Friday, October 31, 2014

Matt McGorry's "Magic Mike XXL" audition tape leaked

"Orange Is The New Black" star Matt McGorry apparently auditioned for the upcoming sequel to Channing Tatum's "Magic Mike" film.

From CollegeHumor.com


Happy 150th Birthday Nevada!



On this day 150 years ago, the great state of Nevada became the 36th to join the Union.

Nevada Day is celebrated to encourage folks to understand Nevada’s history and offers a chance to reflect on my homestate's pioneer spirit. (I like to think I'm a pioneer in one way or another).

From NV Sen. Harry Reid:

In 1864, as the Civil War dragged on, many in Congress were in a rush to grant statehood to Nevada and did not want to wait until the next session of Congress. A new state would help swing that year’s president election towards President Lincoln and provide crucial votes for passage of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery.

On March 21, 1864, in the waning hours of the 38th Congress, Congress passed legislation allowing Nevada to join the Union once voters passed and President Lincoln approved a state constitution. It was not the normal course of business. Typically Congress would get the final word on admission of a new state to the Union, but as the country was in the midst of the Civil War, these were not normal times.

Nevada voters approved a state constitution on October 31, 1864, and President Lincoln proclaimed statehood. Today, we acknowledge Nevada’s unique path to statehood on our state flag with the words “Battle Born.”

To Change A Lightbulb...

Via Blue Street Journal

Warwick Rowers 2015 Calendar - The Story

Warwick Rowers celebrate the release of their 2015 Charity Calendar

This is the story of the Warwick Rowers, a bunch of college athletes who thought that maybe they could make a difference. They decided to do this by getting naked.

At first they did it to help their sports club, which had no funds. But what started as a bit of a laugh became a life-changing experience that none of them could have foreseen.

Since 2009, the calendar has been sold in 77 different countries and raised £200,000 for good causes. In addition to the calendars, the boys now have their own range of posters, t-shirts, art prints, hoodies, and greeting cards.

And the best thing about this story is that you can be a part of it. Find out how by watching the video below and visiting warwickrowers.org

Warwick Rowers 2015 Calendar: The Story from Sport Media Productions on Vimeo.






"Bones" Redfield Gives You Best Weatherman Halloween Costume


Kentucky's Jude Redfield, weatherman for Louisville’s WDRB,  made smart use of the weather map "green screen" and a skeleton to deliver a great costume this year.


Into The Woods' Meryl Streep For Halloween


Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's celebrated fairy tale-themed musical INTO THE WOODS opens in movie theaters nationwide on Christmas Day,  but the film's official Facebook page decided to share a special Halloween greeting for fans today.

Meryl Streep as the Witch comes crawling out of a dark, foreboding tree with the caption:

"Into the woods, where nothing's clear, where witches, ghosts and wolves appear," from the Act One finale, "Ever After".

Follow INTO THE WOODS on Facebook here.

(via BroadwayWorld)

Brad Paisley Wishes You All A Safe (And Mature) Halloween

South Carolina: Another Lawsuit Filed For Marriage Equality


A second lawsuit has been filed in South Carolina over the right to use a same-sex spouses' last name:

Each plaintiff was married in another state and chose to change his or her surname but had an application to do so denied by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

The lawsuit is against the state DMV. An agency spokeswoman did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

Earlier this month, a Lexington County woman filed a similar lawsuit challenging the state’s same-sex marriage ban.

Other lawsuits challenging the ban are pending in federal court.

On Oct. 6, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal of a Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision allowing same-sex marriage in Virginia. The ACLU says that ruling is binding on the state of South Carolina, which remains the only state under the 4th Circuit’s jurisdiction still enforcing its same-sex marrige ban.

(via LGBTQ Nation)

Just The (Beard) Facts

Via kenneth in the 212

Ellen DeGeneres' Halloween Costume


"I like Halloween because it’s the one time of year you can dress up however you want, and pretend you’re someone you’d never be in real life. For me, that’s married to a man." (Huge laughs and applause).

First of all - funny.

Second, it has to be noted that in coming out in the 1990s, Ellen practically lost her career. Slowly, over several years hard work and due to great talent, she has come roaring back in supreme style. 

Now when she jokes on the idea of being married to a man, she's the most popular woman in daytime TV.

Bravo!

Halloween Music: Beach Boys Cover "Monster Mash"



According to pop culture king (or queen?) Matt Rettenmund at Boy Culture, this is the only time the Beach Boys covered the Halloween favorite.

Interestingly, the date of this performance was December 21, 1963. Who sings a Halloween song four days before Christmas?

Answer: The Beach Boys

Hot Shirtless Aussie Mates Sam & Ben Go Bare To Share Their Organic Lifestyle


Best mates Sam and Ben are so passionate about their raw organic lifestyle, they are willing to bare all to get your attention. (They've got mine already....)

Ben and Sam give you all a little taste of what to expect while still incorporating the same fun and fresh humour you can expect to see from them both come opening day.

The two best buds have created Acai Brothers Superfood Bar, a restaurant with a delicious organic menu guaranteed to keep you healthy.






(via Gaily Grind)

Sen. Lindsey Graham: "White Men In Male-Only Clubs Are Going To Do Great In My Presidency"


Sen. Lindsey Graham has admitted in an interview to making eye-raising comments last month at a meeting of the Hibernian Society of Charleston.

From a recording made at the meeting which was then anonymously sent to two South Carolina Democrats:

“I’m trying to help you with your tax status. I’m sorry the government’s so f*cked up. If I get to be president, white men in male-only clubs are going to do great in my presidency.”

Graham said the Hibernian Society encourages speakers "to be earthy, to make fun of yourself, to make fun of them. Then you say something serious and sit down. And if you talk over 20 minutes, they throw something at you."

Freedom To Marry: Meet Jessica and Chi From Alabama


While 32 states in the US enjoy marriage equality, there are still many LGBT families who do not have the same protections and benefits of marriage as heterosexual couples.

Jessica and Chi and their daughter Nailah from Alabama share why marriage matters to their family.

From Freedom To Marry.

Halloween Video: Chainsaws & Chippendales

Florence Henderson on Paul Lynde Halloween Special - "That Old Black Magic"

Florence Henderson performs "That Old Black Magic" on "The Paul Lynde Halloween Special" October 29, 1976.

Philadelphia City Council Passes Hate Crime Measure By Vote 16-1

Alleged attackers in Philadelphia gay-bashing

While Pennsylvania's hate crime bill may be stalled in committee, the city of Philadelphia has passed it's own version of the legislation:

City Council unanimously approved a measure on Thursday that would make it a crime to harm someone because of sexual orientation, gender identity, or disabilities.

The proposal was triggered by the Sept. 11 assault on a gay couple in Center City.

In that case, police arrested three people but could not charge them with a hate crime because neither state law nor the city code makes it a crime to harm someone because of sexual orientation.

The measure approved Thursday, expected to be signed into law by Mayor Nutter, calls for up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000 for crimes committed against a person because of sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

(via Philly.com)

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Wedding Video of the Day: Michael and Marty

Meet Michael and Marty, married September 27th in Omaha.

What a wonderful wedding.  Beautiful video.


Michael and Marty - Highlights from Dundee Digital Wedding Films on Vimeo.

Meet The Hurricane Sandy Victim NJ Gov. Christie Told to "Sit Down And Shut Up"


Meet Jim Keady, the man New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie told to "sit down and shut up."

Ready stood up at a two year anniversary event where Gov. Christie was talking about all the progress made since Hurricane Sandy.  Ready, however, wanted to know why the bulk of funds allocated to help NJ folks was still sitting in an account.

In an interview, Keady, a small business owner and former Asbury Park councilman, told Bloomberg:

“I’m a 6-foot-4, 215-pound former pro-athlete. I’m not going to be bullied by him. And when he goes into his bullying routine, it lays bare the fact that he does not want to talk about the political realities that are being presented to him."

