Tyler Glenn Speaks Out on Suicide Among LGBT Mormons

The Neon Trees singer takes the Mormon Church to task.

www.advocate.com/music/2016/7/08/tyler-glenn-speaks-out-about-suicide-among-lgbt-mormons

After George Takei Protests, Zachary Quinto Defends Making Sulu Gay In New “Star Trek”

It’s been a rollercoaster week for Trekkies everywhere following news that Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu — formerly played by George Takei and portrayed by John Cho in the latest reboot — is discovered to be gay and married in the upcoming Star Trek Beyond. 

Cho broke the news to Australia’s Daily Sun, saying, “I liked the approach, which was not to make a big thing out of it, which is where I hope we are going as a species, to not politicize one’s personal orientations.”

Related: 9 Film Franchises That Need Gay Characters Now

But Takei, to whom producers were giving a nod by turning his iconic character into a gay man, was surprisingly displeased by the news, telling The Hollywood Reporter, “I’m delighted that there’s a gay character. Unfortunately, it’s a twisting of Gene’s creation, to which he put in so much thought. I think it’s really unfortunate.”

Related: PHOTOS: “X-Men” Star Nicholas Hoult Reminds Audiences Of His Fine Assets

Following that, Star Trek writer and actor Simon Pegg, who plays chief engineer Montgomery Scott (known affectionately as “Scotty”), told The Hollywood Reporter that he “must respectfully disagree”:

I have huge love and respect for George Takei, his heart, courage and humor are an inspiration. However, with regards to his thoughts on our Sulu, I must respectfully disagree with him.

“He’s right, it is unfortunate, it’s unfortunate that the screen version of the most inclusive, tolerant universe in science fiction hasn’t featured an LGBT character until now. We could have introduced a new gay character, but he or she would have been primarily defined by their sexuality, seen as the ‘gay character’, rather than simply for who they are, and isn’t that tokenism?”

Now, openly gay actor Zachary Quinto, who portrays Spock in the reboot films, has let the world know that he’s 100% in favor of the plot choice , telling Pedestrian.TV:

As a member of the LGBT community myself, I was disappointed by the fact that George was disappointed.

“Any member of the LGBT community that takes issue with the normalised and positive portrayal of members of our community in Hollywood and in mainstream blockbuster cinema… I get it that he has had his own personal journey and has his own personal relationship with this character but, you know, as we established in the first Star Trek film in 2009, we’ve created an alternate universe.

“My hope is that eventually George can be strengthened by the enormously positive response from especially young people, who are heartened by and inspired by this really tasteful and beautiful portrayal of something that I think is gaining acceptance and inclusion in our societies across the world, and should be.”

Where do you stand on the executive decision to marry off Sulu to a man in the name of representation? Sound off in the comments below.

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Neon Trees’ Out Frontman Tyler Glenn Condemns Mormon Leaders Over Gay Suicides

Here’s your new gay role model: Tyler Glenn, lead singer of the band Neon Trees.

Glenn lashed out at the Mormon Church on facebook recently, posting a tearful video where he accused church leaders of having blood on their hands. He was referring to two recent suicides by gay Mormon teens. It’s widely known that the abusive Mormon Church engages in psychological torture of LGBT people. Just a few months ago, church leaders announced that the children of same-sex couples were unwelcome in the church.

In his video, Glenn pleaded, “Please don’t let this be the summer of more gay suicides … Please make a space for your gay members. Please tell them they are okay and they are made in the image of God and they are not flawed. Please stop telling them they are abnormal.”

Related: Mormon Frontman Of Neon Trees Comes Out

Glenn was a devout Mormon for most of his life, brainwashed by the bizarre religious organization to believe in their weird rituals and extraterrestrial beliefs. He went on a mission, and even helped convert new members. It’s hard to imagine the guilt he must feel over that.

Fortunately, there’s a pathway out of the cruel Mormon church for LGBT people and their families and friends. Organizations like PostMormon and the Exmormon Foundation help survivors recover from their ordeals and move on.

How many more Mormon kids will die before church leaders accept responsibility?

Watch below:

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RBG, Newt Gingrich, Giant Pandas, Chelsea Manning, Phil Bryant: NEWS

SCOTUS. Ruth Bader Ginsburg says she doesn’t even want to think about a Trump presidency: “I don’t want to think about that possibility, but if it should be, then everything is up for grabs.”

HER HEART WILL GO ON. Celine Dion’s style is on point.

TRUMPSTER FIRE. The Donald says he might quit even if he’s elected president. Campaign official blames Clinton for Dallas shooting. 

DAILY AW. Giant Pandas do downward dog. 

KIT WILLIAMSON. EastSiders creator talks Mississippi’s HB 1523, what it was like to grow up gay in the South, and his experience emcee-ing Mississippi Pride: “It saddens me that so much hate has taken root in the state where I grew up, but I am also proud to have overcome it. I am proud of the brave LGBT people and allies in Mississippi who are standing up against it. And I am proud of our legal system for stepping in to protect us where our democracy has failed.”

MISSISSIPPI. Meanwhile, MS Gov. Phil Bryant wants stay of ruling that overturned HB 1523.

MUSIC. Calvin Harris’ Taylor Swift ‘break up track’ might not actually be about her.

REALITY TV. Ripped Bachelorette contestant bares his bum. 

NEWT GINGRICH. The former Speaker of the House and rumored Republican VP frontrunner talked with Van Jones discuss Dallas, police shootings: “It took me a long time, and a number of people talking to me through the years to get a sense of this. If you are a normal, white American, the truth is you don’t understand being black in America and you instinctively under-estimate the level of discrimination and the level of additional risk.”

GAY BARS GONE-BY. Silverlake location that once was MJ’s, a popular LA gay bar, now a straight bar where multiple women report having been roofied. 

CHELSEA MANNING. After reportedly attempting suicide earlier this week, Manning’s lawyers have finally been able to get in touch with her. 

ORLANDO. Florida state representatives engaged in hostile war of words over Orlando shooting: “…I was shocked to learn of your repeated statements accusing your fellow legislators of creating an environment that gives rise to such horrible violence when they speak out against any LGBT bills as bad public policy in the Legislature.”

TROLLING. San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus sings “If You Were Gay” from Avenue Q outside Focus on the Family HQ.

TRANSGENDER RIGHTS. Another 10 states sue Obama administration over transgender student guidance.

FRIDAY FLIRT. Dez.

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Why Is the Video Never Enough? Asks Trevor Noah Regarding Police Shootings

When will America admit police brutality is a problem? 

www.advocate.com/television/2016/7/08/why-video-never-enough-asks-trevor-noah-regarding-police-shootings

Todrick Hall’s ‘Color’ Is the Sweet Music Video We Need Today – WATCH

Late last week, Todrick Hall released a new music video for his song “Color”, featuring Jay Armstrong Johnson, and it might be exactly what you need to watch today after this week’s tragic events.

The lyrics of the song broadly paint a metaphor of how love transforms a black and white world into one filled with color. However, the song also plays with the idea of ‘color’ in a way that tackles race. Hall, who is black, and Johnson, who is white, play lovers in the music video for the song. Towards the end of the video, the pair subtly addresses the ignorance and bigotry interracial couples (to say nothing of interracial same-sex couples) so often face.

“And maybe the world will never understand / Our kinda love,” Todrick sings. The world might say, “”That’s quite enough!”, Jay suggests. But Todrick insists, “I’ll fight for us,” adding, “I’d like to be the kinda man / You’d like to love / We’ve got a right to love.”

PREVIOUSLY: Todrick Hall and Bob The Drag Queen Are ‘Straight Outta Oz’ in ‘Wrong Bitch’ Music Video – WATCH

The pair close the song with the poignant line, “Whenever you’re there, darling I swear, I don’t see color.”

Watch the sweet music video, below.

The post Todrick Hall’s ‘Color’ Is the Sweet Music Video We Need Today – WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.

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