Crowd Goes Nuts For Sexy Subway Drummer’s Next-Level Rihanna Remix
Some argue New York’s club scene has lost its edge, but it looks to us like the party’s just moved subterranean.
A drummer recently caused a crowd of commuters to lose their minds over a totally-impressive live remix of Rihanna’s “Work.”
Related: Rihanna Has Been Moonlighting As A Life Coach For A Closeted Gay Fan
It also doesn’t hurt that the musician is a total babe.
Check out the viral video below:
10 States Join Texas Lawsuit Against Obama Administration Over Transgender Students – VIDEO
10 states have joined Texas’ legal challenge to the Obama administration’s guidance on transgender students. As we previously reported, the Obama administration earlier this month put out a letter urging all public schools to allow transgender students to use school bathrooms in accordance with their gender identity. That move sparked a lawsuit from North Carolina against the federal government, which in turn led to a countersuit from the Department of Justice.
Earlier on Wednesday, it was announced that anti-gay Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton would file a suit similar to North Carolina’s.
The lawsuit announced Wednesday also includes Oklahoma, Alabama, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Tennessee, Maine, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Utah and Georgia. The challenge follows a federal directive to U.S. schools this month to let transgender students use the bathrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity. […]
The lawsuit accuses the Obama administration of “running roughshod over commonsense policies” that protect children. It asks a judge to declare the directive unlawful.
During Paxton’s press conference, he said he has not yet met with any transgender students or families of transgender students.
Watch a news report from MSNBC, below.
The post 10 States Join Texas Lawsuit Against Obama Administration Over Transgender Students – VIDEO appeared first on Towleroad.
Christian Academy Denies It Will Expel Students with Gay Siblings After Saying It Would – VIDEO
Trinity Academy, a Christian prep school in Wichita, Kansas, has come under fire over a “statement of understanding” it sends to potential applicants in which it makes clear the school can expel students who come from homes that ‘promote’ the “LGBT lifestyle.”
That statement was broadly interpreted to mean that a student could be expelled from Trinity simply for having a sibling who identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.
The document leaked by Trinity alumni reads:
Given the debate and confusion in our society about marriage and human sexuality it is vital that Trinity families agree with and support the school’s traditional, Christian understanding of those issues. Therefore, when the atmosphere or conduct within a particular home is counter to the school’s understanding of a biblical lifestyle, including the practice or promotion of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) lifestyle or alternative gender identity, the school should have the right, in its sole discretion, to deny the admission of an applicant or discontinue enrollment of a current student.”
Now, Trinity has attempted to walk back its remarks, saying it hasn’t expelled any student for having an LGBT sibling or for themselves identifying as LGBT. KSN.com reports:
Trinity says the application process is designed to make sure new families know who they are and what they believe. The school goes on to say they hold biblical views on human sexuality and gay marriage and that they want prospective families to understand that.
Trinity says in a statement to KSN News that it would not and has not denied admission to a student simply because they have a sibling who is gay. They go on to to say they would neither necessarily deny admission to a student with same-sex attraction. Trinity says they do not condone sexual activity of any kind for their students whether heterosexual or homosexual.
Here is the full statement from Trinity in response to the controversy:
The foundation of Trinity Academy’s success is that we are dedicated to partnering with our families for the education of their students. Because of this dedication, our entire application process is designed to make sure new families know who we are and what we believe. Trinity Academy holds biblical views on human sexuality and gay marriage and we want prospective families to understand that. We feel that this is only fair given the disagreement and discord in our society over such issues. It is then up to the family as to whether they feel they can partner with Trinity and support these biblical Christian views.
Trinity would not and has not denied admission to a student simply because they have a sibling who is gay. Neither would we necessarily deny admission to a student with same sex attraction. We do not condone sexual activity of any kind for our students whether heterosexual or
homosexual.
Again, Trinity’s whole intent is to make sure families know what we believe so we can partner together successfully for the good of the students.
