(image via Depositphotos) The U.S. State Department has reversed a Trump-era policy of denying U.S. citizenship to children born abroad to gay parents via assisted reproductive technologies. From Axios:
The Trump administration had denied citizenship to children born abroad to same-sex parents in several cases.
The State Department under Trump defended a long-standing policy that categorized children born abroad via surrogate as “out of wedlock” even when a couple was married.
Several same-sex couples sued the agency for their children’s citizenship, but the State Department continued to enforce the policy.
Under the new policy, children born abroad to parents, at least one of whom is a U.S. citizen and who are married to each other at the time of the birth, will be U.S. citizens from birth if they have a genetic or gestational tie to at least one of their parents and meet the INA’s other requirements. I reported on several lawsuits by gay parents during the Trump years whose children were denied citizenship.
The State Department will now grant U.S. citizenship to children born abroad through surrogacy and IVF — a shift from the Trump administration, which denied it to children born abroad to same-sex parents in several cases. https://t.co/YiCYFVnfem
Sign in front of Fran’s House at Bucknell University (image via Facebook)
A group of male students terrorized the residents of an on-campus home for LGBTQ students at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, last week.
The incident occurred last Thursday evening at Fran’s House – an gender-neutral housing facility for LGBTQ students.
In a letter to the university president, Tyler Luong, a resident assistant for the residence, says he was studying when he received a message in a group chat to lock the doors and windows. “Nobody come in or out right now. Don’t open any doors. Lock Windows.”
He found several students in an upstairs bathroom holding a window closed as a group of nearly 20 men had gathered outside yelling, “Let us in! This isn’t your home! This is our home.”
The group was identified as members of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity which had been housed at the home until being banned from the university two years ago.
The fraternity was removed by the school for hazing infractions that included the use of dog shock collars and throwing darts at members’ bodies.
Luong says one of the men urinated on the front porch of the house while others pounded on the front door and banged on a metal flag pole where a Pride flag was displayed. Several reportedly climbed up on the roof in an attempt to enter the building.
The students called the Public Safety Department to stop the invasion, but Luong says it took “way too long” for any help to arrive.
And when two officers finally arrived, they “bonded” with the fraternity members “reminiscing their college days and calling them handsome young men.”
According to the resident adviser, the officers didn’t even ask the residents to see if they were ok.
The New York Times reports that several of the students could barely sleep through the night, terrified the fraternity members would return. Luong shared he slept with a “sharp object” under his bed.
“This was especially traumatic for a lot of us to deal with,” said Carolyn Campbell, a leader of Fran’s House, “because we never thought that something, like, so overtly horrible could happen to the house like this to strip away the sense of safety.” The residents of Fran’s House (image via Facebook)
In the days that followed, students from the school organized to stand guard outside the house in shifts. And a march against toxic masculinity was organized.
The residents of Fran’s House issued a statement saying that while they were still processing the incident, they were “astounded by the amount of advocacy and kindness” they’d received from the university community.
They also called for those responsible to be held accountable, writing, “Never again should someone feel entitled to come to our home and say it’s ‘their house and not ours.’”
In a letter to students, University President John Bravman acknowledged the “horrific incident” saying he was “outraged and sorrowful” that the residents endured the “violation of the space” where they live.
Bravman also noted the response by the Public Safety Department was “lacking in myriad ways” and has retained an outside firm to investigate the incident. He added that additional educational and professional development would be implemented at Public Safety to help foster a better sense of safety and belonging at the university.
When approached by the Washington Post, the university’s Public Safety Department declined to comment any further than Bravman’s letter.
Ben Platt is playing the role that made him uber-famous one more time, fortunately for us. Universal Pictures drops the official trailer for the film adaptation for Dear Evan Hansen, the moving stage musical that promises ‘you will be found.’ From Vanity Fair:
The story centers on a kid whose therapist has given him the assignment of writing letters to himself, addressing his fears, hopes, and insecurities.
A classmate named Connor Murphy (Colton Ryan, who understudied the role on Broadway) steals one of the letters and later takes his own life. That boy’s parents (played in the film by Amy Adams and Danny Pino) mistake the letter Evan wrote for their son’s final words, addressed to a kid they assume was his close friend. Evan lets them believe this because he thinks it brings them comfort—but the confusion and lies soon pile up, leading to greater heartbreak.
The Broadway production scored 5 Tony Awards including Best Musical and a Best Actor in a Musical statue for Platt. Folks on social media are making light of 27-year-old Platt playing a high school student, but come on folks – suspend your disbelief a bit and just enjoy. The movie hits theaters September 24.
