LGBTQ Breaking News Service

It’s been awhile since I’ve had the opportunity to clear the cobwebs out of my head and share with you some of the thoughts that have taken place inside this gray-haired head of mine:

 No one hates wearing a mask more than I do and I’ll be the first to admit that I could have been better over the past year.

I always wear one whenever I’m around people I don’t know, however, especially when approaching others. It is why I had to bite my tongue to the point I thought it was going to bleed a couple of weeks ago.

It happened when I was picking someone up at the airport when a couple without masks walked toward me. The man saw my masked and shook his head.

What the moron and others like him failed to realize is why I was wearing the mask.

It had been almost a month since I received my second dose of the Pfizer vaccine, so I was wearing the mask to protect him and his wife.

I’m also tired of hearing people say the requirement to wear masks violates their constitutional rights. I don’t hear the same people complaining when they’re forced to put on shoes during the summer when entering a store or restaurant, which is probably less of a health risk than not wearing masks.

 I’m not sure if it’s because I’m trying to be kinder to people because we’ve all been through a pandemic together or my recent experiences with traffic cameras in Providence, but I find myself being nicer to other motorists.

I often flash my high beams at someone to let them know I’m letting them onto the street I’m on. Very few have the courtesy to raise their hand in thanks.

 Imagine if Barack Obama had invited people to the nation’s capital for a “peaceful” protest and some members of the crowd, primarily black, smashed their way past security.

Imagine that some of those same members are identified as having ties with Antifa.

Imagine that some that are roaming the halls of the capitol are clearly heard on cell phone recordings hoping to find Mitch McConnell.

Imagine the “peaceful” protests Obama called for resulting in multiple deaths.

Do you think Republicans on Capitol Hill would downplay the violent attack?

Do you think Republicans would compare it to a “normal tour visit?”

Do you think they would support the formation of an independent commission similar to the Sept. 11 attacks?

I have to believe the answer to those questions is yes.

I also believe Democrats would downplay the scene I described and would reject forming a commission to investigate.

What has happened to this country?

Members of the Democratic and Republican parties willing to compromise for the good of the American public are now considered weak by their party’s base and those willing to admit the truth are removed from leadership positions.

When will those of you still listed with a “D” or an “R” next to your name in the voting books speak up and tell the leaders of your parties enough is enough?

 Speaking of Democrats, have you been following U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressly and U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren? The Massachusetts’ liberals are pressing President Biden to cancel up to $50,000 of debt for federal student load borrowers.

I wonder if they’re willing to give a boost to students and their families who have fulfilled the commitments they made and paid off those loans.

 To steal a line from the 2004 Red Sox, “Why not us?”

I read in this newspaper that Foxboro selectmen approved a “pop-up” beer garden in their town. I would love to see something similar in Attleboro at Highland Park or some other venue. I have no doubt it would be successful.

While I’m on the subject of beer, I think the idea of a brewery at the site of the former Franco-American Club at the corner of Elm and East streets would be a big boost to the downtown, especially when 20- and 30-year old tenants move into 21 East Apartments.

 It’s amazing how many readers fall for the bait and respond to columnists who ignore facts so they can write something controversial.

I have to truly wonder if the writers of those columns actually believe what they’re putting in print or are simply trying to get people to respond and therefore make themselves seem more valuable? I believe it’s the latter.

 It’s less than 40 days until Truro. I can’t wait!

Renowned playwright and activist Lorraine Hansberry’s contributions to the arts will forever be embedded in the fabric of history and an effort to preserve a significant element of her journey has moved forward. According to Broadway World, the visionary’s former New York City residence has been added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The home—where Hansberry dwelled between the years of 1953 and 1960—is located at 337 Bleecker Street; in the heart of the Greenwich Village neighborhood. The residence served as the backdrop for Hansberry’s evolution as a pivotal figure. Her time there was one of both professional and personal progression as she made triumphs in her career and explored and embraced her homosexuality. In the space, she penned A Raisin in the Sun which made it to the Ethel Barrymore Theater stage, making her the first African American woman playwright to have her work performed on Broadway. She used the proceeds she earned from the play to acquire the residential building in 1960.

Three years prior to her Broadway debut she and her husband separated. She later formed a long-time relationship with Dorothy Secules, one of the building’s residents. It was in her Bleecker Street apartment where she penned poignant pieces that explored racial justice, LGBT rights and women’s equality.

The NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project teamed up with the New York State Historic Preservation Office for the effort. “Honoring the very place where Lorraine Hansberry lived and worked through these State and National Register listings marks another important step in our mission to highlight the contributions of LGBT people to American history,” Amanda Davis, who serves as Project Manager for NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project, said in a statement. “The site is also one of what we hope is a growing number of historic places nationwide that celebrates the achievements of Black women and lesbians of color. Hansberry’s active involvement in the civil rights movement and her influential writings on gender expectations and being a lesbian in 1950s America make her a thought-provoking figure for our time. The proximity of the Lorraine Hansberry Residence to Stonewall National Monument also provides an invaluable opportunity for tours and school groups to expand on their understanding of LGBT history beyond the 1969 Stonewall uprising.”

News about Hansberry’s residence being added to the National Register of Historic Places comes nearly two months after civil rights leader Malcolm X’s childhood home in Boston was placed on the list.

SEE ALSO:

Boston Home Where Malcolm X Spent Teenage Years Receives Historic Distinction

HBCUs Receive Grants To Preserve Historic Campus Buildings

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Minnesota-based realtor Matt Moore, who is a Christian, said Friday he is allowing his real estate license to expire due to his beliefs on LGBT issues.

“My current broker will not allow me to continue working under her … if I continue to speak publicly about LGBTQ+ issues,” he told Faithwire.

Moore first announced the development Friday morning, asking his Twitter followers to pray for him and his wife, Tabitha Piper Moore.

There are other brokerages in town. But there is widespread uneasiness about real estate agents talking about LGBTQ+ issues in the public sphere due to @nardotrealtor‘s recent change to the Code of Ethics. I wrote about this six months ago. 2/ https://t.co/jjoF428GbX

— Matt Moore (@onemoorematt) May 21, 2021

He went on to write he and Tabitha have decided to “move on” from real estate and reiterated they “aren’t angry” about this development.

“I’m not looking to bear the Christian political torch,” Moore added later. “I have important things — Gospel things — to focus on. I think I’ve served my role in this by pleading [and] sharing. Perhaps God has called one of you to take up the political torch. But I think he’s called me to move on.”

As it stands right now, his real estate license will sunset on July 1.

***As the number of voices facing big-tech censorship continues to grow, please sign up for Faithwire’s daily newsletter and download the CBN News app, developed by our parent company, to stay up-to-date with the latest news from a distinctly Christian perspective.***

Moore, who has been open about his own struggle with same-sex attraction and indicated he does not speak to his personally held beliefs while working with clients, first addressed this issue in early December 2020, when he published an open letter to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), which had recently updated the language in its code of ethics in a way he argued could spark “discrimination against Christian realtors.”

In November, the board of directors for the NAR adopted new wording for Standard of Practice 10-5 as part of Article 10 of the organization’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

The updated code states realtors “must not use harassing speech, hate speech, epithets, or slurs based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.”

It also revised Policy Statement 29 to state realtors “shall be subject to disciplinary action under the Code of Ethics with respect to all of their activities” (emphasis added).

Previously, the code qualified that realtors would be “subject to disciplinary action under the Code of Ethics only with respect to real estate-related activities and transactions involving the realtor” (emphasis added).

NAR President Vince Malta said at the time the changes were made as part of the association’s efforts toward “combatting and overcoming bigotry and injustice,” a cause Moore championed.

However, the Christian realtor explained, he’s concerned the updated language in the NAR’s code of ethics will do more harm than good.

“As public awareness of the fact that realtors can be reported for things said and done outside of real estate increases,” Moore wrote, “realtors who express a historic Christian view on homosexual and transsexual behavior could become regular targets for undeserved allegations of hate speech.”

Moore’s concern, he noted, is founded in the fact there is no clearly understood definition for so-called “hate speech” in the U.S. and, as such, “it is common for a mere articulation of Christian beliefs concerning homosexuality and transgenderism to be labeled as hate speech.”

“When we say that God desires LGBTQ+ people to turn to Jesus in faith and away from sexual (and all!) sin, we are often accused of doing harm to LGBTQ+ persons,” Moore wrote. “But this is not harmful. This is not hate speech. This is an opinion.”

“And there are countless opinions in this country about various moral issues,” he continued. “A healthy society is one in which many opinions about many things can be tolerated. An unhealthy society is one in which people seek to ‘cancel’ or silence those who hold different opinions. I’m afraid NAR’s new rules, if interpreted and enforced in the way I worry they might be, could play a part in moving our society further away from health rather than toward it.”

Moore also raised the fact that the hearing panel — made up not of lawyers or psychologists, but other realtors — is charged with determining the motivations of the individual accused of uttering “hate speech.” He argued it is “very difficult to prove intent,” whether good or bad.

“Under NAR’s new rules,” Moore asked, “will it really be possible for a Christian realtor — or any realtor whose religious beliefs consider homosexual and transsexual behavior to be unnatural — to speak publicly of their views without subjecting themselves to undeserved allegations of hate speech and potentially career-ending discipline?”

He wrote in December he was concerned the NAR’s change in policy could mean he “may one day no longer be able to work as a real estate agent.”

Moore explained to Faithwire there are Christian-owned brokerages in the Twin Cities area, but some of them would be “uneasy about agents speaking publicly about biblical views on sexuality and gender, which is something I do regularly because it’s part of my history and ministry.”

“If a broker did decide to carry my license, they would also be hit by any future arrows that are shot my way,” he said. “They would be putting their own businesses, NAR membership (which is more vital than you might think), and potentially even their licenses at risk.”

This story has been updated.

Shepherd and Kaidan in Mass Effect 3. (Bioware)

Ah, relationships and romance. The cornerstone of any Bioware game, especially when it comes to Mass Effect, which is why you need a handy guide.

With the release of Mass Effect Legendary Edition, fans and newcomers alike can experience the thrill of saving the universe as their own personal take on Commander Shepard.

That includes choosing which crewmates to romance – a special moment that only adds to the space soap opera tension between the trilogy’s iconic characters.

Relationships have also been a point of contention for the series in the past, and that sadly doesn’t change here.

While you’ve got the opportunity to bang aliens from the first game onwards (thanks, Bioware!) LGBT+ romances are off the table until the third game.

What’s most disappointing is that same-sex voice lines were recorded for the first game but not used. Further, Mass Effect 2 was set to have Jack as pansexual and Jacob as gay but these were removed for fear of upsetting conservatives who wrongly criticised the first game for including alien nudity.

Despite a fan petition to have these romance options reinstated, Bioware has stayed true to the original releases and kept the options the same.

So, after all that, who can Shepard romance across the Mass Effect trilogy? Without further ado, here’s our guide to shagging aliens and being gay.

Mass Effect

The first game in the trilogy is the most limited when it comes to romances. There are only two options for both male and female Shepard, one of which is shared.

Male Shepard – Ashley Williams

Female Shepard – Kaidan Alenko

Both – Liara T’soni

What’s also awkward about this first game is how easy it is to slip into an unwanted relationship. There are no clear cut dialogue options to choose a specific companion. Simply being positive to one of these characters is enough to trigger the start of a relationship.

Liara in particular seems very keen, which is flattering and all… but be careful if you’re aiming towards a specific option.

Of course, being an Asari, Liara is technically agender despite being female presenting. It’s clear she’s intended to be the “sexy blue alien” – not least with the Legendary Edition increasing her breast size – but if you’re looking for a human LGBT+ relationship you’re out of luck.

Mass Effect 2

Here the series begins to open up with more options for both male and female Shepard, even if there are still, disappointingly, no same-sex options.

Thankfully there’s a little more to these relationships than before. First you’ll need to complete the loyalty mission for the crewmate you’re looking to woo. Then there are specific dialogue options to choose (they’re fairly obviously flirtatious) that will eventually lock you into that relationship as you share an intimate moment before the final suicide mission.

Those options are:

Male Shepard – Tali’Zorah vas Neema, Miranda Lawson, Jack

Female Shepard – Garrus Vakarian, Jacob Taylor, Thane Krios

The game also introduces flings for both genders, where you can romance a character but they’re not permanent. They also won’t count towards the paramour achievement. 

These do include a same-sex option for female Shepard in Kelly Chambers, as well as three Asari options (with Liara returning). But these flings aren’t as fleshed out as the “real” romances. And if you’re a gay male Shepard? You’re out of luck.

Flings – Samara, Morinth, Kelly Chambers, Liara T’Soni

Choosing a fling with Morinth also results in instant death so… probably not your best choice.

Mass Effect 3

Now we’re talking. It took three games over five years but Mass Effect 3 finally brought players the same-sex romance options they were gagging for.

Steve Cortez is a pilot who joins your ship in this game only, so is somewhat underwritten compared with other options. 

For female Shepards, Kelly Chambers is your option for lesbian romance, unless you’re happy with a quick fling.

More interesting is Kaidan Alenko: he’s only available for female Shepard in the first game but if he survives the events of that game, he’ll reappear here for either gender to romance. Yep, Kaidan is finally bisexual.

Survival is a big part of the romances in this third game. All of the options, besides the newly introduced Cortez, are returning characters that can only be romanced based on relationships and/or survival in the previous two games. Expect plenty of drama and conflict then.

As with the second game, your dialogue choices will impact your relationship status and eventually lock you in. There remain flings too, if you’re so inclined.

Male Shepard – Steve Cortez, Ashley Williams (if she survives ME1), Tali’Zorah vas Normandy (if romanced in ME2), Jack (if romanced in ME2), Miranda Lawson (if romanced in ME2), 

Female Shepard – Garrus Vakarian (if romanced in ME2), Thane Krios (if romanced in ME2), Samantha Traynor (fling)

Both – Liara T’Soni, Kaidan Alenko, Kelly Chambers (if romanced in ME2), Diana Allers (fling)

The Citadel DLC, included in the Legendary Edition, also unlocks three further flings:

Javik (for female Shepard)

James Vega (for female Shepard)

Samara (for both Shepards)

So while Mass Effect 3 does give the option of same-sex romances, they are sadly limited.

Let’s hope any future games in the series are more open-ended and diverse when it comes to romance options.

For more gaming news, follow Gaymeo on Facebook. You can also email us with any news or tips on [email protected]

Bizarre news out of Twitter (what other kind is there?): Marvel fans have begun to speculate that the villain Thanos has been a closeted gay this entire time.

For the uninitiated: Thanos (played by Josh Brolin) is a master villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the chief baddie of the blockbusters Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. After assembling a magical gauntlet, Thanos obliterates half the population of the universe with a snap of his fingers.

The phrase “Gay Thanos” began trending on the social media platform following a viral tweet that noted the colored gems which power Thanos’ magical infinity gauntlet actually form the colors of the pride flag.

Related: Marvel Studios president confirms a gay superhero is coming soon to a theater near you

“Gay Thanos is trending,” tweeted Comics Girl Ashley. “The man literally searched the entire universe to assemble a bejeweled pride gauntlet.”

The trend has continued to gather steam, as users note some of Thanos’ more homoerotic qualities.

“Why is gay thanos trending? You’re welcome,” wrote @Jamesrfrew.

BANGKOK, May 23 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Thai police said on Sunday that they had arrested 62 men for breaching coronavirus restrictions in a raid on a gay “chemsex” party, the country’s largest such crackdown during the pandemic.

The men were arrested on Saturday night at Faros Sauna 2, where police also found drugs, needles and used condoms, said Police Colonel Ekapop Tanprayoon, superintendent of Bangkok’s Wang Thong Lang District police station.

“(In the past) we have reprimanded people for gathering to drink at home,” Ekapop told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

“But under the current circumstances there shouldn’t be so many people in such a crowded area,” he said, adding that Faros Sauna 2 has two buildings – one with 50 bedrooms – and a swimming pool and karaoke.

As Thailand grapples with a third COVID-19 wave, campaigners are warning of the health risks posed by an apparent increase in chemsex – where mainly gay and bisexual men meet to take drugs such as crystal meth and unprotected sex is common.

A largely conservative Buddhist society, Thailand has a reputation for its relaxed attitude towards gender and sexual diversity since homosexuality was decriminalised in 1956.

Yet Thai LGBT+ people often face discrimination and stigma in schools, the workplace and in healthcare facilities, and are often rejected by their families.

People who attended the party and its organisers face charges of violating an emergency decree put in place last March to combat COVID-19, Ekapop said, and could face up to two years in prison and a fine of up to 40,000 baht ($1,276).

Some 30 people have also tested positive for drugs so far and will be charged with drug-related crimes, he said.

Chemsex users are at risk of drug addiction or overdoses, as well as mental health problems, according to campaigners.

Nikorn Chimkong, president of the Bangkok Rainbow Organization, an LGBT+ advocacy group, said he was concerned the arrests would contribute to the image of gay men being “promiscuous” and “spreading diseases”.

“Chemsex parties are a new normal amid the pandemic, and what is worrying is the health of those attending, such as the risks of contracting COVID-19 and HIV,” he said. ($1 = 31.3600 baht) (Reporting by Nanchanok Wongsamuth @nanchanokw; Editing by Katy Migiro and Hugo Greenhalgh. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers the lives of people around the world who struggle to live freely or fairly. Visit news.trust.org)