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Bob Mackie: LGBT Role Model
"Bob Mackie is a designer of clothing for the likes of Cher, Joan Rivers and Judy Garland, just to name a few. He is a highly sought-after fashion icon who deserves recognition in his own right -- not to mention his epic partnership in love, and frequently in business, with Ray Aghayan.
"Not very many people see Cher, and think how wonderful her designer must be. However, part of the magic of Bob Mackie is that he dresses the stars in a way that makes it feel natural, if not completely bonkers at the same time."
Chek out the 'LGBT Role Models' tab for more!
Midterm Recap
Midterm Recap: How'd we do?
The Midterm Elections provided an opportunity to engage civically in our government, for those who voted. Many of the elections across the country featured LGBTQ candidates for various state-wide polls.
So, how did the LGBTQ Community stack up? Well, it turns out we did pretty well. Even though there were both wins and losses across the board, we definitely saw some firsts and history made!
In Tulare, many people saw Alex Gutierrez running for a local position. He has always been a friend of LGBT Tulare, and we offer our apologies for his loss. Nonetheless, it shows how people from every generation can run for local government!
On the East Coast, Christine Hallquist became the first transgender nominee for governor of any state in the US. She ultimately lost to the incumbent in Vermont, but her run in the guber-natioral race showed that the LGBTQ Community has unlimited potential!
Kate Brown of Oregon and Jared Polis of Colorado will both be governors of their states come January, and both are part of the LGBTQ Community. Brown was re-elected in Oregon as a bi-sexual woman, and Polis was the first LGBT person elected to Congress and now is governor of his state.
Wow, so much progress! These LGBTQ candidates represent one of the important stories of the midterm elections. Congratulations to all the candidates trying to improve their country and respective region of the United States!
Chapter Leader YouTube
In the video below, check out Chapter Leader Blaine M Leal's YouTube Video, which is a compilation of rapper Azealia Banks being funny/positive. Who knew, this oft-written-about artist actually has a wonderful sense of humor and unmatched talent and ability. Not only that, but as an outspoken LGBTQ advocate and bisexual person herself, Azealia is well-worth a mention on GayTulare.com. WATCHWATCHWATCH!
Is Fox Trumping Up Trump?
Fox News Seems Keen to Flatter and Distract
A couple weeks ago, while browsing TV channels, I thought I had discovered a great, trustworthy television news network, and one that I had never come across before. It featured interesting arguments with skilled newscasters, not to mention the subtle lighting -- or so I thought. About 36 hours later, I heard something on my 'new favorite network' that sounded incorrect, based on a piece I had previously read. I decided to fact-check my sources and searched ‘RT News’ online, only to discover that RT just-so-happens to be Russia’s state media.
I had been duped, and that got me thinking. Thinking not only about Russian media, and potential Russian influence, but also about the most popular network on cable in this country: Fox News. My misadventures with news-media continued as I visited 'FoxNews.com', where I discovered an article about my current region of Seattle, Washington, which was simultaneously insulting and intriguing.
On the article in question, Fox News candidly refers to Seattle as 'smug' with bad public transportation (neither of which have I found to be true as a resident; ie, Link Light Rail; Rapid Buses; Streetcars; The Sounder Communter Rail). This article strikes me as lacking the relevance or objectivity to be considered well-reviewed news. Whereas Russian 'RT News' is at least explicitly state-run, in contrast Fox News emphasizes a 'no-spin' philosophy.
In addition to writing seemingly random and bizarre content like the one about Seattle, Fox News also seems to hand-pick which pieces of actual news to report on. While they seem absolutely googly-eyed over President Trump, they also seem conspicuously absent when Trump does anything unsavory or politically damaging.
Take, for instance, Trump’s recent insulting of Lebron James, a venerable and GOAT-style, great American athlete. This would seem perfect fodder for Fox News Network (FNN). However, according to their website, they seem relatively disinterested. This leads one to question whether or not this is politically-motivated, as Lebron enjoys great support from the state of Ohio, which could make Trump's comments politically damaging.
While Fox seemingly ignores unsavory Trump stories, they also consistently cover his rallies (and Tweets, and call-in interviews, etc), even though they are questionably news-worthy, extremely long and often rambling in content.
Without a minute-by-minute fact-check, the Fox News audience is left to decode a President who refers to the “hundreds” of US Senators on Capitol Hill, among other inaccuracies voiced at a recent Pennsylvania rally. This creates a problem, as fact and fiction collide, live for audiences of millions.
When I realized that I had been consuming news authorized by Vladimir Putin, I stopped immediately. However, at least RT News is obviously run by the Russian government. Fox News, with its motto of "Real News. Real Honest Opinion." does just the opposite, by portraying a verdant image while seemingly trumping up the President of the United States.
BML
Would He, Or Wouldn't He?
President Trump Apparently Uplifts the Kremlin at US' Expense
Over the past two years or so, we have been subject to a President-elect and now President who erodes our confidence in our institutions, at least when they are run by a former reality star. In a recent press conference, when asked if the Russians are actively interfering in our elections, Donald Trump said what most of us are thinking: "No, thank you." But alas, the Trump Administration is here to stay (for now), and the LGBTQ Community, plus all of Tulare and the United States, are jeopardized by a seemingly misguided President.
President Trump may not want to comment on Russian intereference, but he is thereby ignoring ample evidence to the contrary. In particular, the countless intelligence agencies of our country act as a chorus of support for this notion. The recent meeting in Helsinki between Putin and Trump showed many of us that our Commander-in-Chief is not vigilant, let alone deterrant, of Russia, opening us up to bad actors.
This matters to Tulare organizations like this LGBT Organization, especially because Tulare's Rep. Devin Nunes has created numerous documents and memos that support the agenda of the President in this matter. Tulare's interests are contringent upon the success of the federal government, just like everywhere in our country, and Tulare needs attentive electeds, like any city.
The LGBTQ Community is also watching the Russia investigation closely, but for different reasons. In this community, folks are curious whether or not the current administration will be held to account for their transgressions and allegations. This, rather than allowing them to apparently create distractions and inflict harm on minority communities, such as through the failed 'Transgender Ban' in the military.
As a result of this urgency and relevance to communities, all our collective jaws dropped when the President of the United States went on-air to distinguish between "would" and "wouldn't". Clearly, this administration was reluctant to admit there was even a problem, as Trump tweeted and made comments supporting his press conference with Putin, during which he made it clear who he trusted and whose advice he was willing to believe. Hence, the President gave frustrated and impeachment-minded citizens yet another reason -- if not treason.
Blaine M.L.
