RadioRob

Published by AFP The expanded American unemployment safety net is ending, but some jobless people fear they won't be able to return to work Washington (AFP) – Spending less on food. Drawing down on retirement savings. Dropping out of the workforce altogether. Last year, the United States massively expanded unemployment aid as Covid-19 broke out. But in the coming days those benefits will end, forcing millions of jobless Americans — some of whom haven’t worked for the entire pandemic — to make hard choices about how they will get by in an economy newly menaced by the Delta variant. “I have no idea how we would survive, just on my daughter’s income,” said Deborah Lee, an unemployed phlebotomist in Arizona who is recovering from a Covid outbreak that affected her daughter and two of her three granddaughters. The government-funded programs that increased weekly payments and gave aid to the long-term unemployed and freelancers were credited with keeping the United States from an even worse economic collapse last year. In recent months they have become controversial, with some states ending them early and arguing they encouraged people not to return to jobs that Covid-19 vaccines made safe, though studies have disputed that contention. From September 6 they will end nationwide, and while economists don’t expect them to meaningfully dent the US economy’s recovery from its 2020 debacle, they’ll undoubtedly up the pressure on the unemployed. “I think it’s going to be an underappreciated event in the economy,” said Andrew Stettner of progressive think tank The Century Foundation, predicting that 7.5 million people will be relying on the programs when they end. “It’ll be kind of a silent crisis.” ‘Screwed over’ The expansion of the unemployment safety net occurred in March 2020, when Congress rushed to blunt the emerging pandemic with $2.2 trillion in spending through the CARES Act rescue package. While never meant to be permanent, the benefits were reauthorized twice, most recently in the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan enacted by President Joe Biden and his Democratic allies in Congress last March. While many in the Republican Party at first backed the programs, by this year their lawmakers were arguing against them, and 26 states, most with Republican governors, moved to end them early in whole or in part. A study published last month by researchers from American and Canadian universities found only modest improvements in hiring and earnings in some of those states that ended the aid early, while spending fell 20 percent. Meanwhile the economy is far from healed, with 5.3 million jobs lost to the pandemic yet to be restored and employers adding a mere 235,000 positions in August, according to government data released Friday. In Delaware, Ohio, Karen Coldwell says she sends out about 10 job applications weekly but has yet to be hired. All other openings she sees are for low-wage work, the kind of jobs she held when she was younger. At age 64 she is not yet ready to retire, but worries she’ll have to start dipping into her retirement savings once the long-term unemployment program ends. “There’s just nothing out there. There’s jobs, but the money’s not there anymore,” Coldwell said. Others can’t return to the workforce, even though they know the benefits that make up their only income are ending. Brooke Ganieany of The Dalles, Oregon, said she has no one to care for her toddler son if she were to find employment. “I feel kind of screwed over,” the 21-year-old told AFP. “I feel like they’re doing this to make us have a plan and get back to reality, which is not exactly the slogan they should be using.” Unequal damage Those eligible will continue to receive benefits under states’ regular unemployment programs — but the end of a $300 extra weekly supplement means their checks are about to shrink. “It’s going to affect it so much. I’m going to have to cut back on food,” said 58-year-old Karen Williams, an unemployed graphic designer in Pennsylvania. Gregory Daco of Oxford Economics predicted the cut off in benefits would lower household income by $4.2 billion per week in September, or about $210 billion annualized for the month. “It’s not going to be the type of shock that puts the US economy into reverse,” he said in an interview, but predicted that “lower-income families and minorities are more likely to be negatively impacted.” Fearful of further coronavirus variants and with her daughter missing badly needed pay from the family’s battle with Covid-19, Lee said she is waiting to hear whether the government will grant her disability aid for a hand injury, conceding her days of employment are likely behind her, at least for now. “I don’t even know what the answer is,” she said. View the full article

Published by AFP Facial recognition software has been blasted by civil rights advocates who point out problems with accuracy, particularly it comes to people who are not white San Francisco (AFP) – Facebook on Friday said it disabled its topic recommendation feature after it mistook Black men for “primates” in video at the social network. A Facebook spokesperson called it a “clearly unacceptable error” and said the recommendation software involve was taken offline. “We apologize to anyone who may have seen these offensive recommendations,” Facebook said in response to an AFP inquiry. “We disabled the entire topic recommendation feature as soon as we realized this was happening so we could investigate the cause and prevent this from happening again.” Facial recognition software has been blasted by civil rights advocates who point out problems with accuracy, particularly it comes to people who are not white. Facebook users in recent days who watched a British tabloid video featuring Black men were show an auto-generated prompt asking if they would like to “keep seeing videos about Primates,” according to the New York Times. The June 2020 video in question, posted by the Daily Mail, is titled “White man calls cops on black men at marina.” While humans are among the many species in the primate family, the video had nothing to do with monkeys, chimpanzees or gorillas. A screen capture of the recommendation was shared on Twitter by former Facebook content design manager Darci Groves. “This ‘keep seeing’ prompt is unacceptable,” Groves tweeted, aiming the message at former colleagues at Facebook. “This is egregious.” View the full article

Published by Reuters By Tina Bellon and Jessica DiNapoli AUSTIN, Texas/NEW YORK (Reuters) -U.S. companies including Lyft Inc, American Airlines Group Inc and Silicon Laboratories Inc voiced their displeasure on Friday at new Texas laws on abortion, handguns, and voting limitations, a fresh sign of increased efforts by some firms to signal their commitment to social responsibility. Lyft and Uber Technologies Inc said they will cover all legal fees for the ride-hail companies’ drivers sued under a law that puts in place a near-total ban on abortion. Lyft will also donate $1 million to women’s health provider Planned Parenthood, chief executive Logan Green said on Twitter https://twitter.com/logangreen/status/1433872421254098945?s=20. “This is an attack on women’s access to healthcare and on their right to choose,” Green said of the new Texas law. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi tweeted https://twitter.com/dkhos/status/1433894081487273987?s=20 in response to Green’s announcement that his company would cover drivers’ legal fees in the same way, thanking Green for taking the initiative. The ban https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-supreme-court-declines-block-texas-abortion-ban-2021-09-02, which took effect Wednesday, leaves enforcement up to individual citizens, enabling them to sue anyone who provides or “aids or abets” an abortion after six weeks. This potentially includes drivers who unknowingly take women to clinics for abortion procedures. On Wednesday, Tinder-owner Match Group’s CEO and rival dating platform Bumble Inc said they were setting up funds to help Texas-based employees seeking abortion care outside the state. Website hosting service GoDaddy Inc on Friday, meanwhile, shut down a Texas anti-abortion website that allowed people to report suspected abortions. The reaction to the law change in Texas comes at a time when many companies are seeking to burnish their corporate and environmental governance credentials with consumers. Companies also reacted to the Texas legislature this week passing the final version of a bill that outlaws drive-through and 24-hour voting locations and gives poll watchers more power, widely seen as restricting voting access. “We hoped for a different outcome for this legislation, and we’re disappointed by this result,” an American Airlines spokesperson said in an email. A spokesperson for Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co, based in Texas, said, “As a global company of 60,000 team members, HPE encourages our team members to engage in the political process where they live and work and make their voices heard through advocacy and at the voting booth.” Meanwhile, a law allowing people to carry concealed handguns without any permit went into effect in Texas on Wednesday. “Looking at the abortion law, or the gun law, or the voting law, it’s a form of vigilante justice, where you’re empowering individuals to enforce the law,” said Tyson Tuttle, the CEO of Austin-based Silicon Laboratories. “It’s been a rough week in Texas and a harbinger of what’s to come across the country.” (Reporting by Tina Bellon in Austin, Texas and Jessica DiNapoli in New York; Editing by Richard Chang and Rosalba O’Brien) View the full article

Published by Reuters WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Senate’s filibuster rule likely imperils a bill intended to protect abortion rights that Democrats are readying following the Supreme Court’s decision not to block a strict new Texas ban, a leading Democratic senator said on Sunday. Senator Amy Klobuchar told CNN’s “State of the Union” that some Senate Republicans support abortion rights but not enough to overcome the chamber’s rule requiring 60 of its 100 members to agree on most legislation. The nation’s 6-3 conservative top court this week allowed Texas’ six-week abortion ban to go into effect, which observers said showed the justices may be ready to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that established a national right to abortion. That decision led House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to declare that the Democratic-controlled chamber will soon debate and vote on legislation aimed at stopping similar state anti-abortion regulations. But Klobuchar said that bill faces little to no chance of passing the Senate. “My solution to this … I believe we should abolish the filibuster,” Klobuchar, chair of the Senate Rules Committee, told CNN. “I do not believe an archaic rule should be used to allow us to put our heads in the sand … and not take action on these important issues … We just will get nowhere if we keep this filibuster in place.” Progressive Democrats have repeatedly over the past year suggested doing away with the filibuster to allow other Democratic priorities to pass, including a voting rights bill intended to counteract a wave of new voting restrictions passed by Republican-governed states. Senate moderates, including Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, have rejected that idea, however. Klobuchar said one way to discourage the frequency of filibusters would be to make senators who object to ending debate actually stay on the floor debating. This “talking filibuster” was the tradition until the 1970s. She said another approach would be a “carveout” that would only change the filibuster for legislation directly tied to one subject, such as abortion rights. (Reporting by Susan Cornwell; Editing by Sonya Hepinstall) View the full article

It’s lucky for someone like me — whose own prognostications are often incorrect — that I love to be surprised. Of course, I was delighted by the finale to RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars season six. From disappointed grumbles when the cast was first announced all the way through the rollercoaster “game-within-a-game” and down to our fabulous final four, this season of All Stars may go down as the purest distillation of the form. Yes, Drag Race All Stars is all about landing a spot in the Drag Race Hall of Fame, but this isn’t actually supposed to be a battle of ultimate supremacy. All-Stardom isn’t only about out-performing, it’s about out-evolving. Lordt knows folks like Madonna (and Ru) aren’t the best vocalists in the gay pantheon, but their abilities to transform themselves (and their narratives) is remarkable. That’s the real rubric here. I’m sorry, “Ru-bric.” This season, the Drag Race discourse unfolding over Twitter, TikTok and your most active group text initially reacted with griping about the quality of the cast, only to steadily be surprised and delighted by one of the strongest collections of queens to ever werk the runway. They all have come light years from where we last left them, and it has been positively thrilling to see. Does it sound like hyperbole? Maybe. But going into this season’s finale, I found myself fighting the urge to wish for a four-way tie. None of these final four ever were top of my lists during their respective seasons. (And, in my case, there are actual lists to check.) However, by the time we got into the final challenge, I was firmly #TeamEv’rybody. The RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars season 6 final four.I didn’t even mind the typical finale episode filler — the endlessly misleading teasers telegraphing tense moments and turmoil that never really materializes. There are probing, but mostly pleasant convos with Ru and Michelle. Judges bend over backward (insert Carson Kressley joke here … and then cue a Ross joke about Carson getting inserted) to make the case it’s a neck-and-neck race and keep critiques to a minimum. It all unfolds against the backdrop of a great finale challenge, one of the better RuPaul tracks and a thrilling lip sync, all leading up to a gorgeous crowning moment that had me literally screaming alone at my laptop. Reader, I’ll be honest. I shed some real tears. But if you’re looking for a blow-by-blow of the tender, weepy exchanges with Mama Ru, et al (a weepcap?), you’ll have to pony up the 3.99 for Paramount+. We’ve heard more than enough about each queen’s STORY and their STRUGGLE this season, and not that it’s not moving and important, but recapping it yet again feels like a sort of kaleidoscope of Pinterest aphorisms and teardrops on rhinestoned bodysuits. Suffice to say, each queen deftly presented their platform, shared their personal journey and deeffffffinitely did a lot of RuPaul ring-kissing. (Not that kind of ring-kissing, get your head out of the gutter.) All-Stardom isn’t only about out-performing, it’s about out-evolving. The real meat of the episode is prepping for a sexy performance to RuPaul’s latest track titled “This Is Our Country,” which really feels like more of an exasperated question these days than a declarative statement. It’s already a pretty exciting prospect, considering contemporary country icons like Kacey Musgraves, Orville Peck and Lil Nas X are ushering in a new generation of queer country fans. (And, of course we can’t forget pioneering queer country artists like Steve Grand, k.d. lang, Chely Wright and so many more.) I was excited to see Tanya Tucker show up here to meet the gals virtually and add her legendary vocals to the song. A longtime favorite of gay country fans, her presence on the track instantly elevates it and adds a ton of legitimacy to what would otherwise feel like nothing more than a discarded track from “Ru-Ba: The Reba McEntire Rusical.” Instead, this song sort of slaps. Yes, there’s Tanya’s touch, but the queens bring so much to it. Eureka (somewhat confusingly) does a whole Marie Antoinette-inspired verse and lewk that is gorgeous, fun, coherent and has a solidly socially-conscious message. It doesn’t scream “country,” (unless the country in question is, uh, France?) but still! She for sure fulfills the assignment, and, love her or hate her (how can y’all still hate on any of these queens?), Eureka always puts on a show. As we’ve come to expect, Ginger comes prepared, and, perhaps this challenge more than any other, feels deeply in her wheelhouse. Vocally, it’s excellent. Ginger knows this genre, clearly, and has the chops to cut a kickin’ country verse. She looks great, and she’s clearly in her element. Next up, Ra’Jah takes a different approach to great success. Instead of faking a country croon, Ra’Jah raps. It’s such a smart choice, and it elevates the entire final product. On top of the musical choices, Ra’Jah’s message feels the most immediately resonant, conjuring the harrowing images and language that fueled the Black Lives Matter movement. It may sound like the kind of thing that could really harsh the vibe, but, first, it’d be much more jarring to hear some rah-rah America jingoist nonsense (especially this week), and, second, Ra’Jah’s charisma carries it all so captivatingly. She looks great, too, in a red gingham bodysuit with oversized blue, fuzzy epaulettes that feel like someone threw Dorothy Gale, Sasha Fierce-era Beyonce, an American Flag and a Muppet in a blender, but, also, fashion! And then there’s Kylie. Wow. This is Kylie’s element. She’s described earlier in the episode as being very “Roadhouse,” and it’s just what the doctor ordered for this challenge. Kylie pops in the performance, bringing all her Southern charm, sleek sexuality and showgirl mentality to a stunning finale performance. It all just works. Even though she was my least favorite in the country performance, Eureka opens our last runway (for this season) in absolutely stunning fashion. Hands down, this is her best Drag Race look ever. It’s a big, showy number, with a massive headpiece and dropped waistline detailing that adds new dimension to her figure. She’s always got a good beat, but the makeup here is also sensational. It’s not just a 10, it’s a 20. Ginger is less successful here. I appreciate her stepping out of her comfort zone with a dress that shows off her legs, but all it did was serve as a reminder why she so infrequently shows them. (It’s not an issue with her legs! Her actual legs are gorgeous!) This just isn’t a flattering silhouette with so much bulk kind of flopping around on top. Eh. Kylie looks lovely in a star-spangled number that shimmers from tip to toes. It doesn’t pop on TV the way I imagine it might on stage, which makes it feel a little underwhelming at first glance. The judges’ praise helps zero in on the subtler touches. Ra’Jah, of course, gives us another serve, in her signature color (as Big Freedia might say: “HUE ALREADY KNOW”) purple This time, it’s a gown with a lovely, almost petal-like neckline and slit all the way up to her hip. She looks incredible, she always shines in her runway performance, and I adore the hair here. The fact Ra’Jah made all her outfits is remarkable considering how well they stood side-by-side with what I’m sure are very expensive garments on the other gals. There’s obviously one last order of bidness before Ru hands down her decree. (DecRu? Ok, I’ll stop.) All four queens will lip sync individually to — GASP! — “Rain On Me.” Talk about a crowd-pleaser! Everyone is great. Full stop. We’re getting sexy, we’re getting high N-R-G, we’re getting comedy and facials (expressions!). It’s a smorgasbord of sass and sex and star power. But the moment — and I mean THE MOMENT — occurs during Kylie’s lip sync. Having doffed part of her garment, Kylie pulls a Farrah Moan and slips during the lip sync. And you know those editors did us dirty and slow-mo’d that snagged stiletto as I felt my heart actually start to make its way up my throat. But! Then! In one of the most iconic moments in Drag Race herstory (maybe human herstory?) Kylie executes a perfect parkour-style tumble and doesn’t miss a beat. I’m honestly getting misty just imagining it. Wow. I mean, yes, the talent and skill that takes to execute, but the METAPHOR, MAMA. First, I’m reminded of Kylie’s quip earlier this season: “I am a showgirl; I know how to rig up the gig.” Don’t believe her? Behold, bitch. That’s the kind of confidence I want to bring to my everyday life. Then, there’s the poetic bookending of Kylie’s journey, from early elimination fodder — taken out by an impression of LADY GAGA, NO LESS — to a triumphant display of guts, talent and skill to a LADY GAGA SONG. It’s undeniable. Ru has no choice but to award her the crown, which feels at once shocking, but also like there would be a gay uprising if the results went any other way. That’s absolutely no knock on the other three queens. Each one fully transformed their reputation, character and career before successfully reintroducing themselves to the famously venomous Drag Race fandom. Eureka already has a platform on HBO’s fantastic We’re Here, but I feel like this run has cemented her artistry beyond her personality. If there’s any justice in this world, Ginger will be booked and blessed on stages and screens across the globe for as long as she wants. Ra’Jah, too, likely has legions of new fans chomping at the bit to see her do what she does SO well. But, my heart belongs to Kylie. It’s almost too perfect of a Drag Race narrative as to potentially feel forced or disingenuous. A show all about transformation, self-expression and authenticity presents a queen who struggled in the game while struggling internally, but, once they learned to love themselves, comes back to conquer. Yeah, it’s a satisfying narrative arc, and I’m sure one that had producers positively salivating in the story meetings, but reducing Kylie’s win to heavy-handed production does such a disservice to the incredible work she’s put in. She may not have won the most challenges throughout the season, but she had lots of strong performances. I thought her Steve Tyler impression was woefully under-celebrated. Her Snatch Game performance — the challenge that cut her first Drag Race run short — deserved at least a shared win, but, and I’m not just saying this as a Dolly superfan, I think she outperformed Ginger. Then, of course, there’s the fact we have our first trans winner. Again, her win is well-deserved solely on the merits of her talents, but we’re so fortunate to also have a winner who will truly inspire so many young Drag Race fans out there who need this much more than most of us bitter, old queens. Now, everybody say Love. Catch up on our RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars coverage. Monica Lewinsky Now Relates To Britney; Says Only 1 Of Us ‘Made a Mistake’; Overall ‘Happy People Are Making Amends For Their Treatment Of Women’ More Emily Hampshire and Demi Lovato Age Gap Is The Reason They Didn’t ‘Kick it’; Lovato Slid A Direct Message Into Her DMs, Gets ‘Friend Zoned’ More Facebook to limit political content on News Feeds More Bachelor Boyfriend: Colton Underwood Mystery Boyfriend Has Been Identified; The Two Spotted Locking Lips More California law seeks ‘gender neutral’ toy aisles More Waiting For The Lady Gaga Chromatica Remix Album? No More: LISTEN to Dawn of Chromatica More Elton John feels ‘lucky’ to have escaped 80s AIDs crisis More Black AIDS Groups Meet With DaBaby, Praise Rapper for Participation, While Founder Makes Unrelated Calls for Black AIDS Board to Resign More Miami Master Class: Deco and Design; Eat Out, Get Outside; Little Havana to Art Basel; Everglades to South Beach; Big Events, With Kids, or Adults Only. LGBTQ+ Edition More First of R. Kelly Male Victims Testifies; Was 17 When Singer Asked What He ‘Was Willing to do for Music’; Filmed Acts; Told To Call Him ‘Daddy’ More First Transgender History Month Established in San Francisco; Compton’s Cafeteria Riots Memorialized More Load More View the full article

