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California DMV Denies ‘LTHR DDY’ License Plate For “Depravity”

We tend to think of California as being pretty liberal when it comes to perceptions of social culture.

Which is why San Francisco resident Robert Haynes was shocked when his request for a vanity license plate for his motorcycle that would read “LTHR DDY” (shorthand for ‘leather daddy’) was rejected by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

According to The Bay Area Reporter, the rejection letter Haynes received from the DMV referred to the phrase’s “sexual connotation” and that some might read it as “a term of lust or depravity.”

Depravity???

“I understood when I submitted this the term could be controversial, but for it to be a lustful or depraved reference is missing the scope of leather culture,” Haynes told the Bay Area Reporter. “And it is kind of endemic of how people take leather culture from the outside and immediately relate it to sexual as being exclusive to the entire lifestyle.”

Robert Haynes (photo credit: Charles Moniz)

Haynes tells the Bay Area Reporter he’s not super-involved with the leather community, although he did participate in the International Mr. Leather contest in 2011. The 38-year-old does think of himself as a leather daddy, and wears leather apparel when he takes his motorcycle out for rides.

Haynes went to the state senator who represents San Francisco, Scott Wiener, with his plight.

Wiener reportedly fired off a letter to the DMV denouncing the language used in the rejection and demanded Haynes’ vanity plate be approved.

“I was really floored that a California agency would boil the whole concept of leather daddy down to depravity or lust,” said Wiener. “Being part of the leather community is about so much more than sexuality. It is about diversity, freedom, and people being who they are.”

Mind you, just last week the city of San Francisco approved a new park that will commemorate the leather community.

And each year thousands flock to the city for the annual Folsom Street Fair, which celebrates the leather and BDSM communities.

In a letter to former acting DMV Director Bill Davidson, Wiener highlighted the many facets of the LGBTQ community which has always been a voice for “individual self-expression and diversity.”

The DMV has informed the state senator they have received his letter and are “in the process of drafting a reply at this time.”

Robert Haynes (courtesy of Robert Haynes)

For his part, Haynes has refused to cash the $50 refund check he received from the DMV, and hopes the plate arrives in time for this year’s AIDS/LifeCycle ride in June.

Haynes has taken part in the annual San Francisco AIDS Foundation/Los Angeles LGBT Center charity event six times, and will participate for the second time as part of the Moto Safety crew that protects and assists the bicyclists.

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Adam Lambert Shares Personal Struggles & New Music “Feel Something”

Adam Lambert (photo: Flickr/MarkKent – CC license)

Queen frontman Adam Lambert shared a lengthy and emotional message with his fans via social media on Thursday prior to releasing his new single, “Feel Something.”

In the note, Lambert opened up about personal challenges he’s faced in recent years in terms of having to compromising artistic vision in clashes with record executives and the effects it had on his mental health.

“I’m coming out of a dark period of second guessing my own artistry and having my mental health suffer because of it,” wrote Lambert. “I started asking myself, ‘Is all this hustle really worth it?’ I put all my focus on work and started to feel detached in my personal life. My self worth was suffering. I was lonely and becoming depressed.”

The American Idol alum credited his time and work with Queen rockers Brian May and Roger Taylor for recharging him “with tons of positive energy.”

“Together we have collaborated creatively on our tours and this helped me to reaffirm my confidence in my artistry,” wrote the 37-year-old. “Working with Queen helped keep my head above water, and I am so grateful to the spirit of Freddie Mercury, who has always inspired me to push ahead boldly.”

(image via Adam Lambert)

Citing the support of friends and family, as well as some professional help, Lambert told his fans he’s “pulled himself “out of the darkness.”

He also shares that he’s switched up not only his own management team, but changed record labels.

Turning to the new single, Lambert describes the song as “climbing out of the low period, defying my disillusionment, owning my needs, and opening my heart.”

In the song, Lambert sings:

I don’t need to feel love, I just want to feel something
If it’s never enough, at least it’s better than nothing
After everyone I’ve lost and ever kiss I wasted
I don’t, I don’t need to feel love, just want to feel something

“Since writing this song, I’ve found the joy I was missing and I’m back in my power,” he added. “I can’t wait for you to hear more!”

Check out “Feel Something” below, and don’t miss Lambert and Queen performing this Sunday night on the 90th Academy Awards on ABC at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST.

