GAYography

LGBTQI World News, Advocacy & Virtual Travel & Events

All the Gay News That's Fit to Link

Made possible by Ashton, the GAYographer

Good morning <<First Name>>,

Above, Christina Aguilera encourages everyone to Say Gay at Brighton Pride this weekend. The familiar line continues to be used at Pride - but "Don't Say Gay" DeSantis is on to new attacks, now against Drag Queens.

If you live in NYC - or want to keep informed when you come visit - I hope you will consider following my Ashton's Agenda Instagram. Soon I will be creating another weekly email focusing-in on NYC and what's happening here.

If you're in the Pines today please get in touch - or in Ptown over Labor Day weekend - hope to see you to soak up the last months of summer sun.

Have an amazing week,

Ashton

Monkeypox update: Things not getting better - with over 7k cases confirmed! Thankfully Biden has declared a national health emergency to dedicate more resources. If you didn't get your appointment yesterday in NYC, more appts may be available again next week. Keep in mind that 2nd doses will not yet be given out in NYC. In a taste of possible things to come, a TikTok user recorded a woman on the subway, suggesting she had monkeypox - instead it was a woman with a rare disorder who successfully clapped back at her. We need more clap-backs against Ron DeSantis, whose "Surgeon General" is suggesting again that vaccines don't work.

Abortion Watch: The good news first people in Kansas voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to keep abortion protections in their state constitution. Back in Florida, DeSantis - in a bold PR move (shocker!) - is trying to remove an elected official: Tampa's prosecutor, who announced that he would not be prosecuting people for performing abortions. Yet it does appear that the Kansas result is already affecting Republican talking points. Here are the states where abortion is now banned. Four more states - California, Kentucky, Montana, and Vermont - will hold ballot measures in November on abortion.

Putin's War: Russia appears ready again to risk a nuclear accident as they fight around the largest plant in Ukraine. CNN did great reporting on Russia's work smuggling gold out of Africa - from Sudan and the Central African Republic to prop up its regime. And the US has sent US-UN envoy Linda Thomas-Greenfield on a tour of the region to make the case not to engage Russia. Mykolaiv will be under strict curfew this weekend as officials attempt to find enemy collaborators. Putin is meeting with Erdogan in Sochi - funny I thought Putin was afraid of NATO; yet he's able to easily meet one of its leaders?

World News

Courts in Cuba upheld a 14 year prison sentence for a trans woman for attending a protest.

The government in Uganda forced the closure of LGBTQ advocacy group Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG).

Russia appears ready to talk exchange for Brittney Griner - now that she has a 9 year prison sentence.

Parents of Oklahoma kids will have to sign a "Biological Sex Affidavit" if their child wants to participate in school sports - 18 states have implemented trans sports bans, but this is the first state to require this "proof" of sex signed at birth.

My favorite headline for the "big lie" Republican who won the primary and now faces Gretchen Whitmer in Michigan -- also where a small town voted to defund the library over LGBTQ books.

Despite hiring a drag queen for her baby shower, Arizona's "big lie" Republican primary winner (also for Gov) thinks drag "sexualizes" children.

The incredible Brita Filter is being attacked by conservative media for attending a Pride event for students in NYC, as more conservatives attempt to connect drag with "grooming."

Jan 6 US Capitol rioters, like deplorable Brandon Straka, want to save themselves from prosecution (he did a plea deal)-- but keep "in the mix" with their followers (he denied online that he provided valuable information). To learn more, Tim Miller's great book discusses the reasons. If you have yet to read Why We Did It (reaching #2 on NYT list) I recommend it!

Travel

Gay romance in Thailand is helping to drive tourism - a romantic comedy I Told Sunset About You filmed in Phuket is part of a "boys love" (BL) genre phenomenon across SE Asia.

Are you an Aussie Drag fan? The down-under scene lost a legend, Miss Candee last month.

Planning to have kids? You may have to travel to make it happen as the Roe reversal may threaten in vitro fertilization.

Events

Fire Island. Today the Tyler Clementi Foundation is holding a fundraiser / pool party at 6 Ocean Walk from 1-5pm.

Ptown. Join me for a Pre-Tea Toast for the Victory Fund Friday of Labor Day weekend - Sept 2 from 4 - 5:30.

Register now NYC. On Thursday, Sept 15 Victory Fund will hold its New York City event "Representation Is Power" from 5-7pm - with speakers David Mixner & Rep. Mondaire Jones. And if you want to get involved in planning or join the Host Committee please reply to this email.

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