Bernie Sanders Leads By 9 Points in New Hampshire Poll, Says Clinton Campaign is ‘Getting Nervous’ 

A new NBC News/Marist poll finds Sen. Bernie Sanders nine points ahead of front-runner Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary.

In New Hampshire, the Vermont senator gets the support of 41 percent of Democratic voters, Clinton gets 32 percent and Vice President Joe Biden gets 16 percent. No other Democratic candidate receives more than 1 percent.

Back in July’s NBC/Marist poll, Clinton was ahead of Sanders in the Granite State by 10 points, 42 percent to 32 percent, with Biden at 12 percent.

The poll also found Clinton’s lead in Iowa dwindle. 38 percent of Democratic voters in Iowa back Clinton compared to 27 percent for Sanders.

Related, Bernie Sanders: Gay Marriage Opposition Part of GOP’s Economic Con Game

On Saturday, Sanders suggested the Clinton campaign is “getting nervous” about him catching up.

“Don’t tell anybody. I think what they know is that four months ago, when I entered this race, if you look at the polls, I was in 3 to 4%. Vast majority of the American people didn’t know who Bernie Sanders was, they didn’t know what my ideas were, and in last few months, we have amassed huge amounts of enthusiasm and huge amounts of energy,” Sanders said. “So obviously, I think the secretary’s people are getting nervous about the kind of energy and enthusiasm our campaign is bringing forth.”

The post Bernie Sanders Leads By 9 Points in New Hampshire Poll, Says Clinton Campaign is ‘Getting Nervous’  appeared first on Towleroad.

Kyler Geoffroy

Bernie Sanders Leads By 9 Points in New Hampshire Poll, Says Clinton Campaign is ‘Getting Nervous’ 

How One Athlete Is Pushing The Sports World Beyond ‘Men’ And ‘Women’

For people who live outside of the gender binary — or who identify as transgender — the sports world can function as a huge force of regulation.

How do athletes who don’t identify as “male” or “female” participate in an industry that inherently relies on these two categories? In the past, we’ve seen this issue come up with trans athletes like Fallon Fox or Chloie Jonsson, the athlete who sued Crossfit for barring her from competing in the women’s division of the CrossFit Games.

Now, the PBS Digital Studios series “First Person” is elevating the voice of Lauren Lubin, a non-binary athlete and activist whose work is attempting to make a space for athletes of all genders to participate in the sports world.

“We police gender so heavily in athletics… The mission of WE RUN is to raise visibility for the non-binary community in the sports world,” Lubin says in the above video. “It really sends a direct message to the sporting world that we need to reexamine the way in which we look at sports. This is not a transgender issue, this is not a non-binary issue — this includes everybody.”

Check out the episode of “First Person” with Lubin above. Missed the previous installments? Head here.

Also on HuffPost:

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Star Wars novel introduces major gay character into universe

A new novel Star Wars: Aftermath has written in a gay character, its author Chuck Wendig revealed in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.

The new novel picks up the story after the Empire is vanquished in Return of the Jedi.

In the book Sinjir Rath Velus is an Imperial turncoat who serves the Rebellion. Late in the story, he reveals his sexuality after rebuffing a female character.

Wendig told EW: ‘I don’t think that his sexuality needs to be this giant plot point, but at the same time, it’s part of who he is as a character, and I thought it was an interesting moment.

‘Especially since you don’t necessarily see it as much – not just in Star Wars but just in science-fiction… Comics are just starting to figure out that that [LGBT men and women] exist in the world.’

Despite saying he didn’t want it to be a major plot point, Wendig insists being gay was central to Velus’ character.

‘I don’t want it to seem like a glib choice. I mean, I think it’s fundamental to who he is, in terms of his character.’

The new character has been dubbed the first major gay character in the Star Wars Universe. Fans however have pointed out lesbian jedi Juhani, from the 2003 game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, was the first gay hero.

There are a number of minor gay characters in the series, including imperial officer Moff Delian Mors, and Norra Wexley – also in Aftermath.

The book received mixed reviews. IGN.com gave it 5.9 out of 10, and described Valus as: ‘[Valus]… has some promise, but he rarely gets the chance to shine.’

The post Star Wars novel introduces major gay character into universe appeared first on Gay Star News.

Jack Flanagan

www.gaystarnews.com/article/star-wars-novel-introduces-major-gay-character-into-universe/

“My Cheerleader Girlfriend Doesn’t Know I’m Gay” And Other Confessions From Gay Athletes

What’s it like to be gay in sports? Well, better than it used to be — that’s for sure.

