Tag: LGBT ally

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Chef Duff Goldman On Gay Wedding Cake Lawsuit At SCOTUS: “This Is Discrimination”

Chef Duff Goldman

Duff Goldman, celebrity baker and star of Food Network’s Ace of Cakes, has penned an essay sharing his thoughts on the upcoming U.S. Supreme Court case, Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission.

As many know, baker Jack Phillips, who owns Masterpiece Cakeshop, refused to sell a gay couple a wedding cake in 2012 for their reception to be held in Colorado due to his being a “Christian.”

Colorado has a long-standing public accommodations law that bans discrimination based on sexual orientation. Goldman was sanctioned for breaking the state’s anti-discrimination ordinance.

Phillips has appealed and lost a couple of times, and now heads to the U.S. Supreme Court to try and fight for legalized discrimination.

In his essay, fellow baker Duff explains why Phillips is wrong.

Here’s an excerpt via People:

This is not about the cake. This is plainly and clearly distorting constitutional rights to justify discrimination against a LGBT people.

When a business chooses to open its doors to the public, and then chooses to sell cakes for wedding receptions, it doesn’t have the right to refuse to sell the product to people just because of their sexual orientation, or their gender identity, their race, or their religion.

I take a tremendous amount of pride in the products I create for my customers. As do a lot of people. Plenty of businesses sell products and services every day that include creativity: salons, caterers, retail outlets, restaurants, coffee shops, etc. But that doesn’t mean they are allowed to refuse service to people because they are gay, and it doesn’t mean that providing a service means you endorse an idea or message. It just means you are a public business and as such you are open to everyone in the public. I have a responsibility to treat all of my customers with the dignity and respect they deserve.

We decided a really long time ago that businesses don’t get to discriminate against their customers because of who they are. I mean, permitting business owners to pick and choose who they serve would be the equivalent of displaying a “wedding cakes for heterosexual people only” sign in storefront windows. And, if the Court decides that he can do that, what’s to stop another business owner from putting a sign that says “Men Only” or “Whites Only” or “Christians Only,” or any other sign that allows them to pick and choose?

This is wrong. We know it’s wrong. This is discrimination.

So as a business owner, and a maker of cakes, I am creative in making my products, and following laws against discrimination doesn’t encroach on my freedom of speech. But more importantly, this isn’t about cakes. It’s about discrimination.

Duff has also signed on to a “friend of the court” brief – Chefs for Equality – that has been filed in the SCOTUS case.

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Hillary Clinton At The Human Rights Campaign National Dinner 2017

What can I say? Hillary Clinton addressed the Human Rights Campaign’s National Dinner in Washington, D.C. last night.

Via Politico:

Clinton took aim at the White House’s efforts to roll back the Affordable Care Act and ban transgender service members, as well as its silence on international LGBT issues, during her remarks at the national dinner of the Human Rights Campaign, an LGBT rights organization.

…”You know and [Trump] knows that transgender people have fought and died for this country,” Clinton said, adding that it was “insulting and wrong” for his administration to suggest transgender troops are unfit to serve.

Trump’s Justice Department has also argued in court that LGBT people are not protected from discrimination under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, reversing a legal position trumpeted by the Obama administration. It also voted against a United Nations resolution that condemned use of the death penalty against those who engage in consensual same-sex relationships.

“We cannot rely on this administration or the Supreme Court to uphold LGBT rights,” Clinton said. “We need to be agitating to pass the Equality Act,” she added, referring to proposed legislation that would make housing and workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity illegal.

Clinton touched on many other topics, including the upcoming anti-gay Colorado baker lawsuit coming to SCOTUS: “It is just wrong that in 2017 you can lose your job, lose your home, or, if this administration gets its way, be denied a wedding cake simply because of who you are or who you love,” she said.

There’s much more, but really, hit the play button below.

Please watch. Please. #ShesWithUs

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Music Video: Maggie Szabo’s “Don’t Give Up” Is A Love Letter To Trans Youth

Acclaimed Canadian pop singer/songwriter Maggie Szabo drops her moving and uplifting new music video, "Don’t Give Up On Love."
Maggie Szabo

Acclaimed Canadian pop singer/songwriter Maggie Szabo recently released her moving and uplifting new music video, “Don’t Give Up On Love,” from her upcoming EP Worthy.

The video, a love letter of support to the LGBTQ community, tells the story of a transgender high school student attending prom.

Szabo’s soaring vocals sweep across an emotional, anthemic musical landscape accompanied by gospel-tinged backing vocals. The lyrics share an empowering message of hope and acceptance.

When your back’s against the wall
Cuz you feel you’ve lost it all
There’s nowhere left to turn and no one left to call
There is someone just like you
Who feels the same way too
Why would you surrender?
Don’t give up on love

Touching and authentic, the video is dedicated to transgender youth around the world who live in fear and suffer from rejection and exclusion.

Via press release:

The powerful and poignant narrative of ‘Don’t Give Up’ is reflected in an exquisitely cinematic video, that follows a girl who is struggling with her gender identity and the pressures of conformity in high school. Szabo’s ultimate messages to fight for social justice and equality, “people are people, love is love. Society needs to stand up” professes Szabo. “I can’t stand by and watch millions of transgender youth live in fear for their safety, outcast from their homes and marginalized by society simply because they are struggling to understand their gender identity. I want to stand with them.”

