(Photo Credits: Screengrab from Lil Nas X’s Instagram Account)
As we prepare to bid goodbye to 2019, we reflect on the year that it’s been—the challenges that the LGBTQ community continues to face, the LGBTQ rights setbacks and milestones, and the queer people who made headlines this year. Here’s a look back at some of the biggest story makers and the biggest LGBTQ stories this 2019:
1. Pete Buttigieg – Peter Paul Montgomery Buttigieg is the openly gay mayor of South Bend, Indiana who is currently seeking the Democratic nomination for President of the United States in the upcoming 2020 election. If elected, Buttigieg will not only be the first openly gay American president but also the youngest.
When I ask folks to picture the day after this president leaves office, when the sun rises and our task of rebuilding this country begins, I’m not thinking about Washington.
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) December 26, 2019
I’m thinking about Nicholas, Angela, Patrick, and Anu.
I'm thinking about you.
2. Jussie Smollett – perhaps one of the biggest controversies this 2019 is the curious case of Empire actor and singer Jussie Smollett who told Chicago police way back in January that he was attacked by two men who, at the same time, yelled racial and homophobic slurs at him. The incident was dubbed as an attempted modern-day lynching but the case turned into what seemed like an episode from Empire when the police investigation took a turn and Smollett was charged with disorderly conduct instead. Since then, unravelling the many twists and turns of this case had proven to be too difficult to follow.
3. Sam Smith – This year, Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Sam Smith came out as non-binary and, in a separate interview, had opened up about their struggle with body image.
4. Billy Porter – September 22, 2019—Billy Porter made history when he took home an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, making him the first openly gay black man to do so. Porter won for his portrayal of the emcee Pray Tell on the hit FX show, Pose.
5. LGBT Rights – This year, conversion therapy for minors has been banned in New Hampshire, New York, Massachusetts, Colorado, and Maine. And did you know that the so-called gay and trans panic legal defense strategy has been banned in New York, Nevada, Connecticut, Maine, and Hawaii this year? These states followed the steps of California, Illinois, and Rhode Island which banned gay and trans panic legal defense strategy years before (2014, 2017, and 2018 respectively).
But, US took a step back when the Trump administration filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court saying that employment discrimination, including firing of workers based on sexual orientation, is legal under the federal civil rights law. A similar brief was filed on August 16, 2019 for gender identity saying that transgender workers are not protected by law. Meanwhile, homophobia and transphobia was declared illegal in Brazil while World Health Organization (WHO) removed transgender from the list of mental disorders.
6. Same-sex Marriage – The world had seen a few wins when it comes to gay marriage this 2019. While Hong Kong and Kenya had turned down gay marriage, same-sex marriage is now legal in countries such as Austria, Northern Ireland, Ecuador, and Taiwan.
7. Stonewall 50 – The Pride celebration this year was extra special because it commemorated the 50th year of the Stonewall uprising, the event that had “served as a catalyst for the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world.” The World Pride 2019 was held in New York, and it was attended by stars like Madonna, Whoopi Goldberg, Cyndi Lauper, Billy Porter, and Chaka Khan to name a few.
For its part, Adam4Adam had participated in the Pride celebrations in Montréal. We joined the 36th Pride Parade, held photoshoots, had meet and greet with fans, and attended various activities with our A4A models: Manila Luzon, Matthew Camp, Alam Wernik, Arad Winwin, Cory Kane, River Wilson, Alexa Abraxas and Stevo Trann.
8. Jonathan Van Ness – Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness came out as non-binary last June and as HIV positive this September.
9. Lil Nas X – We’ve seen a lot of Lil Nas X this year. He came out as gay last July and we’ve been hearing about him since then because his song Old Town Roadfeaturing Billy Ray Cyrus has been breaking one record after another. But you know what they say… you ain’t no popstar unless ladies throw their thongs and panties at ya onstage!
somebody threw their panties at me pic.twitter.com/Y3h5rWG2Y8
— nope (@LilNasX) December 16, 2019
Dave: ’tis true, we have made strides in this past year but, realistically, the gains are grains! Peter has no chance of being the Democratic choice for Presidency in 2020. It and he are “Much Ado About Nothing.” The Democraps are looking to win…not ensure their defeat; hence, no Pete. The other aforementioned gains are virtually all “Stereotypes” of what the American Society depicts as typical images and behaviors of the overwhelming of Gay Community. However, it all starts with a grain and a gran becomes two grains…until, they become a ball-of-grains; then and only then, will the gains of… Read more »
“all “Stereotypes” of what the American Society depicts as typical images and behaviors of the overwhelming of Gay Community”
I stated the same thing about A4A’s representatives during Gay Pride month and was chastised by a member here. Like it of not this stereotype is exactly how the straight community sees the gay community especially when this is thrown out to the public as “normal” gay behavior.
Jim Markus: I remember when you were chastised by a fellow member. There are those who identify, solely, as Homosexual; There are those who identify, solely, as Human Beings. The “Gay Routine” is a lifestyle which some apportion because they have no self-identity, and so, who they sleep with or the position they take while sleeping with someone, gives them a sense of self. Others come to understand that Homosexual is who you like and who you sleep with…nothing more…nothing less. Looking at Sam Smith wearing that effeminate robe is a perfect example of someone who has a poor sense… Read more »
Interesting how in an “All inclusive” society that one’s opinion can be gleefully attacked and censored by those that demand acceptance, yet rarely show it themselves. Like it or not, the fact remains that many if not most lil gay queens are vicious and vile towards others.
On 3. Sam Smith, how great for him to “score” the “I Feel Love” underscore of Target’s holiday TV commercials. It’s surprising that that accomplishment was not included in the list. An important item was missed in the list here, the $300 Million funding to end HIV by President Trump. It had its roots prior to his being elected. President Obama stepped by it and chose to OK Same Sex Marriage at the Federal level, something that was already happening across many States. He also brought in initiatives focusing on bullying/abuse of LGTBQ+ individuals. In the end, it was President… Read more »
Yet we all knows that so called “celebrities” are the only topic that matters to society under forty years of age.