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Transgender Day Of Remembrance 2020

Transgender Day of Remembrance is observed every year on November 20

Today we observe Transgender Day of Remembrance, which began in 1999 as a way to honor Rita Hester, a trans woman murdered inside her Boston apartment in 1998. A vigil commemorated all the transgender people lost to violence since Rita Hester’s death and began an important tradition that has become the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance. Observed every November 20, the day is meant to honor the memory of those whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.

(graphic via NBC Out)
The Human Rights Campaign reports that in 2020, at least 37 transgender and gender non-conforming people were victims of violent homicides — more than the HRC has recorded in any other year. Last year, the American Medical Association categorized these losses as an “epidemic” – and it is one that has only continued to spread. While each case is unique in its circumstances, what is clear is the epidemic disproportionately impacts Black transgender women, who comprise 66% of all victims of fatal violence against transgender and gender non-conforming people. President-elect Joe Biden issued a statement today recognizing Transgender Day of Remembrance, which reads, in part, “2020 has been a year of tremendous suffering and loss” for the transgender community. Biden describes the rising death toll of transgender and gender-nonconforming people “intolerable.” “Transgender rights are human rights,” affirms Biden. “To transgender and gender-nonconforming people across America and around the world: from the moment I am sworn in as president of the United States, know that my administration will see you, listen to you, and fight for not only your safety but also the dignity and justice you have been denied.”

Honoring the Transgender Day of Remembrance, NMAC (formerly known as the National Minority AIDS Council) has released a powerful tribute – “But…I Survived” – directed and choreographed by John Alix and dedicated to transgender women of color. Peppermint, Mila Jam, and Deja “The Lady Deja Davenport” Smith are featured in the new video set to Sia’s song “Alive.”

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Rep. Omar Ilhan Claps Back At Sen. Kelly Loeffler In Epic Style

L-R Rep. Ilhan Omar, Sen. Kelly Loeffler (images via Twitter)
When Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) attempted to troll Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) on Twitter, Omar threw some next level shade Loeffler’s way and kept moving. Loeffler: “Ilhan, We saw the video of you smiling and laughing while talking about al-Qaeda & 9/11. We know that you funneled MILLIONS of dollars to your new husband’s “consulting” firm. And we know that you’re an unabashed anti-Semite. You should be expelled from Congress.” Omar: “Sorry Kelly, if you need help writing real clap back, I am here to help. This ain’t it, try harder.” #micdrop

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Kayleigh McEnany To Press: ‘I Don’t Call On Activists’

Kayleigh McEnany (screen capture)
Wow. When was ‘responding like a brat’ added to the job description of White House press secretary? Holding her first press briefing since October 2 today, Kayleigh McEnany took only a handful of questions before bringing the briefing to an end. When CNN’s Caitlin Collins asked why she wouldn’t take more questions McEnany sniped, “I don’t call on activists.” As McEnany exited the room, Collins responded, “That’s not doing your job. Your taxpayer-funded job.” Collins followed up her initial tweet writing, “It’s understandable why someone who hasn’t done their job — taking questions from reporters — in weeks would confuse someone else doing theirs with activism.” McEnany also told the press corps today, regarding Trump’s fighting the results of the election that “it’s worth remembering, [Trump] was never given an orderly transition of power …” Actually, President Obama hosted Trump at the White House two days after the election. It’s worth noting that McEnany has recently been acting as White House press secretary AND the spokesperson for Donald Trump’s reelection campaign which is highly unusual.

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Trans Actress Alexandra Billings Joins ABC’s ‘The Connors’

Alexandra Billings joins ‘The Connors’ (photo: ABC)

Trans actress Alexandra Billings (Transparent) has been announced to join the cast of ABC’s The Connors for a multi-episode arc in the current season.

Billings will play Robin, a transgender woman who works as a supervisor at Wellman Plastics where Darlene (Sara Gilbert) and Becky (Lecy Goranson) are employed.

Fans of the original Roseanne will remember Wellman Plastics was where both Roseanne (Roseanne Barr) and sister Jackie (Laurie Metcalf) worked in the early days of the series. It was at Wellman Plastics that Jackie had a romantic relationship with her supervisor played by George Clooney.

Alexandra Billings (r) with the cast of The Connors

According to Deadline, Robin – described as no-nonsense but fair – becomes a friend and mentor to Darlene. The official synopsis reveals Darlene’s friendship with Robin “lands [Darlene] in an awkward situation between the boss and her sister, Becky.”

Billings is best known for starring as Davina in the acclaimed Amazon series Transparent. She’s also had recurring roles on Never Have I Ever, Goliath, and Diary of a Female President. On Broadway, the veteran actress appeared in the mega-hit musical Wicked as ‘Madame Morrible.’

