Category: Uncategorized

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Brendan Jordan, Social Media Sensation, Comes Out As Transgender At HRC’s “Time To Thrive”

Brendan Jordan, who developed a huge social media following after vogueing in the background of a local news report in Las Vegas has come out as transgender.

Introducing trans fashion model Andreja Pejić at the Human Rights Campaign’s Time To Thrive conference, Jordan said this:

“Like most teenagers, I’m still figuring it out. I’m starting to identify as one, or as part, of the trans community. I can’t really label it, because, you know, some days, my more feminine side comes out — the ‘she.’ Some other days I don’t feel like putting on my fabulous mask, and the ‘he’ comes out, and I’m totally OK with that. And I don’t know who I am, or where I will be going in the future, who I will be 10 years from now but I’m still a teenager. I just like the limitless feeling of it, and I’m perfectly fine with who I am now. I just identify with both genders, so I go by the pronouns he or she and it’s just what I’m happy with.”

Watch Brendan’s coming out below:

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New Poll Shows Majority Of Americans In Every State Supports The Equality Act

A new poll conducted by the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute shows a majority of Americans – in every state – supports The Equality Act, which would ban anti-LGBT discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations.

From the survey:

Support is higher in the Northeast (76%) and West (75%), and lower in the South (66%) and Midwest (71%). Residents of New England states such as Rhode Island (84%) and Massachusetts (83%) are the most supportive of these laws, while residents of Deep South states, such as Mississippi (54%), Alabama (57%), and Arkansas (57%), are the least supportive.

Via the Human Rights Campaign:

Currently, 33 states lack clear, fully inclusive LGBT non-discrimination protections, leaving people at risk for being fired, denied a job or apartment, or refused service because of who they are or whom they love.

In addition to showing strong, across the board support for a bill like the Equality Act, a majority in all 50 states support non-discrimination protections for LGBT people — 70 percent in Florida, 70 percent in Indiana, 70 percent in Pennsylvania and 69 percent in Ohio — all states that lack these protections.

Currently, 50 percent of LGBT Americans live in states where they risk being fired, denied housing or refused service because of who they are or whom they love.

The bipartisan Equality Act, establishes explicit, permanent protections against discrimination based on an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity in matters of employment, housing, access to public places, federal funding, credit, education and jury service. In addition, it would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in federal funding and access to public places.

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‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ Author Harper Lee Passes Away At 89

Harper Lee, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “To Kill a Mockingbird,” has quietly passed away at the age of 89 in her hometown of Monroeville, Alabama.

“To Kill a Mockingbird,” written in 1961, was a semi-autobiographical tale of a crusading lawyer in the Jim Crow South that won a Pulitzer Prize, was turned into an Oscar-winning 1962 film and has been taught to generations of schoolchildren.

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News Round-Up: February 18, 2016

Some news stories you might have missed:

• That time when an anti-gay hate group accidentally contributed thousands to an annual LGBTQ teen dance.

• New Bloomberg poll shows Hillary Clinton holds strong lead in South Carolina over Bernie Sanders – 53%-315.

• Donald Trump’s Town Hall on MSNBC was a ratings loser last night coming in 3rd to Fox News (with a substitute host) and CNN.

• Japanese electronics giant Panasonic will soon recognize same-sex marriage among it’s nearly 250,000 employees.

• South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard has agreed to meet with transgender kids before singing discriminatory anti-trans “bathroom bill.” Here’s hoping he learns something.

• The Mississippi House Judiciary Committee has advanced an anti-LGBT bill that would legalize “religious liberty” discrimination in the state.

• Hillary Clinton scores a big endorsement – South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn. Clyburn is the highest-ranking African-American in Congress.

• If Under Armor can make me look like this, I’m investing in the company!

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Original Creative Team To Reunite For HAIRSPRAY Live! on NBC

Good news for Broadway musical lovers! The original creative team for HAIRSPRAY will reunite for the upcoming December 7 airing of the Broadway tuner on NBC

Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, who produced the 2007 movie-musical version of Hairspray, will produce the live television edition.

