Monday, November 30, 2015

White House Releases World AIDS Day 2015 Proclamation


Via White House press release:

More than three decades ago, the first known cases of HIV/AIDS sparked an epidemic in the United States — ushering in a time defined by how little we knew about it and in which those affected by it faced fear and stigmatization. We have made extraordinary progress in the fight against HIV since that time, but much work remains to be done. On World AIDS Day, we remember those who we have lost to HIV/AIDS, celebrate the triumphs earned through the efforts of scores of advocates and providers, pledge our support for those at risk for or living with HIV, and rededicate our talents and efforts to achieving our goal of an AIDS-free generation.

Today, more people are receiving life-saving treatment for HIV than ever before, and millions of HIV infections have been prevented. Still, more than 36 million people around the world live with HIV — including nearly 3 million children. My Administration is committed to ending the spread of HIV and improving the lives of all who live with it. In the United States, the Affordable Care Act has allowed more people to access coverage for preventive services like HIV testing, and new health plans are now required to offer HIV screening with no cost sharing. Insurance companies can no longer discriminate against individuals living with HIV/AIDS or any other pre-existing condition. Additionally, this year marks the 25th anniversary of the Ryan White CARE Act, which established the Ryan White Program — a program that helps provide needed care to the most vulnerable individuals and touches over half of all people living with HIV in America.

To further our fight to end the HIV epidemic, my Administration released our country’s first comprehensive National HIV/AIDS Strategy in 2010. The Strategy provided a clear framework for changing the way we talk about HIV, and it offered a critical roadmap that prioritizes our Nation’s response to this epidemic and organizes the ways we deliver HIV services. Earlier this year, I signed an Executive Order to update the Strategy through 2020, focusing on expanding HIV testing and care, widening support for those living with HIV to stay in comprehensive care, promoting universal viral suppression among individuals infected with HIV, and increasing access to preventive measures, including pre-exposure prophylaxis for people at substantial risk of acquiring HIV.

Additionally, the primary aims of the Strategy include reducing HIV-related disparities and health inequities, because HIV still affects specific populations disproportionately across our country. Certain individuals — including gay and bisexual men, Black women and men, Latinos and Latinas, people who inject drugs, transgender women, young people, and people in the Southern United States — are at greater risk for HIV, and we must target our efforts to reduce HIV-related health disparities and focus increased attention on highly vulnerable populations. My most recent Federal budget proposal includes more than $31 billion in funding for HIV/AIDS treatment, care, prevention, and research. We are also making great progress toward achieving a greater viral suppression rate among those diagnosed with HIV, and in the last 5 years, we have made critical funding increases to ensure more Americans have access to life-saving treatment.

We cannot achieve an AIDS-free generation without addressing the pervasive presence of HIV throughout the world, which is why our Nation is committed to achieving the goals laid out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to reach more people living with HIV, promote global health, and end the AIDS epidemic. The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has helped save lives across the globe and has made significant impacts on the number of new HIV infections by strengthening international partnerships and expanding essential services for preventing and treating HIV. This year, I announced new targets for PEPFAR that aim to provide almost 13 million people with life-saving treatment by the end of 2017. The United States is also committing resources to support PEPFAR’s work to achieve a 40 percent decrease in HIV incidence among young women and girls in the most vulnerable areas of sub-Saharan Africa. This is a shared responsibility, and America will remain a leader in the effort to end HIV/AIDS while continuing to work with the international community to address this challenge and secure a healthier future for all people.

Working with private industry, faith communities, philanthropic organizations, the scientific and medical communities, networks of people living with HIV and affected populations, and governments worldwide, we can accomplish our goals of reducing new HIV infections, increasing access to care, improving health outcomes for patients, reducing HIV-related disparities, and building a cohesive, coordinated response to HIV. On this day, let us pay tribute to those whom HIV/AIDS took from us too soon, and let us recognize those who continue to fight for a world free from AIDS. Let us also recognize researchers, providers, and advocates, who work each day on behalf of people living with HIV, and in honor of the precious lives we have lost to HIV. Together, we can forge a future in which no person — here in America or anywhere in our world — knows the pain or stigma caused by HIV/AIDS.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim December 1, 2015, as World AIDS Day. I urge the Governors of the States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, officials of the other territories subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, and the American people to join me in appropriate activities to remember those who have lost their lives to AIDS and to provide support and compassion to those living with HIV.

Monday Mid-Day Brain Break: Plaid Tidings


I know, I know... "Red and green plaid before December???"

