LGBTQ news and entertainment
Kellyanne Conway says she’s not campaigning “against” Mitt Romney, but based on this clip from NBC’s Meet The Press, I’m gonna put her down in the “no on Mitt” column.
“I’m not campaigning against anyone, I’m just a concerned citizen,” Kellyanne Conway says before railing against Mitt Romney on TV pic.twitter.com/cufbE63mjx— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) November 27, 2016
Randy Rainbow turns his creative focus to Vice President-elect Mike Pence’s recent visit to the Broadway smash hit Hamilton: An American Musical, and his boss’ Twitter melt-down in the aftermath of that escapade.
As many know, Pence was booed as he entered the Richard Rodgers Theater by many members of the audience. And at the end of the curtain call, Brandon Victor Dixon – one of the stars of the show – read a message from the stage concerning the cast and creators’ concerns about the incoming administration.
Randy’s musical Trump/Pence tribute is a parody of the Hamilton tune “You’ll Be Back,” originally performed by out actor/hottie, Jonathan Groff.
Rainbow skewers both Trump and Pence for the days long fallout from the Pence pack’s night at the thea-ah-tah.
“Don’t denounce a Broadway play when you won’t denounce the KKK”
Statement From President-Elect Donald J. Trump on the Ridiculous Green Party Recount Request:
“The people have spoken and the election is over, and as Hillary Clinton herself said on election night, in addition to her conceding by congratulating me, ‘We must accept this result and then look to the future.’
“It is important to point out that with the help of millions of voters across the country, we won 306 electoral votes on Election Day – the most of any Republican since 1988 – and we carried nine of 13 battleground states, 30 of 50 states, and more than 2,600 counties nationwide – the most since President Ronald Reagan in 1984.
“This recount is just a way for Jill Stein, who received less than one percent of the vote overall and wasn’t even on the ballot in many states, to fill her coffers with money, most of which she will never even spend on this ridiculous recount. All three states were won by large numbers of voters, especially Pennsylvania, which was won by more than 70,000 votes.
“This is a scam by the Green Party for an election that has already been conceded, and the results of this election should be respected instead of being challenged and abused, which is exactly what Jill Stein is doing.”
Marc Elias, general counsel for the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign, announced today in an essay posted on Medium that the campaign will participate in the upcoming audit/recount effort begun by Jill Stein earlier this week.
Because we had not uncovered any actionable evidence of hacking or outside attempts to alter the voting technology, we had not planned to exercise this option ourselves, but now that a recount has been initiated in Wisconsin, we intend to participate in order to ensure the process proceeds in a manner that is fair to all sides.
If Jill Stein follows through as she has promised and pursues recounts in Pennsylvania and Michigan, we will take the same approach in those states as well.
We do so fully aware that the number of votes separating Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton in the closest of these states — Michigan — well exceeds the largest margin ever overcome in a recount. But regardless of the potential to change the outcome in any of the states, we feel it is important, on principle, to ensure our campaign is legally represented in any court proceedings and represented on the ground in order to monitor the recount process itself.
Stein’s team is looking for not only a recount, but a reconciliation of paper records from the election.
At this writing, Hillary Clinton’s lead in the popular vote stands at more than 2.2 million.
Jill Stein has raised over $5.7 million to fund vote audits in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania.
Team Trump has not issued a statement on the audit effort at this point.
Statement by President Obama on the Passing of Fidel Castro:
At this time of Fidel Castro’s passing, we extend a hand of friendship to the Cuban people. We know that this moment fills Cubans – in Cuba and in the United States – with powerful emotions, recalling the countless ways in which Fidel Castro altered the course of individual lives, families, and of the Cuban nation. History will record and judge the enormous impact of this singular figure on the people and world around him.
For nearly six decades, the relationship between the United States and Cuba was marked by discord and profound political disagreements. During my presidency, we have worked hard to put the past behind us, pursuing a future in which the relationship between our two countries is defined not by our differences but by the many things that we share as neighbors and friends – bonds of family, culture, commerce, and common humanity. This engagement includes the contributions of Cuban Americans, who have done so much for our country and who care deeply about their loved ones in Cuba.Today, we offer condolences to Fidel Castro’s family, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Cuban people. In the days ahead, they will recall the past and also look to the future. As they do, the Cuban people must know that they have a friend and partner in the United States of America.