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Jussie Smollett Will Not Appear In Final Season 5 Episodes Of ‘Empire’

Variety reports that Jussie Smollett, arrested and charged with filing a false police report yesterday in Chicago, will not appear in the final episodes of Season 5 of Fox's Empire.
Jussie Smollett

Variety reports that Jussie Smollett, arrested and charged with filing a false police report yesterday in Chicago, will not appear in the final episodes of Season 5 of Fox’s Empire.

“The events of the past few weeks have been incredibly emotional for all of us” said series executives Lee Daniels, Danny Strong, Brett Mahoney, Brian Grazer, Sanaa Hamri, Francie Calfo and Dennis Hammer in a statement released Friday.

“Jussie has been an important member of our ‘Empire’ family for the past five years and we care about him deeply.

“While these allegations are very disturbing, we are placing our trust in the legal system as the process plays out.

“We are also aware of the effects of this process on the cast and crew members who work on our show and to avoid further disruption on set, we have decided to remove the role of ‘Jamal’ from the final two episodes of the season.”

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White House Still Silent On ‘Domestic Terrorist’ Paul Hasson

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters today that Trump is "typically one of the first" to condemn stories like Hasson's.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders

From The New York Times:

A Coast Guard lieutenant and self-described white nationalist who was arrested in Maryland last week was plotting to kill a long list of prominent journalists and Democratic politicians, as well as professors, judges and what he called “leftists in general,” federal prosecutors said in a court filing on Tuesday.

Lt. Christopher Paul Hasson, 49, was arrested Friday on gun and drug charges, but prosecutors said in the filing that those charges were just the “proverbial tip of the iceberg.”

The filing argued that Lieutenant Hasson should be held until he is tried, describing him as a “domestic terrorist” who intended “to murder innocent civilians on a scale rarely seen in this country.”

In the last month, prosecutors said, the lieutenant used his work computer to draw up a list of prominent figures he called “traitors” and wanted to kill, including many well-known anchors and hosts on the CNN and MSNBC news networks and a number of Democratic elected officials. The list included, among others, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Maxine Waters, Senator Richard Blumenthal, whom he referred to as “Sen blumen jew,” and many of the senators running for president in 2020.

While Donald Trump was quick to comment on the charges against Empire star Jussie Smollett, he has yet to comment on Hasson.

Is that because Hasson was plotting against Trump’s political foes? Or because he’s a supporter of the Donald?

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters today that Trump is “typically one of the first” to condemn stories like Hasson’s.

“The president hasn’t at any point has done anything but condemn violence, against journalists or anyone else. In fact, every single time something like this happens, the president is typically one of the first people to condemn the violence and the media is the first people to condemn the president.”

And yet, days after this news broke, he hasn’t.

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News Round-Up: February 21, 2019

Some news items you might have missed:

• This is what it’s like (above) trying to read in my house (via HotDudesWithDogs Instagram)

• The number of hate groups in the United States has hit the highest level in two decades. Any guess why?
• Prosecutors say a Coast Guard officer and Trump supporter was plotting to kill prominent journalists and politicians viewed as opponents of Donald Trump.
• Text messages sent by Jussie Smollett were read aloud in court today which indicated the Empire star collaborated with the two men who allegedly took part in the now-infamous ‘attack.
• The five-member board of elections unanimously called for a new election in North Carolina’s 9th congressional district where voting irregularities in Bladen and Robeson counties appeared to benefit the Republican candidate, Mark Harris. Yesterday, Harris’ son testified that he warned his father about a campaign worker who tampered with mail-in ballots.

• Michele Crider, a waitress in Indiana, shared her experience of a restaurant guest who not only didn’t tip her, he wrote “I don’t tip fags” on the check.

“Why did you feel the need, sir, to write that on there? If you don’t like gay people…that’s whatever…but to say something like that? I’m a mother. I work my butt off, sir, to pay my bills, to put my son into a good school and pay that tuition.”

“I don’t know what happened to you in your life to make you such a miserable person sir, but I feel very sorry for you.”

“You didn’t win – you’re the coward,” said Crider before adding one last tip to the bigot.

“Try to understand what it is that you’re saying. I’m not a fag – I’m a d*ke.”

