This Was the Night Bill Clinton Made History (video)
www.advocate.com/election/2016/7/26/was-night-bill-clinton-made-history-video
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Bill Clinton Spellbinds DNC with Deeply Personal Tale of Hillary the ‘Change Maker’ – WATCH
Bill Clinton Spellbinds DNC with Deeply Personal Tale of Hillary the ‘Change Maker’ – WATCH
Starting with the first moment he saw her in 1971 following a college class on political and civil rights, Bill Clinton married his personal relationship with Hillary Clinton to her determination to figure out “how to make things better” in a speech that held the Democratic Convention in Philadelphia enthralled.
“I asked her to take a walk…we’ve been walking, talking and laughing together ever since,” said Clinton, who stayed focused on Hillary’s experience as a civil rights activist and mother to Chelsea, to her resolve to be elected to public office in New York.
He took aim at Donald Trump without mentioning him:
“She never made fun of people with disabilities, she tried to empower them based on their abilities.”
And he lauded her experience as Secretary of State:
She negotiated the first agreement ever — ever — where China and India officially committed to reduce their emissions. And as she had been doing since she went to Beijing in 1995 and said women’s rights are human rights and human rights are women’s rights…
…she worked to empower women and girls around the world and to make the same exact declaration on behalf of the LGBT community in America and around the world.
Clinton also labeled her a “change maker” — a descriptor likely to remain for the remainder of the campaign:
“She’s insatiably curious, she’s a natural leader, she’s a good organizer, and she’s the best darn change-maker I ever met in my entire life.”
Watch:
The post Bill Clinton Spellbinds DNC with Deeply Personal Tale of Hillary the ‘Change Maker’ – WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.
Howard Dean Brings Back His 2004 ‘Scream’ for Hillary Clinton: WATCH
Howard Dean Brings Back His 2004 ‘Scream’ for Hillary Clinton: WATCH
An extremely refreshed looking former Vermont Governor Howard Dean brought back the “scream” speech credited for foiling his 2004 presidential campaign at the end of an appearance at Tuesday night’s Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
Screamed Dean to a delighted stadium:
“This race is going to be won on the ground and it’s going to be won in Colorado, and in Iowa, and North Carolina and Michigan and Florida and Pennsylvania, and then we go to the White House!”
Watch:
The post Howard Dean Brings Back His 2004 ‘Scream’ for Hillary Clinton: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.
Justin Vivian Bond Runs Into Politicians, Activists and Secret Service: DNC Day 2
Justin Vivian Bond Runs Into Politicians, Activists and Secret Service: DNC Day 2
Last night, after walking around in the heat and humidity for hours on end I decided to head back to the Show Biz Safe House to slap some Fresca on a panty shield and get myself together before finally making my way to the Wells Fargo Center for the convention. As I was getting ready a huge thunderstorm began to rage outside. It was Biblical. My host offered to drive me so we traveled to South Philly through the storm. After being stopped and redirected at several security checkpoints he lied and said he was an Uber driver and we finally got in.
I made my way through the security check and strolled into the main hall just in time to catch Sen Kirsten Gillibrand’s speech. I was so excited! Perched next to a group of journalists who were tap tapping away at their computers I had the perfect spot to witness my first convention live. I was having a blast and feeling very special: tweeting, live streaming on Facebook, Instagramming the crowd. I couldn’t believe my luck. Unfortunately it wasn’t to last long. Just as I was composing a tweet about Al Franken a Secret Service Agent tapped me on the shoulder and told me I had to move.
Where?
I spent the next half hour, as Sarah Silverman laid into the Bernie or Bust guys, wandering the halls trying to find a place to gain access to the main hall without a Secret Service clearance. No dice!
On my travels I passed Rep. John Lewis, David Schwimmer, and tv screens with Paul Simon singing, but all I got when I tried to go in was “no entrance.”
Feeling like failure I hopped on the train and headed back to The Beardquarters and a good stiff whiskey.
I’ve since heard Michelle Obama made the world cry. Gonna have to YouTube that one!
This morning I woke up and headed out to connect with the local queer activists and protesters.
There was a big action taking place at the Mazzoni Center, a local health center serving the LGBTQ and Poz communities. Word was out that the haters from the Westboro Baptist Church were going to be there to harass the transgender community as they entered and left the building.
The Philadelphia queer community and many wonderful out of town guests showed up to create a wall of safety. It was beautiful.
While I was there I had the opportunity to speak with Brandi Bowers, a transwoman and DNC delegate, artist Joe Ovelman, Nellie Fitzpatrick, the Director of LGBT Affairs for the office of the Philadelphia mayor, Christopher Bartlett, director of the William Way LGBT Community Center and to film the gorgeous, inspiring kids who were there to protect their own.
After all that I needed a beer. On my way to the closest watering hole I ran into New York City Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer who granted me an interview. Jimmy told me he’d been very close to Hillary Clinton and that she smells better than I do. Hmmm…
Well, it’s been quite a ride so far. I’m now sitting in the press pen and I just watched incredulously as Bernie Sanders officially declared “she who smelleth like a rose” the official nominee of the Democratic Party.
Smell her!!!
Whether in the hall or on the street it’s an extraordinarily exciting time to be in Philadelphia.
The post Justin Vivian Bond Runs Into Politicians, Activists and Secret Service: DNC Day 2 appeared first on Towleroad.
OMG — Stephen Colbert Made It to the Podium Again! (Video)
OMG — Stephen Colbert Made It to the Podium Again! (Video)
Reprising his role, this time at the Democratic National Convention, Colbert, with his weasel, broke through to the podium.
www.advocate.com/comedy/2016/7/26/omg-stephen-colbert-made-it-podium-again-video
Homophobia Is the Real Monster in 'Stranger Things'
Homophobia Is the Real Monster in 'Stranger Things'
LGBT viewers can find much to relate to — and fear — in the supernatural new Netflix series.
www.advocate.com/television/2016/7/26/homophobia-real-monster-stranger-things
Kids Impersonate Donald Trump (Video)
Kids Impersonate Donald Trump (Video)
Some see Donald Trump as a petulant child, and that’s just how these children portray him.
www.advocate.com/comedy/2016/7/26/kids-impersonate-donald-trump-video
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This Closeted Sailor Was Accidentally Outed, What Happened Next May Surprise You
This Closeted Sailor Was Accidentally Outed, What Happened Next May Surprise You
Conner Curnick, photo via Outsports.
Coming out in the military used to be impossible. The repeal of “Don’t ask, don’t tell” has changed that reality, but it is still a scary prospect for many.
That was certainly the case for Conner Curnick, who worried his Navy buddies would never accept his sexual orientation were the truth to come to light. When it did, he was in tears, and he found acceptance from others as well as within himself.
Related: Seaman Makes History With Beautiful Same-Sex Kiss
Curnick tells his story in a moving personal essay he penned for Outsports. Why Outsports? Becuase he just so happens to be a competitive water polo player and runner, as well.
Curnick competing in a Reebok Spartan Race, via Outsports.
Curnick says he was heading back to his quarters at a naval base in Pensacola, Fla. after spending the night with a guy he was seeing, when he felt his phone begin to buzz.
Related: Out Swimmer Ian Thorpe Is Almost Ready To Be A Gay Role Model
It turns out someone had discovered a photograph of him with another guy on the back of his motorcycle. His friends were asking him if he was gay. He decided to tell the truth.
I was alone at the time and in tears, and I decided to come clean — yes, I’m gay, I told them. The reactions started coming in and, to my relief and surprise, they were overwhelmingly positive. While I did lose a few friends, the ones closest to me became even closer, because I no longer had to lie about who I was and for the first time they knew what was really going on in my life.
He reports that his life began to flourish when he started living as an openly gay man, although there was some push back.
This past spring, in combat training before my deployment to Afghanistan, someone found out I was gay, walked up to me and said, “I’m glad I’m not deploying with you, I wouldn’t trust a fag with my life.” This despite the fact I was one of the better marksmen and performers in my class. I use comments like that to fuel my fire to succeed in everything that I do.
He says that homophobic slurs were commonplace while he was enlisted in the Navy Special Warfare Program. Those sentiments kept him in the closet.
Related: Photos: Fleet Week Heats Up The Streets Of New York
When the truth was revealed, Curnick was surprised at the reactions.
I feared I would be rejected by people I once was friends with, terrified that the leadership above me would look at me as less of a man, or that any accomplishment I have will be attributed to me being gay, and not my merit. I was completely and utterly wrong. In fact, some of the most vocally homophobic people ended up being my biggest supporters.
He says he is now a much happier, productive and successful person and that while he still faces discrimination he is working to fight back against those antiquated ideas.
I am currently working with fellow LGBT sailors to start an organization at my base for LGBT service members to promote understanding and ensure equality in the workplace. I hope that in the future, people won’t have to “come out,” but they can simply say this is my boy/girlfriend and be accepted by everyone.
Read the entire essay at Outsports here.
Related: PHOTOS: Gay Soldiers Ask And Tell In New Portrait Project