Tag Archives: Bisexual

Netflix’s Latest Queer Holiday Movie ‘New York Christmas Wedding’ Is A Heartfelt Surprise

Netflix’s latest LGBTQ+ holiday movie, A New York Christmas Wedding, follows lead bisexual character Jennifer Ortiz (Nia Fairweather) as she explores the world of what could have been.

She is currently second-guesses her impending wedding to her fiancé, and gets cold feet when his overbearing mother insists on a massive Christmas wedding for her son with little regard for the bride’s interests.

As is the stuff of Christmas flicks, a twist of fate brings Jennifer, who’s reeling from the recent loss of her father and the long-ago loss of her best friend, Gabrielle (Adriana DeMeo), together with her guardian angel, Azrael (Cooper Koch). He conjures an alternate world in which Gabrielle and Jennifer’s father are still alive and Jennifer gets a second shot at love with Gabrielle.

Early reviews suggest this romance movie may not be the best you’ve ever seen but if you’re running out of Christmas romance movies on Netflix (which is hard to do) then check this out.

If you’re wanting to dive in, here’s what you can expect:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-S416uvCJo&feature=emb_title

A New York Christmas Wedding is one of several Christmas movies this year that feature queer leading characters. Among them is the first studio-backed Christmas flick with queer lead characters, Happiest Season, directed by Clea DuVall and starring Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis.

Never Regret Experimenting

Some time ago, I was dating a girl who I thought was perfect for me. We had been friends for most of our lives, and I found myself incredibly attracted to her.

I knew all about her troubled past, but I was willing to look past it because I also knew about her family and the ways they had pushed her towards some unsavory behavior.

That is… Until I found out that she was cheating on me with a large number of people. I had given her a chance, and she had turned out to be everything I didn’t want in a partner.

I went into a bit of confusion, and reeling from this experience left me questioning everything about myself. Obviously, I didn’t even know what I wanted. I thought she was perfect for me, after all, and I couldn’t have been more wrong.

I ended up going “back into the closet” and dating men for awhile. I made quite a few poor decisions during this time (about a year), but my choice to question my sexuality was never one of them.

I had come out of the closet at a fairly young age, after a fair amount of confusion; I felt that it was possible that I had taken things that happened to me and allowed them to shape who I became, in a way that wasn’t necessarily accurate.

However, after this dating of men, it became incredibly apparent to me that I was not, in fact, attracted to men after all. Although my preference of women over men may have happened right around the same time as some bad things happened to me, the two weren’t as interconnected as I had thought as a teenager.

Now, in the lesbian community, there’s a bit of stigma surrounding women who have had sex with men, but choose to identify as lesbians.

Many see us as “bisexual” despite the fact that a label is something you set for yourself – and often, if a woman feels that you have been dishonest about your sexuality, she may dismiss you entirely – and I ran into this a fair amount in my subsequent dating life.

A fair amount of this is based on biphobia, which is its own problem, but other women’s rejection of my self-imposed label felt like a slap in the face.

For women who have never had sex with a man, it can be difficult for them to wrap their head around the idea of a woman who has. I’ve never been a good liar, so I don’t even try – I have always been upfront with the women I’ve pursued when it comes to my past.

When it comes to dating men, I’ve never been particularly proud of my choices, but the fact remains that if I hadn’t examined these feelings, the questioning would always be there.

This is often what leads women to consider relationships with other women in the first place – their uncertainty surrounding their heterosexuality. Why, then, was it so different for me to transition to “bi-curiosity” in the other direction?

For anyone who has any inkling of curiosity when it comes to dating the gender that they don’t typically date, I urge you to explore it – safely. You may face some contention when it comes to your future partners, but hopefully this will soon be an obsolete thing.

After all, I’ve always been a firm believer in “don’t knock it until you try it” – why is our sexuality treated differently than that?

In my personal experience, my experimentation only confirmed what I had previously thought: I am definitely very, very gay. That doesn’t mean that there’s anything wrong with you if you find out one day that you’re not.

Sexuality is often said to be fluid and can change over the course of your life. What works one day may not necessarily be true the next. It doesn’t mean you were wrong or that your sexuality was just a phase, it means that you’re human and you have changed.

Broad City’s Abbi Jacobson comes out as bisexual

Broad City star Abbi Jacobson has opened up about her sexuality in a new interview with Vanity Fair, telling the magazine, “I kind of go both ways.”

“I date men and women. They have to be funny, doing something they love. I don’t know — I’ve never really been interviewed about this before.”

Jacobson confirmed that she is single, and joked about potential suitors approaching her now that she’s out. “Yeah, who knows?” she said. “The world is my oyster.”

While promoting her role in upcoming drama 6 Balloons, Jacobson also spilled some details about RuPaul’s Drag Race and the next season of Broad City.

Jacobson said that Broad‘s fifth season was almost finished — the fourth season finished airing in December last year — and that they would be altering their approach to Donald Trump. During the fourth season, any mention of his name was bleeped like an expletive. Now?

“I think we are actually trying to avoid even mentioning him. It’s not even funny anymore.”

As for Drag Race, she and Broad City co-star Ilana Glazer will be appearing in season ten as part of a challenge, with Glazer and Jacobson judging the remaining queens’ performances. No spoilers on who could walk on their episode, however, as “it’s pretty much under lock and key over there,” she said.

“I know roughly when it airs because, as a judge, I know how many contestants are left. But I can’t say.”

Gillian Anderson: ‘I Could Be Dating A Woman Next Year’

Gillian Anderson – who came out in 2012 – says she has no issue with her bisexuality

Anderson – who came out as bisexual in 2012 – is currently in a relationship with ‘The Crown’ creator Peter Morgan, but admitted she is only ”part long-term” in their romance.

Speaking to The Times magazine, she the actress said:

”I could be with a woman next year! Part of me looks long-term. As long as there’s always a back door.”

And speaking about her bisexuality, she insisted she doesn’t care what other people think.

”It’s just who I am. I have absolutely no issue with it whatsoever, and I don’t really care if other people have an issue with it. We’re all intersectional, and that is something that is only just beginning to become accepted or embraced. We’re all complicated beings. That is my truth and that is my experience.”

However, Anderson insisted she is currently very happy in her relationship with Peter and loves that they work in the same industry.

”I’m constantly grateful for the symbiosis because I haven’t had that experience before.”

Anderson recently confirmed she is quitting ‘The X-Files’.

The actress had previously hinted that the current 11th season of the sci-fi drama – in which she has starred as FBI agent Dana Scully since 1993 – would be her last in the role, and during a panel at the 2018 Winter TCA Tour last month, she confirmed her decision.

“It’s time for me to hang up Scully’s hat. It just is. I’m finished and that’s the end of that.”

Anderson also admitted she had originally only agreed to return for the six-episode revival of the show in 2017, but said she is ”hugely grateful” for the opportunity to have played the iconic character for over two decades.

“I arrived at the decision before we did the previous six, but I was really curious. I felt that the previous six was going to be it. It was dipping our toe back in again … and getting to play these wonderful characters again. I think as [series creator] Chris [Carter] has said himself that short stack of episodes felt like we were leaning how to walk again and that this season of 10 feels like the pace is up and we’re running. I wouldn’t necessarily have been happy if those six were how we said goodbye.

There’s lots of things that I want to do in my life and in my career and it’s been an extraordinary opportunity and extraordinary character and I am hugely grateful.”

The show’s 11th season began airing on January 3, and also stars David Duchovny as FBI agent Fox Mulder.

Leading CEO Says Coming Out Made Her A Better Boss

As an openly bisexual CEO in financial services, Inga Beale is now seen as one of the world’s most powerful and prominent bosses.

In 2014, she become the first female CEO at insurer Lloyd’s of London and has also been one of the most high-profile executives to come out as part of the LGBT+ community.

Her own personal experience transformed the way she works and the employees around her—and fostered a working environment that it is fit for a new generation of workers.

I think it shows visibly in an individual when they can be much more confident in themselves, and that has a positive impact on others because they tend to engage more in all types of conversations and not try to hide or say the wrong things or fall into a trap about mentioning something about their personal life.”

In the past few years, Beale has made waves by transforming a conservative institution, as well as the wider industry, into a more inclusive and welcoming environment.

She was named to the UK Government’s 2017 New Year’s Honors list, for her contribution to the economy and her support of diversity. And, for another year in a row, she was named one of the top 10 LGBT+ executives in the world by OUTstanding.

Any person that comes out as a role model in a senior position can only do good things because it encourages other people to start talking. Certainly in the financial services industry, people are taking it seriously and we’ve got a lot of momentum in giving visibility in the LGBT+ community. We’ve got a gathering of very senior insurance, out LGBT+ leaders now—we’ve formed an informal group to discuss the topics.

We’ve got connections because we’re really senior. So if we see any conference going on or an event that doesn’t have a LGBT+ focus, or it’s stuck in the past somehow or not very inclusive, we’re actually able to influence that…This makes a difference for inclusion in the workplace.”

The more conversations had by others, including allies, Beale said, “it makes it safer to be out and drive overall inclusiveness, beyond sexuality.”

It’s also about fostering a more-inclusive working environment for the next generation.

While it seems Beale has the right formula for creating greater inclusiveness, she also highlighted how the LGBT+ community needs to keep looking within itself: “They’re not necessarily inclusive themselves about the ‘Ts’ and the ‘Bs,’ it’s a difficult topic but at least the conversations are happening now and I think that’s a start.”

None of us are experts. When I think about myself, I’m labelled as bisexual but I don’t even understand how I ended up in this place, with this label. I just know who I am. I don’t feel qualified to have some scientific or psychological discussion about it. I’m just me and I know who I am.

I’m loving that trans people these days are actually being the focus of attention now. One of the students…is a trans woman and she said she’s liking that the attention is on her right now. And the more we have role models like that, the more it’s going to impact the whole conversation and make everyone feel more comfortable.”

Demi Lovato Confirms Her Sexuality In ‘Simply Complicated’ Documentary

Since its debut earlier this month, Demi Lovato’s YouTube documentary Demi Lovato: Simply Complicated has generated over 7 million views across 195 countries.

In the documentary, Lovato is open about some intimate details and experiences of her life, including her history of addiction, bipolar disorder, and self harm. The singer has been clean for the last five years.

However, one aspect of the singer’s personal life that has suffered from severe scrutiny over the years is her sexuality.

Much of the speculation dates back to that steamy Cool For the Summer release. Certain lyrics — allusions to her being “curious,” and “tasting the cherry,” and being taken “down into paradise” — had many wondering if she was singing about sexual experiences with women rather than men.

At the time, Lovato played coy about her sexuality. In a September 2015 interview with Alan Carr, she was asked about the lesbian insinuations of the song. Her reply was vague.

“I’m not confirming and I’m definitely not denying. All of my songs are based off of personal experiences. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with experimentation at all.”

A year later, the singer was asked about her sexuality again, this time in an issue of People.

It’s something I don’t think needs to have a label. As humans, it’s just about a connection with someone.”

However, now she’s decided to acknowledge her love for both men and women on her own terms.

In the documentary, she explains:

I am on a dating app with both guys and girls. I am open to human connection, so whether that’s through a male or a female, it doesn’t matter to me.”

Last month, when asked about her sexuality, the singer took to Twitter to clear the air, tweeting: “Just because I’m refuse to label myself for the sake of a headline doesn’t mean I’m not going to stand up for what I believe in.”

Just because I'm refuse to label myself for the sake of a headline doesn't mean I'm not going to stand up for what I believe in.

— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) September 20, 2017

If you're that curious about my sexuality, watch my documentary. But I don't owe anybody anything.

— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) September 20, 2017

The inquiry came on the heels of Lovato spotted holding hands with DJ Lauren Abedini at Disneyland.

She later told Pride Source magazine,

I just feel like everyone’s always looking for a headline and they always want their magazine or TV show or whatever to be the one to break what my sexuality is. I feel like it’s irrelevant to what my music is all about. I stand up for the things that I believe in and the things that I’m passionate about, but I like to keep my personal life as private as possible when it comes to dating and sexuality and all that stuff just because it has nothing to do with my music. Unfortunately, we live in a world where everyone is trying to get that soundbite and I am purposefully not giving the soundbite. Watch my documentary.

Watch the full interview video below;

Evan Rachel Wood Bids Farewell To Her Twenties In Touching Open Letter

Evan Rachel Wood hit the milestone last week and decided to celebrate becoming a 30-something by looking back at her past in an open letter published by Nylon.

I can finally start looking back on my past with a smile on my face because it’s over and I survived…

I very easily could have been dead in my 20s. I think a lot of people can relate to this. I did not think I would make it this far. So every second is a gift.”

She called her 20s a “time of metamorphosis, loss, love, trauma, and enlightenment”, during which she fell in love, met her heroes, and welcomed her son, while also recalling a rape ordeal, her divorce and a suicide attempt.

My limits have been tested in many ways, and I learned I am much stronger than I ever thought possible. The greatest lesson I have learned is that there is always more to learn.”

The open letter was published a day after a tweet from the birthday girl suggested she was single again after splitting from her bandmate fiance Zach Villa.

According to People, Wood and Villa called off their engagement about a month ago. The couple first met in 2015 at a John Hughes-inspired cabaret in LA, and then combined forces to make the electro-pop duo, Rebel and a basketcase.

Wood was previously married to actor Jamie Bell for two years before they got divorced in 2014.

In Feb. of this year, Wood got real about her sexuality (she’s bisexual) in a moving speech when she was awarded the Human Rights Campaign’s Visibility Award. She said in the speech,

I didn’t realize that there was anything that would have been considered different about me until I was 12 years old – right around when puberty and sexual feelings start to take over – and I felt something that I couldn’t explain. I thought women were beautiful, and I realized I had always thought women were beautiful. But because I was born that way, I never once stopped to think that was strange or anything to fear.”

Although she knew when she was young that she had feelings for women and men, she “buried those feelings” after hearing so much hate speech toward the LGBTQ+ community. She continued,

But because of the voices I listened to, because of the people I identified with, the films I had watched, the music I had heard, because of words like ‘bisexual’ and the doors that it opened, I’m still here — and I didn’t miss out on the most beautiful thing I’ve seen yet, and that was my son.”

Older Lesbians and Bi Women Suffer More Chronic Health Conditions Than Heterosexuals, Study Finds

According to a new study, Lesbian and bisexual older women are more likely than heterosexual older women to suffer chronic health conditions, experience sleep problems and drink excessively.

The study from the new University of Washington, found that in general, lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) older adults were found to be in poorer health than heterosexuals, specifically in terms of higher rates of cardiovascular disease, weakened immune system and low back or neck pain.

They also were at greater risk of some adverse health behaviours such as smoking and excessive drinking. At the same time, however, findings point to areas of resilience, with more LGB adults engaging in preventive health measures, such as obtaining HIV tests and blood pressure screening.

The study is the first to use national, population-based data to evaluate differences in health outcomes and behaviours among lesbian, gay and bisexual older adults. Using two-year survey data of 33,000 heterosexual and LGB adults ages 50 and older from a probability-based study of the U.S.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, researchers from the UW School of Social Work report noticeable health disparities between LGB and heterosexual adults.

The findings were published in the August issue of the American Journal of Public Health.

While this study did not delve into what causes the poorer health outcomes, UW social work professor Karen Fredriksen-Goldsen pointed to other research, including the landmark longitudinal study, Aging with Pride: National Health, Aging and Sexuality/Gender Study, that has identified associated factors.

“The strong predictors of poor health are discrimination and victimization,” said Fredriksen-Goldsen, the principal investigator on Aging with Pride, which surveyed 2,450 adults aged 50 to 100, studying the impact of historical, environmental, psychological, social, behavioral and biological factors on LGBT older adult health and well-being.

The new UW study relied on the 2013-14 National Health Interview Survey, which for the first time asked respondents about their sexual orientation. In the United States, approximately 2.7 million adults age 50 and older self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. This number is expected to increase to more than 5 million by 2060.

Among the UW study’s findings:

Disability and mental distress are significantly more prevalent among lesbians or gay men than among their bisexual counterparts.
Strokes, heart attacks, asthma, arthritis and lower back or neck pain affected significantly greater percentages of lesbian and bisexual women than heterosexual women. For example, 53 percent of lesbians and bisexual women experienced lower back or neck pain, versus not quite 40 percent of heterosexuals.
Nearly 7 percent of gay and bisexual men, compared to 4.8 percent of heterosexual men, suffered chest pain related to heart disease.
More LGB people reported weakened immune systems: about 17 percent of women, and 15 percent of men, compared to 10 percent of heterosexual women, and 5 percent of heterosexual men.
Lesbian and bisexual women were up to two times as likely to engage in adverse health behaviors such as excessive drinking.
More than three-fourths of gay and bisexual men, and almost half of lesbians and bisexual women, had received an HIV test. In contrast, roughly one-fourth of heterosexuals had obtained a test.
Slightly more lesbian and bisexual women had health insurance than heterosexual women, a possible reflection of professional choices, financial independence or same-sex partner benefits.

But the health disparities among lesbian and bisexual women indicate a population that merits greater attention, Fredriksen-Goldsen said.

Most people think gay and bisexual men would have more adverse health effects, because of the HIV risk. Lesbian and bisexual women tend to be more invisible, less often considered when it comes to health interventions. This is a population that isn’t getting the attention it deserves.”

Bisexual men and women, meanwhile, may be marginalized not only in the general population, but also within gay and lesbian communities. As a result, bisexuals report feeling more isolated and experience greater stress, which, in turn, could lead to more adverse health conditions associated with stress as well as frequent risky health behaviors, Fredriksen-Goldsen said.

Like Aging with Pride, this new national study brings to light the need to target prevention efforts and health care services to improve health and the quality of life of LGB older adults, Fredriksen-Goldsen said.

The study was funded by the National Institute on Aging. Other authors were Hyun-Jun Kim, Chengshi Shiu and Amanda E.B. Bryan, all of the UW School of Social Work.

Vanessa Morgan Discusses Riverdale’s New Queer Character

Vanessa Morgan is set to play openly bisexual character Toni Topaz on the second season of The CW series

For those unfamiliar with the world of Archie Comics, Toni Topaz is a relatively minor character. In comics, she becomes friends with Jughead Jones because of their shared love of hamburgers. She also has distinctive pink hair and is bisexual in the comics.

Morgan, who previously played a lesbian character on The Shannara Chronicles, says that Topaz will be getting a lot of screen time in Riverdale‘s upcoming second season and is glad that she is able to bring the bisexual character to life.

In an interview with Popsugar, Morgan said that there is a progressive reason behind her character and storyline.

It’s showing that there are a lot of people who don’t see gender, and they actually love whoever is a nice person. I love that.”

Morgan also says she has already seen her fair share of Internet shippers, aka people who want Toni to get together with one character or another.

Right now, I’m seeing a lot of me and Cheryl. Then, I’m seeing me and Betty. People are shipping hard for different storylines.”

Riverdale returns for a second season on Oct. 11.

Gina Rodriguez Says She’s More Bisexual Than Her ‘Jane The Virgin’ Character

Asked about whether her character Jane Villanueva is bisexual in an interview with BUST magazine, Gina Rodriguez responded with…

Jane is the furthest from bisexual — maybe Gina’s a little closer than Jane is!

This is not the first time Rodriguez has hinted at sexuality either.

In 2016, she tweeted that she does not feel the need to define her sexuality. She loves ‘hearts.’

https://twitter.com/HereIsGina/status/745335294573051904

In the interview she also said she’d love to play the fictional girlfriend of bisexual actress Stephanie Beatriz.

Stephanie plays Detective Rosa Diaz in FOX comedy series Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

I want to play her love interest so bad. I really hope they make that happen.”

Series 4 of Jane The Virgin starts this October.

Halsey Covers PAPER’s Pride Issue And Talks Bisexuality In Pop Music

PAPER magazine is celebrating Pride month with a series of covers that celebrate and support the diversity, beauty, resiliency, and humour of the LGBTQ community.

Halsey poses alongside model Caroline Miner Smith. They recreate prom poses, make out and generally look bad-ass.

In addition to the fiery pictorial, the singer also opens up about labels and bi-phobia.

That’s something I’ve had to fight my whole life and something I still fight. I still see people on the internet saying, “Of course Halsey says she’s bisexual. It’ll help her sell albums.” I never came out as a musician because I was already out when I started making music. I was out in high school! I was in high school with people walking past me in the hallway calling me, “Dyke,” you know what I mean? That was just a part of my reality. It was also part of my naïveté. When I first started making music, I didn’t think, like, “Oh, well people are gonna be mean to me because I’m not straight.” BuzzFeed wrote this article and they were like, “Is Halsey really bisexual? Because when she did the VMAs with the Chainsmokers, she had long hair. Was that because she wanted the public to see her as straight?”

She continues

It was interesting to me because, for a lesbian writer, it seemed really bi-phobic. It seemed like, “Well, I don’t wanna claim her because she’s dated a guy, or because she’s doing this romantic collaboration with a guy.” And then she’s like, “Well, she hangs out with all these dudes, so is she fucking all of them or is she pretty much just a Lez Bro?” Obviously, she didn’t say it in those words, but she did actually say “Lez Bro.” There’s bi-phobia from the straight community and from the LGBT community. There’s a lack of acceptance. It happens in TV all the time when people write bisexual characters as going through a phase or struggling with something. It’s part of some mental breakdown or rebellion storyline, and that just sucks.

Yeah. It’s like, “Oh, I used to be gay and now I’m straight.” Well, that’s literally not how any of this works, because you can be married to a man and still be a bisexual woman.

Halsey has always been very forthcoming and honest about your life experiences, her sexuality, her bipolar disorder, her past, which is something that her fans really love about her.

I think that being open is a nice thing, because it keeps me honest. That’s a weird thing about having bipolar disorder, too, because people with bipolar disorder – and I’m saying this in a loving way – they just don’t know how to keep their mouth shut about what’s going on, because it’s a defense mechanism. You’re seeking validation, you’re trying to keep your perspective of yourself, you’re trying to keep yourself from disassociating by keeping the people around you aware of who you are so that they can remind you when you forget. I’m telling the world who I am so that I never get the chance to forget. It leaves no room for dishonesty or anything like that, which is really ironic because people think it’s some kind of act.

The hopeless fountain kingdom hitmaker also spoke about groundbreaking duet with Lauren Jauregui.

That song, like many of the songs on this album, just happened. I was going through something [when I wrote it]. The first lines are “she doesn’t kiss me on the mouth anymore/because it’s more intimate than she thinks we should get,” because I was thinking about this person I was spending time with. We were having sex and going to dinner and whatever, but I asked myself, “When was the last time I kissed them on the mouth? I don’t even remember.”

[Originally] it was me singing myself, and then I was like, “No, this needs to be a duet.” I struggled with it for a really long time. I’m not gonna put a straight male on it because he can sing, “She doesn’t kiss me, whatever,” but it’s not gonna be the same and I’m not gonna put a straight female on it, because then that’s just exploitive and weird and makes no sense. The fact alone that I was even struggling to find queer women in my field to get on the song…

And then I thought of Lauren Jauregui, who’s a friend of mine, and the best thing about it is that it wasn’t a compromise. It wasn’t like, “Oh well, Lauren’s openly bi, so we’ll just put her on it.” [Including Lauren] made the song better. Her voice brings an entirely new perspective. She’s an incredible artist and the way that she delivered a lot of the melodies…she really, really made it her own. It just felt so right.”

The duo performed “Strangers” on The Today Show, bringing it to a whole new audience.

The response we’re getting from fans makes my fucking life. The amount of kids who just have just messaged me saying “Thank you for this”… And I get it. I’m a young, bisexual woman and finding that kind of representation in music is really complicated. You don’t want to be limited from listening to music that is relatable to you because you’re a pop music fan. Pop music can often be really ostracizing. It’s just a shame that it’s so hard for marginalized or minority people to get the same pop music experience as people who are heterosexual or generally part of the majority. They deserve the same pop music experience.

Lauren Jauregui Discusses Life After Coming Out As Bi: ‘It’s Really Changed Me As A Person’

Last year, Lauren Jauregui came out in an epic letter to Donald Trump and his supporters after he was elected as the President of the United States.

In her letter, Jauregui said,

I am a bisexual Cuban-American woman and I am so proud of it. It’s hard to accept yourself when you live in a world where nobody is like you,”

Since Lauren has come out the singer says she couldn’t be happier with the reactions and support she has received from her parents and her fans across the world.

In a new interview, Jauregui adds

Coming into my own and being comfortable with myself really changed me as a person. And made me more confident and vibrant.”

She also explains that her parents are “such loving, supportive people, they just love me and who I am”.

A bunch of my fans have come up to me and said, ‘because of you and because you came out, I have finally begun to accept myself’.

That is infinitely incredible for me. I didn’t expect to get to the point where I would own to it within myself.”

Jauregui recently collaborated with singer Halsey on a same-sex love song, Strangers, which is also on Halsey’s latest album Hopeless Fountain Kingdom.

Alia Shawkat Officially Comes Out as Bisexual

When you were ten, she played Maeby Bluth, and you wished you had her wild freckles and bouncy, curly hair. When you got older, you binge-watched all episodes of Search Party and drooled over her a Alexander Hamilton.

Last year, you watched her be Ilana Glazer‘s queer doppelganger and wished you were Ilana so that your queer fantasies could come true.

Well, today is a happy day. Because Alia Shawkat – of Arrested Development, Search Party, Drunk History and Broad City – has finally come out as queer.

She did it in a recent interview with Out (naturally) when discussing her latest film endeavor, a film called Paint It Black. Whereas Shawkat is known for her dry comedic wit, Paint It Black is a noticeably darker psychodrama. The film meditates on the queer and somewhat twisted relationship between a girl (Josie) and the mother of her dead boyfriend.

Shawkat always knew she was just a bit different. She was a tomboy growing up. When she was ten, her mother asked her, “Are you attracted to boys or are you attracted to girls?” Shawkat said that she didn’t know; who does when they’re ten?

However, she now identifies as bisexual, and credits her balance of “male and female energies” for her growth as an actress.

After Paint It Black, she’ll throw her energies into a film that she wrote and is starring in, Duck Butter. Duck Butter is a queer romance between two women. Fun fact: One of the parts was originally written for a man, but they couldn’t find the right guy, so they swapped the role.

Coming out as queer and creating queer content might be seen as a bold step, but Shawkat says, “I used to be less outspoken. But as a woman, an Arab-American, and a member of the LGBTQ community, I have to use whatever voice I have. There’s no more delicacy in being quiet.”

Halsey Says Her Collaborative Track With Lauren Jauregui Is A ‘Love Song for the LGBT Community’

Having recently announced her second album Hopeless Fountain Kingdom, Halsey is in the middle of a promotional blitz.

As such, she’s been spilling all kinds of interesting tidbits about her next project, from the breakup that inspired it, to how she rediscovered herself in the process of making it.

The latest piece of information on the LP, though, is about a specific track — namely, the one she shares with Fifth Harmony’s Lauren Jauregui.

“This is the first song that I ever wrote where I openly used female pronouns,” Halsey recently revealed to Zach Sang, adding that she tried to keep her previous LP gender neutral.

The songs her new album switch between male and female pronouns, reflecting the real-life relationships that loosely inspired the music.

That’s why Jauregui, who came out as bisexual last November, was the perfect fit for a collaboration.

If I want this song to be believable it needs to be real, so I’m not going to put a girl on the song to sing who’s straight. I’m just not going to do it. So I reached out to Lauren and she came in and she cut the vocal and it sounds awesome.”

Strangers tackles what happens when Halsey’s and Jauregui’s characters meet at a house party.

I just love that Lauren and I are two women who have a mainstream pop presence doing a love song for the LGBTQ community. It’s unheard of. It’s very rare to see it from a female perspective. … Sam Smith obviously made waves making records that were so human and so amazing and emotional that it didn’t matter what your sexuality was, you just identified with what he was singing. That’s kind of what I wanted to do with Strangers.“

Watch Halsey’s full interview, below.

Whitney Houston Was Bisexual, Says New Documentary

Whitney Houston is an icon whose songs are still played all over the world. Who hasn’t belted I’m Every Woman to boost self-confidence after a breakup, or shed a tear as someone on America’s Got Talent/American Idol/X Factor sings, I Will Always Love You.

But did you know Houston was queer?

Many people don’t. But a new documentary, Whitney: Can I Be Me, dives in-depth into Houston’s tragic love for her best friend, which blossomed into an affair that continued during Houston’s marriage.

Houston met Robyn Crawford – who today would probably be called a stud – in 1979, when they were both teenagers trying to make it in New Jersey. They formed a fast connection that went deeper than friendship.

Houston’s security personnel, Kevin Ammons, says, “Robyn and Whitney were like twins.”

But then he elaborates, shifting away from the platonic dimension of their relationship.

They were inseparable. They had a bond, and Bobby Brown [Houston’s husband] could never remove Robyn. He wanted to be the man in the relationship.”

In June 2016, Brown admitted that Houston had had an affair with Crawford, confirming rumors that had been swirling about the two women since they’d first met. He went on to say that Houston was bisexual and that after fourteen years of marriage, he knew the ins and outs of her personal life. Although Houston had always denied romantic involvement with Crawford, Brown felt it necessary to come forward.

He also made the heartbreaking statement that Houston’s homophobic mother had kept Crawford and Houston separated, and that if the two women had been allowed to explore their relationship, Houston would be alive today.

Unfortunately, while the documentary provides great insight into the singer’s personal life, these revelations are too little too late. If Brown is to be believed, then Houston’s death is, in part, another tragic casualty of homophobia. One can only wish that she and Crawford had been allowed to be themselves.

The Handmaid’s Tale Paints A Grim Future For Queer Women

In a world where women are tortured and harvested, LGBT women get the worst treatment.

Enter the realistic torture chamber that is Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale, based on the horrifying Margaret Atwood novel of the same name.

In this women, women are stripped of their identities and assigned to men for procreating. Their very existence revolves around heterosexual reproduction.

So what happens to queer women?

In Atwood’s book, the government immediately hanged all lesbian, bisexual and queer women, but the TV show decides to explore their predicaments a bit more in-depth. Two queer women help anchor the narrative.

First, there is Ofglen (Alexis Bledel). She’s a headstrong lesbian who refuses to bend to the establishment.

Bledel says,

In playing her, I certainly felt that she had more at stake than some of the other handmaids because she would be deemed a gender traitor. She’s a lesbian, and they don’t approve of her sexual orientation, so she’s really vulnerable.”

Add that vulnerability to the fact that she’s a major player in the resistance movement, and Ofglen is a walking target.

But the most heartbreaking narrative is that of Moira, played by Samira Wiley, who recently faced a horrifying death in Orange is the New Black – she can’t get a break. A few episodes in, the audience is told that she has been killed.

The only reason that the government allows queer women to live is because their ovaries are functional. Before the fascist revolution that led to the enslavement of women occurred, there was a major environmental disaster that sterilized many women.

The queer ones who were unable to have children were shipped to colonies and left to die.

In the third episode, Ofglen is publically declared a gender traitor. In what is the most heartrending moment of the series, she is forced to undergo physical and emotional torture, humiliation and mutilation.

Of course, all of this torture is carried out in a way that will prevent Ofglen from ever experiencing any type of sexual pleasure in the future, but will still allow her to have children.

Why tell such a horrifying story? And why now?

With a President that seems hellbent on stripping away the rights of women and LGBT people, these types of stories are more pertinent than ever. They’re a warning: Fight for your rights before it’s too late.

Watch The Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu.

Here’s Why Lesbian Visibility Day Is So Important To Our Community

Being a queer woman – that is, a woman who identifies herself as lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, queer, or anything other than heterosexual and is attracted to other women – isn’t always easy.

Finding positive portrayals of queer women in media isn’t easy either. So it’s important that together we keep our representation strong.

Today is lesbian visibility day – a day which started in the US almost 10 years ago. It is a day to celebrate lesbian life and culture and all our diversity.

Bella Thorne Talks Fame, Love And Wanting To Date Kristen Stewart

In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, 19-year-old actress / singer, Bella Thorne, discussed her sexuality and dating since announcing she was bisexual last year.

I’ve done other stuff with girls, but I really want to actually date a girl. Maybe girls just don’t like me…. I can’t tell if a girl is hitting on me or she just wants to be friends. And I don’t want to flirt with a girl if she thinks I’m just being her friend. What if I kiss a girl and she’s like ‘Oh, I’m just your friend dude, I can’t believe you just crossed that boundary.’ I’m confused on what they want from me.”

When pressed on who she would like to date, Thorne suggested Kristen Stewart as a good option.

She’s so hot. She seems like the raddest chick, I’d be so down.”

As for her dating now, Thorne said she is “single as f—,” though not by choice exactly.

I could not be more single. This is the longest I’ve been super single,” she said. “There are so many unwritten rules about dating which I don’t like. I’d rather be super faithful and give my all to one person. I don’t like having my phone blown up by a bunch of different guys where I don’t really know where I stand with any of them. It sucks.”

Read the full interview here.

Amber Heard Talks Coming Out As Bisexual: “I Became Attached to a Label

Amber Heard has talked about her queerness at the The Economist’s annual Pride & Prejudice conference in New York this week.

Heard – who first publicly discussed her sexual orientation for the first time in 2010 – had some interesting thoughts to share on her queerness.

I just answered honestly. I could tell by the look on this person’s face it was a big deal. My poor publicist. Then I realized the gravity of what I had done and why so many people—studio execs, agents, advisors—did not want this coming before my name. I became attached to a label. I’ve never seen myself defined by the person I’m with.

I saw myself being in this unique position and having a unique responsibility. So, I bit the bullet.”

Heard was told having the word “bisexual” attached to her name was problematic.

As a leading lady, there’s a certain amount of wish fulfillment. I was asked ‘How is anyone going to invest in you romantically if they think you’re unavailable?’ I said, ‘Watch me do it.'”

I never have seen myself as defined by the person I’m with, the same way you’re not defined by the hair color of your partner—I never saw myself defined as one particular thing or not… I watched as I quickly became not actress Amber Heard, but out lesbian Amber Heard.”

Heard also says she is proud to see other actors in Hollywood coming out.

I stand here now amongst many of my romantic leading lady peers who are out and fluid. I’m one of many now, and I’m working.

If we’re meant to reflect the world around us, the whole point of telling stories and reaching audiences is to challenge the status quo, to push the envelope. Not just to meet the status quo. We’re in a unique position to do this. We need to be actively pushing.”

Heard argued that women are at the forefront of the LGBTQ fight in Hollywood.

If every gay man that I know personally in Hollywood came out tomorrow, then this would be a non-issue in a month.” Despite the progress that’s already been made, she said, “We have a long way to go.”

Blondie‘s Debbie Harry Says Her “Bisexual Days” Are Now Over

Blondie‘s Debbie Harry recently opened up about her sexuality, attributing her “bisexual days” to her being “a little more hormonal” when she was younger down to hormones.

She said:

My bisexual days have gone by actually. I have great affection for some of my female friends but I think maybe when I was younger it might have been a little more hormonal and our hormones change.”

As Pink News reports, Harry went on to say that younger people today are

exploring all the options and perhaps that’s what I was doing. It just seems that now we can deal with it a little bit better, for some reason.”

Harry came out publicly as bisexual in 2014, and said that she thinks women are more “sensual”.

The singer told the Daily Mail that rumours about her past sexual relationships were all true, saying:

‘I don’t know if I have any specific requirements. Just somebody nice, who has a good sense of humour and loves to have sex. What more could you ask for?”

She previously snubbed an offer to play at Sochi during the Winter Olympics because of anti-gay laws in Russia.

She said:

We feel very strongly about these friendships and associations, and don’t feel good about participating in a situation where biases and prejudices are paramount.”

Sign Up For This New Resource For Lesbian, Bisexual And Trans Artists

If you’re a creative type, then connect with other queer and transgender female artists on the Women Who Draw database.

Women Who Draw is a new platform for women, transgender and gender non-conforming illustrators and cartoonists to network with each other, find jobs with companies and expand their talents worldwide.

When it first launched in December of 2016, the database received so many applications within the first twenty-four hours that it crashed. It now has 700 active members and 300 more on a fast-moving waiting list.

So how does it work? The site connects artists to clients and clients to artists. Female artists add their name and portfolio to the website and can identify themselves by region, religion, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation. This will help clients looking for a specific type of illustrator to find what they need, and this will help artists connect to specialized projects.

Founder Julia Rothman launched the database after realizing that out of 55 illustrated covers of one of her favorite magazines, only four had been drawn by women. This hiring bias is pervasive throughout the illustration industry.

Many corporations complain that they don’t hire women simply because they don’t know any female artists. Thanks to Women Who Draw, now they do.

According to the Huffington Post, Women Who Draw intends to “bring images of women of color and queer women ― made by women of color and queer women ― into mainstream publications that don’t often showcase them.”

Rothman wants to make it as easy as possible for corporations to access diverse, talented populations.

In the future, Rothman wants to broaden the Women Who Draw database to include other creative fields – perhaps filmmaking, music or creative writing. But for now, she’s passionate about helping illustrators and is excited about how much impact the database is already having.

