Exclusive: Fire Island director Andrew Ahn on the film’s “bold” representation of gay culture

LGBTQ+ rights groups are concerned that gay, bisexual, and transgender refugees could face persecution if they are sent to Rwanda under Britain’s policy to deport some asylum seekers to the East African nation.

supports HTML5 videoGreat British Bake Off winner Peter Sawkins has clarified a video he shared of him holding hands with a mystery man that went viral. The 21-year-old baker, who won the 2020 series of the Channel 4 series, was praised for sharing a video of himself walking alongside another man while on holiday in Morocco over the weekend, with the two holding hands. Many of Peter’s followers interpreted the footage to be him ‘coming out’ but the TV star has said this isn’t the case. In an update in his Instagram stories, Peter explained: ‘Clarification of a recent reel. I am trying to address this with sensitivity and kindness.‘I recently posted a reel from my holiday. ‘Some news sites and comments celebrated this as me coming out, and I can appreciate how this has happened.’ He then stated: ‘However, this is not the case.

The NSW Government will provide $2.3 million to support trans and gender-diverse communities as part of the 2022-23 NSW Budget.According to the NSW Health Ministry, the $2.3 million includes $1.3 million for ACON’s new Trans Mental Health and Wellbeing service, which will provide trans women, trans men and non-binary people with up to 12 counselling sessions, free of charge. $725,400 will go to expand youth counselling service, Twenty10’s counselling and support programs for trans and gender-diverse youth and their carers, and $300,000 will go to Equality Australia in order to develop leadership in trans and gender-diverse communities.“This funding boost will enable ACON, Equality Australia and Twenty10 to respond to the needs of the trans and gender diverse community and ensure access to safe, inclusive and responsive services.”Independent Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich welcomed the initiative saying, “The NSW LGBTIQ+ Health Strategy identified significant poor health and mental health across all LGBTIQ+ communities as a result of stigma, discrimination and social isolation.“Outcomes for trans and gender diverse people were found to be the worst with shocking rates of attempted self-harm and suicide, with the strategy identifying this cohort for priority action.“I strongly welcome the NSW Government’s support for our state’s trans and gender diverse communities through the funding of key and targeted services to support and promote their health and well-being.”ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill noted that the funding “would help ACON establish a tailored service that will deliver safe, inclusive, and affirming counselling and mental health peer support services to trans people (binary and non-binary).”In addition to health

Pride month and the upcoming local Pride parade.

The stars were out last night to honour the nation’s inspirational unsung heroes at our glittering People’s Oscars.

Madonnais getting fans hyped up for her upcoming concert in celebration of Pride Month in New York City.The bonafide 'Queen Of Pop,' 63, posed up around the performance venue for a slideshow of snaps that were shared to her Instagram Story on Tuesday.'Backstage B****es,' captioned Madonna, who rocked a sexy velvet romper styled with a pair of thigh-high stockings. Hype:Madonna is getting fans hyped up for her upcoming concert in celebration of Pride Month in New York City.The bonafide 'Queen Of Pop,' 63, posed up around the performance venue for a slideshow of snaps that were shared to her Instagram Story on TuesdayThe Like A Virgin hitmaker accessorized with a pair of black lace gloves, a studded waist belt and she layered a number of chunky chains around her neck.She also donned a pair of stylish seeing glasses.

Elliot Page returns to the small screen for the first time since he came out as transgender with the debut of Season 3 of Netflix's The Umbrella Academy.In a rather unprecedented move, his show responded to the transition by announcing Page's character Vanya Hargreeves will also transition on the show, to Viktor Hargreeves in Season 3, which debuts on June 22.Page, 35, opened up about his transition on Tuesday's episode of Late Night With Seth Meyers, adding his life has, 'improved drastically.' Transgender:Elliot Page returns to the small screen for the first time since he came out as transgender with the debut of Season 3 of Netflix's The Umbrella Academy Character transition:In a rather unprecedented move, his show responded to the transition by announcing Page's character Vanya Hargreeves will also transition on the show, to Viktor Hargreeves in Season 3, which debuts on June 22Page came out as trans in December 2020, and it was revealed in March 2022 that his Umbrella Academy character will transition as well.When asked if he got to speak with the writers, Page said that The Vampire Academy co-creator/showrunner Steve Blackman is, 'incredible' and 'such a wonderful person.' 'When we first talked about it, he seemed really excited about incorporating it into the show,' he told Meyers.

Paige had to defend herself from an avid grilling on Tuesday night's episode of Love Island after things got steamy with her partner Jacques. The first part of Tuesday's show ended with Paige and Jacques kissing before going under the duvet, catching the eye of fellow islander Ekin-Su.

