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☆ Lizzo protests Tennessee drag ban, inviting drag queens on stage in Knoxville
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( Toyin Owoseje | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Lizzo made her stance on Tennessee’s anti-drag-show legislation clear by inviting drag queens onstage at her Knoxville concert. Last month, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed legislation banning “adult cabaret” artists from performing in public and/or in the presence of children. The controversial bill listed “male or female impersonators,” which is widely interpreted to mean drag queens. In a show of defiance, Lizzo, known for her vociferous support of body-positivity and self-love, welcomed queens including Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, Asia O’Hara and Kandy Muse from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” to join her performance at the Thompson-Boling Arena on Friday. “But why would I not come to the people who need to hear this message the most, the people who need to feel this release the most?” Lizzo told cheering fans.

☆ Mike Pence in pink boots, Ron DeSantis in a big ball gown. Here's how the 'RuPublicans' Instagram account uses AI art to call out GOP lawmakers — by dressing them in drag.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( Aditi Bharade | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The "RuPublicans" Instagram account posts AI-generated pictures of GOP lawmakers in full drag. The images range from Mike Pence in sparkly pink boots to Ron DeSantis in a big ball gown. The images are the work of an Instagram account called "RuPublicans," which uses AI to dress Republican lawmakers in drag — complete with frills, feathers, jewels, and wigs. Some of the GOP lawmakers in drag have a history of pushing anti-trans rhetoricSeveral GOP lawmakers that the "RuPublicans" account called out have, in the past, pushed anti-trans messages. Representatives of Pence, DeSantis, Graham, Cruz, Hawley, and McConnell did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment sent outside regular business hours.

☆ Florida's decision to punish the Hyatt Regency over a drag show could be a win-win for DeSantis by having a 'chilling effect' on similar events and scoring him political points
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The Hyatt Regency Miami's alcohol license is being revoked after hosting a drag show, according to a complaint filed Tuesday. Ron DeSantis praised the move and could win political points for a potential 2024 run. A venue affiliated with the Hyatt Regency in Miami hosted "A Drag Queen Christmas" in December, a touring drag show that includes performers from "RuPaul's Drag Race." "Sexually explicit content is not appropriate to display to children and doing so violates Florida law," Bryan Griffin, DeSantis' press secretary, previously told Leonard. Deterring drag shows from occurring falls in line with the talking points of many prominent conservative figures, who view drag shows as harmful to children, even if might seem out of step with their "small government" values, he said.

☆ DeSantis administration revokes Hyatt Regency Miami alcohol license after it hosted "A Drag Queen Christmas"
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The DeSantis administration had previously said it was looking into "A Drag Queen Christmas." "A Drag Queen Christmas" is a holiday-themed drag show that tours in 36 different cities and features stars from the reality show "RuPaul's Drag Race." In July 2022, the DeSantis administration filed a complaint against a Miami bar that hosted a drag show where minors were present. This year, Tennessee became the first to ban adult performances, including drag, from public spaces such as parks and schools. Public libraries across the US began facing backlash from some parents in recent years for hosting Drag Queen Story Hours.

☆ From a horseback-riding model to a secret daughter: Meet the children of Apple cofounder Steve Jobs
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( Grace Kay | Aaron Mok | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Steve Jobs left the bulk of his fortune to his wife, Laurene Powell Jobs, when he died in 2011. Later, he had Reed Jobs, Erin Jobs, and Eve Jobs with his wife, Laurene Powell Jobs. Meet Jobs' four children and his widow Laurene Powell Jobs, and see how his legacy helped his loved ones succeed. Erin Siena JobsErin Siena Jobs is the most private of Steve Jobs' children. Vianney Le Caer/Invision/APTwenty-four-year-old Eve Jobs, the youngest of Steve Jobs' children, is a model and an accomplished equestrian.

☆ Tennessee takes lead in Republican effort to restrict drag shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( Jonathan Allen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Feb 23 (Reuters) - Tennessee lawmakers will debate on Thursday whether to restrict drag performances in public or in front of children, one of more than a dozen bills limiting drag advanced by Republican politicians in at least 15 states in recent months. They see the bills as part of a Republican effort to advance laws limiting LGBT people's conduct across the country. Drag performances typically do not involve nudity or stripping. Established in 2015, Drag Story Hour, in which costumed drag performers read to children, has expanded to at least 20 states. Drag performers say they are just as able to tailor their act to their audience as other artists, like an actor who might appear in both a sexually explicit R-rated movie and in a children's movie.

