We Interrupt This Workout to Bring you a Gay Marriage Proposal: WATCH

If today’s news has left you feeling a bit numb, here’s the perfect antidote.

Nico Martina proposed to his partner Michael Sinclair (who some might recognize as a former adult film actor with Lucas Entertainment) on the 26th of November, exactly one year after they met at Fitness First, Kings Cross in Sydney.

RELATED: This Flash Mob Spin Class Gay Marriage Proposal Will Give You Feels – WATCH

The proposal took place during a workout session when a surprise flash mob grabbed the gym’s attention.

Nico was then able to get down on one knee and pop the question.

Watch:

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We Interrupt This Workout to Bring you a Gay Marriage Proposal: WATCH

'Not Straight Against Hate' Group Protests Trump in NYC

www.advocate.com/politics/2016/12/19/not-straight-against-hate-group-protests-trump-nyc

Electoral Win for Trump, Berlin, Russian Ambassador, Bill Clinton, Katy Perry, South Carolina: HOT LINKS

ELECTORAL COLLEGE. Revolt goes poorly as Trump wins easily: “Trump’s defeat of Hillary Clinton follows a desperate and unprecedented attempt by Democratic electors to foment a revolt by convincing Republican electors to vote against him, an effort that collapsed with little to show for it. Just two of the 306 Republican electors, both from Texas, ultimately cast a ballot against Trump.”

BILL CLINTON. Emotional after casting electoral vote: “I never cast a vote I was prouder of…You know, I watched her work for two years. I watched her battle through that bogus email deal. She fought through that. She fought through everything, and she prevailed against it all and then at the end … the FBI deal — she couldn’t prevail against that.”

Bill Clinton speaks to the press in Albany, praises Hillary for persevering through “that bogus email deal.” pic.twitter.com/hnXwwAXrJs

— Jon Campbell (@JonCampbellGAN) December 19, 2016

BERLIN. Nine dead as truck plows through Christmas market: “It drove into the crowd on a sidewalk, bringing down Christmas lights and smashing stalls at the festive market near the Gedaechtniskirche, or Memorial Church, in western Berlin.”

Claims: lorry that ploughed into Berlin Xmas market killing 9 people was hijacked – says reporter Florian Flade t.co/bT2KZLz6ZK

— Sky News (@SkyNews) December 19, 2016

TURKEY. Russian ambassador shot at photo exhibit in Ankara: “A Turkish policeman fatally shot Russia’s ambassador to Turkey on Monday in front of a shocked gathering at a photo exhibit and then, pacing near the body of his victim, appeared to condemn Russia’s military role in Syria, shouting: ‘Don’t forget Aleppo! Don’t forget Syria!’”

Awed by the courage of the photographer who captured this terrifying shot t.co/7ux2Z5rU8c (Credit: Burhan Ozbilici/AP) pic.twitter.com/1vS475mtJQ

— Hiroko Tabuchi (@HirokoTabuchi) December 19, 2016

BODY SHOTS. Katie Holmes spotted drinking tequila off of Jamie Foxx’s chest.

SOUTH CAROLINA. Lawmaker hopes to block computers bought in the state from accessing porn, unless users pay a fee: “Both sellers and buyers could get around the limitation, for a fee. The bill would fine manufacturers that sell a device without the blocking system, but they could opt out by paying $20 per device sold. Buyers could also verify their age and pay $20 to remove the filter.”

MALE MODEL MONDAY. Featuring Daniel Dexter Jr.  More here.

HOLIDAY DREAD. Do you have it?

PARDONED. Obama pardons 78 federal inmates, shortens sentence for 153: “President Obama has pardoned 78 people and shortened the sentence of 153 others convicted of federal crimes, the greatest number of individual clemencies in a single day by any president, the White House said Monday.”

EXIT INTERVIEW. Obama sits down with NPR, says Hillary lost because Democrats didn’t show up.

KATY PERRY. There is new music coming, it seems. “The 32-year-old singer has not released a full album since Prism in October 2013 and fans are hoping that she’ll drop new music in 2017.”

Katy posted a split second of a song from the studio! Don’t be scared to die? don’t be scared to cry? Whatcha think? t.co/IyuwFuObFf pic.twitter.com/j1G4mhR1Ie

— Katy Perry | FOTP (@FOTPKatyPerry) December 17, 2016

MOTIVATION MONDAY.  Boszs Apiwat.

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Electoral Win for Trump, Berlin, Russian Ambassador, Bill Clinton, Katy Perry, South Carolina: HOT LINKS

New Campaign Wants to End Harmful Conversion Therapy

50 Bills 50 States has a lofty goal — and an uphill battle considering the incoming administration. 

www.advocate.com/youth/2016/12/19/new-campaign-wants-end-harmful-conversion-therapy

Closeted guy baffled by super-gay ads he receives on Facebook

Chances are, you’ve seen them yourself: Those ads on Facebook beckoning you onto that gay cruise, or to stay poolside in your Speedo at an all-gay hotel. Fine and dandy? Well, if you happen to be firmly ensconced in the closet, not so much.

That’s the micro-scandal plaguing one hapless Redditor, who is altogether mystified why the social networking site feels entitled to pepper his feed with altogether homosexual ads like this from Ski Bums (yow):

“Alright, so. I’m not out yet,” writes newyorkansun. “However, Facebook for the past couple months has been sending me targeted ads for gays, including this one that is in the picture. How does it know? Whenever I search for something I usually use the incognito mode on Chrome. I try to click on why are you showing me this ad, but the window closes automatically. Thanks for any insight.”

Readers have been quick to offer him their own two cents.

“If you are logged out,” says x_k_c_d, “Facebook still knows the account you were logged in with earlier.”

If you visit a website in incognito mode that has Facebook buttons on it, Facebook gets your IP and because it also knows the IP you were or are logged in with, it can connect the information. I would recommend using uBlock Origin and Privacy Badger to stop this sort of snooping.

alamborn19 doesn’t think it’s that big of a deal.

“When i was closeted,” he writes, “I’d get them too.”

No one would use my phone or iPad especially on Facebook, so it’s not like it’ll be seen and just lie and easily explain it away if they are seen. TDRL: Don’t worry about it — they’re just ads. No one will question them and there’s nothing you can do to stop them.

“Facebook does the equivalent of digital stalking,” says Grem-Zealot, which is pithy enough.

Of course, you can rest assured Facebook is privy to, how shall we say, the heady art films you gravitate towards on those intimate nights spent alone with your Internet connection. Perhaps that’s how it knows what kinds of ads you like?

Have you had any experiences with Facebook’s invasive sponsored ads? Sound off in the comments below. 

www.queerty.com/closeted-guy-baffled-super-gay-ads-receives-facebook-20161219?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Victims Left ‘Shaken and Upset’ Following Homophobic Abuse On London Transport

Two gay men in London have been left shaken after they were the victims of verbal abuse on public transport on two consecutive nights.

Chris Chapman and his partner Jonathan Carter said they were left “shaken and upset” after they were attacked on London transport last Thursday and Friday.

Chapman said that he and Carter were branded “disgusting” last Friday night as they shared a kiss on a Tube train. They allege that they were told “people do not want to see that here” and that they should get off the train if they wanted to have physical contact.

Gay couple subjected to vile homophobic attacks on consecutive nights say ‘it just doesn’t make sense’ t.co/WPtWPQDaHm

— Evening Standard (@standardnews) December 17, 2016

The Evening Standard reports:

The pair said they were left “shaken and upset” as the thugs left the train at North Greenwich.

However, as they comforted each other in the street, the couple were subjected to further abuse as a woman walked past and said: “Go and get a room, [that’s] disgusting.”

The horrific incident came just a day after the couple suffered abuse on a DLR train travelling between Bank and Woolwich Arsenal.

Cllr Chapman explained how they were threatened with a “torrent of homophobic slurs” from two young women.

He said: “We became aware that two girls were discussing the fact that I had my arm around him.

“One expressed disgust for this whilst the other pointed out that living in London she was used to ‘having to see it’.”

As the women left the train at Westferry they were said to have laughed and hurled more abuse at the couple.

RELATED: Homophobe Unleashes Vile Verbal Attack on Crowded Bus After Pride: WATCH

Chapman added:

“As we approached holding hands we heard a group of rowdy men ahead of us. We both flinched and hesitated before letting go of one another’s hand.  It dawned on us that the abuse we had suffered has altered the way in which we behave, the way in which two people demonstrate their love for one another. Of all the elements of the two nights, this was the one that hurt us the most. Neither of us were at fault but knowing the other was feeling the same way, we couldn’t help but say sorry. This is not to be interpreted as being apologists for the fact that we are gay, but rather an expression of real sorrow that being gay is still something that elicits such hatred.”

Both incidents have been reported to the Metropolitan Police and the British Transport Police and are under investigation.

(Image via Twitter)

The post Victims Left ‘Shaken and Upset’ Following Homophobic Abuse On London Transport appeared first on Towleroad.

Victims Left ‘Shaken and Upset’ Following Homophobic Abuse On London Transport

16 Inspirational Voices for LGBTQ Equality in 2016: Pulse Survivors

As 2016 comes to a close, there is no doubt that this year was difficult for many in the LGBTQ and allied community. After a year of such celebration and momentous progress in 2015, 2016 was a shocking wake-up call to many about the realities that LGBTQ people face. From the rise in anti-LGBTQ legislation to the horrific shooting at Pulse, from the incidents of anti-transgender violence to the election of a presidential ticket that threatened to undermine equality and justice, we know that our job is more important now than ever before.

However, through these difficult times, we witnessed countless moments of inspiration. Throughout the year, time and time again, we saw people stand up and do what was right. Whether they were celebrities, politicians, a friend or just an acquaintance, we saw people stand up for equality and inspire us all. Their stories made us cry, gave us hope and reminded us that love will conquer hate.

On June 12, our world was turned upside down. A horrific shooting at Pulse, an LGBTQ nightclub in Orlando, shook the nation to its core. Forty-nine innocent LGBTQ people and allies, mostly young and Latinx, were taken from their friends, families and our community far too soon.

As we learned the names and stories of the 49 individuals who died in the tragedy, we also heard incredible stories about the heroes who helped save the lives of countless survivors of the attack. We heard about a war veteran who led dozens to safety, a man who silenced a fellow club-goer so the shooter would not hear her screams, and a mom who pushed her son out of harm’s way so that he would live.

As memorials and tributes were held around the country, 49 celebrities worked with HRC and Emmy Award-winning Ryan Murphy and Ned Martel to share personal stories about each victim.

In the following months, we heard more and more detailed stories about survivors, the victims and their families.

In September, Pulse shooting survivor Brandon Wolf took over HRC’s Twitter handle to talk about the loss of his friend, Drew Leinonen, and the need to end gun and hate violence in America.

Hey Twitter. I’m @BrandonJWolf, a @pulseorlando shooting survivor here for a #HRCTwitterTakeover to talk about my friend Drew & gun violence pic.twitter.com/Zna8LFr8MG

— HumanRightsCampaign (@HRC) September 27, 2016

We were brought to tears when Ellen DeGeneres and Katy Perry surprised Tony Marrero, another survivor of the Pulse shooting.

.@TheEllenShow and @KatyPerry surprise Tony Marrero, a survivor of the Pulse shooting #AllTheFeels t.co/hnMQ8zE3oK

— HumanRightsCampaign (@HRC) September 8, 2016

We celebrated when Zumba instructor Angel Colon took his first steps after suffering multiple gunshot wounds and a broken leg during the Pulse shooting.

“Yay!” indeed! Congratulations to #Pulse survivor, Angel Colon. Your determination inspires us all! #SundayFeels t.co/zTLG9a7dQc

— HumanRightsCampaign (@HRC) August 28, 2016

HRC also had the opportunity to meet and hear from Christine Leinonen, the mother of Christopher “Drew” Leinonen — a young man shot and killed along with his boyfriend, Juan Guerrero, at Pulse. Her resilience has been astounding, publicly sharing love and support for her son while tears stream down her face.

“Christopher was a proud gay man,” she said at HRC’s National Dinner. “And I couldn’t have loved him more.”

While it is still so difficult to grapple with the reality that so many  people were targeted and killed  because of who they are and whom they love, these inspirational stories and people kept our hearts full. Their determination and willpower will continue to motivate us into 2017 and beyond. Thank you to those survivors, families, loved one, friends and allies who rallied after Pulse to share the victims’ stories. We will continue to fight for full equality in their honor.

Follow along with HRC’s blog in the coming days as we recognize the people who inspired us and gave us hope, courage and strength in 2016.

www.hrc.org/blog/16-inspirational-voices-for-lgbtq-equality-in-2016-pulse-survivors?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Yes, You Can Be Sexist Even If You're a Gay Man

“Making out with boys doesn’t mean you’re immune to being a tool of the patriarchy.”

www.advocate.com/women/2016/12/19/yes-you-can-be-sexist-even-if-youre-gay-man