QUEER ME UP

Watch K. Rose’s Performance at 2013 LA Pride

Gus — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:32:04 +0000

In Case You Missed it

K. Rose’s Performance at 2013 LA Pride

Sensational 20-year-old singer-songwriter-dancer K. Rose has just released the new single titled ‘Booji Girl’ via the Epidemic Music imprint of super-producers Cool & Dre who are renowned for their work with Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Game, Wale, Busta Rhymes, Nas, Ludacris, and Queen Latifah. Booji Girl is available via iTunes now.

The video for “Booji Girl” was shot at the Mojave Desert with director Mike Ho. “Booji Girl” (produced by Roj and Twinkie) is the second single off her upcoming EP Sink or Swim on Epidemic Music.

K. Rose – “Booji Girl” video

“Cool and I are proud to deliver K. Rose’s debut video/single ‘Booji Girl,’” said Dre of the hitmaking duo Cool & Dre. “She’s put a lot of time and effort into her EP Sink or Swim and we’re excited to bring you the first offering. The music is dope, the visuals are groundbreaking, and her artistry is unmatched. She’s the best performer in the game and before the year is over the world will know her name!”

Born in Hialeah, FL, Katrina Rose Booker-Tandy is the youngest child and only daughter (four older brothers) of a singer mother and jazz musician father. She studied ballet beginning as a five-year-old and later took up the martial art taekwondo. The lessons of the two different disciplines enabled her to master hip-hop dancing and led her to join the HipHopKidz dance company on a scholarship. Starting as a 10-year-old, she performed with this company around the world, including Tokyo and Singapore, and competed in two World Hip Hop Dance Championships. While attending a performing arts middle and high school, she performed in choir and musical theater, and majored in Music Production/Recording. Only a bit removed from high school, K. Rose has since worked with Grammy-winning producers RedOne (Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Jennifer Lopez) and Danja (Madonna, Duran Duran, Justin Timberlake) She is currently recording her debut album.

available via itunes now

For more about K. Rose, please visit:

www.kroseonline.com

www.facebook.com/k.roseofficial

www.youtube.com/rosebotworld

www.twitter.com/@kroseonline

www.twitter.com/@rosebotrebels

NATION’S LEADING LGBT ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS DECRY DRACONIAN AMENDMENTS TO SENATE IMMIGRATION BILL

Gus — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:33:49 +0000

This statement can be attributed to the National Center for Lesbian Rights, GLAAD, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, United We Dream and Queer Undocumented Immigrant Project, GetEQUAL, National Center for Transgender Equality, Equality Federation and N

GLAAD Press Release – “This week, the Senate is considering several amendments to the immigration reform bill that make draconian demands for excessive and unfair enforcement provisions and border armament. This is reckless and insulting to lawmakers trying to negotiate in good faith and to everyone who is committed to providing a roadmap to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants, including 267,000 LGBT immigrants. These amendments are nothing more than poison pills that threaten the entire legislation.

“The Senate bill already contains very strict enforcement provisions that reflect a compromise. Harsher enforcement mechanisms for immigrants will have a very negative impact on LGBT immigrants, whom studies have shown receive harsher punishments than their non-LGBT peers — especially in the case of LGBT people of color. The fact is the border is more secure now than it has ever been. We spend more than $17 billion every year on immigration and border enforcement and another $1.2 billion last year on deportation and detention of undocumented immigrants. That money could be much better spent on other priorities, including health care for children and families.

“Instead, we will fight to defeat an amendment that would continue to deny health benefits to immigrants five years after they become legal residents. Even though they could be eligible for citizenship after 13 years, they wouldn’t be able to get certain health care subsidies for at least 15 years and possibly longer. Many LGBT people are unable to get health benefits for their partners and children because of a lack of family recognition. Moreover, because LGBT people are more likely to live below the poverty line, access to affordable health care is especially important to the community. These factors make access to the benefits of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Medicaid particularly crucial for the LGBT community. The 13-year roadmap to citizenship is too long as it is; these punitive provisions make that road even more difficult.

“We will also fight to defeat amendments that would require undocumented immigrants to pay back taxes and limit their access to Social Security retirement benefits. These punitive amendments go against the moral imperative of compassionate immigration reform. What’s more, LGBT immigrants and families – especially those of color – would be even more adversely affected by these harsh measures, as they experience unemployment and poverty at higher rates than their non-LGBT peers.

“Some lawmakers who oppose opportunity and dignity for aspiring citizens are trying to move the goal post and go back on the compromises already made by the Gang of Eight. Their willingness to let the bill fall apart is irresponsible and calls into question their commitment to reform.

“And it goes against the will of the American people. A bipartisan poll conducted by Hart Research and Public Opinion Strategies found 80 percent of Americans support reform that includes citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Most polls show citizenship favored by a 2-1 margin, with support even from Republicans. Latino Decisions polling shows that Latino voters are watching the debate closely and want results.

“It is unconscionable that these senators are playing politics when the lives of 11 million people, including 267,000 LGBT immigrants, are at stake. Millions of families have been torn apart because we have a patchwork of failed and mismanaged immigration policies. We must pass humane immigration reform that provides a clear and direct path to citizenship and does not throw up unnecessary roadblocks.”

# # #

###
About GLAAD: GLAAD amplifies the voice of the LGBT community by empowering real people to share their stories, holding the media accountable for the words and images they present, and helping grassroots organizations communicate effectively. By ensuring that the stories of LGBT people are heard through the media, GLAAD promotes understanding, increases acceptance, and advances equality. For more information, please visit www.glaad.org or connect with GLAAD on Facebook andTwitter.

HUD ANNOUNCES FIRST-EVER SAME-SEX HOUSING DISCRIMINATION STUDY

Gus — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:23:48 +0000

Research seen as important first step in identifying possible patterns of discrimination in rental housing

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today released the nation’s first-ever national study examining housing discrimination against same-sex couples in the private rental market. The study, An Estimate of Housing Discrimination Against Same-Sex Couples, measures the treatment same-sex couples receive from rental agents when inquiring about apartments advertised online, as compared to how otherwise similar heterosexual couples are treated.

According to HUD’s study, same-sex couples experience unequal treatment more often than heterosexual couples when responding to internet ads for rental units, and findings show that gay male couples experience more discrimination than lesbian couples.

“President Obama and this administration have been unmatched in our efforts to ensure equal and fair treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons and communities,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. “Following the president’s lead, HUD has taken historic steps in the area of fair housing to ensure that we fulfill our nation’s commitment to equality. As this study shows, we need to continue our efforts to ensure that everyone is treated the same when it comes to finding a home to call their own, regardless of their sexual orientation.”

“A person’s sexual orientation or gender identity should not be a reason to receive unfavorable treatment when searching for housing,” said Bryan Greene, HUD Acting Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “HUD is committed to making sure that LGBT individuals have equal access to housing opportunities.”

HUD’s study is based on nearly 7,000 email tests conducted in 50 metropolitan markets across the country between June and October of 2011. For each paired test, two emails were sent to the housing provider regarding the unit advertised online. The only difference between the emails was whether the couple was same-sex or heterosexual. Unfavorable treatment was measured by whether the tester was told the unit was available, asked to contact the landlord, invited to the see the apartment, or received any response at all.

Key findings of the study showed that:

Same-sex couples experience discrimination in the online rental housing market, relative to heterosexual couples.
Adverse treatment is found primarily in the form of same-sex couples receiving fewer responses to the email inquiry than heterosexual couples.
States with legislative protections show slightly more adverse treatment for gays and lesbians than in states without protections.
Adverse treatment of same-sex couples is present in every metropolitan area where tests were conducted, but no clear-cut pattern exists in the magnitude of adverse treatment by metropolitan size.

The Fair Housing Act makes it illegal to discriminate in rental, sales and lending on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability and familial status, however it does not include sexual orientation or gender identity as protected classes. Nonetheless, 20 states and the District of Columbia, and more than 150 cities, towns and counties across the nation have laws that specifically prohibit discrimination against LGBT individuals.

Recently, HUD issued new guidance that treats discrimination based on gender nonconformity or sex stereotyping as sex discrimination under the Fair Housing Act, and instructs HUD staff to inform individuals filing complaints about state and local agencies that have LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination laws. In addition, on February 3, 2012, HUD published a final rule, “Equal Access to Housing in HUD Programs Regardless of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity”, which requires HUD-funded and HUD-insured housing providers and FHA-approved lenders to provide equal access without regard to sexual orientation, gender identity, and marital status.

This study serves as the initial step toward future research on same-sex housing discrimination. Recommendations for upcoming studies include in-person testing, examination of legislative protections at the local jurisdictional level (rather than only at the state level), and tests for discrimination against transgender people to further examine difference in treatment between same-sex and heterosexual couples in states without legislative protections.

###

HUD’s mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all.
HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build
inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and
http://espanol.hud.gov. You can also follow HUD on twitter @HUDnews, on facebook at
www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD’s News Email List.

Kevin Mikal is serving you risque lyrics and danceable beats in his album “Candy Yum Yum”

Gus — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:29:28 +0000

Kevin Mikal is a Yum Yum Boy Pop Star serving you risque lyrics and danceable beats. One part POP. One part DANCE. 100% GAY. Not your average POP TART.

His new album titled “Candy Yum Yum” is available on iTunes

Born and raised in the California sunshine, Kevin Mikal is a fresh new talent serving you risque lyrics and danceable beats!

Each song off of his new EP entitled “Candy Yum Yum” hits hard and covers all the bases. “Candy Yum Yum” is your sweet summer sensation. This track is sultry, sexy and sure to please!

“Come Alive” serves you latin-inspired club heat and is the perfect release when you just want to dance. If you’ve ever been cheated on, “Rotate” was written for you. The bass hits hard and the lyrics are on point about a wandering eye.

“Mean Boys” is a power anthem that was written for anyone who has been a victim of bullying. The message is clear… turn the music up and tune the haters out.

“Heartbeat” is a high energy dance hit that is all about finding love on the dance floor… when you least expect it!

Be sure to stay tuned for the new video for “Candy Yum Yum” featuring ‘Andrew Cristian’ hot models .

Kevin Mikal – Behind The Scenes “CANDY YUM YUM” Photo Shoot

Watch Kevin Mikal POISON video

Connect with Kevin Mikal:
http://www.kevinmikal.com/
https://www.facebook.com/kevinmikal
https://twitter.com/KevinMikal
http://www.youtube.com/user/kevinmikalmusic

Miley Cyrus Debuts ‘We Can’t Stop’ Video

Gus — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:22:07 +0000

Miley Cyrus has premiered the brand new video for her latest single “We Can’t Stop”!

Download “We Can’t Stop” now at iTuneshttp://smarturl.it/WeCantStop?Iqid=YT

After selling 15 million records worldwide and touting 5 chart topping album debuts, Miley Cyrus has relesed a new single “We Can’t Stop”

Miley revealed it’s a whole new sound in fact “it’s a new Miley – more funky and R&B, pop – it’s infectious. Fans will be surprised and excited.”

http://www.mileycyrus.com/news

https://www.facebook.com/MileyCyrus

http://mifans.mileycyrus.com

http://twitter.com/mileycyrus

Bright Light Bright Light – Make Me Believe In Hope : The New Batch OUT NOW‏

Gus — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:12:57 +0000

Make Me Believe In Hope : The New Batch

To celebrate a year (!) since the release of ‘Make Me Believe In Hope’, there is now a deluxe version available digitally called ‘The New Batch’.
[direct iTunes link]

This version ties in the extra tracks, fan favourite remixes, and the cover of Julee Cruise’s classic ‘Falling’ from Twin Peaks.

