lgbtq
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Lena Waithe Discusses the Power of Creatives of Color and Black Queer Representation on Television
Writer, showrunner and actress Lena Waithe spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about a host of topics in a brand new feature released Monday, including the need to support the ideas of creatives of color, as well as Black queer representation on television. The 36-year-old creator of The Chi, Queen & Slim and Twenties discussed the…
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GLAAD Media Awards 2020: Lil Nas X, the Cast of Pose and Wanuri Kahiu's Rafiki Among Winners
The 31st Annual GLAAD Media Awards went down on Thursday night—because a little lockdown won’t stop no show! Comedians Fortune Feimster and Gina Yashere took over hosting duties for the virtual edition of the annual ceremony honoring “media for fair, accurate, and inclusive representations of LGBTQ people and issues.” As for entertainment during the ceremony,…
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'I Was Just There to Fulfill a Diversity Quota': Riverdale Neglected Its Black Characters, per Co-Stars
The Hollywood reckoning is happening all over town and this time, we’re visiting Riverdale—the series airing on The CW, that is. Bernadette Beck, who portrays Peaches ‘N Cream in the third and fourth season of the popular series based on the beloved comic book series, recently spoke out about how the show further perpetuates negative…
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Exclusive: A Powerful New Video From the Human Rights Campaign and Billy Porter Reminds Us Our Votes Do Matter
There has been so much trauma, violence, inhumanity and depraved indifference splashed across our screens in recent months, it’s often difficult to process it all—let alone the brutality we’ve become almost inured to over the past decade and those prior. But what we have been witnessing as of late is not only not new, it…
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I May Destroy You: Paapa Essiedu Rejects the 'Violent Erasure of the Black Male Experience Spectrum' by Portraying Kwame
The Root recently talked with show creator and star Michaela Coel about the inner-workings of the critically acclaimed I May Destroy You. As I mentioned previously, one of the things I love about the show is its ability to showcase a wide range of aspects concerning sexual assault and rape (it’s already impressive enough as…
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Javicia Leslie Is the New Batwoman and the 1st Black Actor to Portray the Superhero in Live-Action TV or Film
We have a new Batwoman, y’all—and she’s Black and beautiful! Back in May after Ruby Rose stepped down from the titular role in the CW series (to much surprise), fans wondered who would be stepping in. Well, the wait is over and actor Javicia Leslie (God Friended Me, Always A Bridesmaid) will be filling that…
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'It’s All Divine Play to Me': Angelica Ross Bodies Her Latest Magazine Feature—Literally
“The things Angelica did: THAT,” said The Root’s Entertainment Writer Tonja Stidhum upon seeing Angelica Ross’ new pictorial, photographed by Malik Ahmir and styled by Amiyah Scott for Interview magazine. And looking like this (with bamboo earrings, to boot), that could really be the whole post. In fact, if you suspect this blog is actually…
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Mr. America: Billy Porter Covers Essence's July-August Issue [Corrected]
It’s unfortunate that in the midst of celebrating its 50th anniversary, Essence has also been implicated in a rising controversy as past and current Black female staffers have anonymously launched a campaign to #TakeBackEssence. But as we also commemorate 50 years of Pride and the closing of Pride Month, we can simultaneously celebrate another milestone…
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Felicia Pride, on the 'Vulnerability, Sensuality, Softness and Hardness' of the Women in Her Short Film, Tender
TV and film writer (and former contributor to The Root) Felicia Pride has an array of stories bubbling inside of her. Leading with a fascinating Hollywood journey that includes TV writing credits in Queen Sugar, a festival-accepted feature film and more exciting things to come, Pride embodies her surname. Having found Pride through her creator…