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Playlist: Pride Music 2019

Throughout this past month, I've been sharing music from out artists that I not only really like, but feel have some message for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Stonewall.

Throughout this past month, I’ve been sharing music from out artists that I not only really like, but feel have some message for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Stonewall. Whether it’s a message of acceptance, self-love or personal pride, I posted these as a musical tribute to the month and our community. You can also find them by searching The Randy Report for ‘Pride Music.’ Thanks for an amazing Pride Month everyone! As we close out Pride Month 2019, here’s this year’s playlist:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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NYC High School Valedictorian Comes Out In Graduation Speech To Cheers

New York City high school valedictorian Mason Bleu came out as bisexual during his graduation speech to cheers from the crowd.

“I want to remind all of you to always be proud but to always remain humble,” the teen told the audience. “I’ve struggled to be proud of something all my life. Since I’m preaching about being proud today, it’d be hypocritical of me to continue hiding. I’m not someone who likes getting emotional so saying this is extremely personal and hard.”

“For a long time, I have struggled with my sexuality,” he continued. “I’ve dodged it and ignored it because I wasn’t proud of who I am. But today I’m changing that. I’m proud to be a bisexual man.”

And the crowd goes wild!

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Trump Crosses Demilitarized Zone Into North Korea

In a moment that clearly thrilled North Korea's President Kim Jong-un, Donald Trump stepped across the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea for a photo opp that elevated the ruthless dictator in world standing.
North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump

In a moment that clearly thrilled North Korea’s President Kim Jong-un, Donald Trump stepped across the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea for a photo opp that elevated the ruthless dictator in world standing.

From the New York Times:

Greeted by a beaming Mr. Kim, the president stepped across a low concrete border marker at 3:46 p.m. local time and walked 20 paces to the base of a building on the North Korean side for an unprecedented, camera-friendly demonstration of friendship intended to revitalize stalled talks.

“It is good to see you again,” an exuberant Mr. Kim told the president through an interpreter. “I never expected to meet you in this place.”

“Big moment, big moment,” Mr. Trump told him.

After about a minute on officially hostile territory, Mr. Trump escorted Mr. Kim back over the line into South Korea, where the two briefly addressed a scrum of journalists before slipping inside the building known as Freedom House for a private conversation along with President Moon Jae-in of South Korea. Mr. Trump said he would invite Mr. Kim to visit him at the White House.

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Video: Watch NYC Pride Parade Live

A month of festivities culminates Sunday with the New York City Pride March, the biggest Pride celebration in the world.

The march begins at noon ET and is expected to draw millions of spectators. It will feature 677 contingents including community groups, major corporations and cast members from the acclaimed FX series, Pose.

You can watch ABC7’s YouTube live coverage of the parade below or by heading over their website at abc7NY.com

Organizers say they expect 150,000 people to march along the route that begins in the Flatiron District.

UPDATE: So, the livestream didn’t stay up once ABC7 ended their amazing four hours of coverage, but you can checkout highlights here.

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Pride & Pageantry On Display At Stonewall 50 Commemoration

The crowd at the Stonewall 50 Commemoration Rally (image via Twitter/NYCPride)

By Lawrence Pfeil, Jr.

Steps away from “where pride began,” World Pride hosted the “Stonewall 50 Commemoration Rally” before an audience filling both Christopher and Grove Streets to capacity around Sheridan Square.

Marking the first night of the Stonewall Uprising, it was a historic event in World Pride’s impressive spectrum of attractions for visitors gathered from around the world as one to celebrate Community.

Starting off the proceeding with a true international flare was Fogo Azul, an all-woman Brazilian samba reggae drumline entering before the crowd in attendance quickly turning the summer night into a hot street dance.

New York City Mayor, Bill de Blasio welcomed Pride visitors to the city and paid tribute to the Stonewall veterans who were the reason for the evenings gathering. Along with current Stonewall Inn owner, Stacy Lentz, the Mayor called those who rose up fifty years ago to the stage presenting them with a Mayoral proclamation declaring, June 28, 2019 as “Stonewall Day.”

Mayor Bill de Blasio (L) presents “Stonewall Day” proclamation
(photos: Lawrence Pfeil Jr)

Drag trio Stephanie’s Child took to the stage for a performance and served as mistresses of ceremonies for the night welcoming a roster of LGBT+ notables who have gotten the Community to today and continue to fight for equality, civil rights and justice throughout the world.

Stephanie’s Child

Notable among the speakers was Barbara Poma, owner of Pulse nightclub and founder of onePULSE Foundation.

Poma give a stirring speech recounting her son’s journey of coming out as a gay man and losing him to AIDS when he was only 28 years old. Through her son she learned the importance of “safe spaces” for LGBT+ people like nightclubs where they can gather and be themselves.

