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Published by Raw Story Former President Donald Trump has come up with yet another way to make money from his fans. Axios reports that the former president will soon sell a book consisting of letters he’s received from a wide array of celebrities and politicians, including Oprah Winfrey, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Princess Diana, Hillary Clinton, Ted Kennedy, North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, Mario Cuomo, Arnold Palmer, Jay Leno, Liza Minnelli, and Regis Philbin. Axios writes that the Winfrey letter is particularly interesting, as it was written shortly after Trump starting toying with the idea of running f… Read More View the full article

Published by AFP Rebekah Bruesehoff, a transgender student athlete, speaks during a press conference by the Congressional Equality Caucus to discuss the Washington (AFP) – US lawmakers advanced a bill Thursday aimed at banning transgender women and girls from sports teams that match their gender identity, as Congress turned its focus on one of the most polarizing issues in American culture. The “Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act” seeks to narrow 50-year-old civil rights protections against sex-based discrimination to recognize sex as “based solely on a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth.” The bill — which conservatives say aims to promote fairness while safeguarding women — was passed by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives education committee, teeing off what is set to be an acrimonious debate in the full House. “As a mother and past educator, I abhor the increasing prevalence of biological men competing in women’s sports,” said Republican Congresswoman Virginia Foxx. Allowing trans competitors to line up against female athletes “denies equal opportunity for women,” Foxx told the committee. Democrats hit back at Foxx, arguing that that it is discriminatory and hurtful to deprive trans athletes of competition. “I should be in chemistry class right now, but I’m here to tell you that kids like me should get to play sports with their friends,” Rebekah Bruesehoff, a 16-year-old transgender hockey player, told a news conference outside the US Capitol. The issue has divided classrooms, education authorities, women’s groups and sports associations nationwide, with some districts barring transgender women and girls from competitive sport. Opponents of inclusivity argue that trans women and girls enjoy an unfair advantage against their non-trans competitors due to generally greater muscle mass and bone density, and other physical factors that boost speed and explosive strength. But several feminist associations and sports personalities, such as US soccer star Megan Rapinoe, are on the opposite side of the debate, and support including trans women in women’s competitions. “There are real pressing problems impacting women’s and girls’ sports, including sexual harassment and assault, lack of equal resources and pay inequality,” said Democratic Congressman Mark Pocan. The bill has little chance of becoming law, as it would have to be green-lit by senators in the upper chamber of Congress, which is controlled by Democrats who oppose the effort. But it is part of a broader push by conservatives to provide a check on the promotion of transgender identity, which liberals say marginalizes and discriminates against the community. Several Republican-led states have recently passed laws banning gender-affirming health care and treatment for teenagers. President Joe Biden issued an executive order on his first day in office to combat discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation. View the full article

Published by Raw Story Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) on Tuesday unleashed an angry tirade against transgender Americans on the floor of the House of Representatives. While proposing a new nationwide ban on gender-affirming care for minors, the conspiracy theory-promoting Georgia congresswoman accused transgender Americans of being part of a sinister plot to sexualize American children. “We have had enough with drag queen shows in elementary schools and middle schools and high schools!” she raged. “We have had enough of drag queens gyrating in front of children and the public square! These groomers and child pre… Read More View the full article

Published by New York Daily News Taylor Swift is set to fill another blank space on her resume with a career-celebrating honor at the iHeartRadio Music Awards. Swift will receive the Innovator Award at the March 27 ceremony to recognize her global impact on pop culture, organizers said Tuesday. “Along with her artistic success, Taylor’s generosity and philanthropy have inspired millions,” iHeartRadio said in its announcement. “She’s an advocate for women’s rights and the LGBTQ+ community, using her music and platform to inspire young people to use their voting power.” The 33-year-old Swift — who released her tenth album, “Mid… Read More View the full article

Published by AlterNet The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is tracking 385 anti-LGBTQ bills filed by lawmakers across 38 states targeting the vulnerable community on at least seven broad issues including schools and education, healthcare, free speech, access to accurate IDs, public accommodations, weakening of civil rights laws, marriage, and more. The number of anti-LGBTQ bills introduced has more than tripled since mid-January, and far exceeded the total number of bills introduced in all of 2022, which was 278. Oklahoma has the most anti-LGBTQ bills so far at 35, followed by Missouri (34), Texas (29 bills), … Read More View the full article

Published by Raw Story Kansas GOP Rep. Pat Proctor has a fourth grader’s mother upset after he used the elementary school student’s drawing of a rainbow to accuse a school of promoting LGBTQ content, the Kansas Reflector reported. Proctor published the drawing in his February newsletter, which was one of several drawings done by third and fourth graders at David Brewer Elementary School that were displayed in the school’s library. The drawings had the words “My school library is for every student!” printed on top. “I found it and was irate, because he didn’t ask for permission,” parent Courtney Ricard said. “He blee… Read More View the full article

Published by Raw Story A Missouri lawmaker unloaded on a fellow GOP colleague behind a bill modeled after Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law. State Rep. Ann Kelley sponsored House Bill 634, which would ban sexual “classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties relating to sexual orientation or gender identity shall occur.” But under questioning from GOP colleague Phil Christofanelli, Kelley didn’t appear to understand the implications of her own bill. Christofanelli, a conservative Republican who is openly gay, asked if under the law, Martha Washington could be identified as the nation’s first president’s wif… Read More View the full article

Published by New York Daily News A full-page ad with Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee dressed in drag ran in one of the state’s largest newspapers Tuesday, just days after the Republican politician signed into law a bill targeting drag performances — the first of its kind in the nation. The ad, which appeared in The Tennessean, was paid for by the Human Rights Campaign. It shows a recently unearthed photo of the self-described “conservative outsider” wearing women’s clothes while posing for his high school yearbook in 1977. “This kid enjoyed drag,” the ad reads in part, with an arrow pointing at Lee. “Guess what happened to him? He’s … Read More View the full article

Published by AlterNet Lawyers for Mike Pence formally filed a motion Monday asking a federal judge to block a lawful Dept. of Justice subpoena ordering the former Vice President to give sworn testimony in Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into Donald Trump. Just days earlier Pence declared on Twitter: “Speak boldly and truthfully and have faith that the American people will respond to leadership. Be men and women of courage. If you hold the banner of freedom, limited government, and traditional values high, the American people will rally to your side!” As Indiana Governor, Mike Pence was largely seen as “u… Read More View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Jennifer Coolidge thinks it is hilarious that she has been featured in a gay adult film. The 61-year-old actress is seen in a clip from ‘Single All The Way’ as models Eli and Tyler watch a scene Netflix’s gay rom-com at the start of their pornographic film for Corbin Fisher Studios and After being alerted to the appearance by PopCrave, she told the outlet: “I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time that is so f******funny!” In the clip at the beginning of the X-rated film, Jennifer’s character Aunt Sandy is seen on a screen as she notes that gay men are “always obsessed” with her, in an apparent nod to her own real-life status as a gay icon before the actual film starts. Her character says: “It’s because the gays just know how to do stuff, you know? They’re survivors and, for some reason, they are always obsessed with me. I don’t know why, I like it.” Eli then tells Tyler, “She’s right, gays do know how to do stuff.” The ‘White Lotus’ star previously admitted that she has always had a natural rapport with gay men but was never “conscious” of the meaning until later in life. She said: ” It just started from a very young age. You go with what you’re attracted to. I think that’s really what most of our youth is. And that’s just what I was attracted to in all my friends. I don’t think they had figured it out at the time when we were really, really young, but they eventually figured it out. And yeah, and it was all the gay men and all the gay women in my town, at my school or at camp. “I think it’s just a mutual thing. I was never conscious of it, ever. It was just the people I was attracted to.” View the full article