During their back and forth, Christie told Keady that “somebody like you doesn’t know a damn thing about what you’re talking about except to stand up and show off when the cameras are here. I’ve been here when the cameras aren’t here buddy, and done the work." Christie went on to tell Keady that “I’m glad you had your day to show off” and now, “turn around, get your 15 minutes of fame, and then maybe take your jacket off, roll up your sleeves and do something for the people of this state.”

But Keady is no stranger to what New Jersey has been through. He grew up in Belmar, now lives in neighboring Spring Lake, and after the storm, he said, he took a month off of work and volunteered “every day” in Belmar. “They trusted me with one of their borrowed dump trucks and I was running clean up crews all over town," Keady said. "I wanna know how many crawl spaces the governor was in, cleaning up. But he got his photo-op in Belmar.”

Keady talked about how only 20 percent of a $1.1 billion a program to get people back in their homes has actually gone out. “His administration is sitting on $800 million of taxpayer money that was supposed to go to our fellow New Jerseyans,” Keady said.

“If I’d just stood up, sat down, and been polite, you and I wouldn’t be talking right now,” Keady added. “It’s necessary at times to do small and large acts of civil disobedience so people’s voices can be heard. And if Governor Christie doesn’t like that, he’s in the wrong business.”

Florida: Edie Windsor Asks Gov. Rick Scott To Stop Appealing Same-Sex Marriage Ban

Marriage equality icon (and SCOTUS victor) Edie Windsor has recorded a "Letter To Gov. Rick Scott" for Equality Florida asking him to drop opposition to marriage equality in the Sunshine State:

"I am Edith S. Windsor, the plaintiff in Windsor v. United States, the case that won federal recognition of marriages for same-sex couples. The two extremely positive decisions in favor of marriage equality were Justice Jacobs' decision in the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals and Justice Kennedy's decision in the Supreme Court, both self-described conservatives. Five judges in Florida have also ruled that it's wrong to exclude same-sex couples from marriage, and the majority of Floridians agree.

"My dear Governor Scott, I implore you to use the power of your office to allow loving couples to marry now in your state. Very respectfully yours, Edie Windsor."

This Is A Real Thing


JoeMyGod points up this very "personal" gym for "personal" fitness.

The Complete Training Program starts with four weeks of Basic Training, which guides the user through a series of pelvic muscle exercises specifically designed to create initial pelvic muscle strength.

Once Basic Training is complete, the program incorporates an additional four weeks of resistance training and the Private Gym's patented, FDA registered weighted penis ring and magnetic weight. The weighted ring is placed comfortably around the erect penis and lifted up and down, thereby placing just the right amount of resistance to maximize pelvic muscle growth and strength.

The press materials say "Private Gym promises to boost a man’s sexual performance as well as help prevent the onset of erectile dysfunction. The rationale behind Private Gym is simple and well established: work out a muscle and it gets stronger. These are the same well-known exercises performed by millions of women to increase pelvic tone, particularly after childbirth."

According to Dr. Grace Dorey - "As good as Viagra, without the costs and side effects."

For purchase on Amazon for $99.99.

Trailer: "Banksy Does New York"


Back in 2013, infamous UK street artist Banksy set up a one month residency in NYC creating whimsical art installations throughout the city's five boroughs. I wrote about one of the artists episodes at the time here.

A sneak peek at the documentary Banksy Does New York before its on-air premiere, beginning Oct. 31 on HBO On Demand and HBO GO.

The film will debut on HBO on November 17th.

Via press release:

Over the course of a month-long residency in New York, Banksy and his team took to the streets – secretly creating a variety of public work ranging from elaborate conceptual stunts to traditional graffiti art.

Constructed under the dark of night, each new piece was then announced daily on his #BANKSYNY Instagram account and chronicled on his pop-up website creating a community wide scavenger hunt.

Constantly evading a citywide search by the NYPD, Banksy’s work created a public response that was an equal mix of reverence and derision, with some of the more controversial statements sending waves of reaction throughout the city.

From a Central Park stand where priceless original works were anonymously sold for $60 to a mural on the entrance to the Hustler strip club, to a junkyard in Willets Point, Queens; New York City served as the canvas for this street art vigilante.

The film, directed by NY-er Chris Moukarbel, constructed the doc from all publicly content. "I crowd-sourced footage that New Yorkers posted online each day of the month. It was about a city holding a mirror back up to the artist."

Ricky Martin Tweets Support For Adoption By Same-Sex Couples In Puerto Rico



Ricky Martin turned his Twitter account towards the legislative bodies of Puerto Rico asking that the laws be changed to allow same-sex couples to adopt in the country.

Martin’s tweet says 'Please @SenadoPR and @TuCamaraPR approve #PS437 so that same-sex couples can adopt. @eduardobhatia @jrperello @agarciapadilla'

This comes after a ruling last week by a judge in PR that upheld the same-sex marriage ban there. Although, LGBT advocates aren't very worried by that development as Puerto Rico is under the jurisdiction of the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals, where every other state has marriage equality.

But since we're on the subject of Ricky, let's take another look at his new music video "Adios" :)

Sen. Ted Cruz: I Love My iPhone Even If CEO Tim Cook "Chooses" To Be Gay


Sen. Ted Cruz didn't miss his chance to say that he "loves his iPhone" even though Apple CEO Tim Cook has "chosen" to live a gay lifestyle.

Via Advocate:

During an interview with CNBC, Cruz was asked about the Bloomberg Businessweek story in which Cook addressed his sexual orientation publicly for the first time.

"Those are his personal choices. I’ll tell you, I love my iPhone," Cruz said according to The Hill. He added, "Listen, Tim Cook makes his personal decisions, and that is his life. My focus is on the constitutional question of who has the authority to make decisions."

It's worth noting that Sen. Cruz is the coauthor of the State Marriage Defense Act, which would stop the federal government from invalidating state laws on marriage.

Bryan Fischer - Victim Of Judicial Rape


From asshat homophobe Bryan Fischer today.

I still want him to explain how same-sex marriage is "imposed" on him or anyone.

If you don't want a same-sex marriage, don't marry someone of the same sex.

Is this hard???

Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, Comes Out In Essay For Business Week


Apple CEO Tim Cook has publicly come out in an essay he penned for Business Week:

"While I have never denied my sexuality, I haven’t publicly acknowledged it either, until now. So let me be clear: I’m proud to be gay, and I consider being gay among the greatest gifts God has given me.

"Being gay has given me a deeper understanding of what it means to be in the minority and provided a window into the challenges that people in other minority groups deal with every day.

"It’s made me more empathetic, which has led to a richer life.

"It’s been tough and uncomfortable at times, but it has given me the confidence to be myself, to follow my own path, and to rise above adversity and bigotry.

"It’s also given me the skin of a rhinoceros, which comes in handy when you’re the CEO of Apple."

"I don’t consider myself an activist, but I realize how much I’ve benefited from the sacrifice of others. So if hearing that the CEO of Apple is gay can help someone struggling to come to terms with who he or she is, or bring comfort to anyone who feels alone, or inspire people to insist on their equality, then it’s worth the trade-off with my own privacy."

In coming out, Tim Cook becomes the first openly gay CEO of a Fortune 500 company.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Commercial: Starbucks "Coffee Frenemies"



Starbucks first LGBT ad - "Coffee Frenemies" featuring Bianca Del Rio and Adore Delano, fan favorites from the sixth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Because even top RuPaul queens need caffeine.

Watch The Effect Of 18 Months Of Braces In Less Than A Minute



I had braces as a child. I sure wish it went as fast as this video does.

The young teen sure looks happy at the end, though, doesn't she?

(h/t kenneth-in-the-212)

Bible-Carrying "Christian" Screams Wild Rant At In-N-Out Burger



According to Raw Story, the man in the video above had been hanging around an In-N-Out Burger in Redding, California, most of the day holding the door open for customers with one hand and his Bible in the other.

At some point, said man became enraged that he had not been properly thanked by the restaurant employees for holding the door.

So he went berserk ripping plastic plants out of their planters while screaming:

“Am I gonna get busted? No!” the man shouts at the beginning of the video as customers leave their tables to get away from the commotion.

