This hunky gay weatherman was just fired from his job for standing up to anti-lockdown protestors

Sven Sundgaard is a beloved weatherman and gay vlogger from Minneapolis. Or at least he was until last week when he was abruptly fired from his job at KARE-11 for calling out a gang of angry, far-right, anti-lockdown protesters on Facebook.

39-year-old Sundgaard, who is one of highest profile LGBTQ people in the Twin Cities, was let go from his job of 14 years after he shared a post on Facebook from Michael Adam Latz, a rabbi from Minneapolis, who called the protesters “white nationalist Nazi sympathizer gun fetishist miscreants.”

The dissidents had congregated outside Democratic Gov. Tim Walz’s residence on April 17 at the urging of Donald Trump, who tweeted to “Liberate Minnesota” earlier in the day.

One protester in particular carried a large sign with an image of Gov. Walz wearing Hitler mustache and the word “Fuhrer” written over his head.

Sundgaard shared Latz’s post but deleted it a short while later. But not before a group of right-wing activists saw it and, of course, demanded he be fired from his job.

Then last Friday, KARE-TV announced it was bending to the anti-lockdown protestors demands and letting its beloved weatherman go “due to continued violations of KARE11’s news ethics and other policies.”

“Due to continued violations of KARE11’s news ethics and other policies, we have made the decision to part ways with Sven Sundgaard,” the station said in a statement. “We hope you continue to turn to KARE 11 for your news, traffic, weather and more.”

Unfortunately for the network, its decision to abandon one of its most beloved personalities and a faithful employee of 14 years has not gone over well with many of its viewers.

“I am on the side of science and Sven,” one person commented. “Due to the poor ethics of KARE 11, I have decided to part ways with KARE 11.”

“Sven was part of the reason I watched Kare11,” another said, “so I’ll just choose another network for my news.”

“Sad that a weatherman is held to a higher standard than our current president,” a third person wrote.

On Tuesday, Sundgaard made his first public remarks since his dismissal.

“Hello everyone, I see you, I hear you, I love you all!” he wrote in a Facebook post. “I first want to thank those who have supported and followed me throughout my time at KARE 11. And, I am especially grateful to those who have sent supportive and kind messages over the last several days.”

He went on to say that he “disagrees” with why he was fired and is “considering my options at this time.”

We’re definitely going to continue following this story and will keep you abreast with any updates. In the meantime, here are some pics from Sven’s Instagram page to tide you over…

Related: Kansas City weatherman comes out as a hot, gay muscle daddy

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Shopper Goes Ballistic Over Mask Rule in Miami Beach: ‘This is a False Flag Fake Pandemic! You’re Terrorists! F–k You!’ (WATCH)

A would-be shopper and apparent COVID-19 truther went absolutely ballistic on Sunday after being denied entry to a Publix grocery store in Miami Beach because he wasn’t wearing a face covering.

The man’s profanity-laced rant was captured on the body camera of a code enforcement officer.

Man trying to shop at Miami Beach Publix without mask goes on profanity-laced rant about “false flag fake pandemic” at code enforcement officer #BecauseMiami pic.twitter.com/r3d5z59vIb

— Billy Corben (@BillyCorben) May 7, 2020

“This is a false flag fake pandemic,” the man screams in the video. “You are in violation of my f–kin’ constitutional rights and my civil rights. I’ve already f–kin’ warned you. F–kin’ expect it. I’m filing a f–kin’ class-action lawsuit. You can take your fake f–kin’ global terroristic false flag attack and shove it up your motherf–kin’ ass. You’re terrorists. You’re in violation of my constitutional and civil rights. Fuck you, motherf–ker. There’s no pandemic. I’m filing a f–kin’ lawsuit. I have a right to buy groceries without being forced to participate in your f–ckin’ terrorism. F–k you.”

As the man starts to walk away, the code enforcement officer says, “Excuse me. you need to wear a mask. Do you understand that, to come in the store?”

“You’re violating my constitutional rights,” the man replies.

“OK, well this is private property,” the officer says.

“This private property has food,” the man yells. “I have a right to buy food without being forced to participate in a fake global false flag pandemic. There’s no pandemic. F–k you. You motherf–kers are going to get f–kin’ mass arrested and f–kin’ executed for f–kin’ terrorism. F–k you!”

CBSMiami reports: While the video shows an extreme scenario, the Miami Beach city manager says they’ve seen other hostile reactions toward their employees and law enforcement officers. … After 7,300 verbal warnings were issued for people not wearing masks at parks over the weekend, the popular South Pointe Park, where a majority of those were given, was closed Monday. … Instead of responding to officers like the one in the Publix video, Mayor Gelber says we should be thanking them. “They’re only trying to keep communities safer by letting people know what’s in their best interest to keep their families safer,” he said. “We shouldn’t be screaming, we should be thanking them, complying with these very clear regulations because they’re intended to save lives.”

The post Shopper Goes Ballistic Over Mask Rule in Miami Beach: ‘This is a False Flag Fake Pandemic! You’re Terrorists! F–k You!’ (WATCH) appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Shopper Goes Ballistic Over Mask Rule in Miami Beach: ‘This is a False Flag Fake Pandemic! You’re Terrorists! F–k You!’ (WATCH)

#AM_Equality: May 7, 2020

ICMYI — HRC ENDORSES JOE BIDEN FOR PRESIDENT: The endorsement comes on the 8th anniversary of Biden’s endorsement of marriage equality in an interview on Meet the Press. “Vice President Joe Biden is the leader our community and our country need at this moment,” said HRC President Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid). More from HRC, NewNowNext and MSNBC. 

• Last night, Vice President Biden joined David in an HRC Joe Biden Fireside Chat to discuss what is at stake for the LGBTQ community in the 2020 election. “There’s been an epidemic of violence against trans women, particularly trans women of color,” said Biden. “Hatred and bigotry weren’t born when Trump took office but let’s be clear he’s giving it safe harbor.” Watch the fireside chat here.

HRC ENDORSES THE NATIONAL DISASTER AND EMERGENCY BALLOT ACT OF 2020: “The right to vote is a fundamental part of our democracy,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “Congress must act to help states keep voters safe and encourage participation in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.” More from HRC. 

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. Congress must act to help states keep voters safe and encourage participation in the face of #COVID19.

We are proud to join @VotoLatino and partner organizations in this effort. ⤵️ t.co/DR3XjXB8Xy

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) May 7, 2020

THANKFUL THURSDAY — GAMBIER, OH ADOPTS NON-DISCRIMINATION PROTECTIONS FOR LGBTQ PEOPLE: More from Mount Vernon News. 

BREAKING: Gambier becomes the 29th city in Ohio to pass comprehensive protections for LGBTQ people. Congrats to the city’s queer comunity on their hard-fought victory. �� ��️‍�� t.co/uUynoKCotd

— HRC in Ohio (@HRC_OH) May 5, 2020

HRC JOINS OVER 50 CIVIL RIGHTS GROUP TO SEND LETTER DEMANDING MITCH MCCONNEL TO HALT “DANGEROUS AND IRRESPONSIBLE” JUDICIAL NOMINATIONS AMID PANDEMIC: “The Senate must use its time to address the growing concerns of a nation confronting increasing death and illness, severely high unemployment, rampant food insecurity, insufficient access to health care, and long-term economic uncertainty,” reads the letter. More from Newsweek. 

HRC SENDS LETTER TO OPPOSE THE NOMINATION OF JUSTIN WALKER FOR THE U.S. COURT OF APPEALS: More from HRC. 

Amidst a pandemic, Justin Walker’s opposition to the Affordable Care Act threatens access to health care for millions of Americans. @HRC is strongly against his nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. t.co/SWn3ca82R6 pic.twitter.com/QsShjGAkMU

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) May 7, 2020

U.S. LAWMAKERS CALL FOR DATA COLLECTION ON LGBTQ PATIENTS IMPACTED BY COVID-19: “We are facing a global public health crisis, and as in all emergencies, the most marginalized are at increased risk,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “It is important to know and understand the unique impact of the virus on the LGBTQ community so that we can prepare to weather this crisis as we have weathered crises before.” More from Reuters.

GET CULTURED – Entertainment, arts and sports news!

EASTSIDERS STAR KIT WILLIAMSON ON QUEER REPRESENTATION ON TV: LGBTQ CHARACTERS “SAVED MY LIFE”: More from People. 

READING RAINBOW – Bookmark now to read on your lunch break!
Good Morning America shares a heartwarming meeting between Billy Porter (@theeBillyPorter) and a nurse who is at the frontlines fighting COVID-19

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-may-7-2020?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Netflix shoots down criticism it features too many gay characters

During this time of lockdown, more of us than ever before are turning to streaming services such as Netflix for entertainment. And thankfully, the streamer has plenty of LGBTQ-flavored characters amongst its shows and documentaries. In fact, a few too many for some people – prompting the perfect response from the media giant.

One Twitter user took to Twitter this week to post a meme complaining about the amount of LGBTQ representation on Netflix.

The meme from @AdamSB___ was a screenshot from animated show SpongeBob SquarePants. Patrick Star (labeled “Netflix”) is seen force-feeding a pumpkin (“an unnecessary gay character”) to Spongebob (“any new series”).

Every damn new series pic.twitter.com/zLJstwiThm

— Chilambo (@AdamSB___) May 5, 2020

That tweet has – disturbingly – had more than 117k likes and more than 30k retweets. It also brought out the homophobes to comment.

“They Promoting that Sh*t they want society to accept it and start Viewing it as normal as a way of life…” responded @Chinwike_LFC.

They Promoting that Sh*t they want society to accept it and start Viewing it as normal as a way of life…

— Chinwike (@Chinwike_LFC) May 5, 2020

Related: WATCH: Jeremy Pope, Jim Parsons & Jake Picking dish on the ‘Hollywood’ casting couch

Fortunately, when the tweet began to gain traction, many others came to the streamer’s defense.

“So straight characters are normal but gay characters are unnecessary?” countered @femmenart. “The whole point of representation is to normalize it because being gay is normal and so it isn’t unnecessary, its important and is no less ‘necessary’ than straight characters.”

so straight characters are normal but gay characters are unnecessary? the whole point of representation is to normalize it because being gay is normal and so it isn’t unnecessary, its important and is no less “necessary” than straight characters

— chelsea (@femmenart) May 5, 2020

Personally I dislike all the unnecessary straight and cis people

— Disgusting hive of sin puppyphobic (@T0YB0NNIE) May 5, 2020

Netflix itself has now chimed in. Its official Twitter account tweeted a response to the original tweet, saying, “Sorry you have yet to realize that every gay person is very necessary.”

sorry you have yet to realize that every gay person is very necessary t.co/xTOEcLWryc

— Netflix (@netflix) May 6, 2020

Its tweet has had over 360k likes and 60k retweets at the time of writing.

Related: Queer Eye renewed for season six at Netflix

Not wishing to be overlooked, even Prime Video, from Amazon, signaled its support for LGBTQ representation – responding to Netflix’s tweet with a gif of Spongebob and a rainbow.

pic.twitter.com/3l6AM7S6y1

— Prime Video (@PrimeVideo) May 6, 2020

Others were quick to roll their eyes at the original poster’s tweet.

Oh, poor straight people and their lack of representation in the media, right?

— Rao (@RaonyPhillips) May 6, 2020

Some Netflix shows also responded.

— The Most (@Most) May 6, 2020

As did Netflix social media accounts in other territories.

Oui.

— Netflix France (@NetflixFR) May 7, 2020

Whilst we’re all looking for show recommendations to pass the time, feel free to namecheck your favorite LGBTQ characters and Netflix shows in the comments below.

www.queerty.com/netflix-shoots-criticism-features-many-gay-characters-20200507?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Senator Richard Burr and His Brother-in-Law Dumped Stock on the Same Day. Then the Market Crashed.

ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox.

The post Senator Richard Burr and His Brother-in-Law Dumped Stock on the Same Day. Then the Market Crashed. appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Senator Richard Burr and His Brother-in-Law Dumped Stock on the Same Day. Then the Market Crashed.