Past Shows
TFG Unbuttoned: Listen Up Everyone
07.06.21 | Disney Theme Parks drop gender specific call outs in their public address announcements and the internet generally is OK with it. It’s a progressive and harmless change and people will complain just to complain. Then, a young Trumper, celebrating 45’s birthday, leaves a 15-foot skid mark and $16K worth of damage to a rainbow crosswalk in Delray Beach, Florida. He now faces multiple charges including one as a possible hate-crime. Finally, The LGBTQ Museum is moving toward reality in Manhattan as part of the NYC Historical Society. Stay Tuned.
Safe States for LGBTQ Americans
06.30.21 | Shop Talk looks at the State LGBTQ Safety Ranking for 2021, and there are a few surprises. The advent of wheeled luggage, the least popular birthday, and the loss of the jacket required for dinner caught our eye. Charlene Heineken, heiress to the beer fortune, is the wealthiest person in Holland, and is 67 today, June 30th. Congratulations to Carl Nassib of the NFL Las Vegas Raiders for coming out as his authentic self.
TFG Unbuttoned: Coke says no to lesbian
06.29.21 | Coca-Cola stumbles with a bottle personalization promotion by allowing some words and not others to be printed by consumers on their bottles. “Lesbian” cannot be used during June Pride, for example. But first, Ricky Martin suspects he is not getting acting roles because he is gay, and Florida Gov. DeSantis signs legislation that may require teachers and students to register their political beliefs with the state.
Karma for all
06.23.21 | Shop Talk looks at corporations that are active in supporting PRIDE but donate millions to anti-LGBTQ politicians. Also, some studies expect as many as 40% of the workforce to resign in what they are called “the Great Resignation.” John Sheperd-Barron, inventor of the ATM, is our Business Birthday. Caught My Eye shares a story about two women who get back at a two-timing boyfriend, and a boatload of homophobic bullies harass a group of boaters with a rainbow flag, and karma pays a visit. John shares his experience from the Tribeca Film Festival premiere of the movie he appears in called Coded, which tells the story of illustrator J.C. Leyendecker.
TFG Unbuttoned: Mecca Lecca Hi…
06.22.21 | Actor John Paragon, best known as Jambi the Genie from Pee-Wee’s Playhouse dies. But first, companies in tech and banking set forth plans for workers to return to the office. Most seem to have a hybrid of remote and in-office, but all agree that something is missing without face-to-face interaction. Apple gets dinged by watchdog group for not having LGBTQ apps accessible in countries that are not LGBTQ friendly.
An explosion of rainbows
06.16.21 | Shop Talk looks at the proliferation of everything rainbow and whether it is “rainbow capitalism” or just too much. The Cracker Jack brand is 128 years old today. Caught My Eye shares a story about a P-town lobster diver who claims he was swallowed by a whale last week and a handicapped woman in Oregon who was arrested for riding her mobility cart without a helmet. Also, John makes his film debut this week at the Tribeca Film Festival in the movie Coded, that tells the story of illustrator J.C. Leyendecker.
TFG Unbuttoned: Doge Meme sells for $4 million
06.15.21 | A Japanese lawmaker blames same-sex couples for the country’s declining birthrate. LGBTQ activists ask for an apology and experts site economic insecurity for low birthrates. Then, an iconic DOGE meme of a Shiba Inu dog, Kabosu, breaks a record and sells for $4 million. Finally, Major League Baseball, despite its conservative ownership base, is leading all major sports leagues in celebrating PRIDE with various festivities during June. Maybe June has something to do with it, but while the WNBA was the first to welcome LGBTQ fans everyone is happy to see baseball step-up to the plate.
Old is a numbers game
06.09.21 | Shop Talk looks at what age most people start to feel old. Listen and see if you agree. Also, the original Rainbow Flag is found and returned to San Francisco after it was thought lost 40 years ago. Our Business Birthday celebrates Ben Abruzzo, a businessman, and hot air balloon aficionado. Caught My Eye looks at a homeless Oregon woman who did not know she was left almost $900,000, and Kate Pierson of The B52’s is selling her Lazy Meadow Motel in the Catskills for $2.2 million—fully furnished in all its kitsch glory.
TFG Unbuttoned: A tsunami of rainbows
06.08.21 | This June appears to have been overtaken by the rainbow and we are enjoying it. First, a Texas bakery has a large order canceled by a client for posting “More LOVE. Less hate. Happy Pride to all our LGBTQ friends!” Residents came to the rescue with support and product is selling out each day. Then, a homeowners association decided “opinion flags,” like the rainbow flag, could not be flown anymore in the neighborhood. One owner had a unique work-around. Finally, the US Military and several State National Guard Units are celebrating June Pride with messages of inclusion and Pride imagery on social media.
Abercrombie Models are OK
06.02.21 | Shop Talk looks at a competing NYC Pride March called Reclaim Pride for the LGBTQIA2S+ community. The group said the current Heritage of Pride event has turned into a 12-hour circus full of corporate floats. Caught My Eye covers the Porta Potty shortage that is upon us as the county opens up, and those shirtless Abercrombie store models from the 90’s seem to have fared well in their careers. Vic Firth, founder of the world’s largest producer of drumsticks and mallets, The Vic Firth Company, is our Business Birthday this week.
