Celebs react to Supreme Court ruling on LGBTQ worker discrimination, more news

By Wonderwall.com Editors 1:13pm PDT, Jun 15, 2020

Laverne Cox, Ellen DeGeneres, more stars react to SCOTUS decision protecting LGBQT people from workplace discrimination

In a landmark 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court ruled Monday, June 15, that LGBTQ+ workers are protected from job discrimination by federal law, sparking a wave of celebratory social media posts from celebs including Laverne Cox, Mandy Moore, and Ellen DeGeneres. The decision comes after multiple attempts by the Trump administration to, as Time put it, "essentially legalize anti-[LGBTQ] discrimination in the workplace." Referencing Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, religion or national origin, justice Neil Gorsuch wrote in the opinion: "In Title VII, Congress adopted broad language making it illegal for an employer to rely on an employee's sex when deciding to fire that employee. We do not hesitate to recognize today a necessary consequence of that legislative choice: An employer who fires an individual merely for being gay or transgender defies the law." Shortly after the ruling was announced, Cox posted on Instagram: "WE WON!!!!! A 6,3 decision at the Supreme Court today saying it is sex discrimination to fire someone #LGBTQI+ from their job for being who they are." DeGeneres tweeted a link to the news alongside the word, "historic" and a rainbow. "This Is Us" star Mandy Moore called the "incredible" ruling "a bright spot in a dark time," while Cynthia Nixon hailed the decision as a "huge victory for LGBTQ rights," tweeting, "Happy Pride Everybody — the Supreme Court has decided LGBTQ people can sue for workplace bias." "Queer Eye" star Jonathan Van Ness simply posted, "F— yes Supreme Court."

Keep reading to see Beyonce's open letter demanding justice for Breonna Taylor …

Beyonce demands 'justice for Breonna Taylor' in open letter to Kentucky Attorney General

Beyonce remains focused on fighting police brutality and "calling for real justice," as she proved Sunday with an open letter to Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron posted on her website. In the letter, the singer demands justice for Breonna Taylor, the 26-year-old emergency room technician who was killed by Louisville police in her home in March. Recapping the March 13 shooting, Beyonce writes that it has been "over three months" since "plainclothes police officers with a 'no-knock' warrant forced their way into her apartment where she was asleep and unarmed," before they fired "over 20 shots" in the home, "striking her eight times." She goes on to note inconsistencies between the incident report filed by the Louisville police officers, none of whom have been fired or charged with a crime, and accounts of what happened from neighbors and Taylor's boyfriend, who was in the home when she died. "Your office has both the power and the responsibility to bring justice for Breonna Taylor, and demonstrate the value of a Black woman's life," Beyonce continues, urging the Attorney General to "use that power and … bring criminal charges against [the three officers involved in Taylor's death] … commit to transparency in the investigation and prosecution of [the officers and] … investigate the [Louisville Police Department's] response to her murder, as well as the pervasive practices that result in the repeated deaths of unarmed Black citizens." Before signing her name, Beyonce adds: "Take swift and decisive action in charging the officers. The next months cannot look like the last three."

Co-parenting is 'working out better' than dating for Kylie Jenner, Travis Scott

Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott are (still) not rekindling their romance, despite ongoing rumors to the contrary — and their recent dinner together in Los Angeles. The two were reportedly spotted leaving a restaurant on Saturday, but a source tells People they remain friends and co-parents to their 2-year-old daughter … and that's it. "Kylie and Travis get along. They enjoy hanging out with the same people. And they obviously spend a lot of time together with Stormi," the insider says. "Being co-parents seems to be working out better for them than being in a romantic relationship." Jenner and Scott separated last year after more than two years of dating. In an interview with XXL magazine published in December, the rapper confessed, "I love [Stormi's] mommy and I always will," and implied that there were too many "outside voices interfering" with their relationship for it to work. Speaking to Harper's Bazaar a couple of months later, Jenner said she and Scott are "like best friends."

Tiffany Haddish and Common march for LGBTQ+ people of color at massive 'All Black Lives Matter' march

Rumored couple Tiffany Haddish and Common were among the estimated 40,000 people who took to the streets of Los Angeles on Sunday for the "All Black Lives Matter" march, a solidarity rally intended to "amplify Black Queen voices," according to ABC 7. The peaceful protest ended in the city's West Hollywood section, where the Pride parade would have taken place had it not been canceled because of concerns about COVID-19. In part, the march honored Tony McDade, a black trans man shot by a police officer in Florida on May 27. Haddish, who's been quarantining with Common (and teasing fans about their relationship status), attended another protest on Friday. Speaking to CNN about why she was there, the comic quipped, "I can't even drive to Beverly Hills without getting pulled over — and I got a Tesla," then explained what it's like to fear for your life because of the color of your skin. "I shouldn't be afraid when I see those lights come on behind me, right?" she asked. "I shouldn't feel like, is this gonna be the last day that I'm on earth? I shouldn't feel like it's dangerous to be born the way I was born … I got PTSD watching my friends being killed by the police. It's scary. You shouldn't be scared to be in America."

Meghan McCain shares rare pregnancy update: 'Wild in the womb'

Two weeks ago, Meghan McCain told social media followers not to expect updates on her pregnancy, explaining that she and her husband Ben Domenech were keeping their "child out of the social media cess pool as much as possible," because of mean-spirited comments she's gotten about her late father, Sen. John McCain. The "View" co-host made an exception to her own rule on Friday, though, when she shared what a "special and paradigm shifting" experience pregnancy has been for her. "My baby moves around inside of me all day like a wildcat ….," she wrote on her Instagram Story (via People). "Wild in the womb. I should have expected nothing less from the spawn of me and Ben…. Mothers this is a truly special and paradigm shifting thing to experience…" McCain, 35, announced she and her husband were expecting back in March.

Lizzo explains why she posted now-viral 'fat-shamers' clap back

After her latest anti-body-shaming post went viral, Lizzo is explaining why she shared the June 10 message to begin with. The original TikTok post featured Lizzo telling viewers, "I've been working out consistently for the last five years … I'm not working out to have your ideal body type. I'm working out to have my ideal body type. And you know what type that is? None of your f—— business. Because I am beautiful, I am strong, I do my job, and I stay on my job." On Friday, she shared the same clip to Instagram, along with an additional message. "Since this is goin around the internet let me just say," she began. "I DONT POST THINGS LIKE THIS FOR ME. IDGAF ABOUT TROLLS THAT BODY SHAME ME. I DO THIS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO GET BODY SHAMED EVERY SINGLE DAY WHO DONT HAVE MY PLATFORM OR HAVE THE SAME PATH TO CONFIDENCE I HAD. I KNOW THAT I AM HERE TO DEFEND AND REPRESENT YALL. BECAUSE I LOVE YALL AND I DONT WANT YALL TO GO THROUGH THE SELF HATRED I WENT THROUGH. AND IF POSTING MY JOURNEY AND CUSSING IGNORANT INSECURE WANNABE 'COMMENT SECTION DOCTORS' OUT IS WHAT I GOTTA DO TO MAKE SURE FAT SHAMING IS SHAMED THEN THATS WHAT IM GONNA DO." She added, "Ok love u bye," and shouted-out her trainer, Marcus Ely, for being "patient and respectful" of her "goals."

Judd Apatow on Pete Davidson's ad-libbed line that makes 'The King of Staten Island' work

Emmy Award-winning director Judd Apatow is pretty sure his new film, "The King of Staten Island" — which he co-wrote with Pete Davidson and is loosely based on the "SNL" star's life — ultimately works because of one line Pete ad-libbed. "Sometimes when I am watching people, they just hit on something and it feels magical," Apatow told recently Russel Brand on his "Under the Skin" podcast, according to Page Six. "It doesn't just feel like, 'He thought of a good line,' it feels like something opened up, something spoke to them. There's a moment in 'The King Of Staten Island' where Pete says to his mom, 'I'm sorry I've been so hard to handle.' And she's been worried about him his whole life … [that he is] not going to hurt himself. And then Pete, without pause, added — and it's not in the script — he goes, 'I think it's always going to be hard.' And it was the most truthful moment in the entire movie." Apatow went continued: "In fact, the movie kind of doesn't work if he doesn't say that, but I didn't write it. He didn't write it. It just landed in one take … he only said it once. And it's the entire reason why we made the movie." Last weekend, Pete revealed during a "CBS Sunday Morning" interview that he's gotten "as close as you can get" to killing himself, but can't go through with it because of his mom and sister.

Demi Lovato sells Hollywood Hills home for $8.25M

It took two years, but Demi Lovato has finally sold her mansion in the Hollywood Hills section of Los Angeles. Variety reports the singer snagged $8.25 million for the three-floor, four bedroom, seven-bath pad, located in the foothills above Laurel Canyon not far from the Chateau Marmont. It's the same house where Lovato reportedly overdosed in 2018, prior to getting sober and relaunching her music career. She reportedly bought the home for $8.3 million in 2016.

Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade celebrate Zaya Wade's 13th birthday with a 'modern medieval' theme party

Happy birthday, Zaya Wade! Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union popped up on the newly minted 13-year-old's Instagram on Friday in full medieval costume. The occasion was apparently Zaya's birthday party, which had a "modern medieval kingdom" theme, according to a photo Zaya shared from the bash. Gabrielle also shared pics from the celebration, which showed the star in a long, flowery dress and headband while Dwyane rocked a kilt. The birthday girl, meanwhile, wore a plush green gown over a corset and black and yellow leggings. She topped the look off with a crown on her long, light purple braid. "Best day!! So glad we were able to create a special day for her 13th birthday," Gabrielle tweeted (via E! News). "She was surrounded by love and had the best time!" Zaya's actual birthday was May 29.

Spike Lee tweets an apology after defending Woody Allen

Spike Lee has apologized for comments he made about Woody Allen with regard to "cancel culture." Lee was promoting his new film, "Da 5 Bloods" on New York City's "In the Morning" program when the conversation drifted to the matter of "cancel culture." "I'd just like to say Woody Allen is a great, great filmmaker and this cancel thing is not just Woody," Lee said of the impact sexual assault allegations made by Allen's daughter Dylan Farrow have had on the director (via CNN). "And I think when we look back on it we are going to see that — short of killing somebody — I don't know that you can just erase somebody like they never existed." Over the weekend, Lee changed course, tweeting, "I Deeply Apologize. My Words Were WRONG. I Do Not And Will Not Tolerate Sexual Harassment, Assault Or Violence. Such Treatment Causes Real Damage That Can't Be Minimized.-Truly, Spike Lee." Farrow has long maintained Allen molested her when she was 7. Allen has repeatedly denied the allegation, often citing a New York Times' report that showed independent, court-ordered investigators found no evidence of abuse during Allen and Mia Farrow's custody proceedings, though the judge reportedly said the evidence was inconclusive.

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