News Round-Up: August 16, 2019

Nick Sandell (via Instagram)

Some news items you might have missed:

• InstaHunks: Hunky fitness model Nick Sandell is 'catching some rays' in my native Texas.

• FreeMovement: An immigration judge in the UK has rejected an asylum seeker because the man did not have a gay “demeanor” and did not “look around the room in an effeminate manner.” I kid you not.

• NY Times: The official cause of death for accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein was suicide by hanging according to the coroner’s autopsy. The report indicates he tied a bedsheet to the top of a set of bunk beds, then knelt toward the floor with enough force that he broke several bones in his neck.

• Boy Culture: Serious props to Adam Price for this romantic oceanside marriage proposal to his bf, former X Factor contestant Naisa Lasalosi.

Full video ❤️❤️👬👬. How beautiful is love??!! I said yes!!!! 💍💍👬👬 pic.twitter.com/4LSCzYy50S

— Naisa Lasalosi (@OyNAISA) August 12, 2019

• Deseret News: Ed Smart, the father of kidnapping survivor Elizabeth Smart, shared in a Facebook message with family and friends Thursday that he is gay, divorcing his wife and doesn’t see a place for himself in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

• OUT: Disney has announced the leads for its upcoming spin-off of the successful coming-out film, Love, Simon, and neither of the two lead actors are openly gay.

• New Music: Randy Report favorite Mika drops his latest, "Tiny Love," from his upcoming album My Name Is Michael Holbrook.

"The most important thing in the world is the love we have for those around us, the love others offer us and the love we have for ourselves," says Mika about the track. "That love can feel so massive and yet at the same time it’s so tiny and imperceivable to others. This song is a conscious decision to provoke that emotion."

Musically, I like the track - fun melody and the production is rich and sophisticated.

But, every now and then, this happens: I like the song, but in this instance, the music video gets in the way for me. I'm just not vibing with the video.

That said, it's a fun track. Let me know what you think in the comments.

News Round-Up: June 10, 2019

InstaHunk Joel Green 

Some news items you might have missed:

• InstaHunk Joel Green (above) shares his recipe for a successful Monday: "Dream. Plan. Do."

• Donald Trump's entire family tagged along on his recent state visit to the UK, and along the way sons Don Jr. and Eric went on an Irish pub crawl where they offered free rounds of drinks for the house but didn't pony up when it was time to pay the bill.

• A gay bar manager in Dallas was fired for refusing to serve a transgender customer and her friends.

• I know, I know - no one wants to see a hunky, kilted Scot proposing to his boyfriend in the middle of a Pride parade, but if you did, hit the play button below:

He said yes.@Scotland #pride #engagement #gay pic.twitter.com/n2i4EQcjbV

— Finlay Wilson (@Scottishyogaboy) June 8, 2019

• New York Magazine has rounded up a 'who's who' list of prominent drag queens, given them the photo shoot treatment and attempted to rank them.

• Scientists at the University of Toronto say being left-handed is one of three factors that could indicate a man is gay. Having an older brother is the second and having gay family members is the third.

• Taron Egerton, star of the musical biopic Rocketman, joined Elton John onstage for a duet of the pop star's classic tune, "Your Song," wearing a Pride t-shirt. #swoon

Where Else Would A Storm Chaser Pop The Question?

Joey Krastel pops the question to bf Chris Scott

We’ve seen marriage proposals at Disney World, at Pride events, even at home supply super-stores, but meteorologist Joey Krastel popped the question with an element of danger thrown in.

On May 28, the 27-year-old posted a photo on Twittershowing the ‘storm chaser’ down on one knee in front of his boyfriend, Chris Scott, with a wild storm in the background. The caption read, “The 2 loves of my life.”

The 2 loves of my life pic.twitter.com/Cv4eviechZ

— Joey Krastel (@NimbusStorms) May 29, 2019

Krastel has been fascinated by storms and weather since the age of four when he saw his first tornado.

“It was at that moment where I knew everything I wanted to do from then on out,” he told NBC News. “Every meteorologist has a weather story from when they were little that defined their path.”

In fact, it was weather that brought the couple together.

Scott has had an interest in storms since he first saw the tornado-themed film Twisterwhen he was a young boy.

It was his enchantment of weather that led him to follow Krastel on Instagram where the meteorologist posts photos and video footage of wild weather.

One comment led to another and another, and soon the pair got in touch and began dating.

Dates included, of course, adventures in storm chasing.

It was with that in mind that Krastel planned his big moment.

“It was always in the back of my mind to get engaged during storm chasing,” he shared with NBC News. “I felt like it would be this perfect way to seal the deal.”

And so it was that a road trip that began in Dallas and traveled across Oklahoma and New Mexico. But it wasn’t until the group was driving through Kansas that they came across “the right storm.”

“It all just kind of came together and happened so quickly,” said Krastel. “I was like, ‘Ok, this is it.’”

With a tornado whirling in the distance, Krastel dropped to his knee and popped the question as a friend snapped the pic.

This photo posted to Krastel’s Instagram shows how close the couple were to the dangerous storm at the time of his proposal.

View this post on Instagram

Incredible and violent #tornado! One of at least 7 from this #storm! - Tipton, KS - May 28th, 2019. #love #crazy #kansas #twister #weather #sky #clouds

A post shared by Joey Krastel (@nimbusstorms) on May 29, 2019 at 10:54am PDT

The couple now has a terrific marriage proposal story to share with friends, but it’s important to warn that storm chasing can be very dangerous for folks who do not understand weather patterns.

National Geographic reports that tornadoes cause 80 deaths and more than 1,500 injuries in the U.S.

News Round-Up: July 15, 2018

Some news items you might have missed:

• Spanish math teacher (can you imagine???) Manu strikes a heroic pose for his love: ""I could face and defeat the most dangerous monster just for your love." #swoon

• A gay porn star proposed to his boyfriend after the couple had just finished shooting a scene. Who says romance is dead?

• Scottish First Minister Ncola Sturgeon, the head of government for Scotland, led Glasgow’s Pride parade Saturday, becoming the first serving prime minister or first minister in the U.K. to lead any Pride event.

• Queen Elizabeth was on her own during Donald Trump's visit to the UK as Princes Harry and William refused to meet Donald Trump.

• Appearing on a panel with Pose co-creator Ryan Murphy in Los Angeles last Thursday, transgender writer/director Janet Mock, shared she never dreamed of directing television. “Directing was never on my list of things -- I didn’t think it was a possibility." Mock recently made history as the first trans woman of color to write and direct an episode for mainstream television.

• In an interview airing today with CBS News, Donald Trump says it never occurred to him to ask Russian President Vladimir Putin to extradite the dozen Russian officials charged with hacking Democratic emails earlier this week.

Isn't he supposed to defend the United States???

WATCH: President Trump tells @CBSEveningNews' @jeffglor that he is going into the Helsinki summit with "low expectations" and that he will consider asking Russia to extradite agents indicted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. More on @FaceTheNation Sunday. https://t.co/59FYX8FTIg pic.twitter.com/u0rwS8rkxk

— CBS News (@CBSNews) July 15, 2018

Same-Sex Marriage Proposal At Police Graduation

Constable Erik Meechan proposes moments after graduating from police college

There are important moments you remember all your life like graduating from college or proposing marriage.

New police college grad Constable Erik Meechan experienced both on the same day.

At the graduation ceremony of Wing 315 in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, the class of 78 new police officers marked the end of their initial training with a rousing haka.

But there was one more task for Meechan. He asked if his boyfriend of five years, Matty Judd, would please step forward.

As Judd emerged from the audience, the constable dropped to one knee and asked Judd to marry him.

The happy news is Judd said ‘yes’ and the crowd roared their approval.

Meechan later told the New Zealand Herald he had mulled over the proposal for a month but didn’t decide to pop the question for sure until just days before.

“I wasn’t 100 per cent sure until a couple days out. We actually got his ring customised and that arrived the day before so it was cutting it pretty fine,” he said.

Meechan, who was also honored with the Commissioner’s Award for Leadership, says he chose to propose at the graduation ceremony because, “I just wanted it to be a bit special, a bit different.”

Being on the receiving end of the marriage proposal, Judd said, “I think he wanted to do something extravagant that I would appreciate. And I did.”

“It was a really good time and place, and also it’s quite rare to get all our family together in the same place, so it was good to get them all together,” he added.

Commissioner Mike Bush, who attended the ceremony, was one of the first to congratulate the happy couple. He also expressed pride at how his police department has embraced the diversity of modern New Zealand.

“It was just awesome,” he says. “The fact that Erik felt so safe and supported in that environment was a fantastic demonstration of what our core value of valuing diversity is all about.”

“I wish Eric and Matty all the very best for the future,” he added.

Watch the happy moment below.

An extra special graduation at police college today 👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨💍 #heputaringonit pic.twitter.com/OCyL7KqVaY

— New Zealand Police (@nzpolice) June 28, 2018

(h/t JoeMyGod)

SWEET - Lesbian Couple Unexpectedly Propose To Each Other At The Same Time

Becky McCabe (L) and Jessa Gillaspie (R)

Sweet story for Hump Day.

When Becky McCabe dropped to one knee to propose to longtime girlfriend, Jessa Gillaspie screamed and had to take a step back.

Not because she didn't want to say "yes" but because Jesse had planned to propose as well that very same evening!

They basically proposed to each other at the same time!

The cell phone video of the dual proposals has gone viral with tons of folks (including Good Morning America) picking up the charming story.

The happy couple wants the whole world to know how much they love each other and they appreciate the outpouring of support.

Watch the moment below.

Sweet video shows woman proposing to her girlfriend - and then the girlfriend pulls out the ring she was going to propose to HER with! HOW CUTE! pic.twitter.com/F1ImuGbytj

— Good Morning America (@GMA) May 30, 2018

One Of The 'Queer Eye' Guys Popped The Question

Queer Eye's Karamo Brown (L) and fiancé Ian Jordan (R)
(image via Instagram)

One of the Queer Eye guys popped the question last night and will soon be heading down what is certain to be a very styling aisle.

At a surprise birthday party in Los Angeles at sbe's HYDE Sunset, Queer Eye’s culture expert Karamo Brown proposed to his partner of eight years, director Ian Jordan.

(image via Instagram/Karamo Brown)

Dropping to one knee, Brown put a ring on it - a gorgeous David Yurman ring no less - with these words:

“You are the funniest man I know, the kindest man, my biggest cheerleader. All of these things I accomplish, is only because when I get home, I know that I have you. You made me feel like I could do anything and I just want you to know that I hope we can conquer the world together for the rest of our lives, Ian Lamont Jordan, will you marry me?”

Surrounding the happy couple were family members, Karamo‘s two sons, their closest friends, and his Queer Eye co-stars Tan France, Bobby Berk, Jonathan Van Ness and Antoni Porowski.

Watch the magic moment below via ET:

Karamo and Ian shared the news on Instagram soon after:

Last night, in front of family & friends, I asked my best friend and the love of my life, “will you marry me?” He said YESSS!!!! I’m engaged! Showing off our beautiful @davidyurmanmen rings. #LoveWins @theianjordan

A post shared by Karamo (@karamobrown) on May 10, 2018 at 7:16am PDT

Sweet Marriage Proposal On "The Voice Australia," Kelly Rowland Offers To Sing At Wedding

Nathan Brake (R) asks his bf of 6 years, Mitchell Baines (L)
to marry him live on The Voice Australia

The Voice Australia had some romantical excitement when a contestant proposed to his boyfriend during this weekend's episode.

Marriage equality is newly-legal in the land down-under, having come into effect in January.

Singer Nathan Brake was about to announce his choice of judge after knocking out a killer cover of Nick Jonas’ “Jealous,” but hit pause to announce another decision he'd made.

Brake called for his partner, Mitchell Baines, who was waiting in the wings to come out onstage.

“I just wanted to bring you out here, because we’ve had a beautiful six years together,” said Brake, thrilling the judges and live audience with the impending marriage proposal.

Judge Kelly Rowland offered to sing “When Love Takes Over” at the couple’s nuptials, regardless of which judge he chose.

In the end, Baines said 'yes' and Brake joined Delta Goodrem's team for the talent competition.

You can watch the sweet moment below.

What a vibe! Welcome to #TeamDelta @nathanbrake & H U G E congrats on your engagement! @TheVoiceAU #TheVoiceAU pic.twitter.com/yWlAzqtF9T

— Delta Goodrem (@DeltaGoodrem) April 29, 2018

Australian Lawmaker Proposes To His Partner During Same-Sex Marriage Debate In Parliament

It was an emotional moment when Tim Wilson, a member of Australia's House of Representatives, addressed fellow lawmakers about the impending vote to legalize same-sex marriage.

“In my first speech I defined our bond by the ring that sits on both of our left hands, and they are the answer to a question we cannot ask,” Wilson said as his partner of seven years, Ryan Bolger, watched from the public gallery.

“There’s only one thing left to do: Ryan Patrick Bolger, will you marry me?” Wilson continued.

Bolger, a primary school teacher, smiled broadly and immediately answered, "yes."

And the crowd goes wild.

After the legislation sailed through the Senate last week, the House is expected to vote later this week.

Watch the marriage proposal below.

This Australian lawmaker proposed to his partner on the parliament floor

"There's only one thing left to do..."

"Ryan Patrick Bolger, will you marry me?" pic.twitter.com/tQPMHTKWy6

— CNN (@CNN) December 4, 2017

(source)

Australia: Check Out This Cheeky Marriage Proposal

Shortly after Australia's Chief Statistician revealed that 62% of Aussies approve of same-sex marriage, Melbourne-based Mark Keevers decided to surprise his boyfriend Andrew with a cheeky marriage proposal.

Andrew competes with the Melbourne Surge water polo team. After the Surge's latest match, Mark met Andrew poolside and placed a rainbow flag towel around his shoulders.

With their favorite song, Jess Glynne’s ‘Hold My Hand’, playing in the background Mark dropped to one knee and directed Mark's attention to his teammates whose swimsuited bums spelled out "Marry me?"

“He is just everything” Mark told The Star Observer. “He has this passion for everything he does. We have the same values, and want the same things, it’s perfect.

Mark also expressed his gratitude to his countrymen for the all-important "Yes" vote from the recent mail-in survey.

“The 'Yes' result is completely validating,” he said. “To see that people in my own country see me as legitimate and the same.”

The happy couple

Crowd Cheers Gay Couple's Marriage Proposal At Washington Nationals Game

Not only did Washington Nationals fans get another win last night against the Pittsburgh Pirates, but the crowd cheered the marriage proposal by Tyler Garrison to his bf, Ty Fleming.

“The moment Ty Fleming and Tyler Garrison became officially engaged was captured during the Washington Nationals versus Pittsburgh Pirates game,” the Washington Blade reports. “The crowd cheered for the happy couple, who even received a congratulations hug from Screech the mascot.”

London Pride Parade Inspires Two Marriage Proposals

Fernando Ferreira proposes to bf Greg Woodford at London Pride

A very sweet moment from this past weekend's Pride Parade in London as rugby player Fernando Ferreira proposed to his boyfriend Greg Woodford.

The London-based Kings Cross Steelers are a regular fixture in the parade every year since it was founded in 1995.

But during a mock line-out, Fernando Ferreira got up and walked over to the barricade where his boyfriend, Greg Woodford, was standing.

What happens next will melt your heart.

Ferreira gets down on one knee, as his rugby mates cheer in the background.

This was the second marriage proposal at the London Pride parade this weekend.

Along the parade route, a woman holding a rainbow flag approached her girlfriend, who happened to be a transport police officer working the parade.

While she was clearly surprised she says yes immediately.

And the crowd goes wild!

#LoveIsLoveIsLoveIsLove

She said YES!

Congratulations ❤️💍#LoveHappensHere pic.twitter.com/bAmZABMMzD

— BTP (@BTP) July 8, 2017

(h/t Gay Star News)

Colton Haynes Announces Engagement To BF Jeff Leatham

Colton Haynes and fiance Jeff Leatham

Now this is how to pop the question :)

Former Teen Wolf/Arrow star Colton Haynes had an eventful weekend as he announced he and bf Jeff Leatham got engaged.

Haynes posted a pic on his Instagram featuring the couple kissing in front of a fireworks display with the caption, "I SAID YES!!!"

Haynes confirmed the rumors of his romance with Leatham last month. Leatham is a celebrity floral designer whose clients include Kris Jenner and Sofia Vergara.

Apparently Cher, who's known Laatham for years, had a part in the moment. Haynes attributes an "I Got You Babe" lead-in to the big proposal.

"It's not every day that someone comes into your life & makes you want to be a better man," Haynes shared with a picture of the two snuggling in bed on Instagram. "I feel so blessed to be by your side @jeffleatham. #WhatMoviesAreMadeOf."

I SAID YES!!! 💍💥❤️ @jeffleatham

A post shared by Colton Haynes (@coltonlhaynes) on Mar 12, 2017 at 11:04am PDT

Thank you @cher for the beautiful "I got you babe" proposal lead in, you sounded incredible as always :) The most special night of my life @jeffleatham . #flowers #fireworks #fullmoon #cher ❤️❤️❤️💥💥💥💍❤️❤️

A post shared by Colton Haynes (@coltonlhaynes) on Mar 12, 2017 at 12:57pm PDT

Thank you @cher and @pauletteakapauly - for helping making my Proposal Evening Epic - I got you Babe never sounded so good right before @coltonlhaynes said YES!!! So Appreciative and much love ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️#Love - #Friendship - #Cher - #FireworksFlowersFullmoonCher - #IGotYouBabe

A post shared by JeffLeatham (@jeffleatham) on Mar 12, 2017 at 1:04pm PDT

English Cop Pops Proposal At London Pride

We've seen many public proposals between same-sex couples here in the U.S. with the arrival of marriage equality, but it's not so common in the UK.

But London got to share in a couple's happy moment right on the streets of this year's Pride Parade when a constable marching in the parade with his department stopped along the way to get down on one knee and propose to his boyfriend.

ITV News reports that the constable stopped along the parade route where his partner, Jonathan Sammons, was watching and got down on one knee. The two exchanged a kiss to the roaring of the crowd and then the constable rejoined his fellow police officers.

The whole parade just stopped for a policeman to propose his boyfriend at #Pride2016! pic.twitter.com/G8XeECCz2N

— Steve Holden (@SteveH1982) June 25, 2016

The newly elected Mayor Sadiq Khan marched in the festivities, too.

Dave Franco Gets Gay Proposal In Bad Neighbors 2

Earlier this month Dave Franco revealed that his character, Peter, in Bad Neighbors 2 is gay, and he was “so excited” to play him.

Yesterday, the movie's Facebook page shared this honestly very charming scene where Franco's character gets engaged during a poker game with his buddies.

Via Attitude:

The video starts with Zac Efron, Franco and friends playing a game of poker before Jimmy (Franco’s boyfriend) goes all in.

Peter then asks, “What do you got, a full house?”

Jimmy replies with “Hopefully one day,” before Efron and friends start singing a rendition of I’m Yours by Jason Mraz which just so happens to be the couple’s song.

Jimmy proposes to Franco, saying “The Greeks believed we were each half of a whole. Peter, you are the half that makes me whole.”

“I don’t know what the rules are, I don’t know who is supposed to propose to who,” Jimmy adds.

Peter says yes and the pair hug it out as their friends celebrate.

Christmas Day Marriage Proposal Backstage At Broadway's WICKED

So sweet. I love when flying monkeys really "get" each other.

After the Christmas Day performance of WICKED on Broadway, two of the show's flying monkeys got engagned.

Daniel Robinson proposed to fellow flying monkey, Joshua Green on stage and in costume at the Gershwin Theatre.

With the cast posed for a holiday photo after the curtain went down, Robinson pulled Green in front of everyone to ask for his hand in marriage.

Very sweet moment. And did I mention they're easy on the eyes?

ABC News' Gio Benitez Proposes To Boyfriend In Paris

Photo credit - Paris Photographer Pierre Torset

This past Thursday, ABC News journalist Gio Benitez shared uber-romantic pics of the moment he proposed to his boyfriend, Tommy DiDario, in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.

If you like beautiful people, their Instagram accounts are pretty fun to follow as the photogenic couple share their fun (and fit bodies) exploring the world.

Congrats to the happy couple!

He said 'yes'...

Do I even have to comment?

Benitez in work mode at ABC News' "Nightline"

Cleans up nice, right?

Marriage Proposal At San Diego Comic-Con

Makeup artist Barry Bishop (from the web series Con Man) shocked the Comic Con crowd and panel of stars by proposing to his partner Billy Brooks on-stage.

The proposal received a "yes" AND a standing ovation at Comic Con in San Diego yesterday.

(h/t JMG)

Marriage Proposal On "Italia's Got Talent"

You don't have to understand Italian to understand what's happening here :)

After the French acrobatic dance troupe called Les Farfadais perfromed a dance to "The Power of Love" on Italia's Got Talent, one of the dancers proposed to his boyfriend on live TV.

"This occasion, it only happens once in your life," he said to the judges. "Can you help me by translating?"

"We have performed tonight in a ring," the dancer said to his boyfriend, who was clearly wigging out. "This ring has brought us together in our work, our passion, and in our love. And I would like to know …"

The reaction from the audience and judges is fantastic. Watch below.

Ecco la proposta di matrimonio avvenuta in diretta pochi minuti fa! #IGTPowerOfLove
Posted by Italia's Got Talent Official on Thursday, May 7, 2015

Marriage Proposal On "Let's Make A Deal"

I love both the reaction of the guy receiving the proposal AND the crowd.

And Wayne Brady swings right in with a song.

Sweet...

(h/t JMG)