Category: Uncategorized

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Mexico’s President Denounces Homophobia, Backs Nationwide Marriage Equality

Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, in observation of International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, signed initiatives that would seek to add same-sex marriage provisions to Mexico’s constitution and the national civil code.

President Enrique Pena Nieto proposed Tuesday to legalize same-sex marriage in Mexico, a move that would enshrine on a national level a Supreme Court ruling last year that it was unconstitutional for states to bar such couples from wedding.

Pena Nieto said he would seek to reform Article 4 of the constitution to clearly reflect the Supreme Court opinion “to recognize as a human right that people can enter into marriage without any kind of discrimination.”

“That is, for marriages to be carried out without discrimination on the basis of ethnicity or nationality, of disabilities, of social or health conditions, of religion, of gender or sexual preference,” he added.

Pena Nieto’s Twitter page and other government Twitter accounts were turned to include the rainbow colors as he made the announcement.

Although same-sex marriage is recognized in all 31 Mexican states, only 8 states have passed legislation which allows couples to marry locally.

The Mexican president’s Twitter feed was full of posts regarding today’s actions.

Worldwide, same-sex marriage is currently legal in the Netherlands (2001), Belgium (2003), Canada (2003-2005), Spain (2005), South Africa (2006), Norway (2009), Sweden (2009), Argentina (2010), Iceland (2010), Portugal (2010), Mexico (2010-2016; see section below), Denmark (2012) + Greenland (2016) + Faroe Islands (2016), France (2013), Brazil (2013), Uruguay (2013), New Zealand (2013), England and Wales (2014) + Scotland (2014), Luxembourg (2015), the United States of America (starting with Massachusetts in 2004 and growing to 37 states before the 2015 Supreme Court nationwide ruling), Ireland (2015), Colombia (2016), and Finland (starting in 2017).

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Queer Cinema: “Beautiful Something”

Celebrated queer film festival favorite Beautiful Something gets a full digital/VOD release today, and I highly encourage folks to take a look at this artful journey that finds four gay men at the intersection of desire, sexuality and art on a cold night in Philadelphia.

Via press release:

Brian (Brian Sheppard), a poet with an already-spent advance and a looming deadline, seeks distraction at dusk-whether that means a hook-up (or two) or confessing his love to his straight best friend.

Drew (Colman Domingo), a renowned sculptor in love with his boyish muse, is eager to finish his latest creation.

His model Jim (Zack Ryan) is an unpredictable aspiring actor prone to dramatic outbursts. Simultaneously aroused and intimidated by Drew’s talent and devotion, Jim yearns for a modicum of freedom from the sculptor’s attentions.

Rounding out the quartet is Bob (John Lescault), a wealthy, alcoholic talent agent, cruising the Philadelphia backstreets for a “beautiful something.” Despite his aimlessness, he usually finds his target.

Writer/director Joseph Graham shows confidence and trust in his actors allowing them to take their time. Nothing is hurried here even as the search for personal connection sometimes turns to collision.

Director of photography Matthew Boyd’s skillful eye creates rich depth and mood with his use of light, shadow and urban texture. The City of Brotherly Love almost becomes another character in the film via Boyd’s evocative nighttime composition.

I especially appreciated Zack Ryan’s “Jim” – an understated, introspective performance throughout the film that is imminently watchable. And featured actor Matthew Rios’ “Sergio” brings light to darkness in moments of unfiltered charm and honesty.

And kudos to Luke O’Malley’s pensive, nocturnal – but never melancholy – original score.

The critics had strong praise for Beautiful Something along it’s film festival journey:

“rough, sharp and to the point”
– Frontiers Media

“well-sketched personas that spark off each-other brilliantly”
– Gay Times

“A compassionate romantic drama”
— Village Voice (Critic’s Pick)

“an enthralling and audacious piece of film making”
— San Diego Gay & Lesbian News

I highly recommend the film.

Check your favorite digital outlet for the film including iTunes, Amazon Instant and Cable VOD.

You can watch the trailer below:

John Lescault

Brian Sheppard

Colman Domingo and Zack Ryan

Zack Ryan

Matthew Rios
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President Obama Observes 2016 International Day Against Homophobia And Transphobia: “LGBT Rights Are Human Rights”

President Obama issued this statement today in observation of the International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia (IDAHOT).

Since 2004, the day represents an annual landmark to draw the attention of decision makers, the media, the public, opinion leaders and local authorities to the alarming situation faced by lesbian, gay, bisexuals, transgender and intersex people and all those who do not conform to majority sexual and gender norms.

On May 17, Americans and people around the world mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia by reaffirming the dignity and inherent worth of all people, regardless of who they love or their gender identity.

Our nation is committed to the principle that all people should be treated fairly and with respect. Advancing this goal has long been a cornerstone of American diplomacy, and I am proud that my Administration has made advancing the human rights of LGBT individuals a specific focus of our engagement around the world. I am also proud of the great strides that our nation has made at home in recent years, including that we now have marriage equality as a result of last year’s landmark Supreme Court decision.

At the same time, there is much work to be done to combat homophobia and transphobia, both at home and abroad.‎ In too many places, LGBT individuals grow up forced to conceal or deny who they truly are for fear of persecution, discrimination, and violence. All nations and all communities can, and must, do better. Fortunately, human rights champions and good citizens around the world continue to strive towards this goal every day by lifting up the simple truth that LGBT rights are human rights. The United States honors their work and will continue to support them in their struggle for human dignity.

The date of May 17th was specifically chosen to commemorate the World Health Organization’s decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder.

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House LGBT Caucus Launches #WeAreWithYou Campaign

In observation of International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT), and the recent wave of anti-LGBT rights legislation introduced at state and federal level, the House Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus is launching a video campaign to show support for the LGBT community.

Via press release:

Featuring over 25 members of the LGBT Congressional Equality Caucus, Rep. Maloney released a video titled “We’re With You,” which is aimed at showing solidarity and support for LGBT equality at a time when many federal, state and local leaders are advancing blatantly discriminatory policy proposals.

These proposals have far-reaching consequences beyond simply legalizing discrimination, including reinforcing feelings of isolation and desperation among already targeted populations. One suicide helpline for trans people has reported that call volume has doubled since the passage of HB 2 in North Carolina. The video aims to combat this trend and echoes this year’s IDAHOT theme of mental health and wellness.

“Discrimination has no place in the law, and these attempts to legalize hate are shameful. These laws tell LGBT people that who they are or who they love makes them less valuable as human beings – and that’s just wrong,” said Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18), a Co-Chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus.

“I started this campaign because, from North Carolina to Missouri, I want LGBT Americans to know that they are not alone. So I am asking my colleagues in Congress and folks across the country to join me and tell our LGBT brothers and sisters, ‘we’ve got your back, and we’re going to keep fighting for you until we win.’”

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Daily Kos: Bernie Sanders Isn’t “Winning” Dem Primary Season With 43% Of Popular Vote

Sen. Bernie Sanders (L) and Hillary Clinton (R)

Daily Kos ran this yesterday, and I think it speaks a lot to the animus some Bernie Sanders about the primary process so far.

According to Real Clear Politics there have been 21, 951, 362 votes cast in the 2016 Democratic primaries and caucuses. Of those votes Sen. Sanders is getting 43% of them while Clinton is getting 57% of them. Folks that is definitely not winning. In fact it is losing in a landslide. In 2008, for example, Clinton got around 47.8% of the vote while Obama got around 48.1% of the vote. For all of the talk about how Sanders is energizing the Democratic Party a significant majority of voters have not responded to his message.

Yet despite her lead in the popular vote there are many Sanders supporters who act as if her lead in delegates is somehow illegitimate. That somehow Sanders is being deprived of a victory by the way the rules are being applied.

Look Clinton’s lead in delegates is actually less than her lead in the popular vote. Right now she leads in delegates who are pledged to one candidate or the other, 1716 to 1433. This delegate count does not include super delegates. This means that Sanders is getting 46% of the delegates while only getting 43% of the vote. Clinton is getting only 54% of the delegates selected while she is receiving 57% of the vote. If anyone has a complaint with how delegates are being selected it is Clinton not Sanders.

