By a vote of 118-60, the National Council of Switzerland has amended its penal code to make homophobia and transphobia as illegal as racism.
Under the new ordinance, anyone who is found guilty of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity will face up to three years in prison.
The move to change the penal code was lead by National Councillor Mathias Reynard.
Upon passage of the new law, Reynard tweeted his celebration writing, “Victory! By 118 against 60 and 5 abstentions, the National Council accepts my parliamentary initiative against homophobia and Transphobia!
“A great success for human rights! Final response in December to the Council of States,” he added along with an LGBT Pride emoji and LGBT hashtag.
Gay Times Magazine reports Reynard told the press following the vote, “Homophobia is not an opinion. It’s a crime. One in five homosexuals attempted suicide, half before the age of 20. This victory sends a strong signal. I have already received hundreds of reactions.”
While Switzerland has allowed civil partnerships since 2007, the country is woefully behind the times in terms of most civil rights for LGBTQ people. There are no legal accommodations for same-sex couples when it comes to adoption, taxes, welfare or fertility.
Following this recent win, Reynard says that he plans on introducing marriage equality to Switzerland.
The Guardian shares the sad news that legendary French recording artist Charles Aznavoir has passed away at the age of 94.
The French singer Charles Aznavour – often hailed as his country’s Frank Sinatra – has died at the age of 94. Aznavour, who was born Shahnour Varinag Aznavourian in Paris to Armenian parents, sold more than 100 million records in 80 countries and had about 1,400 songs to his name, including 1,300 he wrote himself. He was sometimes described as the French Sinatra because of his stirring, melancholic style.
He is one of the most celebrated exponents of the French “chanson” form – easy-listening songs with vivid lyrics, rich in storytelling, emotion and humour. One early song, 1955’s Après l’Amour, was banned on French radio for its depiction of a couple basking in post-coital happiness. 1972’s What Makes a Man A Man, meanwhile, is sung in the persona of a gay man who faces down homophobia to declare: “Nobody has the right to be / The judge of what is right for me.”
For years, “What Makes A Man A Man” closed the show Divas Las Vegas with a dramatic rendition by one of the ‘divas’ reversing her illusion from drag queen to male.
Keith Kozak, the now-former outreach minister for the Catholic Discese of Cleveland, finds himself unemployed after liking a photo of a same-sex wedding on Facebook.
Showing up for a Human Resources appointment, Kozak though the meeting would be about a promotion. Instead, he got quite the opposite.
“When they called me in, I was thinking it had something to do with that,” Kozak said. “They sat me down and they said we had seen some things on Facebook and Twitter and that would like to talk to you about that.”
The next day he received a termination letter.
The 39-year-old admits he wasn’t out at work. “I didn’t feel comfortable doing it, but I also thought it wasn’t important at the time,” said Kozak.
Saying the Church had been “very discriminatory,” Kozak took his case to the Ohio Civil Rights Commission.
While the organization didn’t specifically comment on his case, a spokesperson told News 5 the Cleveland Diocese might be within its rights, citing “ministerial exception.” It prohibits clergy members from bringing claims under federal discrimination laws because the relationship between an organized church and its ministers is its lifeblood.
“It’s a wake-up call for me, it’s a wake-up call that I didn’t really realize the Catholic Church would act like this,” said Kozak.
For its part, the Catholic Church issued a statement saying it doesn’t make public comments on personnel decisions, but is confident Kozak’s firing was “appropriate.”
Billy Porter in ‘Kinky Boots’ (image via Facebook)
After six Tony Awards (including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Choreography), a Drama Desk Award, a Grammy Award and many more honors, the hit Broadway musical Kinky Boots has announced the production will bring down the curtain for the last time April 9, 2019, notching 2,507 performances at the Al Hirschfeld Theater.
The musical, which tells the world “You change the world when you change your mind,” has been celebrated on the Great White Way, in London, across the United States and around the world.
“The ideal big Broadway experience!” – The New York Observer
“This smash-hit struts its stuff with sparkle, stilettos and heart! – Time Out New York
Based on the 2005 film and inspired by a true story, KINKY BOOTS follows Charlie Price (Tony nominee STARK SANDS), an aspiring young businessman who is forced to give up his dreams of living the London city life in order to save his late father’s family business in Northern England. When Charlie suddenly inherits his father’s bankrupt shoe factory, he finds unexpected inspiration in the form of Lola (BILLY PORTER) a fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos. As Charlie and Lola work to turn the factory around, this unlikely pair finds that they have more in common than they ever dreamed possible… and discovers that when you change your mind about someone, you can change your whole world.
From the beginning of the show’s genesis, the creators’ message to audiences has been to learn to not only accept others for who they are, but to learn to love ourselves.
Original stars Billy Porter and Stark Sands (photo: Matthew Murphy)
The show guide for Kinky Boots, provided to school groups who attend the show, underscores the importance of children learning to “let me be me.”
If you look at all of the influential people in the world, many of the most spectacular people were probably also highly unique individuals when they were younger. Could you imagine Lady Gaga at your high school prom or havingMark Zuckerberg sit at your lunch table? What’s funny is that what is often considered cool in school actually becomes average in the real world, whereas those students, who don’t quite fit in, may turn out to be shining stars when they grow-up.
Playing the outrageous drag queen with a heart, out actor Billy Porter’s stunning performance as “Lola” won him a Tony Award, a Drama Desk Award and a Grammy.
Porter’s star continues to rise thanks to his breakout role in the acclaimed FX series Pose (which boasted the largest LGBTQ cast in the history of television), and will be featured the new season of American Horror Story: Apocalypse.
Porter has also used his elevated celebrity status to raise his voice on behalf of the LGBTQ community every chance he gets.
Billy Porter as “Lola” in Kinky Boots (photo: Matthew Murphy)
Throughout the show’s run, stars from all corners of the celebrity spectrum have lined up to don those sexy, thigh-high red boots.
The list of past/present stars includes out pansexual lead singer of Panic at the Disco! Brendon Urie, American Idol winner David Cook, out lead singer for Neon Trees Tyler Glenn, TV host Wayne Brady, YouTube star Todrick Hall, out pop star Jake Shears, Dancing with the Stars‘ Mark Ballas, and Grammy Award winner Kirstin Maldonado of Pentatonix.
“When you’re watching something that is so based in joy, you just can’t deny it,” gushed Glenn when he joined the Broadway cast.
“When we first set out to make this show, we never could have imagined the success it would have here on Broadway and around the world,” said Harvey Fierstein (book) and Cyndi Lauper (composer) in a joint statement. “We speak on behalf of the entire company when we say how grateful we are to the fans who have embraced our work across four continents, and counting!”
Cyndi Lauper became the first solo female Broadway composer to win a Tony thanks to Kinky Boots
“I’ll never forget the very first performance of this show, back in Chicago in the fall of 2012,” shared Tony Award winning director/choreographer Jerry Mitchell. “It was one of those magical nights in the theater, when the material connects with its audiences in exactly the way you hope for. It felt like a gift from the theater gods then, and it still does to this day.”
“In the years since, we have witnessed attitudes towards gender non-conformity start to change all across America in ways we couldn’t have begun to imagine in 2012,” Mitchell added. “It’s never easy saying farewell to a beloved production, but knowing that Kinky Boots is leaving a more accepting world than the one it was born into is hugely gratifying for everyone involved.”
Tyson Beckford at Chippendales in Las Vegas (Photos: Denise Truscello)
International super model, fashion icon and actor, Tyson Beckford, returned to the Chippendales stage in Las Vegas for an unprecedented fourth engagement this weekend as the male revue’s celebrity guest host.
After breaking box office records during his three previous appearances, Beckford returned to the award-winning #1 male revue with a sexy red carpet appearance and opening night performance and celebration on Saturday, September 29 2018, at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino.
“This cast is my extended family,” says Beckford. “There’s not a time I’m in Vegas, even when I’m not doing the show, that I don’t come by to see the guys, my brothers. From the first day I walked into this theatre I’ve felt at home and being back really feels like I never left. And to perform for 300-400 people every night is such a great confidence booster.”
A gala opening reception was held at the Flirt Lounge inside the Chippendales Theatre Complex at the Rio and featured Beckford and the cast of Chippendales mingling and taking photographs with partygoers who were enjoying signature cocktails.
“We are thrilled to bring Tyson back,” says Kevin Denberg, Managing Partner, Chippendales. “Our audiences have grown accustomed to Tyson; his star-power, charisma and sex appeal are the perfect compliment to our already sexually charged show.”
The critics agree that the original male super-model was the one the audiences wanted.
After his debut with the Chippendales in 2015, the Las Vegas Sun raved, “Fans of Beckford will not leave the show disappointed, as he not only flexes his buff bod throughout the adult male revue, but also bares his backside in a solo act with a female member of the audience…Beckford fits like a glove in Chippendales.”
Other celebrities who have stepped into the Chippendales spotlight include Dancing with the Stars and America’s Next Top Model champ, Nyle DiMarco, everyone’s favorite childhood crush Beverly Hills 90210 star Ian Ziering, and Dancing with the Stars Mirror Ball Champion Tony Dovolani.
Tyson Beckford in Chippendales
The Chippendales have recently revamped their show with new numbers, music, and high-flying acrobatics. The already sexy production is now amped to hot and heavy heights with the return of Beckford.
The dynamic lighting and musical staging is on point and the signature strip style, combined with edgy dance moves and pop music, make Chippendales an audience and critic’s pick!
And yes, men are always welcome at Chippendales 🙂
Beckford’s limited engagement runs through November 3, 2018 (Thursday through Saturday performances).
• Woofy Eliad Cohen throws back to some 2018 Burning Man realness (above). #Dang
• Kevin Spacey is being sued for sexual battery by a massage therapist he alleged assaulted in 2016.
• Track Palin, the son of former half-term governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin, is in trouble with the law – again. This is Track’s third assault/domestic violence arrest.
• Queen Elizabeth’s first openly gay footman has been demoted for “courting publicity.”
• Check out Jess Glynne’s new single, “123,” from her upcoming album,Always In Between.
Glynne is the first-ever British female to earn six #1 UK singles. I’ve previously featured Glynne’s single “I’ll Be There” and her collaboration “Real Love” with Clean Bandit on The Randy Report.
It’s a great day in the Broadway neighborhood today!
Gorgeous weather, happy crowds of theater fans finding treasures of all kinds in Shubert Alley and down W. 44th and 45th Streets at the 2018 Broadway Flea Market.
Lots of money being raised that will soon be put to very good work.
Thirty-two years ago, the #BroadwayFlea Market & Grand Auction was little more than the cast of A Chorus Line selling some scrounged-together items from their dressing rooms to raise money for friends living with AIDS. Look how far we have come.
I’m so proud and humbled to see this remarkable event grow into the biggest day of the year for the Broadway fan in all of us – whether we work onstage, backstage or cheer from the audience. Every dollar earned today will go back into our community and across the country as Broadway Cares continues to provide vital, lifesaving support to the people who need it most. The money we raise from a signed Playbill or prop, a walk-on experience or opening night ticket package has the potential to change someone’s life.
Thank you to everyone who is helping make our 32nd edition already a smashing success. And we’re just getting started. We’ll be here until 7 o’clock tonight. So if you’re in New York, come join us in Shubert Alley and along West 44th and West 45th Streets for a day theatre lovers won’t soon forget.
Thanks to Larry at The OUTfront for sending some pics my way (below) from the happy event.
What can you find at the Broadway Flea Market? Tons of stuff!
From autographed Playbills, show posters and cast albums to super-special items like the red dress Broadway legend Chita Rivera wore in her Chita Rivera and All That Jazz tour and Broadway teddy bears from Rachel’s Bears.
Plus, there’s an autograph table where stars of the Great White Way will give you their signature for a $35 donation.
The flea market continues today until 7pm, so if you’re in the NYC area, head on down!
Broadway favorite Jen Cody helps sell CDs and Playbills – and Chita Rivera’s dress! – at the 32nd Broadway Flea Market
How adorbale is this Hello, Dolly! teddy bear?
And this Dear Evan Hansen teddy bear?
Plus, hotties from the annual blockbuster event, Broadway Bares
Plus, scores of folks registered to vote in NYC and districts across the nation.
Epic cold open on SNL last night as Oscar winner Matt Damon delivered a spot on Judge Brett Kavanaugh testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Asking the questions were Senators Chuck Grassley (Alex Moffat), Dianne Feinstein (Cecily Strong), Amy Klobuchar (Rachel Dratch), Thom Tillis (Mikey Day), Cory Booker (Chris Redd), John Kennedy (Kyle Mooney), Sheldon Whitehouse (Pete Davidson), Lindsey Graham (Kate McKinnon) and prosecutor Rachel Mitchell (Aidy Bryant).
So many great lines here, I don’t want to say too much. But you will definitely find a lot to laugh at here.
Damon is on fire right out of the gate with his opening statement.
“Let me tell you this,” he said. “I’m going to start at an 11. I’m going to take it to about a 15 real quick. First of all I showed this speech to almost no one — not my family, not my friends. … This is my speech. There are others like it, but this is mine. I wrote it myself last night while screaming into an empty bag of Doritos.”
Former SNL-er Rachel Dratch was dead on as Klobuchar inquiring about Kavanaugh’s drinking habits in school.
Asked if he drank too much, Damon’s Kavanaugh replied: “Look, I like beer. O.K.? I like beer. Boys like beer. Girls like beer. I like beer. I like beer.”
Dratch pressed on, asking, “Did you ever drink too many beers?”
And in total prep school perfection, Damon’s Kavanaugh replied, “You mean was I cool? Yeah.”
And then there was Kate McKinnon’s take on Sen. Lindsey Graham’s now-infamous tirade. “I know I’m supposed to shut up because I’m a single white male, 5’10” uncut. But I will not shut up because this is a bunch of crap,” he said.
Over 3 million views in less than 12 hours. Watch below. Good times.
The duo who conquered Oz as “Glinda” (Chenoweth) and “Elphaba” (Menzel) will headline a special tribute concert on NBC in October.
The producers of Wicked offer this synposis:
Winner of over 50 major awards including the Grammy Award and three Tony Awards®, WICKED is the untold story of the witches of Oz. Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the land of Oz. One, born with emerald-green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. WICKED tells the story of their remarkable odyssey, how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.
To refresh your memory, here’s the spectacular Tony Award performance in 2004 of the act one closer, “Defying Gravity.”
Joining the pair of Broadway veterans will be recording artists like Ariana Grande and Pentatonix with more guest stars to be announced..
NBC special programs and late night exec Doug Vaughan issued this statement about the casting coup:
“Wicked is a blockbuster musical playing all over the world and still selling out night after night after 15 years on Broadway, and we’re thrilled to be partnering with Emmy and Tony-winning producer Marc Platt and the entire Wicked team to celebrate the enduring success of this show.”
The terrific twosome will return to Oz, on Monday, October 29, when the Wicked special airs on NBC.
In May of 2016, Kristin and Idina reunited for a special studio version of their duet, “For Good.”
