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Podcast: Steve Sims Of QLRadio – 24/7 Radio Dedicated To LGBTQ Music Artists

In this episode of The Randy Report, I chat with Steve Sims of Quest of Life Radio, a 24/7 radio station dedicated to LGBTQ musicians.

In this episode of The Randy Report, I chat with Steve Sims of Quest of Life Radio, a 24/7 radio station dedicated to LGBTQ musicians.

As of December, listeners from 40 countries have visited QLRadio, including Russia, which is regularly in the top five countries of listeners.

I think the fact that LGBTQ folks in Russia can find and listen to out artists is amazing, especially when you consider the country has hideous laws that ban any so-called ‘gay propaganda.’ So QLRadio is a huge gift to people all around the world.

Direct link to listen to QLRadio.

Now, to be clear, this isn’t simply Broadway or cabaret music (which I love).

QLRadio plays current pop, dance, hip-hop, classical, country and more. Don’t dismiss this as some banal collection of sleepy music.

If you listen to Sirius XM stations like Utopia or Chill, you’ll find a lot to enjoy on QLRadio.

The message of QLRadio is that music by LGBTQ artists chronicles the stories of our lives.

As the QLRadio website states, “It inspires, communicates positive messages, gives courage, and hope.”

I listen to QLRadio all the time. Fun dance remixes, chill music, great vocals… it’s all in there.

QLRadio is one component of Quest of Life Media & Broadcasting, a nonprofit organization which supports the creative process of LGBTQ artists. Founded in October 2016, the organization assists independent singer/songwriters/musicians with marketing, fundraising, tour planning and more.

In addition to the majority-music programming, the  radio station also features 3 in-house produced programs:

• Classical Sunday Nights – Music from the LGBT classical community
• New Music Minutes – Daily segments with totally fresh, new LGBT tracks
• Saturday Alive – Foot tapping, head bobbing music to keep your Saturday nights alive

And five syndicated programs:

• HomoRadio – LGBT variety show from New York’s capital region
• This Way Out – International LGBT New Radio Magazine heard on over 200 stations worldwide
• Inside Out LGBT Radio – Washington D.C.’s only LGBT talk radio show
• Democracy Now! – daily global independent news
• The Randy Report – LGBT politics, pop culture and entertainment news

You may have noticed that last entry there. Yep, that’s me in that list of well-respected/syndicated radio shows. I know, I know… they must have made a mistake 🙂

Some months ago, Steve approached me about airing my podcast as part of the regular schedule for QLRadio. I was flattered, and said yes.

No fees or sponsorship were involved in this interview. I wanted to chat with Steve because, as regular readers of The Randy Report know, I have a passion for sharing and promoting out musicians as well 🙂

p.s. You can hear The Randy Report podcast on QLRadio Wednesdays and Fridays at 3:30 p.m.

I recently got to chat with Steve about reaching the one year anniversary of QLRadio, some of the challenges and surprises along the way, and what’s coming in the next 12 months for his organization.

Please kick back and listen as I talk with Steve Sims of Quest of Life Radio.

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Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand Introduces Legislation To Block Trump Ban On Transgender Soldiers

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York (D) has filed legislation that would block Donald Trump’s proposed ban on transgender military service members.

The Hill reports:

The bill, which was also introduced by Senate Armed Services Committee ranking member Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), comes weeks after the Supreme Court paved the way for President Trump to begin implementing a ban on transgender military service.

“President Trump’s ban on transgender service members is discrimination, it undermines our military readiness, and it is an insult to the brave and patriotic transgender Americans who choose to serve in our military,” Gillibrand, an Armed Service Committee member, said in a statement. “We should end this discriminatory ban for good and ensure our transgender service members can continue to do their jobs, serve with dignity, and protect our country.”

In January, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to stay two district court orders that blocked Trump’s policy from taking effect. The ruling allows the administration to temporarily enforce its restrictions on transgender people serving in the military.

The new policy still has not taken effect, though, because of one remaining injunction placed on it by a federal district court in Maryland.

Gillibrand recently announced she is running to be the Democratic nominee for president in 2020.

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New Study Indicates Children Raised By Same-Sex Parents Perform Better In School

A new study indicates children raised by same-sex couples perform better in school than those of opposite-sex parents, reports The Washington Post.
(image via Depositphotos)

A new study indicates children raised by same-sex couples perform better in school than those of opposite-sex parents, reports The Washington Post.

Using government data tracking all children born between 1995 to 2005 in the Netherlands, researchers found children with same-sex parents scored higher on tests in elementary and secondary school, and had a seven percent higher likelihood of graduating from high school than children reared by a mom and dad.

A team of economists at research university KU Leuven in Belgium crunched the data which followed the children’s progress through primary school through high school.

The research was presented at the American Economic Association conference in Atlanta last month.

Educational performance, family income and more was utilized in the massive study which followed over 1 million children, including 1,200 children raised by same-sex parents.

The researchers noted that same-sex parents tended to be more financially well off, more educated, and older.

Because same-sex couples often have to access to pricey fertility treatments, higher wealth and a deep motivation to have children can play a big part in same-sex parenting.

As we all know, gay and lesbian couples don’t have children ‘by accident.’

(image via iStockphoto)

“It is difficult for same-sex couples to obtain children so they have to have a high socioeconomic status,” said economist Deni Mazrekaj. “Research shows that socio-economic status positively influences the school outcome of children.”

Sometimes children become part of a same-sex family due to divorce between straight and gay parents. But that doesn’t necessarily mean those children were raised in same-sex family households.

Even when looking at children specifically born and raised in same-sex families, researchers noted higher educational performance when compared to heterosexual families.

Earlier studies have shown no real differences between children raised by heterosexual versus homosexual parents, although a 2014 study from the University of Melbourne in Australia indicated children of same-sex couples often exhibit happier and healthier behavior than those of opposite-sex parents.

In that study, researchers suggested same-sex couples sharing more equal household responsibilities may have contributed to “greater social cohesion.”

That same report showed one of the biggest issues children of same-sex parents face is stigma.

(h/t The Washington Post)

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Trump Says GOP Would Take ‘Far Stronger Action’ Against Their Own Regarding Racist Allegations

With the ongoing political turmoil happening in Virginia as Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam, Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax and Attorney General Mark Herring each deal with past allegations of racist or misogynist behavior, Donald Trump took to Twitter today to say if these were Republicans 'far stronger action would be taken' against their own.
Donald Trump

With the ongoing political turmoil happening in Virginia as Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam, Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax and Attorney General Mark Herring each deal with allegations of past racist or misogynist behavior, Donald Trump took to Twitter today to say if these were Republicans ‘far stronger action would be taken’ against their own.

Now, this comes from the man who has repeatedly said misogynistic and racist comments for years – on tape!

Seriously, folks, irony is dead.

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Thirsty Thursday: Zac Efron Celebrate’s His Buff Bro’s Birthday

Who knew Zac Efron’s younger bro is just as buff and hot as his he is?
Zac and Dylan Efron (image via Instagram)

Who knew Zac Efron’s younger brother is just as buff and hot as his he is?

In an Instagram post, The Greatest Showman star celebrated the birthday of his younger bro, Dylan Efron, turning 27 as they caroused under a streaming waterfall.

The gallery of pics was accompanied by the caption, “Happy birthday @dylanefron! Honestly, I never in my wildest dreams, would’ve thought that the little terror, devil, monster that was my little brother would turn into my very best friend.”

“I’m so proud of the man you are today,” continued the elder Efron. “Let’s save the world together – one waterfall at a time. Love ya little brother!”

Unlike his brother, Dylan works behind the scenes as a filmmaker and writer. And he’s also worked on films like A Star Is Born, CHIPS and Unforgettable as an assistant to producer Ravi Mehta.

Zac has acknowledged in the past that Dylan has a more ‘grounded’ perspective on life having not grown up with the pressures of the public spotlight, which is why he checks in with his younger brother when he needs advice.

In a 2017 Q&A with Cosmopolitan, Zac shared, “If I’m dating someone, one of the few people I need to weigh in on the situation is my brother.”

“We live together, and we’re different in a lot of ways, but he’s really grounded,” added the former High School Musical star. “He lived a more normal life than I did growing up, so he’s a great barometer for me. He’ll be like, ‘Are you sure you’re happy? Is this what you really want?’ Having my little brother around is a really great thing.”

Perusing Dylan’s Instagram, it’s clear the outdoor enthusiast has the hottie Efron gene – the eyes, the abs, that square jawline.

Happy birthday, Dylan Efron!

