Podcast: Jussie Smollett Attacked, Rita Moreno Honored, An Armed Disruptor At Drag Queen Storytime

In this week's podcast:

• Protester with a gun disrupts Drag Queen Storytime in Houston

• Anti-gay former county Clerk Kim Davis may have to pay big buck for denying same-sex couples marriage licenses

• New Jersey will soon have LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum in schools

• Empire star Jussie Smollett attacked in homophobic, racist assault in Chicago - returns to the concert stage

• Arkansas Supreme Court reverses on Fayetteville city ordinance protecting LGBTQ people

• And my chat with the living legend and EGOT, Rita Moreno

All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.

News Round-Up: October 17, 2018

Léo Stronda

Some news items you might have missed:

• Rapper and bodybuilder Léo Stronda, 26-years-old from Brazil (above), is my new InstaHunk find! #woof

• Arkansas (of all places) is issuing gender-neutral IDs to non-binary citizens

• Lawmakers in Thailand are working on legislation that would give same-sex couples legal recognition via civil unions. Passage of the new law would make Thailand the first country in Asia to recognize gay/lesbian relationships.

• Jennifer Saunders of Absolutely Fabulous fame hints at an AbFab reunion saying she "might be writing a little something."

• A new report from Essex University seems to say that if your ring finger is longer than your index finger, it could indicate you're gay. Not sure I believe that...

• Non-binary singer/songwriter Grayson has released their new single, "Brother." The track is a personal anthem about needing to break free from both internal and external pressures.

“‘Brother' is about the sometimes chaotic relationship with yourself, and everyone else," says Grayson.

Grayson is new to me, so let's check out "Brother."

Anti-LGBTQ Arkansas Pastor Busted - Again - On Child Sex Crimes

In today's 'good Christian' news...

Timothy Lee Reddin, a 67-year-old pastor at Turner Street Baptist Church in Fayetteville, Arkansas, loves to get riled up and shriek about the evils of homosexuality from the pulpit.

You know what's coming now, right?

Reddin was arrested on August 3 after chatting up what he believed was a 14-year-old boy on a 'dating site.'

Reddin's problem is the young boy was in reality an undercover cop posing as a teen in a sting operation.

Reddin setup a 'meeting' with the teen for sex. But when he showed up at the meeting spot, he was met by officers.

KARK-4 reports:

“Lee” described himself in his profile as a 62-year-old white male, 6’1″, 215 pounds and married. The profile description said, “I just wanna have fun…I like younger guys. But hell, at my age that’s just about everybody! Discreet, intelligent, witty, professional guy. Love to meet new friends. Especially naked ones,” according to the affidavit.

Married for almost 50 years with 4 grown children and 7 grandchildren, Reddin was booked in his local jail where he was charged with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.

But wait - there's more!

Reddin was busted and convicted in 2000 for possession of child pornography eventually spending 27 months in prison and registering as a sex offender after being released.

(h/t Queerty)

Former Arkansas Judge Sentenced To 5 Years Prison For Trading Dismissals For Nude Photos

Former Judge O. Joseph Boeckmann

Via CourtHouseNews:

A former Arkansas judge was sentenced Wednesday to five years in federal prison for dismissing minor criminal cases in exchange for nude photographs or sexual favors from male defendants.

O. Joseph Boeckmann, a former district court judge in Cross County, pleaded guilty in October to wire fraud and witness tampering. He admitted on Wednesday that the seven-year-long scheme defrauded cities and counties of money and property they should have received as fines or fees from the people whose cases were fraudulently dismissed.

U.S. District Judge Kristine Baker also fined 72-year-old Boeckmann $50,000 and sentenced him to three years of supervised release after he does his time.

Prosecutors said Boeckmann admitted abusing his judicial position to dismiss traffic citations and misdemeanor criminal charges for young men in exchange for what he claimed was “community service.” He used his access to them during their purported community service to take photographs of them in compromising positions.

While many say Judge Boeckmann wasn’t given enough time, Judge Baker, the federal judge who sentenced him, nearly doubled the sentence recommended in guidelines. https://t.co/2m9SSaf8Q2 pic.twitter.com/Fyk2nFdsG2

— Winnie Wright (@WinnieWrightTV) February 22, 2018

Prosectrs said Boeckmann admitted abusing his position to dismiss citations & misdemeanor crim. charges for young men in exchange for “community service,” using this guise to take photographs of them in compromising positions.https://t.co/7MMt5i4rAX
Story by @eidelagarza

— Brandi Buchman (@BBuchman_CNS) February 22, 2018

Podcast: HGTV's Gay Married Hosts, SCOTUS To Review Denying Services For Same-Sex Weddings, Pentagon Delays Trans Recruits

In this week's headlines on The Randy Report podcast:

• The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to review whether a Colorado baker can refuse to sell a wedding cake for a same-sex couple

• The Pentagon hits "delay" on allowing transgender recruits to join the U.S. military

• The Texas Supreme Court gets it wrong on same-sex married couples rights

• HGTV has it's first show hosted by a married gay couple

All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report

First Attack Ad Aligning Donald Trump and Down-Ballot Senate Republicans

Should Donald Trump become the Republican nominee for president (and it's looking like that's where the GOP is headed), you can expect to see a LOT more campaign spots like this from Democratic U.S. Senate candidates who declare their support for the Donald.

From Connor Eldridge, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Arkansas.

News Round-Up: September 9, 2015

Some news stories you may have missed:

• Talk about a queen with staying power - Queen Elizabeth II is now the longest reigning monarch in United Kingdom history.

• A year after a repeal campaign led by the infamous Duggar family overturned LGBT protections in Fayetteville, Arkansas, a special election held last night passed an new (although flawed) version of the ordinance 53%-47%.

• Mike Huckabee admits he blocked Sen. Ted Cruz from appearing at the Kim Davis rally.

• Edging up to Donald Trump in the polls, retired surgeon Dr. Ben Carson questions Donald Trump's "faith." Smart move or torpedo?

• Caitlyn Jenner is still lukewarm on the idea of marriage equality.

• Rogue county clerk Kim Davis received fan mail while cooling her heels in the hoosegow. I'm sure she's hoping for lots of checks in those envelopes since her crowd-sourcing campaign has stalled BIG TIME.

Arkansas: Same-Sex Couples Sue Health Officials Over Birth Certificates

The AP is reporting that three same-sex couples have filed lawsuits in Arkansas as state Health officials refused to list both parents on their children's birth certificates.

The married women said in the lawsuit filed in Pulaski County Circuit Court that the state Health Department would list only the biological mother on the birth certificate, and said they were told they would need a court order to name both spouses. The couples sought the birth certificates after last month's U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down gay marriage bans nationwide.

The lawsuit says not providing the birth certificates "(deprives) these children of the dignity, legitimacy, security, support and protections provided to children of heterosexual couples, regardless of marital status."

Of course, if these were opposite-sex couples there would be no problem listing the two parents.

A spokesperson for the state Attorney General's office has declined to comment.

Every Time A Clerk Resigns Over Same-Sex Marriage...

Via Sam Kalidi for Queerty

Arkansas: Judge Orders The State To Recognize Same-Sex Marriages Performed Last Year

Pulaski County Circuit Judge Wendell Griffen issued a ruling today instructing Arkansas state officials to recognize same-sex marriages that were performed in-state last year during a window of time that marriage licenses were issued to same-sex couples.

The result of the order means those 500+ couples will have access to many benefits such as filing taxes jointly and enrolling in state health insurance plans.

From ABC News:

Pulaski County Circuit Judge Chris Piazza struck down as unconstitutional a 2004 voter-approved same-sex marriage ban and an earlier state law defining marriage as between a man and a woman. Justices suspended his decision a week later, halting the marriages.

The attorney general's office argued before Griffen Monday that the marriages weren't valid because Piazza's initial ruling didn't specifically strike down a state law barring clerks from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Piazza struck down that law in a subsequent ruling six days later.

Griffen rejected that argument, saying it was clear that Piazza meant to strike down any prohibition on same-sex marriage.

"Put simply, Judge Piazza's intent in his May 9 order was to stop the state of Arkansas from prohibiting same-sex couples from being married," he wrote.

HRC Arkansas State Director Kendra R. Johnson issued this statement:

"Virtually every day, we continue to see tremendous signs of progress toward realizing the dream of marriage equality for gay and lesbian Arkansans.

“While we await a final decision by the United States Supreme Court to resolve the issue of marriage equality nationwide once and for all, Judge Griffen’s ruling demonstrates yet again the unmistakable momentum of LGBT equality in the Natural State."

Arkansas: Eureka Springs Votes To Uphold LGBT Protections

From the Human Rights Campaign:

Despite the efforts of anti-LGBT activists in Arkansas, equality continues to prevail in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Residents voted (579-231) to uphold a comprehensive, city-wide non-discrimination ordinance that was originally passed by the Eureka Springs city council in February.

The new legislation will ban discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations against people based on their race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic background, and a number of other important categories.

While other ordinances that have recently passed in Arkansas cities like Little Rock and Hot Springs only protect city employees and city contractors, the ordinance in Eureka Springs applies to all citizens.

Arkansas: Little Rock City Board Approves LGBT Protections In Spite Of Statewide Ban

By a vote of 7-2, the Little Rock City Board approved an ordinance that bans LGBT discrimination in hiring and city services, including those offered through outside vendors.

This comes after Arkansas state lawmakers recently passed legislation that bars cities and municipalities from expanding anti-discrimination laws to include sexual orientation and gender identity.

"I think we're sending a message that we're a welcoming community, that we're diverse, that we realize that's good for business, that we value all of our citizens," said City Director Kathy Webb, the sponsor of the proposal. "I think that's very important to make that kind of statement for Little Rock."

No word yet from Attorney General Leslie Rutledge on Little Rock's proposal and whether it would conflict with the state law.

Arkansas Governor Signs Newly Tweaked "Religious Freedom" Bill Into Law

After just a few short days, Arkansas lawmakers have tweaked their "religious freedom" law to more closely mirror the federal version, and today Gov. Asa Hutchinson has signed the legislation into law.

In the wake of intense backlash against a similar law in Indiana, first-term Republican governor had rejected the first version Arkansas lawmakers had sent to his desk, instead asking for two tweaks so there would be no daylight between his state's law and the one President Bill Clinton signed in 1993.

"I think it's sending the right signal, the way this has been resolved, to the world and the country that Arkansas understands the diversity of our culture and workforce but also the importance of balancing that with our sincerely held religious convictions," Hutchinson said Thursday afternoon.

Hutchinson has also announced he is considering issuing an executive order that would ban discrimination against state employees.

We shall see.

Sen. Tom Cotton: Hey Gays, At Least We Aren't Hanging You Like In Iran

Sen. Tom Cotton really needs some media training.

Speaking to CNN’s Wolf Blitzer yesterday, Cotton said that critics of Religious Freedom Restoration Acts, like the one his governor just declined to sign, should get some global “perspective” on gay rights.

Because, hey, it could be worse!

“I think it’s important we have a sense of perspective about our priorities,” Cotton said. “In Iran they hang you for the crime of being gay. They’re currently imprisoning an American preacher for spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ in Iran. We should focus on the most important priorities that our country faces right now.”

Yeah. That makes me feel much better. You?

Sponsor Of Arkansas "Religious Freedom" Bill Serves Up Double-Talk On CNN

CNN’s Jake Tapper interviewed state Sen. Bart Hester, the sponsor of Arkansas’ religious freedom bill, and asked him multiple times if it allows for discrimination or not.

Tapper expressed his confusion multiple times given all the conflicting messaging from supporters of the bill on the matter.

Bless little Bart Hester's heart. He was so proud of himself repeating the same word salad over and over.

Clearly the one talking point supporters of these "religious freedom" bills have is "whatever they ask, don't use the word discriminate."

Arkansas: Huge Rally For Changes To "Religious Freedom Restoration Act"

Chad Griffin of the Human Rights Campaign

From the Associated Press:

Hundreds gathered on the steps of the Arkansas State Capitol urging lawmakers to make changes to a religious-objection measure that has faced national backlash from businesses and gay-rights groups.

Seth Hutchinson, Son Of Arkansas Governor, "Proud To Have Made A Small Contribution"

Seth Hutchinson, son of Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, sent an email to Business Insider today after he was referenced in his dad's press conference where the governor announced he was sending the recently passed "Religious Freedom Restoration Act" back to lawmakers to mirror the federal version of the law.

The liberal 31 year old union activist, based in Austin, Texas, had this to say about today's events in Arkansas:

"I am happy that my Dad is now calling on legislators to rework HB 1228.

"I had communicated with him my opposition to the bill, along with thousands of other Arkansans and concerned citizens around the country.

"I'm proud to have made a small contribution to the overall effort to stop discrimination against the LGBT community in Arkansas, the state that I love (Go hogs!).

"I love and respect my father very much, but sometimes we have political disagreements, just as many families do. We must build a mass movement of Americans fighting for economic, environmental, and social justice if we want to see real progress."

Hillary Clinton Weighs In On Arkansas RFRA: "I Urge Governor To Veto"

(via Twitter)

Arkansas: Governor Asa Hutchinson Asks Lawmakers To Mirror Federal RFRA Law

Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson held a press conference today to announce he's sending the recently passed "Religious Freedom Restoration Act" back to the state legislature to insure the law mirrors the federal version of the law.

Yesterday, retail giant Walmart, whose corporate offices are located in Arkansas, asked the governor to veto the bill. Money talks, kids.

And speaking of kids, the governor's own son signed a petition calling for a veto of the legislation.

Follow KATV for more details as the press conference progresses.

Walmart Asks Arkansas Governor To Veto "License To Discriminate" Bill

Walmart has sent a message to Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson that HB1228, a bill similar to Indiana's "License To Discriminate" law, is a bad idea.

"Every day, in our stores, we see firsthand the benefits diversity and inclusion have on our associates, customers and communities we serve. It all starts with our core basic belief of respect for the individual.

"Today's passage of HB1228 threatens to undermine the spirit of inclusion present throughout the state of Arkansas and does not reflect the values we proudly uphold.

"For these reasons, we are asking Governor Hutchinson to veto this legislation." - Doung McMillon, Walmart CEO

Gov. Hutchinson has said he plans to sign the legislation.

Does Arkansas want to be the next Indiana?