American Apparel Launches ‘Make America Gay Again’ LGBT Equality Campaign: VIDEO

American Apparel has joined forces with Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and The Ally Coalition to launch “Make America Gay Again” in support of LGBT equality.

Available now, American Apparel’s new line will feature phrases including “Make America Gay Again” and “Make America LGBTQ Again.”

I love this! #makeamericagayagain #cupcakeroyale pic.twitter.com/1VKf3OwlSP

— Señora Denise (@allrachel) June 7, 2016

The campaign will also include video content and in-store events. A “Make America Gay Again” mixtape, curated by musician Jack Antonoff and inspired by songs that stand for equality, will be available on Pandora.com June 14. Thirty percent of sales will be donated in support of the Equality Act and the fight to end LGBTQ discrimination.

RELATED: Goldfish Crackers Go Gay For Pride

Via PR Newswire, Antonoff, who co-founded The Ally Coalition with his sister, fashion designer Rachel Antonoff, said:

“Rachel and I founded The Ally Coalition to inspire fans to take action for LGBTQ Equality. During a year where LGBTQ rights are being threatened all over the states, everyone is responsible for coming together and challenging these injustices. I’m proud that The Ally Coalition is joining with American Apparel and The Human Rights Campaign to #MakeAmericaGayAgain.”

God bless American Apparel 🌈 #MakeAmericaGayAgain pic.twitter.com/b81TSV4vCA

— Talia (@taliapark16) June 6, 2016

HRC Senior Vice President of Communications and Marketing Olivia Alair Dalton added:

“Today, LGBTQ people remain at risk of being fired, evicted or denied services in a majority of states simply because of who they are. That’s why we are fighting to pass the Equality Act – legislation that will protect LGBTQ people under our federal civil rights laws.

“We are excited about our partnership with the Ally Coalition and American Apparel, which empowers people to subvert the politics of hate and division by creatively speaking out for the equal rights and dignity of LGBTQ people.”

Watch two “Make America Gay Again” launch videos below.

(Image via American Apparel)

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Sean Hayes Performs ‘An Act of God’ on Broadway: REVIEW

When it first premiered on Broadway last June, David Javerbaum’s winking satire of the Judeo-Christian enterprise felt as pedantic as it did cliché. Jim Parsons’ turn as a smug, self-satisfied man upstairs was neither likable nor particularly funny and made An Act of God’s 90 minutes drag like Sunday school with a teacher who uses humor to seem “hip.” (Parsons’ defining role on cult nerd series The Big Bang Theory may have colored with this approach.)

In a return engagement of director Joe Mantello’s production, which opened last night at the Booth Theatre, Sean Hayes accomplishes what seems like a divine feat: transforming what previously felt like a bloated late-night sketch into an enjoyable vehicle for his distinct and mighty talents. No, Hayes isn’t serving up God as Jack McFarland (you may hold your “Just Jesus!” jokes), but the actor has always shared a relatable, witty charm with his Will & Grace character. He also knows how to command a stage, particularly useful given the role.

Since the show was last in New York (Hayes also performed it in L.A. and San Francisco), Javerbaum has updated the script, adding in requisite jokes about Twitter trending topics like Donald Trump, Bill Cosby, and Hamilton. (The show is based in part on Javerbaum’s Twitter feed @TheTweetOfGod and on his book The Last Testament: A Memoir by God.) But its bones are the same: God has come to Broadway, using Sean Hayes as a vehicle (so meta!) to tell the world we’ve been getting it all wrong and set us straight with his “new” 10 commandments.

The structural device of a top 10 list hasn’t grown any more inspired, but in Hayes’ hands, it feels remarkably less tedious. (A more intimate setting definitely helps; the production made the larger Studio 54 feel like a mega church — who wouldn’t be counting down the minutes?) As Hayes rattles off the new directives, veering this way and that to revise details of classic Bible stories, his humor is never without teeth or less than perfectly timed.

Rather than presenting an absurd caricature that the audience will inevitably dislike, Hayes actually builds a real character. If we can’t exactly empathize with him, at least he seems like some sort of emotional being — a God in the image of man — a nuance that makes us think more deeply about what is being said. In his conflict with the angel Gabriel (here played by David Josefsberg), Hayes’ wrath feels rooted rather than put on. He also manages to mine a gimmick-heavy script for emotional moments that actually resonate, then flip seamlessly into delivering a punch line.

While it still drags at times, this resurrection of the celestial comedy is decidedly more entertaining with Hayes leading the charge — less like a joke-addled, liberal diatribe (i.e. a Twitter feed) and more like a show you’d actually pay to see.

