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

Podcast: LGBTs Notch Historic Wins In Political Races; George Takei Accused Of Sexual Misconduct

In this week's podcast:

• Political history was made in elections across the country this week by LGBT candidates

• A new poll in the UK shows gay men have an issue with masculinity

• Australia looks poised to legalize same-sex marriage, but there could be a snag

• A Las Vegas father shoots and kills his 14-year-old son for being gay. Click here to contribute to a GoFundMe campaign aimed at helping pay funeral expenses.

• Pro soccer player Robbie Rogers, the first openly gay athlete in one of the “big four” professional sports, announced his retirement

• Star Trek star and LGBT icon George Takei accused of sexual misconduct

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

Robbie Rogers Retires From Professional Soccer

LA Galaxy defender Robbie Rogers announced his retirement from professional soccer this week which means there are currently no openly gay athletes in the "big four" professional sports in the U.S.

Rogers broke down that historic closet door in 2013 when he came out and simultaneously retired.

But the 30-year-old athlete came out of retirement only three months later with the support of fans and players, playing for the LA Galaxy since 2013.

With a career spanning over 11 years in Major League Soccer, he has won two MLS Cups and represented the U.S. Olympic Team in Beijing in 2008.

From Robbie's Instagram:

As a young boy I dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player and representing my country in front of the world. But as a teenager I grew more and more consumed by fear and shame. And sadly, at some point the scared kid inside me decided that pursuing my dream meant sacrificing a part of myself and hiding my sexuality from the world instead of embracing it.

My happiest years as a player are the ones where I could walk through the stadium at the end of games down the tunnel to my partner and son waiting for me at the other end. And my only regret in my eleven year career are the years I spent in the closet. I wish I could have found the courage that so many young individuals have shared with me in the past five years to live honestly and openly as a gay person. These are the young people that inspired me to overcome my fears and return to playing. They’re still the kids that send me letters every week. To those kids, I say thank you. My proudest accomplishment in my career is helping to create a more open sport for you.

None of this would have been possible without my teammates and brothers on and off the field, without the LA Galaxy and Bruce Arena who saw me as another player and not a distraction, or without the fans who judged me for my work ethic and my play and not my sexuality. And finally, it couldn’t have been possible without my family, who loved me through all of my ups and downs and always supported my dreams and still do.

Lastly to all of the women and men who are still frightened to share their truth with the world, I’d encourage you to come out. By sharing who you are you will not only be improving your own life but inspiring and literally saving the lives of young people across the world. You deserve to take that same walk, down the players tunnel and have your own partner or loved ones waiting for you.

Again thank you to everyone who watched or help me follow these dreams. I could never have imagined the happiness I’ll take with me into retirement and into my next chapter.

Since coming out as gay, Robbie has been inducted into the National Gay and Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame.

Robbie lives in Los Angeles with fiancé Greg Berlanti and their son, Caleb.

Thank you, Robbie, for being first. For your courage. For your persistence.

We are grateful forever for your audacity, daring and fearlessness to step through that door.

#Forward

News Round-Up: November 3, 2017

Some news items you may have missed:

• Woofy Steve Raider (above) wants to know "Who's your daddy wolf?"

• 40% of America's homeless youth are LGBT. And to help, AT&T recently launched its Live Proud Holidays campaign to support Cyndi Lauper's True Colors Fund in their work to end LGBT youth homelessness. Click here to find out how you can support and participate.

• After two appearances on Will & Grace during the show's initial run, might Cher willingly grace the NBC series one more time?

• 8 House of Cards employees accuse Kevin Spacey of sexual harassment/assault.

• CNN is now looking at putting up a subscription paywall like several major newspapers have done. The New York Times and Washington Post allow ten free articles to be read before being blocked. Wall Street Journal gives you nothing free. Thoughts? Post below.

• Out professional athletes Robbie Rogers (MLS) and Jason Collins (former NBA) share their coming out stories as part of the "One Stride, Many Journeys" series by Barefoot Wine + Out. Watch below.

Out Soccer Star Robbie Rogers Featured In New Target Clothing Spot

Out professional soccer player Robbie Rogers is featured in a new commercial for Target's new clothing line from Goodfellow & Co.

According to Outsports, the spot featuring Rogers has been airing during NFL Sunday football games.

Rogers, who came out in 2013, has a son with his fiancé, TV producer Greg Berlanti (Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, Everwood).

#Ad #TBT Had so much fun a few weeks ago filming with @Target. I'm really excited to be partnering with them to launch their all-new brand #Goodfellow. Lucky enough to have explored the line and I'll be sharing some of my favorites over the next few weeks.

A post shared by Robbie Rogers (@robbierogers) on Aug 31, 2017 at 12:45pm PDT

Out Pro Soccer Player Robbie Rogers Engaged To TV Producer Greg Berlanti

Over the weekend, out pro soccer player Robbie Rogers (currently with the LA Galaxy) announced his engagement to longtime boyfriend Greg Herlanti, writer/producer/director of Dawson’s Creek, Brothers & Sisters, Green Lantern, Everwood, Political Animals, Arrow, The Flash.

Thank you to everyone before us that made this moment possible... I feel extremely lucky and blessed to end 2016 engaged to the love of my life. ❤ Happy New Year!

Thank you to everyone before us that made this moment possible... I feel extremely lucky and blessed to end 2016 engaged to the love of my life. ❤ Happy New Year!

A photo posted by Robbie Rogers (@robbierogers) on Dec 31, 2016 at 11:01am PST

And Berlanti made his own announcement as well:

2016 was memorable for many reasons, for me it as the year my heart doubled in size. First, when my son Caleb was born. And second, a few days ago, when I got engaged to my soulmate ❤️ though I dreamed of both those things happening, i'm not sure I truly believed they were possible. Thanks to the friends and family who helped me find my way to this moment in my blessed life. a happy and healthy 2017 to all.

2016 was memorable for many reasons, for me it as the year my heart doubled in size. First, when my son Caleb was born. And second, a few days ago, when I got engaged to my soulmate ❤️ though I dreamed of both those things happening, i'm not sure I truly believed they were possible. Thanks to the friends and family who helped me find my way to this moment in my blessed life. a happy and healthy 2017 to all.

A photo posted by Greg Berlanti (@gberlanti) on Dec 31, 2016 at 11:08am PST

The couple has been together since 2013.

Robbie Rogers Responds To Being Called "Queer" In The Heat Of Soccer Match

A reminder that we live in a world that still has a way to go when it comes to LGBT acceptance.

Out soccer player Robbie Rogers wrote on his Facebook page last night about an opposing player - for the first time since he became the first openly gay professional athlete in the U.S. - calling him "queer," and the impact it had on him.

From Robbie's Facebook page:

"Shit Off My Chest: 4 years later."

After being out injured for two months with an Achilles surgery I finally made my return last night.

In the heat of the last fifteen minutes of the game a player from the opposing team called me a "queer" repeatedly. To be honest my initial reaction was one of shock. This is my fourth season back in the MLS and I've yet to hear another player use that or any other gay slur during a game. I quickly became enraged, I spent the drive home wishing I had channeled my inner Zidane and punched or head-butted this player even though I knew punching this person wouldn't have helped either of us, my team, or the greater cause of advancing equality in sports. I went to bed upset last night. Angry at this player and and his ignorance. Angry at myself for not doing more in the moment. Sad the we still live in a time where this kind of intolerance still exists in my sport and elsewhere. And if I'm being honest, I was even a bit ashamed that a single word could make me feel, even just for a moment, all the awful feelings I felt for so many years: small, less than, wrong, and unworthy of love and respect by my family or god forbid by my teammates.

But it was just for a moment.

Minutes later my head was back in the game. And this morning even most of the anger has faded and the predominant emotions left are just love and gratitude. I'm happy that I practiced restraint worthy of my sport. I'm thankful for the many players on my team and even the opposing one who apologized to me for one man's actions. Today, I woke up grateful to work in organization filled with so many players and coaches who have worked hard to practice tolerance of everyone and to help change a culture.

But mostly I'm proud of myself. I am proud more than ever that I had the courage to come out as a queer man. I feel so fortunate to have gotten to share my story with others and to have gotten to play this sport I love so much as an openly gay person. I am, more than ever, thankful to have teammates and a family that love and support me for the son, brother, partner, father and queer player that I am.

I'm encouraging, as I did when I came out four years ago, all athletes to find the courage within themselves to come out. Listen, only you know when and how it's best for you to live your truth and share your story, but each one of you that chooses to make this courageous step is not just vastly improving your own life but literally saving others.

xRR

Robbie continues to inspire.

I completely get Robbie's thought that he was "ashamed that a single word" could affect him so strongly. I think most gay men still have that knee-jerk reaction when we hear the words that taunted us in the past in today's social landscape.

I have to say thanks to Robbie for sharing the incident and how it processed through his heart and mind.

#Winner

Instagram Round-Up: January 2, 2016

12:01am January 1st, 2016. 😘👬✨🎉

A photo posted by gus kenworthy (@guskenworthy) on Jan 1, 2016 at 10:53am PST

Almost ready for 2016...

A photo posted by Robbie Rogers (@robbierogers) on Dec 31, 2015 at 2:14pm PST

❤️❤️❤️

A photo posted by Sofia Vergara (@sofiavergara) on Jan 1, 2016 at 12:19am PST

...With my son in the sun.

