(image via Depositphotos) Some news items you might have missed: • Right Wing Watch: Religious anti-gay loon Scott Lively told his radio audience that God removed Donald Trump from the White House because he was too pro-gay. #srsly • NewNowNext: Montana’s House of Representatives has voted in favor of two vehemently anti-transgender bills. The first is House Bill 112, which would bar trans student athletes from playing on sports teams that correspond with their gender identity. The second is House Bill 113, which would block medical professionals from providing potentially life-saving gender-affirming health care to trans or nonbinary youth. • The Frontier: Last April, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt ordered $2 million worth of hydroxychloroquine based, in part, on Donald Trump’s promotion of the malaria drug for use against the coronavirus. Now, the state is trying to unload nearly the entire shipment.
• Instinct Magazine: Nearly two months after coming out as a transgender male, Elliot Page and wife Emma Portner have filed for divorce. • NBC News: A gay New York City couple say they were harassed and asked to leave a restaurant this month because of their sexuality. Because the incident happened in New York, the men may have legal recourse, but in nearly half the states, they would not. • New York Times: Grindr has been fined 100 million Norwegian kroner, or about $11.7 million, for illegally disclosing private details about its users to advertising companies.
Norway’s Data Protection Authority said it plans to fine dating app Grindr $11.7 million for what the regulator said was illegal disclosure of user data to advertising firms https://t.co/QD5YYjOTJJ
• Justice Department: The Wisconsin pharmacist who intentionally intended to render hundreds of doses of the Moderna coronavirus vaccine ineffective pleaded guilty to two charges filed today in federal court. Steven R. Brandenburg, an admitted skeptic of vaccines in general, now faces up to 10 years for each charge against him. • Reuters: The good news – By a vote of 55-45 the U.S. Senate on Tuesday rejected a Republican effort to stop former President Donald Trump’s upcoming impeachment trial on a charge that he incited the deadly Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol. The bad news – Democrats need more than 5 GOP Senators to vote to convict Trump.
National Guard members laying down in parking garage (image via Twitter)Politico is reporting the deployment for the entire D.C. National Guard has been extended until March 31. With the second impeachment trial of Donald Trump scheduled to begin soon, officials worry about possible civil disturbances in the nation’s capital over the next several weeks.
The memo, signed by D.C. National Guard chief Maj. Gen. William Walker and dated Jan. 25, orders troops to remain on duty at least through the end of March “in continued support of District and Federal civil authorities during anticipated First Amendment demonstrations and Civil Disturbance in the District of Columbia.”
The new orders suggest that law enforcement agencies in the nation’s capital are preparing for potential unrest in the coming days and weeks, as former President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial kicks off and his supporters issue threats to lawmakers.
In addition to the D.C. Guard, troops from Maryland have been ordered to remain on duty through at least March 15. The National Guard Bureau initially said the orders will become voluntary after 31 days, but Guard sources said Tuesday that was not the case.
Sadly, the coronavirus pandemic is wrecking havoc with the D.C. National Guard troops as hundreds have tested positive for the virus or are currently quarantining due to exposure. Many of the troops, who have had to sleep on the floor of the Capitol building or an underground parking lot, say the deployment is becoming its own super-spreader event.
Scoop: The DC National Guard is having its deployment extended until March 31 in anticipation of “civil disturbance” throughout the nation’s capital, according to a memo we obtained. Comes as Guard units are seeing Covid positivity rates of 10-15%. https://t.co/SezAbQtJeS
Our troops deserve the utmost honor & respect for securing the Capitol & defending democracy this week.
This is unconscionable & unsafe. Whoever’s decision this was to house our National Guardsmen & women in underground parking lots must be held accountable. pic.twitter.com/mBwpoog6YC — Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) January 22, 2021
Saverio Pescucci’s search for a room to rent in New York City went viral after he attached a few photos to his search ad.
A professional dancer by trade, Pescucci posted his search in the 284,800-member Gypsy Housing group on Facebook.
Describing himself as “super chill, friendly, gay, [and] Covid responsible,” Pescucci included the photos so people could put a face to the ad.
“I saw a lot of people … were posting pictures of themselves, like selfies and casual photos, to show that they’re not sociopaths or what kind of lifestyle they have,” the 29-year-old told the New York Post. “I did the same [but] I was not imagining that it would turn into an episode of ‘The Bachelor.’ “
Pescucci says the pics were a general assortment of vacation selfies and photos of him dancing.
To his surprise, the ad went viral garnering over 600 Likes and 400+ responses.
It’s pretty easy to see why the native of Tuscany, Italy, got such a reaction.
One woman commented on Pescucci’s ad writing, “[The] hot ones are never straight.” Another couldn’t resist chiming in with “You’re cute … that’s all I have to offer you. A compliment.” Gay men were a bit more to the point (as gay men can be don’t you know…) “You won’t be paying rent for too long once you get here … [you’re] f–king hot.” “I don’t have a room but I am single,” wrote Hassan Salazar, a drag performer who resides in Queens. Getting straight to the point, Salazar just put it all out there saying, “I’m just here to snatch myself a good man. He can have my apartment lol.” Salazar told The Post that he liked that Pescucci is a dancer, and his eyebrows – he really liked his eyebrows. “I’m going to consider my marriage proposal as pending,” added Salazar.
Pescucci told The Post that he didn’t intend for the ad to be “a thirst trap.” And while he wasn’t “uncomfortable” with the comments, he admits to being “really overwhelmed” by the responses. He tried to respond to the comments individually but finally gave up by addressing everyone on the post. “Omg, just waking up and what is happening on this post!?!??,” he wrote. “I just wanted a room!!!!” He also thanked his new admirers “for all the sweet and kind words” and promised to read all of the comments as soon as he gets a chance. Originally trained at Milan’s prestigious La Scala ballet academy, Saverio Pescucci has danced around the world with elite companies like the Dance Theatre of Harlem and the Finnish National Ballet. In 2017, he made his Broadway debut in The Phantom of the Opera. Unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he’s hung up his dance shoes for a while and will begin a new gig working at an Italian food distributor. And yes – the housing search was successful. Our furry hero did find a room to rent.
Jake Angeli took part in the Capitol invasion (screen capture) After receiving over 100,000 photo and video tips, the FBI has opened about 200 case files in tracking down and arresting the perpetrators of the January 6 invasion of the U.S. Capitol building. The Soufan Center has been tracking the arrests to determine how far the insurrectionists traveled for the incident. From Statista:
Up to January 22, arrests had been made in 35 out of 50 states with one person apprehended as far away as Hawaii. That individual was Nick Ochs who describes himself as “a Proud Boy Elder from Hawaii” who was arrested at Honolulu Airport upon his return from Washington.
So far, Texas has the highest arrest count out of all U.S. states with 14 apprehensions with New York and Florida following with 11 and 10, respectively.
In this week’s podcast: • President Joe Biden goes to work on LGBTQ issues on Day One including reversing the transgender military ban, expanding workplace protections and more • Pete Buttigieg introduced his husband Chasten at his Senate confirmation hearing for Transportation Secretary • Dr. Rachel Levine could become the highest ranking transgender official in the U.S. government • The FDA approved a new once-a-month injectable HIV medication • The new queer mini-series ‘It’s A Sin’ premieres to rave reviews • Out singer/songwriter Kisos releases his gorgeous new music video ‘He Didn’t Want Me’ All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report As mentioned in the episode, you can email me your suggestions at randyslovacek (at) gmail.com
Matthew Camp (image via Instagram) Some news items you might have missed: • NewNowNext: Porn star Matthew Camp speaks out about the recent early morning arson attack that destroyed his home. “I don’t have any enemies that I know of,” Camp says gently. “But I’m a gay sex worker who bought a house that used to be owned by a Satanist. I don’t know who did it, but it’s not hard to guess why they would.” • The Advocate: A group of eight U.S. Catholic Bishops released a statement in support of LGBTQ+ people, saying that, “God created you, God loves you and God is on your side.” A ninth Bishop later signed on as well. • Out Music: Openly gay artist J.R. Price has released a duet featuring his childhood hero, out singer/songwriter Tom Goss titled “Dance with Me”, a bluesy love song about the power dance has to bring a couple together before the world breaks them apart.
“The song chronicles that moment when a couple is fighting, and it doesn’t even make sense for them to stay together a second longer, but with a simple dance, they realize they can’t part because the attachment is too powerful,” explains Price. The track is available now.
