New details emerge surrounding the death of “Glee” star Mark Salling
A sad development in the story of Glee star Mark Salling, who took his own life earlier this year.
Daily Archives: March 21, 2018
10 Drool-Worthy Dishes Found Only In Key West
10 Drool-Worthy Dishes Found Only In Key West
Café Solé.
Key West may have a history as a haven for the LGBTQ community, providing plenty of action (and eye candy) for gay travelers, but its culinary scene has its feet firmly planted in the future. While it’s tempting to spend the weekend surviving on vodka-sodas alone, you’d be foolish to miss an opportunity to savor the innovative offerings at some of Key West’s best spots.
Check out 10 of our favorite dishes below.
Rise and Grind
There are few breakfast staples more satisfying than an eggs Benedict. When done right, the fluffy English muffin, perfectly poached egg, meaty slab of Canadian bacon and rich Hollandaise sauce deliver a hearty breakfast order that hits most of the major food groups. A good Benedict isn’t hard to find, but Key West eateries have put some delightful, island spins on the classic.
The Azur Benedict
Our favorite by far was the Azur Benedict at Azur. A short walk from gay, clothing-optional resort Island House, Azur’s take features house-cured salmon, shallots, crème fraiche, capers and tobiko hollandaise on a grilled ciabatta. It’s so fresh and light, you don’t have to worry about dropping your swimsuit later.
Lobster Benedict at Banana Café.
Or you can sink your teeth into the lobster benedict at Banana Café, where the dish is piled high with tail meat. The dish is so substantial, you might need to ask for a steak knife to cut it. The Florida lobster is poached in butter and served atop a massive Benedict that includes avocado.
Key Lime Pie Donut at Glazed Donuts.
If you’re in a rush, grab a quick breakfast at Glazed Donuts. The donuts are every bit as impressive as you’d imagine coming from Megan and Jonathan Pigeon, two Culinary Institute of America graduates with impressive resumes. The available flavors change, but on our visit they were serving blood orange, maple bourbon (with candied bacon), cuban coffee and more. We chose the key lime pie donut (when in Rome… ), and it did not disappoint.
Grab a Mid-Day Snack
It’s no surprise an island town like Key West has so many seafood options, but the breadth and quality of the offerings is still staggering. You could spend an entire trip without ordering any protein other than potential background performers from “Under the Sea.”
The Mermaid Platter at Thirsty Mermaid.
Speaking of The Little Mermaid, the perfect spot to brighten your day with bivalves is Ariel’s cousin’s place Thirsty Mermaid. OK, maybe there’s no relation, but there are plenty of oysters, if that’s your thing. Get shucked up with a mermaid platter featuring a half dozen oysters, half dozen clams and a perfectly citrusy ceviche. The oysters are sweeter than what you might be used to, but they all still pair nicely with a rosé for a true afternoon delight.
Crab cake over salad at La Te Da.
Although celebrated for their Sunday afternoon disco tea dance, La Te Da also serves up some top-notch food. A breezy lunch is great for friends seeking a respite from the hustle and bustle on Duval Street. We were fortunate to dine on a day where crab cakes were a special — elegantly crafted without stuffing or breadcrumbs, the baked cakes are melt-in-your-mouth excellence.
Tuna Stuffed Avocado at Southernmost Beach Café.
For a meal with a view, watch the waves roll in from the Southernmost Beach Café. A quick walk from the Southernmost Point buoy that draws tons of tourists, this spot is great for a quick bite with a few surprises. The ahi tuna stuffed avocado balances a sweet soy glaze with a spicy sriracha aioli. Add a basket of conch fritters, a Key West staple, to round out the meal.
Make Your Reservations
Some meals are worth waiting for, but if you’ve got a night full of drag queens, go-go boys and other dark delights awaiting, you don’t want to waste time queued up for a table.
Hog Snapper at Café Solé.
Be sure to schedule a dinner at Café Solé. Chef John Correa fuses his French expertise with local seafood to create some unforgettable dishes. The most well-known item on the menu is the hog snapper with roasted red pepper zabaglione. The delicate fish is for sure a favorite, with nearly every patron within earshot ordering it on the night we dined in.
