AOC, anti-trans legislation, Alexandria Ocasio-cortez
by Daniel Johnson

December 8, 2023

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Warns Of The Consequences Of Anti-Trans Legislation

AOC contextualized her remarks, placing the position from conservatives who testified in concert with Republican policies attempting to control the bodies of women

In Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s remarks during the House Oversight Subcommittee on Health hearing, the New York congresswoman warned that if there are rules that mandate genital checks, it could result in people with vaginas having to get their private parts checked.

AOC described this practice as an overzealous attempt to keep trans children from competing with cis-heterosexual children in sports.

AOC contextualized her remarks, placing the position from conservatives who testified in concert with Republican policies attempting to control the bodies of women, saying, “We are talking about opening up all women and girls to genital examinations when they are underage, potentially just because someone can point to someone and say, I don’t think you are a girl,”

Ocasio-Cortez continued, “And we’re saying this in an environment of a post-Dobbs America, where states are criminalizing access to abortion and want nothing more than data on women to figure out when, who’s getting a menstrual cycle, who doesn’t have one, and we’re supposed to believe this is going to make us better and safer?”

Ocasio-Cortez ended her remarks, answering her previous question by saying, “I think not, and, per usual, I don’t believe we’re sitting here on a panel of men that has actually thought about the biology and privacy consequences of all women, trans or cisgendered.”

According to Fox News, the Ohio Senate removed a provision from its state House proposal that barred “biological men” from competing against women, which would have required both “internal and external” exams to confirm a student-athletes’s gender. That provision was eventually replaced with a requirement that student-athletes present a copy of their birth certificate when their gender identity was called into question. Effectively, this would render trans athletes unable to compete against cis athletes, which is likely the intent of the original proposal. 

https://twitter.com/jennuhdordie/status/1732431500698866097?t=j7fKSpUmwV-5rppX9qjWxQ&s=19

Riley Gaines, the ex-University of Kentucky swimmer who has become a conservative media darling, making several appearances on Fox News and other right-leaning programs, attempted to argue that Pennsylvania Democrat Summer Lee was a misogynist when Lee called her remarks in the hearing transphobic. Gaines responded to Lee, saying, “Inclusion cannot be prioritized over safety and fairness,” Gaines began, “And ranking member Lee, if my testimony makes me ‘transphobic,’ then I believe your opening monologue makes you a misogynist.” 

https://twitter.com/OversightDems/status/1732144519565504992?t=yn4tcKyUOa5FBv2c9L1WHQ&s=19

In her statements to the Committee, Lee attempted to show that the hearing was just hatred and bigotry disguised as concern for children and that their alleged concerns for the safety of girls and women were a smokescreen, saying, “While this committee purports to care about the safety of women, in 2021, when the House voted to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, 80% of the Republican Caucus voted against that law, not a single Republican member of this committee, nor our current Speaker voted for it.”

Lee went on to ask Fatima Goss-Graves, the president and CEO of the National Women’s Law Center, a series of questions relating to how mandating that transgender youth should have their genitals examined so they can participate in sports as the gender they identify as could open up those athletes to privacy concerns, to which Goss-Graves replied that the idea of genital examination of children deeply concerned her.

Lee would later characterize the hearing on Twitter/X as yet another attempt by the Republican Party to attack trans children, writing, “I would’ve hoped that the 1st Democratic Committee on Oversight and Accountability hearing I presided over would be on holding big oil, big pharma or banks accountable for preying on hardworking families. Instead, it’s yet another extremist Republican hearing attacking trans kids. What a cruel, unserious party.”

RELATED CONTENT: Florida High School Officials Reassigned After Allowing Transgender Player On Volleyball Team

Billy porter, pose
by Mary Spiller

December 8, 2023

Billy Porter Reveals He’s Making Meager $0.6 Residual Checks From ‘Pose’

Porter shared that most artists live check to check.

Billy Porter sat down to talk about the lingering struggles following the huge SAG-AFTRA writers’ strike in an interview with Channel 4 News’ Ways to Change the World podcast on Dec 1. 

The 54-year-old actor and singer revealed how little he makes from his residual checks. He explained, “I’m making six-cent checks on Pose. A show that I won an Emmy for.” 

“That’s why we were on strike for 118 days. No. Y’all don’t get to do that to us anymore … Everybody in this business, except for the ones who are making the F-you money, are three months away from homelessness.” 

The shocking numbers caused the podcast host to question if it was true, asking if the financial situation was so bad that Porter “really lost a home.”

Porter confirmed that, as previously reported, he had to sell his house at the height of the SAG-AFTRA strike. Amid his divorce from his former husband of six years, Adam Smith, he had to stay with friends around London in August since he had no home. 

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8ajAXXH/

“Yes, why would I be lying?” Porter said incredulously, “If you lost your job tomorrow and didn’t get a job for three months, you’d be in a [bad place].”

After selling his house due to the financial strain of the strike, Porter told outlets that it was unbelievable that many artists had to live check to check with no complaint before the SAG-AFTRA strike began.

“The life of an artist, until you make F-you money — which I haven’t made yet — is still check-to-check,” he told outlets. “To hear [the CEO of Disney] Bob Iger say that our demands for a living wage are unrealistic? While he makes $78,000 a day? I don’t have any words for it, but f*** you.”

RELATED CONTENT: Taraji P. Henson Was Offered A Meager $75K For Oscar-Nominated Performance In ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’

sneakers, Nicki minaj
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 8, 2023

Texas Councilman Wishes ‘Queen of Rap’ Nicki Minaj Happy Birthday During City Council Session

Texas's District 2 Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez is a certified Barb. So, of course, he gave Nicki Minaj her flowers for her 41st birthday.

Make no mistake that Texas’s District 2 Councilman, Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, is a certified Barb. So, of course, he made sure to give the “Queen of Rap” her flowers for her 41st birthday.

Nicki Minaj turns 41 on Friday, Dec. 8, and to celebrate, she released her new studio album “Pink Friday 2.” Texas held a city council session on Thursday where one of Minaj’s loyal fans was present to do his job.

To kick things off, Mckee-Rodriguez did something he’s done in the past and sang praises to Nicki Minaj before returning to regularly scheduled programming. He took to Twitter to share a clip of his Barbified opening statements.

“A moment of joy: Tomorrow is the QUEEN @NICKIMINAJ‘s birthday and, as her appointed Mayor of #GAGCITY, it’s only right I honor her at today’s Council meeting,” he wrote.

https://twitter.com/theloserteacher/status/1732902473826750634?s=46&t=qmzb_I2N1DzN_GymACe90A

The councilman kicked things off “on a positive note” by wishing a “very, very happy birthday to a very special woman.”

“She is an advocate for higher education, a philanthropist, a mogul, a poet, and a mother,” McKee-Rodgriguez said of Nicki Minaj. “She actually has many, many children, sons particularly.”

Citing a few of Nicki’s rap lyrics that referenced the San Antonio Spurs, the Texas councilmember noted the rapper’s witty way of celebrating their home team while inviting “the opposition to collect their L’s in peace.”

“Happy Birthday to the Queen of Rap, Nicki Minaj. I can’t wait to get a copy of her new album “Pink Friday 2,” he said in closing.

It’s not the first time McKee-Rodriguez has rapped Nicki Minaj lyrics at council meetings. The state’s first openly gay Black man elected into office did the same in 2021 and received an endorsement from the “Anaconda” rapper.

“Now barbz, y’all know what to do. Y’all better vote for this great man for the rest of y’all life!!!!” Minaj wrote on Twitter at the time, via My San Antonio.

McKee-Rodriguez had also wished the rap queen a happy birthday for her 39th birthday and followed suit two years later. He has plenty more to celebrate this time as the Barbz enjoys Minaj’s first full-studio album since 2018’s “Queen.”

