LGBT

Big moment at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday ... when some of the team's biggest stars helped to unveil a new plaque in Monument Park paying tribute to the gay rights movement.

Pitchers CC Sabathia and Dellin Betances -- along with G.M. Brian Cashman -- held the ceremony to reveal the Stonewall Inn plaque ... which honors the people who fought back during a violent police raid at the Stonewall Inn gay bar in NYC back in 1969.

The incident at the Stonewall is credited with igniting the LGBTQ rights movement.

In fact, the current owners of the Stonewall Inn -- which is still operational in Greenwich Village -- were also on hand for the ceremony.

In addition to the plaque, the Yankees are also working with owners Stacy Lentz and Kurt Kelly to create a scholarship benefiting LGBTQ public school students.

"[The Yankees have] gone beyond a Pride Night," Lentz told the NY Daily News ... "They understand that having a permanent fixture when fans come here, LGBTQ fans are going to feel safe and welcome."

Cashman told the media, "We want to be an organization that represents inclusion and safe harbor. We try and make a difference that way."

NBA star Andre Iguodala believes ex-Golden State Warriors head coach Mark Jackson has been blackballed from coaching in the NBA ... and it's all over his religious views.

Andre has been playing for the Warriors since 2013 -- and spent one year under coach Jackson -- who's been often credited with building the Warriors into the dynasty they are today.

But, ever since Jackson was fired, he hasn't been hired as a coach by any other NBA team -- and when Andre went on "The Breakfast Club," he explained his theory to Charlamagne tha God.

"One particular issue was -- from what I heard -- was his views on gender, or marriage, or what the bible said on your sexuality."

FYI, Jackson is a very religious Christian minister -- who would often livestream his church services to his congregation from the Warriors team facility.

Jackson also came under fire back in 2013 for comments he made when NBA player Jason Collins came out as gay.

"As a Christian man, I have beliefs of what’s right and what’s wrong," Jackson said at the time ... "That being said, I know Jason Collins, I know his family, and am certainly praying for them at this time."

Iguodala suggested Jackson's views were not received well by Warriors exec Rick Welts -- who's openly gay -- and the relationship between Mark and the team deteriorated from there.

"There was conflicts with that that were widespread," Andre said.

Jackson was fired in 2014 -- and Iguodala believes other powerful NBA execs have essentially conspired to keep Mark out of the league ever since.

Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney can't confirm Pete Buttigieg's theory that the U.S. has already had a gay president -- because who the hell knows -- but he's got no problem with historians doing some digging.

The openly gay representative from NY tells TMZ it's impossible to know for sure if a past Prez was gay, but, like Buttigieg ... he says there's no doubt people have publicly served -- both in politics and the military -- while remaining in the closet, for various reasons.

As for whether it's right to out these historical figures ... Maloney's got no qualms about it. He says it's not really outing if the person's been deceased for a long time, and it's "completely fair game" to look into a person's sexual orientation for the purpose of better understanding.

He emphasizes this is for the sake of historical context and learning as much as possible about important people ... and compares it to studying up on Thomas Jefferson's relationship with slavery.

It's an interesting comparison, and SPM explains it better than we can ... check out the clip.

BTW -- Buttigieg's comments about a possible gay president have sparked interest in who is most likely, with Abraham Lincoln and James Buchanan being the frontrunners. Scholars widely disagree on Lincoln ... but there are signs that lifelong bachelor Buchanan was truly the first gay president.

Nicholas Sparks is apologizing for emails he wrote disparaging the LGBTQ community ... saying he should have chosen his words more wisely.

The famed author made his first public comments about the emails, from 2013, where he appears to attempt to ban an LGBTQ club at the Epiphany School of Global Studies in NC ... which Sparks founded. The emails surfaced in a lawsuit against Nicholas by the school's former headmaster.

Nicholas is now apologizing, saying his poorly worded emails have been taken out of context, and claims he stands with the LGBTQ community.

In the emails, "The Notebook" author reportedly defended his decision to ban the LGBTQ group writing in an email to the headmaster, "Not allowing them to have a club is NOT discrimination."

Sparks chastised the headmaster ... "We've spent way, way too much time in the first few months talking about 'tolerance, diversity, nondiscrimination and LGBT.'" He also implied it would be bad to promote "an agenda that strives to make homosexuality open and accepted."

6:20 PM PT -- Taylor just performed a surprise set at NYC's Stonewall Inn, wishing everyone a happy Pride. The event was hosted by Stonewall Inn and AEG to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising.

Taylor took the stage after an introduction from Modern Family star Jesse Tyler Ferguson ... and she sang "Shake it Off."

2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, known as the dawn of the modern LGBTQ rights movement.

Taylor Swift's newest track is prompting something amazing -- her fans stepping up to make donations to one of the biggest LGBTQ groups ... all thanks to a shout out.

Honchos at GLAAD, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, tell TMZ ... they've seen an influx in donations overnight after Taylor dropped her new song, "You Need to Calm Down."

The single is an anti-hate anthem that calls out anti-gay bullies, and includes the lyrics, "Why are you mad when you could be GLAAD?"

GLAAD recently started a fundraiser to support its LGBTQ advocacy work during Pride Month, setting a $1,300 goal as an homage to Taylor's favorite number 13 ... and we're told many of the donations flowing in are for $13.

The song's also prompting a flood of pro-LGBTQ posts on social media.

GLAAD executive Anthony Ramos is glad to have Taylor on their side ... he says, "The fact she continues to use her platform and music to support the LGBTQ community and the Equality Act is a true sign of being an ally."

Andy Cohen is blasting the upcoming Straight Pride Parade ... calling it the brainchild of absolute morons!!!

We got the TV host Monday in New York City and our photog asked his thoughts on the small group of straight men in Boston planning to march for straight pride ... and Andy didn't hold back, ripping the idea as the "dumbest f***ing thing" he's ever heard!!!"

The parade, an apparent retort to June being LGBTQ Pride Month, is being touted by organizers as a celebration of "the diverse history, culture, and contributions of the straight community."

L.A. Pride Festival goers will be thinking love and inclusivity, but cops will be focused on shutting down terrorism by rolling out some new tactics for this weekend's events.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the L.A. County Sheriff's Department and their partners stepped up their game for the festival in West Hollywood -- including Sunday's parade -- to ensure it all goes off without a hitch.

We're told deputies closely studied recent terrorist attacks -- including the Manchester Arena bombing, the Las Vegas mass shooting and several instances of assailants using vehicles as weapons.

As a result ... we're told law enforcement will be using an array of vehicles as barriers, for the first time, to shore up vulnerable areas along the route and surrounding area. Of course, both uniformed and undercover cops will be on the scene ... and video surveillance will be heavily employed.

Our sources made it clear ... law enforcement has not received any specific threats against the festival, but they are prepared for the worst.

6/7 5:57 AM PT -- Brad Pitt has officially been scrubbed from the Straight Pride website.

Brad Pitt is no mascot, but ESPECIALLY not for the notorious upcoming Straight Pride Parade ... and he's doing what he can to put a stop to the idiocy.

As you may have heard ... a small group of straight men in Boston -- in an apparent retort to June being LGBTQ Pride Month -- have announced an upcoming parade to "celebrate the diverse history, culture, and contributions of the straight community."

Currently, their website claims this community has adopted Pitt as its mascot, and congratulates him for being "the face of this important civil rights movement."

Of course, this is total BS, and sources close to Brad tell TMZ his team has reached out to the Straight Pride Parade organizers, demanding they stop using his name and likeness for their event.

If they don't do it soon ... we're told further action could be taken.

As for the planned parade ... the morons in charge say it will be a one-day event sometime in August, and they are requesting the same route as the Boston Pride Parade.

The parade has unsurprisingly been met with scorn and has a lot of folks shaking their damn heads, but here's what Boston native and 'Captain America' star Chris Evans thinks about it.

President Trump ain't got no shame in his Twitter game ... kicking off Pride Month by congratulating the LGBT contributions a month after his administration effectively banned transgender people from the military.

POTUS reminded us moments ago in a tweet, "As we celebrate LGBT Pride Month and recognize the outstanding contributions LGBT people have made to our great Nation, let us also stand in solidarity with the many LGBT people who live in dozens of countries worldwide that punish, imprison, or even execute individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation."

Earlier this month the Trump Administration also announced a proposal that would essentially allow health care providers to discriminate based on gender identity, rolling back progress for the transgender community that was made over the past decade.

Just last month, the Pentagon began to implement a controversial new policy that critics say is essentially a "don't ask, don't tell" policy for trans service members. The Department of Defense says it's NOT a ban ... but it clearly says anyone with gender dysphoria taking hormones or who has already undergone gender transition will NOT be allowed to enlist. #SAD.

Chuck Liddell now realizes the video he made to congratulate a man for coming out of the closet after 40 years was most likely a homophobic prank ... and the UFC legend is really upset about it.

Here's the backstory ... Chuck is one of the celebrities who works with Cameo, a company where people can pay celebs to make custom video messages for fans.

Someone named L-Dogg asked Chuck to make a video congratulating "Timmy" for going public with his sexuality ... and Chuck, believing it was a legitimate request, obliged.

The original video features Chuck delivering a heartfelt message to Timmy -- and saying he wishes Timmy would have been able to come out earlier in life.

But, now it seems pretty obvious L-Dogg was just using Chuck as part of a homophobic joke.

"If this is someone messing with somebody, that's messed up," Liddell told us at LAX.

"I assumed it was a guy who was actually coming out after 40 years."

Bottom line ... Chuck says he doesn't want to be used to make jokes in bad taste.

Carson Kressley thinks it's incredible a major children's show has finally caught up with the times and showcased a gay marriage ... 'cause it sure ain't 1950 anymore.

We got the 'Queer Eye' legend Tuesday at LAX and he gave us his take on the cartoon series, "Arthur," having its longtime classroom teacher, Mr. Ratburn, marry a guy in the Season 22 premiere ... much to his students' pleasant surprise. It was a HUGE moment in TV history.

Carson tells us it's satisfying to see media gatekeepers realize reality has caught up to us, and you can't really ignore gay people anymore, especially when it comes to kids.

Oh, and check out Carson's attempt at trying to decipher what kind of animal Mr. Ratburn (rat, BTW) -- it's hilarious ... and a little NSFW too. Get this man back in front of a camera!!!

It's interesting ... "Sesame Street" brass came out last year to shoot one of their former writer's notion that Bert and Ernie were, in fact, a gay couple -- to the chagrin of the LGBT community. Weirdly enough though, the company seems to have deleted its statement.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are joining forces with Prince William and Kate Middleton to cast their rumored differences aside in the name of helping others ... namely, people dealing with mental health issues.

The British Royals just launched a mental health crisis hotline, dubbed Shout ... a free text messaging service aiming to provide 24/7 support for people in the UK who are going through a rough patch.

The fact Harry and Meghan are working alongside William and Kate is huge news ... because it comes in the face of swirling rumors about possible feuds and rifts within the Royal family.

As for the new text messaging helpline ... it's powered by a team of volunteers trained to create a safe space for people burdened by mental health issues. The conversations can be difficult, as volunteers must listen without judgment on a range of issues, including suicidal thoughts, bullying, self-harm, abuse, relationships and sexuality.

That last topic is super interesting as it relates to the Royals ... they don't usually talk about issues with sexuality.

Shout launching in the United Kingdom comes on the heels of Harry, Meghan, William and Kate making a commitment to their Heads Together campaign, which supports conversations on mental health.

Presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg got another dose of homophobia Friday night during a Dallas campaign event.

Mayor Pete was speaking at the Dallas County Democratic Party's Johnson Jordan Dinner when some hecklers started screaming at him to "repent." Some screamed, "marriage is between a man and a woman."

Buttigieg clearly was locked and loaded, responding to one heckler by saying he packed his bags to serve in Afghanistan, "to defend the man's freedom of speech."

He went on to talk about the very book from which the hecklers were quoting ... "Just thinking of the scripture that says bless and do not curse."

Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade are springing into action to help the mother of the Alabama teen who recently died from suicide after he was mercilessly bullied for being gay.

Sources tell TMZ ... the actress and NBA star are part of a group of celebs -- which also includes Ludacris and Janelle Monae -- donating money to help cover Nigel Shelby's funeral. Nigel is the 15-year-old who took his own life nearly 2 weeks ago.

We're told the effort was spearheaded by Pinky Cole -- owner of the popular ATL restaurant Slutty Vegan -- and "Master of None" star Lena Waithe, who enlisted their famous friends to help out.

Nigel's mother, Camika, had said Nigel suffered from depression and struggled with his identity. Our sources wouldn't say how much money was raised, but we know it was enough to cover the expense of Nigel's tombstone, funeral service ... and a separate amount to support Camika.

Nigel's memorial was held over the weekend at Rock Family Worship Center in Huntsville, Alabama. He was laid to rest in a colorful casket wrapped in rainbows and butterflies.

J Alexander, aka Miss J, is ready to throw support behind Mayor Pete Buttigieg, but wants him to know the LGBTQ community expects his in return ... on every level, with no excuses.

The "America's Next Top Model" coach was at the Strand Book Store in NYC Tuesday when he told us his thoughts on the rising star in the Democratic primary field, who happens to be openly gay.

Miss J believes Pete's got what it takes to win votes -- even from anti-gay voters -- but strongly hopes he does it by continuing to be inclusive and do work on behalf of all LGBTQ folks.

J even calls for his people to "band together" for the South Bend, Indiana mayor, because he believes if they get him in the White House ... real differences can be made.

Meanwhile, Mayor Pete got a dose of homophobia Tuesday in Iowa from a couple of protesters, including one chanting "Remember Sodom and Gomorrah!" You'll recall Pete told us he was prepared to handle these sorts of attacks during the campaign, and he did just that.

Mayor Pete Buttigieg is capturing the imagination of the country in a way we haven't seen in decades ... and aside from politics, one of the ways he's connecting with voters is through pop culture.

The openly gay South Bend Mayor, who is soaring in popularity during the early stages of his 2020 Presidential campaign, came on "TMZ Live" for a lengthy interview, and you really get a sense of what he's all about during our 25-minute conversation.

Buttigieg tackles a variety of issues, from how he plans to respond when Donald Trump targets him with homophobic remarks, to the consequences parents like Lori Loughlin should face if they cheat the system to get their kids into college.

During his visit, Pete also chats with us about religion, coming out, and Kim Kardashian's role in prison reform.

And, that's not all ... Mayor Pete dishes on his fitness routine, downloads us on his favorite music and plays a solid Jimi Hendrix riff when we hand him a guitar!!!