Florida House passes 'Don't Say Gay' bill

Netflix has renewed its upcoming series The Ultimatum for an LGBTQ+ inclusive second season.

Elton John and husband David Furnish are proud parents of two sons, Zachary and Elijah, both born via surrogate.

At a speech in Georgia, sitting Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene attacked U.S. Secretary of Transportation.

In a major blow to LGBTQ+ rights, Utah has passed its anti-trans sports ban despite a previous veto from Governor Spencer Cox.

The queens headed to gay Paris on the latest episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 14.

More here!

Father Ted have been axed after clashes between one of its creators and trans activists.Writer Graham Linehan faced backlash recently for a series of tweets dubbed transphobic, resulting in him being banned permanently from Twitter in 2020.In 2018, he was also issued with a verbal harassment warning by police after an online row with a transgender activist.Linehan, 53, who was also wrote Black Books and The IT Crowd, said: “My bet was that the Ted musical was too big to fail.“I thought, ‘If they come after it, then that will be good because then people will see how crazy this is, how absurd and how censorious, how anti-female, how homophobic that this movement is.’"Linehan continued to say that producers had “rolled over” to campaigners’ demands and axed the production, despite it having already begun rehearsals.He added: "Every comedian at the moment is living under a kind of state of permanent blackmail.""I’ve been thoroughly cancelled. I’ll tell you how cancelled I am, there were two programmes called Cancelled and I wasn’t on either of them."Father Ted star Joe Rooney was forced to deny that footballer Jack Grealish was his son recently.

Elton John and husband David Furnish are parents of two sons, Zachary and Elijah, both born via surrogate.

Robert Foster, a Republican former Mississippi state representative and failed gubernatorial candidate Friday night launched an unhinged assault on transgender allies, calling for their death by firing squad. After online outrage, he doubled down Saturday morning.

Welcome to Screen Gems, our weekend dive into queer and queer-adjacent titles of the past that deserve a watch or a re-watch.We hate to begin Screen Gems with a reference to an internet meme, but here, it feels appropriate. Many of our dear readers will, no doubt, know the notorious “Hitler Rant” videos that have circulated on the web for years.  Amusing or not, they have a decidedly less-than-hilarious origin.Downfall divided critics upon release in 2004. The film, based in part on the memoir of Traudl Junge, Adolph Hitler‘s secretary, portrays the events of the final days of the Battle of Berlin.

J. Lo served drag queen at the iHeartRadio Music Awards, a same-sex couple adopted that “gay” abandoned dog, and Zac Efron showed off his still-beautiful body.

A post shared by John DiLeo (@john.dileo.12) Any book about Hollywood is automatically filled with the work of LGBTQ artists both on-screen and behind the camera. In my new book, There Are No Small Parts: 100 Outstanding Film Performances with Screen Time of 10 Minutes or Less—which covers 1935 to the present—you’ll find classics with gay-coded characters, such as Bride of Frankenstein (1935), Rebecca (1940), Laura (1944), All About Eve (1950), and Strangers on a Train (1951).

Kristen Stewart may become the second openly LGBTQ person ever to win Best Actress at the 94th Academy Awards this weekend. (Jodi Foster is currently the only Best Actress winner to publicly come out as LGBTQ during her lifetime.) The 31-year-old bisexual has earned widespread critical acclaim for her portrayal of Princess Diana in the film Spencer.Related: Everyone is sobbing over that devastating new Diana doc that just premiered at SundanceMany talented–and a few, ahem, not-so-talented–performers have played Lady Di over the years.

West Side Story is up for an impressive seven nominations, including Best Picture. The movie, based on the musical by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, centers around a pair of star-crossed lovers and includes one of the most beloved songs in musical theater history, “Maria.” Of course, there have been countless other tunes that share the same title.

GEMMA Collins is having the time of her life as she soaks up the sun with other half Rami Hawesh and step-son Tristan. The 41-year-old TV personality - who found fame on The Only Way is Essex - has jetted off to Tenerife for a much-needed break.

Twitter is a cultural phenomenon. It’s attracted everyone from teens to megastars, making it a melting pot of quick thoughts, hilarious jokes, and extremely timely (yet informative) memes.

Piers Morgan has said he's put aside his feud with Harry Potter author JK Rowling to defend her amid the ongoing transgender row she's embroiled in.The TV personality, 56, branded the treatment of the author "an absolute disgrace" amid the backlash she is facing for airing her views on the on sex and gender publicly.Piers addressed the topic of the US transgender swimmer, Lia Thomas, who is set to become a "world-beating superstar" after having joined the women's team.He wrote that the swimmer previously competed unsuccessfully on the University of Pennsylvania men's team.Piers branded the move "grotesquely unfair" in a new column but added that anyone who criticises the move is immediately branded "transphobic".The star wrote that he "unequivocally" the rights of trans people to equality and fairness but added that Thomas had a "massive biological advantage" over her competitors.Piers went on to write that defenders of women's rights are frequently subjected to "the intolerant cancel culture mob", claiming that they try to "destroy careers and lives" for the cause.The former Life Stories host looked to the case of Rowling as an example who has received death threats over the matter on Twitter.Yesterday, the best-selling author hit back at Russian president Vladimir Putin, who compared the cancellation of the Harry Potter author to the sanctions placed upon Russia for invading Ukraine.In a speech, Putin said: "They cancelled Joanne Rowling recently, the children’s author, her books are published all over the world - just because she didn’t satisfy the demands of gender rights."They are now trying to cancel our country.

Duke of Cambridge has said the royal family supports "with pride and respect" any decisions taken by the Queen’s overseas realms over their future.GALLERY: Best photos from William and Kate's first full day in the Bahamas - sailing, school visit and meeting frontline workersAt a reception to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee, hosted by Bahamas Governor General Cornelius Alvin Smith, Prince William told guests: "Next year, I know you are all looking forward to celebrating fifty years of independence – your Golden Anniversary."WATCH: Prince William says royal family 'supports with pride and respect' any future decision"And with Jamaica celebrating 60 years of independence this year, and Belize celebrating 40 years of independence last year, I want to say this: We support with pride and respect your decisions about your future," he continued."Relationships evolve. Friendship endures."READ: The Queen scaling back duties as she looks set to miss more public eventsThe Duke spoke on the penultimate night of his visit with the Duchess of Cambridge to the three Caribbean nations, suggesting he has taken on board calls for each of the countries to break away from the British monarchy in future.He and Kate, who dazzled in a floor-length aquamarine gown by Philippa Lepley, were guests of honour at the event in the Baha Mar hotel.

As of Tuesday, March 22, Amazon is no longer a sponsor of the Seattle Pride parade. Seattle Pride rejected Amazon sponsorship citing the company’s donations to anti-LGBTQ causes and politicians as well as the company’s attempt to brand the parade. In exchange for a donation of $100,000, Amazon requested, among other things, naming rights for the festival. It wanted the parade to be called “Seattle Pride Parade Presented by Amazon.”Among the other requests: allowing Amazon Business executives to give speeches at the parade as well as prime billing for the corporate logo. “Pride isn’t for sale at any time of the year, but especially the month of June when our community comes together to celebrate,” said Krystal Marx, Seattle Pride’s executive director, to NBC News.We have decided to not partner w/ Amazon for the 2022 Seattle Pride Parade due to various anti-LGBTQIA+ decisions they have made, including the funding of politicians who oppose the Equality Act.

San Francisco's current three LGBTQ cultural districts could end up into three distinct new supervisorial districts under the map advanced Friday by the city's citizen redistricting panel. But talks will continue in the coming weeks before a final map is approved.Under the proposed map the San Francisco Redistricting Task Force voted 5-4 in favor for at its March 25 meeting, dubbed Map 3B, the Tenderloin and Western South of Market would no longer be together in District 6.

director Kirill Serebrennikov, currently banned from leaving his country, has been chosen to open one of Europe’s leading theatre festivals in Avignon.“We don’t know for now whether he will be present in Avignon. We strongly hope so, of course,” festival director Olivier Py told AFP.He said the programming of Serebrennikov’s new play “The Black Monk” at the Avignon Festival (July 7-26) was set two years ago, “long before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.”Serebrennikov, 52, was convicted in 2020 of embezzling funds at Moscow’s Gogol Centre theater, where he was artistic director.

EDITH Bowman has addressed rumours she and Cat Deeley were previously in a romantic relationship. The 48-year-old and Cat, 45, have been pals for decades after hosting a series of shows together in the 90s.

Distinctive Assets has been the company in charge of creating the carefully curated (and increasingly extravagant) gift bags for Academy Award nominees. And this year’s Oscar swag bags, with an estimated value at over six figures, may just be the most luxurious and outrageous yet.  This year nominees in the Best Actor and Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Actress (yes, they’re still gendering categories), and Best Director categories received the “Everyone Wins”-themed gift bags earlier this week.

With the appointment March 25 of Andi Mudryk to the Sacramento County Superior Court, California will now have two transgender judges serving on the state bench. Mudryk is the first trans person to be appointed to a judicial vacancy in the Golden State.Alameda County Superior Court Judge Victoria Kolakowski in 2010 became the country's first elected transgender trial court judge.

So most people know that NFT stands for nonfungible token. But what does it actually mean? Let’s start with the words themselves.

veto of a bill barring transgender girls from participating in female-designated sports.The House of Representatives voted 56-18 to override the veto, with the Senate voting 21-8 soon afterward. Four Republican lawmakers had needed to switch their initial votes to support the override.

Somebody Somewhere. And last week he emerged again as a costar in Amy Schumer’s new Hulu sitcom Life & Beth.When I caught up with Hill recently, I congratulated him on his success and asked him how life was treating him now. “Thank you so much, but I think I’m the longest overnight success story in Hollywood history,” he shot back.

Associated Press, sponsors of the bill were able to flip 10 GOP lawmakers in the House and five in the Senate who previously voted against the ban.On Tuesday, Cox became the second Republican governor this week to veto his state’s anti-trans sports bill, which targeted trans girls from participating in school sports.In his veto letter to lawmakers, he called attention to the mental health impact the law would have on trans youth.The Utah governor shared the letter on Twitter. “I know most won’t read past a headline but please read my veto letter—especially if you disagree with me.

The Utah State Legislature voted on Friday to override the governor’s veto and enacted a bill that would bar young transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports, making the state the 12th in the country to enact such legislation. The new law, which is known as H.B. 11, will most likely be challenged in court, legislators said.

Menu items from Toro Toro’s Viva Abejas concept (Courtesy photo)

Navigating what’s next. Shanna Moakler opened up about where her relationship with Matthew Rondeau stands following his domestic violence arrest.

Cat Deeley in the past.The radio presenter addressed stories surrounding her and close friend Cat who she recently started a podcast with.Speaking on Angela Scanlon’s Thanks a Million podcast Edith, 48, confessed that she was platonically "in love" with SM:TV host Cat, 45.The duo - who were household names in the 90s and 00s - presented the Hitlist UK together and travelled around the USA for show Roadtripping.She said: "Cat Deeley and I, who are still really good mates, we started MTV at the same time and we'd spent so much time just hanging out and going out."We came up with the idea [while] watching Thelma and Louise one night with a bottle of wine going, 'Wouldn't it be great to do a show like this?'"We were really good mates, and we are really good mates still.

The Advocate in an interview about the altercation. "But my shows are safe spaces, and I don't really make political jokes.

The Oklahoman.Proponents of the bill claim the measure is needed to ensure fairness for female athletes, who otherwise may face a competitive disadvantage — at least biologically — if forced to compete against transgender females. However, since the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association adopted a policy in 2015 regarding the eligibility of trans athletes, no school has requested enforcement of the policy. Sen.

Singer Brandy Norwood is being sued for $250K by her former housekeeper for age discrimination, it was reported on Friday.The ex-employee, who is over 60, accused the star of giving her the boot due to her age and claims she is still owned money by the 43-year-old, according to TMZ.This latest suit comes just a few months after Norwood was sued for allegedly keeping or losing a ring she was loaned for an awards show. In court:Singer Brandy Norwood is being sued for $250K by her former housekeeper for age discrimination, and claims she is still owned money by the 43-year-old, according to TMZIn legal documents, the housekeeper claims she was fired last month after two decades working for the Moesha star at her home in Calabasas for $125 per day.The woman alleges that she was unceremoniously let go because Norwood did not want an 'older' housekeeper, TMZ reported.

Pictured: Backers of anti-trans legislation Sen. Julie Daniels of Oklahoma and Sen. John Kavanagh of ArizonaArizona and Oklahoma had field days for anti-LGBTQ+ — and specifically anti-transgender — legislation Thursday, with lawmakers in both states approving multiple harmful bills.In Arizona, the House passed Senate Bill 1138, which bans gender-affirming surgery for minors.

ABOVE: The gyms are always empty.

“Politicians are less inclined to enact legislation that discriminates or targets the LGBTQ community when we are amongst them, when we are their colleagues, when we are their siblings, their children, their neighbours and their co-workers, being out and being authentic about who we are,” says Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith.

This week, Rep. Joe Harding proposed an amendment to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill that would force teachers to out their students by notifying parents within six weeks of learning about their child’s LGBTQ identity.After introducing the draconian amendment on Monday, Harding withdrew it on Tuesday, following heavy pushback from Democrats, LGBTQ advocates, and people with basic common decency who don’t want to see children potentially put in danger.In a video posted to Twitter earlier this month, Harding defended the homophobic bill he co-sponsored as a way to “empower parents” and keep kids from talking about sexual orientation.The president and his team decided to distort the truth and outright lie about my bill that empowers parents.

Related: Rep. Joe Harding wants kids to be outed to parents, but that’s not even the worst thing about himHB 1557’s many detractors say it will have a huge impact on LGBTQ kids, the kids of LGBTQ parents, and the education of all children.Nadine Smith, Executive Director of Equality Florida, blasted the legislation.“Every child has a right to speak honestly about their lives, a right to have access to a history that is honest and includes them, and a right to library books that reflect and include who they are.“What we are seeing is the systematic erasure, or elimination of those resources for young people and a gag order imposed on educators.”Cathryn M.

Florida’s House of Representatives passed the controversial ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill by a vote of 69-47 on 24 February.

Florida moves a step closer to making the controversial “don’t say gay” bill into law. The Florida House of Representatives on Thursday passed the legislation in a vote 69-47.If passed, the bill would ban classroom instruction on sexual orientation completely in kindergarten through third grade, and restrict educators from teaching about the subjects “in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.”Florida Rep.

Meet Joe Harding.He’s the Florida State Representative who proposed an amendment to the state’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill that would force teachers to out their students by notifying parents within six weeks of learning about their child’s LGBTQ identity.After introducing the draconian amendment on Monday, Harding withdrew it on Tuesday, following heavy pushback from Democrats, LGTBQ advocates, and people with basic common decency who don’t want to see children potentially put in danger.In a video posted to Twitter earlier this month, Harding defended the homophobic bill as a way to “empower parents” and keep kids from talking about sexual orientation.The president and his team decided to distort the truth and outright lie about my bill that empowers parents. Here is my response.

The Florida House held a contentious debate on the dangerously anti-LGBTQ “Don’t Say Gay” bill Tuesday afternoon, and despite numerous reports, one of the bill’s core tenets – outing LGBTQ+ children to parents – remains intact.

A Republican legislator withdrew a controversial ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill amendment that would have seen students forcibly outed by schools.

The Florida House is currently debating the dangerous “Don’t Say Gay” bill that could require schools to out LGBTQ children to their parents, and bans certain “instruction” on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill has been amended with a requirement for schools to out students once they learn of them being LGBTQ+.