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| (Dmitry Averyanov via Instagram) |
Just Because…
Matt Baume Looks At This Week’s LGBT Headlines
Smart guy Matt Baume takes a look at some of this week’s LGBT headlines:
• Arkansas lawmakers just took a step closer to banning marriage equality nationwide
• Texas says marriage equality is “open to debate”
• There’s been a wave of violence against LGBTs
Trump Accuses Obama Of Wiretapping During Election
President Trump, clearly having withdraws symptoms from a pretty disciplined week with Twitter, made up for lost time this morning with wild allegations and announcements that “Obama had my ‘wires tapped’ in Trump Tower,” offering no proof of wrong doing, and ignoring the fact that for months now the intelligence community has confirmed to the world that members of the Trump campaign had been in contact with Russian officials.
The allegation seems to come from a Breitbart article (that alone tells you how wild this is) that reports the Obama administration filed a request with the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISA) to monitor communications involving Donald Trump and several advisers during the campaign.
The Breitbart article goes on, using conservative radio show host Mark Levin’s opinions as source, to say that “none of the allegations” concerning Russian contact or items in the “intelligence dossier” could be confirmed. This from a conservative radio host who has no details or information from the intelligence community about what information they actually have. It’s hard to believe Levin would know, at this point, what the FBI or CIA has fully determined as “fact.”
What does seem to be fact is IF a wire tap was ordered, then that happened because federal investigators presented a FISA court with sufficient evidence to warrant a wire tap. If so, I think the American people deserve to see what evidence prompted a judge to grant a wire tap.
By the way, it turns out that members of Team Trump DID have contact with Russian officials, as we now know. Not only fired former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, but Attorney General Jeff Sessions and son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Trump blamed everything wrong in America on President Obama during the campaign. Is he now going to spend the next four years blaming Obama for everything wrong in the Trump administration?
It’s notable that Trump has a penchant for creating controversy to distract from bad news going on in his administration, like that of Jeff Sessions this week. This is likely his attempt to change that conversation.
The tweets come off like a wild animal who feels threatened.
Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my “wires tapped” in Trump Tower just before the victory. Nothing found. This is McCarthyism!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 4, 2017
I’d bet a good lawyer could make a great case out of the fact that President Obama was tapping my phones in October, just prior to Election!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 4, 2017
How low has President Obama gone to tapp my phones during the very sacred election process. This is Nixon/Watergate. Bad (or sick) guy!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 4, 2017
Brother & Sister Rumble Over Hunky Pool Boy In New Coca-Cola Commercial
Why doesn’t my pool guy look like this?
Trust and believe, hubby Michael and I would be racing to the fridge if this were the case.
Coca-Cola’s new commercial pits family member versus family member in this inclusive spot.
But – watch to the end. Fun twist
News Round-Up: March 3, 2017
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| Fitness model Dmitry Averyanov |
Some news items you may have missed:
• Fitness model Dmitry Averyanov (above) wishes you a Happy Friday!
• This year’s Oscar-winning “Best Picture” Moonlight is playing out to more than 1,500 theaters this weekend, the widest distribution the indie flick has seen. In 20 weeks of release, the gorgeous, coming-of-age film has grossed about $22 million at the domestic box office.
• This out Asian man says he only dates white guys because they are “the gold standard of desirability.” I find him “the gold standard of icky.” It won’t surprise you to find that, armed with that outlook, he hasn’t found his soul mate yet…
• The suspect in the Key West hate crime against two gay men thinks he can avoid extradition from North Carolina. Umm, he was identified using a rented scooter with his drivers license. You’re going down pal.
• Texas Republicans are fighting to deny married same-sex couples the employment benefits extended to heterosexual married couples in Houston. Here’s a hint to a verdict: SCOTUS’ Obergefell ruling guarantees that all marriages be treated equally. All.
• The two accountants responsible for the red envelope mix up for “Best Picture” at this year’s Academy Awards have been booted from working the event in the future.
• Ellen DeGeneres, Lady Gaga and Pharrell are taking part in “The Love Project” for Revlon. The cosmetics company has committed $1 million to charities like The Born This Way Foundation, The Trevor Project, From One Hand to AnOTHER and The Women’s Heart Alliance. Watch the spot that ran during the Academy Awards below:
Trailer: Season 3 “Grace And Frankie” On Netflix
Just in time for the weekend! My handsome hubby, Michael, will squeal when he sees this.
Netflix shares the first trailer for the upcoming 3rd season of the fab Grace And Frankie 🙂
Let’s see where did we leave off? Oh yes, Grace (Jane Fonda) and Frankie (Lily Tomlin) are looking for a loan to launch their personal vibrator business.
Grace: “We make vibrators—specifically for older women—that take into account their arthritis.”
Frankie: “Tender vaginal tissue.”
No surprise – #noloanforyou
Meanwhile, former husbands (and finally free to love) Robert (Martin Sheen) and Sol (Sam Waterston), are coping with a new home and possible retirement?
While the men are dancing in the new abode, the ladies’ oil and vinegar chemistry reminds us why this all works so beautifully. The fights and fits are what make the show so delicious.
But have they fallen and can’t get up?
Season 3 of Grace And Frankie premieres March 24th on Netflix.
New Music: Lea Michele “Love Is Alive”
Lea Michele (star of TV’s GLEE, Broadway’s Spring Awakening) has released her latest single, “Love Is Alive.” The song is the lead-off track from her upcoming sophomore album, Places.
Michele told People Magazine the song is “about believing in love and the power and beauty of love. It made me so happy while recording it, and I hope it brings the same light and joy to everyone else as it has for me.”
Look for Michele to perform the song on The Late Late Show with James Corden on March 14.
About the new album: “When it came time to name my album, I settled on Places because this album for me represents a return to form, a return to the stage, and a return to the place I belong. When you perform on Broadway the word “Places” is the last thing you hear over the loudspeaker before a show is about to begin. “Places” I thought was the perfect title for this music and how it reflects who I am as an artist today and where I come from.”
Michele is set to release her sophomore album Places later this year on Columbia Records.
Lea’s debut album, 2014’s Louder, debuted at No. 1 on iTunes, and in the Top 5 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart.
I’ve been a fan of Michele from the first episode of GLEE. Her talent is undeniable. The style of “Love Is Alive” (vocals and production) are a sweet spot for Michele. My only quibble is the repeated refrain at the end doesn’t seem to get where she wants to go. But a mature, well considered performance.
Thoughts, dear readers?
“Love Is Alive” on iTunes here.
Hypocrisy: Vice-President Mike Pence Used Private Email Account As Governor Of Indiana
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| Vice-president Mike Pence |
But, but, but… Hillary’s emails???
It turns out Vice-president Mike Pence, during his tenure as governor of Indiana, used a private email account (on AOL no less).
From Indystar.com:
Vice President Mike Pence reportedly used a private email account to conduct public business, including homeland security matters, while he was governor of Indiana. Records of the emails were obtained by IndyStar through a public records request. Dwight Adams/IndyStar
Vice President Mike Pence routinely used a private email account to conduct public business as governor of Indiana, at times discussing sensitive matters and homeland security issues.
Emails released to IndyStar in response to a public records request show Pence communicated via his personal AOL account with top advisers on topics ranging from security gates at the governor’s residence to the state’s response to terror attacks across the globe. In one email, Pence’s top state homeland security adviser relayed an update from the FBI regarding the arrests of several men on federal terror-related charges.
Cyber-security experts say the emails raise concerns about whether such sensitive information was adequately protected from hackers, given that personal accounts like Pence’s are typically less secure than government email accounts. In fact, Pence’s personal account was hacked last summer.
Furthermore, advocates for open government expressed concerns about transparency because personal emails aren’t immediately captured on state servers that are searched in response to public records requests.
As a member of Team Trump, Pence spent much of last year lambasting Hillary Clinton for using a private email account.
Hypocrisy much?
Out Music: Hayley Kiyoko “Sleepover”
Twenty-five year old Hayley Kiyoko drops her new music video – “Sleepover” – today as she kicks off her nationwide tour.
Kiyoko, who also directed the video, says the inspiration for the vid came from her personal experience of being attracted to girls and not knowing if they liked her back.
Who can’t relate to that?
Via Buzzfeed:
“I’ve never truly believed that sexuality defines who you are. I do believe, though, that sexuality helps shape and build who you become. How you act, what you pursue, who you surround yourself with.
“This music video for “Sleepover” is not a concept or an idea for me. It is my life. It defines a part of who I am today.
“I grew up a dreamer and found comfort through a safe haven in my head. It’s where I was able to find self-love and feel validated.
“This music video validates those feelings for me, even if in those moments the girl I fell for was unavailable. I made this video to help validate those fantasies. To create a space for the lovers, dreamers and seekers.
“Falling in love can be a bittersweet feeling, especially if you know it’ll never be reciprocated. I think we can all relate to that.”
New Music: “Billy Porter Presents The Soul of Richard Rodgers”
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| Billy Porter Presents The Should of Richard Rodgers |
My longtime friend (and Tony Award winner!) Billy Porter drops his newest music project, Billy Porter Presents The Soul of Richard Rodgers.
The new album is Billy’s 4th studio album, and his first as producer and content curator.
Via press release:
“I like to think of this as the Richard Rodgers version of the Hamilton Mixtapes,” Porter said. “These are classic songs that everybody knows and loves, and I’m so excited for people to hear them in a brand new way.”
Tony and Grammy Award-Winner Billy Porter’s new studio album, Billy Porter Presents The Soul of Richard Rodgers, will be released April 14, 2017 and will be available for pre-order tomorrow (Friday, March 3), it was announced today by Bee & El and Sony Masterworks Broadway.
The album, which features new, soulful takes on classic Richard Rodgers songs, includes solos and duets from the following artists (in addition to Porter himself): Tony and Grammy Award winners Cynthia Erivo (The Color Purple), Renée Elise Goldsberry (Hamilton) and Leslie Odom Jr. (Hamilton), Tony Award-winner Patina Miller (Pippin), Grammy Award winners Pentatonix and India.Arie, Tony Award nominees Brandon Victor Dixon (Shuffle Along), Joshua Henry (Violet), and Christopher Jackson (Hamilton), alongside YouTube sensation and Kinky Boots star Todrick Hall and multiple Grammy Award nominees Deborah Cox and Ledisi.
The complete track listing for Billy Porter Presents The Soul of Richard Rodgers:
1. “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning” (Pentatonix & Billy Porter)
2. “My Romance” (Leslie Odom Jr.)
3. “If I Loved You” (Renée Elise Goldsberry & Christopher Jackson)
4. “With a Song in My Heart” (Brandon Victor Dixon & Joshua Henry)
5. “I Have Dreamed” (Patina Miller)
6. “My Funny Valentine” (Cynthia Erivo)
7. “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair” (Todrick Hall & Billy Porter)
8. “This Nearly was Mine” (Deborah Cox)
9. “Bewitched” (Ledisi featuring Zaire Park)
10. “Carefully Taught” (India.Arie & Billy Porter)
11. “Lady is a Tramp” (Billy Porter featuring Zaire Park)
12. “Edelweiss” (Billy Porter)
The pre-order for the album begins today, with an expected April 14 release date. Pre-order now on iTunes and immediately download Billy’s reinterpretation of “Edelweiss.”
Listen to “Edelweiss” below: