Author: Randy Slovacek

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Megyn Kelly Steps In It Over Blackface, Don Lemon Calls Her Out, Kelly Apologizes

Megyn Kelly of The Today Show

Today Show host Megan Kelly got into hot water yesterday when she questioned why blackface wasn’t ok for Halloween?

Seriously?

During a round-table conversation about Halloween costumes, Kelly said that blackface was, “OK when I was a kid as long as you were dressing like a character,” and said she doubted whether blackface was actually racist.

“What is racist?” she asked. “Because you do get in trouble if you are a white person who puts on blackface on Halloween.”

Umm, yeah. You do.

Kelly sent a memo to staffers at NBC apologizing for her lack of understanding:

When we had the roundtable discussion earlier today about the controversy of making your face look like a different race as part of a Halloween costume, I suggested that this seemed okay if done as part of this holiday where people have the chance to make themselves look like others. The iconic Diana Ross came up as an example. To me, I thought, why would it be controversial for someone dressing up asDiana Ross to make herself look like this amazing woman as a way of honoring and respecting her?

I realize now that such behavior is indeed wrong, and I am sorry. The history of blackface in our culture is abhorrent; the wounds too deep.

I’ve never been a “pc” kind of person — but I understand that we do need to be more sensitive in this day and age. Particularly on race and ethnicity issues which, far from being healed, have been exacerbated in our politics over the past year.

Last night, on CNN, hosts Chris Cuomo and Don Lemon discussed the debacle. Lemon came straight out of the gate with a truth bomb saying, “Megyn is 47 years old, she’s our age, there has never been a time in her 47 years that blackface has been acceptable.”

Today, Kelly began her show with an apology:

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Season 3 of ‘Daddyhunt: The Serial’ Is Here

BJ Gruber and Jim Newman in ‘Daddyhunt: The Serial’

Daddyhunt: The Serial is back with Season 3 continuing the saga of two men who connect on the social network, Daddyhunt.

The popular digital series follows the romance of a hunky daddy ‘Graydon’ (played by woofy Jim Newman) and his younger bf ‘Ben’ (played by oh-so-cute BJ Gruber).

In addition to chronicling the ups and down of gay dating today, the series also incorporates some useful info for gay men.

The second season introduced the topic of PrEP, and offered PSAs featuring the series’ actors covering topics like condom use, regular testing and more.

Season 3 builds on that with an emphasis on STD testing and partner notification (telling sexual partners they may need to get tested).

The first episode of the new season opens on Graydon and Ben having grown closer and more intimate, but a past love brings to the surface some insecurities and doubts that have an impact on the couple.

Ben’s bestie, ‘AJ,’ (Michael Snipe Jr.) gets a new love interest – but they too face some struggles early on.

And then there’s Graydon’s ex, ‘Andrew’ (David Farrington), who seems to have his own agenda in the mix.

As in Season 2, Daddyhunt again partnered with Building Healthy Online Communities (BHOC), to weave in storylines relating to STD testing, and the challenge of telling partners that they might have inadvertently given them an STD.

Dan Wohlfeiler, of BHOC, had been talking for some time with Carl Sandler, the CEO of Daddyhunt, about how Daddyhunt could incorporate these strategies.

BJ Gruber and Jim Newman in ‘Daddyhunt: The Serial’

“He sent me the first season of the Daddyhunt: The Serial, and I was hooked,” shares Wohlfeiler. “It had incredibly talented actors, terrific production values and a really compelling script. We started talking about how we could do a second series with a story line about some of the big issues that gay men are facing when it comes to HIV…PrEP or condoms? Or both?”

“I’d previously met Dan Wohlfeiler at an AIDS Conference,” said Carl Sandler, CEO and Co-Founder of Daddyhunt. “After watching the first season of the DADDYHUNT: THE SERIAL, Dan contacted me and asked if there was a way we could work together on a Season 2 of the Serial and maybe include a public health component to the storyline.”

“I immediately thought that this was a great idea because we want to educate our users about condoms, PrEP, the importance of routine testing and other safe sex practices. By working together with BHOC, we have managed to reach not only Daddyhunt users but millions of viewers, entertaining and educating them about these important topics.”

Jim Newman in ‘Daddyhunt: The Serial’

Along with the four episodes that make up Season 3, Daddyhunt is also releasing six accompanying PSAs featuring the actors encouraging gay men to seek out information on getting tested, PrEP, maintaining an undetectable viral load, and advice on writing a good online profile.

You can check out episode 1 of Daddyhunt: The Serial Season 3 below.

Episode 2 is set to drop October 30. Find that and all past episodes of the web series on the Daddyhunt YouTube Channel.

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Silicone Injections Into Genitals Causes Death Of 28-Year-Old Gay Man

Dylan Hafertepen (L) and Jack Chapman (R)

A gay man in Seattle, Washington, has died due to health complications related to injecting his genitals with liquid silicone.

Gay Star News reports that Jack Chapman, who is known on various social media platforms as Tank Heathcliff Hafertepen), died on October 15.

Among the causes of death listed on the death certificate was ‘Silicon Injection Syndrome.’ Three other causes of death, all lung related, were also listed.

Chapman was apparently in a pup/master BDSM relationship with Dylan Hafertepen, who goes by the pseudonym ‘noodlesandbeef’ on social media.

BDSM relationships can include some forms of role-play that include dominance, bondage, and/or submission.

According to Gay Star News, Chapman lived with “Hafertepen, Hafertepen’s husband, and three other men whom Hafertenpen has relationships.”

Dylan Hafertepen (L) and Jack Chapman (R)

Chapman had previously shared on his Tumblr account his use of silicone injections into his penis and scrotum.

The National Institutes of Health reports penile enhancement procedures with liquid silicone by non-medical personnel could result in devastating consequences including gross distortion’ and ‘sexual dysfunction.’

Silicone injections can also result in an ‘immunological response.’

A case study in the National Library of Medicine noted, “There is no reliable material as filler for penile soft tissue. Because of their composition and biochemical characteristics, they may act as a foreign body in the tissue, eliciting severe allergic reactions.”

Since Chapman’s death, social media followers have posted screen captures of his Tumblr account where he had shared his use of liquid silicone.

In one post, Chapman wrote, “What’s my secret? Since November 2014, I’ve been having liquid silicone injected into my penis and scrotum under the supervision of a healthcare professional, who has high amount of experience performing this procedure.”

When asked for details of his treatment, he shared, “I have a guy in Sacramento who is a champ.”

(image via Twitter)

“The reason I shared this detail about myself was because I believe I owed it to the intelligence of my readers,” he added. “I am noticeably bigger, and will continue [to] get bigger into the future – a cursory glance to my readers by misleading them or pretending that nothing has happened when it obviously had.”

‘It’s a part of me. It’s a part of my story and I’m happy to talk about it,” said the 28-year-old originally from Australia.

“This procedure can have major health risks if done incorrectly,” wrote Chapman in a post that now seems prophetic. “It is an unregulated and unapproved body modification.”

He also refused to share specific information about where to turn to for similar treatment.

In the aftermath of his death, Chapman’s Instagram and Tumblr accounts have been deleted.

A post on his Facebook page, dated October 16, mentions a ‘persistent cough’ that eventually led to further complications.

Tank had a persistent cough for several months. Otherwise, he seemed fine, doing the things he loved — working out, caring for clients as part of Lifelong AIDS Alliance, and spending time with his family. Until a week ago when he had trouble breathing and was admitted to the hospital with what we figured was a routine infection. It turned out to be much more. He fought very hard, seeming to get a tiny bit better day by day, until the terrible moment that we were told nothing more could be done.

Dylan Hafertepen originally agreed to speak to Gay Star News about Chapman’s passing.

But when questions regarding the silicone treatments and possible steroid use came up, Hafertepen demurred, writing in an email, “Tank was an incredible man and I don’t want him remembered by the thing that contributed to his death.”

Chapman is also survived by his mother, who lives in Melbourne, Australia.

***************************************

UPDATE: Since I posted this report, I’ve heard from a number of people alleging an element of domestic abuse in this case.

While I can’t substantiate any of those claims, it seems adding a link to someone who has compiled their alleged proof would make this post more thorough.

To read about the allegations of domestic abuse, click here. I’ll repeat that I haven’t had the chance to prove or disprove the allegations shared at the link.

Jack Chapman

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Apple CEO Tim Cook: “Being Gay Is God’s Greatest Gift To Me”

In an interview with CNN’s Christine Amanpour, Apple CEO Tim Cook says being gay is “God’s greatest gift to me.”

Via CNN Money:

Four years ago, Tim Cook became the first CEO of a major company to come out as gay. He says he’s happy about that distinction — and his decision. “I’m very proud of it,” the Apple CEO told Christiane Amanpour on Wednesday in an exclusive interview for her program on CNN International and PBS.

Being gay is “God’s greatest gift to me,” he said. Cook came out on October 30, 2014. His sexual orientation had been widely rumored beforehand though he had not confirmed it publicly.

“I went public because I started to receive stories from kids who read online that I was gay,” he told Amanpour. “I needed to do something for them,” Cook said. He wanted to demonstrate to gay children that they “can be gay and still go on and do some big jobs in life.”

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Trump Finally Admits Saudi Arabia Responsible For Journalist’s Death

Donald Trump

After spending days accepting Saudi Arabia’s explanation for the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, despite the skepticism of world leaders, Donald Trump changed course saying, “Somebody really messed up.”

According to HuffPost, Trump told reporters at the White House today, “They had a very bad original concept. It was carried out poorly and the cover-up was one of the worst cover-ups in the history of cover-ups. Very simple. Bad deal, should have never been thought of. Somebody really messed up.”

On Tuesday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey told lawmakers in his country that he did not believe Saudi Arabia’s initial explanation for Khashoggi’s death and openly accused Saudi officials of carrying out premeditated murder.

“The information obtained so far and the evidence found shows that Khashoggi was murdered in a ferocious manner,” Erdogan said.

Trump, who’s known for his own blunt style, called Erdogan’s comments “pretty rough.”

Trump also indicated that Congress should decide how to proceed on the matter.

“In terms of what we ultimately do, I’m going to leave it very much — in conjunction with me — I’m going to leave it up to Congress,” Trump said.

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Bombs Sent To Frequent Trump Targets Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton & CNN

Bombs were discovered to have been sent to former President Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton this morning. The offices of CNN at Time Warner Communication in New York City were also evacuated over a reported explosive device.
Former President Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

Bombs were discovered to have been sent to former President Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton this morning.

The offices of CNN at Time Warner Center in New York City were also evacuated over a reported explosive device.

From The New York Times:

Explosive devices were sent to former President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, as well as to CNN’s offices in New York, sparking an intense investigation on Wednesday into whether a bomber is going after targets that have often been the subject of right-wing ire.

A law enforcement official said the three devices were similar to one found Monday at the home of George Soros, the billionaire philanthropist and liberal donor who has come under fierce criticism from conservatives and conspiracy theorists.

None of the devices harmed anyone. Law enforcement officials said they were investigating whether all the devices were sent by the same person or persons.

Clinton, Obama, Soros and CNN have all been frequent targets of Donald Trump in his campaign rhetoric.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders issued a statement condemning “the attempted violent attacks recently made against President Obama, President Clinton, Secretary Clinton and other public figures.”

“These terrorizing acts are despicable, and anyone responsible will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” said Sanders according to the Associated Press. “The United States Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies are investigating and will take all appropriate actions to protect anyone threatened by these cowards.”

According to several reports, the package mailed to CNN’s offices was addressed to former CIA director John Brennan, who has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration since becoming a CNN commentator.

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One Winning Ticket In South Carolina For $1.6 Billion Mega Millions

One winning ticket was sold in South Carolina for Tuesday night’s record-breaking Mega Millions jackpot worth $1.6 billion.

Nope, it wasn’t me.

One winning ticket was sold in South Carolina for Tuesday night’s record-breaking Mega Millions jackpot worth $1.6 billion.

The winning digits were 5-28-62-65-70, with a Megaball of 5.

The lone winner can choose to be paid over 30 years (nope), or take a lump sum that would come to about $905 million. After taxes, that would come to around $543,000,000.

This was the largest jackpot in Mega Millions history surpassing a $1.586 billion Powerball jackpot that was shared between three tickets in 2016.

The next Mega Millions drawing, which will occur on Oct. 26, will offer a jackpot worth a paltry $40 million.

Why even buy a ticket for that?

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Melissa McCarthy On Her First Visit To A Gay Bar

Speaking to PrideSource, actress Melissa McCarthy was asked about her experience the first time she stepped into a gay bar after growing up in rural Illinois:

“I thought, “Where has this been all my life?” That’s the honest to god truth.

“There was a feeling of anything goes, you’re OK, no one’s gonna find you odd. What you’re wearing, who cares! What you’re doing, dancing all night! There just was a celebration innately built in.

“It’s like, I didn’t go there to be somber, I went because I was like, there’s such a feeling of unity and I never felt… I just… I really did, I had such a strong reaction to it.

“It’s like, I think, certainly, from many of my friends I was with as they came out and struggled with their families or had delightfully surprising responses from their family, to have a place to go where they were just fully accepted, a lot of joy went with that.

“So I kind of sat in the backdrop of that and enjoyed it.”

McCarthy plays lesbian “Lee Israel” in her latest film, poignant Oscar-worthy dramedy “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” currently in select theaters.

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Trump Admits “No Proof” Any ‘Middle Eastern Terrorists’ Amid The Migrant Caravan In Mexico

After stoking fears about "middle Eastern terrorists" being hidden in the midst of the caravan of migrants moving north through Mexico to the United States' border, Donald Trump admitted today he has "no proof" that there actually ARE any terrorists traveling amid the caravan.
Donald Trump

After stoking fears about “middle Eastern terrorists” being hidden in the midst of the caravan of migrants moving north through Mexico to the United States’ border, Donald Trump admitted today he has “no proof” that there actually ARE any terrorists traveling amid the caravan.

