(scene from Nomadland)
‘Nomadland’ Named Best Film At Dorians Film Toast 2021
News Round-Up: April 19, 2021
Michael Cimino in ‘Love, Victor’ (image via Hulu)
• KVUE: Lake Travis ISD School Board candidate Kara Bell (photo) was given an assault citation last week after a confrontation with a store employee at Nordstrom Rack when Bell refused to put on a mask upon entry of the store. As you can see in the police body cam video, Bell refused to ID herself even though she was being detained announcing, “”I am a Christian woman of God.”
• Kenneth-in-the-212: In his new feature, Kenneth puts the focus on ‘man-spreaders’ and their ‘spread.’ • Washington Post: Capitol Police officer Brian D. Sicknick suffered two strokes and died of natural causes a day after he confronted rioters at the Jan. 6 insurrection, the District’s chief medical examiner has ruled. The ruling, released Monday, likely will make it difficult for prosecutors to pursue homicide charges in the officer’s death.
Capitol Police officer Brian D. Sicknick, who engaged rioters, suffered two strokes and died of natural causes, officials say https://t.co/jgJ3VdcmLY
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) April 19, 2021
This doesn’t happen nearly enough. https://t.co/qRLyaI2HNJ
— God (@TheTweetOfGod) April 19, 2021
Gay Meteorologist Sues Former Station Claiming LGBTQ Discrimination
Meteorologist Sven Sundgaard (screen cap via Instagram)A Minnesota meteorologist has filed a lawsuit against his former TV station and its parent company saying he was fired last year for being gay.
Sven Sundgaard was dismissed from his position at TV station KARE 11 in Minneapolis last May after he reposted a comment on social media from a rabbi regarding ongoing protests in the city at the time.
Minneapolis Rabbi Michael Adam Latz had written on Facebook calling some gun-toting protestors “white nationalist Nazi sympathizer gun fetishist miscreants.”
Sundgaard deleted his repost later that evening after receiving homophobic comments and threats. He also expressed his regret to the station’s executives promising to stick to the weather.
But the next day, the station announced it had decided to ‘part ways’ with the weatherman “due to continued violations of KARE 11’s news ethics and other policies,” reports the Star Tribune.
In the new lawsuit filed on Thursday, attorneys for Sundgaard say the station’s human resources department ignored the meteorologist’s reports of harassment and discrimination during his time with KARE11.
Specific instances include Sundgaard claiming a station manager criticized him for appearing on the cover of the local LGBTQ publication Lavender; being reprimanded for making a ‘size really does matter’ remark on-air during a report on Minnesota’s many lakes; and attempting to stop him from speaking at a convention of LGBTQ journalists.
https://www.instagram.com/p/1n79xySwyl/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
He also says he felt his religious beliefs came under scrutiny when a colleague asked probing questions like whether he believed Jesus was the Messiah after he converted to Judaism in 2010.
The lawsuit claims Sundgaard “suffered and continues to suffer emotional distress, humiliation, embarrassment, pain and suffering.” He is suing for back pay as well as punitive damages.
Following the filing of the lawsuit last week, Sundgaard issued a statement which read, “I’ve been overwhelmed and forever grateful for the outpouring of support I have received over the last year.”
“I hope to continue to receive your support as I embark upon this difficult journey that will highlight the unfair treatment to which I was subjected,” he continued. “While a lawsuit is not ideal for anyone, I believe it is important to take action to prevent what happened to me from happening to others. I do this also, for the countless young people who have thanked me for being an openly gay man, making it easier for them to be true to themselves.”
He closed his statement saying, “My late mom always taught me to stick up for myself.”
KARE 11, and its parent company TENGA, denied the allegations in a statement issued via email.
“One of our core values as a station is inclusion,” wrote a KARE spokesperson on Friday afternoon. “We are committed to maintaining a respectful workplace free from all forms of discrimination and harassment.”
Since his dismissal, Sundgaard has been reporting the weather at Bring Me The News.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CN2v7MZnEuS/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CNVGvuAH4TA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Officer Investigated After Video Shows Suspect Being Punched While Restrained
(screen capture via Facebook)
A Louisville Metro police officer is facing an internal investigation after video surfaced on social media of him striking an individual several times in the face.
The video was posted to Facebook Sunday and shows five police officers involved in the attempted arrest of the man at Jefferson Square Park.
The video shows the officers force the man to the ground, and as that’s occurring, one of the LMPD officers begins striking the individual in the face. Once the man is mostly on the ground, the officer can be seen repeatedly striking the individual.
The four other officers continue to pin the man down as they try to arrest him.
The man, identified as Denorver Garrett, was booked on charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Chief Erika Shields said in a statement, “This raises serious questions and is not consistent with LMPD training.” Read the full article here.
Capitol Riot Suspect Who Stole From Pelosi’s Office Released Pending Trial
William Robert Norwood III (image via FBI)
Despite the fact that Capitol insurrectionist William Robert Norwood III allegedly stole body armor, lied to the FBI, and “led a pack of rioters through the inner sanctum of Speaker Pelosi’s office space” where he lifted a paper coaster, he has been released pending his trial, according to Department of Justice documents seen by The Daily Beast.
