Fitness trainer Michael Blevins (screen capture via Boy Culture) Some news items you might have missed: • Boy Culture: Michael Blevins (above), a close personal friend of actor Henry Cavill’s who has trained him since 2011, used Instagram Stories to argue against the COVID-19 vaccine and face masks, leaning on his belief that the main reason the virus has been so deadly — well over a million killed worldwide — is because too many of you are fat, fat, fat. • PBS: A record number of bills to limit transgender rights have been introduced this year in state legislators across the country, with lawmakers in 28 states considering 93 bills targeting the rights of transgender Americans. • KTLA: NSYNC’s Lance Bass is getting ready to open the nation’s largest gay club in West Hollywood. Bass signed a lease to rent the space that was once home to famed gay nightclub Rage, which closed in September after a 37-year run over a landlord dispute.
• AP: As Wisconsin stands on the precipice of another COVID-19 surge, the state Supreme Court struck down Gov. Tony Evers’ statewide mask mandate on Wednesday, stripping the governor of one of his last remaining tools to curb the spread of the coronavirus. • New York Times: Pfizer and BioNTech report that their coronavirus vaccine is extremely effective in adolescents 12 to 15 years old, perhaps even more so than in adults. No infections were found among children who received the vaccine in a recent clinical trial; they produced strong antibody responses and experienced no serious side effects. • PEOPLE: Former half-term governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin, has announced she has tested positive for the coronavirus and is urging people to wear face masks. • Kenneth-in-the-212: Over at KIT212 the ‘Song of the Day’ is Madonna’s “Live To Tell,” inspired by a Facebook post by one of my favorite LGBTQ journalists, Jeremy Kinser, who declares the tune is Madge’s best ballad. I agree with Jeremy and Kenneth. (Although, ‘Rain’ comes in a close second…)
Monica Cole of the hate group One Million Moms (btw, not ‘one million’) is mad a new ad spot from Pantene has the nerve to feature a transgender girl and her two moms.
Pantene just released an online commercial that has resulted in backlash from Christians and non-Christians alike. Sawyer, a transgender girl, and Sawyer’s two moms are featured in the latest Pantene ad, which glamorizes the LGBTQ lifestyle.
“Just be yourself and don’t let anybody tell you who you are” is one of the extremely misleading taglines from the new Pantene ad.
A feel-good nod to those who falsely believe gender can be chosen, the tagline sadly goes against the biblical truth that God created us and decided who we were before forming us in our mothers’ wombs.
The commercial is narrated almost entirely by one mom as the other mom quietly sits beside her, with a few added lines from Sawyer. But do not be deceived. Notice some of the misleading wording used within the ad to normalize the LGBTQ lifestyle.
Procter & Gamble, Pantene’s parent company, also owns several other lines of products that conservatives should avoid purchasing and supporting.
This ad is not the first time P&G has pushed the LGBTQ agenda in their commercials.
In fact, 1Million Moms has launched campaigns and voiced our concern in the past regarding P&G’s transgender Gillette ad for Father’s Day, as well as their lesbian Head & Shoulders ad for prom.
We wanted to let you know that, once again, P&G has decided to cater to homosexuals and their sinful lifestyle choice.
“Sinful lifestyle choice…”
Of course, these are the same folks who bitch and moan about ‘cancel culture’ in social media even as they literally send out messages like this to ‘cancel’ Proctor & Gamble. The haters had a similar hateful response a couple of years ago when Gillette ran a spot about a trans man learning to shave.
Dr. Rachel Levine (image via Twitter) Dr. Rachel Levine was confirmed today by the U.S. Senate as assistant secretary of health at the Department of Health and Human Services. By a vote of 52-48, Levine made history as the first openly transgender federal official to be confirmed by the Senate. Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Susan Collins (R-ME) voted yes along with all Senate Democrats. Levine was previously Pennsylvania’s secretary of health, where she led the commonwealth’s COVID-19 response. LGBTQ advocacy groups applauded the news. Liz Seaton, policy director for the National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund:
“Her qualifications as a physician and Surgeon General of Pennsylvania and her experience dealing with the public health issues affecting our country today made her an incredibly qualified candidate for this position. Our country will be in good hands as we face unprecedented health challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic to the epidemic of opioid addiction and the longstanding HIV/AIDS epidemic.”
Lambda Legal CEO Kevin Jennings:
“The Senate’s confirmation of Dr. Levine marks the return of science, competence, and empathy to one of the most important institutions in our government and at one of the most critical public health moments in our nation’s history. Throughout her impressive career as a doctor and public servant, Dr. Levine has demonstrated a commitment to equity in health care and an understanding of how public health is inextricably linked to social justice.”
And Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Institute, said the following about her confirmation:
“President Biden committed to appointing our nation’s most qualified leaders to tackle the pandemic and he delivered in choosing Dr. Levine.
“Yet the importance of this moment extends well-beyond the health of our nation alone. At a time when hateful politicians are weaponizing trans lives for their own perceived political gain, Dr. Levine’s confirmation lends focus to the contributions trans people make to our nation and deflates absurd arguments calling for their exclusion.
“Her experience leading the health department in Pennsylvania will serve our country well and her unique perspective regarding healthcare for trans people will be invaluable.”
History made: Dr. Rachel Levine was just confirmed as the next Assistant Secretary for Health, becoming the first-ever openly transgender federal official confirmed by the Senate.
Trans people are leaders, innovators and change-makers — and we deserve a seat at every table. pic.twitter.com/bNotSqaWDu
Beauty and the Beast star Luke Evans (via Instagram) Some news items you might have missed: • Instinct Magazine: Beauty and the Beast star Luke Evans shared the above photo with his Instagram followers proving that everyone didn’t get out of shape during the pandemic. #bastard #morewine • Kenneth-in-the-212: If you’re a fan of classic TV sitcoms, don’t miss Kenneth’s 25 facts about the finale episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Hubby Michael and I recently binge watched all 168 episodes and, yep, we still love it. • Pantene: The hair care giant recently shared this ad spot about a trans teen and her two moms – “Hair is a large part of our identity. And for LGBTQ+ youth like Sawyer, who choose to express themselves, their style, & their creativity through their hair style, it can help them feel seen. Catch up with Sawyer and her mom Ashley & see how this family is.” #BeautifulLGBTQ
• The Advocate: The Arkansas legislature has passed a bill allowing health care providers or insurers to deny care that conflicts with their religious beliefs. Civil rights groups say it opens the door to widespread discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and others. For instance, pharmacists could refuse to fill prescriptions for transgender patients’ hormone treatment. • NY Times: Normally one of the ratings stalwarts of daytime TV, The Ellen DeGeneres Show has seen a huge drop in ratings over the last six months. DeGeneres has lost over a million viewers since the beginning of 2020. • Gr8erDays: Believe it or not, William Shatner (Star Trek, TJ Hooker, Boston Legal) is 90 years old today. #LiveLongAndProsper https://www.instagram.com/p/CMsmMFJBKmS/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Dr. Yazan Abou-Ismail (via Instagram) Some news items you might have missed: • Out: A transgender woman has filed a lawsuit against staff at the Michigan Department of Corrections where she was imprisoned, claiming she was raped after staff forced her to share a cell with a convicted rapist and murderer. She was raped a second time by another inmate after staff forced her to share a cell with him (another convicted rapist) following her return from the hospital. • Greg In Hollywood: Today marks the 12th anniversary of the longtime LGBTQ blog run by the awesome Greg Hernandez. In recognizing the date, Greg says he’s going to take some time off – but not permanently – before heading into his next year of celebrity/entertainment news. • The Hill: Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), a Trump ally and fiscal conservative, says he plans to force the Senate clerks to read aloud the entire $1.9 trillion COVID-relief bill on the Senate floor, which could slow it down by as much as 10 hours. It’s worth noting a wide a majority of Americans support the legislation: a new Morning Consult poll shows 77% of Americans support the bill.
Ron Johnson: “I’m going to make them read their 600-700 page bill.”
Johnson also plans to force votes on a HUGE amount of amendments to drag it out. “We need to keep this process going…I’m going to lead the effort to resist this thing.” Suggests it could drag into Sunday — Manu Raju (@mkraju) March 3, 2021
• Washington Post: The House of Representatives will not be in session on Thursday as planned after officials warned of credible threats of violence circulated by right-wing extremists that March 4 is the “true Inauguration Day” when former president Donald Trump will be sworn in for a second term. • CBS News: Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York addressed the mounting sexual harassment allegations against him Wednesday. “I now understand that I acted in a way that made people feel uncomfortable. It was unintentional and I truly and deeply apologize for it. I feel awful about it and, frankly, I am embarrassed by it.” Cuomo said he will “fully cooperate” with the attorney general’s investigation, adding he’s “learned an important lesson.” • InstaHunks: Woofy Dr. Yazan Abou-Ismail (top photo) is giving you serious furry goodness. He also has a fun sense of humor.
