‘Snowden’ director Oliver Stone says Russia’s antigay law is “sensible”
“It seems like maybe that’s a sensible law. As you know, I’ve been very rebel all my life. Still am. And I have to tell you, I’m shocked by some of the behaviors and the thinking of the new generation. It takes so much for granted. And so much of the argument, so much of the thinking, so much of the newspaper, television commentaries about gender, people identify themselves, and social media, this and that, I’m male, I’m female, I’m transgender, I’m cisgender. It goes on forever, and there is a big fight about who is who. It seems like we miss the bigger point.”— Director Oliver Stone in conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking about the country’s anti-gay propaganda law, which criminalizes publicly presenting homosexuality (or being trans) as normal or acceptable. In response to Stone’s comment, Putin replied: “They live too well. They have nothing to think about.”
Former Australian bobsledder and rugby player Simon Dunn is not having the homophobic meme featuring his likeness that’s been circulating on social media.
The meme, which began making the rounds last week, features Dunn’s face next to a list of qualities describing “gay people that I respect.”
The traits include: “acts like a normal human being; has a personality; doesn’t force upon you the fact that they’re gay; literally is a normal person that you can be friends with.”
Below it are a list of contrasting gay stereotypes describing “gay people I do not respect.”
Dunn blasted the meme in a tweet over the weekend, writing: “Don’t use my image for your internalised homophobia, don’t make assumptions on the kind of gayman I am or the kind of gaymen I associate myself with. I’ll always support those those who are true to themselves and be who they truly are. I will always be your biggest advocate!”
Don’t use my image for your internalised homophobia, don’t make assumptions on the kind of gayman I am or the kind of gaymen I associate myself with. I’ll always support those those who are true to themselves and be who they truly are. I will always be your biggest advocate! t.co/n6eIf8Cd1h
Speaking to Gay Star News, he explains, “Clearly whoever created it doesn’t have any idea of the person I am and what I stand for.”
“I’ve spent the last several years being very public about my sexuality whilst I was an athlete and still continue to do so today. The gay community is notorious for not being our own allies. We need to learn to be more accepting of others within our community and stop idealizing a certain type whilst acting like anything else is lesser.”
The 31-year-old, who was the first openly gaymale to represent his country in the sport of bobsled before retiring in 2016, concluded by saying, “If you think its ok to ‘not respect’ others, perhaps your respect isn’t something that people want anyway.”
Scroll down for some pics from Dunn’s Instagram page…
Elton John Celebrates 29 Years of Sobriety: ‘I Am Eternally Grateful’
Elton John marked 29 years of sobriety with an Instagram post on Monday thanking those who had helped him.
Said Elton: ’29 years ago today, I was a broken man. I finally summoned up the courage to say 3 words that would change my life: “I need help”. Thank-you to all the selfless people who have helped me on my journey through sobriety. I am eternally grateful.’
This Lift While You Climb cross stitch pattern is a great reminder that the most successful people help others achieve. It is as simple as that. Read more about this project here: ancoracrafts.com/lift-while-you-climb-cross-stitch-pattern/
TRUMP AND PENCE HAVE MADE IT CLEAR WHERE THEY STAND ON LGBTQ PEOPLE: More from HRC.
1/ �������� ���� ��������������: From day one of this administration, Donald Trump and Mike Pence have ruthlessly attacked the rights and livelihoods of LGBTQ people or otherwise neglected the injustices inflicted on them. t.co/5r7YiaSWFU
HRC STANDS WITH THOSE GRIEVING IN THE WAKE OF ANOTHER TRAGIC SHOOTING AT THE GILROY GARLIC FESTIVAL: More from HRC.
Our hearts are with those grieving in the wake of another tragic shooting, this time at the Gilroy Garlic Festival. @HRC demands action from lawmakers in the face of more lives needlessly taken, more hearts broken and more dreams shattered due to gun violence.
MUST WATCH MONDAY — YOUNG TRANS MAN DESCRIBES BEING BARRED FROM MILITARY: “That’s the most blatant discrimination I’ve faced in my life…It says that we need to be silenced…That we aren’t deserving or we aren’t good enough to be able to serve our country,” says Lucas, describing how the Trump-Pence administration’s ban on transgender service members upended his life. Watch at HRC.
It has been two years since Trump’s reckless tweets created this ban. Learn about what advocates have been doing to stop the ban from Lambda Legal and HRC.
MAN CHARGED WITH HATE CRIMES IN CONNECTION WITH JUNE ATTACK ON TRANS WOMAN IN JACKSON HEIGHTS, NYC: David Gonzalez, 34, faces two counts of felony assault as a hate crime, aggravated harassment as a hate crime and aggravated harassment. More from Advocate.
LIL NAS X SONG “OLD TOWN ROAD” TIES RECORD FOR MOST TIME AT #1 ON THE BILLBOARD HOT 100: More from Billboard.
ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK’S FINAL SEASON PREMIERES ON NETFLIX: More from Autostraddle.
The final season of @OITNB streams today on @Netflix. ��
Oliver Stone: ‘Vladimir Putin is Not Anti-Gay, Nor am I’
Director Oliver Stone took to his Facebook in response to outrage over the transcript of an interview with Vladimir Putin released by the Kremlin in which Stone complained about gender identities and said that Russia’s ban on gay propaganda was a “sensible law.”
Said Stone to Putin according to the transcript: “As you know, I’ve been very rebel all my life. Still am. And I have to tell you, I’m shocked by some of the behaviours and the thinking of the new generation. It takes so much for granted. And so much of the argument, so much of the thinking, so much of the newspaper, television commentaries about gender, people identify themselves, and social media, this and that, I’m male, I’m female, I’m transgender, I’m cisgender. It goes on forever, and there is a big fight about who is who. It seems like we miss the bigger point.”
“They live too well,” replied Putin. “They have nothing to think about.”
“Yeah, but it’s not a healthy culture,” added Stone, who continued, “Years ago when we were talking about homosexuality, you said that in Russia we don’t propagate it.”
Replied Putin: “Not exactly. We have a law banning propaganda among minors.”
“Yes, that’s the one I’m talking about,” interjected Stone. “It seems like maybe that’s a sensible law.”
Days after the interview was released, Stone released a response to anger over the remarks, claiming that neither he nor Putin is homophobic.
Said Stone: ‘As to gay/LGBTQ beliefs in Russia, again much misunderstood. Mr. Putin made himself clear in “The Putin Interviews” — he’s not anti-gay/LGBTQ. Nor am I. Have another look at “Alexander,” for which we took a beating in 2004. Beyond the Hephaestion story in the sexuality department, I prominently featured Alexander’s love for the Persian eunuch Bagoas, certainly an example of a third sex and emblematic of Alexander’s world vision, which I much admired. Do not bring American expectations to Russian life any more than you expect Iran, Korea, Venezuela, or China to follow our political or social demands.’
