I took my sad self up to the sun deck to try to enjoy the sunset as the day ends with no marriage equality in the Land of Lincoln.
Pensive me, my glass of wine, and some color in the sky.
Tomorrow is another day…
Los Angeles: Sunset – May 31, 2013
No vote in Illinois on marriage equality after hollow promises
I’m speechless. Just speechless.
And not happy.
Listen as Rep. Greg Harris, the sponsor of Illinois’ marriage equality bill, makes a heartfelt and emotional statement on the Illinois House floor announcing that no vote would be taken because several lawmakers have asked for ‘more time.’ Illinois has a “veto session” in November for unfinished business, and Harris pledged that the bill would receive a vote then.
I feel for Rep. Harris. I do. And I want to hear why a vote did not take place today after many assurances that the vote WOULD happen. Even without the numbers to support, why not put folks on record as allies or foes?
Said Harris: “I apologize to the families who were hoping to wake up tomorrow as full and equal citizens.”
(via Towleroad)
Sexy, furry, funny Gerald McCullouch on The Candi & Randy Show
Listen to internet radio with CandiXRandy on BlogTalkRadio
Fun and sexy Gerald McCullouch (“CSI,” “BearCity,” “Hustling”) joins Candi & Randy from NYC where he is appearing in a new play, “Moonlight and Love Songs.”
Also on the docket is Gerald’s work on the award-winning web series “Hustling” and his movies in the “Bear City” series.
Smart, funny and unpredictable – we love Gerald McCullouch. Tune in for the chat.
For ticket info for “Moonlight and Love Songs” – click here. Last five chances to see Gerald this weekend in his new play written by Scott Sickles and directed by Steven Petrillo.
Accidental Bear Queer Music Summer Tour benefitting LGBTQ organizations
Tickets for the July 2013 Accidental Bear Queer Music Summer Tour Benefit For LGBTQ Mental Health Services & Suicide Prevention with Logan Lynn, Big Dipper, Conquistador, Darling Gunsel, and Rica Shay are on sale now.
The tour is presented by AccidentalBear.com and will be hitting San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, and New York City, with more cities in the works for later this year and early next.
100% of the proceeds from the A.B. Queer Music Tour go to Ali Forney Center (NYC), Pride Foundation (Seattle), Q Center (PDX), LA Gay & Lesbian Center, and Stonewall Project (SF).
The mission of the tour is to bring awareness and visibility to LGBTQ music while working to diminish the stigma around mental health and raise money for suicide prevention efforts in each of the communities where the tour is taking place.
Help Accidental Bear support the missions of all the organization benefitting by purchasing your ticket to the Queer Music Summer Tour today and come have a great time for a great cause this July!
Tour Dates & Cities:
7/5 – Beatbox, San Francisco, CA – Tickets
7/7 – Los Globos, Los Angeles, CA – Tickets
7/11 – Mississippi Studios, Portland, OR – Tickets
7/14 – Chop Suey, Seattle, WA – Tickets
7/19 – Webster Hall, New York City, NY – Tickets
Ticket pricing info for all 5 benefit shows:
$15 – G.A. (General Admission)
$45 – G.A.+ (General Admission + Tour T-Shirt + Photo with Bands)
$75 – V.I.P (General Admission Ticket + Invited to meet and greet w/ bands at pre-show VIP reception, Tour T-Shirt and Photo with bands)
Watch videos by all the bands playing the tour at the following:
Logan Lynn
Big Dipper
Conquistador
Darling Gunsel
Rica Shay
What? You like FREE stuff?
Well, Accidental Bear has released a FREE digital 13 song compilation album called “AB // XO” with songs from the bands headlining the tour, which is available at AccidentalBear.Bandcamp.com – Download yours today for zero dollars and get excited about the shows this summer!
Find out more about the deserving beneficiaries of the fundraising:
San Francisco – The Stonewall Project
Los Angeles – LA Gay & Lesbian Center Mental Health Services
Portland – Q Center
Seattle – Pride Foundation – LGBTQ Community Foundation
New York City – Ali Forney Center
Top 5 Posts for the week ending May 31, 2013
Thanks for visiting The Randy Report kids.
Here’s a round-up of what you found most interesting this week:
Olivia Newton-John makes a public statement on the passing of her sister, Rona Newton-John
The Chippendales in IN TOUCH Magazine recreating the ‘Magic Mike’ Poster
Sneak preview from out singer/songwriter Matt Zarley’s new video shoot
Tim McGraw shirtless in People Magazine
Music: Jaymes & James, Team Chippendales on The Amazing Race, release debut single
Jaymes & James – Team Chippendales from “The Amazing Race” – are releasing their first single, “Light Up the Skies,” produced by Tanzer, and available at iTunes and Amazon.
The Chippendales breakout stars of CBS’ “The Amazing Race” have gone musical. Or if you want to get technical, they’ve actually just gone back to their musical roots.
“Long before Chippendales ever happened, we were both in music,” explains Vaughan.
Vaughan (Jaymes) has released several pop songs in the past and performed in various reviews throughout the world, while Davis (James) has fronted several successful progressive metal bands, including most recently, My Name Engraved. Both have had success in their individual music careers but never released any collaborative efforts, until now.
For the first single off their upcoming EP, the duo has teamed up with international producer Tanzer to blend their styles and create the dance track “Light Up The Skies.”
But, the song is more than just about having fun, for the duo it has real meaning too.
“To me it’s about losing my Dad and making the most of every moment after to make him proud,” says Vaughan. “I told him he’d see me win a Grammy one day, and dammit I am still gonna make that happen!”
Davis adds “But, it’s also about us taking the leap to start this musical journey together,” says Davis. “It’s even got a few hints of the fear you face when starting a new relationship – something for everyone.”
Follow Jaymes and James on Twitter @JaymesV and @James_MNE.
(via press release)
Prince Harry in a tux at Walking with the Wounded Crystal Ball
Prince Ginger is looking mighty, mighty handsome in a tux.
Prince Harry has continues his support for injured servicemen by attending the Walking With The Wounded Crystal Ball, where he urged people not to forget the soldiers who have returned from duty in Afghanistan with life-changing injuries.
Prince Harry returned from his most recent tour of active duty in January.
(via DListed)
Patrick Stewart addresses violence against women in powerful, personal response at Comicpalooza
And in diametric opposition to Mr. Erick Erickson (in my previous post) comes Patrick Stewart who speaks powerfully about how women are treated and how men hold in their hands the ability to stop most domestic violence against women.
Stewart has spoken publicly about the abuse he and his mother suffered at the hands of his father before.
The woman in the video above who asks the question about violence against women had this to say:
This was my question to Sir Patrick Stewart at Comicpalooza 2013. I wanted to thank Patrick Stewart for his speech at Amnesty International it personally help me put a name to the abuse, sexual abuse in my case, I had experienced in the past. He responded very passionately and the last thing I thought I would get at was a heartfelt hug.
When he embraced me he told me “You never have to go through that again, you’re safe now”. I just kept thanking him.
I hope everyone who needs help in abusive or violent situations has the courage to do so. There are people willing and ready to help you.
You can also learn more about Amnesty International’s campaign against domestic violence here.
(via Upworthy)
FOX News’ Megyn Kelly rips Erick Erickson over working mothers comments
While I’m not normally a fan of much that happens involving Megyn Kelly at FOX News, this is a great moment for her and a rough and tough rumble for Erick Erickson and Lou Dobbs.
Earlier this week Erickson made news while discussing a recent Pew Research Report on Lou Dobbs show. The survey showed that 40% of households with children under 18 have women who are the primary or sole “breadwinners” in the home. Erickson responsed by saying that ‘science’ says that men should dominate women.
In a follow-up blog post, Erickson bungled again by posting that “feminists and emo lefties have their panties in a wad.” I should point out here that it’s never a good idea to EVER begin addressing women by including a comment about their “panties.”
So Erickson and Dobbs (who seemed to agree with Erickson during the initial discussion) joined Kelly today where she ripped into both about their positions.
“What makes you dominant and me submissive and who died and made you scientist in chief?” said Kelly to Erick Erickson.
At one point she hands out these facts: “In this country in the ’50s and ’60s there were huge numbers of people that believed that the children of interracial marriages were biologically inferior and that is why it was illegal for blacks and whites to marry in some states in the country up until 1967. And they said it was science and fact if you were the child of a black father and white mother or vice versa you were inferior and not set up for success. Tell that to Barack Obama.”
When it came his chance to speak, Dobbs addressed Megyn as “oh, dominant one” with a mocking tone.
What upset people about Erickson’s comments had less to do with single mothers and the decline of marriage rates than about gender roles. It was his notion that women should always stay at home and tend to the kids and that men should always be the breadwinners and dominate women — because that’s only ‘natural.’ Erickson later doubled-down with this tweet:
p.s. I think Erickson meant “complementary” not “complimentary”…
Erickson has a history of public comments demeaning women. Last year, Erickson referred to an all-female line up of speakers at the Democratic National Convention as “The Vagina Monologues.”
Watch the clip above as Kelly rightfully points out that numerous studies show working mothers, single working mothers and gay/lesbian couples provide just as good a home and nurturing for children as heterosexual couples.
Bravo Megyn Kelly!
(source)
Billionaire Mark Cuban joins advisory board of Athlete Ally
Athlete Ally announces via press release that Dallas Mavericks owner and philanthropist Mark Cuban has joined the advisory board of their organization which looks to fight homophobia in sports.
Cuban, an advocate of LGBT rights and gay inclusion in the NBA, has said he would be honored to have an openly gay player on the Mavericks. Cuban will advise Athlete Ally on its programming to help make sports a more welcoming environment for both LGBT athletes and fans.
“It’s a new world. Everyone should know that they can be themselves in sports. Leagues like the NBA, their teams and players have a great opportunity to set an example and spread a message to people who are either LGBT or straight that our culture should be celebrated for diversity and individual authenticity.”
ATHLETE ALLY encourages all individuals involved in sports to respect every member of their communities, regardless of perceived or actual sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, and to lead others in doing the same.