s congressional delegation has broken heavily for Trump. Personal touch Musk is a well-known DeSantis admirer, although he was clear that Twitter would remain neutral on the nomination and that his hosting of the campaign launch should not be taken as an endorsement. “I’ve said publicly that my preference, and I think the preference of most Americans, is… to have someone fairly normal in office,” he said, without making any explicit criticism of Trump. The former president was banned from Twitter after the 2021 assault on the US Capitol by his supporters, and has not returned since being reinstated in November. He has been attacking DeSantis almost daily on his record, character and fitness for office but responded to Wednesday’s announcement with relative restraint — simply posting favorable polling on his own online platform, Truth Social. “Announcing on Twitter is perfect for Ron DeSantis. This way he doesn’t have to interact with people and the media can’t ask him any questions,” a Trump aide said. The governor has also been criticized for lacking the personal touch that Trump’s supporters say is one of the former president’s biggest assets. But the former naval officer and congressman has been redoubling his efforts more recently to stay behind after speaking engagements to press flesh, sign autographs and have his picture taken with supporters. “If we make 2024 a referendum on Joe Biden and his failures and we provide a positive alternative for the future of this country, Republicans will win across the board,” DeSantis said during a visit this month to Sioux Center, Iowa. View the full article

Published by Reuters UK BUCHAREST (Reuters) – Romania has failed to enforce the rights of same-sex couples by refusing to recognise their relationships, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) said on Tuesday in a ruling which will force policymakers to expand protections for the LGBT community. Socially conservative Romania decriminalised homosexuality in 2001, decades later than other parts of the European Union, but still bars marriage and civil partnerships for same-sex couples. The ruling, which says the government has breached the European convention on human rights, comes after 21 Romanian same-sex couples f… Read More View the full article

Published by The Spun By Andrew Gould The Los Angeles Dodgers reversed course and re-invited a group to their Pride Night. Last week, the Dodgers removed the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence from the event. Catholic leaders and Republican politicians objected to inclusion of the non-profit organization, whose members dress in drag as nuns while serving the LGBTQIA+ community. On Monday, the Dodgers released a statement again changing their minds and apologizing. “After much thoughtful feedback from our diverse communities, honest conversations within the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, and generous discussions wit… Read More View the full article

Published by Reuters By Daniel Trotta (Reuters) – A Florida restaurant that puts on what it calls family-friendly drag performances sued Governor Ron DeSantis and the state of Florida on Monday to halt enforcement of a new law banning minors from attending such shows. Hamburger Mary’s, an Orlando bar and restaurant that presents drag show performances, comedy sketches and dancing, filed the suit in federal court in response to the law, which the Republican governor signed last week. Senate Bill 1438 allows the state to fine or revoke the liquor license of an establishment that admits minors to a performance that “simulates nudity, sexual conduct or specific sexual activities.” DeSantis’ office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. “This bill has nothing to do with children, and everything to do with the continued oppression of the LGBTQ+ community,” the owners of Hamburger Mary’s wrote on Facebook. The Facebook post offered a broader critique of DeSantis’ policies to eliminate books and public school courses that refer to LGBTQ themes or the U.S. history of racial oppression, asking, “When does it stop?” DeSantis, who is expected to announce he is seeking the Republican nomination for president this week, has pursued policies in Florida that restrict LGBTQ rights. He signed the “Protection of Children” bill the same day he also signed bills to ban gender-affirming care for transgender youth and requires transgender people to use bathrooms corresponding to their sex at birth. The lawsuit asks the court to block the law, saying it violates the constitutional right to free speech guaranteed by the First Amendment. “It prohibits protected speech based on the identity of the speaker,” the lawsuit said. The law erroneously targets drag shows as deviant when they have become “part of mainstream culture,” it said. “It is a form of family entertainment, enjoyed by all.” (Reporting by Daniel Trotta. Editing by Gerry Doyle) View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Joaquin Phoenix is set to star in a new NC-17-rated gay romance movie. The ‘Beau is Afraid’ actor will star in ‘Far From Heaven’ director Todd Haynes’ upcoming new project, which the filmmaker has described as a “gay love story” set in Los Angeles in the 1930s. Speaking during Cannes Film Festival, he told IndieWire: “The next film is a feature that’s an original script that I developed with Joaquin Phoenix based on some thoughts and ideas he brought to me. “We basically wrote with him as a story writer. Me and Jon Raymond and Joaquin share the story credit. “And we hope to be shooting it beginning early next year. It’s a gay love story set in 1930s L.A.” Haynes explained how Phoenix has been constantly looking to push the boundaries with the movie, which helped lead to its NC-17 rating in the United States. As defined by the Motion Picture Association’s film rating system, the rating – which goes one beyond the R Restricted level – means: “No one 17 and under admitted. Clearly adult. Children are not admitted.” It’s not known what the rating will be elsewhere in the world, with NC-17 falling somewhere between the UK’s 15 and 18 ratings. Meanwhile, Haynes – who has worked on the likes of ‘Poison’, ‘Velvet Goldmine’, ‘Carol’ and new movie ‘May December’ – reflected on his upcoming schedule as he continues to make romantic period dramas, including those telling queer stories. He said: “All I can do is just keep hunkering down and committing to each project. I have more features planned. “I have also episodic projects coming that are planned, that are really exciting. I’m going back to work with Kate Winslet with something she brought me for HBO.” View the full article

Published by NJ.com Relaxed on a bed before a window overlooking her overgrown Jersey City backyard, Venus Pellagatti Xtravaganza shared stories of the community she had found in New York City’s underground ballroom scene and dreams of a glamorous future. It was through those moments captured in the 1990 documentary “Paris is Burning” that the world fell in love with Venus. The transgender woman in her early 20sbecame an inspiration for trans and queer individuals settling into their identities and discovering the ballroom culture, and now, more than 30 years later, is considered a legend in the underground ballr… Read More View the full article

Published by AlterNet CatholicVote, a right-wing non-profit that labels itself as the “top Catholic advocacy organization” in the United States, received a drubbing on social media this weekend over a comment that it posted about a CNN article. The outlet reported on Friday that actors Idina Menzel and Jonathan Van Ness had released statements strongly condemning the wave of anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation that Republicans are spearheading throughout the country. “At least 417 anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced in state legislatures across the United States since the start of the year — a new record, according to Amer… Read More View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Groundbreaking drag comedian George Logan has died aged 78. Best known for starring as drag artist Dr Evadne Hinge in the landmark BBC sitcom ‘Hinge and Bracket’, he passed away earlier this week, with his death confirmed by UK entertainer and ‘Benidorm’ actor Bobby Crush, 69. He posted on social media on Sunday (21.05.23): “RIP George Logan, also known as ‘Dr Evadne Hinge’ of ‘Hinge and Bracket’. “We appeared in panto together in this glorious production of at the Theatre Royal Plymouth in 1989… I’m saddened by news of his passing today.” The tribute sparked a flood of tributes from fans and friends who fondly remembered George and his co-star Patrick Fyffe when they drew millions of TV viewers in the ’70s and ’80s when it ran from 1978 to 1981. They also appeared as their characters in a string of other popular TV shows including ‘The Ronnie Corbett Show’ and the BBC’s ‘The Good Old Days’, and were seen as pioneers of making drag acts mainstream. George documented his life and how he grew up gay in Scotland in the 1960’s in his autobiography ‘A Boy Called Audrey’, published in 2015, in which he said: “A gay pub near where I lived put on drag acts. One day, the pianist didn’t turn up. The landlady said, ‘You play the piano don’t you? I’ll give you two quid to play for the act?’ So I did, and became the regular pianist. “As I was watching all these acts I realised they were getting eight quid for doing gags I’d heard a hundred times. I thought, ‘I could do that and play the piano at the same time and keep the whole 10 quid to myself. “That’s how I got into show business, although I didn’t get the 10 quid. As I was a beginner I got eight for doing both – but eight quid for half an hours work wasn’t bad.” View the full article

