Category: Uncategorized

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New Music: Astrid S “Think Before I Talk”

Check out the new single from 20-year-old Norwegian pop star Astrid S, “Think Before I Talk.”

The video is shot entirely in one take following Astrid as she performs the song to camera, moving through a backdrop of dreamlike, neon-drenched rooms.

Who’s ever regretted something said in the heat of an argument?

“It’s a song about saying things you don’t mean because you are hurt, frustrated or maybe angry. I hope that a lot of people can relate to this song, and that next time you are about to say something in the heat of an argument, you remember to think before you say something hurtful.”

Astrid S has also released an acoustic version of the track. You can check that out on Spotify here.

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Arizona Haters Lose Legal Challenge to LGBT Protections In Phoenix

A small business in Phoenix, Arizona, which designs and prints wedding invitations has lost in their attempt to override the city’s ordinance that protects LGBTs from discrimination.

It’s important to note that NO gay couple has asked Brush & Nib Studio for wedding services; nor has anyone has filed a complaint against the artists with the city.

Judge Karen Mullins rejected arguments that the ordinance interferes with free speech or free exercise of religion laws.

From the Arizona Republic:

Joanna Duka and Breanna Koski, owners of Brush & Nib Studio and self-described evangelical Christians, create invitations and other handmade artwork for weddings and events.

They filed a lawsuit against Phoenix in May 2016 challenging the part of the city’s nondiscrimination ordinance that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Their suit alleges the city’s ordinance would compel them to create invitations or artwork for same-sex couples, which would conflict with their religious belief that marriage is between one man and one woman and violate their freedoms of speech and religion.

In 2013, the Phoenix City Council added sexual orientation and gender identity to an already existing non-discrimination ordinance making it illegal to discriminate in the areas of housing, employment, and public accommodations.

JoeMyGod noted back in May 2016 when the lawsuit was filed that the company didn’t appear to have a physical address, and the artists’ social media accounts were only months old, making it credible that the company might have been created just to file the lawsuit.

The video below, titled “Getting to Know the Artists of Brush & Nib,” was uploaded to YouTube just days before the lawsuit was filed, and the comments section is closed. Additionally, the video is listed as “Unlisted.”

In the video, the two artists make a point to say their teaming up was a “God thing,” “beautiful things just come from God,” and how “special” they view their work on wedding invitations.

Now, why have a “getting to know” video be “unlisted” on YouTube?

#ThingsThatMakeYouGoHmm

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Egypt: Lawmakers Prepare To Criminalize Homosexuality

In response to the raising of a rainbow flag at a concert last month, lawmakers in Egypt have drafted new legislation that would make being gay a crime punishable with prison time.

On September 22 in Cairo, at a concert performed by Lebanese band Mashrou’ Leila, the rainbow flag was raised.

Nearly 70 people were arrested, and more than 20 have been sentenced to time in prison ranging from six months to six years.

The new legislation would make homosexual behavior punishable by a prison sentence of one to three years. A repeat offense could mean an additional five years in prison.

Anyone identified as an LGBT ally or “supporter” could be imprisoned for one to three years.

Media coverage of events like LGBT Pride, as well as the organizers, could also suffer prison time.

And anyone who displays a “symbol of homosexuality” would be risking one to three years in prison as well.

This is dangerous stuff. I just had friends visiting Egypt on a vacation.

I can definitely tell you where you won’t be finding me anytime soon.

(source)

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“One Million Moms” Attacks Disney Channel Over Gay Crush Storyline

Right on cue.

Earlier today I reported about the upcoming LGBTQ storyline to be featured on the Disney Channel show, Andi Mack.

Among other storylines, the show will chronicle a school boy’s first crush on another male student.

Well, you knew those hideous “One Million Moms” folks would get in an uproar.

Via email:

Alerting all parents! Additional controversial content will be included in the Disney Channel show “Andi Mack” during season two, premiering Friday, October 27, at 8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. CT. 1MM earlier warned parents this program is not suitable for a kids’ network, and now the show is introducing the network’s first gay character.

In a first for the Disney Channel, the show “Andi Mack” will spend an hour focusing on one of the main characters coming out as gay. Young teen Cyrus Goodman is a key member in the program’s cast. During the season two premiere, he’ll make Disney Channel history as he grapples with his feelings for another boy. And in subsequent episodes, he’ll work these feelings out along with having a new girlfriend.

By choosing to abandon family-friendly entertainment, Disney’s inexplicable choice to move toward more “adult” fare may ultimately prove to be a huge mistake. Disney’s first gay kiss aired earlier this year on Disney XD’s animated series “Star vs. the Forces of Evil.” The scene took place at a concert where the band played a romantic tune that inspired many couples in the audience to kiss; a few of those couples — none of which involved a main character — were same s*x.

The Disney Channel is deliberately choosing to “move forward” and promote adult content to children. By choosing to move in the direction of more “adult” stories and content, the Disney Channel – and the entire Disney media empire – may be choosing to sacrifice something far more precious… children’s innocence.

You know, these folks would have no problem with a storyline of a teen girl experiencing her first crush on a boy at school.

The fact of the matter is: young, emerging gays experience first crushes and brushes with affection just like everyone else. It’s a natural part of life.

Kids aren’t confused about “the gay thing” other than why bigoted grown-ups are apoplectic about it.

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Donald Trump’s “Yuuuge” Twitter Following Has A LOT Of Fake/Inactive Accounts

Donald Trump

Donald Trump and his team love to boast about his “yuuuge” social media following. Especially on Twitter.

But an analysis by SocialRank shows Trump’s following might have a “yuuuge” percentage of fake followers.

According to SocialRank:

• 10.2 million Trump followers (25.5%)  as of Oct. 10  have yet to share any content on Twitter

• 18.9 million of his followers have not shared content in more than a year

• more than 300,000 accounts following @realDonaldTrump only follow his account

• 13.7 million accounts (33%) have yet to set a profile photo (“egg accounts”) and rarely tweet – totally an indication of a fake follower

• 46% of the accounts haven’t tweeted in the past year

• 66% of the accounts haven’t tweeted in the past 90 days

• 74% of the accounts have fewer than 50 followers

Also suspicious – a huge number of Trump’s followers created their accounts after he announced his candidacy for president in June 2015:

• 56.7% of Trump’s followers, as of Oct. 9, created their accounts after Trump announced he was running for president

• 37.7% of the accounts were created after he was elected in November 2016

Noteworthy – only 6.7 % of Hillary Clinton‘s 19.2 million followers are inactive.

(source)

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Virginia: Dem Candidate For Governor Slaps Back After Trump Twitter Attack

Donald Trump took to Twitter this morning to campaign for the Republican candidate for Virginia governor, Ed Gillespie, who is currently trailing in the polls by about 4 points.

“Ed Gillespie will turn the really bad Virginia economy #’s around, and fast. Strong on crime, he might even save our great statues/heritage!” wrote Trump.

He also took a swipe at the Democratic candidate, Ralph Northam, saying “His opponent doesn’t even show up to meetings/work, and will be VERY weak on crime!”

Just four minutes later, Northam, a military veteran and physician, slapped back: “I served 8 years in the Army, took care of sick kids, and am running to build a more inclusive Virginia. Don’t talk to me about showing up.”

BOOM!

Talk about “showing up,” Northam was the volunteer director of a children’s hospital for eighteen years.

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Disney Channel Series “Andi Mack” Will Feature It’s First LGBTQ Storyline

(Courtesy: Disney Channel. Left to right: Buffy (Sofia Wylie), Cyrus (Joshua Rush),
Andi (Peyton Elizabeth Lee), Jonah (Asher Angel)

GLAAD shares the news that the Disney Channel show Andi Mack will feature it’s first LGBTQ storyline this season.

Season 2 of the series premieres this Friday, October 27 at 8PM ET.

For anyone not yet familiar with the show, “Andi Mack” is a contemporary coming-of-age story about a relatable girl (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) who’s trying to determine where she fits in and the many amazing ways she can live her life. On the eve of her 13th birthday, Andi learns that her older sister, Bex (Lilan Bowden), is actually her mother. This revelation puts Andi on an unfamiliar path of self-discovery which she navigates with the help of her loving, albeit complicated, family; her two best friends, Cyrus (Joshua Rush) and Buffy (Sofia Wylie); and her middle school crush, Jonah Beck (Asher Angel). Along the way, Andi learns that sometimes the unexpected is what makes life great.

And in this season’s premiere episode, Cyrus begins to realize something about himself. Andi is hoping for her parents Bex and Bowie (Trent Garrett) to get married, all while awkwardly sorting out her feelings for classmate Jonah. Meanwhile, a second storyline depicts one of Andi’s two best friends, 13-year-old Cyrus, as he’s beginning to realize that he too has feelings for Jonah. This realization begins an important part of his journey to self-discovery as a gay teen and ultimately, his self-acceptance.

In the episode, Cyrus confides in Buffy. The scene, and what Buffy says to Cyrus, makes for positive role models both for kids and adult viewers. In subsequent episodes, Cyrus begins to understand himself, and can count on his supportive friends Buffy and Andi who, as teenagers, are also on a journey to self-discovery. He also grapples with how to tell his new girlfriend, Iris, about his new understanding of himself.

This story arc is a first for Disney Channel; it’s the first time the channel has depicted a character’s journey to self-discovery as an LGBTQ individual. However, it won’t be the first time an LGBTQ character has appeared on Disney Channel. Back in 2014, a lesbian couple appeared on an episode of “Good Luck Charlie.”

The series is the channel’s number one show for girls this year. The median age of the viewers is ten.

Expect the howling to begin any time now from the anti-LGBTQ “One Million Moms.”

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Fox News Poll: Trump Approval Rating Plummets To New Low

More bad news for Donald Trump – and this comes from the very Trump-friendly Fox News.

The Trumpster’s job approval rating dropped to a new Fox News poll low of only 38%, down 4 points from last month’s 42%.

Additionally, his disapproval rating jumped up 4 points to a high of 57%.

Interestingly, among those Trump has lost favor with are white men without a college degree. Trump dropped 12 points in one month in that particular demographic, and they were a big part of his election win.

White evangelicals are also taking a dimmer view of the president as he plummets 8 points from last month’s poll to only 56% of those voters giving him a thumbs up. On election night last November, he got 80% of their vote.

Voters also give the Trump administration negative ratings regarding how it responded to the Puerto Rico hurricane (-32), mass shooting in Las Vegas (-23), and the California wildfires (-21).

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Ellen Surprises LGBTQ College Student Leader With Awesome Gift

Ellen DeGeneres has teamed up with Cheerios to reward people making positive change in the world with the cereal company’s “One Million Acts of Good” campaign. On Monday, the latest honoree had trouble keeping his cool.

Ellen surprised college student Trent Bauer, who created the role of LGBTQ Coordinator at his school after realizing they had no resources for fellow students.

Bauer’s bff, Stephanie Knauer, had written Ellen to share Trent’s awesome work as a college student:

“Dear Ellen, I want to tell you about the most selfless and special person I know and his name is Trent Bauer. He’s your biggest fan. He spent his entire college career fighting for gay rights and was even nominated for homecoming king because of all the good that he does. Trent has a heart of gold. He’s the definition of a true angel. Ellen, thank you for inspiring Trent to be the guy that he is.”

Trent had personally reached out to the president of Shippensburg University to create the LGBT student coordinator role because “I felt that there was an underserved lack of resources.”

Trent’s plans are to hopefully see the completion of the LGBT student center up and running before he graduates. And his selflessness doesn’t stop there. Trent is currently applying to the Peace Corps to take his efforts to an even wider plane.

Well, Ellen and Cheerios were not going to let all this do-gooding to go unrewarded.

“I want to do something for you because you’re a good guy,” explained Ellen. “We love what you do for the community. And you’re struggling to pay for college, so we want to be able to help you continue all the good you’re doing. So we’re going to give you $10,000.”

I’m sure you’ll love the 6’10” college senior’s reaction as much as I did.

Watch below.