Category: Community

The Hope for Wholeness Ministry had a presence in 15 different states. The Hope for Wholeness Ministry, one of America’s largest gay ‘conversion therapy’ networks, is disbanding after it failed to find a director to lead their harmful efforts. So-called gay ‘conversion therapy’ – which has been discredited by the NHS and the World Psychiatric Association – refers to any attempt at changing a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity and often involves techniques like electroshock therapy or prayer. The South Carolina based group announced its disbandment in a memo…

Ben Aldridge has come out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. The British actor paid tribute to LGBTQ+ history in a series of photos, including a shot of the Gay Liberation March at Leicester Square in 1972 and Stonewall pioneers Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera as they walked in NYC’s 1973 Pride. “The journey to pride was a long one for me,” the star reflected in the caption. “I love the LGBTQ+ community and am incredibly proud and thankful to be a part of it. So much won.…

LGBTQ+ venues have been hit hard during the coronavirus pandemic. The Stonewall Inn, the site of the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement in the United States, has launched a fundraiser as the ongoing coronavirus pandemic could force it to permanently shut its doors. In a piece for GAY TIMES last year, Philip Baldwin wrote about its historical significance: “When police raided the Stonewall Inn, during the early hours of 28 June, in an exceptional act of bravery, the patrons fought back. Many of these people, our queer brothers…

Taylor Schilling has confirmed her relationship with visual artist Emily Ritz. The actress, who is best known for her iconic role as Piper Chapman on Orange Is the New Black, reposted an adorable photo of her and Ritz over the weekend, in which they can be seen embracing one another in fog. “I couldn’t be more proud to be by your side @tayjschilling, Happy Pride!” Ritz wrote on the photo with several pink love heart emojis. On Sunday (28 June), Schilling shared the same photo to her 2.6 million Instagram…

Lockdown has caused a surge in depression and anxiety for the LGBTQ+ community. A survey of 2333 people, conducted by OutLife, discovered that four in five (79%) LGBTQ+ individuals have experienced a plummet in their mental health due to the restrictions in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Before lockdown, 24% of those interviewed said they felt depressed “very often” or “every day” while 34% admitted to experiencing anxiety. During lockdown, these numbers increased to 43% (depression) and 50% (anxiety). For young people, loneliness has become a whole other…