The Wiz Live director Kenny Leon will take the helm for Hairspray.

Jerry Mitchell will repeat his duties from the Broadway mounting as choreographer.

Harvey Fierstein, who played Edna in the stage show, will adapt the script.

Original Hairspray composer-lyricists Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman are also on the team for the live work.

I’m especially glad to see Jerry Mitchell return to the show. While the movie had it’s moments, I missed his clever, energetic choreography.

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Bernie Sanders Gets Lots Of Assist From DNC But Doesn’t Return The Favor

Interesting essay over on Huffington Post about Sen. Bernie Sanders and his decision to run specifically on the Democratic ticket.

As the campaign progresses it is becoming clear he doesn’t have any interest in meeting what his responsibility would be as the Democratic nominee. In a presidential election year a big part of the nominees job is to help elect candidates down ticket; U.S. Senate, House of Representatives, Governors and state legislators. He would need to help them raise money and build a platform on which they can run. Appears he is so taken with his own rhetoric of ‘revolution’ he hasn’t thought about those down ticket candidates winning giving it even a chance in hell of happening.

As of today Hillary Clinton has raised twenty-seven million dollars to be distributed to state parties to assist their candidates and Sanders has raised one thousand dollars. The FEC is now questioning his campaign finances.

Sanders could have run as an independent as he has for his U.S. Senate seat, but instead he chose to sign up as Dem to get the financial resources. And yet, he hasn’t returned the favor to the DNC.

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Cliven Bundy & Sons Indicted On 16 Counts By Federal Grand Jury

Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy

Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy – along with his sons Ammon and Ryn – have been indicted by a federal grand jury on 16 felony charges relating to the now infamous armed standoff with the federal government in 2014 in Nevada.

From CNN:

“Persons who use force and violence against federal law enforcement officers who are enforcing court orders, and nearly causing catastrophic loss of life or injury to others, will be brought to justice,” U.S. Attorney Daniel G. Bogden said.

Cliven Bundy was denied bail on Tuesday after a judge in an Oregon federal court determined that he was a flight risk, said Natalie Collins, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada. Bundy is scheduled to be back in court Friday.

Last week, Bundy was charged with six counts in that 2014 showdown against federal land managers on the open range where his cattle grazed and fed.

The federal Bureau of Land Management and local authorities backed down in the face-off, halted the roundup of Bundy’s cattle and returned about 300 head to avoid any violence.

Authorities accused Bundy of conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, assault on a federal law officer by use of a deadly and dangerous weapon, interference with commerce by extortion and obstruction of justice.

“The defendants recruited, organized, and led hundreds of other followers in using armed force against law enforcement officers in order to thwart the seizure and removal of Cliven Bundy’s cattle from federal public lands,” the indictment said. “Bundy had trespassed on the public lands for over 20 years, refusing to obtain the legally-required permits or pay the required fees to keep and graze his cattle on the land.”

Bundy, 69, could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted.

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Manny Pacquaio: Death To The Gays

After “apologizing” for his anti-gay comments earlier this week which resulted in his getting fired by Nike yesterday, professional boxer Manny Pacquiao is pouring more gas on the fire by posting a bible verse that condones putting gays to death.

Via TMZ:

The Filipino news agency ABS-CBN captured an Instagram Manny put up early Thursday morning quoting Leviticus 20.13:

“If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death, their blood will be on their own heads.”

The post has since been deleted.

TMZ Sports spoke with Manny’s longtime promoter Bob Arum who says although he finds Manny’s views abhorrent, he understands them because they’re rooted in religious belief. Manny is a born again Christian.

Earlier this week, Manny said gays are “worse than animals” — though he later apologized, while noting that he is still very much anti-gay marriage.

I love these folks who want to get all tough on the internet, then delete their posts.

#Loser