YouTuber Logan Paul is no stranger to controversy. Paul found himself in hot water last year after a video, which has since been taken down, went viral featuring Paul laughing at a suicide victim in Japan’s “suicide forest” Aokigahara.
On Jan. 9, Paul made waves once again after announcing that he would “go gay” for the month of March.
On her first day of office, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly on Jan. 15 became the latest new governor to sign an executive order barring anti-LGBT discrimination.
Kelly signed the directive, Executive Order No. 19-02, shortly after being sworn into office in Topeka. The order bars discrimination in state employment, services and contracts based on numerous characteristics, including sexual orientation and gender identity.
PIERRE, S.D. (AP) | South Dakota lawmakers are set to debate a bill this session that would void an activities association policy allowing transgender students to request to play on the athletic team that matches their gender identity.
The legislation introduced Jan. 14 would require a student’s sex to be determined by their birth certificate or a South Dakota High School Activities Association physical exam form. It means years of legislative debates over transgender students in South Dakota will continue during the 2019 session.
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) | The sister of slain Brazilian councilwoman Marielle Franco on Jan. 14 expressed concern about the conservative new governor’s commitment to solving the case.
Ten months to the day since the slaying of Franco and her driver, sister Anielle Franco said Gov. Wilson Witzel’s recent actions as a candidate were “worrisome.” During last year’s campaign, Witzel participated in a rally where two other candidates showed off a street sign honoring Franco that they had broken.
With Democrats in control of the New York Senate for the first time in a decade, lawmakers on Jan. 15 sent to the desk of Gov. Andrew Cuomo two long-awaited pro-LGBT measures — one banning widely discredited “ex-gay” conversion therapy, the other banning anti-transgender discrimination.
The New York Senate approved the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act, which amends the New York Human Rights Law to ban discrimination on the basis of gender identity in employment, housing, public spaces and education, by a vote of 42-19. The Assembly later approved the legislation by a 100-40 vote.
Thailand could become the first country in Asia to endorse same-sex marriage after a bill that would allow same-sex unions was approved.
The country’s Cabinet approved the civil partnership bill on Dec. 25, which has sparked debate among members of the LGBTI community. The move is seen as a milestone in efforts to improve legal rights for the estimated 6 million LGBTI people — an estimated 8 percent of the country’s total population — who live in Thailand.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) | The Metro Nashville Police Department has named its first liaison to the LGBTQ community.
Chief Steve Anderson announced Jan. 10 that Officer Catie Poole will serve in the new role. Poole is a five-year Nashville Police veteran who recently was a downtown bicycle officer.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) | The annual Midwest Winefest fundraiser in Wichita will have to find a new wine distributor after its partner pulled out of the event because organizers decided not to invite back certain bars and restaurants with LGBTQ clientele.
Standard Beverage’s chief financial officer, Angie Wilhelm, told The Wichita Eagle the Wichita liquor distributor will not work with the festival scheduled for April 25-27 this year.
Newly sworn-in Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, signed on Jan. 14 during his first day in office an executive order barring anti-LGBT discrimination in state employment.
The directive, Executive Order 2019-05D, is one of six executive orders DeWine signed upon taking office and bars discrimination based on numerous characteristics, including race, color, religion, gender, national origin, military status, disability, age and genetic information.
Gay actor and TV host Jonathan Bennet has joined season two of “Celebrity Big Brother.”
Bennett, 37, is best known for playing Aaron Samuels, Lindsay Lohan’s love interest, in the 2005 teen comedy “Mean Girls” and for hosting “Cake Wars.” He came out as gay in 2017 and is currently dating TV host James Vaughan.
The Weeknd is being called out for lyrics perceived as homophobic on his new song “Lost in the Fire,” a collaboration with French techno DJ Gesaffelstein.
On the track the Weeknd sings: “You said you might be into girls (Into girls). Said you’re going through a phase (Through a phase). Keeping your heart safe (Keepin’ your heart safe, oh). Well, baby, you can bring a friend (Bring a friend). She can ride on top your face (Top your face). While I fuck you straight (While I fuck you straight, yeah).”
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) | The Episcopal Church on Jan. 11 cleared the way for same-sex marriages in an upstate New York diocese where they had been barred by a bishop who claimed the church had been “hijacked by the “Gay Rights Agenda.”
The Rev. William Love now faces possible disciplinary action for his November directive barring same-sex marriages in the Albany-based diocese.
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Any updates on him? Just curious if you still see him out and about Dec 29, 11:35 AM
1. Why is sharing biblical warnings about sin hate? I would hope if the situations were reversed you would care... Nov 13, 9:44 PMInsults are a sign you surrender, I accept your concession. You are wrong on several points however. Proverbs 27:5 KJV... Nov 13, 5:39 PM
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