Josh O’Connor & Alec Secareanu in God’s Own Country (promo photo) Some news items you might have missed: • OMG Blog: Whether you’re alone or with company this Valentine’s Day, lockdown means that you might be looking for some queer cinema love stories. So the eye-candy site has rounded up a list of V-day-appropriate gay movies for your pleasure including one of my favorites, God’s Own Country (above). Warning – NSFW/nudity. • Kenneth-in-the-212: Check out Kenneth’s round-up of the what’s what in LGBTQ publications this week including QSaltLake’s cover story on the public shaming over maskless circuit parties. • Stonewall Gazette: The veteran LGBTQ blog has returned to the interwebs! Make sure you click over to check out all the content over at Stonewall Gazette. • NBC News: The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has announced 16 nominees for its 2021 class of inductees. The ultimate inductees for the 36th annual class will be announced in May, with honors set for the fall. The 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees • Jerusalem Post: A UN report released this week on widespread human rights violations in Iran contains “reports that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender children were subjected to electric shocks and the administration of hormones and strong psychoactive medications.” In other words, the dangerous practice of so-called ‘conversion therapy.’ • The Advocate: Friends Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo’s Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar is a silly, fun love story about friendship out this weekend.
• Instinct Magazine: Dolly Parton has announced she will (finally) guest-star on the upcoming season of Netflix’s Grace and Frankie with former 9 to 5 co-stars Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda. • BosGuy: It’s Furry Friday over at the Boston-based LGBTQ blog and this week features the oh-so-woofy and talented Craig Ramsay. More at the link.
(screen capture via CNN) Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, a Republican from Washington state, has told CNN that Donald Trump got into a heated conversation with House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy while the U.S. Capitol building was being invaded on January 6. Herrea Beutler and other House Republicans have confirmed the details of the call wherein McCarthy begged Trump to call off his mob. From CNN:
“Well, Kevin, I guess these people are more upset about the election than you are,” Trump said, according to lawmakers who were briefed on the call afterward by McCarthy.
McCarthy insisted that the rioters were Trump’s supporters and begged Trump to call them off.
Trump’s comment set off what Republican lawmakers familiar with the call described as a shouting match between the two men.
A furious McCarthy told the President the rioters were breaking into his office through the windows, and asked Trump, “Who the f–k do you think you are talking to?” according to a Republican lawmaker familiar with the call.
Multiple House Republicans say the call demonstrates Trump had no intention of calling off the rioters even as lawmakers were under siege. Rep. Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH), who voted last month to impeach Trump, said, “I think it speaks to the former President’s mindset. He was not sorry to see his unyieldingly loyal vice president or the Congress under attack by the mob he inspired. In fact, it seems he was happy about it or at the least enjoyed the scenes that were horrifying to most Americans across the country.” This news broke after the impeachment proceedings had ended for the day. As Dan Rather asks, how do you not call McCarthy as a witness at this point?
So we have yet another smoking gun. @jamiegangel reports on phone call between Trump and Kevin McCarthy on January 6. McCarthy begs for help in the siege. Trump refuses. Two points. Shows McCarthy’s cowardice on impeachment. Shows Trump reveled in the violence.
Michael Henry wonders on his ‘oneness’ this Valentine’s Day
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we know many folks may be making plans with their special ‘someone,’ but for others it can be an annual reminder that a ‘love connection’ hasn’t happened just yet.
Funnyman Michael Henry was all set to shoot a hilarious “Quarantine Cruising” video skit with his buddy Terry (played by drag queen Meatball) but Henry is in a pensive mood
“I just want to know why I’m nobody’s Valentine?” wonders Henry aloud with a quivering lip.
With perhaps slightly less tenderness than Henry was expecting, Terry responds, “Oh my god, it’s just a silly holiday, you stupid b*tch!”
Henry goes on to share that he’s never actually had a Valentine: “Never had a boyfriend, never been in love.”
It seems our hero has friends who fall in love “so easily,” so he’s been pondering, “What’s wrong with me???”
