‘Empire’ Actor Jussie Smollett Hospitalized in Chicago After Violent Racial Homophobic Attack

Empire actor Jussie Smollett was hospitalized and treated at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago after a violent attack which police are reportedly investigating as a possible hate crime.

TMZ confirmed the attack, which happened around 2 am on Tuesday morning, and reported that law enforcement sources told them the Chicago Police Department is investigating the disturbing incident as a possible hate crime: ‘Sources directly connected to Jussie tell TMZ, the actor arrived in Chicago from New York late Monday, and at around 2 AM he was hungry and went to a Subway. We’re told when he walked out, someone yelled, “Aren’t you that f***ot ‘Empire’ n*****?”  The 2 men — both white and wearing ski masks — viciously attacked Jussie as he fought back, but they beat him badly and fractured a rib. They put a rope around his neck, poured bleach on him and as they left they yelled, “This is MAGA country.”‘

While the MAGA details and the nature of the chemical substance are not confirmed yet by an official report, HuffPost front page editor Philip Lewis and MSNBC producer Michael Del Moro tweeted out a statement from Chicago PD on the incident.

The statement says the attackers poured a “chemical substance on the victim” after yelling out racial and homophobic slurs. They then wrapped a rope around the victim’s neck and fled the scene.

Audio of the emergency call placed after the attack can be heard HERE.

The website ThatGrapeJuice.net first reported the incident, saying that Smollett received a letter in the mail with a note on it which read “you will die black fag”. The site added that Smollett was attacked “by two men in ski-masks. Both of whom placed a noose around his neck.”

Developing (refresh for updates)….

The post ‘Empire’ Actor Jussie Smollett Hospitalized in Chicago After Violent Racial Homophobic Attack appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

‘Empire’ Actor Jussie Smollett Hospitalized in Chicago After Alleged Violent Racial Homophobic Attack

A Lesbian Hookup Is Explored in Guinevere Turner Starrer ‘Alice & Iza’

The short film, written and directed by queer women, delves into after-sex talk with a virtual stranger. 

www.advocate.com/film/2019/1/29/lesbian-hookup-explored-guinevere-turner-starrer-alice-iza

Former WH Aide Cliff Sims Laughs as CNN Host Reads Him Trump Tweet Trashing His Book: WATCH

Donald Trump just gave Cliff Sims, the former White House aide whose new tell-all Team of Vipers dishes on his 500 days working in for the Trump administration, a huge boost.

Tweeted Trump: ‘A low level staffer that I hardly knew named Cliff Sims wrote yet another boring book based on made up stories and fiction. He pretended to be an insider when in fact he was nothing more than a gofer. He signed a non-disclosure agreement. He is a mess!’

Sims was appearing on CNN’s New Day as Trump tweeted and reacted in real time to the best publicity his book could have received.

Trump has reportedly been pissed off about the book but up until Tuesday morning held his tongue.

Politico reported on Monday: ‘President Donald Trump is “very pissed off” and “really hopping mad” at former aide Cliff Sims’ new book that reveals firsthand the chaos and infighting that is ever present in his White House, according to several current and former White House officials. Trump is asking aides: “Who is this guy? Why is he writing this book? He wasn’t even in meetings,” the sources said. He also dismissively refers to Sims — who served until last May as director of White House message strategy and a special assistant to the president —as “the videographer” because he also helped Trump with the weekly video and radio addresses, according to three current and former White House officials.’

The post Former WH Aide Cliff Sims Laughs as CNN Host Reads Him Trump Tweet Trashing His Book: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Former WH Aide Cliff Sims Laughs as CNN Host Reads Him Trump Tweet Trashing His Tell-All: WATCH

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: January 29, 2019

DAVID KACSMARYK , TRUMP-PENCE NOMINEE FOR TEXAS DISTRICT COURT, IS UNFIT TO SERVE ON THE FEDERAL BENCH: Said HRC Government Affairs Director David Stacy (@david_stacy): “David Kacsmaryk has spent his career not only opposing non-discrimination protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity but also questioning the very existence of transgender people. It’s clear that this nominee is completely out-of-step with the views of the American people, science, and the proper interpretation of our Constitution and our statutes. He cannot be trusted to adjudicate the civil rights of LGBTQ people with impartiality.” 

“IT’S 2019 – IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING TO US?” — SAME-SEX COUPLE DENIED ACCESS TO TEXAS WEDDING FACILITY: Aaron Lucero and Jeff Cannon were turned away by The Venue north of Dallas a facility open to the general public for rental. “Discrimination is a real and persistent problem for LGBTQ people,” said HRC Spokesperson Stephen Peters (@StephenPeters2). “An overwhelming majority of Americans, leading businesses, and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle all agree that now is the time for Congress to end the patchwork of protections and pass the Equality Act.” More from NBC.

