#TheRealReason 'The Real O'Neals' Should Be Renewed
As the ABC comedy fights for a third season, a social media campaign shows the importance of LGBT representation on network television.
www.advocate.com/television/2017/3/06/therealreason-real-oneals-should-be-renewed
Ivanka Trump’s lifestyle brand may be doomed, global retail expert says
If Ivanka Trump thought becoming first daughter was going to help elevate her lifestyle brand, she can think again. Not only are her sales in the toilet, but at least one brand expert doesn’t seem to have a lot of faith in its future.
Carol Spieckerman is a global retail expert. She says Ivanka’s brand is in trouble because her target customers are women, and many women find Donald Trump’s comments about them pretty abhorrent. The most recent Quinnipiac poll found Trump has a paltry 36% approval rating among women. (His approval rating among men is only slightly higher, at 41%.)
“The lifestyle branding premise behind Ivanka’s label is in jeopardy,” Spieckerman tells the Telegraph. “The women’s marches put the stake in the ground but arguably were survivable. Ongoing controversies surrounding her father’s actions will continue to impact Ivanka’s brand, though.”
Related: There’s something sinister behind Ivanka Trump’s poise
But even for those who aren’t turned off by Ivanka’s dad’s behavior, or Ivanka’s complacency with it, Spieckerman says the first daughter is doing other things to confuse her customers. Specifically, she hijacked its official Instagram page.
Rather than building her own Instagram following, Ivanka simply took her brand’s page, which had an impressive 3.2 million followers, accumulated over several years, and turned it into her own personal page. That means anyone who followed the brand to see what new items the line was promoting are now confronted with random pictures of Ivanka’s dad, kids, and the goings-on inside the White House. Meanwhile, the Ivanka brand had to start back from scratch with an entirely new Instagram page.
Then, of course, there are unhelpful aggressive tweets like this from her father:
My daughter Ivanka has been treated so unfairly by @Nordstrom. She is a great person — always pushing me to do the right thing! Terrible!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 8, 2017
The tweet drew unwanted attention to the brand as it forced Nordstrom to respond by saying the reason it was dropping Ivanka was because nobody was buying her stuff anymore. Shortly after that, the Wall Street Journal came out with a report that sales were down an alarming 70%.
The situation was further aggravated when Kellyanne Conway violated government ethics rules by urging TV viewers to “Go buy Ivanka’s stuff,” resulting in even more negative attention, and causing other retailers to jump of the #DumpIvanka bandwagon, including Neiman Marcus, Gilt, ShopStyle, Sears, Kmart, and the Home Shopping Network.
Related: Hilarious Kellyanne Conway “buy Ivanka’s stuff” memes are blowing up the Internet
“These controversial endorsements from polarizing figures like Kellyanne Conway, and the tweets from her father about her brand, undoubtedly have caused more damage [than good],” Spieckerman explains. “Ivanka may have technically distanced herself from the brand but the optics around her ongoing connection to her father, to include pictures of her in various parts of the White House, reinforce the link and in the end, the brand backlash.”
So what happens next?
“Ivanka could attempt to take her brand in another direction after Donald Trump leaves office,” Spieckerman says, hesitantly, “but she will have many headwinds to fight until that happens.”
The question is, can she even withstand those headwinds? Or will her brand meet the same fate as so many of her father’s failed business ventures?
Khizr Khan Canadian Trip Canceled: ‘His Traveling Privileges are Being Reviewed’
Gold star father Khizr Khan has canceled a speaking engagement in Canada and was notified that “his traveling privileges are being reviewed” according to a notice from the event organizer:
Khan told CTV News Monday afternoon that he has “no comments at this time.”
An advertisement from Ramsay Talks had stated that Khan’s speech would be about “the appalling turn of events in Washington – that we don’t all end up sacrificing everything.”
The news comes amid the rollout of a revised Muslim travel ban from Donald Trump.
The Facebook post:
Khan became a national name when he blasted then-Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump from the stage of the Democratic National Convention, telling the GOP candidate he has “sacrificed nothing” and, as he held up a pocket-size Constitution, asked Trump if he had even read it.
Khan has been a U.S. citizen for more than 30 years, and his son, Humayun Khan, a University of Virginia graduate and Muslim American Army captain who died in Iraq in 2004, was posthumously awarded a Bronze Star and Purple Heart
The post Khizr Khan Canadian Trip Canceled: ‘His Traveling Privileges are Being Reviewed’ appeared first on Towleroad.
Khizr Khan Canadian Trip Canceled: ‘His Traveling Privileges are Being Reviewed’
HRC Mississippi Attends Mississippi Department of Education Training
Post submitted by Harry Hawkins, Field Organizer HRC Mississippi
Last month, HRC Mississippi joined a “Respect” training with the Mississippi Department of Education as part of the American Psychological Association’s Safe and Supportive Schools program. The training aims to promote healthy choices and prevent health risks for LGBTQ youth, no matter who they are or whom they love.
Educators from across the state attended the training, learning best practices for serving their LGBTQ students and sharing resources to improve their cultural competency. Many of these educators came from very rural and conservative areas of the state and it was encouraging to meet and interact with educators who are interested in establishing safe spaces for their LGBTQ students.
The training gave us a chance to discuss the LGBTQ advocacy work that HRC Mississippi does throughout the state. It was also a chance for us to educate attendees on our Welcoming Schools program. HRC’s Welcoming Schools is the nation’s premier program dedicated to creating respectful and supportive elementary schools in embracing family diversity, creating LGBTQ-inclusive schools, preventing bias-based bullying, creating gender-expansive schools, and supporting transgender and gender non-conforming students.
HRC Mississippi was grateful to be a part of this wonderful training and looks forward to working with more educators to help support LGBTQ youth in the future.
Photos: GLAAD celebrates Sydney Mardi Gras with Australian LGBTIQ community
GLAAD wrapped up its visit to Australia to the bang of confetti cannon, marching in the Sydney Mardi Gras Parade, presenting to Australian media executives, media appearances, and sharing best practices with Australian LGBTIQ organizations.
Ray Bradford, Director of Entertainment Media, and Ross Murray, Director of Programs, Global and US South, were featured in In Conversation with GLAAD: Accelerating LGBTIQ Acceptance Through the Media. The conversation centered on inclusivity and representation in media, the harmful tropes that continue to feed into prejudice and violence for the LGBTIQ community. The panel was sponsored by Queer Screen, Screen NSW, and ACON.
Fellow panelists Benjamin Law and Jordan Raskopoulos are both taking that misrepresentation on directly. Benjamin is the creator of the new dark comedy, The Family Law, loosely based on Benjamin’s childhood, featuring a Chinese-Australian family whose son, who happens to also be named Ben, who is on the verge of discovering his sexual orientation. It’s one of very few representations of Asian LGBTIQ characters on Australian television.
Jordan is a comedian and openly trans frontwoman for The Axis of Awesome. Jordan shared her journey of coming out to bandmates and fans, and incorporating her story into her shows. She used YouTube to talk about her transition to fans of the band.
Watch out for @glaad new campaign #WeResist and for the group photo we all took 😉 t.co/GJtnfXwM2c #MGFF17 @QScreen @apcompic.twitter.com/0g0XBlzBRX
— Planet Ally (@PlanetAllyApp) February 28, 2017
In for a stellar session with @glaad thanks to @Qscreen. L-R @mrbenjaminlaw @JordanRasko @fenellak @inlayterms @AdvocacyRayB #LGBTmedia pic.twitter.com/hWLdoZ1v2I
— Danielle Warby (@DanielleWarby) February 28, 2017
.@inlayterms sharing about the @glaad careful media strategy around #OrlandoShooting @Qscreen #MGFF17 @AdvocacyRayB @sarahkateellis pic.twitter.com/CSvM5MNIoU
— Planet Ally (@PlanetAllyApp) February 28, 2017
GLAAD also met individually and in forums with executives, producers, and leaders in Australian film, television, and advertising. GLAAD presented data on acceptance from the Accelerating Acceptance report, talking about how understanding the perception of the non-LGBTIQ community will help to shape understanding and acceptance. GLAAD also talked through its two signature entertainment reports, Where We Are On Television and the Studio Responsibility Index. Joining with Australian LGBTIQ organizations, GLAAD called on Australian media to include representations of LGBTIQ people that are fair, accurate, and inclusive.
Fantastic to be @glaad Media Industry Round Table yest. Nicely done @TomCBallard and stellar panel! Tks again @inlayterms @AdvocacyRayB pic.twitter.com/gxwqXwNRMl
— Bess Hepworth (@bess_hepworth) March 1, 2017
Several Australian organizations talked about how to replicate the work of GLAAD in Australia. Ray and Ross spent several days with the leadership of the Australian LGBTI Media Centre, explaining the creation of the entertainment reports and GLAAD strategy of accelerating acceptance. The Australian LGBTI Media Centre intends to create resources for Australian media based on GLAAD resources.
A grateful shout @inlayterms @AdvocacyRayB for your genourous time and sharing best practices from @glaad 30+ years inspiring media advocacy pic.twitter.com/WqtDUUu9M5
— ALGBTIMC (@auslgbtimc) March 5, 2017
GLAAD engaged in local efforts to accelerate acceptance, attending the inaugural Australian LGBTI Awards. GLAAD was a sponsor of the “Community Initiative of the Year” award, which was presented to Australian Marriage Equality.
