Betty Buckley Is the Gay Icon & Musical ‘Heart Surgeon’ America Needs
The legendary actress and singer talks Hello, Dolly!, her new cabaret series, and the conservative friends she lost after the 2016 election.
www.advocate.com/people/2019/10/17/betty-buckley-gay-icon-musical-heart-surgeon-america-needs
Grindr drags Men’s Humor Twitter account in best way possible
Men’s Humor is a social media account you’re possibly not following. It posts funny gifs and memes aimed squarely at straight dudes. It has over 6million followers on its Instagram and Twitter accounts.
Yesterday it posted an online exchange from a dating app, suggesting a man had found his perfect partner.
Marry her. pic.twitter.com/n7Bz2geKqt
— Men’s Humor (@MensHumor) October 16, 2019
The first person texts: “What u into?”
The respondent replies: “Mario Kart and Stuffed Crust Pizza”
Men’s Humor caption the screenshot with “Marry her.”
The only thing is that many users recognized the screenshot as coming from Grindr: a “dating” app aimed at gay, bi, trans, and queer communities. The majority of users are gay and bi men.
The tweet has since gone viral, with many users amused.
I am begging you to hire one queer staff member
— Kyle
(@KylePlantEmoji) October 16, 2019
“Marry her” PLEASE pic.twitter.com/ViVqqGnopJ
— ☆ ₳ⱠɆӾӾ ☆ (@alexxlbbh) October 16, 2019
Who’s gonna tell her
— spooky fede season (@GreenGilZone) October 16, 2019
Grindr itself waded into the discussion with its own winning tweet.
Rather than suggesting Men’s Humor had made a mistake, it took the opportunity to thank the account for reminding people that trans women also use Grindr.
“Thank you for recognizing that trans women use our app 
”
thank you for recognizing that trans women use our app
— Grindr (@Grindr) October 16, 2019
Grindr’s tweet has had over 15k likes and almost 2k retweets in the 12 hours since posting. Some commentators have debated online transphobia and whether trans women feel welcome on the app. Many have applauded Grindr for its message.
THANK YOU
—
HELLANOR
MAIMS
GLAAD Media Institute closes Australian tour in Sydney celebrating #SpiritDay
The GLAAD Media Institute ended its two-week Australian training tour by celebrating Spirit Day with LGBTQ advocates in Sydney. Participants from a variety of organizations, including Wear It Purple, which is Australia’s campaign against bullying.
The GLAAD Media Institute training tour of Australia is a partnership of GLAAD and The Equality Project, bringing skills and best media practices to Australian LGBTQ advocates. Over the course of two weeks, the training was presented to 150 advocates over eight courses in five cities: Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, and Sydney.
The final day of training in Sydney, participants wore purple in support of LGBTQ youth and against bullying, and took photos in front of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Participants included Benjamin Law, writer and creator of the Australian television show The Family Law.
Anthony Venn-Brown, founder of Ambassadors and Bridge Builders International and author of A Life of Unlearning, a memoir about his experience with so-called “conversion therapy.”
Leadership of Out for Australia, affirming religious communities, and leaders in Australia’s capital, Canberra.
Previous participants in the GLAAD Media Institute and Equality Project leadership training academy also tweeted their participation and support.
Spirit Day is a means of speaking out against LGBTQ bullying and standing with LGBTQ youth, who disproportionately face bullying and harassment because of their identities.
Please Like Share Comment #RainbowRoo#SpiritDay pic.twitter.com/uiNZw6hKnc
— Rainbow Roo (@RainbowRooAus) October 16, 2019
October 17th is #SpiritDayand I am showing my support for LGBTQ youth by going purple today. Take the pledge to show your support: t.co/qMdKPlAApx @glaad #TeamTroyeMamas™️ pic.twitter.com/TFbk2pXpd0
— Cazza – TeamTroyeMamas™️ (@cazzawillcock) October 16, 2019
Don’t post pics of my outfit but today is special! I promised @inlayterms from @glaad Media Institute I’d wear purple for #SpiritDay on the last day of @EqualityProj_au. For the Aussies out there it’s the US version of @WearitPurple all the #LGBTIQ folks doing it tough pic.twitter.com/DMuYhqtToE
— Giancarlo de Vera (@gdevera) October 16, 2019
We post the image of this baton, confiscated during WWII from an internee at Loveday Internment Camp, as a reminder of the soul-crushing effects bullying, harassment and exclusion have on the LGBTQI+ community.#QueeringTheMuseum #QTM #SpiritDay #bullying pic.twitter.com/KHS506fTRl
— History Trust of SA (@HistorySA) October 17, 2019
About Spirit Day
Each year, millions go purple for GLAAD’s Spirit Day to support LGBTQ youth in a united stand against bullying. Started in 2010 by high school student Brittany McMillan in response to numerous young LGBTQ lives lost to suicide, Spirit Day now draws the participation of celebrities, schools, faith institutions, national landmarks, corporations, media outlets, sports leagues, and advocates around the world, all joining together to stand against bullying and support LGBTQ youth.
Presenting partners Pantene and Target, official partners Kellogg’s and the NBA and WNBA, and community partners Amazon, Johnson & Johnson, Kirkland & Ellis, and Wells Fargo will all participate in the anti-bullying campaign.
As anti-LGBTQ policies, hate crimes, and harassment are on the rise, it is now especially important to let all marginalized youth know they are supported.
This year, Spirit Day is on October 17, 2019. Take the Spirit Day pledge to show LGBTQ youth you’ve got their backs at glaad.org/spiritday. Follow @GLAAD on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to keep up to date with #SpiritDay news.
www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-media-institute-closes-australian-tour-sydney-celebrating-spiritday
Five ways Target is standing up against bullying for #SpiritDay
Spirit Day, the world’s largest and most visible LGBTQ anti-bullying-campaign is gearing up for an even bigger year.
For the fifth consecutive year, we are thrilled to have Target show its support by going purple as a presenting partner! Target will support Spirit Day with authentic, engaging and impactful digital content that connects to millions in the LGBTQ community and allies.
“At Target, we’re driven by our purpose to help all families discover joy in everyday life and that’s why we’re looking forward to celebrating Spirit Day for the fifth time as a sponsor,” says Carlos Saavedra, vice president of brand marketing at Target. “We’ve worked closely with GLAAD and impressive artists in the LGBTQ+ community to develop digital content that helps people celebrate kindness and inclusivity with their friends and families this year.”
“Target has been a great supporter of Spirit Day for the past five years, and we are proud to partner with them for another year to stand against bullying and in support of theLGBTQ community,” said John McCourt, Senior Director of Development & Integrated Marketing at GLAAD. “Through its digital and social media efforts this Spirit Day, Target’s support will help to reach audiences everywhere with the necessary messages of love, acceptance, equality, and inclusion.”
Here are the ways Target is taking part this year.
1. Target is partnering with PinkNews on a Snapchat takeover that will highlight Spirit Day and the virtues of kindness, acceptance, respect, support and spirit. 
2. Target Spirit Day GIPHY stickers with anti-bullying messages will be available across every platform that support GIPHY. 
3. Target has collaborated with Pablo Rochat on Snapchat and will offer Instagram templates for users to share how they’re spreading kindness on Spirit Day. 
4. Target will create with Donté Colley, who will produce videos about the importance of Spirit Day and standing together. 
5. Shop with Target Finds – Target is featuring all the amazing purple products and make it easy to wear purple on Spirit Day
Thank you Target for your continued support of Spirit Day and the LGBTQ community!
About Spirit Day
Each year, millions go purple for GLAAD’s Spirit Day to support LGBTQ youth in a united stand against bullying. Started in 2010 by high school student Brittany McMillan in response to numerous young LGBTQ lives lost to suicide, Spirit Day now draws the participation of celebrities, schools, faith institutions, national landmarks, corporations, media outlets, sports leagues, and advocates around the world, all joining together to stand against bullying and support LGBTQ youth.
www.glaad.org/blog/five-ways-target-standing-against-bullying-spiritday
Matt Shepard’s Parents Snub AG Barr: We Won’t ‘Kowtow to Hypocrisy’
It’s “hypocritical” for Barr to celebrate the hate-crimes law named for their son while supporting discrimination, Judy and Dennis Shepard said.
www.advocate.com/politics/2019/10/16/matt-shepards-parents-snub-ag-barr-we-wont-kowtow-hypocrisy
Let’s have a kiki about cosplay, with Luig Shiraga at LA Comic Con
We ask all the tough questions, like “What is the sexiest male cosplay you have ever seen?”
Ellen DeGeneres once gave Donald and Melania Trump a golden stroller
One of Ellen DeGeneres’ most vocal critics has pointed out that, years before she hung out with former President George W. Bush, the comedian acted friendly with one Donald J. Trump.
Related: George W. Bush responds to Ellen DeGeneres’ comments
According to a 2006 People profile of Donald and Melania’s “Billion-Dollar Boy,” Barron Trump, DeGeneres gave the future President and First Lady a gilded stroller:
“In the Trumps’ $100 million triplex penthouse, gifts from friends — including a golden stroller complete with its own chandelier (courtesy of Ellen DeGeneres) and gazillions of onesies — greeted Barron’s arrival. ‘It’s fun,’ says Melania of the stroller. ‘It makes you laugh.’”
“Trumps’ $100 million triplex penthouse, gifts from friends – including a golden stroller complete with its own chandelier (courtesy of Ellen DeGeneres) and gazillions of onesies – greeted Barron’s arrival. “It’s fun,” says Melania of the stroller. “It makes you laugh.” – People pic.twitter.com/3zJrT59ov1
— rafael (@rafaelshimunov) October 15, 2019
DeGeneres stoked outrage this month by yukking it up with Bush at a Dallas Cowboys-Green Bay Packers game on October 6. A couple of days later, she defended herself on her self-named talk show, saying, “I’m friends with George Bush. In fact, I’m friends with a lot of people who don’t share the same beliefs that I have. We’re all different. And I think we’ve forgotten that that’s OK that we’re all different. … When I say be kind to one another, I don’t mean only the people that think the same way as you do. I mean be kind to everyone.”
But her justification didn’t sit well those who remembered Bush’s anti-LGBTQ politics and his role in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Even other Hollywood celebs decried DeGeneres’ stance. “Sorry, until George W. Bush is brought to justice for the crimes of the Iraq War, (including American-lead torture, Iraqi deaths & displacement, and the deep scars—emotional & otherwise—inflicted on our military that served his folly), we can’t even begin to talk about kindness,” Mark Ruffalo tweeted.
Related: Ellen’s radio silence on the Drew Brees antigay scandal is deafening
Tech creative Rafael Shimunov created a satirical version of DeGeneres’ on-air monologue, superimposing images of the Iraq War on the Ellen set’s backdrop. He later crafted another version, this one showing scenes of devastation in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
As Ellen DeGeneres Show continues to submit false copyright claims on legally protected satire in order to stop my viral video about her friendship with GW Bush, please do share the Youtube version (and find me on Facebook for that version too).t.co/jl2xeNanUg
— rafael (@rafaelshimunov) October 9, 2019
And on October 14, he posted the People quote about DeGeneres’ stroller gift. “Grotesque,” one commenter wrote. Another added, “Gross.”
For what it’s worth, DeGeneres seems not to be friendly with Trump these days. In 2017, she revealed on Today that she would never host the current POTUS on her talk show. “No, because I’m not going to change his mind,” she said. “He’s against everything that I stand for. We need to look at someone else who looks different than us and believes in something that we don’t believe in and still accept them and still let them have their rights.”
Colton Haynes, Uganda, Sterling K. Brown, AOC and Bernie, Jennifer Aniston, Eric Trump, Lizzo: HOT LINKS
ASHLEE MARIE PRESTON. Elizabeth Warren trans campaign representative apologizes for racist and homophobic tweets. ‘Preston responded Monday on Twitter and Facebook with a statement that categorized the disclosures as “a political play,” but apologizes, blaming her then-addiction to methamphetamine. “I take full responsibility for my actions and deeply apologize to those I’ve offended or hurt. I also apologize to those indirectly impacted by these developments.” She says she has been clean and sober for over 7 ½ years and has learned “how to make amends when I’m wrong and to take complete accountability for my actions.”’
ENDORSEMENTS. Ilhan Omar and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to endorse Bernie Sanders: ‘Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, Democrat of New York and a star of the progressive left, will join Mr. Sanders at his “Bernie’s Back” rally in Queens on Saturday. Earlier Tuesday, his campaign had teased that Mr. Sanders would have a “special guest” at the event.’
HOW DO YOU LIKE THEM APPLES. What Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon got paid for each episode of The Morning Show.
“NO ANGELS”. Trump attacks the Kurds, says Turkish offensive is “not our problem.”
President Trump: “The Kurds are much safer right now. But the Kurds know how to fight. And as I said, they’re not angels. They’re not angels. If you take a look, you have to go back and take a look.” pic.twitter.com/1mEKRZThXu
— The Hill (@thehill) October 16, 2019
RUDY GIULIANI. The president’s personal lawyer privately lobbied him to expel a Turkish cleric: “…a top priority of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to multiple former administration officials familiar with the discussions.”
NYC. Decaying body found underneath manhole in midtown.
ERIC TRUMP. Lying about what the Trump kids have done: ‘During a Wednesday morning segment, Fox Newsaired a clip of the Trump Organization executive vice president comparing his experience as the son of the president to Hunter Biden’s experience as the son of the former vice president: “The difference between us and Hunter is when my father became commander-in-chief of this country, we got out of all international business, right?”’
Eric Trump’s new talking point is that emoluments are okay as long as they’re made at properties his family owned before his dad became POTUS.
“I don’t think there will ever be a president who sacrificed so much of his wealth, made so many personal sacrifices,” he adds, absurdly pic.twitter.com/DshY6QMrOS
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 16, 2019
STERLING K. BROWN. Ripped for Men’s Health.
UGANDA. We’re not bringing back the “kill the gays” bill. ‘Uganda will not impose the death penalty for gay sex, a presidential spokesman said on Monday, after major aid donors said they were monitoring a plan by the African nation to reintroduce a bill colloquially known as “Kill the Gays”.’
FINALIZED. Colton Haynes and Jeff Leatham reach divorce settlement: “Neither Party shall discuss‚ pubiish or post, or cause to be discussed published or posted, directly or indirectly, any private information pertaining to the other Party, the Parties’ relationship, or this dissolution action on any media, including without Iimitation, the internet (including, but not Iimited to, social media applications, Websites, blogs, news periodicals, etc.) or in other media in any manner. Neither Party shall authorize, Iicense or create (in whole or in part) a book, article, movie, or television production based upon, or which includes a character based upon, the other Party without the written consent of the other Party, or use the other Party’s name for any publicity related purpose.”
TRUTH HURTS. Lizzo hit with plagiarism claim. “The song’s official credits list four writers: Lizzo, whose real name is Melissa Jefferson; Ricky Reed, her primary producer; Tele, another producer; and Jesse Saint John. But a pair of songwriting brothers, Justin and Jeremiah Raisen, say they were involved in an early writing session with Lizzo that adapted a tweet into the song’s signature lyric — “I just took a DNA test, turns out I’m 100 percent that bitch” — and were denied credit.”
View this post on InstagramThe Truth about “Truth Hurts” On April 11th, 2017, we wrote a song called “Healthy” w/ Lizzo, Jesse St John, and Yves Rothman at our studio. “I just took a DNA test turns out I’m 100% that bitch” was taken from “Healthy” and used in “Truth Hurts”. We were never contacted about being credited for the use of the parts of “Healthy” (melody, lyrics, and chords) that appear in “Truth Hurts”. After reaching out to Ricky Reed and Lizzo’s team about fixing it, we put the song in dispute in 2017 when it came out. We’ve tried to sort this out quietly for the last two years, only asking for 5% each but were shutdown every time. Coming forward publicly to family, friends, artists, and colleagues seems to be the only way at this point in relieving some of our emotional distress caused by this. The last thing we want to do is throw any negativity toward Lizzo’s momentum and movement as a cultural figure. If we believe in what she’s preaching, believing in ourselves & our own voices is something we thought she’d understand. Shout out to the singer Mina Lioness ( @minalioness ) for tweeting “I just did a DNA test turns out I’m 100% that bitch”. A meme of that came up in our writing session & inspired the lyric and melody we wrote together. If Ricky and Lizzo’s team decide to settle this dispute with us, we would like to share some of the proceeds with Mina for her influence on Healthy. The clip below shows a video & photos from the day we wrote “Healthy” along with the comparisons between the two works. All the Love, Justin & Jeremiah Raisen #lizzo #truthhurts #healthy #billboard
A post shared by Justin Raisen (@justinraisen) on
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE DAY. Mika “Dear Jealousy”.
MUSIC VIDEO 2 OF THE DAY. Katy Perry “Harleys in Hawaii”.
HUMP DAY HOTTIE. Eric Commette Evans
View this post on InstagramSneaking into people’s pools is so exhilarating especially when I get caught in my @speedo @speedousa @speedopride Happy #humpday I’m also raising money for @theoutfdn @outwod to help the lgbtq+ community you can help donate with the link in my bio! #prideinmyspeedo @Undergroundprep keeps my nutrition where I need it go get some meals and use code COMET10 for discount @rpstrength has a new Phone App w/ templates to help you achieve any fitness goal Templates for nutrition to strength to training regimes. Go check em out and use code ECE10 to save #rpstrength #teamrpstrength
A post shared by Eric Commette Evans (@cometevans) on
The post Colton Haynes, Uganda, Sterling K. Brown, AOC and Bernie, Jennifer Aniston, Eric Trump, Lizzo: HOT LINKS appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.
Drag Race’s Tatianna Releases Mug-Shot Merch Following Arrest
The drag queen put her mug shot on a mug — and is raising funds for sex workers as well.
www.advocate.com/crime/2019/10/16/drag-races-tatianna-releases-mug-shot-merch-following-arrest
Texas GOP Speaker of the House under fire for homophobic insult in leaked audio
Texas Republican House Speaker Dennis Bonnen has come under fire for a leaked recording in which he referred to a married Democratic representative as “gay,” and offered to sell media accreditation to a lobbyist firm.
In the recording, Bonnen requests gossip from a lobbyist about other members of the Texas legislature. Of Democratic Rep. Jon Rosenthal, Bonnen said Rosenthal’s wife was “gonna be really pissed when she learns he’s gay.” Bonnen also refers to colleagues as “a piece of sh*t” and “vile.”
In an ironic twist, conservative radio host Michael Quinn Sullivan made the recording and released it to his website. Sullivan also works as CEO of Empower Texans, a petroleum lobbying group that donated $4.7 million to far-right candidates in 2018. Perhaps it should come as no surprise that Bonnen can also be heard begging Sullivan to keep the conversation private.
Related: Unsolicited nudes are now against the law in Texas
In the recording’s most damning passage, Bonnen offers quid pro quo with Sullivan, exchanging access to the legislative floor in exchange for campaign donations. “Let me tell you what I can do for you. Real quick, you need to hear what I want to do for you,” Bonnen says. Empower Texans had previously been blocked from attending legislative sessions due to its status as a lobbying firm.
Bonnen released a statement addressing the recording saying “no laws were broken: This was nothing more than a political discussion—the problem is that I had it with that guy. My colleagues have always deserved the facts and context this recording provides, and with clear evidence now disproving allegations of criminal wrongdoing, the House can finally move on.”
