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Indictment Details Sam Miele, a former fundraiser for Rep. George Santos' 2020 and 2022 campaigns, has been indicted by a New York grand jury on charges of wire fraud and identity theft. Miele is accused of impersonating Dan Meyer, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's former chief of staff, to solicit donations. Impersonation and Fraud Miele allegedly created an email account posing as the McCarthy staffer to send solicitations to more than a dozen potential contributors, signing those emails using the employee's full name and official title. He was arraigned in Brooklyn federal court, pleaded not guilty, and was released on $150,000 bond. “Miele created an email account posing as the McCarthy staffer to send solicitations to more than a dozen potential contributors and signed those emails using the employee's full name and official title,” reported Chris Marquette of Roll Call. Quotes and Reactions “In a letter sent to Santos last September, Miele admitted to ‘faking my identity to a big donor,'” according to the indictment. He went on to describe himself as “high risk, high reward in everything I do.” Miele earned a commission of 15% for each contribution he raised, as reported by AP News. Ongoing Legal Issues The indictment comes three months after federal prosecutors unsealed a thirteen-count indictment against Santos, including charges of theft of public funds, wire fraud, and money laundering. Miele's legal team stated, “We look forward to complete vindication at trial,” as reported by RadarOnline. More on Towleroad about George Santos and Kevin McCarthy: George Santos Raises $133,000 from First-Time Chinese Donors Rep. George Santos Admits to Fraud, Using Stolen Checks The ‘George Santos of Florida': Republican Fabian Basabe Facing Pressure to Resign Images generated by machines View the full article

[This post contains video, click to play] Maestro. (L to R) Carey Mulligan as Felicia Montealegre and Bradley Cooper as Leonard Bernstein (Director/Writer) in Maestro. Cr. Jason McDonald/Netflix © 2023.Netflix has released a teaser trailer and first-look images for the upcoming biopic, Maestro. Directed and starring Bradley Cooper, the film tells the story of Leonard Bernstein, a renowned conductor and composer who had relationships with both men and women in his lifetime. Cooper is joined by Carey Mulligan, who plays Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein, Bernstein's lifelong partner. Maestro. Bts – (l to r) carey mulligan as felicia montealegre and writer/director bradley cooper as leonard bernstein on the set of maestro. Cr. Jason mcdonald/netflix © 2023.Maestro will be available for streaming on Netflix on September 20th, followed by a cinema release in the UK on November 24th. Described as “a love letter to life and art,” the film aims to portray the epic emotions of family and love. Produced by Martin Scorsese, Bradley Cooper, Steven Spielberg, and others, Maestro also features a talented cast including Matt Bomer, Maya Hawke, Sarah Silverman, and Josh Hamilton. Maestro. (l to r) carey mulligan as felicia montealegre and bradley cooper as leonard bernstein (director/writer) in maestro. Cr. Jason mcdonald/netflix © 2023.This marks Cooper's directorial return since the success of A Star Is Born in 2019. Maestro is the second major film this year to explore the life of a queer conductor, following Tár, which starred Cate Blanchett. View the full article