In 2015, the U.S. and Cuba reopened their embassies in Havana and Washington.
In March of this year, President Obama became the first sitting U.S. president to visit the Communist island in nearly 90 years.
Appearing at a joint press conference with Cuban President Raúl Castro, Obama delivered a speech that was broadcast on Cuban television. During his time in Havana, Obama met with two independent LGBT rights advocates.
Statement from President-Elect Donald J. Trump:
“Today, the world marks the passing of a brutal dictator who oppressed his own people for nearly six decades. Fidel Castro’s legacy is one of firing squads, theft, unimaginable suffering, poverty and the denial of fundamental human rights.
While Cuba remains a totalitarian island, it is my hope that today marks a move away from the horrors endured for too long, and toward a future in which the wonderful Cuban people finally live in the freedom they so richly deserve.
Though the tragedies, deaths and pain caused by Fidel Castro cannot be erased, our administration will do all it can to ensure the Cuban people can finally begin their journey toward prosperity and liberty. I join the many Cuban Americans who supported me so greatly in the presidential campaign, including the Brigade 2506 Veterans Association that endorsed me, with the hope of one day soon seeing a free Cuba.”
Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro died late Friday in Havana, his brother, President Raul Castro, announced on national television.
During his time as Cuba’s leader, Castro sent thousands of gay men, certified unfit for military service, to labor camps known as Military Units to Aid Production.
Additionally, Castro’s government quarantined people living with HIV/AIDS in state-run sanitaria until 1993.
Fidel Castro is dead, Donald Trump will be president of the United States soon.
And so it goes.
Fidel Castro Dies at 90 https://t.co/X5m5AIY3b5— Variety (@Variety) November 26, 2016
What do you do when your conservative family worries that you may be a little “too close” with your straight bro? Like, “too close = gay” close?
Travis Henning says his Southern family is way concerned that he and his straight best bud just might be dating on the down low. So, the two bros made a vacation video of “bromantic” moments from their recent trip to Thailand just to shake things up at home.
Our families think we might be gay. We sent them this video from our trip to Thailand to ease their concerns.
Henning shared on Reddit his mom didn’t quite appreciate the humor: “Spoke with my mom last week for her b-day. She asked me to stop making things like this.”
Check out the beautiful bromance below.
Some news stories you may have missed:
• Out boxer Orlando Cruz looks to become first gay World Champion boxer on Saturday.
• It’s that charitable time of year! Here’s a list of organizations that put your LGBT charity dollars to good use.
• A McDonald’s franchise in Arkansas, found in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act for firing an HIV+ employee, ordered to pay over $100,000 settlement.
• The Secret Service may have to pay $3 million a year leasing two floors of Trump Tower in order to protect President-elect Trump and family. Taxpayers foot the bill, and Trump gets a financial windfall.
• A straight LGBT ally’s parents asked her to remove her Human Rights Campaign sticker from her car before driving to Thanksgiving dinner. The parents said they found the emblem “offensive.” She refused.
• President-elect Trump apparently hates this picture of him. I don’t see why. Expect to see it a LOT on The Randy Report.
The Orange One screamed at @nbc for using this pic of him. He hates it. Don’t spread it around the internet anymore. pic.twitter.com/wYtlMeTzow— Lance Burson (@lanceburson) November 24, 2016
Outstanding.
The Queen of Pop herself, Madonna, spent her Thanksgiving with homeless LGBT youth of the Ali Forney Center in New York City.
The Ali Forney Center is the largest and most comprehensive organization in the nation dedicated to housing LGBT youth.
AFC serves youth aged 16-24, and provides emergency and transitional housing, street outreach, a drop-in center, medical and mental health treatment, a vocational/educational program, and a counseling project for the families of LGBT youth.
Earlier this year, I interviewed Carl Siciliano, founder and executive director of The Ali Forney Center. An awesome and inspiring man who walks the walk when it comes to helping people. Take a listen to my interview here.