News Round-Up: August 16, 2019

Nick Sandell (via Instagram)

Some news items you might have missed:

• InstaHunks: Hunky fitness model Nick Sandell is 'catching some rays' in my native Texas.

• FreeMovement: An immigration judge in the UK has rejected an asylum seeker because the man did not have a gay “demeanor” and did not “look around the room in an effeminate manner.” I kid you not.

• NY Times: The official cause of death for accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein was suicide by hanging according to the coroner’s autopsy. The report indicates he tied a bedsheet to the top of a set of bunk beds, then knelt toward the floor with enough force that he broke several bones in his neck.

• Boy Culture: Serious props to Adam Price for this romantic oceanside marriage proposal to his bf, former X Factor contestant Naisa Lasalosi.

Full video ❤️❤️👬👬. How beautiful is love??!! I said yes!!!! 💍💍👬👬 pic.twitter.com/4LSCzYy50S

— Naisa Lasalosi (@OyNAISA) August 12, 2019

• Deseret News: Ed Smart, the father of kidnapping survivor Elizabeth Smart, shared in a Facebook message with family and friends Thursday that he is gay, divorcing his wife and doesn’t see a place for himself in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

• OUT: Disney has announced the leads for its upcoming spin-off of the successful coming-out film, Love, Simon, and neither of the two lead actors are openly gay.

• New Music: Randy Report favorite Mika drops his latest, "Tiny Love," from his upcoming album My Name Is Michael Holbrook.

"The most important thing in the world is the love we have for those around us, the love others offer us and the love we have for ourselves," says Mika about the track. "That love can feel so massive and yet at the same time it’s so tiny and imperceivable to others. This song is a conscious decision to provoke that emotion."

Musically, I like the track - fun melody and the production is rich and sophisticated.

But, every now and then, this happens: I like the song, but in this instance, the music video gets in the way for me. I'm just not vibing with the video.

That said, it's a fun track. Let me know what you think in the comments.

News Round-Up: April 11, 2019

Me and the Brun

Some news items you might have missed:

• As National Pet Day winds down, here's to the best dog I ever worked for (and loved more than anyone else on this planet ever never ever never), Bruno the wonder dog! (You'll notice, clearly, I was the pet and Bruno was the master, right?)

• The cast of the hit FX series, Pose, have been named as Grand Marshals of New York City Pride.

• The latest Monmouth University poll shows former Vice President Joe Biden, who hasn’t officially entered the race, as the first choice of roughly a quarter of likely Iowa caucus-goers (27%). He’s followed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) with 16% and Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Indiana, in third place with 9%.

• In related news - a new poll out of New Hampshire shows Pete Buttigieg in 3rd place there as well. The results put Biden at 23%, Sanders at 16% and Buttigieg at 11%.

• Disney will develop the hit movie, Love, Simon, into a series for Disney+, the mouse house's streaming platform.

• Michael Avenatti, who became famous as porn star Stormy Daniels' lawyer, has been indicted on 36 charges of tax dodging, perjury, theft from clients.

• A white South Carolina man was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison Thursday for attempting to hire the Ku Klux Klan to kill his black neighbor. I kid you not...

• Recording artist Lizzo will releases her new album, “CUZ I LOVE YOU” on April 19th. Check out her recent appearance on NBC's Today Show singing lead single, "Juice."

What a charismatic talent, and I love her positive/body positive message. Hit play.

Podcast: The Best Of LGBTQ Music, Movies & Pop Culture

What? You thought I wasn't going to count down and recap the year that was 2018?

Fat chance.

Here's my take on the best that the year had to offer in terms of LGBTQ music, movies, television and pop culture moments, as well as the stories that resonated most with my readers.

Please kick back, pour a cocktail, and take a little journey on the way back machine as I review 2018 in terms of the LGBTQ community.

And, as always, I would muchly appreciate it if you would share The Randy Report podcast with your friends.

So, here we go. Let me know in the comments what you thought I might have missed.

See you all in 2019! Thanks to all of you for visiting The Randy Report. It totally wouldn't be any fun without you here.

