After three days, and at the time of publishing, the group has raised just $364 or around 7.28% of its goal.
The pride is due to take place in late August and has booked Milo Yiannopoulous, the openly gay author and former Brebait journalist to be its Grand Marshall.
In a funder which is called “Permits cost money” organisers of the pride event, called “Super Happy Fun America” are asking supporters for $5000 to help cover the cost of putting on the non-LGBT+ pride event in the US city of Boston.
According to the organisers, Super Happy Fun America, “advocates on behalf of the straight community in order to foster respect and awareness with people from all walks of life”.
The pride event even has its own straight pride flag and is planning to raise the flag which is Blue and Pink with yellow Male and Female symbols interlinking in the middle.
It will, apparently be raised over Boston City Hall after the parade, after which, organisers have promised speeches. The organisers have invited Mayor Martin J. Walsh to participate.
The size of the country means that you could drive for days and not even get halfway across it, so be sure to pick a road trip that will include plenty of gay-friendly cities and towns so that you can make the most of your gay travels in the USA.
Not all road trips are created equal, and after spending a lot of time in the States, it’s easy to take for granted that the gays are everywhere. While most areas are fairly accepting of the LGBT community, there’s a significant black hole of gay life in small towns across America. So where’s a good place to take a gay road trip in the USA?
Chicago is an ideal starting point for a great road trip of any kind, with plenty of flights everyday on airlines such as Virgin Atlantic and it’s partner Delta (like alliance partner, not life-partner), it’s an ideal starting/ending point. Chicago is one of America’s largest and most cosmopolitan cities, but unlike locations like New York, LA, and even San Francisco, Chicago is a much more manageable metropolis.
The entire downtown region can easily be explored on foot, so take the time to wander around from the world-famous Willis Tower (which used to be called the Sears Tower, and still is by most locals), to the riverfront that stretches throughout the city, to the lakefront beach.
Chicago is a city that’s known for its amazing architecture, and despite the looming presence of Trump tower, it’s easily one of the prettiest big cities I’ve ever visited in the States. Though there are numerous skyscrapers (definitely visit the SkyDeck in the Willis Tower, the views are breathtaking… if the weather is nice that is) the city layout means that you never feel towered over, with plenty of bright blue sky on show at all times (again, weather permitting).
Chicago is also SUPER gay-friendly with a few distinct gay neighborhoods you can explore to get your LGBT fix before you hit the road. Boystown delivers on its name, with a somewhat twink-orientated vibe, while nearby Andersonville better caters to those of us on the other side of 30. With loads of gay bars, gay cafés and gay restaurants to visit, the northern neighborhoods of Chicago are a vital part of any gay US getaway.
Route 66 is one of America’s most famous road trip routes. Connecting Chicago with LA, travelling the full length of this iconic highway would take weeks, so we’d recommend exploring just a small portion of it on your road trip.
There are a number of Spingfields across America, and though you may not see any mention of the Simpsons here, Springfield Illinois is the state capital and home to the equally-important Abraham Lincoln. Abe was a long-rumoured homosexual (though nothing has ever been proven) and made a huge impact on the shape of the US as it is today, and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is definitely worth a stop on your trip.
If you’re road tripping then be sure to make the most of it by stopping in one of the many cool and kitschy diners along the route. Route 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill & Museum is full of old cars, vintage road and neon signs, and a surprisingly good veggie-burger, making it a true slice of Americana that should not be missed. There’s also the Pink Elephant Antique Mall which sells – for the most part – a load of crap. But take the time to have a browse and you never know what you might find. I came away with some vintage comic books, 80s games, and a bag full of weird American candy as big as my head. Money well spent.
Alton (meet me in St Louis)
This small quaint town is just across the river from St Louis, making it a great spot to stop and explore. One of their best joints in the Old Bakery Beer Company where they brew their own craft beers and serve it with great organic food.
St Louis is a natural stopping point for many road tripping tourists who could then opt to fly out of the city, or backtrack their way along Route 66 to Chicago, which is a long drive but totally doable.
Another option would be to then follow the Great River Road upwards along the Mississippi to Minneapolis & Saint Paul… but that’s another story altogether.
Tour Operator – Bon Voyage. Tel: 0800 316 1094. www.bon-voyage.co.uk
The Great Lakes USA is the largest expanse of freshwater in the world with a unique and diverse landscape. This region, which is the size of continental Europe, includes the U.S. states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Go to www.greatlakesusa.co.uk for more information and suggested itineraries.
After apologising for posting an incorrect quote often attributed to President Trump, Bette Midler was attacked by the 45th and called “washed up”.
CREDIT: S Buckley | Depositphotos.com
A few days ago award-winning actor, singer, activist and all-round gay icon, Bette Midler, posted a meme quote of Donald Trump. The quote on the tweet said, “If I were to run, I’d run as a Republican. They are the dumbest group of voters in the country. They believe anything on Fox News. I could lie and they’d still eat it up. I bet my numbers would be terrific.”
However Donald Trump never actually said those words. Numerous fact-finding websites, including Snopes.com, have proved the quote to be misattributed.
Bette apologised, saying, “I apologize; this quote turns out to be a fake from way back in ‘15-16. Don’t know how I missed it, but it sounds SO much like him that I believed it was true! ”
But her apology did not sit well with Donald who took a swipe at the “Wind Beneath My Wings” singer branding her a “psycho” and “washed up” before adding that she was a “sick scammer”.
It did not go down to well and attracted over 30,000 comments with just a few hours.
Washed up psycho @BetteMidler was forced to apologize for a statement she attributed to me that turned out to be totally fabricated by her in order to make “your great president” look really bad. She got caught, just like the Fake News Media gets caught. A sick scammer!
Donald Trump tweeted, “Washed up psycho @BetteMidler was forced to apologize for a statement she attributed to me that turned out to be totally fabricated by her in order to make “your great president” look really bad. She got caught, just like the Fake News Media gets caught. A sick scammer!”
One commentor tore into the president, saying “She’s got more class in her little finger than you have in your whole body, now fck off home n play with your mates in the KKK” while another added, “Don’t you have a job to do, you childish fckwit? Oh, since you’re so quick to judge others on their physical appearance, you looked ridiculous in your tuxedo at the palace – like Mr Creosote in The Meaning of Life. Look it up. Don’t worry. It’s not a book. It’s a movie”.
Donald Trump is currently in the UK on an official state visit.
The sad passing of Sharon Bottoms Mattes, 48, in January this year shone a spotlight on LGBT+ rights in the 21st century, and how far attitudes and family law have changed abroad and in the UK.
In what was a terrible example of the injustice to same-sex couples and their children is the American 1994 case involving Mattes, who lost custody of her son after the court ruled that she was an unfit mother because she was in a same-sex relationship. The details of this case are as shocking today as they were at the time.
In the UK, societal attitudes towards same-sex parents has changed considerably over the past 25 years. Thank goodness, because this has been both to the benefit of couples, children and the emotional welfare of other family members.
Yet family law is struggling to keep up with what some have deemed to be the ‘modern family’, and unfortunately prejudice and inequality still remains for LGBT+ couples and parents.
Of course, in the last 25 years so much has changed. Civil partnerships were introduced in 2005. This was followed by same-sex marriage in 2014. This granted the same rights as married heterosexuals. This ended the appalling treatment same-sex couples had received. For those in a civil partnership or same- sex marriage who have a child both parents have parental responsibility. Yet there is still inequality that exists.
Since 2005 unmarried couples were given the right to adopt. Equalities legislation passed in 2006 to ensure that there would be no discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation when going through the adoption process.
When it comes to surrogacy, same-sex couples can apply for a parental order if they have their child via a surrogate and one parent is genetically related to the child. If couples are not in a civil partnership or married they must be living as partners in an enduring family relationship if they wish to apply jointly.
Single parents have been able to apply since 3 January 2019. Yet our surrogacy law are dangerously behind when it comes to the needs of modern families, leaving couples vulnerable to exploitation or worse, losing their child.
It is important that family law keeps up with the needs of families today, and continues to progress so LGBT couples and their families hold equal rights.
Linda Lamb, Solicitor and Director at LSL Family Law
I am always up for a big adventure, so I thought visiting Milwaukee right before winter would be a good idea. Little did I know, winter comes early in Wisconsin. I was greeted with a small snow storm and below freezing temperatures, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me. It was my first time visiting the city and I had lots to see.
Luckily, one of my lifelong friends, Steven Binko, is a Milwaukee resident so I had a permanent tour guide for the duration of my visit. Our first stop was the famous Miller Brewery Tour, where we learned about the ghost of Frederick Miller who haunts the historic Miller Caves. Throughout the tour, we were forcefully fed samples of Miller beer products. They weren’t stingy on the free samples either. As much as I don’t like snow, it was really cool to see a bit of snow atop the iconic Miller Brewing sign.
From there, head to the Milwaukee Public Market, located in city’s Historic Third Ward neighbourhood. The two-story market isn’t as massive as Seattle’s Pike Place Market, but it features a nice selection of local fare. I sampled a cup of delicious tomato soup and coupled it with a serving of half a dozen fresh oysters from their oyster bar. The market also sells many regional products including artisan cheeses and creamy frozen custard.
Grab a cup of hot cocoa from Colectivo and explore the Historic Third Ward, which recently underwent a drastic revitalization and now boasts trendy boutiques, art galleries and speciality stores.
Not too far away is the iconic Milwaukee Art Museum, considered Wisconsin’s premier arts institution as well as Milwaukee’s lakefront masterpiece. The museum houses more than 30,000 pieces in its permanent collection which includes works by Monet, Warhol and Picasso, in addition to one of the largest Georgia O’Keeffe collections in the world. The museum’s breathtaking moveable brise soleil “wings” soar against the backdrop of Lake Michigan, spanning the width of a Boeing 747 when extended.
Milwaukee has a really great gay scene. It is always voted as one of the best gay cities to visit, so I decided to head out on the town for my first night in the MKE. My first stop was DIX, a trendy bar with some really cute bartenders and strong drinks. Not too far away is This Is It, the oldest gay bar in the city. The narrow space is warm and welcoming, although I heard the current owners are looking to expand. Walker’s Pint is the place for ladies to gather, while Kruz is the ‘daddy’ bar with really cool lighting and a nice patio space. If you’re looking to dance, head to LVL, but be advised there is a cover charge most nights.
Start your next morning by visiting the Harley-Davidson Museum. This spectacular one-of-a-kind museum celebrates the rich history of Harley-Davidson and has become the mecca for Harley riders throughout the world. More than 350 motorcycles are displayed, along with exhibits devoted to engines, racing, customized bikes and the company’s influence on American pop culture. As someone who has never ridden a motorcycle, I still found this museum interesting and one of the most Instagram-able places in the city.
Just a short drive from the Harley-Davidson Museum is the Pabst Mansion, constructed by Captain Frederick Pabst, founder of Pabst Brewing, in 1890. The Gilded Age mansion is located on Grand Avenue, just outside of downtown and was designed by George Bowman Ferry and Alfred Charles Clas. The mansion was nearly torn down to make way for a parking lot but after a three-year crusade for its preservation, it was spared demolition and went on to become an award-winning house museum. The Mansion was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 21, 1975.
If you have some time left, swing by the Milwaukee Public Museum’s butterfly exhibition. The two-story glass-enclosed garden was designed to provide the butterflies with a tropical environment despite Wisconsin’s frigid winter season. Hundreds of butterflies surround you as you walk through the exhibition. At one point, a butterfly landed on my head and made me the subject of many photos.
If you’re hungry, head to Balzac for a delicious assortment of tapas and flatbreads. Some standout items include Lamb Chops with hummus, garam masala aioli and paprika oil, Tuna Tartare with wasabi vinaigrette, fried wonton, sesame seeds and lime faulk salt as well as the Pork & Peach flatbread consisting of pork belly, red potato, manchego and garlic confit dressed with a balsamic peach glaze.
For some Happy Hour cocktails, I recommend SafeHouse, a downtown speakeasy that is quite fun from the moment you walk in the door. First-time visitors are asked for the password…and yes, most don’t know it. I had to hula-hoop for thirty seconds in order to gain entry. What I didn’t know is that everyone was watching me from inside the bar. It was quite embarrassing once I found out I had an audience, but once I was granted entry, the bar itself is incredible; filled with secret passageways and hidden items throughout.
While in town, try to swing by the Fiserv Forum and catch a Milwaukee Bucks basketball game. The new state-of-the-art arena is worth the price of admission. I got a private tour of the facility and was blown away by the amenities, especially the lounges located throughout the venue. The arena is also proud to have all-gender restrooms for their guests.
If you happen to be in town on a Sunday, Hamburger Mary’s hosts a fabulous buffet brunch complete with bottomless mimosas, and a cast of divine divas. The food was surprisingly good. I wasn’t sure what to expect from a brunch buffet, but there was a nice selection of both breakfast and lunch items to choose from.
One of the coolest activities this visit was taking part in a Milwaukee Food & City Tour. Privately owned by a husband and wife duo, the business idea was inspired while on a walking tour in SoHo 11 years ago. Today, they now run a total of 21 bus, walking, and neighbourhood-themed tours that cover everything from Bloody Mary’s to pizza to tapas. For this visit, we participated in the holiday-themed Ethnic Bakery Tour. Our guide was a hoot and knew a lot about the city as well as the history of the businesses. Each of the six bakeries were privately owned (no chain establishments), so it was really nice to get a look at the hidden gems only the locals know about.
When I asked our tour guide, Robert, his favourite part of the job, he explained how he really enjoys incorporating Milwaukee history and comedy into the adventures. His knowledge of the city and its activities really put into perspective how much the downtown offers and how far the city has come in a short amount of time.
At one point, we drove by the Henry Maier Festival Park along the lakefront and briefly learned about the insane number of cultural festivals Milwaukee hosts – two in particular that draw people from all over the world. Summerfest is an annual music festival that lasts for almost two weeks and hosts over 1000 performances on 11 stages. Last year, they had artists from every genre of music ranging from Kesha to Steven Tyler. Then there’s PrideFest which is one of the largest LGBTQ festivals in the Midwest welcoming nearly 50,000 visitors annually.
This Summer in Milwaukee is going to be jam-packed with events so book your room early at the Potawatomi Hotel and Casino, located just outside of downtown before it sells out. While there, try your luck at some slots if you’re so inclined.
Christian business owners Joanna Duka and Breanna Koski in the US are even going to court to fight for the right to ensure they are not forced to provide services to gay people getting married. The duo makes and sell wedding invitations and say that their Christian beliefs are so strong that they shouldn’t be forced to make products for LGBT+ people getting hitched. They also believe that their freedom of speech is being curtailed.
They had their legal counsel, Kate Anderson from ADF Legal, speak to the rather silent media pool about their decision to take their case to the Arizona Supreme Court.
It all boils down to the fact that Joanna and Breanna feel that making gay marriage invitations would go against their religious beliefs and should be able to do this without being punished. This is despite the fact that they’ve never been actually undertaken a job to make invitations for any same-sex couples before they brought the case.
Duka and Koski’s business is called Brush & Nib Studios and is based out of Arizona, and Arizona state law forbids companies from discriminating against the LGBT+ community.
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The controversial journalist, Milo Yiannopoulos has shared pictures of his dress shirts he says were destroyed by airport security.
(C) Milo Yiannopoulos / Instagram
Milo Yiannopoulos has ranted on Instagram that the TSA in the US has “destroyed” two of his $1000 dress shirts and “stolen” a third. Publishing to the platform, Milo revealed that when he received his luggage back after a flight that two of his $1000 shirts had been smeared with a brown substance. Some users had even though that the stain looked as though it could be faeces or urine. (more…)
Former pro footballer Matt Pacifici has come out in peak 2019 style. With an introduction to his boyfriend on Instagram.
Matt is a former player for the Columbus Crew team in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.
In the simple post on Instagram to his 6300 fans he wrote, “What do you mean “I didn’t tell you?”
The 25-year-old sportsman had career in the major league but sadly sustained a major head injury during his first season and it ended his professional career.
In an interview with OutSports.com, the player said that he feared that coming out sooner would have damaged his career further after suffering the head injury.
He said, “Playing the part of the straight professional athlete was much more important to me at the time than being true to myself,”
However since then he changed his mind adding, “When you’re in a relationship that makes you happy, and on social media you see people posting about their girlfriends, it feels weird not being a part of that
“You want them to know. This relationship is the one that makes me the most happy ever in my life. The more people who come out, the easier it will be for other people to follow.”
He follows in the footsteps of Robbie Rogers and Collin Martin for being some of the only out professional players.
Lady Gaga threw some epic shade at Mike Pence at one of her shows at her Las Vegas residency Enigma, calling him the worst representation of a Christian.
The current Vice President of the USA, Mike Pence has been critcised by activists and LGBT+ advocates for defending his wife’s job at the Immanuel Christian School in Virginia, a school which does not allow LGBT+ people to work for it on the basis of religion.
On Sunday’s performance, he found himself at the end of Lady Gaga’s wrath, with the “Born This Way” singer calling him the “worst representation of what it means to be a Christian.”
To a cheering crowd, Lady Gaga took a moment to get political saying “to Mike Pence, who thinks it’s acceptable that his wife works at a school that bans LGBTQ — you’re wrong … You say we should not discriminate against Christianity. You are the worst representation of what it means to be a Christian.”
“I am a Christian woman,” Gaga added, “and what I do know about Christianity is that we bear no prejudice and everybody is welcome. So you can take all that disgrace, Mr. Pence, and you can look yourself in the mirror and you’ll find it right there.”
A retail executive, Vongell Lugo, 36, has been killed after being stabbed to death in his apartment in Washington DC, USA allegedly by a man that was known to him and may have been an “intimate partner”. Police responded to an emergency call at 4.15 AM on Sunday 6th January 2019.
This is the second report of a domestic violence-related death in the USA in the last month.
A twenty-six-year-old man, Collin J. Potter, has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with Lugo’s death. NBC News says that he was found by the police, “standing over a man who had been stabbed to death”.
According to the AVP, Lugo was a successful retail exec, who was described as a “kind soul, the centre of the party, and a beacon of light that made an impact on everyone he came into contact with”.
Lugo immigrated to the USA in 1994 and went to the University of Maryland, completing a BA in Sociology in 2010.
A man in his 50s was killed in a domestic-violence related homicide.
John Likeness was killed on December 30th 2018 after an alleged domestic violence incident. Likeness who was in his early fifties lived in Menomonie, Wisconsin and was allegedly shot in the chest with a crossbow and died from his injury.
Seehaver is currently in custody and charged with first-degree intentional homicide, domestic abuse being a repeat criminal offender and illegal use of a dangerous weapon according to the Anti-Violence Project.
John Likeness was a veteran, who served his country for 10 years until 1993 after becoming disabled while in the military.
His niece, Carrie Likeness said, “John was proud to have served our country and although a disabled veteran, he spent this last year embracing independence while exploring the U.S. by railway,”
