Chuck Norris models ‘Action Pants’ Some news items you might have missed: • BrandedInThe80s: I have no idea what “action pants” are. The above image is apparently photoshopped, but Chuck Norris did reportedly front a line of stretch jeans back in the 80s. • Kenneth-in-the-212: Hit the link to check out Kenneth’s weekly round-up of the what’s what in LGBTQ publications like the latest issue of DNA Magazine featuring cover guy Airon Mallars. Airon Mallars covers DNA Magazine (photo: Antony Kozz) • Edge Media: A new poll from Gallup shows that 66 percent of people favor allowing openly transgender people to serve in the military. However, 62 percent of Americans say trans athletes should only be allowed to play on sports teams that correspond with the sex they were assigned at birth. • The Advocate: Internet sensation and renaissance man Leslie Jordan made his debut at the Grand Ole Opry last weekend sporting a custom-made electric blue suit with fringe and hand embroidery. The appearance was in support of his gospel album Company’s Comin’. Said Jordan, “I grew up in the shadow of the Grand Ole Opry. So you know, it’s like a mecca to me. To be invited and to get to do three songs, it’s a big deal.”
• OUT: In a video clip that went viral, a 13-year-old trans teen was viciously attacked in the hallway of her middle school in South Florida by a bully. Equally disturbing, other students circled around the teen laughing and kicking at her while she struggled to stand up. The school and police say they are investigating, but a week later no disciplinary action has been announced. • JoeMyGod: The last on-air liberal has left Fox News as former DNC chair Donna Brazile and Juan Williams of “The Five” have both departed the right-leaning network. The New York Timesreports that “Fox News has adapted to the post-Trump era by moving in a single direction: Trumpward.” • Pink News: A furious ‘Karen’ demanded to speak to the manager of the entire airport and got the response she deserves. The woman went from “I’m a women in a dress” to “You F’off” in a nano second.
Notice how she went from “helpless victim” to straight up about to charge at a guy in 0 seconds flat
Because I noticed that, those tears dried up pretty quick when the facts came out — classic fresca (@ClassicFresca) May 26, 2021
I don’t know how Republican Senators can say they ‘back the blue’ when they vote against a commission that would investigate the January 6 invasion of the U.S. Capitol building that resulted in one police officer dead and 100+ injured. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has called the idea of an investigative commission “extraneous.” From the New York Times:
Republicans on Friday blocked the creation of an independent commission to investigate the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, using their filibuster power in the Senate for the first time this year to doom a full accounting for the deadliest attack on Congress in centuries.
With the vast majority of Republicans determined to shield their party from potential political damage that could come from scrutiny of the storming of the Capitol by a pro-Trump mob, only six G.O.P. senators joined Democrats to support advancing the measure. The final vote, 54 to 35, fell short of the 60 senators needed to move forward.
Modeled after the inquiry into the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the proposed panel of experts would have been responsible for producing a report on the assault and recommendations to secure Congress by the end of the year.
Eleven senators, almost all Republicans, skipped the vote to head out of town for the holiday weekend.
Eleven senators were absent for the procedural vote. All Democrats present voted yes and six Republicans joined them:
Before the Senate vote, Gladys Sicknick, the mother of fallen Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, said that not investigating the January 6 attack would be “a slap in the faces of all the officers who did their jobs that day.”
The January 6 attack on the Capitol was a truly painful day. Why is Mitch McConnell blocking a bipartisan commission to investigate what happened? The brave law enforcement officers who defended us and the Capitol deserve so much better.
— Senator Cortez Masto (@SenCortezMasto) May 28, 2021
*15 weeks later*
Mitch McConnell would rather bury the truth than take responsibility for enabling Trump as he fomented the insurrection. pic.twitter.com/oKaCKtUnv1
Dave Bautista and friends (via Instagram) Some news items you might have missed: • Yahoo News: 52-year-old Guardians of the Galaxy star Dave Bautista (center above) was asked about a shirtless, speedo-clad photo he took while down under in Australia. “I guess, when in Australia!” the retired wrestler joked on during an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show. • Outsports: The LGBTQ sports site has compiled a list of all of the 2021 Pride Nights taking place throughout Major League Baseball. Currently, 17 teams have scheduled a Pride Night on their 2021 calendars. • Axios: New studies indicate those who’ve recovered from COVID-19 and got vaccinated won’t need boosters, per the New York Times. However, those who weren’t infected but were vaccinated will likely need boosters. Check out the graphic below tracking the increase/decrease of COVID-19 cases over the past year. (graphic via Axios) • ABC News: Joseph Costello, a high school freshman, will have his college education paid for thanks to getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Joseph, of Englewood, Ohio, was announced Wednesday as the winner of a full-ride, four-year scholarship – with room, board, tuition and books – in Ohio’s Vax-a-Million lottery. Additionally, an Ohio couple won the first weekly million-dollar prize in a separate drawing. • Variety: Oscar winner Vanessa Redgrave is now distancing herself from the proposed Italian film, “The Man Who Drew God,” which has been announced as Kevin Spacey’s return to acting. The actress was reportedly attached to the project which is expected to be directed by her husband of 15 years, Franco Nero. • HuffPost: Lil Nas X says he’ll “never trust pants again” after his SNL wardrobe malfunction. The Grammy winner set the record straight about splitting his pants on “Saturday Night Live” over the weekend, assuring fans the wardrobe malfunction was not a publicity stunt.
