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Daily Archives: March 31, 2017
Hit ‘Play’ This Weekend. New Todrick Hall Tour Videos, with RuPaul, Bob the Drag Queen, Willam, Alaska, Nicole Scherzinger
Hit ‘Play’ This Weekend. New Todrick Hall Tour Videos, with RuPaul, Bob the Drag Queen, Willam, Alaska, Nicole Scherzinger
In the last few weeks, the prolific YouTube star prepped us for the 2017 Todrick Hall tour dropping 4 amped up, “Deluxe” versions of songs from his “Straight Outta Oz” album and a new hit “Low”, featuring RuPaul. The 50 city, three continent, summer tour of shows last night in New York City.
While obviously not the first to take and twist Wizard of Oz, for me it’s as original as any, using the familiar imagery to both tell his unique story and lean into the shared, explicit and frequently glossed over issues in the the communities he’s part of or allied with as a black, gay artist in a world where many would prefer he not be so…
And though it’s easy, don’t forget he’s doing it all. It’s not your typical YouTube channel producer that can produce, write lyrics, sing, costume, design sets and shots, choreograph and the rest at this level. The range of moment in the show include, of course Kansas and the Yellow Brick Road, but also a high end Rodeo Drive-style boutique filled with things “Expensive”, and the sexy urban street party in “Low” with RuPaul whipping and whipping it all up — an homage, intentional or not, to Destiny’s Child’s “Lose my Breath” himbo dance-off, itself an homage to Janet’s Rhythm Nation. The lion twerks. Ru sings and howls with an emphasis on the “bears”, all with a Brittney Circus vibe mixed in.
Ru teases:
“Never seen a tinman on Tinder
But he had that sex appeal
Swipe right ‘cause I knew he had buns of steel”
Wrong Bitch channels Black Lives Matter, with Bob the Drag Queen facing off with Todrick against the cops with “water in their guns” ,
“Cause I bite my tongue for no wizard
I fight with fire in a snow blizzard
I tear that emerald city down”
We could go into Hall’s resume of more than 10 years on YouTube, 2.5 million+ subscribers, making it to the semi-finals on American Idol; getting that love note video from Beyonce on Youtube after dropping Cinderonce; and then an invitation to choreograph the video for Blow; his turn as Lola in Kinky Boots on Broadway; or his smart, rapid-fire homages to the great current divas of pop; and how after more than a decade of working his butt off producing amazing videos Bieber’s manager Scooter Braun took him on and is clearing the way.
“Expensive” features Todrick with Dragrace stars Kim Chi, Willam, Alaska, Mariah & Laganja.
But with all this talent, this new polished version of Oz, and that kind of management all this is destined for footnotes, and you should just enjoy the show.…and then buy the album on ITunes (which in the past few weeks charted in the top 10 Pop album chart and the release of “Low” got tantalizingly close to the top.)…and then check the tour tickets because this show performed live is almost certainly coming to a town near you…
In “Papi” Nicole Scherzinger isn’t sure if she’s Todrick’s “body type”
There’s a lot more to the show…and it’s all here in the Deluxe Edition of the entire show coming in at an hour and 11 minutes of entertainment. Enjoy.
The post Hit ‘Play’ This Weekend. New Todrick Hall Tour Videos, with RuPaul, Bob the Drag Queen, Willam, Alaska, Nicole Scherzinger appeared first on Towleroad.
Rainbow Flag Creator and Activist Gilbert Baker Has Died at 65
Rainbow Flag Creator and Activist Gilbert Baker Has Died at 65
The man who created the most visible symbol of LGBT pride was a lifelong activist who continued to evolve the rainbow flag until his death.
www.advocate.com/people/2017/3/31/rainbow-flag-creator-and-activist-gilbert-baker-has-died-65
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NC Gov. Roy Cooper’s HB2 Betrayal: What They’re Saying
NC Gov. Roy Cooper’s HB2 Betrayal: What They’re Saying
On the eve of Transgender Day of Visibility, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Senate President Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore shamefully attempted to pass off to the public an egregious so-called “deal” that doubles down on the state’s HB2-like discrimination against LGBTQ people — particularly transgender people. Over the past several days, civil rights groups including the HRC, the NAACP, Equality North Carolina and the National Center for Transgender Equality have been working to correct the record on the discriminatory measure.
Please see below what major publications as well as the business and entertainment community are saying:
The Charlotte Observer Editorial Board, “HB2 repeal: Cooper turns back on LGBT community”: “We understand that (almost) everyone just wants HB2 to go away. We do too. But passing something just to put it behind you while leaving tens of thousands of citizens defenseless against discrimination is dishonorable, and should be a permanent part of the legacy of any public official who casts that vote.”
