The Randy Report - LGBTQ Politics & Entertainment

In this week's LGBTQ headlines: • International pop star and actor Ricky Martin stars in the new Apple TV+ series "Palm Royale" • Thailand is very close to legalizing same-sex marriage • House Republicans slipped a provision in the federal spending bill that bans Pride flags from flying over U.S. embassies - but there's a catch • The Republic of Georgia appears poised to follow Russia's lead on anti-LGBTQ legislation Plus, we observe the annual Transgender Day of Visibility. All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.

In this week’s episode: • More details emerge about the cause of death of Oklahoma transgender teen Nex Benedict • Major parts of Florida’s hideous “Don’t Say Gay” law have been nullified • The percentage of adults in the US who identify has hit a new record high • LGBTQ icon David Mixner dies at the age of 77 All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.

In this week's LGBTQ news headlines: • Nex Benedict, a 16-year-old nonbinary student in Oklahoma, died one day after a physical altercation in a high school restroom. • Columbia, Missouri, has declared itself to be a safe haven for LGBTQ people. • Russian authorities closed down a 'My Little Pony' convention because one character has a rainbow-colored mane. • GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics has announced the winners of this year's Dorian Film Awards with the acclaimed 'All of Us Strangers' taking top honors. Full list of winners here: https://therandyreport.com/all-of-us-strangers-takes-top-honors-in-lgbtq-critics-dorian-film-awards/ All that and new music from out recording artist Nieri in this episode of The Randy Report.

In this week's LGBTQ headlines: • Amber Glenn came out on top at this year’s U.S. Figure skating championship becoming the first queer woman to win the title. • An Oklahoma lawmaker introduced a bill that would ban using state funds to acknowledge Pride Month. • Good news in Tennessee where an anti-LGBTQ ordinance that blocked a Pride festival has been rescinded. • Terrestrial radio station KGAY in Palm Springs is geared towards LGBTQ listeners with gay hosts broadcasting live. Link: www.LGAYPalmSprings.com • New music from out indie pop artist Bentley Robles "We Should" All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.

In this week's LGBTQ headlines: • We’re just a few weeks into 2024, but we’ve already seen nearly 300 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced in state legislatures. • A new survey shows Gen Z adults tend to be less Republican, less religious, and more LGBTQ. • Taking a look at the LGBTQ actors and other queer creative folks nominated for this year’s Academy Awards. • LGBTQ highlights from the 75th Annual Emmy Awards Oh, and guess who got a GLAAD Media Award nomination? All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.

My guest today is Broadway veteran and award-winning recording artist Matt Zarley, who released his spectacular musical web series "11 O’Clock Number." The series features a dozen tunes by Broadway composers, all originally sung by women. Over 12 episodes, Zarley weaves those songs in between video testimonials as he copes with isolation during the pandemic lockdown. Each song - spectacularly imagined as a dream concert performance – becomes its own personal catharsis for our hero, Zack (played by Zarley). The result is, at times, touching, humorous, and relatable. Zarley – who can croon a quiet heartbreak or throw down rich, full-throated showstoppers with equal ease – is in peak vocal form. I really enjoyed the full series because…who doesn’t love some great music theater songs? You can find all 12 episodes of "11 O'Clock Number" on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGx5wJAFYYwU3qw6tMdn-6X-YD80sx5Km

As we head into 2024, I wanted to take a pause to look at some of the big news and pop culture moments of 2023 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 share what I think are some of the best songs from out recording artists, top LGBTQ movies and TV, and important LGBTQ news stories of the year.

In this week’s LGBTQ headlines: • A new study reveals the “Gayest” states in the U.S. • Thailand’s cabinet has approved an amendment to allow same-sex marriage • A news anchor in Ohio came out on-air with just one simple word • Holiday music from award-winning out recording artist Matt Zarley All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.

World AIDS Day is observed each year on December 1 as an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV. During this episode of The Randy Report podcast, I take a look into the history of the day, how the world looks at the ongoing epidemic, and where we are today in terms of treatment. Being diagnosed with HIV today means something very different than it did 20 or 30 years ago. HIV is no longer a death sentence. World AIDS Day, launched in 1988, was the first-ever global health day. The annual event serves as a way of showing support for people living with HIV, and to remember those who passed from the virus. Take a listen, and feel free to share this show. Together we can make a difference. Check out these links for more information: www.worldAIDSDay.org www.HelpStopTheVirus.com

Today I'm chatting with Bryan Ruby, rising out country music singer/songwriter who’s just released his new holiday single “It’s A Wonderful Life.” He first came to national prominence in September 2021 when he became the first active professional baseball player to come out as gay. The inspirational story was featured in USA Today as well as 100+ media outlets around the world including CBS, Yahoo, Bleacher Report and Teen Vogue. He also founded Proud To Be In Baseball, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating, educating, and creating opportunities for the next generation of LGBTQ baseball players. Then we discovered that in addition to being a pro baseball player, Bryan is also a top-notch country music artist. An accomplished singer/songwriter, he has penned songs that have appeared on multiple charts including the iTunes Country Top 25. As an artist, Bryan released his debut single “Left Field” in June 2022 which has garnered nearly a million streams on Spotify alone. The song was featured on The TODAY Show and added to rotation on SiriusXM Country Pride, as well as the Academy of Country Music's Ultimate Pride Playlist. This month, he’s hitting the road with Nashville songwriters Jay Bragg and Brontë Fall for a unique, holiday-themed tour, A Songwriter’s Christmas. Head to www.BryanRubyMusic.com for more info.

In this week’s LGBTQ headlines: • The House Ethics Committee has issued its blistering report on truth-challenged out Rep. George Santos, and it's as bad as expected. • A trans high school senior is told he can’t play the lead in his school’s upcoming production of "Oklahoma!" • The father in Virginia Beach calmly explained to a school board why anti-LGBTQ policies are bad for kids. This is my favorite thing this week. • Plus, a new Mr. Gay World has been crowned! All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.

In this week’s LGBTQ headlines: • Truth-challenged gay Congressman George Santos survives a House vote to expel him from office. • We have a new Speaker of the House - and I examine his positions on LGBTQ policies. • The U.S. plans to cut economic ties with Uganda over its extreme anti-LGBTQ laws. • Plus, the acclaimed new gay romantic film "Nuovo Olimpo" is available now on Netflix. All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.

In this week’s headlines: • International pop star and LGBTQ ally Janet Jackson will headline a World AIDS Day concert • Anti-LGBTQ hate crimes rose sharply in 2022 • The City of Orlando plans to buy the Pulse Nightclub to build a memorial to the victims of the 2016 mass shooting • India’s top court side-stepped legalizing same-sex marriage All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report

In this week’s LGBTQ news: • Laphonza Butler has become the first out Black lesbian senator in the U.S. Senate • Pope Francis has suggested he might be open to the Catholic Church blessing same-sex couples • Amazon Prime Video has debuted a new superhero spinoff of THE BOYS titled GEN V • Legendary director Pedro Almodovar has a new gay western in theaters titled STRANGE WAY OF LIFE All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report Let me know what LGBTQ news stories you'd like to hear more of (politics, music, movies, TV, or other) on The Randy Report at this link: https://on.soundcloud.com/cBdeZ (Note: for some reason, the initial version of this episode was playing without the usual music. Please refresh your player, and the music should appear. My apologies for the odd technical oops.)

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/