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Published by OK Magazine mega;@zayaswade/instagra Dwyane Wade has supported his daughter Zaya through thick and thin. On Tuesday, March 7, the former NBA star couldn’t keep a smile off of his face as he sat front row beside his wife, Gabrielle Union, to cheer on the 15-year-old during her runway debut at Paris Fashion Week. @zayaswade/instagram Zaya strutted along the Miu Miu catwalk in an olive green blazer and matching dress ensemble just weeks after her name and gender was legally changed, despite her mother Siohvaughn Funches-Wade’s objections. “She’s arrived,” Dwyane captioned a n Instagram video of Zaya rocking the runway show. @zayaswade/instagram “Debut,” Zaya simply stated, as she also shared a clip of her fierce fashion week appearance to the social media app. Dwyane couldn’t help but gush over his beautiful daughter, commenting: “To witness your grace is something @zayawade I am Proud of you.” Court Battles, Name Changes & More! Inside Dwyane Wade’s Drama With His Ex-Wife ‘Nonsensical!’: Dwyane Wade Slams His Ex-Wife’s Attempt To Block Zaya’s Name Change, Tells Her To ‘Accept The Truth’ Dwyane Wade’s Ex-Wife Doubles Down On ‘Protecting’ Trans Daughter Zaya From ‘Public Pressure And Scrutiny’ 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! The 41-year-old’s ex-wife was not in attendance at her daughter’s catwalk debut, which comes as no surprise following her petition against Zaya officially changing her name and gender after the teenager came out as transgender in 2019. Siohvaughn argued there were “multiple factors” that were “pressuring” Zaya to legally make these changes, one of which she claimed was “in order to capitalize on financial opportunities.” @zayaswade/instagram “[Wade] told me that he intended to make our child very famous due to the name and gender issue and also informed me that there would be endorsements/contracts associated therewith,” Zaya’s mom continued to write in the court documents, as OK! previously reported. However, Dwyane had the higher up in the legal battle, as he was granted custody of Zaya and her brother Zaire, 21, in 2011 after their divorce was finalized. The supportive father shut down Siohvaughn’s claims, writing that it was of Zaya’s “best interest” for the judge to legally fulfill his daughter’s wishes. “From simple introductions and food orders, to applying for a driver’s license and filling out college applications,” officially changing Zaya’s name and gender would only make her life easier, the court filing noted. “While it certainly would have been preferable for Zaya’s mother to be supportive of this important part of Zaya’s journey, Zaya should not be forced to put her life on hold while she waits for Siohvaughn to acknowledge and accept her truth,” Dwyane concluded in the documents. View the full article

Published by Orlando Sentinel Members of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, which replaced Disney’s Reedy Creek, agreed Wednesday to work with the district’s firefighters to resolve their union contract impasse and help award death benefits to the widow of a firefighter who died in 2017. The board met for the first time since Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law wresting its control from Walt Disney Co. amid his feud with the company. Board chairman Martin Garcia said the group is committed to listening to constituents even though it has “a lot to learn.” “I see our constituency group as everybody who works and play… Read More View the full article

Published by AlterNet Missouri Republican Rep. Phil Christofanelli confronted his fellow GOP Rep. Ann Kelley during a recent House floor convening about her proposed anti-LGBTQ school-related legislation. Newsweek reports: The House bill, sponsored by Republican Ann Kelley, was introduced on February 23 and read a second time on February 27. The proposed Parental Rights in Education law states that “no nurse, counselor, teacher, principal, contracted personnel, or other administrative official at a public or charter school shall discuss gender identity or sexual orientation with a minor student” unless they’re a li… Read More View the full article

