HRC Launches Deep South Television Campaign for LGBT Equality: VIDEO
The Human Rights Campaign today launched the first-ever LGBT public education campaign in the Deep South – All God’s Children.
The first television ad features Mary Jane Kennedy, a self-described “Bible-believing born-again Christian,” telling the story of her middle son coming out to her as gay and why she thinks people of faith could do a better job embracing the LGBT community.
TV commercials will begin airing Monday in Jackson, the state’s largest city and prime media market, with Kennedy featured as a mom who struggled to understand her own sons’ sexuality and believes God loves them, just like everyone else. The commercials also will be available online, as will banner ads on websites.
Other commercials may follow in Alabama and Arkansas depending on the reception and results of the Mississippi campaign. The Mississippi effort — which will cost $310,000 — is part of an $8.5 million, three-year effort launched six months ago in the three states.
Both Of The GOP's Openly Gay Congressional Candidates Lose Their Races
WASHINGTON — The two men hoping to diversify the Republican Party by showing that being gay doesn’t necessarily require being a Democrat lost their congressional bids this election cycle, meaning the GOP will still have no openly gay members in Congress.
Richard Tisei of Massachusetts and Carl DeMaio of California both lost to their Democratic opponents. Democrat Seth Moulton beat Tisei by almost 14 percentage points. The race between DeMaio and Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif.) was much tighter, and The Associated Press didn’t call the race for Peters until Friday night, three days after the election.
Republican Dan Innis, who is openly gay, also ran in New Hampshire’s 1st District, but he lost in September to Frank Guinta in the Republican primary.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues came up in both DeMaio’s and Tisei’s races. The campaigns often touted the candidates’ support for LGBT rights as evidence that they were more moderate than their Democratic opponents were portraying them to be.
In early October, DeMaio aired an ad in which he openly touted the fact that he is gay.
“As a proud gay American, I’ve been called a lot of things in my life,” DeMaio said in the ad. “But a Tea Party extremist? Nothing could be further from the truth.”
Earlier this year, DeMaio’s campaign released another ad ad featuring images of the candidate with his partner, Johnathan Hale, at the San Diego LGBT pride parade.
In 2012, Tisei narrowly lost to Rep. John Tierney (D-Mass.) and the two were poised for a rematch this cycle. Tierney, however, lost this year’s Democratic primary to Moulton, an Iraq War veteran who was considered to be a tougher competitor for Tisei.
In March, Tisei distanced himself from the more conservative wing of his party by boycotting the Massachusetts GOP convention. Tisei was upset the party had adopted a socially conservative platform that did not embrace marriage equality.
The National Organization for Marriage, a group that opposes same-sex marriage, spent money to defeat Tisei and recently called on conservatives to support Moulton. Moulton, however, rejected NOM’s endorsement.
In March, Gregory T. Angelo, president of Log Cabin Republicans, a Republican group that supports gay rights, told The Huffington Post that having an openly gay member in the Republican caucus would be an important step in helping the party evolve.
“Having a gay Republican in Congress who can make the case that you can be a gay individual who is a strong Republican and also a strong conservative in the House of Representatives would shift the GOP messaging on this,” Angelo said. “It might change which bills are introduced, and perhaps more importantly, which bills are not introduced, in the 114th Congress.”
The Republican Party has had openly gay lawmakers in Congress in the past, but Tisei and DeMaio would have been the first openly gay members of the party to win seats as non-incumbents.
A handful of openly gay Democratic candidates also ran in this cycle, including Rep. Mike Michaud of Maine, who lost his bid for governor, Clay Aiken, who ran unsuccessfully for Congress in North Carolina’s 2nd District, and Rep. Sean Maloney, who was re-elected in New York’s 18th District.
Currently, six members of Congress, all Democrats, are openly gay or bisexual, and one senator, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), is openly lesbian.
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Half-Naked Babes Turn The Streets Of L.A. Into One Big Dance Studio
We fell in love with Kiesza’s video for her song “Hideaway” when it came out early this year, and what’s not to love? She does a one-take dance routine through the streets of Williamsburg, and if you haven’t seen it, it’s awesome.
So naturally this gay take featuring underwear model-esque dancers and trans performer Sasha Colby is a clear winner in our book.
It’s produced by CheapUndies, so it’s safe to assume that any of the looks in the video are available for purchase. And after seeing how all the lycra and spandex moves on these dancers, you may just want a pair yourself.
The Associated Press called the race Friday night, nearly 72 hours after polls closed in the San Diego-area district. Peters, who trailed DeMaio in early returns, currently leads the Republican by 4,491 votes, 51.2 percent to 48.8 percent.
DeMaio’s campaign was plagued by numerousaccusations that the candidate had sexually harassed former campaign staffers. DeMaio vehemently denied the claims.
Massachusetts’ Richard Tisei, the other openly gay GOP congressional candidate, lost his race as well.
For The LGBT
How other people choose to live is none of your business. Be concerned about your sins and leave others alone, this is what Jesus taught, over and over and over again.
Jared Leto May Play The Joker In 'Suicide Squad'
Why so serious, Jared Leto?
According to The Wrap, Warner Bros. wants the Oscar-winning actor to play The Joker in “Suicide Squad.” The film, from “Fury” writer-director David Ayer, is based on the DC Comic of the same name. It follows convicted supervillains who undertake black-ops missions for the U.S. government.
Per TheWrap, Ryan Gosling was initially rumored for the role of The Joker, but a deal was never made due to Gosling’s unwillingness to sign a lengthy, multiple-movie contract. Tom Hardy, Will Smith and Margot Robbie are also in talks for roles in “Suicide Squad,” with Jessie Eisenberg expected to reprise his “Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice” role as Lex Luthor. Cara Delevingne is also reportedly circling the role of Harley Quinn, the girlfriend and accomplice of The Joker.
HuffPost Entertainment contacted Leto’s reps for comment on the rumor. This post will be updated if and when one is received.
We fell in love with Kiesza’s