Christmas Music: Andra Day "Winter Wonderland"



I can't get enough of Miss Andra Day. And thankfully, with the holidays upon us, we get even more music from the new diva.

Check out her sexy, 'slinky as a cashmere sweater' rendition of "Winter Wonderland."

This is just delicious. She's like the fabulous love child of Nina Simone, Amy Winehouse and Eartha Kitt.

Adele's "25" Breaks (And Sells) A LOT Of Records


Not only did Adele's smash-hit 25 become the #1 album in it's first week of sales, the emotional song set sold more than TWICE the combined sales of the rest of the albums in the top 100 albums sold.

Adele racked up an astonishing 3.38 million units last week, much more than previous front-runner for 2015, Taylor Swift's 1989 (1.75 million units this year).

To put that in perspective, only two albums outsold that in 2014 (and I mean all of 2014): Swift's 1989 and the Frozen soundtrack.

According to Billboard, 8.2 million albums total were sold that week, meaning 4 in 10 albums purchased were Miss Adele's.

And signally a strong trend of late, 22,000 vinyl albums of 25 were sold that week.

If you haven't checked it out yet, and I can't imagine that's statistically possible at this point, head over to iTunes here.

Give It A Try - What Can It Hurt?


I had the most enjoyable late lunch yesterday with my friend Jeremy from uber-LGBT site Queerty.

Picture this: two journalists and we barely glanced at our phones over three hours, and that was to check the time.

I really encourage folks to leave their phones down when doing the socializing thing. Jeremy had great tales of his travels, and what he's working on.

Oh, and I'm sure I talked some, too :)

(everyone who knows me, knows how much I talk...)

So, give it a try. What can it hurt?

Happy Monday, kids.

Joe Jonas Back On The Market With Swanky New Bachelor Pad


'Back on the market' Joe Jonas celebrated his newfound freedom from model Gigi Hadid by renting a cool bachelor pad near Runyon Canyon.


Joe recently sold his West Hollywood home, which only bought last year.

According to AirBNB, the new digs rent for about $71,000 a month, and offers 7 bedrooms with canyon views.

Jonas celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday in the new temporary home with bro Nick and friends, posting the pic below on his Instagram.

A photo posted by J O E J O N A S (@joejonas) on

Holland Taylor, Star Of 'Two And A Half Men' And 'The L Word,' Comes Out


In an interview with WNYC,  actress and LGBT favorite Holland Taylor (Two and a Half Men, The L Word, The Practice) shared the news that she is in the first ever deeply committed relationship. And, it's with a woman.

Discussing the issue she said she wasn't "coming out" because she "lives out."

Holland also says that the idea of marriage has come up with her current partner.

Via AfterEllen:

“Well, my relationship is with a woman, and I have not — given my generation it would not be something that would automatically occur to me. But she’s mentioned it because just from a spiritual point of view, from a heart point of view, as a — as a — as a deed that has a very rich symbolic gesture to it, it has its attraction. But it’s been a very casual conversation at this point. But it’s not — it would be a very private thing. I would not do that publicly. But as a symbol, as a pledge, as a plighting one’s troth I would see it — that it would be a wonderful thing to do.”

Holland declined to name her current partner, but did have this to say: “There’s a very big age difference between us which I’m sure shocks a lot of people, and it startles me. But you know, it’s not a statement original to me — I’ve heard it as a joke once in my past, but as they say, “If she dies, she dies.”

“I’m finally wised up to the fact that I haven’t got that much longer and I would like to have a more fulsome experience of relationships in life than I have,” Holland told WNYC. “And I’m lucky I have the opportunity to. Very lucky I have the opportunity to.”

Listen to Taylor's interview on WNYC here.

First Episode Of Amazon's "Transparent" Season Two Premieres Tonight


Amazon will premiere the first episode of Golden Globe/Emmy Award-winning Transparent's second season tonight at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT exclusively for Prime members in the U.S.

Executive producer Andrea Sperling says that while season one was about Jeffrey Tambor's "Maura" embracing "femininity for the first time, season 2 is about the growing pains of this identity once it's been actualized. This plays out in her love life as well. She’ll explore old relation- ships and perhaps new ones.”

This little morsel is in advance of the series full season premiere on December 11. Did I mention the 5 Emmy Awards for last season?

You do have to have an Amazon Prime account, but as I've recounted many times here, the annual fee of $99 is way worth the free music, free TV and movies, and unlimited 2-day shipping. You can even do a 30-day free trial. Go do that and get that 2-day shipping for your holiday needs!

I'll be watching tonight. You should, too!

amfAR Dedicates $100 Million To HIV Cure By 2020


amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, one of the world's leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS research and HIV prevention, made a huge announcement today:

amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, today announced that it has created a $100 million investment strategy in support of its Countdown to a Cure for AIDS initiative, launched last year with the aim of developing the scientific basis of a cure by 2020. The establishment of the amfAR Institute for HIV Cure Research within a major academic research institution with a grant of $20 million will be the centerpiece of the investment strategy.

"This represents the greatest expansion of amfAR's grant making in the 30-year history of the Foundation," said Kevin Robert Frost, amfAR's Chief Executive Officer. "We're very excited to be launching this strategy and establishing an institute dedicated exclusively to the pursuit of a cure for HIV. Concentrating the minds and the efforts of leading AIDS cure researchers under one roof will facilitate the rapid sharing of knowledge and ideas and create the kind of synergy needed to accelerate the search for a cure."

Since 1985, amfAR has invested $415 million in its programs and has awarded grants to more than 3,300 research teams worldwide.

(via press release)

LGBT Ally Ben Cohen Gives Out Free Bear Hugs

A well needed Bear hug! 👍🏻

A photo posted by Ben Cohen (@bencohenstandup) on

No Endorsement For Donald Trump By Black Evangelical Leaders


Last week, Donald Trump's campaign was thrilled to announce that The Donald was set to meet with over 100 black evangelical pastors at an event that would include their endorsement.

Well, scratch that. According to Darrell Scott, a pastor from Ohio who has helped arrange meetings between Trump and black pastors, there was a "miscommunication" about the nature of the meeting.

Read that: No endorsement.

Via the AP:

Many of those invited to the event say they had no intention of endorsing the billionaire businessman and former reality television star.

"It's a miscommunication," said Darrell Scott, the senior pastor of New Spirit Revival Center in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, who has helped to arrange meetings between Trump and black pastors in recent months. Trump's campaign "thought it was going to be a press conference for an endorsement when it wasn't," Scott said Sunday in an interview.

Trump campaign spokeswoman Hope Hicks said in an email that Trump would still be holding a private meeting with the group on Monday before departing for a rally in Georgia.

Trump has struggled to expand his support with African-American voters after missteps like saying a black protester at one of his rallies deserved to get roughed up. He also retweeted an internet meme with false statistics about the number of black on white killings in America.

Viral Video: Brandon Skeie Covers Adele's "Hello"


Hottie Brandon Skeie (pronounced pronounced SHAY-ah) shares his stunning cover of the Adele mega-hit "Hello" - over 500K views so far.

And speaking of hello, hello Mr. Sheie! You can check out more of his cover songs on YouTube PLUS he shares his story of how he lost - wait for it - 100 lbs!

How's all that for inspiration? He's racking up a lot of fans on Instagram, YouTube and Facebook. Check him out.



(h/t Queerty)

Trailer: "Gods Of Egypt"


I know my hubby Michael will love this movie. But there is already a bit of scandal around the film, that doesn't open until February 26th.

When the trailer dropped earlier this month, critics denounced the casting of the film due to a huge lack of diversity. A movie titled "Gods of Egypt" had not one Egyptian cast in a major role.

The film's studio responded to the criticism:

“We recognize that it is our responsibility to help ensure that casting decisions reflect the diversity and culture of the time periods portrayed,” the studio said. “In this instance we failed to live up to our own standards of sensitivity and diversity, for which we sincerely apologize. Lionsgate is deeply committed to making films that reflect the diversity of our audiences. We have, can and will continue to do better.​​"

“The process of casting a movie has many complicated variables, but it is clear that our casting choices should have been more diverse,” Proyas added. “I sincerely apologize to those who are offended by the decisions we made.”

Michael and I enjoy these kinds of fantasy/action films, so I'm sure we'll see it at some point. But I'm glad the idea of diversity was brought up here. You have to wonder if the idea of casting an Egyptian actor even came up during the casting process....?

Sunday, November 29, 2015

"Hot Cop Of Castro" Arrested For Hit-And-Run

(photo via Facebook)

Sad to hear, and I should note we don't have all the details. But the arrest was certainly not done without some certainty.

Via SFExaminer.com:

A well-known San Francisco police officer, also known as the “Hot Cop of Castro,” was arrested Sunday and booked on two felony charges of hit-and-run, Sgt. Michael Andraychak said.

Christopher Kohrs, 38, of San Francisco is alleged to have struck two pedestrians early Sunday morning in North Beach, police said.

