The Randy Report - LGBTQ Politics & Entertainment

In this week’s LGBTQ headlines: • A private gay campground in Texas caught backlash after banning transgender men from its property • A bill is working its way through the Arkansas legislature that would allow for discriminating against LGBTQ people • And I chat with Nathan Lee Graham about his new Hulu sitcom “Mid-Century Modern” All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.

In this week’s LGBTQ headlines: • A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s ban on transgender military service members • The European Union is standing up for LGBTQ rights after Hungary banned Pride events • A queer college group will be allowed to present their annual drag show "Draggieland" at Texas A&M • And the new Amazon Prime Video comedy series “Overcompensating” follows a closeted former high school football star trying to make his way through college All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.

In this week’s LGBTQ headlines: • Former Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis lost in court again in her fight against same-sex marriage. I take a look at what would happen IF her case reached the Supreme Court • The Defense Department has released details on how it will try to discharge nearly every transgender service member • The new comedy series “Mid-Century Modern” - described by some as a gay spin on “The Golden Girls” - arrives on Hulu on March 28 All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.

In this week’s headlines: • Police say the murder of a trans man in upstate New York wasn’t a ‘hate crime’ • The latest polling from Gallup shows nearly 10 percent of Americans now identify as LGBTQ • A federal judge ridiculed Donald Trump’s ban on transgender soldiers • And a Republican lawmaker in Tennessee wants to expand the state’s “Don’t Say Gay” law All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.

In this week’s LGBTQ headlines: • Three men have been found guilty after drugging gay men outside NYC gay clubs and then robbing them leading to their deaths • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered an immediate halt to gender-affirming care for transgender service members • A new Gallup poll shows Americans satisfied with LGBTQ acceptance has dropped • And amid all the dark news lately we can all use a distraction, so I recommend the new gay romantic comedy “Bonus Track” All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report

In this week’s LGBTQ headlines: • The Trevor Project will undergo layoffs and restructuring in major 'transformation' • LGBTQ entertainment critics have announced the nominees for the 2025 Dorian Film Awards • Out country music star Orville Peck will make his Broadway debut in the current revival of CABARET this spring All that plus news of Laverne Cox’s new Amazon Prime comedy series, "Clean Slate," in this episode of The Randy Report

In this week’s LGBTQ headlines: • The annual Defense Department bill approved this week in the House of Representatives includes a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender children of military service members • New Jersey’s governor has signed a new law blocking book bans in schools and libraries which often focus on LGBTQ-centered books • Good news from Montana where the state Supreme Court has upheld trans rights • The 82nd Golden Globe Award nominations have been announced and LGBTQ-inclusive projects dominate the list of this year’s honorees. All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.

In this week's LGBTQ headlines: • A Republican lawmaker decided to make transgender women using the restroom at the U.S. Capitol a big issue • Illinois’ highest court overturned “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett’s felony conviction for falsely reporting a hate crime • Peru is close to legally recognizing same-sex couples • And Daniel Craig stars in the acclaimed new film “Queer” in theaters this week All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.

In this week’s LGBTQ headlines: • The 2024 elections have come and gone and while my presidential candidate didn’t win, there were several big wins for LGBTQ candidates • 12 students from Salisbury University in Maryland have been charged with hate crimes after using Grindr to lure a gay man into a violent assault • Sexually transmitted infection rates are down among gay and bisexual men thanks to a simple antibiotic routine • Plus new music from out recording artist Cameron Hawthorn All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.

In this week’s headlines: • LGBTQ voters could play an outsize role in the who wins the 2024 presidential election • Ireland passes hate crimes law amid spike in anti-LGBTQ violence • England’s only openly gay pro footballer Jake Daniels speaks out about preconceptions about queer sports stars • I highly recommend the new film drama “I Don’t Know Who You Are” All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.

Today I’m chatting Andy Bell, frontman for the legendary electropop duo Erasure, whose hits include “A Little Respect,” “Chains of Love,” “Ship of Fools,” and so many more. In the 2000s, he released his acclaimed solo albums 'Electric Blue' and 'Non-Stop.' He is currently working on new solo material with Grammy Award winner Dave Audé, and will be reuniting with Vince Clarke to start work on a new Erasure album in 2025. Throughout his music career, Andy has become an icon within the LGBTQ community having been out and proud since he hit it big at the age of 21. Known for his honesty and compassion, he’s given back to the community with a long list of support for various LGBTQ causes including serving as an ambassador for New York’s Hetrick-Martin Institute, donating the proceeds for his latest single “Pride (In The Name Of Love)” to GLAAD, and much more. Andy will make his one-night-only debut performance in Las Vegas at The Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas on Saturday, October 26, where he promises a full band set of Erasure favorites, solo selections and more. Link for ticket info here: https://www.wynnlasvegas.com/entertainment/upcoming-shows/andy-bell