Related: Jason Collins Is Standing On The Shoulders Of 8 Out Pro Team Sports Athletes

Related: Two Gay Teen Athletes Share High School Prom Pics, Melt Hearts

But “better” doesn’t necessarily mean “good.”

Below, hear from guys on Whisper who are dealing with being gay in the still largely homophobic arena that is team sports:

Dan Tracer

feedproxy.google.com/~r/queerty2/~3/WbRERuPk-5I/my-cheerleader-girlfriend-doesnt-know-im-gay-and-other-confessions-from-gay-athletes-20150906

Madonna’s Gay Brother Christopher Ciccone Defends Kim Davis: ‘Perspective Is Everything’  

Christopher Ciccone, the openly gay brother of Madonna, has spoken out in support of jailed Kentucky clerk Kim Davis, writing on Facebook that “once again, the gay community feels the need to be sore winners.”

The county clerk in Kentucy deserves about as much support as you would give her if she were a muslim women who insisted on covering her face and refused not only gay marriages licenses, but divorce, accusations of rape and driving a car without ur mans approval…..perspective is everything…..this woman is a civil servant, she is required to follow federal law…..but why should she….when DOJ and other civil authories don’t follow federal law when they choose not to…..i.e. Washington State and Colorado (POT) come to mind…or the abstract notion of “sanctuary cities”…..i always thought that sanctuary was the province of churches…….these things aside….this is why we have elections…..if the folks of this county in Kentucy don’t want her as the county clerk….then don’t have to vote for her…..that is how a democracy works….not to mention the courts….in the mean time…..since when are we the arbiter of other peoples faith?…….can you honestly say that you know how much a person is allowed to have??..if i’m not mistaken, it’s in the constitution…..something about religious freedom or something……selective shaming and bullying corrupts a democracy….freedom of press, speech and religion give it strength. Not to mention reason and the god given compassion we as humans have a right and responsibility to practice. Once again, the gay community feels the need to be sore winners. Is it so difficult to allow this women her religion?…or must we destroy her in order for here to betray her faith. No matter how we judge its truth. The rights we have all fought for, mean nothing, if we deny her hers.

Ciccone began his career working as his sister’s backup dancer before having a falling out with the pop star. In 2008, he wrote a tell-all book about his estranged relationship with his sister: Life with My Sister Madonna.

The post Madonna’s Gay Brother Christopher Ciccone Defends Kim Davis: ‘Perspective Is Everything’   appeared first on Towleroad.

Kyler Geoffroy

Madonna’s Gay Brother Christopher Ciccone Defends Kim Davis: ‘Perspective Is Everything’  

Alternative Family Week returns to UK as boom in LGBTI parenting continues

Alternative Family Week, the national event offering advice and support for would-be parents and modern families, returns between 13-19 September 2015, as the increase in gay parenting continues.

Workshops, events, seminars and expert advice will be available during the week for same-sex couples and gay singles looking to realise their dream of starting a family – culminating in the Alternative Parenting Show at the end of the week.

More than 40 exhibitors are currently on the Alternative Parenting Show line-up, including headline sponsor London Women’s Clinic, legal partner Dawson Cornwell, surrogacy partner The Fertility Centre of Las Vegas, and Childcare Partner Bright Horizons, as well as Circle Surrogacy, AdoptionPlus, European Sperm Bank, The Bridge Centre, My Alternative Family, Wandsworth Borough Council, Pride Angel, Little Miracles and more.

England women’s international, Casey Stoney and her partner, Megan, will be sharing their story on how they had twins through IVF, using the London Women’s Clinic.

‘I’m really looking forward to sharing our story with people who are also looking to start a family,’ she said.

‘For Megan and I attending a seminar was the first step we took on our journey and it really helped us to understand the options available to us, as well as the process and challenges of IVF.

‘It was the best decision we ever made and now we have two gorgeous, healthy twins who’ve completed our lives.

Waterloo Road actress and singer, Heather Peace, whose partner, Ellie gave birth to a baby girl in April, is also backing the event.

‘Alternative Parenting Week is a fantastic, vital initiative, that I’m incredibly proud to be part of,’ she said.

‘The entire event helps LGBT couples and others make their dream of starting a family more of a reality.’

‘There’s still important work to do in helping to raise awareness of the options available to LGBT people around having children. My wife, Ellie and I hope that by sharing the story of the birth of our daughter, Annie, will in some small way contribute to making things a little bit easier for others.’

Alternative Parenting Show organiser, Sarah Garrett, said this year’s Alternative Families Week is going to be bigger than ever.

‘Ten years ago, the idea that a same-sex couple could have a child or a career focused woman wanting a child late in life was an unrealistic objective,’ she said.

‘That is all changing. Alternative Parenting Week, supported by London Women’s Clinic, is about helping people find the best way of starting a family.’

The week will also focus on the growing number of heterosexual people who are looking to use alternative ways of having children, such as women who have put off starting a family until later in life.

To find out more about the Alternative Family Week, visit the website – or follow Alternative Parenting on Twitter. Gay Star News is offering readers free entry to the Alternative Parenting show, using the code APS 2015100.

The post Alternative Family Week returns to UK as boom in LGBTI parenting continues appeared first on Gay Star News.

Mel Spencer

www.gaystarnews.com/article/alternative-family-week-returns-to-uk-as-boom-in-lgbti-parenting-continues/

PHOTOS: Cute Club Goers Get Freaky In Frankfurt

Embracing all the best and worst of the ’70s and ’80s, Club 78 is a kitschy retro party that happens every second month at Ostend’s Union Halle in Frankfurt. With elaborate laser lights, mirror balls, disco music, drag queens, live performances, and more, it’s really no surprise Club 78 has been going strong for 20 years and counting.

Scroll down for a taste of what goes on inside Club 78, and check out the full gallery over at GayCities…

Photo source: Club 78

See the GayCities guide to Frankfurt

Graham Gremore

feedproxy.google.com/~r/queerty2/~3/kE-5YaTPAcs/photos-cute-club-goers-get-freaky-in-frankfurt-20150906

White lesbian accidentally impregnated with black man’s sperm loses case

A legal case from a white woman who gave birth to a mixed-race baby after being accidentally impregnated with a black man’s sperm has been dismissed by a judge in Illinois.

Jennifer Cramblett sought damages from the Midwest Sperm Bank of Downers Grove, alleging ‘wrongful birth’ and ‘breach of warranty’.

Cramblett purchased sperm from donor 380, a blond-haired, blue-eyed man, so the baby would look similar to her partner Amanda. She successfully became pregnant in 2011.

But, due to a clerical error, they were sent vials of sperm from donor 330, an African-American man.

When the error became apparent, the clinic wrote a letter of apology and issued Cramblett with a refund for the sperm samples that she had already purchased.

Cramblett told the court she loved her mixed-race daughter, Peyton, who is now three, but argued she had ‘limited cultural competency relative to African Americans’ and is undergoing a ‘steep learning curve.’

The lawsuit explained: ‘As just one example, getting a young daughter’s hair cut is not particularly stressful for most mothers, but to Jennifer it is not a routine matter, because Payton has hair typical of an African American girl. To get a decent cut, Jennifer must travel to a black neighborhood, far from where she lives, where she is obviously different in appearance, and not overtly welcome.’

In a previous interview with NBC News, Cramblett said she wanted to take this into her hands so this would never happen to anyone else.

Speaking in 2014, she said: ‘You can’t just do that and say, “Well you got a baby… so you should be happy. Lesbian couples can’t get a baby anyway… you should be happy you have a healthy child”. I am happy that I have a healthy child.

‘We love her more to this day, she’s made us the people that we are, never trade her for the world… but I’m not going to let them get away with not being held accountable.’

Attorney Bob Summers, representing the sperm bank, argued that Cramblett’s claim of ‘wrongful birth’ could not be legally sustained, as the child is healthy; ‘wrongful birth’ address cases where medical testing was negligent and failed to show risks of congenital or hereditary disorders to a child before birth.

Cramblett also claimed ‘breach of warranty’ under a state law covering blood and tissue donations – but DuPage County Judge Ronald Sutter ruled sperm is not tissue.

While Sutter said these claims ‘lacked legal merit’, he said Cramblett could refile the case under a negligence claim.

The case is due back in court on December 17.

The post White lesbian accidentally impregnated with black man’s sperm loses case appeared first on Gay Star News.

