061316 BELOWZERO
SGdoesit posted a photo:
Michael “Goose” Chanak hugs a friends outside during a vigil for the victims of the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando at the Below Zero Lounge in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati on Monday, June 13, 2016.
Pam Bondi Once Again Acts Like A Petulant Child When Confronted With The Truth
Pam Bondi is at it again.
The Florida Attorney General insists on continuing to politicize the Orlando massacre… by accusing others of politicizing it while crowing about being a “champion” for LGBTQ people and simultaneously denying her record of antigay animus.
Way to keep it classy, Pam.
Related: Anderson Cooper Rails Against Florida AG: Are You Really A ‘Champion’ Of Gay Rights?
It all started earlier this week, when Anderson Cooper pushed back on Bondi’s claims that she was an LGBTQ ally by bringing up the time she argued against marriage equality in court, saying gay married people would cause “impose significant public harm.”
Bondi awkwardly insisted “I never said I didn’t like gay people!” then she ran to her local conservative radio station to accuse Cooper of choosing to “encourage anger and hate” instead of using his platform to be a “champion for the LGBT community.”
Cooper then responded in a segment on AC360, blasting Bondi for misrepresenting their interview and ignoring the larger, more important issue: That she’s patting herself on the back for being a “champion” for a community she has actively worked to discriminate against in the past.
Well, yesterday Bondi went on FOX News to discuss what she is now calling a “political attack” against her lodged by Cooper.
Related: Anderson Cooper Fires Back At Pam Bondi For Firing Back At Anderson Cooper For Calling Her Antigay
“There’s a time and place for everything,” she said, “if he wants to ask me about doing my job defending the constitution. But to incite anger and hatred was not the time nor the place in front of a hospital.”
She continued: “And I kept trying to bring him back. He cut me off. He said ‘sick irony.’ You know? And I get it. He’s hurt. He is a champion of the LGBT community. But, you know, that’s a time for us to come together.”
But she didn’t stop there.
“He said I’m either mistaken or not telling the truth,” she rambled on. “Well, the interview is what it is. And, also, I would love for CNN to release his microphone that was wired when we were talking about I was excited, telling him, I was excited that he could help people.”
“Emotions are high,” she added. “I saw later that he had cried. You know, it is what it is. But let’s just focus on unity and love. And he basically mocked me for saying that!”
Watch Pam try to scrape the metaphorical dog shit off her shoes in the video below…
US Soccer Captain Michael Bradley Wears Rainbow Armband In Solidarity with LGBT Community – WATCH
US Men’s National Soccer Team Captain Michael Bradley showed up to a match against Ecuador on Thursday wearing a rainbow armband in support of the LGBT community and the victims of the Orlando massacre.
Bradley donned the rainbow armband instead of the yellow armband he traditionally wears as team captain. Written on the rainbow armband were the words, “One Nation.”
“Obviously it’s an incredibly sad week for our country, for the LGBT community,” Bradley said following the game. “You know, we all feel a big sense of responsibility every time we represent our country, and I think wearing that armband was the best way to represent our country tonight.”
#USMNT star Michael Bradley wearing a rainbow captain’s armband during tonight’s match: pic.twitter.com/5raeOCDhd2
— Alejandro Zúñiga (@ByAZuniga) June 17, 2016
Mad respect to Michael Bradley pic.twitter.com/CYRtAk7G2j
— USWNT reactions (@USWNTreactions) June 17, 2016
Rainbow armband on The Captain. Class move by Bradley. pic.twitter.com/YaoYrFGhKY
— Steve Cavendish (@scavendish) June 17, 2016
Outsports’ Cyd Zeigler adds, “Bradley didn’t just wear it for the pre-match ceremony but wore the captain’s arm band throughout the match […].”
Zeigler also blasted media coverage that has minimized if not erased the fact that the Orlando shooting was specifically an attack on the LGBT community. Said Zeigler, “It’s crazy to me that places like Sports Illustrated are reporting about the rainbow band with no reference to the LGBT community. Why can’t the sports world just say the words “gay” and “LGBT” in conjunction with the assault on our community in Orlando?”
Hillary Clinton praised Bradley for wearing the armband, writing on Twitter, “You don’t have to be LGBT to stand with the LGBT community. We all have a stake in equality. Thank you, Michael.”
You don’t have to be LGBT to stand with the LGBT community. We all have a stake in equality. Thank you, Michael. t.co/EfEMVugWCp
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 17, 2016
Watch a news report on Bradley’s show of support on the field as well as a video from the USMNT offering their support to the LGBT community and the victims of the Orlando massacre, below.
[Top photo via Twitter]
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Uber Is Offering Free Rides to LGBTQ Centers and Sites This Weekend
Uber is offering free rides in 40 cities to LGBTQ centers and select historical sites and bars this weekend. Each person is eligible for up to two $20 rides, the transportation service announced on Friday.
CNN reports, “The discount goes into effect on Friday at noon and lasts through Monday evening. It will automatically be applied when riders begin or end a ride at one of the selected destinations.”
The free rides are being doled out following the Orlando massacre at gay nightclub, Pulse, which left 49 club-goers dead.
The discount does not apply in Orlando, however, because Uber has already been closely coordinating with authorities in that city to provide free rides for family members of the victims who traveled there after the shooting.
In the other 40 cities the companies chose, local teams were tasked with choosing a number of locations that were of cultural and/or historical value to the LGBTQ community. In Washington, D.C., for example, venues include Nellies, Cobalt, The DC Center, Whitman Walker Clinic, Number 9 and Town Danceboutique.
In addition to New York, San Francisco and D.C., the discounts will apply to Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charleston, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Tampa Bay, Toronto, New Orleans, Miami, Los Angeles and more.
Venues which the discount applies to include places such as The Stonewall Inn in New York and San Francisco’s Harvey Milk Plaza.
In 2014, following the Supreme Court’s ruling which effectively struck down California’s Prop 8, Uber offered free weddings to 8 San Francisco couples during Pride.
Last year, the company celebrated SOCTUS’ striking down of gay marriage bans nationwide with an update to its app that featured rainbow flags attached to their car icons.
Props to @Uber for their rainbow trails in the app. Subtle support for #LoveWins pic.twitter.com/aYWiWFX3PS
— Elliot Volkman (@TheJournalizer) June 26, 2015
The post Uber Is Offering Free Rides to LGBTQ Centers and Sites This Weekend appeared first on Towleroad.
FBI Investigating Tweet Threatening ‘Massive Shooting’ at Houston Pride – VIDEO
The FBI is investigating a threat made on Twitter against Houston’s upcoming gay pride parade.
On Monday June 13, the day after the Orlando massacre, someone identified only as @crehgdy123 tweeted,”There will be a massive shooting at the pride parade in Houston, Texas.” Houston Police were quick to launch an investigation into the tweet.
The tweet was deleted on Twitter but the same message was reportedly posted on a dating website.
Houston’s acting police chief, Martha Montalvo, says the department is aware of a threat posted on social media that there would be a massive shooting at the Pride parade in Houston. […]
She also tells us she had several people come up to her and her officers at Wednesday night’s vigil at City Hall to tell her about the threat. She wants people to keep the information coming about this and any other threat.
“We’re getting additional types of concerning types of tweets and threats,” she says. “Some of it is valid. Some of it is not. But again, even if you don’t think it’s valid send it to us. We need to see it.”
The FBI began its own investigation into the threat shortly after Houston P.D. started looking into the tweet. Currently, the FBI says it has no concrete information regarding a credible threat to Houston’s LGBT community.
Houston’s pride week begins this Sunday June 19. Security at the even has reportedly been boosted out of concern.
Watch a news report from KTRK, below.
The post FBI Investigating Tweet Threatening ‘Massive Shooting’ at Houston Pride – VIDEO appeared first on Towleroad.
Dear GOP: Keep Your Thoughts and Prayers
The Republicans cannot wash the blood off their hands.
www.advocate.com/commentary/2016/6/17/dear-gop-keep-your-thoughts-and-prayers
This Tweet Is The Perfect Example Of How Not To Joke About A Tragedy
In the few days since the Pulse Nightclub tragedy in Orlando, the world has risen up to show love and come together in a time of need. From vigils to fundraisers, thousands of people have declared that love will always win.
Then, along comes self-proclaimed “gaylebrity” Nick Starr-Street… and in a simple, 109-character tweet, reminds us that internet trolls will always have vile commentary to add.
Following this morning’s announcement of the RuPaul‘s All Stars Drag Race Season 2 cast, Nick tweeted “Seriously @RoxxxyAndrews? Isn’t she a has-been not a star? Where her people at? I thought they were all shot.”
Roxxxy Andrews, a drag queen who competed on the fifth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, started her drag career at Pulse Nightclub.
Star-Street’s tweet was not only a vicious attack aimed to hurt Roxxxy, but it is also a perfect example of how not to joke about a tragedy. This “joke” took things to a level that not even the late Joan Rivers would approve of.
“For 10 years this stage was my home. This club we helped build to what it was,” Roxxxy shared on June 13th in an emotional Instagram post, “We were family, we were a community. I started drag here! The memories will live on for ever. It was made to remember a pulse of a wonderful man and created its own pulse that lived in all of us. I’ll never forget my memories I’ll never forget the people. This stage and place will always be in my heart. I love u all and thank you for the memories.”
Cyberbullying is never OK. If you ever witness an act of cyberbulling, take immediate action and report it. Learn more about how to report cyberbullies here.
feedproxy.google.com/~r/queerty2/~3/wZMq2xjknVE/tweet-perfect-example-not-joke-tragedy-20160617
Big Brother’s Ryan And Hughie Passionately Kiss; Internet Judges Favorably
You must remember this: A kiss is just a kiss… except when that kiss is part of a perfectly crafted Machiavellian scheme that sets off a Rube Goldberg-esque chain of reactions that topples each of your competitors on Big Brother UK like a particularly vapid house of cards.
Related: Big Brother 16: The Greatest Full-Frontal Shots & Gay/Straight Cuddles (So Far)
Hard to say if that’s the case with Big Brother UK’s Hughie Maughan and Ryan Ruckledge, who appear — appear — quite enamored with one another if what we’ve gleamed from the June 16th episode is to be believed. (It could all just be a set piece; a delicious game.)
Related: The Hotly Anticipated Gay/Straight “Big Brother” Threesome Finally Happened
The story so far: Ryan, caught in a stompy drama spiral, comes storming into the house after a fray with Sam Giffen, but that spite melts away instantaneously and gives way to cutesy passion as he spies Hughie and says, “I’ve missed you 20/10.” (Erm, what does that mean?) Then there’s some wanton embracing on a sofa, which gives way to passionate kissing and rumply microphone feedback.
Let it suffice to say, this tryst has not going unnoticed by The Internet:
Ryan and Hughie’s kiss was real. Better than Laura and Marco’s constant showmance ? #bbuk
— Mollie. (@MollBBUK) June 16, 2016
Compared to Laura and Marco, Ryan and Hughie look so genuine and hate to say it but cute #BBUK
— Thomas (@tomplask) June 16, 2016
Ryan & Hughie: Sober, cute, genuine flirtyness.
Marco & Laura: disturbing, desperate, showmancy dirtyness.#bbuk #bbots— Trish Geraghty (@moonegirl_) June 16, 2016
Don’t know what everyone is complaining about, I’d much rather watch hughie and Ryan kiss than Marco and Laura. #BBUK
— Stacey Fitzmaurice (@StaceyEllen91) June 16, 2016
Aww Hughie and Ryan are quite cute together! #bbuk
— Mollie. (@MollBBUK) June 16, 2016
I love Ryan and hughie together #bbuk pic.twitter.com/xMiSTJQtRe
— sammi-jo deakin (@XXxsammiXXx) June 16, 2016
Called it on night one. I think Ryan and Hughie are going to become one of my favourite BB couples. ??? #BBUK pic.twitter.com/Oq3x3Kk4cU
— Matthew Davies (@MatthewDavies__) June 16, 2016
Marco and Laura are disgusting… Ryan and Hughie are cute ??? #bbuk
— Caz (@CazMUFC) June 16, 2016
And now that we’ve sadistically forced you to scroll through a bunch of tepid Tweets — it was a trap, and you fell right into it — here’s that kiss:
‘Ex-Gay’ Therapist Says Banning Practice Would ‘Ruin Lives’ of Teen Clients
A prominent “ex-gay” therapist says a proposal to ban the widely discredited practice in Dallas would ruin the lives of his teenage clients.
David Pickup (right), who erected a billboard (above) promoting his business in Dallas last year, only to have it taken down by the advertising company, identifies as “ex-homosexual” and was a plaintiff in an unsuccessful lawsuit challenging California’s ban on reparative therapy. Pickup also wrote the background materials in support of the Republican Party of Texas’ platform plank endorsing reparative therapy.
Now, Dallas LGBT advocates are pushing for the city to become the first in Texas and only the fourth in the nation to outlaw reparative therapy. Pickup told The Texas Observer the proposed ban would harm “children who were emotionally and sexually abused who deal with homerotic feelings because of that abuse.”
“They’re obviously going to receive an intense fight against that,” Pickup said. “I don’t care about my business. My priority is my clients who are minors. It will no less than ruin their lives, and I do have significant numbers in Texas of these clients that deal with these issues.”
The city of Dallas’ LGBT Task Force is set to discuss the proposed reparative therapy ban in August, before forwarding it to the City Council.
Rafael McDonnell, a representative from Dallas’ LGBT community center, said the proposed ban would be in line with the city’s comprehensive resolution in support of LGBT equality, which was approved by the council in 2014.
“It is a critical issue in terms of our youth,” McDonnell said. “This is the snake oil of the 21st century.”
The post ‘Ex-Gay’ Therapist Says Banning Practice Would ‘Ruin Lives’ of Teen Clients appeared first on Towleroad.
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