LGBTQ news and entertainment
Dancers Adam Bull, Christopher Rodgers-Wilson, Cameron Hunter and Cristiano Martino of the Australian Ballet talk about the highs and lows of a dance career, the athleticism and the work that goes into developing their beautiful technique.
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| Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov |
In an op-ed this morning, the New York Times challenges the Trump administration to provide stronger international leadership regarding the rounding up, torturing and killing of gays in Chechnya.
The crimes in Chechnya have presented the Trump administration with its first major test on this issue on the international stage. Last Monday, Nikki Haley, the American ambassador to the United Nations, issued a strong statement calling for a prompt investigation and accountability for the culprits.
“We are against all forms of discrimination, including against people based on sexual orientation,” Ms. Haley said. “When left unchecked, discrimination and human rights abuses can lead to destabilization and conflict.”
It would be encouraging to see Ms. Haley take on this cause with as much passion and perseverance as her predecessor, Samantha Power. Without American leadership, forging a global consensus that gay rights are human rights will take longer. Time is not on the side of gay people living in terror in places like Chechnya.
Even as reporting shows the situation growing more dire by the day, Chechen and Russian officials continue to deny the horrific events.
Over the weekend it was reported that Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov has hopes to eradicate all gays in his country before Ramadan on May 26.
As announced last week, dating app Daddyhunt has released a second season of it’s adorable web series – “Daddyhunt the Serial.”
The series gives a light-hearted, flirty view into intergenerational dating. Which is a fancy way to frame older and younger guys exploring their attraction to each other.
Cute banter, lots of smiles, and a pre-coital conversation about “old school/new school” dating practices along the way.
Starring Jim Newman, BJ Gruber, David M. Farrington, Michael Snipe Jr & Alan Kelly and Soundtrack by Shirley House.
Watch the four new episodes below. Check out the first season here.
Google Home features two dads and their kids getting ready for the day.
The ad announces a new feature – multiple users. So now, Google Home recognizes each member of the family and can keep track of each person’s schedule and more, providing a more personal experience.
The spot also shows how practically every family is the same when it comes to the morning routine.
Engaged couple John Cena and Nikki Bella promised to get naked for YouTube if they hit the 500,000 subscriber mark.
And guess what?
Even though John thinks it’s “not a good idea” they do fulfill the promise.
However, when John drops his half of the 500,000 sign, things take a turn.
Click to watch below.
Via The BBC:
The centrist Emmanuel Macron and far-right leader Marine Le Pen have won the first round of voting in French presidential elections, projected results say.
Mr Macron won 23.7%, while Ms Le Pen won 21.7%, French TV says.
The two saw off a strong challenge from centre-right François Fillon and the hard-left Jean-Luc Mélenchon, according to the projections.
The pair now face a run-off vote on 7 May.
Most polls show Macron defeating Le Pen in the second round.
Food for thought: if we elected our president by popular vote, as in France, we would have President Hillary Clinton.
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| Time to walk! |
I got a late start blogging today as I joined thousands of folks including Las Vegas headliners Tyson Beckford, the Chippendales, Human Nature, Melody Sweet (Absinthe), Carrot Top plus Congressman Ruben Kihuen and Coco Montrese (RuPaul’s Drag Race) for the 2017 AIDSWalk which benefits AFAN (Aid for AIDS Nevada).
Penn & Teller again served as Grand Marshals for the annual event.
Aid for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN) was founded in 1984 and is the oldest and largest AIDS service organization in the state of Nevada.
Gorgeous day, gorgeous people, and a gorgeous goal – to help those affected by HIV/AIDS.
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| The Chippendales with current Celebrity Host Tyson Beckford |
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| Human Nature revved everyone up with some tunes |
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| The Chippendales, Penn & Teller, Carrot Top and Tyson Beckford |
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| Broadway in the Hood sang from Dear Evan Hansen and RENT |
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| In case you ever wondered how short I really am. From L-R: James Davis, Tyson Beckford, me, RK Kelsey, Okewa Garrett |
Donald Trump repeated over and over and over during the campaign that he would build a “big, beautiful wall” on the US/Mexico border, and Mexico would pay for it.
Welcome now to Trump Wall 2.0 where, according to a presidential tweet this morning, Mexico will “eventually” pay for the wall “in some form.”
Got it?
#liar
Eventually, but at a later date so we can get started early, Mexico will be paying, in some form, for the badly needed border wall.— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 23, 2017
TMZ is reporting that Erin Moran, of “Happy Days” and “Joanie Loves Chachi” fame, has died.
She was 56.
Authorities in Indiana received a call just after 4 PM today from someone reporting an “unresponsive female.” When emergency crews arrived, Moran was apparently already dead.
Moran shot to spotlight in the early 70s when she was cast on “Happy Days” as Joanie, the younger sister of Ron Howard’s character. She continued the role in 1982 alongside Scott Baio in “Joanie Loves Chachi” but the show only lasted one season.
Erin had a tough time after her “Happy Days” stardom … a combination of drinking and bizarre behavior that eventually landed her in a trailer park in Indiana. She had run out of money and was reportedly kicked out of the mobile home she shared with husband Steve Fleischmann.
On the latest The Randy Report podcast, Tony and Grammy Award winner Billy Porter talks about his new album – Billy Porter presents The Soul of Richard Rodgers.
The collection features new, soulful takes on classic Richard Rodgers songs from Broadway musicals including Oklahoma!, The Sound of Music, Babes in Arms, South Pacific, and The King and I, with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and Lorenz Hart.
Billy is the very picture of a passionate Renaissance man – actor, recording artist, director, playwright and activist.
Broadway credits include Miss Saigon, Five Guys Named Moe, Grease, and Smokey Joe’s Cafe. He won the Tony Award, as well as the Grammy, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for his groundbreaking performance of “Lola” in Kinky Boots. That was followed by joining the all-star line up for Shuffle Along.
Film and television credits include Barry Levinson’s “The Humbling” opposite Al Pacino, Sundance Film Festival features “The Broken Hearts Club” and “Intern,” “Noel” (with Susan Sarandon and Robin Williams), “Shake Rattle & Roll” as Little Richard, “Another World,” “Twisted,” “Law & Order,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “The Tonight Show” and more.
In 2014, Primary Stages presented the highly successful World Premiere of While I Yet Live, Porter’s autobiographical play at off Broadway’s Duke Theater.
Hit play below to listen as Billy explains the inspiration for the new album and much, much more 🙂
Billy Porter presents The Soul of Richard Rodgers is available now at all digital download outlets.