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The horror! The horror! on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. After a few weeks of exemplary challenges on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, we really got a stinker this week. When Ryan Murphy is involved, you know results may vary, and that was surely on display as the remaining queens threw themselves into an American Horror Story-themed acting challenge. These acting challenges rarely reach levels above “cringe,” but this was a doozy. The writers just named all the characters after the actresses who played them, and the jokes are similarly on-the-nose references. Even though the challenge felt excruciatingly overlong, it still managed to make even less narrative sense than usual. The costumes were cute though! The scares actually come a bit earlier in the episode, when the lipstick box reveals the last vote split evenly between Jan and the departed Scarlet. Jan doesn’t understand the judges’ critique and still feels she wasn’t being over the top. Step right up, step right up, see the queen with zero self-awareness! The other girls are quick to assert that, baby, Jan was at 110 percent, at least. That energy will serve her well this week. In the script, there’s a character inspired by another deeply dark Ryan Murphy project — Glee. It’s a part everyone knows is perfect for Jan, the self-confessed “Rachel Berry of drag.” Not all the characters are so cut and dry. Pandora and Trinity briefly clash over a part that’s a little Myrtle Snow and then a little Joan Crawford, but Trinity acquiesces with little drama. Ginger and Kylie both want the juicy Jessica Lange character, but Kylie takes it in a high-stakes game of Rock, Paper, Scissors. Angela Bassett drops by via video to remind all of us that she is just one of the most g*ddamn beautiful people on the planet. She also give notes on acting that are honestly too good for this dreck. Like, what sort of real, lived-in emotion is Ginger supposed to channel when she suddenly sprouts a unibrow having a magic fight with a bearded lady? This is not the time for, like, the Abramovic Method, you know? Two heads were not enough to help Ra’Jah on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. If anything, everyone is already too in their heads. Filming with Ross and Michelle drags on. A’keria, playing a part reminiscent of Gabby Sidibe’s Queenie from season three of AHS, is trying so hard, it never really gels. Ra’jah tries to make a strong character choice playing one of the twins Sarah Paulson portrayed in American Horror Story Freak Show, but it’s not quite what Ross and Michelle really have in mind. These two are in danger, for sure. (Huge missed opportunity to use the Pit Crew in an ode to Finn Wittrock’s Dandy Mott, by the way.) Pandora delivers on the assignment as Myrtle Snow/Joan Crawford, but there’s not a lot of great jokes to land. Trinity gives us Angela Bassett Lite, and it’s fine. Both will end up safe. Michelle tells Jan she was born to play “Lea,” which is truly worse shade than when Ru said Scarlet talking about how much she loves her moms made her “uncomfortable.” Savage. Eureka is a surprise, but not in a good way. Usually a top performer, especially in an over-the-top comedy challenge, she gets stuck on her delivery and can’t take the directors’ notes. It was like watching a less painful “I was rooting for US!” The judges were not Eureka’s BIGGEST FANS!!!! on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. That leaves Ginger and Kylie, the two queens who clashed over the Jessica [Lange] role. Ginger plays the young, fashionable diva (a nod to Emma Roberts in Coven), and she’s great. She nails every bit of physical comedy, every facial expression, every punchline. (Well, whatever one might consider a punchline.) Kylie struggles at first to meet Lange’s KNOTTY PINE?!!! levels of scenery bingeing, but with some coaching from Michelle and Ross, she gets there. It certainly helps that she looks the part. The wig and makeup are on point. On the runway, the gals give spooky-dookie with Oh My Goth eleganza. Honestly, everyone looks incredible, no exceptions. Much has been said already about the high-cost of competing on Drag Race, and this season has got to be featuring some of the most costly couture. We’ve got dramatic trains, enormous headpieces, sequins, stones, feathers, tulle, Voodoo dolls. It’s a macabre feast for the eyes, and it’s giving me all the #HotGothSummer energy. On a night where so many queens were dinged for not taking the directors’ notes, it makes sense the win is awarded to Kylie. (That and Ginger already got her redemption win last week.) It’s good to see Kylie get her first ever Drag Race win. She’s lip syncing this week against Manila Luzón, but it feels like Manila was told to give this one to Kylie. They’re facing off to Xtina’s classic “Dirty,” which already feels tailor-made for Kylie, who is, as usual, serving body-ody-ody. She dances actual circles around Manila, breaking out a few backbends into the splits that wow the crowd. On top of her challenge win, she pockets the $10,000 tip. She pulls out A’Keria’s lipstick, and, really, there’s no arguing with that. Where does that leave this season’s crop of All Stars? Let’s break it down in the rankings. On the heels of a few strong performances, Ginger has clawed her way to the top of the pile, for now. I thought her performance was the strongest, given the circumstances, and she looked amazing throughout. Her performances, stellar runways and share of screentime have her in the position to beat.Trinity has been delivering strong performances in every challenge (I’m still shook over her Beyoncé), and she consistently has some of the best runways. I would be surprised to see her not make it to the end, and I’m rooting for her to win it all.They harped on Eureka for that one line reading, but that’s really splitting hairs. Eureka is a pro-fess-ion-al. She looks great, she’s prepared, she’s giving 100. I think she’ll easily bounce back from this week, especially if the lewks keep serving like her boudoir Bride of Frankenstein this week.Ra’Jah is slipping. Granted, acting challenges are her Achilles heel, so she may still come back from this. I appreciated how she tried to show up on set with a full character, but she got tripped up with the directors’ feedback. I’m really digging Ra’Jah’s runways. They may not be as