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Waitress fired over using the ‘N word’ in racist snapchat

“It’s just shocking, when you think you’ve made a connection with somebody,” Mayes said. “Especially the way times are right now, and there’s so much hate going on.”

Chelsea Mayes was enjoying a pleasant dinner with her friends on a Sunday evening at a Cheddar’s restaurant in Tennessee. They laughed, ate heartily and were served by a seemingly kind waitress who they tipped generously. But when Mayes arrived home she was met with a text message that tarnished the feel-good mood she was in.

Her friend had sent her a screenshot of a Snapchat image that contained a racial slur. Mayes immediately recognised the person behind the image. It was the same waitress who had served her and her friends dinner earlier that night.

“I’m so hung over and have a section full of n** right now,” the Snapchat selfie caption read.

Judging by the time it was sent out the twenty-two year old says there is no doubt it was directed at her group.

“It kind of just confused me,” she told The Independent. “If she felt this way the whole time, she could have easily done something to our food, done something to our drinks, and we never would have known.”

“It’s just shocking, when you think you’ve made a connection with somebody,” Mayes said. “Especially the way times are right now, and there’s so much hate going on.”

Rather than contributing to the hatred though, Mayes took to Facebook and penned a post which conceded that the world needs more love– particularly as racial tensions in the USA are at an all-time high. While the slur was hurtful, Mayes says she refuses to stoop to the waitress’ level.

“This ‘n—–‘ is pretty nice,” she wrote on her profile. “This ‘n—–‘ actually enjoyed your company. This ‘n—–‘ is praying for you. This ‘n—–‘ loves you and there isn’t anything you can do about it.”

The waitress has since been fired. Mayes has extended an invitation for her to attend church alongside her family and get “a different outlook” on black Americans.

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We are family: Stars who have used surrogates

There are many ways to make a family, especially in Hollywood!
Nicole Kidman

There are many ways to make a family, especially in Hollywood!

For these stars, the road to parenthood was far more complex and challenging than they ever could have imagined.

“We really had thought it through financially, emotionally, relationship-wise. We didn’t just accidentally get pregnant. These kids come into our world with nothing but love,” Neil Patrick Harris revealed of his much-longed for children, daughter Harper and son Gideon, who he welcomed with husband David Burtka via a surrogate in 2010.

Meanwhile Hunger Games star Elizabeth Banks, who welcomed two children via a gestational carrier, is eternally grateful for her experiences.

“There’s lots of ways of being a mother. You have to listen to your heart in this situation. There are many paths to having a family. I’ve always said I could be a mum. There are lots of babies out there that need love,” Elizabeth has mused.

In February, model Tyra Banks confirmed she and her partner Erik Asla became first-time parents with the help of a surrogate and are now overjoyed with their newborn son York.

“We are so excited for our new baby boy bundle of joy. The journey to now has not been an easy process, as I’ve shared before. But there was a beautiful bright light at the end of the tunnel for me and his father, Erik,” Tyra said in her statement.

After overcoming breast cancer, Sally Obermeder was told that having a baby could mark the return of the disease she fought so hard to beat. But the TV personality has just announced she’s expecting her second child with her husband Marcus via surrogacy! “Thrilled to bits to share that @marcusobermeder and I are adding to our family thanks to the most incredible surrogate,” the beloved star said.

In February, model Tyra Banks announced she and her partner Erik Asla had welcomed a son, York, via a surrogate. “We are so excited for our new baby boy bundle of joy. The journey to now has not been an easy process, as I’ve shared before. But there was a beautiful bright light at the end of the tunnel for me and his father, Erik,” she explained.

Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman’s fertility struggles have been well documented, including a harrowing ectopic pregnancy during her first marriage to Tom Cruise. Although she conceived Sunday Rose naturally with Keith Urban, the couple’s second child together, Faith Margaret, through a surrogate. “she was the most wonderful woman to do this for us. And we were in a place of desperately wanting another child and this opportunity arose for us. And I couldn’t get pregnant and we wanted another baby. I get emotional just talking about it cause I’m so grateful to her,” the star explained during an interview with 60 Minutes.

“I would give my life for the woman who helped me bring my sons into this world,” Ricky Martin said of his surrogate, who gifted the star his two twin sons, Matteo and Valentino, in 2008.

Although he’s never officially confirmed it and vows to forever guard the truth, it’s widely reported that soccer pro Cristiano Ronaldo used a gestational carrier to welcome his mini-me son, also named Cristiano. “it is with great joy and emotion that I inform I have recently become father to a baby boy. As agreed with the baby’s mother, who prefers to have her identity kept confidential, my son will be under my exclusive guardianship,” the sports star explained in a statement back in 2010.

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“I was present for the insemination, I held her hand. This is an incredible thing for [the surrogate] to do. I shall forever be grateful to her. I shall forever be grateful to her. [During the process] we held hands, we prayed, we spoke to God. It was meant to be. And now we have a gorgeous baby girl,” actress Ellen Pompeo gushed of her second daughter, Sienna May Pompeo Ivery.

Giuliana and Bill Rancic’s long road to parenthood was well-documented on their hit reality TV show, Giuliana and Bill. After several failed attempts at IVF and the 41-year-old’s battle with breast cancer, the couple turned to a gestational carrier. They welcomed Edward Duke Rancic in 2012 and they’ve never looked back. “She never had any trouble getting pregnant and she just wanted to help, to make a difference for parents who couldn’t do this on their own,” Bill has mused of their treasured surrogate, Delphine.

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“They are the greatest thing in our lives. There’s no words to describe how much we love these boys,” Elton John explains of his sons Zachary, five, and Elijah, three, who he shares with husband David Furnish. Both boys were born through the same surrogate. “Elton and David love this lady like a sister and they feel indebted to her for life,” a source revealed.

“There’s lots of ways of being a mother. You have to listen to your heart in this satiation. There are many paths to having a family. I’ve always said I could be a mum. There are lots of babies out there that need love,” Hunger Games beauty Elizabeth Banks explained of the process. Both her sons Felix and Mitchell, who she shares with husband Max Handelman, were born through a surrogate.

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Jimmy Fallon describes he and wife Nancy’s fertility struggle as “awful”. But the couple are finally proud parents to daughters Winnie, two, and Frances, one, through a surrogate. “We tried for a long time, for five years. I know people have tried much longer, but if there’s anyone out there who is trying and they’re just losing hope, just hang in there,” Jimmy has said.

Lucy Liu received the most adorable delivery when she became the proud mama to a baby boy, who was born via a gestational surrogate. The 47-year-old Charlie’s Angels star took to social media late last year to share the beautiful news and reveal his gorgeous name, “Introducing the new little man in my life, my son Rockwell Lloyd Liu. In love!”

“Two eggs, two embryos, one of mine, one of his,” Neil Patrick Harris explains of his gorgeous five-year-old twins Harper and Gideon, who he shares with husband David Burkta.

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Celebrity reporter Perez Hilton has welcomed a son Mario and daughter Mia via a carrier. “I’m excited for the two of them, so they can have each other and my son can look after her, It’s a real family now.”

Sarah Jessica Parker and her husband Matthew Broderick fell naturally pregnant with their son James Wilkie but the couple struggled the second time around. “We tried and tried and tried and tried to get pregnant. It just was not to be, I would give birth if I could,” the actress lamented of their hardships. Their daughters Marion and Tabitha were born in 2009.

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Morning after pill could be less effective in women over 75kgs

Your last-minute lifeline of the morning-after pill might not be as effective as you think.

Your last-minute lifeline of the morning-after pill might not be as effective as you think. New research into emergency contraception suggests that the morning-after pill is less effective in women who weigh more than 74.8 kilos.

The contraceptive pill that’s made from the hormone levonorgestrel, which prevents ovulation, is found to become less effective after the 74.8 kilo mark- and is said to not work at all for women weighing more than 79 kilos.

This information was put on the back of the European-made pill Norlevo’s packet in 2013, and a new study led by Alison Edelman, a professor at the Oregon Health and Science University, U.S, found that it takes a higher dosage of the drug to raise the obese women’s hormone level to that of the women of normal weight.

Edelman’s study involved 10 women between the ages of 18 and 35, five of which were considered ‘normal weight’ and five of which were considered ‘obese,’ according to the BMI measure. When obese women were given one dose of levonorgestrel-based emergency contraception, the amount of the hormone measured in their bloodstream was 50% lower than other women’s.

Although, don’t worry as the team did have a breakthrough moment when they doubled the dose for obese women; Edelman told Women’s Health Mag that: “By doubling the dose, we doubled the level of levonorgestrel observed in the bloodstream.” “We were surprised and pleased to see that we were able to compensate for [the effect of obesity] by doubling the dose,” says Edelman.

When asked whether overweight women could just take two pills if they needed to, Edelman replied: ‘As a clinical provider, I would love to tell you yes,’ she continues, “As a researcher, it’s not something we can recommend yet.”

