LGBTQ news and entertainment
Ben Cohen took to the Strictly Come Dancing dance floor with his fellow competitors for the first time this past Saturday night.
The rugby superstar and LGBT ally is looking good!
Whoo-hoo! Go Team Cohen!
Rugby superstar and LGBT ally Ben Cohen tweeted the first picture of him in his Strictly Come Dancing clothes with the comment “Here you go. Me in my Lycra’s and a bit of Sequins!! Hehe.”
Guess who might appear shirtless on Britain’s version of Dancing With The Stars?
Whoo-hoo!
From The Metro:
Who is he: Chiseled member of England’s 2003 Rugby World cup winning squad, better known for his philanthropic work (he is founder of the anti-bullying organisation The Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation) since retiring from the game in 2011.
Chances of being true: Strictly has a long history of welcoming rugby stars on to the dancefloor. Some of them have even done quite well (Austin Healy, Kenny Logan, Matt Dawson and, against all the odds, Gavin Henson). So we don’t think it would be entirely out of the question for Ben to follow in their footsteps. And besides, we all know the show needs eye candy.
Would be most likely to: Have women (and, given his big gay following, quite a few men) swooning on the inevitable week when his shirt falls off entirely by accident.
“I love seeing on Twitter when someone says I’m gay, and I say, ‘So what does it matter if I am? So be it. I hope you are not voting for me because you are making the presumption that I’m straight.’” – New Jersey mayor and US Senatorial candidate Cory Booker in an interview with the Washington Post, saying he wants to challenge people on their homophobia.
The Australian Rugby Union has announced changes will be made to the organization’s charter regarding homophobia, and endorsing inclusion of any players who may come out.
From Australia’s The Daily Telegraph:
The policy, which will be among the first of its kind in world sport, is separate to existing anti-vilification guidelines, and is likely to see elements such as anti-homophobia programs for young players and high-profile stars in public awareness campaigns. It could ultimately even see rugby participants face penalties if guilty of homophobic behaviour.
The ARU will consult with the Australian Sports Commission, Australian Human Rights Commission, players groups and the gay and lesbian community to formulate a policy in time for the 2014 Bingham Cup.
Rugby star David Pocock, who in 2011 came out as an advocate for marriage equality and pledged not to wed his partner Emma til his gay and lesbian friends had the same right, praised the ARU’s decision:
“I am stoked. It is fantastic that the ARU is making this commitment to come up with a policy,” Pocock said.
“The one thing we have learned over the past year or so is we can’t wait for the government to lead the way on tackling homophobia, so every person needs to do it in their family and their own workplace.
“For me, that’s rugby and I am really excited to hopefully see the impact this makes on young boys and girls coming through, and hopefully having more awareness that rugby — and sport — is for everyone, and no-one should be discriminated against on the basis of sexuality.”
“Talking to some of the guys who play for the (gay rugby team) Sydney Convicts, some of their stories are awful. One young guy got voted out of his colts team when he came out to them. Those sort of things aren’t acceptable and it’s about time rugby stood up, and said: ‘This isn’t right.'”
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| Rugby star and marriage equality advocate David Pocock |
The wrestling world has brought some good news to the LGBT community this week.
First, Darren Young comes out; now, wrestling superstar Stone Cold Steve Austin endorses same-sex marriage.
Let’s hear it for the good guys!
(h/t GoodAsYou)
“Would you like a World Cup where naked people are running around displaying their homosexuality?
“The answer to that is quite obvious. The Olympics and World Cup are not a stage for various views, not for Nazis, not for any other ways of life. It should be about football and nothing else. They have nothing more to fear. They have guarantees and assurances that they will not be affected. The minister of sport [Vitaly Mutko] has given a full and detailed explanation.
“It would be strange to see someone choose such an event as the Olympic Games as a stage to propogate these ideas. We suppose people come to participate or to watch and be part of it not to display their views. Private life should remain private.” – Russian World Cup head Alexey Sorokin, speaking to World Football Insider.
To which Flea, of the Red Hot Chili Peppers had this to tweet:
Father Rod Bower posted a photo of the church’s sign board in Mann St with the message “Dear Christians, some people are gay, get over it, Love God” on Wednesday.
Within 24 hours, the post had more than 100,000 hits, 1000 shares and 3000 likes.
Father Bower said he was “overwhelmed” by the massive response.
“Normally one of my posts might get a few thousand views, but nothing like this,” he said.
“This has gone international now – there are people liking it all over the world and it is just a little sign in Gosford.”
Gosford is a city located on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia
More at the Daily Telegraph
Ben Cohen appearing in a Nike ad 13 years ago.
Even then the LGBT ally had a message of positivity and “no limits.”
What a hero.