Tag: LGBTQ

Former Vice President Joe Biden promises to make LGBTQ rights a top priority (screen capture)Speaking at the Human Rights Campaign Dinner this weekend in Columbus, Ohio, former Vice President Joe Biden promised to make LGBTQ equality a priority. During the half-hour speech, Biden said that signing the Equality Act would be his top legislative priority. “It will be the first thing I ask to be done,” Biden said. In the wide-ranging address, the...

The state flag of ColoradoGovernor Jared Polis, the country’s first openly gay governor, has signed two bills into law that will protect the health and safety of LGBTQ youth in Colorado.  HB19-1039, also known as Jude’s Law, will allow transgender Coloradans to more easily update the gender on their birth certificate to M, F, or X — without surgery, a doctor’s note, or court order.  Removing both the surgery requirement and court order...

Donald Trump recognizes LGBTQ Pride Month via TwitterAfter campaigning on a promise to protect LGBTQ Americans, then ignoring Pride Month for his first two years in office, Donald Trump has finally acknowledged the annual celebration. In two tweets, Trump wrote about ‘the outstanding contributions of LGBT people’ and standing in ‘solidarity’ with those who live in countries that execute us. “As we celebrate LGBT Pride Month and recognize the outstanding contributions LGBT people...

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte (image via Flickr/Prachatai)Rodrigo Duterte, the controversial president of the Philippines, joked during a trip to Japan that he had once been gay but ‘cured’ himself upon meeting his ex-wife. Duterte was in Tokyo for bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and during a public appearance he mocked a political opponent, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, for moving like a gay person. Rappler, a Filipino newspaper, reports that Duterte was...

Screen shot from THIRTY-FIVE Vimeo videoWhat do you feel your life expectancy is?  Do you think it is different because you are LGBTQ+?  The current life expectancy for the “average” American is roughly 78 years and Brazil is not far behind.    Sources include: World BankBut the life expectancy of transgender people in Brazil is 35 because of the violence and discrimination against them. This fact is highlighted in the new film Thirty-Five developed for...

(stock image via Depositphotos)Progress Bar, a gay bar in Chicago, is getting some ‘racism side-eye’ after a leaked email from management instructed its DJs to ban rap music from their playlists. The message, which was shared on Twitter, read: (image via Twitter)So, not only is rap banned from Progress Bar (it’s in ALL CAPS for emphasis), but the email makes it clear that rap will result in DJs not being asked back. Plus, there’s...

Joey Krastel pops the question to bf Chris Scott during Kansas tornado (image via Twitter)We’ve seen marriage proposals at Disney World, at Pride events, even at home supply super-stores, but meteorologist Joey Krastel popped the question with an element of danger thrown in. On May 28, the 27-year-old posted a photo on Twitter showing the ‘storm chaser’ down on one knee in front of his boyfriend, Chris Scott, with a wild storm in the background. The caption read, “The 2...

(image via Instagram)Singer/songwriter Sufjan Stevens has released two new songs for Pride month – “Love Yourself” and “With My Whole Heart.” Stevens is probably most famous today for his songs he contributed to last year’s queer coming-of-age movie, Call Me By Your Name. The track “Mystery of Love” garnered an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song and a Grammy Award nod as well. The new tracks are available now on all digital platforms...

Maine becomes the 17th state to ban ‘conversion therapy’ (image via Depositphotos)Maine has become the 17th state to ban so-called ‘conversion therapy’ for minors. The legislation prohibits state-licensed counselors, psychologists, social workers, health professionals, guidance counselors and pastoral therapists from engaging in the harmful practice of trying to change a young person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Lawmakers in Maine passed a similar bill last year, but the legislation was vetoed by former...

Therapist Matthew Dempsey (screen capture)Therapist Matthew Dempsey has a new web series, Cost of Two Sandwiches, where he sits down picnic style to offer his brand of “queer psychotherapeutic guidance” to LGBTQs who are struggling  with personal issues like coming out, dating, religion, sex and body image. In the latest episode, Dempsey chats with Sterling – a gay man who loves being single, but also thinks he wants a serious relationship. It turns...

Gay dating app Grindr has been blocked in LebanonThe government of Lebanon has apparently ordered the gay dating app Grindr blocked for most users in the Arab country. The Independent reports the Arab nation’s state-owned internet service provider, Ogero, blocked access to the app on the orders of the public prosecutor’s office, and that all internet providers will soon follow suit. No explanation has been given for the ban, but the court order...

The Spice Girls kicked off their reunion tour and opened with a love note to their LGBTQ fans. Inaugurating the show, they declared: “We welcome all ages, all races, all gender identities, all countries of origin, all sexual orientations, all religions & beliefs, all abilities.”Although missing Posh Spice (aka Victoria Beckham), the four-piece ensemble performed some of their hits like “Wannabe,” “2 Become 1”, and “Spice Up Your Life” in front of a massive crowd. The quartet performed at...

3-time Grammy Award winning vocal group Pentatonix (screen capture)Grammy Award-winning vocal group Pentatonix serves up their soaring take on “Waving Through a Window” from the hit Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen. Scott Hoying takes on lead vocal duties with Mitch Grassi and Kirstin Maldonado switch hitting, and band mates Kevin Olusola and Matt Sallee giving percussive bass/beat box support. Dear Evan Hansen opened to rave reviews on Broadway in December 2016, and is...

(screen capture)It would appear the public outing of disgraced former Rep. Aaron Schock is just about complete as we get news that photos that appear to be the buff Republican in the buff have been leaked on the inter-webs. Blogger kenneth in the 212 shared the news last night and the pics have begun ricocheting around social media. As Instinct has reported many times, we’re not big on outing closeted gays UNLESS they’ve...