'Hacktivist' Group Targets North Carolina Websites in Protest of HB 2
The collective known as Anonymous says it shut down several North Carolina government websites; however, some are back up and working.
www.advocate.com/technology/2016/5/16/hacktivist-group-targets-north-carolina-websites-protest-hb-2
Adam and Rexx: Love Only at Stonehurst
adamwright1989 resident posted a photo:
Adam and Rexx all cuddly and cosy in bed at Stonehurst. Taken August 2015.
If You Don’t Get The Gay Obsession With “Eurovision,” Watch This Video
Logo TV broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest this past weekend, bringing the singing competition to the U.S. for the first time since it began 60 years ago. Although American audiences are late to the party, for decades the show has brought in in hefty viewer numbers (180 million at the last count) from around the world, who eagerly revel in the camptastic spectacle of Eastern European chanteuses belting out torch songs while surrounded by scantily-clad dancers.
For viewers who do not understand the Eurovision craze, 2016 hosts Måns Zelmerlöw and comedian Petra Mede performed the surprisingly delightful “Love Love Peace Peace,” an instructional demo that breaks down the essence of the competition’s spirit, as well as every trick and cliché performers can use to win. Hint: shirtless guys are always a good idea. (Drag queen Conchita Wurst won in 2014 and she performed all by herself, so it’s a case-by-case basis.)
Related: Russian Eurovision Hunk Sergey Lazarev Has A Dirty Little Secret
The cast of characters on the stage for “Love Love Peace Peace” were not just for effect — they were actual contestants from years past, in all their sometimes-silly splendor. Although it should be noted the 2016 winner, Jamala from Ukraine, took first place with a rather angry and very loud song, “1944,” scolding the former Soviet Union for invading her country after World War II (and, of course, giving a nod to their subsequent 2014 “annexation” of the formerly Ukranian region of Crimea). But enough about politics. Eurovision was created specifically to join people through a love of music. So let’s all join together to enjoy the Swedish contestant Frans, and his catchy tune “If I Were Sorry.” Maybe if he would have won if he had sung while running in a giant hamster wheel.
Bob The Drag Queen’s Inevitable Single “Purse First” Just Dropped
Ah, the finishing lap of another season of RuPaul‘s Drag Race and all the self-promotion that comes with it.
With the winner being presented to the world tonight at 9/8c on Logo, it’s the perfect time for a half-assed single to hit the interwebs.
But this time, we’re happy to report it’s a full-ass delivery with Bob the Drag Queen’s “Purse First.”
From the get-go, Bob was in this game to play, so it’s no real shock that he’d be the queen to be exiting season 8 with a catch phrase.
It’s even less of a surprise that it’s his entry point into the post Drag Race world.
Bob, you’re a queen of the people no matter how things turn out at the finale.
Watch the first verse (and subsequent verses) of BtDQ’s vogue-heavy “Purse First” below:
These Guys Tried Getting Photoshopped with Their Ideal Bodies: WATCH
Concern about body image is undoubtedly something many LGBT people are familiar with. And given that we often surround ourselves and are surrounded by aspirational images of what we might think of as ‘ideal’ bodies, it can be hard to not allow those images to impact how we view our own bodies.
The Try Guys decided to try and imitate their favorite sexy men’s photoshoots (from Bieber to Ronaldo) and allowed themselves to get photoshopped to more closely resemble their physical ‘ideal.’
Watch as the guys open up about how they see their bodies, and see how they react to seeing their bodies photoshopped, below.
The post These Guys Tried Getting Photoshopped with Their Ideal Bodies: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.
Bob the Drag Queen Slays with ‘Purse First’ Music Video – WATCH
Bob the Drag Queen has just released the music video for her track “Purse First” and it delivers the goods.
Bob is facing off against Kim Chi and Naomi Smalls in the season finale of RuPaul’s Drag Race tonight. Bob has widely been seen as the favorite going into the final episode.
The video features appearances from Todrick Hall and fellow queens Derrick Barry, Manila Luzon, and Laila McQueen.
Something tells me you’ll be seeing a lot of queens entering the club purse first henceforth.
Watch, below.
The post Bob the Drag Queen Slays with ‘Purse First’ Music Video – WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.
The Angry, Confused, Bigoted Responses To Transgender Student Inclusion
Republican governors and attorneys general are ready to fight for discrimination against transgender students.
The post The Angry, Confused, Bigoted Responses To Transgender Student Inclusion appeared first on ThinkProgress.
thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2016/05/16/3778560/republican-governors-transgender-guidance/
HRC Releases 2015 Global Equality Report in Advance of IDAHOT
Today, HRC Global launched the third edition of its annual Equality Rising: 2015 Global Equality Report to commemorate International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT). The groundbreaking report provides a broad overview of the tremendous work done around the world for LGBTQ equality in 2015.
