“RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under” Drops Teaser Ahead of the Season 2 Premiere

“RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under” just released a gag-worthy first look trailer at the sophomore season, making its way to WOW Presents Plus in select territories on Saturday, July 30th at 12:01am PT, day-and-date with its local airings on Stan (Australia) and TVNZ On Demand (New Zealand).

RuPaul will host the Drag Race Down Under S2 with longtime “Drag Race” icon Michelle Visage and comedian Rhys Nicholson serving as judges. The ten fierce, queens competing for the title of Down Under’s Drag Superstar include Aubrey Haive, Beverly Kills, Faúx Fúr, Hannah Conda, Kween Kong, Minnie Cooper, Molly Poppinz, Pomara Fifth, Spankie Jackzon, and Yuri Guaii.

Chella Man Helps Debut Fresh Approach to the "It Gets Better" Project

It Gets Better Project started as a viral video movement, with more than 70,000 people sharing their stories in support of LGBTQ+ youth. Now, those videos are back with a fresh look and feel, and kicking things off is 23-year-old artist, director, and author Chella Man. This is the first in a series of new It Gets Better videos, more of which will premiere this year. 

“Being deaf made me really wanna figure out… how can I express myself without sound,” Chella Man — who identifies as "curious, stubborn, Deaf, transmasculine, genderqueer, Jewish, and Chinese" — explains in his video. “Going to school, so many hours... you just sit there with a pencil and paper for hours on end. And sometimes schooling wasn’t accessible to me, I couldn’t understand the teacher, I couldn’t hear the teacher, and I didn’t know sign language fluently. But I had a piece of paper and a pencil. That’s the place I felt most free.”

The reimagined look and feel of the It Gets Better videos mirrors a shift in how the art of storytelling has evolved over the years. This inside look at the new subjects takes viewers through their personal stories in an honest way and feels reflective of where today’s LGBTQ+ youth are: constantly evolving, consistently learning, and purposefully bold in being unapologetically themselves.

"With our re-imagined It Gets Better videos, we wanted to give our audiences a chance to peer into the lives of their LGBTQ+ siblings and be inspired by their individuality and freedom of expression. Chella Man is such a dynamic example of what it means to be oneself and create one's own happiness. We are honored to present these stories - knowing that seeing ourselves well is a launching pad for building better futures." - Justin Pye, Digital Producer, It Gets Better Project

ICYMI: NBC: Opponents Of Same-Sex Marriage Face An Uphill Climb. They Should Give Up.

In the lead-up to the Senate’s vote on the Respect for Marriage Act, Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Interim President Joni Madison published an op-ed in NBC THINK about how the bipartisan vote for the legislation in the House of Representatives demonstrates widespread support for marriage equality – and the uphill climb anti-equality opponents will face if they want to roll back this right. The Respect for Marriage Act, which passed the House XX-XX and garnered 47 Republican votes, will guarantee the federal rights, benefits, and obligations of marriages in the federal code, repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and affirm that public acts, records and proceedings should be recognized by all states.

READ THE FULL OP-ED HERE: OPPONENTS OF SAME-SEX MARRIAGE FACE AN UPHILL CLIMB. THEY SHOULD GIVE UP.

EXCERPTS FROM HRC INTERIM PRESIDENT JONI MADISON’S OP-ED:
“There’s no way around it, we are living in a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ people, for women, and for people of color. But our opponents will have an uphill climb if they want to roll back all of our rights. That was evident in the way the Respect for Marriage Act sailed through the House of Representatives 267-157 on Tuesday.”

“In a rare show of bipartisanship, 47 House Republicans from all over this country – North Dakota, Utah, Nebraska, Florida, Texas, Iowa, and South Carolina – including the third-ranking House Republican, Elise Stefanik — voted to protect marriage equality.”

“With the devastating decision to overturn Roe v. Wade… many people fear that other court-protected civil rights could also be on the line — including marriage equality. Tuesday’s vote gave those who were worried about what the Dobbs decision could mean for their marriages a brief moment to exhale because it proved once again that marriage equality enjoys broad, bipartisan support.”

“That’s why a move like we saw on Tuesday was crucial. While bipartisanship in Congress may shock you, Republican support for marriage equality shouldn’t.”

“The 47 votes they casted in favor of the House’s Respect for Marriage Act demonstrate that even Republican lawmakers know marriage equality — which is supported by 7 in 10 Americans, according to a recent Gallup poll — is (and must remain) the law of the land.”

