Daily Mail fat shames Joe McElderry, he responds with hot new selfie

When the Daily Mail tried to fat shame gay UK X Factor winner Joe McElderry, he found the perfect way to respond.

Mail Online, the most read online English-language newspaper in the world, said McElderry now ‘sported a fuller frame’.

They illustrated their story with a picture of him from an unflattering angle, contrasting it with the ‘fresh faced 18-year-old’ who won X Factor in 2009.

‘His face had also filled out more from his skinny, boyish days on X Factor,’ Mail Online added.

The Mail Online’s readers backed McElderry.

One commented under the article: ‘What a ridiculous headline… Using a photo with an unflattering angle to suggest he’s got a “fuller figure”, not to mention you are comparing him to photos of when he won the X Factor six years ago when he was 17 or 18!’

But the best reply of all came from McElderry, posting this selfie on Instagram with the comment: ‘Just took my full figured little ass to the gym and thought I take a little pic. #dailymail #fail’

And his friends and fans agree.

One commented: ‘In my opinion it is not even necessary to prove anything. But as long as you got it, flaunt it!’

The post Daily Mail fat shames Joe McElderry, he responds with hot new selfie appeared first on Gay Star News.

Tris Reid-Smith

www.gaystarnews.com/article/daily-mail-fat-shames-joe-mcelderry-he-responds-with-hot-new-selfie/

Op-ed: Here Are the 31 Icons of 2015's Gay History Month

The founder of LGBT History Month fills us in on this year’s “Icons” and explains why he sometimes honors those who lived in the closet.

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Malcolm Lazin

www.advocate.com/commentary/2015/08/20/op-ed-here-are-31-icons-2015s-gay-history-month

Emma Watson has powerful message of support for gay rugby star Keegan Hirst

Emma Watson has heaped high praise on Keegan Hirst, who became the first British rugby league player to come out as gay last week.

In a series of tweets about courage, the British actress and Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women said Hirst embodied both physical and moral courage.

Courage is the choice and willingness to confront agony, pain, danger, uncertainty or intimidation.

— Emma Watson (@EmWatson) August 18, 2015

…. Physical courage is courage in the face of physical pain, hardship, death or threat of death, — Emma Watson (@EmWatson) August 18, 2015

while moral courage is the ability to act rightly in the face of popular opposition, shame, scandal or discouragement. @KeeganHirst #gotboth

— Emma Watson (@EmWatson) August 18, 2015

@KeeganHirst what a hero. x — Emma Watson (@EmWatson) August 18, 2015

Hirst, 27, opened up about his sexuality in an interview with the Mirror last week.

‘At first I couldn’t even say “I’m gay” in my head, let alone out loud,’ said the Batley Bulldogs captain.

‘Now I feel like I’m letting out a long breath that I’ve held in for a long time.’

Several other celebrities also tweeted their support, including openly gay athletes Gareth Thomas and Tom Daley:

I have given my support to @KeeganHirst days t.co/rORlGNnim4 is about him playing the game that defines who he is.#proud

— Gareth Thomas (@gareththomas14) August 16, 2015

Good for you @KeeganHirst #Respect #LoveWins

— Tom Daley (@TomDaley1994) August 17, 2015

The post Emma Watson has powerful message of support for gay rugby star Keegan Hirst appeared first on Gay Star News.

Darren Wee

www.gaystarnews.com/article/emma-watson-has-powerful-message-of-support-for-gay-rugby-star-keegan-hirst/

Laverne Cox declares ‘state of emergency’ over trans murders

Laverne Cox has declared a ‘state of emergency’ over the slaughter of transgender women of color in the US.

‘We in the transgender community right now are reeling,’ the Orange Is the New Black actress told Good Morning America.

‘Yesterday we found out another transgender woman was murdered and that makes the total 17 known transgender women have been murdered in 2015 alone.’

According to the National Center for Transgender Equality, murders of transgender women reached a historic high this year, despite increased visibility in the media, with celebrities such as Cox and Caitlyn Jenner.

‘It really is a state of emergency. Your life should not be in danger simply for being who you are.’ Cox said.

‘I think the reasons why trans women experience so much violence has to do with employment, housing, health care, etc, so we need to make sure that trans lives matter.’

Watch the interview below:

ABC Latest News | Latest News Videos

The post Laverne Cox declares ‘state of emergency’ over trans murders appeared first on Gay Star News.

Darren Wee

www.gaystarnews.com/article/laverne-cox-declares-state-of-emergency-over-trans-murders/

Trump: Gay marriage is a dead issue

US presidential candidate Donald Trump has said overturning the Supreme Court’s ruling on gay marriage is a dead issue.

The billionaire has previously said he was ‘just for traditional marriage’ and said the country’s top court had ‘let us down’ after the decision in June.

But in a new interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Trump seemed to have changed his tune.

He said he had attended the wedding of gay Broadway theater owner Jordan Roth, who he described as a ‘great guy.’

Asked whether gay marriage was a ‘dead issue dead issue for the GOP at this point, Trump replied: ‘Some people have hopes of passing amendments, but it’s not going to happen.

‘Congress can’t pass simple things, let alone that. So anybody that’s making that an issue is doing it for political reasons. The Supreme Court ruled on it.’

Caitlyn Jenner and transgender politics was then brought up.

‘How did that show do? Somebody said it was going badly,’ Trump responded.

‘I’m not surprised at the ratings. I just think it wouldn’t interest you. I knew him a little bit when Bruce was a great athlete.

‘He was one of the best-looking people you’ll ever see.’

Earlier this week, Trump said people should not be fired simply for being gay, making him the most LGBTI-friendly of the remaining 16 Republican candidates.

The post Trump: Gay marriage is a dead issue appeared first on Gay Star News.

Darren Wee

www.gaystarnews.com/article/trump-gay-marriage-is-a-dead-issue/