Magic Johnson's Gay Son Speaks Out

CEASE & DESIST: Chaz Bono Tells National Enquirer To Stop Lying About Him

Celebrity PR guru Howard Bragman emailed us a copy of the above demand that the National Enquirer stop lying about the health of Chaz Bono.

Joy Behar On Newsweek Cover

With openly gay panelists Judy Gold and Howard Bragman.

Joy Behar On Barbara Bush (Junior)

Last night Joy Behar and her panel discussed Barbara Bush (the younger) who has just endorsed same-sex marriage. PR honcho Howard Bragman ripped into Dubya for the "political expediency" of the former president's anti-gay campaigns.

National And State LGBT Organizations Step Up To Protect Rekers' Rentboy

An impressive group of state and national LGBT organizations have expressed their support for Jo-Vanni Roman, the Miami rentboy caught in the middle of the best/worst scandal to hit the anti-gay political machine in years. The above listed organizations and other skilled Florida-based professionals have all indicated their willingness to step in with their widely varied areas of expertise, should the situation become appropriate for their involvement. The leaders of these organizations have agreed to lend their names to this show of solidarity by the nation's LGBT community.

Equality Florida: Nadine Smith, Executive Director
National Center for Lesbian Rights: Kate Kendall, Executive Director
Norm Kent: Civil Rights Attorney, Publisher and Editor, South Florida Gay News
Truth Wins Out: Wayne Besen, Executive Director
The Trevor Project: Charles Robbins, Executive Director
Lambda Legal: Gregory Nevins, Senior Staff Attorney, Southern Regional Office
Fifteen Minutes Publicity: Howard Bragman, Chairman

Noted Hollywood publicity agent Howard Bragman, who specializes in media crisis management, has volunteered to help Jo-Vanni Roman navigate the deluge of interview requests. They are scheduled to speak today. Florida-based attorney Ron Gunzburger has also made an offer of pro bono support, should the need arise. Other national and state organizations may be added to this list in the next few days.

Special thanks go out to Father Tony Adams, who worked as our point person in Florida on this effort. Of course, there is a hope that none of these esteemed groups will need to step in at all, but we MUST circle the wagons around this kid right now, lest our enemies sense that he is vulnerable to whatever repulsive plans they may have.

Thanks very much to all of the JMG readers who have contacted me with expressions of support, advice, and offers of money. We are trying to work through all of your emails and get back to every one of you. Later this week, we may create a PayPal account for young Jo-Vanni, should his financial situation become dire.

Today is a day to be proud of our people, I know I am.

Country Star Chely Wright To Come Out

TMZ has broken the news that the big celebrity coming out scheduled for this week by PR king Howard Bragman is country star Chely Wright, who has a memoir and new album both debuting this Tuesday. I never heard of her until today, but apparently she's a big deal and has had a lot of hits, including the below, which went to #1 on country in 1999. I was really hoping it was to be Queen Latifah, dammit.

Swag Tuesday

Today's Swag Tuesday prize is the new book, Where's My Fifteen Minutes?, by openly gay publicist-to-the-stars and LGBT/HIV activist Howard Bragman. Bragman has made hundreds of appearances on network television to discuss popular culture and his representation of stars such as Cameron Diaz and Paula Abdul.

Media attention can boost careers, generate millions of dollars, and make dreams come true. It can also destroy reputations and derail carefully laid business plans. All publicity is not good publicity.

No one knows this better than Howard Bragman. For more than thirty years he has helped prominent people—movie stars, business leaders, philanthropists their messages out, in good times and bad.

His book won't make anyone famous overnight, but it will help readers understand the changing world of today's PR. It will also guide readers through the thought process of PR, defining their key messages and purpose to the media and public at large. If your public's perception doesn't match reality -- if you are a better person, offer a better product, or stand for a better cause than anyone realizes—you need help.

Where's My Fifteen Minutes? goes on sale nationwide today. Enter to win your copy by commenting on this post. Only enter once and please remember to leave an email address that you check frequently. Entries close at midnight Wednesday PST. Publicists: If you'd like to take part in Swag Tuesday on JMG, please email me.