Metro.co.uk goes above and beyond in our ongoing LGBTQ+ support, through a wealth of content that not only celebrates all things Pride, but also share stories, take time to reflect and raises awareness for the community this Pride Month.MORE: Find all of Metro.co.uk's Pride coverage right hereAnd we’ve got some great names on board to help us, too. From a list of famous guest editors taking over the site for a week that includes Rob Rinder, Nicola Adams, Peter Tatchell, Kimberly Hart-Simpson, John Whaite, Anna Richardson and Dr Ranj, we’ll also have the likes Sir Ian McKellen and Drag Race stars The Vivienne, Lawrence Chaney and Tia Kofi offering their insights. During Pride Month, which runs from 1 - 30 June, Metro.co.uk will also be supporting Kyiv Pride, a Ukrainian charity forced to work harder than ever to protect the rights of the LGBTQ+ community during times of conflict, and youth homelessness charity AKT.

The UK’s top public health agency has said that vaccines against monkeypox will be offered more widely and has recommended jabs to some gay and bisexual men at higher risk of exposure.  The UK recorded around 793 laboratory-confirmed cases of monkeypox as of June 20, 2002 – the biggest outbreak of the disease outside Africa. “Although anyone can contract monkeypox, data from the latest outbreak shows higher levels of transmission within – but not exclusive to – the sexual networks of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men,” said the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). It is important that gay and bi men get the vaccine when offered to protect themselves and others.

What is there to say about Romeo and Juliet that hasn’t already been said? It’s arguably the most famous play in existence: not only has it been performed countless times across the world for centuries, there are also a fair number of new interpretations of, or shows inspired by, Shakespeare’s famous tragedy. From West Side Story to &Juliet – you don’t have to look far to see Romeo and Juliet’s influence on contemporary theatre. American playwright Rachel Garnet’s Starcrossed – already critically acclaimed in the US and now making its UK debut at London’s gorgeous Wilton’s Music Hall – is another excellent addition to the canon.

crackdown on social activism is threatening to undo progress for gay rights, once considered validation of the city’s reputation as Asia’s liberal, financial haven.Well-known LGBTQ figures, including former lawmakers and singers, have been arrested or jailed for their political activism. The national security law imposed following the violent protests of 2019 has also exacerbated the pandemic’s restrictive impact, forcing the suspension of the annual Pride marches and prompting human rights lawyers to leave the city.This could be due to a conflict with your ad-blocking or security software.Please add japantimes.co.jp and piano.io to your list of allowed sites.

supports HTML5 videoHundreds of thousands of people took to the streets of Sao Paolo for the annual LGBTQ+ Pride parade following two years of virtual events during the pandemic.The 26th event in the Brazilian city was held under the slogan ‘Vote with pride – for policies that represent us’, in reference to the upcoming presidential election in October.Incumbent far right-wing leader, Jair Bolsonaro, faced criticism from revellers who shouted and held signs aloft calling for his departure from office.The president, who has described himself as ‘proudly homophobic’, will be pitted against left-wing rival Lula da Silva, who is currently ahead in the polls.  Sao Paolo was transformed into a rainbow party for the event, with colourful floats lining the streets.The march travelled from main road, Paulista Avenue, advancing towards Roosevelt Square on Sunday.

re—inc website states. The site calls the painting “a bold and brave structure that serves as an ode to the challenging process of personal discovery.”“Each square represents the uniqueness and multi-dimensional nature of a coming out experience,” the site says.

Travel blog by Travels of Adam (Hipster Blog) – Travels of Adam (Hipster Blog) - Whether you’re married, single or somewhere in between, there’s a good chance that as an adult, sex is a significant part of your life. However, there’s a sense of wellness that goes along with being sexually active. Over the last several years, many have taken the steps to ensure that not only are they using safe practices, but also being mindful of their sexual wellness, which encompasses several areas.

Above: Rorex addressing a rally celebrating the Supreme Court's marriage equality decision in 2015.Clela Rorex, who was a former clerk in Boulder County, Colo., died at age 78.Rorex died Sunday at a hospice in Longmont, Colo., Boulder’s Daily Camera reports. She had suffered complications from a recent surgery.In 1975, when she was Boulder County clerk, Rorex received a marriage license application from two men from Colorado Springs who had been denied a license in their home county, El Paso County. Rorex consulted Bill Wise, an assistant district attorney in her county, and he said there was no law against issuing the license, “probably because the situation was simply not contemplated in the past by our legislature,” notes a news release from Out Boulder County.

During last night’s episode of Watch What Happens Live!, a caller asked Adam DeVine about that very explicit full-frontal scene he shot for 2018’s Game Over, Man and what it was like watching the watershed moment with his family members.35-year-old DeVine admitted that it was a little awkward having his mom whisper compliments in his ear “as my d*ck was [swinging] like clack clack clack.”Related: Adam DeVine didn’t use a prosthetic for this incredibly revealing scene: “There it is.”To which Cohen replied, “Does your d*ck go clack clack clack?”“Yours doesn’t?” asked DeVine.

While we wait for whatever is to come, we might as well pass the time with a little fun.The results of this current Supreme Court term are some of the most anticipated and dreaded in recent history, and understandably so. After the leaked ruling to overturn Roe v.

A post shared by Chicago Pride Fest (@pridefestchicago)Pride celebrations are a great way to get outside and enjoy the summer days and nights. Whether at world-famous events like New York and San Francisco, which bring in hundreds of thousands of partygoers each year, or small-town events that have a few folding tables and a stereo for a party in a park.

Diversity

Downtown Merced is making a dramatic comeback and LGBTQs are helping to lead the way. With a population of nearly 90,000, the Central California city's downtown was once its crown jewel. Now it appears to be on a roll to reclaim some of its past glory.Earlier this month, I made the trip to Merced on Amtrak from San Francisco.

Facebook. He was responding to a tweet Lake sent Friday. "They kicked God out of schools and welcomed the Drag Queens," Lake wrote.

Russel T Davies’ landmark series for today’s audiences, Peacock’s celebrated Queer As Folk revival centers on a diverse cross-section of New Orleans’ LGBTQ community, one that feels much more representative of our modern understanding of queerness.Of course, some things never change, and we were delighted to find that, yes, this version of Queer As Folk still includes lots and lots of hot, hot sex.Related: 7 surprising and somewhat problematic observations I made rewatching Season 1 of ‘Queer As Folk’In one of its earliest scenes, Johnny Sibilly‘s Noah and Chris Renfro’s Daddius aren’t shy as they go to town on one another in a scene that features plenty of muscle, sweat, and finely sculpted butt. But things get interrupted when Daddius’ friend Brodie (Devin Way)—also Noah’s ex—gives them a ring to announce he’s on his way over.

of course he is mannerisms. In dramas, they showed up in crime or legal series, the (offscreen) homosexuality serving as fulcrum for the week’s plot – blackmail, revenge over unrequited-love, mental instability – with a correlation seemingly drawn between gay and aberrant.But then TV began to become more real in the 1970s, in large part due to the arrival of “All in the Family” in 1971.

Scots icon Lulu joined stars from the world of showbiz, music, sport and reality TV as she celebrated The Pride of Scotland Awards in Edinburgh.

For the most part, celebrity interviews are the epitome of fluff and prescreened questions. But too often when the conversation turns to sexuality and gender identity, an interviewer will come up with questions that are invasive or downright queerphobic.

Apartheid fortune heir Elon Musk doesn’t have to go to space to be alone; his personality has been enough to do the trick.After being left by his long-term girlfriend Grimes earlier this year, Musk’s own daughter has petitioned for a name change — first and last — as both part of her transition and to distance herself from the multi-billionaire.According to leaked records from the Los Angeles County Court, she gave the following reason for the change: “Gender Identity and the fact that I no longer live with or wish to be related to my biological father in any way, shape or form.”Related: Elon Musk’s trans daughter no longer wants to be related to her father “in any way, shape or form”Musk has made multiple derisive public statements against “pronouns”, doubtlessly more a dig at the trans community than the actual part of speech itself.If one specific public exchange from 2020 is anything to go by, his transphobic attitude may have even contributed to his split from Grimes.Grimes calls out partner Elon Musk after he tweeted “pronouns suck”:“I love you but please turn off ur phone or give me a call. I cannot support hate.

Mayor London Breed has nominated pink triangle co-founder Patrick Carney to the San Francisco Arts Commission, according to a June 21 release from her office.Carney, a gay man, helped start the LGBTQ Pride art installation more than 20 years ago. Situated atop Twin Peaks, this year's edition is lighted at night, as was the case in 2021.The 15-member arts commission is charged with approving the design of all public structures and any private structures that extend on city property, the release stated.

Colton Haynes looks, Hollywood quickly decided that he was a leading man. He was typecast as a dumb jock, a jerk, the boyfriend of the beautiful singer in a music video — roles he was told that meant he couldn't be gay.Forced back into the closet, he set about changing his voice and mannerisms.

wrote last week to Buttigieg requesting $33.1 million through the Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program for a bridge in Glenwood Springs, Colo.“With Rural Surface Transportation grant funds, Glenwood Springs will construct a new bridge connection that will provide a critical second emergency route/evacuation access between State Highway 82 and the western side of the Roaring Fork River in the City’s South Corridor,” she wrote.Congress passed the infrastructure bill in late 2021 and Biden quickly signed it into law. Boebert opposed the bill, calling it “wasteful” and “garbage,” and she said the Republicans who supported it were “RINOS,” that is, Republicans in name only.She had criticized Buttigieg for taking parental leave when he and his husband, Chasten Buttigieg, welcomed twin babies last year.

