WATCH: Ada Vox SLAYS “Defying Gravity” with Lea Michele on American Idol
The other drag race is Monday nights on ABC.
Monthly Archives: April 2018
Drag Queen Ada Vox Stuns ‘American Idol’ with Soaring Version of ‘Defying Gravity’ – WATCH
Drag Queen Ada Vox Stuns ‘American Idol’ with Soaring Version of ‘Defying Gravity’ – WATCH
Drag queen Ada Vox and her mentor this week, Glee‘s Lea Michele, stunned the American Idol judges with their duet of “Defying Gravity” from Wicked.
Vox is the reason you should be watching the show this season, as we’ve seen with her performances of Radiohead’s “Creep” and her emotional and triumphant audition.
“This talent is out of control,” said Michele, pointing to Vox. “Can you handle this? Getting to sing with someone of this vocal caliber was a real honor. It was so fun to get to sing together.”
WATCH THIS NEXT: Drag Queen Ada Vox Gets ‘American Idol’ Standing Ovation for Radiohead’s ‘Creep’ – WATCH
“A star is born,” said Lionel Richie to Vox after the performance. “No kidding. There’s no denying your presence, there’s no denying your voice. You are a statement.”
“Your sound transcends words,” added Katy Perry.
Luke Bryan continued the praise: “You figure out a way to bring the house down all the time.”
Louis Virtel, who has been recapping the show for NY Mag, wrote: “Here’s what happened when this performance started: I pushed my laptop to the edge of my desk, looked skyward, and let this Broadway bomb of endorphins, sky-high ambition, and queer dream-making just pulverize me. Every note was a heavenly poison dart right to the gay prostates of America. We knew it was going to be a fresh-ass poppers blast, but it just kept killing. It is overwhelming to watch for a first or a fifth time (which is what I’m on).”
Watch:
The post Drag Queen Ada Vox Stuns ‘American Idol’ with Soaring Version of ‘Defying Gravity’ – WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.
Drag Queen Ada Vox Stuns ‘American Idol’ with Soaring Version of ‘Defying Gravity’ – WATCH
#AM_Equality Tipsheet: April 17, 2018
#AM_Equality Tipsheet: April 17, 2018
USA TODAY DIVES DEEP INTO LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS TO PROTECT YOUTH FROM THE DANGERS OF SO-CALLED “CONVERSION THERAPY”: Almost 50 bills have been introduced in more than 20 states targeting conversion therapy this legislative session. Last year, a record four states enacted protections — New Mexico, Connecticut, Nevada and Rhode Island. Municipal protections have been enacted in cities and counties in OH, PA, FL, WA, AZ, WI and NY. “Being LGBTQ is not an illness,” said Xavier Persad, legislative counsel for HRC. “It is false that being LGBTQ is wrong and a disorder.” Read more in this deep dive from Susan Miller (@susmiller) at USA Today.
- HRC released a letter signed by national organizations representing tens of thousands of licensed medical and mental health care professionals, educators and advocates backing legislative efforts around the country to protect LGBTQ youth from “conversion therapy.” More from HRC.
- Samantha Allen (@SLAwrites) of The Daily Beast also tracks the trend of states across the country banning the dangerous and debunked practice. More from The Daily Beast.
Fast facts about conversion therapy. More jurisdictions banning the practice for minors. t.co/Rqef5emZpy pic.twitter.com/2zWtiCyfqD
— USA TODAY Video (@usatodayvideo) April 17, 2018
MUST READ FROM LAWYER IN MASTERPIECE CASE — “LAWS… CAN PROTECT US FROM GOING ABOUT OUR DAILY LIVES IN FEAR”: The ACLU’s Ria Tabacco Mar, counsel of record for the same-sex couple refused service in the Masterpiece cake case, writes eloquently about the daily discrimination faced by members of the LGBTQ community. “We stay hidden because when we don’t — or can’t — we know there may be consequences,” she writes, “ranging from a disapproving look to being denied service, fired from a job, followed, harassed or even arrested.” More from The Washington Post.
TUESDAY TWEET: #AM_Equality hits the inboxes of thousands of reporters, members of Congress, Hill staffers, activists and others deeply involved in issues of the day every morning. Thank you, readers, for being involved. Join the conversation on Twitter using the #AM_Equality tag or by tweeting @HRC. Prefer to keep it old school? Drop us an email at [email protected], and, by all means, encourage your friends and colleagues to subscribe here.
Congrats to @bethreinhard on winning a @PulitzerPrizes for her excellent reporting. A fmr @MiamiHerald gal now at @washingtonpost
— Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (@RosLehtinen) April 16, 2018
SENATE DEMS TO HHS — YOU CAN’T ERASE LGBTQ PEOPLE: In a letter led by Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), 17 Senate Democrats expressed serious concern that Trump-Pence’s Department of Health and Human Services is removing LGBTQ health data from official government websites — and called for the information to be restored. More from Washington Blade.
