Today In LGBT Pride: 9/11 Hero Mark Bingham
No More Pride Reaction Emoji On Facebook
Remember during Pride Month last year, Facebook gave us the uber-adorable rainbow Pride reaction emoji?
Ah, good times 🙂
Yep – along with a thumbs-up, a sad or mad face, and love reaction we had the rainbow emoji even though it was only for Pride Month.
Last year, the rainbow flag was used millions of times as a reaction on multiple posts, pictures and events on social media.
But this year, our social media will be a bit less colorful as Facebook has decided to drop its Pride reaction emojis. It seems last year was just a “new experience test.”
Lisa Stratton, a spokeswoman from Facebook, told Business Insider that the social media giant is ending all custom reactions “for major holidays or moments in culture.”
Maybe on Mother’s Day you might have noticed the themed “flower” reactions were absent this year.
That said, though, it’s not all bad news.
Facebook is releasing a new set of Pride-themed filters and stickers for Facebook, Messenger and Instagram. Of course, Instagram has afforded us the rainbow emoji for some time now.
And, according to the Book of Face, the new stickers and filters will be available all year long – not just Pride Month.
@facebook the one thing I wanted from you for this month were #PrideReact #PrideReacts. Are they coming? June is here! #WeWantIt #BringItBack— Adrián de la Maza (@adriandelamaza) June 1, 2018
@facebook has decided to not do #pridereacts this year. Next you’ll be telling me there’s no @santaclaus. @TheTweetOfGod save us all… 😭— Trinity (@peaceloveplus) June 2, 2018
Nyle DiMarco’s Pride Edition Of American Sign Language
Just in time for Pride Month, woofy Nyle DiMarco is here to help you break down the sign language barrier for when you meet that hot deaf dude at a Pride festival.
The America’s Next Top Model/Dancing with the Stars champ (who has come out as sexually fluid) took to social media to help out with some easy-to-learn American Sign Language.
Nyle is an avid advocate for ASL since out of the estimated 70 million deaf people in the world, only 2% have access to education through sign language.
I had to chance to spend time with Nyle a while back and learned deaf folks appreciate even a small effort in learning to communicate with them. Plus, it’s fun.
In this first video, Nyle teams up with gender queer artist Chella Man to teach basic queer signs like gay, bisexual, lesbian, trans, drag and more.
Y’all have been asking for queer signs!@chellamanart and I are teaching!!Thank you @them: https://t.co/vaMJxLOom3 pic.twitter.com/ksxYEYmLFe
— Nyle DiMarco (@NyleDiMarco) May 31, 2018
Looking to flirt? Nyle’s got you covered:
Well if you see a cute Deaf person and wanna call BAE right away… pic.twitter.com/339IjnX8No— Nyle DiMarco (@NyleDiMarco) April 19, 2018
And then there’s the all-important question:
I mean… just in case if you’re sleeping with a Deaf person pic.twitter.com/eo6uavLFkN— Nyle DiMarco (@NyleDiMarco) April 19, 2018
By the way, Nyle is also up for a gym buddy if you’re interested:
News Round-Up: June 1, 2018
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| (image via Instagram) |
Some news items you might have missed:
• InstaHunks Brett and Alex get their Pride on as Pride Month 2018 begins today.
• A 22-year-old Christian preacher who says he wants gay people killed, but as ‘humanely’ as possible. Matt Powell believes homosexuality is ‘disgusting’ and the government should ‘execute’ them. Well, I’m not a big fan of you, Mr. Powell.
• Netflix got all sassy throwing shade at Roseanne Barr in the aftermath of her recently cancelled sitcom.
The streaming service tweeted a reminder to Roseanne viewers that its One Day at a Time sitcom remount “is a sitcom about a tight-knit, working class family that tackles extremely topical social issues, in a smart and innovative way. Ya know, if you’re suddenly looking for a show like that….” #Meow #Shade #ComeSitNearMe
Reminder: @OneDayAtATime is a sitcom about a tight-knit, working class family that tackles extremely topical social issues in a smart and innovative way. Ya know, if you’re suddenly looking for a show like that… pic.twitter.com/er4Fx6Cxb6— Netflix US (@netflix) May 30, 2018
• Russia has announced displays of Pride will be allowed during the World Cup in spite of “gay propaganda laws.”
