Democratic Politician Andrew Gillum Found at Site of Alleged Meth OD

Gillum, an LGBTQ ally and former nominee for Florida governor, was found vomiting in the bathroom of a hotel room where another man was in cardiac arrest.

www.advocate.com/news/2020/3/13/democratic-politician-andrew-gillum-found-site-alleged-meth-od

University employee says he was fired for wearing lipstick to work

A former employee from Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia says he was fired from his job at the campus bookstore earlier this month because he wore lipstick to work.

Stuart Morrison, who identifies as nonbinary and whose pronouns are he/him or they/them, says he was fired after being told his lipstick violated KSU’s employee handbook that governs personal appearance.

The 30-year-old tells the Atlanta Journal-Constitution the trouble began at a staff meeting on February 25 when his supervisor asked him to stop wearing lipstick to work after there had been “complaints about your unprofessional appearance.”

KSU’s employee handbook acknowledges that it’s “difficult” to implement a uniform dress code, but dictates that employees are “required to dress in appropriate attire and to behave in a professional, business-like manner.”

After speaking to his supervisor, Morrison continued wearing black, blue, or green lipstick to work.

“I was wearing them, in part, to express that I’m nonbinary,” he says.

On March 3, he received a termination letter cited his failure to “discontinue wearing black, bright blue and bright green lipstick” and claimed the colors were “unprofessional” for someone in his position.

“Those color choices are considered unprofessional, particularly since you are in a position as Lead Retail Associate where there is high visibility and interaction with KSU community members,” the letter read.

The letter went on to state that Morrison failed to “tone down the lipstick color” a total of 18 times between October 2019 and February 2020. But who’s counting, right?

“Being fired is not a fun thing in general,” he says, “but it felt discriminatory. The fact that they chose to use that excuse just feels wrong.”

When asked for comment, Kennesaw State University spokeswoman Tammy DeMel says the school does not comment on personnel matter.

www.queerty.com/university-employee-says-fired-wearing-lipstick-work-20200313?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

With COVID-19 disrupting everything, prepare for more hookups. And prepare to protect yourself.

Dating apps Grindr, Scruff, Tinder and Hornet have all issued warnings to users regarding the coronavirus. The reason: with social detachment on the rise, more and more people are expected to stay home and have sex.

“We’ve shared a variety of news articles over the past few days inside the app in addition to sending messaging,” Sean Howell, co-founder of Hornet, told Reuters.

Related: Ft. Lauderdale delays first ever Pride of the Americas over COVID-19

A number of medical watchdog groups have already declared queer people at higher risk for contracting COVID-19. The reasons include higher rates of HIV, cancer, and compromised immune systems due to smoking. Several major LGBTQ Pride events, including Pride of the Americas and Los Angeles Pride, have already postponed events, some months in advance.

In addition to Hornet, Scruff has begun releasing World Health Organization protection guidelines to users. Grindr has tweeted out CDC guidelines, and will continue to post them to users. Tinder has released a warning to users, noting “While we want you to continue to have fun, protecting yourself from the coronavirus is more important.”

www.queerty.com/covid-19-disrupting-everything-prepare-hookups-prepare-protect-20200313?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Katie Porter, Tom Hanks, Ted Cruz, Joy Behar, Gloria Gaynor, Andrew Gillum, Chelsea Manning, Mandy Moore, Donald Trump: HOT LINKS

GHOULISH: Trump administration blocks states from using Medicaid to respond to coronavirus crisis. In previous emergencies, including the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Hurricane Katrina and the H1N1 flu outbreak, both Republican and Democratic administrations loosened Medicaid rules to empower states to meet surging needs

AMERICAN SHERO … : Katie Porter Drags CDC Chief Redfield Into Saying ‘Yes’ to Free Coronavirus Testing After Brutal Grilling

… BUT WHERE ARE THE TESTS?: Confusion over the availability and criteria for coronavirus testing is leaving sick people wondering if they’re infected

YIKES: Are hospitals ready for coronavirus patients? A Trump health official ducks questions 4 times during Fox News interview

SCHOOLS SHUT DOWN: Six states, Los Angeles’ LAUSD close K-12 schools

ELECTION DELAYED: Louisiana postpones Democratic primary over coronavirus, the first state to do so

MASTERS POSTPONED: Augusta National announces Masters will be postponed

WINGNUT OF THE DAY: Jerry Falwell Jr. Floats Conspiracy Theory That Coronavirus Is North Korean Bioweapon 

‘BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY’: Gun and ammo sales surge in US with coronavirus fears

DOWN UNDER THE WEATHER: Tom Hanks wants us to know that he & Rita Wilson are fine in their corona-isolation

View this post on Instagram

Hello folks. @ritawilson and I want to thank everyone here Down Under who are taking such good care of us. We have Covid-19 and are in isolation so we do not spread it to anyone else. There are those for whom it could lead to a very serious illness. We are taking it one-day-at-a-time. There are things we can all do to get through this by following the advice of experts and taking care of ourselves and each other, no? Remember, despite all the current events, there is no crying in baseball. Hanx

