Latest news with #LGBTQ
New Indian Express
an hour ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Hong Kong leader John Lee backs same-sex couples' rights bill
HONG KONG: Hong Kong leader John Lee threw his weight behind a bill recognising limited rights for same-sex couples on Tuesday, despite fears that opposition from pro-Beijing parties could sink it. Lee's administration proposed legislation this month to recognise some rights for same-sex partners whose marriages are registered abroad. Despite LGBTQ activists arguing it does not go far enough, the proposal drew near-universal criticism from the pro-Beijing politicians that dominate Hong Kong's legislature. The clash pitted Lee against conservative lawmakers from his own camp and led some to fear the proposal might be pulled. The city's top court ordered Hong Kong's government to create an "alternative framework" for LGBTQ couples when it quashed a bid to recognise same-sex marriage in 2023.
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Hong Kong leader backs same-sex couples' rights Bill
Find out what's new on ST website and app. LGBTQ activists say the Bill fails to satisfy the court's framework requirements. Hong Kong - Hong Kong leader John Lee threw his weight behind a bill recognising limited rights for same-sex couples on July 15, despite fears that opposition from pro-Beijing parties could sink it. Mr Lee's administration proposed legislation in July to recognise some rights for same-sex partners whose marriages are registered abroad. Despite LGBTQ activists arguing it does not go far enough, the proposal drew near-universal criticism from the pro-Beijing politicians that dominate Hong Kong's legislature. The clash pitted Mr Lee against conservative lawmakers from his own camp and led some to fear the proposal might be pulled. The city's top court ordered Hong Kong's government to create an 'alternative framework' for LGBTQ couples when it quashed a bid to recognise same-sex marriage in 2023. Mr Lee said on July 15 the government 'must not act in violation' of the Court of Final Appeal's judgement. 'Otherwise, it will be against the rule of law... Violating the rule of law will mean serious consequences,' he told reporters. The government will respect the legislature's final decision, he added. In 2023, the court unanimously defined marriage as 'confined to opposite-sex couples' – a stance Mr Lee reiterated on July 15. LGBTQ activists say the Bill – which only covers 'rights related to medical matters' and 'right to handle after-death arrangements' – fails to satisfy the court's framework requirements. China is not among the countries around the world that have legalised marriage equality since the Netherlands became the first to do so in 2001. Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China with its own legislature and a mini-constitution that guarantees a 'high degree of autonomy'. Pro-Beijing firebrand lawmaker Junius Ho earlier floated the idea of asking Beijing's top legislature to overrule Hong Kong's apex court to 'protect traditional family values'. Support for same-sex marriage in Hong Kong has grown over the past decade and hit 60 per cent, according to a 2023 survey. AFP
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ellen DeGeneres Gets In On Rosie O'Donnell And Donald Trump's Feud
is standing in 's corner against Donald Trump! The pair teaming up to face the President of the United States is unsurprising, given their history. They have much in common as comedians, former talk show hosts, LGBTQ+ supporters, and most of all, Trump critics. Rosie O'Donnell received Ellen DeGeneres' support in her clap-back at the politician after Donald Trump threatened to revoke her American citizenship. DeGeneres showcased her support for O'Donnell in the comment section of her scathing review of Trump and his administration. The actress did not mince her words against the President, declaring that he was the real threat to the country after he called her one. The former host of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" appeared to love O'Donnell's message to Trump and approved it with the comment: "Good for you @rosie." TMZ shared that the reignited beef between the White House resident and the comedian started on Saturday. Trump fanned the flames of online war with O'Donnell on his Truth Social platform, claiming that he considered revoking her American citizenship. He alleged the entertainer was a "Threat to Humanity" because her goals did not align with the country's best interests. Trump concluded his post with his wish for O'Donnell to remain in Ireland and not return to the US, a sentiment the TV personality did not take lightly. The Blast covered her reaction to the POTUS' words, noting she penned a lengthy statement on Instagram. O'Donnell claimed she lived rent-free in Trump's "collapsing head" after 18 years, stressing that she was not a threat to humanity. Instead, she labeled herself everything the politician feared, "a loud woman, a queer woman, a mother who tells the truth, an American who got out when the country caught fire." She slammed Trump as "everything that is wrong with America," accusing him of lying, stealing, and degrading others. "You want to revoke my citizenship? Go ahead and try, King Joffrey, with a tangerine spray tan. I'm not yours to silence. I never was," O'Donnell concluded. The bitter relationship between Trump and O'Donnell started years ago while the actress was still a panelist on "The View." At the time, she called out the politician on the show for allowing then-Miss USA Tara Conner to retain her crown amid a scandal. O'Donnell criticized Trump's moral code, referencing his alleged infidelities, and berating him on air. Naturally, her