Social Security’s commitment to the LGBTQ+ community

by annie Walters Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Nevada

JUNE is Pride Month. It’s a time to acknowledge the LGBTQ+ community, and also celebrate diversity, love, and respect. On June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, holding that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry in all states.

We recognize same-sex couples’ marriages in all states, and some non-marital legal relationships (such as some civil unions and domestic partnerships). This recognition is important to determine entitlement to benefits.

Here are five things you should know about our benefits for same-sex couples:

• Marital status is important — A member of a same-sex couple may be entitled when a spouse receives retirement or disability benefits or dies. We also consider marital status when we determine eligibility and payment amount for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

• What type of benefits you can receive — Social Security taxes pay for three kinds of benefits: retirement, disability, and survivors. If you’re entitled to benefits, your spouse and eligible family members might receive benefits, too.

• Children may receive benefits — Your children or stepchildren could also be entitled to benefits.

• When you apply for benefits is important — If you’re married or have entered a nonmarital legal relationship, we encourage you to apply right away, even if you’re not sure you’re eligible. Applying now may protect you against the loss of any potential benefits.

• Report life changes right away — You should let us know immediately if you move, marry, separate, divorce, or become the parent of a child. Don’t wait until we review your benefits to tell us about any changes. You should report changes right away so benefits are paid correctly. For more information, please visit our website for same-sex couples at www.ssa.gov/people/

THE owner of Weera Thai, a popular Thai restaurant in Las Vegas, says she is excited to share with her customers more than just authentic & traditional cuisine from her native country. She is also on a mission to build a brand that embraces diversity and multicultural awareness in the community.

“Most Americans are probably now familiar with Thai cuisine but our culture is more than just about the food,” said Sasi Photidokmai. “We love to see our customers learn more about what makes our country and culture so unique and beautiful”.

Diners who stopped by the Weera Thai location on Rainbow Boulevard earlier this month got to experience another aspect of Thai culture with a 3-day mini concert performed by the “MoradokMai” (New Heritage) Theater Company and School. This troupe of young Thai musical artists made a stop in Las Vegas as part of a tour across the US. Moradokmai is led by Mr. Janaprakul Chandruang or “Kru Chang”, a Thai National artist and acclaimed actor & educator in Thailand. Chandruang started this theater community and homeschool as a nonprofit and self-reliance-based organization back in 2005.

Diners who stopped by the Weera Thai location on Rainbow Boulevard earlier this month got to experience another aspect of Thai culture with a 3-day mini concert performed by the “MoradokMai” (New Heritage) Theater Company and School. This troupe of young Thai musical artists made a stop in Las Vegas as part of a tour across the US. Moradokmai is led by Mr. Janaprakul Chandruang or “Kru Chang”, a Thai National artist and acclaimed actor & educator in Thailand. Chandruang started this theater community and homeschool as a nonprofit and self-reliance-based organization back in 2005.

“I am just an ordinary teacher trying to collaborate art and music between West and East and somehow lay the foundation for the kids for them to grow in their own fruitful ways,” said Chandruang.

This is not the theater troupe’s first stop in Las Vegas but the first time performing at Weera Thai Restaurant.

For Photidokmai, who has owned and operated Weera Thai since the first location opened in 2008, she admitted she never heard of Moradokmai before the students reached out. But she said as soon as she learned more about their mission and background, she immediately agreed for them to perform at her restaurant while they are here in Las Vegas.

“These days, very few people pay attention to traditional Thai culture and music and because of that, they are gradually fading away,” said Photidokmail. So when I heard about Moradokmai and what they are doing to help preserve our culture, I knew we wanted to support them. And these students are amazing. They are really talented and such wonderful ambassadors of Thai culture.”

The young Thai artists performed a number of songs that blend Traditional Thai music with contemporary sounds. One of the students named Chadok, said the experience of traveling and performing around the world with this company is priceless.

“I like the people in Las Vegas. They are very nice. I love to play music, sing and talk to people about culture and what we do at school. It’s really fun”. For Chandruang, he said touring the US is like a homecoming for him. He once lived in the US and attended the University of Montana. He said the impact his theater company has had on everyone they meet in their global tour has been nothing short of amazing. “Moradokmai. It means new heritage. It means appreciating the wisdom of the past but not ignoring new and up and coming generations,” said Chandruang. “I envy my students because I could not do what they are doing. What I have missed, I enforce on them and they can do it and that makes me happy”. For Photidokmai, she hopes to see more Thai artists come to Las Vegas in the future. She and her family currently own and operate 3 Weera Thai restaurant locations: Rainbow, Spring Mountain and Sahara. At the latter location, Weera Thai Marketplace has recently opened next door offering snacks, gifts, books and souvenirs. The fourth location of the restaurant, which will be called Were Thai Seafood and Bar, is set to open later this year at Town Square.

by HannaH Mallorca Inquirer.net

RITA Daniela confirmed that she and her non-showbiz partner have called it quits after four years of being together.

Rita made the confirmation during an interview with Boy Abunda on the June 15 episode of the show “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” after she was asked about the status of her relationship with her exboyfriend, who is also the father of her six-month-old baby

“Yes, naghiwalay po kami ng tatay ni Uno,” she told Abunda.

“We really tried our best just like everybody else but it didn’t work out. Pero ang maganda diyan, we’re very good friends. We’re doing our best to coparent Uno,” she continued.

(Yes, baby Uno’s father and I broke up. We really tried our best just like everybody else but it didn’t work out. But the good thing is, we’re very good friends. We’re doing our best to co-parent Uno.)

Despite their breakup, the actress-singer said she is “proud” of herself and her exboyfriend because they made sure to end their relationship on good terms.

“I am actually proud of ourselves — kaming dalawa. Hangga’t maaga pa, inayos na namin [ang relationship namin] para kapag lumaki na si Uno, peaceful kami and we can still be a family na walang issues on both sides,” she added.

(I am actually proud of ourselves — the both of us. While it’s still early, we made sure to repair our relationship so when Uno grows up, we’re peaceful and we can still be a family without any issues on both sides.)

When asked by Abunda if she’s ready to fall in love again, Rita pointed out that while it’s “one of her dreams” to find someone to marry, opening her heart to someone new will take time.

“Definitely, of course. It’s one of my dreams na maglakad ng may wedding gown (It’s one of my dreams to walk down the aisle in a wedding gown). But now, not yet,” she said. “Because right now, my focus is to be a better person and to be the best mom to Uno.”

Reports of Rita Daniela and her ex-boyfriend’s split emerged as early as September 2022, although the former denied the speculations.

Prior to their split, the singer spoke about keeping the identity of her former partner private in a 24 Oras interview in June of last year, saying she wants to keep some parts of her personal life to herself.

The singer welcomed her first child in December 2022, which happened to be a few days before Christmas.