Everyone’s Pissed At This Straight Journalist Who Used Grindr To Out Gay Athletes In Rio

A straight journalist is under fire for using Grindr to essentially out closeted gay athletes in Rio.

Nico Hines has been covering the Olympics for the Daily Beast. As part of his reporting, he thought it would be hilarious to create a fake profile on the dating app then see just how many gay athletes were cruising for sex between games.

Hines was shocked to learn that Rio has become, in his words, “a hotbed of partying athletes, hookups, and sex, sex, sex.” Particularly gay “sex, sex, sex.”

Related: Watch: Ad Championing Transgender Athlete Chris Mosier Drops During Olympics

While he didn’t call out any of the men by name, Hines did share quite a bit of identifying information about them, including the sports they played and the countries they were from:

“Athlete profiles on the various apps during my short exploration included a Brazilian track star, an Italian volleyball player, a South American record-holder in the pool, a sailor from New Zealand, a British diver, and a handball player from a notoriously homophobic country,’ he wrote.

Naturally, a lot of people weren’t pleased with Hines’ stunt, calling it homophobic, irresponsible, disrespectful, and dishonest:

So @NicoHines basically just outed a bunch of athletes in his quest to write a shitty @thedailybeast article where he admitted to entrapment

— Gus Kenworthy (@guskenworthy) August 11, 2016

Can someone .@thedailybeast please explain why on Earth’s @NicoHines dangerous & homophobic article was commissioned let alone published?

— Nick Coveney (@nmjcoveney) August 11, 2016

Unless queer outing is now an Olympic sport, can we just all agree that @NicoHines piece is outright homophobia? Needs to be withdrawn.

— Joshua Dixon (@JoshDixonTweets) August 11, 2016

Exploiting LGBTI lives for amusement is trash “journalism” at best and extremely dangerous at worst. #Shameonyou @thedailybeast @NicoHines

— itsonlyzach (@itsonlyzach) August 11, 2016

The @NicoHines ‘story’ on Grindr and the olympics village is not journalism. It’s trashy at best and incredibly dangerous at worst.

— Stewart McDonald MP (@StewartMcDonald) August 11, 2016

Bobby Finger at Jezebel called the article a “breathlessly written account of someone who appears to think gay sex is as mysterious as the prehistoric origins of Tilda Swinton.” And Mark Joseph Stern at Slate called it “a uniquely disgusting and irresponsible entry into the tired genre,” accusing Hines of taking pleasure in “luring in these Olympians then outing them to all the world.”

“But the offensive purpose of Hines’ article is really the least of its problems,” Stern adds. “Far worse is the actual damage it will likely cause to real, live human beings—inevitable consequences that Hines blithely ignored.”

That outrage sparked the Daily Beast to update Hines’ article by removing the athletes’ identifiable information and issuing a statement that reads, in part:

A number of readers complained to The Daily Beast after the publication of the original iteration of this story. We take such complaints seriously because a central part of The Daily Beast’s mission is to fight for full equality and equal treatment for LGBT people around the world. Publishing an article that in any way could be seen as homophobic is contrary to our mission.

…

Some readers have read Nico as mocking or sex-shaming those on Grindr. We do not feel he did this in any way. However, The Daily Beast understands that others may have interpreted the piece differently.

Accordingly, we have made some editorial changes to the article, responding to readers’ concerns, and are again sorry for any upset the original version of this piece inspired.

For his part, Hines has yet to respond to the controversy. But he did tweet about the long lines at McDonald’s in Rio yesterday:

Little bit of rain won’t put these athletes off the huge snaking McDonald’s line. True Olympians pic.twitter.com/zhYD6KUpCm

— Nico Hines (@NicoHines) August 10, 2016

Related: She Said ‘YES!’ Rio Volunteer Pops Question To Her Olympian Girlfriend

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Belgian Actor Jelle Florizoone Comes Out, Looks Happy As Can Be With BF

Jelle Florizoone with his boyfriend Amir. Via Instagram.

Belgian actor Jelle Florizoone, 20, has come out as gay, saying that he is, “Finally happy.”

Florizoone is best known in his home country for his role in the movie North Sea Texas and in the children’s TV show ROX.

He spoke with Belgian magazine Het Laatste Nieuwswith about his relationship with Egyptian boyfriend Amir, whom he met not long after breaking up with his ex after a two year relationship. He says the “spark hit” when the two met at a party and began talking.

“A breakup is never fun, but I’m still young and that’s part of life. Life is a learning process with ups-and-downs. Of course I hope that road will be smooth, but that is unfortunately not the case. I learned from my previous relationship, because I have made mistakes,” Florizoone told the magazine.

“I’m attracted to dark-haired types because I’m blonde,” he added about his type. “But I particularly like people with a story. Sure you first look at the outward appearance, but the difference between a flirt and a relationship has to be the content.”

Florizoone tweeted out his joy following upon the article’s publication:

Pretty happy with this article. The word is out. #finallyhappy ? t.co/LFzmvIm5o0

— Jelle Florizoone (@JelleFlorizoone) August 9, 2016

He has also been posting plenty of happy couple photos on Instagram.

In North Sea Texas he played the part of a boy who falls in love with another boy. During press for the movie, which came out in 2011, Florizoone was asked about playing a gay character.

“When I read the scenario for the first time, I had the feeling, ‘Help!’” a young and still closeted Florizoone said. He also expressed nerves at going to the premiere with family.

“I think it’s going to be really weird tonight,” he said. “They will be looking at the screen in front of me. And they will see me fooling around with another boy. It’s a little bit embarrassing.

He said the response from his family was positive. Hopefully they are just as supportive now that they know he didn’t just play gay, but is the real article. Based on his “finally happy” remark, we are guessing they responded well to the news.

h/t Attitude

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Gay Adult Film Star Brent Everett: I Am a Drug Addict

Gay adult film star Brent Everett (aka Dustin Germain) has opened up about his struggles with drug addiction.

In posts on both Facebook and Twitter, Everett, who has appeared in gay adult films since 2003, said that it was time he share what he has been going through with his followers.

Wrote Everett,

Let me come clean about something that I’ve been fighting and hiding for years. I’m an addict. I have used hard drugs on and off for years. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to go through in my life. I put my family through hell and hurt everyone close to me. All they did was try to help me and I pushed them away. All I can do is apologize to them for any pain I caused. The person I become when on drugs is not human. It’s someone else. It scared me and I know it scared the ones I loved.

Everett added, “This is not how I pictured my coming out as an addict to be, but I want to own up to it.”

Everett says he used drugs for years but now is sober “for the longest time I ever have been.”

I wake up and I thank god I’m still here. I’ve tested my body’s limits and I can’t believe I’m still here. Alive.

Everett also says that acknowledging and working on his addiction has led him to become more religious. He also offered words of hope to others struggling with addiction. Wrote Everett,

You may have noticed I’ve been a lot more religious lately. Now you know why. I’m thankful God has allowed me to walk this earth today. I’m here for a reason. I will tell you more about this phase of my life later on. Right now, I’m feeling great. Happy. I am beating addiction day by day, as I know so many of you are as well. You’re not alone.

Let me end with this: “It is one thing to want to remind someone when you see them repeating mistakes to help them, but do so with love, even if it’s tough love. It’s another thing, to use it against a person when they are not making any mistakes and trying to move passed them. Trying to make their past, not a present and constant reminder. That’s called belittling and self righteousness.” WE, will take the high road.

I’m on the right path and with gods strength, family and friends I’ll stay on it. Thank you for listening. [sic]

In 2008, Everett married fellow gay adult film star Steve Peña.

You can read Everett’s post in full, below.

[Top photo via Facebook]

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UK Paper Suggests Hug Between Olympic Divers Chris Mears and Jack Laugher is Not Manly

The UK’s Daily Mail newspaper enraged social media after it suggested that a hug between synchronized divers Jack Laugher and Chris Mears, who won gold for Team GB in the 3-metere synchronized dive, was unmanly.

Wrote the Mail in a headline:  “Steady on chaps! Britains victorious synchronised divers hug for joy after winning gold – while China’s bronze medalists settle for a manly pat on the back.”

Twitter users responded ferociously:

The Daily Mail has angered me even more than usual today! Boys are allowed to hug. It’s not unmanly. 😠 pic.twitter.com/PYykcscoXe

— Alice Pope (@Alice_Pope) August 11, 2016

Jack Laugher & Chris Mears won a gold Olympic medal & the daily mail run a headline criticising their masculinity for hugging to celebrate 🙄

— Calum McSwiggan (@CalumMcSwiggan) August 11, 2016

FFS! Homophobic Daily Mail strikes again. From someone who has worked there, it’s full of gay people. Hypocrites t.co/YYtWsdGCu1

— Padraig Prendergast (@prendergast) August 11, 2016

Piss off Daily Mail. I’m male, and hug my friends when I’m happy. It doesn’t affect anyone’s masculinity. t.co/wSbGVaB97b

— Thomas Hayward (@TEHayward) August 11, 2016

Chris Mears’ and Jack Laugher’s Olympic Hug Wasn’t ‘Unmanly’, It Showed How Far Men Have Come t.co/PecnvQSDjj

— Anthony Schuerholz (@ASchuerholz) August 11, 2016

Apparently hugging is not very ‘manly’. This backward view of gender behaviour and casual homophobia has to stop. pic.twitter.com/nuJl1RCMxd

— WayneDavid (@WayneDavid81) August 11, 2016

The newspaper later rewrote the headline to read: “The British diver is so hot!!!’ Gold medal hearthrob sends women AND men into meltdown after stunning show in Rio.”

It later published this article.

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Georgia’s President Blocks Proposed Referendum To Ban Same-Sex Marriage

Georgia’s President Giorgi Margvelashvili has announced the country will not hold a referendum over whether to have a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

At a briefing on Tuesday, Margvelashvili said he did not support the proposed referendum because the Constitution already defines marriage. While Georgia’s Civil Code defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman, if approved the referendum would have written the same language into the Constitution, effectively banning same-sex marriage.

#Georgia‘s President Giorgi Margvelashvili blocks referendum bid on ‘defining marriage’ t.co/XeKSZoZiwO… #tbilisi #gvote16

— George Tsereteli (@GTsereteli) August 11, 2016

With two hundred thousand signatures gathered in support of the referendum, the proposed question was: “Do you agree or disagree that marriage should be defined as a union of a man and a woman for the purpose of creating a family?”

RELATED: Opera Australia Replaces Homophobic Tamar Iveri Following ‘Unconscionable’ Facebook Post

Those in support of the referendum have said they will hold rallies outside the president’s administration and take the matter to court. Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili has announced plans to introduce a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage without a referendum if his Georgian Dream Party wins a sufficient majority in the October 8 election.

(Image via Twitter)

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WATCH: Derrick Barry Recreates Britney Spears’ Iconic VMA Snake Performance

Image: Jose A. Guzman Colon Photography

During a recent performance at Oasis Nightclub in San Francisco, RuPaul‘s Drag Race Season 8 star Derrick Barry recreated Britney Spears‘ iconic VMA performance. Yeah, the one where she wrapped an Albino Burmese Python around her neck as she sang “I’m A Slave 4 U”…

Snakes are known to become agitated by loud noises, so we’re glad that everything went off without a hitch, otherwise the headline of this article might have been very different.

Enjoy a clip of the epic performance below.

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PHOTOS: Dutch Gymnast Jeffrey Wammes Didn’t Nab A Medal In Rio, But His Instagram Is Pure Gold

At 5’7 and with a petite frame and charming boyish face, out Dutch gymnast Jeffrey Wammes is the definition of a “pocket gay.”

Related: PHOTOS: Row Your Boat Gently Down Robbie Manson’s Olympic Stream

The 29-year-old gave it his all in Rio. Unfortunately, he didn’t come close to scoring any medals this time around. He gets an A for effort, though. And an A++ for his Instagram account.

Scroll down to see why Wammes is our Olympic crush of the moment…

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Cher on LGBT Fundraising Tour for Hillary Clinton in Miami, Fire Island, and Provincetown

Cher is on tour this summer. For Hillary Clinton.

The politically outspoken singer will be making her first stop in Miami Beach on August 19, at an LGBT fundraiser, according to Politico, which notes that invites “begin hitting email boxes on Thursday,” just as Donald Trump and Marco Rubio are attending an anti-LGBT fundraiser in Orlando on the 2-month anniversary of the Pulse nightclub massacre:

“This shows who is a friend of our community and who isn’t,” said Tony Lima, a co-host of the Cher fundraiser and executive director of the Miami gay rights group Safeguarding American Values for Everyone. Gay rights activists Bradley Carlson and Joe Falk are also listed as event co-hosts.

…Clinton is not expected to attend the Cher fundraiser. General admission is $250 for the Hillary Victory Fund event. Contributors who chip in $5,000 can have their picture taken with the singer.

Shortly thereafter she’ll be heading to Fire Island Pines, New York on August 20 for an already-announced special Low Tea at the Blue Whale. Clinton won’t be on hand for this event, however. Tickets range from $250 to $5,000 and a contribution of $2,500 will get you a photo with the icon.

And on August 21, Cher arrives in Provincetown, Massachusetts where she’ll be joining Hillary Clinton at a fundraiser hosted Bryan Rafanelli and Alix Ritchie at the Pilgrim Monument. Tickets for that event range from $45 and $500 (already sold out) to $27,000.

(image via Twitter)

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Gay Couple Told To Stop Holding Hands, ‘Behaving Inappropriately’ In London Supermarket

A gay couple were left “stunned and shaking” after a security guard in a London supermarket accused them of “touching and behaving inappropriately.”

32-year-old Thomas Rees (above left) was shopping in Sainsbury’s in Hackney on Monday when he and his boyfriend Josh (above right) were “beckoned over” by the security guard. In 2014, a Sainsbury’s in Brighton, England apologized after a security guard asked a lesbian couple to leave the store following complaints from other customers.

To the bigot who complained about my bf & I holdin hands & the security guard at @sainsburys who felt the need to ‘talk’ to us outside🖕🏻

— Thomas Rees (@doganddinosaur) August 8, 2016

Buzzfeed reports:

“My boyfriend and I became aware we were being watched,” Rees said. “We were holding hands, arms around each other’s waists, basically showing public displays of affection.

“As we came to pay for our shopping I noticed a security guard watching us. Once we had paid, he then approached us and asked us to follow him outside.”

Rees said the security guard told them a customer had complained about the couple. The guard said that while he “was brought up to believe in live and let live”, he had to tell them the customer had said they were touching and behaving inappropriately.

@doganddinosaur while i’m tolerant of gays, please understand not everybody finds it aesthetically pleasing to see men holding hands/hugging

— Londontown Investor (@LondontownMoney) August 10, 2016

Rees said he did not witness the complaint being made and was “stunned and shaking”. “I just don’t understand why he needed to take us outside and why he needed to tell us,” he said.

“There was no sense of humility. I refuse to believe this would have happened to a heterosexual couple – we just stared in disbelief. The issue here is it felt like like 1960s Britain.”

Rees says he now feels uncomfortable shopping at the store and feels the guard acted inappropriately in deciding to pull the couple aside. “The sad thing is there are multiple situations when Josh and I are holding hands and I’m the first to push him away,” he said, “but I felt safe surrounded by my community and I was oblivious and unguarded.”

RELATED: Hundreds of LGBT Protesters and Allies Flood UK Supermarket for Kiss-In Protest: VIDEO

Just got to London & saw this poster #LondonIsOpen – except to gays at Hackney @sainsburys it seems @doganddinosaur pic.twitter.com/J8Fc3nnYPs

— Rachel Biggs (@RachelBiggs) August 11, 2016

Sainsbury’s has since offered a £10 gift card by way of apology. However, Rees said he felt the gesture was not enough and Sainsbury’s should instead ensure all staff are properly trained in diversity.

(Image via Twitter)

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CBS ‘Star Trek Discovery’ TV Series Will Include New Gay Character, Female Lead

News emerged from the Television Critics Association’s summer press tour on Wednesday that CBS All Access’ forthcoming Star Trek series, Star Trek Discovery, will feature a diverse set of new characters, including an all new gay character and a female lead.

Series runner Bryan Fuller said he wanted to continue in the tradition of the diversity of the first Star Trek series, according to The Hollywood Reporter:

“We wanted to paint a picture of Star Fleet that’s indicative of encountering people who are much more different than we are.”

Fuller confirmed that his Star Trek also will feature a gay character after he received hate-mail during his time on Voyager following a rumor that speculated that one of the show’s characters could be out. He noted that fellow executive producer Alex Kurtzman was the first to pitch the idea, which was already something Fuller had planned on including in the 10-episode series.

RELATED: J.J. Abrams Calls George Takei’s Reaction to Gay Sulu ‘Preposterous’

Also:

Sources tell THR the rest of the cast also will feature an openly gay actor to play one one of the male leads (which Fuller confirmed), a female admiral, a male Klingon captain, a male admiral, a male adviser and a British male doctor.

And as far as the female lead goes, Deadline reports:

Star Trek Discovery possibly will boldly go where no other Star Trek installment has gone before: with a woman of color as the lead. I hear virtually all women seen for the part so far — and there have been a lot of them as the casting process has kicked into high gear — have been African-American or Hispanic.

No one has been cast yet, so it is possible that the role ultimately could go to a Caucasian actress, but the intention is to go diverse.

The series is set to premiere on CBS in January before moving to the SVOD platform CBS All Access.

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