Published by Radar Online mega Proud parents Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union supported their daughter Zaya Wade, 15, at her catwalk debut for Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday. The former NBA celebrated his daughter just weeks after he won a legal victory in court against his ex-wife, who opposed Zaya transitioning before turning 18, RadarOnline.com has learned. As this outlet exclusively reported, the former Miami Heat player filed a declaration in his petition — which was filed on behalf of his teenage daughter — to address a recent accusation from Siohvaughn Funches, who claimed he was pressuring their daughter to transition for financial gain. Wade, 41, denied his ex’s allegation and insisted he was supporting his daughter’s “truth.” mega When Zaya walked in the Miu Miu couture show, she wasn’t short of fans in the audience. Her father and stepmother beamed with pride and shared their happiness for the up-and-coming model on Instagram. The parents posted a clip of Zaya on the runway with the simple caption: “she’s arrived.” The occasion represented more than just the start of her modeling career — it also represented her hard-fought journey from being known as Zion Malachi Airamis Wade to Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade. mega Dwyane Wade Fires Back At Ex-Wife’s Attempt To Block Their 15-Year-Old Trans Daughter’s Gender Change, Says He Was Granted Sole Custody After Her ‘Years-Long Campaign’ Against Him Dwyane Wade Denies Ex-Wife’s Claim He’s Pressuring Trans Daughter Zaya To Legally Change Gender For Financial Gain Read The 2011 Divorce Agreement Dwyane Wade’s Ex-Wife Is Using In Court To Stop Their 15-Year-Old Trans Daughter Zaya From Legally Changing Name On February 25, a Los Angeles county judge signed off on paperwork that granted Zaya’s wishes, finally ending her parents’ back-and-forth court battle. The teen moved forward with her legal transition and officially changed her name and gender. Zaya had gone by her chosen name since 2020 after she came out as transgender at age 12 in 2019. While Wade and Gabby supported her, the ex-Baskeball star and Zaya’s biological mother did not see eye to eye — and became enthralled in a fierce legal war. 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 Zaya’s mother requested that her daughter wait until she was legally an adult to change her name, but Wade argued that he had “full authority” to “make decisions on behalf of” Zaya per the couple’s 2011 divorce agreement. Funches’ attorney recently hit back at Wade in court — and filed a petition that begged the court to deny the legal transition. Wade’s ex-wife used the couple’s divorce agreement as an attempt to contradict his authority. mega Funches claimed that while Wade was granted custody of their two children, he failed to adequately communicate with her about their health. Per the couple’s divorce agreement, Wade was required to discuss and obtain input for “the major decisions affecting the care, welfare, activities, health, education, and religious upbringing of their two children.” After heated public back and forth, as well as an additional filing from Wade, the judge ruled in favor of Zaya’s wishes. View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Queer Eye’s Tan France and Jonathan Van Ness are mourning the loss of Tom Jackson, who has died aged 63. The ‘Queer Eye’ family member, who appeared on the Netflix reboot’s first episode in 2018, lost his battle with gland cancer metastatic adenocarcinoma on March 3rd. A post on the show’s official Instagram account read: “it’s with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to a member of our Queer Eye family. Rest in peace, Tom Jackson (sic)” Tan commented: “Such incredibly sad news.” Jonathan Van Ness posted: “RIP Tom” TV presenter Bobby Berk commented: “RIP Tom. Having a Redneck Margarita in your honor (sic)” On 2018 episode ‘You Can’t Fix Ugly’, Tom spoke out about his battle with lupus, and he went on to rekindle his romance with ex-wife Abby Parr after his makeover on the show. However, they later went their separate ways again in 2019. Last year, Tan admitted he is “much more emotional” since becoming a father. The star – who has 18-month-old son Ismail, with his husband Rob France – said at the time: “I have only cried a couple of times on [‘Queer Eye’]. But ever since I had my baby, it’s made me much more emotional. Much more emotional. “I’m working a lot of hours. And so sometimes I only get to just see him as we’re putting him to bed. “And that makes me really emotional because I really hate not having a lot of time with him. I just really miss him all the time.” View the full article

Published by Reuters UK BUDAPEST (Reuters) – Hungary’s Justice Minister said late on Wednesday that Budapest would fight in the Court of Justice of the EU to defend an education law that Brussels says discriminates against people on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Justice Minister Judit Varga said in a Facebook post she had submitted a counter claim to the court because the government would stick to its stance that education was a matter for national governments to decide. Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s anti-LGBT campaign escalated in June 2021 when the parliament, dominated by his Fidesz party, p… Read More View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Cyndi Lauper has compared the Republican party’s anti-LGBTQ+ legislation to the rise of Adolf Hitler. The ‘Girls Just Want To Have Fun’ hitmaker has addressed a wave of bills and proposals in the US, including the fact 18 states have banned transgender athletes from competing in sports teams for the gender they identify with, and legislation that would restrict transgender people’s access to gender-affirming healthcare, and warned the policy is similar to the persecution by Nazis in 1930s Germany, where gay people were regarded as enemies of the state. Asked about the political moves, she told ITK Entertainment: ” I believe you don’t stop the fight. Equality for everybody – or nobody’s really equal. This is how Hitler started, you know, just weeding everybody out and then finally he, you know.” The 69-year-old singer urged people to keep “fighting for civil rights”. She said: “I don’t think it’s a good idea what they’re doing, but, you know. You just have to keep fighting for civil rights, I guess. That’s the way it is in this country. Started out like that, didn’t it?” Last October, Cyndi set up the Girls Just Want to Have Fundamental Rights Fund to support organisations fighting for abortion and reproductive healthcare in the wake of the US Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, which previously protected women’s rights to an abortion. She said at the time: “If you don’t have control over your own body, how can you be anything but a second-class citizen? “Now, the government has control over your body – not you. “What should be a private medical decision between you and your doctor is now a government decision. So, this is a big issue for me.” Cyndi’s mother Catrine – who appeared in a number of her music videos – died aged 91 earlier in the year following a battle with Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia and the ‘True Colors’ hitmaker admitted she had inspired her to set up the fun. The singer said: “She was in hospice, and we were together. We tried to make it as comfortable as I could for her. We made it like a spa. “She was incredible, and I’m just lucky that I got to have her as my mom because it inspired me to do so many things, including this Girls Just Wanna Have Fundamental Rights Fund.” View the full article

