Category: Uncategorized

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Quinnipiac Poll Shows Tight Presidential Race In Three Swing States

 

Democrats had their world rocked a bit this morning as the latest Quinnipiac University poll showed tight races between former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and brash businessman Donald Trump in three all-important swing states – Pennsylvania, Ohio and Floridia.

Via Politico:

Buckle up for the next six months: Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are effectively tied in the swing states of Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania, according to the results of a Quinnipiac University survey released Tuesday. Split along lines of gender, race and age, the presumptive Republican nominee and the likely Democratic nominee appear poised for tight battles in those states, though Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders performs better against Trump than Clinton does and is also seen more favorably by voters in all three states. No presidential candidate has won an election since 1960 without winning at least two of the three states.

At roughly the same point in 2012, President Barack Obama led Mitt Romney by single digits in Ohio and in Pennsylvania, while Romney led by 1 percentage point in Florida. (Obama ended up winning all three, all by single digits.) Four years earlier, eventual Democratic nominee Obama trailed Arizona Sen. John McCain by 1 point each in Florida and Ohio, but led by 9 points in Pennsylvania. (Obama also won all three states in November, winning Florida and Ohio by single digits and Pennsylvania by 10 points.)

Real Clear Politics poll averages puts Clinton ahead of Trump by +4.3 in Florida, +3 in Ohio, and +7 in Pennsylvania.

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Nyle DiMarco Shares Silence With Powerful Paso Doble On DWTS

My current Dancing With The Stars super-crush was amazing tonight dancing an amazing Paso Doble with partner Peta Murgatroyd.

You have to watch this – Nyle included a moment of silence to share with the audience what dancing is like for him – in silence.

This KILLS.

This judges reactions:

“You dance with purpose and confidence,” said Len Goodman. “You’re amazing.”

“That was mind-blowing,” said Bruno Tonioli. “You have super powers.”

“I’ve never seen anything like that,” said Carrie Ann Inaba. “It was so profound.”

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LGBT Website Queerty Makes Bad Decision

I was stunned to read the news above today from now-former editor of Queerty, Jeremy Kinser.

I know Jeremy and he’s an absolute pro who does tremendous work.

I don’t know what’s happening at Queerty, but it’s a move in the wrong direction if it’s without someone like Jeremy Kinser.

Happy trails, Jeremy. Closed windows lead to open doors.

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North Carolina Attorney General To Governor On HB2: “Enough Is Enough”

North Carolina Attorney General Roy Moore, currently running to unseat Gov. Pat McCrory, put out this message today asking the governor to lead the charge on repealing the state’s anti-LGBT law, HB2.

Text of the video:

Since Governor McCrory signed House Bill 2 into law just weeks ago, there has been a real and devastating impact on North Carolina’s economy and reputation. Already we have lost thousands of jobs and tens of millions of dollars in economic activity.

And now the governor is pouring gas on the fire that he lit and putting billions in education funding on the line. Instead of doing what’s right for our state, he’s doubling down on what he knows he did wrong. Enough is enough.

For decades, North Carolina has been a beacon in the south with great universities, technology and forward thinking leaders. But now, the governor is putting all that and more at risk with his partisan gamesmanship.

Governor, for the sake of our schools, our children, our economy, and our good name, set the politics aside and undo this discriminatory law now.

Although he was leading in the gubernatorial race before HB2, since signing the legislation into law McCrory has consistently trailed Moore in the polls.

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U.S. Department Of Justice Sues North Carolina Over HB2

U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed suit against North Carolina over anti-trans “bathroom law” HB2.

The suit specifies alleged violations of Title VII, Title IX, and VAWA.

From the lawsuit:

1. The United States files this complaint challenging a provision of North Carolina law requiring public agencies to deny transgender persons access to multiple-occupancy bathrooms and changin facilities consistent with their gender identity.

2.As set forth below, Defendants’ compliance with and implementation of Part I of North Carolina Session Law 2016-3, House Bill 2 (“H.B. 2”), which was enacted and became
effective on March 23, 2016, constitutes a pattern or practice of employment discrimination on
the basis of sex in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e, et seq. (“Title VII”); discrimination on the basis of sex in an education program receiving federal funds in violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. § 1681, et seq. (“Title IX”), and its implementing regulations, 28 C.F.R. Part 54 (2000), 34 C.F.R. Part 106 (2010); and discrimination on the basis of sex and gender identity in programs receiving federal funds in violation of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (“VAWA”), 42 U.S.C. §13925(b)(13).

Speaking directly to transgender Americans during a press conference today, U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said,”No matter how isolated, how afraid, and no matter how alone you may feel today, note this — the Department of Justice and indeed the entire Obama Administration want you to know: we see you, we stand with you, and we will do everything we can to support you going forward.”

Lynch, who was born in North Carolina, addressed the governor’s claim that the Department of Justice is “bullying” North Carolina lawmakers. “I think the people who probably feel bullied are the transgender individuals who live and work in the state of North Carolina.”

The DOJ’s filing makes it clear that the federal government sees “transgender” discrimination as a “sex discrimination” issue.