Here’s the tracklisting for ‘Make Me Believe In Hope : The New Batch’

1. Immature
2. Feel It
3. Love Part II
4. Waiting For The Feeling
5. Cry At Films
6. Moves
7. Disco Moment
8. A New Word To Say
9. How To Make A Heart
10. Debris
11. Grace
12. Falling
13. Blueprint
14. Good Times
15. Being Sentimental
16. Love Part II (Pepptalk Remix)
17. Disco Moment (Fear Of Tigers Remix)
18. Waiting For The Feeling (Trouser Enthusiasts Remix)
19. Feel It (K Klass Remix)
20. Moves (Vinny Vero Remix)

Remaining USA Dates, Europe & Festivals!

Some remaining USA dates for your diary including TONIGHT at Le Poisson Rouge!!

19th June : Le Poisson Rouge, NYC [tickets]
22nd June : The Peach Pi, Washington DC (DJ Set)
27th June : Public Works, San Francisco – BLBL & Slow Knights full band sets [tickets]
29th June : Queer Carnival at FRED Wildlife Refuge w/ Ivy Winters! [tickets]

Following these Bright Light Bright Light will be in Europe for:

13th July : Munich Pride
24th & 25h July : Blysh Festival (Spiegeltent at Milennium Centre), Cardiff [tickets]
27th – 30th July : Secret Garden Party : Little Gay Brother Presents DJ sets!
9th August : Sink The Pink Bristol [DJ Set]
10th August : Another Night, Vogue Fabrics, London [90s DJ Set]
13th September : Festival No.6, North Wales
28th September : Another Night’s 3rd birthday, Vogue Fabrics, London [90s DJ Set]

Single available now – Digital EP
http://smarturl.it/moveswww

From the critically acclaimed album ‘Make Me Believe In Hope’ out now – http://smarturl.it/mmbihitunes

Connect with Bright Light Bright Light:

http://www.brightlightx2.com
http://www.facebook.com/brightlightx2
http://www.twitter.com/brightlightx2

Dolce & Gabbana sentenced to jail for tax evasion

Gus — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:05:20 +0000

Renowned fashion designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana are given a suspended jail sentence of 20 months for hiding hundreds of millions of euros in tax evasion.

The Associated Press reports:

A Milan court has convicted the designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana of tax evasion.

The pair were found guilty Wednesday of failing to declare €1 billion ($1.3 billion) in income tax to authorities. The court sentenced them both to one year and eight months in jail.

Prosecutors argued that the pair had evaded taxes on income of 416 million euros each and 200 million euros through a Luxembourg-based company. The statute of limitations ran out on a charge of misrepresenting income.

The designers have denied the charges.

Dolce & Gabbana lawyers release a statement following this afternoon’s verdict:

“With great satisfaction, we acknowledge that – for the second time – a judge of the Milan Court has reiterated once more the absolute innocence – because the allegations are untrue – of Mr Domenico Dolce and Mr Stefano Gabbana of the accusation of having unfaithfully declared their earnings (the “notorious” million dollars of Euros).

Even more so, we are satisfied about the result of this part of the verdict because, according to Italian legislation, the statute of limitations had already run out of the charge of misrepresenting income. Despite this fact, the judge felt the need to acquit them on the matter: this means that, according to the Italian law, the proof of their innocent is more than obvious.

On the other hand, as we had the chance to state during the trial, the charges were simply a paradox: the two designers were charged with not having paid taxes for an amount of money which was double of what they had actually earned.

The Court has ruled correctly to what we have always stated and has calmed all the citizens: nobody will ever be held responsible for not having paid taxes that exceed what they had actually grossed.