☆ Here's everything you need to know about the history and meaning of drag
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-28 | by ( Yelena Dzhanova | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Drag culture has centuries of history behind it, from Ancient Greece to the Harlem Renaissance. Here's a guide to drag culture in the US and how what it means today. But in drag, cis men don't have to present as women, and cis women don't have to present as men. But at the end of the day, Giuliani wasn't actually participating in drag culture, Walsh said. There's been a lot of grassroots-level organization around drag recently, Walsh said, partly in response to the uptick in violence against drag culture.

☆ George Santos' drag is actually pretty good, but could use more eyeliner and a personality change, says a star of 'RuPaul's Drag Race'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Photos and videos have emerged of George Santos apparently dressed in drag as "Kitara Ravache." Jan Sport, a star of "RuPaul's Drag Race," rated Kitara Rivache's drag look for Insider. One Brazilian drag queen, Eula Rochard, claimed she knew Santos by drag name Kitara Ravache, and alleged that he competed in drag queen beauty pageants in 2008. "I've seen a lot worse first-time drag than Miss Kitara," Jan said. Santos, who initially denied claims he ever performed as a drag queen, later appeared to admit that he had dressed in drag, telling reporters: "I was not a drag queen.

☆ A 'RuPaul's Drag Race' queen says her TikTok was suspended after she posted a video impersonating George Santos in drag
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Jan Sport of "RuPaul's Drag Race" had her TikTok account suspended. She said she was locked out after posting a video of her impersonating George Santos' drag persona. Initially, the video was well-received, getting positive comments from fellow drag queens, more than 400,000 views on TikTok, and 75,000 likes on Instagram. But she said after the video went viral, her TikTok account was suspended. "People are trying to make comparisons about drag queens sexualizing things," she said, referring to right-wing talking points that allege drag queens brainwash and groom children.

☆ George Santos says he's undecided on whether he'll vote to kick Ilhan Omar off of the Foreign Affairs Committee
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The GOP wants to remove Ilhan Omar from a committee over years-old comments seen as anti-Semitic. George Santos, who has lied about being the Jewish descendant of Holocaust survivors, is undecided. As he boarded an elevator, Santos re-affirmed that he hadn't decided how he would vote on Omar. Omar apologized at the time, and on Wednesday, she called the effort to remove her from the committee was a "political stunt." Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan) January 25, 2023

Embattled Republican Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., said claims that he performed as a drag queen are “categorically false.” His denial comes shortly after a Brazilian drag performer shared on social media an image of herself and another person in drag, whom she identified as the newly elected congressman. “The most recent obsession from the media claiming that I am a drag Queen or ‘performed’ as a drag Queen is categorically false,” Santos, who has been the subject of international headlines for weeks for fabricating parts of his résumé, tweeted Thursday morning. Rochard, who is identified as Eula Rorard in the photo, claims the other person in drag went by the stage name Kitara Ravache and is, in fact, Santos. As of Thursday afternoon, the images had been widely circulated on social media and news websites. A lawyer for Santos did not return NBC News’ request for comment regarding the congressman’s stance on the proposed policies related to drag performances.

☆ Steve Jobs' nepo babies: From a model to a secret daughter, here's everything we know about the Apple cofounder's kids
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Grace Kay | Aaron Mok | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Steve Jobs left the bulk of his fortune to his wife, Laurene Powell Jobs, when he died in 2011. Later, he had Reed Jobs, Erin Jobs, and Eve Jobs with his wife, Laurene Powell Jobs. Apple, Laurene Powell Jobs, and Reed Jobs did not reply to requests for comment, nor did representatives for Lisa Brennan-Jobs and Eve Jobs. Since Jobs' death, Powell Jobs has been active in philanthropy and founded Emerson Collective in 2004 as a "social change organization." Erin Siena JobsErin Siena Jobs is the most private of Steve Jobs' children.