LOVE,SIMON Wins "Best Kiss" At MTV Movie Awards

Nick Robinson and Keiynan Lonsdale in 'Love, Simon'

It looks like the MTV Movie Awards loved the romantic coming-out/coming-of-age film Love, Simon as much as we did.

At last night’s awards, the film’s two lead actors, Nick Robinson and Keiynan Lonsdale, took home the trophy for “Best Kiss” for their yes-yes-yes lip-lock at the end of the movie.

Here’s the award-winning smooch:

Robinson wasn’t available for the ceremony as he's shooting a new project, but Lonsdale (who came out as bisexual last year) took the stage to accept the award saying:

“I just want to say to every kid — if you can live your dreams and wear dresses; you can live your dreams and kiss the one that you love no matter what gender they are. You can live your dreams and you can believe in magic, you can live your dreams, and you can be yourself.”

#MTVAwards: @KeiynanLonsdale wins Best Kiss saying "you can live your dreams and wear dresses" pic.twitter.com/0TitqfNzrt

— Hollywood Reporter (@THR) June 19, 2018

Love, Simon was the first mainstream film featuring a gay lead character to be backed by a major studio. Released in March, the film was met with strong reviews and box office. To date, the film has grossed almost $60 million on a budget of $17 million.

This is the second year in a row the MTV Movie Awards have honored a same-sex kiss with last year’s nod going to the Oscar winning Moonlight's beachside kiss between actors Ashton Sanders and Jharrel Jerome.

Boy Culture points out the long history of same-sex kissed in the category with same-sex wins by Cruel Intentions in 2000, American Pie 2 in 2002, Starsky & Hutch in 2004, Brokeback Mountain in 2006, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby in 2007, and Moonlight in 2017.

Colton Haynes Hits On Nick Robinson In Deleted Scene From "Love, Simon"

Colton Haynes (L) and Nick Robinson (R)

And you wondered where out actor Colton Haynes was during the whole Love, Simon movie?

He was right there!

Well, and then he wasn't.

It seems Colton shot a scene with young protagonist Simon (played by Nick Robinson) in his character's first visit to a gay bar egged on by his straight friend Nick Eisner (played by Jorge Lendeborg Jr.). The scene would have occurred after Simon is outed in the film.

But, in the end, it didn't really further the plot, so the segment was cut.

But we've got it here!

How many young gays had a similar experience their first time "out?"

Watch below.

New video 🎥 Deleted Bar Scene from #LoveSimon starring Nick Robinson. pic.twitter.com/5qLJxCDSBQ

— Nick Robinson Updates (@dailynickrob) May 29, 2018

Another deleted scene shows the Atlanta Eagle was almost Simon's first gay bar:

Deleted scene from Love, Simon! This is so perfect I wish it was kept in the movie. I love awkward gayness 🏳️‍🌈 pic.twitter.com/CjVQyiGoNm

— Love, Tom (@tomjr1998) May 29, 2018

Trailer: Netflix's New Teen Comedy "Alex Strangelove"

Just as we come off our Love, Simon high, Netflix steps up to the plate with their own take on questioning high schoolers.

In the new coming-of-age film Alex Strangelove, produced by Ben Stiller, we meet way-cute, wide-eyed high school senior "Alex Truelove" (played by Daniel Downey) who seems to have it all.

Life seems pretty sweet for young Alex until his girlfriend (Madeline Weinstein of Beach Rats) begins to pressure him about that major teen milestone - losing his virginity. Suddenly, Alex isn’t so sure about which team he plays for.

Adding to the confusion is "Elliott," a gay teen (played by out actor Antonio Marziale) who clearly sparks an interest in Alex.

Here’s the official synopsis:

High school senior Alex Truelove (Daniel Doheny) has it all – the grades, the girlfriend (Madeline Weinstein), and the motley crew of hilarious friends. Everything is smooth sailing until Alex shares that he’s decided to part ways with his virginity – and meets Elliott (Antonio Marziale), a sweet and confident gay boy who isn’t shy about his instant crush on Alex…who may or may not feel the same. Rocketed into a endearing and amusing journey of sexual and self-exploration, Alex ultimately learns that like so much of growing up, love can be confusing. And that’s okay.

Director Craig Johnson (The Skeleton Twins) recently told Entertainment Weekly that he's thrilled the film landed at Netflix, "because you can be a closeted kid in rural Wyoming and access it, where you might not have gone to it were it playing in the theater."

The film feels very much in the same vein as recent hit Love, Simon, and we couldn't be happier. More gay rom-coms!

Alex Strangelove premieres on Netflix June 8. Watch the trailer below.

Gay Teen Flick "Love, Simon" Is An Unequivocal Hit At The Box Office

Gay teens not only have a hit movie they can relate to in coming-out/coming-of-age flick Love, Simon, but the film is also an unequivocal box office hit.

BoxOfficeMojo reports that in 24 days the gay-centric rom-com, which cost $17 million to produce, has grossed over $37 million domestically.

According to Buzzfeed senior film reporter Adam Vary,  Love, Simon is the most successful teen movie in four years.

Box office: After 24 days, #LoveSimon it's now the most successful teen movie domestically in four years. That's especially impressive considering how hard it is to get teens (or adults!) to see a movie about teenagers that isn't in some way about death. pic.twitter.com/kgMMwpvZDs

— Adam B. Vary (@adambvary) April 8, 2018

(h/t Boy Culture)

Podcast: Emma Gonzalez's Stunning Silence At The March For Our Lives, Trump Tries Trans Ban Again, Singer/Songwriter Tom Goss In Concert

In this week's podcast:

• Out Parkland high school senior Emma González stunned the nation at the March for Our Lives with her powerful closing speech

• Donald Trump tried again this week with his ban on transgender soldiers in the US military

• Celebrities are buying out showings of the new coming out movie "Love, Simon" which has now grossed $24 million at the box office

• My review of out singer/songwriter Tom Goss live in concert

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

Hit play below.

If you enjoy catching up on the week’s LGBTQ headlines with my 15 minute podcast newsmagazine, I’d appreciate it if you would share The Randy Report with your friends.

I like to think of this podcast as the 60 Minutes of gay news — only shorter :)

News Round-Up: March 23, 2018

Out Olympian Gus Kenworthy & Beemo

Some news items you might have missed:

• Bonus National Puppy Day pic - Gus Kenworthy's South Korean pup, Beemo, has her own Instagram page and already has 70K followers. Deservedly so, I should add.

• A new study shows 92% of young gay men want to get married.

• Robbie Rogers and director Greg Berlanti bought out two movie theaters so young LGBTQs could see Berlanti's new movie, Love, Simon.

@gberlanti and I have been so emotionally affected by the reactions to @lovesimonmovie that we have decided to buy out two theaters. We’ve partnered with local LGBTQ organizations in Jackson, MS and Louisville, KY. Our hope is that young LGBTQ people in these cities that might not have the opportunity to see @lovesimonmovie now will have the chance. Thank you everyone for supporting such an important beautiful movie! Scroll for more info... #lovesimon #pflag

A post shared by Robbie Rogers (@robbierogers) on Mar 22, 2018 at 8:04pm PDT

• The anti-gay hate group Liberty Counsel has pulled its support for the anti-LGBT bill The First Amendment Defense Act because it's not anti-gay enough.

• Craigslist has shut down its personal ad section after the U.S. Senate passed Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (FOSTA). Some say shuttering these ads is dangerous for the sex workers it purportedly protects as sex workers advertising online are not soliciting work on the streets, where they are more likely to encounter dangerous situations.

• Comedian Jim Carrey has been sharing his artwork of late relating to the Trump regime, if you will.

The latest shows Donald Trump in flagrante delicto as allegations of sexual relationships with porn star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal dominate the headlines.

Fifty Shades of Decay pic.twitter.com/aurfm22ru6

— Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) March 23, 2018

Movie Review: "Love, Simon"

With opening day finally upon us, hubby Michael and I ventured out last night to catch the new gay-themed romantic comedy, Love, Simon.

Directed by gay power-producer Greg Berlanti - who's the driving force behind Flash, Riverdale, Brothers & Sisters, Arrow, Legends of Tomorrow - the film is based on the novel Simon vs. The Homo-Sapiens Agenda.

I found Berlanti's groundbreaking film - it IS the first mainstream film to feature a teen gay front and center - to be an exuberant cross between a 1980s John Hughes teen angst film (without the overwrought angst) and a thoughtful exploration of what it's like to come out in high school today.

The film is filled with humor - in its dialogue, characters, and situations - but never sacrifices actual emotional depth.

The first half of the movie takes its time, but that's necessary to lay the groundwork for where we're headed.

As a mainstream high school romantic comedy, there are some cliches here - the "parents are away, we have to throw a house party," the vice-principal who "relates" to his students, clever voiceover from our hero, all backed by a soundtrack of catchy pop tunes.

Simon (charmingly played by Jurassic World’s Nick Robinson) tells us upfront his “huge-ass secret” - that he's gay and he doesn't really know how to come out. And, fearing how life could change, he's not sure he wants to.

He also resents having to "come out" at all (which leads to a clever sequence imagining kids having to come out as heterosexual to their shocked parents). Why is "straight the default?" he asks.

His life becomes complicated when he falls in love via email with an anonymous classmate who calls himself “Blue." His identity is the cliffhanger of the film and Berlanti keeps the suspense going in clever fashion.

To make things even more complicated, an obnoxious classmate named Martin (Logan Miller) discovers Simon's secret and threatens to out him unless Simon helps him date one of his friends.

Eventually, the secret comes out (no, that's not really a spoiler) and Simon copes with his new world.

As a gay man myself, I definitely felt I was reliving some of my own coming out journey.

Touching moments with his parents - played by Jennifer Garner and Josh Duhamel - are handled with thought and care.

In a one-on-one scene with Simon, Garner lovingly tells him, "You can exhale now, Simon." And that moment felt authentic for the whole film - one big exhale for young LGBTs.

It was refreshing to see Robinson's "Simon" delivered as a clever "every teen." And you could definitely see hints of 1980s Matthew Broderick witticisms in our hero.

At the screening I attended, I saw practically no checking of cell phones during the film. Folks were paying attention: talking back to the screen, laughing at an over-the-top queer dance sequence, and gasping in sympathy. When Simon's anonymous crush was finally revealed, the audience broke into euphoric applause.

Love, Simon is a warm-hearted, crowd-pleasing mainstream movie about a gay kid, and how many of those do we get?

The film appears to be doing well at the box office. According to Deadline, the flick is on track to open in 4th place at the box office to the tune of $11.7 million - more than the $10 million cost of the film.

I don't recommend movies just because they have gay content. I have to like them. And I like Love, Simon.

I encourage you to get out and see the film. If we want to see ourselves in the art around us - TV, movies, music - we have to show up and support.

Go see Love, Simon. You'll smile, you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll cheer.

Berlanti and company don't necessarily reinvent the teen romantic comedy, but they do throw enough rainbow glitter around that you'll definitely walk out with the feels.

Here's the trailer:

News Round-Up: March 16, 2018

(image via Instagram)

Some news items you might have missed:

• Brazilian model Maxs Souza (above) and his 8-pack kick back for the weekend ahead. #8pack #HardToConcentrate

• Ellen DeGeneres says Elton John was not very nice to her when she famously came out 20 years ago. “Shut up already. We know you’re gay. Be funny.”

• Introduced by Jane Fonda no less, RuPaul received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame today!

.@RuPaul poses with his shiny new star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame https://t.co/eEGaM3EdmV pic.twitter.com/ligZEG7yxd

— Variety (@Variety) March 16, 2018

• Jury hits University of Minnesota-Duluth with $3.74 million judgment for firing lesbian hockey coach.

• Gay-themed romantic comedy Love, Simon (in theaters today) was influenced by Broadway blockbuster Dear Evan Hansen.

• And speaking of Dear Evan Hansen, the show's Tony Award-winning star Ben Platt has gone viral today sharing this "audition video" singing "Maria" from West Side Story.

Side note: Ben Platt has to make audition videos?

Having sung the song myself for years, I'm super-impressed by his high B-flat - effortless. What do you guys think?

"Love, Simon" Actor Joey Pollari Shares His Coming Out Story

In the new groundbreaking romantic comedy Love, Simon, actor Joey Pollari plays a potential love interest for the title character.

Although the handsome actor has been out to friends & family since 18, the former Disney star hasn’t publicly addressed the issue until now. “I think all my friends and family knew on some level. I think maybe two people were shocked.”

Pollari recently told The Advocate that his character's coming out experience "was similar to mine."

"The only part that was difficult was me coming out to myself. And I think that is the most difficult coming-out.

"A lot of the trouble was self-shame. I do believe a system of power, of patriarchy, of masculinity did impact me. The greatest difficulty I found was that it didn't match my idea of myself. It seemed incongruent with the future I imagined for myself, the identity I had struck up with others. The interplay between me and women, me and men, now suddenly seemed entirely different. That just didn't seem fair or right."

Love, Simon is the first mainstream film to be backed by a major studio that features a gay teen as the central character.

The movie opens today nationwide. Make sure you get out there and support :)

Watch the trailer below.

Nick Robinson Chats On His Brother Coming Out While He Shot "Love, Simon"

Actor Nick Robinson chatted with Ellen DeGeneres about his new coming-out/coming-of-age film Love, Simon and what it was like to have his brother come out while shooting the movie.

The movie opens this Friday nationwide.

The notices for Love, Simon have been very good. Here's just a sample of the reviews:

"Simon is a fully realized three-dimensional character, hilariously unsteady when he tries to flirt with a landscaper and a wreck when a friend gets wind of the email exchanges. How refreshing to see a teen boy on a big screen that's not a sleepy-eyed, monosyllabic jerk just looking to get laid." — Us Weekly's Mara Reinstein

"That this story is coming from a major studio, with the gay kid depicted as an all-American everyboy and main character, rather than a comic sidekick, represents undeniably heartening progress." — AV Club's Jesse Hassenger

"There's still something undeniably powerful about 'Love, Simon's' ordinariness. After all, there have been dozens of mediocre studio films about straight teen romances over the decades; it says something about the direction of the film industry to finally see one centered on a young gay man." — The Atlantic's David Sims

Out Olympian Gus Kenworthy shared his rave review via Twitter:

Y'all NEED to see Love, Simon! It's funny, cute, earnest and it will go down in history for breaking the mold on what a coming-of-age romance movie can be! I'm so happy that LGBTQ kids will grow up with this movie available to them. Times they are a-changing. ❤️💛💚💙💜 pic.twitter.com/kpiPc71wBz

— Gus Kenworthy (@guskenworthy) March 14, 2018

News Round-Up: March 13, 2018

Some news items you might have missed:

• How could I pass up sharing a pic of uber-sexy model Stuart Reardon and wine???

• A federal judge in Maryland has ruled that transgender students have the right to use the rest rooms and locker rooms that align with their gender identity.

• Hundreds turn out in support of an out high school football player who was targeted by the hate group Westboro Baptist Church.

St. Louis high school rallies around gay football player @Jakebain10 to counter hate group #LoveWins https://t.co/FZAOED0gtN via @outsports pic.twitter.com/RYCl3iZ7K3

— Outsports (@outsports) March 13, 2018

• A hospital refused the tissue donation from a deceased 24-year-old because he was gay.

• A Republican candidate for office in Maine viciously attacked one of the surviving students of the Parkland gun massacre as "a skinhead lesbian."

• With the new coming-out/coming-of-age gay dramedy Love, Simon opening this week, out director Greg Berlanti spoke candidly to NewNowNext about his own teen years as a closeted young gay:

“I can only imagine what I would be feeling right now if I was a 16-year-old watching people like Adam Rippon and Gus Kenworthy on TV.

"I wasn’t ready to come out in college or high school. I think the fear was similar, and putting on a brave face so people saw me as a happy kid next door. I had family that was close-knit, but that didn’t make me less terrified. I came out in my early 20s, around the dawn of the Internet exploding, which I think made people feel less isolated or alone."

Totally Sweet Dad Scene From Upcoming LOVE, SIMON

Nick Robinson in Love, Simon

March 16 is the date we finally get to see Love, Simon which looks to be one of the first mainstream coming-of-age/coming out movies.

The flick stars completely adorable Nick Robinson (Jurassic World) as "Simon," and Josh Duhamel and Jennifer Garner co-star as his parents.

With out director/producer Greg Berlanti directing (Dawson’s Creek, Brothers & Sisters, Green Lantern, Everwood, Arrow, The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow), I know I'm going to love it.

In this newly-released clip, you get a sense of Simon's relationship with his dad. Not only is Duhamel the daddy we all probably wished for (on many levels), he even throws in a Grindr joke for good measure.

Watch the new clip plus the latest trailer below.

Josh Duhamel in Love, Simon

Upcoming Gay Rom-Com "Love, Simon" Goes The Billboard Route

Check out these awesome billboards by 20th Century Fox for their upcoming mainstream gay-themed rom-com Love, Simon.

Fun messages completely in tune with the cities they reside in.

Can't wait for the film - due out March 16.

Here's the latest trailer and more of those fab billboards.

(h/t Boy Culture)

New Trailer For Upcoming Coming-Out-Coming-Of-Age Film, "Love, Simon"

There's a new UK trailer for the upcoming coming-of-age gay-themed film, Love, Simon, and it makes me want to see the film that much more.

The new film, directed by out director/producer Greg Berlanti (Dawson’s Creek, Brothers & Sisters, Green Lantern, Everwood, Political Animals, Arrow, The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow) has gotten a lot of ink as one of the first major feature film with a teen LGBT-centric story.

This new trailer has more insight into teenager Simon's burgeoning same-sex attraction.

From the film's synopsis:

Everyone deserves a great love story. But for seventeen-year old Simon Spier it’s a little more complicated: he’s yet to tell his family or friends he’s gay and he doesn’t actually know the identity of the anonymous classmate he’s fallen for online. Resolving both issues proves hilarious, terrifying and life-changing.

New Trailer For Gay-Themed Teen Romance "Love, Simon"

I'm definitely looking forward to the upcoming Love, Simon in theaters March 16.

The official synopsis goes like this:

Everyone deserves a great love story. But for Simon (Nick Robinson) it's complicated: no-one knows he's gay and he doesn't know who the anonymous classmate is that he's fallen for online. Resolving both issues proves hilarious, scary and life-changing.

This would be the first gay-themed teen romance flick with a nation-wide release.

From the folks who brought you This Is Us, Brothers & Sisters and Dawson's Creek.

Watch the new trailer below.

Plus, we get the first track from the film's soundtrack - Bleachers "Alfie's Song (Not So Typical Love Song)."

Take a listen below.

Trailer: "Love, Simon"

A new coming-of-age film from director/producer Greg Berlanti - Love, Simon.

The film looks to be reminiscent of those 1980s big studio, John Hughes romantic dramedies about teenagers in love.

Except for this time - the lead is gay.

Via press release:

Everyone deserves a great love story. But for seventeen-year-old Simon Spier it's a little more complicated: he's yet to tell his family or friends he's gay and he doesn't actually know the identity of the anonymous classmate he's fallen for online.

Resolving both issues proves hilarious, terrifying and life-changing. Directed by Greg Berlanti (Dawson's Creek, Brothers & Sisters), written by Isaac Aptaker & Elizabeth Berger (This is Us), and based on Becky Albertalli's acclaimed novel, Love, Simon is a funny and heartfelt coming-of-age story about the thrilling ride of finding yourself and falling in love.

"No matter what, announcing to the world is pretty terrifying, cause ... what if the world doesn't like you?"

I know a few folks who might relate to this (as I raise my hand "Me! Me!").

The film's production team has an awesome pedigree across the board. Looking forward to seeing this.

Love, Simon arrives in theaters everywhere March 16, 2018.