Out in the World: LGBTQ news from Oceania, Australia, and Europe

Republican lawmaker wrote on social media that she was resigning because her family, particularly her parents, need more of her time."It is with a heavy heart that I announce my decision to resign from the Utah House of Representatives, effective January 10th, 2025. My family and professional commitments have increasingly required my attention away from home, a trend I anticipate will persist for the next year or two," Birkeland wrote in a resignation letter to House Speaker Mike Schultz that she shared on X on Thursday.My priorities are:My FaithMy FamilyMy constituentsRight now my family, particularly my parents, need more of my time.#utleg pic.twitter.com/0LJXCxhEgI"This choice was not made lightly; it has weighed heavily on my mind for some time, partly because I feel that my work here is far from complete.

Glamping can be a fun way to enjoy all that nature can offer you while still having access to the modern comforts we’ve come to expect. However, as you move into more isolated areas within Georgia, it may become more conservative. 

Hi Jake,I’m home for Christmas break, and something utterly horrifying has happened. I’m staying in my childhood bedroom, per usual, and the other night engaged in a little solo sesh. This isn’t anything new — having some sexy “me time” usually helps the edge off being home. Only this time, my STEPFATHER WALKED IN ON ME!!!Subscribe to our newsletter for a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.No one has ever caught me doing this before, and I feel beyond embarrassed. I thought had locked the door, but apparently it wasn’t latched all the way, so he just walked right in. In his defense, when I’m not home, which is most of the year, he uses the room as his home office, so I think he just forgot to knock. When he saw me, he immediately mumbled “OH! Sorry!” or something and left, but I just feel so mortified.How do I deal with this situation now? I feel like if I don’t say anything, they’ll be an awkward elephant in the room, but I also don’t want to make an even bigger deal of it. At this point, I just want to disappear!Caught With My Pants DownDear Caught With My Pants Down,Self-pleasure is a private act, and when that privacy is unexpectedly disrupted, it’s bound to bring up a lot of emotions.

The Last Of Us, Gladiator II) has been enjoying beach time over the holidays. Thankfully, for fans, some of those with him have been happy to share pics on social media.LNA Clothing co-founder Lauren Alexander​​ shared a video of Pascal, 49, to her Instagram stories. He’s reclining on a sun lounger, wearing maroon trunks, and reading a copy of Olga Tokarczuk’s 2009 mystery novel Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead.

National Defense Authorization Act into law, including a provision that strips away health care coverage from transgender minors who are children or dependents of military personnel.The $895 billion bill, which focuses on military funding, as well as salary, housing, and child care services for military personnel, was targeted by Republicans, who submitted amendments that attacked transgender health care.Under the Republican-introduced provision, TRICARE, the health insurance plan for military service members, is banned from covering any medical treatment for “gender dysphoria that could result in sterilization” for minor dependents of military members.While hormone therapy and gender confirmation surgeries would no longer be covered by TRICARE, it remains unclear whether puberty blockers would also be banned, though the intent of the provision is to limit coverage for any transition-related treatment for gender dysphoria.The House of Representatives voted 281-140 to pass the bill, with 81 Democrats voting for passage. Sixteen Republicans voted against the bill, but not because of the transgender health restrictions.Senate Democrats attacked the provision, but failed to get it removed from the bill, which ultimately passed by a vote of 85-14.Despite facing pressure from LGBTQ advocacy groups, Biden signed the bill into law, unwilling to give Republicans a line of attack against Democrats that might brand them as insufficiently supportive of the military.The bill, with the ban on transition-related care intact, is the first piece of anti-LGBTQ legislation to pass both chambers of Congress since the now-defunct “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was first introduced in 1993.