(via Instagram) Some news items you might have missed: • Instagram: The above is from one of my current favorite Instagram accounts, BigKidProblems. Follow them here for more witticisms on adulting. • The Advocate: A new study makes clear what we already knew to be an absolute truth: Male bisexuality exists. The study notes that the most equal bisexual response from the participants were found in men who rated themselves as Kinsey 2s, i.e. straight leaning, despite the vast majority of their arousal tests displaying at Kinsey 3. • New Music: Led by out frontman Tyler Glenn, alt-pop group Neon Trees drops its long-awaited 4th studio album today, I Can Feel You Forgetting Me. I’m digging the latest single, “Night,” which reminds me of 1980s Phil Collins/Genesis pop-rock – in a very good way. Between the brooding, catchy chorus and the pulsing, new wave beat, this is a good thing.
• Buzzfeed News: As the US grapples with a global pandemic that has stretched hospitals to the limit, a Christian university in Tennessee has rescinded a student’s offer of acceptance after learning he is gay. Alex Duron, an ICU nurse treating COVID-19 patients in San Antonio, says a few days after his interview the school called to say he’d “blown them away” and offered him admission. At no point did the school indicate that being gay was an issue. • Theatermania: Writer Alex Wood recently attended the first West End show staged with social distancing. Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber hosted an evening at London’s famed Palladium using only 500 of the venue’s 2,000 seats and included a new, refined air filtering system and temperature checks. • CBS-LA: An employee at a Los Angeles area Ralphs grocery store asked a male customer to wear a mask or leave the store. Instead, he rammed her with a shopping cart, so she pepper-sprayed him and called police. Witnesses to the altercation said the employee was defending herself, but she was still suspended for her part in the incident. • Gr8erDays: Matt Rettenmund’s nostalgic Instagram account that remembers stars of yesteryear celebrates uber-handsome Mark Goddard, who played Major Don West in the 1960s sci-fi TV series, Lost In Space. Goddard turns 84 years young today.
Arkansas State Sen. Jason Rapert (image via Facebook) A virulently anti-LGBTQ lawmaker in Arkansas who decried his state’s face mask mandate as “draconian” has been hospitalized after testing positive for the coronavirus. State Sen. Jason Rapert (R-Conway) has also been diagnosed with pneumonia. ArkansasOnline reports he is in the hospital and responding well to treatment. The 48-year-old self-described social and fiscal conservative criticized Gov. Asa Hutchinson just a week ago when the face mask mandate went into effect. “There is no question that Covid19 is serious and can be very deadly for those with underlying conditions and the elderly,” wrote Rapert on his Facebook page. “But the fact is 99% of our nation has not been afflicted and this pandemic is no worse statistically than other severe outbreaks we have endured without draconian measures isolating the healthy and shutting down our entire economy. Even though he’s told his Facebook followers that “we have all been doing our best to wear a mask,” the senator preached (sans face mask) at the Potsville Assembly of God on July 6 about not being a “slave to fear.”
Jason Rapert preaching about not being a “slave to fear” during a maskless service in arkansas weeks ago. Today he’s in the hospital with COVID-19 and pneumonia https://t.co/IHGUyFgxe0
Earlier this year, Rapert denounced an appearance by openly gay Tony/Grammy/Emmy Award-winner Billy Porter on the children’s television series Sesame Street and called for defunding his state’s PBS affiliate. Rapert promoted an online petition expressing disgust over “Sesame Street’s decision to push drag queens on children,” and demanding that the show drop the episode featuring Porter.
When one commenter asked Rapert if Jesus would “approve of [his] judgment and intolerance,” Rapert dismissed the query saying, “You are totally amiss and you know it. Christians do not support anti-Biblical behavior. The Bible is clear on certain sins — including homosexuality.” Page Six asked Porter about the kerfuffle and the Pose star replied, “If you don’t like it, don’t watch it.” “Like, what about me singing with a penguin [on the show] has anything to do with what I’m doing in my bedroom?” Rapert has also called for bombing the Middle East with nuclear weapons, and in 2017 sponsored a resolution calling for a federal constitutional convention to add an amendment to the U.S. Constitution defining marriage as between a man and a woman. In 2015, he claimed Pride parades were held on Sundays to “mock Christians” and “try to intimidate people who believe in the Word of God.” In 2014, the state senator called for impeaching the judge who overturned his state’s ban on same-sex marriage. Rapert is currently the only announced candidate for lieutenant governor in 2022.
Ellen DeGeneres (image via Depositphotos) Some news items you might have missed: • US Weekly: Show staffers at The Ellen DeGeneres Show are reportedly gleeful since the publication of a report about the “toxic work environment” at the TV gabfest. “They’re loving that the truth — which has been an open secret for years in the industry — is finally receiving more interest.” • Buzzfeed News: A federal prosecutor arrested for drunk driving used anti-gay slurs and other abusive terms according to an inspector general report obtained by BuzzFeed News. Nine officers went on record saying the unnamed prosecutor used the word “f*ggot” repeatedly. • NY Times: On July 9, the U.S. crossed the 3 million mark in terms of positive COVID-19 tests. Just 14 days later, we crossed the 4 million mark. #SoMuchWinning • KIT212: I’m late but Kenneth nailed this week’s ‘Wrestle Wednesday’ (below). Hit the link for more reverse stripping. • NBC News: Donald Trump finally succumbed to the writing on the COVID-19 wall and has canceled his huge, in-person Republican convention in Jacksonville, Florida. The Republican National Party will still hold virtual events, and the Trumpster will still get to give his acceptance speech. • USA Today: The Senate overwhelmingly passed a massive defense bill Thursday afternoon that includes the removal of Confederate names from army bases and creates a possible showdown between Congress and President Donald Trump, who opposes renaming the bases. The bill passed by a lopsided count of 86 to 14, well over the number required to override a presidential veto. • The Hill: Donald Trump whined today about an ad released by presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden that featured former President Obama saying the U.S. is not dealing with the coronavirus pandemic as “smartly” as other countries with similar resources. The conservative anti-Trump group, The Lincoln Project, trolled back asking Trump to identify an elephant in reference to the Donald’s constant preening about passing a dementia test.
What is this: 🐘
— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) July 23, 2020
Every member of the Washington Nationals and the New York Yankees took a knee tonight before the national anthem. Not during – so shut up far-right wackos – but before the anthem. #awesome
Everybody on both teams took a knee prior to the anthem. Then stood for the anthem. pic.twitter.com/Z186ZDEsU9
Donald Trump (image via Flickr/WhiteHouse – public domain) While Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis continues to paint an upbeat picture of the coronavirus health threat in his state, Donald Trump broke with DeSantis saying the Sunshine state is in a “big tough position” when it comes to the coronavirus pandemic during his first briefing on the pandemic in three months on Tuesday. From Forbes:
Trump identified Florida, which is now his home state and where he plans to accept the Republican nomination next month, as a state that is in a “big tough position” when it comes to coronavirus.
Despite essentially all evidence suggesting otherwise, DeSantis has continually downplayed the severity of the coronavirus outbreak in the state during press briefings.
There are now 53 ICUs in Florida that are reporting 0% capacity, according to the state, which set a record for new hospitalizations Tuesday with 517.
Deaths have also spiked in the state, which reached a new daily high of 156 last Thursday.
Florida is clearly the U.S. coronavirus epicenter and has been for weeks, averaging over 10,000 new cases a day through much of July, according to data from Johns Hopkins University, including a national record high of 15,300 new cases on July 12.
According to Florida Public Radio, Florida reported its largest number of deaths in a single day (173) from the coronavirus today. Trump’s remark might have something to do with his polling in the vital swing state tanking as the latest Quinnipiac University poll shows him trailing former Vice President Joe Biden among registered voters by 13 points – 51 percent to 38 percent. That same poll showed 79% of Floridians support mandating the wearing of face masks when in public which DeSantis has refused to do.
We continue to monitor hospital bed availability & Florida is in good shape – statewide nearly 24% of hospital beds and just under 20% of ICU beds are available.
July 2020 Biden 51% Trump 38% July 2016 Clinton 39% Trump 42% This is not a parallel path to 2016. Even if it’s half of the real margin, @realDonaldTrump is going to get humiliated electorally and kill the @GOP down ballot. — Anthony Scaramucci (@Scaramucci) July 23, 2020
(image via Instagram) Some news items you might have missed: • InstaHunks: Dan Tai (above) is giving me life wearing his sexy swim shorts from Box Menswear. Dan’s post shares some very wise somethingsomethingsomething and then asks how many other people are in the photo? #OtherPeople? • The Advocate: The past 12 months saw LGBTQ+ representation in elective office in the U.S. grow by 21 percent, with 843 known out officials as of June. The number of out officials is likely to grow even more over the next 12 months with more than 880 openly LGBTQ+ people currently running for office in 2020 — the most ever. • U.S. Military: A study by the Palm Center shows Donald Trump’s ban on transgender military service members could realistically be reversed within a 30-day period. “All the ingredients are there for a virtually instant reversal.” • The Lincoln Project: Major props to this anti-Trump group for their latest – a totally Seinfeld-inspired campaign ad. You’ve got to give it to these folks for style.
• Gaily Grind: Another day, another ‘Karen.’ A woman in Washington state walked into a pizza restaurant demanding they serve her when she refused to wear a face mask. ‘I have a right to my pizza!’ #srsly • NBC News: Two data sets from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published Tuesday say true COVID-19 rates are more than 10 times higher than reported cases in some U.S. regions. The estimates are based on COVID-19 antibody tests performed on routine blood samples in 16,000 people in 10 U.S. regions. • Snoop Watch: My hubby Michael got tired of waiting for our new dog to freely offer up kisses, so he bribed the Snoop with peanut butter (top photo). Hit the play button below to see the craven bribery.
During a White House press briefing today, Donald Trump was flummoxed when CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins asked the Donald why he blamed President Obama in 2016 for violent crime in Chicago, but today Trump doesn’t take responsibility. “In 2016, you said it was President Obama’s fault when shootings in Chicago were up,” said Collins. “So why was it President Obama’s fault then, but it’s not your fault now?” “Chicago is a disaster,” said Trump, diverting from the question. “The mayor is saying, don’t come in, the mayor is telling us not to come in.” After Collins followed-up on the question, Trump again blamed his predecessor, “Because President Obama was invited in, and he did a poor job … he could have solved the problem.”
.@kaitlancollins: In 2016, you said it was Obama's fault crime was up in Chicago. So why was it Obama's fault then & not your fault now?
Professional Boxer James Hawley (images via Instagram) As the old saying goes, “Act like a fool, get treated like a fool.” British pro boxer James Hawley was dropped by his promoter MTK Global after he went on a homophobic and transphobic rant on TikTok. Hawley was responding to a question from a fan who asked, “Do you support LGBT?” “I one thousand, one million percent do not agree with this stuff,” replied Hawley in his video response. “Listen, I can understand girls get with each other all the time at parties and all things like that. I don’t care, not a problem. I’d want them to get with each other in front of me.” “But boys, on the other hand, and transgenders, there’s something seriously wrong with you,” the 21-year-old boxer continued. “What in the earth makes you want to change your gender and get f**ked in the ass? What is up with you dirty c*nts? I feel sorry for your families.” UK drag star Baga Chipz shared the video clip on Twitter calling Hawley out as “homophobic filth” and “an absolute piece of dirt.”
(Offensive video) Today’s Scum is no other than “pro boxer” and really hard man James Hawley. Homophobic Filth. What a hard man. Report the Low life. What an absolute piece of dirt. pic.twitter.com/W7hdWwbDE0
MTK Global got wind of the anti-LGBTQ rant and quickly dropped Hawley from their roster. In a statement, MTK Global said: “The management team have made the decision to terminate Mr. Hawley’s contract with MTK Global with immediate effect and will no longer be representing him in any format.” Adding that the firm “prides itself on it’s community focus and ethos,” the statement went on to say, “MTK Global does not in any way condone or support the views that were shared in any way, nor will these comments ever be considered as acceptable from any of our fighters hence the decision that was made by management.” The Daily Mail notes that, since his debut in December 2014, Hawley has a 6-0 record in the boxing ring. Hawley confirmed he’d been dropped by MTK in a video posted to his Instagram Story saying he “understands” why the action was taken. He also added that the night of his rant he’d “hit a brick wall and had enough” of being sent messages and “disturbing images” by a “few members of the gay community.” “I lashed out and said a few things I didn’t mean,” Hawley continued. Next comes the inevitable… “I have some friends who are gay,” Hawley offered. “I also have a cousin who’s gay, so I never meant anything by it and I’m sorry for who I offended.” But flipping the script, Hawley asks, “How would you like it if members from the gay public, on a day to day basis, was sending you inappropriate videos and messages – basically abusing you?” He ended the ‘apology’ by saying he felt his dismissal from MTK was “unfair” and is hoping for a chance to share his “side of the story” and present “evidence” that shows his rant was an “attack out of anger, not over what I believe.” Hawley goes on to say if men were sending unwanted sexually suggestive photos and messages to a woman “the situation would be completely different.”
@ChipShopBird hahaha his Instagram apology is bizarre. He apologises, then justifies his behaviour.. then he says he understands why he has been dropped by @MTKGlobal but says the decision was wrong! Guy needs a tutor and detention.. 🙄 go you though for calling him out! 👌🏽
“If this happened to a girl…massive action would be taken”. No it wouldn’t, most women have stories of harassment online and offline but we don’t all use it as an excuse for homophobia. He should just admit he’s a bigot and stop playing the victim.
What do you think readers? Should Hawley have been sacked? Or does unwanted attention (and photos) from gay fans justify his rant? Let me know in the comments below.
L-R Billy Eichner, the late Paul Lynde (via Back2Stonewall) Some news items you might have missed: • Back2Stonewall: Out actor-comedian Billy Eichner is set to play TV icon Paul Lynde in the upcoming biopic Man in the Box. While Lynde never officially “out,” his sexuality was well-known in front of and behind the camera throughout a run on television beginning in the ’50s up until his death in 1982. • KOMO: The cast and creators of the Emmy-nominated cult HBO classic The Comeback will reunite on July 21 as part of the Stars In the House daily live-streamed series. The show’s creator and star Lisa Kudrow will be on board to chat on the satirical reality show that followed one woman’s journey as a B-list sitcom actress trying to reclaim A-list status via reality TV. Hot hubby Michael and I loved the series – Kudrow was brilliant walking the fine line of reality/scripted TV. • ABC News: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell revealed Tuesday morning that Senate Republicans plan to support another round of stimulus checks to Americans in their next coronavirus relief proposal. This time around, however, Republicans would like to lower the income threshold to qualify. The cap on payments in the first CARES bill was $99,000. • NPR: Teachers in Florida are suing the state to block an emergency order requiring schools to open next month with in-person instruction. They say, with the surge of coronavirus cases, the order violates a provision in Florida’s constitution requiring the state to ensure schools are operated safely. • BroBible: A teen employee at a Lowe’s store in Washington, Kyle Sales, was forced to change his tee-shirt reading “Black Panther Wakanda Forever” after a ‘Karen’ complained the shirt was racist. After the exchange, Sales went home and put a jersey over his Black Panther movie shirt. The next day, ‘Karen’ returned demanding to know how Sales was punished. • Boy Culture: Donald Trump, at his daily coronavirus presser, was asked about Ghislaine Maxwell — perhaps you’ve heard of her? The lady accused of running a child-sex ring for Jeffrey Epstein, who died on Trump’s watch? Yeah, he said — twice — “I wish her well.”
Trump coolly admits to having met Ghislaine Maxwell several times, and says — twice — “I wish her well.” Astounding. Video: pic.twitter.com/R8lwDfTKhR
Paramount’s ‘Rocketman’ was one of the more prominent LGBTQ-inclusive movies of 2019 Last week, GLAAD released its 8th annual Studio Responsibility Index, tracking LGBTQ representation in major studio films in 2019. This report is essential for assessing the quality, quantity, and diversity of LGBTQ characters in films released annually and setting the path for representation moving forward. One of GLAAD’s most significant contributions to the media landscape is assessing LGBTQ representation, and holding major players accountable when there are efforts to erase the experience of LGBTQ people. The report is intended to serve as a road map toward increasing fair, accurate and inclusive LGBTQ representation in film. GLAAD found that of the 118 films released from the eight major studios tracked in 2019: • 22 (18.6%) included characters that were LGBTQ representing a slight increase from the previous year’s report (+0.4 percentage points) and the highest percentage of inclusive films found in the eight-year history of the report. • 56% appeared for less than three minutes of total screen time, with 21 of the 50 receiving less than one minute of screen time. Only nine films from the 8 major studios included an LGBTQ character who had more than ten minutes of screen time. • More bad news – there was a significant decrease in the racial diversity of LGBTQ characters in major films for the second year in a row. In 2019, just 34 percent (17) of LGBTQ characters were people of color. This is down from 42 percent in the previous report and from 57 percent in the year before that. • The report found zero transgender characters in major studio films, and only three movies included bisexual characters. In 2018, GLAAD issued a challenge to major studios asking for an increase to 20 percent representation by the end of 2021, and up that to 50 percent LGBTQ representation by the year ending 2024. GLAAD is extending that challenge to ensure that within the next two years, at least half of LGBTQ characters in major studio films are people of color. For more information how you can help GLAAD fight for more fair LGBTQ representation in the media, click here. (source: GLAAD)
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