Donald Trump’s Supreme Court Shortlist May Have A Secret Gay Porn Past

You will no doubt be shocked to hear that a crazily homophobic federal judge has been tied to a gay sex scandal. But here’s the fun twist this time: Donald Trump is thinking about nominating him to the Supreme Court.

The man in question is William Holcombe “Bill” Pryor Jr., an eleventh-circuit judge and former Attorney General of Alabama. He’s married (to a woman), has two daughters, and he really really really hates queers. He’s said that queer people should be arrested for having consensual sex in their homes; that being gay is harmful; and he voted to keep kids in orphanages rather than allow them to go to supportive same-sex adoptive parents. Trump says he’d consider Pryor for the Supreme Court.

What a bunch of jerks.

He is also, allegedly, featured in nude photographs that floated around on BadPuppy in the 90s. It sure looks like him! The man in the picture is looking glumly at the camera, on full display, and is identified as “Bill Pryor.” Various unnamed officials have identified the photo as authentic; but then again, it’s easy to claim all kinds of things anonymously.

For his part, Pryor says it’s not him, just like every other Republican asshole caught doing something sexual.

For now, Trump hasn’t said anything about Pryor’s potentially-naked past. But lots of other legitimate legal observers have heard the rumors, and are only too happy to spread them. Maybe that’s the silver lining to Trump’s impending presidency: it’ll force some truly shocking secrets out into the open.

You can see the NSFW shot of possibly-Pryor here, along with some very wild theories on the topic.

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Leading Voice Against Circumcision Jonathon Conte Found Dead At 34

One of the California’s most outspoken voices against male circumcision has died.

34-year-old Jonathon Conte was an outspoken activist against the circumcision of males under the age of 18. In addition to collecting signatures for a 2011 ballot measure that would have outlawed the practice in San Francisco, he was also known for going around to Pride festivals and other public events carrying signs with slogans like “Got genital rights?”

Related: More And More Adult Men Are Snipping Off Their Foreskin And Here’s Why

On Monday, he was found dead in his San Francisco apartment. His partner of five years, Christopher Holden, says it was a suicide.

Conte often said that the reason he was so outspoken about male circumcision was because of his concern for others. In a 2011 video posted to YouTube, he explained that when he was 14, he saw a picture of an uncircumcised penis for the first time. That’s when he realized a part of his body “had been cut away from me.”

As a result, he suffered feelings of “incompleteness, both physically and sexually.” He ultimately decided, “If I as a victim, and other victims, don’t speak out against this practice, it will continue, and more men will continue to experience the painful emotions I’ve had to deal with.”

Related: San Francisco Isn’t The Only City That Might Ban Circumcision…

According to Holden, Conte’s suicide this week came as a complete shock. He tells the Bay Area Reporter that  Conte made pancakes for breakfast that morning, which was “unusual,” but that “he seemed fine.”

When Holden got home from work that afternoon, “I heard some soft music coming from the bedroom.” When he went in to check on Conte, he discovered him with a bag over his head connected to a helium tank.

“I went over there in shock and ripped it off and tried to do CPR, but of course it was too late,” he said. “It’s very fast acting.”

A suicide note has not yet been found.

Friends of Conte were shocked by the news. They have described him as “a lovely man,” “really sweet,” and “caring and vulnerable.” His funeral will be held over the weekend.

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Drag Queen Ambrosia Starling Considering a Run for Alabama Governor Against Roy Moore – WATCH

Ambrosia Starling, the Alabama drag queen who has been the worst nightmare for anti-LGBT state Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore, may end up running against Moore in Alabama’s next gubernatorial race.

Starling, who goes by her drag name so as to protect her family, says she is seriously considering running for governor if Moore throws his hat in the ring for the 2018 race, as he is expected to do.

As we previously reported, Rachel Maddow is one of Starling’s many fans who suggested she would be well-suited for the state’s top job.

Moore was recently suspended from his post on the state Supreme Court because of his defiance of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on gay marriage.

PREVIOUSLY: Rachel Maddow on the Alabama Drag Queen Driving Roy Moore Completely Nuts – WATCH

The Huffington Post reports: 

“When the idea was first thrown at me to run for office in the state of Alabama, at first I laughed,” Starling recalled. “And then I said, ‘Well wouldn’t that be something? That it finally takes a drag queen to straighten out the circus of politics’  If it takes a drag queen to get everyone to face the front, same direction, and listening, I’ll do that.”

In the meantime, Starling said that she will take on the fight in Alabama that has now turned to bathroom bills, with some legislators, like Rep. Will Ainsworth, attacking transgender students.

Earlier this week, Maddow also reported that Starling may run for governor, a prospect she declared to be “the best new thing in the world.”

Said Maddow of Starling’s potential run, “My dreams have come true.” As for what Starling’s platform would be, it’s simple: “Have good manners.”

Watch Maddow’s segment discussing Starling’s potential run for the governor’s mansion, below.

The post Drag Queen Ambrosia Starling Considering a Run for Alabama Governor Against Roy Moore – WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.

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Seth Meyers Takes a Closer Look at the War Between Clinton and Sanders Supporters: WATCH

Seth Meyers took a closer look at the ongoing fight betweens supporters of Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders on Late Night on Thursday.

Meyers dug into the rift between Sanders and the DNC, accusations that Sanders is a Ralph Nader-esque zombie candidate, and concerns that the growing discord between the two camps will spoil Democrats’ chances in November.

