September 2022 - STR8DAR

House Democrats Introduce Bill That Seeks To Build a National LGBTQ+ History Museum

30Sep

By Sara BanksNo Comments

LGBTQ History

House Democrats Introduce Bill That Seeks To Build a National LGBTQ+ History Museum

House representative Mark Pocan from Wisconsin, introduced a bill yesterday that seeks to establish a LGBTQ+ history museum in DC within the Smithsonian institution. If passed, an 8-member commission would be formed that in 8 months would issue an official review and recommendation pertaining to the construction of the new museum. If the legislation is successful, the new LGBTQ+ history museum would be established within the Smithsonian institution. Making it a part of the world’s largest group of museums and education and research centers. Pocan, who identifies as a part of the LGBTQ+ community, released a statement about the importance of the success of the bill. "As our community faces unprecedented attacks and attempts to erase our history, we must preserve and prote...

Louisiana Man Pleads Guilty To Kidnapping Man as Part of Larger Scheme To Kidnap and Murder Grindr Users

29Sep

By Sara BanksNo Comments

US

Louisiana Man Pleads Guilty To Kidnapping Man as Part of Larger Scheme To Kidnap and Murder Grindr Users

21-year-old Chance Seneca from Lafayette, Louisiana, pleaded guilty today to one count of kidnapping. According to his plea agreement, Seneca admitted that on June 20, 2020, he used Grindr, a dating application for gay and bisexual men, to kidnap and attempt to murder H.W., a gay man. Specifically, Seneca acknowledged that he used Grindr to propose a meeting with H.W., and that he drove H.W. to an isolated house, took out a handgun and told him to put on handcuffs. Seneca then attempted to murder and dismember H.W. Seneca acknowledged that he intended to murder and dismember H.W. for the purpose of satisfying his homicidal urges, and that he had planned to continue murdering until he was caught or killed. “The actions and intentions of the defendant in this case were shocking,...

Former Scientology Officer Seemingly Outs John Travolta With Gay Kiss Claims

27Sep

By Sara BanksNo Comments

Entertainment

Former Scientology Officer Seemingly Outs John Travolta With Gay Kiss Claims

Mike Rinder, once a high-ranking officer within the church of Scientology, claims to have seen John Travolta kiss a male masseuse in his new book “A Billion Years: My Escape from a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology.” Before leaving the church in 2007, Rinder claims to have been assigned to help John Travolta with his public relations. This is when he allegedly witnessed the kiss. Rinder claims that he was in Travolta’s hotel room having a conversation with the actor when a male masseuse allegedly entered the room and gave Travolta a kiss on the mouth. “‘I’ll be in soon,’ John said as the masseur headed toward the bedroom,” Rinder claims in his book. In the memoir, the former Scientology official says that he was tasked with the mission to help Travolta with his...

26Sep

By Sara BanksNo Comments

World

Cuba Votes To Legalize Gay Marriage

Cuba’s new family code which legalizes same-sex marriage and makes adoption possible for same-sex couples, passed with about two-thirds of the populations’ votes. The referendum that was voted on yesterday also legalizes surrogate pregnancies, expanding LGBTQ+ Cubans' options to start their families. This makes Cuba the first communist country in history to allow same-sex marriages. The country’s president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, expressed his optimism on Sunday by saying that he believed that the majority of the country would support the new family code. While endorsed by the Cuban government, the referendum did receive opposition from conservative and religious groups on the island. Gay people in Cuba were persecuted and sent to work camps in the 60s and 70s, something Fidel Castro ...

Meteorologist Loses Job After Being Exposed for Using Gay Webcam Site

22Sep

By Sara BanksNo Comments

Media

Meteorologist Loses Job After Being Exposed for Using Gay Webcam Site

New York meteorologist wants his job back after allegedly being fired for appearing naked on gay webcam site. Emmy-nominated meteorologist Erik Adame, is claiming to be a victim of a case of revenge porn as someone supposedly sent nude screenshots of him to his mother and his employer. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Erick Adame (@erickadameontv) Adame, who has worked at Spectrum News NY1 since 2007 revealed how he lost his job on Instagram this past Monday. The meteorologist opened up about secretly appearing naked on a gay webcam site during his time with Spectrum News. Stating that all of his interactions on the cam site were consensual, except for when someone secretly took screenshots of him naked. According to a subpoena from Adame’s ...

NBA Player Gets $40,000 Fine for Homophobic Instagram Video

21Sep

By Sara BanksNo Comments

Sports

NBA Player Gets $40,000 Fine for Homophobic Instagram Video

The NBA announced yesterday that they will fine Anthony Edwards $40,000 over a now deleted anti-gay Instagram video. The Minnesota Timberwolves guard posted a video of himself using a homophobic slur to mock a group of men on the weekend of Sept. 10. This was followed by the video being deleted and Edwards issuing an apology the following day. The NBA has called Edwards' language "offensive and derogatory." Edwards made his apology via Twitter, "what I said was immature, hurtful, and disrespectful, and I’m incredibly sorry," he said. "It’s unacceptable for me or anyone to use that language in such a hurtful way, there’s no excuse for it, at all. I was raised better than that!" The Minnesota Timberwolves also condemned his actions by releasing a statement saying that they’re disappoi...

Philadelphia Drag Queen Collapses and Dies Onstage

20Sep

By Sara BanksNo Comments

Gaylebrities

Philadelphia Drag Queen Collapses and Dies Onstage

25-year old drag queen Valencia Prime collapsed and died while performing at a bar in Philadelphia. Prime was halfway through her “Prime Time” show at the Tabu Lounge and Sports Bar earlier this month when she suddenly collapsed and became unresponsive. Medics have revealed that she died from diabetes, heart disease & obesity. Emergency personnel were called to the scene when the drag performer dropped lifeless during her performance on Sept. 12. At 25 years old, “Philadelphia’s Plus Size Dancing Diva” as she called herself, already headlined her own show at the bar. Prime, who identified as trans, was taken to Jefferson Hospital following the tragedy where she was pronounced dead. The "Go Fund Me" that was set up to help cover her funeral expenses was closed within a wee...

New California Law To Help Veterans Discharged Under ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ Access Benefits

19Sep

By Ernesto FernandezNo Comments

US

New California Law To Help Veterans Discharged Under ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ Access Benefits

California enacts a new law that will help military service members who were discharged because of their sexual orientation or identity during “don’t ask don’t tell” receive benefits. Governor Gavin Newsom announced the legislation on Saturday, “for decades, our bravest heroes, men and women who wore the uniforms of the armed services had to hide who they really were, and many were other than honorably discharged if their sexuality was discovered,” he said. The military didn’t allow gays and lesbians to serve up until “don’t ask don’t tell” was passed in 1993. Which meant that they could serve as long as they weren’t open about who they were. 14,000 service members were dismissed because of their identity or sexual orientation during “don’t ask don’t tell.” The law was rep...

Clashes Surrounding EuroPride March Result in More than 64 Arrests

18Sep

By Ernesto FernandezNo Comments

World

Clashes Surrounding EuroPride March Result in More than 64 Arrests

Belgrade police dressed in riot gear clashed with soccer hooligans and other anti-lgbtq protesters yesterday as a pan-European pride march was being held in the city. Thousands of people participated in the pride march although it had been officially banned earlier this week due to threats from far-right extremists. Just a couple of miles from the march, police clashed with anti-lgbtq protesters who attacked authorities with grenades, stones and flares. This led to 64 anti-lgbtq protesters being arrested and ten police officers sustaining injuries. The march’s trajectory was shortened significantly due to the ban. This as Serbian authorities had deemed it an illegal march by stating that “we will not tolerate any violence in Belgrade streets, any more than illegal marches.” The country...

Alleged Bobby Shmurda Video Making Fans Question His Sexuality

17Sep

By Sara BanksNo Comments

Entertainment

Alleged Bobby Shmurda Video Making Fans Question His Sexuality

A video that supposedly depicts rapper Bobby Shmurda laying in bed with two men is making fans question his sexual orientation. Bobby, who’s previously claimed to be straight and has been public with different women, seemingly denied being gay after the video went viral with an Instagram post captioned “when the hate don't work, they start telling lies.” "Im really that scary. ay they trying to f** up my tour, cuz I'm not with them anymore and I'm taking they artist on tour,” he went on to further explain. The rapper rose to fame in 2014 with his top 10 hit “Hot n***a.” But his rap career was put on pause shortly after due to Bobby being charged with conspiracy to commit murder, reckless endangerment, and drug and gun possession. The legal drama ultimately led Bobby to having...