Day: March 31, 2016

A 31-17 vote by the Mississippi senate on Wednesday marks the most strongly supported anti-LGBT legislation in the United States. House Bill 1523 is a “religious freedom” bill which protects people, religious organisations, and certain businesses from having to serve people from the LGBT community. It would also protect those opposed to recognizing the gender identity […]

Carmen Rupe has been immortalised in the National Portrait Gallery in contemporary artist Te Mete’s ‘Carmen Rupe – The Final Portrait’. Rupe is perhaps New Zealand’s best known drag performer, particularly celebrated in Wellington. She was also a brothel keeper, GLBT rights activist, and unapologetic icon in the queer community. She passed away in December 2011. The portrait […]

Three states in the US have had anti-LGBT legislation opposed or altogether halted by major business and sporting bodies this week. In North Carolina, state lawmakers removed protections for LGBT people, while similar so-called “religious freedom” bills were proposed in both Georgia and Missouri. Last Wednesday, the North Carolina Republican-lead House of Representatives introduced and passed House Bill […]

Queer Youtube sensation Tyler Oakley is heading to New Zealand as part of the 2016 #AmplifyLIVE Festival in Auckland and Wellington. Well known for his humorous videos, Oakley has also talked openly about issues such as suicide in the GLBT community, queer politics and rights, and having the strength to be yourself in the face of […]

Coinciding with International Transgender Day of Visibility, InsideOUT, a national youth organisation, has today released a new resource for schools titled ‘Making Schools Safer for Trans and Gender Diverse Students.’ The resource has been released in response to the growing number of transgender students in New Zealand schools. With growing acceptability and increased conversations happening […]