Mel Spencer

www.gaystarnews.com/article/white-lesbian-accidentally-impregnated-with-black-mans-sperm-loses-case/

Eddie Redmayne credits transgender community’s help for The Danish Girl

Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne said transgender people help him prepare for his role as trans pioneer Lili Elbe in ‘The Danish Girl’ that premiered Saturday at the Venice Film Festival.

‘Across the board the generosity of people was amazing,’ Redmayne said at a press conference launching the film about Danish painter Einar Wegener, one of the first people to undergo gender reassignment surgery.

He has consulted people of all ages from the transgender community, saying it was ‘the most brilliant education… Their kindness and support galvanized me.’

In particular, a couple in Los Angeles, in which the wife stayed with her husband while he transitioned to a woman, as well as Elbe’s diaries and the book based on Elbe’s life, had helped his portrayal, which has won rave reviews among critics.

‘I don’t know if I succeeded but what I learned in that process was quite incredible,’ said Redmayne who was named the Oscar for best actor this year for his role as physicist Stephen Hawking in ‘The Theory of Everything’.

Director Tom Hooper once again defended his choice of Redmayne to play Elbe – calling the actor his ‘instinctive choice’ – amid criticism that he did not use enough trans actors and actresses in the film.

But Hopper, who also made The King’s Speech, admitted: ‘There is a problem in the industry. The access of transgender actors to roles is utterly key. I would champion any shift where the industry would move forward.’

The post Eddie Redmayne credits transgender community’s help for The Danish Girl appeared first on Gay Star News.

Derek Yiu

www.gaystarnews.com/article/eddie-redmayne-credits-transgender-communitys-help-for-the-danish-girl/

Madonna’s gay brother defends jailed Kentucky county clerk

Madonna’s brother Christopher Ciccone has spoken up to defend the Kentucky county clerk who declined to issue marriage certificates to same-sex couples.

The 54-year-old artist and director, who is openly gay, wrote in a Facebook post that Kim Davis, currently being jailed for contempt of court, should be allowed not to issue the licenses, given her constitutional ‘religious freedom’.

‘The county clerk in [Kentucky] deserves about as much support as you would give her if she were a muslim [woman] who insisted on covering her face and refused not only gay marriages licenses, but divorce, accusations of rape and driving a car without [your] mans approval,’ Ciccone wrote.

He believed the civil servant had grounds not to follow the law, ‘when DOJ and other civil authorities don’t follow federal law when they choose not to, i.e. Washington State and Colorado (POT) come to mind…or the abstract notion of “sanctuary cities.” I always thought that sanctuary was the province of churches.’

He went on to criticize the gay community for feeling ‘the need to be sore winners. ‘Is it so difficult to allow this women her religion?…or must we destroy her in order for here to betray her faith.’

Ciccone started his career as Madonna’s assistant, dresser, stylist and artistic director.

He worked for her for 25 years but was cut off after publishing a tell-all book in 2008 about his time with her, in which he complained of being outed by his elder sister without consultation.

Ciccone’s Facebook comment in full:
The county clerk in Kentucy deserves about as much support as you would give her if she were a muslim women who insisted on covering her face and refused not only gay marriages licenses, but divorce, accusations of rape and driving a car without ur mans approval…..perspective is everything…..this woman is a civil servant, she is required to follow federal law…..but why should she….when DOJ and other civil authories don’t follow federal law when they choose not to…..i.e. Washington State and Colorado (POT) come to mind…or the abstract notion of “sanctuary cities”…..i always thought that sanctuary was the province of churches…….these things aside….this is why we have elections…..if the folks of this county in Kentucy don’t want her as the county clerk….then don’t have to vote for her…..that is how a democracy works….not to mention the courts….in the mean time…..since when are we the arbiter of other peoples faith?…….can you honestly say that you know how much a person is allowed to have??..if i’m not mistaken, it’s in the constitution…..something about religious freedom or something……selective shaming and bullying corrupts a democracy….freedom of press, speech and religion give it strength. Not to mention reason and the god given compassion we as humans have a right and responsibility to practice. Once again, the gay community feels the need to be sore winners. Is it so difficult to allow this women her religion?…or must we destroy her in order for here to betray her faith. No matter how we judge its truth. The rights we have all fought for, mean nothing, if we deny her hers.

H/T: The Hollywood Reporter

The post Madonna’s gay brother defends jailed Kentucky county clerk appeared first on Gay Star News.

Derek Yiu

www.gaystarnews.com/article/madonnas-gay-brother-defends-jailed-kentucky-county-clerk/