Andrew Garfield has used his Tony Awards acceptance speech to honor LGBTI activists who fought for community’s equal rights.

Garfield won the Tony for best lead actor in a play for his role as Prior Walter in the iconic gay play,  Angels in America.

The actor who has long advocated for the LGBTI community called out bigotry against the community in his acceptance speech.

‘At a moment in time where maybe the most important thing that we remember right now is the sanctity of the human spirit, it is the profound privilege of my life to play Prior Walter in Angels in America because he represents the purest spirit of humanity,’ Garfield said.

‘And especially that of the LGBTQ community. It is a spirit that says no to oppression. It is a spirit that says no to bigotry, no to shame, no to exclusion. It is a spirit that says we are all made perfectly. That we all belong.

‘So, I dedicate this award to the countless LGBTQ people who have fought and died to protect that spirit, to protect that message: For the right to live and love as we are created to.’

Let them bake cakes!

Garfield wrapped up his moving speech with a quip throwing shade at a recent Supreme Court decision to rule in favor of a baker who refused to bake a cake for a gay couple’s wedding

‘We are all sacred and we all belong, so let’s just bake a cake for everyone who wants a cake to be baked,’ Garfield said.

Andrew Garfield won Best Actor at the #TonyAwards for Angels in America. During his acceptance speech he gave a message of support to the LGBTQ community (and threw shade at conservative evangelical snowflakes): “Let’s just bake a cake for everyone who wants a cake to be baked.” pic.twitter.com/g9RBGSxZGF

— Adam Best (@adamcbest) June 11, 2018

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Andrew Garfield dedicates Tony Award to LGBTIQ community

LA Pride turned away hundreds of ticket-holders after overselling an event last night (9 June).

As part of a special LA Pride Festival concert in West Hollywood, many people showed up and then got turned away.

According to eye witness reports, organizers were turning people away from as early as 8:30pm. This is despite having a prepaid ticket to the event or not.

Pride-goers even noticed a helicopter hovering above, telling people not to bother trying to get in and to go home.

One Twitter user wrote: ‘Y’all made a huge mess here. Way over capacity, easily the worst, most uncomfortable, dangerous Pride I’ve ever been to. There’s a literal helicopter flying around telling people to go home at 9:45pm!’

‘You guys created an extremely dangerous environment’

As a result, a lot of people became angry and riot police became involved.

One Twitter user wrote: ‘You guys created an extremely dangerous environment. Besides paying for bracelets at the table and seconds later be denied entry at the metal detectors (due to “over capacity”), you mfs did not protect anyone from the treatment ppl recieved outside of these gates.’

Another wrote: ‘Dear LA Pride, I got my weekend ticket and couldn’t event go inside the festival. The real question is why you oversold so many tickets leaving people who got them b4 out? I want my money back!’

LA County Scanner then reported an escalation of events, with people trying to rush through the metal detectors.

They tweeted: ‘Crowd is forming and is about to breach the metal detectors. Tactical Response team responding.’

GRAVELY disappointed in L.A. Pride. Went in earlier, had to leave, then came back to only be told to go into this ONE LONG LINE, WAIT 2 HOURS, THEN 300 FEET FROM THE GATE WE’RE TOLD IT’S CLOSED?!? #fail #LAPride

— Andrew (@ABrooks2007) 10 June 2018

One attendee took to Twitter to express how terrified she was with the heavy police presence. She tweeted: ‘I honestly feel like crying having just witnessed a riot police presence at a pride event. Police with pellet guns standing under the pride banner. It was terrifying.’

In response to the confusion on the night, LA Pride tweeted a statement: ‘We are sorry and want to apologize to everyone who could not get in after the venue hit capacity.

‘If you have a ticket or wristband that was never used yesterday, we will exchange it for a Sunday ticket at the box office,’ they said.

It is not yet clear if LA Pride plans to issue full refunds to ticket-holders turned away at the door.

Gay Star News reached out to LA Pride for further comment.

Kehlani: ‘Y’all deserve refunds’

Openly bisexual singer Kehlani was one of the headlining acts on the night.

She took to Twitter to address the angry reactions to LA Pride being overcapacity. She said: ‘i’m seeing all your tweets and messages. i’m sorry LA Pride reached their full capacity and aren’t letting any more people in. y’all deserve refunds and i hope we get a chance to jam soon.’

Kehlani then later tweeted: ‘as fun as that was my heart goes out to all the folks who drove, flew, train & bussed here and weren’t allowed in. my heart is wit those who had scary run ins with the LAPD & bad security tonight. we gotta do better.’

through all the mishaps.. tonight we broke a record. made history. LA Pride committee said they’ve never seen ticket sales like this. thank you again. really.

— Kehlani (@Kehlani) 10 June 2018

She also addressed technical difficulties from the night.

Kehlani said she had to perform with no functioning ear monitor, after taking it out during the first song. She also had to start her first song again because her microphone wasn’t even on during the beginning.

Kim Petras also performed with technical difficulties. During the live-stream of her set, the audio cuts out from the broadcast.

The LA Pride parade occurs today (10 June), starting at midday.

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Anger as hundreds of ticket-holders turned away from LA Pride

Stoli Vodka in the US yesterday unveiled a special limited-edition bottle commemorating the late LGBTI activist, Harvey Milk.

Yesterday was Harvey Milk Day in the US. Milk became the first openly gay man elected to public office in the US when he became a city supervisor in San Francisco in 1978. Another city supervisor, Dan White, assassinated Milk later that same year.

The Harvey Milk Foundation worked in conjuction with Stoli to produce the limited edition bottle. Stoli said in a statement it was donating to the non-profit to help it continue its work honoring Milk’s memory.

‘We are excited to take our partnership with Stoli to a higher level this year as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of my uncle’s historic 11 months of public service,’ said Stuart Milk, Global LGBT advocate and co-founder of the Harvey Milk Foundation.

‘The Stoli Harvey Milk Limited Edition bottle recognizes our history and commemorates who helped lead us forward towards visibility, a visibility that will be enhanced by this wonderful tribute from a creative and passionate brand.’

Vodka boycott

Although vodka companies promoting their LGBTI-friendly credentials is nothing new, Stoli has been keener than most to demonstrate its gay-friendly credentials.

In 2013, some gay activists called for a boycott of Russian vodka – including Stoli – in response to the discriminatory way the Russian government treats LGBTI citizens.

However, the ownership of Stoli has been the subject of several legal disputes in certain areas of the world. Originally owned by the Russian state, following the breakup of the Soviet Union in the 90s, Stolichnaya passed into the hands of SPI Groups (Spirits International).

Russian tycoon Yuri Shefler controls SPI. The company, headquartered in Luxembourg now produces and distributes the vodka as ‘Stoli’ across the world (including the US). However, its copyright ownership has faced challenges in Russia itself and the Netherlands.

When activists called for a boycott, Stoli issued a statement saying it did not agree with the Russian Government. It pointed out that Stoli was not made in Russia but in Latvia. The brand has also consistently donated to LGBTI causes.

It even appointed a Stoli LGBT National Brand Ambassador, Patrik Gallineaux – a first for any vodka brand.

The Harvey Milk limited edition bottle features artwork by Paraguayan artist Oz Montania. It launched yesterday at San Francisco’s The Café, where Montainia unveiled a mural to the gay rights hero. It will receive a second launch event tomorrow evening (24 May) at The Abbey in Los Angeles.

Stoli is not the first brand to celebrate Milk. Last year, Levi’s unveiled a range of clothing that paid tribute to the former politician.

See also

Stoli Vodka donates US$300,000 to fund gay rights leadership program in the US

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Stoli vodka unveils Harvey Milk limited-edition bottle

It’s become an annual tradition for sportswear giant adidas to produce a range of Pride-associated merchandise each summer.

This week it unveiled its 2018 collection. The four designs are a little more subtle in their rainbow design than previous years. They go on sale on 1 June – the first day of Pride month in the US. They will retail between $100-$150.

The collection includes variations on the brand’s Pure Boost DPR, the i-5932, the Campus, and the Deerupt. The i-5932 (below) features pale blue and pink trimmings on a white sneaker – which may or may not be a nod to the trans flag.

Proceeds from the sale of previous adidas pride collections have been donated to LGBTI advocacy groups. GSN has contacted adidas to find out if this year’s collection will benefit any particular LGBTI causes.

Adidas North America has consistently scored the top mark of 100 on the annual Corporate Equality Index produced by HRC. This is an index of corporates on the Fortune 500 according to their LGBTI-inclusive policies and procedures.

News of the brand’s Pride collection comes just days after Disney unveiled an 11-item Pride collection, again to coincide with Pride Month in June.

Check out more images from the adidas range below.

See also

Disney launches Pride collection

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Adidas reveals its 2018 Pride sneakers collection

Hot on the heels of the news that Disney was selling official rainbow-hued Mickey Mouse ears, the Disney Shop has unveiled a Pride collection of merchandise.

News of the collection was announced yesterday on the official OhMyDisney Instagram account. It’s going on sale now ahead of LGBTI Pride Month in the US.

‘@shopdisney just launched the rainbow mickey collection and we’re obsessed now through june 30, 2018, shopDisney will donate 10% of online sales from the Rainbow Mickey Collection to @GLSENofficial. swipe through to see some of the products in the collection and go to the link in our bio to shop!’

GLSEN is a non-profit organization helping to make schools more LGBTI inclusive. Disney will donate 10% from all online sales (up to a maximum donation of donation $50,000).

The collection includes T-shirts, caps, water bottles, pins and tank tops.

The full list and prices are below.

• Rainbow Mickey Collection Travel Pack ($19.95)
• Rainbow Mickey Collection Hat ($19.95)
• The Rainbow Mickey Collection Sunglasses ($17.95)
• Rainbow Mickey Collection Fitted Tank Top for Adults ($24.95)
• Rainbow Mickey Collection Tank Top for Adults ($24.95)
• The Rainbow Mickey Collection T-Shirt for Adults ($29.95)
• Rainbow Mickey Collection Stainless Steel Water Bottle ($16.95)
• Rainbow Mickey Collection Pin Set ($16.95)
• The Rainbow Mickey Ear Hat ($17.99)
• Mickey Mouse Rainbow Icon Pin ($12.99)
• Mickey Mouse Rainbow Standing Pin ($9.99)

Many online have welcomed the collection. However, some have responded that although the items are welcome, Disney could do more in terms of raising LGBTI representation.

‘Disney has pride stuff but not a single LGBT character hmph,’ commented @crisyberd on Instagram.

Although LeFou in last year’s Beauty & The Beast was gay, his sexuality was not explicitly stated. However, many Disney fans believe the organization is definitely moving in the right direction.

‘[LeFou is] certainly a good stepping stone to a defined LGBT character, so I would count him but I’m definitely holding out for a character that it’s confirmed in the movie they are,’ commented @aj_is_bored.

See also

Could Elsa finally be getting a girlfriend? Frozen director says maybe

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Disney launches Pride collection

York Pride: 9 June

The city of York may enjoy its historical reputation, but it really enjoys being brought into the 21st century on Pride weekend. One of the UK’s most relaxed and friendly events, there’s a parade, live entertainment, funfair, after party and more! 

Where to recover: Equally historic and vibrant, St Marys is the perfect place post-pride. Sleeping six, there’s a large sauna, games room with pool table and large flat screen TV. 

Pride Edinburgh: 16 June

Scotland’s National LGBTI Festival celebrates its 23-year birthday with a Pride March, live music, a Community Fair and more than a little vibrancy among Edinburgh’s stunning city streets.

Where to recover: Relax by the riverside at Sailor’s Cottage. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast or a stroll around the harbor. It’s only 20 minutes by bus to the city centre too!

Bristol Pride: 14 July

Voted one of Britain’s best pride events and still completely free, Pride Day in Bristol offers much love and color with a parade in the day and party late into the night. Start celebrating early with events running from 2 July.

Where to recover: A super-stylish retreat in the countryside, the gorgeous Dovecote is perfect for lovebirds looking to recuperate with hot tub, 230 acres to explore and fresh eggs for breakfast!

Isle of Wight Pride: 21 July

Things move faster than you might think on the Isle of Wight. In 2016 they didn’t have a Pride organisation. Now they’re hosting UK Pride 2018. Catch a ferry from Portsmouth and enjoy the celebration in a stunning setting with a headline turn from Conchita!

Where to recover: Large bay windows and stunning sea views let the outside in at The Salt Pot in Ventnor. Sleeping six, it’s the perfect place to recover.

Brighton and Hove Pride: 3-5 August

One of the UK’s biggest, best and most popular pride events, the Brighton Pride Festival is a bright and beautiful celebration by the sea. This year’s event is headlined by Britney Spears on Saturday 4 August. This is followed by the LoveBN1Fest on the Sunday with a headline turn by Nile Rodgers. 

Where to recover: Only a short distance away from Brighton, The Lodge near Hassocks is the perfect place to recuperate. The glorious South Downs National Park can be explored or you can take a wander around the lovely village of Hurstpierpoint.

Pride Cymru’s Big Weekend: 24-26 August

Running over three days at the City Hall Lawns, the Big Weekend promises to cover Cardiff in color with live music, amusements, entertainment and more than 200,000 revelers.

Where to recover:  Just minutes from Cardiff centre, the accommodation at Cwrt Yr Ala Barns offers a hot tub, outdoor heated swimming pool, games room, complete comfort and much more.

Manchester Pride Big Weekend: 24-27 August

The daddy of pride events, no one does it quite like Manchester. Thousands of people march through the city’s streets in a bright and beautiful display, and there are music events all weekend across multiple stages.

Where to recover: Head out of the city to Hague End in Derbyshire and you have the perfectly peaceful Peak District to enjoy. Or you can just sit in the garden and soak up the views!

Click here for more information about cottages.com and for more themed properties

cottages.com is a partner of Gay Star News

Words: Ben Webster, cottages.com

All property pictures courtesy of cottages.com

Holiday off the rails: 7 railway-themed retreats

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7 stunning summer Pride events and the perfect places to recover.

7 stunning summer Pride events and the perfect places to recover

Get ready to see Hugh Grant like you’ve never seen him before — playing the real-life disgraced politician, Jeremy Thorpe.

A Very English Scandal is a brand new BBC miniseries from Stephen Frears and Russell T. Davies.

It tells the true story of Liberal politician and Member of Parliament, Jeremy Thorpe, whose career was brought down by an affair with former model Norman Scott.

Ben Whishaw co-stars with Grant as Scott.

The trailer looks deliciously full of intrigue, mystery, danger, and, of course, scandal.

‘I was rude, I was vile, I was queer, I was myself’

In May 1979, Thorpe was tried at the Old Bailey on charges of conspiracy and incitement to murder.

Though he was acquitted on all charges, his political career never rebounded. However, by the time of his death in 2014, later Liberal leaders honored him for his work.

The miniseries seems to follow Thorpe and Scott’s relationship and then subsequent scandal and court case. While Thorpe is trying to salvage his career, Scott focuses on not being able to speak his truth.

As he says at the end of the trailer: ‘I was rude, I was vile, I was queer, I was myself.’

The three-part miniseries arrives on the BBC later this year.

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See Hugh Grant have an affair with younger man in new miniseries

Even though she missed out on the All Stars 3 crown last week, Shangela’s career is doing just fine, she’ll soon be on the big screen with Lady Gaga.

The RuPaul’s Drag Race queen has dropped some hints about her role in the upcoming film A Star is Born.

Starring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, the film is a remake of the 1937 film starring Janet Gaynor and Fredric March.

The movie about a film star who helps an aspiring actress was remade a further two times. Once in 1954 starring Judy Garland and James Mason, and then again in 1976 starring Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson.

Shangela wouldn’t give too much away about her ‘not giant’ role but said she loved working with Lady Gaga.

‘I’m in drag, I’m kind of Lady Gaga’s drag mother, a bar owner,’ Shangela told Billboard.

‘I can’t give much more away than that. But it’s gonna be really fun, it’s not a giant role but it’s a good role that’s memorable.’

It’s not the first time Lady Gaga has rubbed shoulders with a cast member of Drag Race. She appeared as a guest judge in the first episode of season nine and gave the queens notes to help them develop their drag.

Shangela had nothing but praise for Lady Gaga saying working with her was a ‘dream come true’.

‘When you look up to someone, idolize them, and their journey and experience and how they work, and then you get to work with them and see they’re everything you dreamed,’ Shangela said.

‘And she was everything I had ever dreamed she would be. Professional, kind, funny.’

The Texas-born queen will also star in the sequel to Drag Race winner, Bianca Del Rio’s film, Hurricane Bianca.

Streisand approves

Fellow gay icon, Barbra Streisand has seen parts of Gaga’s performance in the new A Star is Born and has give her approval.

‘Oh, I can’t say too much,’ Streisand told TV producer Ryan Murphy in a Q&A at PaleyFest last week.

‘I haven’t seen too much, but it’s good. It’s very, very good.’

A Star is Born will hit cinemas on 5 October this year.

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Is Shangela playing Lady Gaga’s drag mother in A Star is Born?

I don’t have a gay bone in my body: Kendall Jenner addresses sexuality

In a recent interview with Vogue, Kendall Jenner addressed the rumors of her sexuality.

Apparently, the internet was convinced the Kardashian-Jenner clan member was gay.

Why? Well, Jenner has some ideas about that.

‘I think it’s because I’m not like all my other sisters, who are like, “Here’s me and my boyfriend!” So it was a thing for a minute because no one ever saw me with a guy,’ she explained. ‘I would always go that extra mile to be low-key with guys, sneaking around all the time. You don’t want to, like, look crazy.’

She’s fairly certain where she stands, though.

Continuing her thoughts: ‘I don’t think I have a bisexual or gay bone in my body, but I don’t know! Who knows?! I’m all down for experience—not against it whatsoever—but I’ve never been there before.’

Then, however, she concludes: ‘I’m not gay. I have literally nothing to hide. I would never hide something like that.’

So brave

Twitter quickly leapt on Jenner — and for ‘coming out’ as straight.

.@KendallJenner comes out as straight in the new issue of @voguemagazine. Brave. https://t.co/BFQLlyAtcY pic.twitter.com/QOInuB34uS

— Dave Quinn (@NineDaves) March 14, 2018

Incisive, witty humour came out in full.

Kendall Jenner came out as straight. I just really wish these people would keep their private lives private. Children idolize her. Now they’re goin to get the idea that being straight is okay, normal even.

— Leanna Renee (@leannuh_renay) March 14, 2018

in 10 years people are going to ask you where you were and what you were doing when kendall jenner came out as straight and i think that’s really beautiful

— jake (@HUNTYCHAN) March 14, 2018

This is so difficult for me to confess… I’ve never told this to anyone ever, not even family… but I feel like it’s finally time. So here it goes:

I’m a straight woman

Thanks Kendall Jenner for being a voice for all of us and for inspiring us to be our true selves pic.twitter.com/LHha4Ji9XB

— Ashley (new account) (@lacubeIIo) March 14, 2018

There’s also plenty of confusion.

i’m so confused by this entire paragraph of kendall jenner insisting that she’s not gay but she’s up for any experience but she’s not gay guys pic.twitter.com/MBqa7d8huO

— ellie (@eleanorbate) March 14, 2018

Others aren’t convinced someone in the family isn’t gay….

Listen I don’t care if Kendall Jenner said she’s not gay in her Vogue interview, Kris Jenner has six children you cannot convince me that they’re all straight

— Gab (@gab_deangelis) March 14, 2018

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I don’t have a gay bone in my body: Kendall Jenner addresses sexuality

‘I don’t have a gay bone in my body’: Kendall Jenner addresses sexuality

Tom and Abby from Queer Eye just got engaged and love is not dead

The loveable bear, Tom Jackson, from the first episode of the rebooted Queer Eye has had an emotional rollercoaster of a love life, especially since the show went to air.

One of his main motivations to get a Queer Eye makeover was to woo back his third ex-wife Abby.

Things seemed to go pretty well in the episode called ‘You Can’t Fix Ugly’, when Abby turned up to support him at a car show and seemed to enjoy Tom’s cooking efforts.

But last month, Tom announced on Twitter that the pair had split up in September last year and proceeded to post multiple, heartbreaking photos of the pair.

I just watched my episode for about the 20th time. I cry like a baby ever time I watch it. Just to let the world know, Abby and I are no longer together. She will always be the love of my life. I will always love her more than anything!!!!!!!

— Tom Jackson (@TomJack20176306) February 28, 2018

Just a week later though, Tom lifted all our spirits when he announced that he was back together with Abby.

We were all happy for the pair and it rekindled our belief that love was not cancelled.

We hear wedding bells

And in even greater news, Tom has just announced the pair is officially engaged.

‘It’s official, Abby and I are engaged. What a Netflix special the would be. If the Fab 5 planned and attended our wedding!!!!!!!!!,’ Tom wrote on Twitter less than two hours ago.

It’s official, Abby and I are engaged. What a Netflix special the would be. If the Fab 5 planned and attended our wedding!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/4KV4u9Rji4

— Tom Jackson (@TomJack20176306) March 13, 2018

He also posted a photo of the pair together with Abby wearing a gorgeous engagement ring. It is not known whether it is the same engagement ring from when they first got married in the mid-90s.

Let’s hope he doesn’t serve redneck margaritas at the wedding, but this is definitely one Netflix special we would watch.

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Tom and Abby from Queer Eye just got engaged and love is not dead

Tom and Abby from Queer Eye just got engaged and love is not dead