At 17-years-old, Travis was disowned for being gay.
In a heartbreaking video from Now This, Travis explains, “In my mom’s house, it’s God first and then family.”
His family signed a document informing him he would be arrested for trespassing if he stepped foot on their property again.
He used all his savings to move to Los Angeles and lived, for a time in a youth hostel.
But when his money ran out, he lived on the LA streets for weeks until the Los Angeles LGBT Center could secure a bed for him. The organizations also helped him find a job.
Now he’s helping others in his situation.
A 2012 study found 40% of homeless youth are LGBTQ, and 68% of those cases were due to family rejection.
God, the look in the kids’ eyes – the pain and confusion.
I’d be willing to bet a lot of the white kids seen in the beginning of this clip wear MAGA hats today.
Rosedale, Queens (1978). By the mid-1970s, Black middle-class families were moving into the all-white neighborhood. Tensions rose, even amongst children. Here’s a clip illustrating this tension. pic.twitter.com/u66FLwaeRo
CUT describes its Lineup video series as “a who’s who of of awkward assumptions and judgments.”
Which seems pretty accurate considering the video channel’s latest episode featuring gay men judging other gay men on how gay they looked.
Each participant had to look at a line of 10 gay men and rate their gayness on a scale of 1 (being the least gay) to 10.
“On a scale of 1 to 10, how gay are you?” the men are asked up front.
“100! And, I’m a drag queen.”
“I would say like a 7; I feel like other people would say higher…I don’t think I’m that gay (hair flip)”
The first gay to be judged, wearing pink shorts and a baby blue tank top, scores off the charts for the judges.
“I have a mirror at home, I believe that to be very accurate.”
Number two, clad in khakis and a plaid shirt scores in the 3 to 6 range.
Number three gives off mixed signals – dirty sneaks but then there’s the painted nails…
Number four’s beefy muscle butt seems to be a heavy factor in his high scores.
There’s a story behind his score of one
Number five, with his low scores, shares that he spent most of his life hiding in the closet, trying to blend in with straight society. He adds he’s only been out seven years. Hmm…
Number six seems more “activist gay” than “neon short shorts gay.”
I’m not sure how I feel about the concept of the social experiment as it seems to just perpetuate stereotypes, right?
But on the other hand, gay men DO do this, don’t you know. And, I appreciate how the men own who they are.
At the end of the segment, one of the judges makes an interesting statement:
“I think I was surprised that somebody would self-identify as a one. I think I take so much pride in being open about everything and I forget that that’s a privilege. So, it’s a reminder that not everybody has had that right or that privilege along the way.”
And there’s your Pride statement for the day. Watch the clip below.
Pride In London recently released its Pride Jubilee video in anticipation of Pride events this month and their huge Pride Parade on July 6.
The video journeys through history to highlight key moments that have made Pride what it is today, as chosen by the LGBTQ community.
Earlier this year Pride in London put out an open call to the community and its partners to nominate the moments, stories and landmark events that have defined the Pride movement. The moments that came up the most were then used as the basis of the film.
With 2019 being the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising on June 28, 1969, the video encapsulates 5 decades of activism, protests and victories in the UK LGBTQ movement.
Over that time, the community faced Stonewall, the AIDS epidemic, the hideous Section 28 and more. While there were certainly bleak, difficult times, the video ends on an upbeat tone.
Pride in London says, “We want to mark the moments and the people behind them.”
The organization says it used an entirely LGBTQ cast in addition to actual audio and video news footage for authenticity.
