FX’s ‘Pose’ Donates Medical Supply Props to New York Hospital

The production is stepping up in the midst of a health crisis.

www.advocate.com/health/2020/3/23/fxs-pose-donates-medical-supply-props-new-york-hospital

A&F cuts ties with gay plus-size model Michael McCauley over racist social media posts

Abercrombie & Fitch says it’s no longer working with gay plus-size model Michael McCauley after problematic social media posts he wrote resurfaced on Twitter just as he was being profiled in the company’s new ad campaign about inclusiveness.

Quick backstory: Queerty ran an interview with McCauley earlier this month during which he touted the importance of diverse representation. Shortly after the interview published, however, a number of racist social media posts written by McCauley started recirculating on Twitter.

In one of them, McCauley blasted members of Black Lives Matter, calling them “a group of extremists.” In another, he bemoaned the activist group for blocking the streets and making him late for a meeting. And in another, he took aim at Jada Pinkett Smith for her stance on #OscarsSoWhite then complained that the Grammys don’t nominate enough white artists.

Now, in a statement to Queerty, the company says it has terminated its relationship with McCauley:

A&F has worked hard over the last few years, particularly under new leadership, to improve and be more inclusive with everything we do, including our marketing, our size ranges, our charitable partners, our store experiences and our hiring practices. A&F’s Face Your Fierce campaign was created to help promote diversity, equity and inclusion, and the comments made by Mike McCauley clearly do not support that goal. They also contradict the values of our company, our associates and our customers. As such, we are no longer working with him.

Queerty reached out to McCauley for a comment when the controversy first erupted, but he never responded to our request. Last week, he took to Twitter and Instagram to issue an apology.

“I want to address the comments that were recently brought to light from several years ago,” he said. “They were not intended to be hurtful. I realize how insensitive they are and I’m sorry for the harm they’ve cause. Thank you.”

Related: OP-ED: Here’s what we can learn from gay plus-size model Michael McCauley’s racist posts

www.queerty.com/af-cuts-ties-gay-plus-size-model-michael-mccauley-racist-social-media-posts-20200323?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Nashom Wooden, aka NYC Drag Queen Mona Foot, Dies from COVID-19

Nashom Wooden, also known as their alter ego NYC drag queen Mona Foot, has died from COVID-19, according to their close friend, fashion designer Geoffrey Mac, who made a tearful announcement on social media. Further details are unavailable at this time.

View this post on Instagram

RIP @thenashom9000

A post shared by GEOFFREY MAC (@geoffreymac) on Mar 23, 2020 at 9:40am PDT

View this post on Instagram

#monafoot as #wonderwoman at #wigstock #pier17 #southstreetseaport #dragqueen #dragshow #liveperformance #allamericangirl #shero #crimefighter #nyc #wilsonmodelsphotography

A post shared by Wilsonmodels (@jwilson77) on Sep 3, 2018 at 12:51pm PDT

Tributes to Wooden have begun pouring out on social media.

Wrote nightclub producer Mario Diaz on Twitter: “This virus has taken our dear Nashom Wooden..aka Mona Foot. Part of our New York nightlife family. A beautiful gorgeous creature, an amazing artist and a friend for 25+ years. When I think of you I will always see that beautiful smile. When I think of you I will always remember the powerhouse that was Mona Foot! Our years together at The Cock. Things feel very real right now. Please stay home and stay safe. We love you Nashom… always and forever.”

From a 2017 interview by Michael Musto in PAPER mag: “Starting in 1989, Brooklyn-born Nashom Wooden found success as a drag performer until finding it a bit of a drag. Nashom was Mona Foot, the quick-witted diva at the St. Marks Place boîte the Boy Bar, until hanging up the heels to pursue other ventures. Nashom is also well known as having been one of the Ones [a dance-pop trio that started in ’99] and also a club worker and scene maker who’s always interesting to talk to.”

Our thoughts go out to Wooden’s friends and family. Stay safe everyone.

The post Nashom Wooden, aka NYC Drag Queen Mona Foot, Dies from COVID-19 appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Nashom Wooden, aka NYC Drag Queen Mona Foot, Dies from COVID-19

Virtual Volunteering With HRC

While there is much uncertainty about what lies ahead in the coming weeks and months for our country, one thing the COVID-19 crisis has made even more clear is the stakes of the election this November could not be higher. HRC’s work to defeat Donald Trump is already underway and we need your help more than ever.

Here are five actions you can take immediately to ensure Trump is replaced by a pro-equality president:

1. Join Our Virtual HRC “Team”
Studies show friend-to-friend contact is as much as 9x more effective than traditional outreach for calls to action like voting. That’s why HRC is launching our new advocacy app, ‘TEAM’. By downloading this app, you can directly engage your own personal contacts via SMS text, email, and social media about the pro-equality issues they care about. Friend-to-friend outreach allows HRC supporters like you to engage in meaningful conversations as trusted messengers with your networks and move those who may not already be involved with HRC to take actions like sharing videos and social content, to recruiting HRC members and volunteers, and promoting virtual volunteer events. Sign up today! go.JoinTeam.com/HRC

2. Promote HRC’s Election and Voting Resources
Visit HRC.org/Election2020 to:

1. Pledge to get three friends to vote.
2. Join HRC’s mobile action network to confirm your voter registration status and receive information about volunteer opportunities.
3. Recruit individuals from your networks to become members of HRC.

In the coming weeks and months, this site will be updated with additional actions people can take as well as a series of online trainings we developed to prepare people to engage in HRC’s electoral work remotely.

3. “Operation Swing State”
Our staff has identified a set of states that will be pivotal to the outcome of the Election where we need to build capacity now. By joining, you will receive regular updates and routine voter contact opportunities including our weekly recurring volunteer virtual phone bank into these states. Starting now, every Tuesday through the Election, HRC staff and volunteers are calling into Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin to help our on-the-ground organizing staff identify and mobilize HRC members and Equality Voters to get engaged in this year. Support and training will be provided via email, webinar, and phone or text message by HRC staff. Please sign up to join our ‘Swing State Squad’ now: HRC.im/SwingStateSquad

4. Sign Up For Virtual Volunteer Shifts
HRC is transitioning many in-person volunteer opportunities to virtual or remote events on Community Hub, our volunteer engagement platform. Community Hub requires all prospective volunteers to complete a brief application and in turn, shows them opportunities to get engaged in our volunteer communities. We will be rolling out more virtual actions you take over the coming days and weeks. Check out and bookmark the event page: HRC.im/VolunteerShifts

5. Join or Renew Your Membership
Support HRC and our organizing work by joining or renewing your membership this year and inviting friends to join as members for as little as $5. If you are not able to volunteer right now–your membership ensures we can still communicate with you about our work and you can help support the infrastructure HRC has built to deliver change on Election Day.

www.hrc.org/blog/virtual-volunteering-with-hrc?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Female Couple Says ‘I Do’ on the Street While Social Distancing

Their friend officiated the wedding from his window several stories above. 

www.advocate.com/women/2020/3/23/female-couple-says-i-do-street-while-social-distancing

Lesbian couple gets married in the street as guests watch from parked cars & sidewalks

www.queerty.com/lesbian-couple-gets-married-street-guests-watch-parked-cars-sidewalks-20200323?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29