U2’s ‘Songs of Innocence’ album cover sparks Russian ire, condemned as ‘gay propaganda’

U2’s latest album, Songs of Innocence, has come under fire, yet again, only this time it’s neither from their fans nor their critics. A Russian Duma deputy has accused one of the world’s biggest rock bands of distributing “gay propaganda,” a consequence of their 2014 album cover which shows the band’s drummer, Larry Mullen Jr,…

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Miley Cyrus launches anti-homelessness, pro-LGBT ‘Happy Hippie Foundation’

Miley Cyrus officially launched her non-profit organization The Happy Hippie today, with a mission to rally young people to fight injustice facing homeless youth, LGBT youth and other vulnerable populations. Cyrus launched the organization with a video of her and Joan Jett performing  “Different.” Posting on Facebook Cyrus wrote, “Officially launching The Happy Hippie Foundation…

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Michigan: Opponents of marriage equality campaign in a state that supports same-sex marriage

As the 2016 campaign gets going, three outspoken opponents of same-sex marriage will hit the trail in Michigan, even as new polling shows that Michigan voters strongly support marriage equality. The Detroit Free Press reported recently that Rand Paul, Ben Carson and Scott Walker will all be hosting campaign events in Michigan today. Meanwhile, new…

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Openly lesbian traveler sues Saudi Arabian Airlines while others question motives

For Tasha Grant, a passenger travelling from New York to Manila with a ten-hour layover in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, a question asked of a customer service agent has convulsed into a 15-page lawsuit against a major international carrier. This incident took place over the phone. According to the lawsuit: “On April 10, 2015, she spoke…

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Trans documentary ‘Kumu Hina’ premieres on PBS tonight

The new documentary Kumu Hina premieres tonight on PBS’ Independent Lens. The film follows Hina Wong-Kalu, a transgender native Hawaiian teacher and cultural icon for Hawaii’s mahu (those who embody both a male and female spirit). As Hina plans the school’s final all-boy hula performance, she meets mahu sixth-grader Ho’onanani who is navigating the mixed…

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Smith College clarifies admission policy to include trans women

Smith College, the largest of the all-female Seven Sisters schools, has announced that the school’s Board of Trustees “voted to clarify Smith’s undergraduate admission policy to include self-identified transgender women.” In a statement posted on its Web site, Smith College President Kathleen McCartney wrote, “The board’s decision affirms Smith’s unwavering mission and identity as a…

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Nation’s biggest LGBT military event of the year to celebrate modern military families

WASHINGTON – Today, the American Military Partner Association (AMPA), the nation’s largest organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) military spouses and their families, announced that Representative Dina Titus (D-NV) will be honored at the 2nd Annual AMPA National Gala – the nation’s biggest LGBT military event of the year – next Saturday, May…

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