Sport Sunday

From: Speed o Rex

 Lots of football today from around the world:  Association Football, the Total Africa Cup of Nations Gabon 2017, and American Football:  the NFL playoffs.  A few other sports also make today's mix. 

In Gabon

Opening day yesterday in the Total Africa Cup of Nations, Gabon 2017, was what non fans call a typical day in Soccer, both games ended in a 1-1 tie.  This afternoon features two matches, from Group B, Algeria vs. Zimbabwe first, followed by Tunisia vs. Senegal.  Both matches will be played at the Stade de Francevillle, Franceville, Gabon.

 In the USA

The Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs continues today with two games:  First, the Green Bay Packers will visit the Dallas Cowboys in an NFC Divisional game. With Aaron Rodgers throwing 4 TD passes last Sunday to dismantle the New York Giants, the Packers earned a matchup with the Cowboys, the NFC's top seed. Dallas won an October meeting at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, 30-16.  Play continues with the matchup of the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Kansas City Chiefs in an AFC Divisional game. Andy Reid's Chiefs bid for their first home playoff win in 23 years.

Fabian Gomez

 Also in the USA

PGA Tour Golf features final-round play in the Sony Open in Hawaii at the Waialae Country Club in Honolulu.  Argentina's Fabian Gomez captured this event last year after a two-hole playoff with Brandt Snedeker.

In South Africa

Golf.  Final-round play in the South African Open at Glendower GC in Gauteng. South Africa's Brandon Stone was last year's winner at 14-under-par.

 In Abu Dhabi

Yesterday the Desert T20 Challenge began at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, with Hong Kong vs. Scotland, Scotland winning by 24 runs, and Afghanistan vs. Ireland, Afghanistan winning by 5 wickets.  Today action continues in Abu Dhabi,  with more Group A action, first Oman vs. the Netherlands, and then United Arab Emirates vs. Namibia.  Action continues in Abu Dhabi until Tuesday, and then moves to the Dubai International Cricket Stadium for the rest of the competition.  There is a great story on the young studs to watch in Cricket here:   Eight names to watch out for at the Desert T20 Challenge

Scotland's Craig Wallace

 Spain

 In La Liga play, Sevilla FC v Real Madrid.  Sevilla can make a move to gatecrash the LaLiga title race on Sunday but to do so they must end Real Madrid's record-breaking unbeaten run.  Seville lost to Real Madrid in an exciting Copa del Rey clash earlier this week.  Madrid have not lost since April 2016 - a run of 40 matches.  Coach Zinedine Zidane admitted his side had been given a thorough test in the Copa clash, and expects more of the same on Sunday``Our plan is to keep the ball, but Sevilla will make life hard for us.''

Gerhard Erasmus

Vivian Kingma

 In England

Premier League Soccer: Manchester United vs. Liverpool.  As the season is progressing, Manchester United seems to have the advantage. Overall, however, Liverpool seems to be the better team, with better players in key positions. Man U's Mou is the better coach, of course, fighting on four fronts.  His team looks balanced and hungry with everyone looking to impress. In the end, Man U seems the favorite to take this one.

Cristiano Ronaldo

In Australia

Australian Open: First-round Play gets underway in the year's first Grand Slam, from Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. (Monday in Australia, Sunday in the Western Hemisphere)

Scruffy Sunday

From: Bos Guy

Alec Baldwin Savages Donald Trump in SNL ‘Press Conference’ Cold Open

From: Towleroad

 Donald Trump’s press conference earlier this week was so insane it was essentially a preview for what we knew would arrive on SNL last night. And it did.

“I’d like to start by answering the question that’s on everyone’s mind. Yes, this is real life. This is really happening. On January 20, I, Donald J Trump, will become the 45th president of the United States. And then two months later, Mike Pence will become the 46th.”

The press conference soon turned to the Russian dossier and Trump’s fondness for golden showers:

“I am not talking about the pee pee. Because it didn’t happen. And it wasn’t as cool as it sounds. Next question….I do not want talk about the pee pee. I want to talk about what is really important which is jobs because I’m going to bring back a thick stream of jobs back in this country. The biggest strongest steadiest stream you’ve ever seen. This country will literally be showered with jobs. Because I’m a major wiz at jobs. And this’ll be a golden opportunity for me as president to make a big splash. I know you’re in. How bout you? Urine? Urine? Urine? Urine?”

 The sketch then moved on to Trump’s business conflicts of interest, his two sons Beavis and Butthead:

“Look at those two American psychos!”

And the fake prop table which he used to try and claim his conflicts of interest have been solved.

Cecily Strong’s brilliant Sheri Dillon explained:

“This right here is all the papers that prove that Mr. Trump is really divesting. I mean, look at all these papers. If he wasn’t divesting how could there be so many damn papers? There’s papers here. There’s papers here. It’s like help, help, lifeguard, I’m practically drowning in papers! Still don’t believe me? I’ll read every paper out loud right now, starting with this one. Oh, that’s right. They’re fake.”

Watch:

The fucking POWER of just the right cock ring! 💓

Exploration

From: Brent's Auto Wall

Ringling Bros. Circus, ‘The Greatest Show on Earth,’ to Close After 146 Years

From: NBC News

Ringling Bros. and Barnum &Bailey performers ride camels during a performance
Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Orlando, Fla.
Chris O'Meara / AP

 "The Greatest Show on Earth" is coming to a close. After a 146-year run, the owner of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus said the show will end for good in May.

The decision comes after declining ticket sales and the end of live elephant shows during performances, an act which became the subject of prolonged and costly battles with animal rights groups.

"Ringling Bros. ticket sales have been declining, but following the transition of the elephants off the road, we saw an even more dramatic drop," Kenneth Feld, chairman and CEO of Feld Entertainment which owns the circus, said in a statement Saturday night.

.@RinglingBros will hold its final performances in May of this year. Details: https://t.co/Z4iQLxI0Sh #RinglingBros

— Ringling Bros. (@RinglingBros) January 15, 2017

The Associated Press first reported that the iconic circus would close. Feld told the news organization that there wasn't one factor that spelled the end for the circus, but he said entertainment tastes have changed.

"The competitor in many ways is time," Feld told the AP, acknowledging that transporting the show by rail and other circus quirks — such as providing a traveling school for performers' children— are throwbacks to another era.

Since 1967 when the Feld family bought the circus, the show went from just under 3 hours to 2 hours and 7 minutes. The show's second-longest performance — a tiger act — is 12 minutes long.

"Try getting a 3- or 4-year-old today to sit for 12 minutes," Feld said.

This file photo taken on March 19, 2015 shows a circus performer hanging upside down
 during a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus performance in Washington, DC.
ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP - Getty Images

Ringling Bros. has two touring circuses this season and will perform 30 shows between now and May. Major stops include Atlanta, Washington, Philadelphia, Boston and Brooklyn. The final shows will be in Providence, Rhode Island, on May 7 and in Uniondale, New York, at the Nassau County Coliseum on May 21.

Former Arkansas governor and Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee said online that he was saddened by the news and "thanks for the memories." Others welcomed the move, citing the use of live animals in performances.

The show's roots go back to 1841, when Phineas Taylor Barnum bought Scudder's American Museum in New York City and renamed it Barnum's American Museum. Barnum also took his show on the road as "P.T. Barnum's Grand Traveling American Museum."

It became Barnum's "P.T. Barnum's Greatest Show On Earth, And The Great London Circus, Sanger's Royal British Menagerie and The Grand International Allied Shows United," in 1881, which was later shortened to the "Barnum & London Circus." Barnum's and the Ringling Brothers circuses merged in 1919.

The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in March of 2015 said it would phase out its live elephant acts by 2018, but did so early and retired the animals in May of 2016. The elephants went to a Ringling Bros. center for elephant conservation in Florida.

The decision to end the live elephant acts — a symbol of the circus — was made after a lengthy legal battle with animal rights groups.

In this July 19, 1978 file photo,
actor Charlton Heston is shown with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
 clown Prince Paul during the City of Hope's Celebrity Circus opening in Inglewood, Calif.
Mclendon / AP

Feld Entertainment in 2014 won $25.2 million in settlements from several groups including the Humane Society of the United States, ending a 14-year fight over allegations that circus employees mistreated elephants. The company had sued the organizations alleging malicious prosecution.

Juliette Feld, Feld's daughter and the chief operating officer of the company, told the AP there was a "dramatic drop" in already declining tickets sales after the elephants left.

"We know now that one of the major reasons people came to Ringling Bros. was getting to see elephants," she said. "We stand by that decision. We know it was the right decision. This was what audiences wanted to see and it definitely played a major role."

The animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals claimed victory soon after the announcement that the circus was closing was made.

"After 36 years of PETA protests, which have awoken the world to the plight of animals in captivity, PETA heralds the end of what has been the saddest show on earth for wild animals, and asks all other animal circuses to follow suit, as this is a sign of changing times," the animal rights group said in a statement.

Humane Society of the United States President and CEO Wayne Pacelle acknowledged that "Ringling Bros. has changed a great deal over a century and a half," but he said it wasn't fast enough, and called using live animals to perform stunts unacceptable in today's environment.

"I know this is bittersweet for the Feld family, but I applaud their decision to move away from an institution grounded on inherently inhumane wild animal acts," Pacelle said.

NBA star Shaquille O'Neal was among those who appeared upset over the announcement that the circus will end, expressing his dismay on Twitter.

Famed Ringling Bros. circus closing - CNN noooooo pls don't close whyyyyyyyyyyyyyy nooooooooo noooooooooo https://t.co/rJejMBf5ej

— SHAQ (@SHAQ) January 15, 2017

The Felds told the AP their existing animals — lions, tigers, camels, donkeys, alpacas, kangaroos and llamas — will go to suitable homes. Juliette Feld says the company will continue operating the Center for Elephant Conservation.

Some 500 people perform and work on both touring shows. A handful will be placed in positions with the company's other, profitable shows — it owns Monster Jam, Disney on Ice and Marvel Live, among other things — but most will be out of a job, the AP reported.

Juliette Feld said the company will help employees with job placement and resumes. In some cases where a circus employee lives on the tour rail car (the circus travels by train), the company will also help with housing relocation.

This file photo taken on March 26, 2010 shows
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus elephants during Barnum's FUNundrum in New York.
 EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP - Getty Images

In recent years, Ringling Bros. tried to remain relevant, hiring its first African American ringmaster, then its first female ringmaster, and also launching an interactive app. It added elements from its other, popular shows, such as motorbike daredevils and ice skaters. But it seemingly was no match for Pokemon Go and a generation of kids who desire familiar brands and YouTube celebrities.

"We tried all these different things to see what would work, and supported it with a lot of funding as well, and we weren't successful in finding the solution," said Kenneth Feld.

Dish of the Day #64

From: Deep Dish

Scott Herman

And I Am Telling You: Jennifer Holliday Is Performing At The Trump Inauguration Concert

The "Dreamgirls" Tony winner joins 3 Doors Down, Jackie Evancho. and Jon Voight at the ceremony.
From: NewNowNext

 Performers for President-elect Trump’s inauguration have finally been announced: Appearing at the Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration on January 19 will include Toby Keith, Jon Voight, 3 Doors Down and Dreamgirls star Jennifer Holliday.

Can't wait for @TobyKeithMusic, @LadyJHOLLIDAY, @3doorsdown, etc. and remarks from @realDonaldTrump at the #MAGA Welcome Celebration!

— Boris Epshteyn (@BorisEP) January 13, 2017

Holliday, a longtime gay fave, won a Tony for originating the role of Effie in Dreamgirls, and more recently returned to Broadway to play Shug Avery in The Color Purple revival.

Trump’s lineup has a little less pizzazz than President Obama’s 2009 Inauguration concert, which featured Beyonce, U2, Tom Hanks, Mary J. Blige and Bruce Springsteen.

Twitter, of course, immediately threw shade at the news.

@zekejmiller @maggienyt That’s the lineup for a chili cookoff

— John Pavlick (@bearTrapster) January 13, 2017

@ZekeJMiller what a sad line up

— colorado kid (@YesMrGilbert) January 13, 2017

@ZekeJMiller What county fair got its headliners poached for that weekend?

— Tim Tache (@TimTache) January 13, 2017

“President-elect Trump has made it clear that this inaugural is of, by, and for the American people,” said Tom Barrack, the chairman of the Presidential Inaugural Committee. “The 58th Inaugural will celebrate American history and heritage, while setting the course to a brighter and bolder future for all Americans. Above all, it will serve as tribute to one of our greatest attributes, the peaceful transition of partisan power.”

UPDATE

It appears as if the Trump team was a bit premature in confirming Holliday’s appearance.

“Jennifer has been asked to perform but she hasn’t officially agreed to do so yet,” her publicist, Bill Carpenter, told TheWrap. Carpenter said he’s know for sure later on Friday.

Judging from the public response, we’re guessing it’s less than certa

27 Things To Look Forward To In 2017

From: NewNowNext

4

“RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 9

Hold that wig on tight, henny, because your favorite show is coming back with a vengeance in the new year. Season 9 promises new queens, new challenges, new celebrity judges and, of course, new DRAMA.

Also premiering in 2017: the second season of Finding Prince Charming, and the debut of Logo’s new reality series Fire Island Pines, set in the East Coast gaycation paradise.

Handsome Devil Dick Gautier, Hymie The Robot On GET SMART, Dies @ 85

From: Boy Culture

Dick Gautier — October 30, 1931-January 13, 2017

 Dick Gautier, best-known as Hymie on Get Smart in six episodes from 1966 to 1968 (and in the 1989 reunion TV movie), died Friday at 85 after years of declining health.

 Along with being a familiar face on TV, he received a Tony nomination for playing Conrad Birdie in the original 1960production of Bye, Bye Birdie, humorously (and sexily) channeling Elvis for the teen-idol role.

Of being picked to try out for the Birdie role by Gower Champion himself, he recalled in 2014:

They asked me to read for this thing. I was a little put off because I didn't like rock and roll. Not at that point. I said, “I don't think it's for me. I like Jerome Kern and George Gershwin.”

They said, “Will you at least come in and audition?” I went in and they said, “Would you sing an Elvis song?” I said, “I don't know any Elvis songs.” So they just played some blues and I ad-libbed and I guess they liked it. Couple months later they called.

He begrudgingly took the role and his career changed.

Gautier in his most famous role — Hymie
 (Image via CBS)

You may also remember Gautier from The Patty Duke Show (which lost most of its original cast in 2016), The Mary Tyler Moore Show (a lothario) or other guest appearances in the '60s, '70s and '80s.

I recall him from Tattletales, on which he appeared with then-wife Barbara Stuart:

A Protester Pelted Martin Shkreli with Dog Poop

Not all heroes wear capes.
From: Esquire

Even though Donald Trump will be the  president, the universe proved Friday night that at least some bullies get what they deserve. An angry protester threw what appeared to be dog poop, hitting despised pharma bro Martin Shkreli in the face.

Shkreli, best known for raising the price of a critical cancer drug from $13.50 to $750 per pill, was scheduled to appear at the University of California, Davis for a speaking event alongside another infamous troll, Milo Yiannopoulos.

The event was promoted as "a Twitter villain extravaganza," as both men are ultra-right agitators and enthusiastic Trump supporters who have been kicked off Twitter for harassing women.

milo.yiannopoulos

The tour returns this Friday the 13th,

 with guest star Martin Shkreli. A killer night ahead of us, UC Davis...

Protesters, including some UC Davis students, were angered that the men were speaking on campus at the invitation of the Davis College Republicans and managed to shut down the event by blockading the entrance.

Caught in the fray, was jerk face Martin Shkreli, who was captured on video by ABC 10's Frances Wang as angry protesters surrounded him. One person in the crowd screamed, "You piece of shit!" at Shkreli and threw what appears to be dog poop at him, hitting Shkreli in the face.

In the video, posted on Twitter, Shkreli poses for a selfie with a fan, then steps back, wiping something from his jacket and cheek.

#MartinShkreli getting what looked like dog poop thrown at his face after someone yelled "You piece of s**t" Vid by @Captain_Hooks @ABC10 pic.twitter.com/zYCiVhzNdb

— Frances Wang (@ABC10Frances) January 14, 2017

College Republicans rescheduled the event for 1 P.M. PST Saturday on the UC Davis Quad. "We will not stand for the regressive left perpetuating violence, censoring speech, and spreading hate," the group said on its Facebook page.

Pro-tip: If you're against "spreading hate," you probably shouldn't give Milo Yiannopoulos and Martin Shkreli a platform to peddle their vile, intolerant, hateful filth.

156 LGBT Politicians Just Sent An Open Letter Asking Donald Trump To Further Equality

"While we hope you appeal to those better angels and support inclusive and fair-minded policies, we have grave concerns..."

From: NewNowNext

Friday, more than 150 LGBT elected officials have signed an open letter to President-elect Trump, calling on him to continue efforts to advance equality and inclusion.

In all, 156 legislators, mayors, council members and others—including Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY) and Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI)—expressed grave concerns about Trump’s cabinet nominees, and called on Trump “be a president for all Americans.”

“We ask you deescalate the hostility and intolerance expressed by a small but vocal minority throughout the election season,” the letter reads. “We ask you appoint individuals with inclusive policy solutions that aim to better the lives of all Americans. And we ask you declare full support for LGBT equality, and remain true to earlier statements promising to be a president supportive of our rights.”

While the Obama Administration worked to improve life for LGBT Americans in countless ways—from the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell to the State Department advancing global equality—Trump nominees like Jeff Sessions, Ben Carson and Betsy DeVos have track records and soundbites suggesting they’d reversed this progress.

“Many proudly tout legislative records opposing basic rights for LGBT Americans, and others express disdain for our lives and relationships. Intended or not, these appointments signal a Trump administration preparing to rollback recent advances for LGBT people, and an administration opposed to LGBT people living open and free… These hard-fought advances transformed our place in American society, and we are disturbed that most of your appointees opposed these efforts.”

In a statement, the Victory Institute’s Aisha C. Moodie-Mills praised the officials as representing “America at its best—diverse leaders who make the values of inclusion, fairness and justice the cornerstone of their policy positions and decision-making.”

Below, read the full letter and list of signatories.

January 13, 2017

President-elect Donald J. Trump
Trump-Pence Transition Team
1717 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20006

Dear President-elect Donald Trump:

Congratulations on being elected the 45th President of the United States. We are 156 proud lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) elected officials representing millions of constituents, and we urge you to join us in embodying the highest ideals of our great and diverse nation.

The long and divisive presidential campaign is over, and now more than 300 million Americans depend on you to bring our nation together. To do this, we ask you deescalate the hostility and intolerance expressed by a small but vocal minority throughout the election season. We ask you appoint individuals with inclusive policy solutions that aim to better the lives of all Americans. And we ask you declare full support for LGBT equality, and remain true to earlier statements promising to be a president supportive of our rights.

We believe in an America that values and accepts everyone, and a country that strives to improve quality of life for all people, regardless of their background or beliefs. These principles are what distinguish America in an often-troubled world – they are what make America great. And it is the elected leadership of our nation that determines whether our government embodies or undermines those ideals. It is elected leaders like ourselves – from the U.S. president to city councilmembers – that either appeal to the better angels of our fellow Americans, or use fear and rancor to spur unproductive discord.

While we hope you appeal to those better angels and support inclusive and fair-minded policies, we have grave concerns given the individuals appointed to your administration thus far. Nearly all hold anti-LGBT views aimed at denying our community acceptance and inclusion in American society. Many proudly tout legislative records opposing basic rights for LGBT Americans, and others express disdain for our lives and relationships. Intended or not, these appointments signal a Trump administration preparing to rollback recent advances for LGBT people, and an administration opposed to LGBT people living open and free.

