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California Bans Official Travel To Oklahoma Over Anti-LGBT Law

On Friday, the first day of Pride Month 2018, the state of California announced that there will be no state-funded travel to yet another state thanks to recently passed anti-LGBT legislation.

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra has issued a statement that his state will ban state-sponsored travel to Oklahoma thanks to the Sooner State’s latest anti-LGBT legislation.

Under a 2017 California law, the state’s attorney general is required by to keep a list of all states subject to a travel ban because of “laws that authorize or require discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.”

California Secretary of State Xavier Becerra

Last month, Gov. Mary Fallin signed into law anti-LGBT legislation that allows adoption and foster care agencies to reject same-sex couples on the grounds of religious beliefs.

“California taxpayers are taking a stand against bigotry and in support of those who would be harmed by this prejudiced policy,” said Becerra.

Michael McNutt, a spokesperson for Fallin, slapped back at Becerra in a statement which read in part, “With our state’s economy being as strong as it is, we won’t miss a few Californians traveling on state business showing up in our state.”

Oklahoma becomes the ninth state to fall under California’s 2017 travel ban law.

Kansas enacted similar legislation the same week as Oklahoma, but the Sunflower State was already on California’s banned list (along with Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas, and South Dakota) due to a 2016 law that allows campus religious groups to exclude LGBT students.

June 22 is the date California’s ban on Oklahoma travel goes into effect.

(h/t Instinct)

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Loving The New ‘Queer Eye’ Theme Remix Featuring Betty Who

Betty Who & the ‘Fab 5’

Earlier this year, Netflix brought the gay-tastic ‘make-better’ show Queer Eye back in a fabulous reboot celebrated by critics.

With warmth and humor (and lots of style), the series put a spotlight on social issues that focus on the LGBTQ community, but also issues of religion, racism, and police brutality.

The ‘Fab 5’ are back on June 15, but you don’t have to wait that long for new QE.

Series stars Jonathan Van Ness, Antoni Porowski, Tan France, Bobby Berk and Karamo Brown teamed up to get down with Aussie electro-pop star Betty Who for a music video of the remixed “All Things,” the groovy theme song of hit Netflix series.

And it’s just a bit of boyband heaven. Hot, pure colors, high-fashion lighting; a beat to bop to; and Antoni in crop top after crop top after crop top.

Check out the revamped theme song below:

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No More Pride Reaction Emoji On Facebook

Remember during Pride Month last year, Facebook gave us the uber-adorable rainbow Pride reaction emoji?

Ah, good times 🙂

Yep – along with a thumbs-up, a sad or mad face, and love reaction we had the rainbow emoji even though it was only for Pride Month.

Last year, the rainbow flag was used millions of times as a reaction on multiple posts, pictures and events on social media.

But this year, our social media will be a bit less colorful as Facebook has decided to drop its Pride reaction emojis. It seems last year was just a “new experience test.”

Lisa Stratton, a spokeswoman from Facebook, told Business Insider that the social media giant is ending all custom reactions “for major holidays or moments in culture.”

Maybe on Mother’s Day you might have noticed the themed “flower” reactions were absent this year.

That said, though, it’s not all bad news.

Facebook is releasing a new set of Pride-themed filters and stickers for Facebook, Messenger and Instagram. Of course, Instagram has afforded us the rainbow emoji for some time now.

And, according to the Book of Face, the new stickers and filters will be available all year long – not just Pride Month.

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Nyle DiMarco’s Pride Edition Of American Sign Language

Just in time for Pride Month, woofy Nyle DiMarco is here to help you break down the sign language barrier for when you meet that hot deaf dude at a Pride festival.

The America’s Next Top Model/Dancing with the Stars champ (who has come out as sexually fluid) took to social media to help out with some easy-to-learn American Sign Language.

Nyle is an avid advocate for ASL since out of the estimated 70 million deaf people in the world, only 2% have access to education through sign language.

I had to chance to spend time with Nyle a while back and learned deaf folks appreciate even a small effort in learning to communicate with them. Plus, it’s fun.

In this first video, Nyle teams up with gender queer artist Chella Man to teach basic queer signs like gay, bisexual, lesbian, trans, drag and more.

Looking to flirt? Nyle’s got you covered:

And then there’s the all-important question:

By the way, Nyle is also up for a gym buddy if you’re interested:

A post shared by Nyle DiMarco (@nyledimarco) on May 31, 2018 at 8:19am PDT

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Donald Trump Moans About Russian Election Investigation Costs Which Are Less Than His Golf Trips

Donald Trump is very concerned about the cost of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russian investigation even though his golf trips cost more
Donald Trump

Donald Trump has suddenly become very concerned about the cost and expense of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian meddling in our elections here in the U.S.

The Trumpster took to Twitter today to moan yet again calling the investigation a “very expensive Witch Hunt Hoax.”

It was reported by several news outlets yesterday that Mueller’s efforts have thus far cost the government about $16.7 million.

Citing the federal government’s $4.1 trillion budget for fiscal 2018, the Washington Post puts these numbers in perspective like this: spending $16.7 million of $4.1 trillion is like making $50,000 a year and spending 20 cents.

However…

The conservative group Judicial Watch told the Associated Press that each of Trump’s trips to Mar-a-Lago cost about $1 million, including only Air Force One travel and Secret Service protection.

Trump has been to Mar-a-Lago 17 times, for a grand total of $17 million in flight and protection costs.

Wait.

That’s, like, more than has been spent on Mueller’s investigation into protecting American elections from Russian interference!

And that doesn’t include his trips to Just to his club in Bedminster, N.J., costs more than $40,000 in travel time (9 times he’s been there). Or to his golf club in Sterling, Virginia – 31 visits there.

Now, which is more important – protecting our democratic processes or Trump getting on his own golf courses so he can cheat at golf again?

If Trump is sooooo concerned about expenses, how about he cut back on his illegitimate golf games?

#ThingsThatMakeYouGoHmm

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ABC News Dives Into The Appeal Of Netflix’s “Queer Eye”

The men of ‘Queer Eye’

With the second season of the Netflix reboot of Queer Eye just around the corner, ABC News’ Nightline did a terrific deep dive last night into the “big” moments from season one that differentiates the new series from the original.

One thing that’s made clear in the interview with the ‘Fab 5’ is the name change was done – shifting from “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” to simply “Queer Eye” to make the show more inclusive. It’s not just men (or straight men for that matter) that the show features.

And with a focus on the heartfelt moments, the show is able to offset the impression that new clothes or a haircut can solve all your problems. It’s the touching, human elements that remain a touchstone for the series.

Watch the guys explain more as Nightline recaps some of the more memorable moments from the first season.

(h/t The OUTfront)

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News Round-Up: June 1, 2018

(image via Instagram)

Some news items you might have missed:

• InstaHunks Brett and Alex get their Pride on as Pride Month 2018 begins today.

• A 22-year-old Christian preacher who says he wants gay people killed, but as ‘humanely’ as possible. Matt Powell believes homosexuality is ‘disgusting’ and the government should ‘execute’ them. Well, I’m not a big fan of you, Mr. Powell.

• Netflix got all sassy throwing shade at Roseanne Barr in the aftermath of her recently cancelled sitcom.

The streaming service tweeted a reminder to Roseanne viewers that its One Day at a Time sitcom remount “is a sitcom about a tight-knit, working class family that tackles extremely topical social issues, in a smart and innovative way. Ya know, if you’re suddenly looking for a show like that….” #Meow #Shade #ComeSitNearMe

• Russia has announced displays of Pride will be allowed during the World Cup in spite of “gay propaganda laws.”

