• Prodding the GOP, Caitlyn Jenner said Wednesday that it was easier to come out as transgender than as a Republican and conceded that Democrats promote more inclusive policies. Jenner, the Olympic gold medalist and transgender activist, gently chastised Republicans as she spoke at a brunch on the sidelines of the Republican National Convention. She told the pro-LGBT American Unity Fund that she has urged Republicans, including Donald Trump, to create a safe environment for children who are transgender. "I get it. The Democratic Party does a better job when it comes to the LGBT community, the trans community, all that kind of stuff," Jenner said. In an unusual moment for a GOP gathering, she received a smattering of applause when she praised President Barack Obama for advancing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights, and for eliminating the ban on transgender people serving openly in the military. Jenner's appearance illustrated the divisions within the party as it works to expand its appeal to LGBT voters and their supporters in the general election. Though Trump has been more supportive of gay rights than most of his White House challengers, there have been few public calls for more inclusivity during the four-day convention in Cleveland. Earlier this year, Trump drew attention for saying that Jenner could use whatever restroom she wanted in one of his luxury buildings, a position that came as Republicans in several states were pushing laws forcing people to use the restroom that corresponds to their gender at birth. Jenner later took up Trump on his offer.
• While much has been made of the decision to reveal that the Star Trek character Sulu is gay in the latest franchise installment Star Trek Beyond, for actor John Cho, one of the most important things was ensuring that Sulu's husband was also of Asian descent. "When I thought about it, I wanted two things: I wanted the parents to look as traditional as possible," Cho said. "And because he was gay, the Asian and Asian thing would ironically be super radical." The choice, Cho said, was partially intended as a "valentine" to a gay friend he had growing up. "I always felt it was harder being gay and Asian than any other combination. I thought the cultural stigma was the thickest on the Asian boys I knew," Cho said. Director Justin Lin said producer Lindsey Weber had her eye on someone quite close by for the part: Star Trek Beyond co-writer Doug Jung. "We thought there's no way Doug's going to do it," Lin said. "He said 'no, I'm not doing it. I'm a writer.'" But the writer gave in eventually, somewhat out of necessity. The production was having trouble finding someone in Dubai willing to take on the role, Cho said. In the film, out Friday, the couple is seen reuniting after the crew has returned from a long voyage. They embrace and walk off with their young daughter.
A Section on 07/21/2016