Samsung Beautifully Chronicles Gay Skier Gus Kenworthy’s Journey to the Olympics: WATCH

Gay U.S. Olympic freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy today shared the first of three videos he made with his sponsor Samsung. The clip, “Roots”, focuses on Kenworthy’s family and home in Telluride, Colorado. The town revolves around the mountains and ski industry yet it had never sent a local to the Olympics until Kenworthy.

Watch the clip above. And stay tuned for parts two and three.

Said Kenworthy in an Instagram post: “My life has changed a lot in the four years since the last Winter Olympics. One of the biggest changes (besides hitting puberty, apparently) was coming out. My friends at @samsungmobileusa documented my road to Pyeongchang and I think they did a really great job telling my story…”

Kenworthy sat down with reporters at a press conference over the weekend and was asked several questions about the conflict between Adam Rippon and Mike Pence and Kenworthy’s own remarks on the topic.

Said Kenworthy of a meeting with Mike Pence: “I think I’ve kind of made my opinion on the matter pretty clear. I don’t think that I have any inclination toward a meeting. It think that would be a much bigger distraction for me and right now, I’m just focusing on competing but I’m very excited to be here representing the US and the LGBT community. I’m very happy to meet Adam and we got to hang out at opening ceremonies and I think he’s just a tremendous guy.”

Asked what he’d do if he happened to run into Pence, Kenworthy replied: “Well I guess we’ll see how I handle it. I think I have always been someone that has had to compartmentalize my life because I was in the closet and I always at fear of outing myself. I always had so much going on in my mind that I couldn’t share it with anyone, so I actually feel, now that I’m out, I have less to compartmentalize…I’ve made it very clear who I am and I think I have taken a step into a sort of leadership role for the LGBT community because there isn’t a ton of representation at the Games. It’s also just me and I’m just being myself so it’s almost easier than ever to be here and be competing and just feel free and liberated. I’m excited for Adam and all the other out athletes here.”

A reporter also asked if he would take his shirt off (like Tongan athlete Pita Taufatofua) if he were chosen as flag bearer.

Replied Kenworthy: “I actually don’t know how that Tongalese guy did that because it was freezing…I’ve got a lot of respect for that guy, and sure, I would happily do that, but I think there are more aptly suited people to carry the flag.”

The post Samsung Beautifully Chronicles Gay Skier Gus Kenworthy’s Journey to the Olympics: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.

Samsung Beautifully Chronicles Gay Skier Gus Kenworthy’s Journey to the Olympics: WATCH

Oxfam International Chairman Juan Alberto Fuentes Knight Arrested Over Guatemala Corruption Probe

The chairman of Oxfam International has been arrested as part of a corruption probe in Guatemala.

Juan Alberto Fuentes Knight, a former finance minister in the country, was detained along with former president Alvaro Colom as part of an investigation into a public bus deal.

The development comes as Oxfam Great Britain is embroiled in an aid worker sex scandal in relation to Haiti.

Oxfam International’s executive director Winnie Byanyima told the Press Association: “Oxfam does not yet know the nature of formal charges, if any, against Dr Fuentes Knight.

“However he has been entirely open with his Oxfam board and executive that he has been among former officials being investigated as part of a budgetary transaction made by the Guatemalan government while he was finance minister.

“He has assured us that he has co-operated fully with the investigation in the confidence he did not knowingly transgress rules or procedures.”

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/juan-alberto-fuentes-knight-arrested_uk_5a832fffe4b02b66c5129dd1

How to manage your LGBTQ long distance relationship

My girlfriend and I met in an unconventional way: Tumblr. We were both sixteen-year-old nerds in 2012 who randomly stumbled upon each other’s blogs. One day I decided to send a note of kindness to a stranger, just to brighten their day, and out of my 500 followers, I chose her.

Usually, I would never receive a message back from people, but she responded almost ten minutes later, and from there came a beautiful friendship that traveled across countries. She moved from Mexico to Costa Rica then back to Mexico while I stayed stationary in California. We would Skype and discuss our favorite shows, do homework together, listen to music, and after a few years it was easy to call each other best friends.

Flash-forward to 2014, I was a month into my first year at college and I asked her if she’s ever seen Phantom of the Opera before. We planned to watch it that night together over Skype, and even though I never specified, we both secretly felt like it was a date. A couple days later, we admitted we had feelings for each other. Ever since then, we’ve been together in a long-distance relationship for 4 years, traveling back and forth between our two countries.

We’ve stayed strong, proudly holding hands in the face of the homophobia and racism in our countries, especially during very politically turbulent times. In a couple of months, we’ll both be graduating university, and we plan to attend graduate school together.

