LGBTQ news and entertainment
Eric Dane, best known for his role as “Dr. Mark Sloan” aka “McSteamy” on the hit drama Grey’s Anatomy, has died of ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
His passing comes less than a year after he shared his diagnosis with the world. He was 53. Continue reading ““Grey’s Anatomy” Star Eric Dane Dies At 53 Of ALS”
I’ve been a fan of NBC The Voice runner-up (Season 21) Wendy Moten going back to her spectacular 1992 hit “Come On In Out Of the Rain.” Now, Moten has teamed up with international recording artist Cosimo Lizzi to record a new single to make a difference in the lives affected by ALS including Grammy winner Roberta Flack. Continue reading “New Music: Wendy Moten & Cosimo Lizzi ‘The Closer I Get To You’”
We’ve seen the naked picture, but now – as promised – out singer/songwriter Steve Grand makes good on his promise of video footage of his naked Lake Superior “ALS Plunge.”
We don’t get to see much, but we do get a full minute of Mr. Grand addressing us in the buff.
In addition to ALS, I chose to donate to two other charities I feel passionate about. I encourage everyone out there to find a cause you are passionate about, do your research, and donate according to your means. Remember, numerous little donations are what make the biggest differences!
The Water Project (thewaterproject.org) is another charity I feel passionate about, as there are nearly 1 billion people in the developing world that do not have access to clean, safe, drinking water.
The Night Ministry – The Crib, is one of the charities I chose to donate to. LGBT youth are disproportionately affected by homelessness. Some studies show as many as 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBT. The Night Ministry – The Crib, is a local, Chicago emergency overnight shelter that accepts 20 youth a night.
And don’t forget you can donate to ALS by clicking here.
She said we’d never see her in a wet t-shirt but here she is, and she’s as charming as ever.
When asked if she wanted to take off her shoes first, she replies “No, my shoes are plastic. But then again, so’s the rest of me.”
What a great sport. Donate to the ALS by clicking here.
And make sure you check out Dolly’s latest album, “Blue Smoke,” by clicking here.
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| Jose Cofino (L) and partner Ben Trust (R) |
With so much attention being brought to ALS through the many “Ice Bucket Challenges,” Frontiers has profiled Jose Cofino — founder of BeyondALS and how he and his partner Ben are facing ALS together.
ALS has no treatment or cure. And only 20% of ALS cases are traced back through a hereditary link. No one knows what causes the other 80% of cases.
My partner of 16 years, Ben Trust and I figured we would live a long life together. We were both healthy, regulars at the gym, and also loved to hike. We ate the right things and used sunscreen. As with many in the gay community, the way we looked was important. Then, slowly, I began to have cramping in my legs and abs, and twitching in my arms and legs. I thought nothing of it until after two days of hiking and bike riding, I collapsed when I got off my bike.
Several visits to neurologists, including two visits to the Mayo clinic, revealed the truth we were dreading – I was diagnosed with ALS. Ben and I were devastated. In an instant everything changed and little made sense. We didn’t know much about the disease, just as most people prior to the phenomenon of social media ice bucket challenges didn’t. Quickly, we learned it leads to death, on average, in three to five years.
ALS has no real treatment, and no cure. There is not even a definitive test for it. While research has continued and some progress has been made, 75 years after the death of the baseball player that bears its name, Lou Gehrig’s Disease continues to be a killer.
Read the whole essay by Jose at Frontiers.
And head over to BeyondALS – founded by José Cofiño and his partner Ben Trust – which works to raise awareness about ALS and funding for research to find a solution for it.
Anthony Carbajal shares his ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, and then his reason for doing the challenge.
The video starts right after his challenge – rewind if you’d like to see it. His story is the truly compelling factor in why we need to bring awareness to this hideous disease.
Watch.
The Archdiocese of Cincinnati says it doesn’t have an issue with the ice bucket challenge that’s currently raising millions for ALS research.
The problem is the organization that’s receiving the funds:
“The beneficiary of the ice-bucket challenge funds a study using embryonic stem cells, which can only be obtained by destroying embryonic life. For that reason, we have determined that our schools should not raise money for the ALS Association, and should instead – if they wish – donate to another organization doing ALS research,” the Archdiocese wrote in a prepared statement.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a disease that leaves the victim’s mind unaffected, but attacks the nervous system leaving the victim unable to move.
Participants in the ice-bucket challenge film themselves pouring buckets of ice water over their head, post the video to social media websites and challenge others to do the same, or to donate money to the ALS Association. Over $31 million has been raised in recent weeks since the viral craze began.
I love all the attention being brought to ALS by the Ice Bucket Challenges, but you’ve got to give it to rock band Foo Fighters.
I won’t spoil the fun, but your hint here are the three celebs they pass the challenge on to: Jack Black, John Travolta and Stephen King.
FTW!
And by the way – for all you folks pouring ice water and doing videos, remember the point is to bring awareness and raise funds for ALS. Here’s the link to donate.
Hunky and handsome out Pennsylvania legislator Brian Sims posts his recent video taking part in the “ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.” I think we’re all a little disappointed that Brian chose to wear clothes, but admire him for bringing attention to ALS.
About the “Ice Bucket Challenge:”
As a part of the so-called “ice bucket challenge,” started by a Massachusetts resident who has lived with ALS since 2012 to raise awareness for the disease, after posting their own ice-bucket videos, participants nominate others to get drenched via social media to keep the cycle going. If those challenged don’t accept, or fail to post their video within 24-hours, they must donate cash to ALS research.
Every 90 minutes someone is diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, a devastating neuromuscular disease for which there is no effective treatment or cure. ALS impacts the brain and spinal chord, causing progressive paralysis.
For more info about ALS and to donate, click here.