By Wilton Jackson Free agent defensive end Carl Nassib announced his NFL retirement on Wednesday morning after seven seasons. Nassib, who played for the Browns, Buccaneers twice and the Raiders, shared a heartfelt post on Instagram post, saying that he could “hang up his helmet for the last time” knowing that he gave the sport everything he had. “This is a bittersweet moment for me,” Nassib wrote. … Growing up I loved how fun football was. I loved the pursuit of perfection. I loved the small window where every player has to chase their dreams. …I really feel like the luckiest guy on the planet…

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A co-founder of Moms for Liberty, the controversial parent group known for fighting mask mandates and pushing book bans in public schools, was appointed Wednesday to the Florida Commission on Ethics by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Tina Descovich was one of two people DeSantis appointed Wednesday to the nine-member commission, which serves as “the guardian of conduct for officers and employees of Florida and its political subdivisions.” The commission investigates complaints of “breach of the public trust by public officers and employees.” The commission faced its own ethics controversy this summer, howe…

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Former Arkansas Republican governor Mike Huckabee on Wednesday appeared to issue a threat of violence, according to some critics, if legal issues prevent Donald Trump from winning the 2024 presidential election. Huckabee, a political commentator, ordained Baptist minister, twice-failed Republican presidential candidate, anti-LGBTQ activist, and the father of current Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, said on his Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) show Wednesday that future elections will be decided by “bullets” not “ballots” if Trump – who is facing 91 criminal felony charges in four in…

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From fanciful costumes and working drafts of “Bohemian Rhapsody” to ashtrays and art, hundreds of items Freddie Mercury owned go on show in Britain on Friday before being sold next month. Sotheby's has transformed its central London gallery to resemble the Queen frontman's former home in the UK capital for the month-long exhibition, ahead of its six-stage sale of the more than 1,400 lots. The singer-songwriter, who died in 1991, had assembled an array of “treasures” which had been left largely untouched at his one-time west London house in the three decades since, according to the auctioneers….

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Los Angeles [US], September 6 (ANI): American singer and actor Diana Ross surprised American singer Beyonce with a serenade in honour of her 42nd birthday, reported People. At the singer's Renaissance World Tour stop in Los Angeles Ross made an unexpected appearance and sang ‘Happy Birthday.' The ‘Cuff It' singer was surprised when Motown great Diana Ross led the crowd in singing ‘Happy Birthday' to her. Ross explained that she had to pay it forward since Beyonce had sung ‘Happy Birthday' to her, reported People. Beyonce told Ross on the stage, “Thank you so much, you are so amazing. This is t…

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The Bud Light situation and investment as envisioned by machines.

Bill Gates Invests in Anheuser-Busch Amid Boycotts

Bill Gates recently invested $95 million in Anheuser-Busch, purchasing 1.7 million shares through his Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust. The investment comes as the beer company faces a national boycott led by conservatives, including singer Kid Rock, following a marketing campaign featuring transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. The campaign led to a nearly 9% drop in Anheuser-Busch's share price over the past six months.

In February, Gates took a 3.76% stake in Heineken Holding NV, valued at $939.87 million at the time of purchase .

Kid Rock's Mixed Signals on Boycott

Despite calling for a boycott against Bud Light and Anheuser-Busch, Kid Rock's Nashville bar, Big Ass Honky Tonk Rock ‘n' Roll Steakhouse, continues to offer Bud Light, Budweiser, and Bud Light Lime. The bar's online menu lists these products, raising questions about the sincerity of the boycott .

Boycott Impact and Reactions

The boycott against Bud Light began in April 2023, following an influencer campaign in which the company sent Dylan Mulvaney a few cans with their likeness to promote on social media. Kid Rock's video shooting up cans of Bud Light went broad and sparked the boycott.

Sales of Bud Light fell between 11 and 26%, while Anheuser-Busch's sales fell about 1%. Billy Busch, heir to the Anheuser-Busch fortune, blamed the company's leadership for the drop in sales. Meanwhile, some members of the LGBT community have initiated their own boycott against Anheuser-Busch for not standing my the community they have long marketed to and derived huge profits for decades.

No Comments from Gates or Anheuser-Busch

Representatives for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the investment. Anheuser-Busch also has not commented on the ongoing boycotts. Already suspected by the right, and especially the Kid Rock set of pushing Covid vaccines for fun and profit, it's an interesting move.

For more on this topic, check out Towleroad's coverage on Anheuser-Busch's backlash over a transphobic ad, Brian Sims Calls For Yuengling Beer Boycott In Philly's Gayborhood, and How Much Credit Should Corporations Get For The Advancement Of LGBTQ Rights.

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By Andrew Goudsward WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A key witness in the case accusing former U.S. President Donald Trump of mishandling classified documents after leaving office has entered into a deal with prosecutors to provide testimony, his former attorney said in a Wednesday court filing. The deal was reached after U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith's office threatened to prosecute the witness, who is the head of information technology at Trump's Mar-a-Lago Florida resort, for lying to a grand jury, the attorney, Stanley Woodward, said in the filing. Woodward currently represents Walt Nauta, one of …

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Bob Mackie designed 17,000 costumes for ‘The Carol Burnett Show'. The 90-year-old screen legend praised the designer for his hard work on her groundbreaking CBS sketch show as she discussed the team she had working on her iconic comedy series. Speaking to Meg Ryan for Interview magazine in a conversation recorded before the SAG-AFTRA strike, Carol revealed: “We had about nine writers, three women. And then we had special material writers who would do the music. And then we had a choreographer, 12 dancers, and two guest stars a week. And Bob Mackie designed 65 to 70 costumes a week.” Meg replie…

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Cher is one of those timeless celebrities, both when it comes to her music and her style. At 77, the “If I Could Turn Back Time” singer appears as vibrant and fashionable as ever — and she credits that to a few different factors. On September 4, Cher appeared on Good Morning Britain to promote her new ice cream brand, Cherlato, offer an update on her long-awaited memoir and tease her upcoming Christmas album. Co-host Susanna Reid segued into Cher's interview by noting that the music icon marked her 77th birthday in May by tweeting, “Will someone please tell me when will I feel old?” Cher repli…

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Threats against organizers of a Tennessee Pride festival apparently didn't do much to deter visitors from attending the annual event. The Blount County Pride festival in Marysville doubled its 2022 attendance despite threats from Ryan Desmond, the county's District Attorney, who said he would prosecute organizers of the event if they violated a defunct anti-drag law, The Daily Beast reports. A federal judge in response to a last-minute American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit ruled in favor of the Pride organizers in response to Desmond's threats, the report said. POLL: Should Trump be allowed t…

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Macworld Last month an X (formerly Twitter) leaker posted the dramatic claim that Apple would not release a leather case for its upcoming iPhone 15 handsets. Little further detail was offered to either support or explain this theory, but most observers assumed the decision was an environmental one, following the company's pledge to be carbon-neutral by 2030. Numerous car makers have already ditched leather in their products citing ethical concerns, and it made perfect sense for Apple, which trades so much on its frequently left-adjacent values and brand image, to follow suit. But with one week…

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Hong Kong, September 5 (ANI): In a partial victory for the LGBTQ activists, Hong Kong's top court on Tuesday ruled in favour of same-sex couples asking the government to create ‘legal recognition' for them, CNN reported. However, the court fell short of granting the rights for full marriage equality as was being demanded by the activists. The activists had been hoping the court would declare that the denial of same-sex marriage breached equal rights protections in the city's mini-constitution. Five judges from Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal handed down their decision on Tuesday, following y…

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Two months after filing for divorce, Ricky Martin and Jwan Yosef have reached an uncontested settlement agreement. The former couple is waiting for a judge to finalize the document. Martin and Yosef connected on Instagram in 2015 and began dating six months after, making their romance official in 2016 and marrying in 2018. They announced their split in July through a joint statement released on social media. “We have decided to end our marriage with love, respect and dignity for our children and honoring what we have experienced as a couple all these wonderful years,” they wrote. “Our desire n…

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By Andrew Holleran Two openly gay players made history at the U.S. Open on Saturday afternoon. Daria Kasatkina and Greet Minnen faced off in the third round of the Grand Slam event. It was the first time in history that two openly gay players faced off at the U.S. Open. Gay tennis players have faced off previously, though not when both were publicly out at the same time. Kasatkina fell to Minnen in the third round, with the latter winning the match, 6-3, 6-4. The tennis world is praising Kasatkina for the win. “After two comeback wins, Kasatkina claims her first straight-set win of the tournam…

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By Tife Owolabi YENAGOA, Nigeria (Reuters) – More than 60 people arrested last week in Nigeria in connection with an alleged gay wedding, which is illegal in the country, have been remanded in prison, the police and their lawyer said on Monday. The court granted a remand request from the police following a hearing on Monday in the southern city of Warri in Delta state, where the suspects were arrested following a tipoff. “The suspects have been arraigned in court today and the judge has ruled that they be remanded in prison for two weeks,” Delta state police said in a statement. It did not say…

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As Sex Education fans countdown to season 4, many might need a quick recap of the season 3 finale – Did Otis and Maeve break up? The fourth and final season of Sex Education is just around the corner but as millions of fans worldwide start their last series countdown, many are in need of a quick recap of the dramatic season 3 finale – here is everything that fans need to remember ahead of Sex Education's season 4 send-off. Sex Education season 3 recap: What happened in the finale?Sex Education season 3 episode 8 saw Adam finding a new hobby as he enters a local dog agility competition and whil…

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By Daniel Kline Florida Governor Ron DeSantis likes to act like he's a man of the people. He portrays himself as someone taking on big government and huge corporations to stand up for his constituents. The Republican candidate for president has taken a defiant attitude toward science and common sense in order to build his image as a younger, more rational version of Donald Trump. DeSantis has gone against doctors when it came to vaccines and masks in order to pander to his base and keep Florida open for business during the Covid pandemic. DON'T MISS: Disney World adds new attraction while Univ…

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Winners and Losers: Dylan Mulvaney wins Streamy Award. Bud Light caves to right wing on supporting LGBTQ people after marketing for decades (as interpreted by machine learning ai)

A Night to Remember:

Dylan Mulvaney, the prominent TikTok star and actress, took the title of Breakout Creator at the 2023 Streamy Awards.

The Acceptance Speech:
Mulvaney lightened the mood by referencing a past Bud Light controversy. “I'm gonna go have a beer and I love ya,” she declared. The competition was fierce, with Mulvaney up against other notable nominees including Jake Shane, Alix Earle, Keith Lee, and Drew Afualo.

A Call to Action:

During her acceptance speech, Mulvaney made a call to action. “People often underestimate us,” she said, as covered by Variety. She further encouraged the audience to use their reach and influence to promote anti-hate messages.

The Journey So Far:
Mulvaney's win comes after a meteoric rise on TikTok, where she has amassed 10.6 million followers and 478 million likes. Earlier this year, she was part of a Bud Light partnership that drew support and insane controversy, sparking a wave of hateful commentary among conservative social media personalities after .

More on Towleroad about Dylan Mulvaney and Streamy Awards 2023:

• Bud Light Fires Back At Dylan Mulvaney After Trans Influencer Claims They Abandoned Her During Partnership Backlash
• Dylan Mulvaney Celebrates ‘day 500′ Of Trans Journey With Heartfelt Message to Younger Self
• ‘People Are So Silly': Joe Rogan Drinks Bud Light, Blasts Boycott Over Dylan Mulvaney During Podcast

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By Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Francis has lamented what he called a “reactionary” Catholic Church in the United States, where he said political ideology has replaced faith in some cases. In the 10 years since his election, Francis has been criticised by conservative sectors of the U.S. Church who are opposed to reforms such as giving women and lay Catholics more roles and making the Church more welcoming and less judgmental towards some, including LGBT people. Francis made his comments on Aug. 5 in a private meeting in Lisbon with members of the Jesuit order, of which he is …

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KAMPALA (Reuters) – A 20-year-old man has become the first Ugandan to be charged with “aggravated homosexuality”, an offence punishable by death under the country's recently enacted anti-gay law, prosecutors and his lawyer said. Defying pressure from Western governments and rights organisations, Uganda in May enacted one of the world's harshest laws targeting the LGBT community. It prescribes life in prison for same-sex intercourse. The death penalty can apply in cases deemed “aggravated”, which include repeat offences, gay sex that transmits terminal illness, or same-sex intercourse with a mi…

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‘Rustin' Trailer With Coleman Domingo premieres 

Netflix has released the official trailer for its upcoming film “Rustin,” which stars Colman Domingo as the iconic civil rights activist Bayard Rustin. The film is set to premiere on September 17 and is a production of Michelle and Barack Obama's Higher Ground production company. 

While president, Obama posthumously awarded Rustin the Presidential Medal of Freedom. 

Cast and Release Date

Colman Domingo, known for his roles in “Fear the Walking Dead” and “Ma Rainey's Black Bottom,” and many others takes on the role of Bayard Rustin, a key figure in the American civil rights movement. The trailer provides a glimpse into Rustin's life, showcasing his activism and struggles as a gay man during a time of widespread discrimination.

Colman Domingo on Playing Bayard Rustin

“It's an honor to bring Bayard Rustin's story to life. He was not just a civil rights activist but also a strong voice for the LGBTQ community,” said Colman Domingo in a recent interview Playbill.

Historical Context

Bayard Rustin was a close advisor to Martin Luther King Jr. and was instrumental in organizing the 1963 March on Washington. However, his contributions were often overshadowed due to his sexual orientation. 

Upcoming Release

The film “Rustin” is set to premiere on Netflix on September 17, adding to the platform's growing list of LGBTQ-focused films.

More on Towleroad about Bayard Rustin and Colman Domingo

• Bayard Rustin: The Man Homophobia Almost Erased From History
• Colman Domingo Talks About His Role in ‘Ma Rainey's Black Bottom'

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Perhaps it’s been years or even decades since you left biblical Christianity behind. You may have noticed long ago that there are human handprints all over the Good Book. It may have dawned on you that popular Christian versions of heaven would actually be hellish. You may have figured out that prayer works, if at all, at the margins of statistical significance—that Believers don’t avoid illness or live longer than people who pray to other gods or none at all. You may have clued in that Christian morality isn’t so hot and that other people have moral values too. (Shocking!) You may have decide…

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Is he an AI? That's what came up with this rendition of a “cage match” 

George Santos, a lawmaker currently facing federal charges of fraud and money laundering, was recently heard boasting about his weight loss achieved with the help of the drug Ozempic.

Santos, who attended a party in Manhattan, openly discussed his body transformation with fellow attendees. The medication, commonly used for diabetes treatment and weight loss, has gained popularity in Hollywood circles.

An insider revealed that Santos, during a birthday celebration, shared that he had lost nearly 100 lbs thanks to Ozempic. The congressman's significant weight loss caught the attention of his pharmacist fiancé, who expressed concerns about the medication.

In addition to his weight loss revelations, Santos confidently claimed that his knowledge of jiu-jitsu would enable him to defeat Mitt Romney in a cage match. Santos has pleaded not guilty to the federal charges against him, though past evidence suggests a history of fabrication. Despite mounting controversies and legal troubles, Santos remains committed to his legislative duties.

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The wide, bright, satiric world of “Bottoms,” director and co-writer Emma Seligman's second feature, expands and contracts as needed. One minute it's a sincere portrait of a teen friendship between the equally uncool and marginalized PJ (Rachel Sennott) and Josie (Ayo Edebiri, Hulu's “The Bear”). They're queer, witty and a little heartbreaking, and not only because they refer to themselves as “ugly” and “losers” when they're plainly not. Then, on a dime, Seligman and co-screenwriter Sennott change the key and start tossing whole chunks of “Fight Club” and “Heathers” into a mini-Ninja blender, …

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DEAR ABBY: How do I convince my liberal parents that my bisexuality is not a phase? I'm 16, and I just came out. My mom told me she'd “had a gay phase, too.” I don't want conflict, but I'm also pretty hurt. How do I convince them to take me seriously? — BI GIRL IN PENNSYLVANIA DEAR GIRL: Your mother was not trying to hurt or diminish what you told her. In fact, she told you something important about herself — that she, too, has been attracted to both men and women. Don't waste your time trying to “convince” her of anything. Live your life authentically and you will be just fine. *** MORE FRO…

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