“I was pretty much going down, doing my little sexy dropdown, and boom, I feel air!” From a pants rip to dancers with COVID, @LilNasX breaks down the many obstacles he ran into during his @NBCSNL performance. #FallonTonightpic.twitter.com/GsjoFYEg4b
Look, I get that some folks don’t want to get a coronavirus shot. So, don’t. But Virginia C. Brown, 36, has been arrested after driving through a vaccination site at a high rate of speed narrowly missing 7 workers. From WSMV in Nashville:
Deputies assigned to assist at the site saw a blue Chrysler SUV traveling at a high rate of speed through a closed cone course and through an enclosed tent with several health department and national guard personnel working under the tent. The deputy observed the Chrysler SUV exit the tent and continue to drive recklessly through the cone course.
A deputy was able to follow Brown after she drove through the site and arrest her. She was charged with seven counts of felony reckless endangerment.
Workers in the tent said the woman in the car was shouting things about the vaccine. They told deputies they thought the woman was yelling “No vaccine,” as she sped by them, narrowly missing hitting seven of the workers under the tent.
Workers at the vaccination site told deputies they thought the driver was attempting to kill them.
Rudy Giuliani at Trump press conference (screen capture) Responding to a lawsuit filed by Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) that alleges the incitement of the riot at the U.S. Capitol building on January 6, Rudy Giuliani says his speech to Trump supporters to engage in ‘trial by combat’ was “clearly” hyperbole. From the New York Daily News:
President Trump’s former personal lawyer Thursday asserted his fiery speech was “clearly hyperbolic” and claims that “no reasonable listener” would take it literally, even though that’s exactly what the violent crowd of thousands did.
“The statement was clearly hyperbolic and not literal,” the filing said. “And even if it were to be perceived literally, Giuliani was clearly referring to an event in the future after evidence of election fraud is collected.”
CNBC also reports on a second lawsuit brought by Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and 10 other House Democrats, which accuses Giuliani, Donald Trump, and extremist groups the Oath Keepers, the Proud Boys and Warboys, of violating the federal Ku Klux Klan Act on Jan. 6 by firing up the MAGA cultists to stop Congress from confirming President Joe Biden’s electoral victory. Separate motions to dismiss the suit on Thursday argued that Trump’s and Giuliani’s remarks at a pre-riot rally near the Capitol were protected under the First Amendment. Trump and Giuliani have asked the judge to dismiss the lawsuit saying they were just exercising free speech.
NEW: Rudy Giuliani responds to lawsuit filed by Rep Bennie Thompson accusing Giuliani & Trump of inciting Jan 6 insurrection
He argues no reasonable person would have taken his phrase "trial by combat" as a call to arms… but is simply "hyperbole"
Former Army Captain Roberto Portales and friends (via Instagram) Some news items you might have missed: • InstaHunks: Former Army Captain Roberto Portales (above) says his pups love the head massages. The Brody and Miss Scarlett happily concur with that sentiment. #DogsRule • The Advocate: Ten days after coming out as a lesbian on Facebook, Private First Class Kaylie Harris filed a complaint after allegedly being sexually assaulted by a fellow service member. But when the military removed a protective order that let her come into contact with her alleged rapist, the encounter left Harris reeling. Days later, she bought a handgun and died by suicide. • Deadline Hollywood: Samuel E. Wright, whose vocal portrayal of Sebastian the crab in Disney’s The Little Mermaid included the Oscar-winning “Under the Sea,” died yesterday at his home in the village of Walden, New York, of prostate cancer. The Broadway veteran (Jesus Christ Superstar, Pippin, The Lion King) was 74.
Samuel E. Wright Dies: ‘The Little Mermaid’s Sebastian The Crab, Broadway’s Mufasa Was 74 https://t.co/9TRY691DDn
• Washington Post: 64.4 million Americans have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, covering 58.7% of the eligible population, 12 and older and 49.5% of the total population. • The Guardian: Bloggers and influencers have been offered money by a PR agency with apparent Russian connections to falsely tell their followers the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is responsible for hundreds of deaths. The company has since closed its website and made its Instagram account private. • Kansas City Star: Kansas Rep. Mark Samsel (R-Wellsville) is facing 3 misdemeanor battery charges involving two 16-year-old student while substitute teaching last month. One student told police Samsel kicked him in the testicles. Samsel reportedly told investigators he was following instructions from God.
Police: Kansas Rep. Mark Samsel left student with bruise, kicked him in testicles https://t.co/GZF5XP1c8C
Donald Trump The New York City prosecutor overseeing a criminal investigation into Donald Trump’s business practices before he became president has convened a grand jury to consider evidence. From the Washington Post:
Manhattan’s district attorney has convened the grand jury that is expected to decide whether to indict former president Donald Trump, other executives at his company or the business itself should prosecutors present the panel with criminal charges, according to two people familiar with the development.
The move indicates that District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr.’s investigation of the former president and his business has reached an advanced stage after more than two years. It suggests, too, that Vance believes he has found evidence of a crime — if not by Trump then by someone potentially close to him or by his company.
“No former U.S. president has ever been charged with a crime.”
(stock photo) Wow, and we thought the U.S. gays went a bit wild here and there during the pandemic… Via The Strait Times:
Thai police said on Sunday (May 23) that they had arrested 62 men for breaching coronavirus restrictions in a raid on a gay “chemsex” party, the country’s largest such crackdown during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The men were arrested on Saturday night at Faros Sauna 2, where police also found drugs, needles and used condoms, said Police Colonel Ekapop Tanprayoon, superintendent of Bangkok’s Wang Thong Lang District police station.
“(In the past) we have reprimanded people for gathering to drink at home,” Mr Ekapop said. “But under the current circumstances, there shouldn’t be so many people in such a crowded area.”
The establishment reportedly boasts 50 bedrooms, a swimming pool, and a karaoke space.
(screen capture via CBS News) Some news items you might have missed: • The Advocate: The CBS News magazine 60 Minutes is being excoriated for a story on transgender health care because of its focus on people who regret transitioning. GLAAD called the report “shameful.” • Marvel Studios: Check out the newly-released teaser trailer for The Eternals, the much-anticipated project for the Marvel Cinematic Universe which will, among other things, feature Marvel’s first openly gay super-hero. Brian Tyree Henry will play “Phastos” who is not only gay, but married with children. In theaters November 5.
• Texas Tribune: Texas lawmakers have approved a bill that will allow citizens to carry handguns without a license, background check, or training. A recent poll, however, shows a large majority (59%) don’t believe handguns should be allowed in public without a permit. • Instinct Magazine: Lady Gaga’s iconic album Born This Way is celebrating its 10-year anniversary. To commemorate and recognize its cultural impact, the City of West Hollywood officially declared May 23 as “Born This Way Day.” https://www.instagram.com/p/CPPRIFeM3zS/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link • Rasmussen Reports: The daily tracking poll from Rasmussen shows President Biden with 54% approval rating (43% disapproval rating). The firm is known for being a right-leaning outfit. Rasmussen regularly showed “the former guy’s” approval rating much higher than other polling firms. • Instagram: Actor Elliot Page shared this photo today (impressive abs!) with the caption, “Trans bb’s first swim trunks #transjoy #transisbeautiful” https://www.instagram.com/p/CPRDYAUhvEt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Academy Award winner Kevin Spacey will play a ‘sex abuse investigator’ in his first acting role since sexual assault accusations derailed his career nearly four years ago.
The Oscar winner will appear in an Italian drama titled, The Man Who Drew God, which will also star Vanessa Redgrave.
Redgrave’s husband, Franco Nero, will direct the film as well as star as a blind artist falsely accused of sex abuse, according to The Independent.
Spacey will reportedly play a detective investigating the wrongfully accused artist.
“I’m very happy Kevin agreed to participate in my film,” Nero told ABC News. “I consider him a great actor, and I can’t wait to start the movie.”
Nearly 20 men accused Spacey of sexual misconduct during his time at London’s Old Vic Theatre between 1995 and 2013.
An anonymous massage therapist levels charges of sexual impropriety but the accuser died before a court could decide the matter.
And prosecutors in Massachusetts dropped charges against Spacey in 2019 in regard to allegations of groping an 18-year-old at a Nantucket bar in 2016. The case was dropped when the accuser invoked his 5th Amendment rights.
The 21-year-old man accusing Kevin Spacey of groping in a Nantucket bar in 2016 invoked his 5th Amendment rights while testifying Monday.
The alleged victim was in court over a missing cellphone that he claims captured the incident.
In response to the allegations, Spacey was dropped from his acclaimed Netflix series House of Cards. He was also replaced in the 2017 drama All the Time in the World. Christopher Plummer was tapped to reshoot all of Spacey’s scenes in the already-completed film and went on to score an Oscar nomination for his performance.
In a video message recorded last year, Spacey said experiencing his career coming to a “grinding, screeching halt” led him to ask himself, “If I can’t act, who am I?”
“I only valued and defined myself through work, that’s who I was,” said Spacey. “If that wasn’t going to be a possibility anymore then who am I? If all I’m left with is just me?”