UK rock band Trash Boat (screen capture) New music for your Hump Day listening, and there’s something for everyone ranging from head-banging rock, guitar pop, a classic rock ballad, and pensive, chill hip-hop. First up is the powerful new single from Trash Boat, “He’s So Good,” a concept piece about a young man who, even in the face of abandonment, spite and naked homophobia remains a positive and loyal element in their family; forgiving and loving parents who don’t love him back. “Mercifully, my background is love and support,” explains lead singer Tobi Duncan. “I come from a family who never expected me to be anything other than myself. I will always be thankful for that. I never felt the need to announce that I felt differently, because I didn’t feel different in a way that was upsetting me. I have a brother, a cousin and an uncle, all gay. No issues, just love.” “I too was interested in men the same way I was with women,” continued Duncan. “I reserve my right to be attracted to any one human in the world regardless of their gender/ orientation or whatever. Why box myself in? A label seems limiting. I just felt like me and felt comfortable being so with the support of my family and friends.” It’s not often we get full-on rock music that lands so solidly in the LGBTQ space, but this is terrific. And Duncan’s vocals are killer. The band is teaming up with Hopeless’ Records Sub-City not-for-profit to donate proceeds from merchandise sales to AKT, a charity dedicated to helping LGBTQ+ youth at risk of homelessness in the UK. Follow Trash Boat on Instagram here.
UK songwriter Lande Hekt (photo credit: Gingerdope) UK songwriter Lande Hekt recently released the music video for “December,” a track from Hekt’s critically acclaimed debut solo album, Going to Hell. Going to Hell is an introspective guitar-pop showcase that represents a time when Hekt was coming out. The record details how there were so many things that didn’t feel right in her life, along with learning how to come to terms with being gay. Or, more accurately, realizing that pretending you’re not gay can’t go on forever. Atwood Magazine called the new album “a rousing, emphatic charge through the mind of Hekt. It’s passionate, powerful and thoroughly entertaining.” A track centered around feeling scared to do anything when you like someone, the video for “December” utilizes a single take for the majority of the clip showing her cutting off her own hair in a very bold move. “My hands were shaking as I chopped my hair shorter than I’ve had it since I was four-years-old, whilst trying to remember the words to the song and not cry,” she recalls. Check out the new video below, and follow her on Instagram here.
Jeffrey St. Germain (image via Facebook) Out singer/songwriter Jeffrey St. Germain recently released his latest single, “Evermore.” The piano ballad shares a message of overcoming difficult obstacles that life often throws at us. The track has a dreamy, classic rock vibe as the Canadian-born singer offers solace and peace repeating the lyrics, “It’s alright, just keep fighting.” The track is dedicated to those who have been affected by addiction, depression or anxiety. And after the year we’ve had, who hasn’t? A favorite frontman for cover bands in downtown Las Vegas, Jeffrey began to create and record original songs during the pandemic lockdown with the help of his musical partner and BFF Kevin Woodall. “We wanted to write music that we felt, had been missing from the market; real, authentic and artistic,” says the musical duo in a press statement. Hit the play button below. You can find more on Jeffrey at his official website here.
Blxck Cxsper’s new single ‘Self Medicating’ (screen capture) Montreal artist and Trans Trenderz label founder, Blxck Cxsper returns with their latest single and video for “Self Medicating.” The track represents a more vulnerable side of Cxsper as they recently opened up about their struggles with suicide, depression, and their recent diagnosis of autism. The vibe is chill and introspective, and leads the listener to a terrifically pensive guitar solo. “‘Self Medicating’ is a song about me, an autistic person who is going through life masking as neurotypical, not knowing that that’s what they’re doing and that that’s why they feel so lonely and so hopeless,” says Cxsper. “And the same way this song helped me find the words to finally learn about myself, I’m hoping it will help others the same way.” Earlier this year, Cxsper was named one of Billboard’s first Change Agents: Leaders Stepping Up In A Year of Turmoil, highlighting their efforts to boost up-and-coming Black Trans artists. “Music has the power to humanize Trans people in the eyes of society,” Cxsper told the magazine. “Building a platform to elevate Black Trans voices into the mainstream music industry is the way that I’m contributing my skills to help.” Stream “Self Medicating” here, and you can follow them on Instagram here.
L-R Sen. Rand Paul, Dr. Rachel Levine (screen captures) During a joint hearing of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee held today to confirm Surgeon General Nominee Dr. Vivek Murphy and Dr. Levine, most questions were focused on the issue of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. But Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) – who is also a self-certified ophthalmologist – came prepared with an unhinged transphobic rant which seemed to catch everyone by surprise including Dr. Levine, who is transgender. Levine, currently the Secretary of Health for Pennsylvania, is President Biden’s nominee for assistant secretary of health. The position oversees the department’s key public health offices, several presidential and secretarial advisory committees, 10 regional health offices across the nation, the Office of the Surgeon General, and the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. In addition to being the Keystone State’s Health Secretary, Levine has amassed a lengthy resume in the field of health care which includes being a professor of pediatrics and psychiatry at the Penn State College of Medicine. It’s worth noting that Levine has been confirmed three times by the Republican-controlled state Senate of Pennsylvania. “Genital mutilation has been condemned by the WHO, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations Population Fund,” said Paul reading from a prepared statement. He continued stating that such medical procedures are “nearly always carried out on minors and is a violation of the rights of children.” The senator seemed to be conflating bottom surgery with castration and female circumcision, which is performed on children in some countries around the world. Minors being treated for gender dysphoria almost never have bottom surgery. Instead, they are given puberty blockers which allows trans youth time to consider, weigh and explore who they are before teen hormones can permanently change their bodies. Paul attacked the use of such puberty blockers citing the American College of Pediatricians. That might have sounded like a legit reference except the organization has been designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center for promoting anti-LGBTQ bias. The name is intended to be misleading as it is often confused with the American Pediatric Association, the actual recognized organization of pediatric physicians. That group advises parents of trans kids to “listen, respect and support their child’s self-expressed identity.” Levine showed admirable composure during Paul’s lengthy tirade. “Transgender medicine is a very complex, and nuanced field,” Levine said. “And if confirmed to the as assistant Secretary of Health, I would certainly be pleased to come to your office and talk with you and your staff about the standards of care and the complexity of this field.” For the record, Dr. Levine never endorsed the idea of government overriding the involvement of parents being involved in their children’s health care issues. Sen. Patty Murray, chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions, clapped back at Paul asking him to treat nominees before the committee with respect. “It is really critical to me that our nominees be treated with respect and that our questions focus on their qualifications and the work ahead of us, rather than ideological and harmful misrepresentations like those who heard from Sen. Paul earlier,” Murray said. Today’s hearing marked the first time an openly transgender person has sat for Senate confirmation for a presidential appointment.
Beginning with the words “genital mutilation,” Sen. Rand Paul launched into an unhinged #transphobic rant during the confirmation hearing of Dr. Rachel Levine (who is trans) pic.twitter.com/IOvIVXmE66
Rand Paul asking Dr. Levine, the first transgender person to seek Senate confirmation, whether she supports “genital mutilation” of young kids. What a shameless human.
Kentucky Senator Rand Paul’s dangerous & transphobic questioning of Dr. Rachel Levine (a transgender woman who is Biden’s nominee for Assistant Health Secretary), shows exactly why the Trans Community needs protections from bigots like Rand Paul.
Rand Paul equating “gender mutilation” to transition surgery gives oxygen to transphobic narratives.
And it’s a national embarrassment to do such at the confirmation hearing for Dr. Levine. I sincerely hope the Senate confirms Dr. Rachel Levine based on her vast qualifications. — Jake Lobin (@JakeLobin) February 25, 2021
Rand Paul’s transphobic questioning of Dr. Rachel Levine this morning is why we need the #EqualityAct.
— Victoria Brownworth #RaiseTheMinimumWage (@VABVOX) February 25, 2021
Jessica Watkins (mug shot) A transgender woman arrested for taking part in the January 6 invasion of the U.S. Capitol building has asked to be released from jail until her trial citing safety concerns while in custody. Jessica Watkins, a member of the far-right militia group the Oath Keepers, was arrested January 17 on some of the most serious charges related to the violent insurrection. Her lawyer alleges Watkins has been “treated harshly” during her time in jail reports Buzzfeed. Because she is transgender, her lawyer says she is at “particular risk in custody.” According to the petition for release, Watkins says she suffered an arm injury while being held in an Ohio county jail and was refused medical treatment. The 38-year-old apparently went on a four-day hunger strike in order to protest that decision. She says officials responded by stripping her naked and leaving her “in a cell with lights on 24 hours a day for 4 days in full view of everyone.” In asking for release, Watkins argues she is not threat to the public and offered to wear a monitoring device. Her attorney admits his client’s actions on January 6 were “misguided,” but alleges Watkins “believed that the president of the United States was calling upon her.” The public defender claims his client “did not vandalize anything … or engage in any destruction of property, and in fact, encouraged others not to vandalize.” The petition also notes that Watkins “drove nearly eight hours to turn herself in to local police” after discovering she was wanted for questioning. But prosecutors point to photographs of Watkins, a former Army Ranger, showing up to the Capitol building in full tactical gear. Upon arriving, she joined other Oath Keepers in pushing through the hyped up mob, up the stairs and inside the building. Investigators also obtained text messages from Watkins shortly after Joe Biden was declared the winner in the 2020 presidential election inviting people to her group’s basic training in Ohio. “I need you fighting fit by innaugeration [sic],” read one message.
(screen capture via DSquared2) Some news items you might have missed: • Instinct Magazine: The acclaimed indie film, Ma Belle, My Beauty, a queer polyamorous love story that was embraced by critics when it debuted at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, has scored a distribution deal. • AP News: A federal judge has dismissed a discrimination lawsuit by a transgender fire chief due to a technical flaw with the initial complaint she filed with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Rachel Mosby led a rural Georgia city’s fire department for more than a decade, then got fired 18 months after first coming to work as a woman. • DSquared2: Model Malik Delgaty (top image) puts on a private show in this provocative one minute spot for the brand’s Stripped2 underwear line. “What happens in the Secret Room will remain at the Secret Room.”
• BosGuy: It’s ‘Furry Friday’ at the Boston-based LGBTQ blog and this week’s hottie ticks the “fur” and “ginger” boxes 🙂 • HuffPost: Six Capitol Police officers have been suspended with pay and 29 others are under investigation for their alleged roles in the riot last month. According to Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), one of the suspended officers took a selfie with a person who was part of the mob that overtook the Capitol. Another wore a “Make America Great Again” hat and appeared to direct rioters around the building. • New York Post: Wait – Sen. Ted Cruz’s Mexico vacation blunder gets even worse. After telling reporters his home, like many Texans, had lost water and heat – he apparently left the family poodle Snowflake behind in the cold.
Don’t vote for anyone you wouldn’t trust with your dog.
MP Luke Pollard and boyfriend (via Instagram) Some news items you might have missed: • Instinct Magazine: Grammy Award winner Ricky Martin is now a spokesperson for the onePULSE Foundation, the nonprofit founded to honor the lives and deaths of the 49 murdered victims at the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting. • Pink News: An episode of ABC drama The Good Doctor is winning praise for a sensitive and authentic portrayal of a pregnant transgender man. The Good Doctor cast trans actor Emmett Preciado as Rio Gutierrez, as a gay transgender man who discovers he is pregnant while also battling a brain tumor in a recent episode. • RIP: Ground-breaking out singer/songwriter Ari Gold passed away this past weekend at the age of 47 after a lengthy battle with leukemia. Long before anything close to the acceptance of gay recording artists we see today, Gold jumped out of the box with hits like “Where The Music Takes You” and more. RIP Ari Gold.
• NY Daily News: A Manhattan judge on Tuesday dismissed all charges against a white woman who on May 25 called the cops on a gay Black bird watcher in Central Park for requesting she leash her dog. The judge found that, after attending therapy sessions “designed towards introspection and progress,” the charge of falsely reporting an incident could be dropped. • Washington Post: A wealthy conservative donor gave $2.5 million to a group who said they were going to investigate voter fraud in the 2020 election. Now he wants his money back. • Out: A British Minister of Parliament, MP Luke Pollard (top photo), received abuse online for a Valentine’s Day message of love for his boyfriend he posted to social media. “He looks 12 years old,” wrote one commenter. “You should be locked up.” Mind you, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, 56, is currently engaged to 32-year-old fiancé Carrie Symonds, who lives with the prime minister in the official residence at 10 Downing Street. Twenty-four year difference and no one raises an eye-brow.