• Gothamist: The co-owner of a pub who refused to follow COVID-19 health restrictions has avoided a felony charge of second degree assault on an officer. On December 6, 2020, he drove into a sheriff’s deputy who tried to detain him breaking both the officer’s legs. • NBC News: The Kissimmee Police Department says it verified 30 screenshots of Facebook posts made by Officer Andrew Johnson in support of the Capitol riots, and disparaging the Black Lives Matter movement. And then the department fired him. • CNBC: Funny how ashamed these folks are after getting arrested. Garrett Miller (above) has been charged with invading the Capitol on January 6 and calling for the assassination of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. He’s very sorry now and he adds he was just following then-President Donald Trump’s orders.
“I was in Washington, D.C. on January 6, 2021, because I believed I was following the instructions of former President Trump and he was my president and the commander-in-chief. His statements also had me believing the election was stolen from him.” https://t.co/SgnrB2JWf7
Brandon Straka (via website) Homocon Brandon Straka arrested for taking part in the violent invasion of the U.S. Capitol on January 6. From The Daily Beast:
Brandon Straka, 43, has been charged with several crimes, including impeding a law enforcement officer during civil disorder and engaging in disorderly conduct with the intent to disturb a hearing before Congress, for his role in the Jan. 6 siege.
The ex-New York City hairstylist and self-described “former liberal” is best known for starting the “WalkAway Campaign,” which urged liberal voters to leave the Democratic Party. Earlier this month, Straka announced Facebook had removed the campaign’s page, which had over half a million followers.
Straka apparently made it very easy to gather evidence about his participation in the Capitol attack. Like many of his wacky, violent pals he tweeted videos and statements throughout the incident documenting his involvement. He also made headlines last June when he refused to wear a face mask on an American Airlines flight. He was eventually removed from the plane and banned from any future flights on American. I recently reported on another gay Trump supporter, Kristopher Dreww, who also fears being arrested for taking part in the attack on the Capitol.
Feds quote quite a bit from Straka’s tweets — “Also- be embarrassed & hide if you need to- but I was there. It was not Antifa at the Capitol” — and say there’s video of him urging crowd to take a Capitol police officer’s shield pic.twitter.com/dSVoya13OT
Rudy Giuliani at Trump press conference (screen capture) From the New York Times:
Dominion Voting Systems filed a defamation lawsuit on Monday against Rudolph W. Giuliani, the lawyer for Donald J. Trump and former mayor of New York City who played a key role in the former president’s months long effort to subvert the 2020 election.
The 107-page lawsuit, filed in the Federal District Court in Washington, accuses Mr. Giuliani of carrying out “a viral disinformation campaign about Dominion” made up of “demonstrably false” allegations, in part to enrich himself through legal fees and his podcast.
The suit seeks damages of more than $1.3 billion and is based on more than 50 statements Mr. Giuliani made at legislative hearings, on Twitter, on his podcast and in the conservative news media, where he spun a fictitious narrative of a plot by one of the biggest voting machine manufacturers in the country to flip votes to President Biden.
Giuliani told the Times he’s not intimidated and is considering his own counter-suit. The former New York City mayor has received a lot of pushback to his efforts to overturn the election results. The chairman of the New York State Senate’s judiciary committee formally requested that the state court system revoke Giuliani’s law license. By the end of Trump’s time in office, even the Donald had turned on Giuliani as reports indicate he instructed aides to not to pay Giuliani’s $20K-a-day legal fees. Earlier this month, Dominion filed a similar lawsuit against Giuliani’s colleague on Trump’s conspiracy pushing legal team, Sidney Powell.
Dominion Voting Systems has sued former President Donald Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani seeking more than $1.3 billion in damages for defamation after he pushed a disinformation campaign about 2020 election fraud https://t.co/uJwToIEjHA
Dominion Voting Systems is suing Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani, seeking $1.3 billion for defamation over his claims of voter fraud.
The voting machine company says its employees have faced death threats and harassment. Reminder: There was no evidence of fraud in the election. pic.twitter.com/V5tWrOV2Uc
Donald Trump (photo: Gage Skidmore/Flickr – CC License) According to a new report, Jeffrey Clark, the acting head of the civil division at the end of the Trump administration, supported Donald Trump’s plans of undermining the 2020 presidential election and using the Department of Justice to pressure Georgia officials to change the state’s election results. From the New York Times:
The department’s senior leaders were shocked when Mr. Clark’s machinations came to light. They have spent recent weeks debating how he came to betray Mr. Rosen, his biggest champion at the department, and what blend of ambition and conviction led him to reject the results of the election and embrace Mr. Trump’s claims, despite all evidence to the contrary, including inside the department itself.
The plot devised by Mr. Clark and Mr. Trump would have ousted Mr. Rosen and used the Justice Department to pressure lawmakers in Georgia to overturn the state’s election results. But Mr. Trump ultimately decided against firing Mr. Rosen after top department leaders pledged to resign en masse.
Senior Justice department officials, including Rosen, former Attorney General William Barr and former acting Solicitor General Jeffrey Wall repeatedly refused to file a case with the Supreme Court case since there was no evidence of widespread voter fraud. The Times goes on to quote colleagues of Clark who were stunned to find out about the plan. “The story kind of shocked me because this is not the Jeff that I know,” said Theodore H. Frank, a friend and former co-worker. A Justice Department watchdog is now apparently investigating the matter. Read the full report at the New York Times.
Jeffrey Clark Was Considered Unassuming. Then He Plotted With Trump. – The New York Times https://t.co/9AD6aHpQg1
Justice Dept IG Michael Horowitz announces probe into whether DOJ officials sought to alter election results, amid claims former civil division chief Jeffrey Clark conspired with Trump to subvert Biden’s win.
A Justice Dept. watchdog (Horowitz) has opened an investigation into whether any current or former officials tried improperly to wield the powers of the department to undo the results of the presidential election.
UPDATE: President Joe Biden has signed an executive order repealing Donald Trump’s ban on transgender Americans serving in the U.S. military.
“President Biden believes that gender identity should not be a bar to military service, and that America’s strength is found in its diversity,” read a statement from the White House.
“Allowing all qualified Americans to serve their country in uniform is better for the military and better for the country because an inclusive force is a more effective force,”
“Simply put, it’s the right thing to do and is in our national interest.”
In addition to reversing Trump’s ban on transgender service members, Biden’s executive order requires corrections to the record of any soldier affected by the ban. A Gallup poll conducted in June 2019 showed 71% of Americans support allowing transgender Americans to openly serve in the military.
Today, I repealed the discriminatory ban on transgender people serving in the military. It’s simple: America is safer when everyone qualified to serve can do so openly and with pride.
President Biden fulfilled another crucial pledge, repealing the transgender military ban to ensure everyone who’s qualified to serve in the military can do so openly and free from discrimination. pic.twitter.com/b24PHI9OII
— National Center for Transgender Equality (@TransEquality) January 25, 2021
CBS News reports that the Biden administration is expected to repeal the ban on transgender military servicemembers as soon as Monday.
The senior Defense official told CBS News the repeal will be through executive order signed by President Joe Biden.
The announcement is expected to take place at a ceremony with newly-confirmed Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who will order the Pentagon to go back to the policy enacted in 2016 by former Defense Secretary Ash Carter that allowed transgender Americans to serve openly.
Biden mentioned his plan to reverse the trans ban often on the campaign trail. “I truly believe, Senator, that as I said in my opening statement, that if you’re fit and you’re qualified to serve and you can maintain the standards, you should be allowed to serve,” Secretary Austin said during his Senate confirmation hearing. “And, you can expect that I will support that throughout.” Donald Trump instituted the transgender military ban in July 2017 as part of a deal with a group of House Republicans. The GOPers threatened to block funding of Trump’s Mexico wall if he didn’t prohibit the U.S. military from paying for or supplying healthcare for trans service members. Trump took the request further and banned any new transgender applicants from serving. Over 20 retired generals and admirals denounced the policy saying the ban was “a troubling move backward.”
Biden expected to repeal Trump’s transgender military ban as soon as Monday. https://t.co/C1FnWSD6kh
Ending the trans military ban is huge for trans service-members & veterans, but also for everyone who wants a future free of discrimination. We are proud to have worked on this with the Biden team and so many tireless trans advocates. https://t.co/07e3oMrMbg
— National Center for Transgender Equality (@TransEquality) January 24, 2021
