Russia Says It Has Detained Brittney Griner, US Basketball Icon

Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s exclusion of Trans people in the law that would protect them from conversion therapy has caused upset in the UK’s LGBTQ+ community. It was revealed yesterday, March 31, that the Prime Minister planned to drop the ban altogether, but following major backlash, he u-turned on the decision. The practice will now […]

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SAGE, the world’s oldest and largest LGBTQ+ elder advocacy and services organization, has a white CEO and historically has had predominantly white leadership. GRIOT Circle, the only staffed organization in the U.S.

It’s A Sin came out over a year ago. Few dramas have had quite the transformative impact as Russell T Davies’ drama celebrating and mourning those who lost their lives during the Aids pandemic, and quite so swiftly.

Boris Johnson has praised the ‘courage’ of the first British MP to come out as trans, hours after reportedly joking about gender identity to a room full of Tories.Tweeting in the early hours of Wednesday morning, Jamie Wallis, the Conservative MP for Bridgend, revealed he had been diagnosed with gender dysphoria and spoke about the recent trauma of being raped and blackmailed.Mr Johnson is said to have opened his speech at a dinner for Tory MPs earlier that night by saying: ‘Good evening ladies and gentleman, or as Keir Starmer would put it, people who are assigned female or male at birth.’After Wallis’s announcement, the prime minister tweeted: ‘Sharing this very intimate story would have taken an immense amount of courage. ‘Thank you for your bravery, which will undoubtedly support others.

Meet Dasha, a 4-year-old shepherd mix who is active and lovable. She was discovered in the woods in the middle of nowhere and brought to the SPCA of Texas to find a great forever home. She is super friendly and would love to be a second dog and have a playful buddy. Her quirky personality never fails to bring a smile to the face of the staff of the SPCA of Texas. She’ll also offer an extra giggle or two in exchange for a treat. Being as energetic as she is, it would be best to bring her into a home with older teens and/or adults. The ideal home would have a securely fenced backyard, but a low traffic apartment with access to some exercise areas would be a good environment, too. To meet Dasha, come visit her at our Jan Rees-Jones Animal Care Center in Dallas any day between noon and 6 p.m.

I recently received a phone call from a woman I’d never met. She was pretty upset about the “opinion” of our attorney general and our governor that affirming care for trans youth is child abuse. Some perspective: She believes in smaller government and

Emergency departments in London have launched opt-out HIV testing as part of the government’s plan to end new cases by 2030.

“It’s #beautiful and I’m #happy #10years this April about time I think.#magicmike.“#Thankyou @val_king_ for having us and making us so #welcome as always ! #greatlady”Friends and fans of the actress were delighted about the news and took to the post’s comments section to congratulate the happy couple.Nanny_birdylover wrote: “So wonderful to hear that you have found love and happiness.“You deserve it! Congratulations to you both.“A beautifully romantic moment I’m sure!”Simonsworld26 commented: “OMG! I am so thrilled for you and Mike.“Huge congratulations lovely.”The_crazy_world_of_fee said: “Best news of the day!!“Congratulations to you both.”In January, Michelle opened up on her age gap with Mike in an exclusive interview with the Sunday Express.She admitted she “can’t stand” the word “cougar”, as she pointed out how women are judged for age gap romances “far more” than men.The TV star said: "He's 38, for God's sake. He said, not so long ago, 'Surely I'm not still your toyboy, am I?' I laugh about it now but it does annoy me."And I hate that word cougar.

Emeli Sandé has come out, sharing that she is in love with a woman and is “happier than ever” because of the relationship.

Trinity the Tuck came out as trans non-binary and said she wants others to know “they aren’t alone” in a heartfelt statement to fans.

Harry Styles has officially launched his third era.

Emily Birnbaum 04/01/2022 04:31 AM EDT Link CopiedApple is quietly mobilizing its vast resources to lobby against anti-LGBTQ legislation proliferating across the country — an unusual push by one of the world’s most valuable companies into a consequential political debate.The company, whose CEO, Tim Cook, is the nation’s most visible gay executive, has deployed its lobbyiststo oppose legislation that limits protections for trans and gay people or their families in Iowa, Florida, Texas and at least six other states.Apple’s communications, government affairs and legal offices have also opposed some of the bills, working with policymakers and advocacy groups to plot out strategies and filing court briefs in cases involving LGBTQ rights. And the company is leading part of the broader corporate pushback against the bills — Apple executives have encouraged other large companies to publicly oppose the legislation, arguing that it promotes discrimination and threatens to harm LGBTQ youth.“It’s not just states where they have a headquarters,” said Jay Brown, the senior vice president of programs, research and training at the LGBTQ rights organization Human Rights Campaign.

I don’t know Latoya Raveneau, but I feel terrible for her. An executive producer at Disney, she was a speaker at a recent virtual all-hands company meeting about Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Inside Disney, there had been considerable anger that the company, one of the state’s largest employers, had donated to politicians behind the bill and hadn’t done more to fight it.

Coronation Street star Michelle Collins is engaged to her partner Mike Davidson after a sweet proposal in Los Angeles.The soap star, known for playing Stella Price in Corrie and Cindy Beale in EastEnders, announced the sweet news that Mike got down on one knee while across the pond in the USA to her 74,000 loyal Instagram followers.Posting a sweet snap of the pair together - with a glinting silver rock clear on Michelle's ring finger - Michelle cuddled close to Mike with her arms around his shoulders.Wearing a black baseball cap emblazoned with the words 'Be kind' and a pair of dark shades, Michelle was glowing as she gazed into the camera lens.She explained in the caption: "So this happened in #LA he got down on bended knee while we were on the top of Temescal Canyon basically no one else around just us."She added that the moment was "beautiful" and that she is "happy".Michelle concluded: "10 years this April, about time I think! #MagicMike."Thank you @val_king_ for having us and making us so welcome as always! #GreatLady."Michelle's legion of fans jumped into the comments section to congratulate her, with her former Corrie co-star Michelle Keegan writing: "Congratulations" with a row of red love heart emojis.Also chiming in were Strictly Come Dancing pro Johannes Radebe, talk show host Steph McGovern and Bucks Fizz star Cheryl Baker."Thrilled for you Michelle!" someone else gushed, while another fan echoed: "That is so wonderful and so happy for you!"A third follower said: "Best news of the day!! Congratulations to you both!"Michelle later soaked up the sun outside an LA cafe while showing off her incredible ring, before sharing a snap of her beaming while at the very canyon Mike had proposed at.The pair first got

Boris Johnson agreed that a Conservative government would ban conversion therapy - a practice which involves trying to change someone’s sexuality or identity, which mostly happens in certain religious settings. Since then the government has consulted on the ban, but campaigners, and some news organisations, have flagged up claims that a ban could unintentionally criminalise clinicians and therapists helping people - particularly teenagers - dealing with gender dsysphoria.Last night ITV’s Paul Brand revealed that the government had dropped plans for a ban.

EastEnders star Michelle Collins has announced she's engaged to her boyfriend Mike Davidson after he popped the question in Los Angeles.The 59 year old shared several snaps of herself and Mike, 38, alongside her massive diamond ring before sharing that he got down on one knee at Temescal Canyon. "So this happened in #la he got down on bended knee while we were on the top of #temescalcanyon basically no one else around just us," she wrote.

SOAP star Michelle Collins is engaged to her toyboy boyfriend after his romantic proposal in Los Angeles. The 59-year-old shared her happy news that Mike Davidson, 38, had popped the question on a hike up Temescal Canyon - ten years after meeting.

Ariana Grande voiced her support for trans rights on International Transgender Day of Visibility by pledging $1.5M to support organizations that help trans youth.The Into You singer, 28, made an Instagram post on Thursday announcing her Protect & Defend Trans Youth Fund, which she started with the fundraising platform Pledge.The hitmaker also slammed recent legislature targeting trans rights: 'Right now there are hundreds of disgraceful bills pending in state legislature that target trans youth and aim to curb their rights.' Advocate: Ariana Grande voiced her support for trans rights on International Transgender Day of Visibility by pledging $1.5M to support organizations that help trans youth; Pictured in 2018'Please join me in donating to this fund i’ve created with @pledge.to to support organizations providing direct services and advocating for the rights of trans youth!' 'This will provide critical funds to organizations advocating for the rights of trans youth. please share & swipe to find out more about where exactly our money is going !!!' she wrote.Ariana stated she will match up to 1.5M in donations.

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Amy Schneider is spending the day at the White House!

I thought I was an extrovert — until I met my wife. I enjoy people. I talk to strangers. I love speaking in front of large groups. But I also can get my energy easily zapped, and I would much prefer an amazing conversation with one person than small talk with lots of people. I am, it turns out, an extrov

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The 2021 Black Tie Dinner raised a record-breaking $1.45 million, and now organizers are getting ready to launch the 2022 Black Tie experience. The 2022 Black Tie Dinner Kick-Off event happens Wednesday, April 6, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at On The Levee, 1108 Quaker St., in the Design District. Organizers will announce Black Tie’s 2022 theme, beneficiaries and more, the first step in the process leading up to the 41st annual Black Tie Dinner on Sept. 24. Tickets to the kick-off are $50, available online at EventBrite.com.

Fox News appearance since it was announced she was joining the network as a contributor.Jenner's first appearance as a Fox News contributor, only hours after the network announced that she had been hired, came in the form of a short interview with host Sean Hannity on Thursday. As a transgender woman with conservative political views, Jenner has been a divisive figure in both the transgender community and among conservatives as Republicans increasingly focus on gender identity issues with a wave of state bills aimed a curtailing transgender rights."As you might know, I am trans," Jenner said to Hannity.

Trinity “The Tuck” Taylor has shared an update on her gender identity.

Brandy McClendon Kae, Randy Pearlman, Karen Parrish in ‘Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus.’ (Courtesy Kitchen Dog Theatre)

Ron DeSantis—one based on parental rights and the other on transparency in curriculum—a group of parents in Oregon took local action against what they say is a lack of honesty and clarity in their kids' classroom lessons.In the state's North Clackamas School District, the grassroots group Oregon Moms Union held a small press conference this week calling out a principal and counselor from the district's Oregon Trail Elementary School for teaching a lesson about gender identity and expression to fifth-graders without parents' permission.According to Kori Haynes, Oregon Moms Union's Clackamas School District captain, it was a few weeks ago that the school's principal Jackie Brody and counselor Gianna Bargetto presented her son's fifth-grade class with a worksheet for "The Genderbread Person."The fill-in-the-blank worksheet is "a teaching tool for breaking the big concept of gender down into bite-sized, digestible pieces," according to genderbread.org, with the website touting the resource as "great for lesson plans and one-on-one guided walkthroughs." The worksheet is one of several materials cited by Governor Ron DeSantis' office as having been used in Florida public schools to the chagrin of some parents. The worksheet has also been utilized in schools in Arizona, California and Louisiana, among other states."He and the other students were told to rate themselves on scales from masculine to feminine, from heterosexual, bisexual and homosexual, from woman to nonbinary man.

Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson.Good used the conspicuously gender-neutral term in reference to Representative Katie Porter of California, who was serving as House speaker pro tempore during a Thursday hearing on the Affordable Insulin Now Act, according to a C-SPAN video of the session. Republicans have repeatedly attacked Jackson for refusing Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee's demand that she define the word "woman" while commenting that she was "not a biologist" during her Senate confirmation hearings last week."Thank you, Person Speaker," Good told Porter on Thursday.

Dame Joan Collins is sharing her thoughts on #MeToo and the effect she feels it has had on young men.

Thursday’s 100th episode of Young Sheldon on CBS turned out to be less of a celebration of the show’s longevity, and more about how the Cooper kids are entering adulthood. Here, Co-Creator and Executive Producer Steven Molaro addresses the episode’s significant plot points, including Missy’s telling comment about Sheldon’s sexuality and whether Georgie is ready to be a dad.

“I Looked Up at the Sky and I, Imagined All of the Stars Were My Sisters” by inaugural Illuminations Grant recipient Keijaun Thomas in 2020. (Photo by Charles Rice via Queer-Art.org.)

(Images by Patrick Demarchelier for Rolling Stone & Vogue)

Department of Justice (DOJ) has warned states that laws and other restrictions that seek to discriminate against transgender people may be in violation of federal law.The DOJ cautioned that "intentionally erecting discriminatory barriers" against transgender Americans could be at odds with federal protections in a letter sent to all of the nation's state attorneys general on Thursday. The letter, signed by Kristen Clarke, assistant attorney general for the DOJ's Civil Rights Division, came amid a wave of actions aimed at banning transgender women and girls from participating in sports and transgender children from accessing medical treatment."The Department of Justice is committed to ensuring that all children are able to live free from discrimination, abuse and harassment," Clarke said in a statement.

Jeopardy! champion Amy Schneider in an appearance at the White House.Biden released a video in which he condemned the spate of anti-transgender legislation around the nation and promised further steps to protect the rights of trans people. “The onslaught of anti-transgender state laws attacking you and your families is simply wrong,” he said in the video. “This administration is standing up for you against all these hateful bills.

Trinity “The Tuck” Taylor is opening up about her gender identity.

Brittney Griner (Photo by Lorie Shaull)

ABOVE: I think I've captured the spirit of the day.

When Brittney Griner is on the basketball court, everyone knows. At 6-foot-9, she towers over most other players. She snatches rebounds over her opponents’ outstretched arms, and her teammates know the surest way to score: Deliver the ball to her.

At Babi Yar no memorials preside."Russian poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko wrote that line in a 1961 poem in a reference to to the ravine in the suburbs of Kyiv where, starting on Sept. 29, 1941, and continuing into the following day, over 33,000 Jews were murdered by Nazi forces and their Ukrainian collaborators.On March 1, 2022, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a Russian strike against a TV tower in Kyiv killed five people and damaged the nearby site.“What is the point of saying ‘never again’ for 80 years, if the world stays silent when a bomb drops on the same site of Babyn Yar?” Zelenskyy asked in an anguished tweet, using the Ukrainian variant of the name.But silence and Babi Yar have a long history together.

let go last year after it became known that he had advised then-New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on response to sexual harassment accusations against Cuomo. David had been the governor’s in-house counsel before joining HRC.

USA Today reports that, following  Russia's attack on Ukraine, Stoli has said it will engage exclusively with "Slovakian sources to further ensure 100% non-Russian alpha grade spirit."The brand will officially drop the Stolichnaya name in favor of Stoli.In a statement to the press, Stoli Group Global CEO Damian McKinney  the company's employees, partners and distributors are asking the brand to take a stand. "This is one actionable, meaningful thing we can do to make it clear that we support Ukraine," McKinney said in a statement.Since at least 2010 the brand has supported the queer community with ads and packaging that celebrated Pride, LGBTQ+ people, and icons like Harvey Milk.

Brittney Griner had been detained by Russian authorities some time in February. Griner, who is a seven-time WNBA All-Star and a two-time Olympic gold medalist, was in Russia in order to play for UMMC Yekaterinburg, a local league.According to Russian authorities, Griner was detained because she was found to be in the possession of hashish oil while at the Sheremetyevo airport near Moscow.

Openly gay WNBA star Brittney Griner has been detained in Russia near an airport in Moscow.  

Today, news broke that Brittney Griner, a decorated basketball player, was detained by Russian authorities. Russian Federal Customs Service announced that they had detained an American basketball player who had won two Olympic gold medals. That player was later identified as Griner by a Russian news agency and the WNBA and the Phoenix Mercury, who Griner plays for, have confirmed that Griner is being detained.Griner was reportedly detained at the Sheremetyevo airport near Moscow.

ABOVE: “Mom, I am on a magazine cover!”

Israel Hayom, “This is our war, the Ukrainians, but we have also been fighting as LGBTQ people, and I'm sure that the comrades in Kharkiv understood that.”He added: “We are confronting a tyrannical, homophobic enemy.”The account has not been independently verified. However, the LGBTQ+ community in the besieged country has been lining up to fight against Russia’s invading forces or to help with medical and food aid to those displaced or at the frontlines.One such volunteer, Veronika Limina, had been running a combat and paramedic skills training camp for LGBTQ+ volunteers leading up to the invasion last week.“I am angry,” she told The Daily Beast.