- News Archive -
The past LGBTQ+ news featured on What In The World? Click the photos to read the article.
Barry Levett, 02/05/24
A drag queen won her suit against an extremist who called her a pedophile. She's giving us all hope.
In October 2020, Sainsbury's tweeted a message in support of Black History Month, prompting British actor and Reclaim UK party leader, Laurence Fox, to declare he would boycott the store for what he perceived as promoting racial segregation. Fox accused those who criticized him of pedophilia. Two of the critics sued Fox for libel, and a judge ruled in their favor in January 2024, highlighting the harmful impact of baseless accusations like those of pedophilia, particularly on the LGBTQ+ community. This is a victory for the LGBTQ+ community.
Gabriella Ferlita, 01/29/24
Amber Glenn becomes the first out queer woman to win the US Figure Skating Championship
Amber Glenn, a figure skater who identifies as bisexual and pansexual, made history by becoming the first openly queer woman to win the championship title. Despite some mistakes in her routine, she clinched victory with 210.46 points, inspiring LGBTQ+ youth in the process. Glenn's journey to success included overcoming challenges such as a severe concussion and battling COVID-19. She proudly waved the Progress Pride flag after her win, reflecting on her public coming out in 2019 and the importance of representation in sports.
Murray Evans, 02/02/24
Oklahoma's drag queen principal quietly resigns after flak with Ryan Walters, Libs of TikTok
The principal of an Oklahoma elementary school, Shane Murnan, known for his drag queen persona "Shantel Mandalay," has resigned amidst controversy. Murnan, who faced previous child pornography charges, had been under scrutiny since his hiring in June 2023. The situation escalated when social media posts surfaced alleging his past charges, leading to public outrage and calls for his resignation, led by State Schools Superintendent Ryan Walters.
Chantelle Billson, 01/22/24
More than 100 men arrested in Florida human trafficking sting – and 'not one' was a drag queen
A three-month sting operation in Florida led to the arrest of 123 men for soliciting sex from undercover agents posing as minors. Notably, there were no drag queens among those arrested, prompting social media users to ridicule anti-LGBTQ+ narratives pushed by Republican politicians. Governor Ron DeSantis, known for his controversial legislation targeting LGBTQ+ rights, faced setbacks, including a federal judge blocking his drag ban.
Benjamin Duer, 01/30/24
Ohio man gets 18 years for firebombing church over drag shows
Aimenn D. Penny, a 20-year-old Ohio man, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for firebombing a local church hosting drag events. He admitted to using homemade Molotov cocktails to attack the Community Church of Chesterland, expressing anger at their support for the LGBTQ+ community. Penny, associated with the White Lives Matter group, aimed to intimidate the church into canceling the events. While the church seeks closure, they lament the tragedy of hate driving Penny's actions. Despite not apologizing during his sentencing, Penny's attorney claims his client was "brainwashed" by misinformation and plans to appeal the sentence length.
Mathew Rodriguez, 01/15/24
RuPaul Defended Drag Queen Story Hour on the Emmys Stage
At the 2023 Emmy Awards, RuPaul used his acceptance speech for "RuPaul's Drag Race" winning outstanding reality competition show to address conservative backlash against drag performers. He emphasized the importance of supporting drag and denounced attempts to restrict it, particularly referencing controversies around drag queen-led library events. RuPaul's remarks come amid increasing right-wing attacks on drag, fueled by unfounded accusations of "grooming" and child abuse. Despite this, drag's cultural significance, as seen in the success of "RuPaul's Drag Race," remains strong, with the show's recent season featuring its first trans winner and achieving record ratings.
Elizabeth Brown 12/28/23
A Bad Year For The Drag Foes
Republican lawmakers faced setbacks this year as federal courts ruled unconstitutional all four anti-drag laws challenged in various states. These laws targeted drag performers under the guise of obscenity or child safety concerns, but judges saw them as attempts to suppress free speech. Despite conservative rhetoric linking drag performances to child abuse, judges found no evidence of harm. However, challenges remain as similar restrictions have been proposed in multiple states, fueled by a politicized climate of anti-queer hysteria. While recent court victories are encouraging, ongoing legislative attempts threaten freedom of expression in the drag community.