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Daily Archives: May 6, 2016
Charges Dropped For Footballer Who Exposed Himself In School Pic; Will Playgirl Offer Still Stand?
Charges Dropped For Footballer Who Exposed Himself In School Pic; Will Playgirl Offer Still Stand?
Hunter Osborn, a senior at Red Mountain High School in Mesa, AZ, is likely breathing a heavy sigh of relief.
The 19-year-old varsity football player was facing 69 counts of indecent exposure plus one count of furnishing harmful items to minors after flashing his ding dong to the camera during the teams yearbook photo. Now, the county attorney’s office has announced that it is dropping the charges. All 69 + 1 of them.
Related: High School Footballer Arrested For Exposing Himself In Yearbook Already Has An Offer From Playgirl
According to Osborn, a teammate dared him to flash the camera on picture day. His goal post was circulated for months in football game programs and the yearbook before anyone at the school realized what happened. Upset that they had been duped, school officials reported Osborn to the police.
After giving it some thought, county attorney Bill Montgomery decided not to ruin Osborn’s life over a stupid high school prank, distasteful as it was. In a statement, his office explains:
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office has completed a review of a case submitted by the Mesa Police Department involving a Red Mountain High School student arrested Saturday for allegedly exposing himself in a team photo that appeared in the school’s yearbook and in programs sold at football games.
“An assessment of the available evidence for the felony charge of Furnishing Harmful Items to Minors, ARS 13-3506.A., leads us to conclude that the evidence does not establish a violation of the statute,” said Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery. “MCAO has furthered review of remaining misdemeanor charges submitted by the Mesa Police Department for possible submittal to the Mesa City Prosecutor’s Office.”
With the matter pending further review, the County Attorney’s Office will have no additional comment at this time.
Earlier this week, Playgirl purportedly had offered Osborn an opportunity to do a nude spread in the magazine to help cover the cost of his legal bills. It is unclear whether that offer still stands now that the charges have been dropped.
Related: PHOTOS: 19-Year-Old UK Footballer Has Secretly Been Showing Off His Goal Post On Tumblr
Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel Have a ‘Wicked’ Reunion: WATCH
Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel Have a ‘Wicked’ Reunion: WATCH
Kristen Chenoweth and Idina Menzel have reunited to celebrate the 12th anniversary of their Broadway smash Wicked with a special duet.
The pair originated the roles of Glinda (nee Galinda) and Elphaba, respectively. Menzel won a Tony award for her performance in the blockbuster.
Chenoweth and Menzel fittingly commemorated the anniversary with a rendition of “For Good”, a song from Wicked whose lyrics say it all: “Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.”
A video of their new performance of “For Good” was first shown at Second Stage Theatre’s gala honoring Wicked producer David Stone on Monday…
The number marks the first time Menzel, 44, and Chenoweth, 47, have performed together since they hung up their broom and wand after the 2004 Tony Awards.
Watch the emotional performance, below.
The post Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel Have a ‘Wicked’ Reunion: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.
Sanders Supporters Shut Down Clinton Rally in L.A. with Taunts: ‘She’s Not With Us’ – VIDEO
Sanders Supporters Shut Down Clinton Rally in L.A. with Taunts: ‘She’s Not With Us’ – VIDEO
Supporters of Bernie Sanders reportedly forced a Hillary Clinton rally in East Los Angeles to come to an early close on Friday.
Protesters shouted “She’s not with us” at the event, denouncing Clinton for her positions on the minimum wage and illegal immigration. Some protesters indicated they would either write Sanders in on the general election ballot if Clinton is the Democratic nominee or not vote at all.
Protesters gathered Thursday in the streets and on the campus of East Los Angeles College in Monterey Park, where former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton brought her campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Supporters of Clinton’s Democratic rival, Bernie Sanders, confronted Clinton’s backers outside the college as a cordon of police kept watch.
“She would do absolutely nothing to help the middle class,” said Cilena Aziz, a Sanders supporter.
[…]
“I believe that being a Democrat is for the people,” said Regina Cruz, a Sanders supporter. “I have a really difficult time believing that she is really for the people.”
Watch a video of protesters as well as a news report from NBC 4, below.
Protestors outside @HillaryClinton rally at East LA College. Many are @BernieSanders backers. pic.twitter.com/46Fh0OvSC7
— Elex Michaelson (@abc7elex) May 6, 2016
[h/t JMG]
The post Sanders Supporters Shut Down Clinton Rally in L.A. with Taunts: ‘She’s Not With Us’ – VIDEO appeared first on Towleroad.
‘Advice and Consent’ Means the Senate Must Vote on Merrick Garland
‘Advice and Consent’ Means the Senate Must Vote on Merrick Garland
Despite meetings with several Republican senators, despite two of them demanding hearings, and despite his unimpeachable credentials to sit on the Supreme Court, Merrick Garland seems no closer to getting Senate Republicans to move his nomination through the Judiciary Committee.
Mitch McConnell and his conference appear hell bent on obstructing President Obama once again, forgetting that a presidency is 8 years, not 7, and that their job is to provide “advice and consent” on presidential nominees.
Given this unjustified obstruction, a quixotic idea is starting to gain steam: President Obama does not have to wait for the Senate to act on Judge Garland’s nomination. If the Senate does not vote “yes” or “no,” its silence can be interpreted as “consent” and Judge Garland can become Justice Garland anyhow.
Although this may get us to the result we want — a progressive majority on the Supreme Court for the first time in 40 years — it would set a terrible precedent. I’m not talking about the erosion of separation of powers; I am unsympathetic for a Congress that has abdicated its legislative responsibilities and forced President Obama’s hand. Rather, interpreting the words “advice and consent of the Senate” in this way would elevate a literal, textualist interpretation of the Constitution, the same kind of interpretation the late Justice Antonin Scalia used so effectively to tread on the rights of marginalized populations.
The argument goes something like this:
Article II, Section 2, clause 2 of the Constitution, otherwise known as the Appointments Clause, reads, in relevant part: The President “shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Councils, Judges of the Supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law …”
The President’s job is to “nominate” and “appoint.” The Senate’s job is “advice and consent.” Normally, when the Senate holds hearings and a vote, it can say yes or no to the President’s nominee. Since 1789, the Senate has done both. But the clause says nothing about a “vote.” The Constitution does not require the Senate’s “advice and consent” to come in the form of hearings and a vote. So, when the Senate declines to hold a vote, its silence can either be interpreted as implied consent, as is common in other areas of law, or as a waiver of its duty.
And Judge Garland becomes Justice Garland.
This is a dangerous argument. As much as we might want to see Judge Garland on the Supreme Court, President Obama should wait for a recalcitrant Senate to come around or for a new Senate to start its session. The ensuing constitutional battle — the appointment would be challenged in federal court — would damage the President’s (and the Democratic nominee’s) reputation and distract the country from the real issues at hand.
More importantly, it would elevate a “textual” interpretation of the Constitution over real-life considerations. Words, though important, should not be our only recourse. I also don’t particularly care to rely exclusively on what the Framers intended when they wrote “advice and consent”.
In today’s understanding of democracy — one-person, one-vote, direct election of senators, participatory primaries to select party nominees — keeping the Senate out of the process is illiberal and contrary to democratic values, however much the Senate suffers from capture by archconservatives and the monied Republican elite.
The post ‘Advice and Consent’ Means the Senate Must Vote on Merrick Garland appeared first on Towleroad.
Michael Sam Says Coming Out As Gay Played A ‘Huge Part’ In NFL Teams Not Signing Him
Michael Sam Says Coming Out As Gay Played A ‘Huge Part’ In NFL Teams Not Signing Him
“I don’t regret coming out but I do wish things would have gone differently.”
The post Michael Sam Says Coming Out As Gay Played A ‘Huge Part’ In NFL Teams Not Signing Him appeared first on ThinkProgress.
thinkprogress.org/sports/2016/05/06/3776234/michael-sam-nfl-coming-out/
At University of Wisconsin-Milkwaukee, Trans Students May Have Finally Won True Locker Room Access
At University of Wisconsin-Milkwaukee, Trans Students May Have Finally Won True Locker Room Access
After outcry over the university’s supposedly “inclusive” bathroom policy, administrators changed the rules to stop discriminating against trans students.
The post At University of Wisconsin-Milkwaukee, Trans Students May Have Finally Won True Locker Room Access appeared first on ThinkProgress.
thinkprogress.org/education/2016/05/06/3775812/transgender-bathroom-policy/
HRC Holds Briefing on Discrimination Against LGBT People for Congressional Leaders
HRC Holds Briefing on Discrimination Against LGBT People for Congressional Leaders
Yesterday, HRC and the LGBT Equality Caucus on Capitol Hill hosted a congressional staff briefing to outline recent decisions from Federal courts and interpretations by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) regarding discrimination against LGBT people as unlawful sex discrimination under existing law.
The EEOC’s Commissioner Chai Feldblum provided an overview of key EEOC cases. In Macy v. Holder, the EEOC ruled that transgender discrimination is prohibited under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act’s prohibition against sex discrimination. In Baldwin v. Department of Transportation, the EEOC ruled that sexual orientation discrimination is prohibited under Title VII’s prohibition against sex discrimination.
Harper Jean Tobin, Director of Policy at the National Center for Transgender Equality, spoke about the growing number of federal agencies that are adopting these interpretations in their regulations. By doing so, they are making it clear that gender identity and sexual orientation discrimination are prohibited under federal laws that prohibit sex discrimination. HRC Senior Legislative Counsel Robin Maril noted that many agencies have adopted the EEOC’s interpretation in Macy v. Holder. However, a number have been slow or are reluctant to adopt the Commission’s ruling in Baldwin pertaining to discrimination based on sexual orientation.
While all the speakers applauded the Obama Administration’s adoption of the EEOC’s decision in Macy, they also agreed that there was more to do. It is imperative that pending federal rules, including the regulation implementing the non-discrimination provisions (Section 1557) of the Affordable Care Act, adopt the interpretation of sexual orientation discrimination as unlawful sex discrimination, as illustrated in the EEOC’s opinion in Baldwin. The speakers also agreed that it is crucial that Congress pass consistent and explicit non-discrimination protections for LGBT people. The Equality Act would provide these protections across key areas of life, including employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally funded programs, and jury service.
Under President Obama’s leadership, the Administration has proactively instituted many far-reaching administrative and regulatory policy changes that have dramatically improved the lives of LGBT people in all 50 states and around the world.
SIGN PETITION: South Carolinian trans advocate calls to meet with sponsor of anti-trans bill
SIGN PETITION: South Carolinian trans advocate calls to meet with sponsor of anti-trans bill
Blair Durkee
Blair Durkee, a graduate student and transgender advocate in South Carolina, has called upon Senator Bright, the sponsor of the anti-trans measure S. 1203, to meet with her to discuss the harmful effects of anti-LGBT legislation on the people they target. Her Change.org petition launched yesterday.
VIEW AND SIGN THE PETITION HERE
Senate Bill 1203 had attempted to ban municipalities from establishing protections that would allow transgender people to use bathrooms, ban any state building from allowing transgender people to access sex-designated restrooms, and ban schools from allowing transgender people to access sex-designated restrooms. S. 1203 was defeated after many, including local businesses, vocally opposed the bill, along with notable politicians such as Republican Governor Nikki Haley.
While S. 1203 was defeated, the anti-LGBT sentiment that helped to form that bill has not been. This is why Blair is calling on Senator Bright, who threatened to introduce a bill that would cut funding to local governments that do not discriminate against transgender people following the defeat of S. 1203, to meet with her and other transgender advocates.
Blair has asked to meet with Senator Bright before sine die adjournment on June 2, when the legislative session in South Carolina ends for the year. Blair hopes that by reaching out to Senator Bright, she can amplify the voices of transgender South Carolinians in the wake of S. 1203.
Blair writes, “In this vital election year, we cannot shift the conversation towards equality, fairness, and equal access if our decision-makers, statewide or nationwide, do not know who we are and what we stand for,” calling for a meeting so that Senator Bright can understand the communities that he is harming through his discriminatory legislation.
