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DJ Kygo Delivers New Whitney Houston “Higher Love” From Rare 1990 Recording

DJ/producer Kyrre Gørvell-Dahll (aka Kygo) releases the new single “Higher Love” with the legendary Whitney Houston.

“Higher Love” is the first new Whitney Houston music released in a decade, since 2009’s “I Look To You.”

Previously, Houston’s take on the 1986 Steve Winwood hit was available as a ‘Japan-only’ bonus track on her 1990 album, I’m Your Baby Tonight.

Music industry legend Clive Davis told Rolling Stone the decision to omit the track on the U.S. release was an effort in avoiding her being viewed as a cover artist at that time.

And so, the track has been a prized rarity among hardcore Houston fans over the years.

The Whitney Houston estate presented Kygo with the archival recording of Whitney’s version, and Kygo raced into the studio, thrilled for the opportunity to make music with one of the greatest female vocalists of all time.

“I was honored when the Whitney Houston estate reached out and presented me with the opportunity to work with one of the greatest female vocalists of all time,” said Kygo in a statement. “I reworked the song from scratch and am really happy with how it turned out!”

Recorded when Houston was in peak vocal form, the first notes from the diva feel like an old friend walking in the room. That voice – rich, robust, with just the perfect edge – is full of unbridled joy.

The production – thoroughly modern with threads of gospel choir woven in with undeniable deep beats – is fresh and exhilarating. Instead of merely remastering the track, Kygo stripped away the previous production and started from scratch to create a new track around the gorgeous Houston vocals.

“I was trying to make it sound like something that she would’ve done, but also something that’s my style,” he told Rolling Stone.

Kygo will perform the song this Sunday, June 30th, at PrideFestival Utopia in New York City.

Hit play and enjoy.

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Las Vegas: Arson Attempt At LGBTQ Community Center

On the eve of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots credited with inspiring the modern LGBTQ rights movement, the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas was the target of an apparent arson attempt.
Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas

On the eve of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots credited with inspiring the modern LGBTQ rights movement, the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas was the target of an apparent arson attempt.

Jason Dinant, a reporter for local ABC affiliate KTNV, reports employees showed up to work this morning to find someone someone had started a fire outside the building.

Surveillance cameras captured video of a man trying to rip down a Stonewall banner. Failing in that attempt, the video shows him setting fire to a palm tree nearest the building.

KTNV reports a propane tank was found near the tree.

“As we enter the final week of Pride Month, the 50th Anniversary of Stonewall and major celebrations take place this weekend in New York, San Francisco, and around the world, this attempted arson and hate crime against our community reinforce the need for LGBTQ+ Pride events,” read the statement. “Our equality, rights, and our lives remain at risk.”

The post went on to say “this vengeful act reminds us to be alert, be safe, and if you see something, say something.”

“To everyone around the world attending Pride events this weekend, let this be a reminder of why you are celebrating and why our fight for equality continues,” concluded the post.

The Center’s executive director, John Waldron, told KTNVthat the organization had received “an alarming voicemail this week from a person upset about rainbow flags flying with American flags.”

Earlier this month, the Trump administration rejected requests from U.S. embassies around the world to fly rainbow flags alongside American flags during Pride Month, but there’s currently no clear evidence that guidance might have played inspired these actions.

Las Vegas police, arson investigators and the FBI are investigating the arson attempt.

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Country Star Jake Owen Does Not Suffer Anti-LGBTQ Fools Lightly

You best 'Believe' that country star Jake Owen loves his LGBTQ friends and colleagues. And when an anti-gay fan trolled his recent tribute for Pride Month, the 37-year-old singer clapped back in smooth, country style.
Jake Owen (image via Facebook/JakeOwen)

You best ‘Believe’ that country star Jake Owen loves his LGBTQ friends and colleagues.

And when an anti-gay fan trolled his recent tribute for Pride Month, the 37-year-old singer clapped back in smooth, country style.

Owen shared in an Instagram post, “Some of my closest friends and coworkers, are part of the #lgbtcommunity and I couldn’t be more happy for the progress they have made.”

“I’m inspired by people loving people no matter who you are,” added the Nashville-based singer. “I BELIEVE the world needs more love. No matter where it comes from.”

Owen went on to say he “googled ‘gayest’ songs of all time” to find the right tune with which to record a musical tribute for Pride Month.

“The boys and I decided to put our country spin on Cher’s ‘Believe,’” he told his one million Instagram followers. “Hope you dig.”

The singer, who’s had seven #1 hits on the country charts, closed the post with a clip of the song writing, “Stay tuned friends, and most importantly, love everyone. [rainbow emoji]”

A post shared by Jake Owen (@jakeowenofficial) on Jun 24, 2019 at 2:56pm PDT

But one fan wasn’t in the mood to ‘Believe.’

“Suddenly I feel sick that I have tickets to your show here on Thursday night,” wrote the fan.

The comment received nearly 300 responses including one from Owen.

“I’m sorry you feel sick that you have tickets to my show Thursday night,” said Owen in his reply. “Maybe it would do you good to come out, smile, laugh, sing a long with a bunch of strangers that are all going through what we call ‘life.’”