Elizabeth Westley, director of the International Consortium of Emergency Contraception, tells Women’s Health: “What we need now are some bigger studies that look at whether the higher dose of levonorgestrel is effective at preventing ovulation in heavier women.”

Maybe this is a big-enough signifier to drug companies of the changing times, and how women’s bodies are unapologetically growing upwards and outwards and society just needs to catch up, accept and adapt toward this.

This article was originally published on The DeBrief.

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This Kmart has ridiculously high security for chocolate

Shoppers with a sweet-tooth have forced this Melbourne store to take some very extreme steps in the name of (chocolate) security!

A Kmart store in Melbourne’s north has been forced to take some pretty radical steps in the name of security, after sweet-toothed shoppers refused to stop opening packets of Cadbury chocolate during their weekly shop.

All blocks of Cadbury at the Bundoora store are locked in individual security cases. They can only be unlocked by staff once the order is processed at the checkout.

The measures were introduced because too many half-eaten packets were left behind by customers looking for a snack while they shopped, security told News.com.au.

Apparently no other brands have the same kind of casing, so it’s clear what kind of chocolate visitors a the Summerhill Shopping Centre complex prefer!

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#WeWearWhatWeWant: Plus-size women hit back at body shamers on social media

The #WeWearWhatWeWant campaign is an antidote to the abuse plus-size women were getting on social media for wearing outfits deemed “unacceptable” for larger women.

Plus sized model Simone Mariposa, has hit back at body shamers by starting a social media campaign that encouragers plus-sized women to wear whatever they like.

The #WeWearWhatWeWant campaign is an antidote to the abuse plus-size women were getting on social media for wearing outfits deemed “unacceptable” for larger women.

The 23-year-old, who Instagrams as ‘wise young fattie’ encouraged her 36.7k social media followers to post selfies, using the hashtag.

She tweeted: “Showing skin isn’t exclusive to smaller girls. It’s okay for a plus-size women to let her body breath in her clothing. Stop making it ‘unacceptable’ for plus women to wear clothes that show skin.”

So far thousands of women have shared their favourite outfits using the hashtag.

Speaking to the Huffington Post, Mariposa said that she wanted to give plus-sized women a voice.

“The story of the plus-size woman isn’t commonly addressed because we are often made to feel subhuman,” she said.

“But with powerful hashtags like this, we are given a voice that no one can ignore.I find it important to highlight plus women being free and fabulous with their wardrobes because we live in a society that constantly polices our bodies.

“Plus-size women are constantly told to cover up, not because we look bad in revealing clothing, but because of people’s personal lack of comfort.”

Since the start of the campaign plus-sized women have started to share stories of times they were shamed for wearing certain items of clothing.

“Plus size doesn’t mean ugly. Plus size doesn’t mean unhealthy. Plus size doesn’t mean I’m lazy. Plus size doesn’t mean I only eat junk food. Plus size doesn’t mean my life means less than anyone else.” Wrote one Instagram user.

“Last night I gained the ladyballs to wear a top like this in public. Empowering,” said another.

Mariposa says that she has been overwhelmed to see the hashtag go viral globally.

“I can’t believe so many lives are being touched by this hashtag. That’s all I’ve wanted,” she tweeted.

“My wish is coming true.”

You may also like: Karl Stefanovic apologises for transphobic comments on TODAY

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Karl Stefanovic apologises for transphobic comments made on TODAY

The TODAY Show host has told viewers his comments were "ignorant" and unacceptable.
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TODAY Show Australia host, Karl Stefanovic, has issued an on-air apology to viewers after comments he made were slammed for being transphobic.

During a live cross yesterday morning to reporter Christine Ahern, who was mugged by a group of transgender women on the streets of Rio while she covers the Olympics, the 41-year-old used the term ‘tranny’ multiple times and referred to the muggers as ‘transvestites’. He also held up pictures from ‘Priscilla: Queen of the Desert’ while laughing, asking Ahern if the muggers resembled Hugo Weaving’s character from the film.

The backlash was swift. Many members of the LGBTQIA community called Stefanovic out for his use of outdated terminology, as ‘tranny’ and ‘transvestite’ are widely regarded as slurs unless the transgender person self-defines as such.

Journalist Chloe Sargeant sent Stefanovic a tweet saying, ”tr*nny’ isn’t ok to say in 2016. happy to have a friendly beer and explain why to clarify for you?”. He replied: “I’m very sorry Chloe. I’m happy to have a beer or cocktail with anyone I offended. It was complete ignorance.”

