Category: News

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Trump On Call With Ukraine: ‘It Was A Perfect Conversation’

Donald Trump has called his conversation with the president of Ukraine wherein he pressed the foreign leader to investigate Joe Biden, a 'perfect' conversation.

Donald Trump has called his conversation with the president of Ukraine, wherein he pressed the foreign leader to investigate Joe Biden, a 'perfect' conversation. Surrogates for Donald Trump were out this morning defending the Donald’s phone call with the president of Ukraine which the Wall Street Journal asserts Trump pressed his Ukrainian counterpart 8 times to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden. Via Reuters:

Joe Biden has called on Trump to disclose the transcript of his conversation with Zelensky so “the American people can judge for themselves.”

When asked about releasing the transcript, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told ABC News that “those are private conversations between world leaders and it wouldn’t be appropriate to do so except in the most extreme circumstances.”

The intelligence community inspector general has described the whistleblower’s August 12 complaint as “serious” and “urgent,” conditions that would normally require him to forward the complaint to Congress. Trump has characterized the complaint as “just another political hack job.”

From Politico:

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said on Sunday that allegations that President Trump elicited dirt on former Vice President Joe Biden, a 2020 White House hopeful, during a phone call with Ukraine’s leader are merely speculation.

“I think things are being implied that just don’t exist,” Mnuchin said on CNN’s “State of the Union.” Tapper on Sunday pressed Mnuchin on why the White House is withholding information.

“Conversations with foreign leaders are supposed to be confidential,” he said, adding that it would be a “terrible” precedent to release the details. No evidence has emerged to suggest Biden acted with his son’s interests in mind in regards to his dealings with Ukraine.

Trump told reporters today that his conversation with the president of Ukraine was, of course, ‘perfect:’

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Trump Whines About ‘Ukraine Witch Hunt’ To Protect ‘Sleepy Joe’

More details have come to light about Donald Trump’s unusual phone call wherein he reportedly pressed the president of Ukraine 8 time to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden or Trump would withhold previously promised military aid. From the Washington Post:

When President Trump spoke on the telephone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in late July, the Ukrainians had a lot at stake. They were waiting on millions in stalled military aid from the United States, and Zelensky was seeking a high-priority White House meeting with Trump.

Trump told his Ukrainian counterpart that his country could improve its image if it completed corruption cases that have “inhibited the interaction between Ukraine and the USA,” according to a readout of the call released by Kiev.

What neither government said publicly at the time was that Trump went even further — specifically pressing Ukraine’s president to reopen a corruption investigation involving former vice president Joe Biden’s son, according to two people familiar with the call, which is now the subject of an explosive whistleblower complaint.

Trump, of course, took to Twitter to denounce what he now calls the ‘Ukraine Witch Hunt.’

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News Round-Up: September 20, 2019

Some news items you might have missed: • InstaHunks: Can we talk about the massive thighs (above) of hottie Dan Tai? That represents a whole lotta leg days… #dang • ESPN: Out Olympian Gus Kenworthy pens a personal essay explaining how he landed his new role on American Horror Story: 1984, and how quickly he felt the LGBTQ community was quick to ‘cut him down.’ • Twitter: Looking fabulous at 50, Jennifer Lopez closed out the Versace Spring 2020 show in Milan in a reimagined version of her iconic 2000 Grammy dress. #YouBettaWalk

• Medium: Democratic presidential hopeful Mayor Pete Buttigieg shares his thoughts as a gay military veteran on the 8th anniversary of the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.’ • Media Matters: Anti-LGBTQ lawyer Kristen Waggoner told Fox News that policies protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination are bad for business. In reality, more than 160 leading businesses support federal nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people, and the vast majority of Fortune 500 companies have inclusive policies. • Washington Post: Making an apparent reference to transgender women, HUD Secretary Ben Carson expressed concern about “big, hairy men” trying to stay in women’s homeless shelters during an internal meeting. Carson also lamented that society no longer seemed to know the difference between men and women, two of the agency staffers said. • New Music: “Memories” marks the first new music from three-time GRAMMY® Award-winning band Maroon 5 since the release of their global anthem “Girls Like You” in 2017. Singer and songwriter Adam Levine said about the new track: “In an ever-increasingly crazy world, let’s just carve out one moment to think of those we love and share the memories of the ones we’ve lost.”

