News Round-Up: June 20, 2019

(via Instagram)

Some news items you might have missed:

• InstaHunks Rick and the Griffopotamus (above) trying to a-peel to folks' animal nature. #ItsWorking

• Despite 7 Tony nominations, the LGBTQ-themed Broadway musical The Prom will close August 11, but will live on in a small screen version for Netflix produced by Ryan Murphy.

• New York state lawmakers have banned defendants from citing a victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity (known as 'gay panic' or 'trans panic' defenses) to justify their crime. New York becomes the 7th state in the country to prohibit the legal defense.

• Two students have been indefinitely suspended from the Kearns High School football team for a social media post showing a Pride flag being burned and threatening LGBTQ people saying, “All gays die.”

• Alabama's former state Supreme Court Justice, the virulently anti-LGBTQ Roy Moore, has announced he will make another run for U.S. Senate in 2020. (and Republicans are NOT happy about it).

• RuPaul's Drag Race champs, Bob the Drag Queen and Trixie Mattel, are featured in JetBlue’s new Pride month ad serving up sassy fun as they deliver pre-flight instructions.

It's worth noting that not only did JetBlue engage the drag stars for the video, but the airline scored a 100 on the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index.

New York: Lawmakers Hope To Decriminalize Sex Work

(stock photo)

Buoyed by the election of more progressive lawmakers in New York state, a group of legislators are hoping to decriminalize sex work.

First-term state Sen. Julia Salazar and Jessica Ramos are working with Assemblyman Richard Gottfried on a bill that would not legalize but decriminalize sex work.

Working with Decrim NY, a coalition of local human rights activists including LGBTQ, immigration and justice reform advocates, the lawmakers hope to “decriminalize, decarcerate and destigmatize the sex trade in New York City and the state,” according to The Daily Beast.

According to Urban Institute, a 2007 study in New York showed LGBTQ youth were 7 times more likely to have traded sex for shelter than straight teens. Transgender teens were shown to be 8 times more likely

“Trying to stop adult sex work shouldn’t be the business of the criminal justice system,” said Gottfried at a press event on Monday. “Throughout history, it hasn’t worked, and it makes things worse, Decriminalizing adult sex work is harm reduction.”

State Sen. Salazar is actually the first political candidate to campaign and win on a platform that included sex workers’ rights.

“The climate of fear of intimidation caused by criminalizing sex work makes it very difficult for sex workers to seek any kind of redress for labor issues or to report the various kinds of abuse many endure in silence,” said the 27-year-old legislator at the launch event Monday. “Sex work is work, and we need to start treating it as such.”

Part of the focus of the legislation will be to clear prostitution charges from sex workers records and have them released from jail.

A transgender woman who has done sex work, Cecilia Gentili, addressed the crowd of about 150 people on Monday.

“It feels surreal to be talking about this,” said Gentili, reports HuffPost. “As a transgender woman who did sex work, I have experienced oppression and prejudice from the police, immigration authorities and even social service organizations because I was trading sex.” 

“Until we decriminalize sex work, the people most impacted by criminalization ― trans people, people of color and undocumented people ― will continue to be treated as less than the full humans they are.” 

In November, Democrats were able to take control of all three branches of state government. And so, for the first time, the issue of sex workers’ rights moved from being a taboo issue to a mainstream issue.

The three lawmakers already have support from other legislators including Assemblymembers Catalina Cruz and Dan Quart.

Wedding Dance Goes Viral As Grooms Have "The Time Of Their Lives"

Noah and PJ

At their wedding in upstate New York this month, Noah and PJ decided their ‘first dance’ was going to be something special.

And thanks to the mashup of totally gay dance music and a wide-ranging choreography covering just about every dance style, it looks like they accomplished their goal.

It all begins oh-so-innocently with the boys slow-dancing to the romantical “It’s a Quiet Thing.”

But then, the music cuts out.

Cue the Miami Sound Machines’ “Conga,” and the boys are off!

Soon they segue into some “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now),” before slipping in some “Vogue” by Madonna.

You can’t have a wedding dance without classic disco so next up is KC and the Sunshine Band’s “Get Down Tonight,” followed by some tap dancing “Puttin on the Ritz” via Young Frankenstein.

But you need a big finish, and the boys bring it with “The Time of My Life” from Dirty Dancing complete with high-flying lifts.

And the crowd goes wild!

In posting the video, PJ and Noah share, “We seriously did have ‘the time of our lives.’ An incredible night surrounded by incredible people!”

We can all use some uplifting moments these days, and this certainly fill the bill.

Check out Noah and PJ’s ‘first dance’ below.

And congratulations, boys!




(h/t Pink News)

New York Attorney General Looks To Bypass Presidential Pardons

NY Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman (speaking)
Photo: MTA / Patrick Cashin (Flickr)

With talk of Donald Trump possibly considering granting pardons to former associates currently under Special Counsel Robert Mueller's microscope, New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman is asking his state's governor and legislature to allow criminal charges against those who have received a presidential pardon.

From The New York Times:

Under the plan, Mr. Schneiderman, a Democrat, seeks to exempt New York’s double jeopardy law from cases involving presidential pardons, according to the letter, a copy of which was obtained by The New York Times. The current law and the concept of double jeopardy in general mean that a person cannot be tried for the same crime twice.

Right now, New York state law prevents people from being prosecuted more than once for crimes related to the same act, even if the original prosecution was in federal court. There are already a number of exceptions to the law, and the letter says that Mr. Schneiderman is proposing to add a new one that could be used if federal pardons are issued.

While Mr. Schneiderman’s jurisdiction does not encompass many of the areas being investigated by Mr. Mueller, a president has no authority to commute sentences or pardon offenses at the state level. That leaves convictions obtained by the state attorney general’s office or any other local prosecutor outside the president’s ability to intervene. The proposal would be structured so that it would not affect people who sought clemency after long jail sentences, an aide to Mr. Schneiderman said.

New York State Will Investigate Claims That Insurance Companies Denied Healthy Gay Men Coverage

According to reports, some insurance companies appear to be denying insurance policies to gay men who admit to taking medication that protects them from HIV infection.

Wait - what? These are healthy guys who are taking preventative steps to avoid HIV infection and insurance companies are holding it against them?

Not only is that not cool, it's also probably illegal.

From The New York Times:

Such denials would amount to illegal discrimination based on sexual orientation, and the companies doing so could be penalized, said Maria T. Vullo, the state’s superintendent of financial services.

The investigation was triggered by an article published Tuesday by The New York Times, she said.

The Times reported that various insurers around the country had denied policies to gay men after learning they took Truvada, a cocktail of two anti-AIDS drugs, to avoid catching H.I.V. through sex. To get insurance, some men even stopped taking the protective drugs.

The practice — known as “pre-exposure prophylaxis,” or PrEP — is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Studies have shown that people who take the drug every day have nearly a zero chance of becoming infected, even if they are in a long relationship with an H.I.V.-infected person or have sex with many strangers without condoms.

The investigation was prompted by another story in the NY Times about a doctor who couldn't get disability insurance because he admitted to taking PrEP.

NY Gov. Cuomo On Post-Election Fears: "We Will Stand Up For You"

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo posted the following statement in the wake of the presidential election and the ensuing tensions.

Via Facebook:

The state of New York has a proud legacy as the progressive capital of the nation, and that is more important today than ever before.

As New Yorkers, we have fundamentally different philosophies than what Donald Trump laid out in his campaign.

So let me be absolutely clear: If anyone feels that they are under attack, I want them to know that the state of New York – the state that has the Statue of Liberty in its harbor – is their refuge.

Whether you are gay or straight, Muslim or Christian, rich or poor, black or white or brown, we respect all people in the state of New York.

It's the very core of what we believe and who we are. But it's not just what we say, we passed laws that reflect it, and we will continue to do so, no matter what happens nationally. We won’t allow a federal government that attacks immigrants to do so in our state.

We are a state of immigrants.

We are the state that raised the minimum wage to $15.

We are the state that passed Paid Family Leave.

We are the state that passed marriage equality.

We are New York, and we will stand up for you. And on that, I will never compromise.

Count on it.

(h/t JoeMyGod)

Donald Trump Praises Heroes Of 7/11

Donald Trump, speaking in Buffalo last night in advance of the New York presidential primary, praised the heroes of 7/11.

I had no idea he was such a fan of the convenience store chain.

From the clip:

“I wrote this out, and it’s very close to my heart,because I was down there and I watched our police and our firemen down at 7/11, down at the World Trade Center right after it came down. And I saw the greatest people I’ve ever seen in action.”

Of course, we all believe he must have meant to say 9/11. It's worth noting the Trumpster never corrected himself.

Donald Trump Compares Campaign Protesters To ISIS

More violence erupted at a campaign rally for Donald Trump last night as a supporter of Trump's slapped a protester in the face.

Instead of attempting to stop the violence, Trump called the protester out, comparing him to ISIS.

From the New York Daily News:

The attacker, who was only identified as “Mike,” said he pounced on the protester because “he was yelling in my face.”

“I have my personal rights and my personal space,” he told the Albany Times-Union after the rally. “They're going to start yelling about some bulls--t, I'll snatch your ass up.”

Video of the mid-event attack showed Mike and the demonstrator facing each other — apparently arguing — as another audience member stood between the two. After a tense standoff, Mike lunged at the protester and smacked him in the face twice.

The protester was eventually removed from the rally at the Times Union Center.

Of the protester, Trump said,  “This is what's happening on the border. This is what's happening with ISIS. This is what's happening to our country, and we can't let it happen. We've got to take our country back, folks.”

That's right folks - a man yelling "Boo!" is comparable to ISIS. Got it?

Fox News Poll: Hillary Clinton Leading Bernie Sanders In New York

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton leads Sen. Bernie Sanders in New York state according to the latest Fox News Poll - 53%-37%.

The poll results also show in a hypothetical match-up, Clinton would win New York in the general election against Donald Trump by that same margin - 53%-37%.

Why Bernie Sanders Winning Wisconsin Is Not Like Winning New York

This isn't an "anti-Bernie Sanders" post. It's a post about math and delegates.

With Bernie Sanders leading in Wisconsin and Hillary Clinton looking to lead by 12 points in New York, the WaPo explores why a win for Bernie and a win for Hillary don't serve up the same results.

From the Washington Post:

These states are not equivalent. This is not a tie, with Clinton winning one state and Sanders winning another. It is, instead, a clear demonstration of why Bernie Sanders almost certainly won't be the Democratic nominee.

After all, it comes down to delegates. Wisconsin has 86 delegates; New York has 247. Since the party distributes its delegates proportionally, that means that Sanders's slight Wisconsin lead would earn him a slightly bigger portion of the state's small delegate haul. Clinton's larger New York lead would earn her a larger portion of the state's large delegate haul.

There are still a lot of states after New York for Sanders to make progress. Many of the delegates remaining though -- more than half -- are tied up in three large states: Pennsylvania, New Jersey and California. As we noted earlier this month, Clinton is leading in the most recent polling in those three states, too.

HIllary Clinton Takes Aim At Donald Trump In "New York" Campaign Ad

Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton slaps at Donald Trump in a new campaign ad airing in New York.

The ad juxtaposes the state's wide-ranging diversity with Trump's rhetoric on Muslims, Hispanics and others, while including images of New York firefighters and rebuilding the World Trade Center.

The ad never mentions Trump by name, but does include an image of a banner saying "Trump: Coming in 2016."

Here's the text of the spot, narrated by Hillary Clinton:

"New York. Twenty million people strong.

"No, we don’t all look the same. We don’t all sound the same, either.

"But when we pull together, we do the biggest things in the world.

"So when some say we can solve America’s problems by building walls, banning people based on their religion, and turning against each other... Well, this is New York. And we know better."

New York's Democratic primary is April 19th and has 247 delegates up for grabs.

Three of this year's candidates - Clinton, Trump and Sen. Bernie Sanders (of Vermont) call New York home.

Bill Maher On Ted Cruz and "New York Values"

Bill Maher and his guests - Cornel West, Nicolle Wallace and Ralph Reed - discuss Ted Cruz's comments about "New York values" during the GOP Debate in this clip from January 15, 2016.

Via Raw Story:

“The Republicans who constantly lambaste Obama about dividing America, and then creates smaller and smaller circles about what really is America, “the HBO host said. “Chicago? No that’s thug city. And Hawaii — part of Kenya. And LA is full of q*eers. You know, tell me what New York values are because I don’t know.”

“I was wondering how long after 9/11 before politicians could goad shitkickers into hating New York again,” Maher stated. “And I guess that’s the answer, 15 years, and now you can shit on New York again. Because you certainly couldn’t have said that two years after 9/11.”

Lecturer and activist Cornel West added, “I will admit that Brother Trump, he did tell the truth in terms of there are beautiful people in New York City — so anybody can stumble onto the truth, you know what I mean?”

New York: Gov. Cuomo Will Ban Transgender Discrimination Via Executive Order

Gov. Andrew Cuomo marching in Gay Pride Parade

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has announced he will use his executive authority to ban discrimination against transgender people in housing, employment, credit education, and public accommodations statewide.

Currently, the state prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. But after the legislature failed several times to pass a bill protecting transgender New Yorkers, the governor decided to take the apparently unprecedented step of invoking his executive powers on the matter, an administration official said.

Looking for ways to work around the log jam in Albany, lawyers in the governor's office found that under Executive Law 2995, the New York State Division of Human Rights has the authority to promulgate regulations of the state’s Human Rights Law, the administration official said.

The proposed regulations, which the governor's office will soon enter into the state registry for a 45-day comment period, would expand definitions of “sex” and “disability” discrimination to include gender identity, gender expression, and gender dysphoria.

Although the Human Rights Law as passed by the state legislature would not itself be amended, the new additions that apply to the law would grant the New York State Division of Human Rights power to enforce the regulations with the force of law.

In 1990, New York passed the Sexual Non-Discrimination Act which bars discrimination against gays, lesbians and bisexuals but not transgenders. Since that time the state Assembly has passed the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA), which would expand the SNDA to include transgender protections, eight times. But the state Senate has refused to pass the legislation.

Cuomo has long been a champion for LGBT rights including marriage equality.

