Sunday, September 30, 2012

The Amazing Race starts tonight! Go Team Chippendales!

Everyone knows I'm a big fan of THE AMAZING RACE. Haven't missed an episode of any season. Love it.

So, of course, I'm excited to see the new season and meet the teams, which were announced today. And lo, and behold, my favorite team already - Team Chippendales!  Scruffy, hunky guys - what's not to like?

Chippendale friends Jaymes Vaughan (left) and James Davis (right).  Here's their video package.

Click pic for larger view
The new season premieres Sunday, September 30 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network

Go to CBS.com to meet the rest of the teams.


Here is the full list of teams:

Name: Natalie Anderson
Age: 26
Hometown: Edgewater, N.J.
Current occupation: Physical Therapy Student

Name: Nadiya Anderson
Age: 26
Hometown: Edgewater, N.J.
Current occupation: Project Coordinator at Bridge2Peace
Connection: Twin Sisters


+++++

Name: Josh Kilmer-Purcell
Age: 43
Hometown: Sharon Springs, N.Y.
Current occupation: Goat Farmer/Advertising Executive/Author

Name: Brent Ridge
Age: 38
Hometown: Sharon Springs, N.Y.
Current occupation: Chief Executive Officer of Beekman 1802
Connection: Goat Farmers/Life Partners

+++++

Name: Rob French
Age: 46
Hometown: Boston, Ga.
Current occupation: Professional Monster Truck Driver

Name: Kelley Carrington-French
Age: 50
Hometown: Boston, Ga.
Current occupation: Professional Monster Truck Driver

+++++

Name: Trey Wier
Age: 23
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Current occupation: Land Consultant/Former College Athlete

Name: Alexis “Lexi” Beerman
Age: 22
Hometown: Dripping Springs, Texas
Current occupation: Clothing Designer
Connection: Dating

+++++

Name: James LoMenzo
Age: 53
Hometown: Burbank, Calif.
Current occupation: Professional Musician/
Former Band Member of White Lion and Megadeth

Name: Mark “Abba” Abbattista
Age: 45
Hometown: Denver, Colo.
Current occupation: Entertainment Lawyer
Connection: Friends

+++++

Name: Abbie Ginsberg
Age: 31
Hometown: Encinitas, Calif.
Current occupation: Dance Instructor/Choreographer

Name: Ryan Danz
Age: 35
Hometown: San Diego, Calif.
Current occupation: Financial Service Company Owner
Connection: Dating Divorcees

+++++

Name: Jaymes Vaughan
Age: 30
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nev.
Current occupation: Chippendales MC

Name: James Davis
Age: 27
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nev.
Current occupation: Chippendales Dancer
Connection: Chippendales Dancers/Best Friends

+++++

Name: Rob Scheer
Age: 52
Hometown: Ketchikan, Alaska
Current occupation: Lumberjack and Entrepreneur

Name: Sheila Castle
Age: 44
Hometown: Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Current occupation: Retail Manager
Connection: Engaged

+++++

Name: Caitlin King
Age: 24
Hometown: Atlanta, Ga.
Current occupation: Special Ed Teacher

Name: Brittany Fletcher
Age: 25
Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
Current occupation: Medical Device Sales
Connection: Best Friends

+++++

Name: Gary Wojnar
Age: 52
Hometown: Livonia, Mich.
Current occupation: Substitute Teacher

Name: Will Chiola
Age: 53
Hometown: Dearborn Heights, Mich.
Current occupation: Substitute Teacher
Connection: Best Friends/Substitute Teachers

+++++

Name: Amy Purdy
Age: 32
Hometown: Summit County, Colo.
Current occupation: Motivational Speaker/Snowboarder
(Amy is a double amputee)

Name: Daniel Gale
Age: 36
Hometown: Summit County, Colo.
Current occupation: Executive Director
Connection: Dating On and Off

CA: Governor Brown signs SB1172 outlawing "ex-gay" therapy


On Saturday, Gov. Jerry Brown of California signed Senate Bill 1172, which officially bans so-called “ex-gay” therapy for minors.

The law goes into effect January 1, 2013, and prohibits state-licensed therapists from engaging in "reparative therapy" with minors. Advocates for the bill say that conversion therapy uses dangerous tactics that place youth at a high risk of depression and suicide.

Reparative therapy—an umbrella term for various methods that often incorporate prayer or designate a childhood incident as a “root” for homosexuality—have been soundly condemned by the World Health Organization, the American Psychological Association and almost every other professional therapeutic group in America. (Adults can still seek such treatment, but do so with informed consent, not as the helpless victims of their parents or guardians)

Two men who had endured such therapy, Ryan Kendall and Peter Drake, told the California assembly committee of business, professions, and consumer protection about their experiences

"As a young teen, the anti-gay practice of so-called conversion therapy destroyed my life and tore apart my family," Kendall said. "In order to stop the therapy that misled my parents into believing that I could somehow be made straight, I was forced to run away from home, surrender myself to the local department of human services, and legally separate myself from my family. At the age of 16, I had lost everything. My family and my faith had rejected me, and the damaging messages of conversion therapy, coupled with this rejection, drove me to the brink of suicide."


(source)

Mitt Romney completely denies saying that thing you caught him on video saying



The Obama campaign addresses Mitt Romney's assertions that he did not say some things (that Mitt actually did say with cameras rolling).

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Solar energy - Germany vs USA

Click pic to enlarge

Respect 'the game' by respecting all fans and athletes



"Respect the game by respecting all fans and athletes. If you can play, you can play."

Comcast Sportsnet became the first U.S. broadcast outlet to sign on to the "You Can Play Project", which fights homophobia in sports. Its “SportsTalk Live” co-hosts Brian Mitchell and Ivan Carter made a video which calls for the fair treatment and inclusion of all athletes.

Says Mitchell: "Athletes should be judged on their talent and character. Not on their sexual orientation."

(source)

How the Republicans make campaign calls in Florida



The local RNC says the caller was "completely off-script."

I don't know - sounds pretty much like what they've been saying (lying) for a while...

Water Is Everything - Ryan Lochte & Conor Dwyer



US Olympic Gold Medalists Ryan Lochte and Conor Dwyer for Water For People.

It took them just under 2 minutes to swim their leg of the relay and win the US Gold in London.

In the developing world, women and girls haul water for an average of 4 hours a day. That's hours of time lost that could be going to school, work, and play.

Water is everything. Nobody knows it better than Ryan and Conor, who have been swimming since they were babies -- often spending up to six hours a day training. So they also know the value of time.

You can make Time Well Spent for everyone. Check out Water Is Everything by clicking here.

Christina Aguilera's new video "Your Body"



Christina Aguilera sings the words so you don't have to: "All I want to do is love your body!" (That's the censored version.)

The new video for "Your Body" has her meeting a surprising number of hot men, some of whom explode in neon confetti.

Check out MTV News explains the full menu of her coy nods to pop culture.

Arnold Schwarzenegger had another affair while with Maria Shriver

Arnold Schwarzenegger naked

Arnold Schwarzenegger confirms in his new book out Monday, "Total Recall", that he had an "outrageous affair" with Brigette Nielsen while shooting the 1985 movie "Red Sonja."

Schwarzenegger writes that he and Nielsen did indeed have a "hot affair," but he knew it wouldn't last. In fact, their "fling" only made him realize that he wanted to marry Shriver.

Nielsen would soon marry Schwarzenegger's fellow action star, Sylvester Stallone.

(source)

Remember when...

Remember when President Obama stuck his dog on the roof of his car and refused to release his tax returns and wrote off 47% of Americans as victims?  Me neither.

Ann Romney on Mitt becoming president: "My biggest concern would be for his mental well-being"



"You know, I think my biggest concern [if Mitt is elected], obviously, would just be for his mental well-being. I have all the confidence in the world in his ability, in his decisiveness and his leadership skills, in his understanding of the economy, in his understanding of what's missing right now in the economy - you know, pieces that are missing to get this jump-started. So for me I think it would just be the emotional part of it." - Ann Romney, speaking to a Nevada TV station.

Friday, September 28, 2012

John Travolta vindicated in court - again


From CNN: John Travolta has won again in his fight against several lawsuits related to allegations of sexual assault.

Two lawsuits by two male massage therapists who claimed sexual battery were dismissed in May. And now a judge has dismissed a defamation lawsuit against Travolta and his attorney, Marty Singer.

The lawsuit filed by writer Robert Randolph, who was quoted in an article and wrote a book about Travolta's alleged sexual behavior, claims that Singer harmed him when he wrote a letter in response to the book and article, according to court documents.

Judge Malcolm Mackey of Los Angeles Superior Court dismissed the case Thursday because he found, in part, that the letter has free speech protection.

A lawyer representing Travolta and Singer applauded the decision:

"Robert Randolph's ridiculous lawsuit against John Travolta and his attorney Marty Singer never should have been filed," said Lynda Goldman. "Notwithstanding inane tabloid fodder, two individuals who sued Mr. Travolta voluntarily dismissed their cases, and Randolph's case was dismissed by the court. Anyone else who thinks about suing Mr. Travolta should expect a similar result."

Attorneys for Randolph could not be reached for comment.

Red states have higher occurence of teenage births

Although teenage pregnancy and birth rates are declining nationally, teenage girls still give birth to hundreds of thousands of babies a year. To be precise, they gave birth to 367,678 in 2010 alone, according to the CDC.

Click pic to enlarge

This map shows the birth rate among girls aged 15 to 19 by state. And it clearly shows that more conservative states have higher rates of teenage births.

In states such as Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, 1 out of 20 teenage girls gives birth every year. Using the most recent Census data on teenage populations, Arkansas has the highest rate, at 56 births per 1,000 teenage girls.

It’s no surprise that red states have higher rates. Many of them, including the seven states with the highest rates, do not require schools to teach contraception. The theory is parents want to do that in the home. Clearly, that's not very effective.

Other states that do have sex education require teachers to stress abstinence and advise children to wait until marriage. Again, clearly not very effective.

Studies have concluded time and time again that abstinence-only curricula are not as effective at reducing teen pregnancies and births.

Via Slate.

Grease star, Olivia Newton-John, submits to "arrest"


During a day of press events, Olivia Newton-John saw this sign on a door saying "Grease Arrestor Room."  Without pausing, being the Grease star that she is,  she immediately submitted to be "arrested."

Not sure what a "grease arrrestor room" is, but we thought it funny...

Friday Ben Cohen break

Ben Cohen stands up to bullying, inspires others to do the same.  He just plain rocks.

New magazine, new calendar, new view. Check them all out.


Indiegogo project: The Man Diet



New Indiegogo project from my dear friend Roy Bean:

After several readings and revisions of “The Man Diet” and with the support of many wonderful friends, teachers and colleagues I’ve decided to become a producer, surround myself with an amazing cast and crew, and make a movie.

And with people like Christine Bokhour, Ann Cooley, Taylor Hooper, Brian Howard, Michael Lawrence, Mark Ledbetter, Raymond J. Lee, Robert Matteau, Ryan N. Phillips, Sarah Rigney, Marissa Rosen, Marty Thomas, Nicole E. Velez and more to come… we can’t go wrong.

Synopsis:

JACOB runs a shelter, HELP+U. Although he does great work for the community by day, he has just found out he has an unfortunate reputation in the community by night.

Out for dinner with MARGOT, WILLIAM, and BRANDON, Jacob is inspired – he’s going to go on a “man diet.” No carbs, no fat, no men. His friends are incredulous that he can last, so they challenge him to a bet.

As fate would have it Margot hires, as the new Volunteer Coordinator, DANIEL, a simple, easy going guy. Daniel is immediately attracted to Jacob, but has no idea what is in store for him.

Roy is terrifically talented, and I have no doubts this will be a fab film.

Check it out by clicking here.

NYC: Health warning - meningitis alert

Via press release: The NYC Health Department is currently investigating a cluster of invasive meningococcal disease, commonly known as meningitis, among gay men and men who have sex with men.

Invasive meningococcal disease is a severe bacterial infection that has a high fatality rate.

Within the past four weeks, there have been four cases; one died and one person is in critical care. The cases are spread across several boroughs and among men ages 31 to 42 years old.

Read here for more information.

President Obama, jobs and the economy

  

A popular question in this election cycle has been "are we better off than we were four years ago?" From my perspective, the answer is clear: yes. The stock market has doubled, the US is out of Iraq and getting out of Afghanistan, DADT is history, and more. But most folks are focusing on the economy and jobs, so here's the story on that topic.

These are facts folks, not the made up stuff you hear in faux news circles, via ThinkProgress

When President Obama was sworn in, the economy was losing jobs to the unprecedented tune of over 20,000 per day. Clearly that wasn't his fault as it takes several months for a new President's policies to even begin to take effect.

Between the beginning of 2008 and February 2010 when the tide began to turn, the economy lost nearly 8.8 million jobs—4.3 million on Obama’s watch and almost 4.5 million under President Bush’s.

In February 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was signed into law and funds began almost immediately moving their way through the economy and the pace of job losses slowed, turning positive a year later. Since February 2010, including the newly revised data, the economy has added 4.4 million total payroll jobs, an average of 135,00 per month. We've had 30 months of positive private sector job growth.

Another statistic that probably has mixed sentiments for conservatives who yearn for "smaller government" - the economy has lost more than 700,000 public sector jobs since 2009. These are teachers, police officers, firefighters, and other local, state and federal jobs.  However, this has had the effect of holding back the overall recovery. Without those losses, our unemployment rate would be at least a full point lower.

(source)

Nate Silver Update - September 28, 2012


From Nate Silver's FiveThirtyEight blog. FiveThirtyEight provides forecasts of upcoming presidential, Congressional and gubernatorial elections through the use of its proprietary prediction models.

Nate Silver correctly predicted 49 of 50 states in the 2008 election, and all 35 Senate races.

(source)

Ryan Idol, 80s gay porn actor, sentenced to 12 years in prison for attempted murder


Gay porn actor Ryan Idol (real name Marc Anthony Donais) was convicted in September 2011 of attempted murder after beating his girlfriend over the head with a toilet tank lid.

He has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Sacramento Bee reports:
According to the victim's testimony at trial, Donais entered the woman's apartment the night of Sept. 5, 2009, and told her, "I came over here to kill you." The two had been involved in a relationship, but the woman -- whose name is being withheld because she is a domestic violence victim -- said she cut it off when she caught him having sex with his male lover.
The woman said Donais stormed into her bathroom while she was taking a bath of her 48th Street residence and began to beat her with the porcelain lid until "I felt blood gushing down my shoulders."

Blue Jays Yunel Escobar returns from 3 game ban after anti-gay slur


Toronto Blue Jay Yunel Escobar returned to the field last night after a 3 game ban due to an anti-gay slur he wrote in his eye black last week, and was greeted with an opening pitch from openly gay former MLS player David Testo.

The Washington Post has more:
Before the game, Escobar sat down with Jose Estevez, an openly gay distance runner from Boston College, and Patrick Burke, the founder of You Can Play.

Escobar’s lost salary during his three-game ban — about $82,000 — was to be directed to You Can Play and the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.

Burke said the 45-minute meeting was helpful for all parties.

“I think it put a face on the issue for Yunel,” Burke said. “I think it humanized the issue of gay athletes for Yunel and I think Jose did a great job today.”
Escobar was penalized after writing "You Are A Faggot" in Spanish before a recent game. He was met with boos from some in the crowd last night after his name was announced. The Blue Jays' manager says Escobar may continue to hear some boos: "He understands whatever comes his way is part of the process. He made a terrible mistake and is going to have to be accountable."

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Brent Barrett at 54 Below - October 29, 2012

Brent Barrett at 54 Below on October 29, 2012, at 9:30pm

Reuters tracking poll shows President Obama up 7 points


Reuters/Ipsos poll tracking poll shows President Obama 49-42.

After a bump from the Democratic National Convention, the numbers seem to be holding at that level.

The poll had a credibility interval of plus or minus 3.6 percentage points for likely voters, making the 7 point difference well outside that range.

Full results at Reuters

Settlement reached on students pepper-sprayed at UC Davis


The University of California regents has agreed to a settlement to the students who were pepper-sprayed last November at the UC Davis at a demonstration.

From the Sacramento Bee:

 It calls for each of the 21 plaintiffs to receive $30,000 for a total payout of $630,000.

The agreement also transforms the suit into a class action, which will allow others who were hit with pepper spray during the Nov. 18 protest to submit claims for payments of up to $20,000.

Read more here: http://blogs.sacbee.com/crime/archives/2012/09/pepper-spray-settlement-about-1-million.html#storylink=cpy

Support for marriage equality surges in Illinois


A new poll from the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University suggests that support for marriage equality in Illinois is growing quickly, with 44 percent now in favor, up 10 percent from just two years ago.

Thirty-two percent support already legal same-sex civil unions, bringing the total support for LGBT rights to 76%

Only 20 percent said there should be no legal recognition for gay and lesbian families.

