DC's most iconic gay couple (since the inclusion of the Wildstorm universe into the main 'New 52' continuity) Midnighter and Apollo are returning to comics in their own series.
'Midnighter & Apollo' will be a six part limited series launching in October, that will see the two characters continuing on their adventures after the event of the 'Midnighter' solo series that came to a close last month.
In the solo series Midnighter was separated from his husband of 13 years, though by the end of the series the two of them had reconciled their relationship.
The new series will see the return of the same creative team behind the 'Midnighter' solo series, with Steve Orlando returning as writer and 'Midnighter' artist ACO returning to provide cover art. The series interior art will be provided by 'Batman Eternal' artist Fernando Blanco.
Speaking on the upcoming series and the relationship between the two, Steve Orlando said 'They have a firmer idea of who they are, and they've become stronger and more confident together. This is the World's Finest Couple - kicking back and making each other better than they are on their own.'
Midnighter is a character that possesses superhuman abilities through biological enhancements, including superhuman strength and endurance, as well as some form of precognitive abilities that allow him to predict his enemies actions as well as giving him resistance to telepathic attacks.
Apollo is much more powerful than Midnighter, and is a 'solar-based being' with the abilities of flight, superhuman strength and near invulnerability. He can also release solar energy from his eyes and his hands in the form of laser-like blasts. He has on more than one occasion been referred to as being on a similar power level as Superman.
The two characters were originally introduced as part of the DC imprint Wildstorm in issue #4 of 'Stormwatch' in 1998, where the two characters not only had multiple adventures as part of the titular superhero team, but also entered a relationship together, married and even adopted a child.
During the events of the DC story 'Flashpoint' multiple imprints and out of universe characters were folded into a new universe that incorporated the Wildstorm characters into the main DC continuity. Thought this effectively erased much of the characters histories Steve Orlando has been passionate about re-exploring the two characters their relationship.
'Being able to present that type of character I think is very powerful', he said speaking about writing the two characters, 'because people need to know that you just have to be yourself, and you can be anything, you can still be gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender. There's no one way of doing things.'
'Midnighter & Apollo' #1 is scheduled for release on 1st October.
Transgender woman, Dakota Hemmingson, has won an unfair dismissal case and will be awarded $20,000 after being told to either stop her transition or be fired by her former employer.
Dakota worked in a barber shop in New Zealand but was told by her employer that if she wanted to retain her job she would have to cease her transition and present as male at work. When she refused she was fired from her position.
The Employment Relations Authority have chosen to rule in Dakota's favour on this case and ruled that she was unfairly dismissed. Media outlets are reporting the case as a landmark for New Zealand, with this case being the first of its kind.
Having previously posted on Facebook regarding the issue after her story broke Dakota has spoken in detail about the effect the event has had on her, even to the point of being close to suicide.
Speaking on the ruling Dakota has said, 'It's good to feel authentic and feel honest to myself. It's just the beginning of something bigger and I'm so proud to be a part of this.
'Wow, just wow. I can't express how grateful I am for all the support. Getting here has been the hardest thing I'm still dealing with so much emotion but I want to say a few things.
'This is not only a win for the LGBT community and especially the transgender community. This shows that we are protected from discrimination and transphobia in the workplace in New Zealand.
'The one main thing I wanted from this was to fight for everyone who never had the chance, everyone who had to settle and remain silent and for anyone who has ever faced discrimination. We as the country of New Zealand have to take a stand together to show the world discrimination and hate will not win.
'We need to lead the way and make our voices heard. For anyone going through anything of a similar value, or to anybody who faces inequality. We are here for you, I am here for you.'
Despite the leak of several new Pokemon the day before Nintendo promised we'd receive new information July 1st has still seen a whole new host of information, trailers and images for the upcoming games.
Some of the first pieces of news relates to two of the new Pokemon that have already been revealed, Iwanko and Nekkoala, including their English names, Rockruff and Komala respectively, and more in depth descriptions.
Rockruff is a sociable Pokemon, but as it grows, it's disposition gets wilder. It begins to howl when the sun goes down, that is proof that it is close to evolving. It is said that it leaves it's Trainers side to evolve and returns again when fully evolved.
Rockruff stands bravely in battle, even when taking damage. Although an opponent may be stronger than Roackruff, the Puppy Pokemon is so persistent, it keeps going until it outlasts its foe and gets the win!
Bite is a good move for Rockruff. It deals damage by biting an opponent with its sharp teeth. This may make the target flinch.
Rockruff greets other by rubbing the rocks around their necks against others. This grating greeting is an expression of fondness, but a trainer may feel that love hurts.
No one has ever seen a Komala awake. It eats, travels and even battles whilst sound asleep. It saliva can be used as a medicine for the sick or sleepless, according to ancient people. They say that if you take a small amount of the saliva remaining after it eats leaves, water the saliva down, and drink it, you'll be able to sleep well.
Komala clings to a log pillow that it's parents have given to it. Once it grasps this log it almost never releases it. If it does lose hold of it's log, the Pokemon will be unable to sleep well and will thrash about wildly. Apparently it will sometimes cling onto the arm of a Trainer it trusts.
Komala has the Comatose Ability, a new Ability that no other Pokemon has ever had until now. This ability keeps it perpetually in a drowsing state, which prevents it from getting any other status conditions.
The ever-sleeping Komala's expression sometimes changes, as if it has awareness of its surroundings and the people talking nearby. But it appears these changes in expression are actually just the result of the dreams it's experiencing.
In addition to this information the existence of the seven leaked Pokemon has been confirmed in a trailer that not only gives us more information on these new monsters, but the Alola region as well. The new trailer has also confirmed that two of these new Pokemon are the evolved forms of Grubbin, who was announced previously.
Tapu Koko
Category: Land Spirit Pokemon
Type: Electric/Fairy
Height: 5'11''
Weight: 45.2 lbs.
Ability: Electric Surge
Tapu Koko is a special Pokemon that protects the area where it lives. It's called the guardian deity of Melemele Island, one of the Islands in the Alola region. Although it is known as a guardian deity, it's a surprisingly fickle Pokemon, and will not necessarily come to your aid if you need help.
Despite that, this Pokemon has a strong sense of curiosity. If it becomes interested in a person or in another Pokemon, it may come to play or battle with them.
Tapu Koko's Ability is Electric Surge, an Ability never before seen in a Pokemon. Electric Surge fills the field around the Pokemon's feet with electricity when it appears, raising the power ability of any Electric-type moves for Pokemon on the ground and preventing any Pokemon from falling asleep. Tapu Koko can learn a new move called Nature's Madness, which slams an opponent and reduces that Pokemon's HP by half.
Bruxish emits a strong psychic power from the protuberance on its head. When its opponents are bathed in this power, they're stricken with terrible headaches and fall unconscious. As it emits its psychic power it grinds its teeth loudly. When nearby Pokemon hear the sound of Bruxish's teeth they sense danger and flee immediately.
In the Alola region lifeguards let Bruxish remain in the area to prevent dangerou water-type Pokemon from gathering there.
Bruxish digs holes on the seafloor, leaving just the protuberance on its head exposed, while emitting a low level of psychic power. This serves as radar, so when it detects prey it can leap to attack.
Bruxish have the new Ability Dazzling, which no other Pokemon has ever had. The Dazzling Ability prevents opponents from using priority moves that normally strike first.
Cutiefly can detect auras of living things, including people, Pokemon and plants. They search out flowers by the colour and brightness of their auras and then gather their nectar and pollen.
When living creatures are excited, it seems that their auras resemble those of flowers in full bloom. As a result, these Pokemon tend to gather near people or Pokemon feeling particularly happy or sad.
Cutiefly mostly live in the fields and meadows on the outskirts of cities, but they sometimes appear in towns or even inside buildings, drawn in by the emotions of the living beings of the community.
Charjabug stays perfectly still in preparation for Evolution, and often spends time with its body half-buried in the earth. Charjabug is able to store up electricity. It can store enough power to run a household for a whole day. The power it stores can be provided to other Pokemon, so it can also serve as a battery.
Charjabug has the Battery Ability, an Ability not seen before in any other Pokemon. The Battery Ability allows it to raise the power of allies' special moves.
Vikavolt is like a fortress that flies through the forest, firing a beam of electricity from its mouth. It's huge jaws control the electricity it blasts out.
Vikavolt is adept at acrobatic flight maneuvers like tailspins and sharp turns. It can fly at high speeds even as it weaves its way through the complicated tangle of branches in the forest.
Vikavolt clasps Chargabug with its legs and uses it as an extra battery. Even if the battle drags on, it can use the electric power from Charjabug to continue firing off powerful moves. When Vikavolt is engaged in a fierce aerial fight, it releases Chargabug to make itself lighter and increase its mobility.
Vikavolt is the evolved form of Chargabug and the final form of Grubbin.
Drampa are the dragons that live alone in the mountains 10,000 feet above sea level. Since they cannot obtain the berries they feed on at that range, they descend to the base of the mountains at dawn every day. Drampa love communicating with people and Pokemon.
Drampa are especially gentle with children and often appear at schools and parks where children gather.
While Drampa is usually a very gentle Pokemon, it can fly into a rage if a child it cares for is hurt in some way. The Dragon Breath move that it fires off at such times is powerful enough to blow down buildings.
Drampa can have the Berserk Ability, an ability that no other Pokemon has ever had. With the Berserk Ability, this Pokemon's Sp.Atk will go up by 1 when it's HP drops below half.
Togedemaru
Category: Roly-Poly Pokemon
Type: Electric/Steel
Height: 1'00''
Weight: 7.3 lbs.
Abilities: Iron Barbs/Lightning Rod
Togedemaru is the Roly-Poly Pokemon that gathers electricity and stores it. The needle that grows from the back of its head works as a lightning rod to attract electricity. With this reservoir of electrical energy, Togedemaru is able to release powerful Electric-type attacks.
Covering its body in is a pattern of fur with strands like needles. This means that Togedemaru can roll itself up, and presto - a ball of prickles.
Some skilled Trainers have developed the strategy of getting other Pokemon to unleash Electric-type attacks on Togedemaru, which absorbs their power to use a response attack.
On days when lightning strikes, you can sometimes see Togedemaru gather and bristle up their needles, waiting to be struck by lightning.
The trailer has also revealed further looks at the new forms for the legendary Pokemon Zygarde, including showing the transformations from the doglike 10% form to the 50% form that we're all familiar with to the new 100% form.
It has also been revealed that both the 10% and 50% form can transform into the powerful Complete Form if they have the Power Construct Ability, which transforms the Pokemon during battle if its health falls below half, a kind of automatic mega-evolution.
Along with the new trailer several new screenshots were also released that show off the battle system, stunning new environments, trainer battles and rideable Pokemon.
A Seattle trans advocate was attacked and beaten after leaving the 'Let Your Love Shine' fundraiser event for the victims of the Orlando Pulse Massacre.
Michael Volz, who uses the pronouns they and them, was returning to their vehicle when they were approached by a stranger. The man reportedly said 'Happy Pride' before chocking and beating Michael to the floor before kicking them in the abdomen.
The attacker reportedly also said 'Show me your tits you tranny cunt' whilst he attacked them.
After the attacker left the scene Michael managed to drive themselves home, where friends insisted that they go to the ER. Michael was treated for cuts, abrasions and bruising as well as having several stitches. They are also reporting injured teeth and vision impairment due to the attack.
Seattle Police Department have spoken out about the incident and are treating it as a hate crime. 'I'm disgusted by this hateful attack,' Chief Kathleen O'Toole said. 'I want to assure the victim and the community that the SPD will leverage every resource to identify the suspect and bring him to justice.'
Michael's friends set up a GoFundMe page to raise awareness and support. 'The emotional devastation and the injuries they have endured is so deep there are no words to describe,' the GoFundMe described. 'Michael wants us to attach pictures because this is what transphobia looks like.' So far the page has raised over $35,000.
Michael has spoken out about the incident, saying 'This is not an isolated incident....this is something that happens in our community frequently, and we won't stand for it.'
Canada has introduced a new policy for blood donation that has come under heavy criticism for being transphobic. The new policy will determine that if a transgender donor has not had genital surgery they will be treated as the sex they were assigned at birth.
This news comes just days after the Blood Services announced that they would be loosening restrictions on gay and bisexual men who donate blood. They are planning to drop the wait time for men who have sex with men from five year to one, but have also announced that they are planning to introduce a 'new screening process for trans donors (will take) into consideration the assigned sex of the donor and whether they have had genital surgery.'
The Canadian Blood Service has said, 'We recognise their assigned birth sex may be different than the gender with which they identify', acknowledging the fact that they are aware that transgender people do not live their lives as the gender they were assigned at birth.
Dr Mindy Goldman spoke on behalf of the CBS, 'We felt that it would be better to have a standardised procedure that way an individual trying to donate in Vancouver would be treated the same way as someone in Newfoundland or Ontario.
'It would be more respectful of donors because they would not know what the policy was.
'Where this leaves us with trans donors is that they're not an easy population for us to screen because they're transitioning often, they don't fit neatly into a category.'
In addition to being described as not being able to 'fit neatly into a category' over their gender, trans people are also being told that they are also going to be treated as homosexual individuals if they are straight. Transgender women are being told that if they have not had genital surgery and have been intimate with a cisgender man they will be treated as being a gay man.
Whilst cisgender women who sleep with cisgender men are free to donate blood, transgender women who sleep cisgender men will have to have a period of 12 months abstinence before donating. The CBS have not commented on how this new policy will affect gay trans men.
Not only are these new regulations horribly transphobic in the way that they reduce the notion of trans women to simply being gay men, but the fact that it comes from an official body sends a message of anti-trans sentiment to the general population.
As the EU Referendum results look to be finalised the leader of the right wing political party UKIP, Nigel Farage, took to the stage to make a speech to celebrate the UK's decision to leave the European Union, a speech that not only congratulated isolationist and xenophobic voters, but also insulted the memory of Jo Cox.
Speaking at a rally in central London Mr Farage said, 'This, if the predictions now are right, this will be a victory for real people, a victory for ordinary people, a victory for decent people.
'We have fought against multinationals, we have fought against big merchant banks, we have fought against big politics, we have fought against lies, corruption and deceit. And today honesty, decency and belief in nation, I think is going to win.
'And we have done it without having to fight, without a single bullet being fired, we'd have done it by damn hard work on the ground.'
Farage's comments about victory without having had a single bullet fired have come under a massive backlash as less than a week ago MP Jo Cox was brutally murdered in the street by a pro-Brexit supporter.
Whilst some have denied any connection between her killer and the Leave campaign Thomas Mair, the man who took Jo Cox's life, was witnessed shouting 'put Britain first' whilst performing the attack, and gave his name in court as 'Death to traitors, freedom for Britain'. Leaving many to make the natural conclusion that the crime was motivated by politics.
Even if there turns out to be no connection between the debate over Britain leaving the EU and a pro-leave campaigner murdering a minister campaigning to stay in the EU the timing of the events and the comments made by the killer make Farage's speech incredibly insensitive and even downright insulting.
It is also worth noting, however, that Farage has in the build up to the EU Referendum advocated for people to turn to violence if they feel that the UK should leave the European Union, so forgetting to respect the memory of someone who lost their life to such violence is hardly beyond him.
With the value of the pound already plummeting to the lowest point it has ever been at since its inception and known homophobes, racists, sexists and xenophobes such as Nigel Farage celebrating the results of the vote, today is already proving to be an incredibly dark day for rational minded citizens of Britain.
Police have locked down a street in Canterbury following an alleged shooting at a gay bar on Saturday night.
Limes bar reported an incident that occurred around 10pm on Saturday night, where a pair of youths were seen shooting in the LGBT+ bar. The incident resulted in damage to the window of the bar, but thankfully no one was reported as being injured.
A representative of Kent Police, Sally Smith, has said 'No injuries were reported and the investigation into the incident continues. A window was broken and the cause of damage remains under investigation. No weapons were reported to have been seen.'
An 18-year-old man from Dover and a 17-year-old girl from Hythe have been arrested, but since released on bail.
A young transgender rights activist from the UK, Charlie Craggs, has warned that Britain choosing to leave the European Union during the 'Brexit' vote could lead to marginalised communities finding themselves in worse situations.
Charlie, who has become well known for her Nail Transphobia campaign where she travels around the UK advocating for trans rights, has urged students around the UK to vote to remain within the EU in Thursday's referendum or face the possibility of Boris Johnson as prime minister.
'If we leave, the ramifications on marginalised communities is going to be so great.' She said when speaking on the subject. 'Boris Johnson could be our prime minister. A man who has said things like 'tank-top wearing bum boys' and said gay marriage might lead to men marrying their dogs.
'People vote for him because the think he's a lol and a laugh, but he's dangerous.
'The EU has helped produce legislation to protect us but it also means we are all involved in social dialogue in the EU. We are able to bring our voice to the table. The UK is quite good at LGBT rights so I think it's important we remain in the EU so our voice remains prevalent in that conversation.
'Brexit would be bad for trans rights, gay rights, lesbian rights, bi rights, intersex, literally all of us.'
The 27 year old actor, best known for playing Pavel Chekov in the recent Star Trek reboot films, has died after an accident at his Los Angeles home.
The actor was found struck by his own car that had reportedly rolled down his driveway and pinned him against a brick postbox pillar, killing the young man.
Despite being best known for his role in the new Star Trek films, the third of which is due for release next month, he has also appeared in a host of well received films, including Green Room, the Smurfs series, Terminator Salvation, Hearts in Atlantis and Fright Night.
Outpourings of condolences have already been made for the actor from colleagues and friends.
'You were kind. You were funny as hell, and supremely talented. And you weren't here nearly long enough. Missing you.' - J.J. Abrams
'Still in shock. Rest in peace, Anton. Your passion and enthusiasm will live on with everyone that had the pleasure of knowing you.' - Justin Lin.
'Sad news for such a talented young man.' - William Shatner
'A rare and beautiful soul with his unstoppable passion for life.' - Jodie Foster
'I'm devastated. A world without Anton is a lesser place. He touched everyone he met with honesty and humanity. We have lost a unique and powerful soul.' - Felicity Jones
'Our dear friend. Our comrade. Our Anton. One of the most open and intellectually curious people I have ever had the pleasure to know. So enormously talented and generous of heart, wise beyond his years, and gone before his time. All love and strength to his family at this impossible time of grief.' - Zachary Quinto
'Anton Yelchin was one of my best friends. I can't say anything that conveys what this feels like.' - Kat Dennings
'The sweetest, most humble, delightful, talented guy you'd ever meet.' Guillermo del Toro
