Politics, pop culture and entertainment news of interest to the LGBTQ community
Alphonso David, former president of the Human Rights Campaign (screen capture)The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s most prominent LGBTQ advocacy organization, has agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by the organization’s former president, Alphonso David.
David had alleged the group fired him in 2021 due to racial discrimination. Continue reading “Human Rights Campaign Settles Lawsuit Brought By Former President”
Alphonso David, former president of the Human Rights Campaign, has filed a lawsuit against the LGBTQ organization alleging racial discrimination led to his dismissal last year.
David and the HRC parted ways last September after a report from the New York State Attorney General revealed David had advised the office of then-New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on its response to sexual harassment allegations. Continue reading “Former HRC President Alphonso David Sues Over Racial Discrimination”
The report released by the New York Attorney General which led to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s resignation also referenced Human Rights Campaign president Alphonso David several times mentioning his time as a counselor to Cuomo prior to becoming the head of the HRC. In response, the HRC has announced it will launch an independent review in regard to the report’s implications referencing David. Continue reading “HRC Will Conduct Review Of President Implicated In Cuomo Report”
Some news items you might have missed:
• Glamour Magazine: Daniel Levy and Eugene Levy (pictured above) are releasing an official Schitt’s Creek book entitled Best Wishes, Warmest Regards. The publisher says it will capture the “essence and alchemy of all six seasons,” including, “the town, the characters, and the state of mind that is Schitt’s Creek.” Continue reading “News Round-Up: August 7, 2021”
Burt Ward as Robin with Batman co-star Adam West (promo photo)Some news items you might have missed:
• New York Times: Sha’Carri Richardson, the American sprinter who lost her spot in the women’s 100 meters at the Olympics because she used marijuana days before her qualifying race, will miss the Tokyo Games entirely after coaches decided not to put her on a relay team, American track officials announced Tuesday.
• The Advocate: HRC president Alphonso David wants folks to know his organization’s Corporate Equality Index is not a defense for corporate donations to anti-equality politicians.
• Gr8erdays: The Hollywood nostalgia website celebrates Burt Ward, star of the iconic 1960s TV series “Batman,” as he turns 76 today.
• Edge Media: Notoriously homophobic rugby player Israel Folau, who was embroiled in controversy after an anti-gay post on social media, has returned to rugby union after agreeing to sign for NTT Communications Shining Arcs.
• Reuters: Britney Spears’ longtime manager Larry Rudolph has resigned saying the pop star plans to retire and no longer needs his services. Spears hasn’t performed in public since October 2018.
• OUT: In a June 24 release, the FDA has issued a warning to consumers urging them to stop purchasing nitrite ‘poppers’ after an observed increase in reported death and hospitalizations linked to the recreational substance.
FDA is advising consumers not to purchase or use nitrite “poppers” which can result in serious adverse health effects, including death. These products are marketed as nail polish removers but are being ingested or inhaled for recreational use. https://t.co/5Qkd0wleuc pic.twitter.com/9PgY3KTA02
— U.S. FDA (@US_FDA) June 24, 2021
Human Rights Campaign President Alphonso DavidWhile Donald Trump and Mike Pence took the time to acknowledge Global Coptic Day today, for the fourth year in a row they failed to recognize Pride Month.
In response, Human Rights Campaign President Alphonso David issued the following statement:
“This June, the Trump-Pence administration has yet again failed to recognize Pride Month to honor the history of the LGBTQ community and acknowledge the ongoing movement toward full equality,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “In a global pandemic and national crisis highlighting ongoing racial violence and police brutality across the country — violence that particularly targets Black lives — Trump and his administration have stoked division, hate, and anger with continued attacks on LGBTQ people, people of color, immigrants, and other vulnerable communities.
“The first pride started with protest. LGBTQ people — led in large part by transgender women of color — resisted police brutality and violence at Stonewall, the Black Cat, and Compton’s Cafeteria, among others. In this moment, we must unite like never before and take action, combat racism in all its forms and end white supremacy, not as necessary corollaries to our mission, but as integral to the objective of full equality.”
