This blog originally appeared at YAHOO NEWS.

The university’s religious president labeled drag shows as misogynistic and drew parallels between them and blackface performances.

In Texas, a group of students has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court for an injunction permitting them to host a charitable drag show later this month. Advocated by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), Spectrum WT, an LGBTQ+ student organization, along with two of its leaders, filed a federal lawsuit last April against West Texas A&M University and President Walter Wendler, alleging infringement of their First Amendment rights. The initial lawsuit contends that Wendler and the university violated the group’s rights by prohibiting a drag performance in March 2023, intended to support The Trevor Project, which offers aid to LGBTQ+ youth contemplating suicide.

In September, a district court rejected the group’s request for an injunction. Although an appeal was lodged, oral arguments are not slated until April, potentially causing Spectrum WT to miss another planned performance.

FIRE asserted that the student drag show constitutes protected speech and criticized the university president for allowing his personal religious beliefs to unduly influence his decision to prohibit the drag show on campus. FIRE stated in a release announcing the urgent appeal, “Whether it’s a passionate political speech, a Bible study, or a drag performance, the First Amendment safeguards student organizations from public university administrators seeking to suppress speech merely because it may offend them.” The organization criticized West Texas A&M University President Walter Wendler’s actions, noting his refusal to allow Spectrum WT’s PG-13 drag show, designed to raise funds and awareness for suicide prevention, stating, “‘West Texas A&M will not host a drag show,’ and indicating disregard for the apparent legal obligation to permit the event.”

In a blog post outlining his decision, Wendler criticized drag shows as misogynistic and degrading to women. He argued, “Does a drag show preserve a single thread of human dignity? I think not,” suggesting that such performances stereotype women in exaggerated, cartoon-like forms, thereby diminishing womanhood.

Applying the plaintiffs’ free speech argument, Wendler equated students performing a racially offensive show with the concept of ‘blackface.’ He emphasized his opposition to any performance that denigrates others, stating, “I do not support any show, performance, or artistic expression which denigrates others—in this case, women—for any reason.”

While Wendler commended The Trevor Project and its objectives, labeling support for the group as “a good idea,” he advised students to refrain from attending the drag show and instead donate directly to the organization.

This blog originally appeared at ADVOCATE.

LGBTQ+ Americans and registered voters in general want politicians to work more on the economy and climate and less on restricting the rights of women and trans people.

A recent poll conducted by Pathfinder Opinion Research for GLAAD suggests that restrictions on transgender rights and women’s rights are unpopular even among swing voters and supporters of Donald Trump. Notably, the survey also reveals that LGBTQ+ voters exhibit high levels of motivation to participate in the upcoming election, with a strong preference for President Joe Biden. These findings, released on Thursday, stem from a national survey of registered voters carried out in late January, along with interviews specifically targeting LGBTQ+ voters.

Highlighted in a GLAAD press release, the poll underscores that a majority of all voters express opposition to candidates who frequently advocate for limiting access to healthcare and youth sports participation for transgender youth. Moreover, a resounding 81% of respondents believe that healthcare decisions for youth should be determined by parents. Regardless of their political affiliation, whether LGBTQ, registered voters, Trump supporters, or swing voters, respondents unanimously agree that politicians should prioritize addressing inflation, job creation, and healthcare costs over restrictions on women’s rights and medical care for transgender youth.

Among LGBTQ+ registered voters, 83 percent expressed certainty in voting in November, with an additional 11 percent indicating a strong likelihood of doing so. Nationally, 68 percent of LGBTQ+ likely voters favored Biden, contrasting starkly with the 15 percent in favor of Trump. This disparity was even more pronounced in swing states, where 72 percent showed support for Biden compared to only 15 percent for Trump.

Nationwide, LGBTQ+ likely voters overwhelmingly leaned towards Democratic congressional candidates, with a substantial 77 percent in favor compared to a mere 14 percent for Republicans. Similarly, in crucial U.S. Senate races, 79 percent of these voters expressed their intent to support Democrats, while only 12 percent leaned towards Republicans.

Echoing broader voter sentiments, LGBTQ+ voters emphasized economic issues as significant priorities, particularly highlighting concerns regarding inflation and job creation. Additionally, issues such as abortion rights and climate change also featured prominently on their list of priorities.

Key motivations for LGBTQ+ voters included concerns about the nation veering towards a more conservative path, potentially resulting in the appointment of further right-wing Supreme Court justices, increased restrictions on abortion and parental rights regarding transgender children, and renewed efforts to outlaw same-sex marriage.

Moreover, a summary of the findings reveals that LGBTQ+ voters highlighted significant adverse effects on their emotional well-being and personal safety stemming from the current political climate. A majority reported experiencing negative impacts on their mental health and emotional well-being, strained personal relationships, and fears for their own or their family’s safety due to the prevailing state of political discourse in the country. Additionally, nearly half reported experiencing real-world or online harassment and bullying related to politics on a regular basis.

The summary emphasizes that these factors have LGBTQ+ voters poised to participate actively in the upcoming November elections, rallying behind candidates dedicated to protecting their rights, ensuring their safety, and addressing their economic concerns.

GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis highlighted the significance of LGBTQ+ Americans’ readiness to influence electoral politics and advocate for equality through their voting power. She stressed that the majority of voters, regardless of orientation, reject harmful anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and prioritize pressing national issues such as inflation, abortion rights, and climate change. Ellis urged candidates, parties, strategists, and reporters to recognize the influence of the LGBTQ vote and the critical issues that demand attention, including fundamental freedoms and collective safety and well-being.

This blog originally appeared at ADVOCATE.

