Republican Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker was booed off the stage by LGBT activists when he hemmed and hawed about whether he supports rights for transgender folks.
More than 1,000 business leaders packed the hotel ballroom for the 10th Annual Boston Spirit LGBT Executive Networking Night, hosted by Boston Spirit magazine, in the hopes of hearing Baker either declare support for the transgender bill or at least pledge not to veto the measure if it reaches his desk.
But Baker infuriated many in the crowd, some of whom held signs that read “Trans Rights Now,” when he hedged.
Baker said he would “make sure I talk to all the parties involved” if the legislation comes to him. He also did not say whether he would veto the bill.
The bill in question, known as the public accommodations bill, would prohibit bias against transgender people in restaurants, shopping malls, and other public areas.
I have to say – you attend an LGBT networking event, and you can’t offer clear, strong support to the people you’re addressing?
How embarrassing for what is typically a very progressive state to have such a weak leader regarding LGBT rights. #Sad
Broadway Cares announces this year’s edition of the always sold-out Broadway fundraiser Broadway Bares.
This year’s theme? Television takes a turn for the “bare” side of things.
“Must see TV” never looked like this. Watch what happens when Broadway Bares tackles the boob tube in an unrivaled evening of sexy striptease production numbers, produced by and benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Broadway Bares: On Demand will give you instant access to more than 150 of the hottest male and female dancers in New York City. Whether you’re searching for the thrill of victory or just your moment of zen, Broadway Bares: On Demand will feature everything you love about television with a brand “nude” look.
The 26th annual edition of the always sold-out Broadway Bares, which combines eye-popping burlesque with the glamour and razzle-dazzle of Broadway, goes live onstage at New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom for two ratings-raising shows at 9:30 pm and midnight on Sunday, June 19. Special guests for the evening will be announced later.
Click here for more info and tickets – but hurry, the event sells out way early!
While a lot of the Marvel movies just jump right in (there have been 12 so far — 13 when Captain America: Civil War hits theaters), Doctor Strange is going to take its time introducing you to the Sorcerer Supreme. Stephen starts out as a surgeon, who, after a very bad car accident that we see in the opening of the trailer, has nerve damage in his hands and thus loses his whole life. He heads for some soul searching in the Himalayas where he meets a mystical figure called The Ancient One (Tilda Swinton).
Speaking of which …
The Hulk had gamma radiation. Captain America had a serum. Iron Man has his tech toys. Doctor Strange, though, has straight-up magic on his side. You saw that bit where Swinton pushed Cumberbatch out of himself? Yeah, that was pretty cool. And it was pure magic. Not all heroes are the results of science experiments gone wrong. But, hey, he definitely wears a cape.
The visual effects look amazing – just as they should for a Dr. Strange movie. I’m definitely looking forward to this 🙂
Fox News’ Megyn Kelly, after months of attacks by Donald Trump, privately met with the Trumpster at his Fifth Avenue Trump Towers yesterday in an attempt to “clear the air” between the two, and discus a possible interview on her evening broadcast.
Kelly said the meeting was held at her request and was an effort to clear the air between herself and Trump. Trump has publicly attacked Kelly on a number of occasions, ever since she grilled him on his past comments about women at the first Republican primary debate last year.
“We met for about an hour, just the two of us, and had a chance to clear the air,” Kelly said. “Mr. Trump and I discussed the possibility of an interview. And I hope we will have news to announce on that soon.”
Kelly has largely tried to stay above the fray, though she acknowledged at Tina Brown’s Women in the World conference last week that Trump’s attacks on her have been “unprecedented for a presidential candidate.”
The New York Daily News has endorsed Ohio Gov. John Kasich in advance of the GOP primary next Tuesday, and in doing so gives Donald Trump a slap for good measure.
New York’s 2.7 million registered Republican voters can break the fever that torments their party by voting for principled, pragmatic conservatism in the April 19 presidential primary.
By his record of accomplishment in public life, by the credibility of his plans, by a temperament that marries a small government outlook with can-do effectiveness, Ohio Gov. John Kasich is highly suited to carry the GOP banner into the general election.
Kasich’s qualifications are all the clearer — screamingly so — when matched against those of competitors Donald Trump and Ted Cruz.
In fact, both men would be disastrous as President — Cruz because he is an absolutist ideologue, Trump because he suffers from the irreparable, disqualifying defect of being Trump.
Campaigns reveal character. Event by outrageous event, this very strange race has exposed Trump the man to be a self-loving egotist, demagogue and bully who suffers from severe deficits of wisdom and maturity.
Only the pettiest of individuals would disseminate an unflattering photograph of a competitor’s wife to boast that his spouse was more attractive.
Only the most boorish would reference the size of his genitalia during a presidential debate.
Only the childishly cruel would make fun of someone’s disability.
Only the most thoughtlessly sexist would call for punishing women who have had abortions if abortion were ever criminalized.
Only those who are given to dividing between an us and a them would smear entire religions or nationalities.
As a mature, grounded politician, Kasich competes well against them both. Although he was largely overtalked in debates that were staged like gladiatorial contests, Kasich has nonetheless drawn the favorable attention of voters across the country.
The Daily News enthusiastically endorsed Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nod yesterday.
LGBT activists have known the names Mat Staver and Liberty Counsel for years. Staver and his cronies have spent years working to subvert the rights of LGBTs in the areas of marriage and public accommodation.
But now, CBS News has not only put Staver and company in the spotlight, but revealed in no uncertain terms the true nature of their mission: to control the “fire” of LGBT rights.
Demonstrators against the so-called bathroom bills were out in force in South Carolina — their chants echoing those in other states where they say legislatures have have enacted laws enabling bigotry.
But while they protested, the conservative group, that’s helped author many of those measures protecting religion over sexual orientation, was working at its Orlando area office on new ways to uphold what it says is really at stake.
“It is only about being free to pursue your faith,” said Mathew Staver. “We have no interest in discriminating against anyone.”
Staver is the founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, which has affiliated attorneys in all 50 states — drafting bills, advising lawmakers and defending clients in what they believe to be the great cultural clash of our time.
CBS News first met Staver when he defended a Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis who said it was against her religion to hand out marriage licenses to homosexuals. Lately, Liberty Counsel has been helping to draft legislation for conservative lawmakers in at least 20 states.
Their bills began cropping up in state legislatures soon after the Supreme Court legalized same sex marriage last year.
An objective observer could conclude that they want to push back against that ruling.
“Well I certainly want to push back against that ruling,” Staver said. “It was a wrong ruling. It has no basis in the constitution.”
Where are they going with this?
“The Supreme Court in the 5-4 opinion on marriage in 2015 lit the house on fire,” Staver said. “All we’re trying to do is control the fire at this point in time.”
And he is unfazed by corporate threats to pull out of states in protest against his work.
In a statement to JoeMyGod, Grammy/Emmy/Tony Award winner Cyndi Lauper announced today she will play her scheduled concert in North Carolina on June 4th in Raleigh (in support of her new country album DETOUR), and donate all profits to Equality North Carolina’s effort to repeal HB2.
“Sadly, once again, the civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people have been trampled on with the recent passage of HB2 in North Carolina. Me and my team at the True Colors Fund have been closely monitoring the situation in North Carolina and support the efforts of the Human Rights Campaign, Equality North Carolina, and others to repeal HB2 in the upcoming legislative session. The pressure to repeal HB2 is building and it is beautiful.
“In the dark haze of such oppression, people and companies are stepping up to fight back against this unjust law and ensure that all North Carolinians are treated with dignity and respect, especially the transgender community. I have seen time and time again what can happen when people join together to do what is fair and the effort to repeal HB2 is the right and fair thing to do. I am hopeful that all of the current efforts to repeal HB2 will be successful and the True Colors Fund and I will continue to do all that we can to help.
