LGBTQ+ Orgs: We Must Do More to End Racism, Racial Violence

More than 70 groups signed on to an open letter in light of the death of George Floyd and other recent horrific incidents.

www.advocate.com/news/2020/5/29/lgbtq-orgs-we-must-do-more-end-racism-racial-violence

The Weekend Binge: Ben Whishaw in a terrifying spy mystery

Welcome to Queerty’s latest entry in our series, Queerantined: Daily Dose. Every weekday as long as the COVID-19 pandemic has us under quarantine, we’ll release a suggested bit of gloriously queer entertainment designed to keep you from getting stir crazy in the house. Each weekend, we will also suggest a binge-able title to keep you extra engaged.

The Paranoid: London Spy

Writer Tom Rob Smith enchanted audiences with his take on the Gianni Versace murder with American Crime Story: Versace. For anyone looking to experience Smith at his best–and most daring–check out this BBC series starring British heartthrob Ben Whishaw. In the limited series, Whishaw plays Danny, a former prostitute and party boy in the process of turning his life around. When he meets Alex (Edward Holcroft), a studious nerd, he feels an instant attraction. Just as the two fall in love, Alex turns up dead, and evidence appears to from Danny for the murder. Danny then embarks on a dark and disturbing journey into a world of secret agents, lies and murder to discover Alex’s true killer and clear his name.

Whishaw gives a stellar performance in the lead, a role that requires him to be on camera virtually the entire runtime of the series. He manages to suggest a certain tenderness and intelligence in Danny that other actors might have lacked, and that elevates London Spy beyond a simple revenge mystery into a moving romance. Fans of the James Bond series will also delight in seeing Whishaw–a fixture of the series–stepping into the role of the spy-action hero. Likewise, Holcroft gives a fine supporting turn, as do Jim Broadbent (as an aging queen-mentor of Danny’s) and Charlotte Rampling as a chilling, complex villain. Smith’s writing gives the story a tense and rapid pace, and heaps brutal plot twists on his leading character. London Spy ain’t for the faint of heart, but for those that stomach its plunges, it’s one addictive ride.

Streams on Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, iTunes and VUDU.

www.queerty.com/weekend-binge-ben-whishaw-terrifying-spy-mystery-20200529?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Black Trans Man Tony McDade Killed by Police in Florida

Police say McDade had fatally stabbed another man and pointed a gun at the officer — but activists are calling his death an example of police violence.

www.advocate.com/crime/2020/5/29/black-trans-man-tony-mcdade-killed-police-florida

Lori Lightfoot just said “F You” to Donald Trump during a press conference

Lori Lightfoot did not mince words during a press conference this afternoon when asked by reporters how she feels about Donald Trump.

Speaking from the podium, the first-ever Black lesbian mayor of Chicago accused Trump of trying to “foment violence” after he called for “thugs” (his word) protesting the death of George Floyd to be shot in the streets.

“We see the game he’s playing because it’s so transparent,” Lightfoot seethed, “and he’s not very good at it.”

“He wants to show failures on the part of Democratic local leaders to throw red meat to his base. His goal is to polarize, to destabilize local government and inflame racist urges. And we can absolutely not let him prevail.”

Then came the kicker: “I will code what I really want to say to Donald Trump. It’s two words: It begins with F and ends with YOU.”

Lightfoot then demanded an apology from Trump for his racist behavior and poor leadership.

Asked whether she was concerned about him withholding federal assistance to Chicago after her harsh rebuke, Lightfoot replied: “What I’m concerned about is a president of the United States using his bully pulpit to foment violence, that’s what I’m concerned about.”

And asked whether maybe she should follow the wise words of former first lady Michelle Obama when she said “When they go low, we go high,” Lightfoot responded: “I’m not Michelle Obama.”

We stan.

Watch.

Related: Taylor Swift just burned Donald Trump on Twitter and OMG it was epic

www.queerty.com/lori-lightfoot-just-said-f-donald-trump-press-conference-20200529?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Officer Kept Knee on George Floyd’s Neck for Nearly 3 Minutes After He Was Non-Responsive

Authorities in Minneapolis on Friday afternoon released a criminal complaint against officer Derek Chauvin, who has been arrested and charged with third-degree murder in the death of unarmed black man George Floyd.

Among other things, the document reveals that Chauvin kept his knee on Floyd’s neck for a total of eight minutes and 46 seconds. For the final two minutes and 53 seconds, Floyd was non-responsive.