In order to help the LGBTQ community and its allies celebrate Pride Month in this moment, HRC is today officially launching its #PrideInside toolkit, a series of resources to help HRC members, the LGBTQ community and its allies celebrate Pride. The toolkit can be found at HRC.org/pride.
As we celebrate #PrideMonth, let us remember that Pride started as a protest. In this moment, we must take action to embrace anti-racism and end white supremacy, not as necessary corollaries to our mission, but as integral to the objective of full equality. pic.twitter.com/5bO6b5iT8J
— Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid) June 1, 2020
The original and new casts of Queer Eye will compete on Celebrity Family FeudSome news items you might have missed:
• HRC: On the 8th anniversary of former Vice President Joe Biden’s endorsement of marriage equality, the Human Rights Campaign announced its endorsement of Biden for President. HRC’s Board of Directors, comprised of 26 community leaders from across the nation, unanimously and enthusiastically voted to endorse Biden. “Vice President Joe Biden is the leader our community and our country need at this moment,” said HRC President Alphonso David.
• NY Times: Education Secretary Betsy DeVos on Wednesday issued final rules for how public and private schools must address allegations of sexual misconduct locking in protections for accused students and faculty. The new regulations narrow the definition of sexual harassment and require colleges to hold live hearings during which alleged victims and accused perpetrators can be cross-examined to challenge their credibility.
• Out: On Sunday, May 31 Celebrity Family Feud is set to host the casts of the old and new iterations of Queer Eye (above) in a face-off for charity. The full, original cast will play for The Trevor Project and the new squad (with Karamo Brown swapped out for a featured guest from season 4) will compete for GLSEN.
• Daily Herald: Two Utah County businesses told staff to not follow quarantine guidelines and required staff who had tested positive to report to work resulting in 68 positive cases.
• Variety: For the past seven decades, the show has always gone on for the Tony Awards, which honor the best Broadway performances and productions. But with the 74th edition being postponed from its planned June 7 date due to the coronavirus, there’s a real chance that the ceremony will be scrapped altogether this year.
• CBS News: At an event marking National Nurses Day at the White House, Donald Trump contradicted Sophia Thomas, the president of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners who works at a community health center in New Orleans, who said the availability of personal protective equipment has been “sporadic.”
At an event marking #NationalNursesDay at the White House, President Trump contradicted a nurse who said the availability of personal protective equipment has been ‘sporadic’ pic.twitter.com/hAKTybRDYp
— Reuters (@Reuters) May 6, 2020
DJ/producer David Nazar (via Instagram)Some news items you might have missed:
• InstaHunks: DJ/producer David Nazar (above) sends regards from his “balcony vacation” in Miami, Florida. Follow him on Instagram here.
• Human Rights Campaign: May is officially recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month, and now more than ever, it’s crucial to shine a light on mental health in the LGBTQ community. Click the link for information about how LGBTQ people are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, lowered self-esteem, and even suicidal thoughts compared to their straight and cisgender peers.
• Broadway Bares: The 30th-anniversary performance of the annual striptease spectacular, featuring the sexist dancers on Broadway, is being postponed until 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. While the June spectacle has been postponed, plans are in the works to still celebrate Broadway Bares online this summer. Check out this clip from last year’s “Game Night” edition.
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution: An internal poll conducted for the Georgia House GOP Caucus held bad news for U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler, the former financial executive who dumped millions in stocks after receiving coronavirus briefings in January. Loeffler only received 11% support in the survey regarding her upcoming race this fall, and essentially tied with two Democratic candidates. U.S. Rep. Doug Collins leads the field with 29% of the vote and outpaces Loeffler among Republicans by a 62-18 margin.
• KIT212: Check out Kenneth’s weekly look at what’s making news in LGBTQ magazines like South Florida’s Hot Spots! (below).
• Gay Star News: Magistrates in Israel have ruled the ironically named Rainbow Color print shop must compensate an LGBT+ association after it refused to print posters for the Ben Gurion University LGBT group three years ago. The Beersheba Magistrates Court said the duty to serve customers comes before religious beliefs.
• Instagram: In the middle of Madonna’s ‘Madame X’ themed post on Thursday, the pop-star revealed she’d “taken a test” and found out she “had the antibodies.” Madge didn’t elaborate as to when she was tested.
She added, “So tomorrow, I’m just going to go for a long drive in a car, and I’m going to roll down the window, and I’m going to breathe in, I’m going to breathe in the COVID-19 air. Yup. I hope the sun is shining.” Note – scientists have not determined if having the coronavirus makes one immune going forward.
Joss Mooney and Rogan O’ConnorSome news items you might have missed:
• Chippendales: MTV’s “The Challenge” hottest dynamic duo and reality star heartthrobs, Joss Mooney and Rogan O’Connor (aka JOGAN) will join the world-famous Chippendales as celebrity guest hosts for four shows only, January 24 and 25 (8:30 pm and 10:30 pm) at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
• New York Times: The impeachment trial of Donald Trump is underway, and it’s pretty much what I expected. Check-in with the New York Times for the lowdown on today’s developments including the Senate Republicans blocking subpoenas for new evidence.
• OUT: Katie Sowers, who is an assistant coach for the San Francisco 49ers, will make history when she steps on the field. Having been with the 49ers for just two seasons, she will become the first female, and the first openly LGBTQ+ assistant coach to work at the event
• The Gaily Grind: Vice President Mike Pence called on all Americans to remember the words of Martin Luther King Jr. “in these divided times” while attending a church where an anti-LGBTQ bishop claimed that homosexuality is caused by “a demonic spirit” and is wrong because of “plumbing.”
• Davey Wavey: It seems porn star Diego Sans finds kissing even more intimate than having sex (I can understand that) and so sex-positive DW offers some tips on the art and intimacy of kissing. Note – NSFW language.
• HRC: The Human Rights Campaign has released its 2020 Corporate Equality Index, an annual report that measures how effectively America’s leading companies include and protect their LGBTQ employees and this year’s results show a record-high 686 businesses and law firms earned a perfect 100 on HRC’s scoring system.
• Self-Improvement: Singer Calum Scott shared pics of his progress to get fit in 2020 and it’s pretty impressive. Good on him – slow and steady wins the race.
International pop star Ricky Martin announces he and hubby are expecting 4th child (screen capture)International pop star and actor Ricky Martin announced last night that he and husband Jwan Yosef are ‘pregnant’ expecting their fourth child.
The announcement came as Martin was honored at the Human Rights Campaign’s National Dinner in Washington, D.C.
“My family is here,” said Martin from the stage. “Jwan, I don’t see you but my husband Jwan, I love you.”
“My beautiful twins Matteo and Valentino – I love you with all my heart, you’re my strength,” he continued as he pointed to his two 10-year-old sons. “You inspire me every day, you motivate me to keep doing what I’m doing and you guys are amazing. I love you.”
After explaining that his youngest, Lucia, who was born at the end of last year, was home with grandma, Martin paused before sharing, “And by the way, I have to announce that we are pregnant. We are waiting!”
With a sheepish grin, the ‘Come With Me’ singer added, “I love big families.’
Here’s Ricky’s full speech at the HRC National Dinner:
As actress Ana Ortiz presented Martin with the 2019 Visibility Award, she noted “his bold voice that changes the world.”
That was referencing, in part, Martin’s pilgrimage to Puerto Rico earlier this year during great political upheaval. Standing with protestors for days, Martin led the charge demanding the resignation of Gov. Ricardo Rosello Nevares.
After a week of unprecedented protests, Rosello resigned.
Accepting the honor, Martin dedicated the honor to “the refugees, to members of the LGBT community that are…leaving their countries because they feel threatened.”
“This award is for [the asylum seekers],” he continued. “I will make sure that I lend my voice for them: Ladies and gentlemen, the only thing I’m asking for is to go out and vote.”
“This award is for [the asylum seekers]. I will make sure that I lend my voice for them: Ladies and gentlemen, the only thing I’m asking for is to go out and vote.” – @ricky_martin #HRCNationalDinner #WeAreHRC
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) September 29, 2019
Fatherhood has been very good to the Latin heartthrob as a visit to his social media constantly reveals.
Here’s the latest post from Ricky’s Instagram:
View this post on Instagram