The hotly anticipated sequel of iconic dramedy The L Word is about to break ground for trans representation.
The new instalment of the Showtime series aired between 2004 and 2008 is reportedly looking to cast two trans men. And for one of the roles, they are specifically on the lookout for an Asian man.
The roles
THE L WORD
IS CASTING
TRANS MEN#TheLWord
RT #ToLandBack pic.twitter.com/vilnYS6R91— alex schmider (@anderfinn) April 24, 2019
The revival will be shooting in Los Angeles between July and October 2019 and will premiere by the end of the year.
The new episodes will focus on some of the beloved characters from the first six seasons alongside new ones.
Among these new additions to the LA crew of lesbian and bisexual women, there will be two trans men.
Production is casting a trans man aged between 30-50 of any ethnicity.
‘Many years into his transition, he is precise and proper, but not without a sense of humor,’ reads the description of the first character.
The other trans character must be of Asian descent and be in his 30s. They will also need to have an athletic figure and be open to film simulated sex scenes, in the steamy fashion The L Word’s fandom knows quite well.
Candidates can email their pictures and contact info to thelwordcasting@gmail.com by 10 May.
Trans representation in The L Word
Actress Daniela Sea in the role of Max Sweeney in The L Word. | Photo: Showtime
The L Word originally featured Moira Sweeney, a trans character played by actress Daniela Sea.
In a relationship with Jenny (Mia Kirschner), Moira comes out as trans and adopts the name of Max.
Fans weren’t happy with the decision to cast a cis woman to play a trans character. But it was 2006 — trans representation has come a long way since then.
How did fans react?
The news of the casting has gained mixed reactions from fans.
Some are understandably excited.
as a transman this is kind of revolutionary. i always felt like i 110% didnt belong anywhere near lesbians bc its so easy for people to see me as one in those spaces when im just a trans dude.
— Leaf
COMMISSIONS OPEN
‘as a transman this is kind of revolutionary. i always felt like i 110% didnt belong anywhere near lesbians bc its so easy for people to see me as one in those spaces when im just a trans dude,’ one tweeted.
Casting call for trans men for the L Word
your baby queer dreams could come true
pic.twitter.com/04zMVVIfju
— Krishna Istha (@MXgenderslayer) April 24, 2019
‘Casting call for trans men for the L Word, your baby queer dreams could come true,’ another wrote.
Others, however, are worried about the way the show will portray trans sex.
I know I should be excited the L Word is casting trans men but I’m definitely more worried about their handling of trans sex instead. They can win back my faith though.
— Cris (@crs_crdns) April 24, 2019
‘I know I should be excited the L Word is casting trans men but I’m definitely more worried about their handling of trans sex instead. They can win back my faith though,’ another tweeted.
Someone pointed out that trans representation is important across the board and that The L Word should include trans women.
maybe they’ve already written a bunch of interesting roles for trans women and just haven’t put out an open casting call bc they already had actors in mind! if so, that’s great! but the l word doesn’t exactly have the best track record when it comes to trans representation
— emily JM (@head_moths) April 24, 2019
‘so uhhhhh are you gonna cast any trans women or are you just focused on the real lesbians, trans men,’ a Twitter user wrote.
they added: ‘casting trans women in the l word is important bc:
-even in queer spaces our transness is often seen as more important to our identity than anything else, so having a group of lesbians that includes trans women would help to challenge that idea
-i want to be in the l word’
They finally wrote: ‘maybe they’ve already written a bunch of interesting roles for trans women and just haven’t put out an open casting call bc they already had actors in mind! if so, that’s great! but the l word doesn’t exactly have the best track record when it comes to trans representation’.
See also
The L Word turns 15 and cast and fans shared sweet anniversary messages
I messaged girls on dating apps using only The L Word quotes and it was weird
Roxane Gay wants to write for The L Word
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The L Word is looking to cast two trans men and this is revolutionary
Emma Stone stars in a hilarious skit as a woman who walks in on her boyfriend having sex with her godson.
It comes about as the Academy Award-winning actress hosted Saturday Night Live last night (13 April).
The skit, titled The Actress, follows a young woman ‘trying to make it as an actress’ for years.
