News Round-Up: October 23, 2017

(via Instagram)

Some news items you might have missed:

• When you just really don't want it to be Monday (above).

• Trust and believe the Trump administration will point to low open enrollment numbers for Obamacare to prove the program is "imploding." What they won't tell you is the administration cut the education & outreach budget for enrollment awareness by 90% in an effort to sabotage sign ups.

• We celebrated Las Vegas Pride this weekend - check out tons of pics from the Pride Festival via The Advocate.

• Scottish tourist Jamie Harron was ordered to spend 3 months in jail in seriously homophobic Dubai for barely touching a man’s hip as he carried a drink through a crowded bar. After losing his job and spending thousands in legal fees, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum ordered Harron to be released. Think twice before traveling to Dubai.

• The upcoming Thor Ragnorak will feature not one but two LGBT characters.

• Russian singer Zelimkhan Bakaev was allegedly arrested and tortured to death by authorities in Chechnya due to “suspicions of homosexuality.”

• Out actress-pop singer Hayley Kiyoko's new single “Feelings” made a splash on TRL last week. Check out the video below.

Celebrate Las Vegas Pride 2017 This Weekend

While we acknowledge Pride Month in June, living here in Las Vegas we don't actually celebrate LGBT Pride until October due to the high summer temperatures.

And this weekend is the time for Las Vegans to get your Pride on!

First up in the festivities - head to downtown Las Vegas tonight for the glamorous, glittering spectacle that is the annual Las Vegas PRIDE Night Parade!

 The Parade Pre-Show begins at 6:30pm at the grandstand at the corner of 4th St. & Bridger Ave. The parade is expected to begin passing the grandstand at 7:30pm.

Then celebrate diversity at the Las Vegas PRIDE Festival where everyone is welcome. LGBT families, couples, and singles along with their friends and straight allies come together for an entire day of fabulous fun at Sunset Park (at the corner of Sunset Rd. and Eastern Avenue).

The festival is held Saturday from Noon to 10PM and Sunday from 11AM to 8PM.

Sunset Park has over 2,000 parking spaces and several parking lots, so parking is not a problem.

Entrance fees - adults (18+) are $15 Daily ($20 2-Day Pass), Youth (8-17) $5 Daily, and children under 7 enter for free.

Canadian country music star Patrick Masse will be among those headlining the live entertainment from the MainStage on October 21.

One of the very first openly gay country music artists, Masse has performed around the world including major Pride events all over North America.

Nominated for the Horizon Award for new artists at the British Columbia Country Music Association Awards, his songs have gone Top 10 all over Canada.

Also appearing are: Ru Paul’s Drag Race contestants Coco Montrese, Kimora Blac, Morgan McMichaels & Coco VanCartier, Sasha Colby, Ashley Iman; the Las Vegas Men's Chorus; Erika Gaga and more.

More info about the Pride Festival here.

Scenes From Las Vegas Pride 2016

Taking the stage to host Las Vegas Pride Festival 2016

I had an awesome time this past weekend at Las Vegas Pride. With a huge turnout at Sunset Park over two days of PRIDE Festival, there was definitely something for everyone.

I was honored to host the mainstage with the glamorous Shannel, of RuPauls' Drag Race and the new star and host of 53X at the Chateau Showroom at Paris Las Vegas.

From afternoon to evening, we chatted up the crowd and introduced folks like the Chippendales, comedian and Pride Parade Marshal Alec Mapa, current U.S. Senate candidate Catherine Cortez Masto, stars from Frank Marino's DIVAS and more.

This year's festival also included two additional stages, one for more intimate performances and one for dance music, plus a special PRIDE pet park with pet costume contest!

Onstage with my fab co-host Shannel

Backstage before hosting with the glamorous Shannel, star of 53X at Paris Las Vegas

Shannel swirls!

Taking in the festival (L-R: Rocky Rowley, Mike, Greg Chase and me)

I interviewed "Johnny Scruff!" - with Johnny Skandros

LGBT ally and Nevada's favorite Congresswoman - Rep. Dina Titus

Michael and I with Nevada's next U.S. Senator - Catherine Cortez Masto

My co-host Shannel on the mainstage

Via Brandon Michael Kamohai Johnson Facebook

And here's just a few tweets from Las Vegas Pride-goers:

Had an amazing time at #lasvegaspride yesterday! So much LOVE and Pride in the air! #PalmSprings, I'm headed your way this coming weekend! pic.twitter.com/nx7eDTw8Pv

— Kristine W (@KristineWmusic) October 24, 2016

Happy @VegasPRIDE! Feliz con mi esposo. #GayVegas pic.twitter.com/JmIRF0zW0L

— J.Son - NakedBoyNews (@NakedBoyNews) October 23, 2016

With the beautiful cast of @53XLV today for vegas pride pic.twitter.com/yFc7kW2E0l

— Shannel (@ShannelOfficial) October 24, 2016

Las Vegas pride yesterday with Michael caprio and andrew Ryan . We had a blast pic.twitter.com/Cb8pHBu2y0

— Shannel (@ShannelOfficial) October 23, 2016

Is your carrier as inclusive as @TMobile? #MobilizeForEquality #LasVegasPride #inclusion #pride @FrankAkers @HeatherAtwoodSW @Joncenido pic.twitter.com/shSDzm0fuB

— Mee Fong (@meefong2) October 23, 2016

Visit the @nvdems booth at the @VegasPRIDE Festival at #SunsetPark #ProudDem #TurnNVBlue #LoveTrumpsHate ❤️💛💜💙💚 pic.twitter.com/YEaMtjUtv1

— Dina Titus (@dinatitus) October 22, 2016

@vegasPRIDE @LasVegasPride #lasvegaspride #pridelasvegas #vegaspride #pridevegas #UNLV pic.twitter.com/kdjhtFIjA4

— Charlie (@PlurCharlie) October 22, 2016

Our team had a blast at the @VegasPRIDE parade with @NelsonAraujoNV last night. #VegasPride #NV03 pic.twitter.com/LCU6hOt60x

— Jacky Rosen (@RosenforNevada) October 22, 2016

Las Vegas: PRIDE Weekend Kicks Off With Pride Parade

You've got to love that Las Vegas Pride kicked off PRIDE Weekend with our night-time Pride Parade last night under a delectable October sky.

If you missed the parade (and why would you?), you can watch on CoxCable96 starting on October 31st. How cool is that? We get our Pride Parade televised? Awesome!

Make sure you share your pics from Pride in Las Vegas today and tomorrow by tagging @VegasPride on Twitter.

Lots of social media happening with snaps from all along the parade route. Check out just a sample below.

@vegasPRIDE @LasVegasPride #lasvegaspride #pridelasvegas #vegaspride #pridevegas #UNLV pic.twitter.com/kdjhtFIjA4

— Charlie (@PlurCharlie) October 22, 2016

MGM Resorts is proud to be a sponsor of the 2016 @VegasPRIDE Parade! #VegasPRIDE pic.twitter.com/elskqK2R0M

— MGM Resorts (@MGMResortsIntl) October 22, 2016

Tonight we are honoring the victims of #WeAreOrlando with a special presentation @VegasPRIDE Parade. pic.twitter.com/2TmKV8fr1u

— MGM Resorts (@MGMResortsIntl) October 22, 2016

The @VegasPRIDE Parade! #PRIDE #LGBTQ #DTLV 🏳️‍🌈 pic.twitter.com/AgOhPcp42D

— Kim DelMonico (@kimdelmonico) October 22, 2016

Taking @VegasPRIDE: The LGBT community's biggest weekend expands to create a destination eventhttps://t.co/dipWu0MLDM pic.twitter.com/t5RfRCujp7

— Las Vegas Weekly (@lasvegasweekly) October 21, 2016

. @cbrangel Greetings from #VegasPride last night! Thank you for all you do! #LGBTQVOTES pic.twitter.com/MlazpssR5H

— 🌈‼️KAVIN‼️🌈 (@stylistkavin) October 22, 2016

Happy #vegaspride! Proud to be marching with @HillaryforNV and democrats up and down the ticket this November! #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/Z6yCB4VgIt

— Matt Kimball (@GateR_mk) October 22, 2016

We are ready to walk for @HillaryClinton at the LV PRIDE Parade! Let's win big in November, Nevada! #ImWithHer pic.twitter.com/knKq5fNAzn

— Nelson Araujo (@NelsonAraujoNV) October 22, 2016

Las Vegas: Time To Get Your Pride On This Weekend

Hey Las Vegas! Time to get your PRIDE on!

Tonight's PRIDE Parade starts pre-show at 7PM and then kicks off in full at 8PM. As in past years, Cox  Cable will broadcast tonight's PRIDE Parade on Cox Channel 96 www.cox96.net.

This year's PRIDE Festival will be held over October 22-23 at Sunset Park (at the corner of Sunset Rd. and Eastern Ave.).

The festival location will feature two outdoor stages surrounded by comfy grass to chill in, plus a food court and convenient drink stations, more than 100 exhibitors on site, AND tons of featured performers, as well as great local talent.

Yours truly will be hosting the Caesars Mainstage from 5PM-7PM on Saturday with Shannel, star of 53X on the Las Vegas Strip. So come on down and say "hi!"

This year's entertainers include Kristine W (Sunday headliner) and Alec Mapa (Saturday headliner), as well as Ricky Rebel, Ronnie “CHICO” Di Cicco, and many, many more.

Plus, this year continues the Family Activity Zone filled with fun activities for parents and children 12 and under.

Las Vegas LGBT Pride Festival Today

Hey hey hey Las Vegas! Come on out today and get your Pride on!

The weather is looking to be beautiful, just like all the shiny, happy people at Pride Fest.

I want to see you there! Come up and say 'hey' if you see me :)

Here's the details - Happy Pride!

Las Vegas LGBT Pride Night Parade Tonight!

Hey Las Vegas! Do not miss tonight's official Las Vegas Pride Night Parade!

The pre-show at the main stage begins at 7pm and the parade kicks off at 8pm.

See you there! #GetYourPrideOnVegas

For more info head over to LasVegasPride.org