QAnon/GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (screen capture) As more and more disturbing clips of freshman Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene keep surfacing, several outlets are reporting Greene is quickly and quietly scrubbing her social media of her many inflammatory posts. From CNN:
Searches of Greene’s Facebook show the posts from 2018 and 2019 have been removed. Links saved by CNN’s KFile during a review of hundreds of posts and comments from Greene’s Facebook page are no longer available.
Greene is facing backlash for her conspiratorial social media posts after CNN reported she indicated support for executing prominent Democrats in Facebook comments and videos.The freshman congresswoman from Georgia also deleted videos she posted on Facebook Live where she said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is “guilty of treason” and that she will “suffer death or she’ll be in prison” for her “treason.”
Marjorie Taylor Greene has also removed this Facebook video where she suggests Pelosi can be executed for treason. “It’s a crime punishable by death is what treason is. Nancy Pelosi is guilty of treason,” she says. pic.twitter.com/cUVT4Bcr06
Cicely Tyson (photo: John Matthew Smith – CC License) The great Emmy and Tony Award winning actress Cicely Tyson has died at the age of 96. From Variety:
Tyson made her film debut with a small role in 1957’s “Twelve Angry Men” and her formal debut in the 1959 Sidney Poitier film “Odds Against Tomorrow,” followed by “The Comedians,” “The Last Angry Man,” “A Man Called Adam” and “The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter.”
Refusing to participate in the blaxploitation movies that became popular in the late ’60s, she waited until 1972 to return to the screen in the drama “Sounder,” which captured several Oscar nominations including one for Tyson as best actress.
Despite her achievements onstage and in films, however, much of the actress’s best work was done for television. In addition to “Miss Jane Pittman,” she did outstanding work in “Roots,” “The Wilma Rudolph Story,” “King: The Martin Luther King Story,” “When No One Would Listen,” “A Woman Called Moses,” “The Marva Collins Story,” “The Women of Brewster Place,” “The Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All” and the TV adaptation of “Trip to Bountiful.”
Onstage she was in the original 1961 Off Broadway production of Jean Genet’s “The Blacks” and, decades later, she won a Tony for her starring role in a revival of “The Trip to Bountiful.”
I was blessed to see Tyson’s return to the Broadway stage in 2013 when she knocked it out of the park in The Trip to Bountiful. An incredible night in the theater. It was a rich and diverse life and career. One we were most fortunate to witness. Head over to Variety to read the full accounting of her work. Rest in power, Cicely Tyson.
Celebrating 10 years (!!!) of The Randy Report As they say, ‘In the blink of an eye…’ Today – January 28, 2021 – marks the 10th anniversary of the launch of The Randy Report. That means that ten years and 27,324 posts later, I’m still here. Who’d have ever thought when my hubby Michael said, “You should start a blog…” I would find myself in an entirely new career as a writer, journalist, podcaster and more? By the way, when Michael first suggested the idea, my first thought was, “Great, so I’ll have two readers – Michael and me.” At the end of my first week, I think I had something like 300 views of the blog (mainly from me promoting it on my Facebook). Today, I get hundreds of thousands of views each month – which still blows me away. The journey from ‘there’ to ‘here’ has been amazing and filled with surprises. I remember I made this little video with Bruno the wonder dog celebrating my 1,000th blog post. Who knew there were more than 26K to come?
As I think about the 10th anniversary rolling around, I’m aware of how The Randy Report has changed shape a few times since the beginning. At the launch, I was – like most bloggers back in the Stone Age – writing about my gay married life on what I then dubbed “My sassy American soapbox.” Back then, my posts were about a song I’d just listened to, civil unions for gays and lesbians coming to fruition, and a quick critique on the plastic containers of grocery store cold cuts. Soon, though, my focus on politics and same sex marriage began to make their way here more frequently. And I began to follow the daily news cycle more closely. Somewhere in there, ‘breaking news’ became a thing for me. God bless my friends who coped with me at parties when I’d duck into a quiet bedroom to post a piece on marriage equality coming to a particular state due to a court ruling. Even so, I’ve still chronicled episodes from my life – my wedding anniversaries; my furry family members; losing 20 pounds quickly to get back onstage in Chicago the Musical as I turned 50; and my likes and dislikes of any and everything. Oh, and how that cancer thing changed my life… Because of my blog, freelance writing gigs came my way and the next thing I knew I was writing for ETonline and VEGAS Magazine and Las Vegas Pride Magazine. And then about three years ago, I started writing for Instinct Magazine pretty much every day. And along the way, The Randy Report podcast took off… I really do still have pride and enthusiasm for what I write. I especially want to thank all the awesome artists (and their publicists) who have helped make so many great interviews happen. Most of all, though, thanks to all of you for reading The Randy Report. It would not be nearly as much fun without you all joining me each day. So, thank you muchly. I thought I’d share my very first post from ten years ago. I remember writing this and thinking, “I have no idea what I’m doing.” And some days, I still feel the same way. And that’s ok. #Life Thanks for being here for my 10th anniversary, and here’s to the next chapter of The Randy Report.
My original blog photoThe Randy Report is my new avenue to get my point of view out to the world about politics, music, theater and anything that tickles me. I’m inviting everyone to tune in, shout out and don’t be afraid to have an opinion. Growing up in Texas, I was a pretty afraid of a lot of the world. Afraid to express myself, afraid I wouldn’t be liked, afraid I wouldn’t get where I wanted to go. I went to Syracuse University for college – blinding change of temperature, tone and scenery. Opened up my world a bit as I got through four freezing cold years, spent over $40K and walked away with a piece of paper saying that I had done something. I moved to NYC with my best friend Carlye to pursue dreams of being on Broadway, and eventually got there after serving time in many National touring companies of those Broadway shows I dreamed of being a part of. With Carol Channing on Broadway In those years I came to deal with the fact that I was gay, fell out of the closet, fell in love with my husband Michael, moved out west, got married and began a new chapter. You’ll be hearing much more about Carlye and Michael in future posts on The Randy Report. Somewhere along the way I realized life had taught me a lot about fear and it’s uselessness. I once heard the phrase “I’m not afraid of anything” and I really liked how that sounded. I really try to honor that. Even if a little fear creeps into a life moment, I chalk it up to reminding me I’m alive. But most of the time, I try to keep heading forward. I’m not so worried about what people think of me anymore, or what people will think of how I express my thoughts. I think it’s the American Way to live and let live, to honor our differences and realize that all our flavors create the best country in the world. I have no time for people who have issues with anyone who is “different.” Different is good. And if you believe that, you have to take it to the bank. Live it. So skin color, hair color, religion or lack thereof, sexual orientation, age, blah blah blah…. it all makes life interesting. At least to me. My dad with me (L) and brother Gary (R) heading to the rodeo in Fort Worth, TX Short story: My father loved to travel and loved adventure. Before he died at the age of 91, he had traveled everywhere in the world several times over. Sometimes by himself, meeting new friends along the way. My mother had passed away when I was five, so my father was THE grown up figure in my life. He was very confident, and throughout childhood I always knew I wanted his approval. I wanted him to be proud of me. To not only love me, but see me attempt something and hear him say “good job.” When I was very young my father took my brother and me to Mexico for a vacation. For me as a 7-year-old, Mexico was a very different world. Other than a swimming pool at a hotel, I was scared of a lot. At one point, we were on a beach and my father signed up my 9-year-old brother Gary to go para-sailing. They strapped Gary into the harness, and up and away he went. It didn’t seem like adventure to me so much as just plain frightening. When the time came for the ride to end, my brother was so small and light in weight and the wind was so strong, it was difficult to get him down to the ground. It took ten minutes for the ‘technicians’ to get him down. My father turned to me and said “you’re next” and I went running away, crying. Scared to death. That was Mexico to me for a long, long time. Fast forward to two years ago. I was on vacation with friends of mine and we all decided to go zip lining through the jungle near Puerto Vallarta. I couldn’t wait. Loved it. Taking a zip line hundreds of feet above the jungle floor was beyond exhilarating. The guides asked my name at the start of the day and I gave myself a nickname “Bruno” (my dog’s name) just to be funny and make my friends laugh. All day long the guides cheered “Bruno” on. It was a great day. No fear in sight. Me zip-lining (upside down) in Mexico – I got over the ‘fear’ thing… The next morning, while still in Mexico, I got the call my 91-year-old dad had passed away in his sleep of natural causes. I flew from PV to Texas to handle the funeral and burial details. In getting ready to speak at my father’s funeral – a daunting and important “one shot moment” at expressing something that needed to be profound. I searched to find the best and most “right” thing to say about this world & life traveler who never showed fear. And suddenly it came to me: the memory of that 7-year-old boy who was so afraid of everything in life. And now – having just been in Mexico for the first time since the frightening age of 7, and without thinking twice – I was the one zooming through the canopy of the jungle thrilled at the adventure of it all. I suddenly sensed an amazing closing of a circle and passing of a torch. I think one of our parent’s greatest responsibilities is to prepare us, consciously and subconsciously, to face life. To not be afraid. Standing next to my father’s casket, I took a second, turned and said to my father and his memory – “good job.” That story probably says something about me and my life. Tons of friends got me here along the way. I hope people find The Randy Report, and read and react. Feel free. No fear.
