Tag Archives: Lesbian Couple

Uber Driver sacked after kicking lesbian couple out of taxi for kissing

The driver, who told the couple that kissing in an Uber was illegal, is criticised by regulators and the company itself.

The driver, who told the couple that kissing in an Uber was illegal, is criticised by regulators and the company itself.

A couple is speaking out about their ride in an Uber in which they say the driver kicked them out because they were kissing.

The couple – Alex lovine and Emma Pichl – were travelling from Brooklyn to Manhattan on Saturday when they exchanged what they described as a “peck” on the lips.They claimed the driver, Ahmad El Boutari, then booted them out of the car – sparking an argument in the street.

The couple, who have been together for two years, filmed the row on a mobile phone.

Iovine and her girlfriend are still upset after being thrown from that Uber car. “I think for both us it was just a shock, not really knowing what to say,” Pichl said.

Alex and Emma called the Uber to take them from Gowanus to the East Village. It was during the ride just over the Manhattan Bridge when the couple says the incident began.

“We had leaned over and peck kissed and then a couple of minutes later the driver abruptly pulled over,” Iovine said.

The driver is seen exclaiming in the video that what the couple did is illegal. “He started aggressively coming at us. That’s when we pulled out our phone,” Pichl said.

Alex started taking video. not knowing what was going to happen.

“This doesn’t feel right,” Ioving said. “That’s when we started going back and forth just being like ‘What? Why are we getting kicked out of the Uber?’ and he said. ‘That’s illegal’.”

The cell phone video also shows the driver claiming that what the couple did was disrespectful.

The driver, identified by the Taxi and Limousine Commission as Ahmad El Boutari, even objected to having his picture taken.

A spokesperson for the TLC said, “The blatantly discriminatory behavior described by the complainant is repugnant.”

“We’ve never been targeted with such prejudicial behavior” Iovine said.

An Uber spokesperson said, “Uber does not tolerate any form of discrimination, and we have reached out to the rider regarding her experience.”

Both Uber and TLC are investigating the incident. Alex and Emma even got a $22 refund.

“I would be nervous I think to kiss Emma again in an Uber,” Iovine said.

“I think we are going to steer clear of Uber for a bit,” Pichl said.

Eyewitness News tried to reach out to the driver, but was unable to locate him.

Taiwan Court Rejects This Couple’s Request To Register Their Marriage

On Thursday, the Taipei High Administrative Court rejected a lesbian couple looking to register their union.

In 2017, a court ruling gave the government two years to approve a marriage equality law, but sadly no legislations has passed yet.

The couple, Jennifer Lu and Chen Ling, are the third same-sex couple to be turned down by the court since October 2017.

They were part of a group of 30 couples who went to the Zhongzheng District office in 2014 to register as married. After the group was turned away, the women were among three couples who filed suit. (The other two cases were dismissed last year.)

In a statement, the court said household registration offices currently don’t have any legal standing to register same-sex marriages.

Last May, the Constitutional Court issued a landmark ruling requiring the Legislative Yuan to pass marriage equality legislation within 16 months.

Activists are urging the government to move swiftly to comply.

Activist Chi Chia-wei told the court.

“Society recognizes gay people have the same needs. They are normal people wanting to build normal relations and the law should include them.”

The country of 23.5 million will likely be the first in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage.

President Tsai Ing-wen came out in support of marriage equality in 2016, stating, “Every person should be able to look for love freely, and freely seek their own happiness.”

10 Sex Positions To Try That’ll Really Heat Things Up Your 2018

As we’ve raced into 2018 full force and we’re all still recovering from NYE celebrations, it’s high time to start thinking about your New Year’s resolutions. For some of you, that might mean focusing on healthy eating, and for others, that might mean coming up with some spicy new ways to get your freak on. If you’re in the market for a few new sex positions to try in 2018, then you have certainly come to the right place.


10. Joystick

Joystick

This position offers the excitement of a new routine (and even props!) without forcing you to buy anything special. You can use any chair you have, as long as it’s big enough to seat both of you comfortably. (You will be on top of one another, so it doesn’t have to be anything giant.)

The partner who will be giving the pleasure will be seated in the chair, with one foot in front of her (so that her knee is propped up – see picture for clarification). The other partner will climb on top of the upright leg and begin to rub herself against it. She can lift her lover’s leg in order to maneuver things better, or she can just let the bottom partner take control.

This isn’t the sort of routine that will make your everyday routine, but if you’re looking to experiment with tribadism this is a good power position to try.


9. Rocking Horse

Rocking Horse

This position involves a strap-on, but the especially acrobatic can try it with a double-sided toy as well. The partner who is receiving will lie on her back with her legs in the air. At this point, the giving partner (wearing a strap-on) will slide herself under the legs of her lover and penetrate her with the toy.

If the partner wearing the strap-on wants to get a little deeper, all she has to do is lean forward. You can also consider caressing each other’s bodies, as you will be facing each other. To experience a tighter fit with the toy, the receiving partner can try putting both of her legs on the same shoulder. No matter how you mix it up, this position is sure to please!


8. Major Inspiration

Major inspiration

Okay, I’ll admit… I’m a bit of a watcher. Particularly when it comes to oral sex. I can’t help myself – I love to see the face of a woman enjoying herself. This position is perfect for that, as the receiving partner will prop herself up with a few pillows so she’s got a good angle to observe from.

Even if you’re not into watching, this position is great because the arched position of the back leads to stronger, greater orgasms – it’s science!


7. The Spoon

Spoons

This has been a personal favorite of mine for a very long time, because it offers the warmth and closeness of cuddling with the undeniable pleasure of… Well, getting laid! While you’re spooning your girlfriend, the “big spoon” will simply reach around to the front and start fondling and caressing as she desires.

If you want to spice it up even further, you can get a toy involved in the action – once the “little spoon” is nice and wet, the “big spoon” can scoot back a touch and slide in her favorite toy. This might be easier if the “little spoon” pivots her hips a bit to put her bum into the air. For those who enjoy deep penetration, the pleasure you get from this particular position is incredible.


6. Above Below

 

This happens to be one of my personal favorites, and for good reason. It’s different enough to add excitement without being difficult – and it definitely has potential to turn into a super sexy experience.

One partner should be lying on her stomach. Optionally, she can position a pillow underneath her hips and rub herself against it as she becomes more aroused. The other partner will lay on top of her so that she can rub up against her partner’s bum – while she offers a helping hand to her lover underneath, of course!

Once you get the hang of this one, you should both be able to climax – maybe even simultaneously! But there are no rules here. The partner on bottom can be stimulated however you desire, and if you’re keen on penetration, it’s especially divine.


5. Skin Deep

Skin deep

This foreplay position is a great when you want to take your partner by surprise. (Please make sure that she is OK with surprise sex first!) The partner who will be seducing the other will come up behind her while she is standing and start caressing in order to warm things up. Of course, this doesn’t have to stay one-sided for very long! Once the receiving partner is thoroughly aroused, she may decide to reach her hand back and stimulate the giver as well.

If your partner is into the idea, you can even consider penetrating her from behind with a strap-on or other toy, although this may be significantly more difficult – experiment and see what works for you!


4. 99

99

For another super simple position that will get the juices flowing, 99 relies on the sexy feeling of your partner’s body pressed against yours while you’re making love. But instead of lying down or standing up, both partners will be on their knees.

You and your partner should be sitting back-to-front, so that you must both reach past the front partner’s hips. It doesn’t matter who is giving, who is receiving, or if you’re both doing both – this position is a great way to tease and tantalize.


3. Face to Face

Face to Face

This is a super sexy position for those among us who like to watch what our partner does to us (but don’t want to miss out on the fun of making her moan). Not only do you get to watch her turn you on, but you also get to watch the faces she makes as she touches you!

You’ll be sitting face to face with your partner, with your legs draped over one another to allow for a better angle. It works easiest if neither of you is “on top” of both legs – this way your vagina will be slightly lifted from the floor or bed (if you will be penetrating). With either a double-ended dildo, two separate dildos, or your hands, go to town – nothing is off limits as long as your partner enjoys it!

Pay special attention to her face during this position, because you might see signs of pleasure you haven’t noticed before. This is great for intimacy and with the right toy it can be a supercharged experience that’s sure to ignite the fire within.


2. Magic Touch

Magic Touch

This one is for the ladies who have major finger skills – since you’ll be stimulating you and your partner simultaneously! The non-giving partner should be lying on her back, with her legs slightly spread. The other partner will climb on top and straddle her vagina. She should be able to use her fingers to rub both clits at the same time.

It’s not for the faint of heart, but with a little practice it will be one of the sexiest forms of “masturbation” in your repertoire. Not only does your partner get to watch you touch yourself, but you’re also directly stimulating her as well – talk about hot!


1. Stand and Deliver

Stand and Deliver

This position doesn’t require any special skills, tools, or any real prerequisites (except that the partner who’s going to be receiving should be able to stand). It’s the ideal position for shower sex, sex against a wall, or maybe even a quickie in the kitchen!

The receiving partner will need to stand in front of the giving partner. She’ll be most comfortable if she’s up against a wall or some other solid surface, but those who are more versed in sex standing up can even do it in the middle of a room.

The giving partner will either sit or kneel in front of her lover and provide whatever type of pleasure she wants – oral, fingering, or a toy even (or any combination). It’s pretty basic, but it can add a fun new level to your intimacy.


There are literally hundreds (if not thousands!) of amazing sex positions out there, and we are always looking out for something new and exciting. If you have something to recommend to us – don’t hesitate to drop it in the comments!

We’ll be keeping our eyes out, too – here’s hoping 2016 brings a wealth of exciting new techniques for you and your lady to master together. Take care of yourselves, and each other!


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Lesbian Couple Battle Bulgaria’s Legal System For Recognition Of Their Same-Sex Marriage

Lilia Babulkova and her wife, DK, have become the first queer couple to fight a legal battle for the recognition of their same-sex marriage in Bulgaria.

The couple were married in the UK in 2017, they filed a request to their local government, Sofia Municipality, to change their marital status on their identification cards.

They were soon informed that they will be unable to do so as the Bulgarian Constitution prohibits same-sex marriages.

Now in a bid to have their marriage recognised in their home country, Bubulkova and DK are suing the Municipality.

Babulkova told journalist Miroljuba Benatova on NovaTV.

“We do not want to provoke anyone, nor do we like it, we just want to have our place that is not swept under the carpet.”

The couple’s lawyer Denitsa Lyubenova, who is part of Bulgarian group Youth LGBT Action, hopes to persuade the court by referring to the Code of Private International Law (KMCP), which governs the marriage took place between Bulgarian citizens in a foreign country.

“If these requirements are met, such jurisdiction is established and the marriage in question must be recognized in Bulgaria.”

Under EU law, Lyubenova hopes that the couple can have their marriage recognised on the basis of that legislation dictates that no-one can be discriminated against on the grounds of their sexual orientation.

“In no case can the Member States restrict the rights of their citizens, despite the limitations in national legislation relating to the right to marry same-sex couples.”

Australia’s First Same-Sex Wedding Will Happen This Weekend

Lauren Price and Amy Laker from Sydney will be the first same-sex couple to marry in Australia after receiving special permission to tie the knot this Saturday, three weeks before marriage equality takes effect in the rest of the country.

The pair have been waiting for more than two years to marry.

They were given an exemption from the notice period because Ms Price’s family, who live in the UK, would only be able to attend if the wedding took place this week.

The exemption was granted on financial grounds, citing the travel of close relatives.

We went in there and made our case, the officials left the room to make their decision. It was the longest ten minutes of our lives – our hands were so sweaty. When she came back in and said she had good news I just started crying.”

Before Australia’s equal marriage law was passed, the couple had already made plans to get married at the British Consulate under UK law.

After the postal vote, they decided to marry under Australian law instead.

We have been engaged for two years and we have been planning this for a long time, it wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment wedding. It is a small wedding, we have 65 guests coming – a lot of people are coming from interstate.”

The pair got engaged two years ago on top of the Eiffel Tower.

Sorry, But The Story About A Chinese Lesbian Billionaire Couple Was An Viral Hoax

A tweet about two lesbian Chinese billionaires who got married and became the world’s richest couple alive recently went viral with more than 20,000 shares.

A tweet was posted with an image of two women attached, and within hours the internet was convinced of the stunning love story.

https://twitter.com/merrymeiqi/status/857368859690635264

But Alas it was fake news (or fan fiction).

And it turns our neither of the women are billionaires, and they are not in a same-sex relationship with one another.

They are, however, members of the South Korean–Chinese band Cosmic Girls, also known as WJSN.

The photo that convinced the internet of their marriage had been taken earlier in the week at the Beijing International Film Festival. It showed the two women in flowing dresses – which the fake tweet made to look like wedding dresses and cropped out two men.

The teenager behind the original tweet, Abby Fry, explained to BuzzFeed News that she came up with the joke because she thought it would amuse ujungs, WJSN’s fan group, and never expected it to go so big.

I thought they looked like they were at a wedding with the dresses they were wearing, and the dresses sure looked expensive. She said that she thought people would fact-check first, but added that it “just shows the power of what we want to happen.”

 

Lesbian Couple Jailed In Turkey After Being ‘Tricked’ Into Leaving London By Homophobic Father Get Engaged

A month ago, Spaniard Jimena Rico and Egyptian-born Shaza Ismail were just like any other young, gay couple in London.

However, after a call from Ismail’s father, the two set out on a trip, which they say involved death threats, escape across international borders, and a spell in a Turkish jail where, Ms Ismail says, the treatment was “unexpected, inhumane and horrible”.

The couple flew from London to Dubai because Ismail’s father had said that her mother was on her deathbed in hospital.

However, when the women arrived in Dubai, they found Ismail’s mother was happy and healthy. Realising their perilous situation, Ismail and Montero quickly flew to Georgia.

But Ismail’s father caught wind of this development and is understood to have tracked them down to the airport in Georgia before confronting the pair as they waited to board a flight back to London.

He ripped up his daughter’s visa and took both their passports.

With no documentation, the Georgian authorities escorted the couple to the Turkish border.

Spain’s foreign ministry says the couple were then arrested in Samsun, northern Turkey, and taken to Istanbul.

There, they were arrested on a charge “apparently to do with terrorism”, says Ms Rico, adding that they signed papers they did not understand.

Luckily, Rico got word to her family, who reported the situation to the Spanish police.

After three days in a Turkish jail, the Spanish foreign ministry managed to secure their release – allowing them to fly home to Spain, where they were welcomed back with open arms.

Rico said;

I thought we were not going to get out of (prison). They told me I could leave but she had to stay, and I said I wasn’t going without her.”

After finally reaching safety, the London-based women announced that they plan to get married.

Speaking in her hometown of Torrox in southern Spain, Rico said:

I really want to tell our story because I think it could help many people who live in a situation of repression for being homosexual.”

Ismail’s father has told a different story, though he admitted travelling to the airport in Tbilisi and forcibly attempting to keep his daughter from escaping.

A Lesbian Couple Attempt Suicide In Mumbai After They Are Forbidden To See Each Other

A few weeks ago it was reported that two women from Mumbai both attempted suicide after they were reported to one of the girls Father’s for both being in a relationship. The Father forbade his daughter to see her partner again and he also sought the help of a political adviser who scolded both the girls. Consequently, they both decided they couldn’t be apart. One of the girls drank disinfectant but survived. The other girl tried to hang herself from the ceiling but she sadly died.

This is not just an isolated event either. During 1995 – 2003 Sahayatrika (a support group for lesbian, bisexual and Transgender people in Kerala) reported that 22 women in the state of Kerala had committed suicide because of similar circumstances and this was only cases that had made the newspapers. The actual figures could be much more. The LGBT rights group, Humsafar trust, has dealt with 12 cases in Mumbai alone since 2014. Koninika Roy, the advocacy manager of the trust said:

The reaction of parents in such cases is shocking. It is harrowing to hear the women speak. They are full of guilt and they want understanding from their families, but they don’t get it.”

In April of this year two women who fell in love at college were harassed by their families to such an extent they decided to run away from home so they could be together. One of the women wrote a letter to Koninika and in it she stated:

I was scared of society, my family, the issue of caste and the issue of gender. We became sure our families would not accept us.”

Not long after they had left home they were found and brought back to their home town by the police. The police refused to listen when they tried to explain their love for each other and they were told they should:

go and marry a boy and live happily.”

The girls were then forced to return back to their family homes, their mobiles were taken from them and their parents placed them under house arrest.  After hearing about the two women from the letter, Humsafar helped them leave home and they are now living elsewhere together. Humsafar is also counselling both sets of parents in order to educate them and help them to accept and understand their daughters.

Homosexuality is considered an illegal act according to 377 of The Indian Penal Code and is a punishable offence. There have been many attempts to overturn the act but so far it has not happened. There are support groups available but many Indian women are even too scared to approach them for fear of repercussions if they are found out. The 24 hour suicide prevention helpline in Mumbai, Aasra, says that at least 10 -12% of the calls they receive are from queer people who are suffering because of family and friends attitudes toward their sexuality.

Many of the help groups are calling that support and counselling needs to be given to the families of members in the LGBTQ community as they are also scared of what their own friends and neighbours will say and do to them for having a queer child.

The founder of another support group for Lesbian, bisexual and transgendered women, Umang, said:

They are frightened of the social situation they will have to face… Since the situation is more restrictive for women and family policing is higher, women often end up taking drastic steps.”

More needs to be done to educate people in India and to get the law changed. Only then will cases like this stop happening.

Lesbian Couple At A Catholic Girls’ College ‘Banned’ From Seeing Each Other As School Denies Allegations

Students and families of same-sex couples are now fearing for the future and current state of their education as private institutions such as St. Aloysius College begin to ban all contact and communication between alleged gay and lesbian couples.

St. Aloysius College is an all female Catholic school that employs traditional values found within the Catholic religion, however other local area students claim the institution has now gone too far.

No evidence has been revealed that a recently reprimanded couple has even demonstrated sexual activity deemed punishable by the Catholic belief system, yet the accused lesbian couple has been forbidden of all contact, both physical and verbal, while attending the local college.

Such discrimination poses a threat to all students wishing to express individuality and support equality amongst all peers and staff. Despite the interruption of a student’s human right to love whomever they choose, an outrageous and inspiring number of signatures was collected in effort to secure the couple’s social rights throughout the community and on campus.

It appears that after a massive lashing out via social media, the school is attempting to deny all punishment out of sheer embarrassment and fear for the reputation of the institution.

Without any information on evidence that the couple was indeed in a same-sex relationship it seems as though the accusations involved a major violation of the students’ privacy.

Lesbian Couple Challenges Insurance Bar To Fertility Treatment

A married lesbian couple, Erin and Marianne Krupa, decided to try for a baby a few years ago but discovered Erin, who was to carry the baby, had fertility problems.

Her doctor told her that she had benign cysts on her uterus and endometriosis which had left her infertile.

Her doctor assured her that her health insurance would pay for her fertility treatment, but the company, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield refused.

fertility1-master768

The company told the couple that one of their insurance mandate of 2001 stated that women under the age of 35, no matter what their sexual orientation, had to demonstrate infertility by having two years of unprotected sexual intercourse.

The Krupa’s and another unnamed couple are now suing the commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance because they claim the mandate discriminates against lesbian women forcing infertile gay women to pay for their own procedures in order to get pregnant.

Grace Cretcher, the lawyer acting on behalf of the women, states that the mandate violates the constitutional rights of non-heterosexual women who are obviously unable to prove their infertility simply by having unprotected sexual intercourse.

15 states now legally require insurance companies to cover fertility treatment and California and Maryland have updated their mandates to require fertility coverage regardless of sexual orientation.

Dr William Zieglar, a medical director of the reproduction science centre in New Jersey, said that the mandate that require proof of infertility has not been thought out well enough as gay women are unable to have a baby in the same way a heterosexual couple can because they do not have the same biological equipment.

Discrimination is still happening in many areas and the only way these discriminations can be overcome is to make people aware of them. This mandate is over 15 years old and is well overdue an update that should include gay women having the right to medical treatment if they are infertile.

Giving this right to a heterosexual woman and not a gay woman is an act of discrimination that shouldn’t be allowed to happen.

Judge Rules Lesbian Has No Parental Rights Because She Didn’t Marry Partner

The Michigan appeals court has ruled, a woman whose same-sex relationship ended before same-sex marriage became legal doesn’t have parental rights to a child born to her partner in 2008.

The decision, which comes a year after the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for same-sex marriage across the country, will stand as a key precedent in similar disputes in Michigan involving children who were raised by same-sex couples in relationships that ended.

Michelle Lake and Kerri Putnam were together for 13 years until 2014 but didn’t marry during that time. Lake said she deserves to enjoy the rights that would have been granted to her if they had been married.

Putnam gave birth to a boy, now 8, during their relationship, but she no longer allows Lake to see him.

The appeals court said;

We simply do not believe it is appropriate for courts to retroactively impose the legal ramifications of marriage onto unmarried couples several years after their relationship has ended. That, in our view, is beyond the role of the judiciary.”

The court said Lake has no parental rights under Michigan law because the boy wasn’t born during a marriage.

This is true whether the couple involved is a heterosexual or a same-sex couple.”

The court overturned decisions by a Washtenaw County judge, who had awarded parenting time to Lake.

Judge Darlene O’Brien last fall said the best interests of the child should be considered.

Lake’s attorney, Jay Kaplan of the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, said the appeals court ruling is “devastating.”

This young boy had two moms. The end result is (Lake) can be unilaterally erased from his life. … It’s the collateral damage of all those years of discriminating against same-sex couples.”

Putnam’s attorney, Anne Argiroff, didn’t immediately respond to a phone message seeking comment.

Appeals court Judge Douglas Shapiro said there was no evidence that Lake and Putnam would have chosen marriage years ago if it had been legal in Michigan.

He said the court might rule differently in a future case if there’s evidence that a same-sex couple clearly wanted to marry before 2015, but couldn’t because of the state’s ban on gay marriage.

Shapiro wrote.

I believe the courts would be required to recognize the parental rights of the non-biological parent.”

Ellen DeGeneres Weighs In On Debate About That Lesbian Couple In ‘Finding Dory’

Ever since the latest trailer for the highly anticipated Pixar sequel Finding Dory landed last month, speculation over two women in a short clip have made headlines, with many of us interpreting them to be a lesbian couple.

giphy-17

However, we may have gotten a little too overexcited by the clip, after film makers refused to confirm or deny the couple’s sexuality when quizzed.

Talking to USA Today, director Andrew Stanton said ambiguously

They can be whatever you want them to be. There’s no right or wrong answer,”

But refused to confirm what many us would have hoped for.

And now Ellen DeGeneres – who stars as Dory in the film – has a pretty dry response to the hysteria over the clip.

She said:

I didn’t see it. One of the woman has really short hair. And I have to say, it’s not a great haircut because it was really chopped up in the back… I think people assume anyone with a bad short haircut is gay.”
The comedian added.

Robin Wright has short hair.There are a lot of woman that are straight that have short hair. It’s just not as common.”

Last month’s heightened speculation speaks to the degree to which many people want to see LGBT representation in a major Disney-distributed film — be it animation, superheroes or Star Wars characters.

