Meet the New Queer Queen of Outlaw Country

Check out our exclusive interview with Jaime Wyatt and the premiere of the hauntingly beautiful single, “By Your Side,” from her new album, Neon Cross.

www.advocate.com/music/2020/4/30/meet-new-queer-queen-outlaw-country

What to Watch: Gay Hollywood hustlers, queer sk8r girls, and a drag queen workout

Whatever your entertainment needs, we got your back (and hopefully your mind) with Queerty’s weekly “Culture Club” column with some of the highlights of new releases, streaming shows, classics worth revisiting, and what to drink while you watch.

The Stream: Hollywood

Ryan Murphy & Netflix‘s latest endeavor finally arrives, reimagining the Golden Age of Hollywood as it should have been. The series follows a group of young creatives who come to Tinseltown in search of a dream, and instead, discover a gas station brothel run by an eccentric would-be star (obviously modeled on Scotty Bowers). Sexy and star-making antics ensue–and we mean that in the best possible way. Hollywood combines nostalgic Hollywood glamour with the sexually-charged drama upon which Murphy has earned his reputation. The resultant show both earns some very big laughs, and even a teary-eyed moment or two. The stellar cast includes David Corenswet, Patti LuPone, Dylan McDermott, Jake Picking, Mira Sorvino, Queen Latifah, Rob Reiner, Darren Criss and Jim Parsons, though the real standout is Broadway hunk Jeremy Pope, who gives a star-making performance as a closeted, African-American writer. LuPone and Parsons also get two of their best roles as a silent movie star-cum-studio boss, and a snake-like manager, respectively. With the nation thirsting for levity during a time of pandemic, Hollywood is the perfect reprieve.

Streams on Netflix May 1.

The Catch: Betty

This new HBO series, based on the 2018 indie film Skate Kitchen arrives this week, bringing with it a group of ironic feminist heroes. Like the film that inspired it, Betty focuses on a group of female skateboarders in New York, including the queer rebel Kurt (played, as in the film, by Nina Moran). Hijinks, camaraderie and sexual exploration ensue as Kurt and her friends confront the perils of coming-of-age and the male-dominated world of skateboarding. We found Kurt and her friends irresistible; they reminded us much more of the women we knew in our late teens than most other characters on TV. Refreshing and fun, Betty takes girl power to new territory.

Debuts on HBO May 1.

The Premiere: Driveways

Writer/director Andrew Ahn’s (Spa Night) quiet indie drama finally gets wide release this week. We covered the film last year on the festival circuit, where it enchanted us with its tenderness and thoughtfulness. Driveways follows the story of a mother and son (Hong Chau and Lucas Jaye) tasked with cleaning out the house of a deceased relative. During their visit, young Cody (Jaye) befriends the aging military vet Del (the late Brian Dennehy, in one of his final performances) a man mourning the final days of his life, and a combative relationship with his estranged, lesbian daughter. The film also hints that young Cody is gay, and how that subtle observation affects Del and Cody’s mother. Chou, Jaye and Dennehy give marvelous, thoughtful performances, and Broadway diva Christine Ebersole is a hoot as a busybody neighbor. Ahn isn’t interested in plot so much as human behavior, and the way people communicate in unspoken ways. Much like Spa Night, Driveways has a particular sensitivity to it and the kind of observations that make the story as mysterious as it is provocative.

Streams on iTunes. For more information on screening, visit the FilmRise website.

The Tear Jerker: A Secret Love

Speaking of Ryan Murphy (who is on a roll at the moment), this Murphy-produced doc debuts on Netflix this week. A Secret Love follows the +60 year relationship of a lesbian couple, Terry Donahue and Pat Henschel. The film catches up with the women as they inch further into their 80s and have to begin to plan for their final years together. A Secret Love traces the history of their relationship, juxtaposing it with pressing questions involving marriage, family and end-of-life care–questions that will face an increasing number of same-sex couples in the coming years. By turns sweet and tough but always tender, A Secret Love is a magnificent love story–one to watch with Kleenex close at hand.

Streams on Netflix.

The Read: What Makes a Marriage Last

Married couple Phil Donahue and Marlo Thomas penned this tome together, a series of interviews with married couples that tries to discover the secret to a longtime love affair. That includes a number of same-sex couples, including Neil Patrick Harris & David Burtka, Elton John & David Furnish, Jane Wagner & Lily Tomlin and Patricia Cornwell & Staci Gruber. Ultimately, the book reveals that marriage, like so much in life, is what a couple makes it, and how they tailor it to their needs. It’s a fascinating read, one in which couples bare their souls, and their love and patience for one another.

In bookstores May 5.

The Upbeat: Working Out is a Drag

Celebrity trainer Jason Wimberly lands his new work out show with World of Wonder this week, in which he helps some of America’s most popular drag queens get in shape. Heels stay at home, while Wimberly instructs his clients Raja, Monique Heart, Laganja, Sonique, and Kameron Michaels on how to look good and stay healthy with or without a wig. During a time of lockdown, Working Out is a Drag is a terrific way to keep entertained and learn a few new ticks to staying in shape. 

Streams on World of Wonder Presents Plus beginning May 6.

The Spin: Billy Porter’s “For What it’s Worth”

Never one to stay silent, Billy Porter dropped his newest single this week, a cover of the classic Buffalo Springfield song. Porter infuses the classic protest tune with his own soulful vocals; turning an anti-war song into a rallying cry for Americans to vote out the Trump catastrophe come this November. If nothing else, “For What it’s Worth” makes a perfect calling card for Porter: passionate, rich and full of life. More importantly though, the song reminds listeners that in a time of crisis, getting angry isn’t enough. Rather, focusing on positive change is the first step to ending it.

Streams on YouTube.

The Sip: Champagne Cocktail

In honor of Hollywood and Hollywood, we offer up this sip of some Golden Age glamour. Sweet, bubbly and easy to make, it is the perfect sip for a bit of relaxation without getting totally blasted.

• 1 sugar cube
• Angostura bitters
• Champagne
• Lemon or orange twist, for garnish

Add bitters to sugar cube in a spoon. Drop into a champagne flute. Add champagne, Garnish with a citrus twist.

www.queerty.com/watch-gay-hollywood-hustlers-queer-sk8r-girls-drag-queen-workout-20200430?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

‘Lying for Jesus’: Twitter Blasts Karen Pence for Claiming Husband Didn’t Know About Mayo Clinic Mask Policy (WATCH)

Vice President Mike Pence’s wife, Karen, is claiming that her husband didn’t know about the Mayo Clinic’s policy requiring visitors to wear masks when he toured the Minnesota facility without one on Tuesday.

“As our medical experts have told us, wearing a mask prevents you from spreading the disease, and knowing that he doesn’t have COVID-19, he didn’t wear one,” Karen Pence told Fox & Friends on Thursday morning. “It was actually after he left Mayo Clinic that he found out they have a policy of asking everyone to wear a mask. You know, someone who’s worked on this whole task force for over two months is not someone who would have done anything to offend anyone, or hurt anyone, or scare anyone, so I’m glad you gave me an opportunity to talk about that.”

The @MayoClinic told reporters it “shared the masking policy with the VP’s office” before his arrival. Karen Pence says Mike Pence didn’t find out about it until after he left. So either someone is lying or Pence’s staff didn’t do its job. t.co/0GpxVsQMj0

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 30, 2020

Business Insider reports: This contradicts the Mayo Clinic’s claim — which it tweeted and then later deleted on Tuesday — that it “informed” Pence about its mask requirement prior to his visit. The vice president defended his decision not to wear a mask on Tuesday, arguing that he’s regularly tested negative for the virus. “As vice president of the United States I’m tested for the coronavirus on a regular basis, and everyone who is around me is tested for the coronavirus,” Pence said, according to NBC. “Since I don’t have the coronavirus, I thought it’d be a good opportunity for me to be here, to be able to speak to these researchers these incredible healthcare personnel and look them in the eye and say thank you.”