From there, Owen really hit his stride, telling her, “It’s really only you and few other ignorant people that make yourself look silly. If you make it out to my show, come give me a hug. You need one.”

He also assured the former fan that, if she decided not to attend the concert, “Trust me… we will all be okay. We like to share our shows with people that are kind, and loving.”

Suh-nap!!!

Others chimed in as well with supportive comments for Owen and his tribute.

One commenter wrote, “I’ll take your tickets!! Jake Owen is amazing!”

Another said, “Keep making your amazing music, Jake Owen! Your true fans can get enough of your country music! #lovealwayswins”

And this was popular: “Suddenly I feel sick that I might have been at that show with you. Love is Love. Accept all. Jesus did.”

Eventually, the Instagram user came back with, “I don’t hate him. I don’t hate homosexuals. I just don’t agree with their behavior and I don’t like it shoved in my face. I don’t shove my sins in their faces. I just want musicians to play music.”

Sashay-away with your troll-self, Miss Thing.

I’ve got to go download some more Jake Owen tunes.

Follow Jake on Instagram here, and you can visit the handsome country crooner’s official website here.

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Mid-Day Brain Break: Todrick Hall “21 Songs Every Gay Knows”

Actor/choreographer Todrick Hall offers this quick, one minute lesson in "21 Songs Every Gay Knows."
Todrick Hall

Actor/choreographer Todrick Hall offers this quick, one minute lesson in “21 Songs Every Gay Knows.”

Very clever, and fun mid-day brain break.

With just one line from each song (you do know them all, yes?) plus a signature move, Hall totally captures the tunes.

Hit play below.

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News Round-Up: June 27, 2019

Nick Jonas (via Instagram)

Some news items you might have missed:

• Nick Jonas is giving you seriously ‘daddy’ grown-up goodness in this promo pic introducing his character “Bruno Gaido” from his upcoming movie, Midway, due out November 8. #Dang

• A gay couple were the target of homophobic insults before being spat on, clawed and physically attacked in an unprovoked attack in Essex in southeast England.

• Senate Democrats have introduced a resolution recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, the first time Congress has formally acknowledged the event that led to the modern LGBTQ rights movement.

• Alphonso David has been named the next president of the Human Rights Campaign. He is the first civil rights lawyer and the first person of color to lead the LGBTQ advocacy organization.

• Prince William says it would be “absolutely fine” if one of his children came out as gay.

• Deadline reports that Oscar winners Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman, along with James Corden, Andrew Rannells, and Keegan-Michael Key, have all been tapped by Ryan Murphy for the Netflix adaptation of the LGBTQ-themed Broadway musical, The Prom.

• As WorldPride gets underway in New York City today, just a reminder of how a leader CAN relate to his LGBTQ constituents. Folks, I give you Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Toronto’s Pride event this past weekend.

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Night 1 Of Democratic Debates: Warren Leads, Castro Surprises, Booker Strong On LGBTQ Issues

The first Democratic National Committee (DNC) debate of the 2020 presidential election cycle took place last night in Miami and, as expected, there were a few surprises.
Sens. Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren, and former HUD Sec. Julian Castro

The first Democratic National Committee (DNC) debate of the 2020 presidential election cycle took place last night in Miami and, as expected, there were a few surprises.

Last night’s debate, the first of two, included Julián Castro, Bill de Blasio, Jay Inslee, John Delaney, Tulsi Gabbard, Tim Ryan, Amy Klobuchar, Beto O’Rourke, Cory Booker, and Elizabeth Warren.

One of the biggest moments of the evening came when Rep. Tulsi Gabbard was asked a question about her history of opposing LGBTQ rights and supporting conversion therapy.

Gabbard noted that she’s since apologized for those statements and reminded people that she grew up in a conservative family with conservative thoughts on LGBTQ people.

“Maybe many people in this country can relate to the fact that I grew up in a socially conservative home, held views when I was very young that I no longer hold today,” Gabbard said. “I served with LGBTQ service members, both in training and deployed down the range. I know they would give their life for me, and I would give my life for them.”

She also promised to support and vote for The Equality Act.

But Sen. Cory Booker jumped in saying Gabbard’s support of The Equality Act was “not enough,” and expanded the conversation to transgender people saying, “We do not talk enough about trans Americans, especially African American trans Americans and the incredibly high rates of murder right now.”

“We don’t talk enough about how many children – about how 30% of LGBTQ children do not go to school because of fear,” said Booker. “It’s not enough just to be on the Equality Act, which I’m an original co-sponsor of. We need to have a president who will fight to protect LGBTQ Americans every single day from violence.”

Former HUD Secretary Julián Castro, who appears to have helped himself the most via his debate performance, also brought up trans people during a question about healthcare and abortion rights.

Castro also looked strong on immigration issues as he dominated during that segment of the debate.

The rest of the field didn’t seem to make up any ground, although, sensing they needed their ‘moment,’ Bill de Blasio, Tim Ryan, Beto O’Rourke, and John Delaney began inserting themselves into questions hoping for more speaking time.

