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Drew Brees Continues to Not See Problem With His Hate Group Video
New Orleans Saint quarterback claims ignorance on Focus On The Family’s history, blames LGBTQ media for blowing up story.
www.advocate.com/sports/2019/9/06/drew-brees-continues-not-see-problem-his-hate-group-video
Killer clowns, closeted kids and cross dressing writers: What to Watch Toronto Film Fest edition
Stepping out on a movie date this weekend? Netflix and chillin? Whatever your entertainment needs, we got your back (and hopefully your mind) with Queerty’s weekly “Culture Club” column with some of the highlights of new releases, streaming shows, classics worth revisiting, and what to drink while you watch.
This week, as we travel to cover the queerness of the Toronto International Film Festival, check out a few of our favorite overlooked titles from last year’s festival. Enjoy!
The Step-Out Screamer: IT Chapter 2
The much-anticipated conclusion to the Stephen King adaptation from 2017 finally hits theatres, and we’re happy to say, this time the queerness arrives intact. IT needlessly omitted themes of homophobia which play a key role in King’s original from the film version. We have it on good authority that a gay bashing, which sets off the return of Pennywise in the book, also features an important role in the new movie. That, coupled with a terrific cast that includes Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy and Bill Hader, is enough reason to give Chapter 2 a look.
In theatres September 6.
The Costume Drama: Colette
We profiled this neglected costume drama about the noted bisexual author last year when it played at the Toronto International Film Festival. Keira Knightly shines in the title role, bringing a mix of intelligence, beauty and elegance to the film as only she can. Transgender activist Jake Graf has a brief but memorable role as a cis character, though the film’s standout is Denise Gough as Mathilde de Morny, Colette’s sometime lover who was probably transgender. The movie revels in the fluidity of sexuality and gender, just like its subject which, in our estimation, means its worth a look.
Streams on Amazon, YouTube & Vudu.
The Overlooked: Giant Little Ones
Director Keith Behrman’s family drama also had a premiere at TIFF last year, though the film didn’t quite get the attention it deserved. We hope to rectify that problem now. Giant Little Ones stars Josh Wiggins as Frankie, a popular high school student dealing with his father (Kyle McLaughlan) coming out of the closet. As his parents’ marriage dissolves, Frankie has an encounter with his best friend Ballas (Darren Mann), which starts the rumor that Frankie might be gay. But there’s more to this story than it might first seem. Giant Little Ones has a few twists up its sleeve, and features enough fine performances to keep audiences interested.
Streams on Amazon & YouTube.
The Wicked: JT LeRoy
Out director Justin Kelley continues the exploration of identity he began in films like King Cobra and I am Michael with this bonkers true story. In the late 90s, wannabe rock star Laura Albert (played by Laura Dern) rocks the literary establishment by posing as a bisexual, HIV+, androgynous male author named JT. When her books become unexpected hits, Laura enlists her sister-in-law Savannah (Kristen Stewart) to pose as JT in real life. What starts as a fluke becomes an elaborate and dangerous hoax, especially when a Hollywood starlet (Diane Kruger) falls for Savannah-as-JT, and Savannah shares in the passion. JT LeRoy got criminally overlooked at TIFF 2018, and earlier this year when it landed a wide release. A story this bizarre had to be true. A movie this fun deserves to be seen.
Streams on Amazon, YouTube & Vudu.
The Quickie: I Promised Her Life
Robert Nazar Arjoyan announces himself as an ambitious filmmaker with this short film about an Armenian-American mother grieving for the loss of her lesbian daughter. Though I Promised Her Life uses the dead daughter’s sexuality as a plot device, it does focus on part of the queer experience that other films overlook: the struggle of straight friends and family to sometimes understand LGBTQ life, and how parent-relationships often go beyond simple love or hate, into feelings far more complex.
Streams on Vimeo September 9.
The Sip: The Pennywise
Much like its namesake character, this Tequila infused shot packs one heck of a punch…enough so that you might just feel yourself float. Recommendation: don’t watch anything with clowns while partaking.
Mix well and serve as a shot.
HRC Announces CNN as Exclusive Broadcast Partner of Historic 2020 Presidential Candidates Town Hall
Today, HRC Foundation announced CNN as the exclusive broadcast partner for the organization’s LGBTQ-focused town hall for Democratic presidential candidates this fall. The evening will constitute the largest-ever audience for a Democratic presidential town hall devoted to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) issues and will mark the first time in history that a major cable news network will air a presidential event devoted to issues of importance to the LGBTQ community. The Human Rights Campaign is the world’s largest LGBTQ civil rights organization, representing more than 3 million members and supporters.
This historic town hall event, entitled Power of Our Pride, will take place on Thursday, October 10 at The Novo in Los Angeles, California. The event is set to take place on the eve of the 31st annual National Coming Out Day, a celebration of coming out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) or as an ally. The first National Coming Out Day was held on October 11, 1988 on the first anniversary of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights as a way of celebrating the power of coming out and promoting a safe world for LGBTQ individuals to live truthfully and openly.
CNN will air the event exclusively live during prime time on CNN and CNN en Español, across mobile devices via CNN’s apps for iOS and Android, and via CNNgo apps for Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire, Chromecast and Android TV. For reference, CNN’s July Democratic Presidential Debate drew more than 10.7 million viewers.
The live audience will be comprised of HRC members, supporters and community leaders. Tickets will be invitation-only; A limited number of print media credentials will be available, and those interested in covering the town hall may email [email protected].
Six candidates have confirmed their participation in this historic event: former Vice President Joe Biden, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, former Secretary Julian Castro, Senator Kamala Harris, Senator Amy Klobuchar, and Senator Elizabeth Warren.
“For nearly 40 years, the Human Rights Campaign has fought to realize a world in which LGBTQ people are safe, equal and free in every aspect of our lives,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “Today, at a time when our most basic civil rights and democratic values are under attack, our work has never been more urgent. We are eager to hear from this field of Democratic presidential candidates about how they plan to win full federal equality, defend the fundamental equality of LGBTQ people, and protect the most vulnerable among us — both here in the United States and around the globe — from stigma, institutional inequality, discrimination, and violence.”
HRC President Alphonso David added, “This town hall comes at a critical time in our fight to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people (LGBTQ) in this nation. Today, in 30 states, LGBTQ people remain at risk of being fired, evicted or denied services because of who we are. Thirty-five states have yet to ban the dangerous and debunked practice of ‘conversion therapy,’ which is harming our young people. Hate crimes are rising, and more than 100 transgender people — most of whom are transgender women of color — have been killed in the United States in the last five years. Although the federal government should be protecting all residents, the Trump-Pence Administration is directly attacking our community by banning transgender troops from serving our country openly, undermining health care services for people living with HIV, and seeking to erase LGBTQ people from protections under law.”
Over the last two years, the Trump-Pence Administration has rescinded key protections for transgender students, appointed two new conservative justices to the Supreme Court, banned transgender troops from serving openly in the military, and has repeatedly sought to allow discrimination against LGBTQ people in healthcare, housing, public accommodations and other aspects of life under the guise of “religious freedom.” Despite campaigning on a promise to be a “friend” to the LGBTQ community, President Trump designated Mike Pence as his vice president, and has refused to advance bipartisan federal civil rights legislation — the Equality Act — which overwhelmingly passed through the U.S. House of Representatives this spring.
These issues are of crucial importance to LGBTQ voters and allies. Today, there are an estimated minimum of 10 million LGBTQ voters nationwide — along with millions of parents, siblings, friends, colleagues, and allies — who will play a decisive role in the 2020 election. Since 2016, HRC has identified more than 57 million “Equality Voters” nationwide who prioritize LGBTQ-inclusive policies, including marriage equality, equitable family law, and laws that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
In 2018, LGBTQ voters cast ballots in higher numbers than the general population. LGBTQ voters cast more than 7 million ballots in all — a turnout of roughly 70 percent, compared to a turnout of 49 percent among the general population — and comprised 6 percent of the entire electorate.
In order to participate in the town hall, candidates must meet the fall DNC debate eligibility criteria: 2 percent or more support in four separate national or state polls and 130,000 unique donors with a minimum of 400 individual donors across 20 states. The last day for qualifying polls to be released or for qualifying donors to be counted will be September 25th. Candidates must submit their qualification criteria by 11am on September 26th.
The HRC Foundation last hosted presidential town halls in 2004 and 2008. In 2004, the HRC Foundation’s town hall included Sen. John Kerry; Rep. Dennis Kucinich; Sen. Carol Moseley Braun; Gov. Howard Dean; Sen. Joe Lieberman; Rev. Al Sharpton; and Sen. Richard Gephardt. And the 2008 town hall included then-Senator Hillary Clinton, then-Senator Barack Obama, Sen. Mike Gravel, Rep. Dennis Kucinich, former Sen. John Edwards and Gov. Bill Richardson.
Jacoby & Bianca’s Plenty of Fish Themed Wedding!
This Plenty of Fish success couple managed to pull off an entire POF themed wedding and their cake is unlike anything we’ve ever seen before! Thank you Jacoby and Bianca for sharing your story with us – read more about how they met and advice on finding your person on Plenty of Fish. When you […]
The post Jacoby & Bianca’s Plenty of Fish Themed Wedding! appeared first on PlentyOfFish Blog.
#AM_Equality Tipsheet: September 3, 2019
MISSISSIPPI WEDDING VENUE OWNER REFUSES SERVICE TO COUPLE — SAYING THEY REFUSE TO DO INTERRACIAL OR SAME-SEX WEDDINGS: After being refused service by Boone’s Camp Event Hall, LaKambria Welch, a Black woman marrying a white man, uploaded a video of the interaction to Facebook. More from The Root.
The conduct in this video is illegal. A reminder that battles won long ago are being reignited. And when we have judges who are unwilling to affirm that Brown v Bd was correctly decided, these refusals of service & assaults on dignity must be met head on.
— Sherrilyn Ifill (@Sifill_LDF) September 3, 2019
HRC OBSERVES NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH: This September, HRC observes National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, reaffirming our commitment to supporting the well-being of LGBTQ youth who often feel alone or hopeless simply because of who they are. More from HRC.
No one should ever be made to feel alone and hopeless simply for who they are. If you or someone you know is struggling, call:@800273TALK: 1-800-273-8255@TrevorProject LGBTQ Hotline: 1-866-488-7386@TransLifeline: 1-877-565-8860#SuicideAwarenessMonth t.co/LnMoBLoZoj
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) September 1, 2019
TUESDAY TWEET — CRAZY EX-GIRFRIEND’s STAR AND LGBTQ ALLY GABRIELLE RUIZ GIVES POWERFUL REMARKS ON LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE: “As Americans, we share bedrock identities. Equality is our birthright,” said Ruiz (@gabrielleruiz) at the 2019 HRC San Diego Dinner. “It is not a privilege given. It is never conditioned by the person we love or our gender identity, and it cannot and will not be taken away.” More from HRC
During the @HRC San Diego Dinner, @CW_CrazyXGF star and LGBTQ ally @gabrielleruiz gave powerful remarks on love, acceptance and how we are all created equal. pic.twitter.com/UbC1SqgXin
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) August 31, 2019
SAVE THE DATE FOR “JAZZ & FRIENDS” 2020: HRC Foundation’s annual Jazz & Friends National Day of School and Community Readings will be held on Thursday, February 27, 2020. More from HRC.
WHEN WILL THIS ONGOING EPIDEMIC END? — TEXAS SHOOTING LEAVES 7 DEAD AND AT LEAST 21 INJURED IN ODESSA AND MIDLAND, TX.: More from The New York Times.
We are heartbroken to learn about the shootings that took at least five lives and injured many others in Midland and Odessa today.
Our elected officials must take action in the wake of this senseless tragedy and finally pass common-sense gun violence prevention measures. t.co/KpUfGtAkPz
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) September 1, 2019
KENTUCKY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TOLD TO REMOVE T-SHIRTS CELEBRATING LGBTQ COMMUNITY: “We asked why we can’t wear shirts that express our sexuality, ” said Lilly Vance, one of the high school students that were asked to change their t-shirts. “Our principal basically told us that we can’t wear these clothes because they cause a distraction from learning and that they’re controversial.” More from Courier-Journal.
SACRAMENTO LGBTQ CENTER TO RECEIVE FUNDING FROM CITY COUNCIL FOR PERMANENT HOME: “The LGBT community is still an underserved community and it’s important that they can continue to provide health and wellness to Sacramento,” said Sacramento Councilman Steve Hansen (@Steve4Sac). More from The Sacramento Bee.
GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS
“QUEER EYE” STAR ANTONI POROWSKI (@antoni) WRITES FOR THE WASHINGTON POST ON WHY RECENT ATTACKS AGAINST LGBTQ RIGHTS IN POLAND ARE UNACCEPTABLE: Read the full op-ed here.
BERMUDA HOLDS FIRST LGBTQ PRIDE PARADE: More from Carribean National Weekly.
.@HRC is proud to partner with @BermudaPride1 and @OUTBermuda to celebrate #Pride2019 in Bermuda #WeBelong ��️�� ���� t.co/sovMhLfT3k
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) August 31, 2019
LGBTQ PLAY IN MOSCOW INTERRUPTED WITH ANTI-LGBTQ SLURS: More from Pink News.
READING RAINBOW – Bookmark now to read on your lunch break!
Out shares beautiful photos from a same-sex Indian-Pakistani wedding
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!
www.hrc.org/blog/am-equality-tipsheet-september-3-2019?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed
The Last Labor Day When LGBTQ Workers Have Rights?
The White House is gunning to let us be fired for who we are, but there’s hope on the horizon.
www.advocate.com/commentary/2019/9/02/last-labor-day-when-some-lgbtq-workers-have-rights
‘Straight Pride’ Parade Led by White Supremacists Met with Protest as it Spewed Hate Through Downtown Boston: WATCH
A Straight Pride parade in downtown Boston on Saturday drew a few hundred marchers and thousands of protesters as it wound through the streets from Copley Square to City Hall Plaza. The parade was organized by the group Super Happy Fun America, and its organizers have been linked to far-right and white supremacist groups.
The Boston Globe reports that there were 36 arrests and four officers suffered non-life threatening injuries after counter-protesters, angry that the police and the mayor had allowed the hate march, organized by white supremacists, to take place. Police chose to use force to disperse the protest.
USA Today reports: ‘The conservative-aligned marchers – many wearing “Make America Great Again” hats and other gear promoting President Donald Trump – started from Copley Square with a “Trump bridge” serving as the primary float. They held American and Israeli flags while Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.” blasted from speakers. A man dressed as a giant dinosaur set the pace up front.’
Here it is — Boston’s Straight Pride Parade. It’s kicked off with a Trump float with Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” playing. pic.twitter.com/idBbMVI7Kv
— Joey Garrison (@joeygarrison) August 31, 2019
The parade’s grand marshal was gay white supremacist alt-right troll Milo Yiannopoulos, who wore a hat emblazoned with the phrase “Make America Straight Again”.
Some close up footage of Milo Yiannopoulos heading to the event area pic.twitter.com/unUyW28vPj
— TrigTent (@TrigTent) August 31, 2019
Milo Yiannopoulos pumps up the crowd before the Straight Pride Parade in Boston starts. pic.twitter.com/keEFUZyO1q
— Joey Garrison (@joeygarrison) August 31, 2019
The Boston Herald reports: “[Organizer John] Hugo said the motivation behind the parade was to take a stand for free speech and demonstrate that the “oppressed majority” of straight Americans have just as much right to celebrate their sexuality as does the LGBTQ community. … Despite the organizers’ and marchers’ denials that the parade promoted bigotry or white supremacy, counterprotesters said that the event was inherently discriminatory and undermined the injustices that members of the LGBTQ community have experienced.”
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh tweeted: ‘This weekend I’m celebrating what makes our city so great – our people – by attending neighborhood block parties, visiting farmer’s markets and BBQs, and celebrating safe neighborhoods. I invite all residents of Boston to join me in doing the same. As I’ve said, a “Straight Pride” Parade won’t overshadow the tremendous role Boston plays in the national movement for equality. We will continue to be a leader in the fight for civil rights.’
As I’ve said, a “Straight Pride” Parade won’t overshadow the tremendous role Boston plays in the national movement for equality. We will continue to be a leader in the fight for civil rights.
— Mayor Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh) August 31, 2019
Boston Pride tweeted a statement before the parade began: “It has become increasingly clear that the Straight Pride Parade is organized by a group of white supremacists and is an attempt to bait the Boston LGBTQ community, as well as racial and ethnic minority communities in Boston. It’s a trolling event, designed to get a rise out of vulnerable communities.
Boston Pride is not interested in responding to their bait. Our strength comes from directing our attention and energy to helping one another meet the challenges of intersecting oppressions. Boston Pride will continue to focus on supporting and empowering members of the LGBTQ community. We will continue to focus on the needs of people of color, trans individuals, and all those who have experienced racism, xenophobia, and sexism. We remain thankful for the estimated one million people, including our straight allies, who joined us at the 2019 Boston Pride parade and festival on June 8th and we’re looking forward to planning our 50th anniversary celebrations for June 2020.”
It’s a trolling event, designed to get a rise out of vulnerable communities.
Boston Pride is not interested in responding to their bait. Our strength comes from directing our attention and energy to helping one another meet the challenges of intersecting oppressions.— Boston Pride (@bostonpride) August 27, 2019
We remain thankful for the estimated one million people, including our straight allies, who joined us at the 2019 Boston Pride parade and festival on June 8th and we’re looking forward to planning our 50th anniversary celebrations for June 2020.
— Boston Pride (@bostonpride) August 27, 2019
Heavy police presence as “Straight Pride Parade” begins in Boston. #WCVB pic.twitter.com/u75lv83Uj1
— John Atwater (@AtwaterWCVB) August 31, 2019
The Boston Globe reports: ‘A phalanx of police riding motorcycles rolled up Congress Street toward State Street, with their sirens and lights on, to disperse the crowd, but the mass of protesters moved into the road and blocked the officers’ path. As the sides faced off, protesters could be heard chanting, “Who do you serve?” Police moved into the crowd, and officers grappled with protesters, some of whom were knocked to the ground. At least eight people, including a woman limping, could be seen being led away by police. Officers used pepper spray against the crowd, several protesters said.’
38 photos of the Straight Pride parade and counter-protests here.
Several arrests at Boston’s “Straight Pride Parade” #WCVB pic.twitter.com/2t5zDoHG1C
— John Atwater (@AtwaterWCVB) August 31, 2019
The parade features float with signs reading “Trump 2020” and “Build the Wall”.
The float in the “Straight Pride Parade” features “2020 Trump” and “Build The Wall” signs #WCVB pic.twitter.com/fnVfZ3EOnd
— John Atwater (@AtwaterWCVB) August 31, 2019
Tourists say they thought the “Straight Pride Parade” in Boston was a Trump rally #WCVB pic.twitter.com/n3YdXjK9sG
— John Atwater (@AtwaterWCVB) August 31, 2019
Just a handful of people here to see the speakers after the “Straight Pride Parade” in Boston #WCVB pic.twitter.com/8KviUI3zGU
— John Atwater (@AtwaterWCVB) August 31, 2019
Struggling to find things to say at the endpoint of the #StraightPrideParade. The two sides are jawing but nonviolent on Congress St.; the straight-pride rally is sparse and inaudible, except for a small “four more years” chant. pic.twitter.com/YEJliuauvT
— Max Larkin (@jmlarkin) August 31, 2019
Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez blasted the parade on Twitter: “For men who are allegedly so “proud” of being straight, they seem to show real incompetence at attracting women to their event. Seems more like a “I-Struggle-With-Masculinity” parade to me. Hope they grow enough over the next year to support / join LGBTQ fam next #Pride!”
For men who are allegedly so “proud” of being straight, they seem to show real incompetence at attracting women to their event.
Seems more like a “I-Struggle-With-Masculinity” parade to me.
Hope they grow enough over the next year to support / join LGBTQ fam next #Pride! t.co/DUb52ktWOP
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) August 31, 2019
The post ‘Straight Pride’ Parade Led by White Supremacists Met with Protest as it Spewed Hate Through Downtown Boston: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.
Congratulations to Ron and Rachael from Florida!
Be with someone who makes you look forward to tomorrow. Ron has a lifetime to look forward to with Rachael. He writes: “Just as I was about to unsubscribe from Zoosk, I got a heart from Rachael. For some reason I felt like I needed to message her. When we got to talking, we learned that
The post Congratulations to Ron and Rachael from Florida! appeared first on Zoosk.
about.zoosk.com/en/blog/success-stories/congratulations-ron-rachael-florida/
How to Stop Creeping Your Ex and His New Girlfriend on Social Media
Moving on from a relationship, you once dreamed was going to be your last, can be extremely difficult. Breakups are emotional and you’re often left with so many unanswered questions as to what went wrong. It’s even harder, when your ex moves on quicker than you do and they start posting pictures of their new […]
The post How to Stop Creeping Your Ex and His New Girlfriend on Social Media appeared first on PlentyOfFish Blog.
How to Stop Creeping Your Ex and His New Girlfriend on Social Media
New Skype features boost your productivity and enrich your chat experience
We recently introduced several features that help you boost your productivity when sending messages in Skype* and enrich your overall chat experience. New features include draft messages, the ability to bookmark messages and preview media and files before sending, as well as a new approach to display multiple photos or videos. We also launched split window, so you never mix up conversations again!
Now you’ll never forget about messages that didn’t get sent. Any message that you typed, but didn’t send, is saved in the corresponding conversation and marked with the [draft] tag—so you can easily recognize, finish, and send it later. Messages saved as drafts are even available when you leave and come back to your Skype app.
You can now bookmark any message in Skype—whether it’s work related or family photos—and come back to it with one click or tap anytime! Just right click or long press the message and click or tap Add bookmark. The message is added to the Bookmarks screen and is saved with your other bookmarked messages.
You can now preview photos, videos, and files that you’ve selected to share before sending. Once you select media and files to share, they’re displayed in the message panel, so you can ensure they’re the ones you want to share with your contact. You can also remove ones added by mistake or add new ones right from the panel. In addition, should you want to write an explanation or description for what you’re sending, you can add a message that will be sent along with the files.
If you want to share a bunch of photos with your friends or family after great vacation or nice event—just do it and Skype will make sure they’re nicely presented in a conversation. You’ll see a nice album in the chat history with all the photos combined. And you can see each one by navigating and clicking between the photos or videos in an album.
A few months back, we announced the launch of split window for Windows 10, which lets you put your contact list in one window, and each conversation you open in separate windows. We’re pleased to say that this feature is now available for all versions of Windows, Mac, and Linux on the latest version of Skype.* To learn more about how to use the split window view, visit our FAQs.
At Skype we’re driven by the opportunity to connect our global community of hundreds of millions, empowering them to feel closer and achieve more together. As we pursue these goals, we’re always looking for new ways to enhance the experience and improve quality and reliability. We listen to your feedback and are wholly committed to improving the Skype experience based on what you tell us. We’re passionate about bringing you closer to the people in your life—so if we can do that better, please let us know.
*These new features are available on the latest version of Skype across all platforms, except for split window, which is currently only available on desktop.
The post New Skype features boost your productivity and enrich your chat experience appeared first on Skype Blogs.
blogs.skype.com/news/2019/08/29/new-skype-features-boost-productivity-enrich-chat/
You must be 18 years old or older to chat
