Gay Rapper Solomon Is Back as Solomon Ray

Photo courtesy of Solomon Ray Music

1. In 2008, openly gay rapper Solomon attracted wide attention when his first mix tape sold more than 10,000 copies. As an artist, he continued to grow until 2014, when he retired in order to pursue art in a different direction. Last month, however, he announced his "transformation" into Solomon Ray. Stripping back his aesthetic, the change reflects his journey to overcome depression. "The music I'm doing now is different and more refined," Solomon told HIV Plus Magazine. "I can't group it together with my older stuff. So I felt a new name was appropriate. Still Solomon, but just a different ending." [HIVPlus]

2. Susan Sarandon took to Facebook to support her gay nephew's response to an ugly homophobic rant one of his former Catholic school teachers posted online. "Patricia Jannuzzi, a teacher Immaculata High School in New Jersey, said the 'gay agenda' wanted to lead western civilization to a 'slow extinction.' " Sarandon posted the text of the letter her nephew wrote, writing, "So proud of my nephew Scott and the dialogue he started." [Gay Star News]

3. By an overwhelming majority of 472 to 115, the European Parliament has voted to adopt a resolution encouraging EU states to further contribute to the growth of same-sex marriage rights. Currently, 10 of the 29 Member States have marraige equality, while Ireland and Slovenia seem poised to soon join the growing number. The resolution termed same-sex marraige "a political, social and human and civil rights issue." [Pink News]

4. Vitaly Milonov, leading Russian homophobe, has lashed out at the lovingly camp celebration of international competition, the Eurovision Song Contest, after failing to get enough support to boycott it. "The participation of the obvious transvestite and hermaphrodite [reigning winner] Conchita Wurst," he said, "on the same stage as Russian singers on live television is blatant propaganda of homosexuality and spiritual decay." However, his fellow compatirots are excited for this year, especially Polina Gagarina who will be representing the Russian Federation. [Gay Star News]

5. Oklahoma lawmakers seem hell bent on passing anti-LGBT laws, but one of the most recent attempts has stalled, and it may be due to Democrat Emily Virgin's proposed ammendment. The bill sought to make it legal for businesses to refuse service to LGBT patrons on religious grounds. Instead of attacking the proposed law head on, Virgin introduced an ammendment that would make it mandatory for such businesses to advertise that the fact that they don't serve LGBT people. On Facebook she explained, "This would save same-sex couples the trouble and embarrassment of going into that business just to be turned away." Hopefully the prospect of having to advertise their bigotry will kill this bill once and for all. [Gay Star News]

6. And in an incredible Funny or Die video, people are asked when they chose to be gay. A tongue-in-cheek response to Ben Carson's now notorious comments that prisons turn people gay, take a look: