The Reading List: A hip-hop homophobia timeline, Kiki’s equal sales and more

After a recent surge of interest in discussions around homosexuality (and homophobia) in hip hop — Frank Ocean’s coming out and Murs’ recent video are good examples — Nerve created a time-line of the topic, from the 1980s to today.

– Two Halifax men had their same-sex engagement announced in a local paper. But they’re not engaged, and they’re not gay. CTV looks into it.

– Here in Halifax hospitals, a new sign has been popping up on gender-neutral washrooms throughout the health authority. But not everyone thinks it’s a good solution to creating safe spaces for transgender individuals. The Chronicle Herald talks with prideHealth about it, the CBC gets one person to talk about their issue with it, and Open File takes a look.

– Jenna Talackova, the transgender beauty queen who made headlines when she tried (successfully) to enter the Miss Universe Canada pageant, will be the parade marshal for this year’s Vancouver Pride.

– And last but certainly not least, Billboard reports that due to a pretty awesome, previously posted and Jake Shears-approved fan-made video for the Scissor Sisters’ song “Let’s Have a Kiki,” sales are up for the track, even though it’s technically not a single. But then again, it is a great track, and even Gawker talks about how it could be considered a gay anthem.

Journalist, writer, blogger, producer.

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