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Joe Biden Officially Jumps Into The 2020 Presidential Race

Former Vice President Joe Biden officially jumped into the 2020 presidential race this morning. In an announcement video, Biden focused primarily on the hideous white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia where a woman lost her life, and Donald Trump declared that there were “fine people” on both sides.
Former Vice President Joe Biden 

Former Vice President Joe Biden officially jumped into the 2020 presidential race this morning.

In an announcement video, Biden focused primarily on the hideous white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia where a woman lost her life, and Donald Trump declared that there were “fine people” on both sides.

“With those words, the President of the United States assigned a moral equivalence between those spreading hate and those with the courage to stand against it,” said Biden. “And in that moment, I knew the threat to this nation was unlike any I had ever seen in my lifetime.”

The video was accompanied with this message: “It’s time for respected leadership on the world stage—and dignified leadership at home. It’s time for equal opportunity, equal rights, and equal justice. It’s time for an economy that rewards those who actually do the work. It’s time for a president who will stand up for all of us.”

Even though he’s just now officially entered the race, his entry has been anticipated and he’s instantly the frontrunner.

It is VERY early, but RealClearPolitics’ average of recent polls shows him leading the Democratic contenders by an average of 6.3 points.

And an average of hypothetical matchups against Donald Trump indicate that (today) he would thump Trump by 7.8 points.

By comparison, an average of hypotheticals pitting Sen. Bernie Sanders against Trump shows Sanders coming out on top by only 2.7 points.

I’m totally good with Joe Biden as our next president. Experience, dignity and respect for others. Eight years as Vice President and 36 years in the U.S. Senate.

Oh, and sanity. Let’s not forget that.

He came out for marriage equality before Barack Obama did. And he’s been an outspoken advocate for transgender soldiers serving in the U.S. military.

Folks will point to earlier positions in the 80s or 90s, but people do evolve as society evolves.

Donald Trump used to speak in coherent sentences, and look at what he’s ‘evolved’ into.

People will say Joe is an “old white guy.” Age doesn’t bother me as long as folks are healthy.

I would enthusiastically vote for Biden. That said, I’ll also be happy to vote for Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Kamala Harris, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Bernie Sanders or former Rep. Beto O’Rourke if they clinch the Democratic nomination.

Biden quickly racked up three endorsements from Sens. Chris Coons (D-Delaware), Bob Casey (D-Penn) and Doug Jones (D-Alabama).

Biden will attend a fundraiser in Philadelphia later today, and he’s scheduled for an appearance on ABC’s The View for his first post-announcement television interview on Friday.

On Monday, he will hold his first official event in Pittsburgh, followed by a swing through early voting states Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina.

Predictably, Donald Trump mocked the announcement via Twitter:

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News Round-Up: April 24, 2019

David Hernandez

Some news item you might have missed:

• Out singer/songwriter and American Idol alum David Hernandez found my favorite place in Puerto Vallarta – Mantamar Beach Club. If you look behind him in the lower right hand corner, you can see the cabanas hot hubby Michael and I always spend our days in 🙂

• File this under ‘Birds of a feather…’ One of the co-founders of Students For Trump has been arrested for pretending to be a Manhattan lawyer and taking thousands from would-be clients.

• Five states – California, New Mexico, Oregon, Nevada, and Washington – have announced they will refuse to impose Donald Trump’s trans military ban and therefore not remove trans people from their National Guards.

• Donald Trump says his administration is “fighting all the subpoenas” claiming the Democrats are hoping to “luck out” by going after him. If you’re innocent, why hide anything?

• Former Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen was told not to bring up any concerns about  Russian forms of interference in the 2020 election in front of Donald Trump because he “equated any public discussion of malign Russian election activity with questions about the legitimacy of his victory.”

• Fox’s Empire will feature the first black gay wedding on network television; and it may be Jussie Smollett’s last episode.

• Today is True Colors Day – launched by Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors United organization in an effort to raise public awareness about LGBTQ youth homelessness, and to provide supporters with simple ways to make a difference.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people are 120% more likely to experience homelessness than non-LGBTQ youth. While many factors contribute to LGBTQ youth homelessness, identity-based family rejection is the most commonly cited reason.

