Tag: openly gay

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Jeb Bush To Name Openly-Gay Tim Miller As Communications Director

Tim Miller of America Rising PAC

According to Politico, Jeb Bush will name openly gay Tim Miller, executive director of America Rising PAC, as his top communications aide.

Miller, 33, worked on Sen. John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign, and was national press secretary of Jon Huntsman’s nascent 2012 presidential campaign. He has also served as a spokesman for the Republican National Committee.

I’ll be curious to see how the NRC jives with this seeing how the national platform is so anti-gay on so many issues.

Last year, Miller told National Journal that being openly gay and Republican hasn’t really affected his career. “Some told me to be prepared for it to be an issue in past political campaigns, but it never has,” he says. “A big takeaway for me as I’ve encountered political operatives who are worried that being open might have a negative impact on their career is that you don’t need to hide to be successful, and it wouldn’t be worth it, regardless.”

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Video: Michael Sam – One Year Later

Out pro-footballer Michael Sam has penned an op-ed for SI.com wherein he shares his thoughts on the past year as he became the first openly gay player in the NFL.

Deciding to publicly come out is a major moment in every gay person’s life, and nobody wants to be outed. So the reason I came out in the public way I did, in a nationally televised interview, was to ensure that I would again have a chance to tell my story on my own terms.

I don’t think I was prepared, nor could I possibly have been, for what happened next. So many people called me courageous, and some even called me a hero, while others told me that my announcement had given them inspiration and even helped them in their personal journeys. For the record, I don’t consider myself a hero or courageous. I was just being true to myself, but if that was enough to help some people through a difficult time in their lives, then I am very grateful to have been able to do so.

[snip]

I don’t believe that being gay has kept me off an NFL roster, but I will challenge anyone who says I don’t have the talent to make it in the league, and I will continue to push myself every single day and do whatever it takes until I can to earn another roster spot.

Read Sam’s full essay at SI.com.

And check out his interview with SI’s Robert Kiemko below:

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Out CNN News Anchor Don Lemon Makes “Worst Journalism of 2104” List

Openly gay CNN news anchor Don Lemon finds himself on a “Year End” list nobody really wants to be on – “Worst Journalism of 2014.”

The Columbia Journalism Review’s recap of the year’s “most cringeworthy news blunders” included the out anchor because of a series of off kilter moments that made headlines this year.

“Live television is exceedingly difficult to produce, of course, but Lemon’s gaffes this year offer a case study in how to choose words wisely — or not,” wrote David Uberti.

Among Lemon’s 2014 gaffes listed were mentioning the “obvious” smell of marijuana during the Ferguson riots, asking in seriousness if a black hole might have been responsible for the disappearance of Malaysia Flight 370, and comparing spanking children to dog training.

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Shenanigans By Sen. Ted Cruz Lead To Texas’ First Gay Federal Judge

Thanks to Sen. Ted Cruz, his home state of Texas now has it’s first openly gay federal judge.

Dallas Morning News has the details:

The Senate confirmed three Texans Tuesday night for lifetime judicial appointments, capping an effort to fill vacancies in the state that have languished for years.

The nominees — U.S. Attorney Robert Pitman of San Antonio, Texarkana lawyer Robert Schroeder III and Sherman Magistrate Judge Amos Mazzant III — were approved by a voice vote on Congress’ final night this year.

Pitman, the first openly gay U.S. attorney in Texas history, will be the state’s first openly gay federal judge. The process was sped up over the weekend, when Sen. Ted Cruz forced action on the constitutionality of the president’s immigration policies. The move failed badly — but gave Majority Leader Harry Reid more time to set up votes on a slew of nominees in the final days of the chamber’s session.

Before that point, it was unclear whether the three Texans could be approved before Republicans take over the Senate on Jan. 6.

(h/t JMG)

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Did Maine Just Move Closer To The First Openly Gay US Governor?

This election cycle, Maine has been entrenched in a three way race for governor. The incumbent Republican Gov. Paul LePage and Democratic U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud have been locked in a very tight race, with Independent candidate Eliot Cutler polling at about 13 points.

Today, Cutler held a press conference where he stopped short of quitting the race but did make clear to voters that should they not think he can win on election day to “vote their conscience.”

In other words, go with the guy who can win.

In that Cutler is a left-leaning candidate (former environmental lawyer and worked under the Carter Administration), most believe his support would go to Michaud. Should Michaud win, he would become the United States’ first openly gay governor.

While the November 4 elections look bleak in many ways for Democrats, it could be history making for the LGBT community.

Fingers crossed.

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Michael Sam responds to release by the St. Louis Rams

Out NFL-er Michael Sam responds to being released by St. Louis Rams
Michael Sam

Out NFL-er Michael Sam sent a series of tweets once it was announced that he was being released by the St. Louis Rams, once again demonstrating the class act that he is a class act.

It’s clear to everyone watching that this isn’t the “finish line” for Sam.

In the next 24 hours it’s very possible one of the other 31 NFL teams will pick up Sam. If not, it’s pretty certain he will be signed to the Rams’ practice squad – giving him more time to hone his skills waiting to either be activated by the Rams or picked up by another team.

But today is not a destination.

Just a detour.

Trust and believe.

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Michael Sam released by St. Louis Rams

Openly gay NFL hopeful Michael Sam was released by the St. Louis Rams today
Michael Sam

Outsports is reporting that Michael Sam, 7th round draft pick and SEC Defensive Player of the Year hoping to become the first gay man to make an NFL regular season roster, has been released by the St. Louis Rams.

The next 24 hours will determine Sam’s immediate NFL fate. The other 31 NFL teams can put in a claim for his services and Sam would go to the team that claimed him first. If Sam is unclaimed, there is a strong chance he will be signed as one of 10 practice squad players by the Rams.

If that happens, Sam can practice with the Rams but not play in a game. For that to happen, he will have to be placed on the active 53-man roster, something that can occur, for example, with injuries to other players. Practice squad players earn a minimum $6,300 per week they are on the team. This amounts to $107,100 if he lasts all 17 regular season weeks on the squad. Had Sam made the Rams roster, he would have earned $420,000 this season. He gets to keep the $45,000 signing bonus he was given after the draft.

It would appear the decision came down to a choice between Sam and undrafted rookie Ethan Westbrooks. Westbrooks is one of nine defensive linemen to land a roster spot.

Throughout the preseason Sam has shown he has the skill and determination to play in the NFL. Dropping 13 pounds prior to camp, he upped his speed. And his stats warrant a spot in the league: in four preseason games, Sam stacked up 10.5 tackles and three sacks in the preseason, including two sacks of Johnny Manziel last weekend.

I think it’s clear both on and off the field, Sam has shown tremendous poise, confidence and talent.  The LGBT community can feel proud that Sam has handled himself so ably.

Here’s hoping we have good news in the next 24 hours.

Go Michael Sam!

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New “Survivor” cast members – Josh and Reed

Meet Josh (the blond) & Reed (the brunette). This dating couple from NYC, who are both Broadway performers, will be competing on the new season of Survivor for the million dollar prize.

Reed and Josh both feel that because they are “fun” folks won’t be so quick to vote them off. Although, Reed doubts Josh’s ability to fool people saying he doesn’t have a good poker face.

The couple also mention that their shared faith – both are Christian – is a big part of their relationship.

Check out the duo below, and tune in for the Season Premiere of Survivor: San Juan del Sur – Blood vs. Water Wednesday, September 24th at 8/7c. Only CBS

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LGBT Recruiting – Forth Worth Police Department

Fort Worth police detective Chris Gorrie

In my hometown of Fort Worth, Texas, the Fort Worth Police Department has begun a series a humorous four-minute videos to encourage recruitment.

The one posted below stars openly gay police detective Chris Gorrie.

“You may be asking yourself, ‘What does this 30-year-old white guy have to do with diversity?’” asks the eight-year veteran. “Well, the short answer is, I’m gay.”

Serious progress for my hometown that the PD can make this kind of video.

Bravo, Chris and the FWPD.

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Music: Jay Brannan “Square One”

Out singer/songwriter Jay Brannan just released his new music video for “Square One” off his latest CD Always, Then & Now as he heads out on tour for the next several months.

Critics have had this to say about Brannan’s uber-obvious talent:

“Brannan’s star is on the ascent.”
–James Reed, THE BOSTON GLOBE

“The Male Joni Mitchell”
–Alex Catarinella, GEN ART PULSE

“the kind of indie folk that makes you feel warm and fuzzy while tearing out your insides”
–Louis Peitzman, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

You can download the new album on iTunes or Amazon.

“square one”
music & lyrics by jay brannan

does anybody here have a soul?
put the thermostat on overdrive, the air is bitter cold
everywhere i look is nip & tuck
and every song they play in here is vapid as fuck

well i don’t give a shit about the weekend
i don’t wanna hear about your car or what you’re drinkin’
don’t know what to make of all of it
the same people claiming it gets better treat everyone like shit, and

[chorus:]
everyone sings about leaving, breaking off
but where the hell do they run?
here we were receiving, giving, making love
when some something came undone
sticking me back at square one

pigs & asses used to lived on farms
friendly skies weren’t always overrun by airborne infants in arms
life’s a beach, and should you swim astray
you’ll fade to grey some castaway, there’s no lifeguard service today

falling for the foolish can be tough
but everything is possible when you hate yourself enough
not my proudest moment, but the one i’ve got
it’s a little painful being so much less cool than you by a lot, and

[chorus]

i just met you yesterday, and i’m already imagining the break-up
a little lovemaking and a 2nd latte is enough to keep me charging towards the shakeup
you’re fucking out of my league, when will i learn it?
could sell the devil my soul, and he’d return it

[chorus]