Vladimir Putin
Under Trump, U.S. No Longer Stands for Human Rights, Decency
MEXICO CITY — Then-President Donald Trump on July 16, 2018, defended Russian President Vladimir Putin during a press conference that took place in Helsinki [...]Read more about Under Trump, U.S. No Longer Stands for Human Rights, Decency
Life Under Trump Was Not Better and I Promise You It Will Be Even Worse If He Wins
As Nov. 5 approaches, I, for one, am dreading the election and at the same time yearning for it to be over. The result is that I am suspended in a purgatory of [...]Read more about Life Under Trump Was Not Better and I Promise You It Will Be Even Worse If He Wins
Thank You, President Biden, for Putting the Nation First
Washington Blade, Courtesy of the National LGBT Media AssociationWe certainly owe a major debt of gratitude to President Joe Biden for putting the nation before [...]Read more about Thank You, President Biden, for Putting the Nation First
Not the Suffering Olympics: Things Are Bad in Russia. That Doesn’t Mean They’re Fine Here.
Comparisons are an incredibly important part of sense-making for us humans. We’re always making them, especially when trying to describe something to someone [...]Read more about Not the Suffering Olympics: Things Are Bad in Russia. That Doesn’t Mean They’re Fine Here.
U.S. Conservatives Point to Russia and Declare 'We’ll Have What They’re Having' Regarding LGBTQ+ Repression
Well, they did it. They expelled George Santos from Congress. I honestly didn’t think it would happen. Let’s pour one out for George “Proud Gay Thief” Santos, [...]Read more about U.S. Conservatives Point to Russia and Declare 'We’ll Have What They’re Having' Regarding LGBTQ+ Repression
Republicans Love Putin, Hate Gays. Rinse and Repeat.
I have tinnitus, which, according to the technician who did my hearing test, is pronounced TIN-uh-TIS rather than the more commonly heard ti-NI-tis. But no [...]Read more about Republicans Love Putin, Hate Gays. Rinse and Repeat.
Biden Renews Call to Pass LGBTQ Equality Act in State of the Union Speech
In a State of the Union address front-loaded with calls to challenge Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, President Biden on Tuesday called for assistance from [...]Read more about Biden Renews Call to Pass LGBTQ Equality Act in State of the Union Speech
Warlord Who Persecuted Gay Chechens Killed in Ukraine Fighting
One of the top warlords and close advisor to Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov was killed Saturday in the battle for Antonov Airport, also known as Hostomel [...]Read more about Warlord Who Persecuted Gay Chechens Killed in Ukraine Fighting
Tokyo Olympics Committee Silent on Japan lawmakers' Anti-LGBTQ+ Comments
The committee that is organizing the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo has declined to say whether Japanese lawmakers' anti-LGBTQ comments violated the Olympic [...]Read more about Tokyo Olympics Committee Silent on Japan lawmakers' Anti-LGBTQ+ Comments
Putin Formally Bans Same-Sex Marriages in Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed into law a series of constitutional amendments that, among other things, formally defines marriage as between [...]Read more about Putin Formally Bans Same-Sex Marriages in Russia
Brothers who Fled Chechnya Arrested, Returned to Homeland
The State Department has expressed concern over the fate of two brothers from Chechnya who were arrested in Russia and returned to their homeland from which [...]Read more about Brothers who Fled Chechnya Arrested, Returned to Homeland
Chechnya President, Family Banned from Traveling to US
The State Department on Monday announced the president of Chechnya can no longer travel to the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a statement noted the [...]Read more about Chechnya President, Family Banned from Traveling to US
More than 40 LGBTQ Activists Arrested in Moscow
More than 40 people were arrested in Moscow on June 27 for protesting against the arrest of an LGBTQ activist who is accused of spreading "gay propaganda" on [...]Read more about More than 40 LGBTQ Activists Arrested in Moscow
As in a Mirror
So often when people who are not transgender speak of transgender people, there is one important thing that is gotten terribly wrong, and I think it's a core [...]Read more about As in a Mirror
Creep of the Week: Donald Trump
It has been a strange week. For starters, Donald Trump announced that, after an on-again, off-again rollercoaster relationship, he and North Korean dictator [...]Read more about Creep of the Week: Donald Trump
LGBT Advocates Outraged Over Trump's Deference to Putin
The news conference that followed President Trump's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki led to jaw-dropping reactions across the globe, [...]Read more about LGBT Advocates Outraged Over Trump's Deference to Putin
U.S. Blocks Removal of Discrimination Reference from UN Olympics Resolution
by Michael K. Lavers The U.S., France and Brazil have blocked Egyptian and Russian efforts to remove a gay-inclusive reference to discrimination from a U.N. [...]Read more about U.S. Blocks Removal of Discrimination Reference from UN Olympics Resolution
Senate Unanimously Approves Chechnya Resolution
BY MICHAEL K. LAVERS, WASHINGTON BLADE The U.S. Senate on Oct. 31, 2017, unanimously approved a resolution that condemns the ongoing crackdown against LGBT [...]Read more about Senate Unanimously Approves Chechnya Resolution
State Department: Chechnya Extrajudicial Killings Are 'Troubling'
BY MICHAEL K. LAVERS, WASHINGTON BLADE A State Department spokesperson on July 11, 2017, described reports that authorities in Chechnya killed more than two [...]Read more about State Department: Chechnya Extrajudicial Killings Are 'Troubling'
Human Rights Campaign Launches $26 Million Campaign for 'Grassroots Army'
BY TROY MASTERS, LOS ANGELES BLADE HRC President Chad Griffin at the LA #ResistMarch with former Prop 8 plaintiffs Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo. Photo by [...]Read more about Human Rights Campaign Launches $26 Million Campaign for 'Grassroots Army'
Trump's Voter-data Collection Efforts Could Be Disastrous for LGBT Voters
BY KAREN OCAMB, LOS ANGELES BLADE Alex Padilla is the Secretary of State for California. Photo by Karen Ocamb California Secretary of State Alex Padilla was [...]Read more about Trump's Voter-data Collection Efforts Could Be Disastrous for LGBT Voters
House Approves Resolution Against Chechnya Anti-gay Crackdown
BY MICHAEL K. LAVERS, WASHINGTON BLADE The U.S. House of Representatives on June 27, 2017, approved a resolution that condemns the arrests of gay men in [...]Read more about House Approves Resolution Against Chechnya Anti-gay Crackdown
Tillerson: I Haven't Raised Chechnya Anti-gay Abuses with Russia
BY CHRIS JOHNSON, WASHINGTON BLADE Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said he hasn't anti-gay violence in Chechnya with Russian leaders. Washington Blade photo [...]Read more about Tillerson: I Haven't Raised Chechnya Anti-gay Abuses with Russia
Macron Discusses Gay Chechnya Crackdown with Putin
BY MICHAEL K. LAVERS, WASHINGTON BLADE Newly elected French President Emmanuel Marcon on May 29, 2017, raised the ongoing crackdown against gay Chechen men [...]Read more about Macron Discusses Gay Chechnya Crackdown with Putin
House Committee Unanimously Approves Chechnya Resolution
BY MICHAEL K. LAVERS, WASHINGTON BLADE The House Foreign Affairs Committee on May 25, 2017, unanimously approved a resolution that condemns the arrests of gay [...]Read more about House Committee Unanimously Approves Chechnya Resolution
Trump Blasted for Silence on Gay Atrocities #EyesOnChechnya
BY KAREN OCAMB, LOS ANGELES BLADE On the steps of Los Angeles City Hall Lorri Jean, CEO of the Los Angeles LGBT Center, Los Angeles City Council member Paul [...]Read more about Trump Blasted for Silence on Gay Atrocities #EyesOnChechnya
White House 'Not Aware' if Trump Briefed on Chechnya Anti-gay Abuses
BY CHRIS JOHNSON, WASHINGTON BLADE White House spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders said she's not aware if President Trump has been briefed on anti-gay [...]Read more about White House 'Not Aware' if Trump Briefed on Chechnya Anti-gay Abuses
Log Cabin President, U.N. Officials Discuss Chechnya
by Michael K. Lavers, Washington Blade The president of Log Cabin Republicans on April 27 met with representatives of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations [...]Read more about Log Cabin President, U.N. Officials Discuss Chechnya
Creep of the Week: Ramzan Kadyrov
File under: More bad news about Russia. I know, I know. It seems like every time you turn around there's yet another news story about Russia. It's hard to [...]Read more about Creep of the Week: Ramzan Kadyrov
Perez Cites History of LGBT Support in Run for DNC Chair
By Chris Johnson, Washington Blade After high-level service in the Obama administration that included fighting for LGBT rights at both the Labor and Justice [...]Read more about Perez Cites History of LGBT Support in Run for DNC Chair
Trump sparks concern, suspicion among LGBT Russians
By MICHAEL K. LAVERS Donald Trumps praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin has sparked criticism. Washington Blade photo by Michael Key Donald Trump's [...]Read more about Trump sparks concern, suspicion among LGBT Russians
Creep of the Week: Ben Kinchlow
It has come to the attention to many people, including and especially many Republicans, that Donald Trump is a Looney Tunes character come to life who would [...]Read more about Creep of the Week: Ben Kinchlow
Fiorina Shines, Bush 'Contorts' To Right, Walker And Perry Gone
By Lisa Keen Republican presidential candidate, businesswoman Carly Fiorina, right, leads fellow candidates Scott Walker, second from right, Jeb Bush, center, [...]Read more about Fiorina Shines, Bush 'Contorts' To Right, Walker And Perry Gone
Controversy Over UMS Award To Russian Orchestra
BY AJ TRAGER ANN ARBOR – Internationally known Russian conductor Valery Gergiev returns to Ann Arbor for two performances with the Mariinsky Orchestra and to [...]Read more about Controversy Over UMS Award To Russian Orchestra
Top Ten LGBT News Stories Of 2014
By Lisa Keen The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear appeals seeking to preserve bans on marriage for same-sex couples. President Obama finally signed a [...]Read more about Top Ten LGBT News Stories Of 2014
Singer/Actress Demi Lovato Releases Marriage Equality Video
BTL Staff MotherJones reports that singer and actress Demi Lovato has released a video with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) supporting marriage equality. [...]Read more about Singer/Actress Demi Lovato Releases Marriage Equality Video
Mayor Tries To Ban Same-Sex Kissing
BTL Staff ThinkProgress.org reports that the mayor of Italian municipality Borgosesia is seeking to ban same-sex couples from kissing in public. The mayor, [...]Read more about Mayor Tries To Ban Same-Sex Kissing
Creep of the Week: Franklin Graham
There are a lot of things about the right-wing universe that don't make a lot of sense to me. The fanatical obsession with the unborn paired with the callous [...]Read more about Creep of the Week: Franklin Graham
March 18: Chick-fil-A Pulls Back Anti-Gay Funding, Moscow Anti-Gay Crusader Sanctions...
Keen News Service http://Keennewsservice.com U.S. SANCTIONS INCLUDES MIZULINA: The Moscow News identified State Duma Deputy Yelena Mizulina last June as the [...]Read more about March 18: Chick-fil-A Pulls Back Anti-Gay Funding, Moscow Anti-Gay Crusader Sanctions...
Creep of the Week: Coalition for Family Values
Scott Lively announcing CFV What do you do when you're losing your ideological battle at the national level? Why, you go global! Which is why a group of A-List [...]Read more about Creep of the Week: Coalition for Family Values
Parting Glances: Brian 'Putin-oh!'
It's Saturday last. For the past two hours I and four dining friends have been in three places one after the other, each thousands of miles apart. Detroit. [...]Read more about Parting Glances: Brian 'Putin-oh!'
Feb. 11: Lesbian Wins Gold Hugs Putin, Nevada Withdraws, Indiana Marriage Update
Keen News Service Ireen Wust of the Netherlands flashes three fingers in each hand, indicating her third olympic gold medal, after winning gold in the women's [...]Read more about Feb. 11: Lesbian Wins Gold Hugs Putin, Nevada Withdraws, Indiana Marriage Update
Putin Pours Fuel On Anti-Gay Controversy
By Lisa Keen Keen News Service Russian President Vladimir Putin poured fuel on the anti-gay controversy Jan. 17, saying gays visiting Russia for the Olympics [...]Read more about Putin Pours Fuel On Anti-Gay Controversy
State Department Issues Warning
By Lisa Keen Keen News Service The U.S. State Department issued a travel advisory Saturday for citizens traveling to Russia for the Winter Olympics next month, [...]Read more about State Department Issues Warning
Top Ten National Wins in 2013
By Lisa Keen Even before 2013 began, everyone knew what the big news story for 2013 would be. The U.S. Supreme Court had, in December 2012, agreed to hear to [...]Read more about Top Ten National Wins in 2013
Russia To Have Protest Zone During Olympics
By Lisa Keen Keen News Service The International Olympic Committee announced Tuesday that Russian authorities "plan to set up a protest zone in the city of [...]Read more about Russia To Have Protest Zone During Olympics
McCain Publishes Opinion Piece In Pravda, But Not The One He Wanted
By Leslie Bentz (CNN) (CNN) - Senator John McCain has a message for the Russian people: "I am pro-Russian, more pro-Russian than the regime that misrules you [...]Read more about McCain Publishes Opinion Piece In Pravda, But Not The One He Wanted
