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Britney Spears To Be Honored With Vanguard Award At Los Angeles GLAAD Media Awards

Britney Spears

GLAAD announced today that pop superstar Britney Spears will be honored with this year’s Vanguard Award at the 29th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles on April 12.

Via press release:

GLAAD’s Vanguard Award is presented to media professionals who have made a significant difference in promoting equality and acceptance of LGBTQ people. Previous honorees include Jennifer Lopez, Cher, Kerry Washington, Elizabeth Taylor, Whoopi Goldberg, Drew Barrymore, Janet Jackson, Demi Lovato, and Patricia Arquette.

Britney Spears is a multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning pop icon, and one of the most successful and celebrated entertainers in pop history with more than 100 million records sold worldwide. Spears is a longtime ally and supporter of the LGBTQ community. She has reliably stood up for LGBTQ youth on GLAAD’s Spirit Day by going purple on social media to speak out against bullying. In 2017, Spears was among 140 entertainers including Jennifer Lawrence, Ariana Grande, and Laverne Cox to speak out in an open letter against two anti-LGBTQ bills which targeted transgender youth in Texas and were later defeated.

Spears has a legacy of embracing her LGBTQ fans. Most recently, Spears penned a heartwarming love letter to the LGBTQ community with Billboard Pride in which she shared that the community’s unwavering loyalty and acceptance both uplift and inspire her. “I have a secret to share with you,” Spears wrote. “You see it’s actually you that lifts me up. The unwavering loyalty. The lack of judgment. The unapologetic truth. Acceptance! Your stories are what inspire me, bring me joy, and make me and my sons strive to be better people.”

For information on how you can attend this year’s GLAAD Media Awards, visit glaad.org/mediaawards.

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Out Olympian Gus Kenworthy Shares His Journey To PyeongChang

Out Olympian Gus Kenworthy shares part one of a video trilogy made in conjunction with Samsung chronicling his journey to the 2018 Winter Olympics.

In this clip, titled “Roots,” he looks back on his small hometown of Telluride, Colorado, where no one had gone to the Olympics, let alone win a silver medal as he did in the 2014 Winter Games.

He also allows that he was worried if his fellow Telluriders would have celebrated his success had they known he was gay.

But those fears and concerns proved to be unfounded as he faced coming out in 2015.

Kenworthy is proving an excellent advocate for the LGBTQ community with his calm, honest storytelling of how he got to this moment.

Looking forward to parts two and three. Watch below.

(h/t TheOUTFront)

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Rob Porter Was Under Consideration For WH Promotion When Domestic Abuse Allegations Made Public

Well, the news is not getting any better for the White House today.

In the aftermath of today’s revelation that the FBI informed the White House months ago that there were serious domestic abuse reports regarding former staff secretary Rob Porter, now comes word that he was in the process of being considered for a promotion even in light of his ex-wives’ testimony of physical abuse.

From CNN:

His anticipated elevation further highlights how top White House officials were willing to overlook indications from the FBI that there were potential abuse allegations in his background in exchange for professional competence in a tumultuous West Wing.

Porter had been actively lobbying to take on new policy portfolios outside the traditional scope of the staff secretary, one person familiar with the matter said, which included speechwriting duties and a role in planning policy rollouts. Neither of those tasks is traditionally carried out by the staff secretary.
One of the areas Porter was set to delve further into was trade policy, according to the person. Porter was a regular attendee at a weekly trade meeting among top-level administration officials.

He was also being considered for the deputy chief of staff position, another source familiar with the situation said. CNN reported Friday that Jim Carroll, who served as the deputy chief of staff for less than three months, was stepping down to helm the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

So, we know Chief of Staff John Kelly knew of the abuse allegations in January. But even so, Kelly would have promoted Porter if the press hadn’t reported on his ex-wives’ reports of abuse???

You can watch the video report on CNN here.

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FBI Director Contradicts White House Version Of Timeline On Rob Porter Background Check

FBI Director Christopher Wray

Donald Trump’s own hand-picked FBI Director, Christopher Wray, directly contradicted the White House’s timeline regarding now-departed staff secretary Rob Porter’s background security check.

The White House told the press that Porter’s alleged domestic abuse only came to light this month.

But testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee today, Wray told lawmakers the FBI completed a partial report in March, finished a final report in July, and delivered responses to follow up requests in November.

The White House has never mentioned receiving a report in March. And White House spokesman Raj Shah told reporters that the background check was never completed.

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Mancrush Monday: US Olympian Chris Mazdzer

After woofy US Olympian Chris Mazdzer won a silver medal this weekend making him the first American luger to win a medal in any winter games, it seems like a good time to make the 29-year-old our Monday Mancrush.

I’m still processing what happened last night. It honestly doesn’t even feel real yet! All I know is that I have an amazing group of people in my life that stick with me even when times are tough and sharing this high with them is one of the best ways I can say thank you back. It honestly has taken a village… actually make that a few villages to put me into the position where when I was on the handles for that fourth run everything just felt right. I wasn’t nervous, I was just ready and I think you can see a little smile through my game face because for some reason I knew I could do it even before I began that run. It’s been a hell of a ride and all I can do is say thank you to all the people who supported me and helped me develop as a person along the way. To my amazing teammates who always push me to be my very best. To my coaches who always believed in me and would stop at nothing to get me on that podium. To my incredible family who has been my emotional rock and has the unfortunate task of always having to deal with me. To my friends around the world who support my crazy ways! All I can say is thank you and we finally did it!!!! #teamusa #itsforamerica #pyeongchang2018 #silver #feelslikeawin #olympic #medalist #first #american #menssingles #medal #believe #achieve #inspire #icamesecondA post shared by Chris Mazdzer (@mazdzer) on Feb 11, 2018 at 3:58pm PST

A post shared by Chris Mazdzer (@mazdzer) on Jan 28, 2018 at 6:20am PST

A post shared by Chris Mazdzer (@mazdzer) on Jan 2, 2018 at 8:59am PST

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Trump Budget Could Add Almost $1 Trillion To Federal Deficit In One Year

Donald Trump

Completely turning “conservatism” on its head, President Trump has submitted a budget to Congress which would add $984 billion to the federal deficit next year and would increase the federal deficit over the next 10 years by $7 trillion.

From The New York Times:

President Trump on Monday sent Congress a $4.4 trillion budget with steep cuts in domestic programs and entitlements, including Medicare, and large increases for the military, envisioning deficits totaling at least $7.1 trillion over the next decade.

The blueprint, which has little to no chance of being enacted as written, amounts to a vision statement by Mr. Trump, whose plan discards longtime Republican orthodoxy about balancing the budget, instead embracing last year’s $1.5 trillion tax cut and new spending on a major infrastructure initiative.

According to Bloomberg reporter Laura Litvan, Trump’s budget includes these nuggets:

• 27% cut to State Department
• 34% cut to Environmental Protection Agency
• 14% increase for Pentagon
• $18 billion over 2 years for the Trump wall
• Entitlement cuts of $1.7 trillion over the next decade including $237 billion from Medicare

Trump declared himself the “King of Debt” during the 2016 campaign, and that’s just what he’s delivering.

Of course, the president’s budget is merely a blueprint. There’s no way this will get passed “as-is.”

Trump will sign anything the GOP-led Congress sends him. He just wants points on the board.

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Gus Kenworthy Fields Questions About Pence And Shirtless Flagbearing At The Olympics

Gus Kenworthy

Out freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy took part in a press conference over the weekend at the Winter Games in Pyeongchang showing immense poise and confidence in answering questions about a range of topics.

On whether he would sit down to talk with Vice President Mike Pence about his anti-LGBT positions and policies:

“I think I’ve kind of made my opinion on the matter pretty clear. I don’t think that I have any inclination toward a meeting. It think that would be a much bigger distraction for me and right now, I’m just focusing on competing but I’m very excited to be here representing the US and the LGBT community. I’m very happy to meet Adam and we got to hang out at opening ceremonies and I think he’s just a tremendous guy.”

On how being out feels different at these Winter Games:

“I think I’ve actually always been someone that has had to compartmentalize my life because I was in the closet and I was always at fear of outing myself. And I always had so much going on in my mind that I couldn’t share it with anyone, so I actually feel, now that I’m out, I have less to compartmentalize. Although I’ve made it very clear who I am and I think I have taken a step into a sort of leadership role for the LGBT community because there isn’t a ton of representation at the Games, it’s also just me and I’m just being myself. So it’s almost easier than ever to be here and be competing and just feel free and liberated. I’m excited for Adam and all the other out athletes here. It’s an amazing time to be at the Winter Games.”

In a light-hearted moment, Kenworthy was asked if he would take his shirt off, as cross-country skier Pita Taufatofua of Tonga did, if he were to be chosen as flag bearer someday:

“I actually don’t know how that Tongalese guy did that because it was freezing. We had our incredible Ralph Lauren apparel and it was heated. And it was still pretty cold. I’ve got a lot of respect for that guy going out with nothing on. Sure, I would happily do that, but I think there are more aptly suited people to carry the flag. This is Kelly Clark’s fifth Olympics and there are so many people who have insane legacies, and I’m definitely proud of what I’ve done but I doubt I’d be flagbearer if I made it to another Games. But sure, I’ll take it off if I get it.”

Watch the woofy Kenworthy below.

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Adam Rippon Charms On Good Morning America

In an interview with Good Morning America today, US figure skater Adam Rippon was asked whether he would be willing to sit down with Vice President Mike Pence to discuss the anti-LGBT policies and positions Pence has promoted for several years.

Rippon gave the perfect answer.

“You know, I personally don’t have anything to say to Mike Pence. I’m very lucky because legislation that he’s pushed hasn’t affected my life at all. I spoke out because there are people out there who’s lives have been affected by change that he’s tried to make. I spoke out for them because right now I have a voice and I think it’s really important for me to use it. So, that’s a conversation for them to have.”

He was also asked about how he plans on celebrating once he gets home to the US. “I plan on going to Target, getting a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc Oyster Bay, with the twist top…? Yeah, immediately.”

I love that Adam is totally Adam in every interview he’s giving.

Watch below.

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Team USA Takes Home Bronze Medal In Team Figure Skating As Adam Rippon Makes Spectacular Debut

Adam Rippon

It was a spectacular night of Olympic figure skating last night as I sat glued to my flatscreen watching Team USA win the bronze medal in the Team skating event.

In the women’s freeskate, Mirai Nagasu made history as the first US woman to ever land a triple axel in Olympic competition (and only the third woman ever).

Out figure skater Adam Rippon made his Olympic debut for the mens freeskate and was dazzling in a performance that captivated the crowd and proved he has what it takes to be a major contender at these games.

Not to grouse, but many viewers were confounded by the fact that Rippon skated a totally clean skate but was scored third behind the skaters from Canada and Russia who both fell. Waiting to see that explained.

It’s worth noting that Rippon and Nagasu, who are besties and roommates at the Olympics, were shut out of the 2014 Olympics. So last night must have been an especially sweet moment to savor together.

In the end, Team Canada took gold, Olympic Athletes from Russia was awarded silver and the Americans took home the bronze.

In doing so, Rippon becomes the first openly gay American to win a Winter Olympic medal.

Also, Eric Radford of Canada becomes the first openly gay athlete to win gold at a Winter Olympics.

In an interview after his skate, Rippon was asked what the experience was like. After a pause, he responded, “Andrea, it’s like pretty awesome. I highly recommend it.”

And fellow gay American Gus Kenworthy posted this on his Instagram:

A post shared by gus kenworthy (@guskenworthy) on Feb 12, 2018 at 12:22am PST