Kanye West heads controversial praying rally alongside anti-LGBTQ  leaders

Thank you Kanye & Sunday Collective team.

We give God all the glory!#Awaken2020 pic.twitter.com/gUMHXihg1s

— awaken2020 (@awaken_2020) January 19, 2020

This week, Kanye West headlined at Awaken 2020, a 10-hour mass prayer rally in Tempe, Arizona. West’s involvement with the rally caused controversy because of the known anti-LGBTQ leaders associated with the event including Cindy Jacobs, Guillermo Maldonado and Che Ann. Kanye West has generally been supportive of the queer community; in 2005, he lamented the homophobia rampant in hip-hop and supported his mother-in-law Caitlyn Jenner early in her transition.

Trans women sue Florida

Two trans women sued the state of Florida this week for denying trans-related healthcare to state employees. The lawsuit argues that the state specifically singles out trans people and therefore violates Title VIII as well as the Equal Protections Clause. 

Andrew Yang’s wife Evalyn Reveals she was sexually assaulted by her gynecologist

In an interview with CNN, Andrew Yang’s wife, Evelyn Yang, revealed that she was sexually assaulted by her gynecologist, Dr. Robert Hadden of Columbia University, while she was pregnant in 2012. Ms. Yang outlined that in a routine visit, Dr. Hadden touched her genital area inappropriately without gloves. Yang admitted that she did not tell most of her family, even after learning that several other women had filed a police report against the same doctor, but felt empowered to use her platform to discuss the prevalence of sexual abuse. Dr. Hadden did not spend any time in prison.

Tennessee passed a law that would make private adoption agencies who turn away LGBTQ parents eligible for state funding 

Tennessee Governor  Bill Lee said that he will sign a law that will continue funding adoption agencies who turn away same-sex couples on religious grounds. The bill was passed by that state’s House last April despite arguments that it will leave some children in the foster system longer.

Christian school expels teen for rainbow birthday cake in Louisville 

A 15-year-old Kayla Kenney was expelled from her private Christian school in Louisville, Kentucky for posting a picture on social media of her rainbow-colored birthday cake on December 30. Kenney does not identify as LGBTQ+ but was expelled because of the cake’s approximation to the gay pride flag.

Entertainment 

Grown-ish, Elite and Insecure will release new seasons this year

Mariah Carey was Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame

Mariah Carey was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, joining Elton John, the Bee Gees and Queen. Carey, who has written or co-written all of her songs, has long been known for her nuanced and poetic lyrics. Our favorite Mariah lyrics, you ask? “You a mom and pop, I’m a corporation/ I’m the, press conference, you’re a conversation” (Obsessed). We Stan a shade queen.

… while Whitney Houston + Biggie Smalls were finally inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

You mean to tell us they weren’t on there before? This long overdue honor— unfortunately years after both honorees have passed— is a reminder that we need to appreciate our female and POC writers while they still live.