I can’t speak for every long distance relationship (LDR), but I can say that I know first-hand how difficult one can be. Like every relationship, it’s not easy and requires a lot of work, but since LDRs are between people who are not physically together, there is a little extra effort that needs to be put in. So, if you are thinking about being in one or are already in one, I put together a couple of things I wish I had known 4 years ago and what I’ve learned along the way:

1. Dedicate Time Together. Just because you aren’t in the same place doesn’t mean you can slack off on dating, because it is still a relationship. Some fun ideas for LDR dates that have worked for us are binge watching a show or watching a movie. You both pull it up, and ‘ready, set, PLAY”. It’s fun because you can watch the movie while having your partner next to it, so you can watch all their reactions on the screen, which personally, I think is the best part.

2. Dedicate Time For Yourself. In a long distance relationship, it is easy to want to spend all your free time on Facetime or texting, but make sure you put your phone down often to do things for yourself and pay attention to the life you are living and the people around you.

3. Plan Ahead. Plan when you’re going to see each other again. If neither of you knows when/if you’ll see each other again, this creates a lot of anxiety and unnecessary relationship stress.

4. Set Goals Together. Even if they are goals you complete separately, trust me, setting a common goal and achieving it brings you closer together.

5. Communication. Communication, communication, communication. I can’t stress it enough. Technically, it’s all we have in long distance relationships. Without the constant physicality of your partner, all that’s left is communication, and if it isn’t healthy, the relationship will falter. Always work together, because in the end, you are still a team, and communication is your best ally. If you have strong communication and you are finally together in the same space, your relationship will be a million times stronger. I promise.

Michaela Hook is a GLAAD Campus Ambassador and senior at Chapman University studying Creative Writing. She hopes to one day start a creative writing magazine for LGBTQ+ youth.

www.glaad.org/amp/how-manage-your-lgbtq-long-distance-relationship

19-year-old Mr. Gay Belgium attacked in violent hate crime
“These incidents have to be reported.”

www.queerty.com/19-year-old-mr-gay-belgium-attacked-violent-hate-crime-20180213?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Adam Rippon: ‘I Don’t Want My Olympic Experience to Be About Mike Pence’ – WATCH

U.S. Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon answered questions on a wide range of topics at a press conference on Tuesday including being an openly gay athlete, his inspirations, the Mike Pence controversy, and being a role model.

Watch the full interview above. Here are a few of his sound bites:

“The most important thing is that you’re enjoying what you’re doing. That you have a passion. That life really isn’t worth living if you don’t have passion. I have a passion for what I do.”

“I might come off as cocky, but I’ve been through a lot in my life. And I’ve used my sense of humor as a coping tool. It’s gotten me through a lot of challenging times and if I didn’t have a sense of humor I wouldn’t be where I am now.”

“Being here at the Olympics it does give me a louder voice. And I’ve got a big mouth and a loud voice. But it has given men a platform. I think it’s so important that I use this platform to my advantage. I think that me using my voice has given my skating a greater purpose. I’ve gotten so many messages from young kids all over the country that my story has resonated with them and it’s incredibly powerful…In the past week I’ve heard a lot of people like, ‘whoa, Adam Rippon should tone it down.’ I can’t tone it down. I’m being me. And I’m being myself. And I’d be doing myself an injustice, and I’d be doing an injustice to those kids who don’t feel like they’re comfortable to be themselves.”

“I talked to you about how I felt before the Games. And you know, it’s brought a lot of attention and questions to my other teammates. I don’t want to distract from their Olympic experience and I don’t want my Olympic experience to be about Mike Pence.”

And here’s Rippon’s performance if you missed it:

The post Adam Rippon: ‘I Don’t Want My Olympic Experience to Be About Mike Pence’ – WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.

Adam Rippon: ‘I Don’t Want My Olympic Experience to Be About Mike Pence’ – WATCH

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: February 13, 2018

U.S. DEPT OF EDUCATION ADMITS TO FLAT-OUT REJECTING CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINTS BY TRANS STUDENTS: Said HRC Legal Director Sarah Warbelow: “While civil rights advocates have suspected that the Department of Education was not acting on complaints brought forward by transgender students, reports that these violations are completely being ignored are reprehensible. The department’s failure to act conflicts with the law in multiple jurisdictions, including federal circuits, and further emboldens those who seek to discriminate against transgender students. Once again, Secretary DeVos proves she is not interested in protecting transgender students and instead is choosing to advance the dangerous Trump-Pence anti-LGBTQ agenda.” More from HRC, Metro Weekly and The Hill.

TUESDAY TWEET: In a powerful video oped for Mic, HRC National Press Secretary Sarah McBride (@SarahEMcBride) says of Devos’ actions: “It sends a message that once again Betsy DeVos, Mike Pence and Donald Trump are turning their backs on thousands of trans youth across this country.”

In an exclusive video op-ed for @Mic​, @SarahEMcBride, the first out trans person to give a speech at the #DNC, explains how the Trump administration’s latest action on trans bathrooms fails to #protecttranskids: t.co/LQbudbp70g pic.twitter.com/HjdwOZmy5E

— Mic (@mic) February 13, 2018

TRUMP-PENCE ADMIN RELEASES DANGEROUS AND IRRESPONSIBLE ANTI-LGBTQ BUDGET: Said HRC Government Affairs Director David Stacy: “Budgets reflect your values. The Trump-Pence budget released today shows a callous disregard for critical programs that impact LGBTQ Americans. The elimination or slashing of programs related to the Affordable Care Act, HIV/AIDS, and international humanitarian projects are a direct threat to the safety and well-being of LGBTQ people here and around the world. Congress must reject these harmful proposals.” More from HRC.

OPENLY LGBTQ ATHLETES TAKING THE WINTER OLYMPICS BY STORM:

• Check out  this moving piece — “The Bittersweet Beauty of Adam Rippon (@adaripp)” by Richard Lawson (@rilaws) — in Vanity Fair.
• Gus Kenworthy (@GusKenworthy) tells columnist Jerry Brewer (@JerryBrewer),“I’m here at the Olympics. Not many people get to say that. And doing so as a gay man makes me feel amazing.” More in The Washington Post.

HEARING SET FOR MARCH 27 IN CASE CHALLENGING CONSTITUTIONALITY OF TRUMP-PENCE TRANS TROOP BAN: HRC is a proud co-plaintiff in the case brought by Lambda Legal and OutServe-SLDN. #ProtectTransTroops

MEET KEHINDE WILEY, THE BLACK GAY MAN WHO PAINTED PRESIDENT OBAMA’S PORTRAIT:

Today, President Obama’s portrait was unveiled at the @NPG in Washington, D.C. Meet Kehinde Wiley, a Black gay man who painted the portrait. t.co/9koLKaAFE1

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) February 12, 2018

CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY PROPOSES RESOLUTION APOLOGIZING FOR STATE’S PAST LGBTQ DISCRIMINATION: Assemblymember Evan Low, who put forth the resolution, said, “It’s only right that we recognize the painful hardship suffered by the LGBT community throughout our state’s history.” More from San Diego Gay & Lesbian News.

HRC NAMES NICOLE GREENIDGE-HOSKINS AS SVP, GENERAL COUNSEL; JAY BROWN AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS, RESEARCH AND TRAINING FOR HRC FOUNDATION: More from HRC.

CATHOLIC SCHOOL TEACHER FIRED FOR MARRYING SAME-SEX PARTNER: Jocelyn Morfi was fired from Miami’s Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic School, where she’d been a first-grade teacher for seven years, days after marrying Natasha Hass.  More from Cleve R. Wootson Jr. (@CleveWootson) and Moriah Balingit (@ByMoriah) in The Washington Post.

HEARTWARMING STORY OF MASSACHUSETTS PRINCIPAL COMING OUT AS TRANS TO HER STUDENTS: More from USA Today.

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

#ColorsRNotShame — SEC. OF STATE TILLERSON MUST CALL ON EGYPTIAN LEADERS TO END BRUTAL ANTI-LGBTQ CRACKDOWN: More from HRC.

Enough silence. As Rex Tillerson meets with Egyptian leaders amid a brutal anti-#LGBTQ crackdown, he must raise human rights abuses. pic.twitter.com/oFpEJcIFqb

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) February 12, 2018

WHY DID IT TAKE TORONTO POLICE YEARS TO MAKE AN ARREST IN THE SERIAL MURDERS OF GAY MEN? More from foreign correspondent Dan Levin (@globaldan) in The New York Times.

DISGUSTING — MALAYSIAN NEWSPAPER PUBLISHES ARTICLE ON “HOW TO SPOT” AN LGBTQ PERSON: More from The Guardian.

READING RAINBOW – Bookmark now to read on your lunch break!

SportsDay interviews trans wrestler Mack Beggs; Los Angeles Blade tells the powerful story of a stuntman who came out after overcoming addiction; UPI assesses the state of LGBTQ equality in South Korea

Have news? Send us your news and tips at [email protected]. Click here to subscribe to #AM_Equality and follow @HRC for all the latest news. Thanks for reading!

www.hrc.org/blog/am-equality-tipsheet-february-13-2018?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Chocolate or Chains: 26 Kinky Ways To Say ‘I Love You’

www.advocate.com/sexy-beast/2018/2/13/chocolate-or-chains-26-kinky-ways-say-i-love-you