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Trump Demands Everyone At NY Times Resign

Responding to new reports regarding the college behavior of Supreme Court Justice Brett ‘Skippy’ Kavanaugh by the New York Times, Donald Trump called for “the resignation of everybody at the New York Times” involved in the reporting. He has lost his mind.

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Arizona Supreme Court: Anti-LGBTQ Design Firm Can Discriminate Against Same-Sex Couples

The Arizona State Supreme Court has ruled Phoenix-based company Brush & Nib, which designs custom wedding invitations, may turn away same-sex couples looking to engage their services. According to the Phoenix New Times, the owners of the design studio, Breanna Koski and Joanna Duka (pictured above), filed their lawsuit against the city of Phoenix in 2016 saying the city’s anti-discrimination ordinance violated their artistic and religious freedoms. The ordinance, which prohibits businesses from refusing to offer services to protected classes, was expanded in 2013 to include sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. After the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its historic Obergefell ruling on same-sex marriage in June 2015, Koski and Duka said they didn’t want to design wedding invitations – or any custom art for that matter – for a same-sex ceremony because they believed it would be seen as an ‘endorsement’ of marriage equality. It’s important to note that no one had asked Brush & Nib to design any wedding invitations for a same-sex wedding. The duo seems to have preemptively pursued legal action before there was a reason to do so. Today’s ruling reverses multiple previous decisions against the business owners. After losing in the Maricopa County Superior Court, the business owners went to the state Court of Appeals and lost there as well. Writing for the majority in today’s 4-3 decision, Justice Andrew Gould said:

“The rights of free speech and free exercise, so precious to this nation since its founding, are not limited to soft murmurings behind the doors of a person’s home or church, or private conversations with like-minded friends and family. These guarantees protect the right of every American to express their beliefs in public. This includes the right to create and sell words, paintings, and art that express a person’s sincere religious beliefs.“

The women’s lawyer, Jonathan Scruggs with the virulently anti-LGBTQ law firm Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), told reporters his firm hopes to see the issue make it’s way to the U.S. Supreme Court. ADF also represented Colorado baker Jack Phillips in his case where he refused to bake a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. In 2018, SCOTUS handed down a narrow ruling in Phillips’ favor saying the Colorado Civil Rights Commission had allowed religious bias to come into play in finding the baker discriminated against the couple even though state law clearly bans discrimination based on sexual orientation. Some LGBTQ activists, like Joe Jervis of JoeMyGod, have publicly speculated whether ADF created Brush & Nib as a means to challenge the Phoenix city ordinance. Prior to the filing of the original lawsuit, the company didn’t appear to have a physical address, the artists’ social media accounts had only recently been created, and the company’s YouTube channel only had one introductory video posted and it was marked ‘unlisted.’ Things that make you go hmm… The city of Phoenix issued a statement regarding today’s ruling, pointing out the decision does not strike down the local ordinance:

“The city of Phoenix’s anti-discrimination ordinance is still a legal, valid law and remains in effect. It currently affirms that everyone should be treated fairly and equally regardless of sexual orientation, race, religion, sex, gender or disability. On September 16, 2019, the Arizona Supreme Court made a very narrow ruling that one local business has the right to refuse to make custom wedding invitations for same-sex couples’ weddings that are similar to the designer’s previous products. This ruling does not apply to any other business in Phoenix. The city of Phoenix has had an anti-discrimination ordinance since 1964 to protect all residents and believes that everyone should be treated equally.”

Congressman Greg Stanton, who served as mayor of Phoenix when the city’s ordinance was expanded, issued a statement as well calling the decision “a shameful day for Arizona.” Noting that the ruling will “hurt real people,” Stanton said the message of the decision sends a message “that discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation is still acceptable by some state leaders.”

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Manhattan District Attorney Subpoenaed 8 Years Of Trump Tax Returns

As part of an investigation into the alleged hush money payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels by Donald Trump, the District Attorney of Manhattan has subpoenaed 8 years of personal and corporate income tax returns by the Donald. From the New York Times:

The subpoena opens a new front in a wide-ranging effort to obtain copies of the president’s tax returns, which Mr. Trump initially said he would make public during the 2016 campaign but has since refused to disclose.

The subpoena was issued by the Manhattan district attorney’s office late last month, soon after it opened a criminal investigation into the role that the president and his family business played in hush-money payments made in the run-up to the election.

Both Mr. Trump and his company reimbursed Michael D. Cohen, the president’s former lawyer and fixer, for money Mr. Cohen paid to buy the silence of Stormy Daniels, a pornographic film actress who said she had an affair with Mr. Trump. The president has denied the affair.

(lead image via Flickr/WhiteHouse – public domain)

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Gareth Thomas & Prince Harry Will Team Up To Combat HIV Stigma

After coming out as HIV-positive this weekend via a video message on Twitter, rugby legend Gareth Thomas has received an outpouring of support from not only fans but the royal family. In the video, Thomas shared that had been diagnosed with HIV some years ago but was coming out now after an unnamed tabloid threatened to ‘blackmail’ him about his status. The 45-year-old athlete feared “people would treat me like a leper because of a lack of knowledge,” he told the Sunday Mirror. The rugby icon said by coming out as HIV-positive, he hopes to educate others and break the stigma associated with being positive. He’s already received encouragement from both Princes Harry and William, who shared their support via social media. On the Instagram account for SussexRoyal, Prince Harry shared Thomas’ HIV message and praised the athlete for his strength, resiliency, and courage. “Gareth, you are an absolute legend!,” read the post which was signed ‘H’ for Harry. “In sharing your story of being HIV+, you are saving lives and shattering stigma, by showing you can be strong and resilient while living with HIV. We should all be appalled by the way you were forced to speak your truth, it is yours and yours alone to share on your terms and I and millions stand with you.” https://www.instagram.com/p/B2cVIyhF0GG/ Prince William responded on the KensingtonRoyal Instagram account with the message, “Courageous as ever – legend on the pitch and legend off it. You have our support Gareth.” The missive was signed ‘W’ for Prince William. https://www.instagram.com/p/B2bjhbsFqHH/ The former Celebrity Big Brother star has now announced that he will collaborate with Prince Harry to address the stigma associated with HIV. “Like me, Prince Harry wants to break the stigma around HIV and he has already done a lot of great work,” Thomas told the Sunday Mirror. “We are planning to work together now.” He added, “To do something with him will be really powerful.” Prince Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, was a trailblazer during the early days of the HIV epidemic promoting awareness on the condition. She was credited with changing people’s attitudes about the disease when she was photographed shaking hands with a patient during a visit to the UK’s first AIDS clinic. “Quite often I look at that photo of Diana at the clinic next to those frail-looking men and then I look at a photo of myself out on my bike and it motivates me because I can see how things have changed and advanced,” Thomas told the Mirror. He added, “It also makes me realise how lucky I am because I see what it was like for them and I know 30 years ago that could have been me.” Thomas also shared he’s received calls from other UK luminaries like Elton John. The rugby star said he had to pull off the road when he got the call from the music legend. “He said, ‘What you are doing is a brilliant thing,’” said Thomas. “It’s really brave of you. I’ll support you all the way.” Others expressing their support include actress Samantha Womack and Andy Bell, lead singer of Erasure. Demonstrating the strength of his health (Thomas shared in his message that his viral load is undetectable), the ITV sportscaster followed his coming out by participating in an Iron Man event in Tenby just hours after his announcement. He finished the grueling athletic event in 12 hours, 18 minutes and 29 seconds, coming in 413th out of 2,039 participants.

(lead images via GarethThomasOfficial and SussexRoyal Instagram accounts)

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Pulse Nightclub Survivors Host ‘Ex-Gay’ Rally In Orlando

Over the weekend, two survivors of the deadly Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, hosted a rally promising ‘deliverance to the LGBTQ community through religion.’ According to the Orlando Sentinel, tens of people gathered at the rainbow amphitheater at Lake Eola Park. Members of the group Changed Movement told the attendees that they have “chosen identity in Christ” over being homosexual. The rally, which was staged much like a religious service, included testimonials from members who say they left the LGBTQ ‘lifestyle’ after finding religion. Among them were Luis Javier Ruiz, 36, (above) and Angel Colon, 29, who survived the Pulse massacre on June 12, 2016, which left 49 dead and 53 more injured. Since the deadly shooting, the two say they have become heterosexual through religion. After healing from their injuries, the two founded Fearless Identity, a religious ministry which, according to the official website, promises to bring “hope and understanding to the LGBTQ community and the church through education, biblical clarity, and support in a judgement free environment for those seeking the option to change.” The duo promise, however, that the ‘option to change’ is not about so-called conversion therapy. Ruiz made a point of underscoring that message at the rally on Saturday telling those gathered, “I want to make a public declaration: This is not conversion therapy, this is not electrotherapy, this is not shock therapy.” “This is all the Holy Spirit, this is the man that died on the cross,” he continued. “This man never cheated on me, never slept with my best friend. He’s the man on the cross.”

