Disney Channel Series "Andi Mack" Will Feature It's First LGBTQ Storyline

(Courtesy: Disney Channel. Left to right: Buffy (Sofia Wylie), Cyrus (Joshua Rush),
Andi (Peyton Elizabeth Lee), Jonah (Asher Angel)

GLAAD shares the news that the Disney Channel show Andi Mack will feature it's first LGBTQ storyline this season.

Season 2 of the series premieres this Friday, October 27 at 8PM ET.

For anyone not yet familiar with the show, "Andi Mack" is a contemporary coming-of-age story about a relatable girl (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) who's trying to determine where she fits in and the many amazing ways she can live her life. On the eve of her 13th birthday, Andi learns that her older sister, Bex (Lilan Bowden), is actually her mother. This revelation puts Andi on an unfamiliar path of self-discovery which she navigates with the help of her loving, albeit complicated, family; her two best friends, Cyrus (Joshua Rush) and Buffy (Sofia Wylie); and her middle school crush, Jonah Beck (Asher Angel). Along the way, Andi learns that sometimes the unexpected is what makes life great.

And in this season’s premiere episode, Cyrus begins to realize something about himself. Andi is hoping for her parents Bex and Bowie (Trent Garrett) to get married, all while awkwardly sorting out her feelings for classmate Jonah. Meanwhile, a second storyline depicts one of Andi's two best friends, 13-year-old Cyrus, as he's beginning to realize that he too has feelings for Jonah. This realization begins an important part of his journey to self-discovery as a gay teen and ultimately, his self-acceptance.

In the episode, Cyrus confides in Buffy. The scene, and what Buffy says to Cyrus, makes for positive role models both for kids and adult viewers. In subsequent episodes, Cyrus begins to understand himself, and can count on his supportive friends Buffy and Andi who, as teenagers, are also on a journey to self-discovery. He also grapples with how to tell his new girlfriend, Iris, about his new understanding of himself.

This story arc is a first for Disney Channel; it's the first time the channel has depicted a character's journey to self-discovery as an LGBTQ individual. However, it won’t be the first time an LGBTQ character has appeared on Disney Channel. Back in 2014, a lesbian couple appeared on an episode of “Good Luck Charlie.”

The series is the channel's number one show for girls this year. The median age of the viewers is ten.

Expect the howling to begin any time now from the anti-LGBTQ "One Million Moms."

When The Inclusive Message Of "Y'all Means All" Is Deemed Too "Political"

Charlottesville's Pride event is just around the corner and the organizers want to make sure that the annual LGBT event is meant to include everyone.

So much so that this year's theme is "Y'all Means All."

But apparently that message of inclusion was deemed too "political" for one t-shirt company.

Charlottesville is about to celebrate pride, but the planning hit an unexpected problem proving exactly why we still need these events.

The usual vendor for Charlottesville Pride, Red Star, outsourced the organization's t-shirt order to Pennsylvania-based Legacy Athletics.

But Legacy Athletics declined to fulfill the order on the grounds that the Pride message was too "political."

Here's the response sent to Red Star:

I am sorry for the delay, this is a design that we would not be able to produce.

While Legacy does offer custom logos, we also carefully nurture and protect our brand. One of the ways we keep a positive connotation to the brand, is by avoiding doing any products with custom logos that might be deemed as controversial, political, offensive, etc. This does not in any way mean that we either support or do not support the organization making the request, but the reality is that in light of recent events in Charlottesville as well as the fact Gay Pride events are political activism; we respectfully decline this order. Again, I hope you can understand our position.

Now, companies can certainly decline an order from an organization like Charlottesville Pride because political groups are not protected classes.

But you have to admit "Y'all Means All" is a tough message to oppose.

Charlottesville Pride organizers used the episode as a teaching moment explaining this is exactly why we need Pride celebrations:

And to those of you who thought we were past this kind of discrimination, please know that while this explicit expression of homophobia is indeed shocking, it’s only the fact that what usually seethes beneath the surface has come up for air that’s new. We live with implicit and inferred bias and constant threat of legal recrimination everyday.

