Apple has removed the popular gay dating apps Blued and Finka from its China App Store due to an order from the Cyberspace Administration of China. This action follows reports of the apps’ disappearance from both iOS and Android app stores within China. Apple confirmed that it complies with local laws, while clarifying that Finka had already been removed from storefronts outside of China and Blued was only available in China. This move aligns with the increasing censorship of LGBTQ+ content and organizations in China, where same-sex marriage is not recognized.
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Former Congressman Trey Gowdy criticized Rep. Nancy Mace on Fox News, referencing her recent airport incident where she allegedly berated TSA officials, labeling it a “psychotic episode.” This criticism stems from a history of public tension between Gowdy and Mace, who had previously joked about Gowdy’s gender identity. Mace, known for her anti-LGBTQ+ stance, denies the incident’s accuracy and plans to sue the TSA for defamation. Both Gowdy and Mace have demonstrated opposition to LGBTQ+ equality, highlighting the ongoing political dynamics within the Republican party.
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Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has recently gone viral for his strong criticism of Donald Trump and his policies. During a recent speech, Pritzker condemned Trump’s actions, including dismantling the Department of Education and attacking marginalized communities. Pritzker has consistently expressed his determination to protect LGBTQ+ rights and has taken actions, such as establishing a free hotline and signing legislation protecting libraries from banning books, to support these values. His bold stance has included calling out Trump’s administration and advocating for progressive causes, even urging Democrats to fight back against the former president’s actions.
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Michigan State Rep. Bryan Posthumus, a Republican known for his anti-LGBTQ+ stance and “traditional family values,” is alleged to have had an Ashley Madison account and profiles on two other adult websites. Leaked data reportedly links Posthumus to these sites, including the use of his personal email and credit card information, during a time when he was married. While the Detroit Metro Times reported this information, Posthumus’ lawyer has vehemently denied the allegations, calling them false. This incident is reminiscent of similar accusations against another Michigan State Representative, Josh Schriver, who was also reportedly connected to Fling.com, despite his denial and introduction of a bill to ban pornography.
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New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, in his victory speech, pledged to make the city a pro-trans “sanctuary city.” He plans to allocate significant funding towards gender-affirming care and expand resources for the LGBTQ+ community. Mamdani’s campaign included attending trans community events and supporting legislation such as the Gender Recognition Act. Exit polls reveal that LGBTQ+ voters overwhelmingly supported Mamdani, contributing to his win and indicating strong public support for transgender rights.
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As the mayoral election in New York City approached, Zohran Mamdani, a frontrunner in the race, made a series of appearances at various nightclubs, including LGBTQ+ bars. A video shared by influencer Matt Bernstein showed Mamdani giving a speech at the queer art collective Papi Juice, which was met with cheers from the crowd. Mamdani encouraged supporters to help him win by visiting his campaign website and signing up for shifts. If elected, he would be the first Muslim and Indian American to lead the city and has pledged to support the LGBTQ+ community.
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Following the resignation of Oklahoma’s anti-LGBTQ+ Superintendent of Public Instruction, Ryan Walters, the Rainbow Youth Project observed a 36% decrease in crisis calls from the state. Prior to Walters’ departure, the hotline received an average of 1,431 monthly calls, with 64% of callers identifying him as a source of distress. This drop in calls comes after a period where calls surged, particularly following the death of a transgender student, and when many calls concerned bullying incidents related to anti-LGBTQ+ policies. Notably, Walters’ tenure was marked by controversial actions, including attempts to implement Christian Nationalist policies and measures seen as harmful to the LGBTQ+ community.
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Employees at a VA hospital in Hampton, Virginia, reportedly received a warning earlier this month against displaying LGBTQ+ Pride-themed items. The directive, potentially stemming from an executive order, allegedly originated from local leadership, specifically interim executive director Michael W. Harper, who allegedly stated that staff could not “promote” the LGBTQ+ community, but later appeared to walk back those comments. The alleged directive caused concern among staff, with some reporting threats of disciplinary action for non-compliance. While the VA has not clarified the origin or approval of the ban, the incident comes amid recent actions by the VA that have restricted transgender healthcare access.
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In response to Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s order to remove Pride crosswalks, the Oak Lawn United Methodist Church in Dallas is painting its steps in rainbow colors. Church leaders state that this act of defiance is a visible witness to the gospel and a symbol of solidarity for the LGBTQ+ community. This decision comes after Abbott directed the removal of rainbow crosswalks across the state, citing concerns about political agendas on Texas roadways. Local residents and city council members have condemned the governor’s actions, emphasizing the rainbow’s significance as a symbol of inclusion and diversity, and protesting the removal.
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South Korea’s Ministry of Data and Statistics will now recognize same-sex couples in the national census, allowing them to identify as “spouse” or “cohabiting partner.” This change marks a significant first step in reflecting LGBTQ+ citizens in national data, as previous censuses rejected these options. While same-sex marriage remains illegal in South Korea, this move follows a 2024 ruling that granted same-sex couples access to health insurance benefits. However, LGBTQ+ rights face ongoing challenges, including bans on adoption and military service, alongside a lack of hate crime protections, despite some public support.
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John Q. Hosedrinker