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News Round-Up: September 19, 2019

Gus Kenworthy and Emma Roberts in American Horror Story: 1984 Some news items you might have missed: • American Horror Story: Who caught last night’s debut of the #ThrowbackThursday worthy American Horror Story: 1984 featuring out Olympian Gus Kenworthy (above)? • CNN: Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and businessman Andrew Yang will not be taking part in either the LGBTQ Forum in Iowa tomorrow night or the CNN Town Hall on LGBTQ issues on October 10. Sanders has a town hall in North Carolina on September 20, and both campaigns site ‘scheduling conflicts’ for the October Town Hall. • Business Insider: A new poll shows only 13 percent of Americans would support the US joining Saudi Arabia in a military conflict as part of a response to a recent attack on two major Saudi oil fields. • ABC News: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized Thursday afternoon for photos from years ago showing him dressed in blackface and brownface. “This is something I deeply, deeply regret,” he told reporters, adding that wearing blackface is “always unacceptable because of the racist history of blackface. I should’ve understood it then, and I should have never done it.”

• OUT: Officials at a Russian university reportedly threatened a student with expulsion after an investigation – revealing he has a pink phone case – aroused suspicions he is gay. • Reuters: Yikes! Indonesia is poised to pass a new penal code that criminalizes consensual sex outside marriage. Under the proposed law, unmarried couples who “live together as a husband and wife” could be jailed for six months or face a maximum fine of 10 million rupiah ($710), which is three months’ salary for many Indonesians. • LA Times: In an early victory for Donald Trump, a federal judge ordered a temporary injunction Thursday against California’s first-in-the-nation law requiring candidates to disclose their tax returns for a spot on the presidential primary ballot. • New Music: DJ Gryffin (who is heading to my town of Las Vegas this weekend for the Life Is Beautiful Festival) releases his latest collaboration, “Baggage,” featuring UK synth-pop duo AlunaGeorge. A strong hook, hypnotic rhythms, and sleep house production make for a worthy addition to the 31-year-old’s catalog.

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Why Have Networks Stopped Reporting On LGBTQ Issues?

(photo credit: Pexels/Rosemary Ketchum)

(photo credit: Pexels/Rosemary Ketchum) Taking a look at the media coverage of LGBTQ issues over the past ten years, the folks at RealClearPolitics (RCP) noticed a disconcerting trend. Crunching the numbers from the Internet Archive’s Television News Archive, it seems the mention of the word “gay” or “gays” on cable news networks like CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC has dropped dramatically. Check out the graphic via RCP below. While the topic of gay rights was a mainstay in the daily news cycle during the Obama administration, thanks in great part to the fight for marriage equality, since the 2016 presidential election “gay” or “gays” have become almost nonexistent on cable news networks. The researchers considered that the networks might have shifted to using other terms – like LGBTQ, LGBT, lesbian, queer, or transgender – in recent years. But, looking at the numbers, there wasn’t a big difference when factoring in those terms. Perhaps the interest in gay rights has simply waned in the past three years? Could that be the issue? Using Google Trends, the data shows lots of internet searches regarding LGBTQ issues since Trump’s inauguration. Media Fellow Kalev Leetaru at RCP suggests that “a very mediagenic presidency has bombarded outlets with so many newsworthy stories that historically important topics like LGBTQ issues have been displaced from the news cycle.” Certainly, that’s a possibility. Donald Trump and his administration have tended to ‘suck up all the oxygen’ in the daily news cycle on a regular basis. Earlier this year, NewNowNext and Media Matters for America took a look at the number of LGBTQ stories during Pride Month on major news networks including CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, ABC News, NBC News, CBS News, and PBS. Considering it was the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, there was an expectation of decent coverage, no? In the end, Media Matters called the reporting “shallow and sparse,” especially in light of the fact that LGBTQ Americans make up approximately 4.5% of the U.S. population according to Gallup. For LGBTQ representation to reach a level of 4.5% of newscasts, Media Matters determined CNN and MSNBC would need to increase coverage by a factor of five. And NBC and Fox News would need to ramp up queer reporting to 11-15 times what was televised during Pride Month. It’s also worth noting that among the three Democratic primary debates so far, there’s been scant mention of LGBTQ issues. One of the few LGBTQ-centric moments among the debates was Mayor Pete Buttigieg sharing his coming out story as an example of learning to trust his constituents. Hopefully, the dearth of attention to these issues will be addressed (at least to some degree) when the Human Rights Campaign Foundation presents its LGBTQ town hall event, Power of Our Pride, to be co-hosted by CNN on October 10 beginning at 7pm ET. Touted as “the largest-ever audience for a Democratic presidential town hall devoted to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) issues,” HRC says the event will “mark the first time in history that a major cable news network will air a presidential event devoted to issues of importance to the LGBTQ community.” Nine of the eleven qualifying candidates have now confirmed their participation: former Vice President Joe Biden, Senator Cory Booker, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, former Secretary Julian Castro, Senator Kamala Harris, Senator Amy Klobuchar, former Representative Beto O’Rourke, Businessman Tom Steyer and Senator Elizabeth Warren. Each candidate will get 30 minutes alone on stage with a moderator to answer questions from the audience. Both Senator Bernie Sanders and Businessman Andrew Yang reportedly received invitations, but have not confirmed at this date. Additionally, ten Democratic candidates (Joe Biden, Cory Booker, Pete Buttigieg, Julián Castro, Tulsi Gabbard, Kamala Harris, Amy Klobuchar, Joe Sestak, Elizabeth Warren, and Marianne Williamson) — will take part in an LGBTQ forum Friday night (September 20) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The event, sponsored by GLAAD, One Iowa, The Gazette and The Advocate, will be hosted by transgender actor Angelica Ross (POSE), and will be the first time such an event has taken place since November 2007. (info & graphics via RealClearPolitics – lead image via Pexels/Rosemary Ketchum)

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GOP Group Criticizes Pence For Indifference On Foreign Governments Spending At Trump Hotels

A group of Republicans who are critical of Donald Trump has released a new TV spot that calls out Vice President Mike Pence for looking the other way when foreign governments spend millions at Trump resorts and hotels. Since Trump took office, bookings by foreign governments at Trump hotels has skyrocketed. During the 2016 presidential campaign, Pence criticized Hillary Clinton for the Clinton Foundation’s acceptance of donations during her time as Secretary of State. Note: none of the funds donated to the Clinton Foundation went into Hillary’s pocket. All went to charitable organizations.

Today, Pence’s reaction to the ramped-up stays at Trump resorts is just, “Who cares?”

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Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month With CNN’s Javier Morgado

CNN executive producer Javier Morgado

CNN executive producer Javier Morgado I’m always so proud of my friend, Javi Morgado. As the executive producer of CNN’s New Day, he just kills it every day. Such a pro. But that’s just part of his story. I’ve known Javi for years as a leader among LGBTQ journalists where, as a longtime member of the National Lesbian Gay Journalists Association, he’s given back time and time again. And throughout his career, he’s returned to Miami – where he began his professional journey – to give back to aspiring journalists. In one of the rare moments Javi has stepped in front of the camera, he shares some thoughts on his pride for Hispanic Heritage Month. “Proud to share my family’s story & represent CNN in AT&T’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration,” says Javi.

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Gay CEO Announces Bid For Governor Of Indiana

Indiana business man Josh Owens has announced his bid to become the first openly gay governor of Indiana

Indiana business man Josh Owens has announced his bid to become the first openly gay governor of Indiana It looks like Pete Buttigieg’s success as a two-term mayor of South Bend, Indiana, has inspired some other accomplished LGBTQ folks to run for office in the Hoosier state. Josh Owens, the CEO of Indianapolis-based online retailer SupplyKick, has announced his bid for governor of Indiana. Owens is the state’s first openly gay major party candidate for that office. Owens promises to focus on improving education and bringing an end to housing and workplace discrimination in Indiana. “I’m running for Governor now because I believe in an Indiana where teachers are paid what they deserve and where all are welcomed, respected and protected,” says Owens in his announcement video. “We need a leader who will ensure our state budget, policies and laws reflect a bold and inclusive vision for collective Hoosier success. “Today, many Indiana teachers have to work second jobs and even then, they spend their own money on classroom supplies,” he adds. “As a businessman, I know every Hoosier in the workplace matters, and leadership is required to solve this problem and finally pay them fairly.” Find out more at JoshOwens.com.

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Anonymous Kevin Spacey Accuser Dies Prior To Trial

The anonymous accuser of Academy Award winner Kevin Spacey has died before his lawsuit could go to trail A massage therapist, who was permitted to anonymously file a lawsuit against Academy Award winner Kevin Spacey (above screen capture) for sexual assault, has apparently died. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Spacey’s legal team filed a notice in court that the accuser’s attorneys had notified them on September 11 that their client had ‘recently passed.’ No details regarding the therapist’s death were disclosed. The plaintiff, using the name ‘John Doe,’ filed suit in September 2018 alleging Spacey forced him to grope the actor’s genitals twice during a massage at Spacey’s private residence in October 2016. After asking to leave, Doe claimed Spacey offered him oral sex. Doe was suing for battery, assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress and false imprisonment. In April, Spacey’s attorneys asked a federal judge to order the accuser to identify himself or dismiss the lawsuit. But in May, U.S. District Court Judge Ronald Lew ruled the massage therapist’s lawsuit could continue anonymously due to his “vulnerability to humiliation, harassment, and threats” which was “exacerbated by the nature of Defendant’s status as a high-profile celebrity and the media attention that comes with it.” In light of that ruling, the two legal teams had begun planning for what many expected to be a seven to eleven-day trial. In August, there were reports that the therapist claimed to know of two other “masseur victims” of Spacey’s “sexual assaults who expressed concern for their safety and/or do not want their names revealed publicly in the media.” The lawsuit could still continue, although according to The Hollywood Reporter the issue of anonymity could become complicated. For the family of the accuser to show standing, they would probably have to identify the accuser. The judge may not be as inclined to protect the privacy of a deceased man since he would no longer be ‘vulnerable to humiliation.’ In July, prosecutors in Massachusetts dropped criminal charges against Spacey just days after his accuser invoked his Fifth Amendment rights while on the witness stand. Spacey was facing charges of indecent assault and battery in connection to allegations of ‘groping’ an 18-year-old male at a Nantucket bar. But the case fell apart when the teen’s cellphone went missing. Spacey’s lawyers alleged the teen and his mother had altered text messages before handing the phone over to the police.

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Lewandowski Heads Back To Media To Lie Some More

Hours after telling the House Judiciary Committee he has “no obligation to be honest with the media because they are just as dishonest as everybody else,” former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski sat down for a series of interviews with multiple news outlets. From Vox reporter Aaron Rupar: On Wednesday morning, hours after the former Trump campaign manager’s chaotic and hyper-partisan testimony before the House Judiciary Committee ended with him admitting, under sharp questioning from committee Democrats’ counsel, to not playing it straight with the media regarding his involvement in President Donald Trump’s efforts to curtail the special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Trump and Russia, both Fox & Friends and CNN booked Lewandowski for interviews. Lewandowski’s interview on Fox & Friends — a show that regularly legitimizes the Trump administration’s talking points — was predictably chummy. But Lewandowski’s appearance on CNN, a network where he once worked as a paid contributor, produced the jarring image of him being interviewed over a chyron that seemingly refuted the rationale for booking him in the first place. Predictably, Lewandowski’s interview on CNN devolved into a pro wrestling-style confrontation in which he deflected from questions about the veracity of his congressional testimony by raising questions about Trump critics who, as he once did, work as paid contributors for the network, such as former acting FBI director Andrew McCabe.