@edgemedianetwork

EDGE is the largest network of local Lesbian, Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) news and entertainment publications in the world, serving 8+ million dedicated readers from a variety of metropolitan areas around the United States and beyond on the web, mobile web and native apps.

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@edgemedianetwork Mar 11

Transgender documentary filmmaker Tony Zosherafatain has made a short film, "I Am Isak," about a Norwegian trans man, and he's directed an installment of the series "I Am the T," titled "Cedar" about a Canadian trans man escaping family abuse and drug addiction by embracing his authentic self. Zosherafatain also directed, co-wrote, and appears in, the four-episode docuseries "Trans in Trumpland," now streaming at Topic. Zosherafatain travels through some of America's reddest states across the four episodes of the series to get a sense of the challenges transgender people have faced over the last few years, under the previous administration — an administration that seemed determined at every step to push transgender Americans to the side and subject them to exclusion and erasure. But the series focuses less on politics than people. In North Carolina — a state notorious for being ground zero for anti-trans legislation built around the issue of who may use which restroom — he talks with trans teen Ash; in Texas he visits with Rebecca, a trans immigrant from Mexico who has been detained four times by ICE, and been housed each time with male inmates; in Mississippi he hears from Evonne, the founder of a unique non-profit that, the series' press notes say, "provides vital care to Mississippi's violently neglected LGBTQ community"; and in Idaho he interviews Shane, a Two Spirit Native American and military veteran who has spoken out against the trans military ban that Trump imposed via tweet (and which President Joe Biden has rescinded). Zosherafatain and his producing partner, Jamie DiNicola, run TransWave Films. They spoke with EDGE about their partnership, their production company, and what went into putting this one-of-a-kind road trip together. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍?? (?️: Kilian Melloy / @dragelruairi, ?: Tony Zosherafatain / Instagram / @tonyzfilms)

Transgender documentary filmmaker Tony Zosherafatain has made a short film, "I Am Isak," about a Norwegian trans man, and he's directed an installment of the series "I Am the T," titled "Cedar" about a Canadian trans man escaping family abuse and drug addiction by embracing his authentic self. Zosherafatain also directed, co-wrote, and appears in, the four-episode docuseries "Trans in Trumpland," now streaming at Topic. Zosherafatain travels through some of America's reddest states across the four episodes of the series to get a sense of the challenges transgender people have faced over the last few years, under the previous administration — an administration that seemed determined at every step to push transgender Americans to the side and subject them to exclusion and erasure. But the series focuses less on politics than people. In North Carolina — a state notorious for being ground zero for anti-trans legislation built around the issue of who may use which restroom — he talks with trans teen Ash; in Texas he visits with Rebecca, a trans immigrant from Mexico who has been detained four times by ICE, and been housed each time with male inmates; in Mississippi he hears from Evonne, the founder of a unique non-profit that, the series' press notes say, "provides vital care to Mississippi's violently neglected LGBTQ community"; and in Idaho he interviews Shane, a Two Spirit Native American and military veteran who has spoken out against the trans military ban that Trump imposed via tweet (and which President Joe Biden has rescinded). Zosherafatain and his producing partner, Jamie DiNicola, run TransWave Films. They spoke with EDGE about their partnership, their production company, and what went into putting this one-of-a-kind road trip together. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍?? (?️: Kilian Melloy / @dragelruairi, ?: Tony Zosherafatain / Instagram / @tonyzfilms)