He goes on the vent loudly about the restaurant “bitching about someone holding a f*cking door for people,” which he claims to be doing because he’s a “f*cking Christian” who’s got to “stand up for other f*cking Christians.”

I don't think sounds very "Christ-like" but hey, I'm not an expert...

(via Raw Story)

Montana Newspaper To Attorney General On Same-Sex Marriage: "Accept The Inevitable"


Montana's Great Falls Tribune posted an op-ed today in support of marriage equality in the state and urging Attorney General Tim Fox to "accept the inevitable" and stop defending the discriminatory law:

One after another, federal appeals courts, including the 9th Circuit that covers Montana, have thrown out gay marriage bans in other states, and Montana’s position will be overturned. Why? Because that stance discriminates against gays, lesbians and others. It is unfair to these folks, regardless of some Americans who disapprove of their sexual orientation.

The issue of homosexuality and marriage was easier to deal with when some researchers and, frankly, charlatans tried to prove that people could be cured of their gay nature. In recent decades, science indicates that sexual orientation is more likely to be based in a person’s genetic makeup.

U.S. District Judge Brian Morris will hear arguments Nov. 20 on a motion for summary judgment in a case filed this spring by four gay couples. We’d like to see [AG Tim] Fox at that hearing accept the inevitable and agree with the motion.

It’s time for the state of Montana to quit wasting taxpayers’ money and to accept gay marriage in Montana, even if churches can go their own way on this matter. Some people still want to make political points with this issue, but we say, it’s too late for that. It’s all over. Montana law should allow people committed to each other, whether straight or gay, to make their relationship legal and lasting.

(h/t JMG)

New Trailer: "The Avengers: Age of Ultron"


In a new trailer released for the upcoming Avengers sequel "The Avengers: Age of Ultron," we get a glimpse of Marvel humor as the team socializes and attempts to lift Thor's hammer.

The film is due for release on May 1, 2015.



Kansas: Anti-Gay Wackadoos Phillip and Sandra Unruhs File Amicus Brief In State Marriage Case

Click pic to enlarge
Last week, Kansas wackjobs Phillip and Sandra Unruhs were quickly swatted away after their attempt to intervene in the Kansas marriage equality case where they tried to say giving equal rights to gay and lesbian couples was tantamount to STEALING it from straight couples like themselves.

The judge quickly dismissed that weak assertion.

However, the Unruhs were allowed to file an amicus brief in support of denying gays the right to marry, and so today, we have their masterpiece of a brief.

Included in the 8 page filing are statements to the effect that:

• Since the Plaintiffs are lesbians, any ruling should not affect male same-sex couples
• Giving marriage rights to same-sex couples would discriminate against opposite-sex couples based on sex
• Marriage equality would result in the taking of property rights of heterosexual couples in violation of the 5th and 14th Amendments

It's not a long read, but pretty fascinating in it's illogic.

See the brief below:

Daniel Radcliffe Can Rap - Who Knew?


On last night's Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Daniel Radcliffe revealed that he a big fan of rap music due to "an obsession with memorizing complicated, lyrically intricate and fast songs."

Fallon then threw down the gauntlet with a challenge to Radcliffe to attempt Blackalicious' "Alphabet Aerobics."

Radcliffe jumps right in - with an American accent no less.



(h/t Towleroad)

New French Study Indicates Taking PrEP Just Before Sex Could Reduce HIV Infection By 80%


For months now, medical research studies have indicated that taking Truvada, an anti-HIV medication, on a regular basis could effectively deter infection of HIV by over 90%.

Those studies showed that taking the drup at least four days a week on a regular basis could provide effective protection.

Now a new study in France indicates that taking two pills of Truvada just two hours before sex and two single doses within the following 24 hours could reduce the rate of being infected by 80%.

Researchers closed the study early due to the high effectiveness of the drug.

Via AIDS Map:

In an extraordinary development, a second European scientific trial of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has had its randomised phase closed early due to high effectiveness, just two weeks after the UK PROUD trial did exactly the same thing. The investigators of the IPERGAY trial, which has six sites in France and one in Canada, announced today a “Significant breakthrough in the fight against HIV and AIDS” because IPERGAY had successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of its PrEP regimen.

IPERGAY’s early closure is significant not only because it adds confirmation that PrEP can be highly effective, but because it was testing an innovative, intermittent (“on-demand”) PrEP regimen. In this study, participants did not take PrEP daily, but only when they anticipated having sex. The regimen involved taking two pills of Truvada (tenofovir + emtricitabine) twelve hours before anticipated sex and then, if sex happened, two separate one-pill doses the following day. This extends the versatility of PrEP and provides an alternative regimen to daily dosing.

As this is still in research, folks on Truvada daily doses should NOT change their regimen without discussing with their doctors.

Did Maine Just Move Closer To The First Openly Gay US Governor?


This election cycle, Maine has been entrenched in a three way race for governor. The incumbent Republican Gov. Paul LePage and Democratic U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud have been locked in a very tight race, with Independent candidate Eliot Cutler polling at about 13 points.

Today, Cutler held a press conference where he stopped short of quitting the race but did make clear to voters that should they not think he can win on election day to “vote their conscience."

In other words, go with the guy who can win.

In that Cutler is a left-leaning candidate (former environmental lawyer and worked under the Carter Administration), most believe his support would go to Michaud. Should Michaud win, he would become the United States' first openly gay governor.

While the November 4 elections look bleak in many ways for Democrats, it could be history making for the LGBT community.

Fingers crossed.

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

North Carolina: NOM Runs LYING Ad Against Kay Hagen



The virulently anti-gay is dumping money into North Carolina's Senate race, but in doing so NOM is literally LYING by rewriting history and how the government works.

It's important to note that although NOM would like you think differently, Sen. Kay Hagen did not "handpick" the judge who ruled in favor of marriage equality bringing the freedom to marry to the state.

As a matter of fact, Judge Coburn was UNANIMOUSLY confirmed by the Senate. And that includes the vote from Hagen's fellow NC Senator Richard Burr (R).

Oh - and senators don't "handpick" any judge. Judges are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

But NOM hopes their ilk doesn't know how history or the government works.

(h/t Jeremy Hooper/Good As You)

NASA Rocket Explodes On Launch

Today from Madonna on Instagram

A photo posted by Madonna (@madonna) on

Drunk Homophobe From DFW Airport Incident Could Get Away With Only $1K Fine

McCleish Christmas Benham

Last week I reported on an incident at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport where a drunk homophobe attacked another traveler he assumed to be gay only to be stopped by a group of bystanders.

From Lone Star Q:

According to the report obtained by Lone Star Q, the man’s name is McCleish Christmas Benham, 27. He is currently charged with public intoxication and simple assault, both class-C misdemeanors each punishable by a maximum $500 fine, but no jail time.

However, if prosecutors choose to utilize Texas’ hate crimes law, they could enhance the assault charge to a class-B misdemeanor. Class-B misdemeanors are punishable by 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine per offense.

Pretty hard to imagine the prosecutors wouldn't charge the man with hate crime here since Benham was caught on video calling his victim a "queer."

But in Texas, folks aren't very concerned with protecting LGBT citizens, so don't hold your breath on that one..

If not, Benham could get away with a maximum of $1,000 fine and no jail time whatsoever.

Here's the arrest report:

Dog of the Day

Marvel Announces "Phase 3" Films in Development

Carol Danvers - Captain Marvel

Pardon me as I geek out for just a second... :)

July 6th, 2018, will be the release date of the first Marvel superhero movie starring a female super hero - Captain Marvel.

The news comes via announcement today of Marvel's Phase 3 movies which will include Black Panther, the Inhumans, Doctor Strange, Avengers: Infinity Wars and more sequels in the Captain America & Guardians of the Galaxy franchises.

• Captain America 3: Civil War on May 6th, 2016

• Doctor Strange on November 4th, 2016

• Guardians of the Galaxy 2 on May 5th, 2017

• Thor 3: Ragnarok on July 28th, 2017

• Black Panther on November 3rd, 2017

• Captain Marvel on July 6th, 2018

• Inhumans on November 2nd, 2018

• Avengers: Infinity War Part One in May 2018

• Avengers: Infinity War Part Two in May 2019

It's almost strange to note that so far there has not been a Marvel super heroine with her own film. Even Wonder Woman has gotten the nod from DC Comics for a 2017 film by now.

Also of interest is the character - having gone through several incarnations - began comic book life as a male, but the title was recently handed over to Carol Danvers in the comic book series and that's the version Marvel's going with for the film.

For those not familiar, Danvers powers include flight, super strength, and the ability to shoot energy bursts from her hands.

See you at the movies!

Concept art for Black Panther film coming in November 2017 from Marvel

Anti-Gay Activist Tony Perkins: Americans Will NEVER Accept Marriage Equality


Virulently anti-gay Tony Perkins, of the hate group Family Research Council, was on yesterday's edition of "Washington Watch" using the same scare tactics his ilk have used for so long now in trying to deny equal rights to LGBT Americans and insisting that a majority of Americans will never support marriage equality:

From Right Wing Watch:

Perkins said that just as reproductive rights debates are still contentious because legal abortion “runs contrary to nature,” gay marriage will similarly never be “resolved” until it is banned throughout the nation.

“I don’t care what they do, how oppressive government becomes in order to force this agenda through, they will never force Americans to accept this, the majority of Americans to accept it. Won’t happen,” he said. “Some may go silent, some may be carried away but they will not resolve this issue, trust me.”

Note the choice of words - "impose," "force," "oppressive." He really makes equal rights sound chilling, doesn't he?

And that's how they work, kids. That's how they work.

You can listen to his sad diatribe below:

Just Laugh When Everyone Else Laughs


One the perks of having a hot hubby who works in entertainment PR is that we get invited to a lot of cool events like gala openings of restaurants and clubs, or annual parties celebrating magazines or organizations. It's actually a big part of the job to out and about, mixing with marketing and publicity folks, and Michael is uber-good at the social thing.

If I were cool (I'm not), I'd probably say in a blasé voice, "it's alright." But truth be told it is fun to dress up, go out and socialize - especially when there's an open bar :)

But over the past ten years or so I've started attending less and less of these events with Michael. Not so much because I don't want to, but I've noticed it's gotten progressively harder to understand conversation in loud environments (music, restaurant clatter, etc...)  and it makes the evenings really dreary. It's gotten to the point where we now have "designated date" friends to go with Michael in my place as I only go to about 25% of the invites he gets.

My hearing issue is basically a difficulty understanding conversation in areas with loud ambient noise - like restaurants or bars with music. I'll be standing with a group of people and can barely understand what someone three feet away is saying. And it's clear other folks don't have the same issues I do.

I've learned to try to read lips as much as possible, and I laugh when everyone else does even if I have no idea what I'm laughing at. It's definitely not cute. It's actually kind of mindless over the course of hours.

So, I've started doing some research on exploring digital hearing aids. Not sure which direction I'll go, but it's clear the rest of the world gets a whole lot more out of conversation than I am right now.

In starting my search on hearing info, I came across this website for Pure Audiology, which has a "Hearing Simulator." Very cool tool.

If you hit the link and scroll down, you can listen to to common sounds in a variety of environments, first with normal hearing and then with simulated levels of hearing loss.

Just to give you an idea of where I'm at right now, there's a pulldown menu for male and female speech plus outdoor and restaurant scenes. Pick the restaurant scene and listen to the normal setting; then, the "mild loss;" and then the "moderate loss." I'm thinking I'm somewhere close to the moderate loss level.

Now - after listening to that - imagine how much fun a party or event would be over two or three hours having to work that hard at hearing.

Not cute.

As I continue with my research I'll share anything I find interesting.  But if you or someone you know has an issue with hearing loss, share this post with them. I know for me it was cool to find a way to convey to my friends what my hearing actually sounds like.

Oh, and don't forget: when in doubt, laugh when everyone else does. Works every time.

