This Pro-Gay Bud Light Commercial Utterly Infuriates Right-Wing Bigots
Daily Archives: June 11, 2016
When A Surrealist Cartoon Perfectly Explains American Politics, You Know We Have A Problem
When A Surrealist Cartoon Perfectly Explains American Politics, You Know We Have A Problem
Too often, the American political system operates on a two-faced system of innuendo, backstabbing and to put it nicely, lying.
That can make it a challenge to follow what’s really going on behind all the talking points and spin.
Luckily, Chinese animation studio Tomonews is here to present the real story.
It’s like the fever dream of a political insider, if that insider had eaten the wrong bag of mushrooms and fallen asleep while watching an action movie.
Still, it gets to the heart of the matter, wouldn’t you say?
Watch below:
Listen to Hillary Clinton in 1969, the First Student Speaker at a Wellesley Commencement
Listen to Hillary Clinton in 1969, the First Student Speaker at a Wellesley Commencement
Hillary Rodham was 21 years old when she was chosen as the first student to ever speak at a Wellesley College Commencement in 1969. She was introduced by President Ruth Adams, who called her “cheerful, good humored, good company, and a good friend to all of us.”
And Wellesley College this week released the speech she gave in which she discusses the political climate of the time and what she felt should change:
“Part of the problem with just empathy with professed goals is that empathy doesn’t do us anything. We’ve had lots of empathy; we’ve had lots of sympathy, but we feel that for too long our leaders have viewed politics as the art of the possible. And the challenge now is to practice politics as the art of making what appears to be impossible possible.”
She also spoke of education:
“To be educated, the goal of it must be human liberation. A liberation enabling each of us to fulfill our capacities so as to be free to create within and around ourselves.”
Clinton also spoke of people who feared for the future because of the situations of the present. Clinton advised:
“Fear is always with us but we just don’t have time for it. Not now.”
Watch:
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This Drone Footage of Bryde’s Whales Feeding is Something You Haven’t Seen Before: WATCH
This Drone Footage of Bryde’s Whales Feeding is Something You Haven’t Seen Before: WATCH
Post-graduate students at the Auckland University of Technology shot some extraordinary drone footage, the first-ever to capture endangered Bryde’s whales feeding in the waters off New Zealand.
The footage captures the whales from a perspective that allows you to see the technique they use to feed on plankton, first breathing and then turning on their sides, opening their gaping maws and allowing their bellies to expand as the baleen filters the water.
There are thought to be less than 200 of these whales left in the waters around New Zealand.
Watch the extraordinary footage:
The post This Drone Footage of Bryde’s Whales Feeding is Something You Haven’t Seen Before: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.
8:51 AM
Blackpool Pride Festival 2016
Blackpool Pride Festival 2016
William Matthews Photography posted a photo:
The Blackpool Pride event was back with a bang this weekend, centred around Blackpool Winter Gardens and St John’s Square, and it’s bigger and better than ever!
Blackpool Pride Festival is celebrating it’s tenth anniversary in 2016 and each year the event gets bigger, brighter and better!
It’s a weekend for everyone, centered around St John’s Square and Blackpool Town Centre with 5 stages and entertainment in the Winter Gardens over two days.
10 San Francisco Stars Share Their Secrets About The World’s Best Pride
10 San Francisco Stars Share Their Secrets About The World’s Best Pride
San Francisco Pride is a colossal celebration that has the entire city decked out in glitter. As long as it’s biodegradable, of course.
In its 46th year, SF Pride is expected to draw at least one million people into the city to cheer for 200 different parade contingents on Sunday, June 26. But as any San Franciscan will tell you, you don’t have to wait until Sunday to start waiving those rainbow flags.
We’ve asked a few of San Francisco’s most fascinating locals to share with us what they love most about SF Pride, how they plan to celebrate in 2016, and why they’re proud to live in San Francisco year-round:
Nya, entertainer at AsiaSF, star of Transcendent, 2016 Celebrity Grand Marshal
2015 SF Pride had over a million people celebrating. The cast of Transcendent was in the parade last year and it was a magical day. If you haven’t experienced SF Pride then you are missing out. It is a great honor to be 2016 Grand Marshals and I know this year will be just as spectacular.
San Francisco has so many resources for trans folks. Whether it be housing, job search and medical assistance, help with name and gender change, the list goes on. Mayor Ed Lee even banned city workers to travel to North Carolina because of their anti trans bathroom laws. I am overjoyed that trans people don’t feel the need to hide in the shadows anymore. We can live life to the fullest and celebrate our struggles and success. The people of San Francisco are a true testament that love and acceptance can overcome anything.
Bambiana, entertainer at AsiaSF, star of Transcendent, 2016 Celebrity Grand Marshal
I have had the pleasure of attending many gay pride events in other cities and none of them compare to SF Pride. Here, the whole city celebrates. SF Pride brings visibility to the trans community and it’s not just a recent development. They’ve been supporting the trans community forever.
San Francisco is one of the most open-minded and culturally advanced cities in the US. The landscape is breathtaking but what I love the most is the warm hearts and the open minds of the people that live in it. I couldn’t be luckier.
Christopher B, DJ at the Lookout, BeatBox and The EndUp
In San Francisco, there is a pervasive level of social consciousness and a sense of protecting the beautiful place we call home. From composting to fundraising to fabulously creative cultural events, San Franciscans work hard to make the world a better place, spreading a trail of glitter wherever we go (as long as that glitter is biodegradable). Pride is such a powerful celebration because we get to reflect on how far we have come while getting re-energized for the battles ahead. Plus, we DJs get to dust off some of our favorite classics – and I love Pride classics.
Last year my friends arranged a Sunset Cruise featuring one of my favorite DJs/producers, Barry Harris. They’ll be doing it all again this year on the Friday before Pride. To me, it’s the perfect way to kick off the weekend. And of course don’t miss the SF Pride Parade! Find a good place to watch and be prepared to dance. I’ll be spinning on the Uber float, so be sure to give me a wave! If you need a soundtrack to get you in the mood for Pride, check out my free podcast mixes.
Michelle Meow, founder and host of the Michelle Meow Show on KOFY TV, SF Pride board president
I have a unique way of celebrating because I have been involved with SF Pride since I was 23. I co-host the Pride Parade celebration, so I’m up starting at 5 a.m. on Sunday morning. That makes it very difficult to participate in all the fun the night before, but there are a few events everyone must check out.
Frameline, the LGBTQI Film Festival opens up mid-June through the last day of Pride. This year, Looking, the movie, will have its world-premiere at Frameline. On the Friday of Pride weekend, over 11,000 marchers show up for Trans March, the largest Transgender Pride event. On Saturday, the Dyke March, on its 40th anniversary, kicks off at Dolores Park and ends up in the Castro. Finally, on Sunday, the Parade kicks off at 10 a.m. and the celebration continues at Civic Center with music, fun, food, and friends.
David Richardson, co-creator of Swagger Like Us, Double Duchess recording artist
The thing I love most about SF Pride is the amount of nightlife and festivities that are in full swing that aren’t even part of the official Pride schedule. It brings out all the queers, all in one space at once. Even though there has been an absence of some creative culture due to financial inflation recently, San Francisco in general has always been – and I believe will continue to be – a place where anyone can feel comfortable being as queer as they need to be. And not just during Pride weekend.
Well, I’m usually a work horse during SF Pride nowadays. My annual pride event, The House of Babes, is the largest queer party on Saturday night at Public Works and has hosted loads of up and coming acts in the queer hip-hop genre. This year, my regular party Swagger Like Us is throwing an event featuring all-Trans talent at the Elbo Room for Trans Friday.
Krylon Superstar, performer, Double Duchess recording artist
I love that SF Pride is a city-wide event that has its roots deep in the very fabric that make up the magic of this town. It’s grown to an enormous celebration, which could feel overwhelming, but its message of sexual diversity and tolerance is very pronounced.
SF Pride actually begins on Thursday, and I’m not one to shy away from a party. But on the actual Sunday of Pride, I wake up as early as possible to catch some of the parade and then head over to Juanita More’s legendary party. And after a few high kicks and a twirl, I touch up my face and float over to Fearie Freedom Village near Civic Center. I live for the fairies! They are the cosmic arcane glue that holds the entire celebration together. After chanting, casting spells and dancing in bellowing clouds of sage, I pack up my things and head home… I’m old! Three days of going out, and I top out. Hahaha, I just called myself a top. As if.
