State Dept.'s Lavender Scare Apology Removed From Website

A statement repenting for decades of anti-LGBT discrimination is the latest page to go missing after Donald Trump’s inauguration.

www.advocate.com/media/2017/1/23/state-depts-lavender-scare-apology-removed-website

Members of shuttered David Barton Gym have been in locker limbo for over a month

On the evening of December 20, David Barton Gym members received an email informing them that all gym facilities in New York were permanently shutting their doors, effectively immediately.

We were, in fact, members of the Astor Place location and the three-level facility was hermetically sealed the next morning, a sign on the door explaining that the business, along with all David Barton gyms in Miami and Chicago, had “ceased operations due to competitive market conditions.”

Related: With no warning, iconic David Barton Gym unexpectedly shutters its doors

We did not, however, realize gym members had been unable to retrieve any items from their lockers if they’d left them overnight — until today. At 5:04pm, we received a mass email signed by “Donna Vogel, Asset Manager”:

Dear Members of David Barton Gym, Astor Place location:

The owner of the building has obtained a key to the premises and can now open it to you to retrieve personal belongings from your lockers.

The space will be open and access to the locker rooms will be available on Wednesday, January 25 from 11 am – 3 pm and again from 5 pm – 8 pm.

This is the only part of your relationship with David Barton Gym that we are able to help with. Please come during one of these windows of time and bring identification and something to carry your belongings in.

Thank you for your patience.

Sincerely,
Donna Vogel
Asset Manager

This is a bit of good news. We were worried we’d never wear that particular Timoteo jockstrap again.

www.queerty.com/members-shuttered-david-barton-gym-locker-limbo-month-20170123?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Trump Spokesman: Fate of LGBT Nondiscrimination Order Uncertain

Press secretary Sean Spicer said he doesn’t know if Trump will maintain the order covering federal contractors.

www.advocate.com/politics/2017/1/23/trump-spokesman-fate-lgbt-nondiscrimination-order-uncertain

This candid nine second video will actually make your heart break for Melania Trump

Perhaps the only person who looked more miserable at last week’s poorly-attended inaugural festivities other than Donald Trump himself was his wife, Melania. We’re 99.9% sure that becoming First Lady was definitely not on her list of life’s ambitions when she took her first illegal modeling gig after moving to America 20-some years ago. And yet here she is, thrust into a role neither she nor the majority of Americans ever wanted her to have.

Related: 14 “alternative facts” for the Trump administration to chew on

Now, a video has begun circulating on social media that may expose a crack in Melania’s otherwise meticulously manufactured facade. It happened during the opening prayer on Friday morning, as Franklin Graham was blessing Donald and his family. The Donald chose that moment to turn around and mutter something to his wife. What he said will probably never be known, but the shift in expression on her face speaks volumes:

Some have tried to suggest the video is fake and that someone reversed the clip; however, another shot of that same moment from a different angle shows that it, indeed, happened. If you listen to the audio at the :18 mark and watch Trump’s movements, it’s clear the clip was not doctored:

No “alternative facts” with this one, folks. We never thought we’d say this but… Poor Melania!

Related: The Trump effect: How American politics are ruining gay etiquette and making us meaner

www.queerty.com/candid-nine-second-video-will-actually-make-heart-break-melania-trump-20170123?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Sean Spicer: It’s ‘Demoralizing’ for Donald Trump to Be Constantly Questioned – WATCH

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, who held a press conference yesterday falsely accusing the media of lying about attendance at Trump’s inauguration, among other things, was asked by ABC News anchor Jonathan Karl today if it is his intention to always tell the truth and if he would pledge to never knowingly say something that is not factual.

Replied Spicer: “I think sometimes we can disagree with the facts…our intention is never to lie to you.”

Watch:

Spicer later complained about how “demoralizing” it is for Trump to be constantly challenged on things.

Reminder: This is Day One on the job.

Asked CNN’s Jim Acosta, who Trump accused of being a reporter for a “fake news” outlet in his first press conference: “Isn’t that just part of the conversation that happens in Washington? … Isn’t that part of what comes with being President of the United States?”

“No, it’s not,” replied Spicer, adding:

“There is this constant theme to undercut the enormous support that he has…I think it’s just unbelievably frustrating when you’re continually told it’s not big enough, it’s not good enough, you can’t win…Over and over again there’s this constant attempt to undermine his credibility and the movement that he represents, and it’s frustrating for, not just him, but I think so many of us that are trying to work to get this message out…To constantly be told, no no no, and to watch him go, yes yes yes. and have people put blocks up. It is frustrating… It is a little demoralizing… And then you look at the stuff that is happening…”

Watch:

Here’s the full presser if you’d like to watch:

The post Sean Spicer: It’s ‘Demoralizing’ for Donald Trump to Be Constantly Questioned – WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.

Sean Spicer: It’s ‘Demoralizing’ for Donald Trump to Be Constantly Questioned – WATCH

Why We Marched (Video)

I am woman hear me roar.

www.advocate.com/politics/2017/1/23/why-we-marched-video

New ad campaign gets sudsy with gay couples

What better way to relax in these troubling times than with a sudsy bath? Lush Cosmetics has some suggestions for bathing together, and they’ve included same-sex couples in a super cute new ad campaign.

Technically, the images are part of a Valentine’s Day promotion, but they seem nicely timed to remind the world that even with a violent anti-gay regime taking over the United States, tolerance is still the order of the day among all good people. In fact, an image featuring two women directly references the Women’s March.

To everyone marching today, time for some well-deserved bubbles! #bettertogether #womensmarch #loveislove pic.twitter.com/LDWuSX9EkU

— Lush North America (@lushcosmetics) January 22, 2017

Reaction has been just about entirely favorable, aside from some jealous griping from people who don’t have a bathtub large enough for two people.

Our Valentine’s Day goodies are even better when you’ve got someone to share them with. Online and in shops now: t.co/e7OJujFK3I pic.twitter.com/sPryxZ3icE

— Lush North America (@lushcosmetics) January 19, 2017

@lushcosmetics do you also sell significant others?

— ?Freyja (@VergeofLove) January 19, 2017

@lushcosmetics the person who runs the social media here is so sweet!?It makes me so incredibly happy to see such love

— ??Michigo?? (@MichiPachirisu) January 22, 2017

@lushcosmetics I’m single, but I can’t even be salty about this because of how effing cute it is! ???????

— Kayla Jones (@kaylamarrero) January 19, 2017

@lushcosmetics loving that you use a non heteronormative couple here. Take my money forever ?????

— Gabrielle Leimon (@GabrielleLeimon) January 19, 2017

@lushcosmetics I love your company so much ? always and especially now

— coffee cat (@wundernerdcos) January 22, 2017

So hooray for capitalism! Even if our leaders don’t represent us, at least our bath products do.

www.queerty.com/new-ad-campaign-gets-sudsy-gay-couples-20170123?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29