On-air this morning Stefanovic agreed he needed to better educate himself about the struggles of the trans community, and said his comments came from a place of ignorance.

“By using the word ‘tranny’, I offended an awful a lot of beautiful, sensitive people. I honestly didnt know the negative and deeply hurtful impact that word has, not only on members of the LGBTQI community, but on their family and on their friends. And therein lies the problem I reckon – I never bothered to ask,” Stefanovic said.

“Like so many other words we’ve used in the past, it’s now time to throw that one in the bin.

“Do you know what LGBTQI stands for? I didn’t. I do know – it stand for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trangender, Queer and Intersex. An incredibly diverse community who I am very, very sorry I caused hurt to.”

You can watch his full apology above.

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5 things we learnt from Kim and Kanye’s Harper’s Bazaar interview

The infamous couple talk nude selfies, Taylor Swift and their secret talents.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West pose together as cover stars on the September issue of Harper’s Bazaar US, and while the stunning shots, which were styled by Karl Lagerfeld, are indeed amazing, it’s the couple’s joint interview that has everyone talking.

The candid chat reveals intimate, never-before-heard details about the pair’s life together.

From how Kanye prefers to live his life without thinking, to that time Kim rented an island for her hubby’s birthday.

After siphoning through the gold that is the entire interview, we’ve rounded up the top five takeaways.

We certainly learnt a lot about the infamous couple.

1. In case this wasn’t painfully obvious, they ARE NOT Taylor Swift fans.

When asked about their favourite Taylor Swift song, Kanye says bluntly, “For me? I don’t have one.”

“I was such a fan of hers,” Kim adds, in reference to their recent smack-down.

2. But you can be sure that Kanye is a fan of Kim’s nude selfies.

“I love her nude selfies. Like, I love the ones from the side, the back ones, and the front. I just love seeing her naked; I love nudity,” the fashion designer explained to the publication.

“I feel like it’s almost a Renaissance thing, a painting, a modern version of a painting. I think it’s important for Kim to have her figure. To not show it would be like Adele not singing.”

But despite the brunette beauty’s amazing figure, her husband loves her heart the best.

The Keeping up with the Kardashians star and her rapper husband share two kids together.

3. They both have very odd, secret talents

“I can smell when someone has a cavity,” the mother-of-two says. “It’s a very specific smell – not a bad-breath smell – but something that is really strong.”

Kanye however, believes he can read a person to reveal their motives. “I can analyse people’s intentions. Immediately. That’s just a warning. To everyone.”

4. The reality star wants to be remembered as a business woman

“I’d like to be remembered as someone who was smart in business, works hard, and can be sexy and a mum. A powerful but still sexy, nonconforming woman,” she tells Harper’s.

And while she hopes her husband to be remembered for being intelligent, Kanye disagrees. “Determined. I would say my determination is way higher than my smartness.”

“You killed this second pregnancy, though.Your body slammed that crap. You made that second pregnancy your b—,” Kanye says of his wife’s post baby body.

5. Kim and Kanye would spend a day invisible VERY differently…

“Women’s locker room,” the rapper fires back.

“I would probably creepily follow my kids around, see how they act, see what they talk about. I record my daughter just talking because the things she says are so funny. I could watch her talk all day,” the 35-year-old says, which made Kanye rethink his answer.

“Yours is so much nicer than mine…”

See the latest, adorable clip of baby Saint West in the video player below!

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Mother found guilty of allowing death of baby at hands of boyfriend

Medical experts confirmed her son, Noah, would have been severely brain-injured had he survived the sustained abuse.

A young mother has been found guilty of cruelty and causing or allowing the death of her 13-month-old baby boy, Noah, while her boyfriend has been found guilty of murdering him and causing his death.

A British court heard that Hardeep Hunjan, 27, and Noah’s mother, Ronnie Tayler-Morrison, 22, binged on illicit substances at their home in Crawley Road, Luton, during the baby’s final hours. They then lied to police during interviews, claiming Noah had fallen from his cot and was “awake and moving with his eyes open” but “not with it and not crying”.

However, it is now clear Noah died after sustaining a 15 cm skull fracture caused by being slammed against a hard surface, the BBC reports.

Noah also suffered 15 limb fractures in total, similar in scale to those sustained by people who fall from buildings or are involved in severe car crashes. Some were sustained up to six weeks before he died.

