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Report: Counties That Hosted Trump Rallies Saw 226% Increase In Hate Crimes

Donald Trump

Earlier this week, Donald Trump was asked whether he sees “today that white nationalism is a rising threat around the world?” Trump’s response: “I don’t really.”

In the aftermath of the August 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, where a young white man rammed his car into a crowd of counter-protesters, killing Heather Heyer, Trump tried to mitigate white nationalists’ responsibility for the violence telling the public that “there’s blame on both sides.”

He has repeatedly asserted that he bears no blame or responsibility for the violence.

But analysis by the Washington Post shows that counties that had hosted a 2016 Trump campaign rally saw a 226 percent increase in reported hate crimes over comparable counties that did not host such a rally.

It is hard to discount a “Trump effect” when a considerable number of these reported hate crimes reference Trump. According to the ADL’s 2016 data, these incidents included vandalism, intimidation and assault.

What’s more, according to the FBI’s Universal Crime report in 2017, reported hate crimes increased 17 percent over 2016. Recent research also shows that reading or hearing Trump’s statements of bias against particular groups makes people more likely to write offensive things about the groups he targets.

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Special Counsel Robert Mueller Submits His Report To Attorney General

Special Counsel Robert Mueller

After nearly two years, Special Counsel Robert Mueller has submitted his report on the Trump campaign and any collusion/coordination with Russia, according to NBC News.

Special counsel Robert Mueller on Friday wrapped up his nearly two-year investigation into Donald Trump and Russia and sent his report to Attorney General Barr.

No details of Mueller’s findings have been released, and it is not clear how soon the public will see them.

The transmission of the report to Barr concludes an investigation that has resulted in the indictments of 34 people, infuriated the president and thrown the administration into turmoil.

The long-awaited development comes almost two years after Mueller was appointed by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to investigate “any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign of President Donald Trump” and “any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation.”

On Wednesday, Trump told reporters he wants the public to see the report.

“Let it come out, let people see it,” Trump said. “That’s up to the attorney general. We have a very good attorney general, he’s a highly respected man. And we’ll see what happens. But it’s sort of interesting that a man out of the blue just writes a report.”

“But I want to see the report,” he said. “And you know who I want to see it? The tens of millions of people that love the fact that we have the greatest economy we’ve ever had.”

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Australia: Man Receives HIV Diagnosis While Using PrEP ‘On Demand’

Steven Spencer, who lives in Sydney, told the Sydney Morning Herald he received the diagnosis in December.

“I was in complete, as were my doctors,” said the 27-year-old.

With an estimated half a million people currently taking PrEP (aka Truvada) to prevent HIV infection, Spencer is believed to be the 7th person in the world to be diagnosed as HIV+ while taking the medication.

Taking PrEP “on demand” is a dosing strategy aimed at taking the medication only at specific times before and after sex.

Dr. Darren Russell, of the Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine – which helped develop Australia’s clinical guidelines for PrEP – told the Morning Herald, “Taking PrEP only around the time of sexual events allows for fewer tablets to be taken overall, resulting in less exposure to medication, potentially fewer side-effects, and lower costs.”

Medical experts in Australia stressed to the media that people shouldn’t doubt the drug’s effectiveness in light of Mr. Spencer’s diagnosis.

Andrew Grulich, program head of HIV Epidemiology and Prevention at the University of NSW’s Kirby Institute, underscored the point that PrEP had been a “game-changer for HIV prevention in Australia” since it was made available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (which provides subsidized prescription drugs) in April 2018.

“Individuals should remain confident of PrEP’s effectiveness,” he added.

In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control say daily PrEP reduces the getting HIV by more than 90%.

According to Grulich, most of the cases where patients acquired HIV while using PrEP involved a virus that is resistant to the anti-viral medication.

Steven Spencer of Sydney, Australia

Immediately after his diagnosis, Spencer was put on HIV medications, and within six weeks was declared to have an ‘undetectable viral load’ meaning he couldn’t transmit the virus to anyone.

And Spencer still believes in the PrEP protocol.

“What happened to me doesn’t change the fact that PrEP is still the most powerful HIV preventative we have ever had,” said Spencer.

“It is protecting hundreds of thousands of people from HIV in an empowering way, alongside effective treatment for people living with HIV,” he added.

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Book Sequel Announced, But Will There Be A Film Sequel To ‘Call Me By Your Name?’

Timothee Chalamet and Armie Hammer

While fans may be jonesing for a sequel to the 2017 hit movie Call Me By Your Name, one of the stars of the film isn’t so sure the same magic can be recreated.

In a wide-ranging interview with Vulture, Armie Hammer says he’s “coming around to the idea that the first one was so special for everyone who made it, and so many people who watched it felt like it really touched them, or spoke to them.”

Calling the coming-of-age film “a really perfect storm,” Hammer wonders if a sequel is “setting ourselves up for disappointment.”

He added, “I don’t know that anything will match up to the first, you know?”

The talk of a sequel has continued for some time now.

Back in March, director Luca Guadagnino told USA Today the sequel to Call Me By Your Name was being developed with the two stars in mind, but the new film would broaden the setting to a global adventure.

“I’m already conceiving the story with (original novel author) André Aciman, and it’s gonna happen five or six years afterwards,” said Guadagnino.“It’s gonna be a new movie, a different tone.”

Aciman tweeted in December that he’s was in the process of penning a sequel to his original book ahead of a sequel to the critically-acclaimed film.

“I would actually love a sequel to Call Me by Your Name. In fact I am writing one.”

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Aciman’s follow-up novel will be titled, Find Me, and will be released October 29 this year.

The sequel, titled Find Me, will pick up after Elio’s father, Samuel, has divorced. He travels from Florence to Rome to visit Elio, who has become a respected classical pianist. (Viewers of the first film will recall Michael Stuhlbarg’s Samuel delivering an emotional speech that suggested he had “come close” to a relationship like Elio and Oliver’s.) The book will see Samuel have a “chance encounter” on a train that provokes changes in his life, Elio moving to Paris and having a “consequential affair” and Oliver, now a professor in New England, considering returning to Europe after his sons are grown.

In the Vulture interview, though, Hammer makes a point to say he wouldn’t shut the door completely on the idea of returning to the world of CMBYN.

“If we end up with an incredible script, and Timmy’s in, and Luca’s in, I’d be an asshole to say no,” said the 32-year-old actor. “But at the same time, I’m like, That was such a special thing, why don’t we just leave that alone?”

Will young Elio and Oliver ever find peaches and true happiness together? We shall see.

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Nevada Lawmakers Look To Ban ‘Gay Panic’ Defense

Lawmakers in Nevada are considering legislation that would prohibit the use of so-called ‘gay panic’ and ‘trans panic’ defenses in courts across the Silver state.

The bill, SB 97, would ban legal defenses that argue an alleged criminal’s violent actions were justified or provoked by the knowledge of a victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The defense tactic asks juries to blame the victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity for the defendant’s alleged violent crimes.

 The Nevada Current reports that the legislation has the support of the Human Rights Campaign, the Transgender Allies Group, PLAN Votes, Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, as well as other LGBTQ organizations.

Only three states – California, Illinois and Rhode Island – have laws in place today that specifically prohibit the use of the defense.

Additionally, there is similar legislation currently working its way through six states – New Jersey, Washington State, New York, Georgia, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania – as well as Washington, D.C.

Supporters of the bill say these defenses are based on “pseudo-science” that plays on irrational fears based on homophobia and transphobia against LGBTQ people in the criminal justice system. When successful, these defenses send a message that violence against LGBT people is somehow understandable or acceptable.

While the tactic is rarely utilized, it has been used with success in several hate crimes in almost half of all U.S. states.

One of the most famous cases that used a ‘gay panic’ defense was that of Matthew Shepard, who was beaten to death and left to die tied to a fence on a cold Wyoming night. The two men charged with his murder attempted to say their ‘gay panic’ excused their actions.

According to the Williams Institute, successful use of the defense can result in murder charges being reduced to manslaughter or other lesser offenses.

In 2013, the American Bar Association overwhelmingly approved a resolution calling for an end to the defense.

(H/t Nevada Current)

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Trump Calls Fox Business Anchor “Fake News” In Tense Exchange

Things got testy between Donald Trump and Fox Business News host Maria Bartiromo on Friday as she asked about his continuing attacks on deceased Sen.John McCain.

When she observed that his attacks divide more than unite the country, Trump stated again that his attacks only come up because of reporters question, and then he called Bartiromo “fake news.”

“I didn’t mention John McCain until you asked me a question about John McCain,” said Trump, clearly agitated. “I could say I have no comment but that’s not me. But you shouldn’t have brought it up. Actually, I thought you weren’t suppose to bring it up but that’s OK. Fake news, every once and a while.”

Bartiromo didn’t back down, saying, “It’s not fake news. You just told me why you have an issue with him.”

After the interviewed, Bartiromo made a point of telling the TV audience, “For the record, there were no conditions or stipulations agreed to ahead of the interview.”

(h/t Mediaite)

Earlier this month, Trump mentioned McCain during a press event with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro: “I’m very unhappy that he didn’t repeal and replace Obamacare, as you know. He campaigned on repealing and replacing Obamacare for years.”

“I was never a fan of John McCain, and I never will be,” he added.

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Pro Boxer Rants He’ll Shoot Or Punch Gays That Touch Him

Pro boxer Adrien Broner

Professional boxer Adrien Broner threatened to pull his gun or punch gay people in a wild Instagram video rant Tuesday night.

“If any f*g, punk ass n**** come run up on me, trying to touch me on all that gay sh*t, I’m letting you know right now — if I ain’t got my gun on me, I’m knocking you the f*ck out.”

The video has since been deleted but another Instagram account reposted the rant:

Gee, he seems nice.

According to TMZ, the four-time world champ said the video “PSA” was in response to social media personality Andrew C. Caldwell sliding into his DMs.

“[Andrew C. Caldwell] if you don’t get out my inbox before I punch the testosterone out yo GAY ASS,” Broner wrote in a post which was also deleted.

