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Gabrielle Union vs America’s Got Talent, Teacher Fired After Homophobic Rant, HIV is on the Decline in NYC , Dwyane Wade, Aaliyah and More From Last Week

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Gabrielle Union is fired from America’s Got Talent after reporting racist comments

America’s Got Talent judge Gabrielle Union was fired after she accused the show of creating a toxic workplace culture that trivialized racism. Union revealed that Jay Leno joked that a painting of Simon Cowell with his dogs “looked like something one would find on the menu at a Korean restaurant” and that a white contestant darkened their hands in an attempt to emulate Beyoncé. The show’s producers ignored Union’s reports and terminated her contract. Several celebrities including Ellen Pompeo, Ariana Grande and Lin-Manuel Miranda have publicly supported Union, while NBC issued a statement saying they are “committed to ensuring a respectful workplace for all employees.”

In 2017, Nick Cannon quit the show after he filed similar complaints regarding the show’s treatment of people of color.

HIV infections in New York City are on the decline

World AIDS Day (December 1) was met with some exciting news: the amount of new HIV infections in New York City, once the epicenter of America’s AIDS crisis, plummeted by 67% from 2001, achieving a 17-year low. The decline is partially due to the city’s $23 million investment into PrEP, a preventative medication that reduces the risk of contracting HIV. The city has also invested in 8 clinics across the city that offer affordable services to disadvantaged communities.

Despite the progress in New York City, President Trump has proposed budget cuts in 2020 that would reduce funding for several HIV prevention programs including the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Global Fund to Fight AIDS and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS. In addition, annual HIV/AIDS diagnoses are continuing to increase in the South, mostly affecting Black men and women.

Donald Trump Jr. perpetuated the stigma surrounding HIV in one Tweet:

Dwyane Wade defends his Queer child from Internet trolls

Gabrielle Union posted a picture of her family on Thanksgiving that caused an uproar: Zion, her young step-son, was wearing long, painted nails and what appeared to be a crop top. Dwyane Wade, Union’s husband and a 13-time NBA All-Star, took to social media to address the haters: “As a parent my only goal is that my kids feel that I see them, love them and support them.”

Federal Judge blocks another Trump immigration policy

Judge Michael Simon of Oregon blocked a Trump administration policy that would require immigrants to prove that they have health insurance within 30 days of their arrival into the United States before they are granted a visa. The policy would exclude Medicaid or Affordable Care Act subsidies, largely disenfranchising lower income immigrants and those who arrive on Family visas.

Star Wars’ Billy Dee Williams uses Male and Female pronouns

Best known for his role as Lando Calrissian of “Star Wars,” Billy Dee Williams told Esquire that he uses both he/him and she/her pronouns. Williams said that he feels in touch with both his feminine and masculine sides and that he/she is a ‘very soft person.’

Teacher fired after homophobic rant

A substitute teacher at an Elementary School outside of Salt Lake City was allegedly fired this weekend after she went on a homophobic rant in her fifth grade classroom before Thanksgiving. According to students, the teacher asked an 11 year-old boy what he was thankful for; when he answered that he was thankful he would be adopted by his two dads, she lectured the classroom on the dangers of homosexuality. Three students reported the incident to the principal and the teacher was escorted out and barred from teaching at that school.

New York State lawmakers introduce bills to ban “Virginity Tests”

A few weeks ago, rapper T.I. boasted in a podcast that he took his 18-year old daughter to the gynecologist every year for “virginity tests” in order to ensure that her hymen was still intact. Last week, T.I and his wife filmed an episode of Jada Pickett Smith’s Red Table Talk, where he addressed the backlash he received for monitoring his daughter’s sex life. Partially as a response to the incident, New York State lawmakers introduced bills that will prevent doctors from performing the so-called “virginity exams” (note: there are several ways to damage the hymen that are not from sex).

Noname (rapper) can no longer be bothered to perform for white audiences

Chicago rapper Noname ranted on Twitter that she was ‘tired of performing for white audiences’ and that she felt unsupported by the Black community, especially since her music was written for Black women. She also criticized her Black fans for saying they loved her music but never attended her shows; at one point, the rapper threatened to quit music altogether. Yikes.

Aaliyah’s Discography Is Coming To Streaming Services

Eighteen years after her death, Aaliyah’s music will finally be available on streaming services starting January 16, 2020; what would have been Aaliyah’s 41st birthday. All of the rights to Aaliyah’s albums (except Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number) are owned by her uncle Barry Hankerson, who never released them for streaming. The announcement was made by Hankerson on Twitter.

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