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How To Drive Away The Haters In One Sexy Kiss

Two Pride attendees found they could get rid of a hater by simply kissing

When attending Pride events, eventually we come across the protesters – you know, the haters with their icky signs telling us all how we’re going to Hell.

Although now that Gay Hell exists in Michigan, who knows? Maybe we’ll take a road trip.

Anyway, most of the time I think we all just ignore them. Who knows what kind of crackpot they might turnout to be?

But other times, they can make you want to break out in a robust chorus of Taylor Swift’s, “You Need To Calm Down.”

In a video posted to Twitter, one proud gay decided he’d fight fire with lust.

There the hater stood with his “God Hates Pride” sign, complete with sayings like “When PRIDE cometh, then cometh SHAME;” “A man’s PRIDE shall bring him low;” and “The PRIDE of thine heart DECEIVED thee

Bible in hand while wearing a t-shirt with sleeves covered with large letters spelling, “REPENTANCE, the protester stood there, making his sad contribution to the day.

And then, up walks a hottie in tank top and gym shorts who begins making out with a furry, shirtless, gay wearing a rainbow bandana.

The passionate kiss works its magic quickly as the protester can’t get out of there fast enough.

Our heroes are left there to enjoy Pride (and the kiss) in peace.

#LoveIsLoveIsLove

Watch the quick clip below via Twitter.

(h/t Queerty)

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One More Day Until World Pride Opening Ceremony In NYC

Just a day away from the Opening Ceremony of WorldPride in New York City, Wednesday, June 26, 2019.

The event will be formatted as a benefit concert at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Proceeds from the ticket sales to this historic concert event will support Ali Forney Center, Immigration Equality, and SAGE – three leading organizations in the LGBTQIA+ movement based in New York City.

Whoopi Goldberg will host the ceremony, featuring a growing medley of acclaimed speakers and performers.

Cyndi Lauper, iconic performer for the LQBTQIA+ community and New Yorkers alike, leads the initial release of the talent line-up.

Chaka Khan, one of the world’s most gifted and celebrated musicians, will also perform at the WorldPride Opening Ceremony.

Ciara, a Grammy  Award-winning singer/songwriter, producer, model and actress has sold more than 23 million records and 16 million singles worldwide, including chart-topping hits “Goodies,” “Ride,” “Oh,” “1, 2 Step,” “Body Party,” and “I Bet.”

Billy Porter  is a Tony  and Grammy Award-winning actor, singer, director, composer, and playwright from Pittsburgh, PA. He currently stars as ‘Pray Tell’, in in the FX series “Pose,” for which he has received both a Golden Globe and Critics Choice nomination for Best Actor in a Drama Series.

Todrick Hall is a multi-talented singer, rapper, actor, director, choreographer, and YouTube personality who rose to prominence on American Idol.

The Ali Forney Center is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive agency dedicated to LGBTQ homeless youths—assisting nearly 1,800 young people per year through a 24-hour Drop-In Center, which provides over 65,000 meals annually, medical and mental health services through an on-site clinic, and a scattered-site housing program.

SAGE is the world’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) older people. Founded in 1978, and headquartered in New York City, SAGE is an organization that offers supportive services and consumer resources to LGBT older people and their caregivers.

Immigration Equality is the nation’s leading LGBTQ immigrant rights organization, representing and advocating for people from around the world fleeing violence, abuse and persecution because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or HIV status.

The powers that be have added even more talent to make June 26th an unforgettable evening at the Barclays Center!

Catch Alyssa Edwards, Alaska Thunderfuck, Shangela, Yvie Oddly, and Bob the Drag Queen this Wednesday at our benefit concert supporting Immigration Equality, SAGE, and Ali Forney Center.

Have you purchased your tickets to the WorldPride Opening Ceremony yet? Click here for info.

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Gus Kenworthy Gets ‘Nailed’ By Michael Henry

Michael Henry and Gus Kenworthy

Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy sat for an “interview via manicure” with comedian Michael Henry in this episode of Henry’s new series, Nailed.

To pass the time during the manicure, Henry inquires about a whole host of subjects in Kenworthy’s life like being an outdoorsy person, if he has openly farted in public, how he’d feel about someone rifling through his rubbish, being haunted by Henry’s pervy ghost, if he enjoys slapping folks in the face, Spam, if he would choose erections over solid food for a week, being an Alpha, and more.

Gus Kenworthy

Henry’s quirky humor lands as always, and Kenworthy shows a talent for taking part in the witty repartee.

Check it out below.

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Iran: Trump White House Is ‘Mentally Retarded’

"Idiotic and outrageous" is how Iran's President Hassan Rouhani characterized Donald Trump's sanctions against Supreme Leader Aytollah Ali Khanenei. Rouhani also described the White House as “afflicted by mental retardation.”
Donald Trump

“Idiotic and outrageous” is how Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani characterized Donald Trump’s sanctions against Supreme Leader Aytollah Ali Khanenei.

Rouhani also described the White House as “afflicted by mental retardation.”

From USA Today:

Rouhani noted that Western banking restrictions are unlikely to affect Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, saying the 80-year-old leader of the Islamic Revolution isn’t getting rich off of Western bank accounts. Imposing sanctions on Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif doesn’t equate with Trump’s stated willingness to negotiate without preconditions, Rouhani added.

“You sanction the foreign minister simultaneously with a request for talks” he would lead, Rouhani said. “The White House is afflicted by mental retardation and does not know what to do.”

The sanctions, issued less than a week after Iran shot down a U.S. drone, will block transactions involving any property or other assets Iran’s leaders hold in the USA, the White House said.

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My Favorite Thing Today: Lavender

Former Ambassador and Congressional candidate Rufus Gifford shared this performance by a young woman named Lavender at his local Pride event on his social media.
Lavender (image via Twitter/rufusgifford)

Former U.S. Ambassador and Congressional candidate Rufus Gifford shared this performance by a young woman named Lavender at his local Pride event in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.

Lavender performs “Part of Your World” from the Disney classic, The Little Mermaid.

From Gifford’s social media:

A young woman comes on stage in Fitchburg. Introduces herself as Lavender.
She tells us that she’s blind and autistic and wants to sing a song in honor of LGBT pride month.
And then she blows us all away and brings us to tears…

Wait… you are not prepared.

We’ve seen special moments at Pride events across the country – marriage proposals at Pride events, straight ‘country boy’ allies in Oklahoma show up for us, and more.

What I love about this video, and the story behind it, is how Pride events, large and small, can remind us of our better selves; that we celebrate the fabulousness of how different we all are and that diversity makes us better people.

Lavender not only delivers a powerful performance, but a powerful Pride message with the lyrics of “Part of Your World.”

Lavender has been singing in her local church group for years, thanks to her dads, Wil Darcangelo and Jamie Cormier.

Darcangelo founded a youth music group called the Tribe Music Mentorship Project that offers kids and young people, many from challenging backgrounds, opportunities to create music, books, art and more.

What I do know is even if Lavender weren’t blind, or autistic, she would be just as awesome for wanting to share her considerable gifts with the LGBTQ crowd.

With so much coming at us from many directions these days, let’s celebrate Lavender and the message she sends.

I’m honored she’s ‘part of our world.’

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Warren Proposal Could Mean Tax Refunds For Married Same-Sex Couples

Massachusetts Senator and presidential hopeful Elizabeth Warren has proposed a plan to allow married same-sex couples to possibly recoup some of the taxes they paid before the federal government recognized marriage equality.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)

Massachusetts Senator and presidential hopeful Elizabeth Warren has proposed a plan to allow married same-sex couples to possibly recoup some of the taxes they paid before the federal government recognized marriage equality.

Warren recently re-introduced her proposal, titled ‘The Refund Equality Act,’ in the U.S. Senate.

Originally introduced by Warren in 2017, the goal of the legislation would be to allow same-sex couples to file amended tax returns in order to collect funds they paid when they were legally married but not allowed to file as married couples.

Current law allows Americans to file amended returns reaching back as far as three years, but Warren’s proposal would give same-sex married couples the right to re-file returns for the entire period the couple has been married.

In a statement, Warren said, “The federal government forced legally married same-sex couples in Massachusetts to file as individuals and pay more in taxes for almost a decade.”

In 2004, Warren’s state of Massachusetts became the first in the nation to recognize same-sex marriage.

But it wasn’t until the 2013 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. v. Windsor, that the federal government (including the Internal Revenue Service) allowed LGBTQ married couples to access some of the tax advantages of being married.

For instance, I married my husband in 2003 in Toronto, Canada. While it was a beautiful, emotional day in my life, once we returned to the U.S. it was (in legal terms) largely ceremonial as it wasn’t recognized at home.

Michael and I getting married in Toronto in 2003

Living in California at the time, other than my using the actual term ‘husband’ to refer to my guy, it didn’t count for much in terms of legal standing until the state Supreme Court ordered same-sex marriages recognized in 2008.

Proposition 8 interfered with that, but after a long back and forth, we were allowed to keep our legal status. But, that’s another story…

But, as our marriage wasn’t recognized by the federal government, we continued to file our tax returns as “Single.”

Until – the Windsor decision.

Our accountant did take advantage of the new filing status, and I can tell you it made a BIG difference in our taxes.

CNBC reports that “married couples have access to higher standard deductions: $24,400 for joint filers in 2019, compared to $12,200 for singles.”

Additionally, couples who file jointly enjoy wider income tax brackets compared to singles.

That’s not to say every couple would benefit financially from refiling their returns.

Known as the “marriage penalty,” two spouses who have similar incomes might end up in a higher tax bracket.

But in the case of married couples where one spouse makes more/less than the other, the joint tax bill could be lower.

The Joint Committee on Taxation reported last week that perhaps $57 million could be reclaimed under Warren’s legislation.

Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) has introduced the companion bill in the House as well.

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Monday Man Crush

Woofy Steve_in_la is today's Monday Man Crush

Interestingly, most of my life I’ve usually been one to notice dark, swarthy men (Italian, Latino, etc…).

But InstaHunk Steve_in_LA is such a hottie.

And his bestie there is pretty handsome, too.

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Pride Music: Rayvon Owens “Volume”

Having come out with his earlier release, "Can't Fight It," the follow-up single from Rayvon Owen, "Volume," revealed the artist in full-on authentic mode.
Photo credit: Shannon Bray

Having come out with his earlier release, “Can’t Fight It,” the follow-up single from Rayvon Owen, “Volume,” revealed the artist in full-on authentic mode.

Owen says the process of writing “Volume” was healing for him as it became an anthem of self-encouragement and reminded him “to stay true to who I was.”

Owen told OUT at the time:

“Like most everyone, I have experienced many highs and lows this past year.

“While I feel I have come a long way, I still sometimes fall short and don’t always believe in myself in the way I should. Coming out and accepting myself for who I am was one of the most liberating and life-changing experiences for me. While my confidence has grown, I am still human and am still learning to love the person I am — flaws and all — more and more every day.”

Growing up in the conservative South, the top-four American Idol finalist found it difficult to do just that when the time came to come out.

“I was so afraid, being from the South and being black and coming from a more conservative area and growing up in an environment that is not very conducive to being gay or even questioning your sexuality,” says Owen.

Nevertheless, the outpouring of support from his fans was overwhelming – “I would get a message from someone who would say this helped me come out to my parents, or saved me from taking my life. And it’s just like- ok, this is worth it.”

In addition to making beautiful music, Owen also spends time working with LGBT organisations like The Trevor Project, Human Rights Campaign and POINT Foundation.

With his silky smooth, effortless vocals paired with a penchant for raw emotion, he’s definitely someone to keep your eye (and ear) on. I’m sent new music every day and “Volume” is one of the first in a long time I hit repeat several times on first listen.

Check out “Volume” below, and you can find more of Rayvon’s music on SoundCloud.

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LGBTQ Acceptance Declines Among Young People

The percentage of non-LGBTQ adults reporting being ‘very’ or ‘somewhat’ comfortable with LGBTQ people across seven scenarios remained stable (49%) after a significant decline last year (49% ‘very’ or ‘somewhat’ comfortable in the 2018 report versus 53% in the 2017 report).
GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, today announced the findings of its fifth annual Accelerating Acceptance Index, a national survey among U.S. adults conducted on GLAAD’s behalf by The Harris Poll. 

The Index measures American attitudes toward LGBTQ people.

The percentage of non-LGBTQ adults reporting being ‘very’ or ‘somewhat’ comfortable with LGBTQ people across seven scenarios remained stable (49%) after a significant decline last year (49% ‘very’ or ‘somewhat’ comfortable in the 2018 report versus 53% in the 2017 report).

However, this year’s Index found the number of young Americans ages 18-34 who are comfortable across all seven scenarios dropped from 53% to 45%, the second consecutive year that this age group has shown a drop.

This reflects a continued erosion in comfort among this age group over the past two years. This year, the significant erosion is being driven by females ages 18-34, where comfort levels fell from 64% last year to 52% this year.

The seven scenarios were: learning a family member is LGBT, learning my doctor is LGBT, having LGBT members at my place of worship, seeing a LGBT co-worker’s wedding picture, having my child placed in a class with a LGBT teacher, seeing a same-sex couple holding hands, and learning my child has a lesson on LGBT history in school.

Also from the report:

• Reported hate crimes in America rose 17 percent last year, the third consecutive year that such crimes increased, according to data released by the FBI in 2018.

• The majority of non-LGBTQ Americans (80%) support equal rights for the LGBTQ community. This particular statistic has been consistent since 2016.

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“No Dough For You” – Crowdfunding Campaign For Homophobic Rugby Player Shut Down

Israel Folau (cropped image via Flickr/DavidMalloy – CC License)

Crowdfunding company GoFundMe has said, “No dough for you!” to sacked homophobic rugby star Israel Folau.

Over the weekend, GoFundMe shut down the crowdfunding campaign launched by Folau to pay for his legal defense citing violations in their terms of service.

“As a company, we are absolutely committed to the fight for equality for LGBTIQ+ people and fostering an environment of inclusivity,” said GoFundMe spokesperson Nicola Britton in a statement. “While we welcome GoFundMes engaging in diverse civil debate, we do not tolerate the promotion of discrimination or exclusion.”

Britton noted that GoFundMe would be refunding all donations made to Folau’s campaign.

The campaign had raised AUS$700,000 before being terminated.

The former full-back had set a goal of AUS$3 million as he prepares to sue Rugby Australia for stripping him of his four-year contract reported to be worth AUS$5 million.

The action was a result of homophobic social media posts. Folau is a fundamentalist Christian, and on April 10 he posted a graphic on his Instagram telling homosexuals (among other people) “Hell Awaits You.”

Those that are living in Sin will end up in Hell unless you repent. Jesus Christ loves you and is giving you time to turn away from your sin and come to him. _______________ Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these , adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19‭-‬21 KJV _______________ Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 2:38 KJV _______________ And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Acts 17:30 KJV _______________
A post shared by Israel Folau (@izzyfolau) on Apr 10, 2019 at 1:18am PDT

After his contract was terminated, he challenged the decision and asked for a ‘code of conduct’ panel to decide.

“Rugby Australia and the New South Wales Rugby Union have made repeated attempts to contact Israel both directly and via his representatives since 6.30pm on Wednesday, and at this point he has failed to communicate directly with either organisation,” said Rugby Australia at the time.

“Whilst Israel is entitled to his religious beliefs, the way in which he has expressed these beliefs is inconsistent with the values of the sport,” the statement continued. “We want to make it clear that he does not speak for the game with his recent social media posts.”

The Sydney Morning Herald reports the former rugby star has filed a complaint with Australia’s Fair Work Commission against Rugby Australia and Waratahs Rugby Pty Ltd. saying “his employment was unlawfully terminated because of his religion.”

He is reportedly looking for AUS$10 million in damages.

Rugby Australia responded saying, “He was bound by a code of conduct for all professional player in Australia that spells out clear guidelines and obligations regarding player behavior, including respectful use of social media.”

After the crowdfunding campaign was shut down, Folau’s former teammate Drew Mitchell tweeted, “YOU are in fight that YOU chose to be in after YOU broke the terms of YOUR contract, the kids below are in a fight they NEVER wanted to be in & yet YOU think YOU deserve donations more than they do???!!”

Mitchell added, “It’s not longer about religion, it’s about YOU and YOUR greed.”

According to TheAustralian.com, Folau owns 8 homes worth over $5 million.

He also apparently owns a $500k Lamborghini. So, why can’t he pay his own legal bills.

Mitchell may be right on that point – “greed.”