Our concern is not unfounded, given our historic gains are recent and vulnerable. Openly LGBT men and women can now proudly serve in the Armed Forces; committed same-sex couples can legally marry nationwide; federal contractors can no longer discriminate against LGBT employees or job applicants; the U.S. State Department is leading the world in advancing global LGBT equality; and more than 300 openly LGBT individuals were appointed to positions in the federal government over the past eight years. These hard-fought advances transformed our place in American society, and we are disturbed that most of your appointees opposed these efforts.

Mr. President-elect, our nation will be weaker if LGBT military personnel are prevented from serving openly and equally. America will be worse off if discrimination protections for LGBT government employees or students are revoked. The entire country will suffer if there is a national attempt to implement “religious exemptions” that allow businesses to turn away LGBT customers. And the world will be a darker place without America speaking against anti-LGBT violence and injustices abroad. We need you to vocally reject our country moving backward – to reject the anti-LGBT positions of your appointees and promise a pro-equality Trump administration.

We also must emphasize the LGBT community is as diverse as our nation. We are black, we are Latino, we are white, we are immigrants, we are Muslim, we are Jewish, we are women, and we are people with disabilities. LGBT elected officials know well the sting and consequences of discrimination, injustice and intolerance, and we carry that lived experience into our policy positions, legislation and decision-making. We hold central the American values of fairness, justice and liberty – and ensure these values are the foundation for our work as public servants. As the nation debates economic security, immigration, women’s rights, voting rights, policing, and mass incarceration, we ask you also apply the American values of fairness, justice and liberty, and ensure the best interests of all communities are incorporated into your policies and positions.

Americans of every political party, ideology, race, ethnicity and religion support LGBT equality – it does not need to be a partisan issue. As elected officials, we understand support for LGBT equality as both morally appropriate and politically shrewd. History looks fondly upon leaders who stand for social justice when those around them argue otherwise. History also views harshly those who fail to recognize and support morally righteous causes – and history will undoubtedly view LGBT equality as both moral and righteous.

We sincerely hope you aim to be a president for all Americans – including LGBT Americans of every race, ethnicity, gender and religion. As representatives of the LGBT community, we will hold your administration accountable for actions that infringe upon our rights and opportunities, and will oppose presidential appointees who denigrate or harm our community. But we much prefer to work with you to continue the incredible progress toward LGBT equality – to have you stand with us on the right side of history. We hope you voice your support for existing rights and protections for LGBT Americans, and commit to furthering LGBT equality during your presidency. We promise to be a strong and persistent voice for equality either way.

Sincerely,

Federal

Representative Sean Patrick Maloney
U.S. House of Representatives
New York, Congressional District 18

Representative Mark Pocan
U.S. House of Representatives
Wisconsin, Congressional District 2

Alabama

Representative Patricia Todd
Alabama House of Representatives, District 54

Arizona

Representative Daniel Hernandez
Arizona House of Representatives, District 2

Representative Otoniel “Tony” Navarrete
Arizona House of Representatives, District 30

Lawrence Robinson
Governing Board Member
Roosevelt School Board

Karin Uhlich
Councilmember, Ward 3
Tucson City Council

Arkansas

Kathy Webb
Vice Mayor
Little Rock City Board

California

Senator Toni Atkins
California State Senate, District 39

Jovanka Beckles
Councilmember
Richmond City Council

Kevin Beiser
Board Vice President
San Diego Unified School District

Sabrina Brennan
Commissioner
San Mateo County Harbor Commission

Mayor Christopher Cabaldon
West Sacramento

Adam Carranza
President
Mountain View Board of Education

Chris Clark
Councilmember
Mountain View City Council

John D’Amico
Councilmember
West Hollywood City Council

John Duran
Councilmember
West Hollywood City Council

Representative Susan Talamantes Eggman
California State Assembly, District 13

Joel Fajardo
Vice Mayor
San Fernando City Council

Ginny Foat
Councilmember
Palm Springs City Council

Larry Forester
Councilmember
Signal Hill City Council

Mayor Robert Garcia
Long Beach

Assemblymember Todd Gloria
California State Assembly, District 78

Georgette Gomez
Councilmember, District 9
San Diego City Council

Steve Hansen
Councilmember, District 4
Sacramento City Council

John Heilman
Mayor Pro Tem
West Hollywood City Council

Gabe Kearney
Councilmember
Petaluma City Council

Geoff Kors
Councilmember
Palm Springs City Council

Senator Ricardo Lara
California State Senate, District 33

Steven Llanusa
Vice President, Board of Education
Claremont Unified School District

Assemblymember Evan Low
California State Assembly, District 28

Rafael Mandelman
Trustee
City College of San Francisco Board of Trustees

Alex Randolph
Member
City College of San Francisco Board of Trustees

Jeff Sheehy
Supervisor, District 8
San Francisco Board of Supervisors

Rene Spring
Councilmember
Morgan Hill City Council

Tom Temprano
Trustee
City College of San Francisco Board of Trustees

Wanden Treanor
Trustee
Marin Community College District

Christopher Ward
Councilmember, District 3
San Diego City Council

Scott Wiener
California State Senate, District 11

Ken Yeager
Supervisor, District 4
Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors

Colorado

Representative Joann Ginal
Colorado House of Representatives, District 52

Representative Leslie Herod
Colorado House of Representatives, District 8

Debra Johnson
Clerk and Recorder
Denver

Representative Paul Rosenthal
Colorado House of Representatives, District 49B

Robin Kniech
Councilmember, At-Large
Denver City Council

Gwen Lachelt
Vice Chair, County Commissioner, District 2
La Plata County Commission

Senator Dominick Moreno
Colorado State Senate, District 21

District of Columbia

Jack Jacobson
President, Ward 2
District of Columbia State Board of Education

Florida

Heather Carruthers
Commissioner, District 3
Monroe County Commission

Lesa Peerman
Commissioner
Margate City Commission

Representative David Richardson
Florida House of Representatives, District 113

Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith
Florida House of Representatives, District 49

Georgia

Representative Park Cannon
Georgia House of Representatives, District 58

Representative Karla Drenner
Georgia House of Representatives, District 85

Representative Sam Park
Georgia House of Representatives, District 101

Alex Wan
Councilmember, District 6
Atlanta City Council

Idaho

Representative John McCrostie
Idaho House of Representatives, District 16A

Illinois

James Cappleman
Alderman, Ward 46
Chicago City Council

Representative Kelly Cassidy
Illinois House of Representatives, District 14

Representative Gregory Harris
Illinois House of Representatives, District 13

Raymond Lopez
Alderman, Ward 15
Chicago City Council

Colette Lueck
Trustee
Oak Park Village Board

Deborah Mell
Alderman, Ward 33
Chicago City Council

Carlos Ramirez-Rosa
Alderman, Ward 35
Chicago City Council

Debra Shore
Commissioner
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

Mark Tendam
Alderman, Ward 6
Evanston City Council

Thomas Tunney
Alderman, Ward 44
Chicago City Council

Iowa

Representative Liz Bennett
Iowa House of Representatives, District 65

Senator Matt McCoy
Iowa State Senate, District 21

Kansas

Mike Poppa
Councilmember, Ward 4
Roeland Park City Council

Maine

Senator Justin Chenette
Maine State Senate, District 31

Representative Ryan Fecteau
Maine House of Representatives, District 11

Representative Lois Reckitt
Maine House of Representatives, District 31

Representative Andrew McLean
Maine House of Representatives, District 27

Maryland

Delegate Luke Clippinger
Democratic Caucus Chair
Maryland House of Delegates, District 46

Delegate Bonnie Cullison
Maryland House of Delegates, District 19

Delegate Anne Kaiser
Majority Leader
Maryland House of Delegates, District 14

Byron Macfarlane
Register of Wills
Howard County

Senator Richard Madaleno
Maryland State Senate, District 18

Delegate Maggie McIntosh
Maryland House of Delegates, District 43

Mayor Jeffrey Slavin
Somerset

Massachusetts

Senator Julian Cyr
Massachusetts Senate, Cape & Islands District

Jeremy Micah Denlea
Vice President, Ward 5
Attleboro Municipal Council

Eileen Duff
Councilor, District 5
Massachusetts Governor’s Council

Mayor Kevin Dumas
Attleboro

Representative Jack Patrick Lewis
Massachusetts House of Representatives, Middlesex District 7

Mayor Alex Morse
Holyoke

Mayor E. Denise Simmons
Cambridge

Michigan

Mayor Jim Carruthers
Traverse City

Mayor David Coulter
Ferndale

Mayor Amanda Maria Edmonds
Ypsilanti

Representative Jon Hoadley
Michigan House of Representatives, District 60

Brian McGrain
Commissioner, District 10
Ingham County Board of Commissioners

Jason Morgan
Commissioner, District 8
Washtenaw County Commission

Representative Jeremy Moss
Michigan House of Representatives, District 35

Richard Renner
Township Supervisor
Pioneer Township

Mayor Kenson J. Siver
Southfield

Minnesota

Representative Susan Allen
Minnesota House of Representatives, District 62B

Carol Becker
President
Minneapolis Board of Estimate and Taxation

Representative Karen Clark
Minnesota House of Representatives, District 62A

Senator D. Scott Dibble
Minnesota State Senate, District 61

Representative Erin Maye Quade
Minnesota House of Representatives, District 57A

Missouri

Shane Cohn
Alderman, Ward 25
St. Louis Board of Alderman

Representative Randy Dunn
Missouri House of Representatives, District 23

Nebraska

Barbara Baier
Member, District 3
Lincoln Board of Education

Nevada

Representative Nelson Araujo
Nevada State Assembly, District 3

Senator David Parks
Nevada State Senate, District 7

New Hampshire

Mayor Dana Hilliard
Somersworth

Christopher Pappas
Councilor, District 4
New Hampshire Executive Council

New Jersey

Michael DeFusco
Councilman, Ward 1
Hoboken City Council

Assemblyman Tim Eustace
New Jersey General Assembly, District 38

Assemblyman Reed Gusciora
New Jersey General Assembly, District 15

Pamela Renee
Councilwoman
Borough of Neptune City Council

Edward Zipprich
Councilmember
Borough of Red Bank Council

New Mexico

Senator Jacob Candelaria
New Mexico State Senate, District 26

Mayor Javier Gonzales
Santa Fe

Linda Siegle
Governing Board Secretary
Santa Fe Community College Board of Trustees

Senator Liz Stefanics
New Mexico State Senate, District 39

New York

Assemblymember Harry Bronson
New York State Assembly, District 138

Matt Haag
Councilmember, At-Large
Rochester City Council

Gregory Rabb
President, At-Large
Jamestown City Council

Michael Sabatino
Councilmember, District 3
Yonkers City Council

Assemblymember Matthew Titone
New York State Assembly, District 61

North Carolina

Representative Cecil Brockman
North Carolina House of Representatives, District 60

Mayor Lydia Lavelle
Carrboro

LaWana Mayfield
Councilwoman, District 3
Charlotte City Council

Damon Seils
Alderman
Carrboro Board of Aldermen

North Dakota

Representative Joshua Boschee
North Dakota House of Representatives, District 44

Ohio

Representative Nickie J. Antonio
House Minority Whip
Ohio House of Representatives, District 13

Sandra Kurt
Clerk of the Court
Summit County Clerk of Courts

Oregon

Representative Karin Power
Oregon House of Representatives, District 41

Pennsylvania

Mayor Matt Fetick
Kennett Square

Bruce A. Kraus
Councilman, District 3
Pittsburgh City Council

Robert Langley
Councilmember
Meadville City Council

Lori Schreiber
Commissioner, Ward 14
Abington Township Board of Commissioners

Representative Brian Sims
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 182

Tennessee

Chris Anderson
Councilmember, District 7
Chattanooga City Council

Nancy VanReece
Councilmember, District 8
Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County

Brett Withers
Councilmember, District 6
Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County

Texas

Representative Mary González
Texas House of Representatives, District 75

John Turner-McClelland
President, District 11-A
Denton County Fresh Water Supply Board of Directors

Sheriff Lupe Valdez
Dallas County

Utah

Arlyn Bradshaw
Councilmember, District 1
Salt Lake County Council

Senator Jim Dabakis
Utah State Senate, District 2

Vermont

Representative Bill Lippert
Vermont House of Representatives, Chittenden-4-2 District

Virginia

Delegate Mark Levine
Virginia House of Delegates, District 45

Michael Sutphin
Councilmember
Blacksburg Town Council

Washington

Mayor Dave Kaplan
Des Moines

Senator Marko Liias
Washington State Senate, District 21

Representative Nicole Macri
Washington House of Representatives, District 43

Ryan Mello
Councilmember, At-Large Position 8
Tacoma City Council

Michael Scott
Councilor, Central Ward
Bainbridge Island City Council

West Virginia

Kevin Carden
Councilmember and Town Recorder
Corporation of Harpers Ferry

Wisconsin

Vered Meltzer
Alderperson, District 2
Appleton Common Council
Michael Verveer
Alder and Council President, District 4
Madison Common Council

Wyoming

Representative Cathy Connolly
Minority Floor Leader
Wyoming State House of Representatives, District 13

25 GORGEOUS MEN PROVE: THE BEARD TREND IS HERE TO STAY

From: Cheap Undies

20.

Denzel Wells

The 23 Hottest Guys On “Game Of Thrones,” Ranked

From: NewNowNext

16

Olyvar

Despite a memorable full-frontal orgy scene and the enviable boast of bedding both Oberyn and Loras, Olyvar (Will Tudor) loses points for betraying Loras at his trial.

17 States Where Gay Sex Is Outlawed

From: Advocate

 Massachusetts

Section 34

Yes, even Massachusetts, with its reputation for liberalism, gets in on the remnant sodomy-law action with its Section 34 "Crime Against Nature" law. It reads, "Whoever commits the abominable and detestable crime against nature, either with mankind or with a beast, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than twenty years."

However, according to GLBTQ Advocated and Defenders, since 2002 Massachusetts courts have said the law does not apply to sex between consenting adults in private.

17 GAY PORN STARS WHO ARE KINKIER THAN YOU THINK!

From: Gay Porn Blog

Mike De Marko

Bound In Public

17 Creepy Stories That Show What Death Row Inmates Really Want For Their Last Meal

From: Brain Jet

11.

Eric Nance

Eric Nance was an American man who was convicted of murder in the state of Arkansas. Sentenced to a lethal injection, Nance ordered a final meal of two bacon cheeseburgers, french fries, two pints of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, and two Cokes.

5 SILLY HOMOEROTIC VIDEOS THAT MAKE US SMILE

From: Wicked

These 5 videos crack us up here  and show exactly how wicked twisted we really are! I hope you enjoy these as much as we did! (It’s the weekend and we figured if we could get you to smile, we did our jobs!)

#5 

WOOF! 

Mike and Beth take another couple out to let them know that they have gotten engaged. Mike and his buddy Robby are in quite crazy moods, which leaves the girls very confused. Also, there is a lot of ‘woofing’.

5 Gay Movies From Recent Years That Are Already Classics & Need To Be Watched ASAP

From Weekend to Lilting – how many have you seen?
From: Gay Star News

 A study has shown that fewer than 1% of characters in 2015’s top Hollywood movies were LGBTI. Depressing, right?

But one place we’ve always been slightly better-represented is in art house movies. In recent years there have been more than a few incredible examples of this. And most are available to watch on various movie streaming services with the click of a button.

Let's revisit just five of them:

1 

Stranger By the Lake 

2014

And you thought your taste in men was bad. Eerily beautiful and explicitly sexual, Alain Guiraudie’s Queer Palm Award-winner is probably the best erotic-gay-murder-mystery-thriller-horror-drama ever made. Partly because it’s the only one (we assume), but in that way, it blazes a trail.

Having silently witnessed a murder at a remote, lakeside cruising ground one hazy summer night, cute Frenchman Franck promptly falls in love with the (admittedly smoking hot) psychopath in question, Michel. Cue sexy, pouting poker face.

Catholic priest is caught on video snorting cocaine in a room full of Nazi memorabilia

From: Daily Mail

 Videoed in a room filled with Nazi memorabilia, this is the moment a Roman Catholic priest snorted a line of cocaine at a party in his house on church grounds.

Father Stephen Crossan, 37, is said to have sniffed the class A drug through a £10 note at the end of a night of drinking beers and whiskey.

In the footage he is heard saying 'I shouldn't' before snorting the white powder off a plate while talking to a friend.

 The video, obtained by The Sun, is said to have been recorded at the end of two days of partying when Father Crossan invited friends to his parish home.

He has admitted taking drugs, telling the newspaper's Ruth Warrander: 'It was just the one night and that was it. I do not have an issue with drugs.'

A source said a number of revelers went back to Father Crossan's house at 11 am for seven hours - where they were greeted by Nazi memorabilia - after a party host asked them to leave.

The memorabilia included flags, hats and an eagle with a swastika on a plinth on Father Crossan's mantelpiece.

Father Crossan, who lives on the grounds of St Patrick's Church in Banbridge, Northern Ireland, denied being a Nazi and said the memorabilia was there because he collects 'historical stuff'

The source added: 'It was all over the house. At one point Stephen put on a cap and did the Nazi salute.

'It's shocking. He's supposed to be an upstanding member of society. He shouldn't be taking drugs.'

The source also said Father Crossan had been drinking beers and Jack Daniels whiskey as well as taking cocaine.

He said he had depression and was on sick leave when the footage was taken. Father Crossan said he had left the church but was being backed by the parish, while a spokesman for his bishop said the priest would be supported through his issues.

Father Crossan studied for the priesthood at St Patrick’s College Maynooth, and completed a degree in theology in 2007.

During his years at Maynooth, he was involved in various pastoral activities including prison and hospital chaplaincy, according to a parish website.

He was appointed to Seapatrick parish as Curate in 2012 and before this served as Curate in St Peter’s parish, Lurgan and the parish of Tullylish.

Utah Senate Hopeful Calls Gay Teen Who Committed Suicide A “Murderer”

Jason Christensen sparked outrage after posting about the teen's death on Facebook.
From: NewNowNext

 A homophobe running for Utah State Senate restricted public access to his social media pages after calling a gay teenager who committed suicide last week a “murderer.”

People rightfully outraged by the comment posted a screenshot of it on Reddit, calling for a complete take down of the man’s budding political career.

“Yes, this is sad, and hopefully God will have mercy on both sins that this boy committed,” the offender, Jason Christensen, reportedly commented on 19-year-old Braxton Taylor’s obituary online.

He added: “The sins of homosexuality and the sins of murder.”

Christensen was  running as an Independent for Utah State Senate, District 16 against incumbent Republican Curtis Bramble.

Neither local or national news outlets reported on Taylor’s manner of death, confirmed that he was gay, or suggested he somehow took his own life as a result of his sexuality. People close to the case, however, have called Taylor’s death an “LGBT suicide” on various “ex mormon” websites.

The original Reddit poster, Dopaminedreams, claims Taylor “committed suicide this week for being gay.”

 Insisting Taylor’s reported suicide is “still murder,” Christiensen demanded those offended by his views “stop denying the scriptures.”

“I do feel bad for him and his sins,” Christiensen wrote. “But one must recognize what’s [sic] sins and what is not sin. One must live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and not the Gospel of the Devil.”

On his website, Christiensen claims that LGBT equality is part of an “evil communistic agenda,” and refers to homosexuality as unnatural, and unhealthy.

As previously mentioned, his social media accounts, including his Facebook and Twitter, were made private shortly after his comments drew ire.

Incumbent Curtis Bramble defeated Jason Christensen in the Utah State Senate District 16 general election. Christensen relieved 19.16% of the vote, 5,092 votes of the 26,581 total votes cast.

Also, Christensen has made his Twitter account public again, as of today.