All Things LGBTQ: News 9/8/2026

Hey, hey, hey. >> [music] [music] >> Hi, I'm Keith Ghostland. I'm Anne Charles. >> And I'm Linda Quinnland. And welcome to All Things LGBTQ. It is Tuesday, September 8th. And we are filming at Orca Media, which we acknowledge is unseated indigenous land. Keith, so before we even start or even get to the trivia, here's a bit of trivia of September 11th, 1982. It's our anniversary. >> Maybe 44 years ago. >> Yes. >> Happy annivers. You didn't think I'd remember, did you? >> No. Took you by >> every now and then. It's fun to surprise them. I [laughter] Okay, this is a trivia question. And you know this >> and it maybe because I've used it before [laughter] >> because it's Hispanic Heritage Month. >> Oh, but I >> Huh. So it's not Ron Squires against >> No, you told me I'm not allowed to do that no more. But the they gained notoriety as being the first out politician to run for office in the United States. Now I enunciated clearly because I didn't say was elected to office. They ran for office. And when we come back around and I give you the details, you'll go, "Why of course." So, and it's not Harvey, >> who's not Hispanic as [laughter] far as I know. >> Well, well, so looking at events, Rainbow Umbrella Women's Discussion Group, >> back on track. >> Okay. And >> meeting this tomorrow night. >> All righty. And when you discuss, Parker Okay. Book discussion group. Are we finally finished by Moose? It's still >> Yeah, we're finally reconvening. >> Okay. [snorts] I I'll be waiting for an update. I may have to go and read it. >> It's great. >> Okay. LGBTQ story hour, October 13th, 6:00. Berry Social Club. >> Yep. >> All righty. Now, NPR, Away with Words. I've gone on YouTube. I can't find it. Well, I may have to call them. You mean you can't find the program? >> Yeah. Well, I can't fi I can find away with words, but I cannot find >> where I was on >> your episode. >> Yeah. I don't know. I I'll I'll call them and see if I can find out. >> So, when I couldn't find you, I instead listened to a lovely conversation with Sarah Schulman. >> Really? On a way Oh, sorry. >> On YouTube. No, not on a way with words. I was on YouTube and >> I don't know where it went but >> and and as an has pointed out the comment that I truly appreciated in in your interview and thank you for the interview was your conversation of Maxine's statement about don't wait to take action don't wait take action discuss theory later >> and the theory will emerge >> bingo so Wolf, >> I'm sorry. I I left out the last name. Thank you. So, you still are looking for submissions for lesbian >> or LGBTQ plus >> adopt le queer adoptes@gmail.com. >> That's correct. >> Okay. And we'll be waiting for the anthology. >> I know. >> Okay. Pride Center wants us to continue to promote the trans support group. Second Tuesday at the outright office, fourth Tuesday on Zoom. On Saturday, September 19th on the state house lawn from 10 to noon, Mosaic is doing the Rainbow Harvest Festival. This is looking at bringing community organizations, organizers, groups together just to share what it is that we're >> not farm goods. >> Not farm goods. No, this is not the farmers market. Now, we knew it was going to happen eventually. And we knew Emoji would be the one who brought it to us. So, on Saturday, September 19th, 5 to 7:00 p.m. at Big Heart Social, which is on School Street in Virginia's, the Dolly Parton and Tim Curry drag tribute show. >> Yeah, >> you knew it was going to happen. We were waiting for it. There you go. But they are also doing on Sunday, September 20th. It's going to be a busy weekend for Emoji, Elegansza and Espresso, a drag brunch at the Vermont Comedy Club. >> And that's 11 to 100 p.m. Hairspray, rhinestones, the outfits, the fabulousness. Spend your morning at Vermont Comedy Club. >> That's early >> for some of it. And [snorts] this is an organization that we really haven't talked about before, but Turning Point of Central Vermont. And this is a Vermont-based group that is specifically working on recovery and addiction services. They're opening a new recovery center in Barry and they're having a grand opening Tuesday, September 15th, 1 to 3 p.m. >> And they're LGBTQ friendly, I'm gathering. >> Well, we have a large incident of addiction and substance use within our communities. Yes. >> Okay. So, and it says, "A welcoming space where individuals and family impacted by substance use can find encouragement, resources, community, and a path forward." >> Maybe there's an LGBTQ person there we can talk to on the show. >> I may be ahead of you on that one. >> All right. >> She anticipates my every move. [laughter] And and because it's never too soon to promote this, the 2026 Winter Queer Craft [laughter] Fair. >> I know. I saw the call. >> Well, it's and it's if you want to apply to be a vendor, you need to get your application in by Sunday, September 13th. >> I'm only going if I can go inside. >> Um >> I don't think that that >> I think it >> they don't want us >> No. in the winter. >> Well, I was going to say I believe it alternates with the labor hall and then some outside. So, it's both venues on Granite Street, >> but I think it might be too congested inside for us to be there interviewing people. >> Well, yeah, we had had that conversation before that and um the acoustics, the noise would not be conducive to doing interviews. >> Yeah. So, on a sad note, on Friday, [snorts] September 18th at 5:00 p.m., there will be a celebration of life for Elaine Parker and Elaine, who we interviewed at the summer festival last year, a sculptor, an activist, and Elaine and her partner Meg are the ones who taught me how to swing dance. and we had so much fun. But this is going to be at the Memorial Hall on Mirror Lake in North Callus. And for long-term Vermonters, [clears throat] Mirror Lake is number 10 pond. >> Yeah. >> So, and it's that wonderful old big community center right out on the point. So, wonderful. >> And there's going to be a potluck afterwards. So, and then as I tear up, October 10th, 100 p.m. at Milstone Hill in Websterville, it'll be our friend Cassie. And it is said that if people would in lie of flowers, if you would like to do a donation, please do it to the Girl Scouts of Southwestern Indiana, and we'll make sure the address gets put up. But you had things to share about. >> Yeah. >> My former neighbor. >> She she um Cassie Major. She died in her home around family and friends and she had a long two two or three years struggle with um various illnesses. Ann and I have known Cassie at least over 20 years and had many and I've had many a breakfast with her at the wayside. [laughter] um that was our favorite place to have breakfast. She was a member of the women's discussion group which she recently which she recently zoomed into even from her hospital bed. Cassie was always ready for a good time and traveled widely. Everyone seemed to know her and we will all miss her a lot. Um, so Cassie, rest in peace. And here's a picture of her on one of her travels, which looks like the Alps or, you know, some big mountains. So anyway, um, goodbye to our friend. Huh? >> Well, I'd like to add that she had such spirit. Yeah. >> She was really unflapable. um surrounded by a lot of mouthy lesbians [laughter] and um you know she was always optimistic right until the end. So that's really and >> she show pictures from her hospital bed. She was smiling and laughing and >> Mhm. >> tough. >> So it's a terrible loss. Rest in power, Cassie. >> Absolutely. And with that I'm going to hand it over to you. >> Okay. Um and let me go to the Gaza statement. Uh the Palestine death toll today um is se 73,662. This is since October 7th, 2023. Um as of September 8th, uh which is today. Total deaths uh from the Israeli war on the Gaza Strips uh has risen to 73,662 with 174,627 others injured. The Palestinian Health Ministry said today post ceasefire toll it added that 1355 Palestinians had been killed and 4516 injured since the ceasefire took effect on October 10, 2025. Thousands of additional victims remain missing under the rubble or in unreachable areas. Um the Palestinian and also on the West Bank. Um the Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that the death toll in the occupied West Bank reached 100 since the beginning of the year following recent military raids and colonist attacks. This is unacceptable. And as Sarah Schumman said in her interview, public awareness has increased, but the circumstances on the ground haven't. It's still deplorable, awful, and it's up to the US, up to all of us to act in some way to try to stop the US funding because it's continuing because the US government is continuing to fund this genocide. It's in our name and it's unconscionable. So, um, now let's turn to Australia. >> Good or bad news? >> Uh, clarifying news. >> Okay. um the CAS review which we know is actively used by the national health service in the in the UK to shape clinical policy. It's a deeply flawed document. Um it shapes clinical policy, service design and regulations for youth gender identity health care in the UK and a report um in Australia has debunked the Cass report. uh medical journals and advocacy groups have argued that the cast review lacks relevance in Australia because it relied on flawed meth methodologies and misinterprets data regarding gender affirming care. Um there are several key Australian criticisms. Health officials and experts note that the pathways evaluated in the UK of differ substantially from Australia's decentralized clinical models. An article in the medical journal of Australia argued that the review lacking lacks expertise and compromise is compromised by implicit stigma and misinformation. [music] Therefore, does not give credible evidence-based guidance. Um, critics state the review downplays the medical health benefits of gender affirming medical care while exaggerating potential harms and ignoring the risks of withholding treatment. Local organizations like Transcend Australia pointed out that the review process failed to properly engage transgender youth, families, and expert clinicians in the field. So, it's deeply flawed. Everybody knows it. Now, Australia is putting it out and clarifying its flaws. Let's stay in Australia for a moment to talk about Four First Dates, an Australian film. The Search for the Perfect Wedding Date leads Zara through a string of misadventures and toward a love she never expected. Its release date was January 2nd, 2026. Let's look at a clip from Four First Dates. >> Have you decided who you're going to [music] bring to my wedding? Couple options. So, I'll I'll get back to you. I'll let you know. You've got options. [music] >> Yep. >> Who am I going to take? [music] >> I'm just going to have to get the apps. >> No. Come on. I thought we said it was a bad idea. It is a bad idea. [music] >> Oh my god. And I knew you were a basketballer, but you are way taller than I thought you were. Oh. Oh. Oh my god. Put me down. [music] >> I could be a date. >> Has to be someone that I'd actually date. Can't just be my friend. [music] >> Yeah. Right. >> I'm not I [music] think I think I found someone to go with. >> I mean, we get along really well. I feel like I know her. Her name [music] is Brooke. She's amazing. And I'm with you. [music] >> I saw I saw a review of this recently that >> made it sound incesting. >> And now there's a sequel. >> So I'm starting with the first one. I'll tell you about the sequel next next time. >> All right. Um, you can see it on 2B, YouTube, and Prime. >> Will it be four weddings? >> No, it's one wedding and she Well, I don't I haven't seen it. Although, I went to show the clip and discovered I was watching the whole movie, so you can get it for free on YouTube. All right. Um, a deep re Let's go to Europe. Most of my sto The rest of my stories are from Europe. Um, a deep relief. Trans advocates celebrate Bulgarian court's ruling in favor of legal gender changes. >> I saw that >> after a legal battle battle that lasted 10 years, the Bulgarian Supreme Court of Cess cessation has ruled that transgender people have a legal right to change their name and gender markers on official ID documents. The case began when a Bulgarian transw woman moved to Italy and for years has repeatedly been denied the right to change her legal name and gender in her home country's documents. However, things began to shift last March when the woman's case was brought to the highest court of the European Union. So, the European Union came in and carried the day. It ruled that member states are required to support trans people's legal gender changes. >> That's Italy, too, though. >> Um, yeah, they I mean, she changed it in Italy, but she can't change it in >> Oh, in the other in her >> in Bulgaria. They wouldn't let her. But now the Bulgarian Supreme Court of Cessation has confirmed in July it will comply with the EU's ruling repeated reportedly declaring of uh law the rule of law in Bulgaria implies universal equality of the dignity of all human beings including transgender people. Tada. And trans advocates are celebrating. A press release from Transgender Europe published earlier this week said the group that was was worried that the Bulgarian government would not honor the U EU's court ruling given its particularly poor track record in doing so. It is a deep relief and source of satisfaction to see that the system delivers. the expert advisor and litigation lead for transgender Europe said trans people are equal in dignity and rights. The Bulgarian government must now swiftly start the legislative process with meaningful civil society involvement. A quick, transparent, and accessible administrative procedure is overdue for the recognition and respect for trans people in Bulgaria. >> Good. >> So that's very good. It's like the right is turning left and the left is turning right. >> Well, there's some rightward movement in Europe, but we won't >> that's what I mean. >> Get into that. >> Okay. Shall I continue? >> That used to be a leftist a lot of leftist countries in your in the EU. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> But the EU itself remains steadfast in support of our rights. >> Correct. >> And shall I continue? >> Yeah, why not? >> A happy chance. >> Um, all right. Here's interesting news. In the UK, Grinder is going to pay out 26 million euro in a settlement in the lawsuit of after sharing the HIV status information. Remember that? >> Yes. >> It's agreed to pay that much money in a UK lawsuit brought by thousands of users who alleged the app shared highly sensitive personal data, including their HIV status, with advertising companies. Uh, the settlement reports ends a two-year legal battle after a person filed a claim at the High Court of England and Wales in April 2024 on behalf of Grinder users, alleging [snorts] breaching privacy laws during a period of time up to the start of 2020. Austin Hayes, who is the claimant, uh, represented 1,200 people in the case who will receive an average compensation of 2,0067 pounds each if the settlement is distributed equally. Grinder said the lawsuit related to historical data processes before 2020. The company added the settlement includes no findings or admission of liability except they're paying. So that's kind of an admission of liability I would argue. While Grinder disputes the allegations, it recognizes and acknowledges the distress and loss of trust expressed by some of the UK users regarding the pre2020 period. Under the settlement, Grinder has a agreed to pay 1 million 13 million pounds by the end of the year and another 13 million pounds by the end of March next year. Grinder also said it has overhauled its privacy program since 2020. I would hope so. Adding the app is and remains a safe place for users committed to transparency, user control, and responsible data practices. >> Good. >> So interesting. >> Yes, >> I can continue. >> No, I think we're out of time for you right now. >> All right, that's okay. I'm at peace with that. [laughter] A small struggling Presbyterian church in Anderson, South Carolina, has taken the bold step of hiring an openly transgender woman as its new pastor. North Anderson Community Church, a member congregation of the mainstream denomination, has hired the Reverend Laura Bethany Bouchet as its stated pastor, a temporary minister appointed to severe to serve a congressional a congregation that is not seeking an installed pastor. She will begin her ministry on August 2nd. And this is interesting because the church has 20 to 30 parishioners in attendance. So they're wondering whether it'll increase or decrease. [laughter] >> That's a small church. A 17-year-old Booker High School senior Donley Dell Rosiari Rosiarro Arcadia is too young to vote. But that didn't stop her from knocking on doors in the hot sun [clears throat] for months before the August school board election in Sarasota County, Florida. students like Del Rosia uh Arcadia figured prominently in the campaigns for the three liberal leaning candidates that won in a nonpartisan race. Megan Tenano, Jimmy Clover, and Beth Mayberry. So there you go. You're never too young to get out there. Now, I'm never going to get this name straight, but it's Milo. And how do you pronounce his last name? >> I know him. I don't know. >> Yalopolis has spent years loudly supporting Trump's and immigration. >> Trump's ex gay. Yeah. >> This week he found himself on the receiving end of the very system that he had championed. The British far-right commentator and former chief of staff, formerly known as Kanye Kanye West, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in Louisiana on August 27th. He was subsequently transferred to an ICE detention facility before being deported back to the United Kingdom. So, >> adios. >> Oh, well. And James Hanahham has won the 2016 Penn Falner Award for fiction for his book Delicious Foods via the Penn Falner Foundation. And here is his picture. And yet Mike Johnson swore Everton Blair in as the South's first black gay congressman. >> The Georgia Democrats arrival in the House of Representatives made history [snorts] and placed him beside a speaker whose career has been defined partly by opposition to LGBTQ equality. Johnson's got to go. >> Oh, yeah. And could he take um what's his name with him? The Democrat. >> Um >> the Democrat. >> Speaker of the House. >> Schumer. >> No. House. >> You're thinking Jeff? >> Yes. Jeff. >> Show your support for abuse survivors. Brave enough to speak out. Yes, I am wise. But it's wisdom born of pain. Repost. Do it. Made your own video. I am woman. Although only seven women appear with O'Donnell on this video. Deadline reported there were eight in attendance. Andrea Sterling, Charlene Roshard, Laura Bloom McGee, Jenna Lisa Jones, Wendy Pisante, Lisa Phillips, Marina Lassera, and Shante Davies. Before singing with them, O'Donnell expressed her support. I know it's been very hard for you and very little support and I'm sorry that our country is so up, she said, but this is what we have to live through. You can see the t clip only on Instagram. >> Oh, >> so uh I didn't put it up. I don't have Instagram. But >> do you have a picture? >> I do. But you can see it on Instagram if you have an Instagram account, >> which I watched it. You >> I watched it. It was really >> Show the picture, huh? >> Yeah. >> Journalist and women's right activist Gloria Steinum died. >> Yeah. [sighs] >> This week at her home in New York at the age of 92. It was in 1969 that the movement hit home for her as she was working for New York's magazine, New York magazine to cover an event where women spoke out about their experiences with the then illegal abortion. Steinum herself had had an abortion under fuzzy legal legality in England. And she later said she felt a bit a big click at the event and began her life as an active feminist that day. She found co-founded Miz Magazine along with Dorothy Pitman Hughes in 1972. The magazine growing from a 1971 special issue of New York magazine was inspired in part by Steinum's frustration with other publications that considered women's issues to be uh specifically you know not important. So Steinum co-founded the women's media along with and I didn't know this Jane Fonda was part of this. Did you know that? I knew Robin Morgan but I didn't know Jane Fonda through