A transgender woman has opened Pakistan's first Islamic school for the LGBTQ+ community. In a country with close to 300,000 transgender people, Rani Madrasa offers a ray of hope as they are often subject to abuse and insult.

Your Story: Pakistan's first transgender Madrasa for LGBTQ community

<p>Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds and his wife, Aja Volkman, have donated his childhood home in Las Vegas to the nonprofit LGBTQ+ youth organization Encircle.</p>

<p>"This sounds so crazy to say out loud — and I haven't told anybody this but my wife," the singer told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. "I woke up one morning and I had this dream — I don't even recall exactly what happened in the dream — but it had my parents' house in it and it had Encircle involved. I had never put two and two together, and I woke up, I was like, 'Aja, I just had this dream.'"</p>

<p>He added, "I don't recall the details other than it made me think, 'What if we got my parents' home and turned it into the Encircle house we've always talked about creating here in Las Vegas?' She immediately was brought to tears, and so was I. We just knew, Oh, my gosh, this is what we have to do."</p>

<p>Dan told the newspaper that his parents moved into the home in 1987 when he was just a baby.</p>

<p>"That was the home they raised all their kids in," Dan said of his parents. "It was always a home of love and celebrating all of us for who we were. My parents always practiced that. They didn't care who you were. They didn't care where you were from. They just loved. There were a lot of kids who stayed at that house growing up who had a hard time at their home. It was like a home away from home for so many people in Las Vegas."</p>

<p>Encircle provides safe familial spaces with various programs and therapy sessions for LGBTQ+ youth and their families. The website said its mission is "to bring the family and community together to enable our LGBTQ+ youth to thrive." With the donation, the organization has now expanded outside of Utah for the first time (Encircle operates four homes in the Beehive State.)</p>

<p>Dan's relationship with Encircle began in 2018 when he put together his documentary "Believer," which chronicles his journey to LGBTQ+ advocacy as a member of the Mormon church. Dan, who is Mormon, also puts on the annual LoveLoud music festival in Utah.</p>

<p>"During the time we were filming 'Believer,' we were really looking at who — if anyone — was doing things within the religious community, particularly in Mormonism, to change these statistics that are devastating," he told the Vegas newspaper. "The suicide rate for LGBTQ youth, especially in Utah, was so high and it was just continuing to go up.</p>

<p>"Encircle got brought up to us over and over by anyone who was involved in this space saying, 'Look what they're doing over here,'" Dan continued. "The second I walked into that house and saw how much of a safe haven it was and how needed it was, especially in that community, immediately I felt like, 'Man, I wish there was one of these in every city in the whole world.'"</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds and his wife, Aja Volkman, have donated his childhood home in Las Vegas to the nonprofit LGBTQ+ youth organization Encircle.

Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds and his wife, Aja Volkman, have donated his childhood home in Las Vegas to the nonprofit LGBTQ+ youth organization Encircle. "This sounds so crazy to say out loud — and I haven't told anybody this but my wife," the singer told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. "I woke up one morning and I had this dream — I don't even recall exactly what happened in the dream — but it had my parents' house in it and it had Encircle involved. I had never put two and two together, and I woke up, I was like, 'Aja, I just had this dream.'" He added, "I don't recall the details other than it made me think, 'What if we got my parents' home and turned it into the Encircle house we've always talked about creating here in Las Vegas?' She immediately was brought to tears, and so was I. We just knew, Oh, my gosh, this is what we have to do." Dan told the newspaper that his parents moved into the home in 1987 when he was just a baby. "That was the home they raised all their kids in," Dan said of his parents. "It was always a home of love and celebrating all of us for who we were. My parents always practiced that. They didn't care who you were. They didn't care where you were from. They just loved. There were a lot of kids who stayed at that house growing up who had a hard time at their home. It was like a home away from home for so many people in Las Vegas." Encircle provides safe familial spaces with various programs and therapy sessions for LGBTQ+ youth and their families. The website said its mission is "to bring the family and community together to enable our LGBTQ+ youth to thrive." With the donation, the organization has now expanded outside of Utah for the first time (Encircle operates four homes in the Beehive State.) Dan's relationship with Encircle began in 2018 when he put together his documentary "Believer," which chronicles his journey to LGBTQ+ advocacy as a member of the Mormon church. Dan, who is Mormon, also puts on the annual LoveLoud music festival in Utah. "During the time we were filming 'Believer,' we were really looking at who — if anyone — was doing things within the religious community, particularly in Mormonism, to change these statistics that are devastating," he told the Vegas newspaper. "The suicide rate for LGBTQ youth, especially in Utah, was so high and it was just continuing to go up. "Encircle got brought up to us over and over by anyone who was involved in this space saying, 'Look what they're doing over here,'" Dan continued. "The second I walked into that house and saw how much of a safe haven it was and how needed it was, especially in that community, immediately I felt like, 'Man, I wish there was one of these in every city in the whole world.'"

Imagine Dragons frontman donates childhood home to LGBTQ+ organisation

As a part of a landmark judgement, Japan court ruled that not allowing same-sex couples to marry is “unconstitutional” because it breaches the right to equality.

Japan: Landmark judgement favours LGBTQ community

<p>Demi Lovato has started embracing her queerness more and more.<br />
<br />
The singer opened up about her dating life in her new cover story for Glamour and declared she's "too queer" to be involved with cisgender men.</p>

<p>"When I started getting older, I started realizing how queer I really am," Lovato told the magazine.</p>

<p>The "Still Have Me" singer, who previously came out to her parents as bisexual in 2017, called off her two-month engagement to Max Ehrich in September.</p>

<p>"This past year I was engaged to a man, and when it didn't work, I was like, 'This is a huge sign.' I thought I was going to spend my life with someone. Now that I wasn't going to, I felt this sense of relief that I could live my truth," she said.</p>

<p>More recently, on the style front, the pop star chopped her signature dark hair into a pixie cut and dyed it pink.</p>

<p>She said&nbsp;that it was a liberating decision, connected to the exploration of her sexuality.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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<p>"I hooked up with a girl and was like, 'I like this a lot more.' It felt better. It felt right," Lovato said. "Some of the guys I was hanging out with - when it would come time to be sexual or intimate, I would have this kind of visceral reaction. Like, 'I just don't want to put my mouth there.'"</p>

<p>"It wasn't even based on the person it was with," she continued. "I just found myself really appreciating the friendships of those people more than the romance, and I didn't want the romance from anybody of the opposite sex."</p>

<p>Lovato said she's casually dating and her "heart is pretty open," even though she said she ignored red flags during her whirlwind engagement last year.</p>

<p>"Because I denied my intuition of all the red flags that had popped up, I had no one else to blame but myself," she says. "So I was like, 'How am I ever going to trust again?' But really, I was like, you should have trusted yourself. If you had trusted yourself, you wouldn't have ended up in this position.'"</p>

<p>"I'm very much listening to my intuition, and that's not to say my boundaries or my guard is up," she added. "It's just saying my ears are perked a little higher and my eyes are open a little wider."</p>


Demi Lovato has started embracing her queerness more and more. The singer opened up about her dating life in her new cover story for Glamour and declared she's "too queer" to be involved with cisgender men.

Demi Lovato has started embracing her queerness more and more. The singer opened up about her dating life in her new cover story for Glamour and declared she's "too queer" to be involved with cisgender men. "When I started getting older, I started realizing how queer I really am," Lovato told the magazine. The "Still Have Me" singer, who previously came out to her parents as bisexual in 2017, called off her two-month engagement to Max Ehrich in September. "This past year I was engaged to a man, and when it didn't work, I was like, 'This is a huge sign.' I thought I was going to spend my life with someone. Now that I wasn't going to, I felt this sense of relief that I could live my truth," she said. More recently, on the style front, the pop star chopped her signature dark hair into a pixie cut and dyed it pink. She said that it was a liberating decision, connected to the exploration of her sexuality. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) × "I hooked up with a girl and was like, 'I like this a lot more.' It felt better. It felt right," Lovato said. "Some of the guys I was hanging out with - when it would come time to be sexual or intimate, I would have this kind of visceral reaction. Like, 'I just don't want to put my mouth there.'" "It wasn't even based on the person it was with," she continued. "I just found myself really appreciating the friendships of those people more than the romance, and I didn't want the romance from anybody of the opposite sex." Lovato said she's casually dating and her "heart is pretty open," even though she said she ignored red flags during her whirlwind engagement last year. "Because I denied my intuition of all the red flags that had popped up, I had no one else to blame but myself," she says. "So I was like, 'How am I ever going to trust again?' But really, I was like, you should have trusted yourself. If you had trusted yourself, you wouldn't have ended up in this position.'" "I'm very much listening to my intuition, and that's not to say my boundaries or my guard is up," she added. "It's just saying my ears are perked a little higher and my eyes are open a little wider."

Demi Lovato feels she's 'too queer' to be romantic with a cisgender man

The LGBTQ+ community is facing rising waves of hatred, with rising homophobic discourse this vibrant community is struggling to find its place in Turkey. In the face of growing government hostility, many have taken off in search of a more accepting space.

Targeted by President Erdogan LGBTQ+ groups face hate in Turkey

<p>Yangon's LGBTQ activists are stepping up to be part of a "revolution" against the military coup that rattled Myanmar on February 1.</p>

<p>The nation has seen daily demonstrations for the past two weeks, with hundreds of thousands of protesters calling for the release of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who was deposed in the coup.</p>

<p>Their vibrant presence adds to the wide cross-section of Myanmar society -- from railway workers wearing hardhats to teachers dressed in their green-and-white uniforms -- who marched through the country's largest city Yangon Friday to demand the army give up power.</p>

<p>Shin Thant, a well-known transgender activist, also joined the protests.</p>

<p>Hundreds of supporters marched carrying rainbow-coloured placards with prints of the three-finger salute -- a symbol of resistance borrowed from the Hunger Games film trilogy.</p>

<p>Shin Thant is a former beauty queen and won Miss Trans Grand International Myanmar in 2018, but has reportedly faced harassment from authorities in the past.</p>

<p>The community still faces widespread discrimination in Myanmar, a conservative, mostly Buddhist country, with same-sex relationships criminalised under the penal code and trans people often harassed by authorities.</p>

<p>Shin Thant urged protesters to try and stick to peaceful forms of civil disobedience.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em><strong>(with inputs)</strong></em></p>


Yangon's LGBTQ activists are stepping up to be part of a "revolution" against the military coup that rattled Myanmar on February 1. The nation has seen daily demonstrations for the past two weeks, with hundreds of thousands of protesters calling for the release of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who was deposed in the coup.

Yangon's LGBTQ activists are stepping up to be part of a "revolution" against the military coup that rattled Myanmar on February 1. The nation has seen daily demonstrations for the past two weeks, with hundreds of thousands of protesters calling for the release of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who was deposed in the coup. Their vibrant presence adds to the wide cross-section of Myanmar society -- from railway workers wearing hardhats to teachers dressed in their green-and-white uniforms -- who marched through the country's largest city Yangon Friday to demand the army give up power. Shin Thant, a well-known transgender activist, also joined the protests. Hundreds of supporters marched carrying rainbow-coloured placards with prints of the three-finger salute -- a symbol of resistance borrowed from the Hunger Games film trilogy. Shin Thant is a former beauty queen and won Miss Trans Grand International Myanmar in 2018, but has reportedly faced harassment from authorities in the past. The community still faces widespread discrimination in Myanmar, a conservative, mostly Buddhist country, with same-sex relationships criminalised under the penal code and trans people often harassed by authorities. Shin Thant urged protesters to try and stick to peaceful forms of civil disobedience. (with inputs)

Myanmar's LGBTQ activists join protests against military coup

<p>Canadian YouTuber and talk show host Lilly Singh will be starring in a new animated musical short film that is going to centre around the theme of LGBTQ pride.<br />
<br />
The film `Lilly Singh`s Proud Princess` will be part of digital kid`s content studio Pocket. watch`s expansive 2021 slate. According to Variety, in the film the host of NBC`s `A Little Late with Lilly Singh` will voice a young girl discovering pride in her true identity.<br />
<br />
The film is currently in the pre-production stage.Pocket.watch`s chief content officer Albie Hecht said, "She`s an amazing talent and represents an example of the diverse points of view we are bringing to our audience."<br />
<br />
He further added that the film "will speak to LGBTQ identity issues for kids. Lilly will be an eloquent and articulate spokesperson for that."Lilly, who rose to fame on YouTube, announced two years ago on social media that she is bisexual, female, and "coloured."<br />
<br />
"Throughout my life, these have proven to be obstacles from time to time. But now I`m fully embracing them as my superpowers," she wrote at the time, referencing her original `Superwoman` online handle.<br />
<br />
As per Variety, Pocketwatch has not set a premiere date or distribution for `Lilly Singh`s Proud Princess`. Hecht said that the company will release additional details, including who will be writing the music for the film, later in the year.&nbsp;</p>


Canadian YouTuber and talk show host Lilly Singh will be starring in a new animated musical short film that is going to centre around the theme of LGBTQ pride. The film `Lilly Singh`s Proud Princess` will be part of digital kid`s content studio Pocket.

Canadian YouTuber and talk show host Lilly Singh will be starring in a new animated musical short film that is going to centre around the theme of LGBTQ pride. The film `Lilly Singh`s Proud Princess` will be part of digital kid`s content studio Pocket. watch`s expansive 2021 slate. According to Variety, in the film the host of NBC`s `A Little Late with Lilly Singh` will voice a young girl discovering pride in her true identity. The film is currently in the pre-production stage.Pocket.watch`s chief content officer Albie Hecht said, "She`s an amazing talent and represents an example of the diverse points of view we are bringing to our audience." He further added that the film "will speak to LGBTQ identity issues for kids. Lilly will be an eloquent and articulate spokesperson for that."Lilly, who rose to fame on YouTube, announced two years ago on social media that she is bisexual, female, and "coloured." "Throughout my life, these have proven to be obstacles from time to time. But now I`m fully embracing them as my superpowers," she wrote at the time, referencing her original `Superwoman` online handle. As per Variety, Pocketwatch has not set a premiere date or distribution for `Lilly Singh`s Proud Princess`. Hecht said that the company will release additional details, including who will be writing the music for the film, later in the year.

Lilly Singh to star in animated LGBTQ film

<p>Country singer T.J. Osborne has come out as a homosexual. The member of the Brothers Osborne band is now a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and&nbsp;the only openly gay artist signed to a major country label.<br />
<br />
The country music star opened up about his sexuality in an interview with TIME.&nbsp;Osborne also revealed that he has the unconditional support of his brother John, with whom he formed the country duo." I`m very comfortable being gay," the 36-year-old singer told the outlet, explaining that he worried about coming out in an industry that is seen as&nbsp;conservative.<br />
<br />
"I find myself being guarded for not wanting to talk about something that I personally don`t have a problem with. That feels so strange."People will ask, 'Why does this even need to be talked about?'&nbsp;and personally, I agree with that. But for me to show up at an awards show with a man would be jaw-dropping to people. It wouldn`t be like, Oh, cool," the artist further said. For the country music star, coming out is something he wants to put "behind me" since it`s "a very small detail" about him."There are times when I think I`ve marginalized this part of me so that I feel better about it," he said.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Osborne added, "And I realize that it is a big part of who I am: The way I think, the way I act, the way I perform. God, think of all the times that we talk about love, and write about love. It`s the biggest thing we ever get to feel. And I`ve kept the veil on it.<br />
<br />
"At this point, my happiness is more valuable than anything else I'd ever be able to achieve," he said. The singer's sibling John Osborne makes up the other half of the Brothers Osborne band. Together they`ve released four albums, won four CMA Awards, and have been nominated for seven Grammys. After the article was published, the singer posted a video on Instagram addressing his coming out. Osborne explained that he told his brother John that he was gay around the time the two moved to Nashville after signing a publishing and record deal.<br />
<br />
"He was very open and candid about it, and I was emotional because my brother was finally able to be completely honest with me about who he was," John said in the interview. He added, "If I had to have all my money and success erased for my brother to be truly fulfilled in life, I wouldn`t even think about it. Not for a second."John later shared a video on Instagram, saying it`s "an honor to call him my brother" after this important moment in his life. Brothers Osborne band has been known to push the envelope. When the band released the music video for their 2016 hit single, `Stay a Little Longer`, fans were shocked to see gay and interracial couples. T.J. revealed to Time that the response was largely positive, but noted that "there were people who were like, `F---t lovers."&nbsp;</p>


Country singer T.J. Osborne has come out as a homosexual. The member of the Brothers Osborne band is now a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and the only openly gay artist signed to a major country label.

Country singer T.J. Osborne has come out as a homosexual. The member of the Brothers Osborne band is now a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and the only openly gay artist signed to a major country label. The country music star opened up about his sexuality in an interview with TIME. Osborne also revealed that he has the unconditional support of his brother John, with whom he formed the country duo." I`m very comfortable being gay," the 36-year-old singer told the outlet, explaining that he worried about coming out in an industry that is seen as conservative. "I find myself being guarded for not wanting to talk about something that I personally don`t have a problem with. That feels so strange."People will ask, 'Why does this even need to be talked about?' and personally, I agree with that. But for me to show up at an awards show with a man would be jaw-dropping to people. It wouldn`t be like, Oh, cool," the artist further said. For the country music star, coming out is something he wants to put "behind me" since it`s "a very small detail" about him."There are times when I think I`ve marginalized this part of me so that I feel better about it," he said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by @tjosborne × Osborne added, "And I realize that it is a big part of who I am: The way I think, the way I act, the way I perform. God, think of all the times that we talk about love, and write about love. It`s the biggest thing we ever get to feel. And I`ve kept the veil on it. "At this point, my happiness is more valuable than anything else I'd ever be able to achieve," he said. The singer's sibling John Osborne makes up the other half of the Brothers Osborne band. Together they`ve released four albums, won four CMA Awards, and have been nominated for seven Grammys. After the article was published, the singer posted a video on Instagram addressing his coming out. Osborne explained that he told his brother John that he was gay around the time the two moved to Nashville after signing a publishing and record deal. "He was very open and candid about it, and I was emotional because my brother was finally able to be completely honest with me about who he was," John said in the interview. He added, "If I had to have all my money and success erased for my brother to be truly fulfilled in life, I wouldn`t even think about it. Not for a second."John later shared a video on Instagram, saying it`s "an honor to call him my brother" after this important moment in his life. Brothers Osborne band has been known to push the envelope. When the band released the music video for their 2016 hit single, `Stay a Little Longer`, fans were shocked to see gay and interracial couples. T.J. revealed to Time that the response was largely positive, but noted that "there were people who were like, `F---t lovers."

TJ Osborne  reveals that he identifies as a homosexual

<p>There he was on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, the Boss himself, the opening act on the night of the virtual inaugural ball. His song was “Land of Hope and Dreams.” “Leave behind your sorrows,” he sang. “Let this day be the last. Tomorrow there’ll be sunshine and all this darkness past.”</p>

<p>I got all weepy listening to Bruce Springsteen perform, especially with the Great Emancipator looking over his shoulder. Still, if you’re part of an L.G.B.T.Q. family in this country, it was hard not to wonder if a more on-the-nose song for him to sing that night might have been his “One Step Up and Two Steps Back.”</p>

<p>The “one step up” was self-evident. Before the sun had set on his first day, President Biden had signed an executive order extending federal nondiscrimination protections for L.G.B.T.Q. people.</p>

<p>“Children should be able to learn without worrying about whether they will be denied access to the restroom, the locker room, or school sports,” the order stated. “Adults should be able to earn a living and pursue a vocation knowing that they will not be fired, demoted or mistreated because of whom they go home to or because how they dress does not conform to sex-based stereotypes.”</p>

<p>More good news followed five days later, when the ban on trans troops was lifted. “What I’m doing is enabling all qualified Americans to serve in uniform,” the president said. It hardly seems crazy, radical stuff.</p>

<p>And yet some see extending rights to all Americans as radical indeed. How else to explain that “two steps back” has been on full display, too, this January. As if in response to the prospect of things getting better for queer Americans at the federal level, Republicans in statehouses from Montana to New Hampshire have introduced a slew of anti-L.G.B.T.Q. bills.</p>

<p>With the coronavirus raging, the economy shattered and white supremacy on the rise, Republican legislators have pushed to the top of their agenda young queer people trying to live their lives safely, and in peace.</p>

<p>Transgender youth — surely the most vulnerable of the already vulnerable L.G.B.T.Q. community — are the target. On the day after the election, Ryan T. Anderson, a fellow at the Heritage Foundation, lamented to The Washington Post, “On the same day he called for healing and unity, President Joe Biden signed a radical divisive transgender executive order that threatens the privacy and safety of women in single-sex facilities, equality and fairness in single-sex sports, and good medicine based on the reality that males and females are biologically different.”</p>

<p>This would be the now-familiar conservative canard that granting equal rights to queer people somehow endangers the womenfolk. Is now a good moment to point out, once again, that more Republican congressmen have been busted for inappropriate behavior in public restrooms than trans women?</p>

<p>Bills restricting trans students from participating in athletics have now been introduced in Florida, Kentucky, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Tennessee. Other bills that would penalize or criminalize medical professionals who provide services to young trans and nonbinary people have been proposed in Alabama, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Texas and Utah.</p>

<p>You’d think that legislation affecting the lives of so many young people would be based on hard research and science. But then science has ceased to be a primary concern of social conservatives.</p>

<p>Science shows us that sex is not binary — that it is, like so much of creation, wild and holy in its remarkable variation. We know that trans youth who get access to needed care before the age of 15 face significantly lower risks for attempted suicide, depression, anxiety and eating disorders.</p>

<p>Are conservative parents truly so distressed by the prospect of young people coming out as trans or nonbinary that they would deny them treatment? Is having a nonbinary child so terrible, in their eyes, that it would be better to condemn them to years of depression rather than embrace them? Is having a trans daughter actually worse, in their eyes, than having a dead son?</p>

<p>The movement to deny trans students the opportunity to participate in school sports is likewise spurious. If the argument is that birth sex provides an automatic advantage in sports, this is clearly not borne out by the facts. Trans athletes have been allowed in Olympic competition since 2003, but no trans athlete has made it to the Olympics. Transgender athletes have been able to compete on college teams consistent with their gender identity for the past nine years, without any particular disruption to women’s collegiate sports.</p>

<p>In fact, trans women aren’t dominating the events in which we compete; it’s only with the rare gold medal that hackles rise. (The track cyclist Jen Wagner-Assali accused a trans competitor, Rachel McKinnon, of cheating when she won a 2018 world championship in which Wagner-Assali placed third. She failed to mention she had beaten McKinnon in seven of 12 previous races.)</p>

<p>It’s enough to make you wonder whether the Alliance Defending Freedom, one of the organizations driving these bills, is really out to defend, you know, freedom.</p>

<p>Given that the alliance has been designated a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, it seems to me that what it really wants to defend is not freedom, but its opposite: bigotry against people whose fundamental experience of being human is not identical to their own. What about my freedom? Who will defend me, and the people I love?</p>

<p>I believe that no one in this country is a bigger Bruce Springsteen fan than my wife, Deirdre. The Saturday after the inauguration, I found her drinking coffee in the living room, listening to “Land of Hopes and Dreams” on the radio. Tomorrow there’ll be sunshine, and all this darkness past.</p>

<p>In the wake of the president signing the executive orders, #BidenErasesWomen had trended on Twitter, the hashtag signaling the fear of conservatives and so-called trans-exclusionary radical feminists (“terfs”) that making room for someone like me has to come at the expense of cis women like Deirdre.</p>

<p>But Deirdre wasn’t erased at all. She was as visible as can be. She looked at me and smiled.</p>

<p>What she seemed, above all, was happy that the person she loves is once again considered an American with the same rights as everyone else: a woman free at last to pursue her dreams in peace.</p>


There he was on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, the Boss himself, the opening act on the night of the virtual inaugural ball. His song was “Land of Hope and Dreams.

There he was on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, the Boss himself, the opening act on the night of the virtual inaugural ball. His song was “Land of Hope and Dreams.” “Leave behind your sorrows,” he sang. “Let this day be the last. Tomorrow there’ll be sunshine and all this darkness past.” I got all weepy listening to Bruce Springsteen perform, especially with the Great Emancipator looking over his shoulder. Still, if you’re part of an L.G.B.T.Q. family in this country, it was hard not to wonder if a more on-the-nose song for him to sing that night might have been his “One Step Up and Two Steps Back.” The “one step up” was self-evident. Before the sun had set on his first day, President Biden had signed an executive order extending federal nondiscrimination protections for L.G.B.T.Q. people. “Children should be able to learn without worrying about whether they will be denied access to the restroom, the locker room, or school sports,” the order stated. “Adults should be able to earn a living and pursue a vocation knowing that they will not be fired, demoted or mistreated because of whom they go home to or because how they dress does not conform to sex-based stereotypes.” More good news followed five days later, when the ban on trans troops was lifted. “What I’m doing is enabling all qualified Americans to serve in uniform,” the president said. It hardly seems crazy, radical stuff. And yet some see extending rights to all Americans as radical indeed. How else to explain that “two steps back” has been on full display, too, this January. As if in response to the prospect of things getting better for queer Americans at the federal level, Republicans in statehouses from Montana to New Hampshire have introduced a slew of anti-L.G.B.T.Q. bills. With the coronavirus raging, the economy shattered and white supremacy on the rise, Republican legislators have pushed to the top of their agenda young queer people trying to live their lives safely, and in peace. Transgender youth — surely the most vulnerable of the already vulnerable L.G.B.T.Q. community — are the target. On the day after the election, Ryan T. Anderson, a fellow at the Heritage Foundation, lamented to The Washington Post, “On the same day he called for healing and unity, President Joe Biden signed a radical divisive transgender executive order that threatens the privacy and safety of women in single-sex facilities, equality and fairness in single-sex sports, and good medicine based on the reality that males and females are biologically different.” This would be the now-familiar conservative canard that granting equal rights to queer people somehow endangers the womenfolk. Is now a good moment to point out, once again, that more Republican congressmen have been busted for inappropriate behavior in public restrooms than trans women? Bills restricting trans students from participating in athletics have now been introduced in Florida, Kentucky, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Tennessee. Other bills that would penalize or criminalize medical professionals who provide services to young trans and nonbinary people have been proposed in Alabama, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Texas and Utah. You’d think that legislation affecting the lives of so many young people would be based on hard research and science. But then science has ceased to be a primary concern of social conservatives. Science shows us that sex is not binary — that it is, like so much of creation, wild and holy in its remarkable variation. We know that trans youth who get access to needed care before the age of 15 face significantly lower risks for attempted suicide, depression, anxiety and eating disorders. Are conservative parents truly so distressed by the prospect of young people coming out as trans or nonbinary that they would deny them treatment? Is having a nonbinary child so terrible, in their eyes, that it would be better to condemn them to years of depression rather than embrace them? Is having a trans daughter actually worse, in their eyes, than having a dead son? The movement to deny trans students the opportunity to participate in school sports is likewise spurious. If the argument is that birth sex provides an automatic advantage in sports, this is clearly not borne out by the facts. Trans athletes have been allowed in Olympic competition since 2003, but no trans athlete has made it to the Olympics. Transgender athletes have been able to compete on college teams consistent with their gender identity for the past nine years, without any particular disruption to women’s collegiate sports. In fact, trans women aren’t dominating the events in which we compete; it’s only with the rare gold medal that hackles rise. (The track cyclist Jen Wagner-Assali accused a trans competitor, Rachel McKinnon, of cheating when she won a 2018 world championship in which Wagner-Assali placed third. She failed to mention she had beaten McKinnon in seven of 12 previous races.) It’s enough to make you wonder whether the Alliance Defending Freedom, one of the organizations driving these bills, is really out to defend, you know, freedom. Given that the alliance has been designated a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, it seems to me that what it really wants to defend is not freedom, but its opposite: bigotry against people whose fundamental experience of being human is not identical to their own. What about my freedom? Who will defend me, and the people I love? I believe that no one in this country is a bigger Bruce Springsteen fan than my wife, Deirdre. The Saturday after the inauguration, I found her drinking coffee in the living room, listening to “Land of Hopes and Dreams” on the radio. Tomorrow there’ll be sunshine, and all this darkness past. In the wake of the president signing the executive orders, #BidenErasesWomen had trended on Twitter, the hashtag signaling the fear of conservatives and so-called trans-exclusionary radical feminists (“terfs”) that making room for someone like me has to come at the expense of cis women like Deirdre. But Deirdre wasn’t erased at all. She was as visible as can be. She looked at me and smiled. What she seemed, above all, was happy that the person she loves is once again considered an American with the same rights as everyone else: a woman free at last to pursue her dreams in peace.

One step up and two steps back

<p>Anderson Cooper recently talked&nbsp;about when he realised he was gay and when he 'really, truly accepted' his identity. Answering viewer questions,&nbsp;Cooper, 53, said that he first knew "something was up" around the age of 7.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I mean, I was probably, I don't know, 7, when I kind of realized — I'm not sure I knew the word 'gay' at the time, but I realized something was up. Something was different," he said.</p>

<p>Cooper added that while he had told people in high school, it wasn't until after college that he "came around to really loving the fact that I was gay."</p>

<p>"I think I really, truly accepted it — and not just accepted it, but fully embraced it and you know, came around to really loving the fact that I was gay — would probably be right after college," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"You know, I kind of struggled in my teenage years, certainly, but even a little in college," the father of one continued, explaining that "a lot of the things I wanted to do at the time, you couldn't be gay."</p>

<p>Cooper said he was interested in joining the military, but couldn't, and felt limited in places he could travel for "safety reasons." "It felt like there were a lot of limitations on it, and it wasn't what I envisioned for my life," he said. "Or, I imagined a family and getting married. All those things which weren't possible at the time."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"So it took me a while to kind of fully embrace it," Cooper continued. "But then at a certain point, I think about a year out of college, I thought, I don't want to waste any more time worrying about this and sort of wishing I was some other way."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Especially when you grow up, kind of feeling like you're on the outside of things, and you're kind of an observer of things or not necessarily in the mainstream, you see society from a slightly different view. And I think that can be very valuable, and can impact how you treat other people, and how you see things. So yeah, it's enabled me to love the people that I've loved and have the life that I've had, so I'm very blessed."</p>

<p>Cooper came out publicly in 2012, saying in a statement at the time that he "couldn't be any more happy, comfortable with myself, and proud." In 2016, he became&nbsp;the first out gay man to moderate a presidential debate.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Cooper welcomed his first child, son Wyatt Morgan, in April of last year, and said last month that being a dad is "truly the greatest thing ever."</p>

<p>Cooper co-parents Wyatt with his former partner Benjamin Maisani.</p>


Anderson Cooper recently talked about when he realised he was gay and when he 'really, truly accepted' his identity. Answering viewer questions, Cooper, 53, said that he first knew "something was up" around the age of 7.

