March 2020 – Leeds First Friday weekend

March 2020 – Leeds First Friday weekend

Girly Emily posted a video:

March 2020 - Leeds First Friday weekend

Comments always appreciated, as long as you keep it clean – I love to hear your feedback! xx

Due to unexpected ccircumstances, sadly I was unable to get to Leeds in time for the Friday night as I usually would, so instead I went on the Saturday.

We went to see the comedy show at the Fenton and then on to Pryzm for a bit of music and dancing.

We had a new friend with us this time – Kimberley who had been out on the Friday, but couldn’t get a makeover organised for Saturday so she came out in her male persona.

Here’s a video clip Gemma took that I forgot to put up with the pictures. Dancing on our favourite light-up dance floor. 🙂

Out with the Old and In with The New – How To Navigate the Updated Plenty of Fish App

Out with the Old and In with The New – How To Navigate the Updated Plenty of Fish App

You may have noticed the Plenty of Fish app looks a little different these days – perhaps a little better, brighter and bolder? That’s because we’ve updated the app (Android…

The post Out with the Old and In with The New – How To Navigate the Updated Plenty of Fish App appeared first on The Latest Catch.

Out with the Old and In with The New – How To Navigate the Updated Plenty of Fish App

She can’t stop thinking about her boyfriend’s gay past every time they have sex together

She can’t stop thinking about her boyfriend’s gay past every time they have sex together

A woman says she has long-known her boyfriend had a gay past. It didn’t used to bother her, but lately it’s all she can think about, so she’s seeking help from advice guru Dear Deidre.

“My partner insists that he is not gay but he has admitted to having had sex with another man before we became a couple,” the woman writes.

She goes on to explain that they’re both in their early 30s now and have been dating for just over a year, though they’ve been friends since their mid 20s.

“Before we got together, he would tell me all about his various sexual escapades, and they were not generally things I would do,” she writes. “He had joined a swingers site to find women for sex and he also had sex with another guy.”

She says this didn’t bother her at the time, but now that they’re officially a couple, it’s an issue.

“He treats me very well, but every time we have sex I can’t help but imagine him having sex with a man,” she writes.

“Just the thought of it makes me feel sick.”

In her response, Deidre informs the woman that “most people are neither entirely gay or entirely straight” and that a lot of people experiment, especially when they’re in their 20s.

“It is not so very unusual to have tried out a same-sex encounter at some point in life,” she writes, adding, “but it doesn’t sound as though you have explored this issue very fully since you got together as a couple.”

Deidre goes on to say that if she wants the relationship to work, she’s going to need to address the issue with her boyfriend so she can better understand it.

“The way he would explain it to a friend is probably quite different from the sort of reassurances he would give a partner,” she says. “Brushing it under the carpet clearly isn’t working for you, so you must raise it with him.”

“But,” she adds, “best not at an intimate moment.”

What advice would you give this woman? Sound off in the comments section below…

www.queerty.com/cant-stop-thinking-boyfriends-gay-past-every-time-sex-together-20200511?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Senate Majority, Kim Petras, Ben Platt, Cher, Princeton, ’60 Minutes’, Jake Picking, Little Richard: HOT LINKS

Senate Majority, Kim Petras, Ben Platt, Cher, Princeton, ’60 Minutes’, Jake Picking, Little Richard: HOT LINKS

SENATE MAJORITY. Republicans are worried: “Compounding their anxiety are recent polls showing Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), a once-safe incumbent, now trailing his Democratic opponent, Gov. Steve Bullock, and Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), who was also seen as cruising to reelection, in a dead heat with Democrat Theresa Greenfield. Incumbent GOP Sens. Cory Gardner (Colo.) and Martha McSally (Ariz.) are well behind in the polls, while Sens. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) are in toss-up races.”

A PLAN. Savage ad contrasts Obama-Biden’s pandemic preparation with Trump-Pence’s.

Oh my. This is so good. pic.twitter.com/U2vtrhpjdf

— Matt Rogers 🎙 (@Politidope) May 11, 2020

AHMAUD ARBERY. Georgia attorney general requests federal probe of “black while jogging” murder: “We are committed to a complete and transparent review of how the Ahmaud Arbery case was handled from the outset,” Attorney General Chris Carr said in a statement. “The family, the community and the state of Georgia deserve answers, and we will work with others in law enforcement at the state and federal level to find those answers.”

