Welcome to our weekly column, News is Good, featuring positive news about the LGBTQ+ community. Too much of what we see in mainstream media coverage focuses on the challenges we face and not the celebrations. Here are five things we’re excited about this week.
A bipartisan group of Senators votes to end of debate for the Respect for Marriage Act. The RMA, sponsored by Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) “repeals and replaces provisions that define, for purposes of federal law, marriage as between a man and a woman and spouse as a person of the opposite sex with provisions that recognize any marriage that is valid under state law.” The bill now moves on to a Senate floor vote after the Thanksgiving break. While the law does not codify same-sex marriage, it offers more federal protections.
LGBTQ+ musicians score Grammy nominations. Brandi Carlile, Big Freedia and Sam Smith are just a few of the out LGBTQ+ musicians and songwriters who received Grammy nominations for the 2023 Grammy Awards. Carlile alone picked up seven nominations, including Best Album for “In These Silent Days.” Kim Petras and Sam Smith made history as the first openly trans and nonbinary artists nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category. The 65th Grammy Awards will take place Feb. 5, 2023.
“The L Word: Generation Q” is back for a third season. Tibette trials, guest stars aplenty and lots of drama are guaranteed as “Generation Q” returns for a third season on Showtime. What of Gini? Will Finley finally get it together? Can Shane actually settle down? Find out this season. Fans can catch the first episode right now on Showtime on Demand.
The U.S. Soccer Federation shows support for the LGBTQ+ community while in Qatar. As the USMNT plays for gold in the 2023 World Cup, the team is also taking a stance for equality and human rights by using a rainbow logo shield in their training facilities instead of their traditional red, white and blue colors. Qatar has been at the center of much controversy as a choice for the World Cup, as it is illegal to be gay in the country and many LGBTQ+ Qataris have been subject to arrests and violence. “It’s s sign of our values and what we represent as a men’s national team in U.S. soccer,” says goalkeeper Sean Johnson.
“Queer Eye” star Antoni Porowski is engaged. Congratulations to Porowski and Kevin Harrington on their upcoming nuptials. The couple, who has been together since late 2019, announced their engagement via Instagram this week. Porowski, 38, has expanded his success on “Queer Eye” into a multi-book deal and a new hosting spot on Netflix’s “Easy-Bake Battle.”
“Jeopardy” champ Amy Schneider is back in the game. Schneider, who rose to fame winning 40 consecutive “Jeopardy” games has returned to the stage to compete in the game show’s Tournament of Champions. Schneider pulled off her first win on Tuesday, then headed to Columbus, Ohio to speak out against Ohio SB 454, a bill that would ban gender affirming care for transgender and gender-nonconforming youth.
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