Author: Randy Slovacek

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‘Totally-Not-Gay’ But Caught With His Hand In The ‘Tip Jar’

'Totally-not-gay' former Republican Congressman Aaron Schock was recently caught on video tipping a go-go dancer at Boy Bar, a gay club in Mexico City this past weekend.
‘Totally-not-tipping’ Aaron Schock (screen capture)

‘Totally-not-gay’ former Republican Congressman Aaron Schock was recently caught on video tipping a go-go dancer at Boy Bar, a gay club in Mexico City this past weekend.

The Daily Mail was first to share the video footage which quickly went viral.

“The last person I would expect to see in Boy Bar is a former Republican congressman,” said the individual who recorded 37-year-old Schock at the nightclub. “I was taking a video of the go-go dancer on stage and all of a sudden I saw him.

“He looked like he was enjoying himself,” added the source.

To be honest, I’m terrible with faces, so I don’t know that I would have recognized the former lawmaker in a gay bar in another country.

But Schock did post on his Instagram that he was visiting Mexico City over the weekend, so…

A post shared by Aaron Schock (@aaronschock) on Jun 22, 2019 at 5:15pm PDT

Schock resigned from Congress in 2015 amid allegations he had misappropriated campaign funds for his own use.

This past March, federal prosecutors agreed to drop 24 charges of fraud, making false statements and theft of government funds if he repaid more than $100,000 in misappropriated funds.

Over the past several months, Schock, who has never publicly come out, has been spotted frolicking with shirtless gay men in a number of locales including the Coachella festival and a West Hollywood hotel pool.

Long suspected of being gay, Schock angered the LGBTQ community by voting against LGBTQ rights and interests during his time in the House.

As a congressman representing Illinois, he voted against the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” against adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the federal hate crime laws, and for the Defense of Marriage Act, which would have defined marriage as only between a man and a woman.

To be clear, I’m never one to out a gay person UNLESS they used their position to harm the LGBTQ community while enjoying the privileges that we’ve fought for.

The Twitterverse has had a field day with the new-found video clip:

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Jimmy Carter: Trump Became President “Because The Russians Interfered On His Behalf”

Speaking at the Carter Center's retreat in Leesburg, Virginia, on Friday, former President Jimmy Carter told the crowd he believes a full investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election would reveal that Donald Trump did not indeed win the presidency.
Former President Jimmy Carter

Speaking at the Carter Center’s retreat in Leesburg, Virginia, on Friday, former President Jimmy Carter told the crowd he believes a full investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election would reveal that Donald Trump did not indeed win the presidency.

“There’s no doubt that the Russians did interfere in the election,” said Carter. “And I think the interference, although not yet quantified, if fully investigated would show that Trump didn’t actually win the election in 2016. He lost the election and he was put into office because the Russians interfered on his behalf.”

When the moderator inquired if he believes Trump is an illegitimate president, Carter replied, “Based on what I just said, which I can’t retract.”

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DJ Kygo Delivers New Whitney Houston “Higher Love” From Rare 1990 Recording

DJ/producer Kyrre Gørvell-Dahll (aka Kygo) releases the new single “Higher Love” with the legendary Whitney Houston.

“Higher Love” is the first new Whitney Houston music released in a decade, since 2009’s “I Look To You.”

Previously, Houston’s take on the 1986 Steve Winwood hit was available as a ‘Japan-only’ bonus track on her 1990 album, I’m Your Baby Tonight.

Music industry legend Clive Davis told Rolling Stone the decision to omit the track on the U.S. release was an effort in avoiding her being viewed as a cover artist at that time.

And so, the track has been a prized rarity among hardcore Houston fans over the years.

The Whitney Houston estate presented Kygo with the archival recording of Whitney’s version, and Kygo raced into the studio, thrilled for the opportunity to make music with one of the greatest female vocalists of all time.

“I was honored when the Whitney Houston estate reached out and presented me with the opportunity to work with one of the greatest female vocalists of all time,” said Kygo in a statement. “I reworked the song from scratch and am really happy with how it turned out!”

Recorded when Houston was in peak vocal form, the first notes from the diva feel like an old friend walking in the room. That voice – rich, robust, with just the perfect edge – is full of unbridled joy.

The production – thoroughly modern with threads of gospel choir woven in with undeniable deep beats – is fresh and exhilarating. Instead of merely remastering the track, Kygo stripped away the previous production and started from scratch to create a new track around the gorgeous Houston vocals.

“I was trying to make it sound like something that she would’ve done, but also something that’s my style,” he told Rolling Stone.

Kygo will perform the song this Sunday, June 30th, at PrideFestival Utopia in New York City.

Hit play and enjoy.

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The World Comes Home For Pride

For the first time in its twenty year history, World Pride is being celebrated in the United States, as part of the Stonewall 50 celebration in the birthplace of Pride, New York City.
Cyndi Lauper performs at Opening Ceremony of WorldPride NYC

By Lawrence Pfeil, Jr.

For the first time in its twenty year history, World Pride is being celebrated in the United States, as part of the Stonewall 50 celebration in the birthplace of Pride, New York City.

Last night, Brooklyn’s Barclays Center played host to the Opening Ceremonies of World Pride with enough high NRG, glitter, and sequins to be seen across the East River on Christopher St.

Hosted by fierce, long time, LGBT advocate Whoopi Goldberg, the three- hour plus extravaganza showcased entertainment, tributes to the people who fought for equality, and highlighted organizations insuring another fifty years of Pride.

The festivities began with Cyndi Lauper rising from a sparkling globe singing, “True Colors.”

What could have easily been a treacly, cliched, ‘been there done that’ moment, turned into an extemporaneous singalong. The Barclays Center awash in a dazzling rainbow, thousands of strangers gathered from around the world, were singing in one voice, as a united community.

After the opening, Whoopi took to the stage and took the house to church asking New Yorkers to welcome the “tourist next to them.” She went on telling, “everybody hold somebody’s hand as we remember those who for many different reasons are not alive and with us today,” a moment bringing unexpected silence to the arena.

Tony Award winner, and TV actress, Sara Ramirez, paid tribute to the 2019 Pride Luminaries on stage with a soaring rendition of “Somewhere over the Rainbow.” Throughout the night Pride March Grand Marshals, the cast of FX’s POSE, Phyll Opoku-Gyimah of UK Black Pride, Gay Liberation Front, The Trevor Project, and Monica Helms were recognized and honored for their work.

Drag queens were in the house and werked it in a mega-production number. Each queen took her turn on the runway for moment in the spotlight, including Bob the Drag Queen. Her lip-sync of Julia “The Terminator” Sugarbaker’s speech, recounting “The Night the Lights went out in Georgia” complete with baton twirler.

Inside the Barclay Center (photo: Lawrence Pfeil Jr.)

Proceeds from World Pride Opening Ceremonies benefit three organizations:

• SAGE (www.sageusa.org) the world’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) older people.

• Immigration Equality (immigrationequality.org) the nation’s leading LGBTQ immigrant rights organization, representing and advocating for people from around the world fleeing violence, abuse and persecution because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or HIV status.

• The Ali Forney Center (aliforneycenter.org) the nation’s largest and most comprehensive agency dedicated to LGBTQ homeless youths

These organizations do lifesaving work every day of the year for the Community and were introduced to audience by video and with stirring remarks.

Most notable were those by Ali Forney Center’s founder and Executive Director, Carl Sicilano. He spoke of the homeless queer street kids at the time of the Stonewall Uprising who were thought of as trash by well-off people. Those kids found their own community and a solidarity amongst themselves, when “an attack on one was seen as an attack on all.

Sicilano implored those present last night to adopt that same solidarity from 50 years ago in today’s Community.

The Grand Finale was none other than the force of nature and pride himself, Mr. Billy Porter who blessed the house with an encore of his heartbreak performance of “Home” from Season 1 of the acclaimed FX series, Pose.

Porter then raised the roof old school, gospel-style, with his new single, “Love Yourself” in a glitter fabulous, rainbow Pride spectacular before sending his children off to make the world a better place.

Check out more via Instagram:

View this post on Instagram

SWIPE TO WATCH! Look at how far we’ve come in 50 years. The room last night was pure magic bursting with #lgbtq pride. Thank you @nycpride for having me at @barclayscenter for the opening of #worldpride2019 hosted by #EGOT diva @whoopigoldberg and for putting together such a fierce show full of legends. It was a dream to perform my single “Love Yourself” backed by the magnificent @bivoices choir wearing custom @theblondsny covered in 50k @preciosacomponents crystals which reflected all of the colors of pride. We’ve got to love each other and most certainly love ourselves. Happy Pride hunties. #pride 🌈 📸 by @santiagraphy Creative Direction and Styling by @sammyratelle for @rrrcreative Agency Grooming by @lasonyagunter Wearing @theblondsnyA post shared by Billy Porter (@theebillyporter) on Jun 27, 2019 at 7:32pm PDT

I am often times very hard on myself and rarely find moments when I feel genuinely proud of myself.. lastnight I made a surprise appearance at the opening ceremony of World Pride in New York City with some of my favorite queens from @rupaulsdragrace While I’m performing, I’m usually in the zone and sort of black out for a bit. When @juniortorezani showed me this video lastnight, I was mind blown and was able to take it all in. Something that started in my small studio apartment as a fun outlet for me turned into this.. I felt proud, proud for the space, the freedom, and the permission I gave myself to express and create freely in the way my heart desired. I never could’ve imagined it would have led to all of this. I am SO grateful I am able to share my heart, my passion, and my joy with the world! Thank you for embracing, accepting, and supporting me through this fun, rainbow-filled journey! Happy Pride my beautiful friends!!! 🤗❤️🌈 (Also, not sure where the wigs ended up but whoever got them, have fun with my babies! I’m expecting dance videos in them! 😆❤️🌈) #pride #loveislove #lgbtq #pridemonth #pride🌈 #worldpride #wig #cuttothefeelingfriday #rainbow
A post shared by Mark Kanemura (@mkik808) on Jun 27, 2019 at 11:15am PDT
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Las Vegas: Arson Attempt At LGBTQ Community Center

On the eve of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots credited with inspiring the modern LGBTQ rights movement, the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas was the target of an apparent arson attempt.
Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas

On the eve of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots credited with inspiring the modern LGBTQ rights movement, the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas was the target of an apparent arson attempt.

Jason Dinant, a reporter for local ABC affiliate KTNV, reports employees showed up to work this morning to find someone someone had started a fire outside the building.

Surveillance cameras captured video of a man trying to rip down a Stonewall banner. Failing in that attempt, the video shows him setting fire to a palm tree nearest the building.

KTNV reports a propane tank was found near the tree.

“As we enter the final week of Pride Month, the 50th Anniversary of Stonewall and major celebrations take place this weekend in New York, San Francisco, and around the world, this attempted arson and hate crime against our community reinforce the need for LGBTQ+ Pride events,” read the statement. “Our equality, rights, and our lives remain at risk.”

The post went on to say “this vengeful act reminds us to be alert, be safe, and if you see something, say something.”

“To everyone around the world attending Pride events this weekend, let this be a reminder of why you are celebrating and why our fight for equality continues,” concluded the post.

The Center’s executive director, John Waldron, told KTNVthat the organization had received “an alarming voicemail this week from a person upset about rainbow flags flying with American flags.”

Earlier this month, the Trump administration rejected requests from U.S. embassies around the world to fly rainbow flags alongside American flags during Pride Month, but there’s currently no clear evidence that guidance might have played inspired these actions.

Las Vegas police, arson investigators and the FBI are investigating the arson attempt.

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Country Star Jake Owen Does Not Suffer Anti-LGBTQ Fools Lightly

You best 'Believe' that country star Jake Owen loves his LGBTQ friends and colleagues. And when an anti-gay fan trolled his recent tribute for Pride Month, the 37-year-old singer clapped back in smooth, country style.
Jake Owen (image via Facebook/JakeOwen)

You best ‘Believe’ that country star Jake Owen loves his LGBTQ friends and colleagues.

And when an anti-gay fan trolled his recent tribute for Pride Month, the 37-year-old singer clapped back in smooth, country style.

Owen shared in an Instagram post, “Some of my closest friends and coworkers, are part of the #lgbtcommunity and I couldn’t be more happy for the progress they have made.”

“I’m inspired by people loving people no matter who you are,” added the Nashville-based singer. “I BELIEVE the world needs more love. No matter where it comes from.”

Owen went on to say he “googled ‘gayest’ songs of all time” to find the right tune with which to record a musical tribute for Pride Month.

“The boys and I decided to put our country spin on Cher’s ‘Believe,’” he told his one million Instagram followers. “Hope you dig.”

The singer, who’s had seven #1 hits on the country charts, closed the post with a clip of the song writing, “Stay tuned friends, and most importantly, love everyone. [rainbow emoji]”

A post shared by Jake Owen (@jakeowenofficial) on Jun 24, 2019 at 2:56pm PDT

But one fan wasn’t in the mood to ‘Believe.’

“Suddenly I feel sick that I have tickets to your show here on Thursday night,” wrote the fan.

The comment received nearly 300 responses including one from Owen.

“I’m sorry you feel sick that you have tickets to my show Thursday night,” said Owen in his reply. “Maybe it would do you good to come out, smile, laugh, sing a long with a bunch of strangers that are all going through what we call ‘life.’”

From there, Owen really hit his stride, telling her, “It’s really only you and few other ignorant people that make yourself look silly. If you make it out to my show, come give me a hug. You need one.”

He also assured the former fan that, if she decided not to attend the concert, “Trust me… we will all be okay. We like to share our shows with people that are kind, and loving.”

Suh-nap!!!

Others chimed in as well with supportive comments for Owen and his tribute.

One commenter wrote, “I’ll take your tickets!! Jake Owen is amazing!”

Another said, “Keep making your amazing music, Jake Owen! Your true fans can get enough of your country music! #lovealwayswins”

And this was popular: “Suddenly I feel sick that I might have been at that show with you. Love is Love. Accept all. Jesus did.”

Eventually, the Instagram user came back with, “I don’t hate him. I don’t hate homosexuals. I just don’t agree with their behavior and I don’t like it shoved in my face. I don’t shove my sins in their faces. I just want musicians to play music.”

Sashay-away with your troll-self, Miss Thing.

I’ve got to go download some more Jake Owen tunes.

Follow Jake on Instagram here, and you can visit the handsome country crooner’s official website here.

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Mid-Day Brain Break: Todrick Hall “21 Songs Every Gay Knows”

Actor/choreographer Todrick Hall offers this quick, one minute lesson in "21 Songs Every Gay Knows."
Todrick Hall

Actor/choreographer Todrick Hall offers this quick, one minute lesson in “21 Songs Every Gay Knows.”

Very clever, and fun mid-day brain break.

With just one line from each song (you do know them all, yes?) plus a signature move, Hall totally captures the tunes.

Hit play below.

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News Round-Up: June 27, 2019

Nick Jonas (via Instagram)

Some news items you might have missed:

• Nick Jonas is giving you seriously ‘daddy’ grown-up goodness in this promo pic introducing his character “Bruno Gaido” from his upcoming movie, Midway, due out November 8. #Dang

• A gay couple were the target of homophobic insults before being spat on, clawed and physically attacked in an unprovoked attack in Essex in southeast England.

• Senate Democrats have introduced a resolution recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, the first time Congress has formally acknowledged the event that led to the modern LGBTQ rights movement.

• Alphonso David has been named the next president of the Human Rights Campaign. He is the first civil rights lawyer and the first person of color to lead the LGBTQ advocacy organization.

• Prince William says it would be “absolutely fine” if one of his children came out as gay.

• Deadline reports that Oscar winners Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman, along with James Corden, Andrew Rannells, and Keegan-Michael Key, have all been tapped by Ryan Murphy for the Netflix adaptation of the LGBTQ-themed Broadway musical, The Prom.

• As WorldPride gets underway in New York City today, just a reminder of how a leader CAN relate to his LGBTQ constituents. Folks, I give you Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Toronto’s Pride event this past weekend.

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Night 1 Of Democratic Debates: Warren Leads, Castro Surprises, Booker Strong On LGBTQ Issues

The first Democratic National Committee (DNC) debate of the 2020 presidential election cycle took place last night in Miami and, as expected, there were a few surprises.
Sens. Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren, and former HUD Sec. Julian Castro

The first Democratic National Committee (DNC) debate of the 2020 presidential election cycle took place last night in Miami and, as expected, there were a few surprises.

Last night’s debate, the first of two, included Julián Castro, Bill de Blasio, Jay Inslee, John Delaney, Tulsi Gabbard, Tim Ryan, Amy Klobuchar, Beto O’Rourke, Cory Booker, and Elizabeth Warren.

One of the biggest moments of the evening came when Rep. Tulsi Gabbard was asked a question about her history of opposing LGBTQ rights and supporting conversion therapy.

Gabbard noted that she’s since apologized for those statements and reminded people that she grew up in a conservative family with conservative thoughts on LGBTQ people.

“Maybe many people in this country can relate to the fact that I grew up in a socially conservative home, held views when I was very young that I no longer hold today,” Gabbard said. “I served with LGBTQ service members, both in training and deployed down the range. I know they would give their life for me, and I would give my life for them.”

She also promised to support and vote for The Equality Act.

But Sen. Cory Booker jumped in saying Gabbard’s support of The Equality Act was “not enough,” and expanded the conversation to transgender people saying, “We do not talk enough about trans Americans, especially African American trans Americans and the incredibly high rates of murder right now.”

“We don’t talk enough about how many children – about how 30% of LGBTQ children do not go to school because of fear,” said Booker. “It’s not enough just to be on the Equality Act, which I’m an original co-sponsor of. We need to have a president who will fight to protect LGBTQ Americans every single day from violence.”

Former HUD Secretary Julián Castro, who appears to have helped himself the most via his debate performance, also brought up trans people during a question about healthcare and abortion rights.

Castro also looked strong on immigration issues as he dominated during that segment of the debate.

The rest of the field didn’t seem to make up any ground, although, sensing they needed their ‘moment,’ Bill de Blasio, Tim Ryan, Beto O’Rourke, and John Delaney began inserting themselves into questions hoping for more speaking time.

At the end of the day, it seems Warren did as expected and came across as the front-runner (in this crowd); Castro elevated himself; and Booker and Sen. Amy Klobuchar each had strong moments.

One surprise was how flat O’Rourke seemed throughout. After a stellar run for U.S. Senate in Texas last year, it seemed his time off from the campaign trail took a bit of a toll on his usual charismatic presence.

Other thoughts from the Twitterverse:

The second group of 10 Democratic candidates – including former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Bernie Sanders and Mayor Pete Buttigieg – face off tonight in Miami on NBC, MSNBC and Telemundo at 9 p.m.

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Pride Music: Pet Shop Boys “Go West”

A “must-have” when it comes to Pride Month music – the Pet Shop Boys cover of “Go West.”

Of course, it’s on my pool playlist all summer long. But, especially during Pride Month.

The track is a 3-time gay-gay-gay play.

Originally recorded by The Village People (do I even have to elaborate here?), the song was covered by the Pet Shop Boys in 1993 and nominated for a Grammy Award for “Best Music Video.”

 Plus, the tune was featured in the Broadway musical, Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

See? Gay 1, 2, 3. What’s not to love?

On top of the muscular melody, the lyrics offer a positive message totally born for Pride:

(Go West) Life is peaceful there / (Go West) In the open air (Go West) Baby you and me / (Go West) This is our destiny (Go West) Sun in wintertime / (Go West) We will do just fine (Go West) Where the skies are blue / (Go West) This is what we’re gonna do

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