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Megan Kelly Fired From NBC After Blackface Controversy

TMZ is reporting that TODAY show host Megyn Kelly, formerly of Fox News, has been let go after her remarks about blackface earlier this week.
Megyn Kelly

TMZ is reporting that TODAY show host Megyn Kelly, formerly of Fox News, has been let go after her remarks about blackface earlier this week.

“Megyn Kelly Today” aired a repeat on Thursday morning, 2 days after she uncorked the absurd comment that it’s okay to wear blackface at Halloween. Sources connected to the network tell us unless a Hail Mary is thrown and caught at some point today … Megyn is gone for good.

The split with NBC comes the day after Megyn’s emotional on-air apology where she insisted she’d learned a lesson due to the backlash.

The mea culpa was clearly a case of too little, too late for the Peacock … which, to be honest, had issues with Megyn’s show even before the blackface blowup. Translation: the ratings were terrible. They’d dropped more than 30 percent, year-to-year, in her time slot.

TMZ goes on to say that her co-workers apparently ‘hated’ being on-air with her.

During coverage of Dr. Christine Ford’s testimony, for example, Kelly was part of a panel with NBC veterans Savannah Guthrie, Lester Holt, Andrea Mitchell and Chuck Todd.

Kelly’s blunt, overtly conservative style was so off-putting, Mitchell left the panel before the segment was over.

I can admit to watching her morning show several times, but it was painful. Morning ‘light fare’ doesn’t suit Kelly at all.

According to The Daily Mail, Kelly apparently has a “no-break” deal with NBC which means she will walk away with a payout of $69 million.

Kelly’s talent agency, CAA, has also dropped her as well.

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Out Music: NIKO “The One”

Milan-born artist NIKO releases his latest track “The One”

Handsome out artist NIKO drops his latest single, a romantic mid-tempo synth-pop track titled, “The One.”

Fusing a European sensibility with a contemporary sound, NIKO brings a sensual touch to pop music as he explores both universal and personal themes, inspirations and emotions.

NIKO describes the new track as “a romantic, upbeat song inspired by the first moments with someone you’re attracted to.”

Written and recorded on a hot summer afternoon in Los Angeles, NIKO says the song touches on “the frustration of modern dating, and the exhilarating feeling of sexual attraction when meeting someone new.”

Born and raised in Milan, NIKO was naturally drawn to the city’s fashion and nightlife scene at an early age, where his earliest musical endeavors began as creative collaborations with underground DJs as a songwriter and vocalist.

During a stint in London and Manchester, he co-wrote and recorded tracks with several producers, nurtured his passion for music production, and decided to launch his career as a solo artist.

Now based in New York City, NIKO is prepping for the release of his debut EP in 2019.

I previously featured the sexy Italian on The Randy Report when he released his track “2 Hearts.”

“The One“ is currently available on Spotify here. Hit the play button below.

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Colorado Could Elect The First Openly-Gay Governor In The U.S.

Colorado Democratic candidate for governor, Jared Polis

Less than one percent of elected officials in the United States are openly LGBTQ.

According to The Victory Institute, in terms of LGBTQ representation, we have:

• 1 governor
• 7 members of Congress
• 4 statewide elected officials
• 37 mayors
• 123 state lawmakers
• 306 local officials
• 95 judicial elected officials

That’s a total of 573 LGBTQ elected officials in the entire country which breaks down to 0.11% of all public offices.

With a record number of LGBTQ candidates running for office this year, that could change after this year’s midterm elections.

Gov. Kate Brown of Oregon is the first openly LGBTQ person to be elected to governor in the country. After succeeding John Kitzhaber upon his resignation in 2015, Brown, who’s openly bisexual, was elected to the office in 2016.

Brown is currently running for reelection this year, as are three more LGBTQ leaders (which end up ticking all of the LGBT boxes):

• Lupe Valdez, a lesbian woman running for governor in Texas
• Christine Hallquist, a transgender woman running for governor in Vermont
• Jared Polis, a gay man running for governor in Colorado

Of those four, the one poll in Vermont shows Hallquist trailing her opponent by 14 points, and Lupe trails her opponent by an average of 20 points.

Brown looks steady for reelection as she leads her opponent in Oregon by an average of 3.4 points.

And in Colorado, Polis could be poised to become the country’s first-ever gay man elected to a governor’s mansion. (In 2004, former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey was closeted when elected but came out during his resignation speech).

According to RealClearPolitics, Polis leads his race by an average of 7 points.

Polis is one of the wealthiest members of Congress having made several fortunes as a tech entrepreneur. After taking his family’s greeting card company online, he also founded and sold ProFlowers.com for hundreds of millions of dollars.

With an estimated $300 million in personal wealth, Polis is funding much of his own campaign telling NBC News, “I’m beholden to no one except voters.”

So, if you’re in Colorado, make sure you vote for Jared Polis for governor.

And if you live in any of the 49 others states, make sure you get out and vote for our candidates as well!

You can find a list of LGBTQ candidates at The Victory Fund.

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Nate Silver: Democrats Have 5 In 6 Chance Of Taking The House

Super-stats guy Nate Silver currently shows the Democrats have a 5 in 6 chance of taking control of the House of Representatives after the 2018 midterm elections.

According to his stats right now, his prediction is for an average gain of 38 seats in the House by Dems.

Conversely, Silver predicts the Republicans have a 5 in 6 chance of keeping control of the Senate.

Click over to Silver’s FiveThirtyEight.com for updated info as we head into the midterms.

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Trump Blames Everyone But Himself For Bombs Sent To His Political Foes

As more bombs are being sent to even more liberal political foes of Donald Trump, the president continues to blame the media and the victims themselves.

After yesterday saw former President Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and CNN targeted with mail bombs, this morning we get word that former Vice President Biden was the target of a 10th mail bomb.

But the Trumpster blames everyone but himself for the dangerous attacks.

This morning he continued to blame the media in a tweet, echoing heated rhetoric he brought to a campaign rally last night.

“A very big part of the Anger we see today in our society is caused by the purposely false and inaccurate reporting of the Mainstream Media that I refer to as Fake News. It has gotten so bad and hateful that it is beyond description. Mainstream Media must clean up its act, FAST!” wrote the Trumpster.

The hashtag #MAGABomber is now trending on Twitter.

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News Round-Up: October 24, 2018

Some news items you might have missed:

• The above pic was sent to me over the weekend. I just enjoy the view… #woof

• The New York Times reports it’s very possible China may be listening in on the Donald’s personal calls as his iPhone is not a ‘secure’ method of communication.

• The Justice Department today told the U.S. Supreme Court that businesses can discriminate against transgender workers based on their gender identity without violating federal law.

• Republican nominee for Georgia governor, and current Secretary of State, Brian Kemp was caught telling supporters at a paid campaign event that his Democratic opponent Stacey Abrams’ voter turnout operation “continues to concern us, especially if everybody uses and exercises their right to vote,” according to audio obtained by Rolling Stone.

• At a candidate forum in Kentucky this week, anti-LGBT County Clerk Kim Davis told voters (with a straight face) that she “did not treat anyone unfairly” when she chose to deny same-sex couples marriage licenses after the Supreme Court made marriage equality the law of the land. #liar

• 20-year-old Swedish singer and songwriter Zara Larsson drops her first new single, “Ruin My Life,” since her 2017 debut album, So Good.

The award-winning multi-platinum pop artist holds the distinction of being “the second most-streamed debut on Spotify by a female artist ever,” eclipsing 5 billion streams.

I’ve previously written about Zara and her gorgeous 2017 collaboration with Clean Bandit, “Symphony.” Check the new single out below.

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Megyn Kelly Steps In It Over Blackface, Don Lemon Calls Her Out, Kelly Apologizes

Megyn Kelly of The Today Show

Today Show host Megan Kelly got into hot water yesterday when she questioned why blackface wasn’t ok for Halloween?

Seriously?

During a round-table conversation about Halloween costumes, Kelly said that blackface was, “OK when I was a kid as long as you were dressing like a character,” and said she doubted whether blackface was actually racist.

“What is racist?” she asked. “Because you do get in trouble if you are a white person who puts on blackface on Halloween.”

Umm, yeah. You do.

Kelly sent a memo to staffers at NBC apologizing for her lack of understanding:

When we had the roundtable discussion earlier today about the controversy of making your face look like a different race as part of a Halloween costume, I suggested that this seemed okay if done as part of this holiday where people have the chance to make themselves look like others. The iconic Diana Ross came up as an example. To me, I thought, why would it be controversial for someone dressing up asDiana Ross to make herself look like this amazing woman as a way of honoring and respecting her?

I realize now that such behavior is indeed wrong, and I am sorry. The history of blackface in our culture is abhorrent; the wounds too deep.

I’ve never been a “pc” kind of person — but I understand that we do need to be more sensitive in this day and age. Particularly on race and ethnicity issues which, far from being healed, have been exacerbated in our politics over the past year.

Last night, on CNN, hosts Chris Cuomo and Don Lemon discussed the debacle. Lemon came straight out of the gate with a truth bomb saying, “Megyn is 47 years old, she’s our age, there has never been a time in her 47 years that blackface has been acceptable.”

Today, Kelly began her show with an apology:

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Season 3 of ‘Daddyhunt: The Serial’ Is Here

BJ Gruber and Jim Newman in ‘Daddyhunt: The Serial’

Daddyhunt: The Serial is back with Season 3 continuing the saga of two men who connect on the social network, Daddyhunt.

The popular digital series follows the romance of a hunky daddy ‘Graydon’ (played by woofy Jim Newman) and his younger bf ‘Ben’ (played by oh-so-cute BJ Gruber).

In addition to chronicling the ups and down of gay dating today, the series also incorporates some useful info for gay men.

The second season introduced the topic of PrEP, and offered PSAs featuring the series’ actors covering topics like condom use, regular testing and more.

Season 3 builds on that with an emphasis on STD testing and partner notification (telling sexual partners they may need to get tested).

The first episode of the new season opens on Graydon and Ben having grown closer and more intimate, but a past love brings to the surface some insecurities and doubts that have an impact on the couple.

Ben’s bestie, ‘AJ,’ (Michael Snipe Jr.) gets a new love interest – but they too face some struggles early on.

And then there’s Graydon’s ex, ‘Andrew’ (David Farrington), who seems to have his own agenda in the mix.

As in Season 2, Daddyhunt again partnered with Building Healthy Online Communities (BHOC), to weave in storylines relating to STD testing, and the challenge of telling partners that they might have inadvertently given them an STD.

Dan Wohlfeiler, of BHOC, had been talking for some time with Carl Sandler, the CEO of Daddyhunt, about how Daddyhunt could incorporate these strategies.

BJ Gruber and Jim Newman in ‘Daddyhunt: The Serial’

“He sent me the first season of the Daddyhunt: The Serial, and I was hooked,” shares Wohlfeiler. “It had incredibly talented actors, terrific production values and a really compelling script. We started talking about how we could do a second series with a story line about some of the big issues that gay men are facing when it comes to HIV…PrEP or condoms? Or both?”

“I’d previously met Dan Wohlfeiler at an AIDS Conference,” said Carl Sandler, CEO and Co-Founder of Daddyhunt. “After watching the first season of the DADDYHUNT: THE SERIAL, Dan contacted me and asked if there was a way we could work together on a Season 2 of the Serial and maybe include a public health component to the storyline.”

“I immediately thought that this was a great idea because we want to educate our users about condoms, PrEP, the importance of routine testing and other safe sex practices. By working together with BHOC, we have managed to reach not only Daddyhunt users but millions of viewers, entertaining and educating them about these important topics.”

Jim Newman in ‘Daddyhunt: The Serial’

Along with the four episodes that make up Season 3, Daddyhunt is also releasing six accompanying PSAs featuring the actors encouraging gay men to seek out information on getting tested, PrEP, maintaining an undetectable viral load, and advice on writing a good online profile.

You can check out episode 1 of Daddyhunt: The Serial Season 3 below.

Episode 2 is set to drop October 30. Find that and all past episodes of the web series on the Daddyhunt YouTube Channel.

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Silicone Injections Into Genitals Causes Death Of 28-Year-Old Gay Man

Dylan Hafertepen (L) and Jack Chapman (R)

A gay man in Seattle, Washington, has died due to health complications related to injecting his genitals with liquid silicone.

Gay Star News reports that Jack Chapman, who is known on various social media platforms as Tank Heathcliff Hafertepen), died on October 15.

Among the causes of death listed on the death certificate was ‘Silicon Injection Syndrome.’ Three other causes of death, all lung related, were also listed.

Chapman was apparently in a pup/master BDSM relationship with Dylan Hafertepen, who goes by the pseudonym ‘noodlesandbeef’ on social media.

BDSM relationships can include some forms of role-play that include dominance, bondage, and/or submission.

According to Gay Star News, Chapman lived with “Hafertepen, Hafertepen’s husband, and three other men whom Hafertenpen has relationships.”

Dylan Hafertepen (L) and Jack Chapman (R)

Chapman had previously shared on his Tumblr account his use of silicone injections into his penis and scrotum.

The National Institutes of Health reports penile enhancement procedures with liquid silicone by non-medical personnel could result in devastating consequences including gross distortion’ and ‘sexual dysfunction.’

Silicone injections can also result in an ‘immunological response.’

A case study in the National Library of Medicine noted, “There is no reliable material as filler for penile soft tissue. Because of their composition and biochemical characteristics, they may act as a foreign body in the tissue, eliciting severe allergic reactions.”

Since Chapman’s death, social media followers have posted screen captures of his Tumblr account where he had shared his use of liquid silicone.

In one post, Chapman wrote, “What’s my secret? Since November 2014, I’ve been having liquid silicone injected into my penis and scrotum under the supervision of a healthcare professional, who has high amount of experience performing this procedure.”

When asked for details of his treatment, he shared, “I have a guy in Sacramento who is a champ.”

(image via Twitter)

“The reason I shared this detail about myself was because I believe I owed it to the intelligence of my readers,” he added. “I am noticeably bigger, and will continue [to] get bigger into the future – a cursory glance to my readers by misleading them or pretending that nothing has happened when it obviously had.”

‘It’s a part of me. It’s a part of my story and I’m happy to talk about it,” said the 28-year-old originally from Australia.

“This procedure can have major health risks if done incorrectly,” wrote Chapman in a post that now seems prophetic. “It is an unregulated and unapproved body modification.”

He also refused to share specific information about where to turn to for similar treatment.

In the aftermath of his death, Chapman’s Instagram and Tumblr accounts have been deleted.

A post on his Facebook page, dated October 16, mentions a ‘persistent cough’ that eventually led to further complications.

Tank had a persistent cough for several months. Otherwise, he seemed fine, doing the things he loved — working out, caring for clients as part of Lifelong AIDS Alliance, and spending time with his family. Until a week ago when he had trouble breathing and was admitted to the hospital with what we figured was a routine infection. It turned out to be much more. He fought very hard, seeming to get a tiny bit better day by day, until the terrible moment that we were told nothing more could be done.

Dylan Hafertepen originally agreed to speak to Gay Star News about Chapman’s passing.

But when questions regarding the silicone treatments and possible steroid use came up, Hafertepen demurred, writing in an email, “Tank was an incredible man and I don’t want him remembered by the thing that contributed to his death.”

Chapman is also survived by his mother, who lives in Melbourne, Australia.

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UPDATE: Since I posted this report, I’ve heard from a number of people alleging an element of domestic abuse in this case.

While I can’t substantiate any of those claims, it seems adding a link to someone who has compiled their alleged proof would make this post more thorough.

To read about the allegations of domestic abuse, click here. I’ll repeat that I haven’t had the chance to prove or disprove the allegations shared at the link.

Jack Chapman

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Apple CEO Tim Cook: “Being Gay Is God’s Greatest Gift To Me”

In an interview with CNN’s Christine Amanpour, Apple CEO Tim Cook says being gay is “God’s greatest gift to me.”

Via CNN Money:

Four years ago, Tim Cook became the first CEO of a major company to come out as gay. He says he’s happy about that distinction — and his decision. “I’m very proud of it,” the Apple CEO told Christiane Amanpour on Wednesday in an exclusive interview for her program on CNN International and PBS.

Being gay is “God’s greatest gift to me,” he said. Cook came out on October 30, 2014. His sexual orientation had been widely rumored beforehand though he had not confirmed it publicly.

“I went public because I started to receive stories from kids who read online that I was gay,” he told Amanpour. “I needed to do something for them,” Cook said. He wanted to demonstrate to gay children that they “can be gay and still go on and do some big jobs in life.”