European lesbian community rallies to support LGBTQ+ families fleeing Ukraine

Visibility is essential.

Disney CEO Bob Chapek finally apologised to the LGBTQ+ employees after the recent ‘Don’t Say Gill’ bill backlash.

Disney pulling political donations due to Florida's new "Don't Say Gay" legislation, Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Núñez on Friday claimed that companies "have no right to criticize" the state's action.Making an appearance on Fox News' The Ingraham Angle, Núñez derided Disney's decision as "woke" and likened it to bullying while also claiming that such companies do not have the right to critique the actions of "duly elected legislators" despite explicit First Amendment protections."They will try to bully us like the NCAA did, like Disney [is] doing," she said. "How dare they.

Winter Park, Fla. — Last October, I attended a high school Halloween party. A group of guys from my school surrounded me and shouted homophobic slurs.

ABOVE: Oof, that decades-old can, though. Follow me here, please.

Sesame Street for 44 years and was a strong LGBTQ+ ally, has died at age 81.Delgado died Thursday at his Manhattan home, The New York Times reports. The cause was multiple myeloma, his wife, Carole Delgado, told the paper.He was a beloved regular on the PBS children’s program, having joined the cast in 1971; Luis became the longest-running role for a Mexican-American on any TV show. His character owned the Fix-It Shop, where he repaired a wide variety of objects.

party and through political committees that support them in donations that can't be traced.Disney also has donated to Democrats.The entertainment company, which opened a theme park in China in 2016 and has gained substantial access to that country’s film market, has been accused by some critics of adjusting its content to please China’s Communist leaders and avoid topics they consider sensitive.Critics of DeSantis argue he's going against the corporation as part of a culture war because of ambitions to win the Republican primary to be the 2024 presidential nominee.“It's really pretty shocking,” said former Republican Gov. Charlie Crist, who is now a Democratic congressman seeking to challenge DeSantis.Crist said that the governor has sparred with industries important to Florida, like DeSantis' legal battle with cruise lines who wanted passengers to show they were vaccinated for coronavirus.“Now it's Disney.

Judge Amy Clark Meachum

Like a lot of visitors to the GLBT Historical Society Museum, Colm Kelleher, Lord Mayor of Cork, Ireland, said he was most impressed with one exhibit in particular, the bloodstained jacket worn by the late gay leader and San Francisco supervisor, Harvey Milk, when he was fatally shot in his City Hall office in 1978.It's a powerful exhibit, to be sure, and probably one that leaves a lasting impression on a lot of elected officials and others who see it.The museum was just one of several visits the mayor would be paying to various sites around San Francisco, including a stop at City Hall where he joined Mayor London Breed at a reception where they raised the Irish flag ahead of St. Patrick's Day.

Texas District Court Judge Amy Clark Meachum Friday evening declared unconstitutional Governor Greg Abbott’s executive order manding state agencies investigate anyone involved in or facilitating medically-necessary gender-affirming care, including parents, for “child abuse” and criminally charged if possible.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s possibly unconstitutional executive order requiring state agencies to investigate anyone, including parents, involved in or facilitating the delivery of medically-necessary gender-affirming care to transgender youth and teens has just been blocked, temporarily, by a Texas judge.

Gov. Greg Abbott, with his wife Cecilia, left, at a primary election night event, on March 1 in Corpus Christi, Texas. (Eric Gay/Associated Press)

Disney Company CEO Bob Chapek announced Disney will be pausing all political donations in the state of Florida following a week of significant criticism of the company's initial silence on the Florida Legislature's "Don't Say Gay" bill.The company's lack of response to the bill, which would ban discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in some public school classrooms, sparked an intense backlash against Disney, internally and externally, prompting Chapek to shift to a public stance, calling for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to oppose the bill.DeSantis then called out the entertainment titan for its ties to China, accusing the company for criticizing "parents' rights" but continuing to work in China despite knowledge of the human rights issues in Xinjiang regarding Uyghur Muslims.After statements of apology to Disney's LGBTQ employees, Chapek released an internal memo on Friday further stating that the company would be pausing all political donations in Florida, affecting many of the politicians who had previously received money from the company.Several Disney donations were made to key co-sponsors of the bill, and in total, the company gave $253,850 to senators who voted to pass the "Don't Say Gay" bill.Donations made only for the 2022 general election go back to January 1, 2021, and records reviewed by Newsweek showed that Disney donated at least $33,000 for state Senate races and more than $98,000 in state House contests.Other primary GOP figures who have received donations from Disney included DeSantis, who received $50,000 from Disney Worldwide Services Inc., according to the Florida Division of Elections.Ashley Moody, Florida's attorney general, was given $25,000 from Disney during the 2022 general

Mayor London Breed on Friday swore in three women as the newest commissioners on the San Francisco Board of Education, replacing the members who were ousted in last month's historic recall.None of the women is LGBTQ, but all are parents of students attending public schools in the district. Ann Hsu, Lainie Motamedi, and Lisa Weissman-Ward each pledged to work hard with the four other board members to have the San Francisco Unified School District "turn a page," as Hsu said during her remarks.Breed made the announcement and swore in the new commissioners on the football field of Galileo Academy of Science and Technology, which Breed attended when it was known as Galileo High School.

ABOVE: Boz flashbacks.

Bob Chapek is speaking out again.

Russian invasion and bombardment.The images of the mass destruction of Ukrainian cities caused by Russian artillery and the heartbreaking scenes of Ukrainian citizens fleeing their war-torn country are also causing flashbacks to the devastation and refugee crisis of World War II.Watching families get slaughtered, seeing little children desperate and fearful, and witnessing the invalid and elderly cross treacherous, makeshift bridges in order to escape have all been gut-wrenching scenes.In interviews of Ukrainians as they cross the border into neighboring safe havens, there is genuine hate for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has destroyed thousands of lives in his delusional attempt to restore the old Soviet Union.However, to a person, not only in Ukraine or the countries where refugees have fled, there is a stoic admiration for Zelenskyy. He is revered not only by Ukrainians but the world over, giving us all a lesson in leadership.He has shown humanity the importance of fighting for freedom.

Despite Russia’s deadly unprovoked attacks on Ukraine, the bromance between ex-president Donald Trump and murderous dictator Vladimir Putin appears to be firmly intact.During a 30-minute interview with Sean Hannity yesterday, Trump was given multiple opportunities to walk back all the praise he’s showered Putin with over the years, but he chose not to.Related: Donald Trump’s flailing Truth Social appears to have reached code red status“I think you also recognize he’s evil, do you not?” Hannity asked after bringing up how Trump called Putin “smart” for invading Ukraine.“Well, I was referring to the fact that he said this is an independent nation, talking about Ukraine, and I said that this was before there was any attack,” the ex-president replied.Trump says he only called Putin smart before he invaded, says Putin has changed but he wouldn’t have changed if he was still President, and takes credit for Russian tanks being destroyed pic.twitter.com/QTi1kRGq5T— Acyn (@Acyn) March 11, 2022Later, Hannity asked, “When you got criticized for saying that Vladimir Putin is smart, we’ve had many conversations, and you’ve often quoted to me Sun Tzu, ‘The Art of War’. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

The Walt Disney Company has a big problem. It wants to be loved by everybody: Massachusetts liberals and Mississippi conservatives, Muslims in Saudi Arabia and atheists in China. It therefore prefers to minimize the number of times it takes stands on hot-button social issues.

Apple, Google, Meta, IBM, IKEA, Microsoft and Ben & Jerry's, have signed a letter that also appeared as an advertisement in The Dallas Morning News to criticize and call for an end to the "anti-LGBTQ+ efforts" of Texas Governor Greg Abbott.Late last month and earlier this month, Abbott told the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to begin investigating parents of transgender children who receive some sex-change procedures for child abuse, which has led to widespread criticism as several investigations have been opened by the department.This is a developing story that will be updated as more information becomes available.

Adam B. Vary Senior Entertainment WriterAfter weeks of internal strife and external controversy surrounding the Walt Disney Company’s lack of public response to the “Don’t Say Gay” legislation in Florida, CEO Bob Chapek announced in a company email on Friday that Disney will pause all political donations in the state during a restructuring of its political giving framework.Chapek also apologized directly to the company’s LGBTQ employees for his widely criticized messaging on the issue.“It is clear that this is not just an issue about a bill in Florida, but instead yet another challenge to basic human rights,” Chapek wrote.

Netflix show’s new costume designer, teased: “There can never be too much boob in Bridgerton... we always want more boob!”Fans of the Regency-set series got hot under the collar last year as Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) romanced the Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page).The red-hot action involved plenty of alfresco trysts, a romp up a ladder and even an orgy.

This lavish seaside mansion in Carmel, California that has some deep Hollywood history has gone up for sale.The photogenic home, which is situated on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, has been listed for almost $30million.It was heavily featured in the 1992 smash hit movie Basic Instinct where Sharon Stone's devious author Catherine Tramell hung out with her lesbian lover (played by Leilani Sarelle) and her hot-headed cop beau (played by Michael Douglas).And it was also one of the locations for the critically acclaimed HBO series Big Little Lies with Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman. Ready to buy:This lavish seaside mansion in Carmel, California that has some deep Hollywood history is so impressive it deserves its own SAG card.

MICHAEL LAVERS  |  Washington BladeCourtesy of National LGBT Media Association

Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano

The mayor of Austin, Texas, Steve Adler,  has come out to defend Trans youth and their families amid the disturbing legal battle between the State of Texas and the Biden administration.  Adler announced Wednesday, March 9, as ‘Transgender Youth and Family Safety Day’ claiming “Austin should be considered a safe place – a sanctuary – […]

Greg Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a directive stating that supportive parents of transgender children should be investigated for child abuse. The letter goes on to impose reporting requirements on medical providers, educators and "the general public."In particular, the order targets parents who follow the prevailing standard of care for the treatment of gender dysphoria that has been adopted by the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychological Association, among others.

It’s March already, can you believe time passed so fast? If you’re struggling to keep up and you’re not careful, you might miss the new fabulous music these Irish LGBTQ+ artists are producing right now. Since we can’t let that happen, we’ve made sure you have all your queer music recommendations in this convenient and […]

PinkNews, found via YouGov only 24% of UK adults are opposed to teenagers accessing online content about trans lives, and only a minority of parents (28%) are concerned about this.Mari said: ‘Pure Trans Joy is important because it provides representation and inspiration.‘As the number of transgender individuals rises each year, the lack of representation is still present.‘For many trans youth and young adults to see other trans individuals in a state of mind where happiness was made a centre front for someone else doesn’t bring envy – it brings joy, inspiration, and motivation.‘Most people believe that transitioning is hard. Which at times, it can be, but not everyone’s journey has to be depressing, sad, or confusing.’Ryder added part of his struggle was because he had ‘never been exposed to LGBT+ people in a positive light while growing up’.Couple who fell in love on TikTok marry two weeks after meeting in personMan gives birth to son after surprise pregnancySome people are finding a way to blame the trans community for the war in UkraineJK Rowling slammed for criticising Labour MP over definition of woman‘Now, I hope that my being “out and proud” may just be something that someone scrolling through social media sees and gets to have that moment of “oh, hey, trans people exist in real life and don’t just live the constant drama (and trauma) that’s on tv”,’ he added.He hopes the show will help others with struggles around coming out, and offered other trans people the advice to ‘take your time’.

Cook County Judge James Linn sentenced gay actor Jussie Smollett to 30 months of probation and 150 days in jail for lying to police about a racist and homophobic attack that he staged. Linn also ordered Smollett to pay $120,106 restitution to the city of Chicago and a $25,000 fine.The former "Empire" star's request for new trial was denied ahead of sentencing.Smollett, 39, who had made the March 10 appearance in Linn's courtroom shortly after 1 p.m.

Governor Greg Abbott is under fire after more than 60 major corporations Friday signed on to a full-page ad in the Dallas Morning News accusing the Texas Republican of engaging in anti-LGBTQ discrimination. Abbott has ordered state agencies to investigate and prosecute anyone – including parents – involved in providing or enabling medically-necessary medical care for transgender youth and teens, using the false claim of “child abuse,” a claim some legal experts say is unlawful and medical experts have condemned.

A Georgia bill has been introduced to the State Senate petitioning for the removal of “inappropriate” taught LGBTQ+ subjects in schools.

IMMA has announced its highly anticipated 2022 programme and there are plenty of exciting events and exhibitions happening including some incredible new queer art. To mark their 30th anniversary, IMMA will continue with its series of exhibitions ‘The Narrow Gate of the Here-and-Now’; exploring themes across the 30-year period through the personal, political and planetary […]

Sunday Times revealed earlier this week that two years down the line, she’s not likely to spend a night again at Buckingham Palace.The palace is undergoing a ten-year renovation, so its next occupants will likely be Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, with Charles next in line to the throne.The Queen has long been known to favor her Windsor home. However, news she’s fully vacating Buckingham Palace comes in the same week that the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, said Britons were welcome to house Ukraine refugees in their homes.Related: Gay dating app asks users to help Ukrainians and is blown away by responseThe war in Ukraine has prompted a humanitarian crisis, and 2.5million inhabitants of the country are now believed to have fled.

Jessica Gonzalez, left and Judge Tanya Parker, right

Ukrainian soldiers and militiamen carry a woman in a wheelchair as the artillery echoes nearby, while people flee Irpin on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, on March 7. (Emilio Morenatti/Associated Press)

Venton Jones

Texas and Florida continue to compete in their race to be named The Worst State in the U.S. It’s an absolutely exhausting display of anti-LGBTQ bigotry, and especially exhausting for LGBTQ people and their families. People are under enough stress, damn it! Between the pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine,

Have an event coming up? Email your information to Managing Editor Tammye Nash at nash@dallasvoice.com or Senior Staff Writer David Taffet at taffet@dallasvoice.com by Wednesday at 5 p.m. for that week’s issue.

Florida City commissioner and high school teacher Ty Penserga will make history as the first out LGBTQ+ Asian-American mayor elected in the US state.

The post LGBTQ+ Adoption and Fostering Week: ‘The need for more adoption is as great as ever’ appeared first on GAY TIMES.

Crypto had already been seeping into every corner of culture and conversation. Then came Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and crypto went to war, too.

In a move that gave me a feeling of toxic déjà vu from the anti-gay-marriage Proposition 8 in California in 2008, Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill has passed both houses of the state legislature and is headed to the desk of Gov. Ron DeSantis, where he is expected to sign it. The legislation is aimed at limiting what can be taught in classrooms about sexual orientation and gender identity, and also gives parents the right to sue schools or teachers if they believe what is being taught is unacceptable.

A new San Francisco-based organization assisting LGBTQ asylum seekers to rebuild their lives in the United States called upon President Joe Biden's administration to do better by queer people seeking refuge in the U.S. at a recent rally.During the evening rush hour March 3, about 50 people gathered at Harvey Milk Plaza in the Castro to listen to gay Assembly District 17 candidate David Campos, gay state Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), and queer asylum speakers who called for better U.S.

The Human Rights Campaign is not taking money from Disney anymore.

 The three main events are fair day, party, and parade. But the party, the giant festival-wide concert, was canceled due to COVID-19.

As controversy continued to swirl around Disney’s stance on Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill, the Hulk himself today tweeted praise for Disney CEO Bob Chapek’s statement in support of the LGBTQ+ community.

CORRIE star Brooke Vincent has revealed the soap’s first lesbian kiss between herself co-star Sasha Parkinson was also her first ever snog. The actress, 29, was just 16-years-old when soap bosses came up with the 2010 storyline in which her character Sophie Webster fell for school pal Sian Powers, played by Sacha.