Teen Homophobe Threatens YouTube After Being Booted From Video Site

Soph (screen capture)

A 14-year-old California girl who goes by the name “Soph” had her YouTube account terminated after posting an anti-LGBTQ video on July 31.

The high school freshman had amassed a following of over 800,000 subscribers via anti-Muslim and anti-LGBTQ commentaries before YouTube removed her account.

In the video that finally got her booted from the streaming video site, titled “Pride and Prejudice,” she mocked LGBTQ people for celebrating Pride Month.

“Unfortunately, as you know, last month was Pride, which meant we all had to endure 30-days of AIDS-carrying pedophile victims patting themselves on their backs for their lifestyles,” said Soph in the video. “I had an especially hard time considering that I live in California where there was a puddle of diseased load waiting for me whenever I dared to step out of my house.”

She went on to tell her audience that LGBTQ people criticize her and call her homophobic as a way to “detract attention away from the rates of STDs and pederasty involving homosexuals.”

The teen apparently laughs all of this off as ‘edgy internet humor.’

Soph also calls Pride a “fudge-packing fest” and tells followers to “make sure to blame me in your manifestos.” The word ‘manifesto’ refers to a kind of document left behind on far-right websites by people like the shooter behind the deadly Christchurch attack in March and the shooter accused of the recent El Paso shooting.

a new me pic.twitter.com/viydWqTd5H

— soph (@sewernugget) July 29, 2019

The account was canceled after the teen racked up three Community Guideline violations within 90 days. The Pride-bashing video violated YouTube's hate speech guidelines.

After YouTube removed the channel, Soph tweeted a photo holding what appeared to be an assault rifle captioned, “YouTube headquarters here I come.”

The tweet was quickly removed. Then the teen wrote, “Gun tweet obviously a joke,” and seemed to ask for payments to her Bitcoin accounts.

gun tweet obviosly a joke. BTW i have a BTC and a BCH wallets. GoDoN8

BTC: bc1qrttngtd7rwhw2gg5jg4z2vusnags88cfjpcyc6

BCH: bitcoincash:qrp7esy6qtt5mzv4vv7l3p7khslxx6rryc5ntl507w

— soph (@sewernugget) August 1, 2019

This wasn't Soph's first 'joke' regarding violence and YouTube. In May, she threatened to murder YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki after her account was temporarily suspended and demonetized.

In a video directly addressing the YouTube executive, Soph said, “Susan, I’ve known your address since last summer. I’ve got a Luger and mitochondrial disease. I don’t care if I live. Why should I care if you live or your children? I just called an Uber. You’ve got about seven minutes to draft up a will. ... I’m coming for you, and it ain’t gonna be pretty.”

Folks, this is YouTube in 2019.

(source)

Max Emerson 'Goes Down' On The Titanic

Max Emerson 'goes down' on the Titanic

YouTuber Max Emerson offers this entertaining ‘alternate universe’ where we find out the Titanic actually played host to one of our favorite shirtless YouTubers before going down in the Atlantic.

Emerson sets the stage by sharing, “There's nothing worse than having your flight canceled. Luckily my agents got me a sponsored trip home from England on this big new boat!”

Showing off his cabin for his followers, Emerson shares the ‘unboxing’ of his influencer swag (the Heart of the Ocean diamond, naturally) while taking several shirtless selfies with crew members.

The handsome influencer even recreates the famous 'naked drawing sequence' from the film, sans a 'Rose.' Although, when you're as hot as Max, who needs anyone else?

(screen capture)

When the ship hits 'something,’ (gee, what could it be?) Emerson heads out to investigate for his followers where a crew member hands him a life jacket.

“Man, these influencers perks do not let up,” exclaims Emerson to his phone camera, complete with heart emojis.

“Oh my god,” says Emerson when he finds out the massive ship is sinking. “My viewer count has never been this high! Four million viewers???”

Needless to say, we pretty much know where this is heading, complete with ‘My Heart Will Go On’ instrumentals.

Major props to the creative team especially writer Deanna Director and director David Ma.

Cute, clever, and a fun mid-day brain break. Hit play below.

Happy Friday!

News Round-Up: June 6, 2019

Mayor Pete Buttigieg and friend

Some news items you might have missed:

• I could not resist this adorable pic of Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who encountered this little guy out on the campaign trail. "Even the littlest voices deserve to be heard."

• Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi told Democratic leaders that she would rather see Donald Trump defeated for re-election in 2020 and face prosecution after he leaves office. “I don’t want to see him impeached, I want to see him in prison."

• Democratic presidential candidate Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) says as president he would ask the Pentagon review dishonorable discharges of LGB service members received prior to being allowed to serve openly and upgrade them to honorable discharges.

