Coachella Fest, Owned by GOP Donor, Accused of Anti-Trans Bias

Trans siblings say they were denied use of restrooms corresponding with their gender identity.

www.advocate.com/news/2019/2/27/coachella-fest-owned-gop-donor-accused-anti-trans-bias

Laganja Estranga on ‘Drag Race’ and touring the country with ‘Mean Gays’
Laganja Estranga is touring the US as a cast member in Mean Gays, produced by living drag legend Peaches Christ, and shares the stage with Drag Race alumni Kim Chi and Willam Belli.

www.queerty.com/laganja-estranga-drag-race-brooklyn-mean-gays-20190227?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Chinese Broadcaster Censored ‘Gay Man’ from Rami Malek’s Oscar Speech

The Chinese broadcaster Mango censored the words “gay man” from Rami Malek’s Oscar acceptance speech. Malek won Best Actor for his portrayal of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody.

Said Malek: “We made a film about a gay man, an immigrant, who lived his life unapologetically himself.”

Mango reportedly replaced the words with “special group.”

In related news, Malek came under fire from many who accused him of erasing Mercury’s bisexuality, though that’s not the case.

The post Chinese Broadcaster Censored ‘Gay Man’ from Rami Malek’s Oscar Speech appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Chinese Broadcaster Censored ‘Gay Man’ from Rami Malek’s Oscar Speech

Tomi Lahren Claims Billy Porter, LGBTQ People Attacked Masculinity

The Fox News correspondent is fearful for the future of “traditional” masculinity, claiming that it under siege from the “Left.”  

www.advocate.com/people/2019/2/27/tomi-lahren-claims-billy-porter-lgbtq-people-attacked-masculinity

LGBTQ activist set fire to his own home, killing all five of his pets, in hate crime hoax
Move over, Jussie Smollett! There’s a new hate crime hoaxer making headlines.

www.queerty.com/lgbtq-activist-set-fire-home-killing-five-pets-hate-crime-hoax-20190227?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Navigate the London Theatre Scene Like a Pro with Our Guide to its Greatest Hits

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Whether you’re hoping to live your Downton Abbey fantasy or go full Meghan Markle and snatch up a handsome royal, there’s no shortage of reasons to visit the United Kingdom.

Long a favorite of LGBTQ travelers, the United Kingdom is a welcoming, inclusive and safe destination. Even if you’re not in the market for a charming prince, the UK’s blend of rich history, pastoral wonder and cosmopolitan thrills is enough to lure anyone across the pond.

Performing arts aficionados in particular should start packing. London has an arts and theatre scene so vibrant and diverse, it’s widely considered the best in the world. (And that’s coming from a diehard New Yorker.)

Learn how to navigate London’s arts scene like a pro with our guide below.

The crown jewel of London’s performing arts scene is the renowned West End. Also known as Theatreland, the theatre district includes about 40 venues showcasing the biggest productions for large audiences. Many of the gorgeous, historic theaters date back to the late-Victorian and Edwardian eras, featuring stunning architecture and luxurious interiors.

This year is a particularly exciting time for theater fans to visit the West End. Many of Broadway’s biggest hits (and toughest tickets to score) are opening in London — often at a fraction of the price of the Great White Way.

Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical Dear Evan Hansen is coming to the Noel Coward Theatre (dates and cast to be announced). Smash star Katharine McPhee will reprise her role in Waitress at the Adelphi Theatre through May 25. The beloved musical 9 to 5 is at the Savoy Theatre through August.

If you’re looking for big stars, you’ll find them in London. Broadway legend Patti Lupone appears in Company at the Gielgud Theatre through March 30. The show features several notable gender swaps, including newlyweds “Amy” and “Paul” portrayed as gay couple “Jamie” and “Paul.”

There’s plenty of star-studded plays as well. John Malkovich will star as a Harvey Weinstein-esque monster in the David Mamet dark farce Bitter Wheat June 7 to Sept. 14 at the Garrick Theatre. It will mark Malkovich’s return to the stage after 33 years. Also returning to the London stage for the first time in 12 years, Dame Maggie Smith stars in Christopher Hampton’s solo show A German Life, April 6 through May 11.

It’s a gay icon extravaganza when Lily James (Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again) and Gillian Anderson (X-Files) tackle the classic All About Eve. Performances are scheduled at the Noel Coward Theatre through May 11.

And speaking of icons, the late Whitney Houston will be paid tribute in a stunning concert production Whitney — Queen of the Night March 24 and June 2 at the Savoy Theatre.

In addition to all the exciting theatre coming in 2019, the West End is home to the longest-running production in the world, The Mousetrap, at St. Martin’s Theater. The show has run continuously since 1952. The longest-running musical in the West End is Les Miserables. That show will end its run at the Queen’s Theatre this year in July to allow for renovations, moving for a few months to the Gielgud Theatre and then returning to Queen’s Theatre in December with a new company and the 2009 production created for the show’s 25th Anniversary.

Other long-running crowd-pleasers include The Lion King (closing in June), Wicked (closing in November), Mamma Mia (closing in September) and The Book of Mormon (closing in April). TINA – The Tina Turner Musical made its world premiere in London and runs at the Aldwych Theatre through the end of the year. Upcoming productions include Mary Poppins returning to the Prince Edward Theatre in October and Fiddler On the Roof, opening in March.

The Royal National Theatre is the United Kingdom’s publicly funded flagship theater, containing the Olivier, Dorfman and Lyttelton theaters. A-list stars often showcase their dramatic chops here, including out actor Denis O’Hare (True Blood, American Horror Story) starring in Tartuffe through April. Take advantage of the 75-minute backstage tour, or spend two hours visiting wardrobe and wig teams working on the costume tours. There are also talks and workshops offered.

Of course, if you’re on the hunt for something less traditional (and less expensive), there’s thriving theatre outside the West End. Be the first to see new work or rediscover old classics within the intimate Finborough Theatre. Find gripping drama at Ovalhouse or catch a show at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

There are few better incubators for new work than Bush Theatre  (showcasing LGBTQ piece And the Rest of Me Floats Feb. 20-March 16), while the best emerging companies can regularly be found at the Southwark Playhouse. Get an even deeper glimpse into the artistic process at the Battersea Arts Centre, where work is performed at various states of development to gain audience input. Currently, Battersea is featuring No Kids, a show about deciding not to have children from real-life same-sex couple George and Nir. You can often find LGBTQ-themed content at Above the Stag (the only full-time professional LGBTQ theater in the United Kingdom), Royal Vauxhall Tavern and King’s Head Theatre.

Adventurous theater patrons can find various fringe theatre at OffWestEnd.com. However, there are other ways to make your theatre-going more enjoyable. Swing by the TKTS booth in Leicester Square for last-minute tickets to West End shows. Many theaters also offer “release” tickets the day of the show, typically for front-row seats, but it may require you to “queue” up early in the morning. Call the box office and find out the theater’s policy.

Beyond theatre, London offers world-class opera and dance as well. The Royal Opera House — a 2,200+ seat venue with elements dating back to 1858 — is the home of the The Royal Opera, the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House and the Royal Ballet.

With all of these artistic offerings, the only thing that would make a visit to London better would be booking an encore trip.

(OK, and maybe a prince to join you.)

The post Navigate the London Theatre Scene Like a Pro with Our Guide to its Greatest Hits appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Navigate the London Theatre Scene Like a Pro with Our Guide to its Greatest Hits

HRC Foundation Youth Ambassador Spotlight: Ashton Mota

Post submitted by Sula Malina, Children, Youth & Families Program Coordinator

This Black History Month, HRC sat down with Ashton Mota (he/him/his), an HRC Foundation Youth Ambassador from Lowell, Massachusetts, to learn about his experience navigating the intersections of multiple marginalized identities.

Mota, 14, is a proud Black, Dominican-American student and transgender advocate. After sharing his story publicly for the first time in 2018, he founded and leads his school’s GSA and served as co-chair of the Northeast Region Safe Schools Program. He was a strong supporter of the ‘Yes on 3’ Massachusetts campaign for transgender rights.Through his work, Mota is committed to demonstrating the message that trans youth of color are resilient.

What inspired you to become an HRC Youth Ambassador?

What truly inspired me was an absence of representation of LGBTQ advocates of color in mainstream spaces. I believe that the LGBTQ community and our allies need to work together to bring more visibility and a voice to issues impacting LGBTQ youth in marginalized communities.

What has been one highlight of your experience as an HRC Youth Ambassador?

It was definitely being flown out to California to participate in HRC’s annual Time to THRIVE Conference. Having this opportunity to use a national platform to impact anti-discriminatory bills and laws being used to target not only LGBTQ communities but all human beings living in underserved communities is the most important part.

This February, we celebrate Black History Month. Can you tell us what this month means to you as a young, Afro-Latinx, trans person?

Black History Month is important to me as a Latinx, Black, transgender young person of color because it gives me the opportunity to truly honor the achievements of astounding African Americans who have impacted the lives of people of color historically and nationwide. Black History Month also gives me the opportunity to embrace my Black and Latinx identities.

What’s your message to other young LGBTQ folks of color who may not see themselves and their stories represented in mainstream media?

Unfortunately, there are still youth nationwide who have not found their family, let alone their voice. I believe that it is my job to use this platform that HRC has given to me to advocate for those whose voices have become shadows in society and for all those who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. I consider myself to be an agent of change, and I have learned that change does not come easy or overnight. Instead, we must actively work to make the world a better, safer place for those who are most vulnerable.

The HRC Foundation Youth Ambassadors are a group of inspiring young people from across the country who show courage in sharing their stories and demonstrate a commitment to speaking out about issues facing LGBTQ youth. As Youth Ambassadors, they represent the HRC Foundation, using their voices to raise awareness about HRC’s youth-focused programs. Learn more here.

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-foundation-youth-ambassador-spotlight-ashton-mota?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed