L.A. Gay Men's Chorus 'Mobs' L.A. Metro With Holiday Cheer: VIDEO

L.A. Gay Men's Chorus 'Mobs' L.A. Metro With Holiday Cheer: VIDEO

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Here’s something to lift your spirits if you’ve been shopping too much this Black Friday. The L.A. Gay Men’s Chorus took over the city’s Red Line subway singing an updated version of “Deck The Halls”. They released the video today of their holiday-inspired flash mob, showing how they tried to spread some Christmas cheer on the train to North Hollywood last weekend. Some passengers were more thrilled than others by the impromptu performance (check out the shoulder shimmys by one woman feeling the spirit at the 1:34 mark) while other passengers just tried to ignore the festive group (in true subway rider fashion).

GmclaThe video was actually promo for the group’s upcoming annual holiday concerts at the Beverly Hills Saban Theater, December 13th and 14th. The annual shows are part of the group’s 36th season, which includes the debut of a chamber ensemble piece in memory of Tyler Clementi. Earlier this fall, the chorus was part of another on-line sensation with their featured role in a hugely viral video (5M hits and counting) about actor and aspiring performance artist Shia LaBeouf.

You can watch their new holiday video AFTER THE JUMP


Brian Sloan

www.towleroad.com/2014/11/la-gay-mens-chorus-mobs-la-metro-with-holiday-cheer.html

44 Seconds Of A New Madonna Song Leaked Online

44 Seconds Of A New Madonna Song Leaked Online
Rumors about a new Madonna album have been circulating for months. On Thursday, more evidence of a forthcoming record arrived, as 44-seconds of a track purportedly called “Rebel Heart” leaked online. (Madonna repeats the phrase “Rebel Heart” at the beginning of the clip.)

Release of the song snippet, which sounds like it was recorded off a speaker, was not sanctioned by Madonna’s management. Here’s Guy Oseary, Madonna’s manager:

I would be grateful to any @madonna fans that can assist us in finding those responsible for the leak.. We appreciate your help..

— Guy Oseary (@guyoseary) November 28, 2014

As Billboard noted, the track could be a collaboration between Madonna and Avicii, as she had posted a photo to Instagram featuring the producer and DJ with the hashtag “#rebelheart” nine months ago. Or maybe that’s the name of the possible album: Madonna has used the “#rebelheart” hashtag on many photos, including one from earlier this month of Chance the Rapper.

For more, head to TheWrap.

www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/28/madonna-rebel-heart-leak_n_6238494.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

Russian Senator: Lawmaker Behind Anti-Gay Propaganda Ban Should Face Criminal Charges, Psychiatric Test

Russian Senator: Lawmaker Behind Anti-Gay Propaganda Ban Should Face Criminal Charges, Psychiatric Test

Milonov

St. Petersburg, Russia, lawmaker Vitaly Milonov (above) wants to put people in jail if they promote so-called gay propaganda. 

But a member of Russia’s upper house of parliament says Milonov himself should be jailed for his extremist behavior. 

DobryninRussian Senator Konstantin Dobrynin (right) has requested both a criminal investigation and psychiatric testing of Milonov — a raging homophobe who was one of the architects of the country’s anti-gay law, the St. Petersburg Times reports: 

Milonov, who is also a church sexton, has been photographed wearing a T-shirt that read “Orthodoxy or Death” — a slogan banned in Russia as extremist. He was also pictured with knives and firearms during “humanitarian missions” to pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine, Dobrynin wrote.

Additionally, the flamboyant lawmaker has denounced various nationalities, including Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars, whom he described as “crazy goats,” “pigs” and “fascist Turkish mugs,” Dobrynin said.

All of this qualifies Milonov for a total of 11 criminal charges, including promoting terrorism and illegal firearms possession, the senator said. The charges carry a combined sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

It’s not the first time Dobrynin has sought criminal sanctions against Milonov, but on two previous occasions the prosecutor general declined to pursue charges. according to Russia Today. Milonov responded to Dobrynin’s latest request by comparing the senator to Judas: 

“For him, everything in Orthodox Christianity is extremism. I don’t want to notice this man,” the politician told RSN radio. “I cannot take this seriously. I have issued a personal spiritual ban for this man. He has probably written more reports on me than Judas had on Christ,” the news site Gazeta.ru quoted Milonov as saying.

Milonov authored the St. Petersburg measure that was used as a model for Russia’s national anti-gay law — and he later called on President Vladimir Putin to enforce the law during the Sochi Olympics.  

More recently, Milonov said he was drafting a bill to close a loophole that allowed same-sex couples to marry in Russia. And after Tim Cook came out, Milonov called for the Apple CEO to be banned from Russia for life, even though he uses Apple products

In other words, he’s kind of like Russia’s version of Ted Cruz.


John Wright

www.towleroad.com/2014/11/russian-senator-calls-for-criminal-charges-against-lawmaker-who-crafted-anti-gay-law.html

News: Robert Downey Jr, Pope Francis, Shakespeare, Madonna

News: Robert Downey Jr, Pope Francis, Shakespeare, Madonna

Road Austrian lesbian politician gives Pope Francis a rainbow scarf, tells him: “It would be great if you spoke up in favor of same-sex marriage”.

DowneyRoad Robert Downey Jr. stumbled upon Iron Man/Loki slash fiction while Googling himself. 

Road Shia LeBeouf clams he was raped during his infamous art show performance piece.

Road Westboro gets pranked by satirical website – causing numerous people to call up the hate church to inquire about whether or not their Thanksgiving turkey was infected with avian flu.

Road One equality activist is channeling discontent with the bigoted Duggar clan by raising funds for Lucie’s Place – a small Little Rock charity that assists homeless LGBT youth.

Road French lawmakers are debating a nonbinding motion to recognize a Palestinian state. 

ShakespeareRoad The Guardian ponders whether William Shakespeare might have been gay (and whether or not it really matters). 

Road Bloomberg examines how the .01 celebrate Thanksgiving. “Americans will eat 235 million turkeys this year, about 46 million of them on Thanksgiving. Almost all will be factory farm behemoths bred for maximum white meat and minimum cost. But if you’re willing to pay—really pay—you can grace your table with a purebred heritage turkey. These free-range birds, which are growing in popularity among chefs, well-heeled home cooks, and the farm-to-table crowd, can cost six times as much as a conventional turkey.”

Road A look at how evangelicals with gay children are challenging the way churches handle homosexuality. 

Road Pope Francis urges an end to fundamentalism.

Road Independence Day 2 gets a release date, but Will Smith won’t be returning.  

1DRoad The boys of One Direction confess: “We’re just as insecure as other guys our age.” 

Road Jake Gyllenhaal has a Thanksgiving stroll in NYC with his favorite pooch.  

Road FIRST LISTEN: A snippet of Madonna’s new song “Rebel Heart”

Road 17 adorable celebrity families to be thankful for this holiday season.


Kyler Geoffroy

www.towleroad.com/2014/11/news-13.html