Man travels from London to Helsinki for Grindr hookup

Tim Wright is a data scientist from London. Last month, he booked a last minute flight to Helsinki to meet up with a guy who he had just met on Grindr two hours earlier.

“It was boilerplate Grindr fodder, ‘what do you do?’, ‘what are you into?’, exchange with a couple of pics,” Wright recalled to Pink News. 

“He told me that he lives in West London and was free to meet tonight, or after he gets back from his weekend away in Helsinki and jokingly said: ‘Unless you wanted to come to Helsinki?’”

So that’s what Wright did.

20 minutes later, Wright booked the flight… Then he asked for the guy’s name.

“It’s gotta be a better first date than getting too drunk in a Wetherspoons and making out in a back alley,” Wright told Pink News before his departure.

He later shared a screenshot of the chat. Naturally, Twitter had a lot to say about it.

See, people randomly book week ends away to meet and be spontaneous, and I don’t even ask for that much, just a spontaneous “let’s get coffee in a random coffee shop” you go girl, go get your man, this is such a cute story ! t.co/lyv5oGg339

— Fairy Potter (@frenchtom34) January 22, 2020

Oh, yeah I think that’s…ok? Most of my new London friends are from Grindr/twitter so I suppose I’m constantly meeting new people that I don’t really *know* although Helsinki seems a little… excessive

— Tm (@sleepy_homo) January 28, 2020

some guy from london decided to go to helsinki on holiday with a couple of days notice with some guy from grindr and everyone assumed he was going to get kidnapped and/or murdered

— adão (@hamaddition) January 29, 2020

I can’t meet guys I know are good guys and have been speaking to forever because I get anxious they won’t like me etc, this.. this is wild. I almost admire the confidence and spontaneity of it all, I could do with more of that! …but also, by all standards, this is just crazy. t.co/U9ayFRAhqf

— Joshua Masson (@Joshua_Masson) January 22, 2020

No word yet on how the weekend went.

How far would you travel for a Grindr hookup? Sound off in the comments section below…

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#AM_Equality Tipsheet: February 11, 2020

IN A WIN FOR TRANS AND NON-BINARY YOUTH ACROSS SOUTH DAKOTA, ANTI-TRANS BILL IS DEFEATED IN STATE’S SENATE COMMITTEE: “Across South Dakota, transgender and non-binary youth and their families were able to stand up, make their voices heard and make a difference,” said HRC President Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid). “It’s heartening to see how strongly South Dakotans stood against HB 1057 and that elected officials in the state are standing up against the misinformation and anti-transgender attacks that came from the bill’s proponents.” More from Daily Kos, Dakota News Now and The Daily Beast.

BREAKING: #HB1057 in South Dakota, which would have done incomprehensible harm to trans kids, was moved to the 41st day of the session — essentially killing the bill.

Congratulations to all of the advocates who worked around the clock to defeat this dangerous bill. #SDLeg

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) February 10, 2020

TUESDAY TWEET — I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE — HOW NON-BINARY TEEN QUINNCY PARKE OF SOUTH DAKOTA FOUGHT BACK AGAINST THE HARMFUL LEGISLATION TARGETING TRANS AND NON-BINARY YOUTH: “Kids like me deserve the opportunity to consult with our doctors, our parents and our physicians to make the decisions that are right for us,” said Parke. Watch the video here.

“They’re addressing a problem that just

does

������

exist.”

South Dakota was on the brink of passing a bill that would do reprehensible harm to trans & non-binary kids, and several states are now on the same path.

Here’s what’s really at stake for trans & non-binary youth. pic.twitter.com/PQjYfIocQ9

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) February 11, 2020

HRC TO HONOR SNL STAR BOWEN YANG AT 25TH ANNUAL NORTH CAROLINA DINNER: The trailblazing comedian, writer and actor will receive the HRC Visibility Award on February 22 in Charlotte. “Through his hilarious representation on and off the screen, Bowen Yang is inspiring LGBTQ young people and many others to embrace their authentic selves,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “As one of SNL’s openly gay and the only Asian American cast member, Yang is boldly moving visibility forward.” More from HRC, Bustle, New York Daily News and Trilby Beresford (@trilbyberesford) at The Hollywood Reporter.

OVER 200 MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS IN THE SOUTH SIGN OPEN LETTER OPPOSING BILLS THAT TARGET TRANS YOUTH: “These bills run counter to the growing consensus in the medical community that improving access to gender-affirming care is a central means of improving health outcomes for transgender people,” stated the letter, which was coordinated by the Campaign for Southern Equality (@SouthernEqual). More from Nico Lang (@Nico_Lang) at NBC. 

2020 HRC YOUTH AMBASSADOR ASHTON MOTA IS WORKING TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS, PAVING WAY FOR TRANSGENDER RIGHTS: “Being able to be that voice and kind of be a role model for people that are figuring out their gender identity or just their identity overall is just like really inspiring to me,” said Mota. “Regardless of what other people think, you know who you are and you’ve always known who you are.” Mota will be speaking at this year’s HRC Foundation Time to THRIVE Conference, which kicks off Friday. More from Nicole Defuedis (@Nicole_DeFeudis) at the Lowell Sun. 

ACROSS THE COUNTRY, TRANS PEOPLE CHALLENGING BANS ON UPDATING ID DOCUMENTS FOR THOSE CONVICTED OF CRIME: While specific law language varies, The Marshall Project has determined that least 17 states automatically ban people with some criminal convictions from changing their name, either permanently or temporarily. More from ABA Journal.

FOR THE FIRST TIME, SAME-SEX COUPLES INCLUDED IN COUNT OF MARRIED WORKERS IN U.S. ECONOMY: Previously, only different-sex couples were counted. More from CNN.

GET CULTURED – Entertainment, arts and sports news!
ACTRESS, AUTHOR AND ACTIVIST MARIA BELLO IS ENGAGED TO CHEF GIRLFRIEND DOMINIQUE CREEN: Bello was honored with the HRC Equality Award at the 2015 HRC Austin Gala. More from People.   

Congratulations to longtime @HRC supporter @maria_bello on your engagement! We can’t wait to welcome highly accomplished chef @dominiquecrenn, who is the only 3 Michelin Star female chef in the U.S., to the HRC family. t.co/0R3pTMaT44

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) February 10, 2020

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

HEAR THOSE WEDDING BELLS? TODAY MARKS THE FIRST FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY IN NORTHERN IRELAND: Robyn Peoples and Sharni Edwards will be among the first to take advantage of the new law. Read more about the couple from Suyin Haynes (@suyinsays) at TIME.

• HRC Foundation tracks developments in the legal recognition of same-sex marriage around the world. Learn more about the work here. 

Today, #LoveWins as marriage equality in Northern Ireland takes effect. t.co/D27c1WppF6

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) February 11, 2020

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!

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Karamo Brown launches skincare range specifically for bald men

 

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A post shared by Karamo (@karamo) on Feb 5, 2019 at 8:36am PST

Queer Eye’s Karamo Brown has launched a new skincare range for bald men. The presenter, who acts as the cultural expert on the hit Netflix show, announced the launch yesterday on his Instagram.

“Excuse the puffy face,” he said at the start of the video, “ I was just crying tears of joy! Because I’m excited to announce to you all I have co-founded a skincare line for bald and balding men called MANTL.

“This is a big moment for me, I have been working with my co-founders for a very long time on this. Here it is,” he says holding up a box. “We launched today. I’m so excited.

“Inside is a cleanser that you can use on your neck, face and scalp, an age-defense moisturizer … and then an SPF that I’m so proud of, you can use everywhere. And what I love best about this SPF is that it’s clear, so you can rub it into your beard and everywhere.”

Related: Karamo Brown now says he was never friends with Sean Spicer, despite repeatedly calling him a friend 

In an Instagram story, he said, “I realized that there were no products out there for bald or balding men that said ‘It’s OK to be bald,’ or how to take care of your skin, so I created it!”

A press statement about the launch says Brown has created MANTL in partnership with men’s health advocate, Peter Ricci, and Irene Kong (MANTL CEO and Chief Product Officer respectively). The company raised $1million in seed funding.

Besides the aforementioned products, there are also no-shine sheets. A pack containing all four products costs $78.95.

“MANTL’s mission is to support and empower men who embrace their baldness, offering a sense of community, encouraging them to uncover their confidence and self-love, and finally leave behind the outdated ideas of masculinity.”

Related: Karamo Brown on his initial “hurt” reaction to son being pansexual 

Brown first came to public attention with appearances on 2004’s TV show, The Real World: Philadelphia. He has previously spoken about how challenging he found his first brush with fame, which led to partying and drug-taking. He has also been a mental health advocate, talking of his battles with depression.

Besides Queer Eye, Brown appeared on the most recent season of Dancing With The Stars in 2019, and he also published a children’s book last fall that he wrote with his son, titled I Am Perfectly Designed.

www.queerty.com/karamo-brown-launches-skincare-range-specifically-bald-men-20200211?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Dwyane Wade Tells Ellen Touching Story of How His 12-Year-Old Came Out as Transgender: WATCH

NBA star Dwyane Wade, who gave a powerful speech about accepting his transgender child on Stephen Jackson and Barnes’ “All The Smoke” podcast in December, joined Ellen and revealed more about how he and wife Gabrielle Union are learning about her gender identity.

Said Wade: “First of all, me and my wife Gabrielle, we are proud parents of a child in the LGBTQ+ community and we are proud allies as well. We take our roles and responsibilities as parents very seriously. So when our child comes home with a question, our child comes home with an issue, our child comes home with anything, it’s our job as parents to listen to that, to give them the best information we can, to give the best feedback we can. And that doesn’t change because sexuality is now involved in it.”

“Once Zaya, our 12-year-old, came home… first, Zion,” added Wade. “I don’t know if everyone knows, originally named Zion. Zion, born as a boy, came home and said, ‘Hey, so I want to talk to you guys. I think going forward, I’m ready to live my truth. And I want to be referenced as she and her. I’d love for you guys to call me Zaya.”

ALSO: NBA Star Dwyane Wade Offers Powerful Thoughts on 12-Year-Old Zion: ‘I Watched My Son from Day One Become Into Who – She – Now Eventually Has Come Into’ — WATCH

“So, that was our job to go out and get information, to reach out to every relationship we have,” Wade continued. “My wife reached out to everybody on the cast of Pose. We just tried to figure out as much information as we [could] to make sure we give our child the best opportunity to be her best self. …. Once Zion came home and said ‘call me Zaya‘ and was ready to take on this, I looked at her and said, ‘You are a leader. It’s our opportunity to allow you to be a voice.’ Right now it’s through us, because she’s 12 years old, but eventually it will be through her.”

The post Dwyane Wade Tells Ellen Touching Story of How His 12-Year-Old Came Out as Transgender: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Dwyane Wade Tells Ellen Touching Story of How His 12-Year-Old Came Out as Transgender: WATCH

HRC to Honor Saturday Night Live Star Bowen Yang at the 25th Annual North Carolina Dinner

Today, HRC announced that comedian, writer and actor Bowen Yang will be honored with the HRC Visibility Award at the 25th Annual HRC North Carolina Dinner on Saturday, February 22 at Le Meridien Charlotte. 

“Through his hilarious representation on and off the screen, Bowen Yang is inspiring LGBTQ young people and many others to embrace their authentic selves,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “As one of SNL’s openly gay and the only Asian American cast member, Yang is boldly moving visibility forward. We are incredibly excited to honor Bowen Yang with HRC’s Visibility Award at the 2020 HRC North Carolina Dinner.”

Yang is a Brooklyn-based comedian, writer and actor, who is best known as a part of the cast for Saturday Night Live’s 45th season. Yang is the show’s first Chinese-American cast member. He was a writer for SNL and wrote for one season before moving on-screen. Yang can currently be seen in the recurring on Comedy Central’s Awkwafina is Nora from Queens. Alongside co-host Matt Rogers, Yang is a co-host of the popular podcast Las Culturistas, which has been featured in The New York Times, New York Magazine, Splitsider and Time Out New York. On television, he has guest starred on Broad City and High Maintenance, and he is currently a recurring guest on John Glaser Loves Gear. Yang has also featured in romantic comedy Is It Romantic, directed by Todd Strauss-Schulson. This past year, Yang was featured in TIME as one of the “23 People Who Are Changing What’s Funny Right Now” and again as one of their TIME 100 NEXT: Artists.

Set to take place at Le Meridien Charlotte, the 2020 HRC North Carolina Dinner brings together HRC’s most active members and supporters in the Charlotte area to raise crucial funds in the fight for LGBTQ equality. Tickets and further information are available at www.hrc.org/events/north-carolina-gala.

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