• MNEK’s new single, “Colour,” is an upbeat anthem perfect to kick off Pride Month. Featuring Hailee Steinfeld, the lyric video is full of color, rainbows and celebrates finding the love that makes your life better.

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Secretary Of State Mike Pompeo Recognizes LGBTI Pride Month

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued this statement recognizing June as LGBTI Pride Month:

The United States joins people around the world in celebrating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex (LGBTI) Pride Month, and reaffirms its commitment to protecting and defending the human rights of all, including LGBTI persons.

In many parts of the world, LGBTI individuals and their supporters continue to face violence, arrest, harassment and intimidation for standing up for their human rights, participating in peaceful marches and rallies, expressing their views, and simply being who they are. LGBTI persons – like all persons – must be free to enjoy their human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association, without fear of reprisal. As Americans, we place a high value on these rights and freedoms, which all persons deserve to enjoy fully and equally.

The United States stands firmly with you as you exercise your human rights and fundamental freedoms. We wish you a safe and happy Pride Month.

While the statement is certainly appreciated, especially from one of the most vital offices in the United States when it comes to human rights, it’s worth nothing that during his confirmation hearings Pompeo reiterated his opposition to same-sex marriage.

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Ariana Grande Pens Love Letter To LGBT Community For Pride Month

Ariana Grande

As part of Billboard Magazine’s 30 Days of Pride celebration this June, the magazine asked numerous pop culture luminaries to write ‘love letters’ to their LGBTQ fans.

Today, Billboard kicks off the month with a note of encouragement and acceptance from pop superstar, Ariana Grande.

There is nothing more infectious than the joy and love that the LGBTQ community exudes.

I grew up with a gay brother whose every move I would emulate. I idolized him. Everything Frankie did, I would do. I can’t remember a difference between Frankie before he came out and Frankie after he came out. He’s always just been Frankie.

Sexuality and gender were never topics my family and I were afraid to discuss. When Frankie came out my surprisingly unfazed (for his age) grandfather said “Congrats! Can we go to dinner now? I’m fuckin’ hungry.”

I was taught to do my makeup by queens in gay bars in New York City. I made my Broadway debut at 14 years old and did 8 shows a week but there was never a night I was too tired to run to a gay bar and do a quick Whitney cover before bed.

My music being embraced and celebrated by the LGBTQ community is all I ever truly cared about when I thought about my career goals early on. There’s no award I could win or accolade I could receive that would fulfill me more than seeing a 6-foot queen with a 4-foot ponytail walk into my meet n greet and say “hey girl” or meeting a young queer person at Starbucks and them letting me know that my music has helped them become who they are. Literally nothing.

Love is like music. It knows no boundaries and isn’t exclusive to any one gender, sexuality, race, religion, age or creed. It’s a freedom and a delicious luxury that all people should be able to sink into and enjoy every moment of.

I am eternally indebted to and inspired by the LGBTQ community. I hope to create anthems for you that wrap you up with comfort and make you get your best life for as long as I live. Thank you for celebrating me the way I celebrate you.

I love you forever.

In 2017, the recently-launched ‘Billboard Pride’ debuted the LGBTQ Love Letters Project which featured queer artists and allies sharing their love and support for the community. With letters from everyone from Barbra Streisand to Selena Gomez to Britney Spears (who wrote hers by hand) to RuPaul to Adam Lambert, the love letters fostered solidarity and acceptance in a year where it was sorely needed.

See my previous post about Donald Trump’s lack of support during Pride Month.

Under Pride Editor Patrick Crowley, Billboard continues to expand its coverage of LGBTQ artists and culture, from partnering with GLAAD to create a video of musicians speaking out against the military trans ban to shining a spotlight on rising queer talents who are often overlooked in the mainstream.

As an additional testement to Billboard’s devotion to their LGBTQ readers – GLAAD recently honored Billboard with an award for Outstanding Magazine Overall Coverage at the 2018 GLAAD Media Awards in May.

Visit Billboard Pride for more coverage throughout the month.