If Prince Was A Homophobe, What Does That Make You?

If Prince Was A Homophobe, What Does That Make You?

prince thong

As you know, Prince is dead. Long live Prince, in our hearts and minds and iTunes libraries.

With the music icon’s untimely exit (alone in his Paisley Park elevator. Was he going up or down?) comes the ritual reading of the record, Prince’s purple book of life. He said a lot over a lifetime, in music and words and at legendary parties in Minneapolis, New York and LA.

When he was 23, he opened for the Rolling Stones. He strode out wearing a trench coat, dropped it and played his entire set in a black thong. That’s saying a lot.

He was booed off the stage, and we fell in love.

Later, Prince seemed ambivalent about the prospect of gay marriage. “So here’s how it is,” he told The New Yorker in 2008, some years after finding religion with Jehovah’s Witnesses. “‘You’ve got the Republicans, and basically they want to live according to this.’ He pointed to a Bible. ‘But there’s the problem of interpretation, and you’ve got some churches, some people, basically doing things and saying it comes from here, but it doesn’t. And then on the opposite end of the spectrum you’ve got blue, you’ve got the Democrats, and they’re, like, “You can do whatever you want.” Gay marriage, whatever. But neither of them is right.’”

This is an intelligent conversation looking at both sides of an issue. Respect.

So do we throw the diminutive brown baby that was Prince out with the bathwater when he respectfully disagrees with us? Sure, if you want a world without “Purple Rain,” “Controversy” and “Sugar Walls.

But that would be sad.

Prince wasn’t a homophobe, or a hypocrite, but maybe some other “gay-friendly” entertainers have been. Stick with them or drop them? With respect, here’s a list of nine candidates:

1. Matt Damon 2015

Matt-Damon-as-Mark-Watney-in-The-Martian

Poor Matt.

This very nice middle-aged straight white guy got into a lot of trouble when he tried to get all Stanislovski with a reporter for the Guardian: “I think you’re a better actor the less people know about you period. And sexuality is a huge part of that. Whether you’re straight or gay, people shouldn’t know anything about your sexuality because that’s one of the mysteries that you should be able to play.”

Sure, right, someone get Ellen on the phone.

“I know you,” said the gay Oprah after a hastily arranged appearance, “and I know you’re not that guy.”

On his knees (Hi there), and forgiven.

2. Madonna 2014

article-2612043-1D50D21800000578-472_634x665

Madonna has a great sense of humor. Like rap-loving white people who think they can freely call you “nigga,” she drops “gay” like she’s one of us. Oh wait, she’s actually done both.

In 2004, the Material Girl had a fun exchange with Entertainment Tonight host Mark Steines, who was wearing a vintage Madonna tee: “I can’t be seen with you dressed like that,” says Madge. “You’re a cowboy from the waist down, and you’re gay from the waist up. It’s a little bit weird.” As the two laugh, Steines protests, “You just called me gay!” Um, yeah, because you’re wearing a Madonna T-shirt.

Then in 2014, Madonna Mom praised kick-boxing son Rocco on Instagram with the hashtag #disnigga.

And the same year she called kale “gay”on Buzzfeed. Hilarious.

Keep her, even though she issued a formal apology for the former. Whatever. Words!

3. Britney Spears 2013

britney-spears-britney-jean

With the release of her comeback album Britney Jean, Spears took hits on all fronts. Single “Work Bitch” was variously described as craven gay marketing “designed to keep u fags on ecstasy blasting garbage music till 6 am,” and worse, “tacky”, while Spears revealed the her truth about hair and makeup gays: “A lot of my hairstylists and my beauty team that I work with are gay so I hang out with gays a lot and I just think they’re adorable and hilarious.” They better be, you’re paying them.

In another interview, she described her gay fans as “somewhat girls,” probably her hair team.

She’s a ding-dong. Why did you like her in the first place?

4. Paris Hilton 2012

paris coachella

Hilton is the most egregious example of gay-baiting celebrity hypocrisy. In 2012, a cab driver recorded Hilton and a friend discussing Grindr, inspiring the celebutante to describe gay men as “disgusting,” “the horniest people in the world,” and fated to all “like, die of AIDS.” Nice.

Get her out.

5. Kobe Bryant 2010

Kobe_Bryant_Sprite

Bryant isn’t exactly Liza Minnelli when it comes to a gay fan base, but we’ve always considered the super-talented, clean-cut and philandering shooting guard to be a genuinely nice guy. So when he screamed “fucking faggot” at a ref, it was, um, unfortunate, costing Bryant a very public apology and a $100,000 fine. It also set in motion a dedicated effort in and around the NBA to promote tolerance, see Jason Collins, so yay.

Thanks, Kobe! Let’s hang out.

6. Jay Leno 2008

Jay-Leno-Last-Episode-Tonight-Show-1024x1024

Jay Leno is another genuinely nice guy without any particular gay fan base (or straight one, for that matter) who got into trouble for being just too down. Interviewing adorable Ryan Philippe in 2008, Leno reminded his audience that the actor broke out playing a gay teen on soap One Life to Live. “Pretend the camera is your gay lover. Can you give me your gayest look?”

No? C’mon, it’s Jay! He’s being funny!

Awkwardness and a swift apology followed. Since he’s not really working, you don’t have to dump him.

7. Elton John 2008

elton mirror 2

Not all gays came around quickly to the idea of gay marriage. Like lots of ladies and gentlemen of his generation, Sir Elton and “partner” David Furnish had to come around to the idea. Here’s what John told USA Today in 2008. “I don’t want to be married. I’m very happy with a civil partnership. If gay people want to get married, or get together, they should have a civil partnership. The word marriage, I think, puts a lot of people off. You get the same equal rights that we do when we have a civil partnership. Heterosexual people get married. We can have civil partnerships.”

By 2012, John had evolved: “There is a world of difference between calling someone your ‘partner’ and calling them your ‘husband’. ‘Partner’ is a word that should be preserved for people you play tennis with, or work alongside in business. It doesn’t come close to describing the love that I have for David, and he for me. In contrast, ‘husband’ does.”

Say it like you mean it. The couple married in 2014.

Give up “Daniel?” Never.

8. Bette Midler  2003

bette_midler06

She played the Continental Baths in the ’70s. She was roommates with Bruce Vilanch. She’s one of the bluest and gayest performers you’ll ever see on stage.

But the claws came out in 2003 when Midler, like Prince a few years later, talked publicly about gay marriage, with Larry King of all people, based on her own life experience. “Should gay people be allowed to marry? That’s a really good question.” Following was a candid conversation about civil rights, monogamy, commitment, promiscuity and human nature. The 60-something Midler wasn’t against gay marriage; she was wrapping her head around it, and sharing it with the world.

If you’d seen the interview, it all made sense. Enter Margaret Cho:

“Of course I didn’t see that shit, but supposedly Bette Midler said on Larry King that same sex marriage doesn’t look like it would work because gay men are so promiscuous that they would just be cheating on each other constantly. That is a fucked thing to say.” Cho flames on about some “shit” she didn’t see that Bette Midler “supposedly” said. Ridic.

Bette, you stay. Cho, you’re out.

9. Bob Hope 1988

Toluca-Lake-home-of-Bob-Hope-for-sale-for-23-million

It was 1988, Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show, and Hope, the octogenarian comedy legend and record-setting Oscar host, called someone a “fag” for wearing a colorful tie.

Enter GLAAD, formed just 4 years earlier, who pressured Hope into recording a PSA to atone, a model for the organization right up to today. Also, he paid for it.

Thanks, for the memory, Bob. You were a class act, fags notwithstanding.

Times change, and people do, too.

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Manscaping Tips from Max Emerson and Kyle Krieger: WATCH

Manscaping Tips from Max Emerson and Kyle Krieger: WATCH

manscaping

Those of you who plan to spend the weekend shaving your nether regions may want to watch this video first. You also may want to watch it if you’ve ever had a pubic hair stuck in your teeth.

Kyle Krieger and Max Emerson talk about their worst grooming experiences and what not to do. These things include sticking sharp objects and clippers in places they shouldn’t be, leaving hair in places bedbugs can hide, waxing your chest, and removing your stomach hair with a laser.

The rules are also different when you’re approaching your daddy bear years.

Find out the best positions for trimming your bum and more, below:

The post Manscaping Tips from Max Emerson and Kyle Krieger: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.



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Ricardo Alex – Sereno Fotografia -27

Ricardo Alex – Sereno Fotografia -27

serenofotografia posted a photo:

Ricardo Alex - Sereno Fotografia -27

Sereno é um projeto que quer trazer mais empoderamento, diversidade e arte para a nossa cultura, com ensaios fotográficos que retratam a beleza do masculino.

Queremos bater de frente com a cultura que a nossa sociedade quer impor de que o “certo” é ser homem cis hétero branco cristão. Ao mesmo tempo também queremos questionar o uso exagerado e cansativo da figura feminina na mídia como objeto de desejo para agradar uma sociedade masculina, machista e heteronormativa.

É muito importante para nós que o resultado final de nossos trabalhos reflitam o interior de quem está sendo fotografado. Queremos conhecer a sua personalidade, sua identidade de gênero, sua filosofia, seus sonhos, seus medos. Queremos mostrar que não precisamos de padrões na nossa sociedade. Não precisamos de definições. Simplesmente somos, simplesmente nos sentimos e nos percebemos desta forma.

www.serenofotografia.com
facebook.com/fotografiasereno
Instagram:
@serenofotografia
@guilhermemarquesphoto

Sereno is a project that wants to bring more empowerment, diversity and art for our culture, with photo essays that depict the beauty of the male.

We want to go up against the culture that our society wants to impose the “right” is a man cis straight white Christian. At the same time we also want to question the exaggerated and tiresome use of the female figure in the media as an object of desire to please a male society, sexist and heteronormative.

It is very important to us that the end result of our work reflect the interior of the one being photographed. We want to know their personality, their gender identity, your philosophy, your dreams, your fears. We want to show that we do not have standards in our society. We do not need definitions. Simply we simply felt and realized in this way.

www.serenofotografia.com
facebook.com/fotografiasereno
Instagram:
@serenofotografia
@guilhermemarquesphoto

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John Kasich Confronted by San Francisco Voter: ‘Are People Born Gay?’

John Kasich Confronted by San Francisco Voter: ‘Are People Born Gay?’

John Kasich gay

At a Commonwealth Club of California town hall on Friday, John Kasich was confronted by 62-year-old Kelly Bryan, who asked the Ohio governor and presidential candidate whether he believes that people are born gay.

“Do you believe that some people are born gay?” asked Bryan. “Gay people are human beings and not a lifestyle choice. Please respond without prayer being an answer.”

Kasich responded with his thoughts about religion, and then offered a suggestion about “religious freedom” bills that he’s been using for weeks on the campaign trail:

“In terms of me, I don’t believe in discrimination. I think there is a balance, however, between discrimination and people’s religious liberties. But I think we should just try to, like, take a chill pill, relax, and try to get along with one another a little bit better instead of trying to write some law to solve a problem that doesn’t frankly exist in big enough numbers to justify more lawmaking.”

Kelly replied: “Republicans don’t believe in marriage equality. It’s your platform.”

“Is it?” Kasich asked. “I haven’t read that thing lately.”

“Well you should know what you’re doing,” demanded Kelly.

“They don’t tell me what to do by the platform. Republican Party is my vehicle not my master,” Kasich shot back, getting applause from the audience.

Kasich adds that he believes in traditional marriage but he recently went to a gay wedding

Interjected Bryan: “But do you know that people are born gay?

“I’m not going to get into the analysis of this or that,” Kasich replied.

“It’s not analysis. Are people born gay?” Bryan insisted.

“Probably? I don’t know how it all works. Are they? In all probability, they are. You have free regular rights. We’re not denying you any rights. I’m not in Ohio. I’m not out to discriminate against you.. I think you should have as good a life as anybody else.”

Kasich issued an executive order in 2011 protecting state workers based on sexual orientation, thought there is no similar protection for gender identity. There is not protection for LGBT workers outside of state employment. Ohio also has no protection for LGBT people under current state hate crime laws.

On “religious freedom”, Kasich added:

“If I saw this was becoming a huge problem, then we might have to write a law. But every time someone writes a law around this subject, guess what happens? You have to rewrite the law cause they never get it write. So let’s just respect one another a little more.

“Do I think people are born gay? Probably. I’ve never studied the issue. But I don’t see any reason to hurt you, or discriminate you, or make you feel bad, or make you feel like a second class citizen. I don’t think that’s right. Cause you know what? Everybody’s created in the image of the Lord.”

Watch:

CNN adds:

Kelly, a Democrat who said he will vote for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, told CNN Kasich’s answer “was not really an answer” and that he had asked the question because he was concerned with recent state laws written to protect religious freedom that some view as discriminatory against the LGBT community.

The post John Kasich Confronted by San Francisco Voter: ‘Are People Born Gay?’ appeared first on Towleroad.



