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Why 'X' Means 'Kiss'

Due to icy roads caused by last night's storm in Washington, I'm working from home today. You know what that means, right? Right! 'The View,' 'Ellen' and 'Martha' on in the background. Yay!

So Martha Stewart, goddess, taught me something interesting today which I never knew, and possibly you didn't know either:

"In Medieval times, people who couldn't write their names signed with a 'X' which they kissed to show their sincerity. This is how the 'X' symbol became synonymous with a kiss."

Cool, eh?

In honor of Xs, Valentine's Day and all things kissy, here's an A-D-O-R-A-B-L-Y sweet series of clips from four separate film projects showing lots and lots of kisses. 

XXX Kenneth

'Gay People Kissing'



Source: RGaston39 at YouTube

Tags: Gay, Lesbian, Kisses, Valentine's Day,

A Song Both Happy and Gay

Gang -- I was cramming on a big project today, so squeezing this blog post in at midnight.

I give you this awesome song by Swedish pop band Alcazar. It's message of freedom and love -- and the super fun hetero and homo smooching will lift you up. I swear it.

'Someday' by Alcazar

Tags: Music, YouTube, Alcazar

Grammys Better than Ever

I wasn't planning to watch the Grammy Awards. The past few years I found them dull, and worse, they made me feel completely out of touch with "today" because so many of the nominees and the featured performances meant nothing to me (read: I had no idea who they were).

Last night was a different experience. I caught the beginning of the show unintentionally   and spent the next three hours glued to my set. The production was hot. There were some kickass performances. Strangely, I actually knew most of the performers and the nominees for the awards that were given out live.

I wonder: Have I become cooler and more hip to the newest music, or did the Grammy's come down to my level?

What did you think of the show?

Random Observations:
Corinne Bailey Rae owns any moment in which she appears on stage. I could watch her all night.
Mary J. Blige, Christina Aguilera, Shakira: Awesome.
Sting: The 56-year-old rocker looks as hot as ever. Oh, and Police reunion=cool.
Justin Timberlake has, in fact, grown into himself. He gets kudos.
It was nice how the show inserted older artists into the context of today's new music.
Joan Baez stole Dorian Gray's portrait and it's in her closet right now.

Some Lesser Known Grammy Awards that Caught My Eye:
Best Jazz Vocal Album: Nancy Wilson. Love her!
Best Musical Show Album: 'Jersey Boys'
Best Electronic/Dance Album: 'Confessions on a Dance Floor,' Madonna
Best Polka Album: 'Polka in Paradise,' Jimmy Sturr And His Orchestra. Yes, there really is a category for Best Polka Album.

Finally, I was thrilled that the Dixie Chicks did so well. Love them, love the album, love the song. I was disappointed that the gals were so cocky and I-told-you-so (using grade-school rhetoric) in their acceptance speeches. The power of their experience and the message of the song are above that.

Links:
Everything Grammys on AOL
Full List of Nominees/Winners
Watch MusicVideos of the Nominated Songs
Photo Galleries

Tags: Grammys, Music

An iPod Almost Killed Someone Today

I'm driving to work this morning and am stopped at an intersection near the White House waiting for the light to turn green so I can make a right turn.

A pedestrian is standing on the corner waiting to cross. The light turns, he does nothing. I wait a good 10 seconds or more -- I'm a very polite driver. He continues to just stand there staring blankly, not moving, so I start to make my turn at which point he steps into the crosswalk right in front of my car and throws me his best Bette Davis bitch-look which includes a hand gesture as if to say "HOW DARE YOU! I HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY YOU WRETCHED, INCONSIDERATE BASTARD!" -- or something like that.

What just happened? The idiot was listening to his iPod, not paying attention to the sights, sounds and street activity around him.

This i-distraction is maddening. I encounter it all the time now, which is why a just-announced proposed New York law banning pedestrian use of iPods and other gadgets doesn't seem like a bad idea.

I know the bill is too restrictive on individual freedom, and I know it won't pass. I'm just saying that pedestrians who don't look both ways because they're caught up in Gwen Stefani's 'Sweet Escape' A) piss me off, and B) are accidents waiting to happen. Like this:

(Mature Language)

Tags: iPod, Traffic, Carl Kruger

Elliott Yamin's New Songs

Velvet-voiced Elliott Yamin, aka my favorite 'Idol' man of last season, has an album dropping March 20. Fortunately, we don't have to wait that long to hear some of it.

Get a First Listen to the world premiere of his new song, while you join me in a slobberfest over how totally HOT HOT HOT he looks.

Tags: Elliott Yamin, American Idol, Music

Gay Sightings

'Ugly Betty' Rules: TV Squad blog reviews this week's episode: "Honestly, it was just plain artful how the writers thematically connected Justin's story of playground bullying and his father's concern about his sexuality to Alexis' story of her own father's disapproval and eventual sex change. In the Suarez home, being accepted for who you are and seeing beauty in the people around you wins the day. In the Meade home, your father would rather see you dead than happy."

And USA Today catches up with Mark Indelicato, the actor who plays Justin, aka the greatest sissy character of all time.

Healing Homophobia: T.R. Knight's gal pal Katherine Heigl reports that Isaiah Washington is "trying very hard" to make up for calling Knight a faggot.

Gay In Hollywood: The public is fine with gay actors, it's the TV industry that isn't ready to embrace teh gay.

Dems Anger Gays: Former DNC official Donald Hitchcock (the gay man who was unceremoniously canned last year) says Howard Dean's not ready to make nice with gays, a sentiment echoed by now a second gay DNC staffer, Ramon Gardenhire, who writes about Dean's decision to eliminate the office of GLBT outreach.

Tags: Ugly Betty, Isaiah Washington, Hollywood, Television, Gay, Politics

'Top Design' Recap Episode 2

Guest Blog Post by Stephen Lenz

First things first ... I fell asleep Wednesday night so I had to watch "T-Dez" on the trusty TiVO. But I didn't have to try too hard to avoid hearing who was kicked off the island because the major news outlets and blogs (well, except this one, right Kenny?) aren't really covering this show yet. You just wait until one of the designers poisons Todd Oldham's dog and THEN we'll have a hot show on our hands!

Okay, so we start off the show with one of those serious moments in reality shows when someone says they have an announcement to make ("I'm an alcoholic! I'm leaving! I'm Alexis Arquette!") and then they edit in people making fake shocked reactions … except this time John announces he's HIV-positive and that his doctors loaded him with testosterone before the show and that's why he treated spectacled Michael like crap in the last challenge. That's not funny.

Then woodland creature Todd comes in and explains that they have $8000 to design rooms for some discriminating clients and they are only getting a few bits of information about them, like one is a figure skater and another has a cat, and immediately I know that these must be kids, but nobody on the show realizes this and (again) this proves I am smarter than everyone on reality TV <breathe>.

Sure enough they go shopping at that expensive furniture place that looks like a stadium outside and a convention center with good lighting inside…. all the while thinking they are shopping for adults <there's your kicker>. And then they go back and Todd invites the clients in and the room erupts in "Omigod, children!" and Todd goes on to tell the designers that they only have $300 more to spend on the room (at Target, natch) and that the people who won last week will have more money to spend and they will have to use twin beds and they have to stand on their heads and shear sheep while doing it. So the last episode was too straight forward and now it’s all CAH-razy and I have to have my husband explain it to me because I am totally lost.

From here the designers complain about not having enough time or money and I respond with, "Dudes, you only have three walls and no windows to worry about, so chill!" Fast editing and people bumping into each other follows and John almost has a breakdown during twelve "Next on 'Top Design'!" promos and I think "Oh, the sh*t's going down" because John’s room apparently doesn’t have a floor.

The judges (who I still don't know) walk around the three-walled windowless rooms and go on and on Michael Kors-style how awful and "assisted facility-style" Michael's room is and how great soul patch guy #1's pirate room is even though one judge rightfully points out that the kid's going to like pirates for three more weeks and then hate his parents till death for doing this to him.

So John (left) gets kicked off and that leaves me feeling really bad for him, but I think that the clever editors and producers intended that. And when they show the faces of the other contestants I say "Wait – are they even on this show?" so that does not bode well either. Regardless, I'll watch episode three because Jonathon Adler has the potential to be the most evil TV star ever this side of Joan Collins. Now that's top design.

Tags: Top Design, TV, Bravo

'12-Step Solution' for Bigots?

The New York Times writes today: "It has become a Hollywood cliché: Utter bigoted language in anger. Issue a carefully fashioned apology. Announce 'I need help.' Meet with civil rights leaders for support. Set out on the path to salvation."

So can prejudice really be unlearned? Mental health professionals, researchers and even a former "Aryan warrior" weigh in on the subject. Check out 'My Big Bad Mouth,' then let's hear what you think.

Click to comment.

Tags: Isaiah Washington, Michael Richards, Mel Gibson, Prejudice, Homophobia, Gay

Gay Sightings

USA Today reports 'Gay Teens Coming Out Earlier to Peers and Family.'

'Animal Farm': Should a hookup Web Site for bears refuse members if they aren't just right? Joe.My.God. wants to know.

The Big Bad Blog says 'Justin's D*ck is Back in that Box.'

The Lesbian Lifestyle wants you to cast your vote for Lesbian Blog of the Year.

Musical theater meets same-sex unions in a mass interfaith civil union ceremony on Valentine's Day in NYC. (The Big Voice: God or Ethel Merman)

DC Ice Breakers is a new semi-monthly ice skating social event for GLBTQ folk in the D.C. metro area who want an alternative to meeting people in bars. Drinking in a bar immediately follows skating hour.

Former NBA Player Says He's Gay

ESPN confirms that ex-NBA player John Amaechi is coming out as a gay man. Amaechi tells his story in an autobiography titled 'Outside the Lines,' which hits stores Feb. 20.  Get the story (plus some interesting video) about pro-basketball's first-ever out player.

The men at OutSports.com weigh-in about Amaechi and the longtime rumors about his being gay, while ESPN columnist LZ Granderston makes a fast-break to talk about the slam-dunk question:

"I do not mean to belittle Amaechi's experience or the experiences of any other athlete who comes out after retirement ...  But I can't help but wonder: When will somebody simply man up? That is, come out while he is still playing and finally demystify this whole gay athlete thing once and for all."  See 'Another Ex-athlete Comes Out? Not Impressed')

Behind the News: Gay Pundit Comes Out on Cosmetics

A dear friend who must remain nameless or he wouldn't let me share this recently appeared as a guest on both CNN's 'Anderson Cooper 360' and on MSNBC. He's a smart, well-spoken fella and news outlets know he's good for an insightful sound bite. Because he's a giver, he sends me post-appearance reports about what really matters:

"After a comparative 24-hour study, I can tell you conclusively that CNN gives better makeup and lighting than MSNBC.  Last night [after CNN], I felt that I had a healthy glow about me, and when I got home to wash my face (because who needs pancake makeup to clog their pores?), my skin seemed smooth but not overly done – with the exception of the zit on my lower lip, which they gave the Gabor-sister treatment to. 

On the opposite end of the spectrum, I can report that the lighting at MSNBC is much more severe, and that the makeup lady there shovels it on with wild abandon.  I got back to the office and looked in the mirror and felt like an escapee from a 'Six Feet Under' scene.  And, even after trying to rinse the makeup away and scrubbing my face with paper towels, there’s still residue coming off on my phone whenever I use it.  (I will say that the MSNBC lady was very understanding about my zit, and took good care of me on that front)."

I love gay men.

Tags: Gay, Humor, CNN, MSNBC

Homo to Hetero in 21 Days or Your Money Back

'Minister Called Completely Heterosexual.' 

Yeah, right.

