Saturday, August 11, 2007

Eddie In Paradise

As you can see by his delighted expression, our little Eddie is never happier than when he is surrounded by giant hairy men. Pic taken last night at Titan's Woof party.

Labels: ,


Friday, August 10, 2007

Richardson To Re-Recant For Signorile

Gov. Bill Richardson will appear on Michelangelo Signorile's Sirius OutQ talk show today to recant last night's "homosexuality is a choice" gaffe, which he has already repudiated to print media. Tune in at 4:25PM EST/ 1:25PM PST to hear Mr. Excitement say, "Let me be clear - I do not believe that sexual orientation or gender identity happen by choice," as he did via his campaign office shortly after last night's forum. Listen online here.

Labels: , ,


وي وإلل نت بي سلنت

The ACLU is suing JetBlue and the Transportation Safety Administration on behalf of a man who attempted to board a flight at JFK last year while wearing a t-shirt that read, "We Will Not Be Silent" in both English and Arabic script. Raed Jarrar was told by a TSA official that his shirt "made fellow passengers uncomfortable." Jarrar say he was also told that the message on his shirt was comparable to entering a bank wearing a shirt that said, "I Am A Robber." Later he was allowed on the plane after covering his t-shirt with one provided by JetBlue.

Does Jarrar have a case? Was it a dumbass move to wear that shirt? To my mind, yes to both.

Labels: , ,


Tearoom For Two?

Bob "Tea-room" Allen says he is not a racist or a criminal and will not resign his seat in the Florida legislature. His lawyer says that based on the arresting officer's own report, it was the police who did the soliciting, not Allen. The police contend that Allen initiated the incident by entering the police officer's stall and leaning on the closed door. I have wonder how a moose of a guy like Allen and a "stocky" police officer fit into the same stall and struck up a conversation without actually touching each other. Maybe it was the handicapped stall? The police sound fishy on this.

Labels: ,


Broadway Friday

- Monty Python's Spamalot had its 1000th performance yesterday.

- Chazz Palminteri's A Bronx Tale opens for a limited run at the Walter Kerr Theatre beginning October 4th and running through February 2008. Tony winner Jerry Zaks (Six Degrees Of Separation, Guys And Dolls) will direct. The Walter Kerr most recently hosted Grey Gardens, which closed July 29th.

-The revival of Grease is now in previews, officially opening next Friday. The leads, Max Crumm and Laura Osnes, were the viewers' choices on the reality show, Grease: You're The One That I Want.

-John Water's Cry-Baby: The Musical is headed for Broadway, due March 2008. The show will get its out-of-town tryout at San Diego's La Jolla Playhouse in November.

-Tickets for this year's holiday production of Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical go on sale September 6th. The show, which broke box office records last year, begins November 1st at the St. James and will run up to 15 performances a week

-Laurie Metcalf and Nathan Lane will star in David Mamet's November, opening December 20th at the Barrymore and to be directed by Joe Montello. November is a five-character play about presidential politics. Mamet's last Broadway show, Glengarry Glen Ross, won a Pulitzer

- The number of commercial Off Broadway theaters has risen to 31 from 22 over the past decade. The rise is partially blamed for the recent closures of such venerable venues as the 62-year old Actors Playhouse. Other factors in the recent spate of closures are the rising cost of real estate and what some are calling a lack of "viable Off Broadway productions."

- Faith, 83, former exotic dancer and seven-time DC mayoral candidate, is in the hospital with pneumonia. Her husband says the illness was brought on by her rejected Broadway comeback bid in the Patti Lupone-starring revival of Gypsy. The former Faith Dane, who now goes only by her first name, created the role of the trumpet-playing stripper, Mazeppa, in the original 1959 production of Gypsy (starring Ethel Merman). She reprised the role in the 1962 movie version. She has filed an age discrimination complaint with the state. The producers say Faith could have attended open auditions, but demanded a private audition.

Labels:


Morning View - Union Station, DC

I'm in DC for the weekend with Jerry, Eddie, and The Ex. Itinerary: cocktail parties, housewarming party, Blowoff, Titan, and oh, look - it just happens to be Bear Invasion Weekend. Isn't that....convenient? Actually, we didn't know about the bear thing when we planned the trip. True story!

Labels: ,


Visible Vote '08 Video Recap

Below are the complete video clips of each candidate's segment in last night's HRC/LOGO Visible Vote '08. From top left to bottom right in order of their appearance: Obama, Edwards, Kucinich, Gravel, Richardson, Clinton. My live-blogged account of the forum is one post below.

Labels: , , ,


Thursday, August 09, 2007

HRC/LOGO Visible Vote '08
Live-Blogging The Dems

8:30PM - Watch along with me and make your observations on this historic event. Although the show does not air on the West Coast until 9PM PST, West Coasters can stream the show live online. Quotes below are paraphrased.

9:00PM: Bit of an odd opening. Cut right to audience applause, no titles, no voiceover. Neil Patrick Harris in the audience. Moderator Margaret Carlson does intro.

9:10PM: Candidates are appearing in the order in which they accepted the invite to appear. Obama first. "This is a historic moment." HRC's Joe Solmonese gets the first question. "What place does the church have the issue of gay marriage?" Obama: "My view is that we should try to disentangle what has historically been the word 'marriage' from the civil rights that are given to couples." Solmonese follows up with the "separate but equal" issue. Obama refers to his own parents but otherwise dodges the question.

9:20PM: Melissa Etheridge: "What will you do to bring the country together?" Obama: Blah, blah, blah. "I'm a hopemonger." Applause. Etheridge: "Don't be afraid to make change." Jonathan Capehart: "How will you address homophobia in the black community?" Obama: "I'm somebody who talks about LGBT issues, not just before the HRC. I have specifically talked about the degree to which the notion of gay marriage has been used in black churches to divide. If you think that issue is more important than the fact that black men don't have jobs, I profoundly disagree." Capehart: "How can you run as the candidate of change when your position on same sex marriage is so old school?" Obama: "Oh, come on." Then he changes the issue to ENDA. Dodgeball!

9:25PM: Obama's time is up, no viewer question. Obama sums up: "My candidacy is I don't just talk about issues that are convenient. I'm somebody who I think talks about LGBT issues event when it's hard." And he's done. Standing ovation.

9:27PM: John Edwards' turn. Etheridge: "Your wife and I both have a lot in common, having cancer and we both can afford good healthcare. Does you understand the health needs of gay and lesbian couples who are not legal couples and cannot afford healthcare?" Edwards: "LGBT people deserve healthcare rights. Under my universal healthcare plan, it would be available to them" He talks about the "amazing work" at the LA LGBT Center. Talks about homeless gay youth. "This can't be America. America needs to see what I saw." Etheridge: "I've heard that you are uncomfortable around gay people. Are you OK right now?" Laughter. Edwards: "That's not true. A political consultant said that."

9:30PM: Etheridge follow up on gay parenting. "Do you think public schools should teach about gay families?" Edwards: "Of course they should. Gay couples should have the same rights to adopt children." Big applause. Capehart: "Why should the gay community believe that you'll defend us when you didn't during the 2004 campaign?" Capehart rules. Edwards: "I have seen the impact of hatemongering growing up in the segregated South. We have to stand up for what's right and fair and just. " Moderator gives a jokey question about Ann Coulter. "I think what Ann Coulter does is the the worst kind of public discourse. She demeans what the rest of us do and it's intended to go the lowest common denominator and divide us. You cannot let these people go by quietly and go on doing what they're doing." Solmonese asks about transgendered issues. Edwards: "This is why we need powerful employment nondiscrimination laws."

9:35PM: Solmonese calls Edwards on his opposition to same sex marriage. Edwards: "It makes perfect sense to me that gay people want civil unions but that stops short of real equality." Hmm, almost looked like he was going to change his position, but he didn't. Solmonese: "So on your self-described journey to accepting gay marriage, where are you? " Edwards: "I do believe strongly in civil unions......blah, blah, DOMA, DADT." Dodgeball. Edwards realizes it and recovers: "But I don't support same sex marriage." More chatter about DADT. "I am firmly committed to ending DADT." Time's up for Edwards. "America owes you (the audience) a debt of gratitude." Smarmy, too smooth. Insincere.

9:40PM: Dennis Kucinich. Capehart: Is there anything the LGBT wants that you are against?" Kucinich: (Laughs) "No. Just keep those contributions coming and you'll get the president you want." Laughter. Kucinich talks about "human love". Moderator: "You are SO evolved for a member of Congress." Big laugh. Talks about being mayor of Cleveland and having a gay police chief. "Who CARES?" Kucinich rocks. Etheridge: "They told me not to fawn over you and I hope you ALWAYS run for president until you win." Kucinich: "I wasn't elected to Congress until my fifth try." Etheridge asks question about AIDS and medicinal marijuana. Kucinich: "Compassion requires that the government support that."

9:50PM: Kucinich talks about his longterm healthcare program that would completely cover people with AIDS or cancer. "My candidacy is not only transforming the ranks [of candidates] but it's transforming the campaign." Makes joke that he will, in fact, be elected in 2008. He laughs. Knows the truth. Moderator: Asks viewer question about the Ryan White funding. Kucinich: "I'm the co-author of a bill that creates Medicare for all." Veers into sex education. "The challenge of AIDS is not just funding." Solmonese: "You are a champion for our community." Asks about ENDA. Kucinich gives props to Barney Frank. Applause. "I'm there on that issue, no question about it." Back to marriage equality. Asked to wrap up, Kucinich spaces out and stares at the floor for a long time. A really, long time. Hey, is that Wilson Cruz? Kucinich: "I love all of you! Thank you!" Big applause. Great job. Totally unelectable, but great job.

10:05PM: Mike Gravel's turn. I've met him. Wacko. Etheridge: You are unusual for your generation of straight white men. You actually support same sex marriage. How do you convince your generation on this issue." Gravel thanks Harvey Milk Club and "the gays in NY and SF for getting him on the forum." Says his generation is just wrong on gays. Etheridge is better than I expected. Gravel says if put to a popular vote, gay marriage would win. Doubtful. Gravel talks about how he and Kucinich are "moving the ball down the field on gay marriage." Agreed. Ooh, he said "transgendered" correctly. When I met him, he said "transvestitite."

10:15PM: Capehart: "Why do you think Obama, Edwards and Clinton are ahead of you?" Gravel: "They are playing it safe. Being against gay marriage won't cost them any votes. I don't care. I don't WANT those votes." Right on. Capehart: "Did we go for marriage too soon?" Gravel says Barney Frank is the smartest person in Congress, bar none. "By telling people that you can't use the word 'marriage', what you have to do is recognize that when people tell you can say 'marriage', they are telling you you are second class citizens." Solmonese asks what Gravel is most proud of from his politcal campaign. Gravel says it was his first bill in the Alaskan legislature. He's rambling. Nuclear testing? Says to Solmonsese: "I love you, Joe. I honor you more than you realize." Jokes about Solmonese's age. Solmonese says he's 34, asks about HIV in the black community. Gravel: "We have to address the whole drug issue." Talks about how marijuana should be available in stores. Uh, AIDS was the question. He wants to end the drug war. Time's up. Gravel closes with a plea for everybody to come out of the closet. He's a hopeless nut, but I like him. Just not as president.

10:20PM: Bill Richardson. Capehart: "During the YouTube debate you said you'd focus less on same sex marriage and more on what's achievable. What's achievable?" Richardson: "Civil unions with full rights. Getting rid of DADT. I would repeal DOMA, which I regret that I voted for. Hate crimes laws are achievable. But we have to bring the country to a position where there's public support." Capehart asks about Richardson's famous "maricon" quote. Richardson: "I meant no harm when I said that. I apologize." Talks about getting domestic partnerships passed in New Mexico. Talks about his gay cabinet appointments. Says he's made plenty of mistakes but that we should look at what he's done. Talks about gay Iraqis. Talks about blocking DOMA in New Mexico. "Shouldn't that count for something?" Solmonese: If the New Mexico legislature handed you a marriage bill, would you sign it?" Richards pauses a long time. Talks about blah, blah, blah. DODGEBALL!! Solmonese presses him on gay marriage. Richardson: "I'm not there yet."

10:30PM: Solmonese asks about gay immigration spousal rights. Richardson talks about a consituent with a partner in Mexico who cannot immigrate. Etheridge: "Do you think homosexuality is a choice or biological?" Richardson:" It's a choice." Etheridge: "Maybe you don't understand." She repeats the question. Richardson: "I'm not a scientist. I don't like to answer questions that are grounded in science or something that I don't understand." Etheridge presses him. OK, she is way better than I expected. Except for this silly question about bark beetles. Moderator: "People who are opposed to gay people say it's a lifestyle choice. What do you say to people who would take away our rights on that basis?" Richardson: "It's a matter of equality. I don't believe gays are seeking special preferences." Huh? He's so friggin' dull. Sleep walking through the interview. Out of time, thanks goodness. In closing, he asks Etheridge to ask Al Gore not to run for president. Etheridge: "He says it's too soul-sucking." Goodbye, Governor. You were completely mediocre.

10:35PM: Hillary Rodham Clinton. Moderator jokes about her coral jacket. Solmonese: "You've said that you would like to repeal DADT. Since 2003, you've sat on the armed services committee. Why haven't you done it?" Clinton: "We didn't have a chance with a Republican Congress. I want to try to do it when we have a chance." Clinton recognizes SSgt. Eric Alva in the audience. What a hottie. HERO. I meant "hero". Clinton talks about DADT and Alva's Purple Heart. Solmonese: "What's at the heart of your opposition to gay marriage?" Clinton: I prefer to think of it as my strong support for civil unions." Clinton says she supports maintaining the states' jurisdiction over marriage. Clinton gives props to HRC on the issue. "People and the states are moving more rapidly on this issue than the federal government." Goes on about plotting with HRC to defeat the anti-gay marriage amendment. Says it could not have been defeated without DOMA.

10:45PM: Etheridge: "I have a personal issue here. I came out publicly during your husband's inaugural week. It was a wonderful time. In the following years, our hearts were broken. We were pushed under the bus. It is many years later now and what are you gonna do to be different? Are we going to be left behind like we were before?" ETHERIDGE ROCKS. Clinton: "I don't see it that way, but I respect your feelings. I think we certainly didn't get as much done as I would have liked, but I believe that there was a lot of honest effort going on by the president and the vice-president." Talks about "the unbelievable act" of marching in the gay pride parade as a Senatorial candidate. Clinton to Etheridge: "If I were sitting where you're sitting, with all you've gone through in the last 14 years, I'm sure I'd feel like you." Talks about reversing the "concerted assault" on gay people. Applause. Capehart asks about Gen. Peter Pace's famous "gays are immoral" quote and Clinton's slowness to condemn his remarks. Clinton: "He has no right to say what he says. I disagree with him profoundly." Says she slipped up by not condemning the remarks immediately. Capehart: "Would you put somebody on the bench who is known to be anti-gay?" Clinton: "No!" Says she is our girl. Time's up. Closing statement goes on about being a friend of the LGBT community. Clinton: "I want to be a president who can clearly say to the American people that these are our friends, our families. I will be a president who fight for you, will work for you. End DADT. Finally get hate crimes through. Work more on HIV/AIDS."

10:55PM: Moderator wraps it up. Post-forum discussion to follow on LOGO.

Overall, I'd have to say nothing new was said. For a moment, it seemed like Edwards was going to announce a change to support gay marriage, but that didn't happen.

My scorecard:

Obama: OK, but not riveting.
Edwards: Slick, smarmy, insincere. Disappointing.
Kucinich: Amazing. Strong. Smart. Super-likeable.
Gravel: Wacky but loveable. Unelectable.
Richardson: Horrible. Soporific. Highly unlikeable.
Clinton: Same old, same old. Pre-programmed.

I give the win to Dennis Kucinich. Clinton and Obama tied for second.

Other than Dennis Kucinich, nothing in tonight's program really changed any of my views of the candidates. But it was a well-run show that moved quickly and seamlessly, and I was pleasantly surprised by the directness of the panelists, particularly Jonathan Capehart. Melissa Etheridge was much better than I had hoped, although she fawned and gushed over the candidates far too much. And the bark beetle question was just wacko. Joe Solmonese was polished and delivered pointed questions, particularly on follow-up. Obviously, the panelists divided up all the issues prior to the show, with each candidate being questioned on gay marriage and DADT, with all the other issues pretty much handed out one-each to a candidate. I thought the set, while cozy, was a bit cheesy and the set-up with the studio audience on three sides of the stage very much reminded me of the local PBS station where I interned in college. And if you're going to have an audience at all, why limit it to 60 or 70 gay celebrities? Still, overall - a fascinating exercise. Politically, the only new ground broken was the event itself. HRC and LOGO should be congratulated.

UPDATE: Wonkette's take on Kucinich kills me: "I send you great love, from my home planet. I bring you peace."

UPDATE II: The Visible Vote site has a recap of the views of those that live-blogged the event. On Kucinich and Gravel. On Richardson and Clinton. On Edwards. Closing thoughts.

Labels: , , ,


Newsday: Giuliani Tops In Gay Rights
The Gays: What Is Newsday Smoking?

An article in today's Newsday contends that Rudy Giuliani has "done more for gay rights than any candidate."
Twenty-five years ago, long before Rudy Giuliani became mayor of New York City, he made a decision that advanced the cause of gay rights nationally. As the Justice Department's number three official in 1982, Giuliani authorized the hiring of the first openly gay lawyer for a prosecutor post requiring a security clearance, according to records and interviews.That precedent-setting but little-known action, combined with his successful push as mayor for domestic partnership and hate crime laws in New York, make Giuliani an anomaly: a front-runner for the GOP nomination who is a top champion of gay rights.
National Gay & Lesbian Task Force head Matt Foreman agrees, saying, "The challenge for those of us in the gay rights movement is to look at two things: an elected official's accomplishment while in office and whether they affirm the humanity of gay people. On that score, Mayor Giuliani has a good record." However, Foreman adds, "Everything with Rudy Giuliani comes with this double-edged sword, including his vindictiveness and his terrible relations with people of color."

Giuliani opposes the repeal of DADT and gay marriage, but supports ENDA. Aside from the havoc he wreaked upon NYC (nightlife issues, the 9/11 preparedness debacle), one out of three ain't good enough to pass the laugh test. But tell that to the Log Cabinettes, who manage to have their heads up Rudy's ass and their own. Giuliani does deserve some cred for what he accomplished in NYC and that will cost him in the campaign. But being the best of the worst is no reason for anything but faint applause.

Labels: , ,


LGBT Hate Crimes Memorial Launches

Towleroad has the exclusive story about the launch of a traveling memorial to the LGBT victims of hate crimes.
Scott Hall, longtime activist Frank Kameny, US. Representative Barney Frank and Amazing Race winner and activist Chip Arndt are spearheading the launch of Gay American Heroes, a national memorial to honor LGBT people murdered because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Supporting them are a large number of gay and straight public figures who have lent their names to the project.
The memorial is expected to be completed in December 2007 with an ultimate goal of establishing a permanent exhibit in Washington, DC. Hop over to Towleroad for the details.

Labels: , ,


SF Cancels Halloween In Castro

In the wake of last year's event during which nine people were shot, San Francisco has "cancelled" the Castro's massive annual Halloween event which typically draws over 500,000 to the gayborhood. Audrey Joseph, former owner of the now-razed dance emporium, Universe, now the head of the City Entertainment Commission, says, "There will be no party."

SF Supervisor Bevan Dufty: "It's not a holiday in the Castro. It's a night in which the neighborhood is overrun by people who come to gawk, not celebrate, and unfortunately it turns into gang night out in the Castro." Many gays have avoided the Castro Halloween event for years, as the annual invasion of violent teenagers and feuding gangs have turned the former landmark gay celebration into a night of taunts and intimidation. Not to mention the shootings and stabbings.

However, the city has previously attempted to end Halloween in the Castro, most notably with a failed counter-event at Civic Center Plaza. With no way to actually stop people from coming into the Castro, this year city leaders are imploring local bars and businesses to close for the day. I suspect this will have scant effect. There are always plenty of covert beer vendors roaming the streets during the night, ready to fuel the inevitable.

Labels: , ,


Man-Dissa Hits #1

Mandisa, the 5th season American Idol contestant who was voted off the show shortly after she made anti-gay comments to the press, has landed on her feet.
"True Beauty" (Sparrow), the first album by fifth season "American Idol" finalist Mandisa, enters the Top Christian Albums chart at No. 1. It's the first debut album by a solo female artist to open at No. 1 in the 27-year history of this chart (the survey was first published the week of March 29, 1980). "True Beauty" gives the "Idol" franchise its 132nd No. 1, counting all national, domestic charts compiled by the Billboard Information Group. On The Billboard 200, "True Beauty" is new at No. 43.
Her first single is I Love Jesus For Hatin' The Gays.

Labels: , ,


Naugle To Host On Wingnut Radio

Asshat mayor of Fort Lauderdale Jim Naugle will be hosting a local talk radio show tomorrow morning on the Mitchell & Morley In The Morning show, which runs during the morning drive time, 6am - 9am EST. The right-wing WFTL also carries the Michael Savage, Bill O'Reilly, and Dr. Laura shows. Maybe the mayor is already gunning for a new career as a shock jock? WFTL, Asshat Central for haters, seems like a good home for Naugle. Local LGBT rights group UNITE Fort Lauderdale has been invited to join Naugle, but has not yet confirmed. If you are up early enough and want to chew Naugle out, the call-in number is: 954-315-1515. Listen live here.

Labels: , , ,


Mormons Can Run

Lady Randomocity sent out a couple of forlorn emails last week, but never hearing back from the first winner, she petulantly chose another to receive a copy of Jesse Archer's new novel, You Can Run. The email-attentive David, from the heart of Utah, says, "Thanks Joe! I guess I've never really been one of those people that could say they never win anything. Of course, making that statement probably isn't going to make me any friends." Thanks David and thanks Jesse! Publicists: If you'd like to take part in Swag Tuesday on JMG, please email me.

Labels:


Obama Launches LGBT Site

"While we have come a long way since the Stonewall riots in 1969, we still have a lot of work to do. Too often, the issue of LGBT rights is exploited by those seeking to divide us. But at its core, this issue is about who we are as Americans. It's about whether this nation is going to live up to its founding promise of equality by treating all its citizens with dignity and respect." - Barack Obama, on the new Obama Pride section of his campaign site, launched to support tonight's Visible Vote debate. Towleroad has the list of his LGBT Leadership Council members. Obama's gays aren't quite the who's who of Gaytown, unlike Hillary's, but the list is impressive.

Labels: ,


Morning View - Carlyle Hotel

The 35-story Carlyle Hotel, at Madison and 76th, was built in 1931 during the golden age for art deco Manhattan landmarks (Empire State, Chrysler, etc.). Originally a residential hotel, today the Carlyle is a co-op with 160 rental units and 60 privately-owned suites.

The hotel's Cafe Carlyle has hosted many famous jazz artists such as Bobby Short, who played there for over 30 years. (Remember his perfume commercials? Chaaaarlie.) Woody Allen and his band, The Daughter Fuckers, have been playing the lounge every Tuesday since 1996.

Presidents Truman, Carter, Reagan and others preferred the Carlyle when in NYC. JFK owned a 34th-floor apartment there for the 10 years prior to his death. Today room rates start at $700/night, topping out at $6000.

Labels:


Open Thread Thursday

My most hated commerical is anything with that incredibly annoying Cockney gecko. Unless it's the one with that smartass little kid spouting technobabble for Verizon. True quam. Like anybody knows or cares about quadrature amplitude modulation. I'd like to see a cage match between the gecko and that mouthy kid. And the cavemen are getting on my nerves too.

Now you.

Labels:


Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Live-Blogging The Dems

Tomorrow night at 9PM (6PM PST) I'll be live-blogging the HRC/LOGO Visible Vote '08 debate between the Democratic candidates. Drop in here during the debate and add your own take as the show rolls. You can watch the show online, on LOGO, or by tuning into XM channel POTUS 130, their new free channel devoted to the 2008 presidential campaign. You can listen to POTUS 130 without an XM subscription.

Labels: , , ,


The TSA Are Flying Monkeys

Yesterday a NYC-bound Spirit Airlines passenger smuggled a "fist-sized" marmoset past security at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International by keeping the monkey under his hat. Only after the flight was airborne did other passengers notice the animal "playing in the man's ponytail." A day earlier, the passenger got the monkey past security as he departed Lima, Peru. When asked how they could have missed the animal at Fort Lauderdale customs and again at the departure gate, a spokesman for the Transportation Security Agency said, "Basically, it's because we suck so very, very much. Seriously, you people would not believe how much we suck. Oh, and you'll have to hand over that hair gel."

Labels: , ,


Mrs. Edwards: Always Quotable

"We can’t make John black, we can’t make him a woman. Those things get you a certain amount of fundraising dollars.” - Elizabeth Edwards, speaking about reasons her husband may receive less media attention and fewer campaign donations than Obama and Clinton. Mrs. Edwards continues to deliver better quotes than her husband, doesn't she?

Tuesday, on John Gibson's Fox News program, his executive producer said that Edwards has "whored his wife's cancer as a political gimmick", and went on to call Edwards a "pansy" and a "Breck girl" (the wingnuts new favorite term for Edwards, due to that famous $300 haircut.) Pathetic.

Labels: , ,


HomoQuotable - Tim Gunn

"I haven’t been in a relationship since 1982. God, that sounds pathetic. But I was so severely hurt that I’ve never, ever gotten over it. I was so madly and desperately in love that I didn’t see the end coming. It was a routine night on the couch watching television, and he turned to me and just said, 'I don’t have the patience for you. I can’t do this anymore.' After nine years. I still remember leaving his apartment, driving down Rock Creek Parkway in Washington, D.C., thinking, Maybe I’ll just drive right off the bridge." - Project Runway's Tim Gunn to Out Magazine.

Labels: , , ,


Daily Show On Bob Allen

Watch their hysterical video. Right fucking on.

Labels: ,


Morning View - Payne Whitney Mansion

One of the many mansions that Stanford White designed for the megawealthy of the time, this Fifth Avenue showplace was built in 1909 for philanthropist Payne Whitney. The lot, which faces Central Park, was a graduation gift from Whitney's uncle, given when he graduated from Harvard Law. The home features a grand staircase which was used in a scene in Gone With The Wind.

Whitney died in 1927 and his wife maintained the home until her death in 1944, after which it was stripped of its fixtures, save one odd marble fountain featuring a statue of Cupid. In 1952, the building was bought by France, which uses it today as the NYC French Cultural Services building, part of the French Embassy. Last year, an NYU professor visiting the home took a closer look at the Cupid statue and realized that it was a Michelangelo. Art historians have concurred. As it is the only Michelangelo sculpture in America, it was christened the "Manhattan Cupid." And although it remains in the mansion, it now belongs to France.

Labels:


Tuesday, August 07, 2007

The Hits Keep Coming: Young Republicans Head Resigns In Gay Sex Scandal

Glenn Murphy, 33, the newly-elected chairman of the Young Republicans National Federation, who is well known for using the gay marriage issue to promote his candidates, has abruptly resigned amid allegations that he sexually assaulted a 22-year old man at the home of the man's sister. Murphy has already been scrubbed from the YRNF's website and their Wikipedia entry, which is now protected from edits. Jessica Colon is now listed as their chair. Murphy has also resigned as chair of Indiana's Clark County Republican Party.

Responding on the blog Taking Down Words, Murphy's lawyer contends that he has not been arrested or charged with any crime. According to the lawyer, Murphy says what happened was between "two consenting adults." Yet, the police report has already been leaked. Advance In Indiana reports:
In a shocking police report filed by the Clark Co. Sheriff's office, Murphy is accused of sexually assaulting another man on Saturday, July 28, 2007, while he lay sleeping in his bed. The alleged assault of the 22-year-old man took place in the Jeffersonville, Indiana home of his sister following a Young Republican party in which both Murphy and the 22-year-old man had been in attendance. The victim's sister had urged both men to spend the night at her home because of the amount of alcohol the two had consumed during the party. The victim awoke in the morning to find Murphy performing oral sex on him according to the report. When the victim asked Murphy what he was doing, he responded: "He was holding his dick with one hand and sucking my dick with his mouth." The victim then pushed Murphy away, gathered his personal belongings and left. Murphy was later confronted with the charges by the victim's sister according to the report. The sister says Murphy admitted to her that he performed the sex act on her brother. Taking Down Words reports Murphy is being charged with criminal deviate conduct, a Class B felony. The police report also notes that Murphy was accused of committing a very similar act on another man back in 1998. It is unclear why Murphy was not prosecuted for the 1998 incident.
In an email obtained by Truth Caucus, Murphy is claiming that his decision to resign from the Young Republicans is due to a "major contract" his company has landed which stipulates that he hold "no partisan positions". Yeah, right. Just last month, Murphy was sworn into his position as chair of the YRNF by none other than Florida Governor Charlie "Closet" Crist. Ahem.

In a story covering his swearing-in, Murphy said, "I've always been a big believer in the ability of young people to have a big impact on their communities. That’s what the Young Republicans are all about. It's a very different party than it was." Sorry Murph, you're wrong. The Republicans are STILL the party of self-loathing closet cases.

Labels: , , , ,


White House Vows To Veto Any Bill Attached To Hate Crimes Legislation

White House spokesman Tony Fratto yesterday said that President Bush plans to veto any bill to which the Matthew Shepard Act (MSA) is attached. Fratto: "The qualifications [in the bill] are so broad that virtually any crime involving a homosexual individual has potential to have hate crimes elements. The proposals they're talking about are not sufficiently narrow."

Last month Sen. Ted Kennedy attached the MSA to a Department of Defense appropriations bill which also contained a provision calling for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq. After a threatened Republican filibuster, the bill was withdrawn. Bush has never had a veto overridden.

The Christianist sites are already celebrating.

Labels: , ,


Judy Garland: Still Dead

Liza Minnelli lives a couple of blocks from me and I see her on the street once or twice a year, usually out shopping. Once I saw her leaving a Chinese joint on 2nd Avenue. She seems to be able to walk around unmolested by fans, at least on the Upper East Side. Still, you have to laugh at the Daily News' report on what happened at our local Gap store.

A Gatecrasher pal reports this recent sighting of her at the E. 66th and Third Ave. store, where she was being helped by a sales assistant.

"The employee asked her, 'Has anyone ever told you you look like Judy Garland?'" says the snitch. "She coldly answered, 'No!'"

You'd leave it alone after that, right?

"The confused employee went on to say, 'Oh my God! You're her! You are Judy Garland!'"

Oh. No. She. Didn't.

"Ms. Minnelli looked up with fire in her eyes and snapped back, 'Judy Garland is dead!'"

She then grabbed the pants she had been trying on "and stated to no one in particular, 'I've gotta get out of here!' She made a mad dash to the registers and then out the door."
Poor Liza.
.

Labels: , ,


Firemen To Sue For Gay Sexual Harassment

Four San Diego firemen are planning to sue the city, claiming they were forced into taking part in the gay pride parade where they suffered sexual taunts from the crowd. The firemen were asked to take part in the parade at the last minute, when volunteers dropped out due to a family crisis. They were chosen because their station is near the route.

The firemen have hired a law firm that specializes in Christian activism. Their petition for the right-to-sue claims the city failed to protect them from sexual harassment. San Diego has an openly lesbian fire chief.

I've been in the crowd many times at pride parades when passing fire and police contingents were the subject of hooting and sexual catcalls. It never occured to me that anybody was in the parade against their will. It seems like the San Diego firemen may have a case, although I'm also sure that they are being very opportunistic to sue over what were surely only passing friendly remarks. What babies.

Labels: , ,


The Shame Of Hello Kitty

Police officers in Thailand will be forced to wear a hot pink Hello Kitty armband if they disobey the rules, thereby shaming their masculinity. A police official in Bangkok says, "Simple warnings no longer work. This new twist is expected to make them feel guilt and shame and prevent them from repeating the offense, no matter how minor. Hello Kitty is a cute icon for young girls. It's not something macho police officers want covering their biceps."

Labels: , ,


Morning View - F Train Station

The curved wall and lined ceiling of the F train station at 63rd & Lexington provide one of the neater visual effects of NYC subway. Some people use the F train to travel between Queens and Brooklyn, even though the line detours them all through Manhattan.

Labels:


Monday, August 06, 2007

Shelter Kitteh Iz Watching U

Shelter Kitty sometimes keeps a wary eye open during her naps, just in case somebody gets overwhelmed and feels the need to scoop her up for kisses. Her current hobby is batting the wires until she pulls the cable box down on her head. It's now been over three months since I brought her home from the Harlem ASPCA and she's gained about two pounds in that time, thanks to chicken flavor IAMS, Whiskas Catmilk +Plus, and lots of begging for sliced roast beef.

Labels:


FDA Approves New HIV Med

Pfizer announced today that the FDA has approved its new HIV drug Selzentry (maraviroc). The drug is the first of a new class of HIV drugs to be approved in ten years. Selzentry is intended for patients who have the HIV-1 strain of the virus and are already resistant to multiple HIV drugs.

Selzentry is the first in a class of drugs known as CCR5 antagonists, which block the CCR5 co-receptor, the virus' predominant entry route into T-cells. Selzentry stops the R5 virus on the outside surface of the cells before it enters, rather than fighting the virus inside as do all other classes of oral HIV medicines.

Selzentry will become available next month. Pfizer plans on marketing the drug as Celsentri in other parts of the world. "Cell sentry", get it? As I mentioned in February, Selzentry must be taken twice a day, unlike many current HIV meds.

Labels: , ,


Bush Erodes 4th Amendment

Yesterday Dubya signed a law expanding the ability of the government to eavesdrop on our international phone conversations and emails without warrants. The law was enacted in order to protect the major telecommunication companies that are now facing numerous lawsuits for having secretly cooperated in previous warrantless wiretappings. These companies have been pressuring the Bush administration to enact legislation freeing them of their responsibility to protect the privacy of their customers - and they got it. Now they can be compelled to cooperate by the attorney general or the director of national intelligence. The 1978 Federal Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) previously controlled how the government could listen to private conversations. Under FISA, the government needed warrants. But thanks to 2001's Patriot Act and now this, not any more.

Labels: , ,


Caption This

This is Jingjing, one of the five official mascots of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Labels:


Bob Allen: It's Because The Cop Was Black

Disgraced Florida right-wing legislator Bob "Tea-room" Allen, whom you may recall was caught in a park restroom last month, offering a cop $20 for sex, now says he only played along because he feared black men: "This was a pretty stocky black guy, and there was nothing but other black guys around in the park." According to the Orlando Sentinel, Allen was "intimidated" by the cop and was afraid he was "about to become a statistic."

Here's the cop's transcript of his conversation with Allen after the righteous righty peered over into his stall and then joined him inside:

Allen: Hi, this is kind of a public place, isn't it?
Cop: We could go somewhere else.
Allen: How about across the bridge, it's quieter over there.
Cop: Well look, man, I'm trying to make some money; you think you can hook me up with 20 bucks?
Allen: Sure, I can do that, but this place is too public.
Cop: I wanna know what I gotta do for 20 bucks before we leave.
Allen: I don't know what you're into.
Cop: Do you just want a blowjob?
Allen: I was thinking you would want one.
Cop: But you'll still give me the 20 bucks for that?
Allen: Yeah, I wouldn't argue with that.

What a brilliant tactic! If you think you're about to be mugged, offer your would be assailant some oral luvin! Peace will reign throughout the land!

Labels: , , ,


Morning View - 72nd & 2nd

Here's a shot taken two blocks from my place on Sunday afternoon. Ah, how empty Manhattan can get on summer weekends. The more touristy areas are still packed, but the nabes can be blissfully quiet.

Labels:


Sunday, August 05, 2007

Re-View Redux

Friday night, with Dr. Jeff, Chris, and Aaron, I attended the Erasure concert at Brooklyn's McCarren Pool. The concert was typically fantastic and I walked away as amazed as always at Erasure's enduring appeal. Many in the crowd could not have been out of diapers when Erasure first started rocking gay dance floors around the world.

The massive McCarren Pool is a neat venue, built by the WPA in 1936 to hold an astounding 6800 swimmers, now empty of water and perfect for concerts. After the show, I was beat and headed home. The other guys went on for drinks at Nowhere in Manhattan - where, of course, they ran into Andy Bell - which is usually how it goes for me. Dammit.

Rather than provide you a blow-by-blow of the show, below is Re-View, a story I wrote after last Erasure show in 2005. Friday night, just like two years ago, I found myself getting choked up. I wonder if that will ever change.

Re-View
(originally posted April 24, 2005)

Nineteen years ago, my friend Barney called me to say he had a great record by a new band called Erasure. He put it on a cassette tape for me and we listened to it all the way to Fort Lauderdale. Then we spent the weekend lying by the hotel pool and dancing in our room to fantastic songs like Who Needs Love Like That? and our favorite song on the album, Oh, L'Amour. When the DJ at The Copa played Oh, L'Amour as the final song of the evening, Barney and I sang it out loud, very loudly, and I think we scared people.

Oh L'Amour
Broke my heart
Now I'm aching for you
Mon amour
What's a boy in love
Supposed to do?


Eighteen years ago, Barney and I saw Erasure in concert for the first time, as the opening act for Duran Duran. We found a small knot of other homos near the huge stage and went crazy with them for the songs I've already mentioned, and the new hits The Circus and our favorite song for that year, Sometimes.

Been thinking about you
I just couldn't wait to see
Fling my arms around you
As we fall in ecstasy



Seventeen years ago
, with a large group of friends, Barney and I attended the Hotlanta River Expo, a 3-day bachannal of gay dance parties centered around an exhuberant rafting trip down the muddy, icy Chattahoochee River. Erasure was continuing to dominate the gay scene, with their hit singles Ship Of Fools, A Little Respect, and their biggest hit to date, Chains Of Love.

On the closing night of the weekend, the DJ at Backstreet played A Little Respect, turning down the music at the right moments so that hundreds of gay men, Barney and I included, could sing the lyrics at top of our lungs, which remains one of the most moving experiences of my life.

Soul
I hear you calling
Oh baby please
Give a little respect to me
I'm so in love with you
I’ll be forever blue


Sixteen years ago, Barney and I returned to the Hotlanta event with our friends. We could not believe our luck when we learned that Erasure happened to be in town, touring to support their new album, Wild. We blew off the Miss Hotlanta drag pageant, the opening event of the weekend, and took our group to the show, which was held in a natural amphitheatre, built into the side of a hill.

The show was fantastic, with a huge elaborate set. When lead singer Andy Bell took the stage in a blue sequined miniskirt, he asked the crowd, "Whaddya think of the NEW Miss Hotlanta?" We roared with approval. The band performed all the songs I mentioned before, plus singles from the new album, Brother, Sister, Drama, and Blue Savannah. That night, after the show, we saw Andy Bell sitting at the end of bar in The Armory and made fawning fools of ourselves, despite of which, he was very sweet to us.

The next day, at a smolderingly hot t-dance at Velvet, when the DJ played Blue Savannah, Barney pulled me up onto the speakers, high above the dance floor, to dance with him. I had never done that before and I never have since. Again, the DJ turned the record down during the chorus of the song and Barney and I joined the happy hundreds of men below us in singing, with our arms outstretched to each other.

Somewhere 'cross the desert
Sometime in the early hour
To the orange side
Through the clouds and thunder
My home is where the heart is
Sweet to surrender to you only
I send my love to you


Fourteen years ago, Barney and I were eagerly awaiting the release of the new Erasure album, Chorus. The single of the same name, and the impossibly catchy I Love To Hate You had already been purchased as import singles and we took I Love To Hate You as a catch-phrase between us, when one was misbehaving. On my birthday, four days before the scheduled release of Chorus, Barney arriving at my house, giggling with anticipation, because he'd manage to convince a record store friend of his to sell him the album early.

Barney couldn't bear to wait for me to open the wrapping and tore the package open himself. We sat on the empty living room floor of my new house and listened in bliss. After one listening, we agreed that Breath Of Life might be our new favorite Erasure song.

Oh I want life
Life wants me
To breathe in its love

Take me I'm yours
Now I'm comin' up for air
I'm gonna live my time
For the rest of my life
Then I'll be comin' back for more


Thirteen years ago, Barney and I spent the summer grooving to Abba-Esque, Erasure's EP of ABBA covers. Barney and I hadn't been doing much together, ever since he got together with his boyfriend Jimmy, a couple of years earlier, but we always had our Erasure moments.

For Chrismas, I got Barney a very rare Japanese import version of Abba-Esque. I was so excited to see his face when he opened it, but Barney never saw it. He died very unexpectedly of AIDS-related pneumonia that weekend. When I arrived at his house to console his boyfriend, I saw my gift under their tree, still wrapped.

I've never been able to listen to that album again. Even the super-dopey ABBA lyrics have a resonance I would never have allowed.

When you're gone
How can I even try to go on
When you're gone
Though I try how can I carry on


Last night, I went to see Erasure at Irving Plaza, here in New York City, on the final night of their 9-show sold out stand. They are touring to support their new album Nightbird, which has already yielded a modest hit, Breathe. While I've continued to be an avid fan of Erasure, I was worried about seeing them in person. To me, their music is irrevocably entwined with my memories of Barney. Each song, a milepost of our lives and our loves and our adventures.

The band opened with No Doubt from the new album. Andy Bell looked great, despite his near decade-long struggle with HIV. The band did all the songs I've mentioned in this story, plus some great new stuff like I Bet You're Mad At Me and Don't Say You Love Me. The set was fun, the background singers were all smiles and gorgeous harmony. And Vince Clarke even did the rap part, when they covered Blondie's Rapture, which blew the crowd away because Vince is famous for his impassive stage presence.

And overall I did pretty well holding myself together. Of course, as the opening notes of each song rang out, I instantly flashed to a scene of Barney and me somewhere, laughing...dancing...singing.

The crowd was the usual curious mix of Erasure fans, white gay men and Asian women (which I've never understood). Each hit was greeted with a roar of recognition, following by enthusiastic singing along. I bounced a bit, and smiled a lot, and took a few pictures, but overall, it was the most reserved I've ever felt at an Erasure show, including the several I've been to since Barney died.

Then, taking the stage for the encore, Andy Bell appeared naked, save for a silver sequined bikini and two huge blue-feathered fans, with which he coyly covered himself. At that moment, with that vision, I was overwhelmed with sadness. Because, oh my fucking god, Barney would have loved it.

And for the first time last night, I sang along, loudly, smiling, unembarrassed by my wet cheeks.

Thanks, Erasure.

And thanks, Barney.

Ooh sometimes
The truth is harder
Than the pain inside
Ooh sometimes
It's the broken heart
That decides

.

Labels: , , , ,