Prior to the so-called ‘Freedom March,’ LGBTQ advocates in Orange County called for a statewide ban on conversion therapy. Brandon Wolf, another survivor of the Pulse Nightclub shooting and an LGBTQ advocate, attended a county commission meeting last week asking his local leaders to “take a stand against conversion therapy.” And Wayne Besen, of Truth Wins Out, which works to expose conversion therapy and the ‘ex-gay myth,’ interviewed Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan who shared her own painful experience with conversion therapy.

“I knew I was attracted to women, but I thought I could pray the gay away,” said Sheehan, the first openly gay elected official in central Florida. Sheehan told Besen that, as a teen, she attended a church that promoted ‘ex-gay’ therapy During meetings with the group, Sheehan was promised that an orange mucous was going to “emanate from me as the demon of homosexuality left my body.” Sheehan told Truth Wins Out her message to people considering taking part in an ‘ex-gay’ ministry program is to “get some counseling outside of the church and really get a handle on where you are at, because I think they will take advantage of you, they will make you dependent and they will not do what’s in your best interest.”

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Jealous Much? Trump Rants About Obama’s Netflix Deal

Monday morning and Donald Trump is on yet another Twitter rant about Barack Obama. Claiming the Democrats had ‘failed’ to find any dirt on him via the Mueller report or Mueller’s congressional testimony, the Donald attempted to deflect his own possible misconduct by pointing to the deal announced between streaming giant Netflix and Barack Obama. “House Judiciary has given up on the Mueller Report, sadly for them after two years and $40,000,000 spent – ZERO COLLUSION, ZERO OBSTRUCTION,” wrote the Trumpster. “So they say, OK, lets look at everything else, and all of the deals that “Trump” has done over his lifetime. But it doesn’t….work that way. I have a better idea. Look at the Obama Book Deal, or the ridiculous Netflix deal. Then look at all the deals made by the Dems in Congress, the ‘Congressional Slush Fund,’ and lastly the IG Reports. Take a look at them. Those investigations would be over FAST!”

Meanwhile, as of yesterday, the president has spent 232 days at a Trump golf club and 300 days at a Trump property since taking office. Every time he visits his properties, the business makes money because of the costs associated with coping with the secret service, etc…

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Sunday Slowdown: Blondie ‘The Tide Is High’

Running some errands with hot hubby Michael today, I heard this on the music system at one of the stores we visited and I found it impossible not to bop down the aisle. Originally performed by the Jamaican group The Paragons, the song didn’t become a hit until Blondie covered the tune in 1980 for their Autoamerican album and took it all the way to number one, becoming an international sensation. Who can’t groove to this? Happy Sunday, folks.

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Hunky Simon Dunn: Instagram Life Isn’t ‘Always What It Seems’

Simon Dunn offers a candid take on how Instagram life doesn't always represent real life Rugby player and former Australian National Bobsleigh team member, Simon Dunn (above), recently offered a candid and personal message on Instagram where he basically broke down some of the myths of ‘Insta-life.’ “The online persona I show you is all photoshoots, parties and magazine covers,” began Dunn. And in truth, scrolling through his Instagram feed, viewers are treated to a long list of outtakes from photoshoots and magazine covers like his recent DNA Magazine cover. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwy0XUpBOnT/ https://www.instagram.com/p/B1oDfighXWe/ But the woofy Mr. Dunn felt he needed to make a confession, adding, “This hasn’t always been entirely the truth.” “Earlier this year, I found myself back in Australia, living in a country town in my mother’s spare room and financially broke,” shared the 32-year-old athlete. “Having to rebuild my life at the time felt like a monumental task. I honestly didn’t think I could do it.” In the face of his financial and emotional adversity, Dunn admits he stopped taking care of himself, “drinking most weekends away,” and felt he’d hit a low point in his life. “Only weeks earlier I was living in London with my partner, running my own business, attending every party I was invited to, appearing in countless photoshoots and magazines,” he wrote. “Before this I was in North America representing Australia in bobsleigh, training and competing, whilst getting flown to media gigs and appearances all around the world.” After publicly living his passion for showing the world that out and proud athletes exist, Dunn says he felt he’d failed and “let so many people down.” The adventures of the past few years, says Dunn, “felt all but a distant memory.” So he decided to post a photo that represents “the real me – someone who, like everyone else, has obstacles they need to overcome.” Dunn says being able to post the photo now represents his own “little victory,” and that he’s found his passion for life again as he looks to the next adventure.” “The Simon you see online is the Simon I want you to see, may it be my pride or the influence of social media, but it’s not always as it seems,” he wrote in closing. “Life is a series of ups and downs, just remember – there’s always light at the end of the tunnel no matter how dark it may seem!” Here’s the full post via Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/B2E0bdVhGcX/ On Twitter, Dunn followed up writing, “My online persona is the image I want the world to see. Abs, photoshoots, parties, success, etc. I questioned posting this picture as it didn’t fit within my ‘story.’ Remember we all go through our own battles in life outside of what we show the world online. Myself included!”

