Jake's 'Brokeback' Booty Nets Big Bucks on eBay

Blink 182 Neon Sign: .99 cents

Boxcar Racer Neon Sign: $5.50

1950 Half-Ton GMC Truck from 'Brokeback Mountain': $60,100.00

Getting to sit your tush on the same brown leather bench seat Jake Gyllenhaal did: Priceless. (Not.)



There are some things money can't buy ... But that's not one of them.

eBay user robfreeman22924 impresses me with his eBay prowess as the proud owner of both neon signs and the 'Brokeback' truck -- all for only $60,106.49.

· Bidding Has Ended: 1950 GMC Half-Ton
· 48 Bids, Down to the Wire: See the Fast and Furious Bidding History
· About the Seller: High School Student Finances College

 

What Would Britney Do?

The incomparable Britney Spears guest stars tonight on the practically incurable 'Will and Grace.'

Creative types at AOL TV had some fun this week imagining the sugar-pop star in a variety of other guest spots, including '24,' 'The O.C.' and my favorite: 'Battlestar Galactica.'



· See Photos: What Would Britney Do?
· Tell Me: Most Ridiculous TV Show You'd Put Her On

 

Gay Adoption: This Time, It's Personal

It's great when our straight allies go to bat for gay rights. Columnist Ellen Goodman is one such ally who sometimes uses her platform in more than 400 newspapers nationally to speak out for the basic civil rights of gay men and lesbians.

She does so in her column this week -- and this time, it's personal.



Like most people, Goodman has gay relatives, including two gay men with an adopted daughter, Ruthie. Young cousin Ruthie is one reason that gay adoption means a lot to Ellen Goodman, and why she's particularly irked that the far right, the Vatican, the governor of her own liberal state of Massachusetts, and others have taken up gay adoption as yet another issue with which to divide our country.

· Taking the Gay Insults Personally (The Boston Globe)
· Talk About It

Pimp Jake Gyllenhaal's 'Brokeback' Ride

The 1950 GMC truck driven by Jack Twist is for sale on eBay. When last I checked, there were 10 bids, with the top being $15,500. Bidding ends March 30.



A high school student in Canada had the foresight to buy the truck at auction and is now selling it to finance his college education. Smart kid, and I like what he's doing with the money, but I can't help wishing that artifacts from 'Brokeback Mountain' were being given to, or purchased by, the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

The pop culture collection at the museum includes Jerry Seinfeld's puffy shirt, Archie Bunker's chair, and Lance Armstrong's bike. Perhaps most famously, it houses Dorothy's ruby slippers. To my mind, props from 'Brokeback Mountain' are in the same cultural league as those things. I see people lining up to view a collection that includes Jack and Ennis' double-hung shirts, Jack's beat up pick up and the postcards they exchanged.

Do you agree? Will the phenomenon of this gay cowboy movie -- which seems so huge right now -- have staying power 25 or 50 or 100 years from now?

Talk to me.

· Student Loads College Hopes on 'Brokeback' Truck (AOL News)
· eBay: 1950 GMC Half-Ton (Editor's Note: I feel so butch typing that.)

 

Season Finale Has Bloggers Asking: WHAT THE 'L'???

Season three of 'The L Word' wrapped up last night. As an honorary lesbian -- a group of lesbians did actually bestow this honor upon me, and I have the lapel pin to prove it -- I can't let the season finale go unnoticed.



Check out my round-up of what five kick-ass bloggers have to say about the way it all went down. From sweet to sour to bitter, they tell it like it is.  You're invited to do the same. Post your comment here.

Rare Earth: "The Shane storyline happened too fast. I feel cheated. Being contacted by her dad is a big deal for her. I want to see that scene, see her reaction, her fear and hope and trepidation. Kate would have acted the f* out of that scene. It’s like they tried to cram the Shane back story into the end of the season, and despite the Shane-centrism of this episode (telling you, it should be All Shane, All the Time), I found it lacking. This was what I thought before the wedding scene ... " Lots More from Rare Earth

Seeking Joy: "My girl and I disagree on Carmen in terms of what she deserves for her past actions. But no matter what, Shayne's actions in the "L Word" season finale were so low. What she did, was so ghastly." More from Seeking Joy

Crimson Blues: "I don't know what else to say but the truth. Last nights final episode of 'The L Word' made me mad. Yes, it was a good story and a good wrap up to things but OH MY GOD could they have messed things up any worse?" More from Crimson Blues

Dykeville: "Is anyone else pissed off about this season of 'The L Word'?" Dykeville Tells You Why She's Pissed

Gudu Pop:  "F* it, F* it, F* it. F* the writers. F* the creators. F* the f*ing characters. Come on, even real life has more happy endings than that. Don't they want a single f*'ing person on that show to be happy? Don't they want their fans to be happy? No, of course not." Get the Rest of the F*ing Review by Gudu Pop

'Will and Grace': Do Not Resuscitate

'Will and Grace' is over. And by "over" I mean, DOA, finished, kaput. The show isn't funny anymore, or not much of it anyway.



