lgbtqia
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I May Destroy You: Paapa Essiedu Rejects the 'Violent Erasure of the Black Male Experience Spectrum' by Portraying Kwame
The Root recently talked with show creator and star Michaela Coel about the inner-workings of the critically acclaimed I May Destroy You. As I mentioned previously, one of the things I love about the show is its ability to showcase a wide range of aspects concerning sexual assault and rape (it’s already impressive enough as…
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Felicia Pride, on the 'Vulnerability, Sensuality, Softness and Hardness' of the Women in Her Short Film, Tender
TV and film writer (and former contributor to The Root) Felicia Pride has an array of stories bubbling inside of her. Leading with a fascinating Hollywood journey that includes TV writing credits in Queen Sugar, a festival-accepted feature film and more exciting things to come, Pride embodies her surname. Having found Pride through her creator…
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Ms. Foundation Names Trans Writer and Activist Raquel Willis as New Director of Communications
Just as the fight for racial justice isn’t complete without centering the experiences of queer and trans black folks, the movement for gender equality is similarly inadequate if it doesn’t directly address the concerns of Black and transgender people. Recognizing this fact, the Ms. Foundation for Women has named trans activist and writer Raquel Willis…
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Remember the Love: Noah's Arc Returns With a 'Rona-Themed Reunion Special for Its 15th Anniversary
Noah’s Arc fans rejoice! According to Deadline, the original cast of the groundbreaking LGBTQ drama will be reuniting for a virtual scripted special called Noah’s Arc: The ‘Rona Chronicles! Leave it to a show that was certainly ahead-of-its-time to bring us a timely special! This news comes 12 years after the series, created by Patrik-Ian…
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Gabrielle Union Options George M. Johnson's All Boys Aren't Blue Memoir for Series Development at Sony TV
It’s Pride Month—and writer George M. Johnson has something additional to be proud of! According to Deadline, Gabrielle Union’s I’ll Have Another Productions has optioned Johnson’s memoir All Boys Aren’t Blue for series development at Sony Pictures TV, where Union has a first-look deal. Deadline breaks down the book synopsis: The title of the memoir…
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Da Brat Says She Felt Pressured to Stay in the Closet and Appear Desirable to Both Men and Women to Sell Records
It’s Pride Month and Da Brat is celebrating the LGBTQIA commemoration for the first time this year, after having been the subject of swirling rumors surrounding her sexuality for decades. In a recent Variety feature titled, “Da Brat’s Coming Out Story Is 25 Years in the Making,” the rapper-turned-radio-personality opened up about the complexities that…
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'Having One Is Not Progress': Janet Mock on Netflix's Hollywood and Industry Gatekeepers Celebrating Diversity
Hollywood has the best publicist in the game. For years, it has taken on the identity of a city with “streets paved with gold,” when the actual streets are paved with the dust of unrealized dreams, unbridled tourism, and, you know, rampant poverty. I’ve always been obsessed with Hollywood. As a child, I routinely shined…
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Don’t Forget About the Children Suffering in Silence
“I can’t go home. I can’t go back there,” they stated emphatically, taking breaths between each word. “If I am forced to go home I may die, literally,” a mentee said to me in tears over the phone. They had received notification that they would be forced to vacate their college dormitory within 72 hours,…
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God Is Love: Why Finding Common Ground Is Paramount to LGBTQ Folks Feeling Welcomed In Religious Spaces
“God loves me radically. And any member of faith, any leader of faith should also love me radically.” — Alphonso David, President of the Human Rights Campaign Growing up, Alphonso David spent a lot of time at the Lord’s house. Whether he was attending his mother’s three and a half hour long Baptist services or…
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Zaya Wade Drops the Mic in Her First Interview Since Coming Out as Transgender: 'It Feels Great'
In the weeks since NBA legend Dwyane Wade revealed that his daughter Zaya identifies as transgender, the 12-year-old has blossomed into an inspiration and a beacon of strength for many throughout the world. And in continuing to live her truth, the preteen made her red carpet debut this weekend at the 6th annual Truth Awards.…