Anderson Cooper recently talked about when he realised he was gay and when he 'really, truly accepted' his identity. Answering viewer questions, Cooper, 53, said that he first knew "something was up" around the age of 7. "I mean, I was probably, I don't know, 7, when I kind of realized — I'm not sure I knew the word 'gay' at the time, but I realized something was up. Something was different," he said. Cooper added that while he had told people in high school, it wasn't until after college that he "came around to really loving the fact that I was gay." "I think I really, truly accepted it — and not just accepted it, but fully embraced it and you know, came around to really loving the fact that I was gay — would probably be right after college," he said. "You know, I kind of struggled in my teenage years, certainly, but even a little in college," the father of one continued, explaining that "a lot of the things I wanted to do at the time, you couldn't be gay." Cooper said he was interested in joining the military, but couldn't, and felt limited in places he could travel for "safety reasons." "It felt like there were a lot of limitations on it, and it wasn't what I envisioned for my life," he said. "Or, I imagined a family and getting married. All those things which weren't possible at the time." "So it took me a while to kind of fully embrace it," Cooper continued. "But then at a certain point, I think about a year out of college, I thought, I don't want to waste any more time worrying about this and sort of wishing I was some other way." "Especially when you grow up, kind of feeling like you're on the outside of things, and you're kind of an observer of things or not necessarily in the mainstream, you see society from a slightly different view. And I think that can be very valuable, and can impact how you treat other people, and how you see things. So yeah, it's enabled me to love the people that I've loved and have the life that I've had, so I'm very blessed." Cooper came out publicly in 2012, saying in a statement at the time that he "couldn't be any more happy, comfortable with myself, and proud." In 2016, he became the first out gay man to moderate a presidential debate. Cooper welcomed his first child, son Wyatt Morgan, in April of last year, and said last month that being a dad is "truly the greatest thing ever." Cooper co-parents Wyatt with his former partner Benjamin Maisani.

Anderson Cooper opens up about the time when he 'really, truly accepted' being gay

<p>Silicon Valley billionaire Elon&nbsp;Musk has invoked the fury of the Transgender community after wading into a culture war by branding&nbsp;gender pronouns as an ''esthetic nightmare''.</p>

<p>"I totally uphold trans, however, every one of these pronouns are a tasteful bad dream," Musk tweeted in light of an article named 'Genuine Friends Interrupt You When You Are Making A Mistake', which censured his affinity for restless images.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="und"><a href="https://t.co/qbNT1dUsED">pic.twitter.com/qbNT1dUsED</a></p>
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1338365886542049282?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Showing individual pronouns on Twitter profiles is frequently observed as a type of temperance motioning by those in online traditionalist networks, and as a way to show fortitude with trans and non-twofold individuals among liberal circles.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Individuals from the LGBTQ people group said something with an assortment of takes, both steady and reproachful of Musk.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Trans guy here and you owe me money for making me read this tweet with my own two eyes. Also, how 'bout donating some of your literal millions to trans orgs/policies/people? Since so many of us have been homeless, abused, or suicidal. :)</p>
— your local catboy! (@whiten0iz) <a href="https://twitter.com/whiten0iz/status/1339356616227864580?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">As a member of LGBTQ I actually agree. I dont think that we need extra pronouns for people to make them different. If you don't have a gender, then you simply cant be human because thats what defines you. That being said, I wish the best for anyone that wants to be themselves. ❤</p>
— Jack 🛰️ (@Xellitron) <a href="https://twitter.com/Xellitron/status/1339330046096519168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>In the midst of the show, others began looking at Musk's own record and started ridiculing his decision to name his youngster X Ӕ A-12, after "a wifi secret key."</p>

<p>The tycoon's own stylish qualifications were likewise raised doubt about, with the Tesla Cybertruck held up as confirmation that he shouldn't be viewed as an expert in the field.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">guy who named his kid X Æ A-12 cannot fathom using 3 different pronouns <a href="https://t.co/jhyaYq6Q9O">https://t.co/jhyaYq6Q9O</a></p>
— manny (@mannyfidel) <a href="https://twitter.com/mannyfidel/status/1339335820122222592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The nerve to use 'aesthetic nightmare' when this shit exists lmao <a href="https://t.co/1UxbyOZQTz">pic.twitter.com/1UxbyOZQTz</a></p>
— PokyGem (@PokyGem023) <a href="https://twitter.com/PokyGem023/status/1339324402761134081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Others actually called for quiet, and for individuals on all sides to put down their computerized pitchforks.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">IMO, the only people offended by Elon's meme were:<br />
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1. Professional victims<br />
2. Professional virtue signalers<br />
3. Well-meaning people who mis-judge the intentions of other well-meaning people<br />
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Let's move on.</p>
— stevenmarkryan (@stevenmarkryan) <a href="https://twitter.com/stevenmarkryan/status/1339255162985213956?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Musk beforehand tweeted"pronouns suck," to the vexation of many – including his better half and mother of his youngster X Ӕ A-12, Canadian songstress Grimes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He clearly gained from the aftermath of his last pronoun fight, as he quickly had a reaction for the reaction to his most recent image, flaunting his organization's correspondence accreditations by posting Tesla's 100/100 score on the Human Rights Campaign's LGBTQ corporate balance file.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Oh and umm … <a href="https://t.co/jtg944ERCy">https://t.co/jtg944ERCy</a></p>
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1339255372956176384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Normally, this excessively was condemned, by in all honesty the previous Human Rights Council press secretary, extremist, and essayist Charlotte Clymer, who reproved Musk and advised him that focuses can be deducted for practices like hostile tweets from organization CEOs.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Not sure what made you wake up today and think "you know what, I'll shit on people's pronouns", but that's kinda the opposite of LGBTQ inclusivity. Thank goodness you apparently have HR personnel in place who know what they're doing. You should ask them to brief you.</p>
— Charlotte Clymer 🏳️‍🌈 (@cmclymer) <a href="https://twitter.com/cmclymer/status/1339333240121946117?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Silicon Valley billionaire Elon Musk has invoked the fury of the Transgender community after wading into a culture war by branding gender pronouns as an ''esthetic nightmare''.

Silicon Valley billionaire Elon Musk has invoked the fury of the Transgender community after wading into a culture war by branding gender pronouns as an ''esthetic nightmare''. "I totally uphold trans, however, every one of these pronouns are a tasteful bad dream," Musk tweeted in light of an article named 'Genuine Friends Interrupt You When You Are Making A Mistake', which censured his affinity for restless images. pic.twitter.com/qbNT1dUsED — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 14, 2020 × Showing individual pronouns on Twitter profiles is frequently observed as a type of temperance motioning by those in online traditionalist networks, and as a way to show fortitude with trans and non-twofold individuals among liberal circles. Individuals from the LGBTQ people group said something with an assortment of takes, both steady and reproachful of Musk. Trans guy here and you owe me money for making me read this tweet with my own two eyes. Also, how 'bout donating some of your literal millions to trans orgs/policies/people? Since so many of us have been homeless, abused, or suicidal. :) — your local catboy! (@whiten0iz) December 16, 2020 × As a member of LGBTQ I actually agree. I dont think that we need extra pronouns for people to make them different. If you don't have a gender, then you simply cant be human because thats what defines you. That being said, I wish the best for anyone that wants to be themselves. ❤ — Jack 🛰️ (@Xellitron) December 16, 2020 × In the midst of the show, others began looking at Musk's own record and started ridiculing his decision to name his youngster X Ӕ A-12, after "a wifi secret key." The tycoon's own stylish qualifications were likewise raised doubt about, with the Tesla Cybertruck held up as confirmation that he shouldn't be viewed as an expert in the field. guy who named his kid X Æ A-12 cannot fathom using 3 different pronouns https://t.co/jhyaYq6Q9O — manny (@mannyfidel) December 16, 2020 × The nerve to use 'aesthetic nightmare' when this shit exists lmao pic.twitter.com/1UxbyOZQTz — PokyGem (@PokyGem023) December 16, 2020 × Others actually called for quiet, and for individuals on all sides to put down their computerized pitchforks. IMO, the only people offended by Elon's meme were: 1. Professional victims 2. Professional virtue signalers 3. Well-meaning people who mis-judge the intentions of other well-meaning people Let's move on. — stevenmarkryan (@stevenmarkryan) December 16, 2020 × Musk beforehand tweeted"pronouns suck," to the vexation of many – including his better half and mother of his youngster X Ӕ A-12, Canadian songstress Grimes. He clearly gained from the aftermath of his last pronoun fight, as he quickly had a reaction for the reaction to his most recent image, flaunting his organization's correspondence accreditations by posting Tesla's 100/100 score on the Human Rights Campaign's LGBTQ corporate balance file. Oh and umm … https://t.co/jtg944ERCy — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 16, 2020 × Normally, this excessively was condemned, by in all honesty the previous Human Rights Council press secretary, extremist, and essayist Charlotte Clymer, who reproved Musk and advised him that focuses can be deducted for practices like hostile tweets from organization CEOs. Not sure what made you wake up today and think "you know what, I'll shit on people's pronouns", but that's kinda the opposite of LGBTQ inclusivity. Thank goodness you apparently have HR personnel in place who know what they're doing. You should ask them to brief you. — Charlotte Clymer 🏳️‍🌈 (@cmclymer) December 16, 2020 ×

Elon Musk triggers Twitter spat after branding gender pronouns an ‘esthetic nightmare’

<p>China has launched the initiative of capturing the country's&nbsp;demographic changes for the first time in over a decade. The LGBTQ community has used this opportunity to come out of the shadows and officially register themselves as a 'couple', instead of just 'roommates'.</p>

<p>More than seven million workers have started conducting a door-to-door search to measure the changes in the population of nearly 1.4 billion.&nbsp;</p>

<p>When the survey started, the LGBTQ community activists urged the community to come forward and mark their residency relationship as 'couple' rather than 'roommates'. The Guangzhou-based LGBTQ+ Rights Advocacy China has started a campaign to spread awareness about this by using the tag line, "they are not my roommate, they are my partner".</p>

<p>"Usually the LGBTQ+ community in China is invisible in terms of policy making and social life. We hope that through this the government will consider the needs of the LGBTQ+ community as a part of the Chinese population when it makes policies in the future," said Peng Yanhui, director of the group leading the effort. "Through the census, this community can be made visible."</p>

<p>This movement began when a couple marked 'other' under the head of 'relationship to the head of the household', and then wrote 'couple' in the given empty space. "It took a lot of courage and I hope others can also speak out proudly rather than hide," said Ah Qiang, an LGBTQ activist.</p>

<p><strong>Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/german-army-to-compensate-lgbtq-community-for-years-of-discrimination-345757">German army to compensate LGBTQ community for years of discrimination</a></strong></p>

<p>The LGBTQ community is hoping this will give them a chance to openly admit their relationship, instead of having to hide behind the shadows due to the fear of facing discrimination. China's LGBTQ community often faces hardship, especially in finding a house to rent, if they openly admit being gay — an issue which has been raised by activists in the past too.</p>

<p>However, things seem to be changing for the community now, as more and more people are opening up to the idea of same-sex marriage and relationships and, excluding a certain population, many locals have now started 'accepting' the LGBTQ community.</p>

<p><strong>Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/moment-of-pride-two-same-sex-couples-to-get-married-in-taiwanese-military-mass-wedding-338716">Moment of pride: Two same-sex couples to get married in Taiwanese military mass wedding</a></strong></p>

<p>This campaign has come as a sigh of relief for the people who have wanted to gain recognition but were unable to. The tagline of 'not just a roommate' and 'they are not my roommate, they are my partner' have helped these couples acknowledge their relationship openly. The movement has also gained traction on social media with many commenting about how they would be doing the same in this year's census survey.</p>


China has launched the initiative of capturing the country's demographic changes for the first time in over a decade. The LGBTQ community has used this opportunity to come out of the shadows and officially register themselves as a 'couple', instead of just 'roommates'.

China has launched the initiative of capturing the country's demographic changes for the first time in over a decade. The LGBTQ community has used this opportunity to come out of the shadows and officially register themselves as a 'couple', instead of just 'roommates'. More than seven million workers have started conducting a door-to-door search to measure the changes in the population of nearly 1.4 billion. When the survey started, the LGBTQ community activists urged the community to come forward and mark their residency relationship as 'couple' rather than 'roommates'. The Guangzhou-based LGBTQ+ Rights Advocacy China has started a campaign to spread awareness about this by using the tag line, "they are not my roommate, they are my partner". "Usually the LGBTQ+ community in China is invisible in terms of policy making and social life. We hope that through this the government will consider the needs of the LGBTQ+ community as a part of the Chinese population when it makes policies in the future," said Peng Yanhui, director of the group leading the effort. "Through the census, this community can be made visible." This movement began when a couple marked 'other' under the head of 'relationship to the head of the household', and then wrote 'couple' in the given empty space. "It took a lot of courage and I hope others can also speak out proudly rather than hide," said Ah Qiang, an LGBTQ activist. Also read| German army to compensate LGBTQ community for years of discrimination The LGBTQ community is hoping this will give them a chance to openly admit their relationship, instead of having to hide behind the shadows due to the fear of facing discrimination. China's LGBTQ community often faces hardship, especially in finding a house to rent, if they openly admit being gay — an issue which has been raised by activists in the past too. However, things seem to be changing for the community now, as more and more people are opening up to the idea of same-sex marriage and relationships and, excluding a certain population, many locals have now started 'accepting' the LGBTQ community. Also read| Moment of pride: Two same-sex couples to get married in Taiwanese military mass wedding This campaign has come as a sigh of relief for the people who have wanted to gain recognition but were unable to. The tagline of 'not just a roommate' and 'they are not my roommate, they are my partner' have helped these couples acknowledge their relationship openly. The movement has also gained traction on social media with many commenting about how they would be doing the same in this year's census survey.

Not just roommates: China's LGBTQ couples come out of shadows in national census

<p>The ongoing&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/us-election">US elections</a></strong>&nbsp;2020 are all bout creating history, it seems. From a record-breaking number of voters in early-voting to Americans choosing the oldest President out of the two leaders —&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;</strong>and<strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>.</strong>&nbsp;In the series of records, one more first has been marked as a gay bar transformed into a polling booth for the first time ever in the American political history.</p>

<p>A gay bar in Houston, Texas&nbsp;called "Buddy's" has claimed to be the first LGBTQ community-led space to transform into a polling station. "We're fortunate to have this opportunity to create history in the process by being the first LGBTQ+ bar in history to be a presidential polling location,"&nbsp;owner Christopher Barry told CNN International.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-result-live-update-donald-trump-joe-biden-votes-tally-president-predictions-begins-vote-count-how-to-follow-the-2020-us-election-results-from-india-Trump-wins-Kentucky-joe-Biden-Vermont-340293" hreflang="en">LIVE: Trump predicts 'big WIN', Biden believes he is 'on track' to win</a></strong></p>

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<p>BUDDY'S as the Worlds 1st Presidential polling location from a LGBTQ+ bar. Houston's 1st bar polling location in a bar. Any Harris County registered voters can #vote (7AM-7PM) at BUDDY'S. 14 voting booths.</p>
Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/buddyshouston/">BUDDY'S Houston</a> on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/buddyshouston/photos/a.2957317207613171/3799873516690865/?type=3">Tuesday, November 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>The establishment is open for all&nbsp;registered voters of the Harris County. it is also one of the very few stations which has volunteers who speak an array of languages such as&nbsp;English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese and Indonesian. The polling station has 14 voting booths and the establishment is taking care of the necessary health precautions related to the novel coronavirus.</p>

<p><strong>Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-result-2020-they-are-trying-to-steal-the-elections-alleges-trump-340404" hreflang="en">They are trying to steal the elections, alleges Trump</a></strong></p>

<p>"Buddy's is proud to provide a safe space for all of our community to be heard. We hope to serve as a beacon of inclusivity and humanity where everyBuddy's welcome," Barry said.</p>

<p>The location became quite popular among the locals who praised and applauded the establishment for the "energy and excitement" of the bar, with many people calling the county and the gay bar as the "coolest". Harris County Clerk, too, decided to join in the fun and took to Twitter to praise the efforts of the owners of the bar. "We're not a regular county, we're a *cool* county," the tweet read.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We're not a regular county, we're a *cool* county. <a href="https://t.co/rB6wsuC3q9">https://t.co/rB6wsuC3q9</a></p>
— Harris County Clerk (@HarrisVotes) <a href="https://twitter.com/HarrisVotes/status/1323638809666424833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Buddy's believes this was the best and most productive way to help the society on the election day and the response to this initiative has been "overwhelmingly supportive" and the whole experience has been "fantastic". They also hope the establishment can be used for this purpose in all future elections too.</p>


The ongoing US elections 2020 are all bout creating history, it seems. From a record-breaking number of voters in early-voting to Americans choosing the oldest President out of the two leaders — Donald Trump and Joe Biden.

The ongoing US elections 2020 are all bout creating history, it seems. From a record-breaking number of voters in early-voting to Americans choosing the oldest President out of the two leaders — Donald Trump and Joe Biden. In the series of records, one more first has been marked as a gay bar transformed into a polling booth for the first time ever in the American political history. A gay bar in Houston, Texas called "Buddy's" has claimed to be the first LGBTQ community-led space to transform into a polling station. "We're fortunate to have this opportunity to create history in the process by being the first LGBTQ+ bar in history to be a presidential polling location," owner Christopher Barry told CNN International. LIVE: Trump predicts 'big WIN', Biden believes he is 'on track' to win BUDDY'S as the Worlds 1st Presidential polling location from a LGBTQ+ bar. Houston's 1st bar polling location in a bar. Any Harris County registered voters can #vote (7AM-7PM) at BUDDY'S. 14 voting booths. Posted by BUDDY'S Houston on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 × The establishment is open for all registered voters of the Harris County. it is also one of the very few stations which has volunteers who speak an array of languages such as English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese and Indonesian. The polling station has 14 voting booths and the establishment is taking care of the necessary health precautions related to the novel coronavirus. Also read| They are trying to steal the elections, alleges Trump "Buddy's is proud to provide a safe space for all of our community to be heard. We hope to serve as a beacon of inclusivity and humanity where everyBuddy's welcome," Barry said. The location became quite popular among the locals who praised and applauded the establishment for the "energy and excitement" of the bar, with many people calling the county and the gay bar as the "coolest". Harris County Clerk, too, decided to join in the fun and took to Twitter to praise the efforts of the owners of the bar. "We're not a regular county, we're a *cool* county," the tweet read. We're not a regular county, we're a *cool* county. https://t.co/rB6wsuC3q9 — Harris County Clerk (@HarrisVotes) November 3, 2020 × Buddy's believes this was the best and most productive way to help the society on the election day and the response to this initiative has been "overwhelmingly supportive" and the whole experience has been "fantastic". They also hope the establishment can be used for this purpose in all future elections too.

Houston gay bar becomes first to transform into polling booth for US election 2020

<p>In a first, two same-sex couple will be getting married in&nbsp;Taiwanese army’s annual mass wedding ceremony that will be held this week. This is the first time such a ceremony will allow same-sex couples to legalise their marriage.</p>

<p>The decision has come 18 months after the Taiwanese government legalised and gave equal rights to same-sex couples.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The ceremony will have various soldiers getting married to their civilian/army partners. The two couples are&nbsp;Chen Ying-xuan and Lee Ying-ying, and Wang Yi and Meng Youmei.</p>

<p>“Our country … has become the first in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage and the ministry gives its blessings to same-sex servicemen who are getting married,” the Taiwanese military said.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/australia-vs-india-full-schedule-dates-venues-and-all-you-need-to-know-338518" hreflang="en">Australia vs India: Full schedule, dates, venues and all you need to know</a></strong></p>

<p>Taiwan has emerged as one of the most forward-thinking Asian countries in the past few years with its&nbsp;self-governing democracy. The military posted several pictures of different couples and asked people to vote for their favourite couple.&nbsp;The photo of Wang and Meng has been liked more than 31,000 times on Facebook alone. The pictures of the same-sex couples gained lots of positive comments with people saying, "Love makes Taiwan stronger". Last year, three couples were scheduled to get married, but they later withdrew their names due to reasons unknown.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This is not the first time a same-sex couple will be registering their marriage in Taiwan. Thousands of couples have legalised their marriage after the law was passed 18 months ago.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wrong-dictionary-juventus-cheeky-response-to-barcelona-triggers-battle-of-goats-338783" hreflang="en">'Wrong dictionary'- Juventus cheeky response to Barcelona triggers battle of GOATs</a></strong></p>

<p>While all local couples and residents enjoy the freedom and all rights related to same-sex equality. But people from the LGBTQ community who want to marry someone from any other country can only register their marriage if it is permitted in the partner's home country. Activists have called attention on this technicality. The community has also now urged the government to simplify adoption and&nbsp;assisted reproduction rights for same-sex couples in the country.</p>


In a first, two same-sex couple will be getting married in Taiwanese army’s annual mass wedding ceremony that will be held this week. This is the first time such a ceremony will allow same-sex couples to legalise their marriage.

In a first, two same-sex couple will be getting married in Taiwanese army’s annual mass wedding ceremony that will be held this week. This is the first time such a ceremony will allow same-sex couples to legalise their marriage. The decision has come 18 months after the Taiwanese government legalised and gave equal rights to same-sex couples. The ceremony will have various soldiers getting married to their civilian/army partners. The two couples are Chen Ying-xuan and Lee Ying-ying, and Wang Yi and Meng Youmei. “Our country … has become the first in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage and the ministry gives its blessings to same-sex servicemen who are getting married,” the Taiwanese military said. ALSO READ: Australia vs India: Full schedule, dates, venues and all you need to know Taiwan has emerged as one of the most forward-thinking Asian countries in the past few years with its self-governing democracy. The military posted several pictures of different couples and asked people to vote for their favourite couple. The photo of Wang and Meng has been liked more than 31,000 times on Facebook alone. The pictures of the same-sex couples gained lots of positive comments with people saying, "Love makes Taiwan stronger". Last year, three couples were scheduled to get married, but they later withdrew their names due to reasons unknown. This is not the first time a same-sex couple will be registering their marriage in Taiwan. Thousands of couples have legalised their marriage after the law was passed 18 months ago. ALSO READ: 'Wrong dictionary'- Juventus cheeky response to Barcelona triggers battle of GOATs While all local couples and residents enjoy the freedom and all rights related to same-sex equality. But people from the LGBTQ community who want to marry someone from any other country can only register their marriage if it is permitted in the partner's home country. Activists have called attention on this technicality. The community has also now urged the government to simplify adoption and assisted reproduction rights for same-sex couples in the country.

Moment of pride: Two same-sex couples to get married in Taiwanese military mass wedding

<p>Hundreds of locals took to streets in Italy to demonstrate fo a bill that would make anti-LGBT violence a hate crime leading to harsher&nbsp;penalties in comparison to the existing punishments under the current law.</p>

<p>The demonstrators came out to request the government to roll out the long-overdue measures to provide basic human rights and safety from the attacks that the LGBT community faces in the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“We have been through centuries of discrimination,” said Marlon Landolfo, 21, who recounted a vicious homophobic attack on him and another man in northern Italy last month told The New York Times. “Now it’s 2020 and we are still discussing a law that protects us for what we are.”</p>

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<p>This bill, in talks, will now recognise anti-LGBT and anti-women hate crimes and hate speech and will include these as offences under the existing law that marks these as a part of the punishment similar to&nbsp;discrimination, violence or incitement to violence based on someone’s race or religion. As per the new rule, the accused would face a jail time of four years, if found guilty.</p>

<p>The current law does not treat the accused under these strict measures and there is no&nbsp;specific designation for such offences against the LGBT community which fuels the attacks against conducted against this community leading to an increased number of&nbsp;homophobic and&nbsp;transphobic attacks.</p>

<p>Demonstrators came out despite a surge in coronavirus cases as many claimed that they feel less threatened by the pandemic and more by the continuous discrimination and attacks directed at them and their friends.</p>

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<p>Italy has been one of the countries where people have not openly accepted the LGBTQ community, as opposed to the openness in other Western countries such as the UK, France and Spain. The European country legalised same-sex relationships in 2016, but same-sex marriage is still a crime in Italy.</p>

<p>The bill has a majority in the parliament as of now, and a decision is pending on the same. Whether or not the bill will be passed, will be revealed soon.</p>


Hundreds of locals took to streets in Italy to demonstrate fo a bill that would make anti-LGBT violence a hate crime leading to harsher penalties in comparison to the existing punishments under the current law.

Hundreds of locals took to streets in Italy to demonstrate fo a bill that would make anti-LGBT violence a hate crime leading to harsher penalties in comparison to the existing punishments under the current law. The demonstrators came out to request the government to roll out the long-overdue measures to provide basic human rights and safety from the attacks that the LGBT community faces in the country. “We have been through centuries of discrimination,” said Marlon Landolfo, 21, who recounted a vicious homophobic attack on him and another man in northern Italy last month told The New York Times. “Now it’s 2020 and we are still discussing a law that protects us for what we are.” × This bill, in talks, will now recognise anti-LGBT and anti-women hate crimes and hate speech and will include these as offences under the existing law that marks these as a part of the punishment similar to discrimination, violence or incitement to violence based on someone’s race or religion. As per the new rule, the accused would face a jail time of four years, if found guilty. The current law does not treat the accused under these strict measures and there is no specific designation for such offences against the LGBT community which fuels the attacks against conducted against this community leading to an increased number of homophobic and transphobic attacks. Demonstrators came out despite a surge in coronavirus cases as many claimed that they feel less threatened by the pandemic and more by the continuous discrimination and attacks directed at them and their friends. × Italy has been one of the countries where people have not openly accepted the LGBTQ community, as opposed to the openness in other Western countries such as the UK, France and Spain. The European country legalised same-sex relationships in 2016, but same-sex marriage is still a crime in Italy. The bill has a majority in the parliament as of now, and a decision is pending on the same. Whether or not the bill will be passed, will be revealed soon.

Italy comes out to support LGBTQ community before bill decision

<p>Hungary's nationalist government on Thursday sparked outrage after calling a children's fairytale book as a&nbsp;"homosexual propaganda".</p>

<p>The book called&nbsp;"Wonderland Is For Everyone'' has been&nbsp;published by a lesbian group called&nbsp;Labrisz Lesbian Association.</p>

<p>Earlier, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban had said Sunday that homosexuals should "leave our children alone"&nbsp;when asked about a children's book containing gay characters that was publicly shredded by a far-right politician.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hungarys-new-legislation-could-stir-trouble-for-its-lgbtqia-population-294952">Hungary's new legislation could stir trouble for its LGBTQIA+ population</a></strong></p>

<p>"Hungary&nbsp;has laws pertaining to homosexuality, the basis of which is an exceptionally tolerant and patient approach," Orban said during a regular interview on public radio.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"But there is a red line that you cannot cross," Orban said, referring to the book as a "provocative act".&nbsp;</p>

<p>"To sum up my opinion on this: leave our children alone,"&nbsp;he said.</p>

<p>The remarks were prompted by a row over a children's story book published by an LGBT association entitled "Storyworld is for everyone" that included gay characters.</p>

<p>A politician from the far-right fringe Our Homeland party tore the book apart and shredded it at a press conference and called it homosexual propaganda.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Sexual identity is a private matter but there is a threshold ... namely that homosexual propaganda should not be directed at children," Gergely Gulyas said, adding this amounted to endangering minors.</p>

<p>Dorottya Redai, a project leader with the publisher responded: "We reject the unfounded accusations that we would be causing harm to children." The politician's remarks amounted to "hate propaganda" she added.</p>

<p>In power since 2010, Orban has promised to "build a new era" with major cultural changes in Hungary. His government has so far refrained from strong attacks on the LGBT+ community, unlike Poland, where homophobia has been part of the ruling PiS party's ideology and election strategy.</p>

<p>However parliament, with the ruling party's majority, voted in May to ban transgender people from changing their gender on identity documents.</p>

<p>Bulcsu Hunyadi, an analyst at think tank Political Capital said the government seized on the book to prevent the far-right dominating the agenda, but was unlikely to step up its anti-LGBT stance to the extent seen in Poland ahead of the 2022 parliamentary elections.</p>

<p>"Hungarian society is a lot more secular and more accepting towards LGBT people (than Polish society)," he said. "This today ... could be followed with some policy moves but I don't think Fidesz will build a big campaign around the issue."</p>

<p>The first 1,500 copies of the book, which contains 17 stories with characters from various social backgrounds, sold out quickly.</p>

<p>The Hungarian Publishers' and Booksellers Association said several bookshops had been threatened and become the target of hate mongering. "Leave the bookshops alone," it said, rejecting condemnation of the book.</p>


Hungary's nationalist government on Thursday sparked outrage after calling a children's fairytale book as a "homosexual propaganda". The book called "Wonderland Is For Everyone'' has been published by a lesbian group called Labrisz Lesbian Association.

Hungary's nationalist government on Thursday sparked outrage after calling a children's fairytale book as a "homosexual propaganda". The book called "Wonderland Is For Everyone'' has been published by a lesbian group called Labrisz Lesbian Association. Earlier, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban had said Sunday that homosexuals should "leave our children alone" when asked about a children's book containing gay characters that was publicly shredded by a far-right politician. Also read: Hungary's new legislation could stir trouble for its LGBTQIA+ population "Hungary has laws pertaining to homosexuality, the basis of which is an exceptionally tolerant and patient approach," Orban said during a regular interview on public radio. "But there is a red line that you cannot cross," Orban said, referring to the book as a "provocative act". "To sum up my opinion on this: leave our children alone," he said. The remarks were prompted by a row over a children's story book published by an LGBT association entitled "Storyworld is for everyone" that included gay characters. A politician from the far-right fringe Our Homeland party tore the book apart and shredded it at a press conference and called it homosexual propaganda. "Sexual identity is a private matter but there is a threshold ... namely that homosexual propaganda should not be directed at children," Gergely Gulyas said, adding this amounted to endangering minors. Dorottya Redai, a project leader with the publisher responded: "We reject the unfounded accusations that we would be causing harm to children." The politician's remarks amounted to "hate propaganda" she added. In power since 2010, Orban has promised to "build a new era" with major cultural changes in Hungary. His government has so far refrained from strong attacks on the LGBT+ community, unlike Poland, where homophobia has been part of the ruling PiS party's ideology and election strategy. However parliament, with the ruling party's majority, voted in May to ban transgender people from changing their gender on identity documents. Bulcsu Hunyadi, an analyst at think tank Political Capital said the government seized on the book to prevent the far-right dominating the agenda, but was unlikely to step up its anti-LGBT stance to the extent seen in Poland ahead of the 2022 parliamentary elections. "Hungarian society is a lot more secular and more accepting towards LGBT people (than Polish society)," he said. "This today ... could be followed with some policy moves but I don't think Fidesz will build a big campaign around the issue." The first 1,500 copies of the book, which contains 17 stories with characters from various social backgrounds, sold out quickly. The Hungarian Publishers' and Booksellers Association said several bookshops had been threatened and become the target of hate mongering. "Leave the bookshops alone," it said, rejecting condemnation of the book.

Hungarian government sparks outrage after calling new children's book 'homosexual propaganda'

Germany: Cycling rally replaces parade on Christopher Street Day in Hamburg

Dance of democracy: Thai LGBT activists rally for equal rights

<p>Hollywood increased the numbers of gay and bisexual characters in movies in 2019, but most of them had only fleeting screen time and there were no transgender characters at all, according to a survey released on Thursday.<br />
<br />
The Studio Responsibility Index from LGBTQ media advocacy group GLAAD showed that of the 118 films released by the major Hollywood studios in 2019, twenty-two (18.6%) had LGBTQ characters, including films such as "Bombshell," Rocketman," "Judy" and "Booksmart."<br />
<br />
It marked a slight increase on 2018 (18.2%) and the highest percentage of gender-inclusive films in the eight-year history of the annual GLAAD survey.<br />
<br />
GLAAD found zero transgender characters for the third straight year, despite increasing visibility of the trans community on television in shows like "Pose," "Supergirl" and "The L Word."<br />
<br />
The group also expressed disappointment at the low profile given to LGBTQ characters in major films last year. Only nine of the 22 inclusive films GLAAD counted had an LGBTQ character with more than 10 minutes of screen time, while more than half of such characters got less than three minutes on screen.</p>

<p>"Despite seeing a record-high percentage of LGBTQ films this year, the industry still has a long way to go in terms of fairly and accurately representing the LGBTQ industry," GLAAD Chief Executive Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement.</p>


Hollywood increased the numbers of gay and bisexual characters in movies in 2019, but most of them had only fleeting screen time and there were no transgender characters at all, according to a survey released on Thursday.

Hollywood increased the numbers of gay and bisexual characters in movies in 2019, but most of them had only fleeting screen time and there were no transgender characters at all, according to a survey released on Thursday. The Studio Responsibility Index from LGBTQ media advocacy group GLAAD showed that of the 118 films released by the major Hollywood studios in 2019, twenty-two (18.6%) had LGBTQ characters, including films such as "Bombshell," Rocketman," "Judy" and "Booksmart." It marked a slight increase on 2018 (18.2%) and the highest percentage of gender-inclusive films in the eight-year history of the annual GLAAD survey. GLAAD found zero transgender characters for the third straight year, despite increasing visibility of the trans community on television in shows like "Pose," "Supergirl" and "The L Word." The group also expressed disappointment at the low profile given to LGBTQ characters in major films last year. Only nine of the 22 inclusive films GLAAD counted had an LGBTQ character with more than 10 minutes of screen time, while more than half of such characters got less than three minutes on screen. "Despite seeing a record-high percentage of LGBTQ films this year, the industry still has a long way to go in terms of fairly and accurately representing the LGBTQ industry," GLAAD Chief Executive Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement.

No trans characters in major Hollywood movies for third year, report finds

<p>Poland's President Andrzej Duda, who is running for re-election in the conservative, Catholic EU member, on Saturday said he wanted the constitution to explicitly forbid the adoption of children by same-sex couples.</p>

<p>He said he planned to propose a constitutional amendment on Monday.</p>

<p>The announcement marked the head of state's latest reference to gay rights in the electoral campaign, after he stoked controversy by likening "LGBT ideology" to communism before the first round of the vote last month.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"In Poland's constitution, it should be explicitly stated that anyone in a same-sex relationship is forbidden from adopting a child," Duda said at a campaign event in the southern town of Szczawno-Zdroj.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"To ensure the safety of the child and a proper upbringing, for the Polish state to safeguard the rights of children... I believe such an entry should exist," he added.</p>

<p>Duda, who is from the governing nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party, said he would sign a presidential draft amendment to the constitution on the matter on Monday and submit it to parliament.</p>

<p>The incumbent and his rival in the run-off next weekend, centrist Warsaw mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, are currently polling neck to neck, with opinion surveys divided as to who has the edge.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Saturday, Trzaskowski told reporters that he is also "against same-sex couples adopting children".</p>

<p>"I believe that is the stance of most of the political parties.... On this particular matter I agree with the president," he added in the central city of Kalisz.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Trzaskowski is generally seen as favourable to gay rights. He has said he is open to the idea of civil partnerships between same-sex couples, which are currently banned in Poland.</p>

<p>He also signed an "LGBT+ Declaration" promising to protect gay people when he was elected mayor of Warsaw.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Just nine percent of Poles believe that gay and lesbian couples should have the right to adopt children, according to a 2019 opinion poll by the CBOS institute. Twenty-nine percent support gay marriage.</p>

<p>Gay rights were also a key issue ahead of Poland's parliamentary elections in October.</p>


Poland's President Andrzej Duda, who is running for re-election in the conservative, Catholic EU member, on Saturday said he wanted the constitution to explicitly forbid the adoption of children by same-sex couples.

Poland's President Andrzej Duda, who is running for re-election in the conservative, Catholic EU member, on Saturday said he wanted the constitution to explicitly forbid the adoption of children by same-sex couples. He said he planned to propose a constitutional amendment on Monday. The announcement marked the head of state's latest reference to gay rights in the electoral campaign, after he stoked controversy by likening "LGBT ideology" to communism before the first round of the vote last month. "In Poland's constitution, it should be explicitly stated that anyone in a same-sex relationship is forbidden from adopting a child," Duda said at a campaign event in the southern town of Szczawno-Zdroj. "To ensure the safety of the child and a proper upbringing, for the Polish state to safeguard the rights of children... I believe such an entry should exist," he added. Duda, who is from the governing nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party, said he would sign a presidential draft amendment to the constitution on the matter on Monday and submit it to parliament. The incumbent and his rival in the run-off next weekend, centrist Warsaw mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, are currently polling neck to neck, with opinion surveys divided as to who has the edge. On Saturday, Trzaskowski told reporters that he is also "against same-sex couples adopting children". "I believe that is the stance of most of the political parties.... On this particular matter I agree with the president," he added in the central city of Kalisz. Trzaskowski is generally seen as favourable to gay rights. He has said he is open to the idea of civil partnerships between same-sex couples, which are currently banned in Poland. He also signed an "LGBT+ Declaration" promising to protect gay people when he was elected mayor of Warsaw. Just nine percent of Poles believe that gay and lesbian couples should have the right to adopt children, according to a 2019 opinion poll by the CBOS institute. Twenty-nine percent support gay marriage. Gay rights were also a key issue ahead of Poland's parliamentary elections in October.

Polish president speaks out against same-sex couple adoptions

<p>Fifty years on from the first Gay Pride march, the LGBT community and their supporters have taken many of their events online, responding to the threat of the coronavirus pandemic.</p>

<p>The pandemic has forced organisers to move parades, marches and forums online across the world in June for Pride Month, an annual celebration of the LGBTQ community and a renewed call for equal rights.</p>

<p>The first Gay Pride march was held in 1970 in&nbsp;New York, to mark the first anniversary of the city's Stonewall riots, a landmark event in the gay rights struggle.</p>

<p><strong>TAIWAN</strong></p>

<p>Taiwan hosted one of the few pride marches around the world on Sunday as the island's LGTBQ community and their supporters took to the streets.</p>

<p>Taiwan usually holds its main pride march in October but many in the island's LGTBQ community felt it was important to hit the streets in June when so many others around the world could not.</p>

<p>Hundreds of people marched inside Taipei's Liberty Square after summer afternoon rainfall delayed the celebration for an hour as music blasted and many participants wore rainbow coloured face masks.</p>

<p>Many of those attending held placards with the names of major global cities that have been unable to celebrate Pride Month this June because of the coronavirus.</p>

<p><strong>NEW YORK</strong></p>

<p>On Sunday in New York City, the Reclaim Pride Coalition, a group of queer and trans activists, will hold its second annual Queer Liberation March which this year will focus on a protest against racial injustice and demands for police reform.</p>

<p>In the United States, former president Barack Obama released a video message paying tribute to the gay New Yorkers who rioted at the Stonewall Inn in 1969, effectively launching the modern gay rights movement.</p>

<p>"Because of the movement they sparked and the decades of work that followed, marriage equality became the law of the land five years ago and just this month the Supreme Court ruled that employers can no longer discriminate against LGBTQ workers," he said.</p>

<p>Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden issued his own message on video, in which he referred to a recent Supreme Court ruling reaffirming LGBT workers.</p>

<p>"Pride is particularly poignant this year," he said.</p>

<p><img alt="Gay Pride march in New York" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c78c1c5e-c4e8-4b72-9d67-762f09d41814" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/gay%20pride%203.jpg" /></p>

<p><strong>BERLIN</strong></p>

<p>In Berlin, police estimated that around 3,500 people marched in temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit).</p>

<p>Foreign Minister Heiko Maas tweeted a message of support to the Global Pride event: "Be proud of yourself! No matter who you love, no matter where you live."</p>

<p><strong>VIENNA</strong></p>

<p>In Vienna, around 200 cars and motorbikes decked out in rainbow flags and inflatable unicorns paraded down the city’s famous Ringstrasse on Saturday afternoon.</p>

<p>Organisers said around 5,000 people turned out to watch the scaled-down event. Vienna's Rainbow Parade, which normally attracts hundreds of thousands of people, was otherwise replaced by online events.</p>

<p><strong>LONDON</strong></p>

<p>The online Global Pride event -- running with the slogan "Exist, persist, resist" -- got underway at 0500 GMT in London.</p>

<p>Some events were broadcast on the giant screen in Piccadilly Square and London's mayor, Sadiq Khan, tweeted his support. "We may be apart, but we are still united, as neighbours, as allies, and as one city."</p>

<p>Fronted by singer and drag queen Todrick Hall, known for his role on the American Idol talent show, it also featured stars such as Kesha and Ava Max.</p>

<p>Politicians were also appearing, including Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado, whose country has just legalised gay marriage.</p>

<p><img alt="Gay Pride march in Europe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cfa36377-d1b2-4820-bf05-d2d906e74a01" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/gay%20pride%202.jpg" /></p>

<p><strong>ARGENTINA</strong></p>

<p>In Argentina, public buildings and monuments will be lit in the rainbow colours of the gay rights movement, and local activists have organised a week of online events, even though Gay Pride is normally celebrated there in November.</p>

<p><strong>MEXICO</strong></p>

<p>In Mexico, some 200 people marched along Paseo de la Reforma, the main avenue in Mexico City, breaking rules to help contain the pandemic which has killed more than 25,000 people in the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em><strong>(with inputs from agencies)</strong></em></p>


Fifty years on from the first Gay Pride march, the LGBT community and their supporters have taken many of their events online, responding to the threat of the coronavirus pandemic.

Fifty years on from the first Gay Pride march, the LGBT community and their supporters have taken many of their events online, responding to the threat of the coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic has forced organisers to move parades, marches and forums online across the world in June for Pride Month, an annual celebration of the LGBTQ community and a renewed call for equal rights. The first Gay Pride march was held in 1970 in New York, to mark the first anniversary of the city's Stonewall riots, a landmark event in the gay rights struggle. TAIWAN Taiwan hosted one of the few pride marches around the world on Sunday as the island's LGTBQ community and their supporters took to the streets. Taiwan usually holds its main pride march in October but many in the island's LGTBQ community felt it was important to hit the streets in June when so many others around the world could not. Hundreds of people marched inside Taipei's Liberty Square after summer afternoon rainfall delayed the celebration for an hour as music blasted and many participants wore rainbow coloured face masks. Many of those attending held placards with the names of major global cities that have been unable to celebrate Pride Month this June because of the coronavirus. NEW YORK On Sunday in New York City, the Reclaim Pride Coalition, a group of queer and trans activists, will hold its second annual Queer Liberation March which this year will focus on a protest against racial injustice and demands for police reform. In the United States, former president Barack Obama released a video message paying tribute to the gay New Yorkers who rioted at the Stonewall Inn in 1969, effectively launching the modern gay rights movement. "Because of the movement they sparked and the decades of work that followed, marriage equality became the law of the land five years ago and just this month the Supreme Court ruled that employers can no longer discriminate against LGBTQ workers," he said. Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden issued his own message on video, in which he referred to a recent Supreme Court ruling reaffirming LGBT workers. "Pride is particularly poignant this year," he said. BERLIN In Berlin, police estimated that around 3,500 people marched in temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit). Foreign Minister Heiko Maas tweeted a message of support to the Global Pride event: "Be proud of yourself! No matter who you love, no matter where you live." VIENNA In Vienna, around 200 cars and motorbikes decked out in rainbow flags and inflatable unicorns paraded down the city’s famous Ringstrasse on Saturday afternoon. Organisers said around 5,000 people turned out to watch the scaled-down event. Vienna's Rainbow Parade, which normally attracts hundreds of thousands of people, was otherwise replaced by online events. LONDON The online Global Pride event -- running with the slogan "Exist, persist, resist" -- got underway at 0500 GMT in London. Some events were broadcast on the giant screen in Piccadilly Square and London's mayor, Sadiq Khan, tweeted his support. "We may be apart, but we are still united, as neighbours, as allies, and as one city." Fronted by singer and drag queen Todrick Hall, known for his role on the American Idol talent show, it also featured stars such as Kesha and Ava Max. Politicians were also appearing, including Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado, whose country has just legalised gay marriage. ARGENTINA In Argentina, public buildings and monuments will be lit in the rainbow colours of the gay rights movement, and local activists have organised a week of online events, even though Gay Pride is normally celebrated there in November. MEXICO In Mexico, some 200 people marched along Paseo de la Reforma, the main avenue in Mexico City, breaking rules to help contain the pandemic which has killed more than 25,000 people in the country. (with inputs from agencies)

LGBTQ Pride Month events go online to mark 50th anniversary; Taiwan holds march

From 'Four More Shots' to 'Never Have I Ever': 5 shows to watch in Pride month

<p>The US has been witnessing protests against discrimination for the past few weeks now, after the killing of unarmed man in police custody. Thousands of protestors have been carrying out demonstrations and protests against the Trump administration and the racial discrimination.</p>

<p>However, the&nbsp;Trump administration has added fuel to the fire by finalizing a rule that overturns Obama's nondiscrimination rule in the healthcare sector.</p>

<p>The rule has been finalized in June, which is celebrate as Pride Month worldwide.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gay-pride-embraces-its-roots-by-teaming-up-with-us-black-activists-305449"><strong>Also watch|&nbsp;Gay Pride embraces its roots by teaming up with U.S. black activists</strong></a></p>

<p>The Trump administration passed a rule that now defines 'sex' as either man or woman only.&nbsp;The Department of Health and Human Services has announced that the revised sex discrimination protections will now be “according to the plain meaning of the word ‘sex’ as male or female and as determined by biology.”</p>

<p>This new rule goes against the protection rights&nbsp;for transgender people against sex discrimination in health care, which was introduced and promoted by former US President Barack Obama.</p>

<p>This rule plays down the guidelines for&nbsp;nondiscrimination protections&nbsp;in Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act. That federal law makes it illegal to discriminate on the basis of&nbsp;"race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in certain health programs and activities."</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/far-but-virtually-connected-pride-month-shifts-online-amid-covid-19-303275"><strong>Also read|&nbsp;Far but virtually connected: Pride month shifts online amid COVID 19</strong></a></p>

<p>However, considering the lack of explanation, in 2016, under the Obama administration, the rule was changed to state that&nbsp;protections regarding "sex" include those based on gender identity, which it defined as "male, female, neither, or a combination of male and female."</p>

<p>However, a year ago, in June 2019, the HHS office for civil rights proposed a reversal of the rule, and that was finalized this week.</p>

<p>Roger Severino --&nbsp;who directs the Office for Civil Rights in the Department of Health and Human Services and has previously written about doctors having the right to refuse treatment that contradicts their religious or moral beliefs --&nbsp;believes this will&nbsp;save hospitals and insurers&nbsp;$2.9 billion over five years since they will not have to print notices of nondiscrimination in several languages.</p>

<p>The move has been highly criticised by the LGBTQ community and their supporters, especially at the time of a pandemic.</p>


The US has been witnessing protests against discrimination for the past few weeks now, after the killing of unarmed man in police custody. Thousands of protestors have been carrying out demonstrations and protests against the Trump administration and the racial discrimination.

The US has been witnessing protests against discrimination for the past few weeks now, after the killing of unarmed man in police custody. Thousands of protestors have been carrying out demonstrations and protests against the Trump administration and the racial discrimination. However, the Trump administration has added fuel to the fire by finalizing a rule that overturns Obama's nondiscrimination rule in the healthcare sector. The rule has been finalized in June, which is celebrate as Pride Month worldwide. Also watch| Gay Pride embraces its roots by teaming up with U.S. black activists The Trump administration passed a rule that now defines 'sex' as either man or woman only. The Department of Health and Human Services has announced that the revised sex discrimination protections will now be “according to the plain meaning of the word ‘sex’ as male or female and as determined by biology.” This new rule goes against the protection rights for transgender people against sex discrimination in health care, which was introduced and promoted by former US President Barack Obama. This rule plays down the guidelines for nondiscrimination protections in Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act. That federal law makes it illegal to discriminate on the basis of "race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in certain health programs and activities." Also read| Far but virtually connected: Pride month shifts online amid COVID 19 However, considering the lack of explanation, in 2016, under the Obama administration, the rule was changed to state that protections regarding "sex" include those based on gender identity, which it defined as "male, female, neither, or a combination of male and female." However, a year ago, in June 2019, the HHS office for civil rights proposed a reversal of the rule, and that was finalized this week. Roger Severino -- who directs the Office for Civil Rights in the Department of Health and Human Services and has previously written about doctors having the right to refuse treatment that contradicts their religious or moral beliefs -- believes this will save hospitals and insurers $2.9 billion over five years since they will not have to print notices of nondiscrimination in several languages. The move has been highly criticised by the LGBTQ community and their supporters, especially at the time of a pandemic.

Trump administration reverses nondiscrimination rule; defines 'sex' as man and woman only

<p>JK Rowling's<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/jk-rowlings-tweet-about-people-who-menstruate-slammed-by-followers-called-transphobic-304137"> tweet over an article about 'people who menstruate' </a>has been a point of discussion this past week with most calling the author 'transphobic'.&nbsp; A day after her tweet went viral, 'Harry Potter' star <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/daniel-radcliffe-reacts-to-jk-rowlings-controversial-tweet-says-transgender-women-are-women-304478">Daniel Radcliffe </a>had weighed in and spoken in support of the transgender community. Now, his co-star from the film, actress Emma Watson too has weighed in on the controversy.<br />
<br />
In a series of tweets, Watson has shown support to the community and said, "Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren’t who they say they are," the 30-year-old actress wrote.<br />
<br />
"I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are."<br />
<br />
Watson then added she donates to a pair of charities -- Mermaids and Mama Cash -- that support transgender individuals.<br />
<br />
"Happy #PRIDE2020," she concluded. "Sending love x."</p>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I donate to <a href="https://twitter.com/Mermaids_Gender?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Mermaids_Gender</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/mamacash?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mamacash</a>. If you can, perhaps you’ll feel inclined to do the same. ❤️</p>
— Emma Watson (@EmmaWatson) <a href="https://twitter.com/EmmaWatson/status/1270828191880486915?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Agreeing with Radcliffe and Watson, Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne too spoke out in support of the transgender community. Redmayne who is part of the 'Fantastic Beasts' films written by Rowling- disagreed with her and said, "Respect for transgender people remains a cultural imperative, and over the years I have been trying to constantly educate myself,” Redmayne told Variety. “This is an ongoing process. As someone who has worked with both JK Rowling and members of the trans community, I wanted to make it absolutely clear where I stand. I disagree with Jo’s comments."</p>

<p>Rowling on Wednesday<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/jk-rowling-defends-her-right-to-speak-on-trans-issues-in-powerful-essay-reveals-details-of-her-abusive-past-304985"> tried to defend her tweets and wrote a powerful essay </a>about her troubled past where she was subjected to domestic abuse and reasoned as to why she spoke in favour of women.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


JK Rowling's tweet over an article about 'people who menstruate' has been a point of discussion this past week with most calling the author 'transphobic'. A day after her tweet went viral, 'Harry Potter' star Daniel Radcliffe had weighed in and spoken in support of the transgender community.

JK Rowling's tweet over an article about 'people who menstruate' has been a point of discussion this past week with most calling the author 'transphobic'. A day after her tweet went viral, 'Harry Potter' star Daniel Radcliffe had weighed in and spoken in support of the transgender community. Now, his co-star from the film, actress Emma Watson too has weighed in on the controversy. In a series of tweets, Watson has shown support to the community and said, "Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren’t who they say they are," the 30-year-old actress wrote. "I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are." Watson then added she donates to a pair of charities -- Mermaids and Mama Cash -- that support transgender individuals. "Happy #PRIDE2020," she concluded. "Sending love x." I donate to @Mermaids_Gender and @mamacash. If you can, perhaps you’ll feel inclined to do the same. ❤️ — Emma Watson (@EmmaWatson) June 10, 2020 × Agreeing with Radcliffe and Watson, Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne too spoke out in support of the transgender community. Redmayne who is part of the 'Fantastic Beasts' films written by Rowling- disagreed with her and said, "Respect for transgender people remains a cultural imperative, and over the years I have been trying to constantly educate myself,” Redmayne told Variety. “This is an ongoing process. As someone who has worked with both JK Rowling and members of the trans community, I wanted to make it absolutely clear where I stand. I disagree with Jo’s comments." Rowling on Wednesday tried to defend her tweets and wrote a powerful essay about her troubled past where she was subjected to domestic abuse and reasoned as to why she spoke in favour of women.

Emma Watson comments on JK Rowling's controversial tweet: Trans people are who they say they are

<p>Actor Daniel Radcliffe, who shot to fame for playing Harry Potter in the films based on JK Rowling's books, has now weighed in on the author's controversial tweet.<br />
<br />
Reacting on the same, Radcliffe said that "transgender women are women" and it has now become more important than ever to "not cause further harm" to the community.<br />
<br />
Over the weekend, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/jk-rowlings-tweet-about-people-who-menstruate-slammed-by-followers-called-transphobic-304137">Rowling faced severe backlash on Twitter </a>after she criticised an opinion piece that used the phrase "people who menstruate" and posited that discussion of gender identity invalidates biological sex.<br />
<br />
Radcliffe penned his thoughts in an essay for the website of the Trevor Project, a non-profit dedicated to crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ community.<br />
<br />
The article that was published on Monday had the actor admitting that the essay may be used by the media as "in-fighting" between him and Rowling.<br />
<br />
While he was clear that the writer was "unquestionably responsible" for the course of his life, he felt the need to speak out.<br />
<br />
"As someone who has been honored to work with and continues to contribute to The Trevor Project for the last decade, and just as a human being. I feel compelled to say something at this moment."<br />
<br />
"Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo or I," Radcliffe added.<br />
<br />
The actor also highlighted that&nbsp; 78 per cent of transgender and nonbinary youth have reported that they have been discriminated against due to their gender identity.<br />
<br />
"It's clear that we need to do more to support transgender and nonbinary people, not invalidate their identities, and not cause further harm," he wrote.<br />
<br />
Following criticism over her tweet, Rowling had later tried to explain herself but that led to further criticism. "If sex isn't real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn''t hate to speak the truth," she wrote.</p>

<p>"The idea that women like me, who've been empathetic to trans people for decades, feeling kinship because they're vulnerable in the same way as women — ie, to male violence — ''hate'' trans people because they think sex is real and has lived consequences — is a nonsense," she further said.<br />
<br />
Not only did her statement anger the LGBTQ community but avid fans of the 'Harry Potter' series admitted to have been let down by their favourite author.</p>

<p><br />
Radcliffe addressed to the fans and said "sorry"&nbsp; for the pain these comments have caused, hoping that those words won't too much "taint" the meaning of the Harry Potter books for them.<br />
<br />
"I really hope that you don't entirely lose what was valuable in these stories to you.<br />
<br />
"If these books taught you that love is the strongest force in the universe, capable of overcoming anything; if they taught you that strength is found in diversity, and that dogmatic ideas of pureness lead to the oppression of vulnerable groups; if you believe that a particular character is trans, nonbinary, or gender fluid, or that they are gay or bisexual; if you found anything in these stories that resonated with you and helped you at any time in your life — then that is between you and the book that you read, and it is sacred. And in my opinion nobody can touch that," he said.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Actor Daniel Radcliffe, who shot to fame for playing Harry Potter in the films based on JK Rowling's books, has now weighed in on the author's controversial tweet.

Actor Daniel Radcliffe, who shot to fame for playing Harry Potter in the films based on JK Rowling's books, has now weighed in on the author's controversial tweet. Reacting on the same, Radcliffe said that "transgender women are women" and it has now become more important than ever to "not cause further harm" to the community. Over the weekend, Rowling faced severe backlash on Twitter after she criticised an opinion piece that used the phrase "people who menstruate" and posited that discussion of gender identity invalidates biological sex. Radcliffe penned his thoughts in an essay for the website of the Trevor Project, a non-profit dedicated to crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ community. The article that was published on Monday had the actor admitting that the essay may be used by the media as "in-fighting" between him and Rowling. While he was clear that the writer was "unquestionably responsible" for the course of his life, he felt the need to speak out. "As someone who has been honored to work with and continues to contribute to The Trevor Project for the last decade, and just as a human being. I feel compelled to say something at this moment." "Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo or I," Radcliffe added. The actor also highlighted that 78 per cent of transgender and nonbinary youth have reported that they have been discriminated against due to their gender identity. "It's clear that we need to do more to support transgender and nonbinary people, not invalidate their identities, and not cause further harm," he wrote. Following criticism over her tweet, Rowling had later tried to explain herself but that led to further criticism. "If sex isn't real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn''t hate to speak the truth," she wrote. "The idea that women like me, who've been empathetic to trans people for decades, feeling kinship because they're vulnerable in the same way as women — ie, to male violence — ''hate'' trans people because they think sex is real and has lived consequences — is a nonsense," she further said. Not only did her statement anger the LGBTQ community but avid fans of the 'Harry Potter' series admitted to have been let down by their favourite author. Radcliffe addressed to the fans and said "sorry" for the pain these comments have caused, hoping that those words won't too much "taint" the meaning of the Harry Potter books for them. "I really hope that you don't entirely lose what was valuable in these stories to you. "If these books taught you that love is the strongest force in the universe, capable of overcoming anything; if they taught you that strength is found in diversity, and that dogmatic ideas of pureness lead to the oppression of vulnerable groups; if you believe that a particular character is trans, nonbinary, or gender fluid, or that they are gay or bisexual; if you found anything in these stories that resonated with you and helped you at any time in your life — then that is between you and the book that you read, and it is sacred. And in my opinion nobody can touch that," he said.

Daniel Radcliffe reacts to JK Rowling's controversial tweet, says 'transgender women are women'

<p>Is JK Rowling transphobic? The internet seems to think so due to a tweet that the author shared on Sunday that created an uproar on the social media platform.<br />
<br />
The writer shared an article and raised an objection to how the headline was worded.&nbsp; The headline of the article written for Devex read, 'Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate.'<br />
<br />
"'People who menstruate.' I'm sure there used to be a word for those people," Rowling tweeted Saturday evening. "Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?"</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?<br />
<br />
Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate <a href="https://t.co/cVpZxG7gaA">https://t.co/cVpZxG7gaA</a></p>
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) <a href="https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1269382518362509313?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 6, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Soon after Rowling tweeted the article, several people were quick to criticize her. Several stated that her tweet not only overlooked the trans-woman and those who identify as non-binary but also attempted to define a woman as a person who has menstrual period.<br />
<br />
Several pointed out to the author that many people who identify as women, such as transgender women and women who have gone through menopause, may not get their periods, while some people who do not identify as women may still menstruate, such as transgender men and some who identify as non-binary.<br />
<br />
"I know you know this because you have been told over and over and over again, but transgender men can menstruate," tweeted a follower. "Non-binary people menstruate. I, a 37-year old woman with a uterus, have not menstruated in a decade. Women are not defined by their periods."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I know you know this because you have been told over and over and over again, but transgender men can menstruate. Non-binary people menstruate. I, a 37-year old woman with a uterus, have not menstruated in a decade.<br />
<br />
Women are not defined by their periods.</p>
— Aleen 🚀 (@Aleen) <a href="https://twitter.com/Aleen/status/1269394953299361793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 6, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>"What happens when women enter menopause? What about women who had hysterectomies? Who don't menstruate because of hormonal issues? Are they not women?" another user shot back at the author. "Nothing you say stops trans women from being women."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">What happens when women enter menopause? What about women who had hysterectomies? Women who don't menstruate because of hormonal issues? Are they not women?<br />
<br />
Nothing you say stops trans women from being women.</p>
— findom earle (@coherentstates) <a href="https://twitter.com/coherentstates/status/1269400490472812545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 6, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Having faced severe criticism, Rowling later tried to salvage the situation and posted an additional series of tweets on Saturday night trying to defend and explain her now-viral tweet.<br />
<br />
"I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn't hate to speak the truth," Rowling tweeted. "The idea that women like me, who've been empathetic to trans people for decades, feeling kinship because they're vulnerable in the same way as women — ie, to male violence — 'hate' trans people because they think sex is real and has lived consequences — is a nonsense."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I respect every trans person’s right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them. I’d march with you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans. At the same time, my life has been shaped by being female. I do not believe it’s hateful to say so.</p>
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) <a href="https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1269407862234775552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 6, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>While Rowling attempted to clear the air with her stance, the post led to further criticism as many took issue with her framing of trans and non-binary-inclusive language as "erasing the concept of sex."<br />
<br />
"JK Rowling continues to align herself with an ideology which willfully distorts facts about gender identity and people who are trans. In 2020, there is no excuse for targeting trans people," tweeted a GLAAD. The organization also encouraged its followers to direct their "rightful anger" into "something positive" and donate to various organizations that support the black transgender community.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">JK Rowling continues to align herself with an ideology which willfully distorts facts about gender identity and people who are trans. In 2020, there is no excuse for targeting trans people.</p>
— GLAAD (@glaad) <a href="https://twitter.com/glaad/status/1269420662889857024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 7, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>"Trans women are women. Trans Black people &amp; trans non-Black people are discriminated against every single day," tweeted Jonathan Van Ness of the Netflix show 'Queer Eye.' "They're dying. We're fighting for Black people &amp; trans people and you're doing this?"<br />
<br />
Interestingly, this isn't the first time that the author who wrote The Harry Potter Series, has been drawn to controversy for her comments on the transgender community.<br />
<br />
In December, Rowling tweeted support for researcher Maya Forstater, who lost her job due to transphobic tweets, after she lost a court case against her former employer.<br />
<br />
"Dress however you please. Call yourself whatever you like. Sleep with any consenting adult who'll have you. Live your best life in peace and security. But force women out of their jobs for stating that sex is real? #IStandWithMaya #ThisIsNotADrill," Rowling tweeted at the time.</p>


Is JK Rowling transphobic? The internet seems to think so due to a tweet that the author shared on Sunday that created an uproar on the social media platform. The writer shared an article and raised an objection to how the headline was worded.

Is JK Rowling transphobic? The internet seems to think so due to a tweet that the author shared on Sunday that created an uproar on the social media platform. The writer shared an article and raised an objection to how the headline was worded. The headline of the article written for Devex read, 'Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate.' "'People who menstruate.' I'm sure there used to be a word for those people," Rowling tweeted Saturday evening. "Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?" ‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud? Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate https://t.co/cVpZxG7gaA — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 6, 2020 × Soon after Rowling tweeted the article, several people were quick to criticize her. Several stated that her tweet not only overlooked the trans-woman and those who identify as non-binary but also attempted to define a woman as a person who has menstrual period. Several pointed out to the author that many people who identify as women, such as transgender women and women who have gone through menopause, may not get their periods, while some people who do not identify as women may still menstruate, such as transgender men and some who identify as non-binary. "I know you know this because you have been told over and over and over again, but transgender men can menstruate," tweeted a follower. "Non-binary people menstruate. I, a 37-year old woman with a uterus, have not menstruated in a decade. Women are not defined by their periods." I know you know this because you have been told over and over and over again, but transgender men can menstruate. Non-binary people menstruate. I, a 37-year old woman with a uterus, have not menstruated in a decade. Women are not defined by their periods. — Aleen 🚀 (@Aleen) June 6, 2020 × "What happens when women enter menopause? What about women who had hysterectomies? Who don't menstruate because of hormonal issues? Are they not women?" another user shot back at the author. "Nothing you say stops trans women from being women." What happens when women enter menopause? What about women who had hysterectomies? Women who don't menstruate because of hormonal issues? Are they not women? Nothing you say stops trans women from being women. — findom earle (@coherentstates) June 6, 2020 × Having faced severe criticism, Rowling later tried to salvage the situation and posted an additional series of tweets on Saturday night trying to defend and explain her now-viral tweet. "I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn't hate to speak the truth," Rowling tweeted. "The idea that women like me, who've been empathetic to trans people for decades, feeling kinship because they're vulnerable in the same way as women — ie, to male violence — 'hate' trans people because they think sex is real and has lived consequences — is a nonsense." I respect every trans person’s right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them. I’d march with you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans. At the same time, my life has been shaped by being female. I do not believe it’s hateful to say so. — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 6, 2020 × While Rowling attempted to clear the air with her stance, the post led to further criticism as many took issue with her framing of trans and non-binary-inclusive language as "erasing the concept of sex." "JK Rowling continues to align herself with an ideology which willfully distorts facts about gender identity and people who are trans. In 2020, there is no excuse for targeting trans people," tweeted a GLAAD. The organization also encouraged its followers to direct their "rightful anger" into "something positive" and donate to various organizations that support the black transgender community. JK Rowling continues to align herself with an ideology which willfully distorts facts about gender identity and people who are trans. In 2020, there is no excuse for targeting trans people. — GLAAD (@glaad) June 7, 2020 × "Trans women are women. Trans Black people & trans non-Black people are discriminated against every single day," tweeted Jonathan Van Ness of the Netflix show 'Queer Eye.' "They're dying. We're fighting for Black people & trans people and you're doing this?" Interestingly, this isn't the first time that the author who wrote The Harry Potter Series, has been drawn to controversy for her comments on the transgender community. In December, Rowling tweeted support for researcher Maya Forstater, who lost her job due to transphobic tweets, after she lost a court case against her former employer. "Dress however you please. Call yourself whatever you like. Sleep with any consenting adult who'll have you. Live your best life in peace and security. But force women out of their jobs for stating that sex is real? #IStandWithMaya #ThisIsNotADrill," Rowling tweeted at the time.

JK Rowling's tweet about 'people who menstruate' slammed by followers, called transphobic

<p>LGBTQ dating app Grindr&nbsp;will remove the "ethnicity filter" from the next version of its app, showing solidarity with Black Lives Matter movement against&nbsp;police brutality against black women and men.</p>

<p>The app currently lets people filter potential matches according to their age, height, weight and ethnicity.</p>

<p>Announcing the change, Grindr said it had a "zero-tolerance policy for racism and hate speech" on its platform.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We will not be silent. Black Lives Matter. <a href="https://t.co/K671PrwJc0">https://t.co/K671PrwJc0</a> <a href="https://t.co/93ninYt2u9">pic.twitter.com/93ninYt2u9</a></p>
— Grindr (@Grindr) <a href="https://twitter.com/Grindr/status/1267535069834473473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 1, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Several companies have posted messages of their own featuring the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter following&nbsp;six consecutive days of protests across the United States.</p>

<p>The events were sparked by the killing of George Floyd - a black man who died after a white officer continued kneeling on is neck even after he had pleaded that he could not breathe.</p>

<p>While some Grindr users welcomed the removal of the filter, others said the company had taken too long to implement the change, and had done the "bare minimum".</p>

<p>The ethnicity filters have been controversial for years, but they went unchanged even as Grindr launched&nbsp;an anti-racism campaign&nbsp;on the platform in 2018.</p>

<p>Grindr is not the only LGBT dating app to allow filtering by race. Other apps, including The League and Hinge, allow users to filter out people of certain ethnicities as well.</p>

<p>However, the spotlight will now move to others that have yet to take a similar stance.</p>

<figure>&nbsp;</figure>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


LGBTQ dating app Grindr will remove the "ethnicity filter" from the next version of its app, showing solidarity with Black Lives Matter movement against police brutality against black women and men.

LGBTQ dating app Grindr will remove the "ethnicity filter" from the next version of its app, showing solidarity with Black Lives Matter movement against police brutality against black women and men. The app currently lets people filter potential matches according to their age, height, weight and ethnicity. Announcing the change, Grindr said it had a "zero-tolerance policy for racism and hate speech" on its platform. We will not be silent. Black Lives Matter. https://t.co/K671PrwJc0 pic.twitter.com/93ninYt2u9 — Grindr (@Grindr) June 1, 2020 × Several companies have posted messages of their own featuring the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter following six consecutive days of protests across the United States. The events were sparked by the killing of George Floyd - a black man who died after a white officer continued kneeling on is neck even after he had pleaded that he could not breathe. While some Grindr users welcomed the removal of the filter, others said the company had taken too long to implement the change, and had done the "bare minimum". The ethnicity filters have been controversial for years, but they went unchanged even as Grindr launched an anti-racism campaign on the platform in 2018. Grindr is not the only LGBT dating app to allow filtering by race. Other apps, including The League and Hinge, allow users to filter out people of certain ethnicities as well. However, the spotlight will now move to others that have yet to take a similar stance.

Dating app Grindr to remove ethnicity filter in solidarity with Black Lives Matter movement

<p>Eva Nabagala hoped she and her young son would be safe from her family when they fled Uganda for a Kenyan refugee camp - but instead, the 28-year-old says she was attacked and raped there as punishment for being a lesbian.</p>

<p>"I have been threatened with death, I have been beaten, I have been harassed sexually, and I have been sexually abused, raped," Nabagala told Reuters by phone.</p>

<p>She`s one of a group of around 300 gay, lesbian and transgender refugees in Kakuma refugee camp in northwestern Kenya, who say other refugees repeatedly attack them because of their sexual orientation. The group say police and the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, have failed to protect them.</p>

<p>UNHCR Kenya told Reuters that police investigate reports of violence, assault, or other crimes and UNHCR offers support to survivors.</p>

<p>"Whenever we are informed ... we do our utmost to provide medical, legal and social-economic support and psychosocial counselling to survivors," the agency said.</p>

<p>Kenya`s national police spokesman Charles Owino said he was unaware of any violence against the group of refugees.<br />
Nabagala said she and her now two-year-old son came to Kenya in 2018 after her family threatened to kill her because she is a lesbian.</p>

<p>"I ran from my home ... because I wanted to be safe, I wanted protection, but it has turned into something the opposite," Nabagala said.</p>

<p>Stephen Sebuuma, another Ugandan refugee in Kakuma, said refugees armed with iron bars, sticks and machetes damaged their houses on three occasions, injuring four adults and two children.</p>

<p>"Police insult us instead of helping us," Sebuuma, 32, told Reuters by phone.</p>

<p>Pictures Sebuuma and another refugee sent to Reuters from the camp showed holes punched in the walls of homes made of corrugated iron. Kambungu Mubarak, 31, also from Uganda, said the attackers also burnt two houses.</p>

<p>UNHCR Kenya said as soon as they were informed of the attack, they contacted Kenya`s Refugee Affairs Secretariat, and sent an ambulance. UNHCR also contacted police, who had started investigations, the agency said. But Sebuuma said the police never helped them.</p>

<p>"We have written complaints, people have gotten OBs (Occurrence Book reports) from police. So many of them, and police even sometimes chase us, saying `we are tired of you`," he said.</p>

<p>Same-sex relationships are punishable in Kenya by 14 years in jail. It is rarely enforced but discrimination is common.</p>

<p>Kenya also requires refugees to stay in camps, and on Tuesday the government announced it was suspending all movements in and out of camps and the resettlement of refugees in a bid to stem the spread of the new coronavirus.</p>

<p>Some refugees have tried to leave the camp in the past, but say life was so hard that they returned. Nabagala left but was raped again in Mombasa, where she had gone seeking shelter, so she came back.</p>

<p>Another refugee, 23-year-old Winnie Nabaterega, told Reuters by phone that she fled Uganda in 2019 after being raped and becoming pregnant. Her father pressurised her to marry her attacker. Her daughter, now two, lives with her. She is constantly threatened by other refugees, she said.</p>

<p>"We were told because we were homosexuals ... they would put poison in the water," she said.</p>


Eva Nabagala hoped she and her young son would be safe from her family when they fled Uganda for a Kenyan refugee camp - but instead, the 28-year-old says she was attacked and raped there as punishment for being a lesbian.

Eva Nabagala hoped she and her young son would be safe from her family when they fled Uganda for a Kenyan refugee camp - but instead, the 28-year-old says she was attacked and raped there as punishment for being a lesbian. "I have been threatened with death, I have been beaten, I have been harassed sexually, and I have been sexually abused, raped," Nabagala told Reuters by phone. She`s one of a group of around 300 gay, lesbian and transgender refugees in Kakuma refugee camp in northwestern Kenya, who say other refugees repeatedly attack them because of their sexual orientation. The group say police and the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, have failed to protect them. UNHCR Kenya told Reuters that police investigate reports of violence, assault, or other crimes and UNHCR offers support to survivors. "Whenever we are informed ... we do our utmost to provide medical, legal and social-economic support and psychosocial counselling to survivors," the agency said. Kenya`s national police spokesman Charles Owino said he was unaware of any violence against the group of refugees. Nabagala said she and her now two-year-old son came to Kenya in 2018 after her family threatened to kill her because she is a lesbian. "I ran from my home ... because I wanted to be safe, I wanted protection, but it has turned into something the opposite," Nabagala said. Stephen Sebuuma, another Ugandan refugee in Kakuma, said refugees armed with iron bars, sticks and machetes damaged their houses on three occasions, injuring four adults and two children. "Police insult us instead of helping us," Sebuuma, 32, told Reuters by phone. Pictures Sebuuma and another refugee sent to Reuters from the camp showed holes punched in the walls of homes made of corrugated iron. Kambungu Mubarak, 31, also from Uganda, said the attackers also burnt two houses. UNHCR Kenya said as soon as they were informed of the attack, they contacted Kenya`s Refugee Affairs Secretariat, and sent an ambulance. UNHCR also contacted police, who had started investigations, the agency said. But Sebuuma said the police never helped them. "We have written complaints, people have gotten OBs (Occurrence Book reports) from police. So many of them, and police even sometimes chase us, saying `we are tired of you`," he said. Same-sex relationships are punishable in Kenya by 14 years in jail. It is rarely enforced but discrimination is common. Kenya also requires refugees to stay in camps, and on Tuesday the government announced it was suspending all movements in and out of camps and the resettlement of refugees in a bid to stem the spread of the new coronavirus. Some refugees have tried to leave the camp in the past, but say life was so hard that they returned. Nabagala left but was raped again in Mombasa, where she had gone seeking shelter, so she came back. Another refugee, 23-year-old Winnie Nabaterega, told Reuters by phone that she fled Uganda in 2019 after being raped and becoming pregnant. Her father pressurised her to marry her attacker. Her daughter, now two, lives with her. She is constantly threatened by other refugees, she said. "We were told because we were homosexuals ... they would put poison in the water," she said.

LGBTQ community lives in fear of attacks in Kenyan refugee camp

<p>A rom-com about a lesbian flight attendant and a romance in a gay spa are among the shows featured on Asia's first LGBT-focused streaming service, which is pushing boundaries in an often highly conservative region.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
GagaOOLala brings more than 1,000 feature films, shorts, web series, and documentaries to people across Asia, where censorship and traditional attitudes mean there has been little in the way of gay content in the mainstream media.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
After launching in 2017 in Taiwan, a beacon for gay rights since becoming the first place in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage, it has expanded to 21 territories including several that still criminalise homosexuality.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
"One of the main impetuses for me to create GagaOOlala, (is) to kind of dispel a lot of the myths and misconceptions that a lot of people might have about LGBT people," said Jay Lin, a prominent LGBT rights activist in Taiwan who founded the platform.<br />
<br />
"We're not all living really tragic lives -- we're entrepreneurs, we're fathers," the 46-year-old, who is raising twin boys with his partner in Taipei, told AFP.<br />
<br />
With about 280,000 members, made up mainly of gay people but also including a significant number of straight women, its success comes as some progress is made on LGBT rights in parts of the region.<br />
<br />
As well as Taiwan's move to legalise same-sex unions in May, India's Supreme Court last year struck down a colonial-era ban on gay sex.<br />
<br />
<strong>- Dire rights situation -</strong><br />
<br />
But the gay rights situation remains dire in other countries where the platform operates -- making its presence in those markets all the more important, supporters say.<br />
<br />
Gay sex is still banned in Singapore as it is in Malaysia, where in the past year women and men have been caned under Islamic laws for having same-sex relations.<br />
<br />
The tiny, oil-rich sultanate of Brunei introduced death by stoning for gay sex as part of a harsh new sharia penal code earlier this year –- but later rolled it back following a storm of criticism.<br />
<br />
Censorship also persists in some countries, with Malaysia's film board this year cutting gay sex scenes from 'Rocketman', the movie-musical based on the life of British singer Elton John.<br />
<br />
The platform -- which is planning a global launch next year -- has not run into any regulatory hurdles so far, according to Lin, but he acknowledged the need to tread carefully in more conservative places.<br />
<br />
The service often relies on closed chat groups, social media and LGBT influencers for promotion instead of advertising openly.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Lin's team started by building up GagaOOlala's library with Western content, but has since branched out, making an effort to find content from across Asia.<br />
<br />
Earlier this year GOL Studios, a sister platform, was launched to help LGBT filmmakers find talent and funding, as well as distribute and market their work.<br />
<br />
<strong>- Homegrown content -</strong><br />
<br />
The platform ramped up its production of original content this year, making its first Thai film, its first lesbian feature film in Japan and a Germany-Spain co-production.<br />
<br />
"As we have developed..., we have realised that actually a lot of Asians also want to see Asian faces, and watch Asian stories and watch films take place in places or cities that they're familiar with," said Lin.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
For streamers focusing on niche areas like GagaOOLala, original shows are key to building their brands.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Lin said interest in the platform jumped after the recent release of the 'Handsome Stewardess', a series about a Taiwanese, tomboyish lesbian who takes a job as a flight attendant to pursue her new love interest to Singapore.<br />
<br />
'The Teacher', another original about a gay educator who is in love with an HIV-positive married man, also proved a hit, bagging best supporting actress at the Golden Horse awards, dubbed the Chinese-language 'Oscars'.<br />
<br />
GagaOOlala is not alone in relying on original content to draw in viewers and boost its profile.<br />
<br />
Bryan Seah, head of original productions at Southeast Asia-focused streamer Hooq, said people felt "pride" at seeing local performers on screen.<br />
<br />
Viewers were sending a message that "I want to see my favourite Indonesian actor, I want to see my favourite Filipino director, fronting something that has the scale and ambition to match the best Korean content", he said.</p>


A rom-com about a lesbian flight attendant and a romance in a gay spa are among the shows featured on Asia's first LGBT-focused streaming service, which is pushing boundaries in an often highly conservative region.

