@edgemedianetwork

Equality advocates have taken note of the record-shattering number of anti-LGBTQ laws that have already been passed this year — and the situation is poised to worsen. The Human Rights Campaign issued a press release stating that the previous record — 15 anti-LGBTQ laws in 2015 — was surpassed as of May 7, "as the seventeenth anti-LGBTQ bill was enacted into law." "In addition, 11 anti-LGBTQ bills are on governors' desks ... and several more are continuing to move through state legislatures across the country." Reuters summarized the plethora of bills, reporting that "seven of the laws restrict trans children from competing in sports, while others ban medical care for trans youth and allow parents to opt their children out of LGBT+-related subjects in school." Additionally, according to the HRC, "More than 250 LGBT+ rights-related bills have been introduced by state legislatures this year." GOP lawmakers are passing the measures, most of which focus on transgender people, in spite of recent polls that show a majority of Americans disagree. One poll, conducted by PBS NewsHour, NPR, and Marist, found that "two-thirds of Americans are against laws that would limit transgender rights." Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍? ?️: Kilian Melloy / @dragelruairi , ?: Getty)

Equality advocates have taken note of the record-shattering number of anti-LGBTQ laws that have already been passed this year — and the situation is poised to worsen. The Human Rights Campaign issued a press release stating that the previous record — 15 anti-LGBTQ laws in 2015 — was surpassed as of May 7, "as the seventeenth anti-LGBTQ bill was enacted into law." "In addition, 11 anti-LGBTQ bills are on governors' desks ... and several more are continuing to move through state legislatures across the country." Reuters summarized the plethora of bills, reporting that "seven of the laws restrict trans children from competing in sports, while others ban medical care for trans youth and allow parents to opt their children out of LGBT+-related subjects in school." Additionally, according to the HRC, "More than 250 LGBT+ rights-related bills have been introduced by state legislatures this year." GOP lawmakers are passing the measures, most of which focus on transgender people, in spite of recent polls that show a majority of Americans disagree. One poll, conducted by PBS NewsHour, NPR, and Marist, found that "two-thirds of Americans are against laws that would limit transgender rights." Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍? ?️: Kilian Melloy / @dragelruairi , ?: Getty)

@edgemedianetwork May 16

With the return of "Pose" and the upcoming "Halston" biographical mini-series, Ryan Murphy has expanded the LGBTQ universe on television. He is also doing so with his police drama, "9-1-1: Lone Star," which airs on Fox on Monday. The show, a spin-off of 2018's "9-1-1," premiered last year and follows the fire, police, and ambulance departments of the fictional company 126, located in Austin, Texas. The show has been praised for its inclusiveness. "Not only does the show feature one of the first Black trans men in a regular role on network television, but its sensitivity to LGBT+ issues even emboldened one of the cast to come out as bisexual," wrote Pink News. That actor was Ronen Rubinstein, who plays out paramedic T.K. Strand on the show. He came out as bisexual in April in an interview with Variety, NBC News reported. "I fully identify as bisexual," Rubinstein said in an exclusive Zoom interview from his Los Angeles area home. "I literally just got goosebumps saying that. It feels so good to talk about it; it feels so good to finally be comfortable with it." One of the show's plots has T.K. involved in a romantic relationship with out police officer Carlos Reyes (played by Rafael Silva), which gives their portrayal a level of authenticity unusual for a mainstream cop show. They have become so popular that they've been given the affectionate moniker "Tarlos" on social media. On Monday's episode, the twelfth of the season. "(T)he temperature rises as paramedic TK Strand and his police officer partner make out in a gloriously queer, sweaty and steamy scene," wrote PinkNews. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ??️‍?? (?: Ronen Rubinstein & Rafael L. Silva / '9-1-1: Lone Star.' / Fox)

With the return of "Pose" and the upcoming "Halston" biographical mini-series, Ryan Murphy has expanded the LGBTQ universe on television. He is also doing so with his police drama, "9-1-1: Lone Star," which airs on Fox on Monday. The show, a spin-off of 2018's "9-1-1," premiered last year and follows the fire, police, and ambulance departments of the fictional company 126, located in Austin, Texas. The show has been praised for its inclusiveness. "Not only does the show feature one of the first Black trans men in a regular role on network television, but its sensitivity to LGBT+ issues even emboldened one of the cast to come out as bisexual," wrote Pink News. That actor was Ronen Rubinstein, who plays out paramedic T.K. Strand on the show. He came out as bisexual in April in an interview with Variety, NBC News reported. "I fully identify as bisexual," Rubinstein said in an exclusive Zoom interview from his Los Angeles area home. "I literally just got goosebumps saying that. It feels so good to talk about it; it feels so good to finally be comfortable with it." One of the show's plots has T.K. involved in a romantic relationship with out police officer Carlos Reyes (played by Rafael Silva), which gives their portrayal a level of authenticity unusual for a mainstream cop show. They have become so popular that they've been given the affectionate moniker "Tarlos" on social media. On Monday's episode, the twelfth of the season. "(T)he temperature rises as paramedic TK Strand and his police officer partner make out in a gloriously queer, sweaty and steamy scene," wrote PinkNews. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ??️‍?? (?: Ronen Rubinstein & Rafael L. Silva / '9-1-1: Lone Star.' / Fox)

@edgemedianetwork May 15

It has been just a month since Colton Underwood came out on "Good Morning America" to host Robin Roberts. Since then he announced a Netflix reality series about his coming out, as well as being slammed for his relationship with ex-Carrie Rudolph who took out a restraining order against him last year for stalking. But in an exclusive interview with Variety, Underwood did a deep-dive into the reasons for his coming out when he did, and the story is darker than initially thought. "The confession was prompted not by liberation but out of fear," Variety writes. "'I'll just say it,' Underwood reveals on a recent afternoon, still adjusting to his new life as an openly gay man. 'I, at one point, during my rock bottom and spiral, was getting blackmailed. Nobody knows I was blackmailed'." As he explained it, he was living in L.A. and visited a gay spa. Not long after, he received an anonymous call, which has been reviewed by Variety, claiming that someone took nude pics of him at the venue. "Underwood never saw the alleged photos and explains he was at the spa "just to look," saying he 'should have never been there.' The unidentified sender threatened to 'out' him in the press, and in a panic of paranoia, Underwood forwarded the email to his publicist, Alex Spieller, which forced him to finally have an honest conversation about his sexual orientation. On his "spiral" Underwood continued "It got so dark that he took pills one night last summer, hoping he'd never wake up. 'I tried to end my life, and it didn't work,' he tells Variety. 'That was the saddest and most confused and most hurt' he could remember himself feeling." Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍? (?: Colton Underwood / Instagram / @coltonunderwood)

It has been just a month since Colton Underwood came out on "Good Morning America" to host Robin Roberts. Since then he announced a Netflix reality series about his coming out, as well as being slammed for his relationship with ex-Carrie Rudolph who took out a restraining order against him last year for stalking. But in an exclusive interview with Variety, Underwood did a deep-dive into the reasons for his coming out when he did, and the story is darker than initially thought. "The confession was prompted not by liberation but out of fear," Variety writes. "'I'll just say it,' Underwood reveals on a recent afternoon, still adjusting to his new life as an openly gay man. 'I, at one point, during my rock bottom and spiral, was getting blackmailed. Nobody knows I was blackmailed'." As he explained it, he was living in L.A. and visited a gay spa. Not long after, he received an anonymous call, which has been reviewed by Variety, claiming that someone took nude pics of him at the venue. "Underwood never saw the alleged photos and explains he was at the spa "just to look," saying he 'should have never been there.' The unidentified sender threatened to 'out' him in the press, and in a panic of paranoia, Underwood forwarded the email to his publicist, Alex Spieller, which forced him to finally have an honest conversation about his sexual orientation. On his "spiral" Underwood continued "It got so dark that he took pills one night last summer, hoping he'd never wake up. 'I tried to end my life, and it didn't work,' he tells Variety. 'That was the saddest and most confused and most hurt' he could remember himself feeling." Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍? (?: Colton Underwood / Instagram / @coltonunderwood)

