Posts

Posted on

Book: Trump Considered Using COVID To Delay Election

Donald Trump speaks at the White House (photo: public domain)
According to an excerpt from the new book by Michael Wolff, “Landslide: The Final Days of the Trump Presidency,” Donald Trump was reportedly exploring ways to postpone the 2020 election last summer. From Yahoo News:

“People can’t get to the polls. It’s a national emergency. Right?” Trump was quoted as saying. Mark Meadows, then the White House chief of staff, stepped up to say that that was not a constitutional possibility, Wolff wrote.

But Trump seemed unconvinced. “I’m sure there might be a way, but … well …” he said, according to Wolff.

Trump again raised the idea a few days later at a debate-preparation session in Bedminster, New Jersey, with Chris Christie, according to Wolff.

“I’m thinking about calling it off,” Trump told Christie, the book says.

According to Wolff, Christie then told him, “You can’t do that, man,” adding: “You do know, you can’t declare martial law. You do know that, right?”

A spokesperson for Trump denied the stories via Twitter.  

Posted on

QAnon Rep Goes Back To Nazi-Era Terms Regarding COVID

QAnon Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA)

QAnon Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA)
QAnon Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA)
From the Washington Post:

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) on Tuesday used a Nazi-era comparison in opposing the Biden administration’s push to encourage all Americans to get vaccinated against the coronavirus, calling the individuals leading those efforts “medical brown shirts.”

Members of the paramilitary organization that helped Hitler and the Nazi Party rise to power were known as “brownshirts.”

“Biden pushing a vaccine that is NOT FDA approved shows covid is a political tool used to control people,” Greene tweeted Tuesday afternoon. “People have a choice, they don’t need your medical brown shirts showing up at their door ordering vaccinations. You can’t force people to be part of the human experiment.”

For the record: all three coronavirus vaccines being administered in the U.S. were approved under the Food and Drug Administration’s emergency use authorization last winter. It was just weeks ago that Greene visited the Holocaust Museum and apologized for earlier remarks comparing face-mask policies to the Nazi practice of labeling Jews with Star of David badges.

Posted on

Out Music: Tom Goss & Deven Green ‘Undercover Summer’

Tom Goss and Deven Green in 'Undercover Summer'

Tom Goss and Deven Green in 'Undercover Summer'
Tom Goss and Deven Green in ‘Undercover Summer’
You’ve got to hand it to indie recording star Tom Goss – the man knows a good time when he sees it, and hears it,…and smells it. Goss has teamed up with comedic chanteuse Deven Green (also known as ‘Miss Betty Bowers, America’s Best Christian’) and music producer Ned Douglas for their new single, “Undercover Summer.” The bouncy retro pop bop celebrates friends and enjoying life together wrapped up in a fun B-52s vibe. The bright and colorful music video features dozens of bears frolicking in a sunny, Palm Springs pool setting. But the trio didn’t stop at “sights and sounds” for their new endeavor. The artists have partnered with Brent Leonesio of SmellBent.com to craft an “Undercover Summer” fragrance! The intoxicating blend of coconut oil, suntan lotion, and a light breeze transports fans into the bikini-clad party! “I went to Palm Springs to spend the weekend with Deven and Ned,” explains Tom Goss, whose music videos have garnered over 16 million views. “We knew we wanted to write a big, fun, summery track so we went into the studio. Ned immediately locked into the sound with his incredible bass line. The lyrics poured out of Deven and me and the instrumentation started flying from there!” Tom Goss in his element “We shot the ‘Undercover Summer’ video in beautiful Palm Springs,” says Douglas, who has worked with major music artists including Mick Jagger, Stevie Nicks, Ringo Starr, Katy Perry, and No Doubt. “We got all our closest friends to come by and join us in a pool party! No one wanted to leave.” “After we had created our summertime feast for the ears and eyes, we thought, why do noses always have to miss out on the fun?” continues Deven Green, an award-winning comedy and musical performer. She has performed with the biggest drag queens in the world and appeared as a judge RuPaul’s Drag Race. “With the Undercover Summer fragrance, we can all smell like the season all year round!” Tom, Deven and Ned became fast friends several years ago, when Tom moved full-time to Los Angeles. The trio started performing live concerts together on Facebook every Friday. “We’re like the movie Threesome but without the benefits,” exclaims Tom. They’re excited to perform their song live on stages this summer. Tom Goss’s “Undercover Summer (featuring Deven Green and Ned Douglas)” is available on iTunes, Spotify, and all major digital platforms. The Undercover Summer scent can be purchased at SmellBent.com. Hit the play button below for the Palm Springs party pop treat. You can follow Goss on Instagram here and Green on the Gram of Insta here.