‘Then, one day, life came knocking,’ she narrates, as she pulls up to the gay porn set. ‘This time with a challenge.’
Grace, the lead actress of the gay porn film, introduces herself to the nonchalant director.
She then begins crafting a whole backstory for her character’s two lines in the scene, including naming her character Deirdre.
The hilarious scene escalates as she breaks from the script and ad libs with a dramatic monologue.
Emma Stone hosted Saturday Night Live for the fourth time last night. The show included a guest appearance and performance from Korean boyband BTS.
Emma Stone gets awards nod
The 30-year-old actress also recently starred in Oscar-winning film The Favourite.
The Favourite tells the very queer and very brazen story of two women vying for the favor of England’s Queen Anne.
A slew of films with LGBTI characters, actors, writers, and directors were up for awards at the 91st Academy Awards.
For the first time, more than half of the Best Picture nominations included LGBTI characters or actors.
The Favourite, Bohemian Rhapsody, A Star Is Born, Vice, and Green Book were all up for the award.
What’s more, Queen, fronted by gay popstar Adam Lambert, performed at the Academy Awards.
See also
Olivia Colman wins Best Actress Oscar for role in The Favourite
Social media meltdown as Korean boy band BTS post about Love, Simon
This is the best thing to have happened at the iHeartRadio MMVAs
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Emma Stone hilariously stars as woman who walks in on gay porn scene
Bisexuals are continuously exposed to insensitive, stupid questions from both straight and gay people.
For many non-bisexual people, the lines of such a sexual orientation are simply too blurred to be taken seriously.
Whatever implies a similar level of uncertainty – for others, not for bi+ people themselves – is often frowned upon and dismissed as temporary.
What hurts the most is that some of the most biphobic comments and questions come from those who should be on the side of bi people.
Bisexuals shouldn’t provide any explanations for being who they are, let alone to gay and lesbian friends who know the struggles of coming out too well to show no sympathy.
While bisexuals can count on many allies, certain gay and lesbian people seem to think of themselves as gatekeepers. Their sole job is to determine whether someone is ‘gay enough’ to be part of the community.
It all starts with a seemingly innocent question that then leads to another. And that’s when suddenly the conversation turns into the Voight-Kampff test from Blade Runner.
Here are seven things gay people should stop saying to bisexuals because, you know, enough is enough.
1. ‘So, *what* are you?’
An alien sent to Earth to let you know there are other sexual orientations apart from being straight or gay.
2. ‘You swing for both teams, huh?’
Aah, a sports metaphor. That’s a bad start.
There is no such thing as picking a team. Bisexuals don’t pick, rather they sometimes feel like that loser kid who’s never picked for the school team and ends up sitting on the bench for the whole year.
Certain bi people don’t feel either part of the gay community nor completely comfortable among straight people.
This can easily lead to isolation and depression. Bi men and women are, in fact, more likely to have poorer mental health and less likely to come out than gay men and lesbian women.
3. ‘Bisexuals are just greedy’
Julie, Alice and Ismaël in Love Songs by French director Christophe Honoré. | Photo: Bac Films
Whether bi’s get offended by it or laugh it off, this comment will always make them feel as if they were trying to steal partners from straight and gay friends on purpose.
They’re not. They’re honestly just trying to survive, like anyone else.
Don’t try to shame them for dating more than one gender. You’re better than this.
And, please, don’t tell bisexuals they’re ‘luckier’ because they are attracted to both genders.
Let’s flip the narrative here for a second. They are just twice as likely to meet undateable folks as monosexuals — I wouldn’t call that luck.
4. ‘Bi’s can’t be trusted’
The cliché of bisexuals being sexual machines who would do anything behind their partner’s back is a bit unrealistic.
Bisexuality is usually associated with promiscuity. As if being attracted to all genders necessarily means that bi folks pursue several people at the same time.
What’s worse, many believe bisexuals must have multiple partners without their significant other’s consent. Wrong.
Just like straight and gay people, some bisexuals are monogamous, while some are polyamorous. It’s really as simple as that.
Being poly requires a conversation with your partner, otherwise it’s just cheating. And that applies to monosexual people as well.