Spiny Lobster at Café Marquesa.
It doesn’t need to be a special occasion to enjoy the white-linen elegance of Café Marquesa. We recommend the spiny lobster (or, as Fred Schneider may have called it, the “rock lobster”), a Caribbean staple served here over creamy grits.
Cookie Nookie Pie at Better Than Sex.
Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
When it comes to desserts, it’s tough to top Better Than Sex. The decadent dessert spot specializes in cheekily-named items that revel in excess. Even the wine glasses come rimmed in chocolate and caramel. Chocolate lovers have plenty to choose from, but the Cookie Nookie Pie — a warm slice of gooey chocolate chip goodness in a flaky pie crust — is just the happy ending any day needs.
Key Lime Pie at Blue Heaven.
Of course, no trip to the Keys is complete without a slice of genuine key lime pie. Where you land on the meringue vs. whipped cream topping debate will surely impact your favorite slice, but those in the former camp should run, not walk to Blue Heaven. The mile-high meringue is light as air, sitting atop a tart lime filling and buttery graham cracker crust. One simply can’t leave Key West without a slice.
The post 10 Drool-Worthy Dishes Found Only In Key West appeared first on Towleroad.
Human Rights Campaign Endorses Susie Lee for Congress
Human Rights Campaign Endorses Susie Lee for Congress
HRC announced its endorsement of Susie Lee for election to the U.S. House of Representatives in Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District.
“A proven champion for working families, Susie Lee will fight for every Nevadans’ right to work and live free from harassment and discrimination,” said HRC Nevada State Manager Briana Escamilla. “HRC is proud to endorse her candidacy for Nevada’s 3rd District, and we look forward to electing another pro-equality champion to the U.S. House of Representatives come November.”
“I’m proud to have the support of the Human Rights Campaign, and will be a strong pro-equality voice in Congress. I will fight to expand anti-discrimination protections for the LGBTQ community, while defending the progress made in recent years. No one should face discrimination because of who they love, and I will be a vocal advocate for equality,” said Lee.
A long time non-profit leader committed to improving access to education for all, Susie has spent her career serving the people of Nevada, and fighting for equality and fairness. She is a strong champion of LGBTQ equality who supports marriage equality and the Equality Act, landmark federal legislation that would provide the same basic nondiscrimination protections to LGBTQ people as other protected groups under federal law.
HRC recently announced a bold, proactive grassroots expansion with the launch of HRC Rising — a campaign to accelerate progress in states from coast-to-coast, resist the politics of hate, fight anti–LGBTQ legislation, and fuel pro-equality candidates and initiatives. The expansion is the biggest strategic investment in the organization’s 38-year history and will include significant investments in Nevada. HRC has identified more than 455,000 Nevadans as likely Equality Voters, meaning they are strong supporters of progressive LGBTQ policies including marriage equality, adoption by LGBTQ people, and laws that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
| Paid for by Human Rights Campaign PAC and authorized by Susie Lee for Congress. |
www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-endorses-susie-lee-for-congress?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed
Alliance Defending Freedom wants to take down conversion therapy bans by arguing “religious freedom”
Alliance Defending Freedom wants to take down conversion therapy bans by arguing “religious freedom”
ADF argues that protecting LGBTQ youth by labeling the practice of conversion therapy as fraudulent is a violation of free speech and religious freedom
NEW YORK – GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, today condemned the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a Southern Poverty Law Center designated anti-LGBTQ hate group, for seeking to undermine vital laws that protect LGBTQ youth from the dangerous practice of so-called conversion therapy. In an interview with the Baptist Press this week, ADF attorney Matt Sharp argued that California’s Assembly Bill 2943, that would declare conversion therapy a fraudulent practice, “burdens free speech and the free exercise of religion.”
“This is a twisted attempt to weaponize religion to target LGBTQ youth,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD. “In their ongoing efforts to further promote their anti-LGBTQ agenda, the Alliance Defending Freedom is working to undermine every major medical and mental health organization in the country which have condemned this dangerous practice, while putting LGBTQ young people in harm’s way.”
