Prince Harry, Wikileaks, Bernie Sanders, Olympic Village, Knife Attack, Al Gore: NEWS

PRINCE HARRY. The royal says he regrets not speaking about the death of his mother, Princess Diana, earlier.

TAYLOR SWIFT. Instagram has apparently made it easier for the singer-songwriter to mass delete hateful comments on her posts, and has also blocked the snake emoji from being posted in her comments. 

MALE MODEL MONDAY. Austin Victoria. 

WIKILEAKS. The story of Donald Trump’s ties to Russia, who is allegedly behind the dump of DNC emails damaging to the party and Debbie Wasserman Schultz. The ‘hacktivist’ organization also warned MSNBC host Joy Reid about trying to make any connection between them and Russia.

@JoyAnnReid You are pushing a discredited conspiracy theory. There is no affinity, whatsoever. Our lawyers will monitor your program.

— WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) July 24, 2016

STOP THE BOOS. Bernie Sanders sends texts message to supporters asking them not to protest on the floor of the Democratic convention. In related news, Captain Tony Nelson texted Jeanie to get back in the bottle.

DONNA BRAZILE. Interim DNC chair issues apology to Bernie Sanders and supporters over DNC emails: “’On behalf of everyone at the DNC, we want to offer a deep and sincere apology to Senator Sanders, his supporters, and the entire Democratic party for inexcusable remarks made over email,’ the statement reads. ‘The DNC does not — and will not — tolerate disrespectful language exhibited toward our candidates.’”

CASTING. Sia will be one of the voices in the My Little Pony movie.

CURIOS. Cristiano Ronald has opened his own museum and hotel.

RIO PROBLEMS. The Australian Olympic committee says the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Village is uninhabitable: “Last night (Saturday), we decided to do a “stress test” where taps and toilets were simultaneously turned on in apartments on several floors to see if the system could cope once the athletes are in-house. The system failed. Water came down walls, there was a strong smell of gas in some apartments and there was “shorting” in the electrical wiring.”

JAPAN. At least 15 are dead after a man attacked people at a facility for the disabled outside of Tokyo: “A knife-wielding man apparently went on a rampage at the facility in Sagamihara, west of Tokyo. Citing police, the Kyodo news agency said 19 people were dead, while public broadcaster NHK said 15 were killed.  As many as several dozen people were injured, the reports said. A man in his 20s has been arrested, NHK reported, but there was little information about him or his motive.”

BLACK LIVES MATTER. Michael Jordan speaks out on police-related shootings:  “I know this country is better than that, and I can no longer stay silent.”

DEMS IN PHILLY. Al Gore won’t be at the convention but he did endorse Hillary Clinton.

I am not able to attend this year’s Democratic convention, but I will be voting for Hillary Clinton. (1/3)

— Al Gore (@algore) July 25, 2016

MONDAY MAN. Duncan 007.

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Monday: DNC Kicks off with a Host of Pro-Equality Speakers

The Democratic National Convention opens tonight with a lineup of pro-equality speakers including Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, and former NBA player Jason Collins, who made history by coming out while still an active professional basketball player.

First Lady Michelle Obama, who shares Hillary Clinton’s commitment to LGBTQ equality, is the featured speaker tonight. She has long been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ people, most recently urging Jackson State University graduates in Mississippi to stand against discrimination – including their state’s new anti-LGBTQ law, HB1523. “We’ve got to stand side by side with all our neighbors — straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender; Muslim, Jew, Christian, Hindu immigrant, Native American — because the march for civil rights isn’t just about African Americans, it’s about all Americans,” she said.

Bernie Sanders
Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) is an original cosponsor of the Equality Act, a bill that would finally offer explicit, clear, and permanent non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people at the federal level, and has been a reliable and steadfast ally to the LGBTQ community throughout his career. He is a cosponsor of the Student Non-Discrimination Act (SNDA), which would prohibit discrimination against students on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. He is also a cosponsor of the Safe Schools Improvement Act (SSIA), which would require schools to adopt codes of conduct against bullying and harassment.

Elizabeth Warren
Senator Warren (D-MA) has been a long-time supporter of marriage equality, endorsing it in  2011. Following the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling, Warren penned an op-ed highlighting how the U.S. Constitution guarantees marriage rights to same-sex couples. In a 2015 letter, Warren led a group of 38 Senators in calling out the Social Security Administration for their treatment of married same-sex couples.

Warren has also been a leader on non-discrimination. In addition to cosponsoring the Equality Act, Warren supports legislation in Massachusetts that would prohibit discrimination against transgender people in public spaces. The bill was signed into law on July 8. She’s also been an ardent opponent of the FDA’s discriminatory blood ban.

Cory Booker
Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) has been a strong pro-equality force since arriving in the  U.S. Senate in 2013. Like Sanders and Warren, he is an original cosponsor of the Equality Act, and also helped introduce the first Senate bill to prohibit the dangerous and fraudulent practice of ​“conversion therapy.”

And like Sanders and Warren, Booker is also a cosponsor of SNDA and SSIA. Booker spoke at HRC’s 2016 Spring Equality Convention. You can watch his remarks here.

Jason Collins
Jason Collins, who made history as the first openly gay active professional basketball player is also addressing the convention. By coming out and living openly, Collins courageously showed the world that one’s sexual orientation is no longer an impediment to achieving one’s goals, even at the highest levels of professional sports. Since coming out, he has been named one of TIME Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World,” and appointed to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition.

The combination of Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine make for the most pro-equality ticket in history.  Hillary Clinton has made LGBTQ equality a pillar of her campaign, including  calling  it her “highest priority” to pass and sign into law the Equality Act. In addition, she supports the military’s decision ending the ban on open transgender military service, is fighting to outlaw dangerous and debunked “conversion therapy” for minors and is calling for an end to the epidemic of transgender violence. Read more on Clinton’s strong LGBTQ platform and record here.

Running mate Tim Kaine also has a strong LGBTQ record. In addition to supporting marriage equality, Kaine is an original co-sponsor of the Equality Act. One of Kaine’s first actions as Virginia Governor in 2006 was to sign an executive order adding sexual orientation protections to the non-discrimination policy for state workers. Kaine also recently signed onto an amicus brief in the 2nd Circuit case, Christiansen v Omnicom Group Inc., arguing that sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination are prohibited under the Civil Rights Act of 1964. He has voted in favor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and the Student Non-Discrimination Act (SNDA).

Clinton-Kaine stand in stark contrast with the Republican ticket of Donald Trump and Mike Pence. Among his anti-equality positions, Trump has vowed to rescind marriage equality and pledged to appoint U.S. Supreme Court justices who would overturn last year’s historic Obergefell marriage equality ruling. He has pledged to sign the so-called First Amendment Defense Act, which could allow individuals, many businesses, and nonprofit organizations to circumvent critical federal protections and blatantly discriminate against LGBTQ families.

Pence, in a now notorious interview with ABC last year, refused to answer eight separate times when asked whether businesses should be able to discriminate against LGBTQ people. Pence became a national disgrace in 2015 for his “license to discriminate” bill — which threatened to allow businesses to deny service to LGBTQ people — and for subsequently defending the bill after an outcry from the business community and a majority of Hoosier voters.

Read more on how Trump and Pence would put LGBTQ equality at risk here on HRC’s new “Dump Trump” site.

www.hrc.org/blog/monday-dnc-kicks-of-with-a-host-of-pro-equality-speakers?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Will Michelle Obama Offer Clues About Her Future Tonight?

The first lady’s fans hope her speech at the Democratic convention will signal a continued high-profile role for her.

www.advocate.com/politics/2016/7/25/will-michelle-obama-offer-clues-about-her-future-tonight

Nate Silver’s Terrifying Prediction: Prepare for President Trump

Nate Silver and Michael Moore have some dire warnings for those who think Americans are too smart to elect an “idiot.”

www.advocate.com/election/2016/7/25/nate-silvers-terrifying-prediction-prepare-president-trump

WNBA Walks Back Fine on Players Who Wore Black T-Shirts

Three WNBA teams were originally fined $5,000 each for altering their uniforms.

www.advocate.com/sports/2016/7/25/wnba-walks-back-fine-players-who-wore-black-t-shirts

“No Homo”: These #DNCLeaks Are Utterly Absurd And Surprisingly Gay

It appears DNC staffers are big on repartee and innuendo, eager to outdo one another in an ongoing battle to be glib, snarky and frankly bizarre in their their day-to-day office practices.

That’s judging by these choice bits culled from the latest Wikileaks email outpouring, compiled by RT for your viewing pleasure…

Here, finance directors Jordan Kaplan and Zachary Allen tell one another “I love you,” before quickly countering with a possibly-ironic “No homo”:

In another exchange, the irascible Kaplan finds himself in need of a hearty lunch — namely, “the salad with chicken asshole.” In his defense, he swam that morning. Hey, it makes a meal:

Then there’s Karina Marquez’s idea of an afternoon pick-me-up:

Later, Kaplan ponders the sexuality of a certain Doug Hathaway with coworker Scott Comer, saying Hathaway “totes” gives him “daddy vibes”:

Sounds like our kind of office.

Related: Emails Reveal Hillary Clinton Urged Obama Administration To Counter Antigay Laws In Africa

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In Rare Interview, Aaron Schock Says He’s Done With Politics. Shirtless Selfies? TBD.

Hey, Aaron Schock, remember that guy?

You know, the Republican Congressman who got nationally noticed for decorating his office like the set of Downton Abbey, and then noticed some more for a bunch of financial improprieties. Of course, the gays had been noticing him for a long time, what with his intense eagerness to show off his shirtless body, turquoise belts and designer shoe collection.

Now we’re not saying he’s gay — just that he’s propped up a bunch of anti-gay policies and politicians. As a Republican, he bears responsibility for the suffering of LGBTQs all over the country. (He voted against DADT repeal; opposed marriage equality; and voted against hate crime protections.) So if he’s gay, he’s a big gay hypocrite. And if he’s straight, well, then he’s just a lousy jerk.

Related: Are You Ready For An Aaron Schock-Inspired Gay Skin Flick?

At any rate, he just managed to escape some punishment for whatever financial crimes he committed. A grand jury took a look at him for over a year and decided last week that, ehhhh, better not indict him. Must be nice to be a good-looking, rich, white lawyer!

He could still face prosecution of the US Attorney, however. Or he might not, if the US Attorney decides white collar crime isn’t important enough to pursue. We’ll see.

“It’s been a trying time, frankly, it’s been really frustrating as someone whose been always out spoken,” he told a reporter in a rare interview with his local Peoria, Illinois news station the other day.

(When asked why he opposes gay marriage, he just said “Um.” So outspoken!)

He added that he’ll probably stay out of politics for the foreseeable future, which is for the best whether he’s gay or straight.

Related: Aaron Schock Spotted Sipping Cocktails With Another Man At Romantic DC Hot Spot

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WATCH Mx Justin Vivian Bond Kick Off Towleroad’s Real-Time DNC Coverage

Mx Justin Vivian Bond’s First Real-Time Dispatches from the Democratic Convention

Like our Towleroad Facebook page and click all posts under the Notification menu to be alerted when Mx Vivian posts a new video.

Something A Bit Unconventional With Towleroad’s Convention Coverage

We wanted to send someone spectacular to this historic convention, knowing that it’s always about the people, the characters and the bigger issues of the day more than about very specific news coverage. And when I tossed out Mx Vivian’s name at our editorial meeting, it was obvious and clear this is who we’d need on the ground and in our heads. We needed great insight matched with great levity, finesse matched with brute force, someone who can feel the beauty of the moment but not turn entirely away from the ugly current reality. We’ll let Mx Viv take it from here…

Mx Justin Vivian Bond said Yes:

“Ladies and Gentlemen I can now confirm that I will be covering the Democratic National Convention live from Philadelphia for Towleroad.com. I am not a journalist but I am a writer and an adventuress so Goddess knows what will happen.

Here are a few things I know for sure:

I definitely plan to stalk Elizabeth Warren until she realizes she’s actually stalking me, hello…

“No Elizabeth, that’s ENOUGH! Oh, alriiiiight, if you’re buyin.”

As a feminist I pledge to wrangle and TOP in heels -not spurs- a few “spirited” Bernie Bros.

I’ll try to arrange some face time with Hillary -but only when it’s convenient for BOTH of us!

If all else fails I hope to live up to the tipsy standard set by a drunken Diane Sawyer on election night 2012!
The Drunk news:

This is going to be fun!

Who is this Bond Character Anyway?

Mx Justin Vivian Bond is a trans-genre artist living in New York City.  As a performer both on and Off-Broadway, Mx Bond has received numerous accolades winning an Obie (2001), a Bessie (2004), a Tony nomination (2007), the Ethyl Eichelberger Award (2007), The Peter Reed Foundaton Grant, and a New York Foundation for the Arts Grant for Artists.  V authored the Lambda Literary Award winning memoir TANGO: My Childhood, Backwards and in High Heels (The Feminist Press, 2011).

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MTV’s ‘True Life’ Will Share Stories of 4 Orlando Survivors – WATCH

MTV’s series True Life is taking a look at the survivors of the Orlando massacre.

The Pulse shooting was the deadliest mass shooting in America history, leaving 49 dead and 53 injured.

The upcoming episode of the long-running MTV show will bring attention to four survivors who are still struggling to recover from the horror and violence they experienced.

Via MTV:

True Life: We Are Orlando, which will premiere on August 15, will showcase four brave survivors of the attack as they try to come to terms with the trauma and get their lives back on track. But there’s a twist: For the first time in the series’ run, viewers will become acquainted with those featured on the program before the episode airs and follow their stories as they are being filmed.

EW adds:

Spotlighted in the August 15 episode are Tony Marrero, Joshua McGill, Patience Carter, and Tiara Parker. Marrero faces a long road to recovery after being shot four times, including once in the back, while also dealing with the loss of his best friend, who died that night. McGill was one of many heroes that night as he fled to the back of the club to help a man in need and helped save him. Carter and Parker were on vacation from Philadelphia and ended up hiding the bathroom throughout the shooter’s three-hour standoff with police.

Beginning Monday, MTV will release clips featuring the 4 survivors while production is still underway.

Watch one of those clips, below.

Warning: the video shows some graphic images of wounds from the Pulse shooting.

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