Last night's episode was about as flat as Grace's chest -- oh sorry, that joke has been milked to death. The cowboy boyfriend/bar storyline was a bore, and the anti-racist schtick came off like, well, schtick.

What happened to this foursome I used to love so? Is it me or is it them -- it's them, right? 

The show still has its moments. I still like both Will and Grace. Jack and Karen are still particularly wickedly good at times. Rosario, and closet-case, sissy-galore Beverly Leslie, *are still* hysterical. But the show as a whole is less than the sum of its parts.

There are about eight episodes left. I'll watch them. It's practically my duty as a gay. After that, it's over. It's sad, but sometimes you know when it's time to say goodbye. And it's time. 

Here are three outstanding questions I have:

· Will Jack and Will end up together after all? Leatharegee thinks so.

· Will Jack do a spin-off? Hollywood.com says Hayes has cold feet.

· Is a reunion movie coming? Best.Gay.Week.Ever. has three sarcastic titles to suggest.

Your thoughts?

 

Abortion Is Banned; Is Gay Sex Next?

This cartoon by Stephanie McMillan makes a tasty statement about South Dakota's legislature and governor deciding recently to outlaw abortion in their state. Never mind that the law contradicts Roe v. Wade; in fact, it's all part of a strategy to get Roe overturned.

This is a disturbing event, and gay men and lesbians need to pay attention to it. Once we get back to where the government is telling women what to do with their own bodies, it's a hop, skip and a jump to having Uncle Sam in gay bedrooms deciding what consenting adults should or should not do in the privacy of our own homes.

Conservatives have their eye on Roe. They've put together a Supreme Court that they hope will undo it -- and they'd love those same robed justices to undo Lawrence v. Texas, the high court's 2003 decision that rendered all sodomy laws in the U.S. unconstitutional and unenforceable.

I want to be able to decide what to do with my body, and I want all women to have the right to decide what to do with their bodies, too.

· Cartoons, Blog by Stephanie McMillan
· South Dakota Bans Most Abortions(CNN)
· Molly Ivins: South Dakota's Stand (CNN)

 

AP Puts 'Lesbianism' and the 'Homosexual Lifestyle' To Bed

All "admitted homosexuals" like myself will be glad to know that AP, the Associated Press, has updated its venerable style guidelines to be more in line with acceptable, modern-day words and phrases to use when referring to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

Frankly, it's a relief that I no longer have to admit to being a homosexual; now I can just be one.



Seriously though, AP's update to its stylebook, aka the "journalist's bible", is significant. How we as gay, lesbian, bi and trans people are referred to in the press carries quite a lot of meaning, and this change reflects progress. It seems a bit (read: a lot) overdue, but I'll take progress when I can get it.

I don't know about you, but hearing or reading the word "homosexual" when referring to gay people sounds so wrong to my ears. I hate it, and I'm amazed at how often people still use it, including people I really like. I call myself a "professional homosexual" because it has a ridiculous and funny ring to it -- to me, anyway, and I have managed to basically get paid for being gay for almost 15 years -- but, don't you call me one.

GLAAD released a press statement hailing AP for its update. Check it out, and see a cool history of gay-related AP Stylebook updates since 1977.

"Given the fundamental inaccuracy of terms like 'sexual preference' and the pejorative connotations of words like 'homosexual,' the AP's style guidelines have been updated to reflect contemporary usage that's more fair, more accurate and more inclusive." -- Neil Giuliano, GLAAD

· GLAAD Applauds Updated Associated Press Stylebook Entries
· History of LGBT-Related AP Stylebook Updates

It's Miller Time -- And I'm Thirsty

The highly irritating 'Prison Break' hiatus has ended, and Wentworth Miller is back in my life on Monday nights.



The "mid-season opener" last night didn't disappoint, especially the cliff-hanger ending. While we all know that Lincoln isn't going to die (right?), that execution-interruptus moment when the show ended delivered quite a jolt. OK, I screamed.

The show is great, but let's face it: I watch 'Prison Break' because I can't get enough of Wentworth Miller, the hottest man on TV.

My straight pal Jeff asked me last night as we strolled the aisle in Safeway, "What makes that guy hot?" That's like asking what makes fire hot. It's a form of combustion, a chemical reaction. It keeps me warm. If I get right on top of it, it makes me hot. Really hot. I'm talking about the fire, of course.  

In an online-only interview with EW this week, Wentworth opens up about the ways in which he's similar to his character Michael Scofield and what we might expect this season. The best part of the whole interview is a fantasy he shares:

"I do have a little fantasy where in the last episode of the season we break out of our cells, slip down into the prison's sewer systems, we're climbing up through all these grates, and we pop up out a hatch — and we're face to face with [Lost's] Matthew Fox."

I am so there.

· Jail Bait (Entertainment Weekly)
· 'Prison Break': Dead Man Walking (PopWatch)
· 'Prison Break': The Rat (TV Squad)
· Bonus Video: 'We Belong Together' (AOL Music)

 

1,500 Naked People Have a Kodak Moment Together

This post isn't about sex. (For sex, see the entry below.)  It's about naked people. And art.

Spencer Tunick, the man who gets people to drop their drawers -- and everything else, including shame about being nude -- has once again inspired us with his use of the human form to create art.  1,500 people wearing nothing but their birthday suits were placed around a statue of revolutionary leader Simon Bolivar yesterday.



After the shoot, Tunick said, "The body represents beauty, love and peace. There was a lot of beauty and energy in the people today."

I've been a huge Tunick fan for a number of years. One of my personal favorite works is his photo for the 10th anniversary cover of POZ magazine, shot at the restaurant Florent in NYC. The honesty in that photo is raw. There was also a short film made of that event, 'Positively Naked', the tagline of which is "85 hiv+ souls. no clothes. no apologies."

· 1,500 Venezuelans Pose Nude in Public (AOL News)
· Tunick's POZ Cover Photo (POZ)
· Film: 'Positively Naked'
· Spencer Tunick: Official Site

 

Gay Sex: It's So '70s

A great movie is making the rounds in limited release. 'Gay Sex in the 70s' is on my list of recommended films you should go see, or add to your DVD roster (it will be out on DVD in June).



I wrote a little about this film last fall (The Gayest Movie Season Ever), pointing out the fact that I thought it was sort of amazing that a film with that title was listed in Entertainment Weekly's fall film preview. I still think so. As we saw from the 'Brokeback Mountain' Oscar snub, the jury (or at least the Academy) is still out on the issue of gay sex on the big screen.

Gay sex doesn't getting any bigger on screen than in 'Gay Sex in the 70s.' The film is a documentary that takes us back to a time long ago and far away when gay men celebrated their sexual freedom unlike anytime before or anytime since. 

It's a walk down memory lane if you're old enough to have lived through it. I kept thinking I saw people I knew, but the mustaches and plaid shirts of the day made us all look so alike. So too does memory lane deliver a sad reminder of friends who would later die too soon of a disease no one could have even imagined. (The film inevitably touches on what was to come.)

If you're too young to have been there, weren't out, didn't live in a major urban center or aren't a gay man, the film is a history lesson about a very special time in gay liberation.

Director Joseph Lovett has given us a gift in making his film. It's a few pages from a big gay scrapbook which chronicles who we are and where we came from.

See this movie.

· Review: 'Gay Sex in the 70s' (Cinematical)
· Official Site
· See if It's Playing Near You (Moviefone)

 

On the Bible and the Constitution

Jamie Raskin, a candidate running for the Maryland State Senate, has created some buzz because of a well-delivered, razor-sharp statement he made when testifying in the Maryland legislature on a proposed state constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.




At the end of Raskin's testimony, Republican Senator Nancy Jacobs, a good Christian woman and card-carrying member of Concerned Women for America, said: "As I read biblical principles, marriage is intended, ordained and started by God -- that is my belief ... For me, this is an issue solely based on religious principles."

Raskin, who is a professor of constitutional law at American University and a public-interest attorney, replied with something simple, eloquent and perfect:

"People place their hand on the Bible
and swear to uphold the Constitution;
they don't put their hand on the Constitution
and swear to uphold the Bible."

· Story: Marriage In Maryland: Law Prof Challenges Bible-Based Legislation (The Wall of Separation)


In Other Marriage News:
· Gay Marriage Foes Crowd Senator at Statehouse (Sioux City Journal)
"Sen. Maggie Tinsman, one of two Republican senators opposing a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage, said she had the scariest moment of her political career Monday when several hundred backers of the amendment surrounded her in the Statehouse and yelled slogans at her.

