Nyle DiMarco’s Incredible Final ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Performance Moves Crowd To Tears

Nyle DiMarco and his dance partner Peta Murgatroyd absolutely slayed their final routine on Dancing With The Stars, giving an emotional freestyle performance set to a cover of “Sound Of Silence” by Disturbed.

Oh, and the flaming piano was a nice dramatic touch.

Check it out below:

DiMarco dedicated the performance to the deaf community, and Disturbed shared the thoughtful letter he sent them requesting to use the song via Facebook:

My name is Nyle DiMarco. I am Deaf. I’m the fourth generation and I have over 25 Deaf members in my family. I am now in the semi finals towards the Mirror Ball on Dancing With The Stars. I am writing this letter to let you know how much your song “Sound of Silence” means so much to me and my Deaf community and that I would love to dance to your song for the finals. I feel this is important for you to know that we the Deaf people underwent a terrible history and we are still stuck in the darkness. The darkness of oppression that your song truly reverberated to me.

Before the year 1880, we the Deaf people lived normal lives. We were perceived normal. We held political positions. We joined the army. We had jobs. We had an education through sign language that greatly benefited to our visual eyes and silent ears. It was until the Milan Conference in 1880 that led to language deprivation and… ultimately our culture, our job opportunities, and our intelligence. We were tortured. Our ancestors underwent electric shock chairs, surgeries (without anesthesia), and so many torturing methods just to help us regain our hearing. We were also punished if we used sign language. We were whipped. Slapped with our rulers. Abused. We were required to try and learn to speak (and that always, always miserably failed).

We also lost jobs. Many now perceive us as disabled, that we can’t serve the army, hold political positions, nor teach.
Because of the conference that almost led to the death of the Deaf culture (and was basically genocide and cultural-genocide), we are still trying to get out of the dark. I just founded Nyle DiMarco Foundation and our focus is on Deaf kids. We are working with state and U.S. senators to write and pass the bill that requires bilingualism (American Sign Language and English) because it was recently proven by science that it will benefit the Deaf child a lot more than just English only. I am using my celebrity platform and especially on DWTS for good cause.

With your song… we are planning on showing my history’s terrible times through dancing… and to your powerful and moving song. We feel that with you, your song, and us, we will make/change history and help people better understand our history, and build allies all over the world to help better Deaf lives.

Help us resurface from our darkness, from the systematic oppression. There is power in Sound of Silence.
We hope you will grant us the permission. Lets change history together!

Nyle DiMarco

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Befriending Mean Gays Leads to Bad Life Choices on ‘Go-Go Boy Interrupted’ – WATCH

Have you ever been surrounded by a bunch of ‘mean gays’ who normally don’t give you the time of day?

In the latest episode of gay web series Go-Go Boy Interrupted, we find Danny (creator and star Jimmy Fowlie) suddenly accepted into the warm bosom of a gay WeHo clique that used to disdain him. The group changes its attitude towards Danny once he catches the eye of a handsome suitor (Nick Adams). Now, the mean gays are keen to make nice and they test the resolve of Danny’s new-found sobriety.

LAST WEEK: ‘Go-Go Boy Interrupted’ Tries to Survive a Gay Pool Party – WATCH

This week’s episode features Scott Evans who shares that he’s working on a new script in which he plays Captain America’s gay brother–and he even has it story-board-ed out.

Watch, below.

Catch up on season 2 of Go-Go Boy Interrupted HERE

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Freshman College Swimmer Recounts ‘Awkward’ Coming Out To Combat Stigma

When “awkward” is the first adjective that comes to mind when recounting a coming out story, you know we’re headed in the right direction — just think of all the alternative, less desirable descriptors out there.

But that’s the general gist of 18-year-old freshman college swimmer Ricardo Vazquez’s journey towards authentic living, and it’s equal parts goofy, endearing and inspiring.

Writing for OutSports, Vazquez takes a — yes, awkward — trip down memory lane:

Coming out couldn’t have been more awkward for me. The summer before my senior year of high school in Virginia, I was with my best friend, Katie Fitzjarrald, at Kohl’s. I jokingly prodded her with my elbow and asked, “Do you think that guy is cute?” as I pointed towards an employee who was walking by us. “Yeah, you should go get his number,” she replied.

The levity of the situation soon gave way to a familiar panic — did he reveal too much?! At this point Ricardo still hadn’t come out to anyone. He hadn’t even fully come out to himself.

Related: Six Yale Athletes Come Out Together To Change The Game For Homophobia In Sports

Ricardo carved out his place in the swimming pool throughout high school, quickly rising to the top of the team ranks, but he was constantly having to deflect about who he really was.

I was constantly bombarded with the question and was even labeled as a “metrosexual” because of the way I dressed. I grew conscious that I was noticing guys more than I did girls. I started questioning myself, and for a period of time I told myself I was bisexual. I still believed I liked girls and I refused to allow myself to “be” gay. I simply thought that guys were nice to look at, but I’d never date them.

That all changed, as it has for countless others before him, with a spark from another boy.

Due to a series of rather curious events, I ended up spending the weekend with my best friend and swimmate, Brad Allison, for a swim meet. The Friday before we left for the meet, Brad had taken me to a football game for his school. At the game, I met a swimmer whom I’d often seen at meets, but we didn’t know each other personally. We talked for most of the game and before I left we exchanged numbers. Talking with him solidified the answer that I had been struggling with for so long: I was gay.

Once the first wave of coming out to his close friends and family was behind him, that familiar euphoria set in, and for the first time, Ricardo was able to truly be himself.

Related: High School Wrestler Comes Out To Homophobic Coach, Who Also Happens To Be His Dad

And it wasn’t long before he noticed his decision had the power to change not only his own life, but also the people around him.

Without even realizing it, by coming out I had helped others who were in the same boat. This past summer I had received a message from a mom of the girls on the swim team: “You are BEAUTIFUL inside & out!!! Thank you for coming out & being so brave. You have helped [my daughter] more than you will ever know.” From that day on, I realized that coming out wasn’t something that affected just me, but everyone around me as well.

Ricardo hopes his message can spread even further to help others struggling to be who they truly are.

We wish him the best!

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Samantha Bee Tells Angry Bernie Bros To Have A Seat – WATCH

Samantha Bee delved into the chaos at this year’s Nevada Democratic Convention and explained why angry Bernie Sanders supporters need to reassess their argument that the Democratic primary is rigged.

Bee acknowledged that part of the problem in Nevada was due to some”truly arcane f*cked up rules” that the state Democratic party has. However, she also underscored that many of the events that preceded the epic meltdown at the Nevada convention were not the fault of the party institution but rather Sanders’ own delegates who didn’t show up. “A game’s not rigged against you just because you refuse to play it,” Bee said.

Referring to Sanders’ incensed supporters, Bee asked, “I love the passion of Sanders supporters, but why is it curdling into rage at their own party?”

PREVIOUSLY: Samantha Bee Struggles to Understand the Unbridled Optimism of Bernie Bros – WATCH

Bee also argued that the Democratic party couldn’t rig an election even if it wanted to. Said Bee, “If they had half the skill you’re giving them credit for, Congress wouldn’t be controlled by a live-action Dilbert and a human protein shake.”

Exhibit A.

Tapping into the rage of Sanders’ supporters, Bee quipped,

“I know. It’s not fair! Hillary Clinton is a ruthless party hack supported by super delegates in a monstrous political machine she built next to her private email server. How can you win without burning the party down when you’re just a little-known upstart senator trying to build a grassroots campaign? You can’t do it! Oh wait. Yes, you can.”

Exhibit B.

Watch the segment, below.

You can also watch the full episode of Bee’s latest show, below.

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The ‘Gay of Thrones’ Recap of S6xE5 Is Here: ‘The Hoe Door’ – WATCH

SPOILERS AHEAD.

The hits keep on coming this season on Game of Thrones. Sunday night’s episode left many fans in tears (not gonna name names) and here to recap it all is your favorite GOT devotee, Jonathan van Ness.

And Jonathan’s guest Jennie Pierson was on hand to help him break down all that went down in the 7 kingdoms this week (and also in Seattle, Coachella, and a few more places).

First, it’s worth pointing out that Jennie has an important point to make about the final sequence being a rip-off of Todo’s song “Africa” (it will totally make sense.

And also, “Poor baby Hodor. It’s not his name, girl. It’s his destiny!”

Find out what Sansa Fierce, Earl Grey, Klingon Tila Tequila, Lena Dunham, Drunk Uncle Wolverine, Wildling Louis C.K., Tilda, Christina Aguilera, and the rest of the gang got up to this week, below.

(Briefly work-unfriendly).

For more Gay of Thrones recaps, click HERE.

The post The ‘Gay of Thrones’ Recap of S6xE5 Is Here: ‘The Hoe Door’ – WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.

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San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus Wants Padres to Reinstate DJ Fired Over Anthem Incident

The San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus released a statement earlier today thanking the Padres for responding to the controversy which took place at Petco Park over the weekend when their voices were replaced by that of a female anthem singer and then taunted by fans as they were led off the field.

RELATED: Fired Padres DJ Apologizes for Gay Men’s Chorus Flub, Explains What Happened: LISTEN

This morning we posted DJ Artform’s explanation of the incident and his apology, which the Chorus has accepted.

They also asked the Padres to reinstate him:

As a community outreach organization dedicated to bringing positive change to the world through music, we applaud the San Diego Padres organization and its chief executive Mike Dee for its ongoing efforts to make something good come out of unfortunate recent events. We have met with Mr. Dee and he has agreed to meet with and work closely with the LGBT community to bring our communities together with constructive, positive change.

We also would like to publicly accept the sincere apology of DJ ARTFORM and recognize his support for the LGBT community and equality for all people. We do not wish to see him lose his job with the San Diego Padres and kindly ask the Padres to reinstate him. Everyone deserves a second chance.

We have been overwhelmed by the positive support from people around the world and would like to thank Mayor Kevin Faulconer, City Councilman Todd Gloria and many other community leaders for helpings us turn this into something positive for the City of San Diego.

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How A Conservative Law Firm Convinced A School System To Gamble On An Anti-Transgender Policy

The Alliance Defending Freedom convinced a school to defy the federal government because they’d provide a “free” legal defense.

The post How A Conservative Law Firm Convinced A School System To Gamble On An Anti-Transgender Policy appeared first on ThinkProgress.

thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2016/05/24/3781259/adf-virginia-transgender-policy/

HRC President Chad Griffin Thanks Charlotte City Council for Defending City’s Ordinance

Post submitted by Hope Jackson, Southern Regional Field Organizer

Yesterday, HRC President Chad Griffin joined our partners at the TurnOUT! North Carolina (NC) project, along with numerous local Charlotte leaders, to thank Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts and the Charlotte City Council for not rescinding the city’s non-discrimination ordinance.

In March, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory signed into law HB2 – an outrageous and unprecedented anti-LGBT law that eliminated existing municipal non-discrimination protections for LGBT people; forced transgender students in public schools to use restrooms and other facilities inconsistent with their gender identity, putting 4.5 billion dollars in federal education funding alone at risk; and compelled the same type of discrimination against transgender people to take place in publicly-owned buildings, including in public universities, convention centers, and airports. Further, it gutted the existing ability of people who have been discriminated against – including on the basis of race, religion, and sex – to sue in state court, undermining critical discrimination protections for all. In recent weeks, it had become clear that Charlotte City Council members were feeling intense pressure from both leaders in Raleigh and the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce to rescind the LGBT non-discrimination ordinance, which passed earlier this year in a 7-4 vote.

TurnOUT! NC, a coalition of HRC, Equality North Carolina, the ACLU and the Campaign for Southern Equality, gathered earlier during the day with over 40 supporters for the “Transgender North Carolinians Families and Friends Against HB 2” press conference. Together, these advocates urged the city council to stand strong and not rescind the vital ordinance.

Following the press conference, over a dozen TurnOUT! NC field organizers and local supporters of the ordinance demonstrated outside of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce. They called on the Chamber to stop bullying the city council and to stand up and fight against discrimination and against HB 2.

“We had several conversations over the weekend,” Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts said at a city council meeting last night, “We heard from a lot of people, we got a lot of input and feedback and we concluded that a discussion of HB 2 by the city council would not be helpful in advancing a solution to the ongoing challenges.”

HRC’s President Chad Griffin was present at the evening meeting and thanked the council for their leadership and resolve.

“Thank you for continuing to stand up and stand your ground today by defending the equal rights and equal dignity of all LGBT people…for that leadership, we say thank you,” he said.

Mara Keisling, Executive Director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, was also present in the Charlotte City Council Chambers.

“I want to thank you for the wonderful work you did in February on the non-discrimination ordinance,” she said. “Right now transgender people are under attack in North Carolina and around the country…thank you so much for listening and being a hope for them. Thank you so much for being strong.”

Openly lesbian Councilwoman LaWana Mayfield, a champion for Charlotte’s ordinance, took the opportunity to speak to legislative leaders in Raleigh directly.

“Do your job,” she said. “Fix the mess that you made instead of looking to Charlotte, which was expanding our ordinance to protect our people.”

TurnOUT! NC is working to mobilize thousands of pro-equality North Carolinians to speak out for full repeal of HB2.  If you live in North Carolina and want to join the efforts to repeal HB2, RSVP for upcoming phone banks and volunteer opportunities. For more information about our work in North Carolina, contact HRC Associate Regional Field Director Ryan Rowe at [email protected].

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Hateful Anti-Transgender Flyer Distributed by KKK in Alabama Neighborhood

Today, HRC Alabama responded to reports of disturbing anti-transgender flyers being circulated in a Dothan, Ala., neighborhood. They appear to have been distributed by the Loyal White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan as a recruiting tool.

The Dothan Police Department notified the FBI, as the flyer’s message could promote hate crimes against the transgender community.

“This crude and vile message from a notorious hate group does not represent Alabama values,” said HRC Alabama State Manager Eva Walton Kendrick. “Transgender people continue to be one of our most vulnerable and marginalized groups, and want nothing more than to live without fear and discrimination. Elected officials promoting anti-LGBT legislation need to take note of how their actions feed extremists, further compromising the safety of transgender people they were elected to serve and protect.”

Kendrick continued, “We urge all Alabamians to stand up and make clear that these messages of hatred have no place in our society. We are so much stronger when we work together to make sure that Alabama is a state that welcomes everyone.”

This year, an unprecedented 44 anti-transgender bills have been introduced in 17 states. North Carolina has the terrible distinction of becoming the first state in the country to enact a law attacking transgender students; similar proposals were rejected across the country this year, including one in Oxford, Ala., that was quickly rescinded after national outcry. Despite claims to the contrary by anti-LGBT activists who have preyed on misinformation and ignorance, extending equal protections to transgender community is not a threat to public safety. This fear-mongering puts transgender people at an increased risk of violence by fostering hate and misunderstanding.

To learn more about HRC’s work on transgender equality visit hrc.org/transgender.

In 2014, HRC launched Project One America, an initiative geared towards advancing social, institutional and legal equality in Mississippi, Alabama and Arkansas. HRC Alabama continues to work to advance equality for LGBT Alabamians who have no statewide protections in housing, workplace, or public accommodations; and legal state recognition for their relationships and families. Through HRC Alabama, we are working toward a future of fairness every day—changing hearts, minds and laws toward achieving full equality.

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