• The Trump Administration has announced a new policy prohibiting government research using fetal tissue. The new policy will severely limit research done on HIV, cancers and more.

• Four U.S. Special Operations troops charged in the death of a Green Beret soldier in Mali plotted to record him being sexually assaulted as part of a plan to embarrass him through hazing.

• After two years of harassing Vox reporter Carlos Maza on YouTube for being gay and Latino - we're talking hundreds of troll comments, doxing Maza and more - the video site finally took some action towards YouTuber Steven Crowder by 'demonetizing' his channels.

They didn't stop the hater from posting his homophobic campaign against Maza, but at least he can't make any money from it. (p.s. Maza wasn't happy with the penalty)

Demonetizing 👏 doesn't 👏 work. 👏

Abusers use it as proof they're being "discriminated" against. Then they make millions off of selling merch, doing speaking gigs, and getting their followers to support them on Patreon.

The ad revenue isn't the problem. It's the platform.

— Carlos Maza (@gaywonk) June 5, 2019

The problem isn't Crowder and the problem isn't monetization.

The problem is that @YouTube allows monsters and bullies to become superstars, break YouTube's rules, build an army of loyal, radicalized followers, and then make millions selling them merch that sustains their work.

— Carlos Maza (@gaywonk) June 5, 2019

YouTube Documentary 'State Of Pride' Explores Pride Festivals Across The US

Raymond Braun in 'State of Pride'

Fifty years after the Stonewall uprising, Oscar-winning filmmakers Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman and YouTube personality Raymond Braun travel to diverse communities for an unflinching look at LGBTQ Pride, from the perspective of a younger generation for whom it still has personal urgency.

The results of their efforts is the new YouTube Originals documentary, State of Pride, which explores Pride festivals across the United States, and asks attendees what these events mean to them today?

(images via Michael Fullem/Rogers & Cowen)

Braun makes a point of chatting with some of the younger festival-goers who may be unaware of what “Stonewall” really was and what it meant to our history.

The creators made sure that they visited not only the big city celebrations like in San Francisco, but also smaller, younger events like those in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where organizers are still building their celebrations.

State of Pride is now streaming on YouTube here.

Official poster for 'State of Pride' from YouTube Originals

Adam Rippon Launches His Own YouTube Channel

Olympic medalist Adam Rippon

Whether you know him from the 2018 Winter Olympics where he scored a bronze medal with the US figure skating team, or as a Dancing with the Stars champ, or his well-publicized sparring with Vice President Mike Pence over LGBTQ issues, Adam Rippon wants you to “get ready for something spectacular.”

The self-described “America’s sweetheart” is launching his own YouTube channel.

Rippon promises “VIP access to his life - on and off the ice.”

Mondays and Fridays will feature “anything ranging from my favorite cat show documentaries to my innermost thoughts on eating good.” Topics like travel, boyfriends, and hot takes on pop culture are all on the table.

And Wednesday’s will feature segments that are part interview and part skating lesson. Titled “Break The Ice,” Rippon will lace up his skates with his famous friends for learning, laughing and, of course, backward twerking.

With a guarantee of that “good old Scranton charm,” the 29-year-old former U.S. National champ says he’ll make it worth your while to tune in. As he admits, “I’ve got the time - I’m retired now.”

To kick things off on the channel, Rippon’s first episode tackles a Twitter 'Ask Me Anything' round of questions. The queries range from advice to his younger self, tips on recharging after long travel days, what are his biggest regrets, how beautiful is bff Gus Kenworthy, and more.

Rippon is definitely charming, and he can hold a viewer’s attention. We’ll definitely be tuning in to see what Rippon brings to the YouTube table.

Hit play, readers, and let us know what you think.

Dylan O'Brien Gets Matched With A Daddy In 'Weird City'

Dylan O'Brien and Ed O'Neill in 'Weird City'

YouTube jumps into the streaming network race with its own new series, Weird City.

The new anthology series (being offered at no charge for now) is reminiscent of Netflix’s dystopian, sci-fi show, Black Mirror.

The pilot episode offers two men, Stu (Teen Wolf's Dylan O’Brien) and Burt (Modern Family's Ed O’Neill), who are “accidentally” matched up by a dating service algorithm.

The two straight men end up in an unlikely romance, but that's all I'm gonna say.

I really, really liked this. Hit the play button below and watch.

Did I mention I really, really liked this? :)

YouTube's Official Pride Video Gets Swamped By Haters

YouTube has released its official 2018 Pride video with the caption, "You don't just imagine a better future – you create it. This Pride Month, we're celebrating LGBTQ voices that shape our world – past, present, and future."

But with 113K downvotes and only 43K "thumbs up," it looks like the video didn't quite land as expected.

Tons of haters swarmed in to denounce the Pride message.

And additionally, some LGBT folks commented regarding the ongoing issues with gay-centric videos being listed as "restricted" limiting the audience for those vloggers.

"Thanks for screwing over creators for the past year," read one comment.

"But you guys still demonetize people for acknowledging their LGBT lives in video titles?" said another referring to an issue where LGBTQ videos were blocked from earning money. YouTube blamed the demonetization on "the algorithm" and promised to fix it.

Here's the video.

Dozens Injured As Active Shooter Attacks YouTube Headquarters

According to Newsweek, The San Bruno Police Department scanner said 37 people were transported to nearby hospitals after an active shooter situation was reported at YouTube's headquarters in California.

Developing story...

More from MSNBC and Fox News:

LIVE: NBC News Special Report: Latest on shooting at YouTube headquarters in California. https://t.co/yos5ADozGj https://t.co/SH01WmZLTV

— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) April 3, 2018

"I was trying to find tools to help her and I found a bungee cord and I tied that around her leg to stop the blood flow...She was scared." Eyewitness describes helping woman with gunshot wound near @YouTube headquarters. https://t.co/FNBrozuksO pic.twitter.com/jFU0shX7IM

— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 3, 2018

YouTube Offers To Help Clean Up Gus Kenworthy's "Hater" Issue

Gus Kenworthy

Yesterday I reported on Olympic freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy sharing some of the hateful comments he's received on his YouTube channel.

Well, it turns out YouTube was listening and plans to do something about it.

YouTube tweeted the Gus man saying, "This is unacceptable, we’re so sorry these comments and notifications came through to you. We’re actively working to fix this so you won't see or be notified of abusive comments and exploring more ways to protect people from abusive comments overall."

And Kenworthy was ready with a solution: "Thank you YouTube! Maybe consider filtering out keywords and phrases like "faggot" and "kill yourself" so that they just never show up in anyone's comments? I'm confident enough to brush it off but a younger me would have had a harder time."

This is unacceptable, we’re so sorry these comments and notifications came through to you. We’re actively working to fix this so you won't see or be notified of abusive comments and exploring more ways to protect people from abusive comments overall.

— Team YouTube (@TeamYouTube) February 28, 2018

Thank you YouTube! Maybe consider filtering out keywords and phrases like "faggot" and "kill yourself" so that they just never show up in anyone's comments? I'm confident enough to brush it off but a younger me would have had a harder time. https://t.co/9Iugwoev1q

— Gus Kenworthy (@guskenworthy) February 28, 2018

Bonus Gus: Kenworthy also shared that he and several other U.S. Olympians will be at the NYC Ralph Lauren store this evening for a meet & greet with fans! Bring him dipping dots and you may catch his eye!

Hi NYC peeps! I'll be at the @RalphLauren SoHo store tmrw from 5 - 6:30pm along w/ other RL & USA teammates @JamieAsnow, @AjaLEvans, @AlexShibutani & @MaiaShibutani! Come get a picture or an autograph (if ppl still do that). If anybody brings me dippin' dots I'll love u 4 ever.

— Gus Kenworthy (@guskenworthy) March 1, 2018

News Round-Up: November 29, 2017

A walk in the wilderness....

Some news items you might have missed:

• Sixteen men arrested last month during a crackdown on homosexuality by the authorities in Egypt have been sentenced to three years in prison.

• The Trump Organization has announced the new Trumpstore.com which sells a $32 Trump Golf hat made in Bangladesh, and a $25 faux gold bouillion “TRUMP” coin bank made in China. Whatever happened to "America First?"

• If you like my short and sweet News Round-Ups, you're definitely going to like kenneth-in-the-212's "Remains of the Day" posts :)

• Mattel's Barbie doll teamed up with designer Aimme Song to promote Song's new "Love Wins" t-shirts. As expected, the haters hate it.

• YouTuber Elle Mills is getting tons of attention for her awesome, creative coming out video. Over 800,000 views in two days. Check it out below.

YouTube Sensation Greyson Chance: "I Am Happy, I Am Here For You, And I Am Proud Of Who I Am"

You'll recall the young Mr. Greyson Chance, whose performance at his 6th-grade talent show ended up on YouTube and garnering over 59 million views.

Of course, that's the same Greyson Chance who Ellen DeGeneres invited onto her TV show and summarily signed him at the age of 12 as the first artist on her new recording label eleveneleven.

Fast forward to today, as a 19-year-old Chance has come out via an expressive and very well-written Facebook post:

The decision to write this came after I received a message from a brave individual. Such message inspired me to shed light on an aspect of my private life which I have kept distant from my career in music.

