Brandon Rogers’ New Video ‘Apathy’ Is Your New Favorite Thing: WATCH

American Idol alum Brandon Rogers just dropped his new video Apathy.

Rogers’ musical journey has been exciting and challenging as he’s experienced major victories and navigated tough obstacles to get to where he is today: a man who is ready to own his spot as an artist and accomplished songwriter.

Rogers says Apathy came about following the break-up of a short relationship. He felt the sting of it when scrolling through his Instagram feed and seeing that the person had moved on with someone else. He notes, “It’s that emotional grey area where you know you don’t want the person anymore, but you see them moving on and happy with someone else and it’s not you.”

The concept was further inspired by his favorite quote from Holocaust survivor/humanitarian, Elie Wiesel, that states, “The opposite of love isn’t hate, it’s indifference.”

He decided on the synonym “apathy” as it worked better melodically and thus the song and title were born.

Produced and written solely by Rogers, it is an R&B laced modern pop classic showcasing his vocal range, prowess and undeniable mark as a fully actualized artist. At the heart of his music, he is a genuine storyteller, which is clearly evident with this single and other material he is eager to release for an upcoming album that will drop in the early part of 2019.

The video also includes an all-star cast featuring: Nikki Rae, Dylan Dovale, Natalie Cantral,l Ronnie Kroelle, Tadjh Brooks, Rachel West, Trinity Ganatt, Gilles Marini, Brandon Rogers, and Sasha Birrittella on guitar.

Watch the fire video below.

Photos by Rahsaan Patterson and Brett Richards.

The post Brandon Rogers’ New Video ‘Apathy’ Is Your New Favorite Thing: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Brandon Rogers’ Video ‘Apathy’ Is Your New Favorite Thing: WATCH

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Meet Ashton P. Woods, Houston’s Next Political Superstar

When I first spoke to Ashton P. Woods three years ago, I wrote, “Houston-based activist and blogger Ashton P. Woods is gay, atheist, HIV-positive and “unapologetically black.” While none of these things completely define Woods, they highlight his multiple identities and, hopefully, remind others that being black is not monolithic. In Woods’ view, justice must be intersectional and nowhere is this walk the talk more evident than his involvement in the Black Lives Matter movement.”

In the intervening years Woods has continued the good fight and is now looking to change the system from within by running for Houston’s City Council-At-Large 5, which will give him oversight of much of the city’s politics.

Towleroad spoke to Woods about his campaign.

TLRD: What led you to run for office?
There are several factors that got me to this point… I have spent years working with elected officials and candidates for political office to shape their platforms and advise on a path to ethical and equitable policies. This has yielded mixed results and in the process people are left out on the fringes, in many cases criminalized for being the working poor.
How long should we wait to get every Houstonian on a stable footing and out of poverty? We shouldn’t and I feel that I will represent the people closest to the problems that our city has to contend with. 

When is the election?
The election takes place in Houston, TX on November 5, 2019. This also happens to be my 35th birthday.

How has you activism played a role in you’re campaign?
My activism plays a major role in how I shape my platform to reflect ALL Houstonians, with special focus on those who have been relegated to the fringes. I often work with folks who don’t have means to show up like they would want to because of barriers to entry like lack of transit, low wages and thus means their voices are not heard. I am running to open the door for their voices to be heard.

What are the primary objectives you hope to accomplish?
My objectives are interconnected and the intended goal is to increase the life chances of all Houstonians. We do that by moving to provide healthcare for all, addressing climate change, Justice reform (decriminalize Houstonians), Increase the minimum wage to 16.50, Job training programs and a host of other options that will boost the people of Houston from equality to equity.

Follow Woods on Twitter for updates on his campaign. And check out his website here.

The post Meet Ashton P. Woods, Houston’s Next Political Superstar appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Meet Ashton P. Woods, Houston’s Next Political Superstar

How the Classic Sitcom ‘Married With Children’ Took On Gay Marriage in a Surprisingly Sensitive Way: WATCH

In a new episode of Cultural Cruising, Matt Baume examines the classic sitcom Married With Children which took on gay marriage in an episode that aired in October 1990, a little more than three years into its decade-long run.

Said Baume: “Though it was primarily concerned with the mating habits of heterosexuals, or lack thereof, the show touched on LGBT life now and then with surprising sensitivity. And even more surprisingly, it went so far as to air an episode featuring two married gay men, just two months before a real-life lawsuit kicked off the modern marriage equality movement.”

In the episode, Peg (Katey Sagal) is bored and wants to go out. Al (Ed O’Neill) isn’t interested, so Peg goes out with her friend Marcy (Amanda Bearse, who, as Baume notes, later came out as a lesbian). Peg and Marcy head to a dance club where Peg finds a dance partner named Andy.

At home, Al gets a knock at the door from a man who tells him “your wife has been seeing my husband.”

“Your husband?” Al asks, confounded.

“Yes,” replies the man.

“You know you’re a guy, right?” replies Al.

“Yes,” replies the man.

Responds Al: “Well then we got three guys who won’t touch my wife, what’s the problem?”

Baume points out that at the time this episode was shot, marriage equality wasn’t recognized anywhere in the world, yet the show still used the word “husband.”

Watch Matt unpack the rest:

The post How the Classic Sitcom ‘Married With Children’ Took On Gay Marriage in a Surprisingly Sensitive Way: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

How the Classic Sitcom ‘Married With Children’ Took On Gay Marriage in a Surprisingly Sensitive Way: WATCH

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#AM_Equality Tipsheet: February 25, 2019

HRC RESPONDS TO TRUMP-PENCE ADMINISTRATION’S RELEASE OF GAG RULE DISMANTLING TITLE X: “This is a dangerous and life-threatening attack by Trump and Pence that will effectively dismantle the Title X program, which provides reproductive care to millions, including women, LGBTQ people, people of color, people with a low income, and others. We must fight this,” said HRC President Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin).