“The defendant pulled Mr. Floyd out of the passenger side of the squad car at 8:19:38 p.m. and Mr. Floyd went to the ground face down and still handcuffed,” the complaint says. “[Officer] Kueng held Mr. Floyd’s back and [Officer] Lane held his legs. The defendant placed his left knee in the area of Mr. Floyd’s head and neck. Mr. Floyd said, ‘I can’t breathe’ multiple times and repeatedly said, ‘Mama’ and ‘please,’ as well. The defendant and the other two officers stayed in their positions. The officers said, ‘You are talking fine’ to Mr. Floyd as he continued to move back and forth. Lane asked, ‘should we roll him on his side?’ and the defendant said, ‘No, staying put where we got him.’ Officer Lane said, ‘I am worried about excited delirium or whatever.’ The defendant said, ‘That’s why we have him on his stomach.’ None of the three officers moved from their positions.

“BWC video shows Mr. Floyd continue to move and breathe. At 8:24:24, Mr. Floyd stopped moving,” the complaint continues. “At 8:25:31 the video appears to show Mr. Floyd ceasing to breathe or speak. Lane said, ‘want to roll him on his side.’ Kueng checked Mr. Floyd’s right wrist for a pulse and said, ‘I couldn’t find one.’ None of the officers moved from their positions. At 8:27:24, the defendant removed his knee from Mr. Floyd’s neck. An ambulance and emergency medical personnel arrived, the officers placed Mr. Floyd on a gurney, and the ambulance left the scene. Mr. Floyd was pronounced dead at Hennepin County Medical Center. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner (ME) conducted Mr. Floyd’s autopsy on May 26, 2020. The full report of the ME is pending but the ME has made the following preliminary findings. The autopsy revealed no physical findings that support a diagnosis of traumatic asphyxia or strangulation. Mr. Floyd had underlying health conditions including coronary artery disease and hypertensive heart disease. The combined effects of Mr. Floyd being restrained by the police, his underlying health conditions and any potential intoxicants in his system likely contributed to his death. The defendant had his knee on Mr. Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds in total. Two minutes and 53 seconds of this was after Mr. Floyd was non-responsive. Police are trained that this type of restraint with asubject in a prone position is inherently dangerous.”

Read the full complaint below.

Derek Chauvin Complaint by John Wright on Scribd

The post Officer Kept Knee on George Floyd’s Neck for Nearly 3 Minutes After He Was Non-Responsive appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Officer Kept Knee on George Floyd’s Neck for Nearly 3 Minutes After He Was Non-Responsive

HRC Mourns the Loss of Dr. Ron Simmons, LGBTQ Academic, Advocate & Public Health Leader

Today, the Human Rights Campaign released the following statement in response to the passing of Dr. Ron Simmons.

“Dr. Ron Simmons was a leader who showed so many in our movement that the fight for full equality does not begin or end with one aspect of our lives, but requires us to support each other fully and holistically,” said Human Rights Campaign President Alphonso David. “Dr. Simmons made combating the HIV epidemic his life’s calling, and he was tireless in his efforts to demand justice and equity for Black and Brown communities who tragically continue to be the most impacted by HIV — especially Black gay and bi+ men, and Black transgender women. We join Dr. Simmons’ loved ones in mourning, while we celebrate his invaluable legacy that will no doubt inspire and guide generations of activists and advocates to come.”

“Dr. Simmons was a visionary who believed in training for leadership,” said Human Rights Campaign Director of HIV & Health Equity J. Maurice McCants-Pearsall. “He was single-handedly responsible for providing many of the nation’s leading HIV advocates with their first job. His leadership not only changed the lives of countless Black gay and bisexual men, but his vision transformed the Petworth neighborhood of Washington, D.C., by expanding access to vital HIV prevention and care services.”

In 1992, after a distinguished career at Howard University, Dr. Simmons joined Us Helping Us, People Into Living, Inc., as Executive Director. Along with the Board of Directors, Dr. Simmons transformed Us Helping Us into the first and only African American founded, community-based AIDS service organization for Black gay and bi+ men in Washington, D.C. After a long and productive career, Dr. Simmons retired from Us Helping Us in 2016.

In addition to his work on the front lines of the fight to end the HIV epidemic, Dr. Simmons was a storied author and scholar. Dr. Simmons’ published works include: “Some Thoughts on the Challenges Facing Black Gay Intellectuals” in Brother To Brother: New Writings By Black Gay Men; “Sexuality, Television and Death: A Black Gay Dialogue On Malcolm X” in Malcolm X: In Our Own Image; “Baraka’s Dilemma: To Be Or Not To Be” in Black Men on Race, Gender and Sexuality; “The Voice” in For Colored Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Still Not Enough; and “Joe, Essex, Marlon, and Me” in Black Gay Genius: Answering Joseph Beam’s Call.

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-mourns-the-loss-of-dr.-ron-simmons-lgbtq-academic-advocate-public-healt?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed