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What Are The Gays Watching? Nielsen Has The Answer

The gays do love some ‘Game of Thrones’

From The Hollywood Reporter:

Nielsen has released its first-ever weekly ratings for same-gender partner households, and its numbers show HBO’s Game of Thrones as the most popular show among LGBTQ viewers.

Nielsen announced in the fall that it was expanding its reporting to include same-gender couples in an effort to better reflect LGBTQ inclusion in its national sample. Heads of households taking part in Nielsen’s TV ratings survey were given the option to state whether their spouse or partner is of the same gender.

For the week of April 8, the most-watched shows on cable and broadcast TV — the Game of Thrones premiere on HBO and the NCAA men’s basketball championship on CBS — also topped the rankings among same-gender partner homes. About 191,000 people in those homes watched Game of Thrones the night it aired, and nearly 177,000 tuned into CBS’ basketball game.

Here are the 10 most-watched primetime shows on broadcast and cable among same-gender partner homes for the week of April 8:

Broadcast
1. NCAA Men’s Championship (CBS), 176,934 (19.72 million)
2. Survivor (CBS), 120,921 (7.6 million)
3. NCIS (CBS), 116,498 (11.82 million)
4. 60 Minutes (CBS), 96,273 (8.72 million)
5. Modern Family (ABC), 95,180 (4.81 million)
6. The Voice (Monday) (NBC), 95,130 (7.62 million)
7. American Idol (Sunday) (ABC), 94,696 (7.26 million)
8. Grey’s Anatomy (ABC), 84,223 (6.82 million)
9. The Voice (Tuesday) (NBC), 81,510 (7.32 million)
10. The Goldbergs (ABC), 79,655 (4.64 million)

Cable
1. Game of Thrones (HBO), 191,135 (11.76 million)
2. The Rachel Maddow Show (MSNBC), 66,071 (2.55 million)
3. Untucked (VH1), 65,782 (405,989)
4. RuPaul’s Drag Race (VH1), 64,082 (402,516)
5. All In With Chris Hayes (MSNBC), 34,280 (1.57 million)
6. Last Word With Lawrence O’Donnell (MSNBC), 33,344 (2.02 million)
7. Spring Baking Championship (Food Network), 27,858 (1.04 million)
8. The Curse of Oak Island (History), 26,502 (3.06 million)
9. Little People, Big World (TLC), 25,243 (1.34 million)
10. Gold Rush: Dave Turin’s Lost Mine (Discovery), 24,578 (1.33 million)

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Lizzo On A Mission: “Putting Big, Black, Femme, LGBTQ+ Bodies On Stages And Telling Our Stories”

Lizzo (L) and

With all the fun going on at Coachella this year – Ariana Grande reuniting *NSYNC, public sex on a Ferris wheel, former GOP Congressman Aaron Schock getting handsy with a guy– some have wondered why LGBTQ folks spend their money or take part in a festival whose owner, Philip Anchutz, makes sizable donations to anti-LGBTQ organizations. A fan of Lizzo’s posed that very question on her Instagram, and the diva came back with the best answer. User jacobthebeau asked, “I’m so confused why so many people are supporting this event that supports anti-lgbt organizations?!” And Lizzo responded writing, “Because Jacob, whether we like it or not most major organizations are run by bigoted millionaires that donate to bigoted organizations.” That said, Lizzo isn’t daunted by standing up to ‘bigoted millionaires.’ She knows what her job is, and it’s not to stand by and watch bad things happen. “I realize my activism is to disrupt those spaces and spread my message to thousands of ppl,” said the 30-year-old rapper. “Y’all may not agree w it and that’s ok. But know that I’m doing what I gotta do to make sure my big black ass voice is heard.” “Can’t wait to dismantle the hate that funds this country,” she added. “But until then, imma be putting big, black, femme, lgbtq+ bodies on stages and telling our stories.” Here’s the full post with Lizzo’s exchange with fans in the comments. Lizzo struggled with her own body image issues at a young age. So today, she advocates for body positivity and self-love, making diversity the focus of her music. Her songs have addressed body image, (“Juice”), sexuality (“Boys”), and race (“My Skin”). Her back-up dancers, known as the Big Grrrls, are all plus-size dancers. And – she loves herself some fierce drag queens. For instance, check out Lizzo’s latest music video, “Juice,” where she not only brings her own big and beautiful self to the small screen, but she’s got some friends from RPDR with her. The former Drag Race guest judge is joined by Mariah Balenciaga, Morgan McMichaels, Silky Nutmeg Ganache, A’keria C. Davenport, Detox, Asia O’Hara, Soju, Sonique and Mayhem Miller all lip-syncing to the body positive bop.