RELATED CONTENT: Nicki Minaj’s ‘Pink Friday 2’ Perfume Breaks Internet, Selling Out In Minutes

Kodak black, drug charges, trump, pardon, Broward County, powder
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 8, 2023

After A Pardon From Trump, Kodak Black Arrested Multiple Times On Drug Charges

The "Super Gremlin" rapper was asleep at the wheel of his car in his Bentley in Plantation, Fla.

In a scene reminiscent of a past arrest, Florida recording artist, Kodak Black was arrested after police officers stated that he was asleep at the wheel of his car on a road in Plantation, FL.

According to 6 South Florida, Bill Kapri, better known to the hip-hop world as Kodak Black, was arrested and taken to Broward County jail on Thursday, Dec. 7. He was booked on charges of possession of cocaine, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, and improperly parking or stopping a vehicle. He was bonded out of jail later that night.

The “Super Gremlin” rapper was picked up in a black Bentley SUV. The Bentley was parked as the police officer discovered that Kodak was sleeping at the wheel. When he approached his vehicle, he stated, according to a police report, that there was “a strong odor of burnt cannabis” emanating from the vehicle. He opened the door of the Bentley to turn it off. He noticed a cup on the side of the door that smelled of alcohol, as well as some “cannabis wrapping paper and suspect cannabis residue” in the center console.

After waking the rapper up and requesting that he leave the car, the police officer asked him if there were any weapons or anything illegal in the SUV. Kodak told him there was some weed. Yet, the officer claimed that he saw some white powder falling from Kodak.

“The powder was visible due to the strong scene lights of my patrol vehicle,” the police officer wrote in the report. “I reasonable believed Kapri was trying to discard illegal narcotics.” He also mentioned that Kodak’s mouth was “full of white powder.” The officer also said that there were “white rock like substances on the ground,” and Black said it was Percocet.

After testing the substance, it was determined that it was actually cocaine.

This news comes at an inopportune time for the Florida-born rapper as his attorney has recently filed a motion to dismiss the charges of his July 2022 arrest. He alleges that the pills he was accused of possessing at the time of the arrest were actually Tylenol, after police officers stated it was Oxycodone.

The rapper was arrested after his vehicle was stopped by Florida police officers. They accused him of having an expired registration tag and tinted windows that “appeared darker than the legal limit,” said Lt. Alex Camacho.

Florida police officers said they smelled a strong odor of marijuana from inside the vehicle. After they made him pull him over, they discovered a small clear bag that allegedly contained 31 tablets of oxycodone and a total of $74,960 in cash. Kodak was then held at Broward County Jail for possessing a controlled substance without a prescription and trafficking oxycodone of fewer than 25 grams.

RELATED CONTENT: Kodak Black Endorses Trump For President: ‘I F–k With That Boy’

NCAA, HBCUs Allen University and Edward Waters University
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 8, 2023

NCAA Now Wants To Compensate Student-Athletes After Fighting It For Decades

The National Collegiate Athletic Association is proposing a new plan that would allow schools to finally compensate student-athletes directly

Now that many college athletes are being paid a substantial amount of money through name, image, likeness (NIL) deals, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is proposing a new plan that would allow the schools to finally compensate athletes directly after fighting to do so for many decades.

According to ESPN, the proposal was presented by NCAA President Charlie Baker in a letter to Division 1 schools on Dec. 5. Per the letter that was sent out, Baker wants to allow the schools themselves to be able to compensate their players and remove the cap on education-related money that the students can get.

“[This proposal] kick-starts a long-overdue conversation among the membership that focuses on the differences that exist between schools, conferences, and divisions and how to create more permissive and flexible rules across the NCAA that put student-athletes first,” he wrote in the letter. “Colleges and universities need to be more flexible, and the NCAA needs to be more flexible, too.”

The proposal is expected to be presented at an upcoming convention in Phoenix next month when the NCAA stakeholders meet in January.

Baker, who has only been NCAA president since March, proposes that schools in the new, highest-paying subdivision would have to set aside a minimum amount of $30,000 per student-athlete for at least half of them yearly. That number is just a minimum, as the schools can set it as high as they feel a student should be compensated. Those students would not be required to finish and/or obtain a degree before receiving the funds.

There is also a suggestion that a subdivision within the most well-resourced schools in Division I can, if they want to, set their own rules to suit their needs as they see fit.

No timeline was provided for the proposals, but changes within the NCAA system typically take a year to implement.

RELATED CONTENT: Deion Sanders Wants NCAA Or The Rose Bowl To Reimburse Players For Stolen Jewelry

texured hair, Bill A898B, natural hair, coalition, braiding, regulation, bill
by Lauren Nutall

December 8, 2023

The Natural Hairstyle And Braid Coalition Responds To New York’s Recent Bill

The Natural Hairstyle and Braid Coalition has released a statement in response to Allure’s piece about NY State’s new law on textured hair.

The Natural Hairstyle and Braid Coalition (NHBC) has released a statement via EIN Presswire in response to Allure’s piece about New York State’s newest law regarding textured hair.

Penned by Co-President Diane Da Costa, the statement expresses concerns regarding the state’s latest legislation, which mandates textured hair education without required professional oversight.

“The Natural Hairstyle and Braid Coalition (NHBC) appreciates Allure’s attempt to spotlight the evolution of textured hair regulations and protections in New York State,” Da Costa wrote on Dec. 5.

“However, its narrative requires additional context to fully understand New York’s legacy in normalizing natural hair. In 1993, New York became the first state to adopt a natural hair styling license. The groundwork was laid by a group of visionary Black women stylists, barbers, entrepreneurs, and advocates in the nineties to create a license for natural hairstylists and braiders.” 

She continued, saying, “Their efforts culminated in the 2017 legislation introduced by Assembly Member Gary Pretlow (Bill A898B), this law mandated two natural hairstylists to the Appearance Enhancement Advisory Committee and additionally form an advisory committee for the inclusion of texture education in cosmetology; to further advise the Secretary of State on educational policies for all hair types and textures.”

The NHBC has doggedly worked to implement more regulations regarding textured hair styling while refining Bill A898B and recognizing the activists spearheading the natural hair licensing movement. However, the passing of Bill S6528A has sparked new concerns due to its informality. Hair experts such as Da Costa also fear that its approval will advance corporate-centered agendas rather than hairstylists’ and consumers’ best interests. 

“This is about ethical education that mandates everyone who receives a cosmetology license to be fully versed in all hair types and textures. The NHBC is leading the fight for texture inclusivity in New York State,” she wrote. 

On Dec. 1, Allure reported on Bill S6528A, speaking to several legislators and hair professionals about its implications. “It provides a legal framework to address longstanding issues of discrimination and bias related to textured hair,” said New York State Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solages, who brought the legislation into assembly.

“The introduction of Bill S6528A was a response to the ongoing need for diversity and inclusion in the cosmetology industry, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their hair type, receives the attention and expertise they deserve in salons.” 

With Bill S6528A, some professionals expect to see a positive shift in haircare. Others fear the worst. Still, as the scope of the bill’s influence remains undetermined, Da Costa cautions against taking the bill at face value.

“The NHBC urges Allure and other publications to provide more comprehensive representation in future discussions, emphasizing the work of advocates and organizers in creating solutions for inclusive natural hair training, education, and licensing based on all hair types and textures.”

RELATED CONTENT: IYKYK: Another Study Links Black Women And Hair Relaxers To Cancer And Infertility

Simone Manuel, wedding, Denzel Franke, gold medalist, swim, swimming, Olympic medalist, married
by Stacy Jackson

December 8, 2023

Olympic Gold Medalist Simone Manuel Takes The Plunge – Says ‘I Do’ To Denzel Franklin

The 27-year-old Olympic swimmer and Denzel Franklin got engaged in July 2022.

Twenty-seven-year-old Simone Manuel, the first African American woman to win a gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle swimming event at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro, said “I do” to Denzel Franklin.

The swimmer announced the celebratory event in a press brief by SwimSwam on YouTube, and talked about her life out of the pool. 

She said in the video, “I got married, so that’s been awesome.”

She also talked about how her mom planned the event.

“I didn’t have to do so much planning for the wedding because my mom did all of it, but it came out perfectly, and it was really nice to have that experience with my family and friends,” she shared.

The couple hasn’t gone on a honeymoon yet. “I wanted to not have a honeymoon that kind of centered in a way around swimming, like taking a week off. I would be thinking about swimming or thinking about what I’m missing out on,” Manuel said in the interview, Essence reported. The swimmer, who also won gold in the 4×100-meter relay in 2016, said, “So, you know, whatever happens next year, I wanted swimming to, like, not be a part of it and for us to enjoy our time together. But he’s amazing; I know he sacrificed so much for us, so I’m grateful to him.”

Manuel posted a picture on Instagram holding a cardboard sign that read “Eloping is Underrated” on Oct. 31, 2023. The caption next to the image said, “Stressedbridewithsign [sic] getting ready for a wedding in 4 days.” The next post showed the Olympic gold medalist holding a bridal bag from Vivienne Atelier on Nov. 3. Finally, on Nov. 12, the swimmer and bride appeared in a photo with a white bridal dress and sneakers next to her groom, who also wore sneakers. 

The couple got engaged in July 2022, Essence reported.

RELATED CONTENT: Simone Manuel First African American Female Swimmer To Win Olympic Gold For Team USA

Biden, Student loans, senate, senate republicans, Arab, muslim, questions, visit
by Sharelle B. McNair

December 8, 2023

Bombshell Report Reveals Less Than 50% Of Biden’s Federal Offices Are Occupied

It may be time to return to the office if you work for the federal government.

President Joe Biden is facing some criticism after a memo claimed that less than 50% of federal offices are being occupied after declaring the end of the pandemic. According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), over half of the federal agency workforce isn’t in the office. Sent to Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), the alarming memo sheds light on how federal agencies spend nearly $2 billion in taxpayer dollars every year to keep federal office buildings running – and over $5 billion in leases annually.

The collected data comprises 24 agencies for one week between January, February, and March 2023. The numbers vary, given the type of agency. Coming in for the top spot of in-office staff is the State Department with 49%, and the least occupied space with a tie is the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Social Security Department with only 7%. Small Business Administration (SBA) only had 9% of space occupied, and the General Services Administration and Department of Agriculture came in together at a measly 11%.

Ernst pointed the finger at HUD, blaming its lack of filled space on Biden. “The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s abandoned building is a sad symbol of the failure of the Biden administration,” Ernst said. “Under Bidenflation, buying and renting is a whole lot more expensive, and instead of getting the homeless off the streets, no one is even home at HUD.”

The Iowa senator once called on the Biden administration to sell the unused space and return the money to taxpayers.

However, White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients knows the issue and has been pushing Cabinet secretaries to break the WFH policies. In early December 2023, Zients met with two secretaries to discuss the importance of working in person again. He also visited the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Energy to meet with senior leaders to push the narrative of how important it is for the President’s goals. VA Secretary Denis McDonough said he understands what Biden is trying to accomplish.

“The president was clear in his State of the Union. Jeff Zients has been clear with the cabinet,” McDonough said.

“He’s been clear because he understands management. He understands efficiency. And he understands how well-functioning organizations work.”

