Category: News

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News Round-Up: September 26, 2019

Some news items you might have missed: • InstaHunks: Fitness guy Bremen Menelli (above) took a walk in the park. A very, very wet park… 🙂 • Instinct: Openly gay sports radio host Seth Dunlap has filed a discrimination lawsuit against his station WWL after the Twitter account for the station called him a “fag.” In the 15 days since the posting of the tweet, the station has reportedly not apologized to Dunlap nor has the employee who wrote the tweet been identified. WWL Radio is alleging that Dunlap sent the homophobic tweet himself in an attempt to extort $1.8 million from the station. • NY Daily News: A gay couple eating at a Queen restaurant say they were viciously attacked by a group of homophobic guests, and neither the restaurant employees nor the security guard moved to intervene. “We asked one of the security guys to do something about it but he said that the best we could do is to finish eating and leave.” • NFL.com: Pepsi, the NFL and Roc Nation has announced artists Jennifer Lopez and Shakira will perform for the Pepsi Super Bowl LIV halftime show on February 2, 2020 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. Past headliners have included Maroon 5, Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga, Coldplay, Beyonce, Bruno Mars, and Madonna.

• The Atlantic: “It is impossible that the whistle-blower is a hero and I’m not. And I will be the hero! These morons—when this is over, I will be the hero.” – Rudy Giuliani • The Advocate: Dallas police Tuesday have arrested Domingo Ramirez-Cavente, 29, in connection with the shooting of a transgender woman, Rony Calderon, over the weekend. An arrest affidavit says that when police brought in Ramirez-Cavente, he admitted in an interview to shooting the victim. He has been charged with aggravated assault. • Variety: Newly-minted Emmy Award winner Billy Porter will add another accomplishment to his resume as it has been announced he will direct an episode of POSE for the upcoming Season 3 of the groundbreaking series. • Out Music: Synth-rock duo Dream Machines recently released this live performance of their latest single, “Sarajevo.” “Sarajevo” juxtaposes a catchy, upbeat synth groove with a political message about history’s tangential blindness to nationalism. The bass pounds like a juggernaut while lead singer Harry May-Kline’s vocals ask the listener, “are we over the line” in our fear of American zealotry.

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The Latest In Donald Trump / Ukraine Debacle

Trump walks past reporters with no comment

The latest news regarding the newly-announced official impeachment inquiry investigating allegations that Donald Trump used the presidency to encourage Ukraine to help dig up dirt on former Vice President Joe Biden: • The whistle-blower’s complaint has been released to the public. You can, and should, read the full document here. The whistle-blower states that he had “received information from multiple U.S. Government officials that the President of the United States is using the power of his office to solicit interference from a foreign country in the 2020 U.S. election.” The complaint also asserts that several in the White House were “deeply disturbed by what happened on that phone call” and there was an attempt to cover it up. • The New York Times also reports the whistle-blower who filed the initial complaint is a C.I.A. agent who was detailed to work at the White House for a period of time. According to the Times, the complaint seems to suggest “he was an analyst by training and made clear he was steeped in details of American foreign policy toward Europe, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of Ukrainian politics and at least some knowledge of the law.” • Law & Crime shares that Trump spoke about the unnamed whistle-blower today to a group of staffers from the United States Mission to the United Nations. A recording of Trump’s remarks show he wanted to know who the Ukraine whistleblower’s source or sources were “because that’s close to a spy.” The Donald also said in the “old days when we were smart” spies and traitors were treated “a little differently.” Many interpreted those words as a threat which could be seen as witness tampering and/or obstruction of justice.

• A new Morning Consult poll conducted over the last two days shows Americans split over whether they want to see Congress begin impeachment proceedings to remove Donald Trump from office. According to the survey of over 1,600 registered voters, 43 percent support impeachment, and 43 percent oppose it. What’s noteworthy here is that constitutes a 13 point net swing in favor of impeachment from another poll conducted over the weekend. The figure for support rose 7 points, while opposition dropped 6 points. (image via Flickr/White House – public domain)

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Whistleblower Complaint: Trump Used Presidency For Personal Gain, White House Tried To Cover It Up

Acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire

Acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire From the Washington Post:

The whistleblower complaint at the heart of the burgeoning controversy over President Trump’s call with the Ukrainian president claims not only that Trump misused his office for personal gain and endangered national security but that unidentified White House officials tried to hide that conduct.

“In the course of my official duties, I have received information from multiple U.S. government officials that the President of the United States is using the power of his office to solicit interference from a foreign country in the 2020 U.S. election,” the whistleblower wrote in the complaint dated Aug. 12.

The House Intelligence Committee released the seven-page document, which was directed to the heads of the House and Senate intelligence committees, Thursday morning. It also released a two-page appendix that was once classified and portions of which remain redacted.

“This interference includes, among other things, pressuring a foreign country to investigate one of the President’s main domestic political rivals. The President’s personal lawyer, Mr. Rudolph W. Giuliani, is a central figure in this effort. Attorney General [William P.] Barr appears to be involved as well,” the whistleblower wrote.

Part of what concerned the whistleblower was that the record of the Ukraine phone call was removed from the computer system where such records are normally stored. More from NBC News:

The whistleblower says White House officials told them the conversation on July 25 between Trump and Zelenskiy was removed from the computer system that is typically used for such records of calls with foreign leaders.

Instead, the whistleblower writes, the transcript was loaded into a separate electronic system that is used only for information that is of an “especially sensitive nature.” One White House official described that as an abuse of the secure system because there was nothing “remotely sensitive” on the phone call from a national security perspective, the whistleblower said.

In his testimony today, Acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire told the House Intelligence Committee the whistleblower alleging President Trump abused the power of the presidency has “acted in good faith throughout” and that “I have every reason to believe” both the whistleblower and the inspector general “have done everything by the book and followed the law.”  

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Baby Alba Was Rejected By 20 Families, And Then Along Came The Perfect Dad

Single dad Luca Trapanese and daughter Alba (image via Instagram)
Luca Trapanese has always wanted to be a father. But as a gay single man living in Italy, the laws regarding adoption are very stringent. Married heterosexual couples between the ages of 18 – 45 are the primary candidates to adopt, although single parents may apply under certain circumstances. Luca shared with the BBC, “They told me that they would only give me children with illnesses, severe disabilities, or behavioral problems.” And along came Alba. Alba was only 30 days old and had been rejected by 20 families, including her biological mother because she had Down syndrome. But Luca, who has volunteered and worked with disabled people since he was a teen, didn’t hesitate. After receiving a call about the infant, he rushed to the hospital to sign the adoption documents. “When I held her in my arms, I was filled with joy,” said Luca. “I felt that she was my daughter straight away. I knew I was ready to be her father.”

Being gay, single and Catholic, Luca feels he’s challenging the stereotypes regarding fatherhood and traditional families. Today, Alba is 18 months old and thriving. Like all children, she loves to play and dance around the house, explore new places like parks and museums, and go to work with her dad. Luca shares that she can be a bit stubborn at times, but that’s life with a toddler. “She’s brought me happiness and a sense of fulfillment,” says the 41-year-old dad. “I’m proud to be her father.” “I’ll spend the rest of my life with a child that I love, and we’ll do so many amazing things together.” Fortunately, Luca likes to share his life with Alba on Instagram. Check out some photos of this awesome dad and daughter duo.

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Trump Asked Pelosi If They “Could Work Something Out”

According to CNN, Donald Trump apparently asked Nancy Pelosi if “we could work something out” regarding the ongoing whistleblower scandal.

President Donald Trump was incredulous Tuesday as he sat in Trump Tower and watched House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announce she was launching a formal impeachment inquiry against him, sources familiar with the moment say. Sitting in the same building where he launched his long shot presidential campaign four years ago, Trump said he couldn’t believe it, he later told people. He had felt confident after phoning Pelosi earlier that morning. The drive for impeachment in her caucus had ramped up amid reports he pushed the Ukrainian President to investigate Joe Biden, and Trump was hoping to head off a clash. He figured he could de-escalate tensions by speaking with her directly.

NBC News correspondent Heidi Przybyla shared on MSNBC that she was briefed by Pelosi on a phone call she received from Trump where the president attempted to diffuse the situation through negotiations. “The president actually said to Nancy Pelosi, ‘Hey, can we do something about this whistleblower complaint? Can we work something out?’” “And [Pelosi] said, ‘Yes, you can tell your people to obey the law.'”

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Podcast: Billy Porter At The Emmys, Mayor Pete’s ‘Grumpy’ Moment, Queer Eye Star’s New Memoir

Billy Porter wins at the Emmy Awards, Mayor Pete Buttigieg had a 'grumpy' moment with the LGBT media In this week’s podcast: • Billy Porter makes history at the Emmy Awards • Arizona’s Supreme Court rules it’s fine for businesses to discriminate against LGBTQ people • Democratic White House hopeful Pete Buttigieg got grumpy with the LGBTQ media • A conservative lawmaker (who opposed LGBTQ rights because Jesus) charged with possessing child pornography • Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness comes out as HIV positive All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report

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LGBTQs Get Two-Sentence Mention In Trump’s UN Address

Donald Trump gives passing mention of LGBTQ rights during his 2019 address of the United Nations

Donald Trump gives passing mention of LGBTQ rights during his 2019 address of the United Nations During his speech before the United Nations today, Donald Trump included a mention of his administration’s previously announced plans to encourage more than 70 countries worldwide to decriminalize homosexuality. “My administration is working with other nations to stop criminalizing of homosexuality,” Trump said in a halting cadence. “And we stand in solidarity with (pause) LGBTQ people who live in countries that punish, jail and execute people based upon sexual orientation.” Gregory T. Angelo, who served as president of the Log Cabin Republicans for six years, quickly tweeted a video of Trump’s inclusion of the initiative.

The global initiative, which is reportedly being led by U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell, was announced in February. This is the first time Trump has mentioned the initiative in a public speech. Angelo and his conservative LGBTQ bunch may be fawning over today’s two-sentence mention, but it’s worth noting that Trump is not the first president to mention LGBTQ issues while addressing the United Nations. That would be President Barack Obama. During an address of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2011, President Obama said, “No country should deny people their rights to freedom of speech and freedom of religion, but also no country should deny people their rights because of who they love, which is why we must stand up for the rights of gays and lesbians everywhere.” Later that same year, then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave a full 30-minute speech regarding LGBTQ rights before the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. It was there that she famously told the United Nations delegates, “Gay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights.” While Trump may TALK about standing in ‘solidarity’ with LGBTQ people, GLAAD’s ‘Trump Accountability Project’ just noted his administration’s 125th attack on the LGBTQ community since taking office. Just a few of those attacks are: • Filing an amicus brief asking the U.S. Supreme Court to rule against workplace protections for LGBTQ Americans • Trump’s misguided ban on transgender military service members • Efforts to use ‘religious freedoms’ as a basis for legalizing LGBTQ discrimination • Announcing plans for a new policy which would allow adoption agencies to deny LGBTQ couples the ability to adopt children based on so-called “religious exemptions” So, let’s not get all cray-cray that the Donald is suddenly our full-throated advocate, ok?

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News Round-Up: September 24, 2019

Michael and I visiting a church Portofino
Some news items you might have missed: • Throwback Thursday: Remembering that time Michael and I visited Portofino in 2018 and stopped by a beautiful little church (above). We were happily surprised when Michael didn’t spontaneously combust 🙂 • Tuscon.com: Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey says he’s “against discrimination in all its forms” but won’t support extending state laws to prohibit discrimination against LGBTQ people. He does support the recent Arizona Supreme Court ruling that allows Christian owners of a calligraphy firm to refuse to prepare wedding invitations for same-sex couples. • Sacramento Bee: The 1st District Court of Appeal in San Francisco ruled that a Sacramento-area transgender man can sue Mercy San Juan Medical Center over the last-minute cancellation of his hysterectomy, overturning a lower-court ruling that dismissed the case. The patient contends his surgery was canceled due to anti-transgender bias. • Politico: White House hopeful Elizabeth Warren has announced a $10 million ad buy in early voting states. • HuffPost: Focus Features’ Downton Abbey ruled over the box office competition in North America this past weekend. The big-screen continuation of the popular British TV show beat expectations with $31 million when it debuted in 3,079 theaters, setting a new opening weekend record for the studio. • Washington Post: A new study shows 78 percent of the most influential jobs in Donald Trump’s White House have turned over during his tenure, a figure higher than those for the entire first terms of the previous four administrations. • National Voter Registration Day: President Barack Obama (and I) want to encourage you to not only register to vote, but VOTE! Check to see if you’re registered by clicking over to IWillVote.com OR text VOTER to 26797 to make sure you are registered to vote and get alerts for all your elections.

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Pelosi Announces Official Impeachment Inquiry Of Donald Trump

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announces launch of formal impeachment inquiry into Donald Trump

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announces launch of formal impeachment inquiry into Donald Trump Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced today that Democrats were moving forward with an official impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump. “The actions of the Trump presidency revealed the dishonorable fact of the president’s betrayal of his oath of office, betrayal of our national security, and betrayal of the integrity of our elections,” said Pelosi in a statement. “Therefore, today I’m announcing the House of Representatives is moving forward with an official impeachment inquiry.” Trump responded on Twitter saying Pelosi’s actions ‘ruined’ his great day at the UN.

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Senate Unanimously Calls For Release Of Whistleblower Complaint

The US Senate has unanimously approved a non-binding resolution calling for the release of whistleblower complaint

The US Senate has unanimously approved a non-binding resolution calling for the release of whistleblower complaint Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called for, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell allowed (both pictured above), a voice vote in the U.S. Senate calling for the release of the whistleblower complaint received on August 12 that began the current Ukraine/Trump scandal. The non-binding resolution was approved unanimously.

Meanwhile, Trump tweeted that he’s already ordered the release of the “complete, fully declassified and unredacted transcript” of his phone call with the Ukrainian president.

‘Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives…’