Indeed it seems to be the position of the Sanders campaign that it doesn’t matter how big Clinton’s lead is in terms of the popular vote Sanders should still get the nomination. Why? Why should a political party nominate a person who is not winning the majority of the votes cast by that party’s primary and caucus voters?

The fact of the matter is that Sanders is losing the popular vote in the 2016 Democratic primaries and caucuses and unless that changes he should not be the Democratic Party’s nominee. On the other hand if he can overcome Clinton’s lead in the popular vote then he should be the Party’s nominee.

It’s also worth noting that while Sanders supporters are up in arms about “closed primaries” being unfair somehow, the fact is there have been 19 primaries open to independents, but Sanders only won 6 – two of which were his home stage of Vermont and New Hampshire. So, I’m not sure that “closed” primaries have been his biggest hurdle thus far.

Most importantly, I think folks should remember Clinton and Sanders are on the same side when it comes to the big picture.

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Donald Trump Encourages Bernie Sanders For Independent White House Run

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/732148805118885889

In an oh-so-sly attempt to fracture the Democratic party come this November, presumptive GOP candidate Donald Trump has begun encouraging Sen. Bernie Sanders via Twitter to run this fall as an Independent due to his “unfair” treatment by the Dems.

“Bernie Sanders is being treated very badly by the Dems. The system is rigged against him. He should run as an independent! Run Bernie, run.”

Man, he’s a slick one, that Donald Trump.

#ShhBeVewyVewyQuiet

#Lame

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Congressional Candidate Posts Screen Capture Including Open Porn Sites

Congressional candidate Mike Webb shares his taste in porn

Congressional candidate for the 8th District of Virginia raised eye-brows today when he posted a screen capture along with a post on his Facebook page.

He drew attention due to the fact that Webb failed to close a few tabs on his browser window before taking the screen capture. The first two browser tabs were open to porn sites.

From The Daily Caller:

Mike Webb initially ran as a Republican for the 8th District seat, which covers Arlington and Alexandria and is considered safely Democratic. He lost the nomination, though, and is now running as an independent, though he is, to say the least, unlikely to win.

Webb published a post on his campaign page Monday that included a screenshot of his computer desktop. And as it happened, Webb hadn’t bothered to close his pornography tabs when he took his screengrab.

“IVONE SEXY AMATEUR” may have a completely innocent meaning, but a quick Google search indicates the video is featured on RedTube and other very X-rated websites. Similarly, Layla Rivera is a porn star. Something about her is apparently tight, and it probably isn’t her relationship with her father.

Although folks in the media have noticed, after five hours the posts remains unchanged.

Click the image below to enlarge.

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Donald Trump’s Former Butler Doubles-Down On Wanting President Obama Executed

Donald Trump (L) with Anthony Senecal (R)

Last week, the former butler for presumptive GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump raised eye-brows with his call for President Obama to be shot to death.

Today, Anthony Senecal (who still gives guided tours at Trump’s Florida home Mar-A-Lago) doubled-down on his opinion that Obama should be executed by the U.S. military as a “traitor.”

Via Talking Points Memo:

Anthony Senecal told West Virginia newspaper The Martinsburg Journal on Friday—one day after a Secret Service agent called Senecal regarding online comments he made calling for Obama’s death — that he believes the President is a “traitor” who deserves to be killed.

In the threats, surfaced by Mother Jones, Senecal called the president a “filthy muzzie” who should have “been hung from the portico of the White House.”

“I think they (Secret Service) wanted to make sure I wasn’t going to go there with a rifle,” Senecal told the newspaper. “I told them it was too far to drive. I lived in Washington and hated it. I’m glad I got the hell out of there.”

The 84-year-old, who also served as the mayor of Martinsburg, West Virginia from 1990-1992, told the newspaper that he stands by the comments he made in his Facebook posts.

“I think it should have been done by the military in the first term—they still have a chance to do it,” he told the Journal.

The Trump campaign has distanced itself from Senecal, who served as the butler at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate for 15 years before becoming an unofficial historian for the property.

In a statement posted on his public Facebook page, Trump called Senecal’s comments “disgusting.”

“Mr. Senecal is obviously a very troubled man,” Trump wrote.