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Daily Archives: October 6, 2016
Kylie Minogue Refuses To Marry Until Gays Can Get Married, Too
Kylie Minogue Refuses To Marry Until Gays Can Get Married, Too
Australian pop diva Kylie Minogue has been engaged to British actor Joshua Sasse since February, but they won’t actually get married in Australia until same-sex marriage is legalized there.
The Guardian reports that the couple would ultimately like to hold the ceremony in Melbourne, which is Minogue’s hometown.
Related: Kylie Minogue’s Hot, Pro-Gay Fiancé Joshua Sasse Displays Full Rising Talent
Talking to Australian television channel Network Seven on Thursday, Sasse said, “There are chances of a Melbourne wedding … [but] we will not get married until this law has passed in Australia.”
The couple hasn’t been coy regarding their stance on same-sex marriage. In fact, Sasse launched a campaign called “Say I Do, Down Under” this weekend that helps organizations working towards marriage equality.
“I was shocked to find out earlier this year that same-sex marriage in Australia is still illegal,” he reveals.
“There are many hurdles in order to achieve marriage equality, but we are now the closest we’ve ever been to that change,”
Related: Kylie Minogue’s Hot, Pro-Gay Fiancé Joshua Sasse Displays Full Rising Talent
As Time reports, Australian actress Margot Robbie wore the campaign’s T-shirt on Saturday Night Live‘s season premiere last weekend.
A national referendum on same-sex marriage is scheduled in February.
Brian Sims Obliterates Opponents Accusing Him Of Violating State Ethics Laws
Brian Sims Obliterates Opponents Accusing Him Of Violating State Ethics Laws
This just in: Don’t come for Rep. Brian Sims unless he calls for you.
The 38-year-old ex-football-stud-turned-hunky-Democratic-lawmaker is not having accusations that misused campaign funds, misreported campaign contributions, and collected over $50,000 in dodgy speaking fees.
“No entity that has brought me in for a lecture has ever sought any vote or favor from my office,” Sims told Metro in a very strongly-worded email. “If you actually take a minute to look at my speaking engagements over the last four years, you’ll see that they have focused on institutions of higher learning both in Pennsylvania and across the country.”
Related: PHOTOS: Gay State Rep. Brian Sims Posts Deliciously Beefy TBT, But He Hasn’t Lost The Goods
Sims said that the majority of the speeches he has given since taking office in 2012 have been about his experiences as an openly gay football player in high school, becoming a captain of the football team at Bloomsburg University, his experience as a civil rights attorney, and his activism for LGBTQ causes.
He added that it’s “nothing short of ridiculous” for anyone to suggest that “students of these institutions are somehow ‘buying access’ to me or the Pennsylvania legislature.”
Snap.
The accusations came from a bombshell report by City & State Pennsylvania, which implied Sims had violated the state Ethics Act, which states “state lawmakers are banned from collecting speaking fees or other honoraria,” when he collected a total of $53,000 in speaking fees from a number of higher education institutes.
But according to Pennsylvania Ethics Commission executive director Rob Caruso, there are exceptions to the rule.
Related: Brian Sims Slams Trump/Pence’s Anti-LGBTQ Nonsense In Epic Takedown
“A public official or public employee could accept an honorarium if the payment was for or the request to appear is in relation to the public official or employee’s occupation or profession and not related to their elected or public office,” Caruso said, adding that most requests are handled on “case-by-case basis.”
And according to Sims’ campaign, they followed all protocol. And then some.
“In an abundance of ethical caution, Rep. Sims secured approval from the Counsel of the House Democratic Caucus before continuing his speaking engagements,” the campaign said in a statement, adding that Sims even double-checked with party lawyers to make sure he was allowed to accept payment for his speeches.
The campaign went on to call the whole inquiry “a shame.”
“This inquiry is simply another ‘click-bait’ attempt to smear a legislator who has the standing to use his experience to bring attention to national issues,” it said.
Related: Out Representative Brian Sims Is Our New Favorite Disney Princess
‘Finding Prince Charming’ Suitor Reveals He is HIV-Positive – SPOILERS
‘Finding Prince Charming’ Suitor Reveals He is HIV-Positive – SPOILERS
On tonight’s episode of Logo’s gay ‘Bachelor’ Finding Prince Charming, one of the suitors will reveal to Robert and the other contestants that he is HIV-positive.
Host Lance Bass and Prince Charming himself Robert Sepulveda Jr. confirmed that one suitor would come out as HIV-positive back in August.
That suitor spoke with People magazine about the experience coming out as HIV-positive on television, to a man you’re dating (let’s call it that?), and to a group of new acquaintances.
Watch a clip from tonight’s episode and read a spoiler-filled interview, below.
In a clip released ahead of tonight’s episode, Eric Leonardos, a 35-year-old celebrity hairstylist, decides to share his status with fellow suitor Justin before telling Robert. Eric has become close with Justin and decided he wanted to tell somebody in the house before he talked to Robert.
Eric chose the night of a masquerade party to make his reveal and it seemed tailor-made for such an occasion (and probably was)–each suitor is supposed reveal something about himself that he otherwise wouldn’t.
Eric told Justin that he decided to make a red mask for the masquerade because his reveal would be about his HIV status.
Said Eric to Justin, “10 years ago I found out that I was HIV-positive. When I realized I was gay I was so ashamed, the way that I was raised, the way that I was brought up–it wasn’t an option. Then when I found out I was HIV-positive, I was so ashamed.”
Justin offered Eric his support and seemed to understand the significance of Justin choosing to share his status with him.
Speaking with People magazine, Eric admitted he was nervous about sharing this part of himself on the show, “Mainly because I was sharing, I’m sharing this not only with Robert, I’m sharing it with my peers on the show, I’m essentially sharing this information with anybody who’s going to watch the show.”
In the end, Eric said the experience was “very freeing”:
It was one of the most freeing moments I think I’ve ever experienced to have the people around me put their arms around me. I felt supported. What I do know about people living with HIV is that one of the most important things is to make them feel the love and support of the people around them and they apparently take better care of themselves and seek treatment and go through with that when they feel that sort of love and support, and so statistics show that people take better care of themselves when they feel supported by the people around them. For me I just felt really good. It was a beautiful moment.
As to why he wanted to join Finding Prince Charming in the first place, Eric said,
This opportunity kind of fell into my lap. This year was a year of yes. I decided I was inspired to say yes to everything that scared me. And going on a reality show I can’t think of anything else that would scare me more than putting my life, who I am, my feelings, on the line. And that definitely scared me so I said yes to that. You know, I’ve been single for a few years now, I thought, Why not? Not a lot of people get an opportunity to pursue love in this way, so why not take a risk, take a chance and see what happens?
Of the impact he hopes coming out as HIV-positive will have for those watching, Eric said, “I really just want to be a service and be able to help people and use my experience for the greater good.”
Eric added that he hopes his share will help combat the stigma around HIV:
…the stigma around people with HIV and AIDS is something I would love to see in my lifetime completely eradicated. People live normal lives today with it and people are able to have relationships and share themselves with people, and nobody should be limited to the experience of love based on a virus that they may have, a disease that they may have.
He also said he hopes more people will be inspired to go out and get tested:
The call to action here really is that people need to go get tested and not be afraid to get tested. So many people don’t get tested for HIV and for other STD’s because they’re afraid of the result. And educating people is where it starts.
The post ‘Finding Prince Charming’ Suitor Reveals He is HIV-Positive – SPOILERS appeared first on Towleroad.
‘Finding Prince Charming’ Suitor Reveals He is HIV-Positive – SPOILERS
‘My Gay Roommate: Reloaded’ Announces New Cast Members
‘My Gay Roommate: Reloaded’ Announces New Cast Members
As we previously reported, popular web series My Gay Roommate is currently being adapted into a full-fledged TV pilot. With a Kickstarter campaign now underway, creator Noam Ash has announced a slew of new cast members joining the series, most of them being young Broadway stars that have already made a name for themselves.
Andy Mientus (SMASH, The Flash, Les Mis), TONY Nominee Jenn Damiano (Next To Normal), Jay Armstrong Johnson (Quantico, On the Town), Julia Murney (Wicked) Kathryn Gallagher (Spring Awakening), Scotty Dynamo, Mike Heslin (Younger, War Horse), and Savion Smith (The Get Down) all will lend their talent to the pilot re-boot of My Gay Roommate.
The reboot will be a re-imagined and expanded half-hour version of the web series that adds new characters and storylines to the ones fans are already familiar with.
Ash told Towleroad of the new cast members, “It’s an all-star Broadway crew.”
“As My Gay Roommate is a highly theatrical show, it made the most sense to us to bring in the people who do that best,” Ash explained. “We also intentionally cast gay actors as straight and straight actors as gay, emphasizing our social commentary that there are no ‘gay stories’ and ‘straight stories’ only human stories.”
If you haven’t already, check out the Kickstarter video for My Gay Roommate: Reloaded below and consider supporting here. The campaign has just 6 days to go so now is a great time to support.
The post ‘My Gay Roommate: Reloaded’ Announces New Cast Members appeared first on Towleroad.
Pentagon Releases Handbook on Transgender Military Implementation
Pentagon Releases Handbook on Transgender Military Implementation
The Department of Defense has released its handbook detailing the implementation of transgender military service, moving the U.S. military closer to ensuring every qualified American can serve openly and honestly.
The handbook, which was released September 30, provides clarity for both service members and their commanders about the policies and procedures the military will follow when a service member is transitioning. It also provides important guidance to promote communication and understanding between the transgender service member, their commander, and other personnel.
On June 30, 2016, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced that the Department of Defense was finally lifting the decades-old ban on transgender people being able to openly serve in the U.S. military. Until then, the estimated 15,500 actively serving transgender members of the military were forced to serve in silence by medically out-of-date regulations.
Since July, transgender people already serving in the military have been able to serve openly without fear of being discharged simply because of their gender identity. As of October 1, those service members are now able to access all medically necessary care and are able to begin the process to officially change their gender marker in Pentagon personnel systems.
Queer HIV+ Rapper Mykki Blanco Wants 'Dyke for President, Fag for VP' (Video)
Queer HIV+ Rapper Mykki Blanco Wants 'Dyke for President, Fag for VP' (Video)
Watch the rapper recite Zoe Leonard’s powerful poem.
www.advocate.com/election/2016/10/06/queer-hiv-rapper-mykki-blanco-wants-dyke-president-fag-vp-video
Course Language at Univ. of Utah: 'Gay Marriage Is Disgusting'
Course Language at Univ. of Utah: 'Gay Marriage Is Disgusting'
A class for international students asks them to explain why “Gay marriage should not be prohibited.” One of the possible answers is shockingly homophobic.
www.advocate.com/youth/2016/10/06/course-language-univ-utah-gay-marriage-disgusting
Should Straight People Be Banned From Gay Bars? The Debate Rages On
Should Straight People Be Banned From Gay Bars? The Debate Rages On
After the shooting at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando earlier this year, there was renewed talk about the importance of gay bars and other “safe spaces” where LGBTQ people can come together. But what happens when those spaces become infiltrated by straight people?
Related: Why Straight Girls Who Hang Out In Gay Bars Can Be A Big Problem
“For someone who’s gay, a night out in a gay bar means that they don’t have to brush off homophobic comments disguised as ‘banter’ and aren’t at risk from violence and harassment from people who don’t agree with their sexuality,” Lottie Tiplady-Bishop writes in a new blog post published by The Tab.
The post, titled Should straight people go to gay clubs?, raises the question of whether or not heterosexuals still need work on “recognizing their privilege” before going out to gay clubs.
Related: Four Reasons Everyone, And We Mean Everyone, Should Be Welcome To Party With Us At Gay Bars
“Even though most would assume the kind of straight person who would choose to visit a gay club would be fairly open minded,” Tiplady-Bishop writes, “there’s still a risk that the more integrated a gay bar becomes, the higher the risk of homophobia.”
She then brings up the issue of straight people often viewing gay bars as a “novelty,” where they can go “to ogle gay people, ‘turn’ them straight or scream at drag queens.”
“Obviously gay culture is very vibrant and this makes for a great atmosphere on a night out,” she writes, “but there’s a fine line between appreciation and appropriation.”
Related: Student Says She Was Kicked Out Of Gay Club For Being A Woman, Contacts Police
“It’s totally possible to just go to a gay club and have a good time whether you’re gay or not,” Tiplady-Bishop concludes, “but there is a deeper significance to gay venues that’s sometimes too easily forgotten.”
What are your thoughts on straight people in gay bars? Sound off in the comments section below…
Trump Playboy Videos Emerge From The Depths Of The Web
Trump Playboy Videos Emerge From The Depths Of The Web
Oh good, just what the internet needs: more revolting sex videos.
You might recall last week when Donald Trump accused a former beauty queen of having a “sex tape.” Well, she doesn’t, but now more and more Trump videos are coming out of the woodwork. Or perhaps out of the sewers.
Related: “Gay Voice” Donald Trump Is Back, 100% Better Than Real Trump
Two new videos have surfaced, both from Playboy, in which Trump can be seen hanging around women at photo shoots. There’s a scene in which Trump sidles up to a woman and starts probing her with questions about why she thinks she’s pretty.
“And I think everyone in this room thinks you have what it takes,” Trump tells her, seeming to be angling for a phone number.
There’s another creepy appearance in a 2001 video in which Trump drags both his wife and girlfriend to a Playboy fashion show. Later, the models disrobe, though Trump is not visibly on screen for that segment.
Related: These Guys Are Gay And Voting For Donald Trump
Women already view Trump unfavorably — 62% dislike him — probably because they’re all too familiar with the kind of man who loiters around porn shops and hangs out in the front row of beauty pageants. He’s the same kind of creep who hangs out with homophobes who want to wipe out all gay people.
Trump appeared on the cover of Playboy in 1990, and refused to answer whether his marriage was monogamous. (We know now, of course, that he has serial sex with various women, since he’s been divorced and remarried several times.)
Around that time he suggested to CNN that he “may” have dated a playmate at some point. What a lucky girl she must have been.
