Theo James, one of the stars of the new sci-fi blockbuster Divergent, says it's time for a queer action hero on the big screen: ‘Today there are great shows like Looking—poignant pieces of work that revolve around a central cast of characters that happen to be gay’ the 29-year-old Brit told the Advocate. "But I remember when Queer as Folk came out and thinking, Things are changing... And then suddenly there was a drought. Hopefully the day we have a gay action hero isn’t far away."

He also praises Divergent for pushing against gender stereotypes: "[It's] a story about people who don’t fit into a category, that is a big part of the message, but it’s also about conformity and forcing people into these simple archetypes," explains James. "We’re in a world where masculinity, especially with these big spectacle movies, is often pushed by rippling six packs and forcing an image down someone’s throat trying to prove masculinity. I think true masculinity comes from having a strong sense of self."

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At the HRC gala in Los Angeles this weekend, Vice President Joe Biden said it was "close to barbaric" that Congress hadn't passed the Employee Non-Discrimination Act, which would ban workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation.

“If you think about it, it’s outrageous we’re even debating this subject,” he said. “It’s almost beyond belief that today, in 2014, I could say to you, as your employee in so many states, you’re fired because of who you love. … It is bizarre. … I don’t even think most Americans even know that employers can do that.”

One of the drenched teens actually boarded the bus, but the driver reportedly told her he was “against homosexuality” and commanded her to disembark.

The local bus company tweeted, “The act cannot be tolerated and that’s why the driver involved was immediately laid off as a protective measure.”

Karen Adell Scot, formerly known as Gary Sconce, has been at Yosemite High School for 24 years but only came out to her family as transgender in 2013. She has now begun the process of living fulltime as a woman—with many in her community turning their backs on her: "I have been shunned by those who used to be my friends," revealed Scot in a letter about her struggle. "I have been shunned by family, have had people try to cast demons out of me, have left my church of nearly 30 years, and have been scorned and laughed at by those who had for decades said they were my friends. Who would choose that?"

She has found some supporters at Yosemite, though. "Some parents are pulling their kids out of classes and things like that and some of the staff is uncomfortable, which I don't understand," says student Natalie Choin. "If you work with someone that long, they're not a different person, they're the same person just a different gender now."