A rom-com about a lesbian flight attendant and a romance in a gay spa are among the shows featured on Asia's first LGBT-focused streaming service, which is pushing boundaries in an often highly conservative region. GagaOOLala brings more than 1,000 feature films, shorts, web series, and documentaries to people across Asia, where censorship and traditional attitudes mean there has been little in the way of gay content in the mainstream media. After launching in 2017 in Taiwan, a beacon for gay rights since becoming the first place in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage, it has expanded to 21 territories including several that still criminalise homosexuality. "One of the main impetuses for me to create GagaOOlala, (is) to kind of dispel a lot of the myths and misconceptions that a lot of people might have about LGBT people," said Jay Lin, a prominent LGBT rights activist in Taiwan who founded the platform. "We're not all living really tragic lives -- we're entrepreneurs, we're fathers," the 46-year-old, who is raising twin boys with his partner in Taipei, told AFP. With about 280,000 members, made up mainly of gay people but also including a significant number of straight women, its success comes as some progress is made on LGBT rights in parts of the region. As well as Taiwan's move to legalise same-sex unions in May, India's Supreme Court last year struck down a colonial-era ban on gay sex. - Dire rights situation - But the gay rights situation remains dire in other countries where the platform operates -- making its presence in those markets all the more important, supporters say. Gay sex is still banned in Singapore as it is in Malaysia, where in the past year women and men have been caned under Islamic laws for having same-sex relations. The tiny, oil-rich sultanate of Brunei introduced death by stoning for gay sex as part of a harsh new sharia penal code earlier this year –- but later rolled it back following a storm of criticism. Censorship also persists in some countries, with Malaysia's film board this year cutting gay sex scenes from 'Rocketman', the movie-musical based on the life of British singer Elton John. The platform -- which is planning a global launch next year -- has not run into any regulatory hurdles so far, according to Lin, but he acknowledged the need to tread carefully in more conservative places. The service often relies on closed chat groups, social media and LGBT influencers for promotion instead of advertising openly. Lin's team started by building up GagaOOlala's library with Western content, but has since branched out, making an effort to find content from across Asia. Earlier this year GOL Studios, a sister platform, was launched to help LGBT filmmakers find talent and funding, as well as distribute and market their work. - Homegrown content - The platform ramped up its production of original content this year, making its first Thai film, its first lesbian feature film in Japan and a Germany-Spain co-production. "As we have developed..., we have realised that actually a lot of Asians also want to see Asian faces, and watch Asian stories and watch films take place in places or cities that they're familiar with," said Lin. For streamers focusing on niche areas like GagaOOLala, original shows are key to building their brands. Lin said interest in the platform jumped after the recent release of the 'Handsome Stewardess', a series about a Taiwanese, tomboyish lesbian who takes a job as a flight attendant to pursue her new love interest to Singapore. 'The Teacher', another original about a gay educator who is in love with an HIV-positive married man, also proved a hit, bagging best supporting actress at the Golden Horse awards, dubbed the Chinese-language 'Oscars'. GagaOOlala is not alone in relying on original content to draw in viewers and boost its profile. Bryan Seah, head of original productions at Southeast Asia-focused streamer Hooq, said people felt "pride" at seeing local performers on screen. Viewers were sending a message that "I want to see my favourite Indonesian actor, I want to see my favourite Filipino director, fronting something that has the scale and ambition to match the best Korean content", he said.

Asia's first LGBT-focused streaming service tackles taboos one film at a time

<p>Seems like Miley Cyrus has found true love in her new beau Cody Simpson and she is totally thankful to him for helping fall in love again! On Sunday, the 'Slide Away'&nbsp;singer went live on Instagram with Simpson and got candid about their budding relationship.<br />
<br />
"I was just being like, I don't know, hardcore feminist vibes and just not allowing anyone in," she explained adding that there are still "good men out there guys, don't give up". "You don't have to be gay," she added.<br />
<br />
Continuing raving about Simpson, the 26-year old added, "there are good people with d-- out there, you just gotta find them. You gotta find a d-- that's not a d--, you know what I mean?" Cyrus who split with ex-husband Hemsworth almost a year after tying the knot started thinking she "had to be gay because all guys are evil, but it's not true.<br />
<br />
''And neglecting all the men in her life to date, the singer expressed that she has met just one&nbsp;good person!&nbsp;I only ever met one, and he's on this life," she added, while Simpson smiled at her comment. However, he doesn't&nbsp;have to be gay&nbsp;remark roused the LGBTQ community following which Cyrus took to Twitter on Monday to clarify her stance.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="und"><a href="https://t.co/TWwjrlvf3t">pic.twitter.com/TWwjrlvf3t</a></p>
— Miley Ray Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) <a href="https://twitter.com/MileyCyrus/status/1186355394785865733?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>"I was talking-- about sucky guys, but let me be clear, YOU don't CHOOSE your sexuality. You are born as you are. It has always been my priority to protect the LGBTQ community I am a part of," she tweeted.<br />
<br />
While Cyrus and Simpson's romance is new, they have been friends for a long time. The duo was first spotted on a breakfast date earlier this month, shortly after the singer split from Kaitlynn Carter following her separation from Hemsworth.&nbsp;</p>


Seems like Miley Cyrus has found true love in her new beau Cody Simpson and she is totally thankful to him for helping fall in love again! On Sunday, the 'Slide Away' singer went live on Instagram with Simpson and got candid about their budding relationship.

Seems like Miley Cyrus has found true love in her new beau Cody Simpson and she is totally thankful to him for helping fall in love again! On Sunday, the 'Slide Away' singer went live on Instagram with Simpson and got candid about their budding relationship. "I was just being like, I don't know, hardcore feminist vibes and just not allowing anyone in," she explained adding that there are still "good men out there guys, don't give up". "You don't have to be gay," she added. Continuing raving about Simpson, the 26-year old added, "there are good people with d-- out there, you just gotta find them. You gotta find a d-- that's not a d--, you know what I mean?" Cyrus who split with ex-husband Hemsworth almost a year after tying the knot started thinking she "had to be gay because all guys are evil, but it's not true. ''And neglecting all the men in her life to date, the singer expressed that she has met just one good person! I only ever met one, and he's on this life," she added, while Simpson smiled at her comment. However, he doesn't have to be gay remark roused the LGBTQ community following which Cyrus took to Twitter on Monday to clarify her stance. pic.twitter.com/TWwjrlvf3t — Miley Ray Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) October 21, 2019 × "I was talking-- about sucky guys, but let me be clear, YOU don't CHOOSE your sexuality. You are born as you are. It has always been my priority to protect the LGBTQ community I am a part of," she tweeted. While Cyrus and Simpson's romance is new, they have been friends for a long time. The duo was first spotted on a breakfast date earlier this month, shortly after the singer split from Kaitlynn Carter following her separation from Hemsworth.

Miley Cyrus raves about romance with Cody Simpson, rouses LGBTQ community over gay remark

<p>Lady Gaga electrified thousands of revellers who gathered in New York on Friday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the LGBTQ rights movement, exhorting the crowd to honour the past by using its "power" to extend and defend a half-century of progress.</p>

<p>Her warm-up speech and a subsequent rally, part of a series of World Pride events in New York this week, commemorated the so-called Stonewall uprising of June 28, 1969.</p>

<p>Early that morning, patrons of a Greenwich Village gay bar called the Stonewall Inn rose up in defiance of police harassment, triggering days of rioting. Their resistance gave birth to the national and global movement for equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and other queer people.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/irina-shayk-had-difficulty-in-handling-bradley-cooper-lady-gagas-romance-rumours-source-228974">Lady Gaga</a>, a Grammy Award-winner whose signature song "Born This Way" has become an LGBTQ anthem, fired up the crowd, which began gathering in the park and public square outside the Stonewall hours earlier.</p>

<p>Appearing with a rainbow-coloured jacket and thigh-high boots, she declared that Stonewall was the moment when LGBTQ people said, "enough is enough."</p>

<p>"I may not, to some people, be considered a part of this community, even though I like girls sometimes. I would never degrade the fight you have endured," she told the cheering crowd. "You have the power. You are so, so powerful, and I hope you feel that power today."</p>

<p>Later the rally alternated between political speeches and block-party gaiety. Musical performances and rhythmic dancing rattled windows in the low-slung neighbourhood. Drag queens sang '80s hits like "I'm So Excited" in between speeches by activists from countries such as Uganda and Chechnya.</p>

<p>US politicians including presidential hopefuls Kirsten Gillibrand, one of New York state's two US senators, and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio also took the stage ahead of what organizers are calling the largest gay pride parade in history set for Sunday when some 150,000 marchers and 4 million spectators are expected.</p>

<p>In between featured speakers, impromptu rallies formed and dispersed outside the bar, with people waving homemade signs such as "Closets are for Clothes!" and "Gay Liberation Front," paying homage to the radical group that formed immediately after Stonewall.</p>

<p>"Get laid, get drunk, and have a party," said Martha Shelley, one of the Gay Liberation Front founders. "And then go home, roll up your sleeves, and fight."</p>

<p>While the anniversary has a celebratory air, activists see the occasion as a way to protest US President Donald Trump's record, which many consider hostile to LGBTQ people. They also want to highlight the still-precarious position of LGBTQ people in many parts of the world.</p>

<p>Police raided the Stonewall, a Mafia-owned gay bar, ostensibly to crack down on organized crime. But their mistreatment of the patrons, part of a pattern of abuse against LGBTQ people, touched off the uprising.</p>

<p>While celebrating 50 years of progress, many LGBTQ activists are sounding the alarm about Trump administration initiatives, including a ban on transgender people in the military, cuts in HIV/AIDS research and support for so-called religious freedom initiatives that eliminate LGBTQ protections.</p>

<p>The White House claims Trump has long advocated LGBTQ equality, noting that he has backed a global campaign to decriminalize homosexuality.</p>

<p>"President Trump has never considered LGBT Americans second-class citizens," White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement.</p>

<p>The message has been lost on many LGBTQ people, as the Trump administration opposes extending anti-discrimination protection to gay or transgender workers under federal employment law, a legal issue currently before the US Supreme Court, with a ruling due within a year.</p>

<p>In nearby Washington Square Park, some 500 pro-transgender activists staged a Trans Day of Action, where some held up "Black trans lives matter" signs, lamenting that 10 transgender people have been murdered in the United States in 2019 after 26 were killed in 2018 and 29 in 2017, according to the LGBTQ advocacy right Human Rights Campaign.</p>

<p>"Trump has really proliferated this hate towards us," said Qweenb. Amor, 30, a trans-Latina. "It's something we're going to have to face every single day for the next 20 years, despite who wins the next election because these people who put Trump in power are people we have to work with every day of our lives."</p>


Lady Gaga electrified thousands of revellers who gathered in New York on Friday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the LGBTQ rights movement, exhorting the crowd to honour the past by using its "power" to extend and defend a half-century of progress.

Lady Gaga electrified thousands of revellers who gathered in New York on Friday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the LGBTQ rights movement, exhorting the crowd to honour the past by using its "power" to extend and defend a half-century of progress. Her warm-up speech and a subsequent rally, part of a series of World Pride events in New York this week, commemorated the so-called Stonewall uprising of June 28, 1969. Early that morning, patrons of a Greenwich Village gay bar called the Stonewall Inn rose up in defiance of police harassment, triggering days of rioting. Their resistance gave birth to the national and global movement for equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and other queer people. Lady Gaga, a Grammy Award-winner whose signature song "Born This Way" has become an LGBTQ anthem, fired up the crowd, which began gathering in the park and public square outside the Stonewall hours earlier. Appearing with a rainbow-coloured jacket and thigh-high boots, she declared that Stonewall was the moment when LGBTQ people said, "enough is enough." "I may not, to some people, be considered a part of this community, even though I like girls sometimes. I would never degrade the fight you have endured," she told the cheering crowd. "You have the power. You are so, so powerful, and I hope you feel that power today." Later the rally alternated between political speeches and block-party gaiety. Musical performances and rhythmic dancing rattled windows in the low-slung neighbourhood. Drag queens sang '80s hits like "I'm So Excited" in between speeches by activists from countries such as Uganda and Chechnya. US politicians including presidential hopefuls Kirsten Gillibrand, one of New York state's two US senators, and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio also took the stage ahead of what organizers are calling the largest gay pride parade in history set for Sunday when some 150,000 marchers and 4 million spectators are expected. In between featured speakers, impromptu rallies formed and dispersed outside the bar, with people waving homemade signs such as "Closets are for Clothes!" and "Gay Liberation Front," paying homage to the radical group that formed immediately after Stonewall. "Get laid, get drunk, and have a party," said Martha Shelley, one of the Gay Liberation Front founders. "And then go home, roll up your sleeves, and fight." While the anniversary has a celebratory air, activists see the occasion as a way to protest US President Donald Trump's record, which many consider hostile to LGBTQ people. They also want to highlight the still-precarious position of LGBTQ people in many parts of the world. Police raided the Stonewall, a Mafia-owned gay bar, ostensibly to crack down on organized crime. But their mistreatment of the patrons, part of a pattern of abuse against LGBTQ people, touched off the uprising. While celebrating 50 years of progress, many LGBTQ activists are sounding the alarm about Trump administration initiatives, including a ban on transgender people in the military, cuts in HIV/AIDS research and support for so-called religious freedom initiatives that eliminate LGBTQ protections. The White House claims Trump has long advocated LGBTQ equality, noting that he has backed a global campaign to decriminalize homosexuality. "President Trump has never considered LGBT Americans second-class citizens," White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement. The message has been lost on many LGBTQ people, as the Trump administration opposes extending anti-discrimination protection to gay or transgender workers under federal employment law, a legal issue currently before the US Supreme Court, with a ruling due within a year. In nearby Washington Square Park, some 500 pro-transgender activists staged a Trans Day of Action, where some held up "Black trans lives matter" signs, lamenting that 10 transgender people have been murdered in the United States in 2019 after 26 were killed in 2018 and 29 in 2017, according to the LGBTQ advocacy right Human Rights Campaign. "Trump has really proliferated this hate towards us," said Qweenb. Amor, 30, a trans-Latina. "It's something we're going to have to face every single day for the next 20 years, despite who wins the next election because these people who put Trump in power are people we have to work with every day of our lives."

Lady Gaga fires up LGBTQ rally for Stonewall anniversary

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