which she worked to increase women's represent representation in the media. She was also a co-founder of choice USA later renamed urge United for reproductive and gender equality focusing on reproductive rights. In 2017 she was named an honorary co-chair of the women's march on Washington in which she spoke. She was also one of the organizers of the first protests of the Miss American pageant. I remember seeing that protest and I I just thought, "Wow." >> I got a Facebook post. We all got a Facebook post from my friend Carla Jay who was there also >> and were burned. She said >> at that demonstration. >> Yeah. >> Wow. >> Very cool. And we have another sad passing. It just seems like >> amazing >> Robin Morgan, >> right? Yeah. >> A prolific feminist writer and radical activist who edited the landmark 1970 anthology Sisterhood is Power. I remember reading that. >> I have a copy. [clears throat] >> Good. served as editor and chief of Miz magazine for 5 years and helped organize one of the first protests at the Miss American pageant. She died Saturday in New York City. She was 85. Her death uh in a hospital was confi was confirmed by her son, musician Blake Morgan, who was her sole survivor. From the first front lines of a much splintered feminist movement, Ms. Morgan gave a voice to women as poet, journalist, novelist, memorist, and um agitator. She came of age during the civil rights and anti-war movement and you know which was dominated by men as any of the women know who were part of that movement and they you know were kept as secondass citizens. She was a keynote speaker at the 1973 West Coast Lesbian Conference. Um, and you know, one of the issues she had was she um the the term turf came because of her comments about transgender people. And when they asked when um she had a 2004 interview, she said, "I believe that trans rights are human rights." Then she paused inside before adding, "It's complicated." And here's her picture. >> I take that as a retraction of her earlier transphobic. And Steinum also >> uh retracted early transphobia in 2003 or 2004. >> So that you know, >> so they evolved. >> Yeah. Um and that was two Yeah, that was 24. So that was a couple years ago. I remember reading Going Too Far a collection of her essays. Smart as could be. It was really good. >> And >> okay, Keith. >> All righty. So, the same as Ann's Gossa's statement, we don't need to look further than over our shoulder for things that are being done in our name that are reprehensible. The actions of ICE. And we only need to look truly over our shoulder here in Vermont in Morrisville. Early in the morning, construction crew showed up. 10 minutes later, six ICE vehicles showed up and took seven people into questioning. Three they detained. These are construction workers. and the ICE office out of Boston said, "We are doing things across New England. We cannot comment on any specific action, but get ready because apple harvest season is about to start." >> Oh, yeah. >> Vermont has relied heavily on migrant workers to harvest the apple crop. So, we can only see this increasing. And in connection with that, >> don't they get temporary visas to come in? >> It doesn't matter. >> It doesn't matter. Look at the legitimate statuses that are being revoked and people are being detained and being deported before anybody knows what's going on. Which brings me into the the Vermont Human's Rights Commission just won a suit again or made a settlement with the Department of Corrections here in Vermont. And our Department of Corrections has a contract to hold ICE detainees. If you're taken into custody in Vermont, you are kept here. And there's a reason for that. And it's because we will know where you are. >> You won't [laughter] Well, no. Attorneys can reach out you. you can be fully represented. And part of this suit was precipitated by the ACLU and the Vermont Asylum Assistance Project noting that there was a failure to provide intake materials in non-English languages privileged and entitled part of the Schulman conversation, Englishonly instructions for medical and other services, restrictions on attorney access and immigration hearings. M >> and the compromise they got was that now DOC must identify each person's preferred language at admission and have a translator or an interpreter available. They have to have access to legal counsel including the Vermont Asylum Assistance Project. They have to have their rights has to be posted clearly displayed in the 10 most common languages spoken here in Vermont that are not English. And uh the agency of human services has routinely been keeping that list I want to say for the last 40 years that I've been involved in it. And the DOC staff is going to have to have onsite resources. So, you've got to have a translation device available or you have to have some way of being able to communicate. But keeping in mind that ICE is very active here. >> What happened to that guy who called ICE? Do you know that cop? Have you heard anything? >> No, they're they're still investigating. >> Okay. You know, my s that that's the the the Chittenton County Sheriff who worked overtime for ICE called Border Patrol for assistance. >> That type of investigation traditionally takes at least six months. >> Okay. So, but looking at ice activity here in Vermont, we have that nice center in Willist >> where one of the things they do is they're gathering information 10 minutes from arriving at a site in Morrisville and ICE is there and knows who's there and knows who takes into into custody. How did they get that information? Oh, it may be what's being gathered in Willist in last week. There may have been 14 people who went into the building and said, "We want people to know what's going here. You know, no more." And seven of them might have refused to leave and got arrested. >> And there might have been several members of Vermont clergy who got arrested. >> Two of which are out lesbian pastors. one within the United Methodist Church maybe in Morrisville and also Earl Cooperham who is the Episcopal priest in Barry >> and they're saying they're not done >> and people need to know what's happening and they are organizing a week of action October 4th through the 9th and we'll put up the contact information if people want to participate >> and to help thumb in this effort. And really quickly, today is the primary in New Hampshire and we're going to be watching it closely. Chris Papampus, out House Representative, is running for the Senate seat. He has he is right. He has competition within the Democratic primary from a Democratic socialist who has been gaining momentum. So, it's going to be we are going to need to watch really closely. And looking on the Republican side, it looks as though it's going to be John Cenounu. >> I know. I saw that. >> Who has been a New Hampshire representative to the US House and also representing New Hampshire in the Senate. So, that he is going to be formidable. I've already seen some of his early campaign ads targeting Chris and some of Chris's previous votes in the House saying, "Oh, look, this is where he voted to increase your taxes." But if you look at the fine print, that was the vote that happened during the Biden administration where the budget and the economy and inflation was entirely different than the implication he's trying to give. But looking here in Vermont, we have a number of representatives who are choosing not to run for reelection, such as Cliff, excuse me, Tiff Blumo, who was Chittentton 13, and Kathleen James Bennington 4, and Kathleen was the chair of the House Education Committee. However, we do have Becca who is running for the US House. Mike Pich who is running for state treasurer. For our Senate, we have Mon'nique Priestley who is a representative from Orange 2 who is running for the Orange County Senate seat. >> We have Tanya Bajoski who is running again for Chittent Central and Becca White >> who's running for W the Windsor Senate race. Now looking on the house side, there's Brian China for Chittington 15, Will Greer, Bennington 2. We're going to be watching the bills that he introduces very closely >> and it how complicit has he become? Uh Emily Corinheiser, Windham 7. Now Emily was the chair of the House Ways and Means Committee. that is a position that has a great control over what is going to happen with the budget and taxes and our cost of living. Uh Sadia Lamount from Loyal, Washington and Mike Rice for the Bennington Rutland District. He had run before, ran for reelection, did not get elected, and he's coming back. So, and and he was very interested in agricultural issues. He and his husband have an organic farm in southern Vermont. Now, the one that confuses me and why did I have to wait for Boston Spirit to do an article on out candidates to find out who our candidates were? Why did no one in Vermont have it? But one that Boston Spirit says is running for reelection is Chittton 14, which is Mary Katherine Stone. But when I look on the Secretary of State's list for both the primary and who won the primary, her name wasn't on it. The other race that we're going to be watching closely is the Chentington County States Attorney. Sarah George in the past has identified as being bisexual and was targeted in the Democratic primary. [clears throat] There may have been some comments on social media about perhaps Republicans would like to cross over and vote in the Democratic. and Braum, who was her opposition, said, "I'm not playing that game." You know, "No, I'm not going to accept it." >> The Republicans have stepped up and said, "Well, we're going to put this name in as a placeholder. He runs his own private business." And when questioned said, "Well, if I'm elected, I'm going to resign so the governor can appoint someone." Oh no. >> And when the governor was asked to comment on it, his response was, "Oh, well that's just the democratic process." >> Oh. >> So with that, >> oh, how discouraging, King. >> Well, I'm going to hand it to you. Well, but we need to know these things. >> That's absolutely right. So, let's go to Poland. Um, >> we haven't been to Poland in a long time. >> Well, yeah, we were there recently. We'll be talking about the premier vetoing things and I'll revisit that story momentarily. Um the uh it started recognizing same-sex marriages. This is good. Belongs to the EU. The EU is forcing them to do it. But also, you know, last when I last discussed it, I mentioned the sort of the rivalry between the premier and the prime minister. The prime minister, Donald Tusk, >> is on our side. And um >> now I remember it. >> Right. So, civil registry offices across Poland began legally recognizing same-sex marriages from other countries as of yesterday. However, Poland itself has not legalized same-sex marriages within its own borders. Uh the country was compelled to the EU told them they had to do it. Um but because of this couple that wasn't allowed to have their 2018 German marriage certificate registered, but now they've been able to. Um in last March, the um NSA um the administrative off administrative office in charge uh ordered the government to transcribe the men's same-sex marriage certificate into the Polish system, resulting in de facto government recognition of their couple's marriage in the country, which was a historic first in Poland. Last May, Prime Minister Donald Tusk apologized for the years of rejection and humiliation that same-sex couples have experienced due to Poland not legalizing legally recognizing their marriages. He also said that Poland lacks statutory regulations that would ensure that same-sex couples receive the same legal and social protection protections as different sex couples. But then of course the problem is Polish President Carroll Norwaki vetoed two bills that would have extended recognition to same-sex couples. They would have created co cohabitation contracts which would have given some same some legal recognition to same-sex couples. Um when it comes to property rights, funeral arrangements and medical information. So, LGBTQ plus rights advocates denounced the vetos. The organization campaign against homophobia. Um said the bills were merely a fragment of what they wanted to get when it comes to domestic partnership rights in the country. Uh today's veto of the bill shows that even the absolute minimum rights of rights the bill was intended to provide is too much for the president. The group said uh so former equality minister, new left member of parliament um said Norwaki the premier turned his back on 2 million people living today in informal relationships. >> So far 18 countries in the EU uh offers legalized same-sex marriages, though all member countries are required to legally recognize them even if they don't offer them to their own citizens. So, it's a >> So, you have to go to like someplace else to get married and then get >> Yeah. >> Okay. Now, bad news from the UK. A creepy story. A Plymouth teen is accused of murdering a gay man in a suspected homophobic attack. Let's take a look at a picture of 244 year old Drew Perham who was pushed off a marina by this guy Leighton Randelle who was 19. Uh Drew's body was found. He had drowned. Um he a group of them went to the marina and um Leighton Randall called Drew Pel out of the car and started abusing him and fighting him and calling using homophobic slurs and then pushed him into the drink and he drowned. So his trial, this guy's trial has started. Uh, the court also heard that Randall allegedly discussed the attack with multiple people afterwards, including telling others that he'd beaten the out of Drew and pushed him into the water. He later recorded a video in which he described allegedly tricking Drew into coming to his hotel and going to the marina with him. >> The trial is ongoing and the allegations against Randall have not been proven quite yet. Another awful thing in the Marray in Paris, where we've all been, Lyn and I stayed there one time, an odious attack against a gay cop who was beaten with a bottle in a viciously alle vicious alleged hate crime in Paris's gay neighborhood. Let's look at a picture of Pierre Vav, who suffered multiple facial injuries and internal bleeding following the attack in the Marray. and he'd seen this guy before. You know, uh the victim was leaving the gay bar and he'd seen this guy before. Um and you know, the guy started then the guy reappeared and started beating him and he said, "Look, I'm a cop." But he kept beating him anyway. He incurred many uh injuries. Lesbobic violence is still a problem, the Paris mayor said, calling what happened to Picave and odious attack. They strike, violate, and seek to impose fear where every person should be able to live and love freely. We will not surrender our streets to hate. Paris will remain a refuge, a reampart in a a city of freedom for all. The victim said earlier in the evening he'd actually run into the suspect who was walking around the neighborhood in a bizarre manner. Police [snorts] arrested the suspect shortly after the attack. They found him easily because he'd taken the guy's phone which was not very bright. His name has not been made public. He's 20 years old from the Sandin suburb of Paris. Peace police believe he tried to attack a taxi driver earlier Saturday evening with a bottle and that he was drunk at the time of the attack. He has no prior criminal record. We condemn this unaccess unacceptable violence. Uh oh. because Pavey is the head of Flag, a homosexual rights group. >> Uh so the group said, "Flag is an LGBTQ organization for employees of the Ministries of Labor and Justice. We thank the police for quickly catching the suspect and we have every confidence in the justice system to investigate and deliver a response commenureate with the gravity of the situation." I certainly hope so. No, I have two. >> You have two minutes. >> Two stories. Gay rugby player feared coming out. Now he wants to share his happy story. Let's look at a picture of him. He's Kyle Taylor Wilston. Shared an uplifting story about how he was afraid and now everybody has accepted him. I do feel rug rugby has progressed massively and then I'm able to live my normal life and that's how it should be. But we have to keep breaking down barriers. People shouldn't need to have personal battles. They should be able to go to any rugby club and be themselves. Love is love. >> Last discouraging story. Transgender surgery in Wales has been halted over concerns that patients were not properly assessed. And you can't get trans you can't get surgery in Wales. You have to go to England. And England is cracking down. Um, some patients who'd been awaiting gender affirming surgery were already in the hospital for their procedures when they were told of the suspension. The Welsh Gender Service provides referrals for patients living in Wales, but all national health surgeries are carried out in England. Gender affirming surgery includes both masculizing and feminizing procedures. They're not resversible and it's all based on this erroneous cast review. >> Okay. >> Shall I continue or you want? >> No, I think we're we're done. >> Enough of me. Okay. [laughter] >> All right. Um, so we'll just uh try to catch up here quickly. Um, there's a there was a vigil for the two gay men who were killed in a hate crime outside Arizona Gay Bar. They drew a thousand mourners. >> Uh the Wednesday gathering at Tucson's Catalina Park honored Vincent Anthony Squeros and Cameron Davis Kapara who were fatally shot outside a gay bar in Venture >> and they're looking at charging as a hate crime. >> Yeah. >> In Tucson, right? >> Yeah. Um, Representative Seth Seth Molton went looking for a promotion and found the exit exit. Massachusetts Democrats overwhelmingly rejected the congressman's bid for US Senate on Tuesday, nominating Ed Marky after a campaign that turned Molton's attacks on transgender athletes into a chess test on whether the Democrat would betray part of the party's coalition and call it courage. So he lost by huge margin. Huge >> transphobia does not pay. I'm telling these candidates. Listen >> and Melissa Ethridge and Wyom Winona Jud have just have time for any prejudice. The iconic singers have not only made strides for the LGBT community over the years, but they're creating a safe space for every type of fan on their raised on radio tour. As co-headliners, the artists are performing all over the greatest hits as they bring together a diverse group of supporters in cities coast to coast. So, if you get to hear them, that would be I wouldn't mind. And finding community in LGBT spaces has a price tag attached which can disappropriate dis proportionately lock out bipok and transgender people. Black Transmen in Ohio uh refuses to let financial obstacles stop its annual wellness and resistance retreat from fostering black transgender joy since 2023. The retreat brings the brings all the guys together around Ohio to experience an international weekend centered on rest, connection, healing, wellness, and community. uh said Chris Goins, the founder of BTM O. So that was good news. And then there was that guy who was on the flight to Newark and they had to tape him. >> Yeah. >> Um they duct taped him, right? >> You got a picture of that? >> No, but I should have. >> There is one. >> I know. But they duct taped him to a seat because he was making sexist, racist, and um LGBTQ slurs. >> Homophobic. >> Homos. Yeah. And they they they actually duct tied him. >> We could I'll show the picture. We put it up. >> Pretty interesting. So anyway, Keith, what do you got? >> [laughter] >> So, the trivia question and if I said that this person was a performer at the Black Cat Cafe and [snorts] ran for San Francisco supervisor, which is why I said no, it's not Harvey Milk and might have been known as her royal magestry, Empress of San Francisco, K, the widow Norton. You would know it was Jose Sara who did not win. Came in ninth though out of 30 candidates. So that's not bad. And made the comment that after they had run, there was nobody who ran for a public office in San Francisco, including the dog catcher, that didn't reach out to the gay community for support. >> Yeah. >> There we go. >> So there we go. and Jose passed over in 2013 at the age of 80. [snorts] >> So, so with that, >> remember always >> resist [music] >> [music]