Published by Raw Story Former President Donald Trump has come up with yet another way to make money from his fans. Axios reports that the former president will soon sell a book consisting of letters he’s received from a wide array of celebrities and politicians, including Oprah Winfrey, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Princess Diana, Hillary Clinton, Ted Kennedy, North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, Mario Cuomo, Arnold Palmer, Jay Leno, Liza Minnelli, and Regis Philbin. Axios writes that the Winfrey letter is particularly interesting, as it was written shortly after Trump starting toying with the idea of running f… Read More View the full article

Published by AFP Rebekah Bruesehoff, a transgender student athlete, speaks during a press conference by the Congressional Equality Caucus to discuss the Washington (AFP) – US lawmakers advanced a bill Thursday aimed at banning transgender women and girls from sports teams that match their gender identity, as Congress turned its focus on one of the most polarizing issues in American culture. The “Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act” seeks to narrow 50-year-old civil rights protections against sex-based discrimination to recognize sex as “based solely on a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth.” The bill — which conservatives say aims to promote fairness while safeguarding women — was passed by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives education committee, teeing off what is set to be an acrimonious debate in the full House. “As a mother and past educator, I abhor the increasing prevalence of biological men competing in women’s sports,” said Republican Congresswoman Virginia Foxx. Allowing trans competitors to line up against female athletes “denies equal opportunity for women,” Foxx told the committee. Democrats hit back at Foxx, arguing that that it is discriminatory and hurtful to deprive trans athletes of competition. “I should be in chemistry class right now, but I’m here to tell you that kids like me should get to play sports with their friends,” Rebekah Bruesehoff, a 16-year-old transgender hockey player, told a news conference outside the US Capitol. The issue has divided classrooms, education authorities, women’s groups and sports associations nationwide, with some districts barring transgender women and girls from competitive sport. Opponents of inclusivity argue that trans women and girls enjoy an unfair advantage against their non-trans competitors due to generally greater muscle mass and bone density, and other physical factors that boost speed and explosive strength. But several feminist associations and sports personalities, such as US soccer star Megan Rapinoe, are on the opposite side of the debate, and support including trans women in women’s competitions. “There are real pressing problems impacting women’s and girls’ sports, including sexual harassment and assault, lack of equal resources and pay inequality,” said Democratic Congressman Mark Pocan. The bill has little chance of becoming law, as it would have to be green-lit by senators in the upper chamber of Congress, which is controlled by Democrats who oppose the effort. But it is part of a broader push by conservatives to provide a check on the promotion of transgender identity, which liberals say marginalizes and discriminates against the community. Several Republican-led states have recently passed laws banning gender-affirming health care and treatment for teenagers. President Joe Biden issued an executive order on his first day in office to combat discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation. View the full article

Published by Raw Story Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) on Tuesday unleashed an angry tirade against transgender Americans on the floor of the House of Representatives. While proposing a new nationwide ban on gender-affirming care for minors, the conspiracy theory-promoting Georgia congresswoman accused transgender Americans of being part of a sinister plot to sexualize American children. “We have had enough with drag queen shows in elementary schools and middle schools and high schools!” she raged. “We have had enough of drag queens gyrating in front of children and the public square! These groomers and child pre… Read More View the full article

Published by New York Daily News Taylor Swift is set to fill another blank space on her resume with a career-celebrating honor at the iHeartRadio Music Awards. Swift will receive the Innovator Award at the March 27 ceremony to recognize her global impact on pop culture, organizers said Tuesday. “Along with her artistic success, Taylor’s generosity and philanthropy have inspired millions,” iHeartRadio said in its announcement. “She’s an advocate for women’s rights and the LGBTQ+ community, using her music and platform to inspire young people to use their voting power.” The 33-year-old Swift — who released her tenth album, “Mid… Read More View the full article

Published by AlterNet The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is tracking 385 anti-LGBTQ bills filed by lawmakers across 38 states targeting the vulnerable community on at least seven broad issues including schools and education, healthcare, free speech, access to accurate IDs, public accommodations, weakening of civil rights laws, marriage, and more. The number of anti-LGBTQ bills introduced has more than tripled since mid-January, and far exceeded the total number of bills introduced in all of 2022, which was 278. Oklahoma has the most anti-LGBTQ bills so far at 35, followed by Missouri (34), Texas (29 bills), … Read More View the full article

Published by Raw Story Kansas GOP Rep. Pat Proctor has a fourth grader’s mother upset after he used the elementary school student’s drawing of a rainbow to accuse a school of promoting LGBTQ content, the Kansas Reflector reported. Proctor published the drawing in his February newsletter, which was one of several drawings done by third and fourth graders at David Brewer Elementary School that were displayed in the school’s library. The drawings had the words “My school library is for every student!” printed on top. “I found it and was irate, because he didn’t ask for permission,” parent Courtney Ricard said. “He blee… Read More View the full article

Published by Raw Story A Missouri lawmaker unloaded on a fellow GOP colleague behind a bill modeled after Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law. State Rep. Ann Kelley sponsored House Bill 634, which would ban sexual “classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties relating to sexual orientation or gender identity shall occur.” But under questioning from GOP colleague Phil Christofanelli, Kelley didn’t appear to understand the implications of her own bill. Christofanelli, a conservative Republican who is openly gay, asked if under the law, Martha Washington could be identified as the nation’s first president’s wif… Read More View the full article

Published by New York Daily News A full-page ad with Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee dressed in drag ran in one of the state’s largest newspapers Tuesday, just days after the Republican politician signed into law a bill targeting drag performances — the first of its kind in the nation. The ad, which appeared in The Tennessean, was paid for by the Human Rights Campaign. It shows a recently unearthed photo of the self-described “conservative outsider” wearing women’s clothes while posing for his high school yearbook in 1977. “This kid enjoyed drag,” the ad reads in part, with an arrow pointing at Lee. “Guess what happened to him? He’s … Read More View the full article

Published by AlterNet Lawyers for Mike Pence formally filed a motion Monday asking a federal judge to block a lawful Dept. of Justice subpoena ordering the former Vice President to give sworn testimony in Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into Donald Trump. Just days earlier Pence declared on Twitter: “Speak boldly and truthfully and have faith that the American people will respond to leadership. Be men and women of courage. If you hold the banner of freedom, limited government, and traditional values high, the American people will rally to your side!” As Indiana Governor, Mike Pence was largely seen as “u… Read More View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Jennifer Coolidge thinks it is hilarious that she has been featured in a gay adult film. The 61-year-old actress is seen in a clip from ‘Single All The Way’ as models Eli and Tyler watch a scene Netflix’s gay rom-com at the start of their pornographic film for Corbin Fisher Studios and After being alerted to the appearance by PopCrave, she told the outlet: “I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time that is so f******funny!” In the clip at the beginning of the X-rated film, Jennifer’s character Aunt Sandy is seen on a screen as she notes that gay men are “always obsessed” with her, in an apparent nod to her own real-life status as a gay icon before the actual film starts. Her character says: “It’s because the gays just know how to do stuff, you know? They’re survivors and, for some reason, they are always obsessed with me. I don’t know why, I like it.” Eli then tells Tyler, “She’s right, gays do know how to do stuff.” The ‘White Lotus’ star previously admitted that she has always had a natural rapport with gay men but was never “conscious” of the meaning until later in life. She said: ” It just started from a very young age. You go with what you’re attracted to. I think that’s really what most of our youth is. And that’s just what I was attracted to in all my friends. I don’t think they had figured it out at the time when we were really, really young, but they eventually figured it out. And yeah, and it was all the gay men and all the gay women in my town, at my school or at camp. “I think it’s just a mutual thing. I was never conscious of it, ever. It was just the people I was attracted to.” View the full article

Photo courtesy island house Legs tangled in sheets. Bodies glistening by the pool. No tanlines. Maybe you’ve seen the steamy ads and wondered what it’s really like to stay at one of Key West’s LGBTQ guesthouses. From the party-hard energy pulsing at New Orleans House to the mom-friendly cross-community mix at Alexander’s Guesthouse, Key West offers a range of experiences for queer travelers. In this week’s episode of Towleroad’s Gay Key West Uncovered, we explore the perks (and pleasures) awaiting at the island’s four LGBTQ guesthouses, speak candidly about the island’s clothing-optional culture with managers at male-only resort Equator and go from the sundeck to the pool to the kitchen at the iconic Island House. The carefree atmosphere is just another extension the unique Key West culture we explored in the podcast’s premiere episode. Coupled with the island’s vibrant LGBTQ community, it’s a vacation spot like no other. Listen in and find the perfect place to stay for you. Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, Stitcher and more. Gay Key West Uncovered is a six-part miniseries hosted by writer, comedian and professional homosexual Bobby Hankinson. Join us as we explore why Key West offers a wild, wonderful, unapologetically queer travel experience like no other. Learn about the island’s unique history, nightlife, restaurants, artists and more straight from the people who make it so special. Well … maybe not too straight. Gay Key West Uncovered is produced by Towleroad.com and sponsored by Key West. Learn more about gay Key West and book your trip today. View the full article

Published by Reuters By John Kruzel WASHINGTON -The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a Florida city’s bid to fend off a lawsuit by atheists accusing officials of violating constitutional limits on government involvement in religion by staging a prayer vigil following gun violence that wounded three children. The justices turned away an appeal by the city of Ocala of a lower court’s ruling endorsing the right of the plaintiffs, backed by the American Humanist Association, to sue over legal harms they said they sustained attending the 2014 vigil in which uniformed police chaplains preached a Judeo-Christian message. The plaintiffs accused Ocala of violating the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment “establishment clause,” which restricts governmental involvement in religion. Ocala had urged the justices to reject the claim that the plaintiffs, as “offended observers” of religious messages, had sustained legally recognizable injuries. Conservative Justice Clarence Thomas, dissenting from the decision to reject the appeal, expressed “serious doubts” about the legitimacy of lawsuits based on injuries sustained by offended observers. “Offended observer standing appears to warp the very essence of the judicial power vested by the Constitution,” Thomas wrote, adding that “federal courts are authorized ‘to adjudge the legal rights of litigants in actual controversies,’ not hurt feelings.” Thomas has taken a broad view of religious rights during more than three decades as a justice. Conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch in a written statement said he agreed that the case should be denied at this stage of the litigation but expressed doubt that the plaintiffs had the proper legal standing to sue. Ocala city officials helped organize and conduct the one-hour prayer vigil held in response to a series of shootings in which three children were struck by stray bullets. The Ocala Police Department on its Facebook page posted a letter co-signed by the police chief and an activist affiliated with a local Baptist church that promoted the vigil and urged “fervent prayer” to help reduce crime in the community. At the vigil, police chaplains “preached Judeo-Christian religion to the crowd in a style consistent with revivalist and evangelical religion,” “participated in religious worship” and encouraged the crowd to engage in “responsive chanting,” the plaintiffs said in court papers. The American Humanist Association, which on its website says it seeks “to bring about a progressive society where being good without a god is an accepted and respected way to live life,” and several of its members sued in federal court. The plaintiffs said in court papers the police department’s involvement in the vigil “was coercive in that it pressured community members to accept theistic religious views” and treated religion non-believers as “outsiders and second-class citizens.” A judge in 2018 ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, awarding them nominal monetary damages of $1 each. The Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals threw out that judgment in light of a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling expanding religious rights in the case of a Washington state public high school football coach who had been suspended for refusing to stop leading Christian prayers with players on the field after games. The 11th Circuit found that at least one of the plaintiffs, Lucinda Hale, had proper standing to sue because the vigil had given rise to a legally recognizable injury. The city then appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Hale has argued that by violating the establishment clause the city injured her by favoring religion and excluding atheists like her from participating in a vigil focused exclusively on prayer. The case has been narrowed to two plaintiffs, Hale and Art Rojas, and a single defendant, the city. A federal district court will now weigh the plaintiffs’ establishment clause claims in light of the football coach ruling. The conservative-majority Supreme Court in recent years has chipped away at the wall separating church and state, eroding American legal traditions aimed at barring government officials from promoting any particular faith. (Reporting by John Kruzel; Editing by Will Dunham) View the full article

Published by NJ.com Dana Johnson may be the only person ever to make the harrowing journey from federal law enforcement officer to state prison inmate — and back again. Arrested in 2018 for allegedly carrying a handgun without a permit, the Winslow Township woman maintained her innocence, insisting a federal law intended to protect police meant she didn’t need one. She spent three years in state prison before an appellate court agreed, wiping out her conviction in December. On Monday, she’ll go back to work. “It’s kind of terrifying,” she told NJ Advance Media. “I struggled. I’m still struggling now.” Johnson’s s… Read More View the full article