In other news, Dood Abide over at Daily Kos digs a little deeper:

Phoenix, AZ (UPSI) - Newly declared heterosexual Ted Haggard came forward today to register his displeasure with the American public over condemnation of a recent Snickers Super Bowl ad in which he appeared. Mars Inc. was caught off guard by a tidal wave of public anger over the commercial which depicts an accidental kiss between two males. The company immediately pulled the ad campaign after overwhelming complaints that it was anti-gay. Haggard took issue with the public outcry, stating that he felt his performance reflected a natural, humorous and "completely heterosexual" situational response.

See the rest of the story: 'Haggard Disappointed over Public Response to Snickers Super Bowl AD'

And some of you think I don't have a sense of humor.

Tags: Ted Haggard, Snickers, Satire

Snickers Kills Ads, Sort of Apologizes

I'm giving the benefit of the doubt to a lot of the people who left comments on this blog yesterday saying that they didn't find the Snickers ad campaign discussed here to be offensive. Some found the ad(s) funny, not gay bashing. Others said they made straight men look stupid and had nothing to do with anything gay, and still others told us gays (aka "YOU PEOPLE") to "lighten up" and learn how to take a joke. 

I found it amusing that there were also a bunch of comments left here from gay-haters who were mad at Snickers for depicting a gay kiss on TV for -- eek! -- the kids to see. All I can say about that is whoever the genius is at the ad agency that developed and tested these ads is amazing: Gays and gay-haters rarely ever agree on anything, but this campaign created something both parties could hate together. Now that's what I call reaching across demo.

Back to my first point though about "benefit of the doubt."  I say that because I think -- I hope -- that most people who commented that they were not offended were reacting to the ad that ran on TV during the Super Bowl, and that ad only. On that one ad alone, I doubt the tremendous public outcry that took place yesterday would have happened. But that one ad isn't what got people swearing off chocolate -- or at least chocolate made by the Mars company.

To be clear, Snickers had four ad endings posted on their Web site. They wanted people to vote on which of them should run during the Daytona 500. Aside from the one that aired during the Super Bowl, there was another sort of neutral ad ending which hinted at a man-on-man-on-man three-way. It wasn't necessarily homophobic on its face, nor was it gay positive. In other words, it was almost irrelevant.

But the other two were clearly offensive to many who watched them. How anyone who viewed the depiction of violence motivated by a "gay" kiss as a joke, or something gays shouldn't take seriously, is beyond me. The message these ads send is that gay panic is a license to gay bash. Worse, the ads were developed to specifically reach 18-24-year-old males, the same group most likely to commit anti-gay hate crimes. About the campaign, Matthew Shepard's mother said, "This campaign encourages the same type of hate that led to the death of my son Matthew."

Sadly, the idiocy of the Snickers campaign got even worse than that. Also posted on their microsite were these videos of NFL players watching and reacting to the gay-bashing Snickers ads:

NFL Players React to Snickers Kiss Ads (1 of 2)



NFL Players React to Snickers Kiss Ads (2 of 2)




By the end of the day yesterday, Snickers had removed all traces of the ads from their site. In today's New York Times, a spokesman for the company says:

"As with all of our Snickers advertising, our goal was to capture the attention of our core Snickers consumer, primarily 18-to-24-year-old adult males," said a spokeswoman for Masterfoods, Alice Nathanson. "Feedback from our target consumers has been positive, and many media and Web site commentators on this year's Super Bowl lineup ranked the commercial among this year’s best."

"We know that humor is highly subjective and we understand that some consumers have found the commercial offensive," Ms. Nathanson said, adding: "Clearly that was not our intent. We do not plan to continue the ad on television or on our Web site."

I wouldn't exactly call that an apology, but it clearly signals that Mars/Snickers deeply regrets that so much damage to their highly-valued brand name can happen in a mere 30 seconds. At least they didn't announce that Isaiah Washington was coming on board as a celebrity spokesperson, or that they were sending their PR hack to inpatient homophobia counseling. In fact, it was pretty impressive that they reacted so quickly to an online outrage largely driven by gay bloggers.

Snickers certainly wasn't reacting to our community's media watch dog, GLAAD, who didn't utter a peep all day. At 8:00 PM Eastern last night, GLAAD finally issued a statement. What did GLAAD do all day Monday? I mean that seriously. What, if not this, was their staff working on?

So what were the lessons of the day? One is that advertisers still think that homophobic humor sells -- a probable falsehood and an issue about which the Commercial Closet Association is hoping to learn more about through a quantitative research study, they told me today.

But perhaps the biggest lessons were two I already knew: 1) Gay men and lesbians still have a long fight ahead before we get to the point that we aren't fodder for anti-gay jokes and harassment; and 2) We, along with our allies and our laptops, are up to the fight.

Tags: Snickers, NFL, Super Bowl, Mars, Homophobia, Advertising, Gay, Video

Homophobic? Grab a Snickers (And It's Way Worse Than You Think)

What would Super Bowl ads be without a good dose of homophobia? I'm no referee, but I call foul, penalty and WTF! on the ad in which two men munch down on a Snickers bar from opposite ends, culminating in a kiss (gasp!) which they feel compelled to counter by doing something "manly," like tearing off a bit of one's chest hair, aka manscaping for Neanderthals.

But that ad is nothing -- NOTHING -- compared to the anti-gay "alternate endings" (Note: see update below) that the Mars company who owns Snickers has posted on their Web site. They are asking people to vote on which of the endings people want to see broadcast on FOX during the  Daytona 500. Which of these do you like:

1) Men kiss, then, horrified, poison themselves by drinking motor oil and windshield cleaner:



2) Men kiss, YUCK!, so one guy sucker-punches the other using a huge wrench, then second guy slams his kissing buddy's head under the hood of a car they are working on:



Messages:
1) It's OK to beat the crap out of gay guys;
2) If you do something gay-ish, consider countering said act with self-mutilation or a hate crime;
3) Using gays as the butt of jokes is funny -- and profitable!

