Don’t Be Dumb at Brunch: Will Kevin Hart Host? What’s Happening in Brazil?

Happy frst Sunday of the year! It’s brunch time. Don’t be dumb. This week we bring you stories on Kevin Hart, the ongoing legal battle against Donald Trump’s trans military ban, Brazil’s new hateful president and tips on staying committed to your 2019 goals!

Of course we have our Whackjob of the Week as well. See who it is below.

Here are the week’s 5 news stories that’ll keep you looking well-informed at brunch:

1. Is Kevin Hart Coming Back to the Oscars?

Well, it seems if Ellen gets her way, he will. Hart, who stepped-down as Oscars host last month, was on the comedienne’s show this week for the full hour, discussing the controversy regarding his past homophobic tweets that caused an uproar and eventually his refusal to apologize. Ellen claims she reached out to the Academy and asked for the reinstatement personally — which has resulted in backlash from much of the LGBTQ community against her. Where do you stand on this issue? Do you believe Kevin is really remorseful? How would you feel if he returned? Is Ellen the right person to speak for our community on this issue? Check out the clips from the show here, but for a very effective counterpoint, watch CNN’s Don Lemon’s response here.

2. A Win for Trump’s Trans Military Ban

In one of the four cases making its way through the judicial system, a federal appeals court in the District of Columbia ruled in favor of President Trump’s ban on transgender troops serving in the military. The three-judge panel tossed aside the lower court’s ruling that said while the ban likely violates the constitution, it could not be implemented while the court decides whether it is unconstitutional. The 2018, which was a revision of the 2017 ban, prohibited people diagnosed with gender dysphoria from serving in the military, an attempt to make the ban appear to be concerned with a medical condition instead of an identity. For the moment, nothing changes while the three other cases make their way through the system. It’s important to note that the ruling did not say anything about the legal merit of the ban.

3. Erased in Brazil

Things are about to get tougher for our LGBTQ community in Brazil. On Jan. 1, far-right politician Jair Bolsonaro was sworn into office as Brazil’s new president, and he immediately deprioritized LGBTQ civil rights via an executive order removing them from under the scope of Brazil’s Human Rights Ministry. LGBTQ issues, which Bolsonaro considers a threat to Brazil’s Christian values, now fall under no national ministry’s purview. It should come as no surprise that U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration of cronies have voiced full support for Bolsonaro. Elections have consequences — all over the world.

4. You Look Great!

It’s that time of year again. Resolutions to eat better and get fit and make everyone gag over your transformation. It’s typical, and it’s fleeting. But the bigger question is why we make these resolutions and how to best increase our quality of life through health and wellness. It might be surprising, but a key to committing to a better you doesn’t start with what you eat and how much cardio you do — it’s about how you treat yourself along the way. Body shaming and body dysmorphia are a real health-killer in our community. We are so aesthetically self-centered that we often lose sight of the purpose of our efforts for overall health and wellness for life. So start with a plan to STOP beating yourself up and comparing yourself to others. People may be going to odd extremes to look a certain way that is simply unattainable and many times unhealthy. Tell yourself the path you are carving is based on small daily progressions that you will add up over time to achieve great success. You look great … every day. Make that your mantra, and be resolute to saying it all the time.

5. Whackjob of the Week: Coachella Co-Owner Phil Anschutz

This week Coachella announced its lineup for 2019, and it continues to be one of the most queer-inclusive music festivals in the United States. But does it matter to you that its co-owner, Phil Anschutz, is a right-wing nightmare who gives money to anti-LGBT hate groups? As a conservative Christian, Phil Anschutz, who also owns AEG, gave nearly $200,000 to multiple anti-gay groups, including the rabidly anti-gay Family Research Council (Tony Perkins, y’all!). After the initial exposé on Anschutz in 2017, he released a statement claiming “ignorance as to the organizations’ anti-LGBTQ initiatives.” However, it continues. Check out more details here, and maybe think twice about supporting what has become one of the most popular music festivals in the country.

Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo were one of two plaintiff couples in California’s 2013 challenge of Proposition 8, which brought marriage equality back to the state after being ruled on by the U.S. Supreme Court. These activists also host the weekly podcast The Husbands. Catch them there or follow them on Hornet @PaulAndJeff.