Pride
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Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan is not afraid to make a bold statement on stage. And at the Welcome to Rockville Festival on Sunday night (May 21) in Daytona Beach, Florida, the singer who often dons elaborate costumes during his band’s sets slipped into something that seemed aimed at making Florida Gov. and likely Republican […]
Maren Morris is not ready to make nice. The country star took another swipe at her ultra-conservative nemesis, Tucker Carlson, on Saturday night during the 2023 GLAAD Media Awards, where she drew loud cheers from the room packed with LGBTQ rights supporters while accepting the Excellence in Media Award.
“Maybe I felt a little badass taking Tucker Carlson’s calling me a lunatic for standing up to transphobia, turning it into a T-shirt and raising $150,000 for LGBTQ+ charities,” Morris said while accepting the award that recognizes allies who have “made a significant difference in promoting acceptance of LGBTQ people” in their work. “That made me feel a little cool, but I don’t want to gloat. I would never insult the recently unemployed.”
According to The Huffington Post, the swipe at the former Fox News prime time host known for his xenophobic and homophobic rants inspired the crowd to erupt in applause. Carlson was unceremoniously fired, reportedly with little warning, last month in the wake of the conservative network’s $787 million loss in the Dominion Voting lawsuit.
“The crowds at my shows are a sea of diversity, from race, identity to age,” Morris added in her GLAAD acceptance speech. “It is a loving, safe space for my band, crew, venue staff and most notably, my fans. This community stood up for me and made me feel safe when I felt alone and I’ll never be able to repay them, but I hope I get to spend the rest of my life and career settling up.”
Morris’ ding of Carlson was a reference to the host dubbing her a “lunatic” and a “fake country music person” last year when “The Bones” singer was in the midst of a public spat with Jason Aldean’s wife, Brittany Aldean, after the latter posted comments deemed offensive to the transgender community. “I’d really like to thank my parents for not changing my gender when I went through my tomboy phase. I love this girly life,” Brittany Aldean wrote in a makeup video. Morris initially reacted to Carlson’s firing in late April by posting an Instagram Story in which she wrote “Happy Monday, MotherTucker.”
Morris decided to turn Carlson’s haterade into sweet tea last fall by selling t-shirts with Tucker’s “lunatic” insult that raised more than $150K for Trans Life and GLAAD’s Transgender Media Program. Morris wasn’t done after that, either, going on to join the loud chorus of stars denouncing Tennessee’s anti-drag legislation during a performance at March’s Love Rising benefit concert for LGBTQ causes in Nashville.
Check out a portion of Morris’ speech below.
Hayley Kiyoko stopped by Wizards of Waverly Pod on Monday (May 15) to reminisce about her time on the Disney Channel sitcom Wizards of Waverly Place, her co-star Selena Gomez and more. Speaking to co-hosts and fellow former Disney Channel actors Jennifer Stone and David DeLuise, the pop singer dubbed Lesbian Jesus recalled how the […]
While tensions continue to flare between former president Donald Trump and embattled Florida governor Ron DeSantis, internet sensation Randy Rainbow is pulling out his popcorn to watch the chaos ensue.
On Monday (May 15), Rainbow unveiled his latest parody video, “Welcome to DeSantis,” taking jabs at the governor as the politician prepares to announce his long-awaited 2024 presidential run. Kicking things off with a classic Randy Rainbow fake interview, the comedian points to the controversial policies DeSantis has passed into law before sarcastically saying that he would make a great president.
“Who needs cultural advancement, diversity, compassion, or Trixie Mattel?” Rainbow mockingly quips. “This country is in a slow-burning UberX headed right back to the dark ages, and baby, you’re just the heartless, autocratic wannabe to drive us there!”
As is custom, Rainbow launches directly into song with a hilarious re-invention of “Welcome to the 60’s” from the 2002 musical Hairspray, but this time with DeSantis’ all-but-announced presidential run in his sights. Addressed jeeringly to former Trump voters (referred to simply as “MAGA” throughout the video), the song derides DeSantis’ policies and teases what a potential presidency from the governor would look like.
“Welcome to the bigoted old-timey days/ Where we ban all the books, and we hate all the gays,” Rainbow croons on the song’s bridge. Later, he piles on even more, singing that voters ought to “Hide your wife and children when DeSantis runs/ ‘Cause our lives are secondary to their godd–n guns.”
Putting a button on his top-tier parody, Rainbow takes a final swipe at DeSantis as his polling numbers continue to plummet. “Put an end to those pesky old human rights,” Rainbow says with a caustic smile. “‘Cause we know that he’ll fight for our nation/ ‘Til at last it’s safe for wealthy Christian whites — ugh, finally!”
