Owner of Frontiers, Next Apparently Closing
Multimedia Platforms has let staff go and said operations are in “suspension.”
www.advocate.com/media/2016/9/28/owner-frontiers-next-apparently-closing
Daily Archives: September 28, 2016
Verdict reached 4 years after deadly attack on TX lesbian teen couple
Verdict reached 4 years after deadly attack on TX lesbian teen couple
GLAAD
Four years after surviving an execution-style shooting and sexual assault, Kristene Chapa, whose girlfriend Mollie Olgin died at the scene, has received a verdict in the trial of her alleged attacker, David Strickland.
On Wednesday, September 28, 2016, a jury found Strickland guilty of capital murder and aggravated sexual assault. Since prosecutors did not pursue the death penalty, he was given an automatic life sentence. In an interview with KRIS-TV, Chapa shared her reaction to the verdict: “I was very shocked at first. I didn’t know what to expect exactly. I was hoping that they (the jury) would see all the evidence that we had and they would go our way. (It was) very emotional…I wanted to just burst out into tears.”
David Malcolm Strickland, 29 years old, was charged with capital murder, aggravated assault with a weapon, and aggravated sexual assault almost two years to the day after Kris survived the horrific traumas of that night.
On a summer night in a park in Portland, Texas, teen couple Kristene, then 18, and Mollie, 19, were shot with a large-caliber gun and left for dead in a heartbreaking and terrifying turn of events. Though, tragically, Mollie did not survive that night, Kristene was found nine hours later. She was placed in intensive care due to sustained traumatic brain injuries and–using sign language, pens, and paper—was able to describe her attacker for a police sketch. The nation rallied around Kristene and Mollie by holding vigils across the country as the media closely followed the attack’s aftermath. Her supporters can donate to her medical fund to assist with her ongoing, expensive medical needs.
The day before the closing arguments, Corpus Christi’s KRIST TV reported:
Although she said it was difficult to talk about the details of the shooting, Chapa said she was not bothered by seeing Strickland in court.
When she was asked why, Chapa responded, “Because he’s a coward.” She went on to tell KRIS 6 News, “David Strickland put his head down and wouldn’t look at me, so what does that mean to you?”
In the last two years, Kristene has regained the abilities to move the left side of her body, to sit, and to stand. She continues to undergo physical rehabilitation. At the time of the attack, Kristene was without health insurance. Now in her early 20s, she is only covered by Medicaid, which does not provide for the high quality, ongoing rehabilitation she needs to thrive. Her family is struggling to pay for her rehabilitation out of pocket. Although she has regained the ability to move the left side of her body, sit, and stand, she experiences continued limitations with her hand, among other areas. You can donate to her medical fund to aid the financially draining therapies, which the Chapa family largely covers out of pocket.
Kris, who is now enrolled in college, is working with a writer on a book to tell her story. Kris has also been a visible advocate, sharing her story in the hopes of helping others find comfort and support. Over the summer, she spoke at a #WeAreOrlando vigil in Corpus Christ to honor the victims who lost their lives in an attack of historic proportions at Orlando’s Pulse club.
Video courtesy of Mark Martinez & Kristene Chapa
In 2015, Kris and her mom, Grace, attended the GLAAD Media Awards in New York, where Kristene was recognized for her inspiring resiliency. She received a standing ovation.
That night, Kristene told the audience: “I just wish Mollie was here. She would have loved to see all of this, all the support from everyone. I know it’s a tragedy, but it also brings a lot of people together, and shows all the great people out there that’s willing to help and have good hearts.”
In a 2014 digital documentary, Kristene told MSNBC:
“God loves everybody, no matter if you’re gay or straight. He left me here for a reason. I have a second chance,” said Kristene. “What happened to Mollie and I, I still am going through in many different phases, but I’m just grateful I’m still here. I’m going through all the struggles and obstacles, but I’m still up. I fall down, I pick myself back up.”
Watch and share that segment below:
For years, GLAAD has worked closely with Kristene to bring the nation’s attention to her story of recovery and resiliency.
Take action now to bring #Justice4KrisandMollie, and donate to Kristene family’s medical expense fund.
September 28, 2016
Issues:
www.glaad.org/blog/verdict-reached-4-years-after-deadly-attack-tx-lesbian-teen-couple
YouTuber Claims He Did Not Lie About Antigay Attack
YouTuber Claims He Did Not Lie About Antigay Attack
British YouTuber Calum McSwiggan could face up to a year in jail if convicted of filing a false police report.
www.advocate.com/crime/2016/9/28/youtuber-calum-mcswiggan-claims-he-did-not-lie-police
ADL Education Conference
Matt Irwin, Tom Hiddleston, Tim Tebow, George Michael, Alec Baldwin, Monica Lewinsky: HOT LINKS
Matt Irwin, Tom Hiddleston, Tim Tebow, George Michael, Alec Baldwin, Monica Lewinsky: HOT LINKS
SKIN. Trevor Donovan models a tiny speedo poolside.
SPORTS. Tim Tebow hits a home run on first pitch of his pro baseball career.
ON THE STUMP. Michelle Obama warns millennials against casting “protest votes”: “Elections aren’t just about who votes, but who doesn’t vote. And that’s especially true, for young people like all of you. Each of you could swing an entire precinct, just by getting yourselves, your family, your classmates out to vote – that’s all you have to do.”
CONGRESS. Both the House and Senate override President Obama’s veto of 9/11 bill: “Congress on Wednesday voted overwhelmingly to override President Obama’s veto of legislation that would allow 9/11 victims’ families to sue the Saudi Arabian government over its alleged support for the terrorists who carried out the attacks.”
RIP. Suicide of gay celebrity photographer Matt Irwin who photographed One Direction, Kyle Minogue, and Rita Ora attributed to intentional overdose of drug GHB after breakup with boyfriend: “Friends said he had become depressed after breaking up with his boyfriend, who went back to a previous partner. An ‘open letter to the world’ was found on his laptop. Mr Irwin started taking photographs after being given a camera by a friend when he was 15. Among the stars who paid tribute to him following his death in May was Ora, 25, who shared a picture of them online and wrote: ‘Matthew Irwin, you were always smiling, I’m so lucky to have known you, and shooting so many fun things together.’”for Trump’s businesses.
THE FAMILY TRUMP. Donald’s children are reportedly unhappy with the new management of his campaign, led by Steve Bannon and Kellyanne Conway; say they’re bad for business.
90s REDUX. Republicans tell Trump to keep Monica Lewinsky out of it: “GOP senators who’ve finally grown more comfortable with Trump warned in interviews Wednesday that descending into Bill Clinton’s sexual past is dangerous territory for the GOP nominee, who has his own less-than-pristine history when it comes to his commitment to the sanctity of marriage.”
FASHION. Tom Hiddleston gives leather daddy vibes in new Steven Klein photoshoot for Interview.
ROYALLY RELATED. Pippa Middleton wins injunction against publication trying to post photos hacked from her iCloud account.
BROOKLYN. Manager at upscale restaurant sued for sexually harassing male employees, allegedly firing them after they complained: “Vossen allegedly made come-on comments to Schenk including, ‘I bet you could fit all kinds of things in that mouth” and ‘I could do all kinds of things to you,’ according to the suit.”
POLLS. Overwhelming majority of voters say Hillary Clinton won the first debate. NBC News/SurveyMonkey: “Though voters agreed Clinton was the clear victor, a majority of voters overall said their opinions of either candidate did not change as a result of the debate. Clinton, however, seemed to boost her image among her own party as a result of her performance — 50 percent of Democrats and Democratic-leaners said their opinion of her changed for the better as a result of Monday night’s debate.”