Steven Petrow for The Washington Post, “You can’t compromise on civil rights. But North Carolina just did.”: “In fact, it’s a misnomer to call the new measure a “repeal” of H.B. 2. It’s really more of a replacement or renaming, as the new law doesn’t differ substantially from its predecessor: It prohibits state and local agencies, including cities and the University of North Carolina, from the “regulation of access” to multi-occupancy restrooms, showers and locker rooms unless in accordance with the legislature… The new law also bans cities and towns statewide from passing LGBT nondiscrimination measures through the end of 2020. Transgender people in this state can still be fired at will or denied housing or health care simply because of their gender identity.”
The New York Times Editorial Board, “North Carolina’s Bait-and-Switch on Transgender Restroom Law”: “Getting employers and organizations to steer business and jobs to North Carolina should require more than window dressing. State officials must address the underlying problem: a law that enshrines discrimination against minorities and perpetuates harmful stereotypes about transgender people. Until they do, business as usual will represent an endorsement of bigotry and intolerance.”
Other Top Headlines: Slate, “The HB2 “Repeal” Bill Is an Unmitigated Disaster for LGBTQ Rights and North Carolina;” Mother Jones, “Don’t Be Fooled. The North Carolina “Compromise” Doesn’t Actually Protect Trans Rights;” Dorie Clark writing in Fortune, “North Carolina’s Bathroom Bill Repeal Won’t Bring the NCAA Back;” ESPN, “NCAA, NBA and ACC say they’re pro-LGBT — now’s their chance to prove it;” The Nation, “ The So-Called ‘Repeal’ of North Carolina’s Bathroom Bill Is a Terrible Deal for Civil Rights”
Corporations, celebrities, LGBTQ and allied leaders are also slamming “deal” in North Carolina. They have been calling for North Carolina lawmakers to reject the unconstitutional backroom “deal” on HB2 that could subject the state to years of costly litigation in a shameful effort to continue to enshrine anti-LGBTQ discrimination into state law. Check it out what they’re saying here.
For the latest news in North Carolina and around the world, sign up for HRC’s #AM_Equality daily tipsheet here.
Gilbert Baker, creator of the rainbow flag, dead at 65
Gilbert Baker, creator of the rainbow flag, dead at 65
Gilbert Baker, Creator of the Rainbow Flag, International Symbol of LGBTQ Pride, Has Died at 65
Gilbert Baker, Creator of the Rainbow Flag, International Symbol of LGBTQ Pride, Has Died at 65
Gilbert Baker, the creator of the rainbow flag, has died at 65.
Baker created the flag for the 1978 Pride festival in San Francisco
Activist Cleve Jones posted the sad news to Facebook, writing: “I am heartbroken. My dearest friend in the world is gone. Gilbert gave the world the Rainbow Flag; he gave me forty years of love and friendship. I can’t stop crying. I love you forever Gilbert Baker.”
Our thoughts go out to Baker’s family and friends.
The post Gilbert Baker, Creator of the Rainbow Flag, International Symbol of LGBTQ Pride, Has Died at 65 appeared first on Towleroad.
Gilbert Baker, Creator of the Rainbow Flag, International Symbol of LGBTQ Pride, Has Died at 65
Trump’s Proposed Budget Threatens Cuts to NIH & HIV Research
Trump’s Proposed Budget Threatens Cuts to NIH & HIV Research
Earlier this month, the Trump Administration sent its budget for fiscal year 2017 to Congress. Rather than provide a detailed document for funding the federal government, the President advanced an outline of spending priorities, also known as a skinny budget. What we learned was that the Department of Defense was slated for an increase in $54 billion, with this scale up done at the expense domestic programs. While lip service was paid to the importance of the Ryan White Program, the document was relatively silent on programmatic cuts.
This week, in advance of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Price testifying about his agency’s budget, further details were shared. What we now know, is the Administration wants to help pay for
the 17 percent increase in defense spending by cutting $1.2 billion from the National Institutes of Health, $50 million from CDC HIV research and prevention programs, and nearly $300 million from the global HIV and AIDS treatment through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
Without question, these cuts are startling and troubling. However, it’s important to remember this budget is for the current fiscal year that is already half over. It has no chance of passing, as Republicans
and Democrats in both the House and Senate have condemned slashing key health programs. It does however foreshadow the Administration’s thinking for its FY18 budget that will be released in May.
HRC is working closely with our coalition partners to press Congress on the need to ensure the funding necessary to continue the strong progress made in the fight to end the HIV and AIDS epidemic.
For more information about HRC’s work to end the HIV and AIDS epidemic, click here.
GLAAD holds inaugural Rising Stars Grants Luncheon
GLAAD holds inaugural Rising Stars Grants Luncheon
GLAAD
Today, GLAAD held its inaugural Rising Stars Grants Luncheon to award grants to three college students for their LGBTQ advocacy work. The luncheon will be hosted by Hannah Hart with Troye Sivan, Victoria Justice, Gigi Gorgeous, and Alexandra Grey presenting to the grant recipients. The GLAAD Rising Stars program empowers and invests in the next generation of LGBTQ change makers, whose advocacy is changing their local cities and the culture at large. Grants are awarded annually to LGBTQ youth who champion intersectional issues with their advocacy efforts. GLAAD’s Rising Stars Grants are presented by Barilla, Coca-Cola, and Delta.
The #glaadawards Rising Stars grant recipients with @troyesivan and @VictoriaJusticepic.twitter.com/XogtjJ7kEw
— GLAAD (@glaad) March 31, 2017
Also in attendance were Isabella Gomez, Emily Robinson, Elliot Fletcher, and Jacob Tobia. GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis also had a fireside chat with Bobby Brooks, who recently came under fire from Secretary of Energy Rick Perry after becoming the first out gay student body president of Texas A&M.
During the event, which was held on Transgender Day of Visibility, GLAAD premiered a video created in conjunction with Instagram and Jacob Tobia. The video featured members of the trans community reading #kindcomments from their Instagram followers. Check out the video below:
On Transgender Day of Visibility and every day, join GLAAD, Instagram and @jacobtobia in celebrating transgender people by sharing #KindComments – empowering comments that uplift you and others in the trans community. See something? Say something…kind! Spread the on Instagram with #KindComments. #TDOV
A post shared by @glaad on
So inspired by our trans youth for living their truth. The choice to live an authentic life is a brace one. #glaadawards #risingstars
— Hannah Hart (@harto) March 31, 2017
The grant recipients were:
Lizeth Urdiales
Lizeth Urdiales is a senior majoring in Mexican American Studies with a certificate in Social Entrepreneurship and Nonprofits at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas. Lizeth’s work at UT Austin has predominantly surrounded assistance for Undocumented communities and upon graduation, Lizeth will pursue an MBA in Entrepreneurship where she will use her role as a Rising Stars Grant recipient to empower Undocumented communities in the workplace by creating awareness for workers’ rights abuses, and by building stronger relationships between Undocumented and U.S. Resident and Citizen allies regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, class, nationality, ability, and citizenship status.
C Mandler
C Mandler is a junior double majoring in Philosophy and Written Arts at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. They run a campus DIY music venue, sing in their school’s sole a cappella group, and work as an Event Coordinator at the Difference and Media Project. They recently presented at Princeton University’s Compass Philosophy Workshop, which was specifically held for women, non-binary, and trans people in Philosophy, and are in the process of self-publishing their 3rd book of poetry. C will use their role as a Rising Stars Grant recipient to continue to bring queer and trans musicians of color to Bard to perform, lecture, and workshop with students and faculty on campus.
Kylan Kester
Kylan Kester is a junior majoring in Business Marketing with a minor in International Affairs at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. On campus, Kylan serves as an advocate for inclusion and serves as an editor-at-large with LinkedIn’s Student Voices and The Huffington Post. Kylan has been recognized for intersectional leadership and outstanding achievement by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Apple, Proctor & Gamble, the Human Rights Campaign, and the National Black College Hall of Fame. As a Rising Stars Grant recipient, Kylan will build a multimedia platform that speaks to the mission of diversifying the LGBTQ narrative by covering underrepresented stories on politics, entrepreneurship, travel, and technology.
The 28th Annual GLAAD Media Awards are presented by Delta Air Lines, Hilton, Ketel One Vodka, Liberty Mutual Insurance, and Wells Fargo. The GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor media for fair, accurate, and inclusive representations of the LGBTQ community and the issues that affect their lives. The GLAAD Media Awards also fund GLAAD’s work to amplify stories from the LGBTQ community and issues that build support for equality and acceptance.
March 31, 2017
Issues:
www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-holds-inaugural-rising-stars-grants-luncheon
An Essential Primer on the Legendary Maxine Waters
An Essential Primer on the Legendary Maxine Waters
The California politician may be Trump’s most vocal critic in Congress, but fearlessness has long been a trait of this trailblazer.
www.advocate.com/politicians/2017/3/31/essential-primer-legendary-maxine-waters