Pokemon, meningitis and fighting lesbians

Your Daily Package of newsy and naughty bits from around the world


Amanda Nunes is the first openly gay UFC champion

After breaking her opponent’s nose and coming out on top, UFC martial artist Amanda Nunes became the sport’s first openly gay champion on Saturday. Nunes’ girlfriend Nina Ansaroff is also a UFC fighter.

Read more at the Guardian.

Westboro Baptist Church fights Pokemon battle

The new online augmented reality game Pokemon Go has spawned a virtual battle for the notoriously anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church. After one user discovered the church was a node in the game, they claimed it with a pokemon called “LoveIsLove.” Westboro is fighting back, though, using anti-gay Pokemon of their own.

Read more at USA Today.

Tunisian gay rights leader attempts suicide

After receiving a barrage of death threats and abuse following a television interview, Tunisian gay rights leader Ahmed Ben Amor attempted suicide this weekend. He was found by friends, and taken to hospital. Ben Amor is recovering, and gay rights activists around the region are promoting the hashtag #WeLoveYouAhmed to support him.

Read more at Gay Star News.

Gay officer wounded in Dallas shooting

Gay police officer Jesus Retana was shot during the attack on a Dallas protest last week, reports the New Civil Rights Movement, where five other officers were killed by a lone gunman. Retana is recovering at home with his husband.

Meningitis outbreak in LA area

Local health officials say that they have seen an unusual 22 cases of invasive meningitis in LA and Orange County, more than half of which are among gay and bi men. Doctors are urging gay men in the area, especially those with HIV, to get vaccinated.

Read more at The Pride.

Niko Bell

Niko Bell is a writer, editor and translator from Vancouver. He writes about sexual health, science, food and language.

Read More About:
Power, News, Blog, The Daily Package

Keep Reading

Job discrimination against trans and non-binary people is alive and well

OPINION: A study reveals that we have a long way to go to reach workplace equality for trans and non-binary people

The new generation of gay Conservative sellouts

OPINION: Melissa Lantsman’s and Eric Duncan’s refusals to call out their party’s transphobia is a betrayal of the LGBTQ2S+ community

Over 300 anti-LGBTQ2S+ bills have been introduced this year. This doesn’t mean we should panic

OPINION: While it’s important to watch out for threats, not all threats are created equally. Some of these bills will die a natural death

Xtra’s top LGBTQ2S+ stories of the year

The best and brightest—even most bewildering—stories from a back catalogue brimming with insight