A post shared by Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) on Mar 12, 2020 at 7:08pm PDT

EXTENDED STAY: Ted Cruz extends self-quarantine after second coronavirus interaction

NO JOY: Joy Behar Is Temporarily Stepping Back From ‘The View’ Over Coronavirus

SHE WILL SURVIVE: Gloria Gaynor, 70, Goes Viral For WashingHer Hands To ‘I Will Survive’ During Coronavirus Outbreak

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It only takes 20 seconds to “SURVIVE”! #iWillSurviveChallenge #fyp #coronavirus #handwashing #washhands #coronavírus #coronavirüs #coronavirüsü #handwash #washyourhands #hygiene

A post shared by G L O R I A G A Y N O R (@gloriagaynor) on Mar 10, 2020 at 9:16am PDT

FREE AT LAST: Federal judge orders Chelsea Manning’s release from jail 

BLASPHEMY: Exclusive: ‘Dead Sea Scrolls’ at the Museum of the Bible are all forgeries

SAVAGE: Lincoln Project’s Latest Ad Takes On The Trump Kid Grifters

MIAMI, PART I: Andrew Gillum Involved in Alleged Crystal-Meth Incident in Miami Beach. “I was in Miami last night for a wedding celebration when first responders were called to assist one of my friends. While I had too much to drink, I want to be clear that I have never used methamphetamines.”

MIAMI, PART II: Miami mayor tests positive for coronavirus

PANIC SHOPPING PIC OF THE DAY:

ON THE RAG: A weekly look at what’s making news in the gay magazines

LATE-NIGHT PERFORMANCE OF THE DAY: Mandy Moore Performs ‘When I Wasn’t Watching’ When No One Is Literally Watching During Empty ‘Fallon’ Audience!

FRIDAY FUR: Ace Cee

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Daddy on duty #Rocco #shibainu #puppiesofinstagram

A post shared by Ace Cee (@acecee_) on Mar 8, 2020 at 7:11pm PDT

The post Katie Porter, Tom Hanks, Ted Cruz, Joy Behar, Gloria Gaynor, Andrew Gillum, Chelsea Manning, Mandy Moore, Donald Trump: HOT LINKS appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Katie Porter, Tom Hanks, Ted Cruz, Joy Behar, Gloria Gaynor, Andrew Gillum, Chelsea Manning, Mandy Moore, Donald Trump: HOT LINKS

Thinking of You – Now More Than Ever.

I want to thank you for all the extraordinary work you do to advance the movement for true equality for the LGBTQ community through your support of the Human Rights Campaign. 

You are the reason we succeed. We are a family here, made up of over 3.1 million members and supporters, volunteers and staff. So, as family does, I wanted to personally reach out as news continues to break around COVID-19. 

This is a global health crisis, and the Human Rights Campaign’s number one priority is to look out for everyone’s health and safety. Our work is too important and, as we’re seeing in the government’s lagging response, more necessary than ever. 

Below are several measures we are taking to ensure our collective well-being. Take a look:

• Our physical offices will be closed through the end of the month to minimize the risk of exposure. Rest assured, we have the necessary infrastructure to support remote work for the majority of our team and the organization’s critical work will continue, including our robust election plans.
• We have decided to suspend or cancel all of our public events through the weekend of April 4, including several large-scale fundraising dinners in Nashville, Los Angeles and Houston. If you were planning to attend any of these events over the next few weeks, a message with more details will be heading your way soon.
• We are committed to providing you with the latest news as it pertains to our community and will be in touch throughout with updates as we have them. This week, we joined an open letter with more than 100 organizations urging the media and health officials to consider the unique risks faced by the LGBTQ community.

Public health is on everyone’s minds. The Human Rights Campaign has always held elected officials accountable for failures in public health policy — and we will continue to do so. 

I know this is a stressful time but please take care of yourself. Remember: As long as you are a part of the Human Rights Campaign family, you are never alone. 

If you or your loved ones have been diagnosed, exposed or are feeling sick, please reach out to your medical provider for more information — otherwise, be vigilant and monitor your health. To all those who may know someone who is battling COVID-19, I am sorry and I will keep them and you in my thoughts.

The LGBTQ community has long been forged in the fires of resilience and resistance. From pioneering activists at Compton Cafeteria, the Stonewall Inn and other places who fought back against oppression to leaders at the height of the early HIV and AIDS epidemic who demanded better treatment, fighting tirelessly in times of great need is just a part of who we are. The same is true today. 

We cannot lose sight of our focuses: advancing the rights of LGBTQ people here and around the world and defeating Donald Trump and Mike Pence in November. Especially in uncertain times like these, it may feel more difficult, but I am hoping we can count on you to support our work as we join together to advance equality … now and well into the future. 

Thank you again for all you do. Please stay safe and healthy in the weeks ahead. 

www.hrc.org/blog/thinking-of-you-now-more-than-ever?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed