2019 Boston ‘Straight Pride Parade’ (images via screen capture) They’re baaaaaaaack! The folks who created the sad failure that was the Boston ‘Straight Pride Parade’ this past August are planning another shindig to take shots at the LGBTQ community. Alt-right hate group Super Happy Fun America posted an announcement on their Facebook page they will be heading down to Dallas, Texas, on November 16 to hold a ‘March’ they say will “bring awareness to the fact that we as the American people are allowing our values and morals to be compromised!” “We need to stand up and stop this from happening!!!,” continues the post complete with 3 exclamation points. “NO MORE COMPROMISE!!!!” Four exclamation points and all caps must mean they really, really mean it!!!! The title of the event seems to be ‘Protect Our Next Generation.’ From what you may ask? Well, the list of topics planned for discussion include: • Sex/Human Trafficking • Legalized Prostitution • Marriage values (One man and one woman) • Abortion (It is murder) • Genders (There are only two; XX as female and XY as male) • Ploys of the RADICAL left-wing LGBTQ groups trying to shut down our businesses and churches.• Drag Queen Story Times (Stop pushing this onto our children) Sounds like real ‘super happy fun,’ huh? “Straight people are an oppressed majority,” says John Hugo, president of Super Happy Fun America. “We will fight for the right of straights everywhere to express pride in themselves without fear of judgment and hate.” He adds, “The day will come when straights will finally be included as equals among all of the other orientations.” Because nothing says ‘oppressed’ like being over 90% of the population. Of course, the initial ‘Straight Pride Parade’ in Boston was a huge failure with only a couple hundred supporters showing up. The parade-goers were actually outnumbered by 1,000+ pro-LGBTQ counter-protesters. And then there’s the Modesto, California, ‘Straight Pride’ event that flopped bigly in August drawing only about 20 attendees. As in Boston, they were outnumbered by hundreds of counter-protesters. Those folks couldn’t get a permit to hold their rally in a city park, so they did their thing in front of a Planned Parenthood. #EpicFail(source: Facebook)
Sam Smith (photo: Aria Shahrokhshahi) Four-time Grammy Award winner Sam Smith has released a cover of the 1977 Donna Summer dance classic, “I Feel Love.” “As a queer person ‘I feel love’ has followed me to every dance floor in every queer space from the minute I started clubbing,” the non-binary/genderqueer artist wrote on their Instagram. “This song to me is an anthem of our community and it was an honour and most importantly so much fun to have a go at it. Highest song I’ve ever fucking sang. But a joy. I hope you all like it xx” Take a listen below.
And, of course, how could I touch the subject without referencing the oh-so-awesome original version by our diva, Miss Summer? Produced by Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte, the track (considered the first electronic dance hit) was a Top 10 smash in the US and went all the way to #1 in the UK, Australia, and other countries.
L-R Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Mayor Pete Buttigieg The latest New York Times/Siena College poll shows the Democratic field tightening in the 2020 Iowa caucuses race as Sen. Elizabeth Warren holds a slight lead over Sen. Bernie Sanders while Mayor Pete Buttigieg is surging to third past former Vice President Joe Biden. From the New York Times:
Ms. Warren appears to have solidified her gains in the first voting state while Mr. Buttigieg has climbed quickly to catch up with Mr. Sanders and overtake Mr. Biden, the one-time front-runner. Ms. Warren is drawing support from 22 percent of likely caucusgoers, while Mr. Sanders is at 19 percent, followed by Mr. Buttigieg at 18 percent and Mr. Biden at 17 percent.
The survey is full of alarming signs for Mr. Biden, who entered the race in April at the top of the polls in Iowa and nationally.
He is still in the lead in most national polls, but his comparatively weak position in the earliest primary and caucus states now presents a serious threat to his candidacy. And Mr. Biden’s unsteadiness appears to have opened a path in the race for other Democrats closer to the political middle, particularly Mr. Buttigieg.
