Just in time for Christmas, same-sex marriage supporters are celebrating new federal court rulings striking down Utah's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage and Ohio's law against recognizing same-sex couples married in other states.
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Gay Marriage For Christmas: Utah, Ohio Victories Discussed On HuffPost Live
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Transgender Woman's Lawsuit Leads To CDC Policy Change For Breast Cancer Screenings
DENVER - A Colorado transgender woman's lawsuit has led to a nationwide policy change at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Jennifer Blair had surgery to change her gender more than a decade ago.
Jennifer Blair had surgery to change her gender more than a decade ago.
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Gay Marriage's Final Frontier Could Be State Courts
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Advocates on both sides of the gay marriage debate predicted that the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June that overturned part of a federal ban on gay marriage would create a pathway for states to act.
They were right. In the six months since the decision, the number of states allowing gay marriage has jumped from 12 to 18, a trend that started before the high court ruling that's been reinforced since. Judges in New Mexico, Ohio and, most surprisingly, conservative, Mormon-heavy Utah all ruled in favor of same-sex marriage in just the past week. Both Utah's case and another in Nevada will next be heard by federal appeals courts, putting them on the path toward the high court. Ohio's case, which recognized same-sex death certificates, also will likely be appealed.
The series of court decisions has many asking: When will the Supreme Court step in and settle the issue for good?
It may not be that simple.
The cases on the path to the Supreme Court now differ little from a case justices refused to hear in June, at the same time they made their landmark ruling on the federal law denying tax, health and other benefits to legally married same-sex couples.
That case, from California, hinged on a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman.
If the justices had acted, it would have struck down gay marriage prohibitions across the country.
Instead, the justices passed, relying instead on a technical legal argument to resolve the California case and clear the way for same-sex marriage in the state, which resumed at the end of June.
That convinces some legal scholars that the high court won't take up the issue again so soon. In a way, they've already passed the buck to the states, some say, including language in their Defense of Marriage Act ruling saying it relegates same-sex marriages to second-class status, and "humiliates tens of thousands of children now being raised by same-sex couples."
That language makes it clear state bans are ripe for challenge, said Andrew Koppelman, a professor of law and political science at Northwestern University. Language from both Justice Anthony Kennedy's majority opinion and Justice Antonin Scalia's biting dissent have appeared prominently in subsequent court challenges and rulings, including in Utah and Ohio. A federal judge in Ohio ordered officials to recognize gay marriages on death certificates.
"The Supreme Court has given them ammunition to go there if that's where they want to go," Koppelman said.
Alongside state court decisions has come a shift in public sentiment about gay marriage. Only one-third of Americans oppose gay marriage, down from 45 percent in 2011, an AP-GfK October poll showed.
With Utah's ban struck down, 28 states still have constitutional prohibitions on same-sex marriage. Another four states — Indiana, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Wyoming — do not permit it through state laws.
Attorneys and proponents say this is the civil rights issue for the current generation, comparing the scenes of gay couples marrying at county clerks offices to blacks breaking racial barriers in the 1960s.
More state rulings in favor of gay marriage could be in the works in 2014. The thinking goes, if it can happen in ultra-conservative Utah, it can happen anywhere. Utah is home to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which still teaches its members homosexuality is a sin despite a softening of their rhetoric in recent years.
"The ruling has had a symbolic impact already," Jon Davidson, director of Lambda Legal, which pursues litigation on LGBT issues nationwide. "It is recognition that the nation's attitudes, from public to legislative to judicial, are changing very rapidly in all parts of the country."
"And the opponents, many of them, are moving on," said William Eskridge, a professor at Yale Law School. "We are not seeing the same kind of Armageddon rhetoric we saw in the 1990s."
A federal judge in Michigan will hear testimony from experts in February before deciding whether to throw out the state's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. Two federal lawsuits in Virginia, including one being led by the same legal team that challenged California's ban, are moving forward.
Eskridge disagrees with those who say the Supreme Court won't act, predicting justices will get involved in the gay marriage dispute in the next year or two.
Different branches of the government are acting, he said — lawmakers, state courts, and federal courts — which could convince the justices to step in.
The long-term trend in favor of acceptance of same-sex marriage affects the courts. As each state's same-sex marriage ban is struck down, it serves as a domino effect helping make the next legal challenge easier, said Jon Davidson, director of Lambda Legal, which pursues litigation on LGBT issues nationwide. The Ohio ruling this week cited the Utah ruling from last week.
"You are going to see more federal courts do what just happened in Ohio and Utah," Koppelman predicted.
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Sherman contributed from Washington, D.C.
___
Follow Brady McCombs at https://twitter.com/BradyMcCombs.
They were right. In the six months since the decision, the number of states allowing gay marriage has jumped from 12 to 18, a trend that started before the high court ruling that's been reinforced since. Judges in New Mexico, Ohio and, most surprisingly, conservative, Mormon-heavy Utah all ruled in favor of same-sex marriage in just the past week. Both Utah's case and another in Nevada will next be heard by federal appeals courts, putting them on the path toward the high court. Ohio's case, which recognized same-sex death certificates, also will likely be appealed.
The series of court decisions has many asking: When will the Supreme Court step in and settle the issue for good?
It may not be that simple.
The cases on the path to the Supreme Court now differ little from a case justices refused to hear in June, at the same time they made their landmark ruling on the federal law denying tax, health and other benefits to legally married same-sex couples.
That case, from California, hinged on a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman.
If the justices had acted, it would have struck down gay marriage prohibitions across the country.
Instead, the justices passed, relying instead on a technical legal argument to resolve the California case and clear the way for same-sex marriage in the state, which resumed at the end of June.
That convinces some legal scholars that the high court won't take up the issue again so soon. In a way, they've already passed the buck to the states, some say, including language in their Defense of Marriage Act ruling saying it relegates same-sex marriages to second-class status, and "humiliates tens of thousands of children now being raised by same-sex couples."
That language makes it clear state bans are ripe for challenge, said Andrew Koppelman, a professor of law and political science at Northwestern University. Language from both Justice Anthony Kennedy's majority opinion and Justice Antonin Scalia's biting dissent have appeared prominently in subsequent court challenges and rulings, including in Utah and Ohio. A federal judge in Ohio ordered officials to recognize gay marriages on death certificates.
"The Supreme Court has given them ammunition to go there if that's where they want to go," Koppelman said.
Alongside state court decisions has come a shift in public sentiment about gay marriage. Only one-third of Americans oppose gay marriage, down from 45 percent in 2011, an AP-GfK October poll showed.
With Utah's ban struck down, 28 states still have constitutional prohibitions on same-sex marriage. Another four states — Indiana, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Wyoming — do not permit it through state laws.
Attorneys and proponents say this is the civil rights issue for the current generation, comparing the scenes of gay couples marrying at county clerks offices to blacks breaking racial barriers in the 1960s.
More state rulings in favor of gay marriage could be in the works in 2014. The thinking goes, if it can happen in ultra-conservative Utah, it can happen anywhere. Utah is home to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which still teaches its members homosexuality is a sin despite a softening of their rhetoric in recent years.
"The ruling has had a symbolic impact already," Jon Davidson, director of Lambda Legal, which pursues litigation on LGBT issues nationwide. "It is recognition that the nation's attitudes, from public to legislative to judicial, are changing very rapidly in all parts of the country."
"And the opponents, many of them, are moving on," said William Eskridge, a professor at Yale Law School. "We are not seeing the same kind of Armageddon rhetoric we saw in the 1990s."
A federal judge in Michigan will hear testimony from experts in February before deciding whether to throw out the state's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. Two federal lawsuits in Virginia, including one being led by the same legal team that challenged California's ban, are moving forward.
Eskridge disagrees with those who say the Supreme Court won't act, predicting justices will get involved in the gay marriage dispute in the next year or two.
Different branches of the government are acting, he said — lawmakers, state courts, and federal courts — which could convince the justices to step in.
The long-term trend in favor of acceptance of same-sex marriage affects the courts. As each state's same-sex marriage ban is struck down, it serves as a domino effect helping make the next legal challenge easier, said Jon Davidson, director of Lambda Legal, which pursues litigation on LGBT issues nationwide. The Ohio ruling this week cited the Utah ruling from last week.
"You are going to see more federal courts do what just happened in Ohio and Utah," Koppelman predicted.
___
Sherman contributed from Washington, D.C.
___
Follow Brady McCombs at https://twitter.com/BradyMcCombs.
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California Transgender Rights Law Set To Take Effect In State Schools
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A new law that spells out the rights of transgender students in kindergarten through 12th grade is set to take effect in California on Jan. 1. To get ready, school districts are reviewing locker room layouts, scheduling sensitivity training for staff and reconsidering senior portrait dress codes.
But educators also are watching and waiting. The first-of-its-kind statute could end up suspended within days of its launch if a referendum to repeal it qualifies for the November ballot. To obtain a public vote on the law, a coalition of conservative groups has collected hundreds of thousands of signatures. Counties have until Jan. 8 to verify them through spot-checking.
The secretary of state can approve the referendum, determine that it failed or order a review of every signature.
But educators also are watching and waiting. The first-of-its-kind statute could end up suspended within days of its launch if a referendum to repeal it qualifies for the November ballot. To obtain a public vote on the law, a coalition of conservative groups has collected hundreds of thousands of signatures. Counties have until Jan. 8 to verify them through spot-checking.
The secretary of state can approve the referendum, determine that it failed or order a review of every signature.
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Gay Canadian Man Says He Was Denied Apartment Because Of His Sexual Orientation
Jonathan Pretty says he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
The 25-year-old server had just signed a lease to rent a suite in a house in Kitsilano, and the next day he was told by the landlords they were unable to rent the suite to him any longer.
He says it’s because he is gay.
Pretty had met with the couple at the suite this past Saturday. “It was perfect for me, just for one person,” he says.
The 25-year-old server had just signed a lease to rent a suite in a house in Kitsilano, and the next day he was told by the landlords they were unable to rent the suite to him any longer.
He says it’s because he is gay.
Pretty had met with the couple at the suite this past Saturday. “It was perfect for me, just for one person,” he says.
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Greg Lupfer, Colorado State Assistant Football Coach, Suspended For Anti-Gay Slur
A Colorado State University assistant football coach has been suspended for two weeks without pay after being caught using an anti-gay slur on camera during the Gildan New Mexico Bowl last weekend.
Lupfer, CSU's defensive line coach, reportedly called the quarterback of the opposing team, Connor Halliday, a "f*cking faggot" after he threw a touchdown pass during the first half of the game, according to the Coloradan. In addition to being suspended without pay, the coach will have to undergo both anger management and diversity training sessions at his own expense, ESPN noted.
"I accept these consequences -- two weeks without pay and the training programs -- and I am thankful for this second chance to continue coaching at Colorado State and be a part of the Ram Family," Lupfer said in a statement as cited by CBS Sports. "I am deeply sorry for my behavior, which does not represent who I am or my values. I embrace the opportunity to participate in anger management and diversity sensitivity training. I was angry and careless with my words, and my words hurt many people. I sincerely apologize to the GLBTQ community for causing pain by using a slur without considering its meaning. I take ownership of my words and fully understand why people are very upset."
After last week's Gildan New Mexico Bowl, Halliday reportedly told the Associated Press that Lupfer had "grabbed me and said some profane things to me."
This isn't the first time the coach of a sporting organization has been suspended for making anti-gay remarks. In February of this year, high school psychology teacher and basketball coach Bob Grisham faced a 10-day suspension after he reportedly claimed "what [gays] do is wrong and an abomination against God," in addition to making derogatory statements about the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama.
Lupfer, CSU's defensive line coach, reportedly called the quarterback of the opposing team, Connor Halliday, a "f*cking faggot" after he threw a touchdown pass during the first half of the game, according to the Coloradan. In addition to being suspended without pay, the coach will have to undergo both anger management and diversity training sessions at his own expense, ESPN noted.
"I accept these consequences -- two weeks without pay and the training programs -- and I am thankful for this second chance to continue coaching at Colorado State and be a part of the Ram Family," Lupfer said in a statement as cited by CBS Sports. "I am deeply sorry for my behavior, which does not represent who I am or my values. I embrace the opportunity to participate in anger management and diversity sensitivity training. I was angry and careless with my words, and my words hurt many people. I sincerely apologize to the GLBTQ community for causing pain by using a slur without considering its meaning. I take ownership of my words and fully understand why people are very upset."
After last week's Gildan New Mexico Bowl, Halliday reportedly told the Associated Press that Lupfer had "grabbed me and said some profane things to me."
This isn't the first time the coach of a sporting organization has been suspended for making anti-gay remarks. In February of this year, high school psychology teacher and basketball coach Bob Grisham faced a 10-day suspension after he reportedly claimed "what [gays] do is wrong and an abomination against God," in addition to making derogatory statements about the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama.
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Photographer Captures Nude Dancers Twisting And Contorting In Natural Landscapes (NSFW)
Photographer Bertil Nilsson has created a breathtaking series featuring nude dancers alone in sweeping, natural landscapes. Twirling, pirouetting and balancing atop fallen trees and mountain peeks, the performers stand out in the stark contrasts of man and Mother Nature.
![nilsson]()
Nilsson's subjects appear to be levitating in some images, striking unbelievably contorted poses in others, all while drenched in powdered colors of red and white. The resulting images seem to capture an alien world, filled with figures and landscapes not of this earth.
"In my work, which takes inspiration from movement and the human form, I collaborate extensively with dancers and circus artists," Nilsson writes on his website. "Photography is my primary medium of expression, but I also use moving image."
![pierre]()
This series, called "Naturally," is on view now at Galerie Wilms through January 12, 2014. Scroll through a preview of the works and let us know your thoughts on the project in the comments.
![dennis]()
![david]()
![geoffrey]()
![miguel]()
![mj]()
![mj]()
![beren]()
![eike]()
![eike]()
![beren]()
h/t Feature Shoot
Nilsson's subjects appear to be levitating in some images, striking unbelievably contorted poses in others, all while drenched in powdered colors of red and white. The resulting images seem to capture an alien world, filled with figures and landscapes not of this earth.
"In my work, which takes inspiration from movement and the human form, I collaborate extensively with dancers and circus artists," Nilsson writes on his website. "Photography is my primary medium of expression, but I also use moving image."
This series, called "Naturally," is on view now at Galerie Wilms through January 12, 2014. Scroll through a preview of the works and let us know your thoughts on the project in the comments.
h/t Feature Shoot
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The 13 Most Fearless Teens Of 2013
All year, HuffPost Teen has chronicled the incredible stories of teenagers who have raised their voices, and the voices of others, to change the world. Some made scientific and technological advances no one thought possible. Others stood up for themselves in the face of injustice -- and in doing so, stood up for thousands. Some started multi-million dollar businesses in high school, and some simply dared to be something different in a world that tried to make them something else.
These people aren't just brave because they are teens -- they are brave, period. Here is our list of 13 of the most fearless teens of 2013. Tweet any other names you would add to the list @HuffPostTeen!
1. Daisy Coleman
![missouri rape case]()
Daisy is the teenager at the center of the infamous Maryville rape controversy. If you have not yet read her incredibly brave first-person piece about the experience on XOJane.com, please take the time to. (We'll wait.) "I not only survived, I didn't give up," she wrote. "This is a victory, not just for me, but for every girl."
2. Cassidy Lynn Campbell
![transgender homecoming queen]()
Cassidy Lynn Campbell is a transgender teen who documented her journey transitioning in videos on her YouTube channel. She decided to run for homecoming queen at her California high school this year to make a statement. To her shock, she won the title, and her story ended up inspiring teens across the country who are struggling with their own identities. "I realized it wasn’t for me anymore and I was doing this for so many people all around the county and the state," she told KTLA. "I am so proud to win this not just for me, but everyone out there.”
3. Malala Yousafzai
![malala yousafzai]()
Malala also appeared on last year's most influential list, but we can't think of another name that is more deserving of further recognition. This Pakistani teen's life was changed forever when she was shot in the head by the Taliban last year -- all because she wanted to go to school. Instead of backing down, the now-16 year-old has become an international crusader of education rights for girls. In addition to giving a speech on Malala Day at the United Nations earlier this year, she has been honored as a Nobel Peace Prize nominee and Pakistan's' first National Peace Prize winner.
4. Jaylen Bledsoe
![jaylen bledsoe]()
Jaylen started his own tech company when he was just 13 years old. Now, at 15 years old, it's worth 3.5 million dollars and he has over 150 contracted employees. The teen credits his school's gifted education program for his business idea, but admits it's taken a lot of hard work and courage, too. "Take risks," Jaylen told Fox 2. "As a minor, there's nothing you can do that will shoot you down for too long. You can always jump back up and keep going."
5. Ireland Baldwin
![ireland baldwin]()
You may know Ireland as Alec Baldwin's 18-year-old daughter. What you may not know is that she is a total badass when it comes to standing up to the media. This year, hers was one of the many faces of young, teen girls that were brutally targeted by celeb gossip stories. But it was when she made the cover of a paper -- with the headline "'Little Pig' Comes To The Rescue" -- that Ireland decided to publicly and unapologetically call them out on it. "Out of all of the BREAKING news going on in our country or let alone around the world, they were desperate enough to put me on the cover?" she wrote on Instagram.
6. Zach Sobiech
![zach sobiech]()
Zach uploaded the song "Clouds" to his YouTube page in December 2012 as a good-bye letter for his friends and family after learning that he only had months to live. The 19-year-old passed away this year from osteosarcoma -- a cancerous bone tumor -- but not before inspiring thousands of people across the world by his music and message. "I want to be remembered as a kid who went down fighting, and didn't really lose," Zach said. Watch SoulPancake's amazing video about his life here.
7. Maya Van Wagenen
![girl diary]()
This 15-year-old writer first scored a $300,000 book deal for a unique project she took on in the eight grade: she found the 1950s popularity bible "Betty Cornell's Glamour Guide For Teens" and decided to apply the advice to her every day high school life. She chronicled how things went in a memoir called "Popular: Vintage Wisdom For The Modern Geek." Now, she's landed a big-time movie deal with Dreamworks, which makes her "the youngest non-actor to ever make a feature deal" at the studio.
8. Marcel Neergaard
![marcel]()
Marcel might be only 12 years old, but he is one of the coolest, most courageous pre-teen Internet activists out there. This year, for the sixth grade, he was homeschooled because of the severe bullying he endured after his classmates discovered he was gay. Also this year, a bill was introduced in his home state, known as the "don't say gay" bill. Though he was only 11 at the time, Marcel decided he had had enough. He made a video, wrote a blog and launched a petition -- and across the Internet, people stood with him against LGBT bullying. They are still standing with him.
9. James Ward
![james ward]()
Despite the fact that James was homeless for a period of his life, the high school senior was determined to be the first person in his family to go to college. He knew he could not afford the tuition, so he decided to crowdfund his way to his dream school. He called his campaign "Homeless to Howard," and its message -- that every teen should feel empowered to make a better life for themselves -- spread like wildfire across the media, and even included an appearance on "Ellen." Needless to say, the teen achieved his goal. "It's surreal. I can't believe after everything that's happened I'm going to be leaving to attend Howard," he said in an interview with The Huffington Post.
10. Lorde
![lorde]()
You can call her queen bee -- or, you can just call her this year's most-talked about singing sensation. The 17 year-old New Zealand singer/songwriter had one of the most popular hits of 2013 and was the first woman to top the alternative charts in 17 years. She's also an outspoken feminist and constantly keeps her cool in the face of Internet hate.
11. Jacob Rudolph
![jacob rudolph]()
This high school student from New Jersey came out as LGBT to his entire graduating class, as well as parents and teachers, in an impassioned, unforgettable speech. The teen was accepting an award for Class Actor at a school event. "Sure, I've been in a few plays and musicals, but more importantly, I've been acting every single day of my life," Jacob told the crowd. "You see me acting the part of straight Jacob, when I am in fact LGBT... So take me, leave me or move me out of the way, because I am what I am." Watch a video of his speech here.
