On Monday morning, Taylor Swift released the music video for “You Need to Calm Down,” the second single off her upcoming album Lover. The song is a classic T. Swift fuck-the-haters anthem, with a Pride month twist. In case you missed her impromptu performance at Stonewall Inn last weekend, Swift is a vocal ally now, standing up for all of her LGBTQ friends against the haters “comin’ at them like a missile.” The media response to the video was swift (pun intended) and impassioned, with people divided on how to feel about the pop star’s new politicized image. While some prominent queer media critics are skeptical of Swift’s embrace of the LGBTQ community, others appreciate that she is finally using her staggering influence for good. Since the video dropped, the internet has erupted into a debate over the line between allyship and appropriation. The song’s confusing, albeit … [Read more...] about Is Taylor Swift’s New LGBT Anthem an Example of Allyship or Appropriation?
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LGBT mental health: ‘Being the butt of gay jokes made me ill’
More than half of LGBT people in the UK have experienced depression in the past year, according to a LGBT charity.Stonewall says 52% of the 5,000 lesbian, gay, bi and transgender people it surveyed said they'd struggled with it.That's higher than average - mental health charity Mind says that, in the general population, 25% suffer from a mental health issue each year."The results are alarming but sadly they're not surprising," says NHS clinical psychologist Chris Wilson."They do reflect what we see in clinical practice."'I was always called names'Bree, who's 19 and lives in London, says she's struggled with her mental health because of her experiences as a young gay teen."When I was at school, I was always the butt of the gay jokes and it made me feel ill," she tells Radio 1 Newsbeat. "I guess you'd say I'm your stereotypical lesbian. So at school I was always called names at every opportunity they had."When she realised she was gay at 13, Bree says she was "terrified" her friends … [Read more...] about LGBT mental health: ‘Being the butt of gay jokes made me ill’
Why young LGBT people need alcohol-free safe spaces
LGBT people in London could be getting a new alcohol-free space to meet, thanks (in part) to The 1975.The band were among thousands of people who donated to a £100,000 crowdfunder to launch an LGBT community centre.The volunteers who raised the money want the space to be a place for LGBT people to meet and for organisations to host social activities.LGBT community centres exist in cities like Manchester and Leicester but there isn't one in London.There are spaces for LGBT people across London but they are mostly built around partying and alcohol.'Finding a space to find support - that isn't about alcohol - is key'"There aren't any physical spaces that are open, morning until night, free from alcohol, places that you don't have to spend money to be in," says 25-year-old Michael Segalov, one of the volunteers."Almost half of LGBT pupils still report to being bullied because of their sex, gender or identity," claims Michael."Having a space people can come to, to find support, to find … [Read more...] about Why young LGBT people need alcohol-free safe spaces
LGBT in India: What it’s like six months after gay sex was decriminalised
Up until six months ago, 20-year-old Tish felt like a criminal.He faced long-term prison time in India because he was an out and proud gay man, but then his life changed.Gay sex was decriminalised by the Indian Supreme Court on 6 September 2018.It overturned a 2013 judgement that upheld a 157-year-old law dating back to British rule.There were celebrations across India when the ruling came through but Tish was crying - because he'd just split up with his boyfriend."But then I remembered I was no longer a criminal," he tells Radio 1 Newsbeat, laughing."I always felt caged and restricted within my soul."Where is gay sex still against the law?Tish says more cafes and bars in Delhi have become LGBT-friendly by putting up rainbow flags - but that doesn't necessarily mean the public have changed their attitudes."India should create a space where I'd actually be able to make my family understand that it's normal," he explains.He says he hopes eventually he'll not always feel "caged" and be … [Read more...] about LGBT in India: What it’s like six months after gay sex was decriminalised
Chick-Fil-A Sales Have Only Doubled Since The LGBT Boycotts Began In 2012
The Left’s most-hated fast-food chain, Chick-fil-A, seems to just keep ramping up the sales no matter how much harassment or protest is thrown its way. Ever since the left-wing boycott crusade against the chicken empire began in 2012, sales have not only increased, they have doubled. “Chick-fil-A’s annual sales have more than doubled since LGBT and liberal groups began calling for a boycott of the restaurant in 2012, according to a new analysis,” reports Christian Headlines. “In 2012, when controversy arose over the CEO’s comments about same-sex marriage, sales totaled $4.6 billion, up from $4.1 billion the year before. In 2018, sales totaled $10.46 billion, making it the third-largest restaurant in the United States behind McDonald’s and Starbucks.” On top of the sales bumps, the chain has added 700 new restaurants in the span of those seven years. Journal & Courier noted that in 2018 alone, Chick-fil-A saw a sales increase more than … [Read more...] about Chick-Fil-A Sales Have Only Doubled Since The LGBT Boycotts Began In 2012
First Grader Sent to Principal’s Office for ‘Misgendering’ Trans Student
A Californian first grader was sent to the principal’s office this week after allegedly “misgendering” a transgender student.The incident reportedly took place at California’s Rocklin Academy, in the school playground, where the female student called her biologically male classmate “by his given name – apparently unaware that the boy now identified as a girl,” according to Fox News. “This innocent little first grader sees a classmate, calls him by the name she knew him last year and the boy reports it to a teacher,” claimed Karen England, from the Capitol Resource Institute. “The little girl gets in trouble on the playground and then gets called out of class to the principal’s office.” During her visit to the principal’s office, the child was reportedly “investigated” to determine “whether or not she had bullied the transgender child by calling him by his original name.” “After … [Read more...] about First Grader Sent to Principal’s Office for ‘Misgendering’ Trans Student