@edgemedianetwork Mar 10

Lady Gaga shared the first look at "House of Gucci," the new Ridley Scott thriller starring the pop singer and Adam Driver. In the upcoming film, Gaga plays Patrizia Reggiani, Maurizio Gucci's ex-wife. Variety writes it "depicts the true story of the downfall of the Gucci family dynasty. Adam Driver is portraying Maurizio Gucci, the former head of Gucci fashion," going on to say the movie "dramatizes the events around the assassination of Guccio Gucci's grandson, Maurizio. Patrizia Reggiani was tried and convicted of orchestrating Maurizio Gucci's murder in 1995 after he left her for a younger woman. She served in prison for 18 years, where she gained the nickname Black Widow, before being released in 2016." "House of Gucci" was written by Roberto Bentivegna and is based on the novel "The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed" by Sara Gay Forden. Al Pacino, Jared Leto and Jeremy Irons also star. This marks Gaga's first film role since her performance in the blockbuster "A Star is Born," starring and directed by Bradly Cooper. She was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar but went home with the award for Best Original Song for "Shallow." "House of Gucci" is expected to hit theaters on Nov. 24. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️? (?: Adam Driver, left, and Lady Gaga, right, for "House of Gucci." / Twitter, Lady Gaga)

Lady Gaga shared the first look at "House of Gucci," the new Ridley Scott thriller starring the pop singer and Adam Driver. In the upcoming film, Gaga plays Patrizia Reggiani, Maurizio Gucci's ex-wife. Variety writes it "depicts the true story of the downfall of the Gucci family dynasty. Adam Driver is portraying Maurizio Gucci, the former head of Gucci fashion," going on to say the movie "dramatizes the events around the assassination of Guccio Gucci's grandson, Maurizio. Patrizia Reggiani was tried and convicted of orchestrating Maurizio Gucci's murder in 1995 after he left her for a younger woman. She served in prison for 18 years, where she gained the nickname Black Widow, before being released in 2016." "House of Gucci" was written by Roberto Bentivegna and is based on the novel "The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed" by Sara Gay Forden. Al Pacino, Jared Leto and Jeremy Irons also star. This marks Gaga's first film role since her performance in the blockbuster "A Star is Born," starring and directed by Bradly Cooper. She was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar but went home with the award for Best Original Song for "Shallow." "House of Gucci" is expected to hit theaters on Nov. 24. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️? (?: Adam Driver, left, and Lady Gaga, right, for "House of Gucci." / Twitter, Lady Gaga)

@edgemedianetwork Mar 10

The season favorite Snatch Game delivered highs and lows on this week's episode of "RuPaul's Drag Race." Gottmik proved that influencers like Paris Hilton are fabulous fodder, while Utica's squirrel-headed interpretation of PBS watercolorist Rob Ross struggled to paint a clear picture. For the mainstage runway, Ru challenged the queens to don their favorite "Fascinating Fascinators." Gottmik, back with her signature kabuki face paint, walked the runway with an oversized safety pin bisecting her head, finished with a Swarovski-studded droplet of blood and patchwork punk mini. Verdict: FAB - Here's a breakdown of who stayed heads above the competition. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍???(?️: Matthew Wexler / @wexlerwrites, ?: Gottmik, Instagram, @gottmik, Outfit by @strike_oil @natsgetty, Fascinator by @marcosquared, Photo by @magnushastings, Hair by @prestonwada)

The season favorite Snatch Game delivered highs and lows on this week's episode of "RuPaul's Drag Race." Gottmik proved that influencers like Paris Hilton are fabulous fodder, while Utica's squirrel-headed interpretation of PBS watercolorist Rob Ross struggled to paint a clear picture. For the mainstage runway, Ru challenged the queens to don their favorite "Fascinating Fascinators." Gottmik, back with her signature kabuki face paint, walked the runway with an oversized safety pin bisecting her head, finished with a Swarovski-studded droplet of blood and patchwork punk mini. Verdict: FAB - Here's a breakdown of who stayed heads above the competition. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍???(?️: Matthew Wexler / @wexlerwrites, ?: Gottmik, Instagram, @gottmik, Outfit by @strike_oil @natsgetty, Fascinator by @marcosquared, Photo by @magnushastings, Hair by @prestonwada)

@edgemedianetwork Mar 8

Locked out of our favorite restaurants for the past year, many of us have turned to meal delivery kits and home cooking as a way of staying healthy — and sane. The pandemic has brought out the home chef in all of us, and we're dabbling in everything from baking bread to juicing. For those looking to elevate their culinary skills or shift careers, a new culinary school is about to make its mark. But you won't find a porterhouse steak on the menu at the Vegan Fusion Culinary Academy. Vegetarian and vegan diets have become so mainstream, in 2019, the total retail market for plant foods was worth nearly $5 billion. Last year, Beyond Meat made inroads into China, and even McDonald's will unwrap its "McPlant" this year. When we are finally allowed to dine in our favorite establishments, it will be interesting to see if the plant based boom will make it into the kitchens and onto the menus as analysts predict. April Stamm, a classically trained chef with more than two decades of cooking experience under her toque, believes our newfound appetite for plants is here to stay. The out urbanite was a longtime instructor at the famed International Culinary Center (formerly the French Culinary Institute) in New York City, which ceased operation due to the pandemic's economic fallout. Stamm represents a growing number of LGBTQ chefs gaining recognition on the culinary landscape. Melissa King won last season's "Top Chef: All-Stars LA" while past contestants like Arnold Myint (aka drag queen Suzy Wong) and Kristen Kish have amassed thousands of social media fans. But Stamm proves you don't have to be a queer culinary influencer to make your mark. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍???️ (?️: @merryn_johns, ?: April Stamm @aprilstamm, @veganfusionacademy)

Locked out of our favorite restaurants for the past year, many of us have turned to meal delivery kits and home cooking as a way of staying healthy — and sane. The pandemic has brought out the home chef in all of us, and we're dabbling in everything from baking bread to juicing. For those looking to elevate their culinary skills or shift careers, a new culinary school is about to make its mark. But you won't find a porterhouse steak on the menu at the Vegan Fusion Culinary Academy. Vegetarian and vegan diets have become so mainstream, in 2019, the total retail market for plant foods was worth nearly $5 billion. Last year, Beyond Meat made inroads into China, and even McDonald's will unwrap its "McPlant" this year. When we are finally allowed to dine in our favorite establishments, it will be interesting to see if the plant based boom will make it into the kitchens and onto the menus as analysts predict. April Stamm, a classically trained chef with more than two decades of cooking experience under her toque, believes our newfound appetite for plants is here to stay. The out urbanite was a longtime instructor at the famed International Culinary Center (formerly the French Culinary Institute) in New York City, which ceased operation due to the pandemic's economic fallout. Stamm represents a growing number of LGBTQ chefs gaining recognition on the culinary landscape. Melissa King won last season's "Top Chef: All-Stars LA" while past contestants like Arnold Myint (aka drag queen Suzy Wong) and Kristen Kish have amassed thousands of social media fans. But Stamm proves you don't have to be a queer culinary influencer to make your mark. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍???️ (?️: @merryn_johns, ?: April Stamm @aprilstamm, @veganfusionacademy)

@edgemedianetwork Mar 8

I remember sitting in the back of my parents' car at age 16, reading the novel that would change my life. First published in 1995, Francesca Lia Block's young adult (YA) fantasy "Baby Be-Bop" featured the first gay protagonist my small-town Catholic self, who wouldn't come out as bisexual for two more decades, had ever encountered. Now, I write YA fiction focusing on LGBTQ characters and experiences, not only for teens on the verge of self-discovery, but for the broader book market that's seen significantly increased sales in the past year. According to books industry analyst NPD Bookscan, more than half of 2020's top 10 books targeted kids or young adults. Studies have shown that more adults read YA books than teens. And for LGBTQ adults, YA books present an opportunity to revisit their own narratives. "I and probably a lot of people, especially queer people, are constantly relitigating our own teenage years because...our teen years can be shaped by the closet," says Adib Khorram, whose second YA novel "Darius the Great Deserves Better" was a 2021 Stonewall Children's and Young Adult Literature Award of the American Library Association (ALA) honoree. "I think it can be very therapeutic to read about outcomes that are maybe different from the ones we experienced." Ari Gofman, chair of this year's Stonewall Children's and Young Adult Literature Award committee, has noticed a strong adult readership of YA. They're not surprised: fresh perspectives invigorate. "I find YA books engage earnestly and sincerely with the world," Gofman says. "For the teenagers who tend to be the main characters in these books, most life experiences are new... and there's a lot of possibility in that." Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍?? (?️: Lauren Emily Whalen, ?: Getty)