12. Sara Volz
![sara volz]()
This 17-year-old scientist created her own unique work space for her research: her bedroom. More specifically, she created her own algae biofuel lab under her bed. Her at-home project led to groundbreaking advancements for the scientific community -- including proof that the natural oils produced by algae could be converted into biofuels used in diesel engines. Sara's discoveries beat out 1,700 other whiz kids nationwide to win the 2013 Intel Science Talent Search. She was awarded a $100,000 scholarship.
13. Becky G
![becky g]()
Otherwise known as Rebbeca Marie Gomez, this 16-year-old rapper/singer/songwriter took the hip hop and pop world by surprise this year. Her (squeaky clean) rhymes feel different from the Mileys and Selenas alongside her -- and honestly, it's about time more young, female rappers stormed the pop music scene. “I’m really thankful and proud of where I came from," she said in Latina Magazine, on growing up without a lot of money. "If you go through hard times, you learn to change it for the better. I want to build an empire, but I want it to be attainable for people who are where I was a few years ago.”
Special achievement award:
Tavi Gevinson
![tavi gevinson]()
Between interviewing Emma Watson, acting alongside legend James Gandolfini and running the pages of teen 'zine Rookie Mag, you have to wonder when Tavi Gevinson finds the time to sleep -- much less apply to college. But somehow, the 17 year-old media mogul manages to be the boss while still having those normal growing-up, is-everything-going-to-be-OK? fears just like any other teen.
These people aren't just brave because they are teens -- they are brave, period. Here is our list of 13 of the most fearless teens of 2013. Tweet any other names you would add to the list @HuffPostTeen!
1. Daisy Coleman
Daisy is the teenager at the center of the infamous Maryville rape controversy. If you have not yet read her incredibly brave first-person piece about the experience on XOJane.com, please take the time to. (We'll wait.) "I not only survived, I didn't give up," she wrote. "This is a victory, not just for me, but for every girl."
2. Cassidy Lynn Campbell
Cassidy Lynn Campbell is a transgender teen who documented her journey transitioning in videos on her YouTube channel. She decided to run for homecoming queen at her California high school this year to make a statement. To her shock, she won the title, and her story ended up inspiring teens across the country who are struggling with their own identities. "I realized it wasn’t for me anymore and I was doing this for so many people all around the county and the state," she told KTLA. "I am so proud to win this not just for me, but everyone out there.”
3. Malala Yousafzai
Malala also appeared on last year's most influential list, but we can't think of another name that is more deserving of further recognition. This Pakistani teen's life was changed forever when she was shot in the head by the Taliban last year -- all because she wanted to go to school. Instead of backing down, the now-16 year-old has become an international crusader of education rights for girls. In addition to giving a speech on Malala Day at the United Nations earlier this year, she has been honored as a Nobel Peace Prize nominee and Pakistan's' first National Peace Prize winner.
4. Jaylen Bledsoe
Jaylen started his own tech company when he was just 13 years old. Now, at 15 years old, it's worth 3.5 million dollars and he has over 150 contracted employees. The teen credits his school's gifted education program for his business idea, but admits it's taken a lot of hard work and courage, too. "Take risks," Jaylen told Fox 2. "As a minor, there's nothing you can do that will shoot you down for too long. You can always jump back up and keep going."
5. Ireland Baldwin
You may know Ireland as Alec Baldwin's 18-year-old daughter. What you may not know is that she is a total badass when it comes to standing up to the media. This year, hers was one of the many faces of young, teen girls that were brutally targeted by celeb gossip stories. But it was when she made the cover of a paper -- with the headline "'Little Pig' Comes To The Rescue" -- that Ireland decided to publicly and unapologetically call them out on it. "Out of all of the BREAKING news going on in our country or let alone around the world, they were desperate enough to put me on the cover?" she wrote on Instagram.
6. Zach Sobiech
Zach uploaded the song "Clouds" to his YouTube page in December 2012 as a good-bye letter for his friends and family after learning that he only had months to live. The 19-year-old passed away this year from osteosarcoma -- a cancerous bone tumor -- but not before inspiring thousands of people across the world by his music and message. "I want to be remembered as a kid who went down fighting, and didn't really lose," Zach said. Watch SoulPancake's amazing video about his life here.
7. Maya Van Wagenen
This 15-year-old writer first scored a $300,000 book deal for a unique project she took on in the eight grade: she found the 1950s popularity bible "Betty Cornell's Glamour Guide For Teens" and decided to apply the advice to her every day high school life. She chronicled how things went in a memoir called "Popular: Vintage Wisdom For The Modern Geek." Now, she's landed a big-time movie deal with Dreamworks, which makes her "the youngest non-actor to ever make a feature deal" at the studio.
8. Marcel Neergaard
Marcel might be only 12 years old, but he is one of the coolest, most courageous pre-teen Internet activists out there. This year, for the sixth grade, he was homeschooled because of the severe bullying he endured after his classmates discovered he was gay. Also this year, a bill was introduced in his home state, known as the "don't say gay" bill. Though he was only 11 at the time, Marcel decided he had had enough. He made a video, wrote a blog and launched a petition -- and across the Internet, people stood with him against LGBT bullying. They are still standing with him.
9. James Ward
Despite the fact that James was homeless for a period of his life, the high school senior was determined to be the first person in his family to go to college. He knew he could not afford the tuition, so he decided to crowdfund his way to his dream school. He called his campaign "Homeless to Howard," and its message -- that every teen should feel empowered to make a better life for themselves -- spread like wildfire across the media, and even included an appearance on "Ellen." Needless to say, the teen achieved his goal. "It's surreal. I can't believe after everything that's happened I'm going to be leaving to attend Howard," he said in an interview with The Huffington Post.
10. Lorde
You can call her queen bee -- or, you can just call her this year's most-talked about singing sensation. The 17 year-old New Zealand singer/songwriter had one of the most popular hits of 2013 and was the first woman to top the alternative charts in 17 years. She's also an outspoken feminist and constantly keeps her cool in the face of Internet hate.
11. Jacob Rudolph
This high school student from New Jersey came out as LGBT to his entire graduating class, as well as parents and teachers, in an impassioned, unforgettable speech. The teen was accepting an award for Class Actor at a school event. "Sure, I've been in a few plays and musicals, but more importantly, I've been acting every single day of my life," Jacob told the crowd. "You see me acting the part of straight Jacob, when I am in fact LGBT... So take me, leave me or move me out of the way, because I am what I am." Watch a video of his speech here.
12. Sara Volz
This 17-year-old scientist created her own unique work space for her research: her bedroom. More specifically, she created her own algae biofuel lab under her bed. Her at-home project led to groundbreaking advancements for the scientific community -- including proof that the natural oils produced by algae could be converted into biofuels used in diesel engines. Sara's discoveries beat out 1,700 other whiz kids nationwide to win the 2013 Intel Science Talent Search. She was awarded a $100,000 scholarship.
13. Becky G
Otherwise known as Rebbeca Marie Gomez, this 16-year-old rapper/singer/songwriter took the hip hop and pop world by surprise this year. Her (squeaky clean) rhymes feel different from the Mileys and Selenas alongside her -- and honestly, it's about time more young, female rappers stormed the pop music scene. “I’m really thankful and proud of where I came from," she said in Latina Magazine, on growing up without a lot of money. "If you go through hard times, you learn to change it for the better. I want to build an empire, but I want it to be attainable for people who are where I was a few years ago.”
Special achievement award:
Tavi Gevinson
Between interviewing Emma Watson, acting alongside legend James Gandolfini and running the pages of teen 'zine Rookie Mag, you have to wonder when Tavi Gevinson finds the time to sleep -- much less apply to college. But somehow, the 17 year-old media mogul manages to be the boss while still having those normal growing-up, is-everything-going-to-be-OK? fears just like any other teen.
↧
Dwayne Wynn, Gay San Diego Man, Allegedly Beaten With A Baseball Bat In Possible Hate Crime
A San Diego man believes he was targeted in an alleged Christmas Eve attack that left him with a broken eye socket and three cracked ribs because he's gay.
Local ABC affiliate 10 News reports that Dwayne Wynn, a resident of San Diego's Hillcrest neighborhood, also required 18 stitches in his side after being beaten by a group of unidentified men in the wee hours of Dec. 24.
"I've never been that scared in my entire life,” Wynn, who was not able to provide detailed descriptions of the suspects, told the news channel. He said he heard a car approach behind him, and turned around when a man emerged from the car and shouted an anti-gay slur.
"The last thing I see is a baseball bat being swapped right across the face," he added. “I literally thought I was going to die. I thought they were going to kill me. They were beating me that bad."
Interestingly, Wynn's alleged attack comes on the heels of news that the number of overall hate crimes reported in California dropped about 12 percent in 2012, with an overall decline of about one-third over the past decade, according to the Associated Press.
Still, a California teen who identifies as agender was hospitalized last month after having reportedly been set on fire by a fellow teen while traveling on a city bus.
Local ABC affiliate 10 News reports that Dwayne Wynn, a resident of San Diego's Hillcrest neighborhood, also required 18 stitches in his side after being beaten by a group of unidentified men in the wee hours of Dec. 24.
"I've never been that scared in my entire life,” Wynn, who was not able to provide detailed descriptions of the suspects, told the news channel. He said he heard a car approach behind him, and turned around when a man emerged from the car and shouted an anti-gay slur.
"The last thing I see is a baseball bat being swapped right across the face," he added. “I literally thought I was going to die. I thought they were going to kill me. They were beating me that bad."
Interestingly, Wynn's alleged attack comes on the heels of news that the number of overall hate crimes reported in California dropped about 12 percent in 2012, with an overall decline of about one-third over the past decade, according to the Associated Press.
Still, a California teen who identifies as agender was hospitalized last month after having reportedly been set on fire by a fellow teen while traveling on a city bus.
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'Santa's A Drag Queen' Released By Charm Offensive
Feeling the post-holiday blues? Well you're in luck -- we at Gay Voices are here to cheer you up!
In this first music video from the duo Charm Offensive, a group made up of Amy Gregory and Wade Murphy, the pair asks the queer holiday question on everyone's mind: what if Santa Claus was a drag queen?
Starring Memphis-based drag queen Beverly Hills, this is one hilarious video that is sure to pull you out of the post-holiday slump. Check it out above, and head here to see more videos from Wade Murphy.