“The end of marriage equality would have catastrophic consequences, much like the devastating consequences of the Dobbs decision. But it is clear that our opponents have a hard fight ahead of them if they come after our marriages because we are on high alert. The LGTBQ+ community has been living in a state of emergency, and we are ready for this fight. Widespread support for marriage equality is rising too fast to be ignored, and the American people, including many in the Republican Party, are with us.”

“For now, the Respect for Marriage Act is in the hands of the Senate. I strongly urge senators to follow the example set by their colleagues in the House and vote to pass this bill to protect the rights given in Obergefell that so many same-sex couples rely upon.”

Human Rights Campaign Commends World Health Organization for Declaring Monkeypox a Global Health Emergency

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, commended the World Health Organization (WHO) for taking the step to declare the monkeypox virus (MPV) a global health emergency. The designation means the WHO views the outbreak as a significant threat to global health, requiring a coordinated international response. The last time a global health emergency was declared was in 2020, in response to COVID-19.

 

According to the CDC, as of July 23, there were 2,891 confirmed cases of MPV in the U.S., though this number is likely an undercount due to limited testing capacity. The Human Rights Campaign has been closely monitoring the monkeypox outbreak in the United States, especially as the virus spreads primarily among gay and bisexual men and transgender women.

 

“This designation must serve as an alarm to public health officials and governments around the world that combatting monkeypox is a top priority; it is critical to rapidly increase testing capacity and vaccine distribution in order to reach communities most impacted by the virus, particularly gay and bisexual men and transgender women, who comprise the majority of current cases,” said Jay Brown, Human Rights Campaign Senior Vice President of Programs, Research and Training. “A public health response that does not center equitable care and treatment is a failed response. We are especially concerned that BIPOC and LGBTQ+ people who face greater challenges in accessing healthcare will bear the brunt of MPV. The LGBTQ+ community will continue to do what we have done for decades—care for one another, be compassionate and empathetic, and advocate for our community’s well-being.”

 

In an effort to get accurate and timely information to the LGBTQ+ community, HRC launched a resource page that lays out what the virus is, how it spreads, symptoms to watch for and current vaccine information, among other crucial information based on CDC and HHS guidance. MPV is a rare but potentially serious, viral illness that typically involves flu-like symptoms, accompanied by a rash, which may look like pimples or blisters. This virus can be transmitted to anyone, anywhere through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact.

 

Health officials note that high rates amongst MSM could be due to gay men being more proactive toward their sexual health (seeking testing, treatment, knowledge sharing) compared to other communities. It’s critically important that we provide a clear, scientific, evidence-based response to prevent the dissemination of misinformation, which might stigmatize LGBTQ+ people. Causing unnecessary fear will potentially endanger lives and lead to destructive policies. Every person, no matter your sexuality or gender identity, should take proper precautions and listen to guidance from health officials in order to stay safe.

Gay Games Hong Kong appoints Alan Lang as new co-chair

Gay Games 11 Hong Kong 2023 (GGHK) announced today that Alan Lang, Director of Sports, will step up to join Lisa Lam as co-chair of GGHK.

Alan joined GGHK’s management team in May 2020 as deputy sports director and in that time has led the Sports team to make substantial progress towards creating a successful event. Achievements include confirming event partners and venues, and reaching cooperation agreements with sports associations connected to the 22 sports that GGHK will be hosting.

In addition to new sports added for Hong Kong such as Dodgeball, Dragonboat and Mahjong, the line-up includes Badminton, Field Hockey, Fencing, Football (Soccer), Marathon (half/full), Swimming, Road Races (5/10 km), Martial Arts, Rowing, Rugby Sevens, Sailing, Squash, Table Tennis, Tennis, Track & Field, and Trail Running (short/long).

Co-hosted with Guadalajara, Mexico, the 11th Gay Games will be the first in both Asia and Latin America, as well the first time to be hosted in two cities simultaneously. Open to everyone 18 and older, the Games welcome everyone to participate regardless of ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, and athletic ability.

“I step humbly into the co-chair role and ask for everyone’s support, because I owe so much to this city’s people,” said Alan Lang. “Eight million individuals in a region of 2 billion who adopted me as one of their own, without judgement or preconceived notions; this newly arrived Australian expat who ‘could’.

“More than anything, I’m here because like the first games held in 1982 in San Francisco, I want to make something from nothing. I want to build on what has come before me, and I want to bring what the rest of the world has enjoyed for four decades, the Gay Games, for the first time here in Asia in 2023.”

To be held during 3-11 November 2023 in both cities, the Games will be one of the largest sports, arts & culture events of next year, bringing the global community together through the power of sports and culture. In addition to 22 sports, GGHK will feature Opening & Closing Ceremonies, Festival Village, Arts & Culture events with daily performances, Gala Concert, art exhibitions, and a variety of events to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Gay Games.

Take a First Look at Billy Porter’s Directorial Debut ANYTHING’S POSSIBLE

Written by Ximena García Lecuona and directed by Billy Porter in his directorial feature debut, Anything's Possible releases globally on Prime Vido this Friday July 22. 

Check out the first official clip from Anything’s Possible - introducing Eva Reign as Kelsa and Abubakr Ali as Khal - below.

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Human Rights Campaign Urges Federal Lawmakers to Pass Bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) — the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization — today marked the introduction and urged the passage of the bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act in Congress. This legislation would guarantee the federal rights, benefits, and obligations of marriage s in the federal code, repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and affirms that public acts, records and proceedings should be recognized by all states. HRC is urging federal lawmakers to move forward with passage of this important legislation.

In response to the introduction of the bill, HRC Interim President Joni Madison issued the following statement:

“The Defense of Marriage Act — which excluded legally married same-sex couples from accessing the federal rights, benefits, and obligations of marriage — is a stain upon our nation and deserves to be relegated to the trash bin of History. With the Respect for Marriage Act, Congress has the opportunity to right this wrong by creating an inclusive law that also standardizes the mechanism for evaluating when a marriage should be given federal recognition and affirms that public acts, records, and judicial proceedings should be honored across this country.”

Key Provisions of the Bill

The Respect for Marriage Act would ensure that marriage equality is protected nationally through several provisions:

• Repealing the 1990s era Defense of Marriage Act. Passed in 1996, it discriminated in two important ways. First, Section 2 of DOMA purports to allow states to refuse to recognize valid civil marriages of same-sex couples. Second, Section 3 of the law carves all same-sex couples, regardless of their marital status, out of all federal statutes, regulations and rulings applicable to all other married people—thereby denying them over 1,100 federal benefits and protections. DOMA was rendered unenforceable, in two stages, by the Supreme Court’s 2013 Windsor v. United States ruling and the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling.
• Establishing that “place of celebration” is the standard of recognition for federal benefits of a same-sex marriage. Under this provision, if marriage equality was ever to cease to be recognized in a given state, same-sex couples who travel to get married in another state – one where same-sex marriages are still recognized – would still retain federal marriage benefits.
• Affirming that public acts, records and proceedings should be recognized by all states. Adoption orders, divorce decrees, and other public acts must be honored by all states consistent with the Full Faith and Credit clause of the US Constitution.
• Codifying the federal protections conferred by the Obergefell and Windsor rulings. The landmark ruling stated that bans on marriage equality are unconstitutional.

More Than Two-Thirds of People Support Marriage Equality

The latest survey from PRRI this year on support for LGBTQ+ rights showed nearly seven in ten Americans (68%) favor allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry legally. Support has increased by 14 percentage points since 2014 (54%). Republicans are now nearly evenly divided over same-sex marriage (48% support, 50% oppose), while 81% of Democrats and 73% of independents favor marriage equality. Today, majorities of most religious groups favor marriage equality. White evangelical Protestants (35%) and Latter-day Saints (46%) remain the only major religious groups with less than majority support for same-sex marriage. 

GLAAD RESPONSE TO MONKEYPOX VACCINE NEWS AND RELEASES COMMUNITY AWARENESS INFORMATION

GLAAD, the world's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, is responding to an announcement from the federal government adding 2.5 million more doses of the monkeypox virus (MPV) vaccine JYNNEOS to the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) over the next year, with an additional 131,000 doses immediately available, and nearly 800,000 more doses available in the coming weeks.

Demand for vaccinations in New York City and other areas has far exceeded current capacity, leading local elected officials to call for more vaccines, testing, and treatment. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced today it placed an order for an additional 2.5 million doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine to respond to the current MPV outbreak and strengthen the nation’s smallpox preparedness. HHS also announced an additional 131,000 doses just arrived and will be immediately available to states and jurisdictions.

The news follows the latest White House briefing for LGBTQ advocates held on Thursday. The briefing featured Dr. Ashish Jha, White House COVID Czar; Harold Phillips, National AIDS Policy Director; Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, Director of the CDC’s Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention; John Brooks, CDC epidemiologist; and DaShawn Usher, Director, Communities of Color at GLAAD. Attendees included LGBTQ advocates who can share information about MPV and the MPV vaccine to followers and networks.