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2016 Tony Nominations: ‘Hamilton’ Dominates, Plus Snubs and Surprises
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Jessica Lange Is Astonishing in ‘Long Day’s Journey Into Night’ on Broadway: REVIEW
Jesse Tyler Ferguson Is ‘Fully Committed’ on Broadway: REVIEW

Follow Naveen Kumar on Twitter: @Mr_NaveenKumar (photos: jim cox)

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Season 2 of I Am Jazz Set to Premiere on June 8

HRC Youth Ambassador and transgender activist Jazz Jennings returns to television this week with Wednesday’s premier of the second season of her TLC docu-series I Am Jazz.

The show chronicles 15-year-old Jazz and her family as they navigate the unique challenges she faces as a transgender teen, including the ups and downs of entering high school and learning to drive.

Viewers will see Jazz in her role as an HRC Youth Ambassador, speaking at HRC Foundation’s third annual Time to THRIVE Conference in February. At the conference, which promotes safety, inclusion and well-being for LGBTQ youth, she highlighted the need for transgender inclusion in schools and the importance of LGBTQ acceptance.

Jazz, who is co-author of the children’s book I Am Jazz, which seeks to increase understanding of transgender people as well as help build more inclusive environments for all young people, continues to raise the bar on transgender visibility. In April, she teamed up with HRC Foundation’s Welcoming Schools project, the National Education Association and the National Coalition Against Censorship to support I Am Jazz community readings nationwide as part of a call to action to support transgender youth.

Jazz’s new book, Being Jazz: My Life as a (Transgender) Teen, was released on Tuesday, June 7.

After first making headlines in 2007 when she and her family were interviewed by Barbara Walters on ABC’s 20/20, Jazz’s work has been recognized by GLAAD and she was the youngest person named to The Advocate’s “40 Under 40” list. She’s also earned spots on Out Magazine’s “OUT 100” list, the 2014 Trans 100 list and was named one of TIME magazine’s “25 Most Influential Teens of 2014.” Jazz also an honorary co-founder of TransKids Purple Rainbow Foundation.

Watch the I Am Jazz season two promo below:

www.hrc.org/blog/season-2-of-i-am-jazz-set-to-premiere-on-june-8?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Trey Pearson Is OK Being the Gay Christian Pop Star

This musician left behind the closet, but not his evangelical faith.

www.advocate.com/religion/2016/6/07/trey-pearson-ok-being-gay-christian-pop-star

In Kansas City, Pride Looks Damn Good

www.advocate.com/pride/2016/6/07/kansas-city-pride-looks-damn-good

PHOTOS: Instagram’s Sexiest Optical Technician Has Four Eyes And A Six Pack

This is Jeremy. He’s an optical technician from Indiana. Making sure people’s eyeglasses are produced according to their specifications is his passion. Of course, that’s not the only thing he’s good at.

Related: PHOTOS: Take A Trip With Jose The Hunky Traveler

Jeremy’s other passions include spending loads of quality time with his Pomeranian, eating well and working out on the regular. And, lucky for us, he loves showing off all the hard work he puts in at the gym.

Scroll down to see photos of Jeremy, who we have officially deemed Instagram’s sexiest optical technician…

Now, the burning question…

Do you prefer Jeremy with glasses…

Or without?

Submit your vote below…

<a href=”polldaddy.com/poll/9438819/”>How do you prefer Jeremy?</a>

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Kesha ‘Overwhelmed’ By On-Stage Gay Proposal at Disney World Gay Days: WATCH

Kesha helped a gay couple to get engaged on stage while performing at Disney World’s Gay Days over the weekend.

One of the men shared a photo of the happy couple and Kesha, writing “We can’t thank you enough @iiswhoiis for making this the most incredible, amazing, and beautiful moment of our lives that we will cherish forever. It means the world to us!”

Kesha later shared a photo of the proposal saying she was “overcome and overwhelmed with emotion on stage last night.”

RELATED: Florida Haters Fly Two Planes Warning of Gays at Disney World

“Love is the magic in life,” she added, “and really there is nothing more important. He said yes. 😉 He actually said ‘a million times, yes.’ Then my heart melted and I cried. Haha. Congratulations.”

Watch a video of the proposal below.

(Image via Instagram)

Kesha helped a fan to propose to his boyfriend yesterday at Disney World’s gay day, where she was performing 🌈 pic.twitter.com/Y0Bj2nGzYG

— Kesha Facts (@musicnews_kesha) June 5, 2016

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25 Public Places Where Gay Men Cruised

www.advocate.com/sexy-beast/2016/6/07/25-public-places-where-gay-men-cruised

Why I’m Not Going to Pentagon Pride

It’s not because this lesbian Army veteran wasn’t invited to Wednesday’s event. Sue Fulton refuses to celebrate with the Department of Defense until all Americans can serve openly. 

www.advocate.com/commentary/2016/6/07/why-im-not-going-pentagon-pride

How to Scruff a Trans Guy

So you want to message that cute trans dude you found on Scruff or Grindr? Read this before you start woofing. 

www.advocate.com/commentary/2016/6/07/how-scruff-trans-guy