☆ With drag drawing fire in the U.S., RuPaul's DragCon U.K. is a family affair
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Ellie Rudy | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

After a three-year pandemic hiatus, RuPaul’s DragCon U.K. — one of the world’s largest drag conferences — returned to London this past weekend. RuPaul, center, is joined by drag queens during the ribbon cutting ceremony for RuPaul's DragCon U.K. in London on Jan. 6, 2023. Lady Camden struts the pink carpet at RuPaul’s DragCon U.K. 2023. Maxine, 5, strikes a pose with her mom, Trish, at RuPaul’s DragCon U.K. 2023 in London. Drag performer Kitty Scott Claus at RuPaul’s DragCon U.K. in London on Jan. 6, 2023.

"RuPaul's Drag Race" season 15 premieres January 6 on MTV at 8 p.m. How to watch 'RuPaul's Drag Race' season 15You can watch "RuPaul's Drag Race" season 15 on MTV. Who is competing in 'RuPaul's Drag Race' season 15? Is 'RuPaul's Drag Race' season 15 on Paramount Plus? Season 15 of "RuPaul's Drag Race" is not expected to stream on Paramount Plus while the season is still airing on MTV.

☆ Ehlers-Danlos syndrome affects millions. Why isn't the medical profession paying more attention?
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-24 | by ( Sarah Lazarus | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +19 min

“Have you heard of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome?” the podiatrist asked me. There are 13 types of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), according to research and advocacy organization The Ehlers-Danlos Society. Drag queen Yvie Oddly, who has hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, crab walks down the pink carpet at RuPaul's DragCon LA in 2019. Bluestein says that for many years it was thought that one in 5,000 people had Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. But despite her career choice, Bluestein only received her hEDS diagnosis when she was 47 – more than 30 years later.

☆ Drag queens take on Tennessee bill seeking to restrict their performances
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-21 | by ( Andrew Davis | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

At 5 Points Diner & Bar in Nashville, Tenn., drag performer Veronika Electronika can often be seen strutting between brunch tables. The measure, known as Senate Bill 3, was introduced by Tennessee Republican Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson in November. Tennessee has proposed 31 anti-LGBTQ bills this year, the most of any state, according to Freedom for All Americans. “We tip our servers, we tip our bartenders, we tip our hair stylists, and we tip our drag queens,” she said. As for Veronika, she said she’s determined to rally enough opposition to scuttle Tennessee’s drag bill before it becomes state law.

As the nation's drag performers face an unprecedented wave of protests and threats directed against their events, drag icon RuPaul Charles addressed the incidents for what appears to be the first time publicly Friday. "I pray for our country, and the world really, and I still believe in the power of love." Notably, a doughnut shop in Tulsa, Oklahoma, was vandalized and firebombed by a Molotov cocktail in two separate incidents after it hosted a drag event in October, according to KFOR and KJRH, NBC affiliates in Oklahoma. Aside from the protests and attacks, at least eight bills seeking to restrict drag have been introduced in state legislatures this year, according to GLAAD. RuPaul during the monologue on "Saturday Night Live" in New York, on Feb. 8, 2020.

☆ Colorado shooting prompts top drag queens to tour with armed guards and metal detectors
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Matt-Lavietes-Byline-Jm.Jpg | Matt Lavietes | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +11 min

Curtis Brown“We’re trying to smile and make people happy for the holidays, and in the back of our heads we’re thinking, ‘I hope I don’t get shot,’” said Jinkx Monsoon, winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season five and “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” season seven. For months, many right-wing lawmakers, media personalities and activists have accused LGBTQ people — and drag performers in particular — of “grooming,” “indoctrinating” and “sexualizing” children. Latrice Royale, who has appeared on both “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars,” reasoned that the backlash is due to the greater visibility of drag brought on by the global success of the RuPaul-led competition shows, which have spinoffs in at least 16 other countries. Drag performers who have hosted events that have catered to children, such as Drag Story Hours at public libraries or family-friendly drag brunches, have particularly drawn the ire of conservative protesters. Them.”BenDeLaCreme, who appeared on the sixth season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and the third season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars,” shared a similar sentiment.

☆ Grindr shares soar in post-SPAC debut as advocates weigh progress of LGBTQ inclusion within finance world
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

The group of performers, some known for appearances on the competition show "RuPaul's Drag Race," performed on a rainbow stage set in the front of the New York Stock Exchange. It was part of a celebration of LGBTQ dating app Grindr's public-markets debut following a merger with blank-check company Tiga Acquisition. The New York Stock Exchange was lined with rainbow markers and pride flags in recognition of the event. Before the opening bell, New York Stock Exchange President Lynn Martin spoke about the importance of an LGBTQ-centered company's place in the equities market. watch now'The power of the app'The excitement around Grindr's debut does not diminish the difficulties of the current bear market.

‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’Even before making its way to theaters, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” — the long-awaited sequel to the 2018 film starring Chadwick Boseman — has birthed some of this fall’s biggest pop culture moments, including a Rihanna song drop. “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” opens in U.S. theaters Nov. 11. “The Inspection” opens in U.S. theaters Nov. 18. “Bones and All” opens in U.S. theaters Nov. 23. “Strange World” opens in U.S. theaters Nov. 23.

☆ Explainer: Drag queens and how they got pulled into politics
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

Opponents often coordinate protests at drag events that feature or cater to children, sometimes showing up with guns. Some politicians have proposed banning children from drag events and even criminally charging parents who take their kids to one. Is drag sexual? Many drag opponents cite nudity in their objections. Threats to drag events, and story hours in particular, have increased along with the rhetoric.

☆ Leslie Jordan death in car accident is tragic loss for my autistic son and other fans
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Karin Crompton | Karin Crompton Is A Writer In Southeastern Connecticut | Where She Lives With Her Son | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

For much of 2021, my 11-year-old son and I had a bedtime ritual: brush teeth, watch Leslie Jordan videos, read. Our nightly Leslie Jordan check-ins had become more than just punchlines and stories. A gay actor and comedian, Jordan would toe the line with sexual innuendo one day (have you seen his Back Door Donuts post? With all due respect to social skills therapists, a Jordan video proved much more fun than our usual lessons about tone of voice and body language. “But is he married or is he gay?” Daniel asked, and around and around we went one night.

☆ 12 queer icons to channel this Halloween
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Ellie Rudy | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +10 min

Without further ado, here is a selection of queer icons and pop culture favorites — in no particular order — whom you can channel for Halloween (a.k.a. For a relatively stress-free Halloween ensemble, throw on a tux, top hat, a pocket square and some fierce red lipstick. To channel Ms. Kahlo this Halloween, you’ll need her signature unibrow (eyeliner or an eyebrow pencil should do the trick), a flower crown, red lipstick, a colorful blouse and a floor-length skirt. For this costume, you’ll need a fedora, a (preferably pastel) dress shirt, a tie matching the hat and, if you’re really feeling the fantasy, a color-coordinated sweater vest. If you dress up as any of these queer icons and pop culture favorites for Halloween, tag @NBCOut on Twitter or Instagram in a costume photo!

☆ Eric McCormack, Sean Hayes, RuPaul and other celebrities react to Leslie Jordan's death
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The unexpected passing of television star and social media darling Leslie Jordan has spurred a flood of heartfelt tributes. The actor died on Monday, his talent agent Sarabeth Schedeen told CNN in a statement. Jordan’s most recognizable credit was his time on “Will & Grace” as Beverley Leslie, a role he reprised throughout the show’s run, including its recent reboot. Co-star Eric McCormack posted two tributes to Jordan on his Instagram, with one showing showing the pair performing for the cameras on the show. “Crushed to learn about the loss of @thelesliejordan, the funniest and flirtiest southern gent I’ve ever known,” McCormack wrote in the caption.

☆ Meet the Pop Icons Who Inspired a Generation of Arab Queens
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Shane O Neill | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

Surfacing Meet the Pop IconsWho Inspired a Generation ofArab QueensAs children, the drag queens of Beirut didn’t have to look far for inspiration. ... / ... Click to unmute RotanaShe doesn’t particularly like Haifa’s voice, and doesn’t think she’s a good dancer either. Just this year, Feghali appeared on Lebanese TV impersonating her. ... / ... Click to unmute Télé LibanFor Diva, performing as Sabah and incorporating Arab culture into her drag represents a paradigm shift in how Beirut’s L.G.B.T.Q. The sender’s bio read, “Future Lebanese drag queen.”“This is what I want to see,” Anya said, using an expletive.

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