• The Jonas Brothers dropped their first new music in six years at midnight last night - "Sucker."
The first round of Jonas fame was a bit too young/teeny bopper for me, but now that the guys have grown up (and so well, may I add?) I'm happy to give them a peek.
The good news is the new track is a catchy pop bop that's easy to listen to, and the video is fun with the guys and their wives/significant others playing house in a huge Edwardian mansion.
They've taken some plot points from the recently Oscar-nominated The Favourite, but I'm not getting bogged down in that while Nick, Joe and Kevin offer such 'easy on the eyes' candy.
• I realized I haven't featured one of my favorite InstaHunks, "world's sexiest math teacher" turned model Pietro Boselli in a while. And then Pietro posted this just a few hours ago with the caption, "Elements." Can we just sit and look for a sec?
• Fox News host Laura Ingraham's gay brother is having an all-out war with her in the media calling her "destructive" and a "monster." And that's just the beginning...
• Romania has moved one step closer to outlawing same-sex marriage. An anti-LGBT citizens group submitted a petition with over 3 million signatures asking for the country to vote to make marriage between ' a man and a woman.'
• People born in New York City who don't identify as male or female will soon be able to select a nonbinary gender category on their birth certificates.
Psychotherapist Matthew Dempsey shares his thoughts on the effect of “pretty privilege” in life, and specifically in the LGBTQ community.
Dempsey begins by defining exactly what “privilege” is.
In other words, what he calls ‘unearned advantages’ some folks are born with like being white, straight, male, cisgender, and yes, attractive.
When it comes to the ‘attractive’ component, Dempsey lists traits like being tall, having good hair, symmetrical features that he calls “hitting the genetic lottery.”
In the United States, its certainly true that all those characteristics can make life a bit easier to maneuver through.
Study after study has shown that being attractive may make it easier to find a mate, are perceived to be more intelligent and likable, and are viewed as healthier.
Speaking candidly, Dempsey admits to his audience that he knows he’s enjoyed “pretty privilege” in his life saying, “I didn’t have to work to be 6’3” and I didn’t have to work to have my face look the way it did.”
“This is just something that I was born into,” he adds.
And what does this get folks? According to Dempsey this ‘privilege’ translates into getting party invites, dates, job offers and more thanks to the way he looks.
Admittedly, its somewhat uncomfortable to watch and listen to someone describe their “born under a lucky star” status.
Even Dempsey admits, the discussion can come off a bit douchey:
“So you might be watching this after a couple minutes and thinking, ‘Why am I watching this douchebag talk about how attractive he is and how easy his life has been?’ Totally get it.
“Listen, my intention here is not to brag, I promise, because I recognize that I’m putting an easy target on my back for people to just drag me for days and tell me that I am no Pietro Boselli. I know that I am no Pietro Boselli!
“I don’t consider myself the pinnacle of physical beauty, but I do recognize that I have had an advantage in life just because of how I look. And so that’s what I want to talk about and acknowledge ‘pretty privilege’ is a real thing.”
Where Dempsey is going with all this is to say that when those with ‘unearned advantages’ admit those privileges, it helps honor and validate the disadvantage of others.
For instance, when hunky guys complain about not having 6% body fat to their friends who may truly struggle with their weight not only doesn’t ‘honor’ their friends but it is insensitive to others.
Take a few minutes and watch the video below.
The comments on the YouTube page ranged from disgust to agreement.
“6:31 minutes of this video basically : "I am hot and I acknowledge I am hot.’”
"I can relate to you Matt. But people let's be clear there is a dangerous side to "pretty privilege". The most morally, spiritually, and mentally bankrupt people are the "Hot Gays".
"Thanks for acknowledging this struggle. Gay Asian male here who has probably internalized all the bad stuff going around about being gay and Asian while living in a mostly white, western NA city.”
"Disappointed in you Matt . I’ve been following you from the very beginning. But lately your vlogs have been very stereotypical on our lgbt community. Hunny this vlog was very narcissistic. I mean let’s be real. You live in Hollywood where you live and thrive on you looks . Smh. Conceited is boring . There are wayyyy more important things going on this world."
“’… just because of how I look.’ I don't think I have heard anyone say it more louder and honestly. Thanks Matthew.”
To be fair - watch the full six minutes to get Dempsey’s take on the subject and let me know what you think.
