The Oregon Supreme Court has declined to review the case of Aaron and Melissa Klein, who as Sweet Cakes by Melissa, refused to serve a lesbian couple in 2013.
The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries found that the Kleins were guilty of discriminating against the couple when they refused to sell a cake for a commitment ceremony.
The bakers were fined $135,000 for emotional damages in 2015.
They Kleins took their case to the Oregon Court of Appeals which ultimately upheld that decision.
The business owners’ lawyers now say they intend to head to the U.S. Supreme Court.
While the Kleins exhaust all their options for appeal, the check they wrote for $135,000 is being held.
In the aftermath of the story coming to light, Christian crowdfunding efforts raising over $500,000 to more than cover the bakers’ loses after they decided to stop making wedding cakes for anyone.
Tan France, fashion expert for Netlflix’s ‘Queer Eye’ (image via Instagram)
Queer Eye’s fashion guru, Tan France, revealed recently that his family originally refused to watch the ‘make better’ reality series because they thought it was a ‘gay conversion program.’
Speaking on fellow QE cast member Jonathan Van Ness’ Getting Curious podcast, the fashion expert explained the tensions Tan has had with his family since coming out.
His family didn’t approve of homosexuality and refused to attend his wedding 10 years ago. When he shared the happy news of his impending nuptials, his family didn’t even want to know his fiancé’s name.
Coming from a very religious Pakistani-Muslim family – he attended mosque every day from the time he was 4-years-old until he was 15 – Tan says coming out had a huge impact on his life.
“When I came out, I did feel somewhat relieved because I don’t think I’d have the life I would have now,” says the 35-year-old.
The cast of ‘Queer Eye’
It was when Queer Eye was about to air that he informed them, “You’re going to see what my life is.”
But his mother and siblings didn’t initially watch the program thinking it about converting straight men to gay. “They thought I was going around the country and encouraging people to be homosexual,” shared Tan.
But once they began watching they said, “Oh my gosh, it’s so much better than we ever expected. You made us so proud. You’re just who you are”.
Tan now credits the series with helping to improve his relationship with his family. “Every time we Skype now, they ask about [husband] Robin,” says Tan. “For 10 years, they’ve literally never said his name.”
Chalk up one more success story for the ‘Fab 5.’
Season 2 of Queer Eye is now streaming on Netflix.
Car tariffs are shaping up as the next battle in what officials here fear is developing into a full-blown trade war between the U.S. and its closest allies. Trump has already imposed tariffs on European steel and aluminum, and Europe on Friday imposed countertariffs on goods ranging from whisky to motorcycles.
Although auto tariffs would be aimed broadly at imports, with cars from major manufacturing hubs such as Mexico, Canada and Japan all likely to be affected, Trump has singled out German cars as the object of his ire.
Based on the Tariffs and Trade Barriers long placed on the U.S. and it great companies and workers by the European Union, if these Tariffs and Barriers are not soon broken down and removed, we will be placing a 20% Tariff on all of their cars coming into the U.S. Build them here!
Additionally, CBS News reports as many as 195,000 U.S. workers could lose their jobs over the next three years if demand for cars imported into the U.S. slows because of the tariffs.
If other countries retaliate and tax similar products another 624,000 U.S. jobs could be lost.
• A promising HIV vaccine demonstrated its power by neutralizing HIV strains in animals and is almost ready for human testing.
• A cop, charged with rape and indecent assault and battery performed in a broom closet, says the sex was consensual. At the time of the encounter, the officer was married to a woman who happened to be the chief of police.
• S-Curve Records has signed this year’s Eurovision Song Contest champ Netta. The Israeli pop maverick’s viral smash “Toy” has been viewed over 76 million times since the competition.
• 60% of LGBTQ+ student loan borrowers say they regret taking out student loans. On average, LGBTQ borrowers have $112,607 in student loan debt — $16,000 more than the general population average of $96,211.
• The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that law enforcement authorities need a warrant before tracking a cell phone’s location data. In the ruling, SCOTUS likened cell phones to GPS ankle monitors.
• Barbra shared this short clip via Instagram and I had to watch five times. From “Barbra The Concert,” its currently available on Netflix.
Twenty years ago, in the aftermath of the horrific murder of 21-year-old college student Matthew Shepard outside Laramie, Wyoming, The Tectonic Theater Project traveled to the town to conduct interviews with the people of the town.
Those interviews evolved into The Laramie Project, which premiered in 2000 and has become one of the most performed contemporary plays in the world.
On September 24, 2018, the Matthew Shepard Foundation and Tectonic Theater Project will present a benefit reading of The Laramie Project to honor the progress made over the last two decades to erase hate.
As part of the company’s #EraseHate campaign, a stellar collection of stars came together to help create a new music video set to a new original song, “Love Is Love.”
Directed by Sue Kramer, the PSA features Matt Bomer, Billy Porter, Harvey Fierstein, Zachary Quinto, Michael Urie, Mary Louise Parker, Bridget Moynahan, Annaleigh Ashford and Michael Benjamin Washington.
DWTS and ANTM champ Nyle DiMarco covers the latest issue of the UK magazine Gay Times with ‘I love you’ in ASL painted on his body.
The sexually fluid model, actor and activist speaks to the publication about living at the intersection of both his queerness and deafness.
On Instagram, the former Chippendales celeb host shares, “This front cover is very special to me. The Sign Language for “I Love You” 🤟🏽 is painted all over my body. Why? Because love conquers all. Love is powerful.
“And because I LOVE to love. I love who I am. I love people. I love everything in life. We need to spread love everyday ❤️🤟🏽🤟🏽🤟🏽🤟🏽🤟🏽 Thank you @gaytimes”
Out Olympian Adam Rippon bares all for ESPN The Magazine’s annual Body Issue.
According to People.com, 28-year-old credits the coming out process for giving him the courage to do the all-nude photoshoot.
“I couldn’t have done this [shoot] while I was in the closet,” says Rippon. “I think that, with my experience of coming out, I felt so liberated in so many ways.”
After competing in South Korea at this year’s Winter Olympics, then immediately hitting the road for ‘Stars On Ice’ while simultaneously competing (and winning!) the all-athletes edition of Dancing with the Stars, Rippon’s body is in fierce shape.
“I don’t want to say I’ll never be in this shape again, but I’ll never be in this shape. I’ll be in another shape,” he said. “This is a milestone of all the work it took me to get to the point to be an Olympic medal-winning figure skater.”
The Olympic bronze medalist says he’s grown more comfortable with his body and the concept of masculinity over time.
“As I’ve gotten older, I’ve redefined to myself what being masculine is and, to me, being masculine is owning yourself as a man,” he said. “Maybe I’m not typically masculine, but I feel like a strong-ass man when I go out there and compete.”
ESPN Magazine‘s Body Issue hits newsstands on June 29 featuring 16 world-class athletes who bare all for the 10th anniversary edition.
Watch behind-the-scenes footage from Rippon’s photoshoot below.
This might be something of a #FBF that’s looking forward as we finally get a chance to check out Cher’s full duet of ABBA’s “Fernando,” from the Mamma Mia 2 soundtrack.
Singing with actor Andy Garcia (woof!) on the track — the diva does exactly what she was brought in to do and takes the iconic 1980 song to ‘Cher Land.’
This marks the third track to be released in advance of Mamma Mia 2 hitting theaters on July 20.
Previously we’ve gotten a listen to “Waterloo” by Hugh Skinner and Lily James, and “When I Kissed the Teacher” featuring James, Jessica Keenan Wynn, Alexa Davies and Celia Imrie.
The original Mamma Mia flick received mixed reviews from critics, but audiences loved it the musical mashup. The film scored a huge $615 million based on a $52 million budget, and became the 5th highest-grossing film of 2008.
So, get ready for July 20 when Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Christine Baranski, Stellan Skarsgård, Dominic Cooper and Julie Walters all return for the musical antics.
Take a listen to a sample of Cher’s “Fernando” below and then check out the full track on Spotify:
In related Cher news, the Oscar winner recently told James Corden of The Late Late Show about the time she and Meryl Streep went out for ice cream in New York City and ended up saving a woman’s life.
Because, well, they’re Cher and Meryl Streep. Watch below.
ABC officially announced its canceled series Roseanne will continue on this fall as The Conners with a 10-episode straight-to-series order set to premiere this fall on Tuesdays at 8PM, the series’ former timeslot.
“The Conners’ stories demonstrate that families can always find common ground through conversation, laughter and love,” said the statement from ABC. “The spinoff will continue to portray contemporary issues that are as relevant today as they were 30 years ago.”
The press release also included, “Roseanne Barr will have no financial or creative involvement in the new series.”
You may recall Roseanne was canceled in May after Barr posted a racist tweet about former Obama aide Valerie Jarrett.
Shortly after ABC’s announcement this evening, Barr issued her own statement:
“I regret the circumstances that have caused me to be removed from Roseanne. I agreed to the settlement in order that 200 jobs of beloved cast and crew could be saved, and I wish the best for everyone involved.”
The Conners cast, including Sara Gilbert (as Darlene), John Goodman (Dan), Laurie Metcalf (Jackie), Lecy Goranson (Becky) and Michael Fishman (DJ), soon followed up with a joint statement:
“We have received a tremendous amount of support from fans of our show, and it’s clear that these characters not only have a place in our hearts, but in the hearts and homes of our audience.
“We all came back last season because we wanted to tell stories about the challenges facing a working-class family today. We are so happy to have the opportunity to return with the cast and crew to continue to share those stories through love and laughter.”
While the network hasn’t addressed how Roseanne will depart the show, it appear as though her character is being killed off.
From the official synopsis:
“After a sudden turn of events, the Conners are forced to face the daily struggles of life in Lanford in a way they never have before. This iconic family — Dan, Jackie, Darlene, Becky and D.J. — grapples with parenthood, dating, an unexpected pregnancy, financial pressures, aging and in-laws in working-class America. Through it all, the fights, the coupon cutting, the hand-me-downs, the breakdowns – with love, humor and perseverance, the family prevails.”
National Enquirer chief David Pecker (L) Donald Trump (R)
In a late breaking story tonight, The Washington Post is reporting the National Enquirer regularly sent articles and cover images relating to Donald Trump to his then-attorney, Michael Cohen, before publishing the items for approval.
Via The Washington Post:
Although the company strongly denies ever sharing such material before publication, these three individuals say the sharing of material continued after Trump took office.
“Since Trump’s become president and even before, [Pecker] openly just has been willing to turn the magazine and the cover over to the Trump machine,” said one of the people with knowledge of the practice.
During the campaign, “if it was a story specifically about Trump, then it was sent over to Michael, and as long as there were no objections from him, the story could be published,” this person added.
The stories sent for approval were either about Trump or his political foes.
While unusual, the news is an interesting commentary on the special relationship between Trump and David Pecker, chief executive of American Media Inc., the Enquirer’s parent company.
