Tag Archives: gay

Good parenting: How to welcome your gay child’s partner into your home

Good parenting: How to welcome your gay child’s partner into your home

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kate Austin (@kateaustinn) on

A woman’s tweet demonstrating how her girlfriend’s family has welcomed her has gone viral. It’s in stark contrast to some members of her own family, with whom she no longer has contact after they expressed disapproval of her forthcoming marriage.

for those of you that don’t know, i’m not accepted by my parents for being gay. i have struggled for five years with them and decided this year to cut off contact. this is my first christmas not with them and this is how sarahs (my fiancée) dad tagged my gift ? pic.twitter.com/BpGmBkCde8

— Kate Austin (@KateAustin_) December 25, 2019

Kate Austin, who is originally from Ohio, says she normally spends Christmas with her family, but this year she decided she could no longer do so.

In 2019, she became engaged to her partner, Sarah Sulsenti. News of the engagement – and the beautiful proposal in Paris – warmed hearts everywhere.

Well, not quite everywhere. Austin’s family made it very clear they did not wish to attend the wedding and did not support the same-sex marriage.

Related: Parents surprise trans son with matching trans flag tattoos

This week, Austin spent the holidays with Sulsenti’s family for the first time. A gift from her future father-in-law had a powerful impact on her. This wasn’t down to the nature of the gift itself, but because he signed the gift card, ‘Dad.’

“For those of you that don’t know, i’m not accepted by my parents for being gay. i have struggled for five years with them and decided this year to cut off contact. this is my first christmas not with them and this is how sarahs (my fiancée) dad tagged my gift 😭

At the time of writing, the tweet has had nearly half a million likes and 30k retweets.

Austin added in a follow-up tweet, “My fiancée and I have been together since 2014. her dad has always been the best… tonight just confirmed it.”

Some questioned Austin not having contact with her family.

She responded: “We stopped speaking months ago due to years of emotional abuse. the door is open if they’d ever like to apologize and move forward but it’s okay to draw healthy boundaries.”

Others said that they had similar experiences and could identify with her.

Hi Kate, I know how it feels. My husbands family has been nothing but loving to me and they are catholic and Latinos. My family didn’t accept me for years. Embrace the love they are sending your way. Our chosen families are a true miracle. Happy holidays

— Enrique Sapene (@enriquesapene) December 25, 2019

you and your fiancée DESERVE to flourish as people and a couple. i’ve been with my girlfriend for over a year and her dad sees me as one of his own but her mother..forget about it. extremely religious and unacceptably dismissive of the fact that we’re a COUPLE not bffs.

— Morgan Champagne (@morgschamp) December 25, 2019

my wife has been struggling with being accepted by her family for being trans & my parents made her a stocking this christmas with her new legal name & and it was so cute i almost cried

— notorious msc (@snyder_marissa) December 25, 2019

Austin proposed to Sulsenti in Paris, France, in early October. The Philadelphia-based couple then wrote to Ellen DeGeneres, asking her if she would attend their forthcoming wedding in place of Austin’s family, who refused to do so.

hi @chrissyteigen & @TheEllenShow!! my parents aren’t going to attend my wedding because they don’t like that i’m gay! i need someone to walk me down the aisle and someone else for a “father/daughter” dance. plz come, my fiancée and i would cry ? #shootingmyshot pic.twitter.com/DGcH2KQq5f

— Kate Austin (@KateAustin_) November 5, 2019

In response, DeGeneres invited the couple on to the show last month. She said she wouldn’t be able to attend the wedding but instead gave them a check for $25,000 to help fund the free bar at the event.

In a series of Instagram Q&A’s yesterday, Austin revealed more details about her first Christmas with her soon-to-be in-laws.

Related: Straight dude spends hours building rainbow fortress for gay friend rejected by parents

Asked how she knew it was time to cut ties with her parents, she said: “I knew it was time because I was sad and upset more than I was happy when it came to them.

“The constantly made me feel like I wasn’t enough or that everything I did well didn’t matter because I was gay. After another round of nasty arguments with my mom, I just felt in my heart it was right! I do have a relationship with any family members that accept us as we are.”

Asked by someone else how to best support a friend whose parents don’t accept them, Austin says: “There’s a million ways.

“Love them wholeheartedly, exactly as they are. Ask how they are… there is no pain greater than parents not accepting you and it’s an easy pain to bottle up and put away. Let them vent and listen as best you can. Let them know that they have a family with you and you love them!”

Queerty has reached out to Austin for further comment.

www.queerty.com/good-parenting-welcome-gay-childs-partner-home-20191227?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

George Michael’s sister, 55, dies Christmas Day – three years after him

George Michael’s sister, 55, dies Christmas Day – three years after him

George Michael (Photo: Andrew Macpherson/Universal)

One of George Michael’s sisters has died on the anniversary of his death. Melanie Panayiotou, 55, died Christmas Day, three years to the day after her older brother.

Her body was reportedly found at her north London home at around 7pm on Christmas evening by her sister, older sister, Yioda Panayiotou.

No cause of death has yet been revealed.

A statement from London’s Metropolitan police said, “Police were called by London Ambulance Service at approximately 7.35pm on Wednesday, December 25 to reports of the sudden death of a woman, aged in her 50s, at an address in Oak Hill Park, NW3.

“The death is not being treated as suspicious by police.

“A report will be compiled for the Coroner into the circumstances.”

Both sisters were close to their brother and were devastated by his death on Christmas Day 2016. He left a large portion of his $125million+ estate to them, including his residence in Hampstead, north London.

In November, Melanie wrote a piece for the Big Issue (a magazine produced for homeless people to sell on the streets) ahead of the release of the movie, Last Chrismas. The film features the music of George Michael and Wham.

She said, “My family and I hope you all enjoy the film, and Yog’s music old and new, woven beautifully into this fun, easy tale of love and self-love.”

“Yog” was the family nickname for George.

“As many of you know, Yog adored Christmas and he loved the idea of this film. I am sure he will be enjoying seeing Emelia [Clark]’s amazing light bulb smile, something they share, across the celestial miles!” she continued.

“And, most importantly, we all, together with our dear departed Yog (my ‘very proud to be gay’ brother — contrary to what you may have read recently!) wish a very merry, merry Christmas to Big Issue sellers and readers alike.”

Related: George Michael’s sister slams Elton John’s claim that George was uncomfortable being gay

The comment about her ‘proud-to-be gay” brother was in response to comments Elton John had made about Michael being uncomfortable about his sexuality.

George Michael, who was outed in 1998 when he was arrested in a Los Angeles public toilet, died Christmas Day 2016. A coroner later ruled his death was the result of heart disease and a build-up of fat in his liver.

A lawyer for the family has issued a statement saying: “We can confirm that very tragically Melanie has passed away suddenly.

“We would simply ask that the family’ s privacy be respected at this very sad time.”

www.queerty.com/george-michaels-sister-55-dies-christmas-day-three-years-20191227?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Brazil’s ‘gay Jesus’ comedy troupe have their offices attacked

Brazil’s ‘gay Jesus’ comedy troupe have their offices attacked

The First Temptation of Christ (Photo: Netflix)
The First Temptation of Christ (Photo: Netflix)

The Rio De Janeiro offices of Brazil’s comedy collective, Porta dos Fundos, were attacked on Christmas Eve by masked men with Molotov cocktails.

The individuals, wearing ski masks, threw the firebombs at the back door of the offices. A security man spotted what had happened and was able to quickly put out the fire without any serious damage taking place.

Porta dos Fundos have faced widespread criticism in Brazil for making a 46-minute comedy movie for Netflix, The First Temptation of Christ. In it, Jesus is shown returning home on his 30th birthday and introducing his boyfriend to his family. The humorous movie debuted on Netflix three weeks ago.

A petition in the country condemning the movie and calling for it to be banned has gained 2million signatures. Brazil has a large Catholic population and a growing number of evangelical churches.

Related: Netflix is making the yuletide especially gay this year, and 700K Christians are pissed

Following the incident, a group posted a video to social media claiming responsibility for the attack.

In the video (now removed from YouTube and other sites), a person with a digitally-altered voice says the group was targetted because of the ‘blasphemous’ Jesus movie. They claim they and their colleagues are part of the Popular Nationalist Insurgency Command of the Large Brazilian Integralist Family.

The video also features imagery used by another rightwing, traditionalist group, the Brazilian Integralist Front. However, that group has denied any involvement in the incident, leaving authorities questioning whether the perpetrators are really with the group they claim to represent.

Following the attack, Porta dos Fundos took to Twitter to say that CCTV footage of the attack had been handed over to authorities, who are investigating.

Um dos seguranças conseguiu controlar o princípio de incêndio e não houve feridos apesar da ação ter colocado em risco várias vidas inocentes na empresa e na rua.

