News Round-Up: March 16, 2019

Some news items you might have missed:

• Finally, a public bathroom sign (above) that makes sense.

• The Advocate takes a look at newly-announced presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke's history on LGBTQ issues.

• GOP Sen. Ted Cruz has been fined $35,000 for failing to disclose $1 million in campaign funds.

• Michael Jackson fans are suing his alleged victims for taking part in the recent HBO documentary Leaving Neverland for sullying the memory of the pop star.

• Having surpassed over 65,000 donors, out White House hopeful Pete Buttigieg has qualified for the 2020 Democratic presidential debates.

• Indie singer/songwriter/producer Lauv (nominated for “Best New Pop Artist at the 2019 iHeart Radio Music Awards) drops his stripped-down video of hit single “i’m so tired…” with Troye Sivan.

Lauv said on the stripped performance, “Troye and I went to Henson Recording Studios to make this acoustic version of ‘i’m so tired...’ and we ended up including the infamous bridge. Also, Troye is an angel...go check it out and enjoy."

Troye added, “I’ve had the insane joy of playing this song live now for the last few weeks and have never felt a ground swell like this for a song I’m on before. So excited to put out this acoustic version of ‘i’m so tired...’ with Lauv!"

News Round-Up: January 10, 2019

Some news items you might have missed:

• Ok, I can hear you already, "Randy, that hot pic of Gus Kenworthy is just click bait! Why do you do this to us?" But it's not - see that phone grip that says 'Be True?' Proceeds from sales will help Gus raise $1 million for his AIDSLifeCycle campaign. Click here to buy. See? I'm here to help ;)

• Josh Hutcherson revealed on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert that he and Hunger Games co-star Liam Hemsworth once stripped naked together at Berlin fetish club. Pics or it didn't happen...

• Manchester Pride has announced they've added a black and brown stripe to their Pride flag to represent Black, Asian and ethnic LGBTQ people. What do you think - do we need a new version of the iconic rainbow flag? I think the original flag already represented everyone...

• Fox and New Regency have announced that they’ll release a karaoke version of box office juggernaut Bohemian Rhapsody in 750 theaters across the US and Canada starting this Friday, January 11.

• Seniors and 'ultra conservatives' shared about seven times more 'fake news' on social media than younger adults, moderates and super liberals during the 2016 election season.

• It may be the middle of winter, but Aussie singer Troye Sivan has his head in summer sunshine with his new music video for "Lucky Strike."

Haunting New Ballad "Revelation" By Troye Sivan & Jónsi From Upcoming Film 'Boy Erased'

“Revelation,” the hauntingly beautiful single from the soundtrack of the upcoming movie Boy Erased, has been released and it’s everything you want it to be.

The film, based on the memoir by Garrard Conley, is the true story of one young man’s struggle to find himself while being forced to question every aspect of his identity.

Boy Erased tells the story of Jared (Hedges), the son of a Baptist pastor in a small American town, who is outed to his parents (Kidman and Crowe) at age 19. Jared is faced with an ultimatum: attend a conversion therapy program – or be permanently exiled and shunned by his family, friends, and faith.

The track, a collaboration between Australian pop star Troye Sivan (who’s also featured in the movie) and Icelandic musician Jónsi (best known for Sigur Rós), is a sensitive and touching ballad.

You're a revelation
Won't you liberate me now
From a holy world
You're a revolution
I will liberate you now
As the walls come down

It's a rocky road to say
“Maybe I won't go”
'Cause hey dear, you're a wrecking ball
And you’re here crushing all I'm told

Ever I roam
Ever I roam
Further from home
Your hand I hold

During a recent tour stop in New York City where he performed the song live, Sivan shared that the evolution of the song was inspired by a scene in the film.

“It’s this one moment of relief in the film.,” says Sivan. “It’s this one really sweet, tender moment where Jared does something that I would consider pure and beautiful and normal and romantic.”

“He has that experience and the sky doesn’t fall down on him,” he explains. “The world doesn’t come crashing down, and it’s a ‘revelation’ to him. That person that he was with is a revolution to him, and it was just so inspiring. So, we started with these lyrics of ‘you’re a revelation, you’re a revolution’.”

Boy Erased lands in theaters November 2. Hit the play button below to hear “Revelation.”

Pop Star Troye Sivan Cried When He Realized How Hot Zac Efron Is

Zac Efron (L) and Troye Sivan (R)

In the June issue of Attitude Magazine, gay pop star Troye Sivan shares how Zac Efron was a part of his journey to self-acceptance.

The 23-year-old, who's new album Bloom is set to drop this summer, says it was a slow evolution to accepting his authentic self.

“When I was about five, I remember feeling like I was scared because I knew something was different about me," says Sivan.

That fear surprised young Troye since he grew up in a cool household.

"My parents were always really open-minded, I didn’t grow up in a homophobic household at all, but even so, somehow I knew that it was not the norm and I thought that it was not OK," says the Aussie popster. "Even at a really young age, I don’t know where that influence came from but it was there," he added.

And then came the day that the feelings about being 'different' turned sexual as he gazed upon Zac Efron: "I remember I cried when I realized that I thought Zac Efron was really hot. I cried. And felt really sick."

I don't know about feeling "sick" but I do remember when I realized Zac is hot. I might have cried, too.

It was only after confiding in a close friend at the age of 15 that Sivan began to be comfortable with who he is. And in a Google kind of world, Sivan had a galaxy to turn to for help.

"I went away and started doing my research, that was when I started to become a lot more comfortable," he says. "I watched coming out videos on YouTube and heard people speaking about their experiences and realized that I wasn’t a freak."

No, you're not a freak at all, Troye. Trust and believe, you're great exactly as you are.

And so is Zac... (sigh)...

A post shared by Zac Efron (@zacefron) on Mar 5, 2016 at 9:44pm PST

A post shared by Zac Daddario 👑 (@zacfandomclub) on May 14, 2018 at 2:54pm PDT

A post shared by Id Rather Watch Netflix (@idrathernetflix) on May 14, 2018 at 1:22pm PDT

New Music: Martin Garrix & Troye Sivan "There For You"

Earlier this week, DJ/producer Martin Garrix and Troye Sivan released their latest collaboration, “There For You.”

Billboard's take on the track:

The two 21-year-olds take on San Francisco in the highly-stylize clip. Sivan is adorable and endearing as he sings about how fake the world and everyone in it can feel. Sometimes, you just need a good friend, but good friends are made through actions, not just words. Martin Garrix is the friend he needs, giving his vulnerable vocals a pop-colored backbone ready for radio takeover.

“There For You” has a cute hook that shows Garrix' future bass obsession isn't quite finished. This is one bubbly beat that won't let you down. Catch the feels for yourself below.

Podcast: Troye Sivan, Anti-LGBT Legislation In Wyoming & Texas, Trump Inauguration And LGBTs Scrubbed From White House Website

Take a listen to the latest The Randy Report podcast, including these stories and more:

• Minutes after Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States, all information regarding LGBTs disappeared from the White House website. Hmm....

• Attendance at Donald Trump's inaugural was dwarfed by the Women's March on Washington the next day as hundreds of thousands marched in support for not only women's rights but LGBT rights, civil rights, voting rights and more. And the Trumpster was not happy.

• The Texas state Supreme Court has agreed to hear an anti-LGBT hate group's challenge to spousal benefits for same-sex couples.

• New legislation introduced in Wyoming ("The Equality State") would legalize discrimination against same-sex couples and transgender people, and would make it impossible for any branch or part of the government to enact or enforce local non-discrimination ordinances and federal protections for the LGBT community.

• Out Music: Troye Sivan released his video for “Heaven,” from his Blue Neighbourhood album - a sensual black & white vision featuring intimate shots of Sivan along side clips of important moments in the LGBTQ rights movement.

Music Video: Troye Sivan "Youth"

Aussie YouTube sensation Troye Sivan drops his new music video, "Youth," from his album Blue Neighbourhood.

My first thought was perhaps the song would be a bit "young-ish" for me, but I like the medium vibe and the anthemic chorus.

Oh, and the pretty colors.

Via MTV:

The vid takes us inside a hazy, neon-washed house party where alcohol, sex, and tongue piercings are all the rage. But there are moments of quiet intimacy, too, and nods to… well… youth: light-up sneakers, Care Bears and blanket forts all make an appearance. It ultimately feels like a marriage of maturity and recklessness, as Troye sings about loving too hard and not really caring about the consequences.