Photo courtesy island house Legs tangled in sheets. Bodies glistening by the pool. No tanlines. Maybe you’ve seen the steamy ads and wondered what it’s really like to stay at one of Key West’s LGBTQ guesthouses. From the party-hard energy pulsing at New Orleans House to the mom-friendly cross-community mix at Alexander’s Guesthouse, Key West offers a range of experiences for queer travelers. In this week’s episode of Towleroad’s Gay Key West Uncovered, we explore the perks (and pleasures) awaiting at the island’s four LGBTQ guesthouses, speak candidly about the island’s clothing-optional culture with managers at male-only resort Equator and go from the sundeck to the pool to the kitchen at the iconic Island House. The carefree atmosphere is just another extension the unique Key West culture we explored in the podcast’s premiere episode. Coupled with the island’s vibrant LGBTQ community, it’s a vacation spot like no other. Listen in and find the perfect place to stay for you. Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, Stitcher and more. Gay Key West Uncovered is a six-part miniseries hosted by writer, comedian and professional homosexual Bobby Hankinson. Join us as we explore why Key West offers a wild, wonderful, unapologetically queer travel experience like no other. Learn about the island’s unique history, nightlife, restaurants, artists and more straight from the people who make it so special. Well … maybe not too straight. Gay Key West Uncovered is produced by Towleroad.com and sponsored by Key West. Learn more about gay Key West and book your trip today. View the full article

Published by Reuters By John Kruzel WASHINGTON -The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a Florida city’s bid to fend off a lawsuit by atheists accusing officials of violating constitutional limits on government involvement in religion by staging a prayer vigil following gun violence that wounded three children. The justices turned away an appeal by the city of Ocala of a lower court’s ruling endorsing the right of the plaintiffs, backed by the American Humanist Association, to sue over legal harms they said they sustained attending the 2014 vigil in which uniformed police chaplains preached a Judeo-Christian message. The plaintiffs accused Ocala of violating the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment “establishment clause,” which restricts governmental involvement in religion. Ocala had urged the justices to reject the claim that the plaintiffs, as “offended observers” of religious messages, had sustained legally recognizable injuries. Conservative Justice Clarence Thomas, dissenting from the decision to reject the appeal, expressed “serious doubts” about the legitimacy of lawsuits based on injuries sustained by offended observers. “Offended observer standing appears to warp the very essence of the judicial power vested by the Constitution,” Thomas wrote, adding that “federal courts are authorized ‘to adjudge the legal rights of litigants in actual controversies,’ not hurt feelings.” Thomas has taken a broad view of religious rights during more than three decades as a justice. Conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch in a written statement said he agreed that the case should be denied at this stage of the litigation but expressed doubt that the plaintiffs had the proper legal standing to sue. Ocala city officials helped organize and conduct the one-hour prayer vigil held in response to a series of shootings in which three children were struck by stray bullets. The Ocala Police Department on its Facebook page posted a letter co-signed by the police chief and an activist affiliated with a local Baptist church that promoted the vigil and urged “fervent prayer” to help reduce crime in the community. At the vigil, police chaplains “preached Judeo-Christian religion to the crowd in a style consistent with revivalist and evangelical religion,” “participated in religious worship” and encouraged the crowd to engage in “responsive chanting,” the plaintiffs said in court papers. The American Humanist Association, which on its website says it seeks “to bring about a progressive society where being good without a god is an accepted and respected way to live life,” and several of its members sued in federal court. The plaintiffs said in court papers the police department’s involvement in the vigil “was coercive in that it pressured community members to accept theistic religious views” and treated religion non-believers as “outsiders and second-class citizens.” A judge in 2018 ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, awarding them nominal monetary damages of $1 each. The Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals threw out that judgment in light of a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling expanding religious rights in the case of a Washington state public high school football coach who had been suspended for refusing to stop leading Christian prayers with players on the field after games. The 11th Circuit found that at least one of the plaintiffs, Lucinda Hale, had proper standing to sue because the vigil had given rise to a legally recognizable injury. The city then appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Hale has argued that by violating the establishment clause the city injured her by favoring religion and excluding atheists like her from participating in a vigil focused exclusively on prayer. The case has been narrowed to two plaintiffs, Hale and Art Rojas, and a single defendant, the city. A federal district court will now weigh the plaintiffs’ establishment clause claims in light of the football coach ruling. The conservative-majority Supreme Court in recent years has chipped away at the wall separating church and state, eroding American legal traditions aimed at barring government officials from promoting any particular faith. (Reporting by John Kruzel; Editing by Will Dunham) View the full article