BREAKING: Despite massive opposition, the Trump-Pence administration just released its unethical gag rule, making it illegal for Title X health care providers to refer patients for abortion. #NoGagRule #DontGagMyCare pic.twitter.com/i0PYZfUuRj

— Planned Parenthood Action (@PPact) February 22, 2019

IN WASH POST, HRC’S TY COBB TAKES ON TRUMP-PENCE CLAIM THAT THEY’LL SEEK TO END CRIMINALIZATION OF SAME-SEX SEXUAL RELATIONS: “To lead on the world stage, this administration must first be truly committed to the fight for equality — and that begins right here at home,” writes Cobb (@TyWesleyCobb). Read the full piece in WaPo.

As long as the Trump-Pence administration peddle hate within our own borders, there is no reason to believe that they are serious about defeating hate abroad. t.co/6yJe7moMYC

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) February 22, 2019

MUST WATCH MONDAY — ICYMI, CHECK OUT DOLORES HUERTA, CHAD GRIFFIN, REP. MARK TAKANO AND OTHERS AT HRC’S TIME TO THRIVE CONFERENCE: Earlier this month, Time to THRIVE brought together youth-serving professionals to discuss best practices for working with and caring for LGBTQ youth and their families in schools, community centers, health care settings and beyond. View the full playlist of videos at HRC’s YouTube page.

“NEARLY 2,000 MILES OF WALKING TO FIND ACCEPTANCE AND LOVE UNDER DISCO BALLS IN D.C.”: Amazing story of transgender woman’s dangerous journey from Guatemala to D.C., by Washington Post columnist Petula Dvorak (@petulad). More from The Washington Post.

STATEHOUSE ROUNDUP:

• The Virginia House of Delegates passed a bill updating the state’s surrogacy laws to be inclusive of unmarried as well as married intended parents.  Openly transgender state lawmaker Danica Roem said this will make it “easier for LGBTQ parents to have kids.” More from Washington Blade.
• Pro-equality voices in Texas, from pastors to business leaders, are speaking out in support of the local LGBTQ community, and urging the state legislature to protect all its residents. More from Dallas Voice and Austin Business Journal.
• The D.C. Council asked the chief judge of the D.C. Superior Court to amend its nondiscrimination policy to include sexual orientation and gender identity in its jury selection process. More from Washington Blade.
• Kansas State Rep. Ron Highland (R) removed name from anti-LGBTQ legislation after his daughter penned a letter asking him why he would “openly attempt at policy that elevates hate and hurts my family or friends.” More from The Washington Post.

REP. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON (D-DC) INTRODUCES BILL TO PROTECT DC LGBTQ COMMUNITY, WOMEN AND RELIGIOUS MINORITIES FROM FEDERAL ATTACK:

Thank you @EleanorNorton for introducing an important bill that would protect #LGBTQ people, women & religious minorities from discrimination in the name of religion. The Religious Freedom Restoration Act should not be used to discriminate against others. t.co/v9XOHIO9vj pic.twitter.com/SHrfUBmXSp

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) February 22, 2019

MORNING MUST READ — IF TRUMP IS SERIOUS ABOUT ENDING HIV TRANSMISSIONS, HE MUST WITHDRAW PROPOSAL THAT UNDERCUTS TREATMENT: “As the fight to end HIV continues, we all must support policies that make access to the right medications easier, not harder, for those living with HIV,” write Equality Florida’s Nadine Smith (@1NadineSmith) and Alejandro Acosta. “Florida is at the center of the current fight against the HIV in the nation, and the Trump administration’s proposal threatens hard-fought progress and the lives of all Floridians.” More from Miami Herald.

AFTER PUBLIC MEETING, VIRGINIA SCHOOL BOARD SAYS IT WON’T CHANGE ANTI-TRANSGENDER POLICY: Gavin Grimm, who bravely sued the school district when he was denied access to the boys’ restroom, said: “It’s disappointing that the board is choosing to prolong the suffering of trans youth in Gloucester County Public Schools, but we will see this fight through no matter how long it takes.” More from WSET.

HARROWING NEW NORTH CAROLINA STUDY SHOWS INCREASE IN SUICIDE AMONG YOUTH: The overall rate has nearly doubled in the state since 2010, and these rates increase dramatically for Black and LGBTQ students. More from ABC 11.

DETROIT LGBTQ NONPROFIT BUYS SPACE TO CREATE NATION’S LARGEST BLACK-LED LGBTQ CENTER: More from Crain’s Detroit Business.

CONGRATS TO LGBTQ AND ALLIED PERFORMERS ON THEIR OSCARS WINS LAST NIGHT: Lady Gaga (@LadyGaga) won an Oscar for Original Song in “A Star Is Born” (@astarisbornmovie) and Regina King (@ReginaKing) for Best Supporting Actress in “If Beale Street Could Talk” (@BealeStreet).

Congratulations @LadyGaga on your #Oscars win for Original Song! @starisbornmovie pic.twitter.com/QMCDOMFXd7

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) February 25, 2019

 GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

HORRIBLE — BBC NEWS’ FIRST LGBTQ CORRESPONDENT SPEAKS OUT ABOUT FACING HOMOPHOBIC AND RACIST ABUSE IN NEW ROLE:  Last December, Ben Hunte (@BenInLDN) was named the first LGBTQ correspondent for BBC News (@BBCNews). More from INews.

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

MPRNews features an interview with Andrea Jenkins (@annapoetic), the first transgender black woman elected to public office

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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