About 2:20 a.m., officers arrived to the intersection of Broadway and Montgomery Street and discovered two pedestrians who had been struck by a car, Andraychak said.

The car, a Dodge Charger, was left at the scene but the driver reportedly fled the scene.

The two pedestrians, both men in their 40s, were taken to the hospital with serious but not life threatening injuries, Andraychak said. The men were apparently crossing Broadway when they were struck by the vehicle that was traveling west on Broadway.

(photo via Facebook)

(h/t TRR reader Aaron)

Tweet Of The Day: A Mother Asks A Question On Twitter



I won't comment further except to point out the number of folks who clicked the "Like" button.

Click on the date/time link. You've GOT to read the responses.

Donald Trump Still Has No Proof "Thousands And Thousands" Cheered On 9/11


Donald Trump, currently falling in the polls for the GOP nomination (currently 3rd now in Iowa), refuses to acknowledge he has no proof to backup his claim that on 9/11 he saw "thousands and thousands" of Muslims in New Jersey cheering at the World Trade Center being attacked.

At least Chuck Todd tries here to get a real answer from Trump: “You’re running for President of the United States! Your words matter! Truthfulness matters! Fact-based stuff matters!”

Daily Dance: Celebrate This Guy

Dance like everyone is watching.

Posted by George Takei on Friday, November 27, 2015

Mike Huckabee: I've Never Heard Any Pro-Lifer Suggest Attacking Planned Parenthood


“I don’t know any pro-life leader, any - if you can tell me one, please correct me - but I don’t know of anybody who has suggested violence toward Planned Parenthood personnel.”

I think The Huckster is walking a fine line there. He may not want to name a "pro-life leader" but he knows there are those in that tribe that call for violence to close down Planned Parenthood. That's not news to anyone.



(h/t JMG)

TV: "Broadway at the White House"


Darn. Somehow, I missed this airing on Thanksgiving Day, but plan on finding OnDemand somewhere.

Via OUT:

Broadway at the White House follows deserving high school students who were chosen for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend an all-day symposium on careers in theater that recently took place at the White House. The TV event also features Whoopi Goldberg, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Gloria Estefan, Christian Borle, Cicely Tyson, Stephen Schwartz, and other current Broadway performers.

Here's the promo video below, and there's more over at TLC's website.

Saturday, November 28, 2015

Viral Video: Two Of Brazil's Biggest Actors Kiss To Protest Homophobia

via Instagram

Kissing for a cause.

Bruno Gagliasso and João Vicente de Castro, two of Brazil’s biggest actors, both heterosexual, locked lips at Brazil’s GQ Men of the Year awards in Rio de Janeiro to make a statement against homophobia and machismo.

Gagliasso posted a pic of the kiss to his Instagram account, dedicating the kiss to all the ‘macho card-carriers, hypocritical and prejudiced’, to show there’s nothing wrong with showing ‘our affection and love’ for another man.

Gagliasso has a been a long-time supporter of LGBT rights, having previously played a gay character on a Brazilian soap opera. In the past, he's shared his opinion that he believes "macho" images have a negative or unhealthy effect on audiences. He said the kiss was meant to challenge the nation’s views on what it means to be “macho.”

Colorado Springs Shooter Mentioned "No More Baby Parts" To Law Enforcement

The day after a gunman killed three people and shot nine others at a Colorado Planned Parenthood office, officials tell NBC News a motive remains unclear, but say the suspect talked about politics and abortion.

Robert Lewis Dear, a North Carolina native who was living in a trailer in Colorado, made statements to police Friday at the scene of the Colorado Springs clinic and in interviews that law enforcement sources described as rantings.

In one statement, made after the suspect was taken in for questioning, Dear said "no more baby parts" in reference to Planned Parenthood, according to two law enforcement sources with knowledge of the case.

(more at NBC News)

Christmas Music: Idina Menzel "Do You Hear What I Hear?"


Regular readers of The Randy Report know I love holiday music.

Now that Thanksgiving is over, I officially get to share some of my favorites over the next few weeks.

From last year's Holiday Wishes by the luminous Idina Menzel - "Do You Hear What I Hear?"

Saturday Show Tune: Audra McDonald, Megan Hilty, Kelli O'Hara "At The Ballet"


People sometimes forget that in the midst of all that brilliant staging and choreography in A Chorus Line lies a Pulitzer Prize-winning score.

Somehow, I had never seen this performance of "At The Ballet" with Audra McDonald, Megan Hilty, Kelli O'Hara.

According to several sources, this song was the first segment of ACL that really gelled. Once director/choreographer Michael Bennett "found" this, things really began to click.

Superbly sung here.

Daily Dunn

A photo posted by 🇦🇺 Simon Dunn (@bobsleighsimon) on

President Obama On The Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood Shooting


In the aftermath of the Planned Parenthood shooting by gunman Robert Dear Lewis, President Obama issued this statement:

The last thing Americans should have to do, over the holidays or any day, is comfort the families of people killed by gun violence — people who woke up in the morning and bid their loved ones goodbye with no idea it would be for the last time.

And yet, two days after Thanksgiving, that’s what we are forced to do again.

We don’t yet know what this particular gunman’s so-called motive was for shooting twelve people, or for terrorizing an entire community, when he opened fire with an assault weapon and took hostages at a Planned Parenthood center in Colorado. What we do know is that he killed a cop in the line of duty, along with two of the citizens that police officer was trying to protect. We know that law enforcement saved lives, as so many of them do every day, all across America. And we know that more Americans and their families had fear forced upon them.

This is not normal. We can’t let it become normal. If we truly care about this — if we’re going to offer up our thoughts and prayers again, for God knows how many times, with a truly clean conscience — then we have to do something about the easy accessibility of weapons of war on our streets to people who have no business wielding them. Period. Enough is enough.

May God bless Officer Garrett Swasey and the Americans he tried to save — and may He grant the rest of us the courage to do the same thing.

Friday, November 27, 2015

Liz Callaway "Another Hundred People" LIVE


Ok, this is pretty brilliant.

I'm sure if you are a fan of music theater, you know and adore Liz Callaway already.

But what happens when you forget the lyrics to the song you're singing live? And it's Sondheim? I mean, it's very possible it's gonna happen.

Watch this. Just watch. Then share :)

Donald Trump Falls 12 Points In National Poll


The latest Reuters poll reveals GOP presidential hopeful Donald Trump has dropped 12 points in less than a week, his largest single poll-to-poll drop since he took the primary lead in July.

Trump drew 31% of Republicans, but fell from 43% support registered on Nov. 22.

This follows Trump's calls for added surveillance of mosques and a possible registry/database of U.S. Muslims - all of which caused comparisons to Nazi Germany's registration of Jews.

Other results of the poll:

• Ben Carson 15%
• Sen. Ted Cruz and Sen. Marco Rubio 8%
• Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush 7%

(source)

Famous Footwear Features Gay Dads At Dinner Time In New Commercial


A new ad from Famous Footwear features two gay dads and their children sharing dinner time without electronics at the table.

One dad passes around a basket collecting everyone's phones, although the daughter does try to hand on to her tablet.

The message being that for the family to reconnect, we need to disconnect every now and then.

I agree.

Nice that the dads are easy on the eyes, too.  Just saying...


Shooting In Colorado Springs Near Planned Parenthood

UPDATE:









Sexy Funny Kitchen Offers A Shirtless Holiday Martini Recipe


Even if you aren't a pumpkin fan, there's something for everyone to enjoy in this episode of Funny Sexy Kitchen with Lorenzo & Pedro.

Special guest Colby Melvin helps show you how to make a Pumpkin Martini (and maybe some trouble in the kitchen).

This is pretty much how things go in my holiday kitchen, how about you?



How's Everyone's Black Friday Going?

Black Friday got a bit out of hand for these two Kentucky bargain hunters, who were filmed rolling around on the floor punching each other.

Posted by The Telegraph on Friday, November 27, 2015

Sir David Attenborough narrates Black Friday

Sir David Attenborough narrates Black Friday

Posted by Huffington Post UK Comedy on Thursday, November 26, 2015

Rachel Maddow Asks Ted Cruz Campaign About "Kill The Gays" Rally Appearance


Rachel Maddow reports on Ted Cruz, Republican presidential candidate, avoiding directly addressing his association with religious extremists who cited the Bible as justifying executing homosexuals and abortion doctors.

According to Maddow, Cruz's campaign asked for evidence that the anti-gay rant occurred: “Send me a video or audio where he explicitly says this and I will look at it.”

Video of the vile speech wasn't enough for Cruz's people, though. The campaign responded with two words: “Not explicit.”

I think the speech is clear as can be. It goes without saying that it would appear that even "implicit" calls for executing gays would be coolio with Cruz.

Watch the segment below:

"The Danish Girl" Opens In Select Theaters Today

Eddie Redmayne stars as Lili Elbe, in Tom Hooper’s THE DANISH GIRL

The Danish Girl starring Eddie Redmayne opens today in NYC and LA, with wide distribution in December.

The remarkable love story inspired by the lives of Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener (portrayed by Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne ["The Theory of Everything"] and Alicia Vikander ["Ex Machina"]), directed by Academy Award winner Tom Hooper ("The King's Speech," "Les Misérables").

Lili and Gerda's marriage and work evolve as they navigate Lili's groundbreaking journey as a transgender pioneer.

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Extended Trailer for NBC's "The Wiz Live!"

Donald Trump Mocks Disabled Reporter, Denies Ever Meeting Him


Donald Trump has stepped in it yet again.

While defending his claim (thoroughly debunked by major media outlets) that "thousands and thousands" cheered at the fall of the World Trade Center on 9/11 over in New Jersey, Trump mocked a reporter - Serge Kovaleski - who now works for the New York Times.

The real estate mogul flailed his arms stiffly as he imitated Serge Kovaleski, a New York Times reporter who suffers from arthrogryposis, which limits joint movement.

Mr Kovaleski had provoked The Donald’s ire by disputing his claim to have witnessed “thousands” of Arab-Americans in New Jersey cheering as the World Trade Centre crumbled on 11 September 2001 – a long-discredited conspiracy theory, for which Mr Trump failed to present a scrap of evidence. “The sad part about it is, it didn’t in the slightest bit jar or surprise me that Donald Trump would do something this low-rent, given his track record,” Mr Kovaleski told The Washington Post.

As a reporter at the New York Daily News in the late 1980s and early ’90s, Kovaleski covered Trump’s business dealings, and met the the real estate magnate on several occasions.

Trump had been citing Kovaleski's Washington Post article written in the aftermath of 9/11: “Law enforcement authorities detained and questioned a number of people who were allegedly seen celebrating the attacks and holding tailgate-style parties on rooftops while they watched the devastation on the other side of the river.”

Trump's original statement said that Trump himself witnessed seeing "thousands and thousands" cheering.

When asked about the article, Kovaleski said he doesn't remember seeing actual people celebrating the attacks.  “We did a lot of shoe leather reporting in and around Jersey City and talked to a lot of residents and officials for the broader story. Much of that has, indeed, faded from memory … I do not recall anyone saying there were thousands, or even hundreds, of people celebrating. That was not the case, as best as I can remember.”

After much backlash for his comment, Trump issued this statement:


You can see Trump's mocking Kovaleski below:


Viral Video: "It Don't Look Like You Need The Extra McRib"

She said McXcuse me Bitch???? 󾌴󾌴󾌴 I'm crying. That's me laughing in the background Lmaooo. Shoutout Libbie Higginsins and the McRib

Posted by Brittany Wittenmyer on Monday, November 9, 2015

Kiss A Hot Model To Commemorate World AIDS Day


What a great way to commemorate the occasion - On December 1st - for World AIDS Day - the National AIDS Trust (NAT) will be setting up a “Pop-Up Kissing Booth” in London’s Soho Square.

From LGBTQ Nation:

Sponsored by Attitude magazine and Sink The Pink, passerby will have the chance to either make out with an assortment of drag artists or the insipidly handsome model Alex Mountain, recently featured in the “Red Hot” campaign.

The booth is a direct response to research that suggests 16% of people still believe you can contract HIV merely from kissing – up, astonishingly, from 4% ten years ago.

“The booth is going to be great fun,” says NAT’s chief executive Deborah Gold, “but it also highlights an important message: That too many people in this country believe myths and scaremongering about HIV. This leads to stigma against people living with HIV, and increases the number of people getting the disease. Its time it ends.”

“The numbers of people who don’t know the basic facts about HIV and how it is transmitted is completely shocking,” says Attitude editor Matthew Todd. “And it should be cause for the government to bring in mandatory sex and relationships education in schools. The kissing booth is a fun way to make a really important point — that HIV is still here and more needs to be done to educate people about it.”

Oh - And I Give Thanks For Stuart Reardon, Too

Happy thanksgiving everyone. 😃

A photo posted by Stuart Reardon (@stureardon) on

President & Michelle Obama Give Thanks

Today is a reminder to be thankful for what we have, and share our blessings by helping others. –mo

A photo posted by First Lady Michelle Obama (@michelleobama) on

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Radio Show: Film Maker Matt Zarley Is A "hopefulROMANTIC"

Handsome producer/singer/songwriter Matt Zarley talks about his award-winning short film "hopefulRomantic"
Award-winning singer/songwriter/film producer Matt Zarley

As part of my newly-launched companion podcast, I interview award-winning singer/songwriter turned movie producer Matt Zarley joins us to talk on the journey of his acclaimed musical short film, "hopefulROMANTIC."