5. ‘In which phase are you?’
The moon has phases. The menstrual cycle has phases. Bisexuals do not.
They sometimes date people of the same gender, sometimes people of the opposite gender, sometimes non-binary folks. There isn’t a pattern. Deal with it.
6. ‘Just come out as gay/lesbian already!’
Bisexuals do come out, thank you very much.
In fact, if you’re having this conversation, chances are they already came out and you’re failing to acknowledge that.
Urging them to come out as lesbian or gay as that was the only ‘true’ coming out is crass.
7. ‘I’d totally date you if you were fully gay/lesbian’
Hey, you need to inform bi people of the Kinsey scale score they need to have in order to qualify for a date.
On the other hand, this might be just a ‘nice’ way to reject someone. Why don’t you come up with something less biphobic if the prospect of being honest is so unbearable?
Read also:
Bisexuals in straight-looking relationships: ‘I haven’t chosen a side’
We need to talk about bi erasure in media: ever heard of the Unicorn Scale?
5 refreshing bisexual movies you need to watch this Bi Visibility Month
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Seven things gay and lesbian people should stop telling bisexuals
The city school board of Baltimore, Maryland has sent a clear message: it stands with and protects its transgender students.
Tell me more
On Tuesday, 10 April the Baltimore City Public Schools board of commissioners unanimously voted to pass a policy allowing trans students to use the names, pronouns, and bathrooms aligning with their gender identity.
This decision caused the board room, filled with LGBTI advocates, to burst into a round of applause.
The progressive policy goes beyond Maryland state guidelines, which recommends modifying school forms to allow students to self-identify their preferred names and pronouns, and that teachers ask students privately how they’d like to be addressed in class.
The new policy
Under this new policy passed by the school board, trans and gender nonconforming/non-binary students will be allowed to use the name and pronoun that reflects their gender identity, regardless of if they have legally changed their name.
The policy also extends the definition of ‘sex-based discrimination’ to include discrimination based on ‘gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation and nonconformance to stereotypical notions of masculinity or femininity.’
Additionally, the policy allows students to access the restrooms, locker rooms, and other facilities that align with their gender identity. Plus, it will provide a ‘safe non-stigmatizing alternative’ for students who feel uncomfortable in gender-segregated facilities.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 2% of American high school students identify as transgender. The CDC also notes that over a third of that 2% have attempted suicide in the last year.
Reactions
Alaine Jolicouer is the co-chair of the Baltimore City Commission’s education advocacy committee. She is one of several people who testified in favor of the policy. After it was passed, she called it a ‘symbolic and crucial moment.’
‘I saw the need for this change. And I’m very happy to witness it today. Not just myself but with members of my community,’ Jolicouer told the Baltimore Sun.
See Also:
Assistant principal who bullied trans student in bathroom loses job
Illinois lawmakers approve bill on LGBTI history lessons in public schools
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos admits she knowingly harmed trans students
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Baltimore public school board passes policy to protect trans students
Viewers can’t handle how cute the ‘revolutionary’ gay sex scene in new Netflix show Special is.
Netflix released eight episodes of its new show, featuring a young gay man living with cerebral palsy.
The series is based on the memoir I’m Special: And Other Lies We Tell Ourselves (2015) by Ryan O’Connell. He also stars, writes, and executive produces the series.
my show Special is out on Netflix today. go watch it. it feels like a warm, spiky hug.
— Ryan O’Connell (@ryanoconn) April 12, 2019
During episode three, Ryan’s new friend Kim encourages him to enlist the help of a sex worker in having sex for the first time.
Ryan reluctantly agrees.
The encounter starts off super awkwardly, with Ryan kneeing Shea (played by Brian Jordan Alvarez) in the face.
But things take a sweet and sexy turn when they end up having sex.
After they’re done, Shea cuddles Ryan to sleep, as Ryan smiles with a the biggest cheeky grin.
New Netflix show, Special. | Photo: Screenshot / Netflix
Ryan O’Connell: ‘That sex scene was my baby’
‘Well, that scene was really really important to me,’ O’Connell told Out. ‘That sex scene was my baby.
