Tag Archives: Miss Universe

“Uncle Thomas” Roberts Ignores Russia’s LGBT Persecution During Miss Universe Pageant.

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Thomas Roberts

As predicted “Uncle Thomas” Roberts, the openly gay MSNBC “journalist” who traveled to Russia to be a “visible and positive representative of gay people”  and host the 2013 Miss Universe Pageant totally ignored the subject of Russia’s draconian persecution of its LGBT citizens and the fact that he was gay at all during last nights show.  Instead Roberts and ex-Spice Girl Melanie Brown dedicated the show to the people suffering from the typhoon in the Philippines.

“We send our very best, our thoughts. We dedicate tonight’s show to you” Roberts said

Roberts who has been condemned by a majority of the LGBT community for his trip to Russia comparing it to playing Sun City during Apartheid, earlier in the week released a statement saying that his decision was “not about the money” and that he’s had “an incredible experience so far“ did not even wear a rainbow pin or ribbon to show solidarity during the broadcast.

GLAAD, formerly as the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation did not condemned Roberts decision to travel to Russia and host the show but instead embraced and supported it.

“I trust that Thomas Roberts is going to leverage every moment of his trip to Moscow to give visibility and voice to the LGBT Russians who are living in such oppressive conditions,” said Wilson Cruz, GLAAD’s National Spokesperson. “LGBT Russians sent a message that LGBT Americans should go to Russia to be out and be vocal allies, and Thomas has clearly heard them. As the world looks to Russia during the Miss Universe pageant and before the Olympics, we look forward to his news reports which shed light on how the anti-LGBT laws negatively impact and hurt everyday people in Russia.”

In actuality twenty-three leading gay and trans activists in Russia have endorsed an overall boycott of Russian products, and a boycott of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, in response to Russia’s recent brutal crackdown on its gay and trans citizens.

But one must begrudgingly give Roberts a little credit because he did take a moment to acknowledge the anti-gay laws on the red carpet while speaking to Russian state-run network RT:

“I know the law is very vague and still hard to interpret for many people. But it is discrimination and that’s definitive. And I don’t think that the LGBT population in Russia or anywhere should be marginalized to that degree. We are not asking for special protection. We’re just asking for equal respect.”

It is unknown if RT aired that segment for the Russian people people to view.

Oh and for those of you who care.

Miss Venezuela, Gabriela Isler.  Won the big crown taking the title from Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo. Isler, who hails from Maracay, works on Venezuela’s Venevision television,

MSNBC’s “Uncle Thomas” Roberts Talks About His Trip To Russia: “Its not about the money”

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Thom Roberts

“It’s been an incredible experience so far. I certainly don’t want to be a commercial for Russia… [but] I haven’t run into any discrimination so far since I’ve been here. Just by showing up, just by being visible, just by the sheer presence of my husband being there with me, and just the interest that this might generate in what my personal back story is, I think that just sends a strong message that you can have a highly successful professional career and a successful personal life and they can be integrated. The LGBT community has the right to be outraged. But it’s not the time to shy away, it’s the time to show up. And it’s the time to make sure that you show up and that you’re visible, and that you’re respected, on an equal footing. There have been great people who have come out in support of this and they get what I mean by this role being too visible to pass up for an LGBT person, because [Miss Universe] is seen in over 190 countries by a billion people. It’s not about the money.” – MSNBC anchor Thomas Roberts, speaking from Russia this morning.

Perhaps one day Thomas Roberts will realize what he is doing is the equivalent of playing Sun City in South Africa during Apartheid.

Well, even if nobody else agrees with him you know Elton John does.

WTF!? Gay MSNBC Anchor Thomas Roberts To Host Miss Universe In Moscow – UGH

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Thom Roberts

Are you fracking serious?

Openly gay and usually level-headed MSNBC anchor Thomas Roberts is going to host the Miss Universe pageant in Moscow in November, “because it is a huge, visible opportunity for LGBT people.  Everywhere.”

Writes Roberts, in part:

Over the last several months Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved new homophobic laws for his country. Yes, laws that criminalize and stigmatize lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies in Russia.

These actions attracted worldwide news coverage with some critics labeling it: Russia’s dark chapter in the history of gay rights. World leaders have expressed their contempt for these discriminatory laws with President Barack Obama declaring that “nobody’s more offended than me.”

In August, the Miss Universe Organization issued its own statement that Russian laws are “diametrically opposed to the core values” of Miss Universe.

I too am diametrically opposed to these laws and share in the President’s outrage. I am unafraid to say I am proud of my husband and my family—I’m proud of their love for me. I’m proud of the incredible steps forward equality has taken this year.

I’m proud of our nation, which still aspires to live up to the promise of its founding fathers. I am unafraid to tell you how traditional my husband and I are. After thirteen years, we continue to foster and grow our life together, with highs and lows, the folly and the fights. The same things many long term couples experience. Simple things: Trash night, dog walks, the remote control. Tough things: Homophobia, job loss, death.

You can’t get more traditional than that and, above all, we love each other.

So people may wonder: “Thomas, how can you accept this assignment? Shouldn’t you boycott Russia?” I am not going to boycott. Boycotting and vilifying from the outside is too easy. Rather, I choose to offer my support of the LGBT community in Russia by going to Moscow and hosting this event as a journalist, an anchor and a man who happens to be gay. Let people see I am no different than anyone else.

Well Thom, unless you are going to begin with: “Welcome to the Miss Universe pageant, I’m gay!”   How are most Russians to know that you re actually gay considering that there’s pretty much a ban on acknowledging anything positive as gay.

I don’t suppose the fact that you work for MSNBC which is getting  plenty of blow-back for airing and supporting the Sochi Olympic games doesn’t have anything to do with you hosting the Miss Universe Pageant also aired by NBC?

And as for hosting a sexist, misogynist event to promote LGBT equality.  Not the best of moves, or spin.

For shame Thom.  For Shame.

BRAVO’s Andy Cohen Drops Out Of Miss Universe Hosting Gig in Russia

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Andy Cohen Boycotts Miss Universe

BRAVO television’s Andy Cohen  is taking a stand against Russia’s draconian anti-gay laws and is refusing to take part in his yearly gig  as co host of the 2013 Miss Universe competition, which will be held on Nov. 9 at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow, Russia.

Cohen made the announcement to friend and  pageant co-host of the past two years, E! News’ Giuliana Rancic, that he turned it down because “their discriminatory policies make it unsafe for the gays who live there and gays coming to work or visit.”

“The law is that anyone under suspicion of homosexuality can be arrested,” he told Rancic, adding that he “didn’t feel right as a gay man stepping foot into Russia.”

As of this writing over 23,000 of people have signed the petition of  Francesco Pascuzzi, a lifelong pageant fan and openly gay man from Somerville, New Jerseyn calling on the Miss Universe Organization, owned and operated by Donald Trump, to relocate its upcoming pageant from Moscow, Russia in November 2013.
As for Andy Cohen, BRAVO!
This almost makes up for you turning BRAVO into the Real Housewives Channel!

OH CANADA! – Transexual Contestant Kicked Out Of Miss Universe Canada Beauty Pageant

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Last week we wrote about the stunning and beautiful Jenna Talackova. 

 Jenna who was born a male and underwent hormone therapy at age 14 went on to have sexual reassignment surgery in 2010 and had become the first transexual contestant to make it to the finals as a contestant in the 2012 Miss Universe Canada.

Well thats all changed now according to CTV News:

Miss Universe Canada issued a statement Friday saying Talackova “did not meet the requirements to compete despite having stated otherwise on her entry form.”

“We do, however, respect her goals, determination and wish her the best,” it said.

Miss Universe Canada didn’t go into specifics about exactly what “requirements” Ms. Talackova failed to meet.  But I think we can probably figure that out.

Miss Universe Canada beauty pageant is owned by Donald Trump.  Are we surprised?

Miss Universe Canada Accepts First Transexual Beauty Pageant Contestant. Maybe…

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Statuesque and beautiful 23 year old Jenna Talackova is hoping to beat the competition and represent Canada at the upcoming 2012 Miss Universe competition as news spread that Jenna had made it to the finals as a contestant in the 2012 Miss Universe Canada.  But some beauty pageant purist are up in arms because Jenna was originally born a male and underwent hormone therapy at age 14 and underwent sexual reassignment surgery in 2010 to become the beautiful woman she is today.  But now there seems to be a mystery if Jenna will actually be in the pageant at all..

Many are arguing that Jenna should not be allowed to be  acceptanced as a contestant by Miss Universe Canada because they believe that it raises ethical and moral issues and feel that the Big 4 beauty competitions (Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss International and Miss Earth) were meant for naturally born women. But under the Equality Law in Canada’s 1982 constitution, her application cannot be denied since she’s legally a woman.

But now less than a day after word of her participation in this year’s Miss Universe Canada pageant began making the rounds, her profile disappeared from the official pageant website.

So will she?  Or won’t she be in the pageant. And Miss Universe Canada has not commented nor issued a statement.

The winner of Miss Universe Canada will go on to represent the country at the Donald Trump-owned Miss Universe pageant

In 2010 Jenna she was a Top 10 finalist in the transgender Miss International Queen pageant held in Thailand