The alumni who leaked Trinity’s “statement of understanding” have since identified themselves and said they hope to provide encouragement and support to current and prospective LGBT students at Trinity. The Advocate reports:
Morgan Douglas Faulkner, a 2013 graduate of the school in question, Trinity Academy, and former senior class president, admitted to being among a group of alumni responsible for leaking the institution’s so-called Statement of Understanding. […]
“We leaked this document in order to raise awareness about Trinity’s policies to prospective students and parents who are on the fence about sending their children to Trinity for their academics, and ultimately for the greater good,” Faulkner wrote.
Faulkner also blasted the school’s response to the statement being leaked, saying it “explicity contradicts the legalise within their statement of understanding” and the school’s motto, “Truth. Character. Faith.”
Addressing LGBT applicants, students and alumni of Trinity Academy, Faulkner wrote,
“It is crucial that each and every one of you know that you are not alone in your struggle. Even after leaving or graduating, it can be very difficult to accept yourself for who you truly are. We want to help you find the peace that may be eluding you, and we have created a hashtag (#TrinityInsurgency) to raise awareness about these issues. Not just for Trinity students and alumni, but for individuals all over the country and the globe who find themselves in a similar position.”
@kileykroh @davidbadash @dnlreynolds @AndrewBuncombe @RuthieGledhill OUR Understanding #TrinityInsurgency pic.twitter.com/8WrtN57mxD
— Lord Zurik (@LZurik) May 23, 2016
Watch a news report on Trinity Academy’s anti-LGBT stance, below.
The post Christian Academy Denies It Will Expel Students with Gay Siblings After Saying It Would – VIDEO appeared first on Towleroad.
John Oliver and the Leader of Chechnya Have a Catfight: WATCH
Poor Ramzan Kadyrov can’t catch a break.
The head of the Chechen Republic has been accused of corruption, theft, torture and murder; he’s aligned with one of the world’s least favorite people, Vladimir Putin; he’s been called a “threat to national security,” by his own people. And now, he can’t find his cat.
Kadyrov, whose scruffy beard, army attire and baseball caps would make him a serious contender for the coveted title of International Mr. Leather in Chicago this weekend (or at very least he’d be a hit at The Eagle in New York City) posted a photo of his cute little kitty to Instagram, and made an emotional plea to his 1.8 million followers to see if anybody had any kind of information. He thinks nobody would’ve stolen his furry friend, however, as he is “sure that no one needs someone else’s cat,” notes the Huffington Post.
John Oliver couldn’t resist. Sunday, on his HBO show Last Week Tonight, the comedian made fun of the former-rebel-turned-head-of-Chechnya, who likes to portray an image of a strong and aggressive leader on the social media network by posting “videos of his workout routine set to the finest European rave music” and by showing his devotion to Putin. He’s such a bad-ass, Oliver noted, that he once had 1,000 people interrogated after a wedding which he attended, when he couldn’t find his phone.
During the five-minute segment, Oliver started a campaign with his viewers and encouraged them to respond to Kadyrov’s plea by Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #FindKadyrovsCat and saying “I have seen your cat” or “I have not seen your cat.”
Apparently, Kadyrovs is also an HBO subscriber. Yesterday he posted on Instagram a photo of John Oliver with Putin’s face photoshopped onto his shirt. The caption in English read: “I’m tired of jokes, I want to care for cats in Chechnya. By the way, Putin is our leader!”
But it’s nice to see that at least he’s still hopeful. His cat probably just went to look for a “familiar she-cat with which he’s going to start a family. I’m sure that after spring affairs, the cat will return to native walls. Perhaps, he’ll bring his sweet love with him.”
That’s sweet.
Photos from Ramzan Kadyrov’s Instagram.
The post John Oliver and the Leader of Chechnya Have a Catfight: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.
‘Thank God for Alabama’ Now Has New Meaning
Post submitted HRC Project One America Director Ben Needham. This post originally appeared as an op-ed in Jackson Free Press.
Growing up in Mississippi, it seemed we were always competing with Alabama, Arkansas and Louisiana over which state could be the worst in education, health care, economic development and other vital issues. Most competitors try to be the best at their craft, but our competition was a race to the bottom.
The phrase, “Thank God for (insert the state name here)” is ingrained in our way of life and said with pride; yet the same phrase has often killed our demand for better leadership from state lawmakers. As a proud Mississippian, I have used this saying in debates with northern friends, friends from the competing states and other Mississippians. It is a saying I am trying to cut out of my vocabulary, not just because it has new meaning for me, but because I want all four states to get off the bottom. True competitors don’t compete for 49th—they want to be the best.
Even though I am diligently trying to stop using “Thank God for Alabama,” it seemed only fitting to use it in this piece. Both Alabama and Mississippi have finished their legislative sessions, and it was a year full of anti-LGBT legislation in both states. The Human Rights Campaign fought to defeat Alabama’s seven anti-LGBT bills and the 12 measures in Mississippi. Alabama seemed poised to pass HB 158, the Child Care Provider Inclusion Act, which would have allowed discrimination against LGBT children and families, and would have let child-care agencies refuse to place children with loving LGBT families, including the child’s own grandparent. HB 158 wasn’t about protecting our children or religious freedom—this legislation was about discrimination, plain and simple.
In this case, I can use “Thank God for Alabama.” The child care-services bill is dead, and fair-minded Alabamians can claim victory in stopping this attack on the LGBT community. Mississippi, on the other hand, chose to add discrimination to its state laws by passing HB 1523. The law, which goes into effect July 1, allows taxpayer-funded government employees to engage in Kim Davis-style discrimination against the LGBT community. Clerks and justices of the peace can refuse to give marriage licenses to same sex-couples. Businesses can refuse to provide flowers, cakes and other services to same-sex couples on the most important day of their lives.
Worse yet, the measure allows religiously affiliated food pantries, homeless shelters and other service providers to refuse to fully recognize same-sex couples and their families.
The law is an obvious attempt to nullify the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of marriage equality. Mississippi Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves had numerous chances to stop this horrendous piece of legislation and failed to listen to fair-minded Mississippians and the business community. Gov. Bryant, who has turned me and LGBT citizens away from his office, has yet to sit down with the LGBT community about HB 1523. Instead of standing in the doorway of the State Capitol with open arms, they stand at the state line turning away LGBT people and pro-equality businesses. While Alabama appears to want to move away from its dark past, Mississippi seems to want to relive its tainted history.
As a Mississippian, I have always defended my home state against people who have a negative perception of it, but that is getting harder and harder. I know there are great people in Mississippi who believe in equality for all; I have the pleasure to call some of them friends. HB 1523 does not reflect their views, and I thank them for their support of the LGBT community. More and more Mississippians are going to have to speak out against this discriminatory law if we expect leaders to repeal HB 1523. I congratulate Alabama for getting through another legislative session without adding hate to the state laws.
If Mississippi wants to know how to treat LGBT citizens, it can look east to Alabama. So today “Thank God for Alabama” has new meaning for me.
www.hrc.org/blog/thank-god-for-alabama-now-has-new-meaning?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed
Texas AG Ken Paxton Launches Shameful Attack on Transgender Youth he is Responsible for Protecting
Today, HRC blasted Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton regarding media reports that he will launch a shameful attack on transgender youth across the state and the nation. Paxton, who currently faces three felony fraud indictments for violating state securities laws, civil fraud charges, and a separate investigation from the Texas State Bar for encouraging clerks to ignore the Supreme Court’s ruling on nationwide marriage equality, has repeatedly attacked LGBT people in an effort to score political points.
“Ken Paxton has already disgraced himself and his office by undermining the rule of law and shamefully encouraging state officials to ignore the U.S. Supreme Court’s marriage equality decision last June. Now, he’s gone so far as to attack transgender youth, whom he has a responsibility to protect as Attorney General,” said HRC Communications Director Jay Brown. “Countless schools all across the country have policies in place that ensure transgender students are safe, protected from discrimination and can live authentic lives. Ken Paxton’s use of taxpayer resources to dismantle such protections is a reckless and expensive abdication of his responsibilities, and he should be held accountable.”
HRC today released a letter signed by national organizations representing almost 5 million educators, pediatricians, counselors and other child welfare providers urging lawmakers like Paxton to stop their political attacks on transgender youth. These organizations include the American Federation of Teachers, the American Academy of Pediatrics; the American Counseling Association; the National Association of School Psychologists and the National Education Association.
Paxton’s prior decision to issue an opinion encouraging clerks to not issue same-sex marriage licenses after the Supreme Court’s Obergefell ruling is similar to Alabama Chief Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore, who was suspended from the bench this year after directing probate judges not to issue same-sex marriage licenses. The Texas State Bar rules require all attorneys, including the Attorney General, to take an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution.
HRC Welcoming Schools today released a key resource for school officials to effectively and respectfully follow recent guidance from the U.S. Department of Education on the rights of transgender students. The guide answers questions school officials may be asked by parents, guardians and other community members.
Addressing Mental Health & HIV
Post Submitted by Joseph Neese, Member of the Bailey House Board of Directors
When we think of HIV prevention, the first thing that usually comes to mind is “safer sex.” But structural factors, including homelessness, education level, employment status, racism, and homophobia, are more often better predictors of one’s chances of being exposed to HIV. Combating these societal barriers is important work and a priority for Bailey House, one of the nation’s oldest housing and HIV and AIDS service organizations.
At Bailey House, our mission is to transform the lives of people with and affected by HIV – mental health included. Untreated mental illness and trauma can lead to self-medication and substance abuse; and when left undiagnosed or untreated, mental illness and substance abuse disorders can negatively impact people living with HIV, particularly if they’re homeless or housing insecure. Research shows that housing status is more directly linked to HIV status and life expectancy than access to health insurance.
I know from experience that whole health can only be achieved when everyone – regardless of HIV status – has access to services that improve their mental and emotional well-being in addition to their physical health. Take Ernesto for example: an openly gay man living with HIV who sought political asylum from Venezuela. For a decade, Ernesto struggled with ill health, homelessness, and addiction. His situation only improved after he was connected to care and stable housing. There’s also Lenecia, a single mom living with HIV. Struggling to manage her chronic illness while also raising two kids, one of whom is autistic, Lenecia needed a support network. With the help of a case manager, Lenecia has been stably housed for three years, and her kids are thriving in school. Both Ernesto and Lenecia are now pursuing their career goals, and their stories make it clear that HIV and mental health really do go hand-in-hand.
As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, let’s continue to challenge each other to talk openly and honestly about the importance of mental health, especially in the context of HIV prevention, treatment, and care. It’s through communications like this one, education, and awareness programs that we will truly improve the lives of all members of our community, no matter their age, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV or housing status.
HRC is committed to working with organizations such as Bailey House to end the HIV epidemic and the stigma surrounding HIV. Help us normalize conversations about HIV and promote safer sex by sharing our resource guide What Do I Do? A Handbook to Understanding Health & HIV.
www.hrc.org/blog/addressing-mental-health-hiv?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed
Outed Gay Exec Funded Hulk Hogan's $140 Million Lawsuit Against Gawker
An out Silicon Valley billionare is funding Hulk Hogan’s lawsuit against Gawker.
Best of KU: Spring semester 2016
The University of Kansas Official Flickr Site posted a photo:
It is important to Be You at KU.
Through the Student Involvement & Leadership Center, students can celebrate and learn about LGBTQIA+ culture on campus. The Center for Sexuality & Gender Diversity provides programming, such as a month of pride events during GAYPRIL, to provide education and promote advocacy on campus.
These students posed with a pride flag to celebrate Be You at KU.
©2016 University of Kansas/Marketing Communications/Meg Kumin
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