JOE BIDEN. Washington Post op-ed slams Trump’s “baldfaced lie” about coronavirus testing: “It’s been more than two months since Trump claimed that ‘anybody that wants a test can get a test.’ It was a baldfaced lie when he said it, and it still isn’t remotely true. If we’re going to have thriving workplaces, restaurants, stores and parks, we need widespread testing. Trump can’t seem to provide it — to say nothing of worker safety protocols, consistent health guidelines or clear federal leadership to coordinate a responsible reopening.”

IVY LEAGUE SCHOLAR. Princeton has first black valedictorian in its 274-year history. “Nicholas Johnson, who was named valedictorian of Princeton’s Class of 2020, called the achievement especially significant, given Princeton’s struggle in recent years, like numerous other prestigious universities, to confront its troubled history with slavery.”

DISHONEST POLITICS. 60 Minutes dumps on Trump’s coronavirus response. “President Trump cut a coronavirus researcher’s funding after unsubstantiated claims that COVID-19 is either manmade or leaked from a Chinese lab.”

.@CBS and their show, @60Minutes, are doing everything within their power, which is far less today than it was in the past, to defend China and the horrible Virus pandemic that was inflicted on the USA and the rest of the World. I guess they want to do business in China!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 10, 2020

RUSSIA. Putin to “reopen” Russia despite spike in coronavirus cases making it fourth highest in world: “The Russian leader emphasised the lifting of restrictions would be gradual and that individual regions in the world’s largest country would need to tailor their approach to varying local conditions. Moscow for example has said it will keep its own lockdown measures in place until May 31.”

JIM PARSONS. Hollywood‘s Henry Willson has gone blonde.

JAKE PICKING. The Hollywood actor once played a shirtless frat bro opposite ac Efron and Robert De Niro.

JAKE GYLLENHAAL. On joining Instagram: “I came to the conclusion that nobody cares about anything any more, so I should join Instagram. Maybe it’s all part of the same thing. Everybody was taking everything a bit too seriously. Maybe I was taking myself a bit too seriously. I’m actually not that serious. I can be, but I actually am a fool. And it’s a great place to be that.”

MALE MODEL MONDAY. Michael Yerger, Luca Heubl, Jules Horn, Max Hamilton and more.

TRIBUTE OF THE DAY. Elton John calls Little Richard his biggest influence. “Without a doubt – musically, vocally and visually – he was my biggest influence. Seeing him live in my teens was the most exciting event in my life at that point. Goosebumps, electricity and joy came from every pore.”

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Without a doubt – musically, vocally and visually – he was my biggest influence. Seeing him live in my teens was the most exciting event in my life at that point. Goosebumps, electricity and joy came from every pore. His records still sound fresh and the opening few seconds of “Tutti Frutti” are the most explosive in music history. I was lucky enough to work with him for my “Duets” album in 1993. He was shy and funny and I was SO nervous. The track we recorded “The Power” is a favourite in my catalogue. We also played live at the Beverly Hilton and I felt like I’d died and gone to heaven. He influenced so many and is irreplaceable. A true legend, icon and a force of nature. #RIP Little Richard Love, Elton x #LittleRichard

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PETE GERACIMO. Adele’s former trainer defends singer’s dramatic weight loss. “My hope is that people appreciate the hard work that Adele has done to improve herself for the benefit to her and her family only. She did not lose the weight to make others feel bad about themselves. This personal transformation has nothing to do with me or you. It’s about Adele and how she wants to live her life. She has not changed from the Adele we grew up with and have loved. There is just a little less of her to go around.”

