‘Hit Piece’ on HGTV Hosts Chip and Joanna Gaines’ Views on Gay Rights Causes Controversy – VIDEOS

An article highlighting HGTV hosts Chip and Joanna Gaines’ membership in an evangelical anti-gay church has come under attack for speculating about the couple’s views on homosexuality.

In a post published on BuzzFeed earlier this week, journalist Kate Aurthur notes:

“[Fixer Upper hosts Chip and Joanna Gaines’ church] Antioch Community Church, is a nondenominational, evangelical, mission-based megachurch. And their pastor, Jimmy Seibert (right), who described the Gaineses as ‘dear friends’ in a recent video, takes a hard line against same-sex marriage and promotes converting LGBT people into being straight.

“So are the Gaineses against same-sex marriage? And would they ever feature a same-sex couple on the show, as have HGTV’s House Hunters and Property Brothers?”

The article goes on to detail Seibert and the church’s opinions on homosexuality and same-sex marriage. It notes that Seibert said “God defined marriage, not you and I,” that homosexuality is a sin and that “the statistics say that 90% of people who are in a full-blown homosexual lifestyle were abused in some way.”

RELATED: HGTV Cancels Show After Stars Revealed to Be Anti-Gay, Anti-Abortion, Anti-Muslim Extremists

However, Brandon Ambrosino, a gay Christian writer who is about to marry his same-sex partner, has come to the Gaines’ defense in an article published by the Washington Post.

Ambrosino called BuzzFeed’s article a “hit piece”:

“I have heard from a few well-meaning Christian friends that they feel they can’t attend my [wedding] ceremony. I think that’s silly, I think it’s theologically misguided, and it hurts me deeply because it makes it seem as if they care more about abstract principles than me, their friend and family member.

“Still, I do not think these conservatives should be shamed or mocked. I do not think they should be fired. And I certainly do not think they should be the butt of a popular BuzzFeed article.

“The entire article is an elaborate exploration of that hypothetical question [do the Gaines’ support same-sex marriage]. And yes, it is very much hypothetical, by the reporter’s own admission…

“But that does not stop [Kate] Aurthur from writing almost 800 more words about the non-story. Her upshot seems to be: Two popular celebrities might oppose same-sex marriage because the pastor of the church they go to opposes same-sex marriage, but I haven’t heard one way or the other. (I can’t imagine pitching that story to an editor and getting a green light, by the way.)”

Ambrosino goes on to examine a number of problems he sees with Aurthur’s piece: it suggests that the one in four people who do not support gay marriage are unemployable and that as public figures they are not entitled to moral and religious opinions.

This targeting of Christians for their beliefs needs to stop. t.co/LO90sOEx1m

— Rep. Warren Davidson (@WarrenDavidson) December 1, 2016

Ambrosino also points out that the article backs up “everything that President-elect Donald Trump’s supporters have been saying about the media: that some journalists — specifically younger ones at popular digital publications — will tell stories in certain deceitful, manipulative ways to take down conservatives.”

He concludes that “it is no longer okay — indeed, it never was — to write cutesy articles shaming religious people as homophobic for simply being one of the many millions of Americans in 2016 who attend a religious congregation that does not support same-sex marriage. That is not a good move for activism or journalism.”

Writing for conservative publication The Federalist yesterday, Hans Fiene noted:

“This could be a great teaching moment for the crusading Left. It would be great for them to learn, via Chip and Joanna Gaines, that not all opponents of same-sex marriage are evil…

“But it seems that BuzzFeed and [other publications] have already chosen their path. Expect them to trash the reputations of yet another couple guilty of nothing but holding ‘unpopular’ opinions. And if this keeps happening for the next four years, expect Trump to win reelection with 65 percent of the popular vote.”

Yesterday, HGTV told the Huffington Post:

“We don’t discriminate against members of the LGBT community in any of our shows. HGTV is proud to have a crystal clear, consistent record of including people from all walks of life in its series.”

Chip Gaines responded in veiled fashion to the controversy on Twitter, saying, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. DO EVERYTHING IN LOVE.”

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. DO EVERYTHING IN LOVE.

— Chip Gaines (@chippergaines) December 1, 2016

U know.. even as all hell “appears” to be breaking loose. All I have to do is look at my 4 precious babies sleeping, or kiss Jo good morning

— Chip Gaines (@chippergaines) December 1, 2016

Meanwhile Pastor Seibert has come forward to say his church is not anti-gay. “We are not only not anti-gay, but we are pro-helping people in their journey to find out who God is and who He has made them to be,” Seibert said to FOX News.

Watch FOX News’ report, below.

Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com

 

Watch the Seibart sermon quoted by Aurthur and an interview with the Chip and Joanna, below.

The post ‘Hit Piece’ on HGTV Hosts Chip and Joanna Gaines’ Views on Gay Rights Causes Controversy – VIDEOS appeared first on Towleroad.

‘Hit Piece’ on HGTV Hosts Chip and Joanna Gaines’ Views on Gay Rights Causes Controversy – VIDEOS

PHOTOS: Gibus Club In Paris Is All About Hot Guys And Hip Hop Music
Step inside one of the hottest clubs in Paris.

www.gaycities.com/photos/359-gibus-club/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

America East Conference and Maine Men’s Basketball to Protest HB2, Transphobia at Duke Game

When the Maine Black Bears face #4 Duke on Saturday, a game which will be broadcast life on ESPN2, they’ll be wearing black and rainbow-themed warm-up shirts in coordination with anti-homophobia and anti-transphobia sports organization You Can Play.

Tomorrow @BlackBearMBB will debut our #YCPinAE shirt to promote inclusion & equality for members of LGBTQ community affected by NC’s HB2 law pic.twitter.com/mcppym8p67

— America East (@AmericaEast) December 2, 2016

The American East Conference is backing the protest in a move to be better allies with the LGBTQ community, according to You Can Play’s Chris Mosier, who is also the first trans athlete to win a spot on a US National team.

USA Today:

“It’s one thing to boycott or not show up because of the financial impact and the message that would send,” said Chris Mosier, You Can Play‘s vice president of program development and community relations. “But they wanted to be visible and the biggest thing is they want to take the next step. It’s not just wearing a pin or a patch or a shirt. They want to be better allies. And they would have done this whether it was Duke or any North Carolina institution because (HB2) doesn’t align with their values.”

…Other America East teams have boycotted HB2 altogether; the Albany men’s basketball team canceled its Nov. 12 matchup with the Blue Devils, as New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order banning publicly funded and nonessential travel to North Carolina. And the Vermont women’s basketball team canceled its road game against North Carolina.

Maine was considering following suit but ultimately chose to use the matchup against Duke as an educational exercise for the team members as well as an opportunity to visibly promote inclusion.

Headlines are missing the bigger picture- it’s not just a shirt. They did the educational piece to truly make this impactful. #YCPinAE t.co/kp6cbfwZT9

— The Chris Mosier (@TheChrisMosier) December 2, 2016

Mosier told USA Today that he spoke with the Maine team about the protest they were about to make and they got it:

“It was a very engaging conversation,” Mosier said. “We talked about the importance of language and casual homophobia/transphobia, and they asked for tips on how to create more inclusive spaces. I told them about how HB2 affects real people and how it has affected me competing in North Carolina as an athlete. Sure, it might not affect (transgender people) at Duke but if I go to the grocery store or a restaurant I could be faced with discrimination. …I think it really helps to have a name and a face to go along with a story.”

The post America East Conference and Maine Men’s Basketball to Protest HB2, Transphobia at Duke Game appeared first on Towleroad.

America East Conference and Maine Men’s Basketball to Protest HB2, Transphobia at Duke Game

Big Payday for Same-Sex Married Couples

A new report indicates it pays to be gay — or bi — and hitched to a member of the same sex.

www.advocate.com/commentary/2016/12/02/big-payday-same-sex-married-couples

Mandy Moore Reveals Her ‘Least Traditional’ Family: Her Mom and Two Brothers are Gay

Actress, singer, and songwriter Mandy Moore sat down with the beauty website Byrdie.com to talk about her beauty secrets but it’s what she revealed about her family that is making headlines.

 

Moore, who was a teen pop star before embarking on an acting career that until recently, was not really what you’d call a career (she had three failed tv series before NBC’s This is Us), was asked about playing a mother of triplets on the show which allowed her to open up about her own “least traditional” family.

Byrdie.com:

“I’ve never really talked about this,” she offers, “but my parents are divorced. My mother left my father for a woman. And both of my two brothers are gay.”

Growing up, Mandy’s nuclear family unit was still intact. “My parents loved each other; they did an incredible job raising all of us,” she says. It wasn’t until she and her brothers got older that their “seemingly traditional” family began to fracture. Getting married so young (she was 24 when she wed Adams in 2009) might have been a way of creating her “own kind of normalcy,” Mandy says. “Then I learned that that wasn’t going to be the fruitful experience I wanted it to be.”

Today, the actress says everyone in her family is “exactly where they should be. Everyone’s so much happier, richer, and more fulfilled, being their authentic selves.”

Moore also recently performed in the “Fight Song” cover put together by 34 other celebs for Hillary Clinton at the Democratic National Convention.

Need to catch up on #ThisIsUs?👉🏻 t.co/Yvg2zDFtFg pic.twitter.com/Sqbx7ZGue2

— Mandy Moore (@TheMandyMoore) December 1, 2016

The post Mandy Moore Reveals Her ‘Least Traditional’ Family: Her Mom and Two Brothers are Gay appeared first on Towleroad.

Mandy Moore Reveals Her ‘Least Traditional’ Family: Her Mom and Two Brothers are Gay

Want to Feel Better About the World? Help an LGBT Senior

Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders is expanding its programs, and it needs the younger generations to help implement them.

www.advocate.com/commentary/2016/12/02/want-feel-better-about-world-help-lgbt-senior

Shawn Mendes, Britney Spears, ‘3 Million Illegals’, Trevor Noah, Anderson Cooper, Shouting Match: HOT LINKS

TREAT YOU BETTER. Shawn Mendes flaunts for Flaunt magazine.

STILL HURTING. Do you still find yourself crying (sometimes uncontrollably) over Hillary Clinton’s loss? “And suddenly, there on the 101 freeway, I was down the hole again. Tears streaming, sobs choking, heart breaking. The realization hitting me. I am Her.”

OH BABY, BABY. Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake get the Lifetime movie treatment–and it’s terrifying.

VIRAL VIDEO OF THE DAY (NO. 1). Trump voter tells CNN that “3 million illegals voted” in California: “Paula proceeded to try to convince Camerota that CNN had reported that three million undocumented immigrants in California alone had voted in the November elections. Why the CNN host refused to accept that, Paula backed down by insisting it ‘was reported all across the media.’ So, what ‘media’ is Paula paying following? It would not be surprising if she’s referring to these sites that peddle in lies and fabrications, conspiracy theories and other nonsense: INFOWARS: ‘REPORT: THREE MILLION VOTES IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAST BY ILLEGAL ALIENS.’”

VIRAL VIDEO OF THE DAY (NO. 2). Trevor Noah faces off against Tomi Lahren.

OVERSEAS. Pro-gay French President Francois Hollande says he will not seek reelection: “The surprise announcement from the socialist leader marks the “first time in 60 years that a sitting French president has not run for re-election,” as NPR’s Eleanor Beardsley reports from Paris. “Terrorist attacks and a sagging economy beset Hollande and made him one of the most unpopular presidents ever.” Hollande made the announcement in a televised address, where he spoke for about 10 minutes and defended his record since taking office in 2012, Eleanor adds.”

SHE’S STILL WITH HER. Katy Perry reflects on her amazing night with Hillary at the UNICEF Snowflake Ball: “It’s funny, sometimes people who disagree with me just say, ‘Shut up and sing.’ Boy, will I do so in a whole new way… next year. Hell hath no fury like a woman REBORN.”

HOT SEAT. Andy Cohen and Kelly Ripa ask Anderson Cooper if he’s a gold star gay. Anderson squirms.

SHOUTING MATCH. Clinton aides accuse Trump aides of stoking racism: “‘If providing a platform for white supremacists makes me a brilliant tactician, I am proud to have lost,” [Clinton communications director Jennifer Palmier] said. “I would rather lose than win the way you guys did.’ Kellyanne Conway, Trump’s campaign manager, fumed: “Do you think I ran a campaign where white supremacists had a platform?’ ‘You did, Kellyanne. You did,’ interjected Palmieri, who choked up at various points of the session.”

JACKIE. New featurette from the Natalie Portman movie about the former First Lady.

THURSDAY THIRST. Zoe Reyes.

 

The post Shawn Mendes, Britney Spears, ‘3 Million Illegals’, Trevor Noah, Anderson Cooper, Shouting Match: HOT LINKS appeared first on Towleroad.

Shawn Mendes, Britney Spears, ‘3 Million Illegals’, Trevor Noah, Anderson Cooper, Shouting Match: HOT LINKS