Trailer: Season 2 “Grace And Frankie”
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We're back, bitches. May 6, only on Netflix.Posted by Grace and Frankie on Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Nyle DiMarco & Peta Murgatroyd’s Stunning Tango On DWTS
I’m not a regular viewer of Dancing with the Stars, but I’m so enamored of America’s Next Top Model winner Nyle DiMarco and his winning, authentic spirit.
Last night’s dance earned DiMarco and partner Peta Murgatroyd the highest scores of the season so far – 25 out of 30. Their tango, set to Aloe Blacc and Owl City’s “Verge,” brought the crowd to their feet. And deservedly so.
Important to keep in mind that besides being easy on the eyes and dancing very well, DiMarco is deaf – so he can’t hear the music; he can’t hear the tempo; and he can’t hear the texture of the music.
Murgatroyd continues to impress with not only her spectacular choreography, but her clearly gifted sense of communication with DiMarco.
Put all that together with his beaming personality, and you have a recipe for true star quality.
Mississippi Governor Signs Anti-LGBT “Religious Freedoms” Bill
Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant has signed into law the controversial and discriminatory HB 1523 which, in essence, legalizes discrimination against LGBTs in the state by purportedly protecting so-called “religious freedoms.”
From WREG Memphis:
The bill prevents state and local government agencies from taking action against state employees, individuals, organizations and private associations that deny service based on religious beliefs.
It does not prevent civil lawsuits based on claims of discrimination.
The measure’s intention is to protect those who believe that marriage should be between one man and one woman, that sexual relations should only take place inside such marriages, and that male and female genders are unchangeable.
Proponents say the legislation is an answer to states that have fined or taken business permits from companies that deny services such as event rentals and bakery services to same-sex couples.
Circuit clerks who do not want to give a wedding license to a same-sex couple could hand over those duties to a deputy clerk.
Opponents say the state is sanctioning discrimination.
After signing the bill, the governor tweeted this statement:
Immediately following the news, the ACLU issued this statement:
“This is a sad day for the state of Mississippi and for the thousands of Mississippians who can now be turned away from businesses, refused marriage licenses, or denied housing, essential services and needed care based on who they are. This bill flies in the face of the basic American principles of fairness, justice and equality and will not protect anyone’s religious liberty. Far from protecting anyone from ‘government discrimination’ as the bill claims, it is an attack on the citizens of our state, and it will serve as the Magnolia State’s badge of shame.”
UPDATE – The Democratic National Committee has issued this statement from DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz:
“It’s embarrassing, shameful, and truly perplexing that the Republicans still don’t get it. LGBT Americans are entitled to equal protection under the law, just as everyone else. No exceptions. No allowances for discrimination. That we’re even still debating this in 2016 boggles the mind.
“‘Right to Discriminate’ measures signed into law by Republican governors are proof that the Republican Party’s leaders are stuck in the dark ages when it comes to equality and that they’ve been on a divisive path toward destruction since long before Donald Trump ran for president. In fact, the Republican National Committee has passed resolutions calling on state legislatures to pass discriminatory ‘bathroom bills’ targeted at LGBT youth and calling on Congress to pass a national ‘Right to Discriminate’ law that they cynically call the First Amendment Defense Act.
“No American should be discriminated against because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. That’s not very complicated, and that’s not who we are as Americans. It’s long past time for the Republicans to get the message.”
My Favorite Thing Today: “Texts With My Mother”
Liz Hammett has become an internet sensation after sharing several of her hilarious text messages with her mother on Facebook.
Via US Weekly:
The Ohio-based prankster began documenting their exchanges on Facebook in an album she titled “Texts from my Mother.” After screenshots were shared on Reddit on Sunday, April 3, they quickly racked up more than 200,000 views. Hammett’s public Facebook page now has nearly 180,000 followers.
Hammett’s hijinks include changing her mother’s phone settings to autocorrect a word to “butt,” pretending to be in police custody — and stealing silverware as punishment for not delivering food. “I told you there would be retribution if you did not bring me Easter dinner leftovers,” Hammett warned.
In one exchange, Hammett’s long-suffering mother writes: “You are an awful child. You know you’re killing me. You’re killing your mother Elizabeth.” In another, she calls her daughter an “ungrateful brat.”
Video: Spectacular Final Second Shot By Villanova Clinches NCAA Championship
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You don’t even have to be a basketball fan to appreciate these final couple of minutes from last night’s NCAA Championship where Villanova beat North Carolina with a heart-stopping 3 point shot at literally the last second of the game.
From the New York Times:
With a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Kris Jenkins, the Villanova men’s basketball team won its first national title in 31 years on Monday night, defeating North Carolina, 77-74, at NRG Stadium in the N.C.A.A. tournament’s championship game.
It was the Wildcats’ first championship since its memorable run as a No. 8 seed in 1985, which culminated with a win over Georgetown as one of the tournament’s greatest upsets.
Check the screen capture above – as the ball leaves Kris Jenkins hands you can see the time clock above the net at the .5 second mark.
Atlanta Joins North Carolina Travel Ban Over HB 2
At last count, the cities and states with travel bans to North Carolina – over the anti-LGBT HB 2 legislation – include Boston, San Francisco, Chicago, Seattle, New York City, New York state, Vermont, Connecticut, Minnesota, and Washington state.
You can now add Atlanta to the list:
Atlanta’s mayor has issued a travel ban to North Carolina. This comes after controversy over a nondiscrimination bill that some believe allows for discrimination.
Mayor Kasim Reed’s office issued the following statement Monday: “As a result of Governor Pat McCrory’s decision to sign discriminatory and unnecessary legislation into law, effective today I am directing all City departments to stop non-essential, publicly-funded employee travel to the State of North Carolina.
“I extend my support to Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts, who worked to enhance protections for the city’s LGBT population, as well as to the LGBT residents of North Carolina. Every person, regardless of their gender, gender expression or sexuality is a valued member of our community.”
New Honey Maid Web Ad Tackles Islamophobia
After several impactful pro-LGBT web ads, Honey Maid addresses Islamophobia with this new spot.
Two families, from completely different cultures, show us we are all a lot more alike than we think.
#ThisIsWholesome
PayPal Cancels 400 Jobs In North Carolina Over Anti-LGBT Legislation
As a result of the recently passed HB 2, which legalizes discrimination against LGBTs in North Carolina, PayPal has cancelled plans to bring a new operations center (and 400 jobs) to Charlotte, North Carolina.
The law wiped out local municipalities’ ability to pass local ordinances protecting LGBT North Carolinians from discrimination, and put anti-transgender policies into place.
From the official statement from PayPal CEO Dan Schulman:
Two weeks ago, PayPal announced plans to open a new global operations center in Charlotte and employ over 400 people in skilled jobs. In the short time since then, legislation has been abruptly enacted by the State of North Carolina that invalidates protections of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender citizens and denies these members of our community equal rights under the law.
The new law perpetuates discrimination and it violates the values and principles that are at the core of PayPal’s mission and culture. As a result, PayPal will not move forward with our planned expansion into Charlotte.
This decision reflects PayPal’s deepest values and our strong belief that every person has the right to be treated equally, and with dignity and respect. These principles of fairness, inclusion and equality are at the heart of everything we seek to achieve and stand for as a company. And they compel us to take action to oppose discrimination.
Our decision is a clear and unambiguous one. But we do regret that we will not have the opportunity to be a part of the Charlotte community and to count as colleagues the skilled and talented people of the region. As a company that is committed to the principle that everyone deserves to live without fear of discrimination simply for being who they are, becoming an employer in North Carolina, where members of our teams will not have equal rights under the law, is simply untenable.
While we will seek an alternative location for our operations center, we remain committed to working with the LGBT community in North Carolina to overturn this discriminatory legislation, alongside all those who are committed to equality.
We will stand firm in our commitment to equality and inclusion and our conviction that we can make a difference by living and acting on our values. It’s the right thing to do for our employees, our customers, and our communities.
News Round-Up: April 4, 2016
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| Amir Issa |
Some news stories you may have missed:
• Twenty-nine year old Amir Issa was allegedly murdered by his father for being gay.
• Megyn Kelly says she wishes Bill O’Reilly would have moved to defend her from Donald Trump’s attacks sooner, calling it a “dark” moment.
• Caitlyn Jenner set to join the cast of Amazon’s streaming series Transparent.
• Celebrated Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, Godspell, and more) says none of his works will be allowed to be performed in North Carolina while anti-LGBT law HB 2 is in force.
•Tennessee legislators, believing they live in a theocracy, are considering making the Bible the official “state book” of Tennessee.
•CNN’s Chris Cuomo confronts hate group leader Peter Sprigg over anti-transgender “bathroom bills.”
• Tyson Beckford has VIP tickets to “the gun show.”