“In that vein, the best way I know how to make a difference is what I have strived to do my whole life and that is show up for my family, friends, and fans in the LGBT community. So, for that reason I think the best way I can do my part is to turn my show in Raleigh on June 4th into an entire day to build public support to repeal HB2. I will be donating all of the profits from the show to Equality North Carolina’s efforts to repeal HB2 and I am proud of my manager and agent for joining me in this effort by donating their commissions from the show to this vital effort. I look forward to coming to North Carolina and standing up for equality and fairness.
“If we truly want an inclusive society, we all have to include ourselves in the effort to make that happen. This is the best way I know how to include myself and urge you to join me in the best way you know how.”
Today, Governor John Bel Edwards signed an executive order providing employment protections for LGBT state employees and employees of state contractors.
This executive order also prohibits discrimination in services provided by state agencies, and recognizes an exemption for churches and religious organizations.
The Democratic governor also rescinded his Republican predecessor’s order offering protections to people who oppose same-sex marriage.
There is currently no state law protecting LGBT Louisianans from employment discrimination.
“We are fortunate enough to live in a state that is rich with diversity, and we are built on a foundation of unity and fairness for all of our citizens,” said Gov. Edwards. “We respect our fellow citizens for their beliefs, but we do not discriminate based on our disagreements. I believe in giving every Louisianan the opportunity to be successful and to thrive in our state. Our goal is to promote the opportunities we have right here in Louisiana. While this executive order respects the religious beliefs of our people, it also signals to the rest of the country that discrimination is not a Louisiana value, but rather, that Louisiana is a state that is respective and inclusive of everyone around us.”
DNC chair Debbie Wasserman-Schultz issued this statement via press release in support of the governor’s executive order:
“I applaud Governor John Edwards for continuing our party’s strong tradition of equality and protecting all Americans from discrimination. His executive order protecting state workers and contractors from anti-LGBT discrimination will help ensure that LGBT Louisianans have the equal protection under the law they deserve.
“Governor Edwards’ leadership stands in stark contrast to the disingenuous arguments that we’ve heard from Republican leaders in North Carolina, in Mississippi, in Washington, DC, and elsewhere. We have seen Republican Governors cater to the most extreme voices in their party by signing anti-LGBT bills and we’ve seen the Republican National Committee endorse policies that would further target the LGBT community for discrimination.
“Sadly, anti-LGBT measures have become part of the standard Republican playbook. Discrimination is neither a ‘right’ nor a ‘liberty.’ Hatred holds our nation back, and creates divisions where none should exist.
“Governor Edwards’ action today proves once again that the Democratic Party is the party of inclusion, diversity, and respect for all. It’s long past time for the Republican Party to join our efforts to expand equality for everyone.”
Ringo Starr cancels North Carolina concert over HB2
Former Beatle Ringo Starr has cancelled his upcoming June 18th concert at Cary, North Carolina’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre over the recent passage of anti-LGBT ‘hate law’ HB2.
Starr’s official statement:
“Ringo Starr cancels his North Carolina performance in opposition to the passing of HB2. Like Bruce Springsteen and other fellow artists, Ringo stands with those fighting against the bigotry of HB2.
“Ringo states, ‘I’m sorry to disappoint my fans in the area, but we need to take a stand against this hatred. Spread peace and love.’ This law opens the door to discrimination everywhere by limiting anti-discrimination laws against people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
“Ringo adds, ‘How sad that they feel that this group of people cannot be defended.’ He asks that we all support organizations that are fighting to overturn this law in whatever way we can.
“As Canned Heat sang, ‘let’s work together,’ and The Beatles said, ‘all you need is love.’”
Bruce Springsteen also recently cancelled a concert in the state in protest of the controversial Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act.
“No other group of North Carolinians faces such a burden,” Springsteen wrote in a statement. “To my mind, it’s an attempt by people who cannot stand the progress our country has made in recognizing the human rights of all of our citizens to overturn that progress.”