In this week’s LGBTQ news: • A conservative group’s boycott of LGBTQ-friendly businesses in Ohio backfires, causing a surprise uptick in sales for the local stores • Over 800 military service members discharged under Don’t Ask Don’t Tell will now receive honorable discharges • A soccer team comprised entirely of transgender men has made its debut in Spain • And Netflix has released the third season of its acclaimed coming out, coming-of-age series "Heartstopper" All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report

Today, I’m chatting with Emmy Award winner Kevin Spirtas about the debut of season 3 of his 6-time Emmy Award-winning digital series, After Forever. The show stars Kevin as Brian and Mitchell Anderson (Doogie Howser, Party of Five) as Jason, a "50-ish" gay couple living in New York City who appear to have it all -- until Jason's untimely death from cancer forces Brian to think about his future and ultimately his mortality, without the love of his life. Season three finds Brian exploring therapy as a means to help him move through his grief while he also attempts to address the idea of dating again. I’ve known Kevin since our early days pursuing acting in New York City when he was featured in several Broadway productions, including A Chorus Line, Meet Me in St. Louis, and was the official standby for Hugh Jackman in The Boy From Oz. Along the way, daytime TV fans came to know Kevin through his long-running role on Days of Our Lives as “Dr. Craig Wesley.” In 2014, Kevin ran into former Days Of Our Lives writer Michael Slade in a New York gym. Eager to create their own opportunities, the two set out to create a series about gay men over 50. In 2019, After Forever—Season 1 made history by becoming the most Emmy-awarded LGBTQ-themed drama series on any platform. Kevin received an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Digital Drama, along with three additional Emmys that he shares with Michael Slade for Outstanding Digital Drama Series 2019 and Outstanding Writing Team for a Digital Drama in 2019 and 2020. The series was also honored with a special recognition award in 2021 by the GLAAD Media Awards. Season 3 of After Forever is available now on Vimeo. Head over to https://afterforevertheseries.com for links to the new episodes. Season 1 and 2 are available on Amazon Prime Video and Dekkoo.

In this week’s LGBTQ headlines: • A Florida school district must restore dozens of LGBTQ-themed books to its libraries as part of a lawsuit settlement that called the state's queer book ban legislation unlawful. • Delaware state senator Sarah McBride is poised to become the first openly transgender member of Congress • Gilead's twice-yearly injectable PrEP exceeds expectations in clinical trial • And the new documentary “Lover of Men: The Untold History of Abraham Lincoln” explores the personal life and sexuality of the 16th president All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.

In this week's LGBTQ headlines: • Taking a look at the LGBTQ records of Democratic presidential ticket Kamala Harris and Tim Walz • A federal judge overturned the Pentagon’s ban on asymptomatic HIV-positive people enlisting in the military • Former out gay congressman George Santos pleads guilty to multiple felony charges • New music from out recording artist Aiden James - "Not For Nothing" All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report

In this week’s LGBTQ news: • California has banned the forced outing of LGBTQ students • A gay circuit party was evicted from its host hotel in Dallas • A new twice-yearly PrEP injectable has passed its Phase III trial with flying colors • And I highly recommend the winning coming-of-age film BIG BOYS All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.

In this week’s headlines: • President Biden has pardoned LGBTQ military service members who were discharged for being queer under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. • Lawmakers in Thailand have cleared the way for legalizing same-sex marriage. • The top ten LGBTQ-friendly cities in the U.S. • Matt Bomer and Nathan Lane are teaming up for a new sitcom described as "a gay Golden Girls." All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.

In this week’s LGBTQ headlines: • A federal court has permanently blocked Florida’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors and adults calling the law "unconstitutional" • All Elite Wrestling pro Bulk Bronson comes out as bisexual • The European nation of Georgia plans to erase LGBTQ rights • Plus, make sure you check out the free streaming Pride event from iHeartMedia - Can’t Cancel Pride 2024 All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.

In this week’s LGBTQ headlines: • This month marked the 20th anniversary of marriage equality in the U.S., and a new report shows only good has come from it • A new study shows having just one adult LGBTQ role model can boost queer youth’s self-esteem • Guess which European countries are the most (and least) LGBTQ-friendly? • Carl Siciliano, founder of the Ali Forney Center, has penned an excellent new book chronicling his journey in helping homeless LGBTQ youth • Plus, streaming platform Hulu is serving up plenty to watch on TV for Pride Month. Link to Hulu's LGBTQ hub: https://www.hulu.com/hub/lgbtq All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.

In this week’s headlines: • The United Methodist Church has voted to reverse its ban on gay clergy • A federal appeals court has ruled state health care plans must cover gender-affirming surgeries • Some good news for LGBTQ youth in the foster care system • And Country music artist Chris Housman drops his oh-so-romantic new single and music video “Guilty As Sin” All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.