"They started shouting 'Let the people vote.' Some were yelling, some were shouting," Tinsman said in an interview Tuesday.

Nearly a thousand backers of the amendment held a rally outside the Statehouse. Afterwards, hundreds of them walked inside to request meetings with senators who are on record opposing the proposal."

· Czech Republic Legalizes Gay Civil Unions (Queerty)
"The Czech Republic voted today to legalize same-sex civil unions, after a long battle over "family values" and threats of a veto by Czech President Vaclav Klaus. The measure passed with heavy support."

 

Overheard in New York

As someone who loves to accidentally eavesdrop (okay, eavesdrop), this site feeds me.



Girl: "If anybody is gonna bring back the cape, it will probably be a lesbian."
-- Borders, Time Warner Center

Girl: "Well, I didn't know his grandma was a real-life lesbian."
-- Chat 'n' Chew, East 16th Street

Woman: "So I turned a group of 7-year-old girls completely bulldyke today."
-- 60th & 3rd


You can't make this stuff up.

See the rest of Wednesday One-Liners Miss Lillith Fair (Overheard in New York)

(Thanks, Jeff)

 

"Travolta in 'Hairspray': Would L. Ron Hubbard Approve?"

"John Travolta's decision to play Edna Turnblad in the upcoming musical film version of "Hairspray" -- based on the stage musical, which was based on the original film -- has 'raised eyebrows of Scientology watchers.'"
More In: Religion & Pop Culture Blog (Beliefnet)

Somehow I have a hard time seeing Travolta as Ms. Turnblad.
Aren't there gay actors who could play this role?

But I do rather relish the idea that the homophobic Scientology honchos won't be too happy if Travolta plays gay (well, drag) for pay.

'Brokeback' Kiss Voted 2nd Sexiest Film Scene Ever (And, Annie Proulx Gives Hollywood a Lashing)

LoveFilm.com (think Netflix for Brits) surveyed 120,000 of its members on the sexiest film scenes in history:

#1: The super fun and steamy movie 'Secretary' starring James Spader and Maggie Gyllenhaal.
(Watch the trailer for 'Secretary')

 


#2: Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger in 'Brokeback Mountain.

Seems as if "sexy" runs in the Gyllenhaal family. 

• Check Out: Top 10 Sexiest Movie Scenes (Sky.com)
• See Fan Art: Jake and Heath Smooching (Flickr)

Gay Kissing Side Note:
"Muslim groups are criticising the Netherlands over the use of films featuring two men kissing to test asylum seeker’s liberal attitudes as a basis for entry into the country."
Immigrants Tested with Gay Kiss (Pink News)


In Other News ...
Annie Proulx Writes About the Big 'Crash' at the Academy Awards
Proulx doesn't hold back any punches in this column.



"We should have known conservative heffalump academy voters would have rather different ideas of what was stirring contemporary culture. Roughly 6,000 film industry voters, most in the Los Angeles area, many living cloistered lives behind wrought-iron gates or in deluxe rest-homes, out of touch not only with the shifting larger culture and the yeasty ferment that is America these days, but also out of touch with their own segregated city, decide which films are good. And rumour has it that Lions Gate inundated the academy voters with DVD copies of Trash - excuse me - Crash a few weeks before the ballot deadline. Next year we can look to the awards for controversial themes on the punishment of adulterers with a branding iron in the shape of the letter A, runaway slaves, and the debate over free silver."

You go, girl!

Read More: 'Blood on the Red Carpet' (Guardian)

 

Homecoming King: May the Best Woman Win

Jennifer Jones, a lesbian 21-year-old senior, was named Homecoming King at Hood College in Frederick, MD.



"It is cool that Hood allows people to be themselves," [Jennifer] Jones told The Frederick News-Post. "If people didn't want me to be king, they wouldn't have nominated me and voted for me."
Click here for the whole story.

What astounds me up is the uproar it has caused. One female blogger called it "emasculating."  I'd link to her post, but "it's emasculating" is her blog post in its eloquent entirety.

Here are other blogger bits. Some guys really got their jocks in a wad over this one.

• Flaming King, by Apathy Curve
• The Homecoming King's Got a Vagina!, by TBogg
• Inside Hood College's Hatefest, by Kabobfest

Ranting and raving on the AOL Message Boards
Lesbian Beats Three Guys for Homecoming King

 

The Chloe Collection Kicks Fashion Booty

It's over. Chloe has won Project Runway. Although Daniel was my first choice -- a talented and adorable gay boy -- even I have to admit that Chloe's collection read better on the runway.

I'm just glad Santino didn't win.  There's not enough Mylanta on the planet to ease the indigestion that would have caused in me.

I think I will miss Tim Gunn most of all though (at least until next season - yay, it's renewed) because he's an honest-to-goodness, old-fashioned homo, and we need more of them.

• Chloe Wins Second Season (AOL News)
• And the Winner Is... (Malcovision)
• Straight Woman Trumps Gay Men (SoVo)
• Could You Be Next? Casting Call for Season 3

 

Madonna Isn't Gay (Except When She's Kissing Chicks)

When asked by her daughter, Lourdes, if she's gay, what with the way Mommy sucked face with Britney and all, Madonna says 'No, it just means I kissed Britney Spears. I am the mommy pop star and she is the baby pop star. And I am kissing her to pass my energy on to her.'"  Read the Story (People)

Wonder what she says about where babies come from.

 

 

 

 

Hollywood Crashes Our Big 'Brokeback' Party

And why exactly did 'Brokeback' get snubbed? Here are a few theories. 

New York Times: Los Angeles Retains Custody of Oscar
" 'Crash' was far more representative of the our industry, of where we work and live," said David Cohen, one among hundreds of Hollywood players joining in the festivities. " 'Brokeback' took on a fairly sacred Hollywood icon, the cowboy, and I don't think the older members of the academy wanted to see the image of the American cowboy diminished."

Stephen King, Entertainment Weekly: 'Let's Let It Go, Okay?'
"There's been a fair amount of talk about Brokeback being a breakthrough, but that's nonsense. A check of Brokeback parodies on Google should convince anyone with half a brain that the American pop culture is intent on passing this passionate, well-meant, and well-made movie like a kidney stone."

The Advocate: The Dark Side of 'Brokeback Mountain'
"While Brokeback has certainly exposed mainstream America to the emotional truth of gay romantic love, the torrent of media coverage surrounding the film reveals a deeply rooted repugnancy toward homosexuality."

Boston Globe: 'Hollywood Isn't Being Straight with the Gay Community'
"The crash you heard late Sunday night was not only Jack Nicholson announcing the best-picture Oscar winner. It was the sound of lots of closet doors slamming shut in a huff.''

 

A Gay Old Time at the Oscars (Sort Of)

Last night's 78th Annual Academy Awards started out with a big gay bang, spent three hours on a slow simmer, and ended in an even bigger, very disappointing 'Crash.'

Here's my take on A Gay Old Time at the Oscars, and why losing out on Best Picture really doesn't matter. 

Also check out Towleroad's morning-after post and Malcovision's Brokeback-relevant Oscar clips.




I watched the show with my gay family. My friend Jeff (who's smart, funny and single -- e-mail me if you're interested) showed up wearing one Western shirt on top of another. These aren't the $100,000 shirts. He just had these hanging in his closet. Our lovely lesbian hosts always make these awesome Oscar-shaped cookies.

 

Obsess Much? 'The L Word' Wants You Then

TV shows capitalize on fan enthusiasm, even getting them to write scripts for the shows.
• Putting the Fans to Work (BusinessWeek Online)
• Join the fray at 'The L Word' Fanisode

The $100,000 'Ruby Slippers of Our Time'

Ok, ok, you're SICK of 'Brokeback' stories, right? I can't resist. I really do have 'Brokeback' fever.

In this week leading up to the Academy Awards, Jack and Ennis' shirts sell for $100,000+, gays prep to party on Oscar night, conservatives are still stupid, and bloggers can't stop 'Brokeback' blogging big-time. 

I wish I could quit 'Brokeback Mountain', but I can't.

 

• Gay Activist Forks Over $100,000 for Shirts (Note to Self: Find out if this guy is single.)
• 'Brokeback': Milestone or Movie of the Moment?
• Why Ann Coulter's an Idiot
• Bloggers: Few Have Seen It? | 21st Century 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'?

I Heart Mash-Ups

I never paid much attention to mash-ups before "Brokeback Mountain" and have to admit I only recently came to know that term. Now I can't get enough of them. Here are a couple of my current faves.



• 'Broke Mac Mountain'
• 'Brokeback Island' featuring 'Lost' hottie Matthew Fox
• 'The Empire Brokeback'
• 'Brokeback Bunnies' 

Now if someone would just make one with Wentworth Miller and Chris Meloni. Anyone?

Banning Gay Adoption

Conservatives in at least 16 states are working to put the issue of gay adoption on November ballots.  USA Today quotes one activist as saying "Now that we've defined what marriage is, we need to take that further and say children deserve to be in that relationship."

Read More (USA Today/AOL News)