TWO BLACK TRANS SOLDIERS SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES AT THE INTERSECTIONS OF TWO MARGINALIZED IDENTITIES: More from George M. Johnson (@IamGMJohnson) at TheGrio.
TWO MEN ATTACKED IN D.C., CALLED ANTI-LGBTQ SLURS: Local police are investigating the attack as “potentially being motivated by hate or bias,” according to WJLA.
CLEVELAND.COM ENDORSES OHIO STATE REP. NICKIE ANTONIO IN DEM PRIMARY: HRC-backed Rep. Antonio, sponsor of the Ohio Fairness Act, has been a fierce champion for equality and fairness for all Ohioans. More from Cleveland.com.
EQUALITY WINS AT THE PULITZER PRIZES: Congratulations to The Washington Post and AL.com’s John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) for winning Pulitzer Prizes for their coverage exposing allegations of sexual assault and harassment against anti-LGBTQ Roy Moore. And congrats also to the New Yorker’s Ronan Farrow (@RonanFarrow), and The New York Times’ Jodi Kantor (@jodikantor) and Megan Twohey (@mega2e) for sharing the Pulitzer Prize in Public Service for their groundbreaking investigations into the sexual misconduct of Harvey Weinstein and reporting of the #MeToo movement. Openly gay writers Andrew Sean Greer (@agreer) and Frank Bidart were also honored. See all the winners here.
CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE CRESENT HARDY’S VIEWS ON LGBTQ PEOPLE IN THE MILITARY ARE OUT OF TOUCH WITH NEVADA VOTERS: Hardy wants to bring back the discriminatory ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ (DADT) policy. Said HRC Nevada State Manager Briana Escamilla,“DADT was a dark stain on our nation’s history that damaged military readiness and undermined national security. No person bravely serving in our nation’s military should ever have to hide who they are.” More from Las Vegas Journal-Review.
CNN REPORTS ON THE BOSTON MARATHON’S HISTORY OF TRANS-INCLUSION EFFORTS: “Hopefully, one day we won’t need these sports inclusion efforts to be broadcast in such a way,” Ashland Johnson, HRC Public Education & Research Director, told CNN’s Emanuella Grinberg (@grinsli). “But the reality is, until more institutions in sports update their policies or change their inclusion image, we’ll need to highlight and celebrate every sports inclusion effort.” More from CNN.
“A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH” — HRC MOURNS DEATH OF GROUNDBREAKING LGBTQ ADVOCATE DONNA RED WING: Red Wing once served as HRC’s National Field Director. She is survived by her wife and partner for more than 30 years, Sumitra, son Julian, grandson Jasper and twin brother David. More from Des Moines Register.
GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS
PORTUGAL TO ALLOW TRANS PEOPLE TO CORRECT NAME AND GENDER ON GOV’T DOCUMENTS WITHOUT MEDICAL REPORT: More from EuroNews.
FOLLOWING GLOBAL OUTCRY, CHINESE SOCIAL MEDIA SITE REVERSES BAN ON LGBTQ CONTENT: Sina Weibo backed off a plan, announced Friday,to remove all content related to LGBTQ identity. More from BBC.
Congratulations to #LGBTQ activists in China who successfully fought back against censorship on Sina Weibo, a popular social media platform in China. t.co/GjTsgibmJf
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) April 16, 2018
TORTURE IN PRIVATE IS STILL TORTURE: ANTI-LGBTQ CANINGS IN ACEH PROVINCE OF INDONESIA WILL BE HIDDEN FROM PUBLIC VIEW: In the past year, the international community has been alerted to a growing number of arrests and public canings of people suspected of being gay or bisexal. More from Gay Star News and The Associated Press.
NOT SO FAST — MOROCCO OBSCURES ITS ANTI-LGBTQ LAW IN WORD CUP BID: “To remain in consideration for hosting the World Cup in 2026, Morocco must repeal this deeply discriminatory law directly threatening its LGBTQ citizens,” said Ashland Johnson, HRC Director of Public Education and Research (@ashlandj11). “Any nation hosting these games must be able to ensure that all fans, athletes, and employees — including its own LGBTQ citizens — are able to experience this inspiring event in a safe environment free from discrimination.” More from The Associated Press.
NEW VIDEO SERIES HIGHLIGHTS LGBTQ ACTIVISTS FROM MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA: More from Human Rights Watch.
READING RAINBOW – Bookmark now to read on your lunch break!
The (University of Washington) Daily covers a recent speech by Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox); The Guardian interviews Janet Mock (@janetmock); The State Press reports on a LGBTQ panel held in Phoenix; Pakistan Today tours a newly opened school for the local trans community; The New York Times shares a photo series of Cape Town’s LGBTQ community
www.hrc.org/blog/am-equality-tipsheet-april-17-2018?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed
How the anti-gay law in my country hurts me
How the anti-gay law in my country hurts me
HRC Joins First Pride Festival in Mike Pence’s Hometown
HRC Joins First Pride Festival in Mike Pence’s Hometown
17 DOs and DON’Ts of Open Relationships
17 DOs and DON’Ts of Open Relationships
www.advocate.com/sexy-beast/2018/4/17/17-dos-and-donts-open-relationships
Jimmy Kimmel Rips Sean Hannity: ‘If This is a Witch Hunt, We’re Running Out of Spots on the Broomstick’
Jimmy Kimmel Rips Sean Hannity: ‘If This is a Witch Hunt, We’re Running Out of Spots on the Broomstick’
Jimmy Kimmel mocked “[his] pal Sean Hannity” last night (above) after news emerged that the FOX News host was Michael Cohen’s mystery client.
“Isn’t that interesting? That he would need advice, from Michael Cohen?”
Kimmel then shared what Hannity tweeted yesterday shortly after the news broke:
Michael Cohen has never represented me in any matter. I never retained him, received an invoice, or paid legal fees. I have occasionally had brief discussions with him about legal questions about which I wanted his input and perspective.
— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) April 16, 2018
Quipped Kimmel: “That sounds normal. He has a lawyer he doesn’t pay! By the way, I’m thinking of hiring Michael Cohen as my lawyer because he only has three clients, apparently he works for free.”
Added Kimmel: “If this is the biggest witch hunt in history, we’re running out of spots on the broomstick.”
The post Jimmy Kimmel Rips Sean Hannity: ‘If This is a Witch Hunt, We’re Running Out of Spots on the Broomstick’ appeared first on Towleroad.
Charlotte’s First Time Out
Charlotte’s First Time Out
Julie Bracken posted a photo:
Charlotte,
(who is better known as Chuck)
planned for weeks
for the weekend away from home,
buying pantyhose, make-up, heels
and underthings,
a pretty dress
fancy rings
and hair that fell
like the golden fringe
on a cheerleader’s miniskirt,
and hiding it all
in a box in the garage
behind old paint cans
in a corner
where his wife never goes,
good camouflage
slipping out there the night before
to pack it in the trunk of the car
for this was to be
his first
time out.
He told her he was going
to a “regional meeting,”
a training session,
a seminar,
a very boring kind of thing,
from which he would return
on Sunday.
The drive was long
four hours,
(plus one ten-minute pit stop
to relieve himself and buy 12 cans of Bud…for you)
but necessary to be far enough away
so no one there would know him;
no chance of being recognized
(“Isn’t that Chuck over there?
in the sequined mini-dress?
Yeah
You remember Chuck.
Wasn’t he a running back, back in high school
for the Querro Gobblers?”)
Checked in as someone else
and trucked his stuff to the motel room
his heart beating hard
like the big bass drum
at half-time
and immediately got down to business.
Shaving carefully first
and then the make-up
(according to instructions he found on the Internet.)
Carefully applying layer after layer
of this and that
and last of all
the wig,
preening in the mirror
a pom-pom girl at last
preparing for her date
with destiny.
The clothing was a cinch.
He’d done it all, many times before
stealing time
when his wife was not around.
(She might have understood, he thought,
but then again
might not.
So why take the chance?)
The bra,
the slip,
and then the clothes;
the dress
high heels,
and pantyhose
and there she was
so free at last
so free at last
feeling so flighty
and free at last.
Crossing to the door she saw
the light of twilight
through the motel window.
Not time, just yet, she thought,
Much safer in the evening light,
and turned the TV on.
ESPN
included in the price. How nice.
And just in time to see
the Bears kick off.
How nice.
And what a game it was.
Dear Charlotte didn’t see the time slip by
She chewed her lipstick off at third and one.
And scratched her nails to shreds
at fourth and goal.
At half time she took off her wig
and pantyhose
and popped the top
on one more bud for you.
Who knows
what might have been
if Charlotte had not fumbled on that night.
You see,
the game plan doesn’t always go as planned,
and armchair quarterbacks in heels
may fill the stands
But though they may not play
the odds are high
they’ll dress out on another day.
~Bobbi Williams
Makeup and styling by the talented Kelayla of www.transvista.co.uk/
DSC09945
9 Feb 18
‘The Advocates’ Podcast: Beyoncé, PYNK, and Black Girl Magic
‘The Advocates’ Podcast: Beyoncé, PYNK, and Black Girl Magic
Jessie and Tracy sit down with actor, writer, and producer Dalila Ali Rajah to talk about the power of representation in A Wrinkle in Time and Black Panther.
www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/2018/4/17/advocates-podcast-beyonce-pynk-and-black-girl-magic
U.S. Marshals Nominee Accused of Transphobia — By His Trans Daughter
U.S. Marshals Nominee Accused of Transphobia — By His Trans Daughter
Bailey Coffman says her father, Frank Coffman, told her she was demon-possessed because she was trans — something he denies.
www.advocate.com/transgender/2018/4/16/us-marshals-nominee-accused-transphobia-his-trans-daughter