A post shared by Salah Czapary for Ward 1 (@czapary) Meet Salah Czapary. He’s a former officer for the Metropolitan Police Department of D.C. who is now running for D.C.

transgender daughter has petitioned to change her name to fit her gender identity.In the request, she also wrote that she wanted the name change because “I no longer live with or wish to be related to my biological father in any way, shape or form,” Reuters reports.The request was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court in Santa Monica back in April. Only recently has it made the news, with several media reports about the request being published.The petition, reported first by TMZ, looks to legally change her gender to female as well as her name on a new birth certificate.Her mother is author Justine Musk.

San Francisco AIDS Foundation and HIV services provided by the Los Angeles LGBT Center, as reported by POZ magazine. This broke the previous record of $16.7 million raised in 2019. “The contributions of thousands of people who are part of the AIDS/LifeCycle community — riders, roadies, staff and donors — provide the resources necessary to continue this fight,” said Joe Hollendoner, the LGBT Center’s new CEO, in a press release.

Different From The Others, a short film created in protest of the country’s Paragraph 175, which made homosexuality a criminal offense. Through its story of a violinist (Conrad Veidt) who falls in love with his student (Fritz Schulz), Oswald’s work is often cited as the the world’s first pro-gay film.Related: Strangers By The Lake: 10 sexy, queer lakeside stories perfect for a summer watchOver 100 years later, the impact of Different From The Others on global cinema cannot be overstated, especially in Germany, where it paved the way for a number of sexy, thought-provoking, and boundary-breaking queer-themed movies.

The Supreme Court voted 6-3 that it’s unconstitutional for a state government to withhold taxpayer funds from religious schools.

Gay and bisexual men in Scotland who are considered at higher risk of catching monkeypox are set to be offered a vaccine.

“You’re a free man”

Texas embarrassment Ted Cruz has a lot of concerns for America’s children recently.Kids at apparently at danger of seeing drag, being exposed to “lesbian toys”, and most recently, being coerced into “addictive” gambling by video games.On the latest episode of #Verdict, @michaeljknowles and I talk loot boxes in video games. @AsmongoldCatch the full episode on YouTube!https://t.co/sacHSkD2J3 pic.twitter.com/2mKBfGmyOQ— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) June 21, 2022In the wake of last month’s shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Cruz & Co.’s recent uptick in concern for children’s welfare from every possible angle except gun violence is more than a little convenient.Related: Ted Cruz responds to Texas school shooting in the worst possible wayEven in a debate on something as small as video game currency, Ted Cruz couldn’t find a consistent viewpoint.

name its theater after him due to student backlash over transphobic remarks he has made over the past several months. During a dedication speech at the Duke Ellington School for the Arts in Northwest Washington, D.C., the comedian told the audience that he didn’t want his name to distract students from their art.The announcement came as a surprise to the crowd assembled Monday night for the ceremony.

Lightyear.The 89′er Theater in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, initially posted a sign indicating to customers that it would be fast-forwarding through the short scene early in the film, which hit theaters on Friday. As of Tuesday, a local Fox affiliate, Fox 23 News, reported that the sign had been taken down and that the theater intended to play the film all the way through.Starring Chris Evans in the lead role, Lightyear is a new spin-off of Pixar's Toy Story series, presented as the sci-fi adventure film that the Buzz Lightyear toyline in the previous films is based on.

A year into the COVID pandemic, out director Andrew Ahn received the script for Joel Kim Booster’s “Fire Island” and knew almost immediately he needed to make it.

Is it just us or did a ton of great new queer entertainment drop just in time for Pride? This past month, we’ve told you about a new doc that explores the wild world of queer wrestlers, a queer Indigenous love story set in a rural East Coast trailer park, and one of the most homoerotic series on Netflix returning for a third season. Here’s a quick recap of just some of our favorite trailers that were released in May.

Fire Island is full of “gorgeous queer joy”, says star Margaret Cho. 

How do you write a queer romantic comedy? That is, not one where you merely gender flip a lead (“rom-com, but make it gay!”) but actually create a story that interrogates the very foundational tropes of the genre? If you’re Joel Kim Booster, you do so by adapting one of the most beloved Jane Austen novels of all time, the one whose recent big-screen adaptations have earned the likes of Keira Knightley and Renée Zellweger Oscar nominations.

Casting queer actors in queer roles in Fire Island added “so much” authenticity to the film, according to James Scully.

Fire Island star Conrad Ricamora says the upcoming comedy “does a great job” of capturing queer joy.

Peter Debruge Chief Film CriticIt’s a gross oversimplification of Jane Austen’s gift to suggest that her novels reduce to heteronormative matchmaking exercises, though all six end with their heroines getting hitched. (Austen herself never wed.

Zane Phillips’ character in Fire Island is a far cry from his brooding yet loveable demigod on Legacies.