July 2022 - STR8DAR

Fox News Came for the LGBTQ Community on Most Days of the First Half of 2022

25Jul

By str8darNo Comments

US

Fox News Came for the LGBTQ Community on Most Days of the First Half of 2022

Fox News attacked the LGBTQ community at least once on 106 of the first 180 days of this year and on 87% of Pride month according to a new study from Media Matters. The report describes these attacks as “extreme and harmful,” stating that “anchors, hosts, and guests repeatedly spread baseless lies about queer and trans people.” These “attacks” include the networks persistent attempts to redefine gender-affirming care for underage trans people as child abuse, accusing LGBTQ people of grooming children for sexual exploitation, and deadnaming and misgendering trans people. Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson reportedly “called for violence” against teachers who speak on LGBTQ+ related issues with students. The New Civil Rights Movement called out Laura Ingraham earlier this year for a March s...

Record-Breaking Number of LGBTQ+ Candidates Running for Office in 2022

24Jul

By str8darNo Comments

Politics

Record-Breaking Number of LGBTQ+ Candidates Running for Office in 2022

Data published this week by the LGBTQ Victory Fund shows that there are more than 1,000 candidates running for office this year who are out as LGBTQ+. There has never been as many openly LGBTQ+ candidates running for office in the U.S. Analysts believe that these record-breaking numbers indicate a shift in America's political landscape. This could be a result of the general population's increased acceptance of LGBTQ+ people or a reaction to the growing legislative attacks on LGBTQ+ rights. More than 40% of these candidates are running for state legislative seats. There are at least 1,008 openly LGBTQ+ candidates running for office in 2022, from school boards to congress. This breaks the previous record set in 2020, when 1,006 out LGBTQ+ candidates ran. 138 of this year's openly LGBTQ+...

Freedom Caucus Comes Out Against Marriage Equality

22Jul

By str8darNo Comments

Politics, US

Freedom Caucus Comes Out Against Marriage Equality

The farthest right-leaning Republicans are openly returning to their anti-LGBTQ+ platform as the overturning of Roe v. Wade has opened the door for the dismantlement of other human rights. The House Freedom Caucus came out against the “Respect for Marriage Act” on Friday, a bill that passed earlier this week that seeks to codify same-sex and interracial marriage into law. In a statement, the House Freedom Caucus said that "the radical left has launched an all-out campaign on America's traditional values and sacred institutions." Adding that they believe that marriage equality "has weakened the nuclear family, attacked the norms of masculinity and femininity, and now it wants to further erode the sacred institutions of marriage." While the House Freedom Caucus opposes same-sex...

Ricky Martin’s Domestic Violence Case Dismissed

21Jul

By str8darNo Comments

Entertainment

Ricky Martin’s Domestic Violence Case Dismissed

The singer is off the hook after his nephew's claims of incest and abuse. Ricky Martin's lawyer issued a statement today revealing that the temporary protection order issued against him wasn’t extended. This after the accuser issued a request asking the court to dismiss the case. The singer was accused earlier this month of having a sexual relationship with his 21-year old nephew, claims Martin has since denied. A protective order was granted against Ricky by a Puerto Rico judge underneath the local Law 54, also known as the Domestic Abuse Prevention and Intervention Act. A hearing was scheduled for today to determine the future of the protective order as the accuser initially told the courts he feared for his safety. Ricky’s brother Eric Martin, also alleged that the singer was se...

20Jul

By str8darNo Comments

US, World

Cuba to Vote on Same-Sex Marriage

In September, Cuba is set for a vote on a referendum that seeks to rewrite almost half of the nation's family code. This change would include allowing same-sex couples to marry and adopt children. While Cuba is a single-party country, the referendum has still met some local opposition. Pro-LGBTQ+ activists claim that this debate is rooted in machismo and catholic conservatism. In a 2010 interview with Mexican publication La Jornada, Fidel assumed responsibility for the great injustices the LGBTQ+ community has faced on the island. Mariela Castro, daughter of Raúl and niece of Fidel Castro has been deemed one of the strongest supporters of LGBTQ+ rights within the Cuban elite. Having led the Cuban National Center for Sexual Education which has championed legislation that suppo...