(source)

Mitt Romney - In his own words



I love when Mitt Romney speaks from the heart. In an election, it's important to get to know the true candidate. Among friends, he speaks his truth here.

How do you feel middle America about being called a "victim?"

Now THIS is how to sell real estate



If I looked like this guy, I'd show homes like this too.

Although, I don't know that I'd skip up the driveway, but that's a style choice...

President Obama now "net positive" for job creation

According to new revisions released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the economy created 386,000 more jobs between March 2011 and March 2012 than shown by previous estimates.

As economist Justin Wolfers noted, this means that President Obama is now net positive for job creation over his term in office, even taking into account the massive losses in January 2009:

The Economist’s Greg Ip tweeted that the revisions mean that Obama’s net job creation number is now 125,000.

The new numbers — which are based off of unemployment insurance reports that employers submit to the federal government — show that 453,000 more private sector jobs were created than shown by previous estimates, meaning Obama’s net private sector job creation total is now 868,000. Government jobs, meanwhile, shrank by an additional 67,000.

Via ThinkProgress

Ben Cohen launches StandUp Magazine


This guy is so good looking (I can't breathe he's so good looking),  and has the heart of a lion. 

Ben Cohen, rugby superstar, anti-bullying advocate and LGBT ally today announced the launch of StandUp Magazine.  

From the StandUp Magazine website:
StandUp Magazine features the best in sports culture: the role models who make a difference in their games and in their communities, too.

Focused on the positive stories around professional, collegiate and community sports, StandUp Magazine reaches mainstream sports fans, professional athletes, cultural influencers, and LGBT athletes and community leaders.

Make sure you stop by the website and subscribe.

Australian comic Craig Recaussel on same-sex marriage



Towleroad points out this video by Australian comic Craig Recaussel hilariously destroying argument after argument against same-sex marriage in interviews with Christians, wingnuts, politicians, and athletes.

From the Aussie show The Hamster Wheel.

Two minute video - President Obama explains his plans



I personally like these ideas.

We tried 8 years of tax cuts for the wealthy "job creators" with promises that it would create jobs. Where are the jobs? That plan doesn't work.

We are better off than four years ago and things are getting better, albeit not as fast as we'd like. But sometimes, slow and steady is the way.

You walk eight miles INTO the forest, it's eight miles back out, kids.

Austin City Council to endorse marriage equality


My native Texas gives me yet another reason to be proud today.

I recently posted a video by the Austin Police Department for "It Gets Better."

And now, today, Austin will be become the first city in Texas to endorse same-sex marriage when its city council will approve a symbolic resolution.

The Austin Chronicle has the details:

The feel-good proposal on Thursday's City Council agenda (Sept. 27) is Item 77, an endorsement of marriage equality in the state of Texas. Sponsored by Mayor Pro Tem Sheryl Cole and co-sponsored by Mayor Lee Leffingwell and Council Member Laura Mor­rison, the symbolic resolution is unlikely to raise much dissent in the chamber and certainly none on the dais. It cites the historical, moral, and political reasons for same-sex equality – notably, the Bill of Rights of the Texas Constitution, which says rights cannot be restricted only to certain people – and should be recommended reading for all Austinites.

The funniest political ad you'll see today - Mitt Romney connects to middle class Americans



ROTFL...

Best ad of the entire campaign.

Romney supporters using 2008 Obama rally pic as 2012 Romney rally

This is actually kind of sad.

Anti-gay Romney supporter tweeted a pic of what he said was a HUGE Mitt Romney rally, trying to say the media isn't covering Romney's HUGE events.

Problem is - the pic is actually from a 2008 Obama rally...

Check it out at Good As You.

(cue the sad trombone/fail sound "waa, waa, waaaaaa...)


Via JoeMyGod

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Mitt Romney leads his own cheering section while campaigning



Joe Scarborough is stunned by the sight of Mitt Romney telling supporting to include his name while cheering...

Sad.

HIV Awareness Day - September 27


From the Centers for Disease Control: On National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, we honor the remarkable history of gay men’s leadership in the fight against the HIV epidemic.

Three decades ago, extraordinary community and public health prevention efforts led to dramatic declines in new HIV infections among men who have sex with men. Yet infection rates are now increasing among young gay and bisexual men, particularly men of color. We must not allow another generation to be devastated by this disease. Together we can, and must, revitalize the passion and dedication that helped turn back the HIV epidemic among gay men during its darkest days.

Research and surveillance data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention remind us that gay and bisexual men remain at the epicenter of the U.S. HIV epidemic. HIV prevention, education and testing for men who have sex with men remain top CDC priorities.

Think about it folks. And think about the last time you were tested.

French President speaking on behalf of LGBT equality


"France will continue to engage in all these struggles: for the abolition of the death penalty, for women's rights to equality and dignity, for the universal decriminalization of homosexuality, which should not be recognized as a crime but, on the contrary, recognized as a [sexual] orientation. All members countries have the obligation to guarantee the security of their citizens, and if one nation adheres to this obligation, it is then imperative that we, the United Nations, facilitate the necessary means to make that guarantee. These are the issues that France will lead and defend in the United Nations. I say this with seriousness. When there is paralysis... and inaction, then injustice and intolerance can find their place." - French President Francois Hollande, speaking yesterday at the United Nations General Assembly.  (text via Towleroad)

Cherokee Nation Chief calls out Scott Brown staffers for racist behavior

The Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation denounced Scott Brown staffers for making "war whoops" and tomahawk chops in a YouTube video which mocked the Native American heritage of Brown's opponent Elizabeth Warren, Think Progress reports:

“The conduct of these individuals goes far beyond what is appropriate and proper in political discourse,” said Chief Bill John Baker in his statement, “The use of stereotypical ‘war whoop chants’ and ‘tomahawk chops’ are offensive and downright racist.”

