Cruise ships, lesbian science and an LGBT civil war

Your Daily Package of newsy and naughty bits from around the world


Petition asks LGBT groups to “drop the T”

A Change.org petition (signed at the the time of writing by 1,400 people) is demanding LGBT groups stop advocating for transgender rights, which it claims are “hostile to the goals of women and gay men.” In an anonymous interview in the Federalist, the creator of the petition says he was inspired by conflict over the recent movie Stonewall, and the debate over whether gay men or trans women led the movement.

Study: Masculine-presenting lesbians aren’t any more lesbian

A study at the University of Essex shows that lesbians who present in more stereotypically masculine ways do not exhibit patterns of arousal any different from other lesbians. “This shows us that how women appear in public does not mean that we know anything about their sexual role preferences,” said the study’s author.

Two Tokyo districts start recognizing same-sex couples

Two districts of Tokyo, Japan, have followed through on their promise to recognize same-sex couples. The certificates issued by the city do not confer marriage benefits, but could at least protect couples from discriminatory landlords.

Read more at the BBC.

The most homophobic show on earth

America’s most passionate homophobes gathered in Des Moines this week to worry about the scourge of homosexuality and the coming judgement of a vengeful God. Stars included presidential hopefuls Mike Huckabee and Ted Cruz, as well as pastor Kevin Swanson who has advocated for executing gay people.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Who’s to blame for gay cruise ship disappearance?

A gay man has gone missing, presumed dead, from a Caribbean cruise after he had an argument with crew members and then fell out of his stateroom. The cruise line claims he committed suicide, but the man’s lawyer says the ship’s security were responsible for his death.

 

Read more at Gay Star News.

Niko Bell

Niko Bell is a writer, editor and translator from Vancouver. He writes about sexual health, science, food and language.

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