Arts & Entertainment
Milo Yiannopoulos banned from Patreon after one day
The former Breitbart editor is reportedly millions of dollars in debt
Milo Yiannopoulos (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Milo Yiannopoulos attempted to make a “magnificent 2019 comeback,” funded by the public, but his efforts were shut down in one day.
The former Breitbart editor has faced challenges continuing to be relevant in the public eye after a string of scandals. Yiannopoulos was booted from Twitter for harassing comedian Leslie Jones and was forced to step down from his position at Breitbart after old comments which appeared to support pedophilia resurfaced. Things seemed to be turning around for Yiannopolous as he got married in Hawaii and got a job as a columnist for the Daily Caller. However, after one day the column was canceled because Yiannopolous made claims without evidence such as citing that straight people are more likely to be fired for their sexuality than LGBT people.
The Guardian is now reporting that Yiannopoulos is $2 million in debt, which Yiannopoulos rebuked in an Instagram post is actually $4 million in debt. He attempted to give himself a fresh start on the crowdfunding website, Patreon.
“I’ve had a miserable year or two, banned and de-platformed and censored and blacklisted … and now I need your help. I want to get back on my feet and come roaring back in 2019 with the fabulous comedy and insightful, serious commentary that made me famous in the first place,” Yiannopoulos wrote on the since-deleted page.”The past two years hasn’t been easy. I am one of the most censored and most lied-about people in the world. Even my fans sometimes believe things about me that aren’t true, because journalists lie more about me than perhaps anyone else in America. They can’t stand the idea of gay man who thinks for himself and says what he thinks.”
For $750 or more per month, donors’ perks would include 20 percent off all Yiannopoulos merchandise for life, a personal voicemail greeting from Yiannopoulos and a handwritten letter. Other perks were having Yiannopoulos fly out to your city to take you and a friend out to dinner once a year and an invitation to get drinks with Yiannopoulos (but the tab was on you).
Some of the rewards in Milo’s new Patreon are unbelievably sad. For $750 bucks he will call you every year on your birthday, and give you 24/7 access to him via WhatsApp pic.twitter.com/wTXCPJyFsS
— Joe Bernstein (@Bernstein) December 5, 2018
No one had a chance to experience these perks because Patreon shut down the page “as we don’t allow association with or supporting hate groups on Patreon.”
Hi there, thanks for the tweet. Milo Yiannopoulos was removed from Patreon as we don’t allow association with or supporting hate groups on Patreon. For more info, please see our Community Guidelines. https://t.co/L7737I1ENi
— Patreon (@Patreon) December 5, 2018
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Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates 45 years at annual gala
‘Sapphire & Sparkle’ Spring Affair held at the Ritz Carlton
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington held the annual Spring Affair gala at the Ritz Carlton Washington, D.C. on Saturday. The theme for this year’s fete was “Sapphire & Sparkle.” The chorus celebrated 45 years in D.C. with musical performances, food, entertainment, and an awards ceremony.
Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington Executive Director Justin Fyala and Artistic Director Thea Kano gave welcoming speeches. Opening remarks were delivered by Spring Affair co-chairs Tracy Barlow and Tomeika Bowden. Uproariously funny comedian Murray Hill performed a stand-up set and served as the emcee.
There were performances by Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington groups Potomac Fever, 17th Street Dance, the Rock Creek Singers, Seasons of Love, and the GenOUT Youth Chorus.
Anjali Murthy, a member of the chorus and a graduate of the GenOUT Youth Chorus, addressed the attendees of the gala.
“The LGBTQ+ community isn’t bound by blood ties: we are brought together by shared experience,” Murthy said. “Being Gen Z, I grew up with Ellen [DeGeneres] telling me through the TV screen that it gets better: that one day, it’ll all be okay. The sentiment isn’t wrong, but it’s passive. What I’ve learned from GMCW is that our future is something we practice together. It exists because people like you continue to show up for it, to believe in the possibilities of what we’re still becoming”
The event concluded with the presentation of the annual Harmony Awards. This year’s awardees included local drag artist and activist Tara Hoot, the human rights organization Rainbow Railroad as well as Rocky Mountain Arts Association Executive Director, Dr. Chipper Dean.
(Washington Blade photos and videos by Michael Key)
Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 16.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
Photos
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Ashley Biden accepts award for Beau Biden at annual Rehoboth fundraiser
The 19th annual Blade Foundation Summer Kickoff Party was held on Friday, May 15 at Diego’s in Rehoboth Beach, Del. An award presentation was held for former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden. Ashley Biden accepted the award on her brother’s behalf and gave remarks. Other speakers included Delaware state Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Dr. Robin Brennan and Washington Blade Editor Kevin Naff. The event was a fundraiser for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism.
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)
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PHOTOS: Blade Summer Kickoff Party
