Category: Uncategorized

Posted on

News Round-Up: May 25, 2017

(photo: pascalpprl)

Some news stories you may have missed:

• Don’t be sad. The weekend is almost here.

• Donald Trump’s proposed budget cuts to AIDS treatment could cost a million lives.

• Judge to Indiana same-sex couples regarding the state law not allowing two mothers’ names on a baby’s birth certificate: “You can’t overcome biology.”

• The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office says that Trumpcare would leave 14 million without health insurance next year, and 23 million by 2026. The report also indicates that those with pre-existing conditions WILL be hurt by the pending legislation.

• The NBA awarded the 2019 All-Star Game to North Carolina thanks to state Republicans’ fake repeal of anti-LGBT law, HB2.

• Donald Trump’s base is shrinking – those who “strongly approved” of the job he is doing fell from 29% to 21%.

• Check out this sweet trailer for In a Heartbeat, an animated short that chronicles an insecure middle schooler’s crush on the most popular boy in school.

Posted on

Tony Award Nominee Ben Platt Performs “For Forever” From DEAR EVAN HANSEN

According to everyone I know, Ben Platt’s devastating performance as the title character in the hit Broadway musical, Dear Evan Hansen, is about to be honored with a Tony Award for “Best Performance by an Actor in a Musical.”

The musical is about an awkward teen who feels isolated in life. His therapist advises him to write himself a hopeful letter each day, which he does.

But one of those daily letters, wherein Evan appears to have given up on his senior year and wonders if anyone would notice if he were gone, accidentally falls into the hands of another student shortly before that student commits suicide.

The boy’s family, and eventually everyone, assume the letter to have been addressed to Evan, now perceived as the boy’s best friend. This event cracks open Evan’s lonely life.

This week Platt performed the song “For Forever” on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert for the first time outside the context of the show, to devastating effect.

Here’s how Platt introduced the performance.

“The song is called “For Forever. This is the first time I’ve ever sung the song outside the context of the show.

“Essentially, this lie that we talked about earlier that he fabricated is that he was friends with this kid in his class that committed suicide. And so Evan has been invited over to dinner by this kids grieving family. They’ve been led to believe that he was a friend of their son.

“Evan’s plan when he goes into dinner he tried to either diffuse that or make sure the situation ends right there.

“However, the mother of this kid is so in desperate need of something good to hang on to, some sort of memory, that Evan starts to fabricate this story about a day that they had, a friendship that never existed.

“And in doing so, visibly helps this mother to heal. And also sort of finds he gets to heal a bit himself. A sort of answer to his loneliness he didn’t expect to find.”

Watch the performance below.

Posted on

Montana: Republican Congressional Candidate Greg Gianforte “Body Slams” Reporter

Greg Gianforte

UPDATE – Fox News was present at the incident and have corroborated Jacobs story:

As the time for the interview neared, Gianforte came into the room. We exchanged pleasantries and made small talk about restaurants and Bozeman.

During that conversation, another man — who we now know is Ben Jacobs of The Guardian — walked into the room with a voice recorder, put it up to Gianforte’s face and began asking if he had a response to the newly released Congressional Budget Office report on the American Health Care Act. Gianforte told him he would get to him later. Jacobs persisted with his question. Gianforte told him to talk to his press guy, Shane Scanlon.

At that point, Gianforte grabbed Jacobs by the neck with both hands and slammed him into the ground behind him. Faith, Keith and I watched in disbelief as Gianforte then began punching the reporter. As Gianforte moved on top of Jacobs, he began yelling something to the effect of, “I’m sick and tired of this!”

Jacobs scrambled to his knees and said something about his glasses being broken. He asked Faith, Keith and myself for our names. In shock, we did not answer. Jacobs then said he wanted the police called and went to leave. Gianforte looked at the three of us and repeatedly apologized. At that point, I told him and Scanlon, who was now present, that we needed a moment. The men then left.

**********************************

Montana’s Republican candidate for Congress, millionaire Greg Gianforte, appears to have anger management issues as tonight’s news cycle is roiled by the story that he allegedly body-slammed a reporter for The Guardian just one day before the special election.

From The Guardian:

Ben Jacobs, a Guardian political reporter, was asking Greg Gianforte, a tech millionaire running for the seat vacated by Ryan Zinke, about the Republican healthcare plan when the candidate allegedly “body-slammed” the reporter.

“He took me to the ground,” Jacobs said by phone from the back of an ambulance. “This is the strangest thing that has ever happened to me in reporting on politics.” Jacobs subsequently reported the incident to the police. Gianforte’s campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Audio of the abortive interview recorded by Jacobs captures the altercation, and appears to reference previous questioning from another Guardian reporter. “I’m sick and tired of you guys,” Gianforte said. “The last guy who came here did the same thing. Get the hell out of here. Get the hell out of here. The last guy did the same thing. Are you with the Guardian?”

No one from the Gianforte campaign has responded to questions about the incident.

Jacob’s recorder was on during the alleged assault. Listen to audio of the assault below.

Posted on

Fox News Poll: Trump’s Approval Rating Drops To 40%

Now, when you’re a Republican president and your approval numbers drop like this in a Fox News poll, you’re in some kind of trouble.

According to the latest Fox News poll:

• President Trump’s approval numbers are down to 40% from 45% last month in the same poll.

• Disapproval rating rose 5 points to 53%.

• Trump shows erosion of support among whites without a college degree, falling 9 points from last month to 53% this month.