Truth of the Day: "Open Carry Activists" and Gun Rights

Via Occupy Democrats

And yes, that's EXACTLY what they are doing.

Trailer: Peter Pan Live! On NBC



Starring Alison Williams and Christopher Walken, Peter Pan Live! premieres live on NBC December 4th at 8PM.

Can Science Erase Your Bad Memories?


The geniuses at AsapSCIENCE wonder: what if you could delete specific memories?

It looks as though science may have found a way...

Video: Together We Are Stronger


From Moovz.com:

People from all around the world took part in the gay selfie project released by the global gay social network Moovz.

This project was meant to show the faces of the global gay community, with people from different cultures, with different colors, appearance and races and that speaks different languages.

We were amazed to receive more than 100,000 Selfies entries shared on Moovz feed. This proves how united we are :)


Alabama: Apple CEO Tim Cook Calls Out His Home State On LGBT Rights


Speaking at the Alabama Academy of Honor induction, in front of Governor Robert Bentley, Apple CEO Tim Cook (who has never publicly come out) addressed LGBT rights in his home state:

“I could never understand why some within our state and nation resisted basic principles of human dignity that were so opposite to the values I had learned growing up in Robertsdale, Alabama in a family that was rich in love and respect.”

“We were too slow on equality on African-Americans. We were too slow on interracial marriage. And we are still too slow on equality for the LBGT community.”

New York's Tallest Apartment Building


Located in NYC, 432 Park Avenue is the tallest residential building in the Western Hemisphere.

The view from the top penthouse is spectacular and sold at a spectacular price: $95 million.

The purchase also comes with an E ticket - the building sways 4-5 feet in the wind.

Think about that...

Monday, October 27, 2014

Just Because - Eliad Cohen

From circuit party impresario (Papa Party) Eliad Cohen via Instagram today:

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Sets January Date for Texas' Same-Sex Marriage Appeal


The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has tentatively scheduled oral arguments for the week of Jan. 5 in a lawsuit challenging Texas’ same-sex marriage bans.

In February, U.S. District Judge Orlando L. Garcia struck down the marriage bans as unconstitutional in DeLeon v. Perry. However, Garcia stayed his decision pending an appeal, and Attorney General Greg Abbott appealed it to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court in New Orleans.

The Texas case will be heard the same week as another marriage case from Louisiana, which is also in the 5th Circuit.

In September, U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman upheld Louisiana’s marriage ban in Robicheaux v. Caldwell, becoming the first federal judge to uphold marriage discrimination since June 2013.

(from Lone Star Q)

Brazil: São Paulo Close To Running Out Of Water


Folks here in the US can deny climate change all they want, but down in São Paulo, Brazil, it's about to get real as the city of 20 million faces it's worst drought in 80 years.

One of the causes of the crisis may be more than 2,000 kilometers away, in the growing deforested areas in the Amazon region.

“Humidity that comes from the Amazon in the form of vapor clouds - what we call ‘flying rivers’ - has dropped dramatically, contributing to this devastating situation we are living today,” said Antonio Nobre, a leading climate scientist at INPE, Brazil’s National Space Research Institute.

The changes, he said, are “all because of deforestation”.

Nobre and a group of fellow scientists and meteorologists believe the lack of rain that has dried up key reservoirs in São Paulo and neighboring states in southeastern Brazil is not just the result of an aberration in weather patterns.

Instead, global warming and the deforestation of the Amazon are altering the climate in the region by drastically reducing the release of billions of liters of water by rainforest trees, they say.

Sabesp, the state-owned water utility that serves the city, issued warnings last week that São Paulo only has about two weeks of drinking water supplies left.

And we're not just talking about water for drinking, cooking and bathing. Crops in southeastern Brazil, like sugar and coffee, look to be highly impacted by the drought.

Brokeback Lismore: Two Country Cowboys In Australia

Aussie cowboys Dan Smith and Miki Velickovski

Meet Dan Smith and Miki Velickovski, a couple of Aussie country cowboys who defy the cliches of both LGBT and rural cultures.








(via Accidental Bear)