Published by NJ.com Dana Johnson may be the only person ever to make the harrowing journey from federal law enforcement officer to state prison inmate — and back again. Arrested in 2018 for allegedly carrying a handgun without a permit, the Winslow Township woman maintained her innocence, insisting a federal law intended to protect police meant she didn’t need one. She spent three years in state prison before an appellate court agreed, wiping out her conviction in December. On Monday, she’ll go back to work. “It’s kind of terrifying,” she told NJ Advance Media. “I struggled. I’m still struggling now.” Johnson’s s… Read More View the full article

Published by Raw Story Non-lawyer and clean water crusader Erin Brockovich spoke to TMZ when arriving home at LAX from Ohio and sounded the alarm about residents being lied to in Ohio. “Residents are very frustrated,” she said. “They’re very concerned. I just got a text from one of the residents who have private wells and they confirmed it’s contaminated. But they weren’t too concerned it was a high level.” While local and state officials claimed that the Ohio River was safe, there have been ongoing concerns about the chemicals seeping into the groundwater. Rural residents oftentimes have water wells pumping their o… Read More View the full article

Published by Reuters By Tim Reid SIMI VALLEY, CA (Reuters) – Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis took his fight against liberalism deep into the Democratic territory of California on Sunday, part of a national road show as he lays the ground for an expected White House bid. DeSantis has been meeting with wealthy donors in recent days and burnishing his national credentials in a series of speeches boasting about his achievements in Florida while lambasting the “woke ideology” of leaders in Democratic strongholds including California and New York. DeSantis, who is expected to announce a presidential run in the next few months, has made a war on liberalism a central theme of his governorship and a way to appeal to the Republican base. While he has not yet announced a White House bid, one candidate who has – former Republican President Donald Trump – clearly views DeSantis as a major potential threat as the Republican nominating contest kicks into gear. Trump has already launched personal and political attacks on DeSantis as the race for the Republican Party’s 2024 White House nomination begins to heat up. DeSantis, speaking at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library about 50 miles north of Los Angeles, made a veiled reference to the chaos of Trump’s presidency and his defeat to Democratic President Joe Biden in 2020. “You don’t see drama and palace intrigue,” DeSantis said of his governorship in Florida. “You see surgical precision and execution.” DeSantis, who narrowly won election to the governor’s mansion in 2018, touted his landslide re-election in November. He attacked Democratic governors and leaders as being infected with a “woke mind virus.” The term “woke” has become shorthand among opponents as left-wing ideology run amok. He decried their policies on tax, vaccine mandates, and classroom “indoctrination.” DeSantis also took aim at the Walt Disney Co, which opposes a Florida law that restricts classroom instruction of gender and sexual orientation. Last month he signed a bill that takes control of a special tax district surrounding Walt Disney World that for half a century allowed it to operate with a high degree of autonomy. “There’s a new sheriff in town,” DeSantis declared, referring to what he has called the end of Disney’s “corporate kingdom.” Other candidates expected to jump into the Republican primary race include former Vice President Mike Pence and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Nikki Haley, Trump’s former ambassador to the United Nations, declared her candidacy last month. (Reporting by Tim Reid; Editing by Richard Chang) View the full article

Published by AlterNet Lindy Li, the Women’s Co-Chair and Mid-Atlantic Regional Chair at the Democratic National Committee, tore into the notable lack of “Christian family values” on display at the 2023 Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Maryland this past weekend during an appearance on MSNBC early Sunday afternoon. Li opined to MSNBC Reports host Yasmin Vossoughian that CPAC has been using coded language to push a racist agenda. Li also noted that many of the featured speakers at the annual event – like former President Donald Trump – do not embody the morality that they preach. “Let’s be… Read More View the full article

Published by Euronews (English) One Pakistani screenwriter and director made a huge impact on the 75th Cannes Film Festival last year. Saim Sadiq presented Joyland and left the Croisette with two main prizes: the Jury Prize of the Un Certain Regard section and the Queer Palm award. Not too shabby for the first Pakistani film to be selected at the prestigious French festival. But beyond accolades, the film addresses some topics that makes it a vital watch. “Trans people are very visible in Pakistani society – particularly in Lahore where I grew up,” Sadiq tells Euronews Culture. “When you go for a drive… Unfortunately, see … Read More View the full article

Published by OK Magazine Education and creativity are two very valuable things in life and can take effort to strike a good balance between them. There are a lot of challenges for young creators who want to follow their passion while still going to school, whether it’s acting, modeling, online content, or all of the above. American model, social media star, and actor Marco Donatelli is balancing both. He says combining a love of the spotlight with a promise to his mother is crucial to future success. “I’m getting a degree because I promised my mother,” he says, “but at the same time, I want to be different. Anyone can go to college, but I want a career that helps me stand out, that helps me stretch the line. I want a career that some people only dream about.” Marco’s success may be just beginning, but the self-made social media celeb turned-model knows what he wants and will stop at nothing to get it. Originally from Youngstown, OH, he and his sister were raised by his father Mark, and his late mother, Maria Donatelli. Though his childhood was filled with obstacles, Marco believes this has only made him more resilient and more determined than ever to achieve success. He moved away for college in his teens before returning in 2020 when COVID lockdowns brought lessons to a halt. During this time, he became interested in online trends and, in turn, fame. He became an overnight TikTok star by fluke, with his father by his side, when they went to Walmart during the pandemic wearing scuba masks instead of covid masks. The video became viral overnight and 5 million views. This was the start of Marco’s social media career, allowing him to work with different social media stars and influential people. Over time, he became a well-known face for several brands worldwide and has worked with well-known photographers like Rick Day. More recently, he’s been hitting auditions for roles in TV and film. Marco says that one of the most important things to remember is time management. He balances an intense study schedule while at the same time allowing himself the chance to do his creative work. “I want to go to chiropractic school so I can become a chiropractor as my backup plan,” he says. “Right now, I‘m traveling every other weekend [for modeling and castings], so my grades aren’t as high as expected. But I’m not going to give up. I’ll get my degree, and at the same time, I’ll keep pushing content and auditioning.” It is easy to become overwhelmed when juggling multiple commitments at once, so it is important to break these down into manageable chunks and create a plan outlining what needs to be done first and foremost. And, of course, having friends and family members who understand your goals and can provide helpful advice or assistance makes all the difference in reaching success. Outside of his family, Marco Donatelli’s best friend, Isaiah Proctor, is also his manager. Isaiah Proctor has played a huge role in Marco’s rise to success in the industry. Proctor has set up jobs all over the country for Marco, including photo shoots in Miami, Vegas, and New York. Aside from his best friend, he is also seeking advice from industry professionals. His acting coach is Anthony Corone, known for appearing in films like Bad Boys 2, We Own The Night, and Act of Valor. “He’s been my coach for a few months now, and I’ve been taking his classes very seriously and doing pretty well.” Photographer “PhotosbyAlexS” has also been a great support, providing exciting opportunities for photoshoots. “He invited me out to Vegas to shoot in the desert, so that was pretty cool. He’s a very talented guy,” says Donatelli. Donatelli says that balancing creative pursuits with academic commitments may not always be easy, but it is achievable with disciplined habits and an understanding support system, and he strongly believes young creators should never feel discouraged from doing what they love. View the full article

