Author: Randy Slovacek

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50 Years Ago Today…

My mother, Joyce Ann Slovacek
I found out an old friend is coping with a cancer journey today. We began chatting on FB, then moved to actual phone calls. Having done my cancer journey in 2009, I always stop to swap stories from the chemo front lines… It’s just a thing you do when you’ve been there. Along the messages today, I looked up and saw it was October 13. That date…it always sticks in my mind. And then I recall – my mother passed away on October 13, 1969, from cancer. Fifty years ago today. I was 6-years-old at the time. So many amazing women were sent by the universe to raise me. And I’m cognizant of that fact every day. I want to be clear that this isn’t meant as a morose kind of post. Just a memory. The reason why we have photographs. I do have fleeting memories of my mother, way back then…and a couple of photos 🙂 She looks like she’d totally be sassy, amiright?

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Defense Sec Defends ‘Deliberate Withdrawal’ From Syria Ordered By Trump

Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Fox News
During an appearance on Fox News ‘Face The Nation,’ Secretary of Defense Mark Esper told Chris Wallace the United States is  “preparing a deliberate withdrawal” of about 1,000 U.S. troops from northern Syria “as safely and quickly as possible.” The move comes a week after Donald Trump announced the shifting of American troops embedded with Kurdish forces in northern Syria, a move that opened the door for Turkish forces to move against the Syrian Defense Forces (SDF). The SDF has been the United States’ primary allies in the fight against ISIS.

Republicans and Democrats agree only bad will come from this ‘deliberate withdrawal.’ Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), a military veteran, said this on CBS’ Face The Nation:

And Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) agreed with his colleague from across the aisle:

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Twitter Fail: Marco Rubio Crashes, Burns Trying To Troll Elizabeth Warren

L-R Sens. Marco Rubio and Elizabeth Warren
Earlier this week, during the CNN LGBTQ Town Hall, Sen. Elizabeth Warren delivered the viral moment of the evening when she was asked what she would say to someone on the campaign trail who might tell her, as someone who is old-fashioned, their faith teaches them that “marriage is between one man and one woman.” Replied Warren, “Well, I’m going to assume it’s a guy who said that, and I’m gonna say, then just marry one woman. I’m cool with that.” As the crowd roared in approval, the senator added, “Assuming you can find one.”

GOP Sen. Marco Rubio, who never misses a chance to embarrass himself, took to Twitter to troll Warren writing, “Vividly captures the condescension of elites & their incessant ridicule of Americans with traditional values. It elicits glee among celebrities & blue check brigade. But for the millions sick of being disrespected, it elicits support for fighting back, even in a crude or vulgar way.”

“Condescension?” “Ridicule?” Little Marco, try being LGBTQ in America someday if you want to talk ‘ridicule.’ Twitter was not about to let Little Marco, who went from chiding Donald Trump for his micro-dick to being a staunch supporter of the serial sexual assaulter famous for declaring he likes to grab women “by the pussy.”

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SNL Cold Open Tweaks LGBTQ Town Hall