Via Mediaite:

CNN’s Jim Acosta asked if he’s saying that there are terrorists in the caravan. Trump said “there could very well be,” adding, “I have very good information.”

He tagged in Vice President Mike Pence to talk about his call with the president of Honduras, and he said at one point it’s “inconceivable there would not be individuals from the Middle East as part of this growing caravan.” Acosta asked him directly if he has evidence of terrorists in the caravan, as opposed to just citing statistics.

Trump jumped in to say he’s spoken with the border patrol and they’ve intercepted “many people from the Middle East” and even ISIS at the border. Acosta again asked, “Are they in the caravan?” “They could very well be,” the President responded. “But there’s no proof,” Acosta noted.

“There’s no proof of anything. There’s no proof of anything. But they very well could be.”

Well, that settles that, huh?

Watch below.

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Dad’s Twitter Rant Defending His 5-Year-Old Son Goes Viral

Aaron Gouveia and son, Sam (image via Twitter)

A proud father posted an epic Twitter rant that went viral after his five-year-old son, Sam, was the victim of bullying and ‘toxic masculinity.’

Aaron Gouveia is the proud dad of three sons.

His middle boy, Sam, who Aaron calls a ‘boy’s boy,’ likes all kinds of things. For instance, he’s big on fishing, dirt, trucks and knee drops on the couch.

Sam also likes some ‘girl things,’ like collecting purses because “he likes to carry things around,” and wearing polish on his nails because they “look beautiful.”

I think Sam has great taste in colors, too.

Sam recently wore his red nail polish to kindergarten.

His dad says Sam has “absolutely no concept of nail polish only being for girls or reason to think anyone would possibly have a problem with beautiful nails.”

I’m with you there, Aaron. Sam is rocking that red!

But Sam’s classmates apparently have no sense of individuality or self-expression.

According to Aaron, Sam was “ridiculed for being a boy with nail polish.”

The kids called Sam names all day long and told him he should take it off.

Sam was extremely upset and crying when his mom picked him up from school.

Sam couldn’t understand why the kids made fun of him and was “devastated at how the other kids turned on him.”

When Aaron got a call at work from Sam, who was still crying, dad told him that “his nails are BADASS!” and the only thing Sam should care about is whether HE likes his nails.

I’m liking Aaron more and more here, folks.

But Aaron’s heart broke when Sam asked if his mom would remove the nail polish so the kids at school wouldn’t make fun on him anymore.

Noting Sam’s “huge heart,” Aaron shared his pride that his son has never been afraid to be different because “different has never meant ‘bad.’”

Aaron also pointed out that “this toxic masculinity bullshit is LEARNED,” and learned from parents.

Aaron shared that he and his wife have spent years “preaching tolerance, acceptance, and the importance of expression,” but in just a single day Sam’s classmates were able to teach Sam ‘shame.’

Dad had a long talk with his son, and the upshot was Sam should not only keep wearing his nail polish, but it should be “an even brighter shade tomorrow.”

He also told Sam he should ask the kids why the nail polish got them so wound up.

Alright! Go Aaron, go!

Aaron went on to tell the Twitterverse that his son “is a goddamn fireworks show of a human being” and he had no intention of Sam’s light being diminished by “restrictive bullshit” like this.

Aaron for ‘Dad of the Year!’

Dad also rightfully pointed out to Sam that lots of guys like “Thor & Capt. Jack Sparrow” wear nail polish.

He even threw New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski in the mix, although he wasn’t too sure of Gronk.

More importantly, though, Aaron told Sam that what other people think doesn’t matter because “what you wear and how you look should make YOU look good.”

Yaassssss!

Not only did Sam decide to leave his nail polish on, his 10-year-old brother painted HIS nails in solidarity.

You know what happened next – Aaron decided to pain HIS nails as well.

Even though the shade, chosen by Sam, is a bit “understated,” dad liked it.

But Sam is sticking with his bright red because “it’s pretty and good luck for the Patriots.”

Aaron wrapped up his Twitter thread saying that even though “intolerant parents and their offspring scored a minor victory,” they would not “win the war.”

Dad signed off with a shout-out to his man, Sam, letting him know he always has his back.

This reminds me of the popular internet meme – “This is Aaron and Sam. They don’t care about other people’s rigid, intolerant views. Be like Aaron and Sam.”

Now, if Rob Gronkowski would just chime in with a pic of his nails painted red, that might just break the internet.