House Passes Bill to Protect Same-Sex Marriage

19Jul

By str8darNo Comments

Politics, US

House Passes Bill to Protect Same-Sex Marriage

The House passed a bill today that protects marriage equality as members of the Supreme Court have indicated that they might take aim at Obergefell, the Supreme Court case that federally legalized same-sex marriage. 47 republicans joined the democrats in passing the bill while 157 opposed it. Seven republicans abstained from voting, no democratic representatives voted against the bill. In a concurring opinion to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas revealed that he believes that the court should reconsider the Obergefell case. Other justices also warned that the more conservative leaning members of the court might want to dismantle Obergefell next. The “Respect of Marriage Act” would ensure that all marriages are valid across states as long as ...

Russian Tennis Star Comes Out & Criticizes Putin

19Jul

By str8darNo Comments

Sports

Russian Tennis Star Comes Out & Criticizes Putin

Russia’s highest ranking single tennis player, Daria Kasatkina revealed that she’s gay and criticized her country’s treatment of the LGBTQ+ community. The athlete opened up about her views & personal life in an interview with Russian blogger Vitya Kravchenko, Kasatkina also said that the war in Ukraine must end. In the same interview Kasatkina was asked when she believes it will be ok for same-sex couples to hold hands in public in Russia, to which she replied, “never.” “For young people facing problems in public, it is very important when athletes or other well-known personalities talk about it,” she added. Although being gay isn’t banned in Russia, the country is infamous for it’s repressive policies and human rights violations. The athlete revealed that she has a gir...

House to Vote on Protecting Marriage Equality

19Jul

By str8darNo Comments

Politics, US

House to Vote on Protecting Marriage Equality

The house is attempting to codify same-sex marriage into law as the overturning of Roe v. Wade puts other Supreme Court decisions at risk. Lawmakers have introduced a bill that seeks to protect same-sex marriage after Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas stated that Obergefell should be the next case to be reviewed following the dismantling of Roe v. Wade. On Monday, a group of primarily Democratic lawmakers introduced legislation called “Respect of Marriage Act” in the house and the senate which seeks to codify Obergefell into law. Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York said “we cannot sit idly by as the hard-earned gains of the Equality movement are systematically eroded," in a statement released by the lawmakers. In a concurring opinion to the overturning of Roe...

R. Kelly Denies Being Gay Amid Same-Sex Rape Accusations

18Jul

By str8darNo Comments

US

R. Kelly Denies Being Gay Amid Same-Sex Rape Accusations

R. Kelly has addressed his sexuality and is insisting that he’s not gay. While in custody, he made it clear to his doctor that he’s only sexually attracted to women. This comes as a male accuser is claiming that R. Kelly forced him to have sex with him. The singer is currently serving a 30-year sentence for charges relating to racketeering and sex trafficking. In a psychiatric evaluation that was obtained by Radar Online and published yesterday. R. Kelly told his doctor that he is only sexually interested in women. The singers lawyers submitted the evaluation as evidence in court in an attempt to clear Kelly of the same-sex rape accusations. In the report, R. Kelly states that he identifies his sexual interest as heterosexual. The report was made months after the male accuser...

18Jul

By str8darNo Comments

Politics, US

Ted Cruz Attacks Same-Sex Marriage

Republican senator Ted Cruz attacked the Supreme Court’s 2015 decision that legalized same-sex marriage calling it an overreach. In his podcast episode that aired last weekend, the Texas lawmaker discussed the possibility of the Supreme Court dismantling Obergefell. This comes as the Supreme Court recently went against precedent by taking aim at Roe v. Wade, allowing states to ban abortion. According to Cruz, Roe v. Wade & Obergefell “ignored two centuries of our nation’s history.” Arguing that it should be up to the states to define marriage. “Marriage was always an issue that was left to the states, we saw states before Obergefell, some states were moving to allow gay marriage, other states were moving to allow civil partnerships,” Cruz said. Cruz argued that the constit...