Creator of TV’s First (Gay) Reality Show An American Family Has Died

Craig Gilbert, who created the docuseries that introduced a gay man to American audiences in 1973 has died. 

www.advocate.com/television/2020/4/18/creator-tvs-first-gay-reality-show-american-family-has-died

Top 10 Queer Culture Must-Knows This Spring

We might be stuck at home, but there are still cool things to do (and see). 

www.advocate.com/exclusives/2020/4/18/top-10-queer-culture-must-knows-spring

Preachers gone wild: 5 religious leaders who refused to cancel church services (and one who died)

This week, a defiant evangelical pastor from Virginia who ignored social distancing guidelines by refusing to cancel church services died from coronavirus.

Bishop Gerald O. Glenn of the New Deliverance Evangelistic Church in Richmond, Virginia held his last in-person service on March 22, during which he said he was “essential” because “I’m a preacher! I talk to God!”

Related: Defiant evangelical pastor who refused to cancel church services dies of coronavirus

Then he vowed that he would not cancel Sunday services “unless I’m in jail or the hospital.” Shortly after that, he checked into the hospital for COVID-19. And shortly after that, he succumbed to the virus.

The whole thing is a sad lesson in why it’s absolutely critical to listen to public health officials, especially during a global pandemic.

Here are five more religious leaders who have chosen the “healing power of God” over the scientifically-based advice of medical experts…

Tony Spell

The leader of the Life Tabernacle Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana was arrested and slapped with six misdemeanors last month when he bussed in over 1,800 people for his Sunday service. Spell insisted that “God will shield us from all harm and sickness!” Since then, at least one of his parishioners has died of COVID-19 and his personal attorney has been hospitalized after testing positive for the virus. If all that wasn’t bad enough, Spell just released a video encouraging his followers to send him their $1200 government stimulus checks.

Jon Duncan

The leader of Cross Culture Christian Center in Lodi, California was met by several police officers when he defied public health officials and showed up to preach on Palm Sunday. He tried saying sharing the word of God during a pandemic was “essential” and protected under the First Amendment. His landlord disagreed, however, and changed all the locks on the building.

Greg Locke

Last week, the leader of the Global Vision Bible Church in Mt. Juliet hosted a Good Friday reenactment during which he staged the crucifixion of his 16-year-old son on the side of the road. Two days later, he invited over 250 people to his church for Easter services. “It’s important for us to remain open,” he told local media. “It’s not because we’re trying to prove a point.”

David Green

The Hobby Lobby CEO may not be a pastor, but he still makes the list after he sent a letter to all 40,000+ of his employees last month informing them that stores must remain open because his wife, Barbara, who he described as a “prayer warrior,” spoke to God and he told her he’s got everything under control. The 78-year-old billionaire concluded his letter by saying he “appreciates” every single one of Hobby Lobby’s workers. Just not enough to give them paid sick leave, quality health insurance, or a decent hourly wage.

Rodney Howard-Browne

The right-wing megachurch pastor, who was among the gaggle of evangelical leaders who famously laid hands upon Donald Trump in the Oval Office in 2017, was arrested and charged with two misdemeanors last month after he repeatedly defied a local stay-at-home orders by holding Sunday services at his Tampa Bay church. “I have to do this to protect the congregation,” he said. “Not from the virus, but from a tyrannical government!”

www.queerty.com/preachers-gone-wild-5-religious-leaders-refused-cancel-church-services-one-died-20200418?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Jwan Yosef’s new uniform, Tuc Watkins’ plank, & Luke Evans’ dance party

This week new details emerged in the Jussie Smollett case, Aaron Schock socially distanced himself from reality, and San Francisco Pride announced a full cancellation of this year’s festivities. Here’s what happened on Instagram:

Joshua Cruz tanned on the fire escape.

Pietro Boselli stayed in isolation.

Antony Tran stayed home.

Tuc Watkins planked.

Ryan Cleary made brownies.

Keiynan Lonsdale gave thanks.

Luke Evans danced all afternoon.

Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman had a seat.

Terry Miller matched his gear.

Tom Daley used a chair.

Jwan Yosef lost his shirt.

Simon Sherry-Wood stayed Gucci.

Keegan Whicker worked from home.

Jake Bain went blonde.

Dyllón Burnside fed his thirst.

Brooke Lynn Hytes grew a mustache.

Derrick Gordon jogged in a mask.

Matteo Lane set sail.

Dexter Mayfield floated with a bird.

Ryan Jamaal Swain forgot the day.

And Daniel Newman cleaned his room.

www.queerty.com/jwan-yosefs-new-uniform-tuc-watkins-plank-luke-evans-dance-party-20200418?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Married Gay Couple Dies of Coronavirus Within Hours of Each Other, Leaving Live-in Mother to Deal with Grief Alone in Quarantine: WATCH

In a heartbreaking story out of the San Antonio, Texas area, Live Oak City Councilmember Anthony Brooks and his husband Phillip Tsai-Brooks, a hairdresser, died of complications from coronavirus within hours of each other, leaving Phillip’s mother, who lived with them, to deal with the grief on her own, quarantined at home after also testing positive.

After going to the doctor to get medication, Phillip had been sent home but returned to the ER two days later and was put on a ventilator. His husband Tony, who had also been sick, joined him there after Phillip’s mother, who lived with the couple, found him unresponsive in their home. Phillip then died of a heart attack while in the ER, and Tony succumbed to COVID-19 shortly thereafter. Phillip’s mother has also tested positive and is in quarantine by herself at home.

Said Phillip’s brother: “It’s very hard, we had to arrange my other brother who lives in San Antonio to stand outside the house while we tell her the news and that’s the heartbreaking side. We can’t go in, my brothers can’t go in and comfort her she standing in the doorway crying and we’re here in California.”

Phillip’s brothers told FOX San Antonio “they want to share Philip and Tony’s love story, and they know the way they died should serve as a warning to everyone young or old, healthy or sick, male or female.”

If you can’t see below video, watch it HERE.

Live Oak, Texas Mayor Mary Dennis mourned the couple on Facebook:

Full interview with the brothers:

The post Married Gay Couple Dies of Coronavirus Within Hours of Each Other, Leaving Live-in Mother to Deal with Grief Alone in Quarantine: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Married Gay Couple Dies of Coronavirus Within Hours of Each Other, Leaving Live-in Mother to Deal with Grief Alone in Quarantine: WATCH