“News of additional MPV vaccine doses becoming available is welcome and urgently needed,” said DaShawn Usher, GLAAD’s Director, Communities of Color. “As we saw with HIV, COVID-19, and now MPV, discrimination, disinformation, racism and systemic breakdowns in the healthcare system continue to challenge LGBTQ Americans’ health as well as public health and safety, especially for LGBTQ people of color. All people are susceptible to MPV but it showed up early in LGBTQ communities, resulting in additional stigma for us. We must keep our community safe and informed.”

Get Involved With the Stonewall Democrats

"How do I get involved with the Stonewall Democrats of Colorado?"

If you've asked yourself this question, you can join them on Thursday July 21 at 6:30PM for a panel of former and current LGBTQIA+ Party Office holders.

Hear from:

Precinct Organizers
House District Officers
Senate District Officers
Judicial District Officers
County Commissioner Officers
Congressional District Officers
County Party Officers
State Party Initiative Officers
State Party Officers

This is your chance to hear how queer Democrats have added their voice to the Democratic Party organization across Colorado. 

Are You Gay With Something To Say? Bloggers Wanted Denver's Gay Community

Are you a new or experienced writer or blogger? Do you want to be? Or maybe you're just some gay guy with something to say? Well, what better forum for you than MileHighGayGuy?

MileHighGayGuy is looking for regular and guest bloggers to write about local news and events, do music and movie reviews, or write opinion or feature pieces from a gay perspective.

These are unpaid positions but offer the opportunity to be published in Colorado's Best Gay Blog (2010, 2011, 2012 OUTstanding Awards, Denver 2012 #WebAwards), expand your audience and gain valuable experience. There's also swag available in the form of free movie and concert tickets, music, books and other cool stuff.

If interested, shoot an email over to Drew Wilson at drew@milehighgayguy.com. And if you've got column or story ideas to pitch, this is the place to do it.

Human Rights Campaign Responds to Federal Judge Temporarily Blocking Trans-Affirming Guidance on Title IX

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) recently responded to news that a federal judge temporarily enjoined Department of Education guidance affirming that the rights of transgender students are protected by Title IX.

“We are disappointed and outraged by this ruling from the Eastern District of Tennessee where, in yet another example of far-right judges legislating from the bench, the court blocked guidance affirming what the Supreme Court decided in Bostock v. Clayton County: that LGBTQ+ Americans are protected under existing civil rights law,” said HRC Interim President Joni Madison. “Nothing in this decision can stop schools from treating students consistent with their gender identity. And nothing in this decision eliminates schools’ obligations under Title IX or students’ or parents’ abilities to bring lawsuits in federal court. HRC will continue to fight these anti-transgender rulings with every tool in our toolbox.”

Bostock v. Clayton County, the landmark Supreme Court decision that protected LGBTQ+ employees from discrimination nationwide, recognized that Title VII’s framework of prohibiting discrimination based upon sex also, by its very nature, prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Title IX, which uses a similar framework, also provides the same protections, as affirmed by the Department of Education’s guidance and numerous federal courts.

Additionally, earlier this month, the Department of Education issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to reverse unjust Trump administration changes to Title IX that limited the obligation of schools which receive federal funding to investigate and address allegations of sexual harassment and assault. HRC praised this move, and notes that this injunction does not impact the ongoing rulemaking process.

MY OLD SCHOOL starring Alan Cumming In Theaters July 22

 

In 1993, 16-year-old Brandon Lee enrolled at Bearsden Academy, a secondary school in a well-to-do suburb of Glasgow, Scotland. What followed over the next two years would become the stuff of legend. 

Brandon had been privately tutored in Canada while he accompanied his mother, an opera diva, on tour before her tragic death. The preternaturally bright student surprised teachers by blazing toward his goal of entering medical school, displaying a wealth of knowledge beyond his years. Brandon found friends despite his initial awkwardness, taking bullied students under his wing, introducing classmates to seminal retro bands, and even starring in the school's production of South Pacific. But then his unbelievable secret was revealed. 

Filmmaker Jono McLeod returns to his old school for a nostalgic look at the strange but true story of his former classmate, Brandon Lee. Utilizing playful, period-specific animation, a pitch-perfect soundtrack, the memories of students and teachers, and the talents of Alan Cumming to bring the tale to life, MY OLD SCHOOL offers more than one surprise along the way.

Human Rights Campaign Urges LGBTQ+ People, Allies to Weigh In, Support Proposed Changes in Title IX Protections

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) — the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization — marked the publication earlier this week of the U.S. Department of Education’s Title IX Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. The proposed regulation, which will add sexual orientation and gender identity as enumerated protected characteristics within the Title IX regulation, is now open for public comment for 60 days. The Department is inviting comments from members of the general public and offers a helpful tip sheet on how to compose comments that will have an impact on the rulemaking process. 

“All students -- no matter their background, sexual orientation, or gender identity -- deserve to feel safe and welcomed in schools. The proposed rule to include clear protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity within the Title IX regulation will do just that,” said Sarah Warbelow, HRC Legal Director. “This is not a ceremonial step;  the voice of the people truly matters here, and we strongly encourage affected people – students, parents, and educators – to submit an official comment about how the proposed rule would positively impact students’ experiences in school. As we await further the Department’s promised additional rule on athletics provisions, which we expect to make clear that transgender youth should be included in these protections, individuals and groups can make their voices heard in defense of LGBTQ+ youth right now.”

The Title IX proposal will help the Biden administration to combat laws like the ‘Don’t Say Gay or Trans’ bills passed in Florida and Alabama that invite harassment of LGBTQ+ youth, and the bathroom bills in Alabama and Oklahoma that prevent transgender students from using facilities matching their gender identity. Polling shows that the public supports nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people, and this rule change is about making the will of the people a reality.

The proposed rule would reverse May 2020 changes to Title IX that limited federally funded educational institutions’ obligation to address sexual harassment and assault. The updated rule would also reinforce protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Even prior to final rules on implementation of Title IX, the law provides protections to LGBTQ+ students in federally funded educational programs. Numerous federal courts have found that discrimination on the basis of sex includes discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, including in Title IX. This includes decisions from federal courts that it is a violation of Title IX to exclude transgender students from restrooms, locker rooms, and sex-separated programs and activities, including athletics, consistent with their gender identity.

Under the Trump administration, the Department of Education instituted a series of controversial and discriminatory regulatory and guidance changes to the implementation of Title IX – the federal civil rights law that protects students from discrimination in federally-funded educational activities and programs – dismantling long-standing protections and opening the door to sex-based discrimination against LGBTQ+ students.

• In 2017, the Departments of Education and Justice rescinded guidance to schools about their obligations to transgender students. 
• As part of the regulatory changes, requirements that federally-funded schools report sexual assault were relaxed and dismantled – creating more hurdles for survivors of sexual assault to seek justice, while giving more rights to alleged perpetrators of sexual violence.  
• The changes further threatened LGBTQ+ students and women, who face disproportionately high rates of sex-based discrimination and stigma that can make it more difficult for LGBTQ survivors to report sexual assault and harassment.
• Studies suggest that nearly half of bisexual women have been raped and half of transgender people will experience sexual violence at some point in their lifetimes. According to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a national survey of high school students, lesbian and bisexual women and gay and bisexual men experienced higher rates of sexual assault than their straight counterparts. In addition, a 2015 study by the Association of American Universities found that 60 percent of gay and lesbian students and nearly 70 percent of bisexual students report being sexually harassed on campus.

In March 2021, President Biden issued Executive Order 14021 to begin the process of undoing the Trump administration’s harmful actions undermining Title IX and protections for LGBTQ+ students. The executive order directed the federal government to ensure federally funded facilities and educational environments are free from sexual harassment, sexual violence, and discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Dance Pop Artist Scott Gardner Drops Two New Singles, 'Daydreaming' and 'What You Do To Me'

NYC-based pop dance artist Scott Gardner springs back onto the music scene with not one but two new singles, “Daydreaming” and “What You Do To Me” that are out now on all major streaming platforms. Written, recorded and produced by Gardner, both songs give a taste of the independent artist’s new EP, set to drop later this summer.

Having built a successful career as a professional model over the past decade, Gardner has worked hard behind the scenes to also power up his music career. In 2019, he instantly hit the ground running, releasing three pop singles that fall. That same year, the artist gave his debut live performance at the Live. Life. Love: Concert For Suicide Prevention, presented by Journey's in Nashville, opening for Lizzo, Louis Tomlinson, Chelsea Cutler and other major artists.

Immediately after that big introduction to the music industry, Gardner performed on stages in DC and Miami for the epic iHeartRadio Jingle Ball, presented by Capital One in December 2019. The budding artist joined the lineup of some of the biggest music stars of today, including BTS, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Billie Eilish, Jonas Brothers, Lizzo, Niall Horan, Camila Cabello, Halsey and many others.

During the pandemic, Gardner continued songwriting. He collaborated with Venezuelan producer and three-time Latin Grammy Nominee and 13-time Promax Award winner Arturo Cabrera Brambilla to co-produce his two new singles.

Gardner has also teamed up with Billboard Dance charting DJ/Producer Hector Fonseca to produce a new remix version of his new “Daydreaming” single, which he plans to release later this month.