The GLAAD Wrap: Hulu orders 'Runaways' pilot, first 'Doubt' trailer, and more!

www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-wrap-hulu-orders-runaways-pilot-first-doubt-trailer-and-more

Pulse Survivor Takes First Unassisted Steps Since Orlando Shooting (Video)

Angel Colon took his first steps in a video posted to Facebook.

www.advocate.com/pride/2016/8/19/pulse-survivor-takes-first-unassisted-steps-orlando-shooting-video

10 Times Ryan Lochte Was A Perfect ‘Sex Idiot’

Oh Ryan, you precious meathead. You are so nice to look at, and so full of protein. Your lovely body is a beauty to behold; and your hair, when you have not accidentally dyed it green, is a thing of loveliness.

It’s no wonder you were cast as “Sex Idiot” on that one episode of 30 Rock.

Please, do not speak another word. Or maybe do: sometimes, the jumble of words falling from your lips only serves to highlight that you have two main functions in the public sphere — to swim and be gazed upon.

Alas, Ryan has recently developed a third function, and that is to be a jailhouse model after being accused by the Brazilian police of fabricating a story about being held up at gunpoint. The truth, they say, is that he and some other swimmers broke a bathroom door at a gas station. Why would this require an elaborate hoax about a holdup? Who knows how Ryan might have located this story in the labyrinth of his mind.

But it is certainly not the first time that Ryan has made our hearts sigh and compare him to the childlike Darryl Hannah in the movie Splash. Here are some of his greatest hits:

1. “These are my shoes that I designed from top to the very sole to the very top to the bottom. Laces.”

Yes Ryan. Very good. Do you need help with the laces? Maybe next time we’ll get you shoes with velcro, kiddo. Please try to hold your ice cream cone level while we tie them for you.

2. “One of my favorite movies: What Women Want.”

Very nice. What do women want, Ryan? Is it conversation and intellectual stimulation? Of course they do, but that is not all. They also appreciate a man’s chest. You have a fine one, so you should probably get it out now. Very good.

A photo posted by Ryanlochte (@ryanlochte) on Jul 26, 2016 at 5:00pm PDT

3. “One time I really had to go, man, and I was up in the next heat. So I got up on the blocks and I just started peeing in my Speedo. On top of the blocks. And I had my goggles on and started crying because I thought everyone behind me was looking at me and laughing.”

Oh come here you precious little man. Don’t cry. Rest your head right here. That’s right. There there. Just sit right there on our lap and you can pee on us all day long.

4. “You know what? Ryan Lochte is a pretty good speechmaker.”

Yes you are. Who’s a pretty good speechmaker? It’s you. You are. Yes you. What a good speechmaker. The best. Oh so good. You want the ball? Here’s the ball. Ready? Ready? Here it comes. Go fetch!

5. “We have a lot of stuff in common. She likes salt and vinegar chips, like the white gummy bears, she lives here in Miami.”

Never before has a menu item screamed “Miami” quite like salt and vinegar chips with white gummy bears. Unclear how this particular course is served, but let’s assume it’s at a sleepover where Ryan has been allowed to watch an PG-13-rated movie for the first time. That movie is “Evolution” starring David Duchovny and Orlando Jones.

A photo posted by Ryanlochte (@ryanlochte) on May 18, 2016 at 8:04am PDT

6. “The reason why I love swimming is because racing.”

Yes, vroom vroom, off you go! What a fast little man you are. Champion!

7. “I never knew having a banana and drinking Sprite you automatically puke!”

Well, that’s not strictly true, Ryan. You can have a banana and Sprite together, but if you then mistake a bottle of Windex for a sports drink that might upset your tummy.

8. “To travel is sometimes better to arrive.”

Oh, that’s a very … okay, sure.

A photo posted by Ryanlochte (@ryanlochte) on May 16, 2016 at 7:30am PDT

9. “I believe everyone has a soul mate that they can spend the rest of their life together.”

Aw, yes, what a pretty thing to believe. Are we soulmates, Ryan? It’s possible we are, and not just because we have chained you naked to the living room sofa. (It’s for your own safety.)

10. “In life, I’m always living life to the fullest to always have fun.”

Us too, Ryan, us too.

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Daily Mail’s Casual Homophobia Is Not Going Unnoticed On Twitter

Daily Mail, how is it possible that we live in a world where Gawker is getting shut down but you are allowed to continue existing?

Some of the Olympics coverage coming out of the newspaper has been homophobic, though it’s your call whether to think of it as thinly-veiled or just out-and-out hostile. There was the time they admonished two hugging swimmers “steady on chaps” and compared it to the manly slaps of another team.

