Latest news with #LGBTQ
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
‘Scared': Ellen DeGeneres reveals huge secret about her Hollywood pals
Ellen DeGeneres has claimed that she knows of A-list actors that are still 'scared' to come out as gay. During her last ever stand-up tour, the infamous former chat show host joked that she had been 'kicked out of show business twice' - the first time being when she came out as gay in 1997. In a new interview, one of the first she's done since leaving show business and moving to the countryside in the UK, DeGeneres opened up about how little she feels the entertainment industry has evolved since she was first shunned. 'If it was [better], all these other people that are actors and actresses that I know they're gay, they'd be out, but they're not, because it's still a problem,' she said during an appearance at Sunday at the Everyman. 'People are still scared.' She added that it's 'a really hard decision' that doesn't suit everyone, adding that things are better today 'in some ways' but not others. DeGeneres went on to reference a controversial move by the Southern Baptist Convention to endorse the reversal of a Supreme Court case allowing same-sex marriage. At the time of writing, nine states in the US have introduced bills that could do the same while under the rule of President Donald Trump. 'The Baptist Church in America is trying to reverse gay marriage,' she said. 'They're trying to literally stop it from happening in the future and possibly reverse it. Portia and I are already looking into it, and if they do that, we're going to get married here.' 'I wish we were at a place where it was not scary for people to be who they are. I wish that we lived in a society where everybody could accept other people and their differences. 'So until we're there, I think there's a hard place to say we have huge progress.' Elsewhere in the interview, DeGeneres confessed that she has already grown a little 'bored' of her new life. When quizzed if she would ever consider launching a chat show in the UK, she responded: 'I mean, I wish it did, because I would do the same thing here. I would love to do that again, but I just feel like people are watching on their phones, or people aren't really paying attention as much to televisions, because we're so inundated with information and entertainment.' She added that while she didn't know what she would do in the future, one thing was for sure: She'd pick her next move 'very carefully'. 'I just don't know what that is yet,' added the star. 'I want to have fun, I want to do something. I do like my chickens but I'm a little bit bored.'
The Independent
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Pantomime dame hits out at council's ‘attack' after library storytime events cancelled
A pantomime dame has hit out at a council 's 'attack' on her library storytime events for families after they were cancelled over protest concerns. Mama G, who is an LGBTQ+ campaigner and a former Britain's Got Talent contestant, said she was devastated when she received the news her performances in Suffolk libraries this summer have been postponed after seven years of storytelling there. 'Personally, I find it really sad because it's an attack on what I love,' she told The Independent. 'All you're doing is cancelling a pantomime. The reason they're worried is the message is one of positivity and inclusivity.' Suffolk Community Libraries, which is run by Suffolk County Council, said the move had been made in light of 'extreme negative reactions' to similar events in other areas, including protests. They described the decision as 'operational', not political, and said the events have been postponed to allow for an additional risk assessment to be carried out. Mama G – who describes herself as a 'storytelling pantomime dame who goes all over the country telling children and families about being who you want and loving who you are' – said she organised the three days of events in Suffolk back in April. But last week, she said she was told her sessions had been postponed after council members had raised concerns in light of other previous protests elsewhere. 'They advised me I should assume they're cancelled and should look for further work,' she said, adding that she believed this was a decision made by the council, not the libraries. The council said the events have been postponed, not cancelled, and that the decision would have been made regardless of whether the library service was managed by the council. 'The council has every right to do this,' Mama G said. 'It's just really hard not to think about it as why has this particular council decided to take action against a performer who promotes positivity for everyone but has an affinity to the LGBTQ+ community. I wouldn't necessarily saying they were censoring [me]... but that is something that plays on your mind.' Mama G said she was especially 'upset' because she had worked for Suffolk libraries during periods of protest elsewhere, such as those that have broken out around Drag Queen Story Hour, and 'never had a problem'. She added that, as a self-employed worker, she had lost out on days' worth of income. 'My initial feeling, I was quite numb when they told me, [because] I love pantomime and sharing such a positive message,' said Mama G, who is now set to perform in Haverhill, Ipswich and Stowmarket instead. She described her work as focused on educating children about inclusivity and understanding others with a view to creating a more respectful and empathetic world. Speaking of the current inflammatory and divisive nature of society, she said: 'What we're seeing now is a reaction [from] people who didn't have an education about LGBTQ+ things and inclusivity.' Referencing the council's decision, she said: 'It just seems a shame that rather than saying 'these events must happen and we must do everything to mitigate any negativity', is they decided to postpone them... If they're concerned about sections of the library community being upset, it's doubly important for these events to go ahead.' Krystal Vittles, Head of Library Service for Suffolk Community Libraries, said: 'Due to extreme negative reactions to similar events in other areas, including protests and disruption, we have postponed these events and are currently carrying out an additional risk assessment. This is an operational decision as a precaution to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our staff, residents, and local communities.'
Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Hong Kong judge rules in favor of transgender bathroom access
A Hong Kong judge on Wednesday ruled to strike down regulations criminalizing the use of bathrooms designated for the opposite sex, ruling in favor of transgender individuals' rights to access public toilets matching their identity. Judge Russell Coleman approved the judicial review of K, who was born a woman and identifies as a man, saying the regulations contravene an article of the city's mini-constitution that stipulates all residents should be equal before the law. But he suspended the declaration to strike down the regulations for a year to allow the government 'to consider whether it wishes to implement a way to deal with the contravention.' He said in the judgement that the regulations and 'drawing the line of a person's biological sex at birth create a disproportionate and unnecessary intrusion into the privacy and equality rights.' The ruling marks another step forward in recognizing the rights of LGBTQ+ people in the Chinese financial hub. In recent years, the government has revised policies following activists' wins in legal challenges. Currently, only children under 5 years old accompanied by an opposite sex adult can enter a public washroom designated for the opposite sex. Those violating the rule face a fine of up to 2,000 Hong Kong dollars (about $255). K launched a legal challenge in 2022, seeking to expand the exemption to pre-operative transgender people who have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria and have a medical need to undergo the process of living in their identified gender. He argued that his constitutional rights were infringed by the prohibition against him using public toilets allocated for men, the court heard. The government did not immediately comment. Quarks, a group serving transgender youth in Hong Kong, welcomed the ruling, urging officials to take immediate action to rectify what it called long-standing discrimination in the system. 'The ruling is not just an affirmation of transgender rights legally but also a big step forward for Hong Kong's overall human rights development,' it said on Instagram. In 2023, Hong Kong's top court ruled that full sex reassignment surgery should not be a prerequisite for transgender people to have their gender changed on their official identity cards. The next year, the government revised its policy to allow people who have not completed full gender-affirmation surgery to change their genders on ID cards as long as they fulfill certain conditions. The conditions include the removal of breasts for transgender men, the removal of the penis and testes for transgender women, and having undergone continuous hormonal treatment for at least two years before applying. Applicants also have to continue their hormonal treatment and submit blood test reports for random checks upon the government's request. In April, activist Henry Tse, who won the legal battle in 2023 and received his new ID card reflecting his gender change last year, lodged a fresh legal challenge over the new requirements.
BBC News
3 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Unions condemn Northamptonshire Reform councils over flag ban
Two unions have criticised a county's Reform UK-led councils over their decision to no longer fly the LGBTQ+ rainbow flag from their North and West Northamptonshire Council's new flag policy dictates that only the union jack, St George's and council flags will be the Royal College of Nursing and Unite said not flying the rainbow flag "undermines efforts to create inclusive, welcoming communities".Defending the flag policy, Reform UK MP Lee Anderson said: "Bring it on. We were elected to deliver change and that's exactly what we're doing." In the unions' joint statement, they said: "This isn't about neutrality - it's about erasure."The Pride flag is a symbol of dignity, respect, and the ongoing fight for equality."It said the flying the flag "during celebrations and key dates shows solidarity".The unions said the council's policy sends "the wrong message to LGBTQ+ residents, staff, and patients across the region".They urged the authorities' leaders to reconsider."We're proud to stand with our LGBTQ+ members and colleagues. We call on local leaders to do the same," they added. In response to the criticism, Anderson said: "Banning the flying of any flag that isn't the union flag is a great first step."He said foreign or Pride flags had "absolutely nothing" to do with running a local a statement, West Northamptonshire Council said it "continues to support all residents... and community-led activities, including providing its support to organising the recent Northampton Pride activities".North Northamptonshire Council said it would fly "other national flags when it is appropriate to do so".It said the policy applied to flagpoles "at our corporate buildings" but not other flag poles across North Northamptonshire. A spokesperson said the authority would be "happy to work with the local community and town and parish councils to raise flags at some locations, where appropriate". Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Associated Press
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Hong Kong judge rules in favor of transgender bathroom access
HONG KONG (AP) — A Hong Kong judge on Wednesday ruled to strike down regulations criminalizing the use of bathrooms designated for the opposite sex, ruling in favor of transgender individuals' rights to access public toilets matching their identity. Judge Russell Coleman approved the judicial review of K, who was born a woman and identifies as a man, saying the regulations contravene an article of the city's mini-constitution that stipulates all residents should be equal before the law. But he suspended the declaration to strike down the regulations for a year to allow the government 'to consider whether it wishes to implement a way to deal with the contravention.' He said in the judgement that the regulations and 'drawing the line of a person's biological sex at birth create a disproportionate and unnecessary intrusion into the privacy and equality rights.' The ruling marks another step forward in recognizing the rights of LGBTQ+ people in the Chinese financial hub. In recent years, the government has revised policies following activists' wins in legal challenges. Currently, only children under 5 years old accompanied by an opposite sex adult can enter a public washroom designated for the opposite sex. Those violating the rule face a fine of up to 2,000 Hong Kong dollars (about $255). K launched a legal challenge in 2022, seeking to expand the exemption to pre-operative transgender people who have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria and have a medical need to undergo the process of living in their identified gender. He argued that his constitutional rights were infringed by the prohibition against him using public toilets allocated for men, the court heard. In 2023, Hong Kong's top court ruled that full sex reassignment surgery should not be a prerequisite for transgender people to have their gender changed on their official identity cards. The next year, the government revised its policy to allow people who have not completed full gender-affirmation surgery to change their genders on ID cards as long as they fulfill certain conditions. The conditions include the removal of breasts for transgender men, the removal of the penis and testes for transgender women, and having undergone continuous hormonal treatment for at least two years before applying. Applicants also have to continue their hormonal treatment and submit blood test reports for random checks upon the government's request. In April, activist Henry Tse, who won the legal battle in 2023 and received his new ID card reflecting his gender change last year, lodged a fresh legal challenge over the new requirements.
