Gay Founding X-Men Character Iceman to Get His Own Comic Book Series

X-Men founding member Iceman, aka Bobby Drake, will soon be the star of his own Marvel comic series, the company announced last week.

Coming soon: “Iceman” #1 #ResurrXion pic.twitter.com/XGPlfHeNvF

— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) October 17, 2016

NBC News reports:

Iceman was outed in “All-New X-Men #40” when mind reader Jean Grey confronted him about his sexuality.

It is still unclear whether or not Iceman’s sexual identity will be further explored in “ResurrXion,” as details surrounding the series are still unknown. Although his orientation was a relatively recent revelation, his status as one of the original X-Men and his many appearances throughout television and film make Iceman one of the most famous LGBTQ superheroes today.

Iceman’s creator Stan Lee responded to the character’s coming out last year, saying, “I don’t care what happens as long as they tell good stories.”

And Shawn Ashmore, who plays Iceman in the film adaptations of the X-Men, has said that he’s definitely be open to playing a gay Iceman:

“Obviously the comics and movies are separate. I wonder what the transition would be because we’ve sort of established Bobby as having a love interest in Rogue and having a love interest in sort of Kitty Pryde, but I think it’d be really interesting,” Ashmore said. “I think it’d probably be the most interesting thing that could happen to Bobby in the films. If they decided to take the story that way, it’d be incredibly dramatic, it’d be an interesting storyline, and it would give Bobby a great character arc. I’d definitely be open to that, but again, I’m not sure if they want to take the character in that direction. I have no idea how they would play that out. I think it’d be very interesting.”

Now, with his own series, the chances of seeing Ashmore do just that got even better, as Iceman takes a stepped-up role in the Marvel universe.

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Gay Founding X-Men Character Iceman to Get His Own Comic Book Series

Allegations of Anti-LGBTQ Violence at Trump Organization

As detailed in a new story from Slate, a former Trump Organization employee filed a complaint in New Jersey state court about alleged rampant anti-LGBTQ attitudes and treatment during his time of employment at the Trump National Golf Club in 2014. According to the employee, Eleazar Andres, he was attacked and faced physical and verbal abuse on the job, simply for being LGBTQ. After the incident, he complained to his supervisor and others in management, who, according to Andres, did nothing to help him or change the situation. After informing his supervisor that he did not feel safe coming to work, Andres was summarily fired for bringing up the discrimination and violence he faced.

The Trump Organization has received a 0 — the lowest possible score — on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index, which is is the national benchmarking tool on corporate policies and practices pertinent to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer employees.

If elected, Trump has promised to appoint judges to the Supreme Court who would overturn the legalization of same-sex marriage. He supports state-sanctioned discrimination against transgender people like North Carolina’s HB2, and counts among his advisors many of the top anti-LGBTQ exporters of hate in the world. Trump has refused to support the Equality Act, which would create explicit federal protections for LGBTQ Americans, including comprehensive workplace protections.

Hillary Clinton has made passing the Equality Act a priority if elected president. The bipartisan Equality Act would provide consistent and explicit anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people across key areas of life, including employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally funded programs, and jury service.

If true, this incident is another example of Trump’s poor leadership. If Trump cannot manage a diverse, modern workforce, he certainly cannot run our country.

www.hrc.org/blog/allegations-of-anti-lgbtq-violence-at-trump-organization?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

104 Photos of a Happy Honolulu Pride

www.advocate.com/pride/2016/10/24/104-photos-happy-honolulu-pride

Dead Or Alive’s Iconic Lead Singer Pete Burns Has Died

Pete Burns, the iconic lead singer of Dead or Alive, has died.

Related: Gaga Ruined Madonna’s Career Just Like Plastic Surgery Ruined Pete Burns’ Face

On Sunday, the 57-year-old artist behind such ’80s hits as “You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)” and “Brand New Lover suffered “massive cardiac arrest,” according to The Sun.

Related: Out There: Varla, Pete, and Sylvester

His management released the following statement:

It is with the greatest sadness that we have to break the tragic news that out beloved Pete Burns of (Dead or Alive), died suddenly yesterday of a massive cardiac arrest.”

All of his family and friends are devastated by the loss of our special star.

He was a true visionary, a beautiful talented soul, and he will be missed by all who loved and appreciated everything he was and all of the wonderful memories the has left is with.

We have no more words, we will make a further statement when we have had a chance to come to terms with our devastating loss.

He will live forever in our memories.

Sending you all our love,

Lynne, Michael, Steve.”

Here’s the video to his still-ubiquitous signature song, 1985’s “You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)”:

www.queerty.com/dead-alives-iconic-lead-singer-pete-burns-died-20161024?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Hills Comes Alive in Randy Rainbow’s Nasty Woman Musical – WATCH

The Hills is alive with a big fat lead in the polls. 

Randy Rainbow takes on the third presidential debate in his latest musical parody that is all about the nastiest woman in politics today, none other than Mrs. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Rainbow sets his latest parody, aptly titled “Nasty Woman”, to the tune of “The Lonely Goatherd” from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The Sound of Music.”

RELATED: Randy Rainbow Makes the First Presidential Debate a Super Braggadocious Musical – WATCH

Watch as Rainbow proves he is the true winner of this election season, below. And don’t be surprised if you find yourself yodeling “lady in the lead all day” all day.

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Hills Comes Alive in Randy Rainbow’s Nasty Woman Musical – WATCH

Ambassador Susan E. Rice to Deliver Speech Addressing Obama Administration’s LGBTQ Legacy

HRC Foundation, American University, and Human Rights First will host Ambassador Susan Rice, President Obama’s National Security Advisor, on Wednesday, October 26^th at 3:00 PM ET at American University’s School of International Service for remarks on protecting and promoting LGBTQ human rights around the world.

Over the last eight years, the Obama Administration has made advancing the human rights of LGBTQ people a central pillar of the United States’ foreign policy. As the United Nations Ambassador and National Security Advisor, Ambassador Rice has been at the forefront of efforts to ensure basic rights and safety for LGBTQ people globally. Ambassador Rice will discuss the Obama Administration’s leadership on equality, the vital role that work plays in America’s national security and the need for continued effort to secure LGBTQ human rights abroad. Following her remarks, Ambassador Rice will participate in a short moderated discussion with James Goldgeier, Dean of American University School of International Service.

WHAT: Ambassador Rice Remarks on National Security and LGBTQ Human Rights

WHEN: Wednesday, October 26, 2016, 3:00 PM ET

WHERE: American University, School of International Service Atrium

3400 Nebraska Ave, Washington, D.C. 20016

WHO: Ambassador Susan Rice, U.S. National Security Advisor

James Goldgeier, Dean of American University School of International Service

Chad Griffin, President of the Human Rights Campaign

Elisa Massimino, President and CEO of Human Rights First

www.hrc.org/blog/ambassador-susan-e.-rice-to-deliver-speech-addressing-obama-administrations?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Here’s Why Gus Kenworthy Is Glad He Came Out Last Year

www.queerty.com/heres-gus-kenworthy-glad-came-last-year-20161024?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

NY Times Prints Complete List of Trump’s Twitter Insults

The New York Times has published a comprehensive index of all the people, places and things Donald Trump has attacked on his favorite social network, Twitter.

The list, published both in Monday’s paper and online, consists of two-hundred and eighty-one objects of Trump’s ire with links to the tweets themselves.

In an intro to the index, The Times writes, “Since declaring his candidacy for president last June, Donald Trump has used Twitter to lob insults at presidential candidates, journalists, news organizations, nations, a Neil Young song and even a lectern in the Oval Office. We know this because we’ve read, tagged and quoted them all.”

Also among those Trump has gone after in his scorched-earth campaign: Colin Powell, John Roberts, Tom Ridge, John McCain, Nikki Haley, Jeff Flake, Karl Rove, Hugh Hewitt, a microphone at the first presidential debate, countless media personalities and pundits (all of whom he declares have “no talent”), Molly Sims, Shep Smith, the MLB, and a golf course.

Read the thought the directory for yourself, here.

[Top image via NYT]

The post NY Times Prints Complete List of Trump’s Twitter Insults appeared first on Towleroad.

NY Times Prints Complete List of Trump’s Twitter Insults

#AM_Equality Tip Sheet: October 24, 2016

COUNTDOWN and #TurnOUT: 15 days until Election Day and all eyes are on Florida where HRC is working throughout the state and in targeted districts — like those in Orlando. Nearly 566,000 LGBTQ voters call this crucial swing state home. For context, the margin of victory for Florida in the last presidential election was 74,309. Recent polling by CBS has Clinton leading by three points. More about the power of Florida’s LGBTQ vote here.

Early voting begins TODAY in #Florida! Find your nearest voting location at t.co/T6XcBymBgc & #turnOUT the pro-equality vote! pic.twitter.com/qGHCCT9qTS

— HumanRightsCampaign (@HRC) October 24, 2016

HRC RELEASES FLORIDA AD FEATURING PULSE SURVIVOR AS EARLY VOTING BEGINS IN SUNSHINE STATE: The new digital ad, “Ricardo,” released in both Spanish and English, features Ricardo Negron-Almodovar, an Orlando resident and survivor of the tragic June attack on the Pulse nightclub, who emphasizes the importance of voting to make real change. Today is the first day of in-person early voting in Florida. Ricardo, who will cast his first-ever vote in a presidential election this November, talks about what it means for him to participate in the political process: “You have to vote. Let your voice be heard. Every issue that we face has a root at the political level. We are a force to be reckoned with if we organize.” See the ad in English here, and the Spanish version here. In this longer version of the ad, Ricardo movingly shares the horror he experienced during the Pulse nightclub shooting that left 49 people dead and 53 wounded, and how it underscored the importance of political participation by Latinx and LGBTQ people.

#turnOUT IN THE SUNSHINE STATE: Ricardo is among Pulse survivors who joined HRC President Chad Griffin this morning in Orlando to kick off early voting in Florida.

• Also today in Orlando, Griffin will meet with LGBTQ students and allies at University of Central Florida, stop by an HRC get-out-the-vote event with Florida State House candidate Carlos Guillermo Smith, and kick off an HRC phone bank for Hillary Clinton, Senate candidate Patrick Murphy and other pro-equality candidates up and down the ballot.

SHE’S GOT THE EYE OF THE TIGER — AND YOU’RE GOING TO HEAR HER ROAR (FOR HILLARY): Katy Perry was on hand Saturday at the University of Nevada – Las Vegas to help HRC volunteers kick off canvassing for Hillary Clinton. The pop superstar has been a vocal supporter of Hillary Clinton, performing at the Democratic National Convention earlier this year.

.@katyperry kicked off a canvass at @unlv w/ @HRC volunteers for @HillaryClinton, @CatherineForNV & pro-equality candidates! Let’s #turnOUT! pic.twitter.com/eNq0wMJvr1

— HumanRightsCampaign (@HRC) October 23, 2016

WATCH: NBC HIGHLIGHTS HOW OPPOSITION TO HB2 IS DRIVING EARLY VOTING IN NORTH CAROLINA: NBC’S Steve Patterson traveled to North Carolina to look at how the discriminatory HB2 was affecting turnout on the first day of early in-person voting in North Carolina. TurnOUT NC — a project of the Human Rights Campaign PAC and Equality North Carolina Action Fund PAC — is working to elect pro-equality candidates up and down the ticket in North Carolina. More here.

IN BLISTERING TAKEDOWN OF PAT MCCRORY, RALEIGH NEWS & OBSERVER ENDORSES ROY COOPER FOR NC GOVERNOR: In an no-holds-barred editorial on Saturday, The Raleigh News & Observer endorsed North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper for governor, asserting that he will “come to the governor’s office with something (Governor Pat) McCrory has never had: A clear set of goals.” Cooper, the editorial notes, “offers an abundance of what McCrory lacks. He has served in the legislature and led the Department of Justice for 15 years, he stands by his principles and he knows how to get things done in state government.” In an epic takedown, the N&O details McCrory’s “non-stop stumbles” as governor, culminating in his embrace of the discriminatory HB2 law, which is causing incalculable damage to the state’s economy and reputation. Just last week The Charlotte Observer also endorsed Cooper, noting that it was the first time in a quarter century it declined to back McCrory. Read the N&O endorsement here.

TRUMP OUTLINES A DANGEROUS AND GRIM FIRST 100 DAYS IN OFFICE: During a speech at the storied Gettysburg battleground — scene of President Abraham Lincoln’s historic address advocating for the end of slavery and unification of the nation — Trump threatened to use his presidency to silence the media, bring about Draconian immigration laws, and take legal action against women survivors of his predatory behavior. Not unlike a certain Russian dictator. Read more here.

.@realDonaldTrump now threatening media & persecuting victims who speak out. Looking more like Putin’s puppet every day. t.co/WsV07fYvnE

— Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin) October 22, 2016

MONDAY MUST WATCH: If you need an election season pick-me-up, check out this video of Noreen Elnady, an HRC and Equality NC field organizer who moved to North Carolina from Egypt when she was in high school. This weekend, she cast her first vote as an American citizen for Hillary Clinton, Roy Cooper and pro-equality candidates up and down the ballot. See her  “I’m about to vote for the first time” happy dance here.

 

@noreeniebeenie is an HRC and @equalitync Field Organizer who moved to North Carolina from Egypt when she was in high school. Yesterday she cast her first vote as an American citizen for @hillaryclinton, @roycoopernc and pro-#equality candidates up and down the ballot. Check out her “I’m about to vote for the first time” happy dance! “Going out there and early voting yesterday morning was incredible, not only because it was my first time voting, but also because I’m so invested in this election. Having my voice heard made it so much better! I’m supporting Hilary Clinton and other pro-#LGBTQ candidates because we need to send a message across the nation that equality is the only way to go, and if you are not with us on these important issues, then you will not be in office after this election!” – Noreen Elnady #turnOUT #gotv #imwithher #election2016 #vote

A video posted by Human Rights Campaign (@humanrightscampaign) on Oct 21, 2016 at 4:29pm PDT

BUZZFEED LAUNCHES SERIES ON TRANSGENDER RIGHTS IN THE U.S.: BuzzFeed’s Chris Geidner (@chrisgeidner) opens the series with the stories behind legal progress for transgender people, including that of Mia Macy, who was initially told she could not bring a discrimination claim under Title VII’s sex discrimination prohibition because she is transgender. Her pursuit of justice, Geidner writes, changed the course of transgender history. Read the fascinating piece here.

KNOW YOUR HISTORY: LGBTQ history is often forgotten — or ignored — in today’s classrooms. But faculty at the University of Texas are trying to change that, working to incorporate LGBTQ history into their classes. More from Daily Texan.

THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY NEEDS BRIDGES — NOT WALLS: Donald Trump has created a campaign rooted in a terrifying vision of closed borders, stoked by Islamophobia and fear of refugees, and has been making ridiculous assertions that his plan will somehow protect LGBTQ people. However, many refugees are LGBTQ people seeking safe havens from places in the world that persecute, or execute, LGBTQ people. LGBTQ organizations have joined the fight to protect refugees. More from US News & World Report.

READING RAINBOW
Business Insider reports that Norway will be the first country to offer PrEP free to its citizens… BuzzFeed shares a comedian’s take about being trans in the military… Advocate discusses interpersonal violence within the LGBTQ community… Wall Street Journal looks at New York City’s growing LGBTQ film festival…

www.hrc.org/blog/am-equality-tip-sheet-october-24-2016?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed