ruling issued on August 30, U.S. District Court Judge Benjamin Beaton granted a request from Chelsey Nelson for an injunction to block the city from enforcing the law, which prohibits discrimination against LGBTQ people in employment, housing, and public accommodations.Nelson initially sued in 2019, arguing that the Fairness Ordinance violated her First Amendment rights on the grounds that the city might be able to force her to photograph same-sex weddings or “otherwise express messages inconsistent with Nelson’s beliefs.” She also sought to be able to advertise on her website that she only photographs opposite-sex ceremonies.As several other artistic professionals or wedding-related businesses have claimed in other cases, Nelson claimed she would have served clients, including LGBTQ people, “regardless of their backgrounds” so long as the work was not marriage-related.
Texas Church Stages Unlicensed ‘Hamilton’ with Anti-Gay Message
14.08.2022 - 19:03 / metroweekly.com
Hamilton might be well-known as a retelling of a famous figure’s life, but a Texas church has introduced another figure — Jesus Christ — to the mix, performing illegally incorporated Christian-centric rhetoric in an unauthorized production of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit 2015 musical.The Tony-winning musical, still playing on Broadway and in the midst of a North American national tour, is unavailable for licensing by other theater groups.But that didn’t stop The Door Christian Fellowship Ministries of McAllen from performing their own illegal adaptation, with altered text, on August 5 and 6.Located in southern Texas, The Door uses popular media, altered to spread a conservative Christian message, as part of its programming. Hamilton is not their first target: past titles have included Beauty and the Beast and Toy Story, both of which can be found on an archived version of the church’s website.The Door’s production of Hamilton incorporated Christian messaging, and one performance was accompanied with a sermon by Senior Pastor Ramon Gutierrez that compared homosexuality to addiction.“Maybe you struggle with alcohol, with drugs, with homosexuality,” Gutierrez said.
“Maybe you struggle with other things in life, your finances, whatever, God can help you tonight. He wants to forgive you for your sins.”Miranda, who wrote the book, music, and lyrics for Hamilton, is a famous supporter of LGBTQ rights.
One of his Tony Award speeches went viral as he nearly broke down showing support for the LGBTQ community the day after the June 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting. Accepting the prize for Best Original Score for Hamilton, he recited a poem inspired by the events of the prior day.“This show is proof that history remembers,” he said.
F1 qualifying LIVE: Carlos Sainz on pole for the Belgian Grand Prix while Lewis Hamilton will start in fourth
LIVE – Updated at 17:47Carlos Sainz will start Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix on pole, with first in qualifying Max Verstappen taking an engine penalty and starting from the back of the grid. Sergio Perez will start alongside the Ferrari on the front row having come home third, while Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton will occupy the second row in third and fourth respectively on Sunday, with George Russell and the impressive Alex Albon behind. Hamilton in particular could not believe the 1.
Defendant in Anti-Gay Stabbing Arrested for Running Naked through Traffic
KATU.Cox pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, which included assault, with a bias enhancement, and unlawful use of a weapon. Judge Michael Greenlick ordered Cox released from prison on August 8, on the condition that he live at the Bybee Lakes Hope Center, a homeless shelter and support center in North Portland, and intentionally stay away from the victim and the area around the Silverado Bar, reports KATU.But according to court documents, Cox was reportedly expelled from Bybee Lakes due to his behavior. He went to Emanuel Hospital, only to be expelled a second time.
How Taylor Swift is inspiring students at the University of Texas with her songwriting
Taylor Swift continues to inspire University students across the United States. This time the University of Texas at Austin will be adding an exciting English course to their curriculum, titled ‘The Taylor Swift Songbook.’Just in time for Fall 2022 semester, students will enjoy Taylor’s work, while they learn about famous poets, including Chaucer, Shakespeare, Wyatt, Coleridge, Keats, Dickinson and Plath.Professor Elizabeth Scala will be using the singer-songwriter’s songbook and the cultural context, to start class participation and debates.
‘Hamilton’ To Donate Financial Damages From Texas Church To LGBTQIA+ Coalition
Producers of the global theatrical hit Hamilton say they will donate all damages paid by Texas’ Door McAllen Church for two unlicensed and lyrically altered performances to the South Texas Equality Project, a coalition of LGBTQIA+ organizations.
Texas church ordered to pay damages for illegal ‘Hamilton’ production
refuted. The Texas house of worship that produced an unauthorized and highly religious version of the Broadway sensation “Hamilton” was ordered to pay an undisclosed amount in damages Tuesday after receiving a cease-and-desist letter.Pastor Roman Gutierrez also issued an apology, admitting that the Door McAllen Church did not receive permission from the producers or creators of the show to put on “Hamilton” — nor did they get Lin-Manuel Miranda’s blessing to alter the text, Entertainment Weekly reported.
Texas Church To Pay Unspecified Damages For Altered ‘Hamilton’
The Texas church that staged two performances of a highly altered and “Christianized” version of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical Hamilton has apologized for the unauthorized productions and will pay unspecified damages.
