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The Randy Report - LGBTQ Politics & Entertainment

The Randy Report - LGBTQ Politics & Entertainment
Author: Randy Slovacek
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Tune in for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender news from the writer/editor of TheRandyReport.com, a daily blog reporting on the current news cycle in terms of politics, pop culture and entertainment news of interest to the LGBT community.
269 Episodes
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In this week’s LGBTQ headlines:
• California's Gov. Gavin Newsom signs 9 pro-LGBTQ bills into law
• HIV transmissions are higher among straight people in Scotland than gay men for the first time in years
• The Galileo Church in Fort Worth, Texas, is actually helping families of transgender minors
• Kennedy McDowell is a gay football player at Colorado State University, and he’s been out for years
All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report
In this week’s LGBTQ headlines:
• The Hungarian edition of ELLE Magazine features two gay dads on the cover celebrating rainbow families in an increasingly anti-LGBTQ country
• A Florida county has banned a children’s book about a "hugging lion" as part of the state's Don't Say Gay law
• The latest from out recording artist Milahroy "Sounds On The Stereo"
• And my review of the new coming-of-age film “Aristotle and Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe”
All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report
In this week’s episode:
• LGBTQ military veterans are suing the Defense Department for denying them honorable discharges during the years of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
• Chilean gymnast Tomas Gonzalez comes out as gay in his new autobiography
• Amazon Prime Video’s new gay romantic comedy "Red, White & Royal Blue" hit #1 worldwide on the streaming platform
• New out country music artist Dixon Dallas is getting lots of attention for his sassy, saucy hit “Good Lookin”
All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.
I’m going to take a slight pivot from LGBTQ news this episode. As some listeners - or readers of The Randy Report blog - may know, my husband Michael is a world class entertainment publicist. And for nearly 25 years, he worked closely with 4-time Grammy Award winner, international pop star and actress, Olivia Newton-John.
Over the years, Olivia became a very dear part of our family. In fact, in 2019, she officiated the renewal of our wedding vows on our 25th anniversary.
As we all know, sadly, Olivia passed away on August 8, 2022. In the months since, Michael and I haven’t said much publicly about our time with Olivia because in part - as Michael taught me years ago - the publicist never “becomes” the story.
As we reach the anniversary of her passing, Michael and I wanted to take a moment to answer some questions we’ve received over the years from the fans about our time with Olivia.
And so, with that…say hello Michael.
To sponsor Michael’s steps at Olivia’s Walk for Wellness: https://www.walkforwellness.com.au/michael-caprio
In this week’s LGBTQ headlines:
• Two stories from Italy as government officials have begun removing the names of non-biological gay mothers from their children’s birth certificates, AND transgender men are signing up for the Miss Italy pageant after the organization banned trans women
• A singing drag queen named Flamy Grant has hit the top of the iTunes Christian music charts
• A rave review for the Broadway musical "Some Like It Hot" - Link: https://somelikeithotmusical.com/
• And we’re just days away from the premiere of Season 2 of the acclaimed coming-out, coming-of-age series "Heartstopper"
All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.
In this episode, I’m chatting with America’s favorite gay comic - Matteo Lane.
Named one of Variety’s Top Ten Comics to Watch, stand up comedian Matteo has performed to sold out crowds all over the world and he’s about to do it again.
Matteo can be seen in Netflix’s queer stand up special STAND OUT as well as THE COMEDY LINEUP.
He has over 1 million followers on Instagram, and he recently debuted his latest comedy special “Hairplugs & Heartache” on his YouTube channel which quickly garnered over 1.2 million views.
In addition to his super-hero comedy skills, Matteo is an artist who painted a mural for the Obamas' headquarters in Chicago, a classically trained opera singer, and an admitted pasta aficionado.
Matteo recently announced his new comedy tour “The Al Dente Tour” beginning in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he'll headline at the gorgeous Wynn Hotel on July 29. From there he goes to 40+ more dates in the U.S. and around the world.
You can find more info at https://www.matteolanecomedy.com/
In this week’s headlines:
• Michigan lawmakers have passed legislation banning so-called conversion therapy
• A federal judge has blocked Florida’s new discriminatory anti-drag show law
• Fans of pop mega-star and longtime LGBTQ ally Madonna were stunned to hear she was rushed to the hospital over the weekend after being found unresponsive
• Drag/singing reality competition "Queen of the Universe" ends Season 2 in surprise cancellation
All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.
In this week's LGBTQ headlines:
• Gallup Polling reports support for same-sex relations has dropped by 7 percent in one year
• RuPaul was honored on the floor of the House of Representatives for Pride Month
• LGBTQ history was made at this year's Tony Awards as not one but two nonbinary actors (Alex Newell, J. Harrison Ghee) took home trophies for the very first time
• And Hollywood icon Rock Hudson is the subject of a new documentary from HBO Max
All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.
In this week's headlines:
• Target became the target of anti-LGBTQ ire for its annual Pride Month merchandise
• The CDC reports new HIV infections are declining
• Netflix gave us a first look at the upcoming Season 2 of “Heartstopper” ahead of its premiere this August
All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.
In this week’s headlines:
• International pop star George Michael will be posthumously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility
• Out ABC News journalist Gio Benitez takes his seat as the permanent co-anchor of Good Morning America Weekend
• Blood donation restrictions eased for men who have sex with men
• The UK has it’s first gay reality dating TV show - “I Kissed A Boy”
• And J. Harrison Ghee and Alex Newell make history among this year's Tony Award nominations
All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.
Chatting with the oh-so-talented LGBTQ journalist - John Casey, Senior Editor and lead columnist for the world's oldest and largest LGBTQ news site, The Advocate.
For years now, I have followed John’s exceptional writing about societal, political and topical news issues affecting the LGBTQ community.
His columns have featured discussions with a cavalcade of top-line A list folks including Dr. Anthony Fauci, Neil Patrick Harris, Ellen DeGeneres, Shirley MacLaine, Johnny Mathis, Emmy Award winners Billy Porter and Colman Domingo, all of the LGBTQ members of the House of Representatives, out MA Governor Maura Healey, New York Times columnist Frank Bruni, former NFL star Ryan O'Callaghan, and many, many more.
John’s writing has been seen not only in The Advocate, but Out Magazine, Yahoo News, ABC News Australia, the New York Daily News, Adweek, the Washington Examiner, The Spectator and more.
This guy can WRITE. I’m definitely a fan and I’m really happy to share my chat with Mr. John Casey.
Link to John Casey's column on The Advocate: https://www.advocate.com/authors/john-casey
In this week’s headlines:
• If you think there are a LOT of anti-LGBTQ bills in state legislatures this year, you’re right
• Citizens in Franklin, Tennessee, suddenly oppose a local Pride event to happen
• Florida expands Don't Say Gay law to prohibit classroom discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity through 12th grade
• Netflix has announced the premiere date for Season 7 of the Emmy Award winning “make better” reality series Queer Eye
All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report
In this week’s LGBTQ headlines:
• Florida lawmakers are trying to expand the state’s hideous Don’t Say Gay law
• Three men have been arrested and charged in the drugging robberies which resulted in two deaths that began at NYC gay bars
• Four "RuPaul's Drag Race" alums made a splash at the CMT Music Awards
• "Heartstopper" star Kit Connor honored as Best Actor in UK
• Thumbs up for the new drag/queer coming-of-age film "Chrissy Judy"
All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.
In this week's LGBTQ headlines:
• LGBTQ-inclusive films took home several top tier honors at this year’s Academy Awards
• Kentucky has passed what is arguably the worst anti-transgender bill in the nation
• The Italian government moved to limit parental rights of same-sex couples
• And Uganda makes it a crime to come out of the closet
All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.
In this week's LGBTQ headlines:
• A new study found children of same-sex parents have home lives and outcomes that are as good (or in some cases better than) those of heterosexual couples
• Tennessee lawmakers have approved a bill that will ban drag performances in public or in front of children
• Michigan approves civil rights protections for LGBTQ people
• Here comes 'Schmicago' and all that jazz...
• Plus, new music from out alt-rock artist Abby Nissenbaum
All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report
In this week's LGBTQ headlines:
• The number of adults in the US who identify as LGBTQ has doubled in the past ten years
• Researchers say a man in Germany has become the fifth person cured of HIV
• The new docu-series "Click Boys" goes behind the scenes of the business of OnlyFans content creators
• The latest in the George Santos chronicles
All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.
In this week’s LGBTQ headlines:
• Missouri lawmakers are considering the most extreme "Don’t Say Gay" bill in the country
• The latest news in the George Santos chronicles including traffic tickets galore and bad checks for good puppies.
• Out Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says 'no' to a run for US Senate in Michigan.
• International pop star Kim Petras makes history at the Grammy Awards.
• Neil Patrick Harris' "Uncoupled" series gets a second chance at Showtime.
All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.
In this week's headlines:
• The FDA is expected to ease restrictions on gay and bi men donating blood
• The latest in the George Santos chronicles
• More anti-drag queen legislation across the country
• Out bobsledder and rugby player Simon Dunn passes away at 35
• The 2023 Oscar nominations included nods for LGBTQ roles but no out actors
All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.
In this week’s headlines:
• Catching up on the train wreck that is out Congressman George Santos
• Good Morning America host Robin Roberts announces wedding plans with longtime girlfriend
• Arizona Republicans file legislation targeting drag shows
• Plus, a new OUTtv dating reality show asks “Can a Himbo and a Daddy find love?”
All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report
As we head into 2023, I wanted to take a pause to look at some of the big news and pop culture moments of 2022 for LGBTQ folks.
I know folks like to make Top 10 lists, but one of the hallmarks of The Randy Report is brevity. You folks don’t want to listen to me drone on about the top ten news stories, the top ten movies, etc… We'd be here forever.
Plus, if I’m putting my name on a “Best of…” list I want to feel strongly about them. So I’m going to try to stick to Top 5’s in this show. Hit play as I revisit some of the best LGBTQ songs, movies and TV and top news stories of the year.