08/15/24

Hello all,

🩺 The World Health Organization announced on Wednesday that it declared the new outbreak of mpox to be a global health emergency. The declaration has prompted governments and public health agencies, including in the United States, to respond to the potential threat. But what exactly is this new mpox outbreak, and should you be concerned?

🥎 For one group of LGBTQ+ men navigating life in Florida — yes, the place of DeSantis — softball has become a safe haven. For the first time in team history, the Orlando Onslaught family has landed a spot in the Gay Softball World Series (GSWS), and get to embark on a trip together to Las Vegas, where they'll spend October 14 through 20 surrounded by other out LGBTQ+ athletes bonding over their shared interest and identity. Read their story. 🥎

🎵 Randy Rainbow digs deep into the Broadway catalog for his latest political parody, “The Lawyer or the Conman,” set to the tune of “The Farmer and the Cowman” from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! The lawyer is, of course, Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, and the conman is, naturally, Donald Trump. “One inspires and excites / the other wants to chuck our rights,” Rainbow sings.

Onward and upward,

Alex Cooper

With a new case in Sweden, what is the new mpox outbreak and should you be concerned?

bear_productions via Shutterstock; Anders Drejer Madsen/Shutterstock

A Colorado man threatened to 'shoot up' a drag show. Artists are responding with a bigger show

Kelsey Brunner/Special to The Washington Post via Getty Images

The director of the Faye Dunaway HBO doc explains her complex legacy, including 'Mommie Dearest'

Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

This Orlando team is headed to the Gay Softball World Series — and they need your help (exclusive)

Courtesy of Dan Lanini and the Orlando Onslaught

Dylan Gurley, a 20-year-old trans woman, stabbed to death in Texas

(flags) Shutterstock Creative; (portrait) via HRC

Randy Rainbow's newest parody asks, 'Will the lawyer or the conman be the prez?'

Gil Corzo/Shutterstock; footage still via youtube @RandyRainbowOfficial; Sheila Fitzgerald/Shutterstock

As the mother in ‘An Early Frost,’ Gena Rowlands helped fight the stigma of AIDS

NBCUniversal

Out transgender woman athlete will make history as she competes in Paralympic Games

Marco Mantovani/Getty Images

Oklahoma Republicans call for impeachment investigation into extremist superintendent Ryan Walters

Kit Leong/Shutterstock; United States House Committee on Education and the Workforce via Wikipedia Public Domain