Matthew Shepard’s Mother Judy In New Ad: Donald Trump Terrifies Me

Donald Trump’s comparatively libertarian stance on LGBT issues has been touted by some as one the few redeeming qualities in his campaign–if it’s even possible to redeem a presidential bid that has been marked by rampant racism, misogyny, zenophobia, and conspiracy mongering. But that hasn’t fooled many gay folks besides sinister tech billionaires and racist Twitter trolls with monstrous daddy issues into ignoring his promise to appoint Supreme Court justices who would overturn Obergefell vs. Hodges or his running mate’s virulently anti-gay record.

Now we can add one more iconic voice of the LGBT rights movement to the chorus denouncing the increasingly reviled Republican candidate. Judy Shepard, mother of anti-gay hate crime victim Matthew Shepard, appears in a new ad denouncing Trump’s hate filled rhetoric.

“I’ve seen what can happen as the result of hate,” Shepard says in the ad released by pro-Clinton super PAC Priorities USA.

“When I see the hate that Donald Trump has brought to his campaign for president, it terrifies me,” she continues between the now familiar clips of Trump mocking a disabled reporter, attempting to discredit a federal judge because of his Mexican heritage, and using violent language at his rallies.

Shepard knows what she’s talking about when it comes to the devastating impact of hate speech. She and husband Dennis were propelled to the forefront of the fight against homophobia when their son Matthew was brutally beaten and left for dead in an act of anti-gay violence. And while the Priorities USA ad doesn’t directly address any of the Trump-Pence campaign’s positions on LGBT issues, it draws a clear parallel between Trump’s hateful statements about minorities and the disabled, not to mention his literal calls for violence against protestors, and the ways that homophobic rhetoric can inspire acts of violence against the LGBT community.

“Words have an influence. Violence causes pain. Hate can rip us apart,” Shepard explains. “I know what can happen as a result of hate, and Donald Trump should never be our president.”

www.queerty.com/matthew-shepards-mother-judy-new-ad-donald-trump-terrifies-20161018?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

S.E. Hinton Got Into a Twitter War with Fans Who Think Her Characters in ‘The Outsiders’ Are Gay

Novelist S.E. Hinton spent Monday night rebuffing fans who questioned the sexuality of her characters in her iconic young adult novel The Outsiders.

What began as Hinton responding to a fan who wondered whether there is anything romantic between characters Johnny and Dallas quickly escalated into an online debate over the characters’ sexuality.

Hinton first responded to Twitter user VVAnn‘s question by asking for text to support an interpretation of same-sex attraction between Johnny and Dallas. Hinton then rebuked the user for saying a same-sex relationship in her book would be “cute.” Wrote Hinton, “ask someone in the ’60’s how “cute” it was to be gay.
. I have many friends I love & do not want to sleep with.”

@MrCadeWinston No. Where is the text backing this?

— S. E. Hinton (@se4realhinton) October 17, 2016

@MrCadeWinston ask someone in the ’60’s how “cute” it was to be gay.
. I have many friends I love & do not want to sleep with.

— S. E. Hinton (@se4realhinton) October 17, 2016

@se4realhinton also, you said I was a little girl, and I’m in high school. And I was just asking a question, don’t get so salty

— VVAnn (@MrCadeWinston) October 18, 2016

Hinton couldn’t seem to let go of the “cute” remark as others began to weigh in.

Hinton also said that calling a gay relationship cute is “insulting” to LGBT people and not a thought an “adult” would have.

@sunshinewylan why should they? Back it up with text. idea that it’s “cute” is insulting to LGBT people.I hope that is literally enough 4 U

— S. E. Hinton (@se4realhinton) October 18, 2016

@aroaceromanova Oh, I think it would be cute is not coming from an adult.

— S. E. Hinton (@se4realhinton) October 18, 2016

Of the backlash she began to receive, Hinton responded, “I have no problem with anyone being gay. Long time supporter of LGBT rights.have a problem with little girls thinking my characters are gay.”

This comment received some rather predictable backlash, to which Hinton responded thusly:

Hinton also said, “I have many gay friends. If you ask me if my characters are gay I will tell you they are not. It is not homophobic.”

I have many gay friends. If you ask me if my characters are gay I will tell you they are not. It is not homophobic. t.co/OTzEXkPnvv

— S. E. Hinton (@se4realhinton) October 18, 2016

Hinton then changed tacks by saying she accepts other interpretations of the text while maintaining that there exist no queer narratives within it.

@brekkerhelvar I am not stopping them. If they ask me if I wrote the characters that way I will say no, I did not.

— S. E. Hinton (@se4realhinton) October 18, 2016

I said I did not write the characters that way. I apologize for nothing. t.co/pjfagS2P7i

— S. E. Hinton (@se4realhinton) October 18, 2016

@brittany_reads @Urs_Uriarte Think what you wish. I am not the thought police.
I did not write them that way,

— S. E. Hinton (@se4realhinton) October 18, 2016

@Mint_mulatto I have no problem with interpretation. But (can’t believe I am still saying this) I did not write the characters as gay.

— S. E. Hinton (@se4realhinton) October 18, 2016

Hinton told one Twitter user that gay kids can “identify” with The Outsiders without the characters in the novel being gay.

Young gay kids can identify with the book without me saying the characters are gay.
I never ever set out to make anyone feel safe. t.co/mLO8jYturY

— S. E. Hinton (@se4realhinton) October 18, 2016

Hinton seemed to suggest that because she did not know any LGBT people when she wrote the book, she could not have created LGBT characters. “I wrote the Outsiders when I was in high school in 1965,” Hinton said. “I did not know any LGBT people. I did know plenty of guys.”

I wrote the Outsiders when I was in high school in 1965. I did not know any LGBT people. I did know plenty of guys. t.co/8NDcmF53jc

— S. E. Hinton (@se4realhinton) October 18, 2016

In defense of her characters’ heterosexuality she added, “Dallas was a womanizer. Johnny got excited when 2 Soc girls asked him to sit with them.”

Dallas was a womanizer. Johnny got excited when 2 Soc girls asked him to sit with them. So, yeah, technically I did. t.co/8NDcmF53jc

— S. E. Hinton (@se4realhinton) October 18, 2016

Hinton began blocking users who engaged in conintuous back-and-forths with her on Twitter and whose responses she seemingly disapproved of.

[h/t ONTD]

The post S.E. Hinton Got Into a Twitter War with Fans Who Think Her Characters in ‘The Outsiders’ Are Gay appeared first on Towleroad.

S.E. Hinton Got Into a Twitter War with Fans Who Think Her Characters in ‘The Outsiders’ Are Gay

HRC Releases Ad Showing Trump’s Dangerous Promise to Appoint anti-LGBTQ Supreme Court Justices

Today, HRC released a new ad highlighting presidential candidate Donald Trump’s alarming promise to appoint judges in the mold of the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, whose tenure on the high court was defined by denying LGBTQ Americans their equal rights.

“Donald Trump’s dangerous and hateful vision for our Supreme Court is to appoint justices in the model of Antonin Scalia — a man who spent his entire judicial career disparaging LGBTQ Americans, calling us murderers and polygamists,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “The future of the Supreme Court is at stake in this election, and we cannot allow Donald Trump to nominate a new generation of anti-LGBTQ judges who would perpetuate Justice Scalia’s legacy of discrimination. Hillary Clinton has long been a champion for the LGBTQ community and is the only candidate in this race who would ensure that the Supreme Court continues its historic progress securing equality for all Americans.”

Earlier this month, Griffin penned an op-ed detailing the terrible risk of giving Donald Trump the power to appoint judges. He noted that Trump’s list of potential Supreme Court nominees includes judges who have consistently ruled in favor of allowing discrimination against LGBTQ Americans.

With just 20 days until Election Day, the stakes couldn’t be more clear. Justice Scalia, during his three decades on the Supreme Court, used his position to further a narrow view of the Constitution, advocating for blatantly discriminatory laws targeting the LGBTQ community, limiting its right to privacy, and attempting to block marriage equality.

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-releases-ad-showing-trumps-dangerous-promise-to-appoint-anti-lgbtq-supr?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Hulu highlights LGBTQ-inclusive programming to support #SpiritDay

www.glaad.org/blog/hulu-highlights-lgbtq-inclusive-programming-support-spiritday

Porn Sites Are Blocking Access to California Voters

Several porn sites are temporarily blocking access to their sites for California voters because of a proposition on the ballot that forces porn stars to wear condoms during filming. 

www.advocate.com/politics/2016/10/18/porn-sites-are-blocking-access-california-voters

Days Before “King Cobra” Release, James Franco Sued For Head-Butting Photographer

According to court documents, James Franco went ferociously feral at a recent Lana Del Ray concert and charged and head-butt a photographer, just to be that way.

TMZ reports David Tonnessen was photographing the concert at Hollywood Forever Cematary when an unprovoked Franco head-butted him in the stomach.

Related: James Franco Asks Himself If He’s Really Gay And His Answer Might Surprise You

According to unusually poetic court documents, Franco was “smiling, rather demonically,” and wore a “blank expression of joy on his face” as he knocked the astonished photog to the floor.

Tonnessen claims he was subsequently hospitalized and suffered “permanent injuries,” whatever that means.

Related: Oops! James Franco Accidentally Posted A Dick Pic

He’s suing for medical expenses and additional damages. No word on whether he manage to snap a photo of the King Cobra star’s demonic smile and blank expression of joy just before he was sent screaming to the ground with the distant sounds of “High on the Beach” ringing in his ears as the crowd went on dancing, screaming, clapping, cheering…

www.queerty.com/days-king-cobra-release-james-franco-sued-head-butting-photographer-20161018?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Melania Trump Fights Back in Awkward AF Interview with Randy Rainbow – WATCH

Melania Trump responded to myriad concerns over her husband’s bid for the presidency in a new interview with Randy Rainbow.

Rainbow gets straight to the point: “America is concerned AF.” So is there anything Melania can say to reassure us as a nation? As it turns out, not really, no.

PREVIOUSLY – Randy Rainbow Gives Donald Trump Damage Control Advice: ‘Grab ‘Em By The P—y!’ – WATCH

Watch as Rainbow asks Melania about ‘P–y’-gate, verb conjugation and much more, below.

The post Melania Trump Fights Back in Awkward AF Interview with Randy Rainbow – WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.

Melania Trump Fights Back in Awkward AF Interview with Randy Rainbow – WATCH

Join HRC Arizona’s Push to Elect Pro-Equality Candidates

Post submitted by Brandie Reiner, HRC Board of Governors

It’s not enough to simply vote this election. The issues are too important and the stakes are too high.

As vote-by-mail ballots have dropped in Arizona, our local team has been hitting the ground running! Arizona, a historically red state with leaders like U.S. Sen. John McCain and the infamous Sheriff Joe Arpaio and, has the potential to shift to electing more pro-equality candidates.

HRC Arizona has mobilized and energized the local LGBTQ community. We’ve partnered with local business to host debate watch parties and teamed up with the Hillary for America campaign, as well as HRC-endorsed federal and state campaigns focused on pro-equality agendas, to get out the vote.  

Clinton has tirelessly championed for us, allowing us to climb through the very glass ceiling she smashed for all of us. It is now our turn to work for her, securing her path to victory as the next president of the United States. We must #turnOUT the vote for her and other pro-equality candidates!

This election is too important. Don’t boo. Don’t stay home. Be a part of history. Volunteer!

Join HRC Arizona for one of these upcoming events and help us elect Hillary and local pro-equality candidates!  

Phone bank with us every Tuesday and Thursday from 6-8pm at the Arizona Democratic Party (2910 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ)

Presidential Debate Watch Party, Wednesday, October 19 from 6-8pm at Bliss ReBAR (901 N 4th St., Phoenix, AZ 85004).

HRC Arizona Days of Action on October 29 and November 5 from 9am-12pm.

HRC Arizona is working hard to #turnOUT the pro-equality vote. To join our effort to get out the vote for pro-equality candidates in Arizona, sign up to volunteer.

www.hrc.org/blog/join-hrc-arizonas-push-to-elect-pro-equality-candidates?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Amazin LeThi: The Power of Sharing Asian LGBTQ anti-bullying Stories

www.glaad.org/blog/amazin-lethi-power-sharing-asian-lgbtq-anti-bullying-stories