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Pennsylvania State Rep. Brian Sims Announces Run For Lt. Governor

Pennsylvania Rep. Brian Sims
Pennsylvania state Rep. Brian Sims (image via Instagram)

After spending nearly 10 years in the Pennsylvania state House, openly gay Rep. Brian Sims has announced he is running to be the Keystone State’s next lieutenant governor.

The woofy Democrat made history in 2012 when he became the first openly gay man elected the Pennsylvania legislature. Now he’s looking to take his experience and move on up to statewide office.

Citing the values instilled in him by his military officer parents – taking responsibility, show empathy, have courage, and being authentic – Sims says he “wants to put those values to the direct service of the Commonwealth.”

“I have a lot of hope when I look at the people across the country that decided over these last number of years that they’d had enough,” says the 42-year-old lawmaker in his announcement video. “That they looked at a lack of leadership and thought that they could do better and oftentimes they’re right.”

”I want to be your next Lieutenant Governor,” says Sims directly to voters in his announcement. “We need adults in the room and I want to bring bold innovative leadership based on lived experiences and shared values to the Commonwealth.”

During his time in office, Sims has not been shy to call out folks for what he sees as stepping astray of their elected responsibilities.

Whether raising his voice for equality for women, LGBTQ rights and protections or personal accountability during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sims isn’t one to stay quiet.

Last year Sims gave a fiery speech calling out his Republican colleagues in the state House after it was discovered a GOP lawmaker had tested positive for COVID-19 but kept on attending meetings.

Prior to public service, Sims was a star athlete who, as an openly gay captain for the Bloomberg University football team, led his teammates to a Division II National Championship game in 2000.

After college he worked as the executive director of Equality Pennsylvania and served as a member of the Victory Campaign Board.

Pennsylvania’s current Lt. Governor, John Fetterman, recently declared his candidacy for the U.S. Senate. He’s looking to fill the  seat being vacated by Sen. Pat Toomey (R) who announced last fall he would not seek reelection in 2022.

For more about Brian Sims, visit his official campaign site here.

Pennsylvania state Rep. Brian Sims
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Polls: 40 Point Gap Between Those Who Will Or Won’t Get Vaccinated

The FDA has approved updated versions of COVID-19 vaccines

At this point, the most powerful weapons in science’s arsenal to contain the COVID-19 pandemic are the vaccines approved to combat the virus. But will Americans take it when it becomes available to them? From CNN:

In an average of Axios/Ipsos polls taken in January and February, 74% of Democrats said they’d either been vaccinated, or were extremely or very likely to get vaccinated as soon it’s available to them. Just 51% of Republicans said the same thing. Independents were in the middle of these two groups at 61%.

When Gallup asked respondents whether they would agree to get vaccinated if the vaccine were available to them right now, the partisan gap stood at 40 points (91% for Democrats and 51% for Republicans) in their most recent poll.

CNN goes on to report that those partisan differences could be dangerous for Republicans since friendships have become filtered by political leanings more than ever. A 2020 Pew Research Center poll showed 59 percent of Trump supporters said a lot of their close friends voted for Trump, 30 percent said some of their close friends did, and only 10 percent of Trump backers said few or none did. If Democrats get vaccinated but Republicans choose not to, it could lead to breakouts in those communities that lean conservative. Read the full report here. At this writing, there have been 27,428,733 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the U.S. and 475,786 COVID-19 related deaths. There are currently 67,023 people hospitalized due to the virus. In related news, Politico reports that doctors, nurses, and public health groups are trying to build confidence in Covid-19 vaccines on social media using coordinated campaigns to combat anti-vaccination disinformation.

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Podcast: Olivia Newton-John & Chloe Lattanzi Chat On New Single “Window In The Wall”

Olivia Newton-John and daughter Chloe Lattanzi

Chloe Lattanzi said in a recent interview she wouldn't get the coronavirus vaccine which led some to wonder if she's an anti-vaxxer and Trump supporter
Olivia Newton-John with daughter Chloe Lattanzi (photo: Michelle Day)
In this podcast episode, I’m speaking with four-time Grammy Award-winner Olivia Newton-John and her daughter, singer/songwriter Chloe Lattanzi who recently released their new duet, “Window in the Wall.” Continue reading “Podcast: Olivia Newton-John & Chloe Lattanzi Chat On New Single “Window In The Wall””

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Did You Hear The QAnon Theory That COVID Vaccines Make You Gay?

A stunned man staring at his cell phone
A stunned man staring at his cell phone
(image via Depositphotos)

The nutjobs who voraciously grasp at all things QAnon are now buying into the wild conspiracy theory that receiving the COVID-19 vaccine turn people gay.

I kid you not…

QAnon is the highly discredited conspiracy theory that claims a secret cabal of Democratic politicians, government officials, and celebrities are Satan worshippers who operate a global child sex-trafficking ring.

Seriously…

Shayan Sardarizadeh, an investigative reporter for the BBC, recently shared on Twitter that two major QAnon channels on Telegram have “endorsed the baseless conspiracy theory that vaccinating children increases the probability of them identifying as homosexual or transgender at a later time.”

Among those pushing the crazy concept is an Iranian cleric, Ayatollah Abbas Tabrizian, who told his Telegram followers, “Don’t go near those who have had the COVID vaccine. They have become homosexuals.”

Another QAnon account shared Tabrizian’s statement in agreement writing, “IMO he’s not far off. This is why we have gender confusion among our youth. Research how they put in hormones and alter DNA with their vaccines. Then pump our kids full of 50+ vaccines from birth!”

The Jerusalem Post reports the radical Tabrizian, who has nearly 210,000 Telegram followers, has a history of derogatory opinions about Western medicine.

Sheina Vojoudi, an Iranian dissident who led the country due to repression, told the Post many clerics in Iran relate perceived shortcomings to sexuality.

“The clerics in Iran are suffering from lack of knowledge and humanity,” said Vojoudi. “Actually, his goal of spreading nonsense is to try to scare people [out] of getting vaccinated, while the leader of the regime and other officials got Pfizer, and they don’t provide it for the people with the excuse that they don’t trust the West.”

LGBTQ activist Peter Tatchell adds that “Tabrizian combines scientific ignorance with a crude appeal to homophobia” in order to demonize both the vaccines and LGBTQ people.

The Post notes that since the Iranian Revolution in 1979, the Iranian government has executed somewhere between 4,000 and 6,000 gay and lesbian people.

For the record – the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has definitively concluded there is no such connection between vaccines and turning people gay or causing other issues like autism. Over on Twitter, folks shot down the silly conspiracy theory tying vaccines and turning people queer.

 

 

 

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Happy Valentine’s Day 2021

Michael Caprio and I

Happy Valentine's Day from me and hubby Michael Caprio
Michael and I (photo: John Ganun)
Happy Valentine’s Day! I originally posted this ten years ago, in 2011, the first year of The Randy Report. Hot hubby Michael and I have been together for more than 26 years now. More wine…

With today being Valentine’s Day, obviously, my mind wanders to MY Valentine, Michael. That’s him, up above. It’s hard to believe that we’ve been together 26 Valentine’s Days. Before we met, it looked like V Day was always going to be something to sing sad songs about. Music is such a part of my life that I relate it to everything. When people ask about the day Michael and I met, I explain that it was exactly as Oscar Hammerstein II wrote:

“Some enchanted evening, you may see a stranger; you may see a stranger across a crowded room; and somehow you know, you know even then, that somewhere you’ll see him again and again.”

I know, it sounds oh so cheesy, but it was that black and white. It’s just the best way to explain how I knew. There are days I can’t believe he’s in love with me. Still. Not that we have this flawless romance. On days we disagree, I just remind him I’m his favorite 🙂 Interestingly, when we got married, we didn’t really have a song for the day because we were just so amazed that we even had the right to get married. Probably the only big event in my life that doesn’t relate to a song. It was just all about Michael and me. It goes without saying that all day long today I’ll be playing various iterations of “My Funny Valentine.” It’s such a great tune, and so many awesome artists have brought it to life. Barbra Streisand’s version is still my favorite. A bit of drama in the beginning, and then that thrilling climax. https://youtu.be/WXym_e-wkYw And then there’s Ella Fitzgerald’s version – sublime. https://youtu.be/_IZrRJn0v-4 I recommend you get all of them, sit back and enjoy. I think I relate Valentine’s Day and romance to music because music has rhythm, hills & valleys, and texture; a lot like time-tested love does. A lot like Michael and I do. Michael is my valentine; he’s the music that makes me dance. I hope you all dance the way we do. (that’s a euphemism, kids…) I encourage everyone to pour a glass of wine, light some candles, turn out the lights, listen to some great music and enjoy. Whether alone or with your honey, it’s a good day to remember to love someone. Someone else, or even if that someone is yourself. That might even be the best place to start. Happy Valentine’s Day everyone.

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Olivia Newton-John Sings “Valentine” With Jim Brickman

Olivia Newton-John sings Jim Brickman's hit song "Valentine"

Olivia Newton-John sings Jim Brickman's hit song "Valentine"
Olivia Newton-John sings Jim Brickman’s hit song “Valentine”
Back in 2000, my hubby, Michael was repping both pop-crossover pianist Jim Brickman and international pop star Olivia Newton-John. When Jim started making plans for his TV special, My Romance: An Evening with Jim Brickman, Michael suggested Olivia would be a great guest. Jim flipped over the idea. Continue reading “Olivia Newton-John Sings “Valentine” With Jim Brickman”

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InstaHunk Inspires ‘Kum & Gay Rights’ Gas Station T-Shirt

Instagram hottie Justin Moore

Instagram hottie Justin Moore
Justin Moore (via Twitter)
Justin Moore, half of the very popular Instagram couple Justin and Nick, shared with his followers last December that he actually has a favorite gas station and it’s called – wait for it – Kum & Go. During a video stream with fans, he remembered he wanted to buy some merchandise from the gas station, like, a trucker hat. “Somebody remind me that I want to get Kum & Go merch … for those of you who don’t know … Kum & Go is a gas station. Kum & Go is a real gas station,” said Moore. But after checking online, the hottie found his hat was out of stock. So, he wrote the powers that be and suggested, on top of hats, that they add jockstraps to their list of merch. Because…why not? “Dearest Kum & Go, I would very much like to purchase the Kum & Go Foam Front Trucker Cap, but- upon examining your merchandise webpage- have realized it is out of stock,” wrote the scruffy influencer. “Might I also suggest a Kum & Go jockstrap eventually becoming part of your merchandise collection (have you seen the excitement around the Chromatica jockstrap by Lady Gaga or the new Nike jockstraps?)!”

Moore got a response thanking him for the suggestion. He also kept in touch via Twitter with the company, and the messages paid off this week. On Thursday, Moore received a T-shirt from the company, but instead of the Kum & Go logo, the tee read “Kum & Gay Rights” – in rainbow colors! Not only that, but the company is now selling the “Kum & Gay Rights” tees and tank tops on the official website with $10 from each purchase to be donated to the Trevor Project. You can buy the shirts at the company’s online store. but hurry as the limited edition tees are only on sale through February 19.

 

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A post shared by Justin & Nick (@justinickpgh)

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New Music: Matt Thompson, Starbird And The Phoenix, Pale Waves, Joshua Sade James

L-R Joshua Sade James, Starbird and the Phoenix, Matt Thompson, Heather Baron-Gracie

Starbird and the Phoenix
Starbird and the Phoenix
In this week’s music round-up, we’ve got something for everyone: alt-pop/folk, dance, guitar rock, and smooth danceable R&B. First up, Starbird and the Phoenix – fronted by queer multi-hyphenate artists Courtney Bassett and Andrew Swackhamer – released their debut alt-pop/folk album STARFIRE this week. Bassett and Swackhamer describe the new album as a “catchy-as-hell, sometimes symphonic Wonderland that takes the listener on a joy ride from lust, queer love and heartbreak to mental health awareness and self empowerment.” “We wrote this album to spread our joy, our pride, our heartaches, and our need to dance it out!,” add the artists. “STARFIRE is a technicolor fireball sent from the stratosphere to light up the dark left by 2020. We hope it moves people to sing/screlt along, to have a dance party, and to feel like you have friends in us, who want you to revel in all that you are!” Check out the first single from the collection, “I’m Fallin,” which has a totally chill pop/folk vibe.

Out music artist Matt Thompson
Matt Thompson (photo: Leans Vision)
Out artist Matt Thompson drops his first single of 2021, “Accelerate,” an upbeat dance pop song about when we “first start talking to someone and things are new and delicate” but impatience can derail the romance. “I fall in love too fast and have to deal with all of the repercussions of going from zero to hundred,” says Thompson. “I’m always telling myself to be patient and take things slow, and then I end up not.” With a slightly dark quality and a stormy soundscape, the synth-pop track successfully mirrors the lyrics’ push/pull tale of attraction. “Accelerate” is out now on all streaming/download sites.

Pale Waves drops their new album 'Who Am I?'
Pale Waves
Pale Waves drops their highly-anticipated sophomore album, Who Am I?, alongside the music video for latest single “Fall To Pieces.” The new collection puts a spotlight on frontwoman Heather Baron-Gracie’s songwriting which messages a safe space for people to be themselves. Over the last few years, Baron-Gracie has held her life up to the light, reflecting on her own mental health and growing pains but also her experience of falling in love and becoming more open about her sexuality, emerging with a newfound clarity and optimism. The pop/rock track has a rich, grungy Avril Lavigne tilt with a catchy hook and exuberant guitar lines. Baron-Gracie’s vocals are sure and strong gliding across the top shelf production. You can find the new album on all major streaming/download sites here. https://youtu.be/j0tD-2C9vsw

Joshua Sade James
Joshua Sade James (photo: One2One Photography Media)
Canadian artist Joshua Sade James says his new single “Closer” is meant to bring to musical life the mood swings that can occur in a relationship. “I want people to start jamming out, then catch themselves saying, ‘oh, WAIT. I thought this was a happy song,'” explains James. Due to travel restrictions in place thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, James shares he and his boo “haven’t seen each other in over nine months, so ‘(pushing) people out of my way to get a little bit closer’ doesn’t sound too far off.” With the music video, James and his collaborators wanted to explore underscoring juxtapositions between ‘light’ vs ‘dark,’ bright colors vs black and white, and love vs rage. “In particular, I wanted to show our emotions that take over our thoughts when faced with conflict,” James explains. “Especially during this lockdown and being long-distance.” “Closer” is available now on all digital streaming/download sites.

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Senate Votes 57-43 Against Trump Falling Short Of Two-Thirds Majority To Convict

The US Senate voted 57-43 to convict Donald Trump falling 10 votes short of the 2/3s majority needed to prevent him from holding office again.
The US Senate voted 57-43 to convict Donald Trump falling 10 votes short of the 2/3s majority needed to prevent him from holding office again.
The US Senate falls short of the 2/3s majority needed to find Donald Trump guilty

And…that’s a wrap. The U.S. Senate voted 57-43 against Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial.

The final tally was 10 votes short of the two-thirds majority required to find Trump guilty. Seven Republicans voted with all 50 Democrats to convict, the most bipartisan support for conviction in any of the four impeachments in U.S. history according to the New York Times.

The 7 Republicans were: Richard Burr (R-NC), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Ben Sasse (R-NE), and Pat Toomey (R-PA).

This was the first time a U.S. president was impeached twice, the first Senate impeachment trial of a former president and the shortest impeachment trial in U.S. history.

One of the most bizarre moments of the day came when Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell gave his closing remarks. McConnell hinted that he would’ve considered a guilty vote but is resting on the constitutional argument that Trump is a private citizen. “The question is moot because former President Donald Trump is not eligible”

But the fact of the matter is Trump was in office when the House voted to impeach him, but it was McConnell (while still Majority Leader) who refused to allow the trial to begin until Trump was no longer president.

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Dems Announce Surprise Call For Impeachment Witnesses Then Backtrack

Well, here on the west coast, we woke up to the surprise news that the House Managers prosecuting the second impeachment trial of Donald Trump were going to call witnesses. Five Senate Republicans voted with Democrats to hear witnesses at Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial: Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitt Romney of Utah, Ben Sasse of Nebraska, and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.

And, suddenly, it appears they’re now folded and the two legal teams are moving to closing arguments with a possible vote by the entire Senate today. From ABC News:

After an 11-hour scramble, the Senate has determined it will be calling no witnesses in Trump’s impeachment trial.

The written testimony of Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Wash., — one of ten House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump — was admitted into evidence, instead of moving further with the process for hearing from witnesses.

Neither the Trump legal team nor the House impeachment managers made any further motions. The parties mutually came to the agreement to admit Herrera Beutler’s statement and not request further witnesses.

Closing arguments are underway, for which each side is allotted two hours.