Men Surround, Attack Trans Woman in Brooklyn

Exiting the subway in Park Slope, a woman is ambushed and beaten by five men.

www.advocate.com/crime/2016/5/21/men-surround-attack-trans-woman-brooklyn

Gay-Baiting, Trans Hate Enters Texas House Race

A political race in Houston turns homophobic and transphobic.

www.advocate.com/politics/2016/5/21/gay-baiting-trans-hate-enters-texas-house-race

Gay Iconography: Hail to the Kween, Bob the Drag Queen

We’ve made no secret of our Bob-session since Bob the Drag Queen debuted to the world at large on season eight of RuPaul’s Drag Race. A win on the show certainly doesn’t guarantee icon status (right, Tyra?), but coming out on top of the Logo series’ buzziest season has propelled this smart, savvy, she-larious queen to the forefront of the pop culture conversation.

Inspired by the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, the 29-year-old performer has blended stand-up comedy with camp drag and social consciousness to create a character that’s whip smart and runway ready.

You could spend hours watching clips of Bob kill it on stage, but we’ve rounded up some essential viewing to celebrate our new kween.

Before Bob the Drag Queen was blocking brows and wearing heels, Christopher Caldwell was a stand-up comedian and actor. Inspired by the first season of Mama Ru’s reality competition, Bob ordered makeup and kicked off the drag journey that culminated in last Monday’s season eight win.

Bob’s expert timing and quick wit helped her quickly build a reputation as an in-demand drag diva. “I have never bombed. EVER!” Bob told Get Out Magazine. “When I tell jokes people laugh every single time. I think the reason is because my comedy comes from an honest place. I don’t just try to regurgitate jokes. If you lose the passion in your comedy, you might come up a little bit dry. Your jokes won’t land because you don’t believe in what you’re saying. So if you don’t think it’s funny, nobody else will think it’s funny.”

For Bob, drag is about a lot more than being a clown. A self-proclaimed Queen for the People, the socially-conscious queen devotes time working with queer youth, aging queer populations, HIV/AIDS issues and women’s shelters.

As she shared on Drag Race, Bob was even once arrested in full drag while protesting. She shared why she felt compelled to use drag for social change with Vulture: “For me, drag is the ultimate art form: You don’t need to get on a soapbox, because you’re already standing in high heels. Having people’s attention is having power. It’s the same thing. If you have everyone’s attention, then you have power. The question then becomes, “What are you going to do with this power? What are you going to do with this attention? What are you going to do now that people are looking at you?”

In the clip above (our personal favorite Bob video), she brilliantly weaves together audio clips from Paula Deen’s racist meltdown with Britney Spears’ song “Slave 4 U” and clips of Chris Rock’s stand-up comedy. It’s a perfect, pointed commentary on Deen’s PR disaster that makes a point while keeping tongue firmly planted in contoured cheek.

If there’s one essential skill any comedian needs — straight, gay, black, white, wearing a lace front, whatever – it’s how to shut down a heckler. In the clip above, Bob demonstrates how to do it like a pro.

Of course, the world now knows Bob as the winner of season eight of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Bob dominated the competition, winning three main challenges and often appearing among the top performers. “My goal was to win, and I did what I set out to do,” she told Fusion. “I feel like the win wasn’t for me, it was for us. It was for the people.”

While it’s customary to follow up an appearance on Drag Race by releasing a mediocre (at best) dance single, it’s far less common to launch a catchphrase that captivates popular culture. Even Bob is surprised at the success of his signature line and first single, “Purse First.”

Speaking to us at the the red carpet of the Drag Race finale, she told us, “I didn’t think the purse thing would go over so well. It’s a whole thing. Even Anna Kendrick was doing purse first at the Met Gala. I didn’t think it’d be such a big deal.”

What’s your favorite Bob moment?

The post Gay Iconography: Hail to the Kween, Bob the Drag Queen appeared first on Towleroad.

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Gay Texas Couple Opens Clothing-Optional Retreat Near George W. Bush’s Ranch

Back in October, we told you about a gay Texas couple’s plans to open a clothing-optional retreat for men, just down the road from President George W. Bush’s ranch in Crawford.

On Friday, Mark Mattlage and Rob Snowden (right) debuted The Homestead at 3218 on their 200-acre farm outside of Waco, which once received historical recognition from former GOP Gov. Rick Perry (who was then the agriculture commissioner).

The first phase of the $1 million retreat — which will be open year-round — includes lodging, a heated pool and a recreation room.

“There’s never ever been anything like this in this immediate area,” Snowden told WacoTrib.com. “There’s nothing quite like it in the state of Texas. … People that are in the clothing-optional venues will travel great distances to visit. We think that’s one of the hooks we’re hanging the hopes of the success of this operation on,” Snowden said. “We’ve taken great pains to protect our neighbors from being exposed to naked men.”

The retreat features open-area bunk rooms and individual hostels as well as furnished pool house rooms with full kitchens, WacoTrib.com reports. Admission is $10 for a one-time visit to $25 for a year membership. A licensed massage therapist will maintain hours at the retreat, and the rec center includes a “hippie room” with fluorescent black lights and graphics.

“Whoever walks through there and what they do, it’s behind locked doors, you know, whatever,” Snowden said. “It’s not a sex club though.” (No word on whether the retreat includes a “tool shed” or “pig pen,” as originally planned.)

WacoTrib.com reports that more than two dozen residents of ultraconservative McClennan County expressed opposition to the retreat on Thursday, but none would speak on the record.

Mattlage and Snowden, who’ve  been together for 35 years, said vandals have already targeted the retreat, lining the driveway with beer cans and running over their mailbox. They said they’ve also faced discrimination from contractors, but they’re undeterred: Future plans for the resort include a campground with RV spaces, a cafe and bar, and horse stables.

For more info on The Homestead at 3218, check out the retreat’s website or Facebook page. Watch a report from October about the retreat below.

The post Gay Texas Couple Opens Clothing-Optional Retreat Near George W. Bush’s Ranch appeared first on Towleroad.

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