I've previously written about Dempsey here where he addresses facing 'body image' issues.
Is this a real conversation to be having? Or is it narcissistic to admit “pretty privilege?”
• Anti-LGBT gay basher Kathryn Knott, who went to jail for the violent beating of Andrew Haught and Zachary Hesse in the Center City area of Philadelphia in 2014, has settled a civil lawsuit with the men she helped land in the hospital. Knott and her co-defendants Kevin Harrigan and Philip Williams have apparently agreed to a large six-figure settlement in order to avoid a court battle they've already lost once.
• Even more women have come forward accusing sexual assault/misconduct by GOP Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore.
• In related Roy Moore news, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is floating the idea of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who used to hold the senate seat in Alabama, being a write-in candidate in next month's election in an attempt to keep Moore out of the U.S. Senate. I wonder how Jeff Sessions feels about that?
• According to a new Morning Consult/Politico poll, former Vice President Joe Biden would easily beat Donald Trump 46%/35% should the Democrat decide to run for president in 2020.
• Out tennis legends Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova react to Australia's marriage equality news:
Cheers to #Australia who voted with a resounding YES! for #MarriageEquality! Can't wait to celebrate with you in January. 🏳️🌈
So Margaret Court now says there will be no more Christmas or Easter, nor Mother’s and Father’s Day in Australia, all because of Same Sex Marriage. Au contraire Margaret- us gays love parties, especially the boys:), and we just might have 2 Mother’s days and 2 Father’s days:)
• American Horror Story fans are thrilled by the release of the opening credits and first trailer for the upcoming season of the anthology series, "Cult." With storylines inspired by last year's presidential race, Sarah Paulson plays a lesbian who loses it on election night. The new season premieres September 5. Watch below.
• Donald Trump's "fire and fury" remarks aimed at North Korea were apparently made in the moment; no advisers were consulted on the language.
• A design firm thinks the swastika can be "rebranded" for the LGBTQ community. They're wrong. #HideousIdea
• In the aftermath of President Trump's threats of "fire and fury," North Korea is now reportedly considering a missile strike on Guam.
• FBI agents conducted an early morning raid of former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort's home in July. The search warrant indicates the FBI wasn't confident Manafort would provide all documents requested by the Special Counsel's investigation.
• Adorable pic of gay dads after a day at Disney World with kids goes viral :)
• The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals says a gay couple denied a marriage license in 2015 by noted homophobe Kim Davis can sue her for legal fees :)
• Police in Chechnya are reportedly telling parents to kill their gay children, or else they’ll murder them themselves.
• Netflix's next Marvel series brings together Daredevil, Iron Fist, Jessica Jones and Luke Cage as "The Defenders." The series drops August 18th, but you can watch the snazzy new trailer below.
Pietro Boselli, "the world's sexiest math teacher" turned fitness model, recently took a trip down to the Philippines where he chronicled much of his (often shirtless) journey on his Instagram account.
Lucky for us :)
In one of his posts, he shares that he had to "use my imagination to workout."
Check out the video of his "imaginative" workout session. #Cute
• First things first - from sexiest math teacher turned model Pietro Boselli's Instagram (above). #dead #woof
• North Carolina state lawmakers have filed bills that would repeal anti-LGBT law, HB2.
• A new poll shows 35% of Americans don't know "Obamacare" and the Affordable Care Act are the same thing.
• Melania Trump was conspicuously absent earlier today when Prime Minister Abe Shinzo and his wife visited the White House. First Ladies traditionally welcome and host the spouses of visiting leaders - but not today.
• Check out these 5 buzz-worthy off-Broadway shows you should see - including my pal Ed Dixon's new hit show, Georgie: My Adventures With George Rose.
• Dance your way into the weekend with Hercules & Love Affair's "Controller" featuring vocals by Faris Badwan. Check out the catchy, hypnotic sex anthem below:
"World's Sexiest Math Teacher" and now model, Pietro Boselli, is sharing lots of straight forward info on his YouTube channel to help you with your gym workouts.
I'm pretty sure he could sell tickets to his workouts and folks would pay :)
A photo posted by Pietro Boselli (@pietroboselli) on
Obviously, the world has taken notice of Pietro's awesome abs and body. So, he's launched his own YouTube video series where he shares his workout philosophy and how it fits into his fitness lifestyle.