I remember sitting in the back of my parents' car at age 16, reading the novel that would change my life. First published in 1995, Francesca Lia Block's young adult (YA) fantasy "Baby Be-Bop" featured the first gay protagonist my small-town Catholic self, who wouldn't come out as bisexual for two more decades, had ever encountered. Now, I write YA fiction focusing on LGBTQ characters and experiences, not only for teens on the verge of self-discovery, but for the broader book market that's seen significantly increased sales in the past year. According to books industry analyst NPD Bookscan, more than half of 2020's top 10 books targeted kids or young adults. Studies have shown that more adults read YA books than teens. And for LGBTQ adults, YA books present an opportunity to revisit their own narratives. "I and probably a lot of people, especially queer people, are constantly relitigating our own teenage years because...our teen years can be shaped by the closet," says Adib Khorram, whose second YA novel "Darius the Great Deserves Better" was a 2021 Stonewall Children's and Young Adult Literature Award of the American Library Association (ALA) honoree. "I think it can be very therapeutic to read about outcomes that are maybe different from the ones we experienced." Ari Gofman, chair of this year's Stonewall Children's and Young Adult Literature Award committee, has noticed a strong adult readership of YA. They're not surprised: fresh perspectives invigorate. "I find YA books engage earnestly and sincerely with the world," Gofman says. "For the teenagers who tend to be the main characters in these books, most life experiences are new... and there's a lot of possibility in that." Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍?? (?️: Lauren Emily Whalen, ?: Getty)

@edgemedianetwork Mar 8

Aussie actor Jacob Elordi returned to model for Calvin Klein this week and opened up in an interview about his "Euphoria" character Nate. Jacob Elordi first turned heads in the Netflix teen comedy "The Kissing Booth," in which the 24-year old Australian displayed his "Abercrombie & Fitch-worthy bod in five fabulously fap-worthy shirtless scenes," wrote the adult site The Sword. Fashion influencers took notice and the following year he joined a slew of celebrities to take part in Calvin Klein Underwear's 2019 fall campaign called #MYCALVINS IRL that posed the question, "How do you do sexy? Perfectly filtered or IRL [in real life] raw?" This week the 6'4" co-star of HBO's provocative teen drama "Euphoria" was seen in "a new Calvin Klein ad that displays pieces from the 2021 Spring collection," reports the website Revolt. For the campaign photographer Mario Sorrenti (whose association with the brand dates back to the iconic 1993 campaign with Kate Moss) features Elordi along with "Hamilton's" Anthony Ramos, activist Janaya Future Khana modeling items from the line, which includes white tees, classic denim silhouettes and a variety of monochromatic and gender-neutral pieces. Reggae artist Koffee, Queer Skate LA, Japenese pop star Rina Sawayama, skateboarder Sage Elsesser and dancer Vinson Fraley are also featured in the ad. Elordi, W notes in an interview, has been delving into the fashion world over the past few years, notably standing out at Burberry fall 2020 in a sequined mesh undershirt and "the first—and so far only—prominent male-identifying celebrity to embrace Fendi's revamped menswear version of its iconic Baguette bag." He says the reason why he did the first CK campaign was "because I thought my mum would find it cool." And adds that working with Sorrenti was an honor. "His work is brilliant. I'm always grateful sharing a space with an artist like that, it gets me going creatively." Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?? (?: Jacob Elordi / Instagram / @jacobelordi / @calvinklein / @mario_sorrenti / #mycalvins)

Aussie actor Jacob Elordi returned to model for Calvin Klein this week and opened up in an interview about his "Euphoria" character Nate. Jacob Elordi first turned heads in the Netflix teen comedy "The Kissing Booth," in which the 24-year old Australian displayed his "Abercrombie & Fitch-worthy bod in five fabulously fap-worthy shirtless scenes," wrote the adult site The Sword. Fashion influencers took notice and the following year he joined a slew of celebrities to take part in Calvin Klein Underwear's 2019 fall campaign called #MYCALVINS IRL that posed the question, "How do you do sexy? Perfectly filtered or IRL [in real life] raw?" This week the 6'4" co-star of HBO's provocative teen drama "Euphoria" was seen in "a new Calvin Klein ad that displays pieces from the 2021 Spring collection," reports the website Revolt. For the campaign photographer Mario Sorrenti (whose association with the brand dates back to the iconic 1993 campaign with Kate Moss) features Elordi along with "Hamilton's" Anthony Ramos, activist Janaya Future Khana modeling items from the line, which includes white tees, classic denim silhouettes and a variety of monochromatic and gender-neutral pieces. Reggae artist Koffee, Queer Skate LA, Japenese pop star Rina Sawayama, skateboarder Sage Elsesser and dancer Vinson Fraley are also featured in the ad. Elordi, W notes in an interview, has been delving into the fashion world over the past few years, notably standing out at Burberry fall 2020 in a sequined mesh undershirt and "the first—and so far only—prominent male-identifying celebrity to embrace Fendi's revamped menswear version of its iconic Baguette bag." He says the reason why he did the first CK campaign was "because I thought my mum would find it cool." And adds that working with Sorrenti was an honor. "His work is brilliant. I'm always grateful sharing a space with an artist like that, it gets me going creatively." Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?? (?: Jacob Elordi / Instagram / @jacobelordi / @calvinklein / @mario_sorrenti / #mycalvins)

@edgemedianetwork Mar 6

Billie Jean King has a memoir coming this summer, and she calls it a journey to her "authentic self." Alfred A. Knopf announced Thursday that "All In: An Autobiography" will be published Aug. 17. It will cover the highlights of her celebrated and groundbreaking tennis career, including her 39 Grand Slam titles and her defeat of Bobby Riggs in the famous "Battle of the Sexes" match in 1973. King, 77, will also write about her activism on behalf of women in tennis and beyond, and such private struggles as an eating disorder and acknowledging her sexual identity. She was married to Larry King (no relation to the late broadcaster) for more than a decade before being outed in 1981. She has said she did not feel entirely comfortable being gay until she was 51. "Early on, what was most apparent to me was that the world I wanted didn't exist yet," King writes in her book, according to an excerpt provided by Knopf. "It would be up to my generation to create it." King is also the author of "Pressure is a Privilege: Lessons I've Learned from Life and the Battle of the Sexes," released in 2008. King published a memoir in the early 1980s, "Billie Jean King: The Autobiography," but says she rushed it out at the urging of her then-manager, who was concerned about her finances in the wake of her outing. "That book was incomplete and written at a moment when I was not ready to share my truth," she said in a statement to The Associated Press. "'All In' is the first portrait of my life in full, told in my own words." "All In" is being edited by Jonathan Segal, who has worked on memoirs by Andre Agassi and Arthur Ashe. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍?? (?: Billie Jean King / Facebook / @billiejeanking)