@edgemedianetwork May 13

In a case of politics and porn making strange bedfellows, tatted, ex-adult film star Philipp Tanzer wouldn't appear to be a logical choice for the ultra-conservative, anti-LGBTQ Scottish Family Party. Tanzer is better known as his adult film alter-ego, Logan McCree, "who made a number of gay porn flicks with Raging Stallion and other studios, and won awards while working in the adult industry, including a Grabby and a GayVN Award," EDGE previously reported. But he was the SFP's choice, ran, and lost this weekend in the Scottish election. He announced his candidacy this past April, Tanzer jumped into politics for a seat in the Scottish parliament as a candidate for the party. The German-born, former bodybuilder had moved to the small Scottish town of Durness in 2012, where he joined the local fire department in 2015 without anyone finding fault with his past in gay porn. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork (?: Philipp Tanzer / Instagram / @philipptanzer)

In a case of politics and porn making strange bedfellows, tatted, ex-adult film star Philipp Tanzer wouldn't appear to be a logical choice for the ultra-conservative, anti-LGBTQ Scottish Family Party. Tanzer is better known as his adult film alter-ego, Logan McCree, "who made a number of gay porn flicks with Raging Stallion and other studios, and won awards while working in the adult industry, including a Grabby and a GayVN Award," EDGE previously reported. But he was the SFP's choice, ran, and lost this weekend in the Scottish election. He announced his candidacy this past April, Tanzer jumped into politics for a seat in the Scottish parliament as a candidate for the party. The German-born, former bodybuilder had moved to the small Scottish town of Durness in 2012, where he joined the local fire department in 2015 without anyone finding fault with his past in gay porn. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork (?: Philipp Tanzer / Instagram / @philipptanzer)

@edgemedianetwork May 12

Bryant Wood is best known for his short stint as the sweet, spiritual addition to the second season of Netflix's "The Circle." He didn't make it past the second episode and his early departure led him to be overshadowed in the hunk department by Mitchell Eason, who came on the show on a later episode and appears to have formed a strong bond with another cast member, Chloe Veitch . Bryant, though, wasn't on the show long enough to make strong connections, and it could be because his New Age persona was a bit too etherial for his more cynical peers. When he described himself as working in "breath work," one dismissed him by saying we all breathe, while another wondered if that was just another way of saying he was unemployed. Bryant was introduced on the first episode by host Michelle Bateau as a "bona fide grade-A hippie," reported the website StyleCaster. The shaggy-haired 27-year-old double-downed on his New Age credentials by calling himself as "weirdo" and an "oddball" and told viewers that he lives in a "golden bubble of love" where "no bad juju is allowed." Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ??‍♂️??? (Bryant Wood / Instagram / @bryant.give)

Bryant Wood is best known for his short stint as the sweet, spiritual addition to the second season of Netflix's "The Circle." He didn't make it past the second episode and his early departure led him to be overshadowed in the hunk department by Mitchell Eason, who came on the show on a later episode and appears to have formed a strong bond with another cast member, Chloe Veitch . Bryant, though, wasn't on the show long enough to make strong connections, and it could be because his New Age persona was a bit too etherial for his more cynical peers. When he described himself as working in "breath work," one dismissed him by saying we all breathe, while another wondered if that was just another way of saying he was unemployed. Bryant was introduced on the first episode by host Michelle Bateau as a "bona fide grade-A hippie," reported the website StyleCaster. The shaggy-haired 27-year-old double-downed on his New Age credentials by calling himself as "weirdo" and an "oddball" and told viewers that he lives in a "golden bubble of love" where "no bad juju is allowed." Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ??‍♂️??? (Bryant Wood / Instagram / @bryant.give)