“For individuals who have aspects of their sex that are not in alignment, the person’s gender identity is the  primary factor in determining that person’s sex.”

See from the filing below:

Stay tuned kids. It’s getting serious now.

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Mississippi: ACLU Files Lawsuit Over Anti-LGBT Law HB 1523

The ACLU and ACLU of Mississippi have filed a lawsuit challenging the recently passed HB 1523 which allows public officials and businesses to refuse to serve LGBTs.

Via the ACLU:

The lawsuit, which targets the registrar of vital records, was filed on behalf of ACLU of Mississippi members and Nykolas Alford and Stephen Thomas, a gay couple who are engaged to be married and face discrimination as a result of this law.

Plaintiffs Nykolas Alford and Stephen Thomas have been engaged for nearly two years. They describe the law, HB 1523, as “a slap in the face.”

“When HB 1523 passed, it was heartbreaking because it takes away our chance to finally be treated equally. At a time when we’re supposed to be excited as a couple engaged to be married, this law permits discrimination against us simply because of who we are. This is not the Mississippi we’re proud to call home. We’re hopeful others will come to realize this and not allow this harmful measure to become law,” they said.

The Supreme Court was clear in its marriage ruling last year: States must provide the “same legal treatment” to married same-sex couples that they provide to the marriages of different-sex couples. HB 1523 directly contradicts the Supreme Court’s ruling by treating the marriages of same-sex couples differently than the marriages of everyone else, the ACLU said. The statute does not authorize anyone to discriminate against the marriages of different-sex couples based on religious beliefs. It singles out the marriages of same-sex couples and provides a special right for governmental officials and for-profit businesses to discriminate against them.

“We’re stepping up to fight this sweeping anti-LGBT and unconstitutional law that authorizes discrimination against gay and transgender people,” said ACLU Staff Attorney Josh Block. “HB 1523 has no rightful place in Mississippi or in our history books, and we’re hopeful this lawsuit can stop as much of it as possible before it goes into effect. We won’t rest until every last piece of this law is struck down and all LGBT people in Mississippi have equal justice under the law.”

The harms caused by HB 1523 are not limited to married same-sex couples. In particular, HB 1523 includes many provisions authorizing discrimination against transgender people outside the context of marriage, and against anyone who has sex outside of heterosexual marriage. For procedural reasons, those other provisions cannot be attacked in this pre-enforcement challenge against the registrar, but the ACLU and ACLU of Mississippi are committed to challenging these other provisions as soon as possible if they go into effect.

“The ACLU stands firmly against discrimination in all forms,” said ACLU of Mississippi Executive Director Jennifer Riley-Collins. All citizens deserve the right to be treated equally regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The ACLU of Mississippi will continue to work to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the U.S. Constitution guarantees everyone in this country.”

The case, ACLU of Mississippi v. Judy Moulder, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi in Jackson. The ACLU and attorney Oliver Diaz are co-counsel.

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Casting For Broadway CATS Revival To Include SYTYCD Winner Ricky Ubeda

Ricky Ubeda to play “Mr. Mistoffelees” in Broadway revival of Cats

Ricky Ubeda, season 11 winner of So You Think You Can Dance, will be featured in the upcoming Broadway revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Cats as “the magical Mr. Mistoffelees.”

Previews will begin July 14 prior to an official opening July 31 at the Neil Simon Theatre (250 W. 52nd Street).

From Playbill:

The company will include Giuseppe Bausilio as Carbucketty, Quentin Earl Darrington as Old Deuteronomy, Jeremy Davis as Skimbleshanks, Kim Faure as Demeter, Sara Jean Ford as Jellylorum, Lili Froehlich as Electra, Daniel Gaymon as Macavity, Shonica Gooden as Rumpleteazer, Christopher Gurr as Gus/Bustopher Jones, Tyler Hanes as Rum Tum Tugger, Andy Jones as Munkustrap, Kolton Krouse as Tumblebrutus, Eloise Kropp as Jennyanydots / Gumbie, Jess LeProtto as Mungojerrie, Georgina Pazcoguin as Victoria, Emily Pynenburg as Cassandra, Arianna Rosario as Sillabub, Ahmad Simmons as Alonzo, Christine Cornish Smith Bombalurina, Corey Snide as Coricopat, Emily Tate as Tantomile, Ricky Ubeda as Mistoffelees, and Sharrod Williams as Pouncival,as well as Richard Todd Adams, Aaron Albano, Callan Bergmann, Claire Camp, Francesca Granell, Jessica Hendy, Harris Milgrim, Madison Mitchell, Nathan Patrick Morgan and Megan Ort.

Casting for the role of “Grizabella” will be announced at some point in the near future. Elaine Paige won the Olivier Award for her powerful turn as the “Glamour Cat” in the original London company, and Betty Buckley won the Tony Award for her powerful portrayal on Broadway.

I have a personal interest in the production, and in Ubeda’s casting, as I spent two years of my early career playing “Mistoffelees” on the national tour of Cats back in the 1980s when the show first hit the U.S.

Congrats to Ricky and all the new kitties!

Me as “Mr. Mistoffelees” in Cats