The cast of FX’s Pose sat down to make this video for True Colors Day about how we can change our culture to one of love and acceptance.

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Mayor Pete Thanks A Deaf Supporter In Sign Language

Mayor Pete Buttigieg posted a video in sign language on Wednesday thanking a deaf supporter for the American Sign Language (ASL) sign he created for the 2020 Democratic presidential candidate's name.
Mayor Pete Buttigieg

Just when I think I’m totally impressed by Mayor Pete Buttigieg, he does something like this.

Mayor Pete Buttigieg posted a video in sign language on Wednesday thanking a deaf supporter for the American Sign Language (ASL) sign he created for the 2020 Democratic presidential candidate’s name.

“Hi Andy — thank you for your support, thanks,” Buttigieg signed in a video posted on Twitter.

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Adam Rippon Launches His Own YouTube Channel

Olympic medalist Adam Rippon

Whether you know him from the 2018 Winter Olympics where he scored a bronze medal with the US figure skating team, or as a Dancing with the Stars champ, or his well-publicized sparring with Vice President Mike Pence over LGBTQ issues, Adam Rippon wants you to “get ready for something spectacular.”

The self-described “America’s sweetheart” is launching his own YouTube channel.

Rippon promises “VIP access to his life – on and off the ice.”

Mondays and Fridays will feature “anything ranging from my favorite cat show documentaries to my innermost thoughts on eating good.” Topics like travel, boyfriends, and hot takes on pop culture are all on the table.

And Wednesday’s will feature segments that are part interview and part skating lesson. Titled “Break The Ice,” Rippon will lace up his skates with his famous friends for learning, laughing and, of course, backward twerking.

With a guarantee of that “good old Scranton charm,” the 29-year-old former U.S. National champ says he’ll make it worth your while to tune in. As he admits, “I’ve got the time – I’m retired now.”

To kick things off on the channel, Rippon’s first episode tackles a Twitter ‘Ask Me Anything’ round of questions. The queries range from advice to his younger self, tips on recharging after long travel days, what are his biggest regrets, how beautiful is bff Gus Kenworthy, and more.

Rippon is definitely charming, and he can hold a viewer’s attention. We’ll definitely be tuning in to see what Rippon brings to the YouTube table.

Hit play, readers, and let us know what you think.

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Whitney Houston’s Rumored Ex-Girlfriend To Pen Tell-All Memoir

Robyn Crawford, Whitney Houston’s long-rumored lesbian lover, says she will “set the record straight” once and for all in a new memoir titled, A Song For You: My Life with Whitney Houston, due out November 5.

Robyn Crawford, Whitney Houston’s long-rumored lesbian lover, says she will “set the record straight” once and for all in a new memoir titled, A Song For You: My Life with Whitney Houston, due out November 5.

During their decades-long friendship, both women denied any romantic involvement with each other. But fans have long speculated about the nature of their relationship.

Since Houston’s death at the age of 48 in 2012, there have been two documentary films of Houston’s life – Nick Broomfield’s Whitney: Can I Be Me?, and Kevin MacDonald’s Whitney. Both films addressed Houston’s rumored bisexuality and the women’s speculated relationship.

Crawford, notably, declined to take part in either project.

Houston’s mother, Cissy Houston, famously told Oprah in 2013 that it “absolutely” would have bothered her if Whitney had been lesbian or bisexual.

Bobby Brown, Houston’s ex-husband, shared with US Weekly in 2016 that he felt Houston would still be alive today if the “I Will Always Love You” singer’s family had accepted Robyn.

According to the book’s official synopsis, “In A Song for You, Robyn breaks her silence to share the moving and often complicated story of her life and relationship with Whitney.”

Whitney Houston (image via YouTube/I Will Always Love You)

The memoir will follow the years from the women’s meeting in the 1980s, to the singer’s self-titled debut album in 1985, her record-breaking world tours, the success of The Bodyguard, and more.

The publisher of the upcoming book, Penguin imprint Dutton, describes the release as “the vital, honest and previously untold story that provides an understanding of the complex life of Whitney Houston,” and promises that “finally, the person who knew her best sets the record straight.”

The talkers at E! News’s ‘Daily Pop’ discuss the upcoming book below.

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Funnyman Michael Henry Challenges “Masc/Fem” Gay Couple Stereotypes

Funnyman Michael Henry is back with a new video challenging gender norms and sexual stereotypes.
Michael Henry (L) and Sachin Bhatt (R)

Funnyman Michael Henry is back with a new video challenging gender norms and sexual stereotypes.

This time, he’s joined by Chad Westbrook and Sachin Bhatt heading to the ice cream store.

When Bhatt goes to get his phone in his car, Michael and Chad get to talking about whether Chad is the assumed ‘fem’ member of the couple.

Chad has an epic gay meltdown, until Sachin makes a startling confession.

Watch below.

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NowThis News: Meet Chasten Buttigieg

NowThis News gets to know Chasten Buttigieg, the husband of 2020 hopeful Pete Buttigieg, who could make history as America's First Gentleman.
Pete and Chasten Buttigieg

NowThis News gets to know Chasten Buttigieg, the husband of 2020 hopeful Pete Buttigieg, who could make history as America’s First Gentleman.

Chasten shares details from the couple’s first date, and what it was like to stand backstage as Mayor Pete announced his candidacy.

Really quite charming. Hit play below.

A post shared by Chasten Buttigieg (@chasten.buttigieg) on Sep 3, 2018 at 5:33pm PDT

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Tampa Elects First Openly LGBTQ Mayor

Tampa, Florida has elected its first openly gay female mayor, ex-police chief Jane Castor, who won a runoff election in a landslide.
Jane Castor becomes mayor of Tampa, FL

Tampa, Florida has elected its first openly gay female mayor, ex-police chief Jane Castor, who won a runoff election in a landslide.

Within thirty minutes of the polls closing, the outcome was clear. Castor defeated wealthy businessman David Straz garnering a huge 73% of the vote.

“It shows a change in the times, but really all along, the majority of people just want someone who can do the job,” Castor said of her historic win. “They want a leader who’s gonna improve their lives and focus on the issues that matter to them. And that’s what I intend to do.”

“We don’t tear people down with negativity, so thank you all for believing in that message,” added the 59-year-old former police chief.

The reference to negativity was a clear nod to her opponent who reportedly spent $5 million, much of that his own money, in the race.

In the week’s leading up to the runoff vote, Straz declined any debates or forums saying voters had grown tired of them.

“That means Straz spent nearly $345 for every vote he received,” The Tampa Bay Times reports. “Castor, who won all but 7 of the city’s 103 precincts, spent about $44 per vote.”

Castor nearly won the general election outright, but fell 2 points short with 48% of the vote. That number was triple Straz’s 15.5% he earned to come in second.

Acknowledging her long-time partner, Ana Cruz, Castor gushed, “She was everything. I’ve never been involved in campaign before, that’s her wheelhouse. She knows how to run a positive campaign.”

In conceding the race, Straz called for the city to rally around the new mayor.

“This is all about the future of Tampa,” Straz told the media. “The voters have spoken. They elected Jane Castor. And we need to get behind our mayor and help move the city forward.”

According to her campaign website, Castor served 31 years at the Tampa Police Department, first as a beat cop and then six years as police chief.

LGBTQ advocacy groups celebrated the news.

“Jane Castor’s victory is a clear sign that LGBTQ Americans are being welcomed as leaders in every part of society,” said Erin Uritus, CEO of Out & Equal. “Tampa is the second major American city to elect an openly lesbian mayor so far this month, coming just weeks after Lori Lightfoot won in Chicago.”

“For decades we have fought to make sure that LGBTQ Americans like Castor can have a seat at the table,” she added. “Elections like this show us that all of us belong at the table.”

(Source: Tampa Bay Times)

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“This Is All Science” – Doctor In Kuwait Invents Suppository That Cures Being Gay

An anti-LGBTQ researcher in Kuwait, Dr. Mariam Al-Sohel, has announced to the world that she has invented a ‘cure’ for homosexuality.
Dr. Mariam Al-Sohel

An anti-LGBTQ researcher in Kuwait, Dr. Mariam Al-Sohel, has announced to the world that she has invented a ‘cure’ for homosexuality.

“I discovered therapeutic suppositories that curb the sexual urges of boys of the third gender as well as the fourth gender, which is butch lesbians,” she explained on Scope TV, as reported by The Jerusalem Post.

The problem, she discovered, is those folks “have excessive sexual urges.”

I’ve never seen that as a ‘problem,’ but whatever…

“By the way, this is all science, so there is nothing to be ashamed of,” said the academic.

Well then, if its science…

According to Al-Sohel, “The sexual urge develops when a person is sexually attacked, and afterward it persists because there is an anal worm that feeds on semen.”

Ah – that’s the answer!

She goes on to explain that her cure, based on “prophetic medicine,” comes in the form of a suppository and “cures those urges by exterminating the worm that feeds on the semen.”

Kind of like Alien?

The secret behind Al-Sohel’s ’science’ is that “bitter foods increase masculinity.” That said, it turns out the ingredients for her cure “are the same for both sexes.”

Not sure how that plays out as a ‘cure’ for her so-called ’fourth gender butch lesbians,’ but she made them different colors anyway.

Pretty!

I’m joking here only because it’s completely laughable that someone thinks any of this nonsense is real.

What’s not laughable is how LGBTQ people are treated in Kuwait.

Homosexuality is a criminal offense under the country’s ‘debauchery’ laws, as is cross-dressing. Being openly gay in Kuwait means possible prison sentences – long ones.

In fact, Kuwait is so anti-LGBTQ, Jerusalem Post reports that the National Cinema Company banned a ‘gay’ scene from the Disney film, Beauty and the Beast.

(Source: Jerusalem Post)

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News Round-Up: April 23, 2019

Who else is feeling springtime in the air? Graphic artist Silverjow captures the mood perfectly (above). He shares that he was inspired by the cherry blossoms in Japan as well as the stylish peeps heading to work in their business suits :)

Some news items you might have missed:

• Who else is feeling springtime in the air? Graphic artist Silverjow captures the mood perfectly (above). He shares that he was inspired by the cherry blossoms in Japan as well as the stylish peeps heading to work in their business suits 🙂

• Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo, the brothers accused of attacking actor Jussie Smollett and later cleared when prosecutors announced Smollett had orchestrated a hoax to advance his career, are suing Smollett’s legal team for defamation.

• Donald Trump’s son-in-law and presidential adviser Jared Kushner suggested Tuesday that special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation was more harmful to the US than Russian meddling in the 2016 election. Kushner downplayed Russia’s efforts to interfere with the 2016 election as “buying some Facebook ads.”

• Voter turnout for young voters during the midterm elections was the highest in four decades.

• Nigel Shelby, a 15-year-old high school student in Huntsville, Alabama, took his own life after suffering from homophobic bullying from classmates. The Center for Social Equity found 89% of LGBTQ students report being bullied.

If you or someone you know is struggling with feelings of suicide, please consider reaching out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or The Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386.

• A major faith-based foster care and adoption contractor for the state of Michigan, Bethany Christian Services, announced it will place children in LGBTQ homes, reversing course following a recent legal settlement.

• Politico reports that Donald Trump has ordered administration officials to boycott the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, the annual fundraising gala attended by the White House press corps and scheduled for this Saturday. For the third year in a row, Trump has announced he will not attend, and instead hold a political rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin, describing the dinner as “so boring and so negative.”

• Flipping the script from Trump’s negative, let’s end this Round-Up with Salt Cathedral‘s upbeat tribute to folks who work hard for what they want: “Go and Get It” featuring guest artists Big Freedia & Jarina DeMarco.

The bouncy, euphoric electronic track features playful pop vocals along with sunny horn samples on a bass-heavy track.

Salt Cathedral say, ”‘Go And Get It’ is our hustler anthem. Since we came to this country we worked to open doors constantly by hustling like crazy. Having Jarina and Freedia be part of this and bring their magic into it makes the message and emotion extra powerful. We hope for people to feel inspired and go and get the shit that they want in their lives.”