Women Who Draw follows in the footsteps of other diversity databases. Check out LGBTQ Cartoonists of Color and the Queer Cartoonists Database.

Evan Rachel Wood Opens Up About Being Bisexual At HRC Gala

Evan Rachel Wood delivered a powerful and heartfelt speech at the 2017 Human Rights Campaign North Carolina Gala, where she was honoured with the HRC Visibility Award.

The actress – who is currently engaged to Zach Villa, her partner in the musical duo Rebel and a Basketcase – opened up about her bisexual identity and the responsibility she feels as an LGBTQ public figure.

I thought women were beautiful. But because I was born that way, I never once stopped to think that was strange or anything to fear.”

Throughout her life, however, Wood admitted she “buried” her feelings as a result of the anti-gay hate speech that surrounded her, confused by her attraction to men.

There was a time, despite what it may have looked like on the surface, that the fear had gripped me so tight, and I felt broken and unlovable. And I did not think I would see tomorrow.”

She also told the audience that she never felt compelled or knew how to speak out about her sexuality until she heard another actress first say the word “bisexual.”

She then realized the power of visibility and the impact that moment had on her own life and identity.

As an actor, my job is to look at a stranger and find myself in them ― to connect the dots, to have such empathy for a character that I can read someone else’s words and be moved to tears.

Turning empathy into vulnerability… and it wasn’t until I saw the effect that it had on other people that I really started to see how powerful really allowing your most vulnerable parts to be seen was. I saw another side to what I did, and it was the power of visibility.”

Wood first came out as bisexual in 2011 in an interview with Esquire magazine, and has since used her platform to speak out for the bisexual community, an identity often erased or rendered invisible on the larger LGBTQ spectrum.

See Wood’s powerful speech below:

JoLivi Talks Sexuality, Writing Music, And The Positive Support She Receive From Her Fans

Meet JoLivi, a Los Angeles based singer / songwriter who writes from experience and performs with honesty. In fact, her latest single, Love Who You Wanna Love, was inspired by the first time she fell in love with a woman.

(I want to thank dearly both to JoLivi for taking the time to talk to us and to Candace Brown who was kind enough to make this interview happen.)

Kitschmix: So, let’s start with an easy question! Can you give our readers some information about who you are and what you do?

JoLivi: I was born and raised on the island of O’ahu in Hawai’i. I went to college at Colorado State University. I then moved to Los Angeles to pursue music.. I write all of my music, I assume like most artists, from experiences I’ve gone through in my life.. 🙂

Kitschmix: When did you start singing and songwriting?

JoLivi: I started singing at a very young age –Doing community theatre, part of dance/performance troups etc. Songwriting came initially through poetry. For some reason, at the high school age I didn’t want to write to rhyme.

But after one of my more less happy times the words and the melodies just came out, and they didn’t stop! My favorite is writing my own songs.. The way that people can be moved by or relate to them is the most inspiring thing to me. That’s what music does for me…it gets me through the happy, sad, angry, and alone feelings.

Kitschmix: What/Who inspires you the most?

JoLivi: lol…Well I guess I kinda answered that in the previous question so I’ll start with who! I like the question more as who as oppose to which artists…My inspiration is my grandpa 🙂 He passed about 4 years ago…but he was the singer in the family (well, I lie… all the girls in my family can SANG!!) I just got more of the powerhouse voice… He had a presence like no other human I will probably ever meet. And, of course in a non-cliché way…my mom and dad! They never told me to stop following this path…the support is incredible. THEY are honest and kind, encouraging but also logical. They are my whole world … and I just flippin’ love them so much..

Kitschmix: I am so sorry to hear about your grandpa. In regards to your latest single, what can you tell us about Love Who You Wanna Love?

JoLivi: It’s about every kind of love! It’s also, being who you wanna be to get there, and always knowing that you can change the outcome of a bad or tricky situation. In the end we live with our decisions (and sometimes others too) but only we can make ourselves truly happy!

Kitschmix: Why have you decided to come out now and why through music?

JoLivi: I just truly feel that in this time we should be able to Love who we wanna love! It shouldn’t matter what orientation, race, religion, etc. In this life we get to have a voice…we gotta speak out.

Kitschmix: So far, how was the fan’s response to the single?

JoLivi: The response has been great! It is still really brand new but across the board I am so thankful to have such accepting fans!

Kitschmix: And a growing fan base too, I am sure! Do you have any future plans/achievements in mind?

JoLivi: Touring of course! I mainly want to keep performing and affect people positively with my music!

Kitschmix: If you are not working, what do you enjoy doing?

JoLivi: Playing golf, snowboarding, eating sushi with my bestie. Writing doesn’t feel exactly like working so that, being with all my happy people.

Kitschmix: Any final message you would like to share with our readers?

JoLivi: Think with your heart instead!

What Your Queer Girl Celebrity Crush Says About You

Queer female celebrities have always been such an integral part of our queer culture. Whether the celeb in question actually identifies as lesbian, bisexual, or pansexual, or there’s just a lot of speculation about their sexuality, one thing’s for certain: We absolutely love them.

We’ve taken the time to identify 20 of the most famous out queer female celebrities, with a handy little guide to explain what your crush on that particular woman really means.

Ready? Let’s go! In alphabetical order…

Amber Heard

Your crush on “no labels” actress Amber Heard says that you’re more about the person than how they label themselves – and that’s a great feeling. In fact, Amber made sure to note all the way back in 2011 that she doesn’t really label herself one way or the other – “it’s the person who matters.” Your crush on her says that you care about a person for the person they are, rather than the person they love.

Angelina Jolie

You’re into the classical beauty – strong, yet feminine features, with all the right curves and a seriously fierce pout. Between beauty, strength, and inclusivity, there is no contest – all are equally important when it comes to winning your affections. Besides – with a resume like hers, how could you possibly say no?

Anna Paquin

Your crush on Anna Paquin says that your sexuality is far from the most important (or interesting) thing about you – and in fact, you prefer to keep your personal life as personal as possible, unless opening up will help someone else come to terms with who they are. You love the supernatural world and, TBH, you’d probably rather be a creature from another reality anyway. And, I mean, why wouldn’t you?

Caitlyn Jenner

While many chose to label Caitlyn Jenner’s daring coming-out story as a publicity stunt, you instead chose to accept that it takes a lot of courage to come out later in life, and relentlessly supported her transition anyway. Go you for looking past the public opinion and realizing that all people deserve respect – even if they were once on a reality TV show.

Cameron Diaz

While it was widely reported that Cameron Diaz came out as bisexual, the fact of the matter is that she didn’t – so your crush on her might confirm that you tend to veer towards straight girls. (Sorry!) Not that there’s anything wrong with admiring someone you wouldn’t actually get with, of course, so this might mean that you prefer friendships over intimate relationships – and that is A-OK with us.

Cara Delevingne

You’re into all that snark and sarcasm that we’ve come to know Cara for, but it’s more than just that – she manages to be entirely herself without compromising her exquisite beauty. Plus, she’s friends with practically everyone in Hollywood, so you might even be interested in the party scene – but, to be clear, that’s just a super small portion of who you really are.

Demi Moore

Your crush on the gorgeous Demi Moore proves that age is nothing but a number – and if you got that hot cougar thing working for you, well, that’s even better. Although her marriage with Ashton has already fallen apart, rumor has it that she’s just as into women as she is in men – so, in theory, her next boo could be a young, beautiful woman. (Please let this one be true!)

Drew Barrymore

While Drew has spent most of her life in the spotlight, it came as a shock to many when she came out as bisexual – something that hasn’t put the tiniest hitch in her career. Your crush on her reveals that labels don’t really matter to you, and it doesn’t matter what other people think. Even though she has never sought to make herself a “sex symbol,” per se, she’s still definitely sexy to you!

Ellen DeGeneres

Your love for this Ellen means that you are down to be a pioneer, even if being a pioneer isn’t the easiest thing to do. Since Ellen came out way back when it wasn’t socially acceptable to do so, she’s put up with more than her fair share of haters in that time – but, thankfully, her overwhelming kindness and confidence has prevailed. I don’t think her relationship with Portia is going anywhere, though, so this crush isn’t going to lead anywhere in the foreseeable future.

Ellen Page

Ellen Page is one of the quirkiest actresses on our list, and while she doesn’t often play LGBT characters on the screen, she makes a point to support the LGBT community wherever she can. Your crush on her says that activism is super important to you, as is witty humor – and, of course, that makes her the perfect catch.

Evan Rachel Wood

Even though many people have accused Evan of coming out for the attention, she chooses to educate, rather than hate on the uninformed masses. In 2013, she told AfterEllen,

So I don’t get angry or try to fight hate with hate; I just try to educate.” Your crush on her says that you understand that ignorance isn’t usually a choice, and you’d rather be with someone who is accepting of everyone – even those they don’t really understand.

Kesha

Kesha represents strength through adversity, as we all know the highly-visible ordeal she’s been going through these days. While some choose to label her as someone crying out for attention, your support of her proves that we should all be taken seriously – even if we happen to be covered in glitter. The world needs more glitter anyway, guys.

Lea DeLaria

Lea DeLaria might not be the traditional image of beauty that we see in the world, but your crush on her proves that it’s what’s inside that counts – especially when what’s inside is a whole bunch of sassiness, wrapped in activism, with a bit of dapper to hold it all together. You know that someone’s personality is what makes them so great, and you’re all about being your own witty, vulgar person, even if it makes you a pariah.

Lindsay Lohan

Now, LiLo fans are a little more into the party scene than the Cara fans, but can you blame them? Lindsay had a pretty rough childhood in the spotlight, like Miley, and she had to take some time for herself to get her head back on straight. Your crush on her means that you understand when your romantic interest makes some bad choices – it doesn’t mean she’s a bad person.

Megan Fox

Megan Fox has garnered some negative attention in saying that she, as a bisexual woman, won’t sleep with other bisexual women. However, you realize that it’s powerful to know exactly who you are and exactly what you want – and if your dream girl can do so while looking absolutely fabulous, even better.

Michelle Rodriguez

Action is important to you – all kinds of action, both the kind fueled by love and the kind that takes place inside super fast cars or alongside Danny Trejo. She makes no excuses for who she is, and she won’t let anyone else define her – exactly what you like in a woman!

Miley Cyrus

You’re really into a woman who does her own thing, even if it took her a while to be comfortable in her own skin. You want someone who is unapologetic about who she is, even if that means she doesn’t always fit in with the crowd. The woman of your dreams would never put herself back into hiding just to make other people comfortable – what’s the point in that?

Rachel Maddow

Your crush on political correspondent Rachel Maddow shows that you want a woman who is well-informed and also just a bit sarcastic. Although many disapprove of the way she has spoken about the U.S. President Elect Donald Trump, you want a woman who speaks her mind in any situation – even if it doesn’t win her any popularity. Her witty humor turns you on, and you need a woman who can do the same in your life.

Ruby Rose

Your crush on Ruby Rose tells us that you want someone flexible – a woman who can be either the studliest stud or the most feminine femme, all while looking absolutely fabulous. You don’t even care how much attention she’s getting from straight girls and lesbians alike – she’s bae and that’s all there is to it!

Samira Wiley

Your love for Samira tells us that you are all about using your powers for good. As a Julliard graduate, she chose to forego the more traditional path to perfection and instead bolted into everyone’s hearts as OITNB’s Poussey – at least until her untimely death at the end of the last season. Yikes. Hopefully we’ll have a chance to see her in other awesome stuff, besides just her adorable Instagram pics with future wifey Lauren Morelli.

Did we miss your crush?

Drop us a comment below letting us know who you’d like to see on this list! If there’s enough interest, we’ll do a second list with all the suggestions from readers.

Lauren Jauregui Comes Out With A Bang

With the heat of post-election blues, the youth all over the world is trying to speak up and make an impact – assuring any person who is part of the minority that everything will be alright, so long as we stick together.

Just this weekend, Fifth Harmony singer Lauren made her mark.

The 20-year-old came out as bisexual in a very powerful open letter to the supporters of the president elect, and we couldn’t be more proud.

I am a bisexual Cuban-American woman and I am so proud of it. I am proud to be part of a community that only projects love and education and the support of one another.”

This is right after an intimate picture of the star kissing another girl – who’s thought to be Lucy Vives – made rounds on the internet.

Although, addressing the issue, Lauren states in a tweet, “nopee(: I wrote it this morning when I saw who appointed as attorney general..before rehearsals” – in reference to when the letter was penned.

The picture is said to be taken on a wedding just Friday. Not long after, the hashtag LongLoveLauren trended worldwide on twitter as a sign of support from fans.

No further statements were given by either side, and it isn’t clear whether there was anything romantic behind said kiss.

The singer’s message paved way for discussions about the current state of our society and the implications, effects, and consequences of what just occurred not only to the United States, but the world in its entirety.

It also encouraged a lot more people to stand up for themselves and fight for what they believe in.

If I could tell every Trump supporter two things, it would be to travel and read a history book. Look beyond yourselves, look at how petty the morals you uphold seem when you realize we are not the only ones. Realize that your white skin is the result of immigration from Europe, that the only true “Americans” are Native Americans, who are indigenous people that inhabited this land before these conquerors from other countries (England, France, Italy, Spain) wiped them out almost entirely. None of us belong here but all of us deserve the right to feel safe and live our lives in peace.

To not have to worry about potentially dying, or being electro-shocked, or beaten, or raped, or emotionally abused because our existence and/or choices for ourselves upset someone else. This is the world Trump is fostering. This is the division that has risen since the beginning of the campaign. We are not America indivisible any longer, we are united on two separate sides; Love and Hatred. We are not “whining” about our presidential choice losing, we are screaming battle cries against those whose political and personal agendas threaten our lives and sanity. We are making sure you hear us, no matter how much it bothers you, we EXIST.”

Alicia Keys Latest Lyrics Cause The World To Question Her Sexuality Once More

What’re they gonna do ’cause we’re the same sex?”

Do you remember the first time you hooked up with a girl? Your heart pounded, sweat dripped, you couldn’t tell where your body ended and hers began. Your head probably swam with questions: “Am I gay? Is she gay?” and, of course, “What do I do now?”

Alicia Keys asks the same questions in Where Do We Begin Now? a song that will make you nostalgic for the first time you woke up in a girl’s bed.

In Keys’ song, the confusion is somehow bittersweet. She enjoys the rush of not even knowing where to start. Her queer identity is unmapped territory.

“We ain’t even had a conversation,” sings Keys. This line is familiar to anyone who’s woken up too nervous ask, “What does this mean?” or “What are we?” (Or maybe even “What’s your name?”)

The song asks a lot of questions, but gives very, very few answers. Keys says, “All I know is that it feels right.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVHIVgstnqE

This song is a quiet, but powerful piano anthem propelled by a steady drumbeat, which pounds like a heartbeat. Every beat of the drum takes you back to your lost love. Keys’ voice wavers all over the track, overcome with emotion yet somehow restrained – her voice never cracks, but you can tell she is close, as if singing through tears.

Listeners may have a question of their own: Is the song autobiographical? No one is quite sure, and Keys has not discussed the song in public.

The track is quietly slipped second-to-last on her most recent album, HERE, an eleven-song statement about peace and human rights. As of yet, the track has not gained traction in the queer community, but that’s likely to change.

Since the early 00s, Keys has been known for her trademark tomboy swagger and ambiguous gender presentation.

Although she is currently married to hip-hop artist Swizz Beatz, this song calls into question her perceived heterosexuality.

Perhaps this is Keys’ way of coming out as bisexual. Or perhaps she just needed an LGBT-positive song to fit with the humanitarian theme of her album.

She’s not the first female R&B singer to question her sexuality via music. If you like this song, check out Keke Palmer’s song I Don’t Belong to You, which features a love scene between Palmer and singer Cassie.

Nicola Adams Says She’s Encountered Racism And Sexism In Boxing, But Never Homophobia

Nicola Adams became the first woman to secure an Olympic boxing title when she won gold at London 2012 and is also the reigning Olympic, World, Commonwealth Games and European champion at flyweight.

Asked by GQ magazine about whether she encounters prejudice in the sport, the British boxer (who is bisexual) said:

Racism, yes. Sexism, yes, in boxing: people saying women shouldn’t box. I’ve never come across homophobia.

The racism was more when I was younger, in primary school, and it’s about kids not understanding. I used to struggle with being called black. I said, ‘No, look at me, I’m brown’.

My mother’s side is quite mixed. She’s mixed race, my uncles and my auntie have white partners, my stepdad is white. I was always used to seeing white and black round the table. I never understood why people would be racist.”

Adams says she realised she was bisexual aged 15, and has gone on to top the list of Britain’s most influential LGBT people.

It was quite a scary thought for me at the time. You never know how the family is going to react, so I was nervous.

Mum was in the kitchen washing up and I was like, ‘I’ve got something to tell you’. I was so nervous, I was really sweating.

She said ‘What’s wrong?’ and I was just like ‘I’m bisexual’ and she said ‘OK… put the kettle on’.”

This year in Rio Adams successfully defended her gold medal, but said her greatest regret was never meeting her hero, Muhammad Ali, who died in June.

I would loved to have met him and said, ‘You are the reason I wanted to become an Olympic champion too’.

He will always be known, he’ll always be there, the greatest who ever lived.

Nobody will ever forget him.”

Read the full interview in the December issue of GQ, on sale Monday.

Study Finds Slight Shift In Attitudes Toward Bisexuals, From Negative To Neutral

While positive attitudes toward lesbians and gay men have increased, a new study – led by researchers at IU’s Center for Sexual Health Promotion – shows attitudes toward bisexual men and women are relatively neutral, if not ambivalent.

The study, which is only the second to explore attitudes toward bisexual men and women, was led by Brian Dodge, associate professor in the Department of Applied Health Science and associate director of the Center for Sexual Health Promotion at Indiana University’s School of Public Health-Bloomingtom.

He said,

While recent data demonstrates dramatic shifts in attitude (from negative to positive) toward homosexuality, gay/lesbian individuals and same-sex marriage in the U.S., most of these surveys do not ask about attitudes toward bisexuality or bisexual individuals. And many rely on convenience sampling strategies that are not representative of the general population of the U.S.”

The study looked at five negative connotations, found in previous studies, associated with bisexual men and women, including the idea that they are confused or in transition regarding their sexual orientation, that they are hypersexual and that they are vectors of sexually transmitted diseases.

The research showed that a majority of male and female respondents, more than one-third, were most likely to “neither agree nor disagree” with the attitudinal statements. In regard to bisexual men and women having the capability to be faithful in a relationship, nearly 40% neither agreed nor disagreed.

Those who identified as “other” had the most positive attitudes toward bisexuality, followed by gay/lesbian respondents and then heterosexuals.

Age played a factor in the results, with participants under the age of 25 indicating more positive attitudes toward bisexual men and women. Income and education also played a role: Higher-income participants were more likely to report more positive attitudes toward bisexual men and women, in addition to participants with higher levels of education.

Overall, attitudes toward bisexual women were more positive than attitudes toward bisexual men.

While our society has seen marked shifts in more positive attitudes toward homosexuality in recent decades, our data suggest that attitudes toward bisexual men and women have shifted only slightly from very negative to neutral. That nearly one-third of participants reported moderately to extremely negative attitudes toward bisexual individuals is of great concern given the dramatic health disparities faced by bisexual men and women in our country, even relative to gay and lesbian individuals.”

Bisexual men and women face a disproportionate rate of physical, mental and other health disparities in comparison to monosexuals—those who identify as exclusively heterosexual and exclusively homosexual, Dodge said. Although research has not determined the cause, Dodge said that negative attitudes and stigma associated with bisexuality could play a role.

Data from the National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior shows that approximately 2.6% of adult men and 3.6% of adult women in the U.S. identify as bisexual. For females, that number is more than double the number of women who identify as lesbian, 0.9%. When it comes to adolescents, 1.5% of male adolescents (age 14 to 17) and 8.4% of female adolescents identify as bisexual.

Dodge said he hopes the results emphasize the need for efforts to decrease negative stereotypes and increase acceptance of bisexual individuals as a component of broader initiatives aimed at tolerance of sexual and gender minority individuals.

After documenting the absence of positive attitudes toward bisexual men and women in the general U.S. population, we encourage future research, intervention and practice opportunities focused on assessing, understanding and eliminating biphobia—for example, among clinicians and other service providers—and determining how health disparities among bisexual men and women can be alleviated.”

Ground Breaking Korean Short Film Examines The Relationship Between Two Queer Woman

A Korean short film, Daymoon is breaking fresh ground in Korea for its portrayal of a bisexual character.

Directed by Han Sang-Hee, the film takes a poignant look at the relationship between Su-jin (a bisexual woman), and Se-in (the lesbian she is romantically involved with.

The plot revolves around, Se-in confronting her feelings of mistrust and insecurity when Su-jin catches the eye of a man, Kyung-chul.

You can catch a sneak peek below, and then head to Viddsee, an Asian site that curates and shares powerful short films, to view more.

Actress Sara Ramirez Comes Out As Bisexual And Queer In Powerful Speech

Sara Ramirez – who is best known for playing the proud bisexual character Callie Torres on Grey’s Anatomy – came out as bisexual while giving a speech at the 40 to None Summit in Los Angeles, this weekend.

So many of our youth experiencing homelessness are youth whose lives touch on many intersections—whether they be gender identity, gender expression, race, class, sexual orientation, religion, citizenship status.”

She continued

And, because of the intersections that exist in my own life: Woman, multi-racial woman, woman of color, queer, bisexual, Mexican-Irish American, immigrant, and raised by families heavily rooted in Catholicism on both my Mexican and Irish sides. I am deeply invested in projects that allow our youth’s voices to be heard, and that support our youth in owning their own complex narratives so that we can show up for them in the ways they need us to.”

https://twitter.com/SaraRamirez/status/784806989062868992

Ramirez, who has been married to husband Ryan DeBolt since 2011, is a member of the True Colors Fund board of directors and an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ rights.

Ramirez, 41, previously played the role of Dr. Callie Thorne, who also identified as bisexual, on the medical drama. On the series, she initially played the love interest and eventual wife to George O’Malley (T.R. Knight).

The actress left the hit ABC medical drama after 10 years this past May.

Watch her full remarks below.