Posted on

Funny: Michael Henry Is Ready For A ‘HOT HOMO SUMMER’

Michael Henry is ready for a 'Hot Homo Summer'

Michael Henry is ready for a 'Hot Homo Summer'
Michael Henry is ready for a ‘HOT HOMO SUMMER’
Funny man Michael Henry has released the first episode of his new mini-series, “HOT HOMO SUMMER.” And yes, the all-caps is on purpose… Emerging from over a year of pandemic-mania, Henry is single and uber-ready to mingle armed with his COVID vaccination and a fresh trim of the body fur. Check out the six-minute Episode 1 below.

Posted on

3 Arrested In Brutal Murder Of Young Gay Man In Spain

Samuel Luiz (image via Facebook)
Samuel Luiz (image via Facebook)
Protests have spread across the globe following the brutal murder of a young gay man in Spain at the hands of an anti-gay mob on July 3. Via The Guardian:

Samuel Luiz, a 24-year-old nursing assistant, was out with friends in the Galician city of A Coruña in the early hours of Saturday when an argument started outside a nightclub.

His friends told El Mundo that Luiz had stepped out of the club to make a video call when two passersby accused him of trying to film them on his phone. Luiz explained he was talking to a friend by video, but he was allegedly attacked by one of the passersby and left with a badly bruised face.

Five minutes later, the assailant allegedly returned with 12 others who beat Luiz unconscious. He was taken to hospital, where he died later on Saturday morning.

Fifteen people have reportedly given eyewitness accounts of the attack. Luiz’s friend, Vanessa, who he was video messaging with, was a virtual witness to the assault. “All we could hear were blows,” she told the media. This evening, Spain’s Policía Nacional announced three people between the ages of 20 and 25 had been arrested as “the alleged perpetrators of the violence assault that ended Samuel Luiz’s life.” The police statement went on to say more arrests could follow. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez tweeted his condolences to Luiz’s family calling the assault “a savage and ruthless act.”
Tweet by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (translation by Twitter)
More from Reuters:

People took to the streets of Spain’s biggest cities on Monday evening to express their anger at the death of a man in a suspected homophobic attack at the weekend.

Crowds filled a central Madrid square and activists marched down a major street in Barcelona, chanting slogans and waving placards and rainbow-coloured flags.

Interior Ministry data shows 278 hate crimes related to sexual orientation or gender identity were reported in Spain in 2019, an 8.6% increase on the previous year. The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights warns only a fraction of hate crimes are reported to the police.

Protests in Spain over the death of Samuel Luiz (screen capture)
Posted on

News Round-Up: July 6, 2021

Burt Ward as Robin with Batman co-star Adam West (promo photo)
Some news items you might have missed: • New York Times: Sha’Carri Richardson, the American sprinter who lost her spot in the women’s 100 meters at the Olympics because she used marijuana days before her qualifying race, will miss the Tokyo Games entirely after coaches decided not to put her on a relay team, American track officials announced Tuesday. • The Advocate: HRC president Alphonso David wants folks to know his organization’s Corporate Equality Index is not a defense for corporate donations to anti-equality politicians. • Gr8erdays: The Hollywood nostalgia website celebrates Burt Ward, star of the iconic 1960s TV series “Batman,” as he turns 76 today. https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ_MteAhgf_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link • Edge Media: Notoriously homophobic rugby player Israel Folau, who was embroiled in controversy after an anti-gay post on social media, has returned to rugby union after agreeing to sign for NTT Communications Shining Arcs. • Reuters: Britney Spears’ longtime manager Larry Rudolph has resigned saying the pop star plans to retire and no longer needs his services. Spears hasn’t performed in public since October 2018. • OUT: In a June 24 release, the FDA has issued a warning to consumers urging them to stop purchasing nitrite ‘poppers’ after an observed increase in reported death and hospitalizations linked to the recreational substance.

Posted on

NYC Hate Crime Leaves Victim’s Jaw Broken In Two Places

Sina Rezaie
Sina Rezaie
Sina Rezaie (image via Instagram)

A 29-year-old doctor was viciously attacked for no apparent reason early Saturday morning in New York City leaving him hospitalized.

Sina Rezaie says he was walking home from the subway in Greenwich Village when he heard a man shout an anti-gay slur.

“He called me a ‘fa**ot’ and then half a block later, he came from behind and kicked and punched me multiple times,” Rezaie told NBC News from his hospital bed late Saturday.

After the attacker fled the scene, Rezaie stumbled his way to a nearby bar where two friends, Laurie Beck and Richard Delay were working.

Beck says she noticed Rezaie through the window staggering and walking erratically on the sidewalk.

Delay ran outside to check on the doctor before calling to Beck to bring some supplies like a bottle of water and paper towels.

“I saw him holding his mouth, blood running out from face,” Delay told NBC News. “He said that he had gotten attacked by some guy who said something to him as he came off the train. Apparently the guy called him a slur and then threw him to the ground, and started kicking him repeatedly.”

The assault left the doctor with a broken jaw in two places. Due to the extent of his injuries, Rezaie had to undergo emergency surgery to wire his mouth shut with metal plates and screws which will have to remain for at least a month.

Although there are surveillance cameras throughout the area, police have yet to announce any arrests or suspects.

His friends have set up a crowdfunding campaign to help Rezaie

Meanwhile, Rezaie – who says he’s always felt safe in his neighborhood – still has no idea why he was the target of an apparent hate crime.

“I don’t know why this happened to me,” said the physician.

In a post to his Instagram account, Rezaie thanked his friends and followers for the many get-well messages he’s received and added he is now at home recuperating.

Posted on

Out Music: POSE star Dyllón Burnside Wants To Take You To ‘Heaven’

Dyllón Burnside

Dyllón Burnside
Dyllón Burnside (image via Instagram)
POSE star Dyllón Burnside recently dropped a new single, “Heaven,” as he returns his focus to music following the finale of his hit FX TV series. In an interview with Pink News, Burnside reflects on how the music industry has changed since he stepped away from his days in the boy band 3D. “Things are very different now,” says Burnside. “We just saw Lil Nas X kiss a man on the BET Awards, and while I think that still sends shockwaves through the Black community and through the hip-hop community, it’s so important – and it’s possible [for him to do that] now. We saw BET get behind it in a way that I don’t think they would have five years ago.” “Now, there’s more space now for me to create the music that I want to make, to talk about what I want to talk about, to put the visuals out in the world that I want to put out, without being told it’s career suicide,” he added. “I think people are starting to get it.”

The 32-year-old artist also notes that queer artists still face a sort of censoring of male on male sexuality. “I push back against that,” shares the singer. “And that’s what I’m saying with ‘Heaven’ – that sex between men is not dirty. It’s holy, it’s sacred, it’s pure. I can relate it to my relationship with God because for me, it’s a spiritual experience.” Check out Burnside’s new single, “Heaven,” along with some posts from his Instagram account. https://www.instagram.com/p/CQzPJZ-L1Iz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CQJxF1DLail/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CN_HzffrQVD/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Posted on

Twitter Claps Back At QAnon Rep’s Latest COVID Claims

QAnon/GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (screen capture)
I just finished reading an in-depth profile of nurses in West Virginia who have worked to stay sane during the pandemic as they save lives even while the community arounds them continues to deny COVID-19 even exists. And then I come across QAnon Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s latest remarks about the virus that received a lot of well-deserved backlash on Monday. In a series of posts on Twitter, the Georgia Republican announced that “no one cares” about the more transmissible delta variant of COVID-19 that now makes up more than 25% of new cases “or any other variant.” Instead, according to the freshman Congresswoman, “All voters are over Covid.” Mind you, this is the same woman who has previously likened mask mandates to the Holocaust and praised people who refuse to get vaccinated against the virus. Greene signed the lengthy Twitter thread, “The American people.” Hey Miss Thing – you don’t speak for me. The Twitterverse clapped back: