Category Archives: MISC

Tops And Bottoms: ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars’ Serves Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve and Talent Show: PREMIERE RECAP AND RANKINGS

Tops And Bottoms: ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars’ Serves Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve and Talent Show: PREMIERE RECAP AND RANKINGS

Happy ho, ho, holidays, henny! We must all be on the nice list this year, because RuPaul has blessed us with an All Stars season cast overflowing with GIFTS.

Recent favorites like Monique Heart mingle with institutions like Latrice Royale. Former flops like Jasmine Masters and Farrah Moan get a shot at redemption. Performers like Gia Gunn and Trinity Taylor The Tuck get to rebrand themselves and showcase a wider variety of skills. It’s going to be a bloodbath to the finale given all thiiiiiiiiiiiiiis talent.

Work room entrances all predictably brought it. Highlights include Monique Heart serving some straight up Lady Gaga “Judas” realness, Trinity’s neon green dress made of zip ties and Valentina’s Ariana Grande-esque Dangerous Woman eleganza. Ru arrived and introduced Team Latrila (Manila Luzon and Latrice Royale) returning from the lackluster first All Stars season, this time competing individually.

Folks kept it mostly cordial, until the first mini-challenge found them putting their glasses on and gloves off for a little light reading. It was a strong showing from Monét, Manila and the eventual winner Latrice, but no one really felt like they were shutting down the library with the kind of reads we might get from Bianca, Trixie or Bob. (That’s a high bar, I know, but this is All Stars, baby.) Farrah and Gia didn’t really land jokes; their reads were just nasty.

The maxi challenge was one of my favorite to kick off a season: A Talent Show. I’m so glad we’ve come to realize this is the easiest way for the queens to (re)introduce themselves to the audience by doing what they do best. (As opposed to doing a big group lip sync that really doesn’t help anyone.)

In the work room, Gia went out of her way to talk smack and antagonize her fellow competitors. Apparently, she’s keen to trade her old reputation as a sort of ditzy GIF sensation to this season’s primary villain.

On the stage, the gals turned it out for an audience of LGBTQ veterans and active service members, and it was quite the show. We’ll go deeper on each individual performance in our rankings below, but there were tons of highlights. Monique Heart’s original track, “Brown Cow Stunning,” Gia Gunn’s gorgeous kabuki, Latrice Royale’s high-energy color guard spectacular and Trinity’s campy tuck tutorial were standouts. However, my personal favorite was Manila Luzon’s bonkers live painting demonstration. She frantically worked a canvas to “In the Hall of the Mountain King,” but what she was painting was unclear. Finally, just as the music reached its frantic finale, Manila rotated the canvas 180 degrees to reveal she had painted a nearby vase and flowers completely upside-down. Then, for the big finish, her smock transformed into a matching dress. It was a true, true gag.

Not everyone was so lucky. Farrah Moan took a nasty spill during her burlesque number from which she could not recover. Jasmine Masters attempted … well, for argument’s sake, let’s call it “comedy.” She basically tried to recreate her popular web videos for a live crowd, and it just didn’t translate. They rightfully landed in the bottom two.

According to All Stars rules, the top two, Monique Heart and Trinity Taylor faced off in a lip sync for their legacy and the chance to choose who went home. Before they tore up the stage, they spoke to the bottom two girls. Farrah was still shook and sobbing throughout. Monique gifted us with the new iconic GIF we’ll be sending all our friends when speaking to Farrah, barking “I love you, but your cryin’ annoys me.” Gurl, same. Jasmine seemed pretty resigned to her fate, and failed to show Trinity and Monique the desire to fight.

We FINALLY got a lip sync ode to true queen Mariah Carey as Trinity and Monique tore it up to “Emotions.” In a long gown, Trinity had limited movement, but served face, while Monique danced circles around her. At one point, Monique attempted a sort of high-impact Sasha Velour reveal, ripping off her wig to shed some glitter underneath, but when she tossed the wig on the air, it snagged on a rafter and stuck there for the number.

Trinity was declared the winner, and revealed her chosen lipstick: Jasmine.

We’re only one episode in, but how does this crop of queens stack up? As usual, we’ve got our weekly rankings below. Just a friendly reminder, this is a subjective art based on performance, personality, personal feelings, whims, hunches and my state of mind any given day. It’s not that serious. Think you know better? Leave your rankings in the comments!

Honorable Mention: Drag Race guest judges typically run the gamut from fine (Meghan Trainor) to legendary (Khloe Kardashian), but Jenifer Lewis is in a whole other league. She did the most, had the most fun and doled out wisdom like a true drag mother. Sign us up for the House of Lewis any day.

1. If there were ever a queen who deserved a spot in the Hall of Fame more while simultaneously not needing it at all, it’s Latrice Royale. A beloved veteran with style and personality to the ceiling, the larger-than-life queen represents the best of the best the series has ever seen. She turned it all the way out in this first episode, serving grand dame glamour and high-energy dance in the talent show. Her reads were strong and true to the form. This is a stacked season, but if I had to make a pick for the winner today, it’s Latrice all the way.

2. Most girls come out of Drag Race with a higher profile and bigger budget, but has anyone grown as much a performer as a result of their time on the show than Trinity? She was a self-proclaimed classic pageant girl, but now she’s a campy comedy queen that fully understands her abilities. The reads were solid, and her tucking tutorial was flawless. She knew that it wasn’t actually about the tuck, it was about the presentation (that’s the part Gia totally missed when she was critiquing the concept in the work room). Given Trinity’s proclivity for procedures, a lip sync that focused so much on facial expressions didn’t feel like the best choice, but she sold those whistle notes well. Trinity is sticking around for a while, and I couldn’t be happier about that.

3. Call it the “Halleloo Effect,” but from Shangela’s signature to “Miss … Vanjie” many a queen have tried to make their own “Fetch” happen. Monique Heart‘s “Brown Cow” is one of the better attempts, turning a mild runway embarrassment into a pretty decent bop, actually. Monique always had the personality to make her a legend, but she lacked polish. Ru read her for the wig fiasco, so hopefully she took the message to … heart.

4. It is so good to see Manila back in the mix. She’s a clever, unique queen that will shatter expectations and surprise us week to week. Her beat-up, rundown Big Bird entrance look was the perfect little slice of her weird, wacky style, but that talent show performance was brilliant. Manila didn’t receive the lioness’ share of screen time this week, but every time she was on camera, she was a delight.

5. Gia Gunn lived up to her namesake, because she came locked and loaded, babes. Calling her “shady” makes it seem a lot more friendly than it was. Instead, Gia came for the other queens, and she wasn’t afraid to go low. For now, she’s in a position to judge. She looks head-to-toe flawless, and her earnest Kabuki showcase was gorgeous and genuinely moving. I love me a villainess, but it feels a bit like Gia is punching down going after Farrah so hard. Trinity was a tougher target and deflected her shade with relative ease. Gia is clearly a talent, but she’s going to lose favor with fans if she insists on being a troll.

6. The infamous Valentina lip sync is one of those moments that gay men will be asking each other where they were when they saw it happen. We as a community (and I especially) love throwing around the word “iconic,” but that moment absolutely qualifies. She’s just as strange and beautiful as ever, but it remains to be seen if she will embrace her snake side or the plucky ingenue this season. I don’t expect her to stick around the middle of the pack for too long, but her “talent” felt merely competent. Sure, proving she can lip sync may have been a “statement,” but I just wish she would’ve done something bigger/more special.

7. I say this with love and all due, but Monét needs to drop the sponge gimmick. Please. I’m begging. Monét X Change in confessionals? Still fantastic. But in drag, she just doesn’t shine under the bright lights. Monique was right to call out her simple leotard entrance look, and her talent performances was a miss. (To be fair, Monet is a trained singer, so I believe this was just an off day for her live vocal.) She’s quippy and kind, and I would relish any opportunity to see her perform live at bars across the country, it’s just still real hard to see her stand peep-toe to peep-toe with these other gals.

8. Naomi Smalls surprised a lot of doubters when she made it to the finals alongside Kim Chi and Bob. The young fashion queen is a striking presence, but she also has a silly side. She always looks great, there’s no question there. The performance itself was a snooze for just one juicy reveal. If she leans into her slapstick just a bit more, she could surprise everyone once again.

9. Will Farrah Moan win All Stars? No, definitely not. But, I agree with the decision to spare her this week. Watching that fall was heartbreaking, and she just could not recover. A more seasoned performer would have cracked the joke, turned it into a stunt or at least bounced back without missing a step. Instead, Farrah crumbled. It’s also not a wise move to make whining your whole brand. Farrah ain’t long for this world, but she came in with an ambitious and fully-realized performance that took an unexpected turn she was unprepared to deal with.

10. Yikes, Jasmine Masters. Just yikes. Worse yet, for all the fuss made over Jasmine’s lack of preparation, she was really just up there recreating one of her most famous viral videos. So, it lacked both urgency and craft. Ross hit the nail on the head when he clocked Jasmine for not knowing the difference between being funny and being a comedian. And, even considering Jasmine’s outfits were also lacking, the real kiss of death was the lack of self-awareness and humility to want to improve. Trinity made the right call to send Jasmine Masters home.

How would you rank the queens?

The post Tops And Bottoms: ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars’ Serves Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve and Talent Show: PREMIERE RECAP AND RANKINGS appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.


Tops And Bottoms: ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars’ Serves Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve and Talent Show: PREMIERE RECAP AND RANKINGS

12 questions for Drag Race All Star and World AIDS Day Ambassador Manila Luzon

12 questions for Drag Race All Star and World AIDS Day Ambassador Manila Luzon
We chatted with the queen who looks equally good in and out of drag on in-home HIV testing, her role models, and how she stays fit and healthy when she’s constantly on the go.

www.queerty.com/12-questions-drag-race-star-world-aids-day-ambassador-manila-luzon-20181215?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

The GLAAD Wrap: ‘Once Upon a Deadpool’ and ‘The Wedding’ in theaters, SAG and Critics’ Choice Award nominations, and more!

The GLAAD Wrap: ‘Once Upon a Deadpool’ and ‘The Wedding’ in theaters, SAG and Critics’ Choice Award nominations, and more!

Photo Credit: ArabQ (The Wedding)

Every week, the GLAAD Wrap brings you LGBTQ-related entertainment news highlights, fresh stuff to watch out for, and fun diversions to help you kick off the weekend!

1) Once Upon a Deadpool was released in theaters on Wednesday; the PG-13 version of summer’s Deadpool 2. Thankfully, the new version still includes the relationship between Negasonic Teenage Warhead (out actress Brianna Hildebrand) and her girlfriend Yukio, a groundbreaking inclusion for blockbuster superhero movies. Once Upon a Deadpool is now playing in theaters nationwide and tickets are available here. One dollar from every ticket purchase goes toward the charity F**k Cancer.

2) Sam Abbas’ debut feature film The Wedding, will be released in New York this weekend. The film follows Rami, (Abbas) a young Muslim-American man who is set to be married to an American woman, Sara (The Bold Type’s Nikohl Boosheri), while living a hidden life as a gay man. The film has had secret screenings across the Middle East, where distribution was hard to come by. It will play for the next week at New York’s Cinema Village, and tickets are available here.

3) A trailer has been released for the upcoming biopic Mapplethorpe starring Matt Smith as the iconic queer artist and photographer, known for his infamous portrayal of the male form. The film will be released in theaters on March 1, 2019. In other films news, out singer and actress Janelle Monáe has been cast in The Glorias: A Life on the Road, a biopic of famed feminist Gloria Steinem. Monáe was the recipient of several Grammy nominations last week, and will be starring in the film Welcome to Marwen later this month.

4) The first trailer has been released for the sixth season of GLAAD Media Award recipient, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, which will be airing on NBC after the network scooped up the show following FOX’s cancellation. The comedy has been hailed for its matter-of-fact inclusion of gay character Captain Ray Holt, as well as bisexual detective Rosa Diaz, played by out bi actress Stephanie Beatriz. Season six of Brooklyn Nine-Nine premieres January 10 on NBC. One Day at a Time, the reboot of the ’70s sitcom centered on a Latinx family with a lesbian daughter, has announced that it will be returning to Netflix on February 8 for its third season. 

5) Season two of CBS All Access’ Star Trek: Discovery released a full length trailer for the their upcoming second season. The show was notable for including the first gay couple in a Star Trek television show, with Lt. Paul Staments (Anthony Rapp) and Dr. Hugh Culber (Wilson Cruz). Star Trek: Discovery season two will premeire January 17. In other TV News, IMDb has announced that it will be producing short form series for their website. One of these new shows is UnMade, which features several comedians, including out lesbian Tig Notaro, talking about the story and inspiration behind their material. 

6) A new trailer has been released for RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 4, which premieres this Friday night. The newest season of All Stars brings back ten of the show’s most memorable contestants, including transgender queen Gia Gunn. The trailer suggests that the newest season will come with a new set of rules as well. In other drag news, a trailer has been released for Snapchat’s upcoming Growing Up is a Drag, a docuseries that follows teenage drag queens. Drag Race All Stars 4 premieres December 14 on VH1, and Growing Up is a Drag debuts on December 17 on Snapchat.

7) Freeform has ordered a new series from out comedian Josh Thomas, the creator and star of the GLAAD Media Award-nominated series Please Like Me. The new series, Everything’s Gonna Be Okay, stars Thomas as a neurotic 25-year old living with his dad and two teenage sisters, when their father becomes terminally ill. In further TV news, a premiere date has been sent for Now Apocalypse, the upcoming Starz comedy from out creator Gregg Araki. The show stars Avan Jogia as a queer millennial navigating sex and dating in Los Angeles, while also having increasingly foreboding dreams of the future. Now Apocalypse will premiere March 10 on Starz.

8) Lesbian singer/songwriter Brandi Carlile released a video for her song “Party of One,” an emotional ballad off of Carlile’s heavily Grammy-nominated album By the Way I Forgive You. The video feature’s The Handmaid’s Tale’s Elisabeth Moss playing a character who is heartbroken over a fight with her girlfriend. Watch the video below.

9) Boom! Studios announced this week that a new line of adult graphic novels will be launched next year with the release of Bury the Lede. Written by out bi creator Gaby Dunn, the books will follow an inexperienced journalist who falls into the life of a socialite and murder suspect, and has the opportunity for the scoop of a lifetime. Dunn has said that the majority of the characters in the series will be queer women.

10) The Critics’ Choice Award nominations were announced this week, with several prominent LGBTQ and inclusive nominees. Some highlights include nominations for queer talent in film and television including Lady Gaga, Amandla Stenberg, Billy Porter, Asia Kate Dillon, Nico Santos, Ben Whishaw, Jim Parsons, and Sean Hayes. LGBTQ-inclusive projects include The Favourite, Crazy Rich Asians, Deadpool 2, Pose, The Good Fight, Schitt’s Creek, One Day at a Time, A Very English Scandal, and The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. For a complete list of nominees, click here. The Critics’ Choice Awards will be broadcast on The CW on January 13. 

11) The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award nominees were announced on Wednesday by Awkwafina and trans actress and advocate Laverne Cox. The nominees include the ensembles of LGBTQ-inclusive films Crazy Rich Asians, Bohemian Rhapsody and A Star is Born. Bisexual singer and actress Lady Gaga also received a nomination, as did several other actors for playing LGBTQ roles in The Favourite, Can You Ever Forgive Me?, Bohemian Rhapsody, and Green Book. On the television side, the ensembles of GLOW, The Handmaid’s Tale, and This Is Us received nominations, as well Darren Criss and Hugh Grant for their leading roles in The Assassination of Gianni Versace and A Very English Scandal. The 25th Annual SAG Awards will air and hand out their statues on January 27.

12) When Angels visit Armadillo is a narrative podcast that’s currently searching for funding. Told through interviews and phone calls, the podcast tells the story of Magnolia “Maggie” Waters — an unapologetic southern lesbian woman who witnesses a string of strange disappearances in 1988 and decides to investigate them with her best friend, Celia Young. Created by out lesbian Christin Campbell, the show is produced and acted primarily by women. To find out how to help, click here.

December 14, 2018

www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-wrap-once-upon-deadpool-and-wedding-theaters-sag-and-critics-choice-award-nominations-and

‘Tis the Season to Shop for Equality

‘Tis the Season to Shop for Equality

As the holiday shopping season winds down, don’t worry if you haven’t found your loved one the perfect gift yet. This holiday, HRC’s online store has all that you need to bring the message that “love is love” to homes across the country.

One hundred percent of your purchase fuels the fight for equality — and here are a few of our favorites to get you started.

Be sure to place your order by December 17 to take advantage of our most affordable shipping and ensure that your gift arrives on time to go under the tree!

1. HRC’s Long Sleeve Equality Logo T-Shirt

HRC’s iconic blue and yellow equal sign logo directly embodies our message of equality and the meaning of the work that we do for the LGBTQ community each and every day — a perfect gift to show your support.

Shop, Equality, Long sleeve tshirt

2. HRC’s ‘United Against Hate’ Corduroy Cap

The best way to make a positive change and impact in the world is to unite in your fight for what is right. The “United Against Hate” cap encourages the idea of coming together to make a difference.

United Against Hate cap, Shop, Equality

3. HRC’s ‘Everyone’ French Terry Crew Sweatshirt

HRC is fighting for LGBTQ equality for everyone, everywhere. Nothing more, nothing less. You and your loved ones can join the fight by gearing up with this cozy sweatshirt.

Shop, Equality, Everyone crewneck sweatshirt

4. HRC’s Rainbow Block Socks

Give the gift of PRIDE with HRC’s Limited Edition Rainbow Block Socks! These stylish socks are perfect for any occasion whether it be with the work attire or for everyday use.

Rainbow block socks, shop, equality

5. The Williams Sonoma “Love is Love” collection

The “Love is Love” collection from Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn and West Elm is a great way to support HRC in your gift-giving. The collection — featuring mugs, holiday ornaments, candles and more — is an ever-popular gift during the holiday season.

Love is love, Williams Sonoma, Shop, Equality

Love is love, Williams Sonoma, Shop, Equality

Love is love, Williams Sonoma, Shop, Equality

Love is love, Williams Sonoma, Shop, Equality

Head to shop.hrc.org now to ensure you have the perfect holiday gift for the equality supporter in your life!

To receive your orders on or before 12/24:

  • Place your order by 12/17 Midnight EST and ship via USPS**
  • Place your order by 12/17 3PM EST and ship via Ground Service
  • Place your order by 12/20 3PM EST and ship via 2-day Service
  • Place your order by 12/21 3PM EST and ship via 1-day Service

Please note: USPS shipping is not guaranteed to arrive by 12/24. Applies to in-stock items and domestic shipments only.

Equality-minded shoppers can also make sure to support LGBTQ-inclusive companies by using HRC Foundation’s Buyer’s Guide featuring hundreds of American companies to choose brands and retail outlets committed to LGBTQ-inclusive workplace policies and practices.

www.hrc.org/blog/tis-the-season-to-shop-for-equality?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Franchy Rose: I’m Franchy Rose Your Naughty Girl Next Door.

Franchy Rose: I’m Franchy Rose Your Naughty Girl Next Door.

Dear Diary,I love living in New York. I think the city is beautifully diverse but more on the expansive side like California. To pay my bills I cam and blog my life. I love the freedom of working from home it gives me plenty of time to be naughty xxx. When I’m not working I enjoy dancing and listening to music. Additionally, I enjoy exercising and long walks, after all, I have to keep my body on point for you naughty lads. Expect to get to know Franchy a lot better through my diary. I promise not to bite of course unless you want me to. I’m going to end this entry now can’t wait for you to get into my naughty mind, sending you sweet Franchy kisses muahahahahahah.

Visit Franchy Rose’s Chat Room

www.flirt4free.com/models/bios/franchy_rose/about.php?mp_code=f48t&service=girls

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: December 14, 2018

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: December 14, 2018

‍REP. DINA TITUS (D-NV) INTRODUCES GLOBE ACT TO PROTECT LGBTQ PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD: “While Donald Trump and Mike Pence remain recklessly silent on anti-LGBTQ atrocities around the globe, it’s crucial that the United States Congress fill the void and make clear LGBTQ rights are human rights,” said HRC Government Affairs Director David Stacy (@david_stacy). “We thank Rep. Titus for her important leadership on this issue.” More from HRC and Metro Weekly.

While Trump and Pence remain recklessly silent on anti-LGBTQ atrocities around the world, @HRC praises @RepDinaTitus and other members of Congress who demonstrate bold leadership on LGBTQ rights. t.co/SGSr22MzON t.co/TkjkYXf3ga

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) December 13, 2018

HRC MOURNS REGINA DENISE BROWN, TRANSGENDER WOMAN OF COLOR KILLED IN SOUTH CAROLINA: Brown’s murder adds to the long list of trans deaths reported in the U.S. In 2018, at least 26 transgender people have been killed. “[Brown] always was smiling and happy. She always gave encouragement to the younger trans women always highlighting our best features and strong traits. Just an all around great lady with a big heart,” a loved one told Sofia Lotto Persio (@sofiaellepi) at PinkNews. More from HRC.

“She always gave encouragement to the younger trans women always highlighting our best features and strong traits.”@HRC mourns the loss of Regina Denise Brown, a transgender woman of color killed in her South Carolina home. #SayHerName t.co/36HlNye1ZH

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) December 13, 2018

TRUMP-PENCE ADMINISTRATION IS DESPERATE TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST TRANSGENDER TROOPS: After requesting that the U.S. Supreme Court hear arguments on the transgender troop ban, the Trump-Pence administration has now requested that the nation’s highest court allow them to implement the cruel and dangerous policy should the court refuse to prematurely take the case. More from CNN.

Despite Donald Trump and Mike Pence’s efforts to fast track this dangerous ban, trans troops continue to bravely serve. @HRC and our partners will continue to fight for trans troops and against this cruel administration at every turn. #ProtectTransTroops t.co/ZQhVAghjGW

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) December 13, 2018

FEEL GOOD FRIDAY — JOE BIDEN’S ‘AS YOU ARE’ CAMPAIGN COLLECTS HUNDREDS OF STORIES OF LGBTQ LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE: One story features Steve Bennett and Robin Bacsfalvi, parents who share the journey of their transgender daughter, Rio. More from South Florida Gay News.

GEORGIA SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE SIGNALS SKEPTICISM AROUND ANTI-LGBTQ LEGISLATION: David Ralston has expressed an unwillingness to pursue anti-LGBTQ measures when the Georgia legislature gavels in its new session, saying he has “serious concerns” about “license to discriminate” legislation. More from Project Q Atlanta.

PITTSBURGH TRANS MAN SAYS HE WAS ATTACKED IN DOWNTOWN: Zahair Martinez alleges he was kicked, had hot coffee thrown in his eyes and verbally harassed inside a local 7-11. More from WTAE.

NEW STUDY FROM NYC ANTI-VIOLENCE PROJECT LOOKS AT WORKPLACE ISSUES FACED BY TRANSGENDER AND GENDER NON-CONFORMING EMPLOYEES: More about the report, “Individual Struggles,Widespread Injustice,” from Fernanda Nunes in AM New York.

MAN CHARGED WITH ASSAULT FOR ATTACKING WOMAN ON NYC SUBWAY: Allasheed Allah, 54, has been charged with assault as a hate crime and aggravated harassment as a hate crime. More from NBC.

BEN HUNTE (@BenInLDN) NAMED FIRST LGBTQ CORRESPONDENT FOR BBC NEWS: More from BBC and GayTimes.

COLUMBUS, OH, OPENS FIRST BEHAVIORAL HEALTH UNIT FOR LGBTQ PEOPLE: More from WOSU Radio.

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

SHAMEFUL — GOVERNMENT OF BERMUDA HAS APPEALED MARRIAGE EQUALITY DECISION TO PRIVY COURT: HRC is proud to support our allies and advocates in Bermuda, including OUTBermuda, who continue to fight the government’s opposition to marriage equality.

TOP ISRAEL COURT RULES IN FAVOR OF ADOPTION RIGHTS FOR GAY COUPLE: More from Times of Israel.

CHURCH OF ENGLAND APPROVES CLERGY GUIDANCE FOR WELCOMING TRANS CHRISTIANS: More from Newsweek.

READING RAINBOW – Bookmark now to read on your lunch break!

People interviews RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Monique Heart (@IAmMoniqueHeart) on her journey to reconciling her faith and her LGBTQ identity through drag; Newsweek highlights San Diego drag queens’ efforts in raising thousands to help LGBTQ asylum seekers; AZ Family reports on a local family working with Mattel to release same-sex wedding Barbie and Ken dolls

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-december-14-2018?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Mika Brzezinski Apologizes to LGBTQ Community for ‘Vulgar’ Term She Used to Describe Mike Pompeo: WATCH

Mika Brzezinski Apologizes to LGBTQ Community for ‘Vulgar’ Term She Used to Describe Mike Pompeo: WATCH

Morning Joe anchor Mika Brzezinski apologized on Friday morning for using a “vulgar” homophobic slur to describe Secretary of State Mike Pompeo earlier this week.

Said Brzezinski this morning: “I want to get to something first. I was off yesterday for a family matter, as you mentioned, but I wanted to address a term that I used on this show on Wednesday that was vulgar. I knew it right away and I tweeted that it was a terrible choice of words and that I was sorry. But please allow me to say this face-to-face. The term is crass and offensive and I apologize to everyone, especially the LGBTQ community and to my colleagues for using it. It was a mistake. My father would have found it so unbecoming and disrespectful and he would have told me. I will work hard to be better. But I just wanted to say on camera, looking the viewers straight in the eye, I am really, really sorry.”

Said Brzezinski on Wednesday about Mike Pompeo’s disinterest in holding Saudi Arabia accountable for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi: “I understand that Donald Trump doesn’t care. But why doesn’t Mike Pompeo care right now? Are the pathetic deflections that we just heard when he appeared on Fox & Friends — is that a patriot speaking? Or a wannabe dictator’s butt-boy? I’m dead serious, I’m asking: are these the words of a patriot?”

The post Mika Brzezinski Apologizes to LGBTQ Community for ‘Vulgar’ Term She Used to Describe Mike Pompeo: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.


Mika Brzezinski Apologizes to LGBTQ Community for ‘Vulgar’ Term She Used to Describe Mike Pompeo: WATCH