Baker called on Brown to “apologize for the offensive actions of his staff and their uneducated, unenlightened and racist portrayal of native peoples,” and said, “A campaign that would allow and condone such offensive and racist behavior must be called to task for their actions.”

Amazing Race starts this Sunday - Team Chippendales crushes eating challenge



Now THAT'S how to win an eating challenge!

Go Team Chippendales!

New polls have President Obama over 50% in crucial swing states


As both Romney and Obama separately campaign throughout Ohio on Wednesday, the Quinnipiac/CBS News/New York Times poll indicates the president leading Romney 53%-43% among likely voters.

The Quinnipiac/CBS News/New York Times is the fourth non-partisan, live-operator, survey to be conducted in Ohio over the past two weeks. A CNN Poll of Polls that averages all five surveys puts Obama at 51% and Romney at 44% among likely voters.

Ohio, with 18 electoral votes, is crucial to winning the White House. In modern times, no Republican has won the presidency without carrying the state.

The Quinnipiac University/CBS News/New York Times survey in Florida indicates the president at 53% and Romney at 44%.

Five non-partisan, live-operator, polls have been conducted in the Sunshine State since mid month. A CNN Poll of Polls that averages all five surveys puts Obama at 50% and Romney at 45% among likely voters.

In Pennsylvania, the new Quinnipiac University/CBS News/New York Times survey puts the president at 54% and the former Massachusetts governor at 42%. And the Franklin and Marshall poll indicates Obama holding a 52%-43% advantage. The nine-point margin is just within the survey's sampling error for likely voters.

More details at CNN

Morning Swim


Forgive me, but I can't remember their names.  I just like the picture.  Don't ask why...

Maryland: Gov. O'Malley says marrriage equality can pass but funds needed


On a conference call Monday night with marriage equality advocates, Gov. Martin O'Malley said marriage equality can pass at the ballot box in November, but funds are needed to support the cause.
“We have the ability to pass this in Maryland,” said the governor. “It is in keeping with the character of our state to protect rights equally under the law while also protecting religious liberty. But we do need to raise money here. We do need to raise another couple of million dollars, and if we are able to do that, I believe that we will pass this, and raising those dollars is critically important for our ability to be able to defend this at the ballot,” he said.
The Democratic governor signed the law passed by the legislature earlier this year, but the measure has not taken effect pending the outcome of the referendum brought by opponents.

Contribute to Marylanders for Marriage Equality here.

Maryland is one of four states facing ballot initiatives related to marriage equality, with campaigns also underway in Maine, Minnesota and Washington.

More at the Advocate

Maryland: Majorities support same-sex marriage and Dream Act

From the Washington Post:

●Fifty-one percent say they will vote to uphold the state’s same-sex marriage law, while 43 percent say they will vote against it. Six percent are undecided. The law would allow gay nuptials to begin in January.

● Fifty-eight percent say they will vote to uphold an immigrant tuition law while 34 percent say they will vote against it. Eight percent are undecided. The “Dream Act” would allow undocumented students to pay in-state college tuition rates under certain conditions, including having parents who file state tax returns.

Varying levels of African American support help explain the results, according to Gonzales.

Forty-four percent of African American voters support same-sex marriage, a figure that has increased from 33 percent in a similar poll from January.

More at the Washington Post

Jon Stewart explains why Mitt Romney is losing

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Barbra Streisand & Seth Rogen in "The Guilt Trip"


First clip from upcoming "The Guilt Trip" with Barbra Streisand and Seth Rogen.

From Yahoo Movies: Andy Brewster is about to embark on the road trip of a lifetime, and who better to accompany him than his overbearing mother Joyce. After deciding to start his adventure with a quick visit at mom's, Andy is guilted into bringing her along for the ride. Across 3,000 miles of ever-changing landscape, he is constantly aggravated by her antics, but over time he comes to realize that their lives have more in common than he originally thought. His mother’s advice might end up being exactly what he needs.

The new MySpace

The new Myspace from Myspace on Vimeo.


Justin Timberlake, with a group of investors, bought the tired MySpace and has given it a complete revamp.

From MTV News:
With an interface that looks a bit like Facebook-meets-Instagram, with hints of Pinterest and Windows 8, we watch as Croft clicks through his photos and then his "Mixes," which include a series of playlists organized under such headings as songs with rain in the title, songs to play while you're downtown and a list with just cover tunes.

The "Jake's Housewarming" playlist, for instance, features songs by M.I.A., Lykke Li, Daft Punk and the Cure, along with a gallery of photos from the event.

The "Connections" tab takes you to a photo gallery of your Myspace friends, with, ahem, a big photo of Timberlake and a plug for his new movie, "Trouble With the Curve."
It looks cool. And Timberlake brings the cool quotient up.

What do you think? MySpace going to fly again?

Money spent by outside groups as of September 25th


Gee - how do you feel about millionaires and billionaires buying elections now?

Movie trailer: Breakbad Mountain



Towleroad shares this clever and creative edit of clips from "Breaking Bad" to give us a movie trailer for the fictional "Breakbad Mountain."

Funny or Die: Why and how celebrities vote

Robbie Williams tweets shirtless daddy pic

After a successful diaper change, Robbie Williams tweeted this adorable pic with baby Teddy.

Shirtless Robbie Wiliams accomplishes second diaper change

Mitt Romney's healthcare plan - "go to the Emergency Room"



Emergency room treatment is expensive and isn't free. Taxpayers pay for it.

The Affordable Care Act asks that folks who can afford to at least pay for some kind of catastrophic care insurance. I thought conservatives liked the idea of people being responsible for themselves?

And then there's the flip flop on this issue by Romney. He really is good at contradicting himself. It's not rhetoric anymore. It's habit.

Barbra to duet with her son Jason Gould

While promoting her new collection of unreleased songs "Release Me" with Katie Couric, Barbra Streisand mentions another forthcoming project, an album of duets. Asked which artists she would like to perform with, the singer mentions that she enjoys Usher, John Legend, and Keith Urban. But she saves the bigger surprise for the host, saying, "Actually, my very, very exciting duet partner is my son."

Streisand then shares a story about accidentally hearing her son humming and reveals that the press-shy Gould has been recording music.

"And I tell you, when I heard the things he's recorded, the musicianship, the sound of his voice, it's like he has a little chamber music orchestra right in his vocal cords," she says. "I said, 'Jason, I have to sing with you. You have to be on my duets album.' Not only that, 'You have to come' — he's never performed live."

Couric asks if this means he'll be performing during her October 11 concert in Brooklyn, to which Streisand nods her head yes.

The duet during her October 11 concert will mark the second known professional collaboration between mother and son. Gould costarred in Streisand's 1991 box office smash The Prince of Tides.

For Streisand concert information go here.

Via the Advocate

Marriage News Watch - September 25, 2012



In what is easily the most anti-climactic possibility for an announcement regarding the Supreme Court and marriage equality, SCOTUS released it's list of cases it will take up this year and the California Prop 8 case is not on the list.

However, that is not the end of the road for Prop 8 just yet.  There are still other variables in this equation.

From the American Foundation for Equal Rights:

The Justices meet nearly every week to determine the cases they will take up. The next time we could hear something is Monday, October 1 at 9:30 a.m. EDT / 6:30 a.m. PDT, when the Court is expected to release a list of cases it is not hearing this Term.

Some have speculated that the Supreme Court may wait to consider our case until later this fall when the Justices will decide whether to grant review in several cases challenging the so-called Defense of Marriage Act.

The X Factor UK 2012 - Ella Henderson "Believe"



Folks in the UK are talking about X Factor contestant Ella Henderson's "Adele-isation" of Cher's hit dance song "Believe."

In some ways, it reminds me of Matt Albers recent cover of "I Want To Dance With Somebody." Sometimes when you slow the song down, you do the lyricist a favor and their work enjoys some new light. "Believe" sounds practically poignant in this version by Ella.

Cher herself gave the performance a thumbs up by tweeting her support.



Monday, September 24, 2012

The Jetsons turns 50



And can you believe the original show only aired for ONE season?

JoeMyGod points to this clip (with groovy graphics!) in celebration. As predicted, I can still sing along to the whole clip.

Something I didn't know - the show was set only 100 years in the future. At 50 years, how do you think we're doing?

Andrew Sullivan: If Obama wins "he will become the Democrats' Reagan"

Andrew Sullivan says President Obama will become Ronald Reagan if reelected:

"If Obama wins, to put it bluntly, he will become the Democrats’ Reagan. The narrative writes itself. He will emerge as an iconic figure who struggled through a recession and a terrorized world, reshaping the economy within it, passing universal health care, strafing the ranks of al-Qaeda, presiding over a civil-rights revolution, and then enjoying the fruits of the recovery."

Read the rest at The Daily Beast

Shirtless promo still of Hugh Jackman from upcoming "The Wolverine"

Yeah - that's pretty ripped if you ask me...

Ripped, shirtless  Hugh Jackman promo still from the upcoming The Wolverine

Mitt Romney doesn't understand why airplane windows don't open

"When you have a fire in an aircraft, there’s no place to go, and you can’t find any oxygen from outside the aircraft to get in the aircraft, because the windows don’t open. I don’t know why they don’t do that. It’s a real problem. So it’s very dangerous. And she was choking and rubbing her eyes. Fortunately, there was enough oxygen for the pilot and copilot to make a safe landing in Denver. But she’s safe and sound." - Mitt Romney, telling a fundraiser crowd about Ann's Friday flight that was diverted due to smoke in the cabin.

Twitter, of course, is loving the whole thing:

Ann Coulter says gay rights are not civil rights



This woman's voice makes my eyes bleed.

Somehow, a woman who is smart enough to get a book deal and smart enough to get paid to speak in different places thinks "civil rights" can only apply to black people because "we owe them."

The simple fact of the matter is: civil rights are any rights afforded by a civil government. And the LGBT stance is if other people have those rights - WE are deserving of those rights. Not special rights - equal rights.

How this woman can not understand this simple concept, I don't know...

Pardon me as I wipe my bleeding eyes.

My favorite Emmy Award wins of the night

Modern Family won four Emmy Awards last night, including its third consecutive trophy for best comedy series.

ABC's hit LGBT-inclusive sitcom also won awards for Directing (director Steve Levitan), and supporting actors Julie Bowen and Eric Stonestreet.

Jessica Lange, as expected won for outstanding supporting actress for her work in Ryan Murphy's American Horror Story. This was Lange's second win as she previously won for best actress in a miniseries/TV movie for the 2008 drama Grey Gardens.

My personal favorite win of the night was Julianne Moore for best actress in a miniseries/TV movie for her fab portrayal of Sarah Palin. Game Change, HBO's drama about the 2008 election, also won for best miniseries/TV movie, best director for Jay Roach, and Danny Strong for best writing for miniseries/TV movie.

Moore, a longtime ally to the LGBT community, said in her acceptance speech: "I feel so validated because Sarah Palin gave me a big thumbs down," Moore said while accepting the trophy.

Interesting fact of the night: Mad Men set a new record by losing all seventeen Emmys it was nominated for.

Hello Joe

Joe Manganiello at 2012 Entertainment Weekly Pre-Emmy Party presented by L’Oreal Paris at Fig & Olive. Photo credit: A. Rodriguez


Amazing Race promo featuring Chippendales' Jaymes & James



Go Team Chippendales!

I love James on the cuffs and collars: "I'm here to party, but I want to be formal."