On the eve of ‘American Crime Story’ about the Bill Clinton affair, it’s time to look at Monica Lewinsky now and see how she looks back, sees history and her own evolution. Published by BANG Showbiz English Monica Lewinsky is pleased to see people apologising for the way women like Britney Spears were treated in the past. The 47-year-old activist and television personality has admitted she relates to the ‘Toxic’ hitmaker because they were both treated negatively by the public in the past due to the way they were perceived in the spotlight. But Monica has said her own situation – which saw her slammed for having an affair with former American President Bill Clinton between 1995 and 1996 while she worked as a White House intern, which ultimately led to Clinton’s impeachment – is very different from Britney’s because she “made a mistake”, whereas Britney didn’t. Despite their differences, the ‘Impeachment: American Crime Story’ producer is still pleased to see people apologising for the way women like herself and Britney have been treated. She said: “I think it’s long overdue and wonderful to see it happening for different women in different arenas and scenarios. I made a mistake. Britney didn’t. There were other young women this happened to, and there’s an enormous amount of collateral damage. “So I think it’s not just an apology to a person; it’s an apology to how you’ve affected a culture. What is sexual agency? What does it mean? It’s not surprising that this de-objectifying of women is happening alongside the #MeToo movement. They braid together in a way that makes sense.” Monica also recalled the time she met Britney, 39, in the early 2000s. She added: “She was with Justin Timberlake, and she was going into Henri Bendel just as I was leaving. I had my handbag company at the time, and she said she thought the bags were cute. I was beside myself, so I got her some. “But at that time I wasn’t able to have the perspective to recognise, ‘Oh, this is happening to other women.’ When the fat-shaming happened to Jessica Simpson [in 2009], I thought, ‘Oh, OK. This didn’t just happen to me. This is happening now to other people too.’ Not that that’s a good thing.” And the star admitted there is something beautiful about having resilience. She told InStyle magazine: “When you have made a colossal mistake like I did so early in your life, and lost so much because of it, the idea of making a mistake is catastrophic. And yet in order to move forward, I have to take risks. I have to try things. I have to continue to define who I am.” Monica Lewinsky Now on Towleroad Emily Hampshire and Demi Lovato Age Gap Is The Reason They Didn’t ‘Kick it’; Lovato Slid A Direct Message Into Her DMs, Gets ‘Friend Zoned’ More Facebook to limit political content on News Feeds More Bachelor Boyfriend: Colton Underwood Mystery Boyfriend Has Been Identified; The Two Spotted Locking Lips More California law seeks ‘gender neutral’ toy aisles More Waiting For The Lady Gaga Chromatica Remix Album? No More: LISTEN to Dawn of Chromatica More Elton John feels ‘lucky’ to have escaped 80s AIDs crisis More Black AIDS Groups Meet With DaBaby, Praise Rapper for Participation, While Founder Makes Unrelated Calls for Black AIDS Board to Resign More Miami Master Class: Deco and Design; Eat Out, Get Outside; Little Havana to Art Basel; Everglades to South Beach; Big Events, With Kids, or Adults Only. LGBTQ+ Edition More First of R. Kelly Male Victims Testifies; Was 17 When Singer Asked What He ‘Was Willing to do for Music’; Filmed Acts; Told To Call Him ‘Daddy’ More First Transgender History Month Established in San Francisco; Compton’s Cafeteria Riots Memorialized More Restrictive Texas Abortion Law Takes Effect, Bans After 6 Weeks; Provides Bounties For Those Not Abiding. Blame the Supreme Court More Load More View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Demi Lovato once made a move on Emily Hampshire. The 29-year-old singer has admitted they find the ‘Schitt’s Creek’ star “attractive”, and once slid into her DMs to ask her out on a date. Speaking to Emily on their ‘4D with Demi Lovato’ podcast, they said: “I did, I slid in those DMs.” And Emily gave further details, adding: “You slid in my DMs and you said, ‘Hey, I like you on the show. We should kick it sometime.’ And then you said, below it, ‘And by kick it, I mean go on a date. I find you attractive.’ You made it clear it was a date. And I loved that because sometimes that’s confusing. I’m decades older than you, so ‘kick it,’ I was looking it up.” However, the ‘Sober’ singer was turned down by Emily because the 40-year-old actress was concerned they wouldn’t have enough in common because of their 11-year age gap. Emily explained: “You also said, ‘Think of Sarah Paulson and Holland Taylor.’ And then right after you were like, ‘I don’t mean you’re the Holland Taylor!’ I thought it was the funniest thing in the whole world because I was a Holland Taylor in that situation. Proud to be.” And although their romance didn’t work out, Demi is “happy” to have made a friend in Emily because of their flirty exchange. They said: “A non-binary person can dream. And they, she — I was a ‘she’ at the time — she was dreaming big. I was like, ‘What’s the worst that could happen?’ And I made a really good friend. You’re a dope friend, and I’m happy we became friends.” Emily also hinted the pair could have explored a relationship if it wasn’t for their age gap, as she replied: “Me too. I wish you weren’t 29!” View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Facebook is planning on limiting the amount of political content in people’s News Feeds. The social media giant has been testing changes to its algorithm in the US, Canada, Indonesia, and Brazil over the last few months, and has now announced it is ready to expand the update to more countries. According to the site, the change will put “less emphasis” on political content when it comes to pushing news stories to people’s feeds in a bid to slow the rate of misinformation on the platform. Facebook said: “We’re gradually expanding some tests to put less emphasis on signals such as how likely someone is to comment on or share political content. “At the same time, we’re putting more emphasis on new signals such as how likely people are to provide us with negative feedback on posts about political topics and current events when we rank those types of posts in their News Feed.” However, the social media site is receiving backlash for reducing political content, even though they also received criticism for the previous system too. Charlie Angus, a member of the Canadian House of Commons, believes the change will “throttle political conversation” on the platform, while some journalists are concerned about what the update will mean for their content. Journalism scholar Valérie Bélair-Gagnon tweeted: “Yet another example of how platforms regulate/affect journalism with Facebook moves to lower News Feed’s political volume (and could reduce traffic to some news publishers, companies that post lots of political content). (sic)” View the full article

Published by Radar Online Colton Underwood was spotted kissing a man on the beach while on a vacation in Hawaii only months after coming out as gay. The mystery man Colton was kissing has been identified as Jordan C. Brown. His new flame is not a stranger to public figures. Based on his Instagram account, Jordan is a familiar face among celebrities having pictured with Olivia Munn, Sophia Bush, Olivia Wilde, and many others. The Bachelor star’s new man also has an established and impressive career in politics having worked on presidential campaigns for Barack Obama both in 2018 and 2012, John Kerry in 2004 as well as H… Read More View the full article

Published by AFP Toys and teething products will have to be displayed in a gender neutral way — as well as in traditional fashion — in large California department stores, under a bill passing through the state's legislature Los Angeles (AFP) – Gender neutral toy aisles could become compulsory in California department stores, under rules being considered in the state’s legislature. The bill will not ban separate areas aimed at girls and boys, but will mandate there must also be a place where dolls and toy soldiers sit side-by-side without being recommended for a particular gender. The regulations would also apply to pacifiers and feeding equipment, according to California assembly member Evan Low, who drafted the bill. “We need to stop stigmatizing kids and putting them in a box by dictating what they should like based on outdated gender stereotypes,” Low told AFP. Low said he was inspired to frame the legislation by the daughter of a woman who worked in his office. “Britten asked her mom while shopping why certain things in a store were ‘off limits’ to her because she was a girl, but would be fine if she was a boy.” Supporters of the bill, which would only apply to department stores that employ more than 500 people throughout the state, say it would also help to address an unjustified price differential. They note that products marketed to girls are often more expensive than those aimed at boys, even if the items themselves are identical. Opponents say the government has no business telling stores how they should display their goods, and overwhelmed parents find it easier to choose if items are clearly labelled. The bill is expected to pass its final reading in the state’s lower house, before landing on the desk of Governor Gavin Newsom. If enacted, the law will impose fines of $250 to $500 on stores that do not comply, starting in January 2024. Sensitivity to gender issues has grown in recent years across the west, and particularly in the United States, where gender neutral toilets are a common sight in liberal states like California. But it has provoked a backlash from conservatives, who insist gender is rooted in biology, and accuse governments and some companies of pandering to a fad. Many businesses, however, have pressed ahead with changes to long-standing line-ups. This year, toy-maker Hasbro announced the Mr Potato Head brand would be getting a makeover “to promote gender equality and inclusion,” and would be known simply as “Potato Head.” Department store Target, with almost two thousand branches across the country, announced in 2015 that it would establish gender-neutral areas in some dedicated spaces for children and the home. View the full article

[This post contains video, click to play] ‘Soundtrack to the sunrise after that long night” From the press release: “Chromatica was released at the beginning of a global pandemic, a shred of light for many in a dark time. Dawn of Chromatica is the soundtrack to the sunrise after that long night, featuring the works of some of the most forward-thinking artists all over the world,” says BloodPopPicture1.png.”Dawn of Chromatica is truly a collaboration between Lady Gaga, the featured artists, and the community, for the community.” “I invite you to dance to this album in celebration of young artists all over the world. Artists who see the world, feel the world, and put that feeling into something bigger than all of us: music,” says Lady Gaga. Dawn of Chromatica is available for preorder in CD and Vinyl formats, alongside an array of new merchandise at dawnofchromatica.comhttp://dawnofchromatica.com. The physical and digital packaging were created by Sam Rolfes, Andy Rolfes, and S.A Mayer, with merch design by Kristyna Kulikova of Team Rolfes. Today, Lady Gaga released her highly anticipated Chromatica remix album, Dawn of Chromatica, via Interscope Records. A reinvention of Gaga’s sixth consecutive #1 studio album Chromatica, Dawn of Chromatica was executive produced by BloodPopPicture1.pngand features new collaborations and remixes of the original album tracklist from A. G. Cook, Arca, Ashnikko, Bree Runway, Charli XCX, Chester Lockhart, Clarence Clarity, COUCOU CHLOE, Dorian Electra, Doss, Jimmy Edgar, Lil Texas, LSDXOXO, Mood Killer, Mura Masa, Pabllo Vittar, Planningtorock, Rina Sawayama and Shygirl. Many of the collaborative artists were sourced by publicly asking fans who they would like to see on this project. Lady Gaga Chromatica Remix on Towleroad Waiting For The Lady Gaga Chromatica Remix Album? No More: LISTEN to Dawn of Chromatica September 3, 2021 Read More Elton John feels ‘lucky’ to have escaped 80s AIDs crisis September 2, 2021 Read More Black AIDS Groups Meet With DaBaby, Praise Rapper for Participation, While Founder Makes Unrelated Calls for Black AIDS Board to Resign September 2, 2021 Read More Miami Master Class: Deco and Design; Eat Out, Get Outside; Little Havana to Art Basel; Everglades to South Beach; Big Events, With Kids, or Adults Only. LGBTQ+ Edition September 1, 2021 Read More First of R. Kelly Male Victims Testifies; Was 17 When Singer Asked What He ‘Was Willing to do for Music’; Filmed Acts; Told To Call Him ‘Daddy’ September 1, 2021 Read More First Transgender History Month Established in San Francisco; Compton’s Cafeteria Riots Memorialized September 1, 2021 Read More View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Sir Elton John feels “lucky” to have escaped the AIDs crisis in the 1980s. The ‘I’m Still Standing’ hitmaker explained how the Channel 4 show ‘It’s A Sin’ made him realise how lucky he was and he plans to get the cast of the drama over to his house when he’s back in the UK. Speaking on The Official Big Top 40, he shared: “When I come back to England which is going to be soon, I’m going to have a dinner for all the cast of It’s A Sin at our house because I love that programme. It didn’t change my life but it made me realise how lucky I was to escape all that and to be reminded of what happened. Russell T Davies and the cast are going to come to dinner. We’re going to have a laugh.” Last year, Elton launched a $1 million fund to help those with HIV amidst the coronavirus pandemic. The ‘Rocket Man’ singer shared: “Today, I’m proud to announce that my Foundation @EJAF is launching a $1million COVID-19 Emergency Fund to make sure that our frontline partners can respond to the effects of COVID-19 on HIV care for the most marginalised communities around the world. “Now and always, I’m committed to not leave anyone affected by HIV behind. Visit http://ejaf.org/covid19 for more info. Sending love to all of our Foundation’s partners, grantees, supporters, frontline workers and members of our community during this time. Elton x (sic)” A post on the Elton John Aids Foundation website revealed that they are asking for applications that will help give “solutions that have strong potential to address specific challenges that have arisen for people already living with or at severe risk of HIV/AIDS and who are now at heightened risk”. Sharing their plans to support the community, they added: “Such solutions should aim to demonstrably mitigate the threat of COVID-19 on maintaining current levels of access or increasing access to HIV-related prevention, testing, care and treatment adherence services.” Elton AIDS previously on Towleroad Elton John feels ‘lucky’ to have escaped 80s AIDs crisis September 2, 2021 Read More Black AIDS Groups Meet With DaBaby, Praise Rapper for Participation, While Founder Makes Unrelated Calls for Black AIDS Board to Resign September 2, 2021 Read More Miami Master Class: Deco and Design; Eat Out, Get Outside; Little Havana to Art Basel; Everglades to South Beach; Big Events, With Kids, or Adults Only. LGBTQ+ Edition September 1, 2021 Read More First of R. Kelly Male Victims Testifies; Was 17 When Singer Asked What He ‘Was Willing to do for Music’; Filmed Acts; Told To Call Him ‘Daddy’ September 1, 2021 Read More First Transgender History Month Established in San Francisco; Compton’s Cafeteria Riots Memorialized September 1, 2021 Read More Restrictive Texas Abortion Law Takes Effect, Bans After 6 Weeks; Provides Bounties For Those Not Abiding. Blame the Supreme Court September 1, 2021 Read More View the full article

DaBabyThe open call for rapper DaBaby to meet with Black HIV/AIDS activists and researchers was answered by the beleaguered artist last month as fallout from his homophobic and AIDS-phobic comments in July continues to unfold. Positive Impact According to GLAAD, DaBaby met with Black leaders from nine HIV/AIDS organizations, including the Black AIDS Institute and the National Minority AIDS Council, on August 25. The conversation aimed to offer the rapper educational resources on the condition, how the continued stigma of HIV/AIDS affects communities of color – especially in the American South, where DaBaby calls home – and how he can positively impact communities who live with HIV/AIDS positively. “The open letter to DaBaby was our way to extend him the same grace each of us would hope for. Our goal was to ‘call him in instead of calling him out.’ We believed that if he connected with Black leaders living with HIV that a space for community building and healing could be created,” said the meeting’s attendees in a joint statement. “our way to extend him the same grace each of us would hope for. Our goal was to ‘call him in instead of calling him out.” Joint statement of groups attending meeing“DaBaby was genuinely engaged, apologized for the inaccurate and hurtful comments he made about people living with HIV, and received our personal stories and the truth about HIV and its impact on Black and LGBTQ communities with deep respect.” According to those in attendance for the meeting, DaBaby “openly and eagerly participated” in conversations about the dangers of spreading misinformation about people living with HIV/AIDS and the realities of living with HIV/AIDS. “DaBaby’s willingness to listen, learn, and grow can open the door to an entirely new generation of people to do the same,” said Marnina Miller, community outreach coordinator for the Southern AIDS Coalition. “Ending HIV stigma requires doing the hard work of changing hearts and minds, and often that begins with something as simple as starting a dialogue. We hope DaBaby will use his platform to educate his fans and help end the epidemic.” The rapper’s first musical output since the meeting, a freestyle remix of WizKid’s “Essence,” appeared to offer more deflections. In a spoken word portion of the track, DaBaby seems to allude to the public response to his comments, saying “people try to, you know, assassinate your character.” GLAAD and the Gilead COMPASS Initiative’s 2021 State of HIV Stigma Study revealed that only 42% of U.S. citizens know that HIV cannot be transmitted while undergoing proper treatment. The percentage of American adults who say they “feel knowledgeable about HIV” dropped by three points as compared to last year. “For the second year in a row, we are finding that HIV stigma remains high while HIV knowledge remains low amongst Americans,” said GLAAD’s DaShawn Usher. “We have to think critically and intentionally about how we truly equip and engage everyday Americans with the facts, resources, and scientific advancements about HIV if we want to end the epidemic.” The Black AIDS Institute’s Rev. Rob Newells-Newton seconded Usher’s call with specific focus on Black Americans. “Our goal is to make sure that Black people are armed with accurate information so that they can make the best choices for themselves about their sexual health,” Newells-Newton said in a statement. “We call on Black people and our allies to: dismantle anti-Black racism; invest in transforming the socioeconomic conditions of Black people; ensure universal access to culturally-affirming healthcare; and build the capacity and motivation of Black communities to be the change agents for ending HIV.” Black AIDS Institute Petition While the general feeling was positive coming out of the meeting, the leaders’ sit-down with DaBaby came as a group of Black HIV/AIDS activists called for the board of the Black AIDS Institute to step down. The group, which includes Black AIDS Institute founder Phill Wilson, launched a petition claiming that current board members “are disconnected from the HIV community” , are “undermining BAI’s evolution,” and calls for increased diversity in the organization’s leadership The petition was in response to the sudden dismissal of BAI CEO Raniyah Copeland on August 20. Current BAI board chair Grazell Howard gave no reason for her dismissal when he announced the news last month. “BAI can only be saved by the HIV community,” the petition reads. “This generation of leaders and people living with HIV today have to be the change they demand instead of waiting for somebody else to make it happen.” Black AIDS: Previously on Towleroad Black AIDS Groups Meet With DaBaby, Praise Rapper for Participation, While Founder Makes Unrelated Calls for Black AIDS Board to Resign Brian Bell September 2, 2021 Read More FOLLOWING UP: DaBaby Apology Gone From Instagram; First Trans Model for Vogue; Sr. Executives Leave Activision Blizzard: Brian Bell August 10, 2021 Read More AIDS Groups Release Open Letter to DaBaby; Denver Cancels Festival He Was to Headline; IHeartRadio, Austin City Limits Also Drop; WednesDababy Update Brian Bell August 4, 2021 Read More Grounded by Festivals, DaBaby Apologizes; Blames Victims For Not Just Taking His Abuse While He Explained How Much Harder It is Being DaBaby Brian Bell August 2, 2021 Read More DaBaby Homophobia Week Spirals : Madonna, Questlove, Lovato Call Out Rapper. U.K. Festival Removes Him From Lineup Brian Bell July 30, 2021 Read More Elton, Dua, Usher, GLAAD Try to Set Da Baby Straight; Rapper Claims Hateful Comments are Living his ‘Truth’ Just as Queers Come Out to Live Theirs. Brian Bell July 29, 2021 Read More View the full article

Ditch Slack (and sleeves) for an idyllic gay getaway to Miami. Photo courtesy the GMCVB.Whether you’re deciding where to take your first, long-overdue vacation or just deciding your next destination, make sure you’ve got Miami in your travel plans. The always popular locale is brimming with culture, buzzing with nightlife and boasting a variety of activities for all types of tastes, all served up in a one-of-a-kind, stunning, sunny paradise. Of course you’re already familiar with the famous, all-night bar and club scene, the world-class cuisine from some of the most famous chefs on Earth and the vibrant LGBTQ+ plus community that defines Miami, but that’s just the beginning. Obviously, South Beach is a must-see for gay travelers, if not for the gorgeous Art Deco architecture, then for the Speedo-clad buff bodies on the beach. But once you’re done dancing the night away or kicking off your heels at a drag show, Miami still has plenty to explore. Miami’s artsy Wynwood neighborhood draws a hip, eclectic crowd. Photo courtesy the GMCVB.The Wynwood neighborhood, for example, is an art-lover’s dream, full of hip bars, eclectic galleries and the famous Wynwood Walls, more than 35 murals from world-famous artists. And no visit is complete without a taste of Cuban culture in Little Havana (and mouth-watering ice cream from Azucar). Discover more about Miami’s unique neighborhoods here. If you’re looking to escape the din of city life, wild adventure awaits in the region. In less than 60 minutes, you can be transported from one of the world’s most sophisticated cities to one of the most untamed parts of America, the Everglades. The 1.5 million acre ecosystem is home to tons of wildlife, including many birds and the area’s famed gators. They’re best viewed aboard an airboat, a quintessential Everglades experience. (Fear not, my fellow city mice, there are also glamping options available.) Whether on the town or on the water, Miami has the escape you’re looking for. Photo courtesy the GMCVB.That’s far from the only way to soak in the area’s natural radiance. For an outdoor adventure that’s more sand and surf than birds and binoculars, Miami can’t be beat. There’s a bevvy of beaches, notably the widely-known gay beach on 12th Street and the clothing-optional Haulover Beach. Enjoy the eye-candy or get an adrenaline rush from hitting the water on a jet ski, parasailing or windsurfing. Find more ways to enjoy the outdoors in Miami here. As thrilling (and sexy) as Miami can be, it’s also great for LGBTQ+ parents looking for a crowd-pleasing pick for the whole family. Science fans of all ages will find something to geek out about at Philip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, which features a science museum, planetarium and aquarium. The Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) offers children’s programming, or there’s always the Miami Children’s Museum inspiring visitors of all ages. Bring the kids on your Miami holiday for a new twist on the family vacation. Photo courtesy the GMCVB.Let the kids loose at Grapeland, a wet and wild water park that’s aesthetically pleasing for parents, thanks to the design by pop artist Romero Britto. Or, cool off at the Venetian Pool, a massive freshwater pool built inside a coral rock quarry. See more Miami activities for LGBTQ+ travelers with children here. With so many options, it’s possible to make each trip to Miami a unique itinerary. Plus, the calendar is full of special events that transform the area. Of course, there’s Miami Beach Pride this fall, featuring Paulina Rubio. Or, for a funkier take on Pride, watch out for Wigwood, an alternative Pride event based in the Wynwood neighborhood, typically held annually in February. (2022 dates have not yet been announced.) The iconic Art Basel art festival returns this December, drawing artists, influencers and tastemakers from all over the globe. Food takes center stage at the annual South Beach Wine & Food Festival, one of the largest culinary festivals in the world, attracting the best chefs and mixologists, and somehow making the food scene in Miami even better. Explore 15 of Miami’s hottest events here. Figuring out how to enjoy all that haute cuisine while rocking that hot body on the beach is up to you. Miami Master Class previously on Towleroad Miami Master Class: Deco and Design; Eat Out, Get Outside; Little Havana to Art Basel; Everglades to South Beach; Big Events, With Kids, or Adults Only. LGBTQ+ Edition September 1, 2021 Read More 4 Unique Miami Neighborhoods That Have What You Want… and Something to Surprise Every Time You Go Back June 23, 2021 Read More 10 Ways to Get Wet and Wild in Miami’s Wonderous Great Outdoors June 9, 2021 Read More What’s Your Pleasure? Art Circuit? LatinX Foodie? Hot Pride Dance Dad? Pick 2 of 15 Hot Events In Miami Open This Year… to Start June 2, 2021 Read More Miami to Rename Street ‘Moonlight Way’ in Honor of the Oscar-Winning Film April 20, 2017 Read More Where to Sleep: Miami’s Top 12 New Hotels January 22, 2016 Read More Happening Now: Art Basel Invades Miami December 4, 2015 Read More The Perfect Miami Weekend: Go Out, Have Fun August 5, 2015 Read More What’s Gay and Great in Miami: A Travel Guide for Right Now May 30, 2015 Read More View the full article

Published by AFP R. Kelly, shown here in May 2019, is on trial for federal sex crimes and racketeering New York (AFP) – R. Kelly asked a teenage boy what he “was willing to do for music” before sexually abusing him, according to testimony from the first male to speak out against the singer accused of sex crimes. In bombshell testimony Monday, the now 32-year-old man said that he became associated with Kelly’s entourage and pleaded guilty in 2021 to attempting to bribe a woman who would potentially testify against the musician. But more than a decade prior, Louis — using a pseudonym — said he first encountered Kelly in 2006, when he was a 17-year-old working the night shift at a suburban Chicago McDonald’s. He told the Brooklyn federal courtroom Kelly slipped him his phone number. After he and his parents attended a party at Kelly’s home, the singer told him “maybe it would be best some time if I came to the party by myself,” and said he could perform at his studio and maybe get some industry tips. Invited under the guise of working on his music, Louis said at one point he met Kelly at his home and they proceeded to the detached garage, which had a boxing ring and a gym. “He asked me what I was willing to do for music,” the witness said, describing the singer asking if he had “fantasies” before performing oral sex on him. Louis said Kelly told him to “keep it between me and him” saying “we family now, we brothers.” He said Kelly requested Louis call him “daddy” — as multiple women have said the singer demanded they do — and would routinely film their sexual encounters. Louis was testifying Monday as part of a cooperation agreement he entered into in February 2021, under which he hopes to avoid jail time of up to 15 years. He had offered money to a potential witness against Kelly, who was arrested in 2019, hoping the person would “not cooperate” with federal prosecutors. Louis said he was concerned that the unnamed witness possessed sex tapes of him and Kelly. It was unclear where Louis procured the sum of at least $200,000 he hoped to pay the witness off with, but he told the court that Kelly had no knowledge of his bribery attempt. ‘Uncomfortable’ Prosecutors have been presenting searing testimony from accusers to paint a picture of more than two decades of physical, sexual and emotional abuse by Kelly. The 54-year-old denies all charges and faces between 10 years and life in prison if convicted on all counts. Kelly has remained stoic throughout the proceedings but on Monday appeared agitated, rubbing his forehead, clasping his hands at his chin and fidgeting with his mask. Louis recalled an episode of nonconsensual sex involving him and another person, saying Kelly “snapped his fingers” before “a young lady came out from under the (boxing) ring.” “She crawled over to him” before performing oral sex on both Kelly and Louis, the court heard. “It was uncomfortable,” Louis said, describing another instance when he passed out from drinking at a party and woke up alone with the defendant, unsure whether they’d had a sexual encounter. Louis is not identified in the indictment against Kelly, which charges him with racketeering, sexual exploitation of a child, kidnapping, bribery and forced labor between 1994 and 2018. The racketeering count allows prosecutors to present evidence of potential crimes outside the scope of the charges, even if it’s beyond the statute of limitations. Also on Monday a woman identified as Addie, who is not among the alleged victims in the charges, said Kelly raped her in front of her friend backstage at a 1994 concert when she was 17. “I was in complete shock,” she said. “I just went blank.” She said she feared going to the police: “I didn’t even know if they would believe me,” she said, adding that “I didn’t want to be victim-shamed” or “blacklisted” in the industry. The trial, now in its third week, is expected to last at least a month. R. Kelly Male Victims previously on Towleroad First of R. Kelly Male Victims Testifies; Was 17 When Singer Asked What He ‘Was Willing to do for Music’; Filmed Acts; Told To Call Him ‘Daddy’ September 1, 2021 Read More First Transgender History Month Established in San Francisco; Compton’s Cafeteria Riots Memorialized September 1, 2021 Read More Restrictive Texas Abortion Law Takes Effect, Bans After 6 Weeks; Provides Bounties For Those Not Abiding. Blame the Supreme Court September 1, 2021 Read More California Teacher Investigated Over Joking Students Could ‘Pledge Allegiance’ to LGBTQ Pride Flag August 31, 2021 Read More Afghan Gay Men Are Terrified. Taliban Continue to Hunt, Betray, Out, Rape, Beat, Murder, Cause Suicides…And That’s Just the Last 2 Weeks August 31, 2021 Read More Carole Baskin sells Tiger King Zoo She Won in Court from Joe Exotic; New Owners Agreed To Not Use As Zoo 100 Years August 30, 2021 Read More View the full article

