Tag: Virginia

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My Favorite Thing Today: A Father’s Speech At School Board Meeting

Cody Connor at October 10 Virginia Beach school board meeting

Cody Conner, a Virginia Beach dad, has gone viral with his straight-to-the-heart speech at an October 10 Virginia Beach school board meeting where he addressed newly enacted discriminatory policies targeting LGBTQ students. This is easily my favorite thing today. Continue reading “My Favorite Thing Today: A Father’s Speech At School Board Meeting”

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Onscreen Chemistry In Gay Cowboy Flick + More News

L-R Ethan Hawke, Pedro Pascal (photo: Sony Pictures Classics)
Some news items you might have missed: • Gay Times: Ahead of its UK premiere, acclaimed director Pedro Almodóvar praised the intense onscreen chemistry between Pedro Pascal and Ethan Hawke in his new gay-centric cowboy film Strange Way of Life. Continue reading “Onscreen Chemistry In Gay Cowboy Flick + More News”

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Andrew Ridgeley On The Last Time He Saw George Michael + More News

WHAM! bandmates Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael
Some news items you might have missed: • The Advocate: Andrew Ridgeley of Wham! has opened up about the last time he saw his bandmate George Michael before the latter’s unexpected death in 2016. Continue reading “Andrew Ridgeley On The Last Time He Saw George Michael + More News”

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Mother Charged In Case Of 6-Year-Old VA Student Who Shot Teacher

The mother of a 6-year-old boy who shot his first grade teacher in Virginia in January has been charged criminally in connection to the incident.
Richneck Elementary in Virginia (screen capture)
The mother of a 6-year-old boy who shot his first grade teacher in Virginia in January has been charged criminally in connection to the incident. A special grand jury will also be convened to consider whether others should also be held accountable for the shooting. Continue reading “Mother Charged In Case Of 6-Year-Old VA Student Who Shot Teacher”

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Brittney Griner Is Back With Phoenix Mercury + More News

WNBA star Brittney Griner is officially back with the Phoenix Mercury after signing a one-year, $165,100 deal to return to the court after her 10-month imprisonment in Russia
WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner (photo: Lorie Shaull – CC License)
Some news items you might have missed: • JoeMyGod: WNBA star Brittney Griner is officially back with the Phoenix Mercury after signing a one-year, $165,100 deal to return to the court after her 10-month imprisonment in Russia. Continue reading “Brittney Griner Is Back With Phoenix Mercury + More News”

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News Round-Up: April 2, 2021

With the warmer weather finally here, make sure you get out in the sun and enjoy the warmer weather.

With spring finally here, make sure you get out in the sun and enjoy the warmer weather.
Time to get outdoors and enjoy the warmer weather (stock image via Depositphotos)
Some news items you might have missed: • Andrew Christian: With the weather finally warming up, it’s time to get out to the great outdoors for a date that includes some Vitamin D. Check out these ideas for you and your boo to do. • LGBTQ Nation: On March 31, Karine Jean-Pierre, the principal deputy White House Press Secretary, became the first out Black woman to host an official White House Press Brief. She delivered the briefing standing mid-flight aboard Air Force One. • Kenneth-in-the-212: Don’t miss Kenneth’s weekly round-up of the best in LGBTQ publications including the feature in Hot Spots Magazine (below) on LGBTQs and our furry family members.
Hot Spots Magazine covers LGBTQ people and their furry family members
(image via Hot Spots Magazine)
• Broadway Cares: The virtual edition of Broadway Backwards delivered an exuberant evening of performances and raised a record $749,555 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center. The free online event can now be viewed by clicking here through 11:59 pm Eastern on Saturday, April 3. • Instinct Magazine: Virginia is now the 13th state to ban ‘gay panic’ and ‘trans panic’ legal defenses in cases of violence and murder on LGBTQ people. • Tostitos: The chip maker brings out Emmy Award winners Dan Levy (Schitt’s Creek) and Kate McKinnon (SNL) together for this cute new ad spot where the comic geniuses one-up each other describing the flavor of new Habanero Tostitos. McKinnon thinks the chips are “drama” but Levy says they are “pelvicular.”

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Virginia Gov Restores Voting Rights For Those Who Serve Their Prison Sentences

Governor Ralph Northam of Virginia

Governor Ralph Northam of Virginia
Governor Ralph Northam of Virginia
From the office of Virginia Governor Ralph Northam:

Governor Ralph Northam today restored the civil rights of more than 69,000 Virginians using new eligibility criteria that mirror a proposed change to the Constitution of Virginia that would automatically restore voting rights to individuals upon completion of their sentence of incarceration.

With today’s announcement, Governor Northam has restored civil rights to more than 111,000 people since he took office.

Under current law, anyone convicted of a felony in Virginia loses their civil rights, including the right to vote, serve on a jury, run for office, become a public notary, and carry a firearm. Virginia remains one of the three states in the nation whose constitution permanently disenfranchises citizens with past felony convictions, but gives the governor the sole discretion to restore civil rights, excluding firearm rights.

I personally believe if you are found guilty of a crime, go to prison and serve your sentence, by definition you have paid your debt to society as determined by the justice system. And so, yes – you should have your right to vote restored. Read the full public statement here.