ENTERTAINMENT

5 THINGS TO KNOW

Will and Grace’s return brings much needed LGBT visibility to TV.

August 27, 2017 compassq Comments Off on Will and Grace’s return brings much needed LGBT visibility to TV.

US television is set to welcome back two flag-bearers of LGBTQ representation as NBC returns to a series that made history for the network in 1998: Will & Grace. The cast of Eric McCormack, Sean Hayes, Debra Messing and Megan Mullally have reunited to bring back a series that didn’t just devote one episode or designate a minor character as LGBTQ, but featured two gay main characters (McCormack, who plays Will, and Hayes, as his flamboyant friend Jack).

A & E

Nurse Jackie actor comes out in a big way. TMI?

August 27, 2017 compassq Comments Off on Nurse Jackie actor comes out in a big way. TMI?

Haaz Sleiman, a Lebanese-American actor best known for his role as gay nurse Mohammed “Mo-Mo” De La Cruz on the first season of Showtime’s Nurse Jackie, opened up about his sexuality earlier this week on social media. “I am a gay, Muslim, Arab-American man,” he says in a new video, responding to a recent study finding that more LGBT Americans were murdered so far this year than in all of 2016.

A & E

Transgender troops to attend the MTV VMAs.

August 27, 2017 compassq Comments Off on Transgender troops to attend the MTV VMAs.

MTV confirmed Saturday that transgender members of the U.S. military will be in attendance at Sunday’s Video Music Awards. Four active duty members have been confirmed, as well as at least one military veteran. In the wake of President Donald Trump’s decision to ban transgender people from serving in the military, the cable network extended an invitation on Thursday to those transgender individuals already serving to attend the ceremony.

5 THINGS TO KNOW

“What Would You Do” takes on transgender harassment.

August 23, 2017 compassq Comments Off on “What Would You Do” takes on transgender harassment.

How would you react to seeing a clothing store employee discriminating against a transgender woman simply for shopping there? That instance of transphobia is exactly what a recent episode of ABC’s What Would You Do? sets out to answer, setting up the situation and seeing how regular, unscripted people would do when faced with the confrontation.

A & E

Carrie Bradshaw – bisexual men are on a “layover on the way to Gaytown.”

August 23, 2017 compassq Comments Off on Carrie Bradshaw – bisexual men are on a “layover on the way to Gaytown.”

On “Sex and the City,” Carrie Bradshaw was the self-proclaimed sex expert. She wrote a weekly column detailing her gripping sex life — and the sex lives of her friends — with the goal of sparking conversations about sex and dating across Manhattan. But for someone whose job was to write about the ins and outs of sex, Carrie was shockingly ignorant when it came to exploring sexuality — specifically, bisexuality. Carrie’s narrow view of bisexuality was incredibly problematic.

ENTERTAINMENT

It’s 20 years for the Lakeside Pride Band.

August 23, 2017 compassq Comments Off on It’s 20 years for the Lakeside Pride Band.

According to Lakeside Pride Music Ensembles co-founder Mary Wallace, “If music is your thing, you’ve really got to do it, or else you’re miserable.” Lakeside Pride celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2017. The organization boasts about 210 members and consists of several units: the Freedom Band, which marches in local parades; the symphonic band, which usually mounts two concert performances annually; a jazz band; and several smaller ensembles. The organization unveiled a new logo in conjunction with the milestone, according to Board Chair Bradley Fritz.

A & E

It’s an street party in Downtown LA!

August 23, 2017 compassq Comments Off on It’s an street party in Downtown LA!

Last year, sensing a need to celebrate Downtown Los Angeles’ LGBTQ community, a group of activists and bar owners teamed up to organize a day-long party. They expected 4,000 people to show up for the happening in Pershing Square. More than 9,000 people ended up thronging the park. That response prompted the organizers of the DTLA Proud Festival to extend and enhance the celebration this year with live music, DJs, dancers and even a micro-waterpark. It takes place again at Pershing Square on Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 26-27.