What stories did you all read in 2019? We post a variety of stories, but which ones resonated with you the most and rose to the top? Yes, we do stories on new, skin, entertainment, bears, health, travel, hate crimes, international news, a plethora of topics. But what do the stats say you read? Here are the top 10 of 2019. We’ve shared the first couple of paragraphs, but click on the pics or links to be brought to the original post if you want to read more.
10 – Atlanta Barber Goes Viral For His NSFW Hair Cuts (October)
To black men, the barbershop is a community space. While the Christian church has been a community center for the general black community since slavery times, the barbershop has been a black male community center since its inception. You could even say black people gathered around grooming even before that.
But with the barbershop being such a black male space, there is a lot of homophobia and toxic masculinity in those rooms. A recent video concerning Lil Nas X and Kevin Hart showed just that.
But with that in mind, would Black men (and straight men in general) feel comfortable having their hair cut by a man without any clothes on? (Original Post – Atlanta Barber Goes Viral For His NSFW Hair Cuts)
9 – America’s Got Talent Judge: “You Know I’m Not Straight, Right?” (August)
In a new interview for Women’s Health Magazine, DWTS alum/America’s Got Talent judge Julianne Hough shares that she once told her husband, “You know I’m not straight, right?”
The revelation came amid a “massive transformation” period for the 31-year-old actress and dancer just four months after marrying hockey player Brooks Laich in July 2017.
In working to develop her own dance-based workout called Kinrgy (kin as in family and kinesthetic, plus energy), she felt more and more empowered and confident.
Hough says that confidence became transformative and cathartic in her life.
“I’ve been de-layering all the survival tactics I’ve built up my whole life,” she explains. “Now, I feel limitless.” (Original Post – America’s Got Talent Judge: “You Know I’m Not Straight, Right?”)
8 – Britney’s Boyfriend Sam Asghari Leaves Little to the Imagination in Miami (June)
I think we are fully aware by now of how unbelievably hot Britney Spears‘ boyfriend Sam Asghari is.
He also appears to be a really good guy for her. A source for Entertainment Tonight said that the 24-year-old is her “protector” amid the legal problems going on in her life at the moment.
Drama appeared to be the furthest from their minds during a recent trip to Miami. The “Hold It Against Me” singer enjoyed a relaxing day on board a boat with her hunky beau where they chilled, took in some sun and cuddled up. (Original Post – Britney’s Boyfriend Sam Asghari Leaves Little to the Imagination in Miami)
7 – The Hemsworth Bros in Super-Tight, Revealing Wetsuits Makes the World Seem a Bit Brighter (August)
Here’s something that will at least brighten up your day a little bit: Liam and Chris Hemsworth surfing together in really tight, revealing swimsuits. Unlike that Aaron Schock shitshow, this is the right kind of “Beach Bros.” So, so right. Woof.
Both actors were in the news this weekend; Chris celebrated his 36th birthday, and Liam split from Miley Cyrus. Before we get to the surfing pics, let’s take a look at some other hot pics of these absurdly, impossibly hot Beach Bros. (Original Post – The Hemsworth Bros in Super-Tight, Revealing Wetsuits Makes the World Seem a Bit Brighter)
6 – EXCLUSIVE: Father Refuses to Pay For His Son’s College Because of His Sexuality (June)
Going to college after high school is the general norm for most kids. Unfortunately for one New Jersey native, James Marchese, the road to college has become less of a reality because of his sexuality.
James has dreams of attending Fairfield University in Connecticut this fall. All was going to plan until his father found out he was gay and pulled all of his college funding. Now James has had to resort to creating a GoFundMe page in order to raise enough funds for tuition outside of the scholarships he’s earned in order to attend his freshman year. (Original Post – EXCLUSIVE: Father Refuses to Pay For His Son’s College Because of His Sexuality)
5 – Instagram Star & Skateboarder Nathan Schwandt Gets Naked (April)
Nathan Schwandt, who has a lot of credits to his name already (skateboarder, Instagram star and boyfriend to cosmetics giant Jeffree Star), can now add something a bit more colorful to the mix of how he is known as nude pics of him have been leaked on the internet, courtesy of !! omg blog !!.
The 25-year-old, who has been with Star for almost three years now after they allegedly met through social media, has developed a major following on several different platforms, most notably Instagram where he boasts over 800,000 followers. These photos may just get him a couple more based on how enticing they are. (Original Post – Instagram Star & Skateboarder Nathan Schwandt Gets Naked)
4 – Clip Of Ricky Martin Getting Dressed Made The Internet Happy (December)
On the eve of this year’s Art Basel Miami Fair, pop star Ricky Martin shared a short video clip to his Instagram story showing him prepping to head out to this year’s Dior Men’s Fall fashion show.
With out actor Ben Platt singing “River” in the background, Martin looks dashing as ever tossing on his suit jacket.
Taking a final glance in the mirror, Martin asks aloud, “Good?” as the camera view pans down in time to catch the singer adjust his junk.
Yep, totally good 🙂
While posts to Instagram Stories disappear after 24 hours, Twitter user Jarett Wieselman was wise enough to preserve the moment for all of us. (Original Post – Clip Of Ricky Martin Getting Dressed Made The Internet Happy)
3 – Texas Lawmakers Approve Bill Allowing Professionals To Discriminate Against LGBTQs (March)
Republican lawmakers in Texas approved a bill on Monday that would allow state-licensed professionals to discriminate against LGBTQ people, or anyone they want to refuse services, based on their religious beliefs.
The Austin Statesman reports that Senate Bill 17 would give professionals who are licensed by the state – like lawyers, physicians, barbers and pharmacists – the ability to turn away anyone they don’t want to serve or do business with.
The legislation includes a requirement that medical professionals treat patients who are at risk of death or serious injury. And licensed law enforcement officers would not be covered by the law.
The bill’s author, state Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock), says the legislation is necessary to make sure that state licensing bodies don’t punish or retaliate against religious professionals who may take actions predicated by “sincerely held religious beliefs.” (Original Post – Texas Lawmakers Approve Bill Allowing Professionals To Discriminate Against LGBTQs)
2 – Summer’s Coming Boys. Get Ready To Rock The Jeado! (April)
Ok, I know what you’re thinking, who would wear a Speedo made of denim, right? Well, it’s faux denim. They’re actually made of polyester and Spandex so you don’t have to worry about smooshing your junk into a blue jean slingshot to sport this new trend. Nope, you can rock this novelty in pure comfort, and your boys will still be able to breathe freely (ish).
Just consider the Jeado to be the first cousin of the Jort. They exist together in the new family of apparel oddities that half the public wouldn’t be caught dead in, while the other half of society enters in their credit card number screaming, “YAAAAAAAAAASSSS!” ordering one in every color. Which side are you on? (Original post – Summer’s Coming Boys. Get Ready To Rock The Jeado!
1 – When A Bullied Gay Teen Heard The F-Word One Time Too Many (November)
Steffy shared with Insider.com that a classmate recently posted a homophobic message on Snapchat using a photo of him.
“He made an anti-gay post with a picture of me on it saying how he hated gays and a bunch of throwing up emojis all over it,” Steffy told Insider.
“I walked up to him and said ‘Why did you post this?’ He said ‘It was just a post.’ And I said ‘Well, it’s not just a post. It’s a post about me, saying how you dislike who I am, and I don’t appreciate that.’ He went on to say ‘Okay, but what are you going to do about it?’ I said ‘I’m not going to deal with this, this is the last time I’m called anything.’
“And then he said ‘What are you going to do about it, faggot?’ And that’s when I was like ‘No, I’m not doing this.’”
What followed was the slap seen round the world. Original post When A Bullied Gay Teen Heard The F-Word One Time Too Many
We’re looking forward to a great 2020 with our staff that resides across the nation and world. They are made up of writers from 24 to 52, from multiple ethnicities and backgrounds that create posts they feel will resonate with fellow member of the LGBTQ community. As mentioned, we do a variety of posts, but have no control over which ones will get to the top of the hits list.
If you feel we should be writing about different topics, or if you want to work with us in 2020 to keep us sharing stories with our community, check out our post – We’re Looking For Additional Contributing Writers For The New Year! – and apply to be a contributing writer to Instinct Magazine.