Amelie Mauresmo, coach of tennis star Andy Murray, becomes a mom for the first time

French tennis star Amelie Mauresmo is now a mother.

The 36-year-old coach of Andy Murray gave birth to her first child, a boy, on Sunday (16 August) before Murray went on to win the final of the Montreal Masters over world number one Novak Djokovic.

‘Amelie is back home after giving birth to a baby boy this morning,’ Murray told the press after his three-set win. ‘I’m not sure she will have stayed up to watch this as she will have been too tired. But this one is for you, Amelie.’

Since teaming with Mauresmo, Murray has climbed back from outside the top 10 to number two in the world and won four titles so far this year.

‘I need to thank my team for that and especially Amelie,’ he said.

Mauresmo, 36, came out publicly as a lesbian early in her tennis career which reached its peak in 2006 when she won both Wimbledon and the Australian Open. She also had a stretch of nearly 10 months as the number one player in the world.

Mauresmo was also the Olympic silver medalist at the 2004 Games in Athens and in 2005, she won the WTA Tour Championships. In all, she won 25 singles titles on the WTA Tour before retiring as a player in 2009.

The Frenchwoman has had a successful coaching career so far. Before working with Murray, she helped coached Marion Bartoli to the Wimbledon singles crown in 2013.

Mauresmo was inducted in to the International Tennis Hall of Fame at a ceremony earlier this summer but was unable to attend because of the advanced state of her pregnancy.

The post Amelie Mauresmo, coach of tennis star Andy Murray, becomes a mom for the first time appeared first on Gay Star News.

Greg Hernandez

www.gaystarnews.com/article/amelie-mauresmo-coach-of-tennis-star-andy-murray-becomes-a-mom-for-the-first-time/

Man “Shocked” To Learn His Boyfriend Is A “Cross Dresser” Named Mandy

A 23-year-old man from the U.K. says he’s at his “wits’ end” after learning his 55-year-old boyfriend of six months is a “cross dresser.”

“We met through our mutual love of country dancing,” the young man writes to advice columnist Colleen Nolan at the Mirror. “I was in awe of this strong, confident older man and to my surprise, my affections were reciprocated.”

Related: Straight Guy Accidentally Visits Gay Bathhouse, Freaks Out, Turns To The Internet For Advice

According to the man, everything about their relationship has been extraordinary, “the sex in particular.” That is, until a few weeks ago.

“A business trip that had been scheduled to stretch over an entire weekend finished earlier than expected so I decided to surprise my man and come home early,” he writes. “However, my excitement soon turned to shock and confusion when my boyfriend answered the knock on his door wearing a strappy red dress, long blonde wig and full make-up.”

Related: Dear Abby’s Brief Advice To Mom Of Maybe-Gay Teen Says It All

The young man continues: “I immediately stormed off, not knowing what was going on or how I should think. Later, my partner called me and tried to explain that what I had seen was his other ‘persona’ Mandy.”

Now, he doesn’t know what to do.

“I love my boyfriend but as himself and not as Mandy,” he writes. “How can I tell him without hurting him?”

In her response, Colleen doesn’t seem to think the boyfriend’s fondness for wearing women’s clothing is all that big a deal.

Related: Bi Guy Writes For Advice After Doing The Nasty With His Fiancee’s Father

“I know a man who’s been cross-dressing for 32 years and goes to a club in Manchester every Thursday night dressed as a woman,” she responds, nonchalantly. “That’s his thing.”

She continues, “However, he never dresses up in front of his wife, although she knows he does it. She just doesn’t want to be involved in that side of his life. Maybe that’s the answer for you and your boyfriend.”

“Mandy is obviously a big part of your boyfriend’s persona so she’s not going to pack her bags and move out,” Colleen concludes.”The only way to work through it and decide what you do from here is to have an open and frank discussion.”

What do you think this conflicted young man should do? Sound off in the comments section below.

Graham Gremore

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News: Amazon, Hillary Clinton, Spaghetti Monsters, Tracy Morgan, Star Wars

> A look at Obama’s post-presidency panel of experts.

> New Fox News poll shows the GOP non-politicians surging.

> Male model Monday: Michael Baily Gates.

> Amazon’s CEO Jeff Bezos is pushing back against a scathing NYT exposé of the online retailers workplace culture. “I don’t think any company adopting the approach portrayed could survive, much less thrive, in today’s highly competitive tech hiring market.”

> The Washington Post looks back on Glenn Burke, baseball’s first openly gay player.

> J.K. Rowling tells aspiring Egyptian writer to shake off the haters.

> Hillary Clinton to sit down with Ellen next month.

> Scientific American decodes Trump-maina and the psychological allure of anti- political correctness. “Trump isn’t saying what you’d “expect” a politician in his shoes to say, and people are responding to this by calling it “refreshing” — because it creates this feeling that, for once, they can really, genuinely know what someone running for office is actually like.”

> A look all the big Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars news from the D23 Expo over the weekend.

> Tracy Morgan to return to the spotlight as SNL host on October 17.

> Zachary Quinto reunites with ex-boyfriend Jonathan Groff.

> Captain Jack Sparrow meets Han Solo.

> Sending your cremated remains to the moon just got cheaper.

> Miles Teller reportedly came this close to getting into a fistfight with Fantastic Four director Josh Trank on the troubled film’s set.

> Bizarre “spaghetti monster” discovered 4,000 feet below sea. Wonder if it’s related to the flying variety?

> Donald Trump says he’s Batman.

> We now know how long the runtime for Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be. 

> Queen Elizabeth II will become Britian’s longest-reigning monarch next month.

The post News: Amazon, Hillary Clinton, Spaghetti Monsters, Tracy Morgan, Star Wars appeared first on Towleroad.

Kyler Geoffroy

News: Amazon, Hillary Clinton, Spaghetti Monsters, Tracy Morgan, Star Wars

15 Beautiful Feminist Tattoos To Rock While Smashing The Patriarchy

Wearing your (feminist) heart on your sleeve never looked so good.

From riot grrrrls to feminist killjoys, girl power tattoos are a badass way to show off your fight for gender equality and the values or ideas that carry a special meaning. To celebrate feminist body art (or give you some ideas for your next ink), we rounded up 16 awesome feminist tattoos.

Scroll below to see 16 of our favorite feminist tattoos.

Also on HuffPost: 

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Nissan sponsors Gay Softball World Series

Japanese automotive manufacture Nissan announced Thursday that it has teamed up with the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA) to sponsor the 39th annual, Gay Softball World Series (GSWS).

The World Series is a nine-day event currently taking place (14-22 August) in Columbus, Ohio. It attracts approximately 10,000 athletes, coaches and fans – with 185 teams from 43 cities from across the US competing.

‘We’re extremely excited to have a company as committed to diversity and inclusion efforts as Nissan batting a thousand for us this year,’ said Chris Balton, commissioner of NAGAAA in a statement.

The Nissan Gay Softball World Series advert

‘Nissan has the most diverse consumer base of any automotive manufacturer and is eager to champion grassroots LGBT events that give consumers a chance to interact with both our vehicles, and our LGBT and ally employees,’ said Rick Ash, senior manager, Nissan Marketing, in a press release about the deal.

‘It’s also an honor for Nissan to bring more visibility to out athletes (past and present) like Glenn Burke, Billy Bean, Sean Conroy and all of the LGBT athletes competing this week.’

The sponsorship deal has been partly driven by Nissan’s Gay Straight Alliance Network (GSAN). The company has previously sponsored the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association, and representatives of GSAN have taken part in Pride parades.

The Japanese-owned company has come on in leap and bounds in recent years in learning to embrace a diverse and inclusive work culture. In 2012, it scored a mere 30 out of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index.

However, that score rocketed to 100 in 2013, and it has stayed at 100 each year since, making it one of the fastest risers in the history of the index.

Globally, Nissan has more than 247,500 employees. It sold 5.32 million vehicles and generated revenue of 11.38 trillion yen (US$103.6 billion/€93billion) in 2014.

‘With Nissan having the most diverse customer base in the industry and an engaged group of LGBT employees and allies, we’re well positioned to connect with the LGBT community,’ said Travis Parman, an executive sponsor of GSAN, to Gay Star Business.

‘Our LGBT outreach is a point of pride for employees and helps us attract not only new customers to the Nissan brand but also potential employees.’

‘The Nissan portfolio is known for design, technology innovation and safety—all of which particularly resonate with LGBT consumers.’

Alongside Nissan, the Gay Softball World Series is being sponsored by Coors Light, AllAmerican-Athletics.com, Smirnoff and Hyatt Regency, among others. It’s estimated that the event will help generate $5million (€4.5 million) in tourism revenue for Columbus.

‘Just as the tournament has grown, so have our partnerships,’ GSWS 2015 President Dallas Aldridge told Gay Star Business.

‘We are so grateful for Nissan joining the NAGAAA family in their inaugural year of what we hope will be a long term partnership and their first ever LGBT Ad Campaign. #DrivingPride.’

The post Nissan sponsors Gay Softball World Series appeared first on Gay Star News.

David Hudson

www.gaystarnews.com/article/nissan-sponsors-gay-softball-world-series/

Rugby Star Comes Out, Talks Years Of Struggle: “I Tick Every Macho Box. How Could I Be Gay?”

“I feel like I’m letting out a long breath that I’ve held in for a long time,” Rugby League star Keegan Hirst told the Sunday Mirror, putting an end to a lifetime spent hiding from his true self.

The 27-year-old has become one of the first in his sport to come out, but more importantly, he’s also opened up about his struggle with fulfilling cultural expectations of masculinity.

Sports fan or not, there’s a lesson there for everyone.

Related: Australian Rugby Star Takes A Mid-Game Stand Against Homophobia

“At first I couldn’t even say ‘I’m gay’ in my head, let alone out loud,” he said.  “I had a wife and kids. I’ve been a builder, doorman, worked in factories – I play rugby. I tick every macho box. How could I be gay? I’m from Batley for goodness sake. No one is gay in Batley.”

Clearly, someone was gay in Batley, and we’re guessing it wasn’t just Hirst. Hopefully his story will inspire others to realize they aren’t alone.

“The only time I felt free of the torment was when I stepped on the rugby pitch,” he admitted, adding “Now I feel free.”

Of course, its not a purely joyous event — his wife also just discovered his sexuality a few weeks ago, and the two are now in the midst of a separation.

Related: High School Jock Comes Out By Slow Dancing With The Homecoming King

“I went to her and asked if I could have a word. My stomach was in knots. We sat at the kitchen table and I said, ‘There’s something I need to tell you’.

“I couldn’t get the words out, I felt like I was going to be sick. But I managed to say it.

“She didn’t say anything at first. I explained why and how I felt, it was very emotional. We were both in tears.

“She didn’t ask a lot of questions, but she was supportive. She was totally blind-sided. She’d had
absolutely no idea.

“It was incredibly tough, but for me it was a weird situation because it also felt liberating.

And while Hirst says she’s remained supportive, the pain will need time to heal.

“She blamed herself when we ­separated but I knew she’d done nothing wrong. I couldn’t bear it any more, the guilt of it all, of her not knowing why I left. It was eating me up.”

The next hurdle will be telling the kids.

“We haven’t told the kids yet, they’re too young to understand. I’m not sure how I’d explain it.”

Related: Coming Out To Your Parents Can Be Tough, But What About Coming Out To Your Kids?

Dan Tracer

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Ellen’s Teen Choice Awards Acceptance Speech Was Just What LGBT Kids Need to Hear: WATCH

Ellen DeGeneres had an inspiring message for her Choice Comedian acceptance speech at the Teen Choice Awards this weekend, telling the young crowd:

It feels good to be chosen but there was a time in my life when I was not chosen. I was the opposite of chosen because I was different. And I want to make sure that what makes you different right now makes you stand out later in life. So you should be proud of being different. You should be proud of who you are.

Ellen also noted the award ceremony fell on her seven year wedding anniversary with Portia de Rossi, who was sitting in the audience cheering her wife on.

The post Ellen’s Teen Choice Awards Acceptance Speech Was Just What LGBT Kids Need to Hear: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.

Kyler Geoffroy

Ellen’s Teen Choice Awards Acceptance Speech Was Just What LGBT Kids Need to Hear: WATCH

Texas Republican Leader: Fight 'Homofascists' With Swords

In a speech denouncing LGBT people, the conservative firebrand urged supporters to ‘drive them out of our city.’

read more

Bil Browning

www.advocate.com/texas/2015/08/17/texas-republican-leader-fight-homofascists-swords