Frankly speaking, we were astonished that our thesis on the regularity of everyone’s behaviour related to the taxes omission payment by Gado, was not accepted. In fact, the CEO of this Company together with other people including the designers, were found guilty of having contributed in a violation of the said taxes declaration omission. We will strongly appeal this part of the verdict, certain that the result will be over-turned in appeal

The absolution of the designers for the declarations related to their individual earnings is at the same time blatant and dramatic, because, notwithstanding the same fact was ruled as non-existent by today’s Court, the Internal Revenue Service might proceed with their operations against them, fining them for the excessive and surreal amount of money of more than 400 million Euros.

Due to the fact that the two designers do not have this kind of money – as the judge stated today, that they have never earned it – most probably the Internal Revenue Service will attack their most precious part of their patrimony, which is their shareholding in the Dolce & Gabbana Company.

We are anxious to even think of what the economic and social repercussion of this act might mean.”

(I Wanna) Channing All Over Your Tatum – Music Video

Gus — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:42:27 +0000

Jimmy Kimmel Live aired a hilarious music video starring Channing Tatum, Jamie Foxx, Kimmel, Olivia Munn, Gabourey Sidibe, and Miley Cyrus. There’s also a brief appearance from Matt Damon.

New Analysis of World’s Premier AIDS Conference Finds Poor Coverage of Populations Most-at-Risk for HIV

Gus — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:29:35 +0000

Hundreds of Organizations Worldwide Call on Conference Organizers to Increase Meaningful Coverage of Gay Men, Transgender People, People Who Inject Drugs, and Sex Workers

MSMGF Press Release – June 18, 2013 – A new report produced by a coalition of global advocacy organizations shows that the International AIDS Conference (IAC) program continues to lack meaningful coverage of populations most-at-risk for HIV, including men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender people, people who inject drugs (PWID), and sex workers. Over 220 organizations from more than 70 countries around the world have called on the organizers of the IAC to take concrete measures to increase coverage of HIV-related issues concerning the health and human rights of these populations worldwide.

The report features a systematic quantitative audit and qualitative analysis of the topics and countries covered by abstracts on most-at-risk populations at the 2012 IAC, also known as AIDS 2012. These populations are also called “key populations,” because they are both key to the epidemic’s dynamics and key to the response. As an in-depth examination of research presented at the world’s premier AIDS conference, the report also offers a glimpse into the current state of research on these key populations globally.

The quantitative audit of the AIDS 2012 program showed that only 17% of all abstracts presented at the conference were exclusively focused on MSM, transgender people, PWID, or sex workers. Some key populations were better represented than others. The percentage of all abstracts exclusively dedicated to each key population was 8% for MSM, less than 1% for transgender people, 5% for PWID, and 4% for sex workers.

The qualitative analysis of abstracts on these populations was even more revealing, indicating that more abstracts on key populations focused on individual risk factors (40%) than any other topic, including structural factors [e.g. policy, stigma, violence] (26%); primary prevention (19%); testing, care, and treatment (15%); and surveillance (10%). Only 29% of abstracts on key populations focused on describing interventions, while 71% described vulnerabilities without offering any detailed solutions.

“This meager level of coverage on issues concerning our communities at the International AIDS Conference is unacceptable,” said Dr. George Ayala, Executive Director of the Global Forum on MSM & HIV (MSMGF) and co-author of the report. “Not only was there a comparatively low number of abstracts on key populations at the conference, but the content of these abstracts was largely divorced from the most urgent needs of key populations as identified by members of the populations themselves.”

The report cites the body of abstracts at AIDS 2012 focused on MSM as an example of the gap between the kind of research prioritized by key population stakeholders and the kind of research ultimately presented at the conference. Ahead of AIDS 2012, the MSMGF conducted a global survey of nearly 300 MSM advocates and service providers around the world to identify the topics they felt would be most important to address at the conference. The top three themes were “Prevention,” “Stigma and Discrimination,” and “Law and Criminalization.” Of all abstracts presented at AIDS 2012, the percentage dedicated to these themes in relation to MSM was 1.6%, 0.5%, and 0.3%, respectively.

“After thirty years of AIDS, we know key populations are at much greater risk than the general population in nearly every country around the world,” said Allan Clear, Executive Director of the Harm Reduction Coalition and co-author of the report. “Our communities deserve proper attention, and mounting evidence argues that addressing HIV among key populations is central to ending the global AIDS crisis. It is time for the IAC and the broader AIDS response to start addressing HIV among key populations in a more equitable, more appropriate, and ultimately more effective way.”

In addition to examining the number and focus topics of abstracts on key populations, the report also assessed geographic coverage. Of all abstracts on key populations, nearly 40% focused on North America and Western Europe. A country-level analysis revealed that nearly two-thirds of all key population abstracts were concentrated in 10 countries alone. Of the remaining 79 countries represented in these abstracts, 32 had only 1 abstract on 1 key population. Numerous regions and countries with concentrated epidemics among key populations were either underrepresented or entirely absent.

“The poor coverage of topics concerning key populations, especially from lower-income countries, may reflect inequitable global funding for research on key populations as much as it reflects the IAC’s processes that reinforce these inequities,” said JoAnne Keatley, Director of the Center of Excellence for Transgender Health at the University of California, San Francisco and co-author of the report. “The IAC’s organizers must update the conference’s processes to ensure the event is as valuable as possible for addressing the urgent HIV epidemics among key populations. As the premier platform for sharing the latest research on HIV and AIDS, it must lead the global AIDS research field to do the same.”

“The IAC represents a unique and powerful opportunity to impact the global AIDS epidemic,” said Anastacia Ryan, Global Policy Officer on HIV and Sex Work at the Global Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP). “The conference offers unparalleled potential to shape the industry’s discourse, funding priorities, and locus of scientific inquiry, giving key affected populations the recognition they deserve as partners in fighting the epidemic. By updating its processes to increase meaningful engagement with and coverage of key populations, the IAC will not only support the development of more effective strategies to address the needs of key populations, it will bring the global AIDS response closer to developing the comprehensive solutions we need to end the epidemic.”

The report concluded with a set of 5 recommendations for measures that can be taken by conference organizers to increase meaningful coverage of key populations at future IACs. The recommendations include conducting community consultations, issuing targeted calls for abstracts, and advocating with large funders and research institutions for more appropriate funding and support for research on key populations. A total of 221 organizations from 73 countries endorsed the recommendations for action.

The full report, entitled “Coverage of Key Populations at the 2012 International AIDS Conference,” is available online at http://www.msmgf.org/files/msmgf//Advocacy/AIDS2012_KeyPopulations.pdf. The report was jointly produced by the Global Forum on MSM & HIV (MSMGF), Global Action for Trans* Equality (GATE) , the Center of Excellence for Transgender Health (CoE), the Harm Reduction Coalition, the International Network of People Who Use Drugs (INPUD), Different Avenues, and the Global Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP).

The full list of recommendations and endorsements can be found online athttp://www.msmgf.org/files/msmgf//Advocacy/Action_Alerts/AIDS2014_CCC_Signatures.pdf.

Madonna attended MDNA Tour Premiere Screening at the Paris Theater in New York

Gus — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:14:31 +0000

Madonna attended the world premiere of the “Madonna: The MDNA Tour” that was screened at the Paris Theater in New York. Madonna looking sharp, dressed in homage to Marlene Dietrich, with top hat rolled up to the red carpet at the Epix World premiere of her MDNA Tour.

Watch Madonna: The MDNA Tour Saturday, June 22nd at 8pm ET on EPIX – http://www.epixhd.com/madonna-the-mdn…

Madonna Q&A from MADONNA: THE MDNA TOUR Paris Epix Event (via BOY CULTURE)

Madonna unveiled her upcoming #SecretProject, a clip of the The collaboration with New York photographer/artist Steven Klein was presented at the event. The video includes images influenced by some of the violent acts performed on her tour, as well as footage of dance rehearsals.