Pride in London lists these key moments in history that are depicted:
• 28th June 1969 – Queer people of colour lead the the Stonewall Uprising in New York, where members of the LGBT+ community at the Stonewall Inn rise up against continued oppression by the police and society in general
• 1st July 1972 – The first official UK Gay Pride Rally takes place in London
• Early 1980s – London is hit by the AIDS crisis, with thousands diagnosed with HIV over the course of the next decade
• 9th April 1987 – Princess Diana opens the UK’s first purpose built unit for the treatment of HIV patients, shaking the hands of AIDS patients without gloves
• 9th October 1987 – Margaret Thatcher delivers anti-gay speech at Conservative Party Conference, widely seen as setting the foundations for Section 28
• 23rd May 1988 – Lesbian activists storm the 6 O’Clock News to protest the enactment of Section 28
• 12th January 2000 – The ban is lifted on lesbian, gay and bisexual people openly serving in the British Army
• 30th November 2000 – Equal age of consent for homosexual couples is finally passed after being blocked multiple times by the House of Lords
• 17th July 2013 – Same-sex marriage is passed in England and Wales
• 2019 – As anti-trans protestors continue to hijack Pride events globally and attacks on trans people treble in ten years, the fight for trans rights continues
Randy Report favorite Eli Lieb is happy in love, and he’s sharing the receipts in his new music video, “I Want It All.” The bouncy, buoyant summer bop is a paean to his year-old relationship with boyfriend, James Tyler Malone.
You got me in loveLike a kid in a candy store running round I want it all And it’s never it’s never it’s never it’s never enough I want it all want it all And I waited I waited I waited I waited for your loveAnd it’s never it’s never it’s never it’s never enoughI want it all want it all
The music video utilizes video Lieb shot while he joined Malone on a cruise ship where the bf worked as a dancer. Rather than do the long-distance thing, Lieb packed up and joined Malone for months on the ship traveling to Alaska, Hawaii and Mexico. Lieb told Billboard that he wanted the song to be a upbeat tribute to the “very unconventional” beginning of his relationship, as well as a positive snapshot of queer love. “During Pride Month, I wanted to put something out that showed a real-life relationship blossoming, rather than just a scripted one,” he says. “I’m hoping the viewers will really be able to get a sense of that excitement and celebration of finding newfound love, in a real and palpable way.” Check out the music video below. The song is available now on all digital download sites.
Back in March, Lieb wished Malone a happy birthday writing, in part, “I waited so many years for you and now that we finally found each other, I am so grateful we never have to go without.” So, sweet. https://www.instagram.com/p/BvrY1w6JKoq/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link And in November, the boys got matching tattoos to celebrate their relationship. I have to say, it’s nice to report some happiness in the world. https://www.instagram.com/p/BqVdq7NBskE/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore is back and running for U.S. Senate – again.
And the Republican Party is not happy. Even Donald Trump, who like Moore has his own issues with allegations of sexual misconduct, is against another Moore candidacy.
Republicans cannot allow themselves to again lose the Senate seat in the Great State of Alabama. This time it will be for Six Years, not just Two. I have NOTHING against Roy Moore, and unlike many other Republican leaders, wanted him to win. But he didn’t, and probably won’t…..
…If Alabama does not elect a Republican to the Senate in 2020, many of the incredible gains that we have made during my Presidency may be lost, including our Pro-Life victories. Roy Moore cannot win, and the consequences will be devastating….Judges and Supreme Court Justices!
This is pure fake news. I can assure everyone that by running, Roy Moore is going against my father and he’s doing a disservice to all conservatives across the country in the process. https://t.co/pjfDKfoIO0
But Moore told NBC News on Friday, “I think the president’s being influenced by other people up there — the establishment.”
Multiple other Republican candidates have announced their own bids for the state’s Republican nomination to take on Jones in 2020. Moore told NBC News: “If people want them, they’ll elect them. But I have a strong base here. And they’ll elect me.”
He said the potential addition of Jeff Sessions, who served as senator from Alabama prior to being tapped as Trump’s first attorney general, would not lead him to exit the race.
“I don’t step aside for anybody when I’m running,” Moore said, adding: “I love Jeff Sessions. He’s a friend. I respect him. If he wants to get in the race, let him get in the race. I don’t have any problem with it.”
Republicans are promising to do everything they can to obliterate Roy Moore in the Alabama Senate primaryhttps://t.co/DQWznA0vpi
Retweeting this as Roy Moore announces he’s running for the Senate. Twice removed as Alabama’s Chief Justice for failing to follow the law & with a history of sexual misconduct toward minors, he will be the GOP’s front runner (at least until we hear if Sessions will get in.) https://t.co/zSsjS6KY3y
• It’s heating up here in Las Vegas, but you can trust the Chippendales (above) to always keep cool as they dress for success.