@edgemedianetwork May 12

Laverne Cox is set to take on the mantle of red carpet coverage for E!, inheriting the role from Giuliana Rancic, who held the gig for two decades before announcing her departure to focus on producing, Page Six has reported. "The network announced Monday that it was pulling in Cox, 48, as the host of its flagship red carpet show, 'Live from E!'" according to the outlet. Cox's new gig will commence "starting with the 2022 awards season," the Los Angeles Times reported. Cox issued a statement, expressing that she is "so excited and deeply humbled to be hosting E!'s iconic red carpet coverage," as per Entertainment Weekly. "For many years I would wake up early on awards show days, get my snacks in place and watch E!'s coverage all day long," the "Orange Is the New Black" alum added. "I dreamed of walking red carpets. "Now, not only have I had several fun and amazing personal red carpet moments," she continued, "I also get to be a red carpet guide for E!'s discerning audience and chat with my colleagues and folks I deeply admire for these very special events in their lives." Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍???⭐ (?️: Kilian Melloy / @dragelruairi , ?: Laverne Cox / Facebook)

Laverne Cox is set to take on the mantle of red carpet coverage for E!, inheriting the role from Giuliana Rancic, who held the gig for two decades before announcing her departure to focus on producing, Page Six has reported. "The network announced Monday that it was pulling in Cox, 48, as the host of its flagship red carpet show, 'Live from E!'" according to the outlet. Cox's new gig will commence "starting with the 2022 awards season," the Los Angeles Times reported. Cox issued a statement, expressing that she is "so excited and deeply humbled to be hosting E!'s iconic red carpet coverage," as per Entertainment Weekly. "For many years I would wake up early on awards show days, get my snacks in place and watch E!'s coverage all day long," the "Orange Is the New Black" alum added. "I dreamed of walking red carpets. "Now, not only have I had several fun and amazing personal red carpet moments," she continued, "I also get to be a red carpet guide for E!'s discerning audience and chat with my colleagues and folks I deeply admire for these very special events in their lives." Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍???⭐ (?️: Kilian Melloy / @dragelruairi , ?: Laverne Cox / Facebook)

@edgemedianetwork May 11

Controlling Congress and the White House for the first time in a decade, Democrats were hopeful that this would be the year they finally secured civil rights protections for LGBTQ Americans. Then came a new debate over women's and girls sports. Legislation that would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is running aground in the Senate, partly knocked off course by the nationwide conservative push against transgender participation in girls and women's athletics that has swept state legislatures and now spilled into the halls of Congress. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said the House-passed legislation would "in effect repeal Title IX" by making it easier for transgender women to play on girls teams. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., said that allowing "male-bodied athletes" to compete against females would "totally undermine" girls basketball. Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Mo., said the bill would "decimate" female athletic competition. Democrats are frustrated by the shift in the debate, saying there's ample evidence that the Republican claims are false and overblown. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍??? (?: Supporters of LGBTQ rights hold placards in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, on Capitol Hill in Washington / AP / Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Controlling Congress and the White House for the first time in a decade, Democrats were hopeful that this would be the year they finally secured civil rights protections for LGBTQ Americans. Then came a new debate over women's and girls sports. Legislation that would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is running aground in the Senate, partly knocked off course by the nationwide conservative push against transgender participation in girls and women's athletics that has swept state legislatures and now spilled into the halls of Congress. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said the House-passed legislation would "in effect repeal Title IX" by making it easier for transgender women to play on girls teams. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., said that allowing "male-bodied athletes" to compete against females would "totally undermine" girls basketball. Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Mo., said the bill would "decimate" female athletic competition. Democrats are frustrated by the shift in the debate, saying there's ample evidence that the Republican claims are false and overblown. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍??? (?: Supporters of LGBTQ rights hold placards in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, on Capitol Hill in Washington / AP / Manuel Balce Ceneta)

@edgemedianetwork May 10

Actor Channing Tatum admitted that he keeps in shape because he has to. "As someone who works out for a job, I promise you I would not look like this unless I had to be naked in most of my movies mostly," he said May 4 on "The Kelly Clarkson Show," Yahoo! Entertainment reported. "At some point I have to get better at acting so I don't have to be naked in all of them," he added. "I literally get to work out as a job, and it's still hard." Tatum visited Clarkson to promote the children's book "The One and Only Sparkella," which he wrote, with illustrations by Kim Barnes. The book is "inspired by the actor's experiences as a father. The book tells the story of Ella, a little girl who finds her self-esteem and confidence waning when she starts at a new school. Thankfully, Ella's dad comes to the rescue in a fun, moving tale that's all about not giving up glitter if it makes you happy," reported Film Daily. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ??? (?: Channing Tatum / Instagram)

Actor Channing Tatum admitted that he keeps in shape because he has to. "As someone who works out for a job, I promise you I would not look like this unless I had to be naked in most of my movies mostly," he said May 4 on "The Kelly Clarkson Show," Yahoo! Entertainment reported. "At some point I have to get better at acting so I don't have to be naked in all of them," he added. "I literally get to work out as a job, and it's still hard." Tatum visited Clarkson to promote the children's book "The One and Only Sparkella," which he wrote, with illustrations by Kim Barnes. The book is "inspired by the actor's experiences as a father. The book tells the story of Ella, a little girl who finds her self-esteem and confidence waning when she starts at a new school. Thankfully, Ella's dad comes to the rescue in a fun, moving tale that's all about not giving up glitter if it makes you happy," reported Film Daily. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ??? (?: Channing Tatum / Instagram)

@edgemedianetwork May 8

The views don't get any better than Greater Palm Springs. ☀️ We'll save you a spot poolside in @visitgreaterps. #findyouroasis Tap link in bio to learn more! #sponsored

@edgemedianetwork May 7

Jeff Lewis is planning a return to reality television, People Magazine reported. "The 'Flipping Out' alum and 'Jeff Lewis Live!' radio show host, 51, will be starring in a new unscripted show following his life as a designer and single father of one airing exclusively on IMDb TV, the streaming service announced on Monday." "No interior designer is more well-known in equal parts for his stunning work and his brutally honest and often hilarious assessments of home renovation," Lauren Anderson and Ryan Pirozzi, co-heads of content and programming at IMDb TV, said of Lewis in the press release. "Jeff's return to television will be one that cannot be missed." While the show has yet to be named, it plans on featuring the out reality star as he balances "high-maintenance celebrities and ambitious home design projects while juggling his staff and personal life, which are all a work in progress," the release continued. "Flipping Out" premiered in July 2007 and quickly became one of television's most popular reality shows, running eleven seasons. The show followed Lewis, an L.A.-based real estate speculator and interior designer, as he renovated houses and flipped them for profit. The show "followed Lewis's personal drama and the trials and tribulations of owning his full-service interior design firm, Jeff Lewis Design. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️?️‍? (?: Jeff Lewis / BravoTV)

Jeff Lewis is planning a return to reality television, People Magazine reported. "The 'Flipping Out' alum and 'Jeff Lewis Live!' radio show host, 51, will be starring in a new unscripted show following his life as a designer and single father of one airing exclusively on IMDb TV, the streaming service announced on Monday." "No interior designer is more well-known in equal parts for his stunning work and his brutally honest and often hilarious assessments of home renovation," Lauren Anderson and Ryan Pirozzi, co-heads of content and programming at IMDb TV, said of Lewis in the press release. "Jeff's return to television will be one that cannot be missed." While the show has yet to be named, it plans on featuring the out reality star as he balances "high-maintenance celebrities and ambitious home design projects while juggling his staff and personal life, which are all a work in progress," the release continued. "Flipping Out" premiered in July 2007 and quickly became one of television's most popular reality shows, running eleven seasons. The show followed Lewis, an L.A.-based real estate speculator and interior designer, as he renovated houses and flipped them for profit. The show "followed Lewis's personal drama and the trials and tribulations of owning his full-service interior design firm, Jeff Lewis Design. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️?️‍? (?: Jeff Lewis / BravoTV)

@edgemedianetwork May 5

Travel is sensuous. Visiting a new destination can fill us with sights, sounds and flavors that inspire and delight us. And if we've learned anything from more than a year of hunkering down due to the pandemic, it's that we need those morsels to feed our souls. While the travel forecast for 2021 is looking up — the EU may soon allow American visitors — many of us are shy to plan a trip abroad in the short term. Fortunately, immigrants from around the world built America, which means most major U.S. cities are home to multicultural neighborhoods where we can channel the spirit of international travel into a local trip. Here's how you can go global by eating, drinking and shopping local. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️?? (?️: Kelsy Chauvin / @kelsycc, ?: Little Havana / Instagram)

Travel is sensuous. Visiting a new destination can fill us with sights, sounds and flavors that inspire and delight us. And if we've learned anything from more than a year of hunkering down due to the pandemic, it's that we need those morsels to feed our souls. While the travel forecast for 2021 is looking up — the EU may soon allow American visitors — many of us are shy to plan a trip abroad in the short term. Fortunately, immigrants from around the world built America, which means most major U.S. cities are home to multicultural neighborhoods where we can channel the spirit of international travel into a local trip. Here's how you can go global by eating, drinking and shopping local. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️?? (?️: Kelsy Chauvin / @kelsycc, ?: Little Havana / Instagram)

@edgemedianetwork May 5

RedHot is a website and publication dedicated to exactly what its name implies: to present to the world the hottest gingers. On its website, RedHot describes its mission to "rebrand the ginger male stereotype by showcasing ginger men as sexy and desirable." Its motto is, "be proud of who you are." It is the brain child of photographer Thomas Knights, "a photography campaign renowned for pushing boundaries and creating dialogue in the ever-changing fashion industry while raising funds for good causes." Calling itself a " 'global movement,' Red Hot began in 2013 and has since toured the world and gained unprecedented fame and recognition." And over that time Knights and his site have done their part to promote ginger awareness with 10 calendars, two art books, and a global exhibition. And, as part of its diversity movement and global anti-bullying campaign, Red Hot has raised over £60,000 for various charities and good causes, including The Diana Award and the Terrence Higgins Trust. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ??? (?: @redhot100)

RedHot is a website and publication dedicated to exactly what its name implies: to present to the world the hottest gingers. On its website, RedHot describes its mission to "rebrand the ginger male stereotype by showcasing ginger men as sexy and desirable." Its motto is, "be proud of who you are." It is the brain child of photographer Thomas Knights, "a photography campaign renowned for pushing boundaries and creating dialogue in the ever-changing fashion industry while raising funds for good causes." Calling itself a " 'global movement,' Red Hot began in 2013 and has since toured the world and gained unprecedented fame and recognition." And over that time Knights and his site have done their part to promote ginger awareness with 10 calendars, two art books, and a global exhibition. And, as part of its diversity movement and global anti-bullying campaign, Red Hot has raised over £60,000 for various charities and good causes, including The Diana Award and the Terrence Higgins Trust. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ??? (?: @redhot100)

@edgemedianetwork May 5

@edgemedianetwork

The views don't get any better than Greater Palm Springs. ☀️ We'll save you a spot poolside in @visitgreaterps. #findyouroasis Tap link in bio to learn more! #sponsored

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