Miss Lizzo is everywhere these days because her new album, Cuz I Love You, drops on Friday, April 19. In addition to Coachella, Lizzo has a 25-date tour plus appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, covers on New York Magazine and Allure, and a feature spread in Playboy. You can follow the rising superstar on Instagram here.

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Nevada State Senate Approves Ban On ‘Gay Panic’ Legal Defense

Nevada could soon be the fourth state in the country to ban the use of so-called ‘gay panic’ or ‘transgender panic’ legal defenses.

Nevada could soon be the fourth state in the country to ban the use of so-called ‘gay panic’ or ‘transgender panic’ legal defenses.

The bill, SB 97, passed in the state Senate by a vote of 19 – 2. State Sens. Ira Hansen and Pete Goicoechea, both Republicans, were the only lawmakers to vote no.

The legislation now moves to the state Assembly where Democrats outnumber Republicans 29 – 13.

The new legislation would ban legal defenses that argue an alleged criminal’s violent actions were justified or provoked by the knowledge of a victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The defense tactic asks juries to blame the victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity for the defendant’s alleged violent crimes.

Language in SB 97 specifically states that “an alleged state of passion or provocation” in a defendant will not be considered a valid defense “if it resulted from… [the] sexual orientation or gender identity or expression of the victim.”

According to the Williams Institute, successful use of the defense can result in murder charges being reduced to manslaughter or other lesser offenses.

The Nevada Current reports that the legislation has the support of the Human Rights Campaign, the Transgender Allies Group, PLAN Votes, Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, as well as other LGBTQ organizations.

Only three states – California, Illinois and Rhode Island – have laws in place today that specifically prohibit the use of the defense.

There is similar legislation currently working its way through six states – New Jersey, Washington State, New York, Georgia, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania – as well as Washington, D.C.

Perhaps the most well-known case that used a ‘gay panic’ defense was that of Matthew Shepard, who was beaten to death and left to die tied to a fence on a cold Wyoming night. The two men charged with his murder said ‘gay panic’ excused their actions.

In 2013, the American Bar Association overwhelmingly approved a resolution calling for an end to the defense.

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Mueller Report Released – “Total Exoneration” Would Not Be Accurate

Lots of news this morning about the release of the report from Special Counsel Robert Mueller into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
Donald Trump

Lots of news this morning about the release of the report from Special Counsel Robert Mueller into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

Here’s just a few take-aways from the report.

First up, Mueller made clear in his report that he lacked confidence to clear Donald Trump of obstruction of justice but suggested Congress could take action on at least 10 instances where the president sought to interfere with the probe.

CNN is posting excerpts from the Mueller report.

“With respect to whether the President can be found to have obstructed justice by exercising his powers under Article II of the Constitution, we concluded that Congress has the authority to prohibit a President’s corrupt use of his authority in order to protect the integrity of the administration of justice.”

“The Russian contacts consisted of business connections, offers of assistance to the campaign, invitations for candidate Trump and Putin to meet in person, invitations for campaign officials and representatives of the Russian government to meet, and policy positions seeking improved US-Russian relations.”

“If we had confidence after a thorough investigation of the facts that the President clearly did not commit obstruction of justice, we would so state. Based on the facts and the applicable legal standards, however, we are unable to reach that judgment. The evidence we obtained about the President’s actions and intent presents difficult issues that prevent us from conclusively determining that no criminal conduct occurred. Accordingly, while this report does not conclude that the President committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him.”

Additionally, the Washington Post reports on Trump’s reaction when he was told the Special Counsel had been appointed:

In May 2017, then Attorney General Jeff Sessions told Trump that Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein had just appointed Mueller as special counsel.

Trump slumped back in his chair, according to notes from Jody Hunt, Sessions’s chief of staff. “Oh my God, this is terrible. This is the end of my presidency. I’m f—ed,” Trump said. Trump further laid into Sessions for his recusal, saying Sessions had let him down.

“Everyone tells me if you get one of these independent counsels it ruins your presidency,” Trump said, according to Hunt’s notes. “It takes years and years and I won’t be able to do anything. This is the worst thing that ever happened to me.” The next morning, Trump tweeted, “This is the single greatest witch hunt of a politician in American history!”

Plus, as Reuters reports Mueller did find that Russian operatives organized political rallies in support of Trump and opposing Hillary Clinton’s candidacy:

Special counsel Robert Mueller in his highly-anticipated report said his team identified “dozens” of U.S. political rallies organized on social media by the Internet Research Agency (IRA), a Russian troll farm that was later indicted for attempting to interfere with the 2016 presidential election.

According to Mueller’s report, which was released on Thursday, the IRA organized political rallies in the U.S. using social media starting in 2015 and continued to coordinate rallies after the 2016 election.

The IRA, a Russian troll farm with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian intelligence agencies, organized pro-Trump and anti-Clinton rallies on U.S. soil for years, including events in New York, Florida and Pennsylvania. The Trump campaign put a post on Facebook about one of the IRA-organized rallies in Miami, Fla. in 2016, Mueller noted.

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News Round-Up: April 17, 2019

InstaHunks Ben Zerbst and Donald Romain took each other to Disneyland for some Hump Day fun. #FutureDILFSofDisneyland
Ben Zerbst and Donald Romain

Some news items you might have missed: • InstaHunks Ben Zerbst and Donald Romain took each other to Disneyland for some Hump Day fun. #FutureDILFSofDisneyland • Brunei has defended its punishment of death by stoning for gay sex in a letter to the European Parliament. Under the country’s new law, not only are LGBTQs targeted but adultery garners the same punishment, and thieves and robbers risk amputations. • Prosecutors plan to seek a sentence of four to 10 months’ jail time for actress Felicity Huffman for her role in the college admissions scandal. • This year’s Time 100 – the 100 most influential people of 2019 – includes Lady Gaga, Indya Moore, Ryan Murphy, and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. https://www.instagram.com/p/BwWtrG6gk-W/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== • Nevada could soon join the three other states – California, Illinois, and Rhode Island – that ban the ‘gay panic’ or ‘trans panic’ defense in cases of assault or murder. • Folks were wondering why queer rapper Lizzo performed at Coachella Music Festival this past weekend when it came to light owner Philip Anschutz has given his money to anti-LGBTQ organizations. Lizzo explained: “Whether we like it or not most major organizations are run by bigoted millionaires that donate to bigoted organizations. I realize my activism is to disrupt those spaces and spread my message to thousands of ppl.” “Y’all may not agree w it and that’s ok. But know that I’m doing what I gotta do to make sure my big black ass voice is heard. Can’t wait to dismantle the hate that funds this country… but until then, imma be putting big, black, femme, lgbtq+ bodies on stages and telling our stories.” Here’s Lizzo’s latest music video “Juice” featuring a whole bunch of RuPaul’s Drag Race queens for added fun. Her new album Cuz I Love You drops Friday.

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New Harry’s Shaving Ad Features Trans Man

Harry’s shaving company just released a new ad that causally includes a transgender man in the spot with narration that tells them, “You can shave to feel like you.”
(screen capture)

Harry’s shaving company just released a new ad that causally includes a transgender man in the spot with narration that tells them, “You can shave to feel like you.”

The one-minute spot by the men’s grooming brand, titled ‘Shave, or Don’t,’ makes it clear Harry’s has your back whether you shave or not.

The narration reads:

“Back in the day, men couldn’t always shave. Back in another day, men had to shave. Somewhere in between is a very nice thing: a choice. Now you can shave just a little. You can shave a lot. You can shave to stand out. You can shave to blend in. You can shave when you have a second. You can shave to save a few seconds. You can shave to feel like you. You can shave to feel like another you. You can shave because you’re finally, finally home. Or you can shave – maybe later.”

You’ll notice the “You can shave to feel like you” line falls on the shot of a trans man about to shave.

The comments on the YouTube page are overwhelmingly positive:

“Thank you for including a trans man in your commercial Harry’s will be switching over to support your business.”

“I got chills when I saw the trans guy thanks, highly doubt the company will see this but I recommend added woman because girls shave too.”

“Why did I get teary? Classic me Hahaha… *sobs* Thanks for including the LGBT community.”

Last year, the shaving giant announced their Shave with Pride campaign celebrating Pride Month.