The nation’s leading medical and mental health authorities have uniformly dismissed the idea that being LGBTQ is something that needs to be “treated” and oppose the practice on the basis that is not evidence-based and has dangerous ramifications including increased risk of depression, substance abuse, and suicide. Among them: American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, National Association of Social Workers, American Counseling Association, and American School Counselor Association.
The fact that this interview happened the same week ADF is at the Supreme Court for oral arguments on the case National Institute of Family and Life Advocates v. Becerra should raise alarm. In this case, the ADF is challenging the California law that mandates “crisis pregnancy centers” to disclose if they are unlicensed and post information about other reproductive health services available in the state, saying these regulations violate free speech and religious freedom. However, these laws were only put into effect in response these centers documented history of using deceptive adverting practices to harm and mislead clients.
As noted by Rewire News’ Law and Courts reporter Jessica M. Pieklo, it is easy to see how a win for the ADF in this Supreme Court ruling would open the door for anti-LGBTQ groups and activists to use the ruling to challenge laws regarding conversion therapy: “It’s really important in the social services context because it’s not like this is just going to be left up to abortion and reproductive healthcare services. A lot of these organizations have offshoots into doing things like so-called “conversion therapy” and promote that kind of really harmful therapy and “care” as well. If they’re going to try and argue the right to lie in one context, we know they’re going to try and argue the right to lie in another.”
###
March 21, 2018
MGs
These tweets about ‘Love, Simon’ are going viral for all the right reasons
These tweets about ‘Love, Simon’ are going viral for all the right reasons
Reality check.
Trump Infuriated by White House Leak That He Was Instructed NOT to Congratulate Putin
Trump Infuriated by White House Leak That He Was Instructed NOT to Congratulate Putin
Donald Trump was slammed for congratulating Vladimir Putin on Tuesday morning in a phone call following the Russian dictator’s rigged reelection victory.
But later on Tuesday, the Washington Post was leaked memos revealing that Trump’s advisers had instructed him specifically NOT to congratulate Putin.
And Trump is reportedly furious:
Trump was fuming Tuesday night, asking his allies and outside advisers who they thought had leaked the information, noting that only a small group of staffers have access to those materials and would have known what guidance was included for the Putin call, the source said.
According to the source, the incident resurfaces his long-held belief there are individuals inside his administration — especially in the national security realm — who are actively working to undermine him.
White House chief of staff John Kelly also is furious that a confidential presidential briefing became public knowledge, a White House official said, and intends to address the matter Wednesday as aides try to figure out who disclosed the warning.
The post Trump Infuriated by White House Leak That He Was Instructed NOT to Congratulate Putin appeared first on Towleroad.
Trump Infuriated by White House Leak That He Was Instructed NOT to Congratulate Putin
#AM_Equality Tipsheet: March 21, 2018
#AM_Equality Tipsheet: March 21, 2018
DEVOS CONFIRMS THAT U.S. DEPT. OF EDUCATION IS FAILING TO PROTECT TRANSGENDER STUDENTS FACING DISCRIMINATION: Additional reports indicate that DeVos may also soon withdraw critical guidance protecting students of color from discrimination in school discipline. While this guidance does not explicitly talk about LGBTQ students, they are disproportionately impacted by these policies. HRC, along with leading national LGBTQ organizations, sent a letter to DeVos urging her to keep the current guidance in place. More from HRC.
1/ Today, Betsy DeVos confirmed that, under her direction, the Department of Education is not protecting transgender students reporting claims of discrimination in accessing restrooms. t.co/68X7BiEtNV
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) March 20, 2018
HRC STATEMENT ON ILLINOIS THIRD DISTRICT PRIMARY RESULT: “This should be a wake up call to Dan Lipinski,” said HRC Senior Vice President for Policy and Political Affairs JoDee Winterhof. “A politician who has fought against the rights of LGBTQ people, women, and immigrants for more than a decade in Congress went from a 24-point lead to barely holding on to his job. The people of Illinois want and deserve a representative in Congress who will stand up for their fundamental rights — not undermine them and rubber stamp the Trump-Pence agenda. If Dan Lipinski continues down the wrong path, he will not get a second chance the next time his constituents head into the voting booth.” Newman, a business leader with deep ties to the district but a political newcomer, nearly ousted a 13-year incumbent. Lipinski has a disastrous record on the rights of LGBTQ people, women and immigrants. His record nearly cost him his reelection. More from NPR and HRC.
