News Round-Up: June 13, 2019

Opening night of 'Potted Potter' in Las Vegas

Some news items you might have missed:

• I attended the opening night of the hit two-man play Potted Potter at Ballys Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas last night. The show, which parodies all 7 books of the Harry Potter series in 70 minutes, has been running for years in the UK. The original stars opened the show here and I was thrilled to take my uber-handsome god son, Josh, to the performance.

• During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live, John Cena talked about getting 'accidental boners' during wrestling matches.

• Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) somehow 'straight-washed' his proclamation observing the 3rd anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub shooting. DeSantis blamed the missing mention of the LGBTQ community on staffers. It was later added to the proclamation.

• A mother in South Carolina was arrested after walking into an elementary school and confronting her son's bullies.

• The Australian man accused of killing 51 worshippers at two mosques in New Zealand in March pleaded not guilty to all charges in a court on Friday.

• The 20 Democratic presidential candidates who qualified for the first Dem debates have been announced:

BREAKING: DNC announces the names of the candidates who will appear in the first Democratic Debates on June 26 & 27 from Miami. @chucktodd: "After months of campaigning and polling, the stage is now set." pic.twitter.com/fQbafzHr26

— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) June 13, 2019

News Round-Up: January 24, 2019

Ryan Worley (photo: Vinnie Cassidy)

Some news items you might have missed:

• Las Vegas based photographer Vinnie Cassidy captures a gorgeous sunset moment (above) with Chippendales' hottie, Ryan Worley.

• Australia's postal survey on marriage equality in 2017 led to increased levels of anxiety and depression among LGBTs, according to a new study.

• The Supreme Court of Japan has ruled unanimously to uphold a law which forces transgender people to get sterilized before they can legally change their gender.

• An openly gay congressman who is a political opponent of anti-LGBT Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is leaving his job and the country amid death threats.

• In a 'Hold my Dom Pérignon' moment, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross (who is a billionaire) says he doesn't understand why federal workers not getting paid during the Trump shutdown don't just 'take out loans' to feed their families. #clueless

Wilbur Ross is @realDonaldTrump’s Secretary of Commerce.

Wilbur Ross is a billionaire.

And this is billionaire Wilbur Ross saying he doesn’t understand why federal workers not getting paid during the #TrumpShutdown don’t just take out loans *to feed their families*.

Unreal. pic.twitter.com/YHHZqKa8sx

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) January 24, 2019

• The Trump Administration has waived anti-discrimination requirements for a federally-funded child welfare agency in South Carolina opening the door for discrimination of LGBTQ and non-Christian people who may be seeking to foster or adopt.

• Citing the recent article in The Atlantic regarding allegations of sexual abuse against director Bryan Singer, GLAAD has made the decision to remove Bohemian Rhapsody from contention for a GLAAD Media Award in the 'Outstanding Film – Wide Release' category this year.

• Dido has shared a gorgeous live rendition of her new single "Give You Up," from her first album in five years, Still On My Mind, out March 8th.

Dido describes the track as "a good break up song, where you’ve been hurt but feel strong."

"It's that point in a relationship where you are pulling yourself out of the gutter and deciding that it's their loss," she adds. "Which I can totally relate to.”

Podcast: Broadway, Conversion Therapy, Transgender Soldiers, LGBT Workplace Discrimination, Out Oscar Winners

In this week's podcast:

• Harvey Fierstein’s iconic play Torch Song is heading back to Broadway

• California aims to make so-called “ex-gay therapy” illegal

• Georgia lawmakers are trying to legalize discrimination against same-sex couples wanting to adopt

• South Carolina looks to label same-sex marriage as “parody” marriage

• Defense Secretary James Mattis has given Donald Trump his recommendations for transgender soldiers

• The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals says Title VII of Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects LGBTs from workplace discrimination

• Anti-gay bakers in Oregon take their case to the state Supreme Court

• How many out LGBT Academy Award winners can you name?

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

News Round-Up: February 20, 2018

Great Britain's bob sled team

Some news items you might have missed:

• Kenneth-in-the-212 points up that Great Britain's bobsled team (above) has a lot to offer both on and off the track ;)

• Newly-installed Army Secretary Mike Esper says the issue of transgender soldiers serving in the military "hasn't come up" when he talks to American soldiers.