Billings will make her debut in the November 25 episode.

The Conners recently made its Season 3 premiere drawing 4.8 million viewers. The sitcom, which has continued without Roseanne Barr following an ugly racist incident, chronicles the daily struggles of the Connor family – Dan, Jackie, Darlene, Becky and D.J. – as they face financial pressures, parenthood, dating, and life as working-class Americans.

 

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Hand Recount Confirms Joe Biden’s Win In Georgia

(graphic via ABC News)
The results of a week-long hand recount of ballots in Georgia show President-elect Joe Biden did win the Peach State. Via CNN:

Georgia has finished its statewide audit of the razor-thin presidential race and President-elect Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump, according to a news release from the Secretary of State’s office.

Biden beat Trump by 12,284 votes, according to the final results from the audit. This is a slight drop for Biden compared to the pre-audit results.

Officials have said repeatedly that the audit confirmed there was no widespread fraud or irregularities in the election.

Per state law, the Trump campaign will have two business days to request a machine recount once these results are certified which is expected to occur on Friday.

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News Round-Up: November 19, 2020

Billy Reilich (via Instagram)
Some news items you might have missed: • InstaHunks: Ellen DeGeneres’s former “gardener,” Billy Reilich (above), is masked up for COVID-19 safety telling his followers, “Here we go again.” • KCCI: A lawsuit filed this week claims managers at a Tyson’s meatpacking plant “organized a cash buy-in, winner-take-all betting pool for supervisors and managers to wager how many employees would test positive for COVID-19.” • Out Music: Peppermint, Mila Jam, and LaFemmeBear team up for a remake of the Sounds of Blackness “Optimistic.” The anthem aims to unite the country and rally around black Trans lives to celebrate Transgender Awareness Week this week. Peppermint says: “The number of transgender people who’ve been murdered is higher than ever recorded. In the midst of senseless murders of black folks, in the midst of the division and the pandemic. After seeing everything that has happened in our country and our world lately and coming up on the holidays, I wanted to gather black Trans women to put out a message of solidarity and love while simultaneously shedding light on the important road ahead.”

• Reuters: New claims for unemployment jobless benefits rose to a seasonally adjusted 742,000 last week, up from the 711,000 filed a week earlier, the Labor Department said Thursday. The spike in claims indicates continued challenges for the U.S. economic recovery as COVID-19 infections continue to surge across the U.S. • AP: Two Republican canvassers in Wayne County, Michigan, initially balked at certifying the vote, and then reversed course after widespread condemnation. But after a call from Donald Trump, the two Republicans reversed AGAIN signing affidavits on Wednesday saying they believe the county vote “should not be certified.” • Pink News: Karine Jean-Pierre could become the first out lesbian and first Black woman to be named White House press secretary. NBC’s Geoff Bennett tweeted multiple sources say Jean-Pierre is a leading contender for the high profile job.

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Trump Invites Michigan GOP Leaders To WH Over Election Results

From CNN:

President Donald Trump has invited Republican state lawmakers from Michigan to the White House on Friday, according to a person familiar with the matter, as the President and his legal team are mounting an effort to overturn the results of the election he lost to President-elect Joe Biden.

Trump also called two Republican canvass board members from Wayne County, to Tuesday to offer his support, the person said, after they went back and forth on voting to certify the election results from the state’s largest county, which includes Detroit. The board members filed affidavits Wednesday seeking to “rescind” their votes to certify the election result.

Michigan law requires the election results to be certified by Monday, November 23. With no credible reports of fraud, observers are concerned state lawmakers could use the legislature to substitute Trump-supporting Electoral College electors in an effort to swing the state back to Trump. President-elect Joe Biden won the state by 3 percentage points and over 157,000 votes.

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New Music: Blake English Just Wants To Be ‘Cool’

Blake English just wants to be ‘Cool’ (photo: Rowan Daly)
Out recording artist Blake English recently released his latest single, “Cool.” With top-shelf pop production and clever lyrics, English remembers what it was like keeping up with his glamorous, Hollywood friends on his rise to fame. Written after a party in the glamorous Hollywood Hills, “Cool” tells the story of many up-and-coming artists and those trying to fake it until they make it. English was inspired by the fact that he was surrounded by successful figures in the entertainment industry while still trying to catch his big break. “It basically goes through my journey of maintaining my authenticity while also doing things to pander to the fame life,” explains English. The lyrics contrast witty cynicism and sarcasm with honesty and vulnerability in lines such as, “One’n up with my last pay stub; it’s fine, I’m really fine, I’m really fine; done some things I regret, but for some fame, I’ll forget.” While “Cool” is, on the surface, an incredibly catchy pop song, English is also singing a vital reminder to hold on to your authenticity in a modern, flashy world. Hit the play button below. “Cool” is available now on all streaming platforms.

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Out Magazine: Wilson Cruz Covers ‘Out100’ Issue

Star Trek: Discovery star Wilson Cruz covers OUT Magazine (photography by The Riker Brothers)
OUT Magazine has announced its 26th annual Out100 – the largest annual portfolio recognizing members of the LGBTQ+ community for their groundbreaking, ripple-inducing, and culture-shifting impact around the world. From OUT Magazine:

This year’s honorees make up one of the most diverse lists in Out magazine’s history, spanning several generations and a multitude of intersections from 18-year-old rap sensation Kidd Kenn and 99-year old trans WWII U.S. Navy fighter pilot Robina Asti to MSNBC journalist Rachel Maddow, who in a year of political tension was a voice of reason for the LGBTQ+ community.

From fashion legend André Leon Talley, headlining musician Lizzo, comedian Wanda Sykes, actors Jeremy Pope and Cheyenne Jackson to modeling industry heavyweight Ivan Bart, the creators of Queer Eye, and Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’s very queer team Jamal Brown, Reggie Greer, and Karine Jean-Pierre, inclusivity and progress are the driving force behind this year’s list.

In a Facebook post, OUT’s cover man Wilson Cruz wrote, “I’m so grateful to OUT Magazine for including me in this year’s #OUT100 list and for the honor of gracing the cover.” “All I can think about is the kid who still lives inside of me who once stalked a newsstand for a week in order to work up the nerve to purchase an OUT Magazine!”

(photo: Riker Brothers)
Asked about a legacy of his stalwart LGBTQ advocacy, the Star Trek: Discovery star told OUT:

“{I hope} I used whatever talent and ability I had to tell the story of my community so that people would see us for the life-affirming, love-expanding community that we are, as opposed to the decades of misinformation and lies that were told about us. And that I use [television] to invite people in so they would actually know us. And if they know us, they’ll understand us. And if they can understand, they’ll accept us and celebrate us. And that’s all any of us want.”

On Saturday, November 21, OUT Magazine will celebrate the first-ever 2020 Out100 Virtual Honoree Induction Ceremony, live at 5 p.m. Pacific (8 p.m. Eastern) at Out.com/Out100Live, and available on all Revry live channels and on-demand at 6 p.m. Pacific (9 p.m. Eastern) at watch.revry.tv. See the full Out100 list here.

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My Favorite Thing Today: Broadway Star Lee Roy Reams In Concert

Broadway star Lee Roy Reams
What a wonderful treat! My dear longtime friend, Broadway star and frequent ‘partner in crime’ Lee Roy Reams is part of the York Theatre Company’s terrific online cabaret series, Broadway’s Great American Songbook. Hosted by 5-time Grammy Award nominee Michael Feinstein, the series has also included cabaret sets from Tony Award winners Ben Vereen and Lilias White as well as Broadway veterans Alton Fitzgerald White, Karen Mason and more. Online performances premiere on Wednesday evenings continuing weekly through Wednesday evening, December 16, 2020. The series culminates with a York Holiday Cabaret Gala on Monday evening, December 21, 2020 at 7:00PM. Lee Roy’s career is the stuff that Broadway dreams are made of. Moving to New York City fresh out of college, he quickly began racking up major gigs singing and dancing on Broadway in the original cast of Bob Fosse’s Sweet Charity, Applause, Hello, Dolly! with Carol Channing, 42nd Street, Beauty and the Beast, The Producers and many more. Lee Roy also directed the acclaimed 1995 revival of Hello, Dolly! with Channing (and me!) which was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. Lee Roy asked me to handle the choreography duties for the post-Broadway national tour of Dolly! and since then we’ve staged the show together several times in major regional theatre companies across the country. Each time, it was just as Cornelius Hackl tells his Dolly! sidekick, “It’s an adventure, Barnaby!” I won’t go on as I want you to hit the play button below and enjoy Lee Roy’s masterful storytelling as he sings his way through his incredible career. Authentic, earnest, captivating and magical – just a few of the superlatives that come to mind after watching this true artist weave his spell. I was especially moved by the medley from Dolly! beginning at the 31:00 mark. And can I say – I wish we all could look and sound so good at 78-years-old. #LikeAFineWine Big applause for Alex Rybeck’s robust and artful musical direction and accompaniment as he does what he does so very well. Enjoy.