Politics, pop culture and entertainment news of interest to the LGBTQ community
Some news items you might have missed:
• NBC Bay Area: A new law in California will help LGBTQ military service members who were discharged under “don’t ask, don’t tell” policies because of their sexual or gender identities to reestablish their eligibility for Veterans Affairs benefits. Continue reading “New Help For LGBTQ Military Veterans + More News”
Demi Lovato (photo: Angelo Kritkos)Today, GLAAD, in partnership with UMG, released a video from LGBTQ musicians, celebrities, activists, and allies on the importance of respecting pronouns not just during Pride month, but all year long.
The video features Demi Lovato, Cynthia Erivo, Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons, VINCINT, FLETCHER, Wrabel, Busy Phillips, Dashaun Wesley, GLAAD’s Anthony Allen Ramos and Serena Sonoma, and many more.
The new video aims to sheds light on the importance of pronouns for trans and cisgender people.
Using someone’s correct pronouns and addressing them in a way that’s consistent and true to who they are is a form of respect. Using the correct pronouns for trans and nonbinary youth is a way to let them know that you see them, you affirm them, you accept them, and to let them know that they’re loved during a time when they’re being targeted by discriminatory anti-trans state laws.
What are your pronouns? We have partnered with @UMG and some friends to share the importance of respecting pronouns not just during Pride month, but all year long. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/BwzJuvsolq
— GLAAD (@glaad) June 30, 2021
(via press release)
Actor/singer Demi Lovato (screen capture)Some news items you might have missed:
• Christian Post: A licensed therapist is suing Washington state over its 2018 law banning so-called ‘conversion therapy’ for minors. The therapist is being represented by virulently anti-LGBTQ hate group Alliance Defending Freedom.
• NBC Out: Actor and singer Demi Lovato came out as nonbinary today and said they would be changing their pronouns to they/them. “Today is a day I’m so happy to share more of my life with you all,” Lovato wrote in a social media post in announcing the news.
• Washington Post: The European Union on Wednesday agreed to open its borders to vaccinated Americans and others, after more than a year in which travel into the bloc has been severely restricted, a spokesman said Wednesday.
• Out Music: LGBTQ-led band Hemisphere has been nominated for ‘Best World Music Album’ by the prestigious San Diego Music Awards for their album American Dreams. The album is meant to emphasize and promote the spirit of ‘Unity’, ‘Diversity’, and ‘Equality’. Hemisphere members Rob Shinno and Don Bowman have been publicly out since 1994.
• CBS News: Fox News Media filed a motion to dismiss a $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit filed against it by Dominion Voting Systems over false claims about the 2020 presidential election amplified by some of its hosts. The motion laughingly says Fox’s “responsible journalists covered both sides” of the controversy and that the network’s opinion hosts provided commentary which “a reasonable viewer” would consider as little more than “hyperbole.”
• Twitter: Rep. Tim Ryan was DONE with Republican House members who voted against a bipartisan commission to investigate the January invasion of the U.S. Capitol building. The measure passed by a vote of 252-175, with 35 Republicans joining Democrats in supporting the plan.
Note – Rep. Greg Pence (R-IN), brother of former Vice President Mike Pence, voted against the bill even though the rioters on January 6 called for hanging his brother.
stop what you are doing and watch this pic.twitter.com/YvPTekXNgR
— Adam Parkhomenko (@AdamParkhomenko) May 19, 2021
Actress and pop star Demi Lovato (screen capture)Actress and recording artist Demi Lovato premiered the trailer for her upcoming YouTube Originals documentary series, Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil, on Wednesday.
The four-part series takes a deep dive into not only the circumstances that led up to her nearly fatal drug overdose in 2018, but the effects it had on Lovato’s life after being hospitalized.
In a voiceover, Lovato explains she’s had “so much to say over the past two years wanting to set the record straight about what it was that happened.”
Friends and family taking part in the docu-series express their surprise that Lovato really wants to go there.
One friend exclaims, “I can’t believe y’all are doing this.”
Another: “Are we talking about heroin? Are we doing that?”
Elton John in ‘Dancing with the Devil’International pop-star Elton John, who knows a few things about fame and addiction, appears in the preview telling the audience, “When you’re young and you’re famous – my god it’s tough.”
In a candid disclosure, the 28-year-old reveals she had three strokes and a heart attack in the hospital.
“I was left with brain damage, and I still deal with the effects of that today,” she told reporters during a Television Critics Association panel on Wednesday. “I don’t drive a car because I have blind spots on my vision.”
“And I also for a long time had a really hard time reading,” she adds. “It was a big deal when I was able to read out of a book, which was like two months later because my vision was so blurry.”
Lovato, who came out as sexually fluid in 2018, shares that hosting The Ellen DeGeneres Show last year “was the catalyst for my need and desire to express myself and my story to the fullest extent.”
“I knew that one appearance on a television show wasn’t going to cut it, I was not going to be able to share my whole story in one interview whether it was with a magazine or whatever it is,” continued Lovato. “That’s why I wanted to turn it into a documentary.”
Demi Lovato in ‘Dancing with the Devil’ (screen capture)Speaking to PEOPLE Magazine, the singer acknowledged that despite the difficult aftermath of the overdose being a painful journey, looking back today she “wouldn’t change a thing.”
“I get sad when I think of the pain that I had to endure to overcome what I have, but I don’t regret anything.”
“I’m so proud of the person I am today,” she added. “And I’m so proud that people get to see it in this documentary and I couldn’t be more grateful that I had someone by my side.”
The pop star has released two previous documentary films. Demi Lovato: Stay Strong in 2012 after her first stint in rehab, and Demi Lovato: Simply Complicated in 2017 which chronicled her struggles with bi-polar disorder and continuing addiction.
Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil premieres March 23 on YouTube.
Ariana Grande, Lil Nas X, Lizzo at 62nd Grammy Awards (image via Instagram/lilnasx)It was a great night for LGBTQ artists and allies at the 62nd Grammy Awards Sunday night.
Several out artists picked up awards including:
Lil Nas X scored two trophies – Best Music Video and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for his mega-hit “Old Town Road” with Billy Ray Cyrus. The country rapper performed the song with all the artists who had been featured on “Old Town Road” remixes last year including BTS, Diplo, Mason Ramsey, and Cyrus.
WATCH: Grammy Award Winner @LilNasX performs a new mix of his @RIAA Diamond certified, record breaking, history making song, #OldTownRoad. #Grammys pic.twitter.com/TkUpHibXUV
— Opinionated Me (@opinion8dmecom) January 27, 2020
Brandi Carlile, who came out in 2002, took home a Grammy as one of the songwriters of Tanya Tucker’s “Bring My Flowers Now” in the Best Country Song category. She also appeared in the broadcast performing the song with Tucker.
DJ Tracy Young made history as the first woman and the first lesbian to win for Best Remixed Recording for her remix of Madonna’s “I Rise.”
LGBTQ allies also had major moments throughout the night.
Lady Gaga picked up Grammys in two categories – Best Song for Visual Media (“I’ll Never Love Again”) from the A Star Is Born soundtrack and Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media.
Billie Eilish won in four big categories – Best New Artist, Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
Lizzo, the most nominated artist of the night with 8 nods, picked up trophies for Best Pop Solo Performance (“Truth Hurts”), Best Traditional R&B Performance (“Jerome”) and Best Urban Contemporary Album (Cuz I Love You).
And there were performances that stole the show.
Out singer Demi Lovato had one of the night’s most talked-about moments as she delivered a powerful performance of her song “Anyone.” The song immediately went to #1 on iTunes after the performance.
the vocals, the feelings. queen. #GRAMMYs #DemiLovato pic.twitter.com/r7G0Wu8ou3
— Jerry 🦊 (@jerry_bxl) January 27, 2020
Pop diva and ally Ariana Grande, who didn’t go home with a Grammy, was a knockout performing a three-song medley of “Imagine,” “7 Rings,” and “Thank U, Next.”
WATCH: @ArianaGrande gives you a taste of her Grammy nominated album, Thank U, Next! #Grammys pic.twitter.com/MHkFIriQlD
— Opinionated Me (@opinion8dmecom) January 27, 2020
Special shout-out to Darrion Gallegos, the male dancer in her corp who lived his best life dancing it out in heels and short shorts along with the other dancers.
Back in December, as Grande’s tour came to an end, he thanked the powers that be for letting him “gender-bend the fak out of this” and contribute his part for the LGBTQIA+ community.
And of course, it wouldn’t be an awards show without a red carpet and Billy Porter delivering the goods:
Get on my nerves, and the curtain closes! 😂 Living for my lewk styled by @sammyratelle with a custom design by @scottstudenberg of @bajaeast and featuring a custom hat by @sokolmillinery & mechanically engineered by @SM00TH_TECH. pic.twitter.com/GsCY09aNzc
— Billy Porter (@theebillyporter) January 27, 2020
Lil Nas X didn’t disappoint, though, serving up a hot pink Versace cowboy suit complete with double-choker harness:
Lil Nas X is next level @Versace 💓 #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/rIkzLBXN89
— HELLO! Canada (@HelloCanada) January 26, 2020
Anthony Ramos, GLAAD’s Head of Talent, spoke to Jojo, Rosalia, Victoria Monét, and Bebe Rexha about LGBTQ inclusion and the changing landscape of music:
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| Demi Lovato (image via Instagram) |
UPDATE: According to Demi’s rep, she is now “awake and responsive.”
Demi Lovato was apparently hospitalized on Tuesday in Los Angeles after a suspected heroin overdose, according to TMZ.
TMZ reports Lovato was transported from her Hollywood Hills home shortly before noon today to a local hospital.
Paramedics reportedly found Lovato unconscious upon arrival at her home.
The “Sorry Not Sorry” singer’s condition is not currently known.
The 25-year-old actress and pop star has struggled with alcohol, cocaine and Oxycontin abuse for years.
In June, she released her song, “Sober,” as she shared that she had relapsed shortly after celebrating six years of sobriety.
Lovato was scheduled to perform at an upcoming date in Atlantic City. No announcement on whether she’ll make that date.
The singer is one of the biggest names on social media, with a combined following of over 145 million.
Developing story…
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| (image via Instagram) |
Some news stories you might have missed:
• Loving this new InstaHunk account find – Muscle_Woof (above). #WoofWoof
• A local veteran in a small Maine town has a big problem with a rainbow flag flying during Pride Month calling the show of LGBT support a “travesty.”
• Researchers in Australia have found a direct correlation between low cognitive ability and folks who hate gays.
• Promising news from the National Institutes of Health – a new experimental HIV vaccine has been shown to neutralize dozens of HIV strains from around the world.
• Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt asked a top aide to purchase a “used mattress” from the Trump International Hotel for him…?
• UK trio Clean Bandit dropped their new self-directed music video for their single “Solo” featuring Demi Lovato released earlier this month which garnered over 20 million streams during its first week.
The song is a paean to “self-love” (solo, get it?) and even better, the story resolves with a rainbow-furred dog. What’s not to like? Hit the play button below 🙂
So, here’s how I got the story:
Demi Lovato made an appearance at The Monster, a gay bar in the West Village, to promote her new single. But just as she starts to sing she says she needs someone to dance with while she sings.
And that’s when Ms. Lovato got upstaged by a go-go dancer who proved that “monster” wasn’t just the name of the club.
It’s actually quite funny to watch since it’s difficult to pay attention to Demi. NSFW.
RuPaul has shared a list of celebrity guest judges for the upcoming season of RuPaul’s Drag Race have been announced, and what a line-up it is.
Olivia Newton-John, Jessica Alba, Mel B, Demi Lovato, John Waters, Kathy Griffin, Jordin Sparks, Michael Urie and Rebecca Romijn are all slated to appear in the new season beginning March 3rd on Logo Network.
In addition to the guest star power, Ru brings in new judges – Queer Eye fashion expert Carson Kressley and Ross Matthews.
Executive Producer RuPaul had this to say about the new judges: “Yes, Virginia, there is a gay Santa Claus! I asked for a new, wickedly funny, smart and experienced judge…and I got two! Ross and Carson are the perfect addition to the ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ family because they’re not just show biz experts, they’re superfans and longtime lovers of the art of drag.”
Demi Lovato debuts her latest single – “Really Don’t Care” – just in time for NYC Pride where she will be the headliner at this year’s Pier Dance.
The video was shot just weeks ago at LA Pride, where she served as Grand Marshal for the Parade. The video is a virtual gay-splosion of pride.
Check out Demi on iTunes here.