showy as A’Keria or Eureka, but they’re chic.What is it going to take for Pandora to push through? She’s consistent, but I never feel like she surprises me. She does exactly what I expect her to do, and she does it well. It’s just not enough when the other queens are showing such growth and evolution.Had we not seen Kylie struggle in filming, her performance would have been more impressive. It’s just hard to accept as a winner when we had to watch Michelle get up out her seat to physically demonstrate how to do it. Meanwhile, Ginger brought so much to set on her own, even if it was a less flashy role. Still, I don’t begrudge Kylie, and I’m happy to see her get a win. The sync wasn’t a favorite (just one backbend into a split would have had more impact, in my humble opinion). Kylie is always serving body on the runway, but I appreciate the variety in silhouettes in style.Oh, Jan. You lucked out this week with that part, but I’m worried about the future. She really can’t see that thing everyone else — fans, the judges, the other queens — sees. (I mean, we’ve all been there.) The first step to recovery is acceptance, though, and I’m not sure the high-stakes setting of the competition is the place to find that sort of clarity. It seems like we’re in for another couple weeks watching her fight off a Janyeurism trying to balance authenticity and “funk.”As much as I didn’t want it to be true, it was A’Keria‘s week to go. Too many weeks in the bottom, too many struggles in the challenges. The runways are all so good, but it still bears stating that A’Keria regularly manages to still stand out. She just doesn’t have the theatricality of folks like Ginger, Pandora, Eureka, Jan, etc.How would you rank the queens? Catch up with all our RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars coverage. View the full article

Dr. Alex KhadaviDr. Alex Khadavi, dermatologist to the stars, gave his history of homophobia a glow up threatening to kill a gay couple living in his condo complex during a homophobic rant caught on video. According to TMZ, Khadavi unleashed a stream of homophobic slurs directed at his gay married neighbors while verbally assaulting the front desk concierge of his West Hollywood condo complex on July 7. His comments turned violent when he threatened to shoot and kill the couple, who were not present during the incident, saying he would “blow their fucking heads off.” The verbal bashing continued after he returned from taking his dog outside. An incident two months earlier made Khadavi’s threats much more serious. The concierge reported Khadavi brandished a handgun while taking his dog for a walk in May, showing it off to the concierge. The whole ordeal was captured on the lobby’s security system and the video is now public after being acquired by TMZ. The couple filed for a restraining order against Khadavi after being made aware of his threats by the concierge, saying they were in fear for their lives. Khadavi hasn’t commented publicly on the incident. This isn’t the first time Khadavi has used homophobic and xenophobic language while making death threats against members of underrepresented communities. “Million Dollar Listing: Los Angeles” stars Matt and Josh Altman were granted a restraining order against Khadavi in 2016 after reportedly harassing the brothers with racist, homophobic and anti-Semitic tirades. No stranger to the media, It was just a few months ago, May of this year, that Dr. Khadavi was featured in a huge Wall Street Journal story that started out, The Altman brothers, who are Jewish, also claimed that Khadavi told Matt Altman that he wanted to kill him and that he “hated all Jews” to his face at a party. Along with having a number of celebrity clients, including out singer Lance Bass, Khadavi himself has become a celebrity of sorts in the way that only Los Angeles-based cosmetic dermatologists can. He has made multiple TV appearances endorsing various products and cosmetic procedures and has a YouTube Channel called “Keeping. Up With Khadavi” Alex Khadavi Homophobia: Previously on Towleroad Hollywood Skin Doc–and Home Flipper–Alex Khadavi Threatens to Kill Gay Couple In Homophobic Screed Caught on A Lobby Cam; Acquired by TMZ: WATCH Brian Bell July 22, 2021 Read More Hungary Gay and LGBTQ Activists Protest Latest Anti-LGBTQ Law with 30-Foot Rainbow Heart Brian Bell July 10, 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 Homophobic Chant Nets Mexico Soccer Fans Ban From World Cup Qualifiers; LGBTQ Fans Sue Soldier Field Over Chants Brian Bell July 8, 2021 Read More League Forbids Rainbow-lit Munich Stadium For Hungary Match to Protest Anti-Gay Laws. So Fans, Other Stadiums Put Rainbows Everywhere Brian Bell June 24, 2021 Read More In Parts of Africa Gay Arrests, Inappropriate Probes, Detainment, Belief in ‘Demonic Spirit’, Murder Keep LGBTQ Lives At Risk Brian Bell June 9, 2021 Read More View the full article

Leyna BloomHistory makes it way to the cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit issue this year as model and actress Leyna Bloom will become the first out trans model to appear on the popular annual’s cover. Bloom was already set to be included in the issue, becoming the first trans woman of color and second trans woman ever to do so, but news came Monday that she will be one of three solo cover models for 2021’s installment. She joins rapper Meg Thee Stallion and tennis star Naomi Osaka. Bloom commented on the accomplishment on Instagram, saying, “This moment heals a lot of pain in the world. We deserve this moment; we have waited millions of years to show up as survivors and be seen as full humans filled with wonder.” “I’m am so happy, honored, and humbled to share that I’m the 1st trans woman to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated,” Bloom added. “I have dreamt a million beautiful dreams, but for girls like me, most dreams are just fanciful hopes in a world that often erases and omits our history and even existence. This moment is so powerful because it allows me to live forever even after my physical form is gone. Not a lot of people get to live in the future, so at this moment, I’m proudly choosing to live forever.” Bloom joins fellow non-cis models Valentina Sampaio, the first trans model to appear in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, and Lewis Freese, the first assigned male at birth nonbinary model to reach the finals of Sports Illustrated’s Swim Search. Gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated’s most popular issue is just the latest in a long line of accomplishments for Bloom. She translated her prowess walking ‘Face’ in the historically trans BIPOC world of ballroom into a successful modeling career, working with companies like Dior, Levi’s, Tommy Hilfiger and H&M. Bloom also entered the acting world with the film “Port Authority,” the first film to debut at the Cannes Film Festival to feature a trans woman of color in a leading role. “Many girls like us don’t have the chance to live our dreams, or to live long at all. I hope my cover empowers those, who are struggling to be seen, feel valued,” she added. “Let me be a messenger guiding us to a future of respect and appreciation for all women in all forms and from all walks of life.” Leyna Bloom on her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit coverBloom also got the chance to honor her roots by appearing in a recurring role during the third and final season of Ryan Murphy’s powerful depiction of ballroom culture “Pose” as Pretentia Khan. Bloom invoked her time in ballroom again when announcing the cover. “I dedicate this cover to all ballroom femme queens past, present and future. This historical moment is important to #girlslikeus because it allows us to live and be seen,” Bloom said. “Many girls like us don’t have the chance to live our dreams, or to live long at all. I hope my cover empowers those, who are struggling to be seen, feel valued,” she added. “Let me be a messenger guiding us to a future of respect and appreciation for all women in all forms and from all walks of life.” Trans Model: Previously on Towleroad Trans Model Leyna Bloom Makes History With Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover; ‘I’m Proudly Choosing To Live Forever’ Brian Bell July 22, 2021 Read More Arkansas Trans Law Blocked. Federal Judge Stops Ban on Transgender Youth Treatment From Taking Effect Until Lawsuit Resolved. Towleroad July 22, 2021 Read More Miss Nevada USA Beauty Pageant Crowns First Out Trans Woman as Queen; ‘My win is our win. We just made history’ Brian Bell July 1, 2021 Read More Biden Responds to ‘Hundreds Of Anti -LGBTQ bills’ across States; White House Reviewing Trans Protections Across Nation Orion Rummler, The 19th July 1, 2021 Read More Court Won’t Hear First Trans Toilet Case in Small Win. Alito, Thomas Can Flush It Easily With A Few Cases That Look Like Cleaner Wins. Lisa Keen June 30, 2021 Read More Biden Trans Policy Reversals Make Gender-Affirming Surgeries Available to Veterans; ‘VA Must Be Inclusive of All Veterans Who Have Served’ Brian Bell June 22, 2021 Read More View the full article

Published by AFP Dylan Brandt (L) and Brooke Dennis are two of the Arkansas minors in the lawsuit that temporarily blocked a law denying transgender minors access to hormonal treatments or surgical operations Washington (AFP) – A US federal judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked a law in the state of Arkansas that denies transgender minors access to hormonal treatments or surgical operations. Judge James Moody in federal court in Little Rock, Arkansas granted the plaintiffs — four transgender youths, their parents and two doctors — a preliminary injunction stopping the law from coming into effect until a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the measure has been resolved. “We are going to fight this law, as far and as long as we need to, to make sure that no young person in Arkansas has to worry about losing their medical care,” said attorney Chase Strangio of the powerful American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The law, which had been set to go into effect on July 28, forbids any medical professional from providing treatment to minors who do not recognize themselves by their biological sex, or from referring them to other specialists. To approve the measure, lawmakers in this southern US state — known as a stronghold of Christian conservatives — had to overcome the veto of Governor Asa Hutchinson, who said the measure was an overreach by authorities. The law’s authors claimed the measure was aimed at protecting young people from a choice they might regret later, even if hormonal treatments — including puberty blockers — are often reversible. Critics said the law is part of an offensive by conservatives against transgender people, and would have deprived young people of the care that allows them to thrive. “We have seen the benefits of this health care first hand. Our children are suffering. And with this care, they have a level of hope and happiness, we’ve ever seen,” said Joanna Brandt, speaking after the hearing with her son Dylan standing at her side. “We are no different than any other parent in Arkansas. We love our kids, we want them to grow up healthy loved and safe.” Arkansas Trans Law Blocked previously on Towleroad Want More Thirst Traps On Your Instagram Feed? The New ‘Sensitive’ Content Tool Lets You ‘Loosen’ Restrictions. (Or ‘Tighten’) July 22, 2021 Read More U.S. Extends Severe Travel Restrictions On Land Border Crossings to Canada, Mexico Through Aug. 21 July 22, 2021 Read More Dolly Parton’s Husband Got A Birthday Gift. She Said She Would Pose On Playboy at 75. ‘Well, i’m 75 and they dont’ have a magazine any more.’ July 21, 2021 Read More Top Catholic Who Led Church Response to Underage Sex Scandal Resigns On News He Was Tracked At Gay Bars Using Grindr Data July 21, 2021 Read More Last Month The Judy Garland Wizard of Oz Dress Was Found at Catholic University: Details, Reactions, Roundup July 21, 2021 Read More The Lil Nas X Nike Case To ‘Litigate’ The Satan Shoe Affair Is Promo for New Kanye-Produced Single ‘Industry Baby’ This Week July 20, 2021 Read More Grand Jury Indicts Sheriff’s Deputy in Police Shooting of Unarmed Virginia Man Isiah Brown; Faces Up To 5 Years in Prison July 20, 2021 Read More India Covid News: Delta Overwhelms Health System, Pandemic ‘Excess Deaths’ at Unbelievable 4.9 Million And Counting July 20, 2021 Read More Load More View the full article

Published by AFP Facebook-owned Instagram is adding user tools for filtering inappropriate content on the social network San Francisco (AFP) – Instagram on Tuesday added a way for users to adjust how tightly they want to filter out violent or sexually suggestive posts while they explore the image-centric social network. A new “Sensitive Content Control” option at Facebook-owned Instagram lets people adjust whether they want to see more or fewer posts that some may find unpleasant or untasteful, according to a post. “You can think of sensitive content as posts that don’t necessarily break our rules, but could potentially be upsetting to some people – such as posts that may be sexually suggestive or violent,” the Instagram team said. The new tool applies to an exploration tool that recommends content users might find interesting at the image-centric social network. People can stick with the default limit on sensitive posts, or opt to tighten or loosen the restriction. “One exception to this: the Allow option will not be available to people under 18,” Instagram noted. The filtering option comes as social networks remain under pressure to thwart abusive or misleading posts while allowing people to freely express themselves. You can think of sensitive content as posts that don’t necessarily break our rules, but could potentially be upsetting to some people – such as posts that may be sexually suggestive or violent. InstagramInstagram previously on Towleroad U.S. Extends Severe Travel Restrictions On Land Border Crossings to Canada, Mexico Through Aug. 21 July 22, 2021 Read More Dolly Parton’s Husband Got A Birthday Gift. She Said She Would Pose On Playboy at 75. ‘Well, i’m 75 and they dont’ have a magazine any more.’ July 21, 2021 Read More Top Catholic Who Led Church Response to Underage Sex Scandal Resigns On News He Was Tracked At Gay Bars Using Grindr Data July 21, 2021 Read More Last Month The Judy Garland Wizard of Oz Dress Was Found at Catholic University: Details, Reactions, Roundup July 21, 2021 Read More The Lil Nas X Nike Case To ‘Litigate’ The Satan Shoe Affair Is Promo for New Kanye-Produced Single ‘Industry Baby’ This Week July 20, 2021 Read More Grand Jury Indicts Sheriff’s Deputy in Police Shooting of Unarmed Virginia Man Isiah Brown; Faces Up To 5 Years in Prison July 20, 2021 Read More India Covid News: Delta Overwhelms Health System, Pandemic ‘Excess Deaths’ at Unbelievable 4.9 Million And Counting July 20, 2021 Read More NHL Pick Luke Prokop Comes Out as Gay Weeks Before Training Camp; On Track to Become First Out Active Player in National Hockey League History July 19, 2021 Read More Load More View the full article

Published by Reuters By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. land borders with Canada and Mexico will remain closed to non-essential travel until at least Aug. 21, the U.S. Homeland Security Department said on Wednesday. The 30-day extension came after Canada announced Monday it will start allowing fully-vaccinated U.S. visitors into the country on Aug. 9 for non-essential travel after the COVID-19 pandemic forced an unprecedented 16-month ban that many businesses complained was crippling them. One difficult question for the Biden administration is whether it would follow Canada’s lead and require all visitors to be vaccinated for COVID-19 before entering the United States, sources briefed on the matter told Reuters. The White House plans a new round of high-level meetings to discuss the travel restrictions and the potential of mandating COVID-19 vaccines, but no decisions have been made, the sources said. In early June, the White House launched interagency working groups with the European Union, Britain, Canada, and Mexico to look at how to eventually to lift restrictions. Businesses in Canada and the United States, particularly the travel and airline industries, pushed for an end to restrictions on non-essential travel between the two countries, which were imposed in March 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic. Since then, the land border has been closed to all non-essential travel. However, the United States has allowed Canadians to fly in, while Canada has not allowed Americans to do the same. The United States has continued to extend the restrictions on Canada and Mexico on a monthly basis since March 2020. Airlines and others have urged the administration to lift restrictions covering most non-U.S. citizens who have recently been in Britain, the 26 Schengen nations in Europe without border controls, Ireland, China, India, South Africa, Iran and Brazil. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Steve Orlofsky) CDC Travel Page CDC Travel Advisory Page Travel Restrictions previously on Towleroad Dolly Parton’s Husband Got A Birthday Gift. She Said She Would Pose On Playboy at 75. ‘Well, i’m 75 and they dont’ have a magazine any more.’ July 21, 2021 Read More Top Catholic Who Led Church Response to Underage Sex Scandal Resigns On News He Was Tracked At Gay Bars Using Grindr Data July 21, 2021 Read More Last Month The Judy Garland Wizard of Oz Dress Was Found at Catholic University: Details, Reactions, Roundup July 21, 2021 Read More The Lil Nas X Nike Case To ‘Litigate’ The Satan Shoe Affair Is Promo for New Kanye-Produced Single ‘Industry Baby’ This Week July 20, 2021 Read More Grand Jury Indicts Sheriff’s Deputy in Police Shooting of Unarmed Virginia Man Isiah Brown; Faces Up To 5 Years in Prison July 20, 2021 Read More India Covid News: Delta Overwhelms Health System, Pandemic ‘Excess Deaths’ at Unbelievable 4.9 Million And Counting July 20, 2021 Read More NHL Pick Luke Prokop Comes Out as Gay Weeks Before Training Camp; On Track to Become First Out Active Player in National Hockey League History July 19, 2021 Read More Supreme Court Term Limits: Good Solution to Distortions of Lifetime Appointments, But Hard to See A Constitutional Amendment July 18, 2021 Read More Load More View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Dolly Parton recreated her famous Playboy shoot for her husband for his birthday. The 75-year-old country music legend’s spouse Carl Dean was a huge fan of her 1978 Playboy cover and so to do something extra special for his big day she slipped her eye-popping curves into the famous white tie and strapless black bunny outfit. Sharing a video of herself dressed in the skin-tight outfit on her social media accounts, Dolly said: “You’re probably wondering why I’m dressed like this. Well, it’s for my husband’s birthday. Remember some time back I said I was gonna pose on Playboy magazine when I’m 75? Well, I’m 75 and they don’t have a magazine anymore, but my husband always loved the original cover of Playboy. “I was trying to think of something to do to make him happy. He still thinks I’m a hot chick after 57 years and I’m not gonna try to talk him out of that.” The ‘Jolene’ singer then held up a framed print with the old Playboy cover besides a new photo of herself posing in the bodysuit, and admitted she thinks she looks hotter now than she did back in the 70s. She added: “In the first one, I was kind of a butter-ball. Well I’m string cheese now! But he’ll probably think I’m cream cheese, I hope!” In the vid, Dolly also showed her millions of followers a clip of her presenting the new Playboy image to her man Carl – who she has been married to since 1966. The blonde bombshell signed off her video by making an offer to Playboy to pose for the brand – created by late media mogul Hugh Hefner – once again. She said: “You think Playboy ought to pay me for at least a photoshoot? I do.” Dolly Parton’s Husband previously on Towleroad View the full article

At the nexus of the latest Catholic discomfort and hypocritical sex scandal: Msgr. Jeffrey BurrillA Catholic sex scandal/ controversy unfolded Tuesday as a top U.S. Catholic Church official, recognized as “effectively the highest-ranking American cleric who is not a bishop,” resigned after being outed as gay without his consent. Monsignor Jeffrey Burrill left his post as the general secretary of the U.S. bishops’ conference Tuesday after church officials were made aware of an investigation conducted by Catholic news outlet The Pillar. The outlet used anonymous “app data signals correlated to Burrill’s mobile device” from the dating app Grindr to place Burrill at gay bars and personal residences in multiple cities, with some of those visits occurring while Burrill traveled on assignment for the U.S. bishops’ conference. …despite no apparent links between Burrill and minors. Multiple Catholic Church clergy members accused of sexual abuse of minors used Grindr to connect with underage boys and coerce them into illegal sexual activities. The Pillar used similar data, which it said was “commercially available,” to unearth Burrill’s use of Grindr on a near-daily basis between 2018 and 2020. According to The Pillar, some of those uses occurred in Burrill’s office and home, both owned by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), in addition to USCCB events in other cities. News of Burrill’s resignation was first announced in a memo from archbishop José Gomez, citing The Pillar’s forthcoming report as the catalyst. “On Monday, we became aware of impending media reports alleging possible improper behavior by Msgr. Burrill. What was shared with us did not include allegations of misconduct with minors,” Gomez wrote. “However, in order to avoid becoming a distraction to the operations and ongoing work of the Conference, Monsignor has resigned effective immediately. The Conference takes all allegations of misconduct seriously and will pursue all appropriate steps to address them.” “The alleged activities listed in that unattributed blog post are infeasible from a technical standpoint and incredibly unlikely to occur. There is absolutely no evidence supporting the allegations of improper data collection and usage related to the Grindr app as purported,” she said. The Pillar stated that it authenticated the app data used in its analysis with an unnamed independent data consulting firm. Speaking to Vice, Sen. Ron Wyden pointed to Burrill’s case as an example of the threat of anonymous app data collection poses when it falls into the hands of those wanting to unmask users. “Experts have warned for years that data collected by advertising companies from Americans’ phones could be used to track them and reveal the most personal details of their lives. Unfortunately, they were right,” Wyden said. Burrill made news last month as well when he…approved a measure preventing politicians that voted in favor of abortion rights from receiving communion…President Joe Biden and Speaker Nancy Pelosi, both staunch Catholics, being among the politicians excluded from the sacrament “Data brokers and advertising companies have lied to the public, assuring them that the information they collected was anonymous. As this awful episode demonstrates, those claims were bogus – individuals can be tracked and identified,” he added. Is it a sex scandal? The Grindr spokeswoman also decried The Pillar’s article as “homophobic.” The story refers to same-sex sexual encounters as “serial sexual misconduct” despite all encounters described in it that allegedly involved Burrill were between consenting adults. Burrill could face “canonical discipline” as a result of the allegations and his former stature in the USCCB. No details of any punishment facing Burrill has been released by the USCCB or the Vatican. Issue is not just the Catholic gay one, but broader. Burrill made news last month as well when he, along with the USCCB, approved a measure preventing politicians that voted in favor of abortion rights from receiving communion. The ruling gained notoriety due to President Joe Biden and Speaker Nancy Pelosi, both staunch Catholics, being among the politicians excluded from the sacrament under the measure. A great interactive illustration of cell data and how it works, is accessible and available here. Catholic Sex Scandal: Previously on Towleroad Top Catholic Who Led Church Response to Underage Sex Scandal Resigns On News He Was Tracked At Gay Bars Using Grindr Data Brian Bell July 21, 2021 Read More All 9 Justices Said Tax-Funded Catholic Social Services Can Refuse LGBTQ Foster Couples? How Bad Is it? Kind of, But Complicated Lisa Keen June 21, 2021 Read More Nine ‘Thumbs Up’ From Supreme Court Says Catholic Agency Can Turn Away Same-Sex Foster Parents, Cite 1st Amendment Lisa Keen June 17, 2021 Read More German Catholic Priests Bless LGBTQ Unions in Face of Vatican Ban; ‘We’re going to have the whole diversity of love’ Brian Bell May 10, 2021 Read More Michigan Pastor Upset He Was Fired After Notifying Church That a ‘Sodomite’ Staffer Was Offering the Gay Son of Parishioners ‘Advice on How to Be a Sexually Active Homosexual’ Andy Towle November 22, 2020 Read More Pope Francis Calls for Civil Unions for Gay Couples Andy Towle October 21, 2020 Read More View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English A dress worn by Judy Garland in ‘The Wizard of Oz’ has finally been located. The legendary blue and white garment worn by the actress’ character Dorothy in the iconic 1939 film vanished just a year after it was