5 THINGS TO KNOW

Oakland A – Anti gay? – Go away.

Oakland Athletics outfielder Matt Joyce has been suspended for two games without pay after using an anti-gay slur during an exchange with a fan during Friday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels. Major League Baseball’s communications department announced Joyce’s suspension would begin on Saturday.

POLICIES

Russian gay rights activist facing certain death if deported to Uzbekistan

A Russian gay rights activist is living in the “shadow of death” as authorities threaten to deport him to Uzbekistan, where homosexuality is illegal. Ali Feruz, 30, was detained and allegedly tortured for two days by the Uzbek National Security Service in 2009 and fled the country two years later.

5 THINGS TO KNOW

Can you get rid of the gay gene?

AsapSCIENCE duo Mitchell Moffit and Gregory Brown explore the genetics of being gay in their latest myth-busting YouTube video.  “Ultimately, a specific gay gene has not been found, but scientific evidence does suggest that human sexual orientation is strongly linked to genetics and tightly regulated at the molecular level,” the guys say.

HEALTH

United Healthcare backtracks on PrEP controversy.

In a statement, UHC apologized for the “insensitive language” in the letter. “We have corrected our letters, removed the prior authorization requirement for Truvada and members can fill their prescription at the network pharmacy of their choice. This is effective immediately.”

ENTERTAINMENT

Pride is rocking on in Europe…take a look

Brighton was awash in a riot of rainbow colours as people dressed up and took to the streets to celebrate LGBTQ+ pride. Approximately 300,000 people descended on the seaside city for one of the UK’s biggest annual summer Pride celebrations today. The Pet Shop Boys are to headline the event in Brighton and Hove in what will be the duo’s first Pride performance in 20 years, organisers said.