• HRC, NARAL Pro-Choice America, SEIU, MoveOn, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, and EMILY’s List launched an unprecedented joint independent expenditure campaign against Lipinski. The coalition spent more than $1.6 million to expose Dan Lipinski’s record. In partnership with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) Action, HRC also invested an additional $50K into a $130K Latino Outreach program, targeting Spanish-speaking voters in the district through canvassing and in ads over radio and TV.
Thank you to all of our members, supporters and volunteers on the ground in the #IL03 race. @HRC is proud to join our partner organizations in support of Marie Newman (@Marie4Congress). pic.twitter.com/ImdffOJHR0
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) March 21, 2018
HUD SEC BEN CARSON ADMITS TO IGNORING LGBTQ PROTECTIONS IN HOMELESS SHELTERS: “Ben Carson testified before Congress that he is ignoring protections for LGBTQ people in homeless shelters, and defended his inaction by citing debunked and mean-spirited claims about transgender people that completely lack merit,” said HRC Government Affairs Director David Stacy. “The level of ignorance he has consistently shown as the nation’s top housing official is deeply alarming, and has clear consequences for LGBTQ people who experience disproportionate rates of homelessness. When homeless shelters become unwelcome spaces for LGBTQ people, the consequences are devastating.” More from HRC and CNN.
WHAT WE’RE READING WEDNESDAY — MEET THE MISSISSIPPI LGBTQ ACTIVIST WHO FOUGHT FOR A PRIDE PARADE IN HER SMALL TOWN — AND WON: When the Starkville Board of Aldermen denied a permit for a Pride parade, HRC worked with elected officials and community leaders — including 22-year-old activist Bailey McDaniel — to force a re-vote on the discriminatory action. The Mississippi State University senior said of the fight, “I realized that I have powers and passion that I can use for a lot of good.” The Starkville Pride Parade will be held on Saturday. More from The Clarion Ledger.
WHAT ARE THE COURTS SAYING ABOUT LGBTQ WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION? Glad you asked — across the country, they are reaffirming what we have long known: Title VII bars discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Check out this deep dive by Chris Johnson (@chrisjohnson82), who details the opinions in The Washington Blade.
TENNESSEE LEGISLATORS TO CONSIDER TWO ANTI-LGBTQ BILLS: One would attack transgender students, and the other would give businesses a license to discriminate against LGBTQ people. More from Out and About Nashville.
EQUALITY VA EXEC DIRECTOR — VIRGINIANS HAVE “DECIDED” ON LGBTQ EQUALITY: James Parrish says that his state has been betrayed by anti-equality lawmakers’ decision to block nondiscrimination protections. “This issue has been decided by Virginia voters, who, since 2009, have elected to statewide office only officials who proudly and explicitly support nondiscrimination protections for gay and transgender people,” Parrish wrote in the The Richmond Times-Dispatch.
PRIDE FUND ENDORSES WISC. SEN. TAMMY BALDWIN FOR RE-ELECTION: HRC endorsed Baldwin in December. More from Pride Source.
NEW STUDY HIGHLIGHTS STRUGGLES OF TRANS PEOPLE VISITING EMERGENCY ROOMS: More from National Geographic.
COUNTRY MUSIC STARS STANDING UP AS CHAMPIONS FOR EQUALITY: From the Dixie Chicks to Ty Herndon — country music stars are standing up for equality. Herndon was honored with the HRC Visibility Award at the 2018 HRC Nashville Equality Dinner last weekend. More from Wisconsin Gazette.
AWFUL — TEXAS NEWSPAPER INTENTIONALLY OMITS SAME-SEX HUSBAND’S NAME IN OBITUARY: More from AOL.
GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS
ALLISON STANDEN BECOMES FIRST OPENLY LESBIAN MEMBER OF TASMANIAN STATE PARLIAMENT: More from Gay Star News.
READING RAINBOW – Bookmark now to read on your lunch break!
Advocate reviews a book highlighting historic LGBTQ women; Togayther entrevista al activista LGBTQ y estrella de redes sociales Tigrillo (@TigrilloTW)
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-march-21-2018?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed
Popham Court resident watches grandson’s wedding over Skype
Popham Court resident watches grandson’s wedding over Skype
A 94-year-old resident at Popham Court in Wellington, Olive moved into her care home around four years ago following a decline in mobility. Due to her health, Olive found she was not able to get out and about as much as she would have liked, and now looks forward to regular visits from her daughters. And when her grandson announced he was engaged and had set a wedding date, Olive looked forward to that too.
Keen for Olive to be involved in the wedding, her family approached the Somerset Care staff at her home about the possibility of using Skype on the day of the big event. The staff, as well as other residents, emphatically agreed they would do everything they could to make that day special for her.
When the day came, staff pampered Olive. Dressed in a new outfit complete with a corsage, she beamed with happiness and could hardly believe her luck when her grandson surprised her with a visit on his way to the wedding venue! Prosecco was poured and wisdom imparted—and Olive was thrilled. After lunch, she and several other residents, excited staff, and Somerset Care Technologist Elizabeth Kirkpatrick gathered around a large computer monitor ready to accept an incoming Skype call.
“The message was sent that Olive was ready, and everyone waited on tenterhooks for the Skype call to begin. As the home answered the call, Olive was greeted with the arrival of the beautiful bride and bridesmaids,” says Elizabeth. They muted the microphone while the ceremony progressed, so Olive and her friends could “ooh” and “aah” to their heart’s content.
The Skype call lasted the duration of the ceremony and the signing of the register. The registrar even gave Olive a special mention, much to her increasing delight. But the ultimate highlight for her was actually being able to chat with the newlyweds as they signed the register. It brought tears of joy to her eyes, as well as to those around her.
“After the ceremony, more prosecco was poured and everyone was able to enjoy their very own wedding cake replica made by one of Olive’s daughters,” says Elizabeth. “Olive was overwhelmed with the sense of happiness and love on the day of her grandson’s wedding. This is something she’s carried with her and still talks about with a smile.”
We love hearing how you use Skype to make big days even bigger. To share your story, just tag us @Skype on social media, and we might feature you.
*Images courtesy of Somerset Care.
The post Popham Court resident watches grandson’s wedding over Skype appeared first on Skype Blogs.
blogs.skype.com/stories/2018/03/21/popham-court-resident-watches-grandsons-wedding-over-skype/
Charlotte Pence: ‘I’m All For’ John Oliver’s Gay Bunny Book – WATCH
Charlotte Pence: ‘I’m All For’ John Oliver’s Gay Bunny Book – WATCH
Mike Pence’s daughter Charlotte, who wrote the family’s Marlon Bundo book, says she’s totally behind John Oliver’s parody book about a gay bunny which is outselling hers.
.@charlipence on @iamjohnoliver‘s parody book on the second family’s pet bunny: “His book is contributing to charities that I think we can all get behind… I’m all for it.” pic.twitter.com/hEWn4sX95H
— FOX Business (@FoxBusiness) March 20, 2018
Said Charlotte: “I think imitation is the most sincere form of flattery in a way…But in all seriousness, his book is contributing to charities that I think we can all get behind. We have two books that are giving to charities that are both about bunnies, so I’m all for it, really.”
All proceeds from Oliver’s book go to The Trevor Project, an LGBTQ youth suicide hotline, and AIDS United. It’s doubtful that Vice President Mike Pence, whose anti-LGBTQ record and support for gay conversion therapy is the reason Oliver created the parody book, is behind Oliver’s charities.
RELATED: Here’s a Recap of Mike Pence’s Attacks on LGBT Rights – READ
Oliver’s book is on sale on Amazon, Audible, or BetterBundoBook.com. The audio book is read by Jim Parsons, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Ellie Kemper, RuPaul, and John Lithgow and features a stink bug character that looks like the vice president.
Oliver has sold 180,000 copies of the book so far, he told Seth Meyers last night.
The post Charlotte Pence: ‘I’m All For’ John Oliver’s Gay Bunny Book – WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.
Charlotte Pence: ‘I’m All For’ John Oliver’s Gay Bunny Book – WATCH