Joe Blizzard (via Instagram) Some news items you might have missed: • InstaHunks: Woofy Joe Blizzard (above) looks a little too scared to venture out on Halloween, but looks just fine where he is… • LGBTQ Nation: LGBTQ members of Congress speak out on the Donald Trump impeachment resolution. • Back2Stonewall: Delta Airlines, which has scored 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI) multiple times, apparently edited out all gay references and a same-sex kiss from the Elton John biopic Rocketman. • Throwback Thursday: Camp, camp, camp – Florence Henderson performs “That Old Black Magic” on the uber-gay The Paul Lynde Halloween Special October 29, 1976.
• 2020 Battleground States: A new NY Times/Siena University poll shows voters across six important swing states support the House impeachment inquiry 52-44 percent. However, at this time, a majority of those voters (52-42) oppose removing Trump from office. • OUT: After the dismal failure that was the Boston ‘Straight Pride’ Parade, the folks behind that debacle now plan to head south to Dallas, Texas, to hold another bullsh*t anti-LGBTQ event there. • New York Times: A National Security Council aide, Timothy Morrison, testified on Thursday that a top diplomat close to Donald Trump told him that a package of military assistance for Ukraine would not be released until the country committed to investigating Trump’s political rivals, corroborating earlier impeachment inquiry testimony. • Global News: Global Calgary meteorologist Jordan Witzel showed up dressed as a mystical unicorn named Ferdinand for Halloween 2019, and no one on set could stop laughing as he tried to report the weather in his magical ensemble.
In this week’s podcast: • A young man standing outside a gay nightclub in North Carolina was shot leaving him paralyzed, and people all over the world come together to help with his recovery. Crowdfunding link: www.gofundme.com/f/hope-for-pedro • A new report shows LGBTQ discrimination costs Jamaica over $11 billion a year • A lawmaker won her bid to become the first female and first LGBTQ mayor of Bogota in Colombia, considered the second most important office in the country after the president • On the 5th anniversary of his public coming out, Apple CEO Tim Cook has no regrets • Award-winning writer/director Sebastian LaCause has a new indie film project – ‘Holy Water.’ Video pitch link: kck.st/35n6y2s Hustling trailer link: youtu.be/MWhbQ3nBDjU All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report
Lawrence VanDyke (screen capture) Donald Trump’s judicial nominee for a post on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals was reduced to sobbing during a confirmation hearing on Wednesday when he was questioned about his past positions regarding LGBTQ people. Lawrence VanDyke, who currently serves as a deputy assistant attorney general at the Department of Justice, turned red in the face as a letter from the American Bar Association was read which concluded he was “not qualified” for the bench, according to CNN. Based on interviews with 60 judges and lawyers who had worked with VanDyke, the ABA’s letter concluded he could not treat LGBTQ litigants fairly. “Some interviewees raised concerns about whether Mr. VanDyke would be fair to persons who are gay, lesbian, or otherwise part of the LGBTQ community,” the letter read. “Mr. VanDyke would not say affirmatively that he would be fair to any litigant before him, notably members of the LGBTQ community.” VanDyke rejected the notion that he wouldn’t treat LGBTQ people fairly. “I do not believe that,” VanDyke told the Senate Judiciary Committee members. “It is a fundamental belief of mine that all people are created in the image of God,” adding, “they should all be treated with dignity and respect.”
“It is a fundamental belief of mine that all people are created in the image of God, and they should all be treated with dignity and respect.”
VanDyke is now crying when asked about his unfairness to LGBTQ people, saying all people should be treated with dignity and respect.
Does he regret his longtime affiliation with the anti-LGBTQ hate group Alliance Defending Freedom or his arguments in favor of discrimination?? — Zack Ford (@ZackFord) October 30, 2019
The ABA also wrote that VanDyke was found to be “arrogant, lazy, an ideologue, and lacking in knowledge of the day-to-day practice including procedural rules.” Although VanDyke is a former solicitor general of both Nevada and Montana, the ABA felt he “lacks humility, has an ‘entitlement’ temperament, does not have an open mind, and does not always have a commitment to being candid and truthful.” VanDyke told the Senate committee he was “disappointed, shocked and hurt” when he read the ABA letter on Tuesday evening, adding that he was “still processing” it. He also made mention that the lead evaluator of the ABA’s committee had donated to one of his political opponents in the past. What he didn’t include was that the $150 donation occurred five years ago, and the evaluator recused themselves from the vote that found him to be unqualified for the bench. It’s important to note that VanDyke does have a 15-year history with the virulently anti-LGBTQ legal organization, Alliance Defending Freedom. ADF has spent years attempting to link homosexuality with pedophilia, has advocated for sterilizing transgender people, and has represented individuals like anti-LGBTQ Colorado baker Jack Phillips and Washington state homophobic florist Baronelle Stutzman. In 2004, he penned a strident essay opposing same-sex marriage and argued against same-sex couples raising children. He wrote a ‘friend of the court’ brief in 2010 which argued college student groups were allowed via the First Amendment to bar LGBTQ students from membership. As Solicitor General for Montana, he joined an amicus brief in Hollingsworth v. Perry which defended his state’s ban on marriage equality in 2013. In another brief in U.S. v. Windsor, VanDyke defended the Defense of Marriage Act which blocked the federal government from recognizing any legally performed same-sex marriages. He wrote, “Opposite-sex couples are the only procreative relationships that exist, which means that such couples are the only ones the government has a need to encourage.” (source: CNN)
As we head into the Halloween holiday with all its spooky, dress-up fun for everyone, I thought this PSA (which debuted in 2017) makes for a timely #ThrowbackThursday post. Boys and girls all over the country will get excited this evening about dressing up as their favorite super-hero, comic book character or cartoon persona for Halloween. And in this day and age, some of those choices might surprise parents. This public service announcement serves as a touching blueprint for moms and dads who might feel concern as their kids go house to house on Halloween as, say, “Batman” and “Wonder Woman.” In the video, two children oversee their parents carving pumpkins with the logos of their favorite superheroes before running up to their rooms to suit up for a night of Halloween fun. The two-minute video continues as the parents dutifully follow the mighty duo as they make their way from house to house in the neighborhood. We see one neighbor thanking the tiny tots for “keeping our streets safe” as the parents watch from the curb. At the end of the clip, mom and dad tuck the kids into bed and there’s an important reveal. One of the co-writers for the spot, Alexander Day, told HuffPost at the time, “Halloween can be a time people can express themselves in a certain way and not be attacked for it.”
For those who get concerned about so-called “gender norms,” just remember – the kids are pretending no matter who or what they choose to dress as. And that goes for the adults who enjoy the holiday as well. Here’s hoping everyone has a fun and safe Halloween.
The House of Representatives approved a resolution to move forward with a public phase of the ongoing-impeachment inquiry into Donald Trump by a vote of 232-196. Two Democrats – Rep. Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02) and Rep. Collin Peterson (MN-07) – voted against the resolution. Both represent districts where Trump won in 2016. Former Republican, now Independent, Rep. Amash voted for the resolution. No Republican voted in favor of the resolution. Four House members (one Democrat, 3 Republicans) didn’t vote. From the New York Times:
The vote was 232-196 to approve a resolution that sets out rules for an impeachment process for which there are few precedents, and which promises to consume the country a little more than a year before the 2020 elections. It was only the third time in modern history that the House had taken a vote on an impeachment inquiry into a sitting president.
Practically speaking, the resolution outlines the rights and procedures that will guide the process from here on out, including the public presentation of evidence and how Mr. Trump and his legal team will be able to eventually mount a defense.
Nancy Pelosi presided over the vote – a rare occurrence for a Speaker of the House.
The U.S. House of Representatives has voted to approve the rules for the Trump impeachment inquiry. pic.twitter.com/ga2cyO5Xje
The President’s misconduct makes today’s impeachment resolution necessary. To honor our oath to the Constitution. To honor the rule of law. To hold this President accountable. And show that nobody is above the law. Not even the President of the United States. pic.twitter.com/AYH2Gmo7Gt
Ramses Principe (image via Instagram) Some news items you might have missed: • InstaHunks: Ripped AF Ramses Principe (above) is staring down Hump Day like a Boss! • OUT: Despite the beautiful monologue by the father at the end of the coming of age film, Call Me By Your Name, author Andre Aciman says he never intended to imply Elio’s dad was gay. • Twitter: Don’t forget – Game 7 of the World Series takes place tonight. Will the Houston Astros make it their second title in three years, or will the Washington Nationals bring it home for the very first time? You know I love baseball…
• C&C: You may have heard about GoFundMe crowdfunding campaigns, but how about ‘ComeF*ckMe’ fundraising? A Twitter user shared a screen capture of a Grindr chat inviting someone to an orgy, but there was a $50 entrance fee. Turns out the event was to raise money to help the families of two victims of a shooting incident pay funeral costs. #ok… • NPR: New numbers from the Commerce Department show the economy lost steam during the summer and early fall. GDP, the broadest measure of economic activity, grew at an annual rate of just 1.9% during the third quarter. That’s a deceleration from the lackluster second quarter when GDP grew at a 2% pace. • Morning Consult: As the primary season edges closer and closer, the lead many Democratic White House hopefuls held over Donald Trump in hypothetical match-ups is tightening according to Morning Consult polling. (image via Morning Consult)
Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey (cropped image via Flickr/cellanr – CC License) Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey announced today that his social media platform will soon stop all political advertising.
We’ve made the decision to stop all political advertising on Twitter globally. We believe political message reach should be earned, not bought. Why? A few reasons…🧵
We’ve made the decision to stop all political advertising on Twitter globally. We believe political message reach should be earned, not bought. Why? A few reasons…
A political message earns reach when people decide to follow an account or retweet. Paying for reach removes that decision, forcing highly optimized and targeted political messages on people. We believe this decision should not be compromised by money.
While internet advertising is incredibly powerful and very effective for commercial advertisers, that power brings significant risks to politics, where it can be used to influence votes to affect the lives of millions.
Internet political ads present entirely new challenges to civic discourse: machine learning-based optimization of messaging and micro-targeting, unchecked misleading information, and deep fakes. All at increasing velocity, sophistication, and overwhelming scale.
These challenges will affect ALL internet communication, not just political ads. Best to focus our efforts on the root problems, without the additional burden and complexity taking money brings. Trying to fix both means fixing neither well, and harms our credibility.
For instance, it‘s not credible for us to say: “We’re working hard to stop people from gaming our systems to spread misleading info, buuut if someone pays us to target and force people to see their political ad…well…they can say whatever they want! 😉”
We considered stopping only candidate ads, but issue ads present a way to circumvent. Additionally, it isn’t fair for everyone but candidates to buy ads for issues they want to push. So we’re stopping these too.
We’re well aware we‘re a small part of a much larger political advertising ecosystem. Some might argue our actions today could favor incumbents. But we have witnessed many social movements reach massive scale without any political advertising. I trust this will only grow.
In addition, we need more forward-looking political ad regulation (very difficult to do). Ad transparency requirements are progress, but not enough. The internet provides entirely new capabilities, and regulators need to think past the present day to ensure a level playing field.
We’ll share the final policy by 11/15, including a few exceptions (ads in support of voter registration will still be allowed, for instance). We’ll start enforcing our new policy on 11/22 to provide current advertisers a notice period before this change goes into effect.
A final note. This isn’t about free expression. This is about paying for reach. And paying to increase the reach of political speech has significant ramifications that today’s democratic infrastructure may not be prepared to handle. It’s worth stepping back in order to address.
Of course, the initial ‘Straight Pride Parade’ in Boston was a huge failure with only a couple hundred supporters showing up. The parade-goers were actually outnumbered by 1,000+ pro-LGBTQ counter-protesters. And then there’s the Modesto, California, ‘Straight Pride’ event that flopped bigly in August drawing only about 20 attendees. As in Boston, they were outnumbered by hundreds of counter-protesters. Those folks couldn’t get a permit to hold their rally in a city park, so they did their thing in front of a Planned Parenthood. #EpicFail (source: Facebook)
The two-minute video continues as the parents dutifully follow the mighty duo as they make their way from house to house in the neighborhood. We see one neighbor thanking the tiny tots for “keeping our streets safe” as the parents watch from the curb. At the end of the clip, mom and dad tuck the kids into bed and there’s an important reveal. One of the co-writers for the spot, Alexander Day, told 