The film stars Zarley, Jolie Jenkins, Chuck Seculla, and TV icon/LGBT activist George Takei.

Accepted into over two dozen film festivals, the film is part music video, part Broadway musical and part romantic movie - in fact, it's all of those things and more.

Zarley discusses the inspiration for the project, as well as the evolution of the film. Plus, he shares several songs from the movie soundtrack.

I enjoy the podcast/radio show medium - and why not? I get to talk even more!

After reading my posts for so long, don't you want to tune in for a few minutes to hear what I sound like?  :)


Daily Dunn


Olympic bobsledding hopeful Simon Dunn is becoming a "thing" here on The Randy Report, and why not?

Happy Hump Day!

Donald Trump's Words Make Their Own Point


New Day For America PAC (supporting Republican John Kasich) has issued this ad letting Donald Trump's words speak for himself.

I do appreciate the one word question: "Presidential?"

File under #InfightingIsFun.

MODERN FAMILY Star Reid Ewing Casually Comes Out On Twitter

Reid Ewing of MODERN FAMILY casually comes out on Twitter

Reid Ewing, of Modern Family fame, casually noted his sexuality in a tweet about Eugene Bata's recent appearance on Good Morning America addressing body dysmorphia, which Reid had recently written about.

Check Reid's essay on body dysmorphia on Huff Post here, and read his uber-casual response below :)




Boom!

First Teaser For "Grease Live!"


Clip description:

FOX enrolls at Rydell High with GREASE: LIVE, a LIVE one-night musical production of the massively popular crossover musical “Grease.”

Coming to FOX JAN 31.

POTUS: No Specific/Credible Intelligence Indicating A Plot On Homeland Right Now

Adele Jams "Hello" With Jimmy Fallon & The Roots On Schoolroom Instruments


As if her record-breaking sales and live appearances haven't been enough, Adele sits down with Jimmy Fallon & the Roots for an acoustic/schoolroom instruments version of her now mega-hit "Hello."

No wondering here - she kills it.

Note the "cameo" appearance of a bust of Lionel Richie upstage of the band. Clever, Jimmy Fallon. Clever.

First Trailer for "Captain America: Civil War"


First trailer from the upcoming "Captain America: Civil War" is out, and it delivers.

Chris Evans' "Captain America" faces off against Robert Downey Jr.'s "Iron Man" in an effort to protect former side-kick "Bucky Barnes," played by the Auber-handsome Sebastian Stan.

Looks like the whole Avengers team makes an appearance throughout the film.

"Captain America: Winter Soldier" rocked, and this looks just as good. I applaud Marvel for keeping their super hero universe so intertwined across so many movies.

The new movie hits theaters May 6, 2016.

Homophobic Tweets By Kathryn Knott, Alleged Philly Gay Basher, Will Be Admissible

Kathryn Knott (R) with Philip Williams and Kevin Harrigan who pled guilty to assaulting two gay men in Center City

Bad news for Kathryn Knott, who heads to trial next month on charges of aggravated assault during events back in September 2014 when two gay men were attacked and beaten to the point of one man's jaw was shattered and had to be wired shut for months.

Her homophobic tweets she was happy to send out into the Twitterverse will come back to haunt her as they will be introduced as evidence to show her bias against gays.

From Philly.com:

A Common Pleas jury is expected to hear that Knott, 25, of Southampton, had posted the following on her @kathryn_knott Twitter account:

* "@krisssstenxoxo the ppl we were just dancing with just turned and mafe out with eatch other #gay #ew"

* "jazz flute is for little fairy boys"

* "@g0_nads he's gonna rip me today for my hair..just wait. #dyke"

* "this camo song is gay like all the other brad paisley songs"

Knott faces trial on a count of conspiracy, two counts of aggravated assault and related offenses in the September 2014 attack on a gay couple in Center City. Jury selection is expected to take place Dec. 9. Opening statements would likely begin the next day.
Besides Knott, two others in her group, Philip Williams, of Warminster, and Kevin Harrigan, of Warrington, were also charged with aggravated assault, conspiracy and related offenses.

Last month, Williams, 25, and Harrigan, 27, accepted commonwealth offers to plead guilty before Common Pleas Judge Frank Palumbo. Williams pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and conspiracy and was sentenced to five years' probation.

Harrigan pleaded to simple assault and conspiracy and was sentenced to three years' probation. Both were ordered to perform community service at a center supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, to stay away from Center City while on probation and to pay restitution.

Knott turned down a plea offer and opted to take her case to trial.

Barry, in arguing Tuesday for Knott's tweets to be introduced at her trial, told the judge: "She does not like gay people. This is why the fight happened. . . . She's one of the people who jumped in and joined the assault."

The prosecutor said an independent witness saw Knott run into the fight and punch Hesse.

He said the victims also heard her call out the word "faggot."

Read more about the case here.

Sarah Palin Gets Schooled On Refugee Vetting Process


Sarah Palin, former half-term governor of Alaska, dropped by Late Night with Seth Meyers to push her new book and along the way the issue of Syrian refugees came up.

Palin told Meyers and audience that the reason governors across the U.S. are saying "no" to any refugees is because there’s not a vetting process to determine if they are “bad guys infiltrating under the guise of refugee.”

Without blinking or referring to any cue cards, Meyers calmly described the very real vetting process that takes between 18-24 months before refugees are allowed into the country.

Via Yahoo:

“In order for any refugees to come in, it is like an 18- to 24-month process for them to get through,” Meyers said. “It starts at the U.N., and then it comes through multiple government agencies here in the States. Is it maybe just that, at the core, I think there’s just a lack of trust across the board of the federal government? Do you think that’s what these governors are really saying, that ultimately anything the federal government tells them, they don’t trust?”

“Well, I don’t trust what the federal government is telling us,” Palin — who is out promoting her new book, “Sweet Freedom” — replied. “But even you should not trust that the federal government is telling you about the 18- to 24-month vetting process is as legit as perhaps they’re trying to make the public believe, because truly, there is no way to filter out those that would want to do this country harm with the process that we see in place today. And that’s why it’s not just Republican governors but Democrats too who are saying, ‘Wait a minute. Somebody’s got to be the last line of defense here, so the states are taking on that authority.’”

Meyers went on to ask of we can ever truly get to a place where everyone feels absolute safety about vetting all refugees, and Palin quickly did a u-turn agreeing with him.

“If we were to strive to reach absolute safety, we would not have freedom,” Palin said. “If people have the choice here — I mean, we can have both, but we’re all about freedom. That’s a foundation of our country, so we’re not going to give up freedom for that.”

Meyers also addressed the cynicism of assuming all refugees only want to come here to attack us, and that he believed people want to come to the U.S. because they seek the freedoms we all have.

Freedom, Meyers said, is why the refugees “are so desperate to come here.”

“I think this idea that they’re coming here to infiltrate — I think that is fear-based,” he said. “I do think they want to come here and enjoy the same things you and I are lucky enough to enjoy.”

Palin, again, u-turns and agrees with Meyers.


Announcing "The Randy Report Radio Show"


After months of thinking and postponing and more postponing, I finally launched the companion podcast to The Randy Report this week.

Many readers here know that for years I co-hosted an online radio show, The Candi & Randy Show, with my fab friend Candi Fox.

It was a fun, enriching experience where Candi and I laughed together, and also explored a lot of topics I'd never thought about. Along the way we racked up over 500,000 targeted listeners.

But after two and a half years, I found my calendar was booking up with lots of theater projects that I was really looking forward to working on, and plus, I found I was a bit out of ideas. I stepped away thinking that at sometime in the future I might see myself sitting down at a microphone again.

So, Monday night I debuted the first episode of The Randy Report (the radio show) on BlogTalkRadio. I hope many of you will click over to the show page there and click "Follow" so you can be notified of upcoming episodes.

The first show featured two interviews - one with Lee Roy Reams, who is currently starring in Hello, Dolly! in Boca Raton, Florida (the first American male actor to play the title role); and the second with award-winning singer/songwriter Matt Zarley discussing his acclaimed musical short film "hopefulROMANTIC."

I refer to the radio show as a "companion" piece to the blog here as I hope to explore via talk radio many of the stories and issues I bring up here on a a daily basis.

I'm still working on some details - one of which being exactly when I'll air shows live. But the great thing about BlogTalkRadio is every show is available for free on-demand listening within a few minutes of a show airing. So, whether you join me and my guests live or catch up later on your own schedule, you can be a part of the ever-expanding Randy Report experience :)

Really hoping you hit play and listen below. And I'd love if you would call in live some time. I'd love to hear from readers :)