‘I have been really frustrated about the lack of representation of gay sex in film and TV [and] I don’t understand why anal sex has not been normalized or depicted for what it is.
‘I also wanted to make sure that Ryan losing his virginity was a nice, tender scene and that I was not traumatized.
‘When something is so common in your life and you don’t see it every in TV or film, I get really frustrated. I’m like, “Why is this so groundbreaking? This is something that tons of people experience!” he said.
As soon as the show dropped, viewers began praising the scene for its frank and honest portrayal of sex.
One viewer said: ‘Ep 3 with @brianjoralvarez as a sex worker is a stand out. Sweet and charming.’
Another tweeted: ‘What a beauftiful show. Plus one of the best gay sex scenes I’ve ever seen. Respectful, sweet and so damn bold my jaw dropped.’
Then another wrote: ‘The scene in #SpecialNetflix with @brianjoralvarez sex worker character and @ryanoconn is incredibly sweet, charming and beautiful. We need more stories that navigate the intersection of queer sex with race, class, disability, and gender with kindness and care.’
You can watch all eight episodes of Special on Netflix now.
See also
Ryan Murphy to turn Broadway hit, The Prom, into a movie for Netflix
Sean Hayes is producing a ‘gay James Bond’ show for Netflix
Carly Rae Jepsen debuts new single in collab with Queer Eye
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Viewers praise ‘revolutionary’ gay sex scene in new Netflix show Special
The first images of the new Charlie’s Angels movie have started circulating online, leaving fans of the all-female spy trio in excitement.
The new iteration of the popular franchise stars bisexual actress Kristen Stewart as one of the angels. Her martial art and disguise savvy friends will be portrayed by Naomi Scott and Ella Balinska.
Scott is famous for her role in the Power Rangers movie and in Disney’s upcoming live-action Aladdin, whereas the film will be Balinska’s most important role to date.
The new Angels
Entertainment Weekly has released images of the Angels today (12 April).
Stewart will play Sabina Wilson, the hard-partying, highly skilled wild card. It isn’t clear whether the character itself will be LGBTI.
Scott and Balinska will star as Elena Houghlin and Jane Kano respectively. Houghlin is a MIT-trained scientist who, as Banks puts it, will serve as ‘the heart of the movie’, while Kano is a former MI6 agent.
The unlikely trio’s missions will take them across Europe, from Istanbul to Hamburg, and Berlin.
Nov 15 can’t come soon enough. @EW @CharliesAngels #firstlook https://t.co/fa6SpoUAmI pic.twitter.com/QFe7l1BxAd
— Elizabeth Banks (@ElizabethBanks) April 11, 2019
Elizabeth Banks directs
The new movie will be directed by Elizabeth Banks. Banks, who previously directed Pitch Perfect 2, will also star as Bosley, the link between the angelic trio and their mysterious boss Charlie.
Joining the Angels, a star-studded cast, including Sam Claflin, Noah Centineo, Patrick Stewart, and Djimon Hounsou.
Patrick Stewart and Hounsou will also take the role of Bosley.
‘”Bosley” is now a rank in the organization, like lieutenants,’ Banks explained to EW.
‘All of the Angels have been played by different women and have had different names, but the Bosley character was always named Bosley no matter who played him. We thought, “Well, that must mean it’s more than a name.”‘
The Hunger Games actress also produced the movie and co-wrote the script.
But Stewart isn’t the first LGBTI star to play an Angel
Stewart isn’t the first bisexual actress to play an Angel.
Drew Barrymore, who reportedly dated both genders, portrayed Dylan in the two movies directed by McG, Charlie’s Angels and Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle. Barrymore starred alongside Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu.
Charlie’s Angels hits theatres on 15 November 2019.
See also
Kristen Stewart is going to star in an LGBTI rom-com
Julia Roberts stands strong with LGBTI youth by being totally silent
Why are LGBTI people calling for a Coachella boycott?
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Here’s your first look at Kristen Stewart in the Charlie’s Angels reboot
Disney released a slew of information about their new streaming platform, Disney+, on Thursday (11 April). The announcements included brand new content, including a spinoff series from the hit movie Love, Simon.
