Nigel Shelby Some news items you might have missed: • The Advocate: The parents of a Huntsville, Ala., teen Nigel Shelby – who killed himself in 2019 after being bullied at school for being gay – are now suing that school district. They allege that school officials knew their son was considering taking his life. • Kenneth-in-the-212: The NYC-based blog has a new weekly feature – ‘Manspread Monday.’ You know you want to hit that link… 🙂
• Buzzfeed: This hilarious SNL skit about period lesbian dramas is so accurate it hurts. “My parents died before I was born.” “Mine too.”
• Variety: Nomadland dominated at the BAFTA Film Awards, where the Frances McDormand-led road movie picked up four prizes including lead actress, cinematography, director, and best film. • Bloomberg News: Video chat on you TV? Apple is working on a product that would combine an Apple TV set-top box with a HomePod speaker and include a camera for video conferencing through a connected TV and other smart-home functions. • Detroit Free Press: Ted Nugent, the aging rocker, mocked health guidelines regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in a recent Facebook video asking, “Why weren’t we shut down for COVID one through 18?” Of course, the coronavirus that has killed close to 560,000 people in the U.S. was named for the year in which the first infection was reported — 2019.
(screen capture via WTVD) Another gay couple denied service by a business because of the owners’ beliefs in the “sanctity of marriage.” Local news station WTVD in North Carolina reports a gay couple approached the Highgrove Estate in Fuquay-Varina for their upcoming nuptials but were turned away after the owners became aware they were a gay couple. Ironically, the venue purports to offer “the best of Southern hospitality.” McCae Henderson, an attorney, and Ike Edwards, a cosmetic dentist, told WDTV they filled out an inquiry form for the venue. In the spots where they were to identify the ‘bride’ and ‘groom,’ they left a note saying they were both grooms. https://www.instagram.com/p/CHDZEm4h2M8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link The Christian-owned estate sent a reply saying they don’t host same-sex weddings and offered a list of alternative venues. The rejection was “disheartening,” said Henderson. “We had not had anything like this throughout the process or really in our lives.” “This is us. We are gay and we did not choose to be gay,” he continued. “The fact that we don’t have access to things other people do is discrimination in my eyes. I think everyone has the right to believe what they want to believe to an extent. I don’t think you get to be racist because your religion tells you to be racist. I don’t think you get to be homophobic because your religion tells you to be homophobic.”
“Highgrove has always welcomed vendors, guests and employees of all orientations and we do not discriminate against a people or group,” read a statement from the Highgrove owners released to WTVD. “We believe in the sanctity of marriage as God says in the Bible that marriage is between a man and a woman and we choose to honor Him above what the world decides what marriage should be.” So, two things. One, they are discriminating against “people or a group.” They refuse to treat LGBTQ people the same as heterosexual people. Two, in citing the “sanctity of marriage” I’d like to know if they’ve ever hosted the wedding of someone who’s been divorced? Cause….that’s a sin in the Bible that’s directly connected to the “sanctity of marriage.” This is just more picking and choosing parts of the Bible that support their bias. Highgrove Estates in North Carolina (image via official website) While there are federal civil rights laws that protect against discrimination – based on race, color, creed, religion, sex and national origin – there are no such protections for sexual orientation or gender identity. And in North Carolina, some local ordinances have passed protections against LGBTQ discrimination, but not in Highgrove’s jurisdiction. The Equality Act – which would add sexual orientation and gender identity to existing federal civil rights laws – recently passed in the U.S. House of Representatives. But the legislation faces an extremely steep climb in the U.S. Senate where Democrats would need 10 Republicans to overcome a filibuster blocking the bill from a vote.
In the aftermath of a Black man being fatally shot on Sunday during a traffic stop in a Minneapolis suburb, the police chief told reporters the officer meant to fire a Taser – not her handgun. I kid you not. From APNews:
Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon described the shooting death Sunday of 20-year-old Daunte Wright as “an accidental discharge.” It happened as police were trying to arrest Wright on an outstanding warrant.
The shooting sparked violent protests in a metropolitan area already on edge because of the trial of the first of four police officers charged in George Floyd’s death.
“I’ll Tase you! I’ll Tase you! Taser! Taser! Taser!” the officer is heard shouting on her body cam footage released at a news conference. She draws her weapon after the man breaks free from police outside his car and gets back behind the wheel.