Uber Driver Fired After Lesbian Couple Records His Vile Homophobic Rant

Melbourne couple, Lucy Thomas and her girlfriend Chelsea Lang were subject to an antigay tirade and vicious harassment by their Uber driver over the weekend.

lesbian

The women recorded part of the encounter, which ultimately cost the driver his job.

The incident took place on Saturday night when Thomas and Lang ordered an Uber to return home after a night out.

Thomas tweeted about the harassment and included the audio clip.

She told Australian LGBT magazine the Star Observer that their driver, became enraged and abusive when he learned that his passengers were a lesbian couple.

It’s very wrong, but because we had long hair and were effeminate he saw us as straight women, and he hadn’t realized we weren’t until that point.”

The driver began to hurl antigay epithets at the women for the remainder of the trip to their home.

When they arrived, he continued to rant at them but refused to unlock the car doors and let them out, which is when the women began to record.

The couple then left the car and walked towards the front door, she said driver stayed idle, watching the pair walk inside.

Thomas later contacted Uber, which has since fired the driver and apologized to the couple.

Thomas is the Chief Executive of Project ROCKIT, a national youth-driven movement against bullying and hate.

If it had been a couple of gay men it potentially been a lot different. The driver didn’t see us as a threat until he realised we weren’t straight.

The only reason we decided to share this is because we want the community to know these issues are still a problem… given the current climate in Australia, it’s now more important than ever that LGBTI people are visible along with the discrimination they face.”

 

 

Looks Like Pixar Just Casually Introduced Us To It’s First Ever Animated Lesbian Couple

In the new, extended trailer for Finding Dory, there is a short glimpse of couple, which many eagle-eyed Twitter users believe to be the first appearance of an animated lesbian couple.

Found at around the one-minute mark of the teaser, it shows the couple with their baby, which is then swapped with an octopus.

It’s quite possible that the couple are friends, rather than the parents, but so far Pixar has not commented on the matter. So it’s speculation ahoy.

tumblr_inline_o7q57idGYp1shx9h6_1280 tumblr_inline_o7q57iNgh81shx9h6_1280

Whether the fact that Ellen DeGeneres – perhaps the most influential gay celebrity in the world – might have had a hand in matters is also cause for wild speculation, but Pixar has long supported the LGBT cause.

It was among a number of companies and institutions, including Google, Facebook and Apple, which released a series of videos as part of the ‘It Gets Better’ project, with some of the animation giant’s employees speaking about their experiences of being gay and coming out.

In recent weeks, a campaign has emerged, to try and persuade the makers of ‘Frozen 2’ to sort Elsa out with a girlfriend.

Check it out below…

Couple Wrongfully Arrested After Kissing In Hawaii, Win Damages

A lesbian couple, Courtney Wilson and Taylor Guerrero, who reported a policeman in Honolulu, Hawaii, harassed and wrongfully arrested them after seeing them kiss have been awarded damages.

The $80,000 (£55,150) settlement was announced in a local court, but still needs city council approval.

The couple – who were visiting from Los Angeles when the incident occurred last year – say they were told to “take it somewhere else” when the policeman saw them kissing in a food store.

After they initially complied with the order to stop kissing, the officer, Bobby Harrison, saw them being affectionate again and threatened to eject them from the store, their lawsuit said.

He later grabbed Wilson by the wrist while she was at the checkout, and a scuffle broke out. The two were then charged with assault, spending three days in jail.

The charges were later dismissed and Mr Harrison has since retired.

Honolulu City Council will consider the damages in early July. Donna Leong, of the city’s Corporation Counsel, which advises on legal matters, said her department believed “the tentative settlement is in the best interests of the city”.

The women were a couple at the time but have now split up. Guerrero still lives in Hawaii, saying she likes living in the US state.

On the settlement, she told the Associated Press news agency: “I’m just glad it’s over with.”

Landmark Adoption Case In Italy Sees Lesbian Couple Win Right To Adopt Each Other’s Children

A juvenile court in Rome has awarded an Italian lesbian couple the right to adopt each other’s children in a landmark case.

The court said Marilena Grassadonia, president of the Rainbow Families association, could adopt her wife’s twin boys; her partner was also allowed to adopt Grassadonia’s son.

sentenza_marilena2

The ruling marks a legal first for Italy, where strong opposition to same-sex marriage and same-sex adoption from the Catholic Church has slowed legislation on LGBT rights.

Talking to The Guardian, Grassadonia said

On a personal level, it’s a huge satisfaction, but I cannot be fully happy when I think that our families depend on individual decisions.”

The Guardian noted that all previous verdicts in favour of lesbian women being recognized as parents of their partner’s children by Italian law are currently at the appeal stages.

Grassadonia has long been a fierce critic of Italy’s laws on gay rights.

In February, Italy passed a civil unions bill that gave legal recognition to same-sex couples for the first time in the country’s history.

However, LGBT activists, including Grassadonia, noted the bill had been significantly watered down before it was passed.

In particular, a provision that would have granted non-biological parents in same-sex relationships parental rights was removed from the legislation before it could be voted in.

Instead, cases involving same-sex parents and adoption would be decided on a case-by-case basis.

This Cute Couple Have Been Crowned Prom King And Queen At Florida High School

The young couple, Lindsey Creel and Brie Grimes, are seniors at Leon High School and have been dating for three years, and have just been crowned their high schools prom king and queen.

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Talking to Tallahassee Democrat Grimes said,

It feels good to know some of the things we’ve been a part of can help others going through tough experiences, in a positive way. I needed someone in my life to show me that it would work out—when I was first going through this years ago. But I didn’t have that.”

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Response to the pair’s crowning has been overwhelmingly positive, with many posting on social media celebrating the couple.

Grimes’ mother said on Instagram:

Brie, who cares very much about equality, feminism and having no gender lines is proud of her school and graduating class for recognizing love has no gender rules.

As Brie’s mom I am proud of her for choosing love, for being bold and sticking to the things she believes in even if they are different than mine and much of the world. She is a beautiful person and made a gorgeous prom queen.”

Creel added,

I hope that people will look at this and more will begin to think that it’s okay to be supportive of the LBTQ community. Leon often talks about change. This is a good example for younger students there.”

Showtime Looking To Adapt Ingrid Jungermann’s ‘F To 7th’ Into Comedy Series

According to Deadline, Ingrid Jungermann, whose first feature, Women Who Kill, just premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, is heading to television.

Showtime has put in development F To 7th, a half-hour comedy based on Jungermann’s popular web series of the same name.

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The web series follows a middle-aged lesbian woman named Ingrid, as she attempts to navigate a world where her old-fashioned ideas of lesbianism have been left behind.

F To 7th – which she created and stars in – is 2 seasons long with each season lasting eight episodes. The series featured Amy Sedaris (Strangers With CandyBojack HorsemanUnbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), Michael Showalter (Wet Hot American Summer, Hello, My Name Is Doris, They Came Together) and Janeane Garofalo (Wet Hot American SummerThe Larry Sanders ShowThe Ben Stiller Show).

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Although she starred in the web series, there has not been any confirmation as to whether or not Jungermann will star in the TV series.

Jungermann will be writing the TV adaptation of her series along with Showalter and writer/director Jamie Babbit (But I’m A CheerleaderMarriedGirls).

As with any web series making the jump to television, it will be interesting to see how similar the Showtime series will be to its web series counterpart.

This news also raises the question of who will play Jungermann’s character if she does not star in the television adaptation.

For anyone who has seen the web series it may be difficult to watch someone else take on the part that Jungermann has inhabited.

 

Lesbian Couple Says Everything They Were Told About Their Sperm Donor Was A Lie

Couple, Angela Collins and Elizabeth Hanson have filed a lawsuit against a sperm bank in Canada – after finding out their child’s biological father was a schizophrenic ex-criminal.

The couple, of Port Hope, Ontario, had conceived a child eight years ago with the help of sperm bank Xytex Corp.

According to the New York Times, the couple searched the companies database and viewed a number of sperm donor profiles, before settling for Donor #9623 – who was listed as having an IQ of 160 and a master’s degrees in neuroscience.

However, in 2014 – after the birth of their son – they discovered the truth about the sperm donor.

Ms Collins said that when a Xytex mix-up accidentally sent her the anonymous donor’s name, it took just minutes searching online to find out the man had been to prison on burglary charges, suffered from schizophrenia and narcissistic personality disorder, and did not have any university degrees.

The pair filed a lawsuit in Ontario Superior Court this month accusing Xytex of “misleading” them about the donor – failing to spot the false claims on his donor profile, nor flag his mental illness and criminal record.

Speaking to Canada’s CBC radio network, she said:

We know nobody is perfect, but we didn’t sign up to choose knowingly that our donor had schizophrenia. He wasn’t healthy at the time. He’s not a bad man.

He’s a person who has an illness – and he helped to create the love of my life.”

While she is suing the company, Ms Collins said that she doesn’t hold a grudge against the donor.

Xytex President Kevin M O’Brien said “the claims by the couple in question do not reflect the representations provided to Xytex”.

We have conducted a careful review of our records and the claims by the couple in question do not reflect the representations provided to Xytex … In this case, the donor underwent a standard medical exam and provided extensive personal and health information. He reported a good health history and stated in his application that he had no physical or medical impairments. This information was passed on to the couple, who were clearly informed the representations were reported by the donor and were not verified by Xytex.”

Ingrid Jungermann Brings ‘Women Who Kill’ to the Tribeca Film Festival

Brooklyn-based filmmaker Ingrid Jungermann is best known for her web series’ The Slope and F to 7th.

The Slope, which Jungermann created with then-girlfriend Desiree Akhavan, followed a couple of “superficial, homophobic” lesbians in Park Slope, Brooklyn as they figured out their power dynamic and realise that they are “ultimately, perfect for one another.”

F to 7th, meanwhile, was perhaps even more successful than The Slope.

In this web series, Ingrid in her “descent into pre-middle age,” as she find herself “in a world where sexuality and gender have left her old-fashioned lesbianism behind.”

The Guardian called it one of the best web series of 2013.

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In a similar vein to both series, Jungermann has written and directed feature film Women Who Kill. Women Who Kill, is also set in Park Slope and follows two true crime podcasters, Morgan (played by Jungermann) and her ex-girlfriend Jean (played by Ann Carr), as they suspect that Morgan’s new love interest Simone (played by Sheila Vand) of being a murderer.

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Speaking to Indie Wire, the filmmaker explains that Women Who Kill came about due to an “unhealthy obsession” with (popular podcast) Serial, as well as a “history of failed relationships and a desire to deconstruct romantic comedy structure.”

I wanted to make a movie that felt both familiar and foreign and tap into the universal problem of loneliness.”

While reviews still appear to be in the works, Filmmaker Magazine has called it one of ‘15 Films to Anticipate’ at the Tribeca Film Festival.

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Loren Hammonds, who is the programmer and live events producers for the film festival also calls Women Who Kill “an adept and wry comedy on modern romance’s hollow results set in an LGBTQ Brooklyn that pulls ample humor from awkward and, perhaps to confirmed Park Slopers, all-too-familiar situations.”

Hammonds also called it a “marvelous send-up of the search for meaning in modern-day relationships.”

You can visit the Tribeca Film Festival website for more information on how to see Women Who Kill.

British Lesbian Loses Battle With Hong Kong Government Over Spousal Visa

A British lesbian has lost a legal challenge against Hong Kong authorities to grant her a visa to live and work there with her partner. The move is seen as setback for the LGBT equality in the territory.

QT, as she is referred to in court, entered into a civil partnership in Britain in 2011 and moved to Hong Kong the same year, after her partner was offered a job in the city.

But she was denied a dependent visa and has instead stayed in Hong Kong on a visitor visa, which does not allow her to work.

The Chinese city – which socially conservative – does not recognise same-sex marriage and only decriminalised homosexuality in 1991.

High Court judge Thomas Au said in a written judgement

The applicant has failed in her grounds in support of this judicial review, I therefore dismiss the application. To effectively accept a same-sex-marriage-like relationship to be equivalent to a married status in Hong Kong is not permissible under the laws of Hong Kong as they now stand.”

Immigration law in the former British colony does not explicitly mention same-sex couples, but states that only the “spouse” of a person permitted to work in the territory may apply for a dependent visa.

At a court hearing in May of last year, the government’s counsel Stewart Wong said that “marriage can only be heterosexual.”

QT, with her solicitors, Vidler & Co. responding via their Facebook page.

After a long nine month wait, the High Court has today handed down a judgment against QT’s judicial review of the Immigration Department’s policy refusing to recognize foreign registered same sex marriages.

This decision, whilst disappointing, is not altogether unexpected. Experience has shown us with previous LGBTI cases (the W case being the most recent) that we often have to turn to the Court of Appeal or even the Court of Final Appeal for a correct judgment.

QT is a strong young woman who is determined to continue the fight to ensure that all people who have shown their love for one another by registering a civil partnership or marriage, are treated equally by the HK government, irrespective of their sexual orientation.

She intends to appeal.”

Out Leadership, a global business advocacy group for LGBTI rights, called the ruling ‘disappointing’, tweeting that ‘this will impact HK’s talent pool.’

Fern Ngai, CEO of Community Business said in a statment,

The High Court’s judgment in the QT case today is disappointing and a backward step for LGBTI rights in Hong Kong.

This should be a cause for concern by the business sector, which aims to attract the world’s best talent to Hong Kong, a regional hub for international financial, legal and professional services.

We hope that the decision is appealed and overturned, and that the business sector, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders make their views on this issue loud and clear.”

This Couple Were Told They ‘Need A Man’ By Restaurant Chef On Valentine’s Date

Couple Ellie Parker and Lucy Stenger, say that a rude chef ruined their Valentine’s date by telling them they “need a man” to “heat things up”.

The couple of Lafayette, Indiana, had planned a romantic meal out on Sunday to mark Valentine’s Day.

They decided to visit Japanese steakhouse Asahi – but were greeted by a chef who initially failed to understand how lesbians work.

Ms Parker spoke out on Facebook, saying

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Our chef came to grill our food for us and was asking everyone if the person with them was their boyfriend or husband. He got to my girlfriend and I and asked where our Valentines were.

We told him we were each other’s Valentines. We were holding hands mind you. Clearly a couple.

He proceeds to say ‘well it is legal, but it’s such a waste to not have a man’.

Later he continues to insult our relationship by saying he could come home with us to ‘heat things up’.

I am appalled that I would receive this kind of treatment. I cannot believe I paid over $50 to have my relationship insulted and sexualized.”

She posted a picture of the pair’s receipt on social media, with their message:

Don’t tell lesbians they need a man on Valentine’s Day”.

After the post went viral, Ms Parker added:

Thank you all for the support! The restaurant did refund our money, but nothing can make up for the way we were treated. I hope sharing this helps others avoid this situation in the future.”

However, the restaurant denied the allegations – telling Mic that they had “no idea” about the claims before hanging up.

Australian MPs Look To Pass Law Allowing Lesbian Parents To Add Both There Names To Their Childrens Birth Certificate

Australia’s Lower House of Parliament passed the Family Relationships Amendment Bill last week, allowing names of both lesbian parents to appear on the birth certificate of their child.

The Bill was first introduced in the Upper House of the Parliament by Greens MLC Tammy Franks, where it was passed in June 2015.

Under the current law, only the name of the woman who gives birth to the child will appear on the birth certificate unless the lesbian couple has been together for three years or more.

The Family Relationships Amendment Bill was passed by a conscience vote of 29-12, cast by members of both the government and the opposition.

Though the Bill was supported by Attorney General John Rau, he suggested an amendment to it that would make the law applicable only to new cases.

However, this did not garner much support and the new law will be applied retrospectively, the News.com.au reported.

The Bill which is also known as “Tadgh’s law” was co-sponsored by Liberal MP David Pisoni in the Lower House. It seeks to end the three-year cohabitation rule for the same-sex couples, which still existed in South Australia.

Franks said;

The passage of this Bill has been a long time coming for children like Tadhg, who celebrated his first birthday without a birth certificate because Births, Deaths and Marriages demanded that his mothers prove they had lived together for three years before his conception. I thank the Premier for finally giving this Bill Government time, at last, to ensure its passage after it languished on the notice paper for many months last year.”

She added,

This Bill overcomes a very difficult situation where, federally these couples are recognised as ‘de facto’, but because of this discriminatory three-year cohabitation rule, both co-parents were not able to be listed on their child’s birth certificate here in South Australia. These families and these children deserved better – and at last children like Tadhg will have their birth certificates and have certainty.”

Before it becomes a law, the bill would be returned from the Lower House to be rubber stamped in the Upper House. The same-sex parents who were affected by the issue can then apply for the reissue of the birth certificates.


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Woman Wins Supreme Court Batlle After Ex Girlfriend Takes Their Daughter

A woman battling with her ex -partner for the return of her IVF-born daughter from Pakistan has been given hope by a Supreme Court ruling.

The girl’s biological mother and sole legal parent took her out of the UK in 2014 to Pakistan, three years after their relationship down.

The second woman then launched legal action and asked judges to order the youngster’s return to the UK.

Her efforts to force her former partner to bring the girl back to the UK had been blocked by the High Court and Court of Appeal.

A High Court judge and Court of Appeal judges concluded they did not have the jurisdiction to make such an order because the girl was not habitually resident in the UK when legal proceedings were launched.

However, Supreme Court justices have now overturned those rulings – deciding she had been resident and allowing the woman’s appeal.

The case will now return to the High Court where a judge will make decisions on what happens next.

Lawyers say the Supreme Court ruling will have implications in a number of areas.

Five Supreme Court justices had analysed evidence at a hearing in London in December.

A lawyer representing the second woman said a judge in England could now consider what was in the child’s best interests.

Maria Wright, who works for Freemans Solicitors, said:

“(She) feared the consequence of the High Court and Court of Appeal’s decisions was that (the child) would lose her relationship with her parent entirely The consequence of the Supreme Court’s decision is that the English court can properly consider what is in (the child’s) best interests and, if appropriate, order contact or (the child’s) return to England.

Further, the Supreme Court has brought welcome clarity to the law regarding a child’s habitual residence.”

The five Supreme Court justices, who ruled that the child could not be identified, allowed the second woman’s appeal by a three-two majority.

And the second woman said she was “relieved”.

In a statement released through Freemans Solicitors, she said:

“I am very relieved that the Supreme Court has accepted that my daughter has the right to have her future considered by a court in England,” “It has been a very long process to get to this result, and I am delighted that someone will now be able to look at what is actually in (the child’s) best interests.”

She added:

“I very much hope that (the child) and I will now be able to see each other again.”

Lawyers had told judges that the second woman would have been unable to persuade a court in Pakistan to consider the case “because of the strength of there of negative attitudes towards that sort of adult relationship”.

Judges heard that the second woman was a British woman of Indian ethnicity – and the girl’s biological mother a British woman of Pakistani ethnicity.

Unmarried Lesbian Has Her Appeal For Parental Custody Rejected By US Supreme Court

Days after a US Judge ruled in favour in a custody battle between married lesbian couple, the US Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from a woman who says Florida’s same-sex marriage ban deprived her as parental rights.

A lower court in Florida had ruled that Penny Willis had no parental right to the child conceived by a previous female partner.

The Supreme Court ruled on Monday that the lower ruling stands.

Willis had been in a relationship with Anne Marie Mobley for 11-years, but the couple never married.

After they got together they decided to raise a child.

Using donor sperm bought over the internet, Mobley gave birth to their child, but a year later the pair split up.

Despite the lower court having thrown out the case, Willis claims that her constitutional rights have been violated.

In her case she noted the Supreme Court’s 2015 ruling legalising same-sex marriage across all 50 US states.

 

US Judge Makes Landmark Ruling In Custody Battle Between Lesbian Couple

A landmark ruling has been made by a US judge, who ruled that the estrange wife of a woman who gave birth to their child has equal parental rights.

Karen and Lauren Poole were legally married in Maryland in 2013, and their child was born in 2014.

The former couple conceived using artificial insemination, and Karen gave birth to the baby.

They used the sperm of a mutual friend to conceive. He left the US, and has no legal claim as a parent to the child.

After the couple separated, Lauren Pole sort joint custody, and the judge in the custody case has ruled that both women have parental rights.

Speaking after the announcement, Lauren said:

It felt amazing … to finally hear what I already knew and what I already felt.”

She broke down in tears when the judge issued his opinion, but still may need to wait to have joint custody officially.

Karen had taken out a protective order against Lauren, which is to expire in a month.

Judge Frucci said he intended to allow Lauren visitation rights, but that he would wait until the end of this month in order to attorney for the baby time to weigh in.

The couple’s attorneys said they thought the ruling, the first of its kind in Virginia, could set a precedent.

Wonderful: Lesbians Speculate ‘Wildly’ About Straight Sex (Video)

As we all know (sadly from personal experiences), straight people are fascinated by lesbian sex.

And given an opportunity, they will ask us a zillion questions about our sex lives.

They’ll want to know if you use dildos, if you cuddle a lot (c’mon) and if you’ve ever tried dental dams (almost, surely, never).

But queer women rarely get to ask straight people how they have sex. It’s taken for granted that everyone knows how to do it and what it is.

We’re all supposed to be fluent in heterosexuality, regardless of our native tongue.

So Mashable have pulled together four queer women and asked them their most burning questions about straight sex…

Why are so many straight people watching queer porn? Please describe semen. Explain, using examples, balls.”

Watch, think and dream big.


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Do You Think Mobile Phones Are Ruining Your Relationships? This Couple Has A Refreshing Take On It

Yes, a healthy queer relationship being displayed in main stream media.

Last week Buzzfeed posted a video where they interviewed a number of couples on whether cell phones were ruining relationships or not.

One of the couples featured was this beautiful lesbian couple, who served as a breath of fresh air to LGBTQ viewers.

Court Orders Lesbian Couple To Give Back Child Three Years After Adoption

A lesbian couple in Australia have been ordered to return their adopted daughter to her birth mother after she ‘changed her mind’ about giving her up.

A court ruled that the toddler would be better off with her biological parents and three siblings, despite having lived with the couple since her birth nearly three years ago, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

The Brisbane couple, known only as Ms Blaze and Ms Darnley for legal reasons, had raised her from birth in an agreement drawn up by a lawyer.

The girl’s biological mother, only identified as Ms Grady, gave her newborn to Ms Blaze and Ms Darnley because she did not have the financial means to raise another child.

A lawyer then drew up a parenting plan – described as a ‘quasi-adoption’ in court – and it was agreed Ms Grady and her other children would have ‘some on-going relationship’ with the girl, although no specifics were given.

However, Ms Grady later found out that the father was a different man to whom she initially thought, and he would give financial support to their child.

She then ‘reclaimed’ the girl, who was now about nine months old.

The couple, who had tried unsuccessfully to get pregnant via IVF, were forced to take the case to court.

But they lost and their daughter will now be ‘transitioned’ back to her biological family.

She will spend one weekend a month with Ms Blaze and Ms Darnley but they have no parental responsibility for her.

This Lesbian Couple Will Make Network TV History This Christmas

Tonie and Bianca Alfonso-Monreal of Long Beach, California, will make network television history as the first lesbian couple to be featured on the CBS Television Network annual entertainment special, A Home For The Holidays.
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On the show, the couple will share their inspiring and emotional story of how they built their family with the adoption of their son, Jacob.

When asked how they felt about making primetime history, Bianca told Huffington Post,

It is a huge honor for us. But in reality, we are just two moms doing the very best we can to raise our son.”