Jo Brand Praised For Taking All-Male ‘Have I Got News For You’ Panel To Task Over Sexual Harassment Jokes

Jo Brand has received widespread praise after taking last night’s Have I Got News For You guests to task over why sexual harassment should be taken seriously. 

The comedian offered a ringing rebuke following a series of jokes by the all-male panel over recent misconduct allegations within Parliament, with viewers accusing panelists of trying to “downplay” harassment. 

While Daily Mail columnist Quentin Letts called journalist Julia Hartley-Brewer a “big strong girl” following accusations that former Defence Secretary Michael Fallon repeatedly touched her knee at a dinner a number of years ago, Ian Hislop laughed over one allegation of a Tory MP taking his personal trainer to the cinema. 

“Some of this isn’t high-level crime, is it?” Hislop said. “Compared to say, Putin or Trump.”  

female gender here today, I know it’s not high level but it doesn’t have to be high level for women to feel under siege in somewhere like the House of Commons.” 

She continued: “And actually for women, if you’re constantly being harassed even in a small way, that builds up and that wears you down. 

“Sorry, I thought I was on Question Time for a minute,” Brand joked.

In recent weeks, there have been numerous allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment within the House of Commons. 

While Tory MP Fallon stepped down from his Defence role earlier in the week, admitting his previous conduct had “fallen short” of military standards, fellow Conservative Charlie Elphicke last night had the Tory whip suspended following ’serious allegations” that have been referred to the police. 

The Dover MP has denied any wrongdoing. 

woman writing: “Couldn’t have chosen a better host than Jo Brand tonight.

“Nobody could stand up to that lot as well as she did. Well done that woman.” 

Another added: “Well done, Jo Brand. She shouldn’t have had to explain it to the #HIGNFY panel, but she did it well.”

Meanwhile, other viewers hit out at the show for failing to have a single female guest on the panel, bar host Brand. 

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/jo-brand-sexual-harassment-jokes_uk_59fd9d5de4b0baea2631f0f4

89 Photos of Guys Who Love to Show It Off

www.advocate.com/photography/2017/11/04/89-photos-guys-who-love-show-it

‘House Of Cards’ Will Not Continue With Kevin Spacey, Netflix Confirm
Netflix have confirmed that they will not be producing any new episodes of ‘House Of Cards’ that feature Kevin Spacey, following a series of sexual harassment allegations against the actor.

As Frank Underwood, Kevin is the focal point of the show but Netflix and production company MRC have not ruled out finding a way to carry on without him.

A statement reads: “Netflix will not be involved with any further production of ‘House of Cards’ that includes Kevin Spacey.

“We will continue to work with MRC during this hiatus time to evaluate our path forward as it relates to the show.”

They’ve also confirmed that another Spacey project, a Gore Vidal biopic, will not be released.

“We have also decided we will not be moving forward with the release of the film ‘Gore’, which was in post-production, starring and produced by Kevin Spacey.” the statement concludes.

During the past week, a number of ‘House Of Cards’ have speculated over the show’s future, with many suggesting that the focus could shift onto Robin Wright’s character Claire.

Spacey is the subject of a number of harassment accusations and on Friday (3 November), two anonymous ‘House Of Cards’ crew members alleged the actor had acted inappropriately towards them while on set.

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/kevin-spacey-netflix-house-of-cards_uk_59fd8286e4b0baea2631e2e1

Wetherspoon’s Boss ‘100% Certain’ Brexit Can Mean Cheaper Food – But Can’t Say If His Prices Will Drop

“I’m 100% sure what I’m saying is true,” Tim Martin tells HuffPost UK, after printing half a million beermats that tell Wetherspoon’s customers Brexit can make their food and drink cheaper, despite repeated warnings that leaving the EU will do the opposite.

“If by any chance I’ve got it wrong, I’ve not made myself look too clever.”

Lots of people would say the chairman of Wetherspoon’s, Britain’s biggest pub chain, has not made himself look too clever.

the British Retail Consortium and former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg have warned Brexit without an EU trade deal will drive up food prices. Clegg said leaving the EU without a deal would mean a 22% tariff on food from the EU.

Undeterred, Martin has printed his beermats for people to read as they down cheap pints at 895 Wetherspoon’s pubs across the country.

The mats say prices will fall – if only politicians had the sense to “stop messing about” and follow The Wetherspoon’s Manifesto: Quit the EU without a transitional deal and use the freedom of World Trade Organisation rules to abolish tariffs our EU membership obliges us to charge on food imports from outside the bloc.

The rules let you do this, he says, so long as you don’t discriminate, so his vision would mean the abolition of food tariffs from in and outside the EU.

The Wetherspoon’s boss thinks axing the tariffs would take 3.5p off each meal served in the chain and 0.5p off each drink.

The avuncular, staunch Brexiteer, who grew his empire from a single pub in 1979 to the huge chain it is now, has been a colourful voice in favour of Brexit.

His chain is such a national institution that a scathing Sunday Times review of one of its newest pubs last weekend caused an uproar and discussion about the role cheap pubs plays in a time of poverty. The review called Martin “a multimillionaire Leave donor who’s now complaining he can’t get the staff”.

This is the second time Martin has pulled the beermat stunt. Before the referendum, he put out ones posing a series of questions doubting the future of the Euro, and urging people to vote Leave.

Announcing the latest beermats in a press release, he said people like Clegg and Taylor were part of “a coordinated campaign to dupe the public”.

One reason he is so confident is his claim that he has not been contradicted, despite being challenged by Andrew Neil on BBC One’s This Week in September. He also set out his views in an article last month headlined: “Project Fear has morphed into Project Stupid.”

Speaking to HuffPost by phone, Martin says his claims have already circulated widely within his trade, who are “mostly Remainers” and he has had not had any reproach, “nor will I”.

“What I’ve said, I’m certain it’s true… I said it on television… I contradicted Andrew Neil and not one person has come back and said ‘no, no, you’ve got that wrong Tim’.”

Conventional wisdom about Brexit’s impact on food prices seems to trouble Martin. He insists there would be no need for extra custom checks, which would make food more expensive. 

The fall in the pound’s value, which has already fuelled inflation since the vote, also doesn’t faze him and he says its affect on food is “almost negligible”.

He is more certain than anyone else in the debate, it seems. Revered think tank the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) does not share his confidence. It said in July that Brexit’s impact on food prices was “highly uncertain”.

LSE economist Thomas Sampson viewed Martin’s press release and told HuffPost it had a “partial truth”, as axing the tariffs would make food cheaper but only cheaper than if Britain left the EU and kept them.

Sampson said: “Are food prices lower following Brexit than if we hadn’t voted to leave the EU? That’s where the claim has less to back it up.”

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/wetherspoons-brexit-beer-mats-tim-martin_uk_59faf3cee4b0b0c7fa38185c

Defendant Convicted in Gender-Fluid Iowa Teen’s Death

Jorge Sanders-Galvez was found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Kedarie Johnson.

www.advocate.com/crime/2017/11/03/defendant-convicted-gender-fluid-iowa-teens-death

“ASOS x glaad” retail collab launches for the Together Movement

Above: Tommy Dorfman wearing Relaxed Long Sleeve T-Shirt (left), and T-Shirt with Tropical Print

On November 3, GLAAD launched “ASOS x glaad&,” a retail collaboration with online fashion retailer, ASOS, in support of the Together Movement, lead by GLAAD. The collection is comprised of clothing and accessory pieces featuring the “&” symbol. The “&” symbol represents the power of all our voices, together, resisting discrimination and hate. Proudly wearing the ampersand is one way for people to unite in accelerating acceptance.

This collaboration is a way to embody an important message of solidarity for all marginalized communities subject to discrimination. A portion of the proceeds from each sale will be donated directly towards GLAAD, so be sure to take a look at some of the items below and shop the full collection over at asos.com.

Left to right: Mical Klip and Donis Almanzar, wearing Relaxed Long Sleeve T-Shirt and T-Shirt with Tropical Print

The collection is modelled by Tommy Dorfman of 13 Reasons Why fame, who was recently honored at the GLAAD Atlanta Gala with a Rising Star award. Models Mical Klip, Amara Desta Korley, Kemi, Maya Aguayo, Hayley Small, Fifi Vida, Richie Shazam, Brian De Souza, Khalid Livingston, Delbert Perez, David Parnel, Adam Eli, Donis Almanzar, Hakeem Nieght, and Butchy Santiago are also part of this incredible retail campaign. 

Tommy Dorfman, wearing the ASOS x GLAAD T Shirt with Tropical Print David Parnel, in the ASOS x GLAAD Relaxed T-Shirt with Tropical Print Left to right: Hakeem Nieght, Fifi Vida, and Butchy Santiago, wearing the Relaxed Long Sleeve T-Shirt, Relaxed T Shirt with Embroidery, and Oversized Hoodie With Back Print, respectively Amara Desta Korley, wearing the ASOS x GLAAD Relaxed Long Sleeve T Shirt Left to right: Kemi and Maya Aguayo, wearing the Oversized Sweatshirt with Embroidery and Relaxed T Shirt with Embroidery Adam Eli, wearing Relaxed T Shirt with Embroidery  Khalid, wearing the ASOS X GLAAD Necklace Left to right: Adam Eli, Richie Shazam, andTommy Dorfman, wearing Relaxed T Shirt with Embroidery, Relaxed T-Shirt with Tropical Print, and Oversized Hoodie with Back Print, respectively 

 

The Together Movement is a call for members of all marginalized communities to stand together and resist the forces that seek to divide them. The ampersand or “&”, which represents the movement, symbolizes that nobody is just one identity, and all marginalized people, especially those with intersecting identities, are more powerful when they work together. ASOS has long been committed to “Fashion with Integrity,” promoting sustainability within the fashion industry. GLAAD, the world’s leading LGBTQ media advocacy organization, re-writes the script for LGBTQ+ acceptance since its founding in 1985.

www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-launches-retail-line-asos-support-togethermovement

Terry Crews’s Alleged Groper Is Brett Ratner’s Agent

Adam Venit, agent to high-profile clients like Emma Stone and Dustin Hoffman, is on leave from William Morris Endeavor.

www.advocate.com/crime/2017/11/03/terry-crewss-alleged-groper-brett-ratners-agent

This innocent question about fetish gear is absolutely hilarious
“Sweetheart, no.”

www.queerty.com/innocent-question-fetish-gear-absolutely-hilarious-20171103?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Michigan Wedding Venue ‘Encourages’ Gay Couples to Look Elsewhere: VIDEO

Post Family Farm, a wedding venue in Ottawa County, Michigan, is turning away gay customers because the owners “don’t support same-sex marriage.”

When Aubrey VandenBosch (above left) and Estefanie Echevarria (above right) contacted Post Family Farm in Hudsonville, the couple say the venue replied “We don’t support same-sex marriage and we think you should find someplace else.”

WoodTV reports:

“Just because we are two girls, we still have the same visions as a straight couple would with the ceremony as everyone else. It’s not too different, it’s just two girls,” Echevarria said.

Echevarria and  VandenBosch got engaged Oct. 20.

“There was people cheering and screaming like congratulations and that was the most love I’ve ever felt in one time,” VandenBosch remembered.

VandenBosch said she was ecstatic and began planning the wedding immediately, emailing Post Family Farm.

“That was the first place that I openly said, ‘We are two women and we respect everyone’s beliefs and we want everyone to be comfortable.’ And they send back a reply of basically, ‘We don’t support same-sex marriage and we think you should find someplace else.’ Everything they could to not say no,” VandenBosch said. Oh, it hurt, it stung.”

RELATED: Kim Davis Spreading Hate on Tearful Anti-Gay Marriage Crusade in Romania

In a statement, Post Family Farm said that while it believes marriage to be “a sacred covenant between one man and one woman,” it “will not limit the use of our venue to exclusively traditional marriages.”

However, venue owners also encouraged the couple find a new venue and provide their own wedding coordinator because it provides a “very personal service” and “a role that might be much better filled by someone who has experience with non-traditional weddings.”

Echevarria and VandenBosch have since found a new venue.

The post Michigan Wedding Venue ‘Encourages’ Gay Couples to Look Elsewhere: VIDEO appeared first on Towleroad.

Michigan Wedding Venue ‘Encourages’ Gay Couples to Look Elsewhere: VIDEO

Tory MP Charlie Elphicke Has Whip Suspended Following ‘Serious Allegations’

Charlie Elphicke has had the Conservative whip suspended following serious allegations that have been referred to the police, Tory chief whip Julian Smith said.

The Dover MP has denied any wrongdoing over serious allegations made against him, tweeting: 

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/tory-mp-charlie-elphicke_uk_59fce2d5e4b0c9652fff68b1