A short time after her interview aired on Thursday, “Karen Pence” began trending on Twitter:

BREAKING: Karen Pence says Mike didn’t know about the hospital regulation of wearing a mask during his tour. That is a lie. Pence and his staff were told by the hospital it was mandatory. Pence should be removed from the coronavirus task force. Pence failed us all.

— Scott Dworkin (@funder) April 30, 2020

@KarenPence

“Karen Pence” is a lying #Mother pic.twitter.com/t9xjKXKTgk

— Wise Guy (@The_Stugotz) April 30, 2020

All of us who traveled with him were notified by the office of @VP the day before the trip that wearing of masks was required by the @MayoClinic and to prepare accordingly. t.co/LFqh27LusD

— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) April 30, 2020

It’s nice of Karen Pence to take time off from electroshocking gay Christians to defend her idiot husband. Cue Tammy Wynette’s Stand By Your Man.

— Bleeding Heart Liberal Marine (@zaharako) April 30, 2020

Yes. Yes it did. Karen Pence is #LyingForJesus t.co/tvhj0BS6Vl

— Chrissy in the Dumbest Dystopia (@C_Stroop) April 30, 2020

Karen Pence lying for her husband that he wasn’t informed about Mayo Clinic’s mask policy is just preposterous. Mayo tweeted that it informed Mike Pence prior to his visit but deleted it after being intimidated. Pence saw everyone around him wear one but was too arrogant to care.

— Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) April 30, 2020

Mike and Karen Pence are absolutely horrible human beings.

That’s all.

— Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) April 30, 2020

Karen Pence is SUCH a Karen.

— Quarwhitney (@itswhitneymeyer) April 30, 2020

Mother doesn’t know best.#Karen #Pence

— Holly B (@Holly4humanity) April 30, 2020

The post ‘Lying for Jesus’: Twitter Blasts Karen Pence for Claiming Husband Didn’t Know About Mayo Clinic Mask Policy (WATCH) appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

‘Lying for Jesus’: Twitter Blasts Karen Pence for Claiming Husband Didn’t Know About Mayo Clinic Mask Policy (WATCH)

#AM_Equality: April 30, 2020

TONIGHT — HRC TO HOLD FIRST-EVER “AT HOME WITH HRC NASHVILLE,” A VIRTUAL EVENT HOSTED BY CMT’S CODY ALAN (@CodyAlan): Tonight at 6:00 p.m. CDT, HRC Nashville will be hosting a live-streamed virtual event, which will include remarks from HRC President Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid), local leaders in the LGBTQ community and a very special tribute to LGBTQ rights activist Blake Brockway. “At Home with HRC Nashville” will be live-streamed on HRC’s Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. 

HRC JOINS NATIVE SON AND COLOR OF CHANGE IN ADVOCATING FOR RELEASE OF DEMOGRAPHIC DATA ON COVID-19: The organizations called on Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar to release demographic data on the impact of COVID-19 on marginalized communities. “We cannot ignore the fact that marginalized communities, particularly Black and Brown people, are being disproportionately impacted by this virus,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “HRC has long called for inclusive data collection to ensure that all people are counted, and today we are proud to join with Native Son and Color of Change to demand robust demographic data collection. Data is necessary to ensuring that our leaders are held accountable in directing necessary resources to the communities that need it most.” Sign the petition here, and learn more about HRC’s response to COVID-19 here. 

HRC IS HOSTING A CONVERSATION IN SPANISH TODAY ABOUT THE SOCIAL IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON LATINX GAY AND BI+ MEN: Learn more from HRC, and register for the webinar here. 

.@HRC is hosting a conversation in Spanish about the social impact of #COVID19 on Latinx gay & bi+ men, featuring:@HRC’s @McCantsPearsall@LatinoCommAIDS’ @LScaccabarrozzi@Latinos Salud @latinodeepsouth@healthnygov@coaiprt.co/PoHn81SyPx pic.twitter.com/U5XMfmQngc

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) April 28, 2020

GET CULTURED – Entertainment, arts and sports news!

POPTV’S “ONE DAY AT A TIME” TO PRODUCE ANIMATED SPECIAL EPISODE DURING COVID-19: More from Deadline.

YOUTUBE STAR & MODEL TATIANA RINGSBY (@tringsby) COMES OUT AS BISEXUAL: More from PinkNews. 

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

GAY AND BI+ MEN ARE BEING OUTED IN MOROCCO: More from The New York Times. 

For many who live in countries where same-sex sexual relations are criminalized, living in fear of being outed is a dangerous reality, and we will continue to work with social media platforms to protect the LGBTQ community around the world. t.co/PMSEGcqcEH

— Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid) April 27, 2020

UNITED NATIONS RELEASES REPORT DETAILING HOW COVID-19 IS BECOMING A HUMAN RIGHTS CRISIS: Read more from The Guardian. 

�� READING RAINBOW – Bookmark now to read on your lunch break!

The Advocate reports on a birthday tribute concert for openly gay Broadway composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim 

Have news? Send us your news and tips at [email protected]. Click here to subscribe to #AM_Equality and follow @HRC for all the latest news. Thanks for reading!

www.hrc.org/blog/am-equality-april-30-2020?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Todrick Hall releases star-studded video for ‘Masks, Gloves, Soaps, Scrubs’

 

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A post shared by TODRICK (@todrick) on Apr 28, 2020 at 12:18pm PDT

Todrick Hall has been busy whilst isolating. A few days ago he revealed that he’s been inspired to produce a new mini-album. While you’ve probably been doing little more than bingeing on streaming services and raiding the fridge, Hall recorded six tracks in less than a week.

One is a reworking of his club hit, ‘Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels’ as the coronavirus-inspired ‘Masks, Gloves, Soaps, Scrubs.’

The album, entitled Quarantine Queen, became available on streaming services yesterday, along with a video for ‘Masks, Gloves, Soaps, Scrubs’ that Hall shot at home.

Related: US soldiers get down to Todrick Hall’s ‘Nails Hair Hips Heels’ in viral video

The video also features at-home contributions from a large number of friends, including, among many others: Brian Friedman; Peppermint; Bob the Drag Queen; Monet Exchange; Trinity The Tuck Taylor; Alyssa Edwards; Nicole Scherzinger; Jade Thirwall; Tan France; Tiffany Haddish; Amber Riley; Baga Chipz: and perhaps most randomly of all, former butler to Princess Diana, Paul Burrell.

Hall has changed the lyrics of the song to comment on the situation many of us are going through: From binge-watching Tiger King (“kitty cat-cat, tell me Carole Baskin, where is the husband, everyone’s asking”), to cashing in one’s stimulus check, but also imploring people to stay home and stay safe.

The album Quarantine Queen also includes a duet entitled ‘Mas(k)ot’ with Jerry Harris, the professional cheerleader who has gained himself a huge following after featuring on the Netflix documentary, Cheer.

Related: Todrick Hall calls Kim Kardashian a ‘stubborn little queef’ in sprawling rant

Explaining the thinking behind the new work, Hall said in a statement, “Nina Simone once said ‘It’s an artist’s duty to reflect the times.’ I wrote this album in four days because I noticed a lot of people were down and needing something to uplift them, make them smile and want to dance during this dark time.

“I by no means am attempting to diminish the severity of this pandemic, but trying to show that you can still be creative, still have fun and be fabulous from the comfort of your own home,” he said.

“I hope you enjoy, I hope it inspires you to dance (tag me, I will be watching and sharing) and I hope it brightens your day just a tad. Love you all and please stay safe. We are going to get through this. Mwah.”

 

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IT’S OUTTTT! AAAAGHHHH…thanks for all the love on the album and shout out to @rhealitre & @jerry.h.arris for collaborating with me! What’s your favorite song? Reposting my favorite and funniest story reviews today. Also we’re number 38 on iTunes! Blown away by the support. Thank you thank you THANK YOU! Photo by: @alexgharper Makeup by: @lipsticknick Mask by: @_vincentmichael_ Watches by: @christiancowan Crazy brain by: @quing_brenda Thanks mom!

A post shared by TODRICK (@todrick) on Apr 29, 2020 at 8:47am PDT

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