News Round-Up: March 27, 2018

Some news items you might have missed:

• Fitness models Rodiney Santiago and Matt Bishop (above) demonstrate exactly what kind of shirtless winter fun you can have on the slopes. The pic was taken at Big Bear in California where I usually ski, but I never seem to get scenery like this when I'm there :)

• The HIV Incidence and Prevalence Report from the CDC shows that one in seven people in the U.S. living with HIV did not know their status.

• Becoming the first municipality in Wisconsin to do so, the Milwaukee Common Council has voted to ban the abusive practice of so-called "conversion therapy" on LGBT youth by a vote of 12-2.

• Marvia Malik makes history as Pakistan's first transgender news anchor.

• In the case of a gay couple who were attacked last year by a group of anti-gay teenagers in the Netherlands, the prosecutor has only asked for community service as punishment for the attackers who beat the couple with bolt cutters. One victim lost five teeth and has had multiple surgeries since the attack.

• The Advocate has curated a collection of pics from the recent Leather Pride Week in Los Angeles and the crowd was definitely photo-worthy.

• Can you believe 2018 commemorates 25 years in the music business for Toni Braxton? To celebrate the R&B/pop diva has released her new album, Sex & Cigarettes. Check out her latest music video from the album - "Long As I Live." Talk about a voice that just feels good...

News Round-Up: February 13, 2018

Some news items you might have missed:

• It's a "light and shadow" kind of day here in Las Vegas. And so, I give you the handsome Ignacio Pérez Rey photographed by the incomparable Joan Crisol.

• A recently unearthed quote from Academy Award winner Marlon Brando confirms he had homosexual experiences.

• Underwear designer Andrew Christian has found a way to deal with all those pics of beleagured porn boy Topher DiMaggio on his website after "suspending" Topher as a "trophy boy." The answer? They simply cut off his head.

• The 30-year-old man who set off a bomb in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan ( a popular gay neighborhood)  in September of 2016 has been sentenced to two life sentences plus 30 years for his actions.

• This popular Miami first grade teacher was fired for marrying her wife. The Catholic school she taught for had a "moral turpitude" clause in her contract they say she broke. Florida, as you may know, has no protections for LGBTs in the workplace.

• Pop diva Toni Braxton has a brand new single “Long As I Live” out now, and is one of several tracks Toni co-wrote and produced for her upcoming new album, Sex and Cigarettes, due out March 23. Check out the new single below.

News Round-Up: October 31, 2017

(via Instagram)

Some news items you might have missed:

• Steve Pena (above) plans to "walk like an Egyptian" this Halloween. I'd follow his Pharaoh...

• Both chambers of Congress have now unanimously condemned Chechnya for anti-LGBTQ violence as President Trump and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson remain silent.

• In related news, Russia and Egypt are fighting to remove language in Principal 6 of the Olympic Charter which calls for banning discrimination based on sexual orientation. Both countries have been involved in anti-LGBTQ actions in past months.

• Marques Brownlee unboxes the new iPhone X - check out his thoughts below. Hubby Michael and I have both ordered the X as we haven't upgraded our iPhones in years.

• While the majority of news outlets were covering yesterday's indictments of three Trump campaign officials, several Fox News employees were embarrassed by their network's obvious lack of coverage. At one point on Monday morning, Fox News was actually taking time to report on a hamburger emoji - "Look, the cheese is under the burger!!!"

• A new study indicates gay men (and straight women) are twice as likely to be attracted to guys with the same eye color as their father due to "sexual imprinting." I do not fall into that category as my father had stunning ice blue eyes, but my hunky hubby Michael has beautiful brown eyes.

• No trick, total treat from 7-time Grammy Award winner Toni Braxton as she drops her new single, "Deadwood," from her forthcoming album, Sex and Cigarettes, scheduled for a January release.

• One more Halloween post: "Super" Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada arrived at work today dressed as "Clark Kent." #WinnerWinnerWinner

Justin Trudeau arrived for House duties today dressed as Clark Kent for Halloween. (via CBC News) pic.twitter.com/iCjUxVov73

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) October 31, 2017

New music: Babyface and Toni Braxton "Hurt You"

With 16 Grammy Awards® between them, Toni Braxton and Kenny 'Babyface' Edmonds have teamed up for their first album of duets together, LOVE, MARRIAGE & DIVORCE, arriving in stores November 25th.

I'm a fan of both :)

The video for the first single from Toni and Babyface, "Hurt You," was released today. What do you think?

New Music: "I Heart You" by Toni Braxton

Six time Grammy Award winning singer Toni Braxton debuts "I Heart You", a smash dance record for her fans around the globe.

Written and produced by Toni, the up-tempo electro song sets the dance floor ablaze with Toni's signature sultry baritone vocals over a sonic thumping electro beat.

"When I wrote this song I was thinking about the feeling you get when you walk into a club and you hear the melody. You feel the beat and you just know it's going to be a good night..." comments Toni.

For more info about the track and appearance dates, click here.

Check it out.