Donald Trump greets supporters and signs autographs during the final round of the Bedminster Invitational LIV Golf tournament in Bedminster, N.J., on Aug. 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) Ron Stagg, Toronto Metropolitan University People around the world — including many Americans — cannot understand why a sizeable portion of the United States population continues to support Donald Trump, despite an ever-increasing list of charges against him, including the latest indictments in Georgia. Before the newest charges were announced, Trump was running neck and neck against President Joe Biden in a hypothetical rematch. It seems unlikely the Georgia indictments, pertaining to alleged attempts to interfere with the 2020 presidential election results, will erode the former president's support. This shocks people because strong backing of a man who lies, cheats and threatens the U.S. Constitution has no precedent in national politics. However, there is a precedent in state politics which almost reached the presidential level, and some comparable situations in other countries. You can always get what you want? Those who support Trump unconditionally have not varied much since the last election. This support encompasses numerous groups with numerous reasons, but, for most, there is one overriding concern. They believe that he will get them results on the issues that they feel are the most important in the country. Evangelical Christians who support him do so because he appointed conservative justices, leading to — among other outcomes — the overturning of Roe v. Wade. His extra-marital affairs pale in comparison to this long-term goal of the Christian right. Some disenchanted Democratic voters have joined the Trump bandwagon. They include blue-collar workers and small business people who see jobs being sent overseas, as well as some Latino voters who regard Trump as acting in concert with their Catholic morality by appointing justices who are more conservative. They also like his opposition to illegal immigration. The tens of thousands of potential immigrants struggling to illegally cross the U.S.-Mexico border frighten those worried that they will lose the non-skilled jobs still remaining in the U.S., and those in rural areas who see the values of what they consider traditional white America under threat. For all of these supporters, getting what they want is more important than worrying about Trump's marital indiscretions, purloined government documents or whether he tried to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election or encouraged the storming of the Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021. Donald Trump arrives for a campaign rally in July 2023 in Erie, Pa. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) Lies become the truth Of course, there is more to Trump's appeal than simply promising to Make America Great Again. He is a true demagogue who repeats his simple message over and over again, often loudly and with great emphasis. He repeatedly and relentlessly demeans his detractors and lies about the 2020 election. In this 1938 photo, Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels speaks to party members in Berlin. (AP Photo) A quote attributed to Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi propaganda minister, translates roughly as: “Repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth.” Trump uses this technique very effectively with his supporters, including those on the far-right fringe, who respond well to his implied message to “make America white again.” A substantial portion of the Republican Party reinforces Trump's lies by either agreeing with his claims of election fraud, or being careful not to comment on them or to criticize Trump. The effect of social media in Trump's allure shouldn't be dismissed. There you will find “proof” of Trump's claims — plots by the “Deep State” and by Democratic justice officials to persecute the winner of the 2020 election. These allegations are highly effective with citizens who have turned away from mainstream media because of its criticism of the man who is working for them. In this 1934 photo, Sen. Huey P. Long addresses students at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, a year before he was assassinated. (AP Photo) While there is no other presidential candidate who has used this demagoguery and appeal to prejudice so brazenly, there is a partial parallel in Huey Long, governor of Louisiana from 1928 to 1932 and a U.S. senator from 1932 to 1935. A supporter of the poor, a harsh critic of banks and a believer in authoritarian government, he was famous for his rousing speeches. A controversial figure, he was dogged by accusations of political corruption but nonetheless loved by many. He was planning to run for president but was assassinated in 1935. Trump's Brazilian doppelganger For a modern parallel, one must look outside the United States. The most obvious parallel is in Brazil, where strongman Jair Bolsonaro ruled from 2018 to 2023. He is a man Trump admires, claiming that Bolsonaro “fights hard for, and loves, the people of Brazil — just like I do for the people of the United States.” Jair Bolsonaro presents Donald Trump with a Brazilian national team soccer jersey in the Oval Office of the White House in March 2019. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Bolsonaro believed in cutting taxes, defending “family values” and was opposed to gun control and immigration from places like Haiti and the Middle East. Considered racist, sexist and homophobic by some, his fiery speeches often incited violence, particularly against political opponents, criminals and “reds.” He dismissed COVID-19 as a fantasy, resulting in Brazil having one of the highest rates of infection in the world. Defeated in 2022, he did not acknowledge the defeat, but said that he would abide by the country's constitution. He left the country rather than acknowledge his defeat, but his supporters stormed the Supreme Court, the congress building and the presidential palace to try to overturn the election. Unlike Trump, he's been barred from running for office until 2030 because of his refusal to accept his defeat, and prosecuted for election fraud. The coming months will reveal whether the charges against Trump will erode his support or instead encourage his supporters to continue donating millions of dollars to support his election bid and his legal fees. So far, those supporters are showing no signs of turning against him. Ron Stagg, Professor of History, Toronto Metropolitan University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Court image is not rea. it's a machine generated image imagining the scene View the full article

[This post contains video, click to play] The South, where hospitality is a way of life and “y'all” is a term of endearment, has a unique and often humorous relationship with the LGBTQ community. A recent video takes a sarcastic look at this relationship, and here's what it found: The South may lack anti-discrimination policies, but it sure doesn't lack charm. South Carolina, we're looking at you. Bless your heart. 50% of Southerners would be uncomfortable bringing a child to a same-sex wedding. But a child's wedding? Now that's a different story. LGBTQ discrimination costs U.S. businesses $230 billion a year. Who knew that excluding people could be so expensive? In Morehead, Kentucky, LGBTQ folks voted out Kim Davis, the county clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to gay couples. Talk about a comeback story. The South's relationship with the LGBTQ community is as complex as a good gumbo, filled with contradictions, challenges, and a dash of sass. But as this video shows, there's a growing acceptance, resilience, and, of course, a sense of humor that's as warm as a Southern summer's day. View the full article

