Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Special edition of Marriage Watch by AFER on Prop 8 SCOTUS appeal



The American Foundation for Equal Rights looks at today's appeal by the Prop 8 proponents and what the next few months look like in terms of a time line on a final decision on the Prop 8 debacle.

Congressman Steve King advocates dogfighting - SRSLY?



Just when you thought GOP congressman Steve King couldn't get more out of step with the mainstream of American political thought, he spouts THIS hideous position on the topic of animal rights:

From ThinkProgress: During a tele-townhall late last week, Rep. Steve King (R-IA) fielded a question about his opposition to animal rights and recently introduced legislation that would undermine local standards preventing animal torture. “It’s wrong to rate animals above human beings,” he told the questioner. To make his point, King argued that “there’s something wrong” for society to make it a “federal crime to watch animals fight” but “it’s not a federal crime to induce somebody to watch people fighting.”
KING: When the legislation that passed in the farm bill that says that it’s a federal crime to watch animals fight or to induce someone else to watch an animal fight but it’s not a federal crime to induce somebody to watch people fighting, there’s something wrong with the priorities of people that think like that.
Of course, there is a very good reason we ban dogfighting and other similar forms of cruelty: animals don’t have a choice in the matter. Boxer Manny Pacquiao chooses to step into the ring. Michael Vick’s dogs did not. Similarly, when a human boxer loses a fight, he is not ritually executed after the fight. The same is not always true in dogfighting.

Unfortunately, King is a longtime advocate for legalizing dogfighting, cockfighting, and other forms of animal torture. Most recently, he fought legislation that would make it illegal to bring a child to an animal fight. He has also set aside his love for states’ rights in order to forbid localities from enacting anti-animal torture standards.

Left: Rep. Steve King (R-IA). Right: Dogfighting victim.

Dog adopts baby white lion cub


Meet Lejon and Jojo.

Lejon is Jojo's adoptive dad. Jojo was adopted because his mother had an infection from the umbilical chord and couldn't take care of him.

Now Lejon gets to take care of Jojo, with the help of a human caretaker who bottle feeds him. Lejon is more like a step-brother to Jojo.

How cute are these two?

More pics of the guys at Buzzfeed



Photos: Udo Richter/Barcroft Media/Landov

Is it possible that Mitt Romney may not have paid taxes for 10 years?


The Huffington Post is reporting that, according to Senator Harry Reid, Mitt Romney may not have paid any taxes for ten years and that may be the reason why Romney has only released one complete year of taxes.

According a Bain investor, Reid charged, Romney didn't pay any taxes for 10 years.
Saying he had "no problem with somebody being really, really wealthy," Reid sat up in his chair a bit before stirring the pot further. A month or so ago, he said, a person who had invested with Bain Capital called his office.

"Harry, he didn't pay any taxes for 10 years," Reid recounted the person as saying.

"He didn't pay taxes for 10 years! Now, do I know that that's true? Well, I'm not certain," said Reid. "But obviously he can't release those tax returns. How would it look?
If this is true, it's no wonder Romney wouldn't want to release his tax returns. It's kind of hard to relate to middle America if you don't pay any taxes at all.

Read more at the Huffington Post

Ricky Martin inks TV deal


Ricky Martin may be headed to the small screen after he completes his acclaimed run in the smash Broadway revival of Evita, according to Deadline.

The singer-actor has reportedly signed a talent holding deal with Universal Television to develop and star in a network television series and TV specials. Universal TV EVP Bela Bajaria is elated by Martin's potential. “Ricky is an iconic superstar who is as talented as he is popular,” she says. “Whether he’s performing before sold-out concert crowds, or starring on Broadway, where he is currently playing to SRO in Evita, Ricky connects with his audience in a very palpable way – and we are thrilled that he will be adding TV star to his incredible resume."

(h/t Gay.net)

Review: Pia Zadora returns to the Las Vegas stage


Pia Zadora, veteran of Broadway, music and film, made her Smith Center debut in Las Vegas this weekend at the gorgeous Cabaret Jazz venue after a 15 year absence from performing.

This was my first opportunity to visit Cabaret Jazz at the Smith Center and I was not disappointed.  Not only is the venue beautiful, but the entire experience was top rate due to the customer service provided by the entire staff.  I encourage Las Vegans to look to Cabaret Jazz for a terrific night out.

With a career that began when she was 7, her career roles range from the original Broadway productions of "Fiddler on the Roof" to 1990s "Crazy For You," from the 1964 movie "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians" to her 1981 performance in the film "Butterfly."

In the 1980s, she began a music career that spanned pop, rock and standards, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Vocal Performance Female for "Rock It Out" in 1984.

With video testimony by Grammy and Academy Award-winning legend Frank Sinatra praising Zadora, she made her entrance from the back of the audience. The audience made apparent its affection for the sunny, Golden Globe winner as she took the stage for the evening.

Often referred to as "the little lady with the big voice," she made good on that title with several swinging arrangements of American Songbook standards like "Pick Yourself Up," " The Lady Is A Tramp," and "I'm Beginning To See The Light." With expert musical direction from Vincent Falcone (Frank Sinatra's former music director) at the helm, Zadora delivered time and again with big voiced, crowd-pleasing selections of songs.

While she does well with big, powerful vocals, her voice demonstrates less color and expression during quieter passages. Like a expensive race car, she seems anxious to open the engine all the way up rather than cruise the side roads of personal lyrics, like those of the Michel Legrand hit "How Do You Keep The Music Playing?" Interestingly, she tacked on an awkward, big-voiced ending to the song that seemed out of place, although she clearly felt at ease in delivering the unexpected money notes at the end.

When it comes to lyric interpretation, Zadora takes most songs at face value. More big band singer than cabaret, she tends to play to the audience in a general manner, rather than exploring what may lie beneath the surface of the songs she sings.

Her encore - Jerry Herman's gay anthem "I Am What I Am" - left the audience on a high note thanks to her light-hearted but full throated delivery.

Zadora delivered just what her fans anticipated — a dose of classic American songs in the terrific setting of the Smith Center's Cabaret Jazz room.

2 out of 4 stars

Poll: Marriage equality supported by 65% of Democrats


With the Democratic Party officially adding a platform plank supporting gay marriage, a new poll by the Pew Research Center shows why such a move makes sense.

According to the new poll, 65% of Democrats now support same-sex marriage.  This is an increase of 15 points from 50% in 2008.

The poll also shows Independents now support marriage equality to the tune of 51%, versus 40% who oppose equal rights for gays and lesbians.  That's a seven point move up in support from 2008's 44%.

Just 24% of Republicans now favor allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally, which is only slightly higher than the percentage of Republicans who supported gay marriage in 2008 (19%).

The Pew poll used 2,973 live telephone interviews with American adults conducted June 28th to July 9th. It has a sampling error of 2.1 percent.

Another Federal judge finds DOMA unconstitutional


The Advocate is reporting yet another court has found DOMA to be unconstitutional:

Judge Vanessa L. Bryant ruled in the case, Pedersen v. Office of Personnel Management, that the 1996 law violates the Equal Protection Clause found in the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The plaintiffs are being represented by Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, while the House Republican-controlled Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group has intervened to defend DOMA.

In the ruling that ran more than 100 pages, Judge Bryant, a George W. Bush appointee, concluded that,  “having considered the purported rational bases proffered by both BLAG and Congress and concluded that such objectives bear no rational relationship to Section 3 of DOMA as a legislative scheme, the Court finds that no conceivable rational basis exists for the provision.  The provision therefore violates the equal protection principles incorporated in the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution.”

The ruling comes as the Supreme Court is facing requests in several cases to decide the question of DOMA's constitutionality once and for all.

Paul Clement, a very expensive, big-deal lawyer, was hired by Speaker of the House Boehner to defend the anti-gay law.  Unsuccessfully.

Your tax dollars at work.

UK Olympian Tom Daley gets almost nude censor


Tom Daley, UK Olympian, is practically the Justin Bieber of the 2012 Olympics. With the photographers following his every move, something like this was bound to be captured.

This is what the TV audience saw....

And this was what he was actually doing....

Image by Al Bello / Getty Images
More at Buzzfeed

US Supreme Court receives appeal on the overturn of Prop 8

The US Supreme Court today  received an appeal on the overturn of Prop 8. Chris Geidner reports:
Supporters of California's constitutional amendment banning same-sex couples from marrying, Proposition 8, have asked the Supreme Court to hear the ongoing challenge to the law in order to reverse an appeals court decision from earlier this year that struck down the amendment as unconstitutional.

Specifically, they ask the court in a filing today to decide "Whether the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment prohibits the State of California from defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman."

Arguing that "[u]nique recognition of a unique relationship in no way disapproves or dishonors other relationships that the State has chosen to recognize differently," the Proposition 8 proponents ask the court to take the case to correct the "manifest errors" of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and "to return to the People themselves this important and sensitive issue."
AFER has 30 days to respond to the filing.

The Supreme Court is currently on summer recess and will not announce which cases it will review until this falls.

(h/t JoeMyGod)

Spirit of the Olympics failure as Swiss footballer expelled from games

A Swiss footballer was expelled from the Olympics on Monday for his threatening and racist message on Twitter about South Koreans. The comments by Michel Morganella came hours after Switzerland lost to South Korea.

Morganella "discriminated against, insulted and violated the dignity of the South Korea football team as well as the South Korean people," Swiss Olympic team chief Gian Gilli said through a translator at a news conference. He said the player was stripped of his Olympic accreditation.

He posted the message after playing in the 2-1 loss against South Korea on Sunday. He said in the tweet that South Koreans "can go burn" and referred to them as a "bunch of mongoloids."

The 23-year-old player later released a contrite statement through the Swiss Olympic team.

"I apologize sincerely to the people of South Korea, to the players, but equally to the Swiss delegation and Swiss football in general. It's clear that I'm accepting the consequences".

Read more on the incident here.

Staging Sweet Charity: "Big Spender" - sans bar



So, one last postscript to my journey staging "Sweet Charity" this summer...

Two days after the show opened, for some inexplicable reason, the ladies of the Fandango Ballroom - after oozing their sexy selves backwards downstage at the start of the iconic "Big Spender" number - turned to face the audience for their introductory lines and found no bar on which to pose. Nothing. For reasons unknown, the bar did not come out onstage.

So the ladies, on the fly (so to speak), had to improvise the poses on the bar. Many of those poses required a bar on which to pose.

Word came back to me about the mishap AND that the ladies did a terrific job of getting through the number.

However, the men of the ensemble decided to have some fun reenacting the event - with a few modifications you might guess.

The beginning of the video is funniest just in how each "dancer" turns to find no bar, and how it affected what pose they would take...

You might have to know SWEET CHARITY well to get this, but I think you will all get the gist.

Thanks men for the laugh.

New James Bond "Skyfall" movie trailer with Daniel Craig

Mitt Romney campaign: "Kiss my ass. Show some respect."



Mitt Romney's traveling Press Secretary Rick Gorka cursed at frustrated reporters today after they questioned Mitt Romney in a public plaza near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw, CNN reports:

As Romney made his way to his vehicle, reporters attempted to shout questions to the candidate. The former Massachusetts governor, who has answered only three questions from his traveling press corps during a week-long overseas trip, ignored the queries.
CNN's transcript:

NN: "Governor Romney are you concerned about some of the mishaps of your trip?

NYT: "Governor Romney do you have a statement for the Palestinians?

Washington Post: "What about your gaffes?

NYT: "Governor Romney do you feel that your gaffes have overshadowed your foreign trip?"

CNN: "Governor Romney just a few questions sir, you haven't taken but three questions on this trip from the press!

Gorka: "Show some respect"

NYT: "We haven't had another chance to ask a question..."

Gorka: "Kiss my ass. This is a Holy site for the Polish people. Show some respect."

Shortly thereafter, Gorka told Politico reporter Jonathan Martin to "shove it."

Shirtless Olympian Danell Leyva has an iPhone and he'll use it


The U.S. Olympian gymnast has no problem sharing his pictorial gifts with women, Deadspin reports.


Via Towleroad

Monday, July 30, 2012

Sup? Hawt. Lookin?



From the folks who created the dating app MISTER.

Funny...

Profile - 2012 Olympic gold medalist Ryan Lochte



U.S. Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte discusses his journey to the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

Ryan is a six-time Olympic medalist, and won the US's first gold medal of this Olympics.

Aaaaaaand, he's easy on the eyes... :)

Lily Tomlin & Reba McEntire in "Malibu Country"



I've been a fan of both Lily and Reba forever it seems, so I'm looking forward to their new ABC series this fall "Malibu Country."  Check out the trailer above.

I recently met Lily Tomlin after her performance at The Smith Center here in Las Vegas. Not only was she brilliant on stage, but backstage she could not have been more charming.

AND when I wrote about her performance on The Randy Report, she personally emailed me to say "thank you." How many legends can you say that about?

Good luck this fall with the new show ladies!

With Larry Edwards, Lily Tomlin and Michael after Lily's fab performance in Las Vegas

Ben Cohen on the cover of Gay Times Magazine



Rugby star and LGBT hero Ben Cohen appears on the cover of the recent issue of Gay Times, talking gay stereotypes, how to fight bullies, and his new underwear line which raises money for his StandUp Foundation.

In the interview, Cohen says that the StandUp Foudation has had a “hell of an impact” in the last year, in the U.S. and the U.K. in part because it was the first foundation of it’s kind.
“We’re on a very simple mission — to create awareness and support organizations and to affect and educate that next generation,” he told Gay Times. “We need to teach people to understand that homophobic and racial slurs and bullying is not right. And to be part of the impact is fantastic.”
He thinks, too, that being straight has helped people listen to his message: “I think that the most important thing about it is that I’m straight and promoting a foundation that’s anti-homophobia. I’m bridging the gap between gay and straight. And I think straight people are more likely to listen when they see me breaking down stereotypes.”

Read the interview online by clicking here.

Mitt Romney's distortions made clear



Excellent ad showing how Mitt Romney will say and twist anything to get elected.

Cat


Public Service Announcment about spiders

Democratic Party platform includes marriage equality

The Washington Blade is reporting that the Democratic Party has drafted language that includes full marriage equality in the party platform.
Retiring gay Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), who sits on the committee, told the Washington Blade on Monday that the 15-member panel unanimously backed the inclusion of a marriage equality plank after a national hearing over the weekend in Minneapolis, in which several witnesses testified in favor of such language.

“I was part of a unanimous decision to include it,” Frank said. “There was a unanimous decision in the drafting committee to include it in the platform, which I supported, but everybody was for it.”
Sources say the language includes not only full marriage equality but rejects DOMA and supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

William Levy & Vanessa Williams: M&Ms commercial



William is just yummy. And superstar Vanessa Williams' "Ms. Brown" is spot on.

Fun commercial...

Tim Tebow makes training debut shirtless in the rain


Tim Tebow, now a New York Jet, baffled the media by making his public training debut with an "unusual" shirtless run in the rain, something he won't even do in his buttoned-up Jockey underwear ads.

The move has put him front and center on every sports page today.

(h/t Towleroad)

Saturday, July 28, 2012

2012 Olympics: Video tribute to US Men's Gymnastic Team



The 2012 Dream Team: Jake Dalton, Jonathan Horton, Danell Leyva, Sam Mikulak, John Orozco

2012 Olympics: Day 2 - First Gold Medal; Men's Gymnastic Team does well

Ryan Lochte

Day 2 was really the first day of full competition with medals being awarded.

The biggest story was Ryan Lochte winning the gold in the 400-meter IM, while Michael Phelps finished out of the money.

Men’s team gymnastics started with the U.S. on top after Day 1, with the final set for Monday. American Danell Leyva finished first in the individual all-around.

US Men's Gymnastic Team member Danell Leyva

Life a little better on the cheap...


So, my five year old laptop has been having some "panic attacks" a lot over the last 4-5 months.  And I did NOT have the funds to buy the new MacBook Pro laptop I would like to have...

So doing a little research I found that a lot of these "attacks" - called "kernal panics" - can happen when a hard drive gets to be a certain age and begin the process of dying.  Eek!  Not good.

That, coupled with the fact I had no room left on my tiny 160GB hard drive, led me to send in my laptop to MyService.com to upgrade the hard drive to 500GB for an affordable $249.  Free shipping each way.

After a week of jockeying between Michael and his associate John's computers to keep the blog going, I got my laptop back and it's great.  MyService.com not only did the upgrade, but they did a full diagnostic and transferred all my files to the new hard drive and sent back my old hard drive for my files.

Now, no kernal panics - "spinning beach balls" - and I have a lot more room on the hard drive.  Nice fix to get me through a year or so when, I hope, to afford the new MacBook Pro.

Just saying... sometimes the smaller answers can work.

If you have issues with your Mac, make sure you check out MyService.com - big thumbs up!

(And no - I received nothing for my review of their services.  I paid like everyone else.  Just putting the good word out there...)

2012 Olympics: Ryan Lochte wins 1st Gold medal for USA

Ryan Lochte

Ryan Lochte has won gold in the 400-meter individual medley while Michael Phelps goes away from the event empty handed, having finished fourth.

Lochte touched the wall with a time of 4:05:18, challenging for the world record.

This is the first gold medal for the United States. Thiago Pereira captured silver for Brazil while won Kosuke Hagino took bronze for Japan.

Ryan is also very easy on the eyes... :)

Ryan Lochte

My hubby and the fab Mark Ballas of Dancing With The Stars

Michael was down at the Tropicana last night to hang with Mark Ballas who played an acoustic set after dancing in the "Dancing With The Stars Live" show.

You can check out Mark's solo CD "LoveHurtBox" on iTunes by clicking here.

Don't miss Mark on the upcoming "Dancing With The Stars" All-Stars season - whoo-hoo!

Mark Ballas and Michael Caprio in Las Vegas at The Tropicana
Mark Ballas and my hubby Michael

Mark Ballas plays acoustic set at The Tropicana in Las Vegas, NV
Mark Ballas playing out with Dylan Chambers at The Tropicana in Las Vegas

Nobody puts baby in the corner - unless...


Maine: Harlan Gardner & family support marriage equality



From Mainers United for Marriage: Harlan Gardner of Machias, joined by four generations of his family, talks about what marriage means to him and why it matters to the gay and lesbian people in his life.

"This isn't about politics, this is about family."

Friday, July 27, 2012

US Olympic Swim Team: "Call Me Maybe"



Ok, just one more.

Sexy folks showing skin AND they're the US Olympic Swim team AND the Olympics starts today. I had to.

Enjoy and good luck to our athletes!

Mitt Romney's UK trip now #RomneyShambles



So, Mitt Romney "International Statesman?"...

Dancing With The Stars All-Stars announced


The all-star "Dancing With the Stars" cast was announced today for season 15, where for the first time ever, previous contestants will return to the ballroom to vie for the coveted mirror ball trophy.

The All-stars are:
Apolo Ohno (Season 4)
Shawn Johnson (Season 8)
Drew Lachey (Season 2)
Emmitt Smith (Season 3)
Helio Castroneves (Season 5)
Kelly Monaco (Season 1)
Pamela Anderson (Season 10)
Kirstie Alley (Season 12)
Gilles Marini (Season 8)
Joey Fatone (Season 4)
Bristol Palin (Season 11)
Melissa Rycroft (Season 8)

Another first in "Dancing" history, the 13th contestant will be decided by America in an online vote. Fashion commentator Carson Kressley (Season 13), singer Sabrina Bryan (Season 5), Disney Channel star Kyle Massey (Season 11) are vying for people's votes to score the 13th spot in the competition.

The all-star line-up will hit the dance floor on the two-hour season premiere of "Dancing With the Stars" Monday, Sept. 24 at 8 p.m. ET. 

Jeremy Renner mixes up his sleeping pill with Viagra


On Jeremy Renner's recent flight from Los Angeles to London, The Bourne Legacy star's attempt to catch some shut-eye up in their air resulted in some problems below the belt.

"I had to get off the plane to go to work, so I had to sleep on the plane," Renner, 41, recalled on Tuesday's Jimmy Kimmel Live! "So I take a little sleeping pill, pop it and realize nothing's happening – but something else was happening."

What he thought was Ambien was actually Viagra, given to him by a friend.

"Not only did I not sleep the entire flight," he added of his 10-to 12-hour trip, but he also had to deal with his pants "camping."


Anti-gay Kirk Cameron says "no" to bullied NJ kids


Anti-gay NOM spokesman Kirk Cameron has responded to the request of a meeting by a group of bullied New Jersey kids.

His response was "no."

Cameron's spokesman sent the group an email:
I promise you his goal is not one of trying to hurt people in any way, in fact it is just the opposite. He has a concern for their well being - not only now, but eternally. He goes out to share a positive message through events like this weekend and I assure you he will only be presenting a positive/ inspiring message. I would like to suggest if you really are interested in Kirk's thoughts on the matter, you can listen online to the interviews and comments Kirk has shared where he was given ample time to communicate his heart and thoughts. I hope you can attend the event and see for yourself.
Garden State Equality responds: "Kirk Cameron has asked us to look into his heart. Now we know the sentiment there: ‘Let Them Eat Hate.’"

I'm not sure I understand Kirk's reticence to meet with these kids. If he truly wants to help and communicate with them, isn't face to face the most direct way to do so?

Let's remember some of Kirk's "positive/inspiring messages" like this one on CNN where he says homosexuality is “unnatural, detrimental, and ultimately destructive to so many of the foundations of civilization”:



Via JMG

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and wife give $2.5 million to defend marriage equality


Jeff Bezos, who founded Amazon.com in Seattle nearly two decades ago, will make a $2.5 million dollar donation to Washington United for Marriage, which is fighting to pass Referendum 74, a ballot initiative that would legalize a state proposal to allow same-sex marriage.

The New York Times reports that the donation came about after a former Amazon employee who is a lesbian mom of four directly emailed Bezos.

In the e-mail, Ms. Cast described in detail the pain she endured as a young adult and the difficulties she faced publicly acknowledging her sexuality. At the end, she pointedly asked him to donate between $100,000 and $200,000 to the referendum cause. “Jeff, I suspect you support marriage equality,” she wrote. “I beg you not to sit on the sidelines and hope the vote goes our way. Help us make it so.” She hit “send” and waited. Two days later, on Tuesday, she received a reply while in a car with her family. Recalling that moment, she said she had to read it out loud twice to make sure she had read it right. “Jen,” the e-mail said, “this is right for so many reasons. We’re in for $2.5 million. Jeff & MacKenzie.”

Washington United for Marriage says it has raised more than $5 million for Referendum 74 on the November ballot. Last month Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and co-founder Bill Gates each donated $100,000 to the campaign supporting the law.

Referendum 74 seeks to overturn the law signed in February by Gov. Chris Gregoire. The law was supposed to take effect June 7 but has been put on hold.

A yes vote upholds the law and a no vote overturns it.

How far we've come - 1960s Mens Gym



I love the language!

"Pine scented! Tangy!"

And don't miss the Vibro-massage thingy...

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Coming this holiday season: "A Christmas Story - The Musical"


With heat sweeping the country right now in the dead of summer comes some holiday news...  (why not?)


Christmas Story, The Musical! will arrive on Broadway at The Lunt-Fontanne Theatre just in time for the 2012 holiday season. The producers have announced that the new musical, based on the 1983 movie perennial, will play a November 5 – December 30 holiday engagement. Opening night is Monday, November 19.

America’s #1 holiday movie came to hilarious life onstage when A Christmas Story, The Musical! launched a tour in 2011. The musical features a holiday score by composer/lyricist team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and a book by Joseph Robinette based on the writings of radio humorist Jean Shepherd and the 1983 holiday film favorite.

Tony Award winner John Rando (Urinetown) directs the production with Warren Carlyle (Chaplin, Follies, An Evening With Hugh Jackman) choreographing. Casting is soon to be announced.

The story from a cherished movie classic that’s enchanted millions is now a musical spectacular. In 1940’s Indiana, a bespectacled boy named Ralphie has a big imagination and one wish for Christmas—a Red Ryder BB Gun. A kooky leg lamp, outrageous pink bunny pajamas, a cranky department store Santa, and a triple-dog-dare to lick a freezing flagpole are just a few of the obstacles that stand between Ralphie and his Christmas dream.

Co-produced by the film’s original Ralphie, Peter Billingsley, A Christmas Story, The Musical! is holiday entertainment that captures a simpler time in America with delicious wit and a heart of gold.

For more info go to http://achristmasstorythemusical.com

States where you can be fired for being gay

Just a reminder...
Where do you live?  Can you be fired for being who you are?
Things that make you go "hmm..."

Kellan Lutz and his biceps having fun in the sun


Kellan Lutz (and his massive biceps) were spotted in sunny Saint Tropez recently wearing John Varvatos sunglasses. 

I have an eye for such things as my husband Michael is a big fan of John Varvatos design as well.  Knowing that makes gift-giving events a bit easier for me :)

Michael looks great in his JV sunglasses, too.

If you don't know the Varvatos "look" - take a look here: www.johnvarvatos.com

And if you're liking to look of Kellan's biceps, check out this bicep building workout.

Mitt Romney - no love in London



Mitt Romney is not making a very good showing on the world stage as he is currently traveling to London, then on to Poland and Israel.

Mitt made quite the splash when he suggested that perhaps London wasn't prepared for the Olympic Games, which start tomorrow:

"You know, it's hard to know just how well it will turn out. There are a few things that were disconcerting, the stories about the private security firm not having enough people, supposed strike of the immigration and customs officials, that obviously is not something which is encouraging," he said in an interview with NBC's Brian Williams. He later tried to clarify his remarks, saying he was "delighted with the prospects of a highly successful Olympic Games."

But the damage had been done, and it wasn't long before Prime Minister Cameron gave a back-hand to Romney's tenure as chief executive of the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics: "We are holding an Olympic Games in one of the busiest, most active, bustling cities anywhere in the world. Of course it’s easier if you hold an Olympic Games in the middle of nowhere."

Then, today, London Mayor Boris Johnson brought up the Romney comment again in front of a massive crowd: "There are some people who are coming from around the world who don't yet know about all the preparations we've done to get London ready in the last seven years. There's a guy called Mitt Romney who wants to know whether we are ready. Are we ready?"

Go going Mittens.

Obama for America - "Always"

Ab Fab stars carry Olympic flame through London streets


Absolutely Fabulous stars Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley follow up their Olympics-themed comedy special with a real-life relay through the streets of London jointly carrying the Olympic flame.

Saunders and Lumley were dressed as their beloved AbFab characters Edina and Patsy, respectively, but in the official Olympic white uniform.

AbFab's latest special episode, Olympics, premiered in the U.S. last night on Logo.

New gay-friendly ad from TARGET

A fairly new advertisement from Target shows two grooms embracing with the caption, "That's Love" promoting Target's gay-inclusive wedding registry.  And it's being praised by LGBT bloggers.

"Target’s Same-Sex Wedding Registry Ad Is Kinda Awesome," was the headline on The New Civil Rights Movement.

"Clearly Target's trying to send us a message," wrote Instinct magazine. "And we're receiving it loud and clear."

The New Civil Rights Movement reports that the wedding registry ad was released in June but is only now getting attention. Similar ads with the "Be Yourself, Together" tagline show straight couples.

The Southwest Tea Party has potty mouth


Nice.  Phrases like "fag scum" and "faggot marriage" must be lovely language to use around your children as you chow down at Chick-Fil-A.

Class act there, Southwest Tea Party...

Via Good As You

Big Brother villain Willie Hantz arrested


From TMZ: "Big Brother" villain Willie Hantz was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving this morning ... just DAYS after he was kicked out of the "BB" house for attacking one of his co-stars.

According to law enforcement, Hantz was arrested in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana at 2:07 AM for OWI -- operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Hantz is from Louisiana.

Hantz was kicked out of the BB house on July 20 after attempting to headbutt Joe during a heated exchange.

In his mug shot, 34-year-old Hantz is still sporting the mohawk haircut he gave himself while inside the "Big Brother" house.

Hantz is the younger brother of "Survivor" villain Russell Hantz.

Hantz is still in custody.

US Senate votes to extend tax cuts for all but top 2 percent



It was just a little over two weeks ago when President Obama said this:

Obama: "Pass a bill extending the tax cuts for the middle class, I will sign it tomorrow."

Senate Democrats voted pretty much down party lines Wednesday to extend the Bush tax cuts for everyone but individuals making $200,000 or more and couples making more than $250,000. As the LA Times reports:

LA Times: “Democrats believe Wednesday’s action will shift the debate in a Congress ... giving momentum to Obama’s proposal – and drawing a contrast with Mitt Romney ...”

Virginia Democratic Sen. Jim Webb and Connecticut Independent Sen. Joe Lieberman joined their Republican colleagues in the 51-48 vote which came after a vote to extend tax cuts for everyone was rejected 45-54. On the Senate floor Majority Leader Harry Reid said giving tax breaks to the wealthy would be wasteful.

Reid: “Republicans should not force middle-class families off their fiscal cliff to protect more wasteful giveaways to millionaires and billionaires.”

Interestingly, Vice President Joe Biden presided over today’s vote but due to Senate rules was not allowed to engage the debate. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell drew laughs from his GOP colleagues when he noted that Biden supported extending the Bush tax cuts for everyone back in 2010.

McConnell: “So be grateful, I say to my friend, the vice president — this is a debate that I don’t think you would want to lead.”

The bill is now on its way to the Republican-controlled House where it is expected to be voted down sometime next week. Public Radio International’s Todd Zwillich calls Wednesday’s vote symbolic and says it is really all about the November presidential elections.

Zwillich: “This is what the election is about. It really is about Democrats’ and Republicans’ competing visions for how to re-order income distribution after the election.”

When the Bush tax cuts first expired in 2010, President Obama had also called for ending them for the wealthiest Americans. In the end, GOP opposition resulted in a two-year extension for everyone.

Via Newsy

Morning Joe: July 26, 2012

In West Hollywood, CA
Source: Us Weekly -Starzlife/JDSL

British Prime Minister David Cameron on marriage equality


CNN reports that British Prime Minister David Cameron held a special dinner for LGBT activists at his official residence, and made remarks that reaffirmed his much-publicized support for marriage equality — just one day before meeting with Mitt Romney.

"I think marriage is a great institution – I think it helps people to commit, it helps people to say that they’re going to care and love for another person,” Cameron said at the dinner. "It helps people to put aside their selfish interests and think of the union that they’re forming. It’s something I feel passionately about and I think if it’s good enough for straight people like me, it’s good enough for everybody and that’s why we should have gay marriage and we will legislate for it."

Cameron has also argued that conservative ideology inherently supports marriage equality, saying last October, "Conservatives believe in the ties that bind us; that society is stronger when we make vows to each other and support each other. So I don’t support gay marriage despite being a Conservative. I support gay marriage because I’m a Conservative."

I'm wondering if Mitt Romney will now question if Cameron is a true conservative...?

Via Towleroad

"The Campaign" starring Zach Galifianakis & Will Ferrell



I'm thinking we can use some election year humor.  And I love me some Zach Galifianakis...

Warning - some NSFW material here.

Movie description: In The Campaign, when long-term congressman Cam Brady (Will Ferrell) commits a major public gaffe before an upcoming election, a pair of ultra-wealthy CEOs plot to put up a rival candidate and gain influence over their North Carolina district. Their man: naïve Marty Huggins (Zach Galifianakis), director of the local Tourism Center. At first, Marty appears to be the unlikeliest possible choice but, with the help of his new benefactors’ support, a cutthroat campaign manager and his family’s political connections, he soon becomes a contender who gives the charismatic Cam plenty to worry about. As election day closes in, the two are locked in a dead heat, with insults quickly escalating to injury until all they care about is burying each other, in this mud-slinging, back-stabbing, home-wrecking battle that takes today’s political circus to its logical next level. Because even when you think campaign ethics have hit rock bottom, there’s room to dig a whole lot deeper.

Eugene Delgaudio Chick-Fil-A supporter - Fail



The anti-gay Eugene Delgaudio wants you to show support for Chick-Fil-A by buying their stock.

Except the company is privately owned. No stock to buy.

Fail.

Via JoeMyGod

2012 Presidential debate formats & dates announced

The Commission on Presidential Debates announced dates, times, locations and formats of this election cycles debates. They will be as follows:

First presidential debate (October 3, 2012, University of Denver, Denver, CO)
The debate will focus on domestic policy and be divided into six time segments of approximately 15 minutes each on topics to be selected by the moderator and announced several weeks before the debate. The moderator will open each segment with a question, after which each candidate will have two minutes to respond. The moderator will use the balance of the time in the segment for a discussion of the topic.

Vice presidential debate (October 11, 2012, Centre College, Danville, KY)
The debate will cover both foreign and domestic topics and be divided into nine time segments of approximately 10 minutes each. The moderator will ask an opening question, after which each candidate will have two minutes to respond. The moderator will use the balance of the time in the segment for a discussion of the question.

Second presidential debate (October 16, 2012, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY)
The second presidential debate will take the form of a town meeting, in which citizens will ask questions of the candidates on foreign and domestic issues. Candidates each will have two minutes to respond, and an additional minute for the moderator to facilitate a discussion. The town meeting participants will be undecided voters selected by the Gallup Organization.

Third presidential debate (October 22, Lynn University, Boca Raton, FL)
The format for the debate will be identical to the first presidential debate and will focus on foreign policy.

All debates will be moderated by a single individual and will take place from 9:00-10:30 p.m. Eastern Time. There will be no opening statements and two-minute closing statements in all the debates. In all the debates except town meeting, the CPD recommends that the candidates be seated at a table with the moderator. Moderators will be selected and announced in August.

More info can be found here.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Las Vegas: Club owner hopes to open "the largest gay nightclub in the world"

The owner of Las Vegas gay nightclub Krave is looking to open what he says will be "the largest gay nightclub in the world."

From the Las Vegas Sun:
In the former 14-screen, 80,000-square-foot Galaxy 11 multiplex movie theater on the third floor of Neonopolis, on the northwest corner of Fremont Street and Las Vegas Boulevard, Krave owner Kelly Murphy said he expected to open the “world’s largest gay nightclub,” calling it Krave Massive, in December.

Plans call for a main dance floor, a hip-hop room, a Latin room, country-western room, space for gay comedy club (Tickled Pink), space for a performing arts center, a movie theater and martini lounge.
The opening of Krave Massive will precipitate a closing of the existing Krave nightclub, Murphy said.

CO: Aurora shooter sent notebook with plans of massacre to psychiatrist

James Holmes, the suspect in the Aurora movie theater shooting that left 12 dead and 58 injured, mailed planned details of his rampage to a University of Colorado psychiatrist before the July 20 attack, Fox News reports.

But according to a law enforcement source, the unopened package sat in a mailroom for as long as a week before it was discovered on Monday, July 23.

Police and FBI agents were called to the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus on Monday after the psychiatrist (who is also a professor at the school) reported receiving a package believed to be from Holmes.

Upon opening it, a notebook documenting the chilling details of Holmes's planned attack was discovered, according to the Fox report.

"There were drawings of what he was going to do in it – drawings and illustrations of the massacre," the source told Fox News.

The source added that the package had been in the mailroom since July 12, but it is unclear why it had not been delivered to the psychiatrist earlier.

It is unknown whether the psychiatrist had any prior contact with Holmes.

Mitt Romney wrongly claims Colorado shooter illegally obtained weapons


Mitt Romney gets it wrong - again.

Earlier today, Mitt claimed that alleged gunman in the Aurora, Colorado massacare, James Holmes, illegally obtained his weapons, when in fact Holmes legally purchased the firearms through various national gun chains.

According to a transcript of an interview that will air Wednesday night on NBC Nightly News, the presidential candidate said “it was illegal for him to have many of those [weapons] already,” and suggested that stronger gun laws would not have prevented the tragedy. Instead, Romney claimed that the way to deal with such senseless violence is by “changing the heart of the American people”:

ROMNEY: Well this person shouldn’t have had any kind of weapons and bombs and other devices and it was illegal for him to have many of those things already. But he had them. And so we can sometimes hope that just changing the law will make all bad things go away. It won’t. Changing the heart of the American people may well be what’s essential, to improve the lots of the American people.

In fact, 24-year-old Holmes legally purchased every firearm, bullet, and piece of tactical gear that he used for the attack, according to local law enforcement. He bought most of it over the Internet. The laws of the US made it all possible and legal.

Via ThinkProgress

Daily funny: "How to write good"


Gerald McCullouch of "BearCity 2" on The Candi & Randy Show

 

Sexy and talented Gerald McCullouch joined us on The Candi & Randy Show last night to talk about his new movie "BearCity 2" - the sequel to the hit movie "BearCity."

 The Francisco Examiner had this to say about the new film: "BearCity 2" is the sequel that "Sex and the City 2" wished it was."

And Andrew Sullivan of The Daily Beast blog said: "It's not gay-funny; it's just funny. And oddly moving. It has characters you actually come to care about a bit; and it's one of the first movies to explore what marriage equality is doing to gay culture."

The movie plays at The Castro in San Francisco on Sunday at 11:30, 2:00, 4:30, 7:00 and 9:25. And it will also screen on September 15 in Oslo, Norway in the Oslo LGBT International Film Festival, where the first film, BearCity, won the Audience Award for best feature film.

Gerald is well-known to TV audiences, especially for his long-running role in the hit TV show CSI as "Bobby Dawson" (the gun expert). Last year, he starred in the Los Angeles premiere of the hit play DADDY which is now being developed as a feature film.

For more info on the film, visit www.bearcity2.com

San Diego Pride responds to GOP issues with uniformed servicemembers at Pride event


Yesterday, Congressional Republicans challenged Defense Secretary Leon Panetta to explain why the Defense Department allowed active-duty troops to wear their uniforms while marching in San Diego's gay pride parade last weekend.

Today, San Diego Pride responds:
The promise of America grounded in the Constitution, contained in our Pledge of Allegiance, inscribed on the Statue of Liberty and enunciated by generations of our nation’s leaders is that America stands for liberty, for justice, for equality for all. This has been America’s Pride.

To honor all servicemembers without regard to their sexual orientation is commendable, to pursue the United States’ value of equality is honorable, and to support those actions is genuinely American.

The mission statement of San Diego LGBT pride is fostering pride in and respect for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities, locally, nationally, and globally. It is with great pride and distinction we pursue that mission, and we were honored to do so last Saturday at San Diego's Pride themed America's pride.

We fully support, agree with, and respect the decision by Defense Secretary Leo Panetta, and hope that this is just another step on the road to equality.

In Pride,

Dwayne Crenshaw
Executive Director
San Diego LGBT Pride
Via press release

Virgin America goes "Bananas" for new uniforms


Virgin America is giving its entire human fleet — from pilots and airport crew to in-flight “teammates” — a makeover with sleek new uniforms designed by Banana Republic.

The new “utility chic” get-ups, which debut August 8, are built around Virgin America’s existing black, gray and red palette. For men they’ll feature slim-fit shirts, flat-front trousers, striped-sleeve cardigans and lambskin leather jackets, with studly black leather gloves and gold-rimmed aviator shades for accessories.

“The new uniforms mark the joint efforts of Virgin America and Banana Republic to elevate the style quotient of everyday work-wear,” says a spokesperson for the airline.

As a young boy in Texas, I remember Pucci and Halston designing outfits for Braniff airlines in the 1960s and ’70s.  Ultra-mod and fab. 

Full story at Queerty