At the end of the day, it seems Warren did as expected and came across as the front-runner (in this crowd); Castro elevated himself; and Booker and Sen. Amy Klobuchar each had strong moments.

One surprise was how flat O’Rourke seemed throughout. After a stellar run for U.S. Senate in Texas last year, it seemed his time off from the campaign trail took a bit of a toll on his usual charismatic presence.

Other thoughts from the Twitterverse:

The second group of 10 Democratic candidates – including former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Bernie Sanders and Mayor Pete Buttigieg – face off tonight in Miami on NBC, MSNBC and Telemundo at 9 p.m.

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Pride Music: Pet Shop Boys “Go West”

A “must-have” when it comes to Pride Month music – the Pet Shop Boys cover of “Go West.”

Of course, it’s on my pool playlist all summer long. But, especially during Pride Month.

The track is a 3-time gay-gay-gay play.

Originally recorded by The Village People (do I even have to elaborate here?), the song was covered by the Pet Shop Boys in 1993 and nominated for a Grammy Award for “Best Music Video.”

 Plus, the tune was featured in the Broadway musical, Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

See? Gay 1, 2, 3. What’s not to love?

On top of the muscular melody, the lyrics offer a positive message totally born for Pride:

(Go West) Life is peaceful there / (Go West) In the open air (Go West) Baby you and me / (Go West) This is our destiny (Go West) Sun in wintertime / (Go West) We will do just fine (Go West) Where the skies are blue / (Go West) This is what we’re gonna do

Continue reading “Pride Music: Pet Shop Boys “Go West””

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Trump Calls Fox Business And Things Go South Very Quickly

Donald Trump called into Fox Business News to chat with Maria Bartiromo, but things quickly devolved into just one long rant.
The look on Maria Bartiromo’s face…

Donald Trump called into Fox Business News to chat with Maria Bartiromo, but things quickly devolved into just one long rant.

Vox reporter Aaron Rupar posted several clips of the “interview” where Trump goes off about his usual irritations including China, Europe and his own Federal Reserve chairman, he went on and on about the Mueller investigation as well.

He even made up a new, false accusation that Special Counsel Robert Mueller committed a fake crime.

The best part of the whole episode is the look on Bartiromo’s face.

Click over to Aaron’s Twitter feed for more of Trump’s more-unhinged-than-usual phone call.

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Music Video: Adam Lambert “Comin In Hot”

Last month, I covered the released of Adam Lambert’s music video “New Eyes,” from his upcoming album, Velvet.

The American Idol alum has just dropped the next single from the album, “Comin In Hot,” and it picks up right where “New Eyes” left off.

As previously announced, the music videos from the album tell a multi-part story.

The groovy new video finds the 37-year-old singer still in that retro nightclub having quite the ‘encounter’ with a fierce, sexy witch played by trans activist, Miss Shalae.

Musically, Lambert is serving up a fusion of sultry 70s rock and funk, letting the style carry the tune without relying on histrionic, power vocals.

“I want your touch, come put your hands on me / I want my love to feed your vanity / Comin’ in hot,” sings Lambert.

Since his last release, The Original High, the 37-year-old has been touring extensively as the frontman for iconic rock band, Queen, as well as making a cameo appearance in the Freddy Mercury biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody.

Discussing the upcoming album during an appearance on RuPaul’s talk show, RuPaul, Lambert said, “it’s not a big superstar, name-ringing kind of situation. It’s friends, people that I’ve met over the last 10 years that I respect, a lot of queer writers as well that I’ve teamed up with, more female writers than ever.”

He also shared that he met his current boyfriend on Instagram. “I love meeting freaks on Instagram,” said Lambert. “I think I’m a pretty good judge of character. We took our time.”

Check out Lambert’s chat with Ru below.

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Waitress Accused Of Spitting On Eric Trump

Eric Trump (R) with his brother Don Jr. (L)

The New York Times reports that a Chicago waitress apparently spit on Eric Trump, one of Donald Trump’s sons, while he was having dinner on Tuesday night.

An official with the Trump Organization, where Mr. Trump is an executive vice president, said the woman who spit on him was immediately handcuffed and detained by the Secret Service and the Chicago police. She was released after about two hours when Mr. Trump decided not to press charges.

Officials with The Aviary released an unsigned statement Wednesday describing “an unfortunate incident” that “occurred between an employee at The Aviary and Eric Trump.” That employee has been placed on leave, the statement said, adding that restaurant officials did not witness the reported spitting.

I don’t condone acts like this, but as others have similarly paraphrased, I’m guessing he wasn’t her type?

And for those folks saying what a wonderful person Eric is, and wondering how folks would have reacted if Obama’s daughters had been spat on, I would point out Eric kills innocent animals for fun, and has been accused of stealing from cancer charities, so…

Trump whined about it the nutjobs at Breitbart News, saying the waitress “clearly has emotional problems.”

“For a party that preaches tolerance, this once again demonstrates they have very little civility,” he said. “When somebody is sick enough to resort to spitting on someone, it just emphasizes a sickness and desperation and the fact that we’re winning.”