A post shared by Dylan Efron (@dylanefron) on Aug 5, 2018 at 3:58pm PDT

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Trump Celebrates The ‘Abolition’ Of Civil Rights

Speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast this morning, Donald Trump celebrated the great strides our country has made thanks to people of faith, like "the abolition of civil rights."
Donald Trump celebrates the ‘abolition’ of civil rights

Speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast this morning, Donald Trump celebrated the great strides our country has made thanks to people of faith, like “the abolition of civil rights.”

“Since the founding of our nation, many of our greatest strides, from gaining our independence to abolition of civil rights, to extending the vote for women, have been led by people of faith and started in prayer. When we open our hearts to faith we fill our hearts with love.”

From the Merriam-Webster Dictionary: Abolition – the act of officially ending or stopping something.

Some pundits say Trump misspoke, but considering the many attacks on LGBTQ civil rights by religious zealots, this seems pretty accurate.

By the way, what is up with Trump’s low-energy delivery of this speech? He drops off the ends of sentences like he just has no interest whatsoever in what he’s saying.

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Trump Supporters Do Their 2018 Taxes, And They Are NOT Happy

With tax season now upon us, it's interesting to note that more than a few Trump supporters have taken to Twitter in the past few days angry about their 2018 tax bill. It seems the promises of a 'middle class' tax cut weren't so accurate.
Donald Trump

With tax season now upon us, it’s interesting to note that more than a few Trump supporters have taken to Twitter in the past few days angry about their 2018 tax bill.

It seems the promises of a ‘middle class’ tax cut weren’t so accurate.

Thanks to the loss of multiple tax deductions in Donald Trump’s tax bill, there are folks paying MORE than they are used to.

Raw Story notes the main culprits seem to be newly-capped deductions for taxes paid to state and local governments, as well as the increased amount of charitable donations you have to make to qualify for the deduction.

Here’s just a few of the self-proclaimed Trump supporters had to say:

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News Round-Up: February 6, 2019

(image via Instagram)

Some news items you might have missed:

• How cute are InstaCouple Justin & Nick? Follow them on the gram of Insta here.

• Two men from Washington D.C. were arrested for drug trafficking as they tried to board a gay cruise leaving from the port of Miami. They were caught thanks to intercepted planning emails sent from one of the men’s government-issued laptop.

• The ABC hit sitcom Modern Family has been renewed for its 11th and final season.

• Donald Trump loves to refer to it as the ‘failing’ New York Times, but facts are facts, and the Times‘ stock price just hit a 13-year high.

• Damon Wayans Jr. is just the latest celeb apologizing for past homophobic statements and ‘jokes.’ At least he has the decency to actually straight-up apologize.

• Out pop singer/songwriter Gia Woods drops her new music video, “Jump The Fence,” which offers a groovy respite with shades of female empowerment and sexual freedom.

Billboard gushed about the new song calling it “a breathy pop ear-worm packed with tribal-like pulsations and distant howls that matches the musical climate while maintaining an undeniable edge.”

Gia’s breakout music video, “Only A Girl,” has garnered over 10 million viesw and counting. The talented 22-year-old is prepping to release her debut EP later this year.

Check out the new bop from Ms. Woods below.

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Trump Calls House Chairman Investigating Him A ‘Political Hack’

Donald Trump complained again today about so-called 'presidential harassment' when he was asked about the House Intelligence Committee moving forward with investigations into his finances and possible Russian ties.

Donald Trump complained again today about so-called ‘presidential harassment’ when he was asked about the House Intelligence Committee moving forward with investigations into his finances and possible Russian ties.

The ‘presidential harassment’ thing reminds me of the character in Mean Girls who keeps trying to get her invented catch-phrase to become popular. It’s not going to work.

Calling the new chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif), a ‘political hack,’ Trump added, “It’s just presidential harassment and it’s unfortunate and it really does hurt our country.”

Schiff announced Wednesday his committee would undertake a broad investigation “beyond Russia” into whether President Donald Trump’s financial interests are driving his actions.

The committee voted today to fulfill another priority of Schiff’s: releasing the transcripts of all witnesses before the House investigation to Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

The full, un-redacted transcripts will give Mueller the chance to ‘compare notes’ with his own interviews of Trump allies. Should he find discrepancies, Trump’s friends could be in big trouble. Lying to Congress is a felony.

For his part, Schiff issued his own statement saying, “I can understand why the idea of meaningful oversight terrifies the President. Several of his close associates are going to jail, others await trial, and criminal investigations continue. We’re going to do our job and won’t be distracted or intimidated by threats or attacks.”