Royal British Legion apologises for past LGBTQ+ discrimination
The Royal British Legion has apologised for its historical refusal to acknowledge the sacrifices of LGBTQ+ British military personnel.
For decades, campaigners have accused the organisation of homophobia, claiming it sought to erase LGBTQ+ people’s contributions to British war efforts and to actively oppose queer remembrance efforts. Now, in a letter seen exclusively by the Guardian, the organisation has tried to make amends.
The note came in response to correspondence from the human rights activist Peter Tatchell, who reminded the Royal British Legion (RBL) late last year that he had written to it back in 2007 to complain about the same stance. But, he said, it had declined even to answer.
“I am deeply saddened by your previous experience with the charity, and I can only apologise on RBL’s behalf for not responding and the discrimination shown at the time,” the charity’s director general, Charles Byrne, wrote to Tatchell last week.
White House press secretary in tears over anti-LGBTQ cruelty
The White House press secretary, Jen Psaki, broke down in tears during an interview in which she condemned the “cruelty” of a wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation sweeping Republican states. Known for her toughness at the briefing room podium, Psaki showed a more emotional side during the discussion with Jessica Yellin, host of the News Not Noise podcast, in an interview released this week.
They’re doing that in a way that is harsh and cruel to a community of kids, especially,” Psaki said, in tears, after Yellin asked her to “make sense” of the Republican push for legislation that marginalises the LBGTQ+ community.
Everywhere is queer, according to a new map
Everywhere Is Queer is a new website with a worldwide map of LGBTQ-owned businesses and an Instagram page that shines a spotlight on some of these companies. Three months after the launch, the map has has more than 500 businesses listed, and the Instagram page has nearly 5,000 followers.
Businesses include retailers like Housewife Skateboards in Los Angeles, coffee shops like Luissi Brown Coffee Bar in Lexington, Kentucky, and lodging like Hotel Perruquet in the Italian Alps.