• MNEK’s new single, “Colour,” is an upbeat anthem perfect to kick off Pride Month. Featuring Hailee Steinfeld, the lyric video is full of color, rainbows and celebrates finding the love that makes your life better.
Secretary Of State Mike Pompeo Recognizes LGBTI Pride Month
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| Secretary of State Mike Pompeo |
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued this statement recognizing June as LGBTI Pride Month:
The United States joins people around the world in celebrating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex (LGBTI) Pride Month, and reaffirms its commitment to protecting and defending the human rights of all, including LGBTI persons.
In many parts of the world, LGBTI individuals and their supporters continue to face violence, arrest, harassment and intimidation for standing up for their human rights, participating in peaceful marches and rallies, expressing their views, and simply being who they are. LGBTI persons – like all persons – must be free to enjoy their human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association, without fear of reprisal. As Americans, we place a high value on these rights and freedoms, which all persons deserve to enjoy fully and equally.
The United States stands firmly with you as you exercise your human rights and fundamental freedoms. We wish you a safe and happy Pride Month.
While the statement is certainly appreciated, especially from one of the most vital offices in the United States when it comes to human rights, it’s worth nothing that during his confirmation hearings Pompeo reiterated his opposition to same-sex marriage.
Sen. Cory Booker presses Mike Pompeo on past same-sex marriage views. Pompeo remains opposed, but wouldn’t say if he believes gay sex is a perversion and says he respects straight and gay people the same. https://t.co/i5rLynqCjJ— Brian Ries (@moneyries) April 12, 2018
Ariana Grande Pens Love Letter To LGBT Community For Pride Month
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| Ariana Grande |
As part of Billboard Magazine’s 30 Days of Pride celebration this June, the magazine asked numerous pop culture luminaries to write ‘love letters’ to their LGBTQ fans.
Today, Billboard kicks off the month with a note of encouragement and acceptance from pop superstar, Ariana Grande.
There is nothing more infectious than the joy and love that the LGBTQ community exudes.
I grew up with a gay brother whose every move I would emulate. I idolized him. Everything Frankie did, I would do. I can’t remember a difference between Frankie before he came out and Frankie after he came out. He’s always just been Frankie.
Sexuality and gender were never topics my family and I were afraid to discuss. When Frankie came out my surprisingly unfazed (for his age) grandfather said “Congrats! Can we go to dinner now? I’m fuckin’ hungry.”
I was taught to do my makeup by queens in gay bars in New York City. I made my Broadway debut at 14 years old and did 8 shows a week but there was never a night I was too tired to run to a gay bar and do a quick Whitney cover before bed.
My music being embraced and celebrated by the LGBTQ community is all I ever truly cared about when I thought about my career goals early on. There’s no award I could win or accolade I could receive that would fulfill me more than seeing a 6-foot queen with a 4-foot ponytail walk into my meet n greet and say “hey girl” or meeting a young queer person at Starbucks and them letting me know that my music has helped them become who they are. Literally nothing.
Love is like music. It knows no boundaries and isn’t exclusive to any one gender, sexuality, race, religion, age or creed. It’s a freedom and a delicious luxury that all people should be able to sink into and enjoy every moment of.
I am eternally indebted to and inspired by the LGBTQ community. I hope to create anthems for you that wrap you up with comfort and make you get your best life for as long as I live. Thank you for celebrating me the way I celebrate you.
I love you forever.
In 2017, the recently-launched ‘Billboard Pride’ debuted the LGBTQ Love Letters Project which featured queer artists and allies sharing their love and support for the community. With letters from everyone from Barbra Streisand to Selena Gomez to Britney Spears (who wrote hers by hand) to RuPaul to Adam Lambert, the love letters fostered solidarity and acceptance in a year where it was sorely needed.
See my previous post about Donald Trump’s lack of support during Pride Month.
Under Pride Editor Patrick Crowley, Billboard continues to expand its coverage of LGBTQ artists and culture, from partnering with GLAAD to create a video of musicians speaking out against the military trans ban to shining a spotlight on rising queer talents who are often overlooked in the mainstream.
As an additional testement to Billboard’s devotion to their LGBTQ readers – GLAAD recently honored Billboard with an award for Outstanding Magazine Overall Coverage at the 2018 GLAAD Media Awards in May.
Visit Billboard Pride for more coverage throughout the month.
Democrats Celebrate Pride Month 2018
In honor of Pride Month (which began today), the Democratic National Committee issued this statement today:
“Pride Month is an opportunity to celebrate the vast contributions LGBTQ Americans have made to our society, to honor the generations of leaders and activists who have fought for equality, and to rededicate ourselves to the work that remains.
“We see the impact of LGBTQ Americans throughout our history. We see it in the hope of Harvey Milk and the trailblazing work of Pauli Murray. We see it in the courageous leadership of Bayard Rustin and the pioneering career of Sally Ride. We see it in the brilliant performances of Laverne Cox, the athletic dominance of Abby Wambach, and the indomitable spirit of the late Edie Windsor.
“Under President Obama, our nation continued its long march toward LGBTQ equality. We ended Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and we fought for transgender equality in schools, military service, health care, and public accommodations. Today, hospitals receiving Medicare or Medicaid funds must extend visitation rights to LGBTQ patients. Across the country, violence against LGBTQ individuals can now be prosecuted as federal hate crimes. And of course, marriage equality is now the law of the land.
“We’ve made incredible progress for LGBTQ rights, and we’ve seen LGBTQ candidates achieve historic victories up and down the ballot. But LGBTQ Americans still face hurdles to equality across our society – from bathrooms to bakeries to the ballot box. Every day, Republicans in Congress, the White House, and at the state and local level are trying to turn back the clock on LGBTQ rights.
“The Democratic Party stands with LGBTQ communities in America and around the world. We believe that no one should face discrimination, bullying, or violence because of who they are or who they love. And we will never stop fighting for the equality every human being deserves.”
As you may recall, while Donald Trump took time to recognize Great Outdoors Month, National Ocean Month, National Caribbean-American Heritage Month, African-American Music Appreciation Month, and National Homeownership Month, there was NO presidential proclamation for Pride Month.
Trump has, however, issued a ban on transgender people in the U.S. military after announcing via Twitter they would not be able to serve “in any capacity” in the armed forces.
Additionally, there have been executive actions in the name of “religious freedom” that make anti-LGBT discrimination easier and the Justice Department now excludes LGBT people from the enforcement of federal civil rights law.
Don’t hold your breathe for any change in LGBT policy from the Trump White House.
President Obama issued a presidential Pride Month proclamation every year of his administration.
Podcast: Anti-Trans Bathroom Measure Fails In WA; Germany Close To Adopting Marriage Equality; New Out Music From Superfruit
In this week’s headlines on The Randy Report podcast:
• An anti-trans bathroom measure in Washington state fails in epic fashion
• Germany is close to adopting marriage equality
• Chechnya resumes rounding up and torturing gay men
• UK Prime Minister Theresa May sends best wishes for “Happy Pride” in London
• Nelsan Ellis (TRUE BLOOD’s “Lafayette Reynolds”) passes away at 39
• New music from Superfruit – the disco-tastic “Bad 4 Us”
All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.
Millions Celebrate World Pride 2017 In Madrid
Organizers say approximately 2 million took part in the WorldPride 2017 festivities in Madrid, Spain, this weekend.
This year’s event coincides with the 40th anniversary of Spain’s first LGBT parade.
Via Reuters:
A convoy of more than 50 floats snaked through central Madrid amid a carnival atmosphere as part of celebrations marking the WorldPride parade, a celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights that has been held in several cities across the world since its inception in 2000.
Politicians from across the political spectrum walked ahead of the parade, passing through the Spanish capital which was decked out in rainbow flags to mark the occasion.
“Madrid wants you to remember, and to never forget, that whoever you love, Madrid loves you,” Madrid’s Mayor Manuela Carmena wrote on Twitter on Saturday.
The next WorldPride will be hosted by New York City in 2019 which just happens to be the 50th anniversary of Stonewall.
Facebook Deletes “Pride” Button
Pride Month is officially over, and with it has gone the Facebook Pride reaction.
[sniff, sniff…]
I’ll miss you, little Pride button.
But, just to be clear, we celebrate LGBT Pride every single day here on The Randy Report 😉
The pride reaction on Facebook is gone and now I’m a sad queer girl™— Paola (@paolaprezmoreno) July 1, 2017
The Pride reaction on Facebook is gone and I feel like I’ve been silenced— ✖️ (@10velociraptors) July 1, 2017
Facebook got rid of the pride reaction 🤔. Temporary support 😡.— QBeansss (@quabeeny4change) July 1, 2017