Photo Used Without Permission in Anti-Surrogacy Ad In a significant legal victory, a Canadian couple has won damages from Italy's far-right ruling party, Brothers of Italy, for unauthorized use of their image in an anti-surrogacy campaign. BJ Barone and Frankie Nelson, who welcomed their son Milo in 2014 with the assistance of a surrogate mother, had hired photographer Lindsay Foster who captured their heart-warming family photo. It quickly went viral, go viral. However, it was later exploited by Brothers of Italy in 2016. Italian LGBT law firm Gay Lex took on the case and has won the first round. The party has been ordered to pay Barone and Nelson almost $11,000 each for the “offensive use of their image.” While Brothers of Italy is appealing the decision, the court's ruling highlights the violation of the couple's rights. Giorgia Meloni's strong right Stance Direct Descendant of Mussolini Brothers of Italy, a direct political descendant of the Italian Social Movement, which has ties to Mussolini's Fascist Party, has been stirring controversy since Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni ascended to power. Demonstrating a strong right-wing stance, the party recently instructed Milan's city council to stop registering children of same-sex parents, leading to widespread condemnation and protests. Canadian Couple's Very Personal Photo Violated, Now Returned Even More Power Reacting to the court's decision, Barone and Nelson expressed their satisfaction. “This is a small win for us, but it is a huge victory for the LGBTQ+ community in Italy and abroad,” they told the BBC. “To us, our birth photo represents everything we stand for: family, acceptance, and unconditional love. This victory against the Fratelli and the Prime Minister allows us to reclaim our photo and show the world that family is about love.” Unfortunately, this is not the first time the couple's beautiful image has been misused. In 2016, independent Irish politician Mary Fitzgibbons also exploited the photo without permission to oppose surrogacy for same-sex parents. This underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community and the need for continued legal protections. The court's ruling serves as a stern message that the unauthorized use of personal images for political gain will not be tolerated. It sets an important precedent for protecting the rights and dignity of same-sex couples and their families. View the full article

Published by DPA The annual Prague Pride parade saw some 60,000 people on the streets of the historic city on Saturday demonstrating for more rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) people, the police said. Many were draped in rainbow flags or wore colourful costumes. The annual parade was also attended by prominent politicians, including Interior Minister Vit Rakušan and Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský. The colourful procession through the city centre was secured by numerous police officers, but passed without incident. Around a dozen counterdemonstrators held up flags with slogans such as “Th… Read More View the full article

Published by Chicago Tribune SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Saturday approved a measure that would allow firearm retailers or manufacturers to be sued for marketing guns to people under 18 and promoting other improper marketing ploys geared toward the sale of weapons. The bill was signed a day after Pritzker and his Democratic allies in the Illinois General Assembly scored a close victory when the state Supreme Court, in a 4-3 decision, voted to uphold the state’s ban on certain high-powered guns and high-capacity ammunition magazines. Pritzker and other elected officials discussed the gun marketing liability l… Read More View the full article

[This post contains video, click to play] Amazon’s adaptation of “Red White and Royal Blue” has been released, sparking various reactions from critics and audiences alike. The film tells the story of a gay romance between the son of the U.S. President and the grandson of the King of England, with Taylor Zakhar Perez playing Alex Claremont-Diaz and Nicholas Galitzine portraying Prince Henry of England, as reported by Daily Mail. The film also introduces the character of Nora, replacing June Claremont-Diaz from the original novel, according to We Got This Covered. Mixed Reviews from Critics and Audiences The film’s reception has been mixed. The Guardian criticized the film for its blandness and formulaic approach, while Greg In Hollywood praised the lead actors, stating, “Their chemistry is palpable, and they make a stunning on-screen couple.” Mashable described the film as “a Hallmark movie but with a gay love story,” and DIVA Magazine expressed, “The sensual scenes are beautifully crafted, leaving viewers both in tears and in awe of the portrayal of LGBTQ relationships.” Matthew López’s Vision and Approach Director Matthew López emphasized humor, authenticity, and a fresh perspective on queer cinema, telling Advocate.com, “We wanted to create a film that speaks to the heart of the LGBTQ community, without losing the universal appeal of love and acceptance.” Creative Choices: Differences Between Book and Movie The adaptation includes key changes from the book, such as the introduction of the character Nora, as reported by We Got This Covered. Them.us highlighted seven differences between the book and the movie, including character and plot alterations. Varied Reactions to Sensual and Controversial Scenes The film’s sensual scenes have garnered varied reactions. Daily Mail readers were left in tears by a “perfect sensual sex scene” between the British prince and the President’s son. OMG.BLOG cheekily commented, “Taylor Zakhar Perez bares it all, and we’re here for it!” Just Jared quoted the lead actors discussing their chemistry: “We clicked instantly, and that connection translated on-screen.” More on Towleroad about Gay Film and Romance: Gay Film Archives – Towleroad Romance Film Archives – Towleroad Gay News Film/TV/Stream Archives – Towleroad Gay News View the full article

