Lil Nas X has made history by being the first-ever openly gay man to be nominated for a Country Music Award (CMA).
He was nominated for the Musical Event of the Year award for his song ‘Old Town Road (Remix)’ with collaborator Bill Ray Cyrus, with the awards ceremony taking place on November 13.
Although ‘Old Town Road’ was originally booted off the US Billboard country charts because the company said the song “does not embrace enough elements of today’s country music”, it made its way back into the charts after a remixed version featuring Cyrus was released.
The song then became the longest-running US number one of all time.
Country music has a reputation for being conservative, and the musician has previously spoken out about anti-LGBT+ stigma in country music, explaining: “Within the country and hip-hop communities, it’s not really accepting in either.”
He tweeted: “Thank you guys for this nomination!!”
The CMA nomination means Lil Nas X has made history twice this week, after becoming the first openly LGBT+ artist to take home Song of the Year at the VMAs on Monday, August 26.
Dressed in a red cowboy suit, he took to the stage with Cyrus to collect his first-ever award for his chart topping single.
The singer thanked Cyrus in his speech for helping him take his career to “the next level” and then he pulled out a fake scroll and became an instant meme on social media.
The awards highlight how much has changed for Lil Nas X in a year.
Last month the singer revealed that a year ago he had no money and was struggling to get his music played.
He wrote on Twitter: “Wow man last year i was sleeping on my sisters floor, had no money, struggling to get plays on my music, suffering from daily headaches, now i’m gay.”
Taylor Swift opened the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards on Monday with performances of “You Need to Calm Down” and “Lover.” The performance began with Swift, Todrick Hall and Dexter Mayfield sitting on lounge chairs as she sang the opening lines to “You Need to Calm Down.”
Dancers dressed in colorful ensembles moved around the stage before the drag queens featured in the music video appeared next to Swift as she sang the anti-hate anthem. The first number concluded with the words “Equality Act” largely written behind the performers.
Swift has been an advocate for the Equality Act and has urged her followers to sign a petition in its favor on social media. The House of Representatives passed legislation in May that protects those living in states where it’s legal to discriminate based on sexual orientation and gender identity when it comes to housing, employment and other services.
Sunday June 23 @ 5 pm. Occidental Center for theArts presents Claude Bourbon – Medieval & Spanish Blues. French/Swiss classically trainedfinger-picking acousticguitarist and singer based in U.K. has travelled the world over offering his unique fusion of blues, jazz, classical guitar and his own soulful vocals with Middle Eastern, Russian, Spanish/Latin elements and a dash of folk. Don’t miss this world class performer at OCA! $18 adv/$22 door. Cabaret and concert seating. Wine, beer and fine refreshments available. Art Gallery open during events. www.occidentalcenterforthearts.org. 707-874-9392. 3850 Doris Murphy Ct. Occidental, CA. 95465
Friday July 19@ 7:30 pm.Zulu Spear Band: Nelson Mandela Birthday Tribute! at Occidental Center for the Arts. Award-winning South African band who pioneered the World Beat music of the 80’s bring their vibrant alternative world/reggae/blues/jazz merged with traditional South African rhythms and dancers to our stage in celebration of Nelson Mandela. Founding member Gideon Bendile leads the ensemble which incorporates electric and acoustic guitars, bass, keyboard and drums with unique vocal harmonies and mesmerizing dancers in an exciting, uplifting performance that will move your body and soul! $15 Advance/$20 at the door. Dance space, fine refreshments include wine and beer. www.occidentalcenterforthearts.org. 3850 Doris Murphy Rd. Occidental, Ca. 95465
Rather than calming anyone down, Taylor Swift’s latest single is stoking activism.
“You Need To Calm Down,” which was released in the midst of Pride Month on Thursday, champions the LGBTQ community and has an anti-hate message. Since the song — the second single on her upcoming album “Lover” — was released, GLAAD has received an “influx” of donations in the amount of $13. The LGBTQ media advocacy organization suspects the donation amount is a nod to Swift’s favorite number.
“And control your urges to scream about all the people you hate / ‘Cause shade never made anybody less gay,” the “Reputation” artist sings.
“You Need To Calm Down” also alludes to Pride parades and even directly gives a shoutout to GLAAD.
“Why are you mad when you could be GLAAD?” Swift, who released a lyric video on YouTube confirming her intended spelling and meaning of GLAAD, asks.
“Taylor Swift is one of the world’s biggest pop stars,” Anthony Ramos, director of talent engagement at GLAAD, said in an emailed statement. “The fact that she continues to use her platform and music to support the LGBTQ community … is a true sign of being an ally. ‘You Need to Calm Down’ is the perfect Pride anthem, and we’re thrilled to see Taylor standing with the LGBTQ community to promote inclusivity, equality, and acceptance this Pride month.”
Swift herself made a “very generous donation” to GLAAD earlier this month in honor of Pride, which the organization says will be used to create campaigns to fight hate and discrimination against LGBTQ people.
Swift’s LGBTQ political advocacy began during last year’s midterm elections when she wrote an Instagram post endorsing Tennessee Democrat Phil Bredesen over Republican Marsha Blackburn for an open U.S. Senate seat. Since then, she has donated $113,000 to the Tennessee Equality Project, an organization that lobbies state lawmakers on LGBTQ issues, to defeat the state’s “slate of hate,” a group of bills advocates have deemed harmful to the queer community.
Most recently, the Grammy- and Emmy-winning musician has called for the passage of the Equality Act, which would protect LGBTQ Americans from discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations. Swift wrote a letter to Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., asking him for his support, and she has urged her fans to write their own senators about the legislation.
Friday May 24 @ 7:30 pm. An Evening with Moonalice at Occidental Center for the Arts!Moonalice is a psychedelic roots-rock band of seasoned musicians Pete Sears, John Molo, Barry Sless and Roger McNamee, who feel that live music should be a communal experience. Their songs try to speak to everyone, mixing a variety of genres with extended musical improvisations that evoke a sense of adventure and exploration.Their single, “It’s 4:20 Somewhere” has been downloaded more than 5 milliontimes. moonalice.com.’Big Steve Parish’ of the Grateful Dead family will be joining them! $15 Advance/$20 at door if available. Advance sales end at noon on day of event or when sold out. Wine, beer and refreshments available. Wheelchair Accessible. Art Gallery open for viewing. www.occidentalcenterforthearts.org. 3850 Doris Murphy Ct. Occidental, CA. 95465.
Podcasts are a great way to connect to to the global LGBTI community.
They can transport you to a conversation, no matter who you are, or where you are in the world.
Which is why for the Gay Star News Digital Pride festival we brought together some of the best new and up-and-coming LGBTI podcasts from across the world to talk about loneliness and isolation – this year’s theme of the festival.
But don’t just listen to them during Digital Pride, this is our guide to the best LGBTI podcasts out there right now.
Download, subscribe and take these shows, and the Digital Pride festival, with you.
Digital Pride is the only global Pride dedicated to enabling everyone to be part of a Pride, whoever they are and wherever they live in the world. This year, we are focusing on tackling loneliness and isolation. It takes place on Gay Star News from 29 April to 5 May 2019. Find out more or watch the videos now:
The Digital Pride LGBTI podcast collection:
Food 4 Thot
No it’s not about food – they just really liked the pun. In this podcast, a multiracial mix of queer writers talk about sex, relationships, race, identity Listen every week as Dennis Norris II, Joseph Osmundson, Tommy Pico, and Fran Tirado talk what they like to read, and who we like to read. Produced by the Forever Dog Podcast Network.
Throwing Shade is the political comedy podcast hosted by Erin Gibson and Bryan Safi who deliver their fresh takes on pop culture, women’s rights, and LGBT rights with hilarity and – of course – vulgarity. Out every Thursday.
What happens when seven gay men come together to record a podcast? On The Latch is a podcast where no topic is off limits. And yes, expect thot provoking material ahead. They have a new episode every Tuesday. They ask you to send in your dilemmas and dick pics for them to discuss to onthelatchpodcast [at] gmail.com.
In a time where we’re all threatened by hateful rhetoric from the people in power; A Gay And A NonGay is the delightful giggles that challenge many of our differences head-on. Every week James Barr (the Gay) and Dan Hudson (the Nongay) promises to prove to you that no matter who you are, or what you’re into (Bruce Springsteen or Britney), love is love and gay and nongays can be friends.
Digital Pride episode: Out May 8th Best episode to start with: The show is topical, so start at the top of the feed – or deep dive and scroll back to ‘A Gay and a Nongay and a Trans’ for a special episode with Juno Dawson. Spotify / Apple
#QueerAF
Listen for free every week, as a different student, graduate or LGBT+ producer tells their most #QueerAF story on the podcast by National Student Pride. The podcast commissions young LGBT+ producers to tell their own stories that are beyond the binary, sex-positive, challenge mental health, sexuality and identity taboos.
From chemsex, the life of a queer Muslim sex worker, and dating as a non-binary person – the show is sex-positive and taps into what young LGBTI people are talking about because it is told by them.
The ultimate weekly pop culture and dating podcast. Hosted By LGBTI podcaster Martin Joseph and friends Ella Kora and Becky Herszenhorn. Join ‘The Real Brunch’ every week for your weekly dose of celebrity gossip, dating dilemmas and round table topical discussions.
Featuring interviews with inspiring and powerful women and important voices from the LGBTQ+ community – this show is everything brunch should deliver. (Bring your own prosecco and avocado)
Digital Pride episode: ‘Drinks Yoga and Digitial Pride’ ‘with Gay Star News very own Shannon Power and James Besanvalle as guests. Best episode to start with: ‘Brunch with… Gok Wan’ Spotify / Apple
F**Ks Given
The honest, frank and refreshing ‘F**ks Given’ with Come Curious presents a candid exploration of their guests’ sexual histories, from the first f**k to the best f**k. Plus all those the bad, average and comical ones in between. Each episode is an uncensored look at what’s gone on beneath the sheets with a variety of coveted guests.
Digital Pride episode: ‘Discharge and Dirty sheets with Jess‘ Best episode to start with: ‘Size Queens & Surgery with Talulah Eve’ the first ever transgender model to appear on Britain’s Next Top Model. Spotify / Apple
Busy Being Black
Busy Being Black is ultimately a love letter to the queer Black community. On the show, hosted by Josh Rivers, guests regularly speak about combatting loneliness, isolation, shame, stigma and mental health – in order to live more fully in their lives. It features incredible guests each week and is a mixture of inspiration and taboo-breaking conversations.
YouTuber Calum McSwiggan explores everything sex, LGBT+, the outrageous and downright inappropriate! The world’s top drag queens, the UK’s most passionate activists and the funniest names around join Calum each week to discuss everything from trending topics and the porn industry to fetishes and queer representation in the media.
Regular features include reacting to listeners sex confessions and some naughty games for good measure. You can listen live on Fubar at 6pm GMT – or listen back in your podcast app.
Digital Pride episode: ‘73: Lady Peach‘ Best episode to start with: We love the recent LGBT+ History Month episode (64) with Rowan Ellis and Anick in Intersex and Asexual identities Spotify / Apple
Qmmunity
Qmmunity is the LGBTQ+ series that brings together our community to explore who we are as a whole and as individuals. But it also looks back at where we have come from, how we’ve changed & developed and what the future may hold for us.
Hosts Christina and Alexis meet weekly and are joined by a guest to discuss a new topic. The QmmunityPod was this year nominated for a British Podcast ‘Sex and Relationships’ award.
Digital Pride episode: ‘11: Digital Pride – Loneliness‘ Best episode to start with: Start with episode two ‘Our History’ before delving into the archive. Its a great episode on the last 50 years of the modern LGBTI rights movement. Spotify / Apple
Queer Confessions
In this new podcast, Jacob Edward has rounded up their favorite Queers to spilling the tea on their past and YOURS! If you want relatable stories about growing up queer and advice for you the listeners on how to deal with your embarrassing moments – this is the show for you.
Digital Pride episode: S1, E1 ‘It’s Ben Hodge’ Best episode to start with: The show is brand new, listen from the top of the feed. Spotify / Apple
Queers
What the hell is queer theory? Who gets to identify as queer? Does it mean anything to call yourself a “queer ally”? These are the kinds of questions writers Benjamin Riley (writer and journalist) and Simon Copland (PhD Student in Sociology) ask on Queers, a discussion and interview podcast about critical queer politics and culture.
Digital Pride episode: ‘Foxhole Fantasy‘ Best episode to start with: The show is super topical, so start at the most recent episode. Spotify / Apple
Men Talk Health
Just how honest can two men be? Long term Gay Star News supporters, Men Talk Health is the podcast with hosts that have a broad history of mental health issues between them.
Join Davey, Damian, and their friends on a journey to find humour in some of their darkest moments. It’s all to try to get men talking about their own mental health.
Digital Pride: Read Davey’s op-ed about loneliness and mental health. Best episode to start with: ‘Time to talk extravaganza’ with Gay Star News very own Lewis Peters and Joe Morgan as guests. Spotify / Apple
Special mentions:
Though they aren’t part of the Digital Pride festival – if you’ve got this far and are big LGBTI podcast fan – you should also check out these shows:
David’s Out For A Good Time
The Spotify Studios original from the Tumblr star who set the world on fire with ‘The Shitney Spears’ blog. David Olshanetsky is joined by Naledi Dube to chat pop culture, dish out LGBTI advice and speak to amazing celebrity guests every week. We’re big fans of #DO4AGT here at Gay Star News.
Intimate, personal portraits of both known and long-forgotten champions, heroes, and witnesses to history brought to you from rare archival interviews. This long-running podcast from Eric Marcus is a masterpiece. We’re looking forward to the new season and upcoming #Stonewall50 episodes.
From the masters of podcasts, WNYC, Nancy hosts and BFFs Kathy Tu and Tobin Low are the super queer duo ready take over your podcast feed. Join them for provocative stories and frank conversations about the LGBTQ experience today. Because everyone’s a little bit gay. There are so many fantastic stories in this feed including personal stories from the hosts, the audience and contributors all over the US. We feel part of a global LGBTI community listening to your show.
Probably a front runner as one of the longest-running LGBTI podcasts out there, Dan Savage has been improving your sex for over 600 episodes – and still going strong. A community favorite, mixing conversations about sex and politics, we’d be amiss not to nod to the Savage Lovecast.
The Occidental Community Choir, under the direction of Sarah Saulsbury, joyfully continues our 40th anniversary celebration with a series of concerts exploring the healing alchemy of singing in community. Through storytelling, poetry, tap-dancing microbes et al, and featuring the original songs for which the choir has become well-loved, the Spring program promises to deliver sweet and soulful harmonies, poignant and funny lyrics, expertly rendered accompaniment and laughter and tears that will engage and inspire us together in choral community. You won’t want to miss an unforgettable capstone on the OCC’s first 40 years of singing in the choir! Come 1/2 hour early for the slide show. $15 Adults, Kids 12 and under Free. * $10 for Community First Night Fri. May 3 Fri. May 3 *@ 8 pm; Sat. May 4 @ 8 pm; Sun. May 5 @ 3 pm; Sat. May 11 @ 8 pm – Occidental Center for the Arts (3850 Doris Murphy Ct., Occidental)Sun. May 12 @ 3 pm – Glaser Center(547 Mendocino Av., Santa Rosa). Tickets atOccidentalChoir.org/tickets / or at the door. Get your tickets early!
The GLAAD Rising Stars Grant Program celebrates young people’s commitment to accelerating LGBTQ acceptance within their communities and culture at large.
The grant, named after trailblazer and out country music star, Ty Herndon, is offered to support young people for their commitment to enhancing LGBTQ inclusion and representation in music. The recipient of the Ty Herndon Rising Stars Grant will receive $2,500 to further fund their work and initiatives and will be honored at the 2019 Concert for Love and Acceptance in Nashville, TN on Thursday, June 6, 2019. Hotel and travel accommodations included.
To become a recipient of the Ty Herndon Rising Stars Grant, applicants must complete the online application form located on glaad.org/risingstars, and submit a short video essay. The 2019 Rising Stars Grants are available to a person or team of people, between the ages of 18 and 30, who are working to enhance LGBTQ representation within their communities and culture at large, specifically in the music industry. Applications are due Sunday, May 19th, 2019 by midnight PST.
*Applicants must be available to travel to Nashville, TN on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. Applicants are asked to hold the following dates on their calendars (06/5/2019 – 06/6/2019).
Former Rising Stars Grant recipients have been honored for their thoughtful work to address many issues facing their local communities, including: producing music videos to feature LGBTQ storylines and hire LGBTQ actors and production members, increasing diversity of performers on college campuses by funding transgender entertainers and speakers, fostering conversation around diverse representation in entertainment through a digital journalism project, and more!