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New Trailer For Elton John Movie Musical Fantasy ‘Rocketman’

The producers of the upcoming Elton John biopic, Rocketman, released a new trailer and movie poster in anticipation of the May 31 premiere.

The creators describe the film as “an epic musical fantasy about the uncensored human story of Elton John’s breakthrough years.”

The film stars Taron Egerton as Elton, along with Jamie Bell, Richard Madden and Bryce Dallas Howard.

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Study Shows Athletes Who Use Gay Slurs May Not Be Homophobic

LGBTQ sports site Outsports points up a new study that indicates that the use of homophobic slurs by athletes doesn’t always mean gay athletes wouldn’t be welcome.
(stock photo via Depositphotos)

Ok, give me a second here to explain this.

LGBTQ sports site Outsports points up a new study that indicates that the use of homophobic slurs by athletes doesn’t always mean gay athletes wouldn’t be welcome.

I know, that doesn’t sound like it makes sense.

The study, led by Erik Denison at Monash University in Melourne, Australia, looked at attitude and actions of teen rugby players age 16 – 20 towards gay athletes. The research team surveyed 329 athletes (one was gay).

The new study focused on the perspective of non-gay athletes and what they felt the true intentions were for using anti-gay language.

The results show that most young athletes who use terms like “fag” don’t necessarily mean to reject the idea of gay teammates, or express homophobia.

Here’s what Denison found:

• 77 percent of respondents said they’d be comfortable with a gay teammate
• 83 percent of respondents thought a gay player would be welcome on their team
• 87 percent said they believe diversity makes a team stronger

That said, the respondents also admitted they used or have heard language like “fag” or “poof.”

• 78 percent had heard teammates use those terms in the previous two weeks
• 59 percent admitted to using those words themselves in the previous two weeks
• 47 percent said they had been called those terms

So, the majority of those surveyed believe in diversity and think a gay player would be welcome, but they use and hear those words.

What?

Denison wrote in his study:

“This language is likely self-perpetuating, with boys picking up the norm around this language from a young age. Equally, unlike with racist language, where their victim is visible, the lack of openly gay players in male sport means it’s impossible to see the harm of homophobic language.”

In other words, most of the athletes view the anti-gay slurs as ‘general putdowns’ learned at a young age, and not specifically homophobic attacks.

And, since there aren’t any gay athletes on the team (because gay athletes are afraid to come out), no one sees any harm in the use of the words.

Outsports’ Syd Zeigler uses the example of NBA great Kobe Bryant, who in 2011 called a referee a “faggot” during a game.

At the time, when folks became outraged, Bryant reportedly rolled his eyes because the word had been tossed around for so long. He later admitted he didn’t mean the word in a homophobic manner. To him, it was a word, a putdown – like calling someone an idiot.

But, for the first time, the NBA took the use of the word seriously and slapped Bryant with a six-figure fine.

A short time later, another player used the term, got hit up with a big fine, and it became clear the NBA wasn’t going to tolerate the use of the word.

Now, this study doesn’t mean to dismiss the impact of anti-gay language. It clearly needs to be removed from everyone’s vocabularies.

But Denison’s research does seem to indicate that closeted athletes might not be met with as much opposition as they imagine.

And we know visibility breaks down barriers.

Gay/lesbian athletes need to hear a message of support, as well as see homophobic language called out, before they can feel truly comfortable in coming out with confidence.

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Disney Actor Shuts Down Hater For Trolling Gay Character’s Coming Out

Joshua Ross, of Disney Channel's 'Andi Mack' shut down a Twitter troll for hating on a coming out story
Joshua Ross (second from right) plays ‘Cyrus’ on Disney’s “Andi Mack”

Earlier this month, I reported that, for the first time, a Disney character had said the words, “I’m gay.”

The moment took place during an episode of the popular Disney Channel series, Andi Mack, when one of the lead characters (Cyrus played by Joshua Rush) came out to his former crush.

The series, Disney’s first to feature a coming out story, has won widespread acclaim and been honored at the GLAAD Media Awards for ‘Outstanding Kids and Family Programming.

This being 2019, however, we do still have to deal with the trolls and haters on social media who can’t stop themselves from bringing darkness to light.