The rainbow-hued shave set featured an iridescent shave handle plus cartridges and shave gel with 100% of the profits going to LGBTQ causes. 
Additionally, Harry’s is a proud sponsor of London Pride.

“Harry’s has a proud history of working with organizations that help challenge out-dated stereotypes and who aim to shift attitudes and behaviors that devalue marginalized groups,” said Harry’s co-founder Jeff Raider.

“Our support for Pride is a natural extension of that. As a company, we embrace individuality and celebrate diversity, so we’re extremely proud to be an LGBTQ+ ally.”

The men’s grooming brand also produced an acclaimed three-minute short film on the meaning of ‘masculinity’ featuring a young boy explaining how to be a man to an alien.

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Ryan Murphy Will Bring Broadway’s ‘Boys In The Band’ To Netflix

Super producer/director Ryan Murphy announced today he will produce the acclaimed Broadway revival of The Boys in the Band for Netflix as a 'movie event.'

Super producer/director Ryan Murphy announced today he will produce the acclaimed Broadway revival of The Boys in the Band for Netflix as a ‘movie event.’

Last summer, THE BOYS IN THE BAND were on Broadway, breaking house records at The Booth. THIS summer, The Boys In the Band will be filming a Netflix movie event.

The incomparable Joe Mantello, who directed the Broadway revival, will direct the film adaptation. 
The Broadway cast of BOYS was so important to me, and as equally groundbreaking as Mart Crowley’s seminal work. Everyone in the cast was out and proud…and feeling so blessed to mark the 50th anniversary of Mart’s landmark play. 
The entire Broadway cast will reprise their roles in the film. 
I can’t wait to be on set with Joe and Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Andrew Rannells, Matt Bomer, Charlie Carver, Robin de Jesus, Tuc Watkins, Michael Benjamin Washington and Brian Hutchison. 
I will be producing the film with David Stone and Ned Martel. 
Look for THE BOYS on Netflix in 2020.

The cast of the Broadway revival of ‘The Boys in the Band’

Last week, I reported that Murphy will also produce a ‘movie event’ adaptation of Broadway’s The Prom for Netflix. That project, like Boys in the Band, is LGBTQ-themed.

It all makes me uber-happy. More Broadway, more gay… more, more, more!

Last summer, THE BOYS IN THE BAND were on Broadway, breaking house records at The Booth. THIS summer, The Boys In the Band will be filming a Netflix movie event. The incomparable Joe Mantello, who directed the Broadway revival, will direct the film adaptation. The Broadway cast of BOYS was so important to me, and as equally groundbreaking as Mart Crowley’s seminal work. Everyone in the cast was out and proud…and feeling so blessed to mark the 50th anniversary of Mart’s landmark play. The entire Broadway cast will reprise their roles in the film. I can’t wait to be on set with Joe and Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Andrew Rannells, Matt Bomer, Charlie Carver, Robin de Jesus, Tuc Watkins, Michael Benjamin Washington and Brian Hutchison. I will be producing the film with David Stone and Ned Martel. Look for THE BOYS on Netflix in 2020.
A post shared by Ryan Murphy (@mrrpmurphy) on Apr 17, 2019 at 10:46am PDT

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First Listen: Madonna’s New Single “Medellín” Featuring Maluma

Get your first listen to the latest from Madonna - the lead single from her upcoming album, Madame X, titled, “Medellín.”
Maluma and Madonna sing “Medellín”

Get your first listen to the latest from Madonna – the lead single from her upcoming album,

Madame X, titled, “Medellín.”

The track is a collaboration with Colombian pop star/hunk, Maluma. Hit the play button below.



The Queen of Pop also shared the release date for the albumwill be June 14.

Madame X will be the “Vogue” singer’s 14th studio album, and first since Rebel Heart dropped in 2015.

The track list for Madame X (via Instagram)
The track list for Madame X (via Instagram)

The track had its debut on Apple Music’s Beats1 with Zane Lowe.

Minutes before the debut of the song, Madge tweeted a reminder to her fans featuring her hunky duet partner, calling the event a “World Record.”

As I recently reported, Madonna has been confirmed to perform two songs at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv, Israel.

One track will be from her catalogue and the second from Madame Xduring the song contest’s grand finale on May 18.

Israeli-Canadian billionaire Sylvan Adams offered to cover the cost of presenting Madonna pointing to the visibility it will bring Israel.

The Jerusalem Post reported the pop star asked for $1 million to perform.