Billie Jean King has a memoir coming this summer, and she calls it a journey to her "authentic self." Alfred A. Knopf announced Thursday that "All In: An Autobiography" will be published Aug. 17. It will cover the highlights of her celebrated and groundbreaking tennis career, including her 39 Grand Slam titles and her defeat of Bobby Riggs in the famous "Battle of the Sexes" match in 1973. King, 77, will also write about her activism on behalf of women in tennis and beyond, and such private struggles as an eating disorder and acknowledging her sexual identity. She was married to Larry King (no relation to the late broadcaster) for more than a decade before being outed in 1981. She has said she did not feel entirely comfortable being gay until she was 51. "Early on, what was most apparent to me was that the world I wanted didn't exist yet," King writes in her book, according to an excerpt provided by Knopf. "It would be up to my generation to create it." King is also the author of "Pressure is a Privilege: Lessons I've Learned from Life and the Battle of the Sexes," released in 2008. King published a memoir in the early 1980s, "Billie Jean King: The Autobiography," but says she rushed it out at the urging of her then-manager, who was concerned about her finances in the wake of her outing. "That book was incomplete and written at a moment when I was not ready to share my truth," she said in a statement to The Associated Press. "'All In' is the first portrait of my life in full, told in my own words." "All In" is being edited by Jonathan Segal, who has worked on memoirs by Andre Agassi and Arthur Ashe. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍?? (?: Billie Jean King / Facebook / @billiejeanking)

@edgemedianetwork Mar 4

It's anybody's guess whether the Tokyo Olympics will proceed this summer, as planned. Even though the road is rough for organizers and athletes, the highly anticipated event has shined a spotlight on Japan as a premier travel destination. Tokyo's Shinjuku Ni-chome gay district, packed with more than 400 apartment-size bars, has been fighting to stay afloat, while Bloomberg recently reported the government's determination to jumpstart domestic travel. When you're ready, Japan is ready for LGBTQ visitors. In 2019, "Queer Eye" ventured to Japan to showcase the country's gorgeous design and style possibilities. The country's astounding 5,700 museums prove that there's plenty to see and celebrate, and while the Edo-Tokyo Museum, Mori Art Museum and Hakone Open-Air Museum are some of the most visited, this tiny country of 47 prefectures offers some quirkier finds. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍???? (?️: Matthew Wexler / @wexlerwrites, ?: Getty)

It's anybody's guess whether the Tokyo Olympics will proceed this summer, as planned. Even though the road is rough for organizers and athletes, the highly anticipated event has shined a spotlight on Japan as a premier travel destination. Tokyo's Shinjuku Ni-chome gay district, packed with more than 400 apartment-size bars, has been fighting to stay afloat, while Bloomberg recently reported the government's determination to jumpstart domestic travel. When you're ready, Japan is ready for LGBTQ visitors. In 2019, "Queer Eye" ventured to Japan to showcase the country's gorgeous design and style possibilities. The country's astounding 5,700 museums prove that there's plenty to see and celebrate, and while the Edo-Tokyo Museum, Mori Art Museum and Hakone Open-Air Museum are some of the most visited, this tiny country of 47 prefectures offers some quirkier finds. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍???? (?️: Matthew Wexler / @wexlerwrites, ?: Getty)

@edgemedianetwork Mar 3

A gay couple were allegedly attacked and beaten outside a casino in St. Charles, Missouri, over the weekend, and they say the assault was clearly a hate crime. Police say they are not so sure. Local news station KDSK reports that the couple - whose names have not been released - were walking out of Ameristar Casino when they encountered a group of men coming into the establishment. One of the men feigned throwing a punch at them and hurled an anti-gay epithet, the victims contend. Then, they say, the situation turned into a brutal attack. The beating took place in the hours of February 27, as one of the men helped his boyfriend exit the casino on the way back to the car. The boyfriend was intoxicated and needed help walking, the victims said. The man who was supporting his boyfriend pushed back at being called a homophobic slur, news reports said. It was that point the men allegedly began punching and kicking. The man's inebriated boyfriend was knocked out and fell to the ground. "All I could think about was getting over him, covering as he was getting hit with punches and kicks," the man said. "He was laying there unconscious." Speaking to another local channel, , the man provided additional details: "They saw me with my arms wrapped around him, and that's why they did that (fake hitting) motion and said (anti-gay slur)." "Everything after that was out of hate, so it's clearly a hate crime," the man continued. "As I'm crawling to him, I'm begging them, 'Please stop. Please stop. We're done.' Then they hit me in the stomach, I say, 'Please, we're done, we're done.' They say, '(profanity) right, you're (profanity) done.' " Now, he and his boyfriend are scared to go out in public. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍? ?(?️: Kilian Melloy / @dragelruairi , ?: Screen Cap/KDSK)

A gay couple were allegedly attacked and beaten outside a casino in St. Charles, Missouri, over the weekend, and they say the assault was clearly a hate crime. Police say they are not so sure. Local news station KDSK reports that the couple - whose names have not been released - were walking out of Ameristar Casino when they encountered a group of men coming into the establishment. One of the men feigned throwing a punch at them and hurled an anti-gay epithet, the victims contend. Then, they say, the situation turned into a brutal attack. The beating took place in the hours of February 27, as one of the men helped his boyfriend exit the casino on the way back to the car. The boyfriend was intoxicated and needed help walking, the victims said. The man who was supporting his boyfriend pushed back at being called a homophobic slur, news reports said. It was that point the men allegedly began punching and kicking. The man's inebriated boyfriend was knocked out and fell to the ground. "All I could think about was getting over him, covering as he was getting hit with punches and kicks," the man said. "He was laying there unconscious." Speaking to another local channel, , the man provided additional details: "They saw me with my arms wrapped around him, and that's why they did that (fake hitting) motion and said (anti-gay slur)." "Everything after that was out of hate, so it's clearly a hate crime," the man continued. "As I'm crawling to him, I'm begging them, 'Please stop. Please stop. We're done.' Then they hit me in the stomach, I say, 'Please, we're done, we're done.' They say, '(profanity) right, you're (profanity) done.' " Now, he and his boyfriend are scared to go out in public. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍? ?(?️: Kilian Melloy / @dragelruairi , ?: Screen Cap/KDSK)

@edgemedianetwork Mar 3

Bethany Christian Services, one of the nation's biggest adoption and foster care agencies, announced on Monday it would immediately begin working with LGBTQ families, The New York Times reports. Chris Palusky, Bethany's president and chief executive, said in an email to 1,500 staff members, "We will now offer services with the love and compassion of Jesus to the many types of families who exist in our world today. We're taking an 'all hands on deck' approach where all are welcome." Bethany's announcement is particularly significant as faith-based organizations have continued to oppose working with same-sex couples who wish to start families. Organizations such as Catholic Social Services have claimed that working with same-sex couples is an infringement upon their religious liberty. Catholic Social Services is currently suing the city of Philadelphia over having their contract suspended for discrimination in refusing to work with same-sex couples. Monday's announcement is also a big about-face for Bethany, which has been around for 77 years. The largest Protestant adoption and foster care agency in the U.S., the New York Times notes, "Bethany facilitated 3,406 foster placements and 1,123 adoptions in 2019, and has offices in 32 states." The organization had an informal policy of referring same-sex couples elsewhere. After a 2018 incident in which a lesbian couple were told Bethany "has never placed a child with a same-sex couple," media reports led to Philadelphia suspending contracts with both Catholic Social Services and Bethany's Philadelphia office. The same year, Bethany passed a resolution that granted local branches to comply with state and local contract requirements pertaining to anti-discrimination. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍??‍?‍??‍?‍? (?️: Kevin Schattenkirk @kschatt13, ?: Getty)

Bethany Christian Services, one of the nation's biggest adoption and foster care agencies, announced on Monday it would immediately begin working with LGBTQ families, The New York Times reports. Chris Palusky, Bethany's president and chief executive, said in an email to 1,500 staff members, "We will now offer services with the love and compassion of Jesus to the many types of families who exist in our world today. We're taking an 'all hands on deck' approach where all are welcome." Bethany's announcement is particularly significant as faith-based organizations have continued to oppose working with same-sex couples who wish to start families. Organizations such as Catholic Social Services have claimed that working with same-sex couples is an infringement upon their religious liberty. Catholic Social Services is currently suing the city of Philadelphia over having their contract suspended for discrimination in refusing to work with same-sex couples. Monday's announcement is also a big about-face for Bethany, which has been around for 77 years. The largest Protestant adoption and foster care agency in the U.S., the New York Times notes, "Bethany facilitated 3,406 foster placements and 1,123 adoptions in 2019, and has offices in 32 states." The organization had an informal policy of referring same-sex couples elsewhere. After a 2018 incident in which a lesbian couple were told Bethany "has never placed a child with a same-sex couple," media reports led to Philadelphia suspending contracts with both Catholic Social Services and Bethany's Philadelphia office. The same year, Bethany passed a resolution that granted local branches to comply with state and local contract requirements pertaining to anti-discrimination. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍??‍?‍??‍?‍? (?️: Kevin Schattenkirk @kschatt13, ?: Getty)

@edgemedianetwork Mar 3

Writer-producer and gay-content creator Russell T. Davies is no stranger to controversy... he invites it, especially when discussing gay actors playing gay parts. His recent comments have caused quite a stir in the media, and he could not be more pleased. Born in Wales, the scribe cut his teeth on BBC TV content for children before moving onto TV soaps and period dramas. His big breakthrough, in 1999, was the groundbreaking series "Queer as Folk" (which birthed a popular U.S. version on Showtime). Davies went on to pen the queer-themed, "Bob & Rose" (2001) and became chief writer and executive producer of the wildly popular BBC series, "Doctor Who," in 2005, from which came the seminal spin-off "Torchwood" as well as "The Sarah Jane Adventures" and "Wizards vs. Aliens." More gay content followed with "Cucumber" and "Banana" (both 2015) and the limited series "A Very English Scandal." In 2019, he created the riveting futuristic drama, "Years and Years." Set in the early 1980s and spanning a decade, the 5-episode series chronicles the lives of friends and flatmates, mostly gay men, living in London at the outset of the AIDS crisis. "It's a Sin" honors a generation of young gay men decimated by a calamity no one wanted to acknowledge by brutally depicting just how insensitive and ignorant the response was to the crisis. The show also has the daring to take a generation of straight families to task for perpetuating shame and guilt on their queer brethren, which led to nihilistic and irresponsible behavior. EDGE had the pleasure of video-chatting with Davies a week after it's HBO Max premiere in the U.S. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍?❤️ (?️: Frank Avella, ?: HBO Max)

Writer-producer and gay-content creator Russell T. Davies is no stranger to controversy... he invites it, especially when discussing gay actors playing gay parts. His recent comments have caused quite a stir in the media, and he could not be more pleased. Born in Wales, the scribe cut his teeth on BBC TV content for children before moving onto TV soaps and period dramas. His big breakthrough, in 1999, was the groundbreaking series "Queer as Folk" (which birthed a popular U.S. version on Showtime). Davies went on to pen the queer-themed, "Bob & Rose" (2001) and became chief writer and executive producer of the wildly popular BBC series, "Doctor Who," in 2005, from which came the seminal spin-off "Torchwood" as well as "The Sarah Jane Adventures" and "Wizards vs. Aliens." More gay content followed with "Cucumber" and "Banana" (both 2015) and the limited series "A Very English Scandal." In 2019, he created the riveting futuristic drama, "Years and Years." Set in the early 1980s and spanning a decade, the 5-episode series chronicles the lives of friends and flatmates, mostly gay men, living in London at the outset of the AIDS crisis. "It's a Sin" honors a generation of young gay men decimated by a calamity no one wanted to acknowledge by brutally depicting just how insensitive and ignorant the response was to the crisis. The show also has the daring to take a generation of straight families to task for perpetuating shame and guilt on their queer brethren, which led to nihilistic and irresponsible behavior. EDGE had the pleasure of video-chatting with Davies a week after it's HBO Max premiere in the U.S. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍?❤️ (?️: Frank Avella, ?: HBO Max)

@edgemedianetwork Mar 3