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As Adele’s former London-based personal trainer, it’s disheartening to read negative commentary and fat-phobic accusations questioning the genuineness of her amazing weight loss. In my personal experience of working with her through many highs and lows, she always marched to the beat of her own drum on her own terms. She never undermined her God-given talent in any way. She let her incredible voice do the talking, or should I say singing! She never once pretended to be something that she wasn’t. What you saw was what you got. And we all LOVED it! When Adele and I started our journey together, it was never about getting super skinny. It was about getting her healthy. Especially post pregnancy and post surgery. When 25 dropped and the tour announced, we had to get ready for a 13 month gruelling schedule. In that time, she warmed to training and made better food choices. As a result, she lost considerable weight and people took notice. Her body transformation was splashed across every media outlet. The attention it generated was mind-blowing. Since she moved to LA, it’s been well documented that she underwent some tough personal changes. It’s only natural that with change comes a new sense of self and wanting to be your best possible version. She embraced better eating habits and committed to her fitness and “is sweating”! I could not be prouder or happier for her! This metamorphosis is not for album sales, publicity or to be a role model. She is doing it for herself and for Angelo. My hope is that people appreciate the hard work that Adele has done to improve herself for the benefit to her and her family only. She did not lose the weight to make others feel bad about themselves. This personal transformation has nothing to do with me or you. It’s about Adele and how she wants to live her life. She has not changed from the Adele we grew up with and have loved. There is just a little less of her to go around. #adele #fabulous #strong #songbird #transformation #powerful #voice #love #rumorhasit #pt

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MUSIC VIDEO OF THE DAY. Cher – “Chiquitita” (Spanish Version).

TRAILER OF THE DAY. Control Z. “When a hacker begin to reveal all of the students’ secrets, El Nacional turns into a disaster. If the only way to protect your own secrets was to betray a friend, how far would you go?”

TEASER OF THE DAY. Homecoming, Season 2 featuring Janelle Monae.

MUSIC TRAILER OF THE DAY. Ben Platt Live from Radio City.

NEW TUNE OF THE DAY. Kim Petras “Malibu”.

MONDAY MUSCLE. Fabricio Ternes.

The post Senate Majority, Kim Petras, Ben Platt, Cher, Princeton, ’60 Minutes’, Jake Picking, Little Richard: HOT LINKS appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.


Senate Majority, Kim Petras, Ben Platt, Cher, Princeton, ’60 Minutes’, Jake Picking, Little Richard: HOT LINKS

Yuval David recovered from COVID-19 but is turned away from donating plasma in NYC

Yuval David recovered from COVID-19 but is turned away from donating plasma in NYC

CBS2

CBS New York ran a segment highlighting the story of Yuval David, a gay actor, filmmaker, and advocate in New York who was turned away from donating plasma after recovering from COVID-19 in March. GLAAD has been leading a campaign to urge the FDA to lift its discriminatory restrictions on gay and bi men donating blood and plasma, with its petition calling for an end to the current blood ban approaching 25,000 signatures.

Check out the full segment below:

In the segment, David discusses being sick with COVID-19 in mid-March, and then recovering from the illness in approximately a week. Once he felt back to normal, David wanted to donate blood, knowing that his body had developed antibodies that could be used to treat those struggling with the virus. David contacted the New York Blood Center and provided all the necessary information for him to donate blood. However, once he revealed that he was gay, married to a man, and had only been sexually active with his partner, the medical professional informed him that he would not be able to donate due to the FDA’s discriminatory restrictions on men who have sex with men (MSM) donating blood.

Tonight, I spoke on @cbsnews about how even as I tried to help others during this pandemic, I was discriminated against, because I am gay. Thank you @cbsnewyork and @tvcoryjames for sharing my story and the work @glaad and I are doing regarding the ban on… pic.twitter.com/K2xRDhpuvB

— Yuval David (@YuvalDavid) May 9, 2020

“I don’t fit the three-month abstinence policy, but why should I?” David said.

Yuval David also wrote about his story on Medium, where he recounts his experience with COVID-19, details being turned away from donating his plasma, and calls on the FDA to lift its discriminatory restrictions on gay and bi men donating blood.

On Friday, Brazil’s Supreme Court overturned restrictions that limit gay and bisexual men, and other LGBTQ people, from donating blood. The case was brought to the Supreme Court in 2016, but finally reached a majority decision on Friday when seven of eleven Supreme Court justices voted that the guidelines barring men who had sex with other men from giving blood were unconstitutional, ultimately ending any waiting time. Earlier this month, Hungary also removed its ban on gay and bi men donating blood.

On April 2nd, the FDA announced it revised its deferral time blood donations from gay and bisexual men from 12 months to 3 months. After the FDA’s revision, the American Medical Association called on the FDA to update its guidelines to be more in line with science: “We urge the FDA to take future steps to remove the categorical restrictions for blood donations by MSM so they are instead based on a person’s individual risk, consistent with the latest scientific evidence, to ensure blood donation criteria is equitably applied across all people.”

GLAAD launched a petition in March calling for an end to the current ban following U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams’ urgent call for donations during the COVID-19 crisis. The petition has over 24,000 signatures and elected officials including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Carolyn Maloney, Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and Sen. Kamala Harris have spoken out. Sam Smith (via IG story), Chasten Buttigieg, Michelle Visage (RuPaul’s Drag Race), Daniel Franzese (Mean Girls), Peppermint (RuPaul’s Drag Race), Margaret Cho, Nico Tortorella (Younger), Josh Feldman (This Close), and Johnny Sibilly (Pose) have also helped to share GLAAD’s petition on social media.

On May 7, the House Oversight Committee sent a letter urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to allow men who have sex with men (MSM) who have recovered from COVID-19 and can safely donate plasma in support of treatment research efforts to do so. The letter is signed by Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (the Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform), Rep. Jamie Raskin (the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties), and Committee Members Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Katie Porter, and Deb Haaland.

This letter from the House Committee follows an initial letter released by Chairwoman Maloney and Rep. Ocasio-Cortez on April 1, urging the FDA to revise its 12-month donor deferral policy for MSM in light of the negative long-term impacts coronavirus will have on the United States blood supply.

In April, an FDA spokesperson told Good Morning America: “the FDA is committed to considering alternatives to the time-based deferral for men who have sex with men by generating the scientific evidence that will support an effective individual risk assessment-based blood donor questionnaire.” The FDA also revealed to Good Morning America that it is “working to commence a pilot study that will enroll about 2000 men who have sex with men and who would be willing to donate blood.”

Following this news, GLAAD responded with a statement from President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis: “The FDA is placing American lives on the line as they debate stigma, not science. During the current crisis, the FDA is wasting time and money on a pilot study when all the scientific research and medical authorities plainly state that gay and bi man should not be restricted from donating blood. All blood donations, regardless of sexual orientation, are screened to ensure healthy samples and now the American Medical Association, leading elected officials, and more than 600 medical professionals have all done the work for the FDA and unequivocally state that this ban needs to end.”

In April, Attorney generals from 19 states and D.C. issued a letter to the Assistant Health Secretary, requesting that the FDA further loosen its ban on blood donations from gay and bisexual men. GLAAD also released an open letter penned by over 500 medical professionals calling on to the FDA “to reverse its unscientific and discriminatory ban against men who have sex with men (MSM) from donating blood in favor of risk-based screening.” The letter also notes that “the FDA’s recent decision to shorten the prohibition window to 3 months is a step in the right direction, [but] it does not go far enough in reversing the unscientific ban.”

GLAAD also thanked Andy Cohen for speaking out against the ban, after he was unable to donate plasma following his recovery from COVID-19:

Thank you @Andy for speaking out against the ban that prevents gay and bi men and others in the LGBTQ community from donating blood and plasma.

Sign our petition to #EndTheBloodBan: t.co/ucYj0CoOqW t.co/Hs46RpudLC

— GLAAD (@glaad) April 24, 2020

Following the launch of GLAAD’s petition in March, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin led a group of Senators, including Cory Booker, Sherrod Brown, Tammy Duckworth, Kamala Harris, Amy Klobuchar, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and more, in releasing a letter to FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn that raises concerns about the FDA’s discriminatory blood donation policies and urges the administration to make the necessary changes to help save lives. Read the full letter here.

Leading medical organizations have debunked the ban on blood donations for years. The American Public Health Association has stated that the current ban “is not based in science but appears to be modeled after other countries’ choices and fears.” The American Red Cross has also spoken out, noting that “blood donation eligibility should not be determined by methods that are based upon sexual orientation.” A 2014 study by the Williams Institute estimated that if the ban were to be lifted, an additional 360,000 men would likely donate, which could help save the lives of more than a million people.

May 11, 2020

www.glaad.org/blog/yuval-david-recovered-covid-19-turned-away-donating-plasma-nyc