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Welcome to the third Friday in April!

We’re getting rather warm dry days in Seattle. The curent long-term forecast says no rain for the next eight days. The sky has been so clear that at some times in the day, even with the blinds closed, some parts of the house are so brightly lit I sometimes have to wear sunglasses indoors!

Which brings us to the Friday Five. This week I bring you: five stories of the week, five stories of interest to queers and our allies, five videos about fairly serious topics, and five videos or a slightly more lightweight nature (plus something I wrote and notable obituaries).

Stories of the week:

Enjoy a little restoration of your faith in humanity

The Pandemic’s Wrongest Man – In a crowded field of wrongness, one person stands out: Alex Berenson

The Sand Octopus Was Hiding in Plain Sight

Maxine Waters cuts off Jim Jordan after he keeps arguing with Dr Fauci after his time was up at hearing: ‘Shut your mouth’

Biden civil rights nominee fends off Republican attacks at hearing

This Week in News for Queers and Allies:

Biden Picks Gay Police Chief to Lead Border Protection. Known for BLM Pic, Sanctuary Support, and Being First Gay Chief to Marry

How a Georgia pastor practiced what he preached by accepting LGBTQ members into his Southern Baptist church

Meet Rebekah, a Trans 14-Year-Old Who Just Wants to Play Sport

Tearful mom begs Texas lawmakers not to throw her in jail for supporting her trans child – Amber Briggle is "terrified… that my words will be used against me" and her son "will be taken from me."

Florida’s new ban on transgender students in sports would allow schools to subject minors to genital inspections – The legislation has passed the state’s House of Representatives

In Memoriam

Winfred Rembert, 75, Dies; Turned Painful Memories Into Art – Decades after nearly being lynched in rural Georgia, he began recreating vivid scenes from his life by carving figures into leather

Things I Wrote:

Weekend Update 4/10/2021: Hypocrites, volcanoes, vaccines, and humor

Weekend Supplement 4/11/2021: Images and Ideas that Need to be Shared

Adventures in Memories of the Poorly Educated

Bucky and Sam are reminded that “The Whole World is Watching”

Tuesday Tidbits: Tools Who Have Outlived Their Usefulness

We Have the 2021 Hugo Ballot… and a really looooooooooong time to fill our our ballots!

Eye-rolling from a White Homo Devil, or, Not-So-Hot Take Misses the Point

Heavy Topic Videos

Click on the image to be taken to the video!

Republicans Want to Cancel Dr. Fauci and Major League Baseball: A Closer Look

Trevor Noah Speaks Truth On Policing: No ‘Bad Apples,’ A ‘Rotten Tree’

John Oliver explains the industry behind nursing homes and assisted living facilities, and why long-term care needs fixing

The Daily Show’s Brutal Montage Of Tucker Carlson Using Language Of Mass Murderers

The FBI Seized Matt Gaetz’s Phone Amid Sex Trafficking Investigation: A Closer Look

Less Heavy Videos

Click on the image to be taken to the video!

Saturday Night Live Weekend Update: The Iceberg on the Sinking of the Titanic – Bowen Yang

Stephen Colbert: Quarantinewhile… Another Giant Jesus Statue Rises In Brazil

Lil Nas X Answers Kids’ Questions | Arts & Raps | All Def Music

Years & Years – It’s A Sin (Official Audio)

Rag’n’Bone Man & P!nk – Anywhere Away From Here (Official Video)