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CJ Cregg, Zika, Bare Midriff, Trump’s Ditch, Mike Pence, Flush HB 2: NEWS

CJ Cregg, Zika, Bare Midriff, Trump’s Ditch, Mike Pence, Flush HB 2: NEWS

BARTLET FOR AMERICA. Claudia Jean Cregg makes her triumphant return to the White House press briefing room.

.@AllisonBJanney
AKA CJ Cregg
AKA Bonnie on @MomCBS
drops by the White House press briefing. t.co/TK4NJ7TEyM

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 29, 2016

DAYTIME. Anderson Cooper says co-hosting Live! with Kelly Rippa would be a “dream” job. 

DEMOCRATS. Should Democratic primaries be open or closed in the future? 

SPORTS. 20-yeard-old running back Ezekiel Elliott from The Ohio State made a bold move at the NFL draft, showing off a bare midriff on the red carpet.

HEALTH. First reported U.S. death from Zika virus confirmed: “The victim, a [Puerto Rican] man in his 70s, died in February from internal bleeding as a result of a rare immune reaction to an earlier Zika infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Puerto Rico now has 683 confirmed Zika infections in its outbreak, which began in December; 89 are in pregnant women, according to Dr. Ana Ríus, the territory’s health secretary. Fourteen of those women have given birth, and all their babies are healthy, she said.”

CALIFORNIA. Protesters show up in force at CA GOP convention to try and stop Donald Trump from entering. Secret Service outmaneuver protesters and get Trump into the event by having the candidate climb through a ditch.

Incredible. @realDonaldTrump avoids protesters via highway shoulder, ditch behind hotel to enter CA @GOP event t.co/qAAxwfNTbG

— Errol Barnett (@ErrolCNN) April 29, 2016

LAW. The US Department of Justice is reviewing requests to warn North Carolina that HB 2 threatens $4.5 billion in federal funding: “The letter, sent to Attorney General Loretta Lynch and to the White House Counsel, requests they ‘make definitively clear that wholesale requirements of sex discrimination like HB 2 will put federal funding at risk.’ The groups behind the missive are The American Civil Liberties Union, GLBT Legal Advocates & Defenders, Lambda Legal, National Center for Lesbian Rights, and the Transgender Law Center.”

TECH. Apple agrees to try and extract data from iPhone belonging to one of two missing teens who disappeared off the Florida coast: “The phone was found waterlogged, cracked and covered in barnacles — presumably damaged for the past eight months. The families believe it could contain clues — text and social media messages and other clues — concerning the friends’ disappearance.”

14-year-olds Austin Stephanos (L) and Perry Cohen are showing in this handout provided by the United States Coast Guard in Miami, Florida, July 26, 2015. Courtesy U.S. Coast Guard/Handout via REUTERS

14-year-olds Austin Stephanos (L) and Perry Cohen are showing in this handout provided by the United States Coast Guard in Miami, Florida, July 26, 2015. Courtesy U.S. Coast Guard/Handout via REUTERS

 

WORLD. Pentagon has punished 16 individuals responsible for mistakenly bombing Doctors Without Borders Hospital in Afghanistan: “The punishments for the Oct. 3 attack, which killed 42 people, will be ‘administrative actions’ only, and none of those being disciplined will face criminal charges because the attack was determined to be unintentional. The punishments include suspension and removal from command as well as letters of reprimand, which can seriously damage or end a career.”

GOP. Mike Pence endorses Ted Cruz in the most ‘let me hedge my bets’ way possible: “I’m not against anybody, but I will be voting for Ted Cruz in the Republican primary.”

‘BATHROOM BILLS.’ North Carolina ad agency wants to flush HB 2: “‘We think it’s time to flush North Carolina’s House Bill 2, and we think you probably agree with us,’ Durham-based agency McKinney said in a statement to The Huffington Post, accompanied by a customized roll of TP. ‘To make that safer for city plumbing, we’ve printed the entire bill on rolls of toilet paper.’”

HB 2

Via Huffington Post

 

TRANS RIGHTS. Petition launched to show support for Target’s trans-inclusive bathroom policy.

INSTAHUNK. Meet Gustavo Hernandez.

Instagram Photo

Instagram Photo

Instagram Photo

The post CJ Cregg, Zika, Bare Midriff, Trump’s Ditch, Mike Pence, Flush HB 2: NEWS appeared first on Towleroad.



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