This marks the second time that Rainbow has taken aim specifically at DeSantis through his videos. Back in April 2022, Rainbow dedicated his parody video “GAY!” entirely to Florida’s controversial “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
Check out Rainbow’s full video for “Welcome to DeSantis” below:
Woo-ah, indeed! Kim Petras shared two major bits of news on Monday (May 15): Her major-label debut is finally on its way and she’s on the cover of the 2023 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. Titled Feed the Beast, the German pop princess revealed the album’s release date and what looks like the cover art on […]
Lily-Rose Depp and 070 Shake are Instagram official. The actress to her her Stories on Friday (May 12) to celebrate four months dating the “Skin and Bones” rapper (real name Danielle Balbuena) with a sweet photo of the duo sharing a passionate kiss. “4 MONTHS WITH MY CRUSH,” Depp wrote over the photo. The romance […]
With anti-LGBTQ bills continuing to sweep across the U.S. at a high speed, some of the most prominent drag performers in the world got together on Sunday (May 7) to say that enough is enough.
The Drag Isn’t Dangerous livestream telethon, hosted by Justin Martindale, Alaska 5000, Peppermint and Adam Shankman and created by Producer Entertainment Group, raised more than $500,000 for LGBTQ charities. The event saw performers including RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 7 winner Jinkx Monsoon, Jake Wesley Rogers, Bob the Drag Queen and more take to the stage in both live and pre-taped performances to help raise money for organizations benefiting the queer community.
Along with performances, the event also featured a number of testimonials from LGBTQ entertainers and noted allies such as Margaret Cho, Adam Lambert, Charlize Theron, Sarah Silverman and Melissa McCarthy, who spoke out against the rampant discrimination being faced by LGBTQ people everywhere. In one of the most blistering statements of the evening, RuPaul’s Drag Race judge Michelle Visage blasted state legislatures aiming to restrict drag performances.
“I wish I could say that I am glad to be here, but I am appalled I have to be at something called Drag Isn’t Dangerous,” she said during the event. “Imagine a world where dancers are told they can’t dance; imagine a world where artists are told they cannot take paint to canvas … because it is ‘bad for children.’ That is what is happening to drag right now.”
All proceeds from the event are being split among a pool of charities, including GLAAD, GLSEN, Headcount, Black Queer Town Hall, The ACLU Drag Defense Fund, Trans Justice Funding Project and the Victory Fund to support and defend drag performers against anti-drag legislation in states such as Tennessee and Florida.
In addition, the telethon featured the debut of the new groove-fueled charity single “Drag Isn’t Dangerous,” performed by Jayelle and Ocean Kelly. Now available on all streaming services, the new single is similarly donating all proceeds to the charities mentioned above.
For those who missed the live telethon, fear not — you can purchase a ticket to watch the full stream here. Additional donations can be made on Drag Isn’t Dangerous’ official GoFundMe page, and more information surrounding the charities and performers involved can be found at the group’s official website.
Dee Snider is speaking out amid the backlash surrounding his support for Paul Stanley‘s factually inaccurate tweets about gender-affirming health care.
“Why did the San Fransisco Gay Pride Parade invite me, Dee Snider, to be a Grand Marshal in their parade and sing ‘We’re Not Gonna Take It’ on the center stage at what could possibly be the most important LGBTQIA+ gathering in the organization’s long history?” the rocker wrote in a statement posted to Facebook on Friday (May 5). SF Pride revealed earlier this week that the organization was “on the cusp” of announcing the 1984 Twisted Sister hit as the “rallying cry” of this year’s celebration, but have since decided to “part ways” with Snider.
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“I was not aware the Transgender community expects fealty and total agreement with all their beliefs and any variation or deviation is considered ‘transphobic,’” Snider continued in his statement. “So, my lifetime of supporting the Transgender community’s right to identify as they want and honoring whatever changes they may make in how they present themselves to the world isn’t enough? Why not?”
The controversy began on April 30, when Kiss singer-guitarist Paul Stanley shared an unprompted statement about his concern toward the “dangerous fad” of children being given access to gender-affirming care. “There is a BIG difference between teaching acceptance and normalizing and even encouraging participation in a lifestyle that confuses young children into questioning their sexual identification,” he wrote. While he noted that adults “may decide reassignment is their needed choice,” children shouldn’t be eligible. Stanley has since walked back his comments.
Snider retweeted Stanley’s original statement, writing, “You know what? There was a time where I ‘felt pretty’ too. Glad my parents didn’t jump to any rash conclusions!”
The Twisted Sister rocker continued, “Parents need to be less reactionary; Right and Left. No need to steer the child in either direction. Let the kid figure it out for themselves knowing their family is supportive. I had a vet/cop harda– dad who, while he shook his head A LOT…let me do my thing.”
A common misconception is that “gender-affirming care” is limited to gender affirmation surgeries. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the care also includes counseling about coming out as transgender, the use of pronouns that most identify with the individual, speech therapy to help match vocal characteristics and aid with non-surgical gender presentation such as breast binding or padding, genital tucking or hip padding.
Many medical organizations like the Endocrine Society and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health already do not recommend gender-affirming surgery before the patient is 18 years old, but it is worth noting that claims about “irreversible” procedures are largely false. In an interview with Billboard, Dr. Joshua D. Safer, MD, explained that surgeries are “typically reserved for adults,” with only particular cases requiring more immediate intervention. “Prior to any gender-affirming medical or surgical intervention, all minors must have an intake with a knowledgeable mental health provider internal to our system. Once deemed ready for a medical/surgical intervention, the processes we have for adults are then brought into play,” he said.
Additionally, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychological Association, all have noted that gender-affirming care is not dangerous for trans youth. In most cases, it’s actually beneficial and at times life saving.
“I’ve recently stated I do not believe young children are ready to decide their gender allocation,” Snider added in his statement. “I believe their choices should be supported and accepted by their parents, but I do not think kids have the mental capabilities to make rational, logical decisions on things of a magnitude that will affect them for the rest of their lives. I do not believe they are mentally developed enough.”
Snider went on to describe himself as a “proud moderate,” noting that the “Transgender community needs moderates who support their choices, even if we don’t agree with every one of their edicts. For some Transgender people (not all) to accuse supporters, like me, of transphobia is not a good look for their cause.”
See his full post here.
He may have sung that he wanted to “rock and roll all night and party every day,” but Kiss singer-guitarist Paul Stanley‘s last few days have been pretty lacking in the “party” department.
After making factually inaccurate comments via Twitter about gender-affirming care for minors earlier this week, Stanley walked back his original statement on Thursday (May 4). “While my thoughts were clear, my words clearly were not,” he wrote.
In his original statement, Stanley forwarded misinformation about gender-affirming care for youths, saying that “irreversible” procedures shouldn’t be performed on children (despite the facts saying that the vast majority of this kind of care is reversible and often medically necessary for trans kids). “There is a BIG difference between teaching acceptance and normalizing and even encouraging participation in a lifestyle that confuses young children into questioning their sexual identification,” Stanley wrote.
But in his new statement, he focused on those currently undergoing the transition process, expressing his admiration for their bravery in being themselves. “Most importantly and above all else, I support those struggling with their sexual identity while enduring constant hostility and those whose path leads them to reassignment surgery,” he said. “It’s hard to fathom the kind of conviction that one must feel to take those steps.”
Closing his new statement, Stanley opted not to clarify his original statement, insisting that social media may not be the best place for genuine discourse. “A paragraph or two will remain far too short to fully convey my thoughts or point of view, so I will leave that for another time and place,” he wrote.
See Stanley’s latest statement below:
Sure, you can buy yourself flowers. But, if you’d rather buy yourself flower-print pieces from Betsey Johnson’s rhinestone collection, Miley Cyrus‘ Happy Hippie Foundation will receive $1 from each purchase — a new partnership that will benefit LGBTQ youth throughout Mental Health Awareness Month.
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Launching this month, the year-long partnership will focus its May effort on supporting young LGBTQ people in need. Not only will revenue from Johnson’s best-selling floral collection of sparkly shoes and bags go toward funding Happy Hippie, but customers looking to purchase products outside the select assortment will also be invited to donate to the foundation at checkout.
“Miley and I share so much history and I admire her greatly,” said the designer in a statement. “Thank you so much, Miley, for creating Happy Hippie. I can’t wait to collaborate with you on this. Faith, hope, and charity are everything — what you give is what you get. So let’s give back.”
Betsey Johnson x Miley Cryrus
Courtesy of Betsey Johnson
More fruits of Cyrus and Johnson’s partnership will be announced throughout the next year.
The “Flowers” singer has long been linked to Johnson, having worn the Y2K fashion maven’s designs back in 2008 during season three of her breakthrough Disney Channel show Hannah Montana. Cyrus also attended her prom in a Betsey Johnson dress, according to a release.
In 2015, the Grammy nominee founded Happy Hippie to rally donations and essential programs for vulnerable populations, including homeless youth, LGBTQ youth, youth aging out of foster care, people living with HIV/AIDS, and more. The foundation’s partnership with Betsey Johnson will provide support groups to youth and families of youth exploring gender at a time when nearly half of all LGBTQ youth have seriously considered suicide and more than half were unable to access needed mental health care, according to a release.
“I’m so excited that Happy Hippie is partnering with Betsey Johnson, starting this May with Mental Health Awareness Month,” said Cyrus in a statement. “Betsey Johnson shares our belief in rallying youth to fight injustice, and this collaboration couldn’t come at a better time when the needs have increased. Thanks to Betsey Johnson for sharing our mission of inclusion and self-expression, no matter who you are.”