But then, exasperatingly, they showed a heterosexual medal-winning couple kissing with the caption “GOLDEN KISS.” Okay, got it: two men hugging requires steadying, while a straight embrace is a thing of beauty.

Dear Straight People. This is what we mean by casual homophobia. You might not see it, but we certainly do. pic.twitter.com/XRUPBN9Ga3

— IncrediblyRich (@IncrediblyRich) August 17, 2016

Daily Mail clears up the issue of ‘acceptable’ Olympic celebrations pic.twitter.com/4bIClQmSuK

— Alastair Jamieson (@alastairjam) August 17, 2016

Twitter, understandably, is miffed. Although to be fair you can find someone miffed about anything on Twitter.

“Daily Mail clears up the issue of ‘acceptable’ Olympic celebrations,” tweeted Alastair Jamieson, and NBC journalist in London. (That was followed by some sub-drama, in which another user stole his tweet, posted it as his own, and got a lot more retweets.)

Credit for this photo goes to @alastairjam who seems very upset that people are using it without crediting him. t.co/hr0FvSA3Y5

— Dave Jones (@WelshGasDoc) August 17, 2016

Who’s responsible for this nonsense? Looks like David Williams and Claire Duffin might share some blame — they’re the reporters who wrote about the kiss. Ollie Gillman wrote about the hug, along with (and we cannot make this up) a writer named Nick Fagge. Oh, okay.

Anyway, thanks Daily Mail, for being providing everyone with an example of casual homophobia. Now everyone else knows what not to do, or so we hope.

feedproxy.google.com/~r/queerty2/~3/oqR6PRBog64/daily-mails-casual-homophobia-not-going-unnoticed-twitter-20160819

Ryan Lochte Apologizes For Not Being More ‘Careful’ and ‘Candid’

US Swimmer Ryan Lochte publicly apologized for not having been more “careful” and “candid” in his description of events that happened late at night at a gas station in Rio de Janeiro.

As previously reported, Lochte claimed that he and his teammates were robbed at gunpoint by criminals disguised as police officers and that a gun was cocked and aimed at his forehead. He later revised the specifics of that story.

RELATED: Your Overnight LochteGate Update, from Rio de Janeiro

Local police investigated Lochte’s claims and found no evidence to corroborate his version of events. Police then indicated that Lochte and his teammates vandalized a gas station bathroom and urinated on the floor.

Lochte still insists that the incident ended with a gun being pointed at him.

Read Lochte’s apology in full, which he posted on Instagram, below:

I want to apologize for my behavior last weekend — for not being more careful and candid in how I described the events of that early morning and for my role in taking the focus away from the many athletes fulfilling their dreams of participating in the Olympics. I waited to share these thoughts until it was confirmed that the legal situation was addressed and it was clear that my teammates would be arriving home safely.

It’s traumatic to be out late with your friends in a foreign country – with a language barrier – and have a stranger point a gun at you and demand money to let you leave, but regardless of the behavior of anyone else that night, I should have been much more responsible in how I handled myself and for that am sorry to my teammates, my fans, my fellow competitors, my sponsors, and the hosts of this great event. I am very proud to represent my country in Olympic competition and this was a situation that could and should have been avoided. I accept responsibility for my role in this happening and have learned some valuable lessons.

I am grateful for my USA Swimming teammates and the USOC, and appreciate all of the effort of the IOC, the Rio ’16 Host Committee, and the people of Brazil who welcomed us to Rio and worked so hard to make sure that these Olympic Games provided a lifetime of great new memories. There has already been too much said and too many valuable resourced dedicated to what happened last weekend, so I hope we spend our time celebrating the great stories and performances of these Games and look ahead to celebrating future successes.

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Trump Campaign Chair Paul Manafort Resigns

Donald Trump’s campaign chairman Paul Manafort has resigned.

The resignation comes following reports that Manafort routed $2.2 million from a pro-Russian Ukraine party to Washington lobbying firms.

The AP reports:

The Associated Press reported Thursday that Manafort’s firm orchestrated a covert Washington lobbying operation on behalf of Ukraine’s then-ruling political party. Paul Manafort and his deputy, Rick Gates, never disclosed their work as foreign agents as required under federal law.

Earlier in the week, the campaign added two new top officials to the campaign in a move widely seen as a demotion for Manafort.

Said Trump: “This morning Paul Manafort offered, and I accepted, his resignation from the campaign. I am very appreciative for his great work in helping to get us where we are today, and in particular his work guiding us through the delegate and convention process. Paul is a true professional and I wish him the greatest success.”

Developing…

Trump statement: “This morning Paul Manafort offered, and I accepted, his resignation from the campaign.” pic.twitter.com/9LBDKtRF5m

— Kyle Blaine (@kyletblaine) August 19, 2016

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2017 NBA All-Star Game Moved to New Orleans Due to NC’s Anti-LGBTQ HB2 Law

Today, HRC responded to a report from the Associated Press that the National Basketball Association (NBA) is moving the 2017 All-Star Game to New Orleans, Louisiana — a city with explicit LGBTQ-inclusive non-discrimination protections. Citing the hostile environment created by North Carolina’s discriminatory HB2 law, and after repeated warnings the league would move the event if the law remained on the books, the NBA recently announced it was moving the game out of Charlotte after state lawmakers failed to repeal the measure.

“By moving the 2017 All-Star Game to New Orleans, the NBA and Commissioner Adam Silver have sent a clear message to lawmakers in North Carolina and across the country that discrimination against LGBTQ people has consequences and will not be tolerated,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “New Orleans’ explicit LGBTQ non-discrimination protections will ensure all NBA employees, players, and fans who participate in the All-Star Game are protected from discrimination. Governor Pat McCrory and state lawmakers should use this as an opportunity to halt their assault on the people, reputation, and economy of North Carolina, and work toward replacing HB2 with commonsense non-discrimination protections. We look forward to the day when all North Carolinians can live their lives free from discrimination, and Charlotte is able to welcome back the All-Star Game.”

Recognizing the importance of creating a positive and conducive environment for business, in February, the Charlotte City Council passed city-wide non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people. While city leaders sent a clear message that discrimination has no place in Charlotte, in response, Governor Pat McCrory and state lawmakers rammed HB2 into law and doubled down on discrimination.

Louisiana has no state law similar to North Carolina’s HB2, which explicitly bars transgender people from accessing restrooms and other facilities consistent with their gender identity in government owned buildings, including many airports and sports facilities. Earning a score of 91 out of 100 on the HRC Foundation’s 2015 Municipal Equality Index, New Orleans has non-discrimination protections that explicitly protect the LGBTQ community from discrimination in public and private employment, housing, and public accommodations.

In the nearly five months since North Carolina Gov. McCrory and state lawmakers rammed HB2 into law, the economic fallout has continued to grow as companies concerned with protecting their consumers and employees have moved conventions, trainings, operations, productions, and other events out of state. With the NBA’s decision, the Tar Heel State will lose out on an estimated 100 million dollars in All-Star Game related profits, on top of the at least $329.9 million already lost in business and taxpayer funds used to defend the discriminatory measure. The economic consequences of HB2 continue to mount, and more than 200 major CEOs and business leaders have signed an open letter calling for full repeal of HB2, including many of North Carolina’s largest employers.

Despite the widespread opposition to HB2, the North Carolina General Assembly adjourned its short session in July after refusing to repeal the law, and it is not scheduled to reconvene until January — leaving tens of thousands of people at risk of discrimination and harm over the months to come. Making only one tweak to the law, the General Assembly has been unwilling to even consider repealing the substance of HB2, including its provision targeting transgender people, and its removal of municipalities’ ability to pass LGBTQ-inclusive non-discrimination laws and minimum wage ordinances.

www.hrc.org/blog/2017-nba-all-star-game-moved-to-new-orleans-due-to-ncs-anti-lgbtq-hb2-law?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

HRC and Equality NC Endorse Roy Cooper for Governor of North Carolina

Today, HRC and Equality NC announced both organizations have endorsed Roy Cooper for Governor of North Carolina.

“Roy Cooper is a stalwart advocate for LGBTQ equality and a proven leader who will work to make the Tar Heel State inclusive and welcoming for all,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “Day after day, Pat McCrory has continued his reckless defense of the discriminatory HB2 with disregard for the very real harm inflicted on the people, reputation and economy of North Carolina. As governor, Roy Cooper will work to repeal HB2, stand up for common decency and fight to pass statewide, LGBTQ-inclusive, non-discrimination protections. The choice this election couldn’t be clearer. And we are proud to endorse Roy Cooper for Governor so that each and every LGBTQ person across North Carolina can finally live free from fear of discrimination.”

The endorsement comes one day after Donald Trump and Pat McCrory campaigned together in North Carolina and a month after news that Gov. McCrory and his allies have earmarked $500,000 in taxpayer funding to defend HB2 in court, even though it is opposed by fair minded North Carolinians and more than 200 major business leaders and CEOs, many of which lead the state’s largest employers.

“Roy Cooper is the leader we need for North Carolina. He has a strong track record of fighting for civil rights, education and economic growth that Pat McCrory lacks,” said Equality NC Executive Director Chris Sgro. “While Pat McCrory has caused deep harm to both the LGBTQ community and the economy of our state every day since the passage of HB2, Roy Cooper has been a leader we need. The choice could not be clearer — we must elect Roy Cooper as our next governor.”

Polling in North Carolina has found that voters have consistently rejected HB2. An August Public Policy Polling survey found that a 58 percent majority think HB2 is hurting the state’s economy. Only 30 percent support HB2 while 43 percent oppose it. A CNN poll this year found that nationally,  57 percent of Americans opposed laws like North Carolina’s HB2, while 75 percent of Americans said they would back laws that guarantee equal protection under the law for transgender people in jobs, housing and access to public places.

While Donald Trump has embraced Pat McCrory’s discriminatory HB2, a host of Republicans around the country have declined to follow suit. Republicans like Nikki Haley, Chris Christie, Dennis Daugaard, Mark Kirk and Rob Portman have all declined to follow in the footsteps of Pat McCrory and have either spoken out or vetoed anti-transgender bills that write discrimination into state law.

Cooper’s strong support for LGBTQ equality stands as a clear difference compared to Governor Pat McCrory’s long history of anti-equality rhetoric. As the current Attorney General of North Carolina, Roy Cooper has refused to defend the constitutionality of the state’s deeply discriminatory HB2 law in court. He also publicly opposed Amendment One, the state’s 2012 constitutional ban on the freedom to marry, calling it “unclear, unwise and unnecessary.” A vocal opponent to legislation intended to enshrine discrimination into state law under the guise of so-called religious liberty, Cooper made clear that he would veto such destructive measures, saying, “There are laws in place that protect religious liberties. We don’t need these laws that hurt people and our economy.”

Despite widespread opposition to HB2, Governor McCrory continues to double down in reckless defense of the deeply discriminatory law that bans transgender people from accessing restrooms consistent with their gender identity in government offices and schools, and removed the ability of municipalities to pass LGBTQ-inclusive non-discrimination laws and minimum wage ordinances.

McCrory has a long history of opposing LGBTQ equality. Prior to being elected Governor, he defended a gym in Charlotte that denied service to a man because he was gay, he repeatedly voted against local non-discrimination measures and he once suggested that rather than holding public parades, LGBTQ Pride festivals should be hidden away in hotels.

In the more than four months since Governor McCrory and state lawmakers rammed HB2 into law, the economic fallout has continued to grow as companies concerned with protecting their consumers and employees have moved conventions, trainings, operations, productions and other events out of state. Citing the hostile environment created by the state’s HB2 law, and after repeated warnings the league would move the event if the law remained on the books, the NBA recently announced it was moving the game out of Charlotte after state lawmakers failed to repeal the measure.

HB2 has cost North Carolina $329.9 million in lost economic activity, including an estimated $100 million in economic development that will be lost because the NBA has relocated the 2017 All-Star Game outside the state.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work, and in every community.

Equality NC is a statewide organization working to secure equal rights and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer North Carolinians. For more information, please visit www.equalitync.org

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-and-equality-nc-endorse-roy-cooper-for-governor-of-north-carolina?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Randy Rainbow Follows Up with Trump Counsel Michael ‘Says Who?’ Cohen: WATCH

On Wednesday, the nation saw loathsome Trump counsel Michael Cohen be made a fool of on CNN and repeatedly ask, “says who?” when told that by CNN’s Brianna Keller that his candidate was down in the polls.

RELATED: Trump Adviser Denies that Donald is Down in the Polls: ‘Says Who?’ – WATCH

Randy Rainbow decided to have a follow-up interview with Cohen and it seems that after all that humiliation, Trump’s lawyer still hasn’t changed his tune.

Watch:

The post Randy Rainbow Follows Up with Trump Counsel Michael ‘Says Who?’ Cohen: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.

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Provincetown Carnival Went Back to the ’80s Yesterday and You Can See It All Here: VIDEO

Every year in late August, Provincetown, Massachusetts celebrates its Carnival.

In a town famous for letting its freak flag fly, this annual celebration gives folks an actual reason to get into costume at the height of summer. It’s hot, it’s hedonistic, and it’s often hilarious.

This years’s theme was ‘Back to the ’80s’ and inspired get-ups that were sexy, political, nostalgic, and tributes to a time that was both a critical moment for the LGBT community and a cultural kaleidoscope.

You’ll see all of that here in this wonderful video from Ptown’s videographer (and drone pilot) David A Cox.

Madonna, Ghostbusters, Pat Benatar, Care Bears, MTV, Prince, Nancy Reagan, Hungry Hungry Hippos, Nintendo Gameboy, Rubik’s Cube, Robert Palmer, Pac Man, Risky Business, Richard Simmons, Alf, and even ACT UP were on hand to bring us back to the decade that was….the ’80s.

See how many ’80s references you can spot!

Watch:

The post Provincetown Carnival Went Back to the ’80s Yesterday and You Can See It All Here: VIDEO appeared first on Towleroad.

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