In this first music video from the duo Charm Offensive, a group made up of Amy Gregory and Wade Murphy, the pair asks the queer holiday question on everyone's mind: what if Santa Claus was a drag queen?
Starring Memphis-based drag queen Beverly Hills, this is one hilarious video that is sure to pull you out of the post-holiday slump. Check it out above, and head here to see more videos from Wade Murphy.
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Amber Tamblyn, 'Two And A Half Men Actress,' Discusses Lesbian Role
Actress Amber Tamblyn stopped by "Running Later With Scott Rogowsky" last week discuss her experiences playing a lesbian character on the sitcom "Two and a Half Men," a show that has been called "one of the most sex-positive, queer-friendly shows on television."
Prior to Charlie Sheen's exit, "Two And A Half Men" repeatedly landed itself in hot water for being a show geared primarily towards straight men, and excessively putting women and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) characters as the butt of the joke. However, according to Tamblyn, this has all changed.
"It's great to play a lesbian character that is not the butt of jokes and that is actually the one that supplies the jokes and oftentimes is not cast as the villain in a sitcom," she told Rogowsky in the above clip, "or a stereotype or any of those things... I think they've got a lot of young, great writers and it's kind of amazing for a show like that to go through the changes that it has and really come from being a show that was primarily for men and male-based jokes to jokes that, really, a lot of women and a lot of friends of mine who are gay and even transgender love it."
Check out the clip above to hear more about Tamblyn's experiences playing a lesbian role on a primetime sitcom, and catch "Two and a Half Men" on CBS.
Prior to Charlie Sheen's exit, "Two And A Half Men" repeatedly landed itself in hot water for being a show geared primarily towards straight men, and excessively putting women and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) characters as the butt of the joke. However, according to Tamblyn, this has all changed.
"It's great to play a lesbian character that is not the butt of jokes and that is actually the one that supplies the jokes and oftentimes is not cast as the villain in a sitcom," she told Rogowsky in the above clip, "or a stereotype or any of those things... I think they've got a lot of young, great writers and it's kind of amazing for a show like that to go through the changes that it has and really come from being a show that was primarily for men and male-based jokes to jokes that, really, a lot of women and a lot of friends of mine who are gay and even transgender love it."
Check out the clip above to hear more about Tamblyn's experiences playing a lesbian role on a primetime sitcom, and catch "Two and a Half Men" on CBS.
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Utah Counties Reverse Course On Gay Marriage Ruling, Now Letting Couples Wed
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The last of the Utah counties that were holding out on issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples have reversed course and decided to hand out licenses to all eligible applicants.
Officials for the four holdouts — Box Elder, Utah, Piute and San Juan counties — told The Associated Press they made the decision Thursday to offer licenses to same-sex couples. Utah has 29 counties. County clerks say they had little choice after an appeals court denied a motion for a stay on a ruling Friday from U.S. District Judge Robert Shelby. He ruled Utah's ban unconstitutional. The state is preparing an appeal.
The Utah attorney general's office had said counties could be held in contempt of federal court if they refused to comply.
Officials for the four holdouts — Box Elder, Utah, Piute and San Juan counties — told The Associated Press they made the decision Thursday to offer licenses to same-sex couples. Utah has 29 counties. County clerks say they had little choice after an appeals court denied a motion for a stay on a ruling Friday from U.S. District Judge Robert Shelby. He ruled Utah's ban unconstitutional. The state is preparing an appeal.
The Utah attorney general's office had said counties could be held in contempt of federal court if they refused to comply.
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Watch The Star-Studded 'Pee-Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special' For Free Right Now
Pee-Wee wants you to feel like a kid again this Christmas!
The classic "Pee-Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special" is celebrating its 25th anniversary and, to honor such an occasion, the special has been put online for free for all to watch until Jan. 12.
This special, which debuted in 1988, isn't notable for the usual cast of characters like Pee-Wee or Chairy, but for the insane amount of guest stars who are crammed into the hour special. Superstar celebrities like Cher, Oprah, Grace Jones and Whoopi Goldberg and many, many more come by to celebrate Christmas at the playhouse.
What are you waiting for? Grab that leftover eggnog, and see if you can spot all the stars in this zany special that celebrates Christmas the only way Pee-Wee could.
The classic "Pee-Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special" is celebrating its 25th anniversary and, to honor such an occasion, the special has been put online for free for all to watch until Jan. 12.
This special, which debuted in 1988, isn't notable for the usual cast of characters like Pee-Wee or Chairy, but for the insane amount of guest stars who are crammed into the hour special. Superstar celebrities like Cher, Oprah, Grace Jones and Whoopi Goldberg and many, many more come by to celebrate Christmas at the playhouse.
What are you waiting for? Grab that leftover eggnog, and see if you can spot all the stars in this zany special that celebrates Christmas the only way Pee-Wee could.
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Alabama Lawmaker Plans Resolution Calling 'Duck Dynasty' Star A Hero For His Anti-Gay Remarks
Offended by A&E’s recent suspension of "Duck Dynasty" star Phil Robertson for making homophobic and racist comments during a GQ magazine interview, Alabama state Sen. Jerry Fielding (R-Sylacauga) plans to introduce a resolution lauding Robertson as a hero, according to the Daily Home.
Robertson has been placed on temporary hiatus from his family's reality show after comparing homosexuality to bestiality and suggesting that African Americans were happier working the fields “pre-welfare.”
“I never, with my eyes, saw the mistreatment of any black person. Not once. ... I hoed cotton with them. ... They’re singing and happy,” Robertson told GQ. “I never heard one of them, one black person, say, ‘I tell you what: These doggone white people’ -- not a word! ... Pre-entitlement, pre-welfare, you say: Were they happy? They were godly; they were happy; no one was singing the blues.”
Fielding said that the network had “bowed to pressures from liberal groups rather than respecting Robertson’s biblically correct views” and that he believes a “vast majority of Alabamians” share Robertson’s views. The former Democrat pledged his and thousands of unnamed Alabamians' support for Phil Robertson, urging A&E to reverse the suspension.
According to the Daily Home, Fielding’s proposed resolution, which will be introduced when the Alabama Legislature convenes next month, declares:
On Friday, Bristol Palin, daughter of former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, also expressed solidarity with the "Duck Dynasty" star by taking to her Patheos blog to attack the LGBT community and condemn A&E.
"Everyone needs to leave Phil Robertson alone for expressing his beliefs," Bristol Palin, herself a veteran of reality TV, wrote. "I hate how the LGBT community says it's all about 'love' and 'equality.' However, if you don't agree with their lifestyle, they spread the most hate. It is so hypocritical it makes my stomach turn."
Robertson has been placed on temporary hiatus from his family's reality show after comparing homosexuality to bestiality and suggesting that African Americans were happier working the fields “pre-welfare.”
“I never, with my eyes, saw the mistreatment of any black person. Not once. ... I hoed cotton with them. ... They’re singing and happy,” Robertson told GQ. “I never heard one of them, one black person, say, ‘I tell you what: These doggone white people’ -- not a word! ... Pre-entitlement, pre-welfare, you say: Were they happy? They were godly; they were happy; no one was singing the blues.”
Fielding said that the network had “bowed to pressures from liberal groups rather than respecting Robertson’s biblically correct views” and that he believes a “vast majority of Alabamians” share Robertson’s views. The former Democrat pledged his and thousands of unnamed Alabamians' support for Phil Robertson, urging A&E to reverse the suspension.
According to the Daily Home, Fielding’s proposed resolution, which will be introduced when the Alabama Legislature convenes next month, declares:
Whereas, renown[ed] entrepreneur, Louisiana outdoorsman, and reality television star Phil Robertson has positively impacted countless lives through the powerful testimony of his steadfast faith in Jesus Christ and how it has transformed his life; and Whereas Phil Robertson, along with his family ... have served as ambassadors of the love and grace of the Heavenly Father ... Whereas recently, Phil has received backlash for expressing his personal views on homosexuality that were based on scripture in the Bible in an interview with GQ Magazine; ultimately, the Arts and Entertainment Network (A&E) punished him for his beliefs and suspended him indefinitely from the reality television show, Duck Dynasty ... Whereas a portion of the politically correct populous [sic], which strongly encourages tolerance and open-mindedness, is now contradicting themselves with extreme intolerance and close-mindedness towards Phil and his personal beliefs, which stem from his rock-solid Christian faith ... Phil should not be penalized in any way for practicing freedom of speech, but should be celebrated as a hero for courageously revealing his self-truth and Christian ideals in a world that can be unkind towards those with a conservative mind-set ... now therefore, Be it resolved by the Legislature of Alabama, both houses thereof concurring, that this chamber of persons stand united in support of Phil Robertson and his family, and in opposition to the A&E Network's deplorable action of suspending Phil indefinitely from Duck Dynasty for relaying his Christian beliefs.
On Friday, Bristol Palin, daughter of former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, also expressed solidarity with the "Duck Dynasty" star by taking to her Patheos blog to attack the LGBT community and condemn A&E.
"Everyone needs to leave Phil Robertson alone for expressing his beliefs," Bristol Palin, herself a veteran of reality TV, wrote. "I hate how the LGBT community says it's all about 'love' and 'equality.' However, if you don't agree with their lifestyle, they spread the most hate. It is so hypocritical it makes my stomach turn."
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Maria Maksakova, Russian MP And Opera Star, Speaks Out Against Country's 'Gay Propaganda' Law
A member of Russia's parliament is speaking out against the nation's controversial "gay propaganda" legislation.
As both the Wall Street Journal and Buzzfeed are reporting, Maria Maksakova is also a prominent opera star, and pointed specifically to the law's impact on Russian performers and artists who are hoping to take their work abroad.
"We are seeing extremely negative consequences as a result of this law, with the growth of hate crimes,” Maksakova said during a recent meeting of the liberal wing of President Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party, which was captured in a video posted by a Moscow newspaper. “Now we have a horrible problem, including with our investment climate, because for our artists it has become more and more difficult to work abroad.”
A mezzo soprano soloist with St. Petersburg’s Mariinsky Theater, Maksakova added: “I am very sad to see that the Olympic Games in Sochi for which we have so long and anxiously prepared will come to pass with less brilliance and passion because of this unfortunate initiative that was so hastily -- and I believe without thoughtful discussion -- adopted by parliament.”
The Wall Street Journal confirmed the authenticity of the Russian language video, which can be viewed above, with both a spokesman for Maksakova and a participant in the meeting.
According to a HuffPost translation, Maksakova added, "I’m not against our family values, but couldn’t we take 'non-traditional' out of this law through amendments? And expand the law, so that any harmful propaganda of a sexual character to minors became inadmissible ... foreigners don't see anything past the word 'Non-traditional' and the Russian artists trying to work abroad can't just explain that this is not discrimination, but instead the public's attempt to protect the children. Once they see this first line of the law, they are not all curious to see what the law is really intending to convey."
A host of international celebrities including Madonna, Lady Gaga and Elton John have all criticized the law, but Maksakova is one of the few people in the Russian government to take a public stance on the legislation, which reportedly imposes fines for those who "spread information about non-traditional sexual behavior" to minors.
Earlier this month, Putin defended his government's anti-gay policies in his state of the nation address. According to the Associated Press, he stated that the traditional family values he supports defend against "so-called tolerance — genderless and infertile."
Meanwhile, President Barack Obama announced that he would be sending two openly gay delegates to the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. The move, which Obama announced last week, was widely considered a possible jab at Putin's policies against gay rights.
HuffPost translation provided by Irina Dvalidze.
As both the Wall Street Journal and Buzzfeed are reporting, Maria Maksakova is also a prominent opera star, and pointed specifically to the law's impact on Russian performers and artists who are hoping to take their work abroad.
"We are seeing extremely negative consequences as a result of this law, with the growth of hate crimes,” Maksakova said during a recent meeting of the liberal wing of President Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party, which was captured in a video posted by a Moscow newspaper. “Now we have a horrible problem, including with our investment climate, because for our artists it has become more and more difficult to work abroad.”
A mezzo soprano soloist with St. Petersburg’s Mariinsky Theater, Maksakova added: “I am very sad to see that the Olympic Games in Sochi for which we have so long and anxiously prepared will come to pass with less brilliance and passion because of this unfortunate initiative that was so hastily -- and I believe without thoughtful discussion -- adopted by parliament.”
The Wall Street Journal confirmed the authenticity of the Russian language video, which can be viewed above, with both a spokesman for Maksakova and a participant in the meeting.
According to a HuffPost translation, Maksakova added, "I’m not against our family values, but couldn’t we take 'non-traditional' out of this law through amendments? And expand the law, so that any harmful propaganda of a sexual character to minors became inadmissible ... foreigners don't see anything past the word 'Non-traditional' and the Russian artists trying to work abroad can't just explain that this is not discrimination, but instead the public's attempt to protect the children. Once they see this first line of the law, they are not all curious to see what the law is really intending to convey."
A host of international celebrities including Madonna, Lady Gaga and Elton John have all criticized the law, but Maksakova is one of the few people in the Russian government to take a public stance on the legislation, which reportedly imposes fines for those who "spread information about non-traditional sexual behavior" to minors.
Earlier this month, Putin defended his government's anti-gay policies in his state of the nation address. According to the Associated Press, he stated that the traditional family values he supports defend against "so-called tolerance — genderless and infertile."
Meanwhile, President Barack Obama announced that he would be sending two openly gay delegates to the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. The move, which Obama announced last week, was widely considered a possible jab at Putin's policies against gay rights.
HuffPost translation provided by Irina Dvalidze.
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Sarah Palin Admits She Defended Phil Robertson's Anti-Gay Remarks Before Even Reading Them
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) was one of the first political figures to defend Phil Robertson, star of A&E's "Duck Dynasty," when he came under fire for making anti-gay comments in an interview with GQ.
In an interview with Fox News' Greta Van Susteren on Monday, Palin admitted she never even read the interview before rushing to defend the TV star.
Van Susteren brought up Robertson's "offensive" comments -- in which he compared homosexuality to bestiality and said "to me, a vagina -- as a man -- would be more desirable than a man’s anus" -- and asked Palin if she had a problem with "the manners of how he said it."
“I haven’t read the article,” Palin responded. “I don’t know exactly how he said it. But, Greta, what he was doing was in response to a question about a lifestyle that he disagrees with. And yet he has said over and over again, he doesn’t hate the person engaging in a lifestyle he disagrees with. But in response, he was quoting the Gospel.”
Along with Palin, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) rushed to defend Robertson, who also claimed in the interview that black people were "happy" before the Civil Rights movement. Robertson was suspended from his show on Dec. 18 for the comments he made to GQ.
In an interview with Fox News' Greta Van Susteren on Monday, Palin admitted she never even read the interview before rushing to defend the TV star.
Van Susteren brought up Robertson's "offensive" comments -- in which he compared homosexuality to bestiality and said "to me, a vagina -- as a man -- would be more desirable than a man’s anus" -- and asked Palin if she had a problem with "the manners of how he said it."
“I haven’t read the article,” Palin responded. “I don’t know exactly how he said it. But, Greta, what he was doing was in response to a question about a lifestyle that he disagrees with. And yet he has said over and over again, he doesn’t hate the person engaging in a lifestyle he disagrees with. But in response, he was quoting the Gospel.”
Along with Palin, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) rushed to defend Robertson, who also claimed in the interview that black people were "happy" before the Civil Rights movement. Robertson was suspended from his show on Dec. 18 for the comments he made to GQ.
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The 34 Greatest Moments In Pizza History From 2013
Pizza lovers had a lot to be thankful for in 2013. From the invention of amazing new kinds of pizza, to the exciting places it traveled, to the new and bizarre pizza-themed tunes, this should be remembered as one of the best years ever for pizza.
1. Macaulay Culkin joins "The Pizza Underground."
![pizza underground]()
Macaulay Culkin is in a band called The Pizza Underground, which plays pizza-themed covers of Velvet Underground songs. Considering Lou Reed's recent passing, longstanding curiosity of what Culkin has been up to since "Home Alone," and of course, the universal love for pizza, the band became a viral success overnight, getting gig offers around the world. You can watch a video of their first show here.
Image: Bandcamp / The Pizza Underground
2. The "Wrecking (Meat)ball" pizza is born.
![171537998]()
Vinnie's Pizzeria in Brooklyn, New York, is known for creating pop culture-themed slices, like the Arrested Development-themed "I've made a huge mis-STEAK." But they really pizza-topped themselves with this Miley Cyrus-inspired slice.
Image: Instagram / @vinniesbrooklyn
3. A hostage situation is successfully ended with pizza.
Police were surprised to discover that a man who had taken five hostages only demanded a pizza and a bottle of Sprite. After he was given the food, he released all the hostages and he was subsequently arrested. It is unclear whether he still got to eat the pizza.
4. Someone invents the perfect breakup strategy.
![Best breakup ever!]( "Hosted by imgur.com")
5. Pizza goes to space.
Members of the chiptune rock band, Anamanaguchi, took a very giant leap for mankind when they sent a slice of pizza to space after raising funds to do so through a Kickstarter campaign where they raised $277,399 for special projects.
6. A pizza slice did the walk of shame.
![]( "Hosted by imgur.com")
This photograph was taken at 6:30 a.m. presumably after an extra saucy night.
7. Chipotle creates a secret pizza restaurant.
Chipotle secretly opened up a pizza restaurant in Boulder, Colo., called Pizzeria Locale, and now they have plans to expand. Eleven-inch pizzas were being sold for just $6.50. Unfortunately, for now it seems as if Pizzeria Locale is staying in Colorado, but hopefully this will change in the very near future.
8. A deliveryman still delivers a pizza after his car is hijacked at gunpoint.
Instead of immediately running away after being held up, a delivery driver for Papa John's in Atlanta went on to deliver a pizza.
9. An elderly man has the audacity to order a pizza from a restaurant he just crashed into.
![171537998]()
An elderly man in Nebraska accidentally crashed his car into this pizza place and then asked if he could still order while he waited for emergency crews to arrive. We may never know if the man got his pizza.
Image: Screenshot from Gawker via KLKN
10. Bryan Cranston makes another perfect pie toss on Jimmy Fallon.
![TK TK gifs]()
During Jimmy Fallon's "Breaking Bad" parody, "Joking Bad," Bryan Cranston made a cameo appearance to reenact the infamous Walter White scene where he throws a pizza on to the roof of his family's house. Apparently Cranston miraculously accomplished the original throw in one take.
11. The sexy pizza costume is invented.
![171537998]()
Next year's unnecessarily promiscuous Halloween costume, for only $49.97!
Image: Yandy
12. Jon Stewart tells Chicago their pizza isn't real.
![jon stewart]()
After New York City took the country's tallest tower title from Chicago -- One World Trade Center is now taller than Chicago's Willis Tower -- Stewart added to the rivalry by going on an epic rant about how Chicago pizza isn't real pizza. This caused a massive stir, which ended up turning into a back and forth battle between Stewart and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
13. A pizzeria becomes a study hall.
![Image]( "Hosted by imgur.com")
The Greenville House of Pizza in Vermont offered special pizza rates to students who were doing homework or those who ended up getting good grades. Every afternoon until 5 p.m. students doing work could get slices for just $0.35.
14. A ton of Red Rangers eat pizza together.
![161500518]()
This massive group of Red Power Rangers shared slices from Lombardi's Pizza in New York City during a celebration of the show's 20-year anniversary.
15. The real-life pizza button.
![Pizza Button]( "Hosted by imgur.com")
This extra special pizza phone was discovered in a Country Inn & Suites in Niagara Falls, Ontario and sparked fits of jealousy across the internet. Of course, if you aren't so lucky to have a dedicated pizza button on your landline, there is an app for that.
16. A pizza walk to not remember.
This extremely intoxicated York St. John student in England was making his way home from a pizza shop called Kings when a friend caught him and shot this video.
17. Pizza Hut manager refuses to open on Thanksgiving.
When this manager was fired after refusing to open his Pizza Hut franchise in Elkhart, Ind. on Thanksgiving and instead giving his employees the day off, it caused a national uproar. He ended up being offered the job back and received an apology.
18. The "Used To Be A Pizza Hut" tumblr returns.
![]( "Hosted by imgur.com")
"Used To Be A Pizza Hut" is a great tumblr that rounds up stores that occupy buildings that clearly used to be Pizza Huts. Updates on the site had stopped in 2008, but 2013 saw its triumphant return.
19. Pizza Hat.
![171537998]()
Iran has quite a few knockoffs of American chains popup here and there, including a now-closed "Mash Donalds" and the amazingly named "Pizza Hat."
Image: Twitter / @LordMaster_Owen
20. A Pizza Hut bathroom in Long Island is haunted.
The bathroom of a Long Island Pizza Hut is apparently haunted by the ghost of "a man or a woman either committed suicide or was murdered in the bathroom" when the restaurant was still a "Jack In The Box," according to paranormal experts. If you want to watch "undeniable evidence" of the ghost's existence, you should watch this video.
21. The Pizza Hut Cheeseburger-Stuffed Crust is delivered.
![pizza hut]()
Although the actual result of the UK's Pizza Hut Cheeseburger-Stuffed Crust experiment may have ended in soggy failure, at least by the looks of this photo, the creativity and daring to dream to such great pizza heights is worthy of some sort of pizza-shaped medal. Although pizza as we know it is already perfect, those who strive to innovate and advance the lives of pies deserve our respect. This pizza star burned too bright in the oven, however, and is no longer available.
Image: Pizza Hut UK
22. Kobayashi eats a whole pizza in under a minute.
![183457219]()
World champion eater Kobayashi was hired to attend a Super Bowl party and eat a Domino's pizza in under a minute. He did it. More recently he ate 10 pizzas in 12 minutes to defend his pizza-eating champion status.
23. The laser gun pizza cutter revolutionizes slicing.
![171537998]()
This tactical laser guided pizza cutter can be bought for $19.99.
Image: ThinkGeek
24. A Brooklyn man becomes a Guinness World Record holder for owning 595 pizza boxes.
![scott wiener]()
Scott Wiener was awarded a Guinness World Record this year for his pizza box collection of 595 boxes, seen here in his Brooklyn, New York, home. You can take a pizza tour with Wiener if you want to shake his hand or buy him a slice.
25. Patrick Stewart eats his "first" slice of pizza ever.
![171537998]()
When Patrick Stewart tweeted that he had just had his "first ever pizza 'slice,'" many news outlets/fans/pizza-lovers were pretty confused at how we could have gone 72 years without ever having a slice of pizza. The Daily Intelligencer ended up asking Stewart to clarify in their "unending quest for the Truth," and they found that the actor and his fiancée (now wife) were hungover in this pizza quest and that Stewart had eaten pizza before, just never a "slice" of pizza. Up until that hungover morning he had been eating pizza with a fork and knife. Still weird.
Image: Twitter / @SirPatStew
26. Pizza vending machines are discovered in Croatia.
![]( "Hosted by imgur.com")
We can only hope that these 24-hour pizza vending machines from Croatia make their way to the United States sometime soon.
27. The birth of the falafel pizza.
![171537998]()
Benjy’s Kosher Pizza Dairy Restaurant and Sushi Bar in Queens, New York, is now home to the "falafel slice" which can be bought for $3.25.
Image: Twitter / @andhwang via Chopsticks + Marrow
28. Domino's starts offering a vegan pizza.
Domino's announced its first ever vegan-friendly pizza, which will have a soy-based cheese substitute and vegetable toppings. Unfortunately, the chain has only announced plans to sell the pizza in Israel for now.
29. The greatest event in pizza television history takes place.
Scott Oellkers, president of Domino's Pizza Japan, proved himself the year's best spokesperson in this Japanese commercial. You should add him on LinkedIn.
30. The legend of the $5 million pizza is born.
The first real-world Bitcoin transaction happened on May 21, 2010, when a pizza was successfully bought for 10,000 bitcoins, or about $25. As the value of Bitcoin has significantly risen since 2010, that purchase was estimated to cost $750,000 by Vice's Motherboard back in March. Now that Bitcoin value is hovering around $550, the pizza is now a $5.5 million purchase.
31. The future is promised 3D-printing pizza in spaceships.
NASA announced that they are trying to figure out a way to "3D print" food using powdered food as the "ink." Mechanical engineer Anjan Contractor was awarded $125,000 to try and complete the project. The first tested food will of course be pizza, which will require "building blocks for dough, dehydrated tomato sauce, and an anonymous 'protein layer.'"
32. DVDs that smell and look like hot pizza are released.
Domino's partnered up with ten local rental stores to offer DVDs with "special labels with flavored varnish," which smell and look like pizza after being heated up in DVD players. The rental choices included "Argo," "James Bond" and "The Dark Knight."
33. Famous artworks get a pizza makeover.
![TK TK gifs]()
BuzzFeed designer Jen Lewis imagined what famous paintings would look like if they were actually about pizza. All of the GIFs are great but the above "The Pizza Night" is a true masterslice.
34. Pizza boxes featuring George Clooney are found.
![171537998]()
A pizza box found in Haslach, Germany, seems to feature George Clooney baking an authentic margarita pizza. For those screaming "Photoshop," it's real.
Image: Facebook / Morgan Frickey
1. Macaulay Culkin joins "The Pizza Underground."
Macaulay Culkin is in a band called The Pizza Underground, which plays pizza-themed covers of Velvet Underground songs. Considering Lou Reed's recent passing, longstanding curiosity of what Culkin has been up to since "Home Alone," and of course, the universal love for pizza, the band became a viral success overnight, getting gig offers around the world. You can watch a video of their first show here.
Image: Bandcamp / The Pizza Underground
2. The "Wrecking (Meat)ball" pizza is born.
Vinnie's Pizzeria in Brooklyn, New York, is known for creating pop culture-themed slices, like the Arrested Development-themed "I've made a huge mis-STEAK." But they really pizza-topped themselves with this Miley Cyrus-inspired slice.
Image: Instagram / @vinniesbrooklyn
3. A hostage situation is successfully ended with pizza.
Police were surprised to discover that a man who had taken five hostages only demanded a pizza and a bottle of Sprite. After he was given the food, he released all the hostages and he was subsequently arrested. It is unclear whether he still got to eat the pizza.
4. Someone invents the perfect breakup strategy.
5. Pizza goes to space.
Members of the chiptune rock band, Anamanaguchi, took a very giant leap for mankind when they sent a slice of pizza to space after raising funds to do so through a Kickstarter campaign where they raised $277,399 for special projects.
6. A pizza slice did the walk of shame.
This photograph was taken at 6:30 a.m. presumably after an extra saucy night.
7. Chipotle creates a secret pizza restaurant.
Chipotle secretly opened up a pizza restaurant in Boulder, Colo., called Pizzeria Locale, and now they have plans to expand. Eleven-inch pizzas were being sold for just $6.50. Unfortunately, for now it seems as if Pizzeria Locale is staying in Colorado, but hopefully this will change in the very near future.
8. A deliveryman still delivers a pizza after his car is hijacked at gunpoint.
Instead of immediately running away after being held up, a delivery driver for Papa John's in Atlanta went on to deliver a pizza.
9. An elderly man has the audacity to order a pizza from a restaurant he just crashed into.
An elderly man in Nebraska accidentally crashed his car into this pizza place and then asked if he could still order while he waited for emergency crews to arrive. We may never know if the man got his pizza.
Image: Screenshot from Gawker via KLKN
10. Bryan Cranston makes another perfect pie toss on Jimmy Fallon.
During Jimmy Fallon's "Breaking Bad" parody, "Joking Bad," Bryan Cranston made a cameo appearance to reenact the infamous Walter White scene where he throws a pizza on to the roof of his family's house. Apparently Cranston miraculously accomplished the original throw in one take.
11. The sexy pizza costume is invented.
Next year's unnecessarily promiscuous Halloween costume, for only $49.97!
Image: Yandy
12. Jon Stewart tells Chicago their pizza isn't real.
After New York City took the country's tallest tower title from Chicago -- One World Trade Center is now taller than Chicago's Willis Tower -- Stewart added to the rivalry by going on an epic rant about how Chicago pizza isn't real pizza. This caused a massive stir, which ended up turning into a back and forth battle between Stewart and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
13. A pizzeria becomes a study hall.
The Greenville House of Pizza in Vermont offered special pizza rates to students who were doing homework or those who ended up getting good grades. Every afternoon until 5 p.m. students doing work could get slices for just $0.35.
14. A ton of Red Rangers eat pizza together.
This massive group of Red Power Rangers shared slices from Lombardi's Pizza in New York City during a celebration of the show's 20-year anniversary.
15. The real-life pizza button.
This extra special pizza phone was discovered in a Country Inn & Suites in Niagara Falls, Ontario and sparked fits of jealousy across the internet. Of course, if you aren't so lucky to have a dedicated pizza button on your landline, there is an app for that.
16. A pizza walk to not remember.
This extremely intoxicated York St. John student in England was making his way home from a pizza shop called Kings when a friend caught him and shot this video.
17. Pizza Hut manager refuses to open on Thanksgiving.
When this manager was fired after refusing to open his Pizza Hut franchise in Elkhart, Ind. on Thanksgiving and instead giving his employees the day off, it caused a national uproar. He ended up being offered the job back and received an apology.
18. The "Used To Be A Pizza Hut" tumblr returns.
"Used To Be A Pizza Hut" is a great tumblr that rounds up stores that occupy buildings that clearly used to be Pizza Huts. Updates on the site had stopped in 2008, but 2013 saw its triumphant return.
19. Pizza Hat.
Iran has quite a few knockoffs of American chains popup here and there, including a now-closed "Mash Donalds" and the amazingly named "Pizza Hat."
Image: Twitter / @LordMaster_Owen
20. A Pizza Hut bathroom in Long Island is haunted.
The bathroom of a Long Island Pizza Hut is apparently haunted by the ghost of "a man or a woman either committed suicide or was murdered in the bathroom" when the restaurant was still a "Jack In The Box," according to paranormal experts. If you want to watch "undeniable evidence" of the ghost's existence, you should watch this video.
21. The Pizza Hut Cheeseburger-Stuffed Crust is delivered.
Although the actual result of the UK's Pizza Hut Cheeseburger-Stuffed Crust experiment may have ended in soggy failure, at least by the looks of this photo, the creativity and daring to dream to such great pizza heights is worthy of some sort of pizza-shaped medal. Although pizza as we know it is already perfect, those who strive to innovate and advance the lives of pies deserve our respect. This pizza star burned too bright in the oven, however, and is no longer available.
Image: Pizza Hut UK
22. Kobayashi eats a whole pizza in under a minute.
World champion eater Kobayashi was hired to attend a Super Bowl party and eat a Domino's pizza in under a minute. He did it. More recently he ate 10 pizzas in 12 minutes to defend his pizza-eating champion status.
23. The laser gun pizza cutter revolutionizes slicing.
This tactical laser guided pizza cutter can be bought for $19.99.
Image: ThinkGeek
24. A Brooklyn man becomes a Guinness World Record holder for owning 595 pizza boxes.
Scott Wiener was awarded a Guinness World Record this year for his pizza box collection of 595 boxes, seen here in his Brooklyn, New York, home. You can take a pizza tour with Wiener if you want to shake his hand or buy him a slice.
25. Patrick Stewart eats his "first" slice of pizza ever.
When Patrick Stewart tweeted that he had just had his "first ever pizza 'slice,'" many news outlets/fans/pizza-lovers were pretty confused at how we could have gone 72 years without ever having a slice of pizza. The Daily Intelligencer ended up asking Stewart to clarify in their "unending quest for the Truth," and they found that the actor and his fiancée (now wife) were hungover in this pizza quest and that Stewart had eaten pizza before, just never a "slice" of pizza. Up until that hungover morning he had been eating pizza with a fork and knife. Still weird.
Image: Twitter / @SirPatStew
26. Pizza vending machines are discovered in Croatia.
We can only hope that these 24-hour pizza vending machines from Croatia make their way to the United States sometime soon.
27. The birth of the falafel pizza.
Benjy’s Kosher Pizza Dairy Restaurant and Sushi Bar in Queens, New York, is now home to the "falafel slice" which can be bought for $3.25.
Image: Twitter / @andhwang via Chopsticks + Marrow
28. Domino's starts offering a vegan pizza.
Domino's announced its first ever vegan-friendly pizza, which will have a soy-based cheese substitute and vegetable toppings. Unfortunately, the chain has only announced plans to sell the pizza in Israel for now.
29. The greatest event in pizza television history takes place.
Scott Oellkers, president of Domino's Pizza Japan, proved himself the year's best spokesperson in this Japanese commercial. You should add him on LinkedIn.
30. The legend of the $5 million pizza is born.
The first real-world Bitcoin transaction happened on May 21, 2010, when a pizza was successfully bought for 10,000 bitcoins, or about $25. As the value of Bitcoin has significantly risen since 2010, that purchase was estimated to cost $750,000 by Vice's Motherboard back in March. Now that Bitcoin value is hovering around $550, the pizza is now a $5.5 million purchase.
31. The future is promised 3D-printing pizza in spaceships.
NASA announced that they are trying to figure out a way to "3D print" food using powdered food as the "ink." Mechanical engineer Anjan Contractor was awarded $125,000 to try and complete the project. The first tested food will of course be pizza, which will require "building blocks for dough, dehydrated tomato sauce, and an anonymous 'protein layer.'"
32. DVDs that smell and look like hot pizza are released.
Domino's partnered up with ten local rental stores to offer DVDs with "special labels with flavored varnish," which smell and look like pizza after being heated up in DVD players. The rental choices included "Argo," "James Bond" and "The Dark Knight."
33. Famous artworks get a pizza makeover.
BuzzFeed designer Jen Lewis imagined what famous paintings would look like if they were actually about pizza. All of the GIFs are great but the above "The Pizza Night" is a true masterslice.
34. Pizza boxes featuring George Clooney are found.
A pizza box found in Haslach, Germany, seems to feature George Clooney baking an authentic margarita pizza. For those screaming "Photoshop," it's real.
Image: Facebook / Morgan Frickey
↧
↧
The 35 Most Powerful Kisses Of 2013 Show How Love Trumped All Else
It only takes a kiss to bring us together.
2013 was a tumultuous year, featuring social change in just about all corners of this planet we call home. But these moments of tumult also caused people to come together-- both in triumph and with a need for solace.
We've compiled a list of the most powerful lip locks of 2013, each of them a glimpse into the struggles, the joys, and above all, the resilience of the human spirit that this year brought.
1. For Russia, with love
![180038064]()
Demonstrators wearing Putin masks kiss in front of the Russian Embassy in Paris, France, to protest Russia's anti-gay laws.
2. Reliving a moment in time
![176509727]()
WWII veteran nurse Gloria Bullard and World War II fighter pilot Jerry Yellin re-enact this iconic kiss on the anniversary of Victory over Japan Day. Bullard appears in the alternate version of the original photograph seen in the background and can be spotted between the ribbon and "Keep the Spirit Sprit Of '45 Alive!" logo.
3. Civil disobedience, sealed with a kiss
![450033831]()
A 20-year-old student protestor kisses a riot police officer in Susa, Italy. The police force action later brought sexual assault against her.
4. Facing the pain
![167929923]()
Marinda Righter kisses the face of her mother, Carmen Blandin Tarleton, after a successful face transplant.
5. Fires burn in the night
![166768808]()
A mother kisses her daughter while attending a vigil for 8-year-old Boston Marathon bombing victim Martin Richard.
6. Passion despite rejection
![162622958]()
After being rejected a marriage license by a Beijing registry office, Elsie Liao and Mayu Yu kiss to bring attention to the lack of LGBT rights in China.
7. Fighting for justice
![trayvon martin kiss]()
Pelipe Bargainer kisses his daughter during a "Justice for Trayvon" rally following George Zimmerman being found not guilty in the death of unarmed teenager, Trayvon Martin.
8. Coming home
![187707564]()
Jim Wyss and Ana Soler kiss upon Wyss' return to the United States. Wyss was detained in Venezuela for 48 hours while reporting near the Colombian border for the Miami Herald.
9. Hope for a family reunion
![186216603]()
The grandson of Palestinian prisoner Mohamed Ibrahim kisses his picture as the family awaits his release from an Israeli prison, where he's been locked up since 1985.
10. Saying goodbye
![172494647]()
A funeral attendee kisses Linda Oliver's hand during a service for Oliver's father, Sgt. 1st Class Juan Colon-Diaz, along with 1st Lt. Richard Dyer and Spc. 5 John Burgess, whose helicopter crashed during the Vietnam War. The soldiers were considered missing in action until this year.
11. Honoring a dream
![178285962]()
President Barack Obama kisses Oprah Winfrey on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., during a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream Speech" and the March on Washington.
12. Clinging to life
![174378487]()
Parrot hatchlings share a kiss after being caught by a hunter and being put on the Indian black market for possible consumption.
13. New Jersey victory
![185456827]()
Joseph Panessidi and Orville Bell kiss after the first same-sex marriage in New Jersey, officiated by U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D) on the morning after a landmark decision by the New Jersey Supreme Court.
14. Preparing for things to come
![180207947]()
New York City mayoral candidate (at the time) Bill de Blasio kisses his wife, Chirlane McCray, after casting his ballot in the mayoral primary. De Blasio went on to win the New York City mayoral race.
15. Everything for this moment
![160769796]()
Ray Lewis kisses The Vince Lombardi Trophy after The Baltimore Ravens won Super Bowl XLVII over the San Francisco 49ers. It was Lewis' last season after being in the league for 17 seasons.
16. Okay again for an instant
![170026027]()
Doris Perez of Spain kisses her grandchild while sitting in their new apartment that they moved into after no longer being able to afford rent. Spanish banks foreclosed on more than 100,000 households in 2010 alone.
17. Rising above
![453344317]()
Two protestors kiss while overlooking anti-government demonstrations in Ukraine that have erupted in response to Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych's decision to foster trade relations with Russia rather than the European Union.
18. Ending the oppression
![171812356]()
Sandy Stier and Kris Perry kiss, becoming the first same-sex couple to be married in California after the state's ban on gay marriages was lifted.
19. Finding the strength to carry on
![169222961]()
Heather Schmidt kisses her son and looks over the wreckage of her aunt and uncle's home from the devastation of the tornado in Moore, Okla.
20. Promising never to forget
![176461133]()
A Syrian Kurdish Popular Protection Units rebel fighter bends over to kiss the hand of a woman attending the funeral of his friend.
21. A kiss goodbye, for now
![168159774]()
A Dutch soldier and a girl kiss before he is deployed to Afghanistan.
22. Hoping for change after tragedy
![166827699]()
Erica Lafferty, daughter of Sandy Hook victim Dawn Hochsprung, kisses Carlee Soto, sister of Sandy Hook victim Vicki Soto, while standing behind Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) as he speaks about proposed gun legislation.
23. Coping with the impossible
![167638720]()
Dalbir Kaur kisses Sukhpreet Kaur during a press conference discussing the fate of accused Indian spy Sarabjit Singh, Dalbir's brother and Sukhpreet's husband. Pakistan had been holding Singh and threatening the death penalty since 1991, but in 2013 he was killed by fellow death row prison mates.
24. Celebrating an icon
![454556721]()
A South African girl kisses a statue of Nelson Mandela before a memorial service conducted by Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
25. Absolute ecstasy
![456708717]()
Sergio Garcia and his caddy/girlfriend Katharina Boehm kiss after Garcia's victory at the Thailand Golf Championship.
26. A kiss before four more years
![159832554]()
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama kiss after his swearing in for a second term by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.
27. Future love?
![159266067]()
A woman kisses Iron Man at the 2013 International CES which is the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show.
28. Kissing to fight persecution
![168969825]()
Two women kiss during the International Day Against Homophobia, a massive protest in a Mexico City bus terminal where two gay women kissing were abused by police officers the year prior.
29. Beliefs that run deep
![164906527]()
An Indonesian Catholic woman kisses the foot of Jesus during a Good Friday re-enactment of the crucifixion.
30. A kiss for survival
![169584627]()
Fatima Khatun of India kisses her daughter Roona Begum, who has a type of fluid buildup in her head called Hydrocephalus. Life-saving surgery was successfully completed on Begum.
31. A festival of kisses
![163599971]()
A couple kisses during the Indonesian Kissing Festival known as 'Omed-Omedan' in Sesetan village to ward off bad luck for the coming year.
32. Accepted
![161708470]()
Fabricia and Wagner Darosa kiss immediately after being naturalized as American citizens in a special Valentine's Day ceremony exclusively for married couples held in Tampa, Fla.
33. So much that makes struggles worthwhile
![173342045]()
Dante kisses his mother, Tiffany Jarvis, who is not sure if she'll be able to afford child care even with her husband resuming full-time work.
34. So much to fight for every day
![450675709]()
The mother of a premature baby kisses her daughter in a hospital that was extremely overcrowded and heavily damaged after Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.
35. So much to win
![160097404]()
Two women kiss during a protest for gay marriage and adoption rights in France. This was back in January and both were won by the end of the year.
Correction: An earlier version of this post inaccurately identified the subject of photograph #33.
2013 was a tumultuous year, featuring social change in just about all corners of this planet we call home. But these moments of tumult also caused people to come together-- both in triumph and with a need for solace.
We've compiled a list of the most powerful lip locks of 2013, each of them a glimpse into the struggles, the joys, and above all, the resilience of the human spirit that this year brought.
1. For Russia, with love
Demonstrators wearing Putin masks kiss in front of the Russian Embassy in Paris, France, to protest Russia's anti-gay laws.
2. Reliving a moment in time
WWII veteran nurse Gloria Bullard and World War II fighter pilot Jerry Yellin re-enact this iconic kiss on the anniversary of Victory over Japan Day. Bullard appears in the alternate version of the original photograph seen in the background and can be spotted between the ribbon and "Keep the Spirit Sprit Of '45 Alive!" logo.
3. Civil disobedience, sealed with a kiss
A 20-year-old student protestor kisses a riot police officer in Susa, Italy. The police force action later brought sexual assault against her.
4. Facing the pain
Marinda Righter kisses the face of her mother, Carmen Blandin Tarleton, after a successful face transplant.
5. Fires burn in the night
A mother kisses her daughter while attending a vigil for 8-year-old Boston Marathon bombing victim Martin Richard.
6. Passion despite rejection
After being rejected a marriage license by a Beijing registry office, Elsie Liao and Mayu Yu kiss to bring attention to the lack of LGBT rights in China.
7. Fighting for justice
Pelipe Bargainer kisses his daughter during a "Justice for Trayvon" rally following George Zimmerman being found not guilty in the death of unarmed teenager, Trayvon Martin.
8. Coming home
Jim Wyss and Ana Soler kiss upon Wyss' return to the United States. Wyss was detained in Venezuela for 48 hours while reporting near the Colombian border for the Miami Herald.
9. Hope for a family reunion
The grandson of Palestinian prisoner Mohamed Ibrahim kisses his picture as the family awaits his release from an Israeli prison, where he's been locked up since 1985.
10. Saying goodbye
A funeral attendee kisses Linda Oliver's hand during a service for Oliver's father, Sgt. 1st Class Juan Colon-Diaz, along with 1st Lt. Richard Dyer and Spc. 5 John Burgess, whose helicopter crashed during the Vietnam War. The soldiers were considered missing in action until this year.
11. Honoring a dream
President Barack Obama kisses Oprah Winfrey on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., during a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream Speech" and the March on Washington.
12. Clinging to life
Parrot hatchlings share a kiss after being caught by a hunter and being put on the Indian black market for possible consumption.
13. New Jersey victory
Joseph Panessidi and Orville Bell kiss after the first same-sex marriage in New Jersey, officiated by U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D) on the morning after a landmark decision by the New Jersey Supreme Court.
14. Preparing for things to come
New York City mayoral candidate (at the time) Bill de Blasio kisses his wife, Chirlane McCray, after casting his ballot in the mayoral primary. De Blasio went on to win the New York City mayoral race.
15. Everything for this moment
Ray Lewis kisses The Vince Lombardi Trophy after The Baltimore Ravens won Super Bowl XLVII over the San Francisco 49ers. It was Lewis' last season after being in the league for 17 seasons.
16. Okay again for an instant
Doris Perez of Spain kisses her grandchild while sitting in their new apartment that they moved into after no longer being able to afford rent. Spanish banks foreclosed on more than 100,000 households in 2010 alone.
17. Rising above
Two protestors kiss while overlooking anti-government demonstrations in Ukraine that have erupted in response to Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych's decision to foster trade relations with Russia rather than the European Union.
18. Ending the oppression
Sandy Stier and Kris Perry kiss, becoming the first same-sex couple to be married in California after the state's ban on gay marriages was lifted.
19. Finding the strength to carry on
Heather Schmidt kisses her son and looks over the wreckage of her aunt and uncle's home from the devastation of the tornado in Moore, Okla.
20. Promising never to forget
A Syrian Kurdish Popular Protection Units rebel fighter bends over to kiss the hand of a woman attending the funeral of his friend.
21. A kiss goodbye, for now
A Dutch soldier and a girl kiss before he is deployed to Afghanistan.
22. Hoping for change after tragedy
Erica Lafferty, daughter of Sandy Hook victim Dawn Hochsprung, kisses Carlee Soto, sister of Sandy Hook victim Vicki Soto, while standing behind Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) as he speaks about proposed gun legislation.
23. Coping with the impossible
Dalbir Kaur kisses Sukhpreet Kaur during a press conference discussing the fate of accused Indian spy Sarabjit Singh, Dalbir's brother and Sukhpreet's husband. Pakistan had been holding Singh and threatening the death penalty since 1991, but in 2013 he was killed by fellow death row prison mates.
24. Celebrating an icon
A South African girl kisses a statue of Nelson Mandela before a memorial service conducted by Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
25. Absolute ecstasy
Sergio Garcia and his caddy/girlfriend Katharina Boehm kiss after Garcia's victory at the Thailand Golf Championship.
26. A kiss before four more years
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama kiss after his swearing in for a second term by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.
27. Future love?
A woman kisses Iron Man at the 2013 International CES which is the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show.
28. Kissing to fight persecution
Two women kiss during the International Day Against Homophobia, a massive protest in a Mexico City bus terminal where two gay women kissing were abused by police officers the year prior.
29. Beliefs that run deep
An Indonesian Catholic woman kisses the foot of Jesus during a Good Friday re-enactment of the crucifixion.
30. A kiss for survival
Fatima Khatun of India kisses her daughter Roona Begum, who has a type of fluid buildup in her head called Hydrocephalus. Life-saving surgery was successfully completed on Begum.
31. A festival of kisses
A couple kisses during the Indonesian Kissing Festival known as 'Omed-Omedan' in Sesetan village to ward off bad luck for the coming year.
32. Accepted
Fabricia and Wagner Darosa kiss immediately after being naturalized as American citizens in a special Valentine's Day ceremony exclusively for married couples held in Tampa, Fla.
33. So much that makes struggles worthwhile
Dante kisses his mother, Tiffany Jarvis, who is not sure if she'll be able to afford child care even with her husband resuming full-time work.
34. So much to fight for every day
The mother of a premature baby kisses her daughter in a hospital that was extremely overcrowded and heavily damaged after Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.
35. So much to win
Two women kiss during a protest for gay marriage and adoption rights in France. This was back in January and both were won by the end of the year.
Correction: An earlier version of this post inaccurately identified the subject of photograph #33.
↧
2 Members Of 1993 Oilers Were Gay; Teammates Knew, Didn't Care
At least two key members of the tumultuous 1993 Houston Oilers team were gay, former teammates have told the Houston Chronicle.
Not only did the team know about the situation, but players accepted their gay teammates and did not outcast them.
“Listen, those guys that we’re talking about were unbelievable teammates. And if you wanted to go to war with someone, you would get those guys first. Because I have never seen tougher guys than those guys,” said Pro Bowl linebacker Lamar Lathon, who starred at the University of Houston. “And everybody in the locker room, the consensus knew or had an idea that things were not exactly right. But guess what? When they strapped the pads on and got on the field, man, we were going to war with these guys because they were unbelievable.”
Not only did the team know about the situation, but players accepted their gay teammates and did not outcast them.
“Listen, those guys that we’re talking about were unbelievable teammates. And if you wanted to go to war with someone, you would get those guys first. Because I have never seen tougher guys than those guys,” said Pro Bowl linebacker Lamar Lathon, who starred at the University of Houston. “And everybody in the locker room, the consensus knew or had an idea that things were not exactly right. But guess what? When they strapped the pads on and got on the field, man, we were going to war with these guys because they were unbelievable.”
↧
Miley Cyrus Kisses A Girl, Victoria's Secret Model Cara Delevingne
Oh, it's just Miley Cyrus, being her usual tongue-wagging self as she posed tongues out with Victoria's Secret model Cara Delevingne.
In a photo the "We Can't Stop" singer posted on her Twitter page Thursday (Dec. 26), Cyrus can be seen kissing the English fashion model on a couch, with a rainbow graphic superimposed on top. "LOVE!!!!! We finally got the filmed developed Mush," Cyrus wrote.
Sure, whatever that means. For what it's worth, the 21-year-old star recently explained her signature facial pose in a Rolling Stone interview. "I just stick my tongue out because I hate smiling in pictures," Cyrus said. "It's so awkward. It looks so cheesy. Now people expect it -- like, 'Put your tongue out!' It's just easier that way. Taking pictures is so embarrassing."
In a photo the "We Can't Stop" singer posted on her Twitter page Thursday (Dec. 26), Cyrus can be seen kissing the English fashion model on a couch, with a rainbow graphic superimposed on top. "LOVE!!!!! We finally got the filmed developed Mush," Cyrus wrote.
Sure, whatever that means. For what it's worth, the 21-year-old star recently explained her signature facial pose in a Rolling Stone interview. "I just stick my tongue out because I hate smiling in pictures," Cyrus said. "It's so awkward. It looks so cheesy. Now people expect it -- like, 'Put your tongue out!' It's just easier that way. Taking pictures is so embarrassing."
@Caradelevingne LOVE!!!!! We finally got the filmed developed Mush pic.twitter.com/XiclahvhSF
— Miley Ray Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) December 26, 2013↧