Gay Conservative Richard Grenell: I’m a Better Christian for Being Gay

The Trump administration’s top gay official opens up about his faith but makes some problematic statements about LGBTQ activism.

www.advocate.com/religion/2020/3/09/gay-conservative-richard-grenell-im-better-christian-being-gay

Rep. Matt Gaetz, Who Wore Gas Mask to House Floor, in Self-Quarantine After Coronavirus Contact at CPAC

Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-CA) has been tested for the COVID-19 virus after being informed that he came into contact (like Senator Ted Cruz, Rep. Paul Gosar and Rep. Doug Collins) with a CPAC attendee who tested positive for the coronavirus. Gaetz’s office made the announcement via Twitter Monday afternoon and said that he’ll be self-quarantined for a 14-day period.

Gaetz also flew on Air Force One with Trump this afternoon.

CNBC reports: “Two Republican congressmen had contact with President Donald Trump before they announced Monday they were entering self-quarantine because they were previously exposed to someone who has been diagnosed with coronavirus. Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia shook hands with Trump last week. Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida flew on Air Force One with Trump on Monday. The White House declined to comment to CNBC.”

Last week, Gaetz wore a gas mask during a floor vote to mock coronavirus fears during a vote for an emergency fundraising package for the COVID-19 response.

Vanity Fair adds: “Stories about Trump’s coronavirus fears have spread through the White House. Last week Trump told aides he’s afraid journalists will try to purposefully contract coronavirus to give it to him on Air Force One, a person close to the administration told me. The source also said Trump has asked the Secret Service to set up a screening program and bar anyone who has a cough from the White House grounds. ‘He’s definitely melting down over this,’ the source said.”

The post Rep. Matt Gaetz, Who Wore Gas Mask to House Floor, in Self-Quarantine After Coronavirus Contact at CPAC appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Rep. Matt Gaetz, Who Wore Gas Mask to House Floor, in Self-Quarantine After Coronavirus Contact at CPAC

Jonathan Van Ness: Aaron Schock Needs to Make Amends

Schock’s coming out has not impressed the Queer Eye star, who was born in the former congressman’s district.

www.advocate.com/politics/2020/3/09/jonathan-van-ness-aaron-schock-needs-make-amends

Bisexual reality star Carlton Morton says he’s in therapy after posting series of cryptic tweets

After writing a series of cryptic social media posts and then checking into the hospital, bisexual reality Carlton Morton says he’s now working with a therapist to cope with the blowback he’s received since appearing on Netflix’s Love is Blind.

Last week, Morton took to Instagram to say he’s “done” with people attacking him for being a queer Black man, writing:

“I’m really done. Thanks for the press requests, bookings, etc. I am not doing any press/bookings as of today’s radio interview. URBAN MEDIA has been the WORST to me. Black lives matter until it’s an LGBT Black life. Also, so called “celebrity” friends on social media have every opportunity to defend my CHARACTER yet they don’t! I’ve argued for tons of people. Y’all see ANY of those people speaking up for me? I”M DONE.”

He followed that up with a tweet that said: “Today is one of those days where I don’t want to be here. I feel extremely alone and unsupported. I’ve cried for help since Feb. 13. No one cares.”

TMZ reports that after writing the tweet, someone from inside Carlton’s home in Atlanta called 911 for a non-life threatening injury, which resulted in him being taken to the hospital.

Morton now says the call was placed by a friend seeking a wellness check.

“I’m dealing with this the best that I can,” he tells TMZ, adding, “I’m waking up to death threats in my DMs, social media comments, just feeling again like I have to rally behind myself.”

Speaking to PEOPLE, the reality star adds that he has relied on close friends to help get him through the backlash he has faced from his appearance on Love is Blind.

“I told the people that mattered to me that I was concerned with their opinions,” he said. “I was like, ‘This show is coming out and it’s probably going to be a tough time for me because I spoke my entire truth.’ And they didn’t really push the issue. They just said, ‘Okay, whatever it is, we have your back.’”

We’re glad Carlton is getting the care he needs!

Related: Bisexual reality star posts string of cryptic tweets, says he’s “really done” after biphobic treatment

www.queerty.com/bisexual-reality-star-carlton-morton-says-hes-therapy-posting-series-cryptic-tweets-20200309?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

The 2nd Person Ever to Be Cured of HIV Unmasks Himself

The second person ever to have been freed of the HIV virus has unmasked himself, a year after doctors announced they had successfully sent the virus into remission. Heretofore known as the “London Patient” because of the city where he has lived for two decades, his name is Adam Castillejo. Since the announcement of his remission, he has been tweeting under the handle @londonpatient.

Castillejo, born in Caracas, Venezuela, contracted the virus at the age of 23 in 2003 and in 2011 developed Stage 4 lymphoma. To treat his cancer, doctors gave him a bone-marrow transplant from a donor with a gene mutation that prevented his cells from allowing HIV in, which cleared Castillejo of the virus.

The NYT reports: “Mr. Castillejo’s goal in opening his private life to the world, he said, is to be a beacon of hope for people who have H.I.V. or cancer or who have gone through a transplant. He did not make the decision lightly. He first pondered going public in November and put it off for several months to prepare himself physically and mentally.”

Said Castillejo: “I don’t want people to think, ‘Oh, you’ve been chosen.’ No, it just happened. I was in the right place, probably at the right time, when it happened. We’re here today — you never, never know.”

Read his full story HERE.

Timothy Brown, the first person to experience similarly successful remission aka the “Berlin Patient,’ was ‘cured’ of HIV infection via chemotherapy, radiation, and genetically-engineered stem cells in 2010.

The post The 2nd Person Ever to Be Cured of HIV Unmasks Himself appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

The 2nd Person Ever to Be Cured of HIV Unmasks Himself

Alabama Senate Passes Anti-Trans Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act

“This legislation targets some of the most vulnerable people in Alabama and offers a ‘solution’ in search of a problem,” said Carmarion D. Anderson, Human Rights Campaign Alabama State Director. “Decisions about medical care should be left to doctors, patients and their families, consistent with best practices. This legislation takes that decision away from Alabamians solely so lawmakers can discriminate against transgender people. It is wrong, and the House must reject this.”

Health organizations across the country support gender-affirming care for transgender children. Here is a full list of health organizations that support gender-affirming care:

American Academy of Pediatrics,

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,

American Psychological Association,

American Psychiatric Association,

Pediatric Endocrinology Society,

American Medical Association.

www.hrc.org/blog/alabama-senate-passes-vulnerable-child-compassion-and-protection-act?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed