lgbtqia
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Billy Porter Has a Message for Those Who Were Told They Were ‘Too Much’
As an adult, I have struggled with words from my past. You see, I’m what you might call a little bit “extra,” and ever since I was a young tender I was told I was too much. Actually, the word “too” was always ever-present in my childhood. I was too extra, too feminine, too much…
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Tessa Thompson's Valkyrie Is the First Openly LGBTQ Superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
When Thor: Ragnarok was released in theaters in November 2017, Tessa Thompson stole the show as the badass Valkyrie. However, criticisms arose when her rich backstory was scrapped and the fascinating character was relegated to a supporting character and plot device. In fact, Thompson previously noted she incorporated her character’s backstory in her portrayal. “In…
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Alabama Police Officer Rehired After Mocking Nigel Shelby’s Suicide: ‘We Feel He Will Be a Good Addition to the Department’
In April, we learned of Nigel Shelby—the 15-year-old Huntsville High freshman who allegedly took his own life after relentless homophobic bullying drove him to despair. His tragic fate became headline news as mourners throughout the world struggled to come to grips with this devastating loss. Madison County, Ala., sheriff’s deputy Jeff Graves felt otherwise, however,…
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'I'm So Fucking Woke, I'm Ready to Go to Sleep': Lee Daniels Speaks on the Progress of LGBTQ Liberation
Fifty years. It’s been fifty years since the Stonewall uprising on June 28, 1969. Fifty years worth of struggles, pain, blood, sweat, tears, oppression, erasure, rebellion, progression, and much, much more. Fifty years ago, Lee Daniels was a 10-year-old boy who had just experienced an awakening—he was gay. As LGBTQ Pride Month wraps, I hopped…
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Pose Stars Reflect on the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion
“Stonewall reminds us that it’s about the people” – Billy Porter text Despite what various companies try to tell (or sell) you during June, Pride month is about acknowledging and celebrating the legacy of the LGBTQIA+ community. Despite the current commercialization of Pride, all hope is not lost. In fact, in recent years, the black…
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We Dream a World: Black & Queer in Milwaukee
On any given day, my partner, Lynnae* and I will be driving, engaged in our usual griping at the utterly reckless ways some Milwaukee drivers shit on safety laws while behind the wheel. It’s become a game of sorts; I’m usually the one who points out the utter disregard for red lights and how cars…
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Over the Rainbow: This Pride Month, Kehlani and Rico Nasty Debut Gender and Sex-Positive Clothing Collections
This is what we call “music with a message.” For Pride Month 2019, two of the music industry’s buzzier talents decided to say it with their chests: love is love, and gender is…whatever you want it to be. Hip-hop and R&B entertainers Kehlani and Rico Nasty each debuted clothing collections this week, and both are…
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FX’s Pose Has Been Renewed for a 3rd Season
On the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall movement, FX Networks gave to me: Pose, season three! That’s right, the category is: booked, busy, and blessed! FX’s groundbreaking, award-winning series Pose has been renewed for a third season. On the six-inch heels of the first episode of this season—you know, the one that was the highest…
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Nigel Shelby’s Mother Says the School System Failed Her Child
Nigel Shelby, the 15-year-old who died by suicide in Alabama after allegedly being bullied for living his truth, was taken from us too soon. Nigel will never know love, heartbreak, or one day meet his chosen family who would affirm him and make him feel like he had a place in this world. Nigel’s death…