Barbara Poma (at podium)

In spite of the horrific tragedy of mass murder, hate crime at her own ‘safe space,’ Poma noted how the conversation about the safety of Black and Brown LGBTs has been elevated and needs to continue as they are disproportionately affected by hate crimes.

Considering all the people of color present when police raided the Stonewall Inn, maybe we haven’t come as far we’d like to be believe.

More photos from the event.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

Rep. Jerrold Nadler

A blessing of unicorns

And some eye-candy in the crowd was nice, too 🙂
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Pride Music: Wrabel “The Village”

In August 2017, out musician Wrabel released his powerful music video for "The Village" as a sign of solidarity with the transgender community in the aftermath of Donald Trump's 'out of nowhere' decision to ban trans military service members.

In August 2017, out musician Wrabel released his powerful music video for “The Village” as a sign of solidarity with the transgender community in the aftermath of Donald Trump’s ‘out of nowhere’ decision to ban trans military service members.

Beginning with this quote, “In nature, a flock will attack any bird that is more colorful than the others because being different is seen as a threat,” the video follows a young transgender man’s journey into self-acceptance.

Wrabel sent this message to the LGBTQ community via social media over the weekend:

“To anyone that feels like an outsider, the problem isn’t you, it’s the village. I don’t know how else to raise my voice than in a song. And so, I wrote a song for you. #transrightsarehumanrights #thevillage”

The mournful tune focuses on issues of isolation that arise with the exploration of one’s sexuality and identity.

The lyrics urge the listener to remember there is nothing wrong with them. The issue is with those who treat them differently.

Watch below.

At the time of the video’s release, Wrabel tweeted:

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NYC: Lady Gaga Makes Surprise Appearance At Stonewall Day Concert

International pop star and LGBTQ ally Lady Gaga made a surprise appearance at Pride Live’s Stonewall Day Concert on Friday afternoon.
(Photo: Tim Soter for Pride Live)

International pop star and LGBTQ ally Lady Gaga made a surprise appearance at Pride Live’s Stonewall Day Concert on Friday afternoon.

Taking the stage in front of thousands of celebrants from around the world who gathered for WorldPride and the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, Gaga told the exuberant crowd, “Happy 50th anniversary of Stonewall! This is a historic day. You should be so, so proud of yourself.”

Continuing, she said:

“Look around you. Look at what you have done. You are the definition of courage, do you know that? … This community has fought, and continued to fight, a war of acceptance, a war of tolerance — and the most relentless bravery.”

“You are the definition of courage, do you know that? This is a celebration of all of you in every single way. I really, really hope you celebrate every inch of who you are today.”

Also appearing at the event were Alicia Keys, who performed Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors,” Bob the Drag Queen, Wilson Cruz, Whoopi Goldberg, Chelsea Clinton, Donatella Versace, Geena Rocera, and Mayor Bill de Blasio.

The entire event was live-streamed, and you can watch the full video here.

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InstaHunk Round-Up: June 29, 2019

First up, Bremen Menelli and bf Nick (above) are already getting their pride on as WorldPride takes over New York City. Ooh, ooh, I want a ride! Me next! Me next!

Catching up with our favorite InstaHunks this weekend. First up, Bremen Menelli and bf Nick (above) are already getting their pride on as WorldPride takes over New York City. Ooh, ooh, I want a ride! Me next! Me next! Eliad Cohen is putting the ‘sin’ in Sin City,  my hometown of Las Vegas: https://www.instagram.com/p/BzOE0JqAfN3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Thara loves a good post-workout selfie (and we’re not complaining): https://www.instagram.com/p/BzNziyflkbL/

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Poll: Large Majority Of LGBTQ Americans Say Sex Work Should Be Legal

Whitman Insight Strategies and BuzzFeed News surveyed LGBTQ Americans to get their thoughts on a range of issues.

Whitman Insight Strategies and BuzzFeed News surveyed LGBTQ Americans to get their thoughts on a range of issues.

Just some of the results:

• 87% believe Mayor Pete Buttigieg will face anti-gay bias in his run for the White House.

• 62% say they would vote for Buttigieg in a hypothetical head-to-head matchup with Donald Trump, while former Vice President Joe Biden would garner 68% support in a race with Trump; Sen. Bernie Sanders got the highest support with 72% saying they would give him their vote if he faced Trump in the general election.

• 83% say sex work between consenting adults should be legal.

• 55% agreed that the Democratic nominee must be a woman, person of color, or identify as LGBTQ versus 45% who disagreed.

• 60% feel it’s not acceptable to out a closeted politician who supports anti-LGBTQ policies, 40% agree with me that it’s ok.

Click over to Buzzfeed for more details from the poll.