Grandpa wears makeup in viral J&B Whisky commercial with a message

Spoiler alert! Tissues may come in handy for this Christmas ad from J&B Whisky’s latest campaign, which features a makeup-wearing grandfather and an unexpected twist.

Biden signs gay marriage bill at White House ceremony

President Joe Biden signed gay marriage legislation into law Tuesday before a crowd of thousands, a ceremony that reflected growing acceptance of same-sex unions.

Senate passes landmark same-sex marriage bill

The Senate has passed landmark bipartisan legislation to protect same-sex marriages.

Russian Duma gives anti-LGBTQ 'propaganda' bill final approval

The bill would significantly expand restrictions on activities seen as promoting gay rights in Russia, another step in a years-long crackdown on the country's embattled LGBTQ community.

Colorado gay bar shooting suspect facing murder, hate crime charges

The man suspected of opening fire at a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs was being held on murder and hate crime charges Monday, while hundreds of people gathered to honor the five people killed and 17 wounded in the attack on a venue that for decades was a sanctuary for the local LGBTQ community.

Minnesota United's new power soccer team aims to 'elevate' the sport

Minnesota United recently became the third Major League Soccer club to sign a team that plays power soccer, or a version of the sport designed specifically for power wheelchair users.

'We won't accept that': Family seen in viral Sesame Place video accuses park of discrimination

A family accusing Sesame Place of discrimination spoke publicly at a press conference in New York and called for the firing of the employee seen in the viral video with the two girls. 

Sesame Place facing discrimination complaints as more videos are shared

After a video showing two children being seemingly ignored by a character at Sesame Place went viral, more videos are surfacing, sparking discrimination allegations against the Pennsylvania theme park. 

US soprano, offended by blackface, pulls out of Italy opera

Angel Blue posted a note on Instagram saying she will be bowing out of “La Traviata” because the theater recently mounted another opera with performers in blackface.

Montana rejects new library logo over similarity to pride flag

The commission that oversees the Montana State Library has rejected a proposed new logo after a member said the main feature brought to mind a rainbow LGBTQ pride flag.

New photo gallery captures Twin Cities social justice movement

Over the past two years, independent photojournalist KingDemetrius Pendleton has been on the ground capturing some of the biggest moments in the social justice movement in Minnesota.

Kansas lawmaker said she didn't want to share restroom with transgender colleague

LGBTQ-rights advocates are calling for a Kansas state lawmaker to be formally censured after she said she didn't want to share the women’s restrooms at the Statehouse with a transgender colleague.

Minnesota’s first Black-owned bank opens as First Independence Bank

In a historic move, First Independence Bank is venturing outside of Detroit, Michigan, for the very first time in its more than 50 years in business to open two locations in Minneapolis.

St. Paul woman opens storefront for plant-based cosmetics company

Tameka Jones was furloughed during the pandemic, so she took her savings to start her own cosmetics line called Lip Esteem.

All Minneapolis North graduating seniors to receive up to $10K scholarships

Pillsbury United Communities says it will be giving every senior at Minneapolis North High School up to $10,000 for post-secondary education.

Afghan family celebrates first Ramadan in Minnesota since fleeing Kabul

Celebrating Ramadan looks a little different this year from Zia Formuly and his family. This is the first time they are celebrating the Islamic Holy Month of Ramadan in Minnesota after escaping Afghanistan in October.

Twin Cities auto shop to pay employee it forced to quit $60K

A Twin Cities auto shop will pay a former employee $60,000 for forcing the worker to quit after reporting racial and sexual harassment.