— Porta dos Fundos (@portadosfundos) December 24, 2019

They ended a thread of tweets by saying, “The country will survive this torment of hatred, and love will prevail together with freedom of expression.

“We will move on, more united, stronger, more inspired and confident.”

Yesterday, local police said they were treating the incident as an attempted homicide, reports Reuters.

Related: Comics push back on gay Jesus movie criticism, labeling it “homophobic”

Police say they have identified a motorbike and vehicle used during the attack. They are working to track down four suspects.

“We are going to find those responsible as fast as possible, also to prevent any future actions that this group may be planning,” said senior police official Fabio Barucke, reports Associated Press.

www.queerty.com/brazils-gay-jesus-comedy-troupe-offices-attacked-20191227?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

WATCH: Michael Henry and the dumpster queens make the Yuletide extra gay

WATCH: Michael Henry and the dumpster queens make the Yuletide extra gay

Gather round the dumpster, kids, it’s holiday storytime.

Join Michael Henry, Pete Zias and Michael Lucid below for some seasonal cheer:

www.queerty.com/watch-michael-henry-dumpster-queens-make-yuletide-extra-gay-20191225?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Former Fox News producer insists gay culture at network is thriving but can’t provide any evidence

Former Fox News producer insists gay culture at network is thriving but can’t provide any evidence

A former Fox News producer is pushing back against depictions of gay culture at the “most polarizing brand in cable news” in the new film Bombshell.

Erin Gaetz was a producer at Fox News from 2013 to 2015 before leaving to work for Jeb Bush’s failed presidential campaign. She openly calls the network the “most polarizing brand in cable news,” but is it as horrible as Bombshell makes it seem?

According to Gaetz, the answer is no. (Remember, of course, that she’s a Fox News alum, so you can decide what that does to her credibility.)

In a new article published by Spectator, Gaetz addresses some of the alleged inaccuracies in the film, including the idea that everyone who works there is “a red-meat, MAGA-hat-wearing Republican.”

“This comes as a surprise to most people, though it probably shouldn’t,” she writes. “On the team of about eight people I worked with at Fox Business, I would estimate that party affiliation was evenly split amongst Republicans and Democrats.”

“So the next time you or a loved one is driven to a near fugue state by a segment on Tucker Carlson, know that it may have been produced by someone with a ‘Warren for President’ bumper sticker.”

Somehow we doubt that, but OK.

Gaetz also talks about gay culture at the network and insists the film got that totally 100% wrong.

“McKinnon’s character is gay–but she goes to great lengths to conceal her sexuality at work, where she fears it will hinder her career advancement,” she writes. “This couldn’t be further from the truth.”

According to Gaetz, the offices at Fox News are brimming with proud members of the LGBTQ community.

“There are plenty of producers–many of whom work on high-profile shows–who are openly gay,” she asserts.

In some ways, this is great! A major network is employing LGBTQ people and putting them in leadership roles on some their most important shows… until you realize that those very shows give platforms to antigay politicians, pundits, and activists who are actively working to mislead people and dismantle LGBTQ equality.

Speaking of her alleged openly gay former colleagues, Gaetz writes: “They decorate their cubicles with pictures of their spouses, bring their partners to work events and speak openly about their relationships.”

She continues, “Many of the anchors are outspoken supporters of the LGBTQ community. Though I am sure there are people who choose to keep their personal live private, the idea that it would be scandalous to be gay at Fox is false.”

Hmmm. We’re not sure which Fox News anchors are “outspoken supporters of the LGBTQ community.” Gaetz doesn’t mention a single one by name and we can’t think of any ourselves.

Laura Ingraham has a gay brother and yet she regularly attacks LGBTQ people on her show. Tucker Carlson gleefully admitted to committing a hate crime when he and his friend beat up a gay man for looking at them. And the only out news anchor, Shep Smith, was forced to abruptly leave network earlier this year.

One thing Gaetz claims the movie does get right, however, is the idea of “making your grandma scared or your grandpa angry.”

“This, maybe more than anything else in the movie, was completely true of my time there, albeit in less sinister terms,” she writes.

“In our morning rundown meetings, we frequently posed the question to each other, ‘Will Grandma and Grandpa Heartland care about this?’ If the answer was no, good luck getting your story on the air. The saying ‘if it bleeds, it leads’ exists for a reason.”

Related: WATCH: ‘Bombshell’ director Jay Roach on being a closet case at Fox News

www.queerty.com/former-fox-news-producer-insists-gay-culture-network-thriving-cant-provide-evidence-20191224?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29