Politics, pop culture and entertainment news of interest to the LGBTQ community
Some news items you might have missed:
• Instinct Magazine: An openly gay junior high teacher in Missouri has resigned from his position after being ordered to take down a Pride flag from his classroom and refrain from discussing issues of gender or sexuality. Continue reading “News Round-Up: September 10, 2021”
Some news items you might have missed:
• Instinct Magazine: Johnny Sibilly (Pose, Hacks), Candace Grace (Acts of Crime), Devin Way (Grey’s Anatomy), Ryan O’Connell (Special), and Fin Argus (Clouds) will join the cast of the upcoming reboot of Queer As Folk as series regulars. Continue reading “News Round-Up: September 2, 2021”
Some news items you might have missed:
• USA Today: The Loudoun County School Board in Virginia voted 7-2 on a policy that allows transgender student-athletes to play on teams that align on their gender identity and to use bathrooms and locker rooms based on their gender identity. It also requires teachers and staff to call students by their chosen names and pronouns. Continue reading “News Round-Up: August 13, 2021”
Some news items you might have missed:
• The Advocate: Budapest Pride (top image) attracted the highest number of attendees in the event’s 26 year history even as the Hungarian government continues its crackdown on LGBTQ citizens. Continue reading “News Round-Up: July 26, 2021”
Some news items you might have missed:
• LGBTQ Nation: It seems Caitlyn Jenner is filming her ‘campaign’ for governor of California – any guesses why the reality TV celeb might be doing that?
• OUT: Two gay men vacationing on the French island of Corsica were brutally attacked by group of up to 20 men while a large crowd gathered and watched but did nothing to stop the brutal assault.
• It Gets Better: Regular readers of TRR know I’m not only a huge supporter of the Olympic Games but especially the Paralympic Games. Check out the journey of out lesbian Courtney journey who will be competing in wheelchair basketball for Team USA at this year’s Games.
• Instinct Magazine: Michael Henderson, the popular head coach of Murrieta Valley High School’s cheer and student program in southern California, was abruptly fired from his job last month. Henderson says he was fired for being gay and has filed a wrongful termination lawsuit alleging that the process leading to his dismissal was “flawed.”
• Kenneth-in-the-212: Check out Kenneth’s round-up of the what’s what in LGBTQ publications including out swimmer Michael Gunning covering the latest from Attitude Magazine.
• 4WWL: Alan Scott Lanoix tested positive for COVID-19 and spent 17 days in the hospital with several on a ventilator. His wife and 3 sons all tested positive too. Lanoix died June 9 at 54 years old. According to his sister, “He thought the vaccine was poison.”
• AP: Investigation by the Associated Press finds fewer than 200 cases of potential voter fraud identified by Arizona’s local election officials out of 3.4 million ballots cast in last year’s presidential election.
BREAKING: Investigation by @AP finds fewer than 200 cases of potential voter fraud identified by Arizona’s local election officials out of 3.4 million ballots cast in last year’s presidential election. @APChristie @AP_Christina. https://t.co/SiHYm4dOa6
— The Associated Press (@AP) July 16, 2021
Some news items you might have missed:
• The Gaily Grind: 18-year-old Gage Burlile has been arrested after stealing and destroying 25 Pride flags in Boise, Idaho.
• The Advocate: A gay couple in East Cove, Florida, are refusing to take down a small Pride flag flying from their mail box after their HOA informed them it was against neighborhood regulations.
• Kenneth-in-the-212: Kenneth’s weekly feature for ‘Manspread Monday’ is a cutie.
• The Hill: The defense fund for Kyle Rittenhouse, the Illinois teenager who is accused of fatally shooting two people and injuring a third at a protest sparked by the police shooting of Jacob Blake last August, has raised $464,111 since March 1. His trial is scheduled for November.
• LGBTQ Nation: Mexico’s soccer team is begging fans to stop chanting homophobic slurs at their games. After receiving one of the toughest punishment from FIFA in recent years, Mexico’s team president scolded fans: “To those who think it’s fun to yell it out, I have news for you. It’s not.”
• CNBC: As more and more major corporations embrace the rainbow during Pride Month, more consumers are paying attention to the companies that are allies more than one month a year.
The right way for brands to approach Pride month (and all year round) https://t.co/mbX6oaLyJf
— CNBC (@CNBC) June 20, 2021
Some news items you might have missed:
• YouTube: Music theater fans – somehow I missed (but caught up on) this terrific virtual gala concert benefiting the Lyric Opera of Chicago starring Broadway stars including Gavin Creel, Nikki Renée Daniels, Norm Lewis (above) and more. Click on the link, watch and enjoy 🙂
• Instinct Magazine: Fashion designer Michael Costello (a Project Runway alumn), added fuel to the Chrissy Teigen fire this week when he alleged the model and TV personality cyber bullied him with hate speech and had him blackballed in the industry. And then, folks came out with their own accusations about Costello.
• Kenneth-in-the-212: Make sure you click over to Kenneth’s weekly round-up of the what’s what in LGBTQ publications like Get Out Magazine:
• NBC News: LGBTQ civil servants and service members were systematically fired or forced to resign due to their sexual orientation or gender identity over the past seven decades, and a proposed bill is seeking to have the federal government issue an official apology acknowledging its past discriminatory policies.
• Media Matters: Nearly a dozen of the Fox News guests the network has presented as concerned parents or educators who oppose the teaching of so-called “critical race theory” in schools also have day jobs as Republican strategists, conservative think-tankers, or right-wing media personalities.
• Out Music: Out singer/songwriter Paul Bellantoni, drops his first solo release since 2013, “Illusions.”
“’Illusions’ is about how what we perceive out of life and the people in our life aren’t always what they seem; they’re false realities. I began writing the song because I was hurt by someone close to me. It was a situation that made me feel insignificant, while around me the entire world was grasping for straws to see which way is up or down. It became my therapy.”
“It’s a lesson in learning how to be present in your own heart and forgive yourself, the ones that hurt you, and the circumstances that weigh you down.”
Some news items you might have missed:
• InstaHunks: From my favorite illustrator on the Gram of Insta, Silverjow (above) offers his ‘hunks of the week’ celebrating Pride Month. Make sure you follow him on Instagram here.
• The Hill: Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told reporters today the defense department will continue the existing policy from July of 2020 regarding the display or depiction of unofficial flags. “There won’t be an exception made this month for the Pride flag.”
• Kenneth-in-the-212: Click over to Kenneth’s weekly round-up of the what’s what in local LGBTQ publications like the 14th anniversary issue of Southern California’s RAGE Magazine (below).
• NY1 News: Forging a vaccination card or providing fraudulent proof of immunity could soon be a felony in New York based on a measure approved Thursday by the Democratic-led Assembly.
• Right Wing Watch: Far-right wing provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos says that as soon as he became “ex-gay,” dogs stopped barking at him, which he believes is a sign from God.
Milo Yiannopoulos says that as soon as he became “ex-gay,” dogs stopped barking at him, which he believes is a sign from God. pic.twitter.com/AgDrmFka2h
— Right Wing Watch (@RightWingWatch) June 4, 2021
• Out Music: Todrick Hall celebrates Pride with the release of his new single – “Boys In The Ocean” – an irresistible funk jam that rides along an infectious bass line and guitar licks, primed for summer escapism.
Last year, Billboard wrote of Hall, “He’s part old-school theatre showman, part new-school internet personality, part drag queen… he’s also pushing the boundaries of LGBTQ representation in a business that has historically been unwelcoming to queer people of color.”
Some news items you might have missed:
• InstaHunks: Artist and fitness professional Anthony Varrecchia (above) does the honors in heading up this Hump Day round-up all the way from Key West where he’s enjoying the mood at Island House. Follow him on Instagram here. #woof
• HuffPost: On the first day of Pride Month 2021, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed a bill barring transgender females from playing on public school teams intended for student athletes born as girls, plunging the state into the national culture war over transgender rights.
• Kenneth-in-the-212: Our veteran NYC-based blogger puts the spotlight on this oh-so-adorbs veterinarian in his ‘Morning Wood’ feature.
• Yahoo News: Democrat Melanie Stansbury defeated her Republican opponent Mark Moores in the special election to represent New Mexico’s 1st congressional district, a House seat vacated when Deb Haaland was confirmed as President Biden’s Interior secretary.
• Politico: The firm that owns the National Enquirer has agreed to pay $187,500 to the Federal Election Commission to settle complaints that it unlawfully aided Donald Trump’s presidential campaign in 2016 by suppressing the story of an actress who said she had a sexual relationship with Trump.
• The Daily Beast: Donald Trump’s blog – “From the Desk of Donald J. Trump” – was met with a collective shrug from the public, and is being shut down after just 29 days. Senior Trump aide Jason Miller says the blog has been scuttled and “will not be returning.”
Trump's blog appears to be gone pic.twitter.com/yI9hAR3Ozs
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 2, 2021
Some news items you might have missed:
• BrandedInThe80s: I have no idea what “action pants” are. The above image is apparently photoshopped, but Chuck Norris did reportedly front a line of stretch jeans back in the 80s.
• Kenneth-in-the-212: Hit the link to check out Kenneth’s weekly round-up of the what’s what in LGBTQ publications like the latest issue of DNA Magazine featuring cover guy Airon Mallars.
• Edge Media: A new poll from Gallup shows that 66 percent of people favor allowing openly transgender people to serve in the military. However, 62 percent of Americans say trans athletes should only be allowed to play on sports teams that correspond with the sex they were assigned at birth.
• The Advocate: Internet sensation and renaissance man Leslie Jordan made his debut at the Grand Ole Opry last weekend sporting a custom-made electric blue suit with fringe and hand embroidery. The appearance was in support of his gospel album Company’s Comin’. Said Jordan, “I grew up in the shadow of the Grand Ole Opry. So you know, it’s like a mecca to me. To be invited and to get to do three songs, it’s a big deal.”
• OUT: In a video clip that went viral, a 13-year-old trans teen was viciously attacked in the hallway of her middle school in South Florida by a bully. Equally disturbing, other students circled around the teen laughing and kicking at her while she struggled to stand up. The school and police say they are investigating, but a week later no disciplinary action has been announced.
• JoeMyGod: The last on-air liberal has left Fox News as former DNC chair Donna Brazile and Juan Williams of “The Five” have both departed the right-leaning network. The New York Times reports that “Fox News has adapted to the post-Trump era by moving in a single direction: Trumpward.”
• Pink News: A furious ‘Karen’ demanded to speak to the manager of the entire airport and got the response she deserves. The woman went from “I’m a women in a dress” to “You F’off” in a nano second.
Notice how she went from “helpless victim” to straight up about to charge at a guy in 0 seconds flat
Because I noticed that, those tears dried up pretty quick when the facts came out
— classic fresca (@ClassicFresca) May 26, 2021