Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Google Doodle for September 13, 2013
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Yma Sumac’s 94th Birthday |
Born Zoila Augusta Emperatriz Chávarri del Castillo in the mountains of Peru, Yma Sumac, or the “Peruvian songbird,” came into the world on this day in 1922. As a young girl, Yma would sing to rocks on her mountainside home, pretending they were her audience. As a teenager, Yma’s audience became very real when she was invited to sing on an Argentine radio station. After that moment, her astonishing five-octave vocal range captivated audiences in South America and beyond.
Yma arrived in the United States in 1946 and was signed by Capitol Records shortly after. During her 1950s prime, she sung at Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and Royal Albert Hall - to name a few.
Here’s to Yma, whose captivating voice will always be remembered.
Nyle DiMarco Reveals One Advantage To Being Deaf (Hint: It Has To Do With Donald Trump)
From: Towleroad
"Tonight is about embracing our identities and our differences to find confidence to do whatever we are inspired to do. My passion, personally, is being my true self while inspiring young people who are struggling with their identities to love themselves for who they are. And myself, as a sexually fluid deaf man, I know that embracing all our identities is the way to thrive and to overcome the limitations and prejudices that surround us. There is no doubt in my mind that human diversity is what colors our world. For all LGBTQ Americans, we know from experience that labels can’t hold us back. We can change the world one person at a time simply by being our true selves.”“Seriously, I don’t find not being able to hear an obstacle or a boundary. For me and for many of us, it is an advantage and it’s a part of my identity in fact. It’s a huge part of who I am. And in this very turbulent political year, trust me, don’t you want to sometimes just turn the volume off completely when Donald Trump starts to rant? I have a tremendous advantage there as well. I don’t hear a thing."
— Dancing with the Stars and America’s Next Top Model winner Nyle DiMarco, speaking at the Human Rights Campaign National Gala this weekend, during a beautiful speech about being a deaf member of the LGBTQ community.
Watch the beautiful speech below:
Two Openly Gay Men are Running for Russia’s National Assembly in Defiance of Putin
From: Towleroad
For what appears to be the first time in Russian history, two openly gay men are running for seats in the State Duma, the lower house of the country’s Federal Assembly.
Both men have been outspoken gay rights activists and say that the 2013 anti-gay propaganda law spurred them to run for elected office.
Bulat Barantayev (33, above) and Aleksei Korolyov (29, right) are both running as part of the liberal Parnas political coalition.
While both are staunchly anti-Putin, Barantayev has gone so far as to call for the impeachment and imprisonment of the Russian president along with any other corrupt government officials.
Neither Barantayev nor Korolyov believe they have a chance of winning a seat in the Duma, not least because of their anti-Putin positions in a country which he rules almost autocratically. Still, they hope their candidacies will show conservative politicians that LGBT Russians aren’t afraid to stand up to bigotry.
Barantayev told Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty,
“For a long time now, I have used all opportunities to cultivate an audience for accepting LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender] people. By my example, I show that gays in Russia can create their own successful businesses, can meet with people, can have children, and can even run for the State Duma.”
Said Korolyov,
“The LGBT community now is in a desperate situation and we need allies. It is good that we have been able to form an alliance with Parnas. The LGBT community gets new resources to defend itself and the party should get some new voters…. I decided to run because the ruling party has adopted an extreme homophobic position. The authorities are facilitating a homophobic discourse in society that is inciting hate crimes.”
Of the anti-gay propaganda law, Barantayev said, “The mechanism that the authorities are using to foster homophobia in society is very primitive. The LGBT community has been branded as enemies in order to divert the public’s attention from real economic and political problems.”
Korolyov has been actively making inroads with the liberal side of the political establishment when it comes to backing LGBT rights. He explains,
“For four years, I have been working to establish relations between the LGBT community and various democratic organizations, including the Yabloko party. Before the passage of the ‘gay propaganda’ law, many democrats said the topic isn’t important and society won’t respond positively. Now everyone understands that the LGBT community needs support.”
Both men are not particularly worried for their safety despite their high visibility. They say that since they have no chance of winning they are not viewed as a threat.
“The authorities believe there is no chance I’ll be elected in today’s Russia. So they don’t pay any attention to me,” Barantayev said.
Barantayev has however been attacked in the past because he is gay:
“I was called and summoned to the mayor’s office in response to my application to hold an LGBT event. But outside the building, I was jumped by thugs and beaten up. When I return home late, young men that I don’t know call me by name and shout obscenities. Because of the attacks, I am a little afraid to be out in public sometimes. But I don’t have a victim complex. They treat us the way we let them treat us.”
Korolyov, meanwhile, is hopeful about the future. “Maybe I’ll be elected to the eighth Duma [in 2021],” he said. “We can’t hide and be afraid. The discriminatory law has activated the LGBT community and has spurred development. We recognize that if we don’t do politics, politics will do us.”
Hate Group Unveils Anti-LGBT Agenda for First 100 Days of a Trump Administration
From: Edge
An official with the anti-LGBT hate group Family Research Council (FRC) gave Christian conservatives a look at the first 100 days of a Trump administration, and it doesn't look good for LGBT or reproductive rights.
Speaking on a panel at last weekend's Value Voters Summit in Washington, DC, Mandi Ancalle, general council for government affairs with FRC, told the audience that the hate group is "working to generate a comprehensive list" for a Trump administration that includes rolling back many of the advances in LGBT rights achieved under President Obama.
On FRC's chopping block is the Department of Housing and Urban Development's guidance assuring that federally funded emergency shelters house transgender people according to the sex with which they identify. Also in danger is President Obama's executive order banning federal contractors from engaging in anti-LGBT discrimination.
Ancalle also said that FRC would push the Trump administration to reinstate a rule instituted by President George W. Bush that provided broad "conscience protections" for health care workers refusing to participate in care for religious reasons. Those "protections" could be used for health care professionals to deny birth control or caring for gay men with HIV. Ancalle noted that the FRC wants to make sure that new regulations allow physicians not to care for transgender patients by providing hormone therapy and other treatment.
The role of FRC's anti-LGBT influence in Republican policy-making can't be under-estimated. In July, FRC's executive director Tony Perkins served on the GOP platform committee at the party's convention in Cleveland. The platform approved at that convention, which advocates for gay conversion therapy has been roundly criticized as the most anti-LGBT platform in the party's history.
Teacher, Husband Found Dead In Apparent Murder-Suicide After Teen Accused Them Of Sexual Assault
Aric Babbitt and husband Matthew Deyo were being investigated for having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old.From: NewNowNext
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| Aric Babbitt |
A Minnesota teacher and his husband were found dead, the result of what’s believed to be a murder-suicide, after the couple was investigated for sexually assaulting a 16-year-old.
Aric Babbitt, who taught at St. Paul’s Lincoln Center Elementary School, and his husband, Matthew Deyo, were being investigated by authorities after an unnamed teen claimed he had an ongoing sexual relationship with them.
According to court documents from last month, the victim reportedly turned in Polaroid pictures of himself naked with Babbitt.
Babbitt and Deyo allegedly took the minor to a hotel and to Babbitt’s cabin for sex and provided him with marijuana and alcohol.
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| Matthew Deyo |
Initially the young man said he had seen Babbitt as a mentor after he came out as gay. According to sources, another student made similar allegations of sexual contact with Babbitt and Deyo.
After police started investigating, Babbitt was placed on administrative leave.
Last week a kayaker in Washington State found the couple’s bodies, which showed multiple gunshot wounds. Police later discovered a suicide note.
RuPaul Wins His First Emmy!
HERstory is made!
From: NewNowNext
From: NewNowNext
RuPaul won his first-ever Emmy Sunday night, for Outstanding Host of a Variety, Nonfiction Or Reality Program.
The queen bee of RuPaul’s Drag Race accepted the honor at the Creative Arts Emmy Award ceremony at Los Angeles’ Microsoft Theatre.
— World of Wonder (@WorldOfWonder) September 12, 2016
“Thank you Logo TV, World of Wonder and the cast and crew of RuPaul’s Drag Race for the best job a guy—or a girl—could ask for,” he told NewNowNext. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without the people that have loved and supported me over the years, and to them I am forever grateful.”
Ru added that he wanted to that the 100-plus queens of Drag Race most of all, “who have inspired young dreamers all over the world with their stories of hope, courage and resilience.”
Designer Zaldy was also nominated for Outstanding Costumes For A Variety, Nonfiction Or Reality Program, for Ru’s ensemble in episode 1 of Drag Race Season 8, “Keeping it 100.”
Backstage after the ceremony, a beaming Ru fielded questions from reporters and shared that he honestly didn’t expect to win.
“I came here thinking, ’Wow, I got invited to the prom—and I’m gonna dance my ass off,” he said. “But I didn’t think I would have this [award] in my hand when I was dancing.”
When the nominations were announced in July, Ru dedicated his nomination “to outsiders everywhere.”
“Brave souls who, against all odds, stick to their dreams and make the world a more colorful place. On behalf of those people—my tribe—I am so grateful.”
Ru beat out some stiff competition Sunday night, including Ryan Seacrest as host of American Idol, Steve Harvey for Little Big Shots, Heidi Klum & Tim Gunn for Project Runway, Tom Begeron for Dancing with the Stars and out actress Jane Lynch as host of Hollywood Game Night.
Protesters Rush The Stage During Ryan Lochte’s Performance On “Dancing With The Stars”
Two men ran on stage Monday night during the show's premiere.
From: NewNowNext
From: NewNowNext
Ryan Lochte’s appearance on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars sparked outrage from those angered by his behavior at the Rio Games, but two protesters took their anti-Lochte sentiment to the show itself.
A pair of men wearing anti-Lochte shirts rushed the stage Monday night during the show’s premiere.
This is the cause of the #DWTS disruption. More to come. pic.twitter.com/0AMkY6P2a1— George Pennacchio (@abc7george) September 13, 2016
The incident happened while judge Carrie Ann Inaba was critiquing Lochte’s performance with Cheryl Burke, telling the Olympic swimmer that the show is a place for “second chances.”
A frustrated Inaba told the unnamed men to get off the stage, and they were later arrested on trespassing charges.
September 13th is National Peanut Day
On September 13 National Peanut Day pays homage to America's favorite legume.
Likely originating in South America around 3,500 years ago, this legume is not a nut. They actually grow underground like potatoes. Since they are an edible seed that form in a pod, they belong in the family Leguminosae with peas and beans. When it comes to plants packing protein power, peanuts provide a whopping 8 grams per ounce, more than any other nut according The Peanut Institute. And remember, it’s not a nut! Nuts grow on trees.
The peanut is also high in antioxidants. Not only are peanuts high in necessary nutrients such as vitamin E, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, B6, iron, selenium, zinc and many others, but when paired with other nutrient-rich foods, studies have shown this amazing legume helps us absorb nutrients better.
For the longest time, livestock gained the greatest benefit from all these nutrients. Until modern methods came along, planting and harvesting peanuts was a labor intensive and risky endeavor for farmers.Gradually their popularity grew. From Civil War soldiers who found a fondness for them to PT Barnum’s traveling circus. But what made it possible for peanuts to be grown in abundance was advancement in farm technology. Just like the cotton gin revolutionized the cotton industry, planters and harvesters transformed not only the peanut farm but farming the world over.
With the rise in peanut production, there also brought an increase of curious investigation into its possible uses. When the boll weevil wreaked havoc on the South’s cotton crop, Dr. George Washington Carver, who had already been researching this amazing groundnut, suggested farmers diversify into peanuts. It was an economic boon to Southern farmers. He published his research “How to Grow the Peanut and 105 Ways of Preparing it for Human Consumption” in 1916. His continued research resulted in more than delicious uses for this goober, groundnut or ground pea. From shaving cream to plastics and cosmetics and even coffee, Dr. Carver’s appetite for the peanut seemed to be unending.
Many of the peanut discoveries Dr. Carver made 100 years ago are still being used today.
September 13th is Roald Dahl Day
“If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.” – Roald Dahl
James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fantastic Mr. Fox, do any of these sound at all familiar to you? If so, you may unknowingly be a fan of the fantastic and creative Roald Dahl. Roald Dahl Day celebrates this creative master and all of the work he’s done bringing stories of fiction and wonder to children everywhere through the Roald Dahl Marvelous Children’s Charity. Learn more on the Roald Dahl Day website.
History of Roald Dahl Day
Roald Dahl has a truly amazing history, and it all started in 1916 in Cardiff, Wale, where he was born to Norwegian parents Sofie Magdalene Dahl and Harald Dahl. He lost both his sister and his father at the age of three, but his mother chose to remain in Wales to honor his father wishes that he be educated in British schools. From there he continued to Repton School in Derbyshire, where one of his most important works would be conceived. Cadbury regularly sent chocolate bars to the school to be tested by the students, which led to Roald having dreams of creating a chocolate bar so delicious that Mr. Cadbury would praise it. If you guessed this was the origins of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory you’re dead on.
What you may not know is that he went on to be a Fighter Ace during WWII, and had a long and distinguished career in which he fought in some of the most significant air battles of the war. Ultimately he started experiencing severe headaches that prevented him from flying, and spent the rest of his career working as a diplomat, writer, and intelligence officer. It was during this time that he wrote The Gremlins his first children’s book, and it was written for Walt Disney Productions to promote a full-length film that remained unmade. From there on out he continued writing prolifically, creating some of the most popular stories in history.
How to celebrate Roald Dahl Day
Our preferred way of kicking off Roald Dahl Day is with a run of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, a movie that was written by Roald Dahl and Ken Hughes and is a childhood favorite of millions everywhere. From there on out it’s Fantastic Mr. Fox, and the list of other movies that were based on his works. Get a group of friends together and put out a donation bowl to send to Roald Dahl’s Marvelous Children’s Charity, and you have a great Roald Dahl’s Day planned!
September 13th is Kids Take Over The Kitchen Day
National Kids Take Over The Kitchen Day is observed annually on September 13th.
Kids and teens across the country are called to take over their kitchens on this day using their favorite recipes and make a meal for their family! (Adult supervision and assistance as required for the younger bakers and chefs in the house!)
The objective behind this mission of the Young Chefs Academy (YCA) is to empower kids and teens to become more actively involved in the planning, preparation and cooking of meals. The YCA is fostering family bonds and actively fighting the battle against the many serious health and social issues related to youth’s eating habits in today’s time.
September 13th is National Celiac Awareness Day
September 13 has been dubbed “National Celiac Disease Awareness Day” in honor of the doctor who identified a link between celiac disease and diet. Dr. Samuel Gee, a leader in celiac disease research, was born on Sept. 13, 1839.
A Senate resolution calling for the commemoration gained unanimous approval on Aug. 3, 2010. In marking the awareness day, the Senate "recognizes that all people of the United States should become more informed and aware of celiac disease," the resolution stated.
In an email to fellow celiac disease advocates, Ask the Dietitian’s Melinda Dennis, MS, RD, LDN, nutrition coordinator for the Celiac Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, noted the accomplishment and urged friends to celebrate. “My plan is to have a gluten-free dinner party,” she said.
If you’d like to join the celebration, visit NFCA’s Recipe of the Week blog for gluten-free meal ideas.
September 13th is Scooby-Doo Day
Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! made its CBS network debut on Saturday, September 13, 1969 with its first episode, "What a Night for a Knight." The original voice cast featured veteran voice actor Don Messick as Scooby-Doo, radio DJ Casey Kasem (later host of radio's syndicated American Top 40) as Shaggy, actor Frank Welker (later a veteran voice actor in his own right) as Fred, actress Nicole Jaffe as Velma, and musician Indira Stefanianna Christopherson as Daphne. Scooby's speech patterns closely resembled an earlier cartoon dog, Astro from The Jetsons (1962–63), also voiced by Messick. Seventeen episodes of Scooby-Doo Where are You! were produced in 1969-70. The series theme song was written by David Mook and Ben Raleigh, and performed by Larry Marks.
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