After firing a single shot from her handgun, the car speeds away, and the officer is heard saying, “Holy (expletive)! I shot him.”
Brooklyn Center, MN Police Chief Tim Gannon calls Daunte Wright’s killing an “accidental discharge.”
He says: “It is my belief that the officer had the intention to employ their taser, but instead shot Mr. Wright with a single bullet.” pic.twitter.com/pEFmc1tOh2
Reporter: "Why is it that police officers in the United States keep killing young Black men and young Black women at a far far far higher rate than they do white people?"
Brooklyn Center, MN, Police Chief Tim Gannon: "I don't have an answer to that question." pic.twitter.com/Xc4SkhfvCA
Sebastian Lletget (image via Instagram) Some news items you might have missed: • Pink News: Major League Soccer has launched an investigation into LA Galaxy’s Sebastian Lletget (above) over a homophobic slur in a video he posted to Instagram. • Washington Blade: President Biden called for ramping up funds in the first year of his administration to beat the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States. In his initial budget request to Congress, he signaled he would continue the PrEP-centric initiative that began in the previous administration. • Metrosource: The new hardcover book, On Fire: The Firefighters of France, is a curated collection of the best portraits and smoking shots from the wildly popular French firefighter calendars, personally selected by creator Fred Goudon. https://www.instagram.com/p/CL2IgpiM8g5/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link • AP News: After promoting doubt about the effectiveness of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine made using the previously experimental messenger RNA, or mRNA, process, a top Chinese health official publicly admitted Chinese COVID-19 vaccines aren’t very effective saying they “don’t have very high protection rates.” • Wichita Eagle: Kansas Senate Republicans ousted Sen. Gene Suellentrop as majority leader Friday after he was charged with leading police on a drunken 90 mile an hour, wrong-way chase down Interstate 70. • HIVPlus Mag: A potential HIV vaccine is showing very promising results in Phase I human trials. The vaccine works by stimulating the production of rare immune cells that generate HIV-resistant antibodies. Such a result was found in 97 percent of human participants administered the potential vaccine.
WOW 😳 New HIV vaccine with a 97% antibody response rate in phase I human trials. This is the most effective trial HIV vaccine to date. It is based on the Moderna’s COVID vaccine. COVID tech acceleration could change Rx for cancer & HIV in future. https://t.co/3Nl0UJj6xW
Police officer Joe Gutierrez (body cam image: Windsor Police via AP) A U.S. Army officer, 2nd Lt. Caron Nazario, has filed a lawsuit against two Virginia police officers saying they violated his constitutional rights when they approached him with guns drawn and pepper-sprayed him during a traffic stop in December. The incident, which has gone viral today due to released body cam footage, shows the two officers approaching Nazario’s vehicle shouting conflicting orders of “keep your hands out the window” and “open the car door and get out.” According to police reports, the traffic stop began when Windsor officer Daniel Crocker said he was pulling the vehicle over due to no rear license plate. However, once Nazario pulled into the gas station the new car tags were visible. As you can see in the footage, Nazario asked over and over again why the officers were escalating the situation. As the officers approached the SUV with their guns drawn shouting at him to get out of the vehicle, Nazario answered, “I’m honestly afraid to get out.” “Yeah, you should be!” yelled one of the officers. (screen capture from body cam footage via Windsor Police) More from The Hill:
According to the AP, Windsor police officer Daniel Crocker radioed the station saying he was attempting to pull over a vehicle with tinted windows that appeared to not have a rear license plate.
Crocker reportedly labeled it a “high-risk traffic stop,” as he claimed the driver was “eluding police.”
However, Nazario denied that he was trying to escape the officer, instead saying at the time that he was driving home from his duty station and wanted to stop in a well-lit area “for officer safety and out of respect for the officers.”
Another officer, Joe Gutierrez, responded to Crocker’s call for help and joined him in the traffic stop.
After one of the officers attempted to open the car door, Gutierrez then stepped back and pepper-sprayed Nazario multiple times.
At one point, Gutierrez can be heard telling Nazario he was “fixin’ to ride the lightning,” a reference to the electric chair and a line from the movie “The Green Mile,” in which a Black man is facing execution.
According to the Associated Press, Gutierrez acknowledged that Nazario’s decision to drive to a lighted area happens to him “a lot, and 80% of the time, it’s a minority.” The AP reached out to the Windsor Police Department for comment but received no response. Both officers reportedly still work for the department. In subsequent footage, another officer told Nazario he understood he might be nervous due to “the whole BLM movement.”