scathing comments sparked a heated response from the public figure who labeled thr TV personality "a woman out of control." Following this encounter, O'Donnell and Trump repeatedly butted heads on social media and slammed each other in interviews. Their beef continued during O'Donnell's engagement to Michelle Rounds in 2011, with Trump mocking their relationship on X (formerly Twitter). DeGeneres' support for O'Donnell comes months after she proved her relocation to the UK wasn't a temporary measure. The Blast reported in March that the former talk show host had sold one of her last properties in the US. The entertainer and her wife, Portia de Rossi, listed their two-bathroom Montecito mansion on the market for $5 million and sold it for $5.2 million. They made a significant sum from the sale as the couple initially purchased the home for $2.9 million four years ago. According to reports, DeGeneres and her wife received multiple offers within days of listing the property, which has been described as a steal. The mansion featured various luxuries, including a private primary suite with its "own patio, spa-like bath, and generous closet space." DeGeneres and her wife allegedly made a new home in the UK following the controversial end of the TV personality's talk show. She faced toxic workplace accusations that eventually led to her retirement and relocation to new waters. A source denied the speculations that DeGeneres and her partner had left the US after Trump's re-election, stressing that they had planned to move long before the President's return to office. They noted the pair had chosen retirement after the scandal, saying: "Ellen really felt she had made her mark on the industry, but that was diminished when she was canceled over her alleged treatment of her staff. Then to have celebrities call her out one by one was so hurtful." Will Donald Trump attack Ellen DeGeneres next for supporting Rosie O'Donnell?
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rita Ora Praises Her 'Amazing' LGBTQ Fans as She Visits Fire Island for the First Time (Exclusive)
Rita Ora performed and mingled with fans at The Tryst Pool Club on New York's Fire Island on Saturday, July 12 The "Heat" singer spoke to PEOPLE at the event, sharing why she says her "amazing" LGBTQ fans are in a "league of their own" Ora also explains why she loves touring and her big plans for the rest of the summerRita Ora showed love for her LGBTQ fans while making her first-ever visit to Fire Island. Decked out in a black leather outfit, the "Heat" singer, 34, hopped into the DJ booth at The Tryst Pool Club in New York's Fire Island Pines on Saturday, July 12. Ora basked in the energy as she danced with and poured shots for attendees, plus she cheered on a performance by local drag stars Pixie Aventura, Missleidy Rodriguez and Bubbles D'Boob. Before the splashy pool party gig, when Ora disembarked her water taxi and took in Fire Island for the first time, the British star could be heard saying, "This is so fun. I'm gagged — gagged!" In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Ora said, "Everybody's warned me that once you get on [the island] it's gonna be hard to get off. I'm like, story of my life!" Why does she adore her loyal LGBTQ fans so much "They're just in a league of their own," says Ora. "There is so much to learn from the years and history of the constant struggle of being authentically themselves. There's so much to it." "Yes, they're amazing and they know just how to have a good time, but they celebrate individuality, creativity," she continues. "The conversations they have amongst each other is just full of love. But underneath it all there's always a sense of emotion and vulnerability, and that, for me, wins every time." is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! She adds with a smile: "And the makeup slaps! It's like, nobody knows how to do makeup better than the queens, you know what I mean? It's just the way it is." Earlier this year, Ora wrapped a tour with Kylie Minogue, and she's set to join Ricky Martin on stops in Australia soon. She says she loves being on the road and "seeing people that have really studied my lyrics and know my songs and sing it back to me." "Even if it's just one person," she says, "it feels to me like I'm doing the right thing. Truly it's the only thing I know how to do. Touring live really reminds me of that community that I've been a part of and also gaining new fans — it's constantly evolving. I'm really proud to say I've been doing this for, like, 12-plus years and I'm not about to stop now." Ora will be ready for a vacation, though. "My summer plan is to just have as much fun as I possibly can, because I work so much," she says. "I think my friends are like, 'You really need to enjoy yourself.' So when I'm on holiday I'm actually gonna just be on holiday: drink, not go on my phone, not care about tomorrow." Read the original article on People
Washington Post
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
No arrests after Budapest Pride defied Orban's ban, police say
Hungarian authorities have declined to detain or arrest the tens of thousands of participants who took part in Budapest's LGBTQ+ Pride parade last month, the city's police said in a statement Monday, despite looming fears of an after-the-fact crackdown. The annual parade and celebration, held since 1995, was in the crosshairs this year, a target of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. Orban, a self-described 'illiberal' Christian conservative, led a push that resulted in the Hungarian parliament banning the public event in March and threatened to track participants with facial recognition technology after organizers pledged to forge ahead.