“Don’t Give Up” was written and recorded in Los Angeles along with Stefan Lit (One Direction) and Chaz Mason.

With over 14 + million Youtube views, Szabo has been featured on several high profile media outlets including Billboard, Perez Hilton, Huffington Post and Yahoo Music!

A portion of the proceeds from this music video will be donated to the Ali Forney Center whose mission is to protect LGBTQ youths from the harms of homelessness and empower them with the tools needed to live independently.

Watch “Don’t Give Up” below.

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Podcast: Interview With Pop Music Superstar & LGBT Ally Richard Marx

In this episode of The Randy Report podcast, I chat with Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter/producer – and LGBT ally – Richard Marx, who has made a gorgeous debut as a headliner on the Las Vegas Strip with his limited engagement residency, “Satisfied: Only The Hits,” at Flamingo Las Vegas now through Sept. 2, 2017.

Among his many achievements, Marx is distinguished for having written a #1 song in four different decades across various charts.

Having sold more than 30 million albums worldwide and notching an amazing 14 #1 singles (his latest – Keith Urban’s #1 smash “Long Hot Summer”) both as a performer and songwriter/producer including “Hold on to the Nights,” “Satisfied” and “Now and Forever,” fans get to experience the pop/rock artist up close in an intimate Las Vegas showroom as Marx performs acoustic versions of his greatest hits backed by a gorgeous string quartet. The evening also includes the true, personal stories behind his hits.

We chat about one of his favorite music collaborations, his Las Vegas gig at the Flamingo, his terrific podcast “Song Talks with Richard Marx,” plus as a staunch LGBT ally, he shares how and why he speaks out for LGBTs.

After I quoted a few of his social media posts made in support of the LGBT community (“Anybody gay, bi or transgender out there I hope you have someone who loves you exactly as you are. Especially your parents. G’night.”), Marx had this to say:

I’m lucky in that I was born to two parents who when it came to gay rights, when it came to civil rights, when it came to race relations, from the time I was old enough to comprehend it, I had two parents that taught me what was right. And that any kind of judgment or prejudice or hatred or anybody who’s different than you is so fucked up.

And so I was raised in an atmosphere where the idea of that was just anathema. It moved me that you quoted that, because I’ve had friends, gay or bisexual friends, who I’ve witnessed them be hurt. Especially by their family. I’ve been friends with gay men whose fathers never talked to them again. And I’ve seen that pain. And it just kills me.

Along the way, I also share a couple of snippets of his live performance on stage at the Flamingo Las Vegas 🙂

Hit play and listen below.

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ARROW Star Stephen Amell To Haters: “Go Be On The Wrong Side Of History” On Someone Else’s Facebook Page

ARROW star Stephen Amell at Vancouver Pride

ARROW star Stephen Amell posted two pics on Facebook yesterday from his weekend in Vancouver where he took in part of the local Pride festivities with friends.

This morning, Amell was appalled to find he had haters hating on the fact that he merely POSTED PHOTOS from a Pride event.

While most were supportive, several were definitely haters. At this writing the post has over 34,000 reactions.

The TV super-hero posted this in response:

Facebook! What’s happening! So I’m scrolling through my page this morning and I was really taken aback by some of the back and forth commentary after I posted two photos from the Pride Parade / Festivities yesterday in Vancouver. The vast majority were positive, but a laughable amount were negative. I had a fantastic weekend in Vancouver with my wife and friends, met some terrific people and more than anything just tried to soak in all the positive energy from people living their best lives. If I’m in Vancouver next year I won’t just go back, I’ll walk in the parade. So for everyone in their negative pants: Go be on the wrong side of history on somebody else’s Facebook page. xo

You basically had the run-of-the-mill, common hater complaints:

Why do you have to shove this down my throat? Why do TV stars think they get to have an opinion on gay people?

Good on Amell for standing up to the haters.

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Lady Gaga Raises Rainbow Flag At Debut Of “Joanne World Tour”

On the launch of Lady Gaga’s ‘Joanne World Tour’ in Vancouver, a fan threw a rainbow flag to her onstage.

Gaga picked up the flag and held it high in a triumphant pose, receiving loud cheers and applause.

Sitting down to the piano with the flag draped across her piano bench, she addressed the audience:

“Needless to say, I have a lot to say about this issue.

“But the most important thing that I have to say about it is that everybody’s got to love each other.

“You got to stop throwing stones at your sisters and your brothers. Cause now, it wasn’t that long ago we were all just living in the jungle.

So, for any of you who don’t believe in equality, come to mama.”

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“Guardians Of The Galaxy” Star To Homophobes: “You Can Suck My Balls”

(image via Instagram)

Twitter user David J recently tweeted: “I want to thank @DaveBautista for being a LGBT supporter and defender. It’s important, esp for younger gen, to see that. A true Guardian!”

Imagine his surprise when the former WWE superstar and current Guardians of the Galaxy star tweeted back: “Obviously no thnx necessary but I appreciate the acknowledgement. Proud son of a lesbian and anyone who has issue w/ that can suck my balls😊”

Bautista isn’t shy when it comes to standing up to homophobia.

Last year, when boxer Manny Pacquiao compared LGBTQ people to animals, Bautista had a clear message: “My mom happens to be a lesbian so I don’t f**king take that sh*t.”

“If anyone called my mother an animal I’d stick my foot in his ass.”

I like the way Dave thinks LOL…

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New Music: Ariana And The Rose With RKCB “Love You Lately”

Ariana and the Rose, fueled by polar opposites love and loss, and personal uncertainty, releases her new synth-pop EP ‘Retrograde’ out now.

Check out her recently-released single “Love You Lately” below.

According to Noisey, the collaboration with LA electro-R&B duo RKCB “[brings] out a more sultry, R&B-toned side to Ariana,” while the song “captures the sting of relationship disintegration” (Noisey)

“This EP marks the end of a period of my life that most literally felt like it was in retrograde,” says Ariana (real name Ariana DiLorenzo). “Each track encapsulates these moments over the last year or so where I was really defining myself personally and artistically and the music is a sonic exploration of that growth and ultimately personal transformation.”

With a background in theater performance, Ariana embraces an audio-visual approach to creativity, and has curated an interactive performance and music event called Light + Space, a performance that transcends the traditional boundaries of a concert.

The native New Yorker also finds her music reaches across the boundaries of sexuality and community.

As a longtime LGBT ally, Ariana told ChicagoPride in 2014:

Growing up in New York, the LGBT community never felt separate to me in anyway, they were just my friends, my best friends in most cases. I’ve witnessed, first hand, the trials and the triumphs of what it means to grow up in a society that is finally coming around to acceptance and I’m honored to get to stand by my friends while all of this is happening.

I’ve been so fortunate to be accepted as an artist by the LGBT community and am honored to get to perform at the celebrations. Honestly, it’s the best reason to put on a show. To celebrate anyone and everyone who is living their lives the way that makes them happy. I’m just trying to make that special day even better and hopefully get everyone dancing in the process!

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Debra Messing Accepts GLAAD’s “Excellence In Media” Award Will A Call To Action

Debra Messing accepts GLAAD’s Excellence in Media Award

Accepting GLAAD’s Excellence in Media Award in New York City this past Saturday, honoree Debra Messing declared, “It’s time to make America gay again!”

The Excellence in Media Award is presented to media professionals who have made a significant difference in promoting LGTBQ acceptance.

During her remarks, Messing said, “Right now there is a very bad and very orange man in the White House. At least a few days a month.”

But it wasn’t just the president Messing had a message for. She also spoke directly to Ivanka Trump:

“It’s not enough to simply say that women’s issues are important to you. It’s time to do something. You can change the lives of millions of women and children just by telling your dad stories about real people who are suffering.

“Don’t let him separate immigrant mothers from their American-born children. Don’t let him take health care away from women who need it. Don’t allow him to make trans kids like Gavin [Grimm] fight in court for their basic human dignity.”

This fall, Messing and her original Will & Grace costars will return to NBC for a 12 episode reboot of the iconic sitcom.

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Hater Rips Down And Stomps Pride Flag On Display Outside Congressman Alan Lowenthal’s Office

Via press release, we learn that California Congressman Alan Lowenthal, a member of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, had a visitor enter the Congressman’s office and angrily attack the Pride Flag outside the congressman’s office.

Members of Congress have permanent fixtures outside each office to accommodate three flags, with two spaces going to the American flag and the member’s state flag. The third slot is used for a personal selection of the Congress member.

The flags are arranged so that they follow all laws regarding the display of the American flag.

From Lowenthal’s Facebook page:

Yesterday, an individual barged into my office in Washington and made a disparaging remark about the fact that I fly the Pride Flag outside my office. He then went back out into the hallway outside my office, removed the flag from its holder, threw it to the ground, and stomped on it. He told my staff that the flag was “disgusting, immoral, and goes against everything that is right.”

The Pride Flag is more than just a symbol of pride for the LGBT community–it stands for love, understanding, and unity.

As a Vice Chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, I have flown this particular Pride Flag since 2013 in solidarity with the LGBT community. I have committed to fly it proudly until LGBT people have all of the same rights I have and until our laws protect LGBT people from discrimination and violence. Sadly, the violent and disturbing behavior of this individual yesterday demonstrated that we aren’t there yet.

His actions yesterday–intended to intimidate and demean–only make me and those that love freedom and justice want to fight that much harder. We simply MUST pass the Equality Act now! Introduced by my colleague, Rep. Cicilline, the Equality Act would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include protections that ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Congressman Lowenthal has been an LGBT community advocate and ally for more than four decades, sponsoring numerous pieces of legislation over the years in support of LGBT rights.

He has participated in the Long Beach Pride Parade since its inception, including the very first parade in 1984 where some parade members were forced to wear bulletproof vest due to death threats.

The flag that was stomped on has been on display outside the Congressman’s DC office since 2013, and visited the steps of the Supreme Court with the Congressman when the ruling on marriage equality was announced.