Dawn Staley, women's basketball, salary
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 8, 2023

Dawn Staley Chastises South Carolina Women’s Basketball Team For Behavior Toward Opponents

"None of the extra stuff that went on. That's just not characteristic of our team. So we addressed it; we'll move on"

Legendary basketball player and South Carolina Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley had some words for her players regarding the way they had been carrying themselves against opponents in recent games.

According to The Mirror US, after recent games against North Carolina and Duke, Staley was disappointed in how her players on the South Carolina women’s basketball team were acting toward their opponents. The team got the win, but the trash-talking and skirmishes taking place were unacceptable to the coach. She expects the women to show more respect for the game while they are actively on the basketball court.

Staley said she talked with her team about their behavior. Acknowledging that they played with grit and heart, she also said the trash-talking was unnecessary.

“Just being able to handle the moment in the way that we need to handle the moment [is important],” Staley said on Tuesday. “None of the extra stuff that went on. That’s just not characteristic of our team. So we addressed it; we’ll move on.

“We’ll respect the game and how to play it. Hopefully, that’s just a lesson learned. … I’m good without all the kisses, and all of that crap. That’s not a part of who we are.”

The kiss-blowing player Coach Staley was referring to was forward Chloe Kitts. At Sunday’s game against Duke, she blew a kiss at Jadyn Donovan after she made a jumper in front of her.

Kitts did have regrets for doing so, telling Greenville News, “I probably shouldn’t have done that, but I let the game come to me. That just happens, but it probably won’t happen again. … We played with each other at USA Basketball so there’s no hate. It’s all love.”

The Gamecocks, ranked number one in the nation, will play Utah on Dec. 10.

RELATED CONTENT: Gamecocks Coach Dawn Staley Calls Out NCAA Review Of Officiating In National Championship

HOV, Streets is watching, Memphis bleek, 50k, extort, Miami., club
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 8, 2023

Memphis Bleek Reveals Jay-Z Had To Pay $50K To Leave A Miami Club

"We turned this club up in Miami upside down ... They made us pay 50 grand to leave. Hov had to pay 50 racks."

Brooklyn emcee Memphis Bleek was a recording artist on the Roc-A-Fella Records roster and the best friend of the co-CEO, Jay-Z, his childhood pal. In a recent interview, Bleek detailed an incident that pitted him and Jay-Z against a club owner in Miami who forced the businessman to fork over $50,000 just to leave the spot.

During a talk with DJ Superstar Jay of SiriusXM, Bleek gave notice to people who didn’t know the Hov (one of Jay-Z’s monikers), who became a laid-back billionaire, was a hothead with no problems fighting people in the club in his earlier days. Bleek reminisced about an incident when the “Hard Knock Life” rapper had to pay a club, along with some police officers, $50,000 in order to leave the venue.

“Y’all young ni**as never been through nothing until you turned the club upside down and they lock you IN the club, and you have to pay to leave, you ain’t really turned up,” Bleek told DJ Superstar Jay.

“We turned this club up in Miami upside down, my ni**a. They made us pay 50 grand to leave. Hov had to pay 50 racks, police, and everything, they extorted the f**k out of us. But we cracked heads, foreheads, faces. We was going crazy.”

Bleek remembered how he and Jay-Z were locked in the club with no way out but to pay the exorbitant fee.

“They locked the doors. We had to pay to get out! They shook us up. This was ‘Streets Is Watching’ Hov. See, they see billionaire dread Hov, they think my man ain’t got them hands. Hov will put knuckles on you! He’ll put them hard bottoms on your ass too.”

Bleek added that Jay was the cause of some of their fights back then as well.

“He used to start trouble too. All that Cristal, ni**a, he was on some sh**. Just know that. Hov was on some shit. All this laidback, cool Beyoncé Hov? I love it, but back then he was on some sh**.”

Luckily for Jay Z, he got all that silliness out the way so he could become the successful entrepreneur he is today.

RELATED CONTENT: $500K Or Dinner With Hov? Jay-Z Finally Weighs In On The Viral Question

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