The Welsh government has recently unveiled a new LGBTQ+ Action Plan for Wales, which aims to improve the rights of the LGBTQ+ community in the country. However, the proposal has received criticism from some groups who believe it could “trample over women’s rights”. The Welsh government called the plan an “ambitious plan with hope”. The new plan includes proposals to simplify the process of legally changing one’s gender, as well as banning all forms of conversion therapy practices. The Welsh government is also looking to initiate conversations with the UK government to implement a recognition f ..read more

Glasgow, Scotland saw a celebration of queer joy as a group of LGBTQ+ and allies drowned out an anti-trans rally with their singing and dancing. The “Let Women Speak” rally, hosted by Posie Parker, a notorious British Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminist (TERF), was met by a counterprotest organized by Cabaret Against Hate Speech. The counterprotest was attended by hundreds of people who blasted music and held performances to ensure Parker’s rhetoric went unheard. A tweet featuring a video of the counterprotesters doing a conga line while singing “trans rights” to the tune of Frankie Valli’s “C ..read more

M Night Shyamalan’s latest film, which centers on queer characters, has been causing quite a stir in the film community. The thriller revolves around the premise that God will punish humanity if a gay couple does not tear apart their family. As the couple refuses to do so, the world around them falls apart through news reports. This contrast between two privileged gay men choosing their own happiness over the fate of the world has been seen as absurd by some and has sparked debates on whether the film is a conservative parable or a bold statement. Critics have been divided on the film, with so ..read more

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida made headlines on February 4th when he fired an official from his staff due to his homophobic comments. The official, Masayoshi Arai, was an economy and trade official who had made controversial remarks regarding the LGBTQ+ community. Arai had expressed that he wouldn’t like to live next to same-sex couples and went as far as to say that he wouldn’t even like to look at them. He had also claimed that if same-sex marriages were allowed in Japan, people would flee the country. The comments made by Arai sparked outrage, leading Prime Minister Kishida to dismis ..read more

A new study by the Williams Institute at UCLA has shed light on the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on older LGBTQ+ Americans. The study, led by Research Data Analyst Lauren J.A. Bouton and co-authored by Amanda M. Brush and Ilan H. Meyer, used data from the U.S. Census Household Pulse Survey to examine the experiences of LGBTQ+ adults aged 50 and older during the pandemic. The findings of the study reveal that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on older LGBTQ+ individuals. The study found that LGBTQ+ people over 50 were more likely to receive the COVID-19 vaccine ..read more

Super Bowl 2023 is set to be a highly anticipated event, with fans tuning in to watch the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Kansas City Chiefs. But beyond the excitement on the field, the ads that air during the big game have become just as much of a draw, with companies going to great lengths to stand out from the crowd. With the cost of advertising during the Super Bowl reaching new heights each year, companies are looking for innovative ways to capture viewers’ attention, even if that means pushing some boundaries. Over the years, Super Bowl commercials have been the source of both delight an ..read more

The season eight winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Bob The Drag Queen, spoke about her love for all things wrestling during a January 31 episode of the podcast StraightioLab. She specifically spoke about her love for WWE legend Dustin Rhodes, formerly known as Goldust, and why he is a “great example” of how queer wrestling really is. She said, “Wrestling is inherently kind of gay” and she gave Goldust as an example. She talked about his gold and a black leather suit, wearing golden face paint, and sporting a blonde wig. He was also nicknamed “the Bizarre One” due to his often creepily flirtatious ..read more

Missouri is currently considering a Republican-proposed bill that would ban discussions of gender identity and sexual orientation in schools, and the effects of this bill could be far-reaching. The Missouri Senate Education and Workforce Development Committee held a hearing to discuss the bill on Tuesday, and it is causing concern among educators and LGBTQ+ advocates. The bill would prohibit any public or charter school staff member from discussing gender identity or sexual orientation, unless they are a mental health professional and have obtained parental consent. This bill is more restricti ..read more

The administration of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, known for his anti-LGBTQ+ stance, is facing criticism for trying to take away the liquor license of a performing arts center in Orlando. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation recently filed a complaint against the Orlando Philharmonic Plaza Foundation Inc. for hosting a drag show on December 28th, which was advertised as “all ages.” The complaint argues that the show included sexually explicit songs and dances without expressly prohibiting children from attending. However, the venue left it up to the discretion of pa ..read more

Pfizer has taken a bold new approach to promoting its COVID-19 booster shot, with a new commercial starring none other than lifestyle guru and television personality, Martha Stewart. The ad, titled “Unwelcome Guest,” is a departure from Pfizer’s previous conservative vaccine commercials and is sure to grab the attention of viewers. In the 30-second spot, Stewart is seen in her perfectly appointed kitchen sharpening a large Samurai sword as she says, “You know that unwelcome guest everyone wishes would leave already? That’s COVID-19.” The ad focuses on how the updated Pfizer shot protects again ..read more