On the evening of Nov. 20, the close of Transgender Awareness Week was acknowledged with Trans-Giving, an event both celebrating transgender lives and accomplishments, and remembering those lost to anti-trans violence in 2022. The sold-out dinner,
Author Archives: Vern Hester
Editor of News is Out
Posted inFrom Tagg Magazine
Christin Baker queers the holiday rom-mom with “Merry & Gay”
Filmmaker Christin Baker has done it again. Following the success of her films Season of Love, I Hate New Year’s, and Christmas at the Ranch, Baker has created and produced the fourth queer holiday rom-com in four years to represent the LGBTQ+ community: Merry & Gay. But Merry & Gay is far from a repeat Read More
Posted inFrom Washington Blade
U.S. Senate vote clears path for passage of the Respect for Marriage Act
Passage of the Respect for Marriage Act became all but certain with the U.S. Senate’s procedural 61-35 vote on Monday night to forego additional debate in the chamber over the landmark legislation. From here, the bill will return to the U.S. House of Representatives, which will consider — and is expected to approve — an Read More
Posted inFrom Dallas Voice
U.S. diplomat says negotiations to release Brittney Griner have stalled
WNBA star remains in Russian penal colony By Brody Levesque Washington Blade Courtesy National LGBT Media Association (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key) In remarks published Monday, Elizabeth Rood, the U.S. chargée d’affaires in Moscow, told Russia’s state-owned RIA news agency that talks to free jailed Americans Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan were continuing through the “designated channel.” Read More
Posted inFrom Washington Blade
Club Q another example of how anti-LGBTQ rhetoric leads to the death of queer, trans folks
It was 7:15 a.m. and I had just landed after traveling across the country from working with my military unit. My phone started ringing. “Did you see it? and “How are you feeling?” were the messages that started pouring in. Then I saw the news: “Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ Club Q Shooting.” I was struck with Read More
Posted inTop Stories
News is Good: “We’re Here” returns, Jinkx Monsoon takes Broadway and more
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. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ghvJYFxt-0 The Emmy-winning HBO Max show “We’re Here” returns to change […]
Posted inFrom Bay Area Reporter
SF march observes trans remembrance day
Transgender people and their allies marched in San Francisco Sunday, November 20, in observance of the Transgender Day of Remembrance.
Posted inFrom Washington Blade
Tucker Carlson repeats anti-LGBTQ lies, denying link between Club Q shooting and hateful rhetoric
Shortly after five people were murdered and dozens injured over the weekend when a gunman opened fire in a Colorado Springs LGBTQ nightclub, Fox News host Tucker Carlson defended his and his allies’ escalating use of incendiary anti-LGBTQ rhetoric. During his show on Monday night, Carlson inveighed against individuals and groups that responded to the Read More
Posted inFrom Dallas Voice
4 victims, 3 survivors of Club Q shooting identified
Four of the five people killed in the Nov. 19 mas shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs were, far left, bartender Derrick Rump, bartender/supervisor Daniel Alston, center, patron Kelly Loving, top right, and patron Ashley Paugh, bottom right. Four of the five victims killed in the Saturday night, Nov. 19 shooting at Club Q Read More
Posted inFrom Washington Blade
Man charged with assaulting lesbian activist pleads guilty, gets 14 months in jail
A D.C. Superior Court judge on Nov. 17 sentenced a 46-year-old D.C. man to 14 months in jail after he pleaded guilty in September to an assault charge for an incident in which he attacked lesbian activist Aiyi’nah Ford at a restaurant on Aug. 3 An arrest affidavit filed by D.C. police on Aug. 12 Read More
Posted inFrom Bay Area Reporter
5 dead in mass shooting at Colorado LGBTQ club
At least five people were killed and 18 injured in a mass shooting at an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs late Saturday night, authorities said.
Posted inFrom Washington Blade
LGBTQ club shooting mars TDOR: “This was our only safe space”
WASHINGTON – In his message this Transgender Day of Remembrance 2022, the day set aside to honor the lives lost to hate, bigotry and anti-trans violence, President Joe Biden marked the lives of transgender Americans known to have been killed this year by horrific acts of brutality and highlighted the attack on the LGBTQ club Read More
Posted inNews
News is Good: Queer Grammy nods, “L Word: Gen Q” returns and more
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 […]
Posted inFrom Philadelphia Gay News
Philly leaders and organizations set for Trans Day of Remembrance
Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), which takes place annually on Nov. 20 is a time when the community unites to remember and honor those who lost their lives to transphobic violence. Each individual or community might celebrate TDOR differently, through social events, vigils, information sessions, speakouts, or a combination. “Too often, community is left out Read More
Posted inFrom Bay Area Reporter
43 years after his death, Milk continues to make waves
His life may have been cut short 43 years ago, but the late gay civil rights leader Harvey Milk continues to make waves.
Posted inFrom Washington Blade
Senate to revisit Respect for Marriage Act after Thanksgiving break
Just before midnight on Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-Ny.) announced that consideration of the Respect for Marriage Act and an associated amendment will resume on November 28, when the chamber reconvenes following the Thanksgiving break. The historic legislation would preserve the more than 1,100 rights and benefits enjoyed by married same-sex couples regardless Read More
Posted inArts and Entertainment
8 transgender musicians making an impact
This Transgender Awareness Week (Nov. 13-19), we’re highlighting trans musical artists who are making a significant impact in their genres. From a pioneering opera singer to a rapper making a difference on and off stage, here are eight incredible musicians you should know. Kim Petras https://open.spotify.com/track/3nqQXoyQOWXiESFLlDF1hG?si=e3a7922263a84b6c German singer/songwriter Kim Petras has been making music for […]
Posted inFrom Tagg Magazine
Tegan and Sara dish on their new TV show, album, tour and Book
2022 was quite the year for indie pop duo Tegan and Sara. In October alone, a TV adaptation of their memoir High School premiered on Amazon Freevee; the pair released their tenth studio album Crybaby to critical acclaim; and the duo embarked on their first tour in three years. But being in the entertainment industry Read More
Posted inFrom Washington Blade
A queer screen roundup for the holidays
Thanksgiving is less than a week away, and we all know what that means. No, we’re not talking about digging out all those saved recipes for using leftover turkey. We mean, of course, that it’s time for the Blade’s annual Holiday Entertainment Preview, when we round up all the new LGBTQ viewing options coming our Read More
Posted inFrom Bay Area Reporter
Gay, HIV-positive SF Supervisor Dorsey wins full term
In winning a full term on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, gay District 6 Supervisor Matt Dorsey has become the city’s first HIV-positive elected supervisor.