I came to fully recognize that I was gay when I was sixteen. I decided not to publicize my sexuality largely due to a matter of privacy, as I was still trying to find comfort and confidence within my own skin. Further, I always found conversations regarding music, politics, art, books – and the greatness of Nas’ catalog – to be far more interesting than what type of guy I was into. This is still true today.

While this message is most definitely overdue, I encourage anyone who is navigating their sexuality to devote as much time as they need to the process of finding self-confidence, self-acceptance, and self-love. Hell, for me, it took years to write this message. Nevertheless, I figured now was the time to let a few more friends know that I am happy, I am here for you, and I am proud of who I am.

Cheers
-G

Here's the spectacular video that started it all for Greyson. The clip now has over 59 million views. What an incredible talent at such a young age.

Congrats, Greyson, on living life loud and proud!

YouTube Filmmakers Present Trailer For 2016: The Movie

YouTube filmmakers Friend Dog Studios present their trailer for the fictional (or not?) film, 2016: The Movie. 

The clip presents the year 2016 as the "scary thriller" that was - complete with celebrity deaths and unexpected election results.

Via Entertainment Weekly:

The clip, which takes the calendar year and turns it into a scary thriller, begins on Dec. 31, 2015, with a happy couple ringing in 2016 with kisses and wishes for a prosperous new year, new home, and ever-growing relationship. But things go wrong fast: “You want know who died today?” asks a creepy voiceover, teasing the terrible events to come.

(h/t JoeMyGod)

YouTube Rewind 2015

YouTube Rewind 2015.

Celebrating the videos, people, music and moves that made 2015. #YouTubeRewind

Music is a special remix done by EDM megastar Avicii.

(h/t JMG)

Meet Shane Ortega - First Openly Transgender Man In U.S. Military

YouTube personality Raymond Braun chats with Sergeant Shane Ortega, the first openly trans man in the U.S. Military on his life, trans rights and his time in the military on a Hawaiian beach.

Sgt. Ortega served three combat tours, two in Iraq and one in Afghanistan, and engaged in 400 combat operations.

The A-Z of YouTube: Celebrating 10 Years

YouTube celebrates 10 years with this creative video showcasing a taste of just about everything the video site has to offer:

From the silly to the profound, from the personal to the political, we’re celebrating a decade of your creativity and self-expression. And, we’re doing it from A to Z.

With over 75 references and 18 filmmaking styles, we've tried to capture some of the richness and variety of YouTube from the last decade.

See how many references you recognize :)

YouTube Blocks Rand Paul's Presidential Launch Video

YouTube's copyright software - Content ID - has automatically blocked the YouTube post of Rand Paul's launch of his 2016 presidential campaign because he entered and exited to music owned by a Warner Music Group recording artist.

Violating copyright laws, don't you know...

Oops.

Swedish Sign Language Interpreter Steals The Show

This sign language interpreter is a rock star! 2.6 million views in just a couple of weeks.

According to this YouTube video, Tommy Krångh interpreted a song performed by singer Magnus Carlsson on "Melodifestivalen," a Swedish singing competition.

It looks like Krångh’s performance on public service TV station SVT stole the show from Carlsson.

(h/t Reddit)

Viral Videos: Super Cut Of YouTube's 101 Biggest Videos

To celebrate YouTube's 10th anniversary this month, The Daily Conversation put together a list of the 101 biggest YouTube videos ever and then compiled them all into one 16-minute supercut.

Highlighting such gems as "Star Wars Kid," "The Sneezing Baby Panda," "Shoes," "Surprised Kitty," "Potter Puppet Pals," and so many more, the video will send you spiraling back through years of viral greatness.

(via Business Insider)

YouTube Creators Interview President Obama

Today, YouTube creators/vloggers Glozell Green, Hank Green and Bethany Mota had the chance to interview President Obama and ask him about the issues of interest to them and their viewers.

Seth Rogen/James Franco Flick Debuts On YouTube

And the James Franco/Seth Rogen flick - now of North Korean terrorist threat cancellation fame - makes it to YouTube!

(All the cool kids are doing it...)

Sony Pictures has released the film on YouTube for the low, low price of $5.99!

Here's the synopsis: In the action-comedy The Interview, Dave Skylark (James Franco) and his producer Aaron Rapoport (Seth Rogen) run the popular celebrity tabloid TV show 'Skylark Tonight.' When they discover that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is a fan of the show, they land an interview with him in an attempt to legitimize themselves as journalists. As Dave and Aaron prepare to travel to Pyongyang, their plans change when the CIA recruits them, perhaps the most unlikely candidates, to 'take out' Kim Jong-un.