Billy Porter on SNL (screen captures)
Saturday Night Live’s cold open could not resist putting its twist on this week’s LGBTQ Town Hall. Alex Moffat’s Anderson Cooper opened the sketch informing the audience that the town hall would address those issues important to “LGBTQ people and straight girls who make Pride about them.” Newly-minted Emmy Award-winner Billy Porter comes out (playing himself) to introduce the ‘presidential candidates.’ Beginning with Chris Redd’s Cory Booker, Porter said, “He may live in the projects, but ladies, he ain’t no project.”
Chris Redd as Sen. Cory Booker
When Booker is asked about some questionable writing he did about gays in the early 90s: “I don’t want you to think I’m dodging the question, so I’m going to go now.” Porter intros Colin Jost’s Mayor Pete Buttigieg: “Representing House of Booty Gig, it’s Mayor Pete.”
Colin Jost as Mayor Pete Buttigieg
Asked how he’d respond to folks who say he’s not gay in the right way: “There’s no wrong way to be gay – unless you’re Ellen (DeGeneres) this week.” Buttigieg also wondered aloud why he’s not doing better in the polls: “Why am I not winning this? I’m a veteran, I’m under the legal retirement age, and when I talk, it makes sense. Is something wrong with me?” Says Cooper: “You’re a great guy, just, as a friend. Not for president.” Next up, Porter brings the audience to attention saying, “Warning. Warning. The sentencer is here. She’s got a plan for the future. It’s Elizabeth Warren.”
Kate McKinnon as Sen. Elizabeth Warren
Kate McKinnon delivers a spot on Warren on her entrance: “I am so excited to be here. I had some apple slices backstage and they are hitting me like cocaine. You all know I’m not a lesbian but all the ingredients are there.” Obviously, SNL had to touch on the big viral moment of the Town Hall when Warren was asked how she would respond to a ‘traditional marriage’ supporter on the campaign trail who may underscore that they believe marriage is between one man and one woman? McKinnon’s Warren riffs: “I would say, ‘Sir, tell me your bus stop because I want to know where you get off.’ What else, what else? If someone doesn’t want to serve gay people at their small business? I bet that’s not the only thing that’s small. And when people say gay and trans shouldn’t be included in civil rights protections, well…I wish their parents had used protection.”
Lin-Manuel Miranda as Secretary Julian Castro
Lin-Manuel Miranda takes a turn as “the House of Urban Deliciousness,” Julian Castro: “As a Democrat. I want to apologize for not being gay. But I promise to do better in the future.” He adds, “However, I am Latino, which we can all agree is something. I’m young, I’m diverse, I’m LatinObama. So let’s get that hashtag going.”
Woody Harrelson as Vice President Joe Biden
Special guest Woody Harrelson offers his take on former Vice President Joe Biden, as Porter intros, “the Delaware daddy whose only vice is the Choo Choo train.” Biden drops bon mots along the likes of “The vast majority of people in America are not homophobic – they’re just scared of gay people. You know me – I went to bat for marriage equality and I believe we’re all equal whether you’re gay, lesbie, transgenital or queer.” Check out the full segment below.

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Las Vegas – Come Get Your Pride On Today!

Hey Las Vegas! Time to get your Pride on! Michael and I are heading down to take part in the Las Vegas Pride Festival today, so come on down and join in the festivities. This year’s Pride weekend began with the Pride Night Parade on Friday in downtown Las Vegas. It was quite the event with Parade Grand Marshal Lisa Vanderpump, plus Governor Steve Sisolak marched in the parade. This was the first time a sitting Nevada governor has taken part in the Las Vegas Pride Parade. Today’s celebration will feature a unique set of lively events crafted for attendees of all ages. The weekend’s events will include over 100 vendors, assorted food and beverage options, pop up drag shows, special appearances, and live entertainment including Bob the Drag Queen (RuPaul’s Drag Race) and rapper Cazwell. The festival will take place at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center. Click here for more info. This year, Las Vegas PRIDE is PET-FRIENDLY and has combined with Las Vegas PRIDE Pets. For more information about Las Vegas PRIDE Pets, visit the event page. The PRIDE Festival is open to the public today from noon to 1 am on Saturday, October 12th. Please note that the festival will become age-restricted (18+ ) at 8 pm. All youth will be required to exit the festival grounds at that time.

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AG Bill Barr Has A Problem With LGBTQ Inclusion In School Curriculum

Attorney General Bill Barr (image via Flickr/WhiteHouse – public domain)
Attorney General William Barr says he has a problem with the inclusion of consequential LGBTQ figures in public school curriculums that do not allow homophobic parents to opt-out their kids on the basis of religious beliefs. From The Hill:

“Many states are adopting curriculum that is incompatible with traditional Judeo-Christian principles. … They often do this without any opt-out provision for religious families,” Barr said.

He particularly cited laws in New Jersey, California, and Illinois requiring an LGBT curriculum.

“The Orange County Board of Education in California issued an opinion that ‘parents who disagree with the instructional material … may not excuse their children from this instruction,'” he said, lamenting that in some cases parents are not “warned” about the material.

Schools already teach about the heroes of the civil rights movement and the women’s rights movements. What is the harm in teaching kids about the Stonewall uprising? As former Vice President Joe Biden pointed out at the LGBTQ Town Hall this week, almost half of all Americans incorrectly believe that federal law protects LGBTQ people from discrimination. Including some lessons on the struggles and accomplishments of LGBTQ Americans could help solve that issue.

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Michael Henry & Matt Wilkas Explore ‘The Gay Hello’

Matt Wilkas and Michael Henry in ‘The Gay Hello’
When Michael Henry meets his friend ‘Kevin’ (Matt Wilkas of the web series Matt & Dan) during a walk in the park, a ‘cheek kiss’ hello becomes a matter of scrutiny for Henry. The greeting takes Henry aback leading him to ask, “What was that? That kiss. Was that romance?” Kevin explains he greets all of his friends with cheek kisses – including ‘straight Paul.’ “Little kisses are just a friendly way for two men to show they are ok with being seen as gay in public,” adds Kevin. Henry has previously explored issues like ‘pretty privilege’ and masculine/femme aspects of gay life in other videos.

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News Round-Up: October 11, 2019

InstaHunk Dan Tai enjoys a Texas sunset (image via Instagram)
Some news items you might have missed: • InstaHunks: Randy Report favorite Dan Tai (above) is doing a photoshoot with Box Menswear in my native state of Texas – and I’m not there! Dan shares this pic saying no filter was used, it was just the gorgeous Texas sunset (and hottie model). • KIT212: Kenneth rounds up the what’s what in gay magazines across the country. • Outsports: Two-time Olympic champion Kerron Clement came out publicly today at a Nike event celebrating a new rainbow-inspired track and field at Los Angeles City College. He told Outsports, “I was tired of loving in the dark and being in the dark by myself.” • Fox News: With Shep Smith’s departure at the conservative news outlet, Chris Wallace is one of the few journalists there trying to be sane. Check out his response to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich for calling the current impeachment effort against President Trump “unconstitutional:”

• Newsweek: It took much less time for a majority of Americans to signal their support for impeaching Donald Trump than it did Richard Nixon. • NewNowNext: Homosexuality is already punishable by up to seven years in prison in Uganda, and the government is now trying to resurrect its ‘kill the gays’ law instituting the death penalty for anyone engaged in same-sex sexual activity, as well as punishing anyone found advocating for LGBTQ people. • INTO: In an earlier post, I shared my own coming out story. Now check out the ‘Old Gays’ from INTO as they talk on their own coming out. “If I would’ve told anyone I was gay… that would be the end of me.”

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Shepard Smith Announces His Departure From Fox News

Shepard Smith signs off for last time on Fox News (screen capture)
After more than 23 years with Fox News, chief news anchor Shepard Smith closed his telecast today with the news it would be his last at Fox. Saying he was “eternally grateful” to Fox News for the opportunities it has afforded him, he told his audience, “This is my last newscast here.” “Recently I asked the company to allow me to leave Fox News and begin a new chapter,” Smith said. “After requesting that I stay, they graciously obliged.” “The opportunities afforded this guy from small-town Mississippi have been many,” he continued. “It’s been an honor and a privilege to report the news each day to our loyal audience in context and with perspective, without fear or favor.” “I’ve worked with the most talented, dedicated and focused professionals I know and I’m proud to have anchored their work each day — I will deeply miss them.” Smith seemed to reference tensions between the opinion and news divisions at Fox News commenting that the news division has always “endeavored to deliver” the news “while speaking truth to power, without fear or favor, in context, and with perspective.” In a nod to journalists, he said in closing, “Even in our current polarized nation, it is my hope that the facts will win the day, that the truth will always matter, that journalism and journalists will thrive.” Smith, who is openly gay, has been one of the few vocal critics of Donald Trump at the conservative cable news outlet. Several on social media note that Smith’s departure comes just two days after Attorney General William Barr held a private meeting with Fox chairman Rupert Murdoch, according to a New York Times report.