Medical experts confirmed Noah would have been severely brain-injured had he survived the sustained abuse.

Detective Fraser Wylie said: “Rarely do we come across a case that involves such sheer malice and utter cruelty against a small child, by two people who were supposed to love and care for him.”

“Throughout this case the disregard shown by both Tayler-Morrison – Noah’s own mother – and Hunjan has been evident, not least in the fact they attempted to evade justice by attempting to flee to Scotland whilst on bail.

“Poor Noah experienced fear, pain, neglect and extreme brutality during his too-short life. No child deserves that, and it has been evident throughout our investigation and the trial that Tayler-Morrison and Hunjan chose a tumultuous, drug- and alcohol-fuelled lifestyle over his happiness and welfare.”

The couple will be sentenced on Friday.

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Cancer survivor Sally Obermeder announces she’s expecting baby no.2

TV personality Sally Obermeder has previously confessed to wanting more children now she's adding to her family via surrogacy.

The TV personality was told having children naturally could cause the cancer to return, but she was determined to expand her family.

Cancer survivor Sally Obermeder was told that having a baby could mark the return of the disease she fought so hard to beat.

But the TV personality has just announced she’s expecting her second child with her husband Marcus via surrogacy!

Not one to take no for an answer the 42-year-old was determined to give her daughter Annabelle Grace a little sister.

And when natural pregnancy proved to be too dangerous, she found another way.

“Yes, it’s true,” Sally announced, next to an adorable family photo on Instagram.

“Thrilled to bits to share that @marcusobermeder and I are adding to our family thanks to the most incredible surrogate.”

In the picture, little Annabelle holds up a sign that says “I’m going to be a big sister!”

Everyone in the family photo looks overjoyed, smiling from ear to ear.

Sally has always spoken about her desire for a large family.

“I acknowledge that I’m extremely lucky to have one child … But the yearning and desire to be a mum again is so strong and it has not passed,” The Daily Edition host previously said.

“Before I was sick I always pictured I would have two or three children, if I was lucky enough, and I still want that for Annabelle.”

The TV host said she will be opening up about emotional roller-coaster ride on Channel Seven’s Sunday Night.

Following her troubled first pregnancy and battle with breast cancer in 2011, Sally also suffered a heartbreaking miscarriage and the loss of her mother-in-law.

A version of this story was originally published on Woman’s Day.

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Sally Obermeder announces she’s expecting baby no.2 via surrogacy

The TV personality was told having children naturally could cause the cancer to return, but she was determined to expand her family.
Sally Obermeder

Cancer survivor Sally Obermeder was told that having a baby could mark the return of the disease she fought so hard to beat.

But the TV personality has just announced she’s expecting her second child with her husband Marcus via surrogacy!

Not one to take no for an answer the 42-year-old was determined to give her daughter Annabelle Grace a little sister.

And when natural pregnancy proved to be too dangerous, she found another way.

Sally posted this heartwarming picture to confirm their happy news.

“Yes, it’s true,” Sally announced, next to an adorable family photo on Instagram.

“Thrilled to bits to share that @marcusobermeder and I are adding to our family thanks to the most incredible surrogate.”

We bet Annabelle can’t wait to begin big sister duties.

In the picture, little Annabelle holds up a sign that says “I’m going to be a big sister!”

Everyone in the family photo looks overjoyed, smiling from ear to ear.

Sally has always spoken about her desire for a large family.

Before her cancer struck, Sally had hoped to have three children.

“I acknowledge that I’m extremely lucky to have one child … But the yearning and desire to be a mum again is so strong and it has not passed,” The Daily Edition host previously said.

“Before I was sick I always pictured I would have two or three children, if I was lucky enough, and I still want that for Annabelle.”

Sally confessed she really wanted extra siblings for her little girl.

The TV host said she will be opening up about emotional roller-coaster ride on Channel Seven’s Sunday Night.

Following her troubled first pregnancy and battle with breast cancer in 2011, Sally also suffered a heartbreaking miscarriage and the loss of her mother-in-law.

Watch Sally’s emotional journey so far in the video below. Post continues.

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Sally is thrilled that she can finally achieve her dream via surrogacy, without endangering her life.

“A miscarriage and the loss of Marcus’ beautiful mum leaves us heartbroken,” she revealed on social media at the time.

“But also all the more grateful for the love and the family that we do have and here’s to a hope filled 2016.”

And it looks like the family have something pretty special to look forward to indeed!

Check out the other incredible mum’s that have used surrogacy!

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