• The American Psychoanalytic Association (APsaA) apologized today for previously treating homosexuality as a mental illness.
• Currently, 74 members of the House of Representatives support impeaching Donald Trump.
• Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) has introduced a bill in the U.S. Senate to expand access to PrEP helping ensure that communities disproportionately impacted by HIV – particularly Black/Latino gay & bisexual men and trans women – are guaranteed insurance coverage for life-saving preventive interventions.
Proud to introduce the PrEP Access and Coverage Act today, my new bill to:
✅require all health care plans to cover PrEP, follow-up visits, and tests with no out-of-pocket costs ✅expand access to PrEP for those uninsured ✅prohibit insurance discrimination against PrEP users
• International pop star Olivia Newton-John is putting that famous black leather jacket and pants from the finale of her blockbuster film, Grease, on the auction block along with more personal memorabilia. Proceeds from the auction will go to the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Center in Australia.
• Gay porn studio Sean Cody got in hot water for hiring a ‘model’ named Zane who sports a Confederate flag tattoo. Initially, the studio just blurred the tat thinking that would suffice. But an uproar caused the company to take down all videos using the performer.
• Grammy Award winning artist Daya drops her latest single, “Left Me Yet,” from her upcoming album.
In the music video, the openly bisexual singer/songwriter dances her way through self-criticism and doubt as the dance/pop bop grooves along to electronic beats.
“I push you away, why do I do that? / Impatient, but you’re patient with me / I’m surprised you haven’t left me yet.”
Israel Folau, the Australian homophobic rugby player who was canned after several anti-LGBTQ social media posts, is now asking his fans to pony up over $2 million to fund his continuing legal battles.
Folau was pronounced guilty of a code of conduct breach and stripped of his contract last month for an Instagram post that said “hell awaits” gay people.
A post shared by Israel Folau (@izzyfolau) on Apr 10, 2019 at 1:18am PDT
He was told during his code of conduct hearing that if he would remove the Instagram post that said homosexuals were destined for hell he could save his contract and career.
He chose otherwise, and now he wants someone else to foot the bill.
On Thursday, he launched a crowdfunding campaign asking supporters to donate money towards his legal fund as he continues to wrangle with Rugby Australia.
According to TheAustralian.com, Folau owns 8 homes worth over $5 million.
He also apparently owns a $500k Lamborghini. So, it’s rather audacious for him to ask fans to pay his bills.
For those considering a donation for @IzzyFolau on #GoFundMe consider this: he owns a $500k Lamborghini. He’s made millions from 3 sporting codes. Please help kids medical charities instead.
‘Death to the Gays’ Pastor Kevin Swanson told his ‘Christian’ radio show audience that international pop star Taylor Swift is “a fool” and “God will cut her down” for her support of the LGBTQ community.
Swift’s latest single, “You Need To Calm Down,” is intended as a pro-LGBTQ anthem, and it’s gotten many of the usual haters on the war path.
Here’s Swanson on Thursday:
“Taylor Swift, most popular female singer in America today, released a song promoting the Leviticus 16 list of abominations, pretty much. ‘You Need to Calm Down’ is the name of the song, and she’s apparently telling God to calm down about all of his ethical concerns. I don’t think it’s going to be effective, but that’s what she’s doing.”
Swanson then goes on to spin and twist the message of Swift’s song saying the song is intended to persecute Christians who “don’t want to celebrate homosexual heathen rights and rituals.”
What a douche.
Swanson continues from there telling his listeners that Swift looks down on Christians and thinks they are “poor and dumb.”
#liar
He continued thusly:
“So what do we say to Taylor Swift and her new concoction ‘You Need to Calm Down’? I think we just tell Taylor Swift that she’s a fool. That she doesn’t fear God, and sooner or later, God will cut her down. And may she be broken at the Cross of Jesus Christ and realize she’s a sinner and she’s a sinner in desperate need of a savior, and that’s the message for all of us.”
Swanson has a long list of idiotic statements – from calling for the execution of gay folks to announcing the Supreme Court’s Obergefell ruling made it legal to marry your dog.