She adds:
So, allow me to introduce myself to you, Senator Bright. I’m Blair, I’m a student at Clemson, and the attitudes behind S. 1203 hurt me and people like me. Bills like the one you’ve sponsored spread stereotypes and lies about who I am, and put me in danger. In reaching out to you, I hope to amplify the voices of transgender South Carolinians, whom your bill sought to silence.
You can sign the petition to call on Senator Bright here.
Blair has spoke about transitioning as an undergradute student in the mini documetnary, GLAAD Presents: State of Change – South Carolina. When the people around you do not respect your identity, she explains, “It’s hard to have hope in the beginning.”
GLAAD offers multiple resources for accurately covering bills such as S.1203 and LGBT Southerners. Check them out below:
May 6, 2016
Issues:
www.glaad.org/blog/sign-petition-south-carolinian-trans-advocate-calls-meet-sponsor-anti-trans-bill
The GLAAD Wrap: Ellen DeGeneres announces digital network, 'Dear White People' series at Netflix, and more!
The GLAAD Wrap: Ellen DeGeneres announces digital network, 'Dear White People' series at Netflix, and more!
Photo Credit:Facebook.com/EllenTV
Every week, The GLAAD Wrap brings you LGBT-related entertainment news highlights, fresh stuff to watch out for, and fun diversions to help you kick off the weekend.
1) Those People opens in select theaters in New York and Los Angeles today and will roll out to DVD and video on demand in June. The film follows Charlie, a young painter who finds himself falling for an older pianist, Tim, but he is still in love with his manipulative best friend who is currently in the midst of a financial scandal. Those People won the award for Best Narrative at NewFest and the Audience Award for Best First Feature at OutFest, check out the trailer below.
2) Out actress/comedian Kate McKinnon has been cast in the upcoming comedy Rock That Body about five female friends who rent a home in Miami for a wild bachelorette weekend that ends up getting completely out of control. The script was acquired by Sony.
3) Ellen DeGeneres has announced the launch of the Ellen Digital Network with a programming slate of original programming and user-generated content. DeGeneres has signed out YouTube star Tyler Oakley, who was honored with GLAAD’s Davidson/Valentini Award, to a content-development pact for a range of digital features with an aim towards eventually developing TV projects as well.
4) Netflix has announced a new series based off the GLAAD Media Award-nominated film Dear White People from out writer/director Justin Simien. The 10-episode, 30-minute series will premiere in 2017 and, like the film, follow a group of black students at an Ivy League college as they navigate racial politics on a primarily white campus. Lionel, one of the central characters of the film, made GLAAD’s list of most intriguing LGBT characters in 2014.
5) In other TV news, FX has picked up a new anthology series from Ryan Murphy. Feud will feature a different celebrity feud each season with the first covering Bette Davis and Joan Crawford’s rift during the filming of the movie What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? Hulu’s The Mindy Project has been renewed for a fifth season. The CBS Diversity Institute currently has an open Directing Initiative that aims to help talented candidates attempting to break into network TV, applications will be accepted through May 30.
6) Out musician Tyler Glenn, best known as the lead singer of Neon Trees, has released his first solo track and music video. The single “Trash” is about his relationship to his faith and the Mormon Church. Glenn tells Rolling Stone a full solo album is forthcoming and that his solo career does not mean that the group is over. Check out “Trash” below, available on iTunes now.
7) Tegan and Sara have released the video for their new track “U-Turn,” the video is directed by Seth Bogart (formerly the lead of Hunx and His Punx). The track is off Tegan and Sara’s upcoming album Love You To Death, out June 3, which is available for pre-order now. The sisters also recently announced dates for their international tour, going on now.
8) The new film After Louie has launched a crowdfunding campaign to cover the costs of production. The film follows Sam (Alan Cumming), a middle-aged gay man in present day New York who was a member of the AIDS advocacy group ACT UP in the 80s and 90s, and his perception of what he believes to be the younger generation’s indifference towards AIDS and sex politics. Sam finds himself unexpectedly involved with Braeden, a younger man who “challenges Sam’s understanding of contemporary gay life.” Check out the video below for more on the project and visit the After Louie Kickstarter.
May 6, 2016
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