gifted to the Catholic University of America (CUA) in 1972 but it was recently found by Matt Ripa, a lecturer at the university. He shared in a Catholic University press release: “I had looked in our archives, storage closets etc. to no avail. I assumed it was a tall tale. “I was curious what was inside and opened the trash bag and inside was a shoebox and inside the shoebox was the dress. I couldn’t believe it. “Needless to say, I have found my interesting things in the Hartke during my time at CUA, but I think this one takes the cake.” The university has confirmed that the dress will now be properly preserved. They added: “It can now be preserved in proper storage in a temperature – and humidity – controlled environment so that hopefully, for many more years, it can be a source of ‘hope, strength and courage’ for Catholic University students.” The university also wrote on Instagram: “In 1973, Catholic University’s @cuatower newspaper wrote about a gift to Catholic University meant to be a source of “hope, strength, and courage” to students. The gift was a dress that is believed to have been worn by Judy Garland in “The Wizard of Oz. “It was given to Rev. Gilbert Hartke, illustrious head of the drama programme, by actress Mercedes McCambridge, who served as artist-in-residence at CatholicU in 1972. “For many years, it was rumoured that the dress was still located in Hartke, the building named after the priest, but no one knew exactly where. While preparing for some renovations last month, Matt Ripa, M.F.A. 2008, lecturer and operations coordinator for the @cua_drama in @cuamusicdramaart, rediscovered Dorothy’s Dress.” More bits on the Judy Garland Wizard of Oz Dress Sometimes, though, dreams really do come true. On June 7, Ripa was cleaning out a building ahead of renovations when he found a mysterious trash bag tucked on top of the faculty mail slots. — Smithsonian This is not the first time renovations at the University have uncovered interesting and valuable artifacts. In 2010, Bishop David M. O’Connell, then-president of the University, found a Rembrandt etching in a restroom closet in his residence.– Catholic University “We see The Wizard of Oz through our modern eyes as a classic and presume that items like Dorothy’s dress and shoes and perhaps Glinda’s ballgown are in preservation.” —Nerdist There’s no place like Catholic University when a long-lost Hollywood artifact is discovered. — New York Post Talking to Catholic News Service July 7 alongside the famed dress—now safely stored in a temperature- and humidity-controlled environment—Ripa said the finding is a reminder that “you are in a special club and Father Hartke was the coolest.” —Catholic New York Judy Garland Wizard of Oz Dress previously on Towleroad The Lil Nas X Nike Case To ‘Litigate’ The Satan Shoe Affair Is Promo for New Kanye-Produced Single ‘Industry Baby’ This Week July 20, 2021 Read More Grand Jury Indicts Sheriff’s Deputy in Police Shooting of Unarmed Virginia Man Isiah Brown; Faces Up To 5 Years in Prison July 20, 2021 Read More India Covid News: Delta Overwhelms Health System, Pandemic ‘Excess Deaths’ at Unbelievable 4.9 Million And Counting July 20, 2021 Read More NHL Pick Luke Prokop Comes Out as Gay Weeks Before Training Camp; On Track to Become First Out Active Player in National Hockey League History July 19, 2021 Read More Supreme Court Term Limits: Good Solution to Distortions of Lifetime Appointments, But Hard to See A Constitutional Amendment July 18, 2021 Read More When A Trans Haven Got Violent Threats, The Residents of ‘Tenacious Unicorn Ranch,’ Felt The Police Could Not Be Trusted to Help. Then What? July 16, 2021 Read More ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars’ Season 6 Spills Tea All Over the Pink Table July 16, 2021 Read More Supreme Court LGBTQ: This Season’s Final Report: Minor Victories, Could-Have-Been-Worse Losses, Trepidation About Future July 16, 2021 Read More Load More View the full article

Lil Nas X Nike ShowdownHabitual pot-stirrer Lil Nas X is going to jail. Well, sort of.The celebrated rapper lampooned his Lil Nas X Nike Satan Shoes fiasco from earlier this year in a skit released to his YouTube channel Monday promoting his next single, the Take a Day Trip and Kanye West-produced “Industry Baby.” The video plants Lil Nas X in a courtroom playing off of the lawsuit Nike filed in response to Lil Nas X and MSCHF’s collaboration on a limited run of unlicensed Nike Air Max 97s dubbed “Satan Shoes.” But, like pretty much everything involving him recently, the “litigation” quickly diverts focus away from the shoes and to Lil Nas X’s sexuality. The proudly gay artist got a chance to stretch his acting legs a bit, portraying multiple characters, including the judge, both attorneys, a juror and, of course, himself. The multiplicity makes for some hilarious situations, capped by prosecutor Lil Nas X asking defendant Lil Nas X the ultimate question: “Do your mama know your gay?” His affirmative response lands him a five-year prison sentence in Montero state prison, a clear reference to his number-one hit and forthcoming album, before teasing the release of “Industry Baby” and the song’s subsequent video on July 23. Lil Nas X also launched a website, freelilnasx.com, as a promotional tool and has been playing off of his “prison sentence” on social media, complete with a mock prison ID. Of course, the court case isn’t real as Nike and MSCHF settled out of court over Nike’s assertion the “Satan Shoes” infringed on Nike trademarks in April. Lil Nas X provided even more of a tease for the new music video after the skit’s release. On Twitter, the rapper preemptively stated the “Industry Baby” video “is not for your kids!” We’ll all just have to wait to see how not for your kids “Industry Baby” is when it releases on Friday. Until then, have a laugh alongside Lil Nas X and check out the courtroom tease below. Lil Nas X Nike: Previously on Towleroad The Lil Nas X Nike Case To ‘Litigate’ The Satan Shoe Affair Is Promo for New Kanye-Produced Single ‘Industry Baby’ This Week Brian Bell July 20, 2021 Read More The Lil Nas X Gay Coronation Covers NY Times Magazine; Crowned With ‘Elaborately braided Black Boy Joy’; Welcome Generation Z Brian Bell July 9, 2021 Read More Visage, Shears, Jessie J, Coldplay, Todrick Hall’s ‘D This Big’; Troye Sivan, Divine Throwback, Biden Pride and Lil Nas X is ‘Smalltown Boy’: Gay Music Watch Part 3 Michael Goff July 5, 2021 Read More BET Praises Lil Nas X’s First Gay Kiss At BET Awards. Rapper Flames Critics, Celebrates 2 Years Out; ‘I Love Who I Am and Whatever I Decide To Do’ Brian Bell July 1, 2021 Read More ‘I Will Never Trust Pants Again;’ Lil Nas X Humorously Details ‘SNL’ Wardrobe Malfunction Brian Bell May 25, 2021 Read More Lil Nas X Gay Expectations: Disdainful of ‘sense of responsibility’. It’s not my job to be a good role model Towleroad May 11, 2021 Read More View the full article

Victim of a police shooting in which the office says he mistook Isiah Brown’s phone for a gunSpotsylvania County Sheriff’s Deputy David Turbyfill has been indicted by a grand jury in Virginia for the April police shooting of unarmed Black gay man Isiah Brown. Turbyfill faces one charge of felony reckless handling of a firearm related to the April 21 incident where he, according to Brown family attorney David Haynes, shot Brown ten times after mistaking a cordless phone held by Brown for a gun. According to special prosecutor LaBravia Jenkins, Turbyfill’s reckless handling of a firearm charge, which is normally a misdemeanor, is being bumped up to a felony due to the level of injuries Brown suffered. According to Haynes, eight bullets were found in Brown’s body, causing “serious internal injuries” including “serious injuries to his bowels.” Haynes also stated that Brown suffered a broken leg and underwent at least four surgeries before being released from the hospital in May. Brown is continuing his recovery at home. County Sheriff Roger Harris drew criticism early in the investigation after telling a group of protestors gathered outside the Sheriff’s Office that Turbyfill “actually saved this gentleman’s life,” referring to Turbyfill performing CPR on Brown after shooting him. If found guilty, Turbyfill faces up to five years in prison. “Isiah Brown’s life was shattered and changed forever when he crossed paths with David Turbyfill,” Haynes said in a statement to The Hill. “While this indictment doesn’t take Mr. Brown’s physical pain away, it does signify a measure of justice.” The April 21 shooting came after Turbyfill responded to a 911 call made by Brown in the early morning hours. Brown argued with his brother about retrieving his car, which had broken down at a local gas station earlier that night, and commented about killing his brother. He denied having a firearm multiple times after initially saying he had one. Brown exited his mother’s home while still on the phone with 911 dispatch when Turbyfill, who had given Brown a ride home after his car broke down earlier that night, encountered him on the road near the home. Bodycam and 911 dispatch audio released by the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office show Turbyfill responding to the incident as if he believed Brown had a gun. According to Haynes, Turbyfill mistook the phone Brown was using to speak with 911 dispatch for a gun that Brown was holding to his head and fired multiple shots after telling Brown to stop walking toward him. Both Virginia State Police and the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Brown was unarmed after the shooting. Turbyfill was placed on administrative leave as the police shooting was investigated. In response to the indictment, Haynes once again called for the release of “all audio communication between the deputy and dispatch, all video from the scene as well as Turbyfill’s employment records and personnel file.” Haynes and the Brown family have made similar pleas in the months since Brown’s shooting, calling for complete transparency from the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office and filing Freedom of Information Act requests to obtain said records. Haynes also called for the “immediate termination” of Turbyfill, who had only been employed with the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office for a few months prior to the police shooting. Police shooting: Turbyfill’s reckless handling of a firearm charge, which is normally a misdemeanor, is being bumped up to a felony due to the level of injuries Brown suffered. According to Haynes, eight bullets were found in Brown’s body, causing “serious internal injuries” When asked for comment by the Free Lance-Star, Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Maj. Troy Skebo said the Sheriff’s Office had no further comments on the matter. Spotsylvania County Sheriff Roger Harris drew criticism early in the investigation after telling a group of protestors gathered outside the Sheriff’s Office that Turbyfill “actually saved this gentleman’s life,” referring to Turbyfill performing CPR on Brown after shooting him. “I believe that the sheriff was reporting to the fact that he performed CPR, as of course he is required and trained to do. But it is incredible that he would make that statement that he saved his life by rendering CPR after he’s the one that shot him 10 times,” Haynes said in April. Police Shooting: Previously on Towleroad Grand Jury Indicts Sheriff’s Deputy in Police Shooting of Unarmed Virginia Man Isiah Brown; Faces Up To 5 Years in Prison Brian Bell July 20, 2021 Read More Unarmed Isiah Brown Hit By 10 Bullets in Police Shooting A Month Ago. As He Leaves Hospital, Lawyer Calls Again For BodyCam, 911 Tapes Brian Bell May 27, 2021 Read More Unarmed Black Gay Virginia Shooting Victim Isiah Brown Still Fighting ‘Serious Internal Injuries;’ Family Hopes Deputy will be Charged Brian Bell May 11, 2021 Read More Update: Isiah Brown’s sister hopes family ‘can get answers’ on police shooting of her brother; ‘We need to figure out why this keeps happening’ Brian Bell April 30, 2021 Read More Unarmed gay Black man Isiah Brown shot multiple times by police; shooting was ‘completely avoidable,’ bodycam footage released Brian Bell April 26, 2021 Read More Fatal Shooting of Gay Man Was San Diego Police Officer’s 3rd Since 2013 – VIDEO John Wright January 5, 2016 Read More View the full article

Published by Reuters By Ankur Banerjee and Neha Arora (Reuters) -India’s excess deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic could be as high as 4.9 million, a new study shows, providing further evidence that millions more may have died from coronavirus than the official tally. The report by the Washington-based Center for Global Development, co-authored by India’s former chief economic adviser Arvind Subramanian, included deaths from all causes since the start of the pandemic through June this year. India’s official tally of more than 414,000 deaths is the world’s third highest after the United States and Brazil, but the study adds to growing calls from experts for a rigorous nationwide audit of fatalities. A devastating rise in infections in April and May, driven largely by the more infectious and dangerous Delta variant, overwhelmed the healthcare system and killed at least 170,000 people in May alone, official data show. “What is tragically clear is that too many people, in the millions rather than hundreds of thousands, may have died,” the report said, estimating between 3.4 million and 4.9 million excess deaths during the pandemic. But it did not ascribe all excess deaths to the pandemic. “We focus on all-cause mortality, and estimate excess mortality relative to a pre-pandemic baseline, adjusting for seasonality,” the authors said https://bit.ly/2Usm8cE. The health ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters email seeking comment. Some experts have said excess deaths are the best way to measure the real toll from COVID-19. “For every country, it’s important to capture excess mortality – the only way to prepare the health system for future shocks and to prevent further deaths,” Soumya Swaminathan, the chief scientist of the World Health Organization, said on Twitter https://bit.ly/3kCGevC. The New York Times said the most conservative estimate of deaths in India was 600,000 and the worst-case scenario several times that. The government has dismissed those figures. Health experts blame the undercounting largely on scarce resources in the vast hinterland home to two-thirds of India’s population of nearly 1.4 billion, and also many deaths at home without being tested. India has reported a decline in daily infections from a May peak, with Tuesday’s 30,093 new cases making up its lowest daily count in four months. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has also been criticised for a messy vaccination campaign that many say helped worsen the second wave of infections. Just over 8% of eligible adult Indians have received both vaccine doses. In July, the government administered fewer than 4 million daily doses on average, down from a record 9.2 million on June 21, when Modi flagged off a free campaign to inoculate all 950 million adults. (Reporting by Ankur Banerjee in Bengaluru and Neha Arora in New Delhi; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Giles Elgood) India Covid News previously on Towleroad NHL Pick Luke Prokop Comes Out as Gay Weeks Before Training Camp; On Track to Become First Out Active Player in National Hockey League History July 19, 2021 Read More Supreme Court Term Limits: Good Solution to Distortions of Lifetime Appointments, But Hard to See A Constitutional Amendment July 18, 2021 Read More When A Trans Haven Got Violent Threats, The Residents of ‘Tenacious Unicorn Ranch,’ Felt The Police Could Not Be Trusted to Help. Then What? July 16, 2021 Read More ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars’ Season 6 Spills Tea All Over the Pink Table July 16, 2021 Read More Supreme Court LGBTQ: This Season’s Final Report: Minor Victories, Could-Have-Been-Worse Losses, Trepidation About Future July 16, 2021 Read More 11 Must-See Miami Spots for Gay Travelers with Children July 14, 2021 Read More Load More View the full article

Luke ProkopPro hockey player Luke Prokop pushed the National Hockey League closer to LGBTQ history on Monday when he came out as gay weeks before entering his first NHL training camp with the Nashville Predators. “While the past year and a half has been crazy, it has also given me the chance to find my true self. I am no longer scared to hide who I am,” Prokop said in a statement released through Twitter. “Today I am proud to publicly tell everyone that I am gay.” The 19-year-old prospect was drafted 73rd overall by the Predators in the 2020 NHL draft after spending parts of four seasons with the Calgary Hitmen of Canada’s Western Hockey League. The Edmonton native was the 7th overall pick by the Hitmen in the 2017 WHL draft at the age of 15. Prokop would be the first out gay active player in NHL history if he makes the Predators roster, which he has a good chance of doing. Prokop thanked his friends, family and agents, whom he was already out to, for their “love and support” and quickly found similar sentiments from his new NHL family. The Nashville Predators organization celebrated Prokop for his “courage” and pledged to “support [Prokop] unequivocally in the days, weeks and years to come as he continues to develop as a prospect.” Fellow Predators defenseman Roman Josi echoed the organization’s message. “We’re obviously very proud of [Prokop] for taking that step, ” Josi said. “Our message as a team [is that] we’re obviously very supportive of him.” Bettman stated the NHL would offer similar support to Prokop. “We pledge to do everything possible to ensure that Luke’s experience is a welcoming and affirmative one and continue to work to ensure that any current or future NHL player contemplating following in his trailblazing footsteps knows our league is ready to provide full support,” Bettman said. With the first step out of the closet complete, Prokop appears ready to reach his goals, both professional and personal. “This is just the beginning of my journey and I am excited to see where it takes me, both in hockey and in life.” Prokop will get the hockey side of things rolling when he joins the Predators for training camp in September ahead of the 2021-22 season. NHL: Previously on Towelroad NHL Pick Luke Prokop Comes Out as Gay Weeks Before Training Camp; On Track to Become First Out Active Player in National Hockey League History Brian Bell July 19, 2021 Read More Pro Hockey Player Jon Lee-Olson Comes Out as Gay During TV Interview Towleroad October 8, 2019 Read More NHL Star Shows Off His Problematic Hockey Butt (Which is Not a Problem for Anyone Else): WATCH Towleroad October 5, 2019 Read More Protesters Hijacked Chick-fil-A’s Zamboni at Cincinnati’s Hockey Game to Stage a Brilliant Sneak Attack on Homophobia Andy Towle April 15, 2019 Read More NHL Determines Maple Leafs’ Morgan Rielly Did Not Use Anti-Gay Slur: WATCH Andy Towle March 13, 2019 Read More Toronto Maple Leafs’ Morgan Rielly Investigated for Allegedly Calling Ref ‘F—ing F—ot’ Andy Towle March 12, 2019 Read More Image via Twitter View the full article