Matt Conn, founder and CEO of MidBoss, which puts on the annual GaymerX LGBT gaming convention
Pride events are so important because we have a responsibility to visibly celebrate LGBT culture. During SF Pride, the Dyke March is always really awesome to check out. The Trans March is also fantastic, especially the picnic beforehand. Of course, it’s good to check out Castro or Folsom and hit the bars clubs and meet a nice mixture of locals and out-of-towners from around the world. Everyone should check out Brewcade, where you can grab drinks and then play Killer Queen or any of their many arcade cabinets.
It’s really good to live in a city with so much history. Harvey Milk’s legacy is still alive and going strong in the Castro and reaches far beyond that. It’s also a great place full of very open minded, progressive people. You know that if someone started throwing around slurs in a crowd of strangers, it wouldn’t fly.
Taylor Huckaby, voice of @SFBART
Last year was my first time participating in SF Pride, mere days after the Supreme Court legalized gay marriage nationwide. Being in San Francisco made it that much more affecting; San Francisco’s history is gay history. I have enormous respect for that, and for the people here who paved the way. Being here during pride is a moving experience for me.
This year, I’ll be marching the parade again with BART. As far as bars are concerned, I’ve had a great time singing at Martuni’s piano bar on Market (Manhattan in hand), and if I’m wandering toward the Castro, I always stop at Lookout.
Grace Towers, drag star
San Francisco nurtures a lot of us that didn’t fit in anywhere else. We have carved a safer space for ourselves. We owe a lot of our success with LGBTQI rights to many powerful historical moments that stemmed from San Francisco. So I really enjoy seeing new generations of LGBTQI people acknowledge, appreciate and re-tell the stories of our past. We share a love for life, creating memories and pushing boundaries. And that’s what makes Pride in San Francisco so special.
Wednesday of Pride week, I’ll be curating, hosting and performing at my weekly show dickATnite at Moby Dick Bar in the Castro. This show is going to be of epic proportions with some surprise artists from out of town. Thursday of Pride week, I’ll be hosting Bulge at the Powerhouse, a fun and sexy underwear party. I wanted to create a safe space that nurtures body positivity, so all body types, all ages, all genders are welcome. Saturday night is my big SF Pride event, Chromosome, at 60 6th Street (formerly Club 6). This is going to be beyond!
Baruch Porras-Hernandez, poet, performer and Strut community organizer
Every Pride, I visit my chosen queer family, gay mentors and older queer folks that I am grateful for having in my life. I make a point to say thank you because I would not have the freedoms I have today as a gay man without their hard work. Even today, people like the Frisco Five, make me proud to live here. Those brave people and their support group make me feel like this city still has meaning. Black and Brown Lives Matter.
As far as going out and celebrating during SF Pride, Oasis is a super fun spot to go to check out different shows. Also, the Monster drag show at the Edge. And of course, the San Francisco Queer Open Mic, a free event I host that will feature the amazing Ben McCoy on Friday, June 24 at Modern Times Bookstore in the Mission.
What I Learned From Diving Head First Into The World Of Dom/Sub Sex Work
What I Learned From Diving Head First Into The World Of Dom/Sub Sex Work
It was a combination of long-term interest, curiosity and financial strain that led me to finally create an online escort profile. I was riddled with doubts and fears mixed with immense excitement as initial messages started filling my inbox. So many questions entered my mind as the distant idea of becoming a sex worker was edging closer and closer to becoming a reality. How would this affect me emotionally, mentally, sexually, and spiritually? Did I have the skills necessary to navigate these new sexual situations? Would I enjoy myself? Is it okay if I enjoy myself? Would I not enjoy myself? Would I keep going anyway? Was I worth the money?
Eventually I braved a reply to one of my messages and solidified my very first booking. The client ended up being an incredibly sweet man in his late seventies who has lived in the Castro for over fifty years. He had two hearing aids that emitted faint, high-pitched ringing, and because of this he didn’t hear or respond to most of what I said during sex. He rode my dick until we both came, and I left feeling not much different than when I had arrived. It was the easiest and most lucrative hour of my working life to date, and it does not make for a very interesting story.
Now as for my second client, we will refer to him from here on out as Ron. Ron booked me for a two hour dom session. I had zero experience in this field of play, and Ron mentioned that he had never done anything like this before either. So, I reluctantly told him I was an old pro and would walk him through it every step of the way. I could consult with my friends in the trade and browse the internet for tips and ideas, and I was feeling oddly confident in my ability to wing it. The one thing that had me feeling a bit trepidatious was the two hour time frame Ron booked; my first client only booked me for an hour and even that session was a difficult exercise in filling my time.
The master-servant banter had already begun via text before my arrival at Ron’s house. I had the ingenious idea of telling him I would be late and that he would wait like a good servant, so I now had only an hour and forty-five minutes to fill. As I punched in the code to his unit on his building’s keypad, I matched it to the directory and realized that Ron was his apartment building’s manager. He buzzed me in and, per my instructions, was huddled on all fours next to a chair he had waiting for me. He was a white-haired asian man with a small frame, and his forehead was nearly touching the ground in front of him. He lifted his gaze enough to catch my yellow Doc Martens strolling toward him and then lowered his head back down.
I took a moment to look around the room. He had clearly lived in this place for a very long time; there were items from around the world on every wall and on each shelf and surface. Most notably, there were giant, elaborate Christmas decorations everywhere — a santa climbing a ladder to the top of a Christmas tree sat next to an animatronic Rudolph. For context, it was mid-March. Perhaps most jarring, however, was the dreadful, over-produced cover of a vaguely familiar early 2000s pop song that was blasting from his stereo. Nothing about the scene screamed “sex” to me, but I had popped a Hotrod 5000 about 40 minutes before arriving, and I was already rock hard.
I sat down in the chair and told my new servant that I required four things: my payment, a glass of water, a wet rag, and a dry rag. As he fumbled around the house for these items the song that was playing changed. I was now listening to an a capella group covering the Bruno Mars song, “Uptown Funk.” I realized then that the playlist consisted of songs from TV singing competition shows like The Voice and The Sing-off, and these were the studio versions of the contestants’ songs. I concluded that my next instruction would be to tell Ron to turn this shit off as quickly as possible; but somehow a morbid curiosity won out, and I decided to wait and see what horrible soundtrack would juxtapose my masterwork. Ron returned with my requested items and laid them at my feet while resuming his position. I counted the money and put it in my pocket, and I began sipping from the glass of water. I put my right foot on Ron’s knee and told him to wash each of my boots with the wet rag and then dry them with the dry rag. As he went to work scrubbing off the dirt I grew quite confident in myself even though I had absolutely nothing planned after this one shtick. “I can do this.” I thought to myself. “Don’t believe me? Just watch.”
It didn’t take long for things to start getting weird. Ron was so nervous that he was visibly shaking and sweating all over my boots. He looked to be in anguish already and we had only just begun. I had to call a time-out. “Look Ron,” I blurted out, “I can see that you’re quite nervous. I’m here with you for this, and you are going to get what you paid for; I just need you to take a deep breath before we keep going.”
He squeaked out a quick, “Thank you, Sir,” and took a deep breath. “I’m sorry I’m so nervous. It’s just that, I’ve never done anything like this before. I was recently widowed after thirty-one years.”
I glanced up at a photo I had grazed over during my initial scan of the apartment. A handsome man in his late fifties stared back at me from within the frame. Next to him on the table, the block letters that spelled out “Noel” had now become an ominous presence where they were only slightly comical to me just a few seconds earlier. I had stumbled not into the home of a man too neurotic or lazy to take down his Christmas decorations but into a time capsule. My chest grew tight as my heartbeat quickened within it. I struggled to figure out the best way to respond to Ron’s revelation. After a quick but intense internal deliberation, I settled on, “you missed a spot. Start over.”
My boots were clean before I knew it and my confidence in my ability to come up with new activities was waning. I made ron give me a foot massage and then a full body massage, but time seemed to be standing still. When that was over I remembered a trick that I had learned from a sub friend of mine. I was down to my jockstrap and I told Ron that he could take it off of me and smell it. When he had had his fill, I told him that I would now allow him to suck my dick. As his mouth got inches from me I shouted, “Not so fast!” He halted in mid air and I explained that he could suck my dick, but he would have to start “here” (I pointed to my toe) and lick every inch of me until he got to my crotch. Then and only then was he allowed to put me in his mouth. He got to work, and work it was. He ran out of saliva around my ankle bone and proceeded to scrape his dry tongue across the hair on my legs. A few times he skipped a spot on my skin and I made him go back over it. The experience was not an enjoyable one for either of us. As he inched up my leg, I watched one of his two cats bathing herself in the sunlight on the floor. I became suddenly amazed at the hours per day a cat spends immersed in this horrid activity. If I were a cat, I would certainly be a dirty one. Ron finally made it to my member and an arid mouth closed in around it. After one stuttered attempt at a glide up my shaft, my blow job had officially begun.
Once his salivary glands were back in action, Ron actually turned out to be quite the cocksucker. He was getting me dangerously close to finishing and we had too much time left for that to happen, so I changed things up. I made him get on the bed and lay on his back with his head draped over the side, and I began fucking his mouth. He was easily able to take every inch of me down his throat as my balls smacked into the bridge of his nose. This new position was not helpful at prolonging our session; an orgasm was close at hand, but I did not want to stop. “You took a boner pill, Tom.” I said to myself, “You can cum again after this. You could probably cum five more times after this. No need to hold back now.”
I made quite the scene during climax. I threw my head back facing the ceiling with my eyes closed and yelled as I pumped buckets straight down Ron’s throat. I opened my eyes after my final convulsion and pulled my cock out of Ron’s mouth. I was now viewing my surroundings again without the clouded lens of semen. A theater kid’s rendition of Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus Take the Wheel” was screeching out of the stereo. Two cats were now pacing and staring at me while emitting deep meows. Ten times as many books about cats beamed reflected window light into my eyes from their laminated covers. I looked down, and Ron was still choking — actually choking and coughing — on my load, almost alarmingly so. And I was abruptly and keenly aware that I would not be cumming again this afternoon or, quite possibly, ever.
I sat down on the couch and told Ron I needed a break. “And I may or may not let you touch me or yourself again for the rest of my time here,” I added. Ron sat down on the floor by my feet looking up at me. We had an hour to go.
Thankfully, Ron broke the silence first. “That whole thing just gave me déjà vu,” Ron exclaimed. I inquired further and he explained that when he was in high school an older jock would take Ron to a janitor’s closet and make Ron do things to please him. The older boy threatened to spread rumors about Ron if he didn’t do what was asked of him. Ron told me stories of the older boy making him wear his jockstrap as a hat while he spit saliva and cum into Ron’s mouth and called him his bitch. Ron loved every second of it. Ever since High School he had a fantasy of reliving that relationship, and until now he hadn’t fulfilled it. Even his late partner was uninterested in the particular role play Ron desired.
I asked about his partner and Ron was eager to talk about him. I learned that Hugh was a man of larger build and Ron had taken care of him in their home for the last ten years before he finally succumbed to cancer. Hugh’s favorite DVD to watch was Terry Fator and his Cast of Thousands, and his bellowing laugh that once echoed the hallways was the greatest absence that Ron now felt in their home. I told Ron about my partner who had passed less than a year prior. It felt inadequate as an attempt to relate — I hadn’t even been alive as long as Ron and Hugh had been together — but as we traded stories about the little visits our loved ones make to us in the days and weeks following their passing, I could tell that Ron felt he was in good company. The conversation eventually lightened as we discussed other topics. I even learned that Ron’s retirement dream is to move back to the Philippines and build a treehouse resort. The second hour of our meeting could not have been as starkly different from the first, but the catharsis of each was equally as palpable.
When our time was up I began to get dressed. Once I stood up after lacing my boots, Ron was suddenly right there hurling himself into me and wrapping his arms around my neck. A muffled, “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you,” could barely be made out near my shoulder. I held him close in a final embrace and made my way back out of his building.
I decided to walk the two or so miles home to reflect on what had just happened. I found myself thinking about something a friend told me when I said I was interested in getting into the “trade.” He told me that when two people experience an intimate connection, their limbic brains create a permanent mark on one another. I was thinking that I couldn’t be happier with the lasting marks Ron and I had left on each other when my phone suddenly vibrated in my pocket. It was an email from Ron in which he praised me and thanked me profusely; it was truly a beautiful and emotional thing to read. Perhaps my favorite quote reads as follows (English is not Ron’s first language): “Can’t thank you enough, as I consider our meet, as one of the best chapter in my life, you being the main character to it, made one soul whole again, and forever remember our encounter.” He signed it, “Can I be your slaveboy? Ron.”
During the rest of my walk home, whatever remaining feelings of stigma or uncertainty I was holding onto with regards to my new chosen venture gently made their way down my body and escaped through the soles of my shoes to be left on the sidewalk somewhere around Fillmore and Post. When I got to my front door, it felt different than just arriving home, it felt like I was stepping with both feet into the next chapter of my own life; and I was doing so with 500 more dollars in my pocket. I went upstairs, and before I could even manage to take off my boots I opened my computer and listed “dom work” on my escort profile.
Shirtless Man with ‘Trump Sucks’ Written on His Chest Interrupts NBA Final: WATCH
Shirtless Man with ‘Trump Sucks’ Written on His Chest Interrupts NBA Final: WATCH
A shirtless man identified by online media as YouTube star and prankster Vitaly Zdorovetskiy (who ran on to the field during the World Cup in 2014) was tackled after running onto the court during the fourth game of the NBA Finals last night.
Zdorovetskiy had “TRUMP SUCKS” written across his chest and “LeBron 4 President” written on his back.
— Tom Haberstroh (@tomhaberstroh) June 11, 2016
The Golden State Warriors are leading the Cleveland Cavaliers by 3-1 in the series.
The post Shirtless Man with ‘Trump Sucks’ Written on His Chest Interrupts NBA Final: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.
YouTube and ‘The Voice’ Star Christina Grimmie Shot Dead After Orlando Concert
YouTube and ‘The Voice’ Star Christina Grimmie Shot Dead After Orlando Concert
Christina Grimmie, a singer popular on YouTube who finished third on the TV competition The Voice in 2014, was shot dead on Friday night while signing autographs after a concert in Orlando. The gunman was tackled by Grimmie’s brother and shot himself during their struggle.
OPD was told suspect walked toward Christina and shot her. Christina’s brother immediately tackled the suspect, who shot & killed himself.
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) June 11, 2016
Her’s the OPD’s full account:
On June 10, 2016 at approximately 10:24 p.m., Orlando Police responded to a call of shots fired at the Plaza Live, located at 425 N. Bumby Ave. Upon arrival officers found the male suspect, who was deceased, and one victim who was gravely injured. That victim, singer Christina Grimmie, was transported to the hospital with critical injuries. She later died from those injuries.
Christina Grimmie was performing with the band Before You Exit at The Plaza Live Friday evening. The concert ended at10:00 p.m. The band members and Christina stayed to sign autographs for fans and sell merchandise.
Detectives were told the suspect – who is not being identified at this time – walked toward Christina and shot her. Christina’s brother immediately tackled the suspect stopping him from causing any more harm to Christina and her fans. During the struggle, the suspect shot himself. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation is in its preliminary stages. We know there are many questions and we will do our best to answer them as the investigations unfolds.
Christina was a talented young artist and we know that her fans and supporters want as much information as possible. We will continue to update as the investigation unfolds.
Grimmie was performing at The Plaza Live theate with boyband Before You Exit. Here’s a clip from the concert:
Orlando Police confirmed the singer’s death:
With deep regret, we have confirmed Christina Grimmie, @TheRealGrimmie has died from her injuries.
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) June 11, 2016
Here’s a clip from one of The Voice’s blind auditions:
The show expressed its sorrow over Grimmie’s death:
We are heartbroken. @TheRealGrimmie is a loved member of our family. Our thoughts are with her and her family. #PrayForChristina
— The Voice (@NBCTheVoice) June 11, 2016
There are no words. We lost a beautiful soul with an amazing voice. Our hearts go out to the friends, fans and family of @TheRealGrimmie.
— The Voice (@NBCTheVoice) June 11, 2016
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