Proud of ‘Over the Rainbow’ — Gay Iconography

Many of us are still processing the tragedy in Orlando last weekend. There are so many important things we must take away from the tragedy. Never forgetting the lives of the innocent LGBTQ lives lost. Making gun control an LGBTQ issue. Understanding how our community is still a target.

There were even more takeaways that followed, hopeful takeaways. We are resilient. We are clever. We are loved. And, also, we are goddamned talented.

At vigils and remembrances across the country, a familiar chorus rang out. In London, in Melbourne, in New York City, LGBTQ people came together to honor those we lost, to comfort those of us still here and and to sing “Over the Rainbow.”

The song has long been embedded in the fabric of the LGBTQ community. Of course, the song was originally written for The Wizard of Oz, performed by ultimate gay icon Judy Garland. It would become her signature song until her death. As if the lyrics about a youth living in a black-and-white world dreaming about a vibrant, colorful existence somewhere over the rainbow wasn’t enough to cement the song in LGBTQ history, it’s said the creator of the rainbow flag was inspired by the song.

Whether you’re celebrating pride this month at a parade, with friends or just on your own, do it with some of our favorite “Over the Rainbow” performances below.

And, please, never stop singing.

Judy Garland, “Over the Rainbow” in The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
There’s a land that I’ve heard of once in a lullaby.

Patti LaBelle, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” Live at the Apollo (1989)

Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream,
Really do come true

Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”/“What A Wonderful World” (1993)

Someday I’ll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far
Behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That’s where you’ll find me

Rufus Wainwright, “Over the Rainbow” Live at the London Palladium (2007)

Somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow. Why then, oh, why can’t I?

P!nk, “Over the Rainbow” Live at the Oscars (2014)

If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow why, oh, why can’t I?

What’s your favorite “Over the Rainbow” performance?

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Predominantly LGBT Megachurch in Dallas Evacuated Due to Bomb Threat

Dallas’ Cathedral of Hope, a predominantly LGBT congregation that is often referred to as the world’s largest gay church, was evacuated early Sunday in response to a bomb threat.

The church was evacuated at about 8:05 a.m. local time after suspicious packages — a suitcase and two carry-on bags — were found on the property, The Dallas Morning News reports.

Services titled “Be Anxious for Nothing” were scheduled for 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday, one week after the terror attack that left 49 people dead at a gay Orlando nightclub.

As a bomb squad investigated, the church went forward with the services outside, with congregants gathered under trees.

“This will not deter us from worship this morning and we will continue to not walk in fear or allow instances of hate to overcome the promise to love,” the church wrote on its Facebook page.

UPDATE: The packages have been deemed harmless:

The packages have been deemed harmless, and we are headed back inside just in time for the 11am service! A special thanks goes out to our Dallas Police Department and law enforcement that have done everything to ensure the safety of our community and church family.

More from the Dallas Police Department:

On June 19, 2016, shortly after 8:00 a.m., Dallas officers responded to a suspicious package call at the Cathedral of Hope located at 5910 Cedar Springs Road.  When officers arrived, they were informed that a security personnel, employed by the church, was making his rounds of the outer perimeter when he came across what he believed to be a suspicious package.  The package was located near an adjoining construction site on the east side of the church.  The church was in service at the time and a decision was made to evacuate the parishioners as a precaution.  

Officers cordoned off the area and notified the Explosive Ordinance Unit (EOD).  Once EOD arrived, they were able to determine that the package did not contain any explosive material.

#LGBTQH LOVE WINS! Cathedral of Hope not anxious this morning! pic.twitter.com/6priz90Av8

— Chewy’s Uncle (@CJAupperle) June 19, 2016

A bomb squad is on the scene at the Cathedral of Hope church after the evacuation earlier. t.co/Qt0crGZ1xf pic.twitter.com/8lsgHzSHfv

— NBC DFW (@NBCDFW) June 19, 2016

Cathedral of Hope: Bomb squad is on the way for suspicious packages near scaffold pic.twitter.com/4HxpVplUJ1

— CBSDFW (@CBSDFW) June 19, 2016

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Guys Turn To Whisper To Vent Their Feelings About Orlando

There’s no right or wrong way to process the events of last weekend. All we hope is that everyone has found at least one person — a friend, a family member, a nice-looking person in a bar — to talk to about what’s happened and let out the feelings that have no doubt welled up.

Below, we hear from guys who’ve turned to Whisper to express how the tragic blow to the community has affected them.

Whatever you’re feeling, you’re not alone:

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PHOTOS: The DILFiest DILFS Of Instagram

It’s Father’s Day and we couldn’t think of a better way to honor all the great dads out there than by doing a roundup of some of the sexiest DILFs on Instagram.

Scroll down to see the hot daddies, and join us in wishing all the dads of the world a Happy Father’s Day!

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AG Loretta Lynch to Visit Orlando, Release Transcript of Phone Calls with Shooter: WATCH

U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch says the government will be releasing a partial transcript of the phone conversations between the Orlando shooter Omar Mateen and hostage negotiators while Mateen was in the horrific process of taking 49 lives last weekend in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando.

Said Lynch to Jonathan Karl on ABC’s This Week:

“What we’re going to be doing also is talking more about what happened, sadly, inside the nightclub. Tomorrow, for example, we’ll be releasing a partial transcript of the calls between the killer and the hostage negotiators so people can, in fact, see the type of interaction that was had there. I say partial because we’re not going to be, for example, broadcasting his pledges of allegiance. We are trying not to revictimize those who went through that horror. But again we’re trying to get as much information about this investigation out as possible, and we want people to provide information that they have to us.”

Lynch also said she’ll be going to Orlando this week:

“I’m actually going to Orlando myself on Tuesday to meet with the team on the ground, to get an on-the-ground briefing on the investigation. We’re meeting with the victims, the first responders, talking about the way in which we’re going to be supporting the victims and the first responders. And also, operationally, you know, we will be releasing more information about this investigation as it comes to light.”

Watch:

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The First Sporting Event in Orlando Since the Shooting Was Full of Emotion: WATCH

At Saturday’s Orlando City SC soccer game, the first major sporting event in Orlando since last Sunday’s tragic massacre, players took the field to the Beatles’ “All You Need is Love” wearing specially-made shirts emblazoned with rainbow hearts.

“All you need is love.” #OrlandoUnited #ORLvSJ t.co/BDwDRh0f37

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 19, 2016

In the stands, 50 reserved seats sat empty, each festooned with a colored balloon: 49 seats for each of the Pulse nightclub shooting victims and one for Voice singer Christina Grimmie.

50 seats reserved for the 49 victims of Pulse shooting, w/ 50th balloon & seat for Christina Grimmie #OrlandoUnited pic.twitter.com/va1KVWPSbb

— UCF Knight News (@UCFKnightNews) June 18, 2016

Major League Soccer also played this video before the game, featuring MLS players including out L.A. Galaxy player Robbie Rogers.

We stand with Orlando. #OrlandoUnited t.co/OkzB4t6Ji7

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 18, 2016

A moment of silence was held at the 49th minute of the game.

A moment of silence in honor of the 49 victims of the Orlando tragedy #OrlandoUnited t.co/H3JaNjsfiI

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 19, 2016

The Orlando City SC and Orlando Pride teams made a joint video showing support for the victims.

We are #OrlandoUnited. pic.twitter.com/8olpvDygIL

— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) June 18, 2016

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ABC Quietly Drops Anti-LGBT Hate Group Leader From Sunday Show Orlando Discussion

ABC changed its mind about giving the Family Research Council’s Tony Perkins a platform to discuss the Orlando shooting, but didn’t bother to mention the change to anybody.

The post ABC Quietly Drops Anti-LGBT Hate Group Leader From Sunday Show Orlando Discussion appeared first on ThinkProgress.

thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2016/06/19/3790189/abc-tony-perkins-orlando/