• South Carolina lawmakers have filed legislation that would define marriage as only between men and women, and deem same-sex unions as "parody marriages." One of the authors of the bill calls same-sex marriage "an impersonation of actual marriage."

• The latest Quinnipiac poll shows a staggering 97% of Americans support requiring background checks for all gun purchases.

• The Department of Defense's new policy on service by transgender troops is due tomorrow. Does Defense Secretary James Mattis have a plan?

• Out UK singer Calum Scott covers Gay Times Magazine. In his interview, Scott explains how his songwriting changed after coming out: “When I was honest about myself and my feelings and especially my sexuality, it started flowing out of me like a river."

Hillary Clinton Wins South Carolina Democratic Primary

Immediately after polls closed in South Carolina, NBC projected former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will win the South Carolina Democratic Primary.

The final tally was a crushing win with Clinton getting 73% of the vote to Sanders' 26%.

This brings Hillary's total to winning three of the first four Democratic contests.

She currently leads in 10 of the 11 states holding contests on the upcoming Super Tuesday.

Hillary gave a great victory speech, especially these lines:

"We don't need to make America great again. America has never stopped being great," Hillary Clinton delivers victory speech after #SCPrimary win: http://on.msnbc.com/1VKZ9P4

Posted by MSNBC on Saturday, February 27, 2016

Donald Trump wins South Carolina Republican Primary

BREAKING: Donald Trump is the projected winner in the GOP #SCPrimary https://t.co/n8xQiUXG65 #Decision2016 pic.twitter.com/7i3oftDhVf

— MSNBC (@MSNBC) February 21, 2016

Sen. Ted Cruz and Sen. Marco Rubio are in a tight race for 2nd and 3rd place.

Every major media outlet says the remaining candidates (Ohio Gov. John Kasich, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Dr. Ben Carson) are far behind.

According to exit polls, Trump surprisingly won the majority of the evangelical vote.

#TedCruzBeware

Pro-Cruz Robocall Paints Donald Trump As Pro-LGBT

A new robocall hitting South Carolina voters right before the state’s Republican primary attempts to portray Donald Trump into some kind of pro-LGBT politician, and smears LGBT rights along the way.

The ad takes uses part of an interview with NECN reporter Sue O’Connell, who asks if LGBTs would continue to see forward motion under a Trump presidency.

“I’m a lesbian,” O’Connell tells Trump. “We’ve had some great progress for the gay and lesbian community through politics, through all sorts of judicial actions and elected actions over the past 20 years. When President Trump is in office, can we look for more forward motion for equality for gays and lesbians?”

Trump responds, “Well, you can. And look, that’s your thing, and other people have their thing. We have to bring all people together.” At this point, the narrator’s voice, now taking on an incredulous tone, interjects: “Stop. What does she mean by ‘forward motion’? What’s he agreeing to?”

“It’s not about tolerance anymore,” the narrator continues. “It’s about mandatory celebration. It’s about forcing people to bake cakes and photograph gay weddings. Forcing clergy to officiate. It’s about transgender bathrooms in your child’s school. It’s about tearing down our Judeo-Christian values. It’s about tearing down our America.” The recording ends with an ominous sign-off from the narrator: “Ted Cruz for president — now, before it’s too late.”

Of course, no one has ever attempted to force clergy to officiate a same-sex wedding, nor has the LGBT movement attacked Christian values. And don't get me started on the bakers and photographers who break state non-discrimination laws.

Here's the robocall. Please note the very "Rush Limbaugh" type voice.

Congressman James Clyburn Endoreses Hillary Clinton For President

South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn, the highest ranking African-American in Congress, makes news today with his endorsement of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

From NBC News:

Clyburn, one of the state's most influential Democratic lawmakers, has traditionally remained neutral ahead of the South Carolina Democratic primary. But he announced at a news conference he has "decided to terminate my neutrality and get engaged."

"My heart had always been with Hillary Clinton, but my head had me in a neutral corner," Clyburn said.

The endorsement could prove influential ahead of the Palmetto State's Democratic primary on Feb. 27, where Clinton already holds a 28-point lead, according to a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal/Marist poll. The former secretary of state is doing especially well among African-American voters in the state.

Clyburn said Clinton is "far and away the best choice" to fight for criminal justice reform and protect voting rights.

"I believe that the future of the Democratic party and United States of America will be best served with the experience and knowhow of Hillary Clinton as 45th president," he said.

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley To Endore Marco Rubio

South Carolina Governor @nikkihaley is endorsing @marcorubio https://t.co/Nfr6moFVlq pic.twitter.com/hX67r335H0

— CNN (@CNN) February 17, 2016

I wonder if this will be enough for Rubio to inch past Ted Cruz into the number two spot in South Carolina?

Donald Trump supporter and all-around nutcase Ann Coulter was not happy.

Hey South Carolina! The woman who ripped down your Confederate symbols & demands no pause in Muslim immigration just endorsed Mario Rubio.

— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) February 17, 2016

PPP Poll Shows Trump And Clinton Leading Big In South Carolina

PPP's new South Carolina poll continues to find Donald Trump with a wide lead in the state.

Trump has a very comfortable lead with 35% to 18% each for Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, 10% for John Kasich, and 7% each for Jeb Bush and Ben Carson.

No big surprise there, but how about this: when asked "Would you support or oppose banning homosexuals from entering the United States?," 31% of Trump's supporters are in favor of such a ban.

Additionally, 32% of Trump voters continue to believe the policy of Japanese internment during World War II was a good one.

On the Democratic side Hillary Clinton leads Bernie Sanders 55% to 34%.

Clinton and Sanders are tied with white voters at 46%, which pretty much mirrors how the race played out in Iowa.

But among African Americans Clinton continues to have a substantial advantage over Sanders at 63/23.

Cher Tweets On South Carolina Student Dragged/Thrown Across Classroom

Teen girl in classrm thrown around like rag doll.Every1 on TV saying“we can’t see what she did b4 video”Who gives a flying Fk‼️She’s a CHILD

— Cher (@cher) October 27, 2015

South Carolina High School Officer Fired For Violating Proper Procedures

Sheriff Leon Lott is currently giving a press conference egarding the South Carolina deputy who flipped a female high school student's desk over then dragged/threw her across the room.

Sounds like he saying a little of, "Basically, she had it coming."

As the press conference goes on, he's drawing an appropriate hard line about the deputy but is stressing the female student 'started' the incident.

I'm just not convinced dragging and throwing a 5'6" female teenager across a room is justified because she wouldn't leave her desk.

Sheriff Lott also mentioned that the procedure Deputy Fields violated was in throwing the student across the room, he lost contact with the student. Not so much the violent nature of his behavior but that he let go of the student.

Hmm....

South Carolina: High School Student Arrested For Recording Officer's Assault On Classmate Sitting At Desk

A high school student in Columbia, South Carolina, was arrested and held on $1,000 bond for filming a school officer physically abusing her classmate.

The high schooler was charged with - get this - "disturbing school."

Via Raw Story:

Niya Kenny, 18, told WLTX she was shocked and disturbed when she saw Officer Ben Fields flipping her female classmate out of her desk and pinning her to the ground for refusing to leave class.

“I was screaming ‘What the f, what the f is this really happening?’ I was praying out loud for the girl,” Kenny told WLTX. “I just couldn’t believe this was happening I was just crying and he said, since you have so much to say you are coming too. I just put my hands behind my back.”

The video, posted Monday by New York Daily News writer Shaun King, shows Fields wrapping his arms around the neck of the pony-tailed girl. He then flips her desk over backwards and throws her onto the ground, saying “put your hands behind your back.”

Kenny said her classmate is only about 5’6″ and said she never saw anything like it before.

“A man used that much force on a little girl, a big man, like 300 pounds of full muscle,” Kenny told the station. “I was like no way, no way, you can’t do that to no little girl.”

According to The Grio, the officer (named Ben Fields) has a history of bias against African-American students.

One student in the room tweeted about the incident:

Just to be clear, before the video, she was sitting quietly at her desk. Did nothing to provoke the officer

— Aaron Johnson (@Aaron___J) October 27, 2015

The officer came in because she wouldnt leave the class when the teacher toild her to. I still don't know what she did to be asked to leave.

— Aaron Johnson (@Aaron___J) October 27, 2015

Some sources say the student who was thrown to the ground wouldn't "put her phone away" when asked to by the teacher. Even if that's the case, does that warrant this level of physical violence against a 5'6" female high school student?

How about this - if the student wouldn't leave, get another cop and the two could simply lift her desk and carry her out without assaulting the teenager.

And what justifies arresting the student who took the video? Other than the cop didn't want his actions captured for the world to see?

Sheriff Leon Lott gave a press conference today denouncing Officer Fields' actions.

Watch the officer flip the student's desk over, wrestle her to the ground and then drag her. And the girl BEHIND the phone cam was the one causing a disturbance?

UPDATE: Sheriff Leon Lott gave a press conference today saying Deputy Fields was terminated based on his violating training and operational procedures.

Michele Bachmann: God Is Flooding South Carolina Because U.S. Turned On Israel

US turns its back on Israel, disasters following http://t.co/1hYq8GAP7j

— Michele Bachmann (@MicheleBachmann) October 4, 2015

(h/t JMG)

South Carolina Removes Confederate Flag To Chants Of "USA! USA! USA!"

This morning the country watched as South Carolina removed the Confederate flag from the grounds of the State House.

It was thrilling to hear chants of "USA! USA! USA" as the flag - long a symbol that divided not only South Carolina, but the entire country - was lowered and marched off the capitol grounds.

I loved that once the flag was removed it was handed to an African-American. Delicious.

Forward.

South Carolina: House Votes To Remove Confederate Flag From State House Grounds

By a vote of 94 - 20 the South Carolina state House voted to remove the Confederate flag from state house grounds.

Earlier this week, the state Senate had passed the same measure. The bill now goes to Gov. Nikki Haley who supports the measure.

South Carolina Senate Votes To Remove Confederate Flag From State House Grounds

By a vote of 37-3 the South Carolina state Senate voted to remove the Confederate Flag from the State House grounds.

The issue now goes to the state House where it must pass by a two-thirds vote, then be signed by Gov. Nikki Haley.

This flag's presence became a national story in the aftermath of nine African-Americans were murdered during a Bible study at a historic church on June 17.

South Carolina Governor Calls For Removal Of Confederate Flag From State House Grounds

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley says, "Today, we are here in a moment of unity in our state, without ill will to say it's time to remove the flag from our capitol grounds."

Bravo, Gov. Haley for an excellent speech and for stepping up.

South Carolina Governor To Call For Removal Of Confederate Flag From State House

Pic via Facebook

According to Salon.com, Gov. Nikki Haley may have had a change of heart over the weekend regarding flying the Confederate Flag near the state house's ground.

The governor has announced a 4pm press conference for today where she will reportedly call for the flag's removal.

Controversy erupted around the flag that has flown on South Carolina’s State House grounds since 1962, when it was put there in defiance of the civil rights movement, after it flew at full mast the day after the gruesome murder of nine African-American churchgoers by an apparent white supremacist.

Pastor and South Carolina Senator Clementa Pinckney was one of the victims of the church attack. His body will lie in state in the Capitol rotunda where the flag flies right outside.

After pictures of the alleged shooter, Dylann Roof, posing in front of a Confederate Flag surfaced calls for the flags removal grew quickly.

A MoveOn.org petition demanding Haley “Remove the Confederate Flag From All Government Places” has already garnered over half a million signatures.

Removal of the flag would require a two-thirds majority in the state legislature where Republicans outnumber Democrats 106-64.

Over the weekend 2012 GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney called for the removal of the flag as a symbol of racism.

President Obama And Mitt Romney Urge South Carolina To Take

In the aftermath of the horrific Charleston church shooting, the Confederate flag - long a symbol of racism to many in the US - still flies over the South Carolina capitol.

In a rare moment of unity, both President Obama AND 2012 GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney call for the the flag to be lowered.

Current GOP presidential candidates were not so brave.

Sen. Marco Rubio derided such calls as ignoring a "states rights" issue. While Rick Santorum and Bobby Jindal sought to divert to a false "religious freedom" angle.

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush still isn't sure if the attack was racially motivated although the shooter has admitted to wanting to start a "race war."

#HeadsInTheSand