All articles tagged with #lgbtq
California-based Philz Coffee plans to remove Pride flags from its stores to create a more uniform, inclusive experience, prompting swift backlash including a petition with over 4,000 signatures urging the company to rethink the move. Critics say the flags symbolize safe spaces for LGBTQ+ staff and customers, while Philz says it remains an ally and has not announced a timeline for the changes.
Bay Area-based Philz Coffee says it will remove Pride flags and all other flags from its stores nationwide, arguing the change is about store aesthetics rather than the brand’s core values and that everyone who walks in remains welcome. The policy shift has sparked criticism and concern about alienating customers, with officials unclear on when the flags will come down; Philz says it still supports the LGBTQ+ community.
The Supreme Court ruled that Colorado's ban on conversion therapy for gay and transgender minors probably infringes free-speech rights, a ruling that adds to a string of decisions rolling back LGBTQ+ protections and complicating similar bans in about 30 states.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled against Colorado's prohibition on LGBTQ+ conversion therapy for minors, striking down the ban and highlighting ongoing national debates over LGBTQ+ protections and state authority to regulate such practices.
The Chicago Bulls waived guard Jaden Ivey for conduct detrimental to the team after a series of Instagram Live videos in which he criticized the NBA’s Pride Month and LGBTQ advocacy on religious grounds, calling critics 'liars' and arguing he did nothing to merit the decision; Bulls coach Billy Donovan emphasized professional standards amid Ivey’s knee rehab, while the NBA had not commented at publication.
The Chicago Bulls waived guard Jaden Ivey after social-media rants that attacked LGBTQ Pride Month and Catholicism, with the team citing conduct detrimental to the franchise amid concerns about his mental health; Ivey, 24, had recently joined Chicago in February via a trade and has discussed battling depression in the past, with his remarks amplified by the public profile of his Notre Dame coach mother.
Chicago Bulls waived guard Jaden Ivey after he posted lengthy anti-LGBT statements during three Instagram Live sessions, with the team citing conduct detrimental to the franchise. Coach Billy Donovan said the decision underscored a standard of professionalism and concern for players’ well-being. Ivey, who was rehabbing a knee injury and had just been acquired at the trade deadline, had used the streams to rail against Pride Nights and Bulls management, and later criticized the move in a follow-up livestream.
Bridgerton’s fifth season shifts focus to Francesca as she begins a love story with Michaela, marking the show's first central same-sex romance. A teaser shows them touching hands while Francesca—widowed since season three—re-enters London society for practical reasons. Producers emphasize inclusive storytelling as production starts on eight new episodes.
Moby said he could no longer listen to the Kinks’ 1970 hit Lola after finding its lyrics “gross and transphobic.” Dave Davies responded on X defending the song, arguing it isn’t transphobic and highlighting LGBTQ history connected to Lola, including a letter from Jayne County praising the track. The exchange touches on Lola’s gender-bending themes and the broader context of its era.
A viral OutKick opinion piece gave Crimson Desert a 0/10 for its lack of LGBTQ+ representation, sparking a broader debate about diversity in gaming and whether media should prioritize political representation over gameplay, with the author dismissing pushback as ‘professional victims’ while praising the game’s open world.
Pixar chief creative officer Pete Docter said LGBTQ+ plot elements were removed from the 2025 film Elio not to provide therapy, but to avoid the movie turning into therapy and to aim for broader audience appeal. The changes followed earlier staff letters alleging Disney review cuts of queer content, and reports that deleted scenes hinted at a gay storyline. Co-director Adrian Molina was replaced during revisions, and Elio underperformed at the box office. Docter emphasized Pixar’s shift toward commercially appealing projects for a wide audience.
Pete Docter told The Wall Street Journal that cutting an LGBTQ storyline from Pixar's Elio was to shield kids from topics they might not be ready to discuss with parents, quipping that the studio is making a movie, not 'hundreds of millions of dollars of therapy.' The piece frames this as a cowardly stance, contrasts it with Pixar's history of addressing tough issues, and notes the studio's upcoming film Hoppers.
Pixar chief creative officer Pete Docter explains that LGBTQ themes were trimmed from Elio to avoid pressuring parents into conversations they’re not ready for, quipping, 'We’re making a movie, not hundreds of millions of dollars of therapy.' The film underwent significant rewrites after early screenings and leadership changes; it opened to Pixar’s record-low domestic start, with Docter stressing the aim to appeal to everyone.
Pete Docter told the Wall Street Journal that Pixar overhauled 2025’s Elio after weak early screenings, removing the film’s LGBTQ elements—including a gay crush and a pink bike scene—because “we’re making a movie, not hundreds of millions of dollars of therapy.” The reshuffle led to the exit of director Adrian Molina and was completed by Madeline Sharafian and Domee Shi, sparking internal backlash. Elio ended up earning about $150 million worldwide on a production budget of roughly $150 million (not counting marketing). This move follows Disney’s earlier decision to cut a transgender character from the series Win or Lose.
Pixar chief Pete Docter said a queer storyline in Elio was cut because the studio wants films that appeal to everyone, not “hundreds of millions of dollars of therapy.” The change followed feedback from parents about topics they weren’t ready to discuss, and comes as Pixar shifts toward broadly relatable stories and sequels (including Toy Story 5). Docter emphasizes prioritizing quality over churning out content, while the WSJ-reported overhaul reflected the studio’s evolving creative direction.