“The whole BLM movement” this whole racist podunk town. Oh Lieutenant, it’s your fault, these cops are scared too that’s why they pepper sprayed you for no reason. You’re black how do we know if you’re a good black or a bad one? pic.twitter.com/eZBZSj6aZM
The cast of the original Magic Mike movie Some news items you might have missed: • Socialite Life: The producers behind the Magic Mike films and live shows have announced an HBO Max series that will feature a group of men who have ‘lost their magic.’ The series will follow along as they transform into real-life Magic Mikes. Souls will be bared, bodies will evolve and “spectacular routines” will be learned.
• Out: Demi Lovato and the cast of GLEE reunited for a moving video tribute to their late friend and castmate, Naya Rivera, at the GLAAD Media Awards last night.
• The Hill: The House Ethics Committee announced it is opening an investigation into embattled GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz (Fla.) on Friday following allegations of illegal drug use and sharing nude photos of young women with his colleagues on the House floor. • Kenneth-in-the-212: Don’t miss Kenneth’s round-up of the latest in LGBTQ publications like the latest issue of Rage Magazine (below). • New York Times: President Biden has ordered a 180-day study that will explore adding seats to the Supreme Court or setting term limits for justices. • Twitter: When a photo showcasing the beefy butt of Law & Order: Organized Crime star Chris Meloni went viral (for obvious reasons), Meloni proved he’s a champ by owning up to his ass-ets.
SVU is filming in park slope this week and someone in the neighborhood facebook group posted this photo of chris meloni
(image via kenneth-in-the-212) Some news items you might have missed: • Kenneth-in-the-212: Kenneth’s weekly ‘Mask4Masc’ feature is a winner with all kinds of inspiration this week (plus more at the link). • TVLine: NBC’s streaming platform Peacock has ordered a reboot of the landmark queer TV series Queer As Folk. Described as a “vibrant reimagining,” the new Queer as Folk will center on a diverse group of friends in New Orleans whose lives are transformed in the aftermath of a tragedy. The original QAF debuted on Britain’s Channel 4 in 1999 and ran for 10 episodes. The American version was created for Showtime and lasted five seasons (from 2000 to 2005). • Axios: A new Gallup poll shows more Americans identify as Democrats by the largest margin since 2012. Per the recent survey, 49% say they support Democrats, 40% support the Republican Party and 11% say they are Independents with no partisan leaning. (graphic via Gallup) • Instinct Magazine: Grammy-nominated singer Kehlani shared this past weekend during an Instagram Live chat that she identifies as a lesbian. “You want to know? You want to know what’s new about me? I finally know I’m a lesbian,” said the singer. • Herald Leader: A southern state is actually making it easier to vote? Gov. Andy Beshear (D-KY) signed into law Wednesday a significant election reform bill that will make it easier for Kentuckians to vote early, bucking a national trend of more restrictive election laws in the aftermath of the 2020 election. • The Gaily Grind: The office of embattled Rep. Matt Gaetz released a statement purportedly written by female staffers defending the pro-Trump lawmaker amid his ongoing sex trafficking scandal. Despite being signed by “The Women of the Office of U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz,” not a single woman is named in the statement. • Instagram: Just a quick reminder that baseball is back – and I ain’t mad 🙂 https://www.instagram.com/p/CNSknbvHINT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Joel Greenberg (official county photo) An associate of Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Jeff Greenberg, is expected to enter guilty pleas on a number of charges including sex trafficking in the next few weeks. That doesn’t bode well for Gaetz who is being investigated on similar sex charges. Greenberg could wind up as a key witness against Gaetz. From the New York Times:
A plea by the former elected official, Joel Greenberg, could significantly strengthen the Justice Department’s hand as it investigates Mr. Gaetz and others who met Mr. Greenberg through Florida Republican politics and are being scrutinized on potential sex trafficking violations.
Mr. Greenberg met women through a website that connects people who are willing to go on dates in exchange for gifts and allowances, then introduced them to Mr. Gaetz, who along with Mr. Greenberg had sex with them, people familiar with the matter have said.
The prosecutors and Greenberg’s legal team agreed to a May 15 deadline to come to some agreement on a plea deal which could include testifying against or providing information about Gaetz to prosecutors. Staring at a possible 12 year prison sentence, Greenberg may feel inclined to cooperate with the Justice Department. Click here for an in-depth rundown on Greenberg’s alleged crimes, which are numerous.
LIVE from courthouse: Joel Greenberg- an associate of Rep. Matt Gaetz expected to take a plea in criminal case – likely requiring have to share what he knows about Gaetz. @CNN (HT busiest man in news @joshscampbell for video) pic.twitter.com/Yo0xLg2wY8
JUST IN: via @PaulaReidCNN in the courtroom in Orlando. Joel Greenberg- an associate of Rep. Matt Gaetz is likely to take a plea in his case. A deal would put pressure Gaetz, as Greenberg would have to share what he knows about his friend and associate
If Greenberg is signing a cooperation agreement, it means he has information that can help the government prosecute other people. Usually prosecutors don’t cooperate “down” (ie prostitutes) but look to cooperate “up” against bigger fish (ie Gaetz). This is bad for Gaetz.
President Biden announced a series of modest steps today aimed at curbing gun violence. “Gun violence in this country is an epidemic, and it’s an international embarrassment,” said Biden during his announcement. From the New York Times:
Mr. Biden said the Justice Department would issue a proposed rule to curb the proliferation of so-called ghost guns — kits that allow a gun to be assembled from pieces with no serial numbers. The intention of the rule would be to require that the components in the kits have serial numbers that would allow them to be traced and for the weapons to be legally classified as firearms, with the buyers subjected to background checks.
Mr. Biden also said he would require that when a device marketed as a stabilizing brace transforms a pistol into a short-barrel rifle, that weapon is subject to the requirements of the National Firearms Act. The gunman in the Boulder, Colo., shooting last month used a pistol with an arm brace, making it more stable and accurate, he said.
Mr. Biden said the Justice Department would also publish model “red flag” legislation for states. The measure would allow police officers and family members to petition a court to temporarily remove firearms from people who may present a danger to themselves or others.
With no serial numbers, ghost guns are virtually untraceable making them appealing to criminals and extremists who want weapons that don’t require background checks. Biden can’t unilaterally pass a red flag law without Congress approving it first. But providing a blueprint for such legislation might help pass such laws in states that want to enact similar laws. And speaking of Congress, the president did urge the lawmakers to pass a number of reforms including banning assault rifles, requiring background checks for guns purchased at gun shows and more. Read the full article here.
The solutions to curb gun violence already exist. All that is left is the will and the courage to act. And President Joe Biden has the will and the courage to act.
President Biden calls on Congress to enact a number of gun reforms including: 1) Ban assault weapons 2) Eliminate gun manufacture immunity 3) Require background checks for guns bought at gun shows 3) Close “Charleston loophole” 4) Reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act
Brody on the lookout Some news items you might have missed: • Brody Watch: Just to let you know – we are soooooooo safe thanks to our fearless pup (above). Brody has no fear it seems other than not getting enough attention 🙂 • NBC News: Lawmakers in North Carolina have introduced a bill that would prevent doctors from providing gender confirming hormone treatment, puberty blockers or surgery for anyone under 21. Senate Bill 514 would also compel state employees to notify parents if their child displays “gender nonconformity” or expresses a desire to be treated in a way other than the gender they were assigned at birth. • USA Today: First lady Jill Biden, the military mom in the White House, is working with Joining Forces which helps military and veteran families, caregivers and survivors get the support they need. After weeks of listening sessions with military families, Biden said her priorities will focus on employment and entrepreneurship, military child education and health and well-being. https://www.instagram.com/p/CNX0x2rplAZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link • Daily Beacon: A Tennessee lawmaker has proposed a bill that would prohibit the use of any materials in schools that, in the language of the bill, “promote, normalize, support or address lesbian, gay, bi-sexual or transgender (LGBT) issues or lifestyles.” Opponents say erasing LGBTQ people from history books would send the message to queer kids that they arent’ “normal.” • CNN: At least one of the Capitol riot defendants has flipped against the Proud Boys, agreeing to provide information that could allow the Justice Department to bring a more severe charge against the group’s leadership. The development is the first indication that people charged in the insurrection are cooperating against the pro-Trump extremist group. • Instagram: Inaugural poet Amanda Gorman is the first-ever poet to grace the cover of Vogue Magazine – and when I say ‘grace’….I mean GRACE. #gorgeous https://www.instagram.com/p/CNX1HJRFrgY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
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