Educational Taylor Swift course offered to students at University of Texas this fall
The University of Texas at Austin is offering a new class this fall and it's all about musical icon Taylor Swift. Elizabeth Scala, an English professor will be teaching the class that is new to the university this fall.
Chicago Police Investigating Whether Officer Made Racist, Anti-Gay Posts
WFLD.The person claims to have voted for Trump three times in the 2020 election because “Chicago has a relaxed voting system.” The officer also appeared to advocate for armed insurrection, claiming that American cities “are not worth fighting for.”“I’ll leave here and shoulder a rifle in the woods if it ever comes to that,” the user wrote.That same user started a new thread on Tuesday asking for more questions, this time including a photo of an obscured police ID and a gay slur in the title. Asked about racial profiling, the user replied: “I don’t pull over anyone white.”The user also cited an interracial kiss as “the most serious crime” they overlooked while on the job, using the n-word in the response.The user’s postings were brought to the department’s attention after someone reached out to the Civilian Office of Police Accountability on Monday to complain about the incendiary postings.Jennifer Rottner, a spokeswoman for the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, said the agency received the complaint and forwarded it to the police department’s Bureau of Internal Affairs.Maggie Huynh, a spokeswoman for the Chicago Police Department, confirmed that an investigation has been opened, but would not comment further.The 4chan message boards have become widely regarded by many as a breeding ground for racism, anti-Semitism, homophobia, and other forms of political extremism.
Randy Martin Dies: The ‘Lone Wolf’ Of DIY’s ‘Texas Flip N Move’ Was 65
Martin’s costars from Texas Flip N Move, the Snow Sisters, issued a statement. “We are broken hearted over The Lone Wolf Randy Martin who passed away early this morning.
Today's Craig Melvin honors late brother with star-studded charity event - exclusive
Craig Melvin lost his beloved brother, Lawrence, to colorectal cancer and his efforts to raise awareness of the disease are as strong as ever. The Today show host and his wife, Lindsay, hosted The Bottoms Up Invitational golf tournament over the weekend and he spoke to HELLO! in an exclusive chat ahead of the event. MORE: Craig Melvin details heartbreaking details of father's battle with addiction Craig's sibling was only 39 years old when he was tragically diagnosed with stage 4 cancer after suffering with abdominal pain and weight loss.WATCH: Craig Melvin opens up about his family and his father overcoming addiction It was a shock to him and his loved ones who were unaware that there was a history of the disease in Craig's family. Now the TV star is working tirelessly with the Colorectal Cancer Alliance in a bid to boost screenings, raise money for research and to destigmatize this type of cancer which is 100% preventable.MORE: Craig Melvin takes on exciting project away from Today GALLERY: The Today show hosts' epic homes: Al Roker, Hoda Kotb, Jenna Bush Hager, more"Before my brother died I became very involved in the Colorectal Cancer Alliance," Craig told HELLO!.
Lin-Manuel Miranda: Lawyers handling unauthorized biblical ‘Hamilton’ in Texas
Miranda tweeted. “Now lawyers do their work.”The staging of “Hamilton” performed at the Door Christian Fellowship church in McAllen, Texas, was tweaked to include biblical themes and a sermon at the end that compared homosexuality to addiction, the Dallas Morning News reported.Broadway veteran Miranda is known for his pro-LGBT stance.The paper obtained video of the Aug. 5 performance, which ran for about two hours, and the 15-minute sermon that followed.
Lin-Manuel Miranda Speaks Out After Church's Unauthorized Version of 'Hamilton' Goes Viral Online
Lin-Manuel Miranda is speaking out after it was discovered that a church in Texas was performing an unauthorized version of his musical Hamilton, which used revised lyrics and text.
‘Southern Charm’ Recap: Dog Wedding Becomes ‘Nightmare’ for Austen and Madison, Craig Slams Naomie for Lack of ‘Boundaries’
Till death do us part? Southern Charm’s dog wedding caused quite the stir in Charleston, especially for exes Austen Kroll and Madison LeCroy and Craig Conover and Naomie Olindo.
Lin-Manuel Miranda Reacts To Church’s “Christianized” Version Of ‘Hamilton’: “Now Lawyers Do Their Work”
“Stop running from God, Alexander…His word says if we confess our sins, he is faithful and [wants] just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us.”
Lin-Manuel Miranda Calls Out Texas Church’s ‘Illegal, Unauthorized Production’ Of ‘Hamilton’
The creator of Hamilton is happy action is being taken against an unauthorized production of the hit Broadway musical.
Lin-Manuel Miranda Calls Out ‘Illegal, Unauthorized’ Production of ‘Hamilton’ by Texas Church
Rebecca Rubin Film and Media ReporterLin-Manuel Miranda is praising lawyers who get the job done after a Texas church staged an “illegal, unauthorized” production of “Hamilton.”Producers of the hit Broadway musical have taken issue with The Door Christian Fellowship Ministries in McAllen, Tex., which staged the show on Aug. 5 and 6 without a license and changed lyrics and added text to include Biblical references and anti-LGBTQ rhetoric without permission.“Grateful to all of you who reached out about this illegal, unauthorized production.