News Round-Up: March 26, 2020

Max Emerson and friend (photo: Charlie Nunn)
Some news items you might have missed: • InstaHunks: Cutie Max Emerson (above) offers this important public service announcement – “If you foster a doggo you don’t have to quarantine alone. Shelters need your help now more than ever, so if you’re one of the lucky people still financially stable please consider it.”The Gaily Grind: A “traveling musical minister” who dismissed the COVID-19 threat as “mass hysteria” has just died from complications due to the virus. • Washington Blade: A cadre of 17 senators — including six former presidential hopefuls and one current candidate — are calling on the Food & Drug Administration to take another look at the ban prohibiting gay and bisexual men from donating blood amid the coronavirus crisis. • New Music: Pop sensation 5 Seconds of Summer drops their latest single, “Wildflower,” an 80s-inspired, upbeat power-pop bop. The band says they left out words from the chorus so that people can “make the chorus kind of a choose-your-own-adventure. Expect to hear “WildFlower” all over the place this spring and summer.

Deadline: NBC has set 9 p.m. Thursday, April 23, for the series finale of Will & Grace and will precede it with a half-hour retrospective special hosted by Eric McCormack. The special will chronicle the series’ guest stars and its history-making moments from over the years, including the first male-to-male kiss on network television. Elton John and Norman Lear also will appear. • NewNowNext: In addition to her Las Vegas shows being postponed due to the coronavirus threat, Lady Gaga has announced she will also delay the release of her upcoming album, Chromatica, as well. “While I believe art is one of the strongest things we have to provide joy and healing to each other during times like this, it just doesn’t feel right to me to release this album with all that is going on during this global pandemic.” • Advocate: The gays asked for it, and #BeardEdgeEdge is here. During an Instagram Live session on Wednesday with Dr. Dara Krass, former Mayor Pete Buttigieg was looking pretty fur-tastic.

News Round-Up: January 7, 2016

Some news items you may have missed:

• Caitlyn Jenner on being a spokesperson for the transgender community: “The media has kind of labeled me as the spokesperson for the trans community. That is not the case. I am only a spokesperson for my own journey. After that, I know nothing. Am I learning a lot? Absolutely. I’m just trying to do my best, that’s all.”

• Did GOP White House hopeful Marco Rubio use his influence as an elected official in Florida to get his brother-in-law a real estate license after being convicted on $15 million cocaine bust?

• Looks like North Korea may have just tested an H-Bomb.

• President Obama says the NRA used to support expanded background checks for gun buyers. And PolitiFact says he’s right.

• A court in China has agreed to take up a lawsuit for same-sex marriage rights.

• Adam Lambert is the “Top Earning” American Idol alum for 2015. Guess who he beat out?

• Federal prosecutors have “grave concerns” over Alabama State Chief Justice Roy Moore’s attempt to stop marriage equality in the state.

• Sen. Rand Paul says fellow GOP White House hopeful Sen. Ted Cruz is definitely qualified to be Prime Minister of Canada.

• And finally, did you catch current “hottest boy band” 5 Seconds Of Summer cover Rolling Stones Magazine in the buff?