While the acrimony may feel particularly worrisome this year, Meyers says there’s reason for Democrats to rest assured that party unity will ultimately be achieved.

Said Meyers, “We’ve heard a lot this year about the so-called ‘Bernie or bust’ movement, but in 2008 there was something similar going on with Hillary supporters who said they’d never back Obama.” He asked, “Does any of this sound familiar?” Meyers then played clips from 2008 which showed Clinton supporters refusing to back Obama.

But, as Meyers points out, “In the end, fear of a John McCain presidency brought Democrats together, and as Hillary herself explained (Thursday) on CNN, a similar dynamic will play out this year.” He added, “That’s right. Donald Trump can bring people together. Even if they’re not washed up celebrities.”

Watch, below.

The post Seth Meyers Takes a Closer Look at the War Between Clinton and Sanders Supporters: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.

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#FlashbackFriday: One Year Ago Today, Ireland Prepared to Vote on Marriage Equality

One year ago today, LGBT advocates and allies anxiously awaited as Ireland prepared to hold the first-ever national referendum on marriage equality.

The referendum, which was held on May 22, 2015, asked voters to approve language that would update Ireland’s constitution to state, “Marriage may be contracted in accordance with the law by two persons without distinction as to their sex.”

While the Irish LGBT community united to lead an unprecedented voter registration campaign and voter mobilization effort, HRC was proud to support and share our experiences fighting for equality with our Irish counterparts. HRC Global was on the ground in Ireland and HRC President Chad Griffin wrote an op-ed encouraging Irish Americans to reach out to their friends and family to vote in the referendum.

Additionally, HRC was proud to partner with the Irish coalition YES Equality, a campaign comprised of GLEN, Marriage Equality, and the Irish Council for Civil Liberties. The campaign played an integral role in ensuring the “yes” vote on the referendum. HRC staff met with Irish advocates to share best practices and offer support for the campaign. Additionally, we released a new t-shirt and all net proceeds were donated to the campaign for public education on equality.

While momentum built in Ireland, thousands of people from around the country, major organizations, celebrities and big-name brands showed their support for loving, committed same-sex couples across social media.

When the referendum passed on May 22, Ireland became the 18th country to afford same-sex couples full marriage rights.

The third edition of HRC Global’s Equality Rising report highlights this remarkable victory as well as the ferocious violence LGBTQ people still face around the globe.

Stay tuned to HRC’s blog as we celebrate one year of marriage equality on the Emerald Isle.

www.hrc.org/blog/flashbackfriday-one-year-ago-today-ireland-prepared-to-vote-on-marriage-equ?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Transgender Model Geena Rocero Highlights HRC’s Welcoming Schools Project on National News Show

Post submitted by Charles Girard, Welcoming Schools Coordinator.

Recently, ASPIREist, a news show on USA Network, joined openly transgender model and HRC supporter Geena Rocero for an inside look at HRC’s Welcoming Schools program to discover how the program helps transgender youth feel safer at school.

HRC’s Welcoming Schools is the nation’s premier program dedicated to creating respectful and supportive elementary schools that embrace family diversity and LGBTQ-inclusion, prevent biased-based bullying and gender stereotyping, and embrace all students.

In the piece, Rocero interviewed Tarah Fleming, a Welcoming Schools Expert Trainer and the Education Director of Our Family Coalition,

“We have seen definite reductions in gender bias bullying when educators use Welcoming Schools,” Fleming said. “When kids feel safe and seen and valued, they do better in school….they thrive.”

Rocero, an HRC supporter who has worked closely with the HRC Foundation’s Global team, also spoke with students who participated in the Welcoming Schools program. The students, easily engaged in a conversation with Rocero about LGBTQ people and diversity.  

“I think [transgender people] should be pretty happy because they’re unique and special,” said one student.

In addition to the appearing in ASPIREist, Rocero founded Gender Proud, a transgender advocacy and awareness organization. She also spoke at HRC’s National Dinner in 2014.

The students that Rocero met in the video are models of the kinds of citizens that HRC’s Welcoming Schools hopes to foster –– compassionate, understanding and ready to create a better world for everyone.

Watch a clip of the video below or click here to watch the whole episode. Additionally, check out Welcoming Schools’ updated website to help your community embrace all students and their families.

www.hrc.org/blog/transgender-model-geena-rocero-highlights-hrcs-welcoming-schools-project-on?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Kevin Spacey Blasts Donald Trump at AmFAR Benefit (Video)

www.advocate.com/election/2016/5/20/kevin-spacey-blasts-donald-trump-amfar-benefit-video

Target CEO: Trans-Inclusive Bathroom Policy Hasn't Hurt Sales

In the fact of a conservative boycott, CEO Brian Cornell reaffirmed his belief that diversity is good business.

www.advocate.com/transgender/2016/5/20/target-ceo-trans-inclusive-bathroom-policy-hasnt-hurt-sales

J.K. Rowling Responds to Trump, Anti-LGBT Critics

“I find almost everything that Mr. Trump says objectionable,” she said, “But he has my full support to come to my country and be offensive and bigoted there.” 

www.advocate.com/politics/2016/5/20/jk-rowling-responds-trump-anti-lgbt-critics

Leaked Doc Says Christian School Will Expel Students With Queer Relatives

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