Podcast: Captain America, Japan & Marriage Equality, The LGBTQ Tribe Takes The Call

The Randy Report podcast

The Randy Report podcast delivers the week's top stories in a quick, convenient podcast - 'the 60 Minutes of gay news - only shorter' In this week’s podcast: • Japan takes a baby step towards marriage equality • A transgender student won a large settlement in his discrimination lawsuit against a school district in Minnesota • A pharmacist came to the aid of LGBTQ seniors in Brooklyn • New polling shows strong support for the Equality Act • Marvel Comics has announced a gay Captain America on the way • And the LGBTQ tribe answers the call – link to Twitter thread here. All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report podcast

Marvel Comics Announces Gay Captain America In Time For Pride Month

Out teenager Aaron Fischer as Captain America
Out teenager Aaron Fischer as Captain America
Marvel Comics has announced plans to introduce a gay Captain America this summer as part of a limited-series honoring the 80th anniversary of the star-spangled super-hero. The 5-part series will be titled The United States of Captain America and will feature the original Cap along with Bucky Barnes, Sam Wilson and John Walker – who have all taken on the Captain America persona in the past. According to a press release, the foursome will travel the country in search of Captain America’s shield which has been stolen. Along the way, they’ll encounter local heroes, all from different walks of life, who become Captains America for their communities. In the first issue, which will debut June 2 in honor of Pride Month, readers are introduced to teenager Aaron Fischer, the Captain America of the Railways, who is gay. He is described as “a fearless teen who stepped up to protect fellow runaways and the unhoused.”
Concept design for Aaron Fischer, Captain America of the Railways
Concept design for Aaron Fischer, Captain America of the Railways
“Aaron is inspired by heroes of the queer community: activists, leaders, and everyday folks pushing for a better life,” says Joshua Trujillo, who wrote the issue. “He stands for the oppressed, and the forgotten. I hope his debut story resonates with readers, and helps inspire the next generation of heroes.” Artist Jan Bazaldua was given the job to bring the young Aaron to life on the page. “I want to thank Editor Alanna Smith and Joshua Trujillo very much for asking me to create Aaron,” Bazaldua said in a statement. “I really enjoyed designing him, and as a transgender person, I am happy to be able to present an openly gay person who admires Captain America and fights against evil to help those who are almost invisible to society.” “While I was drawing him, I thought, well, Cap fights against super-powerful beings and saves the world almost always, but Aaron helps those who walk alone in the street with problems that they face every day,” added Bazaldua. “I hope people like the end result!” (h/t ComicBook.com)

News Round-Up: May 24, 2016

Some news stories you may have missed:

• Twitter really wants Marvel to #GiveCaptainAmericaABoyfriend

• North Carolina’s anti-LGBT law, HB2, has already cost Mecklenburg County $285 million and 1,300 jobs. And that’s just ONE county.

• After more than 50 women have accused comedian Bill Cosby of inappropriate sexual behavior, he’s now been ordered to stand trial for one of those alleged sexual assaults.

• The San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus not only accepts the apology of the DJ who “pushed the button” that caused much turmoil at a recent San Diego Padres game, but they are asking that he get his job back.

• The International Olympic Committee will be shipping 450,000 condoms to the Rio de Janeiro Olympic games. That’s three times what was provided at the London 2012 Olympic Village. #BowChickaBowWow

• Pop music royal Mariah Carey has inked a deal with the Hallmark Channel to develop, produce and star in three TV movies over the next two years.

• Ariana Grande’s new music video for “Into You” pairs her with America’s Next Top Model hottie Don Benjamin. The attractive couple wear some sexy denim and skin in the pop-colored vid.

New Spider-Man Drops In For New “Captain America: Civil War” Trailer

The new Spider-Man finally makes his debut in the latest trailer for “Captain America: Civil War.”

Iron Man calls on Spidey (or “Underoos,” as he hilariously refers to him), who’s evidently on his team, to use his web powers to steal Captain America’s shield and bind his arms.

“Hey, everyone,” Tom Holland’s character then says, perched on a car roof, in the final moments of the second trailer.

In theaters May 6, the action flick pits Captain America (Chris Evans) against Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.).

First Trailer for “Captain America: Civil War”

First trailer from the upcoming “Captain America: Civil War” is out, and it delivers.

Chris Evans’ “Captain America” faces off against Robert Downey Jr.’s “Iron Man” in an effort to protect former side-kick “Bucky Barnes,” played by the Auber-handsome Sebastian Stan.

Looks like the whole Avengers team makes an appearance throughout the film.

“Captain America: Winter Soldier” rocked, and this looks just as good. I applaud Marvel for keeping their super hero universe so intertwined across so many movies.

The new movie hits theaters May 6, 2016.

“Captain America: The Winter Soldier” tops box office for third week

Chris Evans

My man Chris Evans’ latest movie – Captain America: The Winter Soldier – continued to top the box office this weekend as the Marvel super-hero flick added another $26.6 million to its current $201.5 million domestic total.

Rounding out the top 5 were:

2. Rio 2 – another $22.5 million for a $75.3 million total to date
3. Heaven Is For Real – $21.5 million
4. Johnny Depp sci-fi thriller Transcendence came in at $11.1 million
5. A Haunted House 2 starring Marlon Wayons and Jaime Pressley earned $9.1 million

“Captain America: The Winter Soldier” breaks box office record for April

Give it up for Chris Evans and company, as the new Marvel flick Captain America: The Winter Soldier flexed some super-hero muscles to break April box office records with a $93 million debut in the US.

From the Hollywood Reporter:

Winning over critics and moviegoers alike, Marvel and Disney’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier grossed $37 million from 3,938 theaters on Friday, the biggest day ever for the month of April, not accounting for inflation. The superhero sequel is expected to earn $93 million-plus for the weekend, also an April best.

Overseas, where it opened ahead of its North American launch, the $170 million tentpole has already earned $132.2 million and should finish Sunday with a whopping global total of $270 million or more — only $100 million behind the $370.6 million earned by Captain America: The First Avenger in its entire run. So far, Captain America 2 is pacing 40 percent ahead of the first film, which debuted in May 2011.

Coming in at number two, the biblical epic Noah fell nearly 60% in it’s second weekend.

“Captain America: The Winter Soldier” starring Chris Evans in theaters now

Chris Evans in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”

Yahoo!!! Can’t wait to see hunky Chris Evans in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” this weekend.

In this sequel, Evans joins forces with the Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) to hunt down an enemy in the nation’s capital.  In theaters now.

And although he looks striking in costume, just a reminder how great Chris is without the suit…

shirtless sexy Chris Evans - Captain America

Chris Evans may take a break from acting after Marvel movies

“I would never trade in the decision to have done [Marvel] movies. I’ve been wildly fortunate. I just don’t know if my heart’s as in it as it once was.

“I think when I’m done with this Marvel contract, I’ll take a little break from acting.” – Captain America‘s Chris Evans talking to Glamour UK

And my heart breaks just a bit.

I’ll need a moment here…