A Queer Celebration on the White House Lawn

#153

Welcome to Third Cultured, a newsletter about Queer people in diplomacy, politics, and war from the perspective of Kyle Borland (he/they). My goal is to highlight all the ways today is different (and not so) from yesterday.

Third Cultured is available to all, but please consider becoming a paid subscriber in order to comment on articles and enjoy other community benefits.

This edition:

• Opinion Essay

• A List of LGBTQ+ Wins

• Anti-LGBTQ+ Hate, Laws & Violence Around the World

• Extra Links, Quotes & Gay Shit

---

Opinion Essay

There was plenty of news to cover this week, but I wanted to highlight the Queer joy we saw on display from the most powerful residence in the world this week. There will be plenty of time to spotlight the fight another day. This week, bask in the victory.

President Biden @POTUS

If there is one message that breaks through from today, it's that this law – and the love it defends – strikes a blow against hate in all its forms. Celebrate with us as I sign the historic Respect for Marriage Act into law.

Sen. Tammy Baldwin @SenatorBaldwin

Respect for Marriage Act signed ✅ Same-sex & interracial marriages protected ✅ History made ✅

Brian J. Karem @BrianKarem

A panoramic view of the thousands gathered as President Biden signs the respect for marriage act.

Ritchie Torres @RitchieTorres

Today is a HISTORIC day for the LGBTQ community. The Respect for Marriage Act is the law of the land. When I presided over the Respect for Marriage Act, I had a simple message for the far right: "Your hate will never have the final word on our love."

Erin Reed @ErinInTheMorn

We are standing on the White House Lawn watching history at the signing of the Respect for Marriage Act. We carry with us all of the people who we have stood beside in the fight for dignity. And we stand here happy to be together, our own love visible from the seats of power.

The White House @WhiteHouse

The White House is lit up rainbow tonight in celebration of President Biden signing the Respect for Marriage Act.

Stay safe, beautiful people. This is only the beginning.

As always, thanks for reading.

Kyle (@kgborland)

---

A List of LGBTQ+ Wins

• 436 LGBTQ+ candidates won their elections in 2022, as of Dec 7 (News is Out, Victory Fund)

• Barbados’ top court repeals laws that criminalize gay sex (AP)

• Biden to sign Respect for Marriage Act, reflecting his and the country's evolution (Bay Area Reporter, CNN, NPR)

• Feminists and LGBTQ activists at China’s COVID protests (The China Project)

• Gay NYC Council Member's Event Casts Light on Anti-LGBTQ+ Crimes (Advocate)

• Gay Reverend’s Response to Homophobic Bigot Goes Viral (Star Observer)

RevDaniel 🕯️ @RevDaniel

Well, he finally sent me a clear signal.

• Out Gov. Kate Brown commutes the sentences of all 17 of Oregon’s death row inmates (LGBTQ Nation)

• Trans Sports Ban Fails In Ohio After Republicans Split On Genital Inspections (Erin in the Morning)

• Workers and consumers say they’re likely to favor pro-LGBTQ businesses, new study says (CNBC)

---

Anti-LGBTQ+ Hate, Laws & Violence Around the World

• Anti-LGBTQ+ Billboard Upsets Queer-Friendly Virginia Neighborhood (The Advocate)

• Anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment has been the largest driver behind the increase in far-right protests this year, according to Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED). (LGBTQ Nation)

• Club Q, Pulse Nightclub Survivors Testify Before Congress In Emotional Hearing (HuffPost)

• Club Q owner read to Congress the hate mail they got after the shooting (LGBTQ Nation)

• Elon Musk is leaning into transphobia (SF Chronicle)

• For LGBTQ+ Youth “Home for the Holidays” isn’t a given (Reckon)

• Gay Republicans joined armed extremists to protest outside a drag show in Texas (LGBTQ Nation)

• House Oversight Committee to hold hearing on surging anti-LGBTQ violence (The Hill)

• Humboldt Queer Community Faces Increased Threats, Following National Trend (The Lumberjack)

• LGBTQ communities in the US face ‘rising threat of violence’ (Al Jazeera)

• LGBTQ, health groups see divide on digital protection bill (Roll Call)

• LGBT nightclub massacre survivors tell U.S. Congress: 'We are being slaughtered' (Reuters, WashPost)

• Millions in Western aid flowed to churches in Ghana despite years of campaigning against LGBTQI+ rights (CNN)

• Oregon's LGBTQ community worries that a new law will keep them from obtaining guns (NPR)

• ‘Our mere existence is illegal.’ As Moscow toughens anti-gay law, LGBTQ Russians fear for the future (CNN)

• Out actor Drew Droege was told that same-sex affection was not welcome at L.A. restaurant (LGBTQ Nation)

• Poland: Rule of Law Erosion Harms Women, LGBT People (Human Rights Watch)

• Report highlights how lack of IDs impacts trans people (Bay Area Reporter)

• Report to the Nation: 2020s – Dawn of a Decade of Rising Hate (CSUSB)

• Texas attorney general’s office sought state data on transgender Texans (WashPost)

• The Horrifying War on Libraries (Discourse Blog)

---

Extra Links, Quotes & Gay Shit

• 20 Best Pride Albums of 2022: Staff Picks (Billboard)

• Alabama coal miners begin their 20th month on strike (NPR)

• Democrats Are Ready to Call Kyrsten Sinema’s Bluff (Daily Beast)

• Even the right is boarding the decrim sex work train (Sex and the State)

• Grant Wahl was an original (Yahoo! Sports)

• Richmond takes down its last major city-owned Confederate memorial (WashPost)

• Ryan Murphy and Evan Peters Stand by ‘Dahmer’: The Duo Confront Victim Backlash, Netflix’s LGBTQ Tag and More (Variety)

• The Allure of San Fran-Sicko (Darrell Owens)