REVIEW: Apulia – Smithfield, London

Apulia is a small, cosy Italian restaurant on Long Lane – just next to Smithfield’s meat market.

They specialise in the food of Puglia – it’s simple, not expensive, and really good.

I feasted on a hearty bowl of tagliatelle swamped in a rich duck ragout. Delicious.

They also make pizza which looked very good.

A great option for a relaxed meal and comfort food.

Read more from Gareth Johnson

Read more restaurant reviews

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Gareth Johnson

www.gaystarnews.com/article/review-apulia-smithfield-london/

HRC Supports National Voter Registration Day

HRC knows that every vote counts and that’s why HRC is proud to support National Voter Registration Day.
HRC.org

www.hrc.org/blog/entry/hrc-supports-national-voter-registration-day?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

That Time John Stamos Almost Played A Bisexual Male Prostitute

Tonight is the premiere of Ryan Murphy‘s new series Scream Queens and we couldn’t be more excited. But once upon a time, Murphy had a different idea for a different show that would have involved John Stamos getting naked on a weekly basis and also caused queens to scream.

Seriously, how are we just hearing about this now?

Related: John Stamos Strips Down With A Smile And Steve Grand Likes To Share His Candy

Stamos recently spoke to Details magazine about the time Murphy wanted him to play a bisexual male gigolo.

“He wanted to do three male hookers, like Charlie’s Angels, who’d go in and save relationships by having sex with the husband and the wife,” Stamos said.

Sounds like our kinda show!

Sadly, Stamos turned down the role.

“I was too afraid then,” he confessed.

Whomp, whomp.

But that wasn’t the only role offered to Stamos by Murphy.

“Ryan also wrote Nip/Tuck for me,” he continued, “but the person with whom I was in a relationship at the time read the script and said, ‘That’s demeaning toward women.’”

“I’m not with her anymore,” he added.

Related: Who Wants To Cuddle With John Stamos? Get In Line Behind Bob Saget.

Stamos also opened up about the “Uncle Jesse” shadow that he spent years running from before eventually throwing up his hands and just embracing it. He’ll be reprising the role in an upcoming Full House revival on Netflix.

“I fought it for years,” he said. “I was wrong, but I always thought if I were doing a sitcom, that it should be something smarter, more like Seinfeld. I’m happy to lean into it now.”

“There used to be such a stigma against going backward,” he continued. “But who fucking cares? It’s not hurting my career. I got to a point where I thought those yogurt commercials were, but it doesn’t matter. Nobody can put themselves up on a pedestal anymore.”

Related: John Stamos’ Milkshake Is Delicious, Ansel Elgort Climbs Rock Hard Things

Graham Gremore

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Todrick Hall Slays in Epic Taylor Swift Mash-Up: WATCH

Todrick Hall, he of the epic pop mash-ups, is back with another one of his infectious musical confections, and this time he combines some of Taylor Swift’s greatest hits into one frothy treat that will make you want to dance to that sick beat.

Focusing primarily on 1989, with songs like “Blank Space”, “Style”, “Shake It Off”, “Wildest Dreams”, “Bad Blood”, and “Welcome To New York”, he also adds in perennial favorites “Love Story”, “Trouble” “We Are Never (Ever) Getting Back Together”, “Mean” and “Twenty Two.”

And for the record, T. Swift approves:

I honestly can’t believe what I just saw. This amount of talent in one person has me speechless.
I ❤️ @toddyrockstar

t.co/LlKUl7fmgA

— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) September 22, 2015

Watch below:

The post Todrick Hall Slays in Epic Taylor Swift Mash-Up: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.

Sean Mandell

Todrick Hall Slays in Epic Taylor Swift Mash-Up: WATCH

Catholic Teacher Fired Over Same-Sex Marriage Will Welcome Pope Francis

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A Roman Catholic teacher fired over her same-sex marriage says she has been invited to the White House to help welcome Pope Francis.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. 

Also on HuffPost: 

— This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/09/22/catholic-teacher-fired-pope-francis_n_8177574.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

Trans woman live-tweets her airport agony after being told she has an ‘anomaly’

A trans woman has live-tweeted her agony in an airport after being told by TSA agents that she has an anomaly.

Shadi Petosky has flown a lot, but this was perhaps her worst experience ever when she was held up, locked up in a room without her consent, humiliated and ultimately forced to miss her flight.

I am being held by the TSA in Orlando because of an “anomaly” (my penis)

— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015

I would like any help I can get at the Orlando airport. — Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015

The TSA at the Orlando Airport told me I couldn’t take photos but this is denigrating. I have missed my flight pic.twitter.com/PHwBLiJ0cB

— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015

The TSA has left me in a room alone. There is an officer holding the door. pic.twitter.com/aFA0cQxAGx — Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015

TSA agent Bramlet told me to get back in the machine as a man or it was going to be a problem.

— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015

I asked TSA agent Bramlet if he had any training in trans issues. He said “I know what I am doing” — Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015

I fly all the time and this has never happened. I really thought the TSA was good about trans issues. I am so dumb.

— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015

Cop asked me what sex I was. I told him I wasn’t going to answer that question. I am complying but come on. — Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015

They’re telling me they have to take my phone. I told them that I want to use this to keep a record of what is happening

— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015

A man a brown suit came and whispered to TSA agent Sean San Roman to make sure I am not taking photos or video. — Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015

There are now 2 police officers, 1 explosives specialist and four TSA agents. They’re taking my phone for screening

— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015

I am through. It was about 40 minutes, 2 full body pat downs, fully disassembled luggage. I missed my flight. pic.twitter.com/wLTvP3md9W — Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015

I don’t think my body is an anomaly. I like tons of people with my body. Can there be more buttons?

— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015

A TSA agent is telling me to leave the airport. I asked them to please call a supervisor, I just want to get to an American Airlines gate — Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015

Well shit. pic.twitter.com/XHnameY3Rc

— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015

They told me to get myself together, I am sobbing, not belligerent. — Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015

At American Airlines ticket counter trying to rebook. They say there are no more flights to Minneapolis today. I am asking for anywhere.

— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015

American Airlines manager is telling me that “in the future ask for a private screening” — Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015

I literally want to no lectures from American Airlines on how to travel while trans. I want the same privileges as cis people.

— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015

After all of that, Shadi still needed to get out of Orlando. She went to the American Airlines desk, where she was told there was no flights out of there. Eventually, she was able to rebook onto another flight leaving out of Miami the next day.

A statement from the TSA reads: ‘Our officers are trained to properly screen members of the transgender community. TSA takes all potential civil rights violations very seriously and conducted a review of the incident.

‘After examining closed circuit TV video and other available information, TSA has determined  that the evidence shows our officers followed TSA’s strict guidelines.

‘Supervisory personnel and a Passenger Support Specialist participated in the screening to ensure guidelines were met.’

This was enough to annoy Shadi even more.

Oh my god. The TSA manager told me that the officer was in the wrong and they’re still training new people. t.co/WUEM4nIVZl — Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 22, 2015

The TSA may think they are trained and following strict guidelines but if the guidelines include flagging my genitals, they need to change.

— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 22, 2015

Following Shadi’s ordeal, she urged others to follow other people sharing their experiences of being in airports. The #TravelingWhileTrans hashtag soon started to go viral, with many people sharing their stories of being confronted by security when their appearances did not match their legal documents.

According to the 2011 National Transgender Discrimination Survey, 11% of trans people had been ‘denied equal treatment’ by airport staff or the TSA and 17% had been harassed or disrespected.

The post Trans woman live-tweets her airport agony after being told she has an ‘anomaly’ appeared first on Gay Star News.

Joe Morgan

www.gaystarnews.com/article/trans-woman-live-tweets-her-airport-agony-after-being-told-she-has-an-anomaly/

Margie calls on Catholic Church to approach her life “as Jesus would”

HRC.org

www.hrc.org/blog/entry/margie-calls-on-catholic-church-to-approach-her-life-as-jesus-would?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Kim Davis Hits The Media Circuit, Denies Being Homophobic, Says She Has Gay Friends

Kim Davis is finally hitting the media circuit. (Honestly, we’re surprised it’s taken her this long.) This morning, the thrice-divorced Kentucky clerk spoke with Paula Faris on Good Morning America about the circus freak show that is her life.

Related: Kim Davis Is Getting Her Very Own Armed Militia Security Detail

Davis, who evidently didn’t have time to stop into hair and makeup before sitting down for her first nationally televised interview, said she absolutely, positively will not change her mind on the issue of same-sex marriage. But don’t get the wrong impression. She’s not antigay or anything.

According to Davis, she’s not a homophobe because…wait for it… she claimed, “I have friends who are gay and lesbian.”

“They know where I stand,” she said. “We don’t agree on the issue and we’re okay because we respect each other.”

Related: PHOTOS: Kim Davis Memes Just Keep Getting Better

When asked if she would deny marriage licenses to those alleged gay friends, she replied, “I did.”

Davis also noted that she’s not afraid of martyrdom and is fully prepared go to jail for her beliefs.

“I can’t put my name on a license that doesn’t represent what God ordained marriage to be,” she said.

And as for her own marriages, Davis said she’s been “forgiven” by the Lord Almighty for all those transgressions.

“Washed clean,” she uttered.