TOMORROW — U.S. REP. KENNEDY AND CONGRESSIONAL TRANS EQUALITY TASK FORCE TO MEET WITH PARENTS OF TRANS YOUTH: The HRC Foundation’s Parents for Transgender Equality Council will hold a public meeting with Rep. Joe Kennedy, III (D-MA), chair of the task force, and other pro-equality members of Congress. The parents will discuss their families’ experiences in the face anti-transgender attacks from the Trump-Pence administration and the urgent need to pass the Equality Act. Interested media must RSVP to [email protected].

TUESDAY TWEET — SUPERGIRL UNVEILS FIRST OPENLY TRANS SUPERHERO PLAYED BY TRANS ACTRESS NICOLE MAINES: More from Deadline.

Last night’s episode was so important not just for Nia’s development into Dreamer, but for trans rep on television. I’m so thankful to be working with people who cared enough to take the time to sit with me and talk about how to write the dialogue… (1/2)

— ����‍♀️Nicole Maines����‍♀️ (@NicoleAMaines) January 28, 2019

CRUCIAL PROTECTIONS FOR VIRGINIA’S LGBTQ COMMUNITY CLEAR RULES COMMITTEE IN STATE HOUSE OF DELEGATES: The two pieces of legislation — which passed the State Senate last week — would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in housing and public employment. More from The Washington Blade.

PORTLAND (ME) PRESS HERALD ED BOARD ON TRUMP’S TRANS TROOPS BAN — IT “DEMEANS TRUE PATRIOTS”: The Editorial Board writes, “Transgender members of the military shouldn’t be objects of fear and derision, and their willingness to serve and sacrifice shouldn’t be demeaned… Their service, and the service of so many others like them, is worthy of our appreciation.” More from The Portland (ME) Press Herald.

• Must-read: The AP’s David Crary (@CraryAP) interviews trans service members and veterans about SCOTUS’ recent decision to allow Trump’s trans troops ban to go in effect. More from Military Times

OPENLY GAY NYC COUNCIL SPEAKER COREY JOHNSON TO RUN FOR MAYOR: More from Pink News.

FOR YOUR CALENDAR — HRC TO HOST NATIONAL DAY OF READING ON FEB 28: Thousands of parents, educators and allies will welcome and support transgender and non-binary youth by hosting readings of affirming children’s’ books as part of the fourth annual Jazz & Friends National Day of School and Community Readings. More from HRC.

When a national hate group targeted a young transgender child, her rural community rallied behind her using a book co-authored by trans trailblazer @JazzJennings__.

On Feb 28, you and your community can be a part of that beautiful story. #JazzAndFriendst.co/3ZE1chXpMA pic.twitter.com/I3TMh9UKX6

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) January 28, 2019

NEW REPORT FROM HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH DETAILS ALARMING HIV RATES AMONG TRANSGENDER WOMEN IN SOUTH FLORIDA: More from Instinct Magazine.

TRANS ACTOR TO APPEAR IN UPCOMING SPIDER MAN FILM: Zach Barack is believed to be the first openly transgender actor to be cast in a big budget superhero film, reports NBC.

TODAY — PARENT-ACTIVIST & HRC FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBER JODIE PATTERSON RELEASES NEW BOOK, THE BOLD WORLD: “Jodie Patterson, draws on the different parts of herself — the student, the activist, the family loyalist — to respond with heart, commitment, and all the fierceness required to protect her transgender child,” said HRC President Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin). “Beautifully written, The Bold World is activism at its most pure level.” More here. 

We’re so proud of Jodie Patterson (@Jodie_GeorgiaNY), a longtime @HRC supporter and and member of our Parents for Trans Equality National Council — on the release of her new book, ������ �������� ����������: �� ������������ ���� ������������ ������ ����������������������������. t.co/vrLfi95K8u

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) January 29, 2019

 GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

SAME-SEX COUPLE BELIEVED TO BE FIRST IN BRITAIN TO BE OFFERED IN VITRO FERTILIZATION (IVF) TREATMENT BY NHS: The National Health Service (NHS) until recently had banned the use of surrogate mothers. More from Daily Mail.

READING RAINBOW – Bookmark now to read on your lunch break!

Out Magazine higlights 10 LGBTQ stories that should be made into film
Have news? Send us your news and tips at [email protected]. Click here to subscribe to #AM_Equality and follow @HRC for all the latest news. Thanks for reading!

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