Lgbtq youth Showbiz and Celebrity Breaking News

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg slammed Republicans over their repeated attacks against the LGBTQ community, claiming that conservative politicians are seeking to exploit populist anger over culture-war issues in order to distract from the more unpopular parts of their party’s platform.Speaking to MSNBC anchor Chris Jansing during an on-air interview on Tuesday, Buttigieg offered an explanation for what appears to be an onslaught of attacks targeting the LGBTQ community or displays of LGBTQ visibility.“I think it’s being done out of the perception that it is politically convenient to target vulnerable groups,” Buttigieg said of the GOP attacks, which take the form of both screeds by anti-LGBTQ pundits and legislation seeking to restrict LGBTQ rights or censor expressions of LGBTQ identity.In the past six months, more than 75 anti-LGBTQ bills have been signed into law in more than 20 states, prompting theHuman Rights Campaign to declare a national state of emergency for LGBTQ Americans.

Nex Benedict, a nonbinary 16-year-old who died the day after an altercation in the school’s bathroom.But a pro-LGBTQ alliance of hundreds of people showed up to counter-protest, outnumbering the church members and expressing support for the students at Owasso High School in Owasso, Oklahoma. The Topeka, Kansas-based Westboro, which has been designated a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, announced earlier this week that it intended to hold two “public preaching” events in Owasso on Wednesday, March 6 — one outside the school board headquarters, and the other outside Owasso High.According to a release from the group that misgenders Benedict, Westboro intended to protest the school due to its negligence in dealing with the 16-year-old, allowing her to identify as nonbinary without forcing her to accept her assigned sex at birth.The release slams Benedict’s family for having failed in raising them, and the staffers at Owasso High School, the local school board, and the city, saying that adults surrounding Benedict failed to intervene, and implying that God punished the lack of intervention with Benedict’s death.

Detroit News. “Let’s continue working together to ensure anyone can ‘make it’ in Michigan, expand fundamental freedoms and fight back against any and all forms of discrimination.”The types of techniques used in conversion therapy can run the gamut from more severe forms, such as electroshock therapy, induced vomiting or the infliction of physical discomfort as a form of “aversion therapy” to less severe forms such as talk-based therapy, in which a therapist may encourage patients or clients to conform to Biblical standards of morality or a specific set of religious beliefs.While proponents and opponents of conversion therapy agree that sexuality can be fluid over time and that gender-nonconformity alone is not indicative of either sexual orientation or gender identity, critics of conversion therapy claim that therapists engaging in such practices falsely hold them out as a “cure-all” that will completely eradicate a person’s naturally-occurring same-sex attraction, despite overwhelming medical evidence that such techniques are largely ineffective in achieving such goals.Under the ban, physicians, psychologists, licensed nurses, counselors, social workers, and therapists are prohibited from subjecting minors to conversion therapy in their professional capacity or in exchange for compensation.

Daily Wire, the page was removed at the direction of a cabinet-level agency, according to reporting from The Washington Post.Subsequently, the removal of the page of LGBTQ resources prompted questions from Health Department leaders and state employees over why subject-matter experts hadn’t been consulted or forewarned.Some of those same employees also noted that the Youngkin administration had removed information from the website without consulting those experts at least three other times, targeting primarily resources on abortions, sexual health, or pregnancy.All the decisions that have been called into question appear to pertain to the Youngkin administration’s efforts to reverse course or end policies that were in place for eight years under former Democratic Governors Terry McAuliffe and Ralph Northam.In response to an inquiry about the removal, Macaulay Porter, a spokesperson for the governor, framed the issue as one of parental rights — the rallying cry that helped him first get elected due to voters’ anger over school closures stemming from COVID-19 lockdowns, and objections from conservative parents about curriculum content, books on library shelves that aren’t part of official curricula, or district policies — especially those pertaining to race or LGBTQ identity — that they viewed as overly “woke.”Porter also appeared to raise concerns about some of the helplines and chat spaces provided by the LGBTQ organizations and the possibility that youth may be vulnerable to grooming or exposed to sexually-explicit content if they access such spaces.“In Virginia, the governor will always reaffirm a parent’s role in their child’s life.

several major elements of Florida’s “Parental Rights in Education” law, also known as the “Don’t Say Gay” law.Under the newly enacted Kentucky law, school districts are banned from using pronouns that do not match a student’s assigned sex at birth, from teaching certain sex-related courses, and from allowing students to use facilities that match their gender identity, reports Louisville FOX affiliate KDRB.Teachers would be forced to disclose information to parents about their children’s behavior, including whether they are using different names or pronouns that don’t match their sex at birth, or any information disclosed to them by their students about their sexual orientation or gender identity. The new law prohibits schools from teaching human sexuality or sexually-transmitted diseases until after 5th grade, and no student, of any grade level, can receive instruction with “a goal or purpose of students studying or exploring gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.”Schools will also be required to adopt policies informing parents before any class in 6th grade or higher studies sex-related topics, including STDs, and must obtain parental consent before proceeding with any lessons.Schools must also provide alternatives for students whose parents wish to “opt out” of sex-related instruction, and must allow parents to review any materials used in the course of teaching.The bill also prohibits doctors from prescribing puberty blockers or hormones to minors, or from performing surgical interventions to assist a minor in transitioning to a gender that is different from their assigned sex at birth.

brief from the world’s top crisis intervention and suicide prevention organization, LGBTQ youth with one parent in the military face 17% higher odds of experiencing anxiety symptoms, 14%  higher odds of contemplating suicide, and are nearly 40% more likely to have reported attempting suicide in the past year.The data backing up these findings was drawn from The Trevor Project’s 2021 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health, which surveyed nearly 35,000 LGBTQ youth ranging in age from 13 to 24 years old.Overall, 5% of LGBTQ-identifying youth reported having a parent currently in the military, a figure that rises to 7% when just counting those youth who are under 18 years old. Geographically, LGBTQ youth in the South report higher rates of having a parent in the military, at 7%, compared to only 4% in the Northeast and Midwest and 5% in the West.

Sultan Shakir, who is currently serving as president and executive officer of Philadelphia’s Mazzoni Center, a health care advocacy organization and service provider for the LGBTQ community.“Erin Whelan is a compassionate and strong leader who I am confident is the right person to lead SMYAL,” Rob Cogorno, the chair of SMYAL’s Board of Directors, said in a statement.

The Washington Post, several former employees have accused Ruby Corado, the organization’s founder, of failing to submit proper paperwork on time, and keeping a tight-fisted hold on the organization’s finances, making money inaccessible to various programs despite a steady influx of money in the form of personal donations from community members and government grants.At least three employees told the Post that they have not been paid in six weeks. Residents who were living in Casa Ruby’s transitional homes were forced to scramble to find new housing as shelters shuttered and landlords began complaining that the organization had not paid rent or had submitted payments late, resulting in the accumulation of late fees and increasing Casa Ruby’s debt. The first signs of trouble came last fall, when the D.C.

Former Fox News host and conservative pundit Megyn Kelly equated gender-affirming care for transgender youth to conversion therapy that attempts to change a person’s sexual orientation.Appearing on the Eric Bolling: The Balance show on Newsman this past Tuesday, Kelly commented on a Fox News profile of Ryland Whittington, a trans 14-year-old boy living in California. Fox News’ Bryan Llenas, a correspondent for the America’s Newsroom program, interviewed Whittington and his family on the experience of coming out and transitioning. The story was viewed as a largely positive one, as the Whittington family was accepting of Ryland’s transition, and his mother, Hillary, reportedly said: “I would rather have a living son than a dead daughter.”But the positive coverage of transgender topics — which conservatives have seized on as a cause to rail against — angered many of Fox News’ viewers.

Mulan, and “Corner of The Sky” from Pippin.Although free, advanced tickets are required for both concerts due to limited seating capacity.Saturday, April 23, at 3 p.m. at THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave.

On Thursday, a group of Florida school-age students, parents of LGBTQ youth, and a teacher filed suit against a recent bill signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis that prohibits LGBTQ-related content or lessons in primary grade classrooms.The lawsuit, filed in U.S.

signaled his support for the bill.Under the bill, sponsored by Rep. Joe Harding (R-Williston), teachers would be prohibited from “encouraging discussion” about sexual orientation or gender identity in primary grade levels — which in Florida, is defined as preschool through third grade — or broaching the topic “in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students.” The bill also allows parents to sue school districts for failing to consult them regarding “critical decisions affecting a student’s mental, emotional, or physical health or well-being.”While supporters largely intend for the bill to discourage teachers from affirming a child’s gender identity or acknowledging sexual orientation without first consulting the parents, during a Senate hearing on a nearly-identical bill proposed by Sen.

METRO WEEKLY: Let’s talk about your earliest years and what your family was like as a child.MELANIE WILLINGHAM-JAGGERS: I was raised by a single mother. She was single by choice, and a mother by choice. There’s some complexity here, because I actually come from a really big extended family.

“Don’t Say Gay” bill, highlighting the serious harm it could cause to LGBTQ youth.The Republican-backed bill, which is working its way through Florida’s legislature, would ban discussions of LGBTQ issues “in primary grade levels or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students.”Florida Republicans claim that the bill is a “parental rights” measure which will alert parents to topics that they might otherwise object to. However, Democrats have criticized the legislation, saying it will be interpreted and enforced by school districts in a way that effectively gags any discussion about LGBTQ-related topics, even in passing.Appearing on CNN Newsroom last week, Buttigieg was asked by host Jim Sciutto whether the “Don’t Say Gay” bill is “dangerous.”“Absolutely,” Buttigieg responded.

In its final act as it permanently sunsets, the BHT Foundation has gifted more than $522,000 to 19 community organizations in an emotional, often tearful final grant reception held virtually over Zoom on Wednesday, Feb. 9, at 8 p.m.More than half of the disbursement has been earmarked for two organizations: The DC Center for the LGBTQ Community and AIDS Action Baltimore.

Florida, meaning from preschool up to Grade 3), or “in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students.”Buttigieg recently attacked Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) on Twitter over the bill being pushed by DeSantis’ fellow Republicans, claiming that its would “kill kids” by making it harder for LGBTQ children to acknowledge their identities.

nearly identical companion bill has been introduced in the Senate by Sen. Dennis Baxley (R-Belleview), using much of the same language.Some parents praised lawmakers for moving to protect parental rights.

See also: It Gets Better Project launches “Out in Front,” a docu-series highlighting LGBTQ youth activism“Connecting LGBTQ+ youth to their community is a number one priority of the It Gets Better Project. In partnership with AEO’s American Eagle and Aerie brands, the “50 States.

Casa Ruby has been left scrambling to raise money for shelter beds for LGBTQ homeless youth after it received a letter from the District of Columbia’s Department of Human Services notifying the organization that its grant of $839,460 to provide low-barrier housing will not be renewed as of Oct. 1.Ruby Corado, Casa Ruby’s founder and executive director, told Metro Weekly she was notified on Friday, Sept.

research brief issued by The Trevor Project, fewer than 1 in 3 LGBTQ youth reported participating in some athletic activity, with only 32% saying they had ever participated in sports for a school, club, or community league.The data cited in the research brief was drawn from The Trevor Project’s annual survey on LGBTQ mental health.

courting controversy and angering social conservatives by being open about his sexuality. But he’s also used his public platform to reach out to and give hope to LGBTQ youth who may be struggling with their own journeys of self-discovery.In February, he shared a series of TikTok videos documenting his life story, including his battles with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation, even as he was becoming a musical star.

In its third annual survey released late last week, The Trevor Project found that well over two-thirds of the 35,000 LGBTQ youth ages 13–24 across the United States interviewed reported that the affects of the coronavirus pandemic has largely negatively impacted their lives.

microsite for viewers and creators to submit minute-long videos sharing personal stories of pride, asking questions for the hosts to answer, and other content. Select responses will then be featured during the livestream.The second event is a live Minecraft competition that will stream on YouTube Gaming at a yet to be determined date.

which our youth can flourish.”Related: SMYAL opens second house, with 14 additional beds, for LGBTQ homeless youthSultan Shakir, the executive director of SMYAL, helped lead efforts as part of the DC LGBTQ Coalition that advocated for, and eventually obtained, increased funding in the city’s budget for LGBTQ-specific programs, including extended transitional housing.“The extended transitional housing program is for people who need more support,” Shakir told Metro Weekly in an interview.

largely debunked by most mainstream medical and mental health organizations, and that survivors of the therapy often experience depression, low self-esteem, and suicidal ideation afterwards. “Putting a stop to this harmful and detrimental practice can save the lives of countless LGBTQ Hoosiers,” Ford said in a statement. “A person’s sexual orientation or gender identity is not a disease that needs cured.

Daily Mail.Researchers asked nearly 1,200 participants in the study questions such as “Are you gay or bisexual?” and “Are you transgender?” Respondents could answer “yes,” “maybe,” “no,” or “I do not understand.”About 190 respondents, or 1.6% of the total, were classified as part of the “Sexual and Gender Minority” cohort.

A sign along the beach path in Long Beach informs the public about social distacning. Photo: Q Voice News.

report released in May that documented the various forms the practice takes and characterized the practice as a threat to LGBTQ people across the globe.The report defines conversion therapy as “interventions of a wide-ranging nature, all of which are premised on the belief that a person’s sexual orientation and gender identity, including gender expression, can and should be changed or suppressed” when it does not comply to societal expectations of gender norms.The report, written by Victory

The 25th annual Day of Silence will end with a virtual rally on Friday, April 24 (Image courtesy of GLSEN)

Supporters of a Tallahassee ordinance banning conversion therapy demonstrating – Photo: Equality Florida, via Facebook.

Covington, Ky. – Photo: City of Covington, via Facebook.

Q Chat Space at SMYAL

The Oklahoma Flag waving outside of the Oklahoma State Capitol (Photo: Okiefromokla, via Wikimedia).

Don Lemon — Photo courtesy of CNN

Virginia Sen. Scott Surovell (left) talks about his bill to ban conversion therapy before the Senate Committee on Health and Education Committee’s Health subcommittee. – Photo: Scott Surovell, via Twitter.