• Independent voters’ approval fell 8 points from last month to 34% this month.

• Back in December only 32% of respondents believed Russia’s influence aided Trump in the presidential election. Now, that number has grown to 44%.

Posted on

Glenn Close Stops SUNSET BOULEVARD Over Audience Member Taking Photos

My good friend, T. Oliver Reid, currently in the Broadway revival of Sunset Boulevard, reports today that the divine Miss Glenn Close stopped the show when an audience member kept taking photos.

“And then Glenn…Miss Close if you’re nasty, stops her show-stopping song and says to the person taking photos, “That is very invasive…we can either have a show or a photo shoot.” #Scene

 #Boom

Posted on

Missing You Madly, Dear Rona

Rona Newton-John

Four years ago, my dear, wonderful, “partner in crime” Rona Newton-John passed away on Memorial Day 2013 from a diagnosis of brain cancer.

The time between diagnosis to her passing was swift, only a matter of weeks. Fortunately, Rona did not suffer during that time.

I miss her laugh, her smile, and her wicked sense of humor.

I miss her.

In 2015, Olivia shared a painting of Rona (see above) by her longtime bff, Pat Farrar. It fills my heart to see Rona’s spirit captured so beautifully.

My magical, marvelous Rona. You are never gone, you smile in my heart forever.

Lifting a vodka martini in your memory today.

“Goody, goody.”

Rona Newton-John with hubby Michael and I backstage at a concert. I'm sure there were martinis somewhere cropped from this pic
Rona Newton-John, Michael and I backstage

Rona Newton-John
Rona being Rona 🙂

With Olivia Newton-John, Gregg Cave, Michael Caprio and Rona Newton-John
With Olivia, Michael, Gregg Cave and Rona after Olivia judged the
“You’re The One That We Want” reality talent show

In the studio while Olivia and Rona recorded “Mickey” for the
“A Few Best Men” soundtrack

Olivia Newton-John, Michael Caprio and Rona Newton-John during TV special taping
Olivia, Michael and Rona taping a TV special

Rona, Michael, Olivia, Jon Secada and Amy Sky in Washington DC for
Christmas at Fords Theatre TV Special

Pat Farrar, Olivia, Michael, Rona and I backstage in Las Vegas

Rona, Michael and Olivia on set for the “Sordid Lives” TV series
With my dear Rona Newton-John at a 2011 Christmas party
Rona and I at Christmas party in 2011
Posted on

Music Video: Leon Else “What I Won’t Do”

(photo credit: Nikko Lamere))

Out UK artist Leon Else drops his synth-pop, disco-funk single, “What I Won’t Do.”

Another lonely night with someone in my bed
You think it’s cool but what I won’t do for love
And I just push away the ones who get too close

Talking to OUT, Else seemed pensive reflecting on how time can shift his perspective – even on his own writing. “I wrote this song over a year ago when I was in a different place than where I am now,” Else said. “It’s about wanting a love that I didn’t think I could have, was allowed to have, or deserved to have. It’s about finding acceptance in yourself.”

Speaking of acceptance, Else shares that he will make his personal and professional Pride debut in LA this year.

“I’ve never been to a Pride ever,” he said. “I wasn’t really comfortable with myself.”

I’m sure Else is sure to experience yet another shift in perspective after performing for thousands in the park in Los Angeles.

I’ve previously featured Else’s music on The Randy Report here and here.

Check out the lyric video for “What I Won’t Do” below.

#bouncebouncebounce

Posted on

Icelandair Features Gay Couple In New Ad Spot

While Southwest Airlines has a few snags to work out in the way they deal with LGBTs, Icelandair’s new commercial makes it clear how important inclusive values are to the carrier.

The airline’s latest spot features a gay couple enjoying the culture and nature of the Nordic nation.

From the Iceland Monitor:

“Icelandair’s customers are as diverse as they are many. We think it’s only natural to reflect that in our marketing material and therefore aim for a marketing approach that reaches certain groups and is suitable for certain media,” explains Jón Skafti Kristjánsson, brand manager at Icelandair.

He says this ad is not aimed specifically at queer people. “We just think it’s natural and normal for advertisement to portray diversity. LGBTI+ people enjoy travelling just as much as others, of course. In fact, they might have a slightly higher frequency in traveling than other groups.”

Watch the ad below.

Posted on

Taiwan’s Highest Court Rules In Favor Of Marriage Equality

(image via Instagram)

Taiwan to become the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage thanks to the nation’s highest court.

From South China Morning Post:

Taiwan’s top court, the Council of Grand Justices, ruled in favour of gay marriage on Wednesday, paving the way for the island to become the first place in Asia to legalise gay unions.

The ruling by a panel of 14 grand justices in Taipei said the current law that barred same-sex marriage was a violation of the constitution, as everybody – regardless of gender – should enjoy the same marriage rights.

Lu Tai-lang, secretary general of the Council of Grand Justices, said authorities must revise the civil code within two years to bring about the legislative change. “Even if the authorities fail to revise the law at the end of the two-year period, gay couples can always register with local household offices to make their marriage legal and they will enjoy the same rights as heterosexual couples do,” Lu said.

The court ruling said disallowing same-sex marriage to safeguard the social order had “no rational basis” and was incompatible with the spirit of equality.

The court has ordered the country’s parliament to amend or enact new laws to accommodate marriage equality within two years. LGBT activists hope to accomplish the task before the end of the year.