Equality Rising highlights the rising visibility of the LGBTQ community, unprecedented legal and political victories and evolving societal and institutional norms that benefit LGBTQ people. It also explores the ferocious backlash, as opponents respond to this swift and substantial progress on LGBTQ rights. The publication concludes with an emphasis that momentum towards equality is building across the world as courageous and resilient advocates fearlessly face challenges.
IDAHOT is celebrated annually in more than 120 countries each year, including in at least 30 countries where same-sex acts are criminalized. While the date marks when the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from a list of mental disorders in 1990, IDAHOT was created in 2004 to draw the attention of policymakers, political leaders, the public and the media about the violence and discrimination LGBTQ people face. IDAHOT also recognizes significant advances in LGBTQ equality in celebrations that raise the visibility of the LGBTQ community.
Millions of people around the world commemorate IDAHOT and many authorities, including city councils, national governments, regional institutions and United Nations agencies, have officially recognized the holiday.
Equality Rising and IDAHOT remind us that there is still a lot of work to do. At least 75 countries criminalize same-sex relationships and same-sex conduct may be punishable by death in up to 10 countries. HRC Global stands in solidarity with advocates everywhere against homophobia, transphobia, biphobia and all forms of hate facing the LGBTQ community across the globe. Read more about the work of HRC Global here.
Click here to read Equality Rising 2013 and Equality Rising 2014.
HRC and Muslims for Progressive Values Host Special Performance and Workshop
This weekend, HRC Foundation and Muslims for Progressive Values will host a special workshop and performance of “Coming Out Muslim: Radical Acts of Love.”
On Saturday, May 21, Tern and Wazina Zondon will perform the play, which captures stories and experiences of being at the intersections of Islam and queerness and its relationship to family, lovers, one’s sense of self and relationship with our faith. The stories “Coming Out Muslim” range from tales about other people’s theories about where queerness comes from, the gifts of being queer and Muslim, the tension between one’s culture and religion, and love—romantic and spiritual. “Coming Out Muslim” is both funny and poignant. The performance will be followed up with a talk-back, panel discussion and open to the audience for Q&A.
Although there is a general consensus among Islamic scholars that sexuality outside heteronormativity is prohibited in Islam, a growing number of scholars are revisiting and questioning mainstream Islam’s stance on sexual orientation and gender identity.
“I have never believed that there was anything that would take me away from God,” Terna told The Daily Beast. “There’s a line I say in the show, ‘If God is the source of my blood and its beat, how could I despise myself?’”
Like Terna, many LGBTQ Muslims are choosing to come out and reconnect with their faith. In October 2015, HRC Foundation released Coming Out to Islam and to Self, a guide to help LGBTQ Muslims who are seeking to reconnect with their faith and build more inclusive communities.
The following day on Sunday, May 22, HRC and Muslims for Progressive Values will host a workshop for LGBTQ Muslims and non-LGBTQ allies to share experiences dealing with oppression and working together towards an anti-oppressive framework.
WHEN
Performance: Saturday, May 21 at 8:00 p.m.
Workshop: Sunday, May 22 at 11 a.m.
WHERE
Human Rights Campaign
1640 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington
TICKETS
General: $25
Students: $10 (with valid Student ID)
Imams, Islamic scholars, clergy: FREE
RSVPs are required. Please register at ComingOutDC.eventbrite.com
For more information, click here.
Take Action for Equality in Mississippi
Earlier this month, hundreds of Mississippians gathered at a rally in Jackson to demand the repeal of HB 1523, the so called “Religious Liberty Accommodations Act.” The discriminatory law allows individuals, religious organizations and private associations to use religion to discriminate against LGBT Mississippians, in some of the most important aspect of their lives, including at work, at schools, in their family life and more.
The rally was filled with a diverse and dedicated crowd. Long-time activists, republicans and democrats, well-respected attorneys and business leaders from across the state joined us, taking a stand for LGBT equality.
Just a few years ago, I would have never imagined some of these people “coming out” for LGBT equality. For example, I spoke to a straight couple from Madison who “had enough” with Mississippi’s legislature and statewide elected leaders who discriminated against the LGBT community.
If you were unable to attend the rally, there is still more you can do to fight against HB 1523:
Additionally, HRC Mississippi urges the LGBT and allied community show up. For example, attend city council meetings and local school board meetings and encourage leaders to enact pro-equality policies. You can share your opinions at your place of worship, creating a dialogue about the importance of accepting all people, and you can vote on Election Day to elect pro-equality leaders. By showing up together, we can make our state a place all are welcome and valued.
www.hrc.org/blog/take-action-for-equality-in-mississippi?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed
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