Can't wait for this Sunday. Don't miss the start of the Race!

Mainers United for Marriage - Firefighters on "Brotherhood"



Firefighters Andrew, Dave, Eric and Ryan talk about trust, respect and why they're voting "Yes" on Question 1. They know marriage matters to ALL Maine families.

A recent survey from Public Policy Polling found 52% of likely voters in support, with 44% opposed and 4% undecided.

The Maine People’s Resource Center released a poll that showed 53% in support, 43% opposed and 4% undecided on Question 1 on the Nov. 6 ballot.

The ballot measure which repealed the law in 2009, also known as Question 1, passed 53% to 47%.

Campaign ad: No Taxes

Comic book cover from 1961: The Rifleman


I remember this TV series well.  Of course, my childhood brain didn't pick up on anything like this back then.  Or did it?

And you thought they didn't think much about sex back then.  Someone had a very funny sense of humor.

Thanks to Ed Dixon for pointing this out.  Fabulous.

Zach Wahls makes the commonsense case for marriage equality & President Obama

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Billie Joe Armstrong, Green Day frontman, headed to rehab following public rant



Front man for Green Day, Billie Joe Armstrong,  is headed to rehab following an unusual verbal and physical rant onstage in Las Vegas.

John Katsilometes has the story at the Las Vegas Sun:

Two days after blowing up the opening night of the iHeart Radio Music Festival, the frontman for Green Day is headed to rehab for substance abuse.

The 40-year-old vocalist/guitarist erupted in a verbal and physical torrent at MGM Grand Garden Arena on Friday night, profanely shouting at the crowd for perceived lethargy and bellowing about the band’s set being cut short.

Armstrong shouted about Green Day not being afforded proper respect (the band hit it big in 1988), and tossing the microphone over his shoulder before lurching off stage. He also pulled at a camera boom and nearly exposed himself midway through the set.

In a statement issued today to the Associated Press, the band apologized for the incident and said their set, which preceded the closing performance by Rihanna and followed Usher’s appearance, was not cut short by Clear Channel officials. Initially, it appeared Green Day was allotted less time than originally scheduled, but that was not the case.

Apparently, Armstrong was insulted at having a time limit for their appearance.

"One minute left, one minute (expletive) left. You're gonna give me (expletive) one minute? ... I'm not (expletive) Justin Bieber, you (expletives)!" he yelled (although Bieber was not part of the night's festivities).

Armstrong smashed his guitar before leaving the stage.

This comes at an awkward time for the band as Green Day is due to release the album "Uno" on Tuesday, the follow-up to "21st Century Breakdown," released three years ago.

The band is due to kick off a nationwide tour Nov. 26 in Seattle.

Utah holds 2nd Annual Pink Dot event



Pinkdot Utah aims to launch the movement's credo — Support. Love. Courage. — by encouraging Utahns to speak up for their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) family members, co-workers, neighbors and friends.

I really love the message of the campaign. And watch the video above, I think about how many friends I had in high school who also might have said "I wish he knew..."

Especially impactful are those early and high school years, that to this day my first reaction is to cringe when I think of them. While "It Gets Better" is a great catch phrase today, it's also the truth. Life did get better for me once I got past some of the scars of my years at Arlington Heights High School. It wasn't all bad, and I do have some great memories. Since then, because of Facebook, I've been in touch with folks like Patti Brown, Addester Williams, Karen Ralston, Jennifer Hardgrove, Mimi Rogers, Peggy Bittrick - and I've really enjoyed that. And of course my best friends through the whole ordeal - John and David - who really gave me a lot of self-confidence. All of them were great during high school. But right along side those good memories are the "mean girls" comments that were pretty difficult for a 16 year to handle. I don't think of high school without remembering Robbie Pulido calling "hey faggot" many times, even while we were both on the cheerleading squad as seniors. Or Randy Milligan walking ahead of me and saying to someone "hey lookout, there's a fag behind you."

I got over it. And then some, you might say. I forgive, but I also don't forget. Big learning experience not only for my own growth but also in realizing young people often have no idea of the power of words.

PinkDot is a great event I'd love to see expand across the country to let folks know that they are fine the way they are.

The Council held its second annual pinkdot event on September 22, 2012, next to the International Peace Gardens in Salt Lake City's Jordan Park.

At its innaugaral event an estimated 2,000 people helped form Utah's first giant human pinkdot.

The campaign and event are targeted to attract both straight and gay Utahns and visitors, many who may come to support their family members, friends, co-workers and neighbors.

Check out the excellent video above, and for more info go to www.pinkdotut.org

Who's up for some Sunday rugby?


Looking back in time - 100 years of voting



Via JoeMyGod

Mumford & Sons "Little Lion Man"



My latest musical discovery - where have I been?

This is from Mumford and Sons' Sigh No More CD.

This video has had over 33 million views.

I like the music and the direction the band takes. No special effects, no over sexy choreography... Nice.

You can check the band out on Amazon.

Avengers movie to be released on DVD this coming Tuesday


Who's excited about the release of the Avengers movie on DVD this coming Tuesday?

Make you sure pre-order now so it's conveniently delivered to your home and all you have to do is pop in the video machine-y thing and enjoy Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner and Robert Downey Jr. save the world.

I loved the movie this summer.  I thought it had just the right balance of action and humor.  Loved the dialogue between the heroes.  And they're not hard to look at either.

My copy in on the way! Love Amazon shopping.  It's like gifts just show up at the door :)

Mitt Romney has the worst week in Washington

Oskar wants you to vote


Oskar will continue to give you this look until you commit to voting this year.

Happy Birthday Darlene Romano!


This is a candid picture of Darlene Romano, soprano, in the late 1970s, backstage waiting to begin a concert with the San Diego Symphony starring Darlene and 5 time Academy Award winning composer/conductor and head of MGM department of music, Johnny Green.