Snickers knows kids are hitting their site; are these videos really the lessons we want to teach them?

Snickers/Mars offers this link in case you "have a question or a problem related to the product or site."  I'm sure they'd love to hear from you.

UPDATE: 6:00 PM
Snickers removed the ads from their Web site late this afternoon, including the video of NFL players watching the ads and saying "yuck" because two guys kiss, then laughing when they have to act "manly," e.g., become violent. Perhaps Snickers is feeling the heat of the many people who have expressed their dismay today that a major corporation would encourage bullying and hate crimes by running ads that make gays the target of homophobic behavior. Removing the ads is a good beginning; now about that apology ...

Tags: Super Bowl Ads, Snickers, Mars, Homophobia, Hate Crimes,

Hot as 'L': TV's Sexiest Ladies Then and Now

Have the women who play TV's sexiest lesbians become hotter than ever? Our then-and-now photo gallery says "yes."

Click to Launch Gallery



Who is your favorite? Leave a comment.

Tags: The L Word, Lesbian, TV

Gayest Super Bowl Performances, and 50 Gayest Things of All Time

In the spirit of it's ok to laugh at ridiculous stereotyping, I give you these. Please turn off your "that's offensive" sensors, then click 'n' giggle.

The 10 Gayest Super Bowl Halftime Performances (Cracked.com)

"On Super Sunday, football fans' favorite take-no-prisoners artist will perform at halftime, musically expressing the patriotic sentiment captured by the NFL's biggest game. Get ready to rock the f*ck out with… Prince? What the sh*t? Not that there's anything wrong with Prince, per se, and there's certainly nothing wrong with homosexuals. But there IS something wrong with so badly misunderstanding your target demographic. After all, would poodle enthusiasts want Slayer to open up the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show? The sensual boy-man is just the latest in a string of terrible bookings by the powers that be in the NFL. Join us on a journey through the most horribly miscast performers of Super Bowls past."

The 50 Gayest Things of All Time
Plus 50 Things That Most Make You Feel Like a Man
(PhatPhree.com -- Mature Language)

Shockingly, I could only find one, maybe two things on the whole list of most manly things that I could claim as my own; I don't even know what a few of the items are. Whereas the gay list -- including "waving, laying out, lip balm, phone calls to catch up" and appoximately 46 other things listed -- well, let's just say "gayest editor ever" is extremely appropriate. Stereotyping may be offensive, but that doesn't mean there's not some truth to it, now does it?


Click image to see the whole list.

Tags: Super Bowl, Gay

Jennifer Hudson Is Tellin' You: 'Idol' Was 'Abusive'

In an interview with Essence magazine about the show that told her she wasn't good enough, Hudson talks 'Idol' dirt: "You've been abused, misled and brainwashed to believe whatever they want you to think. You become a character ... I just knew I had to sing my way out of it ... The show couldn't take away my talent."

Does Hudson seriously think she'd have been cast in 'Dreamgirls' if it weren't for 'American Idol'? Can you say "lack of gratitude, party of one!"?

The worst offense in the interview, however, was Hudson thinking she's in a position to offer advice -- ADVICE!!! -- to Jennifer Holliday:

"First off, don't let that be the only song you're performing. Pursue other things and don't just limit yourself to that. I don't intend to say, '[OK], I'm going to sing this song for the rest of my life, and this will be the only character that I portrayed.' I'm Jennifer, not Effie. I'm flexible and different and have other dreams and other goals and songs to pursue."

Jennifer, I love you, but shut up.

'Jennifer Hudson: Pulling No Punches' (Black Voices Blogs)

Tags: Jennifer Hudson, Dreamgirls, American Idol, Jennifer Holliday

Who Owns the F-Word?

Paula Zahn gets things 'Out in the Open' in a discussion on CNN about the word "faggot." Talking with writer/activist Keith Boykin, HRC president Joe Solmonese, attorney Lauren Lake and radio talk show host Steve Malzberg, the panelists discuss what makes the F-word the ultimate gay slur -- or not.

Do you use "fag" when talking gay-to-gay? Who else is allowed to say it? Sharon Stone uses it freely, she says, and thinks everyone needs to get over it: “Please, I call all my gay friends 'big fags'."

Thoughts? Leave a comment.

Watch 'Out in the Open' on the F-Word:

Tags: Gay, Slur, CNN, HRC

Meat-Man Has a Beef With Gays

My friend Jeremy, who authors the entertainingly informative Good As You blog, is featured on the current episode of the gay cable show 'In the Life.' Cool, eh? His charm and good looks prompted all manner of fan mail and warm wishes, save one alarming comment on his blog which threatens to "brake" his bones if said commenter ever has the chance:

"You CAN'T just expect everyone to be okay with you, and your life. Your (sic) a fag, and that (sic) fine, but keep it to yourself. Trust me, if I ever walk by you on the street with my kids and I see you kissing or holding hands with some dude, I'll brake (sic) every bone in your gay little body. Keep your sh*t behind closed doors, so children can't see you." (Read the whole comment here.)

Being the resourceful Internet hound that he is, Jeremy traced the e-mail address and was able to identify the homophobe who left the virtual threat. Turns out the guy owns Enterprise Steaks, a beef distribution company in Philly -- and he has a history of harrasing gays online.

Jeremy has a few choice things to say on the subject, which I invite you to check out.

Tags: Gay, Good as You, Homophobia, Harrassment

'Top Design': Don't You Piss Me Off Already!

Guest Blog Post by Stephen Lenz



Okay, let me first say that I've been waiting for this puppy for a while. I've often said that I've never understood sports until I saw 'Project Runway,' so when it comes to these types of programs, this is my event-TV. But the night got off to a bad start, even before 'Top Design,' Bravo's newest reality TV show.

'American Idol' really depressed me. It's just starting to really get me down. When the highlight of a show is a an elderly man singing for his recently deceased girlfriend, you know you're in trouble. And Paula, sweet claps-like-a-seal Paula, you know things are bad when rumors are flying that Courtney Love might replace you (which by the way is the most redick thing I've ever heard). But we're not here to talk about that. Here are my notes on T-Dez (I've already shortened the name ... I'm really that good):

Todd Oldham -- I don't get how someone can be a brilliant designer and an awkward 7-year-old boy at the same time. He kind of reminds me of the robot boy from 'Spellbound.' Or does he remind me of Carl Sagan -- one of the two. Anyway, is he Tim Gunn? Or is he Heidi Klum? I guess I should just let him be Todd and get over it.

Here are my musings about last night's show:

* Dude-with-skateboard rides his banana off the kitchen table ... That shows some real respect. I want you gone. Your ironic loud shirts really bug me. Grow up.

* That mean gay man who hates gay men and acts like he has no idea he'd be living with gay men on this little design show he's on. He said something like "rather than live with these queenies I should just go live with the women." Well, meanie, I've watched every season of 'Real World' and trust me, you don't wanna live with the girls.

* Young glasses-guy who doesn't get along with mean gay man ... Oh, the producers love you. Why? Because you are what reality TV fans call the "f-ed by hubris dude." Never ever talk about how amazing you are and then mention you've never actually painted before. You are fresh meat. And that is why, mean gay man and young glasses guy, you weren't kicked off. You are too entertaining. You are Omarosa-squared.

* Oh look, a sleep-number bed! Okay, I don't like this trend where every show is doing product placements so now nobody is even trying to make the products subliminal. Next episode they're gonna say "buy this plant food from Home Depot or the old lady dies."

* And FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS for one room?! I was waiting for the twist where they let them order everything for 50K and then say, "Now, everything's going back and you have to do the same room for $50!" and then that girl who designs for the underprivileged would scream with glee.

* And last but not least – Alexis Arquette. When Todd Oldham said that they would be designing for him –- OR HER! – I immediately knew something was up. Alexis, dear – what was wrong? I so wanted you to Joan Crawford one of the designers for using the wrong color. Instead, you graciously commented on each room and we all moved on.
 

All in all, I give this a B+ . This was the first episode, so we’ll see if I’ll be saying “See you later, decorator!” – lame, by the way. Oh, and I finally realized who now-departed contestant Lisa reminds me of. Click here.

Tags: Top Design, Todd Oldham, Reality TV, Bravo, Gay

Gayest Nature Video Ever

When Ross the Intern meets 'Crocodile Hunter' Steve Irwin, two worlds collide in a pile-up of sexual innuendo, rib tickles and spine-chilling creatures. Plus, a new S&M safe word is born.



See More of My Favorite Videos

Tags: Ross the Intern, Jay Leno, Steve Irwin, Crocodile Hunter, Gay

Molly Ivins, I Miss You Already

Molly Ivins, August 30, 1944 – January 31, 2007

We've lost another person too soon. Columnist and all-around rabble-rouser Molly Ivins died yesterday from breast cancer. She was 62.

Molly Ivins called 'em as she saw 'em, and by "'em" I mean conservatives she thought did stupid things, which was most of them, but in particular George Bush, whom she famously dubbed "shrub."

Her syndicated column gave her the freedom to speak her mind liberally, charming readers with her own brand of often hilarious Texas phraseology. She publicly called out hypocrisy, corruption and dirty politics, and stood up for people who suffered injustice, including gay men and lesbians:

"Gay marriage, now there's a crisis. Well, OK, so there isn't much gay marriage going on here in Texas. None, in fact. First, we made it illegal. Then, we made it unconstitutional. But President Bush is all concerned about it, so I guess we have to alter the U.S. Constitution.Gus and Captain Call (of 'Lonesome Dove' fame) will be an item -- with who knows who waiting in line right after them.

Also of great concern to Republicans is God Almighty, who, rather to my surprise, has been elected chairman of the Texas Republican Party. That's what they announced at the biannual convention in Fort Worth this week: 'He is the chairman of the Party.' Sheesh, the Democrats couldn't even get Superman."  (More from 'What Republicans Worry About')

A tough gal, Ivins worked and fought right up to the end of her life. This is from her most recent column, published Jan. 11:

"We are the people who run this country. We are the deciders. And every single day, every single one of us needs to step outside and take some action to help stop this war. Raise hell. Think of something to make the ridiculous look ridiculous. Make our troops know we're for them and trying to get them out of there. Hit the streets to protest Bush's proposed surge. If you can, go to the peace march in Washington on January 27. We need people in the streets, banging pots and pans and demanding, 'Stop it, now!'" (More from 'Stand Up Against the Surge')

Molly, I miss you already.


Watch Molly Ivins (and Jim Hightower) Comment About Tom Delay's 'K Street Project'



More Columns by Molly Ivins
A Tribute by Ivins' Editor, Anthony Zurcher
Listen: 'The Wit and Wisdom of Molly Ivins' (NPR)

Tags: Molly Ivins

Small-Town Gay Hero Dies Too Soon

ESPN columnist LZ Granderson writes a moving tribute to a 19-year-old gay man who played sports, came out in high school, was shunned by his mother, lived life bravely, changed hearts and minds in his small hometown -- and was tragically killed in an auto accident last week:

"Anthony was also captain of the swim team, a member of the wrestling squad and part of the yearbook staff. Despite his being the big man on campus, freshmen felt comfortable enough around him to ask for help if they were being bullied by other upperclassmen. Teachers loved him, and the girls adored him. In six years, there had been only one graduation party principal Jim Broncatello stayed at until the end. It was Anthony's."

More: 'The Brilliant Life of Anthony Castro' (ESPN.com)

Also see a touching personal remembrance by OutSports editor Jim Buzinski, who knew Anthony and writes about the courage and inspiring spirit of his young friend:

"Anthony was that rarest of people – an athlete out to his team. In Anthony's case, he was out in high school to his football and wrestling teams, our two most macho team sports. It took guts to take such a step but Anthony never thought too much about it – he was not ashamed of who he was and if you were uncomfortable, that was your problem."