Disney gave a straight-to-series order to Leah and the Offbeat, which is based on Becky Albertalli’s young adult novel of the same name. It’s a sequel to Albertalli’s book Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, on which Love, Simon was based.
Leah and the Offbeat follows Simon’s childhood best friend, Leah, who used to be in love with him.
Throughout the book, Leah grapples with friends and relationships, going to college, and being in a rock band. She’s also keeping a secret from her friends –she’s bisexual.
Screenwriters Elizabeth Berger and Isaac Aptaker, who penned the movie, are returning to write the series.
They are the only people returning from the movie. The series will have an entirely new cast and the movie’s director, Greg Berlanti, is not involved with the show due to his overall deal with Warner Bros.
Disney recently made their purchase of Fox official. They shuttered Fox 2000, the studio arm of Fox focused on mid-budget films, which produced and distributed Love, Simon. This new series comes from the Disney-owned 20th Century Fox Television studio.
Love, Simon’s legacy
There was a lot of anticipation leading up to Love, Simon — the first same-sex romantic teen comedy from a major film studio.
It wound up making a huge impact, with many people discussing the film’s representation and how important it was for teens to see. It earned a certified 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and earned $40.8 million (€36m, £31.5m) domestically, becoming one the top 15 highest-grossing LGBTI films of the last 15 years.
Numerous celebrities bought out screenings and gave free tickets to LGBTI people.
It also recently won a GLAAD Award for Outstanding Film — Wide Release.
Disney+ starts on 12 November for $6.99/month. The company also announced it will be available in all major worldwide regions over the next two years.
See also
Love, Simon director is making a film about closeted 50s actor Rock Hudson
Love, Simon is a wonderful film – and it’s a miracle it exists
Loki is getting his own Marvel TV show and he better be super queer
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Love, Simon spinoff series is coming with Disney’s new streaming service
DC’s latest superhero film, Shazam!, may have introduced cinema’s first openly gay superhero.
The film has topped the box office in the US, with $56 million, as well as a worldwide total of $158 million so far.
It stars Chuck star Asher Angel as Billy Batson, a teen boy who discovers he can transform into an adult superhero called Shazam (Zachary Levi).
The film has drawn comparisons to the Tom Hanks’ Big, and the Will Smith flick Hancock.
One scene sees Billy and friends escape the villain Dr Sivana (Mark Strong) into a strip club.
Pedro, played by Jovan Armand, says: ‘Not my thing.’
Did Shazam introduce film’s first gay superhero?
Many have suggested this is coded to imply Pedro is gay or asexual.
Others have also suggested he could be any other sexuality, but just doesn’t like strip clubs.
The superhero genre is the biggest money-maker in cinema. And the lack of LGBTI representation means many are wishing for representation.
‘I loved that DC introduced a gay latino superhero in the big screen,’ said one fan.
Another said: ‘Can we discuss the fact that Pedro is gay?!’
The only thing I took away from #Shazam was the fact that Pedro Peña is PROBABLY gay.
— chaney
(@chaneyyyyyyyyy) April 8, 2019
IS PEDRO THE FIRST LIVE ACTION GAY SUPERHERO?????
— the sad and kinky King of Hell
Recently, DC cast a trans and deaf POC actor in the streaming series Titans.
Chella Man will be playing the superhero Jerico in his acting debut.
On the other side of the superhero world, Marvel is also set to include an LGBTI character in a film.
Bisexual actress and filmmaker Angelina Jolie is reportedly in talks to star in The Eternals, the latest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The Oscar-winning actress might be about to make her debut as superhero in the movie by Chloe Zhao.
Production is also reportedly looking to cast an openly gay actor for one of the main roles.
Whoever books the gig will be the first gay actor to play an LGBTI protagonist in a Marvel’s movie.
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Did DC’s Shazam introduce film’s first openly gay superhero?
Broadway star Caitlin Kinnunen came out in an interview with Nylon magazine, which she shared on her Instagram account.
While discussing her role in the new hit musical The Prom, Kinnunen says she ‘idenfitied as a straight ally for a very long time’ but she’s now dating a woman.
The Prom, with music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin, and a book by Beguelin and Bob Martin, opened on Broadway last October.
It follows Indiana high school student Emma (Kinnunen) who got her senior prom cancelled because she wanted to attend with another girl as her date.
Meanwhile, in New York, four down on their luck Broadway stars hear about Emma’s story. They decide to travel to Indiana in support of her — and as an opportunity to improve their careers.
In the video below, Kinnunen discusses both the show and her sexuality.
‘Magical and new’
‘The Prom is an important story to tell, because it’s still happening today,’ Kinnunen says in the video.
Just this year, a Mississippi high school banned any same-sex guests from prom. Last year in Alabama, two same-sex students were suspended for wanting to go to prom together. Fortunately, public criticism eventually pressured the school to allow them to attend prom together.
‘It’s wonderful that kids get to come and see this show and see themselves represented on stage in a way that they haven’t been before.’
While speaking about playing the character of Emma, Kinnunen opens up about herself.
‘I take playing Emma very seriously,’ she explained. ‘I’ve always wanted to play her as vulnerable and honest and strong. There are definitely parts of me that are exactly similar to Emma.’
She adds that playing Emma has given her ‘courage’.
On dating a woman, Kinnunen says: ‘It is magical and new and exciting, and I’m loving it.’
Via social media and at the stage door, Kinnunen expresses her gratitude for everyone’s positive responses to the show. She wants more people to see it so they can have ‘hope and excitement about the future’.
See also
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade airs its ‘first ever’ lesbian kiss
Creator of gay musical The Prom personally invites Mike Pence to show
Broadway star Ben Platt comes out in poignant music video
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Star of LGBTI Broadway musical comes out, says she’s dating a woman
Superstar Madonna will perform two songs at the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 in Tel Aviv, Israel this year.
The Vogue singer will sing one song from her back catalogue and one from her upcoming album during the song contest’s grand finale on 18 May.
Israeli-Canadian billionaire Sylvan Adams will cover the cost of bringing Madonna, as well as her 60-person team, to Israel.
The superstar reportedly asked for $1 million to perform, according to the Jerusalem Post.
Madonna photographed on the night of the Oscars in Los Angeles (Photo: @madonna | Instagram)
Adams said: ‘[I] saw the importance of bringing the iconic singer to Tel Aviv and creating a memorable historic performance.’
He then continued at the INTV press conference in Jerusalem: ‘It’s a tremendous way to boost tourism. I think the more people we bring here, the more people see our true nature, and the true beauty of our country and our people, and the freedom and openness and tolerance and safety of our country.’
The European Broadcasting Union is expected to make a special announcement tonight (8 April).
Eurovision Song Contest 2019: Controversy
The Eurovision Song Contest 2019 is already one of the most controversial yet.
Israel’s longstanding tumultuous relationship with Palestine automatically makes the song contest political.
In fact, more than 60 queer and trans liberation organizations are calling for a boycott of Eurovision.
The majority of signatories are Palestinian queer groups. Others include the National LGBT Committee for UNISON, ACT UP groups in France and the UK, and the Gay Liberation Network.
Some activists are concerned Israel is co-opting LGBTI rights as a ‘public relations tool to hide its crimes against Palestinians’.
However, Assi Azar, a gay Israeli man who is one of the four presenters this year, believes boycotting sends a ‘message of hate’.
LGBTI hate crime has soared by 54% in the last 12 months in Israel | Picture: Creative Commons
Israel will also go to the polls tomorrow (9 April) to vote in a national election. This election could see Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his fifth term of office as leader.
In a desperate plea for votes from the LGBTI community, he met with activists and leaders from the community yesterday (7 April) for the first time in 10 years.
On the results of the meeting, the Association for the LGBT Community in Israel posted on its Facebook page.
They wrote: ‘Unfortunately, with the exception of hugs and warm words, we have not received any commitment to prevent LGBT-phobia incitement or any commitment to ending discrimination.’
See also
What’s the meaning behind Madonna’s latest cryptic Instagram posts?
Monét X Change blows off gig to film music video with this huge gay icon
Madonna and Lady Gaga hung out at the Oscars and queer Twitter imploded
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https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/madonna-eurovision-song-contest-2019/
