For Once, Dan Savage Has No Comment on Gay Discrimination
The activist, who is also a producer on The Real O’Neal’s, joined ABC in its silence regarding star Noah Galvin’s biting remarks on Hollywood bias. The show’s future now hangs in the balance.
www.advocate.com/media/2016/6/21/once-dan-savage-has-no-comment-gay-discrimination
Jim Gray Is Testing Gun Control as Way to Unseat Republicans
Rand Paul voted against stopping terrorists from getting guns. Will it matter in his reelection?
www.advocate.com/election/2016/6/21/jim-gray-testing-gun-control-way-unseat-republicans
Rainbow and Old Glory
US Department of State posted a photo:
“Will Ostick, Consul General of the United States in Tijuana, Mexico, raises the banner of the LGBT community in the main mast of the consulate in the framework of the month of the pride of the lesbian community lesbian bisexual transgender and their contributions to society; as well as a show of support for the equality of the rights of the LGBT community in the United States and in the world.” (U.S. Consulate General Tijuana photo)..www.facebook.com/ConsuladoEstadosUnidosTijuana/posts/10154408595649714..
Gawker’s Nick Denton Offered $35K To Star In Hulk Hogan Themed Gay Skin Flick
XHampster has decided to throw salt in Gawker founder Nick Denton’s wounds by offering him $35,000 to shoot a porno where he gets banged by a guy dressed as Hulk Hogan.
Hilarious, right?
Related: Following A Wholly Unethical Post, The Whole Universe Is Angry At Gawker
“Gawker Media has filed for bankruptcy but porn site xHamster wants closure,” the porn giant announced this week in a press release. “The popular porn-sharing destination announced today that it is offering Gawker CEO Nick Denton payment of $25,000 to film a sex tape between him and his husband Derrence Washington, or any other man or woman of Denton’s choosing.”
XHampster is willing to throw him an extra $10,000 if “Washington wears a Hulkamania shirt and shouts Hulk Hogan’s trademark line, ‘Whatcha gonna do when Hulkmania runs wild on you?’ while penetrating his husband.”
The offer comes after Denton’s company was ordered to fork over 140 million smackeroos to Hogan after publishing the retired pro-wrestler’s sex tape without his consent. It was later unearthed that Hogan’s case was being bankrolled by billionaire Peter Thiel, who had a personal axe to grind with Denton.
Related: 5 Reasons Peter Thiel’s Gawker Vendetta Is So Dangerous
Since the ruling, Gawker has declared bankruptcy and Denton has been forced to sell his swanky New York apartment.
“The Gawker-Hulk Hogan saga began with porn and should end with porn” said XHamster spokesperson Mike Kulich. “XHamster has taken a strong position on responsible porn. It troubles us that sex tapes have gotten a bad name from Gawker’s actions… The First Amendment doesn’t give Gawker, xHamster, or anyone else permission to illegal film people in the privacy of their homes… It’s just wrong to take videos of people having sex and put them online without their consent. How dumb do you have to be to think otherwise?”
So far, Denton has not yet publicly responded to the offer.
Related: Peter Thiel Wins: Gawker Is Toast, Officially Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
EXCLUSIVE: LGBT New Yorkers Celebrate Pride and Resilience At The Center’s Annual Garden Party
The LGBT Center’s annual Garden Party tasting event kicked off pride week last night, and Queerty was on the scene. The benefit brings LGBT New Yorkers and allies to Pier 84 for tastings and specialty cocktails with a picture-perfect backdrop on the Hudson River, and we were able to catch up with representatives from the Center and volunteers who donated their time to the event.
Tickets go for $100 and include unlimited tastings and multiple open bars, and proceeds go towards funding and programming for the LGBT Center.
While we expected the mood to be more somber in the wake of the Orlando tragedy, we were pleased and a bit surprised to find the opposite. Security at the gate was definitely more enhanced than in years past, a subtle reminder of what will be the new normal for events like this in the near future.
The tragedy was on everyone’s minds, but for the volunteers, attendees, and Center representatives that we spoke to, it’s very important to remember what pride is all about.
We caught up with LGBT Center Executive Director Glennda Testone, who oversees initiatives and operations for the pride center. As Glennda told me, it’s important for the community to come together for pride month even in the wake of tragedy:
“I think it’s really important for our community to come together, to support each other, to dance, to celebrate and be proud of who we are.”
Vendors like Hill Country Barbecue, Luke’s Lobster, Empanada Mama and many more donated their time and treats for the event. The Hill Country brisket was pretty much everything, and the shrimp rolls from Luke’s Lobster were delicious if not an 11 on the scale of 1 to “a bit too much butter.”
Glennda says the response from donors and vendors has been overwhelming:
“People want to do what they can to support our community, and that goes for allies, donors, and fellow community members. People just want to come together and feel a part of the LGBT community. It’s a really happy event after a really sad week.”
The Smirnoff cocktails and Barefoot wine was definitely flowing, and we got a chance to chat with volunteer bartender Alexander Lopez as he poured us a cocktail. The 26-year-old associate from Shearman and Sterling LLP told us he jumped at the opportunity to work at the event:
“They offered us the opportunity to volunteer, and it seemed like a great way to get out of the office, celebrate pride, and meet some new people.”
For Lopez, the Garden Party is not only a great event, but an important way to show solidarity and visibility post Orlando:
“It’s an opportunity to build community, to get together as one, and in light of Orlando it’s easy for people to not want to come out, but it’s so important to get out and come to events like this, and to still be present.”
We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.
As the sun went down and the DJ continued playing into the night (or 10PM, it was a Monday), seeing the hope, celebration, and community building with our own eyes definitely gave us a new perspective on partying for a cause. Well done, Garden Party 2016. We’ll see you next year.
Loretta Lynch Speaks After Meeting with Victims of ‘Shattering Attack’ in Orlando: WATCH
U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch met today with victims of the June 12 attacks on the gay Pulse nightclub in Orlando which took 49 lives, the deadliest mass shooting by a single individual in U.S. history.
Lynch said she was providing $1 million in assistance to first responders as well as federal emergency funds to “cover family travel expenses, medical and mental health expenses and other costs related to the tragedy.”
Said Lynch:
There is no doubt that this was a shattering attack – on our nation, on our people and on our most fundamental ideals. But the message of Orlando goes far beyond one night of unspeakable terror. The message of Orlando that I have seen today – and what the American people have seen in the wake of this horrific assault – is a message of determination to remove hatred and intolerance from our midst; to live our lives freely and without fear; and to stay true to the principles of liberty, justice and equality that define America at our best.
In related news, investigators today reported that the Orlando shooter visited Pulse nightclub the night of the attack, left, and then returned:
The gunman paid the entry fee, obtained a wrist band, and entered the club, the officials said. Investigators believe he may have been checking the club security. Surveillance video, cell phone tracking along with witness interviews have helped the FBI to build a timeline of his whereabouts on the night of the attack. But they are still working to determine what he was doing for a two-hour period between when he left the club and returned.
The day before, he had bought three plane tickets for him, his wife, Noor Salman, and child to travel from West Palm Beach to San Francisco in July. Investigators don’t know why, if he was planning an attack, he made travel plans.
AG Lynch’s transcript, as prepared:
Good afternoon, everyone and thank you all for being here. I am here in Orlando today to meet with our investigators and state and local partners on the ground; to support the people of this great city and all those who have been affected by this devastating tragedy; and to reaffirm this administration’s unshakeable commitment to the safety of our citizens, the security of our nation and the strength of our values.
Earlier today, I met with U.S. Attorney [Lee] Bentley and his staff, who are helping to coordinate the Justice Department’s participation in the ongoing investigation, which includes my colleagues at the FBI, ATF, the National Security Division and U.S. Attorney’s Offices in Florida. I’ve visited with some of the family members of those lost and wounded in this attack. This afternoon, I will meet with state and local law enforcement and first responders. I could not be more proud of all the members of the Orlando community that I’ve encountered today – and I’ve made clear that the Department of Justice stands with them.
We’re doing that in a number of ways. We are providing assistance to first responders and law enforcement officers as they aid in the investigation of this heinous crime. The Department of Justice is making $1 million in emergency funding available to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The state will be able to apply for funds on behalf of Orlando and other affected jurisdictions to cover overtime costs for state and local responders. We will move quickly to make the award as soon as possible. And we are offering emergency counseling resources to first responders to help them deal with the trauma that they too have experienced. Because in their bravery, they shoulder the dangers visited upon us and carry that weight long after the smoke has cleared. We will continue to make any and all resources available to them as this investigation unfolds.
The Department of Justice is also determined to do anything we can to help this community heal, recover and become whole again. Our Office for Victims of Crime and the FBI Office for Victim Assistance have already worked with local, state and federal officials and community groups to set up a Family Assistance Center. Service providers are on the ground providing crisis counseling and other critical support and we’re making federal emergency funds and victim compensation funding available to cover family travel expenses, medical and mental health expenses and other costs related to the tragedy. We also have experts in crisis response on the scene to help with both short and long term planning to meet the needs of victims and the community.
There is no doubt that this was a shattering attack – on our nation, on our people and on our most fundamental ideals. But the message of Orlando goes far beyond one night of unspeakable terror. The message of Orlando that I have seen today – and what the American people have seen in the wake of this horrific assault – is a message of determination to remove hatred and intolerance from our midst; to live our lives freely and without fear; and to stay true to the principles of liberty, justice and equality that define America at our best. I am proud of the way that federal, state and local law enforcement officers and first responders have gone above and beyond the call of duty. I am inspired by the strength and the resilience of the survivors and their loved ones. And I am deeply moved by the way that this community – and our national community – has stood together in support of one another, in defiance of terror and in defense of our most cherished ideals.
Those ideals include the understanding that our diversity makes us stronger – and that no matter who we are, what we look like, where we come from, or whom we love, this extraordinary nation belongs to us all. I know that the LGBT community in particular has been shaken by this attack. It is indeed a cruel irony that a community defined almost exclusively by whom they love is so often a target of hate.
Let me say to our LGBT friends and family, particularly to anyone who might view this tragedy as an indication that their identities – their essential selves – might somehow be better left unexpressed or in the shadows: this Department of Justice – and your country – stands with you in the light. We stand with you to say that the good in the world far outweighs the evil; that our common humanity transcends our differences; and that our most effective response to terror and hatred is compassion, unity and love. We stand with you today as we grieve together. And long after the cameras are gone, we will continue to stand with you as we grow together, in commitment, in solidarity and in equality.
Once again, I want to thank my colleagues for their outstanding work over the last week. I want to express my gratitude for all that they and our partners on the ground have done and will continue to do to move our efforts forward. And I want to pledge the ongoing support of the Department of Justice and the Obama Administration as we work to ensure the safety and security of all Americans.
The post Loretta Lynch Speaks After Meeting with Victims of ‘Shattering Attack’ in Orlando: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.
Gay Sex Scandal Involving Theology Students, Staffers Rocks Ireland’s National Seminary
In the latest chapter on a series of scandals that have plagued the Irish Catholic Church (yes, again), Ireland’s national seminary, St. Patrick’s College in Maynooth, has strongly denied that its president, Monsignor Hugh Connolly, announced sabbatical because of anonymous allegations of a gay subculture.
A letter sent to the seminary in May — which allegedly named seven seminarians and two staff members — claimed that members of the seminary community were involved in inappropriate behavior of a homosexual nature.
Msgr Connolly told The Irish Catholic that the he would deal with the allegations in the most robust way, and insisted that St. Patrick’s College has had “in place, for many years, an independent panel and chairperson to process and adjudicate on all matters of concern in complete confidentiality,” he said. Connolly guaranteed that its policy is to “thoroughly deal with any concerns brought to its attention regarding a seminarian’s behavior in accordance with the Seminary Rule and seminary protocols and in consultation with all relevant parties.”
A message on Maynooth College’s website informs that “Monsignor Connolly will remain as President until the completion of his statutory term in the summer of 2017 and he will continue to exercise some duties during the year.” It also announces that he plans to return to his post as (perhaps ironically) Professor of Moral Theology, “a position he occupied before assuming the Presidency.”
According to the Church, Connolly’s sabbatical is in no way connected to the scandal.
Openly gay Bishop Pat Buckley is not convinced: “This sabbatical comes as the Maynooth gay scandal rages. Why not finish the last year of his term and then take the sabbatical at the natural juncture of leaving the presidency and going back to teach?” he asked on his website.
Irish Central reports a similar case from 1994, when another head of the Maynooth seminary, Monsignor Michael Ledwith, resigned six months before his term of office was due to end. Allegations of the sexual abuse of a minor male were made shortly after his resignation.
In 1946, Pope Paul VI described Ireland as “the most catholic country in the world.” In 2015, more than 60 percent of Irish voters approved a constitutional amendment that legalized same-sex marriage, voting against the church’s opposition.
Ireland became the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage by popular vote
The post Gay Sex Scandal Involving Theology Students, Staffers Rocks Ireland’s National Seminary appeared first on Towleroad.
German Railway Company Deutsche Bahn Celebrates Gay Footballer and His #1 Fan: WATCH
German railway company Deutsche Bahn put out this touching video, titled ‘The Fan’, earlier this month.
They write:
Those we welcome on board our trains as customers reflect our society. Whether black or white, young or old, scientists, bankers, crane operators, or unemployed, footballers and musician , gay, lesbian or heterosexual.”
Watch:
The post German Railway Company Deutsche Bahn Celebrates Gay Footballer and His #1 Fan: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.
Bermuda to Hold Non-Binding Referendum on Marriage Equality and Civil Unions on Thursday
The British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, a collection of small North Atlantic islands, will hold a non-binding referendum on marriage equality and same-sex civil unions on Thursday. Since the results will be non-binding, the government will not be required to take action based on the results. Many activists are opposed to the referendum which would give a majority the chance to possibly curtail the rights of sexual and gender minorities.
Bermuda has made several attempts in the last few decades to advance LGBTQ rights. Consensual sex between men was decriminalized in 1994, but the age of consent remains higher for same-sex couples. In June 2013, Bermuda banned discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, but the law did not include protections based on gender identity. An attempt to introduce marriage equality was voted down in Parliament that same month.
In March, Tony Brannon of the advocacy group Same Love Bermuda wrote to HRC warning about the activities of conservative, anti-LGBTQ U.S. extremists like Brad Harrub in Bermuda. Harrub and other right-wing activists have visited Bermuda in recent months, attempting to foment anti-LGBTQ animus in advance of the referendum. Harrub has speciously claimed that marriage equality could lead to the spread of paedophilia, bestiality and polygamy. Harrub is part of a group of American extremists working tirelessly to undercut LGBTQ people around the world.
HRC will be closely following the referendum results in Bermuda. Stay tuned for updates later this week. You can also follow HRC Global’s work by signing up for the newsletter HRC Global News here.
Make It Stop: Rubio Wants Another 6 Years to Not Represent LGBTQ Floridians in the Senate
Today, HRC responded to news reports that Marco Rubio is considering running for another term despite refusing to stand up for LGBTQ Floridians during his last six years in the U.S. Senate. Rubio, has time and again put politics above the rights of LGBTQ people, despite Florida being home to one of the most vibrant LGBTQ communities in the nation. Moreover, as a presidential candidate, Rubio doubled down on his anti-LGBTQ policy positions and ramped up his discriminatory rhetoric, throwing red meat to conservative religious leaders and talk shows instead of standing up to hate. Despite his long history of voting against the interests of LGBTQ Floridians, Rubio has astonishingly suggested that the attack on Pulse nightclub was an impetus for considering another run for the Senate.
“Shameful is the only word that can be used to describe Marco Rubio considering — at this moment — a run for Senate after he’s promised to roll back all the gains LGBTQ people have made,” said HRC JoDee Winterhof, HRC Senior Vice President of Policy and Political Affairs. “From his votes to his rhetoric, Marco Rubio has never been an ally to LGBTQ people. To be clear, it’s because of lawmakers like Rubio that Floridians remain at risk for being fired or denied a job because of who they are or whom they love.”
Polling released by the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute found Marco Rubio massively out of step with Floridians on LGBTQ issues. A 53 percent majority of Floridians support marriage equality, while a 70 percent majority support LGBTQ non-discrimination protections, which Florida lacks.
Among Rubio’s anti-LGBTQ positions during the presidential campaign:
On Marriage Equality: Marco Rubio was an early opponent of the United States Supreme Court’s ruling on marriage equality, saying that would appoint Supreme Court justices who would overturn it. He sought to turn back the clock on nationwide marriage equality throughout the campaign and notoriously told a same-sex couple in New Hampshire that marriage should be between “one man and one woman.” Rubio went on to bizarrely tell the couple they should have the law changed by their state legislature, even though New Hampshire enacted civil unions through the legislative process in 2007, and legalized marriage equality by the same process in 2009.
On Transgender Rights: Rubio opposed allowing transgender students to use facilities that correspond to their gender identity. Rubio also vowed to repeal all of President Obama’s executive orders, including the LGBTQ federal contractor order that protects LGBTQ workers. Previously, Rubio voted against the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, maintaining a status quo where millions of LGBTQ Americans remain at risk for being fired or denied a job because of who they are or who they love.
On Kim Davis: Marco Rubio vowed to sign the so-called “First Amendment Defense Act,” as President, a bill which would bring Kim Davis-style discrimination to the federal government.
On Mike Pence: As recently as this year, Marco Rubio defended the Indiana Governor, who attempted to write discrimination into state law and allow businesses to discriminate and deny service to someone just because of who they are or whom they love.
On His Anti-LGBTQ Endorsements: Rubio was endorsed by both Rick Santorum and the CEO of Hobby Lobby, the leader behind a court case that set a troubling precedent that could have profound impacts on access to appropriate healthcare for the LGBTQ community.
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