Making the Case Against Brigham Young University (Video)
www.advocate.com/sports/2016/8/10/making-case-against-brigham-young-university-video
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“Today” In Supreme Awkwardness: Al Roker And Co. Smear Lotion All Over Studly Tongan Olympian
“Today” In Supreme Awkwardness: Al Roker And Co. Smear Lotion All Over Studly Tongan Olympian
Despite no shortage of seriously stiff competition, Pita Nikolas Aufatofua of Tonga is being roundly hailed as the heartthrob of the Olympics. Nevertheless, that’s really no reason for Today Show host Al Roker to sic news anchor Hoda Kotb and (urk!) Jenna friggin’ Bush on the 32-year-old taekwondo fighter.
Related: Testing The Limits Of Swimwear: A Sexy, Scandalous Night Of The Olympics In Pics
Both women take it upon themselves to languidly smooth baby lotion all over his pecs in a 51 second clip that seems to drag on for a cringe-inducing eternity as Aufatofua achieves otherworldly levels of glistening sheen. Only slightly terrifyingly, the girls subsequently wipe any residual lotion onto their own arms, perhaps hoping his vital essence will rub off on them/absorb into them.
Related: PHOTOS: Let’s Take A Moment To Appreciate Olympic Swimmer Amini Fonua’s Instagram
Meanwhile, Aufatofua tries to be the perfect gentleman, flashing the most athletically awkward frozen smile this side of Jack Nicholson at the end of The Shining.
Watch all the awkwardness unfold here:
Comments about how jealous we are commencing in one… two…
LGBTQ Rights Groups Ask Big 12 Not To Include BYU Over Discriminatory Policies
LGBTQ Rights Groups Ask Big 12 Not To Include BYU Over Discriminatory Policies
BYU football stadium. Photo by Bobak Ha’Eri, CC 2.5.
25 LGBTQ rights groups have sent a letter to commissioner Bob Bowlsby asking the Big 12 not to considering Brigham Young University as part of its conference expansion due to its discriminatory policies.
The letter was authored by Athlete Ally and the National Center for Lesbian Rights. It was co-signed by 23 other national and regional advocacy groups, including GLAAD, Lambda Legal, National LGBTQ Task Force, Campus Pride and TransAthlete.com.
Related: Nike Ad Championing Trans Athlete Drops During The Olympics
BYU is owned and operated by the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The school’s Honor Code says that students are allowed to have “feelings or attraction” but only so long as they remain celibate.
“Homosexual behavior is inappropriate and violates the Honor Code,” it reads. “Homosexual behavior includes not only sexual relations between members of the same sex, but all forms of physical intimacy that give expression to homosexual feelings.”
Students who run afoul of the Honor Code can expect to be suspended or dismissed.
The Big 12’s handbook has a “Policy On Diversity” section that reads, in part, “It is the obligation of each Member Institution to refrain from discrimination prohibited by federal and state law, and to demonstrate a commitment to fair and equitable treatment of all student-athletes and athletics department personnel.”
It also states that the Conference will, “encourage an atmosphere throughout the Conference among staff and student-athletes that demonstrates respect and support for each individual. As such, within the context of Conference events, the Conference will not tolerate disparaging comments, remarks, or jokes about any group of people including racist, sexist, or homophobic comments, remarks, or jokes.”
Related: BYU Students Who Made “It Gets Better” Video Won’t Get Expelled As Long As They Don’t Have Gay Sex
The letter from the LGBTQ rights organizations reflects this disparity.
“Currently, the Big 12 as a conference is overwhelmingly LGBT-inclusive,” it reads. “Nine out of ten of your member schools have explicit protections for students based on their sexual orientation. Eight out of ten of your member schools have explicit protections for students based on their gender identity. And nine out of ten of your member schools have LGBT resource centers to proactively make their schools safe and welcoming for LGBT people.
“BYU, conversely, actively and openly discriminates against its LGBT students and staff. It provides no protections for LGBT students. In fact, through its policies, BYU is very clear about its intent to discriminate against openly LGBT students, with sanctions that can include suspension or dismissal for being openly LGBT or in a same-sex relationship. The LGBT climate is so bad at BYU that it is ranked the 6th worst school in the country for LGBT students. Given BYU’s homophobic, biphobic and transphobic policies and practices, BYU should not be rewarded with Big 12 membership.”
A Big 12 spokesperson told FOX Sports that their policy on diversity includes LGBTQ students.
Related: BYU Students Recovering After Horrifying Same-Sex Marriage Cards Appear On Bookstore Shelves
While Utah passed a law last year prohibiting housing and employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, there is a religious carve out that allows institutions like BYU to be excluded.
The Big 12 includes two religious universities already, Baylor, a Baptist University, and TCU, affiliated with Disciples of Christ. Baylor removed antigay language from their sexual misconduct policy last year. It now simply states that “physical sexual intimacy is to be expressed in the context of marital fidelity.” It also reads as being against same-sex marriage, as it states that its policies “will be interpreted by the University in a manner consistent with the Baptist Faith and Message of 1963,” which defines marriage as between one man and one woman.
TCU has a non-discrimination policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.
BYU expressed interest in joining the Big 12 once it became public that the Conference would expand. Cincinnati, Colorado State, Connecticut, Houston, Memphis, UCF and USF are also considered possibilities.
The Big 12 has not publicly stated when they expect to announce which teams they will add, but could bring in anywhere from two to four schools. The decision may come before the board’s next meeting in October.
Nyle DiMarco Is Teaching Sign Language Shirtless – WATCH
Nyle DiMarco Is Teaching Sign Language Shirtless – WATCH
America’s Next Top Model and Dancing With The Stars winner Nyle DiMarco wants to help you learn sign-language.
The hunky model will be teaching mini-lessons on American Sign Language (ASL) in weekly videos posted on Instagram stories. To give you extra motivation to learn ASL, it seems that DiMarco will be teaching the classes shirtless.
Said DiMarco in a new video story shared on Instagram,”First of all, I dunno where I put my shirt, bear with me, but…I have good news! I’ve decided to make ASL more mainstream! How?…I will teach ASL here biweekly on Wednesday. Why Wednesday?! Hmm…Ah because it’s ‘hump’ Wednesday.”
RELATED: Nyle DiMarco Is Dripping Wet and Waiting for You in the Hamptons – WATCH
DiMarco tells fans they can post comments on Instagram or tweet at him signs they want to learn.
He has one rule though: “Be clean.”
I’m teaching ASL on my Instagram Stories! Check the video out!!
Dont be dirty y’all!!! 😜@theaslapp pic.twitter.com/sfORJr5jwQ
— Nyle DiMarco (@NyleDiMarco) August 9, 2016
The post Nyle DiMarco Is Teaching Sign Language Shirtless – WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.
Tallywackers, Dallas’ All-Male Version of Hooters, Has Closed for Good
Tallywackers, Dallas’ All-Male Version of Hooters, Has Closed for Good
Tallywackers, the all-male version of Hooters that opened last May in Dallas, has closed for good, according to multiple reports on social media.
Situated in Dallas’ Oak Lawn gayborhood, Tallywackers made national headlines when it debuted as one of the nation’s first restaurants to feature scantily clad male servers.
Earlier this year, foodie site Dallas Eater reported that on its one-year anniversary, Tallywackers was “still going strong, despite online reviews that indicate the food is mediocre at best.” Then again, who really went for the food?
Tallywackers owner Rodney Duke couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.
RIP Tallywackers. The one and only male hooters in the US of A in Dallas failed and is now closed.
— Michael (@yhprumleahcim) August 10, 2016
The post Tallywackers, Dallas’ All-Male Version of Hooters, Has Closed for Good appeared first on Towleroad.
Pennsylvania Official Says LGBT Terms ‘Out of Control,’ Helps Kill ‘Multi-Sexual’ Nondiscrimination Law
Pennsylvania Official Says LGBT Terms ‘Out of Control,’ Helps Kill ‘Multi-Sexual’ Nondiscrimination Law
After a contentious debate, council members in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, voted 7-2 on Tuesday to reject a proposed nondiscrimination ordinance that would have extended protections to LGBT people.
The ordinance would have established a Human Relations Commission to field complaints of discrimination based on “race, color, sex, religion, ancestry, genetic information, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, familial status, marital status, age, veteran status, mental or physical disability, use of guide or support animals and/or mechanical aids.”
But Councilman Harry Haas (above) said he felt the proposed ordinance itself was discriminatory because it targeted specific groups and would have led to more division, according to The Times Leader.
“I’m here to protect all of you – anybody — heterosexual, homosexual, multi-sexual — I don’t even know what the terms are anymore because it’s getting out of control,” Haas said.
He added that he believes some people are using such ordinances to make people “feel good about lifestyles” that are “incompatible” with others’ religious views, and that those who oppose them are labeled bigots.
“You are so much more than who you sleep with. You are so much more than what your anatomy is or what anatomy you want,” Haas said. “This is not about bigotry. This is about loving and caring and respecting everybody.”
According to his Facebook page, Haas is a Donald Trump supporter who believes the GOP presidential nominee will win in a landslide, because “four more years of the same is unacceptable.”
More from The Times Leader:
Council members Rick Williams and Jane Walsh Waitkus were the lone supporters, arguing the ordinance shows the county endorses equal access to employment, housing, post-secondary education and businesses open to the general public.
Walsh Waitkus said there’s a “misconception” among many — including some citizens who inundated council members with emails opposing the legislation Tuesday — that the area always has been welcoming. She said immigrants from Poland, Italy and other countries were only “allowed to step foot in Luzerne County” decades ago because they provided labor in coal mines.
“It’s just simply the right thing to do in 2016,” she said of the ordinance.
Luzerne County, with a population of 321,000, is home to the city of Wilkes-Barre.
The Citizens’ Voice has more.
The post Pennsylvania Official Says LGBT Terms ‘Out of Control,’ Helps Kill ‘Multi-Sexual’ Nondiscrimination Law appeared first on Towleroad.
Houstonians get a sneak peek of upcoming Texas mini-documentary
Houstonians get a sneak peek of upcoming Texas mini-documentary
GLAAD
GLAAD hosted a sneak peek clip of GLAAD’s upcoming mini-documentary “GLAAD Presents: State of Change – Texas” at the Montrose Center in Houston Texas as the latest stop on the Southern Stories Summer Tour of Texas.
In 2015, GLAAD filmed a series of interviews with LGBT advocates, allies and leaders in Texas. Over the past year, GLAAD has been compiling these interviews into a short documentary as a part of the Southern Stories initiative to amplify the voices of LGBT people in the U.S. South.
Following the screening, GLAAD’s Director of Programs – Global and U.S. South, Ross Murray moderated a panel discussion with local LGBT advocates and participants in the film. He shared GLAAD resources, including the newly released Southern Stories media resource guide, “Southern Stories: A Guide for Reporting on LGBT people in Texas.”
Panelists included Fran Watson, President of the Houston GLBT Political Caucus, the South’s oldest civil rights organization dedicated to serving LGBT people trough political endorsement; Ana Andrea Molina, Director of the TransLatina Texas; Amanda Turner, a leader of the Beaumont PFLAG and the Southern Comfort Transgender Conference; and Janet Quezada, Senior Strategist, Spanish Language and Latino Media at GLAAD.
The panel discussion centered primarily on the issues facing the LGBT community in Texas. Panelists spoke about both the challenges that the LGBT Texas community faces, as well as a call to action. Molina discussed her work with TransLatina Texas and the intersectional issues faced by undocumented transgender Latinas. Turner talked about her experinces in Beaumont and how she has been able to build an accpeting culture. And Watson stressed the importance of voting in state and local elections, and the future impact this year’s vote will have on the future of the LGBT movement in Texas.
This event is a part of GLAAD’s ground work in Texas this week where staff members will be meeting with community members to discuss ways to accelerate acceptance and amplify the voices of LGBT people in the Lone Star state. Earlier in the day, GLAAD staff visited the Houston Chronicle, sharing “Southern Stories: A Guide for Reporting on LGBT people in Texas” and discussing story ideas for innovative reporting on the LGBT community in Texas.
“GLAAD Presents: State of Change – Texas” will be the latest in a series of mini-documentaries about LGBT people living in Southern states. Previously released mini-documentaries have focused on South Carolina and Georgia. To learn more about GLAAD’s Southern Stories initiative, visit the Southern Stories page in GLAAD’s web site.
August 10, 2016
Issues:
www.glaad.org/blog/houstonians-get-sneak-peek-upcoming-texas-mini-documentary
Facebook, SF Pride 2015
PHOTOS: Row Your Boat Gently Down Robbie Manson’s Olympic Stream
PHOTOS: Row Your Boat Gently Down Robbie Manson’s Olympic Stream
Say hello to Robbie Manson. The 26-year-old out rower from New Zealand has been in Rio completing in the Olympics alongside his fellow stroke man, Christopher Harris.
Related: Tom Daley Unwittingly Steals Spotlight From Equally Adept, Equally Speedoed Daniel Goodfellow
The guys were off to a flying start, winning their first heat on Saturday and advancing to the semifinals. An overnight storm created some choppy waters, however, and ultimately the fellas came in fourth in the semifinals, which means they’re officially out of the games. Whomp, whomp.
Related: PHOTOS: Let’s Take A Moment To Appreciate Olympic Swimmer Amini Fonua’s Instagram Account
The defeat was no doubt crushing for our guy Manson. So we thought we’d show him a little appreciation by scouring his Instagram page.
Scroll down for pictures of the ripped rower in action…
The Internet is Trying to Make ‘Gay Uncles Day’ Happen on August 14
The Internet is Trying to Make ‘Gay Uncles Day’ Happen on August 14
Because there are special days for everything else on the internet, why not Gay Uncles Day (aka Guncles Day)?
The internet is trying to make it happen.
According to Towleroad’s internet sources, today is Skyscraper Appreciation Day, yesterday was Rice Pudding Day, and in the next week or so we’ll be celebrating Vinyl Record Day, International Lefthanders Day, Best Friends Day, Airborne Day, and Black Cat Appreciation Day.
Yet there is still no day for all the nieces and nephews in the world to celebrate their gay uncles, and vice-versa!
The internet wants it to be August 14. Let’s do this.
I hope this is a real thing because I want presents. #GayUnclesDay pic.twitter.com/pMcMtS9Fvt
— Real Housebear (@Real_Housebear) August 9, 2016
The post The Internet is Trying to Make ‘Gay Uncles Day’ Happen on August 14 appeared first on Towleroad.