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New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedom is very upset that there’s going to be a Pride Day at the New York State Fair. “The New York State Fair has a long history; the very first New York State Fair was held in 1841. It is unfortunate that a longstanding tradition in the history of the state is being tainted though its unnecessary linkage with a morally problematic social and political agenda. NYCF believes that all law-abiding New Yorkers should be free to enjoy the Fair; however, the Fair should not be made a vehicle for LGBT messaging. Parents and families may wish to avoid the State Fair on August 28 this year.” I’ll be thinking about that today at the West Virginia State Fair while I’d stuffing my face with funnel cakes and corn dogs.
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In a slightly confusing ruling a federal judge has denied Kentucky clerk Kim Davis a stay on her motion to stay his ruling that she has to do her job, but he issued a temporary stay on his denial of a stay until she can seek relief from the Sixth Circuit. So basically his injunction against her is still in place.
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We’ve talked a lot about body image in the past, and it seems to be a growing topic of conversation among men. Over at the Huffington Post, there’s a piece from a 27 year old man who has always hated his body. Half of men don’t like having their picture taken. 5% of men would trade 10 years of their life to have an ideal body, and 15% would trade 2-5 years.
“I’ve had trouble reaching this point, where I can openly admit I’m uncomfortable with my body. I never thought I had a problem because I wasn’t bulimic, wasn’t anorexic and, in my opinion, wasn’t doing anything extreme. After all, is it so bad if I feel compelled to spend 45 minutes four times a week at the gym? LaPorte said probably not, unless I’m sacrificing social interactions for it.”
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Tovey has also signed up to become a patron of the Albert Kennedy Trust, which works to combat youth LGBT homelessness. “The AKT helps thousands of young people every year find their footing again. Everyone deserves to live safe and supported and this charity changes lives for the better, daily. ”I am honored to be associated with them and if just by being there, I can make any difference at all, then that difference is the most important thing.”
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Oath is a project to publish a book of LGBT comics, written and drawn by LGBT artists. They’ve got a Kickstarter up to help fund the effort.
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At the Teen Choice Awards, Jussie Smollett and Yazz took the stage to perform “You’re So Beautiful,” which had been nominated for a surfboard. I tried to listen closely to tell what the pronouns were in this performance, but couldn’t really tell. In any case, despite having only female dancers, the crowd knew the lyrics, which means they understood the message of the song, which is what matters. And Gabourey Sidibe comes out for the finale, bringing a fierce and fabulous splash to the song.
If you’ve got the time, you have to sit and watch John Oliver dismantle the business of televangelists on This Week Tonight. He’s absolutely ruthless with the prosperity gospel, and deciding that hey, it sounds like a sound business model, creates his own church to show how ridiculous the standards are for a religious entity to claim tax exemptions.
I’ve still got mixed feelings about the new Peanuts movie, but I have to admit my first reaction to the animation was pretty similar to what Vulture got when they had the classic Peanuts characters react to the new film.
When I quit smoking after 20+ years, I did it by vaping. The goal was to step down in nicotine and eventually quit. But I stayed at 12mg for a year. I have several vape pens. It’s a lifestyle just like smoking, and until recently I had no intention of quitting it because I enjoyed it, and it was healthier, right? The answer is maybe, maybe not, according to ASAP Science. Which makes me glad that I’ve dropped down another level to 6mg recently in an effort to get away completely by Christmas.