Published by AFP San Francisco has become the first city in the US to appoint a drag laureate San Francisco (AFP) – San Francisco has tapped a popular nightclub owner to be its first drag laureate, creating the ambassador-style position at a time when America’s LGBTQ community fears an erosion of its rights amid rising conservative attacks. D’Arcy Drollinger will receive a $55,000 stipend for the 18-month term, during which the performer will promote queer events in the famously liberal city, long at the vanguard of the gay rights movement. “I am honored and thrilled to have been chosen as San Francisco’s Drag Laureate, and I am proud to live in a city that is pioneering this position while other parts of the US and the world might not be supportive of drag,” said Drollinger, the owner and artistic director of the cabaret-club Oasis. The appointment — the first of its kind in the United States — comes with the nation divided over LGBTQ rights, and drag queens in particular have become a target in the so-called “culture wars”. In 2022, there were 141 incidents of anti-LGBTQ protests and threats targeting drag events, according to the GLAAD rights group, with an Ohio man indicted last month for allegedly trying to burn down a church hosting drag shows. Social and religious conservatives argue that “drag story hours” — hosted by schools and libraries around the country since beginning in San Francisco in 2015 — are aimed at “indoctrinating” young people, and are a threat to public decency. The far-right Proud Boys group regularly intrudes on these events, in some cases sending armed protesters to intimidate spectators. “While drag culture is under attack in other parts of the country, in San Francisco we embrace and elevate the amazing drag performers who through their art and advocacy have contributed to our city’s history around civil rights and equity,” said San Francisco’s Mayor London Breed as she named Drollinger to the job Thursday. The mayor’s office said Drollinger’s responsibilities will include producing “drag-centered events and programming centered on celebrating and supporting San Francisco’s dynamic and diverse LGBTQ+ community” and ensuring “San Francisco’s rich drag history is shared, honored, and preserved .” The project is a joint initiative of the mayor’s office, San Francisco Public Library and the Human Rights Commission. The attacks targeting drag in the United States are only part of what rights activists see as a conservative pushback against LGBTQ people across the country. Lawmakers in a dozen Republican-ruled states have in recent months adopted laws restricting or prohibiting gender-affirming care for minors, and passed a raft of laws restricting trans students’ rights. And Florida has passed legislation infamously known as the “Don’t Say Gay” law, which campaigners say stigmatizes LGBTQ youth. San Francisco, long seen as one of the gay capitals of the world, is a regular target of US conservatives, who say its liberal attitudes and activism come at the cost of rocketing crime, homelessness and drug abuse. View the full article

Published by Relaxnews By Daniel SLIM / AFP New York City is under threat from rising ocean level and the increase in extreme weather events. But another factor is also a contributor to worsening the phenomenon: the titanic weight of its buildings. New York City is under threat from rising ocean level and the increase in extreme weather events. But another factor is also a contributor to worsening the phenomenon: the titanic weight of its buildings. Without its skyscrapers, New York wouldn’t really be New York. But these defining structures that are so characteristic of the city, these buildings that tower over the … Read More View the full article

Published by Raw Story Former Acting Solicitor General Neal Katyal worries former Donald Trump was trying to make money from classified documents found in his Mar-a-Lago home. Speaking on MSNBC Monday – just after news broke that special counsel Jack Smith had subpoenaed financial records from the Trump Organization’s business deals with seven countries since 2017. According to Katyal, it could mean Smith is following the money from the government documents Trump took. The New York Times broke the news that Smith had issued the subpoenas as part of his investigation into the classified documents. “Just about ten min… Read More View the full article

Published by The Street By Danni Button As the backlash against Anheuser-Busch (BUD) – Get Free Report brand Bud Light seems to be on a low simmer, conservative shoppers are turning their sights on other companies they believe are “going woke.” Most recently, Target (TGT) – Get Free Report has become a different kind of target for right-wing volatility online. Target has always been a supporter of LGBTQ+ rights. The mega-retailer is one of the largest companies to have a 100 score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index, and over the years it has become famous for its LGBTQ+ clothing and accessories, … Read More View the full article

