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rule, which prohibits minors from receiving hormone therapies, puberty-blocking drugs, or gender confirmation surgery, was adopted on March 16, based on guidance from the Florida Department of Health.The Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine is expected to adopt an identical rule later this month, and the state has already barred Medicaid from covering gender-affirming treatments for transgender adults wishing to transition.That guidance discourages transgender minors from transitioning — not only medically, but socially, warning medical practitioners that minors with gender dysphoria should not be allowed to present or dress in a manner that does not match their assigned sex at birth.But those restrictions are now leading some parents of transgender or nonbinary minors to consider fleeing Florida in order to ensure their children can present themselves as the gender with which they identify.One of those parents, Heather St. Amand, a Tampa Bay area resident whose lived in the state for nearly her entire life, says the state’s recent decisions targeting those who receive gender-affirming care is motivating her to leave the state, reports Tampa Bay area CBS affiliate WTSP.“For my daughter, if she hadn’t received gender-affirming care when she did, I don’t know that she would still be here,” St.

ABC News.“The Governor has said she will sign laws that focus on protecting and educating our kids, not indoctrinating them, and believes our schools are no place for the radical left’s woke agenda,” Alexa Henning, a spokesperson for the governor, said in a statement.

cracking down on homosexuality, essentially making it illegal to identify publicly as LGBTQ — or even express support for the LGBTQ community.The bill builds upon the country’s existing colonial-era laws criminalizing consensual same-sex activity, which is punishable by life imprisonment, targeting a host of free speech-related activities in order to discourage LGBTQ visibility in any form.Under the bill, individuals or institutions that support or fund LGBTQ-related groups or organizations, or publish or distribute pro-gay media or literature, can be prosecuted and imprisoned.Media groups, journalists, and publishers who similarly broadcast or distribute LGBTQ-related content that “promotes homosexuality” also face imprisonment, reports CNN. Property owners can potentially be jailed if they allow their properties to be used as a “brothel,” which is so broadly defined that it can include any gathering space where people are planning or advocating on behalf of the LGBTQ community, or where same-sex sexual activity can potentially take place — regardless of whether such acts actually occur.Cisgender allies of the LGBTQ community can be prosecuted and imprisoned for advocating or expressing support for LGBTQ rights.Friends, family members, and neighbors can also be penalized for failing to inform on individuals they know are engaged in same-sex relationships or LGBTQ advocacy — effectively creating a de facto police state where individual beliefs or free speech rights are under surveillance.The law also imposes the death penalty for those found guilty of “aggravated homosexuality,” a term referring to people who engage in homosexual conduct with another person who cannot or does not consent, or commits such acts under

CBS News.In a March 6 letter to students prior to the referendum, Wellesley President Paula Johnson reiterated that the school will move forward with “our mission as a women’s college,” arguing that recent developments have underscored the need for women-only spaces.“For nearly 150 years, Wellesley’s mission has been to provide an excellent liberal arts education to women who will make a difference in the world,” wrote Johnson. “Events of the last few years — including a pandemic that has had a disproportionate economic impact on women, especially women of color, new restrictions on reproductive health and freedom in the United States, and attacks on women’s rights and education across the globe — have shown that this mission is as urgent as ever.“Wellesley was founded on the then-radical idea that educating women of all socioeconomic backgrounds leads to progress for everyone.

previous vetoes withstood override attempts, it is unclear whether the Republican-led legislature will amass the votes needed to enact the measure over Kelly’s objections — although initial vote tallies in both chambers seem to indicate the votes are there.Last year, Republicans seized upon Kelly’s vetoes as a major campaign issue, trying to paint her in TV and radio ads as out-of-step with Kansans and as hostile to women’s athletics, arguing that allowing transgender females to compete puts cisgender athletes at a disadvantage, robbing them of the opportunity to win awards and other honors.During the campaign, Kelly said that decisions on transgender eligibility should be left to individual schools, doctors, families, and local officials. As reported by The Associated Press, Kelly claimed that the bills favored by Republicans would have “created unnecessary new government mandates,” and could have potentially hurt the state’s business climate by creating a backlash similar to the one experienced by North Carolina when it passed a transgender restroom ban in 2016. Despite the onslaught of attack ads trumpeting the transgender sports issue, Kelly was ultimately re-elected narrowly last November.If Republicans do override Kelly’s veto, it would make Kansas the 19th state to pass a law restricting transgender participation in female-designated sports, prohibiting any student assigned male at birth from competing against women athletes, except in the case of a co-ed sports team or club.

The Washington Post.Sutherland was arrested and charged in June 2022 for allegedly spray-painting the word “groomer” on the front door of the Greenbelt library and the New Carrolton library during Capital Pride week. Both libraries had posted fliers at the buildings’ entrances advertising Pride Month and LGBTQ-themed events or programs.In charging documents, police claim Sutherland confessed to vandalizing the libraries — actions that were caught on surveillance video — and made “several comments expressing his disdain for the LGBTQ Community and the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System while expressing no remorse for what he did.”According to CBS affiliate WUSA9, Sutherland, who worked as a school librarian at Northview Elementary School in Bowie at the time, was placed on administrative leave after being arrested. According to the Post, the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System received a letter in 2021, signed by “Charles M.

The Hollywood Reporter.Alonso’s departure from Marvel Studios marks the end of an era. As one of the most influential executives in Hollywood, Alonso has played an instrumental role in shaping the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and pushing for greater representation in the industry.During her 17-year tenure at Marvel, Alonso helped turn the company from one that was squandering its intellectual property into one of the biggest money-makers in Hollywood.

Noitada, which includes a collaborative single with 2023 Best New Artist Grammy nominee Anitta. The two have worked together before, and clearly they have amazing chemistry.We spoke with Vittar about her new album, working with Anitta, and why she’s chosen to pursue her music career in this manner when so many others haven’t been able to make it work.Congrats on the new album! Tell me what it’s about.Thank you! This album is all about nightlife and how a night out with me would be.

1. Her YouTube 2020 Commencement SpeechIn the early months of the pandemic, Beyoncé gave a stirring commencement address during YouTube’s “Dear Class of 2020” virtual graduation ceremony, in which she spoke directly to queer Black youths.She began by acknowledging the challenges they faced as graduates amidst a global crisis and a racial pandemic, before thanking them for their collective voice in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.She encouraged those who felt different to create their own stage and make themselves seen, telling them that their queerness and Blackness are beautiful, as is their compassion and understanding for those who may be different.

Among the tracks are three re-recordings, including a pair of cuts she wrote and recorded specifically for the The Hunger Games soundtrack, which was released more than a decade ago.The two tunes are “Eyes Open” and “Safe & Sound,” which credits musicians Joy Williams and John Paul White as featured acts. At the time the song was originally made available, those two were in a duo known as The Civil Wars, though now they work independently.Also included in Swift’s offering is a new version of “If This Was a Movie.” That tune was originally released as a track on the deluxe edition of Swift’s third album Speak Now.But perhaps the biggest surprise for Swifties is the final song on the list, “All of the Girls You Loved Before,” which has never been heard before.The cover used on YouTube is from her album Lover, so it appears the cut was written and recorded around that time.

a moment.The multi-talented performer first gained recognition on Broadway, and following her success on stage, Rapp transitioned to television and starred in the HBO Max series The Sex Lives of College Girls.Amazingly, her artistic range doesn’t stop there, as she is also a gifted musician. Rapp has recently been working on her music career, and her newest release Dedicated to You has already won the hearts of the LGBTQ community.For those who haven’t yet had the pleasure of experiencing Renee Rapp’s work, here are five things to know about her.1. She Has Always Been A Theater KidRapp got her start in musical theater in high school, when she portrayed Sandra in the musical adaptation of Big Fish.She was so great in the show, she won what’s called a Blumey Award, which honors young theatrical talent in the Charlotte area.She then went on to be nominated for a Jimmy Award, known as the most prestigious honor for high school-aged talents in theater.

Instagram user’s racy photos, some of which showed the young man, Franklyn McClure, in various states of undress.“Not only have Tennessee Republicans now become the laughingstock of the nation, the bottom line is this: Randy McNally is a predator,” Warner said in a statement.Noting that McNally first began commenting on the young man’s Instagram photos three years ago, Warner accused the lieutenant governor of “sexually grooming his victim when he was a 17-year-old minor” by “relentlessly” commenting on his social media posts, sending him private messages, and calling him.McNally’s comments were first reported by the left-wing news site Tennessee Holler, which reported that McNally, using his official account, commented on a photo of McClure in underwear. “Finn, you can turn a rainy day into rainbows and sunshine!” McNally wrote, using McClure’s nickname.

Pacific Overtures (★★★★☆) sounds doubly refreshing to ears eager to venture somewhere less familiar in Sondheim-land.The score, with music and lyrics by Sondheim, also simply sounds lovely filling the openness of director Ethan Heard’s in-the-round staging, grazing the graceful, watercolor-hued screens set designer Chika Shimizu has wrapped around the Max Theatre. Alexander Tom conducts a nine-piece orchestra — complete with a booming taiko war drum — that breathes vitality into those plunking, repeated quarter notes that so sing of Sondheim.Heard’s talented cast sings with passion, too, caressing the stories inside the songs to find touching notes of humor, pathos, pride, and prejudice.

Lady Gaga’s illustrious career has been punctuated by a series of standout Oscar performances throughout the years, with each one further cementing her status as one of the most versatile and dynamic performers of her generation.Coincidentally, she has also been nominated for four Oscars — one for each of her three Best Original Song contenders and once as a tribute performer.With another high-profile performance under her belt as of last week, it’s worth taking a closer look at each of these showings and assessing how they stack up against one another.Here are Gaga’s four Academy Award performances, ranked from “worst” to best.4. Hold My HandGaga’s stripped-down performance of “Hold My Hand” from Top Gun: Maverick was one of the most anticipated moments of the 2023 Oscars.Although the tune was nominated for Best Original Song, her performance was not confirmed until the day of the ceremony, as the team behind the Oscars had initially said she would not be performing.Gaga graced the red carpet in full makeup and a stunning black gown but changed into a more casual outfit of a black t-shirt and jeans with holes in the knees for her performance.Before singing, Gaga spoke to the crowd, sharing a message of hope and encouragement.“We need a lot of love to walk through this life, and we all need a hero sometimes,” she said.

Detroit Free Press.“I am so proud to be here, and I’m excited to put our state on the right side of history,” added Whitmer, who advocated for such a law when she served in the legislature from 2006 to 2015. Moss noted that equality advocates have spent the better part of five decades advocating for an expansion of civil rights protections, only to see those efforts stymied in Lansing.This was, in part, due to reticence by Republicans — who controlled the legislature for 40 years prior to November — to embrace the cause of LGBTQ equality, for fear of offending religious and socially conservative voters.“The baton has been passed generation to generation,” Moss said. “This moment is so long overdue, and too many suffered on the journey to get here.

Into the Woods is a pleasure to behold. The way in which Milky White responds — with resounding sadness at being taken to market by Jack (of Beanstalk fame), or with sheer exuberance, giddily shaking its head side to side and literally smiling during the ensemble’s reprisal of the title song, is the kind of thing that makes theater undeniably magical.The simplicity of the arrangement, with Kanagawa in full, unconcealed view, literally at one with the object, only solidifies the strength of the illusion.“This was my first puppet,” says Kanagawa, whose credits typically veer toward the more traditional side of musical theater (Jesus Christ Superstar, Falsettos), thanks to a silvery tenor that possesses a sturdy, to-the-rafters belt when needed.“Milky White is such a unique puppet that I was able to go in without any preconceived notions of how a puppet was supposed to be operated,” he continues.

WorldPride 2025, a global Pride event that typically draws millions of revelers and tourists.Presenting such a large-scale celebration also underscores the need for Washington to rapidly increase its number of public venues — including LGBTQ nightclubs and bars — over the next two years to be able to meet the demand for spaces for parties or other events.This year’s Pride celebration will feature the annual Pride Parade, which will follow the same route as last year, starting in Logan Circle and traveling to the West End via Rhode Island and Massachusetts Avenues NW, on Saturday, June 10.The annual Pride Festival and Concert will be held in its normal spot, along Pennsylvania Avenue NW, between 7th to 3rd Streets NW, facing the U.S. Capitol dome, on Sunday, June 11.Additionally, a Pride Block Party will be held on June 10 along 17th Street NW, in the historic Dupont Circle neighborhood. “We are thrilled to introduce our theme for Capital Pride 2023 as we gear up to welcome the world to D.C.

Earline Budd said in a statement announcing the service. “There should be no rest in the LGBTQ community when these triages are still happening.”To call attention to the overdose epidemic, activists have plaed a citywide memorial service, to be held on Saturday, March 18, at 11 a.m.

Jussie Smollett: Anatomy of a Hoax, brothers Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo admitted they were the ones who attacked Smollett, and they’re not holding back any details.Back in 2019, Smollett paid the Osundairo siblings $3,500 to stage the attack on the streets of Chicago.After he went to the hospital and the story broke via social media, the actor claimed that a pair of MAGA hat-wearing white supremacists were responsible.The story quickly gained media attention, and the public was outraged at the apparent hate crime.However, during the investigation and subsequent trial, it was revealed that Smollett had concocted the whole thing as a bid for attention and sympathy.In their interview, the brothers revealed that Smollett wanted to be seen as someone inspiration to both black and gay people.“He wanted to be the poster boy for activism,” they said. “He wanted to be the hero.” They also stated that they took up Smollett’s offer to beat him up because they thought he would eventually help their career.The brothers revealed that they felt betrayed by Smollett after the fraud was revealed, and they called him “insane.”They also said that when they were caught, Smollett threw them under the bus and denied everything.“That’s when I knew that this dude was like a supervillain,” one of the brothers said.

RuPaul’s Drag Race that tours throughout the country.Although the show required people under the age of 18 to be accompanied by an adult in order to attend, the DeSantis administration has sought to use its influence — including its control over the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, which oversees business licensing — to crack down on any aspect of “woke” or LGBTQ culture, including drag shows.Opposition to drag shows is largely based on the premise that they are harmful to children, because they expose youth to demonstrations of gender nonconformity or sexually-tinged content, which may inspire children to emulate that behavior in their personal lives.In an administrative complaint, the DBPR accused the Hyatt Regency Miami of several violations of law, citing a heretofore rarely-enforced prohibition on “lascivious exhibition” in front of people younger than 16.According to the department, “A Drag Queen Christmas” featured performers “wearing sexually suggesting (sic) clothing and prosthetic female genitalia,” as well as simulating masturbation.The DBPR had previously balked at the way that “A Drag Queen Christmas” was marketed as an “all ages” event when tickets were being sold, and warned the Hyatt to prohibit minors from attending the show, or risk various penalties, including the loss of their liquor license, according to the right-wing outlet Florida Voice.Organizers subsequently updated their advertising with a warning that the show contained “adult content” and was recommended only for those over 18 years of age.Because some parents are believed to have allowed their children under the age of 18 to attend the show, the DBPR is following through on its threat to revoke the hotel’s liquor license.

not gay.” He later clarified by stating, “There are a couple of guys…I could date, life partner-wise.”He was referring to the men who pop up on Instagram, as the platform serves him images and accounts it believes he might be interested in based on past views and likes. He mentioned that the ones that really get him going are the “woodchopping” ones.