He is charged with two felonies: obstruction of an official proceeding and theft of government property.
Norwood, who goes by Robbie, boasted to family members about assaulting a law enforcement officer, according to court documents. “It worked,” he wrote to family members. “I got away with things that others were shot or arrested for.”
He went on to brag of his bounty. “I got a nice helmet and body armor off a cop for God’s sake and i disarmed him,” he wrote in messages to friends and family. “Tell me how that works.”
Norwood is being released due to his lack of a criminal past. The Daily Beast had previously reported that Norwood had bragged to his brother that he “fought 4 cops” at the riot after dressing as “antifa” members. “I’ll look just like ANTIFA. I’ll get away with anything.” He also shared a selfie in a group chat in which he appeared to be wearing a Capitol Police vest. His brother responded: “What the actual fuck is wrong with you?”
South Carolina man charged in Capitol riot bragged he dressed as antifa & fought police. “I’ll look just like ANTIFA. I’ll get away with anything,” William Robert Norwood III is alleged to have boasted in a text message group chat before the riot: @NBCNewshttps://t.co/Xtbamr9H9z
— Shomari Stone (@shomaristone) March 5, 2021
Podcast: The Return Of POSE, Possible HIV Vaccine, Colton Underwood & More
In this week’s episode of The Randy Report podcast: • President Biden appoints an out police chief to head up Customs and Border Protections • A new vaccine shows enormous promise against HIV • Polling shows Americans overwhelmingly oppose anti-transgender legislation • Colton Underwood, star of ‘The Bachelor,’ comes out as gay and gets some backlash • The third and final season of the ground-breaking FX series POSE will premiere in May – click here for trailer • And LGBTQ entertainment critics will have their say on the best in cinema from the past year at the Dorians Film Toast 2021 All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report
Conservative House Members Scrap Anglo-Saxon Caucus Amid Pushback
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA)
A group of ultra-conservative House Republicans, led by QAnon Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ.) are forming a new caucus that will focus on – wait for it – “uniquely Anglo-Saxon political traditions.” Calling itself the America First Caucus, the all-white group has determined “a certain intellectual boldness is needed” in order to “follow in President Trump’s footsteps, and potentially step on some toes and sacrifice sacred cows for the good of the American nation.” From the Washington Post:
In a section on immigration, the document describes the United States as a place with “uniquely Anglo-Saxon political traditions” and argues that “societal trust and political unity are threatened when foreign citizens are imported en-masse into a country, particularly without institutional support for assimilation and an expansive welfare state to bail them out should they fail to contribute positively to the country.”
In the group’s view, architecture should reflect the “aesthetic value that befits the progeny” of Europeans:
On infrastructure, the caucus calls for the construction of roads, bridges and buildings that reflect “the architectural, engineering and aesthetic value that befits the progeny of European architecture, whereby public infrastructure must be utilitarian as well as stunningly, classically beautiful, befitting a world power and source of freedom.”
That’s some serious Nazi fascism on display right there. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy attempted to push back, but it’s hard to hide something when it’s in plain sight. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) is, of course, happy to join up. According to NBC News, “Greene’s spokesman Nick Dyer confirmed that a platform is being written but complained about ‘dirty backstabbing swamp creatures’ who leaked the document.”
America is built on the idea that we are all created equal and success is earned through honest, hard work. It isn’t built on identity, race, or religion.
The Republican Party is the party of Lincoln & the party of more opportunity for all Americans—not nativist dog whistles. — Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) April 16, 2021
Now they’re just being loud about white supremacy
— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) April 16, 2021
I’m proud to join @mtgreenee in the #AmericaFirst Caucus.
We will end wars, stop illegal immigration & promote trade that is fair to American workers. This is just a hit piece from the America Last crowd in Big Media, Big Tech & Big Government.https://t.co/hjGiuSLwBW — Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) April 16, 2021
News Round-Up: April 16, 2021
Some news items you might have missed: • Instagram: Not everyone is celebrating ‘Bachelor’ star Colton Underwood getting a Netflix series that will follow his new life as an openly gay man after coming out this week. When Attitude Magazine posted the news (above), pop star Adam Lambert chimed in, “No one is feeling this Netflix.” And out former rugby star Keegan Hirst wrote, “Monetising coming out. Oh dear. Not a good look.” • Kenneth-in-the-212: Check out Kenneth’s weekly round-up of the what’s what in LGBTQ publications like this week’s GRAB Magazine featuring singer/songwriter Dodie. 
• Instinct Magazine: A straight man began sharing pics of his enormous penis on Twitter during the pandemic, and now says he identifies as bisexual following all the attention he garnered from gay followers. “I think if I met the right one, and got to know and like and trust him, I might find the courage to… explore.” • NBC News: A new bill in the Texas Senate aims to redefine child abuse to include parents who consent to hormone therapy and puberty blockers for their transgender children. The legislation would make such acts a felony. • Pink News: A student was caught on video tearing down a Pride flag that hung along a stairwell at Ridgeline High School in Cache County, Utah, on Tuesday. It had been placed by officials to celebrate the school’s Gay Straight Alliance during diversity week, alongside flags from various countries.
This is disgusting and heartbreaking. The amount of kids cheering when the Pride flag gets cut down is sickening. Embarrassing moment for Utahns and Ridgeline High School. Be better. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ #ridgelinehighschool pic.twitter.com/zD1zrr7ZuD
— Jackie B (@golfgirly78) April 14, 2021
QAnon House Members Vote Against Marrow Donor Program
QAnon Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA)
The TRANSPLANT Act passed the lower chamber in a resounding 415-2 vote on Thursday night. A further 12 lawmakers did not vote on the bill—including another freshman Republican, Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina.
Under the bill, the National Marrow Donor Program would be reauthorized for a further five years. The program keeps an inventory of cord blood and a database of bone marrow donors for matches with patients diagnosed with leukemia and other fatal blood diseases.
In a statement, Rep. Greene’s spokesman Nick Dyer said: “Nothing in this bill prevents the funding of aborted fetal tissue by taxpayers. It opens the door for the NIH to use this bill to research the remains of babies who were murdered in the womb.”
Since arriving in Congress in January, both Greene and Boebert have made names for themselves as wacky QAnon believers. Greene’s antics became so problematic for Republicans, she was removed from all of her committee assignments. Folks on Twitter found it outrageous anyone could oppose a marrow donor program.
standing up for liberty means fighting bone marrow donors https://t.co/XoHWrvkNvF
— Robert Evans (The Only Robert Evans) (@IwriteOK) April 16, 2021
I was a bone marrow donor in 1991 to an unrelated leukemia patient. I met him, his wife, & 4 year old son in 1992. He lived nearly 22 years after the donation. Below is the letter he wrote to me in 1992. What is wrong with these people? pic.twitter.com/7fqCxIkzNb
— DudeDad (@DudeDadEsq) April 16, 2021
“I’m against helping people with cancer” is uhh… quite the strategy
— Dad Jokes Panda (@TrashPandaFTW) April 16, 2021
Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert think buying automatic weapons should be easy but getting a bone marrow transplant should be made practically impossible. But tell me again how the GOP is the “party of life.”
— Richard Hine (@richardhine) April 16, 2021
Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert voted against a national bone marrow registry. When asked to explain this cruelty, Marjorie replied, "It's because I'm even dumber and meaner than Lauren", to which Lauren added, "Wait, Lauren who?" pic.twitter.com/ebpgQssMx4
— Paul Rudnick (@PaulRudnickNY) April 16, 2021
Lauren Boebert and Marjorie Taylor Greene were the only two who voted against reauthorizing the National Marrow Donor Program. It takes a special kind of evil to vote against leukemia patients.
— Amy Lynn ✡️🍭🌊 (@AmyAThatcher) April 16, 2021
Data Breach Shows Police Donated To Kyle Rittenhouse
Kyle Rittenhouse (image via Twitter)
The beneficiaries of donations from public officials include Kyle Rittenhouse, who stands accused of murdering two leftwing protesters in Kenosha, Wisconsin, last August. Rittenhouse traveled from neighboring Illinois to, by his own account, offer armed protection to businesses during protests over the police shooting of Jacob Blake.
Rittenhouse, who became a cause célèbre across conservative media throughout late 2020, and was even supported by then president Donald Trump, held a fundraiser on GiveSendGo billed as a contribution to his legal defense. According to data from the site, he raised $586,940 between 27 August last year and 7 January .
One donation for $25, made on 3 September last year, was made anonymously, but associated with the official email address for Sgt William Kelly, who currently serves as the executive officer of internal affairs in the Norfolk police department in Virginia.
Kelly’s donation reportedly included a message to Rittenhouse: “God bless. Thank you for your courage. Keep your head up. You’ve done nothing wrong. Every rank and file police officer supports you. Don’t be discouraged by actions of the political class of law enforcement leadership.” It won’t surprise you to know that ‘Sgt. William Kelly’ was trending on Twitter this morning. In addition to his status as a police officer, folks noted that he’s the guy who is supposed to oversee internal affairs for his department.
It’s sad and horrifying, but of course Sergeant William Kelly, exec officer of internal affairs for the Norfolk PD, said this along with his anonymous $25 donation: pic.twitter.com/9oaS1jHgPy
— Zoé (@ztsamudzi) April 16, 2021
Sgt William Kelly is Executive Officer of Internal Affairs. He’s supposed to be the guy investigating and rooting out corruption—not the guy creating it by donating & praising a double homicide suspect. This absolutely mandates an external investigation separate from @NorfolkPD. https://t.co/okgTeus2Cm
— Qasim Rashid, Esq. قاسم رشید (@QasimRashid) April 16, 2021
Breaking: Sgt. William Kelly, the Norfolk Police Department officer who donated to Kenosha killer, Kyle Rittenhouse, is the head of the Internal Affairs Unit — the unit that investigates police wrongdoing. He wrote that Rittenhouse “did nothing wrong.” You can’t make this up. https://t.co/MtbFWNAu3g
— Chris Weidner (@CWNewser) April 16, 2021