CNN anchor Anderson Cooper (via Instagram) Out CNN anchor Anderson Cooper Zoomed into Howard Sterns’ radio show this week to chat on the news of Cooper’s new son, Wyatt, who was born on April 27. Along with the ‘proud dad’ announcement, Cooper has publicly shared that his ex-boyfriend, Benjamin Maisani, will co-parent Wyatt. Since the couple broke up over two years ago, the news surprised some folks. So, Howard went right to it asking: “Don’t you want a clean break from this guy?” Anderson Cooper and Benjamin Maisani (via Instagram) Cooper’s response was both moving and disarmingly candid. “I don’t really have a family, so my friends become my family,” said the 52-year-old journalist. “And this is somebody that I was involved with for 10 years. He’s a great guy.” “We didn’t work out as a couple, but when I was a little kid, it was just my mom and my brother,” he continued. “But it was my mom and she was not the most parental person.”
Cooper’s mother was acclaimed artist, fashion designer and socialite Gloria Vanderbilt, who passed away last summer at the age of 95. His father, Wyatt Emory Cooper, died in 1978 when Anderson was just 10-years-old. His brother, Carter, died after committing suicide ten years later in 1988. “I wish some adult, after my dad died, had stepped in, and just been like, you know what? I’ll take you to a ball game, or let’s go out to lunch every now and then, and let’s just talk,” he shared. “No one ever did that.” “And so I thought, if something happens to me – or even if something doesn’t happen to me –if more people love my son and are in his life, I’m all for that,” he said. “My ex is a great guy and it’s good to have two parents if you can.” Considering the two-parent status, Sterns asked, “Are you both going to be ‘dad?’” “Well, my ex is French, his name is Benjamin, so he’s going to speak to him in French and he’s going to be like, ‘papa,’” explained Cooper. “And I think I’ll be ‘dad’ or ‘daddy.’” “He’s already speaking French to him, I have no idea what he’s saying,” he added before joking, “He could be turning the kid against me, I don’t know.” I’ll say I completely understand Anderson’s thinking, and he knows he can trust Benjamin. Good on him.
Bremen Minelli (via Instagram) Some news items you might have missed: • InstaHunks: I love fitness guy Bremen Menelli’s (above) caption for this – “You have to know how to do both.” • US News & World Report: A new study shows lesbian, gay, and bisexual members in the U.S. military are at higher risk for sexual harassment, sexual assault, and stalking. Researchers say that sexual victimization can trigger mental health problems such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use, and suicidal behavior. • The Advocate: An arrest has been made in the case of a gay man killed over 30 years ago. Police in the Australian state of New South Wales have charged a 49-year-old man with the murder of Scott Johnson, an American living in Sydney who was 27 at the time he died on December 8, 1988. • NBC News: An unreleased White House report shows coronavirus infection rates are spiking to new highs in several metropolitan areas and smaller communities across the country. The 10 top areas, recording surges of 72.4 percent or more over a seven-day period, include Nashville, Tennessee; Des Moines, Iowa; Amarillo, Texas; and — with a 650 percent increase — Central City, Kentucky. • Politico: Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) is reportedly emerging as a front-runner to become former Vice President Joe Biden’s running mate in the 2020 presidential election. Major Biden supporters see her as the best fit, although Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) is a leading contender, too. • NY Post: More insiders come forward to say Ellen DeGeneres isn’t all that nice. One former associate producer says one day, when she couldn’t find her eyeglasses and was unable to read a text on her phone, she called Apple CEO Steve Jobs in front of staff to complain iPhones should have “a bigger font.” Because she could. • Talking Points Memo: Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman has been hospitalized due to the coronavirus. Russia has reported more than 232,000 confirmed coronavirus cases as of Tuesday. • InstaHunks II: As I close this post, how about a quick peek down in Brazil? Tourism professional Kiko Riaze is pensive pondering quarantine life. Nice view, right? #YouKnowWhatIMean
Aimee Stephens (image via GoFundMe) NBC News reports that Aimee Stephens, the transgender funeral home worker whose firing led to legal proceedings that ended up at the U.S. Supreme Court, died Tuesday of renal failure. She was 59. The ACLU, which has been handling her case, announced the news on Twitter. In 2013, Stephens came out as transgender to her employer and was subsequently fired. Stephens sued and her case, Stephens v. R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Home, became part of a combined LGBTQ employment rights case. The high court heard oral arguments in October. In doing so, Stephens became the first transgender person to have their case heard in the highest court of the land.
A ruling from SCOTUS could be handed down any day now which could affect the employment rights of transgender people across the entire U.S. Years of kidney disease took its toll on Stephens and she required lengthy dialysis treatments. A GoFundMe campaign was launched last week to fundraise for her end-of-life costs.
With heavy hearts, we must share the news that Aimee Stephens, whose landmark case was the first case about the civil rights of transgender people to be heard by the Supreme Court, died today at her home in Detroit with her wife, Donna Stephens, at her side. She was 59.
Those who met Aimee Stephens know that her power was in her humbleness and sincerity. She has been an inspiration to millions of people around the world. We mourn with Aimee’s wife Donna, their daughter Elizabeth, and all of you. And we honor her life by fighting onward. pic.twitter.com/lzkmxviimv
The LGBTQ community owes Aimee Stephens our deepest gratitude for her bravery in standing up for the right of LGBTQ people to live as ourselves. We share our condolences with all of her friends & family, and especially her wife, Donna Stephens. https://t.co/wbMJpMgERu
“Somebody’s gotta do it” — Aimee Stephens, after bringing the first transgender rights case to SCOTUS Thank you for being the one to do it. We will continue your fight with your words and actions in our hearts. https://t.co/5AnnPZvk0V
— National Center for Transgender Equality (@TransEquality) May 12, 2020
The current U.S. Supreme Court (image: public domain) The U.S. Supreme Court heard three hours of oral arguments today in multiple cases regarding whether Congressional committees or district attorneys can subpoena the financial records of a president. Donald Trump is trying to fight two sets of subpoenas — one from three House committees and another from Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance. Reading several legal experts, Vance’s office appeared to have fared better during today’s oral arguments than the House’s lawyer. From the New York Times:
The court’s ruling, expected by July, could require disclosure of information the president has gone to extraordinary lengths to protect. Or the justices could rule that Mr. Trump’s financial affairs are not legitimate subjects of inquiry.
But some of the justices’ questions raised a third possibility: that the court could return the cases to lower courts for reconsideration under stricter standards. That would have the incidental effect of deferring a final decision beyond the 2020 presidential election.
The first argument of two the court heard, which dealt with the congressional investigations, seemed to go better for Mr. Trump.
The justices seemed more skeptical of the president’s case during the second argument, in which Jay Sekulow, a lawyer for Mr. Trump, argued that he was absolutely immune from criminal investigation while he remained in office.
The subpoenas ask for documents from Trump’s accountants or bankers, not from Trump himself. The firms have previously said they are willing to comply with the court’s ruling. Chief Justice John Roberts appears to be an apparent swing vote in the eventual ruling.
Early read on Supreme Court argument:
— Liberal four (RBG, Breyer, Sotomayor, Kagan) entirely dug in against President’s position; — Conservative four (Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh) not thrilled with Trump’s absolute positions; — Roberts searching for middle ground. — Elie Honig (@eliehonig) May 12, 2020
“Not a single thing is required of the President or the White House” to comply with these subpoenas.
The most impt words spoken by the House General Counsel at this Supreme Court argument. These subpoenas don’t demand anything of Trump–other than not putting him above the law. — Joshua A. Geltzer (@jgeltzer) May 12, 2020
Each case raises different issues: 1: Can House enforce its subpoenas in court in the face of widespread resistance from the Trump administration? 2: Is a sitting president subject to ANY criminal process while in office?
Supreme Court appears less divided in second case on NY subpoena. Not receptive to the broad argument of presidential immunity made by Trump lawyers. More interested in potential need for some heightened standard for such subpoenas, which NY lawyer is trying to address
If Justices are merely “umpires” as CJ Roberts claimed, than Trump should lose these cases 9-0, just as Clinton lost his claim to presidential immunity. Any other result would expose something rotten at the Supreme Court. And in a way, it’s good to know that now.
At issue today in SCOTUS is essentially this: Is the president an American citizen, subject like us to the rule of law? -or- Does the presidency confer a special status, which exempts POTUS for a time (and sometimes forever) from the laws that bind the rest of us?
C&C Coffee and Kitchen on Mother’s Day 2020 during COVID-19 pandemic (screen capture) From Colorado Community Media:
A Castle Rock restaurant reopened its doors to full dine-in service May 10, allowing dozens of customers inside despite public health orders put in place in March because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
C&C Coffee and Kitchen, a breakfast and Korean kitchen at 4284 Trail Boss Drive, had a line out the door about 10 a.m. Mother’s Day. Families of all sizes filed in past a “bouncer” with a visible sidearm. Every seat was taken as folks dined in. The floor was packed with people standing, waiting for coffee or take-out orders. One person could be seen wearing a mask inside the building.
