• LGBTQ Nation: An HIV expert at the University of California, San Francisco, presented evidence this week of a major advance in the search for a “functional cure” for HIV infection.
After a single infusion of immune cells engineered to recognize HIV, the virus in two study participants was suppressed to undetectable levels.
Some news stories for you as we head into the weekend:
• The Fight: Fresh off his recent cover feature for Playgirl, Britney Spears’ ex, Sam Asghari (above), is using his heightened profile to bring mainstream attention to a poignant new short film titled Freedom of the Fly, which centers on the life of a gay Muslim man. Continue reading “Sam Asghari Promotes Gay-Themed Short Film + More News”
Yevhen Makarenko, Inna Makarenko, Oleh Makarenko (mugshots) Some news items you might have missed: • LGBTQ Nation: A family in Florida (above) is is facing counts of first-degree attempted murder, burglary with battery, and kidnapping, all with hate crimes enhancements, following an alleged attack that left a gay man blind. Continue reading “Florida Hate Crime Leaves Gay Man Blind + More LGBTQ News”
Checking in on some of my favorite InstaHunks this week, beginning with Avengers star Chris Hemsworth throwing some playful shade on his brother Liam’s birthday hoping he will “finally get in shape.” Continue reading “InstaHunk Round-Up: Weekend Edition”
(image via Instagram) For the most part, it’s pretty safe to say the gays like Britney Spears and the gays like eye-candy. So, it’s almost a twofer that Brit’s man, Sam Asghari, is easy on the eyes. Like a lot of folks, we’ve occasionally clicked on his Instagram thirst-traps for momentary brain breaks. But, for some reason – and I still don’t know what it is – I was surprised when a Twitter user pointed out that Asghari had ‘Liked’ Instagram posts by Donald Trump. Sure enough, I went to the Trumpster’s Instagram (which I never do) and, when someone you follow ‘Likes’ a post their name shows up, there it was. Huh. How about that…
Now, I want to be clear that a ‘Like’ on an Instagram post doesn’t signal Britney Spears’s “support” for Trump. This isn’t about bashing or calling out Britney. And I’m not saying this is the biggest thing in the world. It’s not like he doesn’t get to like whatever political figure he wants. But for some reason, it did make me pause. Maybe since Britney has spoken out in support of Dreamers, and the Trump administration has gone after Dreamers to such a huge extent, it seems surprising? Maybe we assume couples tend to be like-minded? Or Asghari’s Insta-posts go for that ‘uplifting’ kind of tilt that seems so the opposite of Trump? When folks noticed the ‘Likes,’ Asghari responded in his Stories by making a joke writing, “I get soo many questions about politics and who I’m voting for…Let me tell you how much I know about politics! I think donkey and elephant both need to workout badddd.” He added, “I’m in no position to point out and make statements about politics.” He went on to encourage folks to “do your own research and vote based on that information not based on someone opinion that barely knows who the president is.” (screen capture) Fair enough, although it seems like a dodge. I did wonder, though, does Asghari really get a lot of questions about politics and who he’s voting for? Or was he dancing around the Donald in the room? I’m not demonizing Asghari, but the moment did move me to step back and ponder (again) how being good-looking gets some people a pass from some folks. All you gays that keep liking Aaron Schock posts, I’m looking at you. A couple of years ago, I was interviewing an InstaHunk for my podcast regarding a project he was working on, and in the course of the chat, it became clear through a couple of comments that he was a Trump supporter. And he remarked that ‘Russian interference in the 2016 election didn’t really happen.’ While it took me aback at the time before I posted the episode I checked to see if he was good with that being included and he said ‘yes.’ Sure enough, I got emails from listeners – who knew I’d featured the guy on my blog in the past – with some question marks and raised eyebrows. I guess, in our own heads, we make a lot of assumptions about who folks are in their internet Insta-Lives and are surprised when things don’t align? Who knows why Brit’s guy liked the posts? I know I don’t. But I am paying a little more attention to who ‘Likes’ what on the Gram of Insta and then considering why I might be following them. (h/t Boy Culture)
Sam Asghari, Britney Spears’ main squeeze, recently revealed that he wasn’t always the woofy, muscle hound he is today. He also shared how he was able to lose 100 pounds in becoming the fit beast he’s become.
In a recent profile in Men’s Health, the 24-year-old said he began to gain weight after being cut from his college football team. He eventually tipped the scales at an eye-popping 290 pounds.
“I was eating Doritos for breakfast, fast food, sugar, candy, no protein, a lot of carbs, and drinking sugary sodas,”Asghari shared. “My nutrition was extremely horrible. The stress and the fear of not going anywhere [in life] combined gave me my depression.”
A post shared by Sam Asghari (@samasghari) on Dec 5, 2016 at 12:15pm PST
After six months of seriously bad nutrition and not working out, Asghari committed to making changes in his life.
“I could either continue going through the same thing or I could give it another 100 percent,” he said. “I didn’t want to have to deal with that depression and disappointment anymore. I had to restart.”
Working three jobs was proving to be a deterrent to better health and fitness as well. Asghari quit two jobs and made fitness his primary job.
Along the way, he did swing a bit past center in the obsessive department: measuring his body fat percentage daily and limiting his calorie intake to 1,500.
In only six months, he was 100 pounds lighter, and had reached a stunning 9% body fat.
With all the changes in his health and appearance came high-profile gigs with A-list artists including his appearance in the Fifth Harmony video, “Work.”
A post shared by Sam Asghari (@samasghari) on Feb 26, 2016 at 5:14pm PST
Shortly thereafter he was cast in Britney’s “Slumber Party” video.
Hello + chemistry = couple-hood.
Now, Asghari shares his fitness regime with Brit via Instagram.
“The exercises, I come up with them, but the videos are because of my better half. She’s the video director,” he said. “It’s a very fun thing, and I look back at them and smile. Working out together is always nice and we try to do it a couple times. It’s super healthy, mentally and physically. It takes your mind off of everything else.”