Guillermo Flores, dancer/choreographer and member of Drag Race Espana’s Pit Crew Some news items you might have missed: • OUT: Police in Brazil announced the arrests of three suspects in the brutal murder of gay activist teacher, Professor Lindolfo Kosmaski. The body of the 25-year-old was found bullet-ridden in a burned car on the side of a highway in the municipality of São João do Triunfo on April 30. • CNN: Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed a controversial bathroom bill into law Friday that will deny transgender students access to the bathroom and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity. Lee also signed a transgender sports bill into law in March that requires students to prove their sex at birth in order to play middle and high school sports. • Instinct Magazine: For the inaugural season of Drag Race España, the Pit Crew has been supersized with twelve brand new members. That’s Pit Crew member Guillermo Flores up top. #woof https://www.instagram.com/p/CO4EFFTjo4V/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link • BosGuy: The longtime Boston-based blogger reminds us in his weekly ‘Men In Kilts’ feature that wool kilts can be itchy. His ‘Monday Morning Mancandy‘ is worth a peek as well. • Huffpost: Universal Pictures is postponing the international distribution of Promising Young Woman amid outrage that male actors were hired to dub Laverne Cox’s voice in European editions of the movie. • Mediaite: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) claimed this week that a Democrat-backed bill would “automatically register” millions of illegal immigrants to vote. CNN fact checker Daniel Dale wasn’t having it, bluntly responding to a video clip of Cruz by saying, “None of what you just heard is correct.” Here’s the fact check:
CNN fact checker Daniel Dale rips apart Ted Cruz’s lies about automatic voter registration. pic.twitter.com/K1ZOT6IUcp
The new single and music video revisits Goss’s popular ‘Nerdy Bear’ release from last summer but reinterprets the tune from the bear perspective.
The original track was a pop track with sultry R&B vibes, but the new release (by LA-based producer Markaholic) raises the BPMs and features Mean Girls star Daniel Franzese.
Tom Goss and Daniel Franzese in ‘Nerdy Bears: The Markaholic Remix’
Franzese, one of the gay community’s ultimate ‘nerdy bears,’ says the idea to remix the song was his.
“When Tom’s original came out last summer, I was like ‘OMG, it’s about time we got an anthem of guys pursuing us in song,” says Franzese. “We should do a remix of this track where the bear responds that he’s down to party—and I should rap on it!’”
And that’s exactly what happens as Franzese drops some rhymes that weave sexual connotations with 80s arcade game references.
“If you like whips and chains, we can do the Double Dragon,” referencing the martial arts game. He continues with “I’ll follow you down your Oregon trail and hitch on to your wagon.”
Tom Goss and Daniel Franzese in ‘Nerdy Bears: The Markaholic Remix’
Along the way, the music video touches on the cherries in Pac-Man, shapes from Tetris and the mushrooms in Mario Brothers.
Like Tetris when I’m finished, I dream of your shape for hoursBeat your big boss baby, your Gannon, your bowserGive your boy a mushroom and I’ll grow like I’m supposed toLove a Harry pothead, winggarda leviosoGrab a joystick, come get closa, scoot-a cross da-sofa,Chew and chomp these cherries Pac Man, don’t worry, I won’t ghost ya
The idea behind the music video is to convey the confidence Franzese and others in the gay bear community have built by not only accepting their girth, but embracing it. “It’s fun to find unique ways to amplify body positivity and happiness,” says Franzese.
Plus, Goss brings a few smiles of his own in the video, throwing down his own brand of stripper moves. It’s all big fun with some big beats.
Tom Goss in ‘Nerdy Bears: The Markaholic Remix’ Franzese has collaborated with Goss before having played the singer’s husband in a series of videos from Goss’s album, Territories. “It’s always fun to work with Danny, and at this point it seems like we’re just making up opportunities to work together,” Goss laughs. Tom Goss was 22 and in seminary, training to be a Catholic priest, when he realized his strong attraction for plus-sized men, known as “bears” in the gay community, and nerdy ones to boot. “‘Nerdy Bear’ is authentic to my experience and relays my unique perspective that beauty doesn’t fit a standard mold,” he says.
The news continues to worsen for Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) as his party pal/wingman Joel Greenberg pleaded guilty in a Florida court room this morning to six felony charges including sex trafficking of a child.
Greenberg was led into court by U.S. Marshals and appeared in a dark colored jail jumpsuit, shackled at the wrists and ankles and flanked by two attorneys. He spoke succinctly during the hearing, responding with one or two words to questions from a magistrate judge.
In all, Greenberg faced 33 federal charges. But prosecutors will drop the other 27 counts against him. Greenberg also pleaded guilty to identity theft, stalking, wire fraud and conspiracy to bribe a public official.
Greenberg now faces possibly 12 years in prison for the crimes he’s copped to.
The plea deal calls for Greenberg to forfeit at about $654,780 in assets he obtained through illegal acts, as well as cooperating with any investigation by the prosecutors.
Ruh-roh, Matt Gaetz.
Matt Gaetz's wingman, Joel Greenberg, has just pleaded guilty to six charges, including sex trafficking a minor.
As someone who has been extremely immersed in this case, let me tell you, this is not good news for Matt Gaetz.https://t.co/5Cp2Gbd3Yl
We are flying this banner around the Orlando Federal Court where Matt Gaetz’s wingman Joel Greenberg is pleading guilty to sex charges. Tick Tock Matt Gaetz, time is running out ⏳. pic.twitter.com/gxdtPFcQPY
JUST IN: Gaetz associate Joel Greenberg has entered “guilty” plea to 6 federal charges including sex trafficking of minor. Former Florida tax collector, has been in jail, appeared in court today in a dark jumpsuit, with his hands restrained by a thick chain around his waist. @CNN
The U.S. Supreme Court (2021) The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case from Mississippi that directly challenges the 1973 ruling in Roe v. Wade which established a constitutional right to abortion. With the current 6-3 conservative majority on the high court, this very well could lead to a huge restriction in abortion rights. From the New York Times:
The case, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, No. 19- 1392, concerns a law enacted by the Republican-dominated Mississippi legislature that banned abortions if “the probable gestational age of the unborn human” was determined to be more than 15 weeks. The statute included narrow exceptions for medical emergencies or “a severe fetal abnormality.”
Lower courts said the law was plainly unconstitutional under Roe, which forbids states from banning abortions before fetal viability — the point at which fetuses can sustain life outside the womb, or around 23 or 24 weeks.
Mississippi’s sole abortion clinic sued, saying the law ran afoul of Roe and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the 1992 decision that affirmed Roe’s core holding.
Judge Carlton W. Reeves of Federal District Court in Jackson, Miss., blocked the law in 2018, saying the legal issue was straightforward and questioning the state lawmakers’ motives.
In his ruling, Reeves wrote that he believed the Mississippi lawmakers knew exactly what they were doing when they passed the law setting up an eventual appearance at SCOTUS. A 3-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, in New Orleans, agreed with Reeve’s ruling. It should come as no surprise that the basis for the legislation was written by the hate group Alliance Defending Freedom.
In this week’s headlines: • Catholic priests in Germany defy the Vatican and bless same-sex unions • GLAAD looks at social media safety for LGBTQ users • A 20-year-old gay man was beheaded by his own family in a brutal ‘honor killing’ in Iran • The gay panic defense is banned in two more states…and counting • Skittles defers to the true “rainbow” for Pride Month • New music from out singer/songwriter Milahroy ‘Daylight’ (Link to music video) All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report
https://www.instagram.com/p/CO3BcdTtJ1f/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Some of our favorite Instagram posts this week from the land of Insta. First up, Moe Bear (above) was all smiles for ‘Flex Friday’ and gave a shout-out to his ‘almost abs’ (we think he looks pretty dang great). Photographer Leonardo Ursini makes a pretty convincing argument that ‘thick is the new ripped:’ https://www.instagram.com/p/CO0oGs0gKkN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link LuffyPiece served up our favorite selfie this week: https://www.instagram.com/p/COuFmTAlTkC/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Writer Rich Burns showed off how fab life after 50 can be: https://www.instagram.com/p/CO73dPqMKIH/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Former Army Captain Roberto Portales kept his scuba class waiting: https://www.instagram.com/p/CO6eHkqBop6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Johnny Middlebrooks boasts some bountiful biceps in what he calls his ‘off season’ shape: https://www.instagram.com/p/CO6QJEBrdso/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Bearded Frank served up serious beard goals from Black Sands Beach in Sausalito: https://www.instagram.com/p/CO8PvuagUVJ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link We think fur is fab, but Max Souza reminds how sexy smooth can be: https://www.instagram.com/p/CO3iH7yLg9X/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Actor/model Brock O’Hurn demonstrates the complications that arise for folks 6’7″ tall in an airplane restroom. He also mentions something about a size 15 shoe, so… https://www.instagram.com/p/CO8WfZFMTGp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Kevin Davis got all romantical during a photo shoot with fitness guru David Cook. p.s. the duo scored a book cover deal from the shoot! https://www.instagram.com/p/CO7oxGet88_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Bruno Baba asks his followers if they like him with abs or what he calls ‘chubby:’ https://www.instagram.com/p/CO5_gP7BWLd/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Tom Daley and Matty Lee scored gold at the European Aquatics Championships in Budapest: https://www.instagram.com/p/CO57durHi9k/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Dan Tai was just hanging out to see what would happen: https://www.instagram.com/p/CO5_xnglwz-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
The Gay Officers Action League (GOAL) has issued a statement reacting to the decision by New York City Pride to not allow gay officers to participate in uniform at this year’s Pride parade.
The Gay Officers Action League (“GOAL”) is disheartened by the decision to ban our group from participating in New York City Pride. Heritage of Pride (NYC Pride) has long been a valued partner of our organization and its abrupt about-face in order to placate some of the activists in our community is shameful.
GOAL and our members have had our hands in every police reform and policy revision touching on the LGBTQIA+ community in New York City. As the result of our advocacy alongside our allies, NYPD revised its Patrol Guide in 2012 to include procedures specific to transgender and gender nonconforming New Yorkers.
For nearly 30 years, GOAL has provided LGBTQIA+ training for every new NYPD recruit at the academy, educating future officers on the unique challenges facing our community. We also serve as victim advocates for those in our community that have needed to navigate the criminal justice system. These are just a few of the countless initiatives that GOAL has undertaken to change the culture of law enforcement. We are doing the work that leads to progress.
…
There are many partners for change throughout law enforcement. For them to succeed, they need to be supported by leading LGBTQIA+ groups, not excommunicated by them.