(via Buzzfeed)

New York: Homophobic mother says "no" to children's birthday party due to gay dads

Radio station K-98.3 hosts Steve and Leeana have shared what they say is a response from a Long Island mother to a seven-year old girl’s birthday party invitation sent by her two gay dads as a opportunity to showcase her homophobia.

“You’re invited to Sophia’s 7th Birthday Party,” the invitation reads.

And the response:

“Tommy will NOT attend,” the mother wrote on the invitation. “I do not believe in what you do and will not subject my innocent son to your ‘lifestyle.’”

“I’m sorry Sophia has to grow up this way. If you have an issue or need to speak to me call *** ****,” Tommy’s mother, Beth, wrote.

K-83 writes on Facebook the gay dads passed the invitation on to the station, and that Beth “gave us permission to post her phone number and said anyone who has a problem with what she wrote can call her, too!”

(via K-98.3)

UPDATE: The radio hosts have now copped to making the story up.  Details here.

Bill O'Reilly slams gay marriage opponents

Bill O'Reilly: “The compelling argument is on the side of homosexuals. That’s where the compelling argument is. ‘We’re Americans. We just want to be treated like everybody else.’ That’s a compelling argument, and to deny that, you have got to have a very strong argument on the other side. The argument on the other side hasn’t been able to do anything but thump the Bible.”

Judges lining up for marriage equality's 1st day in NY

From the New York Times: As one of several dozen judges across the state who have volunteered to play an official role in marriage equality’s first day in New York state, Justice Thomas Raffaele is part of one of the most unusual judicial mobilizations in years. From Buffalo to the Bronx and pretty much everywhere else in New York, judges are signing up for rare Sunday duty.

If same-sex couples want to marry that Sunday, only judges would have the authority to dispense with the 24-hour waiting period required by law. And those judges could then officiate on the spot.

Another of the volunteer judges, Sherry Klein Heitler of State Supreme Court in Manhattan, said she was expecting something of a party at the city clerk’s office. “I think there will be a lot of people,” Justice Heitler said. “I think there will be a lot of emotion. I think there will be a lot of happy tears.”

Judge Richard B. Meyer of Essex County Court in Elizabethtown, N.Y., said he felt an obligation to help any couple trying to take advantage of their newly minted right.

“I think it’s important,” Judge Meyer said, “that people who have been waiting a long time to be married and who are anxious to do it have access to someone who is able to perform the ceremony on their time frame.”

In Rochester, Judge Joan S. Kohout said she had been thinking of the legal changes during her 23 years on the bench that enabled same-sex couples to adopt. As ideas about family have changed, she said, the families passing through her court have changed.

Judge Kohout volunteered, she said, because she saw the new marriage law as a further evolution. “I’m a Family Court judge — I’m a judge for families — and I saw this as a way for me to do my job,” she said.

Read more at the New York Times.

NY Governor moves forward on Marriage Equality

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is slated to hold strategy meetings with LGBT advocates to plan a way forward to advance marriage equality in New York state.

From New York Magazine: "A confidential strategy meeting will be held today between Governor Andrew Cuomo and top gay activists in the state over the topic of marriage equality, the Times reports. While Cuomo has often said that legalizing nuptials for gay couples is a priority, advocates haven't been sure that he'd put his money where his mouth was — the last time that a bill on the subject was put before the State Senate (in 2009), the body was controlled by Democrats and the measure failed 38–24."

"Now it faces even higher hurdles; even though Cuomo is vastly more popular than David Paterson, his predecessor, was, the Senate is now controlled by Republicans. He'll need some of their votes to get a bill to pass."

NY Governor to legislature: Pass marriage equality

Fourteen months after the last ill-fated attempt to pass marriage equality in New York state, the recently elected Governor Cuomo said Wednesday that he intends to ask the legislature to take up the issue during this session.

Cuomo campaigned on marriage equality promises, and has repeated said that he would sign a bill allowing same-sex marriage should it reach his desk. Now he is saying "we'll be working very hard to pass it."

Supporters weren't sure if the governor would truly want to take up a socially charged issue like marriage equality with the state budget in disarray.

From the New York Times: It is not immediately obvious how the legislation would fare markedly better this year, given that the composition of the Senate, which is now controlled by Republicans, has not changed significantly since the last vote.

But gay-rights advocates point to public-opinion polls that show more New Yorkers than ever support the legalization of same-sex marriage.

The issue has done well in past sessions of the state Assembly but has found more resistance in the state Senate. Republican Senate Majority leader Dean Skelos has said he won't block a vote on the issue, but says the legislature needs to focus on the economy right now.

A Quinnipiac University poll released Thursday, Jan. 27 revealed that the majority of New York residents support legal recognition of same-sex marriage.

56 percent of those surveyed indicate that they support marriage equality; 37 percent do not.