Meatball brings some dating realness to the conversation
Henry reveals that his oneness isn’t for lack of trying: “I’ve dated, I’ve played games, I’ve had games played on me…I like guys so much that I’m crushed and heartsick when they don’t like me back.”
Cue Terry with some more stone cold advice deduced from his own romantic history (which apparently includes a boyfriend stealing his passport, but, another story…) which ultimately concludes with, “Don’t be so hard on yourself.”
While it seems sad, Terry does manage to slip in some of those ‘quarantine cruising’ jokes in including a truer-than-true Florida joke and something about an unfortunate glory hole mishap.
As usual, Henry delivers a spot-on snapshot of what many in LGBTQ culture might feel around this time of year without being preachy or heavy-handed.
If it’s any comfort, though, I can admit I went through all of Henry’s dating woes well into my 30s before the universe sent me hot hubby Michael. I always consider those misfires lessons in learning to appreciate hubbs when he finally arrived.
Hit play for a well-deserved mid-day brain break. Happy Friday!
Step by step, inch by inch… Nevada’s Gov. Steve Sisolak has announced slightly loosened restrictions in the Silver State (my state) regarding coronavirus guidelines as confirmed cases have slowly trended downward. In November, the governor ordered a “statewide pause” as COVID-19 statistics were climbing dramatically. At their peak, the test positivity rate in the state was 21.6 percent and the state reported 3,402 new confirmed cases in a single day. On Thursday, health officials reported the test positivity rate had declined to a 14.3 percent and 529 new confirmed cases for the day. Beginning Monday, February 15: • Capacity caps on bars and restaurants increase from 25% to 35% for indoor dining and lifting all capacity limits for outdoor dining. • Churches, mosques, casino floors and gyms will be able to accept up to 35% of fire code capacity, with the exception of locker rooms, which will be allowed to accommodate 50% of fire code capacity. • Libraries, museums and art galleries may accept up to 50% capacity. • The current 10-person cap on private gatherings for outdoor gatherings specifically, may increase to 25 people or less. • The cap for public events (concerts, shows, entertainment) currently at 50 people or 25% of venue capacity may increase to 100 people or 35% of venue capacity, whichever is less. Strip clubs, karaoke bars and brothels will remain closed at least until May 1, when the state gives some control to local authorities. On March 15, the businesses under 35% capacity will be allowed to return to 50% capacity; limits on public events will be loosened to 50% of venue capacity or 250 people; and recreational sports will be allowed to resume.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the White House have announced that HUD will enforce the Fair Housing Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. From the Washington Blade:
“Housing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity happens throughout the United States,” a HUD official said during a background conference call with reporters. “Housing providers need to know it violates the law, and it demands urgent enforcement action.”
The memorandum is the result of President Biden’s executive order directing all federal agencies to comply with the Supreme Court’s decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, which determined anti-LGBTQ discrimination is a form of sex discrimination, thus illegal in the workplace under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The ruling has broad implications for all laws that bar sex discrimination, including the Fair Housing Act.
The memorandum, a HUD official said, would allow HUD to begin accepting cases of anti-LGBTQ discrimination and retroactively review allegations that were submitted after Jan. 20. Unfiled claims that are still timely (based on alleged anti-LGBTQ discrimination within the past year) can be filed or added to a current complaint, the HUD official said.
In this episode of The Randy Report podcast: • Country music star TJ Osborne comes out as gay • Pete Buttigieg becomes first openly gay White House Cabinet member approved by the Senate • President Biden issues memorandum promoting/protecting LGBTQ rights abroad • Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi says passing The Equality Act is a “priority” • A white Florida man shoots and kills his Black lover but only gets one year in prison • Out singer/songwriter John Duff drops his latest pop bop, “Do It” All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report You can subscribe/listen to The Randy Report on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud and wherever you find your favorite podcasts. If you enjoy catching up on LGBTQ news in a quick podcast, please consider sharing with your friends or on social media 🙂
(screen capture) The two Buffalo police officers who shoved a 75-year-old man during a protest last June and left the man bleeding in the street will not face any repercussions for their actions. “We as a society give police the authority to use force,” the District Attorney told reporters today. “The question comes down to if it crossed the line.” From The Daily Beast:
A grand jury has declined to indict two Buffalo cops caught on camera shoving a 75-year-old protester during a June 2020 anti-police brutality protest and leaving him in a pool of blood, Erie County District Attorney John Flynn announced Thursday.
Aaron Torgalski, 39, and Robert McCabe, 32, were each charged with assault in the second degree, a Class D felony, for shoving Martin Gugino, a longtime peace activist in the upstate New York city, during the June 4 protest in the wake of George Floyd’s police killing.
A grand jury has dismissed charges against Buffalo Police Officers Aaron Torgalski and Robert McCabe after they shoved Martin Gugino in Buffalo on June 4. pic.twitter.com/FOqBdoBh2b
Flynn: The video speaks for itself. There was undoubtedly, and no one can dispute this, there was probable cause that a crime did occur. There was probable cause. Most investigations involving a police officer do take time to investigate.
Flynn: Mr. Gugino committed a crime and broke the curfew. He had no business confronting police officers. All that had to be done was turn him around and arrest him. I still stand by he should not have been shoved. He should have been arrested. That didn’t happen
President Biden told reporters on Thursday the federal government has now purchased an additional 200 million doses of vaccine to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Biden said the U.S. is on track to have enough supply of the vaccine for 300 million Americans by the end of July which works out to approximately 600 million doses. “We need more people to get vaccinated to beat this pandemic,” Biden said Thursday. “We’ve now purchased enough vaccine supply to vaccinate all Americans, and now we’re working to get those vaccines into the arms of people.”
BREAKING—new Biden announcement, “Just this afternoon we signed final contracts for 100 million more Moderna & 100 million more Pfizer vaccines.”
L-R Stanley Tucci, Colin Firth in Supernova (image via The Bureau) While the Golden Globe and SAG Awards have served up their choices for ‘Best of 2020,’ what did queer entertainment writers think about the past year’s films?
Due to the pandemic’s affect on the industry, GALECA extended the consideration period for full-length theatrical releases and digital theatrical releases to January 1, 2020 through February 28, 2021.
The highly-acclaimed Minari leads the list of nominations with six nods including Best Film and Best Foreign-Language Film.
YAY! Dorian Film Awards: ‘Minari’ Tops Nominations From LGBTQ Entertainment Critics https://t.co/AwMqZspslS via @thr
— GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics (@DorianAwards) February 11, 2021
Nomadland scored five nominations including Best Film, Best Director and Best Screenplay (Chloé Zhao), Best Actress (Frances McDormand), and Most Visually Striking Film.
Rounding out the Best Film category are Promising Young Woman (4 nominations), First Cow (3 nominations),and Sound of Metal (3 nominations).
Emerald Fennell, another double-nominee, garnered nods for both writing and directing Promising Young Woman.
In the Best LGBTQ Film category, the queer critics nominated the romantic period film Ammonite, Spanish-language love story I Carry You with Me, the intimate Stanley Tucci-Colin Firth helmed Supernova, writer-director Alan Ball’s comedy Uncle Frank, the all-star screen adaptation of The Boys in the Band, and the acclaimed bio-pic Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.
A scene from Ammonite (courtesy of See Saw Films)
The folks at GALECA also like to have fun with their awards, so other featured categories include Campiest Flick and the “We’re Wilde About You!” Rising Star Award.
Additionally, the Wilde Artist Award honors “groundbreaking” artists in the world of entertainment. This year’s nominees include the late Chadwick Boseman, Chloé Zhao, Regina King, Elliot Page, and international superstar Dolly Parton.
Last September, queer streaming platform Revry presented the star-studded Dorians TV Toast of 2020 which featured appearances by Hollywood heavy-hitters including Hugh Jackman, Regina King, Janelle Monáe, Billy Porter, Dan Levy, Laverne Cox, Shangela, Thomas Roberts, Bruce Vilanch, Stephanie Miller, Dave Koz, Rafael Casal and more.
