News Round-Up: August 6, 2020

InstaHunks Gymbear79 ‘social-fitnessing’ (via Instagram)
Some news items you might have missed: • InstaHunks: Yes, Wes Dupree (“Gymbear79”) is practicing his “social-fitnessing.”  Good on him…The Wrap: Ratings for The Ellen DeGeneres Show sunk to a new series low last month following a bombshell Buzzfeed News report about the toxic work environment behind the scenes. Ratings for the talk show were down 9% from the prior week and a glaring -29% from the same week last summer. • Gay Star News: The Democratic Party has unveiled its platform for November’s elections and it is the most LGBT+ inclusive ever including major pledges to reverse Donald Trump’s anti-LGBTQ policies, ban ‘conversion therapy’, AND pass the Equality Act. • Winnipeg Sun: Former WWE pro wrestler Marty Jannetty posted (then deleted) on social media that at the age of 13 he murdered a gay man he was buying weed from after an alleged sexual assault. • NBC News: Facebook removed hundreds of fake accounts linked to conservative media outlet The Epoch Times that pushed pro-Trump conspiracy theories about coronavirus and protests in the U.S. Facebook took down the accounts as part of its enforcement against the use of fake accounts to inflate the reach of content or products on social media. The Epoch Times is owned by the virulently anti-LGBTQ Falun Gong cult, which also produces the touring acrobatics show, Shen Yun. • Cognitive Decline: Just days after Donald Trump was mocked for mispronouncing Yosemite National Park as “Yo-semites,” the Trumpster – who accuses former Vice President Joe Biden of not being mentally on point – referred to Thailand as “ThighLand.”

How To Flirt Even With A Face Mask

Dr. Andrew Neighbors (screen capture)
Living in the current COVID-19 world, funnyman Michael Henry has been working on a solution to his one big issue with wearing face masks: how to flirt. And the answer is? Becoming a ‘winker.’ Sitting appropriately socially distanced in the park, Henry explains his new technique to hunky optometrist Andrew. “I’m a big smiler, and guys can’t see how sweet and sensual I am with these masks on – look,” says Henry as be breaks into a dead corpse state. Yeah, that isn’t going to get it done.
Michael Henry (screen capture)
The problem for Henry is he “gives off a lot of social cues ‘orally.'” Read that however you like… Andrew’s not convinced, though, in part because he thinks winking is “creepy.” “It’s not!” insists Henry. “It’s friendly – it’s flirtatious – it’s coy – it’s CONFIDENT!” Andrew: “I feel like when guys wink at me it just means they want to f$%k me.” Henry: “Yeah, that too. I want guys to know I’m DTF…but also coy and confident.” Cue the slow-motion demonstration. #creepy

Asking the obvious, Andrew wonders why Henry doesn’t just say hello to guys. “Cause that’s not coy – AND I’M COY!,” insists a demur Henry before adding, “ And I’m DTF.” Andrew still isn’t convinced but it turns out he has his own issue the approach: he’s wink-challenged. But that’s alright because Andrew has figured out his own way to break the ice and let guys know he’s DTF that usually works. p.s. it works Hit the play button to see Andrew’s solution (which also tends to bring out the Gay Bottom Mafia). By the way, this post is actually a twofer because – in case you noticed – the hottie Andrew is totally InstaHunk worthy, so head over to his Instagram account where 337K people check in on the good doctor and self-described ‘wizard.’ Happy Hump Day!

 

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My magical princess

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Posing with a sword around plants without pants is actually my dream life.

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Practicing lightening magic in the closet? There’s gotta be a gay pun there. Idk ⚡️

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Sometimes the tea spills.

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This trip to the Giant Forest has been shocking!

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InstaHunk Round-Up: Weekend Edition

Green.Joel (via Instagram)
Checking in with the Hunks of Instagram – first up, Joel Green (above) answers the eternal Sondheimian question: Does anyone still wear…a hat? (The answer is clearly yes, and, well). International pop star Maluma is dancing in Hawaii asking if anyone celebrates “for the love that is gone?”

Bremen Menelli had some quality time with Hugo the doggo:

Bearded Frank needed (and got) some well-deserved beach care:

Daniel Newman seems to know as much about sportsball as I do, LOL…

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Great game!

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I don’t really need an explanation about what Jason Momoa is doing here. I just want to watch 🙂

Ignacio Pérez Rey gets all mysterious with his caption, “All good, but…” #thingsthatmakeyougohmm

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todo bien, pero…

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Apparently Rick and the Griffopotamus had a lake party:

Don’t forget to tune into this year’s virtual edition of Broadway Bares tonight at 9:30 pm ET on the Broadway Cares YouTube channel:

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🔥 You've never seen #BroadwayBares quite like this 🔥 Watch two numbers never before seen online when the free show streams tonight at 9:30 pm Eastern at broadwaycares.org/bares. • The African Mask Choreographer: Nick Kenkel Costume Designer: J. Kevin Draves Assistant Costume Designers: Jonathan Clay, Ken Davis, Colleen Ehrlich Hair and Wig Coordination: Daniel Koye Projection Designer: Daniel Robinson Music Editor: Brent Lord Scenic Designer: Mary Houston Lighting Designer: Philip S. Rosenberg Performers: Afra Hines and Grasan Kingsberry with Meredith Akins, Samantha Berger, Sam J. Cahn, Andrew Chappelle, Olivia Cipolla, Kristin DeCesare, Wilkie Ferguson, Aaron Hamilton, Daxfurth Houston, Renee Marino, Jessica Press, Julis Anthony Rubio, Anthony Wayne, Randy Witherspoon Photo by Peter James Zielinski Pan Choreographers: Denis Jones and John Paolillo Costume Designer: Jen Caprio Music Editor: Lee Wilkins Scenic Designer: Mary Houston Lighting Designer: Philip Rosenberg Performers: Nick Adams, Monique Alhaddad and Todd Buonopane with Rosie Colosi, Holly Cruz, Michelle Dowdy, Leslie Goodard, Anastacia McCleskey, Hayley Podschun, Josephine Rose Roberts

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And speaking of woofy guys, the handsome Snoopy is giving you serious face here:

News Round-Up: August 1, 2020

Reichen and Chip win Season 4 of The Amazing Race (screen capture)
Some news items you might have missed: • Instinct Magazine: My colleague at my ‘other home’ has done a terrific round-up of LGBTQ reality show winners over the years including Amazing Race Season 4 champs Reichen and Chip (above). Hit the link for winning LGBTQ moments from Survivor, Big Brother and more. • Global News: Shane Daum, 43, reports he was gay-bashed by a group of seven individuals while camping in British Columbia. During the incident, the men (who recognized him from his local grocery store) held his dog as they beat him unconscious. He was treated for a concussion, but law enforcement says they aren’t pressing charges because there are “no independent witnesses to identify any particular accused at the time.” • Out Music: With his work in television, film and theater, Tituss Burgess is quickly emerging as one of the entertainment industry’s most versatile and dynamic performers. Burgess recently dropped his first single, “Dance M.F.,” aimed squarely at the dance music culture and this year’s many unstoppable virtual pride celebrations. The track is a sultry sexy stomper with an attitude that is certain to bring comfort and escapism to our currently socially distanced souls. Burgess says the song “is a love letter to all the party people who in spite of the pandemic, are still committed to ‘live their best lives,’ party on down and celebrate Pride safely while in lockdown.”

Variety: Facebook is unleashing hundreds of thousands of music videos in the U.S. starting this weekend — a direct challenge to YouTube, which has had a virtual lock on the internet music-video space for years. With the U.S. launch of music videos, which Facebook has been actively developing since at least last fall, the company has updated Artist Pages of musicians and singers with a new section to let users browse their official music videos. • Yahoo News: Now that Donald Trump’s big GOP donor buddy Louis DeJoy has been installed as Postmaster General, orders are going out to employees reducing hours and services. I’m sure it’s all part of a plan to hobble voting by mail which Trump has been demonizing for weeks now for alleged ‘election fraud’ potential. • The Hill: Some Republicans are urging GOP leaders to abandon the attacks on mail-in voting and to instead embrace it, warning that the president is effectively sabotaging his own party. The impact could be particularly pronounced in Florida, a battleground state where Republicans have traditionally outpaced Democrats among absentee voters. It’s also the preferred method of voting for many seniors, who broke for Trump in 2016. • InstaHunks: I thought I’d share another shot of Backyard Envy host Garrett Magee since he made such a splash yesterday in my post about the upcoming Season 2 premiere on Tuesday, August 4.

 

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News Round-Up: July 30, 2020

Phillip Evelyn II (via Instagram)
Some news items you might have missed: • InstaHunks: Woofy Phillip Evelyn II (above) is giving you full-on Ninja-ness in this post. #Dang Follow him on the Gram of Insta here. • Pink News: A homophobe in South Dakota went on a profanity-heavy anti-gay rant while burning an LGBTQ Pride flag during a Facebook video. The local district attorney says he won’t be pursuing hate crime charges despite the video. • CBS News: President Barack Obama’s powerful eulogy at the funeral of the late civil rights leader, Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), was perfection. Obama said Americans should honor Lewis’ legacy by continuing to work for democracy and voting rights. “He, as much as anyone in our history, brought this country a little bit closer to our highest ideals.” Hit the play button to hear a president speak about someone other than themself (and in complete sentences).

Courthouse News: Federal prosecutors have agreed to abandon the gag order against Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer and current felon, Michael Cohen. Cohen is now free to use social media, participate in interviews, and release his Trump tell-all book, which is due go on sale in September. • Fox News: File this under ‘metaphors you could never make up.’ Vice President Mike Pence’s campaign bus collided with a dump truck today while stumping in Western Pennsylvania. • Gay Star News: International pop star Elton John shared the 30th anniversary of his sobriety with his Instagram followers writing, “If I hadn’t finally taken the big step of asking for help 30 years ago, I’d be dead. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all the people who have inspired and supported me along the way.”

News Round-Up: July 22, 2020

(image via Instagram)
Some news items you might have missed: • InstaHunks: Dan Tai (above) is giving me life wearing his sexy swim shorts from Box Menswear. Dan’s post shares some very wise somethingsomethingsomething and then asks how many other people are in the photo? #OtherPeople? • The Advocate: The past 12 months saw LGBTQ+ representation in elective office in the U.S. grow by 21 percent, with 843 known out officials as of June. The number of out officials is likely to grow even more over the next 12 months with more than 880 openly LGBTQ+ people currently running for office in 2020 — the most ever. • U.S. Military: A study by the Palm Center shows Donald Trump’s ban on transgender military service members could realistically be reversed within a 30-day period. “All the ingredients are there for a virtually instant reversal.” • The Lincoln Project: Major props to this anti-Trump group for their latest – a totally Seinfeld-inspired campaign ad. You’ve got to give it to these folks for style.

Gaily Grind: Another day, another ‘Karen.’ A woman in Washington state walked into a pizza restaurant demanding they serve her when she refused to wear a face mask. ‘I have a right to my pizza!’ #srsly • NBC News: Two data sets from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published Tuesday say true COVID-19 rates are more than 10 times higher than reported cases in some U.S. regions. The estimates are based on COVID-19 antibody tests performed on routine blood samples in 16,000 people in 10 U.S. regions. • Snoop Watch: My hubby Michael got tired of waiting for our new dog to freely offer up kisses, so he bribed the Snoop with peanut butter (top photo). Hit the play button below to see the craven bribery.  

InstaHunk Round-Up: Weekend Edition

Dan Tai (via Instagram)
Checking in with some of my favorite InstaHunks this weekend. First up, ex-pro Rugby player Dan Tai (above) reminds us that ‘health is wealth.’ Which makes Dan the ‘Bill Gates of fitness’ 🙂 Justin and Nick are back from a short Insta-Sabbatical and they brought their handsome 8-month-old rescue Bear. #woof https://www.instagram.com/p/CC1BFk6ngo1/ Max Souza checks in to see how YOUR Sunday is going? https://www.instagram.com/p/CCjgodvAFVQ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Bremen Menelli rocked his swimsuit as he got ready to ‘refresh’… #thirsty https://www.instagram.com/p/CC1p5EFgPQz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Philip Evelyn II reports from the Bronx: “It’s f*ckin’ hot out here and this summer is gonna take whatever f*cking body I give it.” We’ll take it! https://www.instagram.com/p/CCywGbJpdno/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Rick and the Griffopotamus served up Rorschach Mind F@ck Madness behind-the-scenes with legendary photographer Mike Ruiz and make up genius Nick Lujan. https://www.instagram.com/p/CCzYzjRAhKi/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Fitness model Killian got his morning stretches in: https://www.instagram.com/p/CCyMeh5Io2L/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Joel Green proves he simply can’t take a bad photo: https://www.instagram.com/p/CCwoFVqp4Oi/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Ignacio Pérez Rey showed off his golden, sun-kissed tan from Madrid: https://www.instagram.com/p/CC1UP1is44F/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Also in Madrid – y’all Spain has got it going on – paleontologist Francesc Gascó gives a final Crossfit flex as he says ‘Good night.’ https://www.instagram.com/p/CC1p_8Qo3e0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link  

News Round-Up: July 8, 2020

Gustavo Naspolini (via Instagram)
Some news items you might have missed: • InstaHunks: Gustavo Naspolini (above) knows how to find his ‘post-beach/sunset light’ on the Rehoboth boardwalk. • Pink News: The Netherlands’ House of Representatives voted 124 to 26 in favor of a measure to amend the country’s constitution to add explicit protections based on sexual orientation. The measure now heads to the 75-seat upper chamber of the country’s Parliament. In 2001, the Netherlands was the first nation in the world to legalize marriage equality. • Brazil: President Jair Bolsonaro, the virulently anti-LGBTQ leader of the South American country who recently tested positive for COVID-19, told aides and visitors to his office that “Wearing masks is a faggot thing.” • WHJL: Sonya Holt, the homophobic Tennessee resident who became a viral sensation after footage of her harassing a Black Lives Matter protester went viral, has lost her job over her hideous behavior. Among other things, video captured Holt telling a protester, “You’re a gay homosexual piece of crap who’s going to burn in hell.” • The Advocate: In a decision that has broad implications for LGBTQ+ workers, the U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday ruled that federal anti-discrimination laws do not apply to teachers at church-sponsored schools if instruction in religion is part of their jobs. In recent years, there have been many teachers and other church employees fired for being LGBTQ+, often because they had married a same-sex partner. • Kenneth-in-the-212: Check out this deft parody of the now-infamous Corey Hannon, who took to the beaches of Fire Island this past weekend believing he had COVID-19. In a follow-up tweet, Chase shared that many of his followers on Twitter didn’t get the ‘parody’ part. LOL

News Round-Up: July 1, 2020

Craig Ramsay (photo: Nathan Cox)
Some news items you might have missed: • InstaHunks: Woofy Craig Ramsay (above) celebrates Canada Day in his own inimitable style as shot by Palm Springs photographer Nathan Cox. • Pink News: A gay club in Atlanta has finally decided to close its doors until further notice, after a club night last weekend led to several partygoers contracting coronavirus. A video of the party at popular gay club Heretic in Atlanta, Georgia, was circulated on social media, showing hundreds of men dancing close together without masks. The number of new cases of COVID-19 has skyrocketed in Georgia in recent weeks. • NYC Pride: ICYMI, check out the soulful performance by trans artist/producer D. Smith for NYC Pride Month. The continually creative Smith, who among other recent achievements includes writing and producing Billy Porter’s #1 Billboard Club track, “Love Yourself,” picked up the mic to soothe virtual viewers with her richly-layered take on “Bridge Over Troubled Waters.” If you like, click here to check out her latest music video, “That’s Why I Love You.”

Broadway: Want to watch a Broadway legend dazzle on stage for an incredible cause? On July 10, theater fans will be able to watch Bernadette Peters in a never-before-seen-online concert to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The 2009 performance, Bernadette Peters: A Special Concert. will be free to stream here at 8pm ET. Donations are encouraged but not required for viewing. • CBS News: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has announced that indoor dining won’t be allowed to resume when New York City reaches Phase 3 of reopening next week. It will be delayed “until the facts change and it is prudent to open,” he said. • The Independent: After more than 48K new cases of coronavirus in the US were announced on Tuesday (the highest number since the pandemic began), Donald Trump repeated his belief that the coronavirus is going to “just disappear.” “I think we’re gonna be very good with the coronavirus. I think that at some point that’s going to, sort of, just disappear — I hope,” Mr. Trump told Fox Business on Wednesday.

News Round-Up: June 29, 2020

Jwan Yosef and Ricky Martin (image via Instagram)
Some news items you might have missed: • Instagram: International pop star Ricky Martin and husband, artist Jwan Yosef, shared a perfectly up-to-date Pride 2020 kiss pic (above) with the caption, “Happy Pride, everyone!” • Inappropriate Questions: “How did you get pregnant?” In the latest episode from the CBC’s podcast that addresses the questions ‘we all want to ask,’ journalist Freddy McConnell takes the listener through his ups and downs of navigating pregnancy as a trans man and single dad. • Instinct Magazine: Over at my ‘other’ outlet, the powers that be have compiled this list of 10 totally classic LGBTQ anthem to help you dance your way through the last days of Pride Month 2020. Hit the link to see if your favorite made the list 🙂

BuzzFeed LGBTQ: BuzzFeed is relaunching its dedicated vertical on the BuzzFeed.com site focused on LGBTQ content. Its mission is to elevate new voices and curate content that highlights every aspect of queer life – from the big stories to the small everyday moments, in Pride Month and year-round.  Zach Stafford, who recently departed his position as editor-in-chief of The Advocate, will be the Editor-at-Large. • Revry TV: The first LGBTQ+ virtual cable network is 100 percent free, 100 percent queer, and features LGBTQ+ programming for a diverse range of audiences through their app, the web, and platforms like Roku and AppleTV. Revry Premium provides access to the streaming platform’s full library of on-demand titles without commercials for as low as $4.99 a month. Get one month of Premium for free thanks to The Advocate by signing up here and using promo code M201. • Back2Stonewall: Even though flying a rainbow Pride flag violates Russia’s hateful ‘anti-gay propaganda’ law passed in 2013, the American embassy in Moscow is proudly and defiantly displaying the flag for all to see.

 

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Сегодня посольство США в России чествует Флаг Гордости ЛГБТИ🏳️‍🌈во время празднования #PrideFlagDay. Флаг ЛГБТИ был создан американским художником и активистом Гилбертом Бейкером и впервые был поднят 25 июня 1978 г. во время парада Gay Freedom Day в Сан-Франциско. «Символ радуги был взят из самой ранней истории человечества как символ надежды», – писал Бейкер в своих мемуарах «Воин радуги» (Rainbow Warrior). Он хотел донести свое убеждение в том, что сила общества в разнообразии. Права ЛГБТИ – это права человека. Права человека универсальны. Месяц гордости призван подчеркнуть, что каждый человек заслуживает того, чтобы жить жизнью, свободной от ненависти, предубеждений и преследований. #Pride2020 #LGBTI #HumanRights #EqualProtection #PrideFlagDay #rainbowflag

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