Biden Campaign Names LGBTQ+ Vote Director

Reggie Greer, a veteran of the LGBTQ Victory Institute and the Obama administration, will seek to mobilize the community for Biden.

www.advocate.com/election/2020/3/23/biden-campaign-names-lgbtq-vote-director

Grindr quarantine story is restoring some people’s faith in humanity

A story about the support a man found via Grindr, while self-isolating himself, has prompted a huge amount of comment on social media.

The Facebook page and website, Humans of New York, is sharing #quarantinestories. One posted on Friday came from a Grindr user in Minnesota who is awaiting his test results for COVID-19.

“It started with a heavy chest,” he began. “Then I began to have a fever and dry cough. They’re doing car tests in Minnesota, but I didn’t have a car. So I ended up walking to the ER.

“They put me in isolation,” he continued. “I wasn’t even allowed to use the restroom so I had to pee in a bucket Then they tested me and sent me home. I’ve been waiting on the results for days.

“There hasn’t been much to do, so naturally I’ve been scrolling through Grindr. A couple days ago this older guy sent me a message. My profile name is ‘Bernie2020,’ so he says: ‘Hi Bernie.’ I explained that I’d just been tested. And he tells me that he’s a retired doctor.

“He starts asking about my symptoms. He wants to know if he can bring me anything since my family lives out of state. And this whole time he’s calling me ‘Bernie,’ but I don’t have the heart to correct him. I wanted to test to see if he was a real doctor, so I took a picture of my hand and asked him to identify my congenital birth defect.

“He nailed it in less time than he could possibly google it, so I figured he was legit,” he continued. “And who’s going to kidnap a person with coronavirus? So I gave him my address.

“The next day he shows up with a perfect little portion of salmon, asparagus, four pears, and some very expensive looking granola bars. We barely spoke. He seemed more nervous than I did. He just dropped it on the steps, walked quickly back to his car, and said: ‘Good luck, Bernie.’”

Related: Fetish fashion brand CEO offers the words of comfort we need right now

Many praised the actions of the older man.

“At a time when, as a human race, we are challenged and brought to the edge by COVID-19, stories like this show us the best of humankind …they fill our hearts with hope,” said one commentator. “In some way…we all feel the touch and love of that doctor. He gave you…but after you sharing with us…it feels like he gave all of us. We are touched by his act That…is the best of the human family.”

“Whoever that person was, that was so kind of him to help you out,” said another. “Sending so many positive vibes his way. Especially since you said he’s a retired doctor so I assume he quite old. So he’s putting his health at risk to help a stranger out.”

Grindr also re-shared the story on its own Twitter profile, dubbing the good samaritan, “the daddy we all deserve.”

the daddy we all deserve t.co/H5JRz4ftd8

— Grindr (@Grindr) March 21, 2020

Related: Someone’s come up with a gender-neutral variation for ‘daddy’

At the time of writing, there were over 32,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the US and over 400 deaths. Health experts are advising people to stay home, self-isolate, and quarantine themselves from others if they believe they may have the virus. For the latest advice on COVID-19, check the CDC and WHO websites.

www.queerty.com/grindr-quarantine-story-restoring-peoples-faith-humanity-20200323?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Reggie Greer Named Biden Campaign’s LGBTQ Liaison

Reggie Greer, former director of constituent engagement for the  LGBTQ Victory Institute, has been named LGBTQ liaison to the Biden campaign.

Said Greer in a statement: “It’s an honor of a lifetime to join this campaign as LGBTQ+ vote director and serve America on behalf of Vice President Biden. As a young, black appointee in the Obama-Biden administration, I had the opportunity to see and learn firsthand from Vice President Biden’s dedication to LGBTQ+ advocacy, his willingness to ensure LGBTQ+ voices were at important decision-making tables and his lifelong commitment to elevating the most marginalized across various communities. America desperately needs those qualities in our president again. A president who is compassionate, can govern effectively, be a calming presence in times of crisis, and who can bring us together. I believe that person is Vice President Biden, and I am beyond humbled to serve the LGBTQ+ community in this capacity.”

In Greer’s role at the Victory Institute he was point person for hundreds of out LGBTQ elected officials and organized a summit program for LGBTQ leaders.

“Over the past three and a half years, LGBTQ+ Americans have watched with horror as the Trump administration has weaponized government against us, dismantled years of pro-LGBTQ+ policies, and targeted the most marginalized among us,” Greer added. “It’s time to turn the page. In a Biden presidency, the Equality Act will be signed into law, transgender servicemembers will be reinstated, LGBTQ+ Dreamers and asylum seekers will be heard, and the federal government will once again fight to protect LGBTQ+ youth from housing instability and discrimination. Given our nation’s rich diversity, the next governing coalition in America must be comprised of people from different races, ages, sexual orientations, cultures, ethnicities, gender identities, ideologies, abilities, faiths, and non-faiths to ensure the most fair, equitable, and forward-thinking policies are enacted into law. Americans are coming together to form that governing coalition and are choosing Vice President Biden to lead the next fight. In these uncertain times, but with a lot of hope in our collective future, I am excited to join the Biden team and work to ensure even more voices are heard.”

The post Reggie Greer Named Biden Campaign’s LGBTQ Liaison appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Reggie Greer Named Biden Campaign’s LGBTQ Liaison

Last Words With Drag Race’s Rock M. Sakura

The eliminated contestant talks Asian representation on Drag Race, drug addiction, and how to support drag performers in an extraordinary time.

www.advocate.com/television/2020/3/23/last-words-drag-races-rock-m-sakura

Highlights from Rosie O’Donnell’s Coronavirus Benefit, Which Raised $500K for Broadway: Ben Platt, Patti LuPone, Cynthia Erivo, Darren Criss and More — WATCH

The Rosie O’Donnell Show benefit on Sunday night raised more than $500,000 for The Actors Fund which included a $100,000 donation from O’Donnell herself.

Slated to appear on the show were Erich Bergen, Sebastian Arcelus, Skylar Astin, Beth Behrs, Nate Berkus, Stephanie J. Block, Matthew Broderick, Tituss Burgess, Norbert Leo Butz, Kristin Chenoweth, Gavin Creel, Darren Criss, Gloria Estefan, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Harvey Fierstein, David Foster, Morgan Freeman, Neil Patrick Harris, Megan Hilty, Lorin Latarro, Judith Light, Barry Manilow, Rob McClure, Audra McDonald, Katharine McPhee, Alan Menken, Idina Menzel, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Kelli O’Hara, Sarah Jessica Parker, Lauren Patten, Ben Platt, Billy Porter, Randy Rainbow, Andrew Rannells, Chita Rivera, Seth Rudetsky, Miranda Sings, Jordin Sparks, Ben Vereen, Adrienne Warren, James Wesley and more.

Below, a selection of the appearances. You can watch the full stream here.

The post Highlights from Rosie O’Donnell’s Coronavirus Benefit, Which Raised $500K for Broadway: Ben Platt, Patti LuPone, Cynthia Erivo, Darren Criss and More — WATCH appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Highlights from Rosie O’Donnell’s Coronavirus Benefit, Which Raised $500K for Broadway: Ben Platt, Patti LuPone, Cynthia Erivo, Darren Criss and More — WATCH

Reporter Karl Schmid: Being HIV-Positive ‘Shouldn’t Be a News Story’

The ABC reporter reflects on the fight ahead on the second anniversary of his coming out as HIV-positive.

www.advocate.com/commentary/2020/3/23/reporter-karl-schmid-being-hiv-positive-shouldnt-be-news-story