More: 'Anthony Castro R.I.P., A Tribute to a Friend and Athlete' (Outsports.com)

Pictured: Anthony (left) with his boyfriend Cody
Photo by Brent Mullins, courtesy of Outsports.com

Tags: Anthony Castro, Youth, Gay, Outsports, ESPN

'Idol' Threats: Courtney Love Replacing Paula Adbul?

US Weekly reports that Courtney Love has been asked to be a judge on 'American Idol,' and they stir up the rumor that 'Idol' producers may be planning to have her replace Paula Abdul.

I haven't written about Paula's alleged substance use, but it's getting harder to rationalize her freaky behavior as anything else. She is truly off the deep end, and her weird antics can no longer be ignored. Her comments are so off the wall, and her speech and body writhing are starting to make me squirm in my chair. I keep wondering if Ryan Seacrest is going to have rush in and hold her hair back while she thows up. 37 million people are hearing Paula's cries for help -- is anyone going to listen?

Maybe that's where Courtney Love comes in. Perhaps producers want Courtney Love to serve as a substance abuse counselor -- God knows she can speak from experience. She'd make a great 12-step sponsor for Paula.

Love is a bona fide musician and would probably make a good judge, too. She's lived, even if it wasn't always pretty, which lends her a substantive Earth Mother quality as long as you don't mind mothers who have a penchant for violence and who might do heroin while pregnant. But as my friend Rebecca says, "She's totally boned like, a ton of sweet people," so she can't be all bad.

Seriously, people seem to really love Courtney or really hate her. For that reason, she might be a good choice to be on 'Idol.' I don't feel strongly one way or the other, but will admit that she fascinates me -- and I'd love to see her take on Simon Cowell. She would so sweep the floor with him.

She loves the gays, is friends with many a gay man (which I guess would have included her deceased husband, Kurt Cobain, right?) and played a lesbian in the film 'Julie Johnson.'  Last spring, she made a surprise singing appearance at a women's fundraising event for the Los Angeles GLBT community center, which one fan caught on video here.

So what's the word out there? Do you Courtney Love'r or hate her? Are Paula's days numbered? Let's hear it.

Popsugar Captures Some of Paula's Whacked Behavior of Late:

Tags: American Idol, Paula Abdul, Courtney Love

Writer Advises Gays Against Rushing to Embrace Hillary Clinton

In her column today, writer Deb Price touches on the gay good, bad and ugly of Hillary Clinton's presidential ambitions: 'Gays Should Be Cautious Before Swooning for Clinton.'

"As a senator, she voted against amending the U.S. Constitution to ban gay marriage. And this October, she told gay leaders, 'I believe in full equality of benefits, nothing left out.'

She'd leave out the right to marry, though, just like other top candidates. Plus, she supports the obnoxious law signed by her husband that denies legally wed gay couples federal benefits. Yet if New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer wins marriage for gay couples, she's said she won't object."

Her basic point: Hillary doesn't necessarily have a lock on the GLBT vote, as many people assume she does.

Former White House appointee and lesbian sage Ginnie Apuzzo lobs out the money quote in Price's article, however: "It's early in the night and I'm not ready to go home with anybody yet."

Tags: Hillary Clinton, Election 2008, Democratic Candidates, Gay, Gay Vote

The Changing Dynamics of Gay in Hollywood

Real-life dramas of closeted actors being outed are popping up as storylines on TV shows like 'Brothers & Sisters' and 'Dirt.' USA Today looks at the issue and examines the ever-evolving rules of being gay in Hollywood.

For some accompanying photo glamour, AOL Entertainment News adds a gallery of actors who are gay but play straight or straight but play gay on TV.

'Hollywood's Closet Still Closed Tight'

Tags: Gay, Hollywood, Celebrities, Outing, Television

Gay Man Yearns to Be a Housewife

Check out this early song by singer-songwriter Jay Brannan, who fantasizes about becoming a housewife to a future, yet-to-be-identified husband.

Like we didn't all have this dream.

'Housewife'  (Mature Language)



Thanks to Dane for sending. xo

Tags: Jay Brannan, Gay, Music, YouTube

He Said, He Said: A Gay Sex Debate

From the school of one man's homo sex nightmare is another man's homo sex celebration.



I love the look on pink-shirt's face.


Hat tip to Jeff who found this gem on Digg

Tags: Gay, Protest

'So This Is How Super Bowl Commercials Come About'

Saved by the Blog is one of my favorite blogs, even though I know less than jack-sh*t about sports. Why is it a favorite? Because Chris the author (the handsome devil pictured above) routinely writes posts that make me laugh -- and he's an awfully nice fella even though he never pays when he invites me to lunch. Check out his latest find:

"Someone got their hands on some undercover, double-secret Super Bowl commercial planning notes from some of the biggest advertisers in the biz and posted them on College Humor.  Most of the ideas are solid gold.  Observe this one from Levitra:"

Click on over to Chris' blog for a link to more ads and general smartassery.

 

Tags: Super Bowl, Super Bowl Ads, Levitra, Saved By the Blog

Take Katharine McPhee for a Test Drive

Yes, kids, now you can taste the milk before you buy the cow. I mean that in a loving way, of course.

Listen to Katharine McPhee's new CD in its entirety, for free, over at AOL Music this week.




Memory Lane Link: Last season on 'Idol,' McPhee brought out the hetero in my homo!

 

Tags: Katharine McPhee, American Idol,

Best Way to Cure Homophobia

Last week I got a random IM from someone who asked me if I could suggest a way for him to cure his homophobia. What do you say to that?

My IM buddy should have asked funny lady Wanda Sykes. On 'Ellen' the other day, Wanda waxed poetic on the mysteries of exactly how Isaiah Washington will cure his homophobia at the inpatient treatment center he says he's checking in to to save his job for psychological evaluation. "What's gay rehab?" Wanda asks. "... That sounds like traffic school. You should be able to do that online."

 

Tags: Isaiah Washington, Ellen DeGeneres, Wanda Sykes, Gay, Homophobia

Will the Real, Fake Homophobe Please Stand Up

The recent saga of the ex-gay minister/singer who had gays everywhere speculating about the 'God Hates a Fag' song would have made for a brilliant 1960s episode of 'To Tell the Truth.'  Can't you picture Kitty Carlisle asking a panelist, "Number three, would you say your home video collection leans more toward TITAN or Falcon Studios?"

Kitty would have nailed this guy. Meanwhile, not one to leave a job undone, blogger Joe.My.God. rallied his troops until one resourceful man got to the bottom of Donnie Davies' true identity. This time it's for real. Really. We swear.

Thanks to the sleuthing of Dallas JMG reader Bob Stoller, "Pastor Donnie Davies" has been exposed as Dallas-area actor Joey Oglesby ... Here he is. Joey Oglesby recently appeared in a production of Debbie Does Dallas: The Musical. Joey Oglesby is a former member of the Chicken & Pickle Guys sketch comedy duo.

Finally. Our long national nightmare is over. I tip my hat to Joey Oglesby and his crew for a fun diversion. Now we can go back to worrying about the war! I'll post the behind-the-scenes details and the reason for all this drama, as soon as I know it. (Click here to see what else Joe found out.)

Tags: Joey Ogelsby, Donnie Davies, Ex-Gay, Gay, Religion, JoeMyGod

Madonna: Fashion Memories and Concert Video

Guest Blog Post by Rebecca




Yep, it's final and scientifically proven: Madonna can do no wrong.  My favorite phase was 'Bedtimes Stories' because it spawned 'Secret' and its accompanying video.  Her cleavage, so artfully captured in black and white, gave my pre-pubescent 10-year-old body something to aspire to.  Our lovely editor Kenneth prefers the late-'80s, 'Like a Prayer'-era.  Scrolling through this gallery of her live fashions, however, presents me with quite the predicament: Would I prefer her with her belly exposed, her arms wielding a tambourine, or would I want her yoga-tightened tummy covered in a tight bodysuit?  I just can't choose; they're all so good.

As if seeing Madge's eye candy isn't enough, AOL Music has an exclusive 35 minutes of clips from her latest concert DVD, which will be released in the U.S. on January 30.  The 2006 'Confessions Tour' concert was filmed at London's esteemed Wembley Arena.  I love how Madge doesn't deny that she evolved - she unashamedly performed 'Like a Virgin' on this tour.

The only thing I fault Madonna for - EVER - is whatever she did with Vanilla Ice.  That's gross.  These controversial moments chronicle her dips into the could-be offensive (though we all know that her fearlessness is a triumph).  Oh, and how could someone so badass be married to a guy whose awesomeness almost equals hers?  Guy Ritchie, I couldn't pick a better match for you (and I forgive you for 'Swept Away').

What is your favorite Madonna era?

Click here to see Madonna fashion photos like these:

Tags: Madonna, Confessions Tour, Music,

So This Is What All The Fuss Is About: MIKA!

It seems like every gay blogger on the Internet is in love with young singing sensation Mika. I finally got around to watching the video making the rounds so I could see what everyone is talking about and all I can say is, "sign me up."

Mika is a native of Lebanon, living in London. He's 23 and will make you think of Freddy Mercury, though he most certainly has a sound and a free spirit all his own. His Web site, MikaSounds.com, is over the top fun, a veritable pop explosion.

Mika's single just rose to #1 on the U.K. charts, a huge coup since it was entirely driven by downloads (the CD will be released next week). Gnarls Barkely was the first person to claim that honor; Mika is the second.

There's a great deal of speculation about his sexuality, but so far Mika isn't talking. With lyrics like "I try to be like Grace Kelly" (and who of us doesn't?) and song titles like 'Now I Know How Morrissey Felt', it's no wonder that people are wondering. Add in his sensual dance moves and flirty-fabu demeanor and, well, you get the picture. When I shared his song with my colleague Rebecca, the first thing she did was scream, "Rufus Wainwright would so bang him! They're the perfect couple."  And with that, here's Mika:

'Grace Kelly'




If you want to get to know a little something about the man, you can also check out this BBC interview. (9 minutes)

Tags: Mika, Grace Kelly, Music

Product Placement Off the 'Chart'

Guest Blog Post by Rebecca




I've been having a bit of an issue with the amount of product placement that's crept its way into my beloved 'L Word' this season.  I'm tired of seeing Jenny plunking away on her prominently displayed iMac.  Sure, Curve Magazine sponsored the real-life party for the show in San Fran and also interviewed Jenny in the world of the show  (and it's no secret that Worth Repeating editor Kenneth Hill LOVES Curve magazine, but still).  But, during this fake foray into Jenny's inner-psyche, the name "Curve" was dropped, oh, 50 million times.  What publication was this for again, Ilene?  Oh, wait, was that a PC I just saw drama-fest 2K7 typing on? Oh, phew, it was a Mac, just checking.

I was a little hesitant about the "actual" OurChart.com website that launched. Inspired by (duh) Alice's web of lesbian hookups on the show, this site will provide an outlet for "lesbians, dykes, queer girls, gay women, high femmes, butches, drag kings, bois, transwomen and transmen."  It will allow for friendships and upkeep of the who-slept-with-whom in a particular circle and beyond.  I think this is a superb idea, and I forgive Producer Chaiken for inserting a cringe-worthy homage to that heinously awkward Yaz birth control commercial into her show to explain it.

OurChart.com just launched its first, original and web-only series, 'Girl Trash,' (it had its debut at Sundance).  These nuggets of "pulp-fiction style Lesbian noir" are directed by Angela Robinson of 'DEBS.'  And, oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh, Margaret Cho stars in it.  If even gay men can’t deal with the drama (and vaginas) of 'The L Word,' they’ll surely tune into 'Girl Trash' for this reason alone.  And though I am, indeed, a heterosexual female, I will own one of Cho’s jokes as my mantra as I login to the site: “Am I gay? Am I straight? Then I realized – I'm just slutty. Where’s my parade?"

Tags: The L Word, Lesbian, Our Chart, Girl Trash, Curve, Sundance

What's the Best Lesbian Web Site of 2006?

The women over at The Lesbian Lifestyle blog are taking names. Names of your favorite lesbian Web sites, that is. Through January 31, you can nominate your Sapphic favorites, then go back to vote starting February 2.

Well, what are you waiting for?

Click to Nominate

Tags: Lesbian, Lesbian Lifestyle Blog,

God Doesn't Really Hate Fags

Is the Most Homophobic Video Ever actually the Biggest Ex-Gay Satire Ever?

Since the 'God Hates a Fag' video spread out across the 'Net this week, gays everywhere have been channeling their favorite Charlie's angel and sleuthing to get to the bottom of a Christian rock music video so anti-gay -- and yet so gay -- no one was sure if it was real or a hoax.

Now there are strong signs pointing to it being a slick parody of the ex-gay Christian movement. Joe.My.God has word that ex-gay minister/singer Donnie Davies featured in the video is really actor Todd Quillen. He's straight, according to his MySpace page -- where he also offers moustache rides for a dollar.

Blogger Simon Jones deconstructs several elements in the video, including fake guitar playing and Davies' "bands to watch out for" -- tagged as such because they turn kids gay. (My favorite: Cole Porter.) I especially appreciated Jones' point about YouTube's decision to remove the video from their service: "Ironic then that the video sharing site have never felt the same sense of urgency to remove any of the actual God Hates Fags spew that comes from the Westboro Baptist Church and the Reverend Fred Phelps."

"Donnie Davies" posted another video on YouTube yesterday which he describes as "a little chat with Donnie about what has been happening." Here, his gimmick already seems more transparent:




By the way, 71 percent of readers voted "joke" in a poll on this blog two days ago.



So if the whole thing is a joke, what are your thoughts? Is it a publicity stunt for an actor or an upcoming "thing" (movie, online show, etc.), or is it satire intended to educate and serve a greater purpose? And if the latter, does it succeed?

One other thing: Dan Savage, one of my favorite homosexuals of all time ever, has been positively apoplectically obsessed with the issue of whether the video is real or not. He blogs about it here, here, here, here, and here. Oh, and here. Dan: Please! You're going to give yourself a heart attack. Calm down. You have a child to raise. xoxo

 

Tags: Ex-Gay, Gay, Video, Homophobia, God Hates a Fag, Religion, Donnie Davies, Todd Quillen, Dan Savage

Nancy Pelosi Made Me Cry

I wasn't planning to watch the State of the Union last night. I.Cannot.Stand. to see or hear George Bush, and find I'm less prone to self-flagellation if I can read about what he says after the fact rather than experience it first-hand.

For whatever reason, however, I just let the TV run when the scene in the Capitol building came up on my screen last evening. And then something totally unexpected happened.

When the pre-speech hullabaloo died down and Nancy Pelosi took her place on the dais, pounded the gavel and introduced the president, I started to get a little misty. It started out slow, then it continued to grow.

I certainly wasn't planning on a full-blown emotional explosion as I witnessed history being made, but certain physical signs started to indicate that was where I was headed. I thought of the six critical bills the new Congress has already passed as Pelosi had pledged to do in the first 100 hours of her new gig, and I struggled further to hold back my emotion with all my might. I saw that my husband, Scott, was going through the same exact thing. The snorting always gives you away.

At the moment when Bush recognized Nancy Pelosi as the first female Speaker of the House, and I fully felt the impact of seeing Congresswoman Pelosi sitting behind Bush, next to Cheney, third in line to the presidency, in the same seat from which Dennis Hastert had meanly stared back at us for so many years prior, I knew I had to give in.

The moment was too huge and I just totally lost it. Scott did too. We grabbed each other by the hand and had a full on crying fit, an emotional release, inspired to see a woman take her long overdue place of power in our government, and overcome with gratitude that change has come to Washington.

Then we turned the TV off.

 

Tags: Nancy Pelosi, George Bush, State of the Union, Politics

A Kinder, Gentler 'American Idol' Returns

It seems as if the producers of 'American Idol' took to heart the storm of commentary that has been stirring since last week's shows. You remember the ones -- with Cruella DeVille, Mommie Dearest and Attila the Hun disguised as judges who got their jollies raking contestants over the coals for being fat and ugly?

Although last night's show was still chock full of people who aren't Hollywood-worthy and were told "sorry, no," the judges focused their commentary on singing, presence, and the "people will like you" factor. Simon delivered a few zingers, which were actually funny as opposed to diabolically mean.

It's too early to call contestants out as frontrunners, but I have to say I loved Melinda Doolittle, a soft-spoken, humble back-up singer who has a voice that could take her very far. Awesome.

It was awfully adorable to see Paula Abdul closing up her own blouse as if to send a field of energy to prevent a wardrobe malfunction that was dying to happen during the audition of Janita Burks. Randy and Simon quite enjoyed the fact that Janita chose to augment her version of 'Disco Inferno' by enthusiastically jiggling her boobies which were trying hard to escape their skimpy enclosure.

In short, a good time was had by all now that 'American Idol' is back to being the nicer version of a reality-show train wreck/entertainment extravaganza. Now, the train has the left the station with me on it, there's no turning back.


See: Everything 'American Idol' on AOL
'Idol' Judges, Producer Deny Show Is Meaner
Bonus Link:  Relive the Gayest Moments of Last Season

Tags: American Idol, Reality TV, Television