“I expected it to be busy. I never expected this,” owner April Arellano said. “I’m so happy so many people came out to support the Constitution and stand up for what is right. We did our time. We did our two weeks. We did more than two weeks…and we were failing. We had to do something.”
The Tri-County Health Department says it received four complaints about the reopening. The Denver Post reports the restaurant has now lost its license to operate.
State health officials on Monday suspended the license of a Castle Rock restaurant that opened to large Mother’s Day crowds, a warning to other Colorado eateries that might also consider defying the statewide public health order that limits restaurants to take-out and delivery services.
C&C Coffee and Kitchen presents an “immediate health hazard,” Gov. Jared Polis said at a news conference, and its business license will be suspended until it no longer creates a threat to public health — likely for at least 30 days.
In this week’s headlines: • Brazil changes course on regulations that limit gay and bisexual me from donating blood • A gay couple in Tulsa speaks out after a neighbor posts anti-LGBTQ signs his front yard • Germany bans so-called ‘conversion therapy’ for minors • Out CNN anchor Anderson Cooper announces he’s become a dad • Two ground-breaking stars in their respective fields – rock and roll pioneer Little Richard and magician Roy Horn of Siegfried & Roy – pass away All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report
Former President Barack Obama (photo: Pete Souza/Public Domain) The Donald must be seething over this news. From the Chicago Tribune:
Former President Barack Obama will deliver a televised prime-time commencement address for the Class of 2020 during an hour-long event that will also feature LeBron James, Malala Yousafzai and Ben Platt, among others.
ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC will simultaneously air the special May 16 at 8 p.m. Eastern along with more than 20 other broadcast and digital streaming partners, according to the announcement Tuesday from organizers.
Several high school students from Chicago public schools and the Obama Youth Jobs Corps will join, as will the Jonas Brothers, Yara Shahidi, Bad Bunny, Lena Waithe, Pharrell Williams, Megan Rapinoe and H.E.R.
The event is titled “Graduate Together: America Honors the High School Class of 2020.” It’s hosted by the education advocacy group XQ Institute, The LeBron James Family Foundation and The Entertainment Industry Foundation.
L-R Chris Weaver, DJ Alec Brian (screen captures) Two attendees of last week’s now-infamous ‘Rona Rave’ in New York City have posted statements to the community at large admitting attending the shindig was a mistake, but also denouncing social media’s ‘cancel culture’ for the attacks the party-goers have experienced online. As I reported last week, videos of the party were posted by adult entertainment performer Ian Frost to his Instagram Story during the event. And when I say ‘videos,’ I mean some 31 videos were shared tagging many of the attendees with their Instagram handles. In the clips, you can see the 30+ party-goers were not of a mind to keep ‘social distancing’ practices in place, nor was anyone seen wearing a face mask amid the purple/pink party light. Twitter user Phillip Henry downloaded some of the clips and shared them to his followers, and quickly news of the event went viral.
People are fucking dying left and right and the gays are having full on house parties on a Monday night in NYC. JAIL pic.twitter.com/6f8Q2YzAJf
Many were angry that, with New York City being THE hotspot in the U.S. for COVID-19, the party seemed reckless and dismissive of the efforts of frontline workers. Chris Weaver, who performs drag under the stage name Nedra Belle and is a past contestant on NBC’s The Voice, began his video message on Facebook saying that he respects all those medical and essential workers. In fact, he shares he has friends “serving on the front lines,” and he’s “reached out to a couple of them to let them know that if they need anything, I’m there and would love to help in any way I can.” He then segues into the social media “dragging” aimed at the party-goers and adds that there’s now a “call for us to be ‘canceled.'” “I’m a human,” says Weaver. “I make mistakes just like you make mistakes. It’s life.” “I fully understand that I have to deal with the repercussions of what I did and that it’s just a reality that we have to face,” he adds. “But, I won’t be scared or run into a hole or a box because you don’t agree. Okay?”
Admitting that attending the party was ‘dumb,’ Weaver says in hindsight, “If I had to do it all over again, would I have attended the event? I would have not.” “Everybody’s all up in arms and so upset – that I can understand,” he continues. “There are thousands and thousands of people who have perished from this, and that is unfortunate.” “But I didn’t go out with the intent to hurt anyone,” explains the singer. “I didn’t go out with the intent to say, ‘Oh I’m gonna go out to this party and not wear a mask to get the virus and to spread the virus.’ That’s not what I did, that’s not what I plan on doing and that’s not who I am.” Weaver also shares that he’s suffered a personal loss during the COVID-19 health threat as his 31-year-old cousin succumbed to the disease last week. “So, for all these negative comments, let me tell you something about the gay community, the LGBTQ+ community. What we do is we are so good at building each other up. But we’re even better at tearing each other down. And the problem with that is, we can drag and drag and drag folks all day and all night, but there’s never a chance – where is the chance for redemption? Where’s the chance for somebody to make up for their mistakes or to get it right? We don’t give that, but we wanna cancel folks.” “Some people are going to look at this video and say… that’s the thing, people can issue an apology and people are never satisfied,” he continues, although there’s no apology in the 11-minute video. “People just want something to attack people on. If you want to cancel me, cancel me, I mean that’s, it is what it is. And I’m hoping that you open up your hearts, not just for me but for those who you have attacked. Please know that your reaction causes reaction. Think about the person on the other side.” “And so I love you all,” he says concluding his message. “And for those of you who are still on this train with me, thank you. For those of you who aren’t, I’ll see ya.” He then sings an a cappella “Let There Be Peace on Earth” and signs off with a call to keep practicing social distancing. “It’s hard, I know. I just needed a moment, y’all.” The DJ who was captured in one of the videos, Alec Brian, also posted a Facebook video with similar sentiments saying he regrets accepting the gig, he took the job on the spur of the moment, and since then he says he’s been attacked on social media by people who didn’t bother to learn the “whole story.” Again, there was no ‘apology’ to anyone but he does say he used the money he earned at the party to buy 300 face masks that will be donated to those that need them.
According to the New York City Health Department, at the time of the party, there were 171,723 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city; 43,383 hospitalized, 13,724 confirmed deaths and another 5,383 probable deaths. Today, those numbers have escalated to 178,766 confirmed cases. 44,812 hospitalizations, 14,753 confirmed deaths, and 5,178 probable deaths related to COVID-19.
L-R Gregory McMichaels, Travis McMichaels (mug shots) It turns out the video footage showing Gregory and Travis McMichaels shooting Ahmaud Arbery in the street was leaked by a friend believing it would clear them. The friend, attorney Alan Tucker, also put the blame for Arbery’s death on Arbery saying if he had ‘just froze’ he wouldn’t have been shot. From The Daily Mail:
The shocking video that showed two white men shooting unarmed black jogger Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia was leaked to the press by the assailants’ close friend who believed it would clear them of any crime.
Attorney Alan Tucker told Inside Edition Friday that he was responsible for releasing the footage, which showed his pals Gregory and Travis McMichael engaged in a fatal altercation with Arbery in Brunswick on February 23.
‘I really thought releasing the video would put the truth out to the public,’ Tucker stated.
‘If he [Arbery] had just froze and hadn’t done anything, then he wouldn’t have been shot.’
I see. Two white men in Georgia grab their guns, jump in their pickup truck and chase after a young black man jogging. They stop the young man waving their weapons and yelling at the young man. Not knowing who they were or what was happening, it was Arbery’s responsibility to just stand there and perhaps let them shoot him??? For over two months, there was little to no response by the local police authorities. It wasn’t until the video was released that public outcry made ignoring the case impossible. According to a report in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Brunswick District Attorney Jackie Johnson blocked police from arresting them because she was friends with Gregory McMichael, who worked as an investigator in Johnson’s office. The McMichaels have now been charged with murder and aggravated assault. Gregory McMichaels reportedly told police he recognized Arbery as a burglary suspect in the neighborhood. But no break-ins were reported in the neighborhood for seven weeks before they killed him.
During this morning’s episode of Fox & Friends, co-host Pete Hegseth wondered aloud if more testing might find more positive results, and if that would be a ‘good thing?’
“Data is a pesky thing too. Because what if we start testing more and as a result of more testing we find more positives? Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
“And if the leaders say we have more positive tests, therefore, we need to delay even further — that doesn’t make sense to people. Maybe those are the same amount of people that had it before. We just weren’t testing.
“So data can be the type of thing that leaders can also manipulate as we try to get forward and past this.”
“Is that a good or a bad thing?” Well, Pete, adequate testing would help answer that question. But what would be really bad is go just close our eyes and hope for the best.