Congratulations to @amequality for winning the @glaad Community Initiative of the Year at the @LGBTI_au awards. #GlobalVoices pic.twitter.com/6wvdWB4X84
— Ross Murray (@inlayterms) March 2, 2017
Ray and Ross sat for a one-hour interview with JOY 94.9, Australia’s only national radio station focused on the LGBTIQ community, appearing on Word for Word with host Dean Beck. The interview included discussion about the state of LGBTIQ representation in the media, the roots of GLAAD’s global work, and GLAAD’s work with partners in Australia. Listen to the interview here.
ON AIR NOW: @DeanBeckOnAir talks to @inlayterms and @AdvocacyRayB about @glaad‘s work in accelerating LGBTIQ acceptance. #MardiGrasJOY pic.twitter.com/kTzrW4v83C
— JOY 94.9 (@JOY949) March 4, 2017
GLAAD also attended a Pride in Sport soccer match between the Sydney Football Club and the Melbourne Victory, with both teams wearing rainbow laces. Local LGBTQI clubs Sydney Rangers Football Club and The Flying Bats Women’s Soccer Club handed out rainbow laces & “Pride in Sport” promo material and carried a large Rainbow banner to the middle of the field to greet the incoming before the players enter the field in full view of the entire stadium.
Finally, GLAAD closed out its time in Sydney marching in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, marching with ACON, Australia’s LGBTIQ health organization. The Mardi Gras Parade is Australia’s premiere LGBTIQ event, similar to Pride events in the United States. After marching, Ray and Ross were interviewed at the SBS studio stage along the parade route, talking about GLAAD’s work and the representation of LGBTIQ people in Australian Media.
GLAAD’s tour of Australia was conducted through our Global Voices and Entertainment Media programs.
www.glaad.org/blog/photos-glaad-celebrates-sydney-mardi-gras-australian-lgbtiq-community
Reading the Far Right: Blasting Obama, Excusing Sessions, and Hate Aplenty
Here are some of the things we found while reading these sites so you don’t have to.
www.advocate.com/media/2017/3/06/reading-far-right-blasting-obama-excusing-sessions-and-hate-aplenty
10 reasons it’s better to choose beast over Gaston
Disney’s live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast hits movie screens everywhere March 17, and has once again raised the question: why do we, as viewers, choose the beast over male perfection? For that matter, why does Belle fall in love with the Beast, and not her hunky suitor? Gaston may make the ladies swoon, but we here at Queerty know better.
The Beast manages to win our hearts, and not just because he gets the best songs…
1. He’s Loyal
Loyalty goes a long way in a relationship, especially a romantic one. The Beast shows remarkable loyalty to Belle in the film, doting over her, caring for her and her father, and even risking his life to protect her. That kind of devotion is rare, as anyone who’s ever tried dating—gay or straight—knows. Gaston, by contrast, seems more preoccupied with finding some arm candy rather than love. The loyalty the Beast shows Belle in the face of danger makes him irresistible, and proves his strength of character.
2. The Hair
Yes, Gaston has that lovely, jet-black man bun, which makes him something of a hipster-trendy type. On the other hand, the Beast has enough hair to rock several pony tails and man buns all at once. While his reclusive life occasionally prompts him to let his hair get a bit matted, the Beast does have good enough manners to clean himself up for company—always a great trait in a man.
3. He’s Passionate
The Beast has a nasty temper—or so it may seem at first glance. Yes, he likes to roar and smash up the furniture, and yes, he growls quite a bit. The Beast also has some legitimate reasons for his grouchy mood. He had a spoiled upbringing, and to top it off, a witch turned him into a Beast, which is enough to ruin anyone’s day. What could seem like rage is actually passion. He may seem monstrous, but the Beast’s volatile temper comes from a sense of romantic depth. He’s a sensitive man, protective of his own feelings, and of the people he loves. That passionate, protective spirit, as opposed to Gaston’s shallowness, makes the Beast more than lovable. He’s worth loving, and he’ll never stop loving you.
4. He’s in Great Shape
His animalistic form might give him a bit of an unfair advantage here, but the Beast has a leg up nonetheless. Along with the hooves, claws and horns, the Beast gets to sport a lean, fit and sinewy body without needing to maintain it. Gaston prides himself on an athletic figure too, though he needs to maintain it through constant exercise, a strict diet and a whole lot of self-absorption.
5. He’s Cultured
Gaston spends a lot of time hunting, working out, and looking at himself in the mirror. Those hardly qualify as great dating activities, or as anything worth discussing in depth. The Beast, on the other hand, enjoys music. He ballroom dances. He observes good manners, and he’s well-read with a towering library to boot. Gaston may look pretty, but he runs out of things to talk about real quick. The Beast has perspective, opinion, and knows enough to hold a conversation. In short, he’s far more interesting than his human rival.
6. The Fashion Sense
Who would have ever thought that a strange manimal could have such great taste in fashion? Like his grooming habits, the Beast tends to let himself go when living an isolated life. Heck, who doesn’t like lounging about in some sweat pants or pajamas around the house. Belle’s arrival, however, forces the Beast to make himself a bit more presentable for company. Dressed in his iconic blue suit, the Beast proves that he has rather dapper taste in fashion, and knows how to show off some style on formal occasions.
7. He Has Layers
Having lived as an outsider with only his staff to keep him company, the Beast has developed his own share of defense mechanisms to mask his pain and loneliness. As queer folk, we can identify with that feeling of isolation and acting the outcast. What makes Belle—and indeed, viewers—fall in love with the Beast isn’t his animal looks, but the sweet, gentle soul within that gradually presents itself over the course of the film. His complexity far outshines his competition, who has all the layers of a wax figure.
8. Gaston is a Jerk
Ok, someone needs to say it: though he might look pretty (and as played by Luke Evans, let’s face it, he does), Gaston is a real jerk. He doesn’t really have many friends, so much as fans and indeed, his one true cohort—LeFou—has a grating and shallow personality. Gaston only has an interest in Belle for her physical traits, not for her sharp mind or compassion. Moreover, Gaston has a cruel streak, trying to embarrass Maurice, Belle’s dad, and kill the Beast to win Belle’s love. In what universe is that romantic? Better to go back to the castle and enjoy dinner and dancing with the Beast.
The Beast might look like an animal, but Gaston sure acts like one.
9. The House
Maybe it’s materialistic, but we just love the Beast’s gothic castle and all its trappings. After all, how many men get to boast a library, a ball room, a formal dining room, a garden and a dungeon in their home? The polished marble, fancy hardwood fixtures and gilded trim make for luxurious, comfortable living, along with plenty of space for hosting guests at parties. Cleaning the place would, no doubt, take forever. How lucky, then that the Beast keeps a cleaning crew on site. Which brings us to…
10. The Staff
Lumiere, Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts…what staff could match the charm and compassion of the Beast’s helpers? Ok, so an unfortunate spell makes them appear as objects around the house. Don’t hold that against them; it’s not their fault. Their thoughtful and compassionate personalities make them a delight to be around, and, as Lumiere notes, they “only aim to serve.” Who does Gaston have following him around? That twit LeFou?
We’ll take the magical, musical housekeepers at Beast’s castle any day.
The Trailer for Logo’s ‘Fire Island’ Reality Show Just Arrived on the Ferry: WATCH
Fire Island, a new “docuseries” (the fancy name for reality show) from Logo, produced by Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, just debuted its first trailer and introduces us to the six new besties that will be inhabiting a Fire Island house to entertain everyone for the summer.
Watch:
Here are the housemates (and their Instagram accounts), as described by Logo:
Khasan (IG:@khasanb84) – A dancer on break from his successful career after performing with pop legends like Beyoncé, Rihanna and Lady Gaga. He invites his friends to Fire Island to help him decide if he should move from Los Angeles to New York to be with his boyfriend.
Jorge (IG:@jorgebustillos) – After leaving his boyfriend and career as a doctor behind in Venezuela, Jorge moved to New York City to work as a marketing strategist. He goes to Fire Island to have an adventure of a lifetime with his best friend, Khasan.
Brandon (IG: @brandonosorio) – Photographer and NYU student Brandon is full of life and ready for any adventure. He is on the hunt for love during his first summer on Fire Island.
Cheyenne (IG: @thecheyenneparker) – Entrepreneur and model Cheyenne brings his fiery and passionate personality to the beach house. While launching his brand he must navigate the island’s temptations.
Justin (IG: @justintrusso) – The established NYC artist is using his trip to Fire Island as a way to break out of his shell and find new inspiration. With all the adventures the island has to offer, Justin tries to navigate it all without losing focus on his new boyfriend.
Patrick (IG: @pattymac42) – Rather than lounge away the summer, Patrick is spending his time on Fire Island working and using his time to figure out his next step post heartbreak. He also stirs the pot with his housemates with his eccentric, “no-backing-down” personality.
The post The Trailer for Logo’s ‘Fire Island’ Reality Show Just Arrived on the Ferry: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.
The Trailer for Logo’s ‘Fire Island’ Reality Show Just Arrived on the Ferry: WATCH
Grimm Case Vacated, Sessions Sets Back Trans Rights at Supreme Court
Gavin Grimm’s case was vacated by the Supreme Court today because of the Trump administration.