Published by Radar Online mega/@patriottakes, Twitter Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene attempted to downplay an unearthed video of her boyfriend dressed in drag, RadarOnline.com has learned. The outspoken Georgia representative was given a taste of her own medicine by internet trolls who spread the video online, labeling her a hypocrite for pushing anti-drag legislation that targeted the LGBT+ community. However, Greene casually dismissed the stunt as “so stupid.” mega Left-wing Twitter account PatriotTakes posted a video clip of MTG’s newscaster beau Brian Glenn. The video featured Glenn donning a blonde wig, pink dress, white gloves and matching handbag for a local news segment. During his sign-off, Glenn joked with his colleagues back at the station that he was “kicking these shoes off, but I may keep the pantyhose on. It does feel kind of good actually.” Greene, who has joined fellow GOP lawmakers to ban drag performances in states like Tennessee, Florida and Texas, addressed the video with her own tweet. “I’m literally lol’ing,” Greene wrote in her tweet on Sunday. “@brianglenntv dressed in drag for morning news in Dallas years ago reporting on an upcoming local theatre production and the morons over at Patriot Takes think this is an attack.” “The left is so stupid,” the Georgia lawmaker added. Hookers in the House: Marjorie Taylor Greene Wants Hunter Biden’s Prostitutes to Testify Before Congress, ‘Especially the Ones from Russia and Ukraine’ Marjorie Taylor Greene Says Being Called a White Supremacist is ‘equal’ to the ‘n-word’ After Tense Exchange With Rep. Jamaal Bowman ‘The View’ Co-host Sunny Hostin Attacks Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Over Comments Towards Rep. Jamaal Bowman mega Greene thought she had the last laugh, but Twitter users were quick to call out the point of the laughable clip. “Actually @patriottakes is pointing out your hypocrisy but you’re too stupid to realize that,” replied one user to Greene’s post. “I like how you took time to specifically clarify and defend this one thing concerning drag and this instance is ok. Thank you for once again showing what’s good for me is not for thee,” wrote another critic, who jokingly encouraged Greene’s boyfriend to “Drag your little heart out!” mega Other responses weren’t as coy with their disdain for Greene’s politics and held little back as they called Greene a “bigot” and “white supremacist.” The same labels were used against Greene last week, following a tense exchange with Democrat colleague Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York. Bowman yelled at Greene to “save” the Republican party by voting to expel controversial first-term Rep. George Santos, after he was indicted on dozens of felony criminal charges. Greene addressed her argument with Bowman on the Capitol steps and said that being called a white supremacist was “equal” to being called “the n-word.” View the full article

Published by The Street By Daniel Kline Las Vegas nostalgia has always been about reaching back into a sort of kitschy past. Wayne Newton and Barry Manilow, both of whom play Las Vegas residencies, exist in that sort of “cool because they were never cool” space. Acts like Donny Osmond and Carrot Top, who also headline long-running Las Vegas Strip shows, don’t exactly speak to cutting-edge entertainment. They’re throwbacks in a city that has increasingly become home to more current artists. DON’T MISS: Disastrous Las Vegas Strip Venue Has Another Huge Problem Numerous big names headline various Strip properties and, i… Read More View the full article

Published by OK Magazine MEGA Aging like fine wine! Cher has made another trip around the sun, celebrating her 77th birthday on Saturday, May 20. The Goddess of Pop took to social media on her special day in utter disbelief by her increasing age. MEGA “Ok, will someone PLEASE tell me… When will I feel OLD?” Cher asked her 3.9 million Twitter followers on Saturday afternoon. “This is ridiculous. I keep hearing these numbers, but I honestly can’t understand them,” quipped the “Believe” singer, who’s known for living a much-younger lifestyle than her peers. “WHATS THE DEAL WITH #’s,” Cher exclaimed, admitting, “I’m dyslexic & #’s are hard 4 me.” The mom-of-two — who shares Chaz Bono, 54, with ex-husband Sonny Bono, and Exeter Blue I, 46, with ex-husband Gregg Allman — then expressed gratitude for her fans who have stuck by her side through decades of award-winning music. MEGA Jennifer Aniston Recalls Cher Poking Fun At Her For Eating All The Cold Cuts In Her Home During Actress’ High School Days Cher, 76, & Boyfriend Alexander Edwards, 37, Split After 5 Months, Debunk Engagement Rumors Cher’s Ex Alexander ‘AE’ Edwards ‘Mouthing Off and Telling Everyone They Were Never Engaged,’ Source Spills (Both of Cher’s exes are deceased. Sonny devastatingly died in 1998 at age 62 during a tragic skiing incident, while Gregg passed in 2017 at age 69 from liver cancer.) “Thank you for staying, I know it’s been hard,” the “After All” vocalist wrote, before closing out the post “to go work out.” 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! “Twitter is harder for me than TweetBot,” Cher jokingly concluded. The Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again star has used the social media app as a place to share her disregard for age in the past, specifically when she was dating her most recent boyfriend, Alexander “AE” Edwards, 37. MEGA After haters criticized the former flames’ 40-year age gap, Cher took to Twitter to dish her feelings on the matter. “Love doesn’t know math,” the “I Got You Babe” performer confessed during her steamy romance with Edwards — which lasted a short six months before their split was confirmed on Monday, May 1. “I DONT GIVE AF**** WHAT ANYONE THINKS. I’m Not Defending us. Haters are Gonna Hate…Doesn’t Matter That we’re Happy & Not Bothering Anyone,” Cher insisted at the time. Cher and Edwards first went public with their relationship in November 2022. View the full article

Published by AFP Black Lives Matter (BLM) protesters hold placards and shout slogans during a march on the anniversary of the death of George Floyd, in Brooklyn, New York Washington (AFP) – If there’s one thing we should all be able to agree on, it’s that all human beings belong to the same species, Homo sapiens. But a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) on Monday has found a yawning gap between what people claim to believe and what they actually hold true. A team from Harvard and Tufts gathered data from more than 60,000 subjects who took part in 13 experiments that tested their implicit biases. An overwhelming majority — over 90 percent — explicitly stated that white people and non-white people are equally human. But on an implicit measure, white US participants, as well as white participants from other countries, consistently associated the attribute “human” (as opposed to “animal”) with their own group more than other racial groups. Conversely, Black, Asian and Hispanic participants showed no such bias, equally associating their own group and white people with “human.” “The biggest takeaway for me is that we’re still grappling in a new form with sentiments that have been around for centuries,” first author Kirsten Morehouse, a PhD student at Harvard University, told AFP. Throughout history, the dehumanization of other races has been used as a pretext for unequal treatment, ranging from police brutality all the way to genocide. Implicit Association Test – The research relied on the Implicit Association Test (IAT), a tool developed in the 1990s and now widely used in the field. A computer-based measure, it tests the strength of associations between two concepts — for example Black and white people or gay and straight people — and two attributes like good or bad. The idea is that easier pairings, as measured by faster key responses, are more strongly associated in the mind than difficult pairings, as measured by slower responses. Researchers believe IAT tests reveal attitudes that people would be unwilling to state publicly, or might not even be aware of on a conscious level. Across all the experiments, 61 percent of white participants associated white people more with “human” and Black people more with “animal.” An even greater number — 69 percent of white participants — associated white participants more with humans and Asians more with animals, and the same result occurred for white people taking a white-Hispanic test. These effects held true across age, religion and education of participants, but did vary by political affiliation and gender. Self-identified conservatives and men expressed slightly stronger implicit “human = white” associations. Non-white people did not show an implicit bias in favor of their own racial groups compared to white people. But they did show a bias towards whites as more human when the test was between white people and another minority group, for example Asians asked to take a test that assessed their attitudes towards white people versus Black people. Social hierarchy – Morehouse attributed these findings to the fact that white people are socially and economically dominant in the United States, where 85 percent of the participants were from (8.5 percent were from Western Europe). She theorized that while you might expect all races to be more biased in favor of their own “in-group,” such sentiments might be canceled out by their lower standing in American society, resulting in overall neutrality. The fact that “third party” participants were biased in favor of white people when assessed against another race “demonstrates how powerful these social hierarchies are,” she said. Similar tests to those used in the experiment are available to take at https://implicit.harvard.edu/ Morehouse said that while the results could be uncomfortable for some, awareness was a first step that could help individuals break patterns of stereotyping. View the full article

Published by Raw Story The latest installment of the Duggar family’s life story is about to be screened in an Amazon documentary, coming two years after the head of the family, Josh Duggar, was found guilty of possession of child pornography. As he serves more than 12 years in prison, “Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets” walks through the issues that stemmed from Josh and the links the family – made famous in the TLC reality series“19 Kids and Counting” – has to a radical religious sect that People Magazine characterized as “concerning.” The documentary outlines the controversial Institute in Basic Life Princ… Read More View the full article

Published by The Street By Danni Button Bud Light’s parent company Anheuser-Busch InBev SA (BUD) – Get Free Report has been working hard to distance itself from the recent controversy surrounding a one-time promotional campaign with transgender TikTok celebrity Dylan Mulvaney. And while the dust has yet to settle, the company’s CEO has assured shareholders that Anheuser-Busch’s losses were minimal. In the wake of the conservative backlash over the partnership, Anheuser-Busch offered up a tepid response, claiming that the company “never intended to be part of a discussion that divides people.” For consumers, the state… Read More View the full article

Published by Orlando Sentinel Hamburger Mary’s in Orlando is suing Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state of Florida in federal court, claiming the restaurant has been deprived of its First Amendment rights and is already losing customers under a new law affecting drag shows. Gov. DeSantis signed bills last Wednesday taking aim at transgender treatments for minors, pronouns in schools, bathroom use and children attending drag shows. The changes included penalties for venues letting children into “adult live performances” and potential first-degree misdemeanor charges for violators. Hamburger Mary’s filed the lawsuit Monday, which… Read More View the full article

Published by New York Daily News Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was not amused by the NAACP issuing a travel advisory for Florida in direct response to his policies. “As Governor DeSantis announced last week, Florida is seeing record-breaking tourism,” his spokesman told Fox News Monday. “This is nothing more than a stunt.” Over the weekend, the NAACP issued a travel advisory for the Sunshine State, writing that DeSantis and Florida’s Republican-dominated legislature had made the state “openly hostile toward African-Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals.” “Under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, the State of Flo… Read More View the full article

Published by New York Daily News Two Republican senators have opened an investigation into the relationship between Bud Light and trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney, adding fuel to a wave of transphobic hate sparked by a short video shared on her Instagram account in early April. Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee are accusing Bud Light maker Anheuser-Busch of marketing beer to teenagers by partnering up with the 26-year-old TikTok star. Mulvaney, a social media superstar with nearly 11 million followers on TikTok and 1.8 million on Twitter, became the subject of much anti-trans hate after partnering up wi… Read More View the full article

Published by AFP Brittney Griner made an emotional return to competitive WNBA basketball following her incarceration in Russia Los Angeles (AFP) – Brittney Griner made an emotional return to women’s basketball on Friday, playing her first competitive game in nearly two years following her incarceration in Russia. Griner, who was released by Russia as part of a prisoner swap last year, made her first appearance in a WNBA game in 579 days as the Phoenix Mercury faced the Los Angeles Sparks in a season opener in California. US Vice President Kamala Harris was among the well-wishers at the Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles as the WNBA superstar finally returned to action. The two-time Olympic gold medalist made an instant impression on her return, winning the tip-off and scoring four points as the Mercury jumped into an early 7-0 lead. “It felt good,” Griner said in an on-court interview at the end of the first quarter. “It felt real good. It felt like the last time I played.” Griner eventually finished with 18 points and six rebounds but could not prevent Phoenix from slumping to a comprehensive 94-71 loss. The result, however, was almost a footnote to an occasion that Phoenix coach Vanessa Nygaard described as a “day of joy.” “All last season I opened every press conference with how many days she is gone,” Nygaard said in pre-game remarks. “And until the day when we got the news in the morning that she was on her way home, no one thought that it was going to happen. “We did our jobs probably with less joy than professional athletes do. It was heavy every day. But it’s great to have this game today. Today it’s a day of joy. “I’m just so glad she’s home. It’s a miracle that she’s here and everyone going to see this game today is going to witness a miracle that she’s returned from a Russian jail and is playing basketball in the WNBA again.” Celebrities at courtside on Friday included tennis legend Billie Jean King, Los Angeles Lakers icon Earvin “Magic” Johnson and current Lakers head coach Darvin Ham. ‘A team is a team’ Shortly before tip-off, Vice President Harris congratulated Phoenix’s players for ensuring that Griner’s case was not forgotten. “Thank you for all that you did for supporting Brittney, because I know that was rough,” Harris said in a locker room address. “That was so difficult for you because a team is a team — that’s family.” WNBA players union chief and Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike thanked Harris and the Biden administration for helping to secure Griner’s release. “Tonight is a game but we’re also celebrating the return of one of our own,” Ogwumike said. Griner, 32, a WNBA champion and LGBTQ trailblazer, was arrested on drug charges at a Moscow airport in February 2022 against a backdrop of soaring tensions over Ukraine. At the time of her arrest, Griner had been playing for a professional team in Russia, as a number of WNBA players do in the off-season. She was accused of possessing vape cartridges with a small quantity of cannabis oil and sentenced in August to nine years in prison. She pleaded guilty to the charges, but said she did not intend to break the law or use the banned substance in Russia. Griner was eventually released as part of a deal that saw her swapped for notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout — known as the “Merchant of Death” — in December. Phoenix coach Nygaard, meanwhile, said she hoped her team would benefit from the feel-good factor surrounding Griner’s return. “We went around every city last year and B.G. was the story,” Nygaard said. “This year it will be a story of joy, and love and happiness. “So that positive energy will probably help our team and be less of a distraction.” “We brought back this woman, this Black, gay woman from a Russian jail, and America did that because they valued her,” Nygaard said. “Just to be part of a group that values people at that level, it makes me very proud to be an American. I see B.G. and I see hope and I see the future.” View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Andy Cohen “broke down” over his feelings of vulnerability as a single parent. The 54-year-old TV star has children Benjamin, four, and Lucy, 12 months and admitted that growing his family has been tough. Speaking on the podcast ‘Two T’s in a Pod’ with Teddi Mellencamp and Tamra Judge, he explained: “The thing has been for me in the last year is when Lucy came, I think it really changed me as a parent. I felt way more in control when I had just one. Then when I had two, I not only felt… I don’t want to say I felt out of control, but I just felt the experience got a little lonelier for me. I started to feel more vulnerable.” Speaking about an incident during a day out at the park with other families, he said: “The sprinklers went off, and I didn’t know to have a change of clothes. I looked around, and I’m the only single parent there. I’m the only gay dad. I just felt like I was on an island, and I went back to my house, and I cried. “It was just a trigger, it opened up a vulnerability.” Meanwhile, Andy previously revealed his priorities have changed since welcoming a second child. He told PEOPLE: “I’m choosing to stay home with them so much more than I ever would have. I was not someone who ever stayed at home, so my priorities have just totally changed.” View the full article

Published by SI Swim By Cara O’Bleness Leyna Bloom sure knows how to work a room, and the SI Swimsuit model did just that at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood on Friday night. The three-time franchise star hit Friday’s red carpet event in Hollywood, Fla., and absolutely dazzled in a black form-fitting gown by Lia Stublla. The gorgeous number featured a single off-the-shoulder strap and a hip-high slit on one leg. Stylist Margot Zamet paired the monochromatic look with gold earrings and an incredible pair of black-and-gold heels. Bloom returns to the 2023 SI Swimsuit Issue after her historic cover in … Read More View the full article