Friday, May 12, 2017

Comey sends farewell letter to select FBI staff

From: CNN
Former FBI Director James Comey, who was fired Tuesday by President Donald Trump, on Wednesday sent a letter to select FBI staff, friends and agents. Here is the text of that letter, which was obtained by CNN.

To all:
I have long believed that a President can fire an FBI Director for any reason, or for no reason at all. I'm not going to spend time on the decision or the way it was executed. I hope you won't either. It is done, and I will be fine, although I will miss you and the mission deeply.
I have said to you before that, in times of turbulence, the American people should see the FBI as a rock of competence, honesty, and independence. What makes leaving the FBI hard is the nature and quality of its people, who together make it that rock for America.
It is very hard to leave a group of people who are committed only to doing the right thing. My hope is that you will continue to live our values and the mission of protecting the American people and upholding the Constitution.
If you do that, you too will be sad when you leave, and the American people will be safer.
Working with you has been one of the great joys of my life. Thank you for that gift.
Jim Comey

Acerbic Celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsay Shows His Bare Ass on 'Hotel Hell'

From: Mr. Man
Gordon Ramsay has finally done what we've all been waiting for: He bared his ass on one of his shows (Hotel Hell, to be specific). And not only that! He uploaded the video of the clip to his YouTube channel and titled it "Fine Dining My A**e!".




Needless to say, I am both delighted and surprised by his audacity. I never thought I'd say this, but it looks like we're going to have make Gordon a Mr. Man page.

“Unchechen”: A Harrowing Short Puts A Face To The Terror Facing Gay Men In Chechnya

"The sad thing to say is that there is no exaggeration in the film."
From: NewNowNext
A chilling new short film is putting a face to the terror endured by gay men in Chechnya, both from the government and their own families.

According to writer-director Stephen M. Hornby, “Unchechen” is intended to shine a light on the horror of being LGBT in Chechnya, which has most recently manifested in the installment of concentration camps built for the “complete cleansing” of gay people from the region.

The short is produced by digitalSTAGE and is based on a stage version originally performed by the UK theatre collective Take Back this May.

“Some of the details in this case are imagined, but the mechanics of his capture, torture and eventual fate are all based on reports from the few people who have escaped,” Hornby told the Huffington Post. “The sad thing to say is that there is no exaggeration in the film.”

Hornby hopes the film will help bring the stories of LGBT Chechens to the world stage.

“We can read about their story, but it’s not the same as having them tell it. It doesn’t engage us emotionally,” he explained. “So, we wanted to bridge that gap by dramatizing one man’s story. What we hope is that it makes the story real, shocks you and makes you want to help and take some action.”

What Mother’s Day Is Like When You’re A Trans Mom

By Dawn Ennis 
From: NewNowNext
Rain splatters on my iPhone as I cross the Walmart parking lot to my car, juggling bundles and scanning my phone for new texts and emails. With each one that pops up, another raindrop slaps the protective screen.

I wipe the drops, and the messages, away with my finger. It’s 9 pm on a Sunday, but my youngest just remembered a huge school project that’s due Monday.

I clutch the keys as I balanced a posterboard and plastic bag with of markers, stickers and a glue stick. My purse digs into my armpit as I hustle through the lot, avoiding puddles and skimming that bright screen for more messages. I know that waiting for me at home is a 1,200-word article to be edited, plus another 750-word one fluttering around my brain.

Every one of those stories is money in my pocketbook—another dollar to keep us afloat. But even before my seven part-time jobs, my children’s needs come first. Always. Even when I asked on Friday, and again Sunday morning “Are you sure you got all your homework done?” And heard back, “Yes, Dad! All done.”

That’s me: “Dad.”

It’s never been easy raising three children, even when they had a mom and a dad. For one parent—a widow? How about a mom whose kids call her “Dad?”

Although my kids long ago accepted me as a woman and respect my pronouns, I don’t push the “M” word on them. Their Mom is gone. These three amazing people lost the most important woman in their world. We lost the heart of our home, just as I lost the love of my life.

Before my wife passed last year, I felt strongly that title of “mom” should be hers alone. I even declared “Don’t wish me a ‘Happy Mother’s Day!” on social media. I’m a woman who feels fine being called “Dad,” honored even, despite the occasional odd looks. Sometimes well-meaning strangers address me as my children’s mom, and if the kids are by my side, I feel compelled to correct them. Or more accurately, apologize for myself.

“Sorry, I’m actually their dad. I’m transgender.”

Usually, I get a smile, or an unnecessary apology in return. Or that tilt-of-the-head stare a dog makes when it hears a strange sound. Many times, when I’m out of the kiddos’ earshot, I just let it go.

Because, as it turns out, I am a mom.

I prepare my kids’ meals, buy and mend their clothes, clean what no one else will clean, and I always make time for a hug. I enforce the rules—and bend them with alacrity. On my meager earnings, I provide my kids with the necessities for school, worship, and fun with their friends. I’m their taxi driver, their homework-checker, and their teacher-interrogator.

Sure, single dads do all those things, too. But being a woman as well as a dad, I’ve earned a title that, at first, seemed as farfetched to me as “widow.” (Another one I never sought.) I do the job of a mother. Am I my kids’ mom? Nope. But I’m still no less a mom.

At the other end of that parking lot, I fumble for the fob, pop open the trunk and plunk my soaked self into the driver’s seat. A new text chirps its demand for my immediate attention. Someone my wife and I asked long ago to be guardian to our firstborn if something happened, someone who’s turned into my inquisitor ever since my wife’s death, poses a question in a familiar, prosecutorial tone.

“What do you mean when you write that you’re a ‘mom?’” she asks. “I need clarification: are you now going by this title?” Clearly implied in that text was “How dare you?”

I can feel my heartbeat quicken, and sense what I think is my blood pressure rising. But I was ready. “Can’t respond right now,” I typed, “On deadlines with kids and work. Let’s have a conversation tomorrow?”

I hit send, put the iPhone away and drove off, confident it was best to avoid getting into a showdown, given everything on my plate.

“BUZZ BUZZ” comes the sound from my phone, before I even leave the lot. I pull into another space, and reluctantly decide to see what response awaited me. “No need for a conversation. I just believe that title should be reserved only for their mom.”

Since I don’t recall asking what she believed, I resolve to ignore her bait and press on. A lonely, rainy road separates her unsolicited judgment and a welcome hug from my son. Driving off, I think back to a few months ago when he and I sat in synagogue, listening to the new cantor sing “Oseh Shalom.”

This bright boy of mine turned to me, clasped my hand, and whispered: “I know Mom would love this. She was the best mom ever. But I want you to know, you’re doing a really good job as a mom, Dad.” 

It’s from that, more than anything, that I draw the distinction of mom being my job and it being my name. And it is from my children that I draw my strength on this Mother’s Day. And everyday.


The Los Angeles Rams are supporting LGBT Pride in this colorful way

The Rams embrace the LGBT community
From: OutSports
The Los Angeles Rams have put their money where their pride is, paying for part of a rainbow light installation in Venice for Pride Month.

The team has paid for the entire lot of blue “C” lights that will adorn a popular VENICE sign in the ocean-side village of Los Angeles.

“It’s great for Venice, for the Rams’ organization and for the LGBT community,” Venice Pride E.D. Grant Turck told The Los Angeles Blade. “Hopefully this is the beginning of even bolder outreach efforts to our diverse community.”

The Rams drafted openly gay rookie prospect Michael Sam in the 2014 NFL Draft when he slipped to the seventh round. Last year Molly Higgins, the Rams vice-president of community affairs and engagement, talked with me about being gay in the Rams organization. Various members of the Rams organization have privately expressed their support of the LGBT community to Outsports.

"As it relates to the LGBT community, it won't be a focus that will need to be manufactured with the move to a more diverse community," Higgins said last summer. "It's a focus that has always existed internally and now we have an opportunity to better show the world who we are as an organization.

A Dutch “Magic Mike” Um, yes please!

From: Queerty
Onze Jongens Trailer "Dutch Magic Mike"

Meet Calvin Drent: The Chicago Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic 2017 Champion

From: OUT
 OUT caught up with Calvin Drent - the recently crowned Chicago Champion in the 2017 Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic - fresh off his win. The Cocktail Classic is Stoli’s annual competition to find North America’s Number One Bartender. LGBTQ bartenders and allies across the U.S. and Canada will compete to represent their home city on the grand stage of cocktail mixology during Pride Week, June 7-11th, in Key West, Florida. Here's what Calvin had to say about the competition. 

OUT: Calvin, congrats on being named the Chicago Champion in the 2017 Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic! How does it feel?

Calvin: I am super excited! Not only for a trip to Key West, but also to represent Chicago. I felt like a celebrity the night of winning. My cheeks hurt so much from smiling and laughing.

You were able to get an edge up on the rest of your Chicago competitors with a super creative cocktail, the “Key West Crush”. Can you tell us a little bit about the drink, and your inspiration behind it?

I really wanted to make something that I would drink while on a sunny tropical vacation, but with a kick. I used the original Stoli and the brand new Stoli Crushed Pineapple with some ginger beer, sour mix, grenadine and the special ingredient was rhubarb bitters.


The Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic honors the unique legacy of gay bars as original safe spaces and community centers and the role our bartenders have played as hosts and caretakers throughout history.  Tell us about what your role as a nightlife professional means to you.

Gay bars are home for many people. Its the one space where you can let it all hang out (figuratively and literally). You don't feel the need to look over your shoulder as you kiss your partner, or worry about getting beat up for wearing a rainbow pride flag. I always love going back to where I grew up and hitting up the bars where I learned what it is to be "gay". I think the entire staff (not just bartenders) play a critical role in welcoming everyone no matter who you are or what you identify as in the broad spectrum of sexuality and gender.

As you know, part of your prize for winning the Chicago competition is an all-expense-paid trip to Key West, FL this June. Have you ever been to Key West before?

I have been to Key West a few times. Once was when I was 21 for a week-long vacation with some newly found friends. The other was during a cruise, so that doesn't really count. I love it there!

And if you take home the title, you’ll be included as the Grand Marshall of the Key West Pride Parade. Have you ever been the Grand Marshall of a parade before?

LOL, OMG, NO! I mean I wish that people would ask me to do that. It would be an awesome experience.

And in Key West, you’ll be competing for a chance to win $2,500 to $7,500 for your hand-picked charity, Howard Brown Health. Anything you want to mention on your relationship to that organization, or why you picked it to represent?

When I first moved to Chicago I didn't have a lot of money, I used their services when I needed to see a doctor. Howard Brown does a great job with financial assistance and is very LGBTQ friendly.

Any advice (or trash talk!) for your competitors as you head into the Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic Finale - June 7th - 12th in Key West, FL?

I'm going to take the political route here and say I can't wait to meet everyone, Just do your best! But then the devil on my shoulder says I hope that my necklace doesn't break while going down the stairs.

Amazing. Well we can’t wait to see what innovative cocktails you stir up this June. Good luck, and know that all of Chicago will be rooting for you!

Note from Your Blogger: So proud of my nephew, I know you will take the grand prize.  Best of Luck and have fun!

Dish of the Day #1895: Broadway Bares Week

Today's Dish is Callan Bergmann, who appears in the new Broadway revival of Cats
From: Deep Dish


Why “Drag Race” should give these 8 queens a shot at Rudemption

From: Queerty
8. 
Serena ChaCha

No, really, hear me out on this one. Season 6’s divisive diva was mouthy and immature during her time on the show, and rightly deserved to be sent packing almost immediately. But if anyone would gain from showing the audience that she’s turned over a new leaf, it’s Serena. Since sashaying, she’s been taken on by Lineysha Sparx as a drag daughter. If her personality has matured as much as her aesthetic, then she could win back America’s respect and maybe even the crown outright.

7 Sexy Singers Competing In The Eurovision Song Contest 2017

From: NewNowNext

manelnmusicHere I am Madrid!
 7
Spain
Manel Navarro


  • manelnmusic
  • "It's only when I lose myself in someone else, 
  • that I find myself" 💥



manelnmusic
It's just only for one night , but at least I can say that,
after three months, today I sleep at home.
After being discovered for his acoustic covers on social media, 21-year-old Navarro will represent Spain in the global competition with the song “Do It For Your Lover.”

365 Groovy Books Worth Reading

From: Deep Dish
55
A Boy Named Phyllis: A Suburban Memoir 
by 
Frank DeCaro
1996

DeCaro's funny memoir of growing up gay in the 1960s and '70s brings back fond childhood memories of watching The Partridge Family, H.R. Pufnstuf and Cher's variety show.

Celebrating Today May 12th

From: Favorite Hunks & Other Things
 Actor and director Emilio Estevez turns 55 today.








 Actor Jason Biggs turns 39 today.












 'Tootie' Kim Fields turns 48 today.


 The great Linda Dano turns 74 today.
 Stephen Baldwin turns 51 today.














History's 125 Hottest Gay-Porn Stars

From:  Boy Culture
 Being Frank


73 
Frank Evans 

This insanely hot guy-next-door strongly reminds me of Miley Cyrus's ex, Justin Gaston. Regardless, I think he made a big mistake not becoming what, back in my innocent Michigan days, I would have called a high-fashion model. Just a perfect look. I think he did loops in the 1970s more than actual, full-length movies. I haven't found any personal info about him. Anyone?