San Francisco Mayor London BreedThe latest civic recognition of transgender history and communities and decades of activism and civil rights battles for said communities last week when the city of San Francisco became the first U.S. city to recognize August as Transgender History Month. San Francisco Mayor London Breed signed the declaration during a ceremony last Tuesday. “I am honored to join the transgender community today to declare August as Transgender History Month in San Francisco,” Breed said. “Our transgender community has a rich cultural history in this city and is so important to our diverse identity. San Francisco has been and always will be a place where everyone can seek refuge, sanctuary and safety.” Transgender History Month joins Transgender Awareness Week and the Transgender Day of Rememberance as annual celebrations commemorating the history and legacy of trans communities, experiences and activism. The proposal to decree August as Transgender History Month originated with Jupiter Peraza, social justice and empowerment initiatives director for the city’s Transgender District. Peraza told the San Francisco Examiner that the inspiration for her proposal is rooted in moving past singular narratives of trans existence that focus on “a sense of greif and loss.” “(Transgender Awareness Week) is a very special week, but it’s a week that’s sort of eclipsed by a sense of grief and loss which I think does not do justice the joy and celebration and happiness we should be instilling,” said Peraza. “It’s important to let trans people know that their future is bright, they have potential, they come from lineage of revolutionaries, change-makers, trailblazers. When you remind people of that, it breaks barriers.” Legacy of Compton’s Cafeteria Riots Breed’s decision to recognize Transgender History Month coincides with the 55th anniversary of the 1966 Compton’s Cafeteria Riots. Commonly viewed as one of the first acts of trans rights protest, the Compton’s Cafeteria Riots remains one of the most high profile pre-Stonewall demonstrations of LGBTQ, and specifically trans, activism. Located in the city’s Tenderloin district, years-long harassment of trans denizens at the eatery by staff and the San Francisco Police came to head in August 1966 when a trans customer threw coffee in an SFPD officer’s face during an attempted arrest. A riot ensued, with dozens of trans citizens of the city pushing back against the police presence at the cafeteria. Compton’s was picketed the following night, galvanizing trans resistance to erasure and harassment based on their identity. The area that housed Compton’s was officially renamed the Compton’s Transgender Cultural District by the San Francisco City Council in June 2017 as a means of highlighting the location’s role in trans history and activism. Tuesday’s declaration officially recognized the Compton’s Cafeteria Riots as the first trans rights demonstration in U.S. history and Tamara Ching, a participant in the Compton’s Cafeteria Riots, was awarded a Certificate of Honor. “As we have proven, we are capable of transcending what is imposed on us, to attain lives in which we are authentically and exquisitely us,” Peraza said during Tuesday’s ceremony. “We are our own most prized possessions.” Trans Leaders Weigh In Other prominent local trans leaders praised the mayor’s move as well. “Transgender History Month is so iconic! I don’t think the broader public realizes how many significant contributions to history, culture, social justice, and of course, popular culture that transgender and gender non-conforming people have made,” said Transgender District co-founder and president Aria Sa’id. “On behalf of The Transgender District we are overjoyed to celebrate this incredible milestone.” Breed also announced multiple budgetary initiatives specifically addressing the needs of LGBTQ and trans citizens, including a guaranteed income project for residents impacted financially during the Covid-19 pandemic and equity programming combatting violence and harassment toward trans individuals. Breed also announced announced the city will set aside $12 million to purchase a site for a planned “full-scale LGBTQ museum” in the city. “San Francisco has long been a leader in fighting for trans rights and making critical investments to support our residents,” added Clair Farley, executive director of the Office of Transgender Initiatives. “This historic announcement is an important way to honor those that have paved the way for our movement and address the important work we have ahead to address the ongoing discrimination and violence facing trans and gender nonconforming communities” “We are intelligent. We are compassionate. We are creative. We are determined,” Sister Roma of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence added during the ceremony. Transgender History: Previously on Towleroad First Transgender History Month Established in San Francisco; Compton’s Cafeteria Riots Memorialized Brian Bell September 1, 2021 No Comments San Francisco Mayor London Breed The latest civic recognition of transgender history and communities and decades of activism and civil rights battles for said communities last … Read More Restrictive Texas Abortion Law Takes Effect, Bans After 6 Weeks; Provides Bounties For Those Not Abiding. Blame the Supreme Court Michael Goff September 1, 2021 No Comments c Published by AFP Texas Abortion law opponents protest in the state capitol in Texas, where a new restrictive law on ending pregnancies has taken effect Washington (AFP) … Read More California Teacher Investigated Over Joking Students Could ‘Pledge Allegiance’ to LGBTQ Pride Flag Brian Bell August 31, 2021 No Comments Kristin Pitzin A California teacher is being investigated by a local school district in response to a video showing her joking that her students could pledge … Read More Afghan Gay Men Are Terrified. Taliban Continue to Hunt, Betray, Out, Rape, Beat, Murder, Cause Suicides…And That’s Just the Last 2 Weeks Michael Goff August 31, 2021 No Comments –Very few Afghan gay men have gotten out.–This is a round up of Afghan gay interviewed by western journalists.–Those few speaking for Afghan LGBTQ say … Read More Carole Baskin sells Tiger King Zoo She Won in Court from Joe Exotic; New Owners Agreed To Not Use As Zoo 100 Years Towleroad August 30, 2021 No Comments Published by BANG Showbiz English Carole Baskin has sold Joe Exotic’s zoo. The animal rights campaigner ensured that the exotic animal park in Wynnewood, Oklahoma – which … Read More Taliban Takes Over: Afghanistan’s ‘Gen Z’ Is Used to Cellphones, Pop Music, Social Mixing of Genders, But Fears the Worst Towleroad August 30, 2021 No Comments Published by Reuters Aug. 15, as the Taliban takes over Kabul, 26-year-old Javid rushed home from the university …He deleted all emails and social media messages … Read More View the full article

c Published by AFP Texas Abortion law opponents protest in the state capitol in Texas, where a new restrictive law on ending pregnancies has taken effect Washington (AFP) – A Texas law that bans abortion after six weeks, before many women even know they are pregnant, took effect on Wednesday after the Supreme Court failed to act on an emergency request to block it. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, signed a bill in May that bans abortion once a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which is usually in the sixth week of pregnancy. The legislation, known as Senate Bill 8, or SB8, makes no exception for rape or incest and would make Texas the hardest state in the country in which to get an abortion. While similar laws have been passed in a dozen Republican-led conservative states, all had so far been blocked in the courts from going into force. The American Civil Liberties Union, Planned Parenthood, the Center for Reproductive Rights and other groups filed an emergency request with the Supreme Court on Monday, asking it to stop the Texas law from taking effect. The court declined to rule by midnight — although it may still eventually grant the request from rights groups and abortion providers to halt the so-called “heartbeat bill.” Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic speaker of the US House of Representatives, said the failure of the Supreme Court to act has “delivered catastrophe to women in Texas.” “This radical law is an all-out effort to erase the rights and protections of Roe v Wade,” Pelosi said, in a reference to the landmark 1973 Supreme Court ruling that enshrined a woman’s right to an abortion. “Every woman, everywhere, has the constitutional and moral right to basic reproductive health care,” Pelosi said. The ACLU said the impact of the bill will be “immediate and devastating.” “Access to almost all abortion has just been cut off for millions of people,” the powerful civil rights association said. “This abortion ban is blatantly unconstitutional,” it said. “We won’t stop fighting until it’s blocked.” According to the ACLU, “approximately 85 to 90 percent” of women who obtain an abortion in Texas are at least six weeks into pregnancy. ‘Cruel, unconscionable, and unlawful’ The other states that have sought to enact restrictions on abortion in the early stages of pregnancy have been barred from doing so by Roe v Wade. That decision allowed abortion so long as the fetus is not viable outside the womb, which is usually the case until the 22nd to 24th weeks of pregnancy. Texas’s law is different from those of other states because it allows the public — rather than state officials such as prosecutors or health departments — to bring legal action to enforce the ban. Everyday citizens are encouraged to report doctors who perform abortions or anyone who helped facilitate the procedure. The Texas law “creates a bounty hunting scheme that encourages the general public to bring costly and harassing lawsuits against anyone who they believe has violated the ban,” the ACLU said. “Anyone who successfully sues a health center worker, an abortion provider, or any person who helps someone access an abortion after six weeks will be rewarded with at least $10,000, to be paid by the person sued,” it said. “Anti-abortion groups in Texas have already set up online forms enlisting people to sue anyone they believe is violating the law and encouraging people to submit ‘anonymous tips’ on doctors, clinics, and others who violate the law,” it said. Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights, said the Texas bill would force women to “travel out of state — in the middle of a pandemic — to receive constitutionally guaranteed health care.” “Many will not be able to afford to,” Northup said. “It’s cruel, unconscionable, and unlawful.” The Supreme Court is due to hear a case in the coming months involving a Mississippi law that prohibits abortions after the 15th week of pregnancy except in cases of medical emergency or a severe fetal abnormality. It will be the first abortion case considered by the nation’s high court since former president Donald Trump cemented a conservative-leaning 6-3 majority on the nine-member panel. Texas Abortion Law on Towleroad First Transgender History Month Established in San Francisco; Compton’s Cafeteria Riots Memorialized September 1, 2021 Read More Restrictive Texas Abortion Law Takes Effect, Bans After 6 Weeks; Provides Bounties For Those Not Abiding. Blame the Supreme Court September 1, 2021 Read More California Teacher Investigated Over Joking Students Could ‘Pledge Allegiance’ to LGBTQ Pride Flag August 31, 2021 Read More Afghan Gay Men Are Terrified. Taliban Continue to Hunt, Betray, Out, Rape, Beat, Murder, Cause Suicides…And That’s Just the Last 2 Weeks August 31, 2021 Read More Carole Baskin sells Tiger King Zoo She Won in Court from Joe Exotic; New Owners Agreed To Not Use As Zoo 100 Years August 30, 2021 Read More Taliban Takes Over: Afghanistan’s ‘Gen Z’ Is Used to Cellphones, Pop Music, Social Mixing of Genders, But Fears the Worst August 30, 2021 Read More View the full article

Kristin PitzinA California teacher is being investigated by a local school district in response to a video showing her joking that her students could pledge allegiance to the LGBTQ Pride flag. The issue originated from a viral TikTok video from Newport Mesa School District teacher Kristin Pitzen. In the video, Pitzen explains that the Orange County, CA school she works at has students recite the pledge of allegiance during third period and that she allows students to participate in the pledge in any way they see fit. “I always tell my class, stand if you feel like it, don’t stand if you feel like it, say the words if you want, you don’t have to say the words,” Pitzen said in the now-deleted clip. When her students chose to stand but not say the words, they expressed that it was “weird” to do so without an American flag present in the room. Pitzen removed the American flag from her classroom at an earlier date during the Covid-19 pandemic, saying it “made her uncomfortable.” When her students brought up the lack of a flag to pledge to, she searched for it but was unable to find it. Instead, Pitzen joked that her students could recite the pledge to another flag hanging in the room, moving the camera to show a Progress Pride flag displayed on the wall while laughing. The majority of responses to the original video felt in on the joke, but conservative social media users pounced on the clip, claiming it was evidence of Pitzin pushing an “ungodly social agenda” onto minors in her classroom. Pitzin deleted her TikTok account as the school district’s Facebook page became inundated with hateful comments from people calling for Pitzin to be fired. “Send her to Afghanistan,” wrote one Facebook user. One user posted her home address and phone number, a clear doxxing effort meant to encourage harassment. The doxxing continued as another user posted a picture of what they claimed was Pitzin’s home. Investigation Launched The Newport Mesa School District announced Saturday that it launched an investigation into the matter. “On Friday evening, one of our teachers created a personal social media post that caused alarm and concern related to saluting the American flag,” the school district said in a statement. “Showing respect for our nation’s flag is an important value our District instills in our students and is an expectation of our employees. We take this matter seriously and are investigating and addressing it.” The school district’s statement was met with similar vitriol. Commenters continued demanding Pitzin’s firing, framing her tongue-in-cheek video as an attack on American values and patriotism. Numerous users reiterated that she shuld be sent to Afghanistan “to see how women are treated since she is so uncomfortable to the American flag.” Speaking to NBC News, a school district spokesperson didn’t offer further details on what exactly Pitzin was being investigated for, but did state that the school district has a policy requiring daily “patriotic exercises,” including the pledge of allegiance. The policy also states that any person who doesn’t want to participate in the pledge for personal reasons may do so. “While we do not discuss employee related matters, we can tell you that showing respect and honor for our nation’s flag is a value that we instill in our students and an expectation of our employees,” the school district spokesperson said. “We take matters like this seriously and are taking action to address it.” Pitzin has remained silent in the days since her TikTok spawned the uproar. The school district has not confirmed if she is currently subject to any punishment while its investigation continues. California Teacher: Previously on Towleroad California Teacher Investigated Over Joking Students Could ‘Pledge Allegiance’ to LGBTQ Pride Flag Brian Bell August 31, 2021 Read More Caitlyn Jenner California Homeless Visit in Venice Beach: Will Talk “About” but not “To” the Unhoused at Political Launch Towleroad August 13, 2021 Read More ‘Frat Boy’ Culture at Activision Blizzard: Groping, Junk-Grab ‘Gay Chicken’ Game, ‘The Cosby Suite,’ Cited in California Suit. Employees Walk Out Brian Bell July 28, 2021 Read More QAnon, Alex Jones Threats Force San Francisco Gay Chorus Office to Close; Insist Clever Song About Coming to ‘Teach Your Kids Not to Hate’ As Proof of Pedophilia Brian Bell July 9, 2021 Read More First San Francisco Lesbian Landmark; Home of First Same-Sex Married Couple Phyllis Lyon, Del Martin Classified City Landmark Brian Bell May 7, 2021 Read More Trans Community Responds to Caitlyn Jenner Trans Sports Comments; ‘Caitlyn Jenner is Anti-Trans’ Brian Bell May 5, 2021 Read More View the full article