Two men, aged 27 and 29, were publicly caned 77 times each in Indonesia on Thursday after being reported to the authorities for having consensual sex.
The public flogging, held in a public park in Indonesia’s Aceh province, was attended by dozens of people. Public whippings usually attract hundreds of viewers but the crowd was kept small due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
In 2015, Aceh became the only province in Indonesia to adopt religious-based Shariah law. Today marked the third time caning has been used as punishment for homosexuality.
According to the Associated Press, the two men were whipped with a rattan cane by a team of five ‘enforcers’ wearing hoods and robes. The enforcers rotated every 40 strokes in delivering the punishment while the men winced in pain.
Neighbors of the men became suspicious of their relationship and broke into their home in November as the two were reportedly having sex.
A Shariah court ordered the men to receive 80 strokes each but the punishment was reduced as a concession for time spent in prison.
Warning: graphic footage some may find disturbing.
Shariah law allows caning as punishment for ‘moral offenses’ which include drinking, gambling, adultery, men who miss Friday prayers, women who wear suggestive clothing, and those who engage in gay sex. The maximum penalty is 100 lashes.
In addition to the two men, four others received 17 lashes for having extra-marital affairs and 40 strokes for drinking alcohol.
Indonesia has long been a difficult country for LGBTQ people. While Aceh is the only region where homosexuality is explicitly outlawed, authorities have continued to crackdown on the LGBTQ community in recent years.
In July 2018, the first public caning of gay men took place in Aceh before a crowd of over 1,000 residents. The mob cheered and shouted insults at the two men aged 20 and 23 as they received 85 lashes each.
And in November 2018, police conducted a beach raid in an effort to ‘provide safety and maintain public order.’ Three transgender women were arrested and hosed down with a fire truck in public to underscore the humiliation.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (screen capture) Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is furious the Republican leadership of the House has assigned freshman QAnon Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to the Among other things, Greene has claimed that the killing of 20 children and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School was a hoax. Greene has had herself recorded as she chased and berated 17-year-old survivor of the Parkland shooting, David Hogg, and then celebrated her behavior by posting it on social media. She’s also publicly endorsed violence against elected officials. From the Washington Post:
Top Democrats in Congress on Thursday blasted congressional Republicans for assigning to the House education committee Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) — who has identified with the QAnon cult and called deadly school shootings “false-flag” operations.
On Wednesday morning, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) condemned the Republican leadership for giving her the committee assignment.
“What I am concerned about is the Republican leadership in the House of Representatives who is willing to overlook, ignore those statements,” she said. “Assigning her to the education committee when she has mocked the killing of little children at Sandy Hook Elementary school. When she has mocked the killing of teenagers in high school at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
“What could they be thinking — or is thinking too generous a word about what they might be doing. It’s absolutely appalling.”
Read the full report at the Washington Post. In related news, Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA) has announced that he will introduce a resolution to expel Greene after recent news reports revealed that Greene had previously called for violence against Democrats on social media. A two-thirds majority is required to expel a member from the House, meaning Gomez’s resolution is almost certain to fail in a chamber where Democrats hold a razor-thin majority.
Reporter: “What do you mean when you say ‘the enemy is within?'”
Speaker Pelosi: “It means we have members of Congress who want to bring guns on the floor and have threatened violence on other members of Congress.” pic.twitter.com/N0NunhOgu4 — Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) January 28, 2021
“Republican House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy must explain how someone with this background represents the Republican party on education issues. He is sending a clear message to students, parents, and educators about the views of the Republican party.”https://t.co/5HuzljwZfW
We stand with Parkland survivors against vile harassment and lies from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. @davidhogg111, thank you for being an upstander against violence and demanding Congress take action to prevent school shootings. @mtgreenee@RepMTG#EndGunViolencehttps://t.co/UUaXZngc6X
“Her very presence in office represents a direct threat against the elected officials and staff who serve our government,” @RepJimmyGomez said in a statement calling for Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene @mtgreenee‘s ouster from Congress.https://t.co/diPSiNVKgc via @matthewchoi2018
The nominations for the 32nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards were announced this morning. The GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community and the issues that affect their lives. Below is the full list of nominees: Outstanding Film – Wide ReleaseThe Craft: Legacy (Sony Pictures) Happiest Season (Hulu) Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Netflix) The Old Guard (Netflix) The Prom (Netflix) Outstanding Film – Limited ReleaseAmmonite (NEON) And Then We Danced (Music Box Films) The Boys in the Band (Netflix) The Half of It (Netflix) I Carry You With Me (Sony Pictures Classics) Kajillionaire (Focus Features) The Life Ahead (Netflix) Lingua Franca (ARRAY/Netflix) Monsoon (Strand Releasing) The True Adventures of Wolfboy (Vertical Entertainment) Outstanding DocumentaryCircus of Books (Netflix) Disclosure (Netflix) Equal (HBO Max) For They Know Not What They Do (First Run Features) Howard (Disney+) Mucho Mucho Amor (Netflix) Scream, Queen: My Nightmare on Elm Street (Virgil FIlms/Shudder) Visible: Out on Television (Apple TV+) We Are The Radical Monarchs (PBS POV) Welcome to Chechnya (HBO) Outstanding Comedy SeriesBig Mouth (Netflix) Dead to Me (Netflix) Everything’s Gonna Be Okay (Freeform) Harley Quinn (HBO Max) Love, Victor (Hulu) Saved by the Bell (Peacock) Schitt’s Creek (Pop) Sex Education (Netflix) Superstore (NBC) Twenties (BET) Outstanding Drama Series9-1-1: Lone Star (FOX) Killing Eve (BBC America) P-Valley (Starz) Ratched (Netflix) Star Trek: Discovery (CBS All Access) Supergirl (The CW) The Umbrella Academy (Netflix) Vida (Starz) The Wilds (Amazon) Wynonna Earp (Syfy) Outstanding TV MovieAlice Júnior (Netflix) Bad Education (HBO) The Christmas House (Hallmark Channel) The Christmas Setup (Lifetime) Dashing in December (Paramount Network) La Leyenda Negra (HBO Latino/HBO Max) The Thing About Harry (Freeform) Uncle Frank (Amazon Studios) Unpregnant (HBO Max) Your Name Engraved Herein (Netflix) Outstanding Limited or Anthology SeriesDispatches from Elsewhere (AMC) The Haunting of Bly Manor (Netflix) Hollywood (Netflix) I May Destroy You (HBO) Little Fires Everywhere (Hulu) Outstanding Reality ProgramDeaf U (Netflix) Legendary (HBO Max) Queer Eye (Netflix) RuPaul’s Drag Race (VH1) We’re Here (HBO) Outstanding Children’s Programming “Challenge of the Senior Junior Woodchucks!” DuckTales (Disney XD) “Dogbot” Clifford The Big Red Dog (PBS) “Nancy Plays Dress Up” Fancy Nancy (Disney Junior) The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo (HBO Max) Summer Camp Island (HBO Max) Outstanding Kids & Family ProgrammingCraig of the Creek (Cartoon Network) Diary of a Future President (Disney+) First Day (Hulu) Kipo and The Age of the Wonderbeasts (Dreamworks Animation/Netflix) The Loud House (Nickelodeon) “Mary Anne Saves the Day” The Baby-Sitters Club (Netflix) “Obsidian” Adventure Time: Distant Lands (HBO Max) The Owl House (Disney Channel) She-Ra & The Princesses of Power (Dreamworks Animation/Netflix) Steven Universe (Cartoon Network) Outstanding Music Artist Adam Lambert, Velvet (More Is More/Empire) Brandy Clark, Your Life Is a Record (Warner Records) Halsey, Manic (Capitol) Kehlani, It Was Good Until It Wasn’t (Atlantic) Lady Gaga, Chromatica (Streamline/Interscope) Miley Cyrus, Plastic Hearts (RCA) Pabllo Vittar, 111 (BMT/Sony Music Brasil) Peppermint, A Girl Like Me: Letters to My Lovers (Producer Entertainment Group) Ricky Martin, Pausa (Sony Latin) Sam Smith, Love Goes (Capitol) Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist Arca, KiCk i (XL) Chika, Industry Games (Warner Records) FLETCHER, The (S)ex Tapes (Capitol) Keiynan Lonsdale, Rainbow Boy (Keiynan Lonsdale) Kidd Kenn, Child’s Play (Island Records) Orville Peck, Show Pony (Columbia/Sub Pop) Phoebe Bridgers, Punisher (Dead Oceans) Rina Sawayama, Sawayama (Dirty Hit/Avex Trax) Trixie Mattel, Barbara (Producer Entertainment Group/ATO Records) Victoria Monét, Jaguar (Tribe Records) Outstanding Video GameAssassin’s Creed Valhalla (Ubisoft) Borderlands 3: Guns, Love, and Tentacles (2K Games) Bugsnax (Young Horses) Hades (Supergiant Games) If Found… (Annapurna Interactive) Ikenfell (Humble Games) Immortals Fenyx Rising (Ubisoft) The Last of Us Part II (Sony Interactive Entertainment) Tell Me Why (Xbox Game Studios) World of Warcraft: Shadowlands (Blizzard Entertainment) Outstanding Comic BookEmpyre, Lords of Empyre: Emperor Hulkling, Empyre: Aftermath Avengers, by Al Ewing, Dan Slott, Chip Zdarsky, Anthony Oliveira, Valerio Schiti, Manuel Garcia, Cam Smith, Marte Gracia, Triona Farrell, Joe Caramagna, Ariana Maher, Travis Lanham (Marvel Comics) Far Sector, by N.K. Jemisin, Jamal Campbell, Deron Bennett (DC Comics) Guardians of the Galaxy, by Al Ewing, Juann Cabal, Nina Vakueva, Chris Sprouse, Belén Ortega, Marcio Takara, Karl Story, Federico Blee, Guru-eFX, Cory Petit (Marvel Comics) Juliet Takes a Breath, by Gabby Rivera, Celia Moscote, James Fenner, DC Hopkins (Boom! Studios) Lois Lane, by Greg Rucka, Mike Perkins, Gabe Eltaeb, Andy Troy, Simon Bowland (DC Comics) The Magic Fish, by Trung Le Nguyen (Random House Graphic) Suicide Squad, by Tom Taylor, Bruno Redondo, Daniel Sampere, Juan Albarran, Adriano Lucas, Wes Abbott (DC Comics) Wynd, by James Tynion IV, Michael Dialynas, Aditya Bidikar (Boom! Studios) X-Factor, by Leah Williams, David Baldeon, Carlos Gomez, Israel Silva, Joe Caramagna (Marvel Comics) You Brought Me the Ocean, by Alex Sanchez, Julie Maroh, Deron Bennett (DC Comics) Outstanding Variety or Talk Show Episode “Andy Cohen Calls for Change So He Can Donate His Plasma” Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen (Bravo) “Black Trans Lives Matter” Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (TBS) “Emily’s Coming Out Story” Red Table Talk: The Estefans (Facebook Watch) “Laverne Cox – Exploring Trans Representation with ‘Disclosure’” The Daily Show with Trevor Noah (Comedy Central) “Lilly Responds to Comments About Her Sexuality” A Little Late With Lilly Singh (NBC) Outstanding TV Journalism Segment “Black Trans Activists on Being the ‘Blueprint for the Struggle for Black Freedom’” MSNBC Live with Hallie Jackson (MSNBC) “Dwyane Wade One-On-One: Basketball Legend Opens Up About Supporting Transgender Daughter” Good Morning America (ABC) “Faith, Foster Care and LGBTQ Rights Collide in Supreme Court” ABC News Prime (ABC News Live) “One-on-One with Transportation Secretary Nominee Pete Buttigieg” State of the Union (CNN) “Trans and Non-Binary People Face Voting Barriers Ahead of 2020 Election” (CBSN) Outstanding TV Journalism – Long-Form “ABC News Joe Biden Town Hall” (ABC) “The Deciders” (CBS) “Pride and Protest: Being Black and Queer in America in 2020” (NBC News NOW) “Pride on ABC News Live: The Landmark Decision” (ABC News Live) “Prideland” (PBS) Outstanding Print Article “20 LGBTQ+ People Working to Save Lives on the Frontline” by Diane Anderson-Minshall, David Artavia, Tracy Gilchrist, Desiree Guerrero, Jeffrey Masters, Donald Padgett, and Daniel Reynolds (TheAdvocate) “The AIDS Quilt Marches Home” by Jason Sheeler (People) “As Homeless Shelters Brace for Funding Cuts, LGBTQ Youths Take Desperate Measures to Get By” by Samantha Schmidt (TheWashington Post) “Delaware’s Sarah McBride Makes History as the Nation’s First Openly Transgender State Senator” by Meg Ryan (Delaware Today) “How a March for Black Trans Lives Became a Huge Event” by Anushka Patil (The New York Times) “It’s Time for a New Tipping Point for Transgender Folks in Hollywood” by Tre’vell Anderson (Out) “LGBTQ Americans Are Getting Coronavirus, Losing Jobs. Anti-Gay Bias is Making it Worse for Them.” by Petruce Jean-Charles (USA Today) “Lutheran High School Athletic Trainer, Coach Says She Was Fired for Being Gay” by Arika Herron (The Indianapolis Star) “States Won’t Collect LGBTQ Data on COVID-19 — and Advocates Aren’t Happy” by Chris Johnson (Washington Blade) “Why Billy Porter is a National Treasure” by Tre’vell Anderson (Essence) Outstanding Magazine Overall CoverageThe Advocate Billboard People Plus VarietyOutstanding Online Journalism Article “The Battle Over Title IX and Who Gets to be a Woman in Sports: Inside the Raging National Debate” by Katie Barnes (espnW.com) “Gay Men Speak Out After Being Turned Away from Donating Blood During Coronavirus Pandemic: ‘We are Turning Away Perfectly Healthy Donors’” by Tony Morrison and Joel Lyons (GoodMorningAmerica.com) “Here’s how Reggie Greer Takes on LGBTQ Outreach for Joe Biden in this ‘Very Personal’ Election” by John Gallagher (LGBTQNation.com) “No Medicine, No Food: Coronavirus Restrictions Amplify Health Risks to LGBT+ People with HIV” by Nita Bhalla and Oscar Lopez (Openlynews.com) “An Oral History of Fashion’s Response to the AIDS Epidemic” [series] by Phillip Picardi (VOGUE.com) “Queer Spaces Project” [series] by Nico Lang, Samantha Allen, Marke B., Matt Baume, Steven Blum, Alexander Cheves, Devlyn Camp, Michael Cuby, James Factora, KC Hoard, Sophie Hurwitz, Michelle Kim, and Daniel Villareal (them.us) “Trans Athletes’ Fight for Inclusion in World Rugby” [series] by Dawn Ennis, Alex Reimer, Karleigh Webb, and Cyd Zeigler (Outsports.com) “Trans Freedom Fighters” [series] by Sam Levin (TheGuardian.com) “Trans, Imprisoned — and Trapped” by Kate Sosin (NBCNews.com) “‘You Don’t Belong Here’: In Poland’s ‘LGBT-Free Zones’ Existing is an Act of Defiance” by Ivana Kottasová and Rob Picheta (CNN.com) Outstanding Online Journalism – Video or Multimedia “A Closer Look: Transgender in Kashmir” by Robert Leslie (Business Insider) “I’m an Immigrant Fighting for Queer Rights and Racial Justice” by Abigail E. Disney, Catherine King, Maria Nunez, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Patty Quillin, Julie Parker Benello, Susan Sherrerd, and Lynda Weinman (Refinery29) “Stop Killing Us: Black Transgender Women’s Lived Experiences” by Talibah Newman Ometu, Thomas Blount, Juliana Schatz Preston, and Mariah Dupont (Complex World) “They Will See You: LGBTQ+ Visibility in Advertising” by Brent Miller, Otto Bell, and Jordan Shavarebi (Great Big Story) “Why LGBTQ Rights Hinge on the Definition of ‘Sex’” by Laura Bult, Ranjani Chakraborty, Melissa Hirsch, and Sidnee King (Vox) Outstanding Blog Gays With Kids JoeMyGod Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents The Reckoning TransGriot Special RecognitionAfter Forever (Amazon) Deadline’s New Hollywood Podcast Happiest Season Soundtrack (Facet/Warner Records) Noah’s Arc: The ‘Rona Chronicles (Patrik Ian-Polk Entertainment) Out (Pixar/Disney+) Razor Tongue (YouTube) “The Son” Little America (Apple TV+)
NOMINEES FOR THE 32ND ANNUAL GLAAD MEDIA AWARDS SPANISH-LANGUAGE CATEGORIES
Outstanding Spanish-Language Scripted Television SeriesAna (Amazon/Comedy Central/Pantaya) Élite (Netflix) #Luimelia (Atresplayer Premium) Someone Has to Die (Netflix) Veneno (HBO Max) Outstanding Spanish-Language TV Journalism “Decisión de la Corte Suprema Para Comunidad LGBTQ” Un Nuevo Día (Telemundo) “La Hermana de Aleyda Ortiz Narra Cómo Salió del Clóset y Cómo se lo Comunicó a su Familia” Despierta América (Univision) “Proyecto ser Humano: La Terapia del Engaño” Camilo (CNN en Español) “Refugio para Pacientes de COVID-19 y Comunidad LGBTI en México” Un Nuevo Día (Telemundo) “Sanación Milagrosa” Despierta América (Univision) Outstanding Spanish-Language Online Journalism Article “El Brutal Asesinato de una Mujer Transgénero Conmociona a Puerto Rico y Renueva una Conversación Sobre la Transfobia” por Harmeet Kaur y Rafy Rivera (CNNEspañol.com) “Desapareció en México, Solo se Hallaron sus Restos: La Historia de la Doctora María Elizabeth Montaño y su Importancia para la Comunidad Trans” por Albinson Linares y Marina E. Franco (Telemundo.com) “Entrevistas para el mes del Orgullo LGBT+” por Paula Velasco, Aurora Villaseñor, y Sofía Viramontes (Gatopardo.com) “Elliot Page y el Dilema Social del Género” por Marcos Billy Guzmán (ElNuevoDía.com) “La Historia de un Amor Moderno” por María Torres Clausell (Quién.com) Outstanding Spanish-Language Online Journalism – Video or Multimedia “Abril Zamora: Sin Filtros” (Elle España) “Ciudad de México Prohibe las ‘Terapias’ Contra la Homosexualidad” por Elías Camhaji, Jonás Cortés, y Rodrigo Floriano (El País) “La Liga Deportiva de la Diversidad” por Lucía Anaya (VICE en Español) “Mujeres LGBT+ en México: Ari Vera” (Homosensual) “Soy Trans: El Camino a un Nuevo Despertar” por Sarah Moreno, Esther Piccolino, y José Sepúlveda (El Nuevo Herald) Special Recognition (Spanish-Language) Jesse & Joy, “Love (Es Nuestro Idioma)”
Donald Trump (screen capture) The folks at Trump Plaza in West Palm Beach are done with being associated with the Trump name. From the Palm Beach Post:
The Trump name has been dumped from a signature West Palm Beach condominium in the wake of the Jan. 6 siege on the U.S. Capitol.
Last week, the board of the Trump Plaza condominium voted unanimously to change the legal name of the twin-tower complex. As a result, former President Donald Trump no longer will have a condo bearing his name across the water from his island enclave on Palm Beach.
The 32-story, twin-tower complex decided to cut its last link with Trump following his actions in inciting the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. The condo’s Jan. 19 vote cleared the way for residents to cast a ballot to choose a new name for the luxury condo, where units sell from $1 million to more than $4 million.
“The Trump brand is damaged, so rebranding the complex is a wise move,” said Burt Minkoff, a real estate agent with Douglas Elliman on Palm Beach.
It’s not just Florida, either. Data shows buildings in Manhattan bearing the Trump name have seen their value drop by half. “The Trump name is probably pretty radioactive right now,” realtor Mark Cohen told Business Insider.
Oscar/Emmy Award winner Cloris Leachman (image: public domain) Eight-time Emmy Award winner (22 nominations) and the recipient of an Oscar for The Last Picture Show, Cloris Leachman is dead at 94. From the New York Times:
Cloris Leachman, who won an Academy Award for her portrayal of a neglected housewife in the stark drama “The Last Picture Show” but who was probably best known for getting laughs, notably in three Mel Brooks movies and on television comedies like “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “Malcolm in the Middle,” died on Wednesday at her home in Encinitas, Calif. She was 94.
The death was confirmed by her son Morgan Englund, who did not give a cause.
Ms. Leachman entered the spotlight as a Miss America contestant in 1946 and was still in the public eye more than 74 years later, portraying offbeat grandmothers on television and film and competing with celebrities less than half her age on “Dancing With the Stars.” In between, she won admiring reviews for her stage, film and television work, as well as Emmy Awards for performances in both dramas and comedies.
She was nominated four times and won twice for her performance on the hit CBS sitcom “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” as Phyllis Lindstrom, the scatterbrained landlady of Mary Richards, the plucky TV news producer played by Ms. Moore. She went on to play the same role from 1975 to 1977 on the spinoff series “Phyllis,” for which she received another Emmy nomination and won a Golden Globe.
A picture from the last time I saw you. Always beautiful. Nothing I could say would top the enormity of my love for you. Until we meet again darling. #clorisleachmanrippic.twitter.com/9etOZo13Kb
Such sad news—Cloris was insanely talented. She could make you laugh or cry at the drop of a hat. Always such a pleasure to have on set. Every time I hear a horse whinny I will forever think of Cloris’ unforgettable Frau Blücher. She is irreplaceable, and will be greatly missed.
A one-of-a-kind actor, she could do everything! She made anything she appeared in much better & her versatility was astonishing. Thank you for a lifetime of unforgettable performances. #ripClorisLeachmanpic.twitter.com/NjCHaD3ojY
Cloris Leachman. Everything she did seemed like the role she was born to play. Her Oscar-winning dramatic chops. Her wild comedy swings. Her relatable roles. Her freakish roles. She was in complete control of her craft and seemed to never think twice about it. A legend.
Melissa Carone (screen capture) Oh, wait – she’s not done yet! Via Deadline Detroit:
Mellissa Carone, who rose to memedom last month during a Michigan legislative hearing on election fraud, hopes to parlay her infamy into a state House seat.
