Singapore – Dan Tracer reports for Queerty that OnlyFans creator Titus Low Kaide was arrested on December 30 in Singapore and charged with “transmitting obscene materials.” The 22-year-old was charged with two counts of transmitting obscene materials via electronic means after police received reports he’d “transmitted images and videos of his private parts.” After allegedly defying a police order not to access his account, he was also given a charge under the Criminal Procedure Code. Low is believed to be the first OnlyFans creator arrested in Singapore, where the sale, distribution or possession of adult material is illegal. The country […]
Philly NBA team celebrates LGBTQ Pride Night; honors PGN
Philadelphia, PA – The Philadelphia 76ers celebrated their annual Pride Night on January 3 at the Wells Fargo Center, along with a victory over the Houston Rockets 133-113. The Sixers recognized Philadelphia Gay News and publisher Mark Segal during a halftime celebration on center court. The first issue of PGN was released on January 3, 1976. “When we host Pride Night each year, we use it as an opportunity to tie the event to a moment in history or a local influencer in the LGBTQ+ community,” Mike Goings, Vice President of Social Responsibility & Fan Development, told PGN. “Mark Segal […]
Germany appoints Gay man diversity commissioner
Berlin, Germany – Mishti Ali writes in Pink News that Germany has appointed Sven Lehmann its first-ever commissioner for the acceptance of sexual and gender diversity. Green Party politician, Sven Lehmann, will be overseeing a national LGBT+ strategy in his new position, which he took up on January 5. Lehmann has been a member of the Bundestag, the German parliament, since 2017. Alongside fellow lawmaker, Ulle Schauws, he spent three years from 2018 as spokesperson for queer policy and social policy within the Greens. Accepting his appointment, he asserted that “everyone should be able to live freely, safely, and with […]
From LGBTQ Nation: 11 ways LGBTQ rights improved in 21
San Francisco, CA – Though 2021 presented many challenges for the LGBTQ community, it was also a year of hope and progress writes Emily Bashforth for LGBTQ Nation. In several countries, new legislation was introduced while, in others, regressive laws were scrapped. New policies decriminalized homosexuality, provided protection for trans people against discrimination, and made it easier for the community to access healthcare. Here are eleven ways LGBTQ rights improved around the world this year: The U.S. ended its ban on transgender people serving in the military ended; Angola decriminalized same-sex relationships; Bhutan decriminalized homosexuality; the EU parliament decided that […]
North Carolina town elects a Lesbian mayor
Spring Lake, NC – Not many people have heard of Spring Lake, North Carolina. The Fayetteville suburb is about 120 miles east of Charlotte and has a population of approximately 12,000. The small town made history recently for electing their first lesbian mayor. Spring Lake was officially incorporated April 9, 1951. Located in Cumberland County, it experienced a burst of growth following World War II, which was attributed to its close proximity to Fort Bragg. Spring Lake Mayor Kia Anthony is just 40 years old. She spent months campaigning, but it never occurred to her that if she won the […]
Dallas LGBTQ charity distributed record $1.45 million in 21
Dallas, Tx – Officials with Black Tie Dinner distributed a record $1,450,000 to its 17 beneficiaries during its 2021 Wrap Party, hosted December 16 by 2021 Presenting Sponsor PNC Bank and distribution event underwriter Lexus, at Gilley’s South Side Music Hall. Co-chairs Brad Pritchett and Terry Loftis noted that 2021’s record fundraising pushed Black Tie Dinner’s total distribution since its inception in 1982 to more than $27 million. Pritchett, who completed his two years at the head of Black Tie and his tenure on the board with the distribution event said, “After the challenges of 2020, we are excited to […]
US has at least 20 million LGBT adults, according to HRC
Washington, D.C. – Some 20 million US adults identify as LGBT, according to a new Human Rights Campaign analysis of government data. That figure represents nearly 8% of the total adult population of the country, and is two times higher than previous statistical estimates. The HRC added that millions more may identify as something “more expansive,” like pansexual. For this estimate, the HRC took data from the US Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey, an experimental household probability survey released in biweekly phases during the pandemic. The HRC said that previous attempts to document the size and demographics of America’s LGBTQ+ […]
Methodist pastor fired by his church for appearing in drag
Evansville, IN – A Methodist pastor in Indiana has been fired by his church after appearing in drag on the HBO series We’re Here. Pastor Craig Duke had served as head pastor at Newburgh United Methodist Church since 2018. He is married and the father of a Pansexual daughter. While the United Methodist Church—a mainstream Protestant denomination—does not condemn same-sex attractions, it does not endorse marriage equality or allow partnered Gay or Lesbian people to be ordained as clergy. Nevertheless, Duke earned a reputation as an ally of the LGBTQ community in his hometown of Evansville, Indiana, and when We’re […]
Actor Jussie Smollett guilty of faking antigay attack
Chicago, IL – On Thursday evening December 9, an Illinois jury found former Empire actor Jussie Smollett guilty on five counts of disorderly conduct related to lying to police about being the victim of a racist and anti-gay hate crime reports LGBTQ Nation. He now faces up to three years in prison, though many speculate that he may receive probation and community service hours instead. A sentencing hearing will be set for a later date. Smollett is expected to appeal the ruling. Prosecutors alleged that Smollett lied to Chicago police on January 29, 2019, when he claimed he had been […]
Tokyo set to recognize same-sex partnerships
Tokyo, Japan – Japan is the only member of the G7 that doesn’t allow same-sex marriage. Next year, Tokyo, the country’s largest city and capital, will do what it can to recognize relationships by introducing same-sex partnerships. Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike didn’t provide details about what benefits registered partnerships would provide nor how these partnerships will remain unequal to marriage. In opinion polls, the Japanese population supports marriage equality. The Japanese organization Marriage for All put out a statement that they hope Tokyo’s move will put pressure on other local governments to follow. They pointed out partnerships will not allow […]