Maluma and Madonna (image via Instagram)

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Quisling Aaron Schock Seen Hanging With The Coachella Gays

Shirtless Aaron Schock was partying with the Coachella gays
Aaron Schock (2nd from left – image via Facebook)

Eagle-eyed folks at Coachella this past weekend spotted ‘totally-not-gay’ former GOP Congressman Aaron Schock hanging out shirtless with a gaggle of gays. Photos were shared in a Facebook post, Schock appeared to be having quite the time at the music festival posing shirtless with a group of men as well as looking a bit parched (or something) standing in a crowded tent (again, shirtless).

And Queerty is reporting that Schock was seen later making out with a guy as his hands were getting busy:

As the pics were shared across social media, several LGBTQ activists expressed their disgust that gay men would be hanging out with the former Republican congressman from Illinois who voted against LGBTQ interests during his time in office. He had a voting record that was very anti-LGBTQ from voting against the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ to supporting an amendment to the Constitution that would ban marriage for gays. All that and more led to a zero rating from the Human Rights Campaign.

Before a financial scandal that promptly led to his resignation in 2015 – you may recall the Downton Abbey-inspired decor of his Washington D.C. office – Schock was making quite the name for himself posing shirtless on the cover of fitness magazines as well as traveling with his own personal photographer. But that all went awry when he was charged with 24 counts that including wire fraud, mail fraud, making false statements, filing false tax returns and more in November of 2016. Just a few weeks ago, prosecutors agreed to drop the charges if he paid $42,000 in back taxes as well as returning $68,000 to his congressional campaign funds. While he never came out during his time in Congress, rumors have followed the 37-year-old for years, including one from out journalist Itay Hod. And former Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts (who came out in 1987) told Business Insider in 2015, “I don’t know if he’s gay or not, but if he is, he’s forfeited any right to privacy because he votes anti-gay. My view is that people who are gay who vote to support the right of other people to do it have a right to privacy, but the right to privacy does not include hypocrisy.” Matthew Rettenmund of Boy Culture wrote about the Coachella photos saying, “It is appalling to see disgraced former Republican Rep. Aaron Schock cavorting at Coachella with members of the smug, white abs club considering his unapologetically anti-gay voting history.” “From the closet, he voted against gay marriage, against rescinding Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and more, and then he left office due to financial irregularities that he seems to have gotten away with,” added Rettenmund. James Duke Mason, who posted the photos to Facebook, penned this caption:

“Normally I wouldn’t comment on something like this, but I am just infuriated by these images of former Republican (and anti-gay) Congressman Aaron Schock partying with a group of gay men at Coachella. The fact that he would think he could show his face in public, particularly when he has NEVER renounced or apologized for his votes against gay marriage, gays in the military and against anti-discrimination laws is astounding. My intention isn’t to out him or target him personally, but simply to point out the hypocrisy. I saw him at a recent gay social event in West Hollywood and shook his hand before I realized who he was; he should really be ashamed of himself. And the gays who associate with him without calling him out should know better. It really is a disgrace.”

Others on Twitter had some opinions as well.

 

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Tucker Carlson Talks “Consuming” Mayor Pete “Like A Hearty Stew”

Folks are starting to wonder about Fox News asshole pundit Tucker Carlson.

During one segment last night, he pondered Mayor Pete out-Beto-ing Beto O’Rourke closing with the idea that the media is now cheating on Beto, wanting to “consume” Mayor Pete “like a hearty stew – every last drop of Buttigieg.”

#WTF

“Imagine how it must feel to be to be Beto O’Rourke right now. If you’re O’Rourke, you’re out there running for president really hard, or at least running for vice president. You are running anyway. You are giving speech after speech every day: ‘Children are our future. Today the first day of the rest of your life.’ Inspiring stuff like that, deep stuff like that, and there is a physical component to the job, too. You’re riding your skateboard for the camera taking God knows how many selfies for your fans on Snapchat and Instagram.

“It is not an easy gig. Then one morning you wake up and discover that your one true love, the American news media, have called it off. They’ve left you for a younger, hotter candidate. Went out for a pack of cigarettes and just never came home. They split with some guy from Indiana. You cannot even pronounce the guy’s name. Even by the naughty standards of the news media, this is a new level of political commitment. They don’t just want to vote for this guy. They want to consume him, like a hearty stew. Every last drop of Buttigieg. Yum! They’re all in.”