The former contractor for Dominion Voting Systems confirmed Friday that she’s running for Michigan’s 46th house district in Oakland County on a platform of election integrity after claiming, without evidence, that she witnessed rampant fraud at TCF Center in Detroit in November.
“My ultimate goal is to get our ballots hand-counted and clean out Lansing just like draining the swamp in D.C. because that’s what we need,” she said.
After her statements at that infamous legislative hearing, Dominion sent her a cease-and-desist notice about her misinformation campaign. Lawyers for Dominion also noted that Carone is NOT a technology or elections expert. She was reportedly hired through a staffing agency “for one day to clean glass on machines and complete other menial tasks.”
Melissa Carone, the key witness brought in by Rudy Giuliani to testify at a Michigan election hearing, says she is running for a seat in the state house. Carone explained, "Look, it's either gonna be me or someone qualified and sober." pic.twitter.com/zzHK8UV8Xj
I cannot believe Rudy’s little drunk chihuahua attack dog, Mellissa Carone is running for office. Just watch her newest campaign video. Yikes! What an idiot. pic.twitter.com/VXmXMfbvTI
Mellissa Carone announced her plan to run for office in a district that probably won’t exist after redistricting, but told @dmoyeweirdnews that the district’s future existence has been "verified by numerous people.” https://t.co/aRdfv7toa9
After nearly 4 decades, gay bathhouses are now able to apply for permits to open in San Francisco. In the mid-1980s, the city’s health department put in place tight regulations in order to try and curb the burgeoning AIDS epidemic. At the time, the restrictions prohibited private locked rooms and required employees monitoring any possibly ‘dangerous’ behaviors. Basically, those rules amounted to a ban on bathhouses in the city. Currently, there’s one bathhouse operating in the area – Steamworks in Berkeley. That venue is currently closed due to the ongoing pandemic restrictions. There is one private sex club, Eros, located in the Castro district, which has operated along the 1980s era rules. According to the Bay Area Reporter, District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman has been working for a year to overturn the restrictions. He found out last week the city’s health officials had updated the regulations for adult sex venues. “It is symbolically significant right now,” Mandelman told the Reporter. “Whether it is significant on the ground depends on if entrepreneurs with the vision and financial capacities and the savvy to open can and operate one of these.” Mandelman sent a copy of the revised rules in advance of them being published. Titled, “Minimum Standards for Operation of Sex Clubs, Commercial Sex Venues and Parties,” the 3-page document lists sexual activities that could open the door to exposure to HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases. Those activities, including anal and vaginal intercourse without a condom and fisting without a latex glove, must be posted at entrances of the venues in English, Spanish, Chinese and Tagalog. Patrons, 18 years or older, will also be required to sign in writing they understand the posted regulations. Additionally, there can be no consumption of alcohol nor any sex-for-pay on the premises. The venues must also provide hot and cold running water, soap, towels, plus free lube and condoms. No word on if/when a business owner will apply for a permit especially in the middle of the COVID-19 health threat. Also, it remains to be seen how much of a market there may be for such businesses. Back in the day, gay bathhouses were popular for men looking for other like-minded men for sex. But with dating apps like Grindr and Scruff, we’ll have to see how popular a new bathhouse might be today when you can basically ‘order in’ for free. Mandelman, though, is hopeful a new bathhouse operator will step up. He told the Reporter, “It is a good development and sets the stage for bathhouses to be part of our economic recovery.” (source: Bay Area Reporter)
Because of my blog, freelance writing gigs came my way and the next thing I knew I was writing for ETonline and VEGAS Magazine and Las Vegas Pride Magazine. And then about three years ago, I started writing for 
Mandelman sent a copy of the revised rules in advance of them being published. Titled, “Minimum Standards for Operation of Sex Clubs, Commercial Sex Venues and Parties,” the 3-page document lists sexual activities that could open the door to exposure to HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases. Those activities, including anal and vaginal intercourse without a condom and fisting without a latex glove, must be posted at entrances of the venues in English, Spanish, Chinese and Tagalog. Patrons, 18 years or older, will also be required to sign in writing they understand the posted regulations. Additionally, there can be no consumption of alcohol nor any sex-for-pay on the premises. The venues must also provide hot and cold running water, soap, towels, plus free lube and condoms. No word on if/when a business owner will apply for a permit especially in the middle of the COVID-19 health threat. Also, it remains to be seen how much of a market there may be for such businesses. Back in the day, gay bathhouses were popular for men looking for other like-minded men for sex. But with dating apps like Grindr and Scruff, we’ll have to see how popular a new bathhouse might be today when you can basically ‘order in’ for free. Mandelman, though, is hopeful a new bathhouse operator will step up. He told the