Author: Randy Slovacek

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InstaHunk Round-Up: Weekend Edition

Rodiney Santiago got his selfie on at the beach

Instahunk Ródiney Santiago got his selfie on at the beach
Instahunk Ródiney Santiago (via Instagram)
Checking in with some of our favorite Hunks of Insta this weekend. First up, Instahunk Ródiney Santiago (above) got his selfie on at the beach. The latest Instinct Hottie Basit Eniafe took on his Drag Race UK pit crew duties:  

 

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Joel Green dropped wise words while flexing – “Don’t be afraid to give up the good to look for the excellent.”

 

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The Rock shows he’s still a beast in the gym:

 

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Chicago Realtor Greg Bloomer shows he knows how to strike a pose:

 

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Social media model Bolu Okupe, the son of a former Nigerian presidential advisor, came out via an Instagram photo: “Yes I’m Gay AF.”

Dato Foland simply ‘was’ and it was more than enough:

 

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Professional wrestler Anthony Bowens had to work:

 

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TRR favorite Matt Zarley was in the studio for a Sunday Showtune:

 

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Dan Tai got his workout on with run:

 

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Rep. Cawthorn Had Nothing When Asked For ‘Concrete Evidence’ Of Voter Fraud

CNN anchor Pamela Brown and Rep. Madison Cawthorn

CNN anchor Pamela Brown and Rep. Madison Cawthorn
CNN anchor Pamela Brown and Rep. Madison Cawthorn (screen capture)
Hours after riling up Trump supporters at the now-infamous January 6 rally that led to the violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, freshman Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-NC) joined fellow House Republicans in contesting election results during the certification of the Electoral College. Cawthorn was a bit flummoxed during an appearance on CNN last night when he tried to explain his rationale for questioning the results. “The things that I was not objecting to the election on behalf of was things like Dominion voting machines changing ballots, or these U-Haul trucks pulling up filled with ballots for Joe Biden as president,” said Cawthorn. “The thing I was objecting for is things like, like I said in the state of Wisconsin, particularly in the town of Madison … there was an appointed official in that town who actually went against the will of the state legislature and created ballot drop boxes, which is basically ballot harvesting that was happening in the parks.” CNN anchor Pamela Brown pointed out that the Wisconsin issue Cawthorn brought up had been litigated in court and rejected by Trump-appointed judges. And that’s where Cawthorn found himself tossing word salads right and left. “Indeed, I believe specifically, and this is the one that I debated on behalf of on the House floor, in Wisconsin that was never heard because they dismissed it because of standing,” he added. “Now I don’t believe that is a concrete enough of a way to dismiss it.” Well, you have to have standing in order to bring a legal argument to court. That’s pretty much established…

Brown followed up asking Cawthorn for examples of ‘concrete evidence’ he’d seen of voter fraud. The 25-year-old found himself unable to cite any evidence that led him to believe there was widespread fraud. “Like I said, that’s not the reason I contested the election,” he told Brown. “So you wanted to throw out millions of votes without actually seeing any concrete evidence of fraud?” Brown asked. “Cause that’s what you were doing when you were contesting the election.” Pause, pause, pause… “I disagree with you on that point,” and again asserted his only goal had been to “hold up the Constitution.” Brown then shifted to Cawthorn’s own state of North Carolina which had also amended election laws due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But for some reason he appeared to be unaware that his own state legislators had done the same thing Wisconsin elected official had done. “I’m actually not aware of the laws that were changed inside of North Carolina,” Cawthorn replied. “I believe we had a very safe and very secure election here.” In Texas we have a saying, “All hat, no cattle.” You can watch the full exchange above or a few clips below.

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News Round-Up: January 23, 2021

Backstage at CHICAGO with Broadway legend Chita Rivera who turns 88 today
Some news items you might have missed: • Happy Birthday: Sending the biggest birthday wishes to Broadway legend Chita Rivera (above) who turns 88 years young today. I was thrilled to work with the singular sensation during one of my many chapters with CHICAGO the Musical. #HappyBirthdayToYouuuuuuuuuuuuu • BosGuy: It’s Furry Friday every week on the veteran LGBTQ blogger’s site and we’re always so much the better for it. Hit the link 🙂 • Instinct Magazine: President Biden’s new Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin III, announced during his confirmation hearing that he is definitely in favor of Biden’s plan to reverse the woeful ban on transgender military service members. “I support the president’s plan to overturn the ban.”
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (screen capture)
• The Advocate: President Biden’s nominee for secretary of State, Antony Blinken, says he will appoint an envoy for LGBTQ+ rights and allow U.S. embassies around the world display the LGBTQ+ Pride flag without restrictions. • Washington Post: Federal law enforcement officials are privately debating whether they should decline to charge some of the individuals who stormed the U.S. Capitol out of concern that hundreds of such cases could swamp the courts. Some federal officials have argued internally that those people who are known only to have committed unlawful entry — and were not engaged in violent, threatening or destructive behavior — should not be charged. • Edge Media: Watch this mom take credit for her OnlyFans star son’s ‘biggest asset.’ “Of course I’m proud. I’m your #1 fan. I’m always upbeat, you know that. I made that dick, I want a percentage.”

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New LGBTQ Series ‘It’s A Sin’ Debuts To Rave Reviews

Promo photo for the new 5-part drama series 'It's A Sin'

The new 5-part drama series 'It's A Sin' debuts to rave reviews from the LGBTQ community The new 5-part drama series ‘It’s A Sin’ debuted last night on Channel 4 in the UK and the reaction from the LGBTQ community is overwhelmingly positive. The series – from Queer As Folk creator Russell T. Davies – chronicles the journey of four friends in London during a decade in which everything changed, including the rise of AIDS. Via Metro:

In episode one, Ritchie (Olly Alexander) moves to London to study law, during which time he embarks on sexual relationships with several individuals, including Ash (Nathaniel Curtis) and Roscoe (Omari Douglas).

But while there is plenty of fun, levity and hilarity in the story, this is juxtaposed with moments of tragedy, as Neil Patrick Harris’ character Henry, a mentor to Colin (Callum Scott Howells), is depicted dying of AIDs in hospital.

Russell, who also created Queer of Folk and was responsible for the 2005 revival of Doctor Who, has been lauded for his ‘astonishing writing’, with one person saying that in their opinion, he is ‘one of our finest TV writers.’

‘It’s A Sin’ debuts in the US February 18 on HBO Max. Check out the first look clip below.

The reaction on the Twitterverse was off the charts

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Seeing The Sights Of Sydney, Australia

A brief video celebrating the men of Australia

A brief video seeing the sights of Sydney, Australia I was reminded of this travelogue video I shot 9 years ago seeing the sights during my first visit to Australia. I start out trying my best to inform folks about the ins and outs of Sydney as I really enjoyed the scenery and ‘local flavor’ of the city. But, things go a bit awry along the way 😉 You’ll see what I mean. Hit the play button below. In addition to time spent in Sydney, Michael and I got to spend some time at Olivia Newton-John’s gorgeous Gaia Retreat & Spa near Australia’s Gold Coast.

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New Music: Olivia Newton-John & Chloe Lattanzi ‘Window In The Wall’

Window in the Wall is the new single from four-time Grammy Award winner Olivia Newton-John
Chloe Lattanzi & Olivia Newton-John (photo: Michelle Day)
Four-time Grammy Award winner and international pop star Dame Olivia Newton-John released her latest single and music video, “Window in the Wall,” today. The track, a duet with her daughter, Chloe Lattanzi, is an uplifting piano-driven ballad. The optimistic lyrics address the distance and divides felt by many in these turbulent times:

Looking for a window in the wall / Maybe we can see the other side And find we’re not so different after all  / Looking for a window in the wall

The new ballad opens with Lattanzi’s pensive, sensitive vocals. She’s quickly joined by Newton-John whose rich artistry underscores (again) her rightful place in the pantheon of great pop singers. Check out the music video below. https://youtu.be/VmW-wumdBV4?si=og6SYRUwxvd4xc09 Produced by six-time Grammy Award-winner Dave Cobb, “Window in the Wall” is a breath of fresh air in these stormy, unsettled times. The music video clearly resonated with fans as it quickly hit #1 on the iTunes Music Video chart and stayed at the top spot for hours. You can follow Dame Olivia Newton-John on Facebook here, and follow Chloe Lattanzi on Instagram here. “Window in the Wall” is available now on Amazon and other digital download sites. This marks the second musical collaboration for the mother/daughter duo. In 2015, the two singers hit number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Club chart with “You Have To Believe,” their reworking of Newton-John’s 1980 single “Magic” from the soundtrack to the film Xanadu. At the time, I interviewed Chloe about the collaboration and the achievement. Hit the play button below to hear our chat.

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Lloyd Austin Confirmed As 1st African American Defense Secretary

General Lloyd Austin

General Lloyd Austin
Retired 4-star General Lloyd Austin (image – public domain)
Retired four-star Army General Lloyd J. Austin III became the first Black defense secretary in the history of the nation following an overwhelming confirmation vote of 93 to 2 in the Senate. Austin was sworn in as Defense Secretary shortly after the Senate approved his nomination. Congress had to first grant him a waiver from a law restricting those who are retired from military service fewer than seven years from leading the Pentagon. From the New York Times:

Mr. Austin, 67, was the only African-American to have led the United States Central Command, the military’s marquee combat command, with responsibility for Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen and Syria.

His most immediate agenda will include issues that have vexed administrations for a generation, and some newly on the rise. It includes an increasingly muscular China, an aggressive Russia, the protracted conflict in Afghanistan and a vague and looming threat of Iran made evident at the end of the Trump administration.

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News Round-Up: January 22, 2021

Haaz Sleiman and Michael Cassidy in 'Breaking Fast'

Haaz Sleiman and Michael Cassidy in 'Breaking Fast'
Haaz Sleiman and Michael Cassidy in ‘Breaking Fast’
Some news items you might have missed: • Pink News: First lady Dr Jill Biden is visiting an LGBTQ health center and HIV/AIDS clinic on her third day in the White House “to highlight and promote support services for cancer patients and caregivers, and hear about the impact of COVID on access to health care, including cancer screenings and prevention efforts.” • Queer Cinema: The gay-themed romantic comedy Breaking Fast, starring Haaz Sleiman and Michael Cassidy (lead image), gets released today on VOD and digital outlets. The acclaimed film offers rare visibility for gay Muslims. Set against the twinkling lights of West Hollywood, Breaking Fast is a romantic comedy that follows Mo, a practicing Muslim still reeling from heartbreak. When an All­-American guy named Kal offers to join him in his nightly Iftars­­ –the traditional meal eaten by Muslims during Ramadan­­– meal after meal, the two start to discover they have more in common than meets the eye.

• Boston Herald: Mark Sahady, 46, of Malden, and Suzanne Ianni, 59, – organizer’s of Boston’s so-called ‘Straight Pride’ event – were arrested for taking part in the violent invasion of the U.S. Capitol building on January 6. Because of course. • Kenneth-in-the-212: Check out Kenneth’s weekly round-up of the what’s what in LGBTQ publications like Michigan’s BTL featuring Brian Michael Smith (below). Transman Brian Michael Smith covers Michigan's BTL • The Nation: Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-NC) has misled the public about training for the Paralympics, just as he misrepresented his education and business history. After saying he “had an opportunity” for the Paralympics with hopes of breaking the 100-meter dash, journalists took a deep dive and couldn’t find any evidence he’d ever competed anywhere. • Instinct Magazine: YouTube star Jojo Siwa (Dance Moms, Nickelodeon) came out via a photo on Twitter.

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Once-A-Month Injection Approved For HIV

The FDA has approved Cabenuva, a once-a-month injection to control HIV infection
(image via Depositphotos)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a long-acting once a month injection that can replace the daily pills now used to control HIV infection.

This is the first FDA-approved injectable, complete regimen for HIV-infected adults that is administered once a month.

Medical researchers expect the two-shot combo called Cabenuva will make it easier for HIV+ people to stay on schedule with their HIV medications.

Cabenuva consists of two drugs packaged together – rilpivirine and cabotegravir – but given as separate shots once a month. Cabenuva is administered as two intramuscular injections in the buttocks by a healthcare professional.

The drug makers are also testing the effectiveness of taking the injection every 8 weeks. The FDA approved Cabenuva for use in adults who have had their disease well controlled by conventional HIV medicines and who have not exhibited signs of viral resistance to the two drugs in Cabenuva. The FDA also approved Vocabria (a tablet form of cabotegravir), which should be taken in combination with oral rilpivirine for one month prior to starting treatment with Cabenuva to ensure the medications are well-tolerated before switching to the extended-release injectable formulation.

Dr. Steven Deeks, an HIV specialist at the University of California, told ABC News that a once-a-month treatment “will enhance quality of life” for those on HIV medications. “People don’t want those daily reminders that they’re HIV infected.”

Deeks also believes a monthly dose may be easier for some who have a difficult time staying on a daily schedule like those with mental illness or substance abuse issues.

In addition to treating those living with HIV, ViiV Healthcare (the maker of cabotegravir) hopes to make their drug available as PrEP for HIV prevention.

Two studies have shown an injection of cabotegravir every two months was more effective than taking Truvada on a daily basis.