One user criticized the storyline, tweeting to Rush, Disney and the series’ Twitter accounts, “I am very disappointed in the way this show has been directed there are some very good messages through this show for it’s young audience, but introducing gays is a very poor example to the young adults watching this show. Poor choice Disney.”

Rush didn’t hesitate in clapping back at the troll.

“I’m sorry you feel that way,” wrote the 17-year-old actor. “Here’s the thing though: gay kids are gonna exist no matter whether you like it or not. And we need to support and love all kids in every way we can.”

“So when someone realizes they are gay, I want them to identify with something so they’re not alone,” he added.

Rush also shared a screen capture of the hater’s tweet, which had been deleted, telling the hater, “The internet is forever, you can’t delete a tweet and expect it to be gone lol.”

He added, “It’s fine to have your opinion but we’re just trying to explain how an opinion like that – one that supports LGBTQ+ kids not having a voice – can be really damaging.”

Rush’s calm and thoughtful responses were immediately flooded with support and love by his fans.

And the crowd goes wild!!! Yay!!!

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Trump Didn’t Know About His Administration’s ‘Global Campaign’ To Decriminalize Homosexuality

Donald Trump

Donald Trump appeared to be surprised his administration announced a global campaign calling for the decriminalization of homosexuality around the world.

On Tuesday, the Trump administration announced the new initiative that would address the 71 countries, primarily in the Middle East, Africa and the Caribbean, where homosexuality is illegal.

U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell, who is the most prominent openly gay man in the Trump administration, has been announced to lead the charge to repeal anti-homosexuality laws.

But Trump seemed unaware of the campaign when asked about it on Wednesday during a gaggle with reporters in the Oval Office.

According to The Washington Examiner, a reporter broached the subject about Trump’s “push to decriminalize homosexuality around the world,” asking, “Are you doing that and why?”

“I don’t know which report you’re talking about,” replied Trump. “We have many reports.”

Vice President Mike Pence, who has a long history of anti-LGBTQ positions and policies, confirmed with The Washington Blade that he is aware of, and supports, the new initiative.

The new policy will highlight the dismal human rights record of Iran. The Jerusalem Post recently reported the public execution by hanging of a gay man in the Middle Eastern country.

Earlier this month, Pence specifically called Iran out during a speech in Warsaw, Poland.

“The authoritarian regime in Tehran represses the freedom of speech and assembly, it persecutes religious minorities, brutalizes women, executes gay people, and openly advocates the destruction of the State of Israel,” said Pence.

“The Ayatollah Khamenei himself has said, ‘It is the mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to erase Israel from the map.’”

Some have speculated that the ‘human rights violations’ focus is an attempt to bring more European countries onboard in Donald Trump’s push to undermine the current regime in Iran.

It’s unclear how the Trump administration will broach the subject with some Middle Eastern countries who are close allies of the U.S.

For instance, Trump has shown much deference to Saudi Arabia, where being gay is punishable by death.

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Peter Tork Of The Monkees Passes Away At 77

Peter Tork, who found fame as one of the made-for-TV pop foursome, the Monkees, has died at the age of 77.
Peter Tork of The Monkees 

Peter Tork, who found fame as one of the made-for-TV pop foursome, the Monkees, has died at the age of 77.

Cast in the 1966 sitcom (with fellow band mates Davey Jones, Michael Nesmith and Micky Dolenz), the blues/folk musician found he was limited in utilizing his skills when it came to the show’s music.

Producer Don Kirshner was more interested in sitcom hi-jinks and parodying the Beatles than having the actors be actual musicians.

Eventually, the ‘pre-fab four’ fought for and won the right to participate in creating band’s music.

Wikipedia notes that the quartet sold over 75 million albums and scored such hits as “Daydream Believer,” “Last Train to Clarksville,” “I’m a Believer,” and the show’s iconic theme song.

Although the TV show ended in 1968, the band would experience a revival in fandom when MTV began airing the series in 1986. A reunion tour followed, where the band reportedly made more money than ever thanks to nostalgia.

The Washington Post writes, “If the Monkees were a manufactured version of the Beatles, a “prefab four” who auditioned for a rock-and-roll sitcom and were selected more for their long-haired good looks than their musical abilities, Mr. Tork was the group’s Ringo, its lovably goofy supporting player.”

As a kid, I wore a hole in my Monkees albums playing them over and over.

RIP Peter Tork.