The winners will be announced on April 18 in a special event, the Dorians Film Toast 2021, set to air on queer streaming platform Revry.
Launched in 2009, the nonprofit GALECA celebrates both mainstream and LGBTQ-centered content.
View the complete list of nominations below. (Disclaimer: I am a voting member of GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics)
BEST FILM First Cow MinariNomadlandPromising Young WomanSound of Metal
BEST LGBTQ FILM AmmoniteThe Boys in the BandI Carry You With MeMa Rainey’s Black BottomSupernovaUncle Frank
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM Another RoundBacurauI Carry You With MeLa LloronaMinariTwo of Us
BEST DIRECTOR Chloé Zhao, NomadlandEmerald Fennell, Promising Young WomanKelly Reichardt, First CowLee Isaac Chung, MinariRegina King, One Night in Miami
BEST SCREENPLAY (original or adapted) Chloé Zhao, NomadlandEliza Hittman, Never Rarely Sometimes AlwaysEmerald Fennell, Promising Young WomanLee Isaac Chung, MinariRadha Blank, The Forty-Year Version
BEST UNSUNG FILM DrivewaysFirst Cow The Forty-Year-Old VersionMiss JuneteenthNever Rarely Sometimes Always ShirleyThe Assistant
BEST DOCUMENTARY CollectiveCrip CampDick Johnson Is Dead DisclosureTimeWelcome To Chechnya
BEST LGBTQ DOCUMENTARY A Secret LoveBorn To BeDisclosure: Trans Lives On ScreenMucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter MercadoWelcome To Chechnya
BEST FILM PERFORMANCE — ACTRESS Carey Mulligan, Promising Young WomanFrances McDormand, NomadlandNicole Beharie, Miss JuneteenthSidney Flanigan, Never Rarely Sometimes AlwaysViola Davis, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
BEST FILM PERFORMANCE — ACTOR Anthony Hopkins, The FatherChadwick Boseman, Ma Rainey’s Black BottomDelroy Lindo, Da 5 BloodsRiz Ahmed, Sound of MetalSteven Yeun, Minari
BEST FILM PERFORMANCE — SUPPORTING ACTRESS Amanda Seyfried, MankCandice Bergen, Let Them All TalkMaria Bakalova, Borat Subsequent Movie FilmOlivia Colman, The FatherYuh-Jung Youn, Minari
BEST FILM PERFORMANCE — SUPPORTING ACTOR Chadwick Boseman, Da 5 BloodsDaniel Kaluuya, Judas and the Black MessiahLeslie Odom Jr., One Night In MiamiPaul Raci, Sound of MetalSacha Baron Cohen, The Trial of the Chicago 7
MOST VISUALLY STRIKING FILM Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley QuinnMankNomadlandSoulWolfwalkers
CAMPIEST FLICK Bad HairBirds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley QuinnEurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire SagaThe PromWonder Woman 1984
“We’re Wilde About You!” Rising Star Award Alan S. Kim Kingsley Ben-Adir Maria Bakalova Radha Blank Sidney Flanigan
Wilde Artist Award (to a truly groundbreaking force in entertainment)Chadwick Boseman Chloé Zhao Dolly Parton Elliot Page Regina King
(image via Depositphotos) Anthony S. Fauci, the nation’s highest-ranking infectious-disease expert, told viewers of NBC’s The Today Show that he believes the availability of coronavirus vaccines should reach what he referred to as ‘open season’ by April. “By the time we get to April, that will be what I would call, for better wording, ‘open season,’ namely, virtually everybody and anybody in any category could start to get vaccinated,” said Fauci. This past Sunday, Fauci told NBC’s Meet The Press that he felt “things are going to get better as we get from February into March, into April, because the number of vaccine doses that will be available will increase substantially.”
• Stonewall Gazette: The veteran LGBTQ blog has returned to the interwebs! Make sure you click over to check out all the content over at Stonewall Gazette. • NBC News: The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has announced 16 nominees for its 2021 class of inductees. The ultimate inductees for the 36th annual class will be announced in May, with honors set for the fall. 