SOUTH CAROLINA. 3 injured in shooting at elementary school: “A teenager in South Carolina killed his father at home, then went to a nearby elementary school and shot two boys and a female teacher with a handgun on Wednesday, according to local authorities. The teenager, whose name was not immediately released, was taken into custody around 2 p.m. at Townville Elementary School in Anderson County, about 108 miles northeast of Atlanta.”
VOGUE. Supermodels pay homage to George Michael’s iconic music video for “Freedom.”
SHE’S WITH HER. Sia vouches for Hillary’s stamina.
#ImWithHer #Stamina #TheGreatest pic.twitter.com/8b1LHc0dN8
— sia (@Sia) September 27, 2016
SNL. Alec Baldwin will play Donald Trump this weekend.
HUMP DAY HOTNESS. Model Vitor Melo.
The post Matt Irwin, Tom Hiddleston, Tim Tebow, George Michael, Alec Baldwin, Monica Lewinsky: HOT LINKS appeared first on Towleroad.
Matt Irwin, Tom Hiddleston, Tim Tebow, George Michael, Alec Baldwin, Monica Lewinsky: HOT LINKS
Man Accused of Raping Two Senior Citizens Says He’s Innocent, and Gay – VIDEO
Man Accused of Raping Two Senior Citizens Says He’s Innocent, and Gay – VIDEO
A Pennsylvania man accused of raping two elderly women within the last year claims he is innocent because he is gay.
Earl Maust, 49, was awaiting trial for sexually abusing a 66-year-old woman at knifepoint in April when prosecutors charged him with raping a 75-year-old woman at least ten times over a three-month period, WPXI-TV reports.
The 75-year-old — who testified in court on Tuesday — said she allowed Maust to live with her as he was getting back on his feet. She then told investigators that he became abusive with her, wouldn’t let her leave the home by taking away her keys, and then raping her, according to WPXI.
Maust told WSYX/WTTE, “I’m an insane gay guy,” and insinuated that police won’t let him take a lie detector test.
Of one of the women he is accused of raping, Maust said, “She raped me.”
Watch a news report, below.
The post Man Accused of Raping Two Senior Citizens Says He’s Innocent, and Gay – VIDEO appeared first on Towleroad.
Man Accused of Raping Two Senior Citizens Says He’s Innocent, and Gay – VIDEO
How E.J. Johnson's Mom Learned to Accept Her Gay Son
How E.J. Johnson's Mom Learned to Accept Her Gay Son
Cookie Johnson shares how her Christian faith led her towards acceptance.
www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/2016/9/28/how-ej-johnsons-mom-learned-accept-her-gay-son
Did a 'Gay Secret Agent' Infiltrate Russian Town’s Government?
Did a 'Gay Secret Agent' Infiltrate Russian Town’s Government?
That’s the only reasonable explanation for why an LGBT march would be approved in Ivanovo, says infamously antigay lawmaker Vitaly Milonov.
www.advocate.com/world/2016/9/28/did-gay-secret-agent-infiltrate-russian-towns-government
Watch A Rainbow Flag Drift Through Outer Space And Spread Homosexuality Across The Universe
Watch A Rainbow Flag Drift Through Outer Space And Spread Homosexuality Across The Universe
Prepare to be absolutely mesmerized. Because space is gay, ya’ll.
The good folks over at Planting Peace, the same group who created the rainbow-colored Equality House directly across the street from the Westboro Baptist Church, attached a rainbow flag to a high-altitude balloon and sent it way, way up into the atmosphere.
Related: Antarctica Officially Declared The World’s “First LGBT-Friendly Continent”
The space expedition happened on August 17 and the flag managed to get 21.1 miles above the planet before gravity pulled it back down to Earth. Still, organizer Aaron Jackson says he’s totally “pumped” about making space gay, albeit briefly.
“I would love for LGBTQ children who are struggling to see this,” he said, “and look up to the stars and remember that the universe shines brightly for them, and they are not alone.”
See video of the flag’s miraculous journey below…