Pope John Paul II praised Darlene when she sang for him at the Vatican with the Rome Orchestra. Maestro Kurt Herbert Adler, conductor and general director of the San Francisco Opera said for him Darlene Romano was the perfect "Mimi" in Puccini's La Boheme.

After a fabulous career of over 3,000 performances, Darlene earned a "Doctor of Musical Arts" degree from the University of Southern California and has now conducted many of the shows she used to star in on the stage. She also serves as Dean of Fine Arts at a Southern California College.

Happy 65th Birthday to our darling Darlene!!

Saturday, September 22, 2012

98 Degrees Jeff Timmons does his best Tebow after singing at UNLV Rebels game


Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees does his best "Tebow" after singing the national anthem at the UNLV Rebels game tonight in Las Vegas.

American Dream


Bluebuck underwear shoot in the Scottish Highlands

Model Andrew Ramming gets wild in the Scottish Highlands for a Bluebuck underwear campaign. Shown hiking, swimming, and even relaxing in the London-based line's masculine briefs, Ramming wears the skivvies as if they were a sexy second skin.

All photos by Bluebuck




Mitt Romney releases 2nd year of tax returns - how does he compare to current & previous Presidents?



Folks can defend him all they like, but it really does raise some eyebrows when you realize that:

  • Mitt's own father, George Romney, released 12 years of tax returns
  • George H. W. Bush released 19 years of tax returns
  • Bill Clinton released 16 years of tax returns
  • George W. Bush released 13 years of tax returns
  • Barack Obama released 12 years of tax returns

But Mitt Romney only releases 2 full years of tax returns.

Don't you wonder why? Legal or not, what could he be hiding? And seriously, compared with all those other Presidents, doesn't it seem strange?

Intel will no longer support Boy Scouts due to gay discrimination


Just days after a petition calling for Intel to drop it's support garnered over 30,000 signatures in less than 24 hours, the Boy Scouts of America has lost its largest corporate donor, Intel, which announced Friday that it will no longer support the group until it vows to stop discriminating against gay people.

In a statement released to Think Progress on Friday, Intel’s Chief Diversity Officer, Rosalind Hudnell, confirmed that the company would no longer fund the Boy Scouts of America, so long as the Scouts stand by their long-held policy barring gay troops and leaders from participating in the organization.

“Due to significant growth in the number of organizations funded, earlier this year we revisited our policies associated with the program, and applied new rigor that requires any organization to confirm that it adheres to Intel’s anti-discrimination policy in order to receive funding,” said Hudnell.

Zach Wahls, who led the petition drive, said “Intel made the right decision here, in order to live up to their corporate values of diversity, equality and individual liberty."

“Companies that support the LGBT community simply can’t be in the business of funding organizations that discriminate. Frankly, by sending this message, Intel is upholding the true spirit of Scouting better than the BSA is today,” he said.

According to Wahls, Intel gave almost $700,000 to the Boy Scout in 2010.

More at LGBTQ Nation

Austin Police Department - It Gets Better



The Lesbian & Gay Peace Officers Association produced a video comprising of LGBT officers and civilian members of the Austin Police Department to send a message to LGBTQ youth that it does get better.

This is part of the It Gets Better Project and The Trevor Project to reach out to LGBTQ youth who may be struggling due to bullying, harassment, and non-acceptance, and who may be thinking of committing suicide.

The message is to let those youth know that even though it is difficult today, tomorrow will bring hope, love, and life.  Help is here to get you there.

As a native Texan who spent my summers in Austin (one of my favorite cities) I'm so proud of this video.  These folks did an amazing job of communicating not only the struggles of the journey of coming out, but the pride and joy you feel when it finally "gets better" and you can accept and love yourself.

Great job guys!

Amazing Race Team Chippendales on THE TALK


Host of "The Amazing Race" Phil Keoghan discusses the show's 21st season and how they're raising the stakes! Plus, he surprises the ladies with an impromptu appearance from Chippendale contestants Jaymes & James!

Had some trouble embedding the clip, so click here for the YouTube video.

Win a lunch date with George Clooney and benefit LGBT students across the country


For the right price, you can get a lunch date with George Clooney which will benefit the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN), an organization which keeps schools safe for LGBT students across the country.

The lunch "experience," which also includes intimate time with entertainment writer Dave Karger, will take place at the Soho House in West Hollywood and is valued at $20,000. So if you have deep pockets (or have a movie project to spin), then it's probably really worth—for the children of course. You can bid through Oct. 11 on the auction site Charitybuzz.

Clooney is a longtime ally to the LGBT community. During an interview with The Advocate in February to promote his appearance in the play 8, the actor spoke about why he's so passionate about the issue of marriage equality. "One day the marriage equality fight will look as archaic as George Wallace standing on the University of Alabama steps keeping James Hood from attending college because he was black," he said. "People will be embarrassed to have been on the wrong side."

Friday, September 21, 2012

One of the 47% Mitt Romney says is a "victim" and "dependent on government hand out" responds


Click on the pic to enlarge.

Current TV: Dan Savage on whether Mitt Romney is a homophobe



"Whether someone punches you in the nose because they really hate you, or they punch you in the nose because they want to impress people who hate you, you still have a broken goddamn nose."

Fox News Poll shows President Obama leads in 3 key swing states


From Fox News' own poll: "President Barack Obama has the edge over Republican Mitt Romney in three potentially decisive states in the presidential election. Obama tops Romney by seven percentage points among likely voters in both Ohio (49-42 percent) and Virginia (50-43 percent). In Florida, the president holds a five-point edge (49-44 percent)."

So you know, if President Obama wins swing states Florida, Ohio and Virginia, the whole thing is done and the President wins re-election.

You know it must kill them to even release the news...