Published by Radar Online MEGA Kellyanne Conway and her husband George have decided to divorce, RadarOnline.com has learned. Sources revealed the couple, who have been married for 22 years, have hired lawyers and are in the process of finalizing a settlement. MEGA Page Six, who broke the story, said sources claim the two tried to work out their issues but George “just wants out.” During the marriage, Kellyanne praised her boss Donald Trump while George publicly criticized the ex-President. Back in May 2022, Kellyanne admitted her marriage was on the rocks. She said if she had to pick between her marriage and her job, she would pick “love anytime.” However, she added, “love must come with respect, and it must come with privacy. And it must come with a modicum of class and dignity.” MEGA Joe Biden Fires Back At Marjorie Taylor Greene After She Blames Him For Fentanyl Deaths That Took Place Under Trump Administration: ‘Isn’t She Amazing? Oof’ Donald Trump Supporters Protesting Ron DeSantis Ordered To Leave Florida Governor’s Book Signing Two Tiers Of Justice? Fox News Probes FBI Boss Christopher Wray On Why Trump Faced ‘Show Of Force’ In Classified Doc Raid — And Biden Didn’t The couple married in 2001 and share four children. Back in 2020, the two dealt with their daughter Claudia spilling their dirty laundry on TikTok. She accused her parents of trying to “silence her.” She said, “my parents, particularly my mother, are trying to silence me by getting me to delete my social media.” MEGA At one point, Claudia claimed she was trying to become emancipated from her parents. Trump was never a fan of George. He once tweeted, “I barely know him but just take a look, a stone-cold LOSER & husband from hell!” In her book, Kellyanne discussed her husband and Trump’s feud. She wrote, “I had two tweeting men in my life … my husband and my boss. But one is my job. The other is my marriage. I don’t conflate them because I don’t relate to them the same way. That job is term-limited. Presidencies are term-limited. Marriage and the vows I took are not supposed to be.” MEGA Earlier this week, Kellyanne meet with prosecutors as part of the Manhattan district attorney’s office’s investigation into Trump and his alleged payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels. Prosecutors are looking into a $130k payment that Stormy received from Trump’s ex-attorney Michael Cohen. A spokeswoman for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg declined to comment on Conway’s appearance. Trump previously called the investigation a “witch hunt.” View the full article

Published by BANG Showbiz English Prince Harry says marijuana helped him cope with his mental trauma. The Duke of Sussex, 38, opened up about his life and family in a 90-minute online chat with Dr Gabor Maté, 79, on Saturday (04.03.23) and also admitted cocaine didn’t do “anything” for him when he was struggling mentally. He said during the £19-a-ticket live-streamed question and answer session: “(Cocaine) didn’t do anything for me, it was more a social thing and gave me a sense of belonging for sure, I think it probably also made me feel different to the way I was feeling, which was kind of the point. “Marijuana is different, that actually really did help me. It was the cleaning of the windscreen, cleaning of the windshield, the removal of life’s filters just as much as on Instagram, these layers of filters. “It removed it all for me and brought me a sense of relaxation, release, comfort, a lightness that I managed to hold on to for a period of time. “I started doing it recreationally and then started to realise how good it was for me, I would say it is one of the fundamental parts of my life that changed me and helped me deal with the traumas and pains of the past.” Reports say Dr Maté is an outspoken supporter of legalising, and has allegedly used the Amazonian plant ayahuasca to treat patients suffering mental issues. Harry also used his memoir ‘Spare’ to talk about how he used partying and hallucinogenics to blot out pain, including traumas over the 1997 car crash death of his mother Princess Diana and spending his life in the global spotlight. He said in the book he and an unnamed actor got so high on a stash of “black diamond mushroom chocolates” they found in ‘Friends’ actress Courteney Cox’s house during a house party he thought her kitchen bin looked like it had developed a head. Harry said: “My mate and I grabbed several, gobbled them, washed them down with tequila.” He added about hallucinating over Courtney’s kitchen bin after he downed the drugs: “I stepped on the pedal and the head opened its mouth. A huge open grin. I laughed.” Courteney recently insisted she never supplied Harry with the magic mushrooms, and added she was still to read his memoir ‘Spare’ as his drugs anecdote had “gotten back to” her. View the full article