Dunn’s message is reminiscent of another social media celebrity, Arrow/Teen Wolf star Colton Haynes, who last month also penned an essay admitting Instagram lives are rarely the true measure of reality. In his post on August 18, Haynes shared a photo from a past hospital stay telling his followers he no longer wanted to “project a curated life.” https://www.instagram.com/p/B1UraJTnqCU/ As a fan of social media myself, I know I follow certain accounts for the eye-candy factor, or the imagery coupled with inspirational quotes. But it is refreshing, every now and then, for these folks  – who sometimes seem straight out of The Lives of the Rich and Famous– to let down their guard and relate to their hundreds of thousands of followers as regular human beings. And by the way, while Dunn may have felt ‘less than’ his curated Instagram image in the photo he chose to share – sans razor-sharp abs and photoshoot lighting – I think he looks pretty hot. Which just goes to show how living for that ‘Insta-image’ might skew exactly how we see that ‘man in the mirror.’

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Rugby Legend Gareth Thomas Comes Out As HIV+

In a candid video message shared via social media, rugby legend Gareth Thomas (above) has revealed that he is HIV-positive. Thomas, who came out publicly as gay in 2009 and retired from the sport in 2011, made the announcement Saturday in a video posted on Twitter. As part of his message, he shared he was making the announcement now because he was ‘being blackmailed’ over his status. “I want to share my secret with you,” the former Wales rugby star shares in the video message. “Why? Because it’s mine to tell you. Not the evils that make my life hell by threatening to tell you before I do. And because I believe in you and I trust you.” After pausing for a moment, the 45-year-old athlete continued, “I’m living with HIV.” “Now you have that information, that makes me extremely vulnerable, but it does not make me weak,” he added. “Now, even though I’ve been forced to tell you this, I choose to fight to educate and break the stigma around this subject. And that begins today.” “Everyone lives in fear of people’s reactions and opinions to something about them, but that doesn’t mean we should have to hide,” concluded the rugby icon. “But to do this I really, really need your support.”

The former Celebrity Big Brother star told the Sunday Mirror that even though he’d been living with his secret for years, he made the decision to come out as HIV+ now because “I was being blackmailed, and in my mind you only get blackmailed for something really bad, which compounded the feeling of shame.” Thomas didn’t name the outlet threatening to out his status. Explaining that living with the secret has worn heavily on him, he shared his concerns that “people would judge me and treat me like a leper because of a lack of knowledge.” “I was in a dark place, feeling suicidal,” he added. “I  thought about driving off a cliff.” Thomas gives credit to a strong support system around him, including his husband who he married in 2016 after discovering he was HIV-positive. After years of taking antiretroviral medications, he says his viral load is undetectable, making the possibility of passing on the virus to others practically zero. “Many people live in fear and shame of having HIV, but I refuse to be one of them now,” Thomas says. “We need to break the stigma once and for all. I’m speaking out because I want to help others and make a difference.” Today, Thomas works as an ITV pundit for the Rugby World Cup, and is planning on competing today in the Wales Ironman event. “I’m fitter now than when I played rugby and I didn’t have HIV then,” he says. “I’m not just all right, I’m better than all right.” In November 2018, Thomas was the victim of a gay-bashing incident in his hometown. In lieu of pressing charges, the sports icon instead asked for an apology. The reaction on social media has been overwhelmingly positive, including a message from Prince William via the Kensington Palace Twitter account.

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RuPaul Wins 4th Consecutive Emmy Award For ‘Outstanding Host’

For the fourth year in a row, RuPaul has snatched up the Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program. From the Hollywood Reporter:

Backstage, RuPaul explained he was “having a hard time putting words together,” but he ultimately expressed his gratitude for the win and the art of drag.

“I show up to work because I love drag queens, love dramatic people, love being around people who march to a different drummer,” RuPaul said.

He later added, “Drag is dangerous. Drag is not politically correct,” he said. “I know people say, ‘You’re mainstream,’ but drag will never be mainstream.”

Drag Race was up for 14 awards at this year’s ceremony. The show made history in 2018, becoming the first series to win best reality host and best reality competition program in the same year.

The show was recently renewed for a 12th season on VH1, as well as spinoff RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, which was greenlit for a fifth season.