Arts & Entertainment
Ricky Martin calls for Puerto Rico governor’s resignation over profane messages
Bad Bunny, Lin-Manuel Miranda also denounce Ricardo Rosselló
Ricky Martin announced he will be joining a protest on Wednesday calling for the resignation of Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló.
889 pages of a group chat from the app Telegram between Rosselló and members of his administration were leaked on Saturday. The messages were filled with profane, homophobic and sexist comments and made references to other political leaders and Puerto Rican celebrities Ricky Martin, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Bad Bunny.
Puerto Rico Chief Financial Office Christian Sobrino said of Martin, “Nothing says patriarchal oppression like Ricky Martin. He is such a male chauvinist that he fu*ks men because women don’t measure up. Pure patriarchy.”
Sobrino has since apologized and resigned.
In another message, Rosselló refers to former New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito as the Spanish word for “whore.” Rosselló apologized for the messages and stated he would be asking members who were involved in the messages to step down.
“Aware that the current environment cannot be maintained, I have communicated to all the other public officials involved in the chat that I will have to dispense with their services and/or their advice,” he said in the statement,” Rosselló said in a statement via the Washington Post. “This is a very painful situation for me, as Governor, as a human being and as a Puerto Rican,” Rosselló said. “But I recognize there is no other way out and there is no worthwhile forgiveness on my part that does not include corrections and clear signs of intent to change.”
Despite the backlash, Rosselló says he will not be resigning.
“I’m the governor of Puerto Rico, but I’m a human being who has his faults,” Rosselló said at a press conference. “I ask for forgiveness.”
Martin implored Rosselló to resign on Twitter.
“Do an act of true generosity, worth and love for Puerto Rico and give your position to another person with the wisdom and leadership to direct your destiny as a people,” Martin tweeted in Spanish. “Precisely because your comments were made in the privacy is shown of what you are made off. It is in the privacy where you live with the truth and integrity that defines us and yours is far from being a vertical and admirable.”
Las expresiones compartidas en un chat por parte del Gobernador de Puerto Rico @ricardorosello y coreadas por otros funcionarios públicos en lo que a todas luces era una discusión de sus ejecutorias en el Gobierno y no de asuntos privados como se intenta dejar ver,
— Ricky Martin (@ricky_martin) July 13, 2019
es completamente repudiable y denotan el carácter y personalidad intolerante, arrogante, prepotente, homofóbica, machista y violenta de cada uno.
— Ricky Martin (@ricky_martin) July 13, 2019
NO podemos permitir que nuestro Puerto Rico esté en manos de tales “líderes”
Precisamente porque sus comentarios fueron hechos en la intimidad queda demostrado de que esta hecho. Es en la intimidad donde se vive con la verdad e integridad que nos define y la suya esta lejos de ser una vertical y admirable.
— Ricky Martin (@ricky_martin) July 13, 2019
On Tuesday, Martin announced he would be joining the protest on Wednesday writing “See you tomorrow at the march at 5pm in front of the Capitol.”
#PuertoRico nos vemos mañana en el la marcha a ls 5pm frente al Capitolio pic.twitter.com/4cZM1KF3Kn
— Ricky Martin (@ricky_martin) July 17, 2019
Singer Bad Bunny, who is currently on tour, will pause his shows to join the protests.
MERA PUERTO RICO!! ?? voy a bajar pa’ la isla y me gustaría verlos conmigo y con los que ya salieron pa’ la calle!! Esta gente piensa que tenemos miedo y vamos a demostrarle que estan bien equivocados!! VAMOS PA’ ENCIMA PUÑETA!!!
— ? (@sanbenito) July 15, 2019
Miranda also called for the governor’s resignation.
#RenunciaRossello https://t.co/MJEyrcYpe5
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) July 16, 2019
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The Victory Fund held its National Champagne Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton on Sunday, April 27. Speakers included Tim Gunn, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.), Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.).
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Music & Concerts
Tom Goss returns with ‘Bear Friends Furever Tour’
Out singer/songwriter to perform at Red Bear Brewing Co.
Singer Tom Goss will bring his “Bear Friends Furever Tour” to D.C. on Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing Co.
Among the songs he will perform will be “Bear Soup,” the fourth installment in his beloved bear song anthology series. Following fan favorites like “Bears,” “Round in All the Right Places,” and “Nerdy Bear,” this high-energy, bass-thumping banger celebrates body positivity, joyful indulgence, and the vibrant spirit of the bear subculture.
For more details, visit Tom Goss’s website.
Friday, May 2
“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at P.F. Chang’s. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, May 3
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgment free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events for LGBTQ People of Color, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, May 4
“The Chateau Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Chicatana. Enjoy fabulous Mexican food and cocktails while being entertained by a rotating cast of the DMV’s best drag performers. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
“The Bubble: Queer Brooklyn Comics in DC” will be at 5 p.m. at As You Are. Queer comedians Charlie Flynn, Evan Lazarus and Keara Sullivan are coming down from NYC for a night of fun as they split an hour of standup comedy. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Monday, May 5
“Center Aging Monday Coffee & Conversation” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].
Tuesday, May 6
Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more details, email [email protected].
Wednesday, May 7
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older queer women can meet and socialize with one another. We will have discussion, activities, and a chance for you to share what you want future events to include. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, May 8
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga with Sarah M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.
South Asian Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The peer support group is an outlet for South Asian-identified LGBTQ individuals to come and talk about anything affecting them. It’s a secure, judgment-free environment to discuss relationships, sexuality, health, well-being, identity, culture, religion, or anything that is on your mind. For more details, email [email protected].
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