Explore the uncensored rhetoric of N.C. Republican Governor Candidate Mark Robinson with these 13 jaw-dropping quotes. From controversial statements to eyebrow-raising remarks, delve into the unfiltered mind of this political figure. Brace yourself for a rollercoaster ride through some of the most outrageous comments made by Mark Robinson

The North Carolina Republican nominee for governor, Mark Robinson, is known for his controversial views, including Holocaust denial and likening homosexuality to pedophilia. Despite his divisive rhetoric, Robinson secured victory in the state’s primaries, raising concerns about his extreme positions on LGBTQ+, anti-Semitism, women’s rights, and science denial.

Throughout his career, Robinson has sparked outrage with numerous inflammatory remarks, too numerous to compile comprehensively. However, a selection of his most egregious statements serves as a stark reminder of the potential implications of his candidacy for North Carolinians come November.

The legislation revises the state code to incorporate “educational neglect,” encompassing the failure to instruct children on restroom usage

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A proposed amendment to the existing Kentucky legislation aims to hold parents accountable for neglect if their transgender children do not adhere to the restroom usage specified by their birth certificates, potentially leading to the removal of children from their homes.

Though the bill itself does not explicitly mention transgender children, it pertains to existing state code concerning restroom and locker room usage in schools. Without prior knowledge of Senate Bill 150, passed into law in March of the previous year, these alterations might go unnoticed.

Allison Chapman, a legislative tracker and transgender activist, appears to be the first to highlight these proposed changes to state law, sharing the information on social media on Tuesday night.

Kentucky is considering a bill that could result in the REMOVAL OF TRANS YOUTH from their homes if they fail to comply with the state’s school restroom regulations, while also charging their parents with NEGLECT,” Chapman exclaimed, alongside screenshots of the draft legislation.

Proposed by Republican state Representative Jason Petrie, the bill aims to broaden Kentucky’s definition of child neglect to encompass “educational neglect,” incorporating a parent’s failure to ensure their child adheres to the current anti-trans restroom legislation. If a child consistently disregards the exclusionary restroom regulations, the state reserves the authority to remove them from their home. Experts have highlighted the severe harm these restrictions pose to transgender children.

Chapman further explained that the subtlety of the bill made it easy to overlook, requiring familiarity with SB150, which was enacted the previous year.

Even without the proposed amendments enabling child removal, the current law is highly restrictive. It not only regulates restroom and locker room use but also prohibits physicians from providing gender-affirming care treatments to transgender youth. These treatments, hailed as lifesaving by medical experts and recipients, are essential for their well-being.

The ACLU has labeled the law as one of the most severe targeting transgender individuals nationwide. While a federal judge initially halted its enforcement last year, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals intervened, allowing the law to be enforced until the lawsuit’s resolution. In November, the ACLU petitioned the Supreme Court to overturn this decision.

This blog originally appeared at BBC.

Share Message – Jesse Baird: Policeman charged with murder of missing Sydney couple

A 28-year-old police officer has been charged with murdering missing Australian TV personality Jesse Baird and his boyfriend Luke Davies.

Investigators initiated a frantic search on Wednesday following the discovery of bloodied belongings belonging to the couple in a bin near Sydney. Beaumont Lamarre-Condon, the former boyfriend of Baird, was pursued by law enforcement and surrendered himself on Friday. Despite ongoing efforts, detectives have yet to locate the bodies of the men or determine the cause of their demise.

Authorities allege that the couple met their demise on Monday within Jesse Baird’s residence in Paddington, an inner suburb of Sydney, before their remains were transported in a white van. Witnesses reported hearing “shouting” and a “verbal argument” on the morning of the incident, with CCTV footage capturing the rented van’s presence at the scene later that evening. The van was discovered in Sydney’s southern region on Friday morning.

New South Wales Police reported the discovery of a bullet resembling one from Beaumont Lamarre-Condon’s service-issued firearm at the crime scene in Paddington, alongside a “significant” volume of blood and overturned furniture. Although Lamarre-Condon failed to report to work on Tuesday, his service pistol was subsequently located in a secure facility at a police station, as confirmed by Detective Superintendent Daniel Doherty during a press briefing.

Additionally, authorities have seized blood-stained garments, a mobile phone, and credit cards from an industrial bin in Cronulla, situated 28 kilometers (17 miles) from the scene of the crime, as well as various items from a residence in Balmain. Detective Superintendent Doherty noted that Lamarre-Condon was believed to have traveled to Newcastle – approximately 170 kilometers north of the crime scene – following the alleged homicides.

Detective Superintendent Doherty remarked that while information provided by Beaumont Lamarre-Condon thus far had not significantly aided the investigation, tips from the public had proven invaluable. He reiterated the plea for individuals with relevant information to come forward and cooperate with law enforcement.

Highlighting the significance of locating the victims’ bodies, Detective Superintendent Doherty emphasized the importance of providing closure for the families and uncovering the circumstances surrounding their demise, acknowledging their profound grief.

Jesse Baird had previously served as a presenter and red carpet reporter on Network 10’s morning program Studio 10 until its cancellation in December, while Mr. Davies worked as a flight attendant for Qantas. Their social media accounts, adorned with joyful photographs, have been inundated with expressions of sympathy following their disappearance.

Beaumont Lamarre-Condon, who joined the police force in 2019, had previously garnered attention as a celebrity blogger, boasting encounters with stars such as Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, and Miley Cyrus. His interactions with celebrities were extensively covered by Australian media, with some publications even questioning whether he was “Australia’s biggest fan.”

Detective Superintendent Doherty refrained from speculating on the motive behind the alleged crimes. However, he noted that Beaumont Lamarre-Condon’s relationship with Jesse Baird had ended “a couple of months ago,” suggesting it as a plausible avenue of investigation.

Beaumont Lamarre-Condon was denied bail and appeared in court on Friday afternoon to face charges.