Published by Reuters UK KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Malaysia on Thursday banned Swatch Group's watches and accessories celebrating LGBTQ rights, saying the Swiss watchmaker's products may be harmful to morality and public interest. Homosexuality is a crime in Muslim-majority Malaysia, and rights groups have warned of growing intolerance against the country's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community. Malaysia has jailed or caned people for homosexuality. In May, Malaysia confiscated rainbow-coloured watches from Swatch's ‘Pride collection' because of the presence of the acronym ‘LGBTQ' on the watch… Read More View the full article

Published by Reuters By Elias Biryabarema KAMPALA (Reuters) -Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni on Thursday denounced the World Bank's decision to suspend new funding in response to a harsh anti-LGBTQ law and vowed to find alternative sources of credit. The country would have to revise its budget to absorb the move's potential impact, a junior finance minister said. The World Bank said on Tuesday that the law, which imposes the death penalty for certain same-sex acts, contradicted its values and that it would pause new funding until it could test measures to prevent discrimination in projects it finances. The Worl… Read More View the full article

Published by Al-Araby Blockbuster film Barbie has been banned by Kuwait in a bid to “protect” its “ethics and social traditions,” state media reported Wednesday. Official news agency KUNA quoted a spokesperson for the Kuwaiti Ministry of Information as saying that the film “promulgates ideas and beliefs that are alien to Kuwaiti society and public order.” Elsewhere in the Gulf, dozens of MPs in Bahrain have called for a ban on the film, which starts Australian actress Margot Robbie as Stereotypical Barbie and Canadian actor Ryan Gosling as Ken. According to the Bahraini newspaper Al-Watan, 32 deputies issued a stat… Read More View the full article

Published by Raw Story Many of the most far-right House Republicans truly believe the propaganda and extremism that they promote – in stark contact to other for whom it's just an act to get votes, a former RNC researched said Thursday. In an interview on the Aaron Rupar Show, Justin Higgans argued the true far-right believers — who have lately been causing fractures and divisions among GOP power caucuses — often end up tanking their own careers with their own inability to compromise. “A lot of Tea Party members, a lot of House Freedom Caucus members — that includes Ron DeSantis, he was one of those folks — don't bel… Read More View the full article

Published by Reuters By Daniel Wiessner (Reuters) -A conservative legal group on Wednesday urged a U.S. anti-discrimination agency to investigate Kellogg Co over workplace diversity policies that it says are unlawful, and accused the cereal maker of sexualizing its products. This is the second complaint filed this week against a company by America First Legal, a nonprofit run by Stephen Miller, who was an adviser to then-President Donald Trump. America First in a letter to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) said Kellogg's hiring, training and promotion practices are designed to achieve a balan… Read More View the full article

Published by Chicago Tribune Five minutes into “Passages,” a scene from a marriage takes a casually fateful turn, and one of the year's best films is off and running to destinations unknown. Late at night, a noisy Paris bistro is hosting a party for a film crew's recent completion of a feature. The director, a live-wire German emigre named Tomas, wants to dance. His reticent English husband Martin, sitting somewhat wearily at the bar, declines; the woman sitting next to Martin, French schoolteacher Agathe, volunteers. Eighty minutes later, director and co-writer Ira Sachs' sexual triangle comes to a perfectly judged concl… Read More View the full article

Published by Raw Story GREENSBORO, N.C. — An avowed white nationalist who openly supports Russia is a member of the U.S. Army Reserves, recently served in the North Carolina Army National Guard and worked for a local sheriff's office as a detention officer, according to a Raw Story investigation. Christopher Woodall, 34, of Winston-Salem, N.C., has a long history of activism in the white power movement that coincided with his service in the U.S. military and government work. In an interview this week with Raw Story, Woodall acknowledged that he is the author of texts that promote a “white nationalist training group,… Read More View the full article

Published by The Street By Tony Owusu It might be a busy latter part of the year for the Bud Light boycotters. The momentum from the group's successful campaign against the Anheuser-Busch InBev (BUD) – Get Free Report beer brand after it supposedly “went woke” — even though Bud Light has had multiple pro-LGBTQ advertisements and initiatives in the past — is to carry their political activism to a new target. Best Buy (BBY) – Get Free Report, the national electronics retail chain, now has a target on its back after O'Keefe Media Group published pictures of an application for a minority management program. DON'T MISS:… Read More View the full article

Published by AFP Washington (AFP) – The American Red Cross on Monday announced it will now allow gay and bisexual men to donate blood without restrictions that specifically target them over their sexual orientation. “The Red Cross celebrates this historic move as significant progress and remains committed to achieving an inclusive blood donation process that treats all potential donors with equality and respect while maintaining the safety of the blood supply,” the humanitarian organization said in a statement. The policy change follows updated guidance announced by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in… Read More View the full article

Published by Raw Story The wife of a Republican state lawmaker in Arkansas has made herself the unofficial monitor of her neighbors' Little Free Libraries. Arkansas Times reports that Jennifer Meeks, the wife of Arkansas State Rep. Stephen Meeks, posted on Facebook recently about her efforts to remove “terrible books” from local Little Free Libraries and replace them with Bibles. “I have been swapping out books in little free libraries for awhile,” she wrote in a Facebook post earlier this month. “I have seen good books, terrible books… Recently I have been picking up free Bibles at flea markets and thrift stores…. Read More View the full article

Published by Benzinga Bud Light received mixed reactions after partnering with transgender social media influencer Dylan Mulvaney in April. But renowned podcaster and comedian Joe Rogan still enjoys the brew. In a recent episode of “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast, he cracked open a can of Bud Light with country music star Zach Bryan. “And we're drinking Bud Lights, ladies and gentlemen. Sorry. There's nothing wrong with it,” Rogan said. “People are so silly. We were just talking about silliness. One person made a really stupid decision, and now everybody's decided that Bud Light is the enemy. But that's like thi… Read More View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Noah Schnapp says his family already knew he was gay by the time he came out. The 18-year-old actor publicly revealed his sexuality in January, after his ‘Stranger Things' character Will Byers did the same thing on the Netflix show. He told Variety magazine in an interview done before the actors' and writers' strike that has brought Hollywood to a standstill: “When I finally told my friends and family I was gay after being scared in the closet for 18 years and all they said was, ‘We know.'” When asked if he's thought about dating, Noah said: “I'm just enjoying life, and if someone comes by, th… Read More View the full article

Published by uInterview.com Wayne Brady officially came out as pansexual on Monday. “I am pansexual,” Brady, who is currently the host of CBS's TV show Let's Make A Deal, told People magazine in an interview. He added, “Bisexual – with an open mind!” Brady first shared his news with his ex-wife Mandie Taketa, who was glad for him. She told the magazine that his coming out would allow him to be happier. In light of this news, Brady has said he is excited to see what he will do next in life and that he has done research about being pansexual, which means that he does not base his attraction to people on their sex or gend… Read More View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Joe Locke has called on fans to respect his “boundaries” after one called his grandma. The ‘Heartstopper' actor – who plays Charlie Spring in the Netflix young adult drama – admitted he feels a “weird guilt” that his position in the public eye has led to his family members receiving unwanted attention, with his mum having to set up new social media accounts due to strangers trying to message her or track her location, and he wants to put firm lines in place. Reflecting on his mother's online hassle and the call to his grandma, he told Teen Vogue magazine: “It's a weird guilt I sometimes feel t… Read More View the full article

Published by New York Daily News PHILADELPHIA — At the Met on Tuesday morning, as Vanessa Bell Armstrong’s “Nobody But Jesus” echoed through the former opera house, Onederful Ancrum danced in memory of her friend O’Shae Sibley. As she fought back tears, Ancrum glided gracefully across the floor, then darted forward powerfully, as if carried by gusts of wind in front of the indigo coffin that held the body of her friend. One moment she drifted upward. The next, she tumbled to the ground. Then she clasped her hands together as she stood side by side with a banner emblazoned with the image of Sibley, both dancers in arabesque. I… Read More View the full article

Published by Reuters By Joseph Ax (Reuters) -Ohio voters on Tuesday rejected a Republican-backed measure that would have made it harder to amend the state constitution, an initiative aimed at helping defeat a November referendum that would protect abortion access in the state. The results in the special election were a crucial victory for abortion rights advocates, who would have faced the daunting prospect of securing a super-majority of voters this fall if the measure had passed. The proposal, known as Issue 1, would have lifted the threshold for passing future changes to the state constitution to 60% of voters,… Read More View the full article