A photo posted by Ricky (@ricky_martin) on Dec 30, 2015 at 2:57pm PST

Tell me you don't miss me!? #tysonbeckford #jamaica #teamtyson #beardgang #jamaica 🇯🇲 #tysonsbirthday

A photo posted by Tyson C. Beckford (@tysoncbeckford) on Dec 26, 2015 at 1:51pm PST

Music Monday

A photo posted by Alex Minsky (@mminskyy) on Dec 28, 2015 at 7:45am PST

Ciao Milano 🇮🇹 Tonight @papaworldtour the best way to start 2016 👨🎉 #PapaParty

A photo posted by Eliad Cohen (@eliad_cohen) on Dec 31, 2015 at 7:01am PST

Robbie Rogers Shares Both Of His "First Times"

GQ Magazine takes a ride with L.A. Galaxy player Robbie Rogers on his way to the 2014 Men of the Year party.

Rocking Robbie opens up about what it was like to come out as one of the first openly gay professional athletes, and what it was like to have more than one "first time:"

"First time with a girl was in high school. I think it was my junior year of high school. Still friends. It was actually alright, you know I'm a gay guy. I don't know how she enjoyed it or if she enjoyed it as much as me.

"First time with a guy was actually not until I was 25, after I came out. Super awkward. I mean, can you imagine dating and hooking up with a guy after your coming out, after 25 years? I'm sure he was like, 'What is going on?' I think I've gotten a little better at doing all that stuff so hopefully those embarrassing moments are over"

Pro MLS Player Robbie Rogers Expected More Gay Athletes To Come Out

Pro soccer player Robbie Rogers recently shared that expected more professional athletes to follow him out of the closet once he came out.

With Jason Collins retiring from the NBA and Michael Sam currently without an NFL team, Rogers is the only out pro athlete at this time:

“To be honest, I thought when I came out and Jason and Michael, I thought there'd be a chain reaction,” Rogers told the AP.

“It's been a lot slower. I guess that just reminds me how big a problem it is in sports culture with homophobia. They don't feel comfortable.”

“There are a number of gay men playing professional sports, just not out,” he added. “In the end, it's really about guys coming out and changing the atmosphere by being in it. You definitely need to create the environment first where guys feel comfortable.”

Rogers is currently promoting the release of his memoir, In Coming Out To Play, released by Penguin Books and co-written by Eric Marcus. Rogers shares his story as a “troubled isolated child” to becoming the first openly gay male professional athlete. You can check it out on Amazon.

Out Pro-Soccer Player Robbie Rogers Signs Multi-Year Deal With LA Galaxy

Out pro-soccer player Robbie Rogers

Good news!

While Michael Sam may still be struggling with the NFL, and Jason Collins' future with the NBA seems unclear, the LA Galaxy pro-soccer team is more than happy to keep out Robbie Rogers on the field.

Via press release:

The LA Galaxy announced today that the club has signed defender Robbie Rogers to a multi-year contract extension. Rogers, an MLS veteran and former U.S. Men’s National Team member, joined in Galaxy in May 2013 and has made 30 appearances and 22 starts as a member of the Galaxy.

“We are excited that Robbie will remain a part of our organization going forward,” LA Galaxy Head Coach and General Manager Bruce Arena said. “He has proven to be a dynamic player in our League and an integral part of our success this year. We look forward to his continued contributions in the years to come.”

It's a good year for Rogers. Not only does he resign with the LA Galaxy, but a sitcom based on his life has gotten the green light from ABC.

News Round-up: October 16, 2014

Billy Porter authors new off-Broadway play to strong reviews

Some stories you may have missed:

• Tony Award winner Billy Porter (Kinky Boots) debuts first play off-Broadway to strong reviews

• Shia LaBeouf says he was arrested at Broadway's Cabaret because he couldn't stop himself from grabbing star Alan Cumming's ass saying "He's the sexiest man I've ever seen"

• The Vatican calls for the Catholic Church to welcome and accept gays

• Stephen Sondheim says he's working on a new musical based on two surrealist films by late Spanish director Luis Buñuel

• Out pro soccer player Robbie Rogers get sitcom based on his life green-lit by ABC

• HBO announced plans to allow streaming video subscriptions to the network in 2015 via internet without cable or satellite service

• New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner released the findings of it's report concluding Joan Rivers died due to brain damage from to lack of oxygen.

• After going public with his Alzheimer’s diagnosis a few years ago, Glen Campbell has released his last single, "I'm Not Gonna Miss You"

Happy 27th birthday Robbie Rogers of the LA Galaxy

Happy 27th birthday to Robbie Rogers of the LA Galaxy.

Rogers broke barriers last year as he became the first professional soccer player to come out.

Celebrate!  More wine!

Soccer star Robbie Rogers writes a letter to his 14 year old self

In a letter to his 14-year-old self published in ESPN The Magazine, Robbie Rogers explains the journey he took to find himself, and offers advice to young people facing the battle he once fought both in sports and outside of them:

I’m not going to tell you to come out at 14 years old. I’m not going to tell you what’s going to happen in the future either because the journey is important. But I want you to realize that God made you this way for a reason. You’re not damned or going to hell. You didn’t have a choice in this. But you do have a purpose in life, just as everyone does.

When guys say things in the locker room, remind yourself that most of them don’t actually feel this way. They aren’t really homophobic. These are people trying to please others, or think that’s what they’re supposed to say. Everyone is dealing with something, whether they’re gay or straight.

You don’t have to feel like you’re alone.

Which brings me to this: If there’s any great advice I can give you, it’s to find someone you can speak to about what you’re feeling inside, someone you can trust who won’t judge or expose you. Because you can’t walk around with a burden like the one you’re carrying. You’ve got to share this with somebody.

LA Galaxy forward Robbie Rogers gets asked about his dating status

During Robbie Rogers’ recent visit to the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, the L.A. Galaxy forward shares with MTV that although he WAS dating someone in London, that has now ended and he's currently single.

And thousands of gay men line up....!

Get More:
MTV Shows

Robbie Rogers talks to MTV about coming out

Robbie Rogers recently visited the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, where he chatted with MTV Act  about his decision to come out publicly.

Hearing homophobic rantings when he was young, not directed towards him, made coming out seem like something he’d never do. However, after he told his family last October via Skype, he describes coming out as “the best feeling” he’s ever had.

“Now for the first time in my life, everything’s normal”

Rogers also talked about activism, saying that everyone has reached out to him to tie his name to different charities. He said he “wanted to do something that is bigger than homophobia and bigger than sports.”

With his new motivational campaign, Beyond It, Rogers plans to move “beyond” stereotypes in homophobia, sexism, disabilities, and racism. Beyond It will launch at the end of July.

The athlete also shared that he thinks opponents of marriage equality and allowing openly gay men to serve as leaders in the Boy Scouts will soon be embarrassed about their opinions. Watch him discuss below.

Get More:
MTV Shows

(via Queerty)

Robbie Rogers - Back in soccer and "Out On The Field"

MLS' Robbie Rogers talks to CBS News about coming out and his return to soccer as an "out" athlete.

Robbie Rogers debuts with LA Galaxy as 1st openly gay athlete in major league sport

As I reported earlier, Robbie Rogers has returned to MLS with the LA Galaxy becoming the first openly gay male to play in a U.S. major league sport.

Rogers entered in the 77th minute of the game to huge cheers from the stadium. At the end of the game, the LA Galaxy beat the Seattle Sounders 4-0.

Is Robbie Rogers the 1st openly gay MLS player?

According to the AP, out gay footballer Robbie Rogers will be returning to professional soccer, joining the LA Galaxy and becoming the first openly gay athlete to play in the MLS:

"I don't know what I was so afraid of," Rogers said Friday. "It's been such a positive experience for me. The one thing I've learned from all of this is being gay is not that big of a deal to people."

"People are just really growing and accepting and loving," he added. "Those other things are just not that important to them. I think as the younger get older and the generations come and go, I think times are just becoming more accepting."

Rumors of Rogers return began when Robbie recently trained with the Galaxy.
Outstanding news.  Congrats to Robbie!

UK: Gay pro footballers say they stay closeted out of fear of fans reactions

Eight pro soccer players in the UK have revealed to the Professional Footballers Association they are gay, but remain closeted out of fear of fan reactions. From the Guardian:

Gay campaigners told the Observer that Clarke Carlisle, chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association, had revealed that eight players had approached him to disclose that they were gay. Seven told him that the reason they would not reveal their sexual orientation publicly was not the reaction from the dressing room or club, but the potential reaction from the media and supporters.

Chris Basiurski, chair of the Gay Football Supporters' Network, said that, although progressive attitudes had begun to infiltrate the dressing room, the fear of how supporters would react remained a problem.

American Robbie Rogers, who had played for Leeds United, came out earlier this year and simultaneously retired saying he didn't think it possible to continue to play and be out. Recently, he's begun training with the LA Galaxy and may return to the game. Time will tell.

The Guardian goes on to say there are reports of players in the pro soccer world who are openly gay within their team organizations but continue to be closeted to the world due to concerns regarding pressures and reactions in the aftermath of coming out:

"We have anecdotal evidence that players are out within their clubs and don't have a problem. But we are trying to create an atmosphere for people to come out safely, but at the moment there is a big barrier. The fact is, we have never really tested the fans, both home or away, on this.

"The danger is what happens when a player comes out and gets loads of support and attention, but then start playing badly. The worry is that fans will start getting on their backs and they may lose the confidence of their manager and it could be connected to their sexuality."