Related: PHOTOS: More Hetero Guys Make Out To Show Kim Davis Just How Wrong She Is

Other highlights from the interview included Davis denying that she’s Hitler, claiming that what other people say about her doesn’t define who she is as a person, and questioning why “unhappy” gay people even want to get married in the first place.

“I feel really sad that someone could be so unhappy with themselves as a person that they did not feel dignified as a human being until they got a piece of paper,” she said. “I mean, there’s just so much more to life than that.”

Davis’ next appearance will be with Megyn Kelly at FOX News later this week, which we’re sure will be absolutely riveting. Then she’s very likely off to jail again. LGBTQ Nation reports that Davis is probably going to be summoned back into court for once again defying a federal judge’s orders by altering documents issued to same-sex couples after she promised she wouldn’t.

Watch the full GMA interview below. Or don’t.

ABC Breaking News | Latest News Videos

Graham Gremore

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Azealia Banks Has Violent Tantrum on Plane, Calls Flight Attendant a ‘F–kin Faggot’

Video has emerged of rapper Azealia Banks having a tantrum while trying to depart a Delta flight. In the video, Banks is seen arguing with a flight attendant and a pilot, demanding her bag. She then calls the flight attendant a “f–kin’ faggot”.

TMZ reports:

A passenger sitting next to Banks tells TMZ, when the Delta flight landed just before 1 AM Tuesday, Azealia made a beeline for the front door. She had been sitting in seat 6A but a French couple in the 3rd row was blocking her exit as they pulled their luggage from the overhead bin. The eyewitness says Azealia tried to squeeze by the couple when the French man put his hand out. Azealia, we’re told, went nuts. The eyewitness says she spit in the man’s face, punched him in the face and clawed at his shirt.

At that point we’re told the flight attendant grabbed Azealia’s bag and told her to calm down. She lost her balance, fell to the seat, stood up and then a tug-of-war over the luggage ensued. This is where the video begins.

Watch:

Police reportedly met up with the French couple and Banks at the baggage carousel but the couple didn’t press charges because they didn’t want to ruin their vacation.

Banks has defended her use of the word “faggot” in the past.

The post Azealia Banks Has Violent Tantrum on Plane, Calls Flight Attendant a ‘F–kin Faggot’ appeared first on Towleroad.

Andy Towle

Azealia Banks Has Violent Tantrum on Plane, Calls Flight Attendant a ‘F–kin Faggot’

Kim Davis: I Denied My Friends a Marriage License

Renegade county clerk Kim Davis burst into tears recounting how marriage equality supporters have called her a hypocrite, and that her detractors have hurt her feelings by claiming “that my God does not love me or that my God is not happy with me.”

In an exclusive interview with ABC’s Good Morning America, the Kentucky clerk also revealed she denied her gay friends a marriage license, and despite orders from a federal judge, Kentucky’s governor and the Supreme Court, that she remains defiant in her religious objection to same-sex marriage.

Davis told Paula Faris, the ABC News anchor and co-host of The View, that she didn’t expect to become a household name when she decided to refuse to issue marriage licenses. “I’m just a normal person that has been touched by the grace of God, and his mercy,” Davis said.

“I can’t put my name on a license that doesn’t represent what God ordained marriage to be,” Davis told Faris on her Rowan County front porch. She explained her decision to refuse even her same-sex friends a marriage license, but would did not name the couple she considers friends. None of the couples who sued her or applied for licenses has claimed she is a friend.

Davis also took issue with being called a hypocrite for “defending” marriage after she’s been married four times and had a child out of wedlock. “I’m forgiven,” she said. “Washed clean.”

She told Faris the charges of hypocrisy hit her harder than criticism of her civil rights stance and descriptions of her as a homophobe. “What people say about me does not define who I am,” Davis said. “That’s everybody’s opinion and that’s everybody’s right.”

“I’ve been called things and names that I didn’t even say when I was in the world. Those names don’t hurt me,” Davis said. “What probably hurt me the worst is when someone tells me that my God does not love me or that my God is not happy with me, that I am a hypocrite of a Christian.”

The clerk dismissed the rights of gay and lesbian couples in denying the effects of her actions. “I don’t think dignity is guaranteed in the Constitution,” she told Faris. “I think dignity is something that you find within yourself,” Davis said. “I feel really sad that … someone could be so unhappy with themselves as a person that they did not feel dignified as a human being until they got a piece of paper. I mean, there’s just so much more to life than that.”

You can watch ABC News video of the Kim Davis interview with Faris here. More of the interview will be shown on The View. 

Bil Browning

www.advocate.com/marriage-equality/2015/9/22/kim-davis-i-denied-my-friends-marriage-license