Shooter of Virginia Journalists Alleged Antigay Harassment
Bryce Williams, the now-deceased killer of two young journalists, says he was targeted by co-workers because was a gay, black man.
Neal Broverman
www.advocate.com/crime/2015/08/26/shooter-virginia-journalists-alleged-antigay-harassment
Here's How 'American Horror Story: Hotel' Is Connected To Season 1
Entertainment Weekly just debuted their “American Horror Story” cover featuring Lady Gaga’s Countess. Along with new details about Gaga’s bloodthirsty hotel owner (not exactly a vampire), the issue also features new character photos and reveals how Season 5 will connect to Season 1 of the series.
Ryan Murphy revealed last year that all the “AHS” seasons were connected, and now we know Season 5 will visit the Murder House from Season 1. “We do go to the Murder House for one episode,” the co-creator told EW. Christine Estabrook, who played realtor Marcy in the first season, will also reprise her character this year. A new photo from EW reveals Marcy showing off Hotel Cortez to Cheyenne Jackson’s fashion designer Will Drake and his son.
Guess who’s back? Marcy knows what’s up. @AHSFX pic.twitter.com/PE11HgR7IM
— Cheyenne Jackson (@cheyennejackson) August 26, 2015
We also know that the season will jump between the present day, during which The Countess acquires Hotel Cortez, and the 1930s, when Evan Peters’ Mr. James March built it. Mr. March is a rich and charming psychopath who builds the hotel in order to hide his murderous activities within secret rooms and shafts. Hmm, that sounds familiar …
Fans know that Murphy’s “AHS” characters and storylines are somewhat based on real-life people and events. (Here’s our theory on what incident could have influenced “Hotel.”) But for Mr. March, we think he may be inspired by not one, but two real-life figures. First is likely Dr. Henry Howard Holmes, known infamously as H.H. Holmes, who is believed to be America’s first documented serial killer. In 1893 near the Chicago World’s Fair, Holmes built a three-story hotel equipped with horrific torture rooms, which then became nicknamed the “Murder Hotel” — if that doesn’t scream Murphy, nothing does. And as fans know, psychopathic murderers are a staple in the “AHS” universe. Earlier this year, we connected all of the crazy killers from the series (as well as 10 other connections between the seasons.)
But based on the 1930s period, it doesn’t seem like Peters’ character is just inspired by Holmes. He also has a twist of Howard Hughes. The billionaire and business tycoon also had his hand in hotel real estate in real life. Peters’ interview with the Television Academy last month confirmed Mr. March’s Hughes connection, and from the looks of EW’s new photo of the character, Mr. March looks a bit like Hughes.
The weirdest coincidence about all of this, though? Leonardo DiCaprio played Howard Hughes for Martin Scorsese in 2004’s “The Aviator” and will portray Holmes for the director in their upcoming film, “The Devil in the White City.” Hey Murphy, we found your Season 6 star. (If Leo can’t get an Oscar, maybe he can try for an Emmy?)
For new photos and the “AHS” cover story, head to EW.com. The issue hits newsstands on Friday.
”American Horror Story: Hotel” premieres on Oct. 7 on FX.
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Man who murdered journalists on live TV in Virginia described self as gay in suicide note
Vester Lee Flanagan killed a TV reporter and cameraman on live television Wednesday morning, posted chilling video of what he had done on social media, then turned a gun on himself after a manhunt and later died.
Flanagan shot his former WDBJ7-TV colleagues Alison Parker and Adam Ward to death at close blank range and wounded a woman they were interviewing.
The shooting occurred at Smith Mountain Lake which is about 35 miles from the station’s headquarters in Roanoke, Virginia.
After the shooting, Flanagan faxed a 23-page document to ABC News and explained that the shootings were in reaction to the racism of the Charleston church shooting. He wrote that he suffered racial discrimination, sexual harassment and bullying at work, that he was attacked for being a gay, black man.
‘Yes, it will sound like I am angry…I am. And I have every right to be. But when I leave this Earth, the only emotion I want to feel is peace…The church shooting was the tipping point…but my anger has been building steadily…I’ve been a human powder keg for a while…just waiting to go BOOM!!!!’
WDBJ7-TV General Manager Jeffrey Marks said the 41-year-old suspect was a former employee who displayed ‘anger issues’ before he was fired in 2013.
While at the station, he went by the name of Bryce Williams – the name on Facebook and Twitter accounts he used after the shootings in which he singled out his two victims as co-workers who had crossed him.
Parker was 24 and in a relationship with one of the station’s male anchors. Ward was 27 and engaged to a producer at the station who was working at the time of the shooting and watched the horrific scene unfold.
The post Man who murdered journalists on live TV in Virginia described self as gay in suicide note appeared first on Gay Star News.
Greg Hernandez
HRC Ramps Up Efforts in Charlotte; Endorses Candidates in City Council Race
Today, as efforts mount to finally pass critical non-discrimination protections for LGBT Charlotteans, HRC announced endorsements in key Charlotte City Council races.
HRC.org
WBDJ Gunman Bryce Williams’ Bizarre Manifesto Reveals His Sexual Orientation
After opening fire on Alison Parker, a 24-year-old reporter for WDBJ-TV in Virginia, and Adam Ward, her 27-year-old cameraman, Bryce Williams (pictured) reportedly faxed a 23-page manifesto to ABC News before calling up the network to confess to the killings.
ABC published portions of the document, which reveal Williams’ claim that one of his motivations for the shootings was the mistreatment he felt he received for being a gay black man.
He also wrote that he was inspired by Virginia Tech shooter Seung Hui Chon (“That’s my boy right there”) and, oddly enough, the Charleston massacre allegedly carried out by white supremacist Dylann Roof.
From ABC News:
In one part of the document, Williams calls it a “Suicide Note for Friends and Family.”
—He says has suffered racial discrimination, sexual harassment and bullying at work.
—He says he has been attacked by black men and white females.
—He talks about how he was attacked for being a gay, black man
“Yes, it will sound like I am angry…I am. And I have every right to be. But when I leave this Earth, the only emotion I want to feel is peace….”
“The church shooting was the tipping point…but my anger has been building steadily…I’ve been a human powder keg for a while…just waiting to go BOOM!!!!”.
After being chased by police, Williams shot himself. He was taken to a hospital where the Virginia secretary of public safety, Brian Moran, reported he died at 1:26 p.m.
h/t: Gawker
Graham Gremore
Hillary Clinton on TV Killings: ‘We Have Got To Do Something About Gun Violence’ – WATCH
Democratic Presidential candidate and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke out in Iowa today about the brutal on-air killings of two journalists in Central Virginia early this morning.
Clinton was visibly stirred by the tragic killings, and urged, “We have got to do something about gun violence.” Said Clinton,
“First of all, I was so just stricken to think that these two young people doing the work that you guys do every single day would be murdered on live television. And I will extend my condolences and sympathies to their families and coworkers and pray for the women who last I checked was still in critical condition. But I will also reiterate that we have got to do something about gun violence in America. And I will take it on. There are many people who face it and know it but then turn away because it’s hard. It’s a very political, difficult issue in America, But I believe we are smart enough, we are compassionate enough to figure out how to balance the legitimate second amendment rights with preventive measures and control measures so that whatever motivated this murderer, who eventually took his own life, we will not see more deaths–needless, senseless deaths.
So yes I feel just great heartache at what happened and I want to reiterate how important it is we not let yet another terrible instance go by without trying to do something more to prevent this incredible killing that is stalking our country. And we’ve had so many terrible instances of it in the last two years. But it happens everyday–intentional, unintentional, murder, suicide. It happens everyday and there is so much evidence that if guns were not so readily available, if we had universal background checks, if we could just put some time out between the person who’s upset because he got fired, or the domestic abuse or whatever other motivation may be working on someone who does this, that maybe we could prevent this kind of carnage.
I hope that in addition to expressing sympathy for those directly affected that this is maybe, for the media, for the public, for elected officials, for every American, what it hopefully will finally take for us to act.
Heartbroken and angry. We must act to stop gun violence, and we cannot wait any longer. Praying for the victims’ families in Virginia. -H
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) August 26, 2015
We also learned Wednesday that the suspected killer of WDBJ journalists Alison Parker and Adam Ward sent a manifesto to ABC News in which he claimed that he faced discrimination at WDBJ for being black and gay. He also went on to express praise for perpetrators of mass shootings:
He writes what triggered today’s carnage was his reaction to the racism of the Charleston church shooting: “Why did I do it? I put down a deposit for a gun on 6/19/15. The Church shooting in Charleston happened on 6/17/15…” “What sent me over the top was the church shooting. And my hollow point bullets have the victims’ initials on them.” It is unclear whose initials he is referring to. He continues, “As for Dylann Roof? You (deleted)! You want a race war (deleted)? BRING IT THEN YOU WHITE …(deleted)!!!” He said Jehovah spoke to him, telling him to act. Later in the manifesto, the writer quotes the Virginia Tech mass killer, Seung Hui Cho, calls him “his boy,” and expresses admiration for the Columbine High School killers. “Also, I was influenced by Seung–Hui Cho. That’s my boy right there. He got NEARLY double the amount that Eric Harris and Dylann Klebold got…just sayin.’” In an often rambling letter to the authorities, and family and friends, he writes of a long list of grievances. In one part of the document, Williams calls it a “Suicide Note for Friends and Family.” He says has suffered racial discrimination, sexual harassment and bullying at work –He says he has been attacked by black men and white females –He talks about how he was attacked for being a gay, black man.
Watch video of Hillary making her remarks about the tragic shooting, which begins at the 10:22 mark, below:
The post Hillary Clinton on TV Killings: ‘We Have Got To Do Something About Gun Violence’ – WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.
Sean Mandell
Hillary Clinton on TV Killings: ‘We Have Got To Do Something About Gun Violence’ – WATCH
Op-ed: En Stonewall, a Lo Hecho, Pecho
La difusión de la película Stonewall no contribuye a la habilitación de las comunidades LGBT Latinas, ni de otras comunidades LGBT de color.
Latino LGBTQ community activists in Philadelphia
www.advocate.com/commentary/2015/08/26/op-ed-en-stonewall-lo-hecho-pecho
Mormon Church Sticks With The Boy Scouts But Still Will Ban Gay Troop Leaders
SALT LAKE CITY – The Boy Scouts of America isn’t going to lose its largest sponsor after all.
The LDS Church announced Wednesday (Aug. 26), that the Utah-based faith will stick with the Scouts after threatening last month to bolt from the youth group and form its own international organization for boys.
“At this time, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will go forward as a chartering organization of BSA, and as in the past, will appoint Scout leaders and volunteers who uphold and exemplify church doctrine, values and standards,” the church’s governing First Presidency of Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said in a news release.
After the Scouts voted to accept openly gay leaders last month, the LDS Church said it “considering creating its own international program for boys, separate from the Boy Scouts of America.”
That could have had dire financial consequences for BSA. The LDS Church is far and away the nation’s largest Scouting sponsor, serving 437,160 boys in 37,933 troops.
In 2013, more than a third (37 percent) of troops were LDS sponsored, accounting for 18 percent of the BSA’s 2.4 million total membership (Mormon troops, while more numerous, tend to be smaller in size).
An LDS Church withdrawal also could have decimated the three Scout councils in Utah, which report between 96 percent and 99 percent of their members are in Mormon units.
Although the LDS Church allows openly gay Mormons to serve in church assignments, including the Boy Scouts, these members are deemed to be living the faith’s standards. This means they are not acting on their same-sex attractions.
The BSA’s new policy, however, makes no such distinction between “openly gay” and “sexually active gay leaders.” So a gay Scout leader could have a partner or a same-sex spouse — and that troubled the Mormon brass.
While the BSA insists that religiously affiliated troops, including those sponsored by the LDS Church, can continue to ban gay leaders, many observers doubt such an exemption can be legally defended.
Even so, Mormon leaders are counting on the exemption.
“In the resolution adopted on July 27, 2015, and in subsequent verbal assurances to us, BSA has reiterated that it expects those who sponsor Scouting units (such as the church) to appoint Scout leaders according to their religious and moral values ‘in word and deed and who will best inculcate the organization’s values through the Scouting program,’ ” said Wednesday’s LDS statement.
Mormon leaders went on to praise the Scouts and their longtime influence in young lives.
The LDS Church “appreciates the positive contributions Scouting has made over the years to thousands of its young men and boys and to thousands of other youth,” the statement said. “As leaders of the church, we want the Boy Scouts of America to succeed in its historic mission to instill leadership skills and high moral standards in youth of all faiths and circumstances, thereby equipping them for greater success in life and valuable service to their country.”
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12 tips for unlocking the Florida Keys
Three words: Key lime pie.
Yes, the Florida Keys are known for many reasons. For the thriving, well-heeled LGBTI community that live here for one. but the Keys’ greatest selling point? Undoubtedly this perfect, perfect dessert.
Sweet, tart and incredibly tangy, the region’s signature dish is like a perfectly balanced cocktail.
An explosion of vibrant lime in an egg yolk, sweetened milk and cream fondant, this incredible dish is served on a buttery, biscuit base.
And the best part: every eatery in the Keys offers a version of this decades-old recipe, all claiming theirs to be the best you’ll ever taste. As such, as you drive down this long, narrow thread of islands – linked by the 130-mile long Overseas Highway – you’re obliged to try them all.
We recently embarked on our own Key lime odyssey, touring the length and (virtually nonexistent) breadth of this idyllic chain, ending with the southernmost Key: the gay wonderland that is Key West.
Here, we count down 15 tips for an unforgettable trip in this Floridian paradise.
1 Get your bearings at Amara Cay Resort
One of the chicest hotels in the gorgeously-named ‘village of islands’ Islamorada, Amara Cay Resort feels super clean and new after a recent refurbishment. My stylish suite, with its serene cream walls and slate tile floor, was the size of a large flat. In fact, it was the biggest room I’ve ever stayed in – and more than big enough for a family of four or five.
During my stay, I was casually awoken by a gorgeous sunrise (most of the rooms have an ocean view), after an excellent night’s sleep in a king size bed. Beats being woken by the sound of traffic and/or rain in depressing London.
Creative seafood dishes are available in the hotel’s exclusive restaurant Oltremare, including some opinion-polarizing conch recipes – this tropical marine mollusc isn’t for the faint of heart!
2 Sample traditional Floridian cuisine at Marker 88
Another of Islamorada’s biggest draws, Marker 88 is known for its colorful, exotic salads, meaty fish and mouth-wateringly tender steaks. Our beachfront meal-turned-live cookery lesson, courtesy of renowned chef and Keys native Bobby Stoky, was so exceptional, we gave the restaurant its own review, which you can read here. For lunch options, try Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen and Bob’s Bunz – both serve Americana-style guilty pleasures in cool, diner-like environments.
Film fans take note, for random movie trivia lies herein. In the Key Largo stretch, you’ll find the African Queen, a charming 1912 steamboat available for canal cruises daily; the boat was made famous in the 1951 film of the same name starring Katherine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart. Coincidentally, Bogart also starred in the 1948 film noir Key Largo, set in the area – as such, the third Humphrey Bogart Film Festival will be taking place on the island from October 21-25 2015.
4 Educate yourself at the Turtle Hospital
Just over halfway down the Overseas Highway you’ll find the humbling and immensely popular Turtle Hospital. This nonprofit organization rehabilitates injured turtles, while offering visitors laid-back but informative tours of the facility; we got to see a live turtle surgery, which was a surprisingly emotional experience. One of the nicest elements of our visit, meanwhile, was the charming enthusiasm of the staff, whose love and adoration for this fascinating species is plain to see.
The bizarre, picturesque geography of the Keys comes to the fore with a bike ride across the impressive Seven Mile Bridge, where an expanse of azure blue seems to swallow you whole. Make a quick pit stop at Seven Mile Bridge Bike Hire to pick up your bikes beforehand.
6 Sink a beer at the No Name Pub
The most authentic-feeling Keys moment of our trip was a lunch of to-die-for coconut shrimp, in the company of gruff, seafaring locals at the dark and dingy No Name Pub. This no-frills tavern is memorable for its ceiling and walls, which are covered in dollar bills donated by punters over the years, all containing handwritten notes.
7 Relax at the Gates Hotel Key West
A fitting introduction to the affluent, stylish crowd who call Key West home, the boutique Gates Hotel Key West is a smart, sleek, medium-sized stopover popular with young professionals. We loved the breezy, nautical themed rooms, all pristine, luxurious white sheets and reclaimed details, and we practically lived in the huge pool, occasionally venturing to the nearby tiki bar for sumptuously fruity rum-based cocktails. .
8 Soak up some culture at the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
Key West is a city of great literary heritage; for starters, iconic gay writer Tennessee Williams used to live here; as such there’s a tiny Theater named after him.
Another essential stop off on your trip is the Old Town’s Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, at 907 Whitehead Street. It was here that the iconic novelist wrote some of his most popular works, such as To Have and Have Not, and by simply soaking up the retro surroundings you begin to feel more enlightened and intelligent.
This gorgeous abode, built in 1851, is a noted example of Spanish colonial architecture; furthermore, the Old Town is known for its charming wooden buildings, and their durability and design reflect the American, Bahamian and Cuban influences felt throughout the city (Cuba is just 90 miles away).
9 Go Key Lime crazy at Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe
We reached peak Key Lime Pie obsession at this colorful Key West stalwart, where you can purchase KLP lollies. It’s wonderfully charismatic owner, Kermit is always fabulously dressed in bright green attire and is something of a local celebrity. Meanwhile, a different side of Keys culture is represented by tanned surf fanatic Paul Menta (very easy on the eye) at his popular Rum Distillery.
10 Stop and reflect at Mallory Square’s Sunset Celebration
For such a tiny town, this ocean-side plaza is always abuzz with people when the sun goes down. Clairvoyants compete with break dancers, ice cream sellers and fire breathing unicyclists for your attention – but our gaze was transfixed by the glowing Gulf of Mexico, and a never-ending sea of blazing orange. Follow this with some impossibly fresh fish and dangerously strong, sugary cocktails at the nearby Conch Republic Seafood Company, or spicy Cuban cuisine at El Meson de Pepe. For alfresco dining, try Blue Heaven.
11 Explore Key West’s buzzing LGBTI scene, generally
For an island city of four miles by one, and a population of under 30,000, Key West’s LGBTI scene packs one hell of a punch (perhaps because it has one of the highest proportion of same-sex couple households of any US city).
The Bourbon Street Pub is known for its international roster of flawless go-go boys, The New Orleans Guest House for its clothing-optional poolside parties, and both Aqua and 801 Bourbon Bar for their riotous drag acts. There are also a wide range of gay hotels in the city, including the cavernous and very raunchy Island House [above] in the Old Town, and across the road, the stunning Alexander’s Guesthouse, where sun-kissed guests lounge in casual nudity. Meanwhile, Pearl’s Rainbow used to be a ladies-only guesthouse, but now opens its doors to all.
For more insight into the city’s gay scene, read our interview with Key West expert Stephen Murray-Smith here.
From snorkeling to sailing, there are an array of water-based activities to choose from in the Keys, but one of our favorites was stand up paddle boarding. We opted for a two hour session with a guide from Lazy Dog Adventures, and to our complete surprise, discovered this laid-back, relaxing ‘sport’ can be picked up almost immediately. Although we almost fell off when something huge and scary swam beneath us… If you’d rather get up close and personal with marine life in a contained environment, try Coral Reef State Park back in Key Largo.
For more information about Florida Keys, visit www.fla-keys.co.uk.
Virgin Atlantic flies daily from London Heathrow to Miami and is offering return Economy fares from £657 per person. For further information contact www.virginatlantic.com or call 0844 2092 770. This fare is available for selected departures during 2015. Prices given are correct as of today and are subject to change.
Rooms at Amara Cay Resort start at $169 (€151, £108) per room per night.
Room at Gates Hotel Key West start at $249 (€222, £159) per room, per night
The post 12 tips for unlocking the Florida Keys appeared first on Gay Star News.
Jamie Tabberer
www.gaystarnews.com/article/12-tips-for-unlocking-the-florida-keys/
Cute Dudes Pose With Their Pups For National Dog Day
It’s National Dog Day, which is one of our favorite holidays of the year. We don’t know what we’d do without our furry, four-legged companions. To celebrate, here’s a quick roundup of cute guys posing with their pooches on Instagram.
Scroll down to see some of our favs, and don’t forget to show your pup some extra love today.
Graham Gremore
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