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Federal Appeals Court Denies Trump Administration Request To Stop Transgender Military Recruits Jan. 1

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Virginia has denied a request by the Trump administration to prevent the U.S. military from accepting transgender recruits starting Jan. 1.

From Reuters:

The administration had urged the appeals court to suspend an order by a federal judge in Baltimore for the armed forces to begin accepting transgender recruits on that date. The administration has said the Jan. 1 start date was causing the armed forces to scramble to revise their policies at the risk of harming military readiness.

In a brief two-paragraph order, the three-judge panel of the Richmond-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said it was denying the administration’s request while the appeal proceeds.

Several transgender service members filed suit in Maryland after Trump said in July he would ban transgender people from the military, a move that would reverse a policy of the Republican president’s Democratic predecessor Barack Obama to accept them. Trump cited concern over military focus and medical costs.

So far, three federal judges around the country have issued injunctions blocking Trump’s ban. His administration has appealed all three rulings.

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Fox News’ Shepard Smith Explains The Whole “Uranium One” Issue

There are reports today that US Attorney General Jeff Sessions in looking into allegations that Hillary Clinton somehow profited from the sale of Uranium One mining facilities back in 2010.

The short version of the story: She didn’t.

From NBC News:

On the orders of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Justice Department prosecutors have begun asking FBI agents to explain the evidence they found in a now dormant criminal investigation into a controversial uranium deal that critics have linked to Bill and Hillary Clinton, multiple law enforcement officials told NBC News.

At issue is a 2010 transaction in which the Obama Administration allowed the sale of U.S. uranium mining facilities to Russia’s state atomic energy company. Hillary Clinton was secretary of state at the time, and the State Department was one of nine agencies that agreed to approve the deal after finding no threat to U.S. national security.

While Hillary haters have spun the story as “Hillary sold American uranium to Russia” in exchange for Clinton Foundation donations, the truth is Hillary wasn’t involved in the deliberations.

There were nine US departments that oversaw the decision, and the deal was unanimously approved by all nine. The State Department official who took part in the meetings has already stated Hillary didn’t intervene in the issue in any way.

Watch below as Fox News’ Shepard Smith explains the facts of the case. You’ll soon see why this is just another Trump-led attack on Hillary.

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News Round-Up: December 21, 2017

(via Instagram)

Some news items you might have missed:

• Today’s Sexy Santa is Simon Dunn, rugby player and the first openly gay bobsleigh athlete to represent Australia, where they celebrate Christmas with “lots of seafood, beer and spend the day at the beach with family.”

• Some TV viewers have complained that drag queens were invited to join singer Jessie J in a performance of “Bang Bang” on the finale of NBC’s The Voice. In related news, drag queen RuPaul has won 2 Emmy Awards as “Best Host of Reality TV.” #GetWithItPeople

• It looks like openly gay New York City Councilman Corey Johnson will be the next City Council speaker. Johnson has also been open about his HIV+ status since 2013. When I lived in NYC he represented my neighborhood. Congrats Corey!

• According to Lambda Legal, nearly one-third of Donald Trump’s judicial nominees are overtly hostile towards LGBT rights. #QuelSurprise

• OUT.com has made a list of the 25 Queerest Cities in America. Do you live in one? Check the list here.

• Attorney General Jeff Sessions has opened an inquiry into the 2010 Uranium One deal that Republicans have railed about regarding Hillary Clinton’s involvement. The State Department was one of nine agencies that agreed to approve the deal at the time after finding no threat to U.S. national security.

• New pop music from platinum-selling BØRNS – “I Want You Back” from his upcoming sophomore album, Blue Madonna, due out January 12, 2018.

The Associated Press called his 2015 debut album, Dopamine, “some of the most heartfelt electronic-based music in recent memory,” while Spin noted that BØRNS “writes brilliant pop songs that worm their way into your heart in an instant.”

Listen to the chill, EDM groove below.

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United Nations Votes 128-9 Condemning US Plan To Recognize Jerusalem As Israel’s Capital

US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley

From The New York Times:

The overwhelming majority of the world’s nations delivered a stinging rebuke to the United States on Thursday, denouncing its decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and ignoring President Trump’s bombastic threats of revenge.

In what amounted to a collective act of defiance toward Washington, ambassadors of the 193-member General Assembly voted 128 to 9, with 35 abstentions, to approve a nonbinding resolution demanding that the United States rescind the Dec. 6 decision on Jerusalem, the contested holy city, which also included a plan to relocate the American Embassy there.

Earlier today, United States Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley issued a direct threat saying the US will consider pulling funding to the world body should the resolution pass.

And in an email to the General Assembly members, Haley wrote, “The President will be watching this vote carefully and has requested I report back on those countries who voted against us. We will take note of each and every vote on this issue.”

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Trailer: “Mamma Mia – Here We Go Again”

Via press release:

Ten years after Mamma Mia! The Movie grossed more than $600 million around the world, you are invited to return to the magical Greek island of Kalokairi in an all-new original musical based on the songs of ABBA. With the film’s original cast returning and new additions including Lily James (Cinderella, Baby Driver), the musical comedy will open on July 20, 2018.

Reprising their roles from Mamma Mia! The Movie are Academy Award® winner Meryl Streep as Donna, Julie Walters as Rosie and Christine Baranski as Tanya. Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper reunite as Sophie and Sky, while Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skarsgård and Oscar® winner Colin Firth return to play Sophie’s three possible dads: Sam, Bill and Harry.

As the film goes back and forth in time to show how relationships forged in the past resonate in the present, James will play the role of Young Donna. Filling the roles of Young Rosie and Young Tanya are Alexa Davies (A Brilliant Young Mind) and Jessica Keenan Wynn (Broadway’s Beautiful). Young Sam will be played by Jeremy Irvine (War Horse), while Young Bill is Josh Dylan (Allied) and Young Harry is Hugh Skinner (Kill Your Friends).

What I can’t seem to figure out is whether or not Meryl Streep’s “Donna” is dead? Baranski and Walters speak of her in the past tense and Sophie says she can’t have a baby “all alone.”

Oh – and then there’s Cher, playing Meryl Streep’s mother, making quite the grand entrance.

Watch the trailer below.

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Ivanka Trump Takes On Propaganda Duty For GOP Tax Scam

Ivanka Trump graced Fox & Friends with her dulcet, mellifluous tones this morning in an effort to sell the GOP Tax Scam passed in Congress yesterday.

You see, it’s not very popular. Up to 55% of Americans oppose it and think it benefits the rich.

Ivanka chatted on what a big “win” the bill is for the middle class and how it will lead to wiping out the national debt.

She also mentioned she will be traveling around the country next April as Americans file their taxes to celebrate the wonderful savings everyone will enjoy.

“I’m really looking forward to doing a lot of traveling in April when people realize the effect that this has,” she said. “The vast majority will be [doing their taxes] on a single postcard.”

Clearly, Ivanka has never filed her own taxes or she would know Americans pay their 2017 taxes in April 2018. The new law won’t affect this year’s taxes.

Oh, and that postcard thing isn’t really a “thing.” Paul Ryan made it up. Folks will still be using at least a 1040EZ to calculate and file their taxes.

I will say this – At least Ivanka isn’t a shrill nails-on-the-chalkboard shrew when discussing these things like Propaganda Minister Kellyanne Conway. And she has nice hair.

Watch the brainwashing below.

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New Ad From OpenToAll

From OpenToAll.com:

As a nation, we decided a long time ago that when a business opens its doors to the public, it should be open to everyone, on the same terms.

But a case now before the Supreme Court wants to take us back to the days when businesses could tell people, “We don’t serve your kind here.” Masterpiece Cakeshop is arguing that it should have a constitutional right to discriminate against customers simply because of who they are.

That’s why we all need to get involved. This case paves the way to eroding the federal Civil Rights Act and dismantling state and federal laws intended to protect people of color, women, religious minorities, people with disabilities, LGBT people and others from discrimination.

In their new ad, OpenToAll reminds that the Masterpiece Bakery case as SCOTUS is about much more than a bakery. Imagine a school counselor refusing to help an LGBT student…

Watch the new ad below.

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News Round-Up: December 20, 2017

Some news items you might have missed:

• Sexy Santa? I got your Sexy Santa right here thanks to the above selfie from Alex Abramov 😉

• Get ready to disco down as Summer: The Donna Summer Musical is now heading for the Lunt-Fontanne Theater on Broadway with previews beginning March 28 with an April 23 opening night! From the same team that brought us the blockbuster Jersey Boys.

• Republican Gov. Chris Christie says Donald Trump Jr. totally “deserves the scrutiny” he’s getting regarding the ongoing Russian election interference probe. He recently told MSNBC’s Nicole Wallace, “He was involved in the transition and involved in meetings that call into question his role. And the facts will determine that ultimately.”

• Former pop-tart Aaron Carter says he’s ready to embrace his bisexuality.

• Eminem says he’s found dates on dating apps like Grindr and Tinder.

• A massive fire at a five-star hotel in Scotland took the lives of a gay travel writer and his boyfriend.

• Hump Day Bonus!

A post shared by Daniel Kfir (@kf_daniel) on Dec 20, 2017 at 8:57am PST

A post shared by Ignacio Pérez Rey (@igperey) on Dec 20, 2017 at 12:16pm PST

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Social Media Post Of The Day

(image via Flickr – Rachel Gardner)

Via Facebook:

“Those of you who are planning to place Christmas lights/decorations in your garden… can you please avoid anything that is red or blue and flashing?

Every time I drive by, I think it’s the police and have a panic attack! I have to take my foot off the accelerator, toss my wine, fasten my seat belt, throw my phone on the floor, turn the radio down, push the gun under the seat and put my clothes back on.

It’s too much drama. Thank you for your cooperation & understanding.”

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Season 4 “Grace And Frankie” Trailer Features Lisa Kudrow Joining The Cast

The new trailer for the upcoming Season 4 of Netflix’s Grace and Frankie features the terrific Lisa Kudrow joining the antics of the award-winning series as Grace’s long-time manicurist.

I’m definitely getting a warm and fuzzy “Phoebe” vibe from Kudrow here, and that’s a good thing 🙂

Showrunner Marta Kauffman shared recently that the new season will address the women facing the issue of aging.

“[Season four will] really be about the women coming to terms with age, coming to terms with how old they are, where their bodies are at this point, where their minds are at this point and what does that imply, what does that mean?” Kauffman said during an ATX Television Festival panel in June, according to Deadline.

Also in the trailer: Grace has trouble coping with a “crap knee;” Sol and Robert may have hit a rough patch; water damage in the ladies home; and the vibrator business continues.

Grace and Frankie returns January 19 on Netflix.

Watch the trailer below.