News Round-Up: June 20, 2019

(via Instagram)

Some news items you might have missed:

• InstaHunks Rick and the Griffopotamus (above) trying to a-peel to folks' animal nature. #ItsWorking

• Despite 7 Tony nominations, the LGBTQ-themed Broadway musical The Prom will close August 11, but will live on in a small screen version for Netflix produced by Ryan Murphy.

• New York state lawmakers have banned defendants from citing a victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity (known as 'gay panic' or 'trans panic' defenses) to justify their crime. New York becomes the 7th state in the country to prohibit the legal defense.

• Two students have been indefinitely suspended from the Kearns High School football team for a social media post showing a Pride flag being burned and threatening LGBTQ people saying, “All gays die.”

• Alabama's former state Supreme Court Justice, the virulently anti-LGBTQ Roy Moore, has announced he will make another run for U.S. Senate in 2020. (and Republicans are NOT happy about it).

• RuPaul's Drag Race champs, Bob the Drag Queen and Trixie Mattel, are featured in JetBlue’s new Pride month ad serving up sassy fun as they deliver pre-flight instructions.

It's worth noting that not only did JetBlue engage the drag stars for the video, but the airline scored a 100 on the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index.

Podcast: Equality Act, Gay Panic Defense Banned, Rocketman Premieres At Cannes

In this week’s podcast:

• The Equality Act passes in the House of Representatives

• Nevada bans the gay panic defense

• An Australian rugby player loses his $4 million contract thanks to homophobic social media posts

• FX's groundbreaking series POSE honored at the Peabody Awards

• The Elton John ‘musical fantasy biopic’ Rocketman premieres at the Cannes Film Festival

All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report

News Round-Up: May 17, 2019

Ryan Worley (photo: Vinnie Cassidy)

Some news items you might have missed:

• InstaHunk and Chippendale Ryan Worley (above) shares this with the caption, "When you didn't know someone was taking your photo..." I'm thinking Mr. Worley should get used to folks taking his pic a lot.

• In an interview with Fox News, Democratic White House hopeful (and openly gay) Mayor Pete Buttigieg references the current president saying, "I’m old enough to remember when Republicans talked a lot about character in the Oval Office."

• Nevada has become the fourth state to ban the use of so-called gay and trans panic defenses, following California, Rhode Island and Illinois.

• Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) grilled Daniel O’Day, the CEO of Gilead Sciences, over the high costs of the pharmaceutical company’s pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication Truvada.

As she correctly points out, Gilead is making billions a year from Truvada, but the core research for PrEP was paid for and done by the U.S. government. Watch AOC push for a decent answer:

.@AOC to Gilead CEO: The list price [for Truvada for PrEP] is almost $2,000 in the US. Why is it $8 in Australia? pic.twitter.com/kPnMQSZE0G

— Public Citizen (@Public_Citizen) May 16, 2019

• Following Alabama lawmakers, the Missouri House of Representatives has passed an anti-abortion bill that bans abortions after eight weeks into a pregnancy, and does not have an exception for victims of rape or incest.

• E! Online reports that Queer Eye co-stars Karamo Brown and Antoni Porowski had "an extreme amount of conflict" during the shooting of Season One of the Bravo series.

• Check out the first look trailer for the upcoming new super-hero series, Batwoman, on the CW this fall on Sundays. Australian actress Ruby Rose stars as the openly lesbian crime fighter.

Almost two millions views on YouTube in a day. But the like/dislike ratio is something to see - 87k thumbs down (homophobes) versus 36k thumbs up.

Nevada State Senate Approves Ban On 'Gay Panic' Legal Defense

Nevada could soon be the fourth state in the country to ban the use of so-called ‘gay panic’ or ‘transgender panic’ legal defenses.

The bill, SB 97, passed in the state Senate by a vote of 19 - 2. State Sens. Ira Hansen and Pete Goicoechea, both Republicans, were the only lawmakers to vote no.

The legislation now moves to the state Assembly where Democrats outnumber Republicans 29 - 13.

The new legislation would ban legal defenses that argue an alleged criminal’s violent actions were justified or provoked by the knowledge of a victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The defense tactic asks juries to blame the victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity for the defendant’s alleged violent crimes.

Language in SB 97 specifically states that “an alleged state of passion or provocation” in a defendant will not be considered a valid defense “if it resulted from… [the] sexual orientation or gender identity or expression of the victim.”

According to the Williams Institute, successful use of the defense can result in murder charges being reduced to manslaughter or other lesser offenses.

The Nevada Current reports that the legislation has the support of the Human Rights Campaign, the Transgender Allies Group, PLAN Votes, Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, as well as other LGBTQ organizations.

Only three states – California, Illinois and Rhode Island – have laws in place today that specifically prohibit the use of the defense.

There is similar legislation currently working its way through six states – New Jersey, Washington State, New York, Georgia, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania – as well as Washington, D.C.

Perhaps the most well-known case that used a ‘gay panic’ defense was that of Matthew Shepard, who was beaten to death and left to die tied to a fence on a cold Wyoming night. The two men charged with his murder said ‘gay panic’ excused their actions.

In 2013, the American Bar Association overwhelmingly approved a resolution calling for an end to the defense.

News Round-Up: April 17, 2019

Ben Zerbst and Donald Romain

Some news items you might have missed:

• InstaHunks Ben Zerbst and Donald Romain took each other to Disneyland for some Hump Day fun. #FutureDILFSofDisneyland

• Brunei has defended its punishment of death by stoning for gay sex in a letter to the European Parliament. Under the country's new law, not only are LGBTQs targeted but adultery garners the same punishment, and thieves and robbers risk amputations.

• Prosecutors plan to seek a sentence of four to 10 months’ jail time for actress Felicity Huffman for her role in the college admissions scandal.

• This year's Time 100 - the 100 most influential people of 2019 - includes Lady Gaga, Indya Moore, Ryan Murphy, and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

View this post on Instagram

@speakerpelosi is one of the 100 most influential people of 2019. "Nancy Pelosi is living proof that when it comes to getting the job done, more often than not, it takes a woman," writes @hillaryclinton. See the full #TIME100 list at the link in bio, and swipe for a video interview with Pelosi. Photograph by @paridukovic for TIME. Video by @spencerbakalar, @francescatrianni and @ggarciapardo

A post shared by TIME (@time) on Apr 17, 2019 at 4:25am PDT

• Nevada could soon join the three other states - California, Illinois, and Rhode Island - that ban the 'gay panic' or 'trans panic' defense in cases of assault or murder.

• Folks were wondering why queer rapper Lizzo performed at Coachella Music Festival this past weekend when it came to light owner Philip Anschutz has given his money to anti-LGBTQ organizations.

Lizzo explained:

"Whether we like it or not most major organizations are run by bigoted millionaires that donate to bigoted organizations. I realize my activism is to disrupt those spaces and spread my message to thousands of ppl."

"Y’all may not agree w it and that’s ok. But know that I’m doing what I gotta do to make sure my big black ass voice is heard. Can’t wait to dismantle the hate that funds this country… but until then, imma be putting big, black, femme, lgbtq+ bodies on stages and telling our stories."

Here's Lizzo's latest music video "Juice" featuring a whole bunch of RuPaul's Drag Race queens for added fun. Her new album Cuz I Love You drops Friday.

Nevada Lawmakers Look To Ban 'Gay Panic' Defense

Lawmakers in Nevada are considering legislation that would prohibit the use of so-called ‘gay panic’ and ‘trans panic’ defenses in courts across the Silver state.

The bill, SB 97, would ban legal defenses that argue an alleged criminal’s violent actions were justified or provoked by the knowledge of a victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The defense tactic asks juries to blame the victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity for the defendant’s alleged violent crimes.

The Nevada Current reports that the legislation has the support of the Human Rights Campaign, the Transgender Allies Group, PLAN Votes, Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, as well as other LGBTQ organizations.

Only three states - California, Illinois and Rhode Island - have laws in place today that specifically prohibit the use of the defense.

Additionally, there is similar legislation currently working its way through six states - New Jersey, Washington State, New York, Georgia, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania - as well as Washington, D.C.

Supporters of the bill say these defenses are based on “pseudo-science” that plays on irrational fears based on homophobia and transphobia against LGBTQ people in the criminal justice system. When successful, these defenses send a message that violence against LGBT people is somehow understandable or acceptable.

While the tactic is rarely utilized, it has been used with success in several hate crimes in almost half of all U.S. states.

One of the most famous cases that used a ‘gay panic’ defense was that of Matthew Shepard, who was beaten to death and left to die tied to a fence on a cold Wyoming night. The two men charged with his murder attempted to say their ‘gay panic’ excused their actions.

According to the Williams Institute, successful use of the defense can result in murder charges being reduced to manslaughter or other lesser offenses.

In 2013, the American Bar Association overwhelmingly approved a resolution calling for an end to the defense.

(H/t Nevada Current)

Killer Gets Prison Sentence Reduced Using "Gay Panic" Defense

Another murderer has successfully utilized the 'gay panic' defense in an effort to see his prison sentence reduced.

A 35-year-old man in India had been found guilty of the stabbing murder of his friend and was in the 7th year of his sentence when he appealed to the Bombay High Court crying 'gay panic.'

From Gay Star News:

Originally convicted for murder and given a life sentence, the court reduced his sentence. The court’s changed the man’s sentence to culpable homicide and released him for time already served.

The man appealed his original sentence saying his friend was trying to have ‘unnatural sex’ with him and that’s why he attacked him.

In their ruling the court Justices said the man’s story seemed ‘plausible’.

‘If a person is asked to indulge in an unnatural sex act and assaulted, it is quite probable such a person in the heat of passion would assault the person demanding such unnatural act,’ the justices said.

Gay panic defenses in the U.S. have been banned in California, Rhode Island and Illinois.

In 2013, the American Bar Association approved a resolution condemning the practice.

Podcast: Emmy Nominations, Harry Styles, 'Gay Panic' Defense & More

In this week's podcast:

• The Trump administration is raiding HIV/AIDS programs to pay for further family separations at the U.S. border

• Hawaii’s Supreme Court declines to review a bigot’s appeal after being found guilty is LGBTQ discrimination

• UK pop star Harry Styles admits, “There a little bit of gay in all of us”

• This year’s Emmy Awards nominations had a lot of love for the gays

• 'Queer Eye' and 'Pose' both get renewed for additional seasons

• Out indie artist Parker Matthews is "Feelin' Right"

All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report

Democratic Lawmakers Introduce Bill To Ban 'Gay Panic' & 'Trans Panic' Legal Defense

Rep. Joe Kennedy III (L) and Sen. Edward Markey (R)

For decades, criminals have used the fear of being hit on by gay men or discovering a potential sex partner is transgender as 'gay panic' or 'trans panic' as a legal defense in court to justify violent attacks on LGBTs often to the point of murder.

But now, two Massachusetts lawmakers have introduced legislation that would put a stop to the defense across the country.

The Washington Blade reports the Gay & Trans Panic Defense Prohibition Act, introduced by Rep. Joseph Kennedy III (D-Mass.) in the U.S. House and Edward Markey (D-Mass.) in the U.S. Senate, would ban the use of anti-LGBT panic defense from being cited as a legal defense in federal court.

“Gay and trans panic legal defenses reflect an irrational fear and bigotry toward the LGBTQ community and corrode the legitimacy of federal prosecutions,” said Sen. Markey. “These defenses must be prohibited to ensure that all Americans are treated with dignity and humanity in our justice system.”

The Massachusetts senator adds that sexual orientation or gender identity “cannot ever excuse violence, and our courtrooms should not be used as chambers of hate.”

Kennedy told the Blade an admission of committing a violent crime against someone because they’re LGBT “is not a defense, it is a hate crime.”

“Legal loopholes written into our laws that seek to justify violent attacks against our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender neighbors should never have existed in the first place,” he added.

Earlier this year, a Texas man was given a lighter sentence thanks to using 'gay panic' defense after stabbing his neighbor who he claimed attempted to kiss him.

From The Washington Blade:

James Miller, 69, admitted to stabbing Daniel Spencer, 32. Miller said he rejected a kiss from Spencer when the two met at Spencer’s home in 2015, prompting Spencer to become violent and to charge at Miller with a glass. Miller said he then stabbed Spencer in self-defense.

Reports surfaced Miller invoked “gay panic” defense in his claim, although according to an NBC News report Miller’s attorney denied that and said his client acted purely in self-defense.

The sentence for Miller was for criminally negligent homicide, which carries a lighter sentence than murder or manslaughter. A jury recommended Miller receive 10 years probation, but a judge added six months jail time, 100 hours of community service and $11,000 in restitution to Spencer’s family.

The American Bar Association unanimously approved a resolution in 2013 denouncing the practice and calling for an end to the use anti-LGBT panic defense in court.

Currently, three states - California, Illinois, and Rhode Island have banned the use of gay and trans panic defense.



Photo credit: Rep. Joe Kennedy (Ted Eytan/Flickr - CC license) Sen. Edward Markey (public domain)

Podcast: US Winter Olympic Team Has Its 1st Out Athlete; Trump's Homophobic Judicial Nominees; Out Actor Alan Cumming To Star In New CBS Drama "Instinct"

In this week’s podcast:

• The U.S. Winter Olympic team has it’s first openly gay athlete with figure skater Adam Rippon

• Illinois’ ban on the so-called ‘gay panic’ defense has gone into effect

• NYC has its first openly gay and HIV+ City Council Speaker, Corey Johnson

• Newly-elected Alabama Sen. Doug Jones’ hottie gay son served up serious side-eye at his dad's swearing-in, and the internet loved it

• Another judicial nominee from Donald Trump is severely homophobic - what a shock!

• Ground-breaking TV series "The Fosters" will come to an end after this season

• Alan Cumming will make history starring in a new CBS drama this season

All that and more on this episode of The Randy Report

New Laws In Illinois Ban "Gay Panic" Defense In Murder Cases, Make Amending Trans Birth Certificates Easier

Good news in Illinois as the state's governor has just signed two bills into law that will help LGBTs find greater equality in the Prairie State.

The first bill removes the option of a "gay panic" defense in murder cases. Utilized in several LGBT murders in recent years (Matthew Shepard, Brandon Teena, Marco McMillan), "gay panic" defenses have allowed defendants accused of killing homosexuals to legally claim they had a legitimate fear for their safety because the victim had made a pass at them.

The defense has been criticized by many for implicitly condoning that LGBTs are a threat to society.

Illinois is the second state in the U.S. to ban the defense. California is the only other state to pass similar legislation.

The second bill makes it easier for transgender people to amend their birth certificates to reflect their correct gender identity.

Until now, trans folks had to submit sworn affidavits from their physicians confirming they had performed gender confirmation surgery.

Under the new law, trans individuals are only required to provide a note from licensed medical professionals documenting the fact that they are receiving "clinically appropriate" treatment as they transition.

(source)

California Assembly passes ban on so-called "gay panic" defense

According to the Fresno Bee, California may soon become the first state in the country to ban the use of "gay panic" defense in murder cases.

The California Assembly approved AB2501 by a vote of 50-10 this past Wednesday. The legislation would bar defendants from using a victims' sexual orientation or gender as a basis for a so-called "panic defense."

Currently, California allows for murder charges to be reduced to lesser crimes like manslaughter if the killer claims they "panicked" upon discovering someone was gay or transgender.

The American Bar Association has previously announced it's support for reducing the use of panic defenses.

The bill is now on it's way to Gov. Jerry Brown for his signature.