In this world of Trump, where open bias and supremacy against all kinds of marginalized communities has become applauded and encouraged, we, the LGBTQ community, need you – our allies, our would-be friends – to stand up for us, to stand up with us, to have our back.

If you're in the area, Charlottesville Pride is this Saturday, September 16, at the Sprint Pavilion, 700 E. Main St.

Being LGBT-Inclusive Is Good For Business

(graphic via Ogilvy)

A new survey from Ogilvy indicates that being LGBT-inclusive is very good for business.

According to the resulting data, 64% of folks who identify as LGBT allies, and 48% of Americans overall, say they are more likely to spend money with businesses and brands they see as LGBT inclusive.

When asked if "LGBT inclusive brands are good for the economy," 85% of LGBT allies say "yes," and 65% of all Americans agree.

Additionally, an antagonistic or non-supportive stance by a company toward the LGBT community could influence nearly half of Americans and a majority of allies to a spend their consumer dollars elsewhere.

(source)

Clean Bandit's New Video Shares Gay Couple's Touching Story

Randy Report favorite Clean Bandit teams up with Swedish sensation, Zara Larsson, for their new single and music video, "Symphony."

The moving music video tells the story of a gay couple's happy life marred by an accident.

The video is sweeping both visually and sonically, giving a nod to the band's classical training.

The band’s first big hit was the 2014 3X platinum Jess Glynne collaboration “Rather Be,” which established itself as a massive global hit and ignited the career of the North London-born soul/pop singer.

The track held the #1 spot in the UK’s Singles Chart for four consecutive weeks and won a Grammy Award for "Best Dance Recording."

You can find the new single on iTunes and all digital download sites.

Watch the powerful video for "Symphony" below:

Volvo XC60 Commercial Features Gay Couple

Right there in the midst of Volvo's posh new commercial for the redesigned XC60 compact SUV is a handsome gay couple having a quiet moment.

Gorgeous arial shots of rolling hills, sexy cityscapes, luxurious penthouse views of sunrise and sunsets coupled with a moody cinematic score makes the message complete.

The casual inclusion is noteworthy when you consider not long ago the two second shot would have caused an uproar.

But LGBT inclusion isn't new for Volvo. Volvo has been focusing on the gay market all the way back to June 2001, with an ad for the S60 in Genre Magazine.

Watch below (cute couple at the 1:24 mark).

Justin Timberlake To LGBT Youth: "Being Different Means You Make The Difference"

Accepting his trophy at the IHeartRadio Awards last night for Song of the Year, "Can't Stop the Feeling," pop star Justin Timberlake had a message of inclusion for his young LGBT fans:

“I wrote this song because I wanted it to be about inclusion, about being together. I guess I want to take this opportunity and speak to young people right now cause there’s a lot of you looking at me.

“If you are black, or you are brown, or you are gay, or you are lesbian, or you are trans, or maybe you’re just a sissy singing boy from Tennessee. Anyone who has treated you unkindly, it’s only because they are afraid or they have been taught to be afraid of how important you are.

“Because being different means you make the difference. So, f**k ‘em.”

Watch below:

New Orleans: We Welcome Everyone

New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation (NOTMC) and members of the New Orleans community gathered together during Mardi Gras 2017 to create a tourism video letting potential visitors know that New Orleans welcomes everyone.

Via press release:

If there ever was a celebration to honor diversity and equality, it is Mardi Gras New Orleans. To emphasize this important message that New Orleans is ‘always open’, New Orleans tourism joined people from all over the community at New Orleans’ famous Bourbon and St. Ann streets to march together in its first-ever Reverse Parade.

Through word of mouth, some four hundred citizens gathered and volunteered their time to create a message of diversity and equality. Donning full make-up, Mardi Gras garb, beads, or just plain clothes, the New Orleans community and its supporters marched backwards in a symbolic gesture shedding colorful clothing and masks along the way. Everything stopped, quiet ensued, then a flag appeared stating “We Are Never Going Back.” Music filled the streets as participants marched forward in celebration.

“New Orleans has a history of welcoming all people all the time,” said Mark Romig, President and CEO of New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation (NOTMC). “The amount of excitement and numbers of citizens who came to participate in the parade and film is a testament to the city’s determination to never relinquish its achievements in human rights.”

Hallmark Cards' Valentine's Ad Includes Gay Proposal

For the third year in a row, Hallmark Cards has included a gay couple in an ad for their "Signature" series Valentine’s Day cards.

It's a lovely spot from Hallmark which has made clear efforts to be inclusive of LGBTs in regard to the company's romantic card selection.

Expect the haters to begin screaming in 3, 2, 1...

(h/t JoeMyGod)

Zales Jewelers Shows Love Is Love Is Love

The inclusion of a lesbian wedding scene in a new commercial for Zales Jewelers gives me a lift this morning.

I love seeing the increased diversity across all kinds of products in advertising. It truly represents the best of America.

However, the haters over at One Million Moms (who's numbers don't come close to one million) are outraged over the new spot by Sales.

Zales Jewelers should be ashamed of attempting to normalize sin by featuring two women getting married in their latest commercial. It shows two women in wedding gowns exchanging vows and wedding bands. Zales is promoting same-sex marriage and their new “Love and Pride” Collection. The “Love and Pride” wedding band collection, designed for the LGBTQ community with rainbow and matching bands, is “promoting Equality, Diversity, and Unity” and “celebrate their Love with Pride” as stated on their website.

Zales is using public airwaves to subject families to the decay of morals and values, and belittle the sanctity of marriage in an attempt to redefine marriage. Even though homosexuality is unnatural, this advertisement is pushing the LGBTQ agenda. An even greater concern is that the commercial is airing when children are likely watching television. To make matters worse, this ad has aired during family viewing time such as football games and primetime shows.

OMM encourages their mindless followers to contact Zales to express their faux outrage.

I think contacting Zales is a terrific idea!

How about we all send a 'thank you' via Twitter (@ZalesJewelers) to let them know how much we appreciate the company's warm and inclusive message :)

Here's the spot.

Sweet Colgate Commercial Features Gay Couple

Pew Research: American Christians Becoming More Accepting Of Homosexuality

Pew Research reports that acceptance for homosexuality among American Christians has risen by 10 points in the past 8 years.

Acceptance of homosexuality is rising across the broad spectrum of American Christianity, including among members of churches that strongly oppose homosexual relationships as sinful, according to an extensive Pew Research Center survey of U.S. religious beliefs and practices.

Amid a changing religious landscape that has seen a declining percentage of Americans who identify as Christian, a majority of U.S. Christians (54%) now say that homosexuality should be accepted, rather than discouraged, by society. While this is still considerably lower than the shares of religiously unaffiliated people (83%) and members of non-Christian faiths (76%) who say the same, the Christian figure has increased by 10 percentage points since we conducted a similar study in 2007.

It reflects a growing acceptance of homosexuality among all Americans – from 50% to 62% – during the same period. Among Christians, this trend is driven partly by younger church members, who are generally more accepting of homosexuality than their elder counterparts.

Nordstrom Department Store Celebrates With Real-Life Gay Couple And Pooch

Just another holiday homecoming is what we get in the new ad spot from Nordstrom, which features a handsome gent being welcomed home by his husband and four-legged family member.

“Home is the heart of the holiday season.”

I understand the two men are a real-life couple engaged to be married, so kudos to Nordstrom for sharing some reality with us.

It comes as no surprise that Nordstrom has a 100% rating in the Human Rights Campaign Buyers Guide.

It's also my husband's favorite department store. See? He has good taste :)

Allstate Insurance Features Gay Dads And Their Adorable Baby Girl In New Ad

Allstate Insurance features an adorable little girl and her two dads in a new commercial:

"Danny and Andrew had a lot of memorable firsts in 2015. See what's made the year so special for their family."

Kohl's Holiday Ad Celebrates The Inclusion Of Gay Couples

Retailer Kohl's Department store unveils a new holiday spot that includes a gay couple with little fanfare (as it should be).

"Celebrate Togetherness" shares all the aspects of enjoying the holidays with friends and family.

Thanks Kohls! I'll be shopping at your place this season :)

And of course, this happens in my house all the time during the holidays.