You may recall Caldwell found insta-fame when video footage of him in church declaring he had been ‘delivert’ from homosexuality and is no longer gay.

Sure, Jan…

In case you hadn’t seen that little bit of internet history:

For his part, Caldwell admits he sent the boxer a quick message to say “Keep up the good work,” but Broner went wild from there.

In a video post, Caldwell called Broner out saying Broner is a closet case who had been flirting with him.

Caldwell also brought up the 29-year-old’s lack of wins in the ring since 2017.

Broner’s last match was on January 19, when he lost a lop-sided decision to 40-year-old Manny Pacquiao, landing only 50 punches against Pacquiao.

“Chile, don’t make me call May Floyweather. You have have not won since May of 2017! How dare you come to my inbox! All I said was, ‘Keep up the good work.’ Next you know I’m gettin’ a tag talkin’ ’bout, ‘Stay out my inbox!’”

Caldwell also posted on his Instagram that he’s considering legal action against the boxer.

TMZ confirmed this afternoon that Caldwell filed for, and received, a restraining order against the boxer.

A post shared by Andrew C Caldwell (@andrew_c_caldwell) on Mar 19, 2019 at 10:33am PDT

Who needs reality TV when we’ve got these two homophobes to entertain?

You’re gay and you want me!

 No, you’re gay and you want ME!!!

 By the way, here’s another pic of the homophobic boxer from his Instagram.

 #ThingsThatMakeYouGoHmm


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Joe Biden Considering Stacey Abrams As Early VP Choice

Axios is reporting former Vice President Joe Biden is considering making his announcement to run for the White House in 2020 a two-fer by also announcing Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams as his running mate.
Stacey Abrams

Axios is reporting former Vice President Joe Biden is considering making his announcement to run for the White House in 2020 a two-fer by also announcing Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams as his running mate.

Via Axios:

Close advisers to former Vice President Joe Biden are debating the idea of packaging his presidential campaign announcement with a pledge to choose Stacey Abrams as his vice president.

The popular Georgia Democrat, who at age 45 is 31 years younger than Biden, would bring diversity and excitement to the ticket — showing voters, in the words of a close source, that Biden “isn’t just another old white guy.”

But the decision poses considerable risk, and some advisers are flatly opposed. Some have pointed out that in a Democratic debate, he could be asked why no one on the stage would be a worthy running mate. Advisers also know that the move would be perceived as a gimmick.

Even though she lost her race for Georgia governor in 2018, Abrams’ star continues to rise. She delivered Democrats’ response to President Trump’s State of the Union address in January, and is said to be considering a possible run for U.S. Senate.

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George Conway: Trump’s Lawyer Said Trump Would “Lie His Ass Off” To Mueller

The Twitter feud between Donald Trump and George Conway (husband of White House adviser Kellyanne Conway) continues to escalate. Conway has been publicly addressing what he believes to be Trump's issues with narcissistic personality disorder, including “a pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), a constant need for admiration, and a lack of empathy.” This morning, Conway wrote that one of Trump's own lawyer's once told him "couldn't be allowed to talk to Mueller because 'he'd like his ass off.'"

The Twitter feud between Donald Trump and George Conway, husband of White House adviser Kellyanne Conway, continues to escalate.

Conway has been publicly addressing what he believes to be Trump’s issues with narcissistic personality disorder, including “a pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), a constant need for admiration, and a lack of empathy.”

This morning, Conway wrote that one of Trump’s own lawyer’s once told him Trump “couldn’t be allowed to talk to Mueller because ‘he’d like his ass off.'”

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A Classic Love Song Gets The Blues

Jelani Alladin and Matt Doyle

The latest installment in the R&H Goes Pop video series features a classic song with a decidedly modern twist.

R&H Goes Pop is a video series hosted by Laura Osnes which puts contemporary spins on Broadway classics.

“We Kiss in a Shadow,” from Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King & I, was originally sung by two characters whose destinies dictated they would never be together.

The romantic lyrics expressing forbidden love from a distance, coupled with a melody for the ages, has led to the song being recorded over and over again since its debut in 1951.

Here, Broadway artists Jelani Alladin (Frozen) and Matt Doyle (The Book of Mormon, War Horse) add a same-sex take on the classic tune. These voices are the real deal, kids.

Several new layers take this music video to new heights.

First, we have two men singing of loving each other from a distance, in the shadows.

Set in a church, the aspect of religious bias looms large over the relationship.

And then, there’s the unspoken race card in play.

The song is reimagined in sexy blues soundscape that perfectly frames the gorgeous, yearning vocals by Doyle and Alladin.

Jelani Alladin and Matt Doyle

The ‘R&H Goes Pop’ series (hosted by Laura Asnes) has offered up several home runs.

Bonus – Supergirl star Jeremy Jordan’s pop/rock take on “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning” from Oklahoma! is